Influence of exercise on thermographically determined surface temperatures of thoracic and pelvic limbs in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the amount of time required for surface temperatures of thoracic and pelvic limbs in horses to return to pre-exercise temperatures after high-speed treadmill exercise, as detected via infrared thermographic imaging. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURES: All horses had been trained on and conditioned to use of a high-speed treadmill. Baseline thermographic images were obtained 3 days prior to exercise (baseline). Horses were exercised on a treadmill at a walk for 5 minutes, a slow trot (3 m/s) for 5 minutes, a trot (5 to 6 m/s) for 5 minutes, and a slow gallop (6 to 8 m/s) for 5 minutes, then back to a trot for 3 minutes, a slow trot for 3 minutes, and a walk for 3 minutes prior to stopping. Thermal images were obtained immediately after stopping exercise (0 minutes) and 5, 15, 45, and 60 minutes and 6 hours after stopping exercise. Ambient temperature surrounding each horse was recorded. RESULTS: In all regions, significant differences in surface temperatures were detected between thermograms obtained before exercise and those obtained immediately after, 5 minutes after, and 15 minutes after exercise was stopped. There were no significant differences in surface temperatures between thermograms obtained before exercise and those obtained > or = 45 minutes after exercise was stopped. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, images generated via infrared thermography are not influenced by exercise-generated heat > or = 45 minutes after exercise is stopped.     

Evaluation of a flat-plate PIT tag interrogation system at Bonneville Dam

In the spring of 1996 and 1997, a prototype 400 kHz flat-plate (pass-by) passive integrated transponder tag interrogation (PIT tag) system was installed at the terminus of the downstream migrant (DSM) channel of the Bonneville Dam First Powerhouse, located on the Columbia River. The system was designed to interrogate previously PIT tagged juvenile salmonids migrating down the Columbia River without interfering with the traditional subsampling of fish passing through the facility. In addition, the design enables fish of virtually any size, and debris, to pass over the system's antennas without the port restrictions imposed by traditional pass-through PIT tag interrogation systems. We describe the fish facility in addition to the flat-plate system and its operation. The system tag reading efficiency was evaluated during 1996 and 1997 using a direct method based on the release of known numbers of tagged test fish and an indirect statistical procedure based on tagged run-at-large fish. The results showed that PIT tag reading efficiency during both years using the direct method averaged 97%, while that using the statistical procedure averaged 99% for the dual multiplexed antenna array. During the 1996 and 1997 field seasons 4371 and 14 733 fish, respectively, were recorded. Daily system functionality was monitored using stick tests (i.e., the passing of PIT tagged sticks across the antenna array).     

The leucocytozoidae of South African birds: Caprimulgidae, Columbidae, Gruidae and Spheniscidae.

Four species of Leucocytozoon, L. caprimulgi of the Caprimulgidae (nightjars), L. marchouxi of the Columbidae (pigeons and doves), L. grusi of the Gruidae (cranes) and L. tawaki of the Spheniscidae (penguins) are re-described. Leucocytozoon turtur is declared a synonym of L. marchouxi.     

Effect of changing energy prices on commodity prices and farm income

Tatonnement programming is used to examine the effect of energy prices on commodity prices and farm income. This method uses a national interregional linear programming model in conjunction with demand equations for feedgrains, soybeans and wheat. This spatial programming model is solved iteratively with these demand functions using an algorithm based upon the Walrasian tatonnement process. While the model is static in nature, it indicates that once adjustment to a doubling of energy prices occurs returns to land will increase by 10·8%. Commodity prices will increase 24·1, 18·7 and 9·9% for feedgrains, wheat and soybean, respectively, and demand will decrease 2·2, 1·9, and 0·9% for these same three commodities.     

Photosynthetic and growth responses of zea mays L and four weed species following post-emergence treatments with mesotrione and atrazinet

We compared photosynthesis and growth of Zea mays L (corn) and four weed species, Setaria viridis (L) Beauv (green foxtail), Echinochloa crus-galli (L) Beauv (barnyardgrass), Abutilon theophrasti Medic (velvetleaf), and Amaranthus retroflexus L (redroot pigweed), following foliar applications with atrazine, mesotrione, or a combination of atrazine and mesotrione in two greenhouse experiments. Plant responses to the three herbicide treatments were compared with responses of untreated plants (control). Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of Z mays was not reduced by any of the herbicide treatments. Photosynthesis and dry mass of E crus-galli, A retroflexus and A theophrasti were significantly reduced by mesotrione and atrazine alone and in combination. Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of large Sviridis plants were not suppressed by either herbicide applied alone. The mesotrione plus atrazine treatment was the most effective treatment for grass weed control because plants did not regain photosynthetic capacity and had significantly lower dry mass. Shoot dry mass of broadleaf weeds was significantly reduced by all three herbicide treatments, except for A retroflexus treated with mesotrione alone.