Search

Abstract: This paper presents a MATLAB® Simulink air-quality model of a commercial building with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in Fairbanks, Alaska. Outdoor and indoor real-time fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels were measured at this building during a summer wild-fire smoke episode and then during a winter period. The correlation coefficient between the model-predicted and the measured indoor concentrations was 0.99 for the summer and 0.98 for the winter, justifying the usability of the model for further studies. An HVAC control algorithm was developed that reduces the indoor PM2.5 levels. The algorithm was tested using the HVAC Simulink model and the outdoor PM2.5 data from the summer smoke episode. The average indoor PM2.5 level with this control algorithm was 65% lower than with the regular control. Thanks to the PM2.5 control strategy being automatically engaged only during episodes, it was shown to have the potential of significantly reducing the indoor PM2.5 levels without significantly compromising the purpose of the original control strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty is a very common therapeutic adjunct accepted as routine postoperative care. We present 2 cases of total patellar skin loss due to cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty. Substantial soft tissue defects were created after the initial debridement of the necrotic tissue. Both patients were evaluated for frostbite, and the wounds were sharply debrided. Application of an advanced wound management technique involves the use of a collagen-glycosaminoglycan biodegradable bilayer matrix, silver impregnated antimicrobial dressing, and low-pressure vacuum device, followed by delayed split thickness skin grafting and low-pressure vacuum device. We find that this technique provided durable soft tissue coverage for necrotic wounds of the knee that do not involve the joint capsule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of indicator species is popular in ecological monitoring and management. In recent years, new methods to improve the quality and application of indicator data have been proposed and developed. Here we propose the use of detection probability in the selection and application of indicator species. We evaluated environmental and observer factors believed to affect detection of potential species. Observer effects were the most evident factor and may necessitate the greatest consideration in the use of indicator species. Our results call attention to the fact that raw counts are far from accurate and that the use of detection probability can and should be incorporated into sampling protocols, species selection, and the allocation of effort for projects that use indicator species as part of monitoring and management programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Double-crested Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) is culled in many states because of the real and presumed damages it inflicts on farmed and recreational fisheries and other ecosystem services. Resident cormorant colonies breeding in the southeastern United States are protected in some areas, so it is important to distinguish these from co-occurring but unprotected migratory cormorants. Migratory P. auritus are likely to contain helminthic parasite communities that differ from those of non-migratory, resident birds, because they will encounter a wider variety of habitats and intermediate host communities during migrations. Here, we document five distinct assemblages of helminth parasites collected from 218 P. auritus culled from 11 sites in Alabama, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Vermont. The assemblages of P. auritus parasites are distinct among many sampling locations and can be used to correctly predict where a host cormorant has been feeding. We provide evidence for mixing of cormorants at a regional scale using discriminant analysis, which suggests there is a single population of migratory cormorants. Furthermore, our models strongly differentiate between migratory and resident P. auritus in the southeastern United States. In conjunction with species-by species latitudinal and longitudinal trends, our models could serve as effective tools for managers interested in both the population control of migratory cormorants and the conservation of non-migratory, resident birds. Finally, parasite counts per host are notoriously variable with many zeros and a few large numbers, leading many researchers to use simple prevalence in their analyses. We show that an intermediate level of data resolution, using species occurrence ranks within individual hosts, behaves well statistically and provides the greatest discrimination among distinct host groupings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe fentanyl pharmacokinetics during isoflurane anesthesia and on recovery from anesthesia with concurrent administration of acepromazine, dexmedetomidine or saline in dogs. Study design Experimental blinded, randomized, crossover study. Animals Seven adult hound dogs. Methods Dogs were administered intravenous (IV) fentanyl as a bolus (5 μg kg -1) followed by an infusion (5 μg kg -1 hour -1) for 120 minutes during isoflurane anesthesia and emergence from anesthesia, and for 60 minutes after extubation during recovery from anesthesia. At the time of extubation, dexmedetomidine (2.5 μg kg -1), acepromazine (0.05 mg kg -1) or saline were administered IV. Venous blood was sampled during the maintenance and recovery periods. Fentanyl plasma concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and population pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Results Mean fentanyl plasma concentrations were 1.6-4.5 ng mL -1 during isoflurane anesthesia and 1.6-2.0 ng mL -1 during recovery from anesthesia. Recovery from isoflurane anesthesia without sedation was associated with an increase in the volume of the central compartment from 0.80 to 1.02 L kg -1. After administration of acepromazine, systemic clearance of fentanyl increased from 31.5 to 40.3 mL minute -1 kg -1 and the volume of the central compartment increased from 0.70 to 0.94 L kg -1. Administration of dexmedetomidine did not significantly change fentanyl pharmacokinetics. Inter-individual variability for fentanyl parameter estimates in all treatments ranged from 2.2% to 54.5%, and residual error ranged from 6.3% to 13.4%. Conclusions and clinical relevance The dose rates of fentanyl used in this study achieved previously established analgesic plasma concentrations for the duration of the infusion. Despite alterations in fentanyl pharmacokinetics, differences in fentanyl plasma concentrations among treatments during recovery from anesthesia were small and were unlikely to be of clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]