Female reproductive strategy predicts preferences for sexual dimorphism in male faces

The aim of the current studies was to test an assumption that variation in female preferences for sexually dimorphic male facial characteristics reflects strategic optimisation of investment in offspring. A negative relationship was predicted between ideal number of children and preferences for masculine male face shapes, as the benefits of securing paternal investment should outweigh the benefits of securing good genes as the costs of raising offspring increase. In Study 1 desired number of children and preferences for masculine face shapes were compared in a sample of female students. In study 2, the prediction was tested in a sample with a wider age profile while controlling for relationship status. Preferences for explicit partner characteristics were also assessed. The prediction was supported: women who desired a higher number of children preferred more feminine male face shapes and ranked cues to investment of parental care over cues to immunocompetence in a partner more highly than those who desired fewer children. Results indicate that female mate preferences vary with reproductive strategy and support assumptions that preferences for feminine male faces reflect preferences for “good dads”

High Performing Workplaces: Workforce Futures Employer Survey - Playford & Salisbury Wave 3

YesThe Workplace Futures Survey (WFS) – Playford and Salisbury is a longitudinal workplace survey implemented in Playford and Salisbury. The WFS is designed to capture in-depth information on a range of workplace issues and trends that will provide a comprehensive picture of the issues and challenges faced by employers in the region. This report focuses on Wave 3 of the WFS which was completed by 387 employers during October to November 2014. Results are compared with Wave 1, which was administered a year earlier (November 2013) to 451 employers and Wave 2 completed in May 2014 by 455 employers. The WFS includes a number of core questions on business sentiment, organisational performance along with vacancy and skill demand. Wave 2 also contained focus questions on the potential impact of the automotive closure, whereas Wave 3 explores establishment engagement with High Performance Workplace Practices (HPWP).Department of State Development, South Australi

Individual differences in preferences for cues to intelligence in the face

Date of acceptance: 03/02/2014We tested for individual differences in women's preferences for cues to intelligence in male faces in accordance with hormonal status (i.e. menstrual cycle phase and use of hormonal contraceptives), relationship status and context, and self-rated intelligence. There were no effects of hormonal or relationship status (Studies 1 and 2) on preferences. There was, however, a positive relationship between self-rated intelligence and preferences for cues to intelligence in the face in the context of a long-term relationship, suggesting context-specific assortment (Study 3). In Study 4, self-rated partner intelligence correlated with preferences for facial cues to intelligence. We discuss these results in the context of intelligence as a fitness indicator and suggest that future research must control for assortative mating for cognitive traits in order to better understand intelligence in mate choice.PostprintPeer reviewe

Observations of Cygnus X-3 above 10(15) eV from 1979 - 1984

The ultra high energy gamma-ray source, cygnus X-3, has been observed more or less continuously with an array sensitive to 10 to the 15th power ev primaries between 1 Jan. 1979 and 31 Dec. 1984. There is evidence for time variability in the phase of gamma-ray emission over this period

The primary cosmic ray spectrum above 10 to the 19th power eV

Progress on a re-evaluation of the spectrum of cosmic rays determined with the Haverah Park shower array is described. Particular attention is paid to the reality of some giant showers

Photometry and the Metallicity Distribution of the Outer Halo of M31

We have conducted a wide-field CCD-mosaic study of the resolved red-giant branch (RGB) stars of M31, in a field located 20 kpc from the nucleus along the SE minor axis. In our (I, V-I) color-magnitude diagram, RGB stars in the top three magnitudes of the M31 halo are strongly present. Photometry of a more distant control field to subtract field contamination is used to derive the `cleaned' luminosity function and metallicity distribution function (MDF) of the M31 halo field. From the color distribution of the foreground Milky Way halo stars, we find a reddening E(V-I)= 0.10 +/- 0.02 for this field, and from the luminosity of the RGB tip, we determine a distance modulus (m-M)_o = 24.47 +/- 0.12 (= 783 +/- 43 kpc). The MDF is derived from interpolation within an extensive new grid of RGB models (Vandenberg et al. 2000). The MDF is dominated by a moderately high-metallicity population ([m/H]~ -0.5) found previously in more interior M31 halo/bulge fields, and is much more metal-rich than the [m/H]~ -1.5 level in the Milky Way halo. A significant (~30% - 40%, depending on AGB star contribution) metal-poor population is also present. To first order, the shape of the MDF resembles that predicted by a simple, single-component model of chemical evolution starting from primordial gas with an effective yield y=0.0055. It strongly resembles the MDF recently found for the outer halo of the giant elliptical NGC 5128 (Harris et al. 2000), though NGC 5128 has an even lower fraction of low-metallicity stars. Intriguingly, in both NGC 5128 and M31, the metallicity distribution of the globular clusters in M31 does not match the halo stars; the clusters are far more heavily weighted to metal-poor objects. We suggest similarities in the formation and early evolution of massive, spheroidal stellar systems.Comment: to appear in the Astronomical Journal; 43 pages, including 15 figure

Capillary electrophoresis of human follicular fluid

Some of the major serum proteins that are also found in follicular fluid, including transferrin, α-macroglobulin and albumin, are thought to play a role in oocyte maturation. This study set out to identify proteins in human follicular fluid by capillary zone electrophoresis and to investigate their relationship to follicular/oocyte maturity and fertility outcome. 176 individual follicular fluid samples, from 30 women undertaking in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI), were run using an optimized capillary zone electrophoresis method that gave a good separation of sixteen peaks in most samples. Nine of the peaks were identified and quantified but seven remain unknown and require further proteomic identification. Of the identified protein peaks, levels of each were corrected for follicular volume and total content calculated. No significant difference in protein levels was found with regard to oocyte recovery and fertilization. Protein concentrations tended to decrease as the follicular sphere increased whilst total content in follicular fluid increased in proportion to size. This is consistent with simple transudation across a sphere surface area which does not increase in proportion to the follicular fluid. This is not true of the concentration and content pattern of other proteins/biomolecules which are produced by follicular cells locally. In conclusion, neither concentration nor absolute levels of nine major proteins identified in follicular fluids correlated with oocyte presence and fertility outcome. Future work to remove more concentrated proteins (e.g. albumin) would enhance separation of smaller peaks and identification of the unknown molecules

Substructure in the Andromeda Galaxy Globular Cluster System

In the most prominent current scenario of galaxy formation, galaxies form hierarchically through the merger of smaller systems. Such mergers could leave behind dynamical signatures which may linger long after the event. In particular, the globular cluster system (GCS) of a merging satellite galaxy may remain as a distinct sub-population within the GCS of a massive galaxy. Using the latest available globular cluster velocities and metallicities, we present the results of a search for grouping in the GCS of our nearest large spiral galaxy neighbor, M31. A modified friends-of-friends algorithm is used to identify a number of possible merger remnants in projected position, radial velocity and [Fe/H] parameter space. Numerical simulations are used to check that such merger remnants are indeed plausible over the timescales of interest. The identification of stellar streams associated with these groups is required in order to confirm that they represent merger remnants.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in the Ap

A stepped wedge cluster randomized control trial of dried blood spot testing to improve the uptake of hepatitis C antibody testing within UK prisons

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) is elevated within prison populations, yet diagnosis in prisons remains low. Dried blood spot testing (DBST) is a simple procedure for the detection of HCV antibodies; its impact on testing in the prison context is unknown. Methods: We carried out a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized control trial of DBST for HCV among prisoners within five male prisons and one female prison. Each prison was a separate cluster. The order in which the intervention (training in use of DBST for HCV testing and logistic support) was introduced was randomized across clusters. The outcome measure was the HCV testing rate by prison. Imputation analysis was carried out to account for missing data. Planned and actual intervention times differed in some prisons; data were thus analysed by intention to treat (ITT) and by observed step times. Results: There was insufficient evidence of an effect of the intervention on testing rate using either the ITT intervention time (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.68�1.03; P = 0.088) or using the actual intervention time (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.71�1.06; P = 0.153). This was confirmed by the pooled results of five imputed data sets. Conclusions: DBST as a stand-alone intervention was insufficient to increase HCV diagnosis within the UK prison setting. Factors such as staff training and allocation of staff time for regular clinics are key to improving service delivery. We demonstrate that prisons can conduct rigorous studies of new interventions, but data collection can be problematic. Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN number ISRCTN05628482)