Experimental balance to estimate efficiency in the use of nitrogen in rabbit breeding

[EN] Defining the composition and properties of manure in livestock production is critical in order to minimise possible environmental impacts stemming from its management. In this study, a nitrogen balance was carried out during two identical fattening periods (Experiments 1 and 2) in growing rabbits from weaning (age 28 d and live weight about 0.6 kg) to slaughter (age 61 d and live weight about 1.8 kg). The breeding conditions were typical for Spanish rabbit production. The objectives were to quantify the total nitrogen excreted by the animals and to estimate the average efficiency in the use of this nutrient, in comparison to other species. Animal weight, feed intake, and the production of faeces and urine were monitored weekly in a set of eight cages with nine rabbits in each, performing weekly analyses for nitrogen content in feed, urine and faeces. The overall nitrogen excretion was 50.2 g N per animal in Experiment 1 and 46.9 g N per animal in Experiment 2, which corresponded to about 58% of the total nitrogen intake. Urine and faeces contributed to overall nitrogen excretion in approximately the same proportions. The nitrogen excretion ratio was 40 grams per kilogram of animal produced. According to this ratio, rabbit breeding is less efficient in the use of nitrogen than raising broilers, but more than fattening pigs.The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science for the economic support to conduct this study (Project GASFARM AGL2005-07297).Calvet Sanz, S.; Estellés Barber, F.; Hermida, B.; Blumetto, O.; Torres Salvador, AG. (2008). Experimental balance to estimate efficiency in the use of nitrogen in rabbit breeding. World Rabbit Science. 16(4). https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2008.615SWORD16

Particulate matter concentrations and emissions in rabbit farms

[EN] The extent of the potential health hazards of particulate matter (PM) inside rabbit farms and the magnitude of emission levels to the outside environment are still unknown, as data on PM concentrations and emissions in and from such buildings is scarce. The purpose of this study was to quantify airborne PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and emissions on two rabbit farms in Mediterranean conditions and identify the main factors related with farm activities influencing PM generation. Concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were determined continuously using a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) in one farm with fattening rabbits and one reproductive doe farm in autumn. At the same time as PM sampling, the time and type of human farm activity being performed was recorded. Additionally, temperature, relative humidity and ventilation rate were recorded continuously. Emissions were calculated using a mass balance on each farm. Results showed PM concentrations in rabbit farms are low compared with poultry and pig farms. Average PM10 concentrations were 0.082±0.059 mg/m3 (fattening rabbits), and 0.048 ±0.058 mg/m3 (reproductive does). Average PM2.5 concentrations were 0.012±0.016 mg/m3 (fattening rabbits), and 0.012±0.035 mg/m3 (reproductive does). Particulate matter concentrations were significantly influenced by the type of human farm activity carried out in the building rather than by animal activity. The main PM-generating activity on the fattening rabbit farm was sweeping, and the major PM-generating activity in reproductive does was sweeping and burning hair from the cages. Average PM10 emissions were 5.987±6.144 mg/place/day (fattening rabbits), and 14.9±31.5 mg/place/day (reproductive does). Average PM2.5 emissions were 0.20±1.26 mg/place/day (fattening rabbits), and 2.83±19.54 mg/place/day (reproductive does). Emission results indicate that rabbit farms can be considered relevant point sources of PM emissions, comparable to other livestock species. Our results improve the knowledge on factors affecting concentration and emissions of PM in rabbit farms and can contribute to the design of suitable PM reduction measures to control not only PM inside rabbit houses, but also its emission into the atmosphere.The authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the economic support to conduct this study (Project GasFarm-2 AGL2008-04125) and the Campus de Excelencia Internacional of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. The authors are also grateful to the farmers and staff at the farms who collaborated during sampling periods.Adell Sales, E.; Calvet Sanz, S.; Torres, AG.; Cambra López, M. (2012). Particulate matter concentrations and emissions in rabbit farms. World Rabbit Science. 20(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2012.1035SWORD11120

Dynamics of the general factor of personality: A predictor mathematical tool of alcohol misuse

[EN] There are few studies developed about the general factor of personality (GFP) dynamics. This paper uses a dynamical mathematical model, the response model, to predict the short-term effects of a dose of alcohol on GFP and reports the results of an alcohol intake experiment. The GFP dynamical mechanism of change is based on the unique trait personality theory (UTPT). This theory proposes the existence of GFP, which occupies the apex of the hierarchy of personality. An experiment with 37 volunteers was performed. All the participants completed The five-adjective scale of the general factor of personality (GFP-FAS) in trait-format (GFP-T) and state-format (GFP-S) before alcohol consumption. The participants in the experimental group (28) received 26.51 g of alcohol and a slight food, while the participants in the control group (9) just received the food. Every participant filled the GFP-S each 7 minutes. The results show that GFP is modified by a single dose of alcohol: both the high scores of GFP-T and the high scores of GFP-S explain the most part of the alcohol impact. Moreover, they prove that the response model calibration to the GFP-S scores reproduces the biphasic GFP dynamics as a consequence of an alcohol dose intake described by the literature. In fact, the results also demonstrate that the response model provides the UTPT prediction: the high scores of GFP-T predict a stronger stimulant-like effect and a stronger inhibitor effect. Thus, the response model is a useful mathematical tool to predict those individuals inclined to the alcohol misuse.Amigó, S.; Caselles, A.; Micó, JC.; Sanz, MT.; Soler Fernández, D. (2020). Dynamics of the general factor of personality: A predictor mathematical tool of alcohol misuse. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences. 43(14):8116-8135. https://doi.org/10.1002/mma.6218S811681354314Malouff, J. M., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Rooke, S. E., & Schutte, N. S. (2007). Alcohol Involvement and the Five-Factor Model of Personality: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Drug Education, 37(3), 277-294. doi:10.2190/de.37.3.dSher, K. J., & Trull, T. J. (1994). Personality and disinhibitory psychopathology: Alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 103(1), 92-102. doi:10.1037/0021-843x.103.1.92Koob, G. F., & Weiss, F. (1990). Pharmacology of drug self-administration. Alcohol, 7(3), 193-197. doi:10.1016/0741-8329(90)90004-vStewart, J., de Wit, H., & Eikelboom, R. (1984). Role of unconditioned and conditioned drug effects in the self-administration of opiates and stimulants. Psychological Review, 91(2), 251-268. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.91.2.251AmigóS.La teoría del rasgo único de personalidad. Hacia una teoría unificada del cerebro y la conducta (The unique‐trait personality theory. Towards a unified theory of brain and conduct). Ed. Universitat Politècnica de València 2005.Amigó, S., Caselles, A., & Micó, J. C. (2010). General Factor of Personality Questionnaire (GFPQ): Only one Factor to Understand Personality? The Spanish journal of psychology, 13(1), 5-17. doi:10.1017/s1138741600003644Erdle, S., Irwing, P., Rushton, J. P., & Park, J. (2010). The General Factor of Personality and its relation to Self-Esteem in 628,640 Internet respondents. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(3), 343-346. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.09.004Musek, J. (2007). A general factor of personality: Evidence for the Big One in the five-factor model. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(6), 1213-1233. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2007.02.003Rushton, J. P., Bons, T. A., & Hur, Y.-M. (2008). The genetics and evolution of the general factor of personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(5), 1173-1185. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2008.03.002Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2008). A General Factor of Personality (GFP) from two meta-analyses of the Big Five: and. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(7), 679-683. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.07.015Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2009). A general factor of personality in the Comrey Personality Scales, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, and the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 437-442. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.11.015Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2009). A General Factor of Personality (GFP) from the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(6), 571-576. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.05.011Schermer, J. A., & Vernon, P. A. (2010). The correlation between general intelligence (g), a general factor of personality (GFP), and social desirability. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(2), 187-189. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.10.003Van der Linden, D., Figueredo, A. J., de Leeuw, R. N. H., Scholte, R. H. J., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2012). The General Factor of Personality (GFP) and parental support: testing a prediction from Life History Theory. Evolution and Human Behavior, 33(5), 537-546. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2012.01.007Van der Linden, D., Tsaousis, I., & Petrides, K. V. (2012). Overlap between General Factors of Personality in the Big Five, Giant Three, and trait emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(3), 175-179. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.03.001Veselka, L., Schermer, J. A., Petrides, K. V., Cherkas, L. F., Spector, T. D., & Vernon, P. A. (2009). A General Factor of Personality: Evidence from the HEXACO Model and a Measure of Trait Emotional Intelligence. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 12(5), 420-424. doi:10.1375/twin.12.5.420Caselles, A., Micó, J. C., & Amigó, S. (2010). Cocaine addiction and personality: A mathematical model. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 63(2), 449-480. doi:10.1348/000711009x470768AmigóS MicóJC CasellesA.Adjective scale of the unique personality trait: measure of personality as an overall and complete system. Proc. 7th Congr. Eur. Syst. Union Lisboa;2008.Amigó, S., Caselles, A., & Micó, J. C. (2013). Self-Regulation Therapy to Reproduce Drug Effects:A Suggestion Technique to Change Personality and theDRD3Gene Expression. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(3), 282-304. doi:10.1080/00207144.2013.784094Micó, J. C., Amigó, S., & Caselles, A. (2012). Changing the General Factor of Personality and the c-fos Gene Expression with Methylphenidate and Self-Regulation Therapy. The Spanish journal of psychology, 15(2), 850-867. doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2012.v15.n2.38896Micó, J. C., Caselles, A., Amigó, S., Cotolí, A., & Sanz, M. T. (2013). A Mathematical Approach to the Body-Mind Problem from a System Personality Theory (A Systems Approach to the Body-Mind Problem). Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(6), 735-749. doi:10.1002/sres.2241Caselles, A., Micó, J. C., & Amigó, S. (2011). Dynamics of the General Factor of Personality in Response to a Single Dose of Caffeine. The Spanish journal of psychology, 14(2), 675-692. doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2011.v14.n2.16Micó, J. C., Amigó, S., & Caselles, A. (2014). From the Big Five to the General Factor of Personality: a Dynamic Approach. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 17. doi:10.1017/sjp.2014.71Grossberg, S. (2000). The imbalanced brain: from normal behavior to schizophrenia. Biological Psychiatry, 48(2), 81-98. doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00903-3Newlin, D. B., & Thomson, J. B. (1990). Alcohol challenge with sons of alcoholics: A critical review and analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 108(3), 383-402. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.108.3.383Martin, C. S., Earleywine, M., Musty, R. E., Perrine, M. W., & Swift, R. M. (1993). Development and Validation of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 17(1), 140-146. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1993.tb00739.xRueger, S. Y., McNamara, P. J., & King, A. C. (2009). Expanding the Utility of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) and Initial Psychometric Support for the Brief-BAES (B-BAES). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 33(5), 916-924. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.00914.xRueger, S. Y., & King, A. C. (2012). Validation of the Brief Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (B-BAES). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(3), 470-476. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01941.xDavidson, D., Hutchison, K., Dagon, C., & Swift, R. (2002). Assessing the stimulant effects of alcohol in humans. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 72(1-2), 151-156. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(01)00758-4Chutuape, M. A. D., & De Wit, H. (1994). Relationship between subjective effects and drug preferences: ethanol and diazepam. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 34(3), 243-251. doi:10.1016/0376-8716(94)90163-5Wit, H., Uhlenhuth, E. H., Pierri, J., & Johanson, C. E. (1987). Individual Differences in Behavioral and Subjective Responses to Alcohol. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 11(1), 52-59. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1987.tb01263.xDe Wit, H., Pierri, J., & Johanson, C. E. (1989). Assessing pentobarbital preference in normal volunteers using a cumulative dosing procedure. Psychopharmacology, 99(3), 416-421. doi:10.1007/bf00445569Duka, T., Stephens, D. N., Russell, C., & Tasker, R. (1998). Discriminative stimulus properties of low doses of ethanol in humans. Psychopharmacology, 136(4), 379-389. doi:10.1007/s002130050581Wise, R. A., & Bozarth, M. A. (1987). A psychomotor stimulant theory of addiction. Psychological Review, 94(4), 469-492. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.94.4.469Holdstock, L., King, A. C., & Wit, H. (2000). Subjective and Objective Responses to Ethanol in Moderate/Heavy and Light Social Drinkers. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24(6), 789-794. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02057.xHittner, J. B., & Swickert, R. (2006). Sensation seeking and alcohol use: A meta-analytic review. Addictive Behaviors, 31(8), 1383-1401. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.11.004Ray, L. A., McGeary, J., Marshall, E., & Hutchison, K. E. (2006). Risk factors for alcohol misuse: Examining heart rate reactivity to alcohol, alcohol sensitivity, and personality constructs. Addictive Behaviors, 31(11), 1959-1973. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.01.010Fillmore, M. T., Ostling, E. W., Martin, C. A., & Kelly, T. H. (2009). Acute effects of alcohol on inhibitory control and information processing in high and low sensation-seekers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 100(1-2), 91-99. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.09.007Fillmore, M. T. (2001). Cognitive preoccupation with alcohol and binge drinking in college students: Alcohol-induced priming of the motivation to drink. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 15(4), 325-332. doi:10.1037/0893-164x.15.4.325Fillmore, M. I., & Rush, C. R. (2001). Alcohol effects on inhibitory and activational response strategies in the acquisition of alcohol and other reinforcers: priming the motivation to drink. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(5), 646-656. doi:10.15288/jsa.2001.62.646De Wit, H. (1996). Priming effects with drugs and other reinforcers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 4(1), 5-10. doi:10.1037/1064-1297.4.1.5Ludwig, A. M. (1974). The First Drink. Archives of General Psychiatry, 30(4), 539. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1974.01760100093015Giacobbe, A., Mulone, G., Straughan, B., & Wang, W. (2017). Modelling drinking with information. 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Use of CO2 balances to determine ventilation rates in a fattening rabbit house

[EN] Determining accurately the ventilation rates from rabbits houses, using non-expensive and non-invasive methods, is needed. The main aim of this work was to test the carbon dioxide balance as a method to determine the ventilation rate in fattening rabbit farms. In addition, the CO2 release rate from rabbit manure was measured, and the effect of CO2 concentration gradient between the inlet and outlet air of the building, on the method accuracy was characterized. To these aims, a fattening rabbit farm was evaluated during two periods and CO2 concentrations were simultaneously monitored in the inlet and outlet air by using a photoacoustic monitor. Ventilation rates were also directly determined by calibration of the exhaust fans and monitoring their operation times. CO2 emissions from manure were measured during two whole fattening periods, using a flux chamber and a photoacoustic monitor. The effect of CO2 concentrations gradient between the inlet and outlet of the farm on the accuracy of the balance was studied through statistical regressions. The CO2 emission from manure resulted in 13% of total CO2 emissions (considering both manure and animals). No statistically significant differences were found between measured and calculated ventilation rates. The effect of the CO2 gradient on the balance accuracy was statistically significant only in one of the trials. According to these results, the CO2 balance can be recommended for the determination of ventilation rates in fattening rabbit buildings.The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation provided support for this study (Project GASFARM-2 AGL2008-04125).Estellés, F.; Fernández Martínez, N.; Torres Salvador, AG.; Calvet Sanz, S. (2011). Use of CO2 balances to determine ventilation rates in a fattening rabbit house. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. Revista de Investigación Agraria. 9(3):713-720. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/20110903-368-10S7137209

Measurement and Numerical Simulation of Air Velocity in a Tunnel-Ventilated Broiler House

A building needs to be designed for the whole period of its useful life according to its requirements. However, future climate predictions involve some uncertainty. Thus, several sustainable strategies of adaptation need to be incorporated after the initial design. In this sense, tunnel ventilation in broiler houses provides high air velocity values (2-3 m center dot s(-1)) at animal level to diminish their thermal stress and associated mortality. This ventilation system was experimentally incorporated into a Mediterranean climate. The aim was to resolve these thermal problems in hot seasons, as (traditional) cross-mechanical ventilation does not provide enough air velocity values. Surprisingly, very little information on tunnel ventilation systems is available, especially in terms of air velocity. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and a multi-sensor system, the average results are similar (at animal level: 1.59 +/- 0.68 m center dot s(-1) for CFD and 1.55 +/- 0.66 m center dot s(-1) for measurements). The ANOVA for validation concluded that the use of CFD or measurements is not significant (p-value = 0.1155). Nevertheless, some problems with air velocity distribution were found and need to be solved. To this end, CFD techniques can help by means of virtual designs and scenarios providing information for the whole indoor space.This work was funded by the project GV04B-511 (Generalitat Valenciana, Spain) and by the Vicerrectorado of Investigacion of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Programa de Apoyo a la Investigacion y Desarrollo Multidisciplinar Project PAID register 2614).Bustamante García, E.; García Diego, FJ.; Calvet Sanz, S.; Torres Salvador, AG.; Hospitaler Pérez, A. (2015). Measurement and Numerical Simulation of Air Velocity in a Tunnel-Ventilated Broiler House. Sustainability. 7(2):2066-2085. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7022066S2066208572Holmes, M. J., & Hacker, J. N. (2007). Climate change, thermal comfort and energy: Meeting the design challenges of the 21st century. Energy and Buildings, 39(7), 802-814. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.02.009Nardone, A., Ronchi, B., Lacetera, N., Ranieri, M. S., & Bernabucci, U. (2010). Effects of climate changes on animal production and sustainability of livestock systems. Livestock Science, 130(1-3), 57-69. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2010.02.011Derek, T., & Clements-Croome, J. (1997). What do we mean by intelligent buildings? Automation in Construction, 6(5-6), 395-400. doi:10.1016/s0926-5805(97)00018-6Bustamante, E., Guijarro, E., García-Diego, F.-J., Balasch, S., Hospitaler, A., & Torres, A. G. (2012). Multisensor System for Isotemporal Measurements to Assess Indoor Climatic Conditions in Poultry Farms. Sensors, 12(5), 5752-5774. doi:10.3390/s120505752Bustamante, E., García-Diego, F.-J., Calvet, S., Estellés, F., Beltrán, P., Hospitaler, A., & Torres, A. (2013). Exploring Ventilation Efficiency in Poultry Buildings: The Validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a Cross-Mechanically Ventilated Broiler Farm. Energies, 6(5), 2605-2623. doi:10.3390/en6052605Stamp Dawkins, M., Donnelly, C. A., & Jones, T. A. (2004). Chicken welfare is influenced more by housing conditions than by stocking density. Nature, 427(6972), 342-344. doi:10.1038/nature02226Medio Millón de Pollos Mueren por el Fuerte Calor de los Últimos Días http://elpais.com/diario/2003/06/17/cvalenciana/1055877480_850215.htmlKorea Heat Wave Kills Off 830,000 Chickens (in August 2012) http://www.worldpoultry.net/Broilers/Health/2012/8/S-Korean-heat-wave-kills-off-830000-chickens-WP010736W/Blanes-Vidal, V., Guijarro, E., Balasch, S., & Torres, A. G. (2008). Application of computational fluid dynamics to the prediction of airflow in a mechanically ventilated commercial poultry building. Biosystems Engineering, 100(1), 105-116. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2008.02.004Mitchell, M. A., & Kettlewell, P. J. (1998). Physiological stress and welfare of broiler chickens in transit: solutions not problems! Poultry Science, 77(12), 1803-1814. doi:10.1093/ps/77.12.1803Sohail, M. U., Hume, M. E., Byrd, J. A., Nisbet, D. J., Ijaz, A., Sohail, A., … Rehman, H. (2012). Effect of supplementation of prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharides and probiotic mixture on growth performance of broilers subjected to chronic heat stress. Poultry Science, 91(9), 2235-2240. doi:10.3382/ps.2012-02182Norton, T., Sun, D.-W., Grant, J., Fallon, R., & Dodd, V. (2007). Applications of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the modelling and design of ventilation systems in the agricultural industry: A review. Bioresource Technology, 98(12), 2386-2414. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.025Bartzanas, T., Kittas, C., Sapounas, A. A., & Nikita-Martzopoulou, C. (2007). Analysis of airflow through experimental rural buildings: Sensitivity to turbulence models. Biosystems Engineering, 97(2), 229-239. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2007.02.009Harral, B. B., & Boon, C. R. (1997). Comparison of Predicted and Measured Air Flow Patterns in a Mechanically Ventilated Livestock Building without Animals. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 66(3), 221-228. doi:10.1006/jaer.1996.0140S. R. Pawar, J. M. Cimbala, E. F. Wheeler, & D. V. Lindberg. (2007). Analysis of Poultry House Ventilation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Transactions of the ASABE, 50(4), 1373-1382. doi:10.13031/2013.23626LEE, I.-B., SASE, S., & SUNG, S.-H. (2007). Evaluation of CFD Accuracy for the Ventilation Study of a Naturally Ventilated Broiler House. Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly: JARQ, 41(1), 53-64. doi:10.6090/jarq.41.53Mostafa, E., Lee, I.-B., Song, S.-H., Kwon, K.-S., Seo, I.-H., Hong, S.-W., … Han, H.-T. (2012). Computational fluid dynamics simulation of air temperature distribution inside broiler building fitted with duct ventilation system. Biosystems Engineering, 112(4), 293-303. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.05.001R. E. Lacey, J. S. Redwine, C. B. Parnell, & Jr. (2003). PARTICULATE MATTER AND AMMONIA EMISSION FACTORS FOR TUNNEL VENTILATED BROILER PRODUCTION HOUSES IN THE SOUTHERN U.S. Transactions of the ASAE, 46(4). doi:10.13031/2013.13958Blanes-Vidal, V., Guijarro, E., Nadimi, E. S., & Torres, A. G. (2010). Development and field test of an on-line computerized instrumentation system for air velocity, temperature and differential pressure measurements in poultry houses. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(3), 570. doi:10.5424/sjar/2010083-1252Launder, B. E., & Spalding, D. B. (1974). The numerical computation of turbulent flows. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 3(2), 269-289. doi:10.1016/0045-7825(74)90029-2Bjerg, B., Svidt, K., Zhang, G., Morsing, S., & Johnsen, J. O. (2002). Modeling of air inlets in CFD prediction of airflow in ventilated animal houses. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 34(1-3), 223-235. doi:10.1016/s0168-1699(01)00189-2Calvet, S., Cambra-López, M., Blanes-Vidal, V., Estellés, F., & Torres, A. G. (2010). Ventilation rates in mechanically-ventilated commercial poultry buildings in Southern Europe: Measurement system development and uncertainty analysis. Biosystems Engineering, 106(4), 423-432. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2010.05.006Homepage http://www.testo.comHeber, A. J., Boon, C. R., & Peugh, M. W. (1996). Air Patterns and Turbulence in an Experimental Livestock Building. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 64(3), 209-226. doi:10.1006/jaer.1996.0062Oberkampf, W. L., & Trucano, T. G. (2002). 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Mortality in patients undergoing open aortoiliac surgery : prognostic value of troponin T in tehe inmediate postoperative period

Producción CientíficaBackground: Patients undergoing open aortoiliac surgery constitute a high-risk subgroup. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postoperative troponin T (TnT) elevation with the associated postoperative mortality, and mean hospital stay. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of consecutive patients who underwent open aortoiliac surgery during 2006. TnT levels in the first 72 hours after the operation, immediate mortality, postoperative care unit stay, and total postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with the program SPSS 14.0; the chi-square test (or the Fisher’s exact test) was used for qualitative variables and the ManneWhitney test for quantitative variables. Results: Of the 65 patients included in the study, postoperative TnT was elevated in 14 (21.5%) patients. No significant differences were found in age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, bronchopathy, or renal failure between groups. Mortality in patients with elevated TnT levels was significantly higher (42% compared with 3.92%; relative risk 10.93 ± 0.76; p ¼ 0.001). Likewise, their mean postoperative intensive care unit stay was significantly greater (23.21 ± 6.96 days compared to 2.86 ± 1.96; p < 0.001). This finding resulted in a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay (32.57 ± 25.38 days compared with 12.47 ± 2.21). Conclusion: TnT level in the immediate postoperative period is a highly relevant indicator of prognosis in patients undergoing major vascular surger

Productive and environmental characterization of a semi-extensive fattening system for fattening pigs in drought conditions in Uruguay

[EN] In Uruguay, different pig production systems coexist: confinement systems and pastoral systems. These systems differ in terms of production costs, animal welfare and environmental impacts. On the other hand, droughts caused by the phenomenon "La Nina" can change the normal behavior of pastoral systems. In this article we analyze the dynamics of nutrients and their potential environmental impact of two growing cycles of pigs in an outdoor pastoral system. Animals were housed permanently in an area with a shelter, feeders and drinkers. They also could enter in several grazing areas, although each grazing area was used only during one week. Most of the nutrients coming from animal manure accumulate in the area surrounding the shelter and feeding areas, but the increase of concentrations was lower in the grazing area. A slight increase of nutrients in the grazing plots was found between the access to a grazing area and its closing one week later. After closure, nutrient concentration declined with time. The same tendency was found with ammonia emissions. In the conditions of this study, the reduced rainfall resulted in a low loss of nutrients. We conclude that in the pastoral system, due to the low nutrient concentrations in the grazing area, no large-scale environmental risks can be expected. The permanent area, however, may have environmental risks associated to nutrient deposition. Some design changes could reduce the risk of loss of nutrients from the area of permanent closure of animals.[ES] En Uruguay, coexisten los sistemas de producción de cerdos en confinamiento y los sistemas extensivos con acceso a pasturas. Entre ambos existen diferencias notables en cuanto a costes de producción, bienestar animal e implicaciones medioambientales. Por otro lado, los episodios de sequía provocados por el fenómeno "la Niña" pueden alterar el comportamiento normal de los sistemas pastoriles. En este trabajo se analiza la dinámica de los nutrientes y su posible efecto ambiental en dos ciclos de cebo de cerdos alojados en un sistema de producción al aire libre, denominado "a campo. Los animales contaron con una parcela de encierro permanente donde se localizaba el refugio, comederos y bebederos. Tuvieron acceso a varias parcelas de pastoreo consecutivamente, estando cada parcela accesible durante una semana. La mayor concentración de los nutrientes provenientes de las deyecciones de los animales, se acumulan en el área circundante al refugio y los comederos, siendo menor la concentración de éstos en el área de pastoreo. Existe un leve incremento de nutrientes en las parcelas de pastoreo, entre el momento que los animales ingresan y la clausura del acceso, para luego descender con el transcurso del tiempo. Esta misma tendencia se manifestó en las emisiones de amoniaco. En las condiciones del estudio, las escasas precipitaciones provocaron bajas pérdidas de nutrientes. Se concluye que en el sistema a campo, dada la concentración de nutrientes medida en el área de pastoreo, no existen riesgos ambientales de gran magnitud, aunque sí que puede haber riesgos asociados a la parcela de encierro permanente. Algunos cambios en el diseño, podrían disminuir el riesgo de pérdidas de En Uruguay, coexisten los sistemas de producción de cerdos en confinamiento y los sistemas extensivos con acceso a pasturas. Entre ambos existen diferencias notables en cuanto a costes de producción, bienestar animal e implicaciones medioambientales. Por otro lado, los episodios de sequía provocados por el fenómeno "la Niña" pueden alterar el comportamiento normal de los sistemas pastoriles. En este trabajo se analiza la dinámica de los nutrientes y su posible efecto ambiental en dos ciclos de cebo de cerdos alojados en un sistema de producción al aire libre, denominado "a campo". Los animales contaron con una parcela de encierro permanente donde se localizaba el refugio, comederos y bebederos. Tuvieron acceso a varias parcelas de pastoreo consecutivamente, estando cada parcela accesible durante una semana. La mayor concentración de los nutrientes provenientes de las deyecciones de los animales, se acumulan en el área circundante al refugio y los comederos, siendo menor la concentración de éstos en el área de pastoreo. Existe un leve incremento de nutrientes en las parcelas de pastoreo, entre el momento que los animales ingresan y la clausura del acceso, para luego descender con el transcurso del tiempo. Esta misma tendencia se manifestó en las emisiones de amoniaco. En las condiciones del estudio, las escasas precipitaciones provocaron bajas pérdidas de nutrientes. Se concluye que en el sistema a campo, dada la concentración de nutrientes medida en el área de pastoreo, no existen riesgos ambientales de gran magnitud, aunque sí que puede haber riesgos asociados a la parcela de encierro permanente. Algunos cambios en el diseño, podrían disminuir el riesgo de pérdidas de nutrientes desde el área de encierro permanente.Blumetto Velazco, OR.; Calvet Sanz, S.; Estellés, F.; Villagrá García, A.; Torres Salvador, AG. (2012). Caracterización productiva y ambiental de un sistema semi-extensivo de engorde de cerdos en condiciones de sequía en Uruguay. ITEA. Información Técnica Económica Agraria. 108(3):256-274. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/39561S256274108

Dietary Fibre in Pig's Diets: Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Slurry Storage to Field Application

Pig’s slurry is a key source of greenhouse gases (GHG). In Spain, GHG emissions (CH4+ N2O) from pig slurry (storage and land application) accounted in 2011 for 18.4% of total GHG emissions (in CO2- equivalent) of the agriculture sector according to the National Inventory Report (NIR). Slurry composition can be modified through diet manipulation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different fibre types in fattening pigs’ diets on GHG emissions from pig slurry storage and field application