Ranking very young Pinus radiata families for acoustic stiffness and validation by microfibril angle

International audienceAbstractKey messageAcoustic techniques can be utilised to rank a large population of young trees for stiffness and stability for breeding purposes.IntroductionThis study sought to validate new approaches to rapid, very early screening and selection of radiata pine families, using microfibril angle (MFA) as a reference for comparative purposes.MethodA key feature was tilting the trees at an angle of ∼30° after the initial 12 months of growth in order to force production of opposite wood (OW) and compression wood (CW) and prevent the co-mingling of the two distinctive wood types as occurs ‘at random’ within vertical stems. After 34 months, OW and CW materials were characterised independently for acoustic velocity (V), dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEdynamic), basic density and longitudinal shrinkage. Finally, MFA were determined with X-ray diffraction.ResultNo phenotypic correlation was observed between OW and CW wood properties. The Spearman ranking correlation between V2 and MFA values in OW was 0.81.ConclusionWe show that families or individual trees with superior wood properties can be screened at this young age using acoustics. Further, the same outcomes can be achieved as with X-ray diffraction (MFA) but more cheaply and rapidly

A geometrical model of softwood anatomy for fluid mechanics simulations

This paper demonstrates a model of softwood geometry that can be used for multiscale modelling of the longitudinal movement of water through spruce wood. Previous results obtained from a high resolution X-ray CT scan and subsequent image analysis of a large number of Norway spruce tracheids were here used to produce a model that can represent the variability in wood anatomy found within a timber joist or log. A demonstration of that model is given

The 2020 Five Domains Model: Including Human-Animal Interactions in Assessments of Animal Welfare

Throughout its 25-year history, the Five Domains Model for animal welfare assessment has been regularly updated to include at each stage the latest authenticated developments in animal welfare science thinking. The domains of the most up-to-date Model described here are: 1 Nutrition, 2 Physical Environment, 3 Health, 4 Behavioural Interactions and 5 Mental State. The first four domains focus attention on factors that give rise to specific negative or positive subjective experiences (affects), which contribute to the animal’s mental state, as evaluated in Domain 5. More specifically, the first three domains focus mainly on factors that disturb or disrupt particular features of the body’s internal stability. Each disturbed or disrupted feature generates sensory inputs which are processed by the brain to form specific negative affects. These affects are associated with behaviours that act to restore the body’s internal stability. Each such behaviour is essential for the survival of the animal

Development and management of systemic lupus erythematosus in an HIV-infected man with hepatitis C and B co-infection following interferon therapy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The association of human immunodeficiency virus and immune dysfunction leading to development of autoimmune markers is well described, but human immunodeficiency virus infection is relatively protective for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. In contrast, development of systemic lupus erythematosus with hepatitis C and with interferon therapy is well described in a number of case reports. We here describe the first case of systemic lupus erythematosus developing in a man infected with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C and hepatitis B co-infection where the onset seems to have been temporally related to interferon therapy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus complicating interferon-α therapy for hepatitis C in a 47-year-old asplenic male with haemophilia co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B. He presented with a truncal rash, abdominal pains and headache and later developed grade IV lupus nephritis requiring haemodialysis, mycophenolate mofetil and steroid therapy. We were able to successfully withdraw dialysis and mycophenolate while maintaining stable renal function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Interferon-α is critical in antiviral immunity against hepatitis C but also acts as a pathogenic mediator for systemic lupus erythematosus, a condition associated with activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells that are depleted in human immunodeficiency virus infection. The occurrence of auto-antibodies and lupus-like features in the coinfections with hepatitis C require careful assessment. Immunosuppressant therapy for lupus risks exacerbating underlying infections in patients with concurrent human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C.</p

Models to predict the radial variation of stiffness, strength, and density in planted noble fir, Norway spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar in Great Britain

Key message: This study compares the measured radial variation in wood stiffness, strength, and density of noble fir, Norway spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar by developing mixed-effects models for each property using age as the explanatory variable. These models could be used to simulate the effect of rotation length and species choice on sawn wood properties. Context: Timber production in Great Britain relies primarily on Sitka spruce. The use of multiple species is desirable to mitigate against biotic and abiotic risks posed to a single species. When considering alternative species, quantifying and modeling radial variation in wood properties is important to determine the potential for sawn timber production at a given rotation length. Aims: To build empirical models for the radial variation in wood properties that can account for species. Methods: Clear-wood samples were produced along radial transects in trees from four conifer species: Abies procera Rehder, Picea abies (L.) Karst, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., Thuja plicata Donn. ex D.Don. Modulus of Elasticity, Modulus of Rupture, and density were measured on each species according to established standards. Mixed-effects models were built using ring numbers from the pith and species as explanatory variables. Results: The same model forms could be used across the four species. Nonlinear models were developed for the Modulus of Elasticity and density. For the Modulus of Rupture, a linear model was most appropriate. The effect of species in the models was significant. Conclusion: At similar rotation lengths, noble fir, Norway spruce, and western hemlock can produce timber with comparable properties to Sitka spruce. Overall, western red cedar would have worse properties for structural use

The effectiveness and satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Study Design: Pilot randomised controlled trial. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness and participant satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy for people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Setting: Community patients of a national spinal injury unit in a university teaching hospital, Scotland, UK. Methods: Twenty-four participants were recruited and randomised to receive eight weeks of web-based physiotherapy (intervention), twice per week, or usual care (control). Individual exercise programmes were prescribed based upon participant’s abilities. The intervention was delivered via a website (www.webbasedphysio.com) and monitored and progressed remotely by the physiotherapist. Results: Participants logged on to the website an average of 1.4±0.8 times per week. Between-group differences, although not significant were more pronounced for the 6 minute walk test. Participants were positive about using web-based physiotherapy and stated they would be happy to use it again and would recommend it to others. Overall it was rated as either good or excellent. Conclusions: Web-based physiotherapy was feasible and acceptable for people with SCI. Participants achieved good compliance with the intervention, rated the programme highly and beneficial for health and well-being at various states post injury. The results of this study warrant further work with a more homogenous sample

A parameterization of flow separation over subaqueous dunes

Flow separation plays a key role in the development of dunes, and modeling the complicated flow behavior inside the flow separation zone requires much computational effort. To make a first step toward modeling dune development at reasonable temporal and spatial scales, a parameterization of the shape of the flow separation zone over two-dimensional dunes is proposed herein, in order to avoid modeling the complex flow inside the flow separation zone. Flow separation behind dunes, with an angle-of-repose slip face, is characterized by a large circulating leeside eddy, where a separation streamline forms the upper boundary of the recirculating eddy. Experimental data of turbulent flow over two-dimensional subaqueous bed forms are used to parameterize this separation streamline. The bed forms have various heights and height to length ratios, and a wide range of flow conditions is analyzed. This paper shows that the shape of the flow separation zone can be approximated by a third-order polynomial as a function of the distance away from the flow separation point. The coefficients of the polynomial can be estimated, independent of flow conditions, on the basis of bed form shape at the flow separation point and a constant angle of the separation streamline at the flow reattachment point. \ud \u

The epidemiology of acromioclavicular joint excision

Background: With the development of arthroscopic procedures such as subacromial decompression (ASAD) and rotator cuff repair (RCR), it is hypothesized that there may have been a similar rise in the performance of acromioclavicular joint excision (ACJE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of ACJE to examine incidence, surgical technique, age, gender of patients and associated procedures in an urban population. Methods: A prospectively collected surgical database was retrospectively examined to identify patients undergoing ACJE. Associated procedures such as ASAD or RCR were determined from these records. The demographic details (age and gender) were also recorded. Results: A total of 411 ACJEs were performed over the study period (n = 216 males, n = 195 female). The overall incidence increased from 9.3 per 100,000 in 2009, to a peak of 19.6 per 1,00,000 in 2013. In 349 patients, ACJE was undertaken as part of an arthroscopic procedure, of which 332 were ASAD+ACJE alone. The prevalence of arthroscopic ACJE in ASADs was 23.7% (349/1400). ACJE was performed as an open procedure in 62 (15%) cases. Those undergoing open ACJE were younger than those undergoing an arthroscopic procedure (mean difference 6.2 years, 95% CI 3.2-9.2, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: We demonstrate an increasing incidence of ACJE in the general population. The groups of patients most likely to undergo ACJE are women aged between 45 and 54 years old, men aged 55-64 years and the most socioeconomically deprived. The higher incidence of ACJE in the most deprived socioeconomic quintile may have public health implications. Level of Evidence: II; retrospective design: prognosis study