Fractures of the palmar aspect of the carpal bones in horses: 10 cases (1984-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome of horses with fractures of the palmar aspect of the radial carpal bone, with or without concurrent fractures of the palmar surfaces of the other carpal bones. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 10 horses. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on history, signalment, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Follow-up information was gathered from owners and referring veterinarians. RESULTS: 7 horses became lame after recovery from general anesthesia for treatment of an unrelated problem. The remaining 3 horses developed a fore-limb lameness after falling (1 horse) or being turned out in a pasture (2 horses). Fractures involved the palmar surface of the radial carpal bone in all 10 horses; in addition, the ulnar carpal bone was affected in 2 horses, the intermediate carpal bone in 2 horses, and the distal aspect of the radius in 4 horses. None of the 4 horses treated nonsurgically returned to work, and 3 were euthanatized because of recalcitrant lameness. In the other 6 horses, fragments were removed surgically. Two were euthanatized because of continued lameness, 1 was euthanatized for other reasons, 2 were sound enough for light work, and 1 returned to athletic work. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that fractures of the palmar aspect of the carpal bones are uncommon in horses. The prognosis appears to be poor for affected horses but may be better for horses that undergo arthroscopic removal of intra-articular fragments.     

Gibbsite and halloysite decomposition in strongly acid podzolic soils developed from granitic saprolite of the Bayerischer Wald

The present study reports the occurrence of gibbsite and halloysite in soils derived from granitic saprolites and from glacial deposits formed from granitic saprolites of the Bayerischer Wald (Germany). Both minerals are common in soils of this area. They were formed in the initial stages of weathering, most probably before the Pleistocene and in a warmer climate. Under present conditions halloysite and gibbsite are unstable in the surface soils, as indicated by a decrease in gibbsite concentration towards the surface and by an undersaturation of the equilibrium soil solution with respect to both minerals. It is assumed that the strongly acid conditions and the high concentration of organic compounds in the surface horizons lead to dissolution of gibbsite and possibly to transformation of halloysite to kaolinite.     

Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Lagerungsdichte skelettreicher oder geringmächtiger Bodenhorizonte

A method for bulk density determination of gravel rich or thin soil horizons A limitation of bulk density determinations using the core sample method is that soil horizons must be thick enough for coring and nearly free of rock material. The significance of the proposed method lies in the fact that it is applicable also to soil samples rich in rock fragments and/or thin horizons. The samples are impregnated in the laboratory using an epoxy resin. Bulk density (ρ_b) is determined after hardening according to the following equation: ρ_f = density of soil material Bulk densities determined by the new method were found to agree well with such resulting from the core sample method.     

Cyanidadsorption an Sesquioxiden,Tonmineralen und Huminstoffen

Cyanide adsorption on sesquioxides, clay-minerals and humic substances The adsorption of cyanide (KCN) on sesquioxides, clay minerals, and humic substances at different pH-values was studied. Moreover we looked for the CN-adsorption on L-layers of the humus forms mull, moder and mor. Cyanide was only adsorbed by humic acid. The amount of CN adsorbed increased with increasing pH of the reaction solution. IR-spectroscopic investigations of CN treated humic acids revealed that the cyanide was adsorbed at low pH (<7) as HCN-molecules by formation of hydrogen bonds with COOH-, COH-, OH- and NH₂-groups of the humic acid. At pH > 7 the cyanide was mainly adsorbed as CN^? by charge transfer with acceptor-molecules such as chinones. The cyanide adsorption of L-layers of humus forms decreased in the order mor > mull > moder. It is surmised that the HCN-molecules were not only adsorbed by humic acids in these layers but also by oxidation products of lignin, pectin, protein, cellulose, and carbon-hydrates of fulvic acids. Solutions of K₂HPO₄ did not desorb cyanides from humic acids to any great extent.     

Einfluß polychlorierter Biphenyle auf die mikrobielle Aktivität in Böden

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on soil microbial activity In laboratory experiments the microbial toxicity of the PCB congeners 5 (2, 3-Dichlorobiphenyl), 8 (2, 4′-Dichlorobiphenyl), 29 (2. 4, 5-Trichlorobiphenyl) and 77 (3, 3′, 4, 4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl) which is supposed to be extremely toxic to wildlife was investigated using Parabrownearth-Ap and Podsol-Ahe horizon material. In addition the technical PCB mixtures Arochlor 1242 and 1260 were tested. Microbial toxicity was measured by means of long-term respiration (CO₂-evolution), short-term respiration (CO₂-evolution 12 h, after addition of glucose), and dehydrogenase activity (TTC reduction) tests. 1 mg/kg of the Dichlorobiphenyls 5 and 8 reduced the long-term and short-term respiration of the Podsol-Ahe during the whole experiment (35 and 28 days, respectively). The Trichlorobiphenyl 29 became effective after addition of 10 mg/kg. No effect except a short stimulation of long-term respiration was observed for PCB 77 (Tetrachloro-PCB). Due to its higher sorption capacity, all PCB congeners reduced the microbial activity of the Parabrownearth-Ap to a lower degree. In general the toxicity of PCBs decreased with increasing degree of chlorination in both soil horizons. The technical mixtures reduced the long-term respiration only after high additions of 50 mg/kg (Podsol-Ahe) and 100 mg/kg (Parabrownearth-Ap), respectively. Arochlor 1242 proved to be more toxic than Arochlor 1260.     

植物修复技术与农业生物环境工程

介绍了植物修复技术的概念、内涵、研究方法等,探讨了植物修复技术的优缺点和控制因素,指出农业生物环境工程手段的引进将有可能大幅度提高植物修复污染土壤的相对效率。     

Farmlink: promoting conservation buffers farmer-to-farmer

Farmer-to-farmer outreach was used within a targeted watershed to promote the installation of conservation buffers. In this program called “FarmLink”, four farmers/landowners were employed part-time as “advisors” and trained by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Natural Resources District personnel. Topics included basic buffer design and benefits, availability of incentive programs, and sales techniques. These individuals then contacted their neighbors to explain the need for and benefits of buffers and other conservation practices. In early 2003, 42 landowners were contacted, leading to contracts for the establishment of 16 separate conservation practices on 24.8 ha (61.3 acres) of farmland. These included just over 8 ha (20 acres) of grassed waterways or similar plantings and 14 ha (35 acres) of streamside buffers. In addition, because of information received in the training sessions, one of the advisors installed 1.7 ha (4.3 acres) of streamside buffers, 0.45 ha (1.1 acres) of grassed waterways, and 2.0 ha (5.0 acres) of grasses and forbs on his own land. During these contacts, it became apparent that: (1) many farmers and landowners were not familiar with the multitude of programs available to assist with the installation and maintenance of conservation practices; and (2) landowners generally appreciated the personal touch of someone coming out to talk directly to them, pointing out specific areas on their land where conservation practices could best be implemented, discussing available compensation programs, and describing management needed to help ensure practice success. Although one-to-one contacts cannot be used in all cases, it was demonstrated to be effective in this watershed.