Details of Eastern Coyote, Canis latrans, Predation on Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, Eggs on Boot Island National Wildlife Area, Nova Scotia

We detail field observations of Eastern Coyote eating Great Black-backed Gull eggs for the first time in the literature. Photographic evidence of the remaining egg shells allowed us to identify the Coyote as the predator

Details of Eastern Coyote, Canis latrans, Predation on Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, Eggs on Boot Island National Wildlife Area, Nova Scotia

We detail field observations of Eastern Coyote eating Great Black-backed Gull eggs for the first time in the literature. Photographic evidence of the remaining egg shells allowed us to identify the Coyote as the predator

Diversity of Lecidea (Lecideaceae, Ascomycota) species revealed by molecular data and morphological characters

The diversity of lichens, especially crustose species, in continental Antarctica is still poorly known. To overcome difficulties with the morphology based species delimitations in these groups, we employed molecular data (nuclear ITS and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences) to test species boundaries within the genus Lecidea. Sampling was done along a north–south transect at five different areas in the Ross Sea region (Cape Hallett, Botany Bay to Mount Suess, Taylor Valley, Darwin Area and Mount Kyffin). A total of 153 specimens were collected from 13 localities. Phylogenetic analyses also include specimens from other regions in Antarctica and non-Antarctic areas. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses agreed in placing the samples from continental Antarctica into four major groups. Based on this phylogenetic estimate, we restudied the micromorphology and secondary chemistry of these four clades to evaluate the use of these characters as phylogenetic discriminators. These clades are identified as the following species Lecidea cancriformis, L. andersonii as well as the new species L. polypycnidophora Ruprecht & Türk sp. nov. and another previously unnamed clade of uncertain status, referred to as Lecidea sp. (L. UCR1)

Products as Affective Modifiers of Identities

© The Author(s) 2015. Are salesclerks seen as better, more powerful, or more active when they drive Mustangs? What about entrepreneurs? What about driving a mid-sized car? Intuitively, we have ideas about these, but much of the research on the affective nature of products is on purchasing, desires, and self-fulfillment. Drawing on symbolic interactionism, we argue that people's association with products has some basis in the impression management of their identity. For this to occur, there must be some cultural consensus about the way that products modify identities. Drawing on affect control theory's (ACT) methodology and equations, we measure the goodness, powerfulness, and activeness of several products, identities, and the associated product-modified identities to explore how products function as affective modifiers of identities. We find consistent effects across several types of technology products, whereby products pull the modified identity in the direction of the products' affective qualities. Support is established for the ACT equations that predict how traits modify identities as also having utility for predicting how products modify identities. This suggests that the opening questions can be answered empirically by measuring cultural-specific sentiments of the identity and the product and by developing equations to predict the identity modification process

Outcomes after alemtuzumab-containing reduced-intensity allogeneic transplantation regimen for relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma

18-60 months) , the actuarial overall survival (OS) rates at 3 years were 34% for HG-NHL, 60% for MCL, and 73% for LG-NHL (P < .001). The 100-day and 3-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) rates for patients with LG-NHL were 2% and 11%, respectively, and were better (P ‫؍‬ .01) than they were for patients with HG-NHL (27% and 38%, respectively). The actuarial current progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 3 years, including the rate for patients who achieved remission after donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for progression, was 65% for LG-NHL, 50% for MCL, and 34% for HG-NHL (P ‫؍‬ .002)

Alternatives to project-specific consent for access to personal information for health research: Insights from a public dialogue

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of consent for research use of health information is contentious. Most discussion has focused on when project-specific consent may be waived but, recently, a broader range of consent options has been entertained, including broad opt-in for multiple studies with restrictions and notification with opt-out. We sought to elicit public values in this matter and to work toward an agreement about a common approach to consent for use of personal information for health research through deliberative public dialogues.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted seven day-long public dialogues, involving 98 participants across Canada. Immediately before and after each dialogue, participants completed a fixed-response questionnaire rating individuals' support for 3 approaches to consent in the abstract and their consent choices for 5 health research scenarios using personal information. They also rated how confident different safeguards made them feel that their information was being used responsibly.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Broad opt-in consent for use of personal information garnered the greatest support in the abstract. When presented with specific research scenarios, no one approach to consent predominated. When profit was introduced into the scenarios, consent choices shifted toward greater control over use. Despite lively and constructive dialogues, and considerable shifting in opinion at the individual level, at the end of the day, there was no substantive aggregate movement in opinion. Personal controls were among the most commonly cited approaches to improving people's confidence in the responsible use of their information for research.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Because no one approach to consent satisfied even a simple majority of dialogue participants and the importance placed on personal controls, a mechanism should be developed for documenting consent choice for different types of research, including ways for individuals to check who has accessed their medical record for purposes other than clinical care. This could be done, for example, through a web-based patient portal to their electronic health record. Researchers and policy makers should continue to engage the public to promote greater public understanding of the research process and to look for feasible alternatives to existing approaches to project-specific consent for observational research.</p

Sequestration of Zn into mixed pyrite-zinc sulfide framboids: A key to Zn cycling in the ocean?

Zinc (Zn) is an important micronutrient in the ocean, and fixation of Zn into organic, trace element-rich sediments is an important contributor to Zn cycling in the ocean. Framboidal sulfides are considered to be the major host for Zn in such settings. The sequestration of Zn into framboids via biotic or abiotic processes is not fully understood, which presents difficulties for interpretation of Zn isotope values in sediments. In this work, we describe a novel type of framboid with mixed pyrite and zinc sulfide (sphalerite or wurtzite) microcrystals from meta-pelites of the Otago Schist, New Zealand. A combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) were utilized to assess the association between Zn, pyrite and organic matter in framboids. The distribution of Zn in framboids is variable. Most pyrite microcrystals include minor amounts of Zn. Trace Zn is also observed to co-locate with organic matter, which occurs on the boundaries of pyrite microcrystals. Finally, Zn is found as single zinc sulfide microcrystals or zinc sulfide rims around pyrite microcrystals within individual framboids. These textures have not been recorded before, to our knowledge. The sequence of events that sequesters Zn into framboids may affect Zn isotope fractionation from seawater to continental margin sediments

Spatial control of 2D nanomaterial electronic properties using chiral light beams

Single-layer two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials exhibit physical and chemical properties which can be dynamically modulated through out-of-plane deformations. Existing methods rely on intricate micromechanical manipulations (e.g., poking, bending, rumpling), hindering their widespread technological implementation. We address this challenge by proposing an all-optical approach that decouples strain engineering from micromechanical complexities. This method leverages the forces generated by chiral light beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). The inherent sense of twist of these beams enables the exertion of controlled torques on 2D monolayer materials, inducing tailored strain. This approach offers a contactless and dynamically tunable alternative to existing methods. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate control over the conductivity of graphene transistors using chiral light beams, showcasing the potential of this approach for manipulating properties in future electronic devices. This optical control mechanism holds promise in enabling the reconfiguration of devices through optically patterned strain. It also allows broader utilization of strain engineering in 2D nanomaterials for advanced functionalities in next-generation optoelectronic devices and sensors

Designing authoritarian deliberation: how social media platforms influence political talk in China

Discussion is often celebrated as a critical element of public opinion and political participation. Recently, scholars have suggested that the design and features of specific online platforms shape what is politically expressed online and how. Building on these findings and drawing on 112 semi-structured qualitative interviews with information technology experts and internet users, we explain how major Chinese social media platforms differ in structure and motivation. Drawing upon a nationwide representative survey and an online experiment, we find that platforms aiming to make users a source of information through public, information-centred communication, such as the Twitter-like Weibo, are more conducive to political expression; while platforms built to optimize building social connections through private, user-centred communication, such as WhatsApp and Facebook-like WeChat, tend to inhibit political expression. These technological design effects are stronger when users believe the authoritarian state tolerates discussion, but less important when political talk is sensitive. The findings contribute to the debate on the political consequences of the internet by specifying technological and political conditions