Proximal tibial osteotomies for the medial compartment arthrosis of the knee: a historical journey

Several proximal tibial osteotomy techniques for the medial compartment arthrosis of the knee are described and traced in their development. These techniques are of the closed wedge, dome and open wedge types. We detail the differences in planning and surgery as well the need for different fixation devices. This historical and technical description will benefit those surgeons wishing to undertake the procedure as an alternative to joint replacement strategies

Event Estimation Accuracy of Social Sensing with Facebook for Social Internet of Vehicles

© 2014 IEEE. Social Internet of Vehicles (SIoV) is a new paradigm that enables social relationships among vehicles via the Internet. People in the vehicles using online social networks (OSNs) can be an integral part of SIoV that enables the collection of data for sensing a physical phenomenon, i.e., social sensing. In this paper, we study the main social sensing mechanism in Facebook, comment thread network (CTN), which is based on the interactions of users through user walls in Facebook for SIoV. After seeing their commuters' contents about an event, users either add comments or like these posts, and Facebook CTN emerges as a social sensing medium in estimation of an event through social consensus. For the first time, this paper investigates the social sensing capability of Facebook CTN, i.e., the accuracy of collective observations for SIoV. The accuracy depends on the user characteristics and the features of the OSN, since perceptions of the users and how they use Facebook may manipulate their observation signals. We analyze the reliability of Facebook CTN for varying user behaviors, user relationships, Facebook features, and network size. The results indicate that the polarized weighting of the observations and the use of less reliable post types in CTN deteriorate the accuracy of the estimate signal, i.e., social consensus. Furthermore, the selection of users is likely to be an important factor in social sensing

In silico identification, characterization and expression analysis of miRNAs in Cannabis sativa L.

AbstractCannabis sativa L. is an annual herb and economically important as a source of fiber, oil, food and for its medicinal and intoxicating properties. MicroRNAs are a class of short (~21nt), non-coding regulatory RNAs that play a major role in post-transcriptional gene silencing. By in silico analysis of the publically available Transcript Sequence Assemblies (TSA) and Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) of C. sativa, a total of 18 conserved miRNAs belonging to 9 independent families were identified. To validate the predicted miRNAs, SYBR green based assay of qPCR was applied to detect the tissue-specific (young and mature leaf) expression of 6 putative miRNAs (csa-miR156, csa-miR159a, csa-miR171b, csa-miR172a, csa-miR5021a, csa-miR6034) in C. sativa. A total of 80 target genes were also recognized for the newly identified miRNAs, and subsequently assigned to three broad functional categories: biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions as defined for the Arabidopsis proteome. The potential target genes consist of transcription factors (33.75%), transporters (5%), kinase and other enzymes (20%) as well as signaling and other functional proteins (32.50%). The findings in this study on C. sativa miRNA precursors, mature miRNAs, and miRNA targets will be helpful for future research on miRNA-mediated gene regulation in this important plant species

GGE biplot analysis of reactions of bread wheat pure lines selected from central anatolian landraces of Turkey to leaf rust disease (Puccinia triticina) in multiple location-years

The present study was conducted to determine the reactions of 88 bread wheat pure lines selected from landraces collected in Central Anatolian Region of Turkey against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) under field conditions in 7 locations. GGE biplot analysis was used to determine the reactions of landrace genotypes against the disease. The GGE biplot explained 73.89% of total variation. Among the experimental locations, 6 (except for E3) were placed close to each other over the biplot graph, indicating two apparent mega-environments. The GGE biplot visually displayed the resistance and stability of the pure lines to leaf rust. The landrace genotypes L18, L19, L45, and L2 were identified as the most resistant/stable genotypes in all environments and L31 and L56 were the most susceptible/stable genotypes

Performing Interactively A Thermo-Fluids Laboratory Experiment in the Virtual Domain

This paper deals with the development of an experiment in the virtual domain for the undergraduate thermo-fluids laboratory in the mechanical engineering program. A physical experiment titled Venturimeter as a Flow Measuring Device is replicated as a computer-based experiment as part of the ongoing effort at Old Dominion University to develop web-based laboratories that would provide students hands-on experience in the virtual domain. A web-based module is developed that allows experimentation and data taking in a virtual setting much like in the physical experiment. This module incorporating the virtual venturimeter has been used by students to take data for several flow rates to determine the coefficient of venturimeter as a function of Reynolds number. The proposed virtual module will provide impetus for development of virtual engineering laboratories which in turn may make it possible offering of web-based undergraduate engineering programs at Old Dominion University

Energy Characterisation of Briquettes Produced from Admixture of Arundo donax L. and Coconut Coir

The study was carried out to evaluate the combustible energy characteristics of briquettes produced from Arundo donax, coconut coir and admixture of both agricultural wastes, using cassava starch as binder. The 2 x 5 factorial experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD), and replicated 3 times to give a total of 15 samples. Physical parameters assessed in the study were: moisture content and density while combustion properties included: ash content, percentage fixed carbon, percentage volatile matter, heating value and water boiling test value. The results obtained from the assessment of the physical properties of the briquettes produced from the admixture of 50g Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir showed the lowest mean value of 32.72+1.86% for moisture content while 100g of coconut coir recorded the highest density of 0.56+ 0.03g/cm3. For the combustion properties, it was observed that admixture of 50g of Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir produced briquette with the lowest ash content of 4.33 +0.76%. The results also revealed that briquette produced form 50g of Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir had the highest mean value of percentage fixed carbon, heating energy and cooking efficiency (water boiling test value) as 14.83 +1.89%, 32.13 + 255.39 kJ/g and 3.39 + 0.10 kJ/kg respectively. A relatively high volatile matter of 84.83 + 2.08% was also recorded for briquette from this admixture. Inspite of the limitations posed by the use of manual moulding equipment for the briquetting process -- low densification and less compression of loose biomass materials into briquette blocks -- biomass briquette was successfully produced., based on the results of this study, However, it is recommended that briquette should be produced from Arundo donax and coconut coir mixed together in equal proportion for improved combustion properties, due to its low moisture content, low ash content, high heating value, high percentage fixed carbon and highest cooking efficiency

Major bacteria of community-acquired respiratory tract infections in Turkey

To determine the bacterial etiology of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in Turkey, quantitative cultures of sputum were carried out. The major pathogens for LTRIs were found to be Haemophilus influenzae, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Only 6.1% of the H. inlfuenzae and all strains of M. catarrhalis were β-lactamase producers. An E-test showed that 31.2% of the S. pneumoniae strains had an intermediate resistance to penicillin, and the remaining strains were susceptible; no fully resistant strains were detected

Coexistence of carcinoma and tuberculosis in one breast

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background: The coexistence of breast cancer and tuberculosis is very rare. This can create a dilemma in the diagnosis and treatment as there are no pathognomonic symptoms or signs to distinguish both diseases. Case presentation: A female patient was seen in the breast clinic for a right breast lump. Clinical examination and investigation confirmed cancer and tuberculosis of the right breast. She underwent right mastectomy and axillary clearance and received chemo and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, she died of wide spread metastases. Conclusion: The simultaneous occurrence of these two major illnesses in the breast can lead to many problems regarding diagnosis and treatment. Though rare, surgeons, pathologists and radiologists should be aware of such condition. Background The coexistence of carcinoma and tuberculosis (TB) of the breast and the axillary lymph nodes is rare. The clinical situation

A microsatellite marker for yellow rust resistance in wheat

Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used to identify molecular markers associated with yellow rust disease resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). DNAs isolated from the selected yellow rust tolerant and susceptible F-2 individuals derived from a cross between yellow rust resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes were used to established a "tolerant" and a "susceptible" DNA pool. The BSA was then performed on these DNA pools using 230 markers that were previously mapped onto the individual wheat chromosomes. One of the SSR markers (Xgwm382) located on chromosome group 2 (A, B, D genomes) was present in the resistant parent and the resistant bulk but not in the susceptible parent and the susceptible bulk, suggesting that this marker is linked to a yellow rust resistance gene. The presence of Xgwm382 was also tested in 108 additional wheat genotypes differing in yellow rust resistance. This analysis showed that 81% of the wheat genotypes known to be yellow rust resistant had the Xgwm382 marker, further suggesting that the presence of this marker correlates with yellow rust resistance in diverse wheat germplasm. Therefore, Xgwm382 could be useful for marker assisted selection of yellow rust resistances genotypes in wheat breeding programs