Molecular Evidence Suggests Multiple Evolutionary Origins of Sociality in the Polyphenic Spider \u3cem\u3eAnelosimus studiosus\u3c/em\u3e (Araneae: Theridiidae).

Anelosimus studiosus exhibits two behavioral phenotypes: subsocial and social. This is the only documented spider inhabiting a temperate climate exhibiting social behavior. While the subsocial phenotype is most common throughout the range, the social behavior occurs in isolated pockets in northern latitudes. This study examines the origins of the social phenotype within a segment of the spider\u27s range. Two hypotheses are tested: 1) pockets of social behavior represent a single origin or 2) pockets of social behavior represent local evolutions, thus leading to multiple origins of evolution. Microsatellite loci were used to determine genetic structure of the population and to estimate the origins of social behavior. All loci showed lower observed than expected heterozygosities and all populations show indications of high levels of inbreeding. A phylogeny indicates four of the six populations fall out by location, not phenotype. We propose these results reflect multiple local evolutions of the social strategy

Controlling Stocks and Flows to Promote Quality: The Environment, With Applications to Physical and Human Capital

Our analysis melds two traditional approaches to promoting quality. The first is restoring the stock of quality. The second is curbing its flow of deterioration. Although both approaches are widely used in real world settings, analytic models have tended to focus on one strategy or the other. We consider a class of problems, which we call SFQ' problems, in which both stocks and flows can be controlled to promote quality. We develop our results in the context of environmental quality, drawing on real-world examples from atomic wastes to zebra mussels. But the lessons are general, and we show how they apply to promoting the quality of both physical and human capital. We first study optimal policies in the limiting cases when only abatement or restoration is possible. We then focus on the full SFQ world, where both approaches can be used. We show that the optimal policy employs both instruments. Moreover, when combined optimally, neither strategy takes the form it would in the absence of the other.

How ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists-in-training in Nigeria use the social media

Background: The social media has revolutionized the practice of medicine in the area of communication and information dissemination.Aim: This study aims at examining the ways ophthalmologists who practice in Nigeria use the social media and how they impact on their practice.Materials and Methods: This was cross-sectional study of eighty-seven (87) consenting ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents at the 40th Annual Scientific and General Meeting of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria held from 24th to 28th August, 2015 in Jos, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires and data obtained were recorded in the data sheets and analysed using the SPSS version 20 (2014). Simple statistics and comparisons of associated variables were made using Chi-square.Results: Of the 87 respondents, 82 (94.2%) used the social media while only 5 (5.8%) were not on any social media platform. WhatsApp was the preferred social media platform with 50 (50.5%) of the respondents using it, followed by Facebook (38; 38.4%), LinkedIn (8;8.1%), Instagram (2;2.0%) and Twitter (1; 1.0%).Majority of the respondents (66; 46.5%) used the social media for social interaction; 43 (30.3%) of them used them to interact and collaborate with colleagues; 21 (14.8%) utilized them for patients' education. Only 6 (4.2%) of the respondents used the social media for marketing of their practice.Fifty-two (59.9%) of the respondents believed that the use of social media had enhanced their practice.Conclusions: The study has shown that majority of the ophthalmologists and residents interviewed were on the social media platform. However, social interaction with friends was the major reason they use the social media.Keywords: Social media, use, ophthalmologists and ophthalmologist-in-trainin

How ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists-in-training in Nigeria use the social media

Background: The social media has revolutionized the practice of medicine in the area of communication and information dissemination.Aim: This study aims at examining the ways ophthalmologists who practice in Nigeria use the social media and how they impact on their practice.Materials and Methods: This was cross-sectional study of eighty-seven (87) consenting ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents at the 40th Annual Scientific and General Meeting of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria held from 24th to 28th August, 2015 in Jos, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires and data obtained were recorded in the data sheets and analysed using the SPSS version 20 (2014). Simple statistics and comparisons of associated variables were made using Chi-square.Results: Of the 87 respondents, 82 (94.2%) used the social media while only 5 (5.8%) were not on any social media platform. WhatsApp was the preferred social media platform with 50 (50.5%) of the respondents using it, followed by Facebook (38; 38.4%), LinkedIn (8;8.1%), Instagram (2;2.0%) and Twitter (1; 1.0%).Majority of the respondents (66; 46.5%) used the social media for social interaction; 43 (30.3%) of them used them to interact and collaborate with colleagues; 21 (14.8%) utilized them for patients' education. Only 6 (4.2%) of the respondents used the social media for marketing of their practice.Fifty-two (59.9%) of the respondents believed that the use of social media had enhanced their practiceConclusion: The study has shown that majority of the ophthalmologists and residents interviewed were on the social media platform. However, social interaction with friends was the major reason they use the social media.Keywords: Social media, use, ophthalmologists and ophthalmologist-in-trainin

The Effects of Self-Esteem on Attribution Making in Close versus Casual Relationships

This study explored the effect of self-esteem on attributions made in close and acquaintance relationships. It was predicted that people are more likely to attribute negative events to others and are also more likely to attribute positive events to themselves. This trend was expected more in casual relationships than in close relationships and also more for people with high self-esteem than people with low self-esteem. Students answered questions about hypothetical scenarios involving either a best friend or casual acquaintance. The measurements used in the survey were the Relationship Attribution Measure and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The second and third hypotheses received limited support. The importance of looking at friendships is exemplified by the importance of relationships to human nature

Pluses and Minuses of a Carbon Tax

Either a tax or a cap can put a price on climate pollution. The goal is to reduce it. Published as Letter to the Editor in the New York Times on June 15th, 2015

Molecular and Physiological Factors of Neuroprotection in Hypoxia-Tolerant Models: Pharmacological Clues for the Treatment of Stroke

The naked mole-rat possesses several unique physiological and molecular features that underlie their remarkably and exceptional resistance to tissue hypoxia. Elevated pattern of Epo, an erythropoietin (Epo) factor; c-fos; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α) contribute to the adaptive strategy to cope with hypoxic stress. Moreover, the naked mole-rat has a lower metabolic rate than any other eutherian mammal of comparable size that has been studied. The ability to actively reduce metabolic rate represents a strategy widely used in the face of decreased tissue oxygen availability. Understanding the different molecular and physiological factors that induce metabolic suppression could guide the development of pharmacological agents for the clinical management of stroke patient