Evaluating observer agreement of scoring systems for foot integrity and footrot lesions in sheep

Background: A scoring scale with five ordinal categories is used for visual diagnosis of footrot in sheep and to study its epidemiology and control. More recently a 4 point ordinal scale has been used by researchers to score foot integrity (wall and sole horn damage) in sheep. There is no information on observer agreement using either of these scales. Observer agreement for ordinal scores is usually estimated by single measure values such as weighted kappa or Kendall’s coefficient of concordance which provide no information where the disagreement lies. Modeling techniques such as latent class models provide information on both observer bias and whether observers have different thresholds at which they change the score given. In this paper we use weighted kappa and located latent class modeling to explore observer agreement when scoring footrot lesions (using photographs and videos) and foot integrity (using post mortem specimens) in sheep. We used 3 observers and 80 photographs and videos and 80 feet respectively. Results: Both footrot and foot integrity scoring scales were more consistent within observers than between. The weighted kappa values between observers for both footrot and integrity scoring scales ranged from moderate to substantial. There was disagreement between observers with both observer bias and different thresholds between score values. The between observer thresholds were different for scores 1 and 2 for footrot (using photographs and videos) and for all scores for integrity (both walls and soles). The within observer agreement was higher with weighted kappa values ranging from substantial to almost perfect. Within observer thresholds were also more consistent than between observer thresholds. Scoring using photographs was less variable than scoring using video clips or feet. Conclusions: Latent class modeling is a useful method for exploring components of disagreement within and between observers and this information could be used when developing a scoring system to improve reliability

Evaluation of temporal surveillance system sensitivity and freedom from bovine viral diarrhea in Danish dairy herds using scenario tree modelling

BACKGROUND: The temporal sensitivity of the surveillance system (TemSSe) for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) in Danish dairy herds was evaluated. Currently, the Danish antibody blocking ELISA is used to test quarterly bulk tank milk (BTM). To optimize the surveillance system as an early warning system, we considered the possibility of using the SVANOVIR ELISA, as this test has been shown to detect BVD-positive herds earlier than the blocking ELISA in BTM tests. Information from data (2010) and outputs from two published stochastic models were fed into a stochastic scenario tree to estimate the TemSSe. For that purpose we considered: the risk of BVD introduction into the dairy population, the ELISA used and the high risk period (HRP) from BVD introduction to testing (at 90 or 365 days). The effect of introducing one persistently infected (PI) calf or one transiently infected (TI) milking cow into 1 (or 8) dairy herd(s) was investigated. Additionally we estimated the confidence in low (PLow) herd prevalence (<8/4109 infected herds) and the confidence in complete freedom (PFree) from BVD (< 1/4109). RESULTS: The TemSSe, the PLow, and the PFree were higher, when tests were performed 365 days after BVD introduction, than after 90 days. Estimates were usually higher for the SVANOVIR than for the blocking ELISA, and when a PI rather than a TI was introduced into the herd(s). For instance, with the current system, the median TemSSe was 64.5 %, 90 days after a PI calf was introduced into eight dairy herds. The related median PLow was 72.5 %. When a PI calf was introduced into one herd the median TemSSe was 12.1 %, while the related PFree was 51.6 %. With the SVANOVIR ELISA these estimates were 99.0 %; 98.9 %, 43.7 % and 62.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of the blocking ELISA with the SVANOVIR could increase the TemSSe, the PLow and PFree remarkably. Those results could be used to optimize the Danish BVD surveillance system. Furthermore, the approach proposed in this study, for including the effect of the HRP within the scenario tree methodology, could be applied to optimize early warning surveillance systems of different animal diseases

A catalogue of the geophilomorph centipedes (Chilopoda) from Central and South America including Mexico

This paper is an annotated catalogue of the gcophilomorph centipedes known from Mexico, Central America, West Indies, South America and the adjacent islands. 310 species and 4 subspecies in 91 genera in II fami lies are l isted, not including 6 additional taxa of uncertain generic identity and 4 undescribed species provisionally listed as 'n.sp.' under their respective genera. Sixteen new combinations are proposed: GaJTina pujola (CHAMBERLIN, 1 943) and G. vera (CHAMBERLIN, 1 943), both from Pycnona; Nesidiphilus plusioporus (A TTEMS, 1 947). from Mesogeophilus VERHOEFF, 1 90 I; Po/ycricus bredini (CRABILL, 1 960), P. cordobanensis (VERHOEFF. 1 934), P. haitiensis (CHAMBERLIN, 1915) and P. nesiotes (CHAMBERLIN. 191 5), all from Lestophilus; Tuoba baeckstroemi (VERHOEFF, 1 924), from Geophilus ( Nesogeophilus); T. culebrae (SILVESTRI. 1 908), from Geophilus; T. latico/lis (A TTEMS, 1 903), from Geophilus ( Nesogeophilus); Titanophilus hasei (VERHOEFF, 1 938), from Notiphilides ( Venezuelides); T. incus (CHAMBERLIN, 1 941 ), from lncorya; Schendylops nealotus (CHAMBERLIN. 1 950), from Nesondyla nealota; Diplethmus porosus (ATTEM S, 1 947). from Cyclorya porosa; Chomatohius craterus (CHAMBERLIN, 1 944) and Ch. orizabae (CHAMBERLIN, 1 944), both from Gosiphilus. The new replacement name Schizonampa Iibera is proposed pro Schizonampa prognatha (CRABILL. 1 964) ex Schizolaenia prognatha CRABILL, 1 964 nee Schizotaenia prognatha COOK. 1 896. Fourteen new combinations are proposed: Nesidiphilus plusioporus (Attems, 1947), from Mesogeophilus Verhoeff, 1901; Polycricus bredini (Crabill, 1960), P. cordobanensis (Verhoeff, 1934), P. haitiensis (Chamberlin, 1915) and P. nesiotes (Chamberlin, 1915), all from Lestophilus; Tuoba baeckstroemi (Verhoeff, 1924), from Geophilus (Nesogeophilus); T. culebrae (SILVESTRI, 1908), from Geophilus; T. laticollis (Attems, 1903), from Geophilus (Nesogeophilus); Titanophilus hasei (Verhoeff, 1938), from Notiphilides (Venezuelides); T. incus (Chamberlin, 1941), from Incorya; Schendylops nealotus (Chamberlin, 1950), from Nesondyla nealota; Diplethmus porosus (Attems, 1947), from Ciclorya porosa; Chomatobius craterus (Chamberlin, 1944) and Ch. orizabae (Chamberlin, 1944), both from Gosiphilus. The new replacement name Schizonampa libera is proposed pro Schizonampa prognatha (Crabill, 1964) ex Schizotaenia prognatha Crabill, 1964 nec Schizotaenia prognatha Cook, 1896.Esta contribuiçao e urn catalogo com anotaçoes sobre os chilopodos geofilomorfas conhecidos do Mexico, da America Central, das l ndias Ocidentais, da America do Sui e das i lhas adjacentes. Estiio listados 310 especies e 4 subespecies, representantes de 91 generos e II familias. Nao foram incluidos 6 taxa de identidade generica incerta e 4 especies nao descritas, mas provisoriamentc denominadas como 'n.sp. · nos respectivos generos. Dezesseis combinaç;oes novas sao propostas: Garrina pujola (CHAMBERLIN, 1 943) e G. vera (CHAMBERLIN, 1 943), ambos de Pycnona; Nesidiphilus plusioporus (A TTEMS, 1 947), de Mesogeophilus VERHOEFF, 1 90 1; Polycricus bredini (CRABILL. 1 960), P. cordobanensis (VERHOEFF, 1 934). P. haitiensis (CHAMBERLIN. 1915) e P. nesiotes (CHAMBERLIN, 1 915), todos de Lestophilus; Tuoba baeckstroemi (VERHOEFF, 1 924), de Geophilus ( Nesogeophilus); T. cu/ebrae ( SI LVESTRI, 1 908), de Geophilus; T. laticol/is (ATTEMS, 1 903), de Geophilus ( Nesogeophilus); Titanophilus hasei (VERHOEFF, 1 938), de Notiphilides (Venezuelides); T. incus (CHAMBERLIN, 1 941 ), de lncorya; Schendylops nealotus (CHAMBERLIN, 1 950). de Nesondyla nealota; Dip/ethmus porosus (ATTEMS, 1947), de Cyc/orya porosa; Chomatobius craterus (CHAMBERLIN. 1 944) e Ch. orizabae (CHAMBERLIN. 1 944), ambos de Gosiphilus. 0 novo nome substituto Schizonampa Iibera e proposto para Schizonampa prognatha (CRABILL. 1 964) ex Schizotaenia prognatha C RABILL, 1 964 nee Schizotaenia prognatha COOK, 1896.Fil: Foddai, Donatella. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Pereira, Luis Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Minelli, Alessandro. Università di Padova; Itali

On the true identity of Geophilus tropicus Brölemann, 1898, a geophilid species from Venezuela (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Geophilidae)

Fil: Pereira, Luis Alberto. División Zoología Invertebrados. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Minelli, Alessandro. Dipartimento di Biologia. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Foddai, Donatella. Dipartimento di Biologia. Università di Padova; Itali

Comparison of Alternative Meat Inspection Regimes for Pigs From Non-Controlled Housing – Considering the Cost of Error

Denmark has not had cases of bovine tuberculosis (bovTB) for more than 30 years but is obliged by trade agreements to undertake traditional meat inspection (TMI) of finisher pigs from non-controlled housing to detect bovTB. TMI is associated with higher probability of detecting bovTB but is also more costly than visual-only inspection (VOI). To identify whether VOI should replace TMI of finisher pigs from non-controlled housing, the cost of error – defined here as probability of overlooking infection and associated economic costs - should be assessed and compared with surveillance costs. First, a scenario tree model was set up to assess the ability of detecting bovTB in an infected herd (HSe) calculated for three within-herd prevalences, WHP (1, 5 and 10%), for four different surveillance scenarios (TMI and VOI with or without serological test, respectively). HSe was calculated for six consecutive 4-week surveillance periods until predicted bovTB detection (considered high-risk periods HRP). 1-HSe was probability of missing all positives by each HRP. Next, probability of spread of infection, Pspread, and number of infected animals moved were calculated for each HRP. Costs caused by overlooking bovTB were calculated taking into account Pspread, 1-HSe, eradication costs, and trade impact. Finally, the average annual costs were calculated by adding surveillance costs and assuming one incursion of bovTB in either 1, 10 or 30 years. Input parameters were based on slaughterhouse statistics, literature and expert opinion. Herd sensitivity increased by high-risk period and within-herd prevalence. Assuming WHP=5%, HSe reached median 90% by 2nd HRP for TMI, whereas for VOI this would happen after 6th HRP. Serology had limited impact on HSe. The higher the probability of infection, the higher the probability of detection and spread. TMI resulted in lowest average annual costs, if one incursion of bovTB was expected every year. However, when assuming one introduction in 10 or 30 years, VOI resulted in lowest average costs. It may be more cost-effective to focus on imported high-risk animals coming into contact with Danish livestock, instead of using TMI as surveillance on all pigs from non-controlled housing

A New Brazilian Schendylid Centipede (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha) with Unusually Structured Antennae

In Schendylops schubarti n. sp. from Brazil: Pernambuco: Tupi the fourth antennal article is characterised by unusual chaetotaxy and by elongation. Oddly, the more proximal as well as the more distal articles are not modified. This morphological condition is quite rare in arthropods and thus far unique in centipedes.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

On the true identity of Schendylurus (Schendylotyn) integer Chamberlin, 1926, a termitophilous ballophilid centipede (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha)

Schendylurus (Schendylotyn) integer Chamberlin, 1926, originally described as a member of the Schendylidac, is transferred here to the Ballophilidae as Taeniolinum integer n. comb, and rcdcscribcd after the type specimen. Taeniolinum setosum guadeloupensis Demange and Pereira, 1985 is elevated to specific rank.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse