Effect of paragenetic factors on race time in a small population of trotters

Abstract

This study analyzes the micromorphological and mineralogical properties of a Terra Rossa soil under a traditional Mediterranean olive grove. It highlights the microscopic and sub-microscopic features generated by the permanent crop cover. The study area, where the land use has remained unchanged for the last 150 years, is near Sassari (Sardinia, Italy) and is characterized by dominant Terra Rossa developed on Miocene marine limestone. Two soil profiles were opened and described in July 2009, 1 under the canopy of an olive tree and 1 between the trees. Chemical and physical analyses were carried out. Undisturbed aggregates were collected from all the sampled horizons for thin section and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, complemented by mineralogical analyses (X-ray diffractometry, XRD). The results obtained highlighted the effects of vigorous bioturbation and stress actions that have occurred on the pedogenetic features inherited from complex genetic processes.

Benefits and risks of barefoot harness racing in Standardbred trotters

“…However, racing in a favorable position can lead to higher pressure on the horse and the driver, manifested as an increased risk of galloping, penalties, or disqualification. Reduced velocity times in long-distance races have also been observed in other studies (Štrbac & Trivunović, 2013). In this study, we observed less risk of galloping and penalties for horses racing over long distances, but there was an increased risk of disqualification for unwanted behaviors (e.g., more…”

“…The influence of sex on harness racing times has been examined in previous studies (Ojala & Hellman, 1987;Štrbac & Trivunović, 2013;Štrbac, Trivunović, & Baban, 2015). These report that, in the majority of cases, stallions achieve lower velocity times than females (on average by −0.15 to −2.29 s/km) (Ojala & Hellman, 1987;Štrbac & Trivunović, 2013).…”

Age-Related Changes in Locomotor Performance Reveal a Similar Pattern forCaenorhabditis elegans,Mus domesticus,Canis familiaris,Equus caballus, andHomo sapiens

“…Previous studies supported this relative difference (6,(34)(35)(36), consistent with the fact that H sapiens have among the slowest growth rates and greatest longevities in mammals, and hence may have slowed its relative physiological development rate during evolution (45). However more research, including phylogenetically corrected analyses (46), need to be done before a convincing argument can be made.…”

“…Based on these results, we hypothesize that these age-related patterns are common features of the relationship between age and locomotor performance in a wide range of organisms. The shape of the patterns seems to match descriptions of other age-related locomotor performances in different species, such as flight performances in Drosophila (31), honeybees (32), and codling moths (33), maximal sprint speed in dogs and horses (34)(35)(36), physical activity in different rodents and monkeys (16,27,28), grip strength in mouse lemurs (15), hunting rates and success in wolves (37), swimming speed in zebrafish (38), and voluntary activity and electrotactic behavior in C. elegans (29,39). Likewise, other performance traits might follow a similar pattern, such as biting force in mouse lemur (40), cognitive performances in Rhesus monkey (41), attentiveness in domestic dogs (42), pharynx pumping rate in C. elegans (43), and perhaps even photosynthetic yield in cotton leaves (44).…”