Revision and Phylogenetic Analysis of the North American Antlion Genus Paranthaclisis Banks (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

The North American antlion genus Paranthaclisis is comprehensively revised for the first time. Four species are recognized: P. congener (Hagen), P. floridensis Stange & Miller, P. hageni (Banks) and P. nevadensis Banks. Redescriptions, distribution maps and figures of diagnostic morphological characters are provided for adults of each species. A key to adults of Paranthaclisis is also included. Paranthaclisis californica Navas (1922) is recognized as a new synonym of P. hageni Banks. The monophyly of, and interspecific relationships within, the antlion genus Paranthaclisis, and its relationships to other genera within the tribe Acanthaclisini, are investigated using multiple datasets. Fifteen datasets were produced and analyzed to explore the effects of inference method, alignment strategy and data partitioning on phylogenetic estimates using morphological, molecular and mixed data inputs. Eighteen unordered and unweighted morphological characters were coded from across adult body regions. Molecular sequence data generated for this study consisted of two ribosomal genes, 16S and 18S. Paranthaclisis was recovered as monophyletic in analyses using 14 of 15 datasets, with low to moderate support in maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses and high support from Bayesian inference methods. A sister-group relationship between Paranthaclisis and Vella, the only other New World acanthaclisine genus, was also recovered in analysis of 13 of 15 datasets, with low to moderate support in all phylogenetic inference methods tested. Choice of phylogenetic inference method and partitioning of gene datasets had the most influence on resulting topologies and support values. Choice of alignment strategy resulted in few topological differences, but Clustal datasets generally had higher clade support values, compared to MAFFT-aligned sequences

HIST20600: Modern Europe

This syllabus was created for the introductory course to Modern European history offered by City College\u27s Department of History. It was designed by Benjamin Diehl, PhD candidate in History at CUNY Graduate Center as part of City College\u27s OER Initiative. As such, it attempts to provide the outline of a Modern Europe course which is completely free, zero-textbook-cost, using open access resources

Working Up Hills: Dynamics over Sloping Topography with Bottom-Enhanced Diffusion

The deep ocean circulation is known to have influence even at the surface, through means such as the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC). Initial theories on abyssal circulation and mixing have been improving, based on observation of both physical and numerical experiments. By tracing this progression, key aspects are identified but the explanations and relationships between them still contain gaps. Vertical diffusivity is one such component known to influence the strength of the MOC and is a part of the least understood leg of that circulation. Observations in particular have identified intense regions of mixing occurring near, and likely caused by, rough topography. Though the pieces are all present from this brief description, the exact relationships between them are still unclear, and observations cannot fully be generalized without more direct knowledge of how the phenomena interact. With these issues in mind, two models were used for simulating two dimensional abyssal canyons having constant sloping topography and bottom-intensified mixing acting on an initial uniform stratification. The first model uses finite volumes on a uniform z-coordinate grid, and it was set up and used to verify general sensitivity and confirm the choice of experimental variables while keeping the rest constant in a base state. The second model, developed specifically for use in this investigation, employed finite element techniques with a nonuniform mesh. A variational problem was created from derived streamfunction-vorticity equations plus advection-diffusion of a sole tracer, potential temperature. Preliminary simulations confirmed that both models were capable of simulating the desired phenomena, notably an upslope flow along the topography, and had otherwise comparable results. Two diagnostics were used for analyzing both models: the minimum value of streamfunction is a proxy for flux of a bottom boundary layer, and an estimate of thickness for the bottommost layer is a minimum length of communication into the fluid interior. These two diagnostics were studied in relation to changes in the amount of bottom enhanced mixing and also to changes in slope angle of the underlying topography. The boundary layer thickness increases with slope angle, a trend thought to continue well beyond tested values. Likewise, the streamfunction minima closely follow a linear relationship determined by the maximum diffusivity. Additionally, the variability within the values for both diagnostics are seen to decrease in response to either diffusivity decreases or slope length increases. Tangent investigations focusing on slope length and effects of periodic domains add support to the results as well as demonstrate potential robustness of the identified trends. With this restriction in mind, all slopes (0.0025-0.0075) and diffusivities (0.05-0.3 m2/s) generate intense layers over 100m high with over 0.1Sv of up-slope flow, comparable to that observed in along-canyon flows

Working Up Hills: Dynamics over Sloping Topography with Bottom-Enhanced Diffusion

The deep ocean circulation is known to have influence even at the surface, through means such as the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC). Initial theories on abyssal circulation and mixing have been improving, based on observation of both physical and numerical experiments. By tracing this progression, key aspects are identified but the explanations and relationships between them still contain gaps. Vertical diffusivity is one such component known to influence the strength of the MOC and is a part of the least understood leg of that circulation. Observations in particular have identified intense regions of mixing occurring near, and likely caused by, rough topography. Though the pieces are all present from this brief description, the exact relationships between them are still unclear, and observations cannot fully be generalized without more direct knowledge of how the phenomena interact. With these issues in mind, two models were used for simulating two dimensional abyssal canyons having constant sloping topography and bottom-intensified mixing acting on an initial uniform stratification. The first model uses finite volumes on a uniform z-coordinate grid, and it was set up and used to verify general sensitivity and confirm the choice of experimental variables while keeping the rest constant in a base state. The second model, developed specifically for use in this investigation, employed finite element techniques with a nonuniform mesh. A variational problem was created from derived streamfunction-vorticity equations plus advection-diffusion of a sole tracer, potential temperature. Preliminary simulations confirmed that both models were capable of simulating the desired phenomena, notably an upslope flow along the topography, and had otherwise comparable results. Two diagnostics were used for analyzing both models: the minimum value of streamfunction is a proxy for flux of a bottom boundary layer, and an estimate of thickness for the bottommost layer is a minimum length of communication into the fluid interior. These two diagnostics were studied in relation to changes in the amount of bottom enhanced mixing and also to changes in slope angle of the underlying topography. The boundary layer thickness increases with slope angle, a trend thought to continue well beyond tested values. Likewise, the streamfunction minima closely follow a linear relationship determined by the maximum diffusivity. Additionally, the variability within the values for both diagnostics are seen to decrease in response to either diffusivity decreases or slope length increases. Tangent investigations focusing on slope length and effects of periodic domains add support to the results as well as demonstrate potential robustness of the identified trends. With this restriction in mind, all slopes (0.0025-0.0075) and diffusivities (0.05-0.3 m2/s) generate intense layers over 100m high with over 0.1Sv of up-slope flow, comparable to that observed in along-canyon flows

Revision and Phylogenetic Analysis of the North American Antlion Genus Paranthaclisis Banks (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

The North American antlion genus Paranthaclisis is comprehensively revised for the first time. Four species are recognized: P. congener (Hagen), P. floridensis Stange & Miller, P. hageni (Banks) and P. nevadensis Banks. Redescriptions, distribution maps and figures of diagnostic morphological characters are provided for adults of each species. A key to adults of Paranthaclisis is also included. Paranthaclisis californica Navas (1922) is recognized as a new synonym of P. hageni Banks. The monophyly of, and interspecific relationships within, the antlion genus Paranthaclisis, and its relationships to other genera within the tribe Acanthaclisini, are investigated using multiple datasets. Fifteen datasets were produced and analyzed to explore the effects of inference method, alignment strategy and data partitioning on phylogenetic estimates using morphological, molecular and mixed data inputs. Eighteen unordered and unweighted morphological characters were coded from across adult body regions. Molecular sequence data generated for this study consisted of two ribosomal genes, 16S and 18S. Paranthaclisis was recovered as monophyletic in analyses using 14 of 15 datasets, with low to moderate support in maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses and high support from Bayesian inference methods. A sister-group relationship between Paranthaclisis and Vella, the only other New World acanthaclisine genus, was also recovered in analysis of 13 of 15 datasets, with low to moderate support in all phylogenetic inference methods tested. Choice of phylogenetic inference method and partitioning of gene datasets had the most influence on resulting topologies and support values. Choice of alignment strategy resulted in few topological differences, but Clustal datasets generally had higher clade support values, compared to MAFFT-aligned sequences

Rigid Sternal Fixation Improves Postoperative Recovery

INTRODUCTION: During the past five years, ridged sternal fixation has been utilized for sternal closure after cardiac surgery. It is known that this procedure provides better sternal stability; however, its contribution to patient recovery has not been investigated. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent CABG and/or valve surgery in our institution between 2009 and 2010. Preoperative, perioperative, and follow-up data of patients with ridgid fixation (group R, n=89) were collected and compared with those patients with conventional sternal closure (group C, n=133). The decision regarding the sternal closure method was based on the surgeon\u27s preferences. Univariate followed by multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the dominant factor of sternal lock usage and to evaluate postoperative recoveries. The factors included in the analyses were; age, sex, coronary risk factors, urgency of surgery, ejection fraction, coronary anatomy, preoperative stroke, renal function, and preoperative presence of heart failure. All statistical analyses were performed by JMP software. RESULTS: Group R was younger (62 ± 9 in group R vs 69 ± 11 in group C, p CONCLUSION: Rigid sternal fixation systems were more frequently applied to low risk young male patients. Among these selected patients, ridgid sternal fixation can contribute to early patient recovery

Beam Combining of Quantum Cascade Laser Arrays

Engineering and Applied Science

Correlation of mesolevel characteristics of the healthcare system and socioeconomic inequality in healthcare use: a scoping review protocol

Introduction Although the impact of macrolevel characteristics of health systems on socioeconomic inequity in health has been studied extensively, the impact of access characteristics on a smaller scale of health systems has received less attention. These mesolevel characteristics can influence access to healthcare and might have the potential to moderate or aggravate socioeconomic inequity in healthcare use. This scoping review aims to map the existing evidence of the association of socioeconomic inequity in healthcare use and mesolevel access characteristics of the health system. Methods and analysis In conducting the scoping review, we follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews. The search will be carried out in four scientific databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO. Main eligibility criteria are inclusion in the analysis of a measure of socioeconomic position, a measure of individual healthcare use and a mesolevel determinant of access to healthcare services. The selection process consists of two consecutive screening stages (first: title/abstract; second: full text). At both stages, two reviewers independently assess the eligibility of studies. In case of disagreement, a third reviewer will be involved. Cohen’s kappa will be calculated to report inter-rater agreement between reviewers. Results are synthesised narratively, as a high heterogeneity of studies is expected. Ethics and dissemination No primary data are collected for the presented scoping review. Therefore, ethical approval is not necessary. The scoping review will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal, and findings will be presented on national and international conferences.Peer Reviewe

Broadband Distributed-Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser Array Operating From 8.0 to 9.8 um

An ultra-broadband distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser array was fabricated, using a heterogeneous cascade based on two bound-to-continuum designs centered at 8.4 and 9.6 mum. This array emitted in a range over 220 cm-1 near a 9-mu m wavelength, operated in pulsed mode at room temperature. The output power of the array varied between 100- and 1100-mW peak intensity.Engineering and Applied Science

Thickened ascending aortic wall mimicking intramural hematoma.

A 45-year-old Hispanic woman presented with a 3-day history of ‘‘burning’’ chest pain. A computed tomo- graphic angiogram of the chest revealed the ascending aorta had a maximum diameter of 40 mm with marked thickening of the aortic wall (Figure 1), which we con- cluded was an intramural hematoma. On entering the pericardium, a milky-white plaque-like area on the ascending aorta was encountered (Figure 2). The ascending aorta was firm to palpation. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and epiaortic ultra- sound showed a hyperechoic aortic wall with no find- ings compatible with aortic dissection. The ascending aorta had an irregular surface contour, which was unli- kely to be a finding of aortic dissection (Figure 3A, arrow). The transverse arch, proximal innominate artery, and left carotid artery also showed thickened walls (Figures 3B and 3C). We decided not to replace the ascending aorta. Pathology of the surface of the ascending aorta revealed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate with lymphocytes and plasma cells, dense fibrosis, and granulation. Serological studies were inconclusive. The patient was started on steroid therapy for possible isolated aortitis or aortitis syndrome, and her symptoms subsided with a normalized erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level. She was doing well with a stable chest radiograph 10 months after the surgery