Existing child stature estimation methods have a number of disadvantages. This paper addresses some of these limitations by developing regression-based stature estimation formulae that are more ...generic and inclusive. A sample of 142 individuals under 12 years of age from the Hamann—Todd Human Osteological Collection and the New Mexico Decedent Images Database were used to generate five least squares linear regression formulae to estimate stature from the diaphyseal length of long bones. All models showed excellent fits to the data (R2 close to or at 0.98), and internal validation confirmed the stability and accuracy of model parameters. External validation was performed using a sample of 14 individuals from the Lisbon Collection and the Victoria Institute of Forensic Medicine. Overall, the humerus provides the most accurate estimate of stature, but the femur and tibia showed the greatest coverage. These formulae can be used in a variety of contexts and are not dependent on group affiliation, including sex.
Genetic assessment of highly incinerated and/or degraded human skeletal material is a persistent challenge in forensic DNA analysis, including identifying victims of mass disasters. Few studies have ...investigated the impact of thermal degradation on whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) quality and quantity using next-generation sequencing (NGS). We present whole-genome SNP data obtained from the bones and teeth of 27 fire victims using two DNA extraction techniques. Extracts were converted to double-stranded DNA libraries then enriched for whole-genome SNPs using unpublished biotinylated RNA baits and sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq 550 platform. Raw reads were processed using the EAGER (Efficient Ancient Genome Reconstruction) pipeline, and the SNPs filtered and called using FreeBayes and GATK (v. 3.8). Mixed-effects modeling of the data suggest that SNP variability and preservation is predominantly determined by skeletal element and burn category, and not by extraction type. Whole-genome SNP data suggest that selecting long bones, hand and foot bones, and teeth subjected to temperatures <350°C are the most likely sources for higher genomic DNA yields. Furthermore, we observed an inverse correlation between the number of captured SNPs and the extent to which samples were burned, as well as a significant decrease in the total number of SNPs measured for samples subjected to temperatures >350°C. Our data complement previous analyses of burned human remains that compare extraction methods for downstream forensic applications and support the idea of adopting a modified Dabney extraction technique when traditional forensic methods fail to produce DNA yields sufficient for genetic identification.
Abstract Forests are in the spotlight: they are expected to play a pivotal role in our response to society’s greatest challenges, such as the climate and biodiversity crises. Yet, the forests ...themselves, and the sector that manages them, face a range of interrelated threats and opportunities. Many of these are well understood, even if the solutions remain elusive. However, there are also emerging trends that are currently less widely appreciated. We report here the results of a horizon scan to identify developing issues likely to affect UK forest management within the next 50 years. These are issues that are presently under-recognized but have potential for significant impact across the sector and beyond. As the forest management sector naturally operates over long timescales, the importance of using good foresight is self-evident. We followed a tried-and-tested horizon scanning methodology involving a diverse Expert Panel to collate and prioritize a longlist of 180 issues. The top 15 issues identified are presented in the Graphical Abstract. The issues represent a diverse range of themes, within a spectrum of influences from environmental shocks and perturbations to changing political and socio-economic drivers, with complex emerging interactions between them. The most highly ranked issue was ‘Catastrophic forest ecosystem collapse’, reflecting agreement that not only is such collapse a likely prospect but it would also have huge implications across the sector and wider society. These and many of the other issues are large scale, with far-reaching implications. We must be careful to avoid inaction through being overwhelmed, or indeed to merely focus on ‘easy wins’ without considering broader ramifications. Our responses to each of the challenges and opportunities highlighted must be synergistic and coherent, involving landscape-scale planning. A more adaptive approach to forest management will be essential, encouraging continual innovation and learning. The 15 horizon scan issues presented here are a starting point on which to build further research, prompt debate and action, and develop evidence-based policy and practice. We hope that this stimulates greater recognition of how our forests and sector may need to change to be fit for the future. In some cases, these changes will need to be fundamental and momentous.
Aims. The K2 mission has recently begun to discover new and diverse planetary systems. In December 2014, Campaign 1 data from the mission was released, providing high-precision photometry for similar ...to 22 000 objects over an 80-day timespan. We searched these data with the aim of detecting more important new objects. Methods. Our search through two separate pipelines led to the independent discovery of K2-19b and c, a two-planet system of Neptune-sized objects (4.2 and 7.2 R-circle plus), orbiting a K dwarf extremely close to the 3: 2 mean motion resonance. The two planets each show transits, sometimes simultaneously owing to their proximity to resonance and the alignment of conjunctions. Results. We obtained further ground-based photometry of the larger planet with the NITES telescope, demonstrating the presence of large transit timing variations (TTVs), and used the observed TTVs to place mass constraints on the transiting objects under the hypothesis that the objects are near but not in resonance. We then statistically validated the planets through the PASTIS tool,
WASP-135b Spake, J. J.; Brown, D. J. A.; Doyle, A. P. ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
02/2016, Letnik:
128, Številka:
960
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We report the discovery of a new transiting planet from the WASP survey. WASP-135b is a hot Jupiter with radius 1.30 ± 0.09 R
Jup, mass 1.90 ± 0.08 M
Jup, and an orbital period of 1.401 days. Its ...host is a Sun-like star, with a G5 spectral type and a mass and radius of 0.98 ± 0.06 M☉ and 0.96 ± 0.05 R
☉, respectively. The proximity of the planet to its star means that WASP-135b receives high levels of insolation, which may be the cause of its inflated radius. Additionally, we report weak evidence of a transfer of angular momentum from the planet to its host star.
In traditional transit timing variations (TTVs) analysis of multi-planetary systems, the individual TTVs are first derived from transit fitting and later modelled using n-body dynamic simulations to ...constrain planetary masses. We show that fitting simultaneously the transit light curves with the system dynamics (photo-dynamical model) increases the precision of the TTV measurements and helps constrain the system architecture. We exemplify the advantages of applying this photo-dynamical model to a multi-planetary system found in K2 data very close to 3:2 mean motion resonance, K2-19. In this case the period of the larger TTV variations (libration period) is much longer (>1.5 years) than the duration of the K2 observations (80 days). However, our method allows to detect the short period TTVs produced by the orbital conjunctions between the planets that in turn permits to uniquely characterise the system. Therefore, our method can be used to constrain the masses of near-resonant systems even when the full libration curve is not observed.
Autologous cranioplasty (CP) following decompressive craniectomy (DC) carries risk of bone flap resorption (BFR). The current literature offers limited information regarding the natural progression ...of BFR, and the rate at which it occurs. We aim to characterize the progression of BFR over time and elucidate risk factors for accelerated BFR.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent DC and autologous CP. Serial computed tomography (CT) images were used to quantify degree of BFR over time. Risk factors included age, diabetes, smoking status, flap fragmentation, defect size, and DC-CP time interval. Chi-square analyses and Student's t-tests were performed to examine differences between patients who experienced BFR and those who did not.
Overall, 82% of patients demonstrated evidence of clinically relevant resorption on CT. On average, the bone flap decreased in volume by 36.7% within the first year, with a linear loss in volume after multiple years of follow-up. Individuals who developed greater BFR were significantly younger (43 ± 17 vs. 56 ± 12, p=0.022), had a lower incidence of diabetes (5.9% vs. 43%, p=0.037), and had more bone flap fragments (1.4 ± 0.67 vs. 1.00 ± 0, p <0.001) than those who did not.
Resorption following CP with cryopreserved bone appears to progress in a fairly linear and continuous fashion over time. Using serial CT images, we found a resorption rate of 82% at our institution. We identified several possible risk factors for resorption, including flap fragmentation, younger age, and absence of diabetes.
Background: The reliability and validity of various Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) have been well documented in the medical and nursing literature. The purpose of this study was ...to examine the effect of exam preparation methods on student performance and student
satisfaction for an OSCE used to assess doctoral physical therapist students. Subjects: Sixty-five physical therapist students from two post-professional physical therapist programs were randomized to a rubric exam preparation group and a nonrubric exam preparation group for a musculoskeletal
OSCE. Methods: The OSCE was a midterm practical exam for a peripheral joint musculoskeletal course. Upon completion of the exam, all students completed a post-exam satisfaction survey. Results: The results of the 2 × 2 ANCOVA that examined performance and satisfaction on
the OSCE indicated a significant interaction between the group assignment and program, p<0.028, for performance, and that satisfaction scores between the rubric and nonrubric groups and program were not significant for any of the questions asked on the post-examination survey. Conclusion:
Despite the reported benefit of utilizing rubrics, the findings of this study did not show a difference in student performance or satisfaction when using a rubric to prepare for an OSCE.
Summary
Background Combination therapy with pimecrolimus cream 1%, a topical calcineurin inhibitor (TCI), and fluticasone propionate cream 0·05% (FP), a mid‐potency topical corticosteroid, may have ...a synergistic effect for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) because their mechanism of action differs.
Objectives To assess the efficacy of concomitant pimecrolimus twice daily/FP once daily vs. vehicle twice daily/FP once daily in patients with severe AD.
Methods An exploratory, 2‐week, double‐blind, randomized, within‐patient study was conducted (n = 45). Two target areas of similar severity, size and location were assessed. Assessments included the modified Eczema Area and Severity Index (0–12 scale) (primary variable), localized investigator global assessment (0–4 scale) and Patients’ Self‐Assessment of Disease Severity (0–4 scale).
Results Data for all variables were similar for the TCI/FP and vehicle/FP treatments.
Conclusions The efficacy observed for treatment of severe AD flares with this TCI/FP combination regimen was equivalent to that of vehicle/FP.
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