Suspensions: fluids with fading memories

A sheared liquid suspension whose flow is reversed remembers with various degrees of perfection all earlier configurations of the particles. The memory effects, studied primarily because of their importance in suspension rheology, may be of wider significance.     

Effect of ivermectin and oxfendazole on shedding of larvae of the lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) by red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Thirty eight newly weaned hinds were randomly allocated to one of two equal groups. One group received ivermectin, the other, oxfendazole at dose rates of 0.2 mg/kg and 4.5 mg/kg, respectively. All deer were drenched four times and were grazed on pasture. Both anthelmintics reduced D. viviparus faecal larval counts to low levels 20 days after dosing, but the mean larval output and the proportion of deer shedding D. viviparus larvae at 27 and 33 days after treatment, were significantly lower in the ivermectin treated group. There was no significant difference in weight gain between the two groups throughout the trial. This study suggests that ivermectin prevents reinfection with D. viviparus for approximately 14 days longer than oxfendazole.     

The toxicity of wood preservatives to stock

Extract

Preservatives in this class are balanced mixtures of soluble salts in which arsenate is the main toxicradical. When timber is impregnated with these solutions and dried, the salts are deposited amongst the wood fibres as microcrystalline compounds which are relatively insoluble. The proportions of the salts in the treating solutions and their interactions during the drying period determine how firmly the toxic ingredients will be; fixed in the wood. For timber that will be subjected to severe conditions of weathering and ground contact use, as is the case with fence posts, good retention of arsenic against leaching is essential. It follows, therefore, that the greater the degree of fixation of an arsenical preservative for fence-post treatment, the less will be the hazard to exposed livestock.     

Decline and extirpation of an endangered Panamanian stream frog population (Craugastor punctariolus) due to an outbreak of chytridiomycosis

We conducted a mark-recapture study of three subpopulations of Craugastor punctariolus at a mid-elevation site in central Panama between 1999 and 2005. The study spans a period over which the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) was absent from the site, invaded the site and decimated all amphibian populations, and now persists. We quantified natural demographic parameters prior to and during an event of mass mortality due to chytridiomycosis caused by Bd. Prior to the event of mass mortality, all three subpopulations of C. punctariolus were large (19-68 animals/200 m), showed a stable age-size distribution, and had high survival. All age-size classes of this species co-occurred on boulder clumps along streams, and adults showed high site fidelity and were likely territorial. Following detection of Bd at this site in late September 2004, four dead C. punctariolus were found infected with Bd and all three subpopulations completely disappeared from this site within 2 months. The association of all age-size classes with microhabitats appropriate for survival and growth of Bd likely contributed to the rapid and severe degree of decline of this species at this site. These data provide insight into the patterns and mechanisms of decline within a species due to Bd.     

催乳素对内蒙古绒山羊毛囊体外培养影响的研究

【目的】 研究催乳素（PRL）对内蒙古绒山羊初级毛囊和次级毛囊体外生长及形态变化的影响。【方法】 机械法结合切割法分离内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊,在初级毛囊培养液中分别添加0、5、10、50、100 ng/mL催乳素进行体外培养,每组24根,共培养5 d,每天在显微镜下观察其形态并拍照,统计其生长长度、生长速度和存活率,筛选出最适催乳素处理浓度。然后将初级毛囊与次级毛囊分别分为初级毛囊对照组（PF-K）、初级毛囊试验组（PF-PRL）、次级毛囊对照组（SF-K）、次级毛囊试验组（SF-PRL）,每组24根,对照组用基础培养液培养,试验组在基础培养液中添加最适浓度的催乳素,培养5 d,每天观察毛囊的形态并拍照,同时测量各组毛囊的生长长度。【结果】 10 ng/mL催乳素组毛囊的平均日生长长度均极显著高于其他浓度组（P<0.01）,最终生长长度和存活率均最高,因此,后续试验选择10 ng/mL催乳素处理毛囊。试验组和对照组初/次级毛囊的毛干与根鞘部位同时伸长,随着培养时间的增加均出现不同程度的弯曲。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的总长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。PF-K组除第1天与第0天差异不显著外,1~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）;PF-PRL组0~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）。SF-K组毛囊第5天的总长度显著高于0~4 d （P<0.05）;SF-PRL组第4、5天毛囊的总长度均显著高于0~3 d （P<0.05）,第3天毛囊的总长度显著高于0~2 d （P<0.05）。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的平均日生长长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。【结论】 10 ng/mL催乳素是体外促进毛囊生长的最适浓度,10 ng/mL催乳素对体外培养的内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊均有极显著的促生长作用。