scholarly journals Identification of different attitudes towards paratuberculosis control using cluster analysis applied on data from an anonymous survey among German cattle farmers

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veit Zoche-Golob ◽  
René Pützschel ◽  
Esra Einax ◽  
Karsten Donat
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Control Programmes

Abstract Background Paratuberculosis is a common disease in ruminants, causing economic losses in livestock farming, and a relationship between the exposure to its causative agent Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Crohn’s disease in humans is discussed. Despite this, only a minority of cattle farmers have enroled in voluntary control programmes in most countries. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the farmer’s opinion on paratuberculosis and their motivations to participate in a control programme. The objective was to identify different groups among farmers regarding their motivation and thereby contribute to a better understanding of farmers’ attitudes towards paratuberculosis control. Results Two hundred twenty-five farmers responded to questionnaires that were distributed among cattle farmers in Saxony and Thuringia, federal states of Germany, together with boot-swab sampling sets for a free and anonymous herd-level paratuberculosis test. Among them, dairy herds and large herds were overrepresented. A hierarchical cluster analysis of the farmers’ answers resulted in four groups that we tagged as ‘informed sceptics’, ‘deniers’, ‘affected supporters’ and ‘free supporters’. In all groups, the majority considered paratuberculosis a threat to the public image of cattle farmers. Nearly all participants wanted to know the paratuberculosis herd status of purchased cattle. In contrast to the supporters, the informed sceptics and the deniers did not consider paratuberculosis a dangerous epizootic disease and would not welcome a mandatory control programme. The deniers and the affected supporters, but not the informed sceptics and the free supporters, assumed that their herd is affected by paratuberculosis. Unlike the deniers, all other groups would enrol in a control programme if the pathogen would have been found in their herd. Protecting future profitability and improving animal health were the two most important motivations to control paratuberculosis in all groups followed by aspects related to the marketing of breeding cattle. Most frequently, the costs and the assumed inaccuracy of diagnostics tests were mentioned as obstacles that hamper programme enrolment. Conclusions Significantly different attitudes of farmers regarding paratuberculosis control were identified. Therefore, tailored rather than uniform communication strategies are required to enhance participation in voluntary paratuberculosis control programmes.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Strains from Different Geographic Regions in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong He ◽  
Pu Liu ◽  
Bing Jia ◽  
Shizhou Xue ◽  
Xiaojie Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Housekeeping Genes ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Effector Gene ◽  
Principal Coordinates

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causes kiwifruit bacterial canker, with severe infection of the kiwifruit plant resulting in heavy economic losses. Little is known regarding the biodiversity and genetic variation of populations of P. syringae pv. actinidiae in China. A collection of 269 strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae was identified from 300 isolates obtained from eight sampling sites in five provinces in China. The profiles of 50 strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae and one strain of P. syringae pv. actinidifoliorum were characterized by Rep-, insertion sequences 50, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Discriminant analysis of principal coordinates, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to analyze the combined fingerprints of the different PCR assays. The results revealed that all isolates belonged to the Psa3 group, that strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae from China have broad genetic variability that was related to source geographic region, and that Chinese strains can be readily differentiated from strains from France but are very similar to those from Italy. Multilocus sequence typing of 24 representative isolates using the concatenated sequences of five housekeeping genes (cts, gapA, gyrB, pfk, and rpoD) demonstrated that strain Jzhy2 from China formed an independent clade compared with the other biovars, which possessed the hopH1 effector gene but lacked the hopA1 effector gene. A constellation analysis based on the presence or absence of the four loci coding for phytotoxins and a cluster analysis based on the 11 effector genes showed that strains from China formed two distinct clades. All of the strains, including K3 isolated in 1997 from Jeju, Korea, lacked the cfl gene coding for coronatine. In contrast, the tox-argK gene cluster coding for phaseolotoxin was detected in K3 and in the biovar 1 strains (K3, Kw30, and Psa92), and produced a false-positive amplicon for the hopAM1-like gene in this study. To date, only one biovar (biovar 3) is represented by the strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae from China, despite China being the center of origin for kiwifruit.

Classification of pork quality by hierarchical cluster analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 1446-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robledo de Almeida Torres Filho ◽  
Vanelle Maria da Silva ◽  
Lorena Mendes Rodrigues ◽  
Paulo Rogério Fontes ◽  
Alcinéia de Lemos Souza Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Quality Attributes ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Pork Quality ◽  
Drip Loss ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cluster Analyses ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
Quality Categories

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the classification ability of pork quality by cluster analysis in relation to reference criteria proposed in the literature. Verify if clusters were theoretically significant with major pork quality categories. Verify if classificatory parameter values of quality attributes determined “a posteriori” may be used for following categorization. Design/methodology/approach In total, 60 pork loins were classified into pale, soft and exudative, reddish-pink, soft and exudative, RFN and dark, firm and dry by reference criteria and hierarchical cluster analyses were performed to identify groups of samples with different attributes, based on only pH45min and on pHu, L* and drip loss. Findings Cluster analysis divided total samples into different (p<0.05) smaller groups. Two groups were formed based on only pH45min and five groups were formed based on pHu, L* and drip loss. By these five groups, L* of 44 and 52 distinguished between dark, reddish-pink and pale meat colors and drip loss of 2 and 6 percent distinguished between dry, non-exudative and exudative meats. Cluster analyses identify pork groups with different attributes and the proposed parameters can be used to distinguish between groups theoretically similar to major pork quality categories. Originality/value To decide the best destination to pork carcass and to reduce economic losses, the correctly classify of the pork quality is decisive. This study proves that cluster analysis is able to classify pork into groups with significantly different quality attributes, which are significant with major pork quality categories, without unclassified samples.

scholarly journals Resource, Collaborator, or Individual Cow? Applying Q Methodology to Investigate Austrian Farmers' Viewpoints on Motivational Aspects of Improving Animal Welfare

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenz Maurer ◽  
Josef Schenkenfelder ◽  
Christoph Winckler
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Farmer Behavior

One keystone to successful welfare improvement endeavors is a respected cooperation between farmer and advisor (e.g., veterinarian), which requires a thorough understanding of what motivates farmer behavior. In this respect, Q methodology offers a promising approach in investigating individual motivational patterns and to discriminate between and describe typologies of farmers. In our study we explored, based on a sample of 34 Austrian dairy farmers, how 39 potentially motivating statements regarding the improvement of dairy cow health and welfare were assessed. We were able to identify and describe four different viewpoints, explaining 47% of total study variance. All four viewpoints have in common that pride in a healthy herd is motivating to work toward improved animal health and welfare to a certain extent, but meeting legal requirements is rather not. Viewpoint 1 acknowledges welfare for economic performance, ease of work and short working hours but does not make allowance for outside interference. Participants loading on Viewpoint 2 also show a focus on economic aspects but, keep close track of the animal welfare debate recognizing its potential to improve the public image of dairy farming. Even though they cautiously criticize an exploitative application of dairy farming, they do not want to be understood as role models. With regards to animal welfare, farmers sharing Viewpoint 3 perceive themselves as superior to and show little reluctance of comparison with mainstream farming. For them, the animal as sentient being itself owns some intrinsic value and it is necessary to strike a balance between economic and other, ethical considerations. Viewpoint 4 perceives cows as equal collaborators who deserve to be treated with respect and appreciation and is willing to accept certain economic losses in order to maintain high standards regarding animal health and welfare. Using Q methodology, we have been able to draw high resolution images of different farmer typologies, enabling advisors to tailor intervention strategies specifically addressing leverage points with a high chance of farmer compliance.

scholarly journals Mycobacterium cell wall fraction immunostimulant (AMPLIMUNE™) efficacy in the reduction of the severity of ETEC induced diarrhea in neonatal calves

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radoslaw Romanowski ◽  
Rick Culbert ◽  
Stan Alkemade ◽  
Maira J. Medellin-Peña ◽  
Dejan Bugarski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Cell Wall Fraction ◽  
Calf Diarrhea ◽  
Neonatal Calves

Abstract Calf diarrhea is a common disease in young animals and the primary cause of productivity and economic losses to cattle producers worldwide. According to the report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System for U.S. dairy, more than fifty percent of the deaths of un-weaned calves is attributed to severe diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain K99+ remains the most common pathogen isolated from calves which are younger than three days of age. Dam vaccination and the use of antimicrobials remain the most used prophylactic and treatment options for calf diarrhea. The rise in antibiotic resistance around the world has been a major concern and new alternative therapies have been explored. Mycobacterium Cell Wall Fraction (MCWF) is a biological immunomodulator that has a potential in multiple veterinary health services such as the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and anticancer therapy in both small and large animals. The efficacy of the MCWF in reducing the severity of neonatal calf diarrhea and its associated mortality, following challenge with ETEC K99+ was evaluated. Twenty-three calves were placed into two experimental groups. Eleven calves received a single 1 mL dose of MCWF intravenously (IV) at the onset of clinical signs of disease following challenge. Twelve non-treated, challenged calves were retained as controls. The severity and duration of diarrhea was significantly reduced in the MCWF treated group compared to untreated controls. In addition, the mortality rate in the MCWF treated group was significantly reduced to 10% while the observed mortality in the control group reached 58%. Data from the current study suggest that MCWF could be used as an alternative treatment to reduce the severity, duration and mortality of ETEC induced diarrhea in neonatal calves.

Reports on Recent Activities of European Food Safety Authority

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 217-220
Keyword(s):  
Pesticide Residues ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Official Control ◽  
National Programmes ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Risk Managers

This report provides an overview of the 2017 official control activities on pesticide residues carried out in the European Union (EU) Member States, Iceland and Norway. It summarises the results of both the 2017 EU-coordinated control programme (EUCP) and the national control programmes (NP). While the NPs are mostly risk based (so called enforcement samples) focusing on pesticides or products originating from countries where a number of exceedances have been observed in the past, the EUCP aims to present a statistically representative snapshot of the situation of pesticide residues in food products that are mostly consumed in the EU following a random sampling procedure. The report includes the outcome of a dietary risk assessment based on the results of the overall 2017 control programmes. The comprehensive analysis of the results of all reporting countries provides risk managers with sound-based evidence for designing future monitoring programmes, in particular for taking decisions on which pesticides and food products should be targeted in risk-based national programmes.

DRSA: a non-hierarchical clustering algorithm using k-NN graph and its application in vegetation classification

2015 ◽  
pp. 125-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Goncharenko
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Clustering Algorithms ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Vegetation Classification ◽  
K Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Neighbor Graph ◽  
Nearest Neighbor Graph

In this article we proposed a new method of non-hierarchical cluster analysis using k-nearest-neighbor graph and discussed it with respect to vegetation classification. The method of k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classification was originally developed in 1951 (Fix, Hodges, 1951). Later a term “k-NN graph” and a few algorithms of k-NN clustering appeared (Cover, Hart, 1967; Brito et al., 1997). In biology k-NN is used in analysis of protein structures and genome sequences. Most of k-NN clustering algorithms build «excessive» graph firstly, so called hypergraph, and then truncate it to subgraphs, just partitioning and coarsening hypergraph. We developed other strategy, the “upward” clustering in forming (assembling consequentially) one cluster after the other. Until today graph-based cluster analysis has not been considered concerning classification of vegetation datasets.

Quality evaluation of tugaksheeree samples by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy using multicomponent analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikunj D. Patel ◽  
Niranjan S. Kanaki
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflectance ◽  
Chemometric Methods ◽  
Total Reflectance ◽  
Fingerprint Region ◽  
Ftir Technique

Background: Numerous Ayurvedic formulations contains tugaksheeree as key ingredient. Tugaksheereeis the starch gained from the rhizomes of two plants, Curcuma angustifoliaRoxb. (Zingiberaceae) and Marantaarundinacea (MA) Linn. (Marantaceae). Objective: The primary concerns in quality assessment of Tugaksheeree occur due to adulteration or substitution. Method: In current study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) facility was used to evaluate tugaksheeree samples. Total 10 different samples were studied and transmittance mode was kept to record the spectra devoid of pellets of KBR. Further treatment was given with multi component tools by considering fingerprint region of the spectra. Multivariate analysis was performed by various chemometric methods. Result: Multi component methods like Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)were used to discriminate the tugaksheeree samples using Minitab software. Conclusion: This method can be used as a tool to differentiate samples of tugaksheeree from its adulterants and substitutes.

Extraordinary circumstances: Covid-19 – Italian Serie A scenario

2021 ◽  
pp. 175433712110192
Author(s):  
Milan Radojicic ◽  
Aleksandar Djokovic ◽  
Nikola Cvetkovic
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster Analysis ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Round Robin ◽  
The Past ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Round Robin Tournaments

Unpredictable and uncontrollable situations have happened throughout history. Inevitably, such situations have an impact on various spheres of life. The coronavirus disease 2019 has affected many of them, including sports. The ban on social gatherings has caused the cancellation of many sports competitions. This paper proposes a methodology based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) that can be applied when a need occurs to end an interrupted tournament and the conditions for playing the remaining matches are far from ideal. The proposed methodology is based on how to conclude the season for Serie A, a top-division football league in Italy. The analysis showed that it is reasonable to play 14 instead of the 124 remaining matches of the 2019–2020 season to conclude the championship. The proposed methodology was tested on the past 10 seasons of the Serie A, and its effectiveness was confirmed. This novel approach can be used in any other sport where round-robin tournaments exist.

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