Social organization in the cat: a modern understanding

An increasing body of research work has made it clear that, while Felis catus can survive in the solitary state, social groups with an internal structure, are formed whenever there are sufficient food resources to support them. Most people who have cats have two or more cats. Failure to understand what will promote either friendly or aggressive behavior can lead to various behavior problems, including aggression and conflict over resources, such as food, resting sites and litterboxes. An understanding of the natural social organization, relationships and communication between cats is therefore essential, and is the subject of this paper.     

Factors influencing incidence of internal brown spot in Russet Burbank potatoes

Studies were conducted to determine factors influencing incidence of internal brown spot (IBS) in Russet Burbank potatoes. A significant decrease in the incidence of IBS occurred as planting date was delayed from March 31 to May 12. IBS increased during storage particularly at the higher storage temperature and in larger tubers. Foliar application of maleic hydrazide (MH) significantly reduced IBS from a high of 33% of tubers to less than 10%. The incidence of IBS in tubers was lower in the field as well as in storage from plants sprayed with MH. Tubers with high specific gravity had greater incidence of IBS than low gravity tubers. Results indicate that IBS is a physiological disorder influenced by factors affecting growth of tubers.     

Levels of mortality in hens by end of lay on farm and in transit to slaughter in Great Britain

The average mortality for end of lay hens dead on arrival (DOA) was 0.27 per cent (median 0.15 per cent) in a survey of 13.3 million hens transported during 2009. A statistical model of the data indicated main risk factors for DOA to be slaughter plant, distance travelled and external air temperature, with longer journeys and low external air temperatures increasing the risk. Other highly significant risk factors (P<0.001) related to the condition of the birds on farm, where an increased risk of DOA was positively associated with poor feather cover, lower body weight, cumulative mortality of the flock and poor health (indicated by a high proportion of the load rejected at the plant for traumatic injury and disease state). However, the data indicate that by taking risk factors into consideration it is possible to transport hens up to 960 km with low losses in temperate conditions. Mean levels of on-farm mortality, during the laying period, for a total of 1486 flocks were significantly lower in cages (5.39 per cent) than in barn (8.55 per cent), free-range (9.52 per cent) or organic flocks (8.68 per cent) according to producer records a median of seven days before depopulation, with considerable variation between flocks in all systems.     

Search for a Frequency Shift of the 21-Centimeter Line from Taurus A near Occultation by Sun

The 21-centimeter absorption line from the direction of Taurus A was used for detection of a shift in frequiency when the source passed near Sun. A possible decrease in frequency of 150 cycles per second was detected, which cannot be caused by general relativity or by the plasma around Sun.     

The efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate in canine skin preparation – practice survey and clinical trials

O bjectives : To determine the use in practice and efficacy of different concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate for canine pre-operative skin preparation.
M ethods : Questionnaires were used to establish which antiseptics and techniques were used for patients undergoing elective neutering. In a clinical study, five different concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate – 0 per cent (tap water, as a control) 1, 2, 3 and 4 per cent – were tested on 50 dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomies and orchidectomies.
R esults : A variety of preparation practices occurred but only 21 per cent of the veterinary nurses surveyed were aware of the concentration and contact time they used whilst preparing animals. The clinical study revealed there was a significant difference (P<0·001) between the different concentrations used. All concentrations of chlorhexidine were significantly more effective than the control tap water. There was a tendency towards increasing efficacy as concentration increased from 1 to 4 per cent but this was not statistically significant.
C linical S ignificance : The lack of significant differences in efficacy between the different concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate means that current practices may be adequate, although if the chlorhexidine gluconate concentrations and contact times used are unknown, they may be lower than those tested here and, possibly, ineffective, especially if contact times are short.