scholarly journals A UHF RFID System for Studying Individual Feeding and Nesting Behaviors of Group-Housed Laying Hens

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1337-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihua Li ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Jofran Oliveira ◽  
Wilco Verhoijsen ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Uhf Rfid ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Rfid System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nesting Behaviors

Abstract. Enriched colony housing (ECH) is a relatively new egg production system. As such, information is lacking on design parameters to ensure the well-being of the hens and optimal utilization of housing resources. A new system has been developed at Iowa State University that enables automated monitoring and quantification of feeding and nesting behaviors of individual hens in ECH. Ultra-high-frequency radio frequency identification (UHF RFID) is employed to track individual animals. The UHF RFID system consists of four components: antennas, tags, readers, and a data acquisition system. The antennas for monitoring feeding behavior are placed inside the two feed troughs and covered with plastic boards. Each feed trough has six antennas aligned in series covering the length of the feeder. Four additional antennas are placed inside the nest boxes to monitor the nesting behaviors. All 16 antennas are connected to five 4-channel readers, two per feed trough and one for the nest boxes, that are further connected to the hosting computer via Ethernet. Feed and water consumption and egg production are continuously monitored using load cells. This article describes the development and testing of the RFID system for monitoring feeding and nesting behaviors and provides sample data. The system has proven to be able to characterize benchmark feeding and nesting behaviors of individual hens in ECH, such as daily time spent at the feeder and in the nest box, daily frequency of visiting the feeder and the nest box, number of hens feeding and nesting simultaneously, and variability in these behaviors among individual hens. Future applications of the system include assessing the impact of resource allocation and management practices on feeding and nesting behaviors and on the well-being of the hens. This information will provide a scientific basis for optimal design and management of alternative hen housing systems. Keywords: Animal well-being, Enriched colony housing, Feeding behavior, Nesting behavior, UHF RFID.

scholarly journals Radical Response: Effects of Heat Stress-Induced Oxidative Stress on Lipid Metabolism in the Avian Liver

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Nima K. Emami ◽  
Usuk Jung ◽  
Brynn Voy ◽  
Sami Dridi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Enzymatic Reactions ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Hepatic Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Hepatic Lipid ◽  
The Impact

Lipid metabolism in avian species places unique demands on the liver in comparison to most mammals. The avian liver synthesizes the vast majority of fatty acids that provide energy and support cell membrane synthesis throughout the bird. Egg production intensifies demands to the liver as hepatic lipids are needed to create the yolk. The enzymatic reactions that underlie de novo lipogenesis are energetically demanding and require a precise balance of vitamins and cofactors to proceed efficiently. External stressors such as overnutrition or nutrient deficiency can disrupt this balance and compromise the liver’s ability to support metabolic needs. Heat stress is an increasingly prevalent environmental factor that impairs lipid metabolism in the avian liver. The effects of heat stress-induced oxidative stress on hepatic lipid metabolism are of particular concern in modern commercial chickens due to the threat to global poultry production. Chickens are highly vulnerable to heat stress because of their limited capacity to dissipate heat, high metabolic activity, high internal body temperature, and narrow zone of thermal tolerance. Modern lines of both broiler (meat-type) and layer (egg-type) chickens are especially sensitive to heat stress because of the high rates of mitochondrial metabolism. While this oxidative metabolism supports growth and egg production, it also yields oxidative stress that can damage mitochondria, cellular membranes and proteins, making the birds more vulnerable to other stressors in the environment. Studies to date indicate that oxidative and heat stress interact to disrupt hepatic lipid metabolism and compromise performance and well-being in both broilers and layers. The purpose of this review is to summarize the impact of heat stress-induced oxidative stress on lipid metabolism in the avian liver. Recent advances that shed light on molecular mechanisms and potential nutritional/managerial strategies to counteract the negative effects of heat stress-induced oxidative stress to the avian liver are also integrated.

scholarly journals The Living Space: Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health in Response to Interiors Presented in Virtual Reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12510
Author(s):  
Nour Tawil ◽  
Izabela Maria Sztuka ◽  
Kira Pohlmann ◽  
Sonja Sudimac ◽  
Simone Kühn
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Interior Spaces ◽  
Free Exploration ◽  
The Impact

There has been a recent interest in how architecture affects mental health and psychological well-being, motivated by the fact that we spend the majority of our waking time inside and interacting with built environments. Some studies have investigated the psychological responses to indoor design parameters; for instance, contours, and proposed that curved interiors, when compared to angular ones, were aesthetically preferred and induced higher positive emotions. The present study aimed to systematically examine this hypothesis and further explore the impact of contrasting contours on affect, behavior, and cognition. We exposed 42 participants to four well-matched indoor living rooms under a free-exploration photorealistic virtual reality paradigm. We included style as an explorative second-level variable. Out of the 33 outcome variables measured, and after correcting for false discoveries, only two eventually confirmed differences in the contours analysis, in favor of angular rooms. Analysis of style primarily validated the contrast of our stimulus set, and showed significance in one other dependent variable. Results of additional analysis using the Bayesian framework were in line with those of the frequentist approach. The present results provide evidence against the hypothesis that curvature is preferred, suggesting that the psychological response to contours in a close-to-reality architectural setting could be more complex. This study, therefore, helps to communicate a more complete scientific view on the experience of interior spaces and proposes directions for necessary future research.

PSV-9 The effect of management practices on eggshell cleanliness, bacteria levels and cuticle deposition in free-range poultry

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 304-304
Author(s):  
Julie Bosland ◽  
Becky Sartini
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Level 1

Abstract Small-scale egg production is a growing industry in New England; however, foodborne illness risk exists from small-scale free-range eggs due to lack of guidelines for safe handling and management practices. We hypothesized that the manure level (ML) of the eggs along with management practices will affect both the total bacterial levels (relative light units= RLU) and the cuticle deposition (CD) of the eggshell. Hens (n = 53) were used in this study and housed at Peckham Farm (URI; Kingston, RI) in a mobile coop that allowed free ranging. The management practice experiments were divided into nest box type, location, substrate and time/frequency of collection. The CD experiments involved nesting boxes and nest substrate. Data were analyzed using SAS proc mixed/two sample t-test (P ≤ 0.05). There is a difference in ML between level 1 and 2 and level 1 and 3 eggs. Eggs collected from the conventional (CONV; n = 37) and rollaway (n = 25) nest boxes showed no difference in RLU or CD (P ≥ 0.42). Eggs collected from CONV with different nesting substrates (straw, shavings, AstroTurf nest pad; n = 179) showed no difference in RLU and CD (P ≥ 0.28). Nest box location (mounted vs floor level) showed no difference (P ≥ 0.65) in RLU values from eggs collected from CONV nest boxes. Time of collection (1pm vs 8 am) had a significant impact (P ≤ 0.02) in RLU values; however, frequency of collection showed no impact (P ≥ 0.49). The bacteria levels were most likely lower in the afternoon collection because the eggs laid that day did not spend as much time in nest boxes. In conclusion, although different nest boxes or substrates did not change eggshell bacteria levels, management practices that minimize manure levels on eggs and increase the frequency of collection can help to maintain lower bacteria levels to reduce food safety risk.

Measuring Impact of Stress in Sandwich Generation Caring for Demented Parents

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence M. Solberg ◽  
Lauren B. Solberg ◽  
Emily N. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sandwich Generation ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adult Caregivers ◽  
The Impact

Stress in caregivers may affect the healthcare recipients receive. We examined the impact of stress experienced by 45 adult caregivers of their elderly demented parents. The participants completed a 32-item questionnaire about the impact of experienced stress. The questionnaire also asked about interventions that might help to reduce the impact of stress. After exploratory factor analysis, we reduced the 32-item questionnaire to 13 items. Results indicated that caregivers experienced stress, anxiety, and sadness. Also, emotional, but not financial or professional, well-being was significantly impacted. There was no significant difference between the impact of caregiver stress on members from the sandwich generation and those from the nonsandwich generation. Meeting with a social worker for resource availability was identified most frequently as a potentially helpful intervention for coping with the impact of stress.

Efficacy of Crisis Intervention

Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Reisch ◽  
Petra Schlatter ◽  
Wolfgang Tschacher
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Intervention ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Step Therapy ◽  
Long Term Therapy ◽  
The Impact

This study assesses the efficacy of the treatment approach implemented in the Bern Crisis Intervention Program, where particular emphasis is placed on the remediation of suicide ideation and suicidal behavior, and depression, fear, and phobia are generally considered to be contributing factors. Four questionnaires addressing psychopathology, emotional well-being, social anxiety, and personality were administered prior to and after the treatment of 51 patients over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. The reduction of symptoms contributing to suicidal ideation and behavior was interpreted as indirect evidence of an antisuicidal effect of the program. Significant improvements were found in the psychopathology ratings, with depression and anxiety showing the largest reductions. The impact on personality and social phobia, however, was only moderate, and on average patients still exhibited symptoms after attending the program. This residual symptomatology points to the necessity of introducing a two-step therapy approach of intensive intervention targeted at the precipitating causes of the crisis, augmented by long-term therapy to treat underlying problems.

The Therapist’s Reaction to a Patient’s Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich Martin Wurst ◽  
Isabella Kunz ◽  
Gregory Skipper ◽  
Manfred Wolfersdorf ◽  
Karl H. Beine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Retrospective Nature ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Background: A substantial proportion of therapists experience the loss of a patient to suicide at some point during their professional life. Aims: To assess (1) the impact of a patient’s suicide on therapists distress and well-being over time, (2) which factors contribute to the reaction, and (3) which subgroup might need special interventions in the aftermath of suicide. Methods: A 63-item questionnaire was sent to all 185 Psychiatric Clinics at General Hospitals in Germany. The emotional reaction of therapists to patient’s suicide was measured immediately, after 2 weeks, and after 6 months. Results: Three out of ten therapists suffer from severe distress after a patients’ suicide. The item “overall distress” immediately after the suicide predicts emotional reactions and changes in behavior. The emotional responses immediately after the suicide explained 43.5% of the variance of total distress in a regression analysis. Limitations: The retrospective nature of the study is its primary limitation. Conclusions: Our data suggest that identifying the severely distressed subgroup could be done using a visual analog scale for overall distress. As a consequence, more specific and intensified help could be provided to these professionals.

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