Intracavity laser spectroscopy: propagation of absorption data through optical fibers

The propagation of achromatic visible laser radiation through optical fibers is examined for a quasi-cw dye laser designed to record absorption by intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS). The wavelength and intensity characteristics of the ILS laser output and any superimposed intracavity absorption features are preserved quantitatively for propagation through an extracavity single-mode optical fiber. Feedback from the front surface of the optical fiber and its associated optics can modify the ILS laser output. Two optical configurations which give no noticeable modifications to the IS data propagated through the optical fiber are described. Applications of ILS for remote sensing, sensitive detection of extracavity feedback effects, and characterization of extracavity interferometric signals are indicated.

Changes in fitness and shipboard task performance following circuit weight training programs featuring continuous or interval running

Pre- and post-physiological data were collected on 57 Navy men (mean age = 19.5 years) who participated in either circuit weight training/continuous run (CWT/CR) (N = 31) or circuit weight training/interval run (CWT/IR) (N = 26) programs. Measured variables included 4 measures of upper torso dynamic strength (one repetition maximum [1 RM] for arm curl, bench press, shoulder press, and lat pull-down); two measures of lower torso dynamic strength (1 RM) for knee extension and leg press); one measure of power (number of revolutions completed on an arm ergometer (Monark) at maximum drag); three measures of muscular endurance (number of repetitions at 60% 1 RM for bench press and leg press and maximal number of bent-knee sit-ups in 120 s); one stamina measure (time to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer (Monark) maximal work capacity [MWC] test; and three simulated shipboard tasks: manikin shoulder drag, open/secure a water tight door and paint bucket carry. Composite shipboard performance derived from the summed time (s) required to complete the three tasks was also calculated. Results show performance on the manikin shoulder drag and majority of evaluative fitness measures was significantly (p less than 0.05) enhanced following both circuit weight training/run formats. Significantly (p less than 0.05) higher values for shoulder press (F = 7.2), arm ergometer (F = 5.3), and sit-ups (F = 6.8) and lower values for leg press muscular endurance (F = 5.1) were observed in CWT/IR when compared to CWT/CR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bilateral "simultaneous" femoral neck fractures following minimal stress

Following jogging, a 53-year-old man experienced bilateral hip discomfort. Two weeks later, after stepping backward suddenly, he had severe pain in the right hip. Radiographs showed a displaced fracture of the right femoral head; this was pinned. Bone imaging revealed intense uptake in the other femoral head as well. This also was believed to be fractured, and therefore was repaired. During the two operations, no pathological cause of the bilateral femoral neck fractures was noted. The literature on simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures, without underlying bone disease, was reviewed.

Bovine leptospirosis: experimental serovar hardjo infection

Almost the full range of clinical signs observed in pregnant cattle naturally infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo was observed in this experimental study in which 22 heifers were infected by intraplacentome inoculation with serovar hardjo strains. These features included abortion, mummification, stillbirth, premature and term birth of weak calves and full-term birth of live apparently healthy calves. Leptospires were demonstrated in all but three calves by culture and or immunofluorescence.

Excretion of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo following calving or abortion

Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo was demonstrated in the vaginal discharges of 12 experimentally infected heifers for up to eight days after abortion or calving. Organisms were recovered from the oviducts of heifers examined at slaughter eight to 22 days after calving or 32 to 91 days after infection. They were also recovered from the uteri of four heifers eight to 22 days after calving.

Fitness changes of Naval women following aerobic based programs featuring calisthenic or circuit weight training exercises

Two research investigations were undertaken to determine the effects of experimental aerobic/circuit weight training (A/CWT) and standard Navy aerobic/calisthenic (A/CAL) training on fitness parameters. Study I Subjects were 22 female officer and enlisted personnel aged 24 to 34 years (mean = 28.2). The women followed a 10-week A/CWT program working at an intensity of 60% of determined one repetition maximum (1RM). These women showed significant (p less than 0.05) improvements in dynamic muscular strength, muscular endurance, and stamina. Only upper torso static strength was unaffected by training. Study II Participants were 115 female recruits aged 17 to 34 years (mean = 20.4). They were randomly assigned to one of three training groups: 1) aerobic/calisthenic training (A/CAL) (N = 58); 2) aerobic/circuit weight training at 40% (A/CWT-40) of maximum strength determined for a single repetition (1RM) of the lifting exercises (N = 26); and 3) aerobic/circuit weight training at 70% (A/CWT-70) of determined 1RM (N = 30). Results showed that standard recruit A/CAL training did not significantly (p less than 0.05) enhance upper torso dynamic strength (except the lat-pulldown test) or stamina. A/CWT-70 elicited significantly (p less than 0.05) higher gains in several tests of upper torso strength than A/CAL or A/CWT-40. These results suggest that A/CWT offers a way to develop the required upper torso strength of Navy women.

Bovine leptospirosis: some clinical features of serovar hardjo infection

During an investigation of natural in utero infection of cattle by Leptospira interrogans strains, infection (almost entirely caused by serovar hardjo) was diagnosed in 57 per cent of 505 calves (472 aborted fetuses, 20 stillborn calves and 13 perinatal deaths) examined over a six-year period. The prevalence of leptospire-infected fetuses showed a seasonal increase in September, October and December and was significantly higher in fetuses aborted by dairy cows than in fetuses aborted by beef cows. The majority of infected fetuses were aborted from the sixth month of gestation onwards. Cows which aborted infected fetuses had not previously exhibited overt signs of agalactia. There was an association between leptospiral infection and retention of fetal membranes.

Aerobic/calisthenic and aerobic/circuit weight training programs for Navy men: a comparative study

Study I. Participants were 43 Navy men (mean age = 32.1 yr) assigned to one of three exercise training protocols: aerobic/circuit weight training performed at either 40 or 60% of determined one-repetition maximum strength or aerobic/calisthenic training. During the 10-wk study, each exercise group participated in three training sessions per week performed on alternate days. The results of this study indicate that dynamic strength (both upper and lower) increased for the aerobic/circuit weight training groups but not for the aerobic/calisthenic group. With the exception of bench press endurance for the aerobic/calisthenic group, all groups showed significant increases in muscular endurance and stamina. No significant changes were seen in static strength or flexibility in any of the groups. Study II. Subjects were 87 male Navy personnel (mean age = 19.8 yr) receiving basic training at the Recruit Training Command, San Diego, CA. One company of recruits (N = 41) participated in an experimental aerobic/circuit weight training program at 70% of determined one-repetition maximum. A second company (N = 46) received the standard Navy recruit physical training program (aerobic/calisthenic training). During the 8-wk study, both groups participated in an identical running program performed three times per wk on alternate days. Additionally, aerobic/circuit weight training participants completed two circuits (1 circuit = 15 exercises) three times per wk on alternate days to running. Study findings show the experimental aerobic/circuit weight training program produced significantly greater dynamic muscular strength and muscular endurance changes than the standard aerobic/calisthenic program.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contagious equine metritis--use of gas liquid chromatography in identifying the causal agent

Cellular fatty acid compositions of contagious equine metritis isolates and three reference Haemophilus equigenitalis cultures were determined by gas chromatography. The chromatographic data were standardised and normalised fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles were produced. The profiles were compared visually and similarity indices were determined using a computer peak matching method. There was little difference between the profiles of the three reference strains, each strain being characterised by three major fatty acids; C 18:1, C 16:0 and 30H-C 14:0. Variations in cultural conditions had no significant effect on the FAME profiles. The identification of laboratory isolates using the technique was in agreement with the presumptive identification based on the currently recommended tests and an improvement on the confirmatory serological identification. The FAME profiles provided confirmation of identity where it was not possible to use the presently recommended serological procedures. The authors recommend the gas chromatography technique for use in the diagnostic laboratory as an adjunct to the presently accepted identification methods.

Leptospiral infection in horses in Northern Ireland: serological and microbiological findings

Thirteen strains of pathogenic leptospires were isolated from 12 of 91 horses; seven strains belonged to the Australis serogroup (serotype bratislava) with three, two and one strains belonging to the Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis (serotype hardjo) and Autumnalis serogroups respectively. Using leptospires isolated from horses and others representing the known parasitic Leptospira serogroups, a sample of 650 mares' sera was tested for agglutinating antibodies. Antibodies were found in 89.1 per cent of sera. The predominant reaction was to serotype bratislava, strain S/1334/79, isolated in this study, antibodies to which were detected in 81.8 per cent of sera. It is suggested that serotype bratislava may be adapted to, and maintained by, the horse population in Northern Ireland.

Leptospiral infection in aborted equine foetuses

During an investigation of equine abortion, leptospiral infection was demonstrated in nine out of 22 foetuses examined by immunofluorescence and culture. Strains belonging to four serogroups (Australis, Pomona, Hebdomadis and Icterohaemorrhagiae) were isolated. The age of leptospira infected foetuses ranged from six months to term.