A genome scan for epidermal skin pattern in adolescent twins reveals suggestive linkage on 12p13.31

Deterioration in stratum corneum reticular patterning (skin pattern or skin wrinkling) has been associated with increased rates of solar keratoses and skin cancer. A previous analysis of data from the twin sample used in this investigation has shown that 86% of the variation in skin pattern is genetic at age 12 and 62% in an adult sample (mean age 47.5). Variation due to genetic influences is likely to be influenced by more than one locus. Here, we present results of a genome-wide linkage scan of skin pattern in adolescent twins and siblings from 428 nuclear twin families. Sib-pair linkage analysis was performed on skin pattern data collected from twins at age 12 (378 informative families) and 14 (316 families). Suggestive linkage was found at marker D12S397 (12p13.31, logarithm of the odds (lod) 1.94), when the effect of the trait locus was modelled to influence the skin pattern equally at both ages 12 and 14. In the same analysis, a peak was seen at 4q23 with a lod score of 1.55. A possible candidate for the peak at 12p13.31 is the protease inhibitor, alpha-2-macroglobulin.

Visual evoked magnetic fields to flash and pattern in 100 normal subjects

The practicality of recording visual evoked magnetic fields in 100 subjects 15-87 yr of age using a single channel d.c. SQUID second order gradiometer in an unshielded environment was investigated. The pattern reversal response showed a major positive component between 90 and 120 msec (P100M) while the response to flash produced a major positive component between 90 and 140 msec (P2M). Latency norms of the P100M were more variable than the corresponding P100 and P2 visual evoked potentials. The latency of the P100M may show a steep increase with age in most subjects after about 55 yr whereas only a small trend of latency with age was detected for the flash P2M.

Excitation of higher spatial harmonics by a moving light pattern in sillenites

We investigate numerically the dependence of higher harmonics of the space-charge field on the detuning frequency between the pump waves, which form a running interference pattern. Bistability and hysteresis of harmonics are predicted for a contrast of the interference pattern m =(0.25-0.3). For contrasts m˜1 and small detuning frequencies we show the existence of a narrow resonance, connected with the nonlinear excitation of a slowly decreasing sequence of spatial harmonics. For experiments we use a BSO crystal in the optical configuration which avoids nonlinear optical distortions. The experimental data show good qualitative agreement with theory.

Accommodating energy price volatility in life cycle cost analysis of asphalt pavements

Energy price is related to more than half of the total life cycle cost of asphalt pavements. Furthermore, the fluctuation related to price of energy has been much higher than the general inflation and interest rate. This makes the energy price inflation an important variable that should be addressed when performing life cycle cost (LCC) studies re- garding asphalt pavements. The present value of future costs is highly sensitive to the selected discount rate. Therefore, the choice of the discount rate is the most critical element in LCC analysis during the life time of a project. The objective of the paper is to present a discount rate for asphalt pavement projects as a function of interest rate, general inflation and energy price inflation. The discount rate is defined based on the portion of the energy related costs during the life time of the pavement. Consequently, it can reflect the financial risks related to the energy price in asphalt pavement projects. It is suggested that a discount rate sensitivity analysis for asphalt pavements in Sweden should range between –20 and 30%.

Excitation of higher spatial harmonics by a moving light pattern in sillenites

We investigate numerically the dependence of higher harmonics of the space-charge field on the detuning frequency between the pump waves, which form a running interference pattern. Bistability and hysteresis of harmonics are predicted for a contrast of the interference pattern m =(0.25-0.3). For contrasts m˜1 and small detuning frequencies we show the existence of a narrow resonance, connected with the nonlinear excitation of a slowly decreasing sequence of spatial harmonics. For experiments we use a BSO crystal in the optical configuration which avoids nonlinear optical distortions. The experimental data show good qualitative agreement with theory.

Who you are or whom you know? Consumption interdependences in social networks

This paper presents an analysis of whether a consumer's decision to switch from one mobile phone provider to another is driven by individual consumer characteristics or by actions of other consumers in her social network. Such consumption interdependences are estimated using a unique dataset, which contains transaction data based on anonymized call records from a large European mobile phone carrier to approximate a consumer's social network. Results show that network effects have an important impact on consumers' switching decisions: switching decisions are interdependent between consumers who interact with each other and this interdependence increases in the closeness between two consumers as measured by the calling data. In other words, if a subscriber switches carriers, she is also affecting the switching probabilities of other individuals in her social circle. The paper argues that such an approach is of high relevance to both switching of providers and to the adoption of new products. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Investigating the structure of biomass-derived non-graphitizing mesoporous carbons by electron energy loss spectroscopy in the transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

We have investigated the microstructure and bonding of two biomass-based porous carbon chromatographic stationary phase materials (alginic acid-derived Starbon® and calcium alginate-derived mesoporous carbon spheres (AMCS) and a commercial porous graphitic carbon (PGC), using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), N2 porosimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The planar carbon sp -content of all three material types is similar to that of traditional nongraphitizing carbon although, both biomass-based carbon types contain a greater percentage of fullerene character (i.e. curved graphene sheets) than a non-graphitizing carbon pyrolyzed at the same temperature. This is thought to arise during the pyrolytic breakdown of hexauronic acid residues into C5 intermediates. Energy dispersive X-ray and XPS analysis reveals a homogeneous distribution of calcium in the AMCS and a calcium catalysis mechanism is discussed. That both Starbon® and AMCS, with high-fullerene character, show chromatographic properties similar to those of a commercial PGC material with extended graphitic stacks, suggests that, for separations at the molecular level, curved fullerene- like and planar graphitic sheets are equivalent in PGC chromatography. In addition, variation in the number of graphitic layers suggests that stack depth has minimal effect on the retention mechanism in PGC chromatography. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental governance in a contested state:the influence of European Union and other external actors on energy sector regulation in Kosovo

This article examines environmental governance in Kosovo, with a particular focus on the energy sector. The article considers the degree to which the emerging model of environmental governance is characterised by hierarchical and non-hierarchical modes of coordination. We examine the roles of a number of domestic institutions and actors – ministries, agencies, and regulatory bodies– and the influence of external actors, including the EU, the US, and Serbia. The EU is building Kosovo’s own hierarchical governance capacity by strengthening domestic institutions, whilst the US focuses primarily on market liberalization, whilst simultaneously supporting EU efforts. Moreover, environmental policy change is not wholly or predominantly driven by domestic actors, which can partly be attributed to Kosovo’s limited domestic sovereignty. We conclude that the emerging model of environmental governance in Kosovo is characterized by a weak hierarchy, partly as a result of external actor involvement, which disincentivises the government from responding to domestic non-state actor pressure.

Distance Distributions and Energy of Designs in Hamming Spaces

We obtain new combinatorial upper and lower bounds for the potential energy of designs in q-ary Hamming space. Combined with results on reducing the number of all feasible distance distributions of such designs this gives reasonable good bounds. We compute and compare our lower bounds to recently obtained universal lower bounds. Some examples in the binary case are considered.

Environmentally conscious consumption patterns in Hungarian households

This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the theoretical aspects of sustainable consumption. The conditions for consumers’ social responsibility and the formation of environmentally conscious behavior patterns will also be discussed, along with possible methods for motivating behavioral changes. The authors have completed a primary research study with the purpose of surveying environmentally conscious consumption patterns in Hungary. They also examined how the provision of appropriate information and the raising of awareness might encourage sustainable consumption. According to their findings, the respondents’ knowledge on environmentally conscious behavior was rather limited, and reinforcement was needed in identifying appropriate activity alternatives. This paper provides a summary of the qualitative research phase which employed in-depth interviews, logging and focus groups. The consecutive application of these methods enabled the authors to keep track of the process and the consequences of raising awareness.