A development of an in vitro methodology to predict ruminal starch degradation

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A development of an in vitro methodology to predict ruminal starch degradation

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

AGRONOMIC EDUCATION AT A CROSSROAD: PROVIDING SKILL SETS OR DEVELOPING MINDSETS?

Globally, agrifoodsystems are in constant evolution. In such a context, agronomists have the critical task to act as change agents, enabling agricultural innovation and facilitating the transition towards sustainability. Hence, agronomists should develop a new professional mindset that goes beyond the prescribed roles and fixed duties of a bounded professional. However, it is questionable whether the curricula offered by agronomic education institutes are really targeted at the development of such mindsets. In this study, employing a two-phase mixed research design and drawing on data from 180 agronomy students, we aim at identifying whether the curricula offered to future agronomists by a Greek higher education institute pave the way for the development of new professional mindsets. Our quantitative analysis revealed that agronomy curricula continue to supply students with conventional skill portfolios, and that, to nurture a professional mindset they should focus on the cultivation of soft competencies and the offering of action-based learning opportunities. Qualitative results further support these findings, uncovering that the limited focus paid by curricula to the development of students’ soft skills and systemic thinking reduces their feelings of self-efficacy. In parallel, the lack of links connecting academia and agrifood systems generates a sense of isolation from the real agrifood world, which eliminates students’ opportunities to test and validate their theoretical knowledge. These findings indicate that agronomy curricula should go beyond the supply of ready-to-use skill sets, by providing students with opportunities to combine theoretical and practical knowledge, and by helping them develop a new professional identity which emphasizes adaptability and cross-boundarythinking

The Use of Animal’s Body, Scrotal Temperature and Motion Monitoring in Evaluating Boar Semen Production Capacity

Biomedical measurements by specialized technological equipment have been used in farm animals to collect information about nutrition, behavior and welfare. This study investigates the relation of semen quality (CASA analysis, viability, morphology, membrane biochemical activity and DNA fragmentation) with boar behavior during ejaculation. Sensors were placed on the boar’s body. Movement features were collected using an inertial measurement unit (IMU), comprising an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer. Boar, scrotal and dummy temperatures were measured by an infrared (IR) camera and an IR thermometer, while the face salivation of the boar was recorded by a moisture meter (also based on IR technology). All signals and images were logged on a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) using a Bluetooth connection and then transferred wirelessly to the cloud. The data files were then processed using scripts in MATLAB 2021a (MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts) to derive the necessary indices. Ninety-four ejaculates from five boars were analyzed in this study. The statistical analysis was performed in the Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox of MATLAB 2021a using a linear mixed effects model. Significant and strong negative correlations (R2 > 0.5, p ≤ 0.05) were observed between boar, dummy and scrotal temperature with the progressive, rapid and slow movement of spermatozoa, VCL (curvilinear velocity), VSL (straight line velocity) and ALH (amplitude of lateral head displacement) kinematics. The volume of the ejaculate was correlated with the scrotal and dummy temperature. Dummy’s temperature was negatively correlated with BCF (beat/cross-frequency), viability and total time of ejaculation, while it was positively correlated with abnormal morphology. Body temperature was negatively correlated with BCF. Positive correlations were noticed between VAP (average path velocity) and total time of ejaculation with body acceleration features, as well as between the overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) and total time of ejaculation. In conclusion, the use of biomedical sensors can support the evaluation of boar sperm production capacity, providing valuable information about semen quality