Expert System Development for the Prevention of Hoof Pathologies Applied to the Intensive Swine Production

Claw lameness can be associated with biomechanical factors caused by imbalances of the pressure distribution under the hooves when swine are confined in modern facilities with hard concrete flooring. Comparing hoof pressure distribution data of swine boars walking over two different types of floors (standard concrete vs. 3mm rubber mattress) in previous research, it was found a great advantage favoring the rubber mat flooring showing that it was capable of reducing pressures under the claws as the pressure became more evenly distributed under this treatment resulting in balanced weight-bearing surfaces. The objective of this study was to develop an expert system based on Fuzzy logic algorithm for the prevention of hoof pathologies applied to the intensive swine production by estimating occurrence of claw lesions based on the association of knowledge gathered on pressure distribution from previous research as well as the influences of nutrition, friction coefficients found on different types of available flooring, hoof sizes and animal weight on the welfare of the swine’s locomotory system. The data were correlated initially using Matlab® platform associating expert’s knowledge and literature through a knowledge system that weights the variables according to their impact on claw health. The final user interface was coded using Microsoft Visual Studio Rapid Application Development tool and the resulting system was validated in several different laboratory scenarios and its performance was considered to be satisfactory according to findings in the literature. The expert system was coded and the authors concluded that the system could be a great contribution and advance in the swine’s industry, nonetheless, its performance still requires field testing for fine adjustments which should be encouraged to be carried out in further researches

INDICADORES DE QUALIDADE DA ÁGUA PARA CRIAÇÃO DE TILÁPIAS-DO-NILO EM TANQUE-REDE: UMA REVISÃO DAS PRÁTICAS DE ANÁLISES DE CRIAÇÃO (2010 – 2021)

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the factors that make up the water quality indicators allows non-conformities to be identified, which can help avoid significant losses for producers, who in many cases do not have the necessary knowledge for correct water management. . unfavorable water quality scenarios. Identifying, knowing and analyzing these indicators allows visualizing the results and helps the producer in making decisions about the creation environment. Physical factors such as transparency and chemical factors such as dissolved oxygen and pH are some of the main indicators of water quality. The results obtained in this systematic review allowed the identification and classification of indicators of water quality for the creation of the Nile Tilapia species, which could facilitate the process of monitoring the quality of the water of the farm, constituting an important tool of decision support for farmers.El análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de los factores que componen los indicadores de calidad del agua permite identificar las no conformidades, lo que puede ayudar a evitar pérdidas importantes para los productores, quienes en muchos casos no cuentan con los conocimientos necesarios para una correcta gestión del agua. . escenarios desfavorables de calidad del agua. Identificar, conocer y analizar estos indicadores permite visualizar los resultados y ayuda al productor en la toma de decisiones sobre el entorno de creación. Factores físicos como la transparencia y factores químicos como el oxígeno disuelto y el pH son algunos de los principales indicadores de la calidad del agua. Los resultados obtenidos en esta revisión sistemática permitieron la identificación y clasificación de indicadores de la calidad del agua para la creación de la especie Tilapia del Nilo, lo que podría facilitar el proceso de seguimiento de la calidad del agua de la granja, constituyendo una importante herramienta de apoyo a la decisión para agricultores.A análise qualitativa e quantitativa dos fatores que compõem os indicadores de qualidade da água permite identificar não conformidades, podendo ajudar a evitar perdas significativas para os produtores, que em muitos casos, não possuem o conhecimento necessário para o correto manejo frente a cenários de qualidade da água desfavoráveis. Identificar, conhecer e analisar tais indicadores, possibilita a visualização dos resultados e auxilia o produtor na tomada de decisões quanto ao ambiente de criação. Fatores físicos, como a transparência e químicos, como o oxigênio dissolvido e pH, são alguns dos principais indicadores de qualidade da água. Os resultados obtidos nesta revisão sistemática permitiram identificar e classificar indicadores de qualidade da água para criação da espécie Tilápia-do-Nilo, que poderão facilitar o processo de acompanhamento da qualidade da água do criatório, compondo importante ferramenta de suporte a decisão para os produtores.A análise qualitativa e quantitativa dos fatores que compõem os indicadores de qualidade da água permite identificar não conformidades, podendo ajudar a evitar perdas significativas para os produtores, que em muitos casos, não possuem o conhecimento necessário para o correto manejo frente a cenários de qualidade da água desfavoráveis. Identificar, conhecer e analisar tais indicadores, possibilita a visualização dos resultados e auxilia o produtor na tomada de decisões quanto ao ambiente de criação. Fatores físicos, como a transparência e químicos, como o oxigênio dissolvido e pH, são alguns dos principais indicadores de qualidade da água. Os resultados obtidos nesta revisão sistemática permitiram identificar e classificar indicadores de qualidade da água para criação da espécie Tilápia-do-Nilo, que poderão facilitar o processo de acompanhamento da qualidade da água do criatório, compondo importante ferramenta de suporte a decisão para os produtores

Software for recording and capture video sequences for poultry and laying hens facility (BIOTERIUM)

Behavior can sometimes be observed directly, and can also be affected by the presence of human observers. Technological devices have strongly advanced our understanding of certain aspects of animal behavior, and the small cameras borne in a straight line by study animals offer a reliable alternative to direct observation. One possible way to make animal welfare assessments easier and faster could be the application of audio and video data analysis. In this research, the main goal is to reach the requirements determination, and the construction to build a concurrent alternative to CCTV software based on new proprietary software, developed in Matlab® language, to record and capture video sequences in digital memory hardware. The proposed software stakeholders’ needs are written attending the specification in the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148:2011 standard, and the life cycle adapted to the development was based in the standard ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207:2008.  The main user interface was generated using the Matlab® GUI (Graphical User Interface). In the results, a resumed table with the final document of Requirement Specification (StRS) was generated and the main interface is coded. The system validation took place in the animal houses (bioterium) over a period of three months and the data collection and software usability reach the attendance to all the requirements listed. Thus, in the conclusions, it was observed that its users considered the developed software a good tool to help researches in the poultry and laying hens’ facility (bioterium)

Supervisory System For Monitoring, Control And Estimating Thermal Comfort For Broiler and Laying Hens Production Sheds

This research aims to promote the project for the construction of software, firmware, and micro-controlled hardware, which together allow the automatic control of the temperature and humidity index (THI) in real-time the intensive production environment in poultry and laying hens production houses, thus avoiding productive losses due to the stress to which the birds are subjected. This system aims, from the information from a set of sensors, connected to a microcontroller acquisition and control board, to infer the temperature and humidity index from the measured climatic variables, to enable the corresponding activation of electronic interfaces with electric actuators, for the automatic activation of ventilation devices, humidification and curtain actuation and the lighting of production houses, keeping the environmental conditions of the house within a convenient range of temperature and relative humidity to ensure thermal comfort and thus avoiding bird stress. Thus, helping to mitigate production losses and facilitating managers real-time monitoring of the shed to achieve greater productivity and competitiveness

Hydrogen Peroxide Production in an Electrochemical Flow-by Reactor using Gas Diffusion Electrodes Modified with Organic Redox Catalysts

This paper presents a proposal to use an electrochemical flow-by reactor for hydrogen peroxide electrogeneration using cathodes formed from the incorporation of organic redox catalysts (2-ethylanthraquinone, 2-tert-butylanthraquinone, alizarin, and azobenzene) in the structure of gas diffusion electrodes. These electrodes help circumvent the low solubility of oxygen in aqueous solutions. Organic redox catalysts, which typically contain quinone or azo groups in their structure, were added to the electrode mass in a 10% proportion. The electrodes were used to study the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide in situ, in an acid medium (0.1 mol L-1 H2SO4 and 0.1 mol L-1 K2SO4, pH 1), inside an electrochemical flow-by reactor. Comparative analysis among the different catalysts indicated that the best electrode for hydrogen peroxide electrogeneration was the gas diffusion electrode modified with 10% of 2-ethylanthraquinone. With an underflow rate of 200 L h-1, hydrogen peroxide was formed with a maximum yield of 998.12 mg L-1 after 2 h at -2.0 V vs Pt//Ag/AgCl, for which the energy consumption was 11.21 kWh kg-1. The use of the electrochemical flow-by reactor was much more efficient, in that it yielded higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide with extremely low energy consumption, compared to that obtained when using an electrochemical cell. In addition, for ensuring appropriate usage of the electrodes, optimizing their potential for the maximum generation of hydrogen peroxide, and obtaining the highest efficiency for the reduction of oxygen, a fuzzy algorithm was developed to help support the user’s decision

Laying productivity with constant renewal in water fountains during heatwave

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the water renewal system of drinking fountains in laying hens and its relationship with productivity. For this, 5,000 laying hens of the Dekalb White line were used in each shed, which received food and water ad libitum. The warehouses had a conventional typology, Californian type. For this, a digital water renewal system was installed in three nipple drinking fountains in one of the warehouses (treatment 2 - T2) and the other remained without the water renewal system (treatment 1 - T1). Using Thermo hygrometers, the average air temperature (° C) and the average relative humidity of the air (%) were measured. For the water temperature (° C), a water renewal system (Flushing Control® - Lubing model) was used, which carried out the renewal of the birds\u27 drinking water six times a day. Feed consumption (g / bird / day), water consumption (ml), egg production (%) and mortality (%) were evaluated. During the study period, using data from the weather station, the occurrence or not of heatwaves was defined. A completely randomized design (DIC) was performed in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme (two sheds: conventional system and with water renewal; with and without heatwave) and the data were subjected to analysis of variance (5%). It concludes the efficiency of the use of the water renewal system for zootechnical performance, during the heatwave, but the use of air conditioning systems and measures to reduce the direct radiation in the birds and installation is still necessary. There was a positive influence (p <0.05) in the use of the water renewal system for water temperature (° C), water consumption (ml) and egg production (%). In the presence of a heatwave, the feed and water consumption variables were lower (p <0.05). There was no interaction between the systems and the presence of heatwaves. It is concluded that the use of a water renewal system has benefits in zootechnical indexes, however, it does not interact with the presence of heatwaves

FEED BUNK HEIGHT IMPACT ON DAIRY COW'S FRONT CLAWS. IMPACTO DA ALTURA DO COMEDOURO NAS PATAS DIANTEIRAS DE VACAS LEITEIRAS.

ABSTRACTClaw horn lesions are believed to develop from increased pedal bone mobility induced by changes in the corium tissue. During the planning of barns herd owners are faced with choices of materials and dimensions, as well as feed bunk heights. Among the causes that may lead to front claw injuries there is the height of the feed bunk, as the cow changes its postural behavior in order to reach the food. This research aimed to study the dairy cows' front claws force exerted during eating for determiningthe lesion risk factor of the feed bunk height. Eight dairy cows were placed in front of the feed bunk, their front claws stepped on the pressure assessment system, and the forces exerted on front claws due to the eating postural change were recorded. The mean pressure, the maximum pressure, the floor contact area, and the mean force per region were calculated. While the cow was eating, the highest mean pressure shifted slightly towards the sole. In the lateral claw the maximum pressurewas also shifted slightly towards the toe. No difference was found in the variables analyzed for both lateral and medial sides, as well for the force distribution in the left and right claws. Results of this experiment were not conclusive, not allowing explaining either laminitis or the corkscrew deformity as a result of the force exerted in the claws by means of height of the feed bunk being a risk factor.Keywords: lameness, animal welfare, feed bunk design

Data Mining Generating Decision Trees to Alert System Against Death and Losses in Egg Production

Climatic changes and high temperatures have been affecting animal production and the well-being of laying birds, with heat stress and high mortality rates, generating economic losses. Legacy databases can contain information to help model thermal comfort at climatic extremes. They can enable decision trees to be created through the use of data mining to prevent mortality and production losses. Thus, the objective of this study is to seek to develop decision trees, for application as an alert system, for the incidence of caloric stress in the production of layers. We used a database of three aviaries located in the city of Bastos-SP, collected in 2013. The data were organized in Excel® spreadsheets, and processed with the Weka® software with the J48 (C4.5) algorithm for mining of the data. The technique allowed the construction of decision trees that in the chosen sheds were classified with respectively 99.73%, 99.61%, and 98.71% of correct answers and with Kappa indexes equal to 0.9958, 0.9907 and 0.9663, which indicate that the three classifiers built are excellent. Thus, the proposed system, with the decision trees built, can serve as a basis for the construction of an alert system to be applied to the three warehouses simultaneously

Control and management of water quality for Nile tilapia fish in net tanks based on fuzzy modeling

Being classified as one of the most important species for fish farming, the Nile tilapia has seen a huge increase in breeding worldwide. As in any cultural medium, dealing with the quality of the medium in which it is grown guarantees a large part of the success of the process, being of equal importance, in this case, the quality of the water. Taking advantage of existing mathematical models, humans were able to measure and design best practices in virtually all areas, pointing to its great functionality, this article used the Fuzzy logic mathematical model together with Mamdani inference to analyze water quality scenarios and their consequences, various environments, variables, capable of directly affecting fish farming. The purpose was to use the MatLab scientific software to cross these variables with the possible output scenarios, facilitating the producer's decision-making. As a result of the research, it was possible to develop an algorithm to be embedded in a mobile application in the future with fuzzy mathematical modeling, with a Mamdani inference system for management and control of water quality in Nile Tilapia fish farming. The same will be made available to these breeders, since it has a structure of rules, aiming at the delivery of scientific information that collaborates with the best cultivation practices, improving production and profitability, through decision support to fish farmers

Study of the biogas potential generated from residue: peanut shells

O aumento da produção agrícola gera um grande volume de resíduos, podendo levar a preocupações quanto à sua adequada destinação. O município de Herculândia, no oeste do estado de São Paulo, tem como principal atividade econômica a produção e processamento de amendoim. Nesse processo é gerado um grande volume de cascas. Seguindo a tendência da utilização de resíduos para fins energéticos, atendendo ao estabelecido pelos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo sobre o potencial de geração de biogás a partir da casca do amendoim. Para tal, foi construído um protótipo de biodigestor de baixo custo que, em um período de 108 dias, produziu biogás e biofertilizante. Os resultados demostraram que houve produção de biogás a partir do resíduo; entretanto, o volume produzido não propiciou economia no custo de energia elétrica, quando comparado à produção de biogás oriunda de dejetos animais. No entanto, o trabalho demonstrou a importância de prover soluções ao descarte de resíduos da casca de amendoim, efetivamente mitigando futuros problemas ambientais e servindo como alternativa geradora de energia sustentável e de baixo custo, principalmente para pequenos produtores.The increase in agricultural production generates a large volume of waste, which may lead to concerns about its proper destination. The main economic activity in Herculândia City, Western region of São Paulo State, Brazil, is the production and processing of peanuts. In this process, a large volume of peanut shells is generated. Following the current movement of using waste for energy purposes, in compliance with what was established by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this work aimed to carry out a study on the biogas potential generated from peanut shells. To this end, a low-cost biodigester prototype was built, which, over a period of 108 days, produced biogas and biofertilizer. The results showed that there was production of biogas from peanut waste; however, the volume produced did not provide savings in electricity costs when compared to the production of biogas from animal waste. Nevertheless, the work demonstrated the importance of providing solutions to the disposal of peanut shells, effectively mitigating future environmental problems, and serving as an alternative for generating sustainable and low-cost energy, especially for small producers