A novel mathematical template for developing fDOM probe fluorescence signal correction models for freshwaters.

The reliable application of field deployable fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) probes is hindered by several influencing factors which need to be compensated. This manuscript describes the corrections of temperature, pH, turbidity and inner filter effect on fluorescence signal of a commercial fDOM probe (fDOM). For this, Australian waters with wide ranging qualities were selected, e.

Compositional and structural identification of organic matter contributing to high residual soluble aluminum after coagulation.

Understanding the complexation of aluminum (Al) with dissolved organic matter (DOM) is of great significance for the control of residual Al in drinking water after treatment. Here, we used high-resolution and accurate mass measurements to identify the composition and structure of DOM contributing to the formation of soluble organically-bound Al during coagulation at near neutral pH (pH 7.50).

Endoparasites in dogs diagnosed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)-University of Bologna, combined with clinicopathological results. A long-term retrospective secondary data study.

Humans and dogs commonly share the same domestic environment. Europe, and Italy specifically, have a substantial and growing dog population. Potentially zoonotic parasites may be harbored even by dogs receiving regular veterinary care.

Evaluation of antibody and antigen cross-reaction in Kenyan dairy cattle naturally infected with two pestiviruses: Bovine viral diarrhea virus and classical swine fever virus.

Background And Aim: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) are important pathogens of cattle and pigs, respectively, and belong to the genus Pestivirus. As CSFV has been shown to infect cattle, it can create diagnostic challenges of BVDV results through possible cross-reactivity where cattle could be exposed to pigs and CSFV. This study aimed to determine the possible cross-reactivity of BVDV and CSFV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results for antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) among smallholder dairy cattle in Kenya.

Dairy producer satisfaction and knowledge transfer with the veterinary-administered risk assessment and management plan in a voluntary Johne's disease control program.

The Atlantic Johne's Disease Initiative (AJDI) aims to control Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection by using veterinary-administered risk assessments to identify high-risk management practices and prompt changes in management behavior. Objectives for this study were to measure producer satisfaction with the veterinary-administered risk assessment and management plan (RAMP) process in a voluntary Johne's disease (JD) control program, compare RAMP-specific satisfaction results based on herd JD status, and measure knowledge transfer from certified veterinarians to producers during the RAMP.

Communication skills training and assessment of food animal production medicine veterinarians: A component of a voluntary Johne's disease control program.

In food animal production medicine (FAPM), the success of control programs for infectious diseases that have serious animal health and economic consequences frequently rely on the veterinarian's effective communication and producer adherence to veterinary recommendations. However, little research has been conducted on communication skills of practicing FAPM veterinarians. During this study, we developed a communication training workshop intervention to support the Atlantic Johne's Disease Initiative.

Effect of housing improvement and other factors on the growth of heifer calves on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

This trial evaluated average daily gain (ADG) effects of heifer calves (< 1 year old) from affordable housing improvements to the roof and flooring on 150 randomly allocated smallholder dairy farms. During the 16-month data collection period, bimonthly farm visits were used to measure weight and other animal- and farm-level factors on the 187 study calves. Multivariable linear regression was used to model ln ADG and ADG during pre-weaning and post-weaning periods, respectively.

Incidence and effects of subacute ruminal acidosis and subclinical ketosis with respect to postpartum anestrus in grazing dairy cows.

Subclinical Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) and Subclinical Ketosis (SCK) are two of the most prevalent metabolic diseases of dairy cows, with impacts on reproductive performance. There is scarce literature about these diseases in dairy regions in Colombia. In 29 randomly selected herds in Pasto, Colombia, 249 dairy cows were followed weekly for two months postpartum to determine: 1) incidence risk of SARA and SCK; and 2) effects of SARA and SCK on the occurrence of postpartum anestrus (PA) at two months.

Endoparasites in dogs and cats diagnosed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Prince Edward Island between 2000 and 2017. A large-scale retrospective study.

Although many studies on the frequency of endoparasites in dogs and cats in Canada have been reported, seasonal and/or annual patterns are often not evaluated. The frequency and risk factors of endoparasite infections from fecal samples of cats and dogs submitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island-Canada were determined, using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Investigated predictors of endoparasitism available in the 2000-2017 database included sex, age, geographic origin and seasonality.

Assessment of farmers' compliance in implementing recommended cow comfort changes and their effects on lying time, stall and cow cleanliness within smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Our study aimed to evaluate farmers' compliance in implementing recommendations of farm-specific cow comfort changes, and the effects of these changes on lying time, stall cleanliness and cow cleanliness using a randomized controlled trial carried out on 100 smallholder dairy farms in Kenya, with 62 and 11 farms remaining in the intervention and control groups, respectively. On the first farm visit, data loggers were attached on lactating cows to determine lying time and questionnaires utilized to collect baseline data. Three days later, stall design and management recommendations were given to the intervention group of farmers orally and in written form.

Factors influencing economic efficiency of milk production among small-scale dairy farms in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya.

This paper highlights the factors likely to influence the economic efficiency of small-scale dairy farms in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya. A total of 91 small-scale dairy farms previously involved in a nutritional training in 2013 were administered with semi-structured questionnaires. Data collected were entered into SPSS and FRONTIER 4.

Seroprevalence of antibodies for bovine viral diarrhoea virus, Brucella abortus and Neospora caninum, and their roles in the incidence of abortion/foetal loss in dairy cattle herds in Nakuru District, Kenya.

Background: No comprehensive studies have been carried out on the infectious causes of abortion in Kenyan dairy cattle herds. A survey was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), Brucella abortus (BA) and Neospora caninum (NC) among dairy cattle herds in Nakuru County, a major dairying area in Kenya. A prospective sero-epidemiological study was also undertaken to investigate the effects of BVDV, BA and NC on the occurrence of bovine abortion in dairy cattle herds, where monthly rectal palpations for pregnancy were performed, and monthly serum samples were tested for antibodies to the 3 pathogens.

Association between milk urea nitrogen and first service conception in smallholder dairy farms under heat and humidity stress.

Aim: The study was to evaluate the relationship between the first service conception (FSC) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) in smallholder dairy farms under heat and humidity stress.

Materials And Methods: Dairy cows from 43 dairy farms giving birth between November 2014 and April 2015 (n=295) contributed to the study. All cows were sampled monthly to measure milk compositions, and we collected additional farm data from farmers through a questionnaire.

Evaluation of the Precision Xtra meter for monitoring blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in late-gestation ewes.

Blood samples were collected from late-gestation ewes to determine the agreement of a point-of-care (POC) Precision Xtra meter and a standard laboratory test for β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Fresh whole blood samples were immediately tested with the POC instrument, and serum samples were analyzed with a standard commercial biochemical analyzer. Ewes were classified as having ketonemia if their BHBA concentrations were ≥800 µmol/L.

A cross-sectional study of the welfare of calves raised in smallholder dairy farms in Meru, Kenya, 2017.

Aim: This study was aimed at describing calf comfort and determining the individual and pen level factors that affect comfort status (in particular, calf leg hygiene scores) of smallholder dairy farms in Meru County, Kenya.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 52 calves that were up to 1 year old in 38 dairy farms (mean±standard deviation: Herd size=1.71±0.

Study of the impacts of process changes of a pulp and paper mill on aerated stabilization basin (ASB) performance.

A laboratory scale (LS) and a field-based pilot plant (PP), designed to simulate aerobic stabilization basin (ASB) operation, were utilized to assess the potential impacts of changes in pulp and paper (P&P) mill operations on full-scale (FS) ASB performance. Two stages of investigation were conducted. The first was undertaken to determine the potential of pre-alum treatment of pulp mill wastewaters on ASB performance.

Field based pilot-scale drinking water distribution system: Simulation of long hydraulic retention times and microbiological mediated monochloramine decay.

Drinking water distribution systems with long hydraulic retention times (HRTs) commonly encounter rapid microbiological-mediated monochloramine decay that results in microbial regrowth and nitrification with reduction in alkalinity. In this paper, we report the design and operation of a field-based pilot-scale distribution system (PDS) operated at flows that simulate long HRTs (∼10 days) to promote rapid microbiological monochloramine decay over long periods. The PDS is designed to enable the testing of chemical treatment for the control of nitrification and monochloramine decay.

Exploring factors associated with bulk tank milk urea nitrogen in Central Thailand.

Aim: The study was to determine seasonal fluctuations and non-nutritional factors associated with bulk tank milk urea nitrogen(BTMUN).

Materials And Methods: A total of 58,364 BTM testing records were collected from 2364 farms in Central Thailand during September 2014-August 2015. Using square root BTMUN as the outcome, other milk components, farm effect, and sampling time were analyzed by univariable repeated measures linear regression, and significant variables were included in multivariable repeated measures linear regression.

Evaluation and comparison the performance of titanium and zirconium(IV) tetrachloride in textile wastewater treatment.

Wastewater treatment is a key challenge in the textile industry. The current treatment methods for textile wastewater are insufficient or ineffective for complex dyes generated from the textile industry. This study evaluated the performances of two novel inorganic coagulants with high cationic charges, namely, titanium tetrachloride (TiCl) and zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl).

Modelling of THM formation potential and DOM removal based on drinking water catchment characteristics.

Unlabelled: Catchment properties influence the character and concentration of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Surface and subsurface runoff from discrete catchments were collected and DOM was measured and assessed in terms of its treatability by Enhanced Coagulation and potential for disinfection by-product (trihalomethane, THMFP) formation potential. Models were developed of [1] DOM character [i.

The association of serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentration with fetal number and health indicators in late-gestation ewes in commercial meat flocks in Prince Edward Island.

Late-gestation ewes are susceptible to ketonemia resulting from high energy requirement for fetal growth during the last few weeks of pregnancy. High lamb mortality is a possible consequence of effects of ketonemia on both ewes and lambs. Determining risk factors to ketonemia is a fundamental step to identify ewes at risk, in order to avoid losses caused by ketonemia.

Influence of coagulation mechanisms and floc formation on filterability.

Minimizing particles in water is a key goal for improving drinking water quality and safety. The media filtration process, as the last step of the solid-liquid separation process, is largely influenced by the characteristics of flocs, which are formed and controlled within the coagulation process. In a laboratory-based study, the impacts of the physical characteristics of flocs formed using aluminum sulfate on the filtration treatment of two comparative water samples were investigated using a photometric dispersion analyzer and a filterability apparatus.