The contribution of previous lameness events and body condition score to the occurrence of lameness in dairy herds: a study of 2 herds

It has been demonstrated that low body condition and previous occurrence of lameness increase the risk of future lameness in dairy cows. To date the population attributable fraction (PAF), which provides an estimate of the contribution that a risk factor makes toward the total number of disease events in a population, has not been explored for lameness using longitudinal data with repeated measures. Estimation of PAF helps to identify control measures that could lead to the largest improvements on-farm. The aim of this study was to use longitudinal data to evaluate the proportion of lameness that could be avoided in 2 separate herds (2 populations) through (1) reduced recurrence of previous lameness events, (2) and moving body condition score (BCS) into more optimal ranges. Data were obtained from 2 UK dairy herds: herd A, a 200-cow herd with 8 yr of data from a total of 724 cows where lameness events were based on weekly locomotion scores (LS; 1 to 5 scale), and herd B, a 600-cow herd with data recorded over 44 mo from a total of 1,040 cows where treatment of clinical cases was used to identify lameness events. The PAF for categories of BCS were estimated using a closed equation appropriate for multiple exposure categories. Simulation models were used to explore theoretical scenarios to reflect changes in BCS and recurrence of previous lameness events in each herd. For herd A, 21.5% of the total risk periods (cow-weeks) contained a lameness event (LS 3, 4, or 5), 96% of which were repeat events and 19% were recorded with BCS 16 wk before a risk period. The median PAF estimated for changes in BCS were in the region of 4 to 11%, depending on severity of lameness. Repeated bouts of lameness made a very large contribution to the total number of lameness events. This could either be because certain cows are initially susceptible and remain susceptible, due to the increased risk associated with previous lameness events, or due to interactions with environmental factors. This area requires further research

Life design and career counseling: contributions to social justice

The chapter begins with the presentation of LDC framework. In the second section, considerations are given on LDC possibilities for enhancing decent work and social justice. From this perspective of social exclusion, designated social integrationist, participation in paid work is viewed as the key to social inclusion (Watts, 2001). At the end of this section the relevance of contextual factors in career development of disadvantaged populations is referred to highlight the importance of these interventions not be exclusively focused on inter- and intrapersonal career development factors, but also take into consideration social action at the institutional, community, public policy and international/global levels (Cook, 2017). In the next section, the process of balancing the focus on the self-determination of the individual with a focus on a transformation of contextual factors that reinforce the disadvantaged position (Blustein, et al., 2005; Prilleltensky, 1997) is illustrated by presenting an intervention in which LDC was integrated into supported employment approach. Our proposal focuses exclusively on collaborative activities at the individual, institutional and communal level, with these being the tiers which the counselor can more easily influence as part of their more routine interaction with disadvantaged populations in general. The chapter concludes with an overview of the subject and a reference on LDC limitations for the intervention with disadvantaged populations in general

Enhancing Independence in Supported Employment: Natural Supports in Business and Industry

Independence-related issues are the topics of the day in supported employment discussions. These issues find their roots in earlier discussions of the principle of normalization and other related principles. Today\u27s discussions revolve around the achievement of full employment access and the integration of people with severe disabilities in the most normalized manner possible. This article discusses two facets of enhancing independence: first, increasing access to employment settings and the community in general as a result of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act; second, identifying naturally available support systems in today\u27s business and industry settings. The roles of employment specialists in service provision within the context of naturally available resources and the limitations related to the use of these resources are also discussed

The Effect of the Label of Mental Retardation on Employer Concerns and Selection

Investigated the effect of the label of mental retardation (MR) on the factors underlying the employment selection (ES) process. A sample of 296 employers who were members of the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce Association responded to a survey, in which the appearance of the label of MR was manipulated between control and experimental groups. Factor analysis suggested that 56.3% of the variance in ES was accounted for by the following 7 factors: fundamental skills; advanced skills; job knowledge, skills, and abilities; personal liability; personal assets; dependability; and organizational demands. Results seem to support the contention that the label of MR negatively affects employers\u27 ratings of fundamental and advanced skills in ES

Families: The heart of transition

Chapter in Beyond high school: Transition from school to work, edited by F.R. Rusch & J.G. Chadsley. Book description: This text summarizes knowledge from research that focused on reforming secondary special education and high schools and makes recommendations for improving high schools\u27 effectiveness