Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Electronic Journal Formats

This paper reviews the main document formats currently being used in electronic journals and provides a pointer to the formats likely to be prominent in the near future. >> A reviewed and edited version of this article is to appear in >> the journal Program (Aslib)

Stock assessment for fishery management - A framework guide to the stock assessment tools of the Fisheries Management Science Programme (FMSP)

This document provides guidelines for fish stock assessment and fishery management using the software tools and other outputs developed by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development's Fisheries Management Science Programme (FMSP) from 1992 to 2004. It explains some key elements of the precautionary approach to fisheries management and outlines a range of alternative stock assessment approaches that can provide the information needed for such precautionary management. Four FMSP software tools, LFDA (Length Frequency Data Analysis), CEDA (Catch Effort Data Analysis), YIELD and ParFish (Participatory Fisheries Stock Assessment), are described with which intermediary parameters, performance indicators and reference points may be estimated. The document also contains examples of the assessment and management of multispecies fisheries, the use of Bayesian methodologies, the use of empirical modelling approaches for estimating yields and in analysing fishery systems, and the assessment and management of inland fisheries. It also provides a comparison of length- and age-based stock assessment methods. A CD-ROM with the FMSP software packages CEDA, LFDA, YIELD and ParFish is included

Application of zebrafish oculomotor behavior to model human disorders

To ensure high acuity vision, eye movements have to be controlled with astonishing precision by the oculomotor system. Many human diseases can lead to abnormal eye movements, typically of the involuntary oscillatory eye movements type called nystagmus. Such nystagmus can be congenital (infantile) or acquired later in life. Although the resulting eye movements are well characterized, there is only little information about the underlying etiology. This is in part owing to the lack of appropriate animal models. In this review article, we describe how the zebrafish with its quick maturing visual system can be used to model oculomotor pathologies. We compare the characteristics and assessment of human and zebrafish eye movements. We describe the oculomotor properties of the zebrafish mutant belladonna, which has non-crossing optical fibers, and is a particularly informative model for human oculomotor deficits. This mutant displays a reverse optokinetic response, spontaneous oscillations that closely mimic human congenital nystagmus and abnormal motor behavior linked to circular vection

Consolidation of nanostructured metal powders by rapid forging: Processing, modeling, and subsequent mechanical behavior

Fe-10Cu powders containing 20-nm grains were produced by attritor milling of elemental powders in argon. A rapid powder forging technique was developed to consolidate the powders into fully dense compacts while maintaining nanoscale grain sizes. Grain growth during the consolidation was controlled by reducing the time of exposure at elevated temperature to a few minutes or less, a technique which is applicable to all materials and does not necessitate the addition of dispersoids. This was achieved by heating green compacts quickly using an induction heater, and then forging and rapidly cooling them back to room temperature. Forging was conducted in a protective argon atmosphere to limit contamination. Fully dense compacts were produced at relatively low temperatures, mainly due to the accelerated creep rates exhibited by the nanostructures. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis found an average grain size of 45 nm in the fully dense samples forged at 530 °C. Indications are that finer grain sizes should be attainable by using slightly lower temperatures and higher pressures. The success of the technique (compared to hot-isostatic pressing ( hipping )) is due to both reducing time at elevated temperatures and applying relatively high pressures. Microhardness tests revealed a significant strengthening effect due to grain size refinement, following a Hall-Petch relation. Compression testing at room temperature showed no strain hardening during plastic deformation, which occurred by shear banding. High strengths, up to 1800 MPa, were obtained at room temperature. Compression testing at 575 °C revealed a significant strain rate dependence of mechanical behavior and also the possibility of superplastic behavior. Power-law creep was observed at 575 °C, with very high steady-state creep rates on the order of 50 pct/s at 230 MPa. The consolidation process was successfully modeled by slightly modifying and applying the Arzt, Ashby, and Easterling (AAE) hot-isostatic press (HIP) model. The experiments and modeling indicated that creep was the dominant densification mechanism in these materials, even at relatively low temperatures and high loading rates. The results of this investigation suggest the possibility of a commercially viable nanostructured metal, which is easily processed to large strains at moderate temperatures, yet maintains high strength at room temperature without the necessity of heat treatment or mechanical working