Do sows need straw for nest-building ?

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Hutson

The motivation of sows to obtain straw was measured in 4 experiments using operant conditioning apparatus. In the first experiment there was no significant difference in the operant level of response when lifts on a lever produced access to an empty box or a box containing straw. None of the 6 sows, 4 about 10 weeks pregnant and 2 non-pregnant, showed any interest in the straw. In the second experiment variation in motivation to obtain straw was measured by testing pigs for 7 consecutive days every 2 weeks from mating to weaning. All pigs showed little change in lever lifting behaviour, although 2 gilts showed increased responsiveness to straw at farrowing time. In the third experiment 4 sows were allowed to farrow in the test pen with access to the lever and straw box. The sows showed an increase in activity prior to farrowing which coincided with increased manipulation of the lever. The response to straw was variable, although all pigs showed an increase in pawing behaviour. However, in a fourth experiment, 4 control pigs showed similar increases prior to farrowing in activity, lever manipulation, and pawing behaviour when the straw box was empty. The apparent low motivation of sows towards utilisation of straw is discussed in relation to its importance as a key stimulus for nesting behaviour and its role in thermal protection of the piglets, and also in relation to possible absence of appropriate nest-building stimuli, previous experience, genetic adaptation and animal welfare.

1987 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Primus

Variable success in audiometric assessment of young children with operant conditioning indicates the need for systematic examination of commonly employed techniques. The current study investigated response and reinforcement features of two operant discrimination paradigms with normal I7-month-old children. Findings indicated more responses prior to the onset of habituation when the response task was based on complex central processing skills (localization and coordination of auditory/visual space) versus simple detection. Use of animation in toy reinforcers resulted in more than a twofold increase in the number of subject responses. Results showed no significant difference in response conditioning rate or consistency for the response tasks and forms of reinforcement examined.


Author(s):  
Eva C. Böckmann ◽  
E. S. Debus ◽  
R. T. Grundmann

Abstract Purpose The publication activity of 38 German general/visceral surgery university departments, documented by first or last authorship from staff surgeons (chief and consultants), was evaluated. Methods The observation period extended from 2007 to 2017 and all PubMed-listed publications were considered. Impact factor (IF) was evaluated through the publishing journal’s 5-year IF in 2016, as was the IF for each individual publication. Ranking was expressed in quartiles. Results The staff surgeons of the 38 departments comprised 442 surgeons, of which only 351 (79.4%) were active as first or last authors. Four thousand six hundred and ninety-nine publications published in 702 journals were recorded. The four leading departments in publication number published as much as the last 20 departments (1330 vs. 1336 publications, respectively). The mean of the first (most active) department quartile was 19.6 publications, the second 15.4, the third 11.0, and the last quartile 7.6 per publishing surgeon. The total cumulative impact factor was 14,130. When examining the mean number of publications per publishing surgeons per the 10 year period, the mean of the first quartile was 57.9 cumulative IF, the second 45.0, the third 29.5, and the fourth quartile 17.1. With 352 (7.5%) publications, the most frequently used journal was Chirurg, followed by Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery with 274 (5.8%) publications. Pancreas-related topics led in terms of publication number and IF generated per individual publication. Conclusion A significant difference in publication performance of individual departments was apparent that cannot be explained by staff number. This indicates that there are as yet unknown factors responsible for minor publication activity in many university departments.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E93-E101 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wang ◽  
AC Magalhães ◽  
LF Francisconi-dos-Rios ◽  
MP Calabria ◽  
DFG Araújo ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Objectives: This randomized clinical trial tested the three-month desensitizing effect of two protocols using nano-hydroxyapatite formulations compared with Pro-Argin and fluoride varnish. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects with 137 teeth presenting dentin exposure with a minimal hypersensitivity of four on the visual analog scale (VAS) took part of this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: Desensibilize Nano-P paste (20% hydroxyapatite [HAP], potassium nitrate, and sodium fluoride [NaF]; 9000 ppm fluoride [F]); Desensibilize Nano-P associated with experimental home-care pastes (10% HA, potassium nitrate, and NaF; 900 ppm F); Pro-Relief professional paste (8% arginine with Pro-Argin technology) associated with home-care toothpaste (8% arginine, sodium monofluorophosphate, 1450 ppm F); and Duraphat professional varnish (NaF varnish, 22,600 ppm F). The professional treatments were performed in weekly appointments over three weeks. The home-care products were used continuously for three months. A VAS was used to assess the tooth sensitivity response after standardized evaporative stimulus at baseline and after one month and three months. The baseline score was deducted from the final score, and the means were analyzed using nested analysis of variance, while the comparison between times was performed by a general linear model (p<0.05). Results: At the first month all treatments were effective, but there were no significant differences among them (p=0.94). At the third month, despite the fact that NaF varnish had the lowest effect in reducing hypersensitivity, no significant difference was found among the treatments (p=0.09). Only Pro-Relief increased its effect over time (p=0.049). Conclusions: Nano-hydroxyapatite formulations (with or without home->care product association) were as effective as the other treatments in reducing dentin hypersensitivity over three months.


2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Price ◽  
Faith Yingling ◽  
Eileen Walsh ◽  
Judy Murnan ◽  
Joseph A. Dake

This study assessed differences in response rates to a series of three-wave mail surveys when amiable or insistently worded postcards were the third wave of the mailing. Three studies were conducted; one with a sample of 600 health commissioners, one with a sample of 680 vascular nurses, and one with 600 elementary school secretaries. The combined response rates for the first and second wave mailings were 65.8%, 67.6%, and 62.4%, respectively. A total of 308 amiable and 308 insistent postcards were sent randomly to nonrespondents as the third wave mailing. Overall, there were 41 amiable and 52 insistent postcards returned, not significantly different by chi-square test. However, a separate chi-square test for one of the three studies, the nurses' study, did find a significant difference in favor of the insistently worded postcards.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 980-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonice Fumiko Sato Kurebayashi ◽  
Juliana Rizzo Gnatta ◽  
Talita Pavarini Borges ◽  
Maria Júlia Paes da Silva

AIMS: randomized clinical trial aimed at evaluating the auriculotherapy in reducing stress levels in 75 nursing professionals and analyze the coping domains that have changed after treatment. METHODOLOGY: volunteers were divided into 3 groups (Control, Needles and Seeds) and received eight sessions at Shenmen, Kidney and Brainstem points. The Control Group didn't receive any intervention. RESULTS: ANOVA test showed statistical differences in stress levels for Needle/Control Groups in the third and fourth assessments, according to Stress Symptoms List when compared the three groups in four assessments. For the Inventory of Folkman/Lazarus, a significant difference was obtained for Spacing domain between needle/control. In analysis within the same group, differences were found for Confrontation in fourth assessment between Needle/Control Groups and for Social Support in the third one between Seeds/Control Groups. CONCLUSION: The auriculotherapy decreased stress levels, changed Coping domains after treatment, suggesting that both Auriculotherapy with needles and seeds can produce positive impact to improve strategy Coping in the nursing team. However, more studies are needed to conceive the extent of the technique.


CoDAS ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanna Giaffredo Angrisani ◽  
Edna Maria Albuquerque Diniz ◽  
Ruth Guinsburg ◽  
Alexandre Archanjo Ferraro ◽  
Marisa Frasson de Azevedo ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To follow the maturation of the auditory pathway of infants born small for gestational age term, by studying absolute and interpeak latencies of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in the first six months of life.METHODS: Multicentric prospective longitudinal study. The ABR was carried out in the neonatal period in 96 newborn infants, 49 small for gestational age (SGA) and 47 appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Of these, 77 infants (39 SGA and 38 AGA) returned for a second evaluation. In the third evaluation, 70 infants (35 SGA and 35 AGA) returned.RESULTS: SGA and AGA did not present significant differences in the neonatal period and at three months of life. However, at six months, there was statistical significant difference between SGA and AGA groups for the latencies of wave III and interpeak I-III. Latencies of ABR waves decreased more rapidly in the first three months than the third to the sixth month of life for the SGA. AGA group showed progressive decrease in latency of ABR waves during the six months.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, for SGA infants, the maturational process of the auditory pathway occurs in different rate when compared to AGA infants. The SGA infants have faster maturation especially at the first three months of life, while in infants AGA, this process occurred in a constant and gradual way throughout the six months studied.


Parasitology ◽  
1941 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Haddow

1. Isolated unmated female body-lice were worn in pillboxes between the skin and the clothes. They were kept constantly on the body but, by a simple device, groups of ten were permitted feeding periods of different length. These groups were fed for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. per day respectively. Another group of ten were never allowed to feed after the last moult.2. Some of the figures for egg yield were high. Lice in the 24 hr. group were able to maintain a rate of ten eggs per day for 4−5 days at a time.3. No significant difference in longevity or rate of egg-laying was found to exist between the 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. groups nor between the 4 and 8 hr. groups but a pronounced and significant difference exists between the 8 and 12 hr. groups. Below 12 hr. there is a sharp fall in longevity and rate of egg production. The unfed group all died, without laying, on the third day.4. The rate of laying as shown by the mode increases progressively with increase in time allowed daily for feeding.5. With regard to the mean eggs per louse the position is less clear. It is felt that the 24 hr. group may differ significantly from the 12, 16 and 20 hr. groups but this is uncertain.


Author(s):  
C. Müller ◽  
L. F. Reissig ◽  
S. Argeny ◽  
W. J. Weninger ◽  
S. Riss

Abstract Background Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an established treatment option for patients with faecal incontinence. The location of the stimulating electrode is considered to be essential for treatment success. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the position of SNM electrodes after using a standardized fluoroscopy-guided implantation technique. Methods For this cadaver study, SNM electrodes were implanted bilaterally in 5 lower body specimens. The lower edge of the sacroiliac joint and the medial edge of the sacral foramina were marked using fluoroscopy to draw an ‘H’ with the crossing points identifying S3. After electrode placement the pelvis was dissected to describe the exact position of the SNM electrodes. Results The electrodes were inserted at an angle with a median degree measure of 60° (range 50–65°) to the skin, with a median distance of 9 mm (range 0–13 mm) from the S3 marking. All electrodes entered the third sacral foramen. The median distance of the electrodes to the sacral nerve was 0 mm (range 0–3 mm) for the most proximal, 0.5 mm (range 0–5 mm) for the second, 2.25 mm (range 0–11 mm) for the third and 1.75 mm (range 0–16 mm) for the most distant electrode. There was neither a significant difference in the proximity of the electrodes to the nerve between the right and left side (proximal to distal electrode: p = 0.18, p = 0.16, p = 0.07, p = 0.07) nor between male and female cadavers (p = 0.25, p = 0.21, p = 0.66, p = 0.66). Conclusions A standardized fluoroscopy-guided implantation technique enables a close contact between electrode and nerve. This can potentially result in an improved clinical outcome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 2726-2732
Author(s):  
Masoum Khoshfetrat ◽  
Sima Davarpanah ◽  
Aliakbar Keykha

Background: Co-administration of drugs with synergistic effects is considered as one of the methods to increase the effectiveness of intrathecal anesthesia and to reduce the need for injectable analgesics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intrathecal midazolam on enhancing the analgesic effect of fentanyl in patients undergoing lower limb surgery. Materials: The present double-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 90 candidate patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery in 2017 at Khatam-Al-Anbiya Hospital in the city of Zahedan, Iran. To this end, the patients were selected via convenience sampling method and then randomly divided into three groups. Afterwards, 3 cc of 0.5% hyperbaric Marcaine was injected intrathecally in the first group, 3 cc of Marcaine + 25 ug of fentanyl was administered to the second group, and 3 cc of Marcaine + 25 ug of fentanyl + 1 mg of midazolam was administered to the third group (the final volume of all three syringes was brought up to 3.7 cc with normal saline). The duration of sensory nerve block and those of motor block and analgesia, as well as changes in vital signs, were then measured in these groups. Moreover, the data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics (Version 22.0) through Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The mean age and gender distribution of the patients in the three study groups did not differ significantly. The mean duration of sensory nerve block was equal to 98.6+/-11.1 min in the first group, 142.2+/-12.4 min in the second group, and 174.3+/-10.9 min in the third group; all showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.0001, P=0.001, P=0.000).The mean duration of analgesia was also reported to be 204.43+/-0.3 min in the first group, 323.62+/-7.4 min in the second group, and 526.22+/-0.9 min in the third group, indicating a statistically significant difference between the three study groups (P=0.0001, P=0.000, P=000). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that adding midazolam to intrathecal fentanyl could significantly increase the duration of sensory nerve block and that of post-operative analgesia.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Husin Thamrin ◽  
Khafidhotul Ilmiah ◽  
Ni Wajan Tirthaningsih

Colorectal cancer has became burden in the world.The latest study shows that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and second most common cancer in women globally. There are difference characteristic of epidemiology in every countries. Moreover, there is no study that represents epidemiology of colorectal cancer in Indonesia yet, especially in East Java. The aim of this study was to describe colorectal tumor profile by age and gender in Gastroentero-Hepatology Center, Dr Soetomo Hospital. This study has received a certificate of Ethical Clearance No.273/Panke.KKE/IV/2015, a descriptive retrospective study. We collected data using medical records, and patients who have been colonoscopy examination and suspected colorectal tumor were included. There were 201 patients, divided to 100 males and 101 females. The peak of incidence was on 51-60 years old group, but on the 31-40 years old incidence of colorectal tumor was increased. The youngest patient was 17 years old. And tumors are more likely develop in distal area, especially in rectum. This study shows a different characteristic profile of colorectal tumor, where tumor is developed at young people and there is no significant difference between male and female for the incidence.


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