[en] This paper develops a theoretical model to measure the climate change impacts to the energy sector. Welfare effects are approximately equal to the resulting change in expenditures on energy and buildings. Using micro data on individuals and firms across the United States, energy expenditures are regressed on climate and other control variables to estimate both short-run and long-run climate response functions. The analysis suggests that energy expenditures have a quadratic U-shaped relationship with respect to temperature. Future warming of 2 C is predicted to cause annual damages of about $6 billion but increases of 5 C would increase damages to almost $30 billion

[en] Since the degree of comminution, fracture alignment, and articular congruity of intra-articular calcaneal fractures are important determinants in surgical treatment and patient prognosis, we review helical computed tomographic (CT) technique and features for detecting and assessing the extent of acute calcaneal fractures. Helical CT can be used to classify these fractures and facilitate the surgeon's understanding of the anatomy and position of the fracture components in all orthogonal planes independently of the patient's condition, foot placement in the CT gantry, or other injuries. (orig.)

[en] The authors have concluded that the chemotherapy was superior to the two other strategies in term of local control of the disease and larynx conservation. They added that even if it did not make an advantage in term of survival, the chemotherapy must be considered among the patients wanting to keep their larynx as a standard and the laryngectomy as a catching up treatment. This recommendation does not apply if there is a significant attack of the tongue base or a cartilaginous destruction. (N.C.)

[en] Gannett Fleming, Inc. has performed a study to identify areas of the Borough of Munhall, Pennsylvanian which have the potential to be affected by deep mine subsidence. Records of all available mine subsidence reports, mine subsidence insurance claims and associated investigations, available mine mapping, published geologic information, and subsurface data including 123 exploratory boring logs were reviewed and evaluated. Aerial photographs obtained in February 1993 were digitized and used to develop photograph like base mapping. Associated thematic maps were developed which included isopleths of coal, overburden and roof rock thickness as well as sandstone to shale overburden ratio. The GIS mapping made it possible to spatially relate a wide variety of different types and presentations of data. Three parameters were found to be most closely related to mine subsidence potential. For areas of the Borough underlain by the previously mined Pittsburgh coal seam, the thickness of overburden, roof rock type and mining method were found to be the most significant factors. Mining method was by far the most significant. It was found that areas of the mine that were totally extracted showed very low susceptibility to subsidence. Most of the documented cases of mine subsidence in the past 20 years were found to have occurred in areas of partial extraction. Interestingly, the few subsidence events that did occur in totally extracted areas occurred near main headings where chain pillars were typically left in place. The conclusion of the study is that where coal was totally extracted subsidence has probably already occurred. In partially extracted areas, a potential for mine subsidence exists today

[en] Purpose: Multi-field optimization intensity modulated proton therapy (MFO-IMPT) for oropharyngeal tumors has been established using robust planning, robust analysis, and robust optimization techniques. While there are inherent uncertainties in proton therapy treatment planning and delivery, outcome reporting are important to validate the proton treatment process. The purpose of this study is to report the first 50 oropharyngeal tumor patients treated de-novo at a single institution with MFO-IMPT. Methods: The data from the first 50 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 2011 to December 2014 on a prospective IRB approved protocol were analyzed. Outcomes were analyzed to include local, regional, and distant treatment failures. Acute and late toxicities were analyzed by CTCAE v4.0. Results: All patients were treated with definitive intent. The median follow-up time of the 50 patients was 25 months. Patients by gender were male (84%) and female (16%). The average age was 61 years. 50% of patients were never smokers and 4% were current smokers. Presentation by stage; I–1, II–0, III– 9, IVA–37 (74%), IVB–3. 88% of patients were HPV/p16+. Patients were treated to 66–70 CGE. One local failure was reported at 13 months following treatment. One neck failure was reported at 12 months. 94% of patients were alive with no evidence of disease. One patient died without evidence of disease. There were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 toxicities. Conclusion: MFO-IMPT for oropharyngeal tumors is robust and provides excellent outcomes 2 years after treatment. A randomized trial is underway to determine if proton therapy will reduce chronic late toxicities of IMRT

[en] The Macondo oil spill was likely the largest oil spill to ever occur in United States territorial waters. We report herein our findings comparing the available baseline phytoplankton data from coastal waters west of the Mississippi River, and samples collected monthly from the same sampling stations, during and after the oil spill (May–October, 2010). Our results indicate that overall, the phytoplankton abundance was 85% lower in 2010 versus the baseline, and that the species composition of the phytoplankton community moved towards diatoms and cyanobacteria and away from ciliates and phytoflagellates. The results of this study reaffirm the view that phytoplankton responses will vary by the seasonal timing of the oil spill and the specific composition of the spilled oil. The trophic impacts of the purported lower abundance of phytoplankton in 2010 coupled with the observed assemblage shift remain unknown. - Highlights: • Phytoplankton biomass was 85% lower in 2010 versus baseline. • The phytoplankton community moved towards diatoms and cyanobacteria and away from ciliates and phytoflagellates. • Trophic impacts remain unknown. - Phytoplankton biomass was 85% lower in 2010 versus baseline. The phytoplankton community moved towards diatoms and cyanobacteria and away from ciliates and phytoflagellates. Trophic impacts remain unknown.

[en] To determine whether subarticular marrow changes deep to the posterior horn medial meniscal root anchor might predict subsequent medial meniscal root tear. Fifteen patients with MR-diagnosed posterior horn medial meniscal root (PHMMR) tear and a knee MRI antecedent to the tear were identified at three imaging centers over a 7-year period. The pre- and post-tear MR images were evaluated for marrow signal changes deep to the root anchor, meniscal root signal intensity, medial compartment articular cartilage thinning, and meniscal body extrusion. Images of 29 age- and gender-matched individuals with two MRIs of the same knee were reviewed as a control group. MRI in 11 of 15 (73 %) cases with subsequent PHMMR tear demonstrated linear subcortical marrow edema deep to the meniscal root anchor on the antecedent MRI compared to only 1 of 29 (3 %) non-tear controls (p < 0.0001). The abnormal signal resolved on post-tear MRI in all but two patients. Cyst-like changes deep to the PHMMR were present on initial MRI in three of 15 (23 %) cases and three of 29 (10 %) controls, persisting in all but one case on follow-up imaging. The PHMMR was gray on the initial MRI in seven of 15 (47 %) of cases that developed tears compared to four of 29 (14 %) controls (p < 0.0001). There was medial meniscal extrusion (MME) prior to tear in two of 15 (13 %) patients and in ten of 15 (67 %) patients after PHMMR failure. In the control group, MME was present in one (3 %) and three (10 %) of 29 subjects on the initial and follow-up MRIs, respectively. Articular cartilage loss was noted in two of 15 (15 %) cases before tear and nine of 15 (69 %) on follow-up imaging, as compared to one (3 %) and four (14 %) of 29 subjects in the control group. Subcortical marrow edema deep to the PHMMR may result from abnormal stresses and thus be a harbinger of meniscal root failure. This hypothesis is supported by resolution of these marrow signal changes after root tear. Following tear, extrusion of the meniscal body results in increased stress on the medial weight-bearing surfaces often leading to articular cartilage loss; we observed this sequence in six of our 15 patients with PHMMR tears. (orig.)