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The capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella), a New World monkey species, exhibits prominent characteristics that make it an ideal model for neuroscience research. These characteristics include its phylogenetic traits, telencephalization coefficient, anatomical structures and pathways, genetic profile, immune responses, cognitive abilities, and complex behavioral repertoires. Traditionally, methodologies for stereotactic neurosurgery in research models have relied on the use of brain atlases. However, this approach can lead to errors due to the considerable variation in brain size and shape among individual monkeys. To address this issue, we developed a protocol for deriving individual coordinates for each monkey using a straightforward and relatively inexpensive method involving MRI imaging. Our protocol utilizes a specially designed, 3D-printed stereotactic head-holder that is safe to use with an MR magnet, non-invasive placement of fiducial markers, and post-processing with open-source software. This approach enhances MRI data visualization, improves anatomical targeting, and refines the design of neurosurgical experiments. Our technique could also prove beneficial in other areas of neuroscience research that require accurate calculation of stereotaxic coordinates. Furthermore, it could be useful for other nonhuman primate species for which brain atlases are typically unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow properties of flexible fibers are poorly understood compared to those of rigid particles. In this study, a Schulze ring shear tester is used to measure the flow properties of fibers made of cut fishing wire and cut rubber cord, which have different levels of flexibility. For a comprehensive study, the discrete element method is employed to simulate flexible fiber flows. The simulations are validated by comparing with the experimental measurements. Studies show that an increase in fiber bending modulus leads to a reduction in the deformation and solid volume fraction, but it has no effect on the shear stress with the same normal stress. An increase in fiber‐fiber friction coefficient, below a critical value of 0.8, can augment the angle of internal friction. The contact stiffness, contact damping coefficient, and bond damping coefficient only have limited impact on the shear flow behavior in the ranges considered. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 64–74, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis of Associate Justice Stephen Breyer's jurisprudence proceeds from his first book devoted to this subject, Active Liberty, a term he derives from Benjamin Constant and that Breyer defines as participatory democracy. Active Liberty and two subsequent books, as well as numerous off-bench writings, explain his jurisprudence of pragmatism, an approach he contrasts with originalism. This article addresses three general questions: Is Breyer's jurisprudence, founded on active liberty and pragmatism, fundamentally consistent with the design of the Constitution? Does his jurisprudence support his opinions in the constitutional decisions examined, a number of which are also treated in his books and articles? In a system that is designed to empower and to limit government, do his jurisprudence and judicial decisions constrain judges? This last question is especially important because of Breyer's thesis “that courts should take greater account of the Constitution's democratic nature when they interpret constitutional and statutory texts.” Breyer believes that his theory of active liberty ameliorates the democratic anomaly between a system “based on representation and accountability” that at the same time entrusts “final or near-final” authority to unelected judges who are insulated from public opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Colonic dilation is common in children with intractable functional constipation ( FC). Our aim was to describe the association between segmental colonic dilation and colonic dysmotility in children with FC. Methods We performed a retrospective study on 30 children with intractable FC (according to the Rome III criteria) who had undergone colonic manometry and contrast enema within a 12-month time period. Colonic diameter was measured at 5 cm intervals from the anal verge up to the splenic flexure. Moreover, the distance between the lateral margins of the pedicles of vertebra L2 was measured to provide a ratio (colonic diameter or length/distance between the lateral margins; 'standardized colon size' [ SCS]). All manometry recordings were visually inspected for the presence of high-amplitude propagating contractions ( HAPCs); a parameter for colonic motility integrity. The intracolonic location of the manometry catheter sensors was assessed using an abdominal X-ray. Key Results Colonic segments with HAPCs had a significantly smaller median diameter than colonic segments without HAPCs (4.08 cm vs 5.48 cm, P<.001; SCS 1.14 vs 1.66, P=.001). Children with prematurely terminating HAPCs had significantly larger SCS ratios for colonic diameter than children with fully propagating HAPCs ( P=.008). SCS ratios for the length of the rectosigmoid and the descending colon and the SCS ratio for sigmoid colon diameter were significantly larger in children with FC compared to a previously described normative population ( P<.0001, P<.0001 and P=.0007 respectively). Conclusions & Inferences Segmental colonic dilation was associated with prematurely terminating HAPCs and may be a useful indicator of colonic dysmotility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rectal atresia and anal stenosis are rare forms of anorectal malformations. The aim of the definitive surgical repair in such cases is to preserve the anal canal, the dentate line, and the sphincter complex. We present a case of rectal atresia and anal stenosis to demonstrate the differences in the operative repair. The techniques described leave the anterior wall of the very distal anal canal untouched in both rectal stenosis and anal atresia; however, the dissection of the rectum differs. The atretic rectum in rectal atresia is mobilized and sutured to the anal canal circumferentially. In anal stenosis, the posterior rectum is mobilized in the form of rectal advancement, and the posterior 180° is anastomosed directly to the skin (as in a standard PSARP) with preservation of the anal canal as the anterior 180° of the final anoplasty. These patients have an excellent prognosis for bowel control and fecal continence, and therefore, complete mobilization and resection of the anal canal must be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most commonly used bovine hematology reference intervals were published in 1965. We found the results from healthy cattle in 2001 differed from those in many ways. Discovery of the original laboratory book used to calculate the 1965 values gave us the opportunity to evaluate whether hematology values of healthy cattle have changed over time. Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish hematology reference intervals for Holstein cows, compare selected hematologic results with similar population data from 1957, and compare these reference intervals with those of other North American veterinary schools and published values. Methods: Reference intervals were developed in 2001 using clinically healthy, bovine leukemia virus-negative, mid-lactation Holstein cows. Selected parts of the hemograms and neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio were compared with those from healthy, age-matched Holstein cows evaluated in 1957. Bovine reference intervals were solicited from clinical pathology laboratories in North American veterinary colleges and analyzed for population characteristics and method of analysis. Results: Between 1957 and 2001, mean neutrophil counts increased significantly, whereas lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts and hemoglobin concentration decreased significantly. Mean N:L ratio increased significantly to 1.17. Most surveyed laboratories were using the 1965 reference intervals. Two other institutions that had developed reference intervals after 2000 had results similar to ours. Conclusions: Continued use of older bovine hematology reference intervals could lead to misinterpretation of within-reference neutrophil counts as neutrophilia and under-recognition of neutropenia, eosinophilia, monocytosis, or lymphocytosis. Use of N:L>1 as evidence of inflammation should be discontinued or used with great caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which examined the effect of parturition induction of Holstein dairy cows with long gestation single pregnancies on calf survival, health, production and reproduction on a commercial farm. Analyses showed no difference between induced and non-induced cows with respect to risk of difficult calvings, stillbirths, culling due to reproductive reasons, average milk production, average days open or risk of abortion in the following lactation. Findings also revealed a link between parturition and lower risk of post-partum death.

A randomized, blinded, controlled field trial was conducted during summer 2006 in a northern California, USA, herd of beef cattle to evaluate the efficacy of a recombinant Moraxella bovoculi cytotoxin subunit vaccine to prevent naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK; pinkeye). A convenience sample comprised of 127 steers were administered a subcutaneous dose of either adjuvant alone (ISCOM matrices; control group) or recombinant M. bovoculi cytotoxin carboxy terminus adjuvanted with ISCOM matrices (MbvA group) and were boostered 21 days later. The steers were examined once weekly for 15 weeks for evidence of IBK. No significant difference in the cumulative proportion of corneal ulcerations was detected between groups. Compared to the control calves, the MbvA vaccinates had significantly higher increases in serum neutralizing titers to M. bovoculi hemolysin between week 0 and week 6. The prevalence of M. bovis isolations was higher from ulcerated eyes of calves vaccinated with MbvA as compared to control calves. Vaccination of calves against the carboxy terminus of M. bovoculi RTX toxin resulted in significant increases in serum hemolysin neutralizing titers and may modulate organism type cultured from ulcerated eyes of calves in herds where both M. bovis and M. bovoculi exist. Use of M. bovoculi antigens alone in vaccines to prevent IBK may not be beneficial in herds where IBK is associated with both M. bovoculi and M. bovis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meltwater ponds in the Victoria Valley and in the Labyrinth at the head of the Wright Valley of Victoria Land were sampled in January (summer) and October (late winter) of 2004 to establish their geochemistry and stratification, and to compare this with that of coastal meltwater ponds at a similar latitude near Bratina Island. In summer, vertical profiles were measured in 14 ponds; 10 were thermally stratified (maximum ΔT = 11.5°C) and 12 demonstrated a conductivity increase (∼25x) in the lowest 10–20 cm of the water column. When 11 of these ponds were resampled in October, the ice columns were stratified with respect to conductivity and five ponds had highly saline (up to 148 mS cm-1), oxygenated basal brines present under the ice. Basal brines and summer melt waters were Na-Cl dominated, and Victoria Valley pond meltwaters were enriched in Ca relative to the Labyrinth ponds. Early gypsum precipitation directs the chemical evolution of residual brine during freezing. These ponds were enriched in NO3 relative to the coastal ponds at Bratina Island, due to dissolution of nitrate-bearing soil salts, and the reduced influence of marine aerosols and biological productivity on pond chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the antibody response of equids and its effect on the estrous cycle following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae (pZP). Generation of anti-pZP antibodies; Tendency of the pZP and QS-21 water-soluble adjuvants to produce higher titer of anti-pZP antibodies; Rate of incidences of persistent corpora lutea.

Lane, V. M., Wetzlich, S., Clifford, A., Taylor, I., Craigmill, A. L. Intravenous and subcutaneous pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in sheep. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 27, 191–196. Pharmacokinetic parameters of florfenicol were determined in 10 adult sheep (five weathers and five ewes) after a single 40 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) dose, and three daily subcutaneous (s.c.) doses of 40 mg/kg of a commercial preparation (Nuflor®). The concentration of florfenicol in serum samples was assayed using a proprietary HPLC assay method, and pharmacokinetic parameters derived for individual animal data by each route using compartmental and noncompartmental approaches. Two animals (one male and one female) were excluded due to observed i.v. dosing problems, and a biexponential model was found to fit the i.v. data well for six of the other eight animals. Data from two males showed prolonged low concentrations of florfenicol in serum and were better fit by a three-compartment model. The mean ± SD for the half-lives of the distribution and elimination phases for the six sheep best fit with a two-compartment model were 0.069 ± 0.018 and 1.01 ± 0.09 h respectively, and for the Vd(ss) and clearances were 0.503 ± 0.035 L/kg and 366 ± 53 mL/h/kg respectively. The data collected during the s.c. multiple dose study were analyzed using noncompartmental methods only. The bioavailability ( F%) after s.c. dosing was calculated in three ways to compare estimation methods as steady-state had not been reached and single dose s.c. data were not obtained past 24 h. Using the AUC0--24 and AUC0→∞ from the first dose, the F% values averaged 27 and 40% respectively. Using the AUC0→∞ for all doses, the F% was 65%. Calculations of the mean time during which the serum concentration exceeded 0.5 and 1.0 μg/mL were 105 ± 3.9 and 74.7 ± 12.2 h respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the role played by the political doctrine stare decisis in the decision-making of the U.S. Supreme Court. Concept of stare decisis; Relationship of the doctrine with the written Constitution and judicial innovation; Views of Chief Justice John Marshall regarding the written Constitution.

This study presents a critical analysis of the use of intravesical Epodyl in patients who had been having recurrences for a mean of 5.5 years after diagnosis and assesses its value particularly in patients with poor risk superficial bladder carcinoma. Epodyl was associated with a complete response rate of 32%, with the complete response lasting for a mean of 4.3 years to death or end of follow-up. It was ineffective in patients who initially had pT1 histology but was associated with a decrease in recurrence rate in patients who had large or multiple tumours at diagnosis. It was less effective in patients whose recurrence pattern after initial resection was continuous rather than intermittent. If a patient has not responded to Epodyl by 1 year, radical cystectomy should be carried out as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an attempt to use a theoretical framework of social action to analyze and describe how a small community in the Lead Belt of Missouri acquired fire protection through volunteer group effort. The analysis showed that a theoretical social action model is a useful tool for studying the group processes involved in community development. The results indicate that a community development contest acts as a catalytic agent in stimulating volunteer group efforts toward the improvement of physical facilities in a community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on tissue residues of florfenicol in sheep. The purpose this study was to provide tissue residue data essential to accomplish the human food safety requirements for florfenicol in sheep and target animal safety data on injection site irritation. The researchers used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection in distinguishing florfenicol amine in the target tissue from cattle treated with florfenicol.

Between January 1965 and December 1984, 156 patients of 80 years or more with bladder carcinoma were seen. Associated medical conditions were present in 64%. All patients had transurethral resection of their tumour as a primary procedure, and 4 (2.6%) died in the first month afterwards. Recurrences developed in 22 patients (43%) with pTa histology and 11 patients (61%) with pT1; the recurrence patterns were similar in both groups, but the patients with tpT1 had more multiple or large tumours at diagnosis and had a higher incidence of increase in T stage. Patients with pT3 histology were managed by deep X-ray treatment and this was associated with a 39% complete response rate. Survival in this group was better than those who did not respond or who relapsed, but even these patients had a better survival than those who did not receive X-ray treatment. No patient had radical cystectomy and diversion. Palliative deep X-ray treatment was unhelpful in patients with pT4 tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- In an 11-year period, 49 patients developed bladder neck contracture after prostatectomy-an incidence of 0.86%. This complication was found to be more common after resection of small fibrous hyperplastic prostates. The best results for treatment of the contracture were obtained after bladder neck incision, which gave a 9% incidence of recurrence; after transurethral resection of the bladder neck contracture the recurrence rate was 46%, and after bladder neck dilatation it rose to 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces the articles featured in the June 2004 issue of "Perspectives on Political Science."

Presents a correction to an article reproduction in horses on published in an issue of the scholarly periodical "Reproduction".

The early pattern of first recurrence for patients with negative results is characterised by a preponderance of locoregional sites, similar to that reported in previous studies of elective lymph node dissection. This data underscores the need for careful pathological analysis of the sentinel node as well as a careful, well-directed locoregional examination in the follow up of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]