How did Conifers grow in Mesozoic times? : A Jurassic case of growth architecture in Araucariaceae from the La Matilde Formation, Patagonia, Argentina

The architecture of a plant represents the expression of the equilibrium between endogenous growth processes and environmental constraints. Simple morphological traits are used to describe a tree's architecture: the growth and branching process, the morphological differentiation of axes, and the position of reproductive structures. The purpose of this contribution is to describe the growth architecture of the Jurassic araucarian trees (in organic connection with Araucaria mirabilis (Spegazzini) emend. Calder cones) present at the most basal part of the La Matilde Formation in the locality of Monumento Natural Bosques Petrificados, Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and to compare them with extant Araucariaceae. Both young and adult specimens had three branching categories from trunk (TA1) to branchlets (A3), corresponding to the typical pattern in extant Araucariaceae. The main, orthotropic stem (TA1) had rhythmic growth and branching, bearing plagiotropic branches in pseudowhorls. Main branches (A2) had rhythmic branching with A3 in two orthostichies. Female cones were terminal at the tip of peduncles, lateral in position with respect to A2 branches, peduncles had a position equivalent to A3 branches. Reiteration patterns are present: total reiterations (bifurcated trunks and big orthotropic branches in trunks with normal plagiotropic branches) and partial reiterations (epicormic branching). Two architectural "morphotypes" were recognized: the "Araucarioid morphotype or morphotype A" includes most of the studied specimens; showing pseudowhorls of plagiotropic branches and reiteration evidences; these characters correspond to Massart's model. "Morphotype B" was observed in bigger trunks, with clearly orthotropic branches irregularly arranged, and no reiteration evidences; they could represent Attim's model. Reiteration patterns are described for the first time for Jurassic gondwanic conifers, in agreement with observations made in Triassic conifers from Arizona and Jurassic conifers from the United Kingdon. Moreover, we can follow Massart's model from some Upper Palaeozoic Walchiaceae to the Mesozoic Araucariaceae studied in this contribution.Sesiones libres.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The Emerging Aversion to Inequality: Evidence from Poland 1992-2005

This paper provides an illustration of the changing tolerance for inequality in a context of radical political and economic transformation and rapid economic growth. We focus on the Polish experience of transition and explore self-declared attitudes of the citizens. Using monthly representative surveys of the population, realized by the Polish poll institute (CBOS) from 1992 to 2005, we identify a structural break in the relation between income inequality and subjective evaluation of well-being. The downturn in the tolerance for inequality (1997) coincides with the increasing distrust of political elites.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64387/1/wp919.pd

Cystic hygroma and potential airway obstruction in a newborn: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Cervical cystic hygroma is a benign congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. Incidence of cystic hygroma is 1/6000 live births. We present a case of right neck mass with potential respiratory compromise in a newborn. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a full term baby girl with an incidental finding of right neck mass which was described on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging as a cystic lesion in the nasopharynx and right neck which inferiorly followed the course of the right carotid artery, consistent with cystic hygroma. She started with respiratory compromise, and a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed increased size of the cystic hygroma. Dexamethasone was started to reduce fluid build up in the mass. When the cystic hygroma was found to be inseparable from the right half of the thyroid gland, the otolaryngologist performed hemithyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The patient had neuropraxia involving the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, which was expected to correct with time. Large cervical cystic hygromas may surround or displace neurovascular structures making their identification quite challenging intraoperatively. A team of experienced surgeons will help to ensure a successful surgical outcome

Medical treatment of octogenarians with chronic heart failure: data from CHECK-HF

Background: Elderly heart failure (HF) patients are underrepresented in clinical trials, though are a large proportion of patients in real-world practice. We investigated practice-based, secondary care HF management in a large group of chronic HF patients aged ≥ 80 years (octogenarians). Methods: We analyzed electronic health records of 3490 octogenarians with chronic HF at 34 Dutch outpatient clinics in the period between 2013 and 2016 , 49% women. Study patients were divided into HFpEF [LVEF ≥ 50%; n = 911 (26.1%)], HFrEF [LVEF < 40%; n = 2009 (57.6%)] and HF with mid-range EF [HFmrEF: LVEF 40–49%; n = 570 (16.3%)]. Results: Most HFrEF patients aged ≥ 80 years received a beta blocker and a renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker), i.e. 78.3% and 72.8% respectively, and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) was prescribed in 52.0% of patients. All three of these guideline-recommended medications (triple therapy) were given in only 29.9% of octogenarians with HFrEF, and at least 50% of target doses of triple therapy, beta blockers, RAS inhibitor and MRA, were prescribed in 43.8%, 62.2% and 53.5% of the total group of HFrEF patients. Contraindications or intolerance for beta blockers was present in 3.5% of the patients, for RAS inhibitors and MRAs in, 7.2% and 6.1% Conclusions: The majority of octogenarians with HFrEF received one or more guideline-recommended HF medications. However, triple therapy or target doses of the medications were prescribed in a minority. Comorbidities and reported contraindications and tolerances did not fully explain underuse of recommended HF therapies. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Detecting non-Abelian statistics of Majorana fermions in quantum nanowire networks

We propose a scheme in semiconducting quantum nanowires structure to demonstrate the non-Abelian statistics for Majorana fermions in terms of braid group. The Majorana fermions are localized at the endpoints of semiconducting wires, which are deposited on an \emph{s}-wave superconductor. The non-Abelian nature of Majorana fermion is manifested by the fact that the output of the different applied orders of two operations, constructed by the braid group elements, are different. In particular, the difference can be unambiguously imprinted on the quantum states of a superconducting flux qubit.Comment: V1, accepted for publication at JETP Letters; v2, typos correcte

Low intense physical exercise in normobaric hypoxia leads to more weight loss in obese people than low intense physical exercise in normobaric sham hypoxia

Training in mild to moderate hypoxia (14–17% O2 in breathing air) and extended resting in moderate hypoxia (9–13% O2) have been shown to have effects in animals and humans on lipid and glucose metabolism, appetite loss, and, in part, on body weight. The causality for these effects is not yet known in detail, and the available data in humans from high-altitude and low-pressure chamber studies are scarce. New technical developments by German companies in the production of artificial climates with normobaric hypoxic conditions in larger rooms at reasonable energy costs allow now to perform hypoxia weight loss studies in obese humans with stable experimental conditions and protocols with a sham hypoxia control. Thirty-two obese people were recruited for a mild intense training study in normobaric hypoxia (15 vol.% O2) and normoxia/sham hypoxia (20.1 vol.% O2). Twenty of these [mean age 47.6 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 33.1, 16 m, 4 f) were willing to follow up on an 8-week, three times per week, 90-min low intense physical exercise in their individual fat burning mode, which has been determined by an exercise testing with spiro-ergometry upfront. The subjects were evenly randomized into a hypoxia and sham hypoxia group. The difference of the two groups in weight loss and changes in HBa1C values were analyzed before and after the training period. No nutritional diet was applied. Subjects in the hypoxia group in mean lost significantly more weight than in the sham hypoxia group (Δ1.14 kg vs Δ0.03 kg; p = 0.026). This resulted in a tendency to reduce the BMI more in the hypoxia group (p = 0.326). In the mean, there was no HbA1C exceeding normal values (mean 5.67 and 5.47%), and the HbA1C stayed basically unchanged after the 8-week training. Mild physical exercise three times per week for 90 min in normobaric hypoxia for 8 weeks led to significantly greater weight loss in obese persons than the exercise in sham hypoxia in this, to our knowledge, first sham hypoxia controlled study

A micro costing of NHS cancer genetic services

This paper presents the first full micro costing of a commonly used cancer genetic counselling and testing protocol used in the UK. Costs were estimated for the Cardiff clinic of the Cancer Genetics Service in Wales by issuing a questionnaire to all staff, conducting an audit of clinic rooms and equipment and obtaining gross unit costs from the finance department. A total of 22 distinct event pathways were identified for patients at risk of developing breast, ovarian, breast and ovarian or colorectal cancer. The mean cost per patient were £97–£151 for patients at moderate risk, £975–£3072 for patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer and £675–£2909 for patients at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. The most expensive element of cancer genetic services was labour. Labour costs were dependent upon the amount of labour, staff grade, number of counsellors used and the proportion of staff time devoted to indirect patient contact. With the growing demand for cancer genetic services and the growing number of national and regional cancer genetic centers, there is a need for the different protocols being used to be thoroughly evaluated in terms of costs and outcomes