The global population and status of Snowy Owls Bubo scandiacus are particularly challenging to assess because individuals are irruptive and nomadic, and the breeding range is restricted to the remote circumpolar Arctic tundra. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uplisted the Snowy Owl to “Vulnerable” in 2017 because the suggested population estimates appeared considerably lower than historical estimates, and it recommended actions to clarify the population size, structure, and trends. Here we present a broad review and status assessment, an effort led by the International Snowy Owl Working Group (ISOWG) and researchers from around the world, to estimate population trends and the current global status of the Snowy Owl. We use long-term breeding data, genetic studies, satellite-GPS tracking, and survival estimates to assess current population trends at several monitoring sites in the Arctic and we review the ecology and threats throughout the Snowy Owl range. An assessment of the available data suggests that current estimates of a worldwide population of 14,000–28,000 breeding adults are plausible. Our assessment of population trends at five long-term monitoring sites suggests that breeding populations of Snowy Owls in the Arctic have decreased by more than 30% over the past three generations and the species should continue to be categorised as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List Criterion A2. We offer research recommendations to improve our understanding of Snowy Owl biology and future population assessments in a changing world.

Plant growth requires the integration of internal and external cues, perceived and transduced into a developmental programme of cell division, elongation and wall thickening. Mechanical forces contribute to this regulation, and thigmomorphogenesis typically includes reducing stem height, increasing stem diameter, and a canonical transcriptomic response. We present data on a bZIP transcription factor involved in this process in grasses. Brachypodium distachyon SECONDARY WALL INTERACTING bZIP (SWIZ) protein translocated into the nucleus following mechanostimulation. Classical touch-responsive genes were upregulated in B. distachyon roots following touch, including significant induction of the glycoside hydrolase 17 family, which may be unique to grass thigmomorphogenesis. SWIZ protein binding to an E-box variant in exons and introns was associated with immediate activation followed by repression of gene expression. SWIZ overexpression resulted in plants with reduced stem and root elongation. These data further define plant touch-responsive transcriptomics and physiology, offering insights into grass mechanotranduction dynamics.

Preterm birth has been associated with insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, a hallmark characteristic of type 2 diabetes. However, studies investigating the relationship between a personal history of being born preterm and type 2 diabetes are sparse. We sought to investigate the potential association between a personal history of being born preterm and risk for type 2 diabetes in a racially and ethnically diverse population. Baseline and incident data (>16 years of follow-up) from the Women’s Health Initiative (n = 85,356) were used to examine the association between personal history of being born preterm (born 1910–1940s) and prevalent (baseline enrollment; cross-sectional) or incident (prospective cohort) cases of type 2 diabetes. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate odds and hazards ratios. Being born preterm was significantly, positively associated with odds for prevalent type 2 diabetes at enrollment (adjOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.43–2.24; P < 0.0001). Stratified regression models suggested the positive associations at baseline were consistent across race and ethnicity groups. However, being born preterm was not significantly associated with risk for incident type 2 diabetes. Regression models stratified by age at enrollment suggest the relationship between being born preterm and type 2 diabetes persists only among younger age groups. Preterm birth was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes but only in those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes prior to study enrollment, suggesting the association between preterm birth and type 2 diabetes may exist at earlier age of diagnosis but wane over time.

Background: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has led to restructuring of health care systems and has subsequently had secondary effects on medical education. This study examines the impact on training of surgical residents in Canada. Methods: The study consisted of a 25-question survey for residents and a 22-question survey for program directors, which were distributed electronically through program administrators on July 3rd- July 11th, 2020. Questions sought to elicit residents’ current experiences and gain insight into methods by which to enhance future training. Results: 108 residents and 21 program directors, from various surgical specialties across Canada, completed the survey. Operative exposures were reported to be reduced by 25-100% and 39% of residents were redeployed. However, 89% of residents reported accessing academic half days virtually and 57% had additional online modules. Despite lost time, 100% of program directors confirmed that residents did not require training extensions. Concerns regarding training, personal health, employability and fellowships were raised. 55-70% of residents and program directors advocated for alternative educational courses, increasing elective time, utilizing simulation for assessment and flexibility in crediting different training experiences. Conclusions: Canadian surgical residents had a significant reduction in operative experiences during the pandemic. Moving forward, it will be important to find alternative educational experiences.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of internal or external teat sealants given at dry-off in dairy cattle. Controlled trials were eligible if they assessed the use of internal or external teat sealants, with or without concurrent antimicrobial therapy, compared to no treatment or an alternative treatment, and measured one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, IMI during the first 30 days in milk (DIM), or clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM. Risk of bias was based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool with modified signaling questions. From 2280 initially identified records, 32 trials had data extracted for one or more outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted for IMI at calving. Use of an internal teat sealant (bismuth subnitrate) significantly reduced the risk of new IMI at calving compared to non-treated controls (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.25–0.72). For comparisons between antimicrobial and teat sealant groups, concerns regarding precision were seen. Synthesis of the primary research identified important challenges related to the comparability of outcomes, replication and connection of interventions, and quality of reporting of study conduct.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the efficacy of selective dry-cow antimicrobial therapy compared to blanket therapy (all quarters/all cows). Controlled trials were eligible if any of the following were assessed: incidence of clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM, frequency of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, or frequency of IMI during the first 30 DIM. From 3480 identified records, nine trials were data extracted for IMI at calving. There was an insufficient number of trials to conduct meta-analysis for the other outcomes. Risk of IMI at calving in selectively treated cows was higher than blanket therapy (RR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.16), but substantial heterogeneity was present (I2 = 58%). Subgroup analysis showed that, for trials using internal teat sealants, there was no difference in IMI risk at calving between groups, and no heterogeneity was present. For trials not using internal teat sealants, there was an increased risk in cows assigned to a selective dry-cow therapy protocol, compared to blanket treatment, with substantial heterogeneity in this subgroup. However, the small number of trials and heterogeneity in the subgroup without internal teat sealants suggests that the relative risk between treatments may differ from the determined point estimates based on other unmeasured factors.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of antimicrobial therapy given to dairy cows at dry-off. Eligible studies were controlled trials assessing the use of antimicrobials compared to no treatment or an alternative treatment, and assessed one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, incidence of IMI during the first 30 days in milk (DIM), or incidence of clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM. Databases and conference proceedings were searched for relevant articles. The potential for bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 algorithm. From 3480 initially identified records, 45 trials had data extracted for one or more outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted for IMI at calving. The use of cephalosporins, cloxacillin, or penicillin with aminoglycoside significantly reduced the risk of new IMI at calving compared to non-treated controls (cephalosporins, RR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.23–0.65; cloxacillin, RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.79; penicillin with aminoglycoside, RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.26–0.72). Synthesis revealed challenges with a comparability of outcomes, replication of interventions, definitions of outcomes, and quality of reporting. The use of reporting guidelines, replication among interventions, and standardization of outcome definitions would increase the utility of primary research in this area.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause bacteraemia, meningitis, and complications during pregnancy. In July 2012, molecular subtyping identified indistinguishable L. monocytogenes isolates from six patients and two samples of different cut and repackaged cheeses. A multistate outbreak investigation was initiated. Initial analyses identified an association between eating soft cheese and outbreak-related illness (odds ratio 17·3, 95% confidence interval 2·0–825·7) but no common brand. Cheese inventory data from locations where patients bought cheese and an additional location where repackaged cheese yielded the outbreak strain were compared to identify cheeses for microbiological sampling. Intact packages of imported ricotta salata yielded the outbreak strain. Fourteen jurisdictions reported 22 cases from March–October 2012, including four deaths and a fetal loss. Six patients ultimately reported eating ricotta salata; another reported eating cheese likely cut with equipment also used for contaminated ricotta salata, and nine more reported eating other cheeses that might also have been cross-contaminated. An FDA import alert and US and international recalls followed. Epidemiology-directed microbiological testing of suspect cheeses helped identify the outbreak source. Cross-contamination of cheese highlights the importance of using validated disinfectant protocols and routine cleaning and sanitizing after cutting each block or wheel.

The larvae of eight Nearctic sawfly species in the genus Dolerus are described here for the first time. Six species, D. aprilis, D. tibialis conjugates, D. gilvipes albifrons, D. apricus, D. acidus, and D. subfasciatus, were reared from adults collected on the field horsetail, Equisetum arvense Linnaeus, and the larvae of two species, D. sericeus and D. nitens, were collected on grasses. The life history of Dolerus spp. is described. An illustrated key to the species dealt with is provided. Taxonomic affinities among. the species are briefly discussed.

In many learning situations, we need to determine to which cues to attend, particularly in cases when these cues conflict. These conflicts appear often in English orthography. In two experiments, we asked children to spell two-syllable words that varied on two dimensions: morphological and orthographic structure. In one set of these words, the two sources of information conflicted. Results of Experiment 1 suggest that seven- to nine-year-old children are sensitive to both orthographic and morphological dimensions of words, and that this dual sensitivity sometimes leads to correct spelling and sometimes to incorrect spelling. Results of Experiment 2 suggest that orthographic information dominates young (six-year-old) children's spelling, at least in a case when there is a strong orthographic regularity. Taken together, these experiments suggest that children are sensitive to the multiple dimensions of regularity in English orthography and that this sensitivity can lead to mistakes.

It is well known that diets high in nuts or peanuts favourably affect plasma lipid concentrations. However, few studies have examined the effects of nut and peanut protein (PP) on body composition and skeletal muscle properties. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of dietary PP compared with two animal proteins, casein (C) and cod protein (CP) on body composition, skeletal muscle contractile properties and lipid metabolism in rats. Thirty-two male rats were assigned to one of the following four diets containing either C, CP, PP or C+peanut protein (CPP, 50:50) mixture. After 28 d of ad libitum feeding and after 12-h fast, blood, liver and muscle were collected for measurements of plasma and hepatic cholesterol and TAG, plasma glucose and insulin and contractile properties. Rats fed with the low-quality protein, PP, had lower body weight gain, body protein mass, soleus mass and liver weight than those fed with the high-quality dietary proteins, C and CP. PP also caused a deficit in contractile properties in soleus. Likewise, PP increased plasma cholesterol and body fat mass compared with CP. However, these elevations were accompanied with increased hepatic TAG concentrations and lowered intestinal fat excretion. These results show that PP intake alters body composition by reducing skeletal muscle mass and liver weight as well as muscle contractility and lipid metabolism. Adding a complete protein such as C might partially counteract these adverse effects.

The deformation behavior of BCC metals is being investigated by x-ray microdiffraction measurements (μXRD) for the purpose of characterizing the dislocation structure that results from uniaxial compression experiments. The high brilliance synchrotron source at the Advanced Light Source (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab) and the micron resolution of the focusing optics allow for the mapping of Laue diffraction patterns across a sample. These measurements are then analyzed in order to map the distribution of residual stresses in the crystal. An important finding is the observation of Laue spot “streaking”, which indicates localized rotations in the lattice. These may represent an accumulation of same-sign dislocations. Theoretical modeling of the diffraction response for various slip systems is presented, and compared to experimental data. Preliminary results include orientation maps from a highly strained Ta bicrystal and a less highly strained Mo single crystal. The orientation maps of the bicrystal indicate a cell-like structure of dense dislocation walls. This deformation structure is consistent with previous OIM studies of the same crystal. The results suggest that μXRD may be a particularly useful tool for microscale studies of deformation patterns in a multi-scale investigation of the mechanisms of deformation that ranges from macroscopic deformation tests to high resolution TEM studies of dislocation structures.

A new experimental apparatus has been developed for performing compression deformation experiments on high-purity Mo single crystals. These experiments provide data that can validate 3-D dislocation dynamics (DD) simulations. The experiments are performed under conditions that allow unconstrained deformation; thus, a relatively uniform state of axial stress is maintained during deformation. In the following sections, we describe the new experimental apparatus and our results from experiments performed at ambient temperature at a strain rate of s–1. Validation criteria based on the Mo experiments may include comparing the stress-strain response using 3-D strain information, the predicted slip-system yield, and work-hardening behavior.

In the context of object-oriented systems, algorithms for building class hierarchies are currently receiving much attention. We present here a characterization of several global algorithms. A global algorithm is one which starts with only the set of classes (provided with all their properties) and directly builds the hierarchy. The algorithms scrutinized were developped each in a different framework. In this survey, they are explained in a single framework, which takes advantage of a substructure of the Galois lattice associated with the binary relation mapping the classes to their properties. Their characterization allows to figure the results of the algorithms without running them in simple cases. This study once again highlights the Galois lattice as a main and intuitive model for class hierarchies.

The Vila Pouca de Aguiar granite pluton, emplaced during the latest event of the Variscan orogeny of northern Portugal, is here subjected to a detailed study that combines magnetic fabric measurements and gravity modelling of its shape at depth. This laccolith, less than 1 km in thickness over ≈60% of its outcrop area, appears to be fed from its northern area, through narrow conduits, up to 5 km deep, belonging to a set of Y-shaped valleys that almost perfectly correspond to the local Régua–Verin fault-system identified in the geological maps. A normal petrographical zonation, already identified geologically, appears to be rather progressive, although a gradient in magnetic suceptibility magnitude in-between the two main magma types is evidenced. It is suggested that the first to be emplaced and the least evolved granite type (Vila Pouca de Aguiar Granite) upwelled from the local, NE-trending fault-zone, acting as a dyke, and formed a thin sill where NE-directed magma flow was dominant, at least close to the floor. The more evolved granite type (Pedras Salgadas Granite), located just above the main feeder zone, and deeply rooted at the intersection beween underlying faults, is at the centre of a remarkably regular concentric distribution of the foliation trajectories. They may reflect the late doming of the laccolith's northern part, coeval with a slight E-W extension of the inflating magma reservoir, as marked by the E-W-trending lineations. Along with ubiquitous magmatic to near-magmatic microstructures and particularly low anisotropy magnitudes, such patterns can be entirely explained by magma movement within its inflating reservoir. This composite laccolith, during emplacement of which no interference with the regional strain pattern can be recorded, is therefore considered as typical of post-tectonic emplacement.

Ultraclean semiconductor processes were developed for ULSI technologies to significantly reduce metallics, foreign materials, and to preserve silicon surface morphology. State-of-the-art detection techniques (Elymat, TXRF, VPD, and SPV) were implemented in all critical process sectors. Acceptable levels of metallic contamination were derived from previous experience and from published work on this subject relating metallic contamination levels to gate oxide reliability and retention time.

A comprehensive diagnostic/characterization system was utilized in evaluating a wide variety of test structures emulating key device process interactions. Advanced techniques were employed for measurement of reliability and surface morphology. Also root causes for all integration problems are identified.

Transfer integrals (tij) between pairs of nearest neighbor ET molecules were calculated by an ab initio method. Tight-binding one-electron energy bands constructed from the tij are similar to those previously calculated by Mori and by Whangbo and their coworkers by semi-empirical, extended Hückel methods, but quite different from those found by Kübler et al. in β-(ET)2I3 using the augmented spherical wave (ASW) method. However, all these band models are suspect. The Hubbard on-site repulsion parameter U is estimated to be about twice the band widths, indicating that a full treatment of the Hubbard hamiltonian is needed. Also, polaron effects appear to control transport except at very low temperature.

(Solar Phys.). We identify from daily K-corona observations the coronal regions located above type III burst sources. The radio observations were made with the east–west log-periodic array at Clark Lake Observatory. East–west positions of 260 isolated type III bursts during March and April 1971 have been measured between 20 and 65 MHz (disregarding storms of type III bursts). The K-corona observations are made with the HAO K-coronameter at Mauna Loa, Hawaii. During 1971, the heights of observation were 3.6′, 5′, 9′ and 13′ above the limb.

In [1] Ludwik Borkowski takes a quantifier symbol ‘Q1’ (e.g., the familiar ‘∀’) to permit definition of another quantifier symbol ‘Q1’ if, where ‘f’ is a singulary predicate variable, there exists a formula A of QC1—a first-order quantificational calculus (without identity and individual constants) having ‘Q1’ as its one primitive quantifier symbol—such that: (1) under the intended interpretations of ‘Q1’ and ‘Q1’ the biconditional (Q1X)f(X) = A is valid, (2) no individual variable occurs free in A, and (3) A contains no propositional variable, and no predicate variable other than ‘f.’