Lying behaviour of lactating dairy cows in a cow-calf contact system

Conventional dairy farming practices usually involve the early separation of calves from their dams. Cow-calf contact (CCC) systems may offer an alternative rearing solution that allows for the expression of natural behaviours, such as suckling and bonding. However, the effects of such systems on rest and lying behaviours of lactating cows are relatively unstudied. Cows are highly motivated to lie down, and a reduction in daily rest may have negative consequences for overall welfare. Thus, the aims of this study were: (1) to assess the effects of a CCC system on lying behaviours in lactating dairy cows, and (2) to determine if cubicle use of treatment dams and calves changes throughout the rearing period. Cow-calf pairs (n=37) were assigned 1 of 2 treatments after calving: dam-rearing (TREATMENT), where calves would be housed in the same facility as their dams, or separation shortly after parturition (CONTROL). Only TREATMENT cows had access to a modified lying area in which full CCC was available. Daily lying time – as well as the duration and frequency of lying bouts – was collected for cows automatically using leg-mounted tri-axial accelerometers (IceQube, IceRobotics, Edinburgh, UK). Video recordings were also collected and used to perform scan sampling at 10-minute intervals for a 24-h period each week. Behavioural data was collected during 14 weeks, starting when all cow-calf pairs had entered the experimental pen and continuing until weaning began. Access to full cow-calf contact did not affect lying behaviour. Overall, daily lying time and lying bout duration increased with consecutive time periods, while the frequency of lying bouts decreased. TREATMENT cows were observed to spend 76.6 ± 29.2% of their total lying time within the contact area across all weeks. These results combined indicate that lying behaviour in CCC systems is influenced by factors other than cow-calf contact, which cows are motivated to maintain throughout the rearing period

Oasis 2015

2015 IssueCollection of poetry, creative writing and art work by students at Angelo State University during the 2014-2015 school yearEnglish and Modern Languages Department of Angelo State Universit

Training direct care staff working with persons with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: A meta-analytic review study

Two separate meta-analyses were conducted to examine (1) the effects of training programs on the behaviour of direct care staff working with clients with ID who present challenging behaviour problems (predominantly aggressive and violent behaviour), and (2) the effects of staff training on the challenging behaviour of their clients with ID. A 3-level random effects model was used for both meta-analyses to account for both within and between study variance. Results showed that staff training was moderately effective in changing staff behaviour, but no convincing evidence was found for an effect on the reduction of challenging behaviour of persons with ID. The type, content and goal of training did not moderate the effects of staff training, whereas sample and study characteristics (e.g., sex participant or year of publication) did. The way a training program is delivered to staff may be much more important than characteristics of a training

Estimated Effectiveness of JYNNEOS Vaccine in Preventing Mpox: A Multijurisdictional Case-Control Study — United States, August 19, 2022–March 31, 2023

As of March 31, 2023, more than 30,000 monkeypox (mpox) cases had been reported in the United States in an outbreak that has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons (1). JYNNEOS vaccine (Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccine, Bavarian Nordic) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 for the prevention of smallpox and mpox via subcutaneous injection as a 2-dose series (0.5 mL per dose, administered 4 weeks apart) (2). To expand vaccine access, an Emergency Use Authorization was issued by FDA on August 9, 2022, for dose-sparing intradermal injection of JYNNEOS as a 2-dose series (0.1 mL per dose, administered 4 weeks apart) (3). Vaccination was available to persons with known or presumed exposure to a person with mpox (postexposure prophylaxis [PEP]), as well as persons at increased risk for mpox or who might benefit from vaccination (preexposure mpox prophylaxis [PrEP]) (4). Because information on JYNNEOS vaccine effectiveness (VE) is limited, a matched case-control study was conducted in 12 U.S. jurisdictions,† including nine Emerging Infections Program sites and three Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity sites,§ to evaluate VE against mpox among MSM and transgender adults aged 18-49 years. During August 19, 2022-March 31, 2023, a total of 309 case-patients were matched to 608 control patients. Adjusted VE was 75.2% (95% CI = 61.2% to 84.2%) for partial vaccination (1 dose) and 85.9% (95% CI = 73.8% to 92.4%) for full vaccination (2 doses). Adjusted VE for full vaccination by subcutaneous, intradermal, and heterologous routes of administration was 88.9% (95% CI = 56.0% to 97.2%), 80.3% (95% CI = 22.9% to 95.0%), and 86.9% (95% CI = 69.1% to 94.5%), respectively. Adjusted VE for full vaccination among immunocompromised participants was 70.2% (95% CI = -37.9% to 93.6%) and among immunocompetent participants was 87.8% (95% CI = 57.5% to 96.5%). JYNNEOS is effective at reducing the risk for mpox. Because duration of protection of 1 versus 2 doses remains unknown, persons at increased risk for mpox exposure should receive the 2-dose series as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP),¶ regardless of administration route or immunocompromise status