Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding reveals spatial and sexual variation in the diet of a scarce woodland bird.

Avian diet can be affected by site-specific variables, such as habitat, as well as intrinsic factors such as sex. This can lead to dietary niche separation, which reduces competition between individuals, as well as impacting how well avian species can adapt to environmental variation. Estimating dietary niche separation is challenging, due largely to difficulties in accurately identifying food taxa consumed.

Herbivorous dietary selection shown by hawfinch () within mixed woodland habitats.

Knowledge of diet and dietary selectivity is vital, especially for the conservation of declining species. Accurately obtaining this information, however, is difficult, especially if the study species feeds on a wide range of food items within heterogeneous and inaccessible environments, such as the tree canopy. Hawfinches (), like many woodland birds, are declining for reasons that are unclear.

A Stabilizer Framework for the Contextual Subspace Variational Quantum Eigensolver and the Noncontextual Projection Ansatz.

Quantum chemistry is a promising application for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. However, quantum computers have thus far not succeeded in providing solutions to problems of real scientific significance, with algorithmic advances being necessary to fully utilize even the modest NISQ machines available today. We discuss a method of ground state energy estimation predicated on a partitioning of the molecular Hamiltonian into two parts: one that is and can be solved classically, supplemented by a component that yields quantum corrections obtained via a Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) routine.

Zeroing out on zero-COVID.

There is no such thing as "zero-COVID." As the Omicron variant spreads to China's capital city, Beijing, the question is not if, but when and how, China will begin to "live with COVID-19" rather than continue to impose endless lockdowns. The problem is that under China's stifling political climate, this notion cannot be uttered, let alone debated.

Impact of woodland agri-environment management on woodland structure and target bird species.

Agri-environment incentives form a central mechanism supporting changes to land management to provide public benefits. This study assesses the medium-term effects of woodland management on 13 target, specialist woodland bird species, as well as other woodland birds in a single region of the UK. The abundance of breeding birds (using two methods: point counts and territory mapping) and metrics of woodland structure were recorded on sites with Woodland Improvement Grants (improvement sites) and nearby comparison sites (control sites).

Variational Quantum Eigensolvers for Sparse Hamiltonians.

Hybrid quantum-classical variational algorithms such as the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) and the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) are promising applications for noisy, intermediate-scale quantum computers. Both VQE and QAOA variationally extremize the expectation value of a Hamiltonian. All work to date on VQE and QAOA has been limited to Pauli representations of Hamiltonians.

Light-Front Field Theory on Current Quantum Computers.

We present a quantum algorithm for simulation of quantum field theory in the light-front formulation and demonstrate how existing quantum devices can be used to study the structure of bound states in relativistic nuclear physics. Specifically, we apply the Variational Quantum Eigensolver algorithm to find the ground state of the light-front Hamiltonian obtained within the Basis Light-Front Quantization (BLFQ) framework. The BLFQ formulation of quantum field theory allows one to readily import techniques developed for digital quantum simulation of quantum chemistry.

The Kirby-Xiao Intraoral Injection Technique: A Novel Method to Improve Perioral Cosmesis with Hyaluronic Acid Filler-A Review.

Perioral cosmesis is an important component of facial aesthetics. The perioral region is prone to revealing signs of aging due to repetitive movements and various environmental factors. While it is well established that perioral aesthetics can be effectively treated with hyaluronic acid dermal filler, there is limited published data available on injection techniques specifically designed for perioral rejuvenation.

Contextuality Test of the Nonclassicality of Variational Quantum Eigensolvers.

Contextuality is an indicator of nonclassicality, and a resource for various quantum procedures. In this Letter, we use contextuality to evaluate the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), one of the most promising tools for near-term quantum simulation. We present an efficiently computable test to determine whether or not the objective function for a VQE procedure is contextual.

The Incidence of Hypertrophic Scarring and Keloid Formation Following Laser Tattoo Removal with a Quality-switched Nd:YAG Laser.

Background: Laser tattoo removal using quality switched technology is widely accepted as the standard of care. Determining the risk of hypertrophic scarring and keloid formation more precisely delineates the safety of this procedure and improves patient education regarding the risk of scarring.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of hypertrophic scarring and keloids in a large patient population following treatment with a Q-switched neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser.

Characterization of Tulamoeba bucina n. sp., an extremely halotolerant amoeboflagellate heterolobosean belonging to the Tulamoeba-Pleurostomum clade (Tulamoebidae n. fam.).

Most protozoans that have been cultivated recently from high salinity waters appear to be obligate halophiles. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these species mostly represent independent lineages. Here, we report the cultivation, morphological characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of two strains (XLG1 and HLM-8) of a new extremely halotolerant heterolobosean amoeboflagellate.

Causes and recommendations for unanticipated ink retention following tattoo removal treatment.

While placement of ink into the skin is a long-standing tradition, patients are now seeking tattoo removal on a more frequent basis. Once considered acceptable removal options, tattoo ink removal via physical destruction included dermabrasion, chemical destruction, salabrasion, thermal destruction, and cryotherapy. Now these options are used extremely infrequently.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel for locally advanced head and neck cancer: toxicities and efficacy.

Background: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and alternative chemotherapy regimens strive to maintain efficacy while minimizing toxicity in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) treatment. Our experience with concurrent IMRT and taxane-based chemotherapy is presented.

Methods: A retrospective review of 150 consecutive patients with LAHNC treated with IMRT and concurrent taxane-based chemotherapy with curative intent was performed.

Successful treatment of cosmetic mucosal tattoos via Q-switched laser.

Background: Tattoo removal using Q-switched lasers is well established in the medical literature, but it is not clear how tattoos on mucosal membranes should be treated because of their infrequent presentation.

Objective: To report successful cosmetic tattoo removal using Q-switched laser irradiation on the oral mucosal surface.

Materials And Methods: Three men with cosmetic tattoos on the orolabial mucosa of the lower lip sought permanent removal.

Basic pharmacology of topical imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and diclofenac for the dermatologic surgeon.

Background: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) contributes to the vast majority of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). As the incidence of NMSC continues to rise, topical therapies will be used with increasing frequency. Topical therapies may benefit high-risk surgical candidates as an alternative treatment modality and may improve overall cosmesis.

Heparin prophylaxis and the risk of venous thromboembolism after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Objective: • The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) in patients receiving perioperative heparin prophylaxis was compared with those who did not receive such prophylaxis.

Materials And Methods: • Between July 2007 to February 2010, a total of 307 RALPs were performed at our institution by two surgeons. A total of 187 patients operated on by surgeon 1 received perioperative heparin prophylaxis, whereas 120 patients operated on by surgeon 2 did not receive any.

Treatment of large bulla formation after tattoo removal with a q-switched laser.

Widely considered the gold standard treatment option for tattoo removal, the use of Q-switched lasers may very rarely result in the formation of large bulla. While very disconcerting to patients, these lesions are easily managed and, with proper care, heal quickly with no long-term consequences. The authors present three cases of patients who had bullous reactions shortly after receiving Q-switched laser treatment of tattoo ink.

Paradoxical darkening and removal of pink tattoo ink.

It is widely accepted that Q-switched lasers are the gold-standard treatment for the resolution of unwanted tattoo ink. Although much safer than other tattoo removal modalities, the treatment of tattoo ink with Q-switched devices may be associated with long-term adverse effects including undesired pigmentary alterations such as tattoo ink darkening. Darkening of tattoo ink is most often reported in cosmetic, flesh-toned, white, peach, and pink tattoos.

Cutaneous allergic reactions to tattoo ink.

Tattoo artists use many compounds to create tattoo pigment and several allergic reactions can occur as a result of these additives. The compositions of many inks have been identified; however, as new mixtures are created it becomes difficult to identify the specific ingredients in a particular ink. Allergic reactions to a particular pigment can manifest in several ways including allergic contact dermatitis and photoallergic dermatitis.

The Kirby-Desai Scale: A Proposed Scale to Assess Tattoo-removal Treatments.

Background: As tattoos have become increasingly popular in the Western world, tattoo-removal requests have also increased, as patients' personal identities advance. Laser tattoo removal is the current treatment of choice given its safety and efficacy. However, due to varying types of tattoos, it has been difficult to quantify the number of laser treatments required with certainty when discussing laser tattoo removal with our patients.

Calciphylaxis mimicking inflammatory breast cancer.

Calciphylaxis is a rare disorder characterized by microcalcification of small- and medium-sized blood vessels causing cutaneous and soft tissue necrosis. Patients usually present with painful, violaceous skin discoloration in a livedo reticularis pattern. We present a case of a 59-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who manifested signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer.