Emplacement of inflated Pāhoehoe flows in the Naude’s Nek Pass, Lesotho remnant, Karoo continental flood basalt province: use of flow-lobe tumuli in understanding flood basalt emplacement

Physical volcanological features are presented for a 710-m-thick section, of the Naude’s Nek Pass, within the lower part of the Lesotho remnant of the Karoo Large Igneous Province. The section consists of inflated pāhoehoe lava with thin, impersistent sedimentary interbeds towards the base. There are seven discreet packages of compound and hummocky pāhoehoe lobes containing flow-lobe tumuli, making up approximately 50% of the section. Approximately 45% of the sequence consists of 14 sheet lobes, between 10 and 52-m-thick. The majority of the sheet lobes are in two packages indicating prolonged periods of lava supply capable of producing thick sheet lobes. The other sheet lobes are as individual lobes or pairs, within compound flows, suggesting brief increases in lava supply rate. We suggest, contrary to current belief, that there is no evidence that compound flows are proximal to source and sheet lobes (simple flows) are distal to source and we propose that the presence of flow-lobe tumuli in compound flows could be an indicator that a flow is distal to source. We use detailed, previously published, studies of the Thakurvadi Formation (Deccan Traps) as an example. We show that the length of a lobe and therefore the sections that are ‘medial or distal to source’ are specific to each individual lobe and are dependent on the lava supply of each eruptive event, and as such flow lobe tumuli can be used as an indicator of relative distance from source

Estimation and testing for the effect of a genetic pathway on a disease outcome using logistic kernel machine regression via logistic mixed models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Growing interest on biological pathways has called for new statistical methods for modeling and testing a genetic pathway effect on a health outcome. The fact that genes within a pathway tend to interact with each other and relate to the outcome in a complicated way makes nonparametric methods more desirable. The kernel machine method provides a convenient, powerful and unified method for multi-dimensional parametric and nonparametric modeling of the pathway effect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this paper we propose a logistic kernel machine regression model for binary outcomes. This model relates the disease risk to covariates parametrically, and to genes within a genetic pathway parametrically or nonparametrically using kernel machines. The nonparametric genetic pathway effect allows for possible interactions among the genes within the same pathway and a complicated relationship of the genetic pathway and the outcome. We show that kernel machine estimation of the model components can be formulated using a logistic mixed model. Estimation hence can proceed within a mixed model framework using standard statistical software. A score test based on a Gaussian process approximation is developed to test for the genetic pathway effect. The methods are illustrated using a prostate cancer data set and evaluated using simulations. An extension to continuous and discrete outcomes using generalized kernel machine models and its connection with generalized linear mixed models is discussed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Logistic kernel machine regression and its extension generalized kernel machine regression provide a novel and flexible statistical tool for modeling pathway effects on discrete and continuous outcomes. Their close connection to mixed models and attractive performance make them have promising wide applications in bioinformatics and other biomedical areas.</p

Treatment of distal humeral fractures using conventional implants. Biomechanical evaluation of a new implant configuration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the face of costly fixation hardware with varying performance for treatment of distal humeral fractures, a novel technique (U-Frame) is proposed using conventional implants in a 180° plate arrangement. In this in-vitro study the biomechanical stability of this method was compared with the established technique which utilizes angular stable locking compression plates (LCP) in a 90° configuration.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An unstable distal 3-part fracture (AO 13-C2.3) was created in eight pairs of human cadaveric humeri. All bone pairs were operated with either the "Frame" technique, where two parallel plates are distally interconnected, or with the LCP technique. The specimens were cyclically loaded in simulated flexion and extension of the arm until failure of the construct occurred. Motion of all fragments was tracked by means of optical motion capturing. Construct stiffness and cycles to failure were identified for all specimens.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to the LCP constructs, the "Frame" technique revealed significant higher construct stiffness in extension of the arm (P = 0.01). The stiffness in flexion was not significantly different (P = 0.16). Number of cycles to failure was found significantly larger for the "Frame" technique (P = 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In an in-vitro context the proposed method offers enhanced biomechanical stability and at the same time significantly reduces implant costs.</p

Postoperative acute kidney injury in adult non-cardiac surgery:joint consensus report of the Acute Disease Quality Initiative and PeriOperative Quality Initiative

Postoperative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) is a common complication of major surgery that is strongly associated with short-term surgical complications and long-term adverse outcomes, including increased risk of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events and death. Risk factors for PO-AKI include older age and comorbid diseases such as chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. PO-AKI is best defined as AKI occurring within 7 days of an operative intervention using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition of AKI; however, additional prognostic information may be gained from detailed clinical assessment and other diagnostic investigations in the form of a focused kidney health assessment (KHA). Prevention of PO-AKI is largely based on identification of high baseline risk, monitoring and reduction of nephrotoxic insults, whereas treatment involves the application of a bundle of interventions to avoid secondary kidney injury and mitigate the severity of AKI. As PO-AKI is strongly associated with long-term adverse outcomes, some form of follow-up KHA is essential; however, the form and location of this will be dictated by the nature and severity of the AKI. In this Consensus Statement, we provide graded recommendations for AKI after non-cardiac surgery and highlight priorities for future research

The influence of FEC on the solvation structure and reduction reaction of LiPF6/EC electrolytes and its implication for solid electrolyte interphase formation

Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) has been proposed as an effective electrolyte additive that enhances the stability and elasticity of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of emerging Si and Li metal anodes. However, uncertainties still remain on the exact mechanism through which FEC alters the electrolyte decomposition and SEI formation process. Herein, the influence of FEC on LiPF6/ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolytes for Si anodes is investigated through classical molecular dynamics, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. Albeit a minority species, FEC is found to significantly modify the solvation structure and reduction behavior of the electrolyte while being innocuous to transport properties. Even with limited 10% of FEC, the Li+ solvation structure exhibits a notably higher contact-ion pair ratio (14%) than the parent EC electrolyte (6%). Moreover, FEC itself, as a new fluorine-containing species, appears in 1/5 of the Li+ solvation shells. The Li+-coordinated FEC is found to reduce prior to EC and uncoordinated FEC which will passivate the anode surface at an early onset (ca. 0.3 V higher than EC) by forming LiF. The critical role of FEC in tailoring the Li+ solvation structure and as-formed protective SEI composition provides mechanistic insight that will aid in the rational design of novel electrolytes

The influence of FEC on the solvation structure and reduction reaction of LiPF6/EC electrolytes and its implication for solid electrolyte interphase formation

Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) has been proposed as an effective electrolyte additive that enhances the stability and elasticity of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of emerging Si and Li metal anodes. However, uncertainties still remain on the exact mechanism through which FEC alters the electrolyte decomposition and SEI formation process. Herein, the influence of FEC on LiPF6/ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolytes for Si anodes is investigated through classical molecular dynamics, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. Albeit a minority species, FEC is found to significantly modify the solvation structure and reduction behavior of the electrolyte while being innocuous to transport properties. Even with limited 10% of FEC, the Li+ solvation structure exhibits a notably higher contact-ion pair ratio (14%) than the parent EC electrolyte (6%). Moreover, FEC itself, as a new fluorine-containing species, appears in 1/5 of the Li+ solvation shells. The Li+-coordinated FEC is found to reduce prior to EC and uncoordinated FEC which will passivate the anode surface at an early onset (ca. 0.3 V higher than EC) by forming LiF. The critical role of FEC in tailoring the Li+ solvation structure and as-formed protective SEI composition provides mechanistic insight that will aid in the rational design of novel electrolytes

Dirofilaria spp. Do They Get Under Your Skin (Or into Your Heart)?

The World Health Organization defines the “One Health” concept as being particularly relevant in the control of zoonoses. Dirofilaria immitis has a worldwide distribution, while Dirofilaria repens is found only in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Both parasites have zoonotic potential and wherever canine dirofilariosis exists, there is a risk of human infection. D. immitis causes heartworm disease in dogs and cats, while D. repens causes subcutaneous dirofilariosis, primarily in dogs. D. immitis is found in Europe, the United States, Africa, India, South America, and Australia. D. repens, on the other hand is endemic in many countries of the Old World but has not yet been found in the Americas. The geographical location of both parasites is changing and they are currently spreading into previously unaffected areas, due to movement of infected animals and climate change. Both parasites have zoonotic potential and wherever canine dirofilariaois exists, there is a risk of human infection. Human subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by D. repens is currently considered an emerging disease in humans. D. immitis infections in humans are less frequent, but the disease is potentially severe. This chapter describes the biology of the two nematodes, the disease they cause in dogs, the main animal host, and in humans