Validation of an Accelerometer Sensor-Based Collar for Monitoring Grazing and Rumination Behaviours in Grazing Dairy Cows

This study evaluated the accuracy of a sensor-based device (AfiCollar) to automatically monitor and record grazing and rumination behaviours of grazing dairy cows on a real-time basis. Multiparous spring-calved dairy cows (n = 48) wearing the AfiCollar were selected for the visual observation of their grazing and rumination behaviours. The total observation period was 36 days, divided into four recording periods performed at different times of the year, using 12 cows in each period. Each recording period consisted of nine daily observation sessions (three days a week for three consecutive weeks). A continuous behaviour monitoring protocol was followed to visually observe four cows at a time for each daily observation session, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Overall, 144 observations were collected and the data were presented as behaviour activity per daily observation session. The behaviours visually observed were also recorded through an automated AfiCollar device on a real-time basis over the observation period. Automatic recordings and visual observations were compared with each other using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and linear regression. Compared to visual observation (VO), AfiCollar (AC) showed slightly higher (10%) grazing time and lower (4%) rumination time. AC results and VO results had strong associations with each other for grazing time (r = 0.91, CCC = 0.71) and rumination time (r = 0.89, CCC = 0.80). Regression analysis showed a significant linear relationship between AC and VO for grazing time (R2 = 0.83, p < 0.05) and rumination time (R2 = 0.78, p < 0.05). The relative prediction error (RPE) values for grazing time and rumination time were 0.17 and 0.40, respectively. Overall, the results indicated that AfiCollar is a reliable device to accurately monitor and record grazing and rumination behaviours of grazing dairy cows, although, some minor improvements can be made in algorithm calibrations to further improve its accuracy.

Running Dictation Technique for Promoting EFL Primary Pupils’ Spelling, Pronunciation & Vocabulary Retention

The present study highlights the importance of using running dictation technique in teaching the textbook's songs at the primary schools. Running dictation technique is a classroom activity where the pupils are moving around and working together as groups to handle dictation and raise enjoyment at the same time. This study is an experimental one in which forty eight pupils is taught the textbook's songs by using running dictation technique. The present study aims at finding out the effect of applying this technique on primary pupils' spelling, pronunciation and vocabulary retention. To achieve this aim, the researcher has used three achievement tests as measurement tools. They are spelling test, pronunciation test and vocabulary worksheet in addition to the daily observation-test formula for two independent samples has been used to apply the data analysis technique.The sample of the study is forty pupils from AL-Aduaa primary school in Diyala Governoate . The results of this study reveal that there is a positive effect of using running dictation technique on the three aforementioned variables. They also reveal that the pupils at the primary level can gain much motivation towards learning songs by using running dictation technique.

Las caricaturas literarias de Galdós

Benito Pérez Galdós poseía un talento excepcional para la caracterización de sus personajes. Destacan en su obra las descripciones caricaturescas. En este estudio se analizan las influencias que convergen en algunas de estas descripciones y la razón por la que Galdós incluye en novelas de índole e intención realista descripciones hiperbólicas y caricaturescas cercanas a lo irreal. Se concluye que son el reflejo de la fusión habitual en su narrativa entre lo mágico-alegórico y lo documental-realista, entre el sueño alucinante y la observación cotidiana. Benito Pérez Galdós had an exceptional talent for characterizing his characters. The caricaturesque descriptions stand out in his work. This paper analyzes the influences that converge in some of of these descriptions and the reason why Galdós includes hyperbolic and caricatural descriptions close to the unreal in novels of a realistic nature and intention. It is concluded that these descriptions are reflectect the usual fusión in his narrative between the magical-allegorical and the documentary-realistic, between the amazing dream and the daily observation.

Migrant workers and COVID-19

ObjectivesDaily numbers of COVID-19 in Singapore from March to May 2020, the cause of a surge in cases in April and the national response were examined, and regulations on migrant worker accommodation studied.MethodsInformation was gathered from daily reports provided by the Ministry of Health, Singapore Statues online and a Ministerial statement given at a Parliament sitting on 4 May 2020.ResultsA marked escalation in the daily number of new COVID-19 cases was seen in early April 2020. The majority of cases occurred among an estimated 295 000 low-skilled migrant workers living in foreign worker dormitories. As of 6 May 2020, there were 17 758 confirmed COVID-19 cases among dormitory workers (88% of 20 198 nationally confirmed cases). One dormitory housing approximately 13 000 workers had 19.4% of residents infected. The national response included mobilising several government agencies and public volunteers. There was extensive testing of workers in dormitories, segregation of healthy and infected workers, and daily observation for fever and symptoms. Twenty-four dormitories were declared as ‘isolation areas’, with residents quarantined for 14 days. New housing, for example, vacant public housing flats, military camps, exhibition centres, floating hotels have been provided that will allow for appropriate social distancing.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted migrant workers as a vulnerable occupational group. Ideally, matters related to inadequate housing of vulnerable migrant workers need to be addressed before a pandemic.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC IN HUBEI PROVINCE AND REST PARTS OF MAINLAND CHINA

Background: China 's national-level anti-COVID-19 campaign has been going on for a month. With the development of the epidemic, it is found that COVID-19 severity in Hubei province (Hubei) is different from the rest of mainland China (Rest of China). It is necessary to compare the two areas, summarize experiences and lessons, analyze the epidemic trend and further point out the direction for the campaign. Methods: Prevent, quarantine and treat the disease according to The Novel Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Standards. Collect the numbers of total close contacts, daily observation cases, daily suspected cases, total conrmed cases, daily severe cases, total deaths from January 20 to February 19, input them into SPSS 25 and Microsoft ofce 2019 excel for data processing, statistical analysis and drawing. Findings: Total conrmed cases in Hubei account for 83.2% of the country. Daily suspected cases growth rates for both areas have become negative since February 9. Daily observation cases in Rest of China reached highest point on February 5 as opposed to February 13 in Hubei, and total close contacts growth rates for the last three days are declining steadily to 1.9% and 3.8% respectively. Total conrmed cases growth rate has hit the lowest levels in Rest of China at 0.34% by comparison with 0.57% in Hubei. Mean fatality rate and mean percentage of severe cases for the last three days in Rest of China are 0.67% and 5.83% in contrast to 3.12% and 18.2% in Hubei. There have been very signicant differences in fatality rate and percentage of severe cases existing in the two areas since January 23 and 24 respectively (P<0.01). Interpretation: Hubei is the main epidemic area. COVID-19 has low fatality rate and high transmissibility. Cutting off the source of infection is pivotal in containing COVID-19 outbreak and has a guiding effect on prevention and control of pandemic worldwide. The Novel Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Standards has played an important role in helping medical staff across the country to ght the epidemic. Coordinating national medical resources to support disaster areas, making full use of the existing facilities to isolate and quarantine, providing timely and accurate treatment can reduce fatality rate. Further efforts are needed to develop highly effective Chinese medicines, western drugs and vaccines in order to eradicate the virus or prevent the epidemic from continuing.

An Analysis of Ethnic Influence on Language: Mandarin or Xinjiang Mandarin?

This paper aims to investigate lexical borrowings from ethnic languages to standard Mandarin. Data are collected through daily observation after years of living in Xinjiang, China. The data suggest that phonetic loans and hybrid loans are the major approaches in lexical borrowings from Uyghur, Russian, and Persian. Two motivations behind Uyghur borrowings into Mandarin are discussed: cultural borrowings and core borrowings. Cultural borrowings are new objects, concepts of ethnic origins, which are new to Han Chinese communities. Core borrowings are Mandarin words which have been replaced by Uyghur. However, core borrowings are not associated with the prestige of the donor language in this case; instead, frequency, marker, friendliness, and religious consideration are the major reasons. In addition, this paper analyses the strategies of lexical borrowings from ethnic languages in Mandarin. It further discusses the cultural backgrounds behind lexical borrowings. The lexical borrowings from ethnic languages into Mandarin suggest the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese language and culture.

Estimating kinetic energy for therapy sessions

Therapists usually base the progress of the patients on a daily observation with a global evaluation every six months. This scenario could create a lack of exact and measurable daily data. Measurable data could be very helpful for monitoring patient’s progress and take important decisions regarding the therapy activities. A way to calculate the movement of a human body is through its kinetic energy. The kinetic energy measures the amount of energy spent in a therapy session or activity. The present study calculates the kinetic energy spent by children during movement based learning therapy through a data set captured with a motion sensing input device. Our preliminary results indicate an important impact on kinetic energy during this type of therapy

Pengaruh Kondisi Vasektomi pada Perilaku Reproduksi Monyet Ekor Panjang (Macaca fascicularis) di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, Bogor

<p><em>Abstrak</em> - <strong>Telah dilakukan pengamatan perilaku reproduksi moyet ekor panjang (Macaca fascicularis) di Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) yang telah disterilkan dengan metode vasektomi. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengamati pengaruh vasektomi monyet ekor panjang terhadap perilaku reproduksinya. Pengamatan dilakukan pada tiga ekor monyet ekor panjang jantan (Jantan1, Jantan2, dan Jantan3) yang dikandangkan bersama dua ekor monyet ekor panjang betina (Betina1 dan Betina2) dengan metode scan sampling dan ad libitum dengan interval waktu 5 menit tanpa jeda. Pengamatan dilakukan dari pukul 08.00-15.00 WIB selama 14 hari di bulan Agustus 2016, serta dengan total titik sampel yang diperoleh adalah 1008. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan ketiga jantan masih aktif melakukan perilaku reproduksi, dengan Jantan1 yang merupakan jantan dominan dalam kelompok yang lebih mendominasi betina dibanding Jantan2 dan Jantan3, dibuktikan dengan nilai MM (Male Mounts) terhadap betina yaitu Jantan1 sebanyak 111 kali, Jantan2 sebanyak 10 kali dan Jantan3 sebanyak 21 kali. Perilaku reproduksi pada ketiga jantan masih ditemukan karena metode vasektomi tidak merusak proses spermatogenesis sehingga sistem hormonal hewan tidak terganggu. Terdapat perbedaan frekuensi perilaku reproduksi jantan terhadap Betina1 dan Betina2. Hal tersebut dikarenakan preferensi jantan dalam kelompok yang lebih memilih untuk kawin dengan Betina1 daripada Betina2, yang dibuktikan dengan nilai FRS (Female Refuses Sex) dari Betina1 terhadap jantan sebanyak 111 kali sementara Betina2 sebanyak 7 kali. Diduga Betina1 merupakan betina dominan dengan kadar hormon estrogen yang lebih tinggi daripada Betina2.</strong></p><p><em><strong>Kata Kunci</strong> - Macaca fascicularis, Rehabilitasi, Perilaku Reproduksi, Vasektomi</em></p><p><em>Abstract</em> -<strong> A study of reproductive behavior has been conducted on long tail macaques (Macaca fascicularis) which have been sterilized by a vasectomy method at Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI), Bogor. The purpose of the study is to observe the influence of vasectomy to reproductive behavior of those animals. Observation was conducted on 3 (three) male macaques (the code names are: Jantan1, Jantan2 and Jantan3) which were captive-housed with 2 other female macaques (the code names are: Betina1 and Betina2). The method of observation is a combination of scan sampling and ad libitum methods with 5 (five) minutes intervals without pause. Daily observation were done from 08:00 am to 03:00 pm for 14 days in August 2016 and brought about 1,008 sample points. Results showed all males still actively performed reproductive behavior with Jantan1 in dominant position to all females compared to other males. Male Mounts (MM) of Jantan1 (111 times) was found higher than other males (Jantan2 10 times and Jantan3 21 times). We resume that reproductive behavior was still found in all males because vasectomy methods did not affect spermatogenesis process therefore the hormonal system remain in normal condition. There are differences in the frequency of males’ reproductive behavior to all females since all males preferring to mate with Betina1 instead of Betina2. The Female Refuse Sex behavior to males was found higher in Betina1 (111 times) than Betina2 (7 times) as Betina1 assumed to be dominant than Betina2.</strong></p><p><em><strong>Keywords</strong> - Macaca fascicularis, Rehabilitation, Reproductive Behavior, Vasectomy</em></p>

Phytotherapy in pediatrics: the production of knowledge and practices in Primary Care

ABSTRACT Objective: To demonstrate the use of phytotherapy as a therapy adopted in the context of Primary Care to Childhood. Method: Observational and analytical field research, with quantitative-qualitative approach. A semi-structured survey was used on socio-demographic and ethnopharmacological variables, audio interview and daily observation. Results: The production of knowledge about phytotherapy constitutes a family heritage, but incorporated data resulting from the daily experiences shared by the community. The main factors were: easy access to this resource, high costs of conventional treatment, difficulty in accessing medical services and belief in the power of plants. The attributed meanings were: prevention and treatment of injuries, rescue of memory and of experiences, factor integrative with nature and aggregative among members of the community. Final considerations: Rescuing this tradition brings a new meaning to health care.