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In the south-eastern United States and globally, increasing human water demand coupled with climate change is diminishing stream flows and increasing stream intermittency in many watersheds. We characterized benthic invertebrate assemblages across a stream flow gradient ranging from intermittent to perennial following a multiyear drought by examining the functional traits that can influence assemblage response to drying. We sampled 13 reaches within the Lower Flint River Basin in south-western Georgia, from September to December 2013. Reaches included perennial, near-perennial (ceased flowing but maintained a wetted channel during drought), intermittent-dry (seasonally dry), and intermittent-frequent (frequently dry). Distinct assemblages were documented across this gradient. Reaches that dried during the drought had a lower richness of aquatic insects, especially Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa, partly due to inadequate time for life cycle completion and lack of adaptations to avoid drying. Intermittent reaches also included abundant and unique noninsect taxa such as Gammarus spp. and Isopoda. Projected trends towards increased water demand and drought severity and frequency in the south-eastern United States will magnify shifts towards dominance by drought-tolerant taxa as greater portions of stream networks become intermittent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To develop a rabbit model to study the temporal healing taking place after an unstented tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study comprised 13 New Zealand white rabbits (3–4 kg); the ventral wall of the penile urethra was excised to create a hypospadias-like defect. A vertical incision was made in the dorsal urethral plate and the incised urethra tubularized. Two animals were killed at 2 days and two at 5 days after surgery, and the remainder killed at 2, 6 and 12 weeks (three each). A retrograde urethrogram was taken at autopsy. Serial sections of the penis were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome for microscopy. RESULTS There were no deaths related to the procedure and all animals voided spontaneously. Retrograde urethrograms showed no fistulae or stricture. Microscopic examination at 2 and 5 days showed partial coverage of the incision with regenerating urothelium. At 2 weeks there was full-thickness urothelium with a mild inflammatory reaction. At 6 and 12 weeks, remodelling of the peri-urethral connective tissue with minimal fibrosis completed the healing. CONCLUSION The mechanism of healing of the incised urethral plate involves normal urothelial regeneration into the depth of the incised defect, which explains the gain in urethral diameter after TIPU. Urine flow, during normal voiding, might be responsible for keeping the incised plate open during urothelial regeneration. A urethral stent was not necessary for normal healing in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained a current profile of multiple sclerosis (MS) in New York State through a centralized patient registry and standardized data collection instrument associated with the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium of 12 MS centers located throughout the state. Data from the first 3019 patients with clinically definite MS revealed a clear relationship between MS disease type, duration of disease, and severity of physical disability. Patients with relapsing disease had disease durations approximately half as long as those with progressive forms of the disease (means approximately 6 years versus 11 years). The majority of patients with relapsing disease had Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 4.0 or less (self-sustained, fully ambulatory), whereas the majority of patients with progressive disease types had EDSS scores of 6.0 or greater (at least unilateral assist for walking). These findings emphasize the importance of early intervention in patients with relapsing disease to slow or prevent the accumulation of physical disability associated with progressive types of disease. Progressive disease was associated with lack of full-time employment and being disabled before the age of 60 years. Patients with relapsing disease were more likely to be employed and have private forms of insurance, whereas patients with progressive types of disease were more likely to have government-supported insurance to cover medical expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rogers P. B. and Smith C. R. (1977) The local authority's role in economic development; the Tyne and Wear Act 1976, Reg. Studies 11, 153–163. Tyne and Wear County Council, jointly with the five Districts within the County's area, promoted a Private Bill in the 1975/76 session of Parliament. The Tyne and Wear Act, which received the Royal Assent in November 1976, contained a number of clauses relating to assisting industry and commerce. This paper sets out the considerations which led the County Council to seek these powers, the case for requesting them and the problems which arise in using the powers which were granted. The paper is divided into six sections as follows: 1. 1. Introduction: the legal background and a summary of the powers sought and powers granted. 2. 2. The Problem: the economic context in which the Bill was promoted. 3. 3. The Way Forward: the role Tyne and Wear might expect to play in fostering the economic development of its area. 4. 4. The Central Government Case: a refutation of the case brought by Central Government against the granting of powers to assist industry to Tyne and Wear. 5. 5. The Parliamentary Outcome: comments on the decisions made by Parliament. 6. 6. Problems of Implementation: some of the problems which arise in implementing the powers which were granted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Studies the intertwining laminar necklace vortices. Hydrogen bubble visualization of the intertwining laminar necklace vortices formed in the junction of a cylinder and flat plate subjected to spatially limited, constant rate suction through a rectangular surface slot; Schematic illustrating the vortices and their intertwinement as well as the suction slot placement.