The use of an embedded microcomputer-based force plate system for accurate sow lameness identification

The objectives of this thesis were: i) to determine the minimum time required to record data from each individual load cell in the force plate system in order to obtain accurate sow weight distributions on each leg to objectively detect lameness, and ii) to develop a lameness detection decision tree from the force plate output collected in a commercial setting. In the first study, lameness was induced in 12 multiparous sows using a chemical synovitis model. Weight applied to each foot was recorded twice per second for 15 min on days -1, +1, +6, and +10 relative to lameness induction. Results suggest that there could be potential data collection problems after 12 min; therefore, 10 min was considered the maximum time required for weight recordings. Utilizing a 30 sec burn-in period to allow sows to become acquainted with the force plate, 30 to 210 sec was the time period that had the best combination of different readings and speed of collection compared to 30 to 630 sec. In the second study, one force plate was installed under an electronic sow feeder (ESF) in a dynamic group sow housing system with 120 multiparous sows for 21 days. Force applied by each foot was recorded once per second after the sow stood squarely on the plate and applied pressure to all quadrants during her first daily visit to the ESF. Sows were visually lameness scored using a four-point scale on a weekly basis. A decision tree was created using the variables that were deemed as more important for accurate lameness detection. The classification tree was 96% similar to weekly visual lameness identification. When comparing the output from the daily classification tree to a weekly visual lameness assessment, the force plate was able to identify lameness almost 5 days before it was visually assessed. Results from this thesis can be used to improve the embedded microcomputer-based force plate use efficiency when evaluating sow lameness and could help to identify lameness before clinical signs become evident

The Efficacy of Discerning Musical Parts within the Context of an Instrumental Ensemble

The goal of this study was to determine whether students could aurally identify the less dominant inner musical lines of instrumental pieces. An assessment was created through Qualtrics to test this hypothesis with collegiate music majors at the University of Tennessee. In the assessment, students were required to discern a single part from chamber pieces to large symphonies or wind ensemble works by selecting one of four different lines notated from the piece. These lines were transposed to the key and clef of the instrument students were asked to identify. Results were taken from Qualtrics and analyzed through SPSS. The results indicated that identifying the inner lines of instruments was generally easy for music students. Based on an analysis of various parameters in the music, students found texture and timbre to be the parameters that made the voices easier or more difficult to identify

An Experimental Course: Animal Handling, Safety, and Well-Being

Students in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University are coming from increasingly diverse backgrounds, with little to no experience working with or handling various livestock species. In order to best accommodate these students, additional courses are being developed, one of which is Animal Science 190X: Animal Handling, Safety, and Well-Being. Through the course, students handle all major livestock species; sheep, swine, poultry, horses, beef cattle and dairy cattle, and are required to demonstrate handling knowledge and skills learned as part of a final assessment. This creates an opportunity for students lacking a livestock background to feel more confident and safer as they interact with livestock species both throughout their collegiate careers and as they enter into the animal agriculture industry

Time Required for Lameness Detection on an Embedded Microcomputer Based Force Plate in a Lab Based Setting

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum time required for the embedded microcomputer based force plate (force plate) to detect lameness. The force plate can be placed under an electronic sow feeder or a gestation stall to routinely assess lameness. Previous work with the force plate has required sows to remain standing in a gestation stall for longer than a typical feeding time allotment of 9 minutes to measure the force applied to each foot. Comparing sows’ weight distribution across time showed that an adjustment period is required before force distribution measurements are consistent, as the sows adapts to the force plate. When using a 30 second adjustment period, sows only needed to stand on the force plate for 210 seconds in order to have a consistent reading across time. This could create a labor reduction during research trials, and allow more data to be used from a commercial setting, than when using the previous times

Identifying Sow Lameness Using an Embedded Microcomputer Based Force Plate System in a Commercial Setting

The objective of this study was to determine if an embedded microcomputer based force plate system (force plate) could adequately detect lameness among breeding herd females in a commercial environment. The force plate was installed in a group sow housing system for 21 days. Force distribution measurements were obtained for each sow limb daily; these were then compared to visual lameness observations. During the 21 day period minor adjustments were made to the force plate system. Results indicate that the force plate measurement was not different from the visual observations taken for lameness. This provides evidence that the force plate can withstand the destructive nature of sows, and provide a non-biased lameness detection model

Going Solo: findings from a survey of women ageing without a partner and who do not have children

Greater longevity in the UK population has led to the increasing diversity of women experiencing ageing in a multitude of ways. Internationally gender inequalities within ageing are still relatively invisible within both government policy and everyday life for particular groups of women. This paper explores the concept of women growing older ‘solo’ by which we mean women who find themselves non partnered and ageing without children as they move into later life. We report on the findings from a mixed-methods survey of 76 solo women in the UK aged 50 years and over, used to provide a broader overview of the issues and challenges they face as they move into later life. Qualitative data from the survey captured respondents’ perspectives about the links between their relationships status and wellbeing in later life and highlighted specific cumulative disadvantages emerging for some women as a result of their solo lifestyles. We discuss two key themes were identified; ‘solo-loneliness’ and ‘meaningful futures’ in conjunction with the relevant literature and make suggestions for future research within gender and ageing studies that could enhance more positive approaches to solo lifestyles

Staphylococcus aureus Manganese Transport Protein C Is a Highly Conserved Cell Surface Protein That Elicits Protective Immunity Against S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci cause severe human disease, and there are currently no vaccines available. We evaluated whether manganese transport protein C (MntC), which is conserved across the staphylococcal species group, could confer protection against S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In vivo analysis of S. aureus MntC expression revealed that expression occurs very early during the infectious cycle. Active immunization with MntC was effective at reducing the bacterial load associated with S. aureus and S. epidermidis infection in an acute murine bacteremia model. Anti-MntC monoclonal antibodies have been identified that can bind S. aureus and S. epidermidis cells and are protective in an infant rat passive protection model and induce neutrophil respiratory burst activity. This is the first description of a protein that has the potential to provide protection across the staphylococcal species group

Chronic recurrent Gorham-Stout syndrome with cutaneous involvement

Type IV osteolysis or Gorham-Stout syndrome is a rare condition characterized by recurrent vascular tumors that disrupt normal anatomical architecture. Gorham-Stout syndrome is most commonly associated with the skeletal system with resulting replacement of bone with scar tissue following tumor regression. The loss of entire bones has given Gorham-Stout syndrome the moniker vanishing bone disease. Natural progression of Gorham-Stout syndrome is characterized by spontaneous disease resolution. However, rare variants of recurrent, progressive, and/or systemic disease have been reported. We present a patient with a history of recurrent Gorham- Stout disease refractory to all treatment options considered. In addition to skeletal disease, our patient had soft tissue and cutaneous involvement, thus reflecting the more aggressive disease variant. Previous surgical attempts to control disease had been ineffective and the patient was referred to us for radiation therapy. Treatment with external beam radiation therapy resulted in good local control and symptom palliation, but full disease resolution was never accomplished. In addition to presentation of this patient, a review of the literature on etiological hypotheses and past/future treatment options was conducted and is included

Observing Attitudes, Intentions and Expectations (1945-1973)

Although involved in projects of influent institutions like the Cowles Commission, the NBER, and the Michigan Survey Research Center (SRC), George Katona, the "pioneer student and chief collector of consumer anticipations data" (Tobin, 1959, p. 1) is virtually absent from accounts of the topics he explored, including the study of the consumption function and the development of behavioral economics. This essay argues that such an absence is partly explained by the theoretical underpinnings of Katona's project, which were incompatible with the economic views of behavior that dominated from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s. It compares alternative survey programs funded by the Federal Reserve during that period, and analyzes the ensuing controversy on the purposes of the observation of attitudes, intentions and expectations. It claims that understanding Katona's approach "required a real restructuring of thought - a genuine paradigm shift" (Simon, 1979, p. 12), which gives specific interest to this historical episode