Remote Assisted Task Management for ISOBUS Equipped Tractor-Implement Combination

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Remote Assisted Task Management for ISOBUS Equipped Tractor-Implement Combination. Manuscript ATOE 07 011. Vol. IX. July, 2007

Regional Eradication of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae From Pig Herds and Documentation of Freedom of the Disease

The objectives of this study were to 1) screen all sow herds in a region for M. hyopneumoniae, 2) to effectuate an eradication programme in all those herds which were shown to be infected with M. hyopneumoniae, and 3) to follow the success of the screening and the eradication programmes. The ultimate goal was to eradicate M. hyopneumoniae from all member herds of a cooperative slaughterhouse (153 farrowing herds + 85 farrowing-to-finishing herds + 150 specialised finishing herds) before year 2000. During 1998 and 1999, a total of 5067 colostral whey and 755 serum samples (mean, 25 samples/herd) were collected from sow herds and analysed for antibodies to M. hyopneumoniae by ELISA. Antibodies were detected in 208 (3.6%) samples. Two farrowing herds (1.3%) and 20 farrowing-to-finishing herds (23.5%) were shown to be infected with M. hyopneumoniae. A programme to eradicate the infection from these herds was undertaken. During March 2000, a survey was made to prove the success of the screening and the eradication programmes. In total, 509 serum samples were collected randomly from slaughtered finishing pigs. Antibodies to M. hyopneumoniae were not detected in 506 of the samples, whereas 3 samples were considered suspicious or positive. Accordingly, 3 herds were shown to be infected. One of the herds was previously falsely classified as non-infected. Two of the herds were finishing herds practising continuous flow system (CF). Unlike finishing herds which practice all-in/all-out management routines on herd level, CF herds do not get rid of transmissible diseases spontaneously between batches, for which reason a screening was made in the rest of the CF herds (total n = 7). Consequently, 2 more infected herds were detected. In addition to the results of the survey, a decreasing prevalence of lung lesions at slaughter (from 5.2% to 0.1%) and lack of clinical breakdowns indicated that all member herds were finally free from M. hyopneumoniae in the end of year 2000

Genome-wide association study of nocturnal blood pressure dipping in hypertensive patients

Abstract Background Reduced nocturnal fall (non-dipping) of blood pressure (BP) is a predictor of cardiovascular target organ damage. No genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on BP dipping have been previously reported. Methods To study genetic variation affecting BP dipping, we conducted a GWAS in Genetics of Drug Responsiveness in Essential Hypertension (GENRES) cohort (n = 204) using the mean night-to-day BP ratio from up to four ambulatory BP recordings conducted on placebo. Associations with P < 1 × 10− 5 were further tested in two independent cohorts: Haemodynamics in Primary and Secondary Hypertension (DYNAMIC) (n = 183) and Dietary, Lifestyle and Genetic determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (DILGOM) (n = 180). We also tested the genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for association with left ventricular hypertrophy in GENRES. Results In GENRES GWAS, rs4905794 near BCL11B achieved genome-wide significance (β = − 4.8%, P = 9.6 × 10− 9 for systolic and β = − 4.3%, P = 2.2 × 10− 6 for diastolic night-to-day BP ratio). Seven additional SNPs in five loci had P values < 1 × 10− 5. The association of rs4905794 did not significantly replicate, even though in DYNAMIC the effect was in the same direction (β = − 0.8%, P = 0.4 for systolic and β = − 1.6%, P = 0.13 for diastolic night-to-day BP ratio). In GENRES, the associations remained significant even during administration of four different antihypertensive drugs. In separate analysis in GENRES, rs4905794 was associated with echocardiographic left ventricular mass (β = − 7.6 g/m2, P = 0.02). Conclusions rs4905794 near BCL11B showed evidence for association with nocturnal BP dipping. It also associated with left ventricular mass in GENRES. Combined with earlier data, our results provide support to the idea that BCL11B could play a role in cardiovascular pathophysiology

The microstructure and technological properties of ultra high strength 1100MPa grade strip steel

The article describes the microstructure and the technological properties of a direct quenched ultrahighstrength strip steel with the minimum specific yield strength of 1100MPa. The microstructure of thislow carbon, Mn-Cr-Mo-Cu-Ni alloyed steel consists mainly of auto-tempered lath martensite. Due to thesophisticated thermo-mechanical controlled processing schedule, the martensite transformation takesplace from a fine and uniform austenite grain structure. State-of-the-art steelmaking and continuous castingoperations guarantee a good inclusion cleanness and low level of segregation. The steel has excellent impactand fracture toughness properties with respect to its ultra-high strength level. The determined transitiontemperature for 28J in Charpy-V test and fracture toughness characteristic temperature, T0, were below-100°C. The weldability tests indicated that the impact toughness of the heat affected zone (HAZ) is excellentand there is no significant softening in the HAZ or in the welded joint in the wide range of t8/5 cooling times.The steel allows crack-free bending with a minimum inside bending radius equal to 3 times material thicknessirrespective of the bending direction. In addition, the steel has a good resistance to atmospheric corrosion

Perioperative Myocardial Infarction in Non-Cardiac Surgery Patients : A Prospective Observational Study

Background and Aims: Perioperative myocardial infarction is an underdiagnosed complication causing morbidity, mortality, and considerable costs. However, evidence of preventive and therapeutic options is scarce. We investigated the incidence and outcome of perioperative myocardial infarction in non-cardiac surgery patients in order to define a target population for future interventional trials. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective single-center study on non-cardiac surgery patients aged 50years or older. High-sensitivity troponin T and electrocardiograph were obtained five times perioperatively. Perioperative myocardial infarction diagnosis required a significant troponin T release and an ischemic sign or symptom. Perioperative risk calculator was used for risk assessment. Results: Of 385 patients with systematic ischemia screening, 27 patients (7.0%) had perioperative myocardial infarction. The incidence was highest in vascular surgery19 of 172 patients (11.0%). The 90-day mortality was 29.6% in patients with perioperative myocardial infarction and 5.6% in non-perioperative myocardial infarction patients (p Conclusion: Perioperative myocardial infarction is a common complication associated with a 90-day mortality of 30%. The ability of the perioperative risk calculator to predict perioperative myocardial infarction was fair supporting its routine use.Peer reviewe

Selection of massive bone allografts using shape-matching 3-dimensional registration

Background and purpose Massive bone allografts are used when surgery causes large segmental defects. Shape-matching is the primary criterion for selection of an allograft. The current selection method, based on 2-dimensional template comparison, is inefficient for 3-dimensional complex bones. We have analyzed a 3-dimensional (3-D) registration method to match the anatomy of the allograft with that of the recipient

Varus inclination of the proximal tibia or the distal femur does not influence high tibial osteotomy outcome

We have analysed retrospectively the influence of different sources of knee deformity on failure of closing wedge high tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO). Preoperative frontal plane varus deformities of the lower extremity, distal femur and proximal tibia, and medial convergence of the knee joint line were assessed on a standard whole leg radiograph in 76 patients. Using the logistic regression model, the probability of survival for HTO was 77% (SD 4%) at 10-years follow-up. Varus deformity of the lower extremity ( 3 degrees ) were identified as preoperative risk factors for conversion to arthroplasty (P = 0.03 and P = 0.006). We found no evidence that varus inclination of the proximal tibia or distal femur influences long-term survival of HTO

Genome-wide association study of nocturnal blood pressure dipping in hypertensive patients

Background: Reduced nocturnal fall (non-dipping) of blood pressure (BP) is a predictor of cardiovascular target organ damage. No genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on BP dipping have been previously reported.Methods: To study genetic variation affecting BP dipping, we conducted a GWAS in Genetics of Drug Responsiveness in Essential Hypertension (GENRES) cohort (n = 204) using the mean night-to-day BP ratio from up to four ambulatory BP recordings conducted on placebo. Associations with P< 1 x 10(-5) were further tested in two independent cohorts: Haemodynamics in Primary and Secondary Hypertension (DYNAMIC) (n = 183) and Dietary, Lifestyle and Genetic determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (DILGOM) (n = 180). We also tested the genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for association with left ventricular hypertrophy in GENRES.Results: In GENRES GWAS, rs4905794 near BCL11B achieved genome-wide significance (beta = - 4.8%, P = 9.6 x 10(-9) for systolic and beta = - 4.3%, P = 2.2 x 10(-6) for diastolic night-to-day BP ratio). Seven additional SNPs in five loci had P values < 1 x 10(-5). The association of rs4905794 did not significantly replicate, even though in DYNAMIC the effect was in the same direction (beta = - 0.8%, P = 0.4 for systolic and beta = - 1.6%, P = 0.13 for diastolic night-to-day BP ratio). In GENRES, the associations remained significant even during administration of four different antihypertensive drugs. In separate analysis in GENRES, rs4905794 was associated with echocardiographic left ventricular mass (beta = -7.6 g/m(2), P = 0.02).Conclusions: rs4905794 near BCL11B showed evidence for association with nocturnal BP dipping. It also associated with left ventricular mass in GENRES. Combined with earlier data, our results provide support to the idea that BCL11B could play a role in cardiovascular pathophysiology