Transverse momentum fluctuations and \Delta\eta-\Delta\phi correlations in p+p interactions at the CERN SPS energies

The NA61/SHINE experiment aims to discover the critical point of strongly interacting matter and study the properties of the onset of deconfinement. These goals are to be achieved by performing a two dimensional phase diagram (T-\mu_B) scan by measurements of hadron production properties in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus interactions as a function of collision energy and system size. Close to the critical point an increase of fluctuations is predicted. In this contribution preliminary results on transverse momentum fluctuations and two-particle pseudorapidity/azimuthal angle correlations from the NA61/SHINE energy scan of p+p collisions will be presented. These new results will be compared with NA49 data on central Pb+Pb collisions and model predictions.Comment: CPOD 2013 proceedings, 5 pages, 12 figure

Simple Power-Law Model for generating correlated particles

A search for the critical point of the strongly interacting matter by studying power-law fluctuations within the framework of intermittency is ongoing. In particular, experimental data on proton and pion production in heavy-ion collisions are analyzed in transverse momentum space. In this regard, a simple model with a power-law multi-particle correlations is introduced. The model can be used to study sensitivity to detect power-law correlated particles in the presence of various detector effects.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

NA61/SHINE physics program -- first results and future plans

The NA61/SHINE experiment aims to discover the critical point of strongly interacting matter and study properties of the onset of deconfinement. These goals are to be achieved by performing a twodimensional phase diagram (T - {\mu}B) scan measurements of hadron production as a function of collision energy and system size. With its large acceptance and good particle identification NA61/SHINE also performs detailed and precise particle production measurements for the T2K, Pierre Auger Observatory and KASCADEGrande experiments. This contribution summarizes current status and future plans as well as presents the first physics results of the NA61/SHINE experiment.Comment: ISMD2011 conference proceedings 4 pages, 4 figure

Epidemiology, clinical and cytological features of lymphoma in Boxer dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory characteristics of canine lymphomas as well as some aspects of treatment outcomes. The study was conducted on Boxer dogs with lymphoma diagnosed by cytology and immunocytochemistry (CD3 and CD79 alpha). During the study period, lymphoma was diagnosed in 63 Boxers; 86.8% were T-cell (based on the Kiel classification: small clear cell lymphoma, pleomorphic small cell lymphoma, pleomorphic mixed T-cell lymphoma, pleomorphic large T-cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) and 13.2% were B-cell lymphomas (according to the Kiel classification: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, centroblastic/centroblastic polymorphic lymphoma). Overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in dogs with low-grade than with high-grade lymphoma (median OS of 6.8 and 4.7 months, respectively; P = 0.024). OS was not influenced by WHO clinical stage, WHO clinical substage, presence of splenomegaly, early administration of glucocorticoids or the time from the first presentation to the beginning of chemotherapy. There are no significant differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between low-grade and high-grade lymphomas. Boxer dogs are predisposed to T-cell lymphoma, with a predominance of high-grade tumour, especially pleomorphic, mixed small and large T-cell subtype. It is possible that Boxer dogs may respond less favourably to chemotherapy than patients of other breeds

Morphometry and topography of the coronary ostia in the European bison

Background: Coronary vessels have been widely studied in many species of domestic and wild mammals. However, there are no available literature reports describing the morphology and morphometry of the coronary ostia of the European bison (Bison bonasus). The aim of this study was to measure the area of the coronary ostia and assess their localisation in the coronary sinuses of the aortic root in the European bison. Materials and methods: The study material comprised 27 hearts from European bison of both sexes (16 males and 11 females), from 3 months to 26 years old, inhabiting the Bialowieza Forest (Bialowieza National Park, Poland). The animals were divided into two age groups: ≤ 5 years (group I) and > 5 years (group II). Results: In all the studied European bison, the aortic valve consisted of three semilunar leaflets, left, right and septal. The ostia of both coronary arteries were located beneath the sinotubular junction. The dimensions of the left coronary ostium were larger than those of the right coronary ostium. They were longer by on average 4.5 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5–5.6 mm), they were wider by on average 1.6 mm (95% CI 1.0–2.2 mm) and they had a larger area by on average 31.6 mm2 (95% CI 22.7–40.5 mm2). This was evident both in young and in adult bison. After adjusting for age, there were no differences in the ostia dimensions between males and females. There were no differences in the structure of the left and right coronary arteries in nine animals. In the remaining 18 animals, there were variations in the morphology of the coronary ostia or additional ostia. Conclusions: Because of the anatomical similarity between the European bison and other ruminants, the results of this study can be applied to the other species including endangered ones

Stress Response after Race and Endurance Training Sessions and Competitions in Arabian Horses

Assuring a high level of animal welfare is a critical aspect of contemporary animal husbandry. Equine athletes begin their careers at a very young age when they are still developing and they are both physically and mentally immature. Lack of scientific knowledge of the stress related to horse racing impedes the development of optimal training programs to attain equilibrium between the best sport results and optimal welfare. This study aimed to determine the influence of the intensity and type of physical activity on peripheral blood cortisol concentration. Thirty untrained Arabians, 9 endurance and 21 race horses were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Blood samples were analysed every 3-weeks in 4 training sessions and 2 races in racing horses and monthly after 2 training sessions and 1 competition in endurance horses. Cortisol concentration was measured at rest and 30 min. after physical effort. Racing horses were divided into two groups of the best and the worst performers. Cortisol concentration increased significantly after training and competition, however both in racing and endurance horses the increase was more intensive after competition. In the racing horses, cortisol concentration tended to gradually increase after the subsequent trainings during the racing season, however the starting gate did not appear to exert any impact on cortisol concentration. The best performing race horses appeared to have a lesser increase in cortisol concentration after the race than the worst performing horses, however the cortisol concentration after the race was not significantly different between these two groups of horses. This study suggests that an optimal training program can induce a stress response which is likely not to have any harmful impact on an athlete’s welfare. The more intense effort associated with competition events, both in race and endurance horses, results in a greater stress response, indicating that these kinds of events should be limited to assure animal welfare. Finally, better performance horses adapt more readily to physical activity as they experience less increase of serum cortisol concentration after the race

Assessment of potential maladaptive pain in dogs with elbow osteoarthritis using a Von Frey Aesthesiometer

Background This study aimed to investigate the possible presence of maladaptive pain in the thoracic limbs of dogs with elbow osteoarthritis (OA) using an electronic von Frey aesthesiometer (eVFA). Methods Twenty-eight client- and staff-owned dogs (OA, n = 14; controls, n = 14) were enrolled in the study. Every dog underwent a full orthopaedic examination, and then five von Frey measurements were obtained from each carpal pad of each dog. A maximum test threshold of 400 g was set and approved by an ethics committee. Results eVFA thresholds were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in dogs with OA (median 248 g, range 128–369 g) than in control dogs (median 390 g, range 371–400 g). In the OA group, the sensory threshold was significantly lower (p = 0.048) in the more severely affected limb than the less severely affected limb. Limitation The low maximum threshold required for ethical approval may influence the variability in the control group. Conclusions Dogs with elbow OA had significantly lower sensory thresholds than control dogs, which is compatible with the presence of maladaptive pain, potentially due to central sensitisation. Further research is required to evaluate the potential use of the eVFA for monitoring clinical progression and treatment response in dogs with elbow OA

Serological Survey of \u3ci\u3eLeptospira\u3c/i\u3e Infection in Arabian Horses in Poland

Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections worldwide, including in most livestock, some companion animals, horses, wildlife, and humans. Epidemiological estimation of its prevalence in all species is difficult due to the variety of clinical presentations and challenges regarding laboratory diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in Arabian horses kept in the largest breeding farms in Poland, representing over 15% of the Polish Arabian horse population. Leptospira antibodies were detected by MAT (cut-off 1:100) in 33.2% of serum samples (204 of 615 animals) (CI 95%: 29.6–37.0%), most frequently reacting with the serovar Grippotyphosa, similar to previous reports in populations of randomly selected horses. These results indicated high Leptospira seropositivity, thus, although any form of clinical leptospirosis is rare, it may be postulated that the leptospiral exposure is widespread