Checklist of snakes from Dang District of Lumbini Province, Nepal

We herein present a checklist of 28 species of snakes in 20 genera and seven families recorded as rescuesor opportunistic sightings between July 2018 and December 2024 in Dang District, Lumbini Province, Nepal.Fifteen species are in the family Colubridae, five in the family Elapidae, two each in the families Erycidae, Natricidae,and Viperidae, and one each in the families Pythonidae and Typhlopidae. We provide photographic evidence of theStreaked Kukri Snake (Oligodon taeniolatus) from the Deukhuri Valley as a new record for Nepal and an additional 13species were new records for Dang District. The major threats observed during the study period were forest fires, forestencroachment, construction activities, and intentional killing of snakes

Intimate Partner Violence in Sedgwick County (SGC) Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: A retrospective longitudinal analysis of Wichita Family Crisis Center services

Introduction. Reports during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested a surge in domestic violence cases. It is important to examine whether patterns changed following the pandemic. Authors of this study evaluated whether Sedgwick County (SGC) experienced similar trends by comparing intimate partner violence (IPV)-related service utilization before, during, and after the pandemic. Methods. Participants included IPV victims who accessed services through Wichita Family Crisis Center from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2025. There were no exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed across three periods: pre-COVID (Period 1: 3/1/18 - 2/28/20), COVID (Period 2: 2/29/20 - 5/31/23), and post-COVID (Period 3: 6/1/23 - 5/30/25). Chi-square testing was used for statistical analysis. Results. A total of 11,341 clients were included, with a 31% decrease from Period 1 to Period 2 and a 19% increase from Period 2 to Period 3. A total of 100,356 services were analyzed; services decreased during COVID and increased post-COVID to levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels (p <0.001). During COVID, the proportion of hotline calls related to children younger than 17 years doubled, then declined post-COVID (p <0.0001). Upward trends also were observed in safety planning services during and after COVID, along with an increase in sex trafficking-related services post-COVID (p <0.0001). Conclusions. In SGC, IPV-related calls and services decreased during the pandemic and increased steadily in the post-COVID period. These patterns may reflect reduced access to care or changes in service availability during the pandemic, rather than a true reduction in IPV prevalence or service needs

Artificial Intelligence Templating for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Using Standard Preoperative Knee Radiographs

Introduction. This study investigated the accuracy and learning capabilities of an artificial intelligence (AI) templating algorithm that converts two-dimensional (2D) knee radiographs to three-dimensional (3D) bone models to facilitate preoperative planning in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods. 108 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKA by a single surgeon during a seven-month period were identified retrospectively. De-identified preoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were uploaded to a novel AI algorithm (PeekMed, Braga, Portugal). The accuracy of the AI algorithm was evaluated by comparing implanted tibial and femoral sizes to the AI-predicted implant sizes. Novel machine learning with improved accuracy over time was evaluated by comparing the percentage of implanted components that were within one size (±1) of the predicted size between the initial 50 patients, and last 51 patients. Results. The AI algorithm accurately predicted the exact femoral and tibial implant sizes in 40% and 41.5% of cases, respectively. When allowing for (±1) size difference, the accuracy of the predicted femoral and tibial sizes improved to 90% and 87%, respectively. The AI algorithm significantly increased in accuracy over time for the tibial component (80% vs 94%, p = 0.0342) and trended towards significantly improved accuracy for the femoral component (87% vs 94%, p = 0.1719). Conclusions. 2D radiographs converted to 3D models by this AI-based algorithm demonstrated high levels of accuracy when predicted TKA implant sizes were compared with the component sizes actually implanted during Department of Surgery. Moreover, prediction accuracy improved over time suggesting the algorithm may be a valuable preoperative planning tool for TKA

Experimental assessment of Spot-tailed Earless Lizards (Holbrookia lacerata and H. subcaudalis) as visual predators

Plateau Spot-tailed Earless Lizards (Holbrookia lacerata) and Tamaulipan Spot-tailed Earless Lizards (H.subcaudalis) (hereafter STELs) are phrynosomatid lizards that are species of conservation concern. STELs are insectivoresand are thought to be visual predators, but predation strategies have not been empirically documented. We randomlyassigned 15 Plateau and 15 Tamaulipan STELs to one of three predation-behavior treatments: (1) live cricket,(2) dead cricket glued to monofilament line and moved, or (3) dead crickets. Both STEL species attacked only movingcrickets, clearly demonstrating that STELs are visual predators. This has important conservation implications becauseSTELs frequently occupy peripheries of agricultural fields, where pesticides often are used; consequently, feeding onimmobile prey, particularly insects, could have negative consequences for these imperiled lizards

Mission and Purpose

Mission and Purpos

call for 2026 USCACA Youth Scholar Awards

The USCACA is pleased to invite nominations for the USCACA 2025 Youth Scholar Awards, including three joint awards (USCACA-AFCR, USCACA-MCE, USCACA-TargetMol). These awards recognize 3-6 outstanding junior Chinese (or American Chinese) faculty for their significant contributions to translational or clinical cancer research

Why are they leaving?: An investigation into the experiences of Division I men’s basketball athletes who enter the transfer portal

Historically, transfer rules within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have been prohibitive, limiting the autonomy of college athletes. In recent years, the NCAA introduced the transfer portal which does not require athletes to notify their current institution when they plan to transfer or necessitate they sit out a year the first time they transfer. The process and culture around transferring has changed drastically, prompting further exploration into the movement between schools and conferences. This study employed a phenomenological research design by conducting two rounds of interviews to uncover the lived experiences of Division I men’s basketball athletes from one university who entered the transfer portal and left their institution following the 2021-2022 season. Two semi-structured interviews, one season apart, were conducted with three athletes, examining questions around team culture, relationships with staff and teammates, and indicators of well-being. Findings suggest it was the relationship with their coaches, or lack thereof, that severely influenced their decision to enter the transfer portal. Overall, athletes felt supported by their teammates, but that was not enough to change their experience on the team. Following their transfer, athletes confirmed the importance of their player-coach relationship in their college athlete experience, and reflected on the ever-changing environment of college basketball as a business. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed