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In many animal species, alternative reproductive tactics can result in alloparenting: adult individuals providing care for juveniles that are not genetically their own progeny. In species with parental care, males may exhibit ‘‘sneaking’’ behavior and fertilize eggs in the nest of another male, or nesting males may commit egg theft from a more successful male, possibly to help attract females. Alloparenting may have important consequences for both male and female reproductive output and mate choice, but rates of such non-paternity in natural populations are poorly understood in many taxa, as are the ecological factors that might influence these rates. Here, we quantified the frequency of non-paternity between males and the eggs in their nests within 15 natural populations of Threespine Stickleback, and tested whether the frequency of mismatch was predicted by characteristics of the lake (lake size and nest density) or features of individual males (body size and diet) or their chosen nest location (depth and presence of vegetation). The frequency of non-paternity was relatively high across all lakes (23–66%) but was not explained by lake-level characteristics (lake area or nest density). Alloparenting was more likely for individual males with more benthic diets (as measured by stable isotopes) and for males whose nests were closer to vegetation, although this effect varied across lakes. Our results suggest that individual-level characteristics of the male and nest influence the frequency of alloparenting, and that variation among individuals and populations should be considered in studies of the genetics and evolutionary consequences of alternative reproductive tactics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change continues, anticipating species' responses to rising temperatures requires an understanding of the drivers of thermal sensitivity, which itself may vary over space and time. We measured metabolic rates of three representative marine invertebrate species (hermit crabs Pagurus hirsutiusculus, periwinkle snails Littorina sitkana, and mussels Mytilus trossulus) and evaluated the relationship between thermal sensitivity (Q10) and thermal history. We tested the hypothesis that thermal history drives thermal sensitivity and quantified how this relationship differs over time (short-term to seasonal time scales) and between species. Organisms were collected from tide pools in Sitka, Alaska where we also recorded temperatures to characterize thermal history prior to metabolic rate assays. Using respirometry, we estimated mass-specific oxygen consumption (MO2) at ambient and increased temperatures for one individual per species per tide pool across three seasons. We evaluated relationships between thermal sensitivity and pool temperatures for time periods ranging from 1 day to 1 month prior to collection. For all species, thermal sensitivity was related to thermal history for the shorter time periods (1 day to 1 week). However, the direction of the relationships and most important thermal parameters (i.e., maximum, mean, or range) differed between species and seasons. We found that on average, P. hirsutiusculus and L. sitkana were more thermally sensitive than M. trossulus. These findings show that variability in thermal history over small spatial scales influences individuals' metabolic response to warming and may be indicative of these species' ability to acclimate to future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a field, ethics is driven by the desire to help guide human life and human activities. Yet, what are the standards or guideposts indicating that a given policy or practice change actually contributes meaningfully to such desires and aspirations? In other words, how do we know if we have achieved meaningful ethical outcomes and enactment processes? Unfortunately, there are many examples of ethically oriented actions that were well intentioned but carried out in a way that undermined some of the values they intended on promoting or led to unexpected undesirable outcomes. In this paper, building on an account of ethics as a pragmatist pursuit of deliberative wisdom, I identify and discuss four procedural guideposts which can help evaluate if a process of inquiry is an ethical one oriented toward human flourishing. First, situational awareness and continuity designates the need to keep in sight the nature of the situation at stake to ensure that the enactment process does not derail from a cardinal human flourishing orientation. Second, a meaningful ethical enactment should distribute opportunities for participation such that it is not only one’s autonomy (e.g., the ethicist) that is developed and exercised but that positive relationships are also fostered through the growth of others. Third, enactments must strive for more than simple avoidance of encroachment of wrongs but aim for the promotion of praiseworthy practices that pursue what is envisioned as being the better and most compelling vision. Fourth, an ethics process should be conducive of personal growth and mutual learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Variation in water temperature can have important effects on the energetics underlying metabolism, growth, and reproduction of many organisms. In order to anticipate how a species' allocation of energy may change in a warming ocean, we need to know the degree to which processes such as metabolic rate change with temperature (i.e., the thermal sensitivity of metabolism, Q 10). In the context of long-term climate change, it will also be helpful to know whether local populations that experience different thermal regimes exhibit differences in thermal sensitivity. If so, it would indicate that thermal sensitivities of populations may adjust via acclimation or adaptation. We measured metabolic rates of Woolly Sculpin collected from two distant populations (Santa Cruz (SC) and Los Angeles (LA) counties, California, USA) and housed in a common environment. Using respirometry, we estimated resting mass-specific oxygen consumption (MO 2) and calculated metabolic rates (MR) at temperatures of 12 °C, 16 °C, and 20 °C for 59 fish. The Q 10 value across this range of temperatures was 2.92. Populations did not differ with respect to overall MO 2 , nor did they vary in their degree of thermal sensitivity. However, the LA population had greater variation in MO 2 among individuals when compared to the SC population. Larger variation in overall MO 2 among individuals within specific populations may reflect greater genetic diversity, and this may buffer some populations against the effect of future increases in water temperature. Highlights • Increasing ocean temperature may affect populations differently. • Populations of C. analis metabolic rate increases with temperature. • C. analis thermal sensitivities do not differ between two populations. • Greater individual variation in thermal sensitivity in southern population of C. analis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate continues to change, many marine species will experience both an increase in average temperature and more extreme diel and seasonal fluctuations. Understanding how these variations in ocean temperature affect processes such as metabolism and energy consumption is important for many species, and may be particularly important for sedentary species that cannot make large-scale movements in response to changes in environmental conditions. We examined how metabolic rates and energetic demands responded to temperature in a temperate reef fish, the bluebanded goby ( Lythrypnus dalli ). Using respirometry, we estimated resting oxygen consumption ( VO 2 ) for 42 L. dalli individuals of varying sizes and calculated metabolic rates ( MR ) at three different temperatures (13 °C, 16 °C, and 20 °C). As predicted, VO 2 and MR increased significantly with temperature and mass, but the rate of temperature-dependent increase in metabolism indicated a very high degree of thermal sensitivity for L. dalli ( Q 10 value for VO 2 was 5.21 across the range of experimental temperatures). The mass-scaling exponent ( b ) was estimated to be 0.95 and aligned closely with other benthic species. Our results suggest that changes in temperature – especially those that occur over weeks and seasons – likely play a significant role in the ecology of these gobies. Long-term increases in seawater temperature will either necessitate an increase in foraging and consumption, or drive costly trade-offs between metabolism and processes such as growth and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the principles and report on the performance of a novel real-time electromagnetic (EM) seed drop detection technology for permanent implants brachytherapy procedures. Methods: A novel EM hollow needle prototype was recently developed by Philips. It possesses standard 3D tracking capability as well as a seed drop detection mechanism, both performed from a single custom built EM sensor. The detection mechanism is based on the magnetic permeability changes in the sensor as the seeds pass through. Drop position estimates are generated by the tracking information at the dropping instants. Three validation experiments were carried out in this study. First, the robustness of the detection mechanism was tested in free air with four different seed types. Detection waveforms were measured and commented. The accuracy of the seed drop position estimates was then evaluated using both 2D and 3D experiments. The procedures consisted of dropping seeds in phantoms, recording the drop position estimates, and finally registering the resulting spatial distributions on reference ones obtained by accurate modalities. Seeds were dropped on a specially designed plastic support adapted to brachytherapy template dimensions for 2D experiments, and true seed positions (reference distribution) were obtained by optical detection. In 3D experiments, seeds were dropped in edible gelatin and reference distributions were obtained by localizing the implants from CT scans of the phantoms. Results: All four seed types were correctly detected by the needle prototype. In total, 250 seeds were dropped on the plastic support, and 96 were dropped in gelatin phantoms. The detection rate was 100% in both cases. The minimum, maximum, and average drop position errors were, respectively, 0.1(+1.6/-0.1), 2.9(+1.4/-1.5), and 0.9(+1.4/-0.7) mm for 2D, and 0.1(+1.0/-0.1), 2.1(+1.1/-0.8), and 0.6(+1.2/-0.5) mm for 3D experiments. Conclusions: The hollow needle prototype combines both EM tracking and automatic seed drop detection in a compact and convenient form. The EM detection mechanism is robust, and the seed drop position estimates appear sufficiently accurate for potential integration of the technology to current brachytherapy treatment planning systems. In that context, it would serve as a valuable tool for rapid dosimetry validation in real-time treatment delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on the article "When parents refuse: Resolving entrenched disagreements between parents and clinicians in situations of uncertainty and complexity" by J.P. Winters. It mentions that authors propose a practical and comprehensive tool to resolve ethical disagreements between parents and medical teams regarding decision making for children who cannot decide for themselves.

Background Respect for patient autonomy is a cornerstone of contemporary medical ethics and clinical practice. In its different shapes and forms (e.g. being informed, being engaged in discussions and decisions about medical care and being supported in developing healthcare preferences and choices), patient autonomy has been fostered by both paediatric and adult professional societies. The transition from paediatric to adult care creates a complex situation where autonomy for medical decisions shifts to the developing adolescent. More specific challenges to respect for autonomy may be experienced by young adults with cerebral palsy in the transition period where, for example, language and motor impairments may affect communication skills and this may be conflated with cognitive disability. Aim To characterize perspectives towards autonomy in the healthcare context for young adults with cerebral palsy. Method We carried out semi-structured interviews with 14 young adults (aged 18-25) with cerebral palsy. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a conventional thematic qualitative content analysis. Results Participants displayed a range of attitudes towards autonomy, suggesting that the value of autonomy is considered in light of competing values and of context. Testimonials from participants demonstrated that both contextual (e.g. ill-adapted health care, lack of specialized public transport) and relational (e.g. attitudes towards parental involvement in decision making) factors negatively or positively impact autonomy. Conclusion We observed that there were four key elements interwoven in participants' characterization of autonomy: the coupling of decisional and physical autonomy, the influences of family and society on autonomy, the influence of healthcare professionals on autonomy and the need for preparation for autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomics integrates the promises and perils of modern biomedical science. Canada and the province of Québec embarked late but aggressively in genomics research based on the 'discourse of promise' in which genomics is embedded. This did not prevent the emergence of a 'discourse of concerns', and debates on the wider meaning of genomics and on the risks related to genomics applications such as gene therapy and gene testing. Given this context, this study aims to understand the evolution of genomics press coverage from the early days up to the publication of the draft sequence of the human genome. Accordingly, we performed a press content analysis on 749 articles reporting genomics research in Québec from 1992 to 2001. We focused on coverage of benefits and ethical issues, tone, and differences in reporting practices between press agencies and journalists. Results show an increasing number of articles, a general decline in the proportion of articles featuring ethical issues, an increased focus on the economy, and greater optimism from 1992 to 2001. In comparison to articles written by journalists, articles signed by press agencies are more optimistic and less often feature ethical issues. Results are discussed following two non-exclusive interpretations: (1) the successes of genomics and its institutionalization in Québec and Canada brought hype and greater social acceptance, and (2) uncritical reporting practices have emerged under pressures for expedient and consumable writing. We are left with two concerns: given worldwide media concentration movements, what are the challenges for the dissemination of diversified and critical information in print media? And, given limited coverage of ethical issues, and concerns about bioethics being too narrowly focused, should public debates on frontier biomedical science be promoted to broaden the scope of biomedical ethics? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* The number of patients on anticoagulation therapy has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Yet, few studies have examined the psychosocial barriers of low literacy, culture and inappropriate patient education materials used to teach older African Americans about their anticoagulation therapy.* The aims of this study were to investigate literacy levels among older patients, and evaluate the readability and determine the cultural sensitivity of written information used in an anticoagulation management clinic.* A descriptive, correlational design was used. Patients' (n = 62) knowledge levels and the readability and cultural sensitivity of written materials were examined. The Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) was used to measure reading skills of patients, while the SMOG formula (a formula for assessing readability) was used to test the readability of written educational materials used in an Anticoagulation Management Clinic. A Knowledge Information Profile, developed for this study by one of the authors (Wilson), was used to measure patient knowledge about warfarin, medication side-effects and food sources of vitamin K. A modified, culturally sensitive and easy-to-read pamphlet was used as an alternative teaching tool in the study.* The results of the study revealed the average self-reported for highest grade completed in school was twelfth grade; however, the actual mean reading skills were between seventh and eighth grade. The readability of the written information was three to four grades higher than patients' reading abilities. None of the patient education materials were culturally sensitive.* This study underscores the importance of having information that is understandable and culturally relevant to prevent the outcome of internal bleeding. Nurses have a vital role in educating patients and ensuring that teaching materials are appropriate for the target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To (1) assess whether according to healthcare providers, the creation of an ethics service responds to a need; (2) assess the importance of an ethics service for healthcare providers; (3) determine what ethics services should be offered and the preferred formats of delivery; and (4) identify key issues to be initially dealt with by the ethics service. Design: A survey of healthcare providers in Québec's Centre Local de Services Communautaires (CLSC), healthcare institutions dedicated to community health and social services. Findings: 96 (95%) respondents agreed that an ethics service was needed, and on average the ethics service project was judged to be very important. Preferred formats for ethics consultation and education were identified, as well as key concerns such as the need of respect for the patient as a person, elder abuse and ethical issues in home care. Conclusion: This survey is helping in the implementation of an ethics service and can guide others in similar healthcare institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the neuroimaging technologies and its association with the ethics of neuroscience. Fundamental task of neuroethics; Possible consequences of modern visualization techniques; Implications of neuroimaging for the real-world setting.

Evidence suggests children and adolescents are consuming stimulants and nonstimulants in the hopes of improving academic performance through cognitive enhancement. As such, clinicians may be faced with requests to prescribe enhancers for their paediatric patients. In this article, we analyse the ethics of cognitive enhancement in paediatrics in the light of the best interests standard, a guiding principle, often used to make decisions for minors in moral, legal, social and medical contexts. Conclusion Cognitive enhancement in children and adolescents does not represent an ethical ideal that societies should strive for. Furthermore, paediatric cognitive enhancement does not meet the criteria for a minimally acceptable practice, given the health-related risks posed by these medications and the coercive environments such a practice creates. In line with a recent policy statement by the American Academy of Neurology, ethical and clinical arguments based on the best interests of paediatric patients encourage clinicians to refrain from engaging in this practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Ethical issues associated with the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease are numerous. [•] Ethical issues associated with the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease are differ between presymptomatic, early symptomatic and late stages of disease. [•] New challenges are emerging with very early diagnosis requiring biomarkers and potentially expensive therapies. [•] Interested parties need to develop a structured approach to the future treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize and analyze rotational torsional oscillations developing in a large-eddy magnetohydrodynamical simulation of solar convection (Ghizaru, Charbonneau, and Smolarkiewicz, Astrophys. J. Lett. 715, L133, ; Racine et al., Astrophys. J. 735, 46, ) producing an axisymmetric, large-scale, magnetic field undergoing periodic polarity reversals. Motivated by the many solar-like features exhibited by these oscillations, we carry out an analysis of the large-scale zonal dynamics. We demonstrate that simulated torsional oscillations are not driven primarily by the periodically varying large-scale magnetic torque, as one might have expected, but rather via the magnetic modulation of angular-momentum transport by the large-scale meridional flow. This result is confirmed by a straightforward energy analysis. We also detect a fairly sharp transition in rotational dynamics taking place as one moves from the base of the convecting layers to the base of the thin tachocline-like shear layer formed in the stably stratified fluid layers immediately below. We conclude by discussing the implications of our analyses with regard to the mechanism of amplitude saturation in the global dynamo operating in the simulation, and speculate on the possible precursor value of torsional oscillations for the forecast of solar-cycle characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric neurosurgery has resurfaced over the past two decades for the treatment of severe mental health disorders, with improved precision and safety over older interventions alongside the development of novel ones. Little is known, however, about current public opinions, expectations, hopes, and concerns over this evolution in neurotechnology, particularly given the controversial history of psychosurgery. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a study with eight focus groups in Vancouver and Montreal (Canada; n = 14), Berlin (Germany; n = 22), and Madrid (Spain; n = 12). Focus group texts were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis in the language local to each city, guided by the theoretical framework of pragmatic neuroethics. Findings indicate that participants across all cities hold concerns about the last resort nature of psychiatric neurosurgery and the potential impact on the authentic self of patients who undergo these procedures. The views captured serve to advance discussion on the appropriate timing for psychiatric neurosurgery, promote sound health policy for the allocation of this resource, and foster scientific literacy about advances for mental health internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify the expectations of a diversified sample of informed adults with type 1 diabetes on their prospective use of a hybrid closed‐loop system. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 adults with type 1 diabetes who shared their expectations on an experimental hybrid closed‐loop system after receiving information on its design, functioning and capability. The sample had equal representation of genders and diabetes management methods and was diversified according to age, education and occupation when possible. Qualitative content analysis of the interview transcripts with MaxQDA was used to identify expected benefits, expected inconveniences and concerns, expected improvements to design and functionalities, and interest and trust in the system. Results: Participants expected benefits regarding diabetes management, clinical outcomes, psychosocial aspects of their lives, nutrition and meals, and physical activity. Participants expected inconveniences or shared concerns regarding wearability, costs and technical limitations. According to participants, improvements could be made to the system's physical appearance, practical convenience, functionalities, and software integration. Overall, 12 participants would use the system. While participants' trust could be immediate or grow over time, it could ultimately be conditional on the system's performance. Conclusion: Prospective users' general enthusiasm and trust foster the clinical and commercial success of hybrid closed‐loop systems. However, poor user satisfaction caused by unrealistic expectations and plausible inconveniences and concerns may limit this success. Providing prospective users with comprehensive information while validating their understanding could mitigate unrealistic expectations. Improvements to design and coverage policies could favour uptake. What's new?: Few studies have explored in-depth the expectations of a diversified sample of informed adults with type 1 diabetes on their prospective use of hybrid closed‐loop systems.Prospective users were generally enthusiastic towards an experimental hybrid closed‐loop system and could learn to trust it, based on its performance. Participants had expectations regarding benefits, inconveniences and concerns, and potential improvements.Prospective users' enthusiasm and trust foster the clinical and commercial success of hybrid closed‐loop systems. Providing prospective users with more comprehensive information while validating their understanding could mitigate unrealistic expectations. Improvements to design and coverage policies could favour uptake of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implementation strategies are needed to ensure that evidence-based healthcare interventions are adopted successfully. However, strategies are generally poorly described and those used in everyday practice are seldom reported formally or fully understood. Characterising the active ingredients of existing strategies is necessary to test and refine implementation. We examined whether an implementation strategy, delivered across multiple settings targeting different stakeholders to support a fall prevention programme, could be characterised using the Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy.Methods: Data sources included project plans, promotional material, interviews with a purposive sample of stakeholders involved in the strategy's design and delivery and observations of staff training and information meetings. Data were analysed using TIDieR to describe the strategy and determine the levels at which it operated (organisational, professional, patient). The BCT Taxonomy identified BCTs which were mapped to intervention functions. Data were coded by three researchers and finalised through consensus.Results: We analysed 22 documents, 6 interviews and 4 observation sessions. Overall, 21 out a possible 93 BCTs were identified across the three levels. At an organisational level, identifiable techniques tended to be broadly defined; the most common BCT was restructuring the social environment. While some activities were intended to encourage implementation, they did not have an immediate behavioural target and could not be coded using BCTs. The largest number and variety of BCTs were used at the professional level to target the multidisciplinary teams delivering the programme and professionals referring to the programme. The main BCTs targeting the multidisciplinary team were instruction on how to perform the (assessment) behaviour and demonstration of (assessment) behaviour; the main BCT targeting referrers was adding objects to the environment. At the patient level, few BCTs were used to target attendance.Conclusion: In this study, several behaviour change techniques were evident at the individual professional level; however, fewer techniques were identifiable at an organisational level. The BCT Taxonomy was useful for describing components of a multilevel implementation strategy that specifically target behaviour change. To fully and completely describe an implementation strategy, including components that involve organisational or systems level change, other frameworks may be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study regarding the perspective of neuroimagers on the ethics review process of their research in Canada. The study conducted online survey to 100 neuroimagers from 13 Canadian neuroscience centers and one-on-one semi-structured interview to 35 selected survey participants. It shows that most ethical issues were dealt well by research ethics board (REBs) and the most common issue reported by the neuroimagers was the incidental findings.

This article focuses on the prospects and ethics of using neuroimaging to predict Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is motivated by consideration of the historical roles of science in medicine and society, and considerations specifically contemporary of capabilities in imaging and aging, and the benefits and hope they bring. A general consensus is that combinations of imaging methods will ultimately be most fruitful in predicting disease. Their roll-out into translational practice will not be free of complexity, however, as culture and values differ in terms of what defines benefit and risk, who will benefit and who is at risk, what methods must be in place to assure the maximum safety, comfort, and protection of subjects and patients, and educational and policy needs. Proactive planning for the ethical and societal implications of predicting diseases of the aging brain is critical and will benefit all stakeholders—researchers, patients and families, health care providers, and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study determined the prevalence of HIV testing among three sub-groups of women: those already pregnant, those intending to become pregnant in the next two years, and those not intending to become pregnant in the near future. In addition, associations between racial/ethnic groups and HIV testing were investigated in each of these subgroups. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Race/ethnicity and HIV testing were self-reported during telephone interviews. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Overall, 56.1% of pregnant women, 22.5% of women intending to become pregnant, and 29.5% of women not intending to become pregnant in the near future got tested for HIV in the last 12 months. After adjustment for income and marital status, pregnant Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women had 1.94 times the odds of getting tested for HIV as compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women (95% CI: 1.31,2.89). Among women intending to become pregnant, NHB women had three times the odds of getting tested for HIV (OR=3.14, 95% CI: 2.92, 3.38), after adjustment for the same variables. Of those women not intending to get pregnant, NHB women had 3.78 times the odds of getting tested for HIV as compared to NHW women (95% CI:, 3.06, 4.69). Conclusion: These findings confirm that we have not reached the United States Public Health Service guidelines of 100% HIV testing of all pregnant women, and that woman are not receiving HIV testing as part of their preconception care. The current study also suggests that NHB women get tested for HIV more than NHW women. HIV counseling and testing should be a routine component of prenatal and preconception care for all women. If women become aware of their HIV status earlier, they can also start treatment earlier. Early treatment means better outcomes not only for the women themselves, but also for their children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]