Topography of the northern hemisphere of Mercury from MESSENGER laser altimetry

Laser altimetry by the MESSENGER spacecraft has yielded a topographic model of the northern hemisphere of Mercury. The dynamic range of elevations is considerably smaller than those of Mars or the Moon. The most prominent feature is an extensive lowland at high northern latitudes that hosts the volcanic northern plains. Within this lowland is a broad topographic rise that experienced uplift after plains emplacement. The interior of the 1500-km-diameter Caloris impact basin has been modified so that part of the basin floor now stands higher than the rim. The elevated portion of the floor of Caloris appears to be part of a quasi-linear rise that extends for approximately half the planetary circumference at mid-latitudes. Collectively, these features imply that long-wavelength changes to Mercury's topography occurred after the earliest phases of the planet's geological history.     

Comparative short-term efficacy of Oridermyl? auricular ointment and Revolution? selamectin spot-on against feline Otodectes cynotis and its associated secondary otitis externa

The efficacy of Oridermyl^® (acaricidal/antibiotic/antifungal/anti-inflammatory ointment) and Revolution^® (selamectin spot-on) was compared in a blinded randomized study on 24 adult cats with otoacariasis. Twelve cats were treated once daily for 10 d with Oridermyl^® and 12 cats were treated on Day 0 with Revolution^®. Otitis was assessed with cytological counts of mean number of bacteria and yeast on Days 0 and 10, and scored clinically every other day. All auricular secretions were removed for mite count on Day 10. On Day 0, cytological examination confirmed the presence of secondary bacterial (24/24) and fungal (21/24) infections. No live mites were observed otoscopically after Day 4 and in auricular secretions at Day 10 in both groups. On Day 10, secondary infections were resolved for all cats treated with Oridermyl^® but were present in all cats treated with Revolution^®. Improvement in clinical signs of otitis over time was superior in the Oridermyl^® group (P < 0.001).     

Ultrasonography of the Collateral Ligaments of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in Horses: Technique and Reference Images

This study describes ultrasound (US) technique and reference images of the equine distal interphalangeal joint collateral ligaments (CLs), and evaluates the portion of the CLs assessable by US in a series of normal forelimbs. Transverse and longitudinal US images were obtained on five healthy horses and on 25 equine cadaver forelimbs. On six limbs, a needle was placed under US-guidance at the distal limit of visualization of each CL, and the portion of CL visible at US was evaluated on computed tomographic (CT) images. The normal CLs appear as oval structures located abaxial to the fossae of the middle phalanx in the transverse sections, obtained at the level of the coronary band. A centrodorsal hypoechoic image appears with increasing proximodistal probe inclination, demonstrating different fiber orientations within the ligament. Two main fascicles, a deep and a superficial, distally divergent, are visible on longitudinal images obtained in the central part of the ligament. The proportion of CL visible at US examination was more than 50% of the total ligament length in nine of the 12 CLs assessed by CT. Awareness of the estimated portion of distal interphalangeal joint CLs visible at US and detailed knowledge of the US technique and CLs morphology are essential to efficiently use US examination on clinical cases.     

Effect of an inactivated bluetongue serotype 8 vaccine on semen quality in rams

The aim of this study was to determine whether a single dose of an inactivated bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) vaccine altered semen quality in rams. Twenty sexually mature rams were assigned to three experimental groups: two groups of four animals were vaccinated and a third group of four animals was unvaccinated. The first group included rams with a history of natural BTV-8 infection in 2007 and the second and third groups included BTV-8 na?ve rams. Semen was collected prior to vaccination and for 4months post-vaccination. There were no significant differences in semen quality traits, including motility and concentration of spermatozoa, and percentages of living, normal dead and abnormal dead spermatozoa, between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, or over time (P>0.05). The BTV-8 vaccine tested in this study did not appear to have any adverse effect on semen quality in rams.     

Monitoring forest soil properties with electrical resistivity

Maintenance and monitoring of soil fertility is a key issue for sustainable forest management. Vital ecosystem processes may be affected by management practices which change the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. This study is the first in Europe to use electrical resistivity (ER) as a non-invasive method to rapidly determine forest soil properties in the field in a monitoring purpose. We explored the correlations between ER and forest soil properties on two permanent plots of the French long-term forest ecosystem-monitoring network (International Cooperative Program Forests, Level II). We used ER measurements to determine soil-sampling locations and define sampling design. Soil cores were taken in the A horizon and analysed for pH, bulk density, residual humidity, texture, organic matter content and nutrients. Our results showed high variability within the studied plots, both in ER and analysed soil properties. We found significant correlations between ER and soil properties, notably cation exchange capacity, soil humidity and texture, even though the magnitude of the correlations was modest. Despite these levels of correlations, we were able to assess variations in soil properties without having to chemically analyse numerous samples. The sampling design based on an ER survey allowed us to map basic soil properties with a small number of samples.     

Evaluation of five serological tests for the diagnosis of porcine brucellosis in French Polynesia

Porcine brucellosis due to Brucella suis biovar 1 raises important issues for pig breeders in French Polynesia. In this region, the disease is enzootic, spreads silently and engenders economic losses in infected farms as well as sporadic human cases. While serological tests are essential in surveillance and control programmes of animal diseases, to date none of the available tests have been shown to be reliable enough to be used as a gold standard in routine individual diagnosis of porcine brucellosis. Few studies about the estimation of the sensitivity and the specificity of porcine brucellosis screening tests have been published, none of them dealing with French Polynesia. The studied population included 1,595 pigs from French Polynesia. Five tests were evaluated: Rose Bengal test, fluorescence polarisation assay, indirect ELISA, and two competitive ELISAs (C-ELISA). The sensitivity and the specificity of each test were estimated. C-ELISA₂ was the most sensitive test (Se C-ELISA₂?=?0.954 [0.889; 0.992] 95 % credibility interval (CrI)) while both C-ELISA and Rose Bengal test (RBT) were the most specific ones (Sp C-ELISA₁?=?0.856 [0.806; 0.915] 95 % CrI; Sp C-ELISA₂?=?0.849 [0.817; 0.879] 95 % CrI; Sp RBT?=?0.853 [0.812; 0.898] 95 % CrI).     

Production and Environmental Implications of Equine Grazing

Horses' physical and digestive well-being is often enhanced when allowed to graze on pastures. Furthermore, a well-managed pasture can contribute to economic viability. Grazing can however have deleterious effects on the environment if not properly managed. Although equine grazing, defecating, and ground trampling behavior is unique from that of other livestock species, pasture management practices are often based on those derived from cattle grazing. This review summarizes the current knowledge of impacts of equine grazing on pasture quality and environment and identifies gaps where further information is needed to formulate and recommend sustainable grazing methods specific to equine.