Porsimisen jälkeen annetun ketoprofeenin vaikutukset emakon terveyteen ja porsaiden kasvuun

The effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen on the post-farrowing phase of sows was studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ketoprofen (3 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly to 20 healthy sows for 3 days post partum (p.p.). The control group (n=20) received a saline placebo. Backfat, number of days of constipation and days before feed refusal were measured. Body condition (BCS) and shoulder sores were scored during a week p.p. Changes in BCS, backfat and shoulder sore scores were analysed with ANOVA. Blood was collected on days -1, 0, 5 and 14 with respect to medication. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK), haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA) were quantified and analysed with a Mann-Whitney U test. BCS and backfat decreased less following ketoprofen administration than with the placebo (-0.08 ± 0.2 vs. -0.8 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.8 mm vs. -2.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively, P<0.05 for both) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The shoulder sore score deterioration was milder during days 4-6 p.p with ketoprofen than with the placebo (P<0.05). Duration of constipation was shorter with ketoprofen than with the placebo (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 6.4 ± 0.3 days p.p. P<0.05). Incidences of feed refusal occurred later in the ketoprofen than in the placebo group (9.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days p.p., P<0.05). AST and SAA were higher after ketoprofen than placebo on day 5 p.p. (P<0.05). Ketoprofen benefits sows during the first 2 weeks post farrowing, but apparently causes some tissue irritation.Peer reviewe

Detection of clinical mastitis with the help of a thermal camera

Increasing dairy farm size and increase in automation in livestock production require that new methods are used to monitor animal health. In this study, a thermal camera was tested for its capacity to detect clinical mastitis. Mastitis was experimentally induced in 6 cows with 10 mu g of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS was infused into the left forequarter of each cow, and the right forequarters served as controls. Clinical examination for systemic and local signs and sampling for indicators of inflammation in milk were carried out before morning and evening milking throughout the 5-d experimental period and more frequently on the challenge day. Thermal images of experimental and control quarters were taken at each sampling time from lateral and medial angles. The first signs of clinical mastitis were noted in all cows 2 h postchallenge and included changes in general appearance of the cows and local clinical signs in the affected udder quarter. Rectal temperature, milk somatic cell count, and electrical conductivity were increased 4 h postchallenge and milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity 8 h postchallenge. The thermal camera was successful in detecting the 1 to 1.5 degrees C temperature change on udder skin associated with clinical mastitis in all cows because temperature of the udder skin of the experimental and control quarters increased in line with the rectal temperature. Yet, local signs on the udder were seen before the rise in udder skin and body temperature. The udder represents a sensitive site for detection of any febrile disease using a noninvasive method. A thermal camera mounted in a milking or feeding parlor could detect temperature changes associated with clinical mastitis or other diseases in a dairy herd.Increasing dairy farm size and increase in automation in livestock production require that new methods are used to monitor animal health. In this study, a thermal camera was tested for its capacity to detect clinical mastitis. Mastitis was experimentally induced in 6 cows with 10 mu g of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS was infused into the left forequarter of each cow, and the right forequarters served as controls. Clinical examination for systemic and local signs and sampling for indicators of inflammation in milk were carried out before morning and evening milking throughout the 5-d experimental period and more frequently on the challenge day. Thermal images of experimental and control quarters were taken at each sampling time from lateral and medial angles. The first signs of clinical mastitis were noted in all cows 2 h postchallenge and included changes in general appearance of the cows and local clinical signs in the affected udder quarter. Rectal temperature, milk somatic cell count, and electrical conductivity were increased 4 h postchallenge and milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity 8 h postchallenge. The thermal camera was successful in detecting the 1 to 1.5 degrees C temperature change on udder skin associated with clinical mastitis in all cows because temperature of the udder skin of the experimental and control quarters increased in line with the rectal temperature. Yet, local signs on the udder were seen before the rise in udder skin and body temperature. The udder represents a sensitive site for detection of any febrile disease using a noninvasive method. A thermal camera mounted in a milking or feeding parlor could detect temperature changes associated with clinical mastitis or other diseases in a dairy herd.Increasing dairy farm size and increase in automation in livestock production require that new methods are used to monitor animal health. In this study, a thermal camera was tested for its capacity to detect clinical mastitis. Mastitis was experimentally induced in 6 cows with 10 mu g of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS was infused into the left forequarter of each cow, and the right forequarters served as controls. Clinical examination for systemic and local signs and sampling for indicators of inflammation in milk were carried out before morning and evening milking throughout the 5-d experimental period and more frequently on the challenge day. Thermal images of experimental and control quarters were taken at each sampling time from lateral and medial angles. The first signs of clinical mastitis were noted in all cows 2 h postchallenge and included changes in general appearance of the cows and local clinical signs in the affected udder quarter. Rectal temperature, milk somatic cell count, and electrical conductivity were increased 4 h postchallenge and milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity 8 h postchallenge. The thermal camera was successful in detecting the 1 to 1.5 degrees C temperature change on udder skin associated with clinical mastitis in all cows because temperature of the udder skin of the experimental and control quarters increased in line with the rectal temperature. Yet, local signs on the udder were seen before the rise in udder skin and body temperature. The udder represents a sensitive site for detection of any febrile disease using a noninvasive method. A thermal camera mounted in a milking or feeding parlor could detect temperature changes associated with clinical mastitis or other diseases in a dairy herd.Peer reviewe

Managing undocked pigs : on-farm prevention of tail biting and attitudes towards tail biting and docking

Abstract Background Tail biting is a common and serious welfare problem in pig production, causing large economical losses. Tail docking is performed routinely in most EU countries to reduce the tail biting risk. However, tail docking is painful, and does not prevent tail biting totally. The risk factors behind tail docking are multifactorial and most analyses are based on studies using biological or epidemiological approaches. There is very little information available on how producers deal with tail biting on-farm. There are also no studies on the attitude of producers towards tail docking and tail biting in systems with long-tailed pigs. We aimed to study how farmers rate the efficiency of different measures for preventing and intervening with tail biting, when tail docking is not allowed. Furthermore, we investigated the attitudes of Finnish farmers to tail docking and tail biting. Results Respondents scored feeding-related issues to be most important for prevention of tail biting, identifying and removing the biting pig as most important intervention measures, and straw as the most important manipulable material when preventing tail biting. Tail biting was not perceived as a very serious problem by over 70 % of the respondents, even though docking is not allowed, and was reported to occur close to a level which was also considered acceptable by the respondents. Most respondents did not think it is probable they would raise tail docked pigs if it were possible, but about 21 % probably would. Conclusions In comparison with other authors’ findings, the ranking of importance of risk factors for tail biting differs between scientists and farmers, and between farmers in different cultures of pig production. In addition, the attitude towards tail biting and tail docking appears to be very different in producers with different experiences of tail docking. These results indicate that a scientist-farmer dialogue, as well as international communication is important when trying to reduce the risk of tail biting, and subsequently the need for tail docking

The effect of ketoprofen on feeding behavior of tail-bitten pigs

Abstract No research has been reported on the effect of intramuscular ketoprofen administration on the feeding behavior of tail-bitten pigs. In order to investigate this, a longitudinal, double blind, placebo-controlled field trial was conducted with a total of 77 pigs from a finishing herd. Pigs received either ketoprofen (KET) or a placebo (PLAC) intramuscularly for three days and procaine penicillin for five days after the tail was first observed to be damaged. Pigs were followed from day −2 to day 3 with respect to a noted tail wound. Only new incidence of tail biting was included. Nine to 11 pigs per pen were reared with a single automatic feeder. A transponder attached to the ear of each pig recorded times of entrance and exit to the feeder and feed consumed. To calculate average daily weight gain (ADG), pigs were weighed at days 0, 6 and 13. Time spent at the feeder by visit and on a daily basis, and mean daily intervals between feeder visits per pig were computed in minutes. Daily feeding rate (FR) was calculated from the feeder data (consumed feed (g) / time at the feeder (s)). Placebo pigs consumed more feed and spent more time at the feeder on day 1 than KET pigs (P < 0.05). For all pigs, FR increased from day 1 to day 3 (P < 0.05). Feeder visit intervals were longer and frequency lower on day 0 compared with other days (P < 0.05). Average feed consumption and time spent at the feeder per day decreased on day 0 and returned to the initial level on day 1 (P < 0.05 for both). No effect on ADG was recorded. Intramuscular administration of ketoprofen induced little change in feeding behavior and had no effect on weight gain. Placebo-treated pigs may have used feed as an analgesic and calming substance to some degree, leading to temporarily increased feed consumption

Haastattelututkimus aluetoimittajan työstä ja merkityksestä 2010-luvun alun maakuntalehdessä

Maakuntien lehdet ovat aina tähyilleet ilmestymispaikkansa ulkopuolelle. Jo 1800-luvulla poliittiset äänenkannattajat hankkivat kirjoittajia taajaman ulkopuolelta. Ammattimainen aluetoiminta kehkeytyi nykyisten valtalehtien ympärille, kun ne halusivat kasvattaa lukijakuntaansa ja uutisaluettaan – lopulta myös toistensa kustannuksella. Mutta mitä aluetoimituksilla ja -toimittajilla enää tekee? 2010-luvulla tietoa virtaa päätoimitukseen etäältäkin verkkoa ja puhelinlankoja pitkin, ja lehtijuttu syntyy, vaikkei toimittaja nousisi tuolistaan. Mediakenttäkin on muuttunut: maakuntalehdet eivät enää kilpaile toistensa lukijoista, vaan tehostavat pikemminkin toimintaansa omalla tontilla, jotta pärjäisivät digitaalisen media- ajan haasteissa ja talouden alhoissa. Viime vuosikymmeninä niiden huomio on palaillut ydinalueille. Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitän, mitä merkitystä aluetoimittajilla vielä nähdään maakuntalehdessä. Aineisto koostuu teemahaastatteluista Turun Sanomissa (2012–2013): kolmen päällikön ja kaikkien lehden alue- toimittajien. Toimittajista neljä seuraa vastuukuntiaan päätoimituksesta käsin, viisi on sivutoimituksissa. Sanomalehden aluetoimittajan työtavoissa on sanottu säilyneen verraten paljon piirteitä vanhanajan lehti- työstä, mutta sitä on tutkittu hyvin vähän. Siksi heidän merkityksensä selvittäminen maakuntalehdessä ja yleisemminkin nykymediassa alkaa vastaamisella kysymykseen, mitä he tänään käytännössä tekevät. Aineistosta kävi ilmi, että aluetoimittajat ovat yhä monella tapaa perinteisiä journalisteja: pyrkimyksenä on tehdä juttuja paikan päältä ja löytää myös itse aiheita. He ovat yleistoimittajia, mutta lehdessä oman alueensa parhaita tuntijoita. Ulompana levikkialueella näkyvät ja sieltä kirjoittavat aluetoimittajat pitävät yllä maakuntalehden uskottavuutta laajan alueen mediana. Siksi heillä nähdään myös taloudellista arvoa, jos ihmisten uskotaan tilaavan lehteä nimenomaan ydinaluetta laajemman näkökulman takia. Maakunta- lehdessä aluetoiminnan arvo on lopulta strateginen valinta: miten laajaa aluetta lehden kannattaa seurata? Tutkimuksessa nousi esiin maakunnallisen aluetyön laajempi merkitys mediassa. Selvitin taustaosuuteen valtamedian verkostoja tänään kotimaassa. Kävi ilmi, että monet ovat vetäytyneet ydintään kohti, jolloin maakuntalehtien merkitys siinä, mitä kaupunkikeskusten ulkopuolelta nousee esiin, on nähdäkseni vain korostunut. Aineiston perusteella parhaiten todellisuutta alueella tavoittaa toimittaja, joka käy paikalla – saati on pysyvästi läsnä. Päätoimituksesta käsin asioihin ja ihmisiin ei saa samalla tavalla tuntumaa

Micro-business owner-managers’ growth intentions in sparsely populated areas in Northern Finland

Abstract This research provides new information on the prerequisites for micro-firms operating in sparsely populated areas. Micro-business constitutes a numerically dominant group in every economy. In recent years, small businesses and small and medium enterprises, the latter two of which form the backbone of many countries’ economies, have attracted considerable re-search attention. This study has a twofold aim: (1) to highlight the scant attention paid by researchers to micro-enterprises and (2) to investigate the growth of independently owned micro-businesses and compare self-evaluated growth stages with the change in the turnover volume. This case study synthesises two empirical stage models into two self-evaluation frameworks used for 53 technology- and service-based firms. The results indicate that the selected growth stages correspond relatively well to the micro-businesses’ growth

A micro-entrepreneur network as a community of practice boosting entrepreneurial activities

Abstract This case study describes practices in a micro-entrepreneur peer-to-peer network (MicroENTRE network), an example of a community of practice (CoP) where entrepreneurs, researchers and local public business advisory services (PBAS) seek to promote entrepreneurial behaviour through joint activities, such as sharing ideas, peer learning and business development. The concept was originally established to address the practical needs of micro-entrepreneurs and business development agencies in sparsely populated areas (SPA). Through the network, micro-entrepreneurs and PBAS are provided with direct contact to the university research team, which transfers recent research-based knowledge to the network. This chapter bridges the literature on micro-entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behaviour in networks through an empirical description of micro-entrepreneurs’ activities in the context of a peer-to-peer network using the typical CoP activity classifications developed by Wenger as the framework. The case study is based on the longitudinal analysis of monthly meetings (from 2015 to 2019) of 13 micro-entrepreneur groups. The data consist of participatory observations during the network meetings and the audio recordings and meeting memos of the authors. The findings describe typical examples of CoP activities in the network. For example, entrepreneurs use the network to share ideas, make requests for advice based on experience of fellow entrepreneurs and reuse the assets of other network members. Moreover, the data show that regular, peer-to-peer network meetings, jointly facilitated by PBAS and researchers, are an acceptable and accessible platform for micro-enterprise development in SPA

Business maturity models for small and medium-sized enterprises:a systematic literature review

Abstract Small and medium-sized enterprises (smes) play a key role in national economies around the world but face pressure to sustain their competitiveness in domestic and global markets. smes should check their position periodically and figure out what they need to do next. Maturity models are suitable tools for documenting smes’ current state, for developing the company’s future vision and path and for comparing capabilities between companies. This study’s aim is to obtain an overview of existing maturity models focused on smes by conducting a systematic literature review (slr) of the publications on business maturity models from the lens of smes. As a result of this study, a growing trend for business maturity models for smes is identified and future research opportunities for sme maturity research are suggested