Attractiveness of Three Gravid Trap Infusions for Ovipositing Polynesian Tiger Mosquitoes (Aedes polynesiensis) in American Samoa

The Polynesian tiger mosquito, Aedes polynesiensis, is a carrier of filariasis, chikungunya and dengue in American Samoa. The most commonly used tool for monitoring Ae. polynesiensis is the BG Sentinel trap; however, this trap catches relatively few mosquitoes and targets females searching for a blood meal. Recently developed gravid traps targeting females that have already blood-fed and are searching for oviposition sites may be a better alternative. But results of the initial trials of these gravid traps using a weedy grass hay infusion lure were disappointing. This experiment evaluates two alternative infusions made from dried banana leaves and Bermuda grass hay. We hypothesize that the Bermuda grass or banana leaves infusion may be more attractive to Ae. polynesiensis than the weedy grass infusion. Ovicups containing weedy grass hay, dried banana leaves and Bermuda grass infusions were arranged in a randomized complete block design in mixed vegetation on the American Samoa Community College campus. After three days, the egg sheets were collected from the cups, the eggs hatched, and the larvae raised to fourth instar to identify the species. The experiment was repeated three times and the average eggs were compared to determine the most effective infusion. If either the banana leaves or the Bermuda grass infusion proves more attractive than the weedy grass hay infusion, use of the more effective infusion in the new gravid traps may improve their efficacy and provide a valuable new tool for future research and better management of this important disease vector

The Moderating Effect of Appearance Self-Esteem on Females’ Identification of and Reaction to Sexually-Themed Advertising

This research examines whether the impact of thematic fit of product positioning with sexual themes on female consumer responses varies as a function of appearance self-esteem (ASE). Study 1 demonstrates that perceived identification with sexual themes leads to more negative attitudes toward advertising and brand. Study 2 shows that higher ASE participants have more negative ad attitudes when exposed to sexual themes paired with utilitarian product positioning (low fit) than with hedonic product positioning (high fit). Furthermore, our findings reveal that the feeling of disgust partially mediates the relationship between ASE and attitudes. Theoretical and practical marketing implications are discussed

The Efficacy of Sexualized Female Models in Young Adult-Male Oriented Cigarette Advertising

This paper explores the portrayal (efficacy) of female models in male-targeted cigarette print advertisements through a content analysis (experiment). We first describe the presence and portrayal of females through a content analysis on male-targeted cigarette advertisements in magazines; we find that, in aggregate, females are often used as sexually attractive decoration, and the overall female portrayal is fundamentally different (and unequal) to that of the male. We next investigate the efficacy of these portrayals through an experiment among young adult-aged male smokers and nonsmokers. Our experimental findings indicate that these sexually charged advertisements generate superior attitudinal results in non-smoking males than smoking males, a finding that – in conjunction with the portrayal of females in the content analysis – suggests potential societal and public policy implications

The adaptive nature of the bone-periodontal ligament-cementum complex in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model.

The novel aspect of this study involves illustrating significant adaptation of a functionally loaded bone-PDL-cementum complex in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model. Following 4, 8, and 15 days of ligation, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF- α and RANKL), a mineral resorption indicator (TRAP), and a cell migration and adhesion molecule for tissue regeneration (fibronectin) within the complex were localized and correlated with changes in PDL-space (functional space). At 4 days of ligation, the functional space of the distal complex was widened compared to controls and was positively correlated with an increased expression of TNF- α. At 8 and 15 days, the number of RANKL(+) cells decreased near the mesial alveolar bone crest (ABC) but increased at the distal ABC. TRAP(+) cells on both sides of the complex significantly increased at 8 days. A gradual change in fibronectin expression from the distal PDL-secondary cementum interfaces through precementum layers was observed when compared to increased and abrupt changes at the mesial PDL-cementum and PDL-bone interfaces in ligated and control groups. Based on our results, we hypothesize that compromised strain fields can be created in a diseased periodontium, which in response to prolonged function can significantly alter the original bone and apical cementum formations

DuPont Analysis and Firm Life Cycle

We extend Soliman’s (2008) study of the incremental information provided through DuPont analysis of return on net operating assets (RNOA) by examining pricing and mispricing of profit margin (PM) and asset turnover (ATO) across life-cycle stages (Dickinson 2011). We obtain additional insights by examining the incremental information provided by sub-components of RNOA for PM and ATO in different life-cycle stages. Consistent with life-cycle theory, we find that change in ATO is priced more strongly for mature firms than for other firms. This is due mainly to operating efficiency reflected in property, plant and equipment (PP&E) turnover and partially due to accounts receivable turnover. We find that change in PM is positively priced for both growth and mature firms. This reflects negative pricing of changes in cost of goods sold (COGS), selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense and depreciation expense as a percentage of sales. Changes in research and development (R&D) costs as a percentage of sales are positively priced for mature firms but not positively or negatively priced for growth firms. We also find evidence that PM is underpriced for growth firms. This underpricing is due to mispricing of depreciation expense and R&D expense for growth firms, indicating that market participants do not fully value the information provided by these variables for future earnings

The Balanced Scorecard: Plant-Level Evidence of Relations Between the Four Perspectives

We use structural equation modeling to evaluate patterns of relations in two models – a sequential model that links a series of non-financial and financial outcome measures in an ordered hierarchical manner according to the four perspectives described in the balanced scorecard (BSC) and a complex model that permits direct relations between outcome measures in lower-order perspectives with outcome measures in any higher-order perspective of the BSC hierarchy. We perform our analysis at the plant level using generic outcome measures from a nation-wide survey of business establishments in Canada. Our model specifications follow Bryant, Jones and Widener (2004) who conduct a firm-level analysis of companies included in the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Our plant-level results indicate that both the sequential and complex models fit the data well. The validity of the sequential model supports the premise of linking the outcome measures in a sequential chain ordered according to the BSC hierarchy. Direct relations observed in the complex model support the proposition that some relations between perspectives exist that are not permitted in the sequential model. We find evidence of two such types of relations for our outcome measures and data. Innovation and quality (internal business process perspective) link sequentially to profitability outcomes (financial perspective) through customer satisfaction and market share (customer perspective) but also link directly to productivity (financial). Computer usage (learning and growth perspective) links sequentially through innovation and quality (internal business process) to customer satisfaction (customer) but also links directly to return on sales and productivity (financial)

Cerebral Microbleeds in a Stroke Prevention Clinic.

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a stroke clinic in stroke prevention and progression of cerebral microbleeds (CMB). We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients who visited a stroke clinic between January 2011 and March 2017. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) MRI studies were obtained at baseline and follow-up visits to identify new infarctions and CMB progression. Patients with CMB who also underwent brain computed tomography (CT) imaging were identified and their cerebral arterial calcification was quantified to evaluate the relationship between the extent of intracranial calcification and CMB burden. A total of 64 stroke patients (mean age 73.1 ± 11.0, 47% males) had CMB on baseline and follow-up MRI studies. During a mean follow-up period of 22.6 months, four strokes occurred (4/64, 6%; 3 ischemic, 1 hemorrhagic), producing mild neurological deficit. Progression of CMB was observed in 54% of patients with two MRIs and was significantly associated with length of follow-up. Subjects with intracranial calcification score > 300 cm3 had higher CMB count than those with scores <300 cm3 at both baseline (12.6 ± 11.7 vs. 4.9 ± 2.2, p = 0.02) and follow-up (14.1 ± 11.8 vs. 5.6 ± 2.4, p = 0.03) MRI evaluations. Patients with CMB had a relatively benign overall clinical course. The association between CMB burden and intracranial calcification warrants further study

The SYZ conjecture via homological mirror symmetry

These are expository notes based on a talk given at the Superschool on derived categories and D-branes at University of Alberta in July of 2016. The goal of these notes is to give a motivated introduction to the Strominger-Yau-Zaslow (SYZ) conjecture from the point of view of homological mirror symmetry.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of the Superschool on derived categories and D-brane