Enhanced gut microbiome supplementation of essential amino acids in Diploptera punctata fed low-protein plant-based diet.

Introduction: Building on our previous work, we investigate how dietary shifts affect gut microbial essential amino acid (EAA) provisioning in the lactating cockroach Diploptera punctata. Method: To that end, we fed cockroaches three distinct diets: a plant-only Gari diet composed of starchy and granulated root tuber Yucca (Manihot esculenta), a dog food diet (DF), and a cellulose-amended dog food (CADF) diet. We anticipated that the high carbohydrate, low protein Gari would highlight increased microbial EAA supplementation to the host. Results: By day 28, we observed distinct profiles of 14 bacterial families in the insect gut microbiomes of the three dietary groups. CADF-fed insects predominantly harbored cellulolytic and nitrogen-fixing bacteria families Streptococcaceae and Xanthomonadaceae. In contrast, Gari-fed insects were enriched in anaerobic lignocellulolytic bacteria families Paludibacteraceae and Dysgonomonadaceae, while DF-fed insects had a prevalence of proteolytic anaerobes Williamwhitmaniaceae and sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrionaceae. Furthermore, we confirmed significantly higher EAA supplementation in Gari-fed insects than in non-Gari-fed insects based on δ13C-EAA offsets between insect and their diets. The δ13C-EAA offsets between DF and CADF were nearly indistinguishable, highlighting the relevance of using the plant-based Gari in this experiment to unequivocally demonstrate this function in this insect. These results were underscored by lower standard metabolic rate (SMR) relative to the DF insect in Gari-fed (intermediate SMR and dietary quality) and CADF (least SMR and dietary quality) insects. Discussion: The influence of diet on EAA provisioning and SMR responses in insects underscores the need for further exploration into the role of gut microbial functions in modulating metabolic responses.

Cumulative Colorism in Criminal Courts.

A growing literature documents skin color stratification in punishment, whereby darker-skinned individuals fare worse than their lighter-skinned counterparts. Virtually all of this research has focused on colorism operating through direct channels. Utilizing a novel dataset linking the mugshots and court records of 6931 felony defendants from Miami-Dade County (Florida) from 2012 to 2015, we show that colorism in punishment, particularly for Hispanics, operates through indirect mechanisms - in addition to direct channels. We argue that colorism in punishment is sustained through a cumulative (dis)advantage process, highlighting how skin color stratification is institutionalized in the criminal justice system.

Building Biased Jurors: Exposing the Circularity of the Inherent Bias Rationale for Felon-Juror Exclusion.

Justifying the statutory exclusion of convicted felons from jury service, lawmakers and courts allege that convicted felons harbor an inherent bias, making them sympathetic to the plight of criminal defendants and skeptical of the prosecution. Prior research suggests that a felony conviction is a significant predictor of such pre-trial biases. The purpose of this research is to further explore that finding, examining the potential impact of lifetime incarceration and multiple felony convictions on pre-trial biases. To do so, we measured the pre-trial biases of 240 otherwise eligible jurors with a felony criminal history. Results reveal that while the presence of multiple felony convictions is a statistically significant predictor of a pro-defense/anti-prosecution pre-trial bias, length of incarceration is not, suggesting that criminal justice system contact (procedure), not punishment (outcome), contributes to the formation of a pro-defense/anti-prosecution pre-trial bias among convicted felons. Results support prior research demonstrating that criminal justice procedures are stronger predictors of convicted felons' views than are punishment outcomes. These findings also expose the circularity of the inherent bias rationale, a justification for excluding convicted felons from a process that spawns the pre-trial biases allegedly warranting exclusion. In this way, the criminal justice system helps to build biased jurors.

Particularism and racial mobility into privileged occupations.

We assess whether the "particularistic mobility thesis", the predominant theory used to explain African American/White differences in mobility dynamics into occupationally privileged positions in the American labor market is applicable across a greater range of occupational destinations than previously considered, and, if so, whether it captures a racialized "glass ceiling". Findings from a 2009-2014 Panel Study of Income Dynamics sample of men support broadening the scope of theory. Specifically, across four white-collar and blue-collar privileged destinations, African Americans, relative to, Whites, have low rates of mobility and are restricted to relying on a circumscribed and formal mobility route that is structured by a traditional range of stratification-based causal factors, i.e., background socio-economic status, human capital and job/labor market characteristics. In addition, a racialized glass ceiling in mobility prospects emerges across destinations based on two criteria-income and supervisory authority. We discuss how the application of theory in this broader context enhances our understanding of race-based access to occupational privilege in contemporary America and sheds light on the immediate and longer-term patterns of racial stratification in the American labor market.

Characterizing the spatial mismatch between intimate partner violence related healthcare services and arrests in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

BACKGROUND: Routine screening and intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV) in healthcare settings constitutes an important secondary prevention strategy for identifying individuals experiencing IPV early and connecting them with appropriate services. Considerable variation in available IPV-related healthcare services exists and interventions are needed to improve the quality of these services. One way to prioritize intervention efforts is by examining the level of services provided in communities most at risk relative to local incidence or prevalence of IPV. To inform future interventions, this study examined the spatial relationship between IPV-related healthcare services and IPV arrests in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and identified predictors of the observed spatial mismatch. METHODS: Survey data collected in 2014 from 278 health facilities pertaining to IPV services were geocoded, computed into a density layer, and aggregated at the census tract level to create a population-based normalized comprehensiveness score (NCS) as a proxy for IPV-related healthcare resources. IPV arrests from 2011 to 2015, collected from the county court, were geocoded and summarized by census tracts to serve as a proxy for IPV prevalence. These measures were combined into a resource disparity score (RDS) that compared relative service density to relative arrest rates, where positive RDS represented over-resourced neighborhoods and negative RDS corresponded to under-resourced neighborhoods. We used correlation analyses and a two-phase spatial modeling approach to evaluate correlates of NCS and RDS. RESULTS: A spatial lag model did not yield an association between NCS and IPV arrests, demonstrating a spatial mismatch, which we visualized using a Geographic Information System (GIS). A spatial error model revealed that the percentage of white non-Hispanic residents was positively associated with RDS, while percent black non-Hispanic, median age, ethnic heterogeneity, and economic disadvantage were negatively associated with RDS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need to further evaluate the adequacy of IPV-related healthcare resources for secondary prevention relative to local IPV arrest rates, particularly within economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Our approach demonstrates the utility of GIS for identifying potential priority regions for IPV prevention efforts and resource allocation.

Impact of Multileaf Collimator Configuration Parameters on the Dosimetric Accuracy of 6-MV Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Treatment Plans.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of selected configuration parameters that govern multileaf collimator (MLC) transmission and rounded leaf offset in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) (Pinnacle3, Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA, USA) on the accuracy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dose calculation. The MLC leaf transmission factor was modified based on measurements made with ionization chambers. The table of parameters containing rounded-leaf-end offset values was modified by measuring the radiation field edge as a function of leaf bank position with an ionization chamber in a scanning water-tank dosimetry system and comparing the locations to those predicted by the TPS. The modified parameter values were validated by performing IMRT quality assurance (QA) measurements on 19 gantry-static IMRT plans. Planar dose measurements were performed with radiographic film and a diode array (MapCHECK2) and compared to TPS calculated dose distributions using default and modified configuration parameters. Based on measurements, the leaf transmission factor was changed from a default value of 0.001 to 0.005. Surprisingly, this modification resulted in a small but statistically significant worsening of IMRT QA gamma-index passing rate, which revealed that the overall dosimetric accuracy of the TPS depends on multiple configuration parameters in a manner that is coupled and not intuitive because of the commissioning protocol used in our clinic. The rounded leaf offset table had little room for improvement, with the average difference between the default and modified offset values being -0.2 ± 0.7 mm. While our results depend on the current clinical protocols, treatment unit and TPS used, the methodology used in this study is generally applicable. Different clinics could potentially obtain different results and improve their dosimetric accuracy using our approach.