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Although some students choose to work while enrolled in college, others may have no choice but to work, even if work may be detrimental to their chances of succeeding in college. Leveraging 17 years of statewide student-level records from Tennessee, the authors examine the relationship between working while enrolled and degree completion, time to degree, credit accumulation, and grade point average. The authors aim to increase understanding of how the timing and intensity of work relate to student outcomes and to explore how these relationships differ by college sector, industry of employment, and student characteristics. The authors find consistent negative associations between work and academic success, especially at higher levels of work intensity. Working students attempt and earn fewer credits and are 4 to 7 percentage points less likely to complete college. Among completers, working students take longer to graduate, even though they earn similar grade point averages and complete their attempted credits at similar rates to nonworking students.

In recent years, policymakers and researchers have paid renewed attention to career and technical education (CTE), but public attitudes--especially those of parents--toward CTE remain relatively understudied. Drawing on the history of CTE and more contemporary policy discourse, this study proposes a new organizing framework for conceptualizing how CTE might be discussed in the public sphere, and then uses a survey-based experiment to examine how the ways policymakers talk about CTE might impact parents' support for CTE-related policies. Using respondents from an online marketplace, results indicate widespread support for CTE and suggestive evidence that CTE may see more support as a public policy when framed through a workforce development lens. These results offer implications for both supporters and opponents of CTE, as well as researchers and policymakers seeking to better understand nuances behind parents' opinion on an education issue with growing policy salience.

Depending on taxonomic opinion, between four and five turtle species are well attested for the Middle Eocene Messel Pit formation of Germany. Here, we describe specimen SMF ME-3495 from the Messel collection of the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt, which unambiguously corresponds to an additional turtle species. The specimen consists of a partial anterior plastral lobe that can be distinguished from other Messel turtle taxa on the basis of the presence of gular tubercles, an extensive epiplastral lip, narrow gulars that lap onto the entoplastron, and a sinuous gulo-humeral sulcus. The fragment is not sufficient to diagnose another contemporary European turtle taxon, but its epiplastral lip morphology is reminiscent of “ptychogasterid” geoemydids (Cryptodira). We also remark on bone corrosion consistent with “shell disease” and distinctive coloration.

Over-exposure of the hand-arm system to intense vibration and force over time may cause degeneration of the vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems in the fingers. A novel animal model using rat tails has been developed to understand the health effects on human fingers exposed to vibration and force when operating powered hand tools or workpieces. The biodynamic responses, such as vibration stress, strain, and power absorption density, of the rat tails can be used to help evaluate the health effects related to vibration and force and to establish a dose-effect relationship. While the biodynamic responses of cadaver rat tails have been investigated, the objective of the current study was to determine whether the biodynamic responses of living rat tails are different from those of cadaver rat tails, and whether the biodynamic responses of both living and cadaver tails change with exposure duration. To make direct comparisons, the responses of both cadaver and living rat tails were examined on four different testing stations. The transfer function of each tail under a given contact force (2 N) was measured at each frequency in the one-third octave bands from 20 to 1000 Hz, and used to calculate the mechanical system parameters of the tails. The transfer functions were also measured at different exposure durations to determine the time dependency of the response. Differences were observed in the vibration biodynamic responses between living and cadaver tails, but the general trends were similar. The biodynamic responses of both cadaver and living rat tails varied with exposure duration.

Abstract The early evolution of Pan-Chelonioidea (sea turtles) is poorly understood. This is in part due to the rarity of undeformed skulls of definitive early stem chelonioids. In this work, we redescribe the holotype of Nichollsemys baieri using µCT scans and segmentations of the skull. This fossil is the best 3D preserved skull of any Campanian sea turtle, and includes partial “soft tissue” preservation. Nichollsemys is morphologically similar but clearly distinct from Toxochelys spp., and both show a mosaic of plesiomorphic and derived chelonioid features. The internal cranial anatomy documents the presence of derived characters in Nichollsemys baieri that are absent in Toxochelys spp., such as the loss of the epipterygoids and the rod-like shape of the rostrum basisphenoidale. Among the numerous plesiomorphic characters is the presence of a splenial bone, which was unnoticed before. An updated phylogenetic analysis retrieves Nichollsemys baieri as a non-protostegid early stem chelonioid in a slightly more crownward position than Toxochelys latiremis. Our phylogeny includes macrobaenids and protostegids as pan-chelonioids, and we find unorthodox results for dermochelyids. Thus, although Nichollsemys baieri provides important new insights into the early morphological evolution of sea turtles, much work remains to be done. As a completely 3D preserved specimen, we included Nichollsemys baieri into a recent landmark-based skull shape dataset of turtles. Morphospace analysis reveals an intermediate position between cryptodires and crown chelonioids. Based on these data, we also predict that Nichollsemys baieri was still capable of neck retraction, constraining the loss of this trait to more crownward pan-chelonioids.

ABSTRACT: Intensive broiler production systems face challenges like enteric diseases, impacting global food security. Strategies to enhance broiler immunity and gut health, particularly amidst antibiotic growth promoter restrictions, are crucial. The present study investigated the combined effects of fenugreek seeds (FS) and Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials (DFM) on immune-related gene expression in the ileum and alteration of microbial population in the cecum of broiler. The study involved 160 Ross 308 broiler chicks, which were divided into four groups consisting of 5 replicates, each containing eight birds. The chicks were grown for a period of 42 d, during which they had ad libitum access to feed and water. Dietary treatments were: Control (basal diet), FS5 (basal + 5g/kg fenugreek seeds), FS5DFM (basal + 5g/kg fenugreek seeds + 0.1g/kg Bacillus-based DFM), and DFM (basal + 0.1g/kg Bacillus-based DFM). Ileum tissue and cecal contents were collected on d 42 for gene expression and gut microbiome analysis. Ileal gene expression analysis revealed the downregulation of IL-6, IL-8L2, CASP6, PTGS2, and IRF7 in both FSs and DFMs groups compared to the control, suggesting individual immunomodulatory effects. However, avian β-defensin genes exhibited complex regulation, highlighting the need for further investigation. Cecal microbiome diversity remained stable, with subtle shifts in specific taxa influenced by FSs and DFMs. Interestingly, the combination of the FSs and DFMs uniquely impacted specific taxa, including Clostridiales vadin BB60. These findings suggest that both FSs and DFMs demonstrated potential for improving broiler immunity through inflammation reduction. The combination of FSs and DFMs offers a synergistic effect in immune modulation and specific microbial modulation, warranting further investigation with pathogen challenge models for comprehensive understanding.

A taxonomic backbone of the Plumbaginaceae is presented and the current state of knowledge on phylogenetic relationships and taxon limits is reviewed as a basis for the accepted taxon concepts. In total, 4,476 scientific names and designations are treated of which 30 are not in the family Plumbaginaceae. The Plumbaginaceae are subdivided in three tribes with 26 genera and 1,179 accepted species. Two subgenera, 17 sections, two subsections and 187 infraspecific taxa are accepted. At the species and infraspecific level 2,782 synonyms were assigned to accepted taxa, whereas 194 names were excluded from the core checklist (i.e., unplaced taxa, infrageneric subdivisions with still uncertain application, names of verified uncertain application, invalid horticultural names, excluded names from other families, other excluded designations, and unresolved names). The EDIT Platform for Cybertaxonomy was utilized as the tool to compile and manage the names and further taxonomic data under explicit taxon concepts. Secundum references are given in case taxon concepts were taken from the literature, whereas this study serves as reference for newly circumscribed taxa. The family’s division into the tribes Aegialitideae, Limonieae, and Plumbagineae departs from earlier two-subfamily classifications, prompted by recent phylogenetic findings that challenge the subfamilial affinity of Aegialitis. The genus Acantholimon was extended to include Gladiolimon, as currently available phylogenetic and morphological data support this merger. In Limonium, all accepted species could be assigned to sections and subsections or the “Mediterranean lineage”, respectively, making use of the phylogenetic distribution of their morphological characters and states. A new combination and/or status is proposed for Dyerophytum socotranum, Limonium thymoides, Limonium × fraternum, Limonium × rossmaessleri, and Limonium sect. Jovibarba. Special attention is given to nomenclatural issues, particularly for Statice nomen ambiguum to resolve the names under accepted names. The use of artificial groupings like “aggregates”, “complexes” and “species groups” in alpha-taxonomic treatments is discussed. The taxonomic backbone will receive continued updates and through the Caryophyllales Taxonomic Expert Network, it contributes the treatment of the Plumbaginaceae for the World Flora Online.

Abstract Hutchemys rememdium is a poorly understood softshell turtle (Trionychidae) from the mid Paleocene of the Williston Basin of North America previously known only from postcranial remains. A particularly rich collection of previously undescribed material from the Tiffanian 4 North American Land Mammal Age (NALMA) of North Dakota is here presented consisting of numerous shells that document new variation, some non-shell postcrania, and cranial remains, which are described based on 3D models extracted from micro-CT data. Although the observed shell variation weakens previously noted differences with the younger species Hutchemys arctochelys from the Clarkforkian NALMA, the two taxa are still recognized as distinct. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses reaffirm the previously challenged placement of Hutchemys rememdium within the clade Plastomenidae, mostly based on novel observations of cranial characters made possible by the new material and the micro-CT data. The new topology supports the notion that the well-ossified plastron of plastomenids originated twice in parallel near the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary, once in the Hutchemys lineage and once in the Gilmoremys/Plastomenus lineage. Hutchemys rememdium is notable for being the only documented species of trionychid in the mid Paleocene of the Williston Basin. The presence of multiple individuals in a carbonaceous claystone indicates this taxon lived in swamps and lakes and its expanded triturating surface suggests it had a durophagous diet.

Divergent selection of broilers for water conversion ratio has established and high-(HWE) and low- water efficient (LWE) broiler lines. Two 2 × 2 factorial experiments were conducted to assess the gene expression profile of systems involved in renal water homeostasis. In Exp. 1, male and female HWE and LWE broilers were individually phenotyped between 4 and 6 wks of age to determine growth performance and water conversion ratio (g water intake/g body weight gain). Kidney samples were obtained from 5 males and 5 females from each line. In Exp. 2, HWE and modern random bred (MRB) broilers were placed in 12 controlled-environmental chambers (2 floor pens/chamber, 6 chambers/line, 11 birds per pen, 132 birds/line) on day of hatch. The broilers were brooded at thermoneutral temperatures from 0 to 4 wks. From 4 to 7 wks, broilers were maintained at thermoneutral (TN, 25 °C) or exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS, 35 °C, 8h/day) conditions. Body weight, feed intake, and water intake were recorded. Kidney samples were collected, flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, and kept at -80 °C for gene expression analysis. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and means compared by Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test. Molecular analyses from Exp. 1 showed that the renal expression of arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II receptor type 1 and 2 (AT1/2), sodium-potassium ATPase subunit B1 (ATP1B1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) were upregulated in HWE compared to the LWE line. In contrast, mRNA expression of mesotocin receptor (MTR), AT1/2, AQP1/2, and occludin were significantly higher in females than in males. In Exp. 2, target genes were regulated in environment and/or line-dependent manner. The renal expression of heat shock proteins 70 and 90, AVP receptor 2 (AVPR2), AGT, renin, AT1/2, and AQP1was significantly upregulated in HS compared to TN birds, however AVPR2 expression was significantly higher in HWE compared to MRB birds. Together, the up-regulation of AVP, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and AQP in HWE, female, or under HS conditions suggests a better renal water reabsorption to support water use efficiency.

Walter Brendel was a physiologist who headed the Institut of Experimental Surgery at the University of Munich (LMU) from 1961 until 1989. His legendary career began with the development of an anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) at his Institute during the late 1960s. The initial successful treatment of a small number of patients culminated in the co-treatment of the first successfully heart-transplanted patient in Capetown, South Africa (successful reversal with ALG of an acute allograft rejection). Walter Brendel was a pioneering personality whose work has laid a wide platform for the promotion of interdisciplinarily conducted innovative research programs in various domains of translational science and medicine. Among the many innovative achievements, the most notable are: discovery of involvement of the alternative pathway of complement activation in hyperacute xenograft rejection; induction of immunological tolerance to horse IgG as a means to prevent anaphylactic reactions during ALG therapy; development and clinical implementation of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for extracorporeal destruction of renal and ureteral calculi. The legacy of Brendel continues with the foundation of the Walter-Brendel Kolleg für Transplantationsmedizin (i.e., the German Transplant School for Transplantation Medicine), which has been held annually since 1994.

Prior research demonstrates the important role that financial considerations play in prospective students' decision making when applying to and enrolling in graduate school. Racially/ethnically minoritized students, in particular, face persistent challenges during the graduate application and enrollment process. Capitalizing on a natural experiment, we identify the effects of introducing a PhD fellowship on the composition of applicants and enrolling students in PhD programs at a large public university's graduate school of education. Using administrative data from 9 years of applications, we use difference-in-differences and event study analyses to show that the fellowship increased the number of applicants overall, as well as the share of Black applicants and enrollees in impacted cohorts, with no significant effects on academic preparation. To better understand why and how a PhD fellowship might impact students' application behaviors and experiences once in graduate school, we supplement our primary findings with survey responses from current PhD students at the graduate school of education.

Allaeochelys libyca is a carettochelyid turtle from the Middle Miocene of Libya. The species is the only valid carettochelyid taxon recovered from Africa and was named based on fragmentary material that includes a partial cranium and isolated shell remains. The description of the holotype cranium was limited to external aspects, and micro-computed tomography was only performed later on that material. Here, we use these micro-computed tomography scans to reinvestigate the external and internal anatomy of the holotype cranium to document several erroneous anatomical interpretations and provide new insights into the morphology of the trigeminal foramen area, the endosseous labyrinth, and circulatory system of Allaeochelys libyca. The anatomical insights provided herein have the potential to be translated into new phylogenetic characters that are expected to improve the resolution among the Anosteira and Allaeochelys lineages, which are still poorly resolved.

Background: Water scarcity is a current, significant global concern that will only increase under the pressure of climate change. Improving water efficiency of poultry is a new and promising area to help temper agriculture's future impact on fresh water availability. Here, we explored the effects of acute heat stress (HS) on circulating stress and inflammatory markers in 2 lines of broilers divergently selected for water efficiency. Methods: Male chicks from low (LWE) and high water efficient (HWE) lines were raised in 12 environmental chambers (2 pens/chamber, 6 chambers/line, 20 birds/pen) under normal conditions until day 28. On day 29, birds were subjected to thermoneutral (TN, 25 °C) or HS (36 °C) conditions, resulting in four treatments (2 lines × 2 environmental conditions). After 3 h of HS, whole blood was collected (8 birds per line × environment) and analyzed for target gene expression and plasma cytokine levels. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA, with line, environment, and their interaction as main factors, and means were compared using Tukey's multiple range test. Results: Gene expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, HSP70, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), C-C motif chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4), CCL20, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5), and NLR family member X1 (NLRX1) were increased by HS, with no differences between the lines. HSP70, IL-10, and NLRC3 were lower in the HWE as compared to the LWE lines. Additionally, there were interactive effects between line and environment for HSP90, IL-4, and CCL4, where HS induced HSP90 expression in the LWE only, and IL-4 and CCL4 in HWE only. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) gene expression was significantly lower in the whole blood of the HWE line; however, plasma protein levels were not different. Conclusions: Overall, most of the effects seen on cyto (chemokines) and inflammatory markers were due to acute HS, with only a few genes differentially regulated between the lines. This likely indicates that the divergent selection for water efficiency for four generations did not elicit changes in inflammation and stress molecular signatures.

AbstractAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a disease characterized by an acute inflammatory phase followed by a convalescent phase. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was historically felt to be a transient phenomenon related to acute inflammation; however, it is increasingly recognized as an important late and chronic complication. There are several challenges that have prevented precisely determining the incidence rate of DM after AP and understanding the underlying mechanisms. The DREAM (Diabetes RElated to Acute Pancreatitis and its Mechanisms) Study is a prospective cohort study designed to address these and other knowledge gaps to provide the evidence needed to screen for, prevent, and treat DM after AP. In the following article, we summarize literature regarding the epidemiology of DM after AP and provide the rationale and an overview of the DREAM study.

High school Career and Technical Education (CTE) has received increased attention from policymakers and researchers in recent years. This study fills a needed gap in the growing research base by examining heterogeneity within the wide range of programs falling under the broad moniker of CTE, highlighting the need for nuance in research and policy conversations that often consider CTE as monolithic. Using student-level course-taking records, unemployment insurance, and National Student Clearinghouse data, we examine outcomes including earnings, postsecondary education, and poverty avoidance. We find substantial differences for students in fields as diverse as health care, Information Technology (IT), and construction. We also highlight heterogeneity for student populations historically overrepresented in CTE, and we find large differences in outcomes for CTE students, particularly by gender.

Over the past year, debates over the prevalence, distribution, and effects of teacher vacancy and underqualification have dominated many education narratives. Authors J. Cameron Anglum, Andrew R. Diemer, Walter G. Ecton, and Tuan D. Nguyen consider these debates in the context of growing interest in career and technical education (CTE) in high school settings. Research on secondary CTE teachers, including the quantification of teacher shortages in specific CTE content areas, remains insufficient to inform effective recruitment and retention policies. This dearth of scholarship on CTE teachers undermines the improvement of CTE programs.