Evaluation of agreement between numerical rating scales, visual analogue scoring scales, and force plate gait analysis in dogs

Objective— To evaluate the accuracy of numerical rating (NRS) and visual analogue (VAS) scoring scales compared with force plate gait analysis and agreement between observers for each scoring scale.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Animals— Mixed breed dogs (n=21) with a right limb tibial osteotomy repaired with an external fixator.
Methods— Three small-animal veterinarians with orthopedic training scored lameness using NRS and VAS before surgery, and at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Peak force and impulse were determined at the same time points using a force plate. Agreement between observers and with force plate data was assessed. Significance was set at P ≤.05.
Results— Agreement was generally low among observers for both NRS and VAS scores. When evaluated at each time point, an acceptable level of agreement was present only at 4 weeks after surgery. Only impulse had a significant relationship with some of the observers' subjective scores. No significant relationships between any observer's scores and force plate data existed if very lame dogs were omitted.
Conclusions— Subjective scoring scales do not replace force plate gait analysis. Agreement is low unless lameness is severe, and each observer uses an individually unique scale. Subjective scoring scales most accurately reflect force plate gait analysis when lameness is severe.
Clinical Relevance— Subjective lameness scoring scales may not accurately reflect lameness and do not replace force plate gait analysis. Observers must stay the same during the duration of a study for accurate analyses.     

Effects of zeranol implantation and late castration on sexual, agonistic and handling behavior in male feedlot cattle

Seventy-two Angus feedlot bulls were observed to determine the effects of implanting with zeranol (0, 36 or 72 mg; four groups of six/level) at 8 mo of age (d 0), and of castration midway through the feedlot period (d 115) vs remaining intact (six groups/treatment) on sexual, agonistic and handling behaviors. All 36-mg-treated cattle were re-implanted (36 mg) on d 112; 72-mg-treated cattle were not re-implanted. Each group was observed for a total of 8 h at the time of sunset +/- 30 min for sexual and agonistic behaviors during the trial. Observations on handling were made during 15 weighings and on seven occasions in the pens of the animals. Zeranol did not affect sexual or agonistic behavior. Before imposition of castration, implanted bulls entered the scales more quickly, took longer to stand still on the scales and were less quiet than non-implanted bulls (P less than .05). Castration decreased the sexual behaviors of masturbation (.75 vs .08 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .05), attempted mounts (.75 vs .33 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .05) and chinning (10.70 vs 4.75 X pen-1 X pen-1; P less than .10) and the agonistic behavior of butting (42.42 vs 31.50 X pen-1 X h-1; P less than .01) in contrast to intact bulls. Castrated animals entered (P less than .10) and exited (P less than .05) the scales more quickly than did intact males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

毛纤维鳞片品质分析

对青海的藏羊、青海半细毛羊、新疆细毛羊、牦牛、骆驼以及毛丝鼠的16种毛纤维鳞片进行扫描,分别进行厚度、倾角、高度、密度等测定。结果认为:各种毛纤维随着直径变小,表现出鳞片密度增加,厚度下降;不同畜种的毛纤维鳞片形态及品质有较大差异,但细度接近的毛纤维各测试值接近;在受损程度上,从大到小排列为驼毛、牦牛毛、青海藏羊粗毛;同一毛丛中外层毛的受损程度大于底绒;鳞片之间互相衔接紧密,重叠面深的纤维,鳞片的倾角就小,毛干光滑,光泽强,鳞片相对大、宽、高。     

气候变化下中国草地NPP的研究

通过全球气候变化下的中国草地NPP研究方法及估算模型的总结,分析中国草地NPP时空变化及其与影响因子间的相互关系,并提出中国草地NPP研究过程中存在的问题和未来发展方向。全球气候变化下,遥感估测和生态遥感耦合模型因适合大尺度的草地NPP估算,成为最主要的研究方法和研究模型。中国草地NPP在时间上表现为倒U字型和总体上升趋势的季节性、年际性变化,在空间上呈现出从东向西递减和阶梯式的水平、垂直地带性变化;这种时空上的变化主要与气候因子(温度和降水量)和人为因子等有密切的关系。全球气候变化下中国草地NPP的研究主要有基础数据不足、模型参数繁多和建模过程存在不确定性3个方面的问题。所以,解决问题并将其有机结合,是未来草地NPP研究的发展方向之一。     

Frequency of appropriate and inappropriate presentation and analysis methods of ordered categorical data in the veterinary dermatology literature from January 2003 to June 2006

Clinical outcomes that are difficult to measure directly are often graded with ordinal scales in the veterinary dermatology literature to approximate objective evaluation. Ordered categorical scales require statistical presentation and analysis methods consistent with the structure of the data. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of inappropriate presentation and analysis methods of ordered categorical data in the recent veterinary dermatology literature. A total of 62 articles published between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2006 in 16 journals reported categorical scales and were included in the study. The presentation and analysis methods of ordered categorical data were classified as appropriate or inappropriate based on published recommendations. Forty articles (64.5%) utilized a median of four ordinal scales (range 1-13). Inappropriate presentation methods of ordered categorical data were identified in 23 of 40 articles (57.5%). These included reporting inappropriate summary statistics (n = 17) and summation of ad hoc numerical rating scales (n = 15). Inappropriate analytical methods were used in nine of 40 articles (22.5%). These included inappropriate use of t-tests (n = 3) and analysis of variance (anova, n = 6). The frequency of inappropriate presentation and analysis methods of ordered categorical data in the veterinary dermatology literature is similar to that reported for several fields in the human medical literature. In order to reduce the likelihood of making unwarranted implications or conclusions regarding ordinal data, authors should follow established guidelines for methods of presentation and analysis of ordered categorical scales.     

Does Scale Matter? Variation in Area Use Across Spatiotemporal Scales of Two Sheep Breeds in Two Contrasting Alpine Environments

Animal-by-environment interaction creates space use patterns, which characterize an animal’s utilization distribution (UD) area. We fitted 51 ewes of the two Norwegian breeds Norwegian White Sheep (NWS) and Spælsau (SP) with Global Positioning System collars in two contrasting environments (Spekedalen; poor pasture and Bratthøa; rich pasture) during the 2013 and 2014 summer grazing seasons. We explored effects of spatiotemporal scales on UD sizes of the sheep in these environments. We defined the temporal scales as 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, and 60-d intervals and spatial scales as 95% and 50% UD using the dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Model. Our results showed that, in general, sheep had larger UDs in the poor area compared with the rich area and the SP had larger UDs compared with the NWS. We found 95% UD differences between the two environments at all temporal scales, except 60 d, whereas differences were found between breeds at all but the finest temporal scale. The 50% UD differed between breeds and environments on all temporal scales except between-study areas at the 5-d scale. The lack of environment by breed interactions suggest that the two breeds respond equally to range quality at all spatiotemporal scales. We conclude that scale has to be considered when comparing UD differences across spatial and temporal scales in contrasting environments and between sheep genotypes. Our findings are thus important for management of grazing resources in multipurpose land use planning.     

Otoliths versus scales: evaluating the most suitable structure for ageing largemouth bass,Micropterus salmoides,in South Africa

The suitability of scales for ageing Micropterus salmoides was determined by comparing the precision of growth zone counts on scales with those obtained from sectioned sagittal otoliths from a sample of 496 fish collected from Wriggleswade and Mankazana Impoundments in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Otoliths (1.4% rejected) were more readable than scales (41.7% and 7.5% rejected) for Wriggleswade and Mankazana Impoundments respectively. Otolith readings were more precise (average percentage error (APE) = 13.6%; coefficient of variation (CV) = 15.8%) than scales (APE = 18.0%; CV = 21.9%) for the total sample. Growth zone counts between structures were not symmetrically distributed around the agreed ages (otolith age = scale age) of the fish from Wriggleswade Impoundment (Bowker’s test H²: χ² = 136, d.f. = 27, P < 0.05) and graphical comparison showed that scales tended to underestimate age, particularly for fish older than five years. Scales are therefore not suitable structures for ageing South African M. salmoides which may attain ages of up to 13 years.     

Repeatability and reproducibility of numerical rating scales and visual analogue scales for canine pruritus severity scoring

Although they are used frequently in veterinary dermatology, the reliability of canine pruritus severity scales has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of pruritus severity numerical rating scales (NRS) and pruritus severity visual analogue scales (VAS). Videos of 16 dogs were evaluated for pruritus severity by 24 observers utilizing three NRS and three VAS. Intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility were evaluated with Cohen's kappa and Kendall's rank correlation statistics, respectively. The repeatability of pruritus severity NRS was fair, with mean Cohen's weighted kappa (kappa(w)) values ranging from 0.49 to 0.60. The mean Kendall's rank correlation coefficient (t) for the three VAS ranged from 0.62 to 0.73. The reproducibility of mid-range pruritus severity ranks was poor with both scale types. Scales describing overall pruritus severity were found to be reliable most consistently. Neither NRS nor VAS displayed the degree of reliability desired in a health measurement scale. Interpretation of research results evaluating canine pruritus severity with NRS and VAS scales should account for suboptimal reliability.     

Use of bathroom scales in measuring asymmetry of hindlimb static weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

Objective: The study assessed the use and reliability of bathroom scales as an objective measurement tool, and setting a normal variance of static weight bearing between hindlimbs. Methods: Two groups of dogs were tested: a healthy control group (n = 21) and a group (n = 43) of dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis in at least one stifle joint, with or without hip joint osteoarthritis. Static weight bearing was evaluated manually and measured with two bathroom scales. An orthopaedic examination was done and dynamic weight bearing was measured using a force platform. Radiographs were taken to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis, and dogs were divided into groups of severe and non-severe osteo- arthritic changes. Reliability by repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, and the congruity between static weight bearing and other evaluation methods with Kappa statistics and proportion of agreement. Results: The difference between the hindlimbs proportional to the body weight in control dogs was 3.3% (± 2.7%). The repeatability of measuring static weight bearing in the hindlimbs of osteoarthritic dogs with bathroom scales was 81% with osteoarthritic limbs, and 70% for unaffected limbs. The sensitivity of static weight bearing measurements using bathroom scales was 39% and specificity 85%. Clinical significance: Bathroom scales are a reliable, simple, and cost-effective objective method for measuring static weight bearing and can be used as an outcome measure when rehabilitating dogs with osteoarthritic changes in the hindlimbs.     

“The Range Problem” After a Century of Rangeland Science: New Research Themes for Altered Landscapes

The rangeland science profession in the United States has its roots in the widespread overgrazing and concurrent severe droughts of the late 19th century. These drivers contributed to rangeland resource degradation especially in the American Southwest—what E. O. Wooton (1908) called the “Range Problem.” Although logical for the time, the scientific activities and resulting policies that arose out of this catastrophe were based on reductionist experimentation and productionist emphases on food and fiber. After a century of science and policy, there are two additional perspectives that shape our vision for the emphases of the future. First, rangeland landscapes are extremely heterogeneous; general principles derived from scientific experimentation cannot be easily or generally applied without adjusting to the distinct societal and ecological characteristics of a location. Second, rangeland management occurs at spatial scales considerably larger than those that have typically been addressed in range science. Scaling up science results is not a simple, additive process. The leading features of the emerging science are 1) research at landscape scales and 2) over longer time spans that 3) approaches conservation and management practices as treatments requiring scientific evaluation, 4) incorporates local knowledge, 5) is explicitly applied in nature, and 6) is transparent in its practice. We strongly argue for a science that supports resource management by testing hypotheses relevant to actual conservation practices and iteratively applying its findings in partnership with managers in an ongoing, adaptive fashion.     

Validation of CADESI-03, a severity scale for clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis

In dogs, atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic allergic skin disease that often necessitates treatment with pharmacological interventions. In the last 30 years, numerous clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs have been reported, but there has been a lack of consistency in the assessment of outcome measures. Several clinical scales have been employed over time, but none of these scoring systems were ever tested for validity and reliability. A committee of the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis evaluated the currently available scales used to assess disease morbidity in humans and dogs with AD, and a third version of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) was designed. This version was expanded from previous ones by redistribution and increase in body sites tested, the use of an additional lesion reflecting underlying pruritus (e.g. self-induced alopecia) and an increase in the numerical range of severity for each lesion. The CADESI-03 scale was tested for validity and reliability in a cohort of 38 dogs with AD. Overall, this revised version of the CADESI was found to exhibit acceptable content, construct, criterion, and inter- and intra-observer reliability and sensitivity to change. As a result, this scale is recommended as a validated tool for assessment of disease severity in clinical trials testing the efficacy of interventions in dogs with AD.     

Bison Versus Cattle: Are They Ecologically Synonymous?

Historically, the plains bison (Bison bison Linnaeus) was the most numerous and influential grazer on the Great Plains. Today 500 000 bison occupy North America among more than 100 000 000 cattle. In an attempt to restore their historical ecological role, bison are translocated onto landscapes previously manipulated for cattle use through water and fence development. We hypothesized that bison would use these landscapes similarly to cattle, thus maintaining homogenous grazing and reducing the restoration potential of bison at a landscape scale. We quantified differences between bison populations at different locations and spatial scales (American Prairie Reserve, Malta, Montana, USA, and Grasslands National Park, Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Canada, 2010–2011) and bison and cattle at similar locations and spatial scales using behavioral observations, movement analyses, and resource selection functions. Bison and cattle differed in all behaviors (grazing, standing, bedded, moving, other); however, landscape attributes resulted in behavior differences within species. Cattle spent a higher proportion of time grazing (45–49%) than bison (26–28%) and increased time at water. Bison moved at a 50–99% faster rate than cattle, and first passage time movement analyses identified selection of bison foraging patches (11 690 ha) larger than cattle foraging patches (48–615 ha). Similar to cattle, bison avoided most vegetation communities in relation to riparian communities and selected areas closer to water. Cattle selected for high plant biomass, whereas bison selected for intermediate plant biomass. This study has implications when bison and cattle are used to meet prairie restoration objectives. For bison, large landscapes that include variation in topography and vegetation communities are required. Furthermore, limiting manmade water sources may facilitate bison grazing patterns that more closely approximate historical bison use. For livestock, reduced movement and increased time spent grazing encourage grazing practices that increase heterogeneous grazing at a pasture scale.     

埋植褪黑激素的水貂冬季直针毛生长过程及鳞片形态性状研究

为研究埋植褪黑激素的水貂(Mustela vison)冬季直针毛生长过程及形态学性状的特点,测量埋植褪黑激素后31 d、62 d和75 d的水貂鲜皮腹部、背部和臀部新生冬季直针毛的毛长度、毛最粗处细度、毛根无髓段长度及毛根扁平型鳞片总长度等形态学指标。统计分析结果表明:埋植褪黑激素31 d后,水貂3个部位均出现了新生冬季直针毛;且臀部的新生冬季直针毛的毛长度最大,单位面积上新生冬季直针毛数量最多。埋植褪黑激素后31 d至62 d冬季直针毛的平均生长速度为:腹部(0. 33±0. 07) mm/d、背部(0. 44±0. 07) mm/d、臀部(0. 45±0. 08) mm/d,埋植褪黑激素后62 d至75 d冬季直针毛的平均生长速度为:腹部(0. 25±0. 06) mm/d、背部(0. 29±0. 10) mm/d、臀部(0. 36±0. 03) mm/d,均表现为臀部>背部>腹部的情形。埋植褪黑激素后31 d至62 d的冬季直针毛平均生长速度较快;埋植褪黑激素后62 d至75 d的冬季直针毛平均生长速度降低。冬季直针毛的长度与毛根无髓段长度、毛根扁平型鳞片总长度相关性不显著(P>0. 05);毛最粗处细度与毛根无髓段长度、毛根扁平型鳞片总长度相关性不显著(P>0. 05);毛根无髓段长度与毛根扁平型鳞片总长度呈极显著正相关(P <0. 01)。判断水貂取皮时间时,可以选择冬季直针毛的毛根无髓段长度作为指标。     

Comparison of the calf suckling technique and milk oxytocin test for estimation of milk yields

The calf suckling technique and milk oxytocin test were compared as methods to quantify lactation yields in Sanga-type cows in the multi-purpose livestock sector of central Zambia. There was no significant difference between the overall means derived from 154 observations. The oxytocin method interferes less with the multi-purpose system of management, is less time consuming and does not require expensive calf weight scales.     

库布齐沙地土壤呼吸及其影响因素分析

土壤呼吸是陆地生态系统物质循环和能量流动的一个最主要环节,也是评价大气中CO2浓度增减和土壤生物活性的重要指标,对半干旱区自然状况下的库布齐沙地土壤呼吸进行测定与分析,结果表明：1）半干旱地区沙地的土壤呼吸速率值与土壤含水量具有相关性,但在小时间尺度上与土壤温度没有相关性;2）半干旱地区沙地的土壤呼吸速率值与土壤细菌数量、土壤固氮菌数量具有相关性,但与土壤真菌数量、土壤放线菌数量没有相关性;3）干旱地区沙地的土壤呼吸速率值与植被地上、地下生物量具有相关性。这些结论将增进人们对半干旱区沙地土壤呼吸及其影响因素的了解,最终更准确地认识陆地生态系统的物质循环和能量流动。     

祁连山南麓高寒灌丛GPP变化特征及对生长季积温的响应

全球气候变化背景下气温逐渐升高,将会对陆地生态系统碳循环产生重要影响。研究利用2003?2016年的涡度相关系统观测资料,研究了祁连山南麓高寒灌丛生长季(5月?9月)总初级生产力(gross primary productivity,GPP)在不同时间尺度上对生长季有效积温(growing season degree days,GDD)的响应,对于研究气候变暖对高寒生态系统碳循环的影响有重要意义。结果表明:高寒灌丛生态系统在生长季的月GPP、GDD都表现为先增大后减小的单峰变化趋势,都在7月或8月达到峰值,在5月达到最小值。在整个生长季尺度上,GPP与GDD具有较高变异性,但整体上表现为逐渐增加的趋势(P<0.05)。2003?2016年整个生长季GPP与GDD的均值分别为507.11 g·m^?2和975.93℃。在月尺度和生长季尺度上,GPP与GDD都呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05)。但是,通过比较生长季每个月GPP与GDD的关系发现,5、9月的GPP与GDD没有显著相关性(P>0.05),而在7月相关性最为显著(P<0.01)。整体上看,高寒灌丛生态系统植被的总初级生产力与热量条件表现为正相关关系,由此说明在全球气候变暖的背景下,青藏高原高寒灌丛生态系统植被的光合生产能力将会提高。     

A Comparison of the Otolith and Scale Methods of Ageing,and the Growth of Sarotherodon Mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) in a Venda Impoundment (Southern Africa)

Otoliths and scales were used for age and growth determinations of Sarotherodon mossambicus In the Luphephe-Nwanedzi impoundment, a subtropical man-made reservoir in Venda, northern South Africa. Two rings are deposited annually on the otolith whereas only one ring Is deposited on the scales. Using otoliths the growth of S. mossambicus is described by L_t = 27,3 (1 - e^{-0,425(t + 0,299)})cm and using scales by L_t = 26,8 (1 - e^{-0,389(t + 0,045)}) _cm. These two curves differ significantly (P<0,01). The adequacy of these curves was tested by means of Ford-Walford plots. It is postulated that otoliths provide a more reliable estimate of age and growth than scales in subtropical and temperate regions. Males grow faster than females. Based on otoliths the growth of male S. mossambicus in the Luphephe-Nwanedzi impoundment is described by L_t = 27,0(1 - e^{-0,417(t + 0,504)}) cm SL and that of females by L_t = 25,8(1 - e^{- 0,370(t + 0,497)}) cm SL. The growth of S. mossambicus in the Luphephe-Nwanedzi impoundment is compared to other S. mossambicus populations in South Africa.