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Thermal data loggers have been used to monitor nest activity for a variety of avian species, primarily by identifying a difference in temperature between the relatively cool environment and the nest, which is warmed by nestlings or attendant adults. Many grassland songbirds, however, nest in warm environments where ambient and nest temperatures are frequently similar, which may limit the ability to identify nesting events from temperature data. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and potential impact of monitoring nests of grassland songbirds with thermal data loggers. We focus on a grassland-obligate species, Botteri's Sparrow (Peucaea botterii), that nests in hot, semiarid grasslands. We located and monitored 225 nests in southeastern Arizona, USA, and placed data loggers below the surface of the nest lining at a subset of 28 nests. To contrast nest temperatures with ambient temperatures, we placed a second data logger in similar vegetation within 3 m of the nest. Data loggers did not affect daily survival rates of nests. We were able to identify the date the nesting attempt ended (i.e., failure or fledging) correctly for all nests based on temperature data recorded during the cool period of the daily temperature cycle when data loggers placed below the nest lining averaged 3.9 °C warmer than the environment. During the hot period of the daily cycle, we were able to identify nest cessation correctly for only 46% of nests. Our study demonstrates that thermal data loggers can be used to monitor nest survival of grassland birds successfully provided that ambient temperatures are measurably lower than nest temperatures for at least part of the daily cycle. This provides an alternative to intensive observer-based monitoring that can increase the precision of survival estimates while potentially reducing cost, effort, and risk of disturbance to this group of high conservation concern. Sensores térmicos (“thermal data loggers”) han sido usados para monitorear la actividad de anidación de varias especies de aves, principalmente identificando la diferencia de temperatura entre el ambiente relativamente fresco y el nido, que es calentado por anidamiento o por ocupantes adultos. Muchas aves canoras, sin embargo, anidan en ambientes tibios en donde las temperaturas ambientales y del nido son frecuentemente similares, lo que podría limitar la habilidad de identificar los eventos de anidación a partir de datos de temperatura. Aquí evaluamos la eficacia y el impacto potencial de monitorear nidos de aves canoras con sensores térmicos. Nos enfocamos en una especie de asociación obligatoria a pastizales, el chingolo de Botteri. (“Peucaea botterii”) que anida en pastizales cálidos semiáridos. Localizamos y monitoreamos 225 nidos en el sureste de Arizona, EEUU, y colocamos sensores térmicos bajo el recubrimiento del nido en una submuestra de 28 nidos. Para contrastar la temperatura de los nidos con la temperatura ambiental, colocamos un sensor térmico sobre vegetación similar a una distancia menor de 3 m del nido. Los sensores térmicos no afectaron la tasa de supervivencia diaria de los nidos. Pudimos identificar la fecha en que el intento de anidación terminó (es decir, fallo o emancipación) correctamente para todos los nidos con base en la temperatura registrada durante las horas más frías del ciclo diario cuando los sensores térmicos que estaban bajo la superficie del recubrimiento del nido marcaban una temperatura 3.9 °C mayor a la temperatura ambiental. Durante las horas más cálidas del ciclo diario pudimos identificar el final de la anidación solamente en el 46% de los nidos. Nuestro estudio demuestra que los sensores térmicos pueden ser usados para monitorear la supervivencia del nido de aves de pastizal exitosamente dado que las temperaturas ambientales son considerablemente más bajas que las temperaturas del nido al menos durante parte del ciclo diario. Esto da una alternativa al monitoreo intensivo basado en observadores que puede aumentar la precisión de las estimaciones de sobrevivencia y a la vez podría reducir costos, esfuerzos y riesgos de perturbación a este grupo de alto interés de conservación. Palabras clave: abundancia de nidos, efecto del observador, éxito de nidos, iButton, temperatura de nidos.

Thermal data loggers have been used to monitor nest activity for a variety of avian species, primarily by identifying a difference in temperature between the relatively cool environment and the nest, which is wanned by nestlings or attendant adults. Many grassland songbirds, however, nest in warm environments where ambient and nest temperatures are frequently similar, which may limit the ability to identify nesting events from temperature data. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and potential impact of monitoring nests of grassland songbirds with thermal data loggers. We focus on a grassland-obligate species, Botteri's Sparrow (Peucaea botteiii), that nests in hot, semiarid grasslands. We located and monitored 225 nests in southeastern Arizona, USA, and placed data loggers below the surface of the nest lining at a subset of 28 nests. To contrast nest temperatures with ambient temperatures, we placed a second data logger in similar vegetation within 3 m of the nest. Data loggers did not affect daily survival rates of nests. We were able to identify the date the nesting attempt ended (i.e., failure or fledging) correctly for all nests based on temperature data recorded during the cool period of the daily temperature cycle when data loggers placed below the nest lining averaged 3.9 [degrees]C warmer than the environment. During the hot period of the daily cycle, we were able to identify nest cessation correctly for only 46% of nests. Our study demonstrates that thermal data loggers can be used to monitor nest survival of grassland birds successfully provided that ambient temperatures are measurably lower than nest temperatures for at least part of the daily cycle. This provides an alternative to intensive observerbased monitoring that can increase the precision of survival estimates while potentially reducing cost, effort, and risk of disturbance to this group of high conservation concern. Received 28 December 2020. Accepted 26 May 2022.

Our current understanding of the factors that influence where birds nest is incomplete, yet such information is important for accurate demographic assessments. To address questions related to spatial distributions of shorebird nests and to evaluate factors that may affect nest distribution in these species, during 2017 and 2019, we studied a small population of semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla breeding in the Central Canadian Arctic, near the Karrak Lake Research Station, in Nunavut. The spatial distribution of semipalmated sandpiper nests at this site suggested loose aggregation, with median nearest neighbor distances of 73.8 m and 92.0 m in 2017 and 2019, respectively, while no nests were detected on mainland areas in the vicinity. Evidence for the influence of nesting distribution on the daily survival rate of nests, however, was mixed. Neither nearest neighbor distance nor local nest density had a significant effect on daily nest survival in 2017, but in 2019, the best approximating model included an effect of local nest density, which indicated that nests in areas of high density had reduced survival rates. Contrary to other studies assessing settlement and nest site selection in semipalmated sandpipers, the spatial distribution of nests in this population demonstrates aggregation in an otherwise territorial species, but suggests that aggregated nesting can impose a cost on nest survival under certain conditions. Semipalmated sandpipers are monogamous and territorial and are expected to avoid nesting in close proximity to conspecifics. We study an aggregated population nesting in the Canadian Arctic and test for the impacts of nest density and nearest neighbor distance on nest success.

The larval period of the three-lined salamander was studied over an elevational gradient in the Chattooga River watershed of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Hatching, in late winter and early spring, occurred earlier at lower elevations of the watershed. Most larvae in populations at lower elevations metamorphosed in the first year, 5–6 mo after hatching, whereas those in higher elevation populations overwintered and metamorphosed early in their second year after a 14–15 mo larval period. Contrary to expectation, we found no definitive evidence that this difference stemmed from variation in first-year larval growth. Moreover, the larval habitats (bogs, pools along sluggish streams) showed no variation in temperature associated with elevation. However, mid to late summer drying occurred in both lower elevation habitats, but not in either higher site. We propose that the observed variation in larval period reflected the norm of reaction of Eurycea guttolineata to the degree of permanency of larval habitats.

To test the hypothesis that lecturing maximizes learning and course performance, we metaanalyzed 225 studies that reported data on examination scores or failure rates when comparing student performance in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses under traditional lecturing versus active learning. The effect sizes indicate that on average, student performance on examinations and concept inventories increased by 0.47 SDs under active learning (n = 158 studies), and that the odds ratio for failing was 1.95 under traditional lecturing (n = 67 studies). These results indicate that average examination scores improved by about 6% in active learning sections, and that students in classes with traditional lecturing were 1.5 times more likely to fail than were students in classes with active learning. Heterogeneity analyses indicated that both results hold across the STEM disciplines, that active learning increases scores on concept inventories more than on course examinations, and that active learning appears effective across all class sizes—although the greatest effects are in small (n ≤ 50) classes. Trim and fill analyses and fail-safe n calculations suggest that the results are not due to publication bias. The results also appear robust to variation in the methodological rigor of the included studies, based on the quality of controls over student quality and instructor identity. This is the largest and most comprehensive metaanalysis of undergraduate STEM education published to date. The results raise questions about the continued use of traditional lecturing as a control in research studies, and support active learning as the preferred, empirically validated teaching practice in regular classrooms.

ObjectivesSchwannomatosis is a dominantly inherited condition predisposing to schwannomas of mainly spinal and peripheral nerves with some diagnostic overlap with neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2), but the underlying epidemiology is poorly understood. We present the birth incidence and prevalence allowing for overlap with NF2.MethodsSchwannomatosis and NF2 cases were ascertained from the Manchester region of England (population=4.8 million) and from across the UK. Point prevalence and birth incidence were calculated from regional birth statistics. Genetic analysis was also performed on NF2, LZTR1 and SMARCB1 on blood and tumour DNA samples when available.ResultsRegional prevalence for schwannomatosis and NF2 were 1 in 126 315 and 50 500, respectively, with calculated birth incidences of 1 in 68 956 and 1 in 27 956. Mosaic NF2 causes a substantial overlap with schwannomatosis resulting in the misdiagnosis of at least 9% of schwannomatosis cases. LZTR1-associated schwannomatosis also causes a small number of cases that are misdiagnosed with NF2 (1%–2%), due to the occurrence of a unilateral vestibular schwannoma. Patients with schwannomatosis had lower numbers of non-vestibular cranial schwannomas, but more peripheral and spinal nerve schwannomas with pain as a predominant presenting symptom. Life expectancy was significantly better in schwannomatosis (mean age at death 76.9) compared with NF2 (mean age at death 66.2; p=0.004).ConclusionsWithin the highly ascertained North-West England population, schwannomatosis has less than half the birth incidence and prevalence of NF2.

People with HIV (PWH) are at increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Proportions of vascular homing monocytes are enriched in PWH; however, little is known regarding monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) that may drive atherosclerosis in this population. We isolated PBMCs from people with and without HIV, and cultured these cells for 5 days in medium containing autologous serum to generate MDMs. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of MDMs from PWH identified broad alterations in innate immune signaling (IL-1β, TLR expression, PPAR βδ) and lipid processing (LXR/RXR, ACPP, SREBP1). Transcriptional changes aligned with the functional capabilities of these cells. Expression of activation markers and innate immune receptors (CD163, TLR4, and CD300e) was altered on MDMs from PWH, and these cells produced more TNFα, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) than did cells from people without HIV. MDMs from PWH also had greater lipid accumulation and uptake of oxidized LDL. PWH had increased serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and ceramides, with enrichment of saturated FAs and a reduction in polyunsaturated FAs. Levels of lipid classes and species that are associated with CVD correlated with unique DGE signatures and altered metabolic pathway activation in MDMs from PWH. Here, we show that MDMs from PWH display a pro-atherogenic phenotype; they readily form foam cells, have altered transcriptional profiles, and produce mediators that likely contribute to accelerated ASCVD.

Introduction and hypothesis This prospective multi-centre true two-sided equivalence trial was designed to test the clinical equivalence of open (ASCP) and laparoscopic (LSCP) sacrocolpopexy using objective and subjective outcomes Methods The study was carried out in three urogynaecology units in England, UK and the patient population consisted of women referred with symptomatic and bothersome post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse at least 1 cm above or beyond the hymeneal remnants. The interventions were either abdominal or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy following randomisation to one of the types of surgery. Results For the primary outcome (point C on the POP-Q) the results at 1 year were −6.63 cm for the open ASCP and −6.67 cm for the LSCP respectively. Subjective outcomes at 1 year showed that 90% of the ASCP group and 80% of the LSCP group were “much better”. There were improvements with regard to blood loss, haemoglobin and shorter length of stay in the LSCP group compared with the ASCP group. Conclusion This fully powered randomised controlled trial comparing open and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy has shown clinical equivalence.

Rapid global warming of 5° to 10°C during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) coincided with major turnover in vertebrate faunas, but previous studies have found little floral change. Plant fossils discovered in Wyoming, United States, show that PETM floras were a mixture of native and migrant lineages and that plant range shifts were large and rapid (occurring within 10,000 years). Floral composition and leaf shape and size suggest that climate warmed by [approximately]5°C during the PETM and that precipitation was low early in the event and increased later. Floral response to warming and/or increased atmospheric CO₂ during the PETM was comparable in rate and magnitude to that seen in postglacial floras and to the predicted effects of anthropogenic carbon release and climate change on future vegetation.

Promotion of facial cleanliness is recommended for the elimination of blinding trachoma, largely because of observational studies that have found an association between various measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. However, when a field grader assesses both facial cleanliness and trachoma, associations may be biased. Assessment of photographs of the face and conjunctiva by masked graders may provide a less biased estimate of the relationship between facial cleanliness and trachoma. Face photographs, conjunctival photographs, and conjunctival swabs were obtained on a random sample of 0-9-year-old children from each of 40 communities in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Face photographs were assessed for the presence of seven measures of an unclean face (i.e., wet nasal discharge, dry nasal discharge, wet ocular discharge, dry ocular discharge, food, dust/dirt, and flies) by three independent masked photo-graders. Conjunctival photographs were similarly graded in a masked fashion for signs of clinically active trachoma. Conjunctival swabs were processed for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA. Of 2073 children with complete data, 808 (39%) had evidence of clinically active trachoma, 150 (7%) had evidence of ocular chlamydia infection, and 2524 (91%) had at least one measure of an unclean face. Dry ocular discharge had the strongest association with clinically active trachoma (age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratio [PR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6) and ocular chlamydia infection (PR 1.9, 95%CI 1.3-2.9), although significant associations were observed between each of the measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. Masked assessment of face and conjunctival photographs confirmed prior observational studies that have noted associations between various measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. The causal relationship between facial uncleanliness and trachoma is unclear since many features used to measure facial cleanliness (e.g., ocular discharge, nasal discharge, and flies) could be consequences of antecedent ocular chlamydia infection. NCT02754583, clinicaltrials.gov.