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AimsDisplaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus are frequently managed surgically with the aim of avoiding nonunion, malunion, disturbances of growth and later arthritis. The ideal method of fixation is however not known, and treatment varies between surgeons and hospitals. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of two well-established forms of surgical treatment, Kirschner wire (K-wire) and screw fixation.Patients and MethodsA retrospective cohort study of children who underwent surgical treatment for a fracture of the lateral condyle of the humerus between January 2005 and December 2014 at two centres was undertaken. Pre, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics were evaluated.A total of 336 children were included in the study. Their mean age at the time of injury was 5.8 years (0 to 15) with a male:female patient ratio of 3:2. A total of 243 (72%) had a Milch II fracture and the fracture was displaced by > 2 mm in 228 (68%). In all, 235 patients underwent K-wire fixation and 101 had screw fixation. ResultsThere was a higher rate of nonunion with K-wire fixation (p = 0.02). There was no difference in Baumann’s angle, carrying angle or the rate of major complications between the two groups. No benefit was obtained by immobilizing the elbow for more than four weeks in either group. No short-term complications were seen when fixation crossed the lateral ossific nucleus.ConclusionsFixation of lateral condylar humeral fractures in children using either K-wires or screws gives satisfactory results. Proponents of both techniques may find justification of their methods in our data, but prospective, randomized trials with long-term follow-up are required to confirm the findings, which suggest a higher rate of nonunion with K-wire fixation.Cite this article: Bone Joint J2018;100-B:387–95.

We estimate the signature of the climate‐induced mass transfers in repeated absolute gravity measurements based on satellite gravimetric measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. We show results at the globe scale and compare them with repeated absolute gravity (AG) time behavior in three zones where AG surveys have been published: Northwestern Europe, Canada, and Tibet. For 10 yearly campaigns, the uncertainties affecting the determination of a linear gravity rate of change range 3–4 nm/s2/a in most cases, in the absence of instrumental artifacts. The results are consistent with what is observed for long‐term repeated campaigns. We also discuss the possible artifact that can result from using short AG survey to determine the tectonic effects in a zone of high hydrological variability. We call into question the tectonic interpretation of several gravity changes reported from stations in Tibet, in particular the variation observed prior to the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. The signature of climate‐induced interannual mass transfers on repeated absolute gravity measurements is estimated everywhere in the worldInstrumental artifacts should be taken into account and mitigated as much as possibleIn most cases, the uncertainty is estimated to ~5 nm/s²/a after 10 yearly campaigns

Lactocrine signaling is defined as transmission of bioactive factors from mother to offspring as a consequence of nursing. Lactocrine transmission of signaling molecules may be an evolutionarily conserved process through which bioactive factors necessary for support of neonatal development are delivered postnatally. Dependence on maternal resources for development in eutherian mammals extends into neonatal life for at least that period of time when nutrition is obtained solely from first milk (i.e., colostrum). Data for the pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) provide evidence of lactocrine mediated effects on development of the female reproductive tract and other somatic tissues. Porcine uterine gland development, an estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1)-dependent process, begins within 2 d of birth [postnatal day (PND) 0]. A lactocrine-driven, ESR1-mediated process was proposed as a regulatory mechanism governing onset of uterine gland development and endometrial maturation in the neonatal pig. Gilts maintained in a lactocrine-null state for 2 d from birth by milk-replacer feeding displayed altered patterns of endometrial gene expression and retarded uterine gland development by PND 14. In lactocrine-null gilts, inhibition of endometrial and cervical ESR1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) expression observed on PND 2 persisted to PND 14, even after gilts were returned to nursing on PND 2. Collectively, data support a role for lactocrine signaling in regulation of critical neonatal developmental events. Maternal lactocrine programming of postnatal development may help to insure healthy developmental outcomes. A systems biology approach will be required to define and understand mechanistic dynamics of lactocrine signaling events that may ultimately connect genotype to phenotype and establish the parameters of reproductive potential.

Viscosities of industrial lead blast furnace slags were experimentally determined as functions of temperature and composition. A Brookfield viscometer, equipped with alumina stirring rods and crucibles, was used in this study. The experiments were carried out in argon atmosphere at 1423 to 1523 K with the addition of up to 5% (by weight) of each of the compounds FeO, MgO and Si02 to the slags. The experimental results showed that the slag viscosities of two industrial slags decreased with increasing temperature, the addition of FeO decreased the slag viscosities and the addition of MgO and Si02 increased the slag viscosities. For a successful lead-smelter production operation (i.e., one with less entrained lead and an easy-to-skim slag from a lead blast furnace), the above slag compositions with the addition of FeO are recommended.

To provide quantitative information on site effects in the northern part of Belgium, forty-seven H/V microtremor measurements were performed with 5 second seismometers over an area of about 15.000 km2. Most of the results show a northward regular increase of the fundamental period in agreement with the augmentation of the Mesozoic and Cainozoic soft sedimentsthickness from a few meters 40 km south of Brussels to 900 m at the Netherlands-Belgium border. The measured resonance frequency values wereconsistent with theoretical computations performed at different sites onthe basis of existing information and shallow seismic experiments. At oneparticular site (Uccle) where borehole data were available, microtremor measurements using an array of four seismological stations with differentapertures allowed to obtain the low frequency part of the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve, extending the range covered by the analysis of surfacewaves artificially generated. The Vs profile derived from the surface waveinversion corroborates the 1 Hz natural frequency of the site. Comparison of these results with the macroseismic information concerning the MS= 5.0 1938 earthquake which occurred 50 km west of Brussels,confirmed the hypothesis that the geological structure of the Brabant massifis likely to control damage distribution during such an earthquake. Comparisonbetween the intensity map of the 1938 earthquake and the resonance period ofsediments obtained by our microtremor study shows a clear relation betweenthe two parameters. During the 1938 earthquake, site effects played a prominent role due to the dimension of the source whose corner frequency wasabout 1 Hz.

Protein and oil concentration are seed constituents that make soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] an important crop. Reports have been published that the oil concentration and recently the protein concentration of U.S. soybean has been decreasing with respect to other exporting countries. The objective of this study was to utilize 51 yr of two data sets, The Uniform Soybean Tests, Northern Region and Southern Region to determine long‐term trends in these constituents. Oil and protein composition data of lines from Regional Summaries of Maturity Groups OO through VIII were used for the analysis. Mean oil concentration was higher in the Southern Region compared with the Northern Region (209 and 206 g kg−1, respectively), as was protein concentration (411 and 407 g kg−1, respectively). Maturity group means for oil and protein concentration ranged from 198 to 212 g kg−1and 404 to 414 g kg−1, respectively. Oil concentration increased in both data sets to 1973 and abruptly decreased in 1974 (21 g kg−1) to a low in 1982 (184 g kg−1) to higher than average values in 1983 (217 g kg−1) and by linear regression analysis, decreasing in the Northern Region since then. Analysis of lines evaluated from 1973 to 1974 and from 1982 to 1983 indicated that genetics was not the cause of the change in oil concentrations. Temporal protein concentrations were not as distinct as those of oil but indicated groups of years when protein concentration was above or below the mean. The data indicate that oil concentrations of soybean has been erratic and decreasing since 1974 because of unknown factors.

Crosses made between tetraploid and diploid, 2n pollen-producing species directly transfer from one-half to the entire diploid genome from the diploid to the tetraploid level, depending on the mechanism of 2n pollen formation and the amount of crossing-over that occurs. Tetraploid plants that result from tetraploid x diploid hybridizations can be further utilized in a breeding program. It is postulated that preferential pairing between homologous chromosomes derived from the original tetraploid or diploid parent occurs in the tetraploid x diploid hybrid. Depending on the genetic divergence of the species involved, preferential pairing of homologous chromosomes may range from zero to one. Theoretical estimates of the amount of preferential pairing and the standard errors of these estimates are derived for cases where the diploid parent produces 2n gametes by either a first division or a second division restitution mechanism.

The Saginaw and Sanilac varieties of navy beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), were utilized. The former is tolerant and the latter is extremely sensitive to both zinc deficiency and excessive levels of zinc. Electrophoretic patterns of the water‐soluble leaf proteins revealed a slowmoving, major band, the change in intensity of which clearly reflected a differential zinc response of the two varieties. There was a moderate decrease in band intensity under low zinc for the tolerant Saginaw, with a striking depression for the sensitive Sanilac. This protein band, with a relative electrophoretic mobility of 0.11 in 7% polyacrylamide gel at pH 8.9, was tentatively identified as Fraction I protein which is reported to contain ribulose diphosphate carboxylase, the enzyme primarily responsible for photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation in many plants. Fraction I protein, zinc nutrition, and the differential response of Saginaw and Sanilac plants to zinc were correlated.

The method of pattern recognition by means of s.l.a.m. (stored-logic adaptive modules) has been applied to the automatic classification of mass spectra into broad chemical groups, with zero-error results.

Flash flood events are expected to become increasingly common with the global increases in weather extremes. They are a significant natural hazard that affects karst landscapes, which host large resources of drinking water worldwide. The role played by underground flood events in the karst aquifer recharge is complex due to the heterogeneity of the basement which remains poorly understood. We present the analysis of 20 incave flash flood events affecting the Rochefort karst system (Belgium) using continuous gravity measurements at one single station and water level sensors installed in caves. Underground flood events typically produce a peak in the gravity signal, due to an increase in the associated mass change. After the flood, the gravity values drop but remain slightly increased compared to before the flood event. Via forward gravity modeling, we demonstrate that this remaining anomaly can be reasonably explained by the infiltration of local rainfall within the karst system rather than by allogenic recharge of the aquifer. Flash floods are mainly restricted to connected voids. This allows us to utilize them as proxies to investigate the distribution of cavities in the karst system. Forward modeling of the gravitational attraction induced by the mapped caves being flooded yields a gravity signal much smaller than the observed one. We conclude that at least 50% more cavities than those previously mapped are required to match the measured anomalies. This presents opportunities for implementing similar approaches in other diverse porous media, using gravity monitoring of hydrological processes (e.g., infiltration fronts, hydrothermalism, or tide effects in coastal aquifers) as proxies to characterize underground properties. Gravity signals and water level data of 20 underground flash flood events are used to estimate their impact on the karst aquifer rechargeThe analysis of gravity data prior and after underground flood events does not suggest any significant recharge in the saturated zone the aquiferForward gravity modeling of flood events affecting mapped caves evidences unknown cavities in the system

Introduction:There is increasing evidence that emergency room physicians or primary care physicians can definitively manage many uncomplicated paediatric fractures without orthopaedic follow-up. This strategy leads to a reduction in radiation exposure and decreased costs to patient families and the healthcare system without impacting patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who sustained a toddler’s fracture of the tibia required orthopaedic surgeon follow-up. Methods:A retrospective analysis including patients who presented to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for management of toddlers’ fractures between Jan 2009 and Dec 2014 was performed. Results:186 patients (115 males, 72 females) with an average age of 2.00 (range 0.2-3.9) were included in the study. The mean number of clinic visits including initial consultation in the emergency department was 2.00 (±1.0). The mean number of radiology department appointments was 2.76 (±1.1) where patients received a mean number of 5.86 (±2.6) radiographs. Complications were minimal and no patient developed a non-union nor re-fractured. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union. To date, no patient has returned to clinic or undergone surgery for concerns regarding leg length inequality or malalignment. Conclusion:Our series supports reduced clinical follow-up of patients with a toddler’s fracture of the tibia. If the diagnosis can be made on the initial radiographs, emergency room physicians or primary care providers can definitively manage these patients with appropriate immobilization that can be removed by the parents between 3-4 weeks after the injury. A fracture clinic follow-up is only necessary if the diagnosis cannot be made on the initial radiographs. Our toddler’s fracture pathway will reduce patient radiation exposure and reduce costs incurred by the healthcare system and patients’ families without jeopardizing patient outcomes.

Introduction:There is increasing evidence that emergency room physicians or primary care physicians can definitively manage many uncomplicated paediatric fractures without orthopaedic follow-up. This strategy leads to a reduction in radiation exposure and decreased costs to patient families and the healthcare system without impacting patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who sustained an isolated 5thmetatarsal fractures require orthopaedic surgeon follow-up. Methods:A retrospective analysis including patients who presented to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for management of metatarsal fractures from 2009-2014 was performed. Results:124 patients (66 males, 58 females) with mean age of 11.3 (SD=2.9) years old were included in the study. Complications were minimal with no patients requiring operative management. There were zero non-unions and 3 delayed unions. Despite zero instances of surgical correction and a low complication rate, fracture clinic resource utilization was substantial. Fractures were managed with a mean number of 3.1 (SD=0.98) clinic visits, including initial evaluation in the emergency department. A mean number of 2.8 (SD=1.1) radiology department visits were conducted, with a mean of 8.1 (SD=3.8) x-rays total per patient. Conclusion:Our series supports reduced clinical follow-up of patients with isolated 5thmetatarsal fractures. If the diagnosis can be made on the initial radiographs, ER physicians or primary care providers can definitively manage these patients with appropriate immobilization. A fracture clinic follow-up is only necessary if the diagnosis cannot be made on the initial radiographs. Our clinical care pathway will reduce radiation exposure and reduce costs incurred by the healthcare system and patients’ families without jeopardizing patient outcomes.

ALTHOUGH a number of papers have been devoted to the electron microscopy of soaps deposited from aqueous solution1–4, none has reported a study at high resolution. It is the purpose of this communication to discuss some preliminary results of an investigation into the fine structure of sodium laurate using high-resolution electron microscopy and electron diffraction.

Following a major accidental release of radionuclides to the atmosphere, appropriate countermeasures must be taken to mitigate the consequences to the population and the environment. Time constraints will force the decision making process to be initially model based. Poor knowledge of the main model parameters can lead to erroneous and cost-ineffective decisions. To circumvent these difficulties, a real-time assimilation database containing monitoring and accident-specific data is proposed. Comparison of this dynamic database with a dispersion/deposition model and the application of physical principles can help reduce the uncertainty in the early radiological assessment. Methods based on fuzzy set theory to infer information from quantities that are imprecise, incomplete or not totally reliable are proposed. Practical setups to implement an uncertainty reduction module in the European emergency decision support system RODOS are discussed.