Application of active acoustic technology to assess the target strength of seahorses based on the presence of a reproductive organ

This study aims to provide reliable information on comparing the target strength (TS) values of seahorses based on the reproductive state. This study was carried out using hydro-acoustic technology in a water tank environment. Data were obtained using the single-beam scientific echo-sounder SIMRAD EK-15 at a frequency of 200 kHz and analyzed via the Sonar-4 software. The measurement result of the TS (mean±S.E.M.) of Hippocampus kuda female, male and pregnant male seahorses were -56.24±0.047, -57.25±0.032, and -58.26±0.06, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean TS value of H. kuda based on the reproductive state (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the response to the mean TS value of pregnant H. kuda male (the presence of a brood pouch) was lowly significant compared to the female (absence of a brood pouch) (P< 0.05). The results showed a possibility of finding a pregnant H. kuda male in a water column through active acoustic methods in the future.(AU)

Application of active acoustic technology to assess the target strength of seahorses based on the presence of a reproductive organ

This study aims to provide reliable information on comparing the target strength (TS) values of seahorses based on the reproductive state. This study was carried out using hydro-acoustic technology in a water tank environment. Data were obtained using the single-beam scientific echo-sounder SIMRAD EK-15 at a frequency of 200 kHz and analyzed via the Sonar-4 software. The measurement result of the TS (mean±S.E.M.) of Hippocampus kuda female, male and pregnant male seahorses were -56.24±0.047, -57.25±0.032, and -58.26±0.06, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean TS value of H. kuda based on the reproductive state (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the response to the mean TS value of pregnant H. kuda male (the presence of a brood pouch) was lowly significant compared to the female (absence of a brood pouch) (P< 0.05). The results showed a possibility of finding a pregnant H. kuda male in a water column through active acoustic methods in the future.(AU)

Application of active acoustic technology to assess the target strength of seahorses based on the presence of a reproductive organ

This study aims to provide reliable information on comparing the target strength (TS) values of seahorses based on the reproductive state. This study was carried out using hydro-acoustic technology in a water tank environment. Data were obtained using the single-beam scientific echo-sounder SIMRAD EK-15 at a frequency of 200 kHz and analyzed via the Sonar-4 software. The measurement result of the TS (mean±S.E.M.) of Hippocampus kuda female, male and pregnant male seahorses were -56.24±0.047, -57.25±0.032, and -58.26±0.06, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean TS value of H. kuda based on the reproductive state (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the response to the mean TS value of pregnant H. kuda male (the presence of a brood pouch) was lowly significant compared to the female (absence of a brood pouch) (P< 0.05). The results showed a possibility of finding a pregnant H. kuda male in a water column through active acoustic methods in the future.

A grazing height target to minimize tiller stem elongation rate in annual ryegrass swards

ABSTRACT: Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) is one of the most cultivated temperate annual forage crop around the world. Despite that, there is little information about the process of stem elongation during its vegetative growth. This information would be useful for grazing management purposes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the herbage accumulation and stem elongation rates in annual ryegrass pastures submitted to intermittent stocking. The experimental design used was a completely randomized 2x2 factorial with three replications. The treatments were defined by the combination of two pre-grazing heights (15 and 25cm) associated with two post-grazing heights (4 and 8cm). The herbage accumulation rates were higher in pastures with 25cm pre-grazing associated with post-grazing heights of 8cm. However, leaf production rate was only affected by post-grazing height, with higher values being recorded for stubbles heights of 8cm, regardless of pre-grazing height. Stem elongation rates in annual ryegrass tillers increased rapidly when pastures reached around 18cm, a condition where there was a relatively low competition for light, suggesting that; 1) pre-grazing heights of 18 to 20cm in annual ryegrass could be used as a upper limit for grazing management purposes whether the objective is to minimize stem contribution in accumulated herbage and 2) It seems that stem elongation is as inevitable process (independently of competition for light) and that this could be related to the necessary strength of stems, pseudostems and sheaths to support larger and heavier leaves.

RESUMO: O azevém anual (Lolium multuflorum Lam) é uma das plantas forrageiras de clima temperado mais cultivadas no mundo. Apesar disso, há poucas informações sobre o processo de alongamento de colmos para essa espécie durante seu crescimento vegetativo. Tal informação seria útil para o manejo mais adequado desta espécie. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o acúmulo de forragem e as taxas de alongamento de colmos em pastos de azevém anual submetidos à lotação intermitente. O delineamento experimental foi completamente casualizado em arranjo factorial 2x2, com três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na combinação de duas alturas em pré-pastejo (15 e 25cm), associadas com duas alturas de resíduo (4 e 8cm). A maior taxa de acúmulo de forragem foi observada nos pastos manejadas com 25cm, associadas com alturas de resíduo de 8cm. Entretanto, a taxa de acúmulo de folhas foi similar para pastos manejados com 8cm de resíduo, independente da altura em pré-pastejo (15 ou 25cm). A taxa de alongamento de colmos em perfilhos de azevém anual aumentaram rapidamente quando os pastos atingiram uma altura de 18cm, condição onde havia uma relativa baixa competição por luz, sugerindo que: 1) alturas em pré-pastejo entre 18 e 20cm em pastos de azevém anual poderia ser usada como um limite máximo de altura quando o objetivo for minimizar a contribuição de colmos na forragem acumulada; e 2) parece que o alongamento de colmos é um processo inevitável (independente de competição por luz) e isso poderia estar relacionado com a força necessária de colmos, pseudocolmos e bainhas para suportar o peso de folhas cada vez maiores e mais pesadas.

A grazing height target to minimize tiller stem elongation rate in annual ryegrass swards

ABSTRACT: Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) is one of the most cultivated temperate annual forage crop around the world. Despite that, there is little information about the process of stem elongation during its vegetative growth. This information would be useful for grazing management purposes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the herbage accumulation and stem elongation rates in annual ryegrass pastures submitted to intermittent stocking. The experimental design used was a completely randomized 2x2 factorial with three replications. The treatments were defined by the combination of two pre-grazing heights (15 and 25cm) associated with two post-grazing heights (4 and 8cm). The herbage accumulation rates were higher in pastures with 25cm pre-grazing associated with post-grazing heights of 8cm. However, leaf production rate was only affected by post-grazing height, with higher values being recorded for stubbles heights of 8cm, regardless of pre-grazing height. Stem elongation rates in annual ryegrass tillers increased rapidly when pastures reached around 18cm, a condition where there was a relatively low competition for light, suggesting that; 1) pre-grazing heights of 18 to 20cm in annual ryegrass could be used as a upper limit for grazing management purposes whether the objective is to minimize stem contribution in accumulated herbage and 2) It seems that stem elongation is as inevitable process (independently of competition for light) and that this could be related to the necessary strength of stems, pseudostems and sheaths to support larger and heavier leaves.

RESUMO: O azevém anual (Lolium multuflorum Lam) é uma das plantas forrageiras de clima temperado mais cultivadas no mundo. Apesar disso, há poucas informações sobre o processo de alongamento de colmos para essa espécie durante seu crescimento vegetativo. Tal informação seria útil para o manejo mais adequado desta espécie. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o acúmulo de forragem e as taxas de alongamento de colmos em pastos de azevém anual submetidos à lotação intermitente. O delineamento experimental foi completamente casualizado em arranjo factorial 2x2, com três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na combinação de duas alturas em pré-pastejo (15 e 25cm), associadas com duas alturas de resíduo (4 e 8cm). A maior taxa de acúmulo de forragem foi observada nos pastos manejadas com 25cm, associadas com alturas de resíduo de 8cm. Entretanto, a taxa de acúmulo de folhas foi similar para pastos manejados com 8cm de resíduo, independente da altura em pré-pastejo (15 ou 25cm). A taxa de alongamento de colmos em perfilhos de azevém anual aumentaram rapidamente quando os pastos atingiram uma altura de 18cm, condição onde havia uma relativa baixa competição por luz, sugerindo que: 1) alturas em pré-pastejo entre 18 e 20cm em pastos de azevém anual poderia ser usada como um limite máximo de altura quando o objetivo for minimizar a contribuição de colmos na forragem acumulada; e 2) parece que o alongamento de colmos é um processo inevitável (independente de competição por luz) e isso poderia estar relacionado com a força necessária de colmos, pseudocolmos e bainhas para suportar o peso de folhas cada vez maiores e mais pesadas.

Evaluation of mechanical and metal alloy composition of two sizes of circular external fixator rings for three different manufacturers for dogs / Avaliação mecânica e de composição de liga metálica de dois tamanhos de anéis para fixador externo circular de três diferentes fabricantes para cães

Background: Circular external skeletal fixator Ilizarov is a fixation method widely used to stabilize fractures. The method is performed using several components but the ring stands out as the fundamental component of this device, and compression loads in the same plane of the ring are mainly due to the wires connected from one side to another of the implant. The axial load is reached on the rings with a proper tension distractor device connected to the wires and fixed with bolts, washers and nuts during surgical procedure. Additional loads to axial tension are employed during patient`s physical activities after surgery. The study aimed to compare the resistance to axial compression load and analyze the alloy composition of the Ilizarov rings with different diameter sizes and alloys. Materials, Methods & Results: We tested two diameters of rings acquired from three manufacturers for mechanical axial compression. Manufacture sample (N = 30 rings of each trademark) was divided into two groups (60 and 80 diameter mm). The tests to evaluate strength and deformation parameters were performed in a universal testing machine Kratos ® 3.000 MP KE model, equipped with a load cell of 3000 N with test speed of 10 mm per minute. We also evaluated the elemental alloy composition by the method of the TTPIXE (Thick Target Proton Induced X-Ray Emission) in external PIXE...(AU)

Evaluation of mechanical and metal alloy composition of two sizes of circular external fixator rings for three different manufacturers for dogs / Avaliação mecânica e de composição de liga metálica de dois tamanhos de anéis para fixador externo circular de três diferentes fabricantes para cães

Background: Circular external skeletal fixator Ilizarov is a fixation method widely used to stabilize fractures. The method is performed using several components but the ring stands out as the fundamental component of this device, and compression loads in the same plane of the ring are mainly due to the wires connected from one side to another of the implant. The axial load is reached on the rings with a proper tension distractor device connected to the wires and fixed with bolts, washers and nuts during surgical procedure. Additional loads to axial tension are employed during patient`s physical activities after surgery. The study aimed to compare the resistance to axial compression load and analyze the alloy composition of the Ilizarov rings with different diameter sizes and alloys. Materials, Methods & Results: We tested two diameters of rings acquired from three manufacturers for mechanical axial compression. Manufacture sample (N = 30 rings of each trademark) was divided into two groups (60 and 80 diameter mm). The tests to evaluate strength and deformation parameters were performed in a universal testing machine Kratos ® 3.000 MP KE model, equipped with a load cell of 3000 N with test speed of 10 mm per minute. We also evaluated the elemental alloy composition by the method of the TTPIXE (Thick Target Proton Induced X-Ray Emission) in external PIXE...

Mode of action and in vitro susceptibility of mastitis pathogens to macedocin ST91KM and preparation of a teat seal containing the bacteriocin

Mastitis is considered to be the most economically costly disease affecting the dairy industry. Regular dosage of animals with antibiotics, including use of prophylactic concentrations, may select for resistant strains. The purpose of this study was to determine the mode of action of a new bacteriocin (macedocin ST91KM), to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance of mastitis pathogens to antibiotics commonly used in treatment remedies, and to introduce the possible use of an alternative antimicrobial agent. The bacteriocin macedocin ST91KM, produced by Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus ST91KM, is bactericidal to Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus associated with mastitis infections, including strains resistant to methicillin and oxacillin. Sensitive cells were deformed and secreted nucleotides, K+ and -galactosidase when exposed to macedocin ST91KM. Adsorption of the peptide to target cells decreased in the presence of solvents, suggesting that receptors on the cell surfaces have lipid moieties. No adsorption was recorded in the presence of MgCl2, KI and Na2CO3, suggesting that ionic strength plays an important role. A teat seal preparation containing macedocin ST91KM effectively released the peptide and inhibited the growth of S. agalactiae. Macedocin ST91KM could form the basis for alternative dry cow therapy to prevent mastitis infections in dairy cows as it is effective against pathogens that display resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy.

Avaliação mecânica e de composição de liga metálica de dois tamanhos de anéis para fixador externo circular de três diferentes fabricantes para cães / Evaluation of mechanical and metal alloy composition of two sizes of circular external fixator rings for three different manufacturers for dogs

Vários implantes cirúrgicos têm sido desenvolvidos para estabilizar fraturas em seres humanos e animais. O fixador esquelético externo circular de Ilizarov é método de fixação amplamente utilizado para tratamento de fraturas complexas, desvios angulares, bem como no alongamento ósseo. O anel destaca-se como componente fundamental desse dispositivo e as cargas de compressão no mesmo plano do anel são devidas principalmente a fios ligados de um lado ao outro do implante. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar a resistência à compressão axial de anéis de Ilizarov e analisar a composição da liga metálica desses anéis. Foram testados dois diâmetros de anéis de três fabricantes nacionais para os ensaios biomecânicos de compressão axial, divididos em dois grupos com quinze corpos de prova. Os testes foram realizados em máquina universal de ensaios Kratos® modelo KE 3.000MP, dotada de célula de carga de 3000N com velocidade de ensaio de 10 milímetros por minuto. Os parâmetros força e deformação foram enviados ao computador IBM®-PC através do sistema de aquisição analógica Lynx® modelo ADS-2000, que permitiu a gravação dos parâmetros para posterior análise. Também avaliou-se a composição elementar dos anéis através do método TTPIXE (partículas induzidas pela emissão de raios X em alvos espessos) em PIXE externo. Os espectros foram acumulados em buffer-multicanal conectado a um micro-computador pessoal tipo IBM-PC®. A redução de espectros de raios-X foi realizada por meio do programa AXIL. Concluiu-se que os anéis para fixador esquelético externo circular são compostos de liga metálica de alumínio e que existe diferença entre os fabricantes nacionais no ensaio mecânico de compressão axial, sendo que o fabricante A é mais rígido que os outros fabricantes para os dois diâmetros (60 e 80 milímetros) de anel e mais resistente que os outros fabricantes para o anel de 80 milímetros

Various surgical implants have been developed to stabilize fractures in humans and animals. Ilizarov/'s circular external skeletal fixator is a fixation method widely used for the treatment of complex fractures, angular deviation, as well as in bone lengthening. The ring stands out as a fundamental component of the device and compression loads in the same plane of the ring are due mainly to wires connected from one side to another of the implant. The study aimed to compare the resistance to axial compression on Ilizarovs rings and analyze the alloy composition of these rings. Two diameters were tested of three domestic ring manufacturers for biomechanical axial compression, divided into two groups with fifteen specimens each group. The tests were performed in a universal test machine Kratos® model 3.000MP KE, equipped with a 3000N load cell with a test speed of 10 mm per minute. The strength and deformation parameters were sent to the IBM®-PC computer through the Lynx® analog acquisition system model ADS-2000, which allowed the recording of the parameters for further analysis. Also, the rings alloy composition was evaluated using the TTPIXE method (thick-target particle induced X-ray emission) in external PIXE. The spectra were accumulated in a multi-channel buffer connected to an IBM®-PC type personal microcomputer. The reduction of X-ray spectra was performed using the AXIL program. In conclusion the rings was made from aluminum alloy, witch differs in composition among different fabricants, also the rings showed differences performance in mechanical testing of axial compression, and the manufacturer A is more rigid than the other manufacturers for the two diameters (60 and 80 mm) ring and tougher than the other manufacturers to the 80 mm ring

Avaliação mecânica e de composição de liga metálica de dois tamanhos de anéis para fixador externo circular de três diferentes fabricantes para cães / Evaluation of mechanical and metal alloy composition of two sizes of circular external fixator rings for three different manufacturers for dogs

Vários implantes cirúrgicos têm sido desenvolvidos para estabilizar fraturas em seres humanos e animais. O fixador esquelético externo circular de Ilizarov é método de fixação amplamente utilizado para tratamento de fraturas complexas, desvios angulares, bem como no alongamento ósseo. O anel destaca-se como componente fundamental desse dispositivo e as cargas de compressão no mesmo plano do anel são devidas principalmente a fios ligados de um lado ao outro do implante. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar a resistência à compressão axial de anéis de Ilizarov e analisar a composição da liga metálica desses anéis. Foram testados dois diâmetros de anéis de três fabricantes nacionais para os ensaios biomecânicos de compressão axial, divididos em dois grupos com quinze corpos de prova. Os testes foram realizados em máquina universal de ensaios Kratos® modelo KE 3.000MP, dotada de célula de carga de 3000N com velocidade de ensaio de 10 milímetros por minuto. Os parâmetros força e deformação foram enviados ao computador IBM®-PC através do sistema de aquisição analógica Lynx® modelo ADS-2000, que permitiu a gravação dos parâmetros para posterior análise. Também avaliou-se a composição elementar dos anéis através do método TTPIXE (partículas induzidas pela emissão de raios X em alvos espessos) em PIXE externo. Os espectros foram acumulados em buffer-multicanal conectado a um micro-computador pessoal tipo IBM-PC®. A redução de espectros de raios-X foi realizada por meio do programa AXIL. Concluiu-se que os anéis para fixador esquelético externo circular são compostos de liga metálica de alumínio e que existe diferença entre os fabricantes nacionais no ensaio mecânico de compressão axial, sendo que o fabricante A é mais rígido que os outros fabricantes para os dois diâmetros (60 e 80 milímetros) de anel e mais resistente que os outros fabricantes para o anel de 80 milímetros (AU)

Various surgical implants have been developed to stabilize fractures in humans and animals. Ilizarov\'s circular external skeletal fixator is a fixation method widely used for the treatment of complex fractures, angular deviation, as well as in bone lengthening. The ring stands out as a fundamental component of the device and compression loads in the same plane of the ring are due mainly to wires connected from one side to another of the implant. The study aimed to compare the resistance to axial compression on Ilizarovs rings and analyze the alloy composition of these rings. Two diameters were tested of three domestic ring manufacturers for biomechanical axial compression, divided into two groups with fifteen specimens each group. The tests were performed in a universal test machine Kratos® model 3.000MP KE, equipped with a 3000N load cell with a test speed of 10 mm per minute. The strength and deformation parameters were sent to the IBM®-PC computer through the Lynx® analog acquisition system model ADS-2000, which allowed the recording of the parameters for further analysis. Also, the rings alloy composition was evaluated using the TTPIXE method (thick-target particle induced X-ray emission) in external PIXE. The spectra were accumulated in a multi-channel buffer connected to an IBM®-PC type personal microcomputer. The reduction of X-ray spectra was performed using the AXIL program. In conclusion the rings was made from aluminum alloy, witch differs in composition among different fabricants, also the rings showed differences performance in mechanical testing of axial compression, and the manufacturer A is more rigid than the other manufacturers for the two diameters (60 and 80 mm) ring and tougher than the other manufacturers to the 80 mm ring (AU)