Developmental instability and phenotypic evolution in a small and isolated bear population

We explored fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and morphological integration (MI) in the skull of the small, highly inbred and divergent Apennine bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus), to explore its uniqueness and investigate any potential effects of inbreeding depression. We used 3D geometric morphometrics contrasting Apennine bears with other two large outbred bear populations from Scandinavia and Kamchatka as controls. Shape divergence and variability were explored by a principal component analysis on aligned coordinates of 39 landmarks. Procrustes ANOVA, morphological disparity and the global integration index were used to explore FA, shape variance and MI. By remarking Apennine bears as a highly divergent phenotype, we recorded the highest FA and deviation from self-similarity compared with the other two control populations. We conclude that Apennine bears are likely facing developmental instability as a consequence of inbreeding depression, whereas the divergent trait covariance pattern may represent a potential source of evolutionary novelties. We discuss the implications for the conservation and management of this imperiled taxon.

The effect of COVID-19 on revenue cycle staff

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a public health emergency declaration in March 2020. A safer at home order was issued by the Tennessee governor on March 12 urging non-essential employees to stay at home. The decision was made to offer telecommuting to employees at Tennessee Oncology (TO) who could effectively work from home. 90% of the revenue cycle staff (RCS) began working remotely within a week of the decision. Methods: TO had been conducting a telecommuting pilot involving 20 RCS. This pilot was expanded within a week to accommodate 130 RCS including billing, credentialing, collections, financial counseling, analysts, authorization and benefit specialists. Employees signed telecommuting agreements and provided equipment based on IT recommendations. IT installed software which allowed secure connection through a Citrix gateway. Surveys were later conducted to measure work-from-home satisfaction. Less than 10 RCS remained onsite to perform essential duties. Results: Compared to the prior year there was an 80% reduction in turnover and an 82% reduction in unscheduled absences for telecommuting employees vs in-office employees. 92% reported an improved work/life balance. Productivity metrics by team are displayed below: Key financial metrics including payer turnaround, days in AR and patient payments improved over prior months. Payer turnaround dropped by 3 days and days in AR decreased by 3.9 compared to February. Patient payments were up 14% compared to the prior year. Conclusions: COVID-19 has been a challenging time in healthcare but it has taught us some valuable lessons. Telecommuting could be the wave of the future showing positive financial return in the form of employee retention, reduction of non-productive time (including unplanned absences) and increased employee satisfaction. Data shows these factors lead to higher producing team members who yield superior results. [Table: see text]

The use of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) traditional varieties and their mixtures with commercial varieties to manage bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) infestations in Uganda

The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of common beans in Uganda. Despite the use of existing pest management approaches, reported damage has remained high. Forty-eight traditional and improved common bean varieties currently grown in farmers' fields were evaluated for resistance against bean fly. Data on bean fly incidence, severity and root damage from bean stem maggot were collected. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) revealed significant resistance to bean fly in the Ugandan traditional varieties. A popular resistant traditional variety and a popular susceptible commercial variety were selected from the 48 varieties and evaluated in pure and mixed stands. The incidence of bean fly infestation on both varieties in mixtures with different arrangements (systematic random versus rows), and different proportions within each of the two arrangements, was measured and analysed using GLMMs. The proportion of resistant varieties in a mixture and the arrangement type significantly decreased bean fly damage compared to pure stands, with the highest decrease in damage registered in the systematic random mixture with at least 50 % of resistant variety. The highest reduction in root damage, obvious 21 days after planting, was found in systematic random mixtures with at least 50 % of the resistant variety. Small holder farmers in East Africa and elsewhere in the world have local preferences for growing bean varieties in genetic mixtures. These mixtures can be enhanced by the use of resistant varieties in the mixtures to reduce bean fly damage on susceptible popular varieties.

Nuclear shadowing in the holographic framework

The nucleon structure function F2(N) computed in a holographic framework can be used to describe nuclear deep inelastic scattering effects provided that a rescaling of the Q2 momentum and of the IR hard-wall parameter z0 is made. The ratios RA=F2(A)/F2(N) can be obtained in terms of a single rescaling parameter λA for each nucleus. The resulting ratios agree with the experiment in a wide range of the shadowing region.

Evaluation of guided bone regeneration in rabbit femur using collagen membranes

The aim of the study was to evaluate the mechanical performance and the structure of neoformed bone around hydroxyapatite-coated titanium fixtures according to guided bone regeneration techniques. Ten hydroxyapatite-coated titanium fixtures were inserted in the femurs of five rabbits, in which a cortical defect was created and after the insertion of the fixture, covered with a resorbable membrane obtained from bovine Achilles tendon collagen Type I (A implant). In the same femur, a second fixture was inserted in similar cavities without application of the membrane (B implant). After 60 days, the animals were sacrificed, and block sections of the femoral bone containing the implants were embedded in polymethylmetacrylate and subjected to tensile shear-stress at break testing. After the detachment of the implants from the bone, their surfaces were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Tensile shear-stress values for A and B implant specimens were comparable to some extent, but the former had a lower performance. In this regard, scanning electron microscope observations showed that the neoformed cortical bone present cervically around implant A was much thicker than around implant B.

On the optimal energy of epithermal neutron beams for BNCT

The optimal neutron energy for the treatment of deep-seated tumours using boron neutron capture therapy is studied by analysing various figures of merit. In particular, analysis of the therapeutic gain as a function of the neutron energy indicates that, with the currently available 10B carriers, the most useful neutrons for the treatment of deep-seated tumours, in particular glioblastoma multiforme, are those with an energy of a few keV. Based on the results of the simulations, a method is presented which allows us to evaluate the quality of epithermal neutron beams of known energy spectrum, thus allowing us to compare different neutron-producing reactions and beam-shaping assembly configurations used for accelerator-based neutron sources.

Progressive encephalopathy with edema, hypsarrhythmia, and optic atrophy (PEHO syndrome)

Progressive encephalopathy with edema, hypsarrhythmia, and optic atrophy syndrome is a recently described rare disorder of infantile regression, intractable seizures, and cerebellar atrophy that occurs almost exclusively in the Finnish population. We report the first North American child with this condition.

Bone regeneration guided by resorbable collagen membranes in rabbits: a pilot study

Artificial cross-shaped intrabony defects were created in the mandibles of 12 rabbits and the cavities covered with Type I highly cross-linked resorbable collagen membranes for 30 days. Similar cavities were prepared in three control animals and left uncovered for the same time period. Morphological and analytical data were obtained by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry. After the experimental period, the membrane covered cavities were completely filled with regenerated bone. In the control specimens, the artificial cavities were occupied by fibrous connective tissue.

Evaluation of an experimental periodontal ligament for dental implants

To improve the devices used in dental implantology, a new experimental supporting element has been developed. The device, made of titanium, poly(methylmethacrylate) and Dacron tissue, has been tested for the osteointegrability of its outer Dacron coat by implants in mandibular bone of rabbits. The Dacron filamentous tissue became incorporated by the bone at 3 month post-implantation. This might provide a reliable mechanical anchorage of the device and a barrier against epithelial proliferation and microbial contamination. Preliminary results relating to in vitro evaluation of the poly(methyl methacrylate)-Dacron fixation strength predict favourable mechanical behaviour at this interface and in the complete implanted device.

[Classification and etiopathogenesis of upper canine impaction]

Classification and aetiopathogenesis of upper canine inclusion. The possible causes of upper canine inclusions are reviewed. After a detailed description of the factors that generally contribute to determining inclusions, it is stressed that correct aetiopathogenetic classification of this pathology can contribute to making the complex protocol for its treatment easier.

Stereoselective binding of propranolol in the elderly

The influence of age on the stereoselective serum protein binding of propranolol was investigated. Serum was obtained from 10 young (mean age 23 +/- 2 years) and ten elderly (mean age 68 +/- 2 years) healthy male volunteers. The free fraction of propranolol (fu) was measured by equilibrium dialysis, using tritium labeled (+/-)- and (-)-propranolol. The fu values were 0.159 +/- 0.049 and 0.148 +/- 0.028 (+/-), 0.135 +/- 0.041 and 0.136 +/- 0.04 (-), 0.174 +/- 0.056 and 0.161 +/- 0.028 (+) in the young and elderly subjects, respectively. Serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations were 81.4 +/- 33.0 and 81.0 +/- 21.6 mg 100 ml-1 in young and elderly respectively (P greater than 0.05). Variability in AAG concentration accounted for most of the observed intersubject variability in the binding of both propranolol isomers. The stereoselective binding of propranolol does not appear to be affected by age.