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Liotyphlops is a genus of blindsnakes distributed in Central and South America. We reviewed specimens of Liotyphlops albirostris along its current distribution range and, based on morphological data and ecological niche modeling analyses, we restrict the geographical range of L. albirostris and validate three previously described species. In this revision, we describe the morphological variation in the populations from Panamá, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, and propose a new taxonomic arrangement. We revalidate three previous synonyms of L. albirostris to full species status, while dividing the populations from Colombia in two subspecies-one attributed to a previously recognized species from the Caribbean region, and a new one from the Andean region. The new species differs from L. albirostris from Panamá in cephalic scale arrangements that effectively reduces the previously reported variability of these scales in L. albirostris. We also explore some osteological differences that are congruent with the variation observed. We hope that the recognition of these new species better represents the diversity within Liotyphlops, helping to bring these new species out of their cryptic status so that they will be considered in future conservation efforts.

Popular culture presents a deep-rooted perception of medieval warhorses as massive and powerful mounts, but medieval textual and iconographic evidence remains highly debated. Furthermore, identifying warhorses in the zooarchaeological record is challenging due to both a paucity of horse remains relative to other domesticates, and the tendency of researchers to focus on osteological size, which makes it difficult to reconstruct in-life usage of horses and activity related changes. This paper presents the largest zooarchaeological dataset of English horse bones (n = 1964) from 171 unique archaeological sites dating between AD 300 and 1650. Using this dataset alongside a modern comparative sample of known equids (n = 490), we examine trends in size and shape to explore how the skeletal conformation of horses changed through time and reflected their domestic, elite and military roles. In addition to evidencing the generally small stature of medieval horses relative to both earlier and later periods, we demonstrate the importance of accurately exploring the shape of skeletal elements to describe the morphological characteristics of domestic animals. Furthermore, we highlight the need to examine shape variation in the context of entheseal changes and biomechanics to address questions of functional morphology and detect possible markers of artificial selection on past horses.

Changes in joint architecture and muscle loading resulting from total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are known to influence joint stability and prosthesis survivorship. This study aimed to measure changes in muscle moment arms, muscle lines of action, as well as muscle and joint loading following TSA and RSA using a metal-backed uncemented modular shoulder prosthesis. Eight cadaveric upper extremities were assessed using a customized testing rig. Abduction, flexion, and axial rotation muscle moment arms were quantified using the tendon-excursion method, and muscle line-of-force directions evaluated radiographically pre-operatively, and after TSA and revision RSA. Specimen-specific musculoskeletal models were used to estimate muscle and joint loading pre- and post-operatively. TSA lateralized the glenohumeral joint center by 4.3 ± 3.2 mm, resulting in small but significant increases in middle deltoid force (2.0%BW) and joint compression during flexion (2.1%BW) (p < 0.05). Revision RSA significantly increased the moment arms of the major abductors, flexors, adductors, and extensors, and reduced their peak forces (p < 0.05). The superior inclination of the deltoid significantly increased while the inferior inclination of the rotator cuff muscles decreased (p < 0.05). TSA using an uncemented metal-backed modular shoulder prosthesis effectively restores native joint function; however, lateralization of the glenoid component should be minimized intra-operatively to mitigate increased glenohumeral joint loading and polyethylene liner contact stresses. Revision RSA reduces muscle forces required during shoulder function but produces greater superior joint shear force and less joint compression. The findings may help to guide component selection and placement to mitigate joint instability after arthroplasty. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1988-2003, 2019.

Synovial fluid based biomarker research has been limited by the small volumes of synovial fluid from the knees of some patients. We used ultrasound (US) to determine if synovial fluid could be displaced into an access port during pneumatic compression to 100 mmHg. Forty knees from 37 consecutive arthritis patients with rheumatoid arthritis -25, osteoarthritis -8, psoriatic arthritis -2, and 1 each with systemic lupus erythematosus and gout were evaluated. This group of 28 females and 9 males with a median age of 59 years and an average body mass index of 26.9 kg/m2 had previously undergone a diagnostic arthrocentesis and or a therapeutic knee injection using this pneumatic compression device. Blinded digital image analysis of the anechoic region on ultrasound demonstrated an increase in fluid within the 9 cm × 6 cm access port (anterolateral or anteromedial joint) during inflation in all patients with a 2.5-3.5 fold increase in fluid area and a 2-3 fold increase in fluid depth after inflation, p < 0.001. Statement of clinical significance: External pneumatic compression to the knee provides a larger volume of synovial fluid under positive pressure which should allow investigators to achieve greater success in obtaining synovial fluid during arthrocentesis for biomarker research or provide more precise therapeutic injections than traditional non image-guided anatomical landmark-based techniques. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.

Whilst the bones of domestic cats (Felis catus) are recovered from archaeological sites in Iberia routinely, they are rarely subjected to detailed analysis. Consequently, there is limited understanding of the nature of cat–human relations, especially in contrast to northern European regions. In this paper, we present a unique assemblage of 899 cat bones recovered from the medieval site of El Bordellet (Vilafranca del Penedes, Spain) and dated between the end of the 10th century ad and the beginning of the 11th century ad. Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis provides the first clear evidence of skinning related to cat fur exploitation in Christian medieval Iberia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the western Mediterranean, changes in hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies have been identified from the Early Upper Palaeolithic. These changes are characterized by broadening of diet and intensification of small prey exploitation. In the Iberian Peninsula region, intensified small prey exploitation is evidenced by the hunting of large quantities of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which are usually a ubiquitous feature of faunal assemblages from archaeological sites. Before interpretations of the significance of such assemblages can proceed, however, it is necessary to confirm their anthropic origin, as a wide range of predators are agents of accumulation. The taphonomic signatures observed for predators are here applied to the analysis of leporid (rabbits and hares) remains from the Evolved Aurignacian layer of Arbreda Cave (north-east Iberia). The aims of this work are two-fold: (i) to identify the agent/s of accumulation; and (ii) to assess possible changes in small prey use during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition. Our results suggest that rabbit assemblages were probably hunted and consumed by humans and that rabbits became a primary resource in hunter-gatherer diet from the Early Upper Palaeolithic

This paper examines how demographic representations for the different risk populations influence the epidemic outputs of a simple process-based HIV/AIDS model. Alternative demographic specifications are presented in conjunction with transmission rules for both community and regional settings. Then the existence or nonexistence of equilibrium solutions to these various models is determined to evaluate whether the forecast AIDS series will persist indefinitely or eventually terminate. Last simulations for countries with distinctive birth and death rates are used to summarize the effect of this variation on the timing and size of the epidemic. All the results assume an epidemic that is unaffected by the practice of safer sex. (EXCERPT)

Medical technologists (MTs) and technicians fill key roles in blood centers and hospital transfusion services. There is a concern that the number of new technologists and technicians entering the field is insufficient to keep up with demand created by the retirement of current personnel and continuing technological innovation. The American Society for Clinical Pathology reported in March 2009 that laboratories across the United States were struggling to fill MT and medical laboratory technician (MLT) positions. A survey of "positions available" advertisements from several months of the ABC Newsletter revealed that 35% were for MTs compared with 22% for physicians and 43% for all other positions. While not a scientific study, on the surface, this would indicate that blood centers are not immune from the struggle to fill positions within their laboratories. This paper will examine current trends in the United States as it relates to staffing for these positions and conclude by proposing actions that blood centers can take to help ensure an adequate supply of qualified MTs and MLTs in the future.

The research reported in this paper presents the preliminary findings obtained from applying a multiregion disease model to forecasting pandemics of infectious disease. The beginning section examines the structure of the modeling system together with various start region effects that are embedded in the framework. An appropriate form of the model is fitted to the known spread of the 1957 Asian influenza pandemic and then used to examine the distributions of warning times that are associated with varying the location of the source region. The disease parameters are adjusted to represent current knowledge about the host-agent relationship for HIV, and used to make povisional forecast for the spread of the virus during the next half century. The discussion considers how this highly simplified simulation procedure might be improved upon in future work, particularly in relation to cross-infection between the high risk groups.

The effectiveness of on-line assessment is challenged by several significant factors: unrealistic appraisal of the potential of on-line education, enforcement of a code of conduct, and computer and telecommunication skills bias and other limitations of on-line media.

This paper applies a compartmental epidemic modelling system to the estimation of HIV infection transfers between the nations of Western Europe for the period 1973–98. This multiregional model imitates the formation of disease contacts by both local and international travel, where the latter is assumed to have the lower sensitivity to the effects of spatial separation. This system is calibrated in two stages: first, disease parameter sets are found to best fit the timing of recorded AIDS incidence in each nation; and second, these sets are entered into a multiregion setting to identify the travel parameters that support the lags between these series. The outputs include estimates for the first year of HIV incidence in each country and the subsequent pathways of infection transfer that connect these dates. The results indicate the contrasting roles of the southern and northern countries within the continental epidemic and point to national variations in the recent delaying effects on AIDS incidence of drug combination therapies.

This paper elicits properties of some multiregional contact systems for STD infections that are intended to assist the understanding of disease control strategies. To this end, a space-time SIS model is described that maintains the symmetry of contact that is inherent in the formation of sexual partnerships. It is demonstrated how the characteristic stability conditions of this model provide a framework for understanding the potential for sustained transmission after the introduction of the agent into a given region. Then, more complex SI specifications are derived that are particularly relevant to the transmission of HIV. These extensions include the introduction of alternative modes of travel and behavioural adaptations made in response to the circulation of HIV and the incidence of AIDS. The discussion suggests some additions to the systems that might enhance their applicability in practice.

Residual neuromuscular blockade contributes to postoperative morbidity and mortality and is more prevalent with long acting nondepolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs such as pancuronium [1]. Reducing time between surgery and extubation may lead to residual neuromuscular blockade in cardiac patients, particularly with long acting drugs [2]. We performed an audit of use of neuromuscular blocking drugs in the United Kingdom between 2002 and 2004.

Problem Endometriosis affects 5–10% of women and is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Establishing new blood supply is a fundamental requirement for endometriosis lesion growth. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), recruited by stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1), contribute to neoangiogenesis in endometriotic lesions. We hypothesized that SDF-1 is central to the neoangiogenesis and survival of endometriotic lesions, and blocking of SDF-1 will reduce vascularization of lesions in a mouse model. Method of study Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated SDF-1 and CD34+ EPCs in human endometriotic lesions and normal endometrium samples. EPCs were co-localized using CD34 and VEGFR2. Effects of SDF-1 blocking on endometriotic lesion survival were assessed in BALB/c-Rag2−/−/IL2rγ−/− mice engrafted with human endometrium and treated with SDF-1-blocking antibody or an isotype control. Weekly blood samples from experimental mice were analyzed for cytokines and EPCs. Results SDF-1 and CD34+ EPCs were abundant in human endometriotic lesions compared with eutopic endometrium. In our mouse model, SDF-1-blocking antibody reduced CD31+ microvessels compared with isotype control. Conclusion Blocking SDF-1 reduces neovascularization and survival of lesions in a mouse model of endometriosis.

'Shock bowel' is a rare disorder of gastrointestinal physiology with characteristic radiological features. It usually occurs in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma and hypovolaemia, with complete reversibility of these findings following resuscitation. We present a case demonstrating the classic features of this complex of imaging findings thought to be caused by end-organ hypoperfusion.

The synthesis in 36% overall yield of (S)-2-amino-5-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-(3-indolyl-3-pentanone, the precursor to a novel class of substance P antagonists, is described.

The convention currently in place (SSAP 13 revised) to account formally for industrial R&D expenditure is that qualifying development expenditure meeting strict viability criteria may be capitalised (treated as an asset) but that all other development and all research must be immediately expensed (written off). This study comprising interviews and postal responses was carried out to investigate the effect this convention has on managerial actions and decisions on R&D investment by companies, particularly by smaller high-technology ones.

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Coleman, A.A.; Colman, A.M.; Thomas, R.M., ‘Cooperation without awareness: A multiperson generalization of the minimal social situation’ in Behavioral Science, 1990, 35 (2), pp. 115-121, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bs.3830350204/abstract.

Novel syntheses of 2,3,8-trisubstituted pyrido[2,3- d ]pyridazines and 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazino[2,3- d ]pyridazines are described. Two complementary routes to pyrido[2,3- d ]pyridazines were developed, the first of which began by constructing the pyridine ring, and the second of which started by constructing the pyridazine ring. Pyrazino[2,3- d ]pyridazines were prepared in a route employing an aza-Wadsworth–Emmons cyclization as the key step. The resulting compounds were found to be high affinity ligands for the GABA A receptor benzodiazepine binding site.