A decision-tree-based model for evaluating the thermal comfort of horses

Thermal comfort is of great importance in preserving body temperature homeostasis during thermal stress conditions. Although the thermal comfort of horses has been widely studied, there is no report of its relationship with surface temperature (T S). This study aimed to assess the potential of data mining techniques as a tool to associate surface temperature with thermal comfort of horses. T S was obtained using infrared thermography image processing. Physiological and environmental variables were used to define the predicted class, which classified thermal comfort as "comfort" and "discomfort". The variables of armpit, croup, breast and groin T S of horses and the predicted classes were then subjected to a machine learning process. All variables in the dataset were considered relevant for the classification problem and the decision-tree model yielded an accuracy rate of 74 %. The feature selection methods used to reduce computational cost and simplify predictive learning decreased model accuracy to 70 %; however, the model became simpler with easily interpretable rules. For both these selection methods and for the classification using all attributes, armpit and breast T S had a higher power rating for predicting thermal comfort. Data mining techniques show promise in the discovery of new variables associated with the thermal comfort of horses.

A decision-tree-based model for evaluating the thermal comfort of horses

Thermal comfort is of great importance in preserving body temperature homeostasis during thermal stress conditions. Although the thermal comfort of horses has been widely studied, there is no report of its relationship with surface temperature (T S). This study aimed to assess the potential of data mining techniques as a tool to associate surface temperature with thermal comfort of horses. T S was obtained using infrared thermography image processing. Physiological and environmental variables were used to define the predicted class, which classified thermal comfort as "comfort" and "discomfort". The variables of armpit, croup, breast and groin T S of horses and the predicted classes were then subjected to a machine learning process. All variables in the dataset were considered relevant for the classification problem and the decision-tree model yielded an accuracy rate of 74 %. The feature selection methods used to reduce computational cost and simplify predictive learning decreased model accuracy to 70 %; however, the model became simpler with easily interpretable rules. For both these selection methods and for the classification using all attributes, armpit and breast T S had a higher power rating for predicting thermal comfort. Data mining techniques show promise in the discovery of new variables associated with the thermal comfort of horses.

Leg tissue composition of goat kids according to racial group, weight and gender / Proporção tecidual da perna de caprinos jovens em função do grupo racial, peso de abate e sexo

To evaluate the effect of breed group, slaughter weight and sex on tissue proportion of the leg and muscle, bone and fat ratio in confined kids, seventy-four goats of both sex were used and divided among breed groups: Alpine (A), ½ Nubian + ½ Alpine (½ ANA), ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA), ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA) and ½ Nubian + » Alpine + » Boer, (Three cross - TC), at three slaughter weights (25, 30 and 35 kg). Leg represented 31.01% of half carcass, where 62.29% was total muscle, 21.45% total bone and 8.35% total fat. Alpine animals had higher bone weight than other groups. Male kids had higher muscle and bone proportion, whereas females had higher subcutaneous and intramuscular fat in leg. The percentage of total weight of the muscle, five muscles, adductor muscle, quadriceps muscle and femur were higher in the slaughter weights of 25 and 30 kg.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito do grupo racial, sexo e peso de abate, na proporção tecidual da perna de caprinos jovens criados em sistema de confinamento. Foram utilizados 74 cabritos, de ambos os sexos divididos dentre os grupos raciais: Alpina (A), ½ Anglo- Nubiana +½ Alpina (½ ANA), ½ Boer + ½ Alpina (½ BA), ¾ Boer + » Alpina (¾ BA) e ½ Anglo- Nubiana + » Alpina + » Boer (Tricross- TC), com três pesos de abate (25, 30 e 35 kg). A perna representou 31,01% da meia carcaça, sendo 62,29% de músculo total, 21,45% de osso total e 8,35% de gordura total. Os representantes da raça Alpina apresentaram maior peso dos ossos que os outros grupos. Os machos apresentaram maior proporção de músculos e ossos, e as fêmeas maiores quantidade de gordura subcutânea e intermuscular da perna. A porcentagem de peso do músculo total, cinco músculos, músculo adductor, músculo quadríceps e fêmur foram superiores nos pesos de abate de 25 e 30 kg.

Effect of recombinant bovine somatrotopina (rbST) in goats quantitative carcass characteristics from different breed groups / Efeito da somatrotopina bovina recombinante (rbST) nas características quantitativas da carcaça de caprinos de diferentes grupos genéticos

Twenty-three male goats of three genetic groups were used: 8 Alpine (A), 4 ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA) and 11 ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA), from which 11 animals were the control group (4 A, 2 ½ BA and 5 ¾ BA) and 12 received rbST (4 A, 2 ½ BA and 6 ¾ BA). Growth hormone used was recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) (T2) and animals from control group (T1) received 0.3 mg kg-1 of body weight of saline solution, from 45 days of life, adjusted at 14 days intervals. It was not detected the influence of rbST in carcass characteristics evaluated. Animals from Alpine breed showed higher values of carcass internal length and leg length in relation to ¾ BA animals. Alpine breed goat showed higher muscle/fat related to animals ¾ BA. It was not evident the superiority of half-breed Boer animals in relation to Alpine breed on goats carcass characteristics of growing. However, Alpine breed showed unfavorable characteristics, by higher carcass internal length and shoulder bone proportion.

Foram utilizados 23 machos inteiros de três grupos genéticos, sendo 8 da raça Alpina (A), 4 ½ Boer + ½ Alpina (½ BA) e 11 ¾ Boer + » Alpina (¾ BA), dos quais 11 foram controle (4 A, 2 ½ BA e 5 ¾ BA) e 12 receberam rbST (4 A, 2 ½ BA e 6 ¾ BA). O hormônio de crescimento utilizado foi a somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) e os animais controle (T1) receberam solução salina na quantidade de 0,3 mg kg-1 de peso vivo, a partir dos 45 dias, ajustada em intervalos de 14 dias e os animais do tratamento 2 receberam o hormônio na mesma dosagem e intervalo. Não foi detectada nenhuma influência da rbST nas características de carcaça avaliadas. Os animais da raça Alpina apresentaram valores superiores para o comprimento interno da carcaça e comprimento da perna, em relação aos animais ¾ BA. Os cabritos da raça Alpina apresentaram uma maior relação músculo/gordura em relação aos animais ¾ BA. Não ficou evidenciada a superioridade nas características da carcaça de caprinos em crescimento dos animais mestiços Boer em relação aos da raça Alpina, entretanto estes apresentaram características desfavoráveis, pelo maior comprimento interno da carcaça e maior proporção de osso na paleta.

Effect of recombinant bovine somatrotopina (rbST) in goats quantitative carcass characteristics from different breed groups / Efeito da somatrotopina bovina recombinante (rbST) nas características quantitativas da carcaça de caprinos de diferentes grupos genéticos

Twenty-three male goats of three genetic groups were used: 8 Alpine (A), 4 ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA) and 11 ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA), from which 11 animals were the control group (4 A, 2 ½ BA and 5 ¾ BA) and 12 received rbST (4 A, 2 ½ BA and 6 ¾ BA). Growth hormone used was recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) (T2) and animals from control group (T1) received 0.3 mg kg-1 of body weight of saline solution, from 45 days of life, adjusted at 14 days intervals. It was not detected the influence of rbST in carcass characteristics evaluated. Animals from Alpine breed showed higher values of carcass internal length and leg length in relation to ¾ BA animals. Alpine breed goat showed higher muscle/fat related to animals ¾ BA. It was not evident the superiority of half-breed Boer animals in relation to Alpine breed on goats carcass characteristics of growing. However, Alpine breed showed unfavorable characteristics, by higher carcass internal length and shoulder bone proportion.

Foram utilizados 23 machos inteiros de três grupos genéticos, sendo 8 da raça Alpina (A), 4 ½ Boer + ½ Alpina (½ BA) e 11 ¾ Boer + » Alpina (¾ BA), dos quais 11 foram controle (4 A, 2 ½ BA e 5 ¾ BA) e 12 receberam rbST (4 A, 2 ½ BA e 6 ¾ BA). O hormônio de crescimento utilizado foi a somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) e os animais controle (T1) receberam solução salina na quantidade de 0,3 mg kg-1 de peso vivo, a partir dos 45 dias, ajustada em intervalos de 14 dias e os animais do tratamento 2 receberam o hormônio na mesma dosagem e intervalo. Não foi detectada nenhuma influência da rbST nas características de carcaça avaliadas. Os animais da raça Alpina apresentaram valores superiores para o comprimento interno da carcaça e comprimento da perna, em relação aos animais ¾ BA. Os cabritos da raça Alpina apresentaram uma maior relação músculo/gordura em relação aos animais ¾ BA. Não ficou evidenciada a superioridade nas características da carcaça de caprinos em crescimento dos animais mestiços Boer em relação aos da raça Alpina, entretanto estes apresentaram características desfavoráveis, pelo maior comprimento interno da carcaça e maior proporção de osso na paleta.

Roughages for goat milk production / Alimentos volumosos na produção de leite de cabra

The objective of this paper was to compare dried corn plant (DCP) as a roughage (R) source for lactating goats to roughages traditionally used for feeding ruminants: alfalfa hay (AH) and coastcross hay (CCH). Twenty-one crossbred goats weighing an average of 66.48 kg were used. After reaching their lactation peak, they were distributed among seven 3 x 3 latin squares. Each experimental diet consisted of one of the roughages fed ad lib plus a commercial concentrate (C) for lactating goats, fed on a basis of 1 kg for every 2.5 kg of milk. Each group, composed by seven animals kept in a collective bay with slatted floor, stayed in each treatment for two weeks; the first week was an adaptation period, whereas milk yield measurements and milk samples were collected during the second week. Dry or as-fed matter intake was higher in AH than in DCP or CCH. No treatment effect on C intake was detected. The higher dry matter intake in AH led to higher intakes of crude protein, ether extract, minerals, nitrogen-free extract, total digestible nutrients and acid detergent fiber, both in R and in the total diet (R + C). No treatment effect was observed for either crude fiber or neutral detergent fiber intakes in R and in R+C. Milk yield and milk PB content were higher in AH than in DCP or CCH; however, milk yield corrected for 3.5% fat and body weight loss were higher in AH than in CCH, but

Desenvolveu-se o presente estudo com o objetivo de avaliar a planta do milho desidratada (MD) como volumoso na produção de leite de cabras e seus constituintes frente a volumosos tradicionalmente utilizados na alimentação de ruminantes: o feno de alfafa (FA) e o feno de Coastcross (FCC). Utilizaram-se 21 cabras mestiças com peso médio de 66,48 kg que, após o pico de lactação, foram distribuídas em sete quadrados latinos 3 x 3. As dietas experimentais foram compostas por cada um dos alimentos volumosos, fornecido à vontade e concentrado (C) comercial para cabras em lactação, fornecido na base de 1kg para cada 2,5 kg de leite. Cada grupo, composto por sete animais, alojados em baias coletivas em piso ripado, permaneceu por duas semanas em cada tratamento experimental, sendo a primeira semana de adaptação e a segunda de coleta das amostras de leite e registro diário da produção de leite. O consumo do FA foi maior que do MD e do FCC, com base na matéria natural (MN) e na matéria seca (MS). O consumo de concentrado não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos. O maior consumo de MS do FA levou os animais a ingerirem maiores quantidades de proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), minerais (MIN), extrato não nitrogenado (ENN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) do que os alimentados com MD e FCC, tanto no V quanto na dieta total (V+C). Não foi observado e

Roughages for goat milk production / Alimentos volumosos na produção de leite de cabra

The objective of this paper was to compare dried corn plant (DCP) as a roughage (R) source for lactating goats to roughages traditionally used for feeding ruminants: alfalfa hay (AH) and coastcross hay (CCH). Twenty-one crossbred goats weighing an average of 66.48 kg were used. After reaching their lactation peak, they were distributed among seven 3 x 3 latin squares. Each experimental diet consisted of one of the roughages fed ad lib plus a commercial concentrate (C) for lactating goats, fed on a basis of 1 kg for every 2.5 kg of milk. Each group, composed by seven animals kept in a collective bay with slatted floor, stayed in each treatment for two weeks; the first week was an adaptation period, whereas milk yield measurements and milk samples were collected during the second week. Dry or as-fed matter intake was higher in AH than in DCP or CCH. No treatment effect on C intake was detected. The higher dry matter intake in AH led to higher intakes of crude protein, ether extract, minerals, nitrogen-free extract, total digestible nutrients and acid detergent fiber, both in R and in the total diet (R + C). No treatment effect was observed for either crude fiber or neutral detergent fiber intakes in R and in R+C. Milk yield and milk PB content were higher in AH than in DCP or CCH; however, milk yield corrected for 3.5% fat and body weight loss were higher in AH than in CCH, but

Desenvolveu-se o presente estudo com o objetivo de avaliar a planta do milho desidratada (MD) como volumoso na produção de leite de cabras e seus constituintes frente a volumosos tradicionalmente utilizados na alimentação de ruminantes: o feno de alfafa (FA) e o feno de Coastcross (FCC). Utilizaram-se 21 cabras mestiças com peso médio de 66,48 kg que, após o pico de lactação, foram distribuídas em sete quadrados latinos 3 x 3. As dietas experimentais foram compostas por cada um dos alimentos volumosos, fornecido à vontade e concentrado (C) comercial para cabras em lactação, fornecido na base de 1kg para cada 2,5 kg de leite. Cada grupo, composto por sete animais, alojados em baias coletivas em piso ripado, permaneceu por duas semanas em cada tratamento experimental, sendo a primeira semana de adaptação e a segunda de coleta das amostras de leite e registro diário da produção de leite. O consumo do FA foi maior que do MD e do FCC, com base na matéria natural (MN) e na matéria seca (MS). O consumo de concentrado não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos. O maior consumo de MS do FA levou os animais a ingerirem maiores quantidades de proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), minerais (MIN), extrato não nitrogenado (ENN), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) do que os alimentados com MD e FCC, tanto no V quanto na dieta total (V+C). Não foi observado e