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Introduction: In the current paper, the "carotid artery calcium score" method is presented with the target to offer a metric method to quantify the amount of calcification in the carotid artery. Model and Definition: The Volume of Interest (VOI) should be extracted and those voxels, with a Hounsfield Unit (HU) value ≥130, should be considered. The total weight value is determined by calculating the sum of the HU attenuation values of all voxels with values ≥130 HU. This value should be multiplied by the conversion factor ("or voxel size") and divided by a weighting factor, the attenuation threshold to consider a voxel as calcified (and therefore 130 HU): this equation determines the Carotid Artery Calcium Score (CACS). Results: In order to provide the demonstration of the potential feasibility of the model, the CACS was calculated in 131 subjects (94 males; mean age 72.7 years) for 235 carotid arteries (in 27 subjects, unilateral plaque was present) considered. The CACS value ranged from 0.67 to 11716. A statistically significant correlation was found (rho value = 0.663, p value =.0001) between the CACS in the right and left carotid plaques. Moreover, a statistically significant correlation between the age and the total CACS was present (rho value = 0.244, p value =.005), whereas no statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of CACS by gender (p =.148). The CACS was also tested at baseline and after contrast and no statistically significant difference was found. Conclusion: In conclusion, this method is of easy application, and it weights at the same time the volume and the degree of calcification in a unique parameter. This method needs to be tested to verify its potential utility, similar to the coronary artery calcium score, for the risk stratification of the occurrence of cerebrovascular events of the anterior circulation. Further studies using this new diagnostic tool to determine the prognostic value of carotid calcium quantification are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threatened eastern wolf is found predominantly in protected areas of central Ontario and has an evolutionary history obscured by interbreeding with coyotes and gray wolves, which challenges its conservation status and subsequent management. Here, we used a population genomics approach to uncover spatial patterns of variation in 281 canids in central Ontario and the Great Lakes region. This represents the first genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset with substantial sample sizes of representative populations. Although they comprise their own genetic cluster, we found evidence of eastern wolf dispersal outside of the boundaries of protected areas, in that the frequency of eastern wolf genetic variation decreases with increasing distance from provincial parks. We detected eastern wolf alleles in admixed coyotes along the northeastern regions of Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. Our analyses confirm the unique genomic composition of eastern wolves, which are mostly restricted to small fragmented patches of protected habitat in central Ontario. We hope this work will encourage an innovative discussion regarding a plan for managed introgression, which could conserve eastern wolf genetic material in any genome regardless of their potential mosaic ancestry composition and the habitats that promote them.

Diseases of the carotid arteries can be classified into different categories based on their origin. Atherosclerotic carotid disease remains the most encountered arterial wall pathology. However, other less-common non-atherosclerotic diseases can have detrimental clinical consequences if not appropriately recognized. The underlying histological features of each disease process may result in imaging findings that possess features that are obvious of the disease. However, some carotid disease processes may have histological characteristics that manifest as non-specific radiologic findings. The purpose of this manuscript is to review various non-atherosclerotic causes of carotid artery disease as well as their histologic-radiologic characteristics to aid in the appropriate recognition of these less-commonly encountered pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluators play a central role in assessments of researchers' performance for reward, but the nature of their role and influence is not well understood. Ongoing reliance on evaluator judgement is typically justified as a need for referees in contests for reward, because quantitative performance measures alone can be subject to distortion. Yet, if evaluators are able to privately establish or interpret the performance standards utilized in evaluation, it may inhibit equality of opportunity, limit applicant pools, and reinforce existing inequalities. This article untangles the different roles played by evaluators through the development of a typology of systems of performance evaluation from existing literature. The typology is then applied to one type of evaluation system--promotion in a public research organization (PRO)--to investigate how and why particular evaluator roles emerge, and what contextual factors influence their implementation. Data are drawn from a mixed-method case study of a large Australian PRO, which includes data from one focus group, 22 in-depth interviews and 803 survey responses. The case study finds that evaluators' role can extend to sponsorship of researchers through the promotion system when diversity in research specializations inhibits the establishment of uniform performance standards. It also demonstrates that reporting lines and evaluator workload impact how and to whom sponsoring support is given.

Bats are important bio-indicators of ecosystem health and provide a number of ecosystem services. White-nose Syndrome and habitat loss have led to the decline of many bat species in eastern North America, including the federally threatened northern long-eared bat, Myotis seplenlrionalis. White-nose Syndrome was only recently found in Nebraska, which lies on the western extent of this species geographic range. To belter understand how this forest-dependent species persists in an agriculturally dominated landscape amid a growing number of pressures, we investigated the roosting habits of this bat at the Homestead National Monument of America, located in southeast Nebraska. We mist-netted bats on eight nights in 2019 (16 August-26 August) and caught 55 bats across five species, including five juvenile northern long-eared bats. We located five unique roosts between two juvenile radio-tracked bats; most of the female roosts were in anthropogenic structures and tree cavities within 0.23 km of capture, while most of the male roosts were in snags and tree cavities as far as 2.73 km from the capture site. Fence cavities were also used by other undocumented northern long-eared bats. We recorded three radio-tagged bats that commuted between roosting sites and capture sites within hours after sunset. Our results provide evidence that at the distributional edge for this species, wooded areas, riparian zones, and human-built structures in an intensively managed agricultural landscape are used by this imperiled species., INTRODUCTION Destruction of habitat is a primary cause for biodiversity loss (Tilman el al, 2001; Prescott et al, 2015). To feed increasing human populations, conversion of land to agriculture is [...]

Background and Purpose: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. This study assessed whether the certainty and/or multifocality of CSF leaks is associated with the severity of intracranial sequelae of SIH. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was completed of patients with suspected SIH that underwent digital subtraction myelogram (DSM) preceded by brain MRI. DSMs were evaluated for the presence or absence of a CSF leak, categorized both as positive/negative/indeterminate and single versus multifocal. Brain MRIs were assessed for intracranial sequelae of SIH based on two probabilistic scoring systems (Dobrocky and Mayo methods). For each system, both an absolute "numerical" score (based on tabulation of findings) and "categorized" score (classification of probability) were tabulated. Results: 174 patients were included; 113 (64.9%) were female, average age 52.0 ± 14.3 years. One or more definite leaks were noted in 76 (43.7%) patients; an indeterminate leak was noted in 22 (12.6%) patients. 16 (16.3%) had multiple leaks. There was no significant difference in the severity of intracranial findings between patients with a single versus multiple leaks (p values ranged from.36 to.70 using categorized scores and 0.22–0.99 for numerical scores). Definite leaks were more likely to have both higher categorized intracranial scores (Mayo p =.0008, Dobrocky p =.006) and numerical scores (p =.0002 for Mayo and p =.006 for Dobrocky). Conclusions: Certainty of a CSF leak on diagnostic imaging is associated with severity of intracranial sequelae of SIH, with definite leaks having significantly more intracranial findings than indeterminate leaks. Multifocal leaks do not cause greater intracranial abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]