Relationship of bispectral index to hemodynamic variables and alveolar concentration multiples of sevoflurane in puppies

The relationships between bispectral index (BIS), cardiovascular variables and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) multiples of sevoflurane in puppies were determined. Five puppies were anesthetized with sevoflurane on two occasions. First, the individual sevoflurane MAC values were determined for each puppy. Secondly, dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane at each of 5 MAC multiples, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75 MAC administered in random order. Hemodynamic parameters and BIS data were collected for 20 min. Somatic stimulus was then applied and the same parameters and data were collected for 6 min. Correlation between BIS and end tidal sevoflurane and between BIS and hemodynamic parameters were studied. We found positive significant correlation in both cases. BIS is lower in puppies that in adults at the same alveolar anesthetic concentrations and sevoflurane appears to be a safe anesthetic in puppies.     

Consumer-grade UAV utilized for detecting and analyzing late-season weed spatial distribution patterns in commercial onion fields

Precision Agriculture - Studying weed spatial distribution patterns and implementing precise herbicide applications requires accurate weed mapping. In this study, a simple unmanned aerial vehicle...     

The effect of irrigation and crop load on stem water potential and apple fruit size

Summary

The effect of irrigation rate under various crop loads on the fruit size of apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Golden Delicious) was investigated in three field experiments in 1993–1995. During the first two years the field experiments evaluated the effects of various crop loads on yield, fruit size and midday stem water potential under 40% deficit irrigation. In 1995, the effects of five irrigation levels (0.42–1.06 of USDA Class A evaporation pan) and four crop loads (100–450 fruits per tree) were studied in a factorial experiment. Midday stem water potential increased with irrigation level and decreased with crop load in 1993 and at the lowest irrigation level in 1995. Daily fruit growth rate decreased with midday stem water potential in 1993 and at the lowest irrigation level in 1993. The effect of crop load on fruit growth rate was associated with limited soil water availability. A reduction in yield and average fruit size were associated with midday stem water potentials lower than –1.3 MPa. Taking an additional 0.1 MPa as a safety factor, –1.2 MPa could serve as a reasonable threshold for irrigation control in the orchard.     

Multiple introduction of honeybee colonies increases cross-pollination,fruit-set and yield of ‘Black Diamond’ Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

Summary

Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) belongs to the Rosaceae family, which carries the S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility system, which prevents self-fertilisation, and thus promotes out-crossing. The plum cultivar ‘Black Diamond’^® has become, one of the most important cultivars in Israel in the last decade, yet its yield is low in comparison with its known potential. Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are the most important pollinators for plums and several studies have demonstrated an apparent relationship between the number of honeybees and the size of the fruit crop. Therefore, in this study, we focussed on improving bee management in a ‘Black Diamond’ orchard. In four consecutive years of experiments, we examined the effects of increasing the density of bee colonies, and of making multiple introductions of colonies, on honeybee activity and on their effectiveness as pollinators of ‘Black Diamond’. We showed that four separate introductions, each of 0.625 colonies ha^–1, every 2 – 3 d from 10% full bloom to 3 d after full bloom, with a total density of only 2.5 colonies ha^–1, resulted in the greatest level of fruit set.     

Congenital adenohypophyseal hypoplasia associated with secondary hypothyroidism in a 2-week-old Portuguese water dog

This report describes the histomorphological changes of central hypothyroidism (pituitary dependent) in several target organs of thyroid hormones of a Portuguese water dog, and contrasts those with the reported features of central hypothyroidism in German shepherd dogs, in which central hypothyroidism is a part of a combined pituitary hormonal deficiency.     

Ophthalmoscopic characteristics in sheep and goats: comparative study

The ocular fundus was examined in 40 goat eyes and 40 sheep eyes by studying ophthalmoscopic characteristics and retinograms. Similarities and differing characteristics were described. In common: tapetal colour; peripheral yellowish area surrounding the Winslow stars; unpigmented areas in the non-tapetal zone; a great amount of myelin in the optic disc; the Bergmeister's papilla and the holoangiotic retinal vascular pattern. Differences: big size of the Winslow stars in goats; myelinizated fibre over the non-tapetal zone in sheep; shape, position and myelin distribution of the optic disc; and the presence of a 'primary artery' in goats.     

Cloning and sequencing of the calcium-sensing receptor from the feline parathyroid gland

Messenger RNA of the calcium-sensing receptor from feline parathyroid gland (fCaSR) was reversed transcribed to cDNA, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into E. coli. Sequences obtained from cloned E. coli were used for genetic characterization of the fCaSR mRNA and for exonic PCR primer design. Multiple fCaSR exons sequence alignments obtained from PCR amplification of genomic DNA of 5 healthy domestic shorthair cats indicated the presence of 3 synonymous missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and 1 nonsynonymous missense SNP, which changed an amino acid from arginine to proline. The fCaSR has 96%, 96%, and 94% homology to the canine, human, and bovine amino acid sequences, respectively.     

Effects of interactive scale-dependent variables on beetle diversity patterns in a semi-arid agricultural landscape

Understanding species-diversity patterns in heterogeneous landscapes invites comprehensive research on how scale-dependent processes interact across scales. We used two common beetle families (Tenebrionidae, detrivores; Carabidae, predators) to conduct such a study in the heterogeneous semi-arid landscape of the Southern Judean Lowland (SJL) of Israel, currently undergoing intensive fragmentation. Beetles were censused in 25 different-sized patches (500–40,000 m²). We used Fisher’s α and non-parametric extrapolators to estimate species diversity from 11,125 individuals belonging to 56 species. Patch characteristics (plant species diversity and cover, soil cover and degree of stoniness) were measured by field transects. Spatial variables (patch size, shape, physiognomy and connectivity) and landscape characteristics were analyzed by GIS and remote-sensing applications. Both patch-scale and landscape-scale variables affected beetle species diversity. Path-analysis models showed that landscape-scale variables had the strongest effect on carabid diversity in all patches. The tenebrionids responded differently: both patch-scale and landscape-scale variables affected species diversity in small patches, while mainly patch-scale variables affected species diversity in large patches. Most of the paths affected species diversity both directly and indirectly, combining the effects of both patch-scale and landscape-scale variables. These results match the biology of the two beetle families: Tenebrionidae, the less mobile and more site-attached family, responded to the environment in a fine-grained manner, while the highly dispersed Carabidae responded to the environment in a coarse-grained manner. We suggest that understanding abiotic and biotic variable interactions across scales has important consequences for our knowledge of community structure and species diversity patterns at large spatial scales.