Challenges of thermal nociceptive threshold testing in the donkey

ObjectiveTo evaluate a thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) testing device in the donkey, and the influence of potential confounding factors on TNTs.AnimalsTwo groups (Group 1 and Group 2) of eight castrated male donkeys aged 4–9 years, weighing 105–170 kg.MethodsTNTs were measured by heating a thermal probe on skin until an end-point behaviour (threshold temperature) or a cut-out temperature (51 °C) was reached. The withers and the dorsal aspect of the distal limb were used as sites for TNT testing. The effects on TNT of different confounding factors: the limb tested; rate of heating; and ambient temperature were evaluated. Data were analyzed using general linear models, and Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEnd-point behaviours (skin twitch or donkey looking at test device) when the thermal probe heated the withers were observed in approximately half of tests. TNT was (mean ± SD) 46.8 ± 2.85 °C. Subsequently the limb was evaluated as the test site in Group 1 followed by Group 2 donkeys; end-point behaviour being a foot-lift. In Group 1, 72% of tests ended in an end-point behaviour but the response rate was lower in Group 2 (20%), although TNTs were similar [(47.6 ± 3.3) and (47.3 ± 3.0) °C respectively] for responding animals. Rate of heating, ambient temperature and laterality (right or left) did not affect thresholds, but mean TNT was significantly higher in the forelimb (48.5 ± 2.8 °C) than the hind limb (47.4 ± 2.8 °C) (p = 0.012).ConclusionsWhen a thermal probe cut-out temperature of 51 °C was used in TNT testing in the donkey a high proportion of tests did not produce an identifiable end point behaviour. Higher cut-out temperatures damaged the skin. Under these conditions, thermal nociceptive threshold testing appears not be an appropriate analgesiometry technique in the donkey.Clinical relevanceTNT testing under these conditions is not suitable form of analgesiometry for donkeys.     

Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses

Background

Training of Standardbred race horses aims to improve cardiovascular and metabolic functions but studies on the effects of different training strategies from breaking till racing are lacking. Sixteen horses with the goal to race as 3-year-olds were studied from breaking (1-year-olds) to December as 3-year-olds. Horses were allocated to either a control (C) or reduced (R) training program from 2 years of age. The aim was to evaluate the effect of reducing the distance of high intensity exercise by 30% with respect to velocity at lactate concentration 4 mmol/l (V_La4), blood lactate and cardiovascular response. All training sessions were documented and heart rate (HR) was recorded. A standardized exercise test of 1,600 m was performed 10 times and a V_La4 test was performed five times.

Results

C horses initially exercised for a longer time with a HR >180 beats per minute compared to R horses (P < 0.05) but after 6–9 months, time with HR >180 bpm decreased in C and were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). Over the 2-year period, recovery HR after the 1,600 m-test decreased in both groups but was within 2 months lower in C than in R (P < 0.05). C horses also had lower resting HR as 3-year-olds (P < 0.01) than R horses. In C, post exercise hematocrit was higher than in R (P < 0.05). There was a tendency (P < 0.1) towards a larger aortic diameter in C as 3-year-olds (C: 1.75 ± 0.05, R: 1.70 ± 0.05 cm/100 kg BW). Left ventricle diameter and blood volume (in December as 2-year-olds) did not differ between groups. There were no differences between groups in post exercise blood lactate concentration or in V_La4. Both groups were equally successful in reaching the goal of participation in races.

Conclusions

Horses subjected to a reduced distance of high intensity training from the age of 2 showed an attenuated heart rate response, but were able to maintain the same V_La4 and race participation as horses subjected to longer training distances.     

草莓呼吸特性与发酵阈值研究

以红颜草莓为试材,采用密闭系统法,研究了不同温度(0、5、20℃)条件下,草莓包装环境内的气体体积分数变化和草莓的呼吸速率,拟合呼吸速率方程,并确定草莓的发酵阈值、乙醇含量及品质指标的变化。结果表明:密封盒内草莓的米氏模型参数拟合度较高,各方程决定系数(R2)值均在0.9以上。在0、5、20℃环境下,草莓果实的最大呼吸速率分别为5.49、9.09、26.32 mL CO2/(kg·h),最长贮藏时间分别为192、60、16 h,0℃和5℃环境下的发酵阈值比20℃环境下的低;果实的乙醇含量在最长贮藏时间点左右迅速升高;贮藏期间,果实硬度、可溶性固形物和可滴定酸含量呈下降趋势,花色苷含量呈上升趋势。综上所述,各温度下密封盒内草莓的米氏模型参数拟合度较高,低温可以有效地抑制果实的呼吸强度,延缓果实品质的下降,延长其贮藏期。     

Problems of implementing compulsory integrated pest management

Compulsory integrated pest management poses a number of challenges and issues for debate. Some of are discussed with reference to European Union requirements set out in Annex III of Directive 128/2009. Requirements on the use of plant protection products bring with them problems with dose reduction in the light of a resistance prevention strategy, the lack of threshold levels, the necessity of chemical treatments and the limited availability of effective products of biological origin. Use of preventive measures of pest control faces barriers related to profitability and a lack of knowledge on the part of farmers. Challenges to control the system, as well as the fact that some legally enforced rules are not suitable for all crops, seem also to be an issue. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand in the Qarhan Desert,Qaidam Basin of China: A wind tunnel experiment

Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport, dust release and desertification. In this study, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand. Saline sand samples (mean particle size of 164.50-186.08 μm and the total silt, clay and salt content of 0.80%-8.25%) were collected from three saline sand dunes (one barchan dune and two linear dunes) in the Qarhan Desert, Qaidam Basin of China. Original saline sand samples were placed in two experimental trays for wet and dry processing to simulate deliquescence and desiccation, respectively. Surface moisture content ranging from 0.30% to 1.90% was generated by the steam method so that the saline sand can absorb water in a saturated water vapor environment. The motion of sand particles was determined by the observers with a solid laser. The laser sheet (0.80 cm thick), which was emitted by the solid laser, horizontally covered the sand surface and was bound to the sand. Results show that the cohesion of saline sand results from a combination of salt and water. The threshold shear velocity increases exponentially with the increase in crust thickness for the linear sand dunes. There is a positive linear correlation between the original moisture content and relative threshold shear velocity. The threshold shear velocity of dewatered sand is greater than that of wet sand with the same original moisture content. Our results will provide valuable information about the sand transport of highly saline soil in the desert.     

淮河上游冬小麦生长关键期旱涝灾害阈值研究

利用淮河上游地区1961-2015年13个气象站逐日降水数据,计算冬小麦生长关键期(2、3、4月)1个月尺度及3个月尺度SPI值,结合冬小麦产量数据,确定生长关键期对产量灾损率影响的具体时段,在此基础上分析了降水量变化及旱涝灾害空间分布,建立了SPI值与产量灾损率之间的定量关系。结果表明,(1)生长关键期(SPI3)和4月(SPI1_4)SPI值均与产量灾损率相关性程度高,分别通过0.01和0.05显著性水平检验;2个时段降水量变化整体呈减少趋势,且旱涝灾害空间分布存在一定的差异;(2)当SPI3值和SPI1_4值分别为-2.23和-1.82时,达到决定发生旱灾时产量灾损的阈值;(3)SPI3值和SPI1_4值与产量灾损率相关系数分别为0.94和0.82,在典型涝灾年,SPI值与产量灾损率具有线性关系。     

酸模叶蓼对大豆生长的影响及其经济阈值

酸模叶蓼是大豆田的恶性杂草,严重危害大豆生长发育及产量,为明确酸模叶蓼在大豆田中的经济危害允许水平和经济阈值,在大田条件下采用添加系列试验和拟合函数关系模型的方法,研究了酸模叶蓼与大豆的竞争关系。结果表明,在酸模叶蓼的竞争干扰下,大豆单株荚数,产量均随酸模叶蓼密度的增加而逐渐降低,而株高没有显著变化。线性函数模型y=-0.443x+39.453(R2=0.962,F=75.887,P=0.003)能较好地拟合酸模叶蓼对大豆单株荚数的影响;二次曲线函数模型y=0.702x~2-54.395x+3027.810(R~2=0.972,F=34.843,P=0.028)能较好地拟合大豆产量与酸模叶蓼密度之间的关系,对数函数y=16.131lnx-23.458(R2=0.911,F=20.532,P=0.045)能较好的拟合大豆产量损失与酸模叶蓼密度之间的关系。大豆田酸模叶蓼人工拔除的经济阈值为10.22株/m2,使用75%噻吩磺隆水分散粒剂、80%阔草清水分散粒剂、95%精异丙甲草胺乳油防除的经济阈值分别为4.75、5.03、5.25株/m~2。酸模叶蓼对大豆产量有明显影响,通过对经济阈值分析,在大豆田化学除草剂防治酸模叶蓼具有明显的经济优势。     

Old and New Cultivars of Soya Bean (Glycine max L.) Subjected to Soil Drying Differ in Abscisic Acid Accumulation,Water Relations Characteristics and Yield

Two old (Huangsedadou and Longxixiaohuangpi (LX)) and two new (Jindou 19 (JD) and Zhonghuang 30 (ZH)) soya bean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars were used to investigate the influence of soil drying on the abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in leaves, stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf water relations, osmotic adjustment (OA), leaf desiccation tolerance, yield and yield components. The greater ABA accumulation was induced by soil drying, which also inducing g_s decreased at higher soil water contents (SWC) and leaf relative water content (RWC) significantly decreased at lower SWC in the new soya bean cultivars than in the old soya bean cultivars. The soil water threshold between the value at which stomata began to close and the RWC began to decrease was significantly broader in the new cultivars than in the old cultivars. The new cultivars had significantly higher OA and lower lethal leaf water potential than old cultivars when the soil dried. The old cultivars had greater biomass, but lower grain yield than the new cultivars in well‐watered, moderate stress and severe stress conditions. Thus with soil drying, the new soya bean cultivars demonstrated greater adaptation to drought by inducing greater ABA accumulation, stomatal closure at higher SWC, enhanced OA and better water relations, associated with increased leaf desiccation tolerance, greater water use efficiency and higher yield.     

沙棘木蠹蛾蛹的发育起点温度和有效积温研究

通过室外变温和室内恒温 2种不同的方法对沙棘木蠹蛾蛹的有效积温和发育起点温度进行了测定 ,结果表明 :变温条件下蛹的发育起点温度为 15.4 81°C,有效积温为 2 0 2 .356± 13.0 57日度 ;恒温条件下蛹的发育起点温度为 12 .0 55°C,有效积温为 2 95.2 0 3± 4 .0 94日度。蛹发育的最适温度为 2 1°C     

空气悬架对提高车辆抗倾翻能力的分析

针对近年来商用车侧翻事故的凸现,提出了一种利用空气悬架提高车辆倾翻阀值,减小车辆倾翻危险的方法,编写了控制器,在MATLAB中SIMULINK下建立了七自由度车辆模型,并进行了仿真。仿真结果表明,半主动空气悬架能够有效提高车辆倾翻阀值,提高车辆抗侧翻能力。