Abstract: The problem of how to objectively assess the overall welfare status of animals under farming conditions has contributed to an ongoing debate that has hampered actual decision making on animal welfare. For this reason we constructed a model based on the assumed hierarchical organization of the animals' needs for overall welfare assessment in the case of pregnant sows. This model is implemented in a computer-based decision support system that takes a description of a housing and management system as input and produces a welfare score as output. A formalized procedure was used to construct the model for welfare assessment in pregnant sows on the basis of available scientific knowledge. This SOWEL (from SOw WELfare) model contains 37 attributes that describe the welfare-relevant properties of housing and management systems. In the decision support system these attributes are linked to scientific statements and a list of needs to provide a scientific basis for welfare assessment. Weighting factors that represent the relative importance of the attributes are derived from the scientific statements about the various welfare performance criteria that have been measured by scientists. The welfare score is calculated as the weighted average score. All information in the decision support system is stored in tables in a relational database such that newly available knowledge and insights can be incorporated to refine the model. The model has been developed in line with several existing models but it differs from these models in that it is the first to provide a formalized procedure to explicate the reasoning steps involved in welfare assessment based on available scientific knowledge. N1 -

Abstract: Interest in the problem of method biases has a long history in the behavioral sciences. Despite this, a comprehensive summary of the potential sources of method biases and how to control for them does not exist. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which method biases influence behavioral research results, identify potential sources of method biases, discuss the cognitive processes through which method biases influence responses to measures, evaluate the many different procedural and statistical techniques that can be used to control method biases, and provide recommendations for how to select appropriate procedural and statistical remedies for different types of research settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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Abstract: In the present experiments, the 2-action method was used to determine whether pigeons could learn to imitate a conditional discrimination. Demonstrator pigeons (Columba livia) stepped on a treadle in the presence of 1 light and pecked at the treadle in the presence of another light. Demonstration did not seem to affect acquisition of the conditional discrimination (Experiment 1) but did facilitate its reversal of the conditional discrimination (Experiments 2 and 3). The results suggest that pigeons are not only able to learn a specific behavior by observing another pigeon, but they can also learn under which circumstances to perform that behavior. The results have implications for proposed mechanisms of imitation in animals.

Abstract: In a series of 3 experiments, dogs (Canis familiaris) were presented with variations of the human pointing gesture: gestures with reversed direction of movement, cross-pointing, and different arm extensions. Dogs performed at above chance level if they could see the hand (and index finger) protruding from the human body contour. If these minimum requirements were not accessible, dogs still could rely on the body position of the signaler. The direction of movement of the pointing arm did not influence the performance. In summary, these observations suggest that dogs are able to rely on relatively novel gestural forms of the human communicative pointing gesture and that they are able to comprehend to some extent the referential nature of human pointing.

Abstract: Horses with severe and deep lacerations are represented by ten cases in which treatment emphasized the use of bovine collagen preparations to promote controlled second-degree repair. Traumatized areas were tarsal, metatarsal, neck, forearm, metacarpal and pastern. Wound size changes were recorded. Depending on the wound type, the site was treated with antibiotic-steroid ointment, organic acid cream, sterile collagen particles, suspension or dressings protected by hydrogel dressing, non-adherent pads, occlusive skin dressings, roll gauze and elastic tape. In three cases, a fiberglas cast was applied over a hind leg wound and lacerated tendon for stability. When controlled granulation of the deeper wounds reached skin level, the area often was stabilized by only cyanoacrylate spray. As these cases presented a wide range of trauma each with a unique history, healing rates were based on initial measurements. An overall progression of wound reduction occurred at a predictable rate. The exogenous collagen formulations were used to stimulate controlled granulation, ie. to “jump start” the healing process. Collagen particles, suspension or dressings were packed into depressions, placed under suture lines, secured over abraded tissue, and placed under protective bandage or cast. To further evaluate the use of cyanoacrylate tissue spray in wound treatments, an additional ten cases are presented. The variety of wounds were produced experimentally in Center-owned ponies or provided as clinical cases. Wound size changes and healing progress were recorded. Wounds occurred on the neck, abdomen, metacarpal, metatarsal, fetlock and pastern areas. Depending on wound type, the site was treated with cyanoacrylate only; or treated as above until controlled granulation attained skin level. In one case punch grafts of skin were transferred from one foreleg to the opposite with the horse standing. Cyanoacrylate spray provided a water proof barrier protecting the wound from dirt, debris and insects as well as stabilizing full-thickness skin lacerations by bridging normal to traumatized skin allowing uninterrupted granulation and epithelialization. The use of a neck cradle prevented wound disturbance and stall confinement aided stabilization.