Search

Context The ability to accurately estimate age of animals is important for both research and management. The two methods for age estimation in ungulates are tooth replacement and wear (TRW) and cementum annuli (CA). Errors in estimated TRW ages are commonly attributed to environmental conditions; however, the influence of environmental variables on tooth wear has not been quantified. Further, the performance of CA in environments with weak seasonality has not been thoroughly evaluated. Aims The study had the following three goals: identify environmental and morphological factors that influenced estimated ages, quantify accuracy of TRW and CA, and develop TRW ageing criteria that minimise error. Methods We used data from harvested (n = 5117) and free-ranging, known-age white-tailed deer (n = 134) collected in southern Texas, USA, to quantify environmental and morphological influences on estimated TRW ages, and assess biases in both methods. Key results We observed substantial variation in age estimates for both TRW and CA. Soil, drought and supplemental nutrition had minor effects on tooth wear, insufficient to alter age estimates by ≥1 year. Body mass and antler size influenced age estimates for TRW only for extreme outliers. Both methods were biased and tended to under-estimate ages of adult deer, especially TRW. Wear on the first molar was most correlated with the known age (r2 = 0.78) and allowed biologists to correctly place known-age deer into age classes of 2, 3–5, and ≥6 years old 72%, 73% and 68% of the time, an improvement compared with the 79%, 48% and 28% accuracy from pooled TRW. Conclusions We observed substantial inter- and intra-individual variation in tooth-wear patterns that became more pronounced in older deer. Individual variation had a greater influence on TRW ages than did environmental covariates, whereas CA ages appeared unaffected by environment. Although variable, age estimates were ±1 year of the true age 87% and 93% of the time for TRW and CA respectively. Implications Managers, ecologists and epidemiologists often incorporate ages into population models. The high inter-individual variation in estimated ages, the tendency to underestimate ages of older deer, and the ageing method need to be considered.

We report a rare case of posttraumatic hallux valgus in a collegiate football player after an acute medial collateral ligament tear of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The patient was treated with a modification of the modified McBride technique, using an all-suture anchor for the medial ligamentous complex repair. There was return to sport at 5 months and a Foot and Ankle Outcome Score of 95% at 10 months.A modified McBride procedure further modified with the utilization of an all-suture anchor for the medial ligamentous complex repair can result in correction of deformity, pain-free movement and return to sport.

Equation (7) of the published article (Aasi et al. 2015) is in error; it should read (Equation presented). The upper limits on ò presented in the published article are unaffected by this error. Equation (8) of the published article is in error; it should read (Equation presented) The upper limits on α presented in Figure 3 and Table 4 of the published article were computed incorrectly. The revised Figure 3 (bottom) shows the corrected upper limits on α for the G266.2-1.2 (Vela Jr.) wide search. The revised Table 4 is provided here. The correct lowest upper limit on α (quoted in the Abstract of the published article) is 3 × 10-6. Figure 4 shows the incorrect and corrected upper limits on α for the G266.2-1.2 (Vela Jr.) wide search, which have been surpassed by upper limits from Abbott et al. (2019).

IntroductionInitially described in a sports context in ice hockey in 1985, the relative age effect (RAE) refers to the performance advantages of youth born in the first quarter of the birth year when trying-out for select, age-restricted sports. The competitive advantage bestowed to the relatively older athlete in their age band is the result of the older athlete being more physically and emotionally mature. These more mature players will likely go on to be exposed to better coaching, competition, teammates and facilities in their respective sport.ObjectivesOur study sought to characterise the ubiquity of this effect by examining the birth distribution of some of the world’s most elite athletes, Olympians.MethodsWe extended the exploration of the RAE beyond specific sports by examining the birth quarter of over 44 000 Olympic athlete’s birthdates, born between 1964 and 1996. Our hypothesis was that the RAE would be prominent in both Olympic athletes as a whole and in selected subcategories of athletes.Results and ConclusionThe fractions of births in the first versus the fourth quarter were significantly different (p

A painful ankle arthrodesis, whether from malunion, nonunion, or the development of adjacent hindfoot arthritis, can be a difficult problem for the patient and treating surgeon. Several surgical options are available, however, conversion of the arthrodesis to a total ankle replacement offers the pot

Introduction. The relative age effect (RAE) refers to performance advantage of youth born in the first quarter of the birth year when auditioning for select, age-restricted sports. This advantage conferred to the older athlete is a result of being more physically and emotionally mature, therefore, assumed to be a more advanced player. We hypothesize an RAE exists in Olympic athletes, and this extends across selected categories of athletes (by gender), such as team versus individual sports, winter versus summer athletes, and sports using a ball versus those not using a ball. Methods. We extended the exploration of an RAE beyond specific sports by examining the birth quarter of more than 44 000 Olympic athlete’s birthdates, born between 1964-1996. The data were summarized by birth quarter (January 1 to March 31, etc) and presented as percentages and 95% confidence intervals. Results. The fractions of births in the first versus the fourth quarter were significantly different ( P < .001) from each other for the summer and winter Olympians, ball and nonball sports, and team as well as individual sports. Conclusions. The general presence of an RAE in Olympic athletes exists regardless of global classification.

Background: While it is thought that stresses through the subtalar and talonavicular joints will be decreased after total ankle replacement (TAR) relative to ankle fusion, progressive arthritis or deformity of these joints may require a fusion after a successful TAR. However, after ankle replacement, it is unknown how hindfoot biomechanics and blood supply may be affected. Consequently, subsequent hindfoot joint fusion may be adversely affected. Methods: We retrospectively identified a consecutive series of 1001 primary TARs performed between January 1998 and December 2014. We identified patients who underwent a secondary triple, subtalar or talonavicular arthrodesis to treat progressive arthritis or pes planus deformity. Clinical outcomes including pain and functional outcome scores, revision procedures, delayed union, nonunion, complications, and failure rates were recorded. Twenty-six patients (2.6%) required a subtalar (18), talonavicular (3), talonavicular and subtalar (3), or triple arthrodesis (2). Of these patients, 14 (54%) were males with an average age of 63.2 years and a mean 70.9 months follow-up. We then compared these patients to 13 patients who had a subtalar fusion after an ankle arthrodesis. Results: The most common type of fixation used was 2 variable-pitch screws across each joint. Fresh-frozen allograft cancellous chips were the most common supplement to the fusion construct (80.8%). The mean time between TAR and secondary fusion procedure was 37.5 months. Overall, 92.3% of the patients went on to fusion. Two patients (7.7%) had a delayed union and 2 patients had a nonunion (7.7%) and were considered operative failures. There were 3 repeat procedures related to the arthrodesis procedure: 1 conversion of a subtalar to a triple arthrodesis, 1 revision talonavicular fusion, and 1 revision subtalar fusion. The average time to weight bearing after arthrodesis was 8.7 weeks; the mean time to radiographic and clinical fusion was 26.5 weeks. There were no secondary complications associated with the arthrodesis. Pain and functional outcome scores improved significantly. There were no differences in the rates of subsequent fusions among implant choices, though the time to fusion in the mobile-bearing prosthesis was significantly longer than the 2 fixed-bearing prostheses. Compared with the data of 13 patients with prior ipsilateral ankle arthrodeses and subtalar fusions, patients who had an ankle replacement had a higher fusion rate ( P = .03) and had a similar time to fusion. Conclusion: Hindfoot arthrodesis following a TAR was safe and effective in improving function and pain. Additionally, a hindfoot arthrodesis following a TAR had a higher fusion rate than a subtalar fusion following an ankle arthrodesis. Although the time to healing was relatively long, various hindfoot fusions were used to treat progressive arthritis and deformity with high fusion rates. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative case series.

The aim of this paper is to quantify the day-to-day variations of motion models derived from pre-treatment 4-dimensional cone beam CT (4DCBCT) fractions for lung cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) patients. Motion models are built by (1) applying deformable image registration (DIR) on each 4DCBCT image with respect to a reference image from that day, resulting in a set of displacement vector fields (DVFs), and (2) applying principal component analysis (PCA) on the DVFs to obtain principal components representing a motion model. Variations were quantified by comparing the PCA eigenvectors of the motion model built from the first day of treatment to the corresponding eigenvectors of the other motion models built from each successive day of treatment. Three metrics were used to quantify the variations: root mean squared (RMS) difference in the vectors, directional similarity, and an introduced metric called the Euclidean Model Norm (EMN). EMN quantifies the degree to which a motion model derived from the first fraction can represent the motion models of subsequent fractions. Twenty-one 4DCBCT scans from five SBRT patient treatments were used in this retrospective study. Experimental results demonstrated that the first two eigenvectors of motion models across all fractions have smaller RMS (0.00017), larger directional similarity (0.528), and larger EMN (0.678) than the last three eigenvectors (RMS: 0.00025, directional similarity: 0.041, and EMN: 0.212). The study concluded that, while the motion model eigenvectors varied from fraction to fraction, the first few eigenvectors were shown to be more stable across treatment fractions than others. This supports the notion that a pre-treatment motion model built from the first few PCA eigenvectors may remain valid throughout a treatment course. Future work is necessary to quantify how day-to-day variations in these models will affect motion reconstruction accuracy for specific clinical tasks.

We show that an asymptotic property of the determinants of certain matrices whose entries are finite sums of cotangents with rational arguments is equivalent to the GRH for odd Dirichlet characters. This is then connected to the existence of certain quantum modular forms related to Maass Eisenstein series., 24 pages, 8 figures

We present a technique for continuous generation of volumetric images during SBRT using periodic kV imaging and an external respiratory surrogate signal to drive a patient-specific PCA motion model. Using the on-board imager, kV radiographs are acquired every 3 seconds and used to fit the parameters of a motion model so that it matches observed changes in internal patient anatomy. A multi-dimensional correlation model is established between the motion model parameters and the external surrogate position and velocity, enabling volumetric image reconstruction between kV imaging time points. Performance of the algorithm was evaluated using 10 realistic eXtended CArdiac-Torso (XCAT) digital phantoms including 3D anatomical respiratory deformation programmed with 3D tumor positions measured with orthogonal kV imaging of implanted fiducial gold markers. The clinically measured ground truth 3D tumor positions provided a dataset with realistic breathing irregularities, and the combination of periodic on-board kV imaging with recorded external respiratory surrogate signal was used for correlation modeling to account for any changes in internal-external correlation. The three-dimensional tumor positions are reconstructed with an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.47 mm, and an average 95th percentile 3D positional error of 2.80 mm compared with the clinically measured ground truth 3D tumor positions. This technique enables continuous 3D anatomical image generation based on periodic kV imaging of internal anatomy without the additional dose of continuous kV imaging. The 3D anatomical images produced using this method can be used for treatment verification and delivered dose computation in the presence of irregular respiratory motion., 12 pages, 10 figures

An experimental investigation of the thermal-hydraulic characteristics for single-phase flow through three electron beam enhanced structures was conducted with water at mass flow rates from 0.005 kg/s to 0.045 kg/s. The structures featured copper heat transfer surfaces, approximately 28 mm wide and 32 mm long in the flow direction, with complex three-dimensional (3D) electron beam manufactured pyramid-like structures. The channel height varied depending on the height of the protrusions and the tip clearance was maintained at 0.1-0.3 mm. The average protrusion densities for the three samples S1, S2, and S3 were 13, 11, and 25 per cm2 with protrusion heights of 2.5, 2.8, and 1.6 mm, respectively. The data gathered were compared to those for a smooth channel surface operating under similar conditions. The results show an increase up to approximately three times for the average Nusselt number compared with the smooth surface. This is attributed to the surface irregularities of the enhanced surfaces, which not only increase the heat transfer area but also improve mixing, disturb the thermal and velocity boundary layers, and reduce thermal resistance. The increase in heat transfer with the enhanced surfaces was accompanied by an increase of pressure drop, which has to be considered in design. The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Anita Buxton and Dr Bruce Dance of TWI for their contribution to this project and also EPSRC and TSB for funding the EngD programme and sponsoring the ASTIA collaborative research project that helped to develop the Electron Beam enhanced surfaces respectively.

Background: This series reviews the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent total ankle replacement (TAR) using first- and second-generations of a modern fixed-bearing prosthesis utilizing a modular intramedullary stem. Methods: A consecutive series of first- and second-generation primary TARs with modular intramedullary stems were identified. Clinical outcome data were collected prospectively—including visual analog scale for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot-ankle, Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment, and Short Form–36 scores. Preoperative coronal plane deformity and correction of deformity after TAR were assessed. Complications, subsequent procedures, and failure rates were compared. A total of 193 first- and 56 second-generation patients were identified with a mean follow-up of 3.7 and 2.1 years, respectively. Results: Clinical outcome data reflected significant improvements at 1 year postoperatively, and improvements were maintained at 2-year follow-up for each group. Improvement in visual analog scale scores were significantly better in the second-generation group at 1 year postoperatively, but this was not maintained at 2 years. Mean coronal tibiotalar angles for ankles with preoperative varus or valgus deformities were significantly improved. Correction was maintained until final follow-up, with no significant differences in deformity improvement between groups. The rate of reoperation at 2 years postoperatively on the affected foot or ankle subsequent to the index ankle replacement for patients in the first-generation group (18.5%) was higher compared to the second-generation group (15.9%), but the time until reoperation was not statistically significant ( P = .376). The implant failure rate was higher in the first-generation group (6.0%) compared to the second-generation group (2.6%) at 2 years postoperatively, but the time until failure was not significantly different ( P = .295). Conclusion: Patients who underwent TAR with a first- or second-generation fixed-bearing prosthesis with an intramedullary tibial component demonstrated significant improvements in all measures of pain and function with sustained improvements in coronal plane alignment. The second-generation prosthesis demonstrated slightly better improvements at 1 year and was associated with lower reoperation and implant failure rates. Level of Evidence: Level II, comparative series.

Background. With the rapidly increasing application of adaptive radiotherapy, large datasets of organ geometries based on the patient’s anatomy are desired to support clinical application or research work, such as image segmentation, re-planning, and organ deformation analysis. Sometimes only limited datasets are available in clinical practice. In this study, we propose a new method to generate large datasets of organ geometries to be utilized in adaptive radiotherapy. Methods. Given a training dataset of organ shapes derived from daily cone-beam CT, we align them into a common coordinate frame and select one of the training surfaces as reference surface. A statistical shape model of organs was constructed, based on the establishment of point correspondence between surfaces and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) representation. A principal component analysis is performed on the sampled surface points to capture the major variation modes of each organ. Results. A set of principal components and their respective coefficients, which represent organ surface deformation, were obtained, and a statistical analysis of the coefficients was performed. New sets of statistically equivalent coefficients can be constructed and assigned to the principal components, resulting in a larger geometry dataset for the patient’s organs. Conclusions. These generated organ geometries are realistic and statistically representative

The relationship of antler size at one age to that at a later age is important in cervid management, in part by defining the effects of selective harvest based on antler characteristics. We used capture and harvest records from 2,948 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on 5 study sites over a 10-year period to define age-antler size relationships. Antler size (Boone and Crockett score converted to cm) increased with deer age to 5 years of age, and we therefore considered males mature at ≥5 years of age. Antler size at ≥2 years of age was positively related to yearling antler size with antler size increasing 0.64 cm (SE = 0.07) for every cm of yearling antler score. Antler size at maturity increased 0.52–0.78 cm (SE = 0.05–0.12) for each cm of antler size at 2, 3, and 4 years of age. Number of yearling antler points is a criterion in some selective harvest regimes. Yearling deer with ≤3 antler points had antlers at maturity that were 32 cm (SE = 8.4 cm) smaller than deer with ≥4 antler points as yearlings. Because of a relationship between yearling antler size and antler size at later ages, selective harvest at young ages can influence antler size of deer remaining in the cohort at later ages. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund. Saturated pool boiling of R-123 was investigated for five horizontal copper surfaces modified by different treatments, namely, an emery-polished surface, a fine sandblasted surface, a rough sandblasted surface, an electron beam-enhanced surface, and a sintered surface. Each 40-mm-diameter heating surface formed the upper face of an oxygen-free copper block, electrically heated by embedded cartridge heaters. The experiments were performed from the natural convection regime through nucleate boiling up to the critical heat flux, with both increasing and decreasing heat flux, at 1.01 bar, and additionally at 2 bar and 4 bar for the emery-polished surface. Significant enhancement of heat transfer with increasing surface modification was demonstrated, particularly for the electron beam-enhanced and sintered surfaces. The emery-polished and sandblasted surface results are compared with nucleate boiling correlations and other published data. © 2014 Syed W. Ahmad, John S. Lewis, Ryan J. McGlen, and Tassos G. Karayiannis Published with license by Taylor & Francis.

To examine the relationship between inflammation and posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) in a murine intraarticular fracture model.Male C57BL/6 and MRL/MpJ "superhealer" mice received tibial plateau fractures using a previously established method. Mice were killed on day 0 (within 4 hours of fracture) and days 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, and 56 after fracture. Synovial tissue samples, obtained prior to fracture and on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 after fracture, were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Synovial fluid and serum samples were collected to measure cytokine concentrations, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whole joints were examined histologically for the extent of synovitis and cartilage degradation, and joint tissue samples from all time points were analyzed immunohistochemically to evaluate the distribution of interleukin-1 (IL-1).Compared to C57BL/6 mice, MRL/MpJ mice had less severe intraarticular and systemic inflammation following joint injury, as evidenced by lower gene expression of tumor necrosis factor α and IL-1β in the synovial tissue and lower protein levels of IL-1α and IL-1β in the synovial fluid, serum, and joint tissues. Furthermore, after joint injury, MRL/MpJ mice had lower gene expression of macrophage inflammatory proteins and macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22) in the synovial tissue, and also had reduced acute and late-stage infiltration of synovial macrophages.C57BL/6 mice exhibited higher levels of inflammation than MRL/MpJ mice, indicating that MRL/MpJ mice are protected from PTA in this model. These data thus suggest an association between joint tissue inflammation and the development and progression of PTA in mice.

Post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) is a frequent cause of disability following trauma of weight-bearing joints and is associated with significant physical impairment and loss of function. The development of PTA often occurs after an articular fracture. Currently, the only treatment option available to orthopaedic surgeons in the management of an acute articular fracture is anatomic fracture reduction. The complex pathway involved in the development and progression of PTA after articular injury, however, remains unknown and largely unstudied. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-ƒÑ (TNF-ƒÑ) are upregulated in injured and degenerative joints and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PTA. The central goal of ongoing research is to understand the sequence of biologic events¡Xdistinct from mechanical disruption of the joint surface¡Xthat cause progressive joint degeneration and ultimately the development of PTA. Promising new interventions on the molecular level have been shown to slow or halt the progression of these adverse events in animal models. Lewis JS Jr, Mangiapani DS, Furman BD, Kraus VB, Guilak F, Olson SA. Post-traumatic Arthritis: An Update. The Duke Orthop J 2013;3(1):32-35.

Ring external fixators such as the Ilizarov external fixator (IEF) and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) have revolutionized management of limb deformity. This study examines radiographic outcomes for treatment of malunions and nonunions with secondary emphasis on comparing radiographic union rates of TSF and IEF. A retrospective chart and radiograph review was performed. Fifty-four patients were included. Most injuries were in the tibia (96%). Fifty patients (93%) achieved radiographic union, two patients required further fixation, and two patients elected to undergo amputation. The preoperative coronal deformity improved from a mean of 12° (range, 0°-41°) to within 3° anatomic. Sagittal deformity improved from a mean of 11° (range, 0°-49°) to within 5° anatomic with some patients intentionally left in recurvatum to accommodate plantarflexion contractures. Limb length discrepancies were corrected to within 1 cm. Twenty-five patients experienced complications (mostly superficial pin tract infections). No statistically significant differences in the radiographic outcomes of TSF compared to IEF were identified.

Injuries of the foot and ankle are common among recreational and competitive athletes. Like most sports-related injuries, management typically entails a period of rest, aggressive rehabilitation and return to early competitive activity without compromising long-term functional outcomes. Timing of intervention and return to play is often a prime consideration with respect to sports, and thus particular emphasis is often given to early diagnosis and treatment in the athlete. A combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors may predispose athletes to certain injuries in the foot and ankle. Common acute athletic injuries to the foot and ankle include ankle sprains, ankle fractures, turf toe, Lisfranc injuries, and overuse syndromes ranging from Achilles tendonitis to stress fractures. As in all of sports medicine, the goal of treatment and surgical decision-making is to ensure safe return to play and to reduce the risk of further or recurrent injury, aligned with the goals of coaches, teams, and the athlete.

Antler traits are both genetically determined and environmentally influenced. However, the degree to which environmental factors affect antler expression has rarely been quantified. We captured 30 to 150 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) annually at 7 South Texas sites during 1985 to 2009 to determine repeatability of antler traits from a semiarid environment with variable rainfall. Repeatability is defined as the intraclass correlation between repeated measures of the same trait over time. Repeatability was moderate to high (0.42–0.82) for all antler traits. Overall, number of antler points had the lowest repeatability, whereas inside spread of main beams and length of main beams had the highest repeatability. Repeatability of total antler score and number of antler points from sites with variable rainfall was 16% and 24% lower than sites with consistent rainfall, respectively. Sites with variable rainfall had 13–18% higher repeatability when enhanced nutrition was available. Studies of cervids reveal a tendency for lower repeatability of antler traits as the environmental conditions become more variable. The association between repeatability and variable environmental conditions illustrates the magnitude of environmental effects and supports the role of antlers as an honest advertisement of individual condition or quality. Our results help to understand potential of microevolution in antlers and have implications for sexual selection and harvest management.

Frequency of large rangeland wildfires may increase in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico as a result of exotic grass invasion and reduced emphasis on livestock production, but effects of such fires on white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are poorly documented. A large wildfire burned s 90% of the 6 151-ha Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in southern Texas during March 2008, creating an opportunity to study short-term effects of wildfire on white-tailed deer food habits, body condition, and pregnancy. We harvested 26 female deer between 7 April and 20 June 2008 and recorded dressed body weight, body condition, number of corpora lutea, and number and size of fetuses. We used rumen contents to quantify forage classes consumed. Deer ate prickly pear ( Opuntia engelmannii ) pads and emergent grasses during April and shifted to forbs and browse as vegetation communities recovered. Deer consumed mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) beans and prickly pear fruit during mid-June. Body condition measures did not vary during the collection period, suggesting deer were able to acquire sufficient nutrients to meet requirements. Fetal development rate appeared normal. Precipitation (11.4 cm) during late April and May probably allowed vegetation to recover from the wildfire. White-tailed deer are resilient opportunists and were able to maintain body condition and pregnancy after a large-scale wildfire.

Numerous studies have examined the impacts of ground level O3 on plants that are important for human consumption, but native species that are important for wildlife have received less scrutiny. During May–August 2004 we examined the effects of O3 on biomass production and nutritive quality of highbush blackberry (Rubus argutus Link), an important forage for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) and other herbivorous mammals. Plants were fumigated in open-top chambers with three levels of O3 in a randomized-block experiment with three replicates of each treatment. Our three experimental treatments were carbon-filtered air, characteristic of clean air quality; nonfiltered air, representative of air quality in Auburn, AL; and air with double (2×) the ambient concentration of O3. Although biomass production was not influenced by O3 exposure, nutritive quality of plants was associated negatively with O3 concentration. Specifically, neutral detergent fiber was greater and relative feed value was less in plants exposed to elevated levels of O3. Similarly, in vitro dry matter digestibility tended to be less in plants exposed to elevated O3. Nutritive quality of regrowth vegetation followed a similar pattern, where neutral detergent fiber was greater and relative feed value was less in plants exposed to elevated levels of O3. These data suggest that elevated levels of ground level O3 could have implications for diet selection of herbivorous mammals.

The helicopter and net gun is a technique used to capture white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and is useful in a variety of habitat types and at various population densities with the ability to be highly selective. During capture, deer may sustain injuries or even die as a result of capture and handling, and may also be prone to capture myopathy. Therefore, our objectives were to determine 1) type and frequency of injuries sustained during the helicopter and net-gun capture, and 2) the effects of capture on survival of radiocollared deer. We captured 3,350 white-tailed deer from 1998 to 2005 using a net gun fired from a helicopter on 5 southern Texas, USA, ranches. Additionally, we captured 51 yearling males and 49 mature (≥4 yr of age) males and fitted them with radiocollars to monitor their survival. We recorded injuries and mortalities during capture and ranked the seriousness of injuries on a scale from 0 to 4. We recorded 281 injuries (8.4%) and as a result of capture, at least 206 deer had broken antlers (6.1%), 55 were injured (1.6%), and 20 were direct mortalities (0.6%). The most common antler injury was broken antler tines and the most common body injury was broken legs. Postcapture mortality rates were low (1%) for this capture method. Based on capture-related injuries, mortalities, and postcapture survival, we found the helicopter and net gun to be a safe capture technique compared to other capture techniques, particularly when conditions are favorable.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a phytotoxic air pollutant widespread in industrialized nations of the world. Ozone is produced by the photo-oxidation of hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere by combustion of fossil fuels. Studies demonstrate O3 can be transported from metropolitan areas to rural areas important to agricultural and forestry practices. Reports regarding O3 effects have focused on vegetation important to food production or agronomic crops of economic importance. However, relatively little is known about O3 effects on native plant species. The effects of tropospheric O3 on two warm-season grasses, eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), were examined during June-September of 2003. Plants were fumigated with three levels of O3 in a randomized-block experiment with three replicates of each treatment. Grasses were grown in open-top chambers with introduced carbon-filtered (CF) air, characteristic of clean air quality; non-filtered (NF) air, representative of quality in Auburn, AL; and air with double (2X) the ambient concentration of O3. Because forage quality can be as important as quantity, we determined various effects on nutritive quality characteristics in addition to biomass yield. Big bluestem exhibited little response to O3 exposure. For eastern gamagrass, we generally found decreased nutritive quality with increasing O3 exposure as evidenced by increased concentrations of cell wall constituents and decreased concentrations of N. Regrowth of both species exhibited little treatment effect which emphasizes the importance of timing and duration of O3 exposures in relation to physiological stage of plant development. Decreased nutritive quality parameters observed for eastern gamagrass may have implications to diet selection and nutrient intake by ruminant herbivores. In addition, range managers can use species-specific information regarding O3 sensitivity to make decisions about mechanical harvesting and grazing regimes of these forages growing in areas exposed to elevated O3 concentrations.

Stabilizing the carbon dioxide–induced component of climate change is an energy problem. Establishment of a course toward such stabilization will require the development within the coming decades of primary energy sources that do not emit carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, in addition to efforts to reduce end-use energy demand. Mid-century primary power requirements that are free of carbon dioxide emissions could be several times what we now derive from fossil fuels (∼10 13 watts), even with improvements in energy efficiency. Here we survey possible future energy sources, evaluated for their capability to supply massive amounts of carbon emission–free energy and for their potential for large-scale commercialization. Possible candidates for primary energy sources include terrestrial solar and wind energy, solar power satellites, biomass, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, fission-fusion hybrids, and fossil fuels from which carbon has been sequestered. Non–primary power technologies that could contribute to climate stabilization include efficiency improvements, hydrogen production, storage and transport, superconducting global electric grids, and geoengineering. All of these approaches currently have severe deficiencies that limit their ability to stabilize global climate. We conclude that a broad range of intensive research and development is urgently needed to produce technological options that can allow both climate stabilization and economic development.

Among 65 samples obtained from a primate rescue center located in Cameroon, two female adult red-capped mangabeys ( Cercocebus torquatus ) (CTO-602 and CTO-604), of wild-caught origin, had a peculiar human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2)-like Western blot seroreactivity (p24, RGD21, +/-K55). Analyses of the simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3 (STLV-3)/CTO-604 complete proviral sequence (8,919 bp) indicated that this novel strain was highly divergent from HTLV-1 (60% nucleotide similarity), HTLV-2 (62%), or STLV-2 (62%) prototypes. It was, however, related to STLV-3/PH-969 (87%), a divergent STLV strain previously isolated from an Eritrean baboon. The STLV-3/CTO-604 sequence possesses the major open reading frames corresponding to the structural, enzymatic, and regulatory proteins. However, its long terminal repeat is shorter, with only two 21-bp repeats. Furthermore, as demonstrated by reverse transcriptase PCR, this new STLV exhibits significant differences from STLV-3/PH-969 at the mRNA splice junction position level. In all phylogenetic analyses, STLV-3/CTO-604 and STLV-3/PH-969 clustered in a highly supported single clade, indicating an evolutionary lineage independent from primate T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (PTLV-1) and PTLV-2. Nevertheless, the nucleotide divergence between STLV-3/PH-969 and STLV-3/CTO-604 is equivalent to or higher than the divergence observed between the different HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 subtypes. Thus, the STLV-3/CTO-604 strain can be considered the prototype of a second subtype in the PTLV-3 type. The presence of two related viruses in evolutionarily distantly related African monkeys species, living in two opposite ecosystems (rain forest versus desert), reinforces the possible African origin of PTLV and opens new avenues regarding the search for a possible human counterpart of these viruses in individuals exhibiting such HTLV-2-like seroreactivities.

Background: We review the surgical management of 4 adult patients with ball-and-socket ankle deformity who developed end-stage subtalar and/or ankle joint arthritis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 4 adult patients with ball-and-socket ankle configurations who underwent surgical treatment for either end-stage tibiotalar or subtalar arthritis, with either subtalar arthrodesis or total ankle replacement (TAR). Clinical outcome, including subjective pain assessment, limitation of activities, and difficulty with shoe wear, were assessed at follow-up. Results: A total of 5 ankles in 4 patients were identified that met the inclusion criteria. There were 3 subtalar arthrodeses in 2 patients and 2 primary TARs in 2 patients. At an average follow-up of 30.5 (range = 17 to 59) months, there were no failures, although 1 patient who underwent TAR was considered an impending failure with aseptic component loosening. Of the 4 patients, 3 resumed normal activity with minimal pain and were very pleased with their overall outcome. Conclusion: Standard surgical interventions for ankle and subtalar arthritis, such as total ankle arthroplasty and subtalar arthrodesis, can be successfully performed in patients with ball-and-socket ankles; clinical outcome and survivorship, however, may be inferior to that in patients with normal ankle configurations. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case Series

We present an implementation of the $\mathcal{F}$-statistic to carry out the first search in data from the Virgo laser interferometric gravitational wave detector for periodic gravitational waves from a priori unknown, isolated rotating neutron stars. We searched a frequency $f_0$ range from 100 Hz to 1 kHz and the frequency dependent spindown $f_1$ range from $-1.6\,(f_0/100\,{\rm Hz}) \times 10^{-9}\,$ Hz/s to zero. A large part of this frequency - spindown space was unexplored by any of the all-sky searches published so far. Our method consisted of a coherent search over two-day periods using the $\mathcal{F}$-statistic, followed by a search for coincidences among the candidates from the two-day segments. We have introduced a number of novel techniques and algorithms that allow the use of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm in the coherent part of the search resulting in a fifty-fold speed-up in computation of the $\mathcal{F}$-statistic with respect to the algorithm used in the other pipelines. No significant gravitational wave signal was found. The sensitivity of the search was estimated by injecting signals into the data. In the most sensitive parts of the detector band more than 90% of signals would have been detected with dimensionless gravitational-wave amplitude greater than $5 \times 10^{-24}$., 27 pages, 10 figures, submitted to CQG, corrected affiliations and autors list; Science summary of results available at http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-VSR1CWAllSkyFstat/index.php

Background: Ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis in combination with total ankle replacement (TAR) may diminish functional outcome and prosthesis survivorship compared to isolated TAR. We compared the outcome of isolated TAR to outcomes of TAR with ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis. Methods: In a consecutive series of 404 primary TARs in 396 patients, 70 patients (17.3%) had a hindfoot fusion before, after, or at the time of TAR; the majority had either an isolated subtalar arthrodesis (n = 43, 62%) or triple arthrodesis (n = 15, 21%). The remaining 334 isolated TARs served as the control group. Mean patient follow-up was 3.2 years (range, 24-72 months). Results: The SF-36 total, AOFAS Hindfoot-Ankle pain subscale, Foot and Ankle Disability Index, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores were significantly improved from preoperative measures, with no significant differences between the hindfoot arthrodesis and control groups. The AOFAS Hindfoot-Ankle total, function, and alignment scores were significantly improved for both groups, albeit the control group demonstrated significantly higher scores in all 3 scales. Furthermore, the control group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in VAS pain score compared to the hindfoot arthrodesis group. Walking speed, sit-to-stand time, and 4-square step test time were significantly improved for both groups at each postoperative time point; however, the hindfoot arthrodesis group completed these tests significantly slower than the control group. There was no significant difference in terms of talar component subsidence between the fusion (2.6 mm) and control groups (2.0 mm). The failure rate in the hindfoot fusion group (10.0%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (2.4%; p < 0.05). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study represents the first series evaluating the clinical outcome of TARs performed with and without hindfoot fusion using implants available in the United States. At follow-up of 3.2 years, TAR performed with ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis resulted in significant improvements in pain and functional outcome; in contrast to prior studies, however, overall outcome was inferior to that of isolated TAR. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative series.

Patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty frequently receive blood transfusions. The relationship between transfusion and the risk of infection following total joint arthroplasty is unclear. In this study, we sought to examine the impact of allogeneic and autologous transfusion on the risk of acute infection following total hip and total knee arthroplasty.We performed a retrospective study of consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties and total hip arthroplasties. Patients who had a reoperation for suspected infection within three months after the arthroplasty were identified. Differences in risk factors were assessed across transfusion groups: no transfusion, autologous only, and allogeneic exposure (allogeneic with or without additional autologous transfusion). Backward-stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to compare reoperations (as outcomes) between cases with and those without allogeneic exposure. Prespecified covariates were body mass index, diabetes, an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of2, preoperative hematocrit, and total number of units transfused perioperatively.We identified 3352 patients treated with a total hip or knee arthroplasty (1730 total knee arthroplasties and 1622 total hip arthroplasties) for inclusion in the study. Transfusion was given in 1746 cases: 836 of them had allogeneic exposure, and 910 had autologous-only transfusion. There were thirty-two reoperations (0.95%) for suspected infection. Between-group risk-factor differences were observed. The mean age and the rates of diabetes, immunosuppression, ASA scores of2, and bilateral surgery were highest in the allogeneic group, as were estimated blood loss, surgery duration, and total number of units transfused (p0.001). In the unadjusted analyses, the rate of reoperations for suspected infection was higher in the cases with allogeneic exposure (1.67%) than in those without allogeneic exposure (0.72%) (p = 0.013). Autologous-only transfusion was not associated with a higher reoperation rate. However, multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that the total number of units transfused (p = 0.011) and an ASA score of2 (p = 0.008)-but not allogeneic exposure-were significantly predictive of a reoperation.Perioperative allogeneic transfusion was associated with a higher rate of reoperations for suspected acute infection. However, patients with allogeneic exposure had increased infection risk factors. After adjustment for the total number of units transfused and an ASA score of2, allogeneic exposure was not significantly predictive of a reoperation for infection.

Old World monkeys and, recently, African great apes have been shown, by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to harbor different γ2-herpesviruses closely related to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV). Although the presence of two distinct lineages of KSHV-like rhadinoviruses, RV1 and RV2, has been revealed in Old World primates (including African green monkeys, macaques, and, recently, mandrills), viruses belonging to the RV2 genogroup have not yet been identified from great apes. Indeed, the three yet known γ2-herpesviruses in chimpanzees (PanRHV1a/PtRV1, PanRHV1b) and gorillas (GorRHV1) belong to the RV1 group. To investigate the putative existence of a new RV2 Rhadinovirus in chimpanzees and gorillas we have used the degenerate consensus primer PCR strategy for the Herpesviral DNA polymerase gene on 40 wild-caught animals. This study led to the discovery, in common chimpanzees, of a novel γ2-herpesvirus belonging to the RV2 genogroup, termed Pan Rhadino-herpesvirus 2 (PanRHV2). Use of specific primers and internal oligonucleotide probes demonstrated the presence of this novel γ2-herpesvirus in three wild-caught animals. Comparison of a 1092-bp fragment of the DNA polymerase obtained from these three animals of thePan troglodytes troglodytes subspecies, one from Gabon and the two others from Cameroon, revealed Rhadinovirus lineages in common chimpanzees, our finding indicates the possible existence of a novel human γ2-herpesvirus belonging to the RV2 genogroup.[The Herpesviral DNA polymerase sequence data determined herein have been deposited at the GenBank database under accession nos. AF290601, AF346488, AF346489, andAF346490.]

An internally consistent set of data was generated for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of SiC from methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) and H2 at atmospheric pressure. A moving fiber tow was used as the substrate. Coating rates between 0.3 and 3.7 µm/min and deposition efficiencies between 24 and 48% were obtained for MTS and H2 flow rates in the range 30 to 200 cm3/min and 300 to 2000 cm3/min, respectively. The data were analyzed and found to be best fit under a mass transfer regime. Based on this fit, a value of the constant in the Chilton–Colburn j factor expression for a moving fiber tow was estimated to be 2.74 × 10−6 with a standard deviation of 3.2 × 10−7. The efficiency of the reaction was found to decrease with increases in the total flow rate, indicating that the effect of the decreased residence time of reagents in the reactor was larger than the increase in the mass transfer coefficient. Finally, a comparison between the efficiencies for a stationary and a moving tow revealed that the moving tow had a higher efficiency, possibly due to a disruption of the boundary layer by the tow motion or due to the decrease in the canning of the moving tow.

Allografts are commonly used during reconstructive procedures around the foot and ankle1. Compared with autograft tissue, allografts offer the advantage of unlimited tissue sources, decreased operative time, and lack of potential donor-site morbidity1. Allografts can be classified into three broad categories: (1) osteochondral grafts, (2) osseous/structural grafts (which can be subclassified as either bulk grafts or cortical/cancellous chips), and (3) allograft tendons. The use of these grafts has increased dramatically in the past decade, but there is concern that enthusiasm surrounding their use has outpaced the published evidence supporting their efficacy and safety. This article will critically review the available evidence regarding outcomes related to the use of allografts in foot and ankle surgery. Symptomatic osteochondral defects at any anatomic site present a substantial treatment challenge. The goals of operative treatment include the resolution of pain and/or mechanical symptoms, the restoration of articular surface congruity, the prevention of articular surface collapse, and, ultimately, the prevention of degenerative arthritis of the apposing joint surfaces2. In foot and ankle surgery, osteochondral allografts are most commonly …

Background: For patients undergoing primary total ankle replacement (TAR) with an equinus contracture, gastrocnemius recession may be performed to increase dorsiflexion. We examined whether gastrocnemius recession would significantly increase dorsiflexion even with a negative Silfverskiöld test. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on a consecutive series of 29 patients who underwent TAR. All were deemed to require lengthening of the posterior soft tissue structures for unacceptable equinus contracture. Once each patient was under anesthesia, Silfverskiöld’s test was performed. A digital photograph was taken with the ankle at maximum passive dorsiflexion with the knee at 0 degrees of flexion and again with the knee at 30 degrees of flexion. Strayer gastrocnemius recession was then performed in standard fashion in every patient. After recession, Silfverskiöld’s test was again performed with photographs obtained in the same manner. The digital photographs demonstrating the results of the preoperative and postoperative Silfverskiöld’s tests in both knee positions were analyzed and the degree of ankle dorsiflexion measured. Results: Regardless of the results of Silfverskiöld’s test, after gastrocnemius recession, patients had an average increase of 12.6 ± 1.6 degrees of dorsiflexion with the knee extended compared to the same position preoperatively ( P < .0001) and an increase of 10.1 ± 2.0 degrees with the knee flexed ( P < .001). In 6 patients Silfverskiöld’s test was markedly positive preoperatively; in this group, recession resulted in an average increase of dorsiflexion of 17.8 ± 3.6 degrees with the knee extended ( P = .004) and 13.4 ± 5.4 degrees with the knee flexed ( P = .055). For the remaining 23 patients with a negative preoperative Silfverskiöld’s test, dorsiflexion increased by 11.3 ± 1.6 ( P < .0001) and 9.3 ± 2.2 degrees ( P = .0003) with the knee extended and flexed, respectively. Conclusion: Our data show that a gastrocnemius recession resulted in a significant, reproducible increase in dorsiflexion regardless of the results of the Silfverskiöld test while avoiding potential push-off and plantarflexion weakness associated with an Achilles lengthening. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Background. The authors conducted a study to analyze the stress distribution in an End Cover – Buttress Strap – Cylindrical connection according to Users’ Spec. Materials and methods. The authors created axi-symmetric finite element models in order to demonstrate the reaction loads and stress distribution on contact surfaces as well as stress distribution in the various regions of the model. They applied different design scenarios according to an operational (users’) spec to the models. The parameters investigated were the reaction loads at contact points and local and linearised stresses. Also each individual buttress groove was studied. Ratcheting and fatigue assessment were also addressed aligned with the stress results. Results. The study results showed the behaviour of each buttress element under the operating loads. It also showed the location with the greatest local stress levels as well as the locations most vulnerable to ratcheting and fatigue cracking. A safety margin assessment also was carried out picturing the pressure-temperature enhancement possibilities. Conclusions. The study indicates potential future design options for enhancing buttress type connections. It also contributes to the understanding of existing reactor damage and corrosion assessment, impacts which may be useful in the remaining life assessment and process optimisation. Fracture study also defines the most critical inspection points during the life of the reactor.

Purpose: 5DCT employs 25 fast helical scans and breathing surrogate monitoring to sample the respiratory cycle. Deformable image registration is used to fit a correspondence model between tissue motion and breathing amplitude and rate. The number of scans was chosen to ensure a high probability that tissues were imaged at sufficiently distinct breathing phases for accurate modeling of the entire breathing cycle. This work describes a method to prospectively select scan start times and reduce the protocol’s number of scans from 25 to 6. Methods: Breathing traces from 7 patients imaged with 5DCT were used to simulate acquisition of 6 scans. Breathing phase was estimated using only observations from previous time points. Cross-correlation between the representative breath and the most recent half period was continuously computed. If phase and cross-correlation criteria were met, scans were triggered with a 2 second delay before acquisition. Blind acquisition, 6 scans separated by a fixed delay, was modeled at staggered start times. The spread of prospectively and blindly sampled breathing waveforms was characterized using a previously published objective function. Results: Prospectively selected scans ranked on average in the 84th percentile of objective function values obtained by blind acquisition at staggered start times for 7 patient breathing traces. Conclusion: A method to prospectively determine scan start times for 5DCT was developed and tested by simulating acquisition on patient breathing traces. The method is computationally inexpensive enough for real-time implementation and would result in an imaging dose of less than one quarter of the current 5DCT protocol.

We study analytic properties of the action of \(\mathrm{{PSL}}_{2}(\mathbb{R})\) on spaces of functions on the hyperbolic plane. The central role is played by principal series representations. We describe and study a number of different models of the principal series, some old and some new. Although these models are isomorphic, they arise as the spaces of global sections of completely different equivariant sheaves and thus bring out different underlying properties of the principal series.