Smaller = denser, and the brain knows it: natural statistics of object density shape weight expectations.

If one nondescript object's volume is twice that of another, is it necessarily twice as heavy? As larger objects are typically heavier than smaller ones, one might assume humans use such heuristics in preparing to lift novel objects if other informative cues (e.g., material, previous lifts) are unavailable. However, it is also known that humans are sensitive to statistical properties of our environments, and that such sensitivity can bias perception. Here we asked whether statistical regularities in properties of liftable, everyday objects would bias human observers' predictions about objects' weight relationships. We developed state-of-the-art computer vision techniques to precisely measure the volume of everyday objects, and also measured their weight. We discovered that for liftable man-made objects, "twice as large" doesn't mean "twice as heavy": Smaller objects are typically denser, following a power function of volume. Interestingly, this "smaller is denser" relationship does not hold for natural or unliftable objects, suggesting some ideal density range for objects designed to be lifted. We then asked human observers to predict weight relationships between novel objects without lifting them; crucially, these weight predictions quantitatively match typical weight relationships shown by similarly-sized objects in everyday environments. These results indicate that the human brain represents the statistics of everyday objects and that this representation can be quantitatively abstracted and applied to novel objects. Finally, that the brain possesses and can use precise knowledge of the nonlinear association between size and weight carries important implications for implementation of forward models of motor control in artificial systems

The Ambiguity of Panem: Capitalism, Nationalism, and Sexuality in Suzanne Collins\u27 The Hunger Games Series

The publication of and the critical and public success of Suzanne Collins\u27 The Hunger Games trilogy marks a significant departure from the norms of traditionally-popular young adult literature, particularly in its portrayal of a fiercely active female protagonist. This thesis argues that despite the noticeable progress these novels make in representing a strong female character, The Hunger Games series fails to adequately challenge other important aspects of oppression. I conduct a feminist literary analysis of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, focusing specifically on representations of capitalism and commodification, national and district pride, and sexual objectification and sexual harassment of female characters. Informed by feminist literary theory, this thesis provides a more nuanced analysis of the series and questions the degree to which it advances feminist goals. I demonstrate that, in addition to Katniss\u27 lack of agency, the pro-capitalist and pro-nationalist aspects of The Hunger Games series signal a departure from an anti-oppressive, feminist agenda

Confirmation bias without rhyme or reason

Having a confirmation bias sometimes leads us to hold inaccurate beliefs. So, the puzzle goes: why do we have it? According to the influential argumentative theory of reasoning, confirmation bias emerges because the primary function of reason is not to form accurate beliefs, but to convince others that we’re right. A crucial prediction of the theory, then, is that confirmation bias should be found only in the reasoning domain. In this article, we argue that there is evidence that confirmation bias does exist outside the reasoning domain. This undermines the main evidential basis for the argumentative theory of reasoning. In presenting the relevant evidence, we explore why having such confirmation bias may not be maladaptive

Analyzing the Gut Microbiome of Human Populations in Crawford County

Human microbiota is the collection of microbes living in and on our body. Microbial cells outnumber human cells by 10 to 1 in a healthy human body. Previous studies demonstrated the gut microbiome from human samples correlate with disease, diet, and other human characteristics. Three microbe families that are prevalent are Bacterioidaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Lachnospiraceae/ Ruminocooaceae. Even though studies have found a link between microbiome and health, the role in chronic diseases has yet to be elucidated. To determine the type of bacteria in the human microbiome, 16S rRNA gene sequence data is isolated and examined from human DNA. Wastewater serves as a source for human microorganisms. DNA is extracted from the microorganisms and isolated so the 16S rRNA is tagged and fragmented. Bacterial genome libraries are available to provide descriptions to match laboratory results of the unidentified sequenced DNA to known labeled bacterial sequences. Studies have been conducted in many cities and have identified diseases that correlate with human samples of microorganisms. There is interest in the gut microbiome of the residents in Crawford County, the role of the microbiome in chronic diseases, and the significant impact on human health. In our study, we will collect the influent wastewater from Pittsburg, KS and surrounding communities, and analyze the gut microbiome

miR-786 Regulation of a Fatty-Acid Elongase Contributes to Rhythmic Calcium-Wave Initiation in \u3cem\u3eC. elegans\u3c/em\u3e

Background: Rhythmic behaviors are ubiquitous phenomena in animals. In C. elegans, defecation is an ultradian rhythmic behavior: every ∼50 s a calcium wave initiating in the posterior intestinal cells triggers the defecation motor program that comprises three sequential muscle contractions. Oscillatory calcium signaling is central to the periodicity of defecation. The posteriormost intestinal cells function as the pacemaker for this rhythmic behavior, although it is unclear how the supremacy of these cells for calcium-wave initiation is controlled. Results: We describe how the loss of the mir-240/786 microRNA cluster, which results in arrhythmic defecation, causes ectopic intestinal calcium-wave initiation. mir-240/786 expression in the intestine is restricted to the posterior cells that function as the defecation pacemaker. Genetic data indicate that mir-240/786 functions upstream of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor. Through rescue analysis, it was determined that miR-786 functions to regulate defecation. Furthermore, we identified elo-2, a fatty-acid elongase with a known role in defecation cycling, as a direct target for miR-786. We propose that the regulation of palmitate levels through repression of elo-2 activity is the likely mechanistic link to defecation. Conclusions: Together, these data indicate that miR-786 confers pacemaker status on posterior intestinal cells for the control of calcium-wave initiation through the regulation of elo-2 and, subsequently, palmitate levels. We propose that a difference in fatty-acid composition in the posterior intestinal cells may alter the activities of membrane proteins, such as IP3-receptor or TRPM channels, that control pacemaker activity in the C. elegans intestine

Who’s afraid of response bias?

Response bias (or criterion) contamination is insidious in studies of consciousness: that observers report they do not see a stimulus may not mean they have absolutely no subjective experience; they may be giving such reports in relative terms in the context of other stimuli. Bias-free signal detection theoretic measures provide an excellent method for avoiding response bias confounds, and many researchers correctly adopt this approach. However, here we discuss how a fixation on avoiding criterion effects can also be misleading and detrimental to fruitful inquiry. In a recent paper, Balsdon and Azzopardi (Absolute and relative blindsight. Consciousness and Cognition 2015; 32:79–91.) claimed that contamination by response bias led to flawed findings in a previous report of “relative blindsight”. We argue that their criticisms are unfounded. They mistakenly assumed that others were trying (and failing) to apply their preferred methods to remove bias, when there was no such intention. They also dismissed meaningful findings because of their dependence on criterion, but such dismissal is problematic: many real effects necessarily depend on criterion. Unfortunately, these issues are technically tedious, and we discuss how they may have confused others to misapply psychophysical metrics and to draw questionable conclusions about the nature of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)-induced blindsight. We conclude by discussing the conceptual importance of criterion effects in studies of conscious awareness: we need to treat them carefully, but not to avoid them without thinking

Inspired by Real Events: Libraries Transforming Students into Engaged Citizens

In the current political environment, librarians remain committed to the democratic ideals of higher education by encouraging students to become engaged citizens. This panel session will demonstrate the ways in which libraries are critical partners in implementing and assessing service learning programs linked to institutional mission. Librarians from different institutions will share ideas including developing service learning partnerships with the library, executing different models for programs and projects, reshaping library instruction and collection policies, advocating for and receiving library administrative support, and structural opportunities for integrating community information into the mission of academic libraries. The panelists will demonstrate how academic library partnerships on campus enhance and enrich the educational experience of students toward advancing the public good