Burnout Among Mid-Career Academic Medical Faculty.

Importance: Studies reveal that most physicians report symptoms of burnout. Less is known about burnout in mid-career medical faculty specifically. Objective: To characterize burnout and its risk factors, particularly differences by gender, among mid-career medical faculty. Design, Setting, and Participants: Between August 2021 and August 2022, a survey was sent to 1430 individuals who received new National Institutes of Health K08 and K23 career development awards from 2006 to 2009. Data were analyzed between June and October 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Personal and work-related burnout as evaluated using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The CBI score ranges from 0 to 100, with a score of 50 or higher indicating a high degree of burnout. Multivariable models were used to investigate associations between burnout and participant characteristics, including race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, academic rank, work climate, experiences of workplace sexual harassment, sleep hours, work and domestic caregiving time, and time allocation changes in work and domestic work hours compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic. Work climate was evaluated by a general climate elements scale assessing elements such as friendliness, respect, and collegiality, and a diversity, equity, and inclusion climate elements scale assessing elements such as homogeneity, sexism, and homophobia; higher scores indicated a more favorable view of the climate. Results: In all, 1430 surveys were sent, 926 candidates responded (65% response rate), and the analytic cohort was limited to the 841 respondents who were still in academic medicine (50.7% men). Burnout was significantly more common for women than men (mean [SD] CBI personal scores, 46.6 [19.4] vs 37.5 [17.2]; P < .001; mean [SD] CBI work-related scores, 43.7 [20.4] vs 34.6 [19.7]; P < .001). In multivariable models, personal burnout was significantly more likely for women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.29 [95% CI, 1.54-3.41]; P < .001) and with more weekly hours of patient care (AOR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.00-1.15] for each 5-hour increase; P = .04). Personal burnout was less likely with more nightly sleep hours (AOR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.56-0.81] for each 1-hour increase; P < .001) and with an improved general work climate rating (AOR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.48-0.85] for each 1-point increase in general work climate scale score; P = .002). Work-related burnout was also significantly more likely for women than men (AOR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.17-2.69]; P = .007). Greater work-related burnout was associated with an increase of 8 or more work hours per week compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR, 1.87 [95% CI, 1.13-3.08]; P = .01), more weekly hours of patient care (AOR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.03-1.19] for each 5-hour increase; P = .007), and a workplace sexual harassment experience in the past 2 years (AOR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.11-2.62]; P = .01). Work-related burnout was significantly less likely with more nightly sleep hours (AOR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.96] for each 1-hour increase; P = .02) and with an improved general work climate rating (AOR, 0.49; [95% CI, 0.36-0.65] for each 1-point increase in general work climate scale score; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: This survey study of K grant awardees revealed substantial rates of burnout among mid-career medical faculty, and burnout rates differed by gender. Evidence-based interventions are needed to realize the benefits of workforce diversity and vitality.

Investigating relationships between the host genome, rumen microbiome, and dairy cow feed efficiency using mediation analysis with structural equation modeling.

The rumen microbiome is crucial for converting feed into absorbable nutrients used for milk synthesis, and the efficiency of this process directly impacts the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry. Recent studies have found that the rumen microbial composition explains part of the variation in feed efficiency traits, including dry matter intake, milk energy, and residual feed intake. The main goal of this study was to reveal relationships between the host genome, rumen microbiome, and dairy cow feed efficiency using structural equation models. Our specific objectives were to (i) infer the mediation effects of the rumen microbiome on feed efficiency traits, (ii) estimate the direct and total heritability of feed efficiency traits, and (iii) calculate the direct and total breeding values of feed efficiency traits. Data consisted of dry matter intake, milk energy, and residual feed intake records, SNP genotype data, and 16S rRNA rumen microbial abundances from 448 mid-lactation Holstein cows from 2 research farms. We implemented structural equation models such that the host genome directly affects the phenotype (GP → P) and the rumen microbiome (GM → P), while the microbiome affects the phenotype (M → P), partially mediating the effect of the host genome on the phenotype (G → M → P). We found that 7 to 30% of microbes within the rumen microbial community had structural coefficients different from zero. We classified these microbes into 3 groups that could have different uses in dairy farming. Microbes with heritability <0.10 but significant causal effects on feed efficiency are attractive for external interventions. On the other hand, 2 groups of microbes with heritability ≥0.10, significant causal effects, and genetic covariances and causal effects with the same or opposite sign to feed efficiency are attractive for selective breeding, improving or decreasing the trait heritability and response to selection, respectively. In general, the inclusion of the different microbes in genomic models tends to decrease the trait heritability rather than increase it, ranging from -15% to +5%, depending on the microbial group and phenotypic trait. Our findings provide more understanding to target rumen microbes that can be manipulated, either through selection or management interventions, to improve feed efficiency traits.

Genetic relationships between behavioral traits and feed efficiency traits in lactating Holstein cows.

The evaluation of dairy cow feed efficiency using residual feed intake accounts for known energy sinks. However, behavioral traits may also contribute to the variation in feed efficiency. Our objective was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of behavioral traits and their genetic correlations with feed efficiency and its components in lactating Holstein cows. The first data set consisted of 36,075 daily rumination and lying time records collected using a SMARTBOW ear tag accelerometer (Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) and 6,371 weekly feed efficiency records of 728 cows from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The second data set consisted of 59,155 daily activity records, measured as number of steps, recorded by pedometers (AfiAct; S.A.E. Afikim, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel), and 8,626 weekly feed efficiency records of 635 cows from the University of Florida. Feed efficiency and its components included dry matter intake, change in body weight, metabolic body weight, secreted milk energy, and residual feed intake. The statistical models included the fixed effect of cohort, lactation number, and days in milk, and the random effects of animal and permanent environment. Heritability estimates for behavioral traits using daily records were 0.19 ± 0.06 for rumination and activity, and 0.37 ± 0.07 for lying time. Repeatability estimates for behavioral traits using daily data ranged from 0.56 ± 0.02 for activity to 0.62 ± 0.01 for lying time. Both heritability and repeatability estimates were larger when weekly records instead of daily records were used. Rumination and activity had positive genetic correlations with residual feed intake (0.40 ± 0.19 and 0.31 ± 0.22, respectively) while lying time had a negative genetic correlation with this residual feed intake (-0.27 ± 0.11). These results indicate that more efficient cows tend to spend more time lying and less time active. Additionally, less efficient cows tend to eat more and therefore also tend to ruminate longer. Overall, sensor-based behavioral traits are heritable and genetically correlated with feed efficiency and its components and, therefore, they could be used as indicators to identify feed efficient cows within the herd.

Striatal brain volume linked to severity of substance use in high-risk incarcerated youth.

Substance use disorders among juveniles are a major public health concern and are often intertwined with other psychosocial risk factors including antisocial behavior. Identifying etiological risks and mechanisms promoting substance use disorders remains a high priority for informing more focused interventions in high-risk populations. The present study examined brain gray matter structure in relation to substance use severity among n = 152 high-risk, incarcerated boys (aged 14-20). Substance use severity was positively associated with gray matter volume across several frontal/striatal brain regions including amygdala, pallidum, putamen, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex. Effects were apparent when using voxel-based-morphometric analysis, as well as in whole-brain, data-driven, network-based approaches (source-based morphometry). These findings support the hypothesis that elevated gray matter volume in striatal reward circuits may be an endogenous marker for vulnerability to severe substance use behaviors among youth.

Behavioral consistency of competitive behaviors and feeding patterns in lactating dairy cows across stocking densities at the feed bunk.

Introduction: High feed bunk stocking densities can differentially impact individual dairy cows' competitive behaviors, feeding patterns, and feed efficiency. Our objective was to manipulate feed bunk stocking densities to evaluate intra-individual behavioral consistency across stocking densities and quantify associations with feed efficiency and production. Methods: Thirty-two primiparous (130.7 ± 29.0 days in milk, DIM) and 32 multiparous (111.3 ± 38.3 DIM) lactating Holstein cows were housed with 32 roughage intake control (RIC) bins. Each cow was assigned to share 8 bins with others of the same parity and similar body weight (16 cows/block; 2:1 feed bunk stocking density except during tests). Competition and feeding patterns were evaluated via video and RIC data, respectively, at 3 stocking densities (1:1, 2:1, 4:1 cows/bin) during 1-h tests (2 tests/stocking density; 6 tests/cow) following 2 h feed deprivation. Residual feed intake (RFI) was calculated across the 45-d study as the difference between observed and predicted dry matter intake (DMI) after accounting for known energy sinks. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the overall impact of test stocking density on competition and feeding patterns. To evaluate intra-individual consistency between stocking densities, individual stability statistic (ISS) scores were computed. Correlational relationships were determined between RFI and ISS scores. Results and dicsussion: Cows displayed the most competitive behaviors at 2:1 stocking density (p < 0.0001) but experienced the highest rate of contacts per minute of eating time at 4:1 (1:1 vs. 2:1 vs. 4:1: 0.09 vs. 0.95 vs. 1.60 contacts/min; p < 0.0001). Feeding patterns were modulated as stocking density increased; eating rate increased (0.16 vs. 0.18 vs. 0.22 kg/min; p < 0.001) as eating time (40.3 vs. 28.2 vs. 14.6 min; p < 0.001) and DMI decreased (6.3 vs. 5.1 vs. 3.0 kg; p < 0.001). As stocking density doubled, individuals remained consistent (p = 0.018) in time spent near others actively eating and tended to remain consistent in competition behavior and feeding patterns (0.053 ≤ p ≤ 0.094). Between 2:1 and 4:1, cows with higher DMI and milk production were more consistent in first-visit DMI and duration. Feed efficiency was not associated with behavioral consistency across the tests (p ≥ 0.14). Nonetheless, feed bunk stocking density has behavioral implications which should be considered in nutritional management decisions.

Facial modeling and measurement based upon homologous topographical features.

Measurement of human faces is fundamental to many applications from recognition to genetic phenotyping. While anthropometric landmarks provide a conventional set of homologous measurement points, digital scans are increasingly used for facial measurement, despite the difficulties in establishing their homology. We introduce an alternative basis for facial measurement, which 1) provides a richer information density than discrete point measurements, 2) derives its homology from shared facial topography (ridges, folds, etc.), and 3) quantifies local morphological variation following the conventions and practices of anatomical description. A parametric model that permits matching a broad range of facial variation by the adjustment of 71 parameters is demonstrated by modeling a sample of 80 adult human faces. The surface of the parametric model can be adjusted to match each photogrammetric surface mesh generally to within 1 mm, demonstrating a novel and efficient means for facial shape encoding. We examine how well this scheme quantifies facial shape and variation with respect to geographic ancestry and sex. We compare this analysis with a more conventional, landmark-based geometric morphometric (GMM) study with 43 landmarks placed on the same set of scans. Our multivariate statistical analysis using the 71 attribute values separates geographic ancestry groups and sexes with a high degree of reliability, and these results are broadly similar to those from GMM, but with some key differences that we discuss. This approach is compared with conventional, non-parametric methods for the quantification of facial shape, including generality, information density, and the separation of size and shape. Potential uses for phenotypic and dysmorphology studies are also discussed.

Enantioselective Paternò-Büchi Reactions: Strategic Application of a Triplet Rebound Mechanism for Asymmetric Photocatalysis.

The Paternò-Büchi reaction is the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of a carbonyl with an alkene to afford an oxetane. Enantioselective catalysis of this classical photoreaction, however, has proven to be a long-standing challenge. Many of the best-developed strategies for asymmetric photochemistry are not suitable to address this problem because the interaction of carbonyls with Brønsted or Lewis acidic catalysts can alter the electronic structure of their excited state and divert their reactivity toward alternate photoproducts. We show herein that a triplet rebound strategy enables the stereocontrolled reaction of an excited-state carbonyl compound in its native, unbound state. These studies have resulted in the development of the first highly enantioselective catalytic Paternò-Büchi reaction, catalyzed by a novel hydrogen-bonding chiral Ir photocatalyst.

Dry matter intake in US Holstein cows: exploring the genomic and phenotypic impact of milk components and body weight composite.

Large data sets allow estimating feed required for individual milk components or body maintenance. Phenotypic regressions are useful for nutrition management, but genetic regressions are more useful in breeding programs. Dry matter intake (DMI) records from 8,513 lactations of 6,621 Holstein cows were predicted from phenotypes or genomic evaluations for milk components and body size traits. The mixed models also included days in milk, age-parity subclass, trial date, management group, and body weight change during 28- and 42-d feeding trials in mid-lactation. Phenotypic regressions of DMI on milk (0.014 ± 0.006), fat (3.06 ± 0.01), and protein (4.79 ± 0.25) were much less than corresponding genomic regressions (0.08 ± 0.03, 11.30 ± 0.47, and 9.35 ± 0.87) or sire genomic regressions multiplied by 2 (0.048 ± 0.04, 6.73 ± 0.94, and 4.98 ± 1.75). Thus, marginal feed costs as fractions of marginal milk revenue were higher from genetic than phenotypic regressions. According to the energy-corrected milk formula, fat production requires 69% more DMI than protein production. In the phenotypic regression, it was estimated that protein production requires 56% more DMI than fat. However, the genomic regression for the animal showed a difference of only 21% more DMI for protein compared with fat, while the sire genomic regressions indicated approximately 35% more DMI for fat than protein. Estimates of annual maintenance in kg DMI / kg body weight/lactation were similar from phenotypic regression (5.9 ± 0.14), genomic regression (5.8 ± 0.31), and sire genomic regression multiplied by 2 (5.3 ± 0.55) and are larger than those estimated by NASEM (2021) based on NEL equations. Multiple regressions on genomic evaluations for the 5 type traits in body weight composite (BWC) showed that strength was the type trait most associated with body weight and DMI, agreeing with the current BWC formula, whereas other traits were less useful predictors, especially for DMI. The Net Merit formula used to weight different genetic traits to achieve an economically optimal overall selection response was revised in 2021 to better account for these estimated regressions. To improve profitability, breeding programs should select smaller cows with negative residual feed intake that produce more milk, fat, and protein.

National science foundation grant awardees' perspectives on Article X and sexual harassment in science.

Federal scientific agencies seek to make an impact on the continued prevalence of sexual harassment in the scientific academic community beyond institutional self-regulation. The National Science Foundation's Article X, released in 2018, is one of the most significant and ambitious federal policy initiatives to address sexual harassment. The present article presents the results of the first study to examine scientists' knowledge and attitudes about this important recent policy. We found, although overall knowledge about Article X was fairly low, the majority of participants responded positively to it. Crucially, impressions of the policy varied based on past experience and demographic factors. Individuals who had experienced harassment in the past year were less likely to believe the policy would help reduce sexual harassment in the sciences compared to those who had not experienced harassment (OR = 0.47, 95% CI:0.23-0.97, p = .034) and had greater odds of endorsing that the policy failed to go far enough (OR = 2.77, 95% CI:1.15-6.66, p = .023). Associations between demographic factors and views of the policy were less pronounced, but it is notable that, compared to their White counterparts, Black participants were more likely to believe the policy went too far (OR = 5.87, 95% CI:1.04-33.17, p = .045). Additionally, concerns were raised about the institutional enforcement of these policies and the existence of sufficient protections for survivors. Our work has implications for NSF's continued evaluation of the efficacy of this program as well as for other federal agencies implementing or considering similar policies.

Diagnostic findings in sinonasal aspergillosis in dogs in the United Kingdom: 475 cases (2011-2021).

OBJECTIVES: To describe the diagnostic tests used and their comparative performance in dogs diagnosed with sinonasal aspergillosis in the United Kingdom. A secondary objective was to describe the signalment, clinical findings and common clinicopathologic abnormalities in sinonasal aspergillosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-centre retrospective survey was performed involving 23 referral centres in the United Kingdom to identify dogs diagnosed with sinonasal aspergillosis from January 2011 to December 2021. Dogs were included if fungal plaques were seen during rhinoscopy or if ancillary testing (via histopathology, culture, cytology, serology or PCR) was positive and other differential diagnoses were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 662 cases were entered into the database across the 23 referral centres. Four hundred and seventy-five cases met the study inclusion criteria. Of these, 419 dogs had fungal plaques and compatible clinical signs. Fungal plaques were not seen in 56 dogs with turbinate destruction that had compatible clinical signs and a positive ancillary test result. Ancillary diagnostics were performed in 312 of 419 (74%) dogs with observed fungal plaques permitting calculation of sensitivity of cytology as 67%, fungal culture 59%, histopathology 47% and PCR 71%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The sensitivities of ancillary diagnostics in this study were lower than previously reported challenging the clinical utility of such tests in sinonasal aspergillosis. Treatment and management decisions should be based on a combination of diagnostics including imaging findings, visual inspection, and ancillary testing, rather than ancillary tests alone.

Direct Probe of Vibrational Fingerprint and Combination Band Coupling.

Vibrational fingerprints and combination bands are a direct measure of couplings that control molecular properties. However, most combination bands possess small transition dipoles. Here we use multiple, ultrafast coherent infrared pulses to resolve vibrational coupling between CH3CN fingerprint modes at 918 and 1039 cm-1 and combination bands in the 2750-6100 cm-1 region via doubly vibrationally enhanced (DOVE) coherent multidimensional spectroscopy (CMDS). This approach provides a direct probe of vibrational coupling between fingerprint modes and near-infrared combination bands of large and small transition dipoles in a molecular system over a large frequency range.

Clarifying Relations Between Core Features of Psychopathy and Substance (Mis)use: A Replication and Extension in Two Large Independent Samples.

Two studies examined the consistency of associations between specific components of psychopathy and two indices of drug use: (a) abstinence and (b) severity (i.e., counts) of lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Participants were 418 male county jail inmates in Illinois (Study One) and 354 male state prison inmates in New Mexico (Study Two). Across samples, lifestyle and antisocial trait ratings were associated with a reduced likelihood of abstinence from most substances. Lifestyle traits were also uniquely associated with severity of substance dependence ratings. Consistent with prior research, interpersonal traits were uniquely related to cocaine indices in both samples. Furthermore, analyses revealed negative associations between the affective features of psychopathy and alcohol dependence in one sample (Study Two), and illicit substance use across samples. These findings demonstrate the robustness of the associations between the interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy and specific aspects of substance (mis)use.

Long-term growth, feed efficiency, enteric methane emission, and blood metabolite responses to in utero hyperthermia in Holstein heifers.

Dairy producers are experiencing production and animal welfare pressures from the increasing frequency and severity of heat stress events due to global climate change. Offspring performance during the pre-weaning and lactating periods is compromised when exposed to heat stress during late gestation (in utero). However, knowledge of the lingering impacts of in utero heat stress on yearling dairy heifers is limited. Herein, we investigated the long-term effects of in utero heat stress on heifer growth, feed efficiency, and enteric methane emissions in post-pubertal heifers. During the last 56 d of gestation, 38 pregnant cows carrying heifer calves were exposed to either heat stress (IUHT; n = 17) or artificial cooling (IUCL; n = 21). At 18 ± 1 mo of age, the resulting IUCL and IUHT heifers were enrolled in the present 63-d study. Heifers were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to 3 pens with Calan gates. Body weights (BW) were recorded on 3 consecutive days at the start and end of the trial and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Body condition score (BCS), hip width, body length, and chest girth were measured at the start and end of the study. All heifers were fed a TMR comprised of 46.6% oatlage, 44.6% grass/alfalfa haylage, 7.7% male-sterile corn silage, 0.3% urea, and 0.8% mineral/vitamin supplement (DM basis). The TMR and refusal samples were obtained daily, composited weekly, and dried to calculate DMI. During the study, each pen had access to a GreenFeed unit for 8 ± 1d to measure CH4 and CO2 gas fluxes. During the last 3 d of measuring CH4 and CO2 fluxes, fecal samples were collected, composited by animal, dried, and analyzed to calculate NDF, OM, and DM digestibility. On the last day of fecal sampling, blood samples were also collected via coccygeal venipuncture, and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis was performed Residual feed intake (RFI; predicted DMI - observed DMI) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE; DMI/ADG) were calculated to estimate feed efficiency. No differences were found in initial or final BW, hip width, chest girth, or BCS; however, IUCL heifers were longer in body length compared with IUHT heifers. Dry matter intake, ADG, RFI, and FCE were similar between IUHT and IUCL heifers. In utero heat stressed and IUCL heifers produced similar amounts of CH4 and CO2, and no differences were found in the number of GreenFeed visits or latency to approach the GreenFeed. The concentrations of 6 blood metabolites involved in lipogenic pathways were different between in utero treatments. In conclusion, in utero heat stress does not seem to have long-term effects on feed efficiency or methane emissions during the post-pubertal growing phase; however, IUCL heifers maintained a body length advantage over their IUHT counterparts and differed in concentrations of several candidate metabolites that encourage further exploration of their potential function in key organs, such as the liver and mammary gland.

The Disproportionate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Time Allocation of Recipients of NIH Career Development Awards Who Are Women or Caregivers of Dependents.

PURPOSE: To understand time allocation of a national medical faculty cohort 1.5-2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, compared to before. METHOD: From August 2021-April 2022, the authors conducted a retrospective survey of 1,430 clinician-researchers who received National Institutes of Health career-development awards between 2006-2009 asking about domestic and professional time allocation pre-pandemic and at the time of surveys (TOS). Of 915 respondents (64%), the 830 who remained in academic positions constituted the analytic sample. Multivariable regression models identified demographic factors associated with each time outcome and change in time between pre-pandemic and TOS, and having experienced ≥8-hour increase of total self-reported weekly professional work hours and domestic labor hours. RESULTS: Median self-reported weekly professional work hours were 55 hours/week pre- pandemic and 60 at TOS. On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of self-reported weekly professional work hours at TOS were having a non-child other dependent (+2.6 hours, P = .03), academic rank (associate -3.1 hours, assistant -9.0 hours; P < .001), and specialty (P < .001). Average self-reported TOS weekly domestic-labor hours were 23.1 among men and 30.2 among women (P < .001). Predictors of total self-reported TOS weekly domestic hours were being a woman (+5.6 hours; P < .001) and having children requiring supervision (+10.2 hours; P < .001). Overall, 9.3% of men (42/450) and 21.6% of women (88/407) experienced a ≥ 8 hour increase in domestic labor (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, women had higher odds of substantial domestic-labor increase (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.68), as did those with children requiring supervision (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.98) or other dependents (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.98). CONCLUSIONS: This study illuminates demands on women and faculty with dependents during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests increased flexibility and resources are of heightened importance.

Long-Term Effects of Pre-Weaning Individual or Pair Housing of Dairy Heifer Calves on Subsequent Growth and Feed Efficiency.

Our objective in this exploratory study was to evaluate the long-term impacts of pre-weaning social isolation vs. contact on subsequent growth and feed efficiency of Holstein heifers. As pre-weaned calves, 41 heifers were housed individually (n = 15 heifers) or in pairs (n = 13 pairs; 26 heifers). At 18 months of age, heifers were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to one of three pens within a block (six to eight heifers per pen; six pens total), with original pairs maintained. Body weight (BW), hip height and width, and chest girth were measured at the start and end of the study. Each pen was given 3 days of access to a GreenFeed greenhouse gas emissions monitor to assess potential physiological differences between treatments in enteric methane emissions or behavioral differences in propensity to approach a novel object. During the 9-week study, heifers were fed a common diet containing 62.3% male-sterile corn silage, 36.0% haylage, 0.7% urea, and 1.0% mineral (DM basis). To calculate daily feed intake, as-fed weights and refusals were recorded for individual heifers using Calan gates. Feed samples were collected daily, composited by week, and dried to calculate dry matter intake (DMI). Feed refusal and fecal samples were collected on 3 consecutive days at 3 timepoints, composited by heifer, dried, and analyzed to calculate neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter (OM), and DM digestibility. Feed efficiency was calculated as feed conversion efficiency (FCE; DMI/average daily gain [ADG]) and residual feed intake (RFI; observed DMI-predicted DMI). Paired and individually housed heifers did not differ in DMI, ADG, FCE, or RFI. Although no differences were found in initial or final hip height, hip width, or chest girth, heifers which had been pair-housed maintained a greater BW than individually housed heifers during the trial. Methane production, intensity, and yield were similar between treatments. Pre-weaning paired or individual housing did not impact the number of visits or latency to approach the GreenFeed; approximately 50% of heifers in each treatment visited the GreenFeed within 8 h of exposure. Digestibility of OM, DM, and NDF were also similar between housing treatments. In conclusion, pre-weaning pair housing had no adverse effects on growth, feed efficiency, or methane emissions at 18 to 20 months of age.

Navigating the Healthcare Conundrum: Leadership Perspective from a Premier Healthcare Organization in Loma Linda's Blue Zone.

Navigating the healthcare conundrum in the Blue Zone of Loma Linda, California, requires understanding the unique factors that make this region stand out in terms of health and longevity. But more important is understanding the healthcare system sustaining the Blue Zone in Loma Linda, California. In an era marked by soaring healthcare costs and diminishing reimbursement rates, hospitals and physicians face an unprecedented challenge: providing excellent patient care while maintaining financial sustainability. This leadership perspective publication paper delves into the multifaceted struggles encountered by healthcare and hospital leaders, exploring the root causes, implications, and potential solutions for this complex issue. As we examine the evolving healthcare landscape, we aim to shed light on the critical need for innovative approaches to sustain the future of healthcare excellence in one of the five original Blue Zones.

Lesser prairie-chicken dispersal after translocation: Implications for restoration and population connectivity.

Conservation translocations are frequently inhibited by extensive dispersal after release, which can expose animals to dispersal-related mortality or Allee effects due to a lack of nearby conspecifics. However, translocation-induced dispersals also provide opportunities to study how animals move across a novel landscape, and how their movements are influenced by landscape configuration and anthropogenic features. Translocation among populations is considered a potential conservation strategy for lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). We determined the influence of release area on dispersal frequency by translocated lesser prairie-chickens and measured how lesser prairie-chickens move through grassland landscapes through avoidance of anthropogenic features during their dispersal movements. We translocated 411 lesser prairie-chickens from northwest Kansas to southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas in 2016-2019. We used satellite GPS transmitters to track 115 lesser prairie-chickens throughout their post-release dispersal movements. We found that almost all lesser prairie-chickens that survived from their spring release date until June undergo post-translocation dispersal, and there was little variation in dispersal frequency by release area (96% of all tracked birds, 100% in Baca County, Colorado, 94% in Morton County, Kansas, n = 55). Dispersal movements (male: 103 ± 73 km, female: 175 ± 108 km, n = 62) led to diffusion across landscapes, with 69% of birds settling >5 km from their release site. During dispersal movements, translocated lesser prairie-chickens usually travel by a single 3.75 ± 4.95 km dispersal flight per day, selecting for steps that end far from roads and in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands. Due to this "stepping stone" method of transit, landscape connectivity is optimized when <5 km separates grassland patches on the landscape. Future persistence of lesser prairie-chicken populations can be aided through conservation of habitat and strategic placement of CRP to maximize habitat connectivity. Dispersal rates suggest that translocation is better suited to objectives for regional, rather than site-specific, population augmentation for this species.

Clarifying the relationship between mental illness and recidivism using machine learning: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently inconclusive evidence regarding the relationship between recidivism and mental illness. This retrospective study aimed to use rigorous machine learning methods to understand the unique predictive utility of mental illness for recidivism in a general population (i.e.; not only those with mental illness) prison sample in the United States. METHOD: Participants were adult men (n = 322) and women (n = 72) who were recruited from three prisons in the Midwest region of the United States. Three model comparisons using Bayesian correlated t-tests were conducted to understand the incremental predictive utility of mental illness, substance use, and crime and demographic variables for recidivism prediction. Three classification statistical algorithms were considered while evaluating model configurations for the t-tests: elastic net logistic regression (GLMnet), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and random forests (RF). RESULTS: Rates of substance use disorders were particularly high in our sample (86.29%). Mental illness variables and substance use variables did not add predictive utility for recidivism prediction over and above crime and demographic variables. Exploratory analyses comparing the crime and demographic, substance use, and mental illness feature sets to null models found that only the crime and demographics model had an increased likelihood of improving recidivism prediction accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not finding a direct relationship between mental illness and recidivism, treatment of mental illness in incarcerated populations is still essential due to the high rates of mental illnesses, the legal imperative, the possibility of decreasing institutional disciplinary burden, the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in prison, and the potential to improve meaningful outcomes beyond recidivism following release.