Circuit and Noise Analysis of Odorant Gas Sensors in an E-Nose

Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on February 28, 2005 | No Comments

In this paper, the relationship between typical circuit structures of gas sensorcircuits and their output noise is analyzed. By using averaged segmenting periodical graphand improved histogram estimation methods, we estimated their noise power spectra andoptimal probability distribution functions (pdf). The results were confirmed through experiment studies.

Assessing Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae aerosol movement at several distances

Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on January 15, 2005 | No Comments

Modern developments in pig production such as segregated production, early weaning and strategic medication have eliminated some of the risks associated with the spreading of pathogens. Although there have still been certain pathogens able to penetrate herds despite these improvements. Enzootic pneumonia (EP) is one disease that still causes reductions in production performance of swine herds. One of the main agents of EP is M hyopneumoniae, which is very difficult to grow in a lab causing a need for nested PCR technology to aid in the detection of the organism in tissue and air samples. The spreading of M hyopneumoniae is mainly through infected pigs and aerosols. This disease is assumed to travel up to 3km making dense pig operations and roadways that transport hogs risk factors for spreading the disease. But these assumptions are based on retrospective epidemiological studies, no scientific studies have been conducted to see if the disease can actually travel through the air for various distances. To test for the spreading of M hyopneumoniae a model was used that had previously been designed to test for the spreading of PRRS. This model consisted of three components: dispersal, dissemination and detection. The dispersal phase involved spraying units of M hyopneumoniae through a aerosol can, similar to a cooking oil spray. A blower was used to disseminate the samples, and a portable air centrifuge was used to collect samples at 1, 75 and 150 m from the dissemination area. The study was replicated twice at each distance. After each test, the centrifuge was sanitized. Samples were taken after each tests at each distance. All of the samples from each distance were found to be positive with M hyopneumoniae DNA. All the samples consisted of non-specific bacteria making it difficult to determine  if any samples had M hyopneumoniae-like colonies. Further studies need to be carried out to find out the maximum distance the particles can travel and to see if different weather conditions play a role in the distance traveled.

Battling PRRS virus Aerosol Spread

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Researchers were able to determine that the PRRS virus transfers between pigs by way of aerosol. It was also determined that the more virulent the disease was the higher chances it has of shedding and infecting other pigs. Identifying these factors has led to a need to develop an air filtration system capable of stopping the PRRS virus from traveling from an infected herd to a non-infected herd. A filtration system put in place by French hog farmers was able to eliminate PRRS outbreaks in an area that was once commonly infected with the virus. This method involved three filters one being high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter capable of filtering particles as small as 0.3 microns. To prove the effectiveness of this method American researchers ran a series of  tests involving PRRS infected pigs. The PRRS infected pig was put in one room and a PRRS negative pig was put in a room beside it with the filter placed between them. In 20 trials the PRRS negative pig was not infected with the virus, when the same test was done without the filter the negative pig was infected 6 out of 20 times. To intesify the study the researchers used 2 pints of solution containing PRRS to create a “virus fog” which was put through the filter. When the filter was in place for 10 trails the negative pig was not infected once, where as in the control when the filter was removed the negative pig was infected 9 out of 10 times. This HEPA filter was put in place in a  barn in Iowa that consistently suffered from PRRS outbreaks annually between November and February. After a year of having the filter in place the barn suffered no out breaks and the staff veterinarian said that the overall environment of the barn had been improved.


Dynamic Simulation Model of Nitrogen Fluxes in Pig Housing and Outdoor Storage Facilities

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2005 | No Comments

Many factors in pig production, including genetics, feeding efficiency, feed composition, feed distribution method, environmental control, and waste management, affect the nitrogen content of pig slurry. However, estimating the global impact of these factors on the nitrogen (N) content of daily fresh manure and stored slurry is not easy. Mathematical modelling of certain N fluxes in pig production systems have shown good potential for predicting the impact of some of the aforementioned characteristics on either pig excretion or ammonia volatilisation in buildings and outdoor storage facilities. However, none considered both excretion and ammonia volatilisation over the entire production site. To do this, equations from the literature were used to construct a dynamic simulation model of N fluxes in both batch and continuous production systems. The resulting model allows for prediction of daily concentrations and quantities of N in buildings and storage facilities. Total N concentration in outside slurry tanks can be accurately predicted within an error range of 6
4% forthe growing–finishing site and 9
3% for the reproduction site.

Manure management practices in Lombardy (Italy)

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Occupational noise exposure assessment in intensive swine farrowing systems: dosimetry, octave band, and specific task analysis

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Data Mining to Improve the Bottom Line

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In recent years, the North American swine industry has evolved rather dramatically from being largely comprised of family-farming type businesses to being dominated by large integrated meat protein producing firms operating in several industries. Because of the changes associated with this evolution, the leaders of the swine industry have been transaction focused for too long. This includes buying new assets and making new deals. As leaders of the North American swine industry are forced to manage their businesses rather than just grow them in an effort to become competitive, their focus will increasingly be on making their businesses profitable. As has occurred with other non-agricultural industries, understanding opportunities to increase profitability through cost and revenue management will be integral to the success of pork businesses. Data mining will be the key to that understanding. You do not have to be good in mathematics to mine data, you just need to know arithmetic and be willing to study numbers.

ROLE OF INTERNAL NUTRIENT STORAGE IN DUCKWEED GROWTH FOR SWINE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

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UTILIZING WEB-BASED GIS AND SDSS FOR HYDROLOGICAL LAND USE CHANGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

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Effects of composted swine manure on weed seedbank

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