Characteristics of the urban forests in arctic and near-arctic cities

The urban forest of three arctic and near-arctic cities (Murmansk in Russia, Nuuk in Greenland, and Reykjavik in Iceland) were surveyed to determine tree species composition and structure. Interviews with local authorities were conducted to learn about the history of urban tree planting. The urban forests of all three cities were composed of a limited number of trees and tree species due to abiotic constraints of the arctic and near-arctic environment. These limitations include: low temperature, short growing season, high wind velocity and permafrost. A total of 28 species were observed in the three cities. Only three of these (Alnus incana (L.) Moench, Picea abies (L.) Karst., Betula pubescens Ehrh., and Salix glauca L.) were observed in all three of the cities. Planting designs that created windbreaks for pedestrians were common along streets in Murmansk and Reykjavik. Street trees have not yet been introduced in Nuuk, but trees were found in cemeteries, parks, and on private property. Older portions of cemeteries in all three cities were characterized by trees planted directly on graves. These grave trees were the first trees to be introduced in these cities. Subsequently, ‘trial and error’ was used by local residents to plant trees. Much of these plantings failed. In recent times arboreta were established near all three cities to identify species suited for planting under arctic and near-arctic conditions. Trees identified in these test gardens are now being planted in Murmansk and Reykjavik.     

VARIATIONS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE VENOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE DORSAL DURAL VENOUS SINUS SYSTEM IN 51 DOGS

Variations in intracranial dural venous sinus anatomy have been widely reported in humans, but there have been no studies reporting this in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe variations in magnetic resonance (MR) venographic anatomy of the dorsal dural venous sinus system in a sample population of dogs with structurally normal brains. Medical records were searched for dogs with complete phase contrast, intracranial MR venograms and a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. Magnetic resonance venograms were retrieved for each dog and characteristics of the dorsal dural sinuses, symmetry of the transverse sinuses and other anatomic variations were recorded. A total of 51 dogs were included. Transverse sinus asymmetry was present in 58.8% of the dogs, with transverse sinus hypoplasia seen in 39.2%, and aplasia in 23.5% of dogs. For 70.6% of dogs, at least one anatomic variation in the dorsal sagittal sinus was observed, including deviation from the midline (33.3%) and collateral branches from either the dorsal sagittal sinus or dorsal cerebral veins (54.9%). In 5 dogs (9.8%) a vessel was also identified running from the proximal transverse sinus to the distal sigmoid sinus, in a similar location to the occipital sinus previously reported in children. Findings from this study indicated that, as in humans, anatomic variations are common in the intracranial dural venous sinus system of dogs. These anatomic variations should be taken into consideration for surgical planning or diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease.     

Penman-Monteith模型模拟Venlo型温室黄瓜植株蒸腾

准确模拟温室作物蒸腾对于制定科学合理的灌溉制度及温室环境调控具有重要意义,该研究基于2017年秋冬季和2018年春夏季Venlo型温室黄瓜生育期内微气象数据、黄瓜生长发育指标和植株蒸腾,对Penman-Monteith(PM)模型中关键参数—冠层阻力和空气动力学阻力进行研究。通过分析黄瓜叶片孔阻力与温室内气象因子的响应关系,构建了由黄瓜有效叶面积指数及叶片孔阻力模拟冠层阻力的子模型;采用基于风速的Perrier对数法和基于温室对流类型的热传输系数法计算温室内低风速环境下的空气动力学阻力,并评价不同方法的适用性。结果表明:叶片孔阻力与太阳辐射呈指数关系(R~2=0.89),可通过观测温室内太阳辐射计算黄瓜叶片孔阻力;应用热传输系数法确定空气动力学阻力时,温室内对流类型绝大多数时间为混合对流;2种方法计算的温室内空气动力学阻力变化幅度均较小,Perrier对数法计算的春夏季和秋冬季空气动力学阻力平均值分别为388和383 s/m,热传输系数法计算的空气动力学阻力平均值分别为141和158 s/m;基于2种空气动力学阻力计算方法,PM模型模拟的植株蒸腾与实测值均具有较好的一致性,但采用Perrier对数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型低估了植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为0.87和0.91;而采用热传输系数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型可更准确的模拟该地区温室黄瓜植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为1.00和0.94,R~2分别为0.91和0.95,均方根误差分别为46.15和12.45 W/m~2。该研究结果为实现PM模型在Venlo型温室环境的准确应用提供了参考。     

Influence of electron-beam irradiation on bioactive compounds in grapefruits ( Citrus paradisi Macf.)

Phytochemical levels in fruits and vegetables can be affected by several postharvest factors. In the present study, the effect of electron-beam (E-beam) irradiation was studied on grapefruit bioactive compounds. 'Rio Red' and 'Marsh White' grapefruits were irradiated with E-beam at 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 kGy. Changes of various bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, furocoumarins, and limonoids, were measured. The acidity decreased slightly with an increasing E-beam dose, whereas the total soluble solids were increased. Irradiation did not affect the vitamin C content at 1 kGy; however, doses beyond 1 kGy significantly reduced the vitamin C content. Lycopene and beta-carotene did not change significantly from the irradiation. Lycopene levels decreased as the E-beam dose increased, while the beta-carotene content slightly increased. Dihydroxybergamottin levels exhibited a decreasing trend, while the bergamottin content did not change. Naringin, a major flavonoid of grapefruit, showed a significant increase over the control at 10 kGy in both 'Rio Red' and 'Marsh White'. Nomilin continued to decrease with an increasing dose of E-beam irradiation, while limonin levels remained the same at all of the doses. Low-dose E-beam irradiation has very little effect on the bioactive compounds and offers a safe alternative to existing postharvest treatments for the disinfection and decontamination of grapefruits.     

Comparison of temperature readings from a percutaneous thermal sensing microchip with temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer in equids

OBJECTIVE: To compare temperature readings from an implantable percutaneous thermal sensing microchip with temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer, to identify factors that affect microchip readings, and to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the microchip for fever detection. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 52 Welsh pony foals that were 6 to 10 months old and 30 Quarter Horses that were 2 years old. PROCEDURES: Data were collected in summer, winter, and fall in groups 1 (n = 23 ponies), 2 (29 ponies), and 3 (30 Quarter Horses), respectively. Temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer and a percutaneous thermal sensing microchip as well as ambient temperature were recorded daily for 17, 23, and 19 days in groups 1 through 3, respectively. Effects of ambient temperature and rectal temperature on thermal sensor readings were estimated. Sensitivity and specificity of the thermal sensor for detection of fever (rectal temperature, >or= 38.9 degrees C [102 degrees F]) were estimated separately for data collection at ambient temperatures 15.6 degrees C. RESULTS: Mean ambient temperatures were 29.0 degrees C (84.2 degrees F), -2.7 degrees C (27.1 degrees F), and 10.4 degrees C (50.8 degrees F) for groups 1 through 3, respectively. Thermal sensor readings varied with ambient temperature and rectal temperature. Rectal temperatures ranged from 36.2 degrees to 41.7 degrees C (97.2 degrees to 107 degrees F), whereas thermal sensor temperature readings ranged from 23.9 degrees (75 degrees F) to 42.2 degrees C (75 degrees to 108 degrees F). Sensitivity for fever detection was 87.4%, 53.3%, and 58.3% in groups 1 to 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The thermal sensor appeared to have potential use for initial screening of body temperature in equids at ambient temperatures > 15.6 degrees C.     

含可溶物玉米酒糟添加于肉牛犊日粮的试验研究

1引言玉米酒糟副产品已越来越常见,这也促使畜牧生产商不断的投诸于这种饲料。依阿华肉牛研究中心发现：在依阿华州,较饲育场其它生产商相比,牛犊饲养人员较少的利用这一饲料资源。而由Leopold可持续农业发展中心基金赞助的一项维期三年的试验项目正是旨在研究评价不同的饲喂生产雌性肉牛牛犊的方案。（注：此报告为第一年的研究结果。）     

Health of non-ambulatory, non-injured pigs at processing

Loss of pigs during or after transport is a welfare concern, but also an economic concern for producers. Transport losses include animals that are dead on arrival (DOA) at the plant, pigs that are injured, and pigs which are not obviously injured but unwilling or unable to walk (non-ambulatory, non-injured or NANI). The objective of this research was to assess the health of non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI) pigs relative to control pigs at the processing plant by looking at a range of measures, including complete blood chemistry, anatomy, and pathology to determine potential factors associated with pigs going down. Data were collected from NANI and control pigs at five plants in the midwest USA. Feet and legs and internal organs were inspected and the severity of the pathology scored. Alveolar macrophages were collected and counted. Blood was collected for analysis of hematology, blood chemistry and cortisol concentrations. Titers to common porcine respiratory viruses were measured in pigs from one plant. Hoof and pad problems did not differ overall between control and NANI pigs, however the percentage of severe foot problems was greater (P < 0.05) in NANI compared with control pigs at plants A and E. The percentage of total ulcers, rhinitis, and empty stomachs differed (P < 0.05) between control and NANI pigs at individual plants, but not overall. Blood hematology and chemistry differed (P < 0.05) between NANI and control pigs. Cortisol concentrations did not differ between NANI and control pigs. Titers to swine influenza virus (SIV) H1N1 and H3N2 and porcine circovirus (PCV) were lower (P < 0.01) among NANI compared with control pigs. However, more (P < 0.01) NANI pigs were positive for SIV H1N1 and H3N2 compared with control pigs. Blood hematology, chemistry, and pathology indicate a large difference between NANI and controls pigs. No single health problem was higher among NANI pigs compared to plant-matched control pigs. Rather, several problems appear to contribute to pigs becoming NANI which may differ from one plant too another.