Backward Orientation Research Articles

Phenotypic Characterization for Identification, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Boset and Minjar Shenkora Goats of Ethiopia

This study was conducted on a total of 776 goats (part of Central highland goat breeds of Ethiopia), 306 from Boset district of Oromia region and 470 were from Minjar Shenkora district of Amhara region. A format developed by using food and agriculture organization discerption list was used for recording of morphological traits, bodyweight and linear body measurements. Both qualitative and quantitative traits were recorded from randomly sampled mature goats and the data were analyzed using SAS software. The goat type in the study area was characterized by a higher proportion of plain coat color patterns (62.5). Ingeneral, the majority (98.4%) of the studied goats were horned and characterized by backward orientation (67%) with a straight shape (49.3%). They presented a concave facial profile (73.8%), slop up toward the rump back profile (66.2%), no wattle (99.6%), no toggle (90.7%), no ruff (85.9%) and no beard (57.3%). The location had a significant effect on body weight and some other linear body measurements. Traits like body length, rump length, horn length, head length, head width and shin circumference were significantly higher in Boset district. In contrast, rump width and cannon bone length were significantly lower. The mean body weight of male goats in Boset and Minjar Shenkora district were 30.5±1.05 kg with a range of 16 to 47 and 27.5±0.56 with a range of 13 to 57, respectively. While for female counterpart mean body weights (kg) were 28.4±0.35 with a range of 17 to 45 for Boset and 27.5±0.33 with a range 15 to 57 for Minjar Shenkora district. Heart girth had the highest correlation with body weight in both sexes and shoulder width in Boset male goats. The wider variation in most quantitative measurement traits would open an opportunity for further improvement, conservation and utilization work.

Backward‐oriented economics

AbstractNowadays, academic journals of high standing rarely accept a conceptual idea in a paper not instantly accompanied by econometric estimates. The idea would almost certainly get rejected. Empirical validation based on past statistical data has produced an unfortunate backward orientation in economics. While one can learn from the past, this approach fails when the underlying conditions strongly change.The paper suggests various possibilities to overcome the intense publication pressure in so‐called top journals and the overemphasis on instant empirical evidence. Academia is, however, unlikely to adapt. As economics is too backward oriented, other disciplines or cranks may well dominate future economic policy.

The origins of backward priming effects in logographic scripts for four-character words

Abstract Yang, Chen, Spinelli, and Lupker (2019) reported a large masked priming effect in a Chinese lexical-decision task using prime-target pairs in which the primes were presented in a backward (right-to-left) orientation (e.g., 说来的总-总的来说) (a “backward” priming effect). The question addressed here is whether this effect is truly an orthographic priming effect or is, to some degree, morphologically/meaning- or syllabic/phonologically-based. Five experiments, two involving phonologically-related primes and three involving meaning-related primes, produced no evidence that either of those factors contributed to the backward priming effect, implying that it truly is an orthographic effect. As backward priming effects do not emerge in English, these results suggest that the orthographic coding process is quite different for Chinese versus English readers. Specifically, they support the conclusion that the orthographic coding process for Chinese readers codes character positions in a quite flexible fashion. Issues concerning the generalizability of current models of orthographic coding in alphabetic languages, as well as implications for models of Chinese word recognition, are discussed.

Cosmopolitanizing Colonial Memories in Germany

Cosmopolitanizing Colonial Memories in Germany

Characterization of Local Mahboobnagar Goat under Field Conditions

Mahboobnagar goats, also known by local name of “Palamuru Mekalu” are found in areas adjoining the Srisailam Hydel Project and the Nallamala forest of the erstwhile Mahboobnagar district of Telangana state. They are medium sized and dual purpose strain of goat. A study was conducted to estimate morphometry and performance traits of local Mahboobnagar goats reared under field conditions. In total, flocks (n= 2657) with 44 farmers distributed throughout the native tract were studied to measure the above said traits. The average flock composition ranged from 20-130 in size, with bucks constituting 10-85%, does between 10-25% and kids ranging between 8-37.5%. Ears were pendulous. Beard was present only in males while both the sexes had wattles. Both the sexes were horned with backward orientation. Body weight at birth ranged between 1.8-3.0 kg, at weaning (3 months) 7-14 kg, at 6 months of age 17-28 kg, at adult 26-40 kg. The weight of doe at first kidding ranged between 26-40 kg. With respect to body measurements in adult goats, the chest girth ranged between 58-105 cm, body length between 55-96 cm and height at withers between 58-103 cm. The total milk yield was between 22-60 litres per lactation, while lactation length was between 60-120 days. Age at first mating in males was between 360-540 days, while the same in females was between 320-380 days. Age at first kidding was between 520-600 days, while kidding interval was between 180-280 days. The average litter size was 2, while the no. of kid’s lifetime ranged between 7-11.

08.30: Experimental investigation and specific behaviour of X‐HVB shear connectors in prefabricated composite decks

ABSTRACTConstruction industry is constantly facing new demands towards fast construction and smallest possibly quantity of work at the construction site. These increasing demands, in the field of composite construction of buildings and bridges, resulted in development of different types of prefabricated composite decks during decades and group arrangement of different types of shear connectors. Positioning of shear connectors into envisaged openings of prefabricated composite decks contributes to smaller quantity of concrete needed to infill openings of prefabricated composite decks. Composite action between steel profile and concrete decks can be achieved using X‐HVB shear connectors with powder‐actuated fasteners. Anchorage mechanisms developed between steel profile and fasteners during installation process of powder‐actuated fasteners are resulting in composite action between steel and concrete. Relatively simple and fast installation process, without requirements for additional equipment and electrical power on the site is characteristic for this type of shear connectors. Experimental investigation of X‐HVB shear connectors in prefabricated composite decks through standard push‐out tests, according to EN 1994‐1‐1 is presented in this paper. Shear connectors are positioned at the envisaged openings of prefabricated composite decks at the minimal longitudinal and transversal distances, recommended by the manufacturer. Two different orientations of shear connectors, forward and backwards to shear force direction are experimentally investigated and presented in this paper. Experimentally obtained characteristic shear resistance are compared with recommendations given by manufacturer. Characteristic slip at failure obtained from experimental investigation is compared with requirements given in EN 1994‐1‐1 in order to determine if this type of shear connector is considered as ductile. Eight specimens in two series are experimentally investigated through standard push‐out test. Different characteristic shear resistance and different failure modes are obtained for forward and backward orientation of shear connectors. Experimentally obtained results from standard push‐out tests for different orientations of shear connectors are compared with results obtained from extensive numerical analysis performed in Abaqus.

Backward orientation tracking control of mobile robot with N trailers

A feedback control law for orientation tracking problem of a mobile robot with N on-axle trailers is proposed in this paper. Based on a recursive designing process, the orientation tracking problem is converted into stabilizing the including angles on the designed reference value. The designing process of the control law is simple and can be easily extended to any given N trailers system. With input-to-state stability on cascade form system, the closed-loop system is proven to be asymptotically stable. Simulation experiment on a mobile robot with 4 trailers is implemented and the results demonstrate that the proposed control law works successfully.

Modernism and the Reinvention of Decadence. Vincent B. Sherry. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015. Pp. xi+333.

<i>Modernism and the Reinvention of Decadence</i>. Vincent B. Sherry. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015. Pp. xi+333.

Kinesin's Front Head is Gated by the Backward Orientation of its Neck Linker

Kinesin-1 is a two-headed motor that takes processive 8-nm hand-over-hand steps and transports intracellular cargos toward the plus-end of microtubules. Processive motility requires a gating mechanism to coordinate the mechanochemical cycles of the two heads. Kinesin gating involves neck linker (NL), a short peptide that interconnects the heads, but it remains unclear whether gating is facilitated by the NL orientation or tension. Using optical trapping, we measured the force-dependent microtubule release rate of kinesin monomers under different nucleotide conditions and pulling geometries. We find that pulling NL in the backward direction inhibits nucleotide binding and subsequent release from the microtubule. This inhibition is independent of the magnitude of tension (2-8 pN) exerted on NL. Our results provide evidence that the front head of a kinesin dimer is gated by the backward orientation of its NL until the rear head releases from the microtubule.

English

This study was conducted on 810 goats in three agro ecological zones (Highland, Midland and Lowland) of Loma district in southern Ethiopia were considered with sex and age groups factor to characterize morphologically Woyto Guji goat types in their home tract. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for recording morphological features, body weights and linear body measurements. Both qualitative and quantitative traits were recorded on randomly sampled goats from three agro ecologies and the data were analyzed using SPSS and SAS software. The goat type in the study area was characterized by higher proportion of plain coat patterns (91.2%) with brown coat color (45.7%), straight head profile (80.6), semi pendulous ear formation (69.8%) and long ear type (97.3%). The horns were characterized by backward orientation with a straight shape. Body weight of the goats&rsquo; changes at increasing rate at 0PPI to 3PPI and gradual increase was observed at older ages. Sex, age, agro ecological zones, sex by age and age by agro ecologies interaction had a significant (p&lt;0.05/p&lt;0.01) effect on body weight and many of the linear body measurements. The mean live body weight (BWT), heart girth (HG), height at wither (HW), chest width (CW), pelvic width (PW), rump height (RH), rump length (RL), ear length (EL), and horn length (HL) of females were 26.53&plusmn;2.91 kg, 57.48&plusmn;0.64 cm, 70.20&plusmn;0.21 cm, 64.12&plusmn;0.18 cm, 13.74&plusmn;0.07 cm, 13.20&plusmn;0.19 cm, 66.04&plusmn;0.52 cm, 11.97&plusmn;0.13 cm, 13.74&plusmn;0.16 cm and 11.20&plusmn;0.10 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for male counterpart were 27.16&plusmn;0.70 kg, 60.13&plusmn;1.17 cm, 74.98&plusmn;0.33 cm, 68.34&plusmn;0.05 cm, 14.48&plusmn;0.41 cm, 13.25&plusmn;0.37 cm, 68.37&plusmn;0.50 cm, 12.83&plusmn;0.43 cm, 14.02&plusmn;0.020 cm and 13.22&plusmn;0.47 cm respectively. Heart girth had the highest correlation with body weight at various ages and in both sexes compared with other parameters, except in females of zero dentition was not significant. The regression equation for pooled overall age groups was estimated as Y = (-28.20) + 0.74 X; (where X stands for HG), with R2 value of 0.68 for female and Y = (-39.12) + 0.88 X; (where X stands for HG), with R2 value of 0.78 for male goat in the present study. The result indicated that phenotypic characterization, body weight and linear body measurement description could help as an input for efficient utilization, conservation and designing improvement strategy for this genetic resource in the community. &nbsp; Key words: Age, agro ecology, body weight, linear body measurements, sex.

Kinesin's front head is gated by the backward orientation of its neck linker.

Kinesin-1 is a two-headed motor that takes processive 8-nm hand-over-hand steps and transports intracellular cargos toward the plus-end of microtubules. Processive motility requires a gating mechanism to coordinate the mechanochemical cycles of the two heads. Kinesin gating involves neck linker (NL), a short peptide that interconnects the heads, but it remains unclear whether gating is facilitated by the NL orientation or tension. Using optical trapping, we measured the force-dependent microtubule release rate of kinesin monomers under different nucleotide conditions and pulling geometries. We find that pulling NL in the backward direction inhibits nucleotide binding and subsequent release from the microtubule. This inhibition is independent of the magnitude of tension (2-8 pN) exerted on NL. Our results provide evidence that the front head of a kinesin dimer is gated by the backward orientation of its NL until the rear head releases from the microtubule.

Employing social accounting matrix multipliers to profile the bioeconomy in the EU member states: is there a structural pattern?

The concept of 'bioeconomy' is gathering momentum in European Union (EU) policy circles as a sustainable model of growth to reconcile continued wealth generation and employment with bio-based sustainable resource usage. Unfortunately, in the literature an economy-wide quantitative assessment covering the full diversity of this sector is lacking due to relatively poor data availability for disaggregated bio-based activities. This research represents a first step by employing social accounting matrices (SAMs) for each EU27 member encompassing a highly disaggregated treatment of traditional 'bio-based' agricultural and food activities, as well as additional identifiable bioeconomic activities from the national accounts data. Employing backward-linkage (BL), forward-linkage (FL) and employment multipliers, the aim is to profile and assess comparative structural patterns both across bioeconomic sectors and EU Member States. The results indicate six clusters of EU member countries with homogeneous bioeconomy structures. Within cluster statistical tests reveal a high tendency toward 'backward orientation' or demand driven wealth generation, whilst inter-cluster statistical comparisons by bio-based sector show only a moderate degree of heterogeneous BL wealth generation and, with the exception of only two sectors, a uniformly homogeneous degree of FL wealth generation. With the exception of forestry, fishing and wood activities, bio-based employment generation prospects are below non bioeconomy activities. Finally, milk and dairy are established as 'key sectors'.

Locking Function of a Key Residue in Kinesin's Gating Mechanism

In kinesin's mechanochemical cycle, ATP's binding to the nucleotide-free leading head is exquisitely gated so that futile hydrolysis is effectively avoided. Experiments show that, when both kinesin heads bind to a microtubule, ATP cannot bind to kinesin's leading head when the neck linker (NL) of this head has a backward orientation. How NL's backward orientation is maintained needs understanding on a structural basis. By using steered molecular dynamics and mutation simulations, we investigate the backward-pointing conformation of the leading head's NL under different inter-head tensions. We find that the NL cannot keep in a strict backward orientation solely by the inter-head tension. LYS325 (amino acid sequence in 2KIN) has an assistant locking function which locks the NL and β0 to the β-domain. This locking function has an enhanced positive cooperation with the inter-head tension. When the inter-head tension is weakened, this locking function can be broken, resulting in a loose backward orientation of the NL. The difference between the strict and loose backward orientation of the NL might be a crucial factor in the gating mechanism. These results are consistent with relevant experiments and proposals.

Ecological restoration as precaution and not as restitutional compensation

Ecological restoration has become a major issue in environmental management. To overcome the backward orientation of the restoration concept (focusing on reference states and natural ecosystems) the introduction of a precautionary principle is proposed. The principle has been developed for decision-making under high uncertainty about the probability and severity of an environmental damage. Meanwhile, it has been accepted in many countries of the world as a guiding principle for environmental legislation. Likewise it is the basis for international conventions aiming at the conservation of biodiversity. Nevertheless, biodiversity is still neglected in large reclamation projects. Several links between precaution and restoration are described. Restoration can be used to prevent future damage. Otherwise restoration is plagued by uncertainty about the outcome of the measures and may have negative effects or even fail. An analysis of common evaluation methods of restoration projects shows that most approaches focus on comparison of restoration results with a reference state, and are thus useless in a precautionary context. Other methods (e.g. comparing restored with unrestored sites) require data gathered by long-term observation (monitoring) of socio-economically defined desired states (Leitbild). Two large-scale restoration projects are analyzed, coastal land reclamation in Korea and open cast mining reclamation in Germany. Both projects had or have honorific aims and are legally admissible. However, they violate both international law based on precaution and simple rules of prudence or wise use. Costly post hoc ‘restoration’ measures are the usual consequence.

Three-dimensional analysis of pharyngeal airway form in children with anteroposterior facial patterns

To test the null hypothesis that the form and size of the pharyngeal airways in preadolescents do not differ among various skeletal patterns. Sixty healthy children (mean age, 11.79 ± 1.11 years) were divided into three groups by anteroposterior jaw relationships. Using cone-beam computed tomography, the inclination and the volume of the pharyngeal airway were measured and compared with craniocervical angles and cephalometric variables. Children with Class II malocclusion have a larger angle between the FH plane and midplane of the oropharyngeal airway (ang-OA) compared with children with Class I and III malocclusion (P < .01). Ang-OA was significantly correlated with craniocervical angle (ang-cc) and anteroposterior variables, mainly ANB angle, Pog-N perpendicular (P < .01). Airway volume had a positive correlation with facial depth (P < .01). Children with Class II malocclusion have more backward orientation and smaller volume of the pharyngeal airway than do children with Class I and III malocclusion. Inclination of the oropharyngeal airway might be a key factor in determining the form of the entire pharyngeal airway and is related to head posture.

Assessment of the internal craniocervical ligaments with a new magnetic resonance imaging sequence: three-dimensional turbo spin echo with variable flip-angle distribution (SPACE)

Lesions close to the internal craniocervical ligaments are a common problem in patients with whiplash injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and visibility of these ligamentous structures with a new isotropic three-dimensional (3D) turbo-spin-echo (TSE) technique. MR (MR) images of the cervical spine of 52 healthy subjects (27 women and 25 men; mean age=29 years; age range=18-40 years) were taken with a T2-weighted 3D TSE sequence with variable flip-angle distribution [SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip-angle Evolution)] at 1.5 T (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Erlangen, Germany). Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists read the images independently on a 3D imaging and postprocessing workstation. The visibility and morphology of the alar ligaments were evaluated on a five-point scale, and inter-reader correlation was assessed with kappa statistics. Both alar ligaments were detected in all subjects. Twenty-eight (53.8%) of the alar ligaments could not be seen within one slice of the standard coronal imaging plane but could adequately be visualized in an oblique reconstruction adapted to the orientation of the ligaments on the axial slices. Inter-reader correlation for visibility on MR imaging (MRI) of the internal craniocervical ligaments was high (left+right side, kappa=0.95). Most (94%) alar ligaments presented symmetrically. In the axial plane, 60% were oriented neutral and 40% had a backward orientation. In the coronal plane, 67% were oriented caudocranially and 33% were oriented horizontally. The shape of the ligaments was parallel in half and was V-shaped in the other half. The alar ligaments had homogeneous low-signal intensity in 56% and heterogeneous low-signal intensity in 44%. The apical ligament of the dens was seen (excellent-good-moderate) in 61% (reader 1) and 52% (reader 2). The tectorial membranes and the transverse ligament of the atlas were shown (excellent-good) in all subjects. MRI with acquisition of an isotropic SPACE technique allows high-resolution imaging of the craniocervical ligaments in all orientations. Reconstruction of the image data in the variable orientation of the alar ligaments allowed for excellent depiction within one slice such that partial volume artifacts that hamper image analysis can be eliminated.

Heads or tails, does it make a difference? Capsule endoscope direction in small bowel studies is important

Capsule endoscopy has opened the small bowel for direct inspection. However, the diagnostic sensitivity of capsule endoscopy is not 100 %. We have observed that forward orientation and backward orientation of the camera in the small bowel provide different information on pathological findings. Double-head capsule endoscopy may offer the answer to this problem.

Geometry of elytra opening and closing in some beetles (Coleoptera,Polyphaga)

Elytra in beetles move actively, driven by their own muscles, only during transient opening and closing. The kinematics of these movements have been inadequately described, sometimes controversially. Our goal was a quantitative 3-D description of diverse active movements of the elytra, in terms of directions of the axes of elytra rotation. Broad opening and closing was video recorded in beetles, tethered by the mesothorax, and has been analyzed frame by frame. For tracing, small dots or straw arms were glued to the elytra. Opening and closing traces coincided. The trace of the elytron apex was a flat circular arc about the axis of abduction-adduction (AAA). The rising hemiaxis pointed contralaterad. The AAA was tilted forwards in Melolontha hippocastani, Allomyrina dichotoma and Prionus coriarius but backwards in Chalcophora mariana. In Cetonia aurata, the AAA had a low elevation and a strong backward orientation. If another elytra-fixed point was traced in addition to the apex (in M. hippocastani and P. coriarius), then secondary rotation about the sutural edge (supination on opening) occurred. Modeling of abduction-adduction revealed that the elytron rose on opening if the AAA pointed contralaterad. The more the AAA was tilted forward, the more negative was the attack angle of the open elytra. The negative attack angle was partly compensated by positive body pitch and, more effectively, by supination of the costal edge about the sutural edge. The initial stage of opening included elevation of closed elytra (by 10-12 degrees) and partition to the sides, combined with an inward turn (<2-3 degrees). Axis of rotation at this stage presumably coincided with the AAA. Movement of one elytron with respect to the opposite one at the beginning of opening followed the shallow arc convex down. The geometry of this relative movement describes the initial partition of the elytra and release of the sutural lock.

Influences of Head Orientation on the Unperturbed Postural Sway in Human Upright Stance

We examined the effects of head orientation on postural sway during quiet upright standing. Twenty healthy male subjects with diverse balance abilities were included in this study. Postural sway was estimated using an instrumented force platform to record the center-of-pressure (COP) under a subject’s feet during standing. The subjects were tested with the ‘head straight’ (normal) and with the ‘head back’ (I.e., neck extension), both conditions with eyes-open. The COP trajectories were analyzed using a technique of statistical mechanics, better known as stabilogram-diffusion analysis, proposed by Collins and De Luca (1993). The extracted parameters were the effective diffusion coefficients (D) for the short-term (less than approximately 1.0 s) and the long-term (longer than 1.0 s) intervals, respectively, as well as the Hurst exponents (H) for each of the short- and long-term intervals, and some critical point coordinates (I.e., critical mean square displacements and critical time intervals). The short-term D, short-term H, and critical mean square displacements were significantly larger with the head back condition than with the head straight condition. No significant effects of head orientation were found in the long-term D and H or in the critical time intervals. That is, head back or neck extension caused an increase in the stochastic activity and positively correlated (persistent) behavior of the COP during shorter timescales. These results suggest that head backward orientation influences the open-loop (I.e., short-term) control mechanisms, but not the corrective feedback (I.e., long-term) mechanisms used to maintain postural stability.

Protein orientation affects the efficiency of functional protein transplantation into the xenopus oocyte membrane.

Xenopus oocytes incorporate into their plasma membrane nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) after intracellular injection of lipid vesicles bearing this protein. The advantage of this approach over the classical oocyte expression system lies in the transplantation of native, fully processed proteins, although the efficiency of functional incorporation of nAChRs is low. We have now studied the incorporation into the oocyte membrane of the Torpedo chloride channel (ClC-0), a minor contaminant protein in some nAChR preparations. nAChR-injected oocytes incorporated functional ClC-0: i) in a higher number than functional nAChRs; ii) retaining their original properties; and iii) with a right-side-out orientation in the oocyte membrane. In an attempt to elucidate the reasons for the low efficiency in the functional incorporation of nAChRs into the oocyte membrane, we combined electrophysiological and [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin-binding experiments. Up to 3% of injected nAChRs were present in the oocyte plasma membrane at a given time. Thus, fusion of lipoproteosome vesicles to the oocyte plasma membrane is not the limiting factor for an efficient functional transplantation of foreign proteins. Accounting for the low rate of functional transplantation of nAChRs is their backward orientation in the oocyte membrane, since about 80% of them adopted an out-side-in orientation. Other factors, including differences in the susceptibility of the transplanted proteins to intracellular damage should also be considered.