Effectiveness of Carbaryl and Pyrethroid Insecticides for Protection of Engelmann Spruce from Attack by Spruce Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A field experiment tested the effectiveness of carbaryl and two pyrethroid insecticides, cyfluthrin and esfenvalerate, in protecting high-value Engelmann spruce trees from attack by Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby. Carbaryl suspension at the 2% registered rate and a reduced rate of 1 % were both effective in protecting Engelmann spruce from attack by D. rufipennis through two pheromone baiting periods and 24 months following insecticide application . Cyfluthrin at 0.025% rate and esfenvalerate at 0.025 and 0.05% rates provided effective protection through one pheromone baiting and 12 months following insecticide application. Only cyfluthrin at 0.008% rate was judged ineffective protection 12 months following insecticide application. A laboratory evaluation utilizing a 32-h bioassay on D. rufipennis adults determined all three insecticides were toxic by contact. Carbaryl and piperonyl butoxide bioassays testing synergism were inconclusive. The methodology presented provides a means for forest land managers to quantify insecticide toxicity and monitor for resistance development

Improved Feedback Mechanisms of the Hydraulics Sandbox Simulator

The proposed presentation will include the following project and results from implementation in an aircraft hydraulic systems course. In 2020 we developed a digital hydraulics system schematic sandbox for use in an FAA Part 147 airframe maintenance technician training program (See Figure 1). The sandbox allows students to drag-drop-connect components used in systems such as those found in aircraft. It allows them to ‘test-connect’ the components to get feedback on correct and incorrect ‘construction’. As shown in Figure 1, light green ‘hoses’ are correct supply connections, dark green are correct return connections and red are incorrect connections per established rules of actual use. The student is not restricted how they build the system allowing an open system for applying their understanding. The sandbox was used in 2021 and results regarding its effectiveness were collected. As with any research project, further research goals are always recognized as one of the results. In this case, based on qualitative feedback from the students who used the sandbox in 2021, the next version of the sandbox includes textual feedback. The text-based feedback consists of a small pop-up box that includes a written explanation of why the connection is incorrect. Results from this round of the sandbox will be collected in spring 2022 to determine the effectiveness of the text feedback. Previous research on different modalities of feedback indicates that while graphic feedback does aid in learning, it may not be sufficient in providing an understanding that allows for verbal explanation (Reiber, 1996). Likewise, Park and Gittleman (1992) found that with increased complexity of a task feedback may require a verbal explanation for students to understand and evaluate their performance. Park, O. C., & Gittelman, S. S. (1992). Selective use of animation and feedback in computer-based instruction. Educational Technology Research and Development, 40(4), 27-38. Rieber, L. P. (1996). Animation as feedback in a computer-based simulation: Representation matters. Educational technology research and development, 44(1), 5-22

Effects of olfactory cues on the foraging behavior of a Carabid beetle, Calosoma wilcoxi, a predator of a forest defoliator.

Arthropod predators use environmental cues such as kairomones to locate herbivore prey. Several species have been shown to be attracted to volatiles emitted by herbivore host plants, as well as olfactory cues produced by the herbivore. Calosoma wilcoxi is a voracious predator that specializes on lepidopteran larvae often found in the forest canopy, showing a preference for the fall cankerworm. It is unknown whether C. wilcoxi uses olfactory cues associated with prey or their host plants to locate foraging sites. The objective of this study is to use fall cankerworm frass, caterpillars, damaged oak leaves, and conspecifics to determine if C. wilcoxi uses olfaction to located prey

Fibronectin and Cyclic Strain Improve Cardiac Progenitor Cell Regenerative Potential In Vitro.

Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) have rapidly advanced to clinical trials, yet little is known regarding their interaction with the microenvironment. Signaling cues present in the microenvironment change with development and disease. This work aims to assess the influence of two distinct signaling moieties on CPCs: cyclic biaxial strain and extracellular matrix. We evaluate four endpoints for improving CPC therapy: paracrine signaling, proliferation, connexin43 expression, and alignment. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (about 900 pg/mL) was secreted by CPCs cultured on fibronectin and collagen I. The application of mechanical strain increased vascular endothelial growth factor A secretion 2-4-fold for CPCs cultured on poly-L-lysine, laminin, or a naturally derived cardiac extracellular matrix. CPC proliferation was at least 25% higher on fibronectin than that on other matrices, especially for lower strain magnitudes. At 5% strain, connexin43 expression was highest on fibronectin. With increasing strain magnitude, connexin43 expression decreased by as much as 60% in CPCs cultured on collagen I and a naturally derived cardiac extracellular matrix. Cyclic mechanical strain induced the strongest CPC alignment when cultured on fibronectin or collagen I. This study demonstrates that culturing CPCs on fibronectin with 5% strain magnitude is optimal for their vascular endothelial growth factor A secretion, proliferation, connexin43 expression, and alignment

The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on length of stay in posterolateral postthoracotomy patients: A retrospective case note study

Objective This study retrospectively evaluated the effect of OMT on length of stay (LOS) in hospitalized posterolateral postthoracotomy patients. Methods Inpatient medical records of patients who received posterolateral thoracotomies with lung resection between 1998 and 2011 were reviewed for demographic data, LOS, thoracotomy surgery data, consultation data excluding osteopathic manipulative medicine, discharge data, and osteopathic manipulative medicine consultation data. Results Thirty-eight patients received posterolateral thoracotomies with lung resection; 23 patients received OMT and 15 did not. The mean (standard deviation) LOS was 11.0 (6.8) days (range, 5–29 days) for those who received OMT and 10.4 (5.5) days (range, 3–22 days) for those who did not (P = .90). Five patients developed postoperative ileus, and all had received OMT. Patients receiving 2 surgical procedures had a longer LOS than those receiving 1 surgical procedure (P = .002). Having a decortication performed during the thoracotomy increased LOS by a mean of 6.4 days (P = .005). Patients admitted directly to the intensive care unit were more likely to receive OMT than those who were not (P = .03). Conclusion While there was no difference in LOS, severity of illness was different between patients who received OMT and those who did not. Patients who developed postoperative ileus and most of those admitted directly to the intensive care unit received OMT, suggesting that severity of illness was greater for those who received OMT. Future studies should include a higher subject number in order to stratify for illness severity and also assess the effect of OMT on postoperative pain

Development of a Self‐Management Theory‐Guided Discharge Intervention for Parents of Hospitalized Children

Background Parents of hospitalized children, especially parents of children with complex and chronic health conditions, report not being adequately prepared for self‐management of their child\u27s care at home after discharge. Problem No theory‐based discharge intervention exists to guide pediatric nurses\u27 preparation of parents for discharge. Purpose To develop a theory‐based conversation guide to optimize nurses\u27 preparation of parents for discharge and self‐management of their child at home following hospitalization. Methods Two frameworks and one method influenced the development of the intervention: the Individual and Family Self‐Management Theory, Tanner\u27s Model of Clinical Judgment, and the Teach‐Back method. A team of nurse scientists, nursing leaders, nurse administrators, and clinical nurses developed and field tested the electronic version of a nine‐domain conversation guide for use in acute care pediatric hospitals. Conclusions The theory‐based intervention operationalized self‐management concepts, added components of nursing clinical judgment, and integrated the Teach‐Back method. Clinical Relevance Development of a theory‐based intervention, the translation of theoretical knowledge to clinical innovation, is an important step toward testing the effectiveness of the theory in guiding clinical practice. Clinical nurses will establish the practice relevance through future use and refinement of the intervention

Palliative care needs in patients hospitalized with heart failure (PCHF) study: rationale and design

Abstract Aims The primary aim of this study is to provide data to inform the design of a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of a palliative care (PC) intervention in heart failure (HF). We will identify an appropriate study population with a high prevalence of PC needs defined using quantifiable measures. We will also identify which components a specific and targeted PC intervention in HF should include and attempt to define the most relevant trial outcomes. Methods An unselected, prospective, near-consecutive, cohort of patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated HF will be enrolled over a 2-year period. All potential participants will be screened using B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography, and all those enrolled will be extensively characterized in terms of their HF status, comorbidity, and PC needs. Quantitative assessment of PC needs will include evaluation of general and disease-specific quality of life, mood, symptom burden, caregiver burden, and end of life care. Inpatient assessments will be performed and after discharge outpatient assessments will be carried out every 4 months for up to 2.5 years. Participants will be followed up for a minimum of 1 year for hospital admissions, and place and cause of death. Methods for identifying patients with HF with PC needs will be evaluated, and estimates of healthcare utilisation performed. Conclusion By assessing the prevalence of these needs, describing how these needs change over time, and evaluating how best PC needs can be identified, we will provide the foundation for designing an RCT of a PC intervention in HF

Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Promotes Tissue Remodeling, Arteriogenesis, and Perfusion in a Rat Hindlimb Ischemia Model.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine acellular extracellular matrix based hydrogels as potential therapies for treating peripheral artery disease (PAD). We tested the efficacy of using a tissue specific injectable hydrogel, derived from decellularized porcine skeletal muscle (SKM), compared to a new human umbilical cord derived matrix (hUC) hydrogel, which could have greater potential for tissue regeneration because of its young tissue source age.BackgroundThe prevalence of PAD is increasing and can lead to critical limb ischemia (CLI) with potential limb amputation. Currently there are no therapies for PAD that effectively treat all of the underlying pathologies, including reduced tissue perfusion and muscle atrophy.MethodsIn a rodent hindlimb ischemia model both hydrogels were injected 1-week post-surgery and perfusion was regularly monitored with laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) to 35 days post-injection. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to assess neovascularization and muscle health. Whole transcriptome analysis was further conducted on SKM injected animals on 3 and 10 days post-injection.ResultsSignificant improvements in hindlimb tissue perfusion and perfusion kinetics were observed with both biomaterials. End point histology indicated this was a result of arteriogenesis, rather than angiogenesis, and that the materials were biocompatible. Skeletal muscle fiber morphology analysis indicated that the muscle treated with the tissue specific, SKM hydrogel more closely matched healthy tissue morphology. Short term histology also indicated arteriogenesis rather than angiogenesis, as well as improved recruitment of skeletal muscle progenitors. Whole transcriptome analysis indicated that the SKM hydrogel caused a shift in the inflammatory response, decreased cell death, and increased blood vessel and muscle development.ConclusionThese results show the efficacy of an injectable ECM hydrogel alone as a potential therapy for treating patients with PAD. Our results indicate that the SKM hydrogel improved functional outcomes through stimulation of arteriogenesis and muscle progenitor cell recruitment