Study on Individual Behavior of Dairy Cows Based on Activity Data and Clustering

Author(s):  
Shuai Hou ◽  
Xiaodong Cheng ◽  
Lei Shi ◽  
Shiqiang Zhang
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Esteban Carranza ◽  
Juan David Martin ◽  
Álvaro José Riascos

We calibrate a macroeconomic model with epidemiological restrictions using Colombian data. The key feature of our model is that a portion of the population is immune and cannot transmit the virus, which improves substantially the fit of the model to the observed contagion and economic activity data. The model implies that government restrictions and the endogenous changes in individual behavior saved around 15,000 lives and decreased consumption in 2020 by about 4.7%. The results suggest that most of this effect was the result of the government policies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Felton ◽  
M. G. Colazo ◽  
C. J. Bench ◽  
D. J. Ambrose

Felton, C. A., Colazo, M. G., Bench, C. J. and Ambrose, D. J. 2013. Large variations exist in prepartum activity among dairy cows continuously housed in a tie-stall barn. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 435–444. Electronic activity monitoring might assist with the early detection of calving; however, little work has been done to determine if dairy cows housed in tie-stalls changed their activity as calving approached. The objectives were to describe retrospectively, prepartum activity changes in cows housed in tie-stalls using AfiMilk pedometers, and determine if restless activity preceding parturition differed between primiparous and multiparous cows. Twelve primiparous and 12 multiparous Holstein cows housed in tie-stalls were monitored daily by pedometers for 9 d immediately preceding their calving date. Fifteen consecutive hours (1700 to 0800) of activity was recorded during each 24-h period, when cows remained continuously in their stalls, until day −1 (calving = day 0). Activity data from days −9 to −3 were available from all 24 cows, and up to day −1 from 16 cows; based on these data, there was an overall average increase in stepping activity of 34% (range, 32% decrease to 119% increase) from day −2 to day −1. However, only 56% of cows exhibited a 10% or more increase in stepping activity. Primiparous cows tended to have increased stepping activity (1366 ± 116 vs. 1039 ± 116 steps; P = 0.06) and decreased lying bouts frequency (7.5 ± 0.6 vs. 8.1 ± 0.6; P = 0.07) than multiparous cows. They also had significantly shorter lying durations (376 ± 23 vs. 473 ± 23 min; P < 0.01) than multiparous cows. Holstein cows housed continuously in tie-stalls manifested large variations in prepartum activity. Primiparous cows had significantly shorter lying durations than multiparous cows, and tended to have higher mean stepping activity. Further characterization of prepartum activity in dairy cows housed in tie-stalls and the use of steps-to-lying ratio could be valuable to detect imminent parturition, particularly in primiparous cows.


2014 ◽  
Vol 156 (10) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rüegsegger ◽  
J. Ruf ◽  
A. Tschuor ◽  
Y. Sigrist ◽  
M. Rosskopf ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burim Ametaj ◽  
Brian Nonnecke ◽  
Ronald Horst ◽  
Donald Beitz

Individual and combined effects of several isomers of retinoic acid (RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion by blood mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) from nulliparous and postparturient Holstein cattle were evaluated in vitro. In the first experiment, effects on incubation period (24 to 72 hours) and time of supplementation (0 to 32 hours) with all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis-, and 9,13-dicis-RAs (0 to 100 nM) on IFN-gamma secretion by pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated (0 and 10 mug/ml) MNL from nulliparous cattle were evaluated. In the second experiment, MNL from postparturient cows (bled at 0, 2, 4, and 16 days postpartum) were stimulated with PWM (0 and 10 mug/ml) in the presence of RA isomers (9-cis- or 9,13-dicis-RA; 0 to 100 nM), 1,25-(OH)2D3 (0 to 100 nM), or with combinations of these metabolites. The results show that individual isomers of RA had no effect on IFN-gamma secretion by PWM-stimulated MNL from nulliparous or postparturient cows. Furthermore 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited IFN-gamma secretion by MNL from nulliparous and postparturient dairy cows; however, the degree of inhibition was greater when 9-cis- and 9,13-dicis-RA were also present in the cultures. Finally mononuclear leukocytes from postparturient dairy cows produced substantially less IFN-gamma than did MNL from nulliparous cattle. It is concluded that retinoic acids individually did not affect the capacity of leukocytes from dairy cattle to secrete IFN-gamma. This result is in marked contrast to studies in monogastric species indicating that RAs inhibit IFN-gamma secretion by peripheral blood T cells. Inhibition of IFN-gamma secretion by 1,25-(OH)2D3 was potentiated by 9-cis- and 9,13-di-cis-retinoics acids, suggesting that an excess of dietary vitamins A and D may compromise further the naturally immunosuppressed postparturient dairy cow. Additional research is necessary to determine if the combined effects of these metabolites on IFN-gamma secretion represent an increased susceptibility of the dairy cow to infectious diseases during the periparturient period. Lower secretion of IFN-gamma by MNL from postpartutient dairy cows, relative to nulliparous cattle, suggests that recently-calved cows are naturally immunosuppressed.


Planta Medica ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Walkenhorst ◽  
S Ivemeyer ◽  
J Spranger ◽  
G Arndt ◽  
R Schaette

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Seyrek-Intas ◽  
K. Failing ◽  
G. Yilmazbas Mecitoglu ◽  
H. Bostedt ◽  
D. Seyrek-Intas

Summary Objective: To determine the intravascular electrolyte status in dairy cows with respect to age and different courses of parturition to clarify etiological factors influencing peri- or intrapartal imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis. Material and methods: A total of 64 cows at birth were evaluated (primiparous n = 34, pluriparous n = 30). Thirty-three cows showed normal delivery, while 31 cows had a complicated birth. Blood samples were collected intra partum (i. p.) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 h post partum (p. p.) as well as [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 days p. p. and levels of total calcium (Catotal), ionized calcium (Caion), inorganic phosphate (Pa), Mg, Na, K, Cl were determined. Results: The results revealed that electrolytes show great fluctuation during and immediately p. p. in relation to age. Already during parturition pluriparous cows had a lower Catotal and Pa concentration compared to primiparous animals. Cows with dystocia exhibited a more intensive and longer lasting decrease of Ca compared to cows with normal birth. In relation to age and severity of birth Pa concentration showed a differing but basically typical course for this electrolyte. Mg, Na, K and Cl concentrations were higher during and immediately after birth compared to p. p. values. Until day 10 p. p. these electrolyte concentrations declined more in older cows with dystocia compared to younger animals. However, the influence of dystocia on concentration of these electrolytes was milder in contrast to Ca and Pa. Conclusions: In summary, primarily older cows are predisposed to imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis intra partum and at the beginning of the lactation. These changes are potentiated in case of complications during parturition. Intravascular Catotal, Caion as well as Pa are most severely affected. Clinical relevance: These results may constitute the basis for a comprehensive metaphylaxis during the peripartal period, especially in cows after dystocia, to positively influence the early convalescence phase.


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