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Amidst the digital revolution, cyber-enabled critical infrastructures are the foundation of societal operations. However, this interconnectivity introduces risks such as cascading failures where disruptions in the power grid affect multiple systems. Global collaboration becomes inescapable in forming holistic approaches that evolve alongside continuous technological advancements to enhance infrastructure resilience. Before these approaches can truly succeed, it is imperative to understand the decision-making processes within these environments and effectively mitigate biases that may alter priorities. This study investigates subconscious biases stemming from perceived solutions, intending to anticipate their potential impact on decision-making prioritization and enhance overall cybersecurity in critical infrastructure resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean turbulent mixing is a key process affecting the uptake and redistribution of heat, carbon, nutrients, oxygen and other dissolved gasses. Vertical turbulent diffusivity sets the rates of water mass transformations and ocean mixing, and is intrinsically an average quantity over process time scales. Estimates based on microstructure profiling, however, are typically obtained as averages over individual profiles. How representative such averaged diffusivities are, remains unexplored in the quiescent Arctic Ocean. Here, we compare upper ocean vertical diffusivities in winter, derived from the 7Be tracer‐based approach to those estimated from direct turbulence measurements during the year‐long Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition, 2019–2020. We found that diffusivity estimates from both methods agree within their respective measurement uncertainties. Diffusivity estimates obtained from dissipation rate profiles are sensitive to the averaging method applied, and the processing and analysis of similar data sets must take this sensitivity into account. Our findings indicate low characteristic diffusivities around 10−6 m2 s−1 and correspondingly low vertical heat fluxes. Plain Language Summary: Ocean turbulent mixing plays an important role in the uptake and redistribution of heat, carbon, nutrients, oxygen and other properties. For example, this process delivers nutrients to the sunlit surface ocean where they are utilized to produce plants (phytoplankton) for the ecosystem food web. However, strong changes in density within the upper Arctic Ocean hinder vertical transport of nutrients, such that nutrient fluxes are generally smaller than those observed elsewhere in the world ocean. Furthermore, low vertical transport rates isolate the surface ocean from heat input from below which helps protect the ice from melting. Here, we compare the strength of upper ocean mixing, an important parameter for the calculation of vertical transport, derived from two independent methods during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) ice drift experiment, 2019–2020. This comparison allows us to better quantify the vertical diffusivity, and in turn also the vertical transport of for example, heat and nutrients in the ocean. Key Points: Arctic Ocean vertical diffusivity (Kz) in the upper halocline in winter is O(10−6) m2 s−1Diffusivity estimates from 7Be measurements and ocean microstructure profiling agree within a factor of 2Kz estimates from turbulent dissipation rate profiles are sensitive to the averaging method [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surveys have indicated that medical trainees report anxiety about returning to training from parental leave but the experiences of surgical trainees have not been investigated previously. Evidence from non-clinical industry suggests that their skills may fade significantly. Methods: Using qualitative research methodology, this study looked at the experiences of surgical trainees returning to training from parental leave to a deanery where no specific support is currently offered. Results: All trainees reported anxieties about returning to training and issues with low confidence on their return. Their surgical skills returned quicker than they expected, regardless of stage of training or type of skill. All wished for greater support for returning trainees. Conclusions: Low confidence is the main impediment to trainees returning to surgical training after parental leave. However, contrary to the literature, surgical trainees can be reassured that their surgical skills are unlikely to be negatively affected for any significant period of time after a break from training. In addition, the confidence of returning surgical trainees should be increased by awareness of the advantages and enhanced skills they are likely to have on their return to training. rcsbull.2022.149.01.jpg [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive hydraulic transients in a water distribution system (WDS) can instantaneously damage equipment and infrastructure, while long-term pressure oscillations can contribute to pipe structural deterioration and eventually pipe bursts. It is therefore important to monitor hydraulic transient events in WDSs and locate the source in a timely manner; however, there is a lack of a theoretical basis for optimal sensor placement with regard to real-time transient event detection. This paper investigates the criteria for optimal sensor deployment of high-speed pressure loggers in a WDS and develops a technique for determining the optimal sensor locations. The proposed criteria focus on maximizing the spatial extent of the network within which transient events can be detected and located. A key concept in this work is the locatability of an event, which is defined based on the combination of hydraulic wave propagation theory in networks and the adoption of graphing theoretic concepts, and is based on the existence of unique wave propagation paths from the event to two or more sensors. Two case studies are considered, where the first is a small network that is used to explain the steps of the method, and the second serves as the basis for an extensive numerical study, where it is observed that the proposed method outperforms other approaches and is able to provide the optimum sensor layout for a given number of sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis showed progressive metastatic disease with hepatic metastases and obstructive intrahepatic duct dilatation. The patient had known metastatic prostate cancer and moderately-differentiated pancreatic tail acinar-cell carcinoma with splenic invasion. Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas: an institutional series of resected patients and review of the current literature. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Karl Popper's hypothetico-deductive model contends that an assertion is true if it agrees with the facts, and that science progresses via paradigms held to be true until replaced by better approximations of reality. Our study aimed to estimate the half-life of surgical dogma. Methods: The first 15 general surgery articles at 5-year intervals were extracted from the British Journal of Surgery since its inception in 1913. A statement summarising each article's conclusion was formatted, and non-conducive articles were excluded (n=22). A total of 293 article statements were reviewed and marked as true or false by a cohort of 15 senior general surgeons, with a majority positive response denoting a true statement. Regression analysis of the relationship between perceived truth and time was performed. Results: Median reviewer positive response rate was 49.5% (range 35.8–64.2%), with over 80% of responders in total agreement regarding 151 statements (51.5%) and deeming 137 (46.8%) currently true. Publication year correlated with percentage of true responses (rho 0.647, p=0.002). Linear modelling of true responses related to 5-year intervals (R2=0.398, p=0.002) estimated the annual rate of loss of truth to be 0.25%, equating to a half-life of 200.0 years. Conclusions: Contrary to popular belief, it appears THAT surgical dogma does not lose its lustre for some seven generations. Regression line extrapolation is contentious but would suggest that the current era of surgical knowledge extends from 1769 – the days of John Hunter, the 'father of modern surgery' – to 2176, although relative rates of innovation may accelerate and move the nexus point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and performance of a room temperature electrical substitution radiometer for use as an absolute standard for measuring continuous-wave laser power over a wide range of wavelengths, beam diameters, and powers are described. The standard achieves an accuracy of 0.46% (k = 2) for powers from 10 mW to 100 mW and 0.83% (k = 2) for powers from 1 mW to 10 mW and can accommodate laser beam diameters (1/e2) up to 11 mm and wavelengths from 300 nm to 2 μm. At low power levels, the uncertainty is dominated by sensitivity to fluctuations in the thermal environment. The core of the instrument is a planar, silicon microfabricated bolometer with vertically aligned carbon nanotube absorbers, commercial surface mount thermistors, and an integrated heater. Where possible, commercial electronics and components were used. The performance was validated by comparing it to a National Institute of Standards and Technology primary standard through a transfer standard silicon trap detector and by comparing it to the legacy "C-series" standards in operation at the U.S. Air Force Metrology and Calibration Division (AFMETCAL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geoheritage sites can provide an excellent resource for sustainable development that represents a growing movement in Africa. Kobokwe Cave is formed within the Middle Proterozoic–aged sandstone of Kobokwe Gorge and is nationally important; the cave is the site where British missionary David Livingstone spent a night in 1847 and subsequently converted Kgosi (Chief) Kgari Sechele I, the first and only Christian “conversion” at that time by Livingstone. However, the site currently appears undervalued as there are little stewardship and minimal organized tourism and is affected by litter, graffiti, fires, illegal dumping and sand mining, and noise pollution from a nearby road; the building of the road itself destroyed a boulder of cultural significance. To test the level of environmental disturbance, the Karst Disturbance Index (KDI) was employed and this is the first known application to a non-carbonate karst environment and the first such application in Africa. Field observations were coupled with laboratory analyses of physico-chemical, nitrate, and heavy metal parameters in soil and water from the site. The final KDI score for Kobokwe of 0.29 is classed as showing “minor disturbance” and likely due to low visitor numbers although the sub-category of cultural disturbance scored 12 and is relatively high, as also found in previously published KDI studies from the USA, Italy, and Mexico. The analytical results are mostly at natural background levels, except for Pb in the cave floor soil (5.13 mg/L) and Pb in all water samples (0.3–0.63 mg/L) likely due to nearby vehicular traffic; also, Fe in all water samples (0.79–1.13 mg/L) that has possibly leached from the gorge sandstone and the spring water was slightly above standard background levels and possibly leached from nearby soil/rock. Future recommendations to avoid further disturbance and to promote environmental management of the site include community involvement, litter bin installation, graffiti removal, tour guides, information panels, entrance gate, tarred road, footpath installation, and enforcing of stronger site stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-wall vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) are nearly ideal absorbers due to their exceptionally low reflectance over a broad wavelength range. Integrating VACNTs as bolometer absorbers, however, can be difficult due to their high growth temperature and fragile nature. Despite these challenges, we have microfabricated many different types of VACNT bolometers, ranging from cryogenic optical power primary standards to room temperature satellite-based solar irradiance monitors and broadband infrared microbolometers. Advantages our VACNT bolometers provide over the bolometers they replace vary by application, but can be reduced size and time constant, increased absorption, and/or microfabrication instead of hand assembly. Depending on the application and operating conditions, our VACNT bolometers are designed with a variety of thermistors and weak thermal links. The thermistors used include commercial surface mount chips, superconducting transition-edge sensors, and vanadium oxide (VOx). Weak thermal links include silicon nitride (SiNx) membranes, Si bridges, and laser-cut polyimide. We summarize a wide variety of microfabricated bolometers with VACNT absorbers that measure optical power levels spanning over seven orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children of parents with mood and psychotic disorders are at elevated risk for a range of behavioral and emotional problems. However, as the usual reporter of psychopathology in children is the parent, reports of early problems in children of parents with mood and psychotic disorders may be biased by the parents' own experience of mental illness and their mental state. Methods: Independent observers rated psychopathology using the Test Observation Form in 378 children and youth between the ages of 4 and 24 (mean = 11.01, s.d. = 4.40) who had a parent with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or no history of mood and psychotic disorders. Results: Observed attentional problems were elevated in offspring of parents with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (effect sizes ranging between 0.31 and 0.56). Oppositional behavior and language/thought problems showed variable degrees of elevation (effect sizes 0.17 to 0.57) across the three high-risk groups, with the greatest difficulties observed in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder. Observed anxiety was increased in offspring of parents with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (effect sizes 0.19 and 0.25 respectively) but not in offspring of parents with schizophrenia. Conclusions: Our results suggest that externalizing problems and cognitive and language difficulties may represent a general manifestation of familial risk for mood and psychotic disorders, while anxiety may be a specific marker of liability for mood disorders. Observer assessment may improve early identification of risk and selection of youth who may benefit from targeted prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocarbon systems with declining or viscous oil production are often stimulated using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, such as the injection of water, steam, and CO2, in order to increase oil and gas production. As EOR and other methods of enhancing production such as hydraulic fracturing have become more prevalent, environmental concerns about the impact of both new and historical hydrocarbon production on overlying shallow aquifers have increased. Noble gas isotopes are powerful tracers of subsurface fluid provenance and can be used to understand the impact of EOR on hydrocarbon systems and potentially overlying aquifers. In oil systems, produced fluids can consist of a mixture of oil, water and gas. Noble gases are typically measured in the gas phase; however, it is not always possible to collect gases and therefore produced fluids (which are water, oil, and gas mixtures) must be analyzed. We outline a new technique to separate and analyze noble gases in multiphase hydrocarbon‐associated fluid samples. An offline double capillary method has been developed to quantitatively isolate noble gases into a transfer vessel, while effectively removing all water, oil, and less volatile hydrocarbons. The gases are then cleaned and analyzed using standard techniques. Air‐saturated water reference materials (n = 24) were analyzed and results show a method reproducibility of 2.9% for 4He, 3.8% for 20Ne, 4.5% for 36Ar, 5.3% for 84Kr, and 5.7% for 132Xe. This new technique was used to measure the noble gas isotopic compositions in six produced fluid samples from the Fruitvale Oil Field, Bakersfield, California. Key Points: Noble gases in hydrocarbon systems are typically measured in the gas phase, but this is not always availableAn offline extraction system has been developed for the purification of noble gases from produced fluids (oil‐water‐gas mixtures)Method reproducibility is less than 6% for all noble gas isotopes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on tests of several different wall coatings and materials and described the measurements of adsorption energies, outgassing and chemical reaction rates between the alkali vapor and the walls. Trapping process in a coated cell; Adsorption energy and sticking time measurements; Reaction rate and outgassing measurements.

The GOAL SYSTEMTM implements a drum-buffer-rope (DBR) approach to production scheduling. Earlier versions of the software were only capable of building a schedule for one constrained resource at a time. If multiple resources constrained the overall system's capability, the schedules for these resources had to be created sequentially. However, the current version contains an ability to simultaneously create multiple constraint schedules. A set of solutions was generated for benchmark problems developed in previous research. The new results were compared to solutions produced by the sequential algorithm, as well as solutions which optimally minimize maximum tardiness. The simultaneous algorithm was found to slightly reduce maximum tardiness, but performed worse with respect to average flow-time, percentage of tardy jobs and total days late. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhumation of the high‐grade metamorphic Seve Nappe Complex and its emplacement between lower‐grade nappes has been related to wedge extrusion in the central Scandinavian Caledonides. To test this hypothesis, the kinematic evolution of the Caledonian nappe pile is studied by systematic structural mapping in central and northern Jämtland, Sweden. Structural data, combined with petrological and quartz microstructure observations, document pervasive top‐to‐the‐ESE, foreland‐directed shearing under progressively decreasing metamorphic grade across the entire nappe pile. Mylonitic foliation, foliation‐parallel boudinage, and abundant top‐to‐the‐ESE and rare, scattered top‐to‐the‐WNW shear‐sense indicators imply foreland‐directed general shear. This deformation regime caused exhumation by concurrent thrusting and vertical ductile thinning. We propose a specific succession of in‐ and out‐of‐sequence thrusts that generated the metamorphic zonation. Our model envisions in‐sequence propagation of thrusts during exhumation of the Seve Nappe Complex, related to subduction of Baltica beneath a volcanic arc within Iapetus. Concurrently, Iapetus subducted beneath Laurentia farther to the west. When Iapetus was closed, Baltica subduction stepped westward and continued beneath Laurentia. The back stepping of subduction at the onset of continental collision caused out‐of‐sequence propagation of the orogenic wedge. Thrusting cut downsection across the existing tectonostratigraphy, emplacing units of lower metamorphic grade above the high‐grade Seve Nappe Complex. This imbrication generated the present metamorphic zonation of the Caledonian nappe pile during sustained convergence between Laurentia and Baltica. Key Points: Top‐ESE shear is pervasive across the metamorphically zoned Caledonian nappe pileMylonitic fabrics indicate sustained foreland‐directed general shear, causing exhumation by concurrent thrusting and vertical thinningBack stepping of Baltica subduction resulted in out‐of‐sequence propagation of orogenic wedge [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the experiences of grey nomads living with a diagnosis of cancer. Background: Cancer is primarily both a life-limiting and a chronic condition of ageing and older people. Older people, however, are not a homogeneous group; there are several generations and many different groups to be considered. Grey nomads are one such group and are characterised as being retired and travelling domestically for extended periods of time, usually in a caravan or motorhome. Design: Prospective qualitative phase of a larger, sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods project. Methods: A series of 14 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted over six months in 2016 with 14 self-identified grey nomads living with a diagnosis of cancer. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results/Findings: Participants travelled despite of, and because of, their cancer diagnosis. These two key themes, with their associated sub-themes, explain how older people incorporated their cancer-related work, that is to say, managing their cancer-related followup and treatment health needs into their travelling life; how they normalised it; and how they developed strategies for healthful survivorship. Conclusion: Participants were living healthfully in that they were living a lifestyle that promoted their well-being. Participants developed strategies in response to their changed environment and thus created new capacity to support what they wanted to do. Despite being cancer survivors -- some of whom were undergoing active treatment -- participants gained 'healthfulness' through their chosen nomadic lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driver compartments on medium and heavy trucks are essentially modular units that are applied to a chassis. The same cab is often utilised independent of what the rest of the truck application may be. However, the strength of the cabs has been found to be comparable to that of pickup trucks while the gross vehicle weights involved for the applications can be more than 10 times greater than their passenger vehicle counterparts. In this study, the background to the problem is reviewed. An example baseline cab configuration is then examined under various rollover loading and top loading conditions utilising virtual testing techniques. Under the same conditions, alternative design approaches are considered and evaluated. The results indicate that opportunities are available to provide substantially better improved compartment strengths to maintain the survival space for medium and heavy truck drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mass movements in tropical Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) can be devastating although studies are relatively few and contributing environmental factors are not often investigated in detail. On 25 January 2012, following 3 days of heavy monsoonal rainfall (c. 550 mm) during a La Niña episode, more than 150 debris flows were triggered in the western part of the Ba river catchment of northwest Viti Levu island, Fiji. Reconnaissance field survey and geographical information system (GIS) analyses using high-resolution satellite imagery were carried out to investigate factors that may have led to the occurrence of the debris flows in the catchment. We evaluated the correlation between the density of mass movements (number of mass movements/km) and several continuous variables using data measured within the GIS. There was a weak but significant positive correlation between mass movement density and elevation ( r = 0.38, p value < 0.01), cyclonic precipitation ( r = 0.37, p value < 0.01) and stream density ( r = 0.31, p value < 0.01). Ninety-three percent of the mass movements occur within a plantation of Pinus caribaea (Caribbean pine) on slopes oriented mainly to the northeast and east on (trade) windward slopes and may be significant factors for their development. Although forests generally have a stabilizing effect on slopes, the plantation at Ba was a mature stand on its second plantation cycle and is a species that has a shallow rooting system making it more susceptible to failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the use of a depolarized broadband probe to experimentally measure the gain spectra of amplifiers comprising parametric and Raman gain. The suggested technique allows a quick and accurate characterization of gain spectra spanning more than 100 nm. We derive formulas for processing spectral data to address polarization dependent gain and idler generation, and consequently develop a measurement methodology for obtaining reliable results. We demonstrate the viability of this approach by performing an experimental comparison with results obtained using tunable lasers. We expect the technique described here to be useful for fiber optical parametric amplifier development and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reasons for performing study: Parascaris spp. infections can lead to life-threatening small intestinal impactions in foals. Currently available diagnostic techniques cannot estimate the magnitude of an ascarid burden, and hence identify foals potentially at risk of developing impactions. Objectives: To describe and evaluate an ultrasonographic transabdominal scoring technique for monitoring of ascarid burdens in foals and to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the application of this technique. Study design: A transabdominal ultrasonographic technique was validated against ascarid worm counts from 10 foals aged 162–294 days. In a treatment trial, 15 foals were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups: ivermectin, oxibendazole and no treatment. Blinded ultrasound examinations were performed daily for 5 consecutive days following treatment. Foals were examined ultrasonographically twice by the same investigator, and by different investigators for intra- and interobserver agreement evaluation. Cost-benefit analyses identified threshold values for the probability of ascarid impactions above which the screening method becomes cost-effective. Methods: The ultrasound technique used 3 locations along the ventral midline. An ascarid scoring system was established that assessed the magnitude of ascarid burden ranging from 1–4. The method was validated against worm burdens of 10 worms and above with calculation of diagnostic specificity, sensitivity, and predictive values. Treatment trial data were evaluated statistically using mixed model analysis. Kappa values were generated for intra- and interobserver agreement. Results: Two consecutive examinations were found to detect worm burdens >10 ascarids reliably. Ascarid scores declined in response to both anthelmintic treatments, although differences were not statistically significant. Kappa values indicated fair to moderate intra- and interobserver agreements. The majority of cost-benefit analyses indicated that ultrasound examinations are cost effective when the probability of ascarid impactions is above a range of 0.0001–0.0082 (i.e. 1 in 10,000 to 8 in 1000 foals). Conclusions: The ultrasonographic screening techniques can be a useful tool for monitoring ascarid burdens in foals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammatory state associated with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains incompletely defined. To understand more clearly the extracellular milieu associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we employed a bioassay whereby plasma of treatment naive paediatric IBD patients ( n = 22 CD, n = 15 UC) and unrelated healthy controls (uHC, n = 10) were used to induce transcriptional responses in a healthy leucocyte population. After culture, gene expression was measured comprehensively with microarrays and analysed. Relative to uHC, plasma of CD and UC patients induced distinct responses consisting, respectively, of 985 and 895 regulated transcripts [|log2 ratio| ≥ 0·5 (1·4-fold); false discovery rates (FDR) ≤ 0·01]. The CD:uHC and UC:uHC signatures shared a non-random, commonly regulated, intersection of 656 transcripts (χ2 = P < 0·001) and were highly correlative [Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0·96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96, 0.97]. Despite sharing common genetic susceptibility loci, the IBD signature correlated negatively with that driven by plasma of type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -0·51). Ontological analyses revealed the presence of an immunoregulatory plasma milieu in IBD, as transcripts for cytokines/chemokines, receptors and signalling molecules consistent with immune activation were under-expressed relative to uHC and T1D plasma. Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and receptor blockade studies confirmed transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin (IL)-10 as contributors to the IBD signature. Analysis of CD patient signatures detected a subset of transcripts associated with responsiveness to 6-mercaptopurine treatment. Through plasma-induced signature analysis, we have defined a unique, partially TGF-β/IL-10-dependent immunoregulatory signature associated with IBD that may prove useful in predicting therapeutic responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benford’s Law is a probability distribution for the first significant digits of numbers, for example, the first significant digits of the numbers 871 and 0.22 are 8 and 2 respectively. The law is particularly remarkable because many types of data are considered to be consistent with Benford’s Law and scientists and investigators have applied it in diverse areas, for example, diagnostic tests for mathematical models in Biology, Genomics, Neuroscience, image analysis and fraud detection. In this article we present and compare statistically sound methods for assessing conformance of data with Benford’s Law, including discrete versions of Cramér-von Mises (CvM) statistical tests and simultaneous confidence intervals. We demonstrate that the common use of many binomial confidence intervals leads to rejection of Benford too often for truly Benford data. Based on our investigation, we recommend that the CvM statistic , Pearson’s chi-square statistic and 100(1 − α)% Goodman’s simultaneous confidence intervals be computed when assessing conformance with Benford’s Law. Visual inspection of the data with simultaneous confidence intervals is useful for understanding departures from Benford and the influence of sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand Blood Service Haemovigilance uses International Society of Blood Transfusion/International Haemovigilance Network definitions to categorize transfusion reactions ( TR). Transfusion-associated dyspnoea ( TAD) is a category for TR with respiratory features ( TRRF) that do not fit definitive entities. TRRF, including TAD, are clinically significant. TR classified as TAD were reviewed. We found that many TAD may have been transfusion-associated circulatory overload. Better information in TR reports and refining TR diagnostic criteria may result in less misclassification of TRRF. TAD may represent mild, atypical or overlap entities, and there may be a residuum of cases with currently unexplained pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies have demonstrated that diabetes-induced oxidative stress alters homeostasis of retinal nerve growth factor (NGF) resulting in accumulation of its precursor, proNGF, at the expense of NGF which plays a critical role in preserving neuronal and retinal function. This imbalance coincided with retinal damage in experimental diabetes. Here we test the hypothesis that alteration of proNGF and NGF levels observed in retina and vitreous will be mirrored in serum of diabetic patients. Blood and vitreous samples were collected from patients (diabetic and nondiabetic) undergoing vitrectomy at Georgia Regents University under approved IRB. Levels of proNGF, NGF, and p75NTR shedding were detected using Western blot analysis. MMP-7 activity was also assayed. Diabetes-induced proNGF expression and impaired NGF expression were observed in vitreous and serum. Vitreous and sera from diabetic patients (n=11) showed significant 40.8-fold and 3.6-fold increases, respectively, compared to nondiabetics (n=9). In contrast, vitreous and sera from diabetic patients showed significant 44% and 64% reductions in NGF levels, respectively, compared to nondiabetics. ProNGF to NGF ratios showed significant correlation between vitreous and serum. Further characterization of diabetes-induced imbalance in the proNGF to NGF ratio will facilitate its utility as an early biomarker for diabetic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study we developed a model to assess first metatarsal pronation based on the position of the inferior tuberosity of its base and showed a significant relationship between first metatarsal pronation and the intermetatarsal angle (r = 0.69, p < 0.001). The present study was undertaken to correlate first metatarsal pronation with the height of the medial longitudinal arch in an attempt to define the clinical significance of this new finding. The weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the feet of 50 patients (100 feet; 36 females patients of mean age 38 years, 14 males patients of mean age 40 years) were reviewed, and in each case, the patient's age, sex, intermetatarsal angle, amount of first metatarsal pronation and medial longitudinal arch angle were recorded by independent observers. A significant relationship was demonstrated between first metatarsal pronation and the height of the medial longitudinal arch (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001). Less marked association was observed between intermetatarsal angles and first metatarsal pronation (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of patient age, sex, intermetatarsal angle and medial longitudinal arch angle against metatarsal pronation showed that the single most dominant variable affecting metatarsal pronation was the height of the medial longitudinal arch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes a method of detecting first metatarsal pronation on the basis of the movement of the inferior tuberosity of the base of 20 cadaveric first metatarsals at 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees and 30 degrees pronation. On pronation, the inferior tuberosity of the base of the first metatarsal moved lateral to the mid-line axis. At 10 degrees, the tuberosity pointed to the junction of the inner third and outer two-thirds of a line between the midpoint and lateral tubercle of the base. At 20 degrees, it pointed to the junction of the inner two-thirds and outer third of that line. At 30 degrees, it pointed to the outer margin of the lateral third. Using these features, the amount of first metatarsal pronation in 100 consecutive weight-bearing views of feet was recorded and plotted against the corresponding intermetatarsal angles in those feet. Four of 43 patients with an intermetatarsal angle of less than 9 degrees had pronation greater than 10 degrees, 48 of 57 patients with an intermetatarsal angle greater than 9 degrees had pronation greater than 10 degrees (P < 0.001). As intermetatarsal angles increase, the amount of first metatarsal pronation increases (r = 0.69). Pronation and varus deviation of the first metatarsal are linked; both alter the tendon balance maintaining proximal phalanx alignment and lead to the development of hallux valgus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline hyperthyroidism is a commonly diagnosed endocrinopathy that can have a substantial deleterious impact on the welfare of affected cats. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and geographical distribution for feline hyperthyroidism in England, using primary-care veterinary practice clinical data from the VetCompass Animal Surveillance Project. Prevalence was estimated from the overall cat cohort. Associated factor analysis used an age-matched, nested, case-control design with multivariable logistic regression. There were 2,276 cases of feline hyperthyroidism identified from 95,629 cats attending 84 practices from September 2009 to December 2011. Cases were aged 6-25 years. 3.7 per cent of cases and 9.9 per cent of controls were purebred, 56.4 per cent of cases and 56.5 per cent of controls were female, and 88.1 per cent of cases and 86.0 per cent of controls were neutered. The apparent prevalence was 2.4 per cent (95% CI 2.3 to 2.5 per cent) overall, and 8.7 per cent (95% CI 8.3 to 9.0 per cent) in cats aged 10 years or above. Burmese (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.32, P<0.0001), Persian (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.33, P<0.0001), Siamese (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.75, P=0.004) and purebred cats overall (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.42, P<0.0001) had lower odds of feline hyperthyroidism than non-purebred cats. Insured cats had increased odds (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.03, P<0.001). There was little evidence of spatial variation. This study highlights feline hyperthyroidism as a high-prevalence disease in England, and reports reduced odds of diagnosis in certain breeds and purebred cats overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Forestry Review is the property of Commonwealth Forestry Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pancreas transplants are performed in multiple centres across the UK with good graft survival rates. This places an increasing demand on radiology services, particularly as the complication rates are not insignificant. The imaging appearances of pancreas transplants and their complications can be difficult to interpret. This review provides an illustrative journey through the anatomical appearances of a graft and the imaging appearances of complications, as a reference tool for radiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of the holistic sustainable management plan that is being implemented at Volivoli Cave, Viti Levu, Fiji. The cave has been mapped to assess the levels of degradation of archaeological deposits since a previous mapping exercise 13 years earlier. The new survey indicates that 5.7 m of sediments to around 40 cm depth have been removed by stream erosion during this time. A preliminary survey of the invertebrate fauna has been performed to provide baseline data for future monitoring and give some general indication of 'cave health'. A conservation plan to protect the cave has involved installation of a drainage system to divert water away from important archaeological deposits, implementation of a walkway so as to allow safe access into the cave and the production of a notice board displaying accurate scientific information. The project was carried out in close cooperation with the local landowners who carried out much of the maintenance work using local natural materials and are now able to manage, sustain and conserve their own natural heritage. This type of study and plan is the first in the tropical South Pacific region and has rarely been carried out before in the Pacific. It is envisaged that the methodology and approach employed in this article may be developed and applied to other similar cave systems in Fiji and the South Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]