Identification of Genes That Promote or Antagonize Somatic Homolog Pairing Using a High-Throughput FISH–Based Screen

The pairing of homologous chromosomes is a fundamental feature of the meiotic cell. In addition, a number of species exhibit homolog pairing in nonmeiotic, somatic cells as well, with evidence for its impact on both gene regulation and double-strand break (DSB) repair. An extreme example of somatic pairing can be observed in Drosophila melanogaster, where homologous chromosomes remain aligned throughout most of development. However, our understanding of the mechanism of somatic homolog pairing remains unclear, as only a few genes have been implicated in this process. In this study, we introduce a novel high-throughput fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technology that enabled us to conduct a genome-wide RNAi screen for factors involved in the robust somatic pairing observed in Drosophila. We identified both candidate “pairing promoting genes” and candidate “anti-pairing genes,” providing evidence that pairing is a dynamic process that can be both enhanced and antagonized. Many of the genes found to be important for promoting pairing are highly enriched for functions associated with mitotic cell division, suggesting a genetic framework for a long-standing link between chromosome dynamics during mitosis and nuclear organization during interphase. In contrast, several of the candidate anti-pairing genes have known interphase functions associated with S-phase progression, DNA replication, and chromatin compaction, including several components of the condensin II complex. In combination with a variety of secondary assays, these results provide insights into the mechanism and dynamics of somatic pairing

Diversity Monitor 2005. Diversity as a quality aspect of television in the Netherlands

Contains fulltext : 56380-OA.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)This article looks into the way in which public-service as well as commercial TV stations in the Netherlands assume their social responsibility towards a pluralist society. After all, television channels are expected to be ‘mirrors of society’; the key question is then how successful their programs are in conveying a well-balanced representation of all groups in society. By means of a quantitative analysis, the Diversity Monitor charts the (re)presentation of different groups, with a particular focus on gender, age, and ethnicity. Apart from diversity, and as a subcomponent of the Quality Card (McKinsey, 2003), the Monitor also reviews innovation as an indicator of program quality. The results reveal a wide diversity of TV programs in the Netherlands, but diversity as such is no guarantee of a balanced (re)presentation of society at large. Due to selection mechanisms on the side of the broadcaster and the public, what the viewer eventually gets is at the most a mirror of his or her own group

'DiverCity': diversiteit in gemeentelijke communicatie

nrpages: 79status: publishe

Media, Consumption and Identity

Na een korte schets van het belang van onderzoek naar mediabeeldvorming en representatie van etnisch-culturele minderheden werd ingezoomd op het belang van etniciteit en religie in (media)consumptie. Omdat identiteiten langs religieuze en etnische scheidslijnen gevormd worden is er ook aandacht nodig voor deze deelidentiteiten in de keuzes en lifestyles van diverse consumenten. De juiste communicatiestrategie zal afgestemd moeten worden op de beoogde doelgroep en de dienst/het product dat wordt gepromoot. Gepleit wordt voor meer kennis van en inzicht in de overeenkomsten tussen etnisch-cultureel diverse groepen op basis van interactie en participatief onderzoek.Slides in het Engels en mondelinge presentatie in het Nederlandsstatus: publishe

The Lolita Effect. The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and What We Can Do about it

status: publishe

Cultural values in commercials : reaching and representing the multicultural market

status: publishe

Unveiling Culturally Diverse Markets

Although culture is often recognized as a multi-leveled construct, it is mostly examined at the macro (national) level, for instance, by cross-national comparisons on specific cultural dimensions. Consequently, the heterogeneity within culturally diverse societies such as that found in Flanders is often overlooked. Therefore, this study examines cultural variability among ethnic minority and majority youngsters in Flanders at the personal level by mapping their personal values and self-construal. By doing so, a typology of a culturally diverse youth market is formed based on the similarities and differences in the personal values and self-construal among ethnic minority and majority youngsters. This typology is used to examine the advertising beliefs and attitudes of distinct subgroups and to assess the relevance of values and self-construal for both advertising research and the emerging practices of ethnic and diversity marketing. </jats:p

Waardepatronen en reclameattitudes van autochtone en allochtone jongeren

This contribution discusses the results of a quantitative survey on a diverse sample of 12- to 19-year-olds with both ethnic majority and minority backgrounds. Their individualistic and collectivistic value patterns are examined (Personal Values Questionnaire; Schwartz, 2003) and related to their advertising beliefs and attitudes (cfr. Pollay and Mittal, 1993). The results show that, although western youngsters tend to be more individualistic and non-western youngsters are more collectivistic, both groups adhere to a mixture of values. Overall, youngsters hold a rather neutral advertising attitude. In comparison to their majority peers, ethnic minorities trust advertising messages more and consider advertising more as a guide about trends and lifestyle. Furthermore, collectivism is proven to predict many advertising beliefs, which in their turn determine the general advertising attitude. Therefore cultural values may be useful in targeting youngsters in a multicultural environment.Geselecteerd op basis van paperpresentatie op het Etmaal van de communicatiewetenschap (2008)status: publishe

Waardepatronen en reclameattitudes van autochtone en allochtone jongeren

Abstract Abstract Aan de hand van een kwantitatieve survey bij 12- tot 19-jarigen in Vlaanderen wordt nagegaan welke waarden autochtone en allochtone jongeren hebben en hoe deze samenhangen met hun reclame-attitude.</jats:p