Multiple-step melting in two-dimensional hexatic liquid-crystal films

An unexpected three-stage melting transition has been observed in two-dimensional (2D) free-standing liquid-crystal films by in situ electron-diffraction and optical-reflectivity measurements. These data suggest the existence of two phases between the 2D solid and liquid: a hexatic phase and, at a higher temperature, an intermediate liquid phase with hexatic-like positional correlations ( approximately 40 angstroms) but no long-range orientational order. Previous high-resolution heat-capacity measurements have revealed a divergent-like anomaly at the hexatic-liquid transition that sharply contradicts the predictions of 2D melting theories. The observation of an intermediate isotropic phase may alter our understanding of 2D melting and lead to reconciliation between current experiments and theories.     

Incidence rate of musculoskeletal injuries and determinants of time to recovery in young Australian Thoroughbred racehorses

Objective To describe the incidence rate of musculoskeletal (MS) injuries and investigate the factors that influence recovery from MS injury in young Thoroughbred horses in Australia. Methods Training and injury data were collected at fortnightly intervals from 14 trainers in New South Wales. Incidence rates were calculated for initial injuries stratified by age‐class and sex. Survival analysis methods were used to investigate the time to recovery after the first MS injury (measured as a start in a race or barrier trial). Results For the 248 racehorses enrolled, there were 428 injuries recorded; 2‐year‐olds were 2.99‐fold more likely than 3‐year‐olds to sustain an MS injury. The cumulative percentage of horses that had recovered within 6 months was 55%. The time to recovery was longest in horses whose fast gallop speed prior to injury was < 890 m/min. Conclusion This study supports the finding that shin soreness is the most common MS injury in young Australian Thoroughbreds. There was an increased rate of MS injury in 2‐year‐olds compared with 3‐year‐olds. However, it was impossible to determine if the increased risk in 2‐year‐olds was related to age, the start of training or a combination of both. The study also found that horses performing at higher exercise speeds prior to injury were more likely to recover. There was a significant effect of trainer, suggesting that other factors related to trainer may influence the time to the recovery. Additional research is required to understand the determinants of time to recovery.     

Compensating for development: Orang Asli experiences of Malaysia's Sungai Selangor dam

Abstract: In 2001, two indigenous Orang Asli communities living in Peninsula Malaysia were forced to leave their homelands to make way for the Sungai Selangor dam. The dam, built to resolve water shortages in Kuala Lumpur, came with a comprehensive compensation package designed to alleviate the hardships faced by the displaced communities. This paper explores the discursive and material impacts of these compensation packages. We argue that the emerging literature on compensation for displaced people values the same sorts of economic and social criteria as the Malaysian government does in its pursuit of modernising the Orang Asli. Their shared belief that effective compensation would improve the quality of life for affected communities above pre‐displacement levels helped to publicly legitimise the dam‐building project. Interviews with the displaced communities, however, found stark differences in community satisfaction which have more to do with losses of intrinsic place‐based cultural and spiritual values, for which there may be no effective or adequate compensation, than social and economic criteria. We conclude that compensation programmes will always struggle to effectively cope with these less tangible place‐based values and that open acknowledgement of this weakness is required if alternatives to displacement‐inducing development projects are to be more readily considered.     

Effect of public symphysiodesis on pelvic development in the skeletally immature greyhound

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pubic symphysiodesis (PS) on pelvic development in skeletally immature dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Eight 4 month-old, sexually intact female Greyhounds. METHODS: Initial PS was performed at 4 months of age using a powered stapling device. Because of failure of the initial surgery, a second PS was performed 1 month later by resecting the pubic symphysis with a rongeur followed by placement of handmade bone staples in four dogs. Sham PS was performed in four control dogs at 4 months of age. Pubic growth rate and pelvic development were evaluated using standard plane radiography and computed tomography. Specific measurements included acetabular ventroversion, Norberg angle, lateral center-edge angle, and pelvic inlet dimensions. Hip distraction indices were determined as well. RESULTS: PS at 4 months of age using a stapling device failed. Pubic symphysiodesis using hand made staples was successful at 5 months of age and did not result in any clinically significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Pubic symphysiodesis markedly decreased pubic symphysis growth in the treatment group. Hip distraction indices and pelvic inlet circumference, area, and width significantly decreased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. Acetabular ventroversion was significantly increased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: PS decreases pelvic canal size, increases acetabular ventroversion, and does not appear to have any clinically significant complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PS performed in skeletally immature dogs with hip dysplasia may provide an effect similar to a triple pelvic osteotomy and warrants further investigation.