Efficacy of a Feed Dispenser for Horses in Decreasing Cribbing Behaviour

Cribbing is an oral stereotypy, tends to develop in captive animals as a means to cope with stress, and may be indicative of reduced welfare.Highly energetic diets ingested in a short time are one of themost relevant risk factors for the development of cribbing. The aim of this study was to verify whether feeding cribbing horses through a dispenser that delivers small quantities of concentrate when activated by the animal decreases cribbing behaviour, modifies feeding behaviour, or induces frustration. Ten horses (mean age 14 y), balanced for sex, breed, and size (mean height 162 cm),were divided into two groups of 5 horses each: Cribbing and Control. Animals were trained to use the dispenser and videorecorded continuously for 15 consecutive days from 1 h prior to feeding to 2 h after feeding in order to measure their behaviours.The feed dispenser, Quaryka, induced an increase in time necessary to finish the ration in both groups of horses ( < 0.05). With Quaryka, cribbers showed a significant reduction of time spent cribbing ( < 0.05). After removal of the feed dispenser (Post-Quaryka), cribbing behaviour significantly increased. The use of Quaryka may be particularly beneficial in horses fed high-energy diets and ingesting the food too quickly

Interoception and mental health: a roadmap

Interoception refers to the process by which the nervous system senses, interprets, and integrates signals originating from within the body, providing a moment-by moment mapping of the body’s internal landscape across conscious and unconscious levels. Interoceptive signaling has been considered a component process of reflexes, urges, feelings, drives, adaptive responses, and cognitive and emotional experiences, highlighting its contributions to the maintenance of homeostatic functioning, body regulation, and survival. Dysfunction of interoception is increasingly recognized as an important component of different mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, addictive disorders, and somatic symptom disorders. However, a number of conceptual and methodological challenges have made it difficult for interoceptive constructs to be broadly applied in mental health research and treatment settings. In November 2016, the Laureate Institute for Brain Research organized the first Interoception Summit, a gathering of interoception experts from around the world, with the goal of accelerating progress in understanding the role of interoception in mental health. The discussions at the meeting were organized around four themes: interoceptive assessment, interoceptive integration, interoceptive psychopathology, and the generation of a roadmap that could serve as a guide for future endeavors. This review article presents an overview of the emerging consensus generated by the meeting

High-frequency variability in neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries

Binary systems with a neutron-star primary accreting from a companion star display variability in the X-ray band on time scales ranging from years to milliseconds. With frequencies of up to ~1300 Hz, the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) represent the fastest variability observed from any astronomical object. The sub-millisecond time scale of this variability implies that the kHz QPOs are produced in the accretion flow very close to the surface of the neutron star, providing a unique view of the dynamics of matter under the influence of some of the strongest gravitational fields in the Universe. This offers the possibility to probe some of the most extreme predictions of General Relativity, such as dragging of inertial frames and periastron precession at rates that are sixteen orders of magnitude faster than those observed in the solar system and, ultimately, the existence of a minimum distance at which a stable orbit around a compact object is possible. Here we review the last twenty years of research on kHz QPOs, and we discuss the prospects for future developments in this field.Comment: 66 pages, 37 figures, 190 references. Review to appear in T. Belloni, M. Mendez, C. Zhang, editors, "Timing Neutron Stars: Pulsations, Oscillations and Explosions", ASSL, Springe

Endoscopic Preoperative Assessment, Classification of Stenosis, Decision-Making

Pediatric Laryngo-Tracheal Stenosis (LTS) comprises different conditions that require precise preoperative assessment and classification. According to the guidelines, the optimal diagnostic work-up of LTS patients relies both on a comprehensive anamnesis and on endoscopic and radiological assessments. All the causes of LTS result in an impairment in airflow, mucociliary clearance, phonation, and sometimes in swallowing disorders. The main goals of treatment are to maintain an adequate respiratory space and restore the Upper Aero-Digestive Tract (UADT) physiology. The first step when dealing with LTS patients is to properly assess their medical history. The main causes of pediatric LTS can be divided into two groups, i.e., congenital and acquired. The most common causes of congenital LTS are: laryngomalacia (60%), vocal fold paralysis (15-20%), subglottic stenosis (SGS) (10-15%), laryngeal webs and atresia (5%), subglottic hemangioma (1.5-3%), and others. On the other hand, 90% of acquired pediatric LTS cases are subsequent to post-intubation injuries. Other less frequent causes are: iatrogenic complications from endoscopic laryngeal interventions, benign tumors, caustic or thermal injuries, external blunt force injury or trauma, chronic inflammatory disorders, or idiopathic causes. Diagnostic work-up consists in a step-by-step investigation: awake and asleep transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TNFL), direct laryngoscopy with 0° and angled telescopes to investigate the type of stenosis (arytenoid mobility, craniocaudal extension, involved anatomical sites, and active or mature scar tissue), and broncho-esophagoscopy to rule out associated mediastinal malformations. To date there are several available classifications for each of the involved sites: Cohen's classification for anterior glottic stenosis, Bogdasarian's for posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) and Myer-Cotton's for subglottic stenosis, even though others are used in daily practice (Lano-Netterville, FLECS, etc.). The European Laryngological Society recently proposed a new classification which is applicable in all LTS cases. In this chapter we deal with preoperative assessment and staging, reviewing the most relevant classifications applicable in patients affected by LTS, conditio sine qua non in order to tailor the best treatment modality to each subject. We'll also detail the comprehensive radiological, endoscopic and functional assessment for the correct use of each staging classification

The Importance of Integrated Goal Setting: The Application of Cost-of-Capital Concepts to Private Firms

In this article, we examine financial return, answer the question of how one knows when the return is adequate, and explore the relationship of short- and long-term returns as they relate to business health

Discrimination of DNA hybridization using chemical force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to probe the mechanics of molecular recognition between surfaces. In the application known as "chemical force" microscopy (CFM), a chemically modified AFM tip probes a surface through chemical recognition. When modified with a biological ligand or receptor, the AFM tip can discriminate between its biological binding partner and other molecules on a heterogeneous substrate. The strength of the interaction between the modified tip and the substrate is governed by the molecular affinity. We have used CFM to probe the interactions between short segments of single-strand DNA (oligonucleotides). First, a latex microparticle was modified with the sequence 3'-CAGTTCTACGATGGCAAGTC and epoxied to a standard AFM cantilever. This DNA-modified probe was then used to scan substrates containing the complementary sequence 5'-GTCAAGATGCTACCGTTCAG. These substrates consisted of micron-scale, patterned arrays of one or more distinct oligonucleotides. A strong friction interaction was measured between the modified tip and both elements of surface-bound DNA. Complementary oligonucleotides exhibited a stronger friction than the noncomplementary sequences within the patterned array. The friction force correlated with the measured strength of adhesion (rupture force) for the tip- and array-bound oligonucleotides. This result is consistent with the formation of a greater number of hydrogen bonds for the complementary sequence, suggesting that the friction arises from a sequence-specific interaction (hybridization) of the tip and surface DNA

Nitrogen cycling and partitioning under alternative organic orchard floor management strategies

Organic orchard systems are a significant and growing component of Washington State agriculture, yet sustainable methods of nitrogen (N) fertility and weed management remain a challenge. Nutrient supply is dependent on decomposition and mineralization of organic matter, yet intensive cultivation commonly used to control weeds can disrupt biological processes and cause loss of organic matter. To address the often-competing goals of organic fertility and weed control, a number of alternative orchard floor management strategies were implemented and evaluated for their impact on N cycling, soil quality, and tree health in a newly established orchard. The standard practice of weed control using extensive tillage resulted in trees with good growth and acceptable levels of leaf N and most other essential nutrients, conversely, soil quality was in decline and may negatively impact long-term nutrient dynamics. Maintenance of a living cover understory resulted in greater N retention and availability, and rapid soil quality improvement, yet it severely competed with young trees, resulting in reduced tree growth. Covering the understory with wood chip mulch enhanced soil moisture and resulted in adequate tree growth, but it also facilitated N loss and correspondingly resulted in low tree leaf N. Application of a clove oil herbicide resulted in lower leaf N and tree growth in comparison to cultivated treatments and did not positively impact soil quality parameters. In contrast, Brassicaceae seedmeal (BSM) applications enhanced N availability and soil faunal biomass, yet leaf N did not reach acceptable levels and many of the other essential nutrients were lowest in this treatment. Tree leaf chlorosis was observed following an early season BSM application and may have been the result of reduced soil iron availability. None of the treatments applied produced an ideal combination of weed control, maximum tree growth, adequate leaf nutrients, and improved soil quality. Rather, soil quality improvements tended to compete with tre

The added value of exercise stress echocardiography in patients with heart failure

Doppler echocardiography can provide reliable and repeatable measures of cardiac index (CI), whereas lung ultrasound (LUS) represents a quantitative approach to assess pulmonary congestion. We tested the hypothesis that simultaneous assessment of CI and LUS during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) may define heart failure (HF) outpatients with different risk of adverse outcome. Standard transthoracic echocardiography and LUS (B-lines) evaluation were assessed during semisupine ESE. CI and B-lines were measured at baseline and peak exercise. Resting plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels were also evaluated. We enrolled 105 HF patients (87 males; age 62 ± 11 years; New York Heart Association class I to III) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (30 ± 7%). Patients were classified into 4 profiles: (1) peak CI ≥4.0 l/min/m 2 and peak B-lines &lt;15 (no evidence of congestion or hypoperfusion, n = 47); (2) peak CI ≥4.0 l/min/m 2 and peak B-lines ≥15 (congestion with adequate perfusion, n = 23); (3) peak CI &lt;4.0 l/min/m 2 and peak B-lines &lt;15 (hypoperfusion without congestion, n = 13); and (4) peak CI &lt;4.0 l/min/m 2 and peak B-lines ≥15 (congestion and hypoperfusion, n = 22). There were 21 cardiovascular deaths and 18 hospitalizations for worsening HF during a median follow-up of 29 months. Multivariate predictors of the combined end point were peak hemodynamic profiles (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19 to 2.21; p = 0.002), B-type natriuretic peptide (HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01; p = 0.001), and rest E/e’ (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.15; p = 0.002). Survival analysis showed a worse survival in patients with ESE-derived D profile, followed by patients with C, B, and A profile (log-rank: chi-square = 40.5; p &lt;0.0001). In conclusion, dual evaluation of CI and LUS during ESE is useful for risk stratification of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. Evidence of pulmonary congestion and low CI at peak ESE identifies a subgroup with a very high risk of adverse outcome

Haemodynamic and metabolic phenotyping of hypertensive patients with and without heart failure by combining cardiopulmonary and echocardiographic stress test

Aim We combined cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) to identify early haemodynamic and metabolic alterations in patients with hypertension (HT) with and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results Fifty stable HFpEF‐HT outpatients (mean age 68 ± 14 years) on optimal medical therapy, 63 well‐controlled HT subjects (mean age 63 ± 11 years) and 32 age and sex‐matched healthy controls (mean age 59 ± 15 years) underwent a symptom‐limited graded ramp bicycle CPET‐ESE. The acquisition protocol included left ventricular cardiac output, global longitudinal strain, E/e′, peak oxygen consumption (VO2), non‐invasive arterial–venous oxygen content difference (AVO2diff) and lung ultrasound B‐lines. There was a decline in peak VO2 from controls (24.4 ± 3 mL/min/kg) to HFpEF‐HT (15.2 ± 2 mL/min/kg), passing through HT (18.7 ± 2 mL/min/kg; P  < 0.0001). HFpEF‐HT displayed a lower peak cardiac output (9.8 ± 0.9 L/min) compared to HT (12.6 ± 1.0 L/min; P = 0.02) and controls (13.3 ± 1.0 L/min; P = 0.01). Peak AVO2diff was reduced in HFpEF‐HT and HT (13.3 ± 2 and 13.5 ± 2 mL/dL vs. controls: 16.9 ± 2 mL/dL; P < 0.0001). A different left ventricular contractility was observed among groups, expressed as low‐load global longitudinal strain (−16.8 ± 5% in HFpEF‐HT, −18.2 ± 3% in HT, and 20.9 ± 3% in controls; P < 0.0001), and distribution of E/e′ and B‐lines [HFpEF‐HT: 13.7 ± 3 and 16, interquartile range (IQR) 10–22; HT: 9.5 ± 2 and 8, IQR 4–10; controls: 6.2 ± 2 and 0, IQR 0–2; P < 0.0001]. Conclusions Reduced peak VO2 values in HT with and without HFpEF may be the result of decreased AVO2diff. CPET‐ESE can also identify mild signs of left ventricular systo‐diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary congestion, promoting advances in personalized therapy