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Alterations to the copulatory sequence in young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats administered a ketogenic diet [post-print]
Full text linkKetogenic diets (KDs) have shown therapeutic potential for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders; however, there is insufficient data regarding the behavioral impacts of KDs in healthy populations. Here, we examined the impact of a KD on sexual behavior in young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats maintained on either a KD or standard chow diet (SD). We found that KD males exhibited higher mount rates, higher intromission rates (third and fourth tests only), and lower ejaculation likelihood (second test only) compared to SD males. Consequently, it may be that experience-dependent changes in the processing of sexual stimuli are not occurring as efficiently in KD males, thereby yielding the observed copulatory sequence alterations
The Relationship Between Social Media and Conspiracist Thinking on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
Full text linkPrevious research has found a relationship between COVID-19 vaccine conspiracist beliefs, social media use, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The current study aimed to expand on previous findings to investigate the potential moderating effect of social media on the relationships between conspiracist beliefs, trust in experts, and political conservatism on vaccine uptake. Additionally, the current study examined two age groups (20-30 year olds and 50-60 year olds). Trust was measured using a Trust Scale (developed by researchers); Vaccine conspiracy beliefs were measured using an expanded version of the Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Questions (Shapiro et al., 2016); Frequency of social media use was measured using an adapted version of the Social Networking Activity Intensity Scale by Li et al. (2016); Social media literacy was measured using an abridged version of the Social Media Information Literacy Scale by Heiss et al. (2023). Results of the study indicated that more frequent use of Snapchat and TikTok is associated with less COVID-19 vaccine uptake and greater COVID-19 conspiracist beliefs. Additionally, the effect size of the relationships between trust in experts & vaccine uptake and trust in experts & conspiracist beliefs is dependent on the frequency of Snapchat and TikTok use. Future research should further investigate the factors that contribute to the impact of Snapchat and TikTok on vaccination to inform interventions to encourage vaccination. Researchers may also want to explore whether this effect is true for vaccines other than that for COVID-19
From Maiden to Malevolence: Marriage, Motherhood and the Descension to Evil
Full text linkIn the realm of folklore and storytelling, fairy tales have long captivated audiences with their enchanting tales and timeless themes. Originating from oral tradition and having been passed down from generation to generation, these short stories have evolved into a cornerstone of literature and culture, helping nurture the imaginations of children and adults alike. However, fairy tales have never been mere bedtime stories. They have become a very effective means of exerting power over women and maintaining gender inequality, for beneath the surface of these seemingly innocent narratives lie carefully crafted and deeply rooted misconceptions about both sex and gender, which have been imprinted on readers from the time they were young and often persist into adulthood. In particular, the portrayal of women and their roles within these narratives as either good or evil further reinforces this binary gender system, limiting the agency and autonomy of female characters, and villainizing all women who fail to conform to such a system.
Accordingly, this dissertation will attempt to unravel the complex layers of female characterizations in some of the most famous and enduring fairy tales, and examine the subtler forms of social manipulation that they employ. Through a thorough investigation of the classic tale Snow White and a close read of several of its different iterations from Paul Sébillot’s “Les Bas enchantés” to the Grimm Brothers’ “Schneewitchen”, I hope to better understand the relationship between Snow White and the “Evil” Queen and how this figure has evolved over time from biological mother to stepmother as part of a larger movement to protect the sanctity of motherhood and vilify the childless woman. In addition, I hope to shed light on the ways in which these fairy tales contribute to a mercantile reward system that views marriage as the pinnacle of a woman’s achievement, and the broader ways in which such a system helps to encourage discord and further destroy the bonds between women. By delving into the underlying issues of competition between female characters and the reward system that is centered around marriage as the most important moment of a women’s life, I aim to challenge the traditional narrative that is set forth by these tales and instead suggest that marriage marks the transition of women from young and well-mannered heroines to the old and wicked antagonists that they fear
Die Entwicklung von Computern und Videospielen in Deutschland – Wie eine geteilte Nation eine Industrie beeinflusste
No full textTechnology plays an important role in the history of any country. It has the power to change entire political landscapes and be the deciding factor in winning a war. The industry has remained at the forefront of societal development. Better technology means better quality of life, and more advancements in other industries, such as medicine, environmental science, and urban development. A subsection of this massive industry includes those who produce video games and other forms of online entertainment. Video games were one of the earliest uses for computers outside of mathematical computation. They were a way for programmers to express their creativity, devising new and exciting forms of entertainment. Games were also a useful way in getting the general populace to be interested in computers. Before video games, computers were almost exclusively used for research in the science and engineering fields. But video games made this technology accessible to all, and computers started appearing in every household. Today, the video game industry is worth about $365 billion dollars, and that number continues to grow. Germany in particular has an interesting history with technology. Before World War II it was at the forefront of technological development, creating some of the earliest computing machines. Unfortunately, the war had a mostly negative impact on this progress, as many engineers and scientists were drafted and were either sent to fight in the trenches, or develop new weaponry. Even after the war Germany was facing problems. It was divided into the East and the West, with the East being cut off from western technology while under the control of the Soviet Union. This means that computer and video game development were very different in these two regions. The hardware in the East was typically slower, with less computing power, and the code needed to run these computers was not used by the rest of the world. Still, people in the East worked with what they had and produced many games of their own. Under the rule of the Soviet Union however, video games were closely monitored by the Stasi, who viewed many of them as anti-Soviet. When Germany was eventually unified, eastern technology was rendered obsolete. Those in the East had no experience with western technology, which made it difficult for the two sides to integrate. There were many years of struggle, as the people of the East had to adapt quickly, and problems still persist to this day. In this thesis I will detail the history of computers and video games in Germany and how the industry changed before, during, and after WWII. I will also discuss the role this technology played in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the country, and finally, what the German video games industry looks like today
A Tale of Two Transit Systems: Comparing Copenhagen, Denmark and Portland, Oregon\u27s Transit Networks
Full text linkThis research project aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the intercity train systems in Copenhagen and Portland based on their related scholarship and each system\u27s efficiency, ridership, and projected expansion. In 2008 and 2010, the International Metrorail conference cited the Copenhagen Metro as one of the most effective transit systems in the world for its stability and customer satisfaction (Institute for Human Centered Design, 2016). Given the accolades awarded to the Copenhagen Metro, this project will work to understand what elements of Copenhagen’s Metro systems make it so efficient, and how they can be applied in Portland. More specifically, this research will answer the following question: How can the existing light rail system in Portland, Oregon, the MAX, be compared and improved by examining the public transit strategies and designs that are used in the Metro system in Copenhagen, Denmark? This research question is two pronged. First, it aims to identify the qualities of the Metro that enables the system to work effectively, and second, it looks to underscore what aspects of the Metro could potentially be applied to the Portland MAX
Transitional Periods of Individuals with Autism: A Parental Perspective on Services
Full text linkThis study looks at the experiences and perceptions of parents with children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged eighteen or older and have experienced a significant transition out of high school. By using a qualitative method of interviews and analysis, as well as two rounds of coding, I explored the nature of program options as well as the challenges of the individuals with Autism during this time of their life. This study looked at the challenges in the transition as well as some potential insights to helping ease the challenges
Legacies of Freedom: Tracing Theories of Freedom into the Contemporary Conversation on International Intervention
Full text linkThis paper presents an exploration into the lineage of freedom, investigating the historic structures configured in an attempt to distribute freedom in an equalizing fashion. This text will outline the intricate relationship between freedoms and liberties, by surveying the prominent political philosophies, and forms of governance within their respective temporalities. By taking up the ideas of enlightenment thinkers such as Kant, decolonial voices like Fanon, and comparing them to the current neo-liberal framework we find ourselves in, we are faced with the incompatible realities of liberalism and capitalism. This text will consequently call for a revolution of our current structures that have reaffirmed pre-existing hierarchies along the basis of race, gender, and class, and make demands for governance that seeks greater justice and equality for their own citizens
The End of the Road: Violence Against Alaska Native Women and Indigenous Jurisprudence
Full text linkNative communities are plagued by violence against Native women, often violence committed by non-Native people; in Alaska, Native women are overrepresented among domestic violence victims by 250%. Recent expansions to Tribal court jurisdiction have reauthorized Tribal courts to try non-Native defendants who commit crimes against Native people, a huge step in securing the safety of Native communities. There are, however, challenges to implementing this jurisdiction, challenges that are expounded by the geographical landscape in Alaska. This thesis aims to explore violence against Alaska Native women and the jurisdictional expansions granted to Tribal courts in an attempt to mitigate this violence through an examination of legislation like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2013 and 2022, Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction (SDVCJ), and Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ), ultimately arguing that the framing of the problem, the discussion of solutions, and the issues in implementation must be guided by Alaska Native voices and working towards Indigenous jurisprudence