481 research outputs found
Gemmill, Robert M., March 27, 2011 [Interview]
No full textRobert M. Gemmill was interviewed on March 27, 2011 by Graham Harkins about his early life and his time at Gettysburg College as a student and then as a professor. He also discussed his time in the Air Force and changes at Gettysburg College over his time here.Glatfelter, Charles H.; Hanson, Carl Arnold; Glassick, Charles E.; Powers, JanetCarl Arnold Hanson Years; Charles E. Glassick Year
Enoclerus angustus
No full text<i>Enoclerus angustus</i> (LeConte) <p> Dorchester Co., Branchville, McAlhany Nature Preserve, 5143 Wire Road, 16 May 2015, beaten from living <i>Vitis,</i> 1 specimen, coll. R. M. Gemmill.</p> <p> <i>E. angustus</i> is distinguished from the closely related <i>E. rosmarus</i> by having a red rather than a black abdomen. Prior to 1950, <i>E. angustus</i> was listed as a subspecies (<i>E. rosmarus virginiensis</i> Schaeffer 1917) and thus older records for <i>rosmarus</i> could have included the former.</p>Published as part of <i>Ciegler, Janet C. & Gemmill, Robert M., 2018, Additional state records for Coleoptera of South Carolina, pp. 1-5 in Insecta Mundi 636</i> on page 3, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3708130">10.5281/zenodo.3708130</a>
Performance measurement with loss aversion
No full textWe examine a simple measure of portfolio performance based on prospect theory, which captures not only risk and return but also reflects differential aversion to upside and downside risk. The measure we propose is a ratio of gains to losses, with the gains and losses weighted (if desired) to reflect risk-aversion for gains and risk-seeking for losses. It can also be interpreted as the weighted ratio of the value of a call option to a put option, with the benchmark as the exercise price. When applying the loss-aversion performance measure to closed-end funds, we find that it gives significantly different rankings from those of conventional measures (such as the Sharpe ratio, Jensen’s alpha, the Sortino ratio, and the Higher Moment measure), and gives the expected signs for the odd and even moments of tracking errors. However, loss-aversion performance is not more closely related to discounts on funds than are the conventional performance measures, so we have not found evidence that loss-aversion attracts investors to particular funds in the short-term
The Role of Medicinal Plants in New Zealand's Settler Medical Culture, 1850s-1920s
No full textThroughout history, medicinal plants have been important components of medical practices in almost all cultures of the world. This thesis focuses specifically on the changing uses and understandings of medicinal plants in New Zealand‘s settler medical culture from 1850 to 1920. Using a wide range of source material, and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, it examines the plant species most popular in New Zealand, the reasons for their popularity, the introduction of these into the Colony, and their use and interpretation by three groups of healers: domestic healers, herbalists and doctors.
This thesis deploys the concept of translation to argue that different qualities were attributed to the same plant in response to the needs and approaches of domestic healers, herbalists and doctors, each of whom had different ways of gathering, collating and assessing medico-botanical information. While British understandings of botany and medicine introduced during the course of colonisation guided healers and their use of plants in New Zealand significantly, this thesis posits that the flow of medico-botanical knowledge was more diffuse and highly complex, moving in multiple directions, and adapting and incorporating multiple meaning
Evolution of the genera Vitex (Lamiaceae) and Zygogynum (Winteraceae) on New Caledonia
No full textThe New Caledonia archipelago is home to a richly diverse flora including a disproportionate number of lineages whose heritage can be traced to ancient Gondwana. Much of this species richness is owed to the complex geologic history, including an extensive period of submersion, of the region which actively shaped the flora over millennia. Given such complexity there is always unknowns both with regards to the circumscription of such a diverse flora and to understanding aspects of the archipelagos geologic past, which in many cases prove extremely difficult to resolve. This thesis investigates two aspects of this notion using modern day molecular techniques.
The first aspect that we investigate is the question of species circumscription with regards to Vitex (Lamiaceae). Here we scrutinize the monophyly of the morphologically variable species Vitex collina, as described by Mabberley (1990), previously suggested by Mabberley to comprise a minimum of three distinct morphotypes. Additionally we consider the genetic uniqueness of a recently discovered species, tentatively named Vitex sp. “unifolia”, from currently accepted New Caledonian Vitex collina s.l. Maximum likelihood (ML) analyses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genetic loci revealed that New Caledonian Vitex collina is paraphyletic with New Zealand V. lucens and Australian V. lignum-vitae nested within a well-supported V. collina s.l. clade. Our results suggest a minimum of two genetically distinct entities within V. collina, though the new species Vitex sp. “unifolia” was not distinguished genetically from Vitex cf. “collina”. The additional morphological analysis in light of our molecular analyses revealed further distinction of taxa within our sample group. This revealed a potential for three separate morphological entities within Vitex collina s.l. specimens, with Vitex sp. “unifolia” representing a fourth. Further research will result in the formal recognition of Vitex sp. “unifolia” upon publication, as well as further delimitation of the distinct entities within V. collina s.l. These revisions will have implications for the conservation status of these revised species, especially with regards to the rare Vitex sp. “unifolia”.
The second aspect investigated New Caledonian Winteraceae focussing on two research aims. The first aim scrutinised the New Caledonian Zygogynum s.l. in light of revisions made in Vink (1988; 1993; 2003), where four previously recognised genera (Belliolum, Bubbia, Exospermum, and Zygogynum) were dismantled into a single broadly circumscribed genus. The second aim was to assess any major morphological trends within Zygogynum s.l. and biogeographic patterns within the Winteraceae. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and psbA-trnH genetic loci confirmed the monophyly and position of Takhtajania, Tasmannia, Drimys, and Pseudowintera within the Winteraceae. New Caledonian Zygogynum s.l. was shown to be paraphyletic with Z. schlechteri nested within a distinct Australian Bubbia clade separate from remaining Zygogynum. Our analyses showed no support for the distinction of species previously belonging to Belliolum and Exospermum with all remaining Zygogynum forming a monophyletic clade. The monophyly of species within the Zygogynum were for the most part resolved, with only few species left unresolved or paraphyletic relationships. Further investigation of biogeography within the Winteraceae revealed that Zealandic Winteraceae share their common ancestor with South American taxa, reflecting the Gondwanic roots of this family, with Australian Bubbia having originated from New Caledonian Zygogynum. From this we suggest, upon further investigation, that the retention of Bubbia within Zygogynum s.l. was supported and should be maintained. Alternately, if Bubbia is maintained as distinct from Zygogynum s.l., Z. schlechteri will be revised to Bubbia schlechteri. Further research including specimens of all described taxa will improve the resolution of our analyses, likely identifying further inconsistences that require revision or attention. Our investigation into morphological trends within the Zygogynum uncovered a trend of carpel evolution, in which a single well supported clade of Zygogynum exhibit fused carpels with all others within the family exhibiting unfused gynoecia. The significance of this is that it is a derived trait recognised as a reoccurring trend within the Angiosperm lineage, though this is the first instance where it has been identified occurring within a single genus
Testing Merton's model for credit spreads on zero-coupon bonds
No full textStructural models for valuing corporate bonds (beginning with Merton (1974)) have been criticised for giving spreads which are (a) too small and (b) have a term structure in which spreads diminish with extra time to maturity. Empirical tests of models are hampered by the complexity of real-world bonds, which have coupons, calls and sinking funds, and also by the complicated and changing capital structures adopted by companies. This paper exploits a new database of zero-coupon bonds issued by closed-end funds in the UK. These companies have very simple capital structures and transparent values for both assets and liabilities. Between 20 and 78 bonds are observable monthly over the period February 1992 to April 2001. Counter to previous research, we find that model and market spreads are on average of similar magnitude. Similar to previous research, market spreads are high (relative to model spreads) for bonds which have low risk and for bonds which are near to maturity. While the observed term-structure of credit spreads is upward-sloping, this may be explained by a predictable drift in leverage over time. On the whole, the results are surprisingly supportive of Merton’s model and suggest that it is important to allow for expected changes in leverage when computing credit spreads
Multidimensional Performance of Farming Approaches
No full textFil: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina; Argentina.Fil: Gemmill Herren, Barbara. World Agroforestry Centre; Kenya.Fil: D’Annolfo, Raffaele. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Italia.Fil: Graeub, Benjamin E. Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development y Ricolab; Suiza.Fil: Cunningham, Saul A. Australian National University; Australia.Fil: Breeze, Thomas D. University of Reading; UK.Fil: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.The letter by Mehrabi et al. [1] provides interesting insights regarding the scientific framework and attitudes needed to support farming approaches for greater biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security. In general, we do not see a dichotomy between our point of view [2] and that put forward by Mehrabi et al. [1]. We share their view that the different farming systems we have described do not form distinct, non-overlapping categories. We do not seek to promote a binary choice between conventional and alternative farming
Use of genetic methods for determining patterns and processes during marine biological invasions
No full textInvasive species are widely recognised as one of the major threats to marine biodiversity worldwide. With increasingly faster and more frequent transoceanic shipping, propagule pressure in the marine environment is likely to further increase, leading to a need for effective strategies for the early detection, prevention and control of marine invasive species. However, such strategies are often difficult to implement as many marine species cannot be accurately categorised as either native or non-native. For these reasons molecular genetic methods have increasingly been utilised for the study of marine invasive species. The potential for molecular data to enhance traditional morphology-based information is recognised and there has been huge progress in the application of molecular genetic methods to the study of marine bioinvasions in the last two decades. This work aims to build on and extend current advances in the use of molecular techniques for understanding marine bioinvasions, and in particular invasive ascidians. Part One (Chapters Two and Three) contains chapters that focus on the detection and identification of marine invasive species with molecular methods. Part Two (Chapters Four, Five and Six) examines how molecular methods can aid in understanding marine invasions and the affect of genetic diversity on invasive populations.
The research in this thesis demonstrates the usefulness of molecular genetics for marine invasive species research. Chapter Two describes the development of a highly sensitive assay for rapid and accurate identification of an invasive clam from environmental samples and has the ability to enhance current marine pest surveillance methods. Chapter Three demonstrates the power of molecular methods for invasive species identification. To effectively monitor and / or control the ongoing anthropogenic spread of invasive marine species there is also a need for extensive molecular inventories of the extant marine invertebrate biodiversity.
An understanding of the genetic diversity of invasive species populations is also required and will increase understanding of the species biology and lead to more effective management strategies. Chapters Four and Five highlight the applications of molecular genetic methods for identifying the invasive species / variants present and elucidating particular populations that served as the source of an introduction. This information can contribute to effective national and international policies and management strategies.
Chapters Five and Six also show how molecular genetic data can aid in understanding why some species are invasive. The results from these two chapters add to growing evidence that, for colonial organisms, reductions in population level genetic diversity may alter colony interaction dynamics and enhance the invasive potential of newly colonising species.
In the future, invasive species research will increasingly utilise metagenomics / next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. Such applications will provide the ability to not only detect specific invasive species but also the native species present in a sample to assess environmental health. Studies of invasive species are increasingly using functional markers to identify physiologically and ecologically important traits. Future gene expression experiments can utilise NGS technology to identify the genes involved in producing invasive phenotypes and species. Such studies may provide findings which could be of both evolutionary and importantly, practical interest for guiding invasive species management decisions. The application of molecular genetic methods to understanding the biology of invasive species is an extremely promising area of research and such knowledge should be utilised to guide and inform management decisions
How far does fake news influence public opinion?
No full text‘News’ is published and circulated in the physical and online world, meaning that it is no longer just the prerogative of monolithic corporations such as Fox News and the BBC; it can now be created by anyone across the globe with access to the world wide web, and cannot be authenticated or filtered by government or mainstream broadcasters as prerequisite to publication. ‘Fake news’ is one result of this pattern. The aim of my research is to demonstrate that modern ‘fake news’ has altered the electorate's relationship to current affairs, and has affected the democratic process by fabricating erroneous data and disseminating substandard political journalism. I will undertake this research as fake news is a development that is undoubtedly still relevant, and its effect on seismic events such as Brexit and the 2016 US Presidental Election is still being contended. Therefore, its influence needs to be scrutinized by a student like myself who is studying historical and contemporary publishing practices. The outcome of my independent study, which will take the form of a 6000-word academic essay, will be to elucidate the effect that fake news has on western politics, by collating and examining the work of journalists and thinkers, such as Matthew D’Ancona and James Ball, writing in a ‘post-truth’ age. Therefore, the significance of my work will be a dissection of the role ‘fake news’ now plays in the media market, whether for good or ill
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