Topographic and magnetic-sensitive scanning tunneling microscope study of magnetite

The topographic and magnetic surface structure of a natural single crystal of magnetite (Fe(3)0(4)), a common mineral, has been studied from the submicrometer scale down to the atomic scale with a scanning tunneling microscope having nonmagnetic tungsten as well as ferromagnetic iron probe tips. Several different (001) crystal planes were imaged to atomic resolution with both kinds of tips. A selective imaging of the octahedrally coordinated Fe B-sites in the Fe-O planes, and even a selective imaging of the different magnetic ions Fe(2+) and Fe(3+), has been achieved, demonstrating for the first time that magnetic imaging can be realized at the atomic level.     

Degenerative myelopathy in a family of Siberian Husky dogs

Three closely related, Siberian Husky dogs had chronic progressive paresis and ataxia with muscle atrophy in the hindlimbs. Radiologic and myelographic examination of the spine revealed no abnormalities. On histologic examination, disseminated degeneration of the white matter, particularly in the thoracic segments, was seen. The clinical and pathological findings were similar to those described in aging large dogs with so-called degenerative myelopathy. The cause of this disease is unknown but the fact that these 3 Huskies were closely related suggest that hereditary factors may play a role.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the families apionidae and nanophyidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) from Turkey, with new records

Data are presented on the occurrence of 43 species of the family Apionidae and two species of the family Nanophyidae in Turkey based on the material obtained mainly by beating stone-fruit trees in NE Turkey. The identity and information about the three species of Apionidae —Squamapion sp.cf.bifarium (Balfour-Browne),Protapion sp.cf.ruficrus (Germar),Catapion sp.cf.seniculus (Kirby) — must be revised. The faunistic data in the present paper on almost all species add to prior knowledge on their distribution in Turkey.Hypophyes aphyllae (Peyerímhoff),Ceratapion kasbekianum (Gerstaecker),Squamapion ottonis (Wagner),S. samarense (Faust),S. phocopus (Eppelsheim),Taeniapion rufulum (Wencker),Pseudoprotapion astragali (Paykull),P. ergenense (Becker),Stenopterapion intermedium (Eppelsheim) andOxystoma fausti (Desbrochers) are reported for the first time in the Turkish fauna. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 8, 2001.     

Evaluation and optimization of surveillance systems for rare and emerging infectious diseases

Surveillance for rare and emerging infectious diseases poses a special challenge to veterinary services. Most emerging infectious diseases like bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are zoonoses, affecting both human and animal populations. Despite the low prevalence of such an emerging infectious disease at time of incursion, the surveillance system should be able to detect the presence of the disease as early as possible. Because passive surveillance is a relatively cost-effective and therefore commonly used process, it is the basic tool for infectious disease surveillance. Because of under-reporting in passive surveillance, cost-intensive active surveillance is often required to increase the sensitivity of the surveillance system. Using scenario tree modelling, the sensitivity of passive and active surveillance system components (SSC) can be quantified and an optimal, cost-effective surveillance system developed considering the contributions of each SSC. We illustrate this approach with the example of bTB surveillance in Switzerland where the surveillance system for bTB consists of meat inspection at the slaughterhouse (SLI), passive clinical surveillance on farm (CLIN) and human surveillance (HS). While the sensitivities for CLIN and HS were both negligible (<1%), SLI was assessed to be 55.6%. The scenario tree model showed that SLI is increasable up to 80.4% when the disease awareness of meat inspectors in Switzerland is enhanced. A hypothetical random survey (RS) was also compared with a targeted survey (TS) in high-risk strata of the cattle population, and the sensitivity of TS was 1.17-fold better than in RS but with 50% of the sample size.     

Multiplicative random regression model for heterogeneous variance adjustment in genetic evaluation for milk yield in Simmental.

A multiplicative random regression (M-RRM) test-day (TD) model was used to analyse daily milk yields from all available parities of German and Austrian Simmental dairy cattle. The method to account for heterogeneous variance (HV) was based on the multiplicative mixed model approach of Meuwissen. The variance model for the heterogeneity parameters included a fixed region x year x month x parity effect and a random herd x test-month effect with a within-herd first-order autocorrelation between test-months. Acceleration of variance model solutions after each multiplicative model cycle enabled fast convergence of adjustment factors and reduced total computing time significantly. Maximum Likelihood estimation of within-strata residual variances was enhanced by inclusion of approximated information on loss in degrees of freedom due to estimation of location parameters. This improved heterogeneity estimates for very small herds. The multiplicative model was compared with a model that assumed homogeneous variance. Re-estimated genetic variances, based on Mendelian sampling deviations, were homogeneous for the M-RRM TD model but heterogeneous for the homogeneous random regression TD model. Accounting for HV had large effect on cow ranking but moderate effect on bull ranking.     

Housing During Early Pregnancy Affects Fertility and Behaviour of Sows

From 1.1.2013 EU legislation will permit stall‐housing of dry sows for only 4 weeks post‐service. Stalls are associated with compromised animal welfare, but group housing comes with risks from social confrontations. Studies on housing effects on fertility have produced contradictory results as systems are inconsistently defined. Effects of housing on pregnancy rate 28 days post‐service (P28), early disruption of pregnancy (EDP) and behaviour were investigated in 12 replicates of 40 sows. Half of the animals were stalled (treatment S, mean parity 2.4) and half group‐housed adjacent on 5.1 m² deep litter per sow (treatment G, mean parity 2.3). Pregnancy was detected using real‐time ultrasound. An EDP‐diagnosis required a drop of salivary progesterone concentration from >15.9 to <15.9 mmol/l in a series of samples taken on days 17, 20, 24 and 27 post‐service. Behaviour was scan sampled on day 27 for 120 min with 10‐min intervals. Data was analysed using mixed regression models in MLwiN. Treatment S increased the odds for P28 with 2.3 and the pregnancy rate of a treatment group with 0.1 compared with G. G increased the odds for EDP with 4.6. Treatment did not affect total exploratory or total passive behaviour. S sows explored floor and fixtures (not bedding) more and performed more passive sitting than G sows. Social stress may have caused the impaired reproductive performance in G sows. S sows showed behavioural signs of decreased welfare, but no corresponding reproductive effects. An interdisciplinary approach is needed when evaluating the appropriateness of housing systems.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of the iridocorneal angle of the eye before and after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare the iridocorneal angle (ICA) and angle opening distance (AOD) in dogs with cataractous and noncataractous lenses; evaluate cataractous eyes ultrasono-graphically for association of postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) with the ICA, AOD, and postoperative echogenic anterior chamber debris; and evaluate intraobserver reliability associated with ICA and AOD measurements. ANIMALS: 56 dogs with 102 cataracts, and 23 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURES: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on 102 eyes of 56 dogs before and after cataract surgery and on 46 nondilated and dilated eyes of 23 clinically normal dogs. Cataract stage, ICA, AOD, and association with POH were assessed. RESULTS: Cataract stage and ICA or AOD were not significantly associated; however, ICA and AOD typically decreased with increasing cataract maturity. Before and after pupillary dilation, AODs were significantly smaller in cataractous eyes than in noncataractous eyes. Before surgery, ICA and AOD in eyes without pupillary dilation were significantly associated with POH. At > 13 degrees , odds of developing POH increased by 11% for each degree increase in the ICA. Postoperative anterior chamber debris was not associated with POH. Coefficient of variation for repeated measurements was 10% for the ICA and 9.5% for the AOD, suggesting good intraobserver reliability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, dogs with larger ICA and AOD measurements before surgery were at greater risk of developing POH. This information may be useful for future studies to determine whether preventative treatment for POH administered prior to surgery may be beneficial.