The effect of acetylation on the mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and dimensional stability ofPinus sylvestris

Summary Strips and blocks ofPinus sylvestris were acetylated for different periods of time. These, along with control samples, were tested for their tensile modulus, hydrophobicity and dimensional stability. The modulus of elasticity (tensile modulus) for each sample was derived using a statistical approach. The observations in this work suggest that the acetylation process significantly reduces the tensile modulus of the wood compared to its untreated state in an irreversible manner, and that the extent of the deterioration in tensile modulus is a function of the acetylation conditions. Acetylation improved significantly the hydro-phobicity and the dimensional stability of the wood as measured by the roll angle and swelling tests respectively. It appears therefore that acetylation using acetic anhydride in xylene has an optimum set of reaction conditions that compromise between the gains in water repellence and dimensional stability with the deterioration in mechanical properties.We would like to acknowledge the support of Unilever Research in providing the materials testing machine used in this work, and for the supportive discussions with Hickson & Welsh concerning the results     

Assessment of the potential toxicity of a poison for rabbits, pindone (2-pivalyl 1, 3 indandione), to domestic animals

The toxicity of pindone, a rabbit poison, to horses, cattle, goats, chickens, dogs and cats was investigated, using extension of prothrombin time (PT) as an index of poisoning. The daily dose of pindone, administered for 5 days, ranged from 0.3 mg/kg for dogs to 2.5 mg/kg for chickens. This range of dose rates was considered to be indicative of the worst possible case that could arise following a campaign of baiting for rabbits. Although significant elevations in PT (more than double baseline values) were noted in all species other than horses, clinical signs of anticoagulant poisoning were not observed in any of the species tested. From the observed PT, cattle and cats appeared to be the most susceptible, and horses the least susceptible, to pindone toxicity. The half-lives of the elevated PT were calculated as 3.1 days for cattle, 2.8 days for goats and chickens, 1.9 days for horses and dogs and less than one day for cats. It is proposed that these half-lives can be used as a guide for determining the duration of treatment of pindone-affected animals.     

Sea star platastenras: ossicle morphology and taxonomic position

The modern sea star Platasterias latiradiata, on the basis of ossicle morphology, is removed from the fossil subclass Somasteroidea and assigned to the genus Luidia of the living subclass Asteroidea. A somasteroid assignment of this species should not be used in inferences concerning evolution and morphology of primitive echinoderms.     

Prosthetic Coxofemoral Joint Replacement in the Goose (Anser Sp.): II. Histologic and Mechanical Interface Evaluations

The interfacial tissue-implant healing reactions have been investigated in the goose to evaluate its suitability as an animal model for joint replacement implant studies. After various implantation periods, geese with one coxofemoral replacement hemiarthroplasty were evaluated for their gait performance and then sacrificed. The implantation sites and femora with implants were subjected to histologic studies, and the interfacial shear strength between the bone and implant was measured. The results were compared with findings reported in the literature on dog and man. Direct bone apposition was found in two geese with a firmly fixed implant. A connective tissue capsule surrounded those seven implant stems that were found to sit loosely in the femoral canal. Whereas the histologic findings were comparable to findings in dog and man, the interfacial shear stress was somewhat lower in the goose. Because of the histopathologically comparable findings of interfacial healing, the goose appears to present a suitable model to study bone implant tissue reactions. Further studies are necessary to determine seasonal-, age-, and sex-related bone tissue differences in the goose.     

Nicotine blocks the suckling-induced rise in circulating prolactin in lactating rats

In lactating rats the rapid suckling-induced release of pituitary prolactin into circulating blood is inhibited by a subcutaneous injection of nicotine. This treatment does not block the lesser "stress-induced" rise in prolactin in response to either. Although nicotine may impair milk production by its effect on prolactin release, it does not appear to block milk ejection from the lactating mammary gland.