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Summary: A 3‐year‐old Standardbred gelding (Case 1) and a 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding (Case 2) were referred for surgical evaluation of a left radial carpal bone (RCB) fracture, sustained during training. Clinical findings at the time of initial examination included a palpable effusion within the left middle carpal joint in both horses and marked signs of pain and reduced range of motion on flexion of the affected carpus. In both horses, the RCB fracture was evident on the following radiographic views of the carpus: dorsolateral–palmaromedial oblique (30° off lateromedial) and flexed lateromedial. An additional loose wedge‐shaped osteochondral fragment at the proximal articular surface of the RCB could be seen in Case 2. Both horses underwent surgical reduction and repair of the fracture between 1 and 2 days following the initial injury, which consisted of arthroscopic removal of any intra‐articular osteochondral fragments, and arthroscopic assisted‐interfragmentary compression via a standard dorsomedial and dorsolateral approach to the antebrachiocarpal joint (ACJ) and middle carpal joints (MCJ). The two horses returned to function as racehorses, 6 months (Case 1) and 16 months (Case 2) after surgery. The RCB is a relatively uncommon site for large carpal fractures in horses. The clinical presentation and findings from this report were similar to that of third carpal bone (C3) slab fractures, confirming that surgical repair is indicated in selected cases of RCB fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of classical phononic crystal (PC) structures on the acoustical characteristics of a sound source, a combined acoustics/perceptual analysis is conducted on a PC specially designed to exhibit several spectral and wave vector properties in different audible frequency ranges. The properties, confirmed by both numerical calculations and experiments, consist in both partial and absolute band gaps, as well as a negative refraction band. A psychoacoustic feature, namely the loudness in third-octave bands, is estimated from numerical simulations of the acoustic field behind the crystal. Additional perceptual tests are conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the PC slab. In the frequency range of the band gaps, sound stimuli filtered by the PC’s impulse response are perceived as softer than stimuli resulting from a free-field propagation (FF), they also are perceived as equally (or close to equally) loud than sounds attenuated by a free-standing rigid wall (FS). In the frequency range of the focalization (negative refraction), PC sound stimuli sound louder than both FS and FF sound stimuli. The possibility of designing an efficient sound barrier based on the considered PC is finally discussed.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Clostridial colitis and endotoxaemia of intestinal origin are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in horses. Intestinal adsorbents are available for treatment of these conditions; however, little information exists supporting their use. Objectives: To evaluate the ability of di-tri-octahedral smectite to bind to Clostridium difficile toxins A and B, C. perfringens enterotoxin and endotoxin, inhibit clostridial growth and the actions of metronidazole in vitro. Methods: Clostridium difficile toxins, C. perfringens enterotoxin and endotoxin were mixed with serial dilutions of di-tri-octahedral smectite, then tested for the presence of clostridial toxins or endotoxin using commercial tests. Serial dilutions of smectite were tested for the ability to inhibit growth of C. perfringens in culture broth, and to interfere with the effect of metronidazole on growth of C. perfringens in culture broth. Results: Clostridium difficile toxins A and B, and C. perfringens enterotoxin were completely bound at dilutions of 1:2 to 1:16. Partial binding of C. difficile toxins occurred at dilutions up to 1:256 while partial binding of C. perfringens enterotoxin occurred up to a dilution of 1:128. Greater than 99% binding of endotoxin occurred with dilutions 1:2 to 1:32. No inhibition of growth of C. difficile or C. perfringens was present at any dilution, and there was no effect on the action of metronidazole. Conclusions: Di-tri-octahedral smectite possesses the ability to bind C. difficile toxins A and B, C. perfringens enterotoxin and endotoxin in vivo while having no effect on bacterial growth or the action of metronidazole. Potential relevance: In vivo studies are required to determine whether di-tri-octahedral smectite might be a useful adjunctive treatment of clostridial colifis and endotoxaemia in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traces some changes in cultural objectifications over various phases of the encounter between islanders and colonizers and examines the ways in which the recognition of both others and selves make particular practices and customs emblematic of whole ways of life. Objectification and opposition; Historical phases, shifting emblems; The inversion of tradition.

Discusses the difficulty in diagnosing two types of muscular dystrophy, Becker and limb-girdle, in males. Implications for genetic counselling of affected families; Screening with dystrophin cDNA probes.

Abstract Background Protection of public health from rabies is informed by the analysis of surveillance data from human and animal populations. In Canada, public health, agricultural and wildlife agencies at the provincial and federal level are responsible for rabies disease control, and this has led to multiple agency-specific data repositories. Aggregation of agency-specific data into one database application would enable more comprehensive data analyses and effective communication among participating agencies. In Québec, RageDB was developed to house surveillance data for the raccoon rabies variant, representing the next generation in web-based database applications that provide a key resource for the protection of public health. Results RageDB incorporates data from, and grants access to, all agencies responsible for the surveillance of raccoon rabies in Québec. Technological advancements of RageDB to rabies surveillance databases include 1) automatic integration of multi-agency data and diagnostic results on a daily basis; 2) a web-based data editing interface that enables authorized users to add, edit and extract data; and 3) an interactive dashboard to help visualize data simply and efficiently, in table, chart, and cartographic formats. Furthermore, RageDB stores data from citizens who voluntarily report sightings of rabies suspect animals. We also discuss how sightings data can indicate public perception to the risk of racoon rabies and thus aid in directing the allocation of disease control resources for protecting public health. Conclusions RageDB provides an example in the evolution of spatio-temporal database applications for the storage, analysis and communication of disease surveillance data. The database was fast and inexpensive to develop by using open-source technologies, simple and efficient design strategies, and shared web hosting. The database increases communication among agencies collaborating to protect human health from raccoon rabies. Furthermore, health agencies have real-time access to a wide assortment of data documenting new developments in the raccoon rabies epidemic and this enables a more timely and appropriate response.

Describes a simple demonstration to introduce the concept of surface area differences between large and small particles. How to demonstrate using potatoes; Time and mass measurements; Given equal amounts of substances, surface area increases as particle size decreases.