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Simple Summary: Poultry management prior to transport can result in animal stress, injuries, and mortality. Here, we aimed to gather information from Flemish poultry farmers about their current pre-transport practices (i.e., selection of unfit chickens, catching preparation, catching, and crating) for spent hens and broilers. The results showed that a minority of farmers performed catch preparation, such as pre-selecting chickens unfit for transport. Practices on layer farms were less aligned with the EU legislation for water and feed withdrawal than on broiler farms. All birds were caught inverted except for one broiler farmer who used mechanical catching. Although mechanical catching may involve extra costs, increased biosecurity risks, and specific recommendations for the stable (height and width), it was reported as the preferred method for broiler catchers' well-being. Upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, mechanically, or by the wings. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for pre-catch selection, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. Pre-catch measures (e.g., closing the area under the aviary system, removing litter) can streamline the catching process and reduce animal suffering. The pre-transport phase induces stress, fear, and injury in poultry, but management choices greatly influence this. Pre-transport practices for spent hens and broilers in Flanders (Belgium) were studied. Poultry farmers (31 of 156 layers and 48 of 203 broiler farmers completed the survey) were surveyed on the selection of unfit chickens, catching and crating, and farmer opinion. A minority of farmers made a specific selection of chickens unfit for transport prior to catching (layers 25%: 5.1 ± 5.9 h, broilers 39%: 6.8 ± 7.0 h). More layer (69%) than broiler farmers (19%) withdrew feed too early (EU regulations stipulate max. 12 h before expected slaughter time). Layer farmers withdrew water earlier than broiler farmers (47.9 ± 51.1 min vs. 20.6 ± 23.3 min). More broiler than layer farmers believed that the container type affects the birds' welfare (48% vs. 27%; p < 0.05). On broiler farms, mechanical catching was preferred for catchers' well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, wings, or mechanically. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for additional selection before catching, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In material handling, numerous solutions have been proposed to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of transport systems. Among these solutions, smart surfaces stand out as one of the most interesting responses, utilizing an array of actuators for common feeding tasks. The current paper focuses on a novel system within this category, notable for its distinguishing factor of being underactuated. With this characteristic, the concept leads to a simplified cost-effective design and a not actively driven functioning, leveraging gravity or object own velocity to manipulate the material flow maintaining top class performances, as the sorting rate reaches 4000 pcs/h. Specifically, the article begins with an introduction of the concept design and its digital model, followed by a description of the experimental setup built to test the surface's functionality and evaluate the predictions of the virtual counterpart. On top of that, a method to determine the essential parameters for the surface simulation is proposed and applied. As a result, the prototype successfully completed the three main intralogistic tasks experimented, i.e., sorting, slowing, and stopping of packages. Lastly, the digital model outcomes of the same operations were computed and compared with the measured results, demonstrating an accuracy of prediction with displacements and time errors below 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing demand for lithium-ion battery cells, the cell production processes face substantial challenges to increase productivity. Among these production processes, the assembly of electrode-separator-compounds is very relevant regarding the value added towards the process chain. However, it also represents a productivity bottleneck due to the time-consuming nature of conventional stacking processes. A novel assembly process with a rotational handling unit and continuous material flow has a significant potential to decrease the influence of this bottleneck process and to enhance the overall productivity of the process chain. However, the alignment of the electrodes within the compound is challenging. This work systematically identifies alignment principles for high-speed assembly processes in general, and for the novel assembly process in particular. By transferring the selected principles to the rotational process, suitable alignment mechanisms are developed for the assembly system. Due to their modular design, the mechanisms can be adapted to the positioning requirements of the relevant process phase and the electrode type. Consequently, the positioning mechanisms are suitable for both pre-/coarse-positioning and fine positioning and can be applied for anode, cathode, as well as laminated intermediate products. An experimental validation describes the effectiveness of the developed mechanisms for the alignment within the electrode-separator-compound for different types of electrodes. Overall, the introduction of alignment mechanisms in the assembly system leads to enhanced deposition accuracy and contributes to establishing the novel stacking process in an industrial context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of battery technology has made great advances in recent years. However, the increasing demand for electric mobility also highlights the limitations of conventional lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, such as limited range and fast charging capability, as well as challenges related to battery safety. Among all the technology alternatives, the solid-state battery technology shows great potential to enable higher safety due to the use of non-flammable solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes as well as higher energy densities by replacing the graphite anode with a lithium metal anode. In addition to the trend towards improved battery cell performance, there is also a growing need for the production of application-specific cell geometries. At the Institute of Production Science (wbk), the approach of agile cell production for conventional lithium-ion batteries is currently being investigated. In order to extend the scope of this material and format flexible approach, manufacturing processes for solid-state batteries (SSB) are being considered and further investigated. As a first objective, this work presents a concept for the evaluation of the handling processes of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based composite cathodes with a special focus on the pick-and-place process. PEO-based composite cathodes are mechanically sensitive, with adhesive and limp characteristics. Therefore, the design of a semi-automated test rig is presented, which allows reproducible gripping, moving and placing of PEO-based composite cathode single sheets and thus stacking on pre-defined platforms. A camera system is integrated to monitor and quantify the process quality. An image processing tool is developed to determine the positioning accuracy and to detect possible damages on the electrode surface from handling. Furthermore, a concept for performing the handling tests is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia's vanilla industry requires continuous efforts to enhance its quality and safety to ensure its sustainability. The objective of this research is to identify the chemical composition, production constraints, and post-harvest practices impacting vanilla quality. This research investigates the quality of Indonesian vanilla through in-depth interviews with vanilla growers and exporters, as well as quality analysis in the laboratory. Purposive sampling targeted key producers across seven provinces from May to August 2023. Vanilla samples were collected for chemical analysis after a direct interview with each producer. The result shows that the physical and chemical qualities of vanilla products fulfill Indonesian standards (SNI). The vanillin content ranged from 1.21 to 3.50. Establishing universal standards requires considering various vanilla varieties and determining minimum quality attribute values. Due to the risk of theft, vanilla pods are often picked when they are less than 9 months old, before the fruit is fully ripe. This practice results in a drop in quality, particularly in vanillin concentration. Sustainable growth, stakeholder involvement, inclusive business models, education, and contract farming arrangements help navigate challenges like theft and premature harvesting. Advancements in processing methodologies and the selection of clonal materials reinforce the industry's commitment to enhancing quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating methods used to capture and mark neonates is necessary for ensuring research methods are ethical, follow best practices, and do not have long‐term unintended impacts on neonates or populations. We used a quasi‐experimental approach (reference versus treatment) to determine whether visiting wolf dens and marking wolf Canis lupus pups affects important wolf population metrics. Specifically, we examined whether pup recruitment and pack size differed between packs where we visited dens and handled pups ('disturbed packs' = treatment group) and those where we did not visit dens ('undisturbed packs' = reference group). During 2019–2023, we studied 43 wolf packs and litters, 19 of which were disturbed packs and 24 of which were undisturbed. We found no difference in recruitment or pack size between disturbed and undisturbed wolf packs. However, we did observe substantial annual variation in recruitment and pack size, which indicated that other ecological factors (e.g. prey abundance) were likely responsible for annual changes in recruitment and pack size. Our findings are consistent with several other studies, and together this research indicates that wolf dens can be visited once and wolf pups handled briefly for research purposes without having a measurable effect on recruitment and pack size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal behavior has been related to ewe's reactivity, as more reactive ewes might have greater risk of presenting worse maternal ability. This study aimed to determine the association between maternal behavior score (MBS) of Corriedale ewes with their physiological and behavioral variables measured at weaning of their offspring within two handling systems. Data from 335 ewes with average (± SE) age of 3.1 ± 1.8 years and 46.5 ± 6.1 kg of body weight were used. Experimental farms were classified into two handling systems: intensive (n = 3) and extensive (n = 2), based on stocking density and nature of human-animal relationships. Maternal behavior was evaluated in the field within 24 h after delivery, using a 6-rated scale (1 = poor to 6 = excellent). This scale takes into account the distance the ewe takes from the lamb when the lamb is restrained by an observer. The temperament of the ewes was evaluated during an arena test, at the weaning of the lambs, and was divided into two phases: social isolation and human presence. Data were subjected to principal component analysis and logistic regression. Logistic regression of principal factor (PF) scores in MBS showed that physical activity during the isolation phase increased in 1.57 (CI: 1.02 to 2.42; P < 0.05) the probability of extensively handling ewes showing high MBS (≥4), while in intensively handling ewes, logistic regression showed that the number of vocalizations in both phases of the arena test increased in 1.64 (CI: 1.12 to 2.4; P < 0.05) the probability of ewes having high MBS. Albeit the handling systems are not comparable, MBS was positively associated with some behavioral variables measured at the arena test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture routine practices may cause stress induction on the fish and compromise their welfare affecting the production. This experiment aimed to evaluate the potential links between handling during culture with stress responses and growth on Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). We worked with two fish cohorts in terms of initial body weight and culture stage: Trial 1 included specimens in the fattening stage (226 ± 4.96 g) and Trial 2 animals in the pre-fattening stage (27.20 ± 0.44 g). The tested culture protocol, which lasted 6 and 4 months for Trial 1 and 2, respectively, mainly reduced handling-derived stressors in the experimental tanks via lowering routine samplings to a minimum. This decrease of the handling-derived stress was reflected in both trials with lower concentration of circulating cortisol in blood plasma from the experimental fish when compared to controls. Moreover, the proposed protocol promoted higher growth in the fish cultured in the less disturbing protocol in Trial 2. Higher specific growth rates and mean body weight and length were reported. In order to further explore the potential beneficial effects of our protocol, we studied the musculoskeletal from Trial 2 gene expression of key genes regulating glucocorticoid signaling pathway and apoptosis: glucocorticoid receptors 1 and 2 (gr1, gr2), heat shock protein 90 AA (hsp90aa), and caspase 6 (casp6). In line with the cortisol reduced level in this trial, gr1, hsp90aa, and casp6 genes showed lower expression in the samples coming from the experimental group. The findings of this study provide valuable information to the aquaculture industry for the management of Solea senegalensis stress and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aimed to enhance the management of the fish supply chain as a perishable commodity and to increase consumer trust. The fish supply chain begins with harvesting, whether from natural fisheries or the aquaculture sector, and extends through to marketing. It encompasses the hygienic practices of all involved parties, including suppliers, fishermen, retailers, storage facilities, distributors, transporters, and marketers. Proper hygienic handling is crucial, as inadequate practices can lead to cross-contamination at any stage of the supply chain. To improve fish quality, effective handling techniques must be applied. The use of appropriate equipment and facilities, such as cool boxes, refrigerated or insulated trucks, and boats loaded with ice, enhances the transport of fish. Improved transport methods offer several benefits to stakeholders in the fisheries sector. Consumers may be exposed to bacterial pathogens due to poor handling, washing with polluted water, or ingestion of raw or inadequately cooked fish. While most pathogens can be eliminated through adequate cooking and control measures at each stage of the supply chain, exposure to raw or undercooked fish poses a serious risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HHUS market is very complex due to a multitude of equipment variants and several different device manufacturers. Only a few studies have compared different HHUS devices under clinical conditions. We conducted a comprehensive prospective observer study with a direct comparison of nine different HHUS devices in terms of B-scan quality, device handling, and software features under abdominal imaging conditions. Methods: Nine different HHUS devices (Butterfly iQ+, Clarius C3HD3, D5CL Microvue, Philips Lumify, SonoEye Chison, SonoSite iViz, Mindray TE Air, GE Vscan Air, and Youkey Q7) were used in a prospective setting by a total of 12 experienced examiners on the same subjects in each case and then assessed using a detailed questionnaire regarding B-scan quality, handling, and usability of the software. The evaluation was carried out using a point scale (5 points: very good; 1 point: insufficient). Results: In the overall evaluation, Vscan Air and SonoEye Chison achieved the best ratings. They achieved nominal ratings between "good" (4 points) and "very good" (5 points). Both devices differed significantly (p < 0.01) from the other seven devices tested. Among the HHUS devices, Clarius C3HD3 and Vscan Air achieved the best results for B-mode quality, D5CL Microvue achieved the best results for device handling, and SonoEye Chison and Vscan Air achieved the best results for software. Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive study to directly compare different HHUS devices in a head-to-head manner. While the majority of the tested devices demonstrated satisfactory performance, notable discrepancies were observed between them. In particular, the B-scan quality exhibited considerable variation, which may have implications for the clinical application of HHUS. The findings of this study can assist in the selection of an appropriate HHUS device for specific applications, considering the clinical objectives and acknowledging the inherent limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to obtain information and data on the prevalence of scabies in cats and rabbits at the Animal Hospital of East Java Livestock Service Surabaya. The data obtained in this study are data on visitors or pet owners to the Animal Hospital in January - December 2021. The type of research is descriptive research. The data obtained tabulated and analyzed with a prevalence test and discussed descriptively. The prevalence of scabies in cats and rabbits at the study was 5.62% or 76 positive of 1352 visiting clients. Forty five of them were cats (59.21% of 76) and 31 were rabbits (40.79% of 76). Scabies attacks animals in the nose, mouth and ears. Scabies also causes weight loss, hair loss, irritation, anemia and even death. Scabies treatment at the research location is by cleaning the scars caused by scabies, applying an ointment containing 5% permethrin, and giving antihistamine and anti-parasitic as well as providing supportive therapy in the form of grooming using shampoo containing anti-ectoparasites. Pet owners are expected to follow the advice given by animal hospital staff who have provided knowledge in terms of controlling and preventing Scabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lembaga Perkreditan Desa (LPD) is a vital financial institution for traditional villages in Bali, whose role is to save funds, provide credit, and support village development. However, some LPDs, such as Tanggahan Peken LPD in Bangli Regency, have experienced legal problems related to alleged corruption crimes committed by their administrators. The purpose of this study is to determine and analyze the handling of criminal acts at the Tanggahan Peken Village Credit Institution, Susut District, Bangli Regency handled by the Bali Police. The natural method of this research uses empirical legal research. The results showed that the occurrence of criminal acts of corruption committed by the Tanggahan Peken LPD management was caused by internal factors from the individual aspect of the LPD management to gain profit, enrich themselves and perpetuate their positions and external factors from the organizational aspect, namely the lack of regular guidance, supervision and audits carried out by LPD internal supervisors and LPLPD as technical supervisors and audits. The handling of corruption crimes by the Bali Police at the Tanggahan Peken Village Credit Institution (LPD) uses Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) from the process of receiving public complaints, investigating and investigating. Creating effective investigation and investigation plans. Investigators also conduct independent audits and examinations by involving experts in the field of accounting and auditing, experts in the field of economics and experts in criminal law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the construction industry, much of the construction process is controlled by materials, and material management has a direct impact on many performance criteria such as cost, time, quality, and efficiency. This study examined the impact on project performance of activities that make up the material management process: planning, supply, logistics, transport, stock, and waste control of building materials. Material management practices were measured using 15 criteria under five different headings, and project performance was measured using 13 criteria under three different headings, through surveys of industry personnel at various construction sites. Multiple regression analyses were performed on the data obtained. The impacts of material management practices on project time, project cost, project efficiency, and waste performance, as well as overall project performance were examined using multiple regression analyses. The analysis showed that material supply, material handling, and stock and waste control had positive impacts on overall project performance, while material planning and material logistics did not have statistically significant impacts. It is concluded that the results of the study will help to better understand the relationship between material management and project performance and will help stakeholders to improve their material management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although earlier studies reported on traditional dairying, there is limited information on variation in milk and milk products handling, production, and consumption across various dairy production systems (DPS) in Southern Ethiopia, which is why this study was initiated. This study assessed 360 smallholder dairy producer households across four DPSs in the Sidama and the former Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s (SNNP) Regional States of Ethiopia: cereal-based (CB) diversified crop-based (DCB), Ensete-based (EB), and cash crop-based (CCB). Over two-thirds of respondents in CCB use improved milk handling devices like aluminum cans and Mazzicans, compared to 21% in EB. Eucalyptus globulus were primarily used to clean milk equipment in the CB, DCB and EB DPSs, whereas enset plant residue (‘kacha’ in Amharic) was specific to CCB. Olea africana was commonly used to smock milk containers across all systems. More milk (18 liters) was required to produce one kg of butter from crossbred cows, while local breeds required 13 liters on average. In the CB system, crossbred cows needed a minimum of 15 liters of milk to produce one kg of butter. Higher annual milk production per household was reported in the CCB, with the lowest in the DCB. Whole milk consumption did not significantly vary among the DPSs (P

AbstractThe police in the democratic era in carrying out their duties to maintain public security and order are obliged to uphold human rights, but in fact, the police took action by using tear gas when handling supporter riots at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang Regency causing casualties. This study aims to determine the security provisions for football competitions in Indonesia related to FIFA Regulations, and to find out whether police actions in handling football supporter riots at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency are in accordance with applicable regulations. This research method is normative juridical, using a statutory approach and a case approach. The results of the study, that the security of football competitions in Indonesia must be based on applicable provisions in Indonesia as the implementation of sovereignty and the Indonesian rule of law. Police efforts in handling football supporters riots at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang Regency using tear gas although allowed according to the Regulation of the Chief of Indonesia National Police Number 1 of 2009 concerning the Use of Force in the Implementation of Police Duties, but these actions do not consider the principles of the use of force and human rights principles in police actions, so in the future the police need to make standard operating security procedures football competitions by adopting FIFA Regulations as a legal basis for security officers.

Indonesia’s vanilla industry requires continuous efforts to enhance its quality and safety to ensure its sustainability. The objective of this research is to identify the chemical composition, production constraints, and post-harvest practices impacting vanilla quality. This research investigates the quality of Indonesian vanilla through in-depth interviews with vanilla growers and exporters, as well as quality analysis in the laboratory. Purposive sampling targeted key producers across seven provinces from May to August 2023. Vanilla samples were collected for chemical analysis after a direct interview with each producer. The result shows that the physical and chemical qualities of vanilla products fulfill Indonesian standards (SNI). The vanillin content ranged from 1.21 to 3.50. Establishing universal standards requires considering various vanilla varieties and determining minimum quality attribute values. Due to the risk of theft, vanilla pods are often picked when they are less than 9 months old, before the fruit is fully ripe. This practice results in a drop in quality, particularly in vanillin concentration. Sustainable growth, stakeholder involvement, inclusive business models, education, and contract farming arrangements help navigate challenges like theft and premature harvesting. Advancements in processing methodologies and the selection of clonal materials reinforce the industry’s commitment to enhancing quality.

Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the health of their employees and are now integrating exoskeleton solutions for both prevention and job maintenance. However, the effect of using exoskeletons is still an open question. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of an active lumbar exoskeleton and its passive belt on trunk kinematics and muscle activity using instrumented motion analysis. Twenty-three healthy subjects volunteered to perform three handlings of a 5 kg load (free lifting, squat lifting, and load transfer) under three different experimental conditions. The “Control” condition was when the subject did not wear any device, the “Belt” condition was when the subject wore only the passive part of the exoskeleton, and the “Exo” condition was when the subject wore the active exoskeleton. Based on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment scale, the exoskeleton reduced the time spent in angles that were considered dangerous for the back, according to ergonomic evaluations. Furthermore, for the handling sessions, it was observed that the exoskeleton did not modify muscle activity in the abdominal–lumbar region.

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in the place of HIB application (ONB) and 10 cm above it (OFFB) immediately after its application and during four consecutive days, the time required for application of each HIB digit and the occurrences of rebranding; second, with two batches of cows (N = 97 and N = 94, respectively, by measuring the time spent to read cattle ID and comparing the efficiency of HIB vs. EET (electronic ear tag) and visual ear tags (VET) vs. EET. Skin temperature was significantly affected by the interaction between the place where the skin temperatures were taken (on and 10 cm above the HIB) and assessment day, with temperatures in ONB on days d0 and d2 being higher than in OFFB (p < 0.05), and 86% of the calves required at least one rebranding. EET reading was faster than HIB and VET (p < 0.001), and fewer errors were made when reading EET than HIB (1/97 vs. 17/97) and VET (2/94 vs. 12/94). We concluded that HIB potentially compromises cattle welfare and has a lower efficiency for cattle identification than EET and VET.

Background Expression of breast milk is a strategy to ensures continuous breastfeeding during temporary separation of infant from the mother. Handling and storage of expressed breast milk (EBM) should be based on established recommendations because these practices can affect milk quality and safety. Objective To describe perceptions and practices of EBM handling and storage, compare with commonly used recommendations and associated factors influencing these practices among mothers in Jakarta, Indonesia, Methods Mothers who practiced expressed breastfeeding (EBF) to their 6-12 weeks-old infants completed questionnaires about their peceptions and practices on how they handle and storage EBM. The differences in perceptions and practices about expressed breastfeeding management were analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results Among 30 mothers, 14/30 gave EBF exclusively, 19/30 used breast pump, and 26/30 expressed ³6 times/day. Infants in this study received expressed milk 5-10 times per day. Maternal age and resource of information were factors significantly associated with mother’s perceptions, while maternal age, education, and parity were significantly associated with the practices of EBM handling and storage. Conclusion This study reveals inconsistent perceptions and practices on expressed milk handling and storage by the mothers. They have good knowledge about the theoretical aspects of expressed breastfeeding, but some other techniques are poor, which can be detrimental to the health of the infants. Further study is needed to find more efficient and optimal methods of expressed milk handling and storage, necessitating thoughtful consideration of better practices and recommendations.

Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the health of their employees and are now integrating exoskeleton solutions for both prevention and job maintenance. However, the effect of using exoskeletons is still an open question. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of an active lumbar exoskeleton and its passive belt on trunk kinematics and muscle activity using instrumented motion analysis. Twenty-three healthy subjects volunteered to perform three handlings of a 5 kg load (free lifting, squat lifting, and load transfer) under three different experimental conditions. The "Control" condition was when the subject did not wear any device, the "Belt" condition was when the subject wore only the passive part of the exoskeleton, and the "Exo" condition was when the subject wore the active exoskeleton. Based on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment scale, the exoskeleton reduced the time spent in angles that were considered dangerous for the back, according to ergonomic evaluations. Furthermore, for the handling sessions, it was observed that the exoskeleton did not modify muscle activity in the abdominal–lumbar region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-term automation solutions for industrial companies have potential to compensate for volatile demand, employee turnover or shortages. Current solutions are either not available at short notice or economically unviable, as integration in existing control systems and machine tools would be necessary. The paper proposes a cognitive robotic system that circumvents this problem by emulating the behaviour of operators through automated, cognitive skills. The approach uses a perception system, handling and skill modules and a skill-based control to automate in an industrial brownfield use case without additional interfaces to the existing control systems to reduce integration effort to a minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abandoned children have many experiences that come from harsh environments and not all of them are accepted by society. Therefore, special approaches and treatments are needed to help them develop their thinking processes, teach them how to build relationships between the past, present and future, and direct them towards patterns of behavior that are acceptable to society. This study uses qualitative research methods. This study uses qualitative data where this data is obtained from selected informants who are relevant and have the competence to provide the research data selected by the researcher. Data collection techniques were collected through documentation studies, interviews and observations. The results of this study show that the number of abandoned children in Cirebon City is around 70 people. The Cirebon city social service has a program to foster abandoned children, namely GSM, social guidance, family, understanding parenting and teaching and learning activities. This study uses the implementation theory of Van Meter and Van Horn The implementation stage can be seen from 6 important variables when achieving an implementation, namely: objectives and policy size, attitudes (disposition) of implementers, infrastructure and human resources, characteristics of implementing agents, communication activities and implementers between organizations, as well as the political, social and economic environment. The results of this study show that the policy of the Abandoned Children Development program at the Cirebon City Social Service is not optimal because of low budget sources, so the implementation of the policy has not fully met the standards. Social protection is aimed at helping the poor and vulnerable population, especially those who experience other welfare problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in the place of HIB application (ONB) and 10 cm above it (OFFB) immediately after its application and during four consecutive days, the time required for application of each HIB digit and the occurrences of rebranding; second, with two batches of cows (N = 97 and N = 94, respectively, by measuring the time spent to read cattle ID and comparing the efficiency of HIB vs. EET (electronic ear tag) and visual ear tags (VET) vs. EET. Skin temperature was significantly affected by the interaction between the place where the skin temperatures were taken (on and 10 cm above the HIB) and assessment day, with temperatures in ONB on days d0 and d2 being higher than in OFFB (p < 0.05), and 86% of the calves required at least one rebranding. EET reading was faster than HIB and VET (p < 0.001), and fewer errors were made when reading EET than HIB (1/97 vs. 17/97) and VET (2/94 vs. 12/94). We concluded that HIB potentially compromises cattle welfare and has a lower efficiency for cattle identification than EET and VET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Animal-borne devices can affect animal survival, reproduction, and behaviour through both the addition of weight and bulk and the direct effects of initial and subsequent capture. Researchers commonly employ a general rule of thumb that weight of the device must be less than 5% of bodyweight for terrestrial animals; however, this threshold has little empirical basis. Aims: We evaluated the effects of environmental variables, repeated capture, and weight of animal-borne devices on bodyweight in free-ranging feral cats. Methods: We recaptured feral cats at varying frequencies, wearing GPS and/or VHF collars that ranged from 0.29% to 4.88% of bodyweight, and recorded change in cat weight over time. Key results: Collar weight as a percentage of bodyweight was not a significant predictor of feral cat weight change. Rather, change in bodyweight was best described by a negative relationship with an increasing temperature and number of captures, and a positive relationship with time since collar attachment. Conclusions: Capture had a significant influence on feral cat weight but collar weights up to 5% of bodyweight did not significantly contribute to weight loss. However, the absence of control cats without collars hindered definitive conclusions on the effect of collar weight on cat weight change. Implications: Researchers should space capture and handling events more than 30 days apart to reduce effects of weight loss from capture and handling. Researchers should also consider increasing collar weight and reducing frequency of capture (where collars are less than 5% of bodyweight), particularly if cat bodyweight is a parameter of interest. Feral cats are one of the most harmful invasive species in Australia, and are often caught and collared as part of scientific study to investigate their impacts and inform management. We evaluated the impacts of this process on feral cats. Even though collar weight had no impact, repeated recaptures reduced cat weight. Researchers should consider prioritising fewer capture and handling events over collar-weight reductions, or offset the effect of repeated capture by allowing recovery time greater than 30 days before subsequent recapture attempts. Photograph by Darcy Whittaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pesticides play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity by controlling pests. However, inadequate pesticide handling practices have a considerable adverse impact on human health. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the extent of safe pesticide handling practices, particularly in low-income settings like Ethiopia. Hence, this study seeks to evaluate the implementation of safe pesticide handling practices and identify the factors associated with the status of the handling practices in low-income settings in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken, involving 468 farmers randomly selected for participation. Data collection was carried out through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The analysis aimed to assess the proportion of safe pesticide handling practices (SPHP) and investigate the factors associated with SPHP was done using binary logistic regression. Explanatory variables with a P -value <0.25 were included in the final analysis. The factors were determined based on adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, P -value <.05. Model fit was evaluated using the Hosmer and Lemeshow tests. Results: From the findings of our study, only 45.7% of farmers practiced SPHP, with factors such as education, experience, pesticide usage, and attitude toward safe practices influencing their practices. Farmers with education status primary and above were two times more likely to practice good handling of pesticides than those who didn't attend formal education. Farmers with a maximum of 5 years of experience in vegetable farming were 2.4 times more likely to exhibit good handling practices compared to their counterparts. Furthermore, farmers with favorable attitudes toward pesticide handling were 4.2 times more likely to engage in good pesticide handling practices than those with unfavorable attitudes. Therefore, the agricultural sectors, health sectors, and farmer associations should focus on these factors in order to mitigate the health risks associated with poor pesticide handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La Short Dark Triad (SD3) est une échelle anglophone courte évaluant trois traits de personnalité de la Dark Triad (Triade Noire : Machiavélisme, Narcissime et Psychopathie). Elle a été créée, en 2013, par Delroy L. Paulhus et son équipe (University of British Columbia , Vancouver BC, Canada). Il n'en existait pas de version francophone au début de ce travail de validation. La SD3 fut donc traduite vers le français, puis rétro-traduite vers l'anglais pour la comparer à la version originale. La poursuite de la validation se fit via un questionnaire en ligne (LimeSurvey), permettant de comparer les résultats des trois sous-échelles avec les résultats aux trois échelles (validées en français) de référence (MACH-IV-fr, NPI-fr, LSRP-fr). Pour ce faire, 787 sujets ont répondu au questionnaire en ligne. Les analyses statistiques montrent une bonne cohérence interne (n = 580 et coefficient alpha de cronbach : 0,85 sur l'échelle totale, 0,78, 0,70 et 0,69 sur les sous-échelles de Machiavélisme, de Narcissisme et de Psychopathie) et une bonne validité externe de la SD3-fr ici traduite (n = 500 et Corrélation SD3 Machia avec MACHIV-fr : 0,70 ; Corrélation SD3 Narcis avec NPI-fr : 0,74 ; Corrélation SD3 Psychopathie avec LSRP-fr : 0,67). L'analyse factorielle confirmatoire est en faveur d'un modèle à trois facteurs corrélés. La SD3-fr peut être utilisée en populations francophones. The Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale has been created by Delroy L. Paulhus and his team in 2013 (University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada). Its purpose is to provide a brief measure of three socially aversive traits known as the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy). This study aims to explore the psychometric properties of this French version of the scale and to validate this translation. The SD3 scale has been translated from English to French, then retro-translated to English again to compare it to the original version. The validation continued with an online survey (LimeSurvey) allowing to compare the results of the three sub-scales with the results of the three existing scales previously validated in French (MACH-IV-fr, NPI-fr, LSRP-fr). A total of 787 participants answered the online survey. Statistical analyzes suggest a good internal consistency (n = 580 and Cronbach's alpha coefficients: 0.85 on the full scale, 0.78, 0.70, 0.69 on the sub-scales of Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy) and a good external validity of the SD3-fr translated in the present work (n = 500 and SD3 Machia–MACHIV-fr correlation: 0.70; SD3 Narcis – NPI-fr: 0.74; SD3 Psychopathy – LSRP-fr: 0.67). The confirmatory factor analysis suggests a three correlated factors model. This SD3-fr scale will be used in a further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risks of lead transferring to gloves while handling lead-glazed ceramics was evaluated with simple empirical tests using Plumbtesmo test strips. Five lead-glazed ceramics from the Harvard Art Museums, three with deteriorated glazes and two with glazes in good condition, were evaluated along with three controls. The objects and controls were handled using three interaction types (touch and hold, tapping, and rubbing); the presence of lead on gloves was then evaluated using Plumbtesmo test strips. The experiment demonstrated that ceramics with deteriorated lead glazes have the potential to transfer lead to gloves during handling. Collections care staff working with lead glazed ceramics are advised to take precautions during handling and uphold best practices for hygiene to minimize lead exposure. Les risques de transférer du plomb sur les gants lors de la manipulation de céramiques à glaçure plombifère ont été évalués par de simples tests empiriques, avec des bandelettes-tests Plumbtesmo. Cinq céramiques avec des glaçures au plomb appartenant aux Harvard Art Museums dont trois avec des glaçures altérées et deux avec des glaçures saines, ont été évaluées ainsi que trois objets de contrôle. Les objets testés et les objets-contrôles ont été manipulés selon trois types d'interactions (toucher et tenir / tapoter / frotter) ; la présence de plomb sur les gants a ensuite été évaluée avec des bandelettes-tests Plumbtesmo. L'expérience a prouvé que les céramiques dont les glaçures plombifères sont altérées peuvent potentiellement transférer du plomb à des gants pendant une manipulation. Il est recommandé que les professionnels des musées ou de la conservation-restauration travaillant avec des céramiques à glaçure plombifère prennent certaines précautions lors des manipulations et suivent des règles d'hygiène afin de minimiser leur exposition au plomb. Traduit par Claire Cuyaubère. Os riscos da transferência de chumbo para luvas durante o manuseio de cerâmicas vitrificadas com chumbo foram avaliados com testes empíricos simples usando tiras de teste Plumbtesmo. Cinco cerâmicas vitrificadas com chumbo dos Museus de Arte de Harvard, três com esmaltes deteriorados e duas com esmaltes em bom estado, foram avaliadas juntamente com três controles. Os objetos e controles foram manipulados por meio de três tipos de interação (tocar e segurar, bater e esfregar); a presença de chumbo nas luvas foi então avaliada utilizando-se tiras teste Plumbtesmo. O experimento demonstrou que cerâmicas com esmaltes de chumbo deteriorados têm o potencial de transferir chumbo para luvas durante o manuseio. Os cuidadores de coleções que trabalham com cerâmicas vitrificadas com chumbo são aconselhados a tomar precauções durante o manuseio e manter as melhores práticas de higiene para minimizar a exposição ao chumbo. Traduzido por Francisco Vieira; revisão por Beatriz Haspo Los riesgos de transferencia de plomo a los guantes durante la manipulación de la cerámica vidriada con plomo se evaluaron con pruebas empíricas simples utilizando tiras de prueba Plumbtesmo. Se evaluaron cinco cerámicas vidriadas con plomo de los Museos de Arte de Harvard, tres con vidriados deteriorados y dos con vidriados en buenas condiciones, junto con tres controles. Los objetos y controles se manipularon utilizando tres tipos de interacción (tocar y sostener, golpear ligeramente y frotar); luego se evaluó la presencia de plomo en los guantes mediante pruebas de Plumbtesmo. El experimento demostró que las cerámicas con vidriados de plomo deteriorados tienen el potencial de transferir plomo a los guantes durante su manipulación. Se recomienda al personal de manejo y cuidado de colecciones que trabaja con cerámica vidriada con plomo, que tome precauciones durante la manipulación y respete las buenas prácticas de higiene para minimizar la exposición al plomo. Traducción y revisión: Soledad Tancoff y David Cohen; revisión final: Amparo Rueda e Irene Delaveris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual violence against children is a violation of human rights that has a long-term traumatic impact. The phenomenon of increasing cases of sexual violence against children has become a global problem that requires serious attention. This increase continues to occur in various regions, including Cirebon Regency. The role of the Regional Indonesian Child Protection Committee (KPAID) of Cirebon Regency in handling this case is very important. This study analyzes the role of KPAID Cirebon in overcoming sexual violence against children, identifies the factors that cause an increase in child sexual violence, and examines the role of KPAID Cirebon Regency in dealing with child sexual violence cases, focusing on prevention, case handling, and challenges faced. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with the Chairman of the Cirebon Regency KPAID, the victim's family, and other related parties. The results of the study show that KPAID Cirebon Regency plays an active role in receiving reports, providing legal and psychological assistance and advocating to protect the rights of victims. However, KPAID faces challenges that affect its effectiveness in carrying out its role, such as limited resources, lack of public awareness and weak coordination between institutions. And this phenomenon continues to increase supported by many external and internal factors such as environmental factors and the victim's own family factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handling potatoes individually or collectively in packages can create opportunities for potatoes to develop quality defects including blackspot and shatter bruise. Three trials were conducted to examine how handling packaged potatoes can influence the risk for physical damage including shatter and blackspot bruise. An impact recording device was used to record peak acceleration (max g-force) in common fresh market packaging options (boxes or bales) at four drop heights (15 to 91 cm) on to three different surface types. When boxed potatoes were dropped onto concrete or a plastic slip, the potatoes on the bottom of the box had the highest risk of damage (greater than 100 g-force). When drop heights were lowered, or when cushioning material was added to hard surfaces (e.g., wooden pallet on top of concrete floor), the risk for impact damage was decreased throughout the box. When palletizing boxed potatoes, the risk of bruise decreased after the first layer was stacked on the pallet. Drop heights need to be below 15 cm, especially when making the first layer in a palletized stack of packaged potatoes to reduce potential bruising. The risk of high peak accelerations was not seen in the dropped or stationary bales for any of the drop heights examined. This study provided information for educating personnel on handling packaged potatoes and determining situations in which robotic stacking equipment needs to be adjusted to lower drop heights of packaged potatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Políticas Públicas is the property of Revista Brasileira de Politicas Publicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examined soursop production and post-harvest handling challenges in Ogun State, Nigeria. Thirty-eight (38) soursop farmers were sampled using the snowball sampling method. Data was collected using a validated structured questionnaire. The severity of the constraints was measured using a four-point rating scale, and the data was analyzed using percentage, mean, and Pearson Products Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). The study found that the average age of respondents was 56 years, with 94.8% of farmers being married and having an average household size of 5. The farmers' post-harvest handling practices included storing soursop in traditional wooden structures (58.4%), polypropylene bags (33.3%), and on the floor (8.3%). The primary constraints to soursop production were the lack of a national promotion policy (□-= 14.4) and low yield (□-= 14.3). The main post-harvest constraints were insufficient knowledge of soursop processing (□-= 15.0) and a lack of storage facilities (□-= 13.4). The test of relationships between variables showed that age (r= 0.406) was highly significant (p=0.05), and education attainment also had significant (p≤0.05) but a negative correlation (r= -0.209) with constraints encountered. In conclusion, the study recommends that policymakers make deliberate and consistent efforts to overcome the identified constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) must be able to handle various products. Conventional EOATs usually comprise fixed or limited-adjustable frames (i.e. manually or using short-stroke pistons) over-equipped with multiple grippers, which are selectively activated based on the product to be grasped. This paper presents a smart gripper frame equipped with only four grippers capable of automatically adjusting to a product’s unique geometry. To this end, a two-dimensional grasp planner has been developed that is supplied with product contours from depth images. The proposed approach has been successfully validated in multiple industrial use cases involving objects with different dimensions and materials, and applying various grippers.

Abstract Innovative soft robotic grippers, such as granular grippers, enable the automated handling of a wide spectrum of different geometries, increasing the flexibility and robustness of industrial production systems. Granular grippers vary in their design as well as in their configuration, which affects the specific characteristics and capabilities regarding grippable objects. Relevant aspects are the selection of granulates and membranes, as they affect the deformability. This influences the achievable gripping forces, which vary with the gripped objects geometry. On the basis of experimental studies, the modeling of interpolations as well as through experimental validations, the present research investigates the influences of different configurations on the achievable gripping forces for a specific concept of an innovative vacuum-based granular gripper. Specifically, the focus lies on design as well as configuration parameters, which could influence the achievable gripping force. Influencing parameters are determined based on a literature review of similar gripping concepts. Various adjustment possibilities are identified, such as materials of granulates or membranes. The possible configuration options are experimentally analyzed with a one-factor-at-a-time approach. The possibility of modelling the effects of their interrelations on the achievable gripping force is examined with approaches for linear models and compared to interpolations based on Machine Learning. Especially the granulate filling level and the membrane configuration exhibit the largest influences, which were best predicted with the approach based on artificial neural networks. A selection of an optimized gripper configuration for a specified object set as well as possible further developments such as a continuous expandability of the approaches and integrations with simulations are discussed. As a result of these analyses, this research provides methodologies for an optimized selection of a gripper configuration for an improved object-specific achievable gripping force and allows for more efficient handling processes with the examined type of vacuum-based granular gripper.

The pre-transport phase induces stress, fear, and injury in poultry, but management choices greatly influence this. Pre-transport practices for spent hens and broilers in Flanders (Belgium) were studied. Poultry farmers (31 of 156 layers and 48 of 203 broiler farmers completed the survey) were surveyed on the selection of unfit chickens, catching and crating, and farmer opinion. A minority of farmers made a specific selection of chickens unfit for transport prior to catching (layers 25%: 5.1 ± 5.9 h, broilers 39%: 6.8 ± 7.0 h). More layer (69%) than broiler farmers (19%) withdrew feed too early (EU regulations stipulate max. 12 h before expected slaughter time). Layer farmers withdrew water earlier than broiler farmers (47.9 ± 51.1 min vs. 20.6 ± 23.3 min). More broiler than layer farmers believed that the container type affects the birds’ welfare (48% vs. 27%; p < 0.05). On broiler farms, mechanical catching was preferred for catchers’ well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, wings, or mechanically. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for additional selection before catching, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport.

Wavelets analysis has become a powerful mathematical tool to decompose a series and to provide its frequent and temporal features. Despite the fact that many researchers have begun testing this approach on financial and economic data to detect and treat outliers, it still not widely applied for longitudinal data. Therefore, this article proposes two algorithms for improving the accuracy of outlier detection in longitudinal data using Wavelets Decomposition, namely, Wavelets Decomposition for Outliers Detection and Handling across Subjects (WDODHAS), and Wavelets Decomposition for Outliers Detection and Handling within Subjects (WDODHWIS). The results show that Wavelets Decomposition is capable of detecting and handling outliers without erasing them, as well as highlighting hypothetical scenarios when these observations cannot be handled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Expression of breast milk is a strategy to ensures continuous breastfeeding during temporary separation of infant from the mother. Handling and storage of expressed breast milk (EBM) should be based on established recommendations because these practices can affect milk quality and safety. Objective To describe perceptions and practices of EBM handling and storage, compare with commonly used recommendations and associated factors influencing these practices among mothers in Jakarta, Indonesia, Methods Mothers who practiced expressed breastfeeding (EBF) to their 6-12 weeks-old infants completed questionnaires about their peceptions and practices on how they handle and storage EBM. The differences in perceptions and practices about expressed breastfeeding management were analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results Among 30 mothers, 14/30 gave EBF exclusively, 19/30 used breast pump, and 26/30 expressed = 6 times/day. Infants in this study received expressed milk 5-10 times per day. Maternal age and resource of information were factors significantly associated with mother's perceptions, while maternal age, education, and parity were significantly associated with the practices of EBM handling and storage. Conclusion This study reveals inconsistent perceptions and practices on expressed milk handling and storage by the mothers. They have good knowledge about the theoretical aspects of expressed breastfeeding, but some other techniques are poor, which can be detrimental to the health of the infants. Further study is needed to find more efficient and optimal methods of expressed milk handling and storage, necessitating thoughtful consideration of better practices and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the American Institute for Conservation is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The black soldier fly is considered the most promising insect species for mass production; however, information on the effects of handling, which is unavoidable during experimental trials and rearing practices, is still limited. Materials and methods: To address this gap, three different manipulation intensities were tested on 100 6-day-old larvae per replica (6 replicates/treatments) fed on Gainesville diet: (1) hard-handled (HH), larvae underwent continuous manipulation until the end of larval stage, (2) soft-handled (SH), larvae were manipulated after the appearance of the first prepupa, (3) no-handled (NH), larvae remained untouched. Every 4 days from the beginning to the end of the larval stage, the manipulations lasted 30 min and occurred under laboratory conditions (20°C). During the sampling operations, at least 30 larvae were randomly extracted, washed, dried, and weight-mimicked. At the end of larval stage, all the boxes remained untouched until the adult fly stage, and the emergency rate and sex ratio were evaluated on dead flies. Data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS V20.0.0 software and the considered significance level was p < 0.05. Results: The larval stage lasted 8.2 days for both HH and SH (p > 0.05). Despite the HH larvae being the most manipulated, no difference was also observed in final weight (HH, 160 mg; SH, 150 mg; p > 0.05) and survival rate (HH, 96.2%; SH, 94.5%; p > 0.05). The manipulation did not influence the bioconversion capacity of the larvae (bioconversion efficiency corrected for the residue: HH, 14.3%; SH, 12.91%; reduction rate: HH, 58.4%; SH, 55.9%; waste reduction index: HH, 7.28%/day; SH, 7.25%/day; p > 0.05). Finally, the development time from larva to fly (about 20.7; p > 0.05), the emergency rate (NH: 92.8%; SH: 89.5%; HH: 82.7%) and sex ratio (~1.2% to male flies) were not affected by the handling (p > 0.05). Discussion: In conclusion, the handling procedures used in the current study did not influence the life history traits of the black soldier fly. However, further studies are needed to evaluate if different experimental protocols on various scales, the colony strain or other handling procedures may suggest a different scenario or confirm the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic amines (AAs) are an important class of organic compounds that find their application in various industries, such as dye production, rubber manufacturing, and pharmaceutical synthesis. Despite the various applications, they significantly harm human health and the environment. This article provides an overview of the toxicity, hazards, and safe handling of some primary aromatic amines (PAAs), focusing on representative examples, such as aniline, toluidine, nitroaniline, chloroaniline, and naphthylamine. The carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of PAAs are a matter of concern that impacts the health of workers who are occupationally exposed to such chemicals. Nonoccupational exposure to tobacco smoke and household products also causes health issues in elderly patients who remain indoors. Water and soil contamination by these pollutants adversely affects aquatic organisms and groundwater quality. Thus, proper handling and disposal protocols must be followed to minimize their impact on human health and the environment. Additionally, this review discusses the discrepancies between the European Union (EU) and Japan's hazard categorization for aniline as a specific example. The information presented in this review emphasizes the importance of understanding toxicity, hazards, and safe handling practices associated with PAAs to ensure their responsible use and mitigate potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early life interactions with the sow or humans can have lifelong consequences on welfare and performance in pigs. It was hypothesised that piglets that received increased maternal contact and positive human contact would display improved responses to stressful events and improved performance. Methods: Ninety-eight litters were allocated to a 2 x 2 factorial design for maternal contact (MC+)/restricted maternal contact (MC-); and positive human contact (HC+)/no additional human contact (HC-). Modified farrowing crates were used to restrict maternal contact (MC-) and litters in the HC+ treatment received five minutes of daily positive human interaction (stroking). Behavioural and physiological responses were assessed during processing at three days of age and during a behaviour test in which piglets were introduced to an empty arena, novel object, human hand and human standing in the arena at 18 days of age. Observations of behaviour in the home pen and growth and survival of piglets to weaning were also assessed. Results: At processing, MC- piglets had more squeals (P = 0.015), tended to have more grunts (P = 0.063) and struggle attempts (P = 0.079), and had increased plasma cortisol concentrations (P = 0.009) after processing than MC+ piglets. During the behaviour test, HC+ piglets were more active (P = 0.014) and had more vocalisations (P < 0.05) in the empty arena than HC piglets. Furthermore, HC+ piglets were more likely to approach a human standing in the arena (P = 0.006) than HC- piglets. MC- piglets were less active (P = 0.008) and were less likely to approach the novel object (P = 0.049) than MC+ piglets. MC+ piglets tended to have higher weaning weights (P = 0.055) and more MC+ piglets were successfully weaned (P = 0.022) than MC- piglets. There was no significant effect of HC on piglet performance. Discussion: While positive handling did not affect behavioural and physiological stress response to processing, HC+ reduced fear of novelty and humans. These findings highlight the importance of early life experiences has on stress resilience early in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Engineer Military Bulletin / Muszaki Katonai Közlöny is the property of National University of Public Service and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)