Behavior Observation During Conformation Evaluation at a Field Test for Danish Warmblood Horses and Associations with Rideability and Performance Traits

Reactivity in horses, defined as a state of high arousal, has an impact on the daily handling and welfare of horses and can have an impact on the risk of causing human injuries. Behavior tests have been developed to assess reactivity, but these tests are difficult to apply in practice. The objectives of this study were to investigate how reactivity measured in a practical situation associates with rideability and performance and to explore the association between the measured reactivity and reactivity assessed by the horse's owner. A total of 234 Danish Warmblood females, 3 years of age, were videotaped and scored for reactivity during the evaluation of their conformation, and a questionnaire was completed by the owners. Associations between reactivity and performance traits were investigated by computing partial correlations (Pearson, r_p). A low negative correlation was found between rideability and reactivity (r_p = −0.16, P = .02) and between reactivity and free jumping (r_p = −0.14, P = .03). These results suggest that highly reactive horses received lower grades in rideability and free jumping. However, no association with performance traits in dressage was found. Likewise, low but significant association was found between reactivity and ratings from owners (r_p = 0.15, P = .02), indicating that horses considered to be nervous by their owners also were scored as reactive. In conclusion, it appears possible to measure reactivity in a practical situation. This study also concluded low negative associations between reactivity and the two performance traits rideability and free jumping.     

奥普明与螯合微量元素对养猪生产的影响

主要微量元素的功用 微量元素如何调节动物的机体代谢,在许多方面尚不清楚,以下是我们已经了解到的部分内容,但什么是生长或繁殖的 最佳需要量,哪种化学结合最易被动物吸收利用,至今只有有限的研究资料,这为我们的生产带来许多不确定因素。特别 是重金属铜超量不仅能引发动物自身的毒害作用,同时还会造成严重的环境污染,甚至是肉品自身的污染。有限的研究资 料显示,微量元素的利用对动物健康作用显著,选择正确与否将对动物的繁殖性能及生长性能有显著的影响。     

Synthesis of N-4-vinylbenzyl-monoaza-m-phenylene-34-crown-11 and its copolymerization with styrene

A functional monomer, containing a 34-membered monoazacrown ether unit (VACE) as a pendant group has been synthesized by using resorcinol, tetraethylene glycol, p-tolenesulfonyl chloride and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride as starting materials. The product structure was characterized by means of FT-IR,¹H-NMR, EA and MS. Free radical homopolymerized VACE or copolymerized VACE with styrene (ST) by the conventional radical initiator 2,2′-azobis (isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in toluene solution to afford corresponding polymers. The reactivity ratio of VACE and ST, determined by Fineman-Ross method, gave values 0.6 for VACE, and 1.4 for ST, respectively.     

Increased platelet aggregation response in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with mitral valve prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a fundamental feature of myxomatous mitral valve disease in the dog. In humans, primary MVP is associated with increased platelet reactivity. In Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), a breed predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, there is a high prevalence of hypomagnesemia and platelet anomalies, such as thrombocytopenia and macrothrombocytosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate platelet aggregation responses in CKCS and to determine the relationship between the platelet aggregation response and serum magnesium concentration, MVP, mitral regurgitation (MR), and platelet count. In 19 CKCS with MVP and 7 control dogs (not CKCS), the platelet aggregation response to 3 different agonists was compared. The CKCS with >100,000 platelets/microL (n = 10) had a significantly higher maximum aggregation response with regard to all tested agonists than the CKCS with <100,000 platelets/microL (n = 9) and control dogs (n = 7). The CKCS with <100,000 platelets/microL had a platelet aggregation response similar to the control dogs. There was no correlation between degree of MVP and platelet aggregation response. Platelet diameter increased (P = .006) and serum magnesium concentration decreased (P = .04) with lower platelet concentration. In conclusion, CKCS with MVP appeared to separate into 2 groups--1 group with <100,000 platelets/microL, normal platelet aggregation, low serum magnesium concentration, and enlarged platelets, and another group with >100,000 platelets/microL, increased platelet aggregation, and normal serum magnesium concentration and platelet size.     

A Note on the Heritability of Reactivity Assessed at Field Tests for Danish Warmblood Horses

Temperament traits in horses, especially reactivity, are an important trait in relation to human–horse accidents and the welfare of the horses. However, so far, temperament is often not included in many horse breeding programs. Most of the behavioral genetic studies in horses have been based on indirect indications of a sire effect and not on estimations of the heritability of temperament traits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the heritability of behavior reactions related to reactivity observed in a practical situation, that is, during the evaluation of the conformation of the horse at field tests. The study included 323 3-year-old Warmblood horses. Data were analyzed according to an animal model, and the estimation was based on restricted maximum likelihood. Results showed a low (0.17) heritability of reactivity. Probably because of the limited number of horses in the study, a high standard error was untainted. Nevertheless, results suggested a genetic variation of reactivity when assessed at field tests, but further research is needed before reactivity can be incorporated as a selection criteria into a breeding program.     

Copolymerization of 4′-vinylbenzo-15-crown-5 with Di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate

Radical copolymerization behavior of 4′-vinylbenzo-15-crown-5, a vinyl monomer having apendant 15-membered crown ether unit (VCE) with di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate (DEGEEA) was carried out in toluene solution using 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The copolymers were characterized by means of FT-IR,¹H-NMR, and¹³C-NMR. The reactivity ratio of VCE and DEGEEA, determined by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos method, gave values 0.55 for VCE, and 0.11 for DEGEEA respectively.     

Contribution of lignin to the reactivity of wood in chemical modifications I: influence of delignification on acetylation

In order to examine the contribution of wood components to the acetylation of wood, we acetylated wood meal that had been partially delignified. The results were analyzed in terms of the reaction kinetics. The first-order rate equation was successfully adjusted to the weight gain data. The rate constant for acetylation initially increased with progress of lignin elimination and then turned to decrease; the apparent activation energy showed the reverse tendency and ranged from about 90 to 130 kJ/mol. These results suggest that lignin elimination brings not only separation of lignin but also drastic change of the chemical and/or physical structure in the residual lignin, and this affects the reactivity of wood meal as a whole. The ultimate weight gain estimated by the regression of the rate equation showed a minimum when lignin was moderately eliminated, which was explained in terms of enhanced reactivity of lignin and lower accessibility for holocellulose than predicted. The equilibrium moisture content had a maximum when lignin was moderately eliminated. This tendency is the opposite of that observed for the ultimate weight gain, and suggests that the sites for acetylation do not always correspond to those for moisture adsorption. Part of this report was presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Sapporo, August 2004     

Contribution of lignin to the reactivity of wood in chemical modifications II: influence of delignification on reaction with vaporous formaldehyde

Participation of lignin in the reaction between vapor-phase formaldehyde and wood was examined by using gradually delignified wood meal. A fi rst-order rate equation was successfully applied to the weight gain data. From the estimated reaction parameters such as rate constant, k, and ultimate weight gain, a, the reactivity toward formaldehyde was discussed among wood components, and compared with that for acetylation. k decreased monotonously with progress of the elimination of lignin, suggesting that the reaction rate of lignin is dominant over that of whole wood, and the decrease in the ratio of lignin retarded the reaction of wood as a whole. On the other hand, a increased with decreasing lignin content. This may be attributable to the enhanced reactivity of the remaining lignin due to some structural changes and to the increase in the number of reactive sites in polysaccharides as a result of their exposure accompanying the elimination of lignin. The dependencies of k and a on the lignin content were not similar to the case for acetylation, probably because of the difference in the reaction phase. In vapor-phase formaldehyde treatment, the remaining lignin reacts as it is, whereas in liquid-phase acetylation it would undergo rearrangement or swelling of the structure in the reaction solution.     

Role of nitric oxide in reactivity of isolated lymphatics to substance P in shock rats

AIM: To observe the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the reactivity of isolated lymphatics to substance P (SP),which presents a biphasic change, in the hemorrhagic shock (HS) rats with the technique of lymphatic perfusion in vitro. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (surgical procedure only) and shock group (the rats were further divided into shock 0.5 h and shock 2 h groups after the HS model was established). A segment of lymphatics was pressed and perfused in vitro at transmural pressure of 3 cmH₂O after thoracic ducts were separated from the rats at the corresponding time points in each group. The lymphatics of shock 0.5 h and shock 2 h were incubated with different drugs for changing the activity of No and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), respectively. The end-systolic diameter, end-diastolic diameter, contraction frequency (CF) and passive diameter of isolated lymphatics were measured, while the contraction amplitude (CA), tonic index (TI) and fractional pump flow (FPF) were calculated after stimulated with gradient SP. Different values between pre-and post-administration of SP in CF, CA, TI and FPF were calculated and expressed as ΔCF, ΔTI, ΔCA and ΔFPF for further assessing the reactivity of lymphatics. RESULTS: NO donor L-Arg reduced ΔCF, ΔTI and ΔFPF of 0.5 h-shocked lymphatics treated with different concentrations of SP. The effect of L-Arg was obviously suppressed by a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. ΔCF, ΔTI and ΔFPF increased strikingly compared with shock 0.5 h+L-Arg group in the presence of SP at certain concentration, and ΔCF and ΔFPF increased remarkably compared with control group. NOS inhibitor L-NAME elevated ΔCF, ΔTI and ΔFPF of 2 h-shocked lymphatics treated with different concentrations of SP and the manifestation of lymphatics exceeded the values of control levels. In the experiment of 2 h-shocked lymphatics treated with L-NAME+phosphodiesterase inhibitor aminophylline (AP), the effect of L-NAME was suppressed significantly, which manifested by the decrease in ΔCF, ΔTI and ΔFPF as compared with the values of shock 2 h+L-NAME group in the presence of SP at the concentrations of 1×10^-8 mol/L and 3×10^-8 mol/L. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that NO involves in the biphasic modulation of shocked lymphatics and the effect might be involved in the action of cyclic guanosine monophosphate.     

Water flow and salt transport in cracking clay soils of the Imperial Valley, California

The principles of irrigation and drainage in cracking soils differ markedly from non-cracking soils, and are not thoroughly understood. This paper presents a conceptual model to simulate water and salt flows in cracking soils of the Imperial Valley, CA, in the presence of ground water that contributes partially to ET demand of crops. A salt reactivity function is introduced in the model to account for mineral precipitation (salt deposition) and mineral dissolution (salt pick up). The conceptual water flow model assumes that surface irrigation water moves into the cracks, infiltrates horizontally to wet the soil profile and a fraction bypasses below the root zone into the shallow ground water and is retained for later crop extraction via upflow. Then, water drains vertically through the soil profile step by step, and root water extractions are calculated. When ET exceeds available water upflow of ground water is calculated. Provision for reclamation leaching before the next crop is also made. The associated conceptual salt transport model involves complete mixing of invading and resident soil water. Salt concentration from ET is subjected to a salt reactivity function to obtain salt deposition of calcite and gypsum to obtain salt concentration after precipitation. This reactivity function is also used in the inverse when two or more waters mix to transform salt after precipitation to salt concentration after ET. The flow of salts follows the water transport algorithum. The model has been applied to a point in the Imperial Valley and observed data from Bali et al. (2001) was used for calibration. Simulated point data from four successive years of alfalfa, reclamation leaching, wheat and lettuce are evaluated in this paper.