Argyrodes: phylogeny, sociality and interspecific interactions - a report on the Argyrodes symposium, Badplaas 2001

Argyrodes Simon 1864 is a large, cosmopolitan theridiid genus whose members exhibit a wide range of foraging techniques which usually involve exploiting other spiders, either by using their webs, stealing their food, or preying on them directly. We held a symposium on this genus at the 15th International Congress of Arachnology, Badplaas, South Africa in order to obtain a clearer perspective on the relationship between the phylogeny of the genus and the different foraging techniques. We concluded that Argyrodes forms a monophyletic group within the Theridiidae, and that there are clear monophyletic clades within the genus (already identified as species groups) that appear to share behavioral characteristics. We found no clear indication that foraging behaviors such as kleptoparasitism (stealing food) evolved from araneophagy (eating spiders) or vice versa. However, it appears that species that specialize in either kleptoparasitism or araneophagy use additional techniques in comparison to species that readily use both foraging modes. During our examination of Argyrodes/host interactions we noted the importance of Nephila species as hosts of Argyrodes species around the world and the impact of Argyrodes on Nephila. We also noted the fluid nature of the relationship between Argyrodes and the spiders with which they interact. For example, an Argyrodes/host relationship can change to an Argyrodes/prey relationship, and the type of kleptoparasitic behavior employed by an Argyrodes can change when it changes host species. The importance of eating silk was also noted and identified as an area for further research. We concluded that more work involving international collaboration is needed to fully understand the phylogeny of the genus and the relationships between the different types of foraging behaviors.

Annual report of the National Science Board.

7th ed.

Annual report of the National Science Board.

5th ed.

Annual report of the National Science Board.

8th ed.

Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structures Report on Medical Career Structures and Pathways following completion of Specialist Training

The Minister for Health decided, in July 2013, to establish a Working Group, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structure. The Working Group will examine and make high-level recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors with a view to: From January-April 2014, the Working Group prioritised work on career structures and pathways following completion of specialist training in order to report to the Minister for Health on these issues in this report. Download the Report (PDF, 800 kb)  

Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure Final Report

  Final report of the Strategic Review Working Group chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith (President, DCU) This final report focuses on issues relating to strategic medical workforce planning and career planning and mentoring supports for trainee doctors and makes recommendations. It also addresses specific issues in relation to the specialties of public health medicine, general practice and the community-based aspects of psychiatry.   Download the report here.  

New Alzheimer's Association report reveals 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia

2.3 Million Americans are “Long-Distance Caregivers” for people with Alzheimer’s; Costs for Long-Distance Caregivers are Almost Twice as High.According to the Alzheimer's Association 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report released today, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia in the United States. The new report shows that while deaths from other major diseases, such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS and stroke, continue to experience significant declines, Alzheimer’s deaths continue to rise — increasing 68 percent from 2000-2010.��“Unfortunately, today there are no Alzheimer’s survivors. If you have Alzheimer's disease, you either die from it or diewith it,” said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Now we know that 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Urgent, meaningful��action is necessary, particularly as more and more people age into greater risk for developing a disease��that today has no cure and no way to slow or stop its progression.”Read more here.����������

Iowa Library Services Reorganization Report, 2010.

Legislation passed during the 2010 legislative session required a study of ways to streamline state-funded library operations and services. The Iowa Library Association was asked to lead this endeavor and named a committee to carry out the study. The study resulted in the development of a plan for reorganization, which is outlined in the Iowa Library Services Reorganization Report. The Iowa Library Reorganization Committee was representative of the Library Services Areas, the State Library of Iowa, and public libraries of all sizes from all around the state. The president of the Iowa Library Association and the State Librarian also served as members of the Committee. The report was submitted to members of the Iowa legislature on November 1, 2010.

Missouri River Floods After Action Report, December 20, 2011

In May 2011, very heavy rains combined with above average snowpack caused reservoirs throughout the Upper Missouri River basin to swell. The river carried more water in May and June than it does in an average year. The six Iowa counties bordering the river—Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury—suffered from major flooding which persisted throughout the spring and summer. On June 2, Governor Terry Branstad issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the six impacted counties. The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) on June 10 to coordinate State, Federal, private sector, and voluntary agency preparedness and response activities in the affected area. The severity and duration of the flooding presented operational challenges for the SEOC and its partner agencies, which were further complicated by severe weather. The flooding forced the SEOC to conduct simultaneous response and recovery operations for an usually long period of time. The Missouri River floods caused major economic losses in Western Iowa. As a result of these economic losses, President Barack Obama issued a Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1998-DR) which made six counties eligible for Federal Public Assistance. The disaster declaration was subsequently amended on October 18, making five counties eligible for Federal Individual Assistance.

President's Portrait

On Tuesday, February 10th, 1970, Chairman of the Board, D. Whiting Lathrop presented a portrait of Dr. Gibson to the University. The plaque reads: Dr. James A. Gibson First President and Vice Chancellor of Brock University by Ian Henderson Artist in Residence 1969-1970 Presented to the University by the Board of Governors February 1970 The portrait hung in Dr. Gibson's waiting room until the end of his presidency where it was relocated to H-Block in MacKenzie Chown.

A report of the Secretary of State, in relation to individuals selected from American prisoners of war, and sent to Great Britain for trial, and also in relation to any orders for retaliation

Printed by Roger C. Weightman

Report of the Committee, as relates to the spirit and manner in which the War has been waged by the enemy

July 31, 1813. Resolution agreed to and forwarded to the President. Printed by A and G Way

Message from the President of the United States transmitting documents relative to the execution of the first article of the late treaty between the United States and Great Britain.

"February 7, 1817, ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate." Message addressed to the Senate and dated February 7th, 1817. Consists of the covering letter from the President and a report from the Secretary of State, dated Department of State, February 5th, 1817; which itself consists largely of diplomatic correspondence between the United States and Great Britain Relates to the restitution of captured slaves by the British during the War of 1812-1814.

Is Pride a Vice or a Virtue? Associations to Well-Being and Physical Activity

The first objective of the present study was to determine patterns of association between authentic and hubristic fitness-related pride to outcomes of well-being and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). A second objective was to examine motivation as a potential mediator of these relationships. Participants (N = 119) were young adults who completed self-report questionnaires at two time points separated by 4-weeks. Authentic and hubristic pride were associated with well-being and LTPA at Time 1 and Time 2. Changes in pride were associated with changes in well-being but not LTPA. Results of the mediation analyses highlight the role of more autonomous motives, specifically intrinsic motivation, as important mediators between pride and well-being. Motivation did not mediate the relationship between pride and LTPA. Overall, both authentic and hubristic pride seem to be important in the promotion of well-being More research is needed to elucidate the relationship between pride and LTPA.