scholarly journals Evaluation of an easy-to-use protocol for assessing behaviors of dogs retiring from commercial breeding kennels

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255883
Author(s):  
Shanis Barnard ◽  
Hannah Flint ◽  
Traci Shreyer ◽  
Candace Croney
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Food Motivation ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Reactivity Test ◽  
Novel Objects ◽  
Commercial Breeding ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Larger Sample

Objective, reliable behavioral tests are needed to refine on-site welfare assessments of dogs housed at commercial breeding (CB) kennels and provide a basis to inform predictions of their behavior when retired from such kennels. This study tested the reliability, construct validity, and applicability of a protocol for the behavioral assessment of dogs from CB kennels that might be useful in comprehensive welfare assessments of this population. A sample of 447 dogs from 26 CB kennels in the Midwestern US were assessed in their pens. Responses to an approach test (performed on three consecutive days) and a behavioral reactivity test (e.g., traffic cone, toys, umbrella) were recorded. Results showed moderate to perfect (Kw = 0.51–1.00) inter-rater reliability between three independent observers. Approach test-retest analysis showed high correlation of approach test scores on days 1, 2 and 3 (r = 0.85, p<0.0001). Exploratory factor analysis extracted four main factors: Food Motivation (F1), Sociability (F2), Boldness (F3) (e.g., response to novel objects), and Responsiveness (F4) (e.g., response to an umbrella opening) confirming the ability of the test to measure behaviors of interest. All factors showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.81–0.93) further supporting the robustness of the test construct. The demonstrated reliability of this protocol suggests that it may be usefully applied to assessing the behavior of dogs as a component of their welfare assessment in CB kennels. Doing so using even larger sample sizes may yield insights on the effects of housing and management practices on dog welfare while at the kennels, which may also help inform approaches that improve rehoming outcomes for retiring breeding dogs. Practical applications and limitations are outlined.

Development of a Questionnaire to Measure Concern for Dental Appearance

2001 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Frazer ◽  
Stan Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Statistical Regression ◽  
Varimax Rotation ◽  
Reliable Measure ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Dental Appearance ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Larger Sample

100 adults, selected for cosmetic dental treatment in a general dental practice, completed a 42-item questionnaire designed, on the basis of previous research and the author's clinical experience, to measure concern for dental appearance. This had high internal consistency and was reduced to a questionnaire of 23 items with internal consistency shown by a standardised Cronbach alpha of .84. An exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation identified six factors, the main one appearing to be a measure of concern for dental appearance. The high internal consistency suggests that the total score for the revised questionnaire is a measure of a construct, concern for dental appearance. Although the simplest measure of that may be contained in the items for the first factor, a much larger sample would be necessary to confirm the complex factor structure and so the questionnaire's total score is probably the more reliable measure at present. A study is summarised showing that the total score provides a measure that, in statistical regression analysis, may predict the intentions of adults to take care of the appearance of their teeth.

scholarly journals A New Statistical Biomechanics Modeling of Physical and Biochemical Bone Strength Parameters

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred B. O. Soboyejo ◽  
Karl E. Nestor
Keyword(s):  
Bone Strength ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Structural Failure ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Biomechanical Parameters

Abstract New multiparameter biomechanics models are developed in this work for the characterization of bone strengths in broiler chickens and turkeys, as functions of the major physical and biochemical parameters, which can contribute to mechanical properties of bone strengths in these birds, under good management practices. Theoretical and experimental methods have been developed in this study to model bone strength as functions of (a) the physical parameters only and (b) the biochemical parameters only, which can affect bone strength. The choice of any particular methodology will depend on the availability of either the physical or biochemical parameters, which can be obtained from experimental data. Possible useful practical applications of the statistical biomechanics principles developed in this technical paper, particularly in the field of bone strength enhancement in turkeys and broiler chickens will be discussed. In view of the problems described, the major objectives of the present study are as follows: (1) To develop new multiparameter biomechanics models for the characterization of bone strengths in turkeys and broiler chickens as functions of the major physical only, or biomechanical parameters only, which can contribute to bone strength in these birds, under conditions of good management of these birds. This study will consider only the compressive buckling as the mode of structural failure in the cellular material of the bone. (2) To highlight briefly the possible practical applications of the statistical biomechanics principles, which will be developed in this study to the genetic improvement of bone strengths in broiler chickens and turkeys.

scholarly journals Socio-economic determinants of best land management practices adoption in highly anthropized areas: case study of Dan Saga and Tabofatt village clusters in Niger republic

Agro-Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
S. Saidou ◽  
D.G. Iro ◽  
J.M.K. Ambouta
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

The objective sought by this study is to highlight the socio-economic determinants that could be helpful in scaling up of best land management practices in high demographics areas. Indeed, a survey was carried out in Dan Saga and Tabofatt two villages’ clusters in order to identify the driver factors which explain the high adoption of best land management practices in these areas. The data were collected from 200 farmers (100 from each cluster), randomly chosen. The survey addressed the likelihood of farmer to use agroforestry practices and or erosion control practices, on the basis of four socioeconomics variables: the educational level of farmer (Instr), the distance between their farm and habitation (Prox), the possession of Harnessed Cultivation Unit (HCU) and the land tenure status (Land). Data were subjected to an analysis by statistical modeling of logistic regression. The results show that agroforestry technology is predominated in Dan Saga cluster (90% of citation for agroforestry practices) compare to Tabofatt cluster where people use mostly erosion control practices (76% of citation for erosion control practices). Among the socioeconomics variables, three main factors significantly influenced the adoption of best land management; the educational level of peasants, the modality of land tenure by purchase and by inheritance and the possession of harness unit. In addition, the main land management technologies perform a high profitability compare to state of inaction. These results could serve as a lever for scaling up of regreening policy in other degraded areas of Sahel’s region.

scholarly journals Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C. Pinho ◽  
Robert P. Miller ◽  
Sonia S. Alfaia
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Tropical Soils ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Northern Brazil ◽  
Physical And Chemical

This paper discusses the effects of trees on soil fertility, with a focus on agricultural systems in Amazonia. Relevant literature concerning the effects of trees on soil physical and chemical properties in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions is reviewed, covering both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Soil carbon, in the form of organic matter, is considered as an indicator of biological activity as well as in relation to policy issues such as carbon sequestration and climate change. In the case of tropical soils and Amazonia, information on the effects of trees on soils is discussed in the context of traditional agriculture systems, as well as in regard to the development of more sustainable agricultural alternatives for the region. Lastly, attention is given to a case study in the savanna region of Roraima, northern Brazil, where a chronosequence of indigenous homegarden agroforestry systems showed clear effects of management practices involving trees on soil fertility. The use of diverse tree species and other practices employed in agroforestry systems can represent alternative forms of increasing soil fertility and maintaining agricultural production, with important practical applications for the sustainability of tropical agriculture.

Construct Your Own Response

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 304-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alica Thissen ◽  
Marco Koch ◽  
Nicolas Becker ◽  
Frank M. Spinath
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Spatial Relations ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Test Environment ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Very High ◽  
Construction Task

Abstract. The cube construction task represents a novel format in the assessment of spatial ability through mental cube rotation tasks. Instead of selecting the correct answer from several response options, testees construct their own response in a computerized test environment. The format has several advantages: It is no longer possible to guess the correct response or to compare the reference cube to the response options, resulting in a higher demand for spatial ability. Moreover, it is possible to create items with a particularly high difficulty which are needed for the assessment of intellectual giftedness. In the present study, we developed 28 items and presented them to a sample of 130 university students. Test results showed that the items possess a very high statistical difficulty. Furthermore, the item set yielded a very high internal consistency. The results of an exploratory factor analysis as well as of a multidimensional IRT analysis indicated that a two-factor solution (“spatial relations” vs. “spatial visualization”) is plausible. Response time had a negligible influence on accuracy. Perspectives on further research concerning the cube construction task and possibilities for practical applications are being discussed.

Experimental Study on Wear of Indexable Coated Blades as Applied to Cutting of PCrNi3MoVA Gun Steel Workpieces

2020 ◽  
Vol 980 ◽  
pp. 3-14
Author(s):  
Tian Qi Wang ◽  
Yuan Ying Qiu ◽  
Zhan Feng Liu ◽  
Xiao Lan Han
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Study ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tialn Coating ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Coating Type ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Tool Durability

In this paper, based on the theoretical study of tool wear and the systematic analysis of the main factors affecting the tool durability, four types of PVD and CVD-coated blades from three manufacturers were subjected to cutting tests using PCrNi3MoVA gun steel workpieces. The wear morphology, fatigue curves, and chip patterns of the tested blades were comparatively analyzed. The influence of the coating type on the tool durability was investigated using a scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results obtained strongly indicate that TiAlN coating deposited by the PVD technology has the best thermal stability, temperature oxidation resistance, and tool durability when cutting PCrNi3MoVA gun steel workpieces under semi-finishing conditions. The wear resistance of the other three types of blades was relatively lower due to less favorable coating compositions and structures. The study findings are instrumental in the substantiated selection of cutters for practical applications and provide a reference for the design optimization of indexable coated inserts.

scholarly journals An overview of the recent approaches to terroir functional modelling, footprinting and zoning

SOIL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Vaudour ◽  
E. Costantini ◽  
G. V. Jones ◽  
S. Mocali
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Healthy Plant ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Functional Modelling

Abstract. Notions of terroir and their conceptualization through agro-environmental sciences have become popular in many parts of world. Originally developed for wine, terroir now encompasses many other crops including fruits, vegetables, cheese, olive oil, coffee, cacao and other crops, linking the uniqueness and quality of both beverages and foods to the environment where they are produced, giving the consumer a sense of place. Climate, geology, geomorphology and soil are the main environmental factors which make up the terroir effect on different scales. Often considered immutable culturally, the natural components of terroir are actually a set of processes, which together create a delicate equilibrium and regulation of its effect on products in both space and time. Due to both a greater need to better understand regional-to-site variations in crop production and the growth in spatial analytic technologies, the study of terroir has shifted from a largely descriptive regional science to a more applied, technical research field. Furthermore, the explosion of spatial data availability and sensing technologies has made the within-field scale of study more valuable to the individual grower. The result has been greater adoption of these technologies but also issues associated with both the spatial and temporal scales required for practical applications, as well as the relevant approaches for data synthesis. Moreover, as soil microbial communities are known to be of vital importance for terrestrial processes by driving the major soil geochemical cycles and supporting healthy plant growth, an intensive investigation of the microbial organization and their function is also required. Our objective is to present an overview of existing data and modelling approaches for terroir functional modelling, footprinting and zoning on local and regional scales. This review will focus on two main areas of recent terroir research: (1) using new tools to unravel the biogeochemical cycles of both macro- and micronutrients, the biological and chemical signatures of terroirs (i.e. the metagenomic approach and regional fingerprinting); (2) terroir zoning on different scales: mapping terroirs and using remote- and proxy-sensing technologies to monitor soil quality and manage the crop system for better food quality. Both implementations of terroir chemical and biological footprinting and geospatial technologies are promising for the management of terroir units, particularly the remote and proxy data in conjunction with spatial statistics. Indeed, the managed zones will be updatable and the effects of viticultural and/or soil management practices might be easier to control. The prospect of facilitated terroir spatial monitoring makes it possible to address another great challenge in the years to come: the issue of terroir sustainability and the construction of efficient soil/viticultural management strategies that can be assessed and applied across numerous scales.

scholarly journals Understanding the Awareness, Knowledge, and Opinion of Dairy Cattle Welfare among Dairy Farmers in Keningau, Sabah

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1750
Author(s):  
Mohammed Babatunde Sadiq ◽  
Sim Song-Lin ◽  
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon ◽  
Sharifah Salmah Syed-Hussain ◽  
Wan Mastura Shaik Mossadeq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Issues Management ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
High Production ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
High Production Level ◽  
Lying Down

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and opinions about DCW among dairy cattle farmers in Keningau, Sabah. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered by hand to 30 farmers. The data collected include farmers’ and farm demographics, and opinions regarding the criteria and indicators of DCW. Only 17 respondents (57%) had heard of “dairy cattle welfare” before this study. Nine farmers (30.0%) had poor knowledge about DCW criteria, whereas 13 (43.7%) and 8 (26.7%) farmers had satisfactory and good knowledge, respectively. Farmers with higher education, larger herd size, high production level, and exotic cattle breeds showed a better understanding. Farmers understood most of the indicators; however, opinions regarding cattle behavior during milking, their physical appearance and their lying down behaviour need to be improved. Nevertheless, 28 respondents ranked their animals’ welfare as either good or satisfactory, which further reflects a poor implementation of DCW measures. The main factors suggested by farmers to influence DCW in their herds were facilities, worker issues, management practices, and animal well-being. In conclusion, guidance from veterinarians and animal welfare specialists may be needed to improve the farmers’ understanding and practices of DCW.

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