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Purpose To quantitatively and morphologically document enlarged neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) using widefield swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with vitreoretinal interface (VRI) slab images. Design Retrospective observational imaging study. Participants The study included 46 NVEs in 25 eyes of 21 consecutive patients who presented with severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy with NVEs between March 2018 and June 2020 at Osaka University Hospital. Methods All patients underwent ophthalmologic examinations, including ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) imaging and widefield SS-OCTA scans. Main outcome measures We evaluated the area and the vascular density (VD) of NVEs detected on five 12×12 mm2 or two 15×9 mm2 SS-OCTA panoramic VRI slab images taken at the first and final visits. Results At baseline, the mean area of the NVEs on OCTA was 1.85 ±2.81 mm2, and the vascular density of the NVEs was 73.9 ± 14.6%. At the final visit, the mean area of the NVEs on OCTA was 2.14 ± 3.14 mm2, and the mean vascular density of the NVEs was 65.3 ± 17.1%. The average NVE size change (mm2/month) was significantly associated with the ischemic index (P=0.009). NVE growth could be classified into two patterns: round-shaped (61.8%) and ramified (38.2%). The round-shaped group tended to have a larger ischemic index at baseline than the ramified group (p=0.0375). Conclusions We quantified the size and density of NVEs over time. The NVE size increase was significantly associated with the severity of ischemic changes. Furthermore, the ramified growth pattern was significantly correlated with the ischemic index. These findings suggest that the morphology of NVE is associated with more severe ischemia.

OBJECTIVES To assess upgrading rates in patients on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa) after serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 558 patients. Five different criteria for mpMRI progression were used: 1) a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score increase; 2) a lesion size increase; 3) an extraprostatic extension score increase; 4) overall mpMRI progression; and 5) the number of criteria met for mpMRI progression (0 vs 1 vs 2-3). In addition, two definitions of PCa upgrading were evaluated: 1) International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group (ISUP GG) ≥2 with >10% of pattern 4 and 2) ISUP GG ≥ 3. Estimated annual percent changes methodology was used to show the temporal trends of mpMRI progression criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of mpMRI progression criteria were also analysed. Multivariable logistic regression models tested PCa upgrading rates. RESULTS Lower rates over time for all mpMRI progression criteria were observed. The NPV of serial mpMRI scans ranged from 90.5% to 93.5% (ISUP GG≥2 with >10% of pattern 4 PCa upgrading) and from 98% to 99% (ISUP GG≥3 PCa upgrading), depending on the criteria used for mpMRI progression. A prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) threshold of 0.15 ng/mL/mL was used to substratify those patients who would be able to skip a prostate biopsy. In multivariable logistic regression models assessing PCa upgrading rates, all five mpMRI progression criteria achieved independent predictor status. CONCLUSION During AS, approximately 27% of patients experience mpMRI progression at first repeat MRI. However, the rates of mpMRI progression decrease over time at subsequent mpMRI scans. Patients with stable mpMRI findings and with PSAD

Archaic projectile points from the Andean Altiplano exhibit a curious trend of increasing size over time, in contrast to a well-documented size reduction throughout North America. Although a number of hypotheses exist to account for decreasing projectile-point size, there are currently no explicit explanations for increasing size. We consider several hypotheses and interrogate two techno-economic hypotheses. We posit that increasing point size compensated for lost dart momentum or accuracy that resulted from the shortening of atlatls or atlatl darts as wood became increasingly scarce on the tree-sparse Altiplano. We evaluate these hypotheses using a replicated Andean atlatl system in ballistic trials. Contrary to expectation, results show that point enlargement significantly reduces penetration depth, allowing us to confidently reject the momentum hypothesis. Point enlargement, in contrast, tentatively correlates positively with accuracy. Our experiment further shows that camelid bone is an effective and economical alternative to wood for atlatl production. Despite suboptimal lengths, camelid radioulna atlatls have a convenient morphology that requires low production time, which helps explain empirically observed camelid bone atlatls from the Andean highlands. More generally, our observations lead us to consider that central tendencies in archaeologically observed projectile-point size may reflect a trade-off between penetration and accuracy.

Macro-spray structural parameters and micro-droplet of diesel-FAME under the circumstance of different FAME content, injection pressure and nozzle diameter were studied. With the increase of FAME content, the spray penetration increases, and spray angle decreases, molecules viscous force and the micro-droplet size increase, which means the atomization getting worse. With the increases of injection pressure, the penetration increases, the spray angle decreases. The more FAME content, the greater the rate of them. The microscopic droplet size decreases as pressure increasing. With increased nozzle diameter, the cavitations of liquid become weak, the penetration extends, and the spray angle decreases. Droplet size becomes bigger and atomization gets worse.

Stocks of organic carbon in the northeast of Sakhalin Island average 109.8 kg/m2 in medium-deep oligotrophic peat soils, 75.8 kg/m2 in oligotrophic peat gley soils, 20.9–42.7 kg/m2 in peat gleyzems, and 16.6 kg/m2 in gleyzems. The vertical distribution of volumetric concentrations and the carbon stocks in different subtypes of peat soils and gleyzems have been studied. Linear regression equations have been developed to estimate carbon stocks in dependence on the depth of the peat layer. The coefficients of variation of the carbon stocks on test plots of 50 × 50 m in size increase in the following order: medium-deep oligotrophic peat soils (3.1–7.3%) < oligotrophic peat gley soils (3.3–12.9%) < peat gleyzems (9.2–21.7%) < gleyzems (22.9%). The proportion of the carbon stock variances has been estimated for three spatial scales (50 × 50 m, 5 × 5 km, and 10 × 10 km) with the use of the hierarchical analysis of variance. The required number of sampled profiles for reliable data on the mean carbon stocks in peat soils and gleyzems has been estimated. Nomograms for determining the least significant difference between the estimates of the mean soil carbon stocks have been proposed for studies with a small number of samples.

The bimetal sheets products obtained by the incremental forming are gradually widely used because of the excellent properties of the bimetal sheets. But the forming process of the bimetal sheets is more complicated than that of single metal sheet because this process involves a complicated interface of the bimetal sheets. A three-dimensional model including the tool, the bimetal sheet and the cohesive element between the bimetal sheet has been suggested to discuss the bulge defect affecting the accuracy of incremental forming. And the analysis results have been compared with the experiment results to verify the correctness of the simulation model. The analysis show that the reason of bulge defect is the inconsistent stress state on the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet. Moreover, the results also indicate that the step down size is the most critical factor affecting the bulge height, the height of bulge defect increases by 133% as the step down size increase. In addition, it is found that different parameters also have a great impact on the interface status of the bimetal. Effecting optimization parameter have been proposed to reduce the bulge defect by 53%.

A novel Co-based MOF/Pd composite (LEEL-037/Pd–C) was synthesized and evaluated towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline medium. The composites' formation improved the surface-electrochemistry of Pd nanoparticles to carry out the OER. XRD and TEM reveal a crystallite size increase and a crystal lattice distortion for LEEL-037/Pd–C composites. LEEL-037/Pd–C samples containing 25 and 50 wt% LEEL-037 show an improvement of the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) due to a structural interaction that enhances the electrocatalytic activity of bare materials. Based on the electrochemical and XPS results, a charge-transfer mechanism is proposed to explain an improvement of the OH−adsorption degree on the LEEL-037/Pd–C composites. Since OER activity in alkaline medium is directly related to the initial OH−adsorption process, LEEL-037/Pd–C composites enhance their OER electrocatalytic activity. The composite LEEL-037(25)/Pd–C(75) exhibited the lowest operational potential to reach 10 mA cm−2 (1.66 V); additionally, the EIS measurements show that it exhibited the lowest charge-transfer resistance. Insights into this reaction mechanism and charge-transfer process become a promising strategy to tailor the electrochemical activity towards the OER.

By means of the measurement of the residual stress and size, and the observation of the microstructure, the relationship among the size change, the residual stress and carbide precipitation of M50 bearing steel at working temperatures was studied. Results show that the residual stress at the outside and inside of the M50 bearing rings are compressive, which generally exhibits the character of periodic release, and this results in the size increase of the bearing rings. Within the temperature range of 120–250 °C, the amount of secondary carbides increases with the increase of temperature, which however almost remains constant at 300 °C. At the same temperature, the amount of secondary carbides increases with the increase of time. The precipitation of secondary carbides results in the size decrease of bearing rings, but at the same time, the secondary carbides increase the residual compressive stress. During 0–100 h at working temperatures, the main influencing factor on the size change is the release of the compressive residual stress, which causes the size increase of the bearing rings. During 100–250 h, the main influencing factor is the precipitation of secondary carbides, which causes the size decrease of the bearing rings. While during 250–300 h, the main influencing factor turns back to be the release of the compressive residual stress, and this causes the size increase of the bearing rings.

The brown coal mines of the Geiseltal in Germany were among the most important middle Eocene fossil localities and constitute the reference sites for the Geiseltalian stage of the European Land Mammal Mega Zones. Here, an updated review of the Geiseltal avifauna is given. Thirteen species are represented by diagnostic bones and can be referred to avian higher-level taxa, but various indeterminable albeit distinct fossils indicate a higher diversity of the Geiseltal avifauna. The majority of the Geiseltal fossils belong to taxa, which are well known from early to mid-Ypresian fossil sites of Europe and North America. Some of the species from the Geiseltal are larger than their early Eocene relatives, but it remains elusive whether this indicates an evolutionary size increase in some avian lineages or reflects different palaeohabitats of the involved fossil sites. The Geiseltal avifauna exhibits some taphonomic peculiarities that have not yet been addressed. Most bird fossils consist of isolated bones or partial skeletons and here it is hypothesized that at least some of the fragmentary specimens represent feeding remains of crocodilians. For the first time, medullary bone, which is indicative of breeding females, is reported for birds from the Geiseltal. The comparative abundance of the coliiform species Eoglaucidium pallas is remarkable, and either this species was extremely abundant in the Geiseltal ecosystem or it had ecological preferences, which favored its preservation.

The environment increased complexity required more neural functions to develop in the hominin brains, and the hominins adapted to the complexity by developing a bigger brain with a greater interconnection between its parts. Thus, complex environments drove the growth of the brain. In about two million years during hominin evolution, the brain increased three folds in size, one of the largest and most complex amongst mammals, relative to body size. The size increase has led to anatomical reorganization and complex neuronal interactions in a relatively small skull. At birth, the human brain is only about 20% of its adult size. That facilitates the passage through the birth canal. Therefore, the human brain, especially cortex, develops postnatally in a rich stimulating environment with continuous brain wiring and rewiring and insertion of billions of new neurons. One of the consequence is that in the newborn brain, neuroplasticity is always turned “on” and it remains active throughout life, which gave humans the ability to adapt to complex and often hostile environments, integrate external experiences, solve problems, elaborate abstract ideas and innovative technologies, store a lot of information. Besides, hominins acquired unique abilities as music, language, and intense social cooperation. Overwhelming ecological, social, and cultural challenges have made the human brain so unique. From these events, as well as the molecular genetic changes that took place in those million years, under the pressure of natural selection, derive the distinctive cognitive abilities that have led us to complex social organizations and made our species successful.

Aim To evaluate gallbladder polyp (GBP) formation related risk factors based on serial ultrasounds (US). Methods Risk factors related GBP formation were retrospectively investigated among participants, who had US reexamination and interval >180 days in 5 years. After groups were divided based on US, we compared final data and initial data in GBP new incidence group. Then compared the data in GBP new incidence group and GBP(-) group. Results Overall 20 447 participants were recruited, including 18 243 in GBP (-) group and 2204 in GBP group. The mean diameters of polyps were 0.455 ± 0.198 mm in initial and 0.420 ± 0.180 mm in final examination. GBP new incidence group included 797 participants. Percentage of GBP new incidence participants was higher than GBP resolved (36.16% vs. 11.71%). Participants in middle age were more likely have GBP size increase or new incidence, and participants in old age (≥60 years old) were with GBP size decrease or resolved. In GBP new incidence group, participants in final US showed higher FBG, higher LDL, lower HDL, higher ALT and higher AST than initial US. Compared with GBP (-) group and, same risk factors, in addition with age, were shown in GBP new incidence group, Logistic regression analysis show that higher LDL, lower HDL and higher AST were risk factors for GBP formation. Conclusion Participants in middle age were more likely to have GBP new incidence. Higher LDL, lower HDL and higher AST were independently risk factors for GBP formation.

The typical marine animal has increased in biovolume by more than two orders of magnitude since the beginning of the Cambrian, but the causes of this trend remain unknown. We test the hypothesis that the efficiency of intra-organism oxygen delivery is a major constraint on body-size evolution in marine animals. To test this hypothesis, we compiled a dataset comprising 13,723 marine animal genera spanning the Phanerozoic. We coded each genus according to its respiratory medium, circulatory anatomy, and feeding mode. In extant genera, we find that respiratory medium and circulatory anatomy explain more of the difference in size than feeding modes. Likewise, we find that most of the Phanerozoic increase in mean biovolume is accounted for by size increase in taxa that accomplish oxygen delivery through closed circulatory systems. During the Cambrian, water-breathing animals with closed circulatory systems were smaller, on average, than contemporaries with open circulatory systems. However, genera with closed circulatory systems superseded in size genera with open circulatory systems by the Middle Ordovician, as part of their Phanerozoic-long trend of increasing size. In a regression analysis, respiratory and circulatory anatomy explain far more size variation in the living fauna than do feeding modes, even after accounting for taxonomic affinity at the class level. These findings suggest that ecological and environmental drivers of the Phanerozoic increase in the mean size of marine animals operated within strong, anatomically determined constraints.

We study the effects of market concentration levels on the active fund management industry (AFMI). We introduce a model of an AFMI equilibria in which size, performance, and effort are endogenously determined under a continuum of exogenous market concentration levels. Higher market concentration (for a given number of funds) leaves more unexplored investment opportunities and allows managers to more efficiently use industry resources, making marginal managerial effort more productive in creating alphas. However, with higher market concentration, managers can get higher compensation for their effort, causing a higher opportunity cost of effort. We find that in equilibrium, higher market concentration levels induce higher net alphas and AFMI size (the ratio of assets under active management to total wealth) if and only if gains from better investment opportunities exceed the consequences of higher managerial costs. We specialize the model to allow endogenous concentration levels and, using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and other indices, empirically study its key predictions in the United States equity AFMI in the last four decades. We find that, on average, AFMI net alphas and AFMI size increase with market concentration. Given the current low market concentration in the U.S. AFMI and with no change in managerial productivity/effort opportunity costs, an increasing market concentration is likely to increase both AFMI net alphas and size. We also look at equilibria with colluding fund managers and examine AFMI’s direct benefits.

A biometric comparison is carried out on selected tests of the foraminiferal species Rosalina douvillei (Cushman, 1928) and Trichohyalus aguayoi (Bermudez, 1935). The Rosalina douvillei specimens were recovered from the marginal marine Oligocene/Miocene site of Russingen (Mainz Basin, Germany), the lacustrine beds of the lower Miocene site of Bunol (Valencian Community, Spain) and the middle/ upper Miocene site of Fuendetodos (Aragon, Spain). The Trichohyalus aguayoi tests were collected in the current coastal lagoon of Torreblanca and recovered from Holocene cores sampled in the Peniscola marsh and in the coastal lagoon of l’Albufera de Valencia, all them in the Valencian Community (Spain). In addition, the chronostratigraphic and geographical distribution of both species is also summarized. Trichohyalus aguayoi and Rosalina douvillei share many morphological characteristics but the measured specimens of Trichohyalus aguayoi are characterized by generally larger sizes, narrower and more elongate chambers and a higher number of chambers in the outer whorl. The Rosalina douvillei specimens from Fuendetodos are as large as Trichohyalus aguayoi and show particularly high chamber size increase rates but also few and less elongate chambers in the last whorl. The number and shape of chambers in the last whorl seem thus to be controlled at least in part by hereditary factors. The morphological affinity between the two species probably constitute an example of convergence derived from similar environmental conditions but further research is required to discard phylogenetic proximity.

The cement-bonded corundum castables are often subjected to great temperature gradient in the service process of purging plugs for refining ladle. The mechanical properties of such castables are of particular interest in the serviceability and the safety of purging plug, which are significantly influenced by the microstructures including the amount, size and morphology of materials. The reported cement contents in compounds of purging plugs are generally low or ultralow, which inevitably limits the adjustable range of the mechanical properties enhancement by regulating their microstructures. In the present research, a serial of comprehensive experiments have been carried out, including the high cement contents (10–15 wt%), so as to further understand the role of cement content on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of castables. It is found that the phase compositions and microstructure can be optimized through adjusting the cement content in corundum castables. When the cement content is below 10 wt%, the hexagonal flake CA6 grains are platelet-shaped both in the matrix and at the border of the aggregates, their amount and size increase and distributions are more uniformly with cement content. When the cement content is above 10 wt%, small amount of granular crystals CA2 are detected in matrix, and CA6 crystals transform to equiaxial morphologies after cement content of 10 wt%. This research also provides quantitative relationship between the mechanical properties of the castables and the cement content. Castables with cement content of 10 wt% contain most hexagonal flake CA6 crystals, so that they have the highest CMOR and HMOR after heating at 1600 °C. However, CMOR decreases after cement content of 10 wt% due to the porosity and volumetric expansion from the formation of in-situ CA6 and CA2.

Mass extinctions change global ecosystems, and the end-Triassic mass extinction was hypothesized to have precipitated the rise of dinosaur dominance, with dinosaurs filling resource zones of eliminated large-bodied reptilian lineages. This replacement has been explicitly hypothesized for theropod dinosaurs, and the eastern North American theropod footprint record suggests an increase in maximum body size across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. Without taking ontogenetic stage in account, the maximum size of the rare large Triassic theropods worldwide supports this hypothesis, with the size of the largest individuals corresponding to the largest Triassic theropod tracks. However, both morphological data and histological examination suggest that known large-bodied Triassic theropods are represented by immature individuals still growing rapidly at the time of death, indicating that the maximum body size of Triassic theropods was much larger than that a strict reading of the body fossil record would suggest. The size increase recorded in the sediments of eastern North America is not part of a global trend. Instead of a simple ecological replacement of non-dinosaurian archosaurs by dinosaurs, the rise in theropod dinosaurian ecological dominance was an extended process across the end of the Late Triassic into the Jurassic. Anat Rec, 303:1158-1169, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

To evaluate the relationship between degenerative disc, endplate Modic changes (MC) type I, and pain during upright weight-bearing MRI scan of the lumbar spine in a cohort of patients with non-specific low back pain. We evaluated 38 patients with non-specific low back pain and MRI evidence of Modic I vertebral changes. The patients were evaluated in a standard and upright weight-bearing position using a dedicated MR unit. The extent of endplate MC type I, intervertebral disc height at the involved level, and degree of degeneration in the same intervertebral disc were compared. Pain was assessed through the VAS questionnaire. In the upright position, the area of Modic I changes increased in 26 patients (68.4%, p ≤ 0.001) compared to the supine position. In the upright position, reduction in the disc height was found in 35 patients (92.1%). Correlation analysis showed moderate negative correlation (ρ = − 0.45) between intervertebral disc height and increase in the area of Modic I changes, and weak positive correlation (ρ = 0.12) between Pfirrmann grade and increase in the area of Modic I changes. At clinical evaluation, 30 patients (78.9%) reported worsening of low back pain standing in the upright position. Increase in VAS values on the upright position correlated significantly (ρ = 0.34) with an increase in the area of Modic I changes. Our results showed the modifications of Modic I changes under loading, with MRI evidence of increased MC area extent in the upright position and correlation between Modic changes extension increase and increase in pain in the standing position. Weight-bearing MRI scans represent a valuable complement to standard sequences since they provide the radiologist with additional diagnostic information about low back pain. These slides can be retrieved from Electronic Supplementary Material.

Introduction Type 2 endoleaks (T2EL) occur after 10%–25% of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs and increase the risk factor of endograft repair failure and rupture. Herein we report a case of endovascular treatment of T2EL where we performed a trans-limb embolization. Presentation of case A 63-years-old male previously treated for AAA with endovascular aortic aneurysms repair (EVAR), showed an angio-CT scan followup with a type 2 endoleak fed from inferior mesenteric artery (AMI) with growth of AAA greater of 1 cm than preoperative CT-scan and increase of chronic lumbar pain. Due to high risk of rupture was performed a trans-limb embolization with complete sealing. The 6 months CT-angiography showed complete type 2 endoleak exclusion without changes of AAA. Discussion The risk of aneurysm rupture in the presence of an isolated T2EL is exceptionally low. However, when a persistent T2EL is associated with a significant sac size increase, commonly considered as at least 5 mm over 6 months, should be treated. Detachable coils are repositionable, allowing an extremely precise deployment and subsequent embolization of different targets. Conclusion In this experience trans-limb embolization was feasible and this tool should be taken in account especially when no other surgical options exists., Highlights • Type 2 endoleaks (T2EL) are a risk factor for endograft repair failure and rupture. • T2EL are the most common endoleaks and remain the main cause of repeat intervention. • Trans-limb embolization is an innovative technique for T2EL without standard access. • Concerto are detachable coils repositionable allowing an extreme precise deployment.

The installation of wind energy increased in the last twenty years, as its cost decreased, and it contributes to reducing GHG emissions. A race toward gigantism characterizes wind turbine development, primarily driven by offshore projects. The larger wind turbines are facing higher loads, and the imperatives of mass reduction make them more flexible. Size increase of wind turbines results in higher structural vibrations that reduce the lifetime of the components (blades, main shaft, bearings, generator, gearbox, etc.) and might lead to failure or destruction. This paper aims to present in detail the problems associated with wind turbine vibration and a thorough literature review of the different mitigation solutions. We explore the advantages, drawbacks, and challenges of the existing vibration control systems for wind turbines. These systems belong to six main categories, according to the physical principles used and how they operate to mitigate the vibrations. This paper offers a multi-criteria analysis of a vast number of systems in different phases of development, going from full-scale testing to prototype stage, experiments, research, and ideas.

Hierarchical structures with sophisticated patterns allow the emergence of challenging properties. However, the highly cooperative and specific interactions needed for assembly spanning different length scales are typically lacking in inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). Here we show that size can be a common structural driving force for controlling hierarchical assembly of inorganic NPs into anisotropic superstructures. It involves first the self-limiting assembly of small CdS NPs into large supraparticles and their subsequent spontaneous organization into chains and tubules hundreds of nanometers long. Our quantitative calculations based on DLVO theory reveals an intrinsic size effect relating to the dimension change of assembly units in accordance with a negative cooperativity. It is shown that the size increase in building blocks creates an effective kinetic barrier contrast at different attachment sites due to the increase of interparticle electrostatic repulsion, switching the assembly from thermodynamically preferred 3D to kinetically favored 1D pathway. The size-encoded hierarchical assembly is accompanied by the ligand-controlled Oswald ripening process, which is responsible for the variation of hierarchical patterns from chains to tubules. The general principle in governing multistage inorganic NP ordering represents an important guideline toward the complex mesoscale structures that may surpass traditional materials in both design and functionality.

Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer has a poor survival rate and its modifiable risks are poorly understood. We investigated the association between both traditional (BMI, waist and hip circumference and waist–hip ratio) and novel (standard UK clothing sizes) adiposity indicators as predictors of pancreatic cancer risk among women enrolled in the UK women’s cohort study (UKWCS). When adjusted for known confounders like age, education, smoking and physical activity, hip circumference and skirt size were both significant predictors of pancreatic cancer risk in the median follow-up of approximately 19 years. BMI became a significant predictor of pancreatic cancer risk when potential latent cases of pancreatic cancer were excluded from the analysis. Thus, adiposity indicators, specifically hip circumference and standard skirt size, are useful to predict pancreatic cancer among women and should therefore be routinely documented in both national surveys and epidemiological studies. Abstract (1) Background: We studied the association of both conventional (BMI, waist and hip circumference and waist–hip ratio) and novel (UK clothing sizes) obesity indices with pancreatic cancer risk in the UK women’s cohort study (UKWCS). (2) Methods: The UKWCS recruited 35,792 women from England, Wales and Scotland from 1995 to 1998. Cancer diagnosis and death information were obtained from the National Health Service (NHS) Central Register. Cox’s proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the association between baseline obesity indicators and pancreatic cancer risk. (3) Results: This analysis included 35,364 participants with a median follow-up of 19.3 years. During the 654,566 person-years follow up, there were 136 incident pancreatic cancer cases. After adjustments for age, smoking, education and physical activity, each centimetre increase in hip circumference (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05, p = 0.009) and each size increase in skirt size (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23, p = 0.041) at baseline increased pancreatic cancer risk. Baseline BMI became a significant predictor of pancreatic cancer risk (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.08, p = 0.050) when latent pancreatic cancer cases were removed. Only baseline hip circumference was associated with pancreatic cancer risk (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00–1.05, p = 0.017) when participants with diabetes at baseline were excluded to control for reverse causality. (4) Conclusion: Hip circumference and skirt size were significant predictors of pancreatic cancer risk in the primary analysis. Thus, hip circumference is useful to assess body shape relationships. Additionally, standard skirt sizes offer an economical and objective alternative to conventional obesity indices for evaluating pancreatic cancer risk in women.

Background Endoleaks after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) occur frequently with type 2 being the most common. Treatment of type 2 endoleaks is indicated if the aneurysmal sac increases in size. Case report In this case report, we will discuss a patient who presented with aneurysmal sac size increase 11 years after undergoing EVAR for an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm which extended into the iliac arteries. Multi-phase CT demonstrated an endoleak with features commonly seen in type 2 endoleaks; pooling of contrast near a lumbar artery orifice on the angiographic phase which increases during the delayed phase. Both internal iliac arteries were sacrificed during the initial EVAR. Percutaneous direct sac puncture was therefor performed and angiogram during the procedure revealed no feeding or draining lumbar arteries. During attempts to embolize the perfused part of the aneurysmal sac non-target embolization into the main body of the graft occurred and the presence of type 3b endoleak was confirmed. The non-target embolization did not result in permanent sequelae. Conclusions Type 3b endoleaks are rare and can mimic type 2 endoleaks, which can cause serious complications if not identified properly. Rapid increase in aneurysmal sac size is uncommonly seen in type 2 endoleaks and if present needs to trigger further diagnostic investigations.

This paper outlines a model for the domestication ofPanicum miliaceum(broomcorn millet) in Northern China. Data from 43 archaeological sites indicate a continuous increase in average grain size between 6000 and 3300bc. After this date there is a divergence, with grain size continuing to increase in some populations, while others show no further size increase. The initial increase in grain size is attributed to selection during domestication, while later divergence after 3300bcis interpreted as resulting from post-domestication selection. Measurements of grains from two archaeological populations ofP. ruderale, showed grains were longer in length by 3300bcthan the earliest grains ofP. miliaceum. This suggests this sub-species includes many feral, weedy and/or introgressed forms ofP. miliaceumand therefore is probably not entirely representative of the true wild ancestor. It is argued that changes from shattering to non-shattering are contemporary with increasing grain size and the commencement of cultivation. The window ofP. miliaceumdomestication is therefore likely to lie between 7000 and 3300bc. However, it is probable that a lengthy period of millet harvesting and small-scale management preceded its domestication.

Objective Some evidence suggests that most benign nodules exhibit no significant size increase during 5 years of follow-up, although conflicting results have emerged. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the frequency and the magnitude of growth in benign nodules during 120 months of follow-up. Design We reviewed the medical and imaging records of patients who were submitted to ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules at our hospital from January 2007 to March 2009. We selected only patients with benign nodules who underwent annual ultrasound evaluation in our Department. Results Among 966 selected patients, 289 were lost during follow-up, meaning that the total number of patients analysed was 677 (474 women and 203 men), with a mean age of 45.6 (16-71) years. In 559/677 patients (82.7%), the size of the nodule remained stable during follow-up; 42 (6.2%) patients experienced spontaneous nodule shrinkage, and 75 (11.1%) patients showed nodule growth. Patients with or without nodule growth during follow-up were superimposable at baseline for age, gender, TSH values, number of patients on levothyroxine treatment and nodule characteristics. All baseline variables in predicting nodular growth were entered to an adjusted multivariate logistic regression model. None of the parameters taken into account was associated with nodular growth. Conclusions In conclusion, the majority of benign nodules remained stable over the period of monitoring. On the basis of our experience, we recommend ultrasound examination at a distance of 2 and 5 years following cytological evaluation, then every 4-5 years from then on.

Island birds that were victims of anthropic extinctions were often more specialist species, having evolved their most distinctive features in isolation, making the study of fossil insular birds most interesting. Here we studied a fossil cranium of the ‘giant’ extinct scops owl Otus murivorus from Rodrigues Island (Mascarene Islands, southwestern Indian Ocean), to determine any potential unique characters. The fossil and extant strigids were imaged through X-ray microtomography, providing 3D views of external and internal (endocast, inner ear) cranial structures. Geometric morphometrics and analyses of traditional measurements yielded new information about the Rodrigues owl’s evolution and ecology. Otus murivorus exhibits a 2-tier “lag behind” phenomenon for cranium and brain evolution, both being proportionately small relative to increased body size. It also had a much more developed olfactory bulb than congeners, indicating an unexpectedly developed olfactory sense, suggesting a partial food scavenging habit. In addition, O. murivorus had the eyes placed more laterally than O. sunia, the species from which it was derived, probably a side effect of a small brain; rather terrestrial habits; probably relatively fearless behavior; and a less vertical posture (head less upright) than other owls (this in part an allometric effect of size increase). These evolutionary features, added to gigantism and wing reduction, make the extinct Rodrigues owl’s evolution remarkable, and with multiple causes.

Stem cells are remarkably small in size. Whether small size is important for stem cell function is unknown. We find that murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) enlarge under conditions known to decrease stem cell function. This decreased fitness of large HSCs is due to reduced proliferative potential. Preventing HSC enlargement by inhibiting macromolecule biosynthesis or reducing large HSCs size by shortening G1 averts the loss of stem cell potential under conditions causing stem cell exhaustion. Finally, we show that a fraction of murine and human HSCs enlarge during aging. Preventing this age-dependent enlargement improves HSC function. We conclude that small cell size is important for stem cell function in vivo and propose that stem cell enlargement contributes to their functional decline during aging.One Sentence SummarySize increase drives stem cell aging.

High relative air humidity (RH ≥ 85%) is frequent in controlled environments, and not uncommon in nature. In this review, we examine the high RH effects on plants with a special focus on stomatal characters. All aspects of stomatal physiology are attenuated by elevated RH during leaf expansion (long-term) in C3 species. These include impaired opening and closing response, as well as weak diel oscillations. Consequently, the high RH-grown plants are not only vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stress, but also undergo a deregulation between CO2 uptake and water loss. Stomatal behavior of a single leaf is determined by the local microclimate during expansion, and may be different than the remaining leaves of the same plant. No effect of high RH is apparent in C4 and CAM species, while the same is expected for species with hydropassive stomatal closure. Formation of bigger stomata with larger pores is a universal response to high RH during leaf expansion, whereas the effect on stomatal density appears to be species- and leaf side-specific. Compelling evidence suggests that ABA mediates the high RH-induced stomatal malfunction, as well as the stomatal size increase. Although high RH stimulates leaf ethylene evolution, it remains elusive whether or not this contributes to stomatal malfunction. Most species lose stomatal function following mid-term (4–7 d) exposure to high RH following leaf expansion. Consequently, the regulatory role of ambient humidity on stomatal functionality is not limited to the period of leaf expansion, but holds throughout the leaf life span.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane vesicles secreted by cells and can modulate biological activities by transferring their content following uptake into recipient cells. Labelling of EVs is a commonly used technique for understanding their cellular targeting and biodistribution. A reliable fluorescent technique needs to preserve the size of EVs since changes in size may alter their uptake and biodistribution. Lipophilic fluorescent dye molecules such as the PKH family have been widely used for EV labelling. Here, the effect of PKH labelling on the size of EVs was systematically evaluated using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), which is a widely used technique for determining the size and concentration of nanoparticles. NTA analysis showed a size increase in all the PKH labelling conditions tested. As opposed to lipophilic dye molecules, no significant shift in the size of labelled EVs was detected with luminal binding dye molecules such as 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE, hereinafter CFSE). This finding suggests that PKH labelling may not be a reliable technique for the tracking of EVs.

Introduction: Large shape variations take place during the growth process of children, including quantitative mass and size increase plus qualitative changes in their body shape. The aim of the present study is to apply Geometric Morphometric techniques in order to visualize and quantify such body shape differences in healthy children aged 6–59 months with optimal nutritional status. Materials and methods: Anthropometrical measurements of weight, height, and middle-upper arm circumference were used to assess nutritional status on a sample of 258 Senegalese (n = 154) and Spanish (n = 104) children. A set of 36 anatomical and/or osteologically-based landmarks were identified on the body of the children along with 108 semi-landmarks used to capture curvature attributes on the frontal view of the body image. A specific method was developed to place and photograph children, as well as to locate landmarks, treat images and calculate semi-landmarks. Shape differences among children were analyzed in terms of age, sex, and population origin, taking into consideration allometry effects. Results: Our results indicate significant differences in shape and size for all the three factors under study before removing size effect (p

Technological advances in fluorescence flow cytometry and an ever-expanding understanding of the complexity of the immune system have led to the development of large (20+ parameters) flow cytometry panels. However, as panel complexity and size increase, so does the difficulty involved in designing a high-quality panel, accessing the instrumentation capable of accommodating large numbers of parameters, and analyzing such high-dimensional data. A recent advancement is spectral flow cytometry, which in contrast to conventional flow cytometry distinguishes the full emission spectrum of each fluorophore across all lasers, rather than identifying only the peak of emission. Fluorophores with a similar emission maximum but distinct off-peak signatures can therefore be accommodated within the same flow cytometry panel, allowing greater flexibility in terms of panel design and fluorophore detection. Here, we highlight the specific characteristics of spectral flow cytometry and aim to guide users through the process of building, designing, and optimizing high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry panels using a comprehensive step-by-step protocol. Special considerations are also given for using highly overlapping dyes, and a logical selection process for optimal marker-fluorophore assignment is provided. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The empirical law of large numbers is an important content in secondary school mathematics. Tasks used to analyze students’ understanding of this law are often based on the hospital problem, but vary in various features, leading to mixed and conflicting empirical results. To identify task features that support students when approaching this type of task, we systematically investigated the impact of multiple task and person characteristics on the accuracy of students’ responses in a cross-sectional study with N = 242 mathematics teacher education students. Students answered several variants of the hospital problem in different sequences. Our assumption was that differences in performance between tasks could be traced back to the salience of relevant task features and the sequence of the tasks. Results of GLMM analyses of our data support that in particular larger deviations from the expected relative frequency and a bigger ratio between the large and small sample size increase solution rates. Moreover, a verbal presentation of a 100% frequency in the case of maximal deviation increased solution rates. A within-subject analysis revealed that effects of task characteristics were more pronounced for the first task and weakened substantially for subsequent tasks. Finally, we found that 100% frequency tasks have a positive cueing effect, supporting students to solve subsequent tasks, even if the relevant features are less salient there. These tasks thus seem to be a promising starting point to connect the empirical law of large numbers with students’ prior intuitions.

Wirhin the last decades, the Electroslag Remelting process has come to be seen as a mature, reliable, and attractive production route for big forging ingots of more than 100 tons in weight. This material is further used for hollow or solid forgings in the power generation industry. The advantages in solidification structure, mechanical properties, and yield of the ingot are making the ESR process more and more attractive for modern forging companies. Today, state of the art ESR processed ingots are produced with up to 250 tons as a material for reactor pressure vessels, rotors, shafts, and more, and a demand for a further size increase exists. INTECO permanently develops ideas and solutions for upscaling the process, which leads to challenges upstream and downstream of ESR, which of course need to be considered. One of these fields of interest is the production of consumable ESR electrodes focusing on a quality and yield enhancement of the entire process route. This paper explains some of these ideas and strategies and gives detailed comparisons between classical and new ways of electrode production. The newly developed segment casting process is introduced to illustrate promising alternatives of electrode production. Finally, engineering and operational challenges related to upscaling strategies of ESR are analysed.

BACKGROUND Reconstructive trends and outcomes for nipple-sparing mastectomy continue to be defined. The graduated impact of breast size and mastectomy weight remains incompletely evaluated. METHODS All patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy from 2006 to June of 2016 were identified. Demographics and outcomes were analyzed and stratified by mastectomy weight of 800 g or higher (large group), between 799 and 400 g (intermediate group), and less than 400 g (small group). RESULTS Of 809 nipple-sparing mastectomies, 66 (8.2 percent) had mastectomy weights of 800 g or higher, 328 (40.5 percent) had mastectomy weights between 799 and 400 g, and 415 nipple-sparing mastectomies (51.3 percent) had mastectomy weights less than 400 g. Nipple-sparing mastectomies in the large group were significantly more likely to be associated with major mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.0005), complete nipple-areola complex necrosis (p < 0.0001), explantation (p < 0.0001), cellulitis treated with oral (p = 0.0008) and intravenous (p = 0.0126) antibiotics, abscess (p = 0.0254), and seroma (p = 0.0126) compared with those in the intermediate group. Compared with small nipple-sparing mastectomies, patients in the large group had greater major mastectomy flap necrosis (p < 0.0001), complete (p < 0.0001) and partial (p = 0.0409) nipple-areola complex necrosis, explantation (p < 0.0001), cellulitis treated with oral (p < 0.0001) and intravenous (p < 0.0001) antibiotics, abscess (p = 0.0119), and seroma (p < 0.0001). Patients in the intermediate group were more likely to experience major (p < 0.0001) and minor (p < 0.0001) mastectomy flap necrosis, complete (p = 0.0015) and partial (p < 0.0001) nipple-areola complex necrosis, cellulitis treated with oral antibiotics (p = 0.0062), and seroma (p = 0.0248) compared with those undergoing small nipple-sparing mastectomies. Larger mastectomy weights were significant predictors of complications on logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION Reconstructive and ischemic complications in nipple-sparing mastectomy are progressively greater as mastectomy weight and breast size increase. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, II.

Four extant lineages of mammals have invaded and diversified in the water: Sirenia, Cetacea, Pinnipedia, and Lutrinae. Most of these aquatic clades are larger bodied, on average, than their closest land-dwelling relatives, but the extent to which potential ecological, biomechanical, and physiological controls contributed to this pattern remains untested quantitatively. Here, we use previously published data on the body masses of 3,859 living and 2,999 fossil mammal species to examine the evolutionary trajectories of body size in aquatic mammals through both comparative phylogenetic analysis and examination of the fossil record. Both methods indicate that the evolution of an aquatic lifestyle is driving three of the four extant aquatic mammal clades toward a size attractor at ∼500 kg. The existence of this body size attractor and the relatively rapid selection toward, and limited deviation from, this attractor rule out most hypothesized drivers of size increase. These three independent body size increases and a shared aquatic optimum size are consistent with control by differences in the scaling of energetic intake and cost functions with body size between the terrestrial and aquatic realms. Under this energetic model, thermoregulatory costs constrain minimum size, whereas limitations on feeding efficiency constrain maximum size. The optimum size occurs at an intermediate value where thermoregulatory costs are low but feeding efficiency remains high. Rather than being released from size pressures, water-dwelling mammals are driven and confined to larger body sizes by the strict energetic demands of the aquatic medium.

Supertyphoon Megi (2010) left behind two very contrasting SST cold-wake cooling patterns between the Philippine Sea (1.5°C) and the South China Sea (7°C). Based on various radii of radial winds, the authors found that the size of Megi doubles over the South China Sea when it curves northward. On average, the radius of maximum wind (RMW) increased from 18.8 km over the Philippine Sea to 43.1 km over the South China Sea; the radius of 64-kt (33 m s−1) typhoon-force wind (R64) increased from 52.6 to 119.7 km; the radius of 50-kt (25.7 m s−1) damaging-force wind (R50) increased from 91.8 to 210 km; and the radius of 34-kt (17.5 m s−1) gale-force wind (R34) increased from 162.3 to 358.5 km. To investigate the typhoon size effect, the authors conduct a series of numerical experiments on Megi-induced SST cooling by keeping other factors unchanged, that is, typhoon translation speed and ocean subsurface thermal structure. The results show that if it were not for Megi’s size increase over the South China Sea, the during-Megi SST cooling magnitude would have been 52% less (reduced from 4° to 1.9°C), the right bias in cooling would have been 60% (or 30 km) less, and the width of the cooling would have been 61% (or 52 km) less, suggesting that typhoon size is as important as other well-known factors on SST cooling. Aside from the size effect, the authors also conduct a straight-track experiment and find that the curvature of Megi contributes up to 30% (or 1.2°C) of cooling over the South China Sea.

Damage caused by cavitation erosion and abrasive wear is a significant problem for hydraulic machinery in rivers with high concentrations of sediment. In this study, experiments are performed using a vibratory apparatus and a custom-made particle-moving device. The specimens are ASTM 1045 carbon steel, and sediment particles with mean diameters of 0.026–0.531 mm are mixed in water at concentrations of 25 kg/m 3 , 50 kg/m 3 , and 85 kg/m 3 . Experimental results demonstrate that damage is indeed exacerbated with increasing sediment sizes. However, when the size of sediment particles is smaller than a critical number ( D c ), the damage caused by the sediment-water mixture is slightly less than the cavitation damage caused by sediment-free water; furthermore, for this small sediment, the damage decreases as the concentration increases. The critical size for the cases in this study is approximately 0.035–0.048 mm. The viscosity of the mixture is likely a key factor to this phenomenon because the viscosities of mixtures with sediment smaller than the critical size increase as the sediment size decreases or the concentration increases. Experiments with mixtures with two sediment sizes further demonstrate that smaller sediment can inhibit the damage by cavitation.

Using museum materials and recently trapped specimens of field voles (Microtus agrestis (Linnaeus, 1761)) from Lithuania and Estonia, we assessed temporal and latitudinal trends in body and skull size, comparing the periods 1980–1996 and 2014–2016. We measured four body and 23 skull characters, size-adjusting them using the geometric mean procedure. A pronounced decrease in the size of M. agrestis was noted in Estonia, where 23 out of 27 adjusted body and skull characters had decreased by up to 21.9%, with only the tail length, hind foot length, maximum height of mandibula excluding coronoid process and coronoid height of mandibula increasing significantly. Decreases were less marked in voles from Lithuania – most pronounced were a 6.1% decrease in adjusted body length, an 11.6% decrease in adjusted length of the braincase, a 3.85% decrease in the breadth of the braincase, measured at the widest part, a 2.9% decrease in condylobasal skull length and a 2.2% decrease in the height of the braincase. The coronoid height of the mandibula of Lithuanian individuals showed an 8.4% size increase. In both countries, the confounding effect of sex on the size changes of M. agrestis from 1980 to 2016 was much smaller than the effect of time period. Concluding, voles in Estonia became significantly smaller, while changes in the measured characters in Lithuania were heterogeneous.

C7-asphaltenes and the heavy resin fraction (HRe, i.e., the fraction insoluble in n-pentane but soluble in n-heptane) were separated from two typical heavy residues. The role of HRe in asphaltene aggregation was mainly explored. First, the effect of HRe on the size of asphaltene aggregates in heptol solvents was studied by dynamic light scattering. The average aggregate size of asphaltenes upon the increase of the resin concentration shows that HRe could inhibit asphaltene aggregation more efficiently than the light resin fraction (LRe, i.e., the polar fraction from C5-maltenes by adsorption chromatography). However, an obvious size increase of asphaltene aggregates is observed when HRe exceeds some concentration. This can be tentatively attributed to the prior adsorption and penetration of resins in the less polar asphaltenes, followed by the reaggregation of the remaining asphaltenes due to their more aromatic and polar nature. Then the thermodynamics of the asphaltene phase behavior in solutions with t...

I explore the degree to which patents represent magnitude of knowledge transferred from University to Industry. Building on the Agrawal & Henderson (2002) framework, I compare two MIT engineering departments and the School of Engineering of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Engineering). Based on quantitative and qualitative data I estimated the relative importance of patenting as a knowledge transfer mechanism. I found that in UC Engineering patenting and publishing activity have increased steadily, in line with faculty size increase. However, patenting is perceived by academics as a relatively less important technology transfer channel, and in terms of production counting it appears much less relevant. Although in terms of relative importance of publishing over patenting as a technology transfer channel both are relatively similar, in the perception of faculty; in terms of production counting there is a substantial difference. I suggest some plausible explanations, proposing new avenues for research.

We have synthesized SmFe 1-x Mn x O 3 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) by solid state reaction route in order to understand their structural, morphological and dielectric properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm single phase nature and the orthorhombic crystal symmetry of our samples. The lattice parameters are determined from the PowderX software, and are found to decrease with increase in Mn concentration. Williamson-Hall-plots are used to investigate physical parameters such as strain, stress, and energy density using different models namely, uniform deformation model (UDM), uniform deformation stress model (UDSM) and uniform deformation energy density model (UDEDM). The strain, stress, energy density and crystallite size increase as the concentration of Mn increases.

This paper explores whether there exist nonlinear threshold effects of government size and governance on output growth and whether the effect is mainly mediated through the productivity growth channel. Using the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) approach to a sample of developed and developing countries, it finds that (i) better governance helps government size increase productivity and hence output growth, and bigger government size helps governance raise productivity and then output growth; (ii) government size turns harmful to growth above some threshold level of government size; (iii) governance becomes beneficial to growth above some threshold level of governance; and (iv) the evidence is more pronounced in countries with abundant natural resources. The findings are robust and provide circumstantial support for government size and governance to promote economic growth.

Food security in an important public policy issue. In 2015, approximately 1 in 8 U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point in the year. Low-income families are at higher risk for food insecurity than other families, and these families may also face higher levels of disruption (e.g., moves, loss of income, or individuals entering or leaving the household) than other families. I use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to explore the relationship between food insecurity, the household’s history during the previous year, and SNAP participation. The results indicate that a number of aspects of the household’s recent experience including negative income shocks, moves, and both increases and decreases in household size increase the probability of being food insecure while SNAP participation is estimated to reduce the probability of being food insecure.

Cooperative breeders live in social groups in which individuals in an age–sex class vary in reproductive development due to reproductive dominance by a few individuals in each group. Among callitrichids, adult males have been implicated in driving group reproductive output, but uneven sampling efforts, the underlying effects of group size, and pseudoreplication at the group and species levels are confounding variables in these analyses. We examined the drivers of group reproductive output in callitrichids by 1) conducting a meta-analysis of published studies of callitrichid group composition; 2) assigning developmental class based on reproductive morphology; and 3) using multivariate modeling to test whether the proportion of individuals of each developmental class predicts the presence and the number of surviving offspring among free-ranging Weddell’s saddleback tamarins (Leontocebus weddelli) and emperor tamarins (Saguinus imperator) in Peru. The meta-analysis revealed that the number of adult females and group size, but not the number of adult males, are significantly correlated with group reproductive output. Statistical models of the new dataset revealed that the proportion of primary breeding males, primary breeding females, and group size predicted whether groups had surviving infants, and that only the proportion of primary breeding females and group size predicted the number of surviving infants. Thus, primary breeding males appear to be necessary for groups to raise any infants, but a higher proportion of primary breeding females and a larger group size increase group reproductive output overall.

Around the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, about 540 million years ago, marine organisms began to dig in the sediment that has resulted in its better ventilation and further expansion of infaunal life. Few vertical infaunal burrows are known from the Precambrian and they are usually attributed to sea anemones. Here we show that the enigmatic Ediacaran petalonamean ‘sea pens’ were able to penetrate sediment for more than one centimetre depth while anchoring the body in the microbial mat. Their growth, as evidenced by numerous well-preserved basal discs from the late Ediacaran Lomoziv Member of the Mohyliv Formation in Podolia, Ukraine, was under control of rhythmic sedimentation events and periodic microbial mat development. Size frequency distribution in classes of both the final disc size and growth retention stages show that their size increase was stepwise. Each discrete stage corresponds to deposition of a thin sediment layer and development of the microbial mat at its top. Podolia was located near the South Pole in the Ediacaran (Vendian) and such rhythmic sedimentation was probably connected with the local climate seasonality.

The new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards increase fuel economy to 54.5 MPG by model year 2025 and determine fuel economy targets based on vehicle sizes. This paper examines the effect of the new CAFE standards on consumer choices and composition of vehicle sales, accounting for the impact of traffic safety. We first formulate and estimate a mixed logit model of consumer demand using micro-level data. Two measures of traffic safety, consumers’ safety concerns and traffic fatalities, are included and interacted with two vehicle characteristics that matter most for traffic safety: weight and size. Further, we conduct simulations of three extreme firm responses to assess the potential impact of the new CAFE standards: lightweighting, paying CAFE fines, and size increase. Simulation results suggest that the sales impact will fall almost entirely on the SUV and light truck segments and on US automakers that use lightweighting. Moreover, consumers in states with more traffic fatalities are the most responsive, shifting away from passenger cars. In addition, the new CAFE standards could result in an increase of 8.1 percent in the share of SUV and light trucks, which will cause as many as 347 more equivalent fatalities on roads each year.