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While Apple may have made a mountain of money by putting a bunch of electronics inside brushed aluminum cases, a design student from the UK is wondering if his bamboo-based idea will yield a similar bounty.
Frustrated by the lack of designs in the smartphone market, Middlesex University student Kieron-Scott Woodhouse recently came up with his own concept—a unibody smartphone with its casing carved from a single block of bamboo.
He put his ideas up on the Web and to his astonishment was contacted by a technology entrepreneur who wanted to make his phone a reality.
Progress with the 23-year-old's smartphone design has been rapid, with the pair already having set up a company and joined forces with a hardware engineer to help build the device.
Called the ADzero, its casing incorporates organically grown bamboo which has been specially treated to improve its durability.
"Bamboo may seem like a strange material to use for a phone," Woodhouse said, "but it's actually extremely strong and very durable, perfect qualities for this kind of application." The fact that it's a fast-growing, sustainable and abundant material also appeals to Woodhouse.
A stand-out feature of the ADzero is its ring flash circling the lens. Such a flash is not seen on current smartphones, though it's known to markedly improve pictures taken in low light, offering even illumination and eliminating unwanted shadows.
Not too much is known about the ADzero's tech specs at the present time, though Woodhouse says it will be half the weight of Apple's iPhone, have a larger screen as well, and be powered by the Android operating system.
The unique phone was initially set for launch in the Chinese market later this year, but was so well received at a recent design show in London that the decision has been made to release it first in the UK, with a plan to get design-aware retailers involved.
Talking about the ADzero, Woodhouse is understandably delighted with the way things are going. "The whole experience so far has been incredible and completely unexpected," he said. "Completing my final year and working has been challenging, but my course and the project complement each other well and it's a great start of my career."
Now, with a phone like the ADzero in your hand, you'd surely want a decent case to protect that gorgeous wood….so how about that nice looking brushed aluminum one over there? Oh, wait, hang on a minute…..
Below: Woodhouse talks about his bamboo phone.
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- The world's most eco-friendly shoes are made of algae, cork, and bison fur
- Rekindled yet again, Nokia's next-gen phones offer more than just nostalgia
- All the folding smartphones you need to know about


text: Every time I've gone to buy a new spring piece, accessories or clothing, I always go straight to the crazy-bright neon citrus, like a moth to a flame! Ever since Lily Collins rocked the lime mini dress on our March cover, I just cannot get enough. I got a bright neon pink wallet, I've been wrapping neon bracelets around my arms like crazy, and now I cannot resist these bright Rebecca Minkoff sandals. They are everything I want in a sandal for summer \u2014 comfortable basic shape, good price for a snazzy brand like Rebecca Minkoff, and the perfect pop to any summer outfit. Or, the perfect way to complete my transformation into a human highlighter this summer (cc: @josaltz my partner in neon fashion crime)! They're available right now at rebeccaminkoff.com and they come in neon hot pink, too. \n What are you lusting for this #shoesdaytuesday? Tweet your shoes to @seventeenmag!

subset: commoncrawl


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By Nigel G. Worrall
You've finally saved up the money to take that dream family vacation – the one you hope you and your kids will remember for a lifetime. You've chosen a destination and researched all the activities in the area. You've asked the boss for the time off. Now all you need is a place to stay.
This leads to the usual "accommodation dilemma" families face – unless you just won the lottery and have unlimited funds to spend on your trip. Do you crowd the entire clan into a single hotel or motel room for a week or two, giving up any personal space or privacy and the relaxation that comes with your hard-earned vacation time? Or do you essentially double your costs by putting the kids in a separate room so you can get some peace and quiet? That is, if the adjoining rooms you requested when you made your reservation are actually available.
Believe it or not, there is a way to have your privacy and afford it too. Instead of a hotel or motel, book your stay at a vacation home.
Vacation homes – private homes rented for vacation accommodation – are the hottest new travel trend in America. The homes are primarily located in upscale neighborhoods near popular tourist destinations, and range from clean and comfortable to decadent and luxurious. Even the simplest home is professionally cleaned and prepared to comfortably accommodate guests. It's bound to have a private bedroom for parents, a separate sleeping area – and possibly more than one – for children or other guests, a full kitchen with dishes and cooking utensils, a deck or yard, at least one bathroom, a living room with a television, and more – far more than you'd ever find in a typical motel or hotel room. And all for about the same price.
When it comes to extras, vacation homes offer the gamut – from game rooms to swimming pools, from spa tubs to plasma TV's to high speed internet access. There's something available for every budget and every taste and style – from families on a budget to discerning travelers who demand the very best.
Compare that to a hotel room, where you get a bed (or two), a chest of drawers with a TV in it, maybe a small table and a couple of chairs, and a bathroom. If you want to eat, you have to go to a restaurant. If you don't feel like going out, there's a small selection of overpriced snacks and drinks in the mini-bar. If you're hungry for something more elaborate, you'll have to call room service – and that means a 20 minute wait (at least!), an extra charge just for bringing already expensive hotel food, and of course you're limited to what's on the menu. If you want to lay by the pool, you have to compete with all the other guests for a lounge and towels – and then share the water with a bunch of strangers. You may even have to pay to park your car. And if you want privacy and time away from your kids, you have to pay for another room!
When you compare vacation homes with typical hotel and motel rooms, there really is no comparison. If you're looking for a vacation that offers true privacy, comfort and relaxation for your entire family, don't settle for another overpriced, overcrowded hotel. Book your stay at a vacation home – you may never want to leave.


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As an atheist and a trained sociologist, I fail to see any evidence for innate human rights (what some may call natural rights). While I personally agree that all humans should be extended equal rights and that this should occur in all places and at all times. Yet, at the moment there is no evidence that such origins of such rights are to be found in either biology or human nature (if there is such a thing).
This is why I was disappointed to hear human rights being discussed in the atheist community as something that is concrete, either through biology or human nature.
The most annoying thing was the lack of understanding that such claims are a form of ethnocentrism, the idea that one culture is superior to another. Tied to this was a critique of cultural relativism, which is never a justification of violence or discrimination. Rather it is a method, in social science, that attempts to avoid ethnocentrism. It does not say that all cultures are equal or all things in them equally true, only that the people in such cultures believe their cultural beliefs to be true (sometimes universally true). This is exactly what we are doing, if we lay claim to innate/biologically determined human rights: we are claiming that our beliefs are superior to those who do not believe in innate human rights.
It is a minor point, but one that I find many atheists and humanists misunderstand (including thinkers as great as Sam Harris). To make claim to innate human rights is to condemn all those who break them to being less than human. That is not something that a humanist, in my opinion, should be dong.
Happy to discuss.
Views: 521
As I started reading your post, my thoughts went immediately to Sam Harris etc, who feel that morality can be fully derived (rather than informed by) rational thought.
I think that Haidt ("The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion") is much closer to the truth. We have some deep instinctive sense of right and wrong, good and bad, but as experiments have shown (runaway trolley etc) it's an ad hoc collection of evolutionarily derived social behaviors, far from a logically consistent rule set.
I believe that human rights, like human morality, is the product of our evolution, of generating framworks in which societies can not only survive, but improve. A society that recognizes that a woman is not property to be used or abused will progress, while those who cannot conceive of such a thing, will remain stagnant, will decay, and will either experience chaos or revolution - eventually. Based on what I have learned from studying history, order must always evolve - order does not mean immovable fixation. So countries with secular laws concerning rights and freedoms are an expression of this progress, and like everything else, those too must evolve.
The religious books of an older morality and human rights have failed to keep up, and their messages are antiquated. Unfortunately, religion, unlike science, cannot change, because it must be true, and truth, in their eyes, is immutable.
Justin, those examples are inapposite.
John, Thanks for the link . I will have a look.
Glen, the statement "And clearly all cultures are not equal" is by definition an ethnocentric one.
In regards to the origin of that ethnocentrism, reason is a justifiable one. However, how do we exclude the taken-for-granted from our reasoning. Eg.: In Japan, it is common sense that roads have no names and that blocks do. The reverse is true in Western countries. Who's reasonable explanation of geography should be excluded? Again in Japan it is reasonable to say "This is the first time we have met." and in English we say "Nice to meet you." Do we exclude the English phrase because we have no evidence that it is actually nice to met the person and parsimonious to say the obvious.
I claim that extending human rights is superior. I dont want to give hate groups, fundamentalists, or any of the other invasive creeds a pass. The source of rights is reason. So yes our biology and our nature play a part in producing what amounts to a construct.
Also I disagree that ethnocentrism derived of reason is tantamount to ethnocentrism derived of faith. And clearly all cultures are not equal.
Humans have a deplorable record of violating rights if reason is the guide. The condemnation is only in keeping with observation. It is not less than human, it is simply human.
I've made a summary of my long study of ethics here; supporting essays on relevant philosophical points are also here on my blog.
I was using innate to mean something that is inborn or natural.
I would agree that human rights are social constructs.
As someone not trained in much of anything, I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here. The concept of 'rights' is a social construct evolved along with social critters like us and many others. To claim that something is 'innate' is a shortcut for 'what's worked so far' among groups of genes. There must be or have been evolutionarily stable systems of behavior that produced attitudes about 'rights', else we'd not have them.
Such shortcuts can be useful (you just can't think about everything all the time), but become a burden when we try to translate them into absolutes. Pure relativism -- hell, pure anything is an absolute construct that does not exist in nature. Probably :) .
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YogaAvenue N17 Tottenham Pregnancy Yoga
YogaAvenue Olivia Festy
Saturday, 14 July 2018 from 10:10 to 11:40 (BST)
Event Details
Come and meet new mums at our relaxing Hatha yoga class. A one hour class focusing on breathing techniques as well as stretches and strengthening exercise to support you through pregnancy and active labour.
Followed by an optional 30 min tea and chat social.
Classes are a suggested £7 donation, or £20 for 4 classes
Pls see yogaavenue.guru for more details or yogaavenueguru on facebook.
**If you have registered and am no longer able to attend, pls deregister from the event so that others can attend.**
See link for details on how to cancel your order.
When & Where
Lordship Recreational Park Eco Hub
Off Highams rd or Adams rd, inside the park
Saturday, 14 July 2018 from 10:10 to 11:40 (BST)
Add to my calendar


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New Designed,Black Textured Steel
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text:
Fixing already exist amazon data scraping tool
Budget $10-30 USD
I have scraping tool which i use to scrap data from amazon. It is written with perl and data stored at mysql server. but having minor problem to run this tool, data is not storing in mysql, i do not know what is the reason,
Solid PERL coding skill, Solid MySQL server, data knowledge.
7 frilansare har i genomsnitt lagt bud på $59 för detta jobb
Hi I'm a Perl developer with 10+years of experience. Please attach existing script to check first Relevant Skills and Experience . Proposed Milestones $35 USD - fix perl script
I am an expert in scraping and crawling Relevant Skills and Experience proven track record on this site Proposed Milestones $94 USD - milestone
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you want your script get fix, Relevant Skills and Experience perl, mysql Proposed Milestones $30 USD - full milestone May i know more about your requirement, i want to more about your script


text:
Publication data
Looks like a spider; terminating now. If you are real, send a note including your IP-address to contact_at_progenetix.org.
Feel free to use the data and tools for academic research projects and other applications. If more support and/or custom analysis is needed, please contact Michael Baudis regarding a collaborative project.
Project co-financed by a grant from Switzerland through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union.


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Blip.tv API and YouTube API Code Samples – Library MashupsPosted: September 8, 2009 Filed under: code/files, libraries, php | Tags: API, blip.tv, mashup, php, youtube Leave a comment
My chapter "Blip.tv and Digital Video Collections in the Library" for the recently released Library Mashups edited by Nicole Engard was in need of some code samples. I wanted to show how to use the APIs I kept mentioning in the writing which focused on the digital library mashup of TERRApod. So… here they are in their basic, rudimentary glory.
- blip.tv API demo – http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/files/api/bliptv/
- blip.tv API code – http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/files/api/bliptv/index.phps
- YouTube API demo – http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/files/api/youtube/
- YouTube API code – http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/files/api/youtube/index.phps
The complete code is available for download from my code archive. Think of these examples as the raw materials for building mashups with the blip.tv API and YouTube API. The blip.tv example relies on PHP 5, but I made the YouTube PHP4 compatible and you could adapt the code from there for the blip.tv API. I also included some CURL code in the comments of the files just in case your host requires it. If you have questions or improvements, drop a comment.
A quick word about the book: If you are at all interested in mashups and web services, take a closer look. The book covers one profession's (the librarian) application of web services to library data problems. Contributions from industry leader's like John Blyberg, Ross Singer and Karen Coombs make this an interesting read for anyone interested in how web services and open data are changing the nature of web development for libraries.
<end bookplug />


text:
Men's Scuderia Ferrari T-shirt with rubberized print
Scuderia Ferrari Store Exclusive
This men's stretch cotton Scuderia Ferrari T-shirt features an all-over print on the front.
The tone-on-tone diagonal stripe print is just one of the distinctive details that make this short-sleeve regular fit T-shirt unique. It also features the iconic Shield on the breast, the traffic light on the lower left, and the Scuderia Ferrari label on the sleeve; all elements that exude loyalty to the Scuderia Ferrari team. The stretch cotton makes the Scuderia Ferrari T-shirt very comfortable, while its essential yet refined design is an ideal match for sporty outfits and everyday casual, simple looks.
- All-over print
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We offer both Standard and Express shipping: choose the service that best meets your needs at checkout.
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For some people.
Honestly, I tuned out everything. It got to be too much. I couldn't handle day after day of lay-offs, bad news, and no-offers. I now spend most of my time on a relationship discussion forum and wet canvas, when I feel like surfing that sort of thing.Goaliechica: good luck with the deadline. I'm sure you'll do well.
Blargh. Law school stress kicking back in.
good to know.i think at this point it's a foregone conclusion that i'm watching the whole thing no matter what.
word of caution: season 2 is not as good as season 1. things get good again in 3, then great in 4. 5 is kind of meh.
Remember how long ago red. and P and hank and everyone were talking about this show? Wow, that takes me back.
class much?


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We are located in Southern IA, in Decatur County, Weldon Creek Outfitters LLC has built a strong reputation for quality hunts over the years. The many thousands of acres of corn, soybean and hay fields here draw and keep trophy whitetail deer in the area. It is also great feeding and nesting ground for wild turkeys.
We offer bow, muzzleloader, and shotgun slug hunting. Our hunts are semi-guided. Although, most hunters bring their own stands, we do have stands positioned. Our guides are very knowledgeable about the wildlife and terrain that you will be hunting. They spend all year, scouting deer habitat. We own and lease the ground you will hunt on, which gives our hunters a safer hunt, because we know who is hunting. Our goal at Weldon Creek Outfitters LLC is to make your hunt a memorable experience. We understand the pleasure our hunters receive in getting away from it all, so we strive to make your hunt, the best you have ever had. Whether it be trophy deer, good food or comfortable lodging. We average a 90% rebooking each year. Repeat customers are the best gauge of trust and satisfaction there is.
Whitetail Bow Season:Bow hunts still
Bow season starts the first weekend of October and runs through the first Saturday of December. It starts again around the 20th of December and runs through January 10th. The peak of the rut should occur around November 7th, plus or minus a week. Bait is not legal in Iowa but the use of decoys is, as long as there are no moving parts.
Whitetail Shotgun & Muzzleloader Season:
There are two shotgun seasons. The first season usually starts the first Saturday in December and is five days long.
The second season starts the second weekend of Dec. and is 9 days. You must use rifled slugs in shotguns. Shotgun hunts are usually guided.
Late muzzleloader season runs from the day after shotgun season ends and runs thru Jan 10.
License Information:
Iowa is a lottery draw state
with applications done in May for deer. When applying for license, please
specify ZONE 5 for our area.
If not drawn you will receive a preference point. In May, you may purchase a preference point instead of applying for a license.
Hunters born after JAN. 1, 1972, must have a Hunter's safety Certificate. Go to www.iowadnr.com for more info on ordering licenses.


text:
Mobile Traffic Declines in July (And More Statistics)
Affiliate Window, one of the United Kingdom's leading performance marketing networks, has unleashed upon the world its July report concerning mobile and m-commerce statistics.
Most curiously, the company found that the share of Web traffic through mobile devices actually dropped from over 12 percent in June to making up around just nine percent of total traffic in July. This isn't terribly peculiar, as May saw a slight decrease, as well, following month-by-month increases for the first four months of the year.
On the upside, however, the volume of mobile clicks actually increased. And not only that, but the share of sales through mobile devices also rose, finally crossing the nine percent threshold at 9.42 percent. Ultimately, this figure, coupled with the drop in traffic, seems to show a closer alignment between mobile conversion rates and those of their desktop counterparts, as mobile conversion rates improved throughout July, increasing to 3.14 percent.
The report also breaks down mobile and m-commerce statistics by mobile device. It shouldn't really be a surprise that Apple is (still) leading the pack, with the iPhone driving 38 percent of all mobile traffic by the end of the month. However, it's not all sunshine for the brand, as iPad traffic actually ended up dropping below 40 percent. On the other hand, iPad sales reached a high of 63 percent of all mobile sales by the end of the month, and the iPhone ended up accounting for 24.87 percent.
Android devices saw traffic increases in July, with the number resting between 18 and 19 percent, up from June's 17.5 percent. BlackBerry and "Other" devices both decreased, driving 1.5 and two percent of July's mobile traffic, respectively. In terms of sales, Android saw another increase, ranging between 11.5 and 13 percent throughout the four weeks of July, while BlackBerry and "Other" devices both stayed below two percent.
From a year-to-date perspective, iPads have driven 57 percent of all mobile sales, with iPhones coming in second at 27 percent, and followed by Android (11 percent), BlackBerry (3 percent) and other devices (2 percent). Adding to this, Affiliate Window found that the iPhone, Android and "Other" devices allow showed an improvement in conversion rates in July; in fact, they were all almost identical at around 2.1 percent.
I think it's fair to say that if you take anything away from this report, it's not to put too much stock in the future of BlackBerry.


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Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
versión On-line ISSN 2224-9435
versión impresa ISSN 1019-9128
J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. vol.81 no.2 Pretoria ene. 2010
A study of preslaughter pig handling and stunning in selected South African Highveld region abattoirs
B T SpencerI,*; C M VearyII
IDepartment of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
IIDepartment of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
The study hypothesis was that pre-slaughter handling is not conducted in such a way that pigs can be considered humanely slaughtered, nor is it conducive to promoting those properties of fresh meat that could enhance pork quality. The 1st phase of the investigation was aimed at confirming the present compliance level within the prescribed norms. To this end the importance of stunning induction requirements for effective electrical stunning, the welfare implications relating to the pre-slaughter handling of pigs and the stunning and sticking techniques were investigated. Pre-slaughter welfare of the pigs at the abattoir was found to be influenced at the outset by the origin and type of pig slaughtered, the daily throughput range of pigs and the type of abattoir involved. A disappointing pre-arrival aspect was that deficiencies in road motor vehicles were observed while off-loading pigs. Through poor design or lack of maintenance, another factor that hampered free movement of pigs was the off-loading facilities. The nature of animal behaviour in the pens, in the passages and when going into the stunning area was directly related to the pig handling efficiency and to the nature and extent of design and maintenance problems with equipment. None of the abattoirs had a well designed in-feed to a well planned stunning area/facility, and a very high level of pig pre-slaughter stress prevailed. The optimum position of the electrodes is virtually impossible to attain under practical conditions and the practice of repeat application of electrical stunning is common. Of the total sample size (n = 1175), 34 % were difficult to shackle, 90 % of these being from the abattoirs tending to slaughter more routinely a wide range of different sized pigs. In this survey 149 pigs (13 %) required more than a single sticking attempt to bleed out properly, considerably higher than in other published reports.
Keywords: compliance level, Highveld region (South Africa), pig electrical stunning, structured questionnaire survey, welfare aspects.
The Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000, Government Gazette Notice 1106, Republic of South Africa) stipulates as an essential national standard that an animal presented for slaughter at an abattoir must be handled humanely during loading, transportation, off-loading, housing, immobilising and killing as prescribed in accordance with the requirements of the Animals Protection Act 1962 (Act No. 71 of 1962)10. The Red Meat Regulations under the Meat Safety Act stipulate inter alia that for stunning an electrical stunning apparatus must be provided and that the operational parameters for stunning must be displayed on the stunning apparatus or in the stunning area. An electrical stunning apparatus must be in a good state of repair and used in accordance with approved methods. The terminals must be applied to the head in such a manner that the current passes through the brain. Meters must be provided to monitor the voltage, amperage and time used during stunning to assure that the manufacturers recommendations are adhered to11. In the United Kingdom legislation requires the production of immediate insensibility, implying that a stun can be applied only once9,17 and many countries require pigs to be rendered unconscious and insensible to pain prior to bleed out to be considered humanely slaughtered6.
Electrical stunning induces unconsciousness by generating an epileptiform seizure, characterised by 2 distinct phases, a tonic phase and a clonic phase, rendering the animal insensible to pain. This seizure is dependent upon the amount of current passing through the brain and possibly the area of the brain through which current flows6,8. Electrical stunning reduces inhibitory influences of the brain on the spinal cord and can lead to kicking during the clonic phase, resulting in pigs being more difficult to shackle and stick effectively and impairing worker safety6.
The impedance of a live pig's head is predominantly a function of the stunning voltage and decreases non-linearly with increasing voltage. Tissue reactance was not found to be a contributing factor, but the application of high stun voltage was found to cause a breakdown in the tissue impedance between the electrodes, which continued to decrease with stun duration17. Minimum current levels required for effective electrical stunning of pigs are higher than those obtainable with low voltage systems5,7. Better tong placement will result in reduced contact impedance and improves the performance of the stunning system13. Modern hand-held tong design for high voltage systems led to the development of dry electrodes with sharp, teeth-like contacts that in most circumstances penetrate the skin. Electrical current will flow between the electrodes dependant upon a number of compounding factors, which change the values of the impedance pathways taken by the current field and affect both current amplitude and the 3-dimensional spread of the current field. The frequency and waveform of the stunning current will directly affect impedance13.
Several methods have been described to apply the electrodes used with an electrical stunning apparatus, including headonly, head-to-back and head-to-brisket application of electrodes6. The use of tong-type electrodes for effective headonly electrical stunning of pigs requires good tong positions that span the brain, namely between the eye and ear on each side of the head, below the ear on each side of the head, or diagonal application between the top and bottom of the head6,13. Poor tong placement could result in poor electrical contact, electrodes that do not span the brain, an inadequate stun and hence poor animal welfare at stunning when used at 150 to 250 V2,13. The minimum European Community requirement for electrical stunning of pigs is a current of 1.25-1.3 Amps maintained for at least 3 seconds and the voltage applied to achieve this current must be at least 240 V7. A maximum stunning to exsanguination interval of 15 seconds was considered sufficient to ensure that pigs of 60-80 kg do not regain consciousness following the stun5.
The head-to-back or head-to-brisket stunning method was also considered the most humane as it induces cardiac fibrillation resulting in immediate cardiac arrest18. Pigs generally exhibit less kicking18, improving worker safety and allowing carcasses to be more easily handled compared with pigs stunned using head-only tongs. Cardiac fibrillation also eliminates the risk of pigs regaining consciousness prior to exsanguination that can occur due to variation in stun to stick intervals when head only tongs are used. Headto-back stunning of pigs may result in broken vertebrae if the voltage applied is too high6.
Variations in current levels due to different tong applications have previously been shown not to affect intensity of convulsions2. Although there is no clear explanation for the individual differences in the intensity of convulsions, different waveforms and frequencies can modify the characteristics of post-stun convulsions and affect quality4. A solution, from a welfare standpoint, would be to reconsider head-to-back stunning (cardiac arrest) which prevents carcass convulsions. However, occurrence of vertebral fractures, a common practical problem with manual application of this method, needs to be eliminated18. Some modern but expensive automatic stunning systems that use appropriate waveforms and frequencies to 1st induce a stun followed by cardiac arrest already provide welfare and quality assurance. Another important factor to bear in mind is that the insensibility provided by head-only electrical stunning is reversible, unless the heart is stopped by cardiac fibrillation, and recovery could take place before exsanguination is complete.
No published data could be found in South Africa proving that the pre-slaughter handling of pigs is humane and that it is conducive to enhancing pork quality. The primary objective of this research was to foster a better understanding of the importance of the welfare implications relating to the pre-slaughter handling of pigs, stunning induction requirements for effective electrical stunning, and the stunning and sticking techniques.
Experimental design required a visit to 6 pig abattoirs, once in summer and once in winter during normal slaughter operations to analyse predetermined aspects relating to the pre-slaughter handling of the pigs through consultation with the management and by personal observation, measurement and data capture on identified operating procedures. Observations were made over the course of 1 slaughter day for each visit and involved 100 pigs per abattoir visited. The understanding of the purpose of the research, the content of the questionnaire and the practicality of the data capture envisaged was confirmed by a pilot study.
A structured questionnaire interview was conducted with the processing management of each abattoir to obtain basic information about the abattoir, average throughput details, breed/s slaughtered, maximum, minimum and modal dressed mass and modal classification details. Lairage care aspects were also investigated, including lairage design, pen sizes and cooling systems, management of lots on arrival, the method of identification of individual pigs, the means of herding pigs and staff training programmes. The handling of the pigs was also related to meat quality factors with information gleaned on the resting period: direct slaughter of pigs (30 minutes in pens) or resting periods up to 2-3 hours and the stress factors immediately before slaughter.
Technical information was obtained on the electrical stunning apparatus and the standard operating procedure (SOP) prescribed for the stunning of pigs at the plant. In this regard discussion centred on the stunning area (pen, crate, restrainer or crowding pen), the type of stunner (tongs, V-apparatus or automatic) and electrode factors (design, condition and maintenance). In respect of current South African legislation, it was ascertained whether or not the operational parameters for stunning were displayed on the stunning apparatus or in the stunning area and whether the electrical stunning apparatus was maintained in a good state of repair and was used in accordance with approved methods and the manufacturer's recommendations. In addition, it was ascertained whether the terminals are applied to the head of the animal in such a manner that the current passes through the brain, and whether meters are provided to monitor the voltage, amperage and time used during stunning.
This was followed by personal observation of predetermined criteria relating to the pre-slaughter welfare of the pigs and during which interview data were confirmed. Pre-arrival aspects recorded were the distance travelled and the type and condition of the transport vehicle. As an additional lairage care aspect, environmental conditions were recorded on the date of each visit including the time of day, climatic conditions and the temperature of the lairage. The layout of the pens and the races and passage design were described. Staff handling efficiency was assessed as good, trained and sympathetic, ignorant (not knowing what to do), inexperienced (knowing what to do but not knowing how to do it), incompetent (inability to do it) or inconsiderate (not caring). The method of herding pigs (use of prodders, bag whips, noise levels, hand herding and boards) was assessed and recorded. The behaviour was scored according to a 4-point scale when the pigs were moved from the lairage to the stunning pen, and ranged from very quiet, no resistance and moving freely to refusing to move and very excited. Fighting was interpreted as pigs attacking each other for longer than 10 seconds.
In respect of stunning induction requirements, the method and site of application of the electrodes were recorded as head only between the eyes, head only poll/neck, head-to-back or head-tobrisket, or any observed combination. Details of current amperage range, duration of application in seconds and voltage applied were recorded as well as the slaughter throughput rate per hour. The site and ease of shackling the pig was observed and assessed on the scale no delay (immediate and easy), minimal delay, some delay and physical control required (pinning down with a foot), difficult with considerable delay or an excessive delay (almost impossible).
The physical responses and reflex behaviour of each pig at the time of sticking (convulsions normal or excessive) and the ease and adequacy of each sticking operation was examined, assessed and recorded under 5 categories. These were optimal (no contractions or only tonic), incidental contractions (tonic followed by slight clonic contractions), tonic and severe clonic contractions and delayed operation, adversely affected by severe convulsions/contractions (kicking) or a totally unmanageable sticking operation.
The effectiveness of sticking based on the experience and care of the operative in charge of the slaughter procedure was assessed as successful 1st attempt at sticking - pig lying or pig hanging, subsequent attempts required for a rapid and profuse loss of blood or pigs showing signs of recovery (return of rhythmic breathing). The time in seconds between stunning and bleeding was recorded as was the duration of the bleed out time and the stick wound was assessed as small, medium or large.
Pre-slaughter welfare aspects
Throughput details
Of the 6 high-throughput pig abattoirs visited
Two were multi-species abattoirs with a daily throughput range for pigs of 350-850 (averaging 600).
Two were large specialist pig abattoirs with a daily throughput range of 620-1200 (averaging 900).
Two were smaller specialist pig abattoirs with a daily throughput range of 300-450 (averaging 375).
All slaughtered a mixture of breeds, but with the large specialist pig abattoirs tending to slaughter a more uniformly sized pig dressing out as bacon pigs (mass 75-90 kg) or large porkers - mainly Topigs and PIC genetics.
The multi-species service abattoirs and the smallest specialist pig abattoir tended to slaughter more routinely a full spectrum of sizes from both intensively and extensively raised pigs. The dressed mass ranged therefore from 10 kg (seasonal, suckling pigs) to sow culls at 200+ kg to boars (maximum dressed mass recorded 347 kg).
Classification of mainly P and O, with P up to 90 % was reported from specialist pig abattoirs but an example range of P: 45 %, O: 35 %, R: 15 % and C: 5 % and lower, was not uncommon from service abattoirs. The carcase classification is based on warm dressed carcase back fat thickness and lean meat percentage (LMP) using either the manual intrascope or the computerised Hennesy probe reading. PORCUS is the acronym used by the local pork industry with a P classification based on a LMP above 70 %. This drops in 2 percentage point steps through the letters O, R, C, U to S at a LMP reading below 62 %.
Pre-arrival aspects
During the project 22 road motor vehicles were observed off-loading pigs (Table 1). Some salient points to note are:
Of the vehicles used, 50 % were singlebed vehicles, including 4 1-ton utility vehicles ('bakkies'), 41 % double-deck side off-loaders and 9 % were tractor-drawn single-bed rear off-loading trailers.
No shade cloths were used in 59 % of the vehicles and 50 % of the 14 trailers.
Floor cleats, grids or mats were not used in 55 % of the vehicles.
Problems were encountered in 75 % of double-deck side off-loaders - mainly from the lower deck and 20 % of singlebed side off-loaders.
Off-loading facilities
The best facility demonstrated all the plus factors, namely a wide straight hydraulically operated ramp with solid sides and a cleated floor which could be set at an optimal gradient from the level landing area not to exceed the recommended 20º maximum slope. The problems observed were:
A low single level concrete ramp, poorly placed for larger side off-loader vehicles and trailers to dock correctly and unable to adjust to multiple-deck vehicle heights.
A limited turning circle to allow vehicles and trailers to dock correctly.
Ramps, fixed or adjustable, too steep and slippery, even when fitted with grids.
Through poor design or lack of maintenance, other factors that hamper free movement of pigs, for example, slippery floor surfaces, sharp corners and open-sided landing areas or ramps.
Lairage care aspects
Lairage design and capacity
Weather conditions recorded were variable with winter temperatures ranging from 8 ºC to 18 ºC and summer more consistently from 24 ºC to 26 ºC, but the environmental temperature of the lairages was lower than that of the prevailing ambient temperature. Lairage capacity was generally based on a pen size using a sliding scale formula with 18 m2 holding up to 25 bacon pigs, 36 porkers and 12 sausage pigs.
Lairage management
In 4 of the 6 abattoirs visited identification of pigs was by means of slap tattoo on arrival and records kept of subsequent pen allocation. In the other 2 cases involving service abattoirs, pigs were individually and lot number tagged and records kept. Vehicle lots were accommodated according to vehicle loads without lot mixing. In all the abattoirs the herding of pigs was achieved using bag whips, making a noise or by hand herding - coins or stones in a plastic bottle made an excellent rattle.
Pig handling efficiency
Staff handling efficiency was measured against the published category criteria described above. The nature of animal behaviour in the pens, in the passages and when going into the stunning area was directly related to the pig handling efficiency and to the nature and extent of design and maintenance problems with equipment. The policy adopted for a stand-over time prior to slaughter for the pigs in the lairages was very similar in 4 of the abattoirs visited, namely, slaughter on day of arrival after a 1 hour resting period for every 1 hour of travel to the abattoir, with up to 100 pigs held over for slaughter the next day. The other abattoirs adopted a more flexible policy ranging from slaughter on arrival to a stand-over as long as 48 hours in the lairage. In the main, however, pigs were rested for 1-2 hours prior to slaughter.
Slaughter welfare aspects
Stunner details (Table 2)
In all but 1 of the abattoirs the stunner was a hand-held V design with an activating button and smooth electrodes ±100 mm on each side attached to the control box and the unit was custom designed and supplied by 1 company. One abattoir had an automatic hydraulically operated and computerised copper fibre mace electrode catching pigs on each side on the lateral aspect of head. No abattoir had operational parameters for stunning displayed on the stunning apparatus or in the stunning area.
The terminals (electrodes) were mainly applied in the region of head only behind the ears with a tendency to below the ears from in front - good tong positions spanning the brain below the ear on each side of the head. The stun duration varied according to size and ranged between 2 and 15 seconds. Insensibility ranged from optimal to a majority of typical tonic/ clonic contractions.
For the current details of stunning induction the researchers were informed that the amperage ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 except for the high voltage automated stunner at 500 V, where 15 amps were generated for a very short time. The low voltage used in the other abattoirs ranged from 90 to 230 V. Physical responses post-stunning were tonic/clonic contractions of varying severity (Table 3).
The most poorly performed, variable and disappointing function was the shackling of pigs, mainly in the 2 service abattoirs. The sticking operation and bleed out was, however, well done in all but 1 of the abattoirs, with a strong tendency towards making a medium-sized stick wound. The time from stunning to bleed out was mainly within 10-12 seconds and the duration of the bleed, although variable, was seldom less than 6 minutes, but frequently much longer due to line stoppages.
Pre-slaughter welfare aspects
Pork meat quality can be defined as a combination of different properties of fresh meat. These properties concern both consumer acceptance and technological aspects such as colour, water holding capacity and texture, with pH immediately post mortem being an important factor. The handling of the animals at the abattoir and the resting period (welfare aspects) are suggested to play an important role15,16.
Pre-slaughter welfare of the pigs at the abattoir was found to be influenced at the outset by the origin and type of pig slaughtered, the daily throughput range of pigs and the type of abattoir involved. All abattoirs slaughtered a mixture of breeds, but the large specialist pig abattoirs tended to slaughter larger, more uniformly sized pigs, which were generally easier to handle. The multi-species service abattoirs and the smaller specialist pig abattoirs tended to slaughter more routinely a full spectrum of sizes from both intensively and extensively raised pigs and in the main more difficult to handle.
A disappointing pre-arrival aspect was the deficiencies in road motor vehicles observed whilst off-loading pigs. No shade cloths were used in 59 % of the vehicles and 50 % of the 14 trailers, and floor cleats, grids or mats were not used in 55 % of the vehicles. Problems were encountered in 75 % of double-deck side offloaders, mainly from the lower deck, and 20 % of single-bed, side off-loaders. These included poor docking, loading and offloading delays (pig factors and vehicle factors), heat and handling stress factors, with fighting, reluctance to move and high vocalisation. Through poor design or lack of maintenance, another factor that hampered free movement of pigs was the off-loading facilities. Many were unable to adjust to multiple-deck vehicles, were too steep and slippery with or without grids, and had sharp corners and open sided landing areas or ramps.
Lairage care aspects must include the management of weather conditions and it was pleasing in summer that the environmental temperature of the lairages was lower than that of the prevailing ambient temperature. This was achieved by lairage design and the use of micro-misting sprayer systems, but without maintenance these created a wet environment and wasted water.
One service abattoir and a large speciesspecific abattoir had rectangular pens and passages with an open rail design leading to solid wall races just before the stunning area. In the former, pens were inconsistently sized and designed to fill all the available space with little thought given to lairage flow patterns for filling and emptying pens. In the latter, lairage design was carefully planned with pens of ±18 m2 holding up to 25 bacon pigs. In all the other abattoirs lairages were rectangular box shaped solid walled pens and solid walled passages with blind right-angled turns.
Pens were frequently overcrowded and pigs of different sizes were not separated. At 1 abattoir, for example, 70 adult culls (sausage pigs) were spread amongst the other pigs from 8 different suppliers in the lairage, and all had been standing for 2 days in the lairage due to machine down time at stunning. Herding of pigs was achieved using bag whips, making a noise with a rattle or by hand herding. Prodders were, however, noted at strategic points where animal management was difficult. That lairages are not high on the management supervision agenda in most abattoirs is supported by the following observations during 1 of the abattoir visits.
Five dead pigs were found scattered over the lairages - no attempt was made to remove them.
One dead pig was found lying on the rubble outside the passage to the pens from off-loading and 1 downer pig was lying in that passage.
General maintenance of the lairages and allied facilities was very poor - a major effluent pipe had ruptured and was spilling effluent onto the pigs in several pens; and
Lairage floors and drainage were very poor.
In 3 of the specialised pig abattoirs staff handling efficiency was good, the personnel were trained and sympathetic and training was on-going and monitored. In 1 service abattoir, efficiency was also generally good, but due to design problems with the in-feed to the restraining conveyer, frustration and a tendency not to know how to do it crept in and handling deteriorated. In the other service abattoir, design problems coupled with the variety in type and size of pig slaughtered caused staff to struggle with pre-slaughter handling, and they were clearly untrained, unmonitored, inexperienced, incompetent and inconsiderate. The staff handling inefficiency in the slaughter of adult culls was a disgrace, albeit in the main due to totally inadequate pre-slaughter handling and stunning facilities.
The nature of animal behaviour in the pens, in the passages and into the stunning area was directly related to the pig handling efficiency and to the nature and extent of design and maintenance problems with equipment. Where these were faulty, pigs fought, were unwilling to move and had to be forced, with high vocalisation. Pigs were very quiet in the pens in specialised pig abattoirs, offering no resistance and moving freely. However, aroused alarm behaviour was a tendency displayed where the pens were of the open rail design and ina2m long, too narrow, final in-feed to stunning at 1 abattoir. This was in sharp contrast to the ease of movement achieved at the same abattoir using solid walled passages leading into a ½ crowding pen (turn wheel type) prior to the final in-feed.
Direct slaughter of pigs (30 min in pens) generally produces fewer carcasses of normal quality (higher incidence of PSE status) than resting periods of up to 2-3 h (lower plasma cortisol levels), irrespective of whether mixed with unfamiliar animals12. A longer resting period before slaughter was found to induce a slightly higher ultimate pH, accompanied by a somewhat darker colour (24 hours post mortem)15.
The policy adopted for a stand over time prior to slaughter for the pigs in the lairages in this project has been outlined under results. In 2 species-specific abattoirs the majority were held overnight and any required for slaughter on day of arrival were rested for 2 to 3 hours. If required, pigs were slaughtered directly on arrival with a resting period of 30 minutes or less. This policy was ignored and no consideration was given to exacerbating circumstances (stressors) as identified during visits, for example, hot ambient temperatures (no shade cloths), delays in loading, unsuitable vehicles (high-sided steel grain carrier), breakdowns and delays en route and difficulties in off-loading. No ante mortem inspection was observed, nor was a specific emergency slaughter area or procedure seen during abattoir visits.
Slaughter welfare aspects
In this survey of commercial practice in the Highveld Region of South Africa not one of the 6 abattoirs visited had a welldesigned in-feed to a well planned stunning area/facility and a very high level of pig pre-slaughter stress was witnessed in all instances. Stress immediately prior to slaughter affects meat quality much more than stress experienced earlier on and most meat quality parameters were affected significantly by the day of slaughter15. A study demonstrated that plasma lactate concentrations increased with greater ante mortem stress, which progressively elevated pHu in the muscles and tended to reduce eating quality16.
Four of the abattoirs surveyed had a restrainer conveyer and 2 fixed size rectangular pens in which stunning took place. In-feed from the lairage passage through a guillotine gate into the latter presented few difficulties, but pig management for stunning at a relatively fixed point was difficult, particularly as the number of pigs decreased and pig preslaughter stress increased as they were chased around the pen. It is essential that the person stunning the pigs controls the movement of the restrainer conveyer. This enables the synchronisation of pigs arriving at the point of stunning to be coordinated with the sticking and shackling functions, and importantly, with the movement of the bleeding line. Stoppages of the line occur for a number of reasons, often merely an unavailability of bleeding chains at sticking, and failure to synchronise has serious welfare implications. The most serious of these are failure to stick and shackle, with pigs falling into the bleeding trough and left there to recover, multiple attempts at stunning pigs outside the conveyer, multiple attempts at sticking an unmanageable pig lying on the roller bed and eventually re-stunning of pigs that had recovered. Welfare implications also arise from problems associated with the disappointing design of the facilities leading up to and into the restrainer conveyer, often linked with space constraints. Disregard for basic design factors frequently impeded the free movement of the pigs and increased staff frustration, physical manhandling and pre-slaughter stress. This was mainly due to too wide/narrow a passage, with too sharp an angle up to the restrainer and too steep with an uncovered floor gap before the restrainer. The researchers are of the opinion that many of the problems associated with the stunning of pigs could be addressed by providing adequate space for this important function and the appropriate use of crowding pens to reduce floor area, thus enhancing and improving pig handling management.
No abattoir had operational parameters for stunning displayed on the stunning apparatus or in the stunning area, thus contravening the Red Meat Regulations under the Meat Safety Act (Act 40 of 2000).
The condition of the hand held V design stunners was fair to good and in all but 1 abattoir the electrodes were not cleaned while in use. The stunners were purportedly low maintenance and checked/ cleaned weekly, with 1 abattoir reporting daily maintenance. The potential problems with existing systems are that the profile of the pig head precludes the application of existing electrodes in the correct position; the small area of contact enhances carbon build-up, which increases electrical impedance and the electrodes are easily tarnished with few cleaning tools provided 13. One abattoir had a V electrode as back up whilst the others claimed to have at least 1 pair of scissor tongs. In 1 instance, however, the unit controlling the current to the tongs was faulty and without a backup facility the pigs were inadequately stunned for the entire day, during which 100 % missed shock (motor paralysis only) was recorded. One abattoir had an automatic hydraulically operated and computerised copper fiber mace electrode catching pigs on each side on the lateral aspect of head. This high voltage unit (500 V) was checked every day and serviced weekly and the company had scissor tongs as back up. On the 2nd visit, however, a hydraulic leak resulted in an erratic stun pattern with as high as 14 % missed shock. Although delivering a near perfect stun in between, coupled with a 12 % missed shock during the 1st visit, the fact remains that stunning requires constant hands-on supervision/management. This was sadly lacking in all the abattoirs visited.
For the current details of stunning induction the researchers were informed that the amperage ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 other than for the high voltage automated stunner at 500 V, where 15 amps were generated for a very short time. The low voltage used in the other abattoirs ranged from 90 to 230 V. A survey of commercial practice in the United Kingdom showed that many pigs failed to receive enough current and were therefore ineffectively stunned3,17. For pigs the current is either a minimum of 0.41 amps if the electrodes are placed in the optimal position8 or 1.3 amps if placed in the least optimal position7,17. The minimum EC requirement is a current of 1.25-1.3 amps maintained for at least 3 seconds at a high voltage of at least 240 V.
The terminal (electrode) placement was mainly good, spanning the brain below the ear on each side of the head and stun duration varied according to size, ranging between 2 and 15 seconds. The optimum position of the electrodes is virtually impossible to attain under practical conditions8 and in the routine stunning of pigs the practice of repeat application of electrical stunning is common9.In support of this statement, repeat stunning was recorded in all 6 of the abattoirs visited (9 % of the total sample size n = 1175). Repeat stunning can produce successive epileptic activity and therefore an effective stun, with a significantly shorter duration of tonic and clonic phase activity. However, reflexes returned more quickly following repeat application as the tonic and clonic muscle cramps were impaired and the practice must be discouraged. Animals subjected to 2 stuns have been starved of their aerobic energy supply and may be less able to sustain physical activity than animals subjected to a single stun9. High frequency stunning produced epilepsy and unconsciousness and appeared therefore to be acceptable from an animal welfare standpoint.
The average stunning to sticking interval was shorter with high frequency stunning compared with 50 Hz stunning4. It has been shown that if the stunning-tosticking interval is longer than 15 s, the chances of recovery are increased5. Poorly performed, variable and disappointing shackling of pigs, mainly in the 2 service abattoirs, contributed to unnecessary delays between stunning and sticking. On analysis of the total sample size over 2 visits per abattoir (n = 1175) it transpires that 66 % were easy to shackle with a minimum of delay, but that 34 % were difficult to shackle, 90 % of these being from the abattoirs tending to slaughter more routinely a wide range of different sized pigs. Of these, 34 % required physical control (usually a foot placed firmly on the abdomen) and 6 % were impossible to handle and contributed mainly to the small percentage that fell into and recovered in the bleeding troughs.
In this survey 149 pigs or 13 % required more than a single sticking attempt to bleed out properly, considerably higher than published reports, although carcass convulsions were regarded as being excessive in only 4 % of cases. An abattoir survey of pig stunning and slaughter found variations in the methods and effectiveness of sticking, with 2.3 % of pigs requiring a second attempt to bleed out properly1. This was attributed to the intensity of convulsions on sticking and the experience and care of the operative in charge of the slaughter procedure. The results of this study indicate that following head-only electrical stunning, a relatively long sticking wound by a thoracic cut should result in humane slaughter and provide better welfare in slaughter pigs, but would result in carcass contamination by microorganisms present in the scalding water and pose a threat to public health1. In the present survey 67 % of the pigs were stuck to bleed through a medium to large sticking wound by a thoracic cut.
In conclusion, how then were the research questions addressed? It is essentially the poor pre-slaughter handling facilities rather than the stunning apparatus design that increased pre-slaughter handling stress, potentially affecting the magnitude of the current flow, thus impeding the performance of the stunning system13. Both were major contributory factors in the absence of pre-slaughter handling management, and lack of supervision over the good state of repair of the electrical stunning apparatus and allied facilities (hoists). The frequent failure in some abattoirs to use the stunning apparatus in accordance with approved methods shows a misunderstanding of the stunning induction requirements and the importance of achieving a good stun11. Where abattoirs slaughtered a more uniform-sized pig the frequency of stunning producing epilepsy and unconsciousness and the time interval before and the technique of the sticking method tended to be more acceptable from an animal welfare standpoint4. This was not true where the abattoir tended to slaughter more routinely a full spectrum of sizes from both intensively and extensively raised pigs. It would appear that high voltage electrical stunning with a short stunning time and a minimal lapse of time between stunning and sticking, does offer the best prospects in relation to pork quality14.
1. Anil M H, Whittington P E, McKinstry J L 2000 The effect of the sticking method on the welfare of slaughter pigs. Meat Science 55: 315-319 [ Links ]
2. Anil M H, McKinstry J L 1998 Variations in electrical stunning tong placements and relative consequences in slaughter pigs. Veterinary Journal 155: 85-90 [ Links ]
3. Anil M H, McKinstry J L, Wotton S B 1997 Electrical stunning and slaughter of pigs. Fleischwirtschaft 77: 473-476 [ Links ]
4. Anil M H, McKinstry J L 1992 The effectiveness of high frequency electrical stunning in pigs. Meat Science 31: 481-491 [ Links ]
5. Anil M H 1991 Studies on the return of physical reflexes in pigs following electrical stunning. Meat Science 30: 13-21 [ Links ]
6. Channon H A, Payne A M, Warner R D 2002 Comparison of CO2 stunning with manual electrical stunning (50 Hz) of pigs on carcass and meat quality. Meat Science 60: 63-68 [ Links ]
7. Hoenderken, R 1978 Electrical stunning of slaughter pigs. PhD thesis, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands [ Links ]
8. Lambooij E 1994 Electrical stunning by direct brain stimulation in pigs. Meat Science 38: 433-441 [ Links ]
9. McKinstry J L, Anil M H 2004 The effect of repeat application of electrical stunning on the welfare of pigs. Meat Science 67: 121-128 [ Links ]
10. Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000). Government Gazette Notice No. 1106. Parliament of the Republic of South Africa [ Links ]
11. Red Meat Regulations 2004 Government Gazette Notice No. 26779, Regulation Gazette No. 8056. Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Department of Agriculture No. 1072 [ Links ]
12. Santos C, Almeida J M, Matias E C, FraquezaOMJ, Roseiroa Q C, Sardinah L 1997 Influence of lairage environmental conditions and resting time on meat quality in pigs. Meat Science 45: 253-262 [ Links ]
13. Sparrey J M, Wotton S B 1997 The design of pig stunning tong electrodes - A review. Meat Science 47: 125-133 [ Links ]
14. Van der Wal P G 1978 Chemical and physiological aspects of pig stunning in relation to meat quality - A review. Meat Science 2: 19-30 [ Links ]
15. Van der Wal P G, Engel B, Hulsegge B 1997 Causes for variation in pork quality. Meat Science 46: 319-327 [ Links ]
16. Warriss P D, Brown S N, Nute G R, Knowles T G, Edwards J E, Perry A M, Johnson S P 1995 Potential interactions between the effects of preslaughter stress and post-mortem electrical stimulation of the carcasses on meat quality in pigs. Meat Science 41: 55-68 [ Links ]
17. Wotton S B, O'Callaghan M 2002 Electrical stunning of pigs: the effect of applied voltage on impedance to current flow and the operation of a fail-safe device. Meat Science 60: 203-208 [ Links ]
18. Wotton S B, Anil M H, Whittington P E, McKinstry J L 1992 Pig slaughtering procedures: head-to-back stunning. Meat Science 32: 245-255 [ Links ]
Received: August 2009.
Accepted: May 2010.
* Author for correspondence. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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With so many fun DC area events centered around fall, it's just a shame that there's only one month to take advantage of them.
Pumpkin Patches
People in DC, especially those with kids, love their pumpkin patches. And what's not to love? Pumpkins, cider, corn mazes, hay rides, etc.
Cox Farms in Centreville, VA, is the most popular, so be prepared for crowds, especially if you go on a weekend. Also, they say that a pumpkin is included with the cost of admission, but it'll be one that's too small to carve, and those that are bigger are generally overpriced, so I suggest buying them elsewhere.
Other festivals include, but are not limited to Butler's Orchard in Germantown, MD, Sharp's at Waterford Farm in Howard County, MD, and Burke's Nursery and Garden Centre in Burke, VA.
Enjoy Fall Colors
Many people head to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to enjoy fall colors. Hiking Old Rag is one of the most popular activities; it takes roughly four and six hours and reveals some gorgeous views. Make note, however, that it can get extremely crowded, so I suggest setting your alarm clock and heading there early. Last fall I had to wait in a line for 45 minutes (that's not a typo) at the top of the trail to go through a narrow portion. Also, have some cash to pay a nominal parking fee. For those less active-inclined, cruising Skyline Drive is a nice alternative.
A closer and less crowded option is Brookside Botanical Gardens in Wheaton, MD. It's gorgeous, peaceful and free. And, of course, there's always the National Arboretum, which is a great place to explore by bike.
Scary Stuff
Nearby amusement parks create a shoulder season by offering Halloween-themed events. Six Flags in Maryland has Fright Fest and King's Dominion in Virginia promotes its Halloween Haunt.
The National Zoo has its annual Boo at the Zoo, which is a trick-or-treating event. It costs $30 for non-FONZ members.
There's plenty of haunted houses, hayrides and trails throughout the region. A couple options include Markoff's Haunted Forest in Poolesville, MD, and Bennett's Curse in Jessup, MD.
Celebrating Halloween
DC's Halloween bar hop called Nightmare on M Street is really popular. A true rooky mistake is to go to M Street in Georgetown for this event, as it's actually in Dupont. And be ready for some serious crowds and long lines at the bars.
Professionals in the City will also be hosting it's annual Halloween party, Mayhem and Madness, at K Street Lounge.


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An enormous Japanese dock that was cast out to sea by the tsunami last year has landed on an Oregon beach. While it is not the first piece of debris to reach the US, it has bought with it a veritable menagerie of 'alien species' that environmentalists fear could have a devastating impact on local ecosystems.
The 66-foot dock dock originated from the Japanese fishing port of Misawa and during its year-long, 5,000 mile journey has picked up a host of sea creatures including Asian crabs, sea stars, algae, urchins, barnacles, snails, and other life-forms. In fact, there are so many creatures on it that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates they weigh over 100 tons!
The Japanese dock has been likened to an "alien mother ship" full of invasive species that could pose a threat to the native wildlife of Oregon's Agate Beach. To stop any long-lasting damage, volunteers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have been using shovels, rakes and even fire to scrape the dock clean.
Speaking to National Geographic, invasive species biologist John Chapman said: "We were caught flat-footed. This was a close-encounter-of-the-fourth-kind type of event, where an alien mother ship from outer space lands on our shores."
"Sixty percent of the dock's surface area was on the bottom when it washed up on the beach, and the [organisms] that were on there were scraped off and washed away," Chapman said. "It's like a spectacular, large, dirty needle that just got stuck into our ecological arm, into our ecosystem."
While it is impossible to completely predict the impact the new species will have, Chapman believes they could out-compete native oysters and crabs and devastate the local economy. "On that dock probably 50 or more species that survived the crossing are not species that we've seen crossing the globe before," Chapman said. "And we've also already identified three real bad characters that were aboard." The alien species include wakame seaweed and the Japanese shore crab, which has already invaded the US East Coast and decimated native shellfish populations.
The dock is expected to be towed to Newport once it has been treated, where it will then be scraped. So far, it is estimated that some five million tons of debris were washed off Japan's coast, and NASA is currently tracking 1.5 million tons of it.
+ Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife


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This post is part of our annual Christmas Card-a-Day series! If you would like to submit your card, please click here for more details.
Thank you to Camille Robinson, of Jackson, California, USA, for sharing her card design with us!
"Supplies/Sources/Brief Description: I used a sketch by Pam Nezrick Loris. Go here to see the actual sketch itself. I used the Reindeer Train digital stamp from The Stamping Boutique. This image was colored and paper-pieced digitally using Crate Paper's Peppermint Kit in Photoshop Elements, traced in Silhouette Studio, and then printed-and-cut using my Silhouette Portrait. I isolated parts of the train and applied them to the base using 3D Zots and Tombow Mono Multiadhesive. The Peppermint Collection by Crate Paper was used to fill the digital stamp and the other layers of the card. The file card base is by Silhouette America and cut from Krafty premium cardstock by Core'dinations. The font, scalloped border, and layers of the card are also bits and pieces from the Silhouette America Online store as well as the 3D bow and pennants which were filled with prints from Crate Paper's digital kit. The buttons I believe were manufactured through Autumn Leaves.These were sewn onto the bow and tab of the card base using my Singer Futura and embroidery thread with button attachment."
Thank you, Camille!
See more about this card design here on Camille's blog!


text: I didn't respond yesterday ... been ridiculously busy ... really :( Chris Dagdigian wrote: briefly on the "FUD": As one of the users/admin types who watched jobs go into an unkillable (without power-cycle) state, I can assure you that the problems with PBS (at the time) were legendary and not FUD. More in a moment, but Chris's other comments are spot on. Every lab had their own tweaked version. Heck, we at the time (I was an SGI-er then) had our own drop of code and I/we had a few patches we used. The blackhole was as a result of the design of the PBS moms, which opened a socket for each and every job. Which, if you have 1k jobs waiting in queue, was a problem. At 4k jobs you had to rebuild the Linux kernel. Again, not fun in that time period. This was a design flaw in PBS that persisted until at least recent times. CT-BLAST, the code I wrote at SGI (which became SGI-GenomeCluster for the short while as a product, and parts of it either became or influenced HTC-BLAST) to turn BLAST into a cluster-ized app took input query sets, broke them up, and launched jobs. Many many jobs. Tens to hundreds of thousands of jobs in some cases. At that time, the only scheduler we tried which worked with this, was LSF. Everything else fell over and started convulsing. The system was unresponsive during job submission. Took about 2 minutes to light off. After that, the scheduler node was sluggish, but still usable. > 500K job submissions would put a non-trivial load on just about any > scheduler, especially a few years ago. The act of actually submitting > the 500K jobs can be a pain from a usage perspective. Not to mention CT-BLAST hid the pain from users, but your point is important. Without array jobs, you need a real automated way to submit, and delete jobs from the queue. Deleting a 10 job run? Pretty easy. Deleting a 100k job run? Not so much easy. The PBS users I spoke with when we had CT-BLAST up and going told me I was abusing the scheduler. Odd, I thought. With 100 machines, I ought to have a scheduler that can handle a throughput workflow. > that the user/system now has 500K individual jobIDs to track. With an > array task I get a single jobID that I can use to track status of all > the sub tasks and I can kill the job with a single bkill/qdel command. > It's also a single bsub/qsub submission command to get the ball rolling. Array jobs are somewhat of a misnomer, they are really one master job with many scheduled sub-jobs which are handled at the scheduler level. Which is where we need to schedule them. > From a user, usability and scheduler efficiency perspective, array jobs > are a massive win for large sequential workflows, especially those that and large parallel/throughput workflows, where we exploit embarrassingly parallel aspects of computing with few/no per job dependencies. > consist of running the same application over and over again with only > minor differences in command line arguments or input files. > > Array tasks may be distasteful from a technical or elegance perspective > but they are a big usability and throughput win in the real world, > especially for end users interested in productivity. Yes. >>> - Policy and resource allocation features are very important to >>> people deploying these systems >> >> so I'm curious what that means. things like "dept A needs to be >> guaranteed >> N cpus, but dept B gets to use whatever is left over"? or node choice >> based on amount of free disk? I don't really see why these sorts of >> issues >> would be less important to more parallel environments. > > Resource allocation policies and the tools to implement such are > extremely important and are often a significant part of the selection > criteria when trying to figure out what distributed resource manager to > use. Way more important than anything involving parallel environments > simply due to the fact that there are relatively few MPI-aware > applications in our field. > > FIFO scheduling or rewarding the dude who got to work earliest and > submitted 500K jobs first is not the answer. People needed to be able to > let scientific or business priorities drive and influence how cluster > resources are allocated among competing users, projects and departments. > For some people it may be as simple as carving up the cluster on a > percentage basis among 4 departments and for others the key criteria > may be the ease of integration with an external flexLM license server. > > The majority may just want simple fairshare-by-user scheduling behavior > without having to drop in some external metascheduler or third party > product. Heh ... I make the case for being successful in implementing policy when every user is equally pissed off that they don't have more of the machine :) We had one group where one user was getting 90+ % of the machine for months running high throughput calculations, then along came another user who run long running parallel (single node) jobs. Balancing this was hard. Getting pre-emption going (at process level) would have been great, but they didn't want to spend more money. And the pre-emption capability costs nearly an additional node, so the likelihood of them spending that money on software to manage capacity versus hardware to increase capacity was about nil. > The quality and capability of the knobs for adjusting these sorts of > behavior is important in commercial environments and in places where the > cluster has been sold as a shared resource for groups that may have > competing needs for resources. > > Platform LSF is excellent at this sort of thing and among the freely > available offerings Grid Engine had good flexibility and capability out > of the box without requiring additional plugin products. Just another > reason why there was SGE uptake in our field over the years. Now, since > SGE 6.1 with the addition of the resource quota framework SGE is quite > powerful in this regard. I agree the features are getting better. What I am finding driving many of the wins here is the "free" as in "zero acquisition cost" aspect. People don't mind paying reasonable support costs. They just want to avoid the acquisition costs if possible. >>> - Storage speed is often more important than network speed or latency >>> in many cases >> >> which makes me wonder: do bio types consider using map-reduce-like >> frameworks? that is, basically distributing the work to the data. As data sets get larger, you are going to *have* to do this. Data motion gets very hard on large machines. We wrote some tools a while back to help with this, but at the end of the day, moving 1+TB from 100 machines around your network is not going to make anyone very happy. (not a commercial) JackRabbit is in part designed to help solve this problem ... or at least move it back until a better solution emerges. Start out with huge pipes to disk and huge pipes to the rest of the cluster. Now data motion takes a while, but since we can pump out > 1 GB/s, 1TB->1000s, and lots of data motion is not that hard (for a while, until we start moving 10TBs around per machine) > map-reduce gets added to the same bin as hardware based FPGA > acceleration, GPU computing and other newish techniques. Modern > algorithms and new efforts by people with real scientific software > development and HPC skills are all looking at these techniques and > you'll see slow uptake over time. We are seeing (outside of Bio-IT) much more interest in all of these. In Bio-IT, we are seeing rapid uptake on the GPU side. Less so on the FPGA side, but this is due to the difficulties in programming and costs associated with this direction. We are seeing fast uptake on the cluster-ized apps side ... people have realized that fast single machines may not be able to crunch all their data. This is also curiously what is driving the GPU side, as they want a fast single machine to crunch their data. > Real progress is being made, see Joe's efforts regarding HMMER running > on GPUs these days etc. > > This does not quite address the older legacy codes though. You have to > remember that our core applications were written in the early 90s by > biologists who had to teach themselves to code simply to get their > science done. Few if any people had real skills in HPC software > development or high efficiency coding. These are the people (like > myself) who started using Perl on large memory 64bit systems simply > because perl was loose enough to let us do dumb things like read a full > genome into a string and run regex operations on it. > > If you approached a biologist and said "I re-wrote your blast > application to use map-reduce!", most would turn around and ask you for > the citation of your peer reviewed paper where you published and proved > that your map-reduce version produces identical results and output > (including reproducing known bugs) to the old inefficient code that it > was meant to replace. Hmmm.... true 10 years ago (which was part of the reason I wrote CT-BLAST, the md5 hashes on our output versus NCBI BLAST output were identical, modulo hash collisions). End users don't mind drop in replacements as long as it is the same basic algorithm being used. The problem is that some of the past acceleration schemes relied upon a pre-filtration or other step which couldn't reproduce the results exactly. This didn't burn the researchers, but did make them skeptical. Pure biologists want the same algorithm, the hardware differences largely don't matter (as long as it is better cheaper faster). So mpiHMMer and GPU-HMMer both are the identical algorithm, just modified to run on an mpi and GPU computing substrate respectively. > There is a huge resistance to improved/updated codes simply due to the > fact that the scientists want to use the exact method cited in the paper > that they are trying to reproduce. It's been a hassle to deal with but > the block is real - just ask all of the FPGA hardware acceleration box > makers out there (those that still exist). Hmmm... Every customer we spoke over the last 5 years to said "faster is better, but we don't want a single purpose box, or one we can't reprogram". They all expressed interest in a programmable accelerator platform that they could write code for in C/C++/... . We are not seeing resistance to GPUs using Cuda (which is C), but we have seen resistance to using non-open languages/platforms. End users want their colleagues to be able to reproduce the results, which means they want the right to redistribute their software. Which they can do with Cuda. Not so much with other techniques. The big issues with FPGAs are a) pain of programming them (non-trivial) b) bit files are *not* portable (I cant get an FPGA board from Nallatech and run the bitfile from another FPGA board vendor on it). This is one of the two things that killed FPGAs. c) cost of boards/tools versus expected speedup was the other thing that effectively killed FPGAs. As late as 2 years ago, we were being pitched $70k+ "compiler" tools, with $15k boards. Best speedups we could hope for were 20-30x on various apps. Compare that with GPUs, where for ~$1500 entry fee plus a little free C work, we can get 10-100x. I know some groups with good ideas, and am waiting for their tools to get to a point we can play with, but we still need the board prices to approach reasonable levels, *AND* bitfiles to become portable. The last aspect isn't likely to happen ever though. We aren't seeing resistance to acceleration, we are seeing resistance to single computing task systems. FWIW: we (and I know others) are spec'ing/quoting/building GPU clusters. They seem to be of significant interest. We are speaking with folks buying them, and folks who want to buy them. Bio-IT is well represented in these groups. Joe ps: driving down to Columbus OH today for a GPU seminar at OSC tomorrow. Will have a 3GPU unit with me (same unit JP did the GPU-HMMer tests on as it turns out) > > > -Chris > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org > To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit > http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf -- Joseph Landman, Ph.D Founder and CEO Scalable Informatics LLC, email: landman at scalableinformatics.com web : http://www.scalableinformatics.com http://jackrabbit.scalableinformatics.com phone: +1 734 786 8423 x121 fax : +1 866 888 3112 cell : +1 734 612 4615


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The Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) is guided by the mission of Earlham College: to assist every student in discovering the "teacher within." AEC focuses its work on aiding and enhancing the broad range of academic skills necessary for all Earlham College students to be successful.
The programs of AEC utilize the collaborative nature of the College that partners students with students and students with faculty. The design of these partnerships inherently encourages the development of active, self-aware learners and often serves as the catalyst for students as they begin their transition into independent, life-long learners.
AEC is the College's disability services office for students. Under the direction of the Director, who also serves as the College's 504 Coordinator for students with disabilities, the AEC manages the documentation of disabilities, processing of accommodation requests, and is the primary support person for adaptive technology.
Most college students discover at some point in their academic career that they would benefit from additional academic support. The Academic Enrichment Center offers free peer tutoring to all students, has information on disabilities and study skills, and meets individually, on a limited basis, with any student to work on learning strategies.
Have a question about qualifying for disability status?
Contact: Donna KeeslingDirector504 Coordinator for StudentsE-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Have a question about requesting a tutor?
Contact: Betsy SperlingAdministrative AssistantE-Mail: email@example.com
Office Phone: 765-983-1341Office Fax:765-973-2120Office Location:Main Level of Lilly Library
Contact: Donna KeeslingDirector504 Coordinator for StudentsE-Mail: email@example.com
Contact: Betsy SperlingAdministrative AssistantE-Mail: email@example.com


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A great way to give your opinions, or to just make new friends. This is the place to access current and archived questions and answers about anything to do with hearing loss and assistive technology.
Visit our forums (message boards) 24/7 anytime you have a question or are looking for information.
Interested in becoming a moderator for the message boards? if yes, then please send an email with "moderator" in the subject line to email@example.com.
Go to www.myhearingloss.org
Message Board Administrators and Moderators
Judy Martin - I am a lifelong New Yorker who retired and moved to Jacksonville, FL in October 2004 with my husband Tom. I have had a progressive hearing loss since about the age of 11 and for most of my life wore hearing aids. In January 2006, I became a proud user of the miraculous cochlear implant. Living with hearing loss almost my entire life led me to believe I knew all there was to know about being hard of hearing.
How wrong I was! The Hearing Loss Association of America entered my conscious in April 2005. I became a member and since then, my life has not been the same. To me, those words education, advocacy and support are the very personification of HLAA. There was a time, not too long ago, when I didn't know about assistive listening devices, the ADA, digital hearing aids, cochlear implants, middle ear implants, open captioned movies, t-coils, looping technology, hearing assistance dogs, bluetooth technology, hearing loss message board and chat rooms, etc., and now they are part of my every day vocabulary.
As I said, my life has changed in ways I couldn't have dreamed. For that reason I wanted, in some small way, to help others have those same life-changing experiences. I started by founding a chapter of HLAA in Jacksonville, then joined HLA-Florida as a board member. Next I created the state newsletter, Hear Ye, Hear Ye, and recently accepted an appointment to the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I have been a moderator for HLAA since July 2005 and receive much satisfaction connecting with others who understand exactly what it's like to live as a person with hearing loss.
Kecia Weller has been a member of Hearing Loss Association of America for more than 4 years and has been a Moderator on the HLAA messages boards for around three years. Ms Weller has bi-lateral Meniere's Disease and has a moderate hearing loss in her ears. Ms Weller accepted a position as a teacher's assistant in one of UCLA's Extension Programs, the Pathway Program which is a new two-year certificate program designed for students with developmental disabilities, where she currently assists in an American Government Course. Kecia has been a disability rights advocate for more than 15 years.


text: Georgia Southern Beowulf Cluster Project wrote: > > Hello, > > The problems I'm having started a couple days after a fresh kickstart > install (firewall is also disabled, so its not causing problems). The > system worked perfectly fine in a previous kickstart install (also RH 7.1, > but I needed to do a couple important updates a second time), but it went > haywire two days after the second install. It seems that portmap would > start, then ypserv, ypbind would bind, but claim not to find a yp domain > server, then a ypinit script (simple and home-cooked) would not be able to > grab yp maps. Next the /etc/init.d/nfs scripts would go completely wacky. > nfsd, mountd, and quotad would all bug out, claiming they could not get a > request with the RPC portmapper. In general, rpc services seemed to not be > able to get a request with portmap. Well, I went home, had dinner, watched > cartoons, napped, and came back and viola: Everything worked. I'm wondering > if portmap just needs about 5 hours to settle down and act properly. I > noticed something similar with ntp as well, though I still can't get it to > function properly and reliably. So, to make a drawn out story short, the yp > and nfs/autofs stuff is functioning now, but I wanted to know if anyone else > is having such buggy and unpredictable performance. > > Thanks, > > Wes > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > _______________________________________________ > Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org > To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf The redhat developer site has this logged in their bugzilla system. developer.redhat.com then link to bugzilla and do a search on ypbind for 7.1 and you will see some good info their detailing the situation. -- Brian D. Haymore University of Utah Center for High Performance Computing 155 South 1452 East RM 405 Salt Lake City, Ut 84112-0190 Email: brian at chpc.utah.edu - Phone: (801) 585-1755 - Fax: (801) 585-5366


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As Mitch Feierstein explains in his book "Planet Ponzi", you will not get much anything else if you are not in the Circle of Old Boyz. Oh ye, oops: we are wrong here - we will All get our Taxes Increased, Starting with Inflation. We will All get the Bill left from Those who continue to Party even now.
Suck it up my friends, just suck it up. If you are not on the Payroll in Washington, DC or with other Members of the Oldest Pioneer Organisation - we are All pretty much ... (Add the Spice here to your liking).
We will throw just a few numbers here and will refer you to the book:
"Top 1000 World Banks" the Banker July 1, 2011.
Total Bank Assets - 66.626 Trillion dollars.
Total Capital - 3.341 Trillion dollars.
We will translate: all banking assets are booked Not at "Marked to Market" Any More. What Degree of Honesty will you apply to the Banksters? What will be your discount on the Asset side? We will translate one more time: 10% discount will Wipe out all Capital supporting the Financial System on the Planet Earth and will put its Capital Negative at 3.3 Trillion dollars.
Sci-Fi Movie Script: "Federal Reserve - Keeping The Strong US Dollar Policy From 1913 - Established To Serve and Protect" GS, JPM, BAK, C, HBC
My dear friends at Goldman Sachs and FED - you can be relaxed, nobody can read or count any more. But we are too close to the fine line now. That is why we Need Love so much in 2013.
When people will take it to the streets it will be the Only Thing which can Save Us All.
God Bless Everyone, whoever you are praying to.
Those of you who can read, question and challenge: share and continue to ask, read and challenge.
Austrian School of Economics: The Gold Standard in Theory and Myth by Joseph Salerno
Lithium M&A "Art of War": Talison Lithium backs $848,000,000 Chinese Takeover Bid TLH.to, ILC.v, LMR.v, RM.v
"The "Ones" will try to send your kids to Another World War - for Resources This Time, but the War will come back onto our streets. It will be The Civil War."
One more Wish for Everyone: lets this beautiful song stay the same - Only The Song.
Happy New Year 2013!


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Connecting Sri Lankans to Prosperity
The presidential election in Sri Lanka this January resulted in an easy win for the incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse. The end of the long lasting civil conflict with Tamil separatists, strong remittances and an IMF agreement boosted investors' confidence. Foreign exchange reserves recovered from about one month of imports in the first half of 2009 to six months of imports by January 2010.
Now that the war is over and the global economy recovering, the government needs to grasp the opportunity to do the right things and avoid hurting confidence in the country's stability, which is key to the rise in foreign investment and tourism.
The bad news is that the withdrawal of GSP Plus by the European Union countries can hurt industrial exports. The EU decision is worrisome. Thanks to the increase in manufacture exports from 6 percent of total exports in 1975 to 60 percent in 2005, firms began to lead Sri Lanka's connectivity with the rest of the world.