Obesity prevalence and associated risk factors in outdoor living domestic horses and ponies

Reasons for performing study. The prevalence of obesity in companion animals, including horses and ponies has risen drastically in recent years and risk factors have been little investigated. Horses are unique amongst companion animals in that many are outdoor-living and forage independently on pasture; they also have a dual utility and companionship role. The body condition of wild and free-living equines is known to vary seasonally, yet previous estimates of the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors in domestic animals do not consider this. Most previous studies were conducted during the summer months when pasture quality is greater and obesity prevalence is likely to be highest. In addition, many previous estimates do not use validated body condition scoring methods and rely on owner reporting.Objectives. To examine the prevalence and risk factors predictive of equine obesity at both the end of winter and the end of summer, in a domestic population of leisure horses with daily access to pasture. Using validated body condition scoring methods and a single, trained observer.Methods. Body condition and belly girth measurements were taken at the end of winter and during the summer in a population of leisure horses (n = 96) with outdoor pasture access for ≥6 h per day. Risk factor information was obtained by two owner questionnaires and analysed statistically using a mixed effects logistic regression model. The dependent variable was obese (BCS ≥ 7/9) or non-obese (BCS < 7/9). Risk factors associated with seasonal change in belly girth were also explored using a mixed effects linear regression model.Results. Obesity prevalence rose significantly from 27.08% at the end of winter to 35.41% during summer (p < 0.001). Breed was the risk factor most strongly associated with obesity (p < 0.001). Supplementary feed was not a strong predictor and there was no association with low intensity structured exercise. As winter BCS increased, the percentage seasonal change in belly girth decreased.Conclusions. Obesity prevalence differed between winter and summer in domestic equines. Supplementary feed and low intensity structured exercise in equines living outdoors for ≥6 h per day had limited or no effect on obesity levels. Seasonal variation in body condition was lower in obese equines.Potential relevance. It is important to consider season when studying equine obesity and obesity-associated disorders. Risk factor analysis suggests preventative measures may need to be breed specific. The metabolic implications of a lessened seasonal change in body condition in obese animals, warrants investigation

Reexamining echidna physiology: The big picture for Tachyglossus aculeatus acanthion

The early divergence of monotremes and therian mammals has resulted in considerable interest in the comparative physiology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the most common and widespread living monotreme. However, there are many and varied interpretations of its physiology, reflecting the many and varied studies, limitations and uncertainties of aspects of some previous studies, and potential differences between the various subspecies. Consequently, we thoroughly examine here the standardized physiology of the most widely distributed subspecies of short-beaked echidna (T. aculeatus acanthion) over a wide range of ambient temperatures to definitively assess its physiology in a comparative context. We conclude that the low and variable body temperature of the short-beaked echidna is physiologically “primitive,” but it also reflects adaptation to its myrmecophagous niche. Other aspects of its physiology are more typically mammalian. A low metabolic rate reflects its low body temperature, and ventilatory variables are matched to accommodate a modest gas exchange requirement. Thermal conductance is typical for a mammal of equivalent mass. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate that short-beaked echidnas can enhance evaporative water loss above thermoneutrality, like other mammals, with a similar capacity for evaporative heat loss. Cooling of their nasal blood sinus with nasalmucousmay contribute to this enhanced evaporative cooling. Their capacity to evaporatively cool explains how their distribution can include habitats where ambient temperature, even in shelters, exceeds their supposed critical thermal limit

Dominance rank is associated with body condition in outdoor-living domestic horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>)

AbstractThe aim of our study was to explore the association between dominance rank and body condition in outdoor group-living domestic horses, Equus caballus.Social interactions were recorded using a video camera during a feeding test, applied to 203 horses in 42 herds. Dominance rank was assigned to 194 individuals. The outcome variable body condition score (BCS) was recorded using a 9-point scale. The variables age and height were recorded and considered as potential confounders or effect modifiers. Results were analysed using multivariable linear and logistic regression techniques, controlling for herd group as a random effect.More dominant (p=0.001) individuals generally had a higher body condition score (p=0.001) and this association was entirely independent of age and height. In addition, a greater proportion of dominant individuals fell into the obese category (BCS≥7/9, p=0.005).There were more displacement encounters and a greater level of interactivity in herds that had less variation in age and height, lending strength to the hypothesis that phenotypic variation may aid cohesion in group-living species. In addition there was a strong quadratic relationship between age and dominance rank (p<0.001), where middle-aged individuals were most likely to be dominant. These results are the first to link behavioural predictors to body condition and obesity status in horses and should prompt the future consideration of behavioural and social factors when evaluating clinical disease risk in group-living animals

Enhancing student transitions into engineering from underrepresented backgrounds

Traditionally, women and students from deprived communities are underrepresented in engineering programmes across Scotland and elsewhere. The HEA-funded EnTICE project sought to evaluate factors affecting transitions for these target groups. In the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, women and students from deprived areas of Scotland make up 21% and 18% of our current undergraduate population, respectively. Both figures track above national averages. The transition factors of particular interest were recruitment, retention, and progression in the critical first two years of study. Analyses identified that students from these backgrounds were performing as well as, if not better than, their classmates, though discrepancies remained at the highest levels of achievement. Student feedback from focus groups and anonymous surveys identified maths and engineering mechanics as the curriculum areas where further support would be most helpful. Further gaps were identified in the transition between college and university maths, which is particularly important for our mature students. These results informed a package of curriculum changes, tutorial support, peer mentoring, and faculty support for all students. This presentation will explore lessons learned during the EnTICE project and practical measures that other institutions can pursue to support successful transitions of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds

Let’s Talk: An Examination of Parental Involvement as a Predictor of STEM Achievement in Math for High School Girls

This research was conducted to examine the influence of parental involvement, in the form of parent conversations, on mathematics achievement for high school girls. Data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) public-use file provided a sample of 13,694 students, including 6,592 girls for our analyses. A scale for measuring parent conversations was developed and regression analyses were conducted to examine whether this scale variable predicted mathematics achievement. Results indicated that conversational parental involvement was a significant predictor of mathematics achievement for Black and White girls, but not Hispanic and Asian. Implications for research and policy initiatives are discussed

Assessing the seasonal prevalence and risk factors for nuchal crest adiposity in domestic horses and ponies using the Cresty Neck Score

BACKGROUND: Nuchal crest adiposity in horses and ponies has been associated with an enhanced risk of metabolic health problems. However, there is no current information on the prevalence of, and risk factors specific to, nuchal crest adiposity in horses and ponies. In addition, the cresty neck score has not previously been utilised across different seasons within a UK leisure population, it is not know whether nuchal crest adiposity shows the same seasonal trends as general obesity. RESULTS: A Cresty Neck Score (CNS, 0–5) was given to 96 horses with access to pasture (>6 h per day) at the end of winter and at the end of summer in order to obtain two prevalence estimates. Risk factors were assessed using the single outcome cresty neck/no cresty neck in either season (binary), from owner questionnaires and analysed using a mixed effects logistic regression model (outcome variable CNS <3 or CNS ≥3/5). Agreement between winter and summer scores was assessed using weighted Kappa methods. Winter CNS values were significantly higher than summer CNS values (p = 0.002) indicating a systematic bias. The prevalence of a CNS ≥ 3/5 was 45.83% at the end of winter, falling to 33.33% at the end of summer and was higher in ponies (<14.2 hh) than horses (≥14.2 hh) in both seasons. This may reflect a real winter increase in regional fat deposition, or an increased difficulty in obtaining an accurate estimate of regional adiposity in winter months. Breed was the strongest risk factor for CNS ≥3/5 in both seasons, with native UK breeds appearing to be most at risk (p < 0.001). In a separate, small validation study, the CNS showed good inter-observer reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of a CNS ≥3/5 was higher at the end of winter than at the end of summer, which was the opposite pattern seasonal variation to that observed for general obesity. Further studies are required to investigate the potential influence of time of year upon CNS interpretation and studies utilising the CNS should consider potential seasonal variability in nuchal crest adiposity. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0327-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

An inventory of Queensland prioritised invasive plant species for management and research

There are currently ~300 declared weeds in Queensland (QLD), Australia, but this list requires a review as the last known exercise dealing with weed risk assessment and prioritisation was undertaken about two decades ago. In this paper we propose an updated list of invasive alien (plant) species of significant concern in QLD, based on information derived from pest management plans of local governments, herbarium records and published/ grey literature, expert knowledge, and opinion from diverse groups of stakeholders. Weed diversity varies significantly between local government areas and regions. Regions on the mainland eastern seaboard of the State share similar weed communities, unlike western regions and the Torres Strait islands, which share fewer, weed species. Stakeholders identified the top research and management priorities for the weed list. These were: studies involving biological control options (34.8% of respondents), public awareness and education (18.5%), effective herbicide-use and application techniques (15.2%), ecology, taxonomy and risk analysis (11.5%), and adaptive pasture management (9.3%). Based on occurrence and distribution across local government areas/regional jurisdictions and onground stakeholders’ perceived weed severity, a weed priority list of high-medium and-low impact scores for policy, research and management was compiled for each region and State-wide