Time-frequency and complexity analyses for differentiation of physiologic murmurs from heart murmurs caused by aortic stenosis in Boxers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether time-frequency and complexity analyses of heart murmurs can be used to differentiate physiologic murmurs from murmurs caused by aortic stenosis (AS) in Boxers. ANIMALS: 27 Boxers with murmurs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were evaluated via auscultation and echocardiography. Analyses of time-frequency properties (TFPs; ie, maximal murmur frequency and duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz) and correlation dimension (T(2)) of murmurs were performed on phonocardiographic sound data. Time-frequency property and T(2) analyses of low-intensity murmurs in 16 dogs without AS were performed at 7 weeks and 12 months of age. Additionally, TFP and T(2) analyses were performed on data obtained from 11 adult AS-affected dogs with murmurs. RESULTS: In dogs with low-intensity murmurs, TFP or T(2) values at 7 weeks and 12 months did not differ significantly. For differentiation of physiologic murmurs from murmurs caused by mild AS, duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz was useful and the combination assessment of duration of frequency > 200 Hz and T(2) of the murmur had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 82%. Maximal murmur frequency did not differentiate dogs with AS from those without AS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that assessment of the duration of murmur frequency > 200 Hz can be used to distinguish physiologic heart murmurs from murmurs caused by mild AS in Boxers. Combination of this analysis with T(2) analysis may be a useful complementary method for diagnostic assessment of cardiovascular function in dogs.     

Hydrology influences breeding time in the white-throated dipper

While nitrogen and carbon stable isotope values can reflect ecological segregation, prey choice and spatial distribution in seabirds, the interpretation of bulk stable isotope values is frequently hampered by a lack of isotopic baseline data. In this study, we used compound-specific isotope analyses of amino acids (CSIA-AA) to overcome this constraint and to study interspecific differences, seasonal and historical changes in trophic positions of five seabird species, three penguins and two petrels, from a sub-Antarctic seabird community. CSIA-AA allowed comparing trophic positions of seabirds with temperate and polar distributions. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins had the highest trophic positions during the breeding season (3.7 and 3.9), but decreased these (2.9 and 3.3) during the feed-up for moult. Intra-specific differences were also detected in Thin-billed prions, where carbon isotope values clearly separated individuals with polar and temperate distributions, both in the breeding and interbreeding periods. Thin-billed prions that foraged in polar waters had lower trophic positions (3.2) than conspecifics foraging in temperate waters (3.8). We further investigated historical changes by comparing museum samples with samples collected recently. Our pilot study suggests that Rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins and Thin-billed prions with temperate non-breeding distributions had retained their trophic levels over a 90–100 year period, while Gentoo penguins and Thin-billed prions with polar non-breeding distributions had decreased trophic levels compared to historical samples. In contrast, Wilson’s storm-petrels had slightly increased trophic levels compared to samples taken in 1924–1930. We applied compound-specific stable isotope analyses across a range of contexts, from intra-specific comparisons between stages of the breeding cycle to inter-specific seabird community analysis that would not have been possible using bulk stable isotope analyses alone due to differences in isotopic baselines.     

Hormone-sensitive lipase: sequence, expression, and chromosomal localization to 19 cent-q13.3

Hormone-sensitive lipase, a key enzyme in fatty acid mobilization, overall energy homeostasis, and possibly steroidogenesis, is acutely controlled through reversible phosphorylation by catecholamines and insulin. The 757-amino acid sequence predicted from a cloned rat adipocyte complementary DNA showed no homology with any other known lipase or protein. The activity-controlling phosphorylation site was localized to Ser563 in a markedly hydrophilic domain, and a lipid-binding consensus site was tentatively identified. One or several messenger RNA species (3.3, 3.5, or 3.9 kilobases) were expressed in adipose and steroidogenic tissues and heart and skeletal muscle. The human hormone-sensitive lipase gene mapped to chromosome 19 cent-q13.3.     

The value of a craft brewery: On the relationship between craft breweries and property values

Recent literature and public discourse emphasize the role of craft breweries in the revitalization process of economically distressed neighborhoods across the U.S. With this, many are reporting rising property values in areas surrounding craft breweries. This research examines the impacts of craft breweries on both residential and commercial property values in a case study of Charlotte, North Carolina. Estimating a series of hedonic models which incorporate a difference‐in‐difference estimator, we find that craft breweries have a positive impact on residential property values. While many areas in close proximity to a craft brewery appear to have been associated with relatively higher price premiums even before the opening of the brewery, breweries tend to add to this premium, especially in center‐city neighborhoods. We find no significant impacts on commercial property values. These results are informative to policy makers considering revising zoning laws and other regulations in efforts to promote the growth of craft breweries and spur economic development in their local economies.     

Fire-derived charcoal causes loss of forest humus

Fire is a global driver of carbon storage and converts a substantial proportion of plant biomass to black carbon (for example, charcoal), which remains in the soil for thousands of years. Black carbon is therefore often proposed as an important long-term sink of soil carbon. We ran a 10-year experiment in each of three boreal forest stands to show that fire-derived charcoal promotes loss of forest humus and that this is associated with enhancement of microbial activity by charcoal. This result shows that charcoal-induced losses of belowground carbon in forests can partially offset the benefits of charcoal as a long-term carbon sink.     

Fragmentation and flow regulation of the world's large river systems

A global overview of dam-based impacts on large river systems shows that over half (172 out of 292) are affected by dams, including the eight most biogeographically diverse. Dam-impacted catchments experience higher irrigation pressure and about 25 times more economic activity per unit of water than do unaffected catchments. In view of projected changes in climate and water resource use, these findings can be used to identify ecological risks associated with further impacts on large river systems.     

Major Extractable Organic Compounds in the Biologically Degradable Fraction of Fresh,Composted and Anaerobically Digested Household Waste

The recirculation of plant nutrients from urban areas to agriculture and horticulture and a need to reduce waste disposal by landfilling and incineration are the main reasons for recycling the biologically degradable fraction of household waste. However, before using the recycled material in agricultural and horticultural production it is necessary to make sure that the material does not contain any unwanted contaminants. In general, there is a lack of knowledge about organic contaminants in the degradable fraction of household waste and its compost and anaerobic digestion products. As a first step in a study of organic contaminants in household waste, and as part of the characterization of the degradation processes during composting and anaerobic digestion, the major extractable organic compounds were identified in the biologically degradable fraction of fresh, composted and anaerobically digested household waste. The organic compounds were isolated by supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide as extraction medium. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for qualitative analyses. Natural products, such as fatty acids, fatty acid esters, n-alkanes, aliphatic alcohols, monoterpenes and triterpenes constituted the major organic components in the waste samples. In addition bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, frequently used as a plasticizer in polymers, was found in the extracts. In the chromatograms of the extracts of the fresh and composted household waste, fatty acids and fatty acid esters dominated with respect to peak heights and the number of peaks identified. In the anaerobically digested household waste n-alkanes were the dominating compound class. The pattern of the n-alkanes, also found in the fresh waste, possibly indicates a petrogenic origin of these compounds, perhaps caused by contamination during the collection of the household waste.     

Eradication of Salmonella Yoruba in an integrated pig herd

An integrated SPF herd with 320 sows was found infected with Salmonella Yoruba during an annual control among sows, aiming to verify freedom from Salmonella infections. It is believed that the infection was introduced to the herd by purchase of feed. The herd performed an age segregated rearing system. Sows and piglets were reared at a central farm, while growers (25-100 kg body weight) were reared at sub-estates. The growers were free from the infection, and as a consequence a specially designed eradication program was designed. Farrowing and weaning were defined as periods of risk for sows and piglets, respectively. Consequently sows were isolated and individually tested for presence of Salmonella one week before and one week after farrowing. The offspring were tested one week post weaning. To verify freedom from disease among piglets they were also tested another time before transfer to the uninfected sub-estates. Piglets with undefined status regarding Salmonella were denoted animals at risk and not transferred to the sub-estates. Instead they were transferred to a third estate, rented to house pigs at risk. The program was successful. It allowed full production during performance, and the herd was declared free from S. Yoruba seven and a half months after the initial diagnosis.     

Prevalence and interrelationships of hoof lesions and lameness in Swedish dairy cows

The prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness in 4899 heifers and cows was determined at claw trimming one time in a cross-sectional study on 101 Swedish dairy farms, 1996-1998. The percentage of affected animals was 41% for heel-horn erosion, 30% for sole haemorrhages, 27% for erosive dermatitis, 21% for abnormal claw shape, 14% for white-line haemorrhages, 8.8% for white-line fissures, 8.6% for sole ulcers, 3.3% for double soles, 2.3% for verrucose dermatitis, and 1.8% for interdigital hyperplasia (IH). Seventy-two percent of all animals had at least one hoof lesion. The prevalence of lameness was 5.1%; most hoof lesions did not cause lameness. Differences between herds were substantial; the herd-specific, animal-level prevalence of lesions ranged from 25 to 98% and of lameness from 0 to 33%. Sole haemorrhages were found in all herds. The proportion of variance at the between-herd level was particularly high for heel-horn erosion (62%) and abnormal claw shape (54%). Strong correlations between lesions were found within hooves (and animals), e.g. for heel-horn erosion and dermatitis (Spearman's rank correlation, r(s)=0.36 and 0.37, respectively) and for sole and white-line haemorrhages (r(s)=0.25 and 0.28). Most hoof lesions affected hind and front hooves bilaterally, whereas the correlation between hind and front hooves generally was lower. Herds that ranked high for prevalence of sole ulcer also ranked high for sole haemorrhages and for abnormal claw shape and herds that ranked high for dermatitis also ranked high for heel-horn erosion, verrucose dermatitis and IH. Abnormal claw shape was strongly associated with sole ulcer (r(s)=0.41 at cow level)-suggesting the importance of maintaining a correct claw shape for the prevention of hoof-horn lesions.     

Variation in seed oil composition of species from the genera Barbarea and Lepidium

The seed oil composition and content in a number of accessions from species of the genera Barbarea and Lepidium were analysed. The oil from most accessions of B. verna contained more than 50% erucic acid, while the oil from B. vulgaris contained ～ 30% erucic acid, and 22% each of oleic and linoleic acid. The oil from B. intermedia resembled that of B. verna. The oil content was ～ 30% in all three species. The oil composition of L. campestre and L. heterophyllum is ～ 35% linolenic acid and 23% erucic acid. Other Lepidium species had up to 47% linolenic acid in the oil. The oil content of L. campestre and L. heterophylhim was just below 20%, but other species had more than 30% oil in their seeds. The variation in oil composition found within and between species is considered sufficient for the breeding of valuable oil qualities in both genera.