Space Operations Risk Tool

Currently, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has developed the Space Operations Assessment of Risk (SOAR) tool which was created for USCG Atlantic Area Command (LANTAREA). However, LANTAREA is far more established in its space operations than USCG Pacific Area Command (PACAREA); as a result, the current SOAR tool is better suited for LANTAREA than it is for PACAREA. With the increase of space launches and recoveries in the Pacific Ocean, USCG District 11 wishes to advise space companies and government agencies on risks to mariners associated with potential launch and recovery locations in the Pacific Ocean. We sought to develop a tool that evaluates this risk within the proximity of a proposed area. ArcGIS was used to analyze Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions from vessels in the Pacific Ocean between Alaska, California, and Hawai’i from 2015 to 2022. We used the historical vessels’ location data to determine trends for vessel quantity and type. These trends offer a data-driven estimate of the number of vessels and people placed at risk by a proposed space operation. To view this data in a user-friendly manner, we developed a dashboard in which the user selects a location, date range, and radius of the area surrounding the launch or recovery to be analyzed. Our dashboard then returns detailed information about that area including the predicted number of vessels and lives placed at risk. This allows the user to make an informed decision regarding the proposed space operation location to minimize the danger to nearby vessel traffic

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Erythropoietin promotes hippocampal mitochondrial function and enhances cognition in mice

Erythropoietin (EPO) improves neuronal mitochondrial function and cognition in adults after brain injury and in those afflicted by psychiatric disorders. However, the influence of EPO on mitochondria and cognition during development remains unexplored. We previously observed that EPO stimulates hippocampal-specific neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis early in postnatal development in mice. Here we show that EPO promotes mitochondrial respiration in developing postnatal hippocampus by increasing mitochondrial content and enhancing cellular respiratory potential. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria profiles and total vesicle content were greater in presynaptic axon terminals, suggesting that EPO enhances oxidative metabolism and synaptic transmission capabilities. Behavioural tests of hippocampus-dependent memory at early adulthood, showed that EPO improves spatial and short-term memory. Collectively, we identify a role for EPO in the murine postnatal hippocampus by promoting mitochondrial function throughout early postnatal development, which corresponds to enhanced cognition by early adulthood

Local anaesthetic infiltration via wound catheter versus epidural analgesia in open hepatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Although epidural analgesia (EA) provides effective pain control after open hepatectomy, postoperative hypotension is a common problem that limits ambulation. There is growing interest in alternative methods of pain control after open abdominal surgery, including a potential role for local anaesthetic infusion via wound catheter (WC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the available evidence for WC in open hepatectomy by conducting a meta-analysis of randomised trials. METHODS A systematic database search of literature published in the last 20 years was performed. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the study. Meta-analyses were performed using both fixed-effects and random-effects models. RESULTS WC patients had significantly faster functional recovery (WMD = -0.73 (-1.13, -0.32), I = 0%, p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in pain scores on the first postoperative day (POD1). On POD2, WC patients had higher pain scores compared to EA patients (WMD = 0.29 (0.09, 0.49), I = 0%, p < 0.004), but this corresponded with significantly lower opioid consumption in WC patients (WMD = -6.29 (-7.92, -4.65), I = 62%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in major hepatectomy, incision length, complications, length of hospital stay or readmissions between groups. CONCLUSION Despite higher pain scores on the second postoperative day, functional recovery after open hepatectomy is faster in patients with wound catheters compared with epidural analgesia. Wound catheters should be considered the preferred mode of analgesia after open hepatectomy