Non-systematic Relationship Research Articles

Clumped isotope reordering kinetics in strontianite and witherite: Experiments and first-principles simulations

The carbonate clumped isotope (∆47) thermometer is a powerful tool for temperature reconstruction based on the thermodynamical 13C—18O bonding preference. Accurate interpretation of temperatures requires preservation of original carbonate ∆47 signatures, which are susceptible to resetting at elevated temperatures during burial. Kinetic models of carbonate 13C—18O bond reordering derived from experimental studies constrain the evaluation of ∆47 preservation and the reconstruction of thermal histories and initial temperatures for reordered carbonates. However, application of these models to different carbonates is limited because kinetic parameters vary with materials and are believed to be affected by factors such as crystal structure, cation, trace element composition, crystal defects, and internal water whose roles in reordering are still not well-understood. Here we present reordering data for strontianite and witherite from heating experiments and evaluate the effects of crystal structure, cation chemistry, cation vacancy and substitution, and internal water on reordering using constrained ab-initio molecular dynamics (cAIMD) simulations. We show that strontianite and witherite reorder significantly faster than other carbonates. Comparing experimental studies yields the following reordering rate sequence: strontianite > witherite > aragonite > calcite > dolomite. The general trend in Arrhenius activation energy for reordering is strontianite < witherite < aragonite < dolomite < calcite (with calcite values based on the average of individual materials). Our cAIMD simulations reveal a similar trend in free energy of activation for oxygen exchange in these carbonates. We suggest that orthorhombic carbonates are more susceptible to reordering than trigonal carbonates because of the shorter distance between carbonate groups and because the weaker M—O interaction in orthorhombic carbonates reduces the structural distortion and the energy cost during transition state formation. For carbonates sharing the same structure, the weak M—O bonding can be compensated by a large unit cell volume, leading to a non-systematic relationship between the free energy of activation and the cation radius. In simulations with lattice-bound water, the free energy of activation is greatly reduced compared with cation vacancy and substitution. The influence of fluid inclusions on measured reordering rates depends on the fraction of carbonates that can exchange with water as suggested by strontianite δ¹⁸O data. Our results serve as a starting point for a more sophisticated but flexible kinetic model containing material-specific factors (e.g., substituted ions, structure water, etc.) for reordering in abiotic and biotic carbonates.

Developmental trajectories of pitch-related music skills in children with Williams syndrome

The study of music cognition in Williams syndrome (WS) has resulted in theoretical debates regarding cognitive modularity and development. However, no research has previously investigated the development of music skills in this population. In this study, we used the cross-sectional developmental trajectories approach to assess the development of pitch-related music skills in children with WS compared with typically developing (TD) peers. Thus, we evaluated the role of change over time on pitch-related music skills and the developmental relationships between music skills and different cognitive areas. In the TD children, the pitch-related music skills improved with chronological age and cognitive development. In the children with WS, developmental relationships were only found between several pitch-related music skills and specific cognitive processes. We also found non-systematic relationships between chronological age and the pitch-related music skills, stabilization in the level reached in music when cognitive development was considered, and uneven associations between cognitive and music skills. In addition, the TD and WS groups differed in their patterns of pitch-related music skill development. These results suggest that the development of pitch-related music skills in children with WS is atypical. Our findings stand in contrast with the views that claim innate modularity for music in WS; rather, they are consistent with neuroconstructivist accounts.

Seismic expression of salt tectonics in the Sab’atayn Basin, onshore Yemen

A variety of distinct salt tectonic features are present in the Sab’atayn Basin of western Yemen. Based on the interpretation of 2D/3D seismic data and exploration wells in the central part of the basin, an Upper Jurassic evaporite unit produced numerous salt rollers, salt pillows, reactive, flip-flop, and falling diapirs. Halokinetics began as soon as the early Cretaceous, within just a few million years after the deposition of the Tithonian Sab’atayn evaporite sequence. The significant proportions of nonevaporite lithologies within the “salt” made the seismic interpretation of the salt features challenging. The evaporite sequence had been described by most as a syn-rift unit and therefore a strong correlation was assumed between the subsalt syn-rift basement architecture and the overlying diapirs and other salt-related features. However, seismic reflection and well data revealed a nonsystematic relationship between the salt diapirs and the subsalt basement highs. This observation has very important implications for the subsalt fractured basement play in the Sab’atayn Basin.

Comparaison des profils initiaux d’atteinte cognitive de la démence fronto-temporale, démence sémantique et maladie d’Alzheimer

The study of music cognition in Williams syndrome (WS) has resulted in theoretical debates regarding cognitive modularity and development. However, no research has previously investigated the development of music skills in this population. In this study, we used the cross-sectional developmental trajectories approach to assess the development of pitch-related music skills in children with WS compared with typically developing (TD) peers. Thus, we evaluated the role of change over time on pitch-related music skills and the developmental relationships between music skills and different cognitive areas. In the TD children, the pitch-related music skills improved with chronological age and cognitive development. In the children with WS, developmental relationships were only found between several pitch-related music skills and specific cognitive processes. We also found non-systematic relationships between chronological age and the pitch-related music skills, stabilization in the level reached in music when cognitive development was considered, and uneven associations between cognitive and music skills. In addition, the TD and WS groups differed in their patterns of pitch-related music skill development. These results suggest that the development of pitch-related music skills in children with WS is atypical. Our findings stand in contrast with the views that claim innate modularity for music in WS; rather, they are consistent with neuroconstructivist accounts.

Explosion mechanisms at Arenal volcano, Costa Rica: An interpretation from integration of seismic and Doppler radar data

We execute an integrated analysis of broadband seismic and Doppler radar data to gain insights into the subsurface mechanisms that drive repetitive, mildly explosive activity of Arenal volcano (Costa Rica). We find large variability of both seismic and radar waveforms, and nonsystematic relationships between the two. Seismic recordings display long‐lasting tremor sequences and numerous explosion quakes. Radar measurements show that tephra emissions are poorly correlated, in both time and energy, to the seismic activity. Tephra emissions were found in association with explosion quakes but also during episodes of tremor and seismic quiescence. Moreover, the exit velocity, mass loading, and kinetic energy of the emissions show no clear relationship with the coeval seismic amplitude and frequency content. We propose a conceptual source model whereby degasing is controlled by opening and closing of fractures that crosscut a rigid cap atop the conduit. When the fracture's strength is overcome by the gas pressure building up below, it suddenly opens and high‐velocity gas escapes, producing high‐frequency elastic waves typical of explosion quakes. Gas release also occurs in relation to periodic opening and closure of the fractures to produce repetitive pressure pulses, this being the source of tremor. In both cases, varying quantities of fragmented material may be carried by the gas, which can be detected by the radar if their concentration is high enough. Moreover, the highly variable, constantly changing state of lava cap (e.g., thickness, fracture network and gas permeability) results in nonrepeatable source conditions and explains the complex relationship between tephra emissions and associated seismic signals.

Action-Related Properties Shape Object Representations in the Ventral Stream

The principles driving the organization of the ventral object-processing stream remain unknown. Here, we show that stimulus-specific repetition suppression (RS) in one region of the ventral stream is biased according to motor-relevant properties of objects. Quantitative analysis confirmed that this result was not confounded with similarity in visual shape. A similar pattern of biases in RS according to motor-relevant properties of objects was observed in dorsal stream regions in the left hemisphere. These findings suggest that neural specificity for "tools" in the ventral stream is driven by similarity metrics computed over motor-relevant information represented in dorsal structures. Support for this view is provided by converging results from functional connectivity analyses of the fMRI data and a separate neuropsychological study. More generally, these data suggest that a basic organizing principle giving rise to "category specificity" in the ventral stream may involve similarity metrics computed over information represented elsewhere in the brain.

Efficiency measurement of the Greek commercial banks with the use of financial ratios: a data envelopment analysis approach

This study offers an application of a non-parametric analytic technique (data envelopment analysis, DEA) in measuring the performance of the Greek banking sector. It explores the efficiency of Greek banks with the use of a number of suggested financial efficiency ratios for the time period 1997–1999. In this way the proposed model offers an empirical reference set for comparing the inefficient banks with the efficient ones. It departs from most frontier studies of bank performance, by using these suggested ratios as output measures and with no use of input measures. The proposed model is compared to the conventionally used input–output analysis as well as to the simple ratio analysis. It is shown that data envelopment analysis can be used as either an alternative or complement to ratio analysis for the evaluation of an organization’s performance. We find that the higher the size of total assets the higher the efficiency. We also find a wide variation in performance and we show that the increase in efficiency is accompanied with a reduction in the number of small banks due to mergers and acquisitions. Finally, from the efficiency results it seems that there is a non-systematic relationship between transfer of ownership and last period’s performance.

Efficiency measurement of the Greek commercial banks with the use of financial ratios: a data envelopment analysis approach

This study offers an application of a non-parametric analytic technique (data envelopment analysis, DEA) in measuring the performance of the Greek banking sector. It explores the efficiency of Greek banks with the use of a number of suggested financial efficiency ratios for the time period 1997–1999. In this way the proposed model offers an empirical reference set for comparing the inefficient banks with the efficient ones. It departs from most frontier studies of bank performance, by using these suggested ratios as output measures and with no use of input measures. The proposed model is compared to the conventionally used input–output analysis as well as to the simple ratio analysis. It is shown that data envelopment analysis can be used as either an alternative or complement to ratio analysis for the evaluation of an organization’s performance. We find that the higher the size of total assets the higher the efficiency. We also find a wide variation in performance and we show that the increase in efficiency is accompanied with a reduction in the number of small banks due to mergers and acquisitions. Finally, from the efficiency results it seems that there is a non-systematic relationship between transfer of ownership and last period’s performance.

Complex spectral interactions of different minerals and textures in Mars terrestrial analogues: Some examples

Mineral interpretation of a planet surface using spectral libraries can be improved if the spectral variability, often characterizing the spectral data, can be explained as the result of well-defined geological processes. Reflectance spectra of metamorphic rocks are analyzed. Selected examples point out systematic and non-systematic relationships between spectral parameters (band wavelength, shape, and reflectance peaks) and geologically controlled variables (composition of minerals and mineral assemblages), thus establishing a conceptual framework that can facilitate the analysis of unknown spectra.

FO-dependence, number alteration, and non-systematic behaviour of the formants in German vowels.

In acoustic theory, formant pattern differences within one vowel identify are related to differences in the speaker groups or in the types of vocalization. Yet, studies of vowel synthesis indicate that formant patterns can also vary strongly in relation either to pitch or to formant number alterations. Within this study, natural vocalizations of nine German vowels were investigated with regard to different formant patterns representing the same vowel identity, apart from differences in speaker groups and vocalization types. The results show i) FO-dependence of the lower formants < 1.5-2 kHz; ii) occurrence of natural one-formant back and two-formant front vowels; iii) a non-systematic relationship between FO and the formants, and a non-systematic relationship between formant patterns of different formant numbers. The implications for psychophysics, physiology and perception of speech are discussed.

The development of sexuality and eroticism in humankind.

Sexuality includes eroticism. Though its determinants are multivariate and developmentally sequential, most current biological theories arbitrarily exclude social determinants, and vice versa. Developmentally, masculinization is not necessarily synonymous with defeminization, nor feminization with demasculinization. In the development of brain and behavior, behavior that appears to be either male or female may actually be sex-shared but sex-different in the threshold for its expression. Parent-child bonding is a precursor of subsequent erotosexual pair-bonding. Suppression of erotosexual rehearsal play in childhood is a precursor of postpubertal and adult erotosexual pathology. The criterion defining the heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual conditions is the sex of the partner with whom a limerent (falling-in-love) pairbond is possible; and there is no evidence that pubertal sex steroids, per se, are responsible for which of the three it will be. The phases of an erotosexual encounter are proception, acception, and conception. The disorders of proception, manifested in both imagery and practice, are the paraphilic syndromes (formerly known as perversions). The disorders of acception may be either hypophilic deficiencies, or hyperphilic increases. The disorders of conception are those of infertility. There is a nonsystematic relationship of erotosexualism to the hormonal cycle of the menses and to gerontological hormonal changes.