Search Results Heading

MBRLSearchResults

mbrl.module.common.modules.added.book.to.shelf
Title added to your shelf!
View what I already have on My Shelf.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Oops! Something went wrong.
While trying to add the title to your shelf something went wrong :( Kindly try again later!
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Oops! Something went wrong.
Oops! Something went wrong.
While trying to remove the title from your shelf something went wrong :( Kindly try again later!
    Done
    Filters
    Reset
  • Discipline
      Discipline
      Clear All
      Discipline
  • Is Peer Reviewed
      Is Peer Reviewed
      Clear All
      Is Peer Reviewed
  • Reading Level
      Reading Level
      Clear All
      Reading Level
  • Content Type
      Content Type
      Clear All
      Content Type
  • Year
      Year
      Clear All
      From:
      -
      To:
  • More Filters
      More Filters
      Clear All
      More Filters
      Item Type
    • Is Full-Text Available
    • Subject
    • Publisher
    • Source
    • Donor
    • Language
    • Place of Publication
    • Contributors
    • Location
818 result(s) for "Steven R. Davis"
Sort by:
Catalytic governance : leading change in the information age
\"Although the information age offers individuals from all walks of life the power to make their voices heard, we often end up with a cacophony of competing voices rather than a conversation. With so many people empowered to join the decision-making process, the number and diversity of stakeholders in governance situations poses a special challenge: how do you steer when so many hands are on the wheel? Catalytic Governance offers a proven approach to managing this challenge, built on the insight that effective leadership and governance depends less on traditional top-down approaches and more on creating shared meanings and frameworks. Drawing on their experiences managing transformational change in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment on issues ranging from finance to climate change, health, and the digital revolution, Patricia Meredith, Steven A. Rosell, and Ged R. Davis demonstrate how to use dialogue to engage stakeholders, explore alternative perspectives, develop shared mental maps and a vision of the future, and co-create strategies and initiatives to realize that future. While elements of this approach will be familiar, this is the first time they have been combined into a coherent model and tested together in practice. The book describes in detail how this was done in the process of transforming the Canadian payments system. The catalytic approach to governance is a powerful tool for leaders in the public and private sectors looking to lead and govern more effectively.\"-- Provided by publisher.
Global evaluation of taxonomic relationships and admixture within the Culex pipiens complex of mosquitoes
Background Within the Culex pipiens mosquito complex, there are six contemporarily recognized taxa: Cx . quinquefasciatus , Cx . pipiens f. pipiens , Cx . pipiens f. molestus , Cx . pipiens pallens , Cx . australicus and Cx . globocoxitus . Many phylogenetic aspects within this complex have eluded resolution, such as the relationship of the two Australian endemic taxa to the other four members, as well as the evolutionary origins and taxonomic status of Cx . pipiens pallens and Cx . pipiens f. molestus . Ultimately, insights into lineage relationships within the complex will facilitate a better understanding of differential disease transmission by these mosquitoes. To this end, we have combined publicly available data with our own sequencing efforts to examine these questions. Results We found that the two Australian endemic complex members, Cx . australicus and Cx . globocoxitus , comprise a monophyletic group, are genetically distinct, and are most closely related to the cosmopolitan Cx . quinquefasciatus . Our results also show that Cx . pipiens pallens is genetically distinct, but may have arisen from past hybridization. Lastly, we observed complicated patterns of genetic differentiation within and between Cx . pipiens f. pipiens and Cx . pipiens f. molestus . Conclusions Two Australian endemic Culex taxa, Cx . australicus and Cx . globocoxitus , belong within the Cx. pipiens complex, but have a relatively older evolutionary origin. They likely diverged from Cx . quinquefasciatus after its colonization of Australia. The taxon Cx . pipiens pallens is a distinct evolutionary entity that likely arose from past hybridization between Cx . quinquefasciatus and Cx . pipiens f. pipiens / Cx. pipiens f. molestus . Our results do not suggest it derives from ongoing hybridization. Finally, genetic differentiation within the Cx . pipiens f. pipiens and Cx . pipiens f. molestus samples suggests that they collectively form two separate geographic clades, one in North America and one in Europe and the Mediterranean. This may indicate that the Cx . pipiens f. molestus form has two distinct origins, arising from Cx . pipiens f. pipiens in each region. However, ongoing genetic exchange within and between these taxa have obscured their evolutionary histories, and could also explain the absence of monophyly among our samples. Overall, this work suggests many avenues that warrant further investigation.
The complete insect : anatomy, physiology, evolution, and ecology
A beautifully illustrated exploration of the world's most extraordinary animalsWith an astounding 3.5 million species occupying virtually every habitat on Earth, insects are one of the most diverse groups of animals on the planet, from the humble bee to the agile praying mantis. Taking you inside the extraordinary world of insects, The Complete Insect explores all aspects of the natural history of these remarkable creatures, providing a close-up look at their fascinating anatomy, physiology, evolution, ecology, behavior, and more. It features hundreds of stunning color photographs and illustrations and draws on a broad range of examples, from familiar ants to iridescent jewel beetles. A celebration of the rich complexity of insect life, The Complete Insect is a must-have book for insect enthusiasts and armchair naturalists.An absorbing, wide-ranging, and beautiful exploration of the fascinating natural history of insectsFeatures a wealth of stunning full-color photographs from the fieldIncludes photomicrographs and electron micrographs that offer a rare view of normally invisible structuresExamines the complex relationship between humans and insectsIntegrates physiological adaptations with ecology and behavior.
Transcriptomes reveal expression of hemoglobins throughout insects and other Hexapoda
Insects have long been thought to largely not require hemoglobins, with some notable exceptions like the red hemolymph of chironomid larvae. The tubular, branching network of tracheae in hexapods is traditionally considered sufficient for their respiration. Where hemoglobins do occur sporadically in plants and animals, they are believed to be either convergent, or because they are ancient in origin and their expression is lost in many clades. Our comprehensive analysis of 845 Hexapod transcriptomes, totaling over 38 Gbases, revealed the expression of hemoglobins in all 32 orders of hexapods, including the 29 recognized orders of insects. Discovery and identification of 1333 putative hemoglobins were achieved with target-gene BLAST searches of the NCBI TSA database, verifying functional residues, secondary- and tertiary-structure predictions, and localization predictions based on machine learning. While the majority of these hemoglobins are intracellular, extracellular ones were recovered in 38 species. Gene trees were constructed via multiple-sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses. These indicate duplication events within insects and a monophyletic grouping of hemoglobins outside other globin clades, for which we propose the term insectahemoglobins. These hemoglobins are phylogenetically adjacent and appear structurally convergent with the clade of chordate myoglobins, cytoglobins, and hemoglobins. Their derivation and co-option from early neuroglobins may explain the widespread nature of hemoglobins in various kingdoms and phyla. These results will guide future work involving genome comparisons to transcriptome results, experimental investigations of gene expression, cell and tissue localization, and gas binding properties, all of which are needed to further illuminate the complex respiratory adaptations in insects.
Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) across life stages
Oxygen is an important and often limiting reagent of a firefly’s bioluminescent chemical reaction. Therefore, the development of the tracheal system and its subsequent modification to support the function of firefly light organs are key to understanding this process. We employ micro-CT scanning, 3D rendering, and confocal microscopy to assess the abdominal tracheal system in Photinus pyralis from the external spiracles to the light organ’s internal tracheal brush, a feature named here for the first time. The abdominal spiracles in firefly larvae and pupae are of the biforous type, with a filter apparatus and appear to have an occlusor muscle to restrict airflow. The first abdominal spiracle in the adult firefly is enlarged and bears an occlusor muscle, and abdominal spiracles two through eight are small, with a small atrium and bilobed closing apparatus. Internal tracheal system features, including various branches, trunks, and viscerals, were homologized across life stages. In adults, the sexually dimorphic elaboration and increase in volume associated with tracheal features of luminous segments emphasizes the importance of gas exchange during the bioluminescent process.
Conceptualising information and equipment technology adoption in construction
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of research in information and equipment technology adoption in the construction industry. The study also aims to formulate a conceptual framework of the different stages in the adoption process identify gaps in the existing literature and to provide a holistic picture of contemporary research in technology adoption in construction research literature. Design/methodology/approach - A generic framework is initially proposed containing the fundamental concepts of \"pre-adoption\", \"adoption\" and \"post-adoption\". The review separates the literature according to three key perspectives: \"socio-economic\"; \"managerial\"; and \"psychological\". The applicability of the existing approaches to the construction context is discussed, and then a new conceptual framework for construction is developed. Findings - Significant gaps in the understanding of construction technology adoption are identified that provide an interesting agenda for future research. A Construction Technology Adoption Framework is presented, which draws together all of sub-processes involved in technology adoption. This framework covers key activities of both the vendor and the customer. Research limitations/implications - The study has been restricted to information technologies and construction equipment technology. Other construction technologies, such as formwork systems, have not been examined. Practical implications - The new framework provides a direction for research into the technology adoption process including key sub-processes and potential research areas. The framework also assists vendors to influence customers' decision-making processes, and guides new customers in setting up their own decision procedures. Originality/value - This paper departs from earlier research by focusing on information and equipment technology adoption rather than innovation adoption in general. In addition, this paper considers both sides of the adoption equation (vendor and customer), which is in contrast to previous binary studies which considered one side or the other. It delineates the boundaries of different concepts such as diffusion, adoption, acceptance and implementation, which have been interchangeably used in previous studies. This paper introduces the concept of dissemination to construction, which has previously been investigated in other industries.
Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis
Oxygen is an important and often limiting reagent of a firefly's bioluminescent chemical reaction. Therefore, the development of the tracheal system and its subsequent modification to support the function of firefly light organs are key to understanding this process. We employ micro-CT scanning, 3D rendering, and confocal microscopy to assess the abdominal tracheal system in Photinus pyralis from the external spiracles to the light organ's internal tracheal brush, a feature named here for the first time. The abdominal spiracles in firefly larvae and pupae are of the biforous type, with a filter apparatus and appear to have an occlusor muscle to restrict airflow. The first abdominal spiracle in the adult firefly is enlarged and bears an occlusor muscle, and abdominal spiracles two through eight are small, with a small atrium and bilobed closing apparatus. Internal tracheal system features, including various branches, trunks, and viscerals, were homologized across life stages. In adults, the sexually dimorphic elaboration and increase in volume associated with tracheal features of luminous segments emphasizes the importance of gas exchange during the bioluminescent process.
A new genus of nemonychid weevil from Burmese amber (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea)
The first fossil nemonychid (Nemonychidae) in Burmese amber, belonging to the subfamily Rhinorhynchinae, is described and figured as Burmonyx zigrasi Davis & Engel, gen. n. and sp. n. While this specimen also comprises the first definitive record of the subfamily in the Asian continent, other compression fossils exist at least from the Yixian Formation of China and the Karatau site of Kazakhstan which may also deserve placement within this group. Although several important areas of the body are obscured by the shape and fragmented condition of the amber piece, a sufficient number of features are visible to consider adequate placement within Rhinorhynchinae, including the fairly strongly punctate elytral striae and appendiculate, nearly bifid pretarsal claws.
Morphological and Molecular Perspectives on the Phylogeny, Evolution, and Classification of Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): Proceedings from the 2016 International Weevil Meeting
The 2016 International Weevil Meeting was held immediately after the International Congress of Entomology (ICE). It built on the topics and content of the 2016 ICE weevil symposium Phylogeny and Evolution of Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): A Symposium in Honor of Dr. Guillermo \"Willy” Kuschel. Beyond catalyzing research and collaboration, the meeting was intended to serve as a forum for identifying priorities and goals for those who study weevils. The meeting consisted of 46 invited and contributed lectures, discussion sessions and introductory remarks presented by 23 speakers along with eight contributed research posters. These were organized into three convened sessions, each lasting one day: (1) weevil morphology; (2) weevil fossils, biogeography and host/habitat associations; and (3) molecular phylogenetics and classification of weevils. Some of the topics covered included the 1K Weevils Project, major morphological character systems of adult and larval weevils, weevil morphological terminology, prospects for future morphological character discovery, phylogenetic analysis of morphological character data, the current status of weevil molecular phylogenetics and evolution, resources available for phylogenetic and comparative genomic studies of weevils, the weevil fossil record, weevil biogeography and evolution, weevil host plants, evolutionary development of the weevil rostrum, resources available for weevil identification and the current status of and challenges in weevil classification.
The Environmental Context and Function of Burnt-Mounds: New Studies of Irish Fulachtaí Fiadh
Burnt mounds, or fulachtaí fiadh as they are known in Ireland, are probably the most common prehistoric site type in Ireland and Britain. Typically Middle–Late Bronze Age in age (although both earlier and later examples are known), they are artefact-poor and rarely associated with settlements. The function of these sites has been much debated with the most commonly cited uses being for cooking, as steam baths or saunas, for brewing, tanning, or textile processing. A number of major infrastructural development schemes in Ireland in the years 2002–2007 revealed remarkable numbers of these mounds often associated with wood-lined troughs, many of which were extremely well-preserved. This afforded an opportunity to investigate them as landscape features using environmental techniques – specifically plant macrofossils and charcoal, pollen, beetles, and multi-element analyses. This paper summarises the results from eight sites from Ireland and compares them with burnt mound sites in Great Britain. The fulachtaí fiadh which are generally in clusters, are all groundwater-fed by springs, along floodplains and at the bases of slopes. The sites are associated with the clearance of wet woodland for fuel; most had evidence of nearby agriculture and all revealed low levels of grazing. Multi-element analysis at two sites revealed elevated heavy metal concentrations suggesting that off-site soil, ash or urine had been used in the trough. Overall the evidence suggests that the most likely function for these sites is textile production involving both cleaning and/or dyeing of wool and/or natural plant fibres and as a functionally related activity to hide cleaning and tanning. Whilst further research is clearly needed to confirm if fulachtaí fiadh are part of the ‘textile revolution’ we should also recognise their important role in the rapid deforestation of the wetter parts of primary woodland and the expansion of agriculture into marginal areas during the Irish and British Bronze Ages. Contexte environnemental et fonction des tertres calcinés. Nouvelles études des fulachtaí fiadh irlandais, d’Antony G. Brown, Steven R. Davis, Jackie Hatton, Charlotte O’Brien, Fiona Reilly, Kate Taylor, K., Emer Dennehy, Lorna O’Donnell, Nora Bermingham, Tim Mighall, Scott Timpany, Emma Tetlow, Jane Wheeler, et Shirley Wynne Les tertres calcinés, ou fulachtaí fiadh, nom sous lequel ils sont connus en Irlande, sont probablement le type de site préhistorique le plus courant en Irlande et en Grande-Bretagne. Typiquement d’une date de l’âge du bronze moyen ou final (bien que nous en connaissions à la fois des exemples plus récents et des plus anciens), ils sont pauvres en objets façonnés et rarement associés à des occupations. Il a été longuement débattu de la fonction de ces sites, les usages les plus souvent cités étant la cuisson, les bains de vapeur ou saunas, la brasserie, la tannerie ou le traitement de tissus. Un certain nombre d’importants projets d’aménagement des infrastructures en Irlande dans les années 2002–2007 ont révélé un nombre remarquable de ces tertres, souvent associés à des cuves garnies de bois dont beaucoup étaient extrèmement bien préservées. Ceci nous a offert l’occasion de les examiner en tant qu’éléments du paysage en utilisant des techniques environnementales, plus précisément les macrofossiles de plantes, le charbon de bois, le pollen, les scarabées, et les analyses de multiples éléments. Cet article résume les résultats provenant de huit sites irlandais et les compare à des sites de tertres calcinés en Grande-Bretagne. Les fulachtaí fiadh, qui se trouvent généralement en groupes, sont tous alimentés en eau souterraine par des sources, le long des plaines inondables et au bas de pente. Ils sont associés au défrichement de forêts humides à la recherche de combustible. La plupart avait à proximité des témoignages d’agriculture (arable et tous ont révélé de faibles niveaux de pâturage. Des analyses multi éléments sur deux sites révélèrent des concentrations élevées de métaux lourds donnant à penser que des sols venus d’ailleurs, de l’orme ou de l’urine avaient été utilisés dans la cuve. Dans l’ensemble, ces témoignages indiquent que la fonction la plus probable de ces sites était la production de textile incluant à la fois nettoyage et/ou teinture de laine et/ou fibres de plantes naturelles, et comme activité liée à une fonctionalité, cacher nettoyage et tannage. Tandis qu’il est évident que de nouvelles recherches sont nécessaires pour confirmer si les fulachtaí fiadh font bien partie de la ‘révolution textile’, nous devrions aussi reconnaître l’importance de leur rôle dans la rapide déforestation des parties les plus humides de la forêt primaire et l’expansion de l’agriculture dans des zones marginales au cours de l’âge du bronze irlandais. Der landschaftliche Kontext und die Funktion von Burnt Mounds: Neue Untersuchungen irischer Fulachtaí Fiadh, von Antony G. Brown, Steven R. Davis, Jackie Hatton, Charlotte O’Brien, Fiona Reilly, Kate Taylor, K., Emer Dennehy, Lorna O’Donnell, Nora Bermingham, Tim Mighall, Scott Timpany, Emma Tetlow, Jane Wheeler, und Shirley Wynne Burnt Mounds oder Fulachtaí Fiadh, wie sie in Irland genannt werden, sind wahrscheinlich der häufigste Fundplatz-Typ in Irland und Großbritannien. Diese fundarmen Befunde datieren meist in die mittlere und späte Bronzezeit (auch wenn sowohl ältere als auch jüngere Beispiele bekannt sind) und stehen nur selten mit Siedlungen in Verbindung. Die Funktion dieser Befunde wird seit langem diskutiert, wobei als häufigste Nutzungen Kochstellen, Dampfbäder oder Saunen, Einrichtungen zum Brauen oder Gerben oder Anlagen zur Textilverarbeitung genannt werden. Eine Reihe von größeren Infrastrukturmaßnahmen in Irland in den Jahren 2002 bis 2007 führte zur Entdeckung einer bemerkenswerten Anzahl dieser Hügel, oft in Verbindung mit holzeingefassten Trögen, von denen viele auffallend gut erhalten waren. Dies bot die Gelegenheit sie als Bestandteil der Landschaft mit Hilfe von naturwissenschaftlichen Methoden zu untersuchen, insbesondere pflanzliche Makroreste und Holzkohle, Pollen, Käfer und multielementare Analysen. Dieser Beitrag fasst die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung von acht irischen Fundplätzen zusammen und vergleicht sie mit Burnt Mounds in Großbritannien. Die Fulachtaí Fiadh, die üblicherweise in Gruppen auftreten, weisen alle Feuchtbodenerhaltung auf durch Quellen oder in Überschwemmungsgebieten oder am Fuß von Hängen. Ihre Auffindung steht im Zusammenhang mit der Abholzung von feuchten Wäldern zur Gewinnung von Brennmaterial. Die meisten Fundplätze lieferten Hinweise auf nahegelegen Ackerbau und alle wiesen Beweidung in geringem Maßstab auf. Multielement-Analysen an zwei Fundplätzen zeigen erhöhte Schwermetallkonzentrationen, was vermuten lässt, dass herbeigebrachte Erde oder Asche oder Urin innerhalb der Wanne genutzt wurde. Insgesamt legen die archäologischen und naturwissenschaftlichen Daten nahe, dass die wahrscheinlichste Funktion dieser Fundplätze die Verarbeitung von Textil ist, einschließlich der Reinigung und/oder dem Färben von Wolle und/oder von natürlichen Pflanzenfasern, sowie die Reinigung von Fellen und das Gerben. Zwar sind weitere Forschungen notwendig um zu bestätigen, ob die Fulachtaí Fiadh Teil der „Textilrevolution“ waren, doch sollte ihre Bedeutung auch in Bezug auf die schnelle Entwaldung der feuchteren Bestandteile von Primärwald und die Expansion von Ackerbau in marginale Gebiete während der irischen Bronzezeit gesehen werden. El contexto medioambiental y la función de los túmulos quemados: nuevos estudios en los Fulachtaí Fiadh irlandeses, por Antony G. Brown, Steven R. Davis, Jackie Hatton, Charlotte O’Brien, Fiona Reilly, Kate Taylor, K., Emer Dennehy, Lorna O’Donnell, Nora Bermingham, Tim Mighall, Scott Timpany, Emma Tetlow, Jane Wheeler, y Shirley Wynne Los túmulos quemados, o los fulachtaí fiadh como se conocen en Irlanda, son probablemente los yacimientos arqueológicos más comunes en Irlanda y Bretaña. Generalmente se datan en el Bronce Medio-Final (aunque se conocen ejemplos más antiguos y posteriores), son pobres en material arqueológico y pocas veces están asociados con asentamientos. La función de estos sitios ha sido ampliamente debatida siendo los usos más citados los relacionados con el procesado de alimentos, con baños o saunas, con el destilado, o con el curtido o procesado de textiles. El desarrollo de las infraestructuras en Irlanda durante los años 2002 y 2007 reveló un elevado número de este tipo de estructuras asociadas a depresiones delimitadas con maderas, muchas de las cuales están excepcionalmente conservadas. Esto ofreció una oportunidad para investigar estos sitios como elementos del paisaje empleando técnicas medioambientales -específicamente macrorrestos vegetales y carbón, polen, escarabajos y análisis multielemental. Este artículo presenta los resultados de ocho sitios documentados en Irlanda y los compara con los conocidos en Gran Bretaña. Los fulachtaí fiadh que aparecen generalmente agrupados están alimentados subterráneamente por manantiales, en las llanuras de inundación o al pie de laderas. Están asociados con el desbroce de bosques húmedos para la obtención de combustible reflejando evidencias de una actividad agrícola cercana y niveles bajos de pastoreo. El análisis multielemental en dos yacimientos reveló un elevada concentración de metales pesados sugiriendo el empleo de tierra, de ceniza o de orina de fuera del yacimiento en la fosa. En general, esta evidencia sugiere que la función más probable es la relacionada con la producción textil incluyendo la limpieza y/o el tinte de lana y/o fibras vegetales y, por tanto, una actividad funcionalmente relacionada con actividades de limpieza y teñido de pieles. A pesar de que se requiere un mayor número de investigaciones para confirmar si los fulachtaí fiadh tuvieron un importante papel en la \"revolución textil\" debemos reconocer su importancia en el rápido