title: In defence of the villain: Edwards on deflationism and pluralism

authors: Wyatt, Jeremy

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: In The Metaphysics of Truth, Doug Edwards offers a sustained case against deflationism about truth and in favour of his preferred pluralist theory of truth. Here, I take up three of the main components of that case. The first is Edwards' account of the distinctive metaphysical commitments of deflationism. His views about this issue have changed over the past few years, and I detail these changes as well as a concern for the views that he develops in the book. Second, I take up the argument that Edwards offers for thinking that deflationism is, in a certain sense, internally unstable. I explain why this argument is inconclusive, outlining three responses to it on behalf of the deflationist. Third, I consider Edwards' novel argument for truth pluralism, which acts as an indirect argument against deflationism. After sorting out some interpretive nuances related to the use of definite descriptions in this argument, I show how the deflationist can resist it. Having responded to Edwards' critique of deflationism, I close by briefly explaining why I take the methodology of deflationism to be especially promising, insofar as it underscores the significance of empirically-informed inquiry about truth.

text: In defence of the villain: Edwards on deflationism and pluralism In The Metaphysics of Truth, Doug Edwards offers a sustained case against deflationism about truth and in favour of his preferred pluralist theory of truth. Here, I take up three of the main components of that case. The first is Edwards' account of the distinctive metaphysical commitments of deflationism. His views about this issue have changed over the past few years, and I detail these changes as well as a concern for the views that he develops in the book. Second, I take up the argument that Edwards offers for thinking that deflationism is, in a certain sense, internally unstable. I explain why this argument is inconclusive, outlining three responses to it on behalf of the deflationist. Third, I consider Edwards' novel argument for truth pluralism, which acts as an indirect argument against deflationism. After sorting out some interpretive nuances related to the use of definite descriptions in this argument, I show how the deflationist can resist it. Having responded to Edwards' critique of deflationism, I close by briefly explaining why I take the methodology of deflationism to be especially promising, insofar as it underscores the significance of empirically-informed inquiry about truth.

year: 2022

title: The use of infrared thermography and behavioural and physiological responses as early disease indicators in calves

authors: Lowe, Gemma Louise

subjects: infrared thermography

abstract: Disease is widely acknowledged to be detrimental to an animal’s welfare and generates significant economic losses. To minimise the impact of disease on animal welfare and consequently reduce economic costs, early disease detection is essential for promoting earlier diagnosis, treatment and isolation to prevent the spread of disease. As automation increases in the livestock industries, there is a need to develop and integrate early disease indicators into automated systems for remote monitoring of animal health and welfare. The aims of this thesis were to firstly, investigate the behavioural (milk feeding, lying and water drinking) and physiological (infrared temperatures and respiration rate) responses which occur during the onset of neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD), and to assess their suitability as early disease indicators. Additionally, due to an increasing trend towards providing calves with greater milk allowances, the influence of milk allowance on indicator suitability was assessed. Secondly, to determine the optimum anatomical location (eye, cheek, side, shoulder and back) for infrared image collection for early disease detection. Thirdly, to investigate the water intake and drinking behaviour of calves and how these behaviours are affected by disease onset and milk allowance. Further, to develop and validate an algorithm for the automated detection and analysis of the eye and cheek regions from infrared images and further validate the use of infrared thermography as an automated method of recording respiration rate (RR) in young calves. Finally, the thesis aimed to develop and validate an automated water system for the purpose of recording drinking behaviour and further assessed the suitability of setting up an infrared camera at a water station for monitoring calf health and welfare.
Calves were defined as being clinically ill when they were observed as being diarrhoeic. Milk feeding, lying and water drinking behaviours changed prior to clinical signs of disease. Changes in milk feeding and lying behaviours prior to clinical signs were thought to occur due to calves experiencing a reduction in appetite, becoming lethargic and attempting to conserve energy in response to the onset of disease. Infrared temperatures of the eye, cheek and shoulder decreased and side (situated over the rumen fossa) temperature increased prior to clinical signs. The decrease in infrared temperatures was attributed to the animal generating a fever to fight against the infection by restricting blood flow to the extremities, in order to maintain homeostasis. Further, the decrease in infrared temperature was likely a result of a reduction in feed and metabolic activity during the onset of disease. The side was identified as the optimum anatomical location for early disease detection. The increase in side temperature was attributed to the proximity of the area to the underlying site of infection and localised inflammation of the intestines. Prior to clinical signs, there was little change in water drinking behaviour (number and duration of visits to the water trough), which was considered to be due to the young age of the calves at the time of diagnosis. Additionally, a lack of a response in RR prior to clinical signs was thought to be due to sampling rate and NCD being an enteric disease as opposed to a respiratory disease.
Milk allowance influenced the suitability of behavioural and physiological measures as early disease indicators. When provided with either a high (10 L/d) or low (5 L/d) milk allowance, milk feeding behaviours typically only changed for calves on a high milk allowance and infrared temperatures (eye and cheek) only changed for calves on a low milk allowance. Additionally, as opposed to being used individually, combining behavioural and physiological measures provided stronger composite indicators of disease. Combinations of milk feeding and lying behaviours, and additionally infrared temperatures (eye and cheek) in the case of calves on a low milk allowance, provided the strongest composite indicators of disease.
Integrated into automated systems, behavioural and physiological measures could be utilised for early disease detection. In support of the future development of integrating infrared thermography (IRT) into automated systems, an algorithm was developed and validated for detection and analysis of the eye and cheek regions from infrared images. Further, the use of IRT as a method of recording respiration rate was validated for use in young calves. In addition, an automated water system was validated for the purpose of recording drinking behaviour (number and duration of visits to the water trough). Based on the findings that calves visited the water trough on average three times per day and began consuming water during the first week of life a water system was considered as a suitable and more affordable alternative to an automated calf feeder for setting up an infrared system to monitor calf health and welfare.
Although these measures have been assessed in relation to the detection of NCD, they have the potential to be applied further for the detection of other diseases and in other species. The integration of these measures into an automated on-farm system could enable earlier treatment and isolation of diseased animals to prevent the spread of disease, by alerting farmers to diseased animals earlier than is currently possible based on overt clinical signs. In addition to facilitating decision-making abilities for the farmer, the development of such a system would reduce costs on-farm and to the industry as a whole and would ultimately improve animal health and welfare.

text: The use of infrared thermography and behavioural and physiological responses as early disease indicators in calves Disease is widely acknowledged to be detrimental to an animal’s welfare and generates significant economic losses. To minimise the impact of disease on animal welfare and consequently reduce economic costs, early disease detection is essential for promoting earlier diagnosis, treatment and isolation to prevent the spread of disease. As automation increases in the livestock industries, there is a need to develop and integrate early disease indicators into automated systems for remote monitoring of animal health and welfare. The aims of this thesis were to firstly, investigate the behavioural (milk feeding, lying and water drinking) and physiological (infrared temperatures and respiration rate) responses which occur during the onset of neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD), and to assess their suitability as early disease indicators. Additionally, due to an increasing trend towards providing calves with greater milk allowances, the influence of milk allowance on indicator suitability was assessed. Secondly, to determine the optimum anatomical location (eye, cheek, side, shoulder and back) for infrared image collection for early disease detection. Thirdly, to investigate the water intake and drinking behaviour of calves and how these behaviours are affected by disease onset and milk allowance. Further, to develop and validate an algorithm for the automated detection and analysis of the eye and cheek regions from infrared images and further validate the use of infrared thermography as an automated method of recording respiration rate (RR) in young calves. Finally, the thesis aimed to develop and validate an automated water system for the purpose of recording drinking behaviour and further assessed the suitability of setting up an infrared camera at a water station for monitoring calf health and welfare.
Calves were defined as being clinically ill when they were observed as being diarrhoeic. Milk feeding, lying and water drinking behaviours changed prior to clinical signs of disease. Changes in milk feeding and lying behaviours prior to clinical signs were thought to occur due to calves experiencing a reduction in appetite, becoming lethargic and attempting to conserve energy in response to the onset of disease. Infrared temperatures of the eye, cheek and shoulder decreased and side (situated over the rumen fossa) temperature increased prior to clinical signs. The decrease in infrared temperatures was attributed to the animal generating a fever to fight against the infection by restricting blood flow to the extremities, in order to maintain homeostasis. Further, the decrease in infrared temperature was likely a result of a reduction in feed and metabolic activity during the onset of disease. The side was identified as the optimum anatomical location for early disease detection. The increase in side temperature was attributed to the proximity of the area to the underlying site of infection and localised inflammation of the intestines. Prior to clinical signs, there was little change in water drinking behaviour (number and duration of visits to the water trough), which was considered to be due to the young age of the calves at the time of diagnosis. Additionally, a lack of a response in RR prior to clinical signs was thought to be due to sampling rate and NCD being an enteric disease as opposed to a respiratory disease.
Milk allowance influenced the suitability of behavioural and physiological measures as early disease indicators. When provided with either a high (10 L/d) or low (5 L/d) milk allowance, milk feeding behaviours typically only changed for calves on a high milk allowance and infrared temperatures (eye and cheek) only changed for calves on a low milk allowance. Additionally, as opposed to being used individually, combining behavioural and physiological measures provided stronger composite indicators of disease. Combinations of milk feeding and lying behaviours, and additionally infrared temperatures (eye and cheek) in the case of calves on a low milk allowance, provided the strongest composite indicators of disease.
Integrated into automated systems, behavioural and physiological measures could be utilised for early disease detection. In support of the future development of integrating infrared thermography (IRT) into automated systems, an algorithm was developed and validated for detection and analysis of the eye and cheek regions from infrared images. Further, the use of IRT as a method of recording respiration rate was validated for use in young calves. In addition, an automated water system was validated for the purpose of recording drinking behaviour (number and duration of visits to the water trough). Based on the findings that calves visited the water trough on average three times per day and began consuming water during the first week of life a water system was considered as a suitable and more affordable alternative to an automated calf feeder for setting up an infrared system to monitor calf health and welfare.
Although these measures have been assessed in relation to the detection of NCD, they have the potential to be applied further for the detection of other diseases and in other species. The integration of these measures into an automated on-farm system could enable earlier treatment and isolation of diseased animals to prevent the spread of disease, by alerting farmers to diseased animals earlier than is currently possible based on overt clinical signs. In addition to facilitating decision-making abilities for the farmer, the development of such a system would reduce costs on-farm and to the industry as a whole and would ultimately improve animal health and welfare.

year: 2020

title: Dying to research: An autoethnographic exploration of researching Māori and whānau experiences of end-of-life care

authors: Moeke-Maxwell, Tess

subjects: indigenous

abstract: The authors critically reflect on the autoethnographic process involved in navigating a smooth pathway towards investigating dying, death and bereavement for Māori whānau (families) in a way that supports and gives voice to their experience. This study, based in the Māori & Psychology Research Unit at The University of Waikato, is supported by a Health Research Council Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie Career Development Award. It explores the “end-of-life” journeys of Māori and their whānau in South Auckland and Waikato, through the dying process and subsequent challenges of bereavement. The researcher’s journey from novice to someone fully enmeshed in the struggles and triumphs of conducting research with Māori is examined. There is reflection on the challenges and issues that have emerged since settling on this research topic. These include ethical concerns, and the processes and outcomes associated with negotiating tensions between a shifting academic objectivity and the development of a methodology requiring subjective reflexivity.

text: Dying to research: An autoethnographic exploration of researching Māori and whānau experiences of end-of-life care The authors critically reflect on the autoethnographic process involved in navigating a smooth pathway towards investigating dying, death and bereavement for Māori whānau (families) in a way that supports and gives voice to their experience. This study, based in the Māori & Psychology Research Unit at The University of Waikato, is supported by a Health Research Council Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie Career Development Award. It explores the “end-of-life” journeys of Māori and their whānau in South Auckland and Waikato, through the dying process and subsequent challenges of bereavement. The researcher’s journey from novice to someone fully enmeshed in the struggles and triumphs of conducting research with Māori is examined. There is reflection on the challenges and issues that have emerged since settling on this research topic. These include ethical concerns, and the processes and outcomes associated with negotiating tensions between a shifting academic objectivity and the development of a methodology requiring subjective reflexivity.

year: 2010