Analysing agricultural users’ patterns of behaviour: The case of OPTIRas™, a decision support system for starch crop selection

Redesigning IT systems for specific user groups encompasses a lot of effort with respect to analysing and understanding user behaviour. The goal of this paper is to provide insights into patterns of behaviour of agricultural users, during the usage of a decision support system called OPTIRas™. This system aids agricultural users in their cultivar selection activities. We analyse logs resulting from OPTIRas™, and we get insights into user’s navigational patterns. We claim that the results of our analysis can be used to support the redesign of decision support systems in order to address specific agricultural users’ characteristics.     

Dissemination of precision farming in Germany: acceptance, adoption, obstacles, knowledge transfer and training activities

The adoption of precision farming (PF) was studied on the basis of personal interviews conducted at several agricultural exhibitions in Germany. Between 6.65% and 11% of the interviewed farmers used PF. The majority used data collection techniques such as GPS-based area measurement and soil sampling rather than variable rate application techniques such as site-specific sowing and fertilising. Roughly half the farmers interviewed knew about PF. About 7–10% of them intended to start using PF in the future. The results indicated that a large number of farmers did not even know what PF meant. In order to get more insight into this situation, several interviews were conducted with farmers already using PF techniques. A further study in 2005 of PF education in Germany indicated that, especially at vocational and technical schools, the subject was only covered to a small extent although the aim was to give a better coverage in future. At higher education levels, such as at universities and technical colleges, the teaching of PF was clearly better established. In order to promote awareness of PF among farmers, information and teaching materials adapted to the relevant educational levels were developed and tried out at training events. The main topics addressed were parallel tracking systems, site-specific nitrogen fertilising, yield mapping in grain production and the use of PDAs in crop farming. Finally, preliminary survey results are presented showing how knowledge about PF can best lead to its adoption and transfer into daily practice.     

Moderne Nagetiervertilgungsmittel

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Mystery swine disease in The Netherlands: the isolation of Lelystad virus.

In early 1991, the Dutch pig-industry was struck by the so-called mystery swine disease. Large-scale laboratory investigations were undertaken to search for the etiological agent. We focused on isolating viruses and mycoplasmas, and we tested paired sera of affected sows for antibodies against ten known pig viruses. The mycoplasmas M. hyosynoviae, M. hyopneumoniae, and Acholeplasma laidlawii, and the viruses encephalomyocarditis virus and porcine enterovirus types 2 and 7 were isolated from individual pigs. An unknown agent, however, was isolated from 16 of 20 piglets and from 41 of 63 sows. This agent was characterised as a virus and designated Lelystad virus. No relationship between this virus and other viruses has yet been established. Of 165 sows reportedly afflicted by the disease, 123 (75 per cent) seroconverted to Lelystad virus, whereas less than 10 per cent seroconverted to any of the other virus isolates or to the known viral pathogens. Antibodies directed against Lelystad virus were also found in pigs with mystery swine disease in England, Germany, and in the United States. We conclude that infection with Lelystad virus is the likely cause of mystery swine disease.     

Recent developments in equine dentistry

ABSTRACT

Equine dentistry is a rapidly developing clinical specialty. It has benefitted from key advances in anatomical and physiological research, development of equipment and instrumentation, utilisation of standing sedation and anaesthesia protocols, a change towards minimally invasive surgical techniques, and the introduction of restorative and endodontic techniques translated from techniques used in human and canine dentistry. Anatomical research has provided further insight into the endodontic system of incisors and cheek teeth and how it changes throughout development with age. Studies of the periodontium have demonstrated a rich vascular supply and repair capacity. Routine dental visits are increasingly being performed utilising sedation and clinical instruments for routine examinations. Equipment has become more efficient, battery-operated and miniaturised giving benefits to both equine dental maintenance work and advanced techniques, assisting the transition to minimally invasive techniques, and the development of endodontic and restorative dentistry. Diagnosis has also benefitted from advances in equipment such as patient-side digital radiography systems, high definition oroscopy, and small diameter flexible fibrescopes that are capable of visualising inside a pulp canal. Dental units combining endodontic high- and low-speed drills, suction and air or water flush are becoming increasingly used and adapted for equine use. Sedative combinations and standing anaesthesia protocols have meant that revisions of traditional techniques, as well as novel techniques, can be performed with almost no requirement for general anaesthesia. Equine dentistry can only continue to advance in this way if there is early identification of dental disease through clinical oral examinations, leading to a system based on prophylaxis, as in human dentistry. This necessitates a change in attitude of the public and industry in general to a proactive approach, with early intervention based on examination and diagnostic findings of practitioners and not necessarily based on the clinical signs displayed by the patient.     

A comparison of the pathogenicity of two strains of hog cholera virus: 1. Clinical and pathological studies

The virulence of a strain of hog cholera virus isolated during an outbreak of mild disease in pigs in New South Wales in 1960/61 (the NSW strain) was compared over 11 days with that of a virulent strain by inoculating 8 pigs with each virus and comparing the ensuing clinical signs and pathology. Both viruses caused persistent pyrexia and leukopenia, the NSW strain 4 to 5 days and the virulent strain 3 days, after inoculation. Few other clinical signs were observed in the pigs inoculated with the NSW strain. In contrast, all pigs inoculated with the virulent strain became progressively depressed and incoordinated, and were killed between days 6 and 9. Bronchopneumonia and swollen, reddened lymph nodes were observed in pigs inoculated with both viruses. Few other gross lesions were observed with the NSW strain, but some pigs receiving the virulent strain had pustules in the tonsil and the anterior oesophagus, petechial haemorrhages in the kidney, and small infarcts at the margins of the spleen. There were marked differences in the histopathology, both in the variety of organs affected and the severity of lesions in individual organs. Suppurative bronchopneumonia occurred in both groups. Other changes in the pigs affected with the NSW strain were colitis, mild cerebral vasculitis, necrosis, haemorrhage and neutrophil infiltration in some lymph nodes and spleens. In pigs infected with virulent virus the cerebral vasculitis was so severe that there was necrosis of cells within the vessel walls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in cattle in South-West Zambia

Summary A trypanosomiasis survey was conducted in South-West Zambia. From a total of 3,346 cattle sampled 342 cattle showed a positive trypanosomiasis parasitaemia. During the survey trypanosome species and PCV values were also recorded. With simple statistical analysis populations with higher and lower prevalence rates were differentiated. The results indicated that the Kwando River Basin Tsetse Fly Belt and the Kafue River Basin Tsetse Fly Belt infested a larger area than originally assumed and that a link-up between both belts occurred or will occur in the near future.

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Prevalencia De Tripanosomiasis En Ganado En El Sudoccidente De Zambia

Resumen Se llevó a cabo una encuesta sobre la prevalencia de tripanosomiasis en el Sudoccidente de Zambia. De 3.346 animales examinados, 342 mostraron parasitémia. Durante le encuesta, se diferenciaron las especies de tripanosomas encontrados y se estimaron los hematocritos. Se diferenciaron también, mediante análisis estadísticos sensillos, las poblaciones de gando con tasas de prevalencia mayores y menores. Los resultados indican, que la cuenca del río Kwando y la del río Kafue, en donde existe la mosca tsetse, tienen una influencia mayor sobre la prevalencia de la enfermedad, que lo que originalmente se pensó y que la unión de las dos hoyas se producirá en un futuro cercano.

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Prevalence De La Trypanosomose Bovine En Zambie Du Sud-Ouest

Résumé Une enquête sur la trypanosomose a été conduite dans le sud-ouest de la zambie. Sur un total de 3346 bovins examinés, 342 ont montré une parasitémie à trypanosomes. Au cours de cette enquête, on a noté les espèces de trypanosomes et les valeurs de l'hématocrite. On a pu différencier, par une méthode statistique simple, les populations à haute et basse prévalence. Les résultats indiquent que les ceintures glossiniennes des bassins, des rivières Kwando et Kafue étaient plus étendues qu'on ne le pensait antérieurement, et qu'une liaison entre les deux ceintures se produisait ou se produirait dans le futur proche.