Does sharing financial and creative resources with children function as extended phenotypes in female ratings of male attractiveness?

This thesis studies how women rate a man\u27s attractiveness, according to his investments of time or money in a related or unlrelated child, the man himself or another adult. The findings demonstrate that possessing and exhibiting creativity is a powerful tool in attracting females to males, sometimes more powerful than sharing monetary resources

A comprehensive study of personal and social information use in female brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater

Brood parasites face considerable cognitive challenges when locating and selecting host nests for their young. One aspect of this challenge is determining how to use different sources of information to make decisions regarding the quality of a prospective nest. Here we investigate how female-brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater, use information when prospecting for nests, and then expand upon this to investigate decisions related to foraging. In chapter 1, we demonstrated female could use social information acquired from observing the nest prospecting patterns of conspecifics to influence their own patterns of nest selection. Furthermore, we found a negative relationship between a female’s accuracy at using personal information and her tendency to copy others. In chapter 2, we found the females were able to use social information in a foraging setting as well. The female’s accuracy using personal information remained consistent across nest prospecting and foraging contexts however, the relationship between accuracy and tendency to copy others drastically reversed. A follow up experiment revealed the likely possibility that the differing relationship between personal and social information use depended on the degree of conflict that existed between the two types of information. In chapter 3, we redeveloped and implemented a new RFID tracking technology allowing us to investigate how the cognitive strategies from chapters 1 and 2 translated to a naturalistic, socially complex breeding environment. We found female cowbirds who spent more time prospecting, produced a greater quantity of eggs and demonstrated high accuracy scores during chapter 1 and 2, whereas females who relied on copying others spent significantly less time prospecting and demonstrated lower laying accuracy scores. By demonstrating how individuals’ cognitive strategies relate across context and translate to a socially complex setting, we have demonstrated the importance of examining behaviour in both of these settings and our RFID tracking technology provides researchers with the framework to effectively study this in the future

Hierarchical models of very large problems, dilemmas, prospects, and an agenda for the future

Interdisciplinary approaches to the modeling of global problems are discussed in terms of multilevel cooperation. A multilevel regionalized model of the Lake Erie Basin is analyzed along with a multilevel regionalized world modeling project. Other topics discussed include: a stratified model of interacting region in a world system, and the application of the model to the world food crisis in south Asia. Recommended research for future development of integrated models is included

Social research evolution in management accounting : reflection using Bunge’s theory.

Actually Management Accounting is considered for an important group of researchers as a social science. This is a consequence of an evolution from an economic view to social-oriented perspectives. Following Mario Bunge’s theory, we establish that break point in 1980s. Until 1980s, the accounting research was dominated by an economic analysis with both utilitarian and cognitive objectives. The scientific growth was in surface, without any relevant change in the foundations of Management Accounting. The development of new concerns regarding social implications promotes a growth in-depth in the 1980s. Socio-economic analysis, both in interpretative and critical research, is developed following utilitarian and cognitive objectives. We defend that Management Accounting, to consolidate its status as a social science, needs an evolutionary, reflexive and trans-disciplinary thinking, in both theoretical and empirical dimension. Utilitarian and cognitive approaches must be developed and in a coordinated way. Dialogue between different theoretical perspectives will support the utilitarian objective. Dialogue between different methods and findings, in particular case studies, will contribute to both utilitarian and cognitive dimensionsResearch evolution; Management accounting; Social science; Bunge’s theory; Utilitarian objective; Cognitive objective; Growth in-depth; Growth in surface; Case studies;

Health outcomes of iron supplementation and/or food fortification in iron-replete children aged 4-24 months: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Direct supplementation or food fortification with iron are two public health initiatives intended to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in 4-24-month-old infants. In most high-income countries where IDA prevalence is 40%. Emerging concerns about delayed neurological effects of early-life iron overexposure have raised questions as to whether recommended guidelines in high-income countries are unnecessarily excessive. This systematic review will gather evidence from supplementation/fortification trials, comparing health outcomes in studies where iron-replete children did or did not receive additional dietary iron; and determine if replete children at study outset were not receiving additional iron show changes in haematological indices of ID/IDA over the trial duration. Methods: We will perform a systematic review of the literature, including all studies of iron supplementation and/or fortification, including study arms with confirmed iron-replete infants at the commencement of the trial. This includes both dietary iron intervention or placebo/average dietary intakes. One reviewer will conduct searches in electronic databases of published and ongoing trials (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, EBSCO [e.g. CINAHL Complete, Food Science and Technology Abstracts], Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, ClinicalTrialsRegister.eu and who.it/trialsearch), digital theses and dissertations (WorldCat, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, DART-Europe E-theses Portal, Australasian Digital Theses Program, Theses Canada Portal and ProQuest). For eligible studies, one reviewer will use a data extraction form, and a second reviewing entered data for accuracy. Both reviewers will independently perform quality assessments before qualitative and, if appropriate, quantitative synthesis as a meta-analysis. We will resolve any discrepancies through discussion or consult a third author to resolve discrepancies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement will be used as the basis for reporting. Discussion: Recommended iron supplementation and food fortification practices in high-income countries have been criticised for being both excessive and based on outdated or underpowered studies. This systematic review will build a case for revisiting iron intake guidelines for infants through the design of new trials where health effects of additional iron intake in iron-replete infants are the primary outcome. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018093744

INTERACTIVE PLAYSCAPES: EXPLORATIVE DESIGN AND ROBOTIC FABRICATION TECHNIQUES

This research focuses on material-based practices and explorations by utilizing the carbon fiber fabric performance characteristics as a significant driver in the design and fabrication strategies. While the integrative aspects of computational design have been extensively used for the inclusion of environmental, manufacturing, or economic considerations, material information should be similarly employed as a generative driver. The paper describes and evaluates a full-scale prototype of installation for social play actuated in the heart of Beirut city, hence integrating material research with methodologies optimizing fabrication techniques for complex, performance-driven structures. The introduction of carbon fiber composites into the construction sector defines potential challenges to the design process, knowing that these components need to be light and cost-effective in their production. At the same time, advanced technologies, such as digital fabrication, need to dwell upon their limitations regarding time optimization, material restrictions, and relations between automated and manual labor. Many applications show that carbon fiber system has proven to be a novel building material to improve structures. Regarding the fabrication techniques utilized, milling is a vital process, where the material subtraction rate is one of the essential features to be established in addition to its final weight. However, factors such as shape precision and surface quality are constraining factors in the increase of material removal regarding robotic fabrication. Hence, in this work, machining strength and surface roughness are considered restricting to the optimization of machining parameters in order to obtain a maximum material removal rate

Identification Of Psychological Stressors For Long Duration Space Missions: Psychological Stressors Among Five Astronauts And Cosmonauts

As humans continue to experience space missions of longer and longer duration, more and more high intensity stressors are going to be experienced. Although physiological stressors have been studied, there have been few studies on the psychological stressors. Those that are present primarily focused on the polar environment as a space analogue. In order to answer the question of how stressors may affect future astronauts and cosmonauts, the evolutoinary reasons behind stress must be considered not only the type and intensity of the stressors. Five astronauts and cosmonauts representing three space agencies were surveyed regarding their experiences with ten types of general stressors and eight types of interpersonal conflict related stressors. These stressors were analysed as to their perceived frequency, intensity, and the risk to mission success of both short-term and long-term missinos. Subjects who had experienced longer duration spaceflight tended to experience more stressors at a higher intensity

Canine-Assisted Therapies Among U.S. Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Integrative Review of The Literature

A sizeable number of U.S. veterans of all ages experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can impact their quality of life; physically, mentally and socially. Consequences of PTSD are associated with physical and emotional disabilities, including ideation of self-harm and even suicide. Increasingly, animal-assisted therapies (AAT) are used to treat PTSD and other physical and behavioral conditions in veterans. Over the decades, AATs have used dogs, cats, horses, and dolphins among other animals. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine the use of AAT focusing on canine assisted therapy (CAT) among veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The methodology involved database searches, including MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychInfo, EBSCOhost, along with textbooks and popular media published from 2000 to 2016. Associated with the lack of more recent research, relevant articles published before 2000 were included in the review. Search terms included, ‘veterans,’ ‘service dogs,’ ‘service animals,’ ‘animal-assisted therapy,’ ‘canine therapy,’ ‘PTSD,’ ‘post-traumatic stress disorder,’ ‘psychiatric,’ ‘U.S. veterans,’ ‘equine therapy,’ ‘horse therapy,’ ‘pet therapy,’ and ‘military veterans.’ A total of ten relevant studies were identified which focused on the use of AAT among veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Different populations diagnosed with PTSD and other behavioral and psychiatric health conditions using AAT were examined as well. These articles were read, analyzed, and synthesized. Results of the review offer some support that AAT has psychological, physiological and psychosocial benefits for some populations across the lifespan with various diagnoses. Consistent and conflicting findings along with gaps in the literature are highlighted. Limitations and implications for nursing practice, research, policy and education also are noted in this thesis