Use of near infrared spectroscopy to measure the chemical and mechanical properties of solid wood

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy (500 nm–2400 nm), coupled with multivariate analytic (MVA) statistical techniques, have been used to predict the chemical and mechanical properties of solid loblolly pine wood. The samples were selected from different radial locations and heights of three loblolly pine trees grown in Arkansas. The chemical composition and mechanical properties were measured with traditional wet chemical techniques and three point bending tests, respectively. The microfibril angle was measured with x-ray scattering. These chemical and mechanical properties were correlated with the NIR spectra using projection to latent structures (PLS) models. The correlations were very strong, with the correlation coefficients generally above 0.80. The mechanical properties could also be predicted using a reduced spectral range (650 nm–1150 nm) that should allow for field measurements of these properties using handheld NIR spectrometers.     

Eradication of rock pigeons,Columba livia,from the Galápagos Islands

Alien species can negatively affect global biodiversity, especially on islands. Significant advances in methods for eradicating mammals from islands have been achieved. In contrast, development of methods for eradicating birds from islands has lagged and few islands have had alien birds successfully eradicated. We report on a 7 year campaign to remove rock pigeons from the Galapagos Islands. To date this is the largest successful eradication of an alien bird from an island system and the only eradication of rock pigeons from an island. Multiple methods were tested and used, including alpha-chloralose, however, shooting with a high-powered air rifle was the most efficient removal technique. Incorporating the support of the community and local agencies into the campaign was critical to the success of the project.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYSIOLOGIC 18F‐FDG UPTAKE WITH PET‐CT IN DOGS

We evaluated the whole body distribution of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐d ‐glucose (¹⁸F‐FDG) in seven beagle dogs using positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The mean and maximum standard uptake values (SUV) for various tissues were computed. The SUV of the aortic blood pool was 0.65±0.19. Moderate uptake was present in brain (3.40±1.01). Mild uptake was present in orbital muscles, soft palate, laryngeal and pharyngeal region, mandibular salivary gland, myocardium, liver, pancreas, kidney, and intestine. ¹⁸F‐FDG uptake would be normally higher in these tissues because of normal physiologic activity. Mean and maximum SUV values of the eye, skeletal muscle, bone tissue, spleen, adrenal gland, stomach, tongue, gall bladder, and lung were similar to or lower than that of the aortic blood pool. These data provide a normal baseline for comparing pathologic ¹⁸F‐FDG uptake.     

Use of a multifenestrated indwelling lavage system for treatment of septic digital teno-synovitis in cattle

Septic tenosynovitis was diagnosed in seven cattle on the basis of history, physical examination, radiographs, cytological examination of tendon sheath fluids, and microbial culture. A commercially available indwelling multifenestrated silicone rubber drain was used to perform frequent lavage of the flexor tendon sheaths. The sepsis resolved in all cattle. Five of six cattle for which long-term (> 1 year) follow-up information was available were clinically sound on the affected limb and had remained productive members of the herd.     

Emerging technologies for identifying superior dairy cows in New Zealand

The performance of animals is determined by the interaction of their genes with environmental circumstances. Accordingly, animals exhibiting superior performance are not necessarily the animals with the best genes nor are they the best choice of parents. Statistical analyses of production records for repeated traits, e.g. lactation yields and reproductive performance, show that part of the variation in performance among animals in the same herd and year is due to genetic differences, and the remainder is due to so-called residual or environmental factors that are not passed on to offspring. These within-herd environmental factors can be partitioned into a component that affects performance throughout an animal's lifetime, and a part that is unique to each observation. The process of animal evaluation from pedigree and performance records partitions the superiority of each cow into these three components. Reliable assessment of the genetic merit of bulls has required progeny testing, and for cows has required observation of their own individual performance. Selection on the genetic or breeding value component has systematically improved animal performance over recent decades, but has been limited by the age at which assessments of genetic merit are available.

Emerging molecular technologies can read DNA sequences or measure RNA expression and have allowed the identification of a number of chromosome regions, and a few specific genes in those regions, that influence economic performance. This information allows better characterisation of the relationships between animals and more accurate predictions of genetic merit in bulls without progeny information and in cows that have yet to produce their own performance record. At some stage, enough genes responsible for variation in performance will be identified to allow faster genetic progress through selection of animals at young ages and therefore more rapid turnover of the generations. Mechanisms that modify gene expression have been identified and these may ultimately allow animals to be selected at an early age for lifetime productivity, accounting for processes that modify gene expression and lead to differences in performance that are not reflected by DNA sequence information. This review describes the status of these emerging technologies and their likely role in the improvement of dairy cattle.     

The effects of green and blue-green algal diets on the reproductive rate of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

The reproductive rate of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis cultured on a variety of diets was investigated. Unialgal and mixed diets of the green alga Chlorella and the blue-green alga Schizothriz were compared. Rotifer reproductive rate was found to be an average of 2.7 times higher on a mixed diet of Chlorella and Schizothrix than on either Chlorella or Schizothrix as a unialgal diet. Enhancement of rotifer reproductive rate was not observed on a mixed diet of Chlorella and Dunaliella compared with a unialgal diet of Chlorella. Ingestion of Schizothrix was shown not to be required for enhancement of rotifer reproduction. It was further shown that the enhancing factor is a heat labile substance.     

Variation among New Zealand isolates of Sphaeropsis sapinea

Sphaeropsis sapinea is a pathogen of many coniferous species and causes significant losses to the plantation forestry industries of many countries. New Zealand isolates of S. sapinea were examined for colony and morphological characteristics, and pathogenicity to Pinus radiata seedlings. Considerable variation was observed in colony growth form and colour, and in the growth rates on four agar media. The conidial dimensions, carbon and nitrogen utilization, and pathogenicity also varied among the isolates. The variation observed was such that the isolates could not be placed within previously described distinct morphotypes and the present results concur with previous studies cautioning the use of morphological criteria alone to partition the species. These results contrast markedly with previous reports and seemingly indicate a change in the New Zealand S. sapinea population. This difference may reflect the re‐introduction or spread of additional isolates or a shift in the structure of the resident population.     

Fatal levamisole toxicosis of captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)

CASE HISTORY: Nine of 24 captive kiwi treated with oral levamisole at a dose between 25–43 mg/kg showed signs of respiratory distress. Six died within 4 h of treatment and the remaining three made a full recovery within 24 h.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Within 3–4 h of treatment, the affected birds had an elevated respiratory rate, mucoid nasal discharge and rapidly became comatose. Post mortem examination revealed accumulation of thick mucus in the oral cavity and trachea. There was severe pulmonary congestion and oedema and early bronchopneumonia in the lungs of five of the birds. In two birds, there was acute hepatic degeneration and necrosis and one bird had acute pancreatic degeneration and necrosis.

DIAGNOSIS: Acute levamisole toxicity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Kiwi were acutely sensitive to levamisole toxicity at doses that are well within the safe range for domestic poultry. Levamisole should not be used as an anthelmintic in kiwi.