Increased copulation duration before ejaculate transfer is associated with larger spermatophores, and male genital titillators, across bushcricket taxa

Copulation duration varies considerably across species, but few comparative studies have examined factors that might underlie such variation. We examined the relationship between copulation duration (prior to spermatophore transfer), the complexity of titillators (sclerotized male genital contact structures), spermatophore mass and male body mass across 54 species of bushcricket. Using phylogenetic comparative analyses, we found that copulation duration was much longer in species with titillators than those without, but it was not longer in species with complex compared with simple titillators. A positive relationship was found between spermatophore size and copulation duration prior to ejaculate transfer, which supports the hypothesis that this represents a period of mate assessment. The slope of this relationship was steeper in species with simple rather than complex titillators. Although the data suggest that the presence of titillators is necessary to maintain long copulation prior to ejaculate transfer, mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear

The upper atmospheric fountain effect in the polar cusp region

This thesis examines how the cusp as a feature of the Earth Magnetic Field influences the (neutral) upper atmospheric dynamics. The thermospheric total mass density, as derived from CHAMP satellite data, shows a distinct enhancement in the vicinity of the cusp, the so-called density anomaly. In a climatological analysis this anomaly is identified as a continuous phenomenon of both hemispheres which depends mainly on background density, coupling efficiency between Earth Magnetic Field and Interplanetary Magnetic Field, and solar activity.Air-upwelling from deeper atmospheric layers (neutral fountain effect), as excited by Joule heating, is considered to be the cause of the density anomaly.Its activating mechanisms have been investigated by considering a combined CHAMP-EISCAT campaign, a model study on soft particle precipitation, and an analysis of periodic density anomaly variations and their controlling parameters.According to the results of this study the following mechanism is suggested to cause a cusp-related density anomaly: The energy input by the solar wind provides the power for Joule heating of preferably neutral molecules. Soft particle precipitation in the cusp simultaneously enhances the altitude of maximal Pedersen conductivity, thus lifting up the heated layer in the cusp. Differential expansion of heavier particles changes the local air composition, thus contributing to the density anomaly. The mechanism is more pronounced during high solar activity phases, since a larger background density causes larger density anomaly amplitudes. The phenomenon can affect the global thermospheric density distribution.thesi

Assessing and Comparing Quality of Life Scores in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome-diarrhea, Irritable Irritable Bowel Syndrome-constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Mixed

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 10 people globally (Black & Ford, 2020). Since IBS is such a common GI disorder worldwide it is important to understand that impact it has on quality of life. This study assessed the differences in the effects of IBS on the quality of life in patients with each of the three types of IBS: IBS-D, IBS-C, and IBS-M. Potential respondents were recruited via social media using an online survey, which collected demographics and assessed the effects of IBS on quality of life. The survey was also emailed to FODMAP trained dietitians who were asked to share the survey with their patients. Data collection lasted for approximately 9 weeks. One hundred and ninety-two responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics for demographic data were reported as frequencies and correlated to the quality of life subscale scores. An ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between the total quality of life scores and subscale scores among patients with IBS-D, IBS-C, and IBS-M. An ANOVA was also used to analyze the differences between total quality of life scores among the different races, education levels, and monthly spending on IBS. A t-test was used to analyze the differences between quality of life subscale scores among female and male patients. A p-value ≤ 0.05 indicated significance. A significant difference in total quality of life scores was found between groups based on how much money participants spend monthly on treatments for/managing their IBS symptoms (F(4, 149)= 10.81, p= \u3c0.01). Significant differences were found in quality of life subscales scores among IBS-M, IBS-C, and IBS-D patients in the interference with activities (F(3, 178)= 5.83, p= 0.001), body image (F(3, 185)= 3.61, p= 0.014), and health worry subscales (F(3, 183)= 4.83, p= 0.003). Significant differences were also found in quality of life subscale scores among white, non-Hispanic; whites, Hispanic origin; and others (Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, multi-racial, and Asian Indians) in the dysphoria (F(2, 181)= 3.86, p= 0.23), social reaction (F(2, 182)= 3.23, p= 0.42), and relationships subscales (F(2, 184)= 3.58, p= 0.030). Further research is needed to validate these associations

Pohnpei Sohte Ehu: A Survey- and Interview-Based Approach to Language Attitudes on Pohnpei.

Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

Rural school district superintendents' perceptions of new legislative reform : a qualitative study

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of rural school district superintendents on the implications of new federal regulations being implemented due to the failure of NCLB to meet its intended targets. This study was guided by the following three research questions: (a) What are rural superintendents’ perceptions about current legislative reform as a consequence of ESSA and state education policy? (b) What are the challenges to implementing ESSA and state education policy in rural school districts? (c) What recommendations do rural superintendents have for ESSA and state education policymakers? The objective of this study was to investigate how superintendents from rural school districts of similar sizes and demographics received information concerning reforms such as ESSA and how they developed plans to implement organizational change. Ten superintendents from a representative sample of rural school districts were interviewed about their lived experiences in the current era of educational transition following the federal passage of ESSA. Data analysis yielded the following six themes: Inconsistent Message Delivery by Regulators, a Compliance Mentality, Financial Constraints, a Need for Differentiation by School District Size and Geography, a Lack of Human Capital, and the Importance of Service Centers. This study found that rural school superintendents were not adequately equipped with all the information and resources needed to implement organizational change effectively at the initiation of new legislative reform. Legislative action is either compliance driven or reform driven. Therefore, if legislation is truly designed to reform education, policymakers need to develop policies that are differentiated and realistic for all school districts and to arm superintendents with needed information to form effective implementation plans.Educational Administratio

Park Visitor Responses to Natural Hazards

Natural hazards have been an increasing problem in wildland recreation areas. This study attempted to identify factors affecting park visitor perception of and preparedness for hazards. A model was formulated incorporating three major independent variables which might affect park visitor responses to hazards. These were: (1) previous experience, (2) information about hazards provided by the park administration (such as warnings located on signs or in brochures), and (3) visitor perception of whether responsibility for hazards rests with the individual or with an outside authority such as government or God. Trip length and knowledge of hazards were also thought to be factors influencing visitor behavior. The model was tested during the summer of 1976 in four study areas: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the High Uintas Primitive Area. Personal interviews and questionnaires were used to obtain the data. The results showed that the set of influences upon visitor behavior varied with each park studied. In general, however, hazard warnings and visitor perceptions of where responsibility for hazards lay had no influence upon visitor behavior. In contrast, previous experience, trip length, and visitor knowledge about hazards had important influences upon visitor preparations for hazards

Geochronology Of Calc-Alkaline Ash Flow Tuff Units In The Ogollon Datil Volcanic Field, Southern New Mexico: U-Pb In Zircon

Caldera systems are capable of outputting voluminous quantities of volcaniclastic material with wide ranging negative environmental impacts. Determining the behaviors of previously erupted caldera systems may help inform predictive models used to evaluate hazards and assess risks for analogous currently active volcanic systems. The Mogollon-Datil volcanic field (MDVF) is a 40-24 Ma cluster of caldera activity in southern New Mexico tied to the subduction, and possible delamination, of the Farallon plate beneath the North American plate. A regional ignimbrite flare up from 36-24 Ma produced at least 28 caldera-forming eruptions. The calc-alkaline magmatism of three calderas in this field (the Mogollon, Bursum, and Gila Cliff Dwellings) produced several voluminous and regionally dispersed ash-flow tuffs. Magmatic zircon sampled from these tuffs record timescales of magmatic accumulation via U-Pb isotopic zonation. This study focuses on analysis of zircon crystals and the utilization of U-Pb isotope ratios as geochronometers for magmatic activity in the MDVF. I present new U-Pb geochronology results obtained via Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe-Reverse Geometry (SHRIMP-RG) analysis of magmatic zircon from five MDVF ignimbrites. I compare previous geochronology results obtained via 40Ar/39Ar in sanidine to new U-Pb zircon age dates (1σ error), Pb isotopic ratios, and trace element compositions in the zircon samples