Investigation of the effects of bark fiber as core material and its resin content on three-layer MDF performance by response surface methodology

The effects of using 100% black spruce (Picea mariana) bark fibers as core layer material accounting for up to 70% of the board and its resin content (between 6 and 10%) on the properties of three-layer medium-density fiberboard (MDF) were investigated using a full factorial experimental design with two independent variables and three levels. Five response variables, namely internal bond strength, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, thickness swelling and water absorption were statistically analyzed using a response surface methodology and two-way analysis of variance. The effects of the proportion of core layer (bark fibers) and its resin content on panel properties were significant. All properties studied were positively affected by increasing core layer resin content. The effects of the proportion of core layer (bark fibers) on mechanical properties and water absorption were negative, but positive on thickness swelling. Simultaneous optimization of panel properties indicated that at a density of 850 kg/m³, a three-layer MDF with a core layer resin content of 6.5%, a face resin content of 12 and 60% of core layer proportion (spruce bark fibers) would satisfy the minimum requirements of ANSI standard for 130-grade MDF. Overall, black spruce bark, a major residue source in the Eastern Canada, should be considered as a supplemental furnish for the core layer materials of a three-layer MDF.     

Assessing landscapes: a case study of tree and shrub diversity in the seasonally dry tropical forests of Oaxaca, Mexico and southern Honduras

Tropical dry forests, with their distinct and economically important diversity, are acknowledged conservation priorities because of alarming rates of forest conversion. Whilst it is realised that terrestrial conservation requires an understanding of landscape level patterns of diversity, forests are rarely assessed accordingly. Here we demonstrate that, in the case of the seasonally dry tropical forests of the Pacific watershed of Mesoamerica, landscape level assessment of woody diversity can inform decision making relevant to both between-landscape and within-landscape prioritisation. We report floristic surveys of dry forest landscapes in Oaxaca, Mexico and southern Honduras. It is noted that these forests are floristically similar to other seasonally dry tropical forests in the neotropics. By calculation of Genetic Heat Indices, a relative measure of the concentration of restricted range species in a sample, we determine that the conservation of the tree diversity of the coastal lowlands of Oaxaca should be prioritised over that of southern Honduras. The current conservation status of forested areas in Oaxaca is briefly described. We suggest that the greater degree of anthropogenic disturbance in southern Honduras may explain the relative lack of restricted range species there. We argue that some forest fallows can act as analogues of mature forest and therefore landscape elements other than mature forest need to be included in forest conservation assessments. We conclude that diversity sampling of any forest type should not be limited to mature forests, but extended to other elements of forested landscapes.     

Residues of zeta‐cypermethrin in bovine tissues and milk following pour‐on and spray application

The depletion of zeta‐cypermethrin residues in bovine tissues and milk was studied. Beef cattle were treated three times at 3‐week intervals with 1 ml 10 kg^?1 body weight of a 25 g litre^?1 or 50 g litre^?1 pour‐on formulation (2.5 and 5.0 mg zeta‐cypermethrin kg^?1 body weight) or 100 mg kg^?1 spray to simulate a likely worst‐case treatment regime. Friesian and Jersey dairy cows were treated once with 2.5 mg zeta‐cypermethrin kg^?1 in a pour‐on formulation. Muscle, liver and kidney residue concentrations were generally less than the limit of detection (LOD = 0.01 mg kg^?1). Residues in renal‐fat and back‐fat samples from animals treated with 2.5 mg kg^?1 all exceeded the limit of quantitation (LOQ = 0.05 mg kg^?1), peaking at 10 days after treatment. Only two of five kidney fat samples were above the LOQ after 34 days, but none of the back‐fat samples exceeded the LOQ at 28 days after treatment. Following spray treatments, fat residues were detectable in some animals but were below the LOQ at all sampling intervals. Zeta‐cypermethrin was quantifiable (LOQ = 0.01 mg kg^?1) in only one whole‐milk sample from the Friesian cows (0.015 mg kg^?1, 2 days after treatment). In whole milk from Jersey cows, the mean concentration of zeta‐cypermethrin peaked 1 day after treatment, at 0.015 mg kg^?1, and the highest individual sample concentration was 0.025 mg kg^?1 at 3 days after treatment. Residues in milk were not quantifiable beginning 4 days after treatment. The mean concentrations of zeta‐cypermethrin in milk fat from Friesian and Jersey cows peaked two days after treatment at 0.197 mg kg^?1 and 0.377 mg kg^?1, respectively, and the highest individual sample concentrations were 2 days after treatment at 0.47 mg kg^?1 and 0.98 mg kg^?1, respectively. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of a porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa product on wounds with exposed bone in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa product (PSIS) on healing time, epithelialization, angiogenesis, contraction, and inflammation of wounds with exposed bone on the distal aspect of the limbs of dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, experimental study. ANIMAL POPULATION: 10 young adult, purpose-bred, male Beagles. METHODS: Small wounds with exposed bone were created on the lateral aspect of metatarsal V and the medial aspect of metatarsal II on both hindlimbs. Three sheets of PSIS were sutured into the wounds of the treated limb, and the other limb served as a control. On day 10, punch biopsies of the medial metatarsal wounds were collected and were evaluated microscopically after routine hematoxylin and eosin and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) staining. The lateral metatarsal wounds were evaluated by planimetry and laser Doppler perfusion imaging on days 7, 14, and 21. Time until complete wound healing was also recorded. The level of significance was set at P < or =.05 for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: Laser Doppler perfusion measurements were significantly higher in control wounds on day 7, but no differences were noted on days 14 and 21. No significant differences in planimetric values, histopathologic appearance, or time until complete wound healing were noted among treated and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: No objective differences in healing were noted between control wounds and wounds treated with PSIS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There appears to be no contraindication to the use of PSIS on clean wounds with exposed bone on the distal limbs of dogs. However, our objective data provides no evidence that this product affects epithelialization, contraction, or time to complete healing in wounds with exposed bone.     

Histological and immunohistochemical features of cutaneous mast cell tumor in six captive four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

This report described the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of cutaneous mast cell tumor (MCT) in six hedgehogs. The hedgehogs presented single cutaneous mass with ulcer and crusting. Histologically, the neoplastic lesions were characterized by the proliferation of well-differentiated mast cells (3 cases), and atypical mast cells (3 cases) with one atypical histiocytic morphology. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for KIT and mast cell tryptase, and were negative for Iba-1. In well-differentiated MCT, all patients were clinically improved and survived more than 365 days after surgical excision, whereas an atypical histiocytic MCT showed aggressive behavior with re-recurrence, and the animal died 115 days after surgery. These findings suggest that, compatible with other animals, well-differentiated MCT has a better prognosis in hedgehogs.     

Evaluation of the association between initial proteinuria and morbidity rate or death in dogs with naturally occurring chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) > or = 1.0 at initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises, death, and progression of renal failure in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 45 dogs with CRF PROCEDURE: Dogs were prospectively assigned to 2 groups on the basis of initial UP:C < 1.0 or 2 > or = 1.0. The association between magnitude of proteinuria and development of uremic crises and death was determined before and after dogs with initial UP:C > or =1.0 were assigned to 3 subgroups and compared with dogs with initial UP:C < 1.0. Changes in reciprocal serum creatinine concentration were used to estimate decrease in renal function. RESULTS: Initially, dogs had similar clinical characteristics with the exception of systolic blood pressure and UP:C. Relative risks of development of uremic crises and death were approximately 3 times higher in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Relative risk of adverse outcome was approximately 1.5 times higher for every 1-unit increment in UP:C. The decrease in renal function was of greater magnitude in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Initial UP:C > or =1.0 in dogs with CRF was associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises and death, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Initial determinations of UP:C in dogs with naturally occurring CRF may be of value in refining prognoses.     

RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF CANINE DYSAUTONOMIA IN TWENTY-FOUR DOGS

Canine dysautonomia is an idiopathic condition resulting in loss of autonomic nervous system function. Recently, the prevalence of dogs diagnosed with dysautonomia in the mid-western United States has increased. In this study the medical records and radiographic findings in 24 dogs with dysautonomia were reviewed. A diagnosis of dysautonomia was made in 17 (71%) of the dogs in this study by postmortem examination, the remaining 7 (29%) dogs were diagnosed pharmacologically. The radiographic findings supportive of dysautonomia include aspiration pneumonia, megaesophagus, or a distended stomach, small bowel, or urinary bladder. In some instances, the disease radiographically mimicked other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including mechanical obstruction.     

Acaricidal effects of the essential oil of Origanum minutiflorum (Lamiaceae) against Rhipicephalus turanicus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The acaricidal effects of the volatile essential oil Origanum minutiflorum O. Schwarz & P.H. Davis (Lamiaceae) against adult Rhipicephalus turanicus was evaluated at a variety of concentrations and exposure times. Generally tick mortality increased with concentration and exposure. Ticks exposed to vapors from cotton wicks containing at least 10 μl/L resulted in complete (100%) mortality at 120 min. The major constituent of essential oil obtained from the plant material of O. minutiflorum was carvacrol.