bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
205 Detection of anemic sheep using ocular conjunctiva images and deep learning technology
Authors: Freitas Luara , Ferreira Rafael , Alves Anderson A , Dorea João R R , Paz Claudia , Rosa Guilherme J M 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In sheep, severe anemia often results from gastrointestinal nematodes infections, commonly caused by Haemonchus contortus, a blood-sucking nematode. The objective of the study was to develop a model to predict packed cell volume (PCV) in sheep through ocular conjunctiva images as a real-time anemia diagnosis approach. We collected 3,291 ocular conjunctiva images from 392 sheep on three different farms using an iPhone 8 (12-megapixel). To identify the region of interest in the images (ocular conjunctiva), we annotated 480 images using the Segment Anything Model (SAM). Subsequently, we employed an image segmentation algorithm based on U-net, utilizing the original images and annotations obtained from SAM. We then cropped the segmented images to retain only the region containing the ocular conjunctiva. These cropped and segmented images were used as input data, with PCV as the target variable, in both classification and regression models, while exploring three different deep neural network (DNN) architectures: VGG19, Inception v3, and Xception. We set a threshold of 27% (anemic &lt; 27%, non-anemic ≥ 27%) to convert PCV into a binary variable for classification models. The dataset was split in train, validation and test sets using random by sheep strategy to perform the analysis of the segmentation and prediction models. The segmentation was tested using intersection over union (IoU) as an evaluation metric. To assess and compare predictive quality in the test set, we calculated accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score for classification models, and R2 for regression models. The U-net segmentation model demonstrated good localization accuracy and reliable segmentation ability, with an average IoU of 0.93, 0.84 and 0.68 in the train, validation and test set, respectively. VGG19 outperformed the other models in classifying individuals as anemic or non-anemic, achieving an F1 score of 0.60, indicating its moderate ability to distinguish between these two classes. For regression, Xception provided the best performance with an R2 of 0.29, suggesting that 29% of the variance in PCV can be explained by the model’s predictions. This innovative approach not only expands the possibilities for integrated high-throughput phenotyping through computer vision but also aids in identifying anemic animals. The results suggest that using ocular conjunctiva images and DNN technology can contribute to support farm-level management decisions, and potentially reduce economic losses due to parasitic infections like H. contortus. Furthermore, this approach reduces the cost of blood tests for anemia identification while allowing for real-time anemia diagnosis.
206 Evaluation of the effect of oral administration of bivalent VHH constructs in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4+
Authors: Serafini Laia Ferreres , Orúe Susana Martín , Thrane Sandra W , Velázquez Lorena Castillejos 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Following the European restriction on the use of antibiotics and zinc oxide (ZnO) in livestock, the search for novel and sustainable strategies to reduce the incidence of enteric infections in piglets caused by Escherichia coli (colibacillosis) has increased. Among them, the ongoing development of bivalent VHH constructs designed to bind toxins and/or virulence factors of pathogens, appears to hold potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in-feed administration of bivalent VHH constructs designed to bind to heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and F4 fimbria of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in orally challenged piglets. A total of 96, 21-d old, weaned piglets were assigned to three experimental diets: control diet (CTR); diet supplemented with 3,100 ppm ZnO (ZnO); or diet supplemented with 1.71 kg/MT bivalent VHH constructs (VHH). Animals on the VHH treatment also received an oral booster dose (15 mgּ pig-1ּ d-1) of the same product just before the challenge and one d later. Pigs were orally challenged with ETEC F4+ (4.62×109 colony forming unit/animal), 1 wk after weaning (d 28). Data on growth, feed intake and clinical health signs of the animals were recorded throughout the 15 d of the study. On d 4 and 8 post inoculation (PI), fecal samples, digestive contents, and ileal scrapings were taken for microbiological plate counts of lactobacilli and ETEC in selective media. Ileal tissue samples were also taken for histomorphology. After the challenge, animals in the supplemented groups (ZnO and VHH) showed statistically greater growth rates than the CTR (28, 112 and 106 g/d (0-4 PI period) for CTR, ZnO and VHH, respectively, P = 0.018; Table 1). The experimental ZnO and VHH groups showed numerical reductions in the incidence of diarrhea at d 2 PI (60, 29 and 40 % for CTR, ZnO and VHH, P = 0.107), in agreement with reduced fecal ETEC counts also registered at d 8 PI in the VHH group compared with CTR (5.77 vs. 7.21 cfu/g, P = 0.046), and also greater lactobacilli/ETEC ratio (d 8 PI: 1.52 vs. 1.20, P = 0.071). Histomorphology of ileal samples showed significantly greater numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes cells (IEL) with VHH supplementation compared with ZnO, with CTR showing intermediate values (8.06, 5.80 and 9.46 cell nº/villi for CTR, ZnO and VHH respectively, P = 0.045). The results from this study suggest that bivalent VHH constructs can reduce the negative effects of an oral ETEC F4+ challenge through reducing their growth in the gut, improving intestinal mucosa architecture and function, and increasing piglet growth rate. With results similar to those observed in pigs supplemented with ZnO, bivalent VHH constructs appear as a promising alternative technology for the management of post-weaning colibacillosis.
207 Impacts of beak trimming and dietary fiber on welfare and productivity of laying hens
Authors: Shi Haipeng , Tolba Samar , Leone Vanessa , Adcock Sarah J 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Beak trimming is a routine management practice in the egg industry to reduce damage caused by injurious pecking; however, it raises welfare concerns including pain and sensory loss. Dietary manipulation may be a feasible and welfare-friendly alternative to beak trimming in laying hens. Here, we hypothesized that dietary inclusion of insoluble fiber (chitin) throughout the starter and grower periods would result in improved welfare and productivity in both beak-trimmed and beak-intact chickens. One-day old female Hy-Line Browns (n = 192) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 X 2 factorial design (n = 4 pens/treatment; 12 birds/pen): birds were infrared beak-trimmed or had their beaks left intact and were fed one of two diets (standard vs. 2% chitin) for 8 wk. Birds were housed in floor pens containing litter and perches with ad libitum access to feed and water. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Beak sensitivity was assessed using a pressure transducer to measure pecking force weekly from 3 to 8 wk of age. A tonic immobility test was performed at 7 wk of age to measure fearfulness. Plasma corticosterone was determined using enzyme-immunoassay procedures at 8 wk of age. Data were analyzed with linear mixed models with beak condition and dietary treatment modeled as fixed effects, and pen and bird ID as random effects. Beak-trimmed birds fed the standard diet weighed less (P &lt; 0.001) than all other groups throughout all growth stages, including starter 1 (0-3 wk), starter 2 (4 to 6 wk), and grower (7 to 8 wk; Table 1). Beak-intact birds fed 2% chitin had a greater feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0.05) compared with other groups during the starter 2 and overall experimental period. Beak-trimmed birds exhibited weaker pecking force than beak-intact birds for the first 7 wk (P &lt; 0.001; Table 2). Beak-trimmed birds fed 2% chitin had significantly less corticosterone (Figure 1) than birds fed the standard diet (P &lt; 0.05), and a shorter tonic immobility duration than all other groups (P &lt; 0.05). Dietary chitin was also associated with a shorter latency until the first alert head movement and a greater number of inductions of tonic immobility than the standard diet (P &lt; 0.05), which suggests that insoluble fiber supplementation reduces fearfulness regardless of beak-condition status. Our results suggest infrared beak trimming increases beak sensitivity for several weeks, potentially resulting in decreased feed intake and body weight in the first 8 wk of life (Table 3). Dietary supplementation with chitin appears to offset the effects of beak trimming on growth, but not beak sensitivity, and may improve welfare in beak-trimmed and beak-intact birds by reducing stress responses. Future studies are needed to elucidate the different mechanisms behind the observed effects.
208 The antiviral and immunomodulating properties from glycerides of lauric acid in PRRSV-infected PAM cells
Authors: Bloxham Darlene J , Goossens Tim , Lemâle Olga , Rahayu Retno , Christiaens Isaura 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the ability of a commercially available blend of glycerides of C12 to inhibit porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replication in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) and to investigate the immunomodulatory effect during PRRSV infection in vitro. PAM were collected by lung lavage from 4-wk-old piglets, free of PRRSV. PRRSV strain 13V091 was used in this study and a commercially available mixture of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides of lauric acid (GC12). The product concentrations tested were 0.022% (T1), 0.044% (T2) and 0.088% (T3). Three different infection assays were used: (1) Co-incubation; PRRSV was inoculated together with GC12 for 1 h, (2) Pre- and Post-infection; GC12 was added to PAM cells for 24 h before infection and after 1 h of incubation for another 24 h, and (3) Post-infection; GC12 was added only after PRRSV infection for 24 h. Titration of the progeny virus was performed on PAM from all three infection assays. Cytokine analysis was only performed for infection assay 2 and 3. Collected supernatants were subjected to multiplex ELISA to measure the level of TNF-α and IL-8. Two-tailed t test P value was used to determine statistically significant differences. P &lt; 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Addition of GC12 in the Co-incubation assay did not reduce PRRSV infectivity at 24-h post infection (hpi; Table 1). In contrast, the Pre- and Post-infection assay showed significantly reduced PRRSV titer from 6 hpi onwards at concentration 0.044%. At concentration 0.088% a significant reduction was observed at 24 hpi. Addition of GC12 after PRRSV inoculation (post-infection) also showed significantly reduced PRRSV titer from 6 hpi onwards at concentration 0.044% and 0.088%. In the Pre- and Post-infection assay, all treatments with GC12 numerically increased the production of TNF-α at 24 hpi. A dose response effect was observed at 24 hpi with increasing concentrations of GC12 resulting in increasing levels of TNF-α. However, in the Post-infection assay only treatment with 0.088% GC12 numerically increased the production of TNF-α by 1.5-fold. Compared with the control (PAM+PRRSV), a significantly greater concentration of IL-8 was observed with 0.044% (P = 0.019) and 0.088% (P = 0.007) GC12 24 hpi in the Pre- and Post-infection assay (1,806 ± 376; 3,751 ± 636; 3,439 ± 420 pg/mL respectively). These two concentrations resulted in numeric increase of IL-8 24 hpi in the Post-infection assay and no effect was observed with 0.022% GC12 (Control 2,332 ± 998; T1 2,079 ± 964; T2 3,525 ± 344; T3 4,475 ± 295). From this study it can be concluded that GC12 exhibited antiviral activity against PRRSV strain 13V091 and influences the cytokine production of PAM during PRRSV infection, potentially neutralizing the suppression of the immune response by PRRSV.
209 Influence of litter origin on performance and tail biting in growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Archer Courtney , Hilbrands Adrienne , Mote Benny E , Schmidt Ty B , Johnston Lee J , Li Yuzhi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Tail biting is a multifactorial phenomenon with many aspects contributing to a tail biting outbreak. Little is known about how social structures influence tail biting. Our objective was to determine if litter origin impacts growth performance and tail damage caused by biting behaviors of undocked growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were separated based on their litter origin. Three treatments (12 pens/treatment) were tested: LM = all littermates (all 7 pigs/pen were farrowed and nursed by the same sow), N = non-littermates (7 pigs/pen were farrowed and nursed by 7 different sows), and H = half-group of littermates (7 pigs/pen were farrowed and nursed by 2 sows with 3 or 4 of pigs from each sow). The study was conducted in 2 replications (6 pensּ treatment-1ּ replication-1). Within each replication growth performance, mortality, and morbidity were recorded for 12 wk until pigs reached market weight. Tail damage was evaluated using a subjective scoring system: 0 = no evidence of tail biting; 1 = evidence of chewing without visible blood; 2 = evidence of tail biting with visible blood; 3 = open wounds or abscesses with signs of infection; and 4 = partial or total loss of the tail. Tail damage was assessed weekly during the study period, and the maximal tail score (MTS) that each pig received over the entire 12 wk was recorded. The number of pigs removed and the reason for removal was recorded. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS for performance variables with a statistical model including treatment, week, and their interaction as fixed effects, replication as a random effect, and initial body weight as a covariate. A frequency procedure with a chi-square (CMH) tested treatment effects on pigs removed and MTS. Litter origin did not affect average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain to feed ratio (G:F), or pigs removed from each treatment group (all P &gt; 0.19; Table 1), but average daily gain (ADG) of H pigs tended to be greater than that of LM pigs (P = 0.07). Maximal tail score was influenced (P = 0.008) by litter origin treatments. Pigs in LM groups had a greater percentage of MTS 0 compared with H and N groups; and H had greater severity of tail damage with 16.7% of the pigs having an MTS of 3 or greater, while both LM and N had less than 5%. Results of this study suggest that litter origin can influence severity of tail damage caused by tail biting behaviors as indicated by MTS. Future studies should focus on the differences among litter origin treatment groups regarding social interactions to further understand how social structure influences tail biting behaviors.
210 Sleeping beauties: A daily time budget for individually housed research pigs at 6-d of age
Authors: Williams-Stroud Tawni N , Dilger Ryan N , Green-Miller Angela R 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The pre-wean period of development is difficult to manage and can impact the success of subsequent production stages. Behavior observations can provide insight into the health and welfare status of animals and allow for efficient and timely management interventions. A validated time budget can be utilized as a baseline for further comparisons and the detection of changes in behavior over time. In this project, 24-h of video data for 21 individually housed research pigs at 6 d of age was evaluated using a validated behavior ethogram. The behavior ethogram contained 5 main categories (inactive, consumption, exploratory, social, and other) and 23 behavior labels. The ethogram was applied using a validated sampling strategy, which included 5-min continuous sampling intervals at the start of each hour for active behaviors and 5-min instantaneous sampling intervals for inactive behaviors. The data from each behavior observation was quantified into durations and presented as percentage of observations spent performing a specific behavior label within the observation period. The daily time budget revealed the following time occupation across the 5 main behavior categories: inactive, 98.60% (lying, 85.43%; not lying, 13.14%); consumption, 0.30%; exploratory, 0.97%; social, 0.01%, and other, 0.12%. As expected for very young pigs, most of the day was inactive, with almost 21 h lying. The most performed behavior was “lying socially”, and this behavior represented 38.48% of the overall daily time budget. The remaining 46.95% of time spent lying was spent “lying sternal”, “lying lateral”, or “lying on an object” in the pen. The pigs are housed individually, but they are able to see, hear, and smell a neighboring pig through a plexiglass barrier. The behavior observation “lying socially” is defined as follows: “The piglet is lying (sternal or lateral) touching the plexiglass barrier. The piglet in the adjacent pen is lying directly on the other side of the barrier, and the piglets would be touching each other if the barrier was not in place.” This observation provides insight into the importance of social resting for young pigs.
212 Growth and behavior of Yorkshire gilts exhibiting physiological resilience to weaning stress
Authors: Luttman Andrea M , Siegford Janice M , Ernst Catherine W 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Weaning is an acute early-life stressor and therefore, an excellent model for examining lasting impacts of stress resilience. Our objective was to identify gilts exhibiting physiological resilience or vulnerability to weaning stress and characterize long-term impact on growth and behavior. Purebred Yorkshire litters born to multiparous sows from a single farrowing group were used. At weaning (26 ± 1 d of age), blood samples were collected from all gilt piglets of 13 litters (n = 101) at -1 d, 0 d, and +4 d pre- and post-weaning. Serum cortisol concentrations were quantified by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. For each litter, serum cortisol was used to identify the gilt most capable of returning to baseline concentrations by +4 d as stress resilient (SR, n = 13) and the gilt least capable as stress vulnerable (SV, n = 13). Skin lesions were recorded at -1 d, +1 d, and +4 d at weaning and when gilts were mixed into grow-finish cohorts. Body weights were recorded at birth, 4 wk, 8 wk, and 12 wk and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG) for the farrowing, nursery, and early grow-finish stages. To assess behavior, focal gilts underwent a social dyad test in a novel arena at 7 wk, a handling test at 8 wk, and novel object test at 12 wk. We observed no differences in skin lesions at weaning, but at 8 wk SR gilts had significantly more rear lesions -1 d pre-mixing (P = 0.031) and middle lesions 4 d post-mixing (P = 0.049). No differences in body weight or ADG were observed at any stage. We did not observe differences between SR and SV pigs during the social dyad or handling tests. During the novel object test, SR gilts exhibited a tendency towards increased activity as demonstrated by a greater number of total zone crosses, 1 m line crosses, and 0.5 m line crosses (P = 0.062, 0.091, and 0.103, respectively). In conclusion, we found gilts resilient to weaning stress were involved in more agonistic behavior at mixing and exhibited increased activity levels in a novel situation. The absence of growth differences supports the potential to select for resilience without negatively impacting growth performance, and the observed behavioral differences could suggest implications for ease of handling and adaptability if females are retained for breeding.
214 Impact of a nutritional water supplement on nursery mortality as determined by different statistical methods and consequences for on-farm application of technology
Authors: Sandberg Fredrik , England Steve J , Soltwedel Kevin , Aparachita Pornpim , Fischer Robert , Hartsook Greg , Kwon Woong Bi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of supplementation with Furst Strike Direct (FSD; a source of monoglycerides, natural flavors, and antioxidants, Furst-McNess Company) via drinking water for the first week post-weaning in large-scale commercial settings to allow stakeholder decisions to be made for implementation. A total of 88,667 pigs and 53 replicate barns from two different large-scale production systems: System 1) 37,003 pigs across 28 barns, and System 2) 51,664 pigs across 25 barns were allocated to either control water program, or the addition of FSD at 3.2 oz per gallon of stock solution, metered at 1:128 into drinking water. Each system had multiple sow farm flows. The average time of application post-weaning was 8 and 10 d, in System 1 and 2, respectively. Mortality data were collected via record-keeping systems for the 6th week post-weaning. The Grubb’s test was used to check data for outliers with P &lt; 0.05 as the level of significance for eliminating any outliers. Each individual system was analyzed for the effect of supplementation, and then the two systems were combined into one data set for a combined analysis with greater replication. GLM procedure in Minitab with Fisher’s t-test determining differences between treatments was used for the analysis. Mortality of System 1 (1.52% vs. 0.95%; SEM = 0.28, P = 0.170), and System 2 (2.72% vs. 1.91%; SEM = 0.38, P = 0.109) were numerically improved by supplementation. Table 1 are the data analyses for both systems combined. At this greater level of replication, we can see a trend for the impact of supplementation on mortality (-31%, P &lt; 0.10), and when incorporating sow farm into the model supplementation was statistically significant (-33%, P &lt; 0.05). The determination of the efficacy of any technology in situ is very difficult with the amount of variation that is present in commercial environments. However, key stakeholders (e.g., farmer, veterinarian, nutritionist) depend on the evaluation of live production data to make management decisions, and the work presented provides an indication of the level of replication needed to be able to detect relatively small, but financially important changes in performance on nursery mortality.