The domestic cat is along with the dog recently the most common and popular pet. Unlike the dog the cat kept her appearance and nature without major changes despite long years of domestication. She has been highly adaptive to extremely variable conditions. Beeing a prolific species she breeds succesfully in wide range of enviromental conditions and in a large spectrum of climatic conditions from subarctic to tropical regions. She reproduces successfully in urban colonies in high density of thousands of cats per square kilometre as well as in arctic regions with the population density equal to one cat per square kilometre. Mating strategy varies from promiscuous behaviour, through polygyny/polyandry system, to monogamy. The infanticide in felinae is a common reproductive strategy. Male kills dependent offspring sired by another male in order to hasten the female oestrus and to reproduce with her himself. In domestic cats the infanticide attracts long-lasting discussion. However, in reality reports on the incidence of infanticide has been scarce. One of the possible female counter-strategies is pregnancy block, known as a Bruce effect. The mated female blocks the blastocyte implantation when facing the treath of possible infanticide to avoid waste of energy by delivering offspring with poor chance for survival. Based on the questionnaire survey we have estimated the possibility of reproduction failure in a situation of potential male infanticide. From data which we have obtained we could not yet check the advanced hypothesis due to lack of variation and very few recorded cases of reproduction failure. On the other hand, we have accumulated extended information of the cat reproduction. In the future we are planning to collect more data in order to be able to test properly the hypothesis.

Mammalian reproduction is vulnerable to psychological and physiological stress. This research focuses on the psychophysiological mechanisms that lead to the disruption of pregnancy by the failure of implantation of fertilized ova into the uterine walls. The underlying hormonal mechanisms of implantation failure are not well understood. It is known that many environmental events have a substantial impact on hormonal dynamics in mammals. These environmentally induced hormonal changes can disrupt implantation. This thesis focuses on the hormonal dynamics of female mice that lose their pregnancy when exposed to a novel male during the implantation period (the Bruce effect). In Study 1, a repeatable and reliable Bruce effect was established by indirectly exposing inseminated females during the implantation period to novel males housed above them separated by a wire grid floor. Separating the animals allowed for the independent study of the chemical transmission from male to female, and the physiological transduction within the female. The findings from this study suggest that females must come in direct contact with the excretions of the stimulus novel males. The more excretions the females encounter, the greater the chance is of pregnancy disruption. The Bruce effect is known to be dependent on androgens in the stimulus males, since castration eliminates their capacity to disrupt pregnancy. Study 2 showed that surgically removing the androgen-dependent preputial glands from the stimulus males does not diminish their capacity to disrupt pregnancy. Study 3 showed that administering 17β-estradiol to castrated males can restore their capacity to disrupt pregnancy. This suggests that 17β-estradiol as well as testosterone is involved in the chemical transmission of the Bruce effect. It has been hypothesized that 17β-estradiol is elevated in females that fail to implant in the presence of a novel male. Administering an antibody specific to 17β-estradiol to females during their implantation period can lower the hypothesized increase in 17β-estradiol and implantation takes place despite the exposure to novel males. Finally, in Study 4 testosterone, 17β-estradiol and its major metabolites the estrone conjugates were quantified in females' urine and feces while exposed to novel males during implantation. It was found that testosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly elevated in females that failed to implant while exposed to novel males. In conclusion, this line of research reveals a potential role of steroids in novel male induced pregnancy disruptions in mice. Elevated testosterone and 17β-estradiol are shown to be related to the prevention of implantation in mice. These hormonal dynamics may be partially responsible for the physiological transduction of the Bruce effect. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (MA(Bybel en Godsdienskunde)--Universiteit van Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-126)

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas State University Libraries

Abstract This paper deals with the ideological aspects of the Irish epic saga Táin Bó Cúailnge´s first two recensions. The two versions, called Recension I and Recension II differ in some aspects and the purpose of this paper is to map out the differences, as well as the similarities. The analytic tool used is Bruce Lincoln’s myth theory that myth is ideology in narrative form. Using this tool I hope to give more understanding for the old Irish saga and also the people who wrote it and believed in it. The paper starts off with an introduction in research history in the field of myth and then continues explaining Lincoln’s theory and also takes up some of the criticisms against it. This is followed by a closer look at Táin Bó Cúailnge’s history, influences and its purpose. After this background the two different versions are presented with some notes on their origin, dating and authorship, and also short reviews of each version. To understand the ideological aspects of the two different recensions, the texts are first analyzed separately. This is followed by a comparative analysis, where the texts’ similarities and differences are examined. The paper is concluded in short at the end with conclusions drawn from the proceeding discussion and some last words from me, the author. Keywords: Táin Bó Cúailnge, Bruce Lincoln, ideology, mythology

Thesis advisor: Christopher Constas / Thesis advisor: Brian Braman / The literary character of Batman, first introduced by Action Comics in 1939, has been reincarnated several times in popular culture through graphic novels, radio, video games, television shows, and movies (Boxer). Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, however, portray only a fraction of the episodes and villains presented in the comic books, while reflecting on universal cultural, psychological, mythological, and social themes, archetypes, and conflicts. In an interview with the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Nolan explains that he was trying to portray Batman as an extraordinary character in the fabric of an ordinary city with familiar traits that would be recognizable to the audience. The theatrical Batman, with high-tech devices and powerful combat tactics, creates a stunning contrast against the dismal background of Gotham. Nolan designed Gotham in this way to remind the public that “[i]n America we take for granted a stability to our class and social structure that has never been sustained elsewhere in the world. In other words, this sort of thing has happened in countries all over the world, why not here? And why not now” (Foundas)? While he acknowledges that his movies are open to numerous political, religious, philosophical, and economical interpretations, on a deeper level, Nolan seems to have wanted to create these movies as a response to this eternal struggle of society against the forces of chaos and injustice, part of the inherent conflict of the human condition. Nolan also addresses the numerous factors that contribute to the incitement of such chaos, including government censorship, lying, and covert violence, which, paradoxically, are often used as justifications for preserving the social order. Several of the aspects of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises are applicable to modern society; others are influenced by monumental historical events. One of the crucial themes of Nolan’s trilogy is the search to understand what it truly means to fulfill the role of the Batman, that is, the role of a guardian of order and justice against the forces of chaos and injustice. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy Honors Program. / Discipline: Philosophy.

Tanken med detta arbete var att analysera låtar av Bruce Springsteen för att bli bättre på att arrangera musik som honom. För att göra detta valde jag ut 23 av hans låtar och analyserade dem utifrån fem olika arrangeringselement hämtade ur boken The Mixing Engineer's Handbook. Resultatet blev att jag lärde mig mycket om hur man kan arrangera rockmusik och nya sätt att använda instrument. Dock skulle man nog behöva gräva betydligt djupare ner i låtarna för att få ut det där riktiga guldet som är kännetecknet för Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-128).

Texte remanié de: Thesis--University of Durham. / Bibliogr. p. 233-244.

This essay accounts for the lives of atist couple Carolina Benedicks Bruce (1856-1935) and William Blair Bruce (1859-1906). The perspective emerges from both Griselda Pollock’s theories on female artists as from Yvonne Hirdman’s gender contract. The essay is made out in the form of a biography, with focus on aspects of gender roles, class and identity. The material consists of letters written by the couple and their families, as well as Carolina’s diaries.    Carolina Benedicks Bruce was born into the wealthy Benedicks family  from Stockholm and Gysinge. At Grez she met William Blair Bruce in 1885. William was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and was sent to France by his family for artistic education in his twenties. They built a home together at Gotland; Brucebo. They conducted themselves liberally to the current norms of gender roles, class and identity aspects of the time. They created their own path, to be able to do what they were passionate about.