Electrical stunning and killing of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at various size 226-1938 g were placed in electric dry stunning either tailor head- first and then exposed to 50 Hz, 240 V AC for 0.5 and thereafter 9.5 s of electricity. This to verify whether the animal is rendered unconscious prior to killing by immersing the animal into cold brine (-14 to -18 °C) or hypoxic water, supersaturated with CO2. In addition, salmon from 2000 to 5000 g were exposed to head stunning only. Behaviour, heart (ECG) and brain (EEG) activity were monitored until animal was classed as dead. Post the treatment, the internal temperature of the animal was measured placing loggers into the neuro and heart cavity. The electric potential across the brain was also measured. A preliminary evaluation of the EEG and ECG registrations in the individual fish showed that loss of consciousness can be induced within 0.5 second and consciousness can be prolonged without recovery when the cold brine or seawater saturated with carbon dioxide is applied as killing method. Our results also suggest that the current can be applied head to tail, which facilitates immediate stunning of Atlantic salmon in a commercial setting. We conclude that electrical stunning in combination with cold brine is effective for humane stunning and killing Atlantic salmon.Electrical stunning and killing of Atlantic salmonpublishedVersio

Electrical stunning and killing of Atlantic salmon

Source at https://nofima.no/publikasjon/2208193/.Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at various size 226-1938 g were placed in electric dry stunning either tailor head- first and then exposed to 50 Hz, 240 V AC for 0.5 and thereafter 9.5 s of electricity. This to verify whether the animal is rendered unconscious prior to killing by immersing the animal into cold brine (-14 to -18 °C) or hypoxic water, supersaturated with CO2. In addition, salmon from 2000 to 5000 g were exposed to head stunning only. Behaviour, heart (ECG) and brain (EEG) activity were monitored until animal was classed as dead. Post the treatment, the internal temperature of the animal was measured placing loggers into the neuro and heart cavity. The electric potential across the brain was also measured. A preliminary evaluation of the EEG and ECG registrations in the individual fish showed that loss of consciousness can be induced within 0.5 second and consciousness can be prolonged without recovery when the cold brine or seawater saturated with carbon dioxide is applied as killing method. Our results also suggest that the current can be applied head to tail, which facilitates immediate stunning of Atlantic salmon in a commercial setting. We conclude that electrical stunning in combination with cold brine is effective for humane stunning and killing Atlantic salmon

Evaluation of pliable bioresorbable, elastomeric aortic valve prostheses in sheep during 12 months post implantation

Pliable microfibrous, bioresorbable elastomeric heart valve prostheses are investigated in search of sustainable heart valve replacement. These cell-free implants recruit cells and trigger tissue formation on the valves in situ. Our aim is to investigate the behaviour of these heart valve prostheses when exposed to the high-pressure circulation. We conducted a 12-month follow-up study in sheep to evaluate the in vivo functionality and neo-tissue formation of these valves in the aortic position. All valves remained free from endocarditis, thrombotic complications and macroscopic calcifications. Cell colonisation in the leaflets was mainly restricted to the hinge area, while resorption of synthetic fibers was limited. Most valves were pliable and structurally intact (10/15), however, other valves (5/15) showed cusp thickening, retraction or holes in the leaflets. Further research is needed to assess whether in-situ heart valve tissue engineering in the aortic position is possible or whether non-resorbable synthetic pliable prostheses are preferred.</p

Notas sobre la sostenibilidad de la deuda pública en Venezuela

En el presente trabajo se lleva a cabo una evaluación de la sostenibilidad de la deuda pública en Venezuela. En la primera parte del estudio se presenta un breve bosquejo teórico de los modelos para evaluar la sostenibilidad de la deuda pública que aparece reflejado en la literatura económica. Asimismo, se presenta la evolución de los indicadores de sostenibilidad de la deuda pública, así como una comparación internacional de los niveles de deuda de Venezuela en comparación con otros países de la región. Se observa que aunque los indicadores tradicionales de deuda pública no indican un peso importante de la deuda sobre la economía nacional, al estudiar la trayectoria de endeudamiento actual, se concluye que el endeudamiento público no es sostenible en el tiempo

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Welfare of bivalves in aquaculture? : A first literature scan and plan for a comprehensive search

The welfare of the animals that we produce for our food consumption is increasingly becoming a socially relevant topic. In bivalves, however, assessing their welfare in aquaculture is not common practice. There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the question on whether bivalves are sentient beings and whether welfare is a relevant topic in the production of bivalves or not. On behalf of the Dutch Shellfish Quality Foundation (SKS, Stichting Kwaliteit Schelpdieren) and the Foundation for the Protection of Fish (Stichting Vissenbescherming), Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) started a literature search in the Scopus database to assess whether the literature about welfare issues surrounding bivalves in aquaculture already exists. During the literature search in Scopus, no scientific papers that were specifically focused on the welfare of bivalves in aquaculture could be located. In addition, no papers were found which directly provided evidence to show whether bivalves are sentient or not. However, a few scientific studies focusing on the behavioural adaptations in bivalves to the presence of predators (Robson et al., 2010; Garner & Litvaitis, 2013), learning in bivalves (Selbach et al., 2022) and information on the physiological role of serotonin (Liu et al., 2018) could be identified. These types of papers indicate that bivalves might indeed be sentient. However, the quantity and nature of these available biological studies do not sufficiently demonstrate a firm conclusion that the welfare of bivalves in aquaculture is a relevant topic at the moment. On the other hand, these studies do provide evidence, although very limited, that bivalves can perceive feelings and are even capable of learning. Our report describes the start of a literature search and a route map towards a comprehensive literature study on the welfare of farmed bivalves in the Scopus database. A thorough evaluation of the identified literature was not carried out, as this was beyond the assignment given by the sponsors. Therefore, we recommend a follow-up project to initiate a complete literature review that would provide a clear description of what is known about the sentience, instead of welfare, of bivalves. We would recommend to focus more on sentience as aanimal welfare is relevant when an organism is sentient. Moreover, by conducting a more-extensive literature review, knowledge gaps regarding the sentience of bivalves could hopefully then be identified and elaborated upon. Subsequently, based on these knowledge gaps, experimental studies can then be designed to answer the fundamental question of whether bivalves are sentient and whether bivalve welfare is indeed a relevant topic in aquaculture

Electrical stunning and killing of lumpfish with commercial waterbath and dry stunners

Source at https://nofima.no/.Lumpfish, ranging in size from 146-4200 g, were placed in an electric dry stunning unit head first and exposed to 50 Hz, 240 V AC for 0.5 or 1 s and thereafter 4.5 or 9 s of electricity, thus 5 and 10 s respectively. In seawater, lumpfish were exposed to an electric field equivalent of 4.6 Vrms/cm, 100 pps square AC, with 15% duty cycle for 1 s and thereafter 9 s. This to verify whether the animal is rendered unconscious prior to killing by a throat cut, immersion into cold brine (-14 to -18 °C) or hypoxic water supersaturated with CO2. Behaviour, heart (ECG) and brain (EEG) activity were monitored until the animal was classed as dead. Post the treatment, the internal temperature of the animal was measured by loggers placed into the brain and heart cavity. The electric potential across the brain was also measured. A preliminary evaluation of the EEG and ECG registrations in the individual fish showed that loss of consciousness may occur within 0.5 seconds stun as the fish displays epileptic insult, but unconsciousness could not be verified with EEG. A one-second stun did, however, result in verified unconsciousness both for dry and waterbath stunning. A prolonged electric exposure in combination with a cold brine resulted in permanent loss of consciousness until death, whereas a throat cut or exposure to water supersaturated with CO2 was insufficient and resulted in some fish recovering. Measurements of the electric potential difference across the brain showed that the electric field is dependent on the size of the fish for dry stunning, but not in water. Unconsciousness was reached as low as 2.8 V/cm Vpp across the brain, but with an average of 45 and 14 Vpp for dry and waterbath stunning, respectively. We conclude that electrical stunning in combination with cold brine is effective for humane stunning and killing of lumpfish

Bedwelmen en doden van gevangen vissen: kabeljauw, schol, schar en tong

Recent societal developments have made it important for the fishing industry to move towards sustainable, socially accepted and valued products and production methods. Animal welfare also falls within the concept of sustainable development. Severe distress during the killing of captured fish can be avoided by stunning these animals prior to killing.In the project, specifications were established for electrical stunning in seawater of cod, plaice, dab and sole, followed by killing of these stunned animals. Cod and flatfish are important demersal fish species. A modular set-up for electrical stunning and killing has been drawn up, based on the desk study and the results of the experimental research. Criteria for the modular set-up were also determined. The modular set-up and criteria were not validated in experiments in a commercial setting. Within the project, no turnkey equipment was built and tested. This will require a follow-up project