A kinematic analysis of the spine during rugby scrummaging on natural and synthetic turfs

Artificial surfaces are now an established alternative to grass (natural) surfaces in rugby union. Little is known, however, about their potential to reduce injury. This study characterises the spinal kinematics of rugby union hookers during scrummaging on third-generation synthetic (3G) and natural pitches. The spine was sectioned into five segments, with inertial sensors providing three-dimensional kinematic data sampled at 40 Hz/sensor. Twenty-two adult, male community club and university-level hookers were recruited. An equal number were analysed whilst scrummaging on natural or synthetic turf. Players scrummaging on synthetic turf demonstrated less angular velocity in the lower thoracic spine for right and left lateral bending and right rotation. The general reduction in the range of motion and velocities, extrapolated over a prolonged playing career, may mean that the synthetic turf could result in fewer degenerative injuries. It should be noted, however, that this conclusion considers only the scrummaging scenario

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group

Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe

A numerical simulation study on mixing of inert cushion gas with working gas in an underground gas storage reservoir

The cushion gas, providing the pressure energy necessary for withdrawal of working gas, makes up the largest part of the investment in underground gas storage projects. The suggested method of reducing this cost is the replacement of some part of the cushion gas with less expensive inert gas, such as nitrogen. In the replacement, there might be some problems due to mixing between natural gas and inert gas. Turkey has sharply increasing demand for natural gas. The constant imported gas and varying demand throughout the year due to the distinct seasons in the region are the reasons for severe need for gas storage in Turkey. There are no underground storage units in Turkey but two gas reservoirs in the Thrace basin grant the potential for gas storage. From this point of view, the gas mixing problem is investigated for a typical gas reservoir by coupled use of a gas reservoir simulator and a transport model. A two-dimensional (2-D), single-phase numerical gas reservoir simulator is developed to obtain the pressure distribution during production and injection cycles. The velocity distribution is found by using these pressures. Then the two-dimensional transport model is used to calculate nitrogen concentrations around the injection wells. Both models are used effectively for controlling the mixing problem in an underground gas storage reservoir

Parasitoids and predators of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Ankara, Turkey

Natural enemies of mealybugs were surveyed in Ankara, Turkey, during the years 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three predatory species belonging to the insect orders Coleoptera (Coccinellidae, 17), Diptera (Chamaemyiidae, 3) and Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, 2; Hemerobiidae, 1); and 22 parasitoid species belonging to Hymenoptera (Aphelinidae, 2; Encyrtidae, 14; Platygasteridae, 1; Pteromalidae, 3; Signiphoridae, 2) were determined. The following ten species are newly recorded for the Turkish fauna: Sidis biguttatus Motchulsky, Nephus sinuatomaculatus Sahlberg (Coccinellidae), Leucopomyia alticeps Czerny, Parochthiphila (Euestelia) decipia Tanasijtshuk (Chamaemyiidae), Leptomastidea matritensis Mercet, Prochiloneurus bolivari Mercet, Rhopus sp.nr. acaetes (Walker), Stematosteres sp., Eunotus acutus Kurdjumov, and Chartocerus kurdjumovi (Nikol'skaya) (Chalcidoidea).2002-ZF-041This project was supported by YUztincu Yll University Research Foundation (2002-ZF-041)

Feeding behavior of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri mealybugs parasitized by Anagyrus pseudococci

The citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) and the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are two worldwide polyphagous pests of citrus, vineyards and ornamental plants in greenhouses. Biological control of these pests may rely on the combined release of parasites and predators, which can be affected by intraguild predation (IGP). This Study investigated the feeding behavior of different stages of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on mealybugs parasitized by Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. The study was conducted in a climate-controlled room at 28 +/- 1 degrees C, 16L:81), and 65 +/- 10% r.h. The highest consumption values for all stages of C. montrouzieri occurred with 2- and 4-day parasitized mealybugs, whereas the predator did not feed on either species of mealybug parasitized for longer periods, due to the onset of mummification

Parasitoids and predators of pseudococcidae (Hemiptera : Coccoidea) in Ankara, Turkey

WOS: 000239855500002Natural enemies of mealybugs were surveyed in Ankara, Turkey, during the years 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three predatory species belonging to the insect orders Coleoptera (Coccinellidae, 17), Diptera (Chamaemyiidae, 3) and Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, 2; Hemerobiidae, 1); and 22 parasitoid species belonging to Hymenoptera (Aphelinidae, 2; Encyrtidae, 14; Platygasteridae, 1; Pteromalidae, 3; Signiphoridae, 2) were determined. The following ten species are newly recorded for the Turkish fauna: Sidis biguttatus Motchulsky, Nephus sinuatomaculatus Sahlberg (Coccinellidae), Leucopomyia alticeps Czerny, Parochthiphila (Euestelia) decipia Tanasijtshuk (Chamaemyiidae), Leptomastidea matritensis Mercet, Prochiloneurus bolivari Mercet, Rhopus sp.nr. acaetes (Walker), Stematosteres sp., Eunotus acutus Kurdjumov, and Chartocerus kurdjumovi (Nikol'skaya) (Chalcidoidea)

New records of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Turkey

A survey of scale insects was carried out in Ankara, in Middle Anatolia, Turkey from 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three species belonging to 5 families were recorded. Eleven of these species are new record for Turkey, namely; Exaeretopus agropyri (Hadzibejli), Exaeretopus formiceticola Newstead, Exaeretopus tritici Williams, Chortinaspis subterraneus (Lindinger), Diaspidiotus elaeagni (Borchsenius), Diaspidiotus sulci Balachowsky, Rhizaspidiotus canariensis (Lindinger), Acanthococcus devoniensis (Green), Acanthococcus tavignani Goux, Acanthococcus variabilis Goux, Neomargarodes festucae Archangelskaya and Porphyrophora minuta Borchsenius

Modeling of gas demand using degree-day concept: Case study for Ankara

The demand for natural gas is rapidly increasing in Turkey as it is in the rest of the world. However, natural gas reserves and production are rather limited in Turkey. The bulk of the Turkish gets demand is met by imports. Russia currently accounts for 69% of Turkey's gas supplies. Physical shortages might occur; supplies for industrial production and household consumption could temporarily run short. Also, fluctuations in consumption might occur due to climatic reasons or peak daily industrial energy demand Underground gas storage is a necessity in order to regulate these seasonal, daily and hourly fluctuations. In order to effectively design and utilize underground gas storage, it is necessary to identify the market requirements

Cyphoplectine, a norditerpene alkaloid from Delphinium cyphoplectrum

From the aerial Parts of Delphinium cyphoplectrum Boiss.,a new norditerpene alkaloid named cyphoplectine has been isolated along with the known norditerpene alkaloids browniine and delphatine. The structure of cyphoplectine was established on the basis of H-1, C-13, APT, homonuclear H-1 COSY, HETCOR and NOESY NMR studies. The alkaloidal mixture showed slight antifeedant and insect repellent activities