A multi-isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δ2H) approach to establishing migratory connectivity in lesser snow geese: Tracking an overabundant species

Expanding populations of North American midcontinent lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) have potential to alter ecosystems throughout the Arctic and subarctic where they breed. Efforts to understand origins of harvested lesser snow geese to better inform management decisions have traditionally required mark-recapture approaches, while aerial photographic surveys have typically been used to identify breeding distributions. As a potential alternative, isotopic patterns that are metabolically fixed within newly grown flight feathers following summer molting could provide inferences regarding geographic breeding origin of individuals, without the need for prior capture. Our objective was to assess potential to use four stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δ2H) from feather material to determine breeding origins. We obtained newly grown flight feathers from individuals during summer banding at three Arctic and two subarctic breeding colonies in 2014 (n = 56) and 2016 (n = 45). We used linear discriminant analyses to predict breeding origins from models using combinations of stable isotopes as predictors and evaluated model accuracy when predicting colony, subregion, or subpopulation levels. We found a strong inverse relationship between δ2H values and increasing latitude (R2 = 0.83), resulting in differences (F4, 51 = 90.41, P \u3c 0.0001) among sampled colonies. No differences in δ13C or δ15N were detected among colonies, although δ34S in Akimiski Island, Baffin Island, and Karrak Lake were more enriched (F4, 51 = 11.25, P \u3c 0.0001). Using δ2H values as a predictor, discriminant analyses improved accuracy in classification level as precision decreased [model accuracy = 67% (colony), 88% (subregion), 94% (subpopulation)]. Application of the isotopic methods we describe could be used to provide an alternative monitoring method of population metrics, such as overall breeding population distribution, region-specific productivity and migratory connectivity that are informative to management decision makers and provide insight into cross-seasonal effects that may influence migratory behavior

Life-history traits of the giant squid Architeuthis dux revealed from stable isotope signatures recorded in beaks

Peer reviewedPreprin

Knowledge and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with myasthenia gravis: follow up survey

Introduction  We previously conducted a survey study in April 2020 at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic to understand how it affected patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Since then, significant advances have occurred in the following areas: knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, infection risk mitigation, patient management, risks for MG patients, and a global vaccination program. We conducted a follow-up survey in February 2021 to assess how these advances impacted the care and perception of MG patients.     Methods  We conducted a prospective online survey study of MG patients at a large academic practice in the Duke Health System.   Results  Seventy-eight patients participated in the survey including 55 from previous survey and 23 newly identified patients. The top reported change in the interaction with healthcare providers was an increase in telemedicine visits (74%). The median satisfaction score (0-100 scale) for telemedicine visits was 74. Ninety-six percent of survey participants expressed concern about pandemic and nearly half of participants showed anxiety based on Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score. The top 3 concerns related to COVID-19 were getting hospitalized (62%), exacerbation (62%) and death (53%).  Discussion   Although the results of follow-up survey were overall similar to the previous study, most of patients switched from in-person clinic visits to telemedicines. The overwhelmingly large portion of patients continue to have concern and anxiety for pandemic but the patients with severe symptoms have higher anxiety scores. Conclusion   This follow-up survey demonstrated the adjustment of MG patients to new methods of communication, significant psychological impact of COVID-19 on them and their good healthcare literacy. &nbsp

Knowledge and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with myasthenia gravis: follow up survey

Introduction  We previously conducted a survey study in April 2020 at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic to understand how it affected patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Since then, significant advances have occurred in the following areas: knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, infection risk mitigation, patient management, risks for MG patients, and a global vaccination program. We conducted a follow-up survey in February 2021 to assess how these advances impacted the care and perception of MG patients.     Methods  We conducted a prospective online survey study of MG patients at a large academic practice in the Duke Health System.   Results  Seventy-eight patients participated in the survey including 55 from previous survey and 23 newly identified patients. The top reported change in the interaction with healthcare providers was an increase in telemedicine visits (74%). The median satisfaction score (0-100 scale) for telemedicine visits was 74. Ninety-six percent of survey participants expressed concern about pandemic and nearly half of participants showed anxiety based on Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score. The top 3 concerns related to COVID-19 were getting hospitalized (62%), exacerbation (62%) and death (53%).  Discussion   Although the results of follow-up survey were overall similar to the previous study, most of patients switched from in-person clinic visits to telemedicines. The overwhelmingly large portion of patients continue to have concern and anxiety for pandemic but the patients with severe symptoms have higher anxiety scores. Conclusion   This follow-up survey demonstrated the adjustment of MG patients to new methods of communication, significant psychological impact of COVID-19 on them and their good healthcare literacy. &nbsp

Optimal avoidance and evasion tactics in predator-prey interactions

A kinematic analysis of optimal avoidance and evasion techniques for prey is presented. The analysis is mainly directed towards piscivorous interactions but can include other aquatic and terrestrial cases. Avoidance is defined as maneuvering for position by prey, before the predator starts a chase, while evasion is an escape response to an attack.Two separate optimal avoidance methods are found and analyzed--minimizing time within sighting range; and maximizing instantaneous distance. The second method leads to the well-known "fountain effect" of fish school break-up when predators are in the vicinity.The optimal evasion technique involves escape at a small angle (up to 20[deg]) from the heading directly away from the predator. This is in agreement with observations of escaping minnows.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24931/1/0000358.pd

The industrial meaning of "gradualism": the Labour party and industry, 1918-1931

In the period from 1918 until 1931, the British Labour party adhered to the precepts of "gradualism": incrementally and by degrees, the party would gain support and pass legislation in an inexorable progress toward the socialist millennium. For a while, it seemed that this strategy would carry all before it. Emerging from the First World War with a "socialist" commitment, it became the largest opposition party at the 1918 general election. In 1922 it became the clear opposition to the Conservatives, and Ramsay MacDonald was reelected leader after an eight-year break. A short-lived minority Labour government in 1924 was followed by heavy electoral defeat, but the party was able to form its second minority government in 1929. However, its credibility was destroyed by soaring unemployment, and the ministry collapsed in the summer of 1931 after failing to agree on public expenditure cuts. MacDonald and the chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Snowden, led a small Labour cohort into a "National" government, which went on to crush Labour at the polls that October. Detailed work on this complex period of Labour's history is hard to find, however. Little work has been done on policy: in particular, it is surprising that, given the party's symbiotic link with trade unionism and the central role of industry in Labour leaders' conception of the transformation to socialism, so little attention has been paid to the party's industrial policy in this period

The very bright SCUBA galaxy count: looking for SCUBA galaxies with the Mexican Hat Wavelet

We present the results of a search for bright high-redshift galaxies in two large SCUBA scan-maps of Galactic regions. A Mexican Hat Wavelet technique was used to locate point sources in these maps, which suffer high foreground contamination as well as typical scan-map noise signatures. A catalogue of point source objects was selected and observed again in the submillimetre continuum, and in HCO+ (3->2) at zero redshift to rule out Galactic sources. No extragalactic sources were found. Simulations show that the survey was sensitive to sources with fluxes > 50 mJy, depending on the local background. These simulations result in upper limits on the 850-micron counts of SCUBA galaxies of 53 per square degree at 50 mJy and 2.9 per square degree at 100 mJy.Comment: Accepted by MNRA

Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy in a patient with infectious colitis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Encephalopathy is a rare disease caused by adverse effects of antibiotic drugs such as metronidazole. The incidence of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy is unknown, although several previous studies have addressed metronidazole neurotoxicity. Here, we report the case of a patient with reversible cerebellar dysfunction on magnetic resonance imaging, induced by prolonged administration of metronidazole for the treatment of infectious colitis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 71-year-old Asian man, admitted to our hospital with hematochezia, underwent Hartmann's operation for the treatment of colorectal cancer three years ago. He was diagnosed with an infectious colitis by colonoscopy. After taking metronidazole, he showed drowsiness and slow response to verbal commands. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed obvious bilateral symmetric hyperintensities within his dentate nucleus, tectal region of the cerebellum, and splenium of corpus callosum in T2-weighted images and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. Our patient's clinical presentation and magnetic resonance images were thought to be most consistent with metronidazole toxicity. Therefore, we discontinued metronidazole, and his cerebellar syndrome resolved. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging examinations showed complete resolution of previously noted signal changes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Metronidazole may produce neurologic side effects such as cerebellar syndrome, and encephalopathy in rare cases. We show that metronidazole-induced encephalopathy can be reversed after cessation of the drug. Consequently, careful consideration should be given to patients presenting with complaints of neurologic disorder after the initiation of metronidazole therapy.</p

Evidence‐based guideline: Neuromuscular ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence‐based guideline for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Two questions were asked: (1) What is the accuracy of median nerve cross‐sectional area enlargement as measured with ultrasound for the diagnosis of CTS? (2) What added value, if any, does neuromuscular ultrasound provide over electrodiagnostic studies alone for the diagnosis of CTS? A systematic review was performed, and studies were classified according to American Academy of Neurology criteria for rating articles of diagnostic accuracy (question 1) and for screening articles (question 2). Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound measurement of median nerve cross‐sectional area at the wrist is accurate and may be offered as a diagnostic test for CTS (Level A). Neuromuscular ultrasound probably adds value to electrodiagnostic studies when diagnosing CTS and should be considered in screening for structural abnormalities at the wrist in those with CTS (Level B). Muscle Nerve 46: 287–293, 2012Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92446/1/23389_ftp.pd