Dealing with Errors in Data from Electronic Swine Feeders

Data from electronic swine feeders contain errors that must be identified, edited, and corrected. The objectives of this study were to develop comprehensive criteria to identify errors in feed intake data from FIRE electronic feeders and to compare the ability of five editing methods to accurately estimate daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Data from FIRE feeders on 591 pigs from the National Pork Board’s Maternal Line Genetic Evaluation Program were used. Errors in each visit were identified using 16 criteria. To create an error-free data set as a basis for comparison, data from 124 pigs with few errors were selected and visits with errors were replaced by error-free visits from the same pig. Resulting DFI and ADFI were assumed to be the true trait values. Error visits were then introduced, representative of field data. Data were edited using five methods (EM1-5). For EM1, a DFI record was deleted if DFI \u3c 1000 g or \u3e4500 g. For EM2-5, the 16 criteria were used to identify errors in each visit. For EM2 and 3, all DFI records with \u3e1 and \u3e2 error visits were deleted. For EM4-5, DFI was obtained by summing feed intake over error-free visits. For EM5, DFI records were then adjusted for the effects of presence of error visits on unadjusted DFI, which were estimated from a linear model analysis. For EM1-4, missing DFI records were replaced by linear regression estimates of DFI on test day for each pig. DFI and ADFI from the edited data sets were correlated to true values. Correlations were high (.90 to .99) for both traits for all editing methods except EM1. EM5 had the highest correlation for DFI (.99). EM2 and EM5 had the highest correlations for ADFI (.98 to .99). EM1 had the lowest correlations for both traits (.82 to .93). Results indicate that editing methods affect the accuracy of data from electronic feeders. EM5 is recommended for maximum accuracy for DFI and EM2 is recommended for ADFI for maximum accuracy and ease of implementation

Performance of Growing Pigs Fed Using Electronic Versus Commercial Feeders

The effect of electronic feeders on performance of growing boars and gilts was evaluated. Yorkshire boars and gilts (n=475) were randomly assigned to pens with single-space FIRE (electronic) feeders and pens with fivespace SMIDLEY feeders. Pigs began and ended test at an average body weight of 39 and 116 kg. Over the whole test period, pigs on electronic feeders did not differ significantly in growth rate, backfat thickness, and loin muscle area from pigs on commercial feeders. They did, however, use less feed and converted this more efficiently. Further inspection of growth and feed intake curves revealed that gilts on electronic feeders used less feed and grew slightly slower, in particular during early growth, but no differences were found for boars. Results indicate that electronic feeders may cause a genotype by environment interaction for gilts but not for boars

Admixtures to d-wave gap symmetry in untwinned YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting films measured by angle-resolved electron tunneling

We report on an \textit{ab}-anisotropy of $J_{c \parallel b}/J_{c \parallel a}$ and $I_{c}R_{n \parallel b}/I_{c}R_{n \parallel a}\cong 1.2$ in ramp-edge junctions between untwinned YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7}$ and $s$% -wave Nb. For these junctions, the angle $\theta$ with the YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7}$ crystal b-axis is varied as a single parameter. The $R_{n}$A($\theta$)-dependence presents 2-fold symmetry. The minima in $I_{c}R_{n}$ at $\theta \cong 50^{\circ}$ suggest a real s-wave subdominant component and negligible $d_{xy}$-wave or imaginary s-wave admixtures. The $I_{c}R_{n}$($\theta$)-dependence is well-fitted by 83% $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$-, 15% isotropic $s$- and 2% anisotropic s-wave order parameter symmetry, consistent with $\Delta_{b}/\Delta_{a} \cong 1.5$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letter

Occupational burden of disease in the Netherlands

Ongunstige arbeidsomstandigheden veroorzaken 3,9% (onzekerheidsmarge 1,5%-7,2%) van de totale ziektelast in Nederland. De ziektelast is een maat om het verlies aan gezondheid uit te drukken. Het combineert vroegtijdige sterfte, de mate van vóórkomen van gezondheidsproblemen en de ernst van de gezondheidsproblemen. De ongunstige arbeidsomstandigheden die leiden tot de meeste ongezondheid zijn werkdruk, beeldschermwerk en blootstelling aan stoffen. Deze omstandigheden kunnen leiden tot burn-out, depressie, KANS (klachten van arm, nek en schouder), COPD (chronisch obstructieve longziekten) en longkanker. In het rapport is de positieve invloed van arbeid op de gezondheid niet meegenomen. Ook in 2020 veroorzaken burn-out, depressie en KANS veel ziektelast in de werkzame beroepsbevolking, bij ongewijzigde economische omstandigheden, een pensioengerechtigde leeftijd van 65 jaar en bij ongewijzigd (arbo)beleid. In 2007 heeft het RIVM voor het eerst laten zien welke arbeidsgerelateerde aandoeningen veel ziektelast in Nederland veroorzaken met gegevens uit 2003. Het huidige rapport biedt een hernieuwde versie met data uit 2007, evenals een toekomstverkenning en een verkenning van de ziektelast per sector. Deze schattingen geven beleidsmakers inzicht in de invloed van arbeidsrisico's op de gezondheid van werknemers. Deze benadering geeft ook aanknopingspunten voor maatregelen om de ziektelast door deze aandoeningen te verminderen.Occupational health risks cause 3.9% (uncertainty 1.5%-7.2%) of the total burden of disease in the Netherlands. The concept of burden of disease is a measure to express the loss of health. It combines the time lost due to premature mortality, prevalence and seriousness of the health problems. A high workload, working with a computer and exposure to harmful chemicals are the most unfavourable working conditions leading to health problems. They contribute most to the occupational burden of disease caused by: burn-out, depression, complaints of arm, neck and shoulder (CANS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The health benefits of work were not included in this report. In 2020, burn-out, depression and CANS also cause a high burden of disease in the working population, considering unchanged economical conditions, a retirement age of 65 and unchanged health and safety policy. In 2007, the RIVM showed for the first time which occupational conditions contributed most to the burden of disease in 2003. The current report provides an update of the occupational burden of disease with data from 2007, as well as a forecast to 2020 and an exploration of the burden of disease per occupational sector. These estimates give policy makers insight in the influence of occupational risks on the health of employees. The data offer starting points for measures to reduce the burden of disease caused by these complaints.SZ

Exposure to nanomaterials in consumer products

VW

Feeding Behavior of Yorkshire Pigs Selected for Residual Feed Intake

Feeding behavior traits were evaluated in Yorkshire gilts from the fourth generation of the ISU residual feed intake (RFI) selection experiment. Gilts were fed using FIRE feeders. Compared to the randomly selected control line, pigs from the line selected for lower RFI, had lower residual feed intake, ate less per day, spent less time eating per day, and ate faster per visit, regardless of whether analysis was over the whole test period, the first half of test period, or the second half of test period. In conclusion, selection for lower RFI has significantly changed feeding behavior, which could be part of the reason why they are more efficient

Transcriptome Analysis in Spleen Reveals Differential Regulation of Response to Newcastle Disease Virus in Two Chicken Lines.

Enhancing genetic resistance of chickens to Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) provides a promising way to improve poultry health, and to alleviate poverty and food insecurity in developing countries. In this study, two inbred chicken lines with different responses to NDV, Fayoumi and Leghorn, were challenged with LaSota NDV strain at 21 days of age. Through transcriptome analysis, gene expression in spleen at 2 and 6 days post-inoculation was compared between NDV-infected and control groups, as well as between chicken lines. At a false discovery rate <0.05, Fayoumi chickens, which are relatively more resistant to NDV, showed fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than Leghorn chickens. Several interferon-stimulated genes were identified as important DEGs regulating immune response to NDV in chicken. Pathways predicted by IPA analysis, such as "EIF-signaling", "actin cytoskeleton organization nitric oxide production" and "coagulation system" may contribute to resistance to NDV in Fayoumi chickens. The identified DEGs and predicted pathways may contribute to differential responses to NDV between the two chicken lines and provide potential targets for breeding chickens that are more resistant to NDV

On the localization of the cleavage site in human alpha‐2‐antiplasmin, involved in the generation of the non‐plasminogen binding form

Background: Alpha‐2‐antiplasmin (α2AP) is the main natural inhibitor of plasmin. The C‐terminus of α2AP is crucial for the initial interaction with plasmin(ogen) and the rapid inhibitory mechanism. Approximately 35% of circulating α2AP has lost its C‐terminus (non‐plasminogen binding α2AP/NPB‐α2AP) and thereby its rapid inhibitory capacity. The C‐terminal cleavage site of α2AP is still unknown. A commercially available monoclonal antibody against α2AP (TC 3AP) detects intact but not NPB‐α2AP, suggesting that the cleavage site is located N‐terminally from the epitope of TC 3AP. Objectives: To determine the epitope of TC 3AP and then to localize the C‐terminal cleavage site of α2AP. Methods: For epitope mapping of TC 3AP, commercially available plasma purified α2AP was enzymatically digested with Asp‐N, Glu‐C, or Lys‐N. The resulting peptides were immunoprecipitated using TC 3AP‐loaded Dynabeads® Protein G. Bound peptides were eluted and analyzed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectometry (LC‐MS/MS). To localize the C‐terminal cleavage site precisely, α2AP (intact and NPB) was purified from plasma and analyzed by LC‐MS/MS after enzymatic digestion with Arg‐C. Results: We localized the epitope of TC 3AP between amino acid residues Asp428 and Gly439. LC‐MS/MS data from plasma purified α2AP showed that NPB‐α2AP results from cleavage at Gln421‐Asp422 as preferred site, but also after Leu417, Glu419, Gln420, or Asp422. Conclusions: The C‐terminal cleavage site of human α2AP is located N‐terminally from the TC 3AP epitope. Because C‐terminal cleavage of α2AP can occur after multiple residues, different proteases may be responsible for the generation of NPB‐α2AP