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Changes in vehicular loading over time have caused some concrete slab span bridges to rate poorly when considering modern truck weights, which leads to load posting and restrictions that in turn lengthen trucking routes. A potential way to allow heavier vehicles to cross these bridges would be to increase the load rating by utilizing a more accurate live load distribution factor generated from field testing and computational modeling. The focus of this study was to determine the live load distribution factor for two slab span bridges using results from live load testing and plate model analysis. Field testing utilized a suite of instrumentation, and simple isotropic or orthotropic plate models of the slab span bridges were validated with field data to further investigate live load distribution. Field-test estimates of equivalent width computed using displacement data were more precise than those using strain data, but modeling indicated that strain data may better capture the distribution of stresses in the slab. Despite significant visible damage, the field bridge behaved more like an isotropic plate. AASHTO equivalent widths were conservative when compared with those computed from the field results and isotropic model for single-lane truck loading but were similar to each other for multilane loading. However, model results also indicated that the equivalent width depends on the load configuration, such that single-axle loading will be concentrated into a narrower strip compared with tandem loading. In addition, an orthotropic slab will further narrow the equivalent width compared with an isotropic slab, such that AASHTO equivalent widths may no longer be conservative for single-axle loading of a slab so degraded that it may be treated as effectively orthotropic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum bicolor is a drought tolerant C4 grass used for the production of grain, forage, sugar, and lignocellulosic biomass and a genetic model for C4 grasses due to its relatively small genome (approximately 800 Mbp), diploid genetics, diverse germplasm, and colinearity with other C4 grass genomes. In this study, deep sequencing, genetic linkage analysis, and transcriptome data were used to produce and annotate a high-quality reference genome sequence. Reference genome sequence order was improved, 29.6 Mbp of additional sequence was incorporated, the number of genes annotated increased 24% to 34 211, average gene length and N50 increased, and error frequency was reduced 10-fold to 1 per 100 kbp. Subtelomeric repeats with characteristics of Tandem Repeats in Miniature (TRIM) elements were identified at the termini of most chromosomes. Nucleosome occupancy predictions identified nucleosomes positioned immediately downstream of transcription start sites and at different densities across chromosomes. Alignment of more than 50 resequenced genomes from diverse sorghum genotypes to the reference genome identified approximately 7.4 M single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1.9 M indels. Large-scale variant features in euchromatin were identified with periodicities of approximately 25 kbp. A transcriptome atlas of gene expression was constructed from 47 RNA-seq profiles of growing and developed tissues of the major plant organs (roots, leaves, stems, panicles, and seed) collected during the juvenile, vegetative and reproductive phases. Analysis of the transcriptome data indicated that tissue type and protein kinase expression had large influences on transcriptional profile clustering. The updated assembly, annotation, and transcriptome data represent a resource for C4 grass research and crop improvement.

Problem: Serious knee injuries are gaining epidemiological importance. Especially in childhood, a very significant increase in knee ligament injuries, in particular ACL ruptures, can be observed. In Saxony alone, more than 70 ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament occur each year as a result of accidents during physical education (PE). Six months after surgery, the students are normally classified as fully fit for sports and are allowed to participate in PE without restrictions. However, the number of reinjuries is very high which limits the quality of life of those affected in the long term and places a heavy financial burden on insurance companies. Methods: Therefore the status quo in the rehabilitation of schoolchildren after ACL rupture was assessed using a multilevel test battery and taking into account known risk factors such as gender, motor competence and BMI. Results: The results show that there are large interindividual differences in the funktional outcomes as well as a large discrepancy between rehabilitation status and return to physical education.Discussion: In order to effectively manage the process of rehabilitation and return to school sports, individual information is necessary in the multimodal setting. To this end, all those involved should be sensitized and trained.Key Words: Knee Injury, Return-to-Sport, Biomechanics of Sports, Prevention, School Sports

Olecranon fractures, which make up 10% of upper extremity fractures in adults, often require anatomic reduction and stable internal fixation. Successful olecranon fracture osteosynthesis has classically been achieved via tension band wiring or plate fixation. This article reviews the indications, outcomes, and a surgical technique as an alternative construct for tension band wiring of olecranon fractures. The technique involves placement of an ulnar intramedullary partially threaded screw that is used as a proximal point of attachment for tension band wiring of the olecranon. Although infrequently used by orthopedic surgeons, this construct has been shown to be biomechanically and clinically superior to classic Kirschner wire tension banding techniques. This review is intended to familiarize surgeons with a surgical technique that can be applied to a variety of proximal ulna fractures.

Abstract Sorghum is an important C4 grass crop grown for grain, forage, sugar, and bioenergy production. While tall, late flowering landraces are commonly grown in Africa, short early flowering varieties were selected in US grain sorghum breeding programs to reduce lodging and to facilitate machine harvesting. Four loci have been identified that affect stem length (Dw1-Dw4). Subsequent research showed that Dw3 encodes an ABCB1 auxin transporter and Dw1 encodes a highly conserved protein involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. In this study, Dw2 was identified by fine-mapping and further confirmed by sequencing the Dw2 alleles in Dwarf Yellow Milo and Double Dwarf Yellow Milo, the progenitor genotypes where the recessive allele of dw2 originated. The Dw2 locus was determined to correspond to Sobic.006G067700, a gene that encodes a protein kinase that is homologous to KIPK, a member of the AGCVIII subgroup of the AGC protein kinase family in Arabidopsis.

Introduced oryx (Oryx gazella gazella) have expanded into the San Andres Mountains of south-central New Mexico, but little is known of concurrent habitat used by oryx and desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki); the latter in New Mexico is a species of special concern that has declined significantly since the introduction of oryx. We used fecal-pellet and browse surveys in combination with presence modeling to identify differences in relative use of habitat types, distribution, and browsing of highly palatable, highly preferred (hereafter, key) plant species during 2004 to 2006 to assess the potential for direct competition in use of resources in the San Andres Mountains. Numbers of pellet groups per transect (hereafter referred to as relative use) of oryx was greatest in sandsage (Artemisia filifolia) shrublands and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasslands, whereas mule deer-use was greatest in oak- (Quercus spp.) mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) shrublands, and pinyon- (Pinus edulis) juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodlands. Use of key mule deer browse species was low (Prosopis glandulosa) shrublands, whereas mule deer-use accounted for 79% of the variation in oak-mountain mahogany shrublands and 27% in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Presence models similarly indicated that deer distribution was most positively associated with oak-mountain mahogany shrublands and pinyon-juniper woodlands, while oryx distribution was most positively associated with alkali sacaton grasslands, mixed lowland scrub, and sandsage shrublands. Presence models also indicated that areas closer to roads were positively associated with presence of mule deer and oryx, as were southern aspects for oryx and higher elevations for mule deer. Relationships with roads were likely driven by other attributes (e.g., water sources, arroyos, and canyons) associated with these areas in the San Andres Mountains. Current management strategies aimed at limiting oryx numbers in woodland and shrubland habitat types located in mountainous areas of the San Andres Mountains that show highest use by mule deer should continue to aide in recovery of mule deer populations.

Mule deer numbers have declined precipitously in the San Andres Mountains of southcentral New Mexico. To assess reasons for population declines, we monitored condition, survival, and causes of mortality for a range of 37 to 64 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old female mule deer annually, and a range of 14 to 31 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old male mule deer annually from 2003 to 2009, and modeled environmental factors affecting survival. We found annual survival rates of 0.74 to 0.86 for females and 0.74 to 0.92 for males, rates that were similar among years within sexes. Causes of mortality for 50 radio-collared females and 22 radio-collared males included predation (13 females, 2 males), accidents (4 females, 1 male), malnutrition (13 females, 7 males), disease (6 females, 2 males), unknown-not-predation (3 females, 6 males), unknown (11 females, 3 males), and harvest (0 females, 1 male). Condition of females varied among years and was poor in most years (i.e., lactating females had1.0] > 0.937). Potential rates of increase of mule deer in the greater San Andres Mountains were limited by production and survival of fawns, rather than adult mortality.