Evaluating a natural horsemanship program in relation to the ISES first principles of horse training

The ISES training principles provide an excellent starting point for professionals and horse owners. Currently, there does not seem to be an accepted protocol for evaluating horse training programs against the ISES principles. We suggest an approach to this, using Parelli Natural Horsemanship as our subject for evaluation. This initial pilot study (single-subject / n=1), trials two analytical methods, as applied to the current, video-based teaching materials from Parelli (latest DVD set, published and commercially available from 2015, supplied by Parelli for use in this study). The two methods used were: (i) ethology-based video observation / logging and (ii) discourse analysis of the language used to teach. The ethology-based approach uses an ethogram, which lists the behavioural characteristics of a human trainer adhering to the ISES principles. Computer-based ‘continuous sampling’ of Parelli video clips was used to log the frequencies of ISES principles. Inter Observer Reliability of the analysis to date was assessed using a two-way, mixed, absolute agreement, average-measures ICC (Intra Class Correlation). This evaluated observer agreement in the frequency count ratings for the ISES principles. Discourse analysis is a qualitative research methodology, applied across many domains including politics and health. Discourse analysis allows us to study transcripts of horse training materials, codifying the words, phrases and linguistic structures. Understanding the context within which training language is used, and its meaning to both the speaker and audience, makes it possible to evaluate compatibility with the ISES principles. Results for the ethology-based observations found all ISES principles present (1-10). High frequency counts for principles 2 & 10. Low counts for principles 5 & 7. Inter Observer Reliability (2 observers) was in the ‘excellent’ range (ICC=0.79). The high ICC value suggests that a minimal amount of measurement error was introduced by the independent observers, and therefore statistical power is not substantially reduced. At this stage (without an ICC value closer to 1.0 or further calibrating observers), increasing the evidence against random effects would require more extensive trials (p=0.16). The interim results from the discourse analysis shows consistent congruence between the Parelli materials and the ISES principles, particularly in the areas of: training according to the horse’s ethology and cognition, using learning theory appropriately, forming consistent habits, avoiding flight responses and ensuring that the horse should always be as calm as possible (1, 2, 7, 9 and 10)

Identification of texture parameters influencing commercial cheese matrix disintegration and lipid digestion using an in vitro static digestion model

Cheese characteristics, such as composition or textural properties, can impact the matrix degradation rate which could modulate the bioaccessibility of fatty acids during digestion. The aim of this study was to identify texture parameters influencing cheese degradation in a gastrointestinal environment. A static in vitro digestion model has been used on nine commercial cheeses: young and aged cheddar, regular and light cream cheese, parmesan, feta, camembert, mozzarella, and sliced processed cheese. At the end of gastric digestion, camembert and mozzarella presented the lowest matrix disintegration whereas aged cheddar, regular and light cream cheeses showed the highest. For all cheeses, the fatty acid release was fast during the first 30 min of duodenal digestion and slowed down afterwards. A partial least square regression revealed that springiness, cohesiveness, and hardness were negatively correlated to the rate of cheese disintegration during gastric digestion. In addition, textural parameters were not correlated with free fatty acid release. By modulating cheese texture, it could be possible to influence matrix disintegration during gastrointestinal digestion which could have an impact on lipids release

The Powerful Potential of Relationships and Community Writing

The following essay is a collective reflection in which the authors revisit the themes they raise in the edited volume Unsustainable, ask new questions, and suggest, again, that long-term sustainability might not be the most appropriate goal for every university-community partnership. Still, relationships, with all their variability, remain the lifeblood of community writing work. Just as the Conference on Community Writing (CCW) was a welcome opportunity to reconnect with old friends and learn new names, our programs are built on the strength of the relationships we build in the community and on our campuses

Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines Against Respiratory Viruses

The respiratory mucosa is the primary portal of entry for numerous viruses such as the respiratory syncytial virus, the influenza virus and the parainfluenza virus. These pathogens initially infect the upper respiratory tract and then reach the lower respiratory tract, leading to diseases. Vaccination is an affordable way to control the pathogenicity of viruses and constitutes the strategy of choice to fight against infections, including those leading to pulmonary diseases. Conventional vaccines based on live-attenuated pathogens present a risk of reversion to pathogenic virulence while inactivated pathogen vaccines often lead to a weak immune response. Subunit vaccines were developed to overcome these issues. However, these vaccines may suffer from a limited immunogenicity and, in most cases, the protection induced is only partial. A new generation of vaccines based on nanoparticles has shown great potential to address most of the limitations of conventional and subunit vaccines. This is due to recent advances in chemical and biological engineering, which allow the design of nanoparticles with a precise control over the size, shape, functionality and surface properties, leading to enhanced antigen presentation and strong immunogenicity. This short review provides an overview of the advantages associated with the use of nanoparticles as vaccine delivery platforms to immunize against respiratory viruses and highlights relevant examples demonstrating their potential as safe, effective and affordable vaccines

An ethogram for Equitation Science First Principles of Horse Training

This ethogram is based on Equitation Science’s ‘First Principles of Horse Training’. This is related to: North, S. 2016. Software Program: IPTEK (ISES Principles Training Evaluation Kit). DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.54821. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.54821 North, S., Hemingway, A., McLean, A. N., Laurie, H. & Ellis-Hill, C. 2016. How does Parelli measure up? (poster). In Proceedings of the 12th International Society for Equitation Science Conference (ISES2016) (ifce - institut français du cheval et de l’équitation, Saumur, France. June 23-25 2016). International Society for Equitation Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3055.0644 North, S., Hemingway, A., McLean, A. N., Laurie, H. & Ellis-Hill, C. 2016. Evaluating a natural horsemanship program in relation to the ISES first principles of horse training. In Proceedings of the 12th International Society for Equitation Science Conference (ISES2016) (ifce - institut français du cheval et de l’équitation, Saumur, France. June 23-25 2016). International Society for Equitation Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.54733 North, S., Hemingway, A., McLean, A. N., Laurie, H. & Ellis-Hill, C. 2016. Evaluating a natural horsemanship program in relation to the ISES first principles of horse training. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 15, September–October, p.87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.08.040. ISSN: 1558-7878 The ethogram for Equitation Science First Principles of Horse Training is intended to evaluate a method of horse training, ideally, from video recordings. It should be noted that each behavior in the ethogram is followed by its inverse: “INCORRECTLY describing or demonstrating…”. This allows logged observations to include examples that contradict the ISES ‘First Principles’ (should any be present). This is important because, whereas the absence of a specific principle might simply be a matter of differing emphasis, contradiction might indicate a more serious discongruity. The proposed ethogram is of human behaviour during horse training. It does not consider the horse-human dyad, during training interactions. Of course the horse’s response to human training is very informative. This ethogram maps directly to equitation science’s ‘first principles’, which only describe the human aspects of an idealised horse / horsemanship training program. Therefore, horse behaviours do not feature in the ethogram

Identification of a Brazil-Nut Allergen in Transgenic Soybeans

Background: The nutritional quality of soybeans (Glycine max) is compromised by a relative deficiency of methionine in the protein fraction of the seeds. To improve the nutritional quality, methionine-rich 2S albumin from the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) has been introduced into transgenic soybeans. Since the Brazil nut is a known allergenic food, we assessed the allergenicity of the 2S albumin. Methods: The ability of proteins in transgenic and nontransgenic soybeans, Brazil nuts, and purified 2S albumin to bind to IgE in serum from subjects allergic to Brazil nuts was determined by radioallergosorbent tests (four subjects) and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis (nine subjects) with immunoblotting and autoradiography. Three subjects also underwent skin-prick testing with extracts of soybean, transgenic soybean, and Brazil nut. Results: On radioallergosorbent testing of pooled serum from four subjects allergic to Brazil nuts, protein extracts of transgenic soybean inhibited binding of IgE to Brazil-nut proteins. On immunoblotting, serum IgE from eight of nine subjects bound to purified 2S albumin from the Brazil nut and to proteins of similar molecular weight in the Brazil nut and the transgenic soybean. On skin-prick testing, three subjects had positive reactions to extracts of Brazil nut and transgenic soybean and negative reactions to soybean extract. Conclusions: The 2S albumin is probably a major Brazil-nut allergen, and the transgenic soybeans analyzed in this study contain this protein. Our study shows that an allergen from a food known to be allergenic can be transferred into another food by genetic engineering

Quantitative Mapping of Endosomal DNA Processing by Single Molecule Counting

Extracellular DNA is engulfed by innate immune cells and digested by endosomal DNase II to generate an immune response. Quantitative information on endosomal stage‐specific cargo processing is a critical parameter to predict and model the innate immune response. Biochemical assays quantify endosomal processing but lack organelle‐specific information, while fluorescence microscopy has provided the latter without the former. Herein, we report a single molecule counting method based on fluorescence imaging that quantitatively maps endosomal processing of cargo DNA in innate immune cells with organelle‐specific resolution. Our studies reveal that endosomal DNA degradation occurs mainly in lysosomes and is negligible in late endosomes. This method can be used to study cargo processing in diverse endocytic pathways and measure stage‐specific activity of processing factors in endosomes.Eine bildgebende Fluoreszenzmethode zur quantitativen Kartierung der endosomalen Prozessierung von Fracht‐DNA in Zellen des angeborenen Immunsystems mit Organellen‐spezifischer Auflösung (organellar single‐molecule, high‐resolution localization and counting; oSHiRLoC) wurde entwickelt. Mithilfe dieser Methode wurde gezeigt, dass die endosomale DNA‐Zersetzung hauptsächlich in Lysosomen erfolgt und in späten Endosomen zu vernachlässigen ist.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148254/1/ange201811746_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148254/2/ange201811746.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148254/3/ange201811746-sup-0001-misc_information.pd