PeerJ Preprints: Science and Medical Educationhttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=7700Science and Medical Education articles published in PeerJ PreprintsViSiElse: An innovative R-package to visualize raw behavioral data over timehttps://peerj.com/preprints/276652019-11-252019-11-25Elodie M GarnierNastasia FouretMédéric Descoins
The scientific community encourages the use of raw data graphs to improve the reliability and transparency of the results presented in articles. However, the current methods used to visualize raw data are limited to one or two numerical variables per graph and/or small sample sizes. In the behavioral sciences, numerous variables must be plotted together in order to gain insight into the behavior in question. In this paper, we present ViSiElse, an R-package offering a new approach in the visualization of raw data. ViSiElse was developed with the open-source software R to visualize behavioral observations over time based on raw time data extracted from visually recorded sessions of experimental observations. ViSiElse gives a global overview of a process by creating a visualization of the timestamps for multiple actions and all participants into a single graph; individual or group behavior can then be easily assessed. Additional features allow users to further inspect their data by including summary statistics and time constraints.
The scientific community encourages the use of raw data graphs to improve the reliability and transparency of the results presented in articles. However, the current methods used to visualize raw data are limited to one or two numerical variables per graph and/or small sample sizes. In the behavioral sciences, numerous variables must be plotted together in order to gain insight into the behavior in question. In this paper, we present ViSiElse, an R-package offering a new approach in the visualization of raw data. ViSiElse was developed with the open-source software R to visualize behavioral observations over time based on raw time data extracted from visually recorded sessions of experimental observations. ViSiElse gives a global overview of a process by creating a visualization of the timestamps for multiple actions and all participants into a single graph; individual or group behavior can then be easily assessed. Additional features allow users to further inspect their data by including summary statistics and time constraints.Software and resources for experiments and data analysis of MEG and EEG datahttps://peerj.com/preprints/279882019-10-212019-10-21Lau M. Andersen
Data from magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) is extremely rich and multifaceted. For example, in a standard MEG recording with 306 sensors and a sampling rate of 1,000 Hz, 306,000 data points are sampled every second. To be able to answer the question, which was the ultimate reason for acquiring the data, thus necessitates efficient data handling. Luckily, several software packages have been developed for handling MEG and/or EEG data. To name some of the most popular: MNE-Python; FieldTrip; Brainstorm; EEGLAB and SPM. These are all available under a public domain licence, meaning that they can be run, shared and modified by anyone. Commercial software released under proprietary licences include BESA and CURRY. It is important to be aware of that for clinical diagnosis of for example epilepsy, certified software is required FieldTrip, MNE-Python, Brainstorm, EEGLAB and SPM for example cannot be used for that. In this chapter, the emphasis will be on MNE-Python and FieldTrip. This will allow users of both Python and MATLAB (or alternatively GNU Octave to code along as the chapter unfolds. As a general remark, all that MNE-Python can do, FieldTrip can do and vice versa – though with some small difference. A full analysis going from raw data to a source reconstruction will be presented, illustrated with both code and figures with the aim of providing newcomers to the field a stepping stone towards doing their own analyses of their own datasets.
Data from magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) is extremely rich and multifaceted. For example, in a standard MEG recording with 306 sensors and a sampling rate of 1,000 Hz, 306,000 data points are sampled every second. To be able to answer the question, which was the ultimate reason for acquiring the data, thus necessitates efficient data handling. Luckily, several software packages have been developed for handling MEG and/or EEG data. To name some of the most popular: MNE-Python; FieldTrip; Brainstorm; EEGLAB and SPM. These are all available under a public domain licence, meaning that they can be run, shared and modified by anyone. Commercial software released under proprietary licences include BESA and CURRY. It is important to be aware of that for clinical diagnosis of for example epilepsy, certified software is required FieldTrip, MNE-Python, Brainstorm, EEGLAB and SPM for example cannot be used for that. In this chapter, the emphasis will be on MNE-Python and FieldTrip. This will allow users of both Python and MATLAB (or alternatively GNU Octave to code along as the chapter unfolds. As a general remark, all that MNE-Python can do, FieldTrip can do and vice versa – though with some small difference. A full analysis going from raw data to a source reconstruction will be presented, illustrated with both code and figures with the aim of providing newcomers to the field a stepping stone towards doing their own analyses of their own datasets.How to make new discoveries in (human) anatomyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/279802019-09-242019-09-24Mathew John Wedel
Despite the perception that human anatomy is a completed science, new discoveries continue to be reported. Some merely expand the previously known range of human variation, but others are gross structures present in most people, which simply escaped detection until recently. An analysis of recent discoveries suggests several avenues along which new discoveries might be sought:
1. Anatomically complex regions with multiple potential distractors: the anterolateral ligament of the knee escaped widespread appreciation until 2013, probably because the human knee is a forbiddingly complex structure that is rarely dissected completely, and several superficially similar structures are present in the same area.
2. Common characters of other taxa expressed as rare variants in humans: vagus nerve fibers to the trachea and esophagus are typically incorporated into the recurrent laryngeal nerve in humans, but form a separate pararecurrent nerve in some other mammals, and rarely in humans.
3. Replaced peripheral nerves: nerve fibers from the 4th lumbar spinal level to the leg are usually incorporated into the femoral nerve, but in rare cases become part of the obturator nerve. In such cases, the posterior branch of the saphenous nerve appears to have been replaced by the obturator nerve. Similar replacements in other regions of the body are underexplored.
Most recent discoveries fall into a perceptual blind spot: medical students dissecting human cadavers have the opportunity to find these structures, but usually lack the expertise to recognize or preserve them. In contract, surgeons have the necessary expertise, but rarely have the opportunity to open people up sufficiently to identify or trace these structures.
If new discoveries remain to be made even in the well-trod ground of human anatomy, then many more surely await discovery in extant and extinct non-humans, and these guidelines may prove useful in other taxa as well.
Despite the perception that human anatomy is a completed science, new discoveries continue to be reported. Some merely expand the previously known range of human variation, but others are gross structures present in most people, which simply escaped detection until recently. An analysis of recent discoveries suggests several avenues along which new discoveries might be sought:1. Anatomically complex regions with multiple potential distractors: the anterolateral ligament of the knee escaped widespread appreciation until 2013, probably because the human knee is a forbiddingly complex structure that is rarely dissected completely, and several superficially similar structures are present in the same area.2. Common characters of other taxa expressed as rare variants in humans: vagus nerve fibers to the trachea and esophagus are typically incorporated into the recurrent laryngeal nerve in humans, but form a separate pararecurrent nerve in some other mammals, and rarely in humans.3. Replaced peripheral nerves: nerve fibers from the 4th lumbar spinal level to the leg are usually incorporated into the femoral nerve, but in rare cases become part of the obturator nerve. In such cases, the posterior branch of the saphenous nerve appears to have been replaced by the obturator nerve. Similar replacements in other regions of the body are underexplored.Most recent discoveries fall into a perceptual blind spot: medical students dissecting human cadavers have the opportunity to find these structures, but usually lack the expertise to recognize or preserve them. In contract, surgeons have the necessary expertise, but rarely have the opportunity to open people up sufficiently to identify or trace these structures.If new discoveries remain to be made even in the well-trod ground of human anatomy, then many more surely await discovery in extant and extinct non-humans, and these guidelines may prove useful in other taxa as well.Facies analysis of the Lower-Middle Toarcian in the External Subbetic (provinces of Murcia and Granada, Southern Spain): palaeoenvironmental conditionshttps://peerj.com/preprints/279572019-09-112019-09-11José Miguel MolinaLuis M Nieto
Toarcian sedimentary rocks are well recorded in the Subbetic (Betic External Zones, Southern Spain) as part of the Zegrí Formation (upper Pliensbachian-Aalenian). These rocks were deposited in the South Iberian Palaeomargin in the Western Tethys. We study the lower-middle Toarcian facies in two sections in the External Subbetic and their palaeoenvironmental interpretation. The lower-middle Toarcian have more than 160 m in thickness, the maximum for this time in all the Betic External Zones. Five types of lithofacies are differentiated: 1) Grey-yellow marl-marly limestone rhythmite and limestones (lower part of the Polymorphum Zone); 2) dark marls (upper part of the Polymorphum Zone and lower part of the Serpentinum Zone); 3) thin bedded grey-yellow limestones, locally with chert and abundant slumps (upper part of the Serpentinum Zone); 4) grey marls and marly limestones (Bifrons and Gradata Zones); and 5) yellow-brown laminated calcisiltites and calcarenites, intercalated in facies 3 and 4. Facies 1 to 4 are interpreted as hemipelagites, deposited by the slow accumulation, on a quiet sea floor of biogenic and very fine terrigenous particles. Facies 2 was deposited in rather depleted oxygen conditions with slightly dysoxic bottom waters but discarding completely anoxic conditions. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) is recorded in this facies 2 by some increase of total organic carbon (maximum of 1.05 wt.%) and redox sensitive elements, the decrease of CaCO3, and the negative excursion of δ13C observed at the base of Serpentinum Zone. Facies 5 are mainly peloidal grainstone with bioclasts (brachiopods, bivalves, and echinoderms), ooids and allochthonous shallow water foraminifera, and packstone-wackestone of bioclasts (mainly radiolarians) and peloids. This facies 5 with parallel lamination and locally with normal grading, low angle, wavy, and hummocky cross stratification is interpreted as tempestites related with tropical cyclones, and/or internalites. The influence of adjacent emerged lands and carbonate platforms, differential subsidence by local tectonics, sediment winnowing by currents, sedimentation rates, bioturbation, and diagenesis, may have had more importance in the distribution of the facies types than depth. The evolution during the lower-middle Toarcian was mainly controlled by tectonics after the Pliensbachian break-up of the Lower Jurassic platform, together with a relative sea-level change. Also the beginning of basaltic submarine volcanism to the South in some Median Subbetic areas had influence. The diversified physiography related to synsedimentary tectonic activity and oceanic circulation patterns, determined different intensities of winnowing and oxygenation on the sea-floor. The T-OAE is recorded in the base of Serpentinum Zone. The general re-oxygenation after the T-OAE could be favoured by changes in oceanic currents and by the tempestite/internalite inputs during the upper part of Serpentinum and Bifrons zones.
Toarcian sedimentary rocks are well recorded in the Subbetic (Betic External Zones, Southern Spain) as part of the Zegrí Formation (upper Pliensbachian-Aalenian). These rocks were deposited in the South Iberian Palaeomargin in the Western Tethys. We study the lower-middle Toarcian facies in two sections in the External Subbetic and their palaeoenvironmental interpretation. The lower-middle Toarcian have more than 160 m in thickness, the maximum for this time in all the Betic External Zones. Five types of lithofacies are differentiated: 1) Grey-yellow marl-marly limestone rhythmite and limestones (lower part of the Polymorphum Zone); 2) dark marls (upper part of the Polymorphum Zone and lower part of the Serpentinum Zone); 3) thin bedded grey-yellow limestones, locally with chert and abundant slumps (upper part of the Serpentinum Zone); 4) grey marls and marly limestones (Bifrons and Gradata Zones); and 5) yellow-brown laminated calcisiltites and calcarenites, intercalated in facies 3 and 4. Facies 1 to 4 are interpreted as hemipelagites, deposited by the slow accumulation, on a quiet sea floor of biogenic and very fine terrigenous particles. Facies 2 was deposited in rather depleted oxygen conditions with slightly dysoxic bottom waters but discarding completely anoxic conditions. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) is recorded in this facies 2 by some increase of total organic carbon (maximum of 1.05 wt.%) and redox sensitive elements, the decrease of CaCO3, and the negative excursion of δ13C observed at the base of Serpentinum Zone. Facies 5 are mainly peloidal grainstone with bioclasts (brachiopods, bivalves, and echinoderms), ooids and allochthonous shallow water foraminifera, and packstone-wackestone of bioclasts (mainly radiolarians) and peloids. This facies 5 with parallel lamination and locally with normal grading, low angle, wavy, and hummocky cross stratification is interpreted as tempestites related with tropical cyclones, and/or internalites. The influence of adjacent emerged lands and carbonate platforms, differential subsidence by local tectonics, sediment winnowing by currents, sedimentation rates, bioturbation, and diagenesis, may have had more importance in the distribution of the facies types than depth. The evolution during the lower-middle Toarcian was mainly controlled by tectonics after the Pliensbachian break-up of the Lower Jurassic platform, together with a relative sea-level change. Also the beginning of basaltic submarine volcanism to the South in some Median Subbetic areas had influence. The diversified physiography related to synsedimentary tectonic activity and oceanic circulation patterns, determined different intensities of winnowing and oxygenation on the sea-floor. The T-OAE is recorded in the base of Serpentinum Zone. The general re-oxygenation after the T-OAE could be favoured by changes in oceanic currents and by the tempestite/internalite inputs during the upper part of Serpentinum and Bifrons zones.Technical and social issues influencing the adoption of preprints in the life scienceshttps://peerj.com/preprints/279542019-09-102019-09-10Naomi C PenfoldJessica K Polka
Preprints are gaining visibility in many fields. Thanks to the explosion of bioRxiv, an online server for preprints in biology, versions of manuscripts prior to the completion of journal-organized peer review are poised to become a standard component of the publishing experience in the life sciences. Here we provide an overview of current challenges facing preprints, both technical and social, and a vision for their future development, from unbundling the functions of publication to exploring different communication formats.
Preprints are gaining visibility in many fields. Thanks to the explosion of bioRxiv, an online server for preprints in biology, versions of manuscripts prior to the completion of journal-organized peer review are poised to become a standard component of the publishing experience in the life sciences. Here we provide an overview of current challenges facing preprints, both technical and social, and a vision for their future development, from unbundling the functions of publication to exploring different communication formats.A guide to applying the Good Publication Practice 3 Guidelines in the Asia-Pacific regionhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278922019-08-192019-08-19Blair HespKatsuhisa AraiMagdalene ChuStefanie ChuahJose Miguel CuramengSandeep KamatZhigang MaAndrew SakkoHazel Fernandez
Numerous recommendations and guidelines aim to improve the quality, timeliness and transparency of medical publications. However, these guidelines use ambiguous language that can be challenging to interpret, particularly for speakers of English as a second language. Cultural expectations within the Asia-Pacific region raise additional challenges. Several studies have suggested that awareness and application of ethical publication practices in the Asia-Pacific region is relatively low compared with other regions. However, guidance on applying ethical publication practice guidelines in the Asia-Pacific region is lacking. This review aims to improve publication practices in the Asia-Pacific region by providing guidance on applying the 10 principles of the Good Publication Practice 3 (GPP3) guidelines and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship. Recommendations are provided for encore presentations, applying the ICMJE authorship criteria in the context of regional cultural expectations, and the role of study sponsors and professional medical writers. Ongoing barriers to compliance with guidelines are also highlighted, and additional guidance is provided to support authors submitting manuscripts for publication. The roles of regional journals, regulatory authorities and professional bodies in improving practices are also discussed.
Numerous recommendations and guidelines aim to improve the quality, timeliness and transparency of medical publications. However, these guidelines use ambiguous language that can be challenging to interpret, particularly for speakers of English as a second language. Cultural expectations within the Asia-Pacific region raise additional challenges. Several studies have suggested that awareness and application of ethical publication practices in the Asia-Pacific region is relatively low compared with other regions. However, guidance on applying ethical publication practice guidelines in the Asia-Pacific region is lacking. This review aims to improve publication practices in the Asia-Pacific region by providing guidance on applying the 10 principles of the Good Publication Practice 3 (GPP3) guidelines and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship. Recommendations are provided for encore presentations, applying the ICMJE authorship criteria in the context of regional cultural expectations, and the role of study sponsors and professional medical writers. Ongoing barriers to compliance with guidelines are also highlighted, and additional guidance is provided to support authors submitting manuscripts for publication. The roles of regional journals, regulatory authorities and professional bodies in improving practices are also discussed.Antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of leaves of Azadirachta indica in vivohttps://peerj.com/preprints/278472019-08-062019-08-06Akash S MaliMahesh B ThoratDhairysheel M GhadgeKumodini A NikamShraddha D SawantFarida ShaikhNayana M VhatkarSwapnja ShindeKavyshree D DhongadeMunaf A Tamboli
Background: Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a communal plant of Meliaceae family called Neem Or Kadunimb in Maharashtra, India Neem stated anti-inflammatory through regulation of proinflammatory enzyme activities with COX and LOX enzyme. Previous studies show that Azadirachta Indica (neem) and its chief constituents play essential role in anticancer management via the modulation of different molecular pathways including NF- κ B, p53, PI3K/Akt, Bcl-2, pTEN and VEGF. Many parts of the plant are traditionally used in the treatment of various pharmacological action, the analgesic activity of Neem Seed Oil has already reported but Neem Leaves. Methods: The antinociceptive activity of Azadirachta Indica Leaves (AZIL) was examined using heat-induced-mechanical (hot-plate and tail-immersion test) and chemical-induced (acetic acid, formalin, glutamic acid, cinnamaldehyde) nociception models in mice at 50,100, and 200 mg/kg doses. ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway and involvement of opioid system was also tested using glibenclamide, methylene blue and naloxone/morphine respectively. The methanolic extract of leaves of A.Indica was assessed by using different in vitro antioxidant models of screening like scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydroxyl radical. Results: AZIL showed antinociceptive activity and antioxidant activity. In both hot plate and tail immersion tests AZIL significantly increases the latency to the thermal stimuli. In acetic acid-induced writhing test the extract repressed the number of abdominal writhing. Similarly, AZIL produced substantial dose-dependent inhibition of paw licking in both neurogenic and inflammatory pain induced by intraplanar injection of formalin. As well, AZIL also expressively withdrawn cinnamaldehyde-induced pain and the glutamate-induced pain in mice. It was also proved that pretreatment with naloxone significantly reversed the antinociception produced by AZIL in mechanical tests signifying the involvement of opioid system in its effect. Furthermore, administration of methylene blue, enhanced AZIL induced antinociception while glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel antagonist, could not converse antinociceptive activity induced by AZIL. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study it can be said that AZIL keeps significant antinociceptive activity which acts in both central and peripheral mechanisms.
Background: Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a communal plant of Meliaceae family called Neem Or Kadunimb in Maharashtra, India Neem stated anti-inflammatory through regulation of proinflammatory enzyme activities with COX and LOX enzyme. Previous studies show that Azadirachta Indica (neem) and its chief constituents play essential role in anticancer management via the modulation of different molecular pathways including NF- κ B, p53, PI3K/Akt, Bcl-2, pTEN and VEGF. Many parts of the plant are traditionally used in the treatment of various pharmacological action, the analgesic activity of Neem Seed Oil has already reported but Neem Leaves. Methods: The antinociceptive activity of Azadirachta Indica Leaves (AZIL) was examined using heat-induced-mechanical (hot-plate and tail-immersion test) and chemical-induced (acetic acid, formalin, glutamic acid, cinnamaldehyde) nociception models in mice at 50,100, and 200 mg/kg doses. ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway and involvement of opioid system was also tested using glibenclamide, methylene blue and naloxone/morphine respectively. The methanolic extract of leaves of A.Indica was assessed by using different in vitro antioxidant models of screening like scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydroxyl radical. Results: AZIL showed antinociceptive activity and antioxidant activity. In both hot plate and tail immersion tests AZIL significantly increases the latency to the thermal stimuli. In acetic acid-induced writhing test the extract repressed the number of abdominal writhing. Similarly, AZIL produced substantial dose-dependent inhibition of paw licking in both neurogenic and inflammatory pain induced by intraplanar injection of formalin. As well, AZIL also expressively withdrawn cinnamaldehyde-induced pain and the glutamate-induced pain in mice. It was also proved that pretreatment with naloxone significantly reversed the antinociception produced by AZIL in mechanical tests signifying the involvement of opioid system in its effect. Furthermore, administration of methylene blue, enhanced AZIL induced antinociception while glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel antagonist, could not converse antinociceptive activity induced by AZIL. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study it can be said that AZIL keeps significant antinociceptive activity which acts in both central and peripheral mechanisms.Allogenic stem cell transplant in a patient with classical Kaposi's sarcomahttps://peerj.com/preprints/482019-08-042019-08-04Richard Barchas
A 68 year old male with a history of classical Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) received an allogenic stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor to treat his ALL. He developed acute graft-vs.-host-disease (GVHD) which was treated by increasing immunosuppressants. KS, which had been in remission for years, then recurred aggressively. Tapering immunosuppressants to treat the KS was not possible because of GVHD. Chemotherapy could not be used because of its adverse effect on the bone marrow so soon after transplant. The only option was to use antiviral therapy (cidofovir) to lower the level of HHV-8, the virus that is a causal factor in KS. Although HHV-8 levels were significantly reduced, new KS lesions continued to appear. The patient developed acute kidney injury after the third cidofovir infusion and died from renal and respiratory failure soon afterward. Post-mortem revealed extensive internal KS lesions involving multiple organs. Based on the experience with this patient, allogenic transplant using an unrelated donor has been found to be a questionable treatment modality for classical KS patients requiring treatment for another condition such as leukemias and lymphomas. Post-transplant immunosuppression is required to prevent GVHD, and if it occurs, immunosuppression may have to be increased. Aggressive KS developed in this patient under these conditions, and could not be controlled by tapering immunosuppressants. Although the risk of GVHD is lower for an allogenic transplant using a matched sibling instead of an unrelated donor, the risk of both GVHD and aggressive KS both developing may still be unacceptably high.Alternative treatment modalities for these patients might include continuing with chemotherapy and autologous transplant. These avoid GVHD and lower the need for long term immunosuppression, but have a much higher risk of relapse of the underlying malignancy. Still, they could be preferable to an allogenic transplant for such cases.
A 68 year old male with a history of classical Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) received an allogenic stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor to treat his ALL. He developed acute graft-vs.-host-disease (GVHD) which was treated by increasing immunosuppressants. KS, which had been in remission for years, then recurred aggressively. Tapering immunosuppressants to treat the KS was not possible because of GVHD. Chemotherapy could not be used because of its adverse effect on the bone marrow so soon after transplant. The only option was to use antiviral therapy (cidofovir) to lower the level of HHV-8, the virus that is a causal factor in KS. Although HHV-8 levels were significantly reduced, new KS lesions continued to appear. The patient developed acute kidney injury after the third cidofovir infusion and died from renal and respiratory failure soon afterward. Post-mortem revealed extensive internal KS lesions involving multiple organs. Based on the experience with this patient, allogenic transplant using an unrelated donor has been found to be a questionable treatment modality for classical KS patients requiring treatment for another condition such as leukemias and lymphomas. Post-transplant immunosuppression is required to prevent GVHD, and if it occurs, immunosuppression may have to be increased. Aggressive KS developed in this patient under these conditions, and could not be controlled by tapering immunosuppressants. Although the risk of GVHD is lower for an allogenic transplant using a matched sibling instead of an unrelated donor, the risk of both GVHD and aggressive KS both developing may still be unacceptably high.Alternative treatment modalities for these patients might include continuing with chemotherapy and autologous transplant. These avoid GVHD and lower the need for long term immunosuppression, but have a much higher risk of relapse of the underlying malignancy. Still, they could be preferable to an allogenic transplant for such cases.Plan S in Latin America: A precautionary notehttps://peerj.com/preprints/278342019-07-112019-07-11Humberto DebatDominique Babini
Latin America has historically led a firm and rising Open Access movement and represents the worldwide region with larger adoption of Open Access practices. Argentina has recently expressed its commitment to join Plan S, an initiative from a European consortium of research funders oriented to mandate Open Access publishing of scientific outputs. Here we suggest that the potential adhesion of Argentina or other Latin American nations to Plan S, even in its recently revised version, ignores the reality and tradition of Latin American Open Access publishing, and has still to demonstrate that it will encourage at a regional and global level the advancement of non-commercial Open Access initiatives.
Latin America has historically led a firm and rising Open Access movement and represents the worldwide region with larger adoption of Open Access practices. Argentina has recently expressed its commitment to join Plan S, an initiative from a European consortium of research funders oriented to mandate Open Access publishing of scientific outputs. Here we suggest that the potential adhesion of Argentina or other Latin American nations to Plan S, even in its recently revised version, ignores the reality and tradition of Latin American Open Access publishing, and has still to demonstrate that it will encourage at a regional and global level the advancement of non-commercial Open Access initiatives.Interdisciplinary summer bridge programs to improve student outcomeshttps://peerj.com/preprints/278162019-06-232019-06-23Easton R White
The Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP) at UC Davis provides additional academic support and advising for a small (<40 students) cohort in the biological sciences each year. Students come from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, the educational opportunity program, or have a disability. As part of the program, students participate in a two-week biology bridge program to prepare them for introductory ecology and evolution. The bridge program involves active learning assignments and team-based learning with a focus on the connection between biology and mathematics. We found that BUSP participants improved their biology knowledge through the summer bridge program. However, math confidence, SAT scores, Grit measures, and performance in the bridge program were not predictive of success in their biology course. We also found that BUSP students were more likely to remain in Life Science major and graduate.
The Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP) at UC Davis provides additional academic support and advising for a small (<40 students) cohort in the biological sciences each year. Students come from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, the educational opportunity program, or have a disability. As part of the program, students participate in a two-week biology bridge program to prepare them for introductory ecology and evolution. The bridge program involves active learning assignments and team-based learning with a focus on the connection between biology and mathematics. We found that BUSP participants improved their biology knowledge through the summer bridge program. However, math confidence, SAT scores, Grit measures, and performance in the bridge program were not predictive of success in their biology course. We also found that BUSP students were more likely to remain in Life Science major and graduate.