The introduction of expert systems in animal husbandry

Summary

The intensive nature of modern animal husbandry has changed the environmental conditions, so that protection against diseases, especially those caused by secondary pathogenic organisms, becomes an increasing concern. Production inefficiencies become more and more important. Because of their complex nature, many associated problems cannot be solved by farmers alone. With the introduction of information technology in the form of expert systems, new possibilities emerge for maximal productivity and animal health.

Expert systems are a new type of computer programmes which are able to handle problems in limited domains at an expert level, using expert knowledge and reasoning processes, within strictly defined problem limits. Expert systems as they presently exist have the following components: a knowledge base (rule‐ and data‐base), inference engine (deductive mechanism), user‐interface (explanatory facilities, etc.).

The application of knowledge engineering in animal husbandry may result in improvements in the general health and productivity of the herd and the financial returns of the farm, derived from the improved managerial control. At the same time the use of knowledge engineering may lead to greater understanding of the various epidemiological factors that influence farm results, either positively or negatively.     

The Use of Lufenuron to Treat Fish Lice (Argulus sp) in Koi (Cyprinus carpio)

Fish lice can cause significant morbidity and death in heavily infested fish. In addition to being a mechanical irritant when sucking blood, Argulus sp have been shown to be the vector for other fish diseases. Koi carp from a pond environment were presented with multiple raised dark spots on their dorsa and sides. The primary differential disease diagnosis was an Argulus sp. Parasites removed from the affected fish were examined under a dissection microscope, and the definitive diagnosis was determined to be Argulus sp infestation. Treatment with lufenuron (Program; Novartis, Greensboro, NC USA) was initiated with one 409.8-mg tablet per 1,000 US gallons (3,785 L) of water for a concentration of approximately 0.1 mg/L. This treatment was repeated once per week for 5 weeks. The fish have been monitored for 13 months after the initial treatment, and thus far, there has been no reappearance of Argulus sp within the aquatic environment.     

Clinical Update and Treatment of Selected Infectious Gastrointestinal Diseases in Avian Species

The anatomy of the avian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is unique and significantly different from that of other animals. The characteristics of the avian GI tract allow the different species to adapt and thrive in their habitats. Infectious diseases of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic origin commonly affect avian species. The significance and the nature of these pathologies vary with species and if they live in the wild or a captive environment. This review compiles information available in the literature on specific infectious processes that were considered relevant and clinically significant by the authors. Clinicians should be knowledgeable and aware of the infectious agents, clinical signs associated with disease, diagnostic techniques, and treatment methodologies currently available regarding diseases that affect the avian GI tract. Recent information that provides new insight to these infectious processes is the focus of this article.     

Diagnosis and control of an outbreak of leptospirosis in goats with reproductive failure

This study presents a Brazilian goat herd with reproductive failure over 2009-2010, in which there were abortions (22/50; 44%), embryonic resorption (6/50; 12%) and neonatal deaths (2/50; 4%). A diagnosis of leptospirosis was made, based on serology (microscopic agglutination test - MAT), bacterial culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic therapy, specific vaccination protocols and changes in management practices were instigated. One year after the outbreak, diagnostic methods were repeated and reproductive performance re-analysed. Soon after the outbreak, 61/125 (48.8%) of the goats were seropositive for Leptospira. Pure isolates of Leptospira were not obtained, but Leptospira PCR testing was positive in 48/50 (96%) urine samples. After 1year only 4.2% were seropositive and the occurrence of reproductive problems decreased roughly 10-fold, although five goats (10.4%) remained PCR-positive. A broad-based management approach, including serological and molecular diagnostic methods, vaccination, antibiotic treatment, and alteration of some environmental aspects, were critical to the control of this outbreak, thereby minimising subsequent reproductive failures and economic losses.     

Climatological variability of sulfur depositions in Europe

The climatological variability in historical and projected S deposition levels for Europe have been simulated using a simple source-receptor model that runs on a personal computer (RCDM) using an extended period of wind and precipitation data. The variability in historical temperature and precipitation data has been analyzed to assess the representativeness of the limited meteorological period used in the EMEP model (1978–1982). A match-up between 40 selected EMEP monitoring sites and the closest climatological station showed the 5-yr average for the EMEP period (1978–1982) and the 35-yr precipitation amounts in generally good agreement for the majority of sites. Comparisons between the RCDM model simulations using the IIASA base 1980 SO₂ emissions and the 1978–1982 average precipitation amounts showed the model predictions were generally within a factor of two of the EMEP concentrations and depositions at 40 selected sites. The sensitivity of model evaluation results to ‘free parameter’ tuning and the appropriateness of the resulting ‘free parameters’ requires more analysis. The total S depositions at the IIASA receptors predicted by the RCDM model under base year 1980 emissions showed very small differences between the predicted total S depositions for the 1978–1982 EMEP period and the 1951–1985 normal period. The long-period variability in annual total S depositions simulated by the RCDM with constant emissions showed the largest fluctuations in the mid-1970s and showed that the means and C.V.s were not significantly different between the time periods of interest. It is recommended that additional source areas for the Soviet Union be added to the model and the sensitivity to country emission and area centroid locations be explored.     

Eradication of rock pigeons,Columba livia,from the Galápagos Islands

Alien species can negatively affect global biodiversity, especially on islands. Significant advances in methods for eradicating mammals from islands have been achieved. In contrast, development of methods for eradicating birds from islands has lagged and few islands have had alien birds successfully eradicated. We report on a 7 year campaign to remove rock pigeons from the Galapagos Islands. To date this is the largest successful eradication of an alien bird from an island system and the only eradication of rock pigeons from an island. Multiple methods were tested and used, including alpha-chloralose, however, shooting with a high-powered air rifle was the most efficient removal technique. Incorporating the support of the community and local agencies into the campaign was critical to the success of the project.     

Strength and stiffness capacity utilisation of timber members in roof truss structures

The main objective of this study was to determine which property, of the six strength and stiffness properties used in structural timber design, was the most influential in the design of nail-plated roof trusses. Thirty recently completed nail-plated roof truss designs were randomly selected from three roof truss manufacturing plants and a total of 8 758 individual truss members were analysed for bending stress, shear stress parallel to grain, tensile stress parallel to grain, compression stress parallel to grain and deflection. The mean strength and stiffness capacity utilised of all the different design properties was well below 50% for all of the different dimension classes. Of all the individual strength properties, the mean bending strength capacity utilised per member was found to be the highest. The results of this study can be used for decision support related to wood property evaluation through? out the structural lumber value chain where roof truss members are the end products.     

Some Endocrinological Aspects of corpora lutea and of Follicles during the Oestrous Cycle in Sheep.

Inhalt Die Konzentration von 17-β-Östradiol im liquor folliculi und Pregnenolon im lutealen Gewebe wurde während des Brunstzyklus bei 63 Schafen bestimmt. Die Konzentration von 17- β-Östradiol erreichte ein Maximum am Tag 16. Bei Eintritt des Östrus fiel die Konzentration um mehr als 50 %. Während der progestativen Phase wurden in der Regel geringe Konzentrationen gemessen, obwohl einige Follikel um Tag 8 hohe Konzentrationen zeigten. Bei Eintritt der Brunst war die Pregnenolon-Konzentration 20mal höher als die von Progesteron. Nach der Ovulation fiel die Pregnenolon-Konzentration, während die Progesteron-Konzentration am dritten Tag ein Maximum erreichte, um dann bis zum Tag 6 abzufallen und erneut am Tag 12 einen Höhepunkt zu erreichen. Die Pregnenolon-Konzentration begann ab Tag 6 anzusteigen, um am Tag 14 einen Höhepunkt zu erreichen. Die Ergebnisse Lassen vermuten, daβ während der ersten 4 Zyklustage Pregnenolon der limitierende Faktor ist in der Progesteron-Synthese, wäbrend vom Tag 12 an die Konversion von Pregnenolon in Progesteron allmäblich gehemmt wird. Contents The concentration of oestradiol-17 β in follicular fluid and of progesterone and pregnenolone in luteal tissue were determined throughout the oestrous cycle in 63 ewes. The concentration of oestradiol-17 β reached a maximum on day 16. At oestrus the concentration was reduced by more than 50%. During dioestrous generally low concentrations were determined although some follicles showed high concentrations around day 8. At oestrous the concentration of pregnenolone was 20 times higher than that of progesterone. After ovulation the concentration of pregnenolone dropped whereas the concentration of progesterone increased to a maximum on day 3, then decreased until day 6 when it again increased to a peak on day 12. The concentration of pregnenolone gradually increased from day 6 reaching a peak on day 14. The results suggest that during the first four days of the cycle pregnenolone may be the limiting factor in the progesterone synthesis while from day 12 onwards the conversion of pregnenolone in progesterone is gradually inhibited.