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IntroductionCollagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) remains the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medical treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD). The initial IMPRESS I and II trials (Investigation for Maximal Peyronie's Reduction Efficacy and Safety), which led to Food and Drug Administration approval, revealed a rate of treatment-related adverse events as high as 84%. Studies fail to provide clear definitions of complications.ObjectivesTo review complications, provide a CCH complication atlas, and propose management strategies for commonly encountered complications.MethodsWe performed a literature review using PubMed. A photographic atlas was provided regarding complications in patients in a high-volume CCH center for PD.ResultsComplications were identified and classified by nature and severity. We followed a standardized previously published grading system for hematomas. Complications include bruising, swelling, hematoma formation, back pain, and, rarely, corporal rupture. Complications were discussed, and hematomas were graded by penile surface area. Complication photographs were graded and displayed. Treatment-related adverse effects do not affect overall results.ConclusionRecognizing and grading complications associated with CCH therapy for PD is crucial for effective patient management and informed decision making. A standardized grading system allows for consistency in reporting and comparing hematoma complication rates across studies and patient populations. Herein we provide images that will help clinicians identify and confidently manage common complications that may occur in any CCH program.

The identification of jets originating from quarks and gluons, often referred to as quark/gluon tagging, plays an important role in various analyses performed at the Large Hadron Collider, as Standard Model measurements and searches for new particles decaying to quarks often rely on suppressing a large gluon-induced background. This paper describes the measurement of the efficiencies of quark/gluon taggers developed within the ATLAS Collaboration, using √s = 13 TeV proton–proton collision data with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb−1 collected by the ATLAS experiment. Two taggers with high performances in rejecting jets from gluon over jets from quarks are studied: one tagger is based on requirements on the number of inner-detector tracks associated with the jet, and the other combines several jet substructure observables using a boosted decision tree. A method is established to determine the quark/gluon fraction in data, by using quark/gluon-enriched subsamples defined by the jet pseudorapidity. Differences in tagging efficiency between data and simulation are provided for jets with transverse momentum between 500 GeV and 2 TeV and for multiple tagger working points.

Background: Manual placement of cervical pedicle screws is risky, and robot-assisted placement of atlantoaxial pedicle screws has not been reported. Case report: We describe a 74-year-old female patient with atlantoaxial fracture and dislocation combined with spinal cord injury caused by a car accident. The left lower limb muscle strength was grade 0, the right upper limb muscle strength was grade 1, and the right lower limb muscle strength was grade 2. Loss of sensation below the clavicle level, decreased superficial sensation in the extremities, loss of deep sensation in the left lower extremity, and incontinence were observed. We successfully placed atlas pedicle screws with the assistance of the Mazor X robot. One week after the operation, radiological imaging revealed that the reduction effect was good, the placement of the pedicle screws was satisfactory, the left upper limb and left lower limb muscle strength was level 2, the right upper limb and the muscle strength of the right lower limb were grade 3, and the sensory function was partially restored. No complications related to screw placement were found at the 3-month postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Mazor X robot-assisted descending pedicle screw fixation of the atlas is feasible and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex neurophysiological and morphologic experiments require suitable animal models for investigation. The rabbit is one of the most successful models for studying spinal cord functions owing to its substantial size. However, achieving precise surgical access to specific spinal regions requires a thorough understanding of the spinal cord's cytoarchitectonic structure and its spatial relationship with the vertebrae. The comprehensive anatomo–neurochemical atlases of the spinal cord are invaluable for attaining such insight. While such atlases exist for some rodents and primates, none exist for rabbits. We have developed a spinal cord atlas for rabbits to bridge this gap. Utilizing various neurochemical markers—including antibodies to NeuN, calbindin 28 kDa, parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, nitric oxide synthase, and non-phosphorylated heavy-chain neurofilaments (SMI-32 antibody)—we present the visualization of diverse spinal neuronal populations, various spinal cord metrics, stereotaxic maps of transverse slices for each spinal segment, and a spatial map detailing the intricate relationship between the spinal cord and the vertebrae across its entire length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peripheral nervous system of the octopus is among the most complex of any animal. In each arm, hundreds of serial ganglia form a central core of nervous tissue processing sensory input, issuing motor commands, and exchanging information with the central brain. 1,2,3,4,5 In addition to the central cord, there are two other types of neural elements: fine intramuscular nerve cords (INCs) 6,7 and small sucker ganglia at the base of each sucker. 2,6,8,9 Connections between these different elements and the structural organization of the arm nervous system remain poorly understood, despite decades of interest and a more recent explosion of studies of the cephalopod nervous system. 8,10,11,12,13,14,15 Here, we use serial blockface electron microscopy to reconstruct large volumes of an arm from Octopus bocki at the base and toward the tip, mapping connections between the various neural elements and their relationship to the muscle and skin. We show that the ganglia follow an alternating mirror-image pattern along the arm, where the left or right-sided location of successive suckers determines ganglionic orientation. We also describe previously unrecognized patterns in (1) continuity of oblique connectives between the INCs that encircle the arm; (2) repeatable structures of the major blood vessel branches and nerve connectives within each ganglion; (3) clustering of rare, unusually large neurons within the cell body layers; and (4) division of the cortex into repeating columns. These new findings from the first 3DEM reconstruction of the arm should greatly facilitate future studies of octopus neurobiology, particularly sensori-motor integration and arm control. [Display omitted] • 3D-EM of the octopus's arm at the tip and base reveals new details of organization • High similarity among ganglia structures, in alternating symmetry down the arm • Oblique connectives allow spiraling connectivity between left and right sides • Clustered large cells and columnar organization suggest subdivision within cortex Neacsu and Crook reveal symmetrical organization within the arm nervous system of Octopus bocki , using 3DEM to reconstruct neural and vascular tissues of an arm at the base and tip. New detail of connectives and nerve patterning offers insights into organization, structure, and function of this highly complex peripheral nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-infiltrating B cells play a significant role in tumor development, progression, and prognosis, yet a comprehensive classification system is lacking. To address this gap, we present a pan-cancer single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) atlas of tumor-infiltrating B and plasma cells across a large sample cohort. We identify key B cell subset signatures, revealing distinct subpopulations and highlighting the heterogeneity and functional diversity of these cells in the tumor microenvironment. We explore associations between B cell subsets and checkpoint inhibitor therapy responses, finding subset-specific effects on overall response. Additionally, we examine B and T cell crosstalk, identifying unique ligand-receptor pairs for specific B cell subsets, spatially validated. This comprehensive dataset serves as a valuable resource, providing a detailed atlas that enhances the understanding of B cell complexity in tumors and opens new avenues for research and therapeutic strategies. [Display omitted] • A scRNA-seq atlas identifies ten clusters of intratumoral B and plasma cells • Specific B cell subsets are associated with checkpoint inhibitor therapy responses • Atlas-derived B cell gene signatures validated in spatial analyses • Publicly available Shiny tool enables users to interactively explore the atlas Fitzsimons et al. present a comprehensive pan-cancer single-cell RNA-seq atlas of intratumoral B cells, identifying ten distinct B and plasma cell clusters. They uncover associations with checkpoint inhibitor therapy response, explore B-T cell crosstalk, validate findings with spatial data, and offer an interactive tool for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, it is aimed to reveal the performances of different classification algorithms in sex determination from first cervical vertebra, that is, atlas measurements. The classification success of 4 different machine learning algorithms was comparatively examined for the purpose of sex determination by evaluating 22 atlas measurements on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 145 female and 145 male adults. Logistic regression (LR), classification and regression tree (CART), support vector machine (SVM) and neural network (NN) algorithms were used for sex diagnosis. Area under the ROC curve (AUC), classification accuracy (CA), Fl-ratio, Precision and Recall indexes were used for model performances. Except for 2 measurements, there was a significant difference between men and women in terms of 20 other parameters (p<0.05). The adjusted effects of these parameters on sex determination were examined with multivariate models and algorithms, and the success of all 4 algorithms was quite good. The success of the NN algorithm (Accuracy 91.3 %; 0.87 Specificity, 0.85 Sensitivity) in correctly classifying male and female was the highest, followed by the LR algorithm (Accuracy 90.9 %; 0.86 Specificity, 0.83 Sensitivity). It was found that the machine learning algorithm applied to the variables of the atlas gave high accuracy regarding sex and the NN model was highly effective in sex determination. In addition, a large morphometric database of atlas was presented in our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest results of Higgs boson searches beyond the Standard Model from the ATLAS and CMS experiments are reviewed. This includes searches for additional neutral, charged, and double charged Higgs-like bosons, searches for dark matter produced in association with a Higgs boson, and searches for new physics in Higgs boson production and decay processes. Interpretations are given within the hMSSM, a special parameterization of the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model, in which the mass of the lightest Higgs boson is set to the value of 125 GeV measured at the LHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How are neoliberal thought leaders reacting to the rise of radical conservatism? Looking at Atlas, a worldwide network comprising approximately 500 free market think tanks and campaign groups, this study examines how its affiliates prioritize threats. This is accomplished through a qualitative analysis of a sample of documents that Atlas partners published on their websites from 2017 to 2022. The findings range from expected to puzzling. First, there is a reliable adherence to core neo-liberal ideas such as globalization and marketization. Second, explicit evidence of ideological tension is scarce, as only a few think tanks openly signal alignment with illiberal and authoritarian positions. However, as a whole, the network appears consistently—and wilfully—apathetic towards the radical right. This indifference contrasts with the vigour and regularity with which the network confronts left-of-center ideas, parties and governments. Delving into this contrast and its political implications, the study highlights the twin concepts of strategic and selective ignorance and considers their analytical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses an integrated multidimensional lens to investigate the ongoing issue of domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) against women in conflict areas of Yemen, with a specific focus on the city of Taiz. Yemeni society has historically operated within a framework emphasizing traditional gender roles, which can unfortunately lead to situations where women bear the brunt of societal pressures and misattributed blame. Against this backdrop, this study explores the nature and causes of violence faced by Yemeni women during the period 2021-2023, as well as the role of Islam in addressing and curbing violence against women in Muslim societies. Through applying a qualitative approach involving triangulation and utilizing qualitative data analysis software, namely ATLAS, this study integrates primary data derived from interviews with affected women and secondary data sourced from humanitarian organizations, including Bena Charity fora Human Development (BCHD), Nahaḍa Youth for Marginalized Development (NYMD) and Civic Center for Advocacy and Support (CCAS) in Yemen. To illuminate the causes and dynamics of this violence, the analysis draws on Auda's (2008, 2022) concept of maqā id alsharīʿah, the socioecological approach (Heise, 1998), social cognitive theory (SCT) (Bandura, 1986; Bandura, 2001), feminist insights on patriarchy, and the power and control wheel concept (Dobash & Dobash, 1979; Walker, 1980; Pence & Paymar, 1993). The findings unveil an alarming escalation of violence in Taiz. This study reveals the multifaceted factors contributing to the high domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) index during the Yemeni war period. By examining the complex factors involved, this study provides a comprehensive prototype for policymakers and organizations to address and prevent violence in Yemen's conflict areas, safeguarding women's rights, advancing gender equality, and fostering social justice within Yemen and potentially in broader Arab contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Manual placement of cervical pedicle screws is risky, and robot-assisted placement of atlantoaxial pedicle screws has not been reported. Case report We describe a 74-year-old female patient with atlantoaxial fracture and dislocation combined with spinal cord injury caused by a car accident. The left lower limb muscle strength was grade 0, the right upper limb muscle strength was grade 1, and the right lower limb muscle strength was grade 2. Loss of sensation below the clavicle level, decreased superficial sensation in the extremities, loss of deep sensation in the left lower extremity, and incontinence were observed. We successfully placed atlas pedicle screws with the assistance of the Mazor X robot. One week after the operation, radiological imaging revealed that the reduction effect was good, the placement of the pedicle screws was satisfactory, the left upper limb and left lower limb muscle strength was level 2, the right upper limb and the muscle strength of the right lower limb were grade 3, and the sensory function was partially restored. No complications related to screw placement were found at the 3-month postoperative follow-up. Conclusions Mazor X robot-assisted descending pedicle screw fixation of the atlas is feasible and safe.

The latest results of Higgs boson searches beyond the Standard Model from the ATLAS and CMS experiments are reviewed. This includes searches for additional neutral, charged, and double charged Higgs-like bosons, searches for dark matter produced in association with a Higgs boson, and searches for new physics in Higgs boson production and decay processes. Interpretations are given within the hMSSM, a special parameterization of the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model, in which the mass of the lightest Higgs boson is set to the value of 125 GeV measured at the LHC.

Brain structure segmentation in 3D Magnetic Resonance Images is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative disorders. Manual segmentation is error-prone, necessitating robust automated techniques. In this paper, we introduce a novel and robust approach for the simultaneous segmentation of multiple brain structures in MRI images. Our method involves the concurrent evolution of 3D surfaces toward predefined anatomical targets, employing an efficient multi-object generalized fast marching method (MOGFMM) for simultaneous object detection. Additionally, we propose an effective evolution function that integrates prior knowledge from anatomical and probabilistic atlases, as well as spatial relationships among the segmented structures. Each deformable surface corresponds to a specific structure. To validate our approach, we conducted experiments on a dataset of real brain images (IBSR) and compared the results with several state-of-the-art methods. The obtained results were promising, demonstrating the effectiveness and superiority of our developed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The craniocervical junction (CCJ) forms the bridge between the skull and the spine, a highly mobile group of joints that allows the mobility of the head in every direction. The CCJ plays a major role in protecting the inferior brainstem (bulb) and spinal cord, therefore also requiring some stability. Children are subjected to multiple constitutive or acquired diseases involving the CCJ: primary bone diseases such as in FGFR‐related craniosynostoses or acquired conditions such as congenital torticollis, cervical spine luxation, and neurological disorders. To design efficient treatment plans, it is crucial to understand the relationship between abnormalities of the craniofacial region and abnormalities of the CCJ. This can be approached by the study of control and abnormal growth patterns. Here we report a model of normal skull base growth by compiling a collection of geometric models in control children. Focused analyses highlighted specific developmental patterns for each CCJ bone, emphasizing rapid growth during infancy, followed by varying rates of growth and maturation during childhood and adolescence until reaching stability by 18 years of age. The focus was on the closure patterns of synchondroses and sutures in the occipital bone, revealing distinct closure trajectories for the anterior intra‐occipital synchondroses and the occipitomastoid suture. The findings, although based on a limited dataset, showcased specific age‐related changes in width and closure percentages, providing valuable insights into growth dynamics within the first 2 years of life. Integration analyses revealed intricate relationships between skull and neck structures, emphasizing coordinated growth at different stages. Specific bone covariation patterns, as found between the first and second cervical vertebrae (C1 and C2), indicated synchronized morphological changes. Our results provide initial data for designing inclusive CCJ geometric models to predict normal and abnormal growth dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) lead to high morbidity and mortality. Developing innovative and effective therapies requires a comprehensive understanding of the tumor and immune biology of advanced GAC. Yet, collecting matched specimens from advanced, treatment-naïve patients with GAC poses a significant challenge, limiting the scope of current research, which has focused predominantly on localized tumors. This gap hinders deeper insight into the metastatic dynamics of GAC. We performed in-depth single-cell transcriptome and immune profiling on 68 paired, treatment-naïve, primary metastatic tumors to delineate alterations in cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment during metastatic progression. To validate our observations, we conducted comprehensive functional studies both in vitro and in vivo, using cell lines and multiple patient-derived xenograft and novel mouse models of GAC. Liver and peritoneal metastases exhibited distinct properties in cancer cells and dynamics of tumor microenvironment phenotypes, supporting the notion that cancer cells and their local tumor microenvironments co-evolve at metastatic sites. Our study also revealed differential activation of cancer meta-programs across metastases. We observed evasion of cancer cell ferroptosis via GPX4 up-regulation during GAC progression. Conditional depletion of Gpx4 or pharmacologic inhibition of ferroptosis resistance significantly attenuated tumor growth and metastatic progression. In addition, ferroptosis-resensitizing treatments augmented the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. This study represents the largest single-cell dataset of metastatic GACs to date. High-resolution mapping of the molecular and cellular dynamics of GAC metastasis has revealed a rationale for targeting ferroptosis defense in combination with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy as a novel therapeutic strategy with potential immense clinical implications. A comprehensive single-cell tumor and immune atlas of metastatic gastric adenocarcinomas is presented, uncovering molecular and cellular dynamics during metastasis and proposing a novel therapeutic strategy with potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the predictive capability of a nuclear thermal hydraulic safety analysis code by developing a better constitutive equation for individual phenomenon has been the general research direction until now. This paper proposes a new method to directly use complex experimental data obtained from integral effect test (IET) to improve constitutive models holistically and simultaneously. The method relies on the sensitivity of a simulation result of IET data to the multiple constitutive equations utilized during the simulation, and the sensitivity of individual model determines the direction of modification for the constitutive model. To develop a robust and generalized method, a clustering algorithm using an artificial neural network, sample space size determination using non-parametric statistics, and sampling method of Latin hypercube sampling are used in a combined manner. The value of the proposed methodology is demonstrated by applying the method to the ATLAS DSP-05 IET experiment. A sensitivity of each observation parameter to the constitutive models is analyzed. The new methodology suggested in the study can be used to improve the code prediction results of complex IET data by identifying the direction for constitutive equations to be modified.

Abstract Background The identification and assessment of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer is important for optimised patient management. The aim of this study was to develop an interactive 3D breast SLN atlas and to perform statistical analyses of lymphatic drainage patterns and tumour prevalence. Methods A total of 861 early-stage breast cancer patients who underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT were included. Lymphatic drainage and tumour prevalence statistics were computed using Bayesian inference, non-parametric bootstrapping, and regression techniques. Image registration of SPECT/CT to a reference patient CT was carried out on 350 patients, and SLN positions transformed relative to the reference CT. The reference CT was segmented to visualise bones and muscles, and SLN distributions compared with the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) clinical target volumes (CTVs). The SLN atlas and statistical analyses were integrated into a graphical user interface (GUI). Results Direct lymphatic drainage to the axilla level I (anterior) node field was most common (77.2%), followed by the internal mammary node field (30.4%). Tumour prevalence was highest in the upper outer breast quadrant (22.9%) followed by the retroareolar region (12.8%). The 3D atlas had 765 SLNs from 335 patients, with 33.3–66.7% of axillary SLNs and 25.4% of internal mammary SLNs covered by ESTRO CTVs. Conclusion The interactive 3D atlas effectively displays breast SLN distribution and statistics for a large patient cohort. The atlas is freely available to download and is a valuable educational resource that could be used in future to guide treatment.

Ponticulus posticus (PP) is a bony protrusion located between the posterior portion of the superior articular process and the posterolateral portion of a posterior arch of the atlas vertebrae in the cervical spine. The aim of this study is to verify the presence of different types of PP in a Southern Italian pre-orthodontic cohort to understand its correlation with skeletal class and maturity.

INTRODUCTION: In the education of medical professionals, thorough theoretical and practical preparation of future healthcare professionals is highly important. Current developments and technological advances offer considerable opportunities for the design and construction of educational e-resources, including various types of multimedia and interactive materials. As their production is relatively expensive and time consuming, both in terms of content and technology, it is worth developing them for a wider, nationwide audience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: E-materials, such as decision-based games, educational videos, multimedia atlases, and infographics, were designed and produced for the Integrated Educational Platform of the Ministry of Education and Science in Poland as part of a national EU project for post-secondary education of medical caregivers, medical electronics technicians, and information technology technicians. The materials included topics from anatomy, physiology, lifethreatening conditions, first aid, health promotion and prevention, and psychophysical development. The research group consisted of fourth-year medical students who, as part of the subject of scientific research, performed an analysis of ematerials in terms of their educational value and evaluation of their technological aspects. Methods such as interviews, reviews, analysis, and discussion were used. RESULTS: After the analysis carried out, the main characteristics (advantages) and recommendations considered important by the knowledge recipients in terms of a) content and methodology, and b) technology, were identified. These include: a) the way the information is conveyed, visualisation of the content presented, highlighting, concise delivery of the content, motivation for learning, and b) the way the content is presented, visualization of the message, visual and auditory impact, changing the speed of content playback, ability to work on different devices. Recommendations for the creation of e-resources are: a) accuracy of the presented content, detail of the content, b) navigation, the ability to go back to earlier stages of the game, additional videos, sounds that convey the realism of the situation. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from future users of educational multimedia materials is necessary. Their analysis should be taken into account when creating e-resources. 1) Content: content should be appropriately matched to the recipient's knowledge level, and presented in a concise manner. 2) Methodology: Multimedia should enable independent decisionmaking at different stages of learning, as well as include patterns of behaviour, especially in life-threatening conditions. It is important to highlight and visualise the content, combining visual and auditory cues 3) Technology: the content presented should reflect reality (high production quality), enable proper navigation, and be accessible on various devices.

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has operated an integral effect test facility, the Advanced Thermal-Hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation (ATLAS), with reference to the APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor 1400) for tests for transient and design basis accidents simulation. A test for a loss of coolant accident (LOCA) at the top of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) had been conducted at ATLAS to address the impact of the loss of safety injections (LSI) and to evaluate accident management (AM) actions during the postulated accident. The experimental data has been utilized to validate system analysis codes within a framework of the domestic standard problem program organized by KAERI in collaboration with Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety. In this study, the test has been analyzed by using thermal-hydraulic system analysis codes, MARS-KS 1.5 and TRACE 5.0 Patch 6, and a comparative analysis with experimental and calculation results has been performed. The main objective of this study is the investigation of the thermal-hydraulic phenomena during a small break LOCA at the RPV upper head with the LSI as well as the predictability of the system analysis codes after the AM actions during the test. The results from both codes reveal that overall physical behaviors during the accident are predicted by the codes, appropriately, including the excursion of the peak cladding temperature because of the LSI. It is also confirmed that the core integrity is maintained with the proposed AM action. Considering the break location, a sensitivity analysis for the nodalization of the upper head has been conducted. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the nodalization gave a significant impact on the analysis result. The result emphasizes the importance of the nodalization which should be performed with a consideration of the physical phenomena occurs during the transient.

The use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has seen significant development over the last two decades, in particular with the development of the tractography of association tracts for preoperative planning of surgery. However, projection tracts are difficult to differentiate from one another and tractography studies have failed to reconstruct these ascending/descending pathways from/to the spinal cord. The present study proposes an atlas of regions of interest (ROIs) designed specifically for projection tracts tractography. Forty‐nine healthy subjects were included in this prospective study. Brain DTI was acquired using the same 3 T MRI scanner, with 32 diffusion directions. Distortions were corrected using the FSL software package. ROIs were drawn using the anterior commissure (AC)–posterior commissure (PC) line on the following landmarks: the pyramid for the corticospinal tract, the medio‐caudal part of the red nucleus for the rubrospinal tract, the pontine reticular nucleus for corticoreticular tract, the superior and inferior cerebellar peduncles for, respectively, the anterior and posterior spinocerebellar tract, the gracilis and cuneatus nucleus for the dorsal columns, and the ventro‐posterolateral nucleus for the spinothalamic tract. Fiber tracking was performed using a deterministic algorithm using DSI Studio software. ROI coordinates, according to AC–PC line, were given for each tract. Tractography was obtained for each tract, allowing tridimensional rendering and comparison of tracking metrics between tracts. The present study reports the accurate design of specific ROIs for tractography of each projection tract. This could be a useful tool in order to differentiate projection tracts at the spinal cord level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional visual search tasks do not address attention directly and their core manipulation of 'set size' – the number of displayed items – introduces stimulus confounds that hinder interpretation. However, alternative approaches have not been widely adopted, perhaps reflecting their complexity, assumptions, or indirect attention-sampling. Here, a new procedure, the ATtention Location And Size ('ATLAS') task used probe displays to track attention's location, breadth, and guidance during search. Though most probe displays comprised six items, participants reported only the single item they judged themselves to have perceived most clearly – indexing the attention 'peak'. By sampling peaks across variable 'choice sets', the size and position of the attention window during search was profiled. These indices appeared to distinguish narrow- from broad attention, signalled attention to pairs of items where it arose and tracked evolving attention-guidance over time. ATLAS is designed to discriminate five key search modes: serial-unguided, sequential-guided, unguided attention to 'clumps' with local guidance, and broad parallel-attention with or without guidance. This initial investigation used only an example set of highly regular stimuli, but its broader potential should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a report of a series of 14 patients who presented with a range of "atypical" cranial, spinal, and systemic symptoms that started after they suffered a relatively severe injury to the head and/or neck several months or years before surgical treatment. The implications of diagnosing and treating central or axial atlantoaxial dislocation (CAAD) is discussed. Also, the role of dynamic rotatory and lateral head tilt imaging in the diagnosis and treatment is analyzed. Of the 14 patients, 7 were men and 7 were women, with an age range of 21–64 years (average, 42 years). Due to the severity of the presenting neurological and non-neurological symptoms, all the patients had lost their occupation and were heavily dependent on painkillers and/or antidepressant drugs. In addition to other characteristic clinical and radiological evidence, CAAD was diagnosed made based on the facet alignments on lateral profile imaging in the neutral head position. Dynamic head flexion-extension, lateral head tilt, and neck rotation imaging findings confirmed and subclassified CAAD. All 14 patients underwent atlantoaxial fixation surgery. A personalized self-assessment clinical scoring parameter and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 was used to evaluate the outcome. One patient did not follow-up after surgery. At a minimum follow-up of 6 months after atlantoaxial fixation surgery, the remaining 13 patients experienced relief from all major symptoms. Diagnosing and treating CAAD can have major therapeutic implications for patients presenting with progressively worsening disabling clinical symptoms following relatively severe head and/or neck trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early modern book economy thrived on a system of bartering, swapping printed sheets for printed sheets or other valuable bookish material. Widely discussed as Tauschhandel in the context of the Frankfurt Book Fair, this practice continued to flourish in the Low Countries during the seventeenth century as the fair's popularity declined. This article examines the bartering practices between the Officina Plantiniana in the city of Antwerp, the best-documented print business of the handpress era, and merchants and booksellers in its northern neighbour Amsterdam. While the output of the Plantin presses is well studied, its input, including maps, lottery tickets, reams of high-quality French and Dutch paper, and even luxury objects such as sugar and globes, has gone unrecognised. Ultimately, I argue that Dutch sellers were motivated to barter with the Officina by their superior access to books, paper, and other luxury goods, and their robust professional and personal networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: cervicogenic headaches are common and are believed to be the cause of dysfunction in the upper cervical spine. The mobility and the position of the atlas have been identified as a cause of upper cervical dysfunction. The mobility of the atlas is entirely under the control of the suboccipital muscles. The oblique capitis inferior muscle has a rotatory effect on the atlas when contracted. This study evaluated the immediate effects of a dry needling electrical stimulation-induced contraction of the left oblique capitis inferior muscle on the position and mobility of the atlas in the atlantoaxial joint. Methods: thirty-one subjects participated in this within-subject repeated measure study design. Each subject underwent a pre-measures neck flexion rotation test, palpation of the atlas position, and measurement of the length of the right oblique capitis inferior muscle with musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging. The pre-measures were repeated after two five-second tetanic contractions of the oblique capitis inferior muscle. Results: post-intervention analysis revealed significant changes in the length of the right oblique capitis inferior muscle. This length change correlated with the palpated positional default position immediately after the intervention. Conclusions: two five-second tetanic contractions of the left oblique capitis inferior muscle immediately affected the position of the atlas in the atlantoaxial joint. In our subjects, 90% displayed a positional default in the left rotation, and this was correlated with a change in the neck flexion rotation test. This study supports the notion that suboccipital muscle tonicity can result in mobility dysfunction and, thus, conditions such as cervicogenic headaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows to obtain detailed anatomical images, useful to describe specific encephalic structures and to analyze possible variabilities. It is widely used in clinical practice and is becoming increasingly used in veterinary medicine, even in exotic animals; however, despite its potential, its use in comparative neuroanatomy studies is still incipient. It is a technology that in recent years has significantly improved anatomical resolution, together with the fact that it is non-invasive and allows for systematic comparative analysis. All this makes it particularly interesting and useful in evolutionary neuroscience studies, since it allows for the analysis and comparison of brains of rare or otherwise inaccessible species. In the present study, we have analyzed the prosencephalon of three representative sauropsid species, the turtle Trachemys scripta (order Testudine), the lizard Pogona vitticeps (order Squamata) and the snake Python regius (order Squamata) by MRI. In addition, we used MRI sections to analyze the total brain volume and ventricular system of these species, employing volumetric and chemometric analyses together. The raw MRI data of the sauropsida models analyzed in the present study are available for viewing and downloading and have allowed us to produce an atlas of the forebrain of each of the species analyzed, with the main brain regions. In addition, our volumetric data showed that the three groups presented clear differences in terms of total and ventricular brain volumes, particularly the turtles, which in all cases presented distinctive characteristics compared to the lizards and snakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The atlas vertebra is an atypical cervical vertebra thereby having certain important features to accommodate the widest diameter of spinal cord. Its position is vital as it is closely related to medulla oblongata containing respiratory, cardiac and vascular centers. These centers can get compromised by varying degree of traumatic conditions involving atlanto-axial complex or atlantooccipital joint pathologies. Therefore, maintaining the stability of this complex is pivotal. Among the various surgical procedures posterior fixation is often adopted to maintain the stability of atlanto occipital joint. The Aim of present study was to perform the morphometrical analysis in dry adult atlas vertebra. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 dry, undamaged human Atlas vertebra (C1) of unknown sex, age and race obtained from the bone bank of department of Anatomy, Government medical college Srinagar. Results: The transverse and the anteroposterior diameter of atlas in millimeters (mm) were 79.83 ± 6.59 and 45.52 ± 4.23 respectively, the anteroposterior and the transverse diameter of vertebral canal in millimeters were 3 2 . 6 3 ± 3.07 and 30.21 ± 2.89 respectively. The Length of right and the left vertebral artery groove in millimeters were 15.31 ± 3.81 and 15.91 ± 2.63 respectively. Length and width of right superior articular facet was 21.3 ± 2.46 and 14.73 ± 1.83 respectively and the length and width of right inferior articular facet was 17.14 ± 2.03 and 11.84 ± 2.13 respectively. Length and width of left superior articular facet was 21.03 ± 2.36 and 14.43 ± 2.03 respectively and the length and width of left inferior articular facet was 16.83 ± 2.36 and 10.05 ± 2.31 respectively. Conclusion: The precise knowledge of various morphometric parameters of atlas and their comparison with the studies conducted by other researcher's will be very benevolent in the manufacturing of instruments related to atlas vertebrae. The current study will contribute to a better knowledge of diverse bone dimensions, which may aid with preoperative planning and diagnostics when operating near vital structures like the vertebral artery and nerve roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Arcos: Design, Cultura e Visualidade is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] The typical mammalian neck consisting of seven cervical vertebrae (C1–C7) was established by the Late Permian in the cynodont forerunners of modern mammals. This structure is precisely adapted to facilitate movements of the head during feeding, locomotion, predator evasion, and social interactions. Eutheria, the clade including crown placentals, has a fossil record extending back more than 125 million years revealing significant morphological diversification in the Mesozoic. Yet very little is known concerning the early evolution of eutherian cervical morphology and its functional adaptations. A specimen of Zalambdalestes lechei from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia boasts exceptional preservation of an almost complete series of cervical vertebrae (C2–C7) revealing a highly modified axis (C2). The significance of this cervical morphology is explored utilizing an integrated approach combining comparative anatomical examination across mammals, muscle reconstruction, geometric morphometrics and virtual range of motion analysis. We compared the shape of the axis in Zalambdalestes to a dataset of 88 mammalian species (monotremes, marsupials, and placentals) using three-dimensional landmark analysis. The results indicate that the unique axis morphology of Zalambdalestes has no close analog among living mammals. Virtual range of motion analysis of the neck strongly implies Zalambdalestes was capable of exerting very forceful head movements and had a high degree of ventral flexion for an animal its size. These findings reveal unexpected complexity in the early evolution of the eutherian cervical morphology and suggest a feeding behavior similar to insectivores specialized in vermivory and defensive behaviors in Zalambdalestes akin to modern spiniferous mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. Mice are commonly used as models of human respiratory disease. Phenotypic analysis of mice with spontaneous, congenital, inherited, or treatment-related respiratory tract abnormalities requires investigators to discriminate normal anatomic features of the respiratory system from those that have been altered by disease. Many publications describe individual aspects of normal respiratory tract development, primarily focusing on morphogenesis of the trachea and lung. However, a single reference providing detailed low- and high-magnification, high-resolution images of routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections depicting all major structures of the entire developing murine respiratory system does not exist. The purpose of this atlas is to correct this deficiency by establishing one concise reference of high-resolution color photomicrographs from whole-slide scans of H&E-stained tissue sections. The atlas has detailed descriptions and well-annotated images of the developing mouse upper and lower respiratory tracts emphasizing embryonic days (E) 9.0 to 18.5 and major early postnatal events. The selected images illustrate the main structures and events at key developmental stages and thus should help investigators both confirm the chronological age of mouse embryos and distinguish normal morphology as well as structural (cellular and organ) abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological improvements have introduced significant innovations in dentistry and broadened the array of tools and techniques in dental care. One technological development that has been widely researched over the past 20 years is the use of Near-Infrared Transillumination (NIRT) imaging for the diagnosis of dental caries. This paper aims to introduce a comprehensive collection of NIRT images, intended as a reference tool for routine dental examinations, dental research, pedagogical activities, and forensic odontology. The collection presents pairwise clinical and NIRT images categorized as follows: (a) healthy teeth, (b) carious teeth, (c) restored teeth, (d) enamel defects, and (e) diverse findings. This atlas could be a valuable tool for the dental community as it is designed as an identification guide of NIRT illustrated dental features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understory terrain is an important fundamental indicator for monitoring changes in forest ecosystems. However, in-depth analysis of the accuracy of existing international open-source DEM products is still lacking for understory environments. The DEM data produced by Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) carries an advanced topographic LiDAR altimeter system (ATLAS) that contains elevation information of the ground surface as well as features such as the vegetation above. It can reflect the elevation of the ground surface, including the part obscured by vegetation or canopy, and can be better used to monitor changes in ground surface elevation. However, few existing studies have been analyzed the accuracy of open-source DEM products (include ATLAS, AW3D30 DEM, and TanDEM-X data) for estimating the ground in understory environments. Therefore, this study selected Aiken County, Cook Inlet, and Yucatan as study areas to evaluate ICESat-2/ATLAS data, AW3D30 DEM and TanDEM-X data using the airborne G-LiHT system's post-processing DTM. The study also quantitatively evaluated the influence of slope, aspect, and land vegetation type on elevation accuracies of different open-source DEM products. The experimental results showed that the ATLAS data at the footprint scale produced more accurate evaluation indicators than the AW3D30 DEM and TANDEM-X data products. The average evaluation indicator R2 was 0.98, RMSE was 1.44 m, and STD was 1.25 m. The results showed that ATLAS can be used as validation data to evaluate the accuracy of opensource DEM in estimating the vertical direction. At the regional scale, AW3D30 was the most robust and had the most stable performance in most of the tests (R2 is 0.95, RMSE is 6.37 m and STD is 5.02 m) and is therefore the best choice for research on understory terrain. Slope had a greater impact on the accuracy of data estimation compared to aspect and surface vegetation type. The difference in RMSE for estimating forest understory terrain was 3.11 m for ATLAS products, 29.37 m for AW3D30 DEM data and 54.26 m for TanDEM-X data over the different slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The firmware developed for the readout and trigger processing of the information emerging from the BIS78-RPC Muon Spectrometer chambers in the ATLAS experiment at CERN is presented here, together with data processing techniques, data acquisition software, and tests of the readout chain system, which represent efforts to make these chambers operational in the ATLAS experiment. This work is performed in the context of the BIS78-RPC project, which deals with the pilot deployment of a new generation of sMDT+RPCs in the experiment. Such chambers are planned to be fully deployed in the whole barrel inner layer of the Muon Spectrometer during the Phase II upgrade of the ATLAS experiment. On-chamber front-ends include an amplifier, a discriminator ASIC, and an LVDS transmitter. The signal is digitized by CERN HPTDC chips and then processed by an FPGA, which is the heart of the readout and trigger processing, using various techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The north western Atlas Mountains (Béchar region) act as refugia for relict populations of many species which highlights their interest as priority areas for conservation. Further work since the beginning of the last century has been difficult because of restricted access in a military area with long-standing border conflicts. This paper aims to analyse the temporal dynamics of the vegetation communities, to assess the floristic diversity of one of those isolated djebels, Djebel Antar, and to contribute to the knowledge of the conservation status of the species found. Surveys from 1925,1951 (published data) and 2017 (fieldwork) were interpreted and investigations were carried out on honey harvesting, production, and marketing in the Benzireg area to better understand and contribute to the development of beekeeping. A high proportion of endemic and very rare species was found. A tendency towards the homogenisation of the flora was detected with a decrease in plant diversity. Beekeeping is being tested as a means of enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the fight against vegetation degradation by reducing pastoral pressure. Djebel Antar retains its function as a refuge for biodiversity and may play an important role in conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal rust diseases, including leaf, stem, and stripe rust, are some of the most devastating and economically important diseases of barley. However, host–pathogen genetic interaction research for each pathosystem is typically conducted independently and in isolation. Examples of host resistance/susceptibility genes functioning sympathetically to multiple pathogens or antagonistically to additional pathogens have been reported. Therefore, consolidation of loci that have been reported in multiple studies and across pathosystems is useful for variety development to maximize resistance to multiple pathogens and avoid inadvertent incorporation of susceptibility loci that act antagonistically to other pathogens. This review summarizes loci reported in three key biotrophic pathosystems of barley, including leaf, stem, and stripe rust. In conjunction with previously consolidated net blotch loci, this review lays the foundation for a wider barley rust resistance/susceptibility atlas. This review aims to inform breeders and researchers in rapidly identifying accessions and loci that need further characterization and which loci would be most useful to introgress into elite varieties.

This article discusses the implementation of Project Based Learning (PBL) as a risk-based audit learning model utilizing the Audit Tool Linked Archive System (ATLAS) application. PBL is an effective approach to enhance student engagement and understanding in the audit process, particularly concerning the risks encountered in modern audit practices. By using ATLAS, students can learn independently and purposefully, leveraging technology to access relevant information and data. This study also examines how this learning model can improve students' competencies in the field of auditing and prepare them to face challenges in the workforce. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study at the Accounting Department of Pontianak State Polytechnic, involving 3rd semester students who were divided into groups for an audit project. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, then analyzed thematically. The results showed that PBL and ATLAS significantly improved students' understanding of RBA and practical audit skills, with students reporting higher engagement and motivation. Recommendations include the integration of technology into the curriculum and training in the use of applications. The findings conclude that technology-supported PBL such as ATLAS is effective in preparing students for the challenges of the modern workplace.

The development of information technology has significantly impacted various fields, including audit practice. A notable advancement is the ATLAS application, an electronic working paper designed to assist auditors in filling out work papers. This research aimed to examine the application of ATLAS and assess its effectiveness in the financial statement audit process at KAP Hari Purnomo & Jaswadi. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews with auditors. The findings revealed that KAP Hari Purnomo & Jaswadi had comprehensively implemented the ATLAS application, covering all stages from pre-engagement, risk assessment, and risk response to reporting. The ATLAS application proved effective, as it streamlined and facilitated auditors' work in inputting audit data. The integration of all audit stages within the ATLAS application demonstrated its efficiency and effectiveness in the financial statement audit process, making it a valuable tool for auditors at KAP Hari Purnomo & Jaswadi.

Current locations of species may not be suited to future climate, resulting in ranges that shift to higher latitudes, with potential for range expansion or contraction in extent. To identify potential shifts in distributions of 119 tree species centered in the United States and Canada, I modeled species occurrences under current climate and then predicted to past (20, 10, and 6 thousand years ago) and future climates (six projections during 2071–2100 for North American warming of 4.3 °C to 8.8 °C), with a singular focus on the climate space of tree species, or bioclimatic envelope models. Mean accuracies of withheld samples for models, based on climate of 1900 to 1990, were 0.97, with an average of 6.2 variables per model; annual temperature and temperature of the warmest quarter generally were the most important variables. Based on model predictions under past and future climate, centers of species distributions shifted an average of 565 km latitudinally since climate 20,000 years ago and 440 km to 1065 km shifts were expected in response to end-of-century climates. Overall, 64 tree species may gain more area than lose area that matches current climate space under future climate, whereas 36 species may lose potential climate space, with relative stability for 19 species. Canada and the mountainous western U.S., and National Forests in the mountainous western U.S., were likely to gain climate space appropriate for these species, particularly species of the eastern U.S. Conversely, greatest number of species were predicted to be lost from most of the eastern half of the U.S.; National Forests in the southeastern U.S., particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas, may lose 25 to 50 of these tree species. Isolation of potential dynamics for tree species already native to northern North America demonstrated that a large pool of diverse species from the southeastern U.S. was predicted to have suitable climate space in Canada and the western U.S. It may be beneficial for managers to become familiar with tree species south or east of their regions, particularly climate-tolerant pine and oak species, to determine which ones are desirable to manage for the future.

• Tetra code is a precise, concise, unambiguous alphanumeric code for position on scalp. • Tetra codes achieve a median precision of 0.7–0.8 mm with 4 alphanumeric characters. • Tetra codes extend coverage on the scalp beyond the cortex to include the cerebellum. • An extension of Tetra codes specifies orientation and angle-of-incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]