Crowned dens syndrome developed after an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure

We present a unique case of crowned dens syndrome(CDS) that developed after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) in a patient who presented with fever and neck pain. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was extremely effective for relieving fever and neck pain, and in the improvement of inflammatory markers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of CDS caused by an ERCP procedure. In a patient with fever and neck pain after an ERCP procedure, CDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Crowned Dens Syndrome: Recent Progress on Diagnosis and Treatment

Defined as an association of acute cervical pain and calcifications in the peri-odontoid space, crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a major imaging manifestation of “coronary”. CDS is a rare but under-recognized cause of severe neck pain in older adults. As such, it is often misdiagnosed. So, we review the literature with particular attention to the clinical and radiological aspects of this syndrome.

Fu Shan,a celebrated physician and cultural figure crowned with eternal glory

Fu Shan(1607-1684),originally named Fu Dingchen(courtesy name:Fu Qingzhu),was from Yangqu County,Taiyuan Prefecture(present Taiyuan,Shanxi Province).His assumed name was Scarlet Taoist or Songqiao Old Man.Fu was a famous scholar in the period of the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties and he was a diligent student of Confucianism,religion,calligraphy,painting and medicine.He was highly esteemed in the history of Chinese culture and thought.Fu was skilled in phonology and critical interpretation of ancient texts.

The Mixed LB film of Crowned Phthalocyanine and Picrate

The mixed LB film of mono crown ether substituted phthalocyanine (CPc) and potassium picrate (PiK) were prepared by adding potassium picrate in subphase. The pi-A isotherms show that the addition of PiK in subphase increases the orientation angles of phthalocyanine in monolayers. The absorption spectra revealed that the monolayer can be transferred to substrates easily. X-ray diffraction results show that the mixed film possesses the same thickness as that of pure phthalocyanine film.

Spatial-temporal population dynamics of the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus courtoisi:a 22-year longitudinal study

Dear Editor,Population size is a crucial indicator in evaluating the conservation status of a species.Understanding the patterns of population fluctuation and the distribution range of endangered species is important for biodiversity conservation,which contributes to ecosystem functioning(Li et al.,2019;Eisenhauer,2022).

A new method of calculating crown projection area and its comparative accuracy with conventional calculations for asymmetric tree crowns

This paper introduces a new method of calculating crown projection area(CPA),the area of level ground covered by a vertical projection of a tree crown from measured crown radii through numerical interpolation and integration.This novel method and other four existing methods of calculating CPA were compared using detailed crown radius measurements from 30 tall trees of Eucalyptus pilularis variable in crown size,shape,and asymmetry.The four existing methods included the polygonal approach and three ways of calculating CPA as the area of a circle using the arithmetic,geometric and quadratic mean radius.Comparisons were made across a sequence of eight non-consecutive numbers(from 2 to 16)of measured crown radii for each tree over the range of crown asymmetry of the 30 trees through generalized linear models and multiple comparisons of means.The sequence covered the range of the number of crown radii measured for calculating the CPA of a tree in the literature.A crown asymmetry index within the unit interval was calculated for each tree to serve as a normative measure.With a slight overestimation of 2.2%on average and an overall mean error size of 7.9%across the numbers of crown radii that were compared,our new method was the least biased and most accurate.Calculating CPA as a circle using the quadratic mean crown radius was the second best,which had an average overestimation of 4.5%and overall mean error size of 8.8%.These two methods remained by and large unbiased as crown asymmetry increased,while the other three methods showed larger bias of underestimation.For the conventional method of using the arithmetic mean crown radius to calculate CPA as a circle,bias correction factors were developed as a function of crown asymmetry index to delineate the increasing magnitude of bias associated with greater degrees of crown asymmetry.This study reveals and demonstrates such relationships between the accuracy of CPA calculations and crown asymmetry and will help increase awareness among researchers and practitioners on the existence of bias in their CPA calculations and for the need to use an unbiased method in the future.Our new method is recommended for calculating CPA where at least four crown radius measurements per tree are available because that is the minimum number required for its use.

Differential modulation of crown allometry and stem growth at gap edges in five European tree species by drought conditions

Background In Central Europe,forests are increasingly affected by various disturbances,resulting in an increasing gap formation in the canopy.In order to support goal-oriented management,more knowledge is required about the acclimation of the crown and its effects on the basal area growth of trees at the edge of a gap.Methods This work compared trees'growth and crown structure at the edge of a transient gap,with a gap size of more than 80m^(2),with trees in the stand that were at least 30m away from the gap.A total of 249 European beeches(Fagus sylvatica L.),Norway spruces(Picea abies L.Karst),Scots pines(Pinus sylvestris L.),oaks(Quercus spp.;Quercus petraea(Matt.)Liebl.,Quercus robur L.),and silver firs(Abies alba Mill.)were examined on long-term experimental plots in southern Germany.Various crown measures were developed and calculated using high-resolution terrestrial laser scanning(TLiDAR)to capture the three-dimensional crown structures.Growth responses to edge conditions were measured based on tree rings.Using linear mixed models,we predict the basal area increment of edge trees relative to trees in the stand under wet and dry soil moisture conditions after the gap formation.Results We identified i)species-specific acclimation of the crown of edge trees after the gap formation,ii)under wet soil moisture conditions a growth increase of 25%–45%for beech,pine,and oak edge trees and growth losses of 5%–60%for spruce and fir and iii)coniferous tree species benefited from the edge position regarding their basal area increment under dry soil moisture conditions and deciduous tree species grew regardless of the soil moisture conditions at the edge of a gap.Conclusion Gaps have a species-specific effect on the habitus and growth of edge trees and can have both positive and negative impacts on silviculture.

The circadian clock in enamel development

Circadian rhythms are self-sustaining oscillations within biological systems that play key roles in a diverse multitude of physiological processes.The circadian clock mechanisms in brain and peripheral tissues can oscillate independently or be synchronized/disrupted by external stimuli.Dental enamel is a type of mineralized tissue that forms the exterior surface of the tooth crown.Incremental Retzius lines are readily observable microstructures of mature tooth enamel that indicate the regulation of amelogenesis by circadian rhythms.Teeth enamel is formed by enamel-forming cells known as ameloblasts,which are regulated and orchestrated by the circadian clock during amelogenesis.This review will first examine the key roles of the circadian clock in regulating ameloblasts and amelogenesis.Several physiological processes are involved,including gene expression,cell morphology,metabolic changes,matrix deposition,ion transportation,and mineralization.Next,the potential detrimental effects of circadian rhythm disruption on enamel formation are discussed.Circadian rhythm disruption can directly lead to Enamel Hypoplasia,which might also be a potential causative mechanism of amelogenesis imperfecta.Finally,future research trajectory in this field is extrapolated.It is hoped that this review will inspire more intensive research efforts and provide relevant cues in formulating novel therapeutic strategies for preventing tooth enamel developmental abnormalities.

Interfacial engineering through lead binding using crown ethers in perovskite solar cells

In the domain of perovskite solar cells(PSCs),the imperative to reconcile impressive photovoltaic performance with lead-related issue and environmental stability has driven innovative solutions.This study pioneers an approach that not only rectifies lead leakage but also places paramount importance on the attainment of rigorous interfacial passivation.Crown ethers,notably benzo-18-crown-6-ether(B18C6),were strategically integrated at the perovskite-hole transport material interface.Crown ethers exhibit a dual role:efficiently sequestering and immobilizing Pb^(2+)ions through host-guest complexation and simultaneously establishing a robust interfacial passivation layer.Selected crown ether candidates,guided by density functional theory(DFT)calculations,demonstrated proficiency in binding Pb2+ions and optimizing interfacial energetics.Photovoltaic devices incorporating these materials achieved exceptional power conversion efficiency(PCE),notably 21.7%for B18C6,underscoring their efficacy in lead binding and interfacial passivation.Analytical techniques,including time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS),ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy(UPS),time-resolved photoluminescence(TRPL),and transient absorption spectroscopy(TAS),unequivocally affirmed Pb^(2+)ion capture and suppression of non-radiative recombination.Notably,these PSCs maintained efficiency even after enduring 300 h of exposure to 85%relative humidity.This research underscores the transformative potential of crown ethers,simultaneously addressing lead binding and stringent interfacial passivation for sustainable PSCs poised to commercialize and advance renewable energy applications.

Morphometric Attributes of Two Native Forage Species According to Water Source Distance in Semiarid Central Grasslands of Argentina

The semiarid grasslands of Argentina’s central region have been modified by domestic livestock grazing,both in their composition and structure.The increase in the proportion of woody and non-forage species and the decrease in forage species are some of the most evident results of this process.There is limited available information about the effect of differential grazing pressures on morphometric attributes of native species,and it also depends on the life histories of the species in this grassland.The objective of this work was to evaluate some morphometric aspects in the grasses Poa ligularis Nees ex Steud and Piptochaetium napostaense(Speg.).Hack according to distance from the water source in communities in the central semiarid region of Argentina.The study area included areas of low grassland,golden forests,and secondary forests in grasslands(6 fields with 9 paddocks).Grazing pressure was established based on the distance to the water source,so sampling areas were designated near the water source(grazing pressure is greater)and far from the water source(grazing pressure light)in each of the pastures.In both species,specimens were selected at random,and the following attributes were measured:crown diameter at ground level(cm),burial depth(cm),average tiller weight per plant(g.Marcello^(−1)),and the density of tillers per unit of crown surface(tillers.cm^(−2)crown).The morphometric attributes evaluated showed differences according to the distance to the watering hole and in the different pastures.Both species presented similar behaviors for the attributes.There were significant differences in the depth of burial and the average weight of tillers per plant,being greater in the areas close to the water source.Regarding the distance to the watering hole,there were no significant differences in crown diameter and tiller density,but the highest values were recorded for the former near the watering hole and for the second far from the watering hole.In pastures with low grassland or secondary forest on the plain,the greatest depth of burial and weight of tillers was recorded closer to the water.In forest areas,the highest density of tillers was found far from the water.For crown diameter,although there was no interaction,the largest diameters were found in plain grassland areas near the waterhole.In general,both species had a differential behavior depending on the grazing pressure that was evident along the physiognomic gradient from plain grassland to forest and that could be interpreted as a strategy to perpetuate themselves against herbivory.

The Eighth Steamed Bread-Like Willow

The husband was a geologist,a profession in which it’s common to be away on official business for extended periods of time.He always threw his haversack on his back and left home.The wife never bothered to see him off.When he went downstairs and exited the building,he never looked back.The husband was ready to get away,again.When the door banged shut behind him,she was clearing the dishes from the table,as if nothing were on her mind.But shortly afterwards,she put down what she was holding,ran toward the balcony,and looked down.Below the balcony was a road,on one side of which grew a row of steamed bread-like willows.Each willow had a very big and green crown,but,from upstairs,it looked more like a tent than steamed bread.Habitually,she looked down at the area where the eighth steamed bread-like willow from the east stood below the balcony.She was waiting,knowing that in five or six minutes,the figure of her husband would appear under the eighth willow.The door to the residential building opened to the opposite side of the balcony.

Change Point Analysis to Detect the Effect of Pruning Severity on Tree Growth

The effect of pruning severity on tree growth was analyzed by change point detection using segmented regression. The present study applied this analysis to a well-known published data set including diameter growth response, tree age, pruning severity and pretreatment crown size. First, multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of tree age, pruning severity and pretreatment crown size on diameter growth response. Next, segmented regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of pruning severity on diameter growth response. The results of the multiple regression showed that diameter growth response was significantly influenced by pruning severity and pretreatment crown size. The results of the segmented regression showed that in the whole data set, an abrupt change toward a decrease in diameter growth response was detected at 25% of the live crown removed. However, in the group of fully crowned and open-grown, diameter growth response continuously decreased with increasing pruning severity with no significant abrupt change, whereas in the group of 70% - 90% live crown, diameter growth response did not significantly decrease up to the break point (53% crown removed) and then abruptly decreased. This may be the first study to show the numerical evaluation of the effect of pruning severity on tree growth by change point analysis.

Chang’e-6 Returns with Samples from Far Side of Moon

At 2:07 pm GMT+8 on June 25,2024,the returner of Chang’e-6,China’s lunar detector,touched down on the ground surface of the preset landing site in Inner Mongolia of China.Onboard were samples first-ever collected from the far side of the Moon,the mysterious kingdom that had resisted visits from the human world.This soft landing has thus crowned the high-profile mission with a complete success.

Prospects of 3D Printing Technology in Dental Medicine

With the continuous advancement of technology,the application of 3D printing technology in the field of dental medicine is becoming increasingly widespread.This article aims to explore the current applications and future potential of 3D printing technology in dental medicine and to analyze its benefits and challenges.It first introduces the current state of 3D printing technology in dental implants,crowns,bridges,orthodontics,and maxillofacial surgery.It then discusses the potential applications of 3D printing technology in oral tissue engineering,drug delivery systems,personalized dental prosthetics,and surgical planning.Finally,it analyzes the benefits of 3D printing technology in dental medicine,such as improving treatment accuracy and patient comfort,and shortening treatment times,while also highlighting the challenges faced,such as costs,material choices,and technical limitations.This article aims to provide a reference for professionals in the field of dental medicine and to promote the further application and development of 3D printing technology in this area.

The time-resolved spectra of a crowned indolinospiroben-zopyran

The photochromic process of an indolinospiropyran with a crown ether fragment (BN-BIPS) was studied by nanosecond laser photolysis technique. The results show that quinonic merocyanine B was formed via an excited singlet state from BN-BIPS; in acetonitrile solution, the transient absorption of merocyanine B showed an obvious decay while a new transient absorption at 440nm (from isomer C) was observed simultaneously. The decay of merocyanine B and the formation of isomer C (at 440nm) were accelerated in the presence of alkali metal cation. In contrast, the formation of isomer C was not observed in spiropyran without a crown ether fragment: BIPS.

Electronic structure and property studies of the first crowned [60] fulleropyrrolidine

The computations of the electronic structures and properties of a novel crowned [60] fulleropyrrolidine (CFP) were performed by means of AM1 methods. It has been indicated that CFP has four isomers in which the dihedral angle between phenyl group and pyrrolidine ring is around ± 90°. The study of electronic structures showed that the energy levels of frontier orbitals are determined mainly by C60. C60 acted as an electronic acceptor, whereas crown ether acted as an electronic donor, which implies that there exists intramolecular charge transfer effect in this molecule. The study of nonlinear optical properties implied that the hyperpolaritability of CFP can match that ofρ-ni-troaniline. In the meantime, the hyperpolariubility properties of CFP could be influenced by the orientation of crown ether moiety.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN Nova Hearts Helen Feng is ready to be crowned

In the dozen years since returning to her birth country,Helen Feng has been a vital force in the Mainland music scene.As a cuttural commentator as host of The Rock Show.As a creative entrepreneur with the FakeMusicMedia collective she co-founded.And as the front woman for three seminal groups.Often dubbed the'Queen of Beiing rock,'she's closing in on her crowning achievement,as her current group Nova Heart storms through the country to support their highly anticipated self-titled debut album.

Wuhan Zoo welcomes red-crowned crane babies

Recently,three red-crowned crane couples at Wuhan Zoo became the proud parents of six newborn chicks.Female red-crowned cranes in the wild commonly give birth to two babies and usually only one survives.In order to improve their survival rate,the zoo has arranged for the"father"to live in a cage with one of the babies and the"mother"in an adjacent cage with the other.