Relationships between Spatial Biology and Physiological Ecology in the Gopher Tortoise, .

AbstractThe overlap between spatial and physiological ecology is generally understudied, yet both fields are fundamentally related in assessing how individuals balance limited resources. Herein, we quantified the relationships between spatial ecology using two parameters of home range (annual home range area and number of burrows used in 1 yr) and four measures of physiology that integrate stress and immunity (baseline plasma corticosterone [CORT] concentration, plasma lactate concentration, heterophil-to-lymphocyte [H∶L] ratio, and bactericidal ability [BA]) in a wild free-ranging population of the gopher tortoise () to test the hypothesis that space usage is correlated with physiological state. We also used structural equation models (SEMs) to test for causative relationships between the spatial and physiological parameters.

Increasing educational indebtedness influences medical students to pursue specialization: a military recruitment potential?

Background: Cost of medical education and student indebtedness has increased dramatically. This study surveyed medical students on educational debt, educational costs, and whether indebtedness influenced career choice. Responses should impact (1) Department of Defense (DoD) recruitment of physicians and (2) future of primary care.

Commentary: criminal background checks for entering medical students: history, current issues, and future considerations.

In this commentary, the authors aim to contextualize the history and rationale for what has become the Association of American Medical Colleges-facilitated criminal background check process for entering medical students. As the process was being considered, many issues with a standardized process were identified. There were concerns that demographic or socioeconomic factors might unfairly burden certain applicants or discourage them from applying to medical school.

Current medical student interviewers add data to the evaluation of medical school applicants.

Background: There is evidence that the addition of current medical student interviewers (CMSI) to faculty interviewers (FI) is valuable to the medical school admissions process. This study provides objective data about the contribution of CMSI to the admissions process.

Method: Thirty-six applicants to a 4-year medical school program were interviewed by both CMSI and FI, and the evaluations completed by the two groups of interviewers were compared.

Don't know, don't care: revisited.

This study re-evaluates the awareness and attitudes of medical students concerning military programs, which can provide financial support for medical student education. An original study, 10 years ago, demonstrated a minimal awareness of these programs. With medical school tuitions rising dramatically in the intervening years, as well as the resultant student indebtedness increasing significantly, it is appropriate to readdress this knowledge of attitude toward financial options through military programs for medical students.