Can an animal welfare risk assessment tool identify livestock at risk of poor welfare outcomes?

If livestock at risk of poor welfare could be identified using a risk assessment tool, more targeted response strategies could be developed by enforcement agencies to facilitate early intervention, prompt welfare improvement and a decrease in reoffending. This study aimed to test the ability of an Animal Welfare Risk Assessment Tool (AWRAT) to identify livestock at risk of poor welfare in extensive farming systems in Australia. Following farm visits for welfare- and non-welfare-related reasons, participants completed a single welfare rating (WR) and an assessment using the AWRAT for the farm just visited.

Are there risk factors commonly observed on Australian farms where the welfare of livestock is poor?

The objective of this study was to identify factors more commonly observed on farms with poor livestock welfare compared to farms with good welfare. Potentially, these factors may be used to develop an animal welfare risk assessment tool (AWRAT) that could be used to identify livestock at risk of poor welfare. Identifying livestock at risk of poor welfare would facilitate early intervention and improve strategies to promptly resolve welfare issues.

Analysis of substantiated welfare investigations in extensive farming systems in Victoria, Australia.

Substantiated incidents of poor welfare affecting cattle, sheep and goats (livestock) in non-dairy extensive farming systems continue to occur. This study sought to describe the common causes of poor welfare of livestock and the associated circumstances, by analysing 39 years of de-identified, livestock welfare investigation records. There were a total of 2179 alleged offenders (AOff), defined as individual/s that had an incident of poor welfare affecting livestock on at least one occasion.

Transcriptional control of visual neural circuit development by GS homeobox 1.

As essential components of gene expression networks, transcription factors regulate neural circuit assembly. The homeobox transcription factor encoding gene, gs homeobox 1 (gsx1), is expressed in the developing visual system; however, no studies have examined its role in visual system formation. In zebrafish, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that transmit visual information to the brain terminate in ten arborization fields (AFs) in the optic tectum (TeO), pretectum (Pr), and thalamus.

The Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Opportunities and Recommendations for Modernization.

Context: The 2008 Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC's) "Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada" (the "Canadian core competencies") outline the skills, attitudes, and knowledge essential for the practice of public health. The core competencies represent an important part of public health practice, workforce development, and education in Canada and internationally. However, the core competencies are considered outdated and are facing calls for review, expansion, and revision.

Why is concealment associated with health and wellbeing? An investigation of potential mechanisms.

Rationale: Many members of stigmatized groups face health and wellbeing deficits relative to their non-stigmatized peers. Ample evidence suggests that one method used by some members of stigmatized groups to manage the stigma they face-concealing their stigmatized identities-may contribute to these health and wellbeing disparities. However, precisely why concealment may contribute to these disparities is less clear.

The Governance of Core Competencies for Public Health: A Rapid Review of the Literature.

Core competencies for public health (CCPH) define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of a public health workforce. Although numerous sets of CCPH have been established, few studies have systematically examined the governance of competency development, review, and monitoring, which is critical to their implementation and impact. This rapid review included 42 articles.

An analysis of substantiated complaints made about incidents of poor livestock welfare, in Victoria, Australia.

Incidents of poor welfare on farm in Victoria, Australia, are generally identified during an investigation that follows receipt of a complaint. Using deidentified records of complaints received by the Victoria State Government between 2011 and 2020, this study aimed to describe the source, number and the relationship between rainfall/stock prices and substantiated welfare complaints (SWC). Only incidents involving non-dairy cattle, sheep and goats in extensive farming systems will be considered.

A review of thermal stress in cattle.

Cattle control body temperature in a narrow range over varying climatic conditions. Endogenous body heat is generated by metabolism, digestion and activity. Radiation is the primary external source of heat transfer into the body of cattle.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of impact of strongyle parasitism on growth rates in young cattle.

Background: To identify any universal impact of strongyle parasite burden on the growth rate of young cattle.

Methods: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of the relationship between differences in strongyle parasite burden between cohorts and average daily weight gain was conducted. Publications were identified from a search of databases applying PRISMA 2020 principles.

Anthropometric, Psychosocial, Physiological, and Postural Observances During Ramadan in Men With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This study aimed to carry out a Ramadan observance (RO) on anthropometric, psychosocial, physiological, and postural characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty COPD patients were evaluated. Tests performed 1 week before Ramadan (C), and during the second (R-2) and the fourth weeks of Ramadan (R-4) included standard anthropometry, spirometry, a quality of life questionnaire (VQ11), a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), measurement of maximal voluntary contraction force of the quadriceps (MVC), Timed Get Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Unipedal Stance (UST).

Effects of high-intensity interval training and plyometric exercise on the physical fitness of junior male handball players.

Objective: This study analyzed the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with plyometric exercise on the physical fitness of junior male handball players.

Patients And Methods: Subjects (age ~17 years) were randomly divided between experimental (n=17) and control (n=15) groups. During the 8-week intervention, the experimental group replaced a part of their regular regimen by HIIT, combined with plyometric exercise.

Yearly changes in the composition of gut microbiota in the elderly, and the effect of lactobacilli intake on these changes.

The onset and worsening of some diseases are related to the variation and instability of gut microbiota. However, studies examining the personal variation of gut microbiota in detail are limited. Here, we evaluated the yearly variation of individual gut microbiota in 218 Japanese subjects aged 66-91 years, using Jensen-Shannon distance (JSD) metrics.

Neuromuscular Adaptations and Enhancement of Physical Performance in Female Basketball Players After 8 Weeks of Plyometric Training.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week in-season plyometric training (PT) program on the physical performance and neuromuscular adaptations of female basketball players. Twenty-seven elite female basketball players (aged 21.0 ± 2.

Effects of Elastic Band Based Plyometric Exercise on Explosive Muscular Performance and Change of Direction Abilities of Male Team Handball Players.

This study examined the effects of incorporating 8 weeks of bi-weekly lower limb elastic band based loaded plyometric training into the in-season regimen of junior handball players. Participants were assigned between control ( = 15, age: 18.1 ± 0.

Effects of Unloaded vs. Ankle-Loaded Plyometric Training on the Physical Fitness of U-17 Male Soccer Players.

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two differing plyometric training programs (loaded plyometrics (with 2.5% of body mass placed above the ankle joint) vs. unloaded plyometrics), performed biweekly for 10 weeks, on the physical fitness of elite junior male soccer players.

Staying Physically Active During the Quarantine and Self-Isolation Period for Controlling and Mitigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Overview of the Literature.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented worldwide public health concern. Characterized by rapid and high frequency human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organization has recommended implementation of public health measures, including isolation of all suspected infectious individuals for a 14-day quarantine period, while governments have introduced "social distancing" and "lock-downs" of varying severity to curtail COVID-19 spread. Recent COVID-19 research further suggests there are major sleep problems and psychological disorders (e.

Effects of Upper and Lower Limb Plyometric Training Program on Components of Physical Performance in Young Female Handball Players.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a 10-week combined upper and lower limb plyometric training (ULLPT) programs on components of physical performance in young female handball players.

Methods: Participants aged 15.8 ± 0.

A Half-Century of Evidence-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Historical Review.

Objective: To review the achievements of cardiac exercise rehabilitation programs retrospectively and to identify continuing challenges to their success.

Methods: A review of files accumulated while working with the Toronto Rehabilitation Center, updated by articles identified by PUB-MED, OVID, and Google Scholar through February 2019.

Results: After the early lead of Israeli physicians, cardiac rehabilitation began in Ontario during the 1960s and quickly attracted a large case load.

Effects of Ramadan Observance on Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Adolescent Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To evaluate the effects of Ramadan observance on dietary intake, body mass and body composition of adolescent athletes (design: systematic review and meta-analysis; data sources: PubMed and Web of Science; eligibility criteria for selecting studies: single-group, pre-post, with or without control-group studies, conducted in athletes aged <19 years, training at least 3 times/week, and published in any language before February 12, 2020). Studies assessing body mass and/or body composition and/or dietary intake were deemed eligible. The methodological quality was assessed using 'QualSyst'.

Effects of 25-Min Nap Opportunity during Ramadan Observance on the 5-m Shuttle Run Performance and the Perception of Fatigue in Physically Active Men.

We aimed to investigate the effects of a 25-min nap opportunity on physical performance during the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT), feelings (i.e., evaluated by the feeling scale), attention (i.

The effect of a sand surface on physical performance responses of junior male handball players to plyometric training.

Background: The effects of 7 weeks plyometric training on a stable surface and on sand were compared in junior male handball players.

Methods: A team of experienced players was divided randomly between three groups, undertaking a standard in-season regimen (C,  = 10), or supplementing this regimen by plyometric training on sand (PS,  = 11) or a stable surface (P, n = 10) for 7 weeks. Assessments included 20 m sprint times, change of direction tests (Modified change-of-direction T-test and Modified Illinois test), a repeated sprint T-test, jumping ability (squat, countermovement and five jump tests), and static and dynamic balance.

In-Season Weightlifting Training Exercise in Healthy Male Handball Players: Effects on Body Composition, Muscle Volume, Maximal Strength, and Ball-Throwing Velocity.

This study assessed the impact of 8 weeks biweekly in-season weightlifting training on the strength, throwing ability, and body composition of healthy male handball players. Twenty players (age: 21.2 ± 0.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performances in soccer players: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance measures in soccer players through a systematic appraisal of the literature.

Design: Systematic review Data sources: The entire content of two databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Both singlegroup, pre-post and crossover design studies published in any language before March 15, 2019 were included.