Structure

The chimpanzee nest quantified: morphology and ecology of arboreal sleeping platforms within the dry habitat site of Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Uganda

by David Samson

Published in Primates

The nightly construction of a sleeping platform
(SP) or ‘‘nest’’ is widely regarded as a universal behaviormore The nightly construction of a sleeping platform
(SP) or ‘‘nest’’ is widely regarded as a universal behavior
among great apes, yet SP structural morphology has been
incompletely quantified to date. This is in part due to the
inherent difficulties of gathering empirical data on arboreally
sited SPs. I gathered quantitative structural data on
SPs (n = 65) at the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve from
May to June 2008 and from August 2010 to January 2011. I
measured SP length (semi-major axis length), width (semiminor
axis length), radii (length from the surface center to
the rim edge 45 from the axis), depth (width of the concavity
from the surface center to the parallel rim), and
thickness (ventral center to the dorsal underside of the SP).
SP complexity was defined with a scored index. SP complexity
was found to be correlated with SP circumference,
surface area, mass, proportion of soft leafy material to hard
woody material, number of frame support branches used in
its construction, and other measures that are argued to
index ‘‘comfort.’’ In addition, the height of the tree canopy
above the SP was negatively correlated with SP complexity.
Greater complexity (and therefore stability) is argued
to maintain SP integrity, stability and restraint in the face
of greater wind speeds, thereby reducing the probability of
falls. Given the observation that males site SPs lower
than females (Fruth and Hohmann, Ethology 94:113–126,
1994; Brownlow et al., Am J Primatol 55:49–55, 2001),
and that SP diameters were greater for SPs sited low in the
canopy at Semliki, it is inferred that more massive males
benefit from lower climbing expenses and greater stability.
These data support Baldwin and colleagues’ (Primates
22:474–486, 1981) hypothesis that the principal advantage
of SPs over open-branch sleeping sites is the greater stability
required by large-bodied great apes.

On the Unyielding Hydrophobic Core of Villin Headpiece

by Jeffrey Wade Brown, M.D., Ph.D.

Brown JW, Farelli JD, & McKnight CJ (2012) Protein Sci 21(5): 647-54. PMID: 22467489. PMC

Villin headpiece (HP67) is a small, autonomously-folding domain that has become a model system for understanding the... more Villin headpiece (HP67) is a small, autonomously-folding domain that has become a model system for understanding the fundamental tenets governing protein folding. In this
communication, we explore the role that Leu61 plays in the structure and stability of the construct. Deletion of Leu61 results in a completely unfolded protein that cannot be expressed in Escherichia coli. Omission of only the aliphatic leucine side chain (HP67 L61G) perturbed neither the backbone conformation nor the orientation of local hydrophobic side chains. As a result, a large, solvent-exposed hydrophobic pocket, a negative replica of the leucine side-chain, was created on the surface. The loss of the hydrophobic interface between leucine 61 and the hydrophobic pocket destabilized the construct by ~3.3 kcal/mol. Insertion of a single glycine residue immediately before Leu61 (HP67 L61[GL]) was also highly destabilizing and had the effect of altering the backbone conformation (a-helix to p-helix) in order to precisely preserve the wild-type position and conformation of all hydrophobic residues, including Leu61. In addition to demonstrating that the hydrophobic side-chain of Leu61 is critically important for the stability of villin headpiece, our results are consistent with the notion that the precise interactions present within the hydrophobic core, rather than the hydrogen bonds that define the secondary structure, specify a protein’s fold.

Strutture formali e parametriche nella musica del secondo Novecento: alcuni esempi

by Fabio De Sanctis De Benedictis

Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Matematica, Gennaio 2008

Synthesis and fragmentation in social theory: a progressive solution

by John Holmwood

Postmodern claims for the lack of general coherence in social life and therefore in social research are merely a... more Postmodern claims for the lack of general coherence in social life and therefore in social research are merely a version of recurrent attempts to accept incoherence as adequate in explanations. Incoherence, however, is less sharply distinguishedfrom the synthetic and generalizing theories that it is held to have replaced than its proponents and critics suppose. Generalizing approaches, in fact, were built around contradictions
that contributed to their instability and facilitated postmodern fragmentation. In this paper we demonstrate the central contradictions in social theory, showing their common occurrence in apparently opposed positions. Both postmodernism and what it seeks to replace are features of a conservative and unproductive social science. We trace the
contradictory continuities through major modern schools of social theory in order to clear the ground for a progressive social science which accepts contradictions as problems that must be solved creatively in the practice of social research.

BROTHERS (Susanne Bier, 2004), triptyque (texte français)

by Rene Hirsch

2 ou 3 choses que je sais de Susanne Bier (3)

Outre les éléments thèmatiques et symboliques chers à Susanne Bier et déjà présents dans The One and Only (1999) et... more Outre les éléments thèmatiques et symboliques chers à Susanne Bier et déjà présents dans The One and Only (1999) et dans Open Hearts (2002), Brothers traite plus particulièrement de la difficile réinsertion sociale d'un soldat en proie au syndrome de stress post-traumatique.

Neoliberalism as discourse: between Foucauldian political economy and Marxian poststructuralism

by Simon Springer

Springer, S. Forthcoming. Neoliberalism as discourse: between Foucauldian political economy and Marxian poststructuralism. Critical Discourse Studies.

Contemporary theorizations of neoliberalism are framed by a false dichotomy between, on the one hand, studies... more Contemporary theorizations of neoliberalism are framed by a false dichotomy between, on the one hand, studies influenced by Foucault in emphasizing neoliberalism as a form of governmentality, and on the other hand, inquiries influenced by Marx in foregrounding neoliberalism as a hegemonic ideology. This article seeks to shine some light on this division in an effort to open up new debates and recast existing ones in such a way that might lead to more flexible understandings of neoliberalism as a discourse. A discourse approach moves theorizations forward by recognizing neoliberalism is neither a ‘top down’ nor ‘bottom up’ phenomena, but rather a circuitous process of socio-spatial transformation.

The_state_management_system_of_economy_of_Inka_Empire_esp

by Alejandro Skromnitsky

The eventfulness of social reproduction

by Adam Moore

Published in Sociological Theory, 2011

Die Inkonsistenz des Unerreichbaren unter Betrachtung des metaphysischen Strukturganzen

by Martin Jacob Schaunpeter

Die Gelichtetheit des Seins

Studying the interpretive and physical aspects of interactivity: Revisiting interactivity as a situated interplay of structure and agencies

by CarrieLynn Reinhard

For a special issue of Communications on digital media revisited...

The concept of “interactivity” has... more For a special issue of Communications on digital media revisited...

The concept of “interactivity” has routinely been used to differentiate older analogue media and newer digital media. In this usage, interactivity has come to be defined as primarily a physical behavior from the person, as dictated by the media product, which has technological and/or content features that enable, promote, and require specific types and amounts of such activity. However, physical behaviors are only part of the processes involved in engaging with a media product. These also involve cognitive, affective and interpretive behaviors. Additionally, what are considered the most important behaviors may vary in any given media reception situation. This paper reports on a study that considered interactivity as involving interpretive and physical behaviors together. In interviews about people's engaging with new and old media products, the processes of interactivity were mapped for their interconnected components. The results help illustrate the complexity of the concept.

New Phase of Polymeric C60: Double Chains via [2+2] Cycloaddition

by Vasilii Artyukhov

physica status solidi (b), Vol. 245, No. 10. (2008), pp. 2022-2024.

We investigate the structure of a new phase of one-dimensional polymeric C60 that has recently been demonstrated to... more We investigate the structure of a new phase of one-dimensional polymeric C60 that has recently been demonstrated to form from the orthorhombic phase of polymeric C60 as a result of pressure-driven photopolymerization, using ab initio calculations at the density-functional theory level. The transition to the new phase proceeds via formation of additional [2+2] bonds between neighbouring C60 chains of the O phase, resulting in double chains of C60 units along the [100] crystallographic direction. The new phase is a semiconductor, like the original O phase, but with a narrower band gap.

Silica Nanotube Multi-Terminal Junctions As a Coating for Carbon Nanotube Junctions

by Vasilii Artyukhov

Physical Review B, Vol. 74, No. 4. (6 July 2006), 045402. Key: 10.1103/PhysRevB.74.045402

The possibility of coating carbon nanotube junctions with single-walled, square-lattice silica nanotubes is... more The possibility of coating carbon nanotube junctions with single-walled, square-lattice silica nanotubes is considered. We describe the topology of junctions of such tubes, based on the generalized Euler formula for a tetragonal lattice with trigonal, pentagonal, and hexagonal topological defects. The types of silica nanotubes best fitting the considered carbon nanotube types are determined using a classical interatomic force field. The influence of the silica coating on the electronic properties of the carbon nanotube is evaluated using semiempirical Paramagnetic Model 3 (PM3) method calculations. It is found that the electronic properties of the carbon nanotube near the Fermi level are not changed considerably. Finally, we propose some examples of SiO2-C composite T-, Y-, and X-junction structures.

New Hollow SiO2 Clusters: Structure, Energy and Electronic Characteristics

by Vasilii Artyukhov

Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, Vol. 14, No. 2. (2006), pp. 545-550. doi:10.1080/15363830600666670

Structural, energetic and electronic properties of polyhedral silica clusters are studied using density-functional... more Structural, energetic and electronic properties of polyhedral silica clusters are studied using density-functional theory. Topology of polyhedral clusters is considered, and a new type of clusters is proposed. For two topological types of clusters (trigonal and tetragonal), new stable structures have been found. The dependences of bonding energy and HOMO-LUMO gap on the geometry of a cluster are analyzed.

Theoretical Study of Two-Dimensional Silica Films

by Vasilii Artyukhov

J. Phys. Chem. C, 2010, 114 (21), pp 9678–9684

Properties of hypothetical planar silica polymorphs are investigated. First, the general topological features of... more Properties of hypothetical planar silica polymorphs are investigated. First, the general topological features of possible atomically thin two-dimensional silica nanostructures are analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, two fundamental structure types (termed tetragonal and trigonal) that represent the possible local topological arrangements are chosen for a plane-wave density functional theory study. Whereas the trigonal motif is energetically favorable for the formation of monomolecular films and spherical fullerene-like nanoclusters, the tetragonal structure is more suitable for single-walled nanotubes of silica. The strain energy of trigonal films results entirely from two-membered rings, allowing us to estimate the energy cost of two-ring formation (1.30 eV), excluding any additional strain contribution from the environment. All structures possess strong dielectric properties with a band gap only slightly smaller than that in α-quartz and other bulk forms of silica. Reorganization of the band structure is seen; it is especially pronounced when two-membered rings are present in the system. The results of our calculations and other studies are brought together in order to grasp a better view on the place that these nanostructures occupy within the diversity of silica forms, with a conclusion that they lie well within the experimentally accessible range of total energies. From this, we infer that a segment of the (6,0) nanotube is the “ground-state” configuration for (SiO2)N clusters with N ≥ 36.

Network embeddedness as a predictor of performance for New Technology-Based Firms

by Martin Bliemel

Published in International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship

The logic of network embeddedness has been widely used in the technology entrepreneurship literature in recent years,... more The logic of network embeddedness has been widely used in the technology entrepreneurship literature in recent years, yet its operationalisation and use are neither well understood nor agreed upon. This paper reviews the logic of network embeddedness as it has been invoked and operationalised to predict the performance of New Technology-Based Firms (NTBFs). We find network embeddedness to be a useful predictor for NTBF performance when operationalised at both the dyad and network levels and when interaction effects or contingency factors that account for environmental conditions and firm constraints are included.

Networks of dedicated biotechnology and service firms in Vancouver

by Martin Bliemel

Published in Journal of Commercial Biotechnology

Survival and growth of firms depends on their relationships to other organisations, including key suppliers,... more Survival and growth of firms depends on their relationships to other organisations, including key suppliers, customers, supporters and competitors. This study compares geographic aspects of the networks of biotechnology firms (DBFs) and contract research organisations and service firms (CROs) in Vancouver, Canada. We find that for DBFs the key actors (organisations and individuals) that they network with are globally located (ie not local), despite the DBFs having originated from a local university. In contrast, CROs are more likely to network with local actors, and with actors on the same continent. Of the DBFs providing performance data, the distribution of their performance is consistent with recent developments in structural embeddedness theory (ie network coupling theory). This suggests that their performance may be inhibited if they are under- or over-embedded in their network, with the greatest opportunity for success in a medium range of coupling.

In Search of Entrepreneurial Network Configurations: Using Q-Analysis to Study Network Structures and Flows

by Martin Bliemel

Best Paper award at EUROMOT 2009

Studies of entrepreneurial networks have largely overlooked configurational research, which is concerned with... more Studies of entrepreneurial networks have largely overlooked configurational research, which is concerned with organizational diversity. We suggest that this is due to conceptual and methodological constraints that restrict studies to concentrate on one or other of the two dominant network perspectives - structural and flow. Consequently, we know relatively little about how both these network perspectives combine to create distinct configurations. In response, we introduce a conceptual model and the Q-analysis method and use these to develop a typology of four network configurations. We then present arguments concerning the effective network goals and network capabilities particular to each configuration.

The structure of the Plutarchan book

by Timothy Duff

'The structure of the Plutarchan book', Classical Antiquity 30 (2011), 213-278.

This study focuses not on individual Lives or pairs of Lives, but on the book as a whole and its articulation... more
This study focuses not on individual Lives or pairs of Lives, but on the book as a whole and its articulation across the full corpus. It argues that the Plutarchan book consists of up to four distinct sections: prologue, first Life, second Life, synkrisis. Each of these sections has a fairly consistent internal structure, and each has a distinct set of strategies for opening, for closure and for managing the transition from one section to the next. Prologues provide an introduction to both Lives, and are clearly delineated from them, even though in our manuscripts they appear as part of the first Life; in fact, there is often a stronger break between prologue and first Life than there is between the two Lives themselves. Prologues usually begin with generalised reflections, to be followed only later by the naming of the subjects and a statement of their similarities. Most Lives begin with a thematically-organised section (the 'proemial opening'), which surveys the subject's life as a whole, not just their youth, and which is marked off with varying degrees of distinctness from the narrative which follows. Crucially, proemial openings do not narrate and the logic of their structure is not chronological. Closure in many Lives is signalled by 'circularity' and sometimes by a closural or transitional phrase, though first Lives are different here from second Lives. Synkriseis are structured both by a series of themes on which the two subjects are compared, and by a two-part, agonistic structure in which first one of the subjects is preferred, then the other. Synkriseis may also recall the prologue; both prologue and synkrisis operate at the level of the book, and between them frame and weld together the two Lives.


© Timothy E Duff. All rights reserved.

Rangewide Phylogeography In the Greater Horseshoe Bat Inferred From Microsatellites: Implications for Population History, Taxonomy and Conservation

by Stephen Rossiter

Phylogeography of the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum: contrasting results from mitochondrial and microsatellite data

by Stephen Rossiter