Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses

Background

Training of Standardbred race horses aims to improve cardiovascular and metabolic functions but studies on the effects of different training strategies from breaking till racing are lacking. Sixteen horses with the goal to race as 3-year-olds were studied from breaking (1-year-olds) to December as 3-year-olds. Horses were allocated to either a control (C) or reduced (R) training program from 2 years of age. The aim was to evaluate the effect of reducing the distance of high intensity exercise by 30% with respect to velocity at lactate concentration 4 mmol/l (V_La4), blood lactate and cardiovascular response. All training sessions were documented and heart rate (HR) was recorded. A standardized exercise test of 1,600 m was performed 10 times and a V_La4 test was performed five times.

Results

C horses initially exercised for a longer time with a HR >180 beats per minute compared to R horses (P < 0.05) but after 6–9 months, time with HR >180 bpm decreased in C and were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). Over the 2-year period, recovery HR after the 1,600 m-test decreased in both groups but was within 2 months lower in C than in R (P < 0.05). C horses also had lower resting HR as 3-year-olds (P < 0.01) than R horses. In C, post exercise hematocrit was higher than in R (P < 0.05). There was a tendency (P < 0.1) towards a larger aortic diameter in C as 3-year-olds (C: 1.75 ± 0.05, R: 1.70 ± 0.05 cm/100 kg BW). Left ventricle diameter and blood volume (in December as 2-year-olds) did not differ between groups. There were no differences between groups in post exercise blood lactate concentration or in V_La4. Both groups were equally successful in reaching the goal of participation in races.

Conclusions

Horses subjected to a reduced distance of high intensity training from the age of 2 showed an attenuated heart rate response, but were able to maintain the same V_La4 and race participation as horses subjected to longer training distances.     

Challenges of thermal nociceptive threshold testing in the donkey

ObjectiveTo evaluate a thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) testing device in the donkey, and the influence of potential confounding factors on TNTs.AnimalsTwo groups (Group 1 and Group 2) of eight castrated male donkeys aged 4–9 years, weighing 105–170 kg.MethodsTNTs were measured by heating a thermal probe on skin until an end-point behaviour (threshold temperature) or a cut-out temperature (51 °C) was reached. The withers and the dorsal aspect of the distal limb were used as sites for TNT testing. The effects on TNT of different confounding factors: the limb tested; rate of heating; and ambient temperature were evaluated. Data were analyzed using general linear models, and Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEnd-point behaviours (skin twitch or donkey looking at test device) when the thermal probe heated the withers were observed in approximately half of tests. TNT was (mean ± SD) 46.8 ± 2.85 °C. Subsequently the limb was evaluated as the test site in Group 1 followed by Group 2 donkeys; end-point behaviour being a foot-lift. In Group 1, 72% of tests ended in an end-point behaviour but the response rate was lower in Group 2 (20%), although TNTs were similar [(47.6 ± 3.3) and (47.3 ± 3.0) °C respectively] for responding animals. Rate of heating, ambient temperature and laterality (right or left) did not affect thresholds, but mean TNT was significantly higher in the forelimb (48.5 ± 2.8 °C) than the hind limb (47.4 ± 2.8 °C) (p = 0.012).ConclusionsWhen a thermal probe cut-out temperature of 51 °C was used in TNT testing in the donkey a high proportion of tests did not produce an identifiable end point behaviour. Higher cut-out temperatures damaged the skin. Under these conditions, thermal nociceptive threshold testing appears not be an appropriate analgesiometry technique in the donkey.Clinical relevanceTNT testing under these conditions is not suitable form of analgesiometry for donkeys.     

立体栖架散养蛋鸡行为加速度信号降噪方法比较分析

针对采用姿态传感器监测散养蛋鸡行为过程中存在加速度信号易受噪声干扰,不同行为加速度信号特征尚不清晰的问题,以立体栖架散养蛋鸡的三维空间行为为目标,在构建蛋鸡穿戴式行为监测系统,获取不同行为加速度信号的基础上,研究小波阈值、CEEMDAN、CEEMDAN结合小波阈值对加速度信号的降噪效果,分析蛋鸡6种典型行为活动的加速度信号特征。结果表明:1)小波史坦无偏似然估计(Rigrsure)阈值的降噪效果更好,降噪后信号的信噪比(SNR)为17.613 2,均方根误差(RMSE)为0.045 0;2)根据X、Y轴加速度标准差分布特征,可将蛋鸡三维空间行为活动强度由低到高分为趴卧和站立、采食和饮水、行走、跳跃4类,各类行为活动的加速度信号标准差差异极显著(P<0.001)。本研究表明,小波Rigrsure阈值法在对蛋鸡空间行为活动加速度信号进行降噪的同时可以保留更多的有效信息,可根据加速度标准差对蛋鸡典型行为的活动水平进行分类识别。     

植物对土壤钼污染的响应及其耐钼机制研究进展

钼是植物、动物和微生物必需的微量元素之一,同时也是一种重金属元素。以往对钼的研究主要关注钼缺乏对农作物产量与品质的影响及危害,对钼污染导致的生态风险及应对策略研究较少。本文在分析我国土壤钼污染现状及其生态风险的基础上,综述了钼污染对植物生长发育的影响、钼对植物的毒害阈值及其影响因子,以及植物对钼污染的耐性机制,并展望了未来土壤-植物系统钼污染的研究方向,以期为土壤钼污染的风险管控及修复提供参考。     

考虑应力敏感性影响的三项式产能方程

低渗透气藏存在较强的应力敏感性,大量岩石实验数据回归研究表明,幂函数渗透率应力敏感性经验方程相关性相对较好,而前人利用该关系式来研究低渗透气藏气井产能的报道较少。在这样的背景下,利用幂函数应力敏感性经验公式,综合考虑渗透率应力敏感效应、启动压力梯度、紊流效应和表皮系数,建立了一个新的适用于低渗透异常高压气井的三项式产能方程。不同参数组合情况下的气井流入动态曲线对比研究结果表明,应力敏感性、启动压力梯度和紊流效应对低渗透气藏气井产能的影响较大,在产能评价研究时必须予以考虑。     

西藏飞蝗对青稞危害损失与防治指标初步探讨

利用笼罩接虫的方法,测定西藏飞蝗虫口密度与青稞产量损失率（％）的关系,结果表明,青稞产量损失随着西藏飞蝗虫口数量增加而增加,西藏飞蝗的虫口密度（X）与产量损失率（Y）的关系为：y=-15．39＋10．25x;从而确定青稞田西藏飞蝗的理论防治指标2头／m^2。     

Determination of a tissue and sediment threshold for tributyltin to protect prey species of juvenile salmonids listed under the US Endangered Species Act

• 1. The purpose of this report is to determine the concentrations of tributyltin in sediments that would be protective against adverse effects on prey species of salmonids listed under the US Endangered Species Act.
• 2. Two approaches for determining adverse sediment concentrations due to tributyltin (TBT) contamination are presented here. The first is the equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach, which relies on a sediment‐water partition coefficient and toxicological data for water exposures. The EqP approach utilizes the large water quality database that has been generated over the last two decades for TBT and provides strong evidence for adverse effects at low exposure concentrations.
• 3. The second approach involves determination of a TBT tissue residue that is considered harmful for most species, which is then used to predict the sediment concentration that would likely produce this adverse tissue concentration.
• 4. Both approaches are presented here because they generally support each other but based on the information presented below, and the inherent difficulty in measuring porewater concentrations, the tissue residue approach is the recommended method for determining adverse sediment concentrations.
• 5. Using this analysis, the protective sediment concentration for TBT proposed here is 6000 ng g^?1organic carbon. Direct effects are not expected on salmonids at this sediment concentration because of their relatively short residence time in the estuary, general lack of interaction with sediment, and relatively high metabolic capacity. This concentration may ensure adequate abundance of salmonid prey species; however, it may not be low enough for the protection of sensitive benthic species.

Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of various confounding factors on mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the donkey

ObjectiveTo evaluate a mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) testing device in the donkey, and to investigate the influence of potential confounders on MNTs generated.Study designProspective, randomised.AnimalsSixteen castrated male donkeys aged 4–9 years, weighing 105–170 kg.MethodsMechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured using an actuator with three pins placed on the dorsal aspect of the distal limb, connected to a force meter. The pins (surface area 15 mm²) were extruded onto the limb by pressurising an air-filled syringe, until the MNT force (when foot-lift was observed) or 25 N (cut-off force) was reached. Effect on MNT of presence of a companion donkey, the limb tested, rate of application of force, testing location, level of distraction, ambient temperature and hair cover at the test site was evaluated. Long and short-term repeatability of MNT was assessed. Data were analysed using general linear models and Mann–Whitney U tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsIncreasing the rate of force application significantly increased the mean ± SD MNT from 9.2 ± 2.0 N when applied at 0.4 N sec^?1 to 10.6 ± 2.1 N when applied at 1.2 N sec^?1 (p = 0.001). No other factors significantly influenced MNT. Mean MNT remained stable over a 3 week period, however MNTs were significantly (p = 0.006) higher (12.8 ± 3.0 N cf 10.3 ± 1.9 N) after a 12 month interval.Conclusions and clinical relevanceWhen designing studies measuring MNT in donkeys, rate of application of force must be standardised. Donkeys’ MNTs have good short-term stability suggesting this technique is appropriate for short-term analgesiometry studies; however variability of MNTs over the long-term is greater.     

基于SWAT模型的清水河流域年径流侵蚀功率空间分布

为了从能量学的角度解释流域水力侵蚀的空间分布情况,选取可以更好表示流域下垫面条件、降雨及其产生的径流对水力侵蚀综合作用的径流侵蚀功率,以宁夏回族自治区水土流失严重的清水河流域为研究对象,基于SWAT模型模拟研究了清水河流域年径流侵蚀功率的空间分布特征及其空间尺度效应。结果表明:(1)清水河流域多年平均径流侵蚀功率在流域内呈现“支流大,干流小; 东部大,西部小”的空间分布规律;(2)当子流域出口断面控制面积小于4 000 km²时,子流域多年平均径流侵蚀功率与子流域出口断面集水面积间呈显著的幂函数关系; 当子流域出口断面集水面积大于4 000 km²时,子流域多年平均径流侵蚀功率稳定在1.56×10^-5 m⁴/(s·km²)左右;(3)优先选择处于清水河上中游区域且出口断面集水面积小于84.85 km²的小流域进行生态治理,可取得良好的水土流失治理效果。因此径流侵蚀功率具有一定空间分布规律且与流域集水面积间具有显著相关关系,掌握这一规律和相关关系可为流域生态治理提供理论支持。     

黄土旱塬区麦田休闲期降水与土壤贮水的变化特征

为提高休闲期降水资源利用效率和确保区域粮食安全,利用1981—2020年陇东黄土高原旱作麦田定位土壤水分和气象观测资料,分析了冬小麦田休闲期间降水与土壤水分的变化特征及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)近40年陇东黄土高原休闲期降水以14 mm/10 a的速率增加,降雨总日数和小雨日数呈减少趋势,中雨、大雨日数呈弱增加趋势;(2)近40年休闲期1 m土层平均以9.5 mm/10 d的速率充水,贮水量平均增加97 mm,21世纪以来贮水量增加明显;(3)休闲期降水与1 m土层贮水增量符合二次函数关系,1 m土层开始贮存水分的降水阈值为175 mm,贮水增量与中、大雨总日数相关性最高,前期降水主要以土壤蒸发消耗为主,后期降水则大部贮存于土壤中;(4)休闲期1 m土层平均贮水效率为0.27,贮水效率随着麦收时的土壤墒情增加而线性递减,当麦收时1 m土层贮水量小于田间持水量的45%～48%时,贮水效率较高,1 m土层水分得到充分补充的降水阈值为388 mm。该研究成果揭示了近40年陇东黄土高原休闲期降水和土壤贮水的转化规律,同时为指导区域水资源高效利用提供科学依据。