In July 2014, EFSA provided her opinion on a study that proposes parameters for poultry electrical waterbath stunning different to those laid down in Council Regulation EU 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.
The submitted study reports upon the use (mean + SD) of a current of 104.00 ± 3.88 mA, a voltage of 125.86 ± 3.28 V and a frequency of 589.78 ± 0.63 Hz using a square wave in alternating current (AC) with a 50 % duty cycle. These conditions were applied for 15 seconds to chickens under laboratory and slaughterhouse conditions.
The methodology and the data reported do not provide conclusive evidence that the combination of the proposed electrical frequency and current induced unconsciousness without exposing the chickens to avoidable pain and suffering, and some chickens did not remain unconscious for a sufficient time to prevent avoidable pain and suffering during slaughter.
EFSA stated in their report that it was doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was reported to be 11 seconds, which is too short to permit a feasible stun-to-stick interval. Further, it is also doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. The minimum time to resumption of breathing was reported to be 8 seconds following stunning.
Because the information provided in the study was incomplete and insufficient, it did not pass the eligibility phase of the assessment. The information provided was sufficient to conclude that the birds were not rendered immediately unconscious by the intervention. Application of a current less than that required inducing immediate unconsciousness causes pain, distress and suffering. The study failed to demonstrate absence of pain and suffering until onset of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was too short to ensure unconsciousness until death by bleeding.
EFSA report on Low Atmoshere Pressure System to stun poultryHarm Kiezebrink
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the use of a low atmosphere pressure system (LAPS) for stunning poultry prior to slaughter. Four studies were submitted for assessment. The LAPS method aims to render poultry unconscious by gradually reducing oxygen levels in the atmosphere. For a new method to be allowed in the EU, it must ensure animal welfare equivalent to currently permitted methods.
The AHAW Panel applied eligibility criteria from its guidance document to assess whether the key parameters around the LAPS intervention and animal welfare outcomes were described adequately. It found that none of the submitted studies provided enough information on
This document summarizes the outcome of a public consultation on a draft guidance document from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions for animal protection during slaughter. EFSA received comments from six parties and has assessed and addressed the comments in finalizing the guidance document. The key comments received concerned specifying additional parameters for characterizing stunning interventions and clarifying certain aspects of the guidance. EFSA and its Animal Health and Welfare Panel have updated the guidance document based on the comments received to improve its comprehensiveness and clarity.
EFSA paper on monitoring procedures at slaughterhousesHarm Kiezebrink
The objective of this review was to summarize the currently available data describing the sensitivity and specificity of indicators of unconsciousness and death in the following stun-kill methods and species combinations:
1) Penetrative captive bolt for bovine animals
2) Head-only electrical stunning for pigs
3) Head-only electrical stunning for sheep and goats
4) Electrical waterbath for poultry (chickens and turkeys)
5) Carbon dioxide at high concentration for pigs
6) All authorized gas methods to slaughter chickens and turkeys (carbon dioxide at high concentration, carbon dioxide in two phases, carbon dioxide associated with inert gases and inert gases alone)
7) Slaughter without stunning for bovine animals
8) Slaughter without stunning for sheep and goats
9) Slaughter without stunning for chickens and turkeys
The reference tests for unconsciousness and death were to have been measured using electroencephalography (EEG). The definition of unconsciousness and death based on EEG were not specified, and the definition used by authors was reported. The index tests of interest were a variety of indicators requested by the funding agency such as no corneal reflex and immediate collapse.
The index tests differed by stun-kill methods and species combination. A comprehensive search identified 22 publications contained 24 species-stun/kill method combinations.
No studies explicitly reported the sensitivity and specificity of the indicators in conscious and unconscious animals. Many studies reported the proportion of stunned animals with indicators, rather than the proportion of unconscious or conscious animals at a set time point with the indicators. Such data could not be translated into sensitivity and specificity.
Other studies reported the average time to occurrence of an indicator or average time to cessation of the indicators. Such data cannot be translated into sensitivity and specificity estimates without knowledge of the joint distributions.
OIE terrestrial code killing of animals for disease preventionHarm Kiezebrink
The guidelines are intended to help countries identify priorities, objectives and the desired goal of disease control programmes.
Disease control programmes are often established with the aim of eventual eradication of agents at a country, zone or compartment level. While this approach is desirable, the needs of stakeholders may require a broader range of outcomes.
For some diseases, eradication may not be economically or practically feasible and options for sustained mitigation of disease impacts may be needed.
Spatio temporal dynamics of global H5N1 outbreaks match bird migration patternsHarm Kiezebrink
This document analyzes the spatiotemporal patterns of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks globally between 2003 and 2006. It identifies three phases of the H5N1 epidemic and uses space-time cluster analysis to detect six disease cluster patterns along major bird migration flyways. The matching of outbreak clusters with wild bird migration patterns suggests wild birds may play an important role in long-distance spread of H5N1. Short-distance spread is also potentially linked to wild birds spreading the virus at sites where they overwinter or migrate through.
Dossier Vaccination: what causes poultry vaccination to failHarm Kiezebrink
Vaccination failure can occur for several reasons:
1. The chickens do not develop adequate antibody levels in response to the vaccine.
2. The chickens remain susceptible to disease outbreaks in the field despite vaccination.
3. Common causes of vaccination failure include problems with vaccine administration technique, stress on the birds, and use of an incorrect vaccination program or improper vaccine storage. Ensuring good nutrition, health of the birds, and minimizing stress are important for developing an optimal immune response to vaccination.
Dossier transmission: Transmission of Avian Influenza Virus to DogsHarm Kiezebrink
This document reports on the transmission of an avian influenza virus (H3N2) to dogs in South Korea. Several dogs exhibited severe respiratory disease and three genetically similar canine influenza virus strains were isolated. Experimental infection of beagles demonstrated that the virus could be transmitted between dogs and cause clinical signs like fever and lung lesions. The canine respiratory tract was found to contain receptors for binding avian influenza viruses, suggesting potential for direct transmission from poultry. This provides evidence that dogs may play a role in interspecies transmission of influenza viruses.
EFSA report on Low Atmoshere Pressure System to stun poultryHarm Kiezebrink
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the use of a low atmosphere pressure system (LAPS) for stunning poultry prior to slaughter. Four studies were submitted for assessment. The LAPS method aims to render poultry unconscious by gradually reducing oxygen levels in the atmosphere. For a new method to be allowed in the EU, it must ensure animal welfare equivalent to currently permitted methods.
The AHAW Panel applied eligibility criteria from its guidance document to assess whether the key parameters around the LAPS intervention and animal welfare outcomes were described adequately. It found that none of the submitted studies provided enough information on
This document summarizes the outcome of a public consultation on a draft guidance document from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions for animal protection during slaughter. EFSA received comments from six parties and has assessed and addressed the comments in finalizing the guidance document. The key comments received concerned specifying additional parameters for characterizing stunning interventions and clarifying certain aspects of the guidance. EFSA and its Animal Health and Welfare Panel have updated the guidance document based on the comments received to improve its comprehensiveness and clarity.
EFSA paper on monitoring procedures at slaughterhousesHarm Kiezebrink
The objective of this review was to summarize the currently available data describing the sensitivity and specificity of indicators of unconsciousness and death in the following stun-kill methods and species combinations:
1) Penetrative captive bolt for bovine animals
2) Head-only electrical stunning for pigs
3) Head-only electrical stunning for sheep and goats
4) Electrical waterbath for poultry (chickens and turkeys)
5) Carbon dioxide at high concentration for pigs
6) All authorized gas methods to slaughter chickens and turkeys (carbon dioxide at high concentration, carbon dioxide in two phases, carbon dioxide associated with inert gases and inert gases alone)
7) Slaughter without stunning for bovine animals
8) Slaughter without stunning for sheep and goats
9) Slaughter without stunning for chickens and turkeys
The reference tests for unconsciousness and death were to have been measured using electroencephalography (EEG). The definition of unconsciousness and death based on EEG were not specified, and the definition used by authors was reported. The index tests of interest were a variety of indicators requested by the funding agency such as no corneal reflex and immediate collapse.
The index tests differed by stun-kill methods and species combination. A comprehensive search identified 22 publications contained 24 species-stun/kill method combinations.
No studies explicitly reported the sensitivity and specificity of the indicators in conscious and unconscious animals. Many studies reported the proportion of stunned animals with indicators, rather than the proportion of unconscious or conscious animals at a set time point with the indicators. Such data could not be translated into sensitivity and specificity.
Other studies reported the average time to occurrence of an indicator or average time to cessation of the indicators. Such data cannot be translated into sensitivity and specificity estimates without knowledge of the joint distributions.
OIE terrestrial code killing of animals for disease preventionHarm Kiezebrink
The guidelines are intended to help countries identify priorities, objectives and the desired goal of disease control programmes.
Disease control programmes are often established with the aim of eventual eradication of agents at a country, zone or compartment level. While this approach is desirable, the needs of stakeholders may require a broader range of outcomes.
For some diseases, eradication may not be economically or practically feasible and options for sustained mitigation of disease impacts may be needed.
Spatio temporal dynamics of global H5N1 outbreaks match bird migration patternsHarm Kiezebrink
This document analyzes the spatiotemporal patterns of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks globally between 2003 and 2006. It identifies three phases of the H5N1 epidemic and uses space-time cluster analysis to detect six disease cluster patterns along major bird migration flyways. The matching of outbreak clusters with wild bird migration patterns suggests wild birds may play an important role in long-distance spread of H5N1. Short-distance spread is also potentially linked to wild birds spreading the virus at sites where they overwinter or migrate through.
Dossier Vaccination: what causes poultry vaccination to failHarm Kiezebrink
Vaccination failure can occur for several reasons:
1. The chickens do not develop adequate antibody levels in response to the vaccine.
2. The chickens remain susceptible to disease outbreaks in the field despite vaccination.
3. Common causes of vaccination failure include problems with vaccine administration technique, stress on the birds, and use of an incorrect vaccination program or improper vaccine storage. Ensuring good nutrition, health of the birds, and minimizing stress are important for developing an optimal immune response to vaccination.
Dossier transmission: Transmission of Avian Influenza Virus to DogsHarm Kiezebrink
This document reports on the transmission of an avian influenza virus (H3N2) to dogs in South Korea. Several dogs exhibited severe respiratory disease and three genetically similar canine influenza virus strains were isolated. Experimental infection of beagles demonstrated that the virus could be transmitted between dogs and cause clinical signs like fever and lung lesions. The canine respiratory tract was found to contain receptors for binding avian influenza viruses, suggesting potential for direct transmission from poultry. This provides evidence that dogs may play a role in interspecies transmission of influenza viruses.
Neuro-Stim System Neurostim FDA K140530 Electro Acupuncture Devicemcalipo
Neuro-Stim Electro Acupuncture device and Electro Acupuncture Stimulator. The Electro Auricular Device or PENS (Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). Neurostimulation pain therapy medical devices deliver a therapeutic electrical signal into auricular nerves to help release endorphins and provide pain relief.
https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/spinal_orthopedic_procedures/neurostim/
This document provides recommendations for dose calculations for high-energy photon-emitting brachytherapy sources. It establishes consensus datasets for commercially available 192Ir, 137Cs, and 60Co sources based on experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. Guidelines are presented on applying the TG-43 formalism to high-energy sources, including considerations for phantom size effects, dose grid interpolation, and dependence on source active length. Recommendations are also provided on dosimetry characterization methods and evaluation of source dosimetry datasets.
Photoacoustic technology for biological tissues characterizationjournalBEEI
The existing photoacoustics (PA) imaging systems showed mixed performance in imaging characteristic and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This work presents the use of an in-house assembled PA system using a modulating laser beam of wavelength 633 nm for two-dimensional (2D) characterization of biological tissues. The differentiation of the tissues in this work is based on differences in their light absorption, wherein the produced photoacoustic signal detected by a transducer was translated into phase value that corresponds to the peak amplitude of optical absorption of tissue namely fat, liver and muscle. This work found fat tissue to produce the strongest PA signal with mean ± standard deviation (SD) phase value = 2.09 ± 0.31 while muscle produced the least signal with phase value = 1.03 ± 0.17. This work discovered the presence of stripes pattern in the reconstructed images of fat and muscle resulted from their structural properties. In addition, a comparison is made in an attempt to better assess the performance of the developed system with the related ones. This work concluded that the developed system may use as an alternative, noninvasive and label-free visualization method for characterization of biological tissues in the future.
Wolf G.K. et al.: Mechanical Ventilation Guided by Electrical Impedance Tomog...Hauke Sann
This study aimed to use electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to guide lung protective ventilation in pigs with induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Twelve pigs were given lung injuries through saline lavage and large tidal volumes, then ventilated in either a control group using ARDSnet guidelines, or an EIT-guided group where EIT was used to maximize dependent lung recruitment and minimize nondependent overdistension. Positive end-expiratory pressure levels were higher but plateau pressures did not differ for the EIT group. Oxygenation and respiratory system compliance improved for the EIT group, with less histological lung injury. This suggests EIT-guided ventilation can improve outcomes for acute lung injury compared to conventional ventilation.
This document presents the development and validation of a UV spectrophotometric method for the analysis of Irbesartan in tablet formulations. The method involves preparing standard and sample solutions of Irbesartan in 0.1N NaOH, scanning them from 200-400nm to obtain spectra, and measuring absorbance of the sample at 255nm. The method is linear from 5-40μg/ml. Accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness and degradation studies establish that the method is valid for analysis of Irbesartan in tablets.
IRJET- Liquid Mixture by using Ultrasonic InterferometerIRJET Journal
This document discusses using an ultrasonic interferometer to determine the ultrasonic velocities in binary liquid mixtures. It begins by describing how ultrasonic interferometers work and how they are used to measure ultrasonic velocity. It then discusses generating ultrasound using piezoelectric crystals and the basic components and operation of an ultrasonic interferometer. The document concludes by stating that this paper investigates ultrasonic studies of various binary liquid mixture systems by measuring their density, ultrasonic velocity, and viscosity to determine acoustic parameters.
Survey of emf emitted by lab equipments in pharmacy labs of southeast univers...eSAT Journals
This document summarizes a study that measured electromagnetic field (EMF) levels emitted by various laboratory equipment in pharmacy labs at Southeast University in Bangladesh. Researchers took EMF measurements of equipment in several different pharmacy labs, including pharmaceutical, pharmacology, organic/inorganic pharmacy, and microbiology labs. The measurements found that many of the equipment, especially older models, emitted magnetic field levels above internationally recognized safety thresholds. Given that students spend 3-6 hours per day in these labs, the researchers were concerned about potential long-term health impacts from EMF exposure. The study aimed to evaluate EMF risks to students from laboratory equipment use.
IRJET- Design and Development of E-PEST BatteryIRJET Journal
The document describes research on the design and development of an E-PEST Battery that uses live cockroaches as an alternative energy source. Tests were conducted to measure the voltage output of individual male and female cockroaches based on their weight. Additional tests connected multiple cockroaches in series, finding that 2 male and 14 female cockroaches connected produced 2.83 volts. The battery was able to store electricity from the cockroaches over time, reaching a maximum of 2.125 volts after 60 minutes. The research concluded that cockroaches have potential as a renewable energy source by harnessing the electricity produced during metabolic processes.
Given that the core business of a hospital is the welfare of its patients, it is easy to understand why the intricacies of electricity are not a high priority. However, ensuring patient welfare requires a huge variety of medical appliances, which in turn, require electricity. Electricity is therefore a vital utility and any malfunction or interruption can quickly lead to disastrous consequences.
This combination—being absolutely vital but far from the primary concern of the organization—entails a certain risk.
Standards and regulations prescribe how a hospital’s electrical installations should be conceived and installed to ensure safety and reliability. Those regulations are complemented by the prescriptions of the equipment manufacturers. All these rules, however, create a complex tangle of information for the user, often making it difficult to figure out which rule has to be applied where and exactly how it has to be implemented. In this tutorial, we will try to shed light on those regulations and give a comprehensive overview.
Once safety and reliability are taken care of, the focus can shift to energy efficiency. The fact that efficiency is only of secondary priority for a hospitals’ electrical installation does not mean its impact cannot be significant. By focusing on energy efficiency, hospitals can often make surprisingly large savings on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their installations and thus on the cost of the medical aid they render. This paper addresses a few of the major energy efficiency topics relevant to medical building management.
IEEE PROJECTS CENTER TAMBARAM/PALLAVARAM/CHROMPET- a zigbee based animal hea...ASHOKKUMAR RAMAR
The document describes an animal health monitoring system that monitors physiological parameters such as rumination, body temperature, and heart rate, as well as surrounding temperature and humidity. The system is based on IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 1451 standards and uses a Zigbee device and microcontroller to implement sensor modules. Physiological and environmental data is transmitted wirelessly and displayed in real-time on a graphical user interface, allowing inexpensive health monitoring of livestock. The system was prototyped and tested with accurate results.
This document provides 10 best practices for testing electrosurgical units (ESUs) to ensure their performance and safety. It recommends adopting standardized test procedures, using additional test equipment like electrical safety analyzers and medical oscilloscopes, exercising caution with active electrodes, and performing comprehensive tests of power output, RF leakage currents, return electrode monitors, and inert gas parameters. It also suggests using test automation to quickly perform tests, document measurements, and archive long-term data. The document promotes choosing an ESU tester like the QA-ES II Electrosurgery Analyzer that can perform complete preventive maintenance and safety testing.
Using off-the-shelf ultrasound imagers, and transition to portable system-on-chip ultrasound imagers such as Butterfly IQ.
Embedded devices such as Butterfly IQ can be further improved by integrating deep learning / artificial intelligence at device level, and naturally at the post-processing and analysis levels
Alternative download link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlwv7m29mh6y2w6/pupillometry_throughTheEyelids.pdf?dl=0
IJRET : International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology is an international peer reviewed, online journal published by eSAT Publishing House for the enhancement of research in various disciplines of Engineering and Technology. The aim and scope of the journal is to provide an academic medium and an important reference for the advancement and dissemination of research results that support high-level learning, teaching and research in the fields of Engineering and Technology. We bring together Scientists, Academician, Field Engineers, Scholars and Students of related fields of Engineering and Technology
As the diary industries delivery the milk to consumer bottles in pouches the thickness of the milk is varied with each company. The microwave transmission line approach with horn antenna is introduced as an effective method for the assessment of milk for the first time with different frequency. The electrical permittivity is an intrinsic parameter of a material that can be used as an index of delivered water content. For the permittivity calculation, we use horn antenna transmitter and receiver in microwave frequency .The microwave travelled via the milk according to its thickness. A design of horn antenna and its minimum distance transmission length is followed to evaluate the thickness of milk. The dissipated power is calculated with the help of VSWR meter in decibel. The results are plotted with different microwave frequency with unique wave length with unique concentration of water with milk. Mat lab is used to plot the graph. The effects exhibit that the milk thickness makes the wave travel of microwave produces the decibel value changes at the output. The measurements demonstrate that the permittivity of milk increases with increased added water. A relationship between the added water content and the permittivity of milk -water mixture is established, which should be a powerful tool for detecting milk thickness.
This document presents the results of a simulation study examining the propagation of electrical pulses from electrodes in nerve tissue. The study used a 3D model of an electrode cuff around nerve tissue. Simulation results showed that activating all electrodes led to activation of most fascicles. Activating two side-by-side electrodes activated the central fascicle but with lower potential. At least two electrodes spaced 90-120 degrees apart were needed to target the central fascicle. The electrode design and spacing was justified as it allows selective stimulation of different fascicles to produce desired responses without overlapping currents.
The document summarizes concepts from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of traditional medicine. It discusses the Samkhya philosophy of creation, which sees the universe arising from the interaction of two fundamental principles - Purusha, the passive witness, and Prakruti, the active creative energy containing three attributes or gunas. Prakruti gives rise to various other elements that make up the manifest universe, including the five senses. Ayurveda views health as a balance between these three doshas or biological humors - vata, pitta and kapha. The document proposes to study finger pulse profiles to see if they can indicate an imbalance of pitta, one of the doshas, such as a
This document provides a technology status evaluation report on echoendoscopes. It summarizes that echoendoscopes combine endoscopy with ultrasound imaging to examine internal structures. The report describes the technical components and designs of current echoendoscope models, including imaging capabilities. It outlines the clinical applications of echoendoscopy such as evaluating cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and pancreas, as well as guiding interventional procedures like biopsy sampling.
2014 CFTCC Annual Symposium: A New Wearable Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Ima...CFTCC
1) A new wearable diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOSI) device is being developed to non-invasively monitor breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
2) Current imaging methods can only assess response after 1.5-2 months of treatment, but DOSI may be able to predict long-term response as early as the first week of therapy.
3) The project aims to create a portable frequency domain digital DOSI system and a flexible wearable probe to allow continuous monitoring during chemotherapy infusion.
Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning is not a humane alternative to Carbon Dioxi...Harm Kiezebrink
I would like express gratitude to the HSA for their 20 years of tireless advocacy for improving pigs' welfare. Their efforts have empowered those seeking alternatives to carbon dioxide stunning. Over nearly 30 years, I've worked on animal welfare friendly stunning applications, particularly regarding stunning/slaughtering using nitrogen foam, and I believe I've found the definitive answer.
The industry originally adopted large-scale carbon dioxide stunning to optimize food production, reduce costs, and lower meat prices, which is only feasible with parallel processing (simultaneously stunning groups of pigs) rather than serial processing (stunning each pig individually). Electrocution is not viable for large-scale operations due to this need for parallel processing. Therefore, a replacement gas that lacks carbon dioxide's detrimental properties is needed, but only a few gases are suitable.
Additionally, the application of an alternative gas must adhere to several fundamental principles:
a) Applicability of the methods for stunning and killing pigs, including their scalability for large-scale application.
b) Description of the technical.
c) Animal welfare consequences associated with specific techniques, including welfare hazards (ABMs), animal-based indicators (ABIs), preventive and corrective measures, and the sufficiency of scientific literature in describing these consequences.
d) Applicability under field conditions.
Introducing a novel application for large-scale pig slaughter is complex and time-consuming before it can be expected, especially given the substantial economic and financial impact for the industry. However, there is hope on the horizon.
The alternative gas is nitrogen, and the application is based on using high-expansion foam filled with 100% nitrogen, applied in a closed container. Within a minute, all air is displaced by the foam, after which the container is sealed, and the foam is broken down with a powerful nitrogen pulse. This ensures that the foam does not affect the stunning process; the entire process can be visually and electronically monitored, and the residual oxygen level in the container is consistently below 2%. The container dimensions are identical to the gondolas used in the globally implemented carbon dioxide gondola system.
The integration of nitrogen foam technology into European regulation EU1099/2009 is nearing completion. All scientific and technical procedures have been submitted to the EU Commission, with finalization awaiting the presentation of EFSA's scientific opinion to the Commission and subsequent approval for inclusion. This final phase is anticipated to occur during the general meeting slated for June 2024.
This marks the first step toward replacing carbon dioxide in 25 years. Fingers crossed for the EU Commission's decision in June 2024!
Harm Kiezebrink
Independent Expert
Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden ...Harm Kiezebrink
New Risk assessment model
The applications designed for farrow-to-weaner pig farms rely on a novel risk assessment model. This model, developed from a recent study, indicates that the likelihood of an undetected infection on nearby farms notably diminishes 7 to 14 days following the identification of the source farm.
This risk assessment model is based a Dutch study that is published by T.J. Hagenaars et al on June 30, 2023: “Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden voor aanvullende bemonstering” (Preventive culling in areas densely populated with poultry, and possibilities for additional sampling).
According to this premise, instead of the standard depopulation approach of euthanizing pigs on-site, pigs beyond the immediate vicinity of infected farms are slaughtered.
Animal Health Canada is currently evaluating new strategies and technologies for managing large-scale emergency situations involving pigs. I have been actively involved in developing strategies and procedures aimed at implementing strict control measures for pig euthanasia during emergencies, with a focus on substantially reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary culling and destruction of healthy animals.
Opting for slaughtering over on-farm euthanasia not only reduces the operational burden on farms but also repurposes the pigs as a valuable protein source rather than considering them as animal waste. This approach assists in crisis management during widespread outbreaks, significantly reduces expenses, and simultaneously mitigates risks.
While this approach is influenced by the new EU regulations implemented since May 2022, it can be adapted for implementation within the context of any EU Member state, as well as in the USA and Canada.
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Neuro-Stim Electro Acupuncture device and Electro Acupuncture Stimulator. The Electro Auricular Device or PENS (Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). Neurostimulation pain therapy medical devices deliver a therapeutic electrical signal into auricular nerves to help release endorphins and provide pain relief.
https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/spinal_orthopedic_procedures/neurostim/
This document provides recommendations for dose calculations for high-energy photon-emitting brachytherapy sources. It establishes consensus datasets for commercially available 192Ir, 137Cs, and 60Co sources based on experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. Guidelines are presented on applying the TG-43 formalism to high-energy sources, including considerations for phantom size effects, dose grid interpolation, and dependence on source active length. Recommendations are also provided on dosimetry characterization methods and evaluation of source dosimetry datasets.
Photoacoustic technology for biological tissues characterizationjournalBEEI
The existing photoacoustics (PA) imaging systems showed mixed performance in imaging characteristic and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This work presents the use of an in-house assembled PA system using a modulating laser beam of wavelength 633 nm for two-dimensional (2D) characterization of biological tissues. The differentiation of the tissues in this work is based on differences in their light absorption, wherein the produced photoacoustic signal detected by a transducer was translated into phase value that corresponds to the peak amplitude of optical absorption of tissue namely fat, liver and muscle. This work found fat tissue to produce the strongest PA signal with mean ± standard deviation (SD) phase value = 2.09 ± 0.31 while muscle produced the least signal with phase value = 1.03 ± 0.17. This work discovered the presence of stripes pattern in the reconstructed images of fat and muscle resulted from their structural properties. In addition, a comparison is made in an attempt to better assess the performance of the developed system with the related ones. This work concluded that the developed system may use as an alternative, noninvasive and label-free visualization method for characterization of biological tissues in the future.
Wolf G.K. et al.: Mechanical Ventilation Guided by Electrical Impedance Tomog...Hauke Sann
This study aimed to use electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to guide lung protective ventilation in pigs with induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Twelve pigs were given lung injuries through saline lavage and large tidal volumes, then ventilated in either a control group using ARDSnet guidelines, or an EIT-guided group where EIT was used to maximize dependent lung recruitment and minimize nondependent overdistension. Positive end-expiratory pressure levels were higher but plateau pressures did not differ for the EIT group. Oxygenation and respiratory system compliance improved for the EIT group, with less histological lung injury. This suggests EIT-guided ventilation can improve outcomes for acute lung injury compared to conventional ventilation.
This document presents the development and validation of a UV spectrophotometric method for the analysis of Irbesartan in tablet formulations. The method involves preparing standard and sample solutions of Irbesartan in 0.1N NaOH, scanning them from 200-400nm to obtain spectra, and measuring absorbance of the sample at 255nm. The method is linear from 5-40μg/ml. Accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness and degradation studies establish that the method is valid for analysis of Irbesartan in tablets.
IRJET- Liquid Mixture by using Ultrasonic InterferometerIRJET Journal
This document discusses using an ultrasonic interferometer to determine the ultrasonic velocities in binary liquid mixtures. It begins by describing how ultrasonic interferometers work and how they are used to measure ultrasonic velocity. It then discusses generating ultrasound using piezoelectric crystals and the basic components and operation of an ultrasonic interferometer. The document concludes by stating that this paper investigates ultrasonic studies of various binary liquid mixture systems by measuring their density, ultrasonic velocity, and viscosity to determine acoustic parameters.
Survey of emf emitted by lab equipments in pharmacy labs of southeast univers...eSAT Journals
This document summarizes a study that measured electromagnetic field (EMF) levels emitted by various laboratory equipment in pharmacy labs at Southeast University in Bangladesh. Researchers took EMF measurements of equipment in several different pharmacy labs, including pharmaceutical, pharmacology, organic/inorganic pharmacy, and microbiology labs. The measurements found that many of the equipment, especially older models, emitted magnetic field levels above internationally recognized safety thresholds. Given that students spend 3-6 hours per day in these labs, the researchers were concerned about potential long-term health impacts from EMF exposure. The study aimed to evaluate EMF risks to students from laboratory equipment use.
IRJET- Design and Development of E-PEST BatteryIRJET Journal
The document describes research on the design and development of an E-PEST Battery that uses live cockroaches as an alternative energy source. Tests were conducted to measure the voltage output of individual male and female cockroaches based on their weight. Additional tests connected multiple cockroaches in series, finding that 2 male and 14 female cockroaches connected produced 2.83 volts. The battery was able to store electricity from the cockroaches over time, reaching a maximum of 2.125 volts after 60 minutes. The research concluded that cockroaches have potential as a renewable energy source by harnessing the electricity produced during metabolic processes.
Given that the core business of a hospital is the welfare of its patients, it is easy to understand why the intricacies of electricity are not a high priority. However, ensuring patient welfare requires a huge variety of medical appliances, which in turn, require electricity. Electricity is therefore a vital utility and any malfunction or interruption can quickly lead to disastrous consequences.
This combination—being absolutely vital but far from the primary concern of the organization—entails a certain risk.
Standards and regulations prescribe how a hospital’s electrical installations should be conceived and installed to ensure safety and reliability. Those regulations are complemented by the prescriptions of the equipment manufacturers. All these rules, however, create a complex tangle of information for the user, often making it difficult to figure out which rule has to be applied where and exactly how it has to be implemented. In this tutorial, we will try to shed light on those regulations and give a comprehensive overview.
Once safety and reliability are taken care of, the focus can shift to energy efficiency. The fact that efficiency is only of secondary priority for a hospitals’ electrical installation does not mean its impact cannot be significant. By focusing on energy efficiency, hospitals can often make surprisingly large savings on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their installations and thus on the cost of the medical aid they render. This paper addresses a few of the major energy efficiency topics relevant to medical building management.
IEEE PROJECTS CENTER TAMBARAM/PALLAVARAM/CHROMPET- a zigbee based animal hea...ASHOKKUMAR RAMAR
The document describes an animal health monitoring system that monitors physiological parameters such as rumination, body temperature, and heart rate, as well as surrounding temperature and humidity. The system is based on IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 1451 standards and uses a Zigbee device and microcontroller to implement sensor modules. Physiological and environmental data is transmitted wirelessly and displayed in real-time on a graphical user interface, allowing inexpensive health monitoring of livestock. The system was prototyped and tested with accurate results.
This document provides 10 best practices for testing electrosurgical units (ESUs) to ensure their performance and safety. It recommends adopting standardized test procedures, using additional test equipment like electrical safety analyzers and medical oscilloscopes, exercising caution with active electrodes, and performing comprehensive tests of power output, RF leakage currents, return electrode monitors, and inert gas parameters. It also suggests using test automation to quickly perform tests, document measurements, and archive long-term data. The document promotes choosing an ESU tester like the QA-ES II Electrosurgery Analyzer that can perform complete preventive maintenance and safety testing.
Using off-the-shelf ultrasound imagers, and transition to portable system-on-chip ultrasound imagers such as Butterfly IQ.
Embedded devices such as Butterfly IQ can be further improved by integrating deep learning / artificial intelligence at device level, and naturally at the post-processing and analysis levels
Alternative download link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlwv7m29mh6y2w6/pupillometry_throughTheEyelids.pdf?dl=0
IJRET : International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology is an international peer reviewed, online journal published by eSAT Publishing House for the enhancement of research in various disciplines of Engineering and Technology. The aim and scope of the journal is to provide an academic medium and an important reference for the advancement and dissemination of research results that support high-level learning, teaching and research in the fields of Engineering and Technology. We bring together Scientists, Academician, Field Engineers, Scholars and Students of related fields of Engineering and Technology
As the diary industries delivery the milk to consumer bottles in pouches the thickness of the milk is varied with each company. The microwave transmission line approach with horn antenna is introduced as an effective method for the assessment of milk for the first time with different frequency. The electrical permittivity is an intrinsic parameter of a material that can be used as an index of delivered water content. For the permittivity calculation, we use horn antenna transmitter and receiver in microwave frequency .The microwave travelled via the milk according to its thickness. A design of horn antenna and its minimum distance transmission length is followed to evaluate the thickness of milk. The dissipated power is calculated with the help of VSWR meter in decibel. The results are plotted with different microwave frequency with unique wave length with unique concentration of water with milk. Mat lab is used to plot the graph. The effects exhibit that the milk thickness makes the wave travel of microwave produces the decibel value changes at the output. The measurements demonstrate that the permittivity of milk increases with increased added water. A relationship between the added water content and the permittivity of milk -water mixture is established, which should be a powerful tool for detecting milk thickness.
This document presents the results of a simulation study examining the propagation of electrical pulses from electrodes in nerve tissue. The study used a 3D model of an electrode cuff around nerve tissue. Simulation results showed that activating all electrodes led to activation of most fascicles. Activating two side-by-side electrodes activated the central fascicle but with lower potential. At least two electrodes spaced 90-120 degrees apart were needed to target the central fascicle. The electrode design and spacing was justified as it allows selective stimulation of different fascicles to produce desired responses without overlapping currents.
The document summarizes concepts from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of traditional medicine. It discusses the Samkhya philosophy of creation, which sees the universe arising from the interaction of two fundamental principles - Purusha, the passive witness, and Prakruti, the active creative energy containing three attributes or gunas. Prakruti gives rise to various other elements that make up the manifest universe, including the five senses. Ayurveda views health as a balance between these three doshas or biological humors - vata, pitta and kapha. The document proposes to study finger pulse profiles to see if they can indicate an imbalance of pitta, one of the doshas, such as a
This document provides a technology status evaluation report on echoendoscopes. It summarizes that echoendoscopes combine endoscopy with ultrasound imaging to examine internal structures. The report describes the technical components and designs of current echoendoscope models, including imaging capabilities. It outlines the clinical applications of echoendoscopy such as evaluating cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and pancreas, as well as guiding interventional procedures like biopsy sampling.
2014 CFTCC Annual Symposium: A New Wearable Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Ima...CFTCC
1) A new wearable diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOSI) device is being developed to non-invasively monitor breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
2) Current imaging methods can only assess response after 1.5-2 months of treatment, but DOSI may be able to predict long-term response as early as the first week of therapy.
3) The project aims to create a portable frequency domain digital DOSI system and a flexible wearable probe to allow continuous monitoring during chemotherapy infusion.
Similar to EFSA Opinion on electrical requirements for poultry waterbath stunning equipment (20)
Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning is not a humane alternative to Carbon Dioxi...Harm Kiezebrink
I would like express gratitude to the HSA for their 20 years of tireless advocacy for improving pigs' welfare. Their efforts have empowered those seeking alternatives to carbon dioxide stunning. Over nearly 30 years, I've worked on animal welfare friendly stunning applications, particularly regarding stunning/slaughtering using nitrogen foam, and I believe I've found the definitive answer.
The industry originally adopted large-scale carbon dioxide stunning to optimize food production, reduce costs, and lower meat prices, which is only feasible with parallel processing (simultaneously stunning groups of pigs) rather than serial processing (stunning each pig individually). Electrocution is not viable for large-scale operations due to this need for parallel processing. Therefore, a replacement gas that lacks carbon dioxide's detrimental properties is needed, but only a few gases are suitable.
Additionally, the application of an alternative gas must adhere to several fundamental principles:
a) Applicability of the methods for stunning and killing pigs, including their scalability for large-scale application.
b) Description of the technical.
c) Animal welfare consequences associated with specific techniques, including welfare hazards (ABMs), animal-based indicators (ABIs), preventive and corrective measures, and the sufficiency of scientific literature in describing these consequences.
d) Applicability under field conditions.
Introducing a novel application for large-scale pig slaughter is complex and time-consuming before it can be expected, especially given the substantial economic and financial impact for the industry. However, there is hope on the horizon.
The alternative gas is nitrogen, and the application is based on using high-expansion foam filled with 100% nitrogen, applied in a closed container. Within a minute, all air is displaced by the foam, after which the container is sealed, and the foam is broken down with a powerful nitrogen pulse. This ensures that the foam does not affect the stunning process; the entire process can be visually and electronically monitored, and the residual oxygen level in the container is consistently below 2%. The container dimensions are identical to the gondolas used in the globally implemented carbon dioxide gondola system.
The integration of nitrogen foam technology into European regulation EU1099/2009 is nearing completion. All scientific and technical procedures have been submitted to the EU Commission, with finalization awaiting the presentation of EFSA's scientific opinion to the Commission and subsequent approval for inclusion. This final phase is anticipated to occur during the general meeting slated for June 2024.
This marks the first step toward replacing carbon dioxide in 25 years. Fingers crossed for the EU Commission's decision in June 2024!
Harm Kiezebrink
Independent Expert
Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden ...Harm Kiezebrink
New Risk assessment model
The applications designed for farrow-to-weaner pig farms rely on a novel risk assessment model. This model, developed from a recent study, indicates that the likelihood of an undetected infection on nearby farms notably diminishes 7 to 14 days following the identification of the source farm.
This risk assessment model is based a Dutch study that is published by T.J. Hagenaars et al on June 30, 2023: “Preventief ruimen bij vogelgriep in pluimveedichte gebieden en mogelijkheden voor aanvullende bemonstering” (Preventive culling in areas densely populated with poultry, and possibilities for additional sampling).
According to this premise, instead of the standard depopulation approach of euthanizing pigs on-site, pigs beyond the immediate vicinity of infected farms are slaughtered.
Animal Health Canada is currently evaluating new strategies and technologies for managing large-scale emergency situations involving pigs. I have been actively involved in developing strategies and procedures aimed at implementing strict control measures for pig euthanasia during emergencies, with a focus on substantially reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary culling and destruction of healthy animals.
Opting for slaughtering over on-farm euthanasia not only reduces the operational burden on farms but also repurposes the pigs as a valuable protein source rather than considering them as animal waste. This approach assists in crisis management during widespread outbreaks, significantly reduces expenses, and simultaneously mitigates risks.
While this approach is influenced by the new EU regulations implemented since May 2022, it can be adapted for implementation within the context of any EU Member state, as well as in the USA and Canada.
Managing large-scale outbreaks at Farrow-to-Weaner FarmsHarm Kiezebrink
In the face of large-scale outbreaks of swine Influenza A Virus (swIAV), there's a call for exploring various strategies conducive to managing emergencies in field conditions.
Through subdivision, a customized approach can be embraced to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness while mitigating the impact on individual farms. This tactic maximizes emergency deployment capacity and streamlines standard procedures. Moreover, leveraging the existing capacity of farming aids in alleviating scrutiny on animal welfare standards, presenting a notable advantage.
Nitrogen filled high expansion foam in open ContainersHarm Kiezebrink
On March 31, 2023 the US National Pork Board validated a study by Todd Williams, of Pipestone Veterinary Services, based on the use of high expansion nitrogen foam for the large-scale depopulation of all classes of swine, utilizing Livetec Systems Nitrogen Foam Delivery System (NFDS).
The high expansion foam produced by the Livetec Systems NFDS surrounds the animal in large bubbles filled with nitrogen with a base expansion ration of between 300 and 350 to 1, as mentioned on the information provided by the producer of the firefighting foam.
The Livetec technology, based on using Compressed Air Foam (CAF) filled with nitrogen instead of air for depopulating pigs, emerges within a critical landscape. The complexities of implementing effective emergency depopulation strategies for livestock, particularly swine, present multifaceted challenges. Livetec's approach relies on high expansion firefighting foam, aiming to euthanize pigs by submerging them in foam.
The Livetec system's claims about the effectiveness of nitrogen-filled high expansion foam for depopulating market pigs lack substantial evidence upon analysis. The discrepancy between the actual foam produced during field trials and the promised high expansion foam, coupled with the absence of concrete proof supporting the method's efficacy, discredits the technology's claims.
World bank evaluating the economic consequences of avian influenzaHarm Kiezebrink
Pandemics cause very serious loss of life, restrictions of freedom and serious economic damage. Potential pandemics all are related to our dealing with animals, both wild and domesticated.
In this Word Bank study of 2006, the effects of a severe HPAI pandemic (with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus crossing the species barrier and infecting humans) predicted economic losses from 2-10% of the world economy.
The economic impact of the present COVID-19 crisis, caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus spreading from wild animals to humans, probably will reach the upper limits of this prediction even if the losses of life might be near the lower limits mentioned in the report (1,4 millions rather than 71 millions).
A common observation is that governments were late to react on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pandemics are rare, so due to cost-benefit considerations emergency preparations do usually not get beyond an advisory (paperwork) phase. When an emergency eventually arises, the response is too late, too little, and with disastrous effects on animal and/or human welfare that could have been avoided. Relatively small, short-term financial savings result in big, long-term losses.
Protection against outbreaks cannot be achieved by political decisions during a crisis. Our dealing with animals, especially in animal production, must be inherently safe so that animal health and public health are protected.
This is recognized in the One Health strategy that has been adopted internationally.
An outbreak of animal disease occurs should be contained at a very early stage. This can only be realized if all farms have their own emergency plans, with equipment to deal with contagious diseases already present at the farm.
Gas alternatives to carbon dioxide for euthanasia a piglet perspectiveHarm Kiezebrink
The use of nitrous oxide as an anesthetic/euthanasia agent may prove to be affordable, feasible and more humane than other alternatives.
The neonatal stage is a critical time in the life of a pig, when they are prone to become sick or weak. This is the stage at which most euthanasia procedures are required if the pig is judged unable to recover. Any euthanasia method should be humane, practical, economical and socially acceptable to be universally accepted.
They found that nitrous oxide in oxygen appeared to be less aversive than nitrous oxide, nitrogen, or argon all combined with low (30%) concentrations of carbon dioxide or 90% carbon dioxide by itself.
This study is the first to investigate the use of nitrous oxide at sufficiently high concentrations to cause anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, has been widely used in human surgery and dental offices for its pain-relieving, sedative and anxiolytic effects. It is cheap, non-flammable, non-explosive, legally accessible and not classified as a drug in the U.S., and already commonly used in the food industry as a propellant for food products.
Development of its use into an automated procedure will allow producers to implement it with little effort. Thus its use as an anesthetic/euthanasia agent may prove to be affordable, feasible and more humane than other alternatives.
Anoxia: High expansion foam
The Anoxia method is unique for creating an environment without oxygen under atmospheric circumstances. High expansion foam is produced by mixing nitrogen and a mixture of water and specially developed high expansion detergent, with an expansion rate upto 1:1000, meaning that 1 litre of water/foam agent mix expands up to 1 m3 foam. Due to the specially designed foam generator, the high expansion foam bubbles are filled with a > 99% concentration of nitrogen. The oxygen level surrounding the animal drops from 21% in atmospheric air to < 1 % once the animal is submerged in the foam.
Anoxia: convulsions, but no stress or pain
The animals need a constant supply of oxygen to the brain. Applying Anoxia foam, the oxygen is replaced by nitrogen. As a result the nitrogen level is raised to > 99% and the oxygen level is lowered to < 1%. Considering the natural reaction to sudden lack of oxygen the animal is rendering quickly into unconsciousness. As a consequence, behavioral indicators like loss of posture and convulsions will appear. With this in mind, unconscious animals are insensitive to perceive unpleasant sensations like pain.
Anoxia: How Anoxia foam is created
A mixture of 97% water and 3% high expansion foam agent is sprayed into the Anoxia foam generator, creating a thin film on the outlet of the generator. At the same time, nitrogen is added with overpressure into the foam generator. The nitrogen expands when it exits the generator, creating robust high expansion foam. The high expansion foam bubbles are filled with > 99% nitrogen.
Anoxia: Single foam generator systems
In practice, one Anoxia foam generator creates a volume of up to 750 liter of high expansion foam per minute. This volume is more than sufficient to fill a wheelie-bin container within 30 seconds. The most common container volumes are: M size - 240 liter; L size - 340 liter; and XL size - 370 liter. The choice of the volume of the container depends of the size of the animal and/or the number of animals that need to be stunned/killed. A lid with a chiffon that seals the container. As soon as the foam exits the chiffon, the gas supply is stopped and the chiffon is closed. The nitrogen gas concentration in the container remains at 99%.
Although commonly used in other settings, defining animal welfare as part of a corporate CSR setting is not new.
There are many ways to define CSR. What they have in common is that CSR describes how companies manage their business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. The phenomenon CSR is a value concept that is susceptible to particular ideological and emotional interpretations. Different organizations have framed different definitions - although there is considerable common ground between them.
Some important national players of the food chain at different steps (mainly food retailers and food services) have included animal welfare in their CSR.
The Anoxia technique is developed as alternative for existing animal stunning methods that are based on the use of CO2, electrocution, neck dislocation, captive-bolt, as well as killing methods like de-bleeding and maceration.
In the past 10 years, Wageningen University and University of Glasgow conducted several studies that proved that the technique could be applied successfully for culling poultry (Proof of Principle Anoxia Technique). This was the start of the development of several applications based on the Anoxia principle, using high expansion foam filled with >99% Nitrogen that are now introduced for:
1. Stunning and killing of sick and cripple killing piglets less than 5 kg
2. Stunning and killing of sick or cripple poultry (especially poultry > 3kg) who need to be killed on the farm by the staff for welfare purposes (avoiding unnecessary stress or pain)
3. Stunning and killing poultry that arrives on the slaughterhouse but that are unfit to be slaughtered (due to injuries occurred during transportation – providing signs of possible illness etc.)
4. Stunning and killing of male pullets at the hatchery
5. Stunning and killing of half-hatched chickens and embryos in partly-hatched eggs, before destruction
6. Stunning and killing parent stock poultry
7. Killing of animals that has been stunned (captive bolt – blow-on-the-head method, etc.) replacing killing by de-bleeding
8. Culling of ex-layers
9. Culling of poultry for disease control purposes
Last November we started the launch of the commercialization of the Anoxia applications in Holland, Germany and Sweden, focusing on the areas where a solution is most needed: piglets (< 5kg) and poultry (> 3kg) on farms.
Since November 2016, the introduction of these applications took place in Holland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark
World Health Organization director- general Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun warns bird flu H7N9 is particularly worrying as it could be a flu pandemic strain. This is because H7N9 is unique as it does not make chickens sick but is deadly in humans. Sick birds could usually provide early warning for imminent outbreaks, Chan told The Standard. This comes as Macau reported its first human case of H7N9 yesterday. "The biggest challenge for the world is the next influenza pandemic," Chan said.
Laves presentation practical experiences in the culling of poultry in germanyHarm Kiezebrink
This presentation, based on the practical experiences in culling poultry in Germany, gives an overview of the culling techniques currently in use in Germany. It is presented by dr. Ursula Gerdes, dr. Josef Diekmann and ing. Rainer Thomes.
LAVES is the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, located in Oldenburg, Germany. With around 900 employees they are entrusted with tasks in the areas of food and utensil inspection, feed inspection, meat hygiene, veterinary drug monitoring, eradication of animal diseases, disposal of animal by-products, animal welfare, ecological farming, market surveillance and technical process monitoring.
Berg et al. 2014 killing of spent laying hens using co2 in poultry barnsHarm Kiezebrink
September 2015: In Sweden, spent laying hens are killed either by traditional slaughter; on-farm with CO2 in a mobile container combined with a grinder; or with CO2 stable gassing inside the barn. The number of hens killed using the latter method has increased. During these killings a veterinarian is required to be present and report to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Data were registered during four commercial killings and extracted from all official veterinary reports at CO2 whole-house killings in 2008–2010. On-farm monitoring showed that temperature decreased greatly and with high variability. The time until birds became unconscious after coming into contact with the gas, based on time until loss of balance, was 3–5 min.
Veterinary reports show that 1.5 million laying hens were killed, in 150 separate instances. The most common non-compliance with legislation was failure to notify the regional animal welfare authorities prior to the killings. Six out of 150 killings were defined as animal welfare failures, eg delivery of insufficient CO2 or failure to seal buildings to achieve adequate gas concentration.
Eleven were either potentially or completely unacceptable from the perspective of animal welfare. We conclude that, on the whole, the CO2 whole-house gas killing of spent hens was carried out in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Death was achieved reliably.
However, there remain several risks to animal welfare and increased knowledge would appear vital in order to limit mistakes related to miscalculations of house volume, improper sealing or premature ventilation turn-off.
The latest outbreak of High Pathogen Avian Influenza in the USA and Canada in the spring of this year and the inability to avoid animal welfare catastrophes ultimately proves that new emergency response strategies are needed. Strategies that are based on taking away the source of infection instead of killing as many animals as possible within 24 hours, regardless the consequences.
The statement that “It’s possible that human infections with these viruses may occur” and that “these viruses have not spread easily to other people” is confusing. Humans can become infected without showing clinical signs. They can become the major carrier of the infection.
Especially during depopulation activities, viruses easily transmit through responders. Tasks like taking layers out of their cages and transport the birds manually through the narrow walkways between the cages, and disposal of infected animals are specific risks that need to be avoided. Simply switching of the electricity so that sick birds don’t have to be handled is not the solution.
Although humans are supposed to be less susceptible, they can become carrier of the virus. Only the highest level of biosecurity could prevent the transmission through the humans and materials that have been in direct contact with infected animals and materials.
Simply switching of the electricity so that sick birds don’t have to be handled is not the solution. Avoid killing animals is always the better option and in Germany, the discussion on the strategy based on neutralizing risks and is in the making. Avoiding situations demands a proactive role of the poultry industry.
Ventilation Shutdown: who takes the responsibility to flip the switch?Harm Kiezebrink
On September 18, 2015 the USA Government and the American egg producers announced that they would accept the Ventilation shutdown method as a method of mass destruction of poultry when other options, notably water-based foam and CO2, are not available for culling at the farm within 24-36 hours. This is actually the case on all caged layer farms in the USA, in particular in Iowa.
The Ventilation shutdown method consists of stopping ventilation, cutting off drinking water supply, and turning on heaters to raise the temperature in the poultry house to a level between 38 Celsius and 50 Celsius. Birds die of heat stress and by lack of oxygen in a process that easily takes over after a period of at least 3 days. Ventilation shutdown is a killing method without prior stunning of the birds, and as such is contrary to all international Animal Welfare standards.
Animal welfare specialists in disease control strongly oppose this introduction of the cruelest method of killing poultry that lost their economic value. The Humane Society (HSUS) described it as the “inhumane mass baking of live chickens”. With adequate preparation the alternative methods, like the water-based Anoxia foam method, can be available at each farm for immediate use in case of an outbreak. The ban of the Ventilation shutdown method should therefore be maintained and the Anoxia method should be further developed so that is suitable for application to caged layers and turkeys. In Germany, such a system is currently under development and will become commercially available soon.
The poultry industry in the USA ignores this development and asks for a formal approval of the Ventilation Shutdown method. Speaking on August 19, 2015, during the United Egg Producers (UEP) national briefing webinar, UEP President Chad Gregory explained that much research is being done concerning the feasibility of such a depopulation program.
“The government, the producers, the states and UEP, we all recognize that depopulation is going to have to happen faster and ideally within 24 hours.”
Quick depopulation of affected flocks is important, Gregory said, because the sooner a flock is depopulated, the risk of the virus going into fans and out into the atmosphere becomes smaller. Gregory said ventilation shutdown – if approved – would probably only be used in a worst-case scenario or when all other euthanasia options have been exhausted. Gregory did not elaborate on how to adequately prevent outbreaks and how to promote more animal-friendly methods.
In order to become one step ahead of an outbreak of high pathogen diseases like the current H5N2, the veterinary authorities need to stop the outbreak immediately after the first signals occur. Strict and thorough biosecurity measures are the most fundamental feature to protect poultry flocks on farms.
Without functional culling techniques, the options to effectively and efficiently cull in average more than 925,000 chickens per farm (in Iowa, USA) are limited: either by macerating the chickens alive – or by ventilation shut-down (closing down all ventilation, placing heaters inside the house, and heat the entire house to a temperature higher than 600 C).
Although both methods cause death of the birds, it has not been proven to be effective nor efficient. The primary goal to slowdown outbreaks and bring it to a complete stop but macerating live birds and killing them by heat stress and lack of oxygen would be against all International Animal Welfare standards.
Animal welfare specialists in disease control strongly oppose against the introduction of these most cruel methods of killing poultry and argue that the ban on these methods should be maintained and alternative methods need to be considered.
FLI Seminar on different response strategies: Stamping out or NeutralizationHarm Kiezebrink
During this spring, American poultry producers are losing birds by the millions, due to the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreaks on factory farms. USDA APHIS applied the stamping out strategy in an attempt to prevent the flu from spreading.
With stamping out as the highest priority of the response strategy, large numbers of responders are involved. With in average almost 1 million caged layers per farm in Iowa, there is hardly any room for a proper bio security training for these responders. And existing culling techniques had insufficient capacity, the authorities had to decide to apply drastic techniques like macerating live birds in order to take away the source of virus reproduction.
This strategy didn't work; on the contrary. Instead of slowing down the spreading of the virus, the outbreaks continue to reoccur and have caused death and destruction in 15 USA states, killing almost 50 million birds on mote than 220infected commercial poultry farms, all within a very small time frame.
The question is whether the priority of the response strategy should be on neutralizing the transmission routes instead of on stamping out infections after they occur. All indicators currently point out into the direction that the industry should prioritize on environmental drivers: the connection between outbreaks and wild ducks; wind-mediated transmission; pre-contact probability; on-farm bio security; transmission via rodents etc.
Once the contribution of each transmission route has been determined, a revolutionary new response strategy can be developed based on the principle of neutralizing transmission routes. Neutralizing risks means that fully new techniques need to be developed, based on culling the animals without human – to – animal contact; integrating detergent application into the culling operations; combining culling & disposal into one activity.
This new response strategy will be the main subject of the FLI Animal Welfare and Disease Control Seminar, organized at September 23, 2015 in Celle, Germany
Spatial, temporal and genetic dynamics of H5N1 in chinaHarm Kiezebrink
The spatial spread of H5N1 avian influenza, significant ongoing mutations, and long-term persistence of the virus in some geographic regions has had an enormous impact on the poultry industry and presents a serious threat to human health.
This study revealed two different transmission modes of H5N1 viruses in China, and indicated a significant role of poultry in virus dissemination. Furthermore, selective pressure posed by vaccination was found in virus evolution in the country.
Phylogenetic analysis, geospatial techniques, and time series models were applied to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of H5N1 outbreaks in China and the effect of vaccination on virus evolution.
Results showed obvious spatial and temporal clusters of H5N1 outbreaks on different scales, which may have been associated with poultry and wild-bird transmission modes of H5N1 viruses. Lead–lag relationships were found among poultry and wild-bird outbreaks and human cases. Human cases were preceded by poultry outbreaks, and wild-bird outbreaks were led by human cases.
Each clade has gained its own unique spatiotemporal and genetic dominance. Genetic diversity of the H5N1 virus decreased significantly between 1996 and 2011; presumably under strong selective pressure of vaccination. Mean evolutionary rates of H5N1 virus increased after vaccination was adopted in China.
Different environmental drivers of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birdsHarm Kiezebrink
Different environmental drivers operate on HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Europe. The probability of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry increases in areas with a higher human population density and a shorter distance to lakes or wetlands.
This reflects areas where the location of farms or trade areas and habitats for wild birds overlap. In wild birds, HPAI H5N1 outbreaks mostly occurred in areas with increased NDVI and lower elevations, which are typically areas where food and shelter for wild birds are available. The association with migratory flyways has also been found in the intra-continental spread of the low pathogenic avian influenza virus in North American wild birds. These different environmental drivers suggest that different spread mechanisms operate.
Disease might spread to poultry via both poultry and wild birds, through direct (via other birds) or indirect (e.g. via contaminated environment) infection. Outbreaks in wild birds are mainly caused by transmission via wild birds alone, through sharing foraging areas or shelters. These findings are in contrast with a previous study, which did not find environmental differences between disease outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Europe.
H5N8 virus dutch outbreak (2014) linked to sequences of strains from asiaHarm Kiezebrink
Genetic analysis of influenza A(H5N8) virus from the Netherlands indicates that the virus probably was spread by migratory wild birds from Asia, possibly through overlapping flyways and common breeding sites in Siberia. In addition to the outbreak in the Netherlands, several other outbreaks of HPAI (H5N8) virus infections were reported in Europe at the end of 2014 after exponentially increasing deaths occurred in chicken and turkey flocks.
Genetic sequences submitted to the EpiFlu database indicated that the viruses from Europe showed a strong similarity to viruses isolated earlier in 2014 in South Korea, China, and Japan. An H5N8 virus isolated from a wigeon in Russia in September 2014 is located in the phylogenetic tree near the node of all sequences for H5N8 viruses from Europe.
In regard to time, this location fits the hypothesized route of H5N8 virus introduction into Europe. Furthermore, for several reasons, it is highly likely that the introduction of HPAI (H5N8) virus into the indoor-layer farm in the Netherlands occurred via indirect contact.
First, despite intensive monitoring, H5N8 viruses have never been detected in commercial poultry or wild birds in the Netherlands.
Second, when the virus was detected, the Netherlands had no direct trade contact with other European countries or Asia that might explain a route of introduction.
Third, because of the severity of disease in galliforms, outbreaks of H5N8 in the Netherlands before November 2014 would have been noticed.
Avian influenza virus-infected poultry can release a large amount of virus-contaminated droppings that serve as sources of infection for susceptible birds. Much research so far has focused on virus spread within flocks. However, as fecal material or manure is a major constituent of airborne poultry dust, virus-contaminated particulate matter from infected flocks may be dispersed into the environment.
This study, demonstrates the presence of airborne influenza virus RNA downwind from buildings holding LPAI-infected birds, and the observed correlation between field data on airborne poultry and livestock associated microbial exposure and the OPS-ST model. These findings suggest that geographical estimates of areas at high risk for human and animal exposure to airborne influenza virus can be modeled during an outbreak, although additional field measurements are needed to validate this proposition. In addition, the outdoor detection of influenza virus contaminated airborne dust during outbreaks in poultry suggests that practical measures can assist in the control of future influenza outbreaks.
In general, exposure to airborne influenza virus on commercial poultry farms could be reduced both by minimizing the initial generation of airborne particles and implementing methods for abatement of particles once generated. As an example, emergency mass culling of poultry using a foam blanket over the birds instead of labor-intensive whole-house gassing followed by ventilation reduces both exposure of cullers and dispersion of contaminated dust into the environment, contributing to the control of influenza outbreaks.
Phenomics assisted breeding in crop improvementIshaGoswami9
As the population is increasing and will reach about 9 billion upto 2050. Also due to climate change, it is difficult to meet the food requirement of such a large population. Facing the challenges presented by resource shortages, climate
change, and increasing global population, crop yield and quality need to be improved in a sustainable way over the coming decades. Genetic improvement by breeding is the best way to increase crop productivity. With the rapid progression of functional
genomics, an increasing number of crop genomes have been sequenced and dozens of genes influencing key agronomic traits have been identified. However, current genome sequence information has not been adequately exploited for understanding
the complex characteristics of multiple gene, owing to a lack of crop phenotypic data. Efficient, automatic, and accurate technologies and platforms that can capture phenotypic data that can
be linked to genomics information for crop improvement at all growth stages have become as important as genotyping. Thus,
high-throughput phenotyping has become the major bottleneck restricting crop breeding. Plant phenomics has been defined as the high-throughput, accurate acquisition and analysis of multi-dimensional phenotypes
during crop growing stages at the organism level, including the cell, tissue, organ, individual plant, plot, and field levels. With the rapid development of novel sensors, imaging technology,
and analysis methods, numerous infrastructure platforms have been developed for phenotyping.
Travis Hills' Endeavors in Minnesota: Fostering Environmental and Economic Pr...Travis Hills MN
Travis Hills of Minnesota developed a method to convert waste into high-value dry fertilizer, significantly enriching soil quality. By providing farmers with a valuable resource derived from waste, Travis Hills helps enhance farm profitability while promoting environmental stewardship. Travis Hills' sustainable practices lead to cost savings and increased revenue for farmers by improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.
EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Weste...Sérgio Sacani
Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters
represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions
among stars.
Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate
the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars.
The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun.
Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically,
the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec.
Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within
and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation
were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software.
Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a
photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2
s
−1
. The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution,
with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known
massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.
Current Ms word generated power point presentation covers major details about the micronuclei test. It's significance and assays to conduct it. It is used to detect the micronuclei formation inside the cells of nearly every multicellular organism. It's formation takes place during chromosomal sepration at metaphase.
Or: Beyond linear.
Abstract: Equivariant neural networks are neural networks that incorporate symmetries. The nonlinear activation functions in these networks result in interesting nonlinear equivariant maps between simple representations, and motivate the key player of this talk: piecewise linear representation theory.
Disclaimer: No one is perfect, so please mind that there might be mistakes and typos.
dtubbenhauer@gmail.com
Corrected slides: dtubbenhauer.com/talks.html
Describing and Interpreting an Immersive Learning Case with the Immersion Cub...Leonel Morgado
Current descriptions of immersive learning cases are often difficult or impossible to compare. This is due to a myriad of different options on what details to include, which aspects are relevant, and on the descriptive approaches employed. Also, these aspects often combine very specific details with more general guidelines or indicate intents and rationales without clarifying their implementation. In this paper we provide a method to describe immersive learning cases that is structured to enable comparisons, yet flexible enough to allow researchers and practitioners to decide which aspects to include. This method leverages a taxonomy that classifies educational aspects at three levels (uses, practices, and strategies) and then utilizes two frameworks, the Immersive Learning Brain and the Immersion Cube, to enable a structured description and interpretation of immersive learning cases. The method is then demonstrated on a published immersive learning case on training for wind turbine maintenance using virtual reality. Applying the method results in a structured artifact, the Immersive Learning Case Sheet, that tags the case with its proximal uses, practices, and strategies, and refines the free text case description to ensure that matching details are included. This contribution is thus a case description method in support of future comparative research of immersive learning cases. We then discuss how the resulting description and interpretation can be leveraged to change immersion learning cases, by enriching them (considering low-effort changes or additions) or innovating (exploring more challenging avenues of transformation). The method holds significant promise to support better-grounded research in immersive learning.
The binding of cosmological structures by massless topological defectsSérgio Sacani
Assuming spherical symmetry and weak field, it is shown that if one solves the Poisson equation or the Einstein field
equations sourced by a topological defect, i.e. a singularity of a very specific form, the result is a localized gravitational
field capable of driving flat rotation (i.e. Keplerian circular orbits at a constant speed for all radii) of test masses on a thin
spherical shell without any underlying mass. Moreover, a large-scale structure which exploits this solution by assembling
concentrically a number of such topological defects can establish a flat stellar or galactic rotation curve, and can also deflect
light in the same manner as an equipotential (isothermal) sphere. Thus, the need for dark matter or modified gravity theory is
mitigated, at least in part.
ESR spectroscopy in liquid food and beverages.pptxPRIYANKA PATEL
With increasing population, people need to rely on packaged food stuffs. Packaging of food materials requires the preservation of food. There are various methods for the treatment of food to preserve them and irradiation treatment of food is one of them. It is the most common and the most harmless method for the food preservation as it does not alter the necessary micronutrients of food materials. Although irradiated food doesn’t cause any harm to the human health but still the quality assessment of food is required to provide consumers with necessary information about the food. ESR spectroscopy is the most sophisticated way to investigate the quality of the food and the free radicals induced during the processing of the food. ESR spin trapping technique is useful for the detection of highly unstable radicals in the food. The antioxidant capability of liquid food and beverages in mainly performed by spin trapping technique.
Immersive Learning That Works: Research Grounding and Paths ForwardLeonel Morgado
We will metaverse into the essence of immersive learning, into its three dimensions and conceptual models. This approach encompasses elements from teaching methodologies to social involvement, through organizational concerns and technologies. Challenging the perception of learning as knowledge transfer, we introduce a 'Uses, Practices & Strategies' model operationalized by the 'Immersive Learning Brain' and ‘Immersion Cube’ frameworks. This approach offers a comprehensive guide through the intricacies of immersive educational experiences and spotlighting research frontiers, along the immersion dimensions of system, narrative, and agency. Our discourse extends to stakeholders beyond the academic sphere, addressing the interests of technologists, instructional designers, and policymakers. We span various contexts, from formal education to organizational transformation to the new horizon of an AI-pervasive society. This keynote aims to unite the iLRN community in a collaborative journey towards a future where immersive learning research and practice coalesce, paving the way for innovative educational research and practice landscapes.
hematic appreciation test is a psychological assessment tool used to measure an individual's appreciation and understanding of specific themes or topics. This test helps to evaluate an individual's ability to connect different ideas and concepts within a given theme, as well as their overall comprehension and interpretation skills. The results of the test can provide valuable insights into an individual's cognitive abilities, creativity, and critical thinking skills
2. Electrical poultry waterbath stunning parameters
EFSA Journal 2014;12(7):3745 2
SUMMARY
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on electrical requirements for waterbath stunning equipment. The AHAW Panel addressed the terms of reference (ToRs) as provided by the European Commission, based upon information received from a third country. The Commission requested the EFSA to review the scientific publication provided and to assess to what extent the electrical parameters proposed for stunning poultry are able to provide a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the currently allowed methods and, in case of favourable reply, under what conditions.
Following review of the provided information and evaluating the stunning procedure applied and its welfare outcome (ToR1) it was concluded that the submitted study does not provide enough scientific information upon which to base an assessment of the scientific approach and parameters suggested. Consequently, a full assessment of the animal welfare implications of the proposed stunning procedure was not undertaken (ToR2) and a revision of the electrical requirements for waterbath stunning equipment laid down in Table 2 of Chapter II of Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 is not recommended (ToR3).
Nonetheless, the information provided was sufficient to conclude that the birds were not rendered immediately unconscious by the intervention. Application of a current less than that required to induce immediate unconsciousness causes pain, distress and suffering. The study failed to demonstrate absence of pain and suffering until onset of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was too short to ensure unconsciousness until death by bleeding.
In multiple birds waterbath stunning situations, such as the one assessed here, the electrical resistance varies widely between birds making it impossible to deliver the same constant and predetermined current to each individual bird. The complexity of such multiple bird electrical waterbath stunning systems used in poultry slaughterhouses is not conducive to maintaining good animal welfare and, therefore, alternatives should be developed/implemented.
Studies such as the one assessed here should consider the internationally accepted basic principle referred to as the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement, according to Directive 2010/63/EU), which recommend approaches to minimize the use of animals for experimental purposes in line with the European Regulation on protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Background as provided by the European Commission ........................................................................... 4
Terms of reference as provided by European Commission ...................................................................... 4
Assessment ............................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Documentation provided to EFSA ................................................................................................... 5
3. Assessment approach ....................................................................................................................... 6
4. Assessment of eligibility criteria ..................................................................................................... 6
4.1. Intervention of study one ........................................................................................................ 6
4.2. Outcome of study one ............................................................................................................. 7
4.2.1. Onset of unconsciousness and insensibility ........................................................................ 7
4.2.2. Study under controlled laboratory conditions ..................................................................... 7
4.2.2.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 8
4.2.3. Study under slaughterhouse conditions .............................................................................. 8
4.2.3.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 9
4.2.4. Absence of pain, distress and suffering until the loss of consciousness and sensibility ..... 9
4.2.4.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 9
4.2.5. Duration of unconsciousness and insensibility ................................................................... 9
4.2.5.1. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 10
4.3. Assessment of study two providing details on measurement of the electric current that flows into the bird brain ............................................................................................................................... 10
5. Reporting quality ........................................................................................................................... 10
5.1. Assessment of the reporting quality of the submitted studies based on the selected parameters .......................................................................................................................................... 10
6. Methodological quality .................................................................................................................. 10
6.1. Quality assessment of the internal validity of the submitted studies .................................... 10
Conclusions and recommendations ........................................................................................................ 10
References .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Appendix ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 18
4. Electrical poultry waterbath stunning parameters
EFSA Journal 2014;12(7):3745 4
BACKGROUND AS PROVIDED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Table 2 of Chapter II of Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 on the protection of animals at the time of killing sets out the average values per animal of electrical requirement which must be used when stunning chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and quails using waterbath stunning equipment.
These requirements are based on two previous EFSA opinions on the subject adopted respectively in 2004 and 2006 (EFSA, 2004, 2006). In the meantime the EFSA issued another opinion on the issue in 2012 (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2012).
Article 2 (f) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 defines ‘stunning’ as ‘any intentionally induced process which causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain including any process resulting in instantaneous death’. Furthermore, Article 4 states that ‘The loss of consciousness and sensibility should be maintained until the death of the animal’.
Article 4 (2) of the same Regulation4 allows the Commission to amend its Annex I so as to take into account scientific and technical progress on the basis of an opinion of the EFSA. Any such amendments shall ensure a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the existing methods.
The Commission has received information from a third country which may justify amending these parameters (submitted study).
In order to reply to this request, the Commission would like to request the EFSA to review the scientific publication provided and assess to which extent the electrical parameters proposed for stunning poultry are able to provide a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the currently allowed methods and, in case of favourable reply, under which conditions.
TERMS OF REFERENCE AS PROVIDED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The Commission therefore considers it opportune to request the EFSA to give an independent view on the electrical requirements for stunning equipment applicable for poultry.
Review if the study provides sufficient scientific details as to evaluate the stunning procedure applied and its welfare outcome; In case of favourable reply, carry out a full welfare assessment of the animal welfare implications of the proposed stunning procedure, taking into account other relevant scientific references; Recommend, if necessary, a revision of the electrical requirements applicable for waterbath stunning equipment laid down in Table 2 of Chapter II of Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094.
4 Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing. OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, p. 1-30.
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ASSESSMENT
1. Introduction
Electrical waterbath stunning is permitted for use in poultry when the technical criteria described in Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 are fulfilled. The legislative requirements prescribe that the brain should be exposed to a current generating generalised epileptiform activity in the EEG and possibly fibrillation or stopping of the heart. For stunning interventions that do not induce immediate unconsciousness, the alternative procedure should ensure 1) absence of pain, distress and suffering until the onset of unconsciousness, and 2) that the animal remains unconscious and insensible until death.
A study researching modified electrical parameters of waterbath stunning should record the intervention applied to individual animals. The legislation states that the key parameters are minimum current, minimum voltage, maximum frequency, frequency of calibration of the equipment, prevention of electrical shocks before stunning, minimising pain at shackling, optimisation of the current flow, maximum shackle duration before the waterbath, minimum time of exposure for each animal, immersion of the birds up to the base of the wings and maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s) for frequency(ies) over 50 Hz. Studies analysing a modification of a currently permitted method need to describe all of the key legal parameters. Some parameters are divided into several detailed components - as specified in the Guidance document (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a) - to ensure a comprehensive description of the applied stunning intervention (Table 1 in the Appendix). In addition, the throughput rate should be specified where appropriate (e.g. field studies).
EFSA herein presents an opinion on the study received for a scientific evaluation entitled ‘Study of chicken stunning using electroencephalogram’ in a manner consistent with the terms of reference provided by the European Commission. EFSA assessed only the stunning procedure itself and did not take into account any pre-stunning phases. A full assessment of the welfare implications, which would need to take into account both pre-stunning and stunning phases of the slaughter process, is beyond the scope of this mandate.
2. Documentation provided to EFSA
The Commission has received information from a third country entitled ‘Study of chicken stunning using electroencephalogram’ in February 2014. This study5 was sent to EFSA for a scientific evaluation and comprises an introduction (part 1), materials and methods (part 2) for two studies entitled in the document ‘study 1’ and ‘study 2’, results (part 3) for the two studies, a conclusion (part 4), a table entitled key parameters and related specifications (part 5) and a reference Section with literature (part 6):
STUDY 1 – Composed of the Sections entitled ‘Evaluations of the stun without sticking’ comprised of the sub-sections ‘test carried out on laboratory’, ‘test carried out on slaughterhouse’; followed by a Section ‘continuous evaluation of EEG of chickens during bleeding’
STUDY 2 – Provides details on measurement of the electric current that flows into the bird brain.
5 by Ernane José Xavier da Costa1; Sulivan Pereira Alves2; Paulo Sergio Rosa3; Gerson Scheuermann4; Arlei Coldebella5; Leonardo Thielo de La Vega6; Luis Teixeira7 [1PhD. Professor. University of São Paulo, USP; 2D.Sc. Technical Coordinator, União Brasileira de Avicultura; 3D.Sc. Researcher; EMBRAPA Swine and Poultry; 4PhD. Researcher - EMBRAPA Swine and Poultry; 5Dsc. Researcher, EMBRAPA Swine and Poultry; 6Bachelor Veterinary Medicine, Quality Planning, Brasil Foods/BRF; 7Bachelor Veterinary Medicine, Federal Agriculture and Livestock Inspector, Permanent Technical Commission of Animal Well-Being, CTBEA/MAPA]
6. Electrical poultry waterbath stunning parameters
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3. Assessment approach
The assessment of the submitted studies was carried out in a manner analogous to that described in the guidance document (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). The assessment was first conducted independently by each working group (WG) member. The individual assessments were then discussed to reach a consensus on issues over which the experts had expressed different opinions.
The assessment focuses initially on term of reference one (ToR1). Each of the three WG experts independently reviewed if the eligibility criteria set out in the guidance for electrical waterbath stunning (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a) were met by the study. Since the submitted study did not meet the eligibility criteria, neither a full assessment of the animal welfare implications of the proposed alternative stunning intervention (ToR2), nor a systematic review of the electrical requirements applicable for waterbath stunning equipment (ToR3) were undertaken.
4. Assessment of eligibility criteria
4.1. Intervention of study one
The information provided in the submitted study was assessed following the procedure detailed in the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). A detailed evaluation of the reported parameters in the submitted study is presented in Table 1 (Appendix). The basis for the conclusions drawn by the AHAW Panel is summarised below. Only those aspects that were not considered adequate are commented upon.
Importantly, the Table presented in Section 5 of the submitted study does not specify whether the information provided is related to the laboratory study, the study under slaughterhouse conditions, or both. Nor is this Table referred to in the body of the text. As a result, it was impossible to assess the information presented in Section 5. Therefore, the assessment below, and in the Tables in the Appendix, was restricted to information that was supported by descriptive text in the body of the manuscript.
The parameters of the intervention were presented in an inconsistent and contradictory manner. It was not possible to unequivocally determine which intervention parameters were applied when and where during the study. Key parameters (see Table 4, Section 3.1.2.2 of the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a)) were not described adequately - for example, calibration of the equipment, optimisation of the current flow, information on the concentration and type of salt used in the waterbath (chemical formula), information on the cleanliness of chickens, etc.
The electrical stunning equipment is not adequately described. For example, it is not clear whether a constant voltage source was used to stun broilers individually and how this minimum voltage was set to deliver the minimum current to birds. In the manuscript, it is mentioned (Section 2.1.1.1) that the electrical parameters were verified using a hand-held digital multimeter (usually called ‘Galinha Electrônica’) made by Fluxo® - however, neither the manner in which this was done, nor the results of the measurements, are provided.
Information provided in the submitted manuscript regarding the maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s) for frequency over 50 Hz was insufficient regarding the duration of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness induced by stunning should be longer than the sum of time interval between the end of stunning and neck cutting and the time it takes for death to occur due to blood loss.
The authors state that the same procedures were followed in the slaughterhouse as in the laboratory (Section 2.1.1.2). However, besides this statement, no further description was provided, making it impossible to assess the slaughterhouse study.
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4.2. Outcome of study one
4.2.1. Onset of unconsciousness and insensibility
Research studies evaluating stunning methods require well controlled experiments under laboratory conditions as a first step to characterise the animals’ responses (unconsciousness, absence of pain if the induction of unconsciousness is not immediate) using the most sensitive and specific methods available (e.g. behaviour, EEG, physiological response) and to establish the correlations between these measurements and non-invasive animal-based parameters that can be applied in slaughterhouses (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). Alternative stunning methods or parameters should disrupt the neuronal function and, thereby, render animals unconscious and insensible. The extent of disruption caused by a stunning intervention, and the induction of unconsciousness and insensibility, are best demonstrated using EEGs and ECoGs (EFSA, 2004, 2013; EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a,b,c). As described in the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a), it is acceptable that studies reporting interventions assess the onset of unconsciousness as this state is always accompanied by the onset of insensibility.
In studies under laboratory conditions, unconsciousness and insensibility can be determined by the following EEG patterns: induction of a generalised epileptiform activity in the brain, which can be recognised from the predominance of 8-13 Hz high-amplitude EEG activity in mammals and possibly slightly lower frequency in poultry which should be followed by a quiescent EEG, or an immediate onset of a quiescent EEG, or abolition of visual or auditory evoked responses or potentials in the brain immediately after the stunning.
4.2.2. Study under controlled laboratory conditions
The information provided in the submitted study was assessed following the procedure detailed in the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). A detailed evaluation of the reported parameters in the submitted study is presented in Table 2 (Appendix). The basis for the conclusions drawn by the AHAW Panel is summarised below. Only those aspects that were not considered adequate are commented upon.
EEG recording and analysis – The results are inconsistent with the methodology described in the method Section. It is stated in the method Section that the EEG signals were analysed and filtered into four frequency bands but data relevant to only one of the frequency (delta) band is reported in the results Section, although no conclusions about the predominance of delta bands is provided. In addition, the implications of changes in the EEG frequency bands for the degree of unconsciousness are neither reported nor discussed. The occurrence of quiescent EEG with less than 10 % of the pre- stun EEG total power following the epileptiform activity is not considered/demonstrated as an indicator of unconsciousness.
EEG results - The results in Table 3 of the submitted study show that there is no loss of consciousness within one second which should be the case according to the guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). An exposure to the stunning parameters for 15 seconds prior to the onset of unconsciousness is unacceptably long. There is no information on the absence of pain to the animals before the onset of unconsciousness. Therefore, the intervention does not fulfil the requirements of stunning, i.e. induction of immediate loss of consciousness without causing avoidable pain, distress and suffering.
Animal-based measures to detect onset of unconsciousness (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a) are immediate onset of tonic seizures and apnoea following electrical water bath stunning – these were not reported in the study. Instead, the study reports resumption of breathing as the earliest sign of recovery of consciousness. However, in the absence of any evidence of epileptiform activity in the brain, or tonic seizures, the resumption of breathing alone cannot be used as an indicator of a return to consciousness. This is because electro-immobilisation can also produce apnoea followed by recovery of breathing without loss of consciousness. Therefore, recovery of breathing on its own is not a reliable indicator.
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According to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094, electrical stunning of animals, including waterbath stunning of poultry, must induce generalised epileptiform activity in the EEG. This is because the occurrence of epileptiform EEG activity indicates successful induction of unconsciousness following electrical stunning.
Scientific literature concerning epilepsy in humans indicates that focal or partial epilepsy involving a group of neurons, region of the brain or one cerebral hemisphere is not always associated with unconsciousness (e.g. see Lux et al., 2002). On the other hand, a kind of generalised epilepsy, involving both cerebral hemispheres, that is always associated with unconsciousness in humans is grand mal (e.g. ILAE, 1981). Techniques for the classification of EEG signals for identification of epilepsy in humans have been developed (Kulkarni, 2013), but have not been tested under electrical stunning situations. Nevertheless, occurrence of generalised epilepsy following electrical stunning can be recognised from the occurrence of highly synchronised 8 to 13 Hz electrical activity in the EEG of animals. However, there is some indication that a low frequency epileptiform activity occurs in poultry (Gregory, 1986). In any case, the epileptiform activity should always be followed by a quiescent EEG which is less than 10 % of the pre-stun power content (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a).
4.2.2.1. Conclusion
The evidence presented in the submitted study showed that the intervention did not produce unconsciousness without causing avoidable pain, distress and suffering.
4.2.3. Study under slaughterhouse conditions
The information provided in the submitted study was assessed following the procedure detailed in the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). A detailed evaluation of the reported parameters in the submitted study is presented in Table 3 (Appendix). The basis for the conclusions drawn by the AHAW Panel is summarised below. Only those aspects that were not considered adequate are commented upon.
Only one bird at a time was monitored - this is not representative of real slaughterhouse conditions, under which several chickens are stunned in the waterbath simultaneously. Therefore, this study cannot be considered representative of commercial slaughterhouse conditions.
Start and end of EEG measurement - No additional details are reported beyond those provided for the laboratory study (which were inadequate – see above).
EEG measurement - Exposure time is not reported. The results of EEG analysis considered the drop in power of the 2-30 Hz band in 1 second epochs and the drop in the ratio of the power in the delta band compared to the other bands before and after stunning. This is not mentioned in the method Section of the submitted study and these EEG parameters were not evaluated in the laboratory study.
EEG recoding and analysis - Changes in the frequency bands are not always reliably demonstrated. The requirement is epileptiform EEG following stunning and the parameters are not sufficient to achieve this in the birds. It is reported that 15 seconds application produced epileptiform EEG for 15 seconds, but suppressed EEG did not follow.
EEG results - Figure 7 of the submitted study is not clear regarding the number of birds used i.e. n = 32, whereas in the text (Section 2.1.1.2) it is stated that 30 animals were tested. Data on the average duration of unconsciousness presented in this figure is not based on the duration of epileptiform EEG.
The EEG trace presented in Figure 11 of the submitted study does not show pre-stun EEG and therefore it is difficult to ascertain whether the ictal EEG is indeed epileptiform activity.
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Animal-based measures to detect onset of unconsciousness – As noted above, recovery of breathing on its own is not a reliable indicator. Further, the results presented in Figure 9 of the submitted study are unclear (the number of n = 71 is not clear because in the method Section 2.1.1.2 it is stated that 30 birds were used in the commercial study under slaughterhouse conditions).
Additional considerations - Commercial multiple bird electrical waterbath stunners contain many birds (e.g. 30). As birds enter a stunner supplied with a constant voltage, they form a continuously changing parallel electrical circuit (Sparrey et al., 1993). Under this situation, each bird will receive a current inversely proportional to the electrical resistance or impedance in the pathway. The effective electrical impedance can vary between birds, usually 1000 to 2600 Ohms in broilers and 1900 and 7000 Ohms in layer hens (Schütt-Abraham et al., 1987; Schütt-Abraham and Wormuth, 1991). In fact, most of the electrical impedance in the pathway between the electrified water bath and the earth is attributed to poor contact between the legs of the bird and the metal shackles. The implication of this is that tighter shackle-leg fittings will reduce the electrical impedance at the expense of increased suffering due to pain. However, as a result of the variable electrical impedance, it will be impossible to deliver to each bird in a water bath stunner the pre-set minimum current necessary to achieve humane stunning (Sparrey et al., 1992).
4.2.3.1. Conclusion
The study carried out under slaughterhouse conditions applied the same intervention as the laboratory study. Therefore, it also fails to meet the eligibility criteria (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). Further, since only one bird at a time was monitored, this study cannot be considered representative of commercial slaughterhouse conditions.
4.2.4. Absence of pain, distress and suffering until the loss of consciousness and sensibility
The information provided in the submitted study was assessed following the procedure detailed in the EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a). A detailed evaluation of the reported parameters in the submitted study is presented in Table 4 (Appendix). The basis for the conclusions drawn by the AHAW Panel is summarised below. Not all parameters apply because electrical stunning must induce immediate loss of consciousness. In the event of a prolonged application of an electric current below the threshold necessary to produce unconsciousness will cause pain and suffering. Only those aspects that were not considered adequate are commented upon.
There is no evidence that the proposed intervention induced immediate unconsciousness.
No description was provided, for either the laboratory or slaughterhouse studies, of how birds were anaesthetised when they were implanted with two electrodes positioned under the skullcap through the skin and skull onto the brain lobes for EEG recording as outlined buy the authors. A reference to a standard protocol for EEG measurement was not present.
4.2.4.1. Conclusion
The results of study one showed clearly that the proposed electrical stunning parameters had to be applied for a minimum of 15 seconds to produce epileptiform activity in the EEG. This prolonged application of an electric current through the whole body of poultry, while the animal is still conscious, would cause pain, distress and suffering until the loss of consciousness.
4.2.5. Duration of unconsciousness and insensibility
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 states that unconsciousness and insensibility induced by stunning should last until the moment of death. Studies in a controlled environment should determine the duration of unconsciousness and insensibility using EEG. Based upon the obtained results (e.g. the shortest time to recovery of consciousness observed minus two standard deviations), the maximal stun-to-stick/-kill time interval can be defined that guarantees unequivocal loss of consciousness and sensibility until the moment of death (EFSA, 2004). The applicability of the stun-to-stick/-kill interval
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should then be analysed under slaughterhouse conditions using indicators recognising recovery of consciousness and sensibility that correlate with EEGs as established in controlled environment studies. It is acceptable that studies on alternative stunning parameters assess only the duration of unconsciousness as this will always precede the recovery of sensibility.
In the submitted study, EEG was recorded as an indicator of onset of unconsciousness and the resumption of rhythmic breathing was taken as an indicator of return of consciousness following stunning in the laboratory study and in the study under slaughterhouse conditions. The results regarding the variables used to assess the duration of unconsciousness are not reported. However, conclusions about the duration of unconsciousness appear to be based on the occurrence of delta EEG activity. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was reported to be 11 seconds, which is too short to permit a feasible stun-to-stick interval. Further, it is also doubtful that recovery of consciousness could be avoided prior to neck cutting and/or during bleeding. This interpretation is also supported by the data concerning time to resumption of breathing (Figure 9 in the submitted study). The minimum time to resumption of breathing was reported to be 8 seconds following stunning.
4.2.5.1. Conclusion
The submitted study clearly shows that the electrical stunning parameters failed to induce immediate unconsciousness in all the birds. The duration of unconsciousness achieved, even after 15 seconds of exposure to the electrical parameters, is not long enough to prevent recovery of consciousness before neck cutting or during bleeding.
4.3. Assessment of study two providing details on measurement of the electric current that flows into the bird brain
The description of the methods for study two (Section 2.2.1) states that 11 birds were individually stunned and slaughtered. Electrodes were implanted in the brain of each dead bird. The relevance and rationale for this approach that is put forward is unsubstantiated. The current registered in the brain of a dead bird is irrelevant because the crucial aspect for studies such as this is to demonstrate that the intervention renders the birds unconscious and insensible to pain until the time of death. In addition, measurements made in the brain of dead animals do not give any indication of whether live birds are subjected to avoidable pain or suffering prior to the induction of unconsciousness by the intervention. Therefore, this experiment does not provide any relevant additional information.
5. Reporting quality
5.1. Assessment of the reporting quality of the submitted studies based on the selected parameters
The assessed studies did not pass the eligibility assessment and, therefore, reporting quality was not assessed (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a).
6. Methodological quality
6.1. Quality assessment of the internal validity of the submitted studies
The assessed studies did not pass the eligibility assessment and, therefore, methodological quality was not assessed (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSIONS The study does not provide enough information upon which to base an assessment of the scientific approach and parameters tested.
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Nonetheless, the information provided was sufficient to conclude that the birds were not rendered immediately unconscious by the intervention. Application of a current less than that required to induce immediate unconsciousness causes pain, distress and suffering. The study failed to demonstrate absence of pain and suffering until onset of unconsciousness. The minimum duration of unconsciousness was too short to ensure unconsciousness until death by bleeding.
RECOMMENDATIONS The complexity of multiple bird electrical waterbath stunning systems used in poultry slaughterhouses, such as the one assessed here, are not conducive to maintaining good animal welfare and, therefore, alternatives should be developed/implemented. Studies such as the one assessed here should consider the internationally accepted principles referred to as the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement according to Directive 2010/63/EU6) which recommend approaches to minimize the use of animals for experimental purposes in line with the European Regulation on protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
REFERENCES
ILAE (Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy), 1981. Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalographic classification of epileptic seizures. Epilepsia, 22, 489 - 501.
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2004. Welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing the main commercial species of animals. The EFSA Journal 2004, 45, 1–29.
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2005. Aspects of the biology and welfare of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The EFSA Journal 2005, 292, 1–46.
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2006. Opinion on the welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing applied to commercially farmed deer, goats, rabbits, ostriches, ducks, geese and quail. The EFSA Journal 2006, 326, 1-18.
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2013. Outcome of a public consultation on the Draft Guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions regarding animal protection at the time of killing. EFSA supporting publication 2013:EN-530, 20 pp.
EFSA AHAW Panel (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare), 2012. Scientific Opinion on electrical requirements for waterbath equipment applicable for poultry. EFSA Journal 2012;10(6):2757, 80 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2757
EFSA AHAW Panel (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare), 2013a. Guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions regarding animal protection at the time of killing. EFSA Journal 2013;11(12):3486, 41 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3486
EFSA AHAW Panel (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare), 2013b. Scientific Opinion on monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry. EFSA Journal 2013;11(12):3521, 65 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3521
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APPENDIX
Assessment of eligibility criteria
Table 1: Parameters assessed when applying a stunning intervention based on electrical waterbath stunning, based on Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 and on further details of requirements as determined by the EFSA guidance (corresponding to Table 4 (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a)).
Parameter
Component
Description presented in study
(all specifications should be in internationally recognised units)
Information provided in Section 5 was not taken into account unless supported in the body of text in the submitted manuscript
Fulfilment criterion (yes, no or not applicable)
Minimum current
(A or mA)
Current type
Alternating current
Yes
Waveform
Square waves 50 % Duty cycle
Yes
Minimum
current (a)
104 ± 3,88 mA r.m.s
Yes
Minimum voltage (V)
Exposed minimum voltage (V) (a)
125,86 ± 3,88 r.m.s
Yes
Delivered minimum voltage (V) (a)
Automatic process for voltage distribution according to the whole system resistance.
No
Frequency (Hz)
Maximum frequency
(Hz)
590/600
Yes
Minimum frequency (Hz)
589.78 ± 0.63
Yes
Frequency of calibration of the equipment
In the manuscript, Section 2.1.1.1 it is mentioned that ‘the electrical parameters were verified using a hand-held digital multimeter (usually called ‘Galinha Electrônica’) made by Fluxo®
No
Prevention of electrical shocks before stunning
None
Not applicable
Minimising pain at shackling
None
Not applicable
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Table 1: Parameters assessed when applying a stunning intervention based on electrical waterbath stunning, based on Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20094 and on further details of requirements as determined by the EFSA guidance (corresponding to Table 4 (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a)) (continued)
Parameter
Component
Description presented in study
(all specifications should be in internationally recognised units)
Information provided in Section 5 was not taken into account unless supported in the body of text in the submitted manuscript
Fulfilment criterion (yes, no or not applicable)
Optimisation of the current flow
Shackles
Wetting the leg shackle contact
Contact with earth bar
None
No
Waterbath and electrode characteristics
None
No
Water conductivity
None
No
Electricity source characteristics
None
No
Electrical resistance/impedance
Mixed flocks – male and female, average 3.3 kg, Ross and Cobb strains
No
Maximum shackle duration before stunning
None
No
Minimum time of exposure for each bird
According to Table 3, exposure time varied between 1 and 15 seconds in the laboratory study. Only 15 seconds exposure produced epileptiform activity in all the birds (n = 5).
No.
Immersion of the birds up to the base of the wings
None
No
Maximum stun-to- stick/kill interval(s) for frequency over 50 Hz(a, b)
In the method Section 2.1.2 it is stated that the birds underwent ventral cut 10 seconds after leaving the waterbath. In the results Section it is mentioned that
bleeding takes place within 12, 10 and 8 seconds, respectively, after stunning (text Section 3.1.1.2 ‘physical signs’).
No
(a): Provide information on mean or median and range and standard deviation or interquartile range.
(b): In case of simple stunning.
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Table 2: Information provided in the laboratory study by the submitted study in relation to the onset of unconsciousness and insensibility (3.2.1 of EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a))
Laboratory study
Information provided in the submitted manuscript
Is the criterion described/met adequately?
(yes, no or not possible to assess)
Start and end of EEG measurement
In the submitted study the information is provided that the EEG was recorded 80 seconds before and 80 seconds after stunning before sticking (Section 2.1.1.1).
Yes
EEG measurement
For the EEG registration, the birds were individually implanted with 2 needle electrodes
(55 % silver, 21 % copper, 24 % zinc of 10 mm x 1.5 mm diameter) positioned under the skullcap through the skin and skull onto the brain lobes (0.3 cm left and right of the sagittal suture and 0.5 mm toward an imaginary transverse line at the caudal margin of the eyes). The electrodes were sealed using adhesive tape.
Yes
EEG recording analysis
Information from last paragraph of Section 2.1.1.1: The EEG was collected at a sample frequency of 120 Hz and the digital signal obtained was processed using fast Fourrier transformation (FFT), implemented using the MATLAB tool to obtain the frequency spectrum of different stretches associated with different events on the EEG. Several successive artifact-free stretches were also analyzed and filtered into four frequency bands: delta (0.3-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (12-30 Hz).
Elliptical filters integrated onto a visual tool developed at the MATLAB® were used. In each of these frequency bands, the energy of the signal obtained was calculated using MATLAB® signal processing toolbox.
Spike-and-slow-wave-complex (SASWC) (known as petite mal) and spike-or-sharp-wave (SOSW) (common to several different types of epilepsy) are referred in the results Section (3.1.1.1)
No
EEG results
In the submitted study one sample recording of epileptic EEG obtained after 15 seconds stunning is shown in Figure 5. The epileptic ictal stage has 12 seconds of duration. However the legend of the figure mentions 15 seconds of electrical exposure.
Epileptic patterns in the EEG were detected by analyzing the spectral power density. The results show that the electrical parameters tested will induce epilepsy in all birds after 15 seconds of exposure to the electrical current and that the energy of the epilepsy generated depends on the time of exposure to the electric shock. In fact, the tested parameters did not cause epilepsy within 1 second in 100 % of the chickens. In fact an application of the chosen current parameters for up to 12 seconds failed to induce epileptiform EEG in all the birds.
A minimum exposure time of 15 seconds is needed to result in unconsciousness – there is no evidence that the animals are not subjected to avoidable pain during the stun.
No
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Table 3: Information provided in the study under slaughterhouse conditions by the submitted study in relation to the onset of unconsciousness and insensibility (3.2.1 of EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a))
Study under slaughterhouse conditions
Information provided
Is the criterion described/met adequately?
(yes, no or not possible to assess)
Start and end of EEG measurement
In the submitted study it is stated that the same procedure as in the laboratory was followed.
No
EEG measurement
In the submitted study it is stated that the same procedure as in the laboratory was followed.
A separate Section of the submitted study describes the continued evaluation of the EEG of chickens during bleeding.
No
EEG recording analysis
In the submitted study it is outlined that the EEG analysis considered the drop in power of the 2-30 Hz band in 1 second epochs and the drop in the ratio of the power in the Delta band compared to the other bands before and after stunning.
Not possible to assess
EEG results
In the submitted study data showed an average time of unconsciousness of 32 seconds with a standard deviation of 14 seconds. Such variation in is expected due to individual impedance variations which influence the current that the bird receives while immersed in the waterbath. The distribution of the time of chicken unconsciousness following stunning is shown in Figure 7.
Results of continued evaluation of the EEG of chickens during bleeding show that the EEG of birds bled by a deep ventral cut (2T) after stunning in Figure 11.
The EEG at the moment of the cut is also marked by epileptic forms. Following cutting, the amplitude of the EEG drops considerably. After 35 seconds, the bird's EEG reaches a very low amplitude value, providing evidence of death.
In the submitted study, Figure 12 reports the distribution of time between stunning and death.
No
ABM to detect onset of unconsciousness
In the submitted study resumption of rhythmic breathing as a sign of return of consciousness. A paragraph about physical signs of unconsciousness after stunning is reported in Figure 9. Evidence of death through observation of dilated pupils, absence of breathing and relaxation of the neck and wings during bleeding was performed.
No
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Table 4: Information provided by the submitted study in relation to animal based measures (ABM) associated with pain, distress and suffering during the induction of unconsciousness (3.2.1 of EFSA guidance (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2013a))
Response type
Groups of ABM
Study under laboratory conditions
Study under slaughterhouse conditions
Do the ABMs suggest pain, distress and suffering (yes, no or not possible to assess, not appliable)
Behaviour
Vocalisation
Information was not provided
Information was not provided
No
Postures and movements
Information was not provided
Information was not provided
No
General behaviour
Information was not provided
Information was not provided
No
Physiological response
Hormones concentration
Information was not provided
Information was not provided
Not applicable for electrical stunning interventions
Blood metabolites
Information was not provided
Information was not provided
Not applicable for electrical stunning interventions
Autonomic responses
Resumption of rhythmic breathing
Resumption of rhythmic breathing
In this context this ABM is not related to absence of pain, only an indicator for recovery of consciousness.
Neurological response
Brain activity
EEG was measured
EEG was measured
Not applicable for electrical stunning interventions
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ABBREVIATIONS
ABM Animal-based measure
AHAW Panel EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare
EC European Commission
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
ECoG Electrocorticogram
EEG Electroencephalogram
r.m.s. root mean square