Cut mark pattern differentiation between the lower Paleolithic and the Holocene and its implications

Previous research proposed that an archaeological site's faunal assemblage cut mark angle patterning may vary based on the butchering and meat-sharing behaviors of the hominins that created the archaeological assemblage. This thesis indirectly tests this idea by comparing cut mark patterning of a Lower Paleolithic aged site to a Holocene aged site, determining that while butchering and meat-sharing behaviors may certainly affect cut mark patterning, the last burst in human brain growth is likely responsible for the variation seen between these two assemblages

Dr. Johnson\u27s novel influence: Jane Austen illuminates Concordia Discors

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate Jane Austen’s illumination of Samuel Johnson’s moral precepts in seeking harmony in choice of life. Austen explores the various decisions of her characters and the effects of those choices on happiness through the use of free indirect discourse. Austen and Johnson both contend that marriage is a potential source of great happiness in an individual’s choice of life, and concordia discors between spouses offers the highest form of contentment in marriage. Johnson believed that the novelist had a moral duty to his or her reader to present characters with attainable virtue. Austen’s illumination of Johnson’s moral precepts and philosophies fulfills the standards Johnson set forth for the novel genre. This study traces the relationship between Johnson’s precepts in Austen’s Emma, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility

Breeding ecology of Smith's longspurs (Calcarius pictus) in the Brooks Range, Alaska

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015Alaska's Arctic ecosystem provides critical habitat for nesting songbirds. However, within this region climate change projections indicate a shrubbier future, as well as major shifts in summer weather patterns. The polygynandrous Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus) is a little known species that is closely tied to treeless tundra habitat in northern Alaska. I evaluated Smith's Longspur dispersal ability and annual survival rates using seven years of banding data, as well as breeding habitat requirements and reproductive success in two populations in the Brooks Range. Most adults (88%; n = 34) returned to nest in the same breeding neighborhood as previous years, and dispersal distance (x ± SE = 301 ± 70 m) did not differ between sexes. Only 4% of juvenile birds were resighted as adults and dispersal distance (x = 1674 ± 500 m; n = 6) was significantly greater for juveniles than for adults. From 674 capture-recapture histories, I evaluated annual survival and found that adult female survival (50-58%) was only slightly lower than for males (60-63%); juvenile survival was 41%, but was also paired with a low (13%) encounter probability. I examined nest-site selection patterns by comparing habitat measurements from 86 nests to paired random points within the nest area. Nests were typically found in open low shrub tundra and never among tall shrubs (height of tallest shrub x = 26.8 ± 6.7 cm). However, the only predictor of nest location I found was variation in willow height, which was slightly lower at nests than at random points. Daily nest survival rates were estimated from 257 nests and found to be relatively high (0.97-0.99) and consistent across years, and the best approximating model indicated that nest survival was negatively related to the numbers of days below freezing and season date. Despite dispersal ability and resilience to harsh conditions, Smith's Longspurs' response to climate change is unknown. The lack of sex-bias in dispersal and the low sex bias in survival, as well as the weak nest-site selection, may be attributed to the species' social mating system. Unlike most songbirds, multiple inter-mated individuals exist within each breeding neighborhood, altering social dynamics and likely demographic patterns. This is the first study to investigate the breeding biology of Smith's Longspurs at the western extent of their range and provides important conservation information as Arctic regions change

Development and piloting of a food-based intervention to increase vitamin E intake in pregnant women in a randomised controlled trial

Acknowledgement This study was funded by the University of Aberdeen and an unrestricted grant from Baxters Food Group Ltd. LC acknowledges funding from the RESAS programme of the Scottish Government.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Assimilation Conundrum: Austrian Befriends Americans in Costa Rica

The number of international students coming to the United States has fallen during the past two years.  Still, many come.  They seek an education that may be unavailable at home or just an opportunity to study in a foreign environment.  Upon graduation, many return home with subject matter knowledge gleaned in the classroom but no real understanding of Americans or America.  Those lacking assimilation and acceptance among US students return to their homelands shortchanged and in some ways, less prepared than they should be to deal in a multi-cultural environment.  International students need to be assimilated in such a manner as to enrich their understanding of the United States and to broaden their horizons. Too, assimilation may lead to an increase in the numbers of foreign students seeking an education in the U.S.  In a similar vein, U.S. students can enrich their knowledge and understanding of foreign cultures through close interaction with foreign students

Assimilation Conundrum: Austrian Befriends Americans in Costa Rica

The number of international students coming to the United States has fallen during the past two years.  Still, many come.  They seek an education that may be unavailable at home or just an opportunity to study in a foreign environment.  Upon graduation, many return home with subject matter knowledge gleaned in the classroom but no real understanding of Americans or America.  Those lacking assimilation and acceptance among US students return to their homelands shortchanged and in some ways, less prepared than they should be to deal in a multi-cultural environment.  International students need to be assimilated in such a manner as to enrich their understanding of the United States and to broaden their horizons. Too, assimilation may lead to an increase in the numbers of foreign students seeking an education in the U.S.  In a similar vein, U.S. students can enrich their knowledge and understanding of foreign cultures through close interaction with foreign students

Preventing School Shootings: The Interprofessional and Community Approach to Prevention

This essay examined the issue of school shootings within the United States, to include a literature review and analysis of the current status of the issue on a national level. From the review and analysis, the essay provides the multidisciplines engaged in school safety issues with viable, workable, and quickly implementable solutions to address this serious national issue at the local school district and even school level of implementation. This analysis examined a multidiscipline and multiprofessional community approach using existing federal guidelines that address actionable intelligence (social media and human information/informants), school design and incorporation of safety and protective features, involvement of law enforcement on campuses, and engagement of law enforcement with administrators and educators. Most importantly, it provides awareness to educators, administrators, and law enforcement along with the general public that the attitude of “It can’t happen here” can indeed and way too many times it has “happened here.

Attitudes of advanced Australian medical oncology trainees to rural practice

Aim: To identify the views of medical oncology trainees regarding rural training posts and rural practice overall, and to identify factors that may improve recruitment. Methods: A questionnaire was posted to all advanced oncology trainees in Australia in June 2006. The trainees were questioned on the perceived advantages and disadvantages of rural practice, their experience during previous rural rotations and potential incentives and barriers in recruiting trainees and specialist oncologists to regional and rural centers. Results: There was a 60% response rate. Of all participants 58% had considered rural practice. Those with a rural family background were more likely to have considered rural practice. Attitudes based on responses to listed disadvantages and advantages of rural practice were heterogenous. Lifestyle factors seemed to be of particular importance. Although there were perceived deficiencies in opportunities for professional education in rural oncology rotations, 94% felt their rotation had been a positive experience overall and 62% were more likely to consider a rural career following their rural rotation. Improving locum cover for leave was seen as a potential incentive by 97% trainees. Conclusion: Despite positive attitudes towards rural practice, many barriers exist preventing recruitment of medical oncology trainees to rural areas, in particular lifestyle factors that are difficult to modify. Factors that can be improved include improving access to clinical trials, enabling access to locum cover. Educational opportunities for current rural trainees need to be improved. Further study into potential incentives to enhance rural recruitment is required

A cluster randomised control trial of a multi-component weight management programme for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity

There have been few published controlled studies of multi-component weight management programmes that include an energy deficit diet (EDD), for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity. The objective of this study was to conduct a single-blind, cluster randomised controlled trial comparing a multi-component weight management programme to a health education programme. Participants were randomised to either TAKE 5, which included an EDD or Waist Winners Too (WWToo), based on health education principles. Outcomes measured at baseline, 6 months (after a weight loss phase) and 12 months (after a 6-month weight maintenance phase), by a researcher blinded to treatment allocation, included: weight; BMI; waist circumference; physical activity; sedentary behaviour and health-related quality of life. The recruitment strategy was effective with fifty participants successfully recruited. Both programmes were acceptable to adults with intellectual disabilities, evidenced by high retention rates (90 %). Exploratory efficacy analysis revealed that at 12 months there was a trend for more participants in TAKE 5 (50·0 %) to achieve a clinically important weight loss of 5-10 %, in comparison to WWToo (20·8 %) (OR 3·76; 95 % CI 0·92, 15·30; 0·064). This study found that a multi-component weight management programme that included an EDD, is feasible and an acceptable approach to weight loss when tailored to meet the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity