What Quine (and Carnap) might say about contemporary metaphysics of time

This chapter explores some of the relations between Quine’s and Carnap’s metaontological stances on the one hand, and contemporary work in the metaphysics of time, on the other. Contemporary metaphysics of time, like analytic metaphysics in general, grew out of the revival of the discipline that Quine’s critique of the logical empiricists (such as Carnap) made possible. At the same time, the metaphysics of time has, in some respects, strayed far from its Quinean roots. This chapter examines some likely Quinean and Carnapian reactions to elements of the contemporary scene

The Monogamy Gene Could Also Act in Humans

Research has revealed that genetic variations in the human gene AVPR1A affect the disposition and aptitude of individuals to live in a relationship. Thus the activity of this gene could influence the quality of marital relationships and very likely our emotional inclinations

How Reasoning Aims at Truth

Many hold that theoretical reasoning aims at truth. In this paper, I ask what it is for reasoning to be thus aim-directed. Standard answers to this question explain reasoning’s aim-directedness in terms of intentions, dispositions, or rule-following. I argue that, while these views contain important insights, they are not satisfactory. As an alternative, I introduce and defend a novel account: reasoning aims at truth in virtue of being the exercise of a distinctive kind of cognitive power, one that, unlike ordinary dispositions, is capable of fully explaining its own exercises. I argue that this account is able to avoid the difficulties plaguing standard accounts of the relevant sort of mental teleology

Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Victims Interventions: A Meta-Analysis

This study used meta-analysis to examine the effectiveness of domestic violence interventions. Results from 50 reviewed studies revealed mean effect size d-values of .99 for adult interventions and .67 for child interventions. For control groups, adults had a mean effect size of .34, whereas children had a mean effect size of .01. This meta-analytic review suggests that interventions are effective, but that counseling interventions are more effective than advocacy interventions for both adults and children. In particular, CBT, Parent/Family, Empowerment, and Play therapy interventions seem to be equally highly effective for treating adults. For children, CBT seems to be the most effective, followed by Parent/Family, Empowerment, and Play therapy interventions. Further, interventions are effective at reducing maltreatment events, stress/distress, PTSD, and psychopathology; and increasing quality of life, social support, the parent-child relationship, and domestic violence skills in adults. Interventions are not effective at treating adult internalizing symptoms and self-concept. For children, interventions seem to be effective in the same areas as well as in decreasing behavior problems. Implications for current victim interventions are discussed as well as directions for future research

Molecular Phylogenies and Biogeography of Central American Birds.

This dissertation presents data on the biogeography and molecular systematics of seven independent lineages of birds; both allozyme and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) characters were used. The purpose of this study was to discover biogeographic patterns among endemic taxa distributed in the highlands and lowlands of southern Central America and sister taxa in either North or South America. Analyses of the genera Diglossa, Buarremon, Pselliophorus, and Pezopetes suggested a complex biogeographic pattern in the highlands of southern Central America; divergence of some highland lineages occurred relatively recently (during the Pleistocene), after the landbridge connection between Central and South America was completed, whereas divergence of other birds occurred more anciently (8-10 million years ago) before the landbridge was completed. In addition, both northern (North America, northern Middle America) and southern (South America) sources of taxa contributed to the endemicity in the highlands of southern Central America. Analyses of lowland lineages (Gymnopithys, Pteroglossus, and Ramphocelus) suggested a single area cladogram for lowland areas of endemism: Pacific and Caribbean Central American areas of endemism as sister areas, Choco (western South America) as the sister area to the Central American areas of endemism, and Amazonia as the sister to the Central American/Choco areas. Analysis of Pipra suggested a different area cladogram relative to the other three lineages; however, a cladogram of one step longer supported the general area cladogram suggested by the other three lowland lineages. Examination of rates of molecular divergence suggested that Pteroglossus taxa are much less differentiated across similar geographic areas than are the other lowland lineages, possibly the result of Pteroglossus possessing increased dispersal abilities relative to the other lowland lineages. There was a high degree of evolutionary concordance of both mtDNA and allozyme characters. However, mtDNA sequence data (from the cytochrome b gene) reached the multiple hit zone after approximately 10% sequence divergence, a result consistent with other studies of the cytochrome b gene

Defining the Graduate College Experience: What it “Should” versus “Does” Include

Gaps between expectations and actual educational experience may influence motivation, learning and performance. The graduate college experience (GCE) is shrouded in myth and legend that may create unrealistic expectations, while its reality includes elements of politics, economics and organizational psychology. This study examined 1,629 present and former graduate students’ perceptions of what their graduate school experiences should and did include. The sample was analyzed as a whole and also divided and tested for subgroup differences by: degree types (masters and doctorate); at four different points along their degree paths (entrance, midpoint, exit, alumni); and by disciplinary subgroups (hard sciences, social sciences, arts, interdisciplinary). Statistically significant differences were found between subgroups on perceptions of what the GCE “should” and “does” include separately. Further, within-groups comparison of what the graduate college experience “should” and “does” include showed significant differences for the whole group and all subgroups. In addition, the differences between graduate students’ expected and actual experience (should - does) negatively predicted overall satisfaction with their graduate experience. These contrasts of students’ actual and expected graduate experiences present potential to explain some of graduate students’ dissatisfaction and non-completion, and offer information to support program improvement and retention of graduate students.Ye

Opaque reciprocity: or theorising Glissant’s ‘right to opacity’ as a communication and language praxis in early childhood education

In this article, the authors argue for what Édouard Glissant terms the ‘right to opacity’ in teaching and assessing communication and language skills in early childhood education (ECE). We draw from Glissant’s writing on Relation, and his interrelated concepts of ‘opacity’ and ‘transparency’, to consider two vignettes from sensory ethnographic research conducted in ECE settings: a special education classroom and a nursery. We contest the international emphasis on efficiency, clarity, and rationality in ECE communication and language provision as one informed by colonial and ableist logics of ‘transparency’. Instead, we argue for an attention to moments of what we call ‘opaque reciprocity’: of (1) non-dyadic, non-developmentalist, more-than-human exchange, within which (2) authorship becomes distributed inter-subjectively, thereby (3) de-emphasising efficient, clear, and rational notions of meaning-making

Epinecrophylla, a new genus of antwrens (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae)

We offer a new generic name for the stipple-throated assemblage of antwrens (Thamnophilidae) currently placed in the genus Myrmotherula. Molecular studies demonstrated that Myrmotherula is polyphyletic, with the stippled-throated group forming a clade that is not sister to any other currently recognized Myrmotherula species. The stipple-throated assemblage is distinguished morphologically by at least one sex having a black throat stippled white or buffy white combined with a comparatively long, unmarked tail, although three populations considered subspecies have lost one of these characters. The distinct evolution of this assemblage is supported by diagnostic behavioral characters derived from foraging behaviors, vocal repertoires, and nest architecture

Interspecific hybridization explains rapid gorget colour divergence in Heliodoxa hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae)

Hybridization is a known source of morphological, functional and communicative signal novelty in many organisms. Although diverse mechanisms of established novel ornamentation have been identified in natural populations, we lack an understanding of hybridization effects across levels of biological scales and upon phylogenies. Hummingbirds display diverse structural colours resulting from coherent light scattering by feather nanostructures. Given the complex relationship between feather nanostructures and the colours they produce, intermediate coloration does not necessarily imply intermediate nanostructures. Here, we characterize nanostructural, ecological and genetic inputs in a distinctive Heliodoxa hummingbird from the foothills of eastern Peru. Genetically, this individual is closely allied with Heliodoxa branickii and Heliodoxa gularis, but it is not identical to either when nuclear data are assessed. Elevated interspecific heterozygosity further suggests it is a hybrid backcross to H. branickii. Electron microscopy and spectrophotometry of this unique individual reveal key nanostructural differences underlying its distinct gorget colour, confirmed by optical modelling. Phylogenetic comparative analysis suggests that the observed gorget coloration divergence from both parentals to this individual would take 6.6–10 My to evolve at the current rate within a single hummingbird lineage. These results emphasize the mosaic nature of hybridization and suggest that hybridization may contribute to the structural colour diversity found across hummingbirds

A New Species of Boubou (Malaconotidae: Laniarius) from the Albertine Rift

We describe Laniarius willardi, a new species of boubou shrike (Malaconotidae) from the Albertine Rift of Africa. The most conspicuous, distinguishing morphological feature of the species is a gray to blue-gray iris. This and external morphometric data indicate that L. willardi is diagnosable from other black or sooty boubous. Further, L. willardi is genetically diagnosable, and its closest relative is the Mountain Sooty Boubou (L. poensis camerunensis) from Cameroon. The Crimson-breasted Bush-shrike (L. atrococcineus) and the Lowland Sooty Boubou (L. leucorhynchus) are together the sister clade to L. willardi—L.p. camerunensis. Laniarius willardi and the geographically codistributed L. p. holomelas differ by 11.5% in uncorrected sequence divergence, and elevational data taken from museum specimens suggest the possibility of elevational segregation of the species at ∼2,000 m, withL. willardi occurring at lower elevations. Our broad sampling of black and sooty boubou taxa indicate that (1) races of Mountain Sooty Boubou (L. poensis) do not form a monophyletic clade; (2) L. p. camerunensismay represent multiple, nonsister lineages; and (3) at least one race of Fülleborn\u27s Black Boubou (L. fuelleborni usambaricus) is genetically distinct from other races of that species