Evaluation of the Lateral Collateral Ligament After Fibular Head Transposition in Dogs

Cranial transposition of the fibular head stabilizes the stifle joint by displacing the distal attachment of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The forces applied to the LCL after displacement may cause ligamentous elongation. This investigation evaluated the morphological, histological, and biomechanical changes of the LCL after fibular head transposition (FHT) in dogs. Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) excision and FHT were performed on 25 dogs. Cross-sectional area, length, histological, and structural properties of the LCL were evaluated 3 weeks, 4 months, and 10 months after surgery. Ligament length means were significantly increased at week 3, month 4, and month 10 compared with intraoperative length means. No significant changes in elongation were observed after week 3. Fibrovascular proliferation within the LCL increased the cross-sectional area and associated structural properties.     

Risques inhéArents à (l'introduction de plantes du type Bonsai et étude particulière du problème causé par Gymnosporangium asiaticum1

L'auteur passe en revue les risques présentés par l'importation de plantes Bonsai en provenance d'Asie, ainsi que les mesures phytosanitaires déjà appliquées par les pays importateurs. II préconise un ensemble de mesures, proches de celles adoptées par le Royaume-Uni, afin d'empêcher l'introduction plus particulièrement de Popillia japonica, de divers nématodes et de Gymnosporangium asiaticum.     

Radiographic, Densitometric, and Biomechanical Effects of Recombinant Canine Somatotropin in an Unstable Ostectomy Gap Model of Bone Healing in Dogs

Objective —To determine the effect of recombinant canine somatotropin (STH) on radiographic, densitometric, and biomechanical aspects of bone healing using an unstable ostectomy gap model.
Study Design —After an ostectomy of the midshaft radius, bone healing was evaluated over an 8–week period in control dogs (n = 4) and dogs receiving recombinant canine STH (n = 4).
Animals or Sample Population—Eight sexually intact female Beagle dogs, 4 to 5 years old. Methods—Bone healing was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative evaluation of serial radiographs every 2 weeks. Terminal dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and three-point bending biomechanical testing were also performed.
Results —Dogs receiving STH had more advanced radiographic healing of ostectomy sites. Bone area, bone mineral content, and bone density were two to five times greater at the ostectomy sites of treated dogs. Ultimate load at failure and stiffness were three and five times greater in dogs receiving STH.
Conclusions —Using the ostectomy gap model, recombinant canine STH enhanced the radiographic, densitometric, and biomechanical aspects of bone healing in dogs. Clinical Relevance—Dogs at risk for delayed healing of fractures may benefit from treatment with recombinant canine STH.     

ApH calculator based on linear transformations of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

The four classical methods of determining the mass of the moon are noted, and a new use of an artificial earth satellite is proposed. The procedure, based on Kepler's law, is outlined, but at present the uncertainties in the observed data preclude an improved estimate of the lunar mass.     

Factors affecting the efficacy of Orobanche cumana chemical control in sunflower

Broomrapes ( Orobanche spp.) are root parasites, causing severe damage to vegetable and field crops. Their early in situ detection for efficient control is crucial but difficult, because of their sub-surface development. Minirhizotron technology enables the in situ observation of host–parasite interactions. The initial underground development of Orobanche cumana on sunflower roots and its control with imazapic were investigated. Imazapic (2.4 g active ingredient ha⁻¹) was applied post-emergence on sunflower at the eight-true-leaf stage, when O. cumana attachments were first observed. No viable or new attachments were detected on roots of the treated sunflower after herbicide application. However, within the same time frame, the already existing O. cumana attachments in the non-treated controls continued to develop and new attachments appeared. Orobanche cumana shoot emergence was correlated with growing day-degrees (GDD, d °C). This correlation was quantified by a four-parameter logistic equation. Control efficacy was affected by depth and number of parasite attachments per minirhizotron camera frame: it was highest in the topmost layer, and decreased with depth and number of attachments. The results obtained in this study emphasise the need to develop a decision support system based on GDD that should be validated under long-term field conditions.     

ASSESSMENT OF A RADIOTHERAPY PATIENT CRANIAL IMMOBILIZATION DEVICE USING DAILY ON-BOARD KILOVOLTAGE IMAGING

The purpose of this study was to utilize state-of-the-art on-board digital kilovoltage (kV) imaging to determine the systematic and random set-up errors of an immobilization device designed for canine and feline cranial radiotherapy treatments. The immobilization device is comprised of a custom made support bridge, bite block, vacuum-based foam mold and a modified thermoplastic mask attached to a commercially available head rest designed for human radiotherapy treatments. The immobilization device was indexed to a Varian exact couch-top designed for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Daily orthogonal kV images were compared to Eclipse treatment planning digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). The orthogonal kV images and DRRs were directly compared online utilizing the Varian on-board imaging (OBI) system with set-up corrections immediately and remotely transferred to the treatment couch prior to treatment delivery. Off-line review of 124 patient treatments indicates systematic errors consisting of +0.18 mm vertical, +0.39 mm longitudinal and −0.08 mm lateral. The random errors corresponding to 2 standard deviations (95% CI) consist of 4.02 mm vertical, 2.97 mm longitudinal and 2.53 mm lateral and represent conservative CTV to PTV margins if kV OBI is not available. Use of daily kV OBI along with the cranial immobilization device permits reduction of the CTV to PTV margins to approximately 2.0 mm.     

The U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and Commodity Transportation Services among U.S. States

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) implemented beginning in 1989 by the United States aid Canada will have significant impacts on bilateral trading patterns. In addition to its long-term, investment-related repercussions, the FTA will affect the volume, commodity composition, and spatial distribution of trade and, consequently, the transportation services required to move commodities between the two nations. This paper examines the changing spatial structure of U.S.-Canadian trade under the FTA. It employs commodity-specific analyses of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, as well as price and income elasticities of demand, to estimate sectoral and special changes among U.S. states in total, land, water, and airborne commodity flows since 1988 attributable to the FTA. The analysis details the assumptions and methodology used, elaborates upon the likely consequences for me nation's ten largest customs districts, particularly New York, and concludes with some comments on other forces that may alter the expected results.     

生物炭饲牛：一个提高土壤肥力和农业生产率的创新解决方案

Addition of biochar produced through thermal decomposition of biomass has been seen as a strategy to improve soils and to sequester carbon (C), but wide scale implementation of the technology requires to devise innovative profitable solutions. To develop biochar utilisation with an integrated system approach, an innovative program was implemented in 2012 on a 53-ha farm in Western Australia to determine the costs and benefits of integrating biochar with animal husbandry and improvement of pastures. Biochar was mixed with molasses and fed directly to cows. The dung-biochar mixture was incorporated into the soil profile by dung beetles. We studied the changes in soil properties over 3 years. Biochar extracted from fresh dung and from the soil to a depth of 40 cm was characterised.~A preliminary financial analysis of the costs and benefits of this integrated approach was also undertaken.~The preliminary investigation results suggested that this strategy was effective in improving soil properties and increasing returns to the farmer.~It was also concluded that the biochar adsorbed nutrients from the cow's gut and from the dung. Dung beetles could transport this nutrient-rich biochar into the soil profile. There was little evidence that the recalcitrant component of the biochar was reduced through reactions inside the gut or on/in the soil. Further research is required to quantify the long-term impact of integrating biochar and dung beetles into the rearing of cows.