Detection of Electromagnetic Seismic Precursors from Swarm Data by Enhanced Martingale Analytics.

The detection of seismic activity precursors as part of an alarm system will provide opportunities for minimization of the social and economic impact caused by earthquakes. It has long been envisaged, and a growing body of empirical evidence suggests that the Earth's electromagnetic field could contain precursors to seismic events. The ability to capture and monitor electromagnetic field activity has increased in the past years as more sensors and methodologies emerge. Missions such as Swarm have enabled researchers to access near-continuous observations of electromagnetic activity at second intervals, allowing for more detailed studies on weather and earthquakes. In this paper, we present an approach designed to detect anomalies in electromagnetic field data from Swarm satellites. This works towards developing a continuous and effective monitoring system of seismic activities based on SWARM measurements. We develop an enhanced form of a probabilistic model based on the Martingale theories that allow for testing the null hypothesis to indicate abnormal changes in electromagnetic field activity. We evaluate this enhanced approach in two experiments. Firstly, we perform a quantitative comparison on well-understood and popular benchmark datasets alongside the conventional approach. We find that the enhanced version produces more accurate anomaly detection overall. Secondly, we use three case studies of seismic activity (namely, earthquakes in Mexico, Greece, and Croatia) to assess our approach and the results show that our method can detect anomalous phenomena in the electromagnetic data.

Multicomponent odd-parity superconductivity in UAu2 at high pressure.

We report that high-quality single crystals of the hexagonal heavy fermion material uranium diauride (UAu2) become superconducting at pressures above 3.2 GPa, the pressure at which an unusual antiferromagnetic state is suppressed. The antiferromagnetic state hosts a marginal fermi liquid and the pressure evolution of the resistivity within this state is found to be very different from that approaching a standard quantum phase transition. The superconductivity that appears above this transition survives in high magnetic fields with a large critical field for all field directions. The critical field also has an unusual angle dependence suggesting that the superconductivity may have an order parameter with multiple components. An order parameter consistent with these observations is predicted to host half-quantum vortices (HQVs). Such vortices can be topologically entangled and have potential applications in quantum computing.

Erratum to "Mesenteric ectopic pregnancy with tubo-ovarian abscess" [Radiology Case Reports 16 (2021) 1165-1168].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.02.043.].

Click-iT ® Plus OPP Alexa Fluor ® Protein Synthesis Assay in Embryonic Cells.

This protocol describes a method to assess relative changes in the level of global protein synthesis in the preimplantation embryo using the Click-iT ® Plus OPP Protein Synthesis Assays. In this assay, O-propargyl-puromycin (OPP), an analog of puromycin, is efficiently incorporated into the nascent polypeptide of newly translated proteins in embryonic cells. OPP is fluorescently labeled with a photostable Alexa Fluor TM dye and detected with fluorescence microscopy. The intensity of the fluorescence is quantitatively analyzed. This is a fast, sensitive, and non-radioactive method for the detection of protein synthesis in early embryo development. It provides a tool for analyzing the temporal regulation of protein synthesis, as well as the effects of changes in the embryonic microenvironment, and pharmacological and genetic modulations of embryo development. Graphical abstract: Figure 1. Brief overview of the procedures of the Click-iT ® Plus OPP Alexa Fluor ® protein synthesis assay in embryonic cells. (A) Set up OPP treatments: (1) Set up microdrops containing 50 µL of OPP working solution and label different treatments on the back of culture dishes ( e.g. , T0, T1, T2, and T3); (2) The drops are overlain with 2-3 mm heavy paraffin oil and then equilibrated in incubator for 2 h; (3) Collect the embryos from female reproductive tracts or following in vitro culture in desired treatments; (4) Culture embryos in the equilibrated OPP working solution for 2-6 h. ( B ) Example of OPP detection procedures working with 60-well plates labeled as T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 for different treatments: (1) The first 60-well plate is used for the procedures of washing, fixation, permeabilization, and Click-iT ® OPP detection. (2) The second 60-well plate is for DNA staining and washing. (C) Slide preparation: (1) Label the required number of slides and set up vaseline coverslip supports; (2) Add mounting medium; (3) Transfer embryos into mounting medium; (4) Set coverslip; (5) Seal the coverslip with nail polish.

Congestive heart failure presenting as diffuse pulmonary nodules on CT.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have typical radiological features that assist in diagnosis. This is a case that demonstrates an atypical radiologic presentation for CHF which showed diffuse pulmonary nodules on CT. Diffuse nodules can be present in several disease processes and clinical correlation is a necessity for diagnosis. It is important for radiologists and clinicians to be aware of uncommon radiological features of CHF to avoid unnecessary procedures or treatments.

Non-Fermi liquid behavior below the Néel temperature in the frustrated heavy fermion magnet UAu2.

The term Fermi liquid is almost synonymous with the metallic state. The association is known to break down at quantum critical points (QCPs), but these require precise values of tuning parameters, such as pressure and applied magnetic field, to exactly suppress a continuous phase transition temperature to the absolute zero. Three-dimensional non-Fermi liquid states, apart from superconductivity, that are unshackled from a QCP are much rarer and are not currently well understood. Here, we report that the triangular lattice system uranium diauride (UAu2) forms such a state with a non-Fermi liquid low-temperature heat capacity [Formula: see text] and electrical resistivity [Formula: see text] far below its Néel temperature. The magnetic order itself has a novel structure and is accompanied by weak charge modulation that is not simply due to magnetostriction. The charge modulation continues to grow in amplitude with decreasing temperature, suggesting that charge degrees of freedom play an important role in the non-Fermi liquid behavior. In contrast with QCPs, the heat capacity and resistivity we find are unusually resilient in magnetic field. Our results suggest that a combination of magnetic frustration and Kondo physics may result in the emergence of this novel state.

Mechanical and Anatomical Alignment Guide Techniques Are Superior to Freehand in Achieving Target Orientation of an Acetabular Component.

BACKGROUND: Achieving accurate and consistent acetabular component orientation remains a major challenge in total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We used a pelvic model to compare freehand techniques vs mechanical and anatomical alignment guides in achieving a target operative inclination (OI) and operative anteversion (OA). Thirty subjects comprising consultant orthopedic surgeons, orthopedic trainees, and nonsurgical staff positioned an acetabular component in a pelvic model using 3 different methods for guiding inclination and another 3 for guiding version. RESULTS: Using either a standard mechanical alignment guide (MAG) or a spirit level MAG technique eliminated outliers from target OI, while the freehand method resulted in 46.7% of measurements outside the OI target range. The spirit level MAG technique significantly outperformed the standard MAG technique in median unsigned deviation from target OI (0.8° vs 2.1°, P < .001). Either method of referencing the transverse acetabular ligament for version yielded lower deviations from target OA than the freehand method and fewer outliers from the ±5° target range. Surgical experience was not a significant factor for accurately achieving target OI and OA. CONCLUSIONS: Even in an idealized in vitro model, a wide range of OI and OA is seen with the freehand technique of cup placement by subjects of all levels of surgical experience. Using either a standard MAG or a spirit level MAG reduces deviations in target OI, with the spirit level MAG method yielding the best accuracy. Using the transverse acetabular ligament to guide cup anteversion yields more accurate OA.

Field-Induced Modulated State in the Ferromagnet PrPtAl.

The theory of quantum order-by-disorder (QOBD) explains the formation of modulated magnetic states at the boundary between ferromagnetism and paramagnetism in zero field. PrPtAl has been argued to provide an archetype for this. Here, we report the phase diagram in magnetic field, applied along both the easy a axis and hard b axis. For field aligned to the b axis, we find that the magnetic transition temperatures are suppressed and at low temperature there is a single modulated fan state, separating an easy a axis ferromagnetic state from a field polarized state. This fan state is well explained with the QOBD theory in the presence of anisotropy and field. Experimental evidence supporting the QOBD explanation is provided by the large increase in the T^{2} coefficient of the resistivity and direct detection of enhanced magnetic fluctuations with inelastic neutron scattering, across the field range spanned by the fan state. This shows that the QOBD mechanism can explain field induced modulated states that persist to very low temperature.

Regulation of the mammalian maternal-to-embryonic transition by eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) mediates cap-dependent translation. Genetic and inhibitor studies show that eIF4E expression is required for the successful transition from maternal to embryonic control of mouse embryo development. eIF4E was present in the oocyte and in the cytoplasm soon after fertilization and during each stage of early development. Functional knockout (Eif4e-/-) by PiggyBac [Act-RFP] transposition resulted in peri-implantation embryonic lethality because of the failure of normal epiblast formation. Maternal stores of eIF4E supported development up to the two- to four-cell stage, after which new expression occurred from both maternal and paternal inherited alleles. Inhibition of the maternally acquired stores of eIF4E (using the inhibitor 4EGI-1) resulted in a block at the two-cell stage. eIF4E activity was required for new protein synthesis in the two-cell embryo and Eif4e-/- embryos had lower translational activity compared with wild-type embryos. eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) is a hypophosphorylation-dependent negative regulator of eIF4E. mTOR activity was required for 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and inhibiting mTOR retarded embryo development. Thus, this study shows that eIF4E activity is regulated at key embryonic transitions in the mammalian embryo and is essential for the successful transition from maternal to embryonic control of development.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with co-occurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Mesenchymal tumors make up only about 1% of primary GI tumors, with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) being the most common nonepithelial GI neoplasms. They are derived from the Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and occur predominantly in older individuals, with a mean age of diagnosis of 64 years. Here we discuss the case of a 39-year-old female with atypical thoracic back pain wrapping around to the front and migrating diffuse abdomen pain that sometimes radiates into the chest. Upon imaging, a gastric GIST of the greater curve of the stomach was found incidentally on investigation of a pancreatic mass that was revealed to be a co-occurring pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. For management of the gastric GIST and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, this patient underwent partial gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy, partial pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and cholecystectomy with no complications.

Mesenteric ectopic pregnancy with tubo-ovarian abscess.

An ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of a fertilized ovum in a location other than the main cavity of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are reported in approximately 1%-2% of pregnancies, and while 95% of ectopic pregnancies are in fallopian tubes, only 3% are in ovarian, cervical, or abdominal sites. We present a case of a 38-year-old female with acute onset of severe lower abdominal pain, sepsis, chills, and diarrhea who was evaluated with a CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast only. The imaging revealed a likely second trimester age fetal skeleton with a partially collapsed calvarium within the peritoneal cavity and an abnormal complex cystic lesion in the right adnexal area. In this case, the patient successfully underwent exploratory laparotomy with removal of both the abdominal ectopic pregnancy and the tubo-ovarian mass.

Composition dependence of the superconducting properties of UTe2.

A better understanding of the synthesis conditions, composition and physical properties of UTe2 are required to interpret previously reported unconventional superconductivity. Here we report how the superconducting properties of single crystals depend on the ratio of elements present in their synthesis by chemical vapour transport. We have obtained crystals with the highest reported ambient pressure T c and a larger superconducting heat capacity jump from a growth with a U:Te ratio different from that widely used in the literature. For these crystals, the ratio of residual heat capacity in the superconducting state to that of the normal state, γ*/γ N, is significantly lower than 0.5, reported elsewhere. An upturn in the heat capacity below 200 mK is also reduced compared to other studies and is well described by a Schottky anomaly and residual Sommerfeld term rather than quantum critical behaviour.

NAD+ Repletion Rescues Female Fertility during Reproductive Aging.

Reproductive aging in female mammals is an irreversible process associated with declining oocyte quality, which is the rate-limiting factor to fertility. Here, we show that this loss of oocyte quality with age accompanies declining levels of the prominent metabolic cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Treatment with the NAD+ metabolic precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) rejuvenates oocyte quality in aged animals, leading to restoration in fertility, and this can be recapitulated by transgenic overexpression of the NAD+-dependent deacylase SIRT2, though deletion of this enzyme does not impair oocyte quality. These benefits of NMN extend to the developing embryo, where supplementation reverses the adverse effect of maternal age on developmental milestones. These findings suggest that late-life restoration of NAD+ levels represents an opportunity to rescue female reproductive function in mammals.

Reducing variability in apparent operative inclination during total hip arthroplasty: findings of a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS: To determine which of 3 methods of cup insertion most accurately achieved a target apparent operative inclination (AOI) of 35° ± 2.5°: (1) Freehand; (2) Modified Mechanical Alignment Guide (MAG); or (3) Digital Inclinometer assisted. METHODS: Using a cementless cup via a posterior approach in lateral decubitus 270 participants were recruited, with 90 randomised to each method. The primary outcome was the unsigned deviation from target AOI. The digital inclinometer was used to measure AOI in all cases, though the surgeon remained blinded to the reading intraoperatively for both the Freehand and MAG methods. RESULTS: Mean deviation from target AOI for the Freehand, Modified 35° MAG and Digital Inclinometer techniques was 2.9°, 1.8° and 1.3° respectively. When comparing mean deviation from target AOI, statistically significant differences between the Freehand / Inclinometer groups ( p < 0.001), the Freehand / Modified 35° MAG groups ( p < 0.001) and the Digital Inclinometer / Modified 35° MAG groups ( p < 0.023) were evident. The Digital Inclinometer technique enabled the surgeon to achieve a target AOI of 35° ± 2.5° in 88% of cases, compared to 71% of Modified 35° MAG cases and only 51% of Freehand cases. DISCUSSION: The Digital Inclinometer and the Modified 35° MAG techniques were both more accurate than the Freehand technique, with the Digital Inclinometer technique proving most accurate overall. Radiographic inclination (RI) is also influenced by operative anteversion; however, the greatest source of error with respect to RI occurs when the pelvic sagittal plane is not horizontal at the time of acetabular component insertion. Clinical Trial Protocol number: NCT01831401.

Correction of pelvic adduction during total hip arthroplasty reduces variability in radiographic inclination: findings of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims were to identify the incidence of pelvic adduction during total hip arthroplasty (THA) in lateral decubitus and to determine, when aiming for 35° of apparent operative inclination (AOI), which of 3 operating table positions most accurately obtained a target radiographic inclination (RI) of 42°: (1) horizontal; (2) 7° head-down; (3) patient-specific position based on correction of pelvic adduction. METHODS: With patients seated on a levelled theatre table, a ruler incorporating a spirit level was used to draw transverse pelvic lines (TPLs) on the skin overlying the pelvis and sacrum. Subsequently, when positioned in lateral decubitus these lines provided a measure of pelvic adduction. 270 participants were recruited, with 90 randomised to each group for operating table position. In all cases target AOI was 35°, aiming to achieve a target RI of 42°. The primary outcome measure was absolute (unsigned) deviation from the target RI of 42°. RESULTS: 266/270 patients demonstrated pelvic adduction (overall mean 4.4°, range 0- 9.2°). No patients demonstrated pelvic abduction. There were significant differences in RI between each of the 3 groups. The horizontal table group displayed the highest mean RI. The patient specific table position group achieved the smallest absolute deviation from target RI of 42°. DISCUSSION: In lateral decubitus, unrecognised pelvic adduction is common and is an important contributor to unexpectedly high RI. The use of preoperative TPLs helps identify pelvic adduction and its subsequent correction reduces variability in RI. Clinical Trial Protocol number: NCT01831401.

A prospective evaluation of a largely cementless total knee arthroplasty cohort without patellar resurfacing: 10-year outcomes and survivorship.

BACKGROUND: The theoretical benefits of a mobile bearing design in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) include increased articular surface conformity with a reduction in both polyethylene wear and implant interface shear. However, to date these theoretical advantages have not been translated into published evidence of superior survivorship. This paper presents the results of a prospective, non-comparative study evaluating the performance of the mobile bearing Low Contact Stress LCS Complete Rotating Platform TKA in a largely cementless cohort without patellar resurfacing. METHODS: 237 consecutive patients (240 knees) undergoing primary TKA were prospectively recruited. All received the LCS Complete Rotating Platform TKA (DePuy International, Leeds, UK). Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed at 3, 12, 60 and 120 months post-operatively. Radiographic evaluation was performed by an independent external surgeon. RESULTS: The mean age was 70.3 years. 77.5% of cases were cementless. Radiographic assessment suggested excellent femoral component fixation. 22 tibial radiolucent lines (RLLs) > 1 mm were observed in 12 knees. No RLLs were progressive. There have been two revisions; one for late infection and one for aseptic loosening. No patients underwent secondary patellar resurfacing. The cumulative implant survivorship, using component revision for any reason as the endpoint, was 98.9% (95% CI, 95.6 to 99.7%) at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent survivorship at a minimum 10-year follow-up supports the use of uncemented porous coated fixation without patellar resurfacing with the non-posterior stabilized LCS Complete Rotating Platform TKA.

Immunological Staining of Global Changes in DNA Methylation in the Early Mammalian Embryo.

The structural complexity of chromatin can make antibody access to some nuclear antigens energetically unfavorable. This can limit the usefulness and reliability of immunostaining unless validated methods of epitope retrieval are applied. We found that denaturation of chromatin by sequential use of acidification and tryptic digestion of fixed cells is required to reliably detect DNA methylation in the embryo. Using this method to unmask the epitope revealed an unexpected pattern of reprogramming of global patterns of DNA methylation in the preimplantation embryo. This paper provides a detailed description of the procedures required for immunological detection of 5-methylcytosine in the early embryo.

Differences in the nutrient concentrations, in vitro methanogenic potential and other fermentative traits of tropical grasses and legumes for beef production systems in northern Australia.

BACKGROUND: In northern Australia, beef cattle grazed extensively on tropical rangelands are responsible for 5% of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions. Methane (CH4 ) is a potent greenhouse gas and in grazing ruminants might be mitigated by selecting forages that, when consumed, produce less CH4 when fermented by rumen microbes. This study examined variability in the in vitro fermentation patterns, including CH4 production of selected tropical grasses and legumes, to identify candidates for CH4 mitigation in grazing livestock in northern Australia. RESULTS: Nutritive values and fermentation parameters varied between plant species and across seasons. Grasses with a relatively low methanogenic potential were Urochloa mosambicensis (wet summer), Bothriochloa decipiens (autumn), Sorghum plumosum (winter) and Andropogon gayanus (spring), while the legumes were Calliandra calothyrsus (wet summer and autumn), Stylosanthes scabra (winter) and Desmanthus leptophyllus (spring). There was some correlation between CH4 production and overall fermentation (volatile fatty acid concentrations) in grasses (R2 = 0.67), but not in legumes (R2 = 0.01) and there were multiple plants that had lower CH4 not associated with reduction in microbial activity. CONCLUSION: Differences in nutrient concentrations of tropical grasses and legumes may provide opportunities for productive grazing on these pastures, while offering some CH4 mitigation options in the context of northern Australian extensive beef farming systems. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Iatrogenic Radial Nerve Palsy following Closed Reduction of a Simple Diaphyseal Humeral Fracture: Beware the Perfect X-Ray.

Radial nerve injury is a recognised complication associated with humeral shaft fracture. A case of iatrogenic radial nerve injury is presented following fracture reduction. The relevant anatomy, challenges in management of humeral fractures with associated radial nerve injury, and the importance of detailed clinical assessment and documentation are discussed.

Acetabular Liner Dissociation following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Rare but Serious Complication That May Be Easily Misinterpreted in the Emergency Department.

Acetabular liner dissociation is a rare complication of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) which requires urgent revision surgery. A case is presented in which the correct diagnosis was not appreciated on two separate Emergency Department attendances. The typical symptoms, signs, and radiological features are outlined and the importance of considering a rare complication following a commonly performed procedure is highlighted.