FEASIBILITY OF USING \u3csup\u3e15\u3c/sup\u3eN-ENRICHED \u3ci\u3eESCHERICHIA COLI\u3c/i\u3e AS A BACTERIAL TRACER IN THE CANE RUN/ROYAL SPRING BASIN, KENTUCKY

A novel tracer method has used 15N to label Escherichia coli and track the transport of bacteria, a common contaminant, through karst aquifers. Use of this method could provide valuable insight into the movement of bacteria in aquifers, which would help improve remediation methods and strategies. A wild strain of E. coli was isolated from the Cane Run/Royal Spring basin in the Inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky. The strain was serotyped O-:H- and virulence testing showed the strain did not have virulence factors of E. coli commonly pathogenic to humans. Five karst microcosms were filled with sterilized water collected from Royal Spring in Georgetown, Kentucky. Each microcosm was inoculated with wild-type E. coli, enriched in 15N, and incubated at 14° C for 130 days. The microcosms were periodically sampled for the concentration and nitrogen isotope composition of E. coli over 130 days. The E. coli survived at concentrations within one log of the average initial value of 5.62×1010 for the duration of the study. Statistical modeling showed no significant difference in δ15N values from day 1 and day 130. This strain is therefore recommended for traces in the Cane Run/Royal Spring basin

Hispanic Subgroups, Acculturation, and Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes

This study explored Hispanic subgroup differences in substance use treatment outcomes, and the relationship of acculturation characteristics to these outcomes. Data were from a multisite randomized clinical trial of motivational enhancement therapy versus treatment as usual in a sample of Spanish-speaking substance abusers. Participants were Cuban American (n = 34), Mexican American (n = 209), Puerto Rican (n = 78), and other Hispanic American (n = 54). Results suggested that Cuban Americans and individuals with more connection to Hispanic culture had lower treatment retention. Hispanics born in the U.S and those who spoke English at home had a lower percentage of days abstinent during weeks 5–16, although Puerto Ricans born in the U.S. and Cuban Americans living more years in the U.S. had a higher percentage of days abstinent in weeks 1–4 and 5–16, respectively. Results may inform future hypothesis-driven studies in larger Hispanic treatment seeking samples of the relationship between acculturation and treatment outcome

Inconsistency in 9 mm bullets : correlation of jacket thickness to post-impact geometry measured with non-destructive X-ray computed tomography

Fundamental to any ballistic armour standard is the reference projectile to be defeated. Typically, for certification purposes, a consistent and symmetrical bullet geometry is assumed, however variations in bullet jacket dimensions can have far reaching consequences. Traditionally, characteristics and internal dimensions have been analysed by physically sectioning bullets – an approach which is of restricted scope and which precludes subsequent ballistic assessment. The use of a non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (CT) method has been demonstrated and validated Kumar et al., 2011); the authors now apply this technique to correlate bullet impact response with jacket thickness variations. A set of 20 bullets (9 mm DM11) were selected for comparison and an image-based analysis method was employed to map jacket thickness and determine the centre of gravity of each specimen. Both intra- and inter-bullet variations were investigated, with thickness variations of the order of 200 um commonly found along the length of all bullets and angular variations of up to 50 um in some. The bullets were subsequently impacted against a rigid flat plate under controlled conditions (observed on a high-speed video camera) and the resulting deformed projectiles were re-analysed. The results of the experiments demonstrate a marked difference in ballistic performance between bullets from different manufacturers and an asymmetric thinning of the jacket is observed in regions of pre-impact weakness. The conclusions are relevant for future soft armour standards and provide important quantitative data for numerical model correlation and development. The implications of the findings of the work on the reliability and repeatability of the industry standard V50 ballistic test are also discussed

Re-engineering forensic anthropology : new techniques in sharp force trauma analysis

In forensic anthropology the analysis of microscopic tool marks found in skeletal sharp force trauma is a challenging area. Many different imaging methods have been employed to measure cut mark characteristics in aid of developing diagnostic tools for estimating knife type used for these marks. Furthermore numerous experimental methods for creating tool marks for analysis have been used. A novel method for creating, analysing and presenting tool marks using reverse engineering and metrology was investigated. 5 Pig torsos prepared to mimic human anatomy were stabbed using seven different knives. Following chemical defleshing the ribs were micro-CT scanned for the analysis of tool marks left from the knives. Other methods including SEM, Digital microscopy and Laser scanning were also considered. Various geometrical measurements of the cut mark micro-morphology were taken. These measurements were statistically analysed using SPSS. Knife types gave statistically significant different cut mark width, length, wall angle, floor radius and shape (p<0.001). Knife sub-types and individual knives also gave statistically significant differencing in width and shape (p<0.001). Statistical classification of cut marks as either serrated or non-serrated made marks was shown to be 90% if width, length, wall angle and floor radius were accounted for. This indicated that determining knife type quantitatively is possible and could aid criminal investigators with their enquires. 3D models of these cut marks could also be developed for potential use in court for forensic expert testimony

Relationship between Temperament and Performance Traits in Yearling Cattle

To examine relationships between exit velocity (EV, objective measure of temperament) and performance traits, calves were weighed 14 days prior to weaning, at weaning, 128 days post weaning, and at time of carcass measurements. Exit velocity obtained on day -14 and carcass ultrasound measurements (n = 6) obtained on day 208 and carcass harvest measurements (n = 12) obtained on day 349 were used to determine correlations between EV, performance and carcass measurements. Exit velocity showed a tendency to be negatively correlated (P \u3c 0.15) with weaning weight (r = -0.40), but not correlated (P \u3e 0.05) with average daily gain post 128 days. Exit velocity was not correlated (P \u3e 0.05) with carcass ultrasound measurements or with yearling weight. Exit velocity was negatively correlated (P = 0.04) with carcass weight (r = -0.65). Although, EV was not correlated (P \u3c 0.05) with carcass harvest traits of back fat and longissimus muscle area, results indicated more excitable cattle could have less back fat and smaller longissimus muscle area. Results suggest with additional numbers EV may be useful as an objective measure of temperament to sort calves into specific outcome groups that differ in carcass quality traits

The Clinical Relevance of Cement Volume in Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation

Introduction: Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are two forms of percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA), in which polymethylmethacrylate cement is used to stabilize vertebral compression fractures (VCF). This study sought to evaluate the relationship between cement volume and clinical outcomes, including pain reduction, opioid use, and complication rate. Methods: Retrospective chart review produced 88 patients who received PVA at a tertiary care outpatient pain clinic. Cement volume, type of PVA, gender, level (thoracic vs lumbar) were collected, as well as clinical outcomes of numeric pain score (NPS) reduction, opioid percent change (OPC), and complications. Both pre-procedure and post-procedure (between 2-4 weeks) data were collected. Results: Sixty-four patients (72.7%) had statistically significant NPS reduction of ≥50% pain (p Conclusion: Cement volume does not correlate with clinical outcomes of NPS reduction or OPC. Furthermore, our study reinforced PVA as a beneficial treatment for reducing pain and opioid consumption in patients with painful VCF

Weapon-wound matching of sharp force trauma to bone – a micro-CT analysis

Nearly 40% of murders in the UK result from sharp force trauma caused by knives. Weapon-wound matching in Forensic anthropology attempts to estimate weapon class from the wound characteristics but few studies have investigated quantitative methods for performing this analysis on the microscopic scale. In this study five cadaveric pig torsos, prepared to mimic human anatomy, were stabbed in the upright position with 12 different knives. Knife dynamics were recorded using a Casio high-speed camera (420fps). Samples were chemically defleshed exposing the regions on the ribs where the knives have made contact, thus marking the bone, so micro-CT can be performed. All samples underwent a pre and post-stab CT scan so that rib marks could be matched to the knife used. Preliminary results show that there is a significant difference between serrated and none serrated cut geometry regardless of knife force or penetration angle. If these results hold true for the larger sample of knives tested within this study (analysis currently in progress) and the significant differences between knives are above noise then, a new technique for statistically estimating knife class from cut marks can be developed. Applications of this in forensic anthropology will aid criminal investigators in their inquiries

Breeding \u3cem\u3eLotus Australis\u3c/em\u3e Andrews for Low Cyanide Content

Lotus australis Andrews is a native perennial tetraploid legume (2n=4x=28) widely distributed throughout Australia (Figure 1). It is highly variable with 14 botanical varieties reported in the Australian Plant Name Index (http://www.anbg.gov.au). Despite broad adaptation within L. australis no cultivars have been developed for cultivation. One of the main barriers to cultivation is the reported cyanogenic nature of the species (Foulds, 1982), which makes it potentially toxic when plant cyanogenic glycosides are fully hydrolysed to form hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Foulds (1982) also reported that the cyanophoric trait was polymorphic at seedling and adult stages with 12% of plants acyanogenic in some populations. . The Cooperative Research Center for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity, financially supported by Australian Wool Innovation has commenced a breeding program to develop a non-toxic cultivar of L. australis. The selection criterion of the first phase of the breeding programme was for low HCN production. Once this trait is stabilised, forage production and seed yield as well as general plant health will be the main breeding objectives