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This article, titled "Complicated Barrett's Lesions and Subsequent Endoscopic Eradication Therapy: A Single Centre Irish Experience," discusses the use of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for the treatment of complex Barrett's lesions. The study reviewed the outcomes of 63 patients who underwent initial endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for visible lesions. The results showed that EMR with subsequent ablation achieved high deep margin clearance rates, leading to complete Barrett's eradication for the majority of patients within 20 months. The study also reported a procedure-related complication rate of 23.8%. [Extracted from the article]

Thermal stratification can significantly impact the distribution of species in aquatic systems. Organisms often travel between these thermoclines in order to locate prey and find optimal thermal condition. Since most aquatic animals are ectotherms, changes in ambient temperature can have immediate impacts on performance. We aimed to understand how prey capture kinematics change when bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are exposed to brief acute temperature changes that represent foraging bouts below the thermocline. To do this, we exposed bluegills to either 21°C (above thermocline) or 17°C (below thermocline) and fed them a cloud of defrosted brine shrimp. After digitizing high‐speed videography, we found that performance increased at the below thermocline temperature contrary to our prediction. During these feeding bouts, we noticed high variability in prey capture behaviors as the fish encountered the first prey item and subsequent prey items. In these successive feeding events, they demonstrated a remarkable amount of modulation in close succession. We conclude that acute exposure to the thermocline temperature tested here does not negatively impact prey capture. Furthermore, feeding in rapid succession could be a way to maximize prey captured while reducing energy for searching and capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The present study is aimed at assessing heart rate variability (HRV) and its correlation with visual acuity (VA) assessment of preterm newborns (PTNB) in neonatal intensive care units. Method. Cross-sectional study analyzing HRV during assessment of VA with the aid of a Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor (Polar Electro Oy, Finland). HRV was analyzed according to time and frequency domains and the chaos domain used the autocorrelation coefficient and entropy. The sample consisted of hospitalized PTNB, and static analysis included simple regression diagnosis. Results. A total of 14 PTNB were included in the sample. VA varied between 0.23 and 1.60 cpd, and only five PTNB obtained below-expected values for age. Statistical analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between VA and time domain (SDDN and SD2) and a positive correlation between frequency domain (heart rate and hertz), but in simple linear regression analysis, these variables did not influence VA. Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrate that visual acuity was inversely correlated with SDNN and SD2 and during stimulation, showing that the higher the visual performance, the lower the autonomic modulation response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in various aspects of human health, but many people do not consume them in sufficient quantities, resulting in deficiencies in some populations. The enrichment of commonly consumed foods with omega-3 fatty acids has been proposed to address this deficit. Feeding omega-3–rich ingredients to animals can enrich their products, increasing the consumption by the population without requiring any major dietary changes. Eggs can be enriched to a high degree, and currently, omega-3–enriched eggs are widely available. Oftentimes, a missed opportunity for the poultry industry is in valorizing the spent hen. In this short-term study, a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)–rich protist was fed to layer hens at three different inclusion levels to determine the degree of enrichment observed in the eggs and concomitantly in the breast, thigh, liver, and kidney. The addition of the protist ingredient had no negative impact on the bird health or performance. Significant increases in egg DHA concentration were observed, with 60, 164, 259, and 410 mg DHA/100g of egg collected from birds supplemented with the DHA-rich protist at a rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2.5% of the diet, respectively. This enrichment could increase the value of spent hen meat when used in the production of human and companion animal food as DHA-enriched products can be sold for a premium. Moreover, this enriched spent hen meat could potentially be used as a partial substitute for less-sustainable sources of dietary omega-3 including fish meal and fish oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in modern human diets have resulted in a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. Rectifying this deficiency and increasing dietary levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can improve overall human health. Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids; however, low levels of consumption in many parts of the world, coupled with declining fish stocks, mean that alternative dietary omega-3 sources are required. The enrichment of commonly consumed foods has been suggested as a strategy that could increase omega-3 consumption. Eggs are an obvious target for enrichment as they are consumed worldwide and can have their omega-3 content altered through dietary manipulation of hens. In the current study, algae were included in the diet of hens, at 3 inclusion levels, in order to increase the omega-3 content of their eggs. For each treatment, the DHA content of eggs reached a plateau, proportional to the level of inclusion in the diet, which was then maintained for the duration of the experimental period. Higher inclusion levels reached this plateau quicker; however, the efficiency of transfer was reduced with increased dietary DHA. This maintenance of an increased egg DHA content over a prolonged period of time emphasizes the suitability of dietary supplementation with algae as a means to improve the nutritional value of hen's eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature can have profound impacts on fitness‐related activities in fishes. Feeding is an ecologically relevant task which is controlled by muscle function. Consequently, in ectotherms, muscle function and feeding kinematics can be altered by temperature. This study investigated the effect of decreasing temperature on the feeding kinematics of the northern most labrid in the Western Atlantic. During winter, cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) enter a state of extended torpor in order to conserve energy when water temperatures drop below ~10°C. We hypothesized that feeding kinematics would be slower at lower temperatures especially those associated with torpor (≤10°C). Additionally, we hypothesized that prey type will elicit different feeding behaviors. Feeding events on sandworms and Asian shore crabs were recorded at 5, 10, 15 and 20°C. Fish held at 5°C had slower opening and closing jaw velocities while using more ram than the other temperature treatments. No differences were detected between prey types. For both prey types, the temperature treatment which consistently induced torpor (5°C) slowed oral jaw movements, which likely forced cunner to rely more on ram than suction to capture prey. Torpor temperatures appeared to have less of an effect on feeding than on metabolic rate, steady swimming capabilities and muscle function, suggesting some compensatory mechanisms of feeding musculature in cunner. Temperature can have profound impacts on fitness‐related activities in fishes. We found that, when exposed to temperatures that induce extended torpor, cunner feeding kinematics slow significantly. This result could limit their feeding success when temperatures drop below 10°C. Furthermore, torpor temperatures appeared to have less of an effect on feeding than on metabolic rate, steady swimming capabilities and muscle function, suggesting some compensatory mechanisms of feeding musculature in cunner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two 125‐day experiments of the same design were conducted to evaluate the effects of a heterotrophically grown microalgae (AURA) containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on pig performance, carcass traits and the fatty acid composition of lean and adipose tissue. In each experiment, 144 Hypor pigs were blocked by sex, allocated to three treatment groups, and fed 0, 0.25% or 0.50% AURA in isonutritive, isocaloric diets. Pigs were weighed on days 0, 28, 56, 84 and 112. Feed and water intakes were measured every 28 days. Pigs were slaughtered on day 125. Data from the two studies were analysed as a single data set. Performance and carcass traits did not differ between treatments. Both microalgae treatment levels enriched (p < .05) Longissimus lumborum (LL) and backfat in DHA and improved (p < .05) their ratios of n‐6 to n‐3 fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The science and surgery of the meniscus have evolved significantly over time. Surgeons and scientists always enjoy looking forward to novel therapies. However, as part of the ongoing effort at optimizing interventions and outcomes, it may also be useful to reflect on important milestones from the past. The aim of the present manuscript was to explore the history of meniscal surgery across the ages, from ancient times to the twenty-first century. Herein, some of the investigations of the pioneers in orthopaedics are described, to underline how their work has influenced the management of the injured meniscus in modern times. Level of evidence V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timonius eremiticus, a new species from Mount Pulgar, Palawan Island, the Philippines, is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically close to T. flavescens but is characterized by membranous to chartaceous leaves with 2-4 pairs of lateral nerves, ivory-white corolla, bracteate staminate inflorescences bearing bracteolate flowers, 5-petaled pistillate flowers, (sub)globose fruits that are round and not 4-angled, and pyrenes being obliquely radiated in cross-section of fruits. Timonius eremiticus is assessed as Critically Endangered following IUCN criteria. Buod (Wikang Filipino) Inilarawan at iginuhit sa lathalaing ito ang Timonius eremiticus na isang bagong espesye ng halaman na matatagapuan sa Bundok Pulgar sa pulo ng Palawan sa Pilipinas. Ito ay kawangis ng T. flavescens subalit natatangi dahil sa mga malalamad o malapapel nitong mga dahon na may dalawa o hanggang apat na pares ng nerbiyong lateral, kulay garing na mga talulot, brakteadong istaminate na mga inflorescence at bulaklak, mga pistiladong bulaklak na may limang talulot, (mala)bilugang mga bunga na hindi nakalundo sa apat, at mga pyrene na oblikong naka-radiate sa pahalang na hati ng mga bunga. Ang Timonius eremiticus ay itinataya rin na lubos nang nanganganib na maubos alinsunod sa mga pamantayan ng IUCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polymorphic populations are often considered as intermediate stages of speciation. Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from Lake Waban, Wellesley, MA have diverged into two ecomorphs based on their diet, occupied habitat and morphology. Littoral bluegills are generalist feeders that consume a variety of aquatic invertebrates. Pelagic bluegills feed primarily on Daphnia. We aimed to understand if suction pressure generation, prey capture behaviors and pharyngeal jaw morphology differed between the littoral and pelagic ecomorphs feeding on three prey types. Littoral and pelagic bluegills showed similar feeding kinematics and peak pressure, however, significant differences were observed among prey types within an ecomorph. Feeding events on brine shrimp were slower and accompanied by less negative pressure for both ecomorphs. Littoral bluegills varied their use of ram among prey types, however, pelagic bluegills (zooplankton specialists) did not. Similar to previous studies, when presented with different prey items both dietary generalists and specialists varied equally in most aspects of their feeding behaviors. However, pelagic bluegills (dietary specialists) did not vary in their approach behaviors. Despite the lack of differences in trophic morphology among the individuals sampled here, the prey approach behaviors of dietary specialists appears to be fixed in pelagic bluegills. This result deemphasizes the importance of suction during feeding and places more importance on prey approach behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA), on a variety of health and productivity parameters in lactating cows. Twenty‐four cows were blocked by parity and number of days in milk and then randomly assigned to a control (CON; n = 12) group with no algal supplementation, or a treatment group (AURA; n = 12) provided with 100 g AURA cow−1 day−1 or 16 g DHA cow−1 day−1. A variety of health and productivity measurements were taken, and results indicated that supplementation had no negative effects on animal health in terms of somatic cell count, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, while body condition was marginally improved by algal supplementation. No differences were found for the various production parameters measured; however, a tendency towards increased milk production was observed for the AURA group during the final stage of the study (+4.5 kg cow−1 day−1, day 78–84). The fatty acid profile of milk was improved by supplementation, with significantly lower saturated fatty acids, significantly higher omega‐3 fatty acids and an improved omega‐3/omega‐6 ratio observed when compared to the control group. The amount of DHA in the milk of cows provided 105 g AURA head−1 day−1 was 4.7 mg/100 g milk with a peak transfer efficiency from feed to milk at day 49 of 8.3%. These results indicate that supplementation with 105 g AURA head−1 day−1 resulted in the successful enrichment of milk with DHA without negatively impacting the health or productivity of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal for this project was to re-examine key morphological characters hypothesized to differentiate Gila intermedia, Gila robusta and Gila nigra and outline methods better suited for making species designations based on morphology. Using a combination of meristic counts, morphological measurements and geometric morphometrics, morphological dissimilarities were quantified among these three putative species. Traditional meristic counts and morphological measurements ( i.e. distances between landmarks) were not useful for species identification. Geometric morphometrics, however, identified differences among species, while also suggesting an effect of geographic location on morphological variation. Using canonical variate analysis for the 441 fish sampled in this study, geometric morphometrics accurately predicted true group membership 100% of the time for G. nigra, 97% of the time for G. intermedia and 91% of the time for G. robusta. These results suggest that geometric morphometric analysis is necessary to identify morphological differences among the three species. Geometric morphometric analysis used in this study can be adopted by management officials as a tool to classify unidentified individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is uncertain whether small vessel disease underlies the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and brain atrophy. We aimed to study whether retinal vascular architecture, as a proxy for cerebral small vessel disease, may modify or mediate the associations of T2DM with brain volumes. In this cross-sectional study using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and retinal photographs in 451 people with and without T2DM, we measured brain volumes, geometric measures of retinal vascular architecture, clinical retinopathy, and MRI cerebrovascular lesions. There were 270 people with (mean age 67.3 years) and 181 without T2DM (mean age 72.9 years). T2DM was associated with lower gray matter volume (p=0.008). T2DM was associated with greater arteriolar diameter (p=0.03) and optimality ratio (p=0.04), but these associations were attenuated by adjustments for age and sex. Only optimality ratio was associated with lower gray matter volume (p=0.03). The inclusion of retinal measures in regression models did not attenuate the association of T2DM with gray matter volume. The association of T2DM with lower gray matter volume was independent of retinal vascular architecture and clinical retinopathy. Retinal vascular measures or retinopathy may not be sufficiently sensitive to confirm a microvascular basis for T2DM-related brain atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of modified gravity offer promising alternatives to the concordance Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology to explain the late-time acceleration of the universe. A popular such model is f(R) gravity, in which the Ricci scalar in the Einstein–Hilbert action is replaced by a general function of it. We study the f(R) model of Hu & Sawicki, which recovers standard general relativity in high-density regimes, while reproducing the desired late time acceleration at cosmological scales. We run a suite of high-resolution zoom simulations using the ecosmog code to examine the effect of f(R) gravity on the properties of a halo that is analogous to the Virgo cluster. We show that the velocity dispersion profiles can potentially discriminate between f(R) models and ΛCDM, and provide complementary analysis of lensing signal profiles to explore the possibility to further distinguish the different f(R) models. Our results confirm the techniques explored by Cabré et al. to quantify the effect of environment in the behaviour of f(R) gravity, and we extend them to study halo satellites at various redshifts. We find that the modified gravity effects in our models are most observable at low redshifts, and that effects are generally stronger for satellites far from the centre of the main halo. We show that the screening properties of halo satellites trace very well that of dark matter particles, which means that low-resolution simulations in which subhaloes are not very well resolved can in principle be used to study satellite properties. We discuss observables, particularly for halo satellites, that can potentially be used to constrain the observational viability of f(R) gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper intends to give a common modeling framework for power flow calculations in power systems with embedded FACTS devices. The proposed method uses the node incidence matrix ( Γ ) to avoid the problems derived from the widely used admittance matrix. The proposed approach is formulated so that the system of differential equations which are the core of the power flow problem, will be kept invariant regardless of the number of embedded FACTS or their location. As it will be demonstrated, the method provides a very versatile and powerful tool for solving such systems, as it allows for a fast way to change the devices locations, configurations or controls. All the equations have been stated in a synchronous reference frame dq , since it is the most popular reference frame for FACTS control. The main advantage of the proposed problem modeling framework is its simplicity due to the fact that all the equations (both power flow and control equations) are defined in a unique reference. It has to be remarked that what it is proposed in this work, is a common modeling framework, but not an algorithm or solving procedure. The authors tested the proposed framework with the traditional power flow approach and an Optimum Power Flow (OPF) approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-poor globular clusters (MPGCs) are a unique probe of the early universe, in particular the reionization era. A popular hypothesis is that the observed truncation of MPGC formation is due to reionization. Under this hypothesis, constraining the formation epoch of MPGCs provides a complementary constraint on the epoch of reionization. Moreover, as the earliest reionizing sources first formed in galaxy clusters, systems of globular clusters in galaxy clusters are of particular interest. We provide a self-consistent dark matter only zoom cosmological simulation to perform an analysis of the Virgo cluster globular cluster system by identifying the present-day globular cluster system with early, rare dark matter peaks. By analysing both the line-of-sight velocity dispersion and the surface density profile of the present-day distribution, we are able to constrain the redshift and mass of the dark matter peaks. Although found to be degenerate, we quantify a dependence on the chosen line of sight of these quantities, whose strength varies with redshift. Coupled with star formation efficiency arguments, we find a best-fitting formation mass and redshift of ≃5 × 108 M⊙ and z ≃ 9. We predict ≃300 intracluster MPGCs in the Virgo cluster. Our results confirm the techniques pioneered by Moore et al. when applied to the Virgo cluster and extend and justify the analytic results of Spitler et al. numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Examine women's perceptions of what is 'normal' and 'desirable' in female genital appearance. Design Experiment with random allocation across three conditions. Setting Community. Sample A total of 97 women aged 18-30 years. Methods Women were randomly assigned to view a series of images of (1) surgically modified vulvas or (2) nonmodified vulvas, or (3) no images. They then viewed and rated ten target images of surgically modified vulvas and ten of unmodified vulvas. Main outcome measures Women used a four-point Likert scale ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'), to rate each target image for 'looks normal' and 'represents society's ideal'. For each woman, we created two summary scores that represented the extent to which she rated the unmodified vulvas as more 'normal' and more 'society's ideal' than the modified vulvas. Results For ratings of 'normality,' there was a significant effect for condition ( F2,94 = 2.75 P = 0.007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CIB1 is a 22-kDa regulatory protein previously implicated in cell survival and proliferation. However, the mechanism by which CIB1 regulates these processes is poorly defined. Here, we report that CIB1 depletion in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells promotes non-apoptotic, caspase-independent cell death that is not initiated by increased outer mitochondrial membrane permeability or translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor to the nucleus. Instead, cell death requires nuclear GAPDH accumulation. Furthermore, CIB1 depletion disrupts two commonly dysregulated, oncogenic pathways-PI3K/AKT and Ras/MEK/ERK, resulting in a synergistic mechanism of cell death, which was mimicked by simultaneous pharmacological inhibition of both pathways, but not either pathway alone. In defining each pathway's contributions, we found that AKT inhibition alone maximally induced GAPDH nuclear accumulation, whereas MEK/ERK inhibition alone had no effect on GAPDH localization. Concurrent GAPDH nuclear accumulation and ERK inhibition were required, however, to induce a significant DNA damage response, which was critical to subsequent cell death. Collectively, our results indicate that CIB1 is uniquely positioned to regulate PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling and that simultaneous disruption of these pathways synergistically induces a nuclear GAPDH-dependent cell death. The mechanistic insights into cell death induced by CIB1 interference suggest novel molecular targets for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surgical treatment of cervical spondylosis and resulting cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy has evolved over the past century. Surgical options for dorsal decompression of the cervical spine includes the traditional laminectomy and laminoplasty, first described in Asia in the 1970's. More recently the dorsal approch has been explored in terms of minimally invasive options including foraminotomies for nerve root descompression. Ventral decompression and fusion techniques are also described in the article, including traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, strut grafting and cervical disc arthroplasty. Overall, the outcome from surgery is determined by choosing the correct surgery for the correct patient and pathology and this is what we hope to explain in this brief review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Surgical repair of hip fractures is associated with high postoperative mortality. The identification of high-risk patients might be of value in aiding clinical management decisions and resource allocation. The Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS) is a scoring system validated for the prediction of 30 day mortality after hip fracture surgery. It is made up of seven independent predictors of mortality that have been incorporated into a risk score: age (66–85 and ≥86 yr); sex (male); number of co-morbidities (≥2), admission mini-mental test score (≤6 out of 10), admission haemoglobin concentration (≤10 g dl−1), living in an institution; and the presence of malignancy. We investigated whether the NHFS was a predictor of 1 yr mortality in patients undergoing surgical repair of fractured neck of femur. Methods NHFS was retrospectively calculated for 6202 patients who had undergone hip fracture surgery between 1999 and 2009. One year and 30 day postoperative mortality data were collected both from hospital statistics and the Office of National Statistics. Results Overall mortality was 8.3% at 30 days and 29.3% at 1 yr. An NHFS of ≤4 was considered low risk and a score of ≥5 high risk. Survival was greater in the low-risk group at 30 days [96.5% vs 86.3% (P<0.001)] and at 1 yr [84.1% vs 54.5% (P<0.001)]. Conclusions NHFS can be used to stratify the risk of 1 yr mortality after hip fracture surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 233–243 Background Hospital admissions for cirrhosis have been increasing in the United Kingdom, leading to increased pressure on intensive care (ICU) services. Outcome data for patients admitted to ICU are currently limited to transplant centre reports, with mortality rates exceeding 70%. These tertiary reports could fuel a negative bias when patients with cirrhosis are reviewed for ICU admission in secondary care. Aims To determine whether disease severity and mortality rates in non-transplant general ICU are less severe than those reported by tertiary datasets. Methods A prospective dual-centre non-transplant ICU study. Admissions were screened for cirrhosis and physiological and biochemical data were collected. Disease-specific and critical illness scoring systems were evaluated. Results Cirrhosis was present in 137/4198 (3.3%) of ICU admissions. ICU and hospital mortality were 38% and 47%, respectively; median age 50 [43–59] years, 68% men, 72% alcoholic cirrhosis, median Child Pugh Score (CPS) 10 [8–11], Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 18 [12–24], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) 16 [13–22]. Conclusions Mortality rates and disease staging were notably lower than in the published literature, suggesting that patients have a more favourable outlook than previously considered. Transplant centre data should therefore be interpreted with caution when evaluating the merits of intensive care admission for patients in general secondary care ICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Our aim was to determine the incidence of anatomical abnormalities after a urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants <2 months of age hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Study Design:This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study of infants <2 months of age in the NICU with a UTI and documented renal imaging.Result:We identified 141 infants with UTIs. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 28 weeks and 1254 g, respectively. The most commonly identified pathogen was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (28%, 44 of 156). A major abnormality was found on at least one imaging study for 4% (5 of 118) of infants. Major abnormalities were noted on 4% (5 of 114) of renal ultrasounds and 2% (2 of 82) of voiding cystourethrography examinations.Conclusion:Among infants in the NICU <2 months of age at the time of a UTI, the prevalence of major anatomical abnormalities is <5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a water accounting framework that enables consistent and contextual reporting of minerals operations' water use, represents a key sustainable development objective that many Australian minerals companies have committed to. A future water accounting framework will require: • key terms and definitions for water metrics for use in the Australian minerals industry that are consistent with the wider water sector, • a suite of metrics representing key components of an operation's water balance, • a calculation method for some of the metrics, and • a reporting protocol. This paper presents the methodology that was used to derive these four components. Existing accounting frameworks were reviewed and key terms and definitions that were consistent with current regulatory requirements and voluntary approaches were proposed. A calculation methodology was developed to obtain some of the key indicators and variables that cannot be easily measured directly (eg water loss through evaporation). The adopted terms and definitions typically require a combination of empirical and estimated data. To test the proposed definitions and calculation methodology, values for water metrics were derived for eight sites, selected to test a variety of commodity and biophysical situations. The proposed framework and definitions could deal with the specific situations selected as case studies. The associated calculation methodology produced complete accounts at various levels. Some elements of the accounts could be directly checked against available data and simulations. The framework captured well variations in the reuse efficiencies; reuse efficiency could even vary for similar processes. It is concluded that this preliminary accounting framework provides a consistent language and metrics for quantifying and communicating water management, both at the intersection of the site with the surrounding landscape (through detailed reporting of site inputs and outputs) and within operational activities. Using this consistent framework for quantifying and documenting water use within an operation will provide a platform for compiling and comparing minerals industry water use with other sectors. This may support benchmarking activities within regions or companies and help demonstrate leadership amongst water users in water resource stewardship. The approach presented here is applicable to a wide variety of mining and processing activities, and biophysical environments, and following a period of stakeholder engagement and third party review, is being refined as a first step towards developing nationally consistent water use reporting for the Australian minerals industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water reuse is becoming an integral component of the water management strategy on mine sites. This practise is being driven by corporate sustainability goals, community and societal pressures to demonstrate improved water stewardship, as well as climate and regulatory pressures. However, water reuse often results in water quality compromise which can then result in decreased recovery through problems in processing circuits, product quality, and an increased likelihood of discharge of water that cannot meet environmental regulatory requirements. On most mine sites, there is usually a disjuncture between water quantity management and water quality management with the latter being managed solely as an environmental problem. It is becoming increasingly clear that water quality and quantity must be managed as an integrated system. In order to integrate water quality and quantity management to achieve multiple objectives the dynamics of water and constituents must be understood. Using examples from a study being conducted at a coal mine in the Bowen Basin, this paper will outline the dynamics of water and salts on the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Xenotransplantation from pigs provides a possible way around the shortage of human organs for transplantation. The highly inbred Westran line of pigs is genetically well characterised and known to lack endogenous retroviruses able to infect human cells. Like most inbreds, it has poor reproductive performance for which reproductive interventions would be desirable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Diacylglycerol-amino acid conjugates constitute a novel class of biocompatible surfactants being of great interest both from academic and industrial viewpoints. In this paper, the aqueous phase behaviour of 1,2-di-lauroyl-rac-glycero-3-(N α-acetyl-l-arginine) (indicated as 1212RAc) is investigated by a number of experimental approaches. The phase diagram is dominated by three monophasic regions; an isotropic solution, and two lamellar phases separated by a birefringent biphasic region. At very low concentrations (C <1.5wt.% 1212RAc), the isotropic solution (Iso) is mainly composed of monodispersed vesicles (R h ≈300nm). Within the concentration interval 2wt.%

Aims: To present eight cases of primary diffuse peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in children <15 years old, with a discussion of the pitfalls of this diagnosis in the paediatric age group. Methods and results: The cases were selected based on the following criteria: (i) primary peritoneal neoplasms confined grossly or radiographically to the abdominal cavity; (ii) negative history of previous or another associated malignancy; (iii) histopathological confirmation. All patients (five female, three male) presented clinically with symptoms of abdominal pain, distention and ascites. Grossly, the tumours showed multiple, diffuse peritoneal nodules. Histologically, seven cases corresponded to epithelioid mesotheliomas and one case displayed biphasic (epithelioid and spindle) cellular proliferation. Immunohistochemical studies for cytokeratin (CK) 5/6, calretinin and low-molecular-weight CK (CAM5.2) showed strong cytoplasmic positivity in the neoplastic cells. Three patients were treated by chemotherapy. On clinical follow-up, four patients with epithelioid mesotheliomas were alive and well from 12 to 18 months after initial diagnosis; one patient with a mixed (biphasic epithelioid/sarcomatoid) mesothelioma died of tumour 24 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in children is a rare condition that can introduce difficulties in histopathological diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated inference comprehension performance in adolescents who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Using stimuli adapted from Lehman-Blake and Tompkins, participants listened to short paragraphs that varied according to the working memory demands of the task and answered comprehension questions that required inferences to be generated. Six adolescents, aged 12–16 years, who had suffered a TBI prior to the age of 10 years, were assessed and their performance was compared to six individually age-matched peers with typical development. Analysis revealed that individuals with TBI did not differ from non-injured peers in their understanding of inferences when the storage demands of the task were minimized. However, when storage demands were high, adolescents with TBI performed poorly compared to their age-matched peers. Results are discussed relative to a working-memory hypothesis of impairment following TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrahams N A, Moran C, Reyes A O, Siefker-Radtke A&Ayala A G(2004)HistopathologySmall cell carcinoma of the bladder: a contemporary clinicopathological study of 51 cases: We present 51 cases of primary small cell carcinoma of the bladder in a clinicopathological study with emphasis on features that aid in the initial recognition and diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the bladder.: The patients were 40 men and 11 women between the ages of 39 and 87 years (mean age 67 years). Clinical data were available in 41 cases. The most common symptomatology was haematuria in 63% of the patients while dysuria was present in 12%. Thirty-eight patients were caucasians; seven patients were Hispanics; two patients were Asian; one patient was African-American; in the three additional patients no racial information was obtained. Biopsy material was obtained in all of the patients. Cystectomy was performed in 20 patients. At diagnosis, clinical stage was as follows: stage I in two (5%), stage II in 18 (44%), stage III in 10 (24%), and stage IV in 11 (27%). Histologically, urothelial carcinoma was present in 70% of the cases, adenocarcinoma in 8%, and squamous cell carcinoma in 10% of the cases. Small cell carcinoma was the only histology present in only 12% of the cases studied. Immunohistochemical studies using chromogranin, synaptophysin and chromogranin were positive in 30–70% of the cases.: The present study highlights the unusual phenomenon of pure small cell carcinoma of the bladder and its association with other non-small cell carcinomas in that anatomical location. In addition, the study highlights the different modalities employed to treat patients in whom there is a component of small cell carcinoma of the bladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed dispersal plays a critical role in rainforest regeneration patterns, hence loss of avian seed dispersers in fragmented landscapes may disrupt forest regeneration dynamics. To predict whether or not a plant will be dispersed in fragmented forests, it is necessary to have information about frugivorous bird distribution and dietary composition. However, specific dietary information for frugivorous birds is often limited. In such cases, information on the seed-crushing behaviour, gape width and relative dietary dominance by fruit may be used to describe functional groups of bird species with respect to their potential to disperse similar seeds. We used this information to assess differences in the seed dispersal potential of frugivorous bird assemblages in a fragmented rainforest landscape of southeast Queensland, Australia. The relative abundance of frugivorous birds was surveyed in extensive, remnant and regrowth rainforest sites (16 replicates of each). Large-gaped birds with mixed diets and medium-gaped birds with fruit-dominated diets were usually less abundant in remnants and regrowth than in continuous forest. Small-gaped birds with mixed diets and birds with fruit as a minor dietary component were most abundant in regrowth. We recorded a similar number of seed-crushing birds and large-gaped birds with fruit-dominated diets across site types. Bird species that may have the greatest potential to disperse a large volume and wide variety of plants, including large-seeded plants, tended to be less abundant outside of extensive forests, although one species, the figbirdSphecotheres viridis, was much more abundant in these areas. The results suggest that the dispersal of certain plant taxa would be limited in this fragmented landscape, although the potential for the dispersal of large-seeded plants may remain, despite the loss of several large-gaped disperser species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the prenatal detection rate of abnormality (fetal anomaly or growth restriction) in pregnancies complicated by fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in an obstetric population managed without routine biochemical or sonographic screening tests and to assess the perinatal outcome of these pregnancies. Subjects and methods This was a retrospective analysis of obstetric and neonatal data pertaining to infants born with trisomy 21, 18 or 13 ( n = 82) diagnosed between 1989 and 1997 (23 762 deliveries). Results Antenatal suspicion of aneuploidy, based on the detection of growth restriction or fetal anomaly, was present in 18.3% (11 of 60) of fetuses with trisomy 21, in 81.2% (13 of 16) of fetuses with trisomy 18, and in 83.3% (five of six) of fetuses with trisomy 13. The antenatal detection rates for growth restriction were accurate whereas the antenatal detection rates for fetal anomalies were poor. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 18.8% of fetuses with trisomy 18 (three of 16) and in 50% (three of six) of cases of trisomy 13. For babies born alive with trisomy 18 or 13 the neonatal mortality was 93.8% (15 of 16). All cases of trisomy 21 fetuses survived beyond the perinatal period and the antepartum and intrapartum details of these pregnancies were unremarkable. Conclusion In obstetric practice without routine biochemical or sonographic screening tests the detection of findings suggestive of aneuploidy is low for trisomy 21, but is high for trisomies 18 and 13. These findings provide information for counseling about the antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal course of these trisomies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence rates of electrocardiographic changes during Caesarean section vary from 25 to 60%. To date, no investigator has identified myocardial ischaemia resulting from these changes. We investigated patients undergoing elective Caesarean section using peripartum Holter monitoring and serum analysis of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Twenty-six patients presenting for elective Caesarean section were studied. Peroperative Holter monitoring continued for 12 h postoperatively, at which time blood samples for cTnI levels were taken. Significant ST changes were recorded in 42% of patients peroperatively and 38.5% of patients postoperatively. Forty-two per cent of patients experienced peroperative chest pain requiring opioid analgesia. Chest pain was significantly associated with abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings. Ischaemic levels of cTnI were recorded in two patients. This study reports, for the first time, myocardial ischaemia (7.69% of patients) arising in conjunction with the ECG changes seen during elective Caesarean section. We also report episodes of significant postoperative ST-segment changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary signet ring cell adenocarcinomas of the lung: a clinicopathological study of 15 cases Aims: We describe the clinicopathological characteristics of 15 cases of primary signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the lung and highlight the importance of recognizing that not all adenocarcinomas with signet ring cell features represent metastatic adenocarcinomas. Methods and results: We evaluated the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 15 cases of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patients were 12 men and three women, age 30–75 years (mean 52.5 years). No evidence of a primary tumour elsewhere could be found on thorough clinical examination. Nine patients underwent resection and the remainder were biopsied. The tumours ranged from 18 to 80 mm in greatest dimension. Microscopically, two distinct patterns of growth were recognized: acinar and diffuse. The tumours were characterized by the presence of >75% signet ring cells. Periodic acid–Schiff and mucicarmine showed strong intracellular positive staining. Immunohistochemical stains for TTF-1 (6/6) and CEA (9/9) showed strong positive reaction in all cases evaluated. Three out of six cases were also positive for cytokeratin 7. All the tumours (6/6) were negative for cytokeratin 20, ER, PR and GCDFP-15. Follow-up information was obtained in 11 patients; six patients died within 1 year and five patients were alive from 3 to 36 months after initial diagnosis. Conclusion: These cases highlight an unusual histological growth pattern of primary lung adenocarcinoma that may be mistaken for a metastasis from an occult primary. The recognition of this pattern of lung tumours is important for proper treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a retrospective audit of perioperative management of autistic children. Variation in the severity of autism and hospital needs of children; Focus on early communication with the patient's families, flexibility to individualize the admission process and anesthetic plan with admission and early discharge; Success in extending the program to the management of problem children due to other causes.

Discusses the changes in the sciences of trauma and orthopaedics. Thoughts on the technical advances and changes in the provision of care, such as the greater subspecialization of surgeons and improvements in the organization of trauma and oncology services; Description of various advances, including internal fixation of long bone fractures in children reduces the time spent in hospitals; Differences between treating adults and children.

ABSTRACTWe determine the orbital parameters of the three subdwarf B (sdB) stars, PG 0101+039, PG 1432+159 and PG 2345+318. We find orbital periods of 13.6778 ± 0.0002, 5.398 ± 0.008 and 5.7827 ± 0.0002 h, respectively. We calculate lower limits for the mass of the companion star in each case. We also suggest upper mass limits for the companions to PG 1432+159 and PG 2345+318 on the basis of the maximum size of the companion allowed by the Roche lobe geometry. The nature of the companion star is discussed but cannot be determined without further observations. We confirm the previously measured period for the sdB binary PG 1101+249 as 8.49 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines pig and chicken sequence databases observed in the Genbank database. Observation of mononucleotide to tetranucleotide repeats; Frequency of microsatellite repeats in pig and chicken genes; Diversity of microsatellites; Amplification.

Outlines the theoretical background and the methodology used for the identification of linear state-space models of turbine-generator systems. Reference to the increase in the use of series compensation in bulk power transmission systems; Findings of studies conducted.

States that low order lumped models representing low frequency torsional movement of turbine-generator sets, are necessary to assess shaft torsional responses which result from subsynchronous conditions. Factors related to shaft torsional movement.

The spleens and livers of mice were investigated histologically on various days subsequent to infection with Plasmodium berghei yoelii using immunofluorescence and autoradiography. At the height of the parasitaemia, at a time when non- specific immunosuppression is known to occur, the `thymus-dependent area' round the central arteriole of the spleen was replaced by proliferating lymphoid cells many of which were IgG containing plasmablasts. There was also at this time a considerable decrease in small lymphocytes in this area. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the non-specific immunosuppression. In addition evidence for immune complex deposition was obtained in a number of tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionsCardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, frequently requires informal caregiving. Spousal caregivers may gain satisfaction while providing care, but there are associated risks, including reduced quality of life (QoL). Caregiving Style (CS; i.e. the ways one responds and is attentive towards their partner’s needs) may help explain why some caregivers experience worse QoL. This study investigated the relationship between CS and QoL among caregivers of patients with a diagnosed cardiac condition.Spousal caregivers recruited from a cardiac rehabilitation program at an academic teaching hospital completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, CS Questionnaire, and QoL Questionnaire for Cardiac Spouses. Multiple regression analyses were conducted, controlling for age, gender, and education.The sample consisted of 170 spousal caregivers (M age = 61.8; 74.3% female). The mean of the physical and social functioning scale was 59.4 (SD 10.3) and emotional scale was 71.5 (SD 14.4). Average scores for proximal, sensitive, controlling, and compulsive styles were 4.95, 4.33, 2.82, and 3.22, respectively. Spouses reporting compulsive caregiving (e.g. overprotection, providing intensive care) indicated poor physical/social (β=-0.42, SE=1.02, −7.19, −3.18, p<.001), and emotional functioning (β=-0.41, SE = 1.41, −10.15, −4.60, p<.001). Those reporting sensitive caregiving (i.e. understanding patient needs and feelings) indicated better emotional functioning (β=.19, SE = 1.46, .10, 5.85, p=.04). No other CS was significantly associated with QoL.Spousal caregivers engaging in compulsive styles of care may be susceptible to poor QoL, whereas engaging in sensitive styles may promote better QoL. CS may be an important consideration in programming and services designed to support caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence has long been considered the most important sequence to characterize benign and malignant breast processes with diagnostic breast MRI, the T2-weighted sequence can serve as a critical adjunctive sequence and improve the discriminating power of the interpreting radiologist. However, conventional T2-weighted acquisitions have inherent timing requirements that limit the resolution available in comparison to DCE images. Recently, 3D T2-weighted sequences have been developed that utilize modulated flip angle schedules and parallel imaging to provide higher resolution T2-weighted images in clinically feasible scan times (Hennig, J, et al., MRM 2003, Mugler, JP, et al., Radiology 2000, Busse, RF, et al., MRM 2006). While utilization of modulated flip angles allows for improved acquisition efficiency, contrast is potentially less purely T2-weighted. The goal of this study is to provide an initial assessment of a 3D T2-weighted acquisition (CUBE) (Busse, RF, et al., MRM 2006) in comparison to a conventional 2D Fast Spin Echo (FSE) in the breast Methods: Twenty-seven patients undergoing clinical MRI were scanned at 3T with both FSE and CUBE sequences as part of their exam. A total of 16 lesions were identified based on pathology (9 lesions) or on contrast-enhanced image assessment and/or stability from prior studies (7 lesions). Six lesions were malignant (all IDC) and 10 were benign (5 fibroadenomas, 4 cysts, 1 papilloma). Scan time (5 minutes) and in-plane resolution were equivalent between the CUBE and FSE images while slice thickness in CUBE (2 mm) was half that of FSE (4 mm). Lesion-to-fibroglandular tissue signal ratios (SL/SF) were calculated for both FSE and CUBE; SL is lesion signal and SF is fibroglandular tissue signal. The signal ratios were assessed with ordinary least squares linear regression. Along with lesion signal intensity with respect to surrounding tissue, depiction of lesion morphology on T2-weighted images can also contribute to differential diagnosis in breast MRI. A radiologist with breast MRI expertise evaluated the resolution difference between the two sequences based on the depiction of lesion morphology and the alignment of lesions between the T2-weighted and DCE images Results: SL/SF showed a correlation coefficient between the two methods of 0.93. Mean values of SL/SF for different methods and lesions were, FSE malignant: 1.01 ± 0.21, FSE benign: 2.05 ± 0.65, CUBE malignant 0.99 ± 0.25, CUBE benign 2.16 ± 0.62. Depiction of lesion morphology and signal intensity in small lesions improved in the CUBE images due to the reduced partial volume effect in the slice direction. Alignment of structures between T2-weighted and DCE images was facilitated with CUBE due to the higher through-plane resolution and the ability to reformat the images in orientations other than the acquisition plane. Conclusion: CUBE provides equivalent contrast and improved resolution in the breast in comparison to FSE. While T2-weighted images will continue to be an adjunct to DCE images, 3D T2-weighted sequences like CUBE have the potential to expand the contribution of T2-weighted images to the characterization of benign and malignant lesions in the breast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about the cases of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma with Mullerian-like features.

A fiber optic sensor that is capable of distributed detection of liquid solvents is presented. Sensor interrogation using optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) provides the capability of locating solvent spills to a precision of ±2 m over a total sensor length that may extend to 20 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on the use of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), highlighting the study by G. Sisson and colleagues on IBS. He states that existing studies on probiotics have vague claims which include the belief that all probiotics are equal. The study by Sisson and colleagues reportedly revealed that the effects of probiotics disappear once consumption stops. He argues that patients should only take probiotics strains supported by clinical science.