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Declines in moth abundance and distribution have been reported in various regions, indicating a tendency for large moth species to decrease more strongly than smaller moth species. To investigate whether these trends are evident in South Korea, data on moths surveyed using light traps at 18 forest sites in South Korea in the past (1978–2002) and in the recent (2011–2016) periods were analyzed. Specifically, focusing on large moths, the analysis revealed a clear correlation between moth size and decline in occurrence, with large moths experiencing a more significant decrease. Although light pollution is recognized as a factor affecting moth populations, particularly those with extensive migration patterns, our study yielded unexpected results when areas based on night light intensity were compared. Declines in large moth populations were more pronounced in regions with lower night light intensities, indicating a weak influence of light pollution. Morphological traits, such as wingspan, were found to influence moth distribution, with large moths demonstrating steeper declines, thus affecting ecosystem dynamics. Statistical analyses revealed significant influences of wingspan, family, and food type on the occurrence of moths. Moths from open habitats exhibited a greater decline than those dwelling in forests, whereas species with narrower food niches displayed more substantial reductions. Forest recovery in South Korea has induced changes in moth community composition. These findings underscore the need for systematic monitoring and a comprehensive understanding of ecological dynamics to effectively guide moth population conservation efforts in South Korea.

Objective: The use of endovascular treatments for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD) remains contentious due to high periprocedural complications. Many centers resort to general anesthesia for airway protection and optimal periprocedural conditions; however, this approach lacks real-time monitoring of patients' neurological status during procedures. In this study, we employed intracranial stenting with the Wingspan system under local anesthesia to address this challenge. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 45 consecutive ICAD patients who underwent intracranial stenting with the Wingspan system at our hospital from August 2013 to May 2021. These stenting procedures were performed under local anesthesia in a hybrid operation room. Neurological assessments were conducted during the procedure. The patients with periprocedural complications were analyzed for the risk factors. Results: The study included 45 ICAD patients (median age 62years; 35 male and 10 female individuals). Among them, 30 patients had anterior circulation ICAD, and 15 had posterior circulation ICAD. The periprocedural complication rate was 8.9% (4/45), with an overall mortality rate of 2.2% (1/45). Notably, no procedure-related perforation complications were found, and all ischemic complications occurred in the perforating bearing artery, specifically in patients with stents placed in the middle cerebral artery or basilar artery, while no complications were observed in the nonperforating bearing artery of the internal carotid artery and vertebral artery (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the Wingspan stent system when performed on selected patients under local anesthesia. This approach seems to reduce procedural-related morbidity and be a safe intervention. In addition, it is crucial for surgeons to be aware that patients with perforator-bearing artery stenosis may be at a higher risk of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of studies in functional ecology grew exponentially in the last decades. Whether and how ecologists changed how they conduct these studies, however, remains poorly understood. Using butterflies as a model taxon, we assessed forty years of research asking whether and how functional analyses have changed. We found that how authors contextualize their work corresponds to divergent sub-fields in functional ecology. Articles explicitly referring to "functional traits" have become increasingly common in the last decade, focus on many species, and typically address the relationship between biodiversity and environmental gradients. Meanwhile, articles that do not refer to "functional traits" usually account for variation within species and among sexes, and are based on direct measures of the trait of interest. These differences have increased over time, highlighting a schism. As functional ecology continues to grow, authors and syntheses will benefit from awareness of these different schools of thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of studies in functional ecology grew exponentially in the last decades. Whether and how ecologists changed how they conduct these studies, however, remains poorly understood. Using butterflies as a model taxon, we assessed forty years of research asking whether and how functional analyses have changed. We found that how authors contextualize their work corresponds to divergent sub-fields in functional ecology. Articles explicitly referring to “functional traits” have become increasingly common in the last decade, focus on many species, and typically address the relationship between biodiversity and environmental gradients. Meanwhile, articles that do not refer to “functional traits” usually account for variation within species and among sexes, and are based on direct measures of the trait of interest. These differences have increased over time, highlighting a schism. As functional ecology continues to grow, authors and syntheses will benefit from awareness of these different schools of thought.

The Wingspan stent system was approved as a rescue device for angioplasty of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) in 2012. We conducted the government-recommended Japanese Postmarket Surveillance of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Wingspan Stenting for Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease to monitor Wingspan safety and performance. In this open-label, single-arm study at 76 centers in Japan, ICAD subjects were treated with the Wingspan stent between 2014 and 2016. Efficacy end points were successful stent deployment and technical success, defined as stenosis improvement to <50%. Safety end points were ischemic stroke, modified Rankin Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, adverse events, and mortality. Subjects were considered treated outside of current recommendations if not already receiving antithrombotics or if percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting occurred within 7 days of onset. The safety cohort included 305 subjects (mean age: 68.7 + 9.6; 83.3% male). Four subjects were removed due to being out of contract. Therefore, 301 subjects were included (mean age: 68.7 ± 9.7; 84.1% male). Successful stent placement was 96.7%. Technical success was observed in 86.8% of lesions. At 1 year, the rate of restenosis was 15.7%, ischemic stroke was 3.9%, and any stroke was 7.9%. Functionally independent outcome (modified Rankin Scale: 0–2) was 88.9% and mortality 3.0%. Significantly more serious adverse events occurred in subjects treated outside of current recommendations (17.9%) versus subjects treated per current recommendations (8.8%) (P = 0.045). Endovascular treatment using the Wingspan stent for ICAD is safe and effective in the Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An aplastic or twig-like middle cerebral artery (Ap/T-MCA) is a rare anomaly, which sometimes causes ischemic infarction. Collateral flow from the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is important for patients with Ap/T-MCA. If ipsilateral ACA stenosis or occlusion occurs, a large infarction with a wider field than the ACA territory could happen. First, mechanical thrombectomy was performed for the right ACA near occlusion caused by arterial dissection with ipsilateral Ap/T-MCA in this case. Second, Wingspan stenting was performed for the right ACA restenosis. Case Description: A 77-year-old female presented to the hospital with the left hemiparesis. We diagnosed a right ACA infarction caused by right ACA occlusion. Digital subtraction angiography showed right Ap/T-MCA and ipsilateral ACA near occlusion. Thrombectomy was performed, and recanalization was achieved with mild ACA stenosis. The lesion was the dissection due to angiographical finding. Two months after treatment, transient left hemiparesis occurred and right ACA stenosis progressed. Computed tomography perfusion showed hypoperfusion of the right hemisphere. Wingspan stenting was performed from the left internal carotid artery through the anterior communicating artery with an intermediate catheter. The patient was discharged without any neurological deficit. Conclusion: We reported the first case of a patient who underwent Wingspan stenting for the right ACA dissection with Ap/T-MCA. Short-term follow-up and aggressive intervention should be considered for collateral pathway dissection with Ap/T-MCA because the symptoms can become serious. The patients with Ap/T-MCA should be cautious about the collateral pathway arterial changes in particular ipsilateral ACA due to the increasing hemodynamic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We report a case of proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) collapse due to severe distal stenosis that dilated after angioplasty for distal stenosis. Case Description: A 69-year-old woman underwent thrombectomy for the left ICA occlusion due to stenosis of C3 portion and was discharged home with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0. One year later, she developed cerebral infarction due to progressive stenosis of the C3 portion of the left ICA with proximal ICA collapse and underwent emergency percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for distal stenosis. Device guidance to the stenosis was difficult due to proximal ICA collapse. After PTA, blood flow in the left ICA increased, and proximal ICA collapse dilated over time. Due to severe residual stenosis, she underwent more aggressive PTA followed by Wingspan stenting. Device guidance to the residual stenosis was facilitated because proximal ICA collapse had already dilated. Six months later, proximal ICA collapse further dilated. Conclusion: PTA for severe distal stenosis with proximal ICA collapse may result in dilation of proximal ICA collapse over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study was conducted to explore morphometric variations of Pteropus medius (the Indian flying fox) and the roosting trees in Lower Dir, Pakistan. The bats were captured from Morus alba, Morus nigra, Brousonetia papyrifera, Pinus raxburghii, Hevea brasiliensis, Platanus orientalis, Populous nigra, Melia azedarach, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Grevillea robusta through sling shot and mess net methods. A total of 12 bats were studied for the differential morphological features based on age and sex. Male bats were recorded higher in weight than females. The variations were found in body mass (821.1±34.65gm), circumference of body with wings (25.43±0.39cm), wingspan (112.58±1.90cm), Body length (20.73±0.68cm), Snout length (3.42±0.04cm), Eye length (1.45±0.033cm), Length of ear (3.56±0.05cm), Width of ear (2.46±0.04cm), Length b/w ear (5.51±0.11cm), Circumference of neck (12.23±0.24cm), Circumference of body without wings (18.68±0.31cm), Arm wing length (23.2±1.03cm), Length of thumb (5.43±0.1cm), Length of nail (1.89±0.05cm), Hand wing length (29.1±0.51cm), Maximum width of wing (21.03±0.68cm), Length b/w tip of wing to 5th digit (29.39±0.30cm), Length b/w 5th digit to foot (22.97±1.09cm), Length b/w feet (18.31±0.74cm) and Length of foot claw (4.23±0.05cm). This study was designed for analysis of external morphological variations for P. medius (the Indian flying fox) that may help in identification of these bats and their roosting sites.

Legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (F.) is the pantropical pest of increasing importance. The present study is focused on the biological and morphometric characterization of its developmental stages when reared on a semisynthetic diet under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that the duration of the developmental period (number of days) as: egg (2.4-3), larval (12.20-14.80), pupal (9-11) and adult stages (8-12). The morphometrics of the immature stages (egg, 1st to 5th instar larvae, prepupa, and pupa) were-0.65x 0.45, 1.27-16.36x 0.17-2.55, 12.64x 2.50, and 11.40x 2.67 mm, respectively. The mean head capsule widths of first to fifth instar larvae were in the range of 0.20-1.30 mm and followed the growth ratio of 1.44 as per Dyar's law. The adult male and female measured a mean body length 12.60± 0.06 and 13.40± 0.12 mm with the wing span of 9.65± 0.07and 10.40± 0.09 mm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wingspan stent has gained interest for better long-term outcomes for intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD). However, in-stent restenosis still presents as a problem and may cause postoperative neurological events. We aimed to find a way to prevent in-stent restenosis. Method: Patients with stenosis >70% ICAD were treated with wingspan stent and were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were separated into two groups: one with post-dilation and the other without post-dilation. The outcomes of wingspan stenting were compared immediately after the surgery and at a 1-year follow-up. Results: Overall, 28 patients were included for analysis, with 15 patients undergoing post-dilation and 13 patients not undergoing the procedure. The extent of stenosis was significantly lower in the post-dilation group than in the no post-dilation group, both immediately after the surgery (14.8 ± 10.2 vs. 28.5 ± 14.5%, p < 0.01) and at 1-year follow-up (25.8 ± 18.0 vs. 50.1 ± 23.2%, p < 0.01). The post-dilation method immediately expanded the stent diameter (2.89 ± 0.48 vs. 3.05 ± 0.44 mm, p < 0.001), and the diameter still increased at 1-year follow-up (3.05 ± 0.44 vs. 3.12 ± 0.43 mm, p < 0.01) due to the self-expandable property of the wingspan. Similarly, in the no post-dilation group, the stent size was also increased (2.70 ± 0.67 vs. 2.80 ± 0.64 mm , p < 0.01). However, at 1-year follow up, the luminal diameter was stationary in the post-dilation group (2.36 ± 0.73 vs. 2.46 ± 0.82 mm, p = 0.88) and decreased in the no post-dilation group (2.24 ± 0.56 vs. 1.60 ± 0.79 mm, p < 0.01). The periprocedural complication rate was similar between the groups. Conclusion: The post-dilation method can be feasibly performed and can offer better stent expansion and apposition in the wingspan system. By applying this technique, we might prevent in-stent restenosis and improve neurological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wingspan stent has gained interest for better long-term outcomes for intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD). However, in-stent restenosis still presents as a problem and may cause postoperative neurological events. We aimed to find a way to prevent in-stent restenosis.Method: Patients with stenosis >70% ICAD were treated with wingspan stent and were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were separated into two groups: one with post-dilation and the other without post-dilation. The outcomes of wingspan stenting were compared immediately after the surgery and at a 1-year follow-up.Results: Overall, 28 patients were included for analysis, with 15 patients undergoing post-dilation and 13 patients not undergoing the procedure. The extent of stenosis was significantly lower in the post-dilation group than in the no post-dilation group, both immediately after the surgery (14.8 ± 10.2 vs. 28.5 ± 14.5%, p < 0.01) and at 1-year follow-up (25.8 ± 18.0 vs. 50.1 ± 23.2%, p < 0.01). The post-dilation method immediately expanded the stent diameter (2.89 ± 0.48 vs. 3.05 ± 0.44 mm, p < 0.001), and the diameter still increased at 1-year follow-up (3.05 ± 0.44 vs. 3.12 ± 0.43 mm, p < 0.01) due to the self-expandable property of the wingspan. Similarly, in the no post-dilation group, the stent size was also increased (2.70 ± 0.67 vs. 2.80 ± 0.64 mm, p < 0.01). However, at 1-year follow up, the luminal diameter was stationary in the post-dilation group (2.36 ± 0.73 vs. 2.46 ± 0.82 mm, p = 0.88) and decreased in the no post-dilation group (2.24 ± 0.56 vs. 1.60 ± 0.79 mm, p < 0.01). The periprocedural complication rate was similar between the groups.Conclusion: The post-dilation method can be feasibly performed and can offer better stent expansion and apposition in the wingspan system. By applying this technique, we might prevent in-stent restenosis and improve neurological outcomes.

The distances covered by migrant birds have been the subject of many studies. There are no estimates of the distances travelled by resident birds spending different amounts of time per day flying. Selection pressures similar to those due to migration are hypothesised to select for high aspect ratio wings, with low wing loading, among resident birds that spend a large amount of time per day flying. This reduces the energetic cost of flying and increases the birds' flight range. The estimated distances that aerial foraging birds fly per day (n = 4 species), and per year (n = 3 species) ranged from 83 to 215 km, and from 38,666 to 44,716 km, respectively. To test the abovementioned hypothesis, the phylogenetically controlled and mass-adjusted wingspan, mean wing chord, wing area, wing loading and wing aspect ratio of 77 resident passerine birds, that spend different amounts of time per day flying, were compared with those of 11 migrants. A decrease in wing loading and an increase in the aspect ratio of the birds' wings were significant predictors of an increase in the amount of time per day that the resident birds spent flying. No significant differences in the wing morphology traits between migrant, and resident birds that spend large amounts of time per day flying, were detected. The conclusion is that resident birds that spend a large amount of time per day flying have been subjected to the same selection pressures for energy-efficiency that have shaped aspects of the wing morphology traits of migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Songbirds are facing rapid population declines in Connecticut due to habitat loss. Man-made habitats such as powerline corridors are one of the few remaining ideal habitats for songbirds in the state. This study aims to determine if the abundance and variety of song-birds in four selected forests (i.e. Naugatuck State Forest, Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety) in Connecticut show patterns of decline from 2005 to 2014. This study also compares the physical condition of songbirds captured along a powerline corridor in the Naugatuck State Forest with those captured in the rest three non-fragmented forests in Northwestern Connecticut using Mann-Whitney U tests. Weight and wingspan are used as indicators of bird physical condition. The results demonstrate that the three non-fragmented forests experienced a steady decline in the variety of songbirds between 2005 and 2014. In addition, songbirds’ abundance decreased steadily during the same period, except that of the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. The results from the Mann-Whitney U test have shown that after sex- and age-controlled features, the physical conditions of the three selective songbirds – veery (Catharus fuscescens), ovenbird, and wood thrush – tend to be better in the Naugatuck State Forest than in the three non-fragmented forests – Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety. Given are recommendations on how to protect the shrubland habitat along powerline corridors and how to create the shrubland habitat in non-fragmented forests.

Background: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting with the Wingspan stent has proven safe and effective in patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis (MCAS), but the off-label use of the Neuroform stent might be an alternative treatment. This study aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of the above two intracranial stents in patients with MCAS.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with symptomatic MCAS who had been treated with the Neuroform EZ or the Wingspan stent. A propensity score was generated to control for differences in baseline characteristics. The endpoints were the rate of peri-procedural complications within 30 days after stenting, the in-stent restenosis rate, and any target-vessel-related stroke or deaths during follow-up.Results: After matching for propensity score, the peri-procedural complication rate in the Wingspan group was 7.4% compared with 5.6% in the Neuroform group (p = 1.00), while the follow-up in-stent restenosis rates were 23.3 vs. 14.3%, respectively (p = 0.41). In the restenosis group, the patients tended to be younger (p < 0.01) and the degree of artery stenosis before stenting was higher (p < 0.01).Conclusion: This study indicated that in patients with symptomatic MCAS, Neuroform EZ stents are an alternative to Wingspan. Moreover, younger age and higher degree of artery stenosis before stenting might be a risk factor of in-stent restenosis.

Aim: An area threshold is usually considered as the point of abrupt change in the species–area relationship (SAR). Despite their widespread existence, few studies have considered the influence of data transformations on their presence or the mechanisms that generate them. The aims of this study were thus to test for the existence of an area threshold in butterfly assemblages and to compare trait–environment associations between small and large islands split by the threshold. Location: Zhoushan Archipelago, China. Taxon: Butterflies. Methods: We used the line‐transect method to survey butterflies on 42 islands from July to August 2014. We also collected data on three commonly used ecological traits of butterflies (wingspan, wing loading and body weight). We transformed the butterfly datasets into three types (log‐log, semi‐log and untransformed) and fitted each of them using a set of breakpoint regression models. We then split all islands into small and large islands based on the area threshold and analysed the trait–environment associations for each island group. Results: Two‐slope breakpoint models performed best for log‐log and semi‐log transformed datasets. However, the former exhibited a steep‐shallow shape with an area threshold of 0.820 km2 and the latter was in shallow‐steep shape with a threshold of 17.022 km2. By contrast, no threshold was detected when using the untransformed power model. Moreover, for small islands, small area and large isolation were positively correlated with species with large wing loading and body weight. For large islands, however, the perimeter to area ratio (PAR) was significantly and positively related to wing loading. Main conclusions: We found that data transformations may influence the detection of area thresholds. Trait–environment analyses can further provide novel and mechanistic insights into processes generating area thresholds. We urge that the influence of data transformations and ecological traits of species should be explicitly considered in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraspecific variation plays important roles in ecology and evolution. Yet, information on how species and populations vary remains scarce, particularly for insects and regarding functional traits. This lack of knowledge can be problematic in trait‐based ecology because traditional approaches assume negligible intraspecific variation, even for analyses that assess highly variable taxa.We measured 291 Arctic fritillary butterflies (Boloria chariclea) to assess the intraspecific variation in one population of this species, evaluating (i) how wingspan of Arctic fritillaries varies in relation to the other species of its community, and (ii) how well wingspan, a measure of body size, predicts weight, a measure of body mass.Wingspan of Arctic fritillaries varied between 2.62 and 4.07 cm, with the 95% interval range, including ∼33% (14/42) of the species in the community, and ∼30% (84/279) of the butterflies of Canada. The relationship between wingspan and weight was significant (βwingspan = 0.002, SE = 0.0008, P < 0.001), but relatively weak (R2adj = 0.31, F2,288 = 67.82, P < 0.001).We discuss our findings in relation to the assumption of species homogeneity and the use of proxies in the analysis of species traits, complementing our case study with simulations to illustrate how intraspecific and interspecific variation interact in determining when traditional trait analyses are robust. We suggest entomologists interested in trait analyses should critically evaluate how intraspecific variation could affect their inference, especially when evaluating species that are highly sexually dimorphic, phenotypically plastic, and/or distributed across broad environmental and spatial clines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There has been limited analyses of DI mid-major male basketball players, and no analyses of relationships between athletic abilities and playing time in this population. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe and compare backcourt and frontcourt players from one mid-major team and (2) determine if there were relationships between playing time (total minutes, total games played, minutes per game) and select tests from the NBA Combine (height, body mass, standing reach, and wingspan; countermovement [VJ] and approach [AppVJ vertical jump], lane agility drill, 3/4 court sprint, and 83.91-kg bench press). A retrospective analysis of data from the 2018 season for a men's DI team (n = 10) was conducted. Performance testing was completed in the pre-season, and playing time metrics were collated by the team's staff over the season. Players were split into backcourt (n = 6) and frontcourt (n = 4) groups and compared via independent samples t-tests (p < 0.05) and effect sizes (d). Pearson's correlations calculated relationships between playing time metrics and the NBA combine test data (p < 0.05). When compared to the backcourt group, the frontcourt group were significantly taller, heavier, had a greater standing reach and wingspan, and performed poorer in the VJ, AppVJ, and 3/4 court sprint (d = 1.49-3.45). There were no significant relationships between playing time and any NBA Combine test (r = -0.363-0.511). Basketball-specific skill may have a larger impact on playing time in this mid-major team. However, the mid-major players in this study may have had above-average athletic abilities as measured by NBA combine testing, limiting correlations with playing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endovascular management of intracranial stenosis is one of the most controversial subjects in neurointervention. Previous level 1 evidence shows superiority of medical management but more recent studies have shown improved outcomes in selective patients. We describe a case demonstrating a new method for stenting of intracranial stenosis using a single system with Coyote angioplasty balloon (Boston Scientific) and the Atlas stent (Stryker). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use of endovascular treatments for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD) remains contentious due to high periprocedural complications. Many centers resort to general anesthesia for airway protection and optimal periprocedural conditions; however, this approach lacks real-time monitoring of patients' neurological status during procedures. In this study, we employed intracranial stenting with the Wingspan system under local anesthesia to address this challenge., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 45 consecutive ICAD patients who underwent intracranial stenting with the Wingspan system at our hospital from August 2013 to May 2021. These stenting procedures were performed under local anesthesia in a hybrid operation room. Neurological assessments were conducted during the procedure. The patients with periprocedural complications were analyzed for the risk factors., Results: The study included 45 ICAD patients (median age 62 years; 35 male and 10 female individuals). Among them, 30 patients had anterior circulation ICAD, and 15 had posterior circulation ICAD. The periprocedural complication rate was 8.9% (4/45), with an overall mortality rate of 2.2% (1/45). Notably, no procedure-related perforation complications were found, and all ischemic complications occurred in the perforating bearing artery, specifically in patients with stents placed in the middle cerebral artery or basilar artery, while no complications were observed in the non-perforating bearing artery of the internal carotid artery and vertebral artery ( p  = 0.04)., Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the Wingspan stent system when performed on selected patients under local anesthesia. This approach seems to reduce procedural-related morbidity and be a safe intervention. In addition, it is crucial for surgeons to be aware that patients with perforator-bearing artery stenosis may be at a higher risk of complications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lin, Huang and Tsuei.)

Songbirds are facing rapid population declines in Connecticut due to habitat loss. Man-made habitats such as powerline corridors are one of the few remaining ideal habitats for songbirds in the state. This study aims to determine if the abundance and variety of song-birds in four selected forests (i.e. Naugatuck State Forest, Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety) in Connecticut show patterns of decline from 2005 to 2014. This study also compares the physical condition of songbirds captured along a powerline corridor in the Naugatuck State Forest with those captured in the rest three non-fragmented forests in Northwestern Connecticut using Mann-Whitney U tests. Weight and wingspan are used as indicators of bird physical condition. The results demonstrate that the three non-fragmented forests experienced a steady decline in the variety of songbirds between 2005 and 2014. In addition, songbirds' abundance decreased steadily during the same period, except that of the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. The results from the Mann-Whitney U test have shown that after sex- and age-controlled features, the physical conditions of the three selective songbirds – veery (Catharus fuscescens), ovenbird, and wood thrush – tend to be better in the Naugatuck State Forest than in the three non-fragmented forests – Sharon Audubon Society, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, and Great Mountain Forest Species Variety. Given are recommendations on how to protect the shrubland habitat along powerline corridors and how to create the shrubland habitat in non-fragmented forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide neck basilar tip aneurysms are challenging to secure with coil embosurgery despite balloon remodeling and stent-assisted coiling. In patients with favorable posterior circle of Willis anatomy, the traditional antegrade placement of two stents that span the basilar apex to both proximal posterior cerebral arteries (P1s) can be avoided by implanting a single stent across the P1s and basilar apex via a retrograde posterior communicating artery approach. This case report details the first use of the high radial force Wingspan stent placed in this fashion during basilar aneurysm coiling repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease may result in ischemic infarction and has a high rate of recurrent ischemic strokes despite medical therapy. Patients who fail medical therapy may undergo endovascular treatment with cerebral artery angioplasty and possible Wingspan stent placement. We present a unique case of Wingspan delivery microcatheter fracture that resulted in a retained foreign body and an endovascular salvage maneuver. Case description: An elderly patient presented with an acute ischemic stroke due to a severe stenosis in the proximal left middle cerebral artery (MCA). The patient failed non-invasive medical treatment and underwent endovascular treatment with angioplasty and Wingspan stent placement. Following Wingspan stent deployment, the stent delivery catheter fractured, and the retained catheter fragment resulted in MCA occlusion. The foreign body was retrieved by balloon catheter inflation within an intermediate catheter adjacent to the proximal end of the fractured catheter and removal of the entire construct (TRAP technique). Conclusions: Wingspan delivery microcatheter fracture is a rare event. The TRAP technique may be used for successful retrieval of a retained foreign body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]