274 research outputs found
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Open science, communal culture, and womenâs participation in the movement to improve science
Science is undergoing rapid change with the movement to improve science focused largely on reproducibility/replicability and open science practices. This moment of changeâin which science turns inward to examine its methods and practicesâprovides an opportunity to address its historic lack of diversity and noninclusive culture. Through network modeling and semantic analysis, we provide an initial exploration of the structure, cultural frames, and womenâs participation in the open science and reproducibility literatures (n = 2,926 articles and conference proceedings). Network analyses suggest that the open science and reproducibility literatures are emerging relatively independently of each other, sharing few common papers or authors. We next examine whether the literatures differentially incorporate collaborative, prosocial ideals that are known to engage members of underrepresented groups more than independent, winner-takes-all approaches. We find that open science has a more connected, collaborative structure than does reproducibility. Semantic analyses of paper abstracts reveal that these literatures have adopted different cultural frames: open science includes more explicitly communal and prosocial language than does reproducibility. Finally, consistent with literature suggesting the diversity benefits of communal and prosocial purposes, we find that women publish more frequently in high-status author positions (first or last) within open science (vs. reproducibility). Furthermore, this finding is further patterned by team size and time. Women are more represented in larger teams within reproducibility, and womenâs participation is increasing in open science over time and decreasing in reproducibility. We conclude with actionable suggestions for cultivating a more prosocial and diverse culture of science
The state of the Martian climate
60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981â2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes
Moderate exercise may attenuate some aspects of immunosenescence
BACKGROUND: Immunosenescence is related to the deterioration of many immune functions, which may be manifested in increased susceptibility to infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. Lifestyle factors, such as diet or physical activity, may influence the senescence of the immune system. It is widely accepted that moderate physical activity may cause beneficial effects for physical and psychological health as well as for the immune system activity in aged people. METHODS: Thirty elderly women aged 62 to 86 were subjected to a two-years authorized physical activity program. Peripheral blood lymphocytes distribution and the production of cytokines involved in the immune response development and regulation (IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-Îł) were investigated. The same parameters were evaluated in two control groups of women: a sedentary group of 12 elderly women selected for the second round of the physical activity program and in a group of 20 sedentary young women. Flow cytometry methods were used for the examination of surface markers on peripheral blood lymphocytes and intracellular cytokines expression. RESULTS: The distribution of the main lymphocytes subpopulations in the peripheral blood of elderly women did not show changes after long-term moderate physical training. The percentage of lymphocytes expressing intracellular IL-2 was higher in the group of women attending 2-years physical activity program than in the control group of elderly sedentary women, and it was similar to the value estimated in the group of young sedentary women. There was no difference in the intracellular expression of IL-4 and IFN-Îł between the active and elderly sedentary women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that moderate, long-term physical activity in elderly women may increase the production of IL-2, an important regulator of the immune response. This may help ameliorate immunosenescence in these women
A transferability model for brittle fracture including constraint and ductile tearing effects: a probabilistic approach
Neonatesâ responses to repeated exposure to a still face
The main aims of the study were to examine whether human neonates' responses to communication disturbance modelled by the still-face paradigm were stable and whether their responses were affected by their previous experience with the still-face paradigm.The still face procedure, as a laboratory model of interpersonal stress, was administered repeatedly, twice, to 84 neonates (0 to 4 day olds), with a delay of an average of 1.25 day.Frame-by-frame analysis of the frequency and duration of gaze, distressed face, crying, sleeping and sucking behaviours showed that the procedure was stressful to them both times, that is, the still face effect was stable after repeated administration and newborns consistently responded to such nonverbal violation of communication. They averted their gaze, showed distress and cried more during the still-face phase in both the first and the second administration. They also showed a carry-over effect in that they continued to avert their gaze and displayed increased distress and crying in the first reunion period, but their gaze behaviour changed with experience, in the second administration. While in the first administration the babies continued averting their gaze even after the stressful still-face phase was over, this carry-over effect disappeared in the second administration, and the babies significantly increased their gaze following the still-face phase.After excluding explanations of fatigue, habituation and random effects, a self-other regulatory model is discussed as a possible explanation for this pattern
Recruitment and retention of women in a large randomized control trial to reduce repeat preterm births: the Philadelphia Collaborative Preterm Prevention Project
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recruitment and retention of patients for randomized control trial (RCT) studies can provide formidable challenges, particularly with minority and underserved populations. Data are reported for the Philadelphia Collaborative Preterm Prevention Project (PCPPP), a large RCT targeting risk factors for repeat preterm births among women who previously delivered premature (< 35 weeks gestation) infants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Design of the PCPPP incorporated strategies to maximize recruitment and retention. These included an advanced database system tracking follow-up status and assessment completion rates; cultural sensitivity training for staff; communication to the community and eligible women of the benefits of participation; financial incentives; assistance with transportation and supervised childcare services; and reminder calls for convenient, flexibly scheduled appointments. Analyses reported here: 1) compare recruitment projections to actual enrollment 2) explore recruitment bias; 3) validate the randomization process 4) document the extent to which contact was maintained and complete assessments achieved 5) determine if follow-up was conditioned upon socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, or other factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of eligible women approached, 1,126 (77.7%) agreed to participate fully. Of the 324 not agreeing, 118 (36.4%) completed a short survey. Consenting women were disproportionately from minority and low SES backgrounds: 71.5% consenting were African American, versus 38.8% not consenting. Consenting women were also more likely to report homelessness during their lifetime (14.6% vs. 0.87%) and to be unmarried at the time of delivery (81.6% versus 47.9%). First one-month postpartum assessment was completed for 83.5% (n = 472) of the intervention group (n = 565) and 76% (426) of the control group. Higher assessment completion rates were observed for the intervention group throughout the follow-up. Second, third, fourth and fifth postpartum assessments were 67.6% vs. 57.5%, 60.0% vs. 48.9%, 54.2% vs. 46.3% and 47.3% vs. 40.8%, for the intervention and control group women, respectively. There were no differences in follow-up rates according to race/ethnicity, SES or other factors. Greater retention of the intervention group may reflect the highly-valued nature of the medical and behavior services constituting the intervention arms of the Project.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings challenge beliefs that low income and minority women are averse to enrolling and continuing in clinical trials or community studies.</p
The bodily social self: a link between phenomenal and narrative selfhood
The Phenomenal Self (PS) is widely considered to be dependent on body representations, whereas the Narrative Self (NS) is generally thought to rely on abstract cognitive representations. The concept of the Bodily Social Self (BSS) might play an important role in explaining how the high level cognitive self-representations enabling the NS might emerge from the bodily basis of the PS. First, the phenomenal self (PS) and narrative self (NS), are briefly examined. Next, the BSS is defined and its potential for explaining aspects of social cognition is explored. The minimal requirements for a BSS are considered, before reviewing empirical evidence regarding the development of the BSS over the first year of life. Finally, evidence on the involvement of the body in social distinctions between self and other is reviewed to illustrate how the BSS is affected by both the bottom up effects of multisensory stimulation and the top down effects of social identification
This work was supported by The Department of the Interior Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, which is managed by the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center.
53 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 28 cmThis report is designed as a living document to inform the community, decision makers, and academics and to serve as a learning and teaching tool. The nine key messages summarized on pages 6 and 7 are intended for use as a quick reference. Unique for this type of report, these key messages highlight actions by Juneau's civil society, including local nonprofit organizations.We thank the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) for its support in bringing this vital information on climate change
to the Juneau community and to others. Thanks especially to all the co-authors and other contributors. The
inclusion of such a diverse array of material, including local knowledge, was made possible by the many elders,
scientists, and local experts who contributed their time and expertise. The report is online at acrc.alaska.edu/
juneau-climate-report. It is an honor to be the lead editor and project manager for this critical effort. We have a
chance to save our world from the most extreme effects of climate change. Let us take it.
Gunalchéesh, sincerely,
James E. Powell (Jim), PhD, Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, UASWelcome / Thomas F. Thornton -- Juneau's climate report: History and background / Bruce Botelho -- Using this report -- Acknowledgements / James E. Powell -- A regional Indigenous perspective on adaptation: The Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska's Climate Change Adaptation Plan / Raymond Paddock -- Nine key messages -- What we're experiencing: Atmospheric, marine, terrestrial, and ecological effects. Climate. Setting and seasons / Tom Ainsworth -- More precipitation / Rick Thoman -- Higher temperatures / Rich Thoman -- Less snowfall / Eran Hood -- Ocean. Surface uplift and sea level rise / Eran Hood -- Extensive effects of a warming ocean / Heidi Pearson -- Increasing ocean acidification / Robert Foy -- Land. More landslides / Sonia Nagorski & Aaron Jacobs -- Mendenhall Glacier continues to retreat / Jason Amundson -- Tongass Forest impacts and carbon / Dave D'Amore -- Animals. Terrestrial vertebrates in A¿¿ak'w & T'aakÂżĆu Aani¿¿ / Richard Carstensen -- Three animals as indicators of change / Richard Carstensen -- Insects / Bob Armstrong -- What we're doing: Community response. Upgrading ifrastructure and mitigation / Katie Koester -- Upgrading utilities and other energy consumers / Alec Mesdag -- Growing demand for hydropower / Duff Mitchell -- Leading a shift in transportation / Duff Mitchell -- Maintaining mental health through community and recreation / Linda Kruger & Kevin Maier -- Food security / Darren Snyder & Jim Powell -- Large cruise ship air emissions / Jim Powell -- Tourists' views on climate change mitigation / Jim Powell -- Lowering greenhouse gas emissions / Jim Powell & Peggy Wilcox -- Residents taking action / Andy Romanoff & Jim Powell -- Summary and Recommendations -- References -- Graphics and data sources -- Appendix: Juneau nonprofit climate change organization
Effects of parental imprisonment on child antisocial behaviour and mental health: a systematic review
Parental imprisonment can cause many problems for the family left behind,
including difficulty organising childcare, loss of family income, trouble maintaining
contact with the imprisoned parent, stigma, and home, school and neighbourhood
moves. Children and parents can be distressed by the separation. Children may
respond by acting out or becoming withdrawn, anxious or depressed. We conducted
an exhaustive search for studies that examined children's antisocial behaviour and
mental health after parental imprisonment. We found 16 studies with appropriate
evidence. These studies all showed that children of prisoners are more likely than
other children to show antisocial and mental health problems. However, it was
unclear whether parental imprisonment actually caused these problems. They might
have been caused by other disadvantages in children's lives that existed before
parental imprisonment occurred. Children of prisoners are a vulnerable group. More
research is required to determine whether or not parental imprisonment causes an
increase in child antisocial behaviour and mental health problems
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