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The gene encoding the neural cell adhesion molecule Contactin-6 (Cntn6 a.k.a. NB-3) has been implicated as an autism risk gene, suggesting that its mutation is deleterious to brain development. Due to its GPI-anchor at Cntn6 may exert cell adhesion/receptor functions in complex with other membrane proteins, or serve as a ligand. We aimed to uncover novel phenotypes related to Cntn6 functions during development in the cerebral cortex of adult Cntn6(-/-) mice. We first determined Cntn6 protein and mRNA expression in the cortex, thalamic nuclei and the hippocampus at P14, which decreased specifically in the cortex at adult stages. Neuroanatomical analysis demonstrated a significant decrease of Cux1+ projection neurons in layers II-IV and an increase of FoxP2+ projection neurons in layer VI in the visual cortex of adult Cntn6(-/-) mice compared to wild-type controls. Furthermore, the number of parvalbumin+ (PV) interneurons was decreased in Cntn6(-/-) mice, while the amount of NPY+ interneurons remained unchanged. In the hippocampus the delineation and outgrowth of mossy fibers remained largely unchanged, except for the observation of a larger suprapyramidal bundle. The observed abnormalities in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Cntn6(-/-) mice suggests that Cntn6 serves developmental functions involving cell survival, migration and fasciculation. Furthermore, these data suggest that Cntn6 engages in both trans- and cis-interactions and may be involved in larger protein interaction networks.

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Item does not contain fulltext Reliable coding of stimuli is a daunting task that often yields unsatisfactory results. This paper discusses a case study in which tropes (e.g., metaphors, puns) in TV commercials were analyzed as well the extent and location of verbal and visual anchoring (i.e., explanation) of these tropes. After a first coding round, low interrater agreement scores were found. Examples are presented which demonstrate the reliability issues. The paper concludes with an overview of options to deal with reliability problems as described here. Low interrater agreement scores may reflect the richness of the data and their inherent ambiguity and need not necessarily be disapproved of. Twenty-third Biennial Congress of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics, 22 augustus 2014

Contains fulltext : 452212.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) According to the processing fluency theory (Reber et al., 2004), fluently processed stimuli are preferred to more challenging stimuli. This contradicts Giora et al.’s (2004) Optimal Innovation Hypothesis, that predicts a preference for more challenging, optimally innovative stimuli. Hekkert et al.’s dual process model would explain both theories: Familiar stimuli would be preferred after short exposure, whereas optimally innovative stimuli would be preferred after longer exposure. An experiment was done to examine the effect of exposure time (20ms vs. 1000ms) on the aesthetic response to either familiar or optimally innovative advertising images. The results showed a higher aesthetic response to optimally innovative images regardless of exposure time. This study therefore did not support Reber et al.’s fluency theory nor Hekkert et al.’s assumption that two opposing mechanisms are at work at different exposure times. Twenty-third Biennial Congress of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics, 22 augustus 2014

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An interlaboratory study of the liquid chromatographic (LC) determination of free glutamic acid in soup, meat product, and Chinese food was performed. Homogenized food samples were extracted with hot water, filtered, and diluted. Aliquot portions were treated with N,N-dimethyl-2-mer-capto-ethyl-ammonium chloride (DMMAC) and o phtaldialdehyde (OPA) to convert glutamic acid to a stable fluorescent complex. After LC separation on a reversed-phase C18 column with acetonitrile–phosphate buffer (pH 7.O)–water (80 +180 + 740, v/v) as mobile phase, glutamic acid peaks were measured fluorometrically (excitation, 340 nm, and emission, 389 and/or 440 nm). Homocysteic acid was used as internal standard. Twelve samples (6 blind duplicates) containing about 0.3–1.3% (w/w) of glutamic acid were analyzed singly by 12 laboratories. Results from one participant were excluded. Repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) varied from 1.3 to 4.5%, and reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 4.1 to 7.1 %. Average recovery of glutamic acid determined at 6 levels was 101.5% (range, 98–106%).

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This forum offers two contrasting perspectives on a new book by Wilson D. Miscamble, From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima, and the Cold War, which reassesses U.S. policy under Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and the origins of the Cold War. Because reactions to the book have been so divergent, we solicited reviews from two experts on the early Cold War, Ruud van Dijk and Arnold A. Offner, whose views of the book differ markedly.

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Contains fulltext : 27425.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) The present study investigated the effect of rhetorical figures on the attitude towards print ads. It was thought that rhetorical figures would yield a favourable attitude towards the ad, which in turn would influence attitude towards the product or brand, buying intention and buying behaviour. A rhetorical figure can be defined as an artfully divergent way of presenting an advertising message. Two types of rhetorical figures were distinguished, namely schemes and tropes. Schemes are superficial deviations (e.g., rhyme, alliteration). Tropes are meaningful deviations (e.g., metaphors, puns). Tropes are assumed to be perceived as more complex than schemes. Schemes (and non-rhetorical figures) are explicit and perceptible for everyone. Tropes are implicit and offer a cognitive challenge. The receiver needs specific prior knowledge to understand tropes. Receivers may find it more satisfying to retrieve the message themselves than to be told what the message is. From the results it can be concluded that two conditions have to be met if rhetorical figures are to yield a favourable attitude towards the ad: 1) receivers have to understand the ad, and 2) receivers have to perceive the rhetorical figure as an artful deviation from their expectations. Both conditions play a role with respect to tropes. Only the second condition plays a role with respect to schemes, because of the fact that schemes cannot be not understood. The use of tropes is more risky than the use of schemes because the condition of perceived understanding applies only to tropes, and because attitude towards ads that were not understood is less favourable than towards ads that were understood. Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, 27 april 2006 Promotores : Hoeken, H., Jansen, C.J.M. Co-promotor : Mulken, M.J.P. van 200 p.

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Item does not contain fulltext Amsterdam Sixth International Conference on Argumentation

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Item does not contain fulltext [n.n.] Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, 18 november 2004 n.n. : [s.n.]

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Petty and Cacioppo’s Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM: see, e.g., Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) has been the most influential model of the persuasion process for almost two decades. Its basic postulate is that when people are confronted with a persuasive message, they want to assess the validity of the message’s claim. To do so, people may systematically and critically evaluate the arguments supporting this claim. Although this systematic evaluation is the safest way to assess a claim’s validity, people are not always motivated and/or able to do so. In that case, they can use rules of thumb to assess the validity of the message’s claim. They may reason, for instance, “Experts are usually right, and this claim is put forward by an expert, therefore this claim is correct.” Other factors that can influence their assessment under those conditions are the number of arguments (instead of the content of these arguments), or even more superficial message characteristics such as the layout or the use of attractive colors. Depending on the way in which people process the message, arguments will or will not determine the outcome of the persuasion process. Only when people are motivated and able to systematically evaluate the arguments does the quality of these arguments influence their assessment of the claim’s validity.

We empirically investigate dividend and share repurchase policies of Canadian firms. We have sent a questionnaire to the 500 largest non-financial Canadian companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, of which 191 usable responses were returned. These data are used to measure firm characteristics. We use several logit regression analyses to test the structure and determinants of the dividend and share repurchase choice. Our results are consistent with a structure in which the company first decides whether it wants to pay out cash to its shareholders or not. In the second stage the firm decides on the form of the payout: dividends, share repurchases or both. Payout is determined by free cash flow. The choice for dividends and repurchases depends on behavioral and tax preferences. Furthermore, the payout is less likely to be dividends if the company has executive stock option plans. Finally, we find evidence for the Brennan and Thakor (1990) model. According to this model the existence of asymmetric information amongst outsiders is associated with a preference for dividend payments over share repurchases.

We empirically investigate dividend and share repurchase policies of Canadian firms. We use several logit regression analyses to test the structure and determinants of the dividend and share repurchase choice. We have sent a questionnaire to the 500 largest non-financial Canadian companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, of which 191 usable responses were returned. These data are used to measure firm characteristics. Our results are consistent with a structure in which the company first decides whether it wants to pay out cash to its shareholders or not. In the second stage the firm decides on the form of the payout: dividends, share repurchases or both. Payout is determined by free cash flow. The type of payout depends on behavioral and tax preferences. Furthermore, the payout is less likely to be dividends if the company has executive stock option plans. Finally, we find evidence for the Brennan and Thakor (1990) model. According to this model the existence of asymmetric information amongst outsiders is associated with a preference for dividend payments over share repurchases.

LANGUAGE="EN"Summary. In this paper the organisation of a radiology satellite department is described. In the satellite department only bucky examinations are performed, thus avoiding the need for the duplication of sophisticated material and specialized staff. The satellite department maintains as efficient a service as the main radiology department. For this purpose a digital radiology system was chosen for the satellite department. This system permits digital data to be sent to the main location. This results in a maximisation of the advantages of a two-location system as well as avoiding the need for patients' files to be moved between different locations.

We present an analysis of COMPTEL observations made between November 1991 and May 1994 of 2CG 135+01, a bright gamma-ray source located near the Galactic plane. At energies above 1 MeV, an excess consistent with the position of 2CG 135+01 is detected in the sum of the observations, at flux levels which are a factor of 10-100 below those published in the past. The detection significance of this excess, when the possible presence of underlying Galactic diffuse emission is neglected, is 6.6 sigma for 3 degrees of freedom. The differential photon spectrum in the 1-30 MeV energy range can be described by a power law with a spectral index of $1.95^{+0.2}_{-0.3}$. Due to the uncertainties involved in modelling the Galactic-disk diffuse emission underneath the source, the absolute flux levels must be considered uncertain by a factor of two. They are consistent with the extrapolation of the time-averaged spectrum of 2CG 135+01 measured with EGRET, thereby strengthening the identification. No significant temporal correlation between the gamma-ray emission and the monitored radio emission of the possible counterpart radio source GT 0236+610 (showing a 26.5 day modulation) is found., Comment: 9 pages, uses l-aa.sty, five postscript figures included. Also obtainable as postscript file at ftp://estsa2.estec.esa.nl/pub/sciproj/rvdijk_etal_AaA_23_04_96.ps.gz Accepted for publication in A&A