Research on illicit cultural artefacts

This paper examines whether we can have confidence in the scientific integrity of a research effort that could potentially be part of the illicit trade in cultural artefacts. As an example, I use the research on the ancient clay tablets from the Schøyen Collection. A closer study of the research product reveals questionable research practices, and the latter issue is then put into a wider context. After highlighting the importance of the research community as a social institution in shaping the norms and values of its members, and its influence on what is desirable research, I explore how these expectations and guidelines impact research conducted on illicit cultural artefacts.

Alaska Native Elder-Centered Research Methodology

Alaska Native (AN) Elders have historically been underrepresented in research. Innovative AN research posits that practice-based evidence is fundamental to culturally grounded, multifaceted methods. AN Elders is a cultural convention distinguishing Elders who continue to serve as an integral part of their family and community and recognized by their community as role models. Several studies will be discussed which employed Elders at every level of the research, ensuring cultural relevancy, outcomes, and dissemination activities. The findings lay the foundation for an Elder-centered research methodology that can be adapted and applied in other studies to encourage engagement of older adults. This methodology has potential to impact research for underrepresented groups and to rethink and reshape Western-centric practices. Findings from this research provides best practices for capacity building and sustainability, strategies for empowerment and prevention, and a framework for supporting the AN community in all phases of research.

Starlet Sea Anemone (Nematostella vectensis) 2021 Environmental Summary, Reptile & Aquatics, Stowers Institute for Medical Research v1

The starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) is an emerging model organism, and we have maintained a colony at the Stowers Institute since 2007. Nematostella are known as a simple sea anemone, related to other cnidarians such as jellyfish and corals. Native to estuarine environments across the Atlantic coast of North America, from Novia Scotia to Florida, they encounter a variety of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, salinity). Acknowledging that husbandry conditions and environmental parameters can impact research results we provide information about the housing, nutrition, maintenance, and health for our colony of Nematostella. This information will be applicable to any Nematostella housed in the facility in 2021.

Planaria 2021 Environmental Summary, Reptile & Aquatics, Stowers Institute for Medical Research v1

Planaria are an emerging model organism, and we have maintained a colony of asexual and sexual worms at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research since 2010. Their small size allows us to maintain a large census across several systems requiring a small footprint. The planaria systems at the Stowers Institute allow for standardization of husbandry and environmental parameters. Acknowledging that husbandry conditions and environmental parameters can impact research results we provide information about the housing, nutrition, maintenance, and health for our Planaria colonies. This information will be applicable to any Planaria housed in the facility in 2021.

Veiled Chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) 2021 Environmental Summary, Reptile & Aquatics, Stowers Institute for Medical Research v1

Veiled Chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) are an increasingly popular model organism, and we have maintained a colony at the Stowers Institute since 2010. Due to the poikilothermic nature of these animals, achieving the correct macro and microenvironments plays an important role in successful long term colony maintenance. Despite being bred in captivity for many generations, relatively little husbandry information has been published regarding housing in a research environment. Recognizing that husbandry conditions and environmental parameters can impact research results we provide information about the housing, husbandry, maintenance, nutrition, and health for our colony of Veiled Chameleons. This information will be applicable to any chameleon housed in the facility in 2021.

Affect on Alcheima Disease during Covid-19

The pandemic COVID-19 is generating worldwide disruption, straining health systems, causing morbidity and death, and placing people with ADRD in danger. In this article, we look at the present and anticipated implication son people with ADRD as a result of the epidemic. We examine and offer reducing measures and death in peopleCOVID-19’s effect on ADRD diagnosis and medical care in people with ADRD; and the COVID-19 repercussions of societal reactions in various ADRD care settings. COVID-19’s influence on physicians and caregivers of people with ADRD; stigma, mental health, and trauma during COVID19; and the prospective COVID-19 impact research on ADRD. Despite much uncertainty, we may be able to avoid or lessen the suffering caused by the epidemic of COVID-19implications for persons with ADRD and about their careers. Anticipated the potential patterns of COVID-19 effects in the world dependent on data gathered from Kaggle and used the Optum Labs Data Warehouse (OLDW),

Conflict of Interest at Microsurgery Conferences: Disclosure of Its Extent and Nature

Background Industry relationships and conflicts of interest can impact research funding, topics, and outcomes. Little research regarding the role of biomedical companies at microsurgery conferences is available. This study evaluates the role of industry at conferences by comparing payments received by speakers at the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgeons (ASRM) meeting with those received by speakers at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) meeting, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) meeting, and an average plastic surgeon. It also compares payments made by different companies. Methods General payments received by speakers at the 2017 ASAPS, ASPS, and ASRM conferences were collected from the Open Payments Database. Mean payments received at each conference were calculated and the Mann–Whitney U test evaluated differences between conference speakers and the average plastic surgeon. The total amount of payments from each company was collected through the Open Payments Database, and Z-tests identified which companies paid significantly more than others. Results The mean (and median) general payments made to conference speakers at ASAPS (n = 75), ASPS (n = 247), and ASRM (n = 121) were $75,577 ($861), $27,562 ($1,021), and $16,725 ($652), respectively. These payments were significantly greater (p < 0.001 for all) than those of the average plastic surgeon ($4,441 and $327), but not significantly different from each other. Allergan contributed significantly more than other companies to speakers at ASPS and ASAPS, while LifeCell Corporation, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, and Axogen contributed significantly more to speakers at ASRM. Conclusion Payments to physicians at ASRM were significantly higher than those of an average plastic surgeon but not significantly different from those of speakers at ASAPS and ASPS. Certain companies paid significantly more than their peers at each conference. Given these findings, speakers should strive to make clear the nature and extent of their conflicts of interest when presenting at conferences.