A cross-sectional study of risk factors associated with pulmonary lesions in pigs at slaughter.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify herd-level factors that may influence the prevalence and severity of macroscopically visible pulmonary lesions in pigs at slaughter. Data were collected following abattoir inspection of 50 randomly-selected batches of 6335 pigs and by interviewing the producers. Macroscopic lung lesions were identified and scored semi-quantitatively in ≥ 80 pigs/herd and the prevalence of pleuritis and pneumonia was 20.

Design of a double diaphragm shock tube for fluid disintegration studies.

A double diaphragm shock tube facility for studying liquid-spray atomization and combustion-related phenomena at elevated pressures and temperatures is described. The present shock tube is specifically intended for the investigation of fundamental processes related to fluid disintegration and mixing under realistic engine conditions. Special features of the facility include a variable-area driver section to compensate for shock attenuation, a square test section to allow flow visualization in the postshock region, a skimmer to dispose part of the boundary layer, a heated, fast-response injector, a fully automated gas-filling system, and a new control system and electronics.