Spin-resolved electron-impact ionization of lithium

Electron-impact ionization of lithium is studied using the convergent close-coupling (CCC) method at 25.4 and 54.4 eV. Particular attention is paid to the spin-dependence of the ionization cross sections. Convergence is found to be more rapid for the spin asymmetries, which are in good agreement with experiment, than for the underlying cross sections. Comparison with the recent measured and DS3C-calculated data of Streun et al (1999) is most intriguing. Excellent agreement is found with the measured and calculated spin asymmetries, yet the discrepancy between the CCC and DS3C cross sections is very large

The rationale for a spine registry

In the discussion about the rationale for spine registries, two basic questions have to be answered. The first one deals with the value of orthopaedic registries per se, considering them as observational studies and comparing the evidence they generate with that of randomised controlled trials. The second question asks if the need for registries in spine surgery is similar to that in the arthroplasty sector. The widely held view that randomised controlled trials are the ‘gold standard' for evaluation and that observational methods have little or no value ignores the limitations of randomised trials. They may prove unnecessary, inappropriate, impossible, or inadequate. In addition, the external validity and hence the ability to make generalisations about the results of randomised trials is often low. Therefore, the false conflict between those who advocate randomised trials in all situations and those who believe observational data provide sufficient evidence needs to be replaced with mutual recognition of their complementary roles. The fact that many surgical techniques or technologies were introduced into the field of spine surgery without randomised trials or prospective cohort comparisons makes obvious an even increased need for spine registries compared to joint arthroplasty. An essential methodological prerequisite for a registry is a common terminology for reporting results and a sophisticated technology that networks all participants so that one central data pool is created and accessed. Recognising this need, the Spine Society of Europe has researched and developed Spine Tango, the first European spine registry, which can be accessed under www.eurospine.or

Physical Mapping of Micronutritional Genes in Wheat-rye Translocations

In rye (Secale cereale L.), there are loci on chromosome arm 5RL which give rise to increased copper (Cu)- and iron (Fe)-efficiency, respectively. Four different wheat-rye translocations each harboring a terminal segment of different size of the rye chromosome arm 5RL were identified by test crosses and Giemsa-banding: \u27T29\u27 (5AS.5RL), \u27T63\u27 (5BS.5BL-5RL), \u27Vhn\u27 (4BS.4BL-5RL) and \u27Cor\u27 (4BS.4BL-5RL). The translocation break points were detected by chromosome painting technique GISH and the sizes of the rye chromosome segments involved were determined by computer image analysis. The Cu-efficiency gene Ce was physically mapped to the terminal region of 5RL, and the genes for mugineic acid and for hydroxymugineic acid synthetases involved in the strategy II of Fe-efficiency control to two intercalary regions of 5RL. In all wheat-rye translocation lines the Ce gene is linked to the dominant hairy neck character (HaI) from rye. This morphological trait and the RFLP probe \u27WG 199\u27 as well can serve as proper markers for a marker-based large-scale selection in wheat breeding

Calculation of the free-free transitions in the electron-hydrogen scattering S-wave model

The S-wave model of electron-hydrogen scattering is evaluated using the convergent close-coupling method with an emphasis on scattering from excited states including an initial state from the target continuum. Convergence is found for discrete excitations and the elastic free-free transition. The latter is particularly interesting given the corresponding potential matrix elements are divergent

A European spine registry

Abstract.: New joint replacement registries are being widely implemented across national and international organizations. The need for a continuous long-term post-market surveillance of implants has been recognized, and has become increasingly important to ensure the quality of prosthetic components. Registry data with large case numbers represent an acceptable alternative to controlled randomized clinical trials, which are often difficult to conduct in orthopedic surgery. The variety of implants and procedures in spinal surgery not only induces the same need for long-term monitoring of post-surgical product performance as in the joint replacement subspecialties, but also renders essential the establishment of a comprehensive spine registry for all major pathologies and interventions. In cooperation with the M.E. Müller Institute for Evaluative Research in Orthopedic Surgery (MEM-CED) at the University of Berne, Switzerland, the Spine Society of Europe (SSE) has launched Spine Tango: the first modular and multilevel European online registry for spinal surgery. Within Spine Tango, the major challenge in registry design and structure is the definition of and agreement upon a core set of questions as a common European dataset. Additional questions for national or individual interest can also be dynamically added to the core dataset. An automated implant tracking system has also been setup, which allows highly precise product documentation without additional work for clinical staff member

Patient characteristics differently affect early cup and stem loosening in THA: a case-control study on 7,535 patients

We postulated that certain patient characteristics have different effects on early THA component loosening. With two matched case-control studies we assessed 3,028 cups and 5,224 stems. Loosening was defined using signs of mechanical component failure on routine follow-up radiographs or revision for aseptic loosening. Women and men had similar cup-loosening odds, but women had lower odds for stem loosening (p < 0.0001). Odds for cup loosening decreased by 2.1% per additional year of age (p = 0.0004), those for stem loosening by 2.4% (p < 0.0001). Each additional kilogram of weight decreased cup loosening odds by 1.3% (p = 0.0051). Each additional unit of BMI increased stem loosening odds (p = 0.0109). Charnley classes B and C were protective factors against loosening of both components. There were no risk differences for the various main diagnoses. Certain patient characteristics differently affected early cup and stem loosening, although some characteristics had the same protective or harmful effect on component surviva

SSE Spine Tango - content, workflow, set-up: www.eurospine.org - Spine Tango

The Spine Tango registry is now accessible via the SSE webpage under www.eurospine.org - Spine Tango. Links to the Swiss/International, German and Austrian modules are provided as well as information about the philosophy, methodology and content. Following the links, the users are taken to the respective national modules for registration or log-in and data entry. The Swiss/International module, also accessible under www.spinetango.com, is used by all Swiss and international users, who do not have a separate national module. The physician administered forms for surgery, staged surgery and follow-up can be downloaded as PDFs.The officially recommended Spine Tango patient forms are also available. All forms were implemented in an online version and as scannable optical mark reader forms which can be ordered from the corresponding autho

Development of a documentation instrument for the conservative treatment of spinal disorders in the International Spine Registry, Spine Tango

Spine Tango is the first and only International Spine Registry in operation to date. So far, only surgical spinal interventions have been recorded and no comparable structured and comprehensive documentation instrument for conservative treatments of spinal disorders is available. This study reports on the development of a documentation instrument for the conservative treatment of spinal disorders by using the Delphi consensus method. It was conducted with a group of international experts in the field. We also assessed the usability of this new assessment tool with a prospective feasibility study on 97 outpatients and inpatients with low back or neck pain undergoing conservative treatment. The new ‘Spine Tango conservative' questionnaire proved useful and suitable for the documentation of pathologies, conservative treatments and outcomes of patients with low back or neck problems. A follow-up questionnaire seemed less important in the predominantly outpatient setting. In the feasibility study, between 43 and 63% of patients reached the minimal clinically important difference in pain relief and Core Outcome Measures Index at 3months after therapy; 87% of patients with back pain and 85% with neck pain were satisfied with the received treatment. With ‘Spine Tango conservative' a first step has been taken to develop and implement a complementary system for documentation and evaluation of non-surgical spinal interventions and outcomes within the framework of the International Spine Registry. It proved useful and feasible in a first pilot study, but it will take the experience of many more cases and therapists to develop a version similarly mature as the surgical instruments of Spine Tang

Verwendungsraten von Prothesen der unteren Extremität in Deutschland und der Schweiz: Ein Vergleich der Jahre 2005-2008

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: In den USA hat die Verwendung der totalen Hüftprothese innerhalb der letzten Dekade stark zugenommen. Es ist jedoch nicht bekannt, ob sich dieser Trend auf andere Länder übertragen lässt. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war daher der detaillierte Vergleich der Verwendungsraten von Hüft-, Knie- und OSG-Prothesen in der BRD und der Schweiz im Zeitraum 2005-2008 und ein Sekundärvergleich mit den USA. Patienten und Methoden: Aus Daten der beiden statistischen Bundesämter wurden die Einwohnerzahl, Geschlechts- und Altersverteilung sowie die Anzahl von Primär- und Revisionseingriffen ermittelt. Aus diesen Kennzahlen konnte die Anzahl von Primär-, Revisions- und Gesamteingriffen, der Revisionslast, von Primär- und Revisionsraten pro 100.000 Einwohner und Jahr sowie geschlechts- und altersspezifische Primär- und Revisionsraten berechnet werden. Ein im Vergleich dazu reduzierter Datensatz aus den USA stammt direkt vom Autor der entsprechenden Auswertungen. Ergebnisse: In Deutschland, der Schweiz und den USA stieg die Anzahl der Voll- und Teilhüftprothesenimplantationen pro 100.000 Personen von 235,8, 238,2 und 116,8 im Jahr 2005 auf 254,7, 262,7 und 127,3 an. Für Voll- und Teilknieprothesen lagen die Raten bei 156,3, 140,1 und 178,2 Implantationen in 2005 und 188,3, 176,8 und 213,6 in 2008. Die Revisionslast für Hüftprothesen lag in der BRD in 2005 mit 13,6% um 3,6% höher als in der Schweiz und betrug 11,2% in den USA. In 2008 lag sie mit 15,1% um 4,6% höher als in der Schweiz und betrug wiederum 11,2% in den USA. Für Knieprothesen lag die Last in der BRD in 2005 bei 11,1% und damit 3,5% höher als in der Schweiz; in den USA betrug sie 7,4%. In 2008 lag sie bei 12,8% und somit 4,2% höher als in der Schweiz und betrug 8,9% in den USA. In allen 3 Ländern lag die Revisionslast für Knieprothesen stets unter derjenigen für Hüftprothesen. Schlussfolgerung: In allen 3 Ländern stiegen die Primärraten für Hüft- und Knieprothesen an, diejenigen für Knieprothesen stärker. Die Revisionslasten lagen in 2008 für beide Prothesentypen in der BRD am höchsten. In der Schweiz gab es eine vorübergehende Senkung der Revisionslasten und erst ab 2007 wieder einen Anstieg. Die Verwendungsrate von Hüftprothesen pro 100.000 Einwohner lag in den USA stark unter den Raten der BRD und der Schweiz, für Knieprothesen lag sie leicht darübe