Campylobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., and Cryptosporidium oocysts in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Northern Finland and Norway

The specific aim of this study was to assess the faecal shedding of zoonotic enteropathogens by semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) to deduce the potential risk to human health through modern reindeer herding. In total, 2,243 faecal samples of reindeer from northern regions of Finland and Norway were examined for potentially enteropathogenic bacteria (Campylobacter species, Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species and Yersinia species) and parasites (Cryptosporidium species) in accordance with standard procedures. Escherichia coli were isolated in 94.7%, Enterococcus species in 92.9%, Yersinia species in 4.8% of the samples and Campylobacter species in one sample only (0.04%). Analysis for virulence factors in E. coli and Yersinia species revealed no pathogenic strains. Neither Salmonella species nor Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected. The public health risk due to reindeer husbandry concerning zoonotic diseases included in this study has to be considered as very low at present but a putative epidemiological threat may arise when herding conditions are changed with respect to intensification and crowding

Ultrasonic Testing - Reconstruction of Reflectors from Time-Delay and Amplitude-Locus Curves

For ultrasonic testing (pulse-echo or tandem) the surface of a test piece is scanned by a probe or a probe array. Time-delay and amplitude for each pulse, locus of incidence, reflector inside the beam and wave path, are measured. Shape and position of reflectors are reconstructed from time-delay locus curves. In addition, isolated amplitude-locus curves derived from measurements are compared to calculations for several reflector modes. The best fitting model is selected. Diameter or width and inclination are determined

Central motor and sensory conduction in patients with hepatic myelopathy

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Bubble columns staged with structured fibrous catalytic layers: Residence time distribution and mass transfer

A new reactor concept for catalyzed three-phase reactions based on the use of woven fibrous materials for bubble columns is suggested. In comparison to conventional multistage bubble columns, the trays are made from woven fibrous catalytic layers. The hydrodynamic parameters such as the residence time distribution (RTD) and the volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient k(L)a are investigated in an air/water system for different layer structures and different superficial gas (u(g0) < 60 cm/s) and liquid (u(10) < 6 cm/s) velocities. The major reactor design parameters, such as the thread diameter D, the distance between the woven threads w, and the distance between the fibrous layers b, are discussed

Chaos in Axially Symmetric Potentials with Octupole Deformation

Classical and quantum mechanical results are reported for the single particle motion in a harmonic oscillator potential which is characterized by a quadrupole deformation and an additional octupole deformation. The chaotic character of the motion is srongly dependent on the quadrupole deformation in that for a prolate deformation virtually no chaos is discernible while for the oblate case the motion shows strong chaos when the octupole term is turned on.Comment: 6 pages LaTex plus 4 figures available by contacting the authors directly, published in PHYS.REV.LETT. 72(1994) 235