Real-time spectral classification of compression wood inPicea abies

Compression wood is formed by the living tree to compensate for external loads. It creates wood fibers with properties undesirable in sawn products. Automatic detection of compression wood can lead to production advantages. A wood surface was scanned with a spectrometer, and compression wood was detected by analyzing the spectral composition of light reflected from the wood surface within the visible spectrum. Linear prediction models for compression wood in Norway spruce (Picea abies) were produced using multivariate analysis and regression methods. The resulting prediction coefficients were implemented in a scanning system using the MAPP2200 smart image sensor combined with an imaging spectrograph. This scanning system is capable of making a pixelwise classification of a wood surface in real time. Classification of one spruce plank was compared with analysis by scanning electron microscopy, showing that the automatic classification was correct in 11 of 14 cases.     

Sublethal effects of oil on mollusc species from the Baltic Sea

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Sublethal effects of Iranian crude oil were studied using molluscs from the brackish Baltic Sea (salinity: 6 to 7%o S). In blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) low...     

Blood lactate levels in 31 female dogs with pyometra

Background

Canine pyometra is a life-threatening disease common in countries where spaying of dogs is not routinely performed. The disease is associated with endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a 3–4% mortality rate. Blood lactate analysis is clinically valuable in predicting prognosis and survival, evaluating tissue perfusion and treatment response in human and veterinary critical care settings. The aims of the present study were to investigate 1) the blood lactate levels of female dogs with pyometra by a hand-held analyser and 2) if these levels are related with the clinical status or other biochemical or hematological disorders.

Methods

In total 31 female dogs with pyometra admitted for surgical ovariohysterectomy and 16 healthy female control dogs were included in the present study. A complete physical examination including SIRS-status determination was performed. Blood samples for lactate concentrations, hematological and biochemical parameters, acid-base and blood gas analysis and other laboratory parameters were collected and subsequently analysed. The diagnosis pyometra was verified with histopathological examination of the uterus and ovaries. Increased hospitalisation length and presence of SIRS were used as indicators of outcome.

Results

In the pyometra group the median blood lactate level was 1,6 mmol l^-1 (range <0.8–2.7 mmol l^-1). In the control group the median lactate level was 1,2 mmol l^-1 (range <0.8–2.1 mmol l^-1). Of the 31 bitches 19 (61%) fulfilled 2 or more criteria for SIRS at inclusion, 10 bitches (32%) fulfilled 3 of the SIRS criteria whereas none accomplished more than 3 criteria. Lactate levels did not differ significantly between the pyometra and control group, or between the SIRS positive and SIRS negative dogs with pyometra. Increased lactate concentration (>2.5 mmol l^-1) was demonstrated in one female dog with pyometra (3%), and was not associated with longer hospitalisation or presence of SIRS. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. None of the bitches died during or within two months of the hospital stay. The measurements of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, percentage bandforms of neutrophilic granulocytes, α₂-globulins, creatinin, pvCO₂, TCO₂ and base excess showed significant differences between the SIRS positive and the SIRS negative pyometra cases.

Conclusion

Increased blood lactate concentrations were demonstrated in 3% (1/31), and SIRS was present in 61% (19/31) of the female dogs with pyometra. Preoperative lactate levels were not related with presence of SIRS or prolonged hospitalisation. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. The value of a single and repeated lactate analysis in more severely affected cases remains to be determined.     

Pre-sprouting as a Tool for Early Harvest in Organic Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivation

Earlier harvest of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be achieved by different pretreatments of the seed tubers. In factorial field trials in 2008–2010, two different pre-sprouting methods were evaluated: conventional pre-sprouting of tubers and pre-sprouting of tubers with stimulation of adventitious root formation (PR). The results were compared with those for untreated seed tubers stored at 4 °C until planting (control). One variety was included in three trials, and two varieties were included in one trial. The new PR method was intended to give faster development and tuber initiation than conventional pre-sprouting, which can be of value when the growing season is restricted or when early harvest is important. Plant emergence, leaf necrosis (as a measure of maturity) and incidence of late blight were assessed during the growing season. After harvest, tuber fresh weight, size and density were assessed. It was found that pre-sprouting treatments gave on average 7 days earlier emergence compared with the control. Necrosis began earlier in pre-sprouted treatments in all cases except for the late variety Sarpo Mira. In 2008 and 2009 potato late blight struck late, after onset of senescence, but in 2010 it struck earlier and the pre-sprouted treatments proved more susceptible than the control. Total tuber yield was 7–24% higher on average in all pre-sprouted treatments in the different field trials. Tests on time of harvest showed that the advantage for the pre-sprouting treatments was maintained during the season, but the difference with the control decreased with time. When the different pre-sprouted treatments were compared, the new PR method proved to be not better than conventional pre-sprouting.     

Comparison of haemodynamic changes during two surgical methods for neutering female dogs

The aim was to investigate if intraoperative registrations of blood pressure and heart rate could be used to estimate surgical trauma. In a prospective clinical trial, registrations in eight dogs neutered by laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOE) were compared with eight dogs subjected to open ovariohysterectomy (OHE). For comparisons phases were used: phase zero = steady state after induction of anaesthesia; phase one = opening of abdomen; phase two = severing of ovarian pedicles; and, phase three = abdominal closure. During LOE, mean systolic blood pressure increased by 7 mm Hg (p = 0.05) and 15 mm Hg (p = 0.01) from phase zero to phase one and two, respectively, and during OHE by 3 mm Hg (ns) and 29 mm Hg (p < 0.0001), respectively. The increase from phase one to phase two differed between groups (p = 0.03). Heart rate did not change. Frequent intraoperative measurements of blood pressure appear a promising method for evaluating surgical trauma.     

The effects of ration size on migration by hatchery‐raised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Abstract – The possibility to increase the proportion of migrating hatchery‐reared smolts by reducing their food ration was studied. Lake‐migrating, hatchery‐reared salmon (Salmo salar) and trout (Salmo trutta) smolts were either fed normal rations, based on recommendations from the fish‐farming industry, or reduced (15–20%) rations. They were released into the River Klarälven, western Sweden, and followed as they swam downstream to Lake Vänern, a distance of around 25 km. For both Atlantic salmon and brown trout, smolts fed a reduced ration migrated faster than fish fed a normal ration. Furthermore, a higher proportion of salmon smolts fed reduced rations migrated to the lake than fish fed normal rations in 2007 but not in 2006. This difference between years corresponded to greater treatment differences in size and smolt status in 2007 than in 2006. For trout, the proportion of migrating individuals and smolt development did not differ with ration size. Trout migrants fed a normal ration had a higher standard metabolic rate (SMR) than nonmigrants, whereas there was no difference in SMR between migrating and nonmigrating salmon. These results show that it is possible to use a reduced food ration to increase the migration speed of both Atlantic salmon and brown trout and to increase the proportion of migrating Atlantic salmon.     

Renewable cathode materials from biopolymer/conjugated polymer interpenetrating networks

Renewable and cheap materials in electrodes could meet the need for low-cost, intermittent electrical energy storage in a renewable energy system if sufficient charge density is obtained. Brown liquor, the waste product from paper processing, contains lignin derivatives. Polymer cathodes can be prepared by electrochemical oxidation of pyrrole to polypyrrole in solutions of lignin derivatives. The quinone group in lignin is used for electron and proton storage and exchange during redox cycling, thus combining charge storage in lignin and polypyrrole in an interpenetrating polypyrrole/lignin composite.     

Concentrations of cardiac Troponin I before and after ovariohysterectomy in 46 female dogs with pyometra

Background

Canine pyometra is a common disease in countries where routine spaying of young dogs is not common practice. This disease is known to lead to systemic inflammation potentially affecting multiple organs in the body, including the heart. Cardiac-specific Troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive marker of myocardial cell damage, which can result from ischemia, trauma, toxins or inflammation. Dogs with pyometra are also exposed to anaesthesia which can potentially result in myocardial cell damage. The aims of the study were 1) to evaluate the occurrence of myocardial cell damage as indicated by increased serum concentrations of cTnI in dogs with pyometra and relate these to presence of systemic inflammation and 2) to evaluate the change in cTnI-concentrations after anaesthesia and surgery.

Methods

Serum cTnI concentration was measured preoperatively and one day after surgery in 46 female dogs with pyometra and 15 female dogs that underwent surgery for other reasons (ovariohysterectomy and mammary tumours).

Results

Forty-six female dogs of different breeds diagnosed with pyometra were included. The dogs had a median age of 8.5 years (IQR 7.5–10) and a median weight of 29 kg (IQR 9–32). Of the 46 dogs, 37 (80%) fulfilled the chosen criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) at inclusion. Thirteen (28%) of the dogs had increased cTnI concentrations (> 0.2 μg/l) before surgery and 18 (39%) had increased cTnI-concentrations the day after surgery. The cTnI concentrations in the 13 dogs with increased preoperative cTnI concentrations decreased in 8 dogs, increased in 4 dogs, and was unchanged in one dog. Seven dogs with nondetectable preoperative cTnI concentrations had increased postoperative concentrations. The only significant association between the studied laboratory or clinical variables (including SIRS) and cTnI concentration was preoperative percentage band neutrophils (PBN) and postoperative cTnI concentration (P = 0.016). In total, 20 dogs (43%) had increased pre- or postoperative cTnI concentrations. Seven dogs (15%) had pre-or postoperative concentrations of cTnI of 1.0 μg/l or higher.

Conclusion

Mild to moderate increases in cTnI appears to be common in dogs with pyometra before and after surgery, but the clinical importance of this finding is uncertain. None of the studied clinical variables were found to reliably predict increased preoperative cTnI concentrations. Because of the pre- and postoperative variation in cTnI concentrations, it was not possible to identify a negative effect of anaesthesia and surgery on myocardial cell integrity.