Inter-observer agreement between two observers for bovine digital dermatitis identification in New Zealand using digital photographs

Aims: To assess the inter-observer agreement for detecting bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions in digital colour photographs of the hind feet of cows, which had been taken while the animals were standing to be milked, between two trained observers.

Methods: Thirty-six photographs were selected from a total of 184 photographs held by the first author (R1), who had classified them as negative (n=11) or positive (n=25) for BDD. They were delivered to a technician (R2) who had previously visually inspected cattle for BDD lesions, and who then recorded the photographs as being either BDD-positive or BDD-negative. The percentage agreement between R1 and R2, and two other inter-observer agreement statistics, Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s first-order chance correction agreement coefficient (AC1), were calculated. The cumulative membership probabilities of Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1 were then calculated for different benchmark ranges of κ.

Results: The percentage agreement between R1 and R2 was 33/36 (92%), Cohen’s κ was 0.80 (95% CI=0.57–1.0) and Gwet’s AC1 was 0.86 (95% CI=0.69–1.0). Based on the cumulative membership probabilities for Gwet’s AC1, there was 75% probability that the two observers had almost perfect agreement (κ≥0.81). For both Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1, there was >95% probability that the two observers had at least substantial agreement (κ≥0.61).

Conclusions: The two trained observers had at least substantial agreement in identifying from a digital photograph as to whether BDD lesions were present or absent. Therefore results from the two could be used interchangeably.

Clinical Relevance: Visual assessment for BDD lesions in the milking parlour can be subjective. However a high agreement between these two trained BDD inspectors means BDD prevalence reported from different regions in New Zealand by these two can be directly compared.     

Impact of a catastrophic hurricane on island populations

Lizard and spider populations were censused immediately before and after Hurricane Lili on islands differentially affected by the storm surge. The results support three general propositions. First, the larger organisms, lizards, are more resistant to the immediate impact of moderate disturbance, whereas the more prolific spiders recover faster. Second, extinction risk is related to population size when disturbance is moderate but not when it is catastrophic. Third, after catastrophic disturbance, the recovery rate among different types of organisms is related to dispersal ability. The absence of the poorer dispersers, lizards, from many suitable islands is probably the result of long-lasting effects of catastrophes.     

Amplification of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Introduced into an In Vitro Embryo Production System Via Oocytes from Persistently Infected Cattle

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not embryos derived from in vitro fertilization of oocytes from persistently infected (PI) cattle would contain infectious virus. Three in vitro embryo production treatment groups were assessed: 1) oocytes and uterine tubal cells (UTC) free of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) (negative control), 2) oocytes free of BVDV fertilized and cultured in media containing UTC obtained from PI heifers, and 3) oocytes from PI heifers fertilized and cultured in media containing UTC free of BVDV. The developmental media, UTC and embryos (individual or groups of five) were assayed for virus. Virus was not isolated from any samples in treatment group 1. As shown in previous studies, a proportion of embryo samples were positive for BVDV in treatment group 2. In treatment group 3, the virus associated with the oocytes contaminated the developmental media and infected susceptible co-culture cells used during fertilization and culture. In addition, 65% (11/17) of the degenerated ova from treatment group 3 had infectious virus associated with them. While none of the ova developed into transferable embryos, the study did confirm that use of oocytes from PI cows could lead to amplification of BVDV and cross contamination during in vitro embryo production.     

Treatment of a Periarticular Tibial Fracture in a Foal with a Hybrid External Fixator

Objective— To report repair of a right proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a foal with a hybrid external fixator (HEF).
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— A 5-month-old male foal.
Methods— After open surgical reduction, an HEF built with wires, 2 half-rings, 3 half-threaded connecting rods, and Schanz pins was used to stabilize the fracture.
Results— Immediately after surgery, the foal had relatively good weight bearing. The HEF was removed at 60 days after radiographic confirmation of healing.
Conclusions— HEF can be used to stabilize a proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a 5-month-old foal.
Clinical Relevance— HEF should be considered as another option for repair of proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fractures in foals.     

旱泉沟流域次生林演替过程中种群格局动态

对旱泉沟流域的植被种类组成、物种多样性和物种重要值进行调查分析,采用TWINSPAN对旱泉沟流域次生植物群落进行数量分类,从植物群系组成、植物群落之间的生态关系方面,研究旱泉沟流域封山禁牧区植被群落的分布格局,初步探讨乔木树种的演替趋势。研究结果表明：1）采用TWINSPAN数量分类方法,将植被划分为7个群落类型;2）从群落Ⅰ到群落Ⅶ, 乔木、灌木、草本的Simpson优势度指数基本持平,Shannon Wiener多样性指数为乔木<灌木<草本,Pielou均匀度指数为乔木>草本>灌木,物种丰富度逐渐升高。群落的物种组成和空间结构逐渐复杂化,并趋于稳定;3）次生林的演替序列为山杨树Populus davidiana→桦树Betula platyphylla→青海云杉Pica crassifolia,其自然演替顶级为青海云杉。     

不同干豆豆浆机制备豆浆的主要品质评价

以大豆为原料选用我国2个主导品牌的3款豆浆机(九阳精磨豆浆机、九阳无网干豆豆浆机、美的无网干豆豆浆机)制作豆浆,从蛋白质含量、蛋白质回收率、豆浆颗粒度及感官特性等方面对豆浆品质进行评价.结果表明:豆浆的蛋白含量为1.72%～2.66%,蛋白回收率为47.13%～68.66%,带有精磨器的豆浆机制备的豆浆蛋白含量及蛋白回...     

经营强度对毛竹林植物多样性的影响

对由天然针阔混交林或天然阔叶林经过人为改造和抚育转变成的4类毛竹林(即成林原因相同的4种林型—强度干扰下的毛竹纯林,较强干扰下的竹杉混交林,较弱干扰下的竹阔混交林,弱度干扰下的竹杉阔混交林)的层次结构、物种组成、物种丰富度、α多样性及群落相似性经营强度对毛竹林植物多样性的影响进行了对比分析。结果表明:这4种人工毛竹林随着经营强度的加大,层次结构逐渐简单化,乔木层、灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度迅速下降,且物种组成发生显著变化。乔木层、灌木层和草本层的生物多样性总体也呈下降趋势,但灌木层和草本层的生物多样性竹阔混交林类型反倒略高于经营强度最弱的竹杉阔混交林类型。而且不同经营强度下所形成的这4种类型毛竹林的群落相似性也随着经营强度的增加而降低,其中毛竹纯林与其他3类的相似性最低。     

高产创建,助推河南省小麦持续稳定增产

介绍了高产创建的主要措施和关键技术,即:加强领导,明确责任;加大投入,确保实施;集成高产栽培技术;加强病虫害防控;推进机械化生产;选好用好品种;因地制宜,合理施肥;高度重视播种期间的病虫害防治;千方百计提高耕作整地质量和播种质量,看天看地看苗情搞好冬春季麦田管理。     

青贮疯草及其颗粒饲料对绵羊的增重效果及安全性评价

疯草为豆科多年生草本植物,具有营养价值高的特点,是一种可利用的潜在牧草资源。为了开发疯草作为牧草资源利用的可能性,探讨了含10%疯草青贮饲料和10%疯草颗粒饲料对绵羊的增重效果及安全性。试验选择90只临床健康绵羊,随机分为3组,每组30只。对照组饲喂常规饲料,青贮组饲喂含10%青贮疯草饲料,颗粒组饲喂含10%疯草颗粒饲料;试验期间每天观察受试绵羊的临床表现,定期进行空腹称重,并采集血液做生化指标检测。结果表明,试验期间,各试验组绵羊均未出现明显的疯草中毒症状;青贮疯草组绵羊体重与对照组比较增加24.66%,平均日增重高出对照组78.26%;10%疯草颗粒组与对照组比较无显著差异。青贮疯草组血清ALB、ALP水平降低,AST水平升高。10%疯草颗粒组AST、ALP、CRE、BUN水平升高。10%青贮疯草及其颗粒饲料对绵羊有一定的增重效果,且比较安全,可作为饲料资源开发利用。     

蒙古羊羊水源干细胞分离培养及其成骨分化研究

试验旨在建立羊水源干细胞系并对其诱导形成成骨细胞的潜能进行研究。在胎牛血清浓度为15%的条件下对羊水源干细胞进行建系,并检测其类胚体形成能力;检测不同代数细胞的干细胞标志基因Oct-4、SH2、SSEA-1、Nanog、HLA-ABC、CD117的表达情况;利用地塞米松、β-甘油磷酸钠、抗坏血酸等因子进行诱导。结果表明,羊水源干细胞在体外可以持续增殖,悬浮培养形成的类胚体表达三胚层相关标记基因,经诱导可形成成骨细胞。试验成功分离了蒙古羊的羊水源干细胞并建系,且其具有向成骨细胞分化的潜能。