The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Positive Predictive Value for Multitarget Stool DNA After Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Background and Aims: Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) may adversely affect noninvasive stool tests for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening through several mechanisms. Multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) is approved for CRC screening; however, performance in post-BMS patients is unknown. As the rates of BMS are anticipated to increase with rising incidence of obesity, it is important to evaluate mt-sDNA test performance among these patients. Methods: In a multisite academic and community-based practice, we obtained mt-sDNA results from 10/2014 to 12/2019 through electronic records and an institutional BMS registry. Average CRC risk patients with BMS prior to a positive mt-sDNA underwent a detailed chart review. Follow-up colonoscopy findings were compared to those among BMS patients screened with colonoscopy alone and a historical cohort of patients without BMS, screened by mt-sDNA. The primary study endpoint was the positive predictive value (PPV) for advanced colorectal neoplasia. Results: Among 336 average-risk patients who had mt-sDNA after BMS, mt-sDNA was positive in 49 (14.6%), 47/49 (96%) underwent follow-up colonoscopy, and the PPV for advanced neoplasia was 12/47 (25.5%). This is similar to the PPV for advanced colorectal neoplasia (425/1542, 28%) in a historical cohort of persons without prior BMS, screened by mt-sDNA at our center (P = .86). Among those who had prior BMS, the rate of advanced neoplasia was higher after mt-sDNA compared to screening colonoscopy alone. Conclusion: Despite anatomic and physiologic mechanisms that could alter blood or DNA content in stool, BMS does not appear to adversely affect the PPV of mt-sDNA

Biology of Invasive Monk Parakeets in South Florida

Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) have been in Florida for \u3e40 yrs, having been imported by the thousands for the pet trade. This conspicuous, charismatic species is now widely established, but relatively little is known about its population biology outside South America. We examined 845 parakeets from 385 nests from nest removals and collections by utility company personnel in 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 to document body size and aspects of reproductive biology and primary molt. Body measurements confirm Monk Parakeets in south Florida belong to the monachus subspecies. Adult males averaged 1.5 to 3.5% larger than females, but the body mass of females exceeded that of males during March–May, the period of egg development. The breeding season in south Florida commences in late winter/early spring with fledglings first appearing in the second week of June. Nest contents (eggs plus nestlings) averaged 5.6 for multiple-entry nests compared to 4.9 for single-entry nests. Over 94% of the adults we examined were replacing primary feathers during June–August. The extent and timing of breeding and molt in south Florida are virtually identical to those in South America, although offset by ~6 months. Monk Parakeets in south Florida retain a fixed annual cycle characteristic of the ancestral population, but their flexible behavior enables them to adapt and thrive in new environments