Magnetospheric Ion Bombardment of Europa’s Surface

Jupiter’s moon Europa is exposed to constant bombardment by magnetospheric charged particles, which are expected to be a major source of physical and chemical surface modification. Here we have investigated the flux of magnetospheric ions at Europa’s surface by carrying out single particle tracing within realistic electromagnetic fields from multifluid magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the moon’s interaction with Jupiter’s magnetosphere. We find that magnetic field line draping and pileup leads to shielding and drastically reduced flux at low latitudes across Europa’s trailing (upstream) hemisphere. Furthermore, we find that magnetic induction within Europa’s subsurface ocean leads to additional shielding when the moon is located at high magnetic latitudes in Jupiter’s magnetosphere. Overall, we find that the high-latitude and polar regions on Europa receive the largest flux of magnetospheric ions. Both spacecraft and ground-based observations have previously identified a non–water ice surface species concentrated at Europa’s trailing (upstream) hemisphere, possibly hydrated sulfuric acid formed from radiolysis of water ice with implanted S ions. Our results demonstrate that the S ion flux across Europa’s equatorial trailing (upstream) hemisphere is strongly reduced, possibly indicating that the formation of the observed non–water ice species is controlled primarily by energy input from magnetospheric electrons, rather than the flux of S ions. We find that that O and S ions at >1 MeV energies have nearly uniform access to the surface, while energetic protons in this energy range are constrained to a “bull’s-eye” centered on the trailing (upstream) hemisphere.

A Qualitative Validation of Two Diagrammatic Measures of Attachment Network Structure

In two qualitative evaluation studies, we explored the construct validity of two diagrammatic measures of attachment network structure, including the Bull’s Eye diagrammatic technique and a significantly modified version, the Web-based Hierarchical Mapping Technique (WHMT). In the first study, 20 young adults completed a Bull’s Eye diagram followed by a semi-structured interview in which participants explained their placement of support figures in their diagrams. Interview transcripts were analyzed using theory-driven thematic analysis to determine the presence of attachment-related themes, including safe haven, secure base effect, and proximity maintenance. Findings indicated mixed support for the Bull’s Eye as a measure of attachment networks. Although attachment themes were dominant among participants who identified a parent as their primary attachment figure, this was not the case among participants who identified a peer as a primary attachment figure. Participant justifications for peer attachments relied on non-attachment themes, including identity exploration and companionship. In the second study, we applied the same qualitative method to investigate the WHMT. Saturation was reached sooner, and attachment themes were dominant for both parent and peered primary attachment. Findings support the construct validity of the WHMT as a new measure of attachment network composition and strength.

Mucosal Healing in Crohn’s Disease: Bull’s Eye or Bust? “The Pro Position”

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract with disease behaviour based on the depth and severity of mucosal injury. Cumulative injury can result in complications including stricture formation and penetrating complications which often require surgical resection of diseased segments of the intestine resulting in significant morbidity. Accurate assessment of disease activity and appropriate treatment is essential in preventing complications. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Treatment targets in the management of CD have evolved with the advent of more potent immunosuppressive therapy. Targeting the resolution of sub-clinical inflammation and achieving mucosal healing is associated with the prevention of stricturing and penetrating complications. Identifying non-invasive modalities to assess mucosal healing remains a challenge. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Mucosal healing minimizes the risk of developing disease complications, prolongs steroid-free survival, and reduces hospitalization and the need for surgical intervention.

Mucosal Healing in Crohn’s Disease: Bull’s Eye or Bust? The “Relative” Con Position

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Crohn’s disease is a progressive inflammatory bowel disease. Persistent untreated inflammation can cumulatively result in bowel damage in the form of strictures, fistulas, and fibrosis, which can ultimately result in the need for major abdominal surgery. Mucosal healing has emerged as an attractive, yet ambitious goal in the hope of preventing long-term complications. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Clinical remission is an inadequate measure of disease activity. Noninvasive markers such as fecal calprotectin, CRP, or small bowel ultrasound are useful adjunct tools. However, endoscopic assessment remains the cornerstone in building a treatment plan. Achieving complete mucosal healing has proved to be an elusive goal even in the ideal setting of a clinical trial. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Aiming for complete mucosal healing in all patients may result in overuse of medications, higher costs, and potential side effects of aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. More practical goals such as relative or partial healing, for example, 50% improvement in inflammation and reduction in size of ulcers, ought to be considered, particularly in difficult-to-treat populations.

The Influence of Saracen Archery Grasping Techniques and Forearm Muscles Activation on Shooting Performance in Traditional Archery: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of four grasping techniques recommended by Saracen Archery and associated forearm muscles activation on traditional archer’s shooting performance. Each archer has shot 6 arrows in each grasping technique to the target, EMG activities of muscle Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (MFDS) and muscle Extensor Digitorum (MED) were collected in bow arm during aiming phase. The shooting performance was indicated by the distance from arrow hitting point on the target to the bull’s eye. The results revealed that each subject has specific grasping technique to obtain the best shooting performance. The grasping technique that generated the best performance is not as recommended by Saracen Archery. All subjects indicated that the best shooting performance was obtained when MED activated more than MFDS.

Phylogenetic diversity and phenotypic characterization of Phlyctema vagabunda (syn. Neofabraea alba) and Neofabraea kienholzii causing postharvest bull’s eye rot of apple in northern Italy

Bull’s eye rot, caused by Phlyctema vagabunda and Neofabraea species, is one of the most important postharvest diseases of apple. South Tyrol (northern Italy) holds the largest continuous apple producing area in Europe with approximately 1 million tons being produced yearly and conserved in technologically advanced storage facilities for several months. Still, studies on the pathogen species causing postharvest bull’s eye rot of apple as well as their diversity and biology are lacking for this region. Therefore, the main purpose of the present work was to identify and characterize fungal isolates obtained from decayed apple fruit with symptoms of bull’s eye rot that were collected in 2018 and 2019 in different packinghouses of South Tyrol. Among more than 1,000 fungal isolates that were obtained, 419 could be assigned to the genera Phlyctema and/or Neofabraea based on rot symptoms on apple fruit and colony morphology on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). A smaller subset of 101 representative isolates was further analyzed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). Furthermore, partial segments of the β-tubulin gene (TUB2), the translation elongation factor 1α gene (EF-1α) and the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU) were studied. The phylogenetic analyses, including sequences of reference species, showed that P. vagabunda is the dominant species associated with bull’s eye rot of apple in the study area, while N. kienholzii was found only on a small number of apple fruit samples. The combination of multi-locus sequence data revealed eleven unique genotypes that belonged to P. vagabunda and four to N. kienholzii. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report N. kienholzii as a postharvest pathogen of apple in Italy. Finally, a pathogenicity test demonstrated different degrees of virulence among selected isolates of P. vagabunda and N. kienholzii on the cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’. The present study emphasizes the importance of accurate species identification, as different species may vary in in their biological and pathogenic characteristics, and consequently require distinct disease management strategies, both in the field and during the postharvest stages.

Bull’s eye sign – A diagnostic clinch in COVID-19 pneumonia

Although typical imaging findings of COVID-19 pneumonia has been described it may be difficult at times to distinguish it from other viral pneumonias. In the following case series, we describe a typical sign i.e. Bull’s-eye sign in COVID-19 pneumonia. As this sign is not associated with any known pulmonary disease, so its presence may help radiologists to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from its mimics.

A novel radiographic grid aiming device for percutaneous renal puncture

Background This in-vitro study aims to assess the efficacy of a novel radiographic grid aiming device as compared to the conventional “bull’s eye” puncture technique for percutaneous renal puncture. Methods This new device uses two radiopaque rings for targeting, somewhat similar to the concept of gun sights. The device is designed to improve the ease and accuracy of the “bull’s eye” puncture technique. We compared this device to the conventional “bull’s eye” puncture technique using a porcine kidney inside a chicken carcass as the study model. Two first-year residents used both the radiographic grid aiming device in turn, Group A, and the conventional bull’s eye technique, Group B, to perform punctures to reach the target porcine calyces in order. Related data were recorded and analyzed. Results 23 renal calyceal punctures were performed per group. There were no statistical differences in the overall puncture success rate, puncture time, or radiation exposure time and dose between the two groups. The number of punctures required to achieve success was higher in group B and the distance between the puncture site to the center of papillary fornix was shorter in group A, all P < 0.05. Conclusions The novel radiographic grid aiming device showed no advantage in the overall success rate for renal puncture. However, it offered the advantages of more precise puncture with fewer puncture attempts. It may serve as a useful tool for training. It may also offer some benefit to surgeons who are novices at percutaneous renal puncture.