Caesarean section in sows anesthetized with Azaperone and Metomidate (author's transl)]

213 caesarean sections and 157 hysterectomies were carried out in gilts and sows with different body weight (table I). The neuroleptic Azaperone and the hypnotic Metomidate were used for anaesthesia with different administration (table II). Local analgesia and premedication with Atropine. The duration of the anaesthesia was 45 minutes and where prolongation was necessary, Metomidate, Azaperone or barbiturates were used alone or in combinations once or more. The indications (table III) for caesarean section were retarded birth in 70 sows, dislocation of uterus in 74 sows and in 69 sows by other indications. Hysterectomy was indicated by retarded birth in 93 sows, dislocations of uterus in 40 cases and in 24 cases by other indications. In 183 operations (table IV) 1006 living piglets were delivered, and 703 were alive at discharge (70%). The chances of survival depends on the composition of the litter, in litters of piglets alive only, 76% survived at discharge; in litters consisting of both alive and stillborn 69% survived and 59% survived in litters consisting of piglets alive and post mortem piglets. The total survival of the sows was 78%, 80% after caesarean section and 76% after hysterectomy. It is pointed out that most of the patients operated were in a very late phase of birth.     

A phenetic analysis of morphological variation in Citrullus lanatus in Namibia

Morphological data recorded from field trials using Citrullus lanatus germplasm collected in Namibia were used to analyse and compare the various morphotypes of this species. The experiment comprised wild types and local landraces as well as commercial cultivars. Cluster analysis supported the indigenous classification system used in Namibia, in which Citrullus types are distinguished based on gross morphology, ecology and usage and grouped into seed, cooking and fresh-eating (watermelon) types. Commercial watermelon cultivars formed a distinct cluster. Wide variation was found within the local types whereas the genetic basis of the commercial type appears to be narrow. The commercial cultivars were most closely related to local watermelon types and more distantly related to the wild types, whereas the cooking melons form an intermediate group.     

Potential of landrace germplasm for genetic enhancement of white lupin in Egypt

Landraces of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) collected in Egypt were evaluated along with locally developed cultivars and selected foreign germplasm for yield and major morphological characteristics in five different locations. These locations represent different soil types and climatic conditions in Egypt. The results showed an outstanding performance of the local cultivar checks across traditional locations for lupin cultivation, which supports the utilization of local germplasm for further improvement of locally adapted lupins in Egypt. The results further suggest that local landrace germplasm may be an important source of alleles for shortening the vegetative period, reducing plant height and stem length, as well as for improving some yield components as number of pods and seeds per plant. The genotype-by-location interaction was significant for all characteristics. Mass selection in the Egyptian germplasm collection of white lupin has the potential for enhancing yield, especially in germplasm adapted to newly reclaimed desert locations.     

Extraction and Characterization of Lipids from the Kernels,Leaves, and Stalks of Nine Grain Sorghum Parent Lines

The objectives of this study were to identify and quantify lipid classes extracted from the stalk, leaves, and the whole kernels of nine different sorghum parent lines. All extractions were performed with a Soxtec using n-hexane as the extraction solvent. Analytical methods including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were used to identify and quantify the extracted lipid classes: triacylglycerides (TAG), diglycerides (DG), policosanols (PA), free sterols (FS), phytosterols (PS), free fatty acids (FFA), tocopherols (T), and fatty aldehydes. Overall, extracts from the leaves had higher amounts of soluble matter. Extracts from leaves contained more alcohols and sterols, whereas extracts from the stalks and the whole kernels contained the greatest amount of free fatty acids and fatty aldehydes, respectively. Trace amounts of tocopherol were detected by HPLC in all 27 samples. The lipid profiles of extracts from the whole kernels, leaves, and stalks from the same plant differed. The lipid profiles of extracts from each anatomical part of the sorghum plant differed between the nine parent lines.     

Detection of pulsed gamma rays above 100 GeV from the Crab pulsar

We report the detection of pulsed gamma rays from the Crab pulsar at energies above 100 giga-electron volts (GeV) with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) array of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The detection cannot be explained on the basis of current pulsar models. The photon spectrum of pulsed emission between 100 mega-electron volts and 400 GeV is described by a broken power law that is statistically preferred over a power law with an exponential cutoff. It is unlikely that the observation can be explained by invoking curvature radiation as the origin of the observed gamma rays above 100 GeV. Our findings require that these gamma rays be produced more than 10 stellar radii from the neutron star.     

Cannabis and alcohol: effects on stimulated car driving

The effects of cannabis and alcohol on simulated car driving were studied. Cannabis resin containing 4 percent Delta(1)-tetrahydrocannabinol was administered orally in three doses equivalent to 8, 12, and 16 milligrams of that component. Alcohol was given orally in one standard dose of 70 grams. Both cannabis and alcohol increased the time required to brake and start, whereas alcohol increased while cannabis decreased the number of gear changes. An effect of dosage on response was observed with cannabis.     

Evolving subduction zones in the Western United States, as interpreted from igneous rocks

Variations in the ratio of K(2)O to SiO(2) in andesitic rocks suggest early and middle Cenozoic subduction beneath the western United States along two subparallel imbricate zones dipping about 20 degrees eastward. The western zone emerged at the continental margin, but the eastern zone was entirely beneath the continental plate. Mesozoic subduction apparently occurred along a single steeper zone.     

Polygonal Fracture and Fold Systems in the Salt Crust, Great Salt Lake Desert, Utah

Small folds and fractures (thrusts) up to 50 feet apart that have produced polygonal patterns in the Bonneville salt crust, western Utah, are believed to be caused by the annual expansion of the salt crust due to the growth of salt crystals within the salt layer plus the effect of increased summer temperature. It is suggested that these strain systems are caused by positive (compressional) isotropic planar stresses developed within the salt layers of the salt crust.     

Investigation on fungicide residues in greenhouse-grown strawberries

Maximum residue limits (MRL's) for different agricultural food products in Norway are harmonized with EU standards. In field-grown strawberries in Norway, tolylfluanid has a 7 day quarantine from last application to harvest, while other approved fungicides have 14 days quarantine. Greenhouse production of strawberries is newly introduced to the country. Residue levels in strawberries of the cultivar Korona grown in a commercial greenhouse were investigated 4, 7, and 14 days after application of eight different fungicides at rates recommended by the manufacturers and at half rates. Iprodione, tolylfluanid, and vinclozolin were tested in two experiments, while chinomethionat, chlorothalonil, imazalil, penconazole, and triadimefon were tested once. For chinomethionat, imazalil, iprodione, penconazole, and vinclozolin, the residue levels were below MRL 2 weeks after application. Application of triadimefon in normal rate gave residues below MRL 14 days after application. However, its metabolite, triadimenol, was above MRL at the same time. Tolylfluanid gave very high residue levels, and except from half concentration in the second experiment, all other residue levels were above MRL. Seven days after application, residues in both experiments were approximately 3 times higher than MRL when normal rate of tolylfluanid was applied. For chlorothalonil at the recommended rate, the residue level was above MRL at any sampling time, while half rate gave residues below MRL 14 days after treatment. In view of the present results, tolylfluanid, chlorothalonil, and triadimefon will need longer time from last application to harvest and/or reduced application rates in greenhouse-grown compared to field-grown strawberries. In addition or as an alternative, recommended rates could be lowered.