Nebraska Residents’ Perceptions of Drought Risk and Adaptive Capacity to Drought

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of drought in certain regions, including Nebraska. While differences in ecological and social vulnerability impact drought response, scholars argue that perceptions of risk and adaptive capacity also play a role in predicting adaptation responses. Drawing on Grothmann and Patt’s model of private proactive adaptation to climate change, based on protection motivation theory, I examine Nebraska residents’ perceptions of drought risk and adaptive capacity to drought at two spatial levels, the community and the region, as well as the predictors of these perceptions. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that rural residence positively predicts perceived drought risk, but negatively predicts perceived adaptive capacity to drought. In addition, perceived drought risk and at least one measure of perceived adaptive capacity both tend to be positively predicted by one’s level of belief in scientific information and one’s level of belief in local experience-based information

Stop Cheating!: An Evaluation of a Scientific Integrity Writing Strategy in General Chemistry I

Cheating in America has become an epidemic, which has unfortunately spread to academia. Researchers have long been interested in the trends in cheating behavior and the factors that influence these trends among undergraduate college students. Though cheating can take on many forms, in science, there is a deep concern about scientific misconduct related to research. Because training for future scientists begins in undergraduate courses, this study investigated the use of scientific integrity writing strategy in General Chemistry I at Wright State University. The goal of the study was to determine if providing scientific integrity and ethics training, while teaching students to write journal article-like laboratory reports, reduced the number of ethical violations committed in General Chemistry I. The investigation was composed of three main parts: 1) Pre-intervention data collection, 2) Intervention Presentations and 3) Post-intervention data collection. Pre-intervention data included a pre-test on the Integrity Principles and Ethics in Scientific Publications and a pre-intervention laboratory report on Paper Chromatography. The intervention was a training on the Integrity Principles and Ethics in Scientific Publications during a laboratory period. Post- intervention data included post-tests and the evaluation of the Analysis of Hydrated Copper Sulfate laboratory report. The evaluation of the laboratory reports was completed using an ethics rubric that focused on six facets of plagiarism. The results showed a statistically significant increase in students\u27 scores on the pre-and post-tests on the Integrity Principles and Ethics in Scientific Publications. When the laboratory reports were evaluated with the ethics rubric, it was found that there was a decrease in the number of ethical violations related to plagiarism. The study also found that students who earned A grades on the laboratory reports had the least number of ethical violations post-intervention. Finally, it was determined that females were less likely to plagiarize than males. Though the results of this study are encouraging, it is clear that additional training is needed in the area of ethics and scientific integrity at WSU

Gemini multi-conjugate adaptive optics system review II: Commissioning, operation and overall performance

The Gemini Multi-conjugate Adaptive Optics System - GeMS, a facility instrument mounted on the Gemini South telescope, delivers a uniform, near diffraction limited images at near infrared wavelengths (0.95 microns- 2.5 microns) over a field of view of 120 arc seconds. GeMS is the first sodium layer based multi laser guide star adaptive optics system used in astronomy. It uses five laser guide stars distributed on a 60 arc seconds square constellation to measure for atmospheric distortions and two deformable mirrors to compensate for it. In this paper, the second devoted to describe the GeMS project, we present the commissioning, overall performance and operational scheme of GeMS. Performance of each sub-system is derived from the commissioning results. The typical image quality, expressed in full with half maximum, Strehl ratios and variations over the field delivered by the system are then described. A discussion of the main contributor to performance limitation is carried-out. Finally, overheads and future system upgrades are described.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Erratum: Author Correction: Identification of genes required for eye development by high-throughput screening of mouse knockouts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0226-0.]

Evaluating Success Factors and Challenges Among Small-Scale Agricultural Producers: A Texas Case Study

Literature on small farms in the U.S. is limited though they are the most numerous farm type, generate over twenty percent of agricultural production, and are more likely to be operated by historically underserved (i.e., beginning, minority, veteran, women, young) farmers than large-scale farms. This article details an online survey study of small-scale agricultural producers using a purposive sample from Texas. We used cross tabulations to evaluate qualitative operational and demographic (e.g., age, gender) factors of success, finding several significant variables with moderate effect sizes. Generally, producers regarded quality of life as more important to success than profitability. Producers’ top challenges were capital, production, marketing, legal, financial, informational, and social, in that order. While results may not be representative of all small producers, in Texas or otherwise, they provide an important look at an understudied population who contribute meaningfully to sustainable production, local and regional food systems, and overall agricultural structure

The Evaluation of Vertebral Fracture Assessment and Pulse Wave Velocity for the Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Calcification by Comparison to Computed Tomography

Background: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of subclinicalatherosclerosis. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard method forquantifying vascular calcification (VC) but is limited by higher radiation exposureand cost. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) scans have been proposed as auseful imaging tool for the semi-quantitative assessment of AAC, as images ofthe aorta are captured on VFA scans. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple, noninvasive method of measuring aortic stiffness - a hallmark of atherosclerosis and ageing, with a reduction in normal aortic compliance. In this study we compared VFA and PWV with CT as the gold standard of diagnosis. Lateral VFA scans may be utilised as a secondary utility to detect VC in post-menopausal women with low bone density, and associations between PWV and VC measured using lateral VFA and CT may demonstrate how measures of VC correlate with aortic stiffness.Methods and results: Four hundred and forty-four healthy post-menopausalwomen with a mean age of 62 (6.4 SD) years had carotid to femoral PWVmeasurements, and lateral VFA of the thoracic and lumbar spine, concurrentlywith bone densitometry measurements (DXA), to quantify AAC. A subgroup ofone hundred and thirteen subjects underwent non-contrast, non-diagnostic,ungated CT scans of the chest and abdomen. Results showed AAC was presentin 78% of subjects as determined by CT, and 60% with lateral VFA scans. Thesensitivity of lateral VFA for detecting AAC was 55% and specificity was 48% witha PPV and NPV of 67% and 36% respectively for binary scores. Sensitivity andspecificity improved when CT scores were divided into tertiles with the greatestimprovement with scores ≥ 670 AU, ≥ 15304.4 AU and ≥ 0.335 cm3 for the Agatston, modified Agatston and Volume scores respectively. There were no independent associations observed between PWV and AAC measured using lateral VFA or VC measured using CT.Conclusion: Lateral VFA scans may provide a low radiation dose, and low-costalternative to CT for evaluating higher levels of AAC and can be performedconcurrently with bone densitometry assessments.<br/

Expression profiling of metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in normal and degenerate human achilles tendon

To profile the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for the 23 known genes of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), 19 genes of ADAMTS, 4 genes of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and ADAM genes 8, 10, 12, and 17 in normal, painful, and ruptured Achilles tendons. Tendon samples were obtained from cadavers or from patients undergoing surgical procedures to treat chronic painful tendinopathy or ruptured tendon. Total RNA was extracted and mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, normalized to 18S ribosomal RNA. In comparing expression of all genes, the normal, painful, and ruptured Achilles tendon groups each had a distinct mRNA expression signature. Three mRNA were not detected and 14 showed no significant difference in expression levels between the groups. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in mRNA expression, when adjusted for age, included lower levels of MMPs 3 and 10 and TIMP-3 and higher levels of ADAM-12 and MMP-23 in painful compared with normal tendons, and lower levels of MMPs 3 and 7 and TIMPs 2, 3, and 4 and higher levels of ADAMs 8 and 12, MMPs 1, 9, 19, and 25, and TIMP-1 in ruptured compared with normal tendons. The distinct mRNA profile of each tendon group suggests differences in extracellular proteolytic activity, which would affect the production and remodeling of the tendon extracellular matrix. Some proteolytic activities are implicated in the maintenance of normal tendon, while chronically painful tendons and ruptured tendons are shown to be distinct groups. These data will provide a foundation for further study of the role and activity of many of these enzymes that underlie the pathologic processes in the tendon

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen