CORRECTION OF ANGULAR DEFORMITY BY ASYMMETRIC PHYSEAL GROWTH AND BONE REMODELLING

Angular deformities of 25 or 37 degrees valgus were created by transverse wedge osteotomies in the diaphysis of the radius in 3-month-old Cocker Spaniels. Spontaneous correction was judged from radiographs until skeletal maturity. The magnitude of correction was estimated, using the opposite normal leg as a control. Asymmetrical physeal growth corrected the induced angulation between the proximal and distal radial joint plane surfaces (joint plane angle). The average correction of the joint plane angle was 80% in the 25 degree group, and 72% in the 37 degree group. Bone remodeling of the radial shaft corrected the induced diaphyseal angulation by 50% in both groups during the study.     

The impact of road geometry and surface roughness on fuel consumption of logging trucks

Fuel accounts for more than 35% of transport costs in Swedish forestry, and reduced fuel consumption would provide immediate economic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of road gradient, curvature and surface roughness on fuel consumption of a conventional 60-ton logging truck. The study used a 320-km test track on both public and forest roads. The track was driven with various load weights in both dry summer and wet autumn conditions. Fuel consumption data were retrieved from the truck's CAN-bus system, and road data were measured with a profilograph. Average fuel consumption was 71.4?litres/100?km. A regression analysis showed that the most important factor was the interaction between vehicle weight and gradient, explaining the 86% increase between empty and fully loaded truck. In addition, the regression analysis quantified the individual effects of undulation, curvature and surface roughness, explaining the 107% increase in fuel consumption between the highest and lowest road class. Results from the proposed regression model (R² of 84% for a road section length of 1000?m) were consistent with predictions given by the European ARTEMIS model, and the proposed model can be used to improve cost estimation and route selection.     

Correction of angular deformities caused by premature closure of the distal ulnar epiphyseal plate in dogs

Surgical correction of angular deformities caused by premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate in dogs. Correction of angular deformities in 14 cases of premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate is described. Angular deformities were most frequently seen in large breeds during the most active phase of growth at 3-5 months of age. Preoperative axial deviations measured on radius were from 7 to 38 degrees in valgus and 0 to 35 degrees in antecurvation compared with the contralateral leg. According to the kind of treatment, the dogs were divided into two groups: In group I which consisted of cases with sufficient remaining growth potential of the radius, segmental ostectomy of ulna with insertion of an autologous fat graft in the ostectomy diastasis was performed to allow spontaneous correction by asymmetrical epiphyseal growth. In group II reconstructive osteotomy and stable, internal fixation with a plate was accomplished. The cosmetic result was judged as excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 and less favourable in 1. Postoperative follow up time was in average 33 months. On control 43% of the dogs showed no lameness, 57% were slightly lame after exercise or rest. None of the cases turned out to be permanently lame at the end of the follow up investigation.     

Use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis to characterize culturable intestinal bacteria in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed diets with cellulose or non-starch polysaccharides from soy

Duplicate groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), kept in seawater, were fed fish meal‐based cold‐pelleted diets. Diets with non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP), either cellulose, purified soybean NSP or extruded purified soybean NSP at a dietary level of 100 g kg^?1, were compared with a diet without supplemental NSP and a diet with soybean meal in a 28‐day feeding trial. Isolation and characterizations were limited to culturable bacteria and population levels of aerobic and facultative aerobic heterotrophic autochthonous (adherent) and allochthonous (transient) bacteria present in the mid and distal intestines of Atlantic salmon fed the five different diets estimated using traditional bacteriological techniques. The presence of an autochthonous microbiota was demonstrated using transmission electron microscopy. No significant effects of diet composition were observed on total population levels of culturable bacteria present in the digestive tract, but the study showed that the composition of the gut microbiota (autochthonous or allochthonous) was sensitive to dietary changes. A total of 752 culturable isolates from the intestines were characterized by biochemical and physiological properties. Of these, 188 isolates were further characterized by partial sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. Among these, 146 isolates belonged to 31 phylotypes that were >94% identical to previously described species. However, 42 isolates showed similarity <94% to species available at the National Center of Biotechnology Information. Several of the phylotypes identified in the present study have not been reported previously in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of fish, including the Gram‐negative bacteria Gelidibacter salicanalis, Pseudoalteromonas elyakovii, Psychrobacter aquimaris, Psychrobacter cibarius, Psychrobacter fozii, Psychrobacter maritimus, Psychrobacter okhotskensis and Psychrobacter psychrophilus. Among the Gram‐positive bacteria identified were Arthrobacter bergeri, Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus, Arthrobacter rhombi, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Exiguobacterium spp., Microbacterium oxydans, Planococcus maritimus, Sporosarcina ginsengisoli and several bacteria that have been described as unculturable previously. In addition, we identified Carnobacterium inhibens, a lactic acid bacterium that is not frequently isolated from the GI tract of fish. Psychrobacter cibarius was the dominant bacterial species and was isolated from the digestive tract of all fish investigated.     

Reduced Plant Uptake of 137Cs Grown in Illite-amended Sediments

Trace metal levels in the otoliths of the juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta were examined by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Life history transect analyses showed that all otoliths had a central region with low Zn/Ca ratios (mean, 0.35–0.68 × 10^?4), and thereafter the ratios increased abruptly in the freshwater growth zone (mean: 1.72–1.90 × 10^?4) toward the edge of otolith. In regard to otolith Sr/Ca ratios, all specimens showed slightly higher values in the otolith core region, and thereafter the ratios showed constant values or values that decreased gradually toward the edge of the otolith in the freshwater growth zone (mean, 3.33–4.58 × 10^?3). An abrupt increase was found in some specimens to 5–7 × 10^?3 in the maximum levels around the otolith edge. The relationship between Sr/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios at each ablation in otoliths in both juvenile and adult salmons showed a significant correlation. Otolith Zn/Ca and Sr/Ca ratio patterns were seen to reflect the levels in ambient water environment. Thus, these findings indicate that Zn, like Sr, in teleost otoliths is an excellent tracer for reconstructing the ambient aquatic environmental conditions which individual fish have experienced.     

Effects of air humidity and K/Ca ratio in the nutrient supply on growth and postharvest characteristics of cut roses

Single node cuttings with one mature leaf were taken from the rose cv. Baroness and rooted in water culture. The rooted plants were grown in nutrient solutions and subjected to two levels of relative air humidity (RH): high (90%) and moderate (70%), in combination with high (12/1), medium (1/1) and low (1/5) K/Ca ratios in the nutrient solution. High RH plants accumulated less Ca in leaves and flowers than moderate RH plants. Roses grown at moderate RH had a longer postharvest life than high RH roses, irrespective of the K/Ca ratio of the nutrient solution. In general, a high K/Ca ratio had a negative impact on postharvest life. When grown at a high K/Ca ratio the ornamental value declined rapidly, mainly due to the appearance of necrotic petals as well as chlorotic and necrotic areas on the leaves. Bent neck occurred only with high RH plants but changes in the K/Ca ratio had no differential effect. Dry spots and brittle leaves were observed on high RH roses, and the occurrence increased with increased K/Ca ratio in the nutrient solution. Stomatal conductance increased in parallel with increases in RH and K/Ca ratio when measured on intact roses placed in dry air (40% RH).     

The impact of road geometry,surface roughness and truck weight on operating speed of logging trucks

Improved transport planning and pricing is dependent on correct cycle times. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of road curvature, surface roughness, gradient and truck weight on the operating speed of a conventional 60-tonne gross vehicle weight logging truck. The study used a 320-km test track consisting of both public and forest roads. The track was driven with various gross vehicle weights. Speed data was retrieved from the truck’s CAN-bus system and road data was measured with a profilograph. The key factors for operating speed were curvature and surface roughness, both of which were correlated to each other as well as partially captured by functional road class. Regression analysis quantified the individual effects of these factors as well as gradient, undulation and interactions with truck weight. A regression model is presented which explained 80% of the variation in operating speed. The results were consistent with previous studies, and the proposed models can be used to improve transport planning, cost estimation, operative route path selection and road investments.     

Surgical correction of angular deformities of the radius and ulna following malunion fractures

Correction of angular deformities in 14 cases of malunion fractures in the canine radius and ulna is described. Angular deformities were most frequently seen in small breeds of dogs following transverse diaphyseal fractures. The most common disorders were valgus and recurvation. Following preoperative planning and measurement of the components of the deformity, reconstructive osteotomy and stable, internal plate fixation was performed. Postoperative follow up time was approximately 32.9 months. On control, 8 dogs showed no lameness, 4 were slightly lame after exercise and 2 dogs turned out to be permanently lame at the end of the follow up investigation.     

Coxofemoral luxations in cats

In a retrospective study, 79 untreated luxations of the coxofemoral joint in cats were recorded over a 12-year period. Twenty-nine of these cases were available for follow-up, of which 13 were re-examined clinically and radiologically. It was found that the maximum incidence of the injury occurred from one to three years of age. Follow-up radiographs showed that the cats had developed nearthroses of various degrees located dorsally on the ilium. The degree of nearthrosis formation was not consistently correlated with the length of the observation time. Radiological signs of decreased bone density of the proximal femur may be caused by reduced weightbearing related to changes in biomechanical function and altered blood supply in the luxated limb. Almost two-thirds of the re-examined animals presented some kind of locomotor dysfunction on clinical examination. Limb function improved with time. The best clinical results appeared to be in cats that were immature at the time of injury and developed nearthrosis similar to a normal coxofemoral joint. All the cats available to this study showed acceptable functional results and had a normal level of activity according to the owners.