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Using Social Network Analysis to Assess 'Groupness' in a Mixed-Species Zoo Exhibit of Tufted Capuchins (Sapajus apella) and Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)
Get PDFMixed-species groups have been recorded in various primates, including tufted capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Measures of their ‘groupness’ are typically based on factors such as group stability, social interactions, proximity, or behavioural coordination. Social network analysis has become a useful tool for quantifying relationships among group-living individuals. Here, we apply social network analysis to two captive mixed-species groups of tufted capuchins and squirrel monkeys housed at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, UK. We conducted 183 h of focal observations (three hours per individual, excluding co-observations) and calculated association rates using a simple index ratio. Permutation t-tests were used to assess differences in the overall mixed-species network and network metrics according to species. While the two species exhibited some level of association, they formed separate clusters in the mixed-species networks; however, the East group had more balanced group sizes and showed some signs of closer inter-specific social ties compared to the West group. Our data indicate that, in captivity at least, while these groups co-exist in a small, shared space, they do not form cohesive mixed-species groups. We suggest caution in the assumption of mixed-species groups based on shared space only
QTL mapping provides new insights into emamectin benzoate resistance in salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis
Get PDFBackground The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a parasite of wild and farmed salmonid fish, causing huge economic damage to the commercial farming of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the northern hemisphere. The avermectin emamectin benzoate (EMB) is widely used for salmon delousing. While resistance to EMB is widespread in Atlantic populations of L. salmonis, the molecular mechanisms of resistance remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present work was to obtain insights into potential EMB resistance mechanisms by identifying genetic and transcriptomic markers associated with EMB resistance. Results Crosses were performed between EMB-susceptible and -resistant L. salmonis, sourced from two parental strains isolated in Scotland, producing fully pedigreed families. The EMB susceptibility of individual parasites was characterised using time-to-response bioassays. Parasites of two families were subjected to double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) for simultaneous discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genotyping. Data analysis revealed that EMB resistance is associated with one quantitative trait locus (QTL) region on L. salmonis chromosome 5. Marker-trait association was confirmed by genotyping assays for 7 SNPs in two additional families. Furthermore, the transcriptome of male parasites of the EMB-susceptible and -resistant L. salmonis parental strains was assessed. Among eighteen sequences showing higher transcript expression in EMB-resistant as compared to drug-susceptible lice, the most strongly up-regulated gene is located in the above QTL region and shows high homology to β spectrin, a cytoskeleton protein that has roles in neuron architecture and function. Further genes differentially regulated in EMB-resistant lice include a glutathione S-transferase (GST), and genes coding for proteins with predicted roles in mitochondrial function, intracellular signalling or transcription. Conclusions Major determinants of EMB resistance in L. salmonis are located on Chromosome 5. Resistance can be predicted using a limited number of genetic markers. Genes transcriptionally up-regulated in EMB resistant parasites include a β spectrin, a cytoskeletal protein with still incompletely understood roles in neuron structure and function, as well as glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme with potential roles in the biochemical defence against toxicants
Internal governance, external pressure, and biodiversity disclosure
No full textThe declining rate of biodiversity due to land, water and air pollution is alarming. Thus, stakeholders expect firms to engage with cleaner operational processes to preserve biodiversity and share undertaken practices with biodiversity disclosure. To provide a catalyst for biodiversity engagement and disclosure, we adopt two important mechanisms: the internal (i.e. board structure) and external governance mechanisms (the United Nations Global Compact [UNGC] signatory commitment and public governance quality of nations [i.e. Worldwide Governance Indicators-WGI]). We conduct an initial empirical analysis to assess their association with biodiversity disclosure, followed by an assessment of the substitutive or complementary role of two governance mechanisms in spurring biodiversity disclosure. Drawing on 46,564 observations affiliated with 9 sectors and 47 countries and executing logistic regression analysis, we find that directors with corporate affiliations and independent and female directors spur biodiversity disclosure. Furthermore, the UNGC signatory commitment and WGI stimulate firms’ biodiversity disclosure. Although UNGC signatory status and board structure are substitutes for driving biodiversity disclosure, the interaction effect of WGI with boards of directors is not uniform. For example, WGI, and affiliated directors are substitutes, but WGI and independent directors are complements in spurring biodiversity disclosure
"Same Thing Really": Queer Love and Horror as "Gothicky" in Ratched and The Haunting of Bly Manor
No full textThis chapter, however, attempts to understand a certain recurring trope of queer horror: its embrace of nostalgia and a queer sense of pastness as a thematic and formal element of particular importance to LGBTQ+ subjects. This idea connects with writings in queer studies on queer engagements with an emphasis on backwardness, retrospection, and a rejection of chrononormative structures (e.g. Edelman 2004; Halberstam 2005; Halberstam 2011; Love 2007) that, as Elizabeth Freeman (2010) suggests, threaten to bind the queer or non-normative subject into a construction of linear time and lived experience that is both patriarchal and heteronormative. In addition, the prominence of spectral nostalgia in the horror genre also demands a consideration of Derrida’s concept of hauntology from a specifically queer perspective, wherein the queer spectator is forced to re-read the queer horror text’s intricacies by way of an always-already-present historical conflation of monstrousness with queerness. This chapter discusses these and more theories on Queer Horror and the Gothic in relation to Ratched (Netflix 2020) and the adaptation of The Turn of the Screw by Mike Flanagan, The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix 2020)
Wittgenstein and Frege on Negation and Denial
Get PDFFrege maintains that there are not two distinct acts, assertion and denial; rather, denying p is one and the same as asserting not-p. Wittgenstein appears not to recognise this identity in Frege, attributing to him the contrary view that a proposition may have one of two verbs, ‘is true’ or ‘is false’. This paper explains Wittgenstein’s attribution as a consequence of Frege’s treatment of content as theoretically prior to the act of judgment. Where content is prior to judgment, the denial of p – what is rejected in asserting p – is distinct from the assertion of not-p. Wittgenstein’s own embrace of Frege’s identity is then considered, an embrace explained in part by his repudiation of Frege’s theoretical order
Eliciting expert judgements to underpin our understanding of faecal indicator organism loss from septic tank systems
Get PDFSeptic tank systems (STS) in rural catchments represent a potential source of microbial pollution to watercourses; however, data concerning the risk of faecal indicator organism (FIO) export from STS to surface waters are scarce. In the absence of empirical data, elicitation of expert judgements can provide an alternative approach to aid understanding of FIO pollution risk from STS. Our study employed a structured elicitation process using the Sheffield Elicitation Framework to obtain expert judgements on the proportion of FIOs likely to be delivered from STS to watercourses, based on 36 scenarios combining: (i) septic tank effluent movement risk, driven by soil hydro-morphological characteristics; (ii) distance of septic tank to watercourse; and (iii) degree of slope. Experts used the tertile method to elicit a range of values representing their beliefs of the proportion of FIOs likely to be delivered to a watercourse for each scenario. The experts judged that 93 % of FIOs would likely be delivered from an STS to a watercourse under the highest risk scenario that combined (i) very high STS effluent movement risk, (ii) STS distance to watercourse 25 %. Under the lowest risk scenario, the proportion of FIOs reaching a watercourse would likely reduce to 5 %. Expert confidence was high for scenarios that represented extremes of risk, while uncertainty increased for scenarios depicting intermediate risk conditions. The behavioural aggregation process employed to obtain a consensus among the experts proved to be useful for highlighting both areas of strong consensus and high uncertainty. The latter therefore represent priorities for future empirical research to further improve our understanding of potential pollution risk from septic tanks and in turn enable better assessments of potential threats to water quality in rural catchments throughout the world where decentralised wastewater systems are common
Infection of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) by the parasite Hematodinium sp.: insights from 30 years of field observations
Get PDFThe Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is an important representative of the benthos and also supports valuable fisheries across Europe. Nephrops are susceptible to infection by Hematodinium sp., an endoparasitic dinoflagellate that causes morbidity and mortality. From an epizootiological perspective, the Clyde Sea Area (CSA; west of Scotland) is the best-studied Hematodinium–Nephrops pathosystem, with historical data available between 1988 and 2008. We have revisited this pathosystem by curating and updating prevalence values, differentiating host traits associated with disease exposure and progression, and comparing Hematodinium sp. disease dynamics in the CSA to other locations and to other decapod hosts (Cancer pagurus, Carcinus maenas). Prevalence from a 2018/2019 survey (involving 1739 lobsters) revealed Hematodinium sp. still mounts a synchronized patent infection in the CSA; hence this pathogen can be considered as enzootic in this location. We highlight for the first time that Nephrops size is associated with high severity infection, while females are more exposed to Hematodinium sp. More generally, regardless of the host (Norway lobster, brown and shore crabs) or the geographical area (Ireland, Wales, Scotland), Hematodinium sp. patent infections peak in spring/summer and reach their nadir during autumn. We contend that Hematodinium must be considered one of the most important pathogens of decapod crustaceans in temperate waters
Transforming sport consumption: Exploring motivated sport fans innovativeness in the context of AR live sport streaming
Get PDFPurpose This study delves into the psychological processes underlying sport fans' post-purchase innovativeness behaviour. This exploratory research aims to establish a theoretical framework that elucidates the formation of sport fans' word-of-mouth (WOM) behaviours, particularly emphasising the structural relationship between motivated consumer innovativeness and satisfaction in using AR live-streaming services. Design/methodology/approach Utilising an online survey and convenience sampling, the study garnered a total of 243 usable responses from three online baseball fan communities in South Korea. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to assess the psychometric properties of the constructs. Subsequently, a structural equation model was used to probe the influence of motivated consumer innovativeness on WOM, with a particular focus on the mediating role of satisfaction. Findings Three dimensions of motivated sport fans innovativeness – functional, hedonic and cognitive – showed a positive association with WOM, partly mediated by satisfaction. In contrast, socially motivated sport fans innovativeness did not directly lead to WOM but influenced it solely through satisfaction. The full mediating role of satisfaction in the relationship between socially motivated fans innovativeness and WOM was found. Originality/value This research stands out as one of the scant studies exploring motivated sport fans innovativeness in the context of AR live sport streaming. The findings not only corroborate but also augment the extant literature by empirically confirming that three dimensions of motivated fans innovativeness, coupled with satisfaction, are pivotal antecedents to WOM intention
Rethinking language: The need for language supportive pedagogies within teacher training in Tanzania
No full textThe importance of language is consistently ignored within teacher training across Africa, with training designed assuming that learners are fully competent in the Medium-of-Instruction (MOI). This causes widespread challenges and often means that children cannot access education in a familiar language. This is particularly true at the primary level where the familiar languages of children may not be the same as the specified Medium of Instruction. Focusing on Tanzania, this paper discusses the need to embed language supportive pedagogies into teacher training at all levels but specifically at the primary level. The paper discusses interviews with key stakeholders in education which illustrate language attitudes and language use within the classroom. Data from these interviews also highlights the challenges which teachers face relating to language, and the creative methods they use to resolve these challenges. We argue that monolingual approaches to language-in-education are not effective, and that formal training in multilingual, language supportive pedagogies is required to provide teachers with the skills they need to effectively engage with multilingual classrooms. Based on multilingual realities, we make practical suggestions for language supportive pedagogies. We view these pedagogies as an essential factor in teacher training which is linked to wider notions of access and equality, but which are currently being overlooked.Output status: Upcomin
Voices from the field: exploring practitioners' experiences and perceptions of the voices of athletes (VOA) in the pacific islands
Get PDFThis exploratory study aims to gain insights into practitioners' experiences and perceptions of the “Voices of Athletes” (VOA), a specialized athlete support program, developed and implemented in the Pacific Islands. Semi-structured interviews enabled participants to share detailed experiences, with 14 practitioners participating. Thematic analysis of the data identified five key themes: “Fostering Athlete Empowerment”, “Impact of Sport on Education and Social Change”, “Expanding VOA's Reach and Impact”, “VOA's Role in Preparing Athletes for Post-Sport Life”, and “Optimizing VOA Implementation and Experience”. The findings demonstrated that the VOA plays a critical role in empowering athletes and assisting them in becoming leaders within their societies. Practitioners emphasized the power of sport as an effective channel for education and inspiration, and the potential for the VOA framework to be applied in various contexts and regions. The study also revealed that the VOA helps athletes prepare for life after sport, contributing to increased self-esteem, development of transferable skills, and awareness of their social roles. The findings also emphasized the need for VOA improvements, including enhanced interactivity, larger spaces, and financial support. Recognition from sport governing bodies and coaches could broaden the program's reach and impact. Incorporating internship schemes within the VOA or related programs could address life after sport more effectively. Developing written VOA guidelines would ensure consistent, sustainable delivery, supporting its potential for wider implementation and adaptation, contributing to holistic development for athletes and young people globally
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