Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxocara canis in urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Brussels, Belgium

During the last decades, European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been implicated in the transmission of several viral or parasitic pathogenic agents to domestic animals and humans. In urban areas, risks of zoonoses transmission are likely to increase as a result of a higher rate of intra- and inter-species contacts. Foxes occur on 35% of the Brussels-Capital Region area and local densities reach up to 4 family groups per square kilometre. According to the directive 2003/99/ECC, a first survey for the presence in foxes of Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxocara canis was conducted in Brussels from 2001 to 2004. None of 160 foxes were found to be infected with E. multilocularis and 24 of 134 foxes were found to be infected with T. canis. Considering numbers of examined foxes, the sensitivity and the specificity of tests used for diagnosis, the 95% credibility intervals for the true prevalence of E. multilocularis and T. canis were estimated in a Bayesian framework to be 0 to 1.87% (median value of 0%) and 12.7 to 26% (median value of 18.7%), respectively. For T. canis, a significantly higher risk to be a carrier occurs in cubs and a significantly lower risk in adults.     

Perceptions of veterinarians and clients to expressions of clinical uncertainty

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes of veterinarians and clients towards expressions of clinical uncertainty. METHODS: Questionnaires that assessed the respondent's attitudes towards expressions of clinical uncertainty were completed by clients at six small animal practices. In addition, questionnaires that evaluated what veterinarians thought their client's attitudes would be towards expressions of clinical uncertainty were completed by veterinarians. The responses from clients and veterinarians were statistically compared. RESULTS: Veterinarians significantly underestimated the desire of clients to be told about uncertainties in treatment and significantly overestimated how the expression of uncertainty would generally reduce client confidence. Veterinarians significantly overestimated the loss of client confidence resulting from saying "I am not sure about this" and from asking a nurse for advice. Both clients and veterinarians considered that verbal expressions of uncertainty would lead to a greater reduction in client confidence than behavioural expressions of uncertainty. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that most clients want to be told about their veterinarian's clinical uncertainties, and how this uncertainty is expressed can markedly influence client confidence.     

Needle tract implantation after fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder and adenocarcinoma of the lung

This paper reports three clinical cases of needle tract implantation of neoplastic cells on the abdominal and thoracic wall after ultrasound (US) fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Primary tumors were two transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder (2 dogs) and one pulmonary adenocarcinoma (1 cat). All three masses grew up along the needle tract. To our knowledge, the seeding of pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells after FNAB on the thoracic wall has never been reported in veterinary medicine.     

Host status of cover crops for root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) associated with apple orchards in South Africa

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The host response of 17 cover crop cultivars to infection by single-species populations of Pratylenchus hippeastri, Pratylenchus vulnus and Pratylenchus...     

Measurements to Protect Owners'' Benefits under the Non-price Bottom Bidding

Investment on construction projects has become an important factor in improving the development of economy in China.The non-price bottom bidding is a representation that the investment on projects is becoming standardized.During the years of trying out the non-price bottom bidding,the colluding in bidding or bidding below the cost has happened several times,which have damaged the benefits of owners.To solve theses problems,this paper firstly studies the reason of these problems-the failure in the normal relationship between principal and agent.Then,some measures have been presented as follows: building systematic and scientific system of qualification prejudication,judging behaviors of colluding in bidding and bidding below the cost with reason and providing a surety mechanism of the project.The authors hope that these measures are beneficial to non-price bottom bidding.     

Hydrolysis and Condensation of Silane Agent for Metallic Surface Treatment

Novel surface treatment technique by silane film is developing for metallic anti corrosion and coat improvement. The key points, hydrolysis and condensation, for the stability of the Silane agent(SA) solution is investigated, and the effective factors of stability for silane agent solution and the relative rule are discussed. It is found that stability of SA solution is related to the temperature, pH, solvents, SA concentration and additive by studying the state of the solution and the conductivity-time curve of SA solution. Meanwhile, controlling factors and improving methods for SA stability are proposed to guide the practical application of metallic surface anti-corrosion treatment by SA.     

Analysis of the Sediment Development and Trend In Jinshajiang River Drainage Area

Jinshajiang River, which has a drainage area of 485,100 Km 2, average flux of 142.9 billion m 3, and soil conveyance of 247 million t/a, is the largest branch of Changjiang river. It is also the largest soil resource of the Three Gorges reservoir and upper reach of Changjiang River. To research the development and trend of Jinshajiang sediment not only has a relation to Jinshajiang water resource strategy, but also has important meaning to control the silt in Three Gorges reservoir and the Changjiang water resource development. The paper statistically analyses the flux and sediment conveyance of the Pingshan station, which is the primary hydrological station in the Jinshajiang River Drainage Area. Through several non-parameter statistical methods such as Spearman order correlativity check, Kendell order correlativity check, and linear regression check, the paper concludes that the sediment evolvement trend of Pingshan station is not distinct.     

Research and Development of a Quality Control System in Construction

In the civil industry, quality is a key factor, so quality management and quality control play decisive roles in construction especially. At present, the main method of construction is quality controlling that engineers and technicians consult the standard and norm concerned, then check them one by one, and supervise the construction. It is not only inefficient but also easy to make mistake. Using computer technology in the quality control of construction will promote quality control level and improve management measures. Through the research of the quality control of construction,the system of quality control in construction is studied and developed, the structure of the software and its developed technology are expounded.     

Opportunities and Challenges in Chinese Housing Industry

This article studies the opportunities and challenges in housing industry in China and proposes its development tendency.