Malformations of the sacculus and the semicircular canals in spider morph pythons

Spider morph ball pythons are a frequently bred design morph with striking alterations of the skin color pattern. We created high resolution µCT-image series through the otical region of the skulls, used 3D-reconstruction software for rendering anatomical models, and compare the anatomy of the semicircular ducts, sacculus and ampullae of wildtype Python regius (ball python) with spider morph snakes. All spider morph snakes showed the wobble condition. We describe the inner ear structures in wild-type and spider-morph snakes and report a deviant morphology of semicircular canals, ampullae and sacculus in spider morph snakes. We also report about associated differences in the desmal skull bones of spider morph snakes. The spider morph snakes were characterized by wider semicircular canals, anatomically poorly defined ampulla, a deformed crus communis and a small sacculus, with a highly deviant x-ray morphology as compared to wildtype individuals. We observed considerable intra- and interindividual variability of these features. This deviant morphology of spider morph snakes can easily be associated with an impairment of sense of equilibrium and the observed neurological wobble condition. Limitations in sample size prevent statistical analyses, but the anatomical evidence is strong enough to support an association between the wobble condition in design bread spider morph snakes and a malformation of the inner ear structures. A link between artificially selected alterations in pattern and specific color design with neural-crest associated developmental malformations of the statoacoustic organ as known from other vertebrates is discussed.

crestr An R package to perform probabilistic climate reconstructions using fossil proxies

Statistical climate reconstruction techniques are practical tools to study past climate variability from fossil proxy data. In particular, the methods based on probability density functions (PDFs) are powerful at producing robust results from various environments and proxies. However, accessing and curating the necessary calibration data, as well as the complexity of interpreting probabilistic results, often limit their use in palaeoclimatological studies. To address these problems, I present a new R package (crestr) to apply the CREST method (Climate REconstruction SofTware) on diverse palaeoecological datasets. crestr includes a globally curated calibration dataset for six common climate proxies (i.e. plants, beetles, chironomids, rodents, foraminifera, and dinoflagellate cysts) that enables its use in most terrestrial and marine regions. The package can also be used with private data collections instead of, or in combination with, the provided dataset. It also includes a suite of graphical diagnostic tools to represent the data at each step of the reconstruction process and provide insights into the effect of the different modelling assumptions and external factors that underlie a reconstruction. With this R package, the CREST method can now be used in a scriptable environment, thus simplifying its use and integration in existing workflows. It is hoped that crestr will contribute to producing the much-needed quantified records from the many regions where climate reconstructions are currently lacking, despite the existence of suitable fossil records.

The C-shaped root canal systems in mandibular second molars in an Emirati population

Our study aimed to describe the root and canal morphology of mandibular second molars in Emirati population and to study the prevalence and types of morphological change in C-shaped canal configuration along the root length in an effort to describe C-shaped molars as a unit. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of Emirati patients were analyzed in multiple plans and root and canal configuration of mandibular second molars were evaluated. Moreover, specific types of morphological change in C-shaped canal configuration along root length were studied and reconstructed using 3D reconstruction software. A total of 508 mandibular second molars were evaluated. Among the non-C-shaped mandibular second molars, two separate roots were the most prevalent root morphology (78.3%). The mesial root's most common root canal configuration was Vertucci Type II (46.5%), and in the distal root, Vertucci Type I (90.5%). The prevalence of C-shaped mandibular second molars was 17.9% and was significantly prevalent (P < 0.001) in females. Specific types of morphological change in C-shaped molars along the root length were observed and described for the first time, in which the most common types of morphological change were C1-C2-C3d (18%), C1-C3c-C3d (15.4%), C4-C3c-C3d (7.7%), and C3c-C3c-C3d (7.7%). This study showed wide variations in the root and canal morphology in mandibular second molars in Emirati population with a relatively high prevalence of C-shaped canal configuration (17.9%). Moreover, specific types of morphological change in C-shaped configuration were detected and described for the first time in this population.

Changes in Wrist Joint Contact Area Following Radial Shortening Osteotomy for Kienböck Disease

We hypothesized that the contact area of the articular surface of the wrist joint could be evaluated using a custom-designed analytical program. The aim of the study was to compare the articular contact area of the wrist joint before and after radial shortening osteotomy for Kienböck disease. Nine wrists of 9 patients underwent radial shortening osteotomy for Kienböck disease. Computed tomography (CT) images of the wrist joint were reconstructed using a 3D reconstruction software package. Radioscaphoid and radiolunate joint contact areas and translation of the joint contact area from preoperative to postoperative were calculated using customized software. All patients reported a marked reduction of wrist pain at the 12-month follow-up. The contact area was altered following radial shortening, and the center of the contact area was translated radially and dorsally postoperatively. CT-based analysis revealed that the center of the contact area translated radially following radial shortening.

Anatomical description of the skulls of peccaries (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus 1758) by computed tomography

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical structures of the skulls of peccaries to establish the basis for their clinical study and future preclinical research. Ten skulls of adult peccaries were subjected to tomographic examination. The data obtained were processed via three-dimensional image reconstruction software (3D images). The reconstructions obtained from the neurocranium of the studied specimens allowed the identification and description of the following structures: nasal bone, frontal bone, parietal bones, incisor bone, maxillary bone, zygomatic bone, temporal bone, palatal bone, occipital bone, vomer bone, pterygoid bone, sphenoid bone, paranasal sinuses and orbit. Computed tomography proved to be an important diagnostic tool in the investigation of the skull of this species, allowing the acquisition of anatomical values not yet documented for the species in the literature.

A Two-Channel DFT Spectrum Analyzer for Fluctuation Enhanced Sensing Based on a PC Audio Board

The main requirement for using the Fluctuation Enhanced Sensing technique is the ability to perform low-frequency noise measurements. The portability of the measurement system is also a quite desirable feature not limited to this specific application. In this paper, an approach for the realization of a dual channel spectrum analyzer that is capable of exploring frequencies down to DC, although based on a USB sound card, is proposed. The lower frequency range of the input signals, which is outside the frequency range of the sound board, is upconverted to higher frequencies by means of a very simple modulation board. Then, the entire spectrum is reconstructed numerically by proper elaboration. With the exception of the modulation board, the approach we propose does not rely on any specific hardware. Thanks to the efficiency of the spectra estimation and reconstruction software, which is based on a public domain library, the system can be built on a low-cost computer single board computer, such as the Raspberry PI3. Moreover, when equipped with an optical TCP/IP link, it behaves as a compact spectrum analyzer that along with the device under test can be placed into a shielded environment, thus being isolated from external electromagnetic interferences.

Exploratory Network Reconstruction with Sparse Archaeological Data and XTENT

This contribution discusses methods for reconstructing the links of past physical networks, based on archaeological site locations and mathematical models of few parameters. Networks are ubiquitous features of human culture. They structure the geographical patterning of the archaeological record strongly. But while material evidence of networked social interaction is abundant (e.g. similarities in artefact types and technologies), preserved physical remains of the networks (such as roads) are much rarer, making it difficult, if not impossible, to understand the spatial structure of cultural exchange and diffusion. This raises the intractably complex problem of optimal physical network reconstruction, based solely on the known locations of archaeological finds or sites. We address the tractable subproblem of plausible reconstruction of network links. Using a small sample set of Late Bronze Age settlement sites in and around the Mediterranean, we explore model-based network reconstruction from sparse and legacy archaeological data. A hierarchical model is provided by a network-adapted version of Renfrew and Level’s (1979) classic XTENT formula. We show that a GIS-based implementation, that utilises cost surfaces, offers significantly increased realism and analytical advantages. Our approach represents an alternative (with its specific strengths and weaknesses) to more data-intense and computationally complex approaches, such as agent-based models and simulations. The network reconstruction software used in this study (v.net.models) is available under an open source license.

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Intradiaphragmatic Extralobar Pulmonary Sequestration: a Report of 10 Cases

Background Intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration(IDEPS) is a rare type of pulmonary sequestration (PS) and has been reported in very few studies. The purpose of this study is to access diagnosis and operative treatment of an IDEPS.Methods Patients with PS who were diagnosed and treated in our center from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, in order to identify patients with IDEPS. Clinical datas regarding diagnosis, surgical procedures and outcomes were documented.Results From January 2015 to December 2020, 215 patients with PS were surgically treated in our center, including 87 patients with extralobar pulmonary sequestration(EPS). 10 cases were identifed as IDEPS ( 2 males, 8 females; age, 5 months to 21 months). Prenatal ultrasounds and enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of IDEPS in 4 cases and 7 cases, respectively, and a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction software was perfectly performed to identify the location of the lesions in 3 cases. The surgeries were smoothly performed by laparoscopic surgery in 1 case, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 5 cases(Group 1) and Da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(DVRATS) in 4 cases(Group 2). In Group 1 (5 females; the mean age, 8.0 months), the average operative duration, intraoperative blood loss volume, length of stay after operation, and postoperative thoracic catheter indwelling duration were 48 minutes, 3.8ml, 6.4 days and 2.2 days, respectively. That of Group 2(1 male, 3 females; the mean age, 9.5 months) were 80 minutes, 3.5ml, 4.3 days and 1.5 days, respectively. The IDEPS cases who followed up rang from 3 months to 36 months were included in this retrospective study and no side effect had appeared.Conclusions It’s challenging to diagnose an IDEPS through prenatal ultrasound or CT, and a 3D reconstruction software was proved to be capable to assist on the assessment of an IDEPS. We suggested early surgery to removel of an IDEPS, and the best path was accessing the mass from the chest. DVRATS or VATS for the treatment of an IDEPS is safe, feasible and effective. Furthermore, compared with VATS, DVRATS is 3D magnified view, more flexibility and precision.