Contrast enhanced computed tomography findings in 105 horse distal extremities

The poor soft tissue conspicuity of CT can be improved by using intra-arterial CT Angiography (CTA), and intra-articular and intra-bursal contrast enhanced CT (CTAR). This retrospective study describes a combination protocol of CT and CTA of the horse's foot, and CTAR of the distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa. It is hypothesized this would provide a comprehensive overview of the range and severity of distal limb pathology. Radiology reports of all horses admitted for distal limb CT over a 5 year period were reviewed. All horses with a complete four stage CT examination and radiology report with lameness isolated to the foot were included. Twenty seven imaging findings using a four grade semiquantitative severity scoring system contributing towards six main diagnostic categories were described. One hundred and five examinations on 56 horses revealed a diagnosis of navicular bone disease in 64%, deep digital flexor tendinopathy in 43%, distal interphalangeal osteoarthritis in 35%, navicular bursitis in 31%, distal interphalangeal collateral ligament desmopathy in 26%, and hoof capsule and distal phalanx pathology in 10%. Only 25% of the navicular bone disease cases were considered clinically significant. The majority of deep digital flexor tendon lesions (77%) and distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (51%) were considered significant. Approximately one third of navicular bursa (37%) and collateral ligament (33%) abnormalities were considered significant. Navicular bursa abnormalities were associated with navicular bone and deep digital flexor tendon lesions. The findings support the hypothesis and the use of this protocol for evaluation of foot lameness

Methodology of the biological risk classification of animal pathogens in Belgium

The biological hazards posed by micro-organisms have lead to their categorisation into risk groups and the elaboration of classification lists. Current classification systems rely on criteria defined by the World Health Organization, which cover the severity of the disease the micro-organism might cause, its ability to spread and the availability of prophylaxis or efficient treatment. Animal pathogens are classified according to the definitions of the World Organization of Animal Health, which also consider economic aspects of disease. In Europe, classification is often directly linked to containment measures. The Belgian classification system however, only considers the inherent characteristics of the micro-organism, not its use, making the risk classification independent of containment measures. A common classification list for human and animal pathogens has been developed in Belgium using as comprehensive an approach as possible. Evolution of scientific knowledge will demand regular updating of classification lists. This paper describes the Belgian risk classification system and the methodology that was used for its peer-reviewed revision (with a focus on animal pathogens)

The ALTO project at IPN Orsay

In order to probe neutron rich radioactive noble gases produced by photo-fission, a PARRNe1 experiment (Production d'Atomes Radioactifs Riches en Neutrons) has been carried out at CERN. The incident electron beam of 50 MeV was delivered by the LIL machine: LEP Injector Linac. The experiment allowed to compare under the same conditions two production methods of radioactive noble gases: fission induced by fast neutrons and photo-fission. The obtained results show that the use of the electrons is a promising mode to get intense neutron rich ion beams. Thereafter, the success of this photo-fission experiment, a conceptual design for the installation at IPN Orsay of a 50 MeV electron accelerator close to the PARRNe-2 device has been worked out: ALTO Project. This work has started within a collaboration between IPNO, LAL and CERN groups.Comment: 14 pages, pdf file, International School-Seminar on Heavy-Ion Physics 7 (2002

Gaia Focused Product Release:Asteroid orbital solution. Properties and assessment

Context. We report the exploitation of a sample of Solar System observations based on data from the third Gaia Data Release (Gaia DR3) of nearly 157 000 asteroids. It extends the epoch astrometric solution over the time coverage planned for the Gaia DR4, which is not expected before the end of 2025. This data set covers more than one full orbital period for the vast majority of these asteroids. The orbital solutions are derived from the Gaia data alone over a relatively short arc compared to the observation history of many of these asteroids.Aims. The work aims to produce orbital elements for a large set of asteroids based on 66 months of accurate astrometry provided by Gaia and to assess the accuracy of these orbital solutions with a comparison to the best available orbits derived from independent observations. A second validation is performed with accurate occultation timings.Methods. We processed the raw astrometric measurements of Gaia to obtain astrometric positions of moving objects with 1D sub-mas accuracy at the bright end. For each asteroid that we matched to the data, an orbit fitting was attempted in the form of the best fit of the initial conditions at the median epoch. The force model included Newtonian and relativistic accelerations to derive the observation equations, which were solved with a linear least-squares fit.Results. Orbits are provided in the form of state vectors in the International Celestial Reference Frame for 156 764 asteroids, including near-Earth objects, main-belt asteroids, and Trojans. For the asteroids with the best observations, the (formal) relative uncertainty σa/a is better than 10−10. Results are compared to orbits available from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MPC. Their orbits are based on much longer data arcs, but from positions of lower quality. The relative differences in semi-major axes have a mean of 5 × 10−10 and a scatter of 5 × 10−9

Computed tomography-osteoabsorptiometry for assessing the density distribution of subchondral bone as a measure of long-term mechanical adaptation in individual joints

To estimate subchondral mineralisation patterns which represent the long-term loading history of individual joints, a method has been developed employing computed tomography (CT) which permits repeated examination of living joints. The method was tested on 5 knee, 3 sacroiliac, 3 ankle and 5 shoulder joints and then investigated with X-ray densitometry. A CT absorptiometric presentation and maps of the area distribution of the subchondral bone density areas were derived using an image analyser. Comparison of the results from both X-ray densitometry and CT-absorptiometry revealed almost identical pictures of distribution of the subchondral bone density. The method may be used to examine subchondral mineralisation as a measure of the mechanical adaptability of joints in the living subject

The need for aquatic tracking networks: the permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network

Aquatic biotelemetry techniques have proven to be valuable tools to generate knowledge on species behaviour, gather oceanographic data and help in assessing effects from anthropogenic disturbances. These data types support international policies and directives, needed for species and habitat conservation. As aquatic systems are highly interconnected and cross administrative borders, optimal data gathering should be organized on a large scale. This need triggered the development of regional, national and international aquatic animal tracking network initiatives around the globe. In Belgium, a national acoustic receiver network for fish tracking, called the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network, was set up in 2014 with different research institutes collaborating. It is a permanent network with 160 acoustic receivers and since the start, over 800 animals from 16 different fish species have been tagged and generated more than 17 million detections so far. To handle all the (meta)data generated, a data management platform was built. The central database stores all the data and has an interactive web interface that allows the users to upload, manage and explore (meta)data. In addition, the database is linked to an R-shiny application to allow the user to visualize and download the detection data. The permanent tracking network is not only a collaborative platform for exchange of data, analysis tools, devices and knowledge. It also creates opportunities to perform feasibility studies and Ph.D. studies in a cost-efficient way. The Belgian tracking network is a first step towards a Pan-European aquatic tracking network

Modeling the bremsstrahlung emission from converters

The bremsstrahlung angular and energy theoretical distributions delivered from W and UCx thick converters are reported. This study is focussed on initial kinetic energies of the electron beam included in the range 30-60 MeV, suitable for the production of large radiative yields able to induce the $^{238}$U fission. These results offer the possibility to evaluate the required shielding for a neutron rich nuclei source

Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime by Counting Trapped Protons in a Cold Neutron Beam

A measurement of the neutron lifetime $\tau_{n}$ performed by the absolute counting of in-beam neutrons and their decay protons has been completed. Protons confined in a quasi-Penning trap were accelerated onto a silicon detector held at a high potential and counted with nearly unit efficiency. The neutrons were counted by a device with an efficiency inversely proportional to neutron velocity, which cancels the dwell time of the neutron beam in the trap. The result is $\tau_{n} = (886.6\pm1.2{\rm [stat]}\pm3.2{\rm [sys]})$ s, which is the most precise measurement of the lifetime using an in-beam method. The systematic uncertainty is dominated by neutron counting, in particular the mass of the deposit and the $^{6}$Li({\it{n,t}}) cross section. The measurement technique and apparatus, data analysis, and investigation of systematic uncertainties are discussed in detail.Comment: 71 pages, 20 figures, 9 tables; submitted to PR

Characterization of the low-lying 0(+) and 2(+) states in Ni-68 via beta decay of the low-spin Co-68 isomer

The low-energy structure of the neutron-rich nucleus Ni-68 has been investigated by measuring the beta decay of the low-spin isomer in Co-68 selectively produced in the decay chain of Mn-68. A revised level scheme has been built based on the clear identification of beta-gamma-E0 delayed coincidences. Transitions between the three lowest-lying 0(+) and 2(+) states are discussed on the basis of measured intensities or their upper limits for unobserved branches and state-of-the-art shell model calculations