Choreography of silk spinning by webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) reflects lifestyle and hints at phylogeny

Silk spinning defines the morphologically constrained embiopterans. All individuals spin for protection, including immatures, adult males and the wingless females. Enlarged front tarsi are packed with silk glands and clothed with ejectors. They spin by stepping with their front feet and releasing silk against substrates and onto preexisting silk, often cloth-like. Spinning is stereotypical and appears to differ between species in frequency and probability of transition between two spin-step positions. This spinning choreography was assessed using thousands of spin-steps scored in the laboratory for 22 species to test: (1) the body size hypothesis predicting that spinning would be more complex for larger species; and (2) the phylogeny hypothesis which predicted that spinning would display phylogenetic signal. Tests relied on published phylogenies for the order Embioptera. Independent contrast analysis revealed relationships between five spin characteristics and body size, whereby, for example, larger webspinners invested in relatively larger prothoracic tarsi used for spinning and in spin-steps that would yield expansive silk coverings. Spin-step dynamics displayed a phylogenetic signal for the frequency of six spin-steps and for 16 spin-step transitions. Discussion focuses on patterns revealed by analysis of phylogenetic signal and the relationship to life style and to recently discovered chemical characteristics of silk

Analog Signal Processing Elements for Energy-Constrained Platforms

Energy constrained processing poses a number of challenges that have resulted in tremendous innovations over the past decade. Shrinking supply voltages and limited clock speeds have placed an emphasis on processing efficiency over the raw throughput of a processor. One of the approaches to increase processing efficiency is to use parallel processing with slower, lower resolution processing elements. By utilizing this parallel approach, power consumption can be decreased while maintaining data throughput relative to other more power-hungry architectures.;This low resolution / parallel architecture has direct application in the analog as well as the digital domain. Indeed, research shows that as the resolution of a signal processor falls below a system-dependent threshold, it is almost always more efficient to preform the processing in the analog domain. These continuous-time circuits have long been used in the most energy-constrained applications, ranging from pacemakers and cochlear implants to wireless sensor motes designed to run autonomously for months in the field.;Most audio processing techniques utilize spectral decomposition as the first step of their algorithms, whether by a FFT/DFT in the digital domain or a bank of bandpass filters in the analog domain. The work presented here is designed to function within the parallel, array-based environment of a bank of bandpass filters. Work to improve the simulation of programmable analog storage elements (Floating-Gate transistors) in typical SPICE-based simulators is presented, along with a novel method of harnessing the unique properties of these Floating-Gate (FG) transistors to extend the linear range of a differential pair. These improvements in simulation and linearity are demonstrated in a Variable-Gain Amplfier (VGA) to compress large differential inputs into small single-ended outputs suitable for processing by other analog elements. Finally, a novel circuit composed of only six transistors is proposed to compute the continuous-time derivative of a signal within the sub-banded architecture of the bandpass filter bank

What is "gender expression"? How a New and Nebulous Human Rights Construct Is Taking Shape in Ontario School Board Policy Documents

In 2002, jurisdictions across Canada began adding two new protected grounds to their human rights laws: gender identity and/or gender expression. Gender identity protections generally apply only to transgender people, whereas gender expression protections may apply to all Canadians in places like K–12 schools. However, it remains legally unclear what kind of action, utterance, or pattern constitutes gender expression discrimination, and who can access related protections. In search of clarification, this article explores how the meaning of gender expression is being constructed within policy documents (N = 206) authored at the level of Ontario’s English public secular school boards. Keywords: gender expression, gender identity, transgender, education policy, education law, K–12, Ontario, CanadaEn 2002, des ressorts dans l’ensemble du Canada ont commencé à ajouter deux nouveaux motifs de discrimination interdits à leurs lois sur les droits de la personne, soit l’identité sexuelle et/ou l’expression de l’identité sexuelle ou de genre. Les protections entourant l’identité ne s’appliquent en général qu’aux personnes transgenres, alors que les protections entourant l’expression sexuelle ou de genre peuvent s’appliquer à tous les Canadiens et Canadiennes dans des endroits tels que les écoles élémentaires et secondaires. Une incertitude juridique demeure toutefois à l’égard du type d’action, de propos ou de schéma de comportement qui constitue une discrimination à l’égard de l’expression sexuelle ou de genre et à savoir qui peut se prévaloir des protections qui en découlent. Dans le but de clarifier cet aspect, cet article explore la manière dont la signification de l’expression sexuelle ou de genre est façonnée dans le cadre des politiques (N = 206) adoptées à l’échelon des conseils scolaires publics laïques de l’Ontario. Mots-clés : l’expression de l’identité sexuelle, l’identité sexuelle, transgenre, politique d’éducation, droit de l’éducation, écoles élémentaires et secondaires, Ontario, Canad

The spinning apparatus of webspinners – functional-morphology, morphometrics and spinning behaviour

Webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) have a distinctly unique behaviour with related morphological characteristics. Producing silk with the basitarsomeres of their forelegs plays a crucial role in the lives of these insects – providing shelter and protection. The correlation between body size, morphology and morphometrics of the spinning apparatus and the spinning behaviour of Embioptera was investigated for seven species using state-of-the-art methodology for behavioural as well as for morphological approaches. Independent contrast analysis revealed correlations between morphometric characters and body size. Larger webspinners in this study have glands with greater reservoir volume, but in proportionally smaller tarsi relative to body size than in the smaller species. Furthermore, we present a detailed description and review of the spinning apparatus in Embioptera in comparison to other arthropods and substantiate the possible homology of the embiopteran silk glands to class III dermal silk glands of insects

Hepatotoxicity following administration of onasemnogene abeparvovec (AVXS-101) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive, childhood-onset motor neuron disease. Onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA) is a gene therapy designed to address SMA\u27s root cause. In pivotal mouse toxicology studies, the liver was identified as a major site of OA toxicity. Clinical data reflect elevations in serum aminotransferase concentrations, with some reports of serious acute liver injury. Prophylactic prednisolone mitigates these effects. Herein, we aim to provide pragmatic, supportive guidance for identification, management, and risk mitigation of potential drug-induced liver injury. METHODS: Data from 325 patients with SMA who had received OA through 31 December 2019, in 5 clinical trials, a managed access program (MAP), and a long-term registry (RESTORE), and through commercial use, were analyzed. Liver-related adverse events, laboratory data, concomitant medications, and prednisolone use were analyzed. RESULTS: Based on adverse events and laboratory data, 90 of 100 patients had elevated liver function test results (alanine aminotransferase, and/or aspartate aminotransferase, and/or bilirubin concentrations). Of these, liver-associated adverse events were reported for 34 of 100 (34%) and 10 of 43 (23%) patients in clinical trials and MAP/RESTORE, respectively. Two patients in MAP had serious acute liver injury, which resolved completely. While all events in the overall population resolved, prednisolone treatment duration varied (range: 33-229 days), with a majority receiving prednisolone for 60-120 days. More than 60% had elevations in either alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, or bilirubin concentrations prior to dosing. Greater than 40% received potentially hepatotoxic concomitant medications. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatotoxicity is a known risk associated with OA use. Practitioners should identify contributing factors and mitigate risk through appropriate monitoring and intervention. LAY SUMMARY: Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a type of medicine called a gene therapy, which is used to treat babies and young children who have a rare, serious inherited condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). It works by supplying a fully functioning copy of the survival motor neuron or SMN gene, which then helps the body produce enough SMN protein. However, it can cause an immune response that could lead to an increase in enzymes produced by the liver. This article provides information about the liver injury and how to prevent and recognize if it happens, so that it may be treated properly

MOOSE MOVEMENT PATTERNS IN THE UPPER KOYUKUK RIVER DRAINAGE, NORTHCENTRAL ALASKA

Understanding movement patterns of moose (Alces alces) is critical to understanding their ecology and sound management. Our study was prompted by concern that the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area (DHCMA), where the Dalton Highway facilitates access for non-local hunting, may be a population sink for moose that also reside in more remote and protected areas like Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) and Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR). We did not detect substantial migrations between DHCMA and GAAR or KNWR. However, we estimated that 14–60% of moose in our study area were migratory depending on sex, location within our study area, and methodology utilized to differentiate migratory behavior. A quarter of the animals displayed mixed-migratory strategies where migration is exhibited by a single individual in some years but not others. The percentage of moose that were migratory in our study population, and the distances they migrated, were lower than reported from studies elsewhere in interior Alaska. We hypothesize this may be related to their very low density (∼ 0.1 moose/km2) and/or higher terrain ruggedness in part of the study area. Winter severity did not appear to impact migration, but home range sizes were smaller in severe winters

VARIATION IN FINE-SCALE MOVEMENTS OF MOOSE IN THE UPPER KOYUKUK RIVER DRAINAGE, NORTHCENTRAL ALASKA

Fine-scale movements form the foundation of local habitat selection by animals. In northern interior Alaska, the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area and other parts of Game Management Unit 24 are accessible to moose hunters from the Dalton Highway. Concern that these areas may be a population sink for moose (Alces alces) inhabiting the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge prompted this study of movements. We found that migratory bulls and cows traveled about the same distance over the course of a year as non-migratory moose. Although counterintuitive, this may reflect the selective foraging behavior of a low density (∼0.1 moose/km2) moose population in habitat with abundant forage. Maximum movement rates by bulls occurred at the onset of rut at the end of the hunting season. This spike in movement may have given local residents the impression that local moose were migratory and vulnerable to hunting from non-residents. Movement rates were lowest in winter for both bulls and cows, and declined with increasing winter severity, but not temperature specifically. Reduced movement rates by cows during the calving season were not readily evident and annual fidelity to calving sites was minimal

Kinematic study of the disrupting globular cluster Palomar 5 using VLT spectra

Wide-field photometric data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey have recently revealed that the Galactic globular cluster Palomar 5 is in the process of being tidally disrupted (Odenkirchen et al. 2001). Here we investigate the kinematics of this sparse remote star cluster using high resolution spectra from the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Twenty candidate cluster giants located within 6 arcmin of the cluster center have been observed with the UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) on VLT-UT2. The spectra provide radial velocities with a typical accuracy of 0.15 km/s. We find that the sample contains 17 certain cluster members with very coherent kinematics, two unrelated field dwarfs, and one giant with a deviant velocity, which is most likely a cluster binary showing fast orbital motion. From the confirmed members we determine the heliocentric velocity of the cluster as -58.7 +- 0.2 km/s. The total line-of-sight velocity dispersion of the cluster stars is 1.1 +- 0.2 km/s (all members) or 0.9 +- 0.2 km/s (stars on the red giant branch only). This is the lowest velocity dispersion that has so far been measured for a stellar system classified as a globular cluster. The shape of the velocity distribution suggests that there is a significant contribution from orbital motions of binaries and that the dynamical part of the velocity dispersion is therefore still substantially smaller than the total dispersion. ... (abridged)Comment: 29 pages including 10 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

The wider implications of the COVID-19 pandemic: assessing the impact of accident and emergency use for frequent attenders

Introduction: Emergency departments have seen altered patterns of attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reductions in the number of attendances for non-COVID-19 – patients. We assessed the use of the emergency department by frequent attenders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored any changes in emergency department attendance by this group. Methods: As part of ongoing improvement work, we utilised a cohort design to evaluate the difference in patterns of attendance for the frequent attender group in a single centre. We created a 2019 ‘top attender’ cohort and a similar cohort for 2020. We compared admission patterns between the two time periods in order to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this group. Results: Both groups were predominately male. Mental health and substance misuse use problems were common across both cohorts. The majority of patients lived in a socio-economically deprived areas. The median number emergency department visits in 2019, for the top attender cohort was 6 (IQR: 4-9) vs 4 (IQR: 2-7) for the top attender cohort of 2020 (p<.0013). Conclusion: This single centre evaluation has shown a significant reduction in emergency department attendances for a frequent attender cohort in a single centre. Future work should investigate the longer-term impact which the COVID-19 pandemic has had on this patient group