Gross and histologic evidence of sharp and blunt trauma in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) killed by vessels.

Vessel-whale collision events represented the ultimate cause of death for 21 (52.5%) of the 40 North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) necropsied between 1970 and December 2006. Injuries seen in vessel-struck whales fall into two distinct categories: 1) sharp trauma, often resulting from contact with the propeller, and 2) blunt trauma, presumably resulting from contact with a vessel's hull. This study analyzes four trauma cases that resulted from vessel-whale collisions, which together provide a framework for a more critical understanding of lethal blunt and sharp trauma resulting from vessel collisions with right whales. In case no. 1, contact with a propeller resulted in three deep lacerations. The animal survived acute trauma only to succumb nearly 14 years later when the lesions reopened and became infected. In case no. 2, anecdotal reports linked the laceration of large arteries of the peduncle and histologic evidence of perimortem trauma at a bone fracture site to vessel-whale collision trauma. Case no. 3 had a laceration of the oral rete and a fracture of the rostrum. Both of the areas displayed histologic evidence of perimortem blunt trauma. Finally, in case no. 4, an antemortem mandibular fracture, two additional skull fractures, and widespread hemorrhage were consistent with severe blunt trauma. Evidence from each case, including the timing of trauma relative to the time of death and identifying characteristics of both trauma types, are presented. Before this study, no detailed comparative analysis of trauma pathology that resulted from lethal interactions between vessels and right whales had been conducted. This study demonstrates the importance of detailed gross and histologic examination in determining the significance and timing of traumatic events. This work represents a new paradigm for the differential diagnosis of lethal sharp and blunt trauma in right whales hit by ships and will enhance the present understanding of the impact of anthropogenic mortality on this critically endangered species.     

Suppression of volcanism during rapid extension in the basin and range province, united states

Continental extension and volcanism are generally thought to be complementary. Stratigraphic and structural data from some highly extended parts of the Basin and Range province reveal instead that rapid extension appears to have suppressed volcanism. This relation may reflect enhanced crystallization of midcrustal magmas during extension resulting from exsolution of magmatic volatiles, increased interaction of magmas with meteoric water, and dispersal of magma into smaller bodies. Some rift environments may thus be characterized by voluminous synextensional plutonism with little or no concomitant volcanism.     

周小舟教授治疗肝癌经验

周小舟教授认为肝癌的病因是内因正气亏虚和外因外染疫毒相互作用所致,其主要病机是气虚血瘀,针对主要病机设立芪术抗癌方辨证加减治疗,临床疗效显著;周教授通过实验及临床研究亦初步阐明了芪术抗癌方的作用机制,值得临床借鉴。     

热处理对水牛乳稳定特性的影响

为比较不同热处理条件对水牛乳稳定性的影响,实验采用不同条件热处理后的pH缓冲容量、总溶解固体（total dissolved solids,TDS）、蛋白沉淀量及表观黏度等指标研究杂交高代水牛乳样品。结果表明：与未经处理的水牛乳样品相比,水牛乳经不同条件热处理后,其pH缓冲容量、TDS、蛋白沉淀量及表观黏度皆发生显著变化。其中水牛乳分别在经121℃/15 min和95℃/5 min处理后,其pH缓冲容量、TDS、蛋白沉淀量及表观黏度分别达到最大值和最小值。因此,认为在本实验研究范围内,水牛乳经121℃/15 min及95℃/5 min处理后,对其稳定性影响最大。     

Modelling the impacts of agriculture in mixed-use landscapes: a review and case study involving two species of dabbling ducks

Context

This study synthesizes evidence from three separate surveys of American Black Duck and Mallard breeding habitat usage to quantify the effects of agriculture at the landscape scale.

Objectives

To assess duck breeding activity in agricultural landscapes within the Canadian maritimes in order to measure the overall impact of agricultural land use, the response to particular agricultural activities, and the influence of landscape configuration.

Methods

Models, constructed using a long-term census (SURVEY1), were used to predict habitat selection for two other independent surveys (SURVEY2, SURVEY3). Predictions incorporated information about wetland area and diversity, as well as anthropogenic factors, allowing subsequent analyses to focus on the remaining residual error attributable to agricultural effects.

Results

SURVEY2 results demonstrated that the proportion of active agriculture is an important indicator of the severity of human disturbance, yielding threshold estimates of 39% for Mallards and 60% for Black Ducks, with an overall average of 50%. Agricultural conversion beyond these thresholds deterred breeding ducks independently of other factors. SURVEY3 land cover information demonstrated that the presence of cropland intensified this deterrence effect, even at levels as low as 10%. Woodland cover (in excess of 30%) was important for both species, but its configuration was not.

Conclusions

In addition to quantifying threshold effects, this study reaffirms that woodland is an important part of the maritime landscape matrix, and contributes positively to habitat diversity in mixed use, moderate intensity agricultural regions. Wetland restoration in agricultural landscapes should monitor and promote less crop-intensive, mixed-use practices.

     

Comparison of the TONOVET Plus®, TonoVet®, and Tono-Pen Vet™ tonometers in normal cats and cats with glaucoma

Objectives

To determine the accuracy, precision, and clinical applicability of the ICare® TONOVET Plus (TVP) in cats.

Animals and Procedures

IOP readings obtained with the TVP were compared to values obtained concurrently with the original TONOVET (TV01) and Tono-Pen Vet™ (TP) in 12 normal cats (24 eyes) and 8 glaucomatous LTBP2-mutant cats (13 eyes) in vivo. Reproducibility of TVP readings was also assessed for three observers in the above cats. The anterior chambers of five different normal cat eyes were cannulated ex vivo. IOP was measured with the TVP, TV01, and TP at manometric IOPs ranging from 5 to 70 mmHg. Data were analyzed by linear regression, ANOVA and Bland–Altman plots. ANOVA was used to assess reproducibility of TVP readings obtained by different observers and an ANCOVA model controlled for variation of individual cats. p < .05 was considered significant.

Results

TVP values strongly correlated with TV01 values (y = 1.045x + 1.443, R² = .9667). The TP significantly underestimated IOP relative to the TVP and TV01, particularly at high IOP. IOP values obtained by 1 observer were significantly higher (~1 mmHg average) compared to the other 2 observers via ANCOVA analysis (p = .0006479 and p = .0203). Relative to manometry, the TVP and TV01 were significantly more accurate (p < .0001) and precise (p < .0070) than the TP in ex vivo eyes.

Conclusions

IOP readings obtained with the TVP and TV01 are broadly interchangeable between models and between observers, but subtle differences may be important in a research context. TP readings vastly underestimate high IOP in feline glaucoma.