Static aerodynamic characteristics of the aborted Apollo-Saturn IB vehicle

Static aerodynamic characteristics of aborted Apollo-Saturn vehicles with normal force coefficient distribution

Histone deacetylase adaptation in single ventricle heart disease and a young animal model of right ventricular hypertrophy.

BackgroundHistone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are promising therapeutics for various forms of cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess cardiac HDAC catalytic activity and expression in children with single ventricle (SV) heart disease of right ventricular morphology, as well as in a rodent model of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH).MethodsHomogenates of right ventricle (RV) explants from non-failing controls and children born with a SV were assayed for HDAC catalytic activity and HDAC isoform expression. Postnatal 1-day-old rat pups were placed in hypoxic conditions, and echocardiographic analysis, gene expression, HDAC catalytic activity, and isoform expression studies of the RV were performed.ResultsClass I, IIa, and IIb HDAC catalytic activity and protein expression were elevated in the hearts of children born with a SV. Hypoxic neonatal rats demonstrated RVH, abnormal gene expression, elevated class I and class IIb HDAC catalytic activity, and protein expression in the RV compared with those in the control.ConclusionsThese data suggest that myocardial HDAC adaptations occur in the SV heart and could represent a novel therapeutic target. Although further characterization of the hypoxic neonatal rat is needed, this animal model may be suitable for preclinical investigations of pediatric RV disease and could serve as a useful model for future mechanistic studies

A custom-made guide-wire positioning device for Hip Surface Replacement Arthroplasty: description and first results

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hip surface replacement arthroplasty (SRA) can be an alternative for total hip arthroplasty. The short and long-term outcome of hip surface replacement arthroplasty mainly relies on the optimal size and position of the femoral component. This can be defined before surgery with pre-operative templating. Reproducing the optimal, templated femoral implant position during surgery relies on guide wire positioning devices in combination with visual inspection and experience of the surgeon. Another method of transferring the templated position into surgery is by navigation or Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS). Though CAS is documented to increase accurate placement particularly in case of normal hip anatomy, it requires bulky equipment that is not readily available in each centre.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A custom made neck jig device is presented as well as the results of a pilot study.</p> <p>The device is produced based on data pre-operatively acquired with CT-scan. The position of the guide wire is chosen as the anatomical axis of the femoral neck. Adjustments to the design of the jig are made based on the orthopedic surgeon's recommendations for the drill direction. The SRA jig is designed as a slightly more-than-hemispherical cage to fit the anterior part of the femoral head. The cage is connected to an anterior neck support. Four knifes are attached on the central arch of the cage. A drill guide cylinder is attached to the cage, thus allowing guide wire positioning as pre-operatively planned.</p> <p>Custom made devices were tested in 5 patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. The orthopedic surgeons reported the practical aspects of the use of the neck-jig device. The retrieved femoral heads were analyzed to assess the achieved drill place in mm deviation from the predefined location and orientation compared to the predefined orientation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The orthopedic surgeons rated the passive stability, full contact with neck portion of the jig and knife contact with femoral head, positive. There were no guide failures. The jig unique position and the number of steps required to put the guide in place were rated 1, while the complexity to put the guide into place was rated 1-2. In all five cases the guide wire was accurately positioned. Maximum angular deviation was 2.9° and maximum distance between insertion points was 2.1 mm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pilot testing of a custom made jig for use during SRA indicated that the device was (1) successfully applied and user friendly and (2) allowed for accurate guide wire placement according to the preoperative plan.</p

SNAPSHOT USA 2020: A second coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

Managing wildlife populations in the face of global change requires regular data on the abundance and distribution of wild animals, but acquiring these over appropriate spatial scales in a sustainable way has proven challenging. Here we present the data from Snapshot USA 2020, a second annual national mammal survey of the USA. This project involved 152 scientists setting camera traps in a standardized protocol at 1485 locations across 103 arrays in 43 states for a total of 52,710 trap-nights of survey effort. Most (58) of these arrays were also sampled during the same months (September and October) in 2019, providing a direct comparison of animal populations in 2 years that includes data from both during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. All data were managed by the eMammal system, with all species identifications checked by at least two reviewers. In total, we recorded 117,415 detections of 78 species of wild mammals, 9236 detections of at least 43 species of birds, 15,851 detections of six domestic animals and 23,825 detections of humans or their vehicles. Spatial differences across arrays explained more variation in the relative abundance than temporal variation across years for all 38 species modeled, although there are examples of significant site-level differences among years for many species. Temporal results show how species allocate their time and can be used to study species interactions, including between humans and wildlife. These data provide a snapshot of the mammal community of the USA for 2020 and will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, and the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns. There are no copyright restrictions, and please cite this paper when using these data, or a subset of these data, for publication

HISTORY AND STATUS OF PREDATOR CONTROL IN TEXAS

A historical review of predatory animal damage and the development of the Texas animal damage control (ADC) program is provided, including a discussion of predator species, methods of control and limitations caused by laws, regulations and policies. Recommendations are made for improvements to permit a more comprehensive program with adequate funding, personnel and control methods

Sisala sculpture of northern Ghana

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washingto

The Impact on Emergency Department Utilization and Associated Costs for Patients Prescribed Intranasal Midazolam Versus Rectal Diazepam

Intranasal midazolam and rectal diazepam are both prescribed by neurologists to abort prolonged and clusters of seizures in the outpatient setting. Compared with rectal diazepam, intranasal midazolam is easier for families to use, has fewer side effects, and it is more cost-effective. The aim of our study is to determine if home use of intranasal midazolam impacts emergency department (ED) and unplanned hospital utilization for seizure care compared to rectally-administered diazepam. We queried a database from an accountable care organization, Partners for Kids (PFK), and found 12,629 patients with the diagnosis of epilepsy using ICD-9 codes 345.xx (epilepsy and recurrent seizures) or 780.39 (other convulsions). PFK is responsible for the care of over 300,000 children. In this retrospective study, we obtained data for 1,060 patients meeting our study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. These patients were seen over a 5 year time period. Data elements included: demographics, ED visits, as well as number of midazolam and diazepam prescriptions. Overall, use of intranasal midazolam was not associated with increased ED utilization compared with use of rectal diazepam. For all ages, the normalized payment in the ED was higher for rectal diazepam (p \u3c 0.0001). Analysis showed no difference for normalized inpatient payments or combined, normalized ED and inpatient payments. Age-matched analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between groups for ED utilization (p ¼ 0.0971). In summary, rectal diazepam was associated with higher overall health care costs. In addition, these findings support previous studies showing that both intranasal midazolam and rectal diazepam are viable treatment options for patients at risk for prolonged seizure events