Use of Computed Tomography in Standing Position to Identify Guidelines for Screw Insertion in the Distal Phalanx of Horses: An Ex Vivo Study

Objectives— To compare the precision of radiography and computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the standing position for identification of guidelines for screw insertion in the distal phalanx, and to identify whether standing CT might improve operative time compared with preoperative radiographic planning.
Study Design— Experimental ex vivo study.
Animals— Cadaveric equine thoracic limb pairs (n=10).
Methods— Insertion of a 4.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion into an intact distal phalanx was evaluated in 2 groups (n=10) of cadaveric equine thoracic limbs. In 1 group, the site, direction, and length of the implant were determined by radiography, and in the other group, by CT. Accuracy of screw placement was verified by specimen dissection. Outcomes were (1) absence of penetration of the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal (2) appropriate length and direction of the screw. Surgical time was also measured.
Results— No screw penetrated the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal in either group. CT was more accurate to identify guidelines for screw insertion (U=23.50, P =.049). With CT, surgical time (mean, 7.7 minutes) was significantly shorter (U=0.000, P =.000) than with radiography (mean, 12.7 minutes).
Conclusion— Standing CT can be used to accurately determine anatomic landmarks for screw insertion in lag fashion in sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.
Clinical Relevance— This study has a clear clinical relevance for improved internal fixation of sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.     

Superior CMS (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogura</Emphasis>) lines with better combining ability improve yield and maturity in cauliflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">botrytis</Emphasis>)

Three CMS lines, Ogu1A, Ogu2A and Ogu3A were selected among ten lines after BC₇ based on superior commercial, floral and seed setting traits. Introgression of sterile Ogura cytoplasm in cauliflower nuclear background reduced the flower size but did not affect commercial and seed setting traits drastically. Line × Tester analysis was done by taking these three CMS lines free from floral deformities as female parent with nine diverse lines of snowball cauliflower as tester. The parent Ogu2A exhibited highest GCA effect for curd yield (4.51) and harvest index (1.97) while Ogu1A exhibited highest GCA for earliness (−2.73). The parent, Ogu2A exhibited significant GCA for curd length (0.39) while, none of the CMS lines showed significant GCA for curd diameter and depth. Heterosis for curd yield was highest in the hybrid, Ogu2A × Kt-22 (63.5%) followed by Ogu1A × WF (36.9%) and Ogu1A × Kt-15 was the best hybrid for earliness followed by Ogu3A × Kt-22 with heterosis of −14.4% and −11.7%. However, the number of heterotic hybrids for yield and earliness was low indicating narrow genetic base of the snowball cauliflower.     

Spatial patterning of fuels and fire hazard across a central U.S. deciduous forest region

Information describing spatial and temporal variability of forest fuel conditions is essential to assessing overall fire hazard and risk. Limited information exists describing spatial characteristics of fuels in the eastern deciduous forest region, particularly in dry oak-dominated regions that historically burned relatively frequently. From an extensive fuels survey of unmanaged forest lands (1,446 plots) we described fuel loadings and spatial patterns of fine and coarse fuels. We attempted to explain the variability in fuel loading of each time-lag fuel class using landscape and seasonal variables through a multiple regression modeling approach. Size class distributions of woody fuels were generally homogeneous across the region except in the glaciated portions of Illinois where loadings appeared lower. Temporally, litter depths progressively decreased from leaffall (November). A fire hazard model that combined seasonal changes in litter depth and fuel moisture content depicted the degree of regional spatial variability during the transition between extreme dry and wet conditions. In the future, fire hazard indices could be paired with ignition probabilities in order to assess spatio-temporal variability of fire risk within the region.     

Morphological indicators of stock quality and field performance of red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings underplanted in a central Ontario shelterwood

The value of initial stem diameter near the root collar, shoot length and number of first-order lateral roots (FOLR) as morphological indicators of stock quality and field performance was examined for bareroot (1+0, undercut) red oak (Quercus rubra L.) underplanted in a shelterwood in central Ontario. These three attributes were measured on more than 400 seedlings prior to planting, and their relationship with height and basal diameter growth two years after planting was determined using correlation and regression analysis. Initial diameter, shoot length and number of FOLR were positively and significantly correlated with second-year height and diameter. These relationships were strongest for diameter, but this variable explained less than 25% of the total variation in growth. Of the three indicators, diameter was also the best predictor of several physical characteristics of root systems two years after planting. Initial diameter was significantly correlated with root volume, root area and lateral root, taproot and total root dry mass. Weaker relationships existed between initial shoot length and number of FOLR and second-year root system features. Stem diameter two years after planting was more strongly related to root volume, area and dry mass than was initial diameter, the probable result of adjustment in root-shoot balance of planting stock to the shelterwood environment.     

Effects of different mulches and irrigation methods on root growth,nutrient uptake,water-use efficiency and yield of strawberry

Field studies were conducted for two consecutive years under sub-temperate climatic conditions at Nauni in district Solan of Himachal Pradesh (30°52′N, 77°11′E 1175 asl) on loamy sand Inceptisols to investigate the effect of different mulches (hay: HM, black polyethylene: BP) on root growth, nutrient uptake, water-use efficiency (WUE) and yield of strawberry cv. Chandler under drip (DI) and surface irrigation (SI) systems. Unmulch (UM) and rainfed treatments were kept as control. Higher soil moisture content was registered under both the mulch materials during entire crop growth period. However, it was greater under BP mulch as compare to HM. The moisture conservation increased by 2.80–12.80% under BP mulch as compared to UM. HM treatment, irrespective of irrigation method increased the minimum soil temperature (2.8–5.2 °C) and reduced the maximum soil temperature (2.7–5.8 °C) as compared to UM. BP mulch increased the minimum soil temperature from 0.4 to 2.5 °C. Application of irrigation moderated the soil (minimum 2.6 and maximum 1.4 °C) temperature. Both the mulch materials were effective in enhancing root growth, nutrient uptake, WUE and yield. Application of mulch enhanced the root growth (63%), nutrient uptake (179.20%), WUE (84.40%) and yield (343%) under DI. However, respective increase under SI was 23.60, 83.80, 109.40 and 219.20%. Under DI, 51% of irrigation water was saved and about 19% higher fruit yield was obtained as compared with SI treatment. Linear regression model could significantly describe the variations in nutrient uptake (N, P and K) and WUE of strawberry under sub-temperate climatic conditions, root mass density was better indicator for estimating nutrient uptake of strawberry.     

Fisheries and water productivity in tropical river basins: Enhancing food security and livelihoods by managing water for fish

Faced with growing pressure upon freshwater resources, increased water productivity in agriculture is essential. Efforts to do so however need to consider the wider role of water in sustaining food production. This paper considers the importance of water management in sustaining fish production in tropical river basins, and the potential for enhancing food production and income to farmers by integrating fish production into some farming systems. Specific examples from selected river systems and irrigated farming systems in Africa and Asia are provided. These highlight the benefits of integrating the water requirements for fish into water allocation decisions. In some cases, these benefits can be realised without any reduction in the water available for other purposes, while in others, a trade-off needs to be considered. The nature of these trade-offs needs to be better understood for better decision making in water management.     

Effects of different pesticides on microbial populations,nitrogen mineralisation,and thiosulphate oxidation in the rhizosphere of jute (Corchorus capsularis L. cv.)

Summary A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of three pesticides (a herbicide, Basalin, and two fungicides, Dithane M-45 and Bengard), separately or in combination, on jute rhizosphere microflora (total bacteria, ammonifying bacteria, aerobic non-symbiotic N₂-fixing bacteria, thiosulphate-oxidising bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi), N mineralisation, and thiosulphate oxidation in soil. The pesticide treatments had significantly different effects on the rhizosphere microflora and their activities, depending on the kind of pesticide, the mode of application (individually or in combination), and the stage of growth of the jute plants. Although the pesticides hindered growth in the early stages, later stages were not affected because the effects on the rhizosphere microflora subsided. In addition, the combination of the herbicide Basalin (a dinitroaniline compound) and the fungicide Bengard (a benzimidazole derivative) virtually cancelled out each other's effects.     

Extraction of rye bran by supercritical carbon dioxide: influence of temperature, CO2, and cosolvent flow rates

Process parameter optimization for the supercritical CO(2) extraction of rye bran to obtain alkylresorcinols (AR) was studied by carrying out a two-level fractional design experiment. Four parameters, temperature, CO(2) flow rate, cosolvent percentage, and extraction time, presumed to influence the extraction process, were analyzed. A tentative fractionation of the crude extract was also carried out and is discussed. The best extracts were achieved when the CO(2) flow rate and extraction time or temperature and cosolvent addition were kept high. It was found that temperature increase was not statistically significant within the range of the study performed, and the extraction time was thus the most important factor. A preliminary fractionation process in two cyclone separators yielded two fractions, one rich in AR components with higher molecular weights and the other rich in AR components with low molecular weight.     

Evaluating irrigation performance in a Mediterranean environment

Assessment of irrigation performance is a prerequisite for improving water use in the agricultural sector to respond to perceived water scarcity. Between 1996 and 2000, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the Genil–Cabra irrigation scheme (GCIS) located in Andalusia, southern Spain. The area has about 7,000 ha of irrigated lands distributed in 843 parcels and devoted to a diverse crop mix, with cereals, sunflower, cotton, garlic and olive trees as principal crops. Irrigation is on demand from a pressurized system and hand-moved sprinkler irrigation is the most popular application method. Six performance indicators were used to assess the physical and economic performance of irrigation water use and management in the GCIS, using parcel water-use records and a simulation model. The model simulates the water-balance processes on every field and computes an optimal irrigation schedule, which is then checked against actual schedules. Among the performance indicators, the average irrigation water supply:demand ratio (the ratio of measured irrigation supply to the simulated optimum demand) varied among years from 0.45 to 0.64, indicating that the area is under deficit irrigation. When rainfall was included, the supply:demand ratio increased up to 0.87 in one year, although it was only 0.72 in the driest year, showing that farmers did not fully compensate for the low rainfall with sufficient irrigation water. Nevertheless, farmers in the area made an efficient use of rainfall, as indicated by the relatively high values (0.72–0.83) for the ratio of actual:attainable crop yields. Water productivity (WP) in the GCIS oscillated between 0.72 €/m³ and 1.99 €/m³ during the 4 years and averaged 1.42 €/m³ of water supplied for irrigation, while the irrigation water productivity (IWP) averaged 0.63 €/m³ for the period studied. WP is higher than IWP because WP includes production generated by rainfall, while IWP includes only the production generated by irrigation.Communicated by A. Kassam