Restraint system for ergometer

A restraint system for securing a person to an ergometer while exercising under zero gravity conditions or while operating the ergometer in earth environment in a position other than the upright position. A padded, form-fitting body belt fits around the operator's waist and suspenders are attached to the body belt. The body belt is secured to the ergometer forwardly and rearwardly of the ergometer seat by adjustable belts joined to the body belt and releasably hooked to the ergometer frame

Test/semi-empirical analysis of a carbon/epoxy fabric stiffened panel

The purpose of this work-in-progress is to present a semi-empirical analysis method developed to predict the buckling and crippling loads of carbon/epoxy fabric blade stiffened panels in compression. This is a hand analysis method comprised of well known, accepted techniques, logical engineering judgements, and experimental data that results in conservative solutions. In order to verify this method, a stiffened panel was fabricated and tested. Both the best and analysis results are presented

Divide and Conquer

The maxim “divide and conquer” (divide et impera) is invoked frequently in law, history, and politics, but often in a loose or undertheorized way. We suggest that the maxim is a placeholder for a complex of ideas related by a family resemblance, but differing in their details, mechanisms and implications. We provide an analytic taxonomy of divide and conquer mechanisms in the settings of a Stag Hunt Game and an indefinitely-repeated Prisoners' Dilemma. A number of applications are considered, including labor law, bankruptcy, constitutional design and the separation of powers, imperialism and race relations, international law, litigation and settlement, and antitrust law. Conditions under which divide and conquer strategies reduce or enhance social welfare, and techniques that policy makers can use to combat divide and conquer tactics, are also discussed

Effects Of Aging On Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation In Cerebral Arteries

Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) decreases with aging. This reduction may be due to a diminished endothelium-dependent vasodilation in large cerebral arteries with aging in the absence of disease. The posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) supply blood flow to the midbrain areas where age-related regional decreases in blood flow have been observed. Furthermore, the PCoA appear to be clinically relevant in age-related cerebrovascular disorders. However, age-related changes in the vasoreactivity of PCoA have not been investigated in the absence of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on endothelium-dependent vasodilation of PCoA in rats. Posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) were isolated from the brain of 4 month old (n = 4) and 24 month old (n = 4) male Fischer 344 rats. The isolated arteries were cannulated and pressurized to 90 cm H2O via hydrostatic reservoirs. Luminal diameter changes were determined in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator, Bradykinin (BK) (10-13 – 10-7 M) and the direct vascular smooth muscle dilator, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10-10 – 10-4 M). Responsiveness to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator BK was diminished in PCoA of aged rats compared to young rats, whereas responsiveness to the endothelium-independent vasodilator SNP was not different between PCoA of young and old rats. These data demonstrate that aging is associated with diminished endothelium-dependent vasodilation in PCoA, whereas vascular smooth muscle responsiveness remains intact. Thus, regional age-related reductions in cerebral blood flow may be related to diminished endothelium-dependent vasodilation in PCoA

Effect Of Exercise Training On Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation In Cerebral Arteries

Endothelial function and expression of endothlelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) have been shown to increase with exercise training in the peripheral vasculature. However, the effect of exercise training on endothelial function in the cerebral vasculature is poorly understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exercise training on endothelium-dependent vasodilation of large cerebral arteries. METHODS: Three-month-old male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to either a sedentary (SED, n=4) or exercise-trained (ET, n=4) group. ET rats ran on a motorized rodent treadmill 60 min/day at 15 m/min (15 incline), 5 d/wk for 10 wk. Posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) were isolated from the brain of both SED and ET rats. The isolated arteries were cannulated and pressurized to 90 cm H2O via hydrostatic reservoirs. Luminal diameter changes were determined in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator, Bradykinin (BK) (10-13 – 10-7 M) and the direct vascular smooth muscle dilator, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10-10 – 10-4 M). RESULTS: Responsiveness to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator BK was enhanced in PCoA of ET rats compared to SED rats, whereas responsiveness to the endothelium-independent vasodilator SNP was not different between PCoA of SED and ET rats. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that exercise training is associated with enhanced endothelium-mediated vasodilation in PCoA of young rats, whereas vascular smooth muscle responsiveness of PCoA is unaffected by exercise training

Genomic analysis of four strains of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bv. Equi isolated from horses showing distinct signs of infection.

The genomes of four strains (MB11, MB14, MB30, and MB66) of the species Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar equi were sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM platform, completely assembled, and their gene content and structure were analyzed. The strains were isolated from horses with distinct signs of infection, including ulcerative lymphangitis, external abscesses on the chest, or internal abscesses on the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The average size of the genomes was 2.3 Mbp, with 2169 (Strain MB11) to 2235 (Strain MB14) predicted coding sequences (CDSs). An optical map of the MB11 strain generated using the KpnI restriction enzyme showed that the approach used to assemble the genome was satisfactory, producing good alignment between the sequence observed in vitro and that obtained in silico. In the resulting Neighbor-Joining dendrogram, the C. pseudotuberculosis strains sequenced in this study were clustered into a single clade supported by a high bootstrap value. The structural analysis showed that the genomes of the MB11 and MB14 strains were very similar, while the MB30 and MB66 strains had several inverted regions. The observed genomic characteristics were similar to those described for other strains of the same species, despite the number of inversions found. These genomes will serve as a basis for determining the relationship between the genotype of the pathogen and the type of infection that it causes