OBSERVATIONS ON POLLED TRAITS IN RAMS OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF; A RESEARCH NOTE

The breed characteristics of the West African Dwarf (WADI sheep have been described (ILCA, 1519; Adu and Ngere, 1979). The typical head characteristics for the rams is the presence of short spiral horns (ILCA, 1979).

A Minimally Invasive Technique for Short Spiral Implant Insertion with Contextual Crestal Sinus Lifting in the Atrophic Maxilla: A Preliminary Report

The most recently reported techniques for the rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla are increasingly less invasive, as they are generally oriented to avoid sinus floor elevation with lateral access. The authors describe a mini-invasive surgical technique for short spiral implant insertion for the prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla, which could be considered a combination of several previously described techniques based on the under-preparation of the implant site to improve fixture primary stability and crestal approach to the sinus floor elevation without heterologous bone graft. Eighty short spiral implants were inserted in the molar area of the maxilla in patients with 4.5–6 mm of alveolar bone, measured on pre-operative computed tomography. The surgical technique involved careful drilling for the preparation of implant sites at differentiated depths, allowing bone dislocation in the apical direction, traumatic crestal sinus membrane elevation, and insertion of an implant (with spiral morphology) longer than pre-operative measurements. Prostheses were all single crowns. In all cases, a spiral implant 2–4 mm longer than the residual bone was placed. Only two implants were lost due to peri-implantitis but subsequently replaced and followed-up. Bone loss values around the implants after three months (at the re-opening) ranged from 0 to 0.6 mm, (median value: 0.1 mm), while after two years, the same values ranged from 0.4 to 1.3 mm (median value: 0.7 mm). Clinical post-operative complications did not occur. After ten years, no implant has been lost. Overall, the described protocol seems to show good results in terms of predictability and patient compliance.

Factors Influencing the Machinability during Turning Sinter-Hardened Cu-Ni-Mo Based Steel: Dependency on Cutting Speed, Feed Rate, and Cutting Depth

Machinability of sintered parts is a complex phenomenon influenced by a number of factors, including workpiece and tool properties, cutting conditions, and cutting parameters. A better understanding of the influence of all these parameters on the machinability of sinter-hardened Cu-Ni-Mo based steels is essential. This work uses an output matrix of surface roughness, chip formation, cutting forces, and tool wear to assess the machinability of sintered parts. Cutting speeds of 50, 150, and 250 m/min, feed rates of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 mm/rev, and cutting depths of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mm were systematically used as cutting parameters. The results indicated that short spiral chips were formed in all cutting parameters and that the higher feed rates and cutting depth increase the forces and deteriorate surface quality. The increase in cutting speed increases the forces, while linearly decreasing the tool life; however, it has a positive effect on the surface finish.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability in a comparative study of cross-sectional and spiral computed tomography pelvimetry methods

Background Different low-dose computed tomography (CT) pelvimetry methods can be used to evaluate the size of birth canal before delivery. CT pelvimetry might generate an acceptable low fetal radiation dose but its measurement accuracy is unknown. Purpose To investigate intra- and inter-rater measurement reliability of cross-sectional and two spiral CT pelvimetry methods: standard spiral and short spiral. Material and Methods Ten individuals (age ≥60 years, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) having a CT scan of the abdomen also had CT pelvimetry scans. Three radiologists made independent measurements of each pelvimetry method on two occasions and also in consensus for a reference pelvimetry computed from the standard-dose CT scan of the abdomen. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient. Results Measurements in the short spiral pelvimetry demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.93, and good to excellent 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.99. Corresponding results of the standard spiral and cross-sectional pelvimetry showed good to excellent intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.85 and ≥0.76, and 95% confidence interval was least good and moderate 0.73–0.98 and 0.59–0.97, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient between reference pelvimetry and other CT methods showed analogous results. Conclusion The short spiral pelvimetry demonstrated high and best reliability in comparison to other methods. Standard spiral method showed also good measurement reliability but the short spiral pelvimetry generates lower fetal radiation dose. This method might be suitable for measurements at narrow pelvis. Patient acceptance and attitude to CT pelvimetry should be investigated.

An Anatolian-Persian tomb relief from Gökçeler in Lydia

The relief block at the centre of this study was found in 2004 in a ploughed field in the northern region of Lydia near the village of Gökçeler in the district of Akhisar, in what is today the Manisa province. A standing male figure is depicted on the block, which probably belonged to a chamber tomb. Holding a cock and a bud in his hands, stylistically the figure points to a date between the late sixth century BC and the early fifth century BC. He has short, spiral curls and wears a long-sleeved, tight-fitting garment that appears to be influenced by the Persian style. Within the scope of Anatolian-Persian funerary reliefs, this example is particularly significant due to its typological and iconographical elements. Specifically, following comparisons with other works of the Persian period, it is possible to suggest that the figure on the Gökçeler relief is an African who is offering a gift to the tomb owner; the latter may have been Persian or have served a Persian. Thus, this relief has particular significance since it is the only known work of Anatolian-Persian sculpture which indicates that individuals of African origin lived in the Anatolian region under Persian rule.

Actinomadura syzygii sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the roots of a jambolan plum tree (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels)

The taxonomic position of an endophytic actinomycete, strain GKU 157T, isolated from the roots of a jambolan plum tree (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) collected at Khao Khitchakut National Park, Chantaburi province, Thailand, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain GKU 157T belongs to the genus Actinomadura and formed a distinct phyletic line with Actinomadura chibensis NBRC 106107T (98.6 % similarity). Strain GKU 157T formed an extensively branched, non-fragmenting substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae that differentiated into hooked to short spiral chains of about 20 non-motile spores with a warty surface. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were galactose, glucose, madurose, mannose and ribose. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. Mycolic acids were absent. The phospholipids included phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositolmannoside (PIM) and two unknown phospholipids (PLs). The major menaquinone was MK-9(H6) and the predominant fatty acids were C16:0, iso-C16:0, C18:1ω9c, C18:0 and 10-methyl C18:0 (tuberculostearic acid). The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.1 mol%. A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and significant differences from related species in cultural, physiological and chemical characteristics indicated that strain GKU 157T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura syzygii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GKU 157T ( = BCC 70456T = NBRC 110399T).

Actinoallomurus acaciae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth.

A novel endophytic actinomycete, strain GMKU 931T, was isolated from the root of a wattle tree, Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth., collected at Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. Strain GMKU 931T produced short spiral chains of smooth-surfaced spores on the aerial mycelium. Lysine and meso-diaminopimelic acid were present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, madurose and mannose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1. The major phospholipids were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that strain GMKU 931T forms a distinct phyletic line within the recently proposed genus Actinoallomurus. The significant differences in phenotypic and genotypic data indicate that strain GMKU 931T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoallomurus, for which the name Actinoallomurus acaciae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GMKU 931T (=BCC 28622T =NBRC 104354T =NRRL B-24610T).