Effects of different artificial diets on commercial honey bee colony performance, health biomarkers, and gut microbiota.

Background: Honey bee colonies managed for agricultural pollination are highly dependent on human inputs, especially for disease control and supplemental nutrition. Hives are routinely fed artificial "pollen substitute" diets to compensate for insufficient nutritional forage in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different artificial diets in a northern California, US commercial beekeeping operation from August through February.

Population structure, gene flow, and sex-biased dispersal in the reticulated flatwoods salamander (): Implications for translocations.

Understanding patterns of gene flow and population structure is vital for managing threatened and endangered species. The reticulated flatwoods salamander () is an endangered species with a fragmented range; therefore, assessing connectivity and genetic population structure can inform future conservation. Samples collected from breeding sites ( = 5) were used to calculate structure and gene flow using three marker types: single nucleotide polymorphisms isolated from potential immune genes (SNPs), nuclear data from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and the mitochondrial control region.

A Novel Application of Head Tracking Data in the Analysis and Assessment of Operational Cervical Spine Range of Motion for Army Aviators.

Introduction: Neck pain among rotary-wing aviators has been established as an important issue in the military community, yet no U.S. Army regulation defines exactly what cervical spine range of motion (CROM) is adequate for flight.

Depauperate major histocompatibility complex variation in the endangered reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi).

Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) populations began decreasing dramatically in the 1900s. Contemporary populations are small, isolated, and may be susceptible to inbreeding and reduced adaptive potential because of low genetic variation. Genetic variation at immune genes is especially important as it influences disease susceptibility and adaptation to emerging infectious pathogens, a central conservation concern for declining amphibians.

Hydrogel Contact Lens Water Content is Dependent on Tearfilm pH.

Introduction: Based on clinical inferences, investigators theorized in situ soft lens hydration was linked to the precorneal tearfilm pH.

Methods: Forty-one myopic subjects at Fort Rucker, AL, USA were fitted with one of two types of extended-wear soft contact lenses, and were followed quarterly for a period of 33 mo. The anterior soft contact lens surface pH was measured in situ, while the in vitro lens water content was measured immediately after lens removal, using a hand-held refractometer on one lens, and a gravimetric means of hydration measurement on the other lens.

Blast Wave Dynamics at the Cornea as a Function of Eye Protection Form and Fit.

A shock tube and anthropomorphic headforms were used to investigate eye protection form and fit using eyewear on the Authorized Protective Eyewear List in primary ocular blast trauma experiments. Time pressure recordings were obtained from highly linear pressure sensors mounted at the cornea of instrumented headforms of different sizes. A custom shock tube produced highly reliable shock waves and pressure recordings were collected as a function of shock wave orientation and protective eyewear.

A Novel, Inexpensive Method to Monitor, Record, and Analyze Breathing Behavior During Normobaric Hypoxia Generated by the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device.

Objectives: Since hypoxia remains one of the most important physiological hazards the aviation environment poses, military aviators are trained to recognize symptoms of hypoxia in order to implement appropriate safety procedures and countermeasures when hypoxia occurs. A widely used commercial instrument for hypoxia training, demonstration, and research is the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device (ROBD). Here we describe a novel, inexpensive method to use the ROBD's breathing loop pressure (BLP) to measure respiration rate, a critically important response parameter for hypoxia.