Investigating the Features of the M170 in Congenital Prosopagnosia

Face perception generates specific neural activity as early as 170 ms post-stimulus onset, termed the M170 when measured with Magnetoencephalography (MEG). We examined the M170 in six people with congenital prosopagnosia (CP) and 11 typical controls. Previous research indicates that there are two neural generators for the M170 (one within the right lateral occipital area - rLO and one within the right fusiform gyrus - rFG), and in the current study we explored whether these sources reflect the processing of different types of information. Individuals with CP showed face-selective M170 responses within the rLO and right rFG, which did not differ in magnitude to those of the controls. To examine possible links between neural activity and behavior we correlated the CPs' MEG activity generated within rLO and rFG with their face perception skills. The rLO-M170 correlated with holistic/configural face processing, whereas the rFG-M170 correlated with featural processing. Hence, the results of our study demonstrate that individuals with CP can show an M170 that is within the normal range, and that the M170 in the rLO and rFG are involved in different aspects of face processing

Differentiation of mammalian vestibular hair cells from conditionally immortal, postnatal supporting cells

We provide evidence from a newly established, conditionally immortal cell line (UB/UE-1) that vestibular supporting cells from the mammalian inner ear can differentiate postnatally into more than one variant of hair cell. A clonal supporting cell line was established from pure utricular sensory epithelia of H2kbtsA58 transgenic mice 2 d after birth. Cell proliferation was dependent on conditional expression of the immortalizing gene, the “T” antigen from the SV40 virus. Proliferating cells expressed cytokeratins, and patch-clamp recordings revealed that they all expressed small membrane currents with little time-dependence. They stopped dividing within 2 d of being transferred to differentiating conditions, and within a week they formed three defined populations expressing membrane currents characteristic of supporting cells and two kinds of neonatal hair cell. The cells expressed several characteristic features of normal hair cells, including the transcription factor Brn3.1, a functional acetylcholine receptor composed of a9 subunits, and the cytoskeletal proteins myosin VI, myosin VIIa, and fimbrin. Immunofluorescence labeling and electron microscopy showed that the cells formed complex cytoskeletal arrays on their upper surfaces with structural features resembling those at the apices of normal hair cells. The cell line UB/UE-1 provides a valuable in vitro preparation in which the expression of numerous structural and physiological components can be initiated or upregulated during early stages of mammalian hair cell commitment and differentiation

The Roles Boards Play in CEO Succession Planning

A lack of CEO succession planning increases business risk as disruption is more likely during a CEO transition. One difficulty of examining the importance of CEO succession planning is that the planning process is difficult to observe and evaluate. The main purposes of this dissertation are two-fold. First is to investigate whether CEO succession planning matters by comparing disruption costs in firms with planned departure and those with unexpected CEO departures due to death and illness. The second purpose is to investigate whether inside or outside directors improve organizational resiliency using the context of sudden CEO departures when CEO succession planning is not possible and the former CEO is not available for consultation. Using a unique hand-collected data set of CEO turnovers from 1996 to 2009, I find evidence that firms with unexpected CEO departures have significantly shorter lead-time and greater disruption costs, compared to firms with planned CEO departures. Specifically, shorter lead-time is associated with less favorable cumulative stock performance and greater reduction in capital expenditure around the incumbent CEO’s departure. These results may indicate that a lack of CEO succession planning is associated with greater disruption costs. In fact, a lack of succession planning could cost firms approximately $136 million if the incumbent CEO departs unexpectedly. In addition, firms with both inside directors other than the CEO and well-connected outside directors are most resilient, whereas firms with neither non-CEO inside directors nor connected outside directors are least resilient and suffer the most. In addition, firms with greater inside director presence are less likely to engage in big bath accounting, i.e., taking advantage of the departure to largely write off assets

The use of animal models to study cell transplantation in neuropathic hearing loss

Auditory neuropathy (AN) is a form of sensorineural deafness specifically affecting the conduction of the nerve impulse from the cochlear hair cells to the auditory centres of the brain. As such, the condition is a potential clinical target for ‘cell replacement therapy’, in which a functioning auditory nerve is regenerated by transplanting an appropriated neural progenitor. In this review, we survey the current literature and examine possible experimental models for this condition, with particular reference to their compatibility as suitable hosts for transplantation. The use of exogenous neurotoxic agents such as ouabain or β-bungarotoxin is discussed, as are ageing and noise-induced synaptopathy models. Lesioning of the nerve by mechanical damage during surgery and the neuropathy resulting from infectious diseases may be very relevant clinically, and we discuss whether there are good models for these situations. We also address genetic models for AN, examining whether the phenotypes truly model the clinical situation in their human counterpart syndromes - we use the example of the hyperbilirubinaemic Gunn rat as a particular instance in this regard

Measuring the effects of U.S. uncertainty and monetary conditions on EMEs' macroeconomic dynamics

We explore empirically the transmission of U.S. financial and macroeconomic uncertainty to emerging market economies (EMEs). We start by assuming that there are crucial differences between volatility and uncertainty, and between the latter and its shocks. With the help of Bayesian vector autoregressions, we first identify two measures of U.S. uncertainty shocks, which appear to explain the dynamics of output developments better than conventional volatility measures. Next, we find evidence that adverse shocks to U.S. aggregate uncertainty are associated with marked contractions in some EMEs’ business cycles. However, we detect significant cross-country heterogeneity in the responses of EMEs’ business cycles to U.S uncertainty shocks. We also find generalized declines in stock market values, which supports the so-called Global Financial Cycle hypothesis

Measuring the effects of U.S. uncertainty and monetary conditions on EMEs' macroeconomic dynamics

We explore empirically the transmission of U.S. financial and macroeconomic uncertainty to emerging market economies (EMEs). We start by assuming that there are crucial differences between volatility and uncertainty, and between the latter and its shocks. With the help of Bayesian vector autoregressions, we first identify two measures of U.S. uncertainty shocks, which appear to explain the dynamics of output developments better than conventional volatility measures. Next, we find evidence that adverse shocks to U.S. aggregate uncertainty are associated with marked contractions in some EMEs’ business cycles. However, we detect significant cross-country heterogeneity in the responses of EMEs’ business cycles to U.S uncertainty shocks. We also find generalized declines in stock market values, which supports the so-called Global Financial Cycle hypothesis

Parenting Influences on Child Obesity-Related Behaviors: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

The relationships between parenting behaviors and child obesity-related behaviors have been extensively investigated through the use of different constructs such as parenting styles, domain-specific styles and specific parenting practices, but there is currently a need for a more comprehensive and integrative theoretical framework. This chapter argues about the usefulness of self-determination theory, and in particular of the specific dimensional parenting model related to the theory, as a framework to conceptually organize parenting practices relevant to children’s obesity-related behaviors. The three parenting dimensions of autonomy support, provision of structure and parental positive involvement, identified by self-determination theory as particularly relevant to the process of child’s internalization of socially desired behaviors and values, will be applied as a framework to conceptually organize the parenting practices in the feeding and physical activity domains

Parenting Capacity Assessment for the Court in a Multifamily Group Setting

Parenting capacity assessment in court evaluations is a particularly complex task, given that it is necessary to consider the vast array of distinct and interrelated aspects and abilities which represent parenting, as well as the elevated number of contextual levels that influence parenting quality. The perspective we want to introduce regards the potentiality of the multifamily group as the elective observational setting in parenting capacity assessment

Novel system for distributed energy generation from a small scale concentrated solar power

The present work describes the realization of a modular 1-3 kWe, 3-9 kWth micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) system based on innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Stirling engine technology. The cogeneration of energy at distributed level is one of leading argument in large part of energy policies related to renewable energy resources and systems. This CSP m-CHP will provide electrical power, heating and cooling for single and multiple domestic dwellings and other small buildings. The developed system integrates small-scale concentrator optics with moving and tracking components, solar absorbers in the form of evacuated tube collectors, a heat transfer fluid, a Stirling engine with generator, and heating and/or cooling systems; it incorporates them into buildings in an architecturally acceptable manner, with low visual impact. Some good results have already been achieved, while developments on several technology subcomponents will be finalized through first part of 2013. Two Cer.Met. have been modelled, realized and tested. The up scaled receiver, in form of Cer.Met. coating based on TiO2 - Nb, has been confirmed an absorptance of 0.94 and emittance of 0.1 (@350°C). A second Cer.Met. coating based on SiO2 - W has demonstrated an absorptance of 0.93 and emittance of 0.09 (@350°C). A full-evacuated solar tube has been designed and realized, with absorber of 12 mm in diameter and length in 2 meters. The system is provided of a concentration ratio 12:1, and a single module is 200 cm long, 40 cm wide and 20-25 cm high. Two or more modules can be combined. The evacuated solar tube, located on the focus, has the selective absorber on a tube of 12 mm in diameter. A very thin glass mirror has been developed (< 1 mm). The overall mirror reflectivity has been measured, the verified value is 0,954. Research has proposed a high energy density, double acting Stirling engine, provided of innovative heat exchangers realized through Selective Laser Melting process. The engine is a low speed (250 RPM), high pressure (130 Bars) and compact solution able to be run at 300°C and generate 3,5 kW nominal power. The solar technology has actually entered the proof-of-concept stage. A solar plant has been installed in Malta, by Arrow Pharm company, supplying the industrial process of generated steam at 180°C and 3.5 absolute pressure. The solar collector's efficiency is close to 47% in presence of 900 W/m2 of direct solar radiation. During 2013, solar evacuated tubes with innovative Cer.Met. coating, together with new thin glass mirrors will upgrade the demonstration site, together with a new and innovative low temperature difference and high energy density Stirling. By end-2013, the system will be demonstrated, with the overall objective to achieve a minimum of 65% in solar collectors' efficiency at 300°C, and 12 - 15% of overall electrical efficiency by the Stirling cycle.peer-reviewe