Wind instrumentalists require a sophisticated functioning of their respiratory system to control their air stream, which provides the power for optimal musical performance. The air supply must be delivered into the instrument in a steady... more
Wind instrumentalists require a sophisticated functioning of their respiratory system to control their air stream, which provides the power for optimal musical performance. The air supply must be delivered into the instrument in a steady and controlled manner and with enough power by the action of the expiratory musculature to produce the desired level of sound at the correct pitch. It is suggested that playing posture may have an impact on the abdominal muscle activity controlling this expired air, but there is no research on musicians to support this theory. This study evaluated chest and abdominal expansion, via respiratory inductive plethysmography, as well as activation patterns of lower and upper abdominal musculature, using surface electromyography, during performance of a range of typical orchestral repertoire by 113 woodwind and brass players. Each of the five orchestral excerpts was played in one of four randomly allocated postures: standing; sitting flat; sitting inclined...
Blood supply of the teat was studied in six udder samples by radiography (3 samples) and latex (3 samples). Results revealed that the caudal mammary branch of the mammary artery terminates as cranial and caudal papillary arteries to... more
Blood supply of the teat was studied in six udder samples by radiography (3 samples) and latex (3 samples). Results revealed that the caudal mammary branch of the mammary artery terminates as cranial and caudal papillary arteries to supply the teat. Accordingly, seven goats with irreparable teat laceration were treated by teat excision and anastomosis of its gland cistern to the sound-half gland cistern, through an area of 3x4 cm free from major blood supply, on the medial aspect of the sound gland. Following surgery, four goats underwent udder atrophy as a result of mastitis (2 cases) or dehiscence of wound and mastitis (2 cases) and the remaining three goats showed satisfactory milking. This is a simple technique for treatment of selected cases of teat laceration in goats for preservation of milking during the season till weaning of kids and further studies are required to increase the success rate. Key words: Anastomosis, Cistern, Goat, Laceration, Teat.
