Solar neutrinos: questions and hypotheses

The "solar neutrino puzzle" has been a challenge for almost 20 years, posing broad and fundamental questions about astrophysics and neutrino properties. This article sketches some of the ideas that have been put forward to solve the problem. These ideas can be grouped into two main classes: those involving changes in the standard solar model or in the basic nuclear reaction data, and those that attribute the puzzle to as yet unobserved properties of the neutrinos.     

A survey of carcass condemnation at a poultry abattoir and its application to disease management

During a five year period, slaughter records were maintained on flocks of broiler chickens sent to a federally-inspected abattoir in New Brunswick. These records, including data regarding condemnation of both carcasses and portions of broilers, were maintained at the level of the individual producer. Annual meetings and ad hoc consultations with producers, a veterinary poultry specialist, and support groups in the poultry industry (feed mills, breeders, etc.) were used to relay to the various interested parties, information relating to disease conditions.

Following the implementation of this system, condemnation rates dropped by one full percentage point during the first three years, with a slight increase observed during the last two years of the study. At the end of the survey, condemnation rates were 20% less than those of the national average.

     

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus 3. Respiratory effects

To assess respiratory function in dogs with tick paralysis, respiratory measurements were recorded on 14 dogs experimentally infested with Ixodes holocyclus. There was a progressive fall in respiratory rate with no change in tidal volume, which resulted in a significant fall in minute respiratory volume in the latter stages of the disease. The fall in respiratory rate was possibly central in origin and was accompanied by an increased alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference, probably caused by pulmonary congestion and oedema. The "grunting" respiration seen in tick paralysis was due to closure of the vocal cords during expiration and could represent an attempt to re-expand collapsed parts of the lung.     

Vaccination-related anthrax in three llamas

Two llama calves died 3 days after inoculation with anthrax vaccine. Concurrent administration of ivermectin and other biologics may have enhanced the infectivity of the Sterne strain vaccine of Bacillus anthracis. This experience suggests that the Sterne strain of anthrax vaccine can induce fatal disease when given to young llamas and should be used only with extreme care and in face of strong "at risk" situations.     

Icosahedral solids: a new phase of matter?

Numerous examples of metallic alloys have been discovered, the atomic structures of which display an icosahedral symmetry that is impossible for ordinary periodic crystals. Recent experimental results support the hypothesis that the alloys are examples of a new "quasicrystal" phase of solid matter. Observed deviations from an ideal quasicrystal structure can be explained as "phason strains," a special class of defects predicted to be the dominant type of imperfection formed during solidification.