bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
World Society and the Global Foreign Aid Network
Authors: Swiss Liam
Published: July 2018

This article analyzes the relationship between foreign aid and globalization to explain developing country ties to world society and argues that foreign aid can be viewed as a recursive mechanism through which donor states refine and spread international norms and organizational ties. Using network data on foreign aid relationships between countries this article analyzes the effects of aid on human rights treaty ratification and international organization memberships in a sample of 135 less developed countries from the period of 1975-2008. Results of random effects panel regression models show that increased aid network centrality brokers increased country ties to world society, supporting a novel interpretation of foreign aid as a transnational process of political globalization.
Western Feminism or Return to Authentic Islam? Jordanian Women in Faqir’s Pillars of Salt and My Name is Salma
Authors: Studies AWEJ-tls for Translation & Literary , Alqahtani Suaad Muhammad
Published: July 2018

This paper focuses on the violence against Jordanian women through Fadia Faqir’s novels, Pillars of Salt and My Name is Salma. These novels question cultural conventions that tolerate men’s oppression and killing of women in the name of the family’s honour in most Arab countries. The analysis of the two novels illustrates how Faqir’s opposition to women’s subordination and victimisation in the name of Islam stems from her interest in going back to authentic teachings of Islam with regard to women, rather than Western feminist theories. In addition, the similarity between Orientalist misrepresentation of women’s status in Islam and patriarchal misinterpretation of the Holy Qura’n and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah to subordinate women is explored and examined from the postcolonial feminist critical perspective. This paper highlights feminist contribution to raising awareness about violence against women in some Arab countries through literature.
I limiti alla tutela del "Made in" fra integrazione europea e ordinamenti nazionali
Authors: Rubino Vito
Published: July 2018

La monografia affronta il tema dei limiti alla tutela del c.d. "Made in" fra integrazione europea ed ordinamenti giuridici nazionali. Dopo una ampia premessa introduttiva, volta ad inquadrare l'argomento nel contesto evolutivo dell'integrazione europea e i suoi recenti sviluppi in chiave "personalista", i due capitoli centrali affrontano il tema definendo il concetto giuridico di "origine" ai fini della c.d. "comunicazione commerciale", gli obblighi europei e nazionali in materia di etichettatura, presentazione e pubblicità dei prodotti con riferimento alla specifica questione trattata, la politica UE di valorizzazione della qualità e le sue ricadute applicative nonché i residui spazi per la regolamentazione nazionale di marchi certificativi di origine, denominazioni geografiche ed attestazioni di tipicità. Il volume si conclude con una rilettura critica della giurisprudenza consolidata della Corte di giustizia UE alla luce della possibile natura di "diritto culturale" della dichiarazione di origine delle merci e del nuovo approccio dell'Unione europea ai temi della tutela del consumatore e dei suoi diritti fondamentali, fra i quali la trasparenza e l'informazione.
Inter-Ethnic Neighbourhood Acquaintanceships of Migrants and Natives in Germany: On the Brokering Roles of Inter-Ethnic Partners and Children
Authors: Schaeffer Merlin
Published: July 2018

Since Allport, social scientists emphasise the importance of personal inter-ethnic contact for overcoming prejudices and enhancing social cohesion in mixed societies. But why do some people have more contact to their neighbours of other ethnicity? Using new data from a large-scale German survey, I analyse the brokering roles of children and inter-ethnic partners in explaining inter-ethnic neighbourhood acquaintanceships. Even on a contextual level, my results suggest that people living in regions with larger shares of children have more inter-ethnic neighbourhood acquaintances, which expands earlier findings on the general integrating function of children. However, I also argue that we should recognise brokering to be context-specific and exemplify this by showing how the brokering role of inter-ethnic partners shows particularly in interaction with inter-ethnic encounters at local bars and restaurants, while that of children shows particularly given frequent inter-ethnic encounters at public parks and playgrounds. More importantly, the brokering role of children only shows in interaction with the frequency of inter-ethnic encounters at local parks and playgrounds. On a theoretical level, my results demonstrate the importance of studying the interaction of mechanisms in explaining personal (inter-ethnic) contact.
Does sanctioning disabled claimants of unemployment insurance increase labour market inactivity? An analysis of 346 British local authorities between 2009 and 2014
Authors: Reeves Aaron
Published: July 2018

Imposing financial penalties on claimants of unemployment insurance may incentivise labour market re-entry. However, sanctions may have differential effects depending on the work-readiness of the claimants. Here, I explore whether sanctioning disabled claimants is associated with greater labour market activity or inactivity among disabled people using data on 346 British local authorities between 2009 and 2014. When the number of sanctioned disabled claimants rises (as a proportion of all claimants) the proportion of economically inactive people who are also disabled becomes larger. There is not a clear relationship between sanctioning disabled claimants the proportion of employed people who are disabled.
The Power of Noise and the Art of Prediction
Authors: Xiao ZhiMin , Higgins Steve
Published: July 2018

Data analysis usually aims to identify a particular signal, such as an intervention effect. Conventional analyses often assume a specific data generation process, which suggests a theoretical model that best fits the data. Machine learning techniques do not make such an assumption. In fact, they encourage multiple models to compete on the same data. Applying logistic regression and machine learning algorithms to real and simulated datasets with different features of noise and signal, we demonstrate that no single model dominates others under all circumstances. By showing when different models shine or struggle, we argue it is both possible and important to conduct comparative analyses.
The Sibsize Revolution in International Context. Declining Social Disparities in the Number of Siblings in 26 Countries
Authors: Präg Patrick , Choi Seongsoo , Monden Christiaan Willem Simon
Published: July 2018

One's number of siblings is an important determinant for many life outcomes such as educational attainment. The US has experienced a 'sibsize revolution' in the last century, in which sibship sizes declined and which led to a convergence in family circumstances for children. Did this happen in other countries as well? This study examines the development of sibship size and social disparities in sibship size in low-fertility countries across the twentieth century. We analyze sibship size data collected from 111 nationally representative surveys conducted in 26 low-fertility countries across the twentieth century. Average sibship sizes have declined in virtually all countries. Average sibship sizes are socially stratified, with smaller sibship sizes among higher-educated parents. This social disparity in sibship size has declined over time, indicating convergence in most countries. This convergence takes place for large families, but not for only-child families. Siblings are an understudied phenomenon in family demography, despite their growing importance in a time of increasingly complex family structures. Given the significance of sibship size for children's educational outcomes and overall life chances, decreasing social disparities in sibship size suggest greater equality in the intergenerational transmission of advantage.
Differences in daily objective physical activity and sedentary time between women with self-reported fibromyalgia and controls: results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey
Authors: Bernard Paquito , Hains-Monfette Gabriel , Atoui Sarah , Kingsbury Célia
Published: July 2018

IntroductionPhysical activity and sedentary behaviors are important modifiable factors that influence health and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to compare objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary time in women self-reporting fibromyalgia with a control group. MethodData were drawn from the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 1, 2 and 3 conducted by Statistics Canada. We included women aged 18 to 79 years with complete accelerometer data. We performed one-way analyses of covariance (adjusted-for socio-demographic and health factors) to determine mean differences in physical activity and sedentary variables (minutes per day of moderate and vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary and daily steps) between women with and without fibromyalgia.ResultsIn total, 4132 participants were included. A cross-sectional weighted analysis indicated that 3,1% of participants self-reported a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Participants with fibromyalgia spent less time than controls engaged in moderate and vigorous physical activity (M = 19.2 min/d (SE=0.7) vs M = 9.1 min/d (SE=1.2), p = 0.03, η2= 0.01). No significant differences were found for daily time spent in light physical activity, sedentary activities and number of steps.ConclusionWomen participants with self-reported fibromyalgia spent significantly less time in moderate and vigorous physical activity than control. Physical activity promotion interventions for women with self-reported fibromyalgia should, as a priority, target physical activities with moderate to vigorous intensity.
A critical review on the theoretical framework of differential motor learning and meta-analytic review on the empirical evidence of differential motor learning
Authors: Serrien Ben , Tassignon Bruno , Baeyens Jean-Pierre , Clijsen Ron
Published: July 2018

Objective. Differential learning is a motor learning method characterized by a high amountof variability during practice. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, a critical appraisalis performed of the theoretical rationale of the differential learning method. Second, asystematic review and meta-analysis of experimental results is made to compare theeffectiveness of differential learning compared to other motor learning methods.Methods. Narrative review of the theoretical rationale of differential learning. Systematicreview and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials where differentiallearning is compared to other motor learning methodologies.Results. The theoretical rationale of differential learning is reasonable, but at some points toometaphorically formulated. Especially the use of stochastic resonance as the mechanismbehind differential learning is ambiguous and remains untested to this day. However, indirectevidence for a neurophysiological mechanism has been described and should be pursuedfurther. Empirically, differential learning has been examined in a variety of contexts rangingfrom technical skills and performance outcomes in single sports movements to tactical sportscontexts, fine motor skills, balance tasks and rehabilitation. The meta-analysis showed thatdifferential learning performed better than traditional motor learning methods and that theeffect was larger on the retention test than on the post-test. However, little to no evidence wasfound for the comparison to other variability-based motor learning techniques. Additionally,risk of bias was high or unclear on many items and publication bias was likely which limitsstrong confidence in the conclusions of the meta-analysis.Perspectives. Differential learning is a promising method to enhance motor learning but willrequire further research to test certain theoretical claims and to find factors that predict theindividual and time-dependent optimal amount of practice variability.
Phase analysis in maximal sprinting: an investigation of step-to-step technical changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity phases.
Authors: von Lieres und Wilkau Hans Cristian , Irwin Gareth , Bezodis Neil E. , Simpson Scott , Bezodis Ian N.
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate spatiotemporal and kinematic changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximum velocity phases of a sprint. Sagittal plane kinematics from five experienced sprinters performing 50 m maximal sprints were collected using six HD-video cameras. Following manual digitising, spatiotemporal and kinematic variables at touchdown and toe-off were calculated. The start and end of the transition phase were identified using the step to step changes in centre of mass height and segment angles. Mean step to step changes of spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during each phase were calculated. Firstly, the study showed that if sufficient trials are available, step-to-step changes in shank and trunk angles might provide an appropriate measure to detect sprint phases in applied settings. However, given that changes in centre of mass height represent a more holistic measure, this was used to sub-divide the sprints into separate phases. Secondly, during the initial acceleration phase large step to step changes in touchdown kinematics were observed compared to the transition phase. At toe-off, step-to-step kinematic changes were consistent across the initial acceleration and transition phases before plateauing during the maximal velocity phase. These results provide coaches and practitioners with valuable insights into key differences between phases in maximal sprinting.
Effects of ipsilateral and contralateral fatigue and muscle occlusion on the complexity of knee extensor torque output in humans
Authors: Pethick Jamie , Winter Samantha Lee , Burnley Mark
Published: July 2018

To determine whether the fatigue-induced loss of torque complexity could be accounted for by central or peripheral factors, nine healthy participants performed four experimental trials involving intermittent isometric contractions of the knee extensors at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque. These trials involved: 1) two bouts of contractions to failure using the right leg separated by 3 min recovery (ISP); 2) the same protocol but with cuff occlusion during the 3-min recovery (ISP-OCC); 3) contractions of the left leg to failure, followed 1 min later by contractions of the right leg to failure (CONT); and 4) the same protocol but with cuff occlusion applied to the left leg throughout both the recovery period and right leg contractions (CONT-OCC). Supramaximal electrical stimulation during MVCs was used to determine the degree of central and peripheral fatigue, whilst complexity was determined using Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis alpha-exponent (DFA alpha). Neuromuscular fatigue was consistently associated with a loss of torque complexity in all conditions (e.g., ISP bout 1 ApEn from [mean +/- SD]: 0.46 +/- 0.14 to 0.12 +/- 0.06 [P < 0.001]). In ISP-OCC, occlusion abolished the recovery from fatigue and torque complexity remained at the values observed at task failure in the preceding bout (IPS-OCC bout 2, first minute: 0.14 +/- 0.03, P < 0.001). Prior contralateral contractions had no effect on torque complexity. These results demonstrate that peripheral fatigue plays a dominant role in the loss of torque complexity.
Six weeks of sprint interval training improves body composition in healthy young males
Authors: Guppy Fergus Michael , Thatcher Rhys , Wallace Joanne
Published: July 2018

Exercise plays a key role in improving body composition and bone health. This study aims to look at the effects of a sprint interval training (SIT) programme, on markers of skeletal health and body composition measured by daul-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Twenty-eight participants (24.4 ± 6.7 y; 1.77 ± 0.09 m; 79.0 ± 14.5 kg; 25.0 ± 2.8 kgm-2) were randomly assigned, into either the SIT or control condition. All participants made a single fasted visit to the laboratory, pre-and post a 6 week SIT intervention, where they underwent a whole body, proximal femur and lumbar spine DXA scan. SIT caused significant reductions in sub-total (-1.08 kg) and lower limb (-0.50 kg) fat mass, as well as on upper- (-1.26%) and lower-limb (-1.70%) percentage fat mass compared with non-exercising controls (0.26, 0.00 kg; -0.15, -0.28 %). There were no significant changes in any bone measures, but trends were observed for differences in femoral neck BMD (1.75%), total proximal femur BMC (5.79%) and area (4.81%) following SIT compared to the control group (-1.51, 0.05, 0.36%). This study showed that SIT is a potent method of reducing fat mass, as well as a potential as a method for improving bone mass.
Oregon State University Softball: Dynamic Visual Acuity Training for Improving Performance
Authors: Madsen Bruce , Blair Kyle
Published: July 2018

Sports vision training involves eye focusing and movement workouts that center on the visual tracking of objects. The purpose of sports vision training is to improve performance in various sports by improving visual responses and processing, such as by lowering reaction times. In 2015, the Athletic Eye Institute started a sports vision-training program study with the Oregon State University Softball Team in the hopes of increasing the dynamic visual skills of their players. There were two aims of this study. The first aim was to test the hypothesis that softball athletes would show improvement over time in the specific sports vision training tests. The second aim was to test the hypothesis that sports vision training would lead to improvements of offensive batting statistics from the 2015 season, when players did not have vision training, to the 2016 season, after players had begun vision training. Results showed significant improvements in the scores from the initial to final training session for eight out of ten visual training tests. However, OSU softball player offensive batting statistics showed no significant improvement from the 2015 season to the 2016 season, or compared to other teams. This study showed that performances of sports vision tests can be improved over time with training, but that these improvements may not translate into improvements in softball offensive batting statistics.
Development of Moral Disengagement and Self-Regulatory Efficacy Assessments Relevant to Doping in Sport and Exercise
Authors: Boardley Ian , Smith Alan L. , Mills John Paul , Grix Jonathan , Wynne Ceri , Wilkins Luke
Published: July 2018

Objectives: To develop Moral Disengagement (MD) and Self-Regulatory Efficacy (SRE) instruments relevant to doping in sport and exercise and provide evidence for their validity and reliability.Design: Cross-sectional, correlationalMethods: Data were collected from male and female team- and individual-sport athletes and corporate- and hardcore-gym exercisers. Two samples (nsample 1 = 318; nsample 2 = 300) were utilized in instrument development and score validation and another (nsample 3 = 101) in examining test-retest reliability. Samples 1 and 2 responded to the newly developed items alongside others assessing theoretically-related variables, whereas Sample 3 completed the new instruments on two separate occasions.Results: Factor analyses identified the final items and dimensional structures for the Doping Moral Disengagement Scale (DMDS), Doping Moral Disengagement Scale–Short (DMDS–S) and Doping Self-Regulatory Efficacy Scale (DSRES). The DMDS has six lower- and one higher-order factor, whereas the DMDS-S and DSRES are unidimensional. These structures were invariant by sex and sport/exercise context. Evidence supporting external validity and test-retest reliability was also provided.Conclusion: This research developed and provided evidence of score validity and internal consistency for three instruments relevant to doping in sport and exercise.
O efeito da consequência programada sobre a estabilidade da taxa de respostas em FI
Authors: Freitas Luiz
Published: July 2018

The baseline performance in single case designs serves of parameter for experimental decisions (for example, the moment to introduce the experimental variables) and as a prediction of future performance. In these designs statistic control is replaced by experimental. Thus, behavior has to reach some degree of stability – it would indicate that observed behavior would not be affected by foreign variables to the experimental procedure. Some authors assert that the stringency of the quantitative stability criteria is directly influenced by response rates. Some studies suggest that the type of reinforcer can have an effect on the response rates of humans in FI. Therefore, could the stability criterion of response rate be reached more or less quickly depending on the type of reinforcer? The purpose of this research was (a) verify if the type of reinforcer scheduled for humans in FI would have effect on the time required to reach a quantitative stability criterion; (b) verify if the stability, defined by the criterion, would be maintained after been reached and (c) evaluate human behavior in FI, along a extended exposure, depending on the type of reinforcer. Seventeen undergraduate students, both sexes, were designated to one of two conditions with different reinforcers (G1-points exchangeable for money and G2-points non-exchangeable for Money) and exposed to a FI 30s for a 10 hours period (20 sessions of 30 minutes). The software ProgRef v3.1 was used for data collection. The results indicated that the response rates of G1 participants were high in the initial sessions, but tended to reduce along the exposition to the FI. The response rates were low for the majority of the G2 participants, with high response rate periods. There was no difference in the time required to reach the stability criterion with respect to the reinforcer. However, the maintenance of the stability seemed larger for G2 than for G1 participants.
Touchy Thinking: Interactivity Improves Planning Performance
Authors: Henderson Emma Louise
Published: July 2018

Planning is an everyday activity that is extended in time and space, yet is frequently studied in the absence of interactivity. Successful planning relies on an array of executive functions including self-control. We investigated the effects of interactivity and self-control on planning using a sequential-task paradigm. Half of the participants first completed a video-viewing task requiring self-control of visual attention, whereas the other half completed the same task without the self-control constraint. Next, and within each of these groups, half of the participants manipulated cards to complete their plan (high-interactivity condition); for the other half, plans were made with their hands down (low-interactivity condition). Planning performance was significantly better in the high- than in the low-interactivity conditions; however the self-control manipulation had no impact on planning performance. An exploration of individual differences revealed that long-term planning ability and non-planning impulsiveness moderated the impact of interactivity on planning. These findings suggest that interactivity augments working memory resources and planning performance, underscoring the importance of an interactive perspective on planning research.
The individually-targeted habit-breaking intervention and group-level change
Authors: Forscher Patrick S.
Published: July 2018

Psychologists wishing to resolve societal problems typically develop interventions that target individuals. However, many societal problems, such as disparities in hiring, are not caused solely by the actions of individuals operating independently. In two studies, including a field experiment in academic departments randomized at the cluster level and a lab experiment randomized at the individual level, my dissertation explores the relationship between the individual-level change produced by the individually-targeted, prejudice habit-breaking intervention (Devine et al., 2012) and group-level change. The results suggest that the effects of the habit-breaking intervention at the individual level can produce group-level change, at least in the context of the long-term collaborative relationships that characterize academic departments. However, the habit-breaking intervention can also lead its targets to view strangers as less credible sources of knowledge about social disparities. In addition to its considerable practical implications, the present findings highlight the utility of studying individual-level phenomena in group contexts and provide a potential roadmap for doing so.
Of food and fauna: investigating the relationship between global agricultural land use and biodiversity
Authors: Kehoe Laura
Published: July 2018

Agricultural land use dominates one third of the Earth’s land surface and is the single biggest driver of biodiversity loss. Moreover, with a growing human population and a rising demand for resources, the impact of agricultural land use on biodiversity is projected to escalate. The main goal of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between agricultural land use and biodiversity on a global scale. In approaching this goal, this thesis aims to bridge three main research gaps. First, while much research has addressed the effect of agricultural expansion on biodiversity, relatively little work has investigated the relationship between the many facets of agricultural intensification and biodiversity. Second, most studies on land use and biodiversity have assessed local to regional scale impacts, whereas few have assessed this relationship on a global scale. This gap is particularly critical in terms of predicting species richness – where environmental factors rather than human driven factors have traditionally been thought to be important in driving and predicting broad-scale patterns of biodiversity. Third, in light of growing future demand for resources, a better understanding is needed regarding the impact of future agricultural land use on biodiversity. This thesis made progress in bridging these research gaps by (i) mapping patterns of multiple metrics of land-use intensity and biodiversity, (ii) improving species- area relationships with the inclusion of land cover and land-use intensity metrics, and (iii) identifying highly biodiverse areas at risk under trajectories of potential future agricultural expansion and intensification. Patterns of land-use intensity metrics were heterogeneously distributed in areas of high biodiversity, suggesting that conservation research should include multiple intensity metrics in order to avoid underestimating biodiversity threat. Furthermore, results show land-use intensity was found to rival biomes in predicting global species richness, thus upgrading one of the most fundamental laws in ecology, and providing an improved understanding of broad-scale species richness patterns. Finally, areas most at-risk under potential future agricultural change were found to be widespread across Latin America and Sub-Saharan America. These results deliver crucial insights in proactively mitigating future potential conflicts in the nexus of biodiversity and land use. Overall, considering the great threat agriculture poses to biodiversity, this thesis highlighted the complexity and importance of land-use intensity in its relationship with biodiversity and uncovered highly biodiverse areas threatened by agricultural land use, both currently and in the future.
Vitamin D and Gynecologic Outcomes: Insights from the EAGeR Trial
Authors: Kuhr Daniel Lee
Published: July 2018

Context: Vitamin D is associated with a host of reproductive outcomes, but there is little research investigating these relationships in healthy, regularly cycling, premenopausal women.Objective: Our objective was to assess the relationship between vitamin D and hormonal biomarkers, sporadic anovulation, menstrual cycle length, and premenstrual syndrome and its symptoms. We hypothesize that vitamin D will be inversely associated with aberrations in reproductive and gynecologic function.Methods: This was a prospective cohort of 1191 participants attempting to conceive, aged 18-40, with 1-2 prior pregnancy losses, no history of infertility, and enrolled in the EAGeR trial. Patients answered questionnaires regarding demographic information and gynecologic histories and serum samples were collected pre-randomization. Patients collected and froze daily first-void urine samples for up to two menstrual cycles. Patients were followed for risk of anovulation for two menstrual cycles and followed all together for up to six menstrual cycles.Results: Vitamin D was associated with free androgen index and sex hormone binding globulin concentration, but not total testosterone, free testosterone, or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Vitamin D was negatively associated with estrone-1-glucoronide in urine but not with pregnanediol glucuronide. Vitamin D was not associated with menstrual cycle length or its phase components and was not associated with risk of sporadic anovulation. Vitamin D was associated with breast tenderness/fullness and generalized aches and pains during the premenstrual week but not with other symptoms or overall risk of PMS.Conclusions: Vitamin D may play a role in a host of reproductive and endocrine outcomes, including the bioavailability of androgens, concentrations of estrogens, and physical symptoms of PMS.
SPECIFYING, IMPLEMENTING AND VERIFYING LAYERED NETWORK PROTOCOLS
Authors: Cwikla Joseph
Published: July 2018

As computing power increases, software is developed to make use of the increased capacity. A transition is currently in progress as the growth of higher level scripting languages enables a larger number of programmers to develop programs in larger and more diverse domains. The world of software program development is becoming readily accessible to a larger audience.Concurrently, digital communication has revolutionized the way that people interact. Protocols are established to enable new types of communication. Successful protocols are built in layers; each layer makes use of the one below it and providing services to the layer directly above it. As new uses are discovered for digital communications, new protocols will need to be developed to support them.Simulations are useful when communication protocols are developed. The simulation can be specified, implemented and its runtime behavior verified against the specification. This thesis proposes and demonstrates that there exists a set of software development tools that are readily accessible and end to end to address the problem of specifying, implementing and verifying layered communication protocol simulations.
Comparative Context and Relevant Group Membership: Attitudes on Gender Inequality within the Context of Contrasting Leaders
Authors: Bouguettaya Ayoub
Published: July 2018

In this paper, the interaction between relevant group membership (i.e. gender) and context on leader perceptions was analysed within the paradigm of social identity theory. It was hypothesised that sharing group membership with a leader would result in to more positive ratings of a leader, while context would change how leaders were viewed depending on how much they embodied group values in relation to other leaders. The issue of contention to be contrasted between leaders was gender inequality. This context effect pattern was predicted to be different for males than females; males were believed to rate a leader more positively when the leader expressed a contextually more dismissive view, while females were predicted to rate a leader better when the leader expressed a contextually more proactive view. The hypotheses about the main effects of gender and context were supported; however, the results for the interaction were mixed in support. Gender and context did significantly interact, but it was not always in the directions predicted. Further research into this interaction is needed.
PERBANDINGAN ANALISIS STATISTIK MULTIVARIAT PADA BATUBARA DI KABUPATEN TABALONG PROVINSI KALIMANTAN SELATAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS (PCA)
Authors: Septiana Fauzan , Irawan Dasapta Erwin , Darul Achmad
Published: July 2018

Analisis proksimat merupakan teknik pengujian yang dilakukan pada batubara yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui kandungan pada batubara. Secara keseluruhan menggunakan metode kualitatif lalu dilakukan pengklasifikasian batubara menggunakan analisis multivariat dan dilakukan klasifikasi secara visual.Data yang telah dianalisis berasal dari Kabupaten Tabalong Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan dengan jumlah data sebanyak 150 conto. Dari lokasi Pasuang-Lunai sebanyak 15 conto, dari lokasi Missim sebanyak 13 conto, dan dari lokasi Upau sebanyak 122 conto. Conto tersebut telah dilakukan uji proksimat sehingga diketahui 4 parameternya, yaitu total moisture (lengas), volatile matter (zat terbang), fixed carbon (karbon tertambat) dan kadar abu. Conto-conto tersebut telah dianalisis menggunakan metode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) dengan perangkat lunak R.Hasil yang didapatkan dengan menggunakan metode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) terdapat 3 klaster yang ada pada lokasi tersebut. Namun terdapat beberapa anomali yang ada. Ada beberapa conto yang seharusnya berada pada klasternya ternyata berada pada klaster yang lain.
The Early Diffusion of Smart Meters in the US Electric Power Industry
Authors: Strong Derek Ryan
Published: July 2018

The impact of new technologies within and across industries is only felt through their widespread diffusion, yet studies of technology diffusion are scarce compared to other aspects of the innovation process. The electric power industry is one industry that is currently undergoing substantial change as a result of both technological and institutional innovations. In this dissertation I examine the economic rationale for the adoption of smart meters by electric power utilities and the relationship between smart meters and the evolving electric power industry. I contribute to empirical research on technology diffusion by studying the early diffusion of smart meters in the US electric power industry.Using a panel dataset and econometric models, I analyze the determinants of both the interfirm and intrafirm diffusion of smart meters in the United States. The empirical findings suggest multiple drivers of smart meter diffusion. Policy and regulatory support have had a significant, positive impact on adoption but have not been the only relevant determinants. The findings also suggest that utility characteristics and some combination of learning, cost reductions, and technology standards have been important determinants affecting smart meter diffusion. I also explore the policy implications resulting from this analysis for enhancing the diffusion of smart meters. The costs and benefits of adopting smart meters have been more uncertain than initially thought, suggesting that some policy support for adoption was premature. The coordination of policies is also necessary to achieve the full benefits of using smart meters.
Վրաստանի Տարածքի Քաղաքական Ֆրագմենտացվածության Հիմնական Օրինաչափությունները
Authors: Ghulyan Husik
Published: July 2018

Վրաստանի Տարածքի Քաղաքական Ֆրագմենտացվածության Հիմնական Օրինաչափությունները
Probabilistic Models for Gene Silencing Data
Authors: Markowetz Florian
Published: July 2018

This thesis is concerned with signaling pathways leading to regulation of gene expression.I develop methodology to address two problems specific to gene silencing experiments:First, gene perturbation effects cannot be controlled deterministically and have to bemodeled stochastically. Second, direct observations of intervention effects on other path-way components are often not available.
INGROUP BIAS AND SELF-ESTEEM: A META ANALYSIS
Authors: Aberson Chris
Published: July 2018

Social Identity Theory contains two seemingly incompatible predictions regarding the relationship between self-esteem and ingroup bias. The first focuses on low self-esteem as motivation for bias, predicting that low self-esteem individuals exhibit more ingroup bias. The second posits that high self-esteem results from exhibiting bias, thus, high self-esteem individuals exhibit greater bias. A meta analysis examined the relationship between self-esteem and ingroup bias. Additionally, the project examined methodological issues such as the lack of consistency in measurement of self-esteem, artificial dichotomization of self-esteem scores, classification of individuals as low self-esteem, and theoretical considerations such as the use of different ingroup bias strategies and the role of social category salience. Thirty-four studies yielding 102 effect sizes from 6660 subjects were included in the analysis.Results indicated a consistent pattern whereby high self-esteem individuals exhibited more ingroup bias than did individuals with low self-esteem. However, this result was moderated by ingroup bias strategy. When using ingroup bias strategies that required ratings of ingroup superiority, high self-esteem individuals showed more ingroup bias than individuals with low self-esteem. However, when using "indirect" strategies, such as rating groups that the individual did not contribute to, differences between low and high self-esteem individuals were not found. This result leads to the conclusion that both groups exhibit ingroup bias; however, individuals with low self-esteem are limited in the types of bias they exhibit. The pattern of results held for all self-esteem measures except for the Collective Self-Esteem Scale (CSES). No differences between low and high self-esteem individuals were found when scores on the CSES defined self-esteem. These results may however be an artifact of interactions with social identity salience. Methodological shortcomings were found in the definition of low self-esteem. Individuals were most commonly classified as "low self-esteem" based on median splits of self-esteem scores. This strategy resulted in classification of some individuals as low self-esteem despite relatively high self-esteem scores. Results of the current analysis are interpreted as indicating that individual level phenomena such as self-esteem may be predictive of group level behaviors. Implications for social identity theories are discussed.
AN ASSESSMENT OF LATE PLEISTOCENE TO MIDDLE HOLOCENE LAKE LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS IN SURPRISE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Authors: Ibarra Daniel Enrique
Published: July 2018

Knowledge of Earth’s climate history and sensitivity, combined with modeling past and future climate, are central to informing policy decisions regarding future climate change. The hydrologic response to future warming scenarios due to increased anthropogenic CO2 emissions remains uncertain. Freshwater availability in the arid western United States is projected to decrease in availability as increased agricultural, urban and industrial uses continue to stress supplies. Motivated by the potential for dramatic future hydrologic changes, studies recording the abrupt transitions between different equilibrium states of natural past climate variability shed light on our understanding of the modern climate system.The presence of pluvial lakes in the Basin and Range Province, in the western United States, during the late Pleistocene (40 to 10 ka) indicates far greater moisture availability during the Pleistocene glacials. This study investigates the timing and magnitude of the most recent pluvial lake cycle that filled Surprise Valley, California using geophysical, geochemical and geochronologic tools. Spanning 31.2 to 4.6 ka, this new lake level record places the highest lake level, at 180 meters above present day playa, at 13.9 ± 1.2 ka. This age appears to be nearly synchronous with highstands of Lake Lahontan to the south and the Chewaucan Basin to the north. Additionally, most of the Basin and Range lake highstands, including Lake Surprise, follow peaks in precipitation minus evapotranspiration (P-ET) by 8-10 kyr. By compiling a diverse set of paleoclimate data available for western North America, I found that the timing and geographic distribution of lake highstands is inconsistent with increased precipitation in response to shifting westerly winds, the current model for the genesis of large lakes in western North America. Rather, lakes levels are more strongly correlated with changes in summer insolation, suggesting that lake highstands were likely facilitated by colder temperatures and increased humidity due to the presence of continental ice sheets and increased atmospheric convergence. I compared the constraints from lake and soil-based records to Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model simulations from the Paleoclimate Model Intercomparison Project 2. Based on model-proxy intercomparison, the Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Models, the same models used to also assess future climatic changes, poorly predict hydrologic quantities for the Last Glacial Maximum.
Selected Research in Computer Music
Authors: Droettboom Michael
Published: July 2018

This thesis describes three interrelated projects that cut across the author’s interests in musical information representation and retrieval, programming language theory, machine learning and human/computerinteraction.I. Optical music recognition. This first part introduces an optical music interpretation (OMI) system that derives musical information from the symbols on sheet music.The first chapter is an introduction to OMI’s parent field of optical music recognition (OMR), and to the present implementation as created for the Levy project. It is important that OMI has a representation standard in which to create its output. Therefore, the second chapter is a somewhat tangential but necessary study of computer-based musical representation languages, with particular emphasis on GUIDO and Mudela. The third and core chapter describes the processes involved in the present optical music interpretation system. While there are some details related to its implementation in the Python programming language, most of the material involves issues surrounding music notation rather thancomputer programming. The fourth chapter demonstrates how the logical musical data generated by the OMI system can be used as part of a musical search engine.II. Tempo extraction. The second part presents a system to automatically obtain the tempo and rubato curves from recorded performances, by aligning them to strict-tempo MIDI renderings of the same piece of music. The usefulness of such a system in the context of current musicological research is explored.III. Realtime digital signal processing programming environment. Lastly, a portable and flexible system for realtime digital signal processing (DSP) is presented. This system is both easy-to-use and powerful, in large part because it takes advantage of existing mature technologies. This framework provides the foundation for easier experimentation in new directions in audio and video processing, including physical modeling and motion tracking.
APPLYING URANIUM-SERIES ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOCHRONOLOGY TO GREAT BASIN PLEISTOCENE PALEOHYDROLOGY
Authors: Ibarra Daniel Enrique
Published: July 2018

The widespread lake systems of the Basin and Range during the late Pleistocene indicate substantially greater moisture availability during glacial periods relative to modern. To determine the hydrography of the most recent lake cycle, we dated shoreline tufa deposits from wave-cut lake terraces in Surprise Valley, California. The lake hydrograph is constrained by 230Th-U ages on 22 tufa samples paired with 15 radiocarbon ages. This new lake hydrograph places the highest lake level 176 m above the present- day playa at >15.23 ± 0.36 ka cal BP (14C age). During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~19 to 26 ka), Lake Surprise stood at moderate levels, 65 to 99 m above modern playa. Temporally, the Lake Surprise highstand slightly postdates the Lake Lahontan highstand and corresponds to several post-LGM highstands and stillstands of smaller lake systems farther east. To further evaluate climatic forcings associated with lake-level changes, we use an oxygen isotope mass balance model combined with an analysis of predictions from the Paleoclimate Model Intercomparison Project 3 (PMIP3) climate model ensemble. Our isotope mass balance model predicts minimal precipitation increases of only 2.5 to 18.2% (average = 9.5%) during the LGM relative to modern, compared to an approximately 75% increase in precipitation during the 15.23 ka highstand when lake surface area increased by 138%. LGM PMIP3 climate model simulations corroborate these findings, predicting an average precipitation increase of only 6.5% relative to modern, accompanied by a 28% decrease in total evaporation propelled by a 7°C decrease in mean annual temperature. LGM climate model simulations also suggest a seasonal decoupling of runoff and precipitation, with peak runoff shifting to the late spring. Based on our coupled analysis, we propose that moderate lake levels during the LGM were driven by reduced evaporation, a result of reduced summer insolation, and not by increased precipitation. Reduced evaporation primed Basin and Range lake systems, particularly smaller, isolated basins such as Surprise Valley, to rapidly respond to increased precipitation during late-Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1, ~14.5 to 19 ka). Post-LGM highstands were potentially driven by increased rainfall during HS1 brought by latitudinally extensive and strengthened mid-latitude westerly storm tracks, the effects of which are recorded in the lacustrine and glacial records as far south as ~32°N. These results suggest that seasonal insolation, in particular the effect of summer insolation on lake evaporation, provides a previously under-investigated long-term driver of moisture availability in the western United States.
Making Energy Saving Normal: An Energy-Saving Intervention Based on the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct
Authors: Moshontz Hannah
Published: July 2018

This thesis is an exploration of a norm-based energy-saving intervention for possible implementation at Reed College. According to the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, there are two distinct types of social norms that influence behavior: information about what ought to be done and information about what others typically do. In addition, these norms only impact behavior to the extent that each is salient. Previous research has shown that making both of these kinds of normative information salient can encourage pro-environmental behavior, but few studies have attempted to use them in conjunction in order to create maximal behavior change. The present study tested the effectiveness of simple injunctive and descriptive norm salience manipulations at getting people to turn a bathroom light off after washing their hands. The descriptive norm manipulation – whether the light was on or off initially – influenced participants’ energy-saving behavior, but the injunctive norm manipulation – a posted sign – did not. Secondary variables of theoretical interest such as self-monitoring, and individuals’ beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral habits were assessed, but results were inconclusive. Based on the present study, it seems that getting others to turn the bathroom light off when theyleave is simply a matter turning them off before they arrive.