Cold Tolerance and Overwintering Physiology of the Salvinia Weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae): Improving the Biological Control of Giant Salvinia in Temperate Louisiana

Cyrtobagous salviniae is widely used for biological control of Salvinia molesta. Despite success in tropical and subtropical regions, the effectiveness of C. salviniae on S. molesta is inconsistent in temperate regions, indicating the need for a better understanding of the thermal biology of this agent. The objectives of this study were to compare cold tolerance of C. salviniae populations from the temperate native range and Louisiana, and characterize the overwintering physiology and population dynamics of C. salviniae in Louisiana. Surveys of the Lower Paraná-Uruguay Delta resulted in the first record of C. salviniae in Uruguay, and revealed the most southern distribution of this species in Argentina and Uruguay. Survival at 0°C was 1.5-times greater, chill coma recovery time was 1.8-times faster, and SCP was 1.2-times lower in the Argentine population compared to the Louisiana population. These findings show that the Argentine provenance should be considered for managing S. molesta in temperate regions. Besides host range tests, cross breeding between the Louisiana and Argentine populations should be investigated to determine the life histories of any possible hybrid. Laboratory assays demonstrated phenotypic plasticity in the cold tolerance of populations from central and southern Louisiana when acclimated to winter conditions. Survival at 0°C was 1.8- and 1.7-times greater, critical thermal minimum was 1.2- and 1.3-times lower, and chill coma recovery time was 2.7- and 1.5-times faster in the winter treatments compared to summer treatments, for both populations (central and south, respectively). Seasonal changes in reproductive status, fat body, and water content were evident from the field study, and are speculated to contribute to the overwintering success of adults at both sites. Adult and larval densities showed that populations were most vulnerable in the late winter/early spring, presumably when water temperatures and host plant quality have not yet recovered. Seasonal monitoring of the physiological status and population dynamics should be conducted to improve the timing of releases and predicting the success of S. molesta control. In conclusion, the management of S. molesta in northern Louisiana should incorporate releases of cold tolerant populations, and seasonal monitoring of physiology and population dynamics of C. salviniae

Working Together? A Situational Analysis of Combining Prevention Efforts Targeting Obesity and Eating Disorders in Schools

The serious consequences and difficulties with treatment of obesity and eating disorders have prompted many to suggest focusing on prevention. Although most often considered distinct conditions with competing needs, some have advocated for an integrated approach to the prevention of a spectrum of weight-related issues including obesity and eating disorders. Despite a strong rationale for focusing prevention on the spectrum of weight-related issues, tensions exist with regard to whether this is feasible or best practice. The current study used situational analysis to explore the tensions associated with the broader situation of preventing weight-related issues in schools. Semi-structed interviews and document reviews were conducted to explore whether efforts targeting obesity and eating disorders can be combined. Results emphasized the importance of creating space for conversations that acknowledge the complexity of integration and embrace the multiplicity of perspectives

Dynamic Seating: Effects on Primary School Student Classroom Behavior

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed data obtained from two studies on the effects of dynamic seating on classroom behaviors (Ivory, 2011; Kuhn & Lewis, 2013). METHOD: Through the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) and student self-report, the effects of traditional desks, Zuma ® chairs, Disc ‘O’ Sit © cushions, standing desks, FootFidget ® with typical desks, and FootFidget ® with standing desks on 2nd and 4th grade student classroom behavior were analyzed. RESULTS: A repeated measures analysis of variance test revealed significant differences on student work neatness when using traditional desks, Disc ‘O’ Sit © cushions, Zuma ® chairs, and standing desks. When analyzed as a group, differences were significant for work completion or attention. CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggest that no single type of dynamic seating intervention is universally effective to improve classroom behavior of all students. Thus, dynamic seating interventions should reflect the unique sensory needs of the individual student

The Impact of Professional Development About Weight-Related Issues for Pre-Service Teachers: A Pilot Study

Many teachers do not have a working knowledge of body image or weight issues. This pilot project examined body image satisfaction and eating/weight-related behaviours before and after a professional in-service with physical education pre-service teachers (N = 16). At the three- month follow-up, measures were repeated and qualitative data (critical incidents and a focus group) about the impact on teaching practice was collected. Results showed no significant changes, however pre-service teachers indicated (a) attempting to lose weight or gain muscle (despite many being in a healthy weight range), and (b) having a biased approach to weight-related issues. Pre-service teachers, particularly those specializing in physical education, are not immune to cultural messages that perpetuate the thin ideal. Future evaluation with a larger sample that formally measures implicit and explicit weight-bias is needed. Providing professional development for pre-service teachers may promote more positive practice about body image, weight-bias, and weight/eating-related concerns in schools. Plusieurs enseignants n’ont pas une connaissance pratique de l’image du corps ou des problèmes de poids. Ce projet pilote a porté sur la satisfaction quant à l’image corporelle et sur les comportements relatifs à l’alimentation et au poids avant et après une intervention professionnelle en cours de formation auprès de stagiaires en éducation physique (N = 16). Lors du suivi trois mois plus tard, on a répété des mesures et collecté des données qualitatives (incidents critiques et groupe de discussion) quant à l’impact sur la pratique pédagogique. Si les résultats n’indiquent aucun changement significatif, les stagiaires ont tout de même indiqué qu’ils (a) essayaient de maigrir ou d’augmenter leur masse musculaire, et (b) qu’ils avaient une approche biaisée par rapport aux questions liées au poids corporel. Les stagiaires, notamment ceux en éducation physique, ne sont pas insensibles aux messages culturels qui diffusent un idéal de minceur. Il faudra une autre évaluation avec un plus grand échantillon et des mesures formelles des préjugés implicites et explicites relatifs à la minceur. Offrir aux stagiaires des occasions de développement professionnel pourrait encourager une pratique plus positive quant à l’image du corps, aux préjugés relatifs au poids et aux préoccupations en matière de poids et d’alimentation dans les écoles

Disclosing an Eating Disorder: A Situational Analysis of Online Accounts

Disclosing a mental illness can be difficult, especially for those affected by eating disorders. Individuals impacted by eating disorders often worry that disclosing their situation may lead to fear, judgment, and stigmatization. Online eating disorder communities have become increasingly popular, hosting thousands of users worldwide, and may be safe places for individuals with eating disorders to communicate and connect. In this postmodern study, we utilized situational analysis to examine online accounts on publically accessible websites where individuals discussed disclosing eating disorders. Situational Analysis utilizes illustrative mapping techniques to demonstrate the complexity of the situation of inquiry, allowing researchers to highlight heterogeneities. Our findings demonstrated (a) the fight that frequently occurs after an eating disorder disclosure, (b) the notion that eating disorders are a monstrous issue, and (c) stigmatization one experiences after disclosing and when considering to disclose. This study has potential to inform educational recommendations given to the public about disclosures and stigma in regard to eating disorders, as well as earlier identification and treatment outcomes for individuals with eating disorders

Getting Off on the Right Foot: Addressing Severe Lymphedema through a Novel Shoe Design

Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) is a service-learning design program run by the College of Engineering at Purdue University. EPICS teaches students design skills by providing solutions for individuals, communities, and organizations in the surrounding area while mirroring engineering industry standards. Biomedical Engineering is a team within EPICS that strives to serve community partners through biomedical applications. HR is a patient who suffers from severe lymphedema. This condition results in her foot swelling three times its original size and requires her to utilize weekly leg compression therapy. Prescription shoes are slightly adequate. However, they lead to sores and pain due to fitting improperly and the expansion of her legs before her next compression treatment. HR reached out to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering to seek a solution. This project entails the design and fabrication of a prototype shoe that addresses the patient’s need to walk with shoes while effectively accommodating her symptoms. The user needs include condition accommodation, aesthetics, comfort, ease of use, cost, utility, and standardized documentation language. The design uses a novel break-sole passive expansion system that exceeds the normal passive expandable properties of other shoes, in addition to several expandable points that aid in functionality and comfort. The goal is that with this product, HR can get back to the things that she loves, including photography and hiking

A Four-Year, Seven-State Reforestation Trial with Eastern Hemlocks (\u3cem\u3eTsuga canadensis\u3c/em\u3e) Resistant to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (\u3cem\u3eAdelges tsugae\u3c/em\u3e)

We conducted over a decade of research into individual eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis; hemlock) trees that are potentially resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae; HWA), an invasive xylem-feeding insect that is capable of rapidly killing even mature trees. Following clonal propagation of these individuals, in 2015 we planted size- and age-matched HWA-resistant and HWA-susceptible hemlocks in HWA-infested forest plots in seven states. In 2019, we re-surveyed the plots; 96% of HWA-resistant hemlocks survived compared to 48% of susceptible trees. The surviving HWA-resistant trees were also taller, produced more lateral growth, retained more foliage, and supported lower densities of the elongate hemlock scale Fiorinia externa, another invasive hemlock pest, than the surviving HWA-susceptible trees. Our results suggest that HWA management may benefit from additional research exploring the identification, characterization, and use of HWA-resistant eastern hemlocks in future reforestation efforts

Atypical functional connectivity during unfamiliar music listening in children with autism

Background: Atypical processing of unfamiliar, but less so familiar, stimuli has been described in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in particular in relation to face processing. We examined the construct of familiarity in ASD using familiar and unfamiliar songs, to investigate the link between familiarity and autism symptoms, such as repetitive behavior. Methods: Forty-eight children, 24 with ASD (21 males, mean age = 9.96 years ± 1.54) and 24 typically developing (TD) controls (21 males, mean age = 10.17 ± 1.90) completed a music familiarity task using individually identified familiar compared to unfamiliar songs, while magnetoencephalography (MEG) was recorded. Each song was presented for 30 s. We used both amplitude envelope correlation (AEC) and the weighted phase lag index (wPLI) to assess functional connectivity between specific regions of interest (ROI) and non-ROI parcels, as well as at the whole brain level, to understand what is preserved and what is impaired in familiar music listening in this population. Results: Increased wPLI synchronization for familiar vs. unfamiliar music was found for typically developing children in the gamma frequency. There were no significant differences within the ASD group for this comparison. During the processing of unfamiliar music, we demonstrated left lateralized increased theta and beta band connectivity in children with ASD compared to controls. An interaction effect found greater alpha band connectivity in the TD group compared to ASD to unfamiliar music only, anchored in the left insula.Conclusion: Our results revealed atypical processing of unfamiliar songs in children with ASD, consistent with previous studies in other modalities reporting that processing novelty is a challenge for ASD. Relatively typical processing of familiar stimuli may represent a strength and may be of interest to strength-based intervention planning.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Comparison of Neuroelectrophysiology Databases

As data sharing has become more prevalent, three pillars - archives, standards, and analysis tools - have emerged as critical components in facilitating effective data sharing and collaboration. This paper compares four freely available intracranial neuroelectrophysiology data repositories: Data Archive for the BRAIN Initiative (DABI), Distributed Archives for Neurophysiology Data Integration (DANDI), OpenNeuro, and Brain-CODE. These archives provide researchers with tools to store, share, and reanalyze neurophysiology data though the means of accomplishing these objectives differ. The Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) and Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) are utilized by these archives to make data more accessible to researchers by implementing a common standard. While many tools are available to reanalyze data on and off the archives' platforms, this article features Reproducible Analysis and Visualization of Intracranial EEG (RAVE) toolkit, developed specifically for the analysis of intracranial signal data and integrated with the discussed standards and archives. Neuroelectrophysiology data archives improve how researchers can aggregate, analyze, distribute, and parse these data, which can lead to more significant findings in neuroscience research.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

A methylation risk score for chronic kidney disease: a HyperGEN study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts about 1 in 7 adults in the United States, but African Americans (AAs) carry a disproportionately higher burden of disease. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites, have been linked to kidney function and may have clinical utility in predicting the risk of CKD. Given the dynamic relationship between the epigenome, environment, and disease, AAs may be especially sensitive to environment-driven methylation alterations. Moreover, risk models incorporating CpG methylation have been shown to predict disease across multiple racial groups. In this study, we developed a methylation risk score (MRS) for CKD in cohorts of AAs. We selected nine CpG sites that were previously reported to be associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in epigenome-wide association studies to construct a MRS in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN). In logistic mixed models, the MRS was significantly associated with prevalent CKD and was robust to multiple sensitivity analyses, including CKD risk factors. There was modest replication in validation cohorts. In summary, we demonstrated that an eGFR-based CpG score is an independent predictor of prevalent CKD, suggesting that MRS should be further investigated for clinical utility in evaluating CKD risk and progression