Southern Oregon University

Plant ecological strategies are shaped by numerous functional traits and their trade‐offs. Trait network analysis enables testing hypotheses for the shifting of trait correlation architecture across communities differing in climate and productivity. We built plant trait networks (PTNs) for 118 species within six communities across an aridity gradient, from forest to semi‐desert across the California Floristic Province, based on 34 leaf and wood functional traits, representing hydraulic and photosynthetic function, structure, economics and size. We developed hypotheses for the association of PTN parameters with climate and ecosystem properties, based on theory for the adaptation of species to low resource/stressful environments versus higher resource availability environments with greater potential niche differentiation. Thus, we hypothesized that across community PTNs, trait network connectivity (i.e., the degree that traits are intercorrelated) and network complexity (i.e., the number of trait modules, and the degree of trait integration among modules) would be lower for communities adapted to arid climates and higher for communities adapted to greater water availability, similarly to trends expected for phylogenetic diversity, functional richness and productivity. Further, within given PTNs, we hypothesized that traits would vary strongly in their network connectivity and that the traits most centrally connected within PTNs would be those with the least across‐species variation. Across communities from more arid to wetter climates, PTN architecture varied from less to more interconnected and complex, in association with functional richness, but PTN architecture was independent of phylogenetic diversity and ecosystem productivity. Within the community PTNs, traits with lower species variation were more interconnected. Synthesis. The responsiveness of PTN architecture to climate highlights how a wide range of traits contributes to physiological and ecological strategies with an architecture that varies among plant communities. Communities in more arid environments show a lower degree of phenotypic integration, consistent with lesser niche differentiation. Our study extends the usefulness of PTNs as an approach to quantify tradeoffs among multiple traits, providing connectivity and complexity parameters as tools that clarify plant environmental adaptation and patterns of trait associations that would influence species distributions, community assembly, and ecosystem resilience in response to climate change.

Students may not express their creativity uniformly, across all settings and under all conditions. Creativity is sensitive to expected evaluations, for example, and likely to vary when the individual is alone, in a small group, or in a large group. Quite a bit of research has demonstrated that certain conditions can be created to support creative thinking by students. The present study focused on two key factors that may impact divergent thinking (DT) performance: classroom setting and time of the day. DT is the capacity to generate ideas along diverse cognitive pathways. It can be contrasted with convergent thinking, where cognitive processes lead to one correct or conventional solution. Divergent thinking, in contrast, often leads to original and unconventional ideas. The sample consisted of 160 female students from Saudi Arabia (80 gifted and 80 nongifted) in grades 10 to 12. Two DT tests were administered: the Alternative Uses Test (AUT) and the Figural Divergent Thinking Test. A repeated measures ANOVA indicated that verbal and figural fluency performance was higher in the art room than in the regular classroom. Moreover, the difference in verbal flexibility performance between the two settings was larger for nongifted students than gifted students. The differences between the settings in figural and verbal originality were not statistically significant, although gifted and nongifted students both performed better in the art room. Another repeated measure ANOVA was performed to test whether or not there was a difference in DT performance related to the time of the school day (first vs. second half). The results showed no differences between DT performance due to the time of the day except for verbal originality in the regular classroom during the second half of the school day. Limitations and future research of the current study are discussed.

Strains P94 T , B95 T and R96 T were isolated from apparently healthy fragments of the coral Montipora capitata , which were resistant to Vibrio coralliilyticus infection, from the reef surrounding Moku o Loʻe in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, USA, and were taxonomically evaluated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses placed strains P94 T , B95 T and R96 T within the Pseudoalteromonas genus and most closely related to Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea and Pseudoalteromonas rubra . Following genome sequencing of strains P94 T , B95 T and R96 T , the average nt identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization comparisons with closely related strains resulted in values that fell below species-level cutoffs. Based on a polyphasic characterization and differences in genomic and taxonomic data, strains P94 T , B95 T and R96 T represent novel species, for which the names Pseudoalteromonas ardens sp. nov., Pseudoalteromonas obscura sp. nov. and Pseudoalteromonas umbrosa sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are R96 T (=DSM 114998 T =LMG 32870 T ), P94 T (=DSM 114996 T =LMG 32871 T ) and B95 T (=DSM 114997 T =LMG 32872 T ), respectively.

The present investigation assessed the reliability and pre¬dictive validity of four creativity measures with a Greek sample (N = 433). Two of the measures were predictors of creativity. One of these was the How Would You De¬scribe Yourself (HWYDY) and the other Creative Attitudes and Values (CA&V). The other two measures were crite¬ria of creativity. One of these was Creative Activities and Accomplishments Checklist and the other the Runco Ide¬ational Behavior Scale. Versions of these measures have previously demonstrated good psychometric properties in other samples, but these may not apply to a Greek sample. Indeed, the present analyses uncovered an id¬iosyncrasy. Correlational analyses indicated that three of the measures were reliable in the Greek sample but one—the HWYDY—was not, at least initially. When the contraindicative items in the HWYDY were removed, reli¬ability was high. Interestingly, the descriptor “originality” lowered reliability of the measure. Several explanations for this are discussed. Regression and confirmatory fac¬tor analyses also indicated that the predictive validity of the HWYDY and the CA&V measures were well within the range that is usually interpreted as acceptable. Their predictive validity was also supported by canonical analyses using all four measures, and in regression analyses test¬ing each criterion individually. Future research is recom¬mended, given some limitations in the present effort, but the current results are largely supportive of the use of these four creativity measures in Greek samples

Background: Fast-acting Sub-perception Therapy (FAST) is a novel spinal cord stimulation (SCS) modality delivering paresthesia-free pain relief. Our study evaluated the longer-term, real-world impact of FAST on chronic pain. Research design and methods: As part of a multicenter, real-world, consecutive case series, we retrospectively identified patients who used FAST-SCS and analyzed their data. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate the overall pain. Results: Data from 315 patients were analyzed at baseline and their last available follow-up (median 6.8 months after SCS implantation). At the time of the analysis, 12-, 18-, and 24-month data were available for 112, 86, and 50 patients, respectively. At the last follow-up, NRS pain score was reduced by 5.5 ± 2.5 compared to baseline (from 7.8 ± 1.7 to 2.3 ± 2.0; p < 0.0001). Interim long-term analysis showed that results were sustained for up to 2 years, with 64% of patients reporting a minimal overall pain score (NRS ≤2/10). Conclusion: This ongoing, real-world, multicenter study showed that FAST-SCS achieved significant paresthesia-free pain relief, while long-term interim analysis suggests that outcomes could be sustained for up to 2 years. Our data provide preliminary insights into the potential utility of this low-frequency sub-perception SCS paradigm using a biphasic active recharge pulse shape. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (CT.gov identifier: NCT01550575).

Many people with serious mental illness (SMI) experience cognitive disabilities and poor independent living skills which limit their ability to live independently in the community. This study examined the feasibility and initial effectiveness of integrating a new cognitive remediation program, Thinking Skills for Life (TSL), into independent living skills training programs in four secure residential treatment facilities (SRTFs) to facilitate discharge to more independent living situations. Participants were 30 individuals in the SRTF, of whom 11 were forensically committed to the SRTF. Results showed the intervention was feasible to implement, with 97% of participants exposed to TSL and 67% completing the program. Initial promise of the TSL program at improving independent living was suggested by post cognitive program discharge to less restrictive living situations of 63% of participants not on forensic commitment, and 55% of those on forensic commitment. These promising findings set the stage for more rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the TSL program.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of bony increased offset (BIO) and metallic augments (MAs) on primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) baseplate stability in cadaveric specimens with variable bone densities. Methods: Thirty cadaveric specimens were analyzed in an imaging and biomechanical investigation. Computed tomography (CT) scans allowed for preoperative RSA planning and bone density analysis. Three correction methods of the glenoid were used: (1) corrective reaming with a standard baseplate, which served as the reference group (n = 10); (2) MA-RSA (n = 10); and (3) angled BIO-RSA (n = 10). Each augment group consisted of 10° (n = 5) and 20° (n = 5) corrections. Biomechanical testing included cyclic loading in an articulating setup, with optical pre- and post-cyclic micromotion measurements in a rocking horse setup. Results: There were no differences in bone density between groups based on CT scans (p > 0.126). The BIO-RSA group had higher variability in micromotion compared to the MA-RSA and reference groups (p = 0.013), and increased total micromotion compared to the reference group (p = 0.039). Both augmentations using 20° corrections had increased variance in rotational stability compared to the reference group (p = 0.043). Micromotion correlated with the subchondral bone density in the BIO-RSA group (r = −0.63, p = 0.036), but not in the MA-RSA (p > 0.178) or reference (p > 0.117) groups. Conclusions: Time-zero baseplate implant fixation is more variable with BIO-RSA and correlates with bone density. Corrections of 20° with either augmentation approach increase variability in rotational micromotion. The preoperative quantification of bone density may be useful before utilizing 20° of correction, especially when adding a bone graft in BIO-RSAs.

There is growing evidence in the literature that when companies actively engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), they demonstrate a commitment to ethical and responsible business practices. This commitment subsequently helps them build trust with diverse stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and business partners. However, whether CSR can extend its positive influence toward trust among individuals in society, commonly known as generalized trust, remains largely unknown and unexplored in the current literature. Given the vital role of generalized trust in supporting social cohesion and overall societal well-being, more research is needed in this particular area. The current study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on CSR by formulating a theoretical hypothesis regarding the influence of CSR on generalized trust and conducting an in-depth empirical analysis to validate this hypothesis. Using a sample of over 4000 firms operating across multiple countries, this study provides robust evidence supporting the positive role of CSR in promoting generalized trust. Specifically, the findings suggest that, by actively fulfilling social and environmental obligations through CSR initiatives, companies can make significant contributions toward a more equitable and sustainable society, which serves as the essential foundation of generalized trust. Ultimately, this fosters greater levels of trust among individuals in society. These findings open fruitful avenues for further research and offer meaningful implications for business managers and policymakers.

Research suggests that generative AI (GAI) responds to divergent thinking (DT) prompts with multiple ideas, some of which seem to be original. The present investigation administered 55 DT tasks to three GAI services (Bard, GPT 3.5, and GPT 4.0). Instead of examining individual responses, an Idea Density algorithm was used to assess the output. This algorithm quantifies the ideas within responses, controlling for the number of words. A subset of the DT tests administered to the GAI were also scored for Semantic Distance, which estimates originality. Results indicated that the three GAI models differed in the Idea Density of the output. There were also significant differences between Realistic and Nonrealistic DT tasks. As has been the case in human samples, directions given when the GAI received the prompts also had a significant impact, with more Idea Density following directions that explicitly prompted original responses. Adjusted scores removed all verbiage in the output, which did not actually address the questions conveyed by the prompts. These corrected scores shared approximately 50% of the variance with the uncorrected "raw" responses, implying that the typical output of GAI is not always relevant. This was interpreted in the context of the standard definition of creativity, which emphasizes effectiveness, as well as originality.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of three-dimensional (3D) volumetric humeral canal fill ratios (VFR) of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) short and standard stems on biomechanical stability and bone deformations in the proximal humerus. Methods: Forty cadaveric shoulder specimens were analyzed in a clinical computed tomography (CT) scanner allowing for segmentation of the humeral canal to calculate volumetric measures which were verified postoperatively with plain radiographs. Virtual implant positioning allowed for group assignment (VFR < 0.72): Standard stem with low (n = 10) and high (n = 10) filling ratios, a short stem with low (n = 10) and high filling ratios (n = 10). Biomechanical testing included cyclic loading of the native bone and the implanted humeral component. Optical recording allowed for spatial implant tracking and the quantification of cortical bone deformations in the proximal humerus. Results: Planned filling ratios based on 3D volumetric measures had a good-to-excellent correlation (ICC = 0.835; p < 0.001) with implanted filling ratios. Lower canal fill ratios resulted in significantly higher variability between short and standard stems regarding implant tilt (820 N: p = 0.030) and subsidence (220 N: p = 0.046, 520 N: p = 0.007 and 820 N: p = 0.005). Higher filling ratios resulted in significantly lower bone deformations in the medial calcar area compared to the native bone, while the bone deformations in lower filling ratios did not differ significantly (p > 0.177). Conclusions: Lower canal filling ratios maintain dynamic bone loading in the medial calcar of the humerus similar to the native situation in this biomechanical loading setup. Short stems implanted with a low filling ratio have an increased risk for implant tilt and subsidence compared to high filling ratios or standard stems.

This article examines theories which suggest that authentic learning requires creativity. The connection between creativity and learning has been recognized for quite some time. Several of the theories examined herein are decades old. The older theories include Piaget's and Dewey's, and less obviously the humanistic theory of self‐actualization. It is quite useful to take these perspectives, though older, into account. The idea of authentic learning has evolved, however, as is evidenced by newer theories. One of these is the theory of personal creativity. This theory is interpreted in the context of the previous perspectives on learning and creativity. Newer evidence from the neurosciences is also cited because it confirms that learning is more than memory and that the brain uses special operations when original ideas are constructed. Implications of the idea that creativity and learning are related are explored. These include suggestions for educators and the classroom. Several surprising implications for our understanding of AI are also explored. Most important is probably the conclusion that an appreciation of what exactly makes up authentic learning goes a long way towards distinguishing the artificial creativity of AI from the creativity of humans. It is the latter which should guide educational decisions.

The current study examined the relationship between creative potential, estimated with tests of divergent thinking (DT), and emotional intelligence (EI). Previous research has hinted at a relationship, but the EI–DT relationship may differ as a function of the tasks and the specific components of EI. With this in mind, the present investigation compared two DT tests (Social Games vs. Titles Game) and examined whether or not the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal subscales of EI were more associated with DT than the Adaptability and Stress Management EI subscales. The youth version of the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i: YV) was used to measure EI. The measure of EI and the two DT tests were administered to 244 male and female gifted (N = 125) and nongifted (N = 119) high school students in Saudi Arabia. The first objective was to examine whether the EI–DT relationship differs based on the nature of the task of the two DT tests used in the current study (Social Games vs. Titles Game). The second objective was to test whether the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal subscales of EI are more associated with DT than the Adaptability and Stress Management EI subscales. Canonical correlation analysis showed that the relationship between the Social Games test and EI was stronger than the relationship between the Titles Game test and EI. Two path analyses were run: one for the total sample and the second for the gifted sample. The likelihood ratio test showed that the Social Games test was more associated with EQ-i subscales than the Titles Game test for both samples. As expected, the Inter- and the Intrapersonal subscales of the EQ-i were more highly related to Social Games fluency and originality scores compared with the Stress Management and Adaptability subscales. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Objectives: Native American youth need educational experiences that promote positive, healthy development, which requires decolonizing current educational experiences. Konaway Nika Tillicum Native Youth Academy (KNT) offers a holistic approach to education, incorporating Tribal cultures and values along with valuing higher education. Across two complementary studies, we seek to understand how the Medicine Wheel framework supports the design of educational experiences and the effectiveness of this design on positive development factors, including cultural identity development, self-esteem, and academic optimism. Method: To address our research questions, we first share an ethnographic study including participant observations and interviews with five KNT staff to investigate how the educators of KNT enact the Medicine Wheel in designing educational experiences for Native youth. We then examined the effectiveness of this Medicine Wheel framework on positive development factors across two summers of the academy with youth ages 11–18 (23 boys, 38 girls) representing diverse tribal affiliations. Results: Findings from our first research question reveal a Medicine Wheel Educational Framework that offers holistic and culturally sustaining/revitalizing education experiences for Native youth. Findings from our second research question indicate that Native youth experienced significant increases in their cultural identity and academic optimism directly and indirectly via increasing self-esteem through engaging in the KNT. Conclusions: Implications of findings show that when educated in a learning space that promotes Native students’ culture, youth show healthy development in factors valued across Indigenous and Western perspectives, including cultural identity, self-esteem, and academic optimism.