We report cosmic microwave background (CMB) power-spectrum measurements from the first 100 deg{sup 2} field observed by the South Pole Telescope (SPT) at 150 and 220 GHz. On angular scales where the ...primary CMB anisotropy is dominant, l {approx}< 3000, the SPT power spectrum is consistent with the standard {Lambda}CDM cosmology. On smaller scales, we see strong evidence for a point-source contribution, consistent with a population of dusty, star-forming galaxies. After we mask bright point sources, anisotropy power on angular scales of 3000 < l < 9500 is detected with a signal-to-noise ratio {approx}>50 at both frequencies. We combine the 150 and 220 GHz data to remove the majority of the point-source power and use the point-source-subtracted spectrum to detect Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) power at 2.6{sigma}. At l = 3000, the SZ power in the subtracted bandpowers is 4.2 {+-} 1.5 {mu}K{sup 2}, which is significantly lower than the power predicted by a fiducial model using WMAP5 cosmological parameters. This discrepancy may suggest that contemporary galaxy cluster models overestimate the thermal pressure of intracluster gas. Alternatively, this result can be interpreted as evidence for lower values of {sigma}{sub 8}. When combined with an estimate of the kinetic SZ contribution, the measured SZ amplitude shifts {sigma}{sub 8} from the primary CMB anisotropy derived constraint of 0.794 {+-} 0.028 down to 0.773 {+-} 0.025. The uncertainty in the constraint on {sigma}{sub 8} from this analysis is dominated by uncertainties in the theoretical modeling required to predict the amplitude of the SZ power spectrum for a given set of cosmological parameters.
Wild bees are vital for maintaining biodiversity and food security. However, bees are currently threatened by the conversion of their natural habitat into urban areas, among many other factors. Here, ...we examine how five wild bee species respond to increasing urbanization according to their functional traits across the most populous city in Canada, which is also the fourth largest in North America. We investigate the effect of urbanization on bee demography and morphology as measured by abundance, sex ratio, body size, and foraging efforts. We found more bees in medium-urbanized sites and larger bees in medium and high-urbanized sites for two species (
Eucera pruinosa
and
Ceratina calcarata)
. We found higher wing wear in low and medium-urbanization sites. Our data suggests that urbanization potentially affects these wild bee species’ abundance, body size, and foraging efficiency. We further discuss these findings according to the ecology of urbanization and the biology of each species.
Implications for insect conservation
Human activity can significantly alter natural habitats, causing adverse effects on wild bees and ultimately affecting their survival. Considering the crucial role bees play in pollinating numerous crop and wild plant species, which, in turn, sustains biodiversity and food security, it is crucial to assess their response to the increasing levels of urbanization.
The diagnostic and prognostic potential of brain MR imaging before term-equivalent age is limited until valid MR imaging scoring systems are available. This study aimed to validate an MR imaging ...scoring system of brain injury and impaired growth for use at 29 to 35 weeks postmenstrual age in infants born at <31 weeks gestational age.
Eighty-three infants in a prospective cohort study underwent early 3T MR imaging between 29 and 35 weeks' postmenstrual age (mean, 32
± 1
weeks; 49 males, born at median gestation of 28
weeks; range, 23
-30
weeks; mean birthweight, 1068 ± 312 g). Seventy-seven infants had a second MR scan at term-equivalent age (mean, 40
± 1
weeks). Structural images were scored using a modified scoring system which generated WM, cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, cerebellar, and global scores. Outcome at 12-months corrected age (mean, 12 months 4 days ± 1
weeks) consisted of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd ed. (Bayley III), and the Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment.
Early MR imaging global, WM, and deep gray matter scores were negatively associated with Bayley III motor (regression coefficient for global score β = -1.31; 95% CI, -2.39 to -0.23;
= .02), cognitive (β = -1.52; 95% CI, -2.39 to -0.65;
< .01) and the Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment outcomes (β = -1.73; 95% CI, -3.19 to -0.28;
= .02). Early MR imaging cerebellar scores were negatively associated with the Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (β = -5.99; 95% CI, -11.82 to -0.16;
= .04). Results were reconfirmed at term-equivalent-age MR imaging.
This clinically accessible MR imaging scoring system is valid for use at 29 to 35 weeks postmenstrual age in infants born very preterm. It enables identification of infants at risk of adverse outcomes before the current standard of term-equivalent age.
Controlled surface functionalization is demonstrated by nitric acid hydrothermal oxidation on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The formation and evolution of oxygen functional groups were ...systematically investigated as a function of the HNO3 concentration on MWCNTs with different structural and morphological characteristics, employing temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass spectrometry, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy and N2 porosimetry analysis. Hydrothermal treatment provides controlled MWCNT modification by specific oxygen functionalities at amounts determined by the morphology, texture and crystallinity of the pristine materials. Hydrothermal oxidation competes well with the harsh boiling nitric acid treatment regarding the total amount of oxygen functionalities, while requiring much lower amounts of oxidizing agent and, most importantly, reducing amorphous carbon deposits on the MWCNT surface, a major drawback of aggressive liquid phase oxidation methods. Detailed pore structure analysis revealed a progressive increase of the surface area upon hydrothermal functionalization, whereas the mesopore structure varied consistently with the intrinsic MWCNT properties related to the packing of the nanotube bundles and the reduction of amorphous carbon. These advantageous features render nitric acid hydrothermal oxidation an efficient functionalization process to fine tune and optimize the surface chemistry of MWCNTs for target applications, circumventing the need for additional purification post-processing.
Pathophysiology of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) can be influenced by environmental factors such as solar exposure/occupational factors and genetic factors.
The study aims to assess the ...association of lifetime ocular UV exposure and its impact on the risk of development of XFS.
All eligible subjects underwent a comprehensive ocular examination. XFS was defined as precipitates on the pupillary border, cornea, and angle of anterior chamber or lens in at least one eye without any clinical signs of glaucoma. A standardised questionnaire was administered to assess the lifetime UV exposure. Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) photography was taken to detect the conjunctival changes with exposure to UV radiation. Ascorbic acid concentration in the aqueous humour was measured.
A total of 404 subjects of which 274 (controls) and 130 (XFS cases) were studied. There were 204 males (50.5%) and 200 females (49.5%).Lifetime UV exposure (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.30, p: 0.032), CUVAF damage (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p: 0.008) and outdoor worker (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.18-3.00, p: 0.008) were positively associated with XFS. Usage of spectacles (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39-0.95, p: 0.030) and ascorbic acid concentration in aqueous (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.99, p: 0.038) were found to be protective against XFS.
Besides genetic factors, environmental factors such as lifetime ocular UV exposure and outdoor work are significantly associated with the risk of XFS. CUVAF can be used as a non-invasive tool to detect preclinical sun damage in outdoor workers.
The mission of the American College of Cardiology is "to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health." Cardiovascular team-based care is a paradigm for practice that can transform care, ...improve heart health, and help meet the demands of the future. One strategic goal of the College is to help members successfully transition their clinical practices to the future, with all its complexity, challenges, and opportunities. The ACC's strategic plan is aligned with the triple aim of improved care, improved population health, and lower costs per capita. The traditional understanding of quality, access, and cost is that you cannot improve one component without diminishing the others. With cardiovascular team-based care, it is possible to achieve the triple aim of improving quality, access, and cost simultaneously to also improve cardiovascular health. Striving to serve the best interests of patients is the true north of our guiding principles. Cardiovascular team-based care is a model that can improve care coordination and communication and allow each team member to focus more on the quality of care. In addition, the cardiovascular team-based care model increases access to cardiovascular care and allows expansion of services to populations and geographic areas that are currently underserved. This document will increase awareness of the important components of cardiovascular team-based care and create an opportunity for more discussion about the most creative and effective means of implementing it. We hope that this document will stimulate further discussions and activities within the ACC and beyond about team-based care. We have identified areas that need improvement, specifically in APP education and state regulation. The document encourages the exploration of collaborative care models that should enable team members to optimize their education, training, experience, and talent. Improved team leadership, coordination, collaboration, engagement, and efficiency will enable the delivery of higher-value care to the betterment of our patients and society.
The Macrolides Oraux pour Réduire les Décès avec un Oeil sur la Résistance (MORDOR) trial found that biannual mass distribution of azithromycin to children younger than 5 years in Niger reduced the ...primary outcome of all-cause mortality by 18%. We aimed to determine the causes of mortality among deceased children using verbal autopsy.
In this 2-year cluster-randomised controlled trial, 594 community clusters in Niger were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to receive biannual mass distributions of either oral azithromycin (approximately 20 mg per kg of bodyweight) or placebo targeted to children aged 1–59 months. Participants, study investigators, and field workers were masked to treatment allocation. Between Nov 23, 2014, and July 31, 2017, 3615 child deaths were recorded by use of biannual house-to-house censuses, and verbal autopsies were done between May 26, 2015, and May 17, 2018, to identify cause of death. Cause-specific mortality, as assessed by verbal autopsy, was a prespecified secondary outcome. This trial is completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02047981.
Between Nov 23, 2014, and July 31, 2017, 303 communities (n=40 375 children at baseline) in Niger received mass azithromycin and 291 communities (n=35 747 children at baseline) received placebo. Treatment coverage was 90·3% (SD 10·6) in the azithromycin group and 90·4% (10·1) in the placebo group. No communities were lost to follow-up. In total, 1727 child deaths in the azithromycin group and 1888 child deaths in the placebo group were reported from the population censuses. Of these, the cause of death for 1566 (90·7%) children in the azithromycin group and 1735 (91·9%) children in the placebo group were ascertained by verbal autopsy interviews. In the azithromycin group, 437 (27·9%) deaths were due to malaria, 252 (16·1%) deaths were due to pneumonia, and 234 (14·9%) deaths were due to diarrhoea. In the placebo group, 493 (28·4%) deaths were due to malaria, 275 (15·9%) deaths were due to pneumonia, and 251 (14·5%) deaths were due to diarrhoea. Relative to communities that received placebo, child mortality in communities that received azithromycin was lower for malaria (incidence rate ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·66–0·92; p=0·0029), dysentery (0·65, 0·44–0·94; p=0·025), meningitis (0·67, 0·46–0·97; p=0·036), and pneumonia (0·83, 0·68–1·00; p=0·051). The distribution of causes of death did not differ significantly between the two study groups (p=0·98).
Mass azithromycin distribution resulted in approximately a third fewer deaths in children aged 1–59 months due to meningitis and dysentery, and a fifth fewer deaths due to malaria and pneumonia. The lack of difference in the distribution of causes of death between the azithromycin and placebo groups could be attributable to the broad spectrum of azithromycin activity and the study setting, in which most childhood deaths were due to infections.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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