Correlating SPECT-CT activity in cervical facet joints with positive response to cervical medial branch blocks.

Introduction: Cervical facet arthritis is a significant source of neck pain and impaired function that is amenable to treatment with medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN). Identifying appropriate patients for this treatment requires integration of information from the history, physical exam and diagnostic imaging, but the current diagnostic standard for facet-mediated pain is positive comparative medial branch blockade (MBB). SPECT-CT has recently been evaluated as a potential predictor of positive medial branch blocks with mixed results.

Correlating SPECT-CT activity in lumbar facet joints with response to lumbar medial branch and L5 dorsal ramus blocks.

Introduction: Lumbar facet arthritis is a significant source of back pain and impaired function that is amenable to treatment with medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN). Identifying appropriate patients for this treatment requires integration of information from the history, physical exam, and diagnostic imaging, but the current diagnostic standard for facet-mediated pain is positive comparative medial branch blocks (MBBs). Lumbar SPECT-CT has recently been evaluated as a potential predictor of positive MBBs with mixed results.

Observation of Strong Nuclear Suppression in Exclusive J/ψ Photoproduction in Au+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions at RHIC.

We report a measurement of exclusive J/ψ and ψ(2s) photoproduction in Au+Au ultraperipheral collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR detector. For the first time, (i) the ψ(2s) photoproduction in midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider has been experimentally measured; (ii) nuclear suppression factors are measured for both the coherent and incoherent J/ψ production. At average photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 25.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV.

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV.

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC.

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC.

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment.

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC.

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied.

Successful kinetic impact into an asteroid for planetary defence.

Although no known asteroid poses a threat to Earth for at least the next century, the catalogue of near-Earth asteroids is incomplete for objects whose impacts would produce regional devastation. Several approaches have been proposed to potentially prevent an asteroid impact with Earth by deflecting or disrupting an asteroid. A test of kinetic impact technology was identified as the highest-priority space mission related to asteroid mitigation.

A Case of an Ulnar Nerve Laceration With Distal Humerus Fracture From Machete Trauma.

Ulnar nerve dysfunction following distal humerus fractures is a recognized phenomenon. There is no dominating consensus regarding the optimal management of the ulnar nerve during surgical intervention for these fractures between leaving the nerve in situ versus nerve transposition for better healing. Additional complexities arise in the case we present, in which there was an open fracture compounded with an ulnar nerve laceration from a traumatic injury with a machete knife.

SPECT-CT as a Predictor of Pain Generators in Patients Undergoing Intra-Articular Injections for Chronic Neck and Back Pain.

Background: The ability to accurately predict pain generators for chronic neck and back pain remains elusive.

Objective: We evaluated whether injections targeted at foci with uptake on single-photon emission computerized tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) were associated with improved outcomes in patients with chronic neck and back pain.

Methods: A retrospective review was completed on patients undergoing SPECT-CT for chronic neck and back pain between 2016 and 2020 at a tertiary academic center.

Scaling up qualitative research to harness the capacity of lay people in invasive plant management.

Successful management of invasive plants (IPs) requires the active participation of diverse communities across land tenures. This can be challenging because communities do not always share the views of scientists and managers. They may directly disagree, have alternative views, or be unwilling to manage IPs.

Assessing Soft Tissue Perfusion Using Laser-Assisted Angiography in Tibial Plateau and Pilon Fractures: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: To determine whether skin perfusion surrounding tibial plateau and pilon fractures is associated with the Tscherne classification for severity of soft tissue injury. The secondary aim was to determine if soft tissue perfusion improves from the time of injury to the time of definitive fracture fixation in fractures treated using a staged protocol.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Can AM-PAC "6-Clicks" Inpatient Functional Assessment Scores Strengthen Hospital 30-Day Readmission Prevention Strategies?

Background Prevention of unplanned hospital readmissions remains a priority in the US healthcare sector. Patient functional status has evolved as an important factor in identifying patients at risk for unplanned readmissions and poor predischarge functional performance has been shown to be predictive of increased readmission risk. Yet, patient functional status appears to be underutilized in readmission prediction models.

Can financial payments incentivize short-term smoking cessation in orthopaedic trauma patients? Evidence from a discrete choice experiment.

Background: Smoking increases the risk of complications and related costs after an orthopaedic fracture. Research in other populations suggests that a one-time payment may incentivize smoking cessation. However, little is known on fracture patients' willingness to accept financial incentives to stop smoking; and the level of incentive required to motivate smoking cessation in this population.

Factors influencing management of bilateral femur fractures: A multicenter retrospective cohort of early versus delayed definitive Fixation.

Introduction: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the factors that influence the timing of definitive fixation in the management of bilateral femoral shaft fractures and the outcomes for patients with these injuries.

Methods: Patients with bilateral femur fractures treated between 1998 to 2019 at ten level-1 trauma centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into early or delayed fixation, which was defined as definitive fixation of both femurs within or greater than 24 hours from injury, respectively.

Do Fully Threaded Transiliac-Transsacral Screws Improve Mechanical Stability of Vertically Unstable Pelvic Fractures? A Cadaveric Biomechanical Analysis.

Objective: To determine whether fully threaded transiliac-transsacral (TI-TS) fixation is biomechanically superior to partially threaded TI-TS fixation of vertically unstable transforaminal sacral fractures.

Methods: Vertically unstable zone 2 sacral fractures were created in 20 human cadaveric pelves with a unilateral osteotomy and resection of 1 cm of bone through the foramen of the sacrum to represent comminution. Ten specimens received either 2 7.

Association Between Femoral "Spike" Size After Intramedullary Nailing and Subsequent Knee Motion Surgery.

Objectives: To determine the association between displaced femoral shaft bone fragments ("spikes") seen on radiographs after intramedullary nail insertion and the need for future motion surgery.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Academic trauma center.

Structural MRI Analysis of Chronic Pain Patients Following Interdisciplinary Treatment Shows Changes in Brain Volume and Opiate-Dependent Reorganization of the Amygdala and Hippocampus.

Objective: The present study examined pre- to post-treatment changes in volumes for brain structures known to be associated with pain processing (thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala, and accumbens) following an interdisciplinary pain management program.

Design: Twenty-one patients participating in a four-week interdisciplinary pain management program completed the study. The program consisted of individual and group therapies with the following disciplines: physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain psychology, biofeedback/relaxation training, nursing lectures, and medical management.

Posterolateral plating is a safe alternative for the treatment of distal tibial fractures.

Introduction: We assessed the outcome and safety of posterior plating of distal tibial fractures.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series at a Level I trauma center. Seventy-four consecutive patients with distal tibial fractures treated with anatomically contoured 3.