Jurors\u27 Perceptions of Child Witnesses with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of child witnesses with autism spectrum disorder on jurors\u27 perceptions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five experimental conditions displaying scenarios varying the characteristics (autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and typically developing) of a 6-year-old female child who alleged sexual maltreatment. Participants were asked to provide a series of ratings regarding the child\u27s credibility, accuracy, suggestibility, and ability to testify based on facts (Orcutt et al., 2001, p. 346; see also Thomas & Krackow, 2016), as well as defendant guilt (Tessier & Krackow, 2013). Overall, the data suggest that children depicted as having some form of autism spectrum disorder were rated as less credible witnesses, less accurate in their testimony, more suggestible, and less likely to provide testimony based on fact. The defendants were rated as less guilty in the autism spectrum disorder conditions than when children were depicted as typically developing

Inter- and Intra-individual Variation in Predator-related Behavioral Plasticity Expressed by Female Green Swordtails (\u3ci\u3eXiphophorus hellerii\u3c/i\u3e)

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of one genotype to express multiple phenotypes under variable environments. Behavioral plasticity is a type of phenotypic plasticity in which individuals adjust behavior in response to changes in environment. Often, behavioral plasticity is studied at the level of the population, rather than at the level of the individual. Further, few studies have considered the effect of individual traits, such as size and age, on the expression of behavioral plasticity, or, how individual plasticity may be correlated across different contexts. In this study, we used female green swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) to test the effects of body size at testing and age at maturation on the expression of predator-related behavioral plasticity in two social contexts: (1) intrasexual (two females) and (2) intersexual (two females and a male). We also tested the extent to which plasticity is correlated across contexts within individuals, to elucidate whether females that show a high degree of plasticity in one context also show a high degree of plasticity in another context. For two agonistic behaviors, we found differing effects of the interaction of body size at testing and age at maturation on the expression of predator-related plasticity across social contexts. These results suggest that individual traits interact in a complex manner to affect patterns of plasticity across contexts, and, that alleles influencing age at maturation may be associated with alleles that affect plasticity. Across contexts, we found no evidence of correlated plasticity in a given behavior, suggesting that individuals are not consistently plastic across the contexts tested. Within contexts, however, the plasticity expression for several different behaviors was correlated, and was similarly affected by body size at testing and age at maturation. Overall, this study indicates that the type and degree of individual predator-related behavioral plasticity expressed is partially dependent on multiple traits, and varies substantially between social contexts. Few studies have examined the effect of multiple factors on the expression of plasticity, or plasticity in multiple social contexts, and, our results indicate that the causes and consequences of phenotypic plasticity are likely to be complex. Advisor: Alexandra L. Basol

Inter- and Intra-individual Variation in Predator-related Behavioral Plasticity Expressed by Female Green Swordtails (\u3ci\u3eXiphophorus hellerii\u3c/i\u3e)

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of one genotype to express multiple phenotypes under variable environments. Behavioral plasticity is a type of phenotypic plasticity in which individuals adjust behavior in response to changes in environment. Often, behavioral plasticity is studied at the level of the population, rather than at the level of the individual. Further, few studies have considered the effect of individual traits, such as size and age, on the expression of behavioral plasticity, or, how individual plasticity may be correlated across different contexts. In this study, we used female green swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) to test the effects of body size at testing and age at maturation on the expression of predator-related behavioral plasticity in two social contexts: (1) intrasexual (two females) and (2) intersexual (two females and a male). We also tested the extent to which plasticity is correlated across contexts within individuals, to elucidate whether females that show a high degree of plasticity in one context also show a high degree of plasticity in another context. For two agonistic behaviors, we found differing effects of the interaction of body size at testing and age at maturation on the expression of predator-related plasticity across social contexts. These results suggest that individual traits interact in a complex manner to affect patterns of plasticity across contexts, and, that alleles influencing age at maturation may be associated with alleles that affect plasticity. Across contexts, we found no evidence of correlated plasticity in a given behavior, suggesting that individuals are not consistently plastic across the contexts tested. Within contexts, however, the plasticity expression for several different behaviors was correlated, and was similarly affected by body size at testing and age at maturation. Overall, this study indicates that the type and degree of individual predator-related behavioral plasticity expressed is partially dependent on multiple traits, and varies substantially between social contexts. Few studies have examined the effect of multiple factors on the expression of plasticity, or plasticity in multiple social contexts, and, our results indicate that the causes and consequences of phenotypic plasticity are likely to be complex. Advisor: Alexandra L. Basol

Disentangling Sexual Selection on a Complex, Multicomponent Trait: Song of the Northern House Wren

Beautiful and abundant, bird song has long captured the attention of evolutionary biologists interested in sexual selection. Although most studies have examined single facets of song in relation to male-male competition (intrasexual selection) and female mate choice (intersexual selection), selection typically acts on multiple components that collectively influence an individual’s mating success. By studying how multiple components of song simultaneously play a role in male-male competition and female mate choice, we can better understand how sexual selection has directly and indirectly shaped this elaborate trait. I explored the role of male song in the context of sexual selection in northern house wrens (Troglodytes aedon), a species with exceptionally complex song and large song-type repertoires. Male song in this species is clearly important in both intra- and intersexual contexts, however, the specific song components that elicit aggression in males and attract females remain unknown. In this research, I describe (1) how males respond to a simulated threat of cuckoldry imposed by song in the wild, (2) the notes, song-types, and song production patterns of males breeding in north-central Illinois, and (3) the relationship between song structure and fitness across different episodes of selection

Song structure of male Northern House Wrens and patterns of song production and delivery across the nesting cycle

Studies of the role of bird song in avian communication have revealed numerous functions across many species, including its critical importance in female mate choice (intrasexual selection) and male-male competition (intersexual selection). A first step in understanding how song is sexually selected, or in understanding its role in other contexts, is to describe the note, syllable, and song-types that occur, as well as their patterns of production within a population. Here, we do so for a north-central Illinois, USA population of Northern House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon). As has been described in other populations, most songs (≈1-3 sec in duration) contain an introductory section of soft, broadband notes followed by a terminal section of loud, frequency-modulated syllables that tend to be trilled. In characterizing the contents of 3,919 songs produced by 32 males throughout the breeding season, we identified 62 distinct notes, from which 76 syllables were produced. These syllables were organized in patterns unique to the individual—most notes and syllables were shared across the population, but almost no song-types were produced by more than one male. Singing declined over the course of the nesting cycle, and throughout the breeding season. Song production was at its minimum while fertile females were egg-laying, suggesting that males may change singing behaviour to guard against extra-pair copulations, which tend to occur at this time. Funding for this study was provided by the National Institutes of Health (2R15HD076308), American Ornithological Society, Wilson Ornithological Society, Animal Behavior Society, Illinois Ornithological Society, Beta Lambda chapter of the Phi Sigma Society, Champaign County Audubon Society, and Illinois State University Dissertation Completion Grant, Faculty Research Award, Robert H. Gray Biology/Ecology Scholarship, BIRDFeeder Grant, Charlena Wallen Scholarship, and Illinois State University Foundation Bird Study and Student Fellowship Fund (4125104)

Song structure of male Northern House Wrens and patterns of song production and delivery across the nesting cycle

Studies of the role of bird song in avian communication have revealed numerous functions across many species, including its critical importance in female mate choice (intrasexual selection) and male-male competition (intersexual selection). A first step in understanding how song is sexually selected, or in understanding its role in other contexts, is to describe the note, syllable, and song-types that occur, as well as their patterns of production within a population. Here, we do so for a north-central Illinois, USA population of Northern House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon). As has been described in other populations, most songs (≈1-3 sec in duration) contain an introductory section of soft, broadband notes followed by a terminal section of loud, frequency-modulated syllables that tend to be trilled. In characterizing the contents of 3,919 songs produced by 32 males throughout the breeding season, we identified 62 distinct notes, from which 76 syllables were produced. These syllables were organized in patterns unique to the individual—most notes and syllables were shared across the population, but almost no song-types were produced by more than one male. Singing declined over the course of the nesting cycle, and throughout the breeding season. Song production was at its minimum while fertile females were egg-laying, suggesting that males may change singing behaviour to guard against extra-pair copulations, which tend to occur at this time. Funding for this study was provided by the National Institutes of Health (2R15HD076308), American Ornithological Society, Wilson Ornithological Society, Animal Behavior Society, Illinois Ornithological Society, Beta Lambda chapter of the Phi Sigma Society, Champaign County Audubon Society, and Illinois State University Dissertation Completion Grant, Faculty Research Award, Robert H. Gray Biology/Ecology Scholarship, BIRDFeeder Grant, Charlena Wallen Scholarship, and Illinois State University Foundation Bird Study and Student Fellowship Fund (4125104)

Improved adequacy of endometrial tissue sampled from postmenopausal women using the MyoSure Lite hysteroscopic tissue removal system versus conventional curettage

Peter Rosenblatt,1 Sara Barcia,2 Anthony DiSciullo,1 Hussein Warda1 1Division of Urogynecology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 2Department of Pathology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA Objective: To compare the diagnostic suitability of endometrial tissues obtained from postmenopausal women using the MyoSure Lite tissue removal system versus conventional curettage.Materials and methods: Endometrial tissue was sampled in hysteroscopically normal extirpated uteri from seven postmenopausal women (65.9±6.6 years old) using both hysteroscopic-guided morcellation and curettage (two quadrants/uterus with each method). Endometrial sampling was performed immediately after hysterectomy for benign reasons unrelated to uterine pathology. Retrieved endometrial tissue samples were evaluated for volume and diagnostic suitability by a pathologist who was masked to the sampling technique used.Results: Endometrial tissue sampling times were similar for morcellation (44±23 s) and curettage (47±38 s). Mean tissue volume retrieved with MyoSure (1,411±775 mm3) was significantly greater than with curettage (1±2 mm3; p=0.0004, two-tailed t-test), with larger intact tissue fragments retrieved with morcellation. Both specimen volume and quality obtained by MyoSure Lite were deemed to be significantly better for histologic assessment than the tissues obtained with curettage (p=0.0006 by Fisher’s exact test and p=0.0137 by chi-square test, respectively). With dilation and curettage, samples were frequently too scanty for evaluation. Diagnostic concurrence between MyoSure Lite/dilation and curettage samples and histopathology of full-thickness samples taken afterward was also significantly better with MyoSure Lite than with curettage (p=0.0210).Conclusion: Endometrial tissue sampling using the minimally invasive MyoSure Lite hysteroscopic tissue removal system may provide larger volumes of higher-quality endometrial tissue specimens for pathology assessment compared to specimens obtained using conventional curettage, in postmenopausal women. Keywords: hysteroscopic morcellation, curettage, endometrial tissue sampling, endometrial pathology, abnormal uterine bleeding, extirpated uterus, postmenopausa

Modafinil Induced Psychosis in a Patient with Bipolar 1 Depression

Modafinil has been used as an adjunctive medication in the treatment of bipolar 1 depression with reported success. Case reports have been published demonstrating modafinil induced mania in bipolar patients and modafinil induced psychosis in schizophrenic patients. To our knowledge, we report the only case of modafinil induced psychosis in a patient with bipolar depression treated with both mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. In addition, it is the quickest onset to psychosis (2 days) at the lowest dosage of modafinil (100 mg/day) reported in the literature. Although favorable outcomes using modafinil for treatment of bipolar depression have been reported in literature, clinicians should remain cautious of the potential to rapidly induce psychosis with modafinil at low dosages in patients with bipolar depression despite being treated with mood stabilizers and antipsychotics

Lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity: Assessment of cytotoxic reactivity following challenge with syngeneic tumors

Spleen cells from syngeneic tumor-bearing mice were examined for direct cell-mediated cytotoxicity (DCMC) and lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC). In the DCMC assay specific cytotoxicity against the homologous tumor cell was assessed. In the LDCC assay cytotoxicity was nonspecifically assessed against EL-4 cells in the presence of concanavalin A or phytohemaglutinin. Most tumor lines tested (19/22) produced no cytotoxic reactivity in either the DCMC or LDCC assays. In the case of the remaining tumor lines (EL-4, BW5147-3, and P815 Y-3), significant LDCC, but not DCMC, was detected, which indicated that although cytotoxic effector cells had been activated, the reactivity was not directed toward the homologous tumor cell or could not be expressed in the DCMC assay. The EL-4 and BW5147-3 cell lines proved to be sporadic in terms of their ability to induce LDCC, whereas the P815 Y-3 cell line produced consistent LDCC. Reactivity induced by P815 Y-3 cells appeared to be due to the constitutive production and release of a soluble component which could activate cytotoxic T-cells in vivo. © 1984 Oxford University Press