The effects of social environment and the metapleural gland on disease resistance in acorn ants

Eusocial species differ in living conditions when compared to solitary species primarily due to the dense living conditions of genetically related individuals. Consequently, these crowded conditions can induce a high rate of pathogen transmission and pathogen susceptibility. To resist an epidemic, individuals rely on sets of behaviors, known as social immunity, to decrease pathogen transmission among nestmates. Alongside social immunity, ants have a pair of secretory metapleural glands (MG), thought to secrete antimicrobial compounds important for antisepsis, that are believed to be transferred among nestmates by social immune behaviors such as grooming. To investigate the effects of social immunity on pathogen resistance, we performed a series of experiments by inoculating acorn ants Temnothorax curvispinosus with a lethal spore concentration of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum . After inoculation ant survival was monitored in two environments: solitary and in groups. Additionally, the MG role in pathogen resistance was evaluated for both solitary and grouped living ants, by sealing the MG prior to inoculations. Individuals within a group environment had a higher survival compared to those in a solitary environment, and individuals with sealed glands had significantly decreased survival than ants with non-sealed-MG in both solitary and social environments. We observed the lowest survival for solitary-sealed-MG individuals. Although sealing the MG reduced survival probability, sealing the MG did not remove the benefits of grouped living. We show here that social living plays a crucial role in pathogen resistance and that the MG has an important role in pathogen resistance of individual T. curvispinosus ants. Although important for an individual's pathogen resistance, our data show that the MG does not play a strong role in social immunity as previously believed. Overall, this study provides insights into mechanisms of social immunity and the role of MG in disease resistance.

Cognitive Remediation Therapy for People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Rapid Qualitative Review

This rapid qualitative review analyzed 8 studies describing the perspectives of people living with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) who use cognitive remediation therapy (CRT), and their caregivers and clinicians. People living with SSD reported notable improvements in their attention, memory, and problem solving; improvement in their lives when they applied the cognitive strategies acquired from CRT into daily life activities; improvement in communication skills, social engagement, motivation, independence; and a reduction in psychotic symptoms. This review found a common preference among people living with SSD and caregivers to provide personalized delivery and treatment of CRT. People living with SSD cited several ways to introduce personalized CRT: cognitive trainer or clinician’s support and guidance; the content, design, and implementation of CRT; using technology; and group environment and interacting with peers. The constant presence of a polite, friendly, empathetic, and encouraging clinician contributed to beneficial views of CRT. People living with SSD enjoyed the structure of sessions and cognitive tasks, specifically working on tasks at their own pace with gradual increases in difficulty that gave them a sense of accomplishment and mastery. They also enjoyed using technology and playing games to complete tasks; however, some found accessing a computer and a high-quality internet connection difficult. While people living with SSD reported several social benefits to group-based CRT, others found group-based CRT to be unconducive for their learning, especially when the group environment was not supportive or encouraging. Caregivers and clinicians recognized the importance of matching the type of cognitive exercises and structure of sessions to the cognitive needs of people living with SSD.

EMBEDDED REMOTE GROUP ENVIRONMENT THROUGH MODIFICATION IN MACBETH – AN APPLICATION OF CONTRACTOR’S SELECTION IN CONSTRUCTION

A group decision environment has profound roots in MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) analysis which indeed has plentiful advantages; however, many researchers envisage the embedded group decision system as an impediment in actual implementation. The accessibility of explicit interaction of decision makers at a single platform in the form of embedded group decision environment is a great impediment to the researchers. Accordingly, this research aims to tailor a novel alternative system of dealing with the embedded group decision under a remote group decision environment via integrating MACBETH and Exploratory Factor Analysis. The study finds that an embedded remote group decision making system could serve as an alternative system of group decision making which has plentiful perks in group decision applications. This system could help researchers to carry out research without confusing in embedded group decision environment but including all decision-makers in the model. The implication of proposed system is not only limited to MACBETH; however, due to system’s versatility, a similar approach could be fruitful for other group-related environments involving collective decisions.

Pengembangan Produk Olahan Jahe di Kecamatan Jenawi Kabupaten Karanganyar (Studi Kasus Kelompok Wanita Tani Desa Sidomukti)

This study aimed to analyzed development strategies that can be applied to ginger processed product in Jenawi District, Karanganyar Regency. Data collected by interview and field observation. Data was analyzed using the IE and SWOT matrix analysis. The Mukti Rahayu Women's Farmer Group was founded in 2009 to process emprit ginger production into instant ginger products and fill in the activities of housewives around the group environment. In addition, the formation of groups also aimed to improve the economic standard of the surrounding community. The results of the identification of internal and external factors were analyzed using the IFE and EFE matrices with a total weight score of 2.91 and 3.11, respectively. These results occupied quadrant II in the IE matrix (growth position). Several alternative strategies were formulated including: adding members and increasing instant ginger production, increasing production scale to meet export demand, tightening QC to maintain quality and expanding offline and online markets, and maximizing the application and use of technology in marketing, accounting and financial records.

Remote Exploration of Experimental Biophysical Instrumentation in Core Facilities

ABSTRACT Biophysics is defined by the experimental data that are collected on an extensive array of powerful and elegant tools. To solve important problems in biophysics, an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the current instrumental methods is needed. Although lecture-based courses can instruct students on the physical principles of biophysical instrumentation, the actual practical use of instrumentation can seem far from the concepts taught through presentations or books. Traditionally, laboratory courses can expose students to hands-on use and understanding of experimental methods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratory-based courses were challenging or, at times, prohibited. The educational aim of this article is to connect the instrumental concepts learned in lecture to the use of instruments for experiments when students are unable to go into laboratory environments. I present a low-stakes assignment for students to explore the biophysical instrumentation at core facilities. Prompts were provided to guide students through methods and challenges when using an instrument in a laboratory. These were then shared in a group environment so students could learn about multiple instruments in a single class and further benefit from social interactions with their peers, combating isolation during remote courses. Beyond remote instruction during COVID-19, this assignment can be applicable to future courses where laboratory work is cost-, time-, or location-prohibitive. Adaptations for in-person instruction are also discussed.

Kesatuan dalam Komunitas Kepemudaan: Efektivitas Pelatihan Kecerdasan Emosional dalam Meningkatkan Kohesivitas

Hasil analisis kebutuhan pada komunitas kepemudan X menunjukkan kurangnya self dan social awareness, solidaritas dan tenggang rasa, serta manajemen konflik yang belum efektif sehingga berdampak negatif pada kesolidan unit komunitas. Penelitian ini menguji efektivitas pelatihan yang disusun berdasarkan aspek emotional intelligence (Goleman, 2001). Penelitian ini menggunakan metode quasi-experimental one group pre-test post-test design. Kohesivitas diukur menggunakan Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron et al., 1985). Pelatihan ini diikuti oleh 14 peserta. Evaluasi dilakukan pada level reaction, learning, dan behavior. Data kuantitatif dianalisis menggunakan paired sample t-test (t = -7.311, p < 0.05). Analisis effect size Cohen’s D menghasilkan nilai d = 1.033 (large effect size). Kesimpulan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelatihan emotional intelligence terbukti efektif secara signifikan meningkatkan kohesivitas pada komunitas kepemudaan X.

How policy influence varies with race and gender in the US courts of appeals

Even when women and people of color achieve positions of political power, institutional norms may combine with social constructions of difference to create a system in which power is distributed disproportionately. Such a pattern is evident in the US courts of appeals. Each case is resolved by a panel of three judges who also decide whether the opinion should be binding precedent (i.e., published) or not. I theorized that the variety of views and extended deliberation often attributed to diversity in a small-group environment depressed the rate of publication if judges were willing to compromise on the outcome but less willing to publish an opinion after such compromise. Using a massive original dataset of virtually all dispositive circuit opinions from 2002 to 2012, I found that homogeneous panels (98% of which are composed of white men) shaped policy more frequently than diverse panels.