Evaluation of Intelligence Models to Estimate the Least Limiting Water Range Using Conveniently Measurable Soil Properties

Eurasian Soil Science - Direct measurement of the least limiting water range (LLWR) is costly and time-consuming. In this study, genetic algorithm-based neural network (ANN-GA), artificial neural...     

Fast variability of tera-electron volt gamma rays from the radio galaxy M87

The detection of fast variations of the tera-electron volt (TeV) (10(12) eV) gamma-ray flux, on time scales of days, from the nearby radio galaxy M87 is reported. These variations are about 10 times as fast as those observed in any other wave band and imply a very compact emission region with a dimension similar to the Schwarzschild radius of the central black hole. We thus can exclude several other sites and processes of the gamma-ray production. The observations confirm that TeV gamma rays are emitted by extragalactic sources other than blazars, where jets are not relativistically beamed toward the observer.     

Longterm influence of liquid sewage sludge on the organic carbon and nitrogen content of a furrow-irrigated desert soil

Summary In this study we evaluated the impact of five annual liquid sewage-sludge applications on the organic C and N content of a furrow-irrigated desert soil. Mineralization rates showed that sludge organic matter is mineralized rapidly (65% per year). Resistant residual sludge organic matter accumulation resulted in a theoretical increase in total soil organic C of 0.013% for the single sludge rate or 0.038% for three annual applications. These small additions were not detected in sludged soils at any depth to 270 cm. Similarly, increases in total soil N were not detected at any depth. However, soluble forms of organic C and N did increase in sludged soils relative to the non-sludged soils. In addition, soluble C:N ratios decreased significantly in the sludged soils. Soluble C and N also increased with depth due to leaching. This study therefore shows that applications of liquid sludge onto desert soils could affect the status of underground aquifers with respect to nitrate pollution.     

Institutional possibilities for improving co-operation in European animal production science

Institutional possibilities for improving co-operation in European animal production science is reviewed in this paper with emphasis on the situation in Western Europe. The paper is based on an address presented at the 25th annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production in Copenhagen, August 1974. Activities of international organisations such as FAO, O.E.C.D. and E.E.C. in the field of agricultural research co-operation are mentioned as well as experience from formal co-operation between Scandinavian countries. It is argued that personal contact between research workers is of great importance, if the establishment of joint research programmes across national borders shall be a success. As suitable areas for international research co-operation, the new research areas with an urgent need for establishing a professional identity are mentioned. The importance of speeding up development of standards and methods so that weights and measures can be undertaken uniformly and meaningfully is underlined. It is suggested that the E.A.A.P. journal “Livestock Production Science” is likely to promote international research co-operation if the journal will undertake the function of providing information about possibilities of co-operation within animal production science in Europe.     

Changes in the solid and liquid phases of different soils in model experiments with monoliths

In long-term (20-year-long) experiments, the behavior of different soils under natural conditions different from their usual functioning conditions were analyzed. From soils under natural conditions, organic and mineral substances were partly leached or accumulated under the influence of introduced mixed fir, cedar, and birch falloff. During the time of the experiment, the humus composition distinctly changed. The leached chernozem turned out to be the most stable object; the loamy rock was the least stable one. In the latter, humus was notably accumulated. The intensity of the substance flux through the soils already began to change in 3–5 years, but only after 15 years did some quantitative changes take place. At the same time, the trends of the changes depended on the genesis and initial properties of the soils. The composition of the organic substances in the lysimetric water was related to the soil nature, and, during 20 years, it essentially did not change.     

Primary and secondary bone tumours in the dog

During a 14-year period (January 1962 to December 1975), 394 primary and secondary tumours or tumour-like lesions affecting bones were diagnosed in the dog. The most frequently occurring tumour was osteosarcoma (183, 46.5%), followed by chondrosarcoma (forty-four, 11.2%), squamous cell carcinoma (thirty-nine, 10%), fibrosarcoma (thirty-one, 7.8%), multiple myeloma (fourteen, 3.6%), haemangiosarcoma (fourteen, 3.6%), malignant melanoma (thirteen, 3.3%), synovioma (nine, 2.3%), lymphosarcoma (eight, 2.0%), cartilage analogue of fibromatosis (seven, 1.8%), adaman-tinoma (five, 1.3%), osteocartilaginous exostosis, ossifying fibroma, rhabdomyosarcoma (four each), polyostotic cyst, haemangiomatosis (three each), odontoma, tumoral calcinosis (two each), and osteoma, chondroma, desmoid fibromatosis, and malignant mesenchymoma (one each).
Of these, desmoid fibromatosis, malignant mesenchymoma, and haemangiomatosis have not been previously reported in the dog.     

SONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESUMPTIVELY NORMAL CANINE MEDIAL ILIAC AND SUPERFICIAL INGUINAL LYMPH NODES

The medial iliac and superficial inguinal lymph nodes are not routinely palpable in the dog, and ultrasound imaging provides an alternate noninvasive technique to assess these lymph nodes, as well as to guide needle aspiration. Herein we describe the ultrasound characteristics of the medial iliac and superficial inguinal lymph nodes in 50 healthy dogs, as well as frequency and ease of node detection. The relationship between the size of the lymph nodes and the following variables was assessed: age, gender, body weight, body condition score, body length, and thoracic height and width. Right and left medial iliac lymph nodes were detected in 50 (100%) dogs, right superficial inguinal lymph node(s) in 49 (98%) dogs, and left superficial inguinal lymph node(s) in 47 (96%) dogs. In >90% of both sets of lymph nodes, the echogenicity was hypoechoic or isoechoic to surrounding tissues, with a corticomedullary or homogenous echotexture, smooth, clearly defined margins, and a fusiform shape. Increasing weight, distance from the sternal manubrium to the ischium, and thoracic height and width were associated with increased lymph node size (P‐values<0.05). Average lymph node sizes and range of sizes provide preliminary reference values for the medial iliac and superficial inguinal lymph nodes in normal dogs.     

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility: biochemical basis for pathogenesis and diagnosis.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a hypermetabolic and hypercontractile syndrome triggered by anesthesia or various stressors that cause a sustained increase in sarcoplasmic ionized Ca. Susceptibility is apparently inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. The primary molecular defect results in hypersensitive ligand-gating of the Ca-release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in skeletal muscle: channel opening is stimulated by abnormally low concentrations of agonist. We attribute MH to a mutation in the gene for the fast twitch muscle isoform of the Ca-channel, resulting in the expression of a cardiac-like isoform in fast muscle. Syndromes with some resemblance to MH can occur due to other genetic or acquired imbalances in Ca-flux across SR that favor net release of Ca. Either defective uptake or release can be detected as increased sensitivity of muscle to the contracture-producing effects of caffeine and halothane. Thus, caffeine and/or halothane contracture tests for MH-susceptibility may give false positives when there is decreased Ca-uptake, such as in muscular dystrophies. Ca-channel hypersensitivity and decreased Ca-uptake activity can be detected by assays using isolated SR. Functional assays using lymphocytes are being assessed as potential replacements for muscle contracture tests. Polymorphism analysis of proteins or nucleic acids for the MH or closely-linked genes has been used to trace the inheritance of MH-susceptibility.