Continuously fluctuating selection reveals extreme granularity and parallelism of adaptive tracking.

Temporally fluctuating environmental conditions are a ubiquitous feature of natural habitats. Yet, how finely natural populations adaptively track fluctuating selection pressures via shifts in standing genetic variation is unknown. We generated high-frequency, genome-wide allele frequency data from a genetically diverse population of Drosophila melanogaster in extensively replicated field mesocosms from late June to mid-December, a period of ∼12 generations. Adaptation throughout the fundamental ecological phases of population expansion, peak density, and collapse was underpinned by extremely rapid, parallel changes in genomic variation across replicates. Yet, the dominant direction of selection fluctuated repeatedly, even within each of these ecological phases. Comparing patterns of allele frequency change to an independent dataset procured from the same experimental system demonstrated that the targets of selection are predictable across years. In concert, our results reveal fitness-relevance of standing variation that is likely to be masked by inference approaches based on static population sampling, or insufficiently resolved time-series data. We propose such fine-scaled temporally fluctuating selection may be an important force maintaining functional genetic variation in natural populations and an important stochastic force affecting levels of standing genetic variation genome-wide.

High-Q Magnetic Levitation and Control of Superconducting Microspheres at Millikelvin Temperatures.

We report the levitation of a superconducting lead-tin sphere with 100 µm diameter (corresponding to a mass of 5.6 µg) in a static magnetic trap formed by two coils in an anti-Helmholtz configuration, with adjustable resonance frequencies up to 240 Hz. The center-of-mass motion of the sphere is monitored magnetically using a dc superconducting quantum interference device as well as optically and exhibits quality factors of up to 2.6×10^{7}. We also demonstrate 3D magnetic feedback control of the motion of the sphere. The setup is housed in a dilution refrigerator operating at 15 mK. By implementing a cryogenic vibration isolation system, we can attenuate environmental vibrations at 200 Hz by approximately 7 orders of magnitude. The combination of low temperature, large mass, and high quality factor provides a promising platform for testing quantum physics in previously unexplored regimes with high mass and long coherence times.

Determination of diffusivities in binary fluid mixtures with various Lewis numbers as well as positive and negative Soret coefficients by the shadowgraph method.

The present work demonstrates the accessibility of the Fick diffusion coefficient D11 and/or the thermal diffusivity a of the binary mixtures dicyclohexylmethane/diphenylmethane, n-hexane/carbon dioxide, 1-hexanol/carbon dioxide, and methane/propane by the analysis of the dynamics of non-equilibrium fluctuations using the shadowgraph method. It is evidenced that D11 and a can be simultaneously determined for binary mixtures with Lewis numbers Le = a/D11 ranging over two orders of magnitude down to Le ≈ 5 or in the presence of minor advection for binary mixtures possessing a negative Soret coefficient in the investigated temperature and pressure ranges from (298.15 to 473.15) K and from about (0.5 to 25) MPa. The determined diffusivities are compared with those measured by heterodyne dynamic light scattering or obtained from the literature, with a focus on achievable uncertainties. By this comparison, it is shown that the determination of a by the shadowgraph method was hindered by mode-coupling effects for Le ≈ 5, whereas a determination of D11 was always possible for mixtures with Le ≥ 5. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that even in the presence of solutal advection, the description of the purely diffusive behavior of non-equilibrium fluctuations in concentration remains valid.

Fick diffusion coefficients probed by the shadowgraph method considering confinement and advection.

The present work contributes to the development of the shadowgraph method for its routine application for an accurate determination of the Fick diffusion coefficient D11 of binary fluid mixtures. In this context, measurement and data evaluation strategies for thermodiffusion experiments where confinement and advection are potentially present are elaborated by studying two binary liquid mixtures with positive and negative Soret coefficients, i.e., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene/n-dodecane and acetone/cyclohexane. For obtaining accurate D11 data, the dynamics of non-equilibrium fluctuations in concentration is analyzed considering recent theory by data evaluation procedures that are demonstrated to be suitable for different experimental configurations.

Colesteatoma congénito: caso clínico y revisión de literatura / Congenital cholesteatoma: clinical case and literature review

El colesteatoma congénito (CC) es una lesión benigna de epitelio escamoso queratinizado que puede afectar diferentes aéreas del hueso temporal con predominio en el oído medio. El CC es una patología poco frecuente que se presenta en pacientes pediátricos y clínicamente se manifiesta como una lesión blanquecina detrás de un tímpano indemne. La mayoría de los pacientes no presenta historia de hipoacusia, otorrea, infección, perforación o cirugía otológica previa. Se analiza el caso de un prescolar con CC que consultó con trastorno de sueño sin sintomatología otológica, pero con otoscopía alterada como hallazgo clínico. En la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) con secuencia de difusión, se evidenciaron hallazgos sugerentes de lesión colesteatomatosa en oído medio. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico combinado con remoción completa de la lesión compatible histológicamente con CC y reconstrucción funcional con prótesis inactiva con resultado auditivo satisfactorio. El CC requiere alta sospecha diagnóstica por pediatras y otorrinolaringólogos, siendo imprescindible realizar un examen físico acucioso que incluya otoscopía de rutina, aunque el paciente no manifieste síntomas otológicos. El tratamiento es quirúrgico y debe considerar uso de endoscópico para asegurar una extracción completa de la lesión. En algunos casos es requerido realizar una reconstrucción auditiva para asegurar un óptimo resultado funcional.

Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is a benign lesion of keratinized squamous epithelium that can affect different areas of the temporal bone, predominantly in the middle ear. CC is a rare pathology that occurs in pediatric patients and clinically manifests as a white lesion behind an intact eardrum. Most patients do not have a history of hearing loss, otorrhea, infection, perforation, or previous otologic surgery. The following, is the case of an infant with CC who consulted with a sleep disorder without otological symptoms but with altered otoscopy as a clinical finding. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with diffusion sequence with findings compatible with a cholesteatomatous lesion in the middle ear. Endoscopic surgical treatment was performed combined with complete removal of the lesion histologically compatible with CC and functional reconstruction with inactive prosthesis with satisfactory hearing results. CC requires high diagnostic suspicion by paediatrics and otorhinolaryngologists, and it is essential to perform a thorough physical examination that includes routine otoscopy even if the patient does not show otological symptoms. Treatment is surgical and endoscopic use should be considered to ensure complete removal of the lesion. In some cases, hearing reconstruction is required to ensure optimal functional results.

Phase-stabilized UV light at 267 nm through twofold second harmonic generation.

Providing phase stable laser light is important to extend the interrogation time of optical clocks towards many seconds and thus achieve small statistical uncertainties. We report a laser system providing more than 50 µW phase-stabilized UV light at 267.4 nm for an aluminium ion optical clock. The light is generated by frequency-quadrupling a fibre laser at 1069.6 nm in two cascaded non-linear crystals, both in single-pass configuration. In the first stage, a 10 mm long PPLN waveguide crystal converts 1 W fundamental light to more than 0.2 W at 534.8 nm. In the following 50 mm long DKDP crystal, more than 50 µW of light at 267.4 nm are generated. An upper limit for the passive short-term phase stability has been measured by a beat-node measurement with an existing phase-stabilized quadrupling system employing the same source laser. The resulting fractional frequency instability of less than 5×10-17 after 1 s supports lifetime-limited probing of the 27Al+ clock transition, given a sufficiently stable laser source. A further improved stability of the fourth harmonic light is expected through interferometric path length stabilisation of the pump light by back-reflecting it through the entire setup and correcting for frequency deviations. The in-loop error signal indicates an electronically limited instability of 1 × 10-18 at 1 s.

Angiosarcoma de cavidad nasal: reporte de caso y revisión de literatura

Los tumores malignos de cavidad nasal y cavidades paranasales son poco frecuentes y sus síntomas de presentación suelen ser unilaterales e inespecíficos; éstos incluyen: epistaxis, rinorrea y obstrucción nasal. Encontramos una amplia variedad histológica de tumores, entre ellos tenemos el angiosarcoma nasal, que es considerado una rareza y el diagnóstico definitivo lo da la confirmación anatomopatológica complementado con estudios inmunohistoquímicos. Su modalidad de tratamiento incluye múltiples opciones, pero la cirugía radical temprana con márgenes negativos asociado a radioterapia adyuvante, ofrece el mejor pronóstico. Se presenta a un paciente adulto masculino con un angiosarcoma nasal izquierdo que fue detectado de forma precoz y se manejó con cirugía radical y radioterapia.

Malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal cavities are rare, while presenting symptoms are usually unilateral and nonspecific like, epistaxis, rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction. There are many histological varieties of tumors, among them we have nasal angiosarcoma, which is considered a rarity pathology. The definitive diagnosis is given by biopsy confirmation complemented with immunohistochemical studies. Its treatment modality includes multiple options, but early radical surgery with negative margins associated with adjuvant radiotherapy offers the best prognosis. We present a male adult patient with a left nasal angiosarcoma that was detected early and managed with radical surgery and radiotherapy.

Self-inflicted hammer blows to the head-Literature and case review.

Self-inflicted hammer blows to the head are rare occurrences in forensic medicine, particularly when they are lethal. In the majority of cases, no distinction between self-inflicted injury versus assault has to be made. However, when assault is claimed and such distinction is required, the task may be challenging. We report a case concerning a 32-year-old psychotic woman, who had suffered multiple lacerations of the scalp and survived after claiming she had been assaulted with a hammer by an acquaintance. A clinical forensic examination was performed as well as the inspection of the scene of the incident for bloodstain pattern analysis. In summary, findings were inconsistent with assault and the injuries were determined to be self-inflicted. In addition, a retrospective analysis of our own autopsy records as well as a search in scientific literature and the internet for self-inflicted hammer blows to the head was conducted. For the majority of published cases a positive psychiatric history is reported. While published cases were few, potentially characteristic properties of self-inflicted hammer blows to the head were identified. For example, self-inflicted hammer blows may be identified by the absence of defensive wounds, injuries to the face and extracranial injuries and the finding that they are most commonly distributed in an area usually covered by a 'zuchetto' skull cap.

Effects of gonadal steroids on reward circuitry function and anhedonia in women with a history of postpartum depression.

BACKGROUND: Reward system dysfunction is evident across neuropsychiatric conditions. Here we present data from a double-blinded pharmaco-fMRI study investigating the triggering of anhedonia and reward circuit activity in women. METHODS: The hormonal states of pregnancy and parturition were simulated in euthymic women with a history of postpartum depression (PPD+; n = 15) and those without such a history (PPD-; n = 15) by inducing hypogonadism, adding back estradiol and progesterone for 8 weeks ("addback"), and then withdrawing both steroids ("withdrawal"). Anhedonia was assessed using the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms (IDAS) during each hormone phase. Those who reported a 30 % or greater increase in IDAS anhedonia, dysphoria, or ill temper during addback or withdrawal, compared with pre-treatment, were identified as hormone sensitive (HS+) and all others were identified as non-hormone sensitive (HS-). The monetary incentive delay (MID) task was administered during fMRI sessions at pre-treatment and during hormone withdrawal to assess brain activation during reward anticipation and feedback. RESULTS: On average, anhedonia increased during addback and withdrawal in PPD+ but not PPD-. During reward feedback, both HS+ (n = 10) and HS- (n = 18) showed decreased activation in clusters in the right putamen (p < .031, FWE-corrected) and left postcentral and supramarginal gyri (p < .014, FWE-corrected) at the withdrawal scans, relative to pre-treatment scans. LIMITATIONS: A modest sample size, stringent exclusion criteria, and relative lack of diversity in study participants limit the generalizability of results. CONCLUSION: Although results do not explain differential hormone sensitivity in depression, they demonstrate significant effects of reproductive hormones on reward-related brain function in women.

Reparación de fractura aislada del mango del martillo con cemento ionomérico vidrioso autocurado / Repair of a malleus handle fracture using glass ionomer luting cement

Resumen La fractura aislada del mango del martillo es una entidad clínica poco habitual, pero frecuentemente subdiagnosticada. Lo fundamental es la sospecha clínica. El diagnóstico se confirma con la otoscopia neumática o la otomicroscopia con maniobra de Valsalva, en la cual se observa una movilidad anormal del mango del martillo. El rasgo de fractura se puede demostrar con tomografía computada de alta resolución o cone beam. Existen diferentes opciones de tratamiento como interposición de cartílago o uso de prótesis de reemplazo osicular así como cemento óseo. El cemento ionomérico vidrioso autocurado, muy utilizado en odontología, se ha usado en distintas cirugías otológicas con buenos resultados y biocompatibilidad. A nuestro saber no se ha usado en esta patología por lo que presentamos esta serie de tres casos en los cuales se ha usado esta novedosa técnica con buenos resultados clínicos.

Abstract Isolated fracture of the manubrium of the malleus is a rare clinical entity. Clinical suspicion is paramount. The usual clinical presentation is acute otalgia followed by tinnitus and fluctuating hearing loss after a brisk introduction and withdrawal of a finger into the external auditory canal. On physical examination, the eardrum looks normal on otoscopy. Only in pneumatic otoscopy or otomicroscopy with Valsalva an abnormal motility of the manubrium could bee seen. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) or cone beam CT is able to show the fracture line. Several treatment options have been proposed, such as interposition of bone or cartilage between the manubrium and the incus, total or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis; and the use of bone cement. Glass ionomer luting cement, with wide use in dentistry, has been used in several otological procedures with good biocompatibility and results, however, to our best knowledge, it has not been used to repair this type of fractures, so we present this novel material in three cases.

Prism (II): 127 cooling dummy experiments.

The Prism method for temperature based time since death estimation has been demonstrated as a proof of principle in 2021. Now it was validated experimentally. 10 cooling dummies (physical weights from 5.9 kg to 26.9 kg) were fabricated and fitted with temperature probes. A total of 127 dummy cooling experiments were conducted (total cooling time 2082 h, average cooling time 24.6 h) for both regular and elevated starting temperatures, covering ambient temperatures between - 14.0 °C and + 24.0 °C and for different cooling conditions. Cooling data was recorded, then cropped, smoothed, fed into the Prism workflow, and analyzed using dedicated scripts written in the Python programming language. Calculations did not take any additional information into account. No correction factors were needed. General Prism cooling weight curves were confirmed (false ambient temperature and elevated rectal temperature at the time of death). Sub-zero ambient temperature generated unexpectedly large cooling weights. Time since death estimation errors were - 0.29 h ± 5.24 h (whole course of cooling, all experiments) and were typically smaller in earlier stages of cooling. Prism performed relatively well, where conventional temperature based death time estimation struggles. In the future it may potentially be adapted to known conditions. Our results indicate that Prism's cooling weight might serve as a highly individual, case-based data-driven umbrella parameter, replacing (subjectively) estimated parameters.

First test of the theory of reasoned goal pursuit: predicting physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: This study applied the theory of reasoned goal pursuit (TRGP) in predicting physical activity among Australian undergraduate students, providing the first empirical test of the model.Methods: The research comprised an elicitation study (N = 25; MAge= 25.76, SDAge= 11.33, 20 female, 5 male) to identify readily accessible procurement and approval goal beliefs and behavioural, normative, and control beliefs; and, a two-wave prospective online survey study (N = 109; MAge = 21.88, SDAge = 7.04, 63 female, 46 male) to test the tenets of the TRGP in relation to meeting World Health Organization physical activity guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic among first year university students.Results: A linear PLS-SEM model displayed good fit-to-data, predicting 38%, 74%, and 48% of the variance in motivation, intention, and physical activity, respectively. The model supported the majority of hypothesised pattern of effects among theory constructs; in particular, the proposition that beliefs corresponding to procurement and approval goals would be more consequential to people's motivation and, thus, their intentions and behaviour, than other behavioural and normative beliefs, respectively.Conclusions: Results lend support for the TRGP and sets the agenda for future research to systematically test the proposed direct, indirect, and moderation effects for different health behaviours, populations, and contexts.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2026946 .

An ultralow-noise superconducting radio-frequency ion trap for frequency metrology with highly charged ions.

We present a novel ultrastable superconducting radio-frequency (RF) ion trap realized as a combination of an RF cavity and a linear Paul trap. Its RF quadrupole mode at 34.52 MHz reaches a quality factor of Q ≈ 2.3 × 105 at a temperature of 4.1 K and is used to radially confine ions in an ultralow-noise pseudopotential. This concept is expected to strongly suppress motional heating rates and related frequency shifts that limit the ultimate accuracy achieved in advanced ion traps for frequency metrology. Running with its low-vibration cryogenic cooling system, electron-beam ion trap, and deceleration beamline supplying highly charged ions (HCIs), the superconducting trap offers ideal conditions for optical frequency metrology with ionic species. We report its proof-of-principle operation as a quadrupole-mass filter with HCIs and trapping of Doppler-cooled 9Be+ Coulomb crystals.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy with a lumen apposing self-expandable metallic stent relieves gastric outlet obstruction - a Scandinavian case series.

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) with lumen-apposing metallic stents (LAMS) in patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) has proven to be an alternative to luminal stenting in the duodenum and surgical gastroenterostomy. In severely ill patients, the method can provide improved quality of life (QoL) and symptom relief by restoration of the luminal passage of fluid and nutrients to the small intestine. AIM: To assess the technical and clinical success and safety of EUS-GE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A dual center retrospective case series of 33 consecutive patients with GOO due to malignant (n = 28) or non-malignant conditions (n = 5). The patients were treated with EUS-GE using cautery enhanced LAMS. Procedures were performed guided by EUS and fluoroscopy in general anesthesia or conscious sedation. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median procedure time was 71 min and the median hospital stay was three days. Thirty (91%) patients were able to resume oral nutrition after the procedure. Ten patients (30%) experienced adverse events (AEs), including migration of the stent, bleeding, and infection. Four patients had fatal AEs (12%). All stent-related AEs were handled endoscopically. Five patients (15%) needed re-intervention. The median survival time for patients with malignant obstruction was 8.5 weeks (0.5-76), and 13 patients with obstructing malignancies lived 12 weeks or longer. CONCLUSION: EUS-GE is a minimally invasive and efficient method for restoration of the gastrointestinal passage and may improve palliative care for patients with GOO. The method has potential hazards and should only be offered in expert centers that regularly perform the procedure.

Prism - A novel approach to dead body cooling and its parameters.

In temperature based death time estimation, the mathematical description by Marshall and Hoare is combined with the parameters defined and additional correction factors introduced by Henssge in the Nomogram method (summarized as MHH). Parameters and correction factors however leave room for subjectivity and disagreement. Elevation of rectal temperature at the time of death has been acknowledged as problematic for death time estimation in several studies, but has neither been solved nor systematically integrated into death time estimation methodology. Ambient temperature, when non-constant and/or unknown, may introduce additional errors. Further problems may arise if the fundamental relationship between torso dimensions and total body weight is not comparable to Henssge's dummy cooling model. In this study we present a novel methodological approach to temperature based death time estimation, in which relevant parameters for calculations may be evaluated, corrected and generated using brute-force calculations. Consistency of death time over the course of cooling is used as brute-force target. The calculations produce momentary cooling weights, which are graphed over time. Cooling weight graphs can be analyzed to draw conclusions related to different parameters. The method was used on artificial ideal cooling data which was generated according to MHH for known parameters. Correctness of assumed parameters was confirmed by a linear horizontal path of the cooling weight graph. However, controlled false value input resulted in characteristic graph variations. Elevated rectal temperature at the time of death was detectable from the curve shape until hours after cooling below regular temperature at death. False high and false low ambient temperature produced positive and negative curve slopes. Overall, the method acts much like a prism which breaks up light into its elemental colors. It holds potential for application both in scientific settings and practical case work.

Genome-wide scan reveals genomic regions and candidate genes underlying direct and maternal effects of preweaning calf mortality in Nellore cattle.

We conducted analysis to estimate genetic parameters and to identify genomic regions and candidate genes affecting direct and maternal effects of preweaning calf mortality (PWM) in Nellore cattle. Phenotypic records of 67,196 animals, and 8443 genotypes for 410,936 SNPs were used. Analysis were performed through the weighted single-step GBLUP approach and considering a threshold animal model via Bayesian Inference. Direct and maternal heritability estimates were of 0.2143 ± 0.0348 and 0.0137 ± 0.0066, respectively. The top 10 genomic regions accounted for 13.61 and 14.23% of the direct and maternal additive genetic variances and harbored a total of 63 and 91 positional candidate genes, respectively. Two overlapping regions on BTA2 were identified for both direct and maternal effects. Candidate genes are involved in biological mechanisms i.e. embryogenesis, immune response, feto-maternal communication, circadian rhythm, hormone alterations, myometrium adaptation, and milk secretion, which are critical for the successful calf growth and survival during preweaning period.

Colesteatoma de oído con complicación intracraneana en contexto de pandemia COVID-19: Reporte de caso clínico y revisión de literatura

Resumen La otitis media crónica colesteatomatosa (OMCC) complicada es una condición inusual en la época actual. Clásicamente las complicaciones se han clasificado en extracraneales e intracraneales. Estas últimas suponen un alto riesgo para los pacientes debido a la alta morbimortalidad y las secuelas neurológicas asociadas. La atención médica oportuna y derivación a otorrinolaringología junto con las medidas preventivas en edad pediátrica han disminuido la incidencia de los colesteatomas y sus complicaciones. Se presenta a continuación el caso de una paciente de 50 años, atendida en el Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente de Concepción (Chile) por cuadro de OMCC complicada con meningoencefalitis y vasculitis infecciosa sin consulta precoz por contexto de pandemia COVID-19. Se expone metodología diagnóstica y manejo terapéutico.

Abstract Complicated chronic cholesteatomatous media otitis (CCMO) is an unusual condition nowadays. Complications have traditionally been classified as extracranial and intracranial. The last one entails a higher risk for patients due to high morbi-mortality and neurological consequences associated. Suitable medical care and otorhinolaryngological attention among with preventive measures in pediatric age have decreased the incidence of cholesteatomas and their complications. The following, is the case of a 50-year-old patient treated for CCMO at Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital in Concepcion (Chile) complicated due to meningoencephalitis and infectious vasculitis without early diagnose due to COVID-19 pandemic. Diagnostic methodology and therapeutic management are exposed.

Features of digitally captured signatures vs. pen and paper signatures: Similar or completely different?

The question of whether digitally captured signatures and conventional signatures executed with a pen on paper differ in their characteristics is of practical relevance for forensic handwriting examiners. Due to gaps in the current literature, the present research is dedicated to this issue. Eighty persons signed in three conditions: a) with a stylus on a pad, b) with an inking pen on a sticky note attached to a signature pad allowing to obtain a digital and an analogue version on paper of one and the same writing simultaneously, and c) with a pen on paper. The first step was to investigate to what extent the character shape and number of pen lifts differ between the digital and analogue representation of one and the same signature. This revealed minor differences which are due to technical characteristics of the devices used. The observed distortions are of minor practical relevance according to ratings by eight participating forensic handwriting examiners. Subsequently, signature characteristics were compared between the three different writing conditions in a casework-oriented way. Statistical multi-level models indicate significant differences between the three signature types, but minor effect sizes in most of the examined characteristics. From the point of view of the participating handwriting examiners, these factors do not fundamentally restrict the comparability between digitally captured and conventional signatures in practice. However, caution should be exercised when generalising the results, as several factors, such as the usage of different signature pads as well as signatures made with the finger instead of a stylus, could result in more important differences compared to pen and paper signatures.