Gait Analysis of Horses for Lameness Detection with Radar Sensors

This paper presents the preliminary investigation of the use of radar signatures to detect and assess lameness of horses and its severity. Radar sensors in this context can provide attractive contactless sensing capabilities, as a complementary or alternative technology to the current techniques for lameness assessment using video-graphics and inertial sensors attached to the horses' body. The paper presents several examples of experimental data collected at the Weipers Centre Equine Hospital at the University of Glasgow, showing the micro- Doppler signatures of horses and preliminary results of their analysis

PHASES Differential Astrometry and Iodine Cell Radial Velocities of the kappa Pegasi Triple Star System

kappa Pegasi is a well-known, nearby triple star system. It consists of a ``wide'' pair with semi-major axis 235 milli-arcseconds, one component of which is a single-line spectroscopic binary (semi-major axis 2.5 milli-arcseconds). Using high-precision differential astrometry and radial velocity observations, the masses for all three components are determined and the relative inclinations between the wide and narrow pairs' orbits is found to be 43.8 +/- 3.0 degrees, just over the threshold for the three body Kozai resonance. The system distance is determined to 34.60 +/- 0.21 parsec, and is consistent with trigonometric parallax measurements.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, complete versions of tables 2 and 4 can be found at http://stuff.mit.edu/~matthew1/kapPegTables

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma for treatment of an insertional core lesion of the deep digital flexor tendon within the foot of a horse

Definitive diagnosis of a deep digital flexor tendon insertional lesion within the right fore foot was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and the lesion subsequently treated by injection with platelet-rich plasma. MRI was used to guide positioning of the needle to achieve highly accurate injection. The volume injected was found to approximate the calculated lesion volume. On the basis of experience with this case, MRI-guided injection of insertional deep digital flexor tendon lesions of the foot of horses under general anaesthesia is practicable. This technique is likely to be more accurate than the other techniques described (computed tomography, ultrasonography) and carries no risk of exposure to radiation (radiography)

An inertial sensor-based system can objectively assess diagnostic anaesthesia of the equine foot

Reasons for performing study: In order for changes in lameness to be accurately and repeatably detected and recorded during diagnostic investigations, an objective measure of lameness is required.<p></p> Objectives: To ascertain whether an inertial sensor-based system can distinguish between a positive and negative response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the foot and objectively assess the effect of a positive response on the trot.<p></p> Study design: Restrospective clinical study.<p></p> Methods: Data obtained during lameness investigations undertaken between August 2011 and December 2012 in which either a palmar digital or abaxial sesamoid nerve block was performed were retrospectively reviewed. Response to diagnostic anaesthesia was categorised as positive (n = 14) or negative (n = 9) by one of 2 evaluators before analysis of kinematic data (i.e. blinded). Changes in maximum and minimum head difference (ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin) and change in head movement asymmetry/change in pelvic movement asymmetry (ΔHMA/PMA, measure of asymmetry) allocated to each limb were calculated. A Kruskal–Wallis one way analysis of variance on ranks was performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for ΔHDMax, ΔHDMin and ΔHMA for the blocked limb to identify cut-off values to distinguish positive and negative responses to the block.<p></p> Results: Median ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin were significantly greater after a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia (P<0.01). Change in head movement asymmetry allocated to the blocked limb and contralateral forelimb and ΔPMA allocated to the contralateral hindlimb were significantly greater in the positive response group (P<0.05). Change in head movement asymmetry allocated to the blocked limb and ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin are useful diagnostic tests for identifying positive response to anaesthesia (area under the curve = 0.98, 0.83 and 0.96 respectively).<p></p> Conclusions: An inertial sensor-based system can identify a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the foot. Symmetry of movement allocated to the blocked limb, contralateral forelimb and contralateral hindlimb significantly improve, and head movement significantly decreases in horses with a positive response to the block. Cut-off values for a positive response have been identified with good sensitivity and specificity. Forelimb lameness significantly affects contralateral hindlimb movement, which has implications for the investigation of multi-limb lameness

High‐Resolution Infrared Synchrotron Investigation of (HCN) 2 and a Semi‐Experimental Determination of the Dissociation Energy D 0

International audienc

High‐Resolution Infrared Synchrotron Investigation of (HCN) 2

International audienc