Rubber Mattresses Research Articles

Artificial Neural Network, Experimental and Numerical Study on Air Cooling Rubber Mattresses for Elderly and Bedridden Patients

Artificial Neural Network, Experimental and Numerical Study on Air Cooling Rubber Mattresses for Elderly and Bedridden Patients

Development of Rubber Mattresses with Cooling Systems to Reduce the Incidence of Pressure Sores for the Elderly and Bedridden Patients

Development of Rubber Mattresses with Cooling Systems to Reduce the Incidence of Pressure Sores for the Elderly and Bedridden Patients

Farrowing Pens for Individually Loose-Housed Sows: Results on the Development of the SowComfort Farrowing Pen

The objective of the present paper was to discuss the design of farrowing pens and present the first production results of the “SowComfort farrowing pen” (SOWCOMF). The biggest difference between this pen and the traditional pen (TRAD) presented in the study, is that SOWCOMF contains a nest area equipped with a rubber mattress, floor heating, a rack for straw and no separate creep area. It was predicted that SOWCOMF would result in lower piglet mortality compared to TRAD due to a more stimulating and comfortable environment, and that the use of rubber mats in SOWCOMF would reduce the incidence of carpal joint lesions of the piglets. Results from both farms showed that percent mortality of live born piglets was lower in SOWCOMF than TRAD (p = 0.004), especially due to starvation (p < 0.0001) and other causes (p < 0.0001). In contrast, percentage of overlying was higher in SOWCOMF (p < 0.0001). The lower incidence of starved piglets in SOWCOMF than TRAD can possibly be explained by more sow-initiated communication with the piglets (p < 0.001). Most causes of mortality declined over consecutive batches. Percentage of piglets per litter without carpal lesions were significantly higher in the SOWCOMF than in TRAD (p < 0.0001), showing that rubber mats provide more protection of carpal joints.

Effect of Floor Enrichment with Rubber Mattress of Calving Pen on Prepartum Behaviour of Tharparkar Cow during Winter Season

Background: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of floor enrichment with rubber mattress of calving pen on prepartum calving behaviour of Tharparkar cow during the winter season. Methods: A total 28 Tharparkar cows were taken in study during winter season (November to March) and divided into two groups each contain 14 animals. One group placed in floor enriched with rubber mattress and other group kept on bare concrete floor calving pen. Preparturient behaviours like lying time, standing time, lying bout duration, number of lying bouts, rumination time ,rumination bouts, self grooming and frequency of self grooming were evaluated on -12 hr, -7th day, -14th day and -21st day prepartum for period of 12 hr in a day. Repeated Meausures ANOVA was used for the analysis of the data. Result: It was found that lying time, lying bout duration was significantly more in rubber mattress group as compare to concrete floor. However, 12 hr before parturition standing time was significantly high compare to any other observational day within the group. Similarly, rubber mattress had positive effect on rumination time, lying duration and self grooming frequency as compare to bare concrete floor. It was concluded that rubber mattress had beneficial effect in calving pen of Tharparkar cow during winter season due to its softness and insulating property. It provided comfort and warmth to the parturient cows. which was evident by increase in rumination time, more lying duration and reduced self grooming frequency.

Expert System Development for the Prevention of Hoof Pathologies Applied to the Intensive Swine Production

Claw lameness can be associated with biomechanical factors caused by imbalances of the pressure distribution under the hooves when swine are confined in modern facilities with hard concrete flooring. Comparing hoof pressure distribution data of swine boars walking over two different types of floors (standard concrete vs. 3mm rubber mattress) in previous research, it was found a great advantage favoring the rubber mat flooring showing that it was capable of reducing pressures under the claws as the pressure became more evenly distributed under this treatment resulting in balanced weight-bearing surfaces. The objective of this study was to develop an expert system based on Fuzzy logic algorithm for the prevention of hoof pathologies applied to the intensive swine production by estimating occurrence of claw lesions based on the association of knowledge gathered on pressure distribution from previous research as well as the influences of nutrition, friction coefficients found on different types of available flooring, hoof sizes and animal weight on the welfare of the swine’s locomotory system. The data were correlated initially using Matlab® platform associating expert’s knowledge and literature through a knowledge system that weights the variables according to their impact on claw health. The final user interface was coded using Microsoft Visual Studio Rapid Application Development tool and the resulting system was validated in several different laboratory scenarios and its performance was considered to be satisfactory according to findings in the literature. The expert system was coded and the authors concluded that the system could be a great contribution and advance in the swine’s industry, nonetheless, its performance still requires field testing for fine adjustments which should be encouraged to be carried out in further researches.

Frequency of Free-Stall Occupancy by Dairy Cows

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of dairy cows confined in free-stall systems. Eighteen Holstein cows were evaluated in this research. The following frequencies were evaluated at 10-min intervals: stall occupancy, corridor occupancy, feeding, moving and being milked. The free-stalls were covered with rubber mattresses. Thermal variables such as dry bulb temperature, humid bulb temperature, black globe temperature and air velocity were recorded hourly. The data collections were made for 13 days in May, during autumn. Dynamics of social hierarchy was observed for 18 animals. The animals preferred to occupy the stalls located in quadrant 1, between the north and east axis, where there was less movement of people, tractors and vehicles. The cows occupied the free-stalls during the early morning and feeding occupancy was higher during the morning. Higher temperatures in the afternoon caused the longer occupation of the corridors by the cows during this period. Some dairy cows housed in a free-stall barn expressed dominant and/or hierarchical behaviors.

Avaliação de diferentes materiais para recobrimento de camas em baias de galpão modelo free-stall

Objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, comparar o uso de cama de colchão de borracha e de areia no recobrimento da superfície de baias para confinamento tipo free-stall. Foram monitoradas 18 vacas holandesas confinadas em galpão modelo free-stall cujas baias foram recobertas com camas de areia e colchão de borracha (tratamentos). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados. Os parâmetros comportamentais estudados foram os tempos despendidos nas atividades: deitada em ócio e deitada ruminando, em pé em ócio sobre a cama, em pé ruminando sobre a cama, registrados a cada 10 min. As variáveis ambientais e temperatura da superfície das camas foram registradas a cada hora. Houve maior preferência dos animais pela cama de areia para os comportamentos deitada em ócio e deitada ruminando. As vacas permaneceram mais tempo deitadas em cama de borracha somente nos períodos mais frescos (noite e madrugada), devido à temperatura da cama. A temperatura da borracha foi maior que areia nos horários mais quentes do dia (notadamente durante o período da tarde), enquanto à noite se apresentou mais fria.

EFFECT OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY OF CATTLE HOUSING WATERBEDS ON COMFORT, HEALTH AND MILK PRODUCTION

Abstract A new housing technology double-chamber cow waterbeds should provide the animals with greater comfort improve their health and increase milk production. The study was carried out in the stable for dairy cows and heifers. They were stabled in free-stall housing. Rubber mattresses had been replaced with double-chamber cow waterbeds. The aim of the study was to determine their effect on comfort, health, occurrence of mastitis, count of somatic cells, total milk production. The study confirmed the reduction of number of animals with injuries of feet and incidence of mastitis. The values of somatic cells in milk were constant. Positive effect was shown with fluent increase in milk production. It increased the number of cows and heifers lying in the boxes.

Diwali in the HIV Ward.

She wears her festivals on her ears, hair, arms, on gilded gold parrot cages dangling in crisp miniature from earlobes, on freshly plucked jasmine buds in her hair and a thin plume of its scent that formed a trail behind her, in a magenta skirt, blouse, shiny with a silver zari: and in the green-glass translucent bangles that drew me and clinked every time she gesticulated. She wears her inheritance, like her festivals on her ears, hair, arms, on the scarab-like lesions above silver anklets, on her neck a scaly black pendant, on her reedy, hollow frame, in her blood where tiny insects exploded off ballooned cells, each other, multiplied, grew legs, and stomped deep through her veins, leaving a swath of destruction. Come again, she asks. Yes I answer. But playing a fast reel in my mind are questions I cannot ask; What if, in the morning, the rickety, metal bed with peeling white paint, is stripped of sheets clean —the blotched brown rubber mattress showing at angles, and the floor below being swept? Or worse, is occupied by another little girl, who on her ears, hair, arms also wears her inheritance?

Alternative solutions to the concrete fully-slatted floor for the housing of finishing beef cattle: Effects on growth performance, health of the locomotor system and behaviour

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two potential alternative solutions to the concrete fully-slatted floor (FS), namely, a perforated floor (PF) and a perforated floor coated with a rubber mattress (RM), on growth, locomotor system health, and behaviour of intensively finished young bulls. Forty-eight male beef-crosses (Charolais×Aubrac) were allotted to six pens of eight animals (two pens/floor type) for a finishing period of 175±7days. Growth was recorded and two health checks and two 8-h behavioural observations were carried out by trained assessors 1month after the beginning of the trial (Initial) and 2weeks before slaughter (Final).Feed intake was not affected by floor type, but average daily gain of RM bulls was higher than that of FS (1.37 vs. 1.19kg, P=0.01), with PF being intermediate (1.27kg). Behavioural observations showed that FS bulls had a higher number of slipping events (6.5) than PF (2.1; P=0.01) and RM bulls (0.9; P<0.01). Bulls on FS showed more lying down attempts (2.2 vs. 0.1; P=0.001), a lower number of lying/standing transitions (4.5 vs. 7.3; P<0.001) and a longer lying duration (5.9 vs. 4.7s; P<0.01) than RM bulls. Signs of lameness were observed in five FS bulls at the final assessment. RM floor proved to be a good alternative to FS but it increased the likelihood of overgrown claws due to insufficient hoof wear.

Thermogravimetric characteristics and combustion emissions of rubbers and polyvinyl chloride in N2/O2 and CO2/O2 atmospheres

The thermogravimetric characteristics of tire rubber (TR), rubber mattress (RM) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), representing the rubber and plastic materials of municipal solid waste (MSW) were compared under 80N2/20O2 and 80CO2/20O2 atmospheres. Replacement of N2 by CO2 reduced the weight loss rate of most peaks below 600°C, postponed the location of the peaks above 600°C, and resulted in less complete burnout, which indicated the combustion in CO2/O2 atmosphere decreased the reactivity of the samples. The emissions of TR, RM and PVC combustion in a tube reactor were analyzed by a flue gas analyzer. The concentrations of CO, H2, SO2 and NOx all increased initially and decreased afterwards along with the heating time. During 800–1000°C, NOx and SO2 emissions of all samples increased by the temperature, and decreased by the replacement of N2 by CO2. In both atmospheres, the subsequence of the NOx emission was TR>RM>PVC, and the subsequence of the SO2 emission was TR>PVC>RM. The effects of temperature and atmosphere on the CO and H2 emissions of two rubbers were different from those of PVC.

Litter Pollution on the Coastline of Obhur, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Anthropogenic debris has become a source of considerable interest and concern due to their biological effects both in and out of the water. Coastal debris is one of the realistic visual negative impacts of human activities on marine habitat and environment. In order to assess the nature, extent and source of litter, point survey was conducted along the Obhur coastline of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Most of the litter appeared to be from local land-based sources, although there were some regional influences as well. More than 75% of the litter was plastic origin and the rest were from wood, metal, glass, and paper materials. The type of litter components (empty cans of food, beverages, cosmetics, hand bags, cloths, rubber mattresses and toys) indicate that these were left by beach goers. Remnants of fishing crafts and gear were comparatively less. The survey result was compared with the coastal litter reported in other regions of the world. Abundance of litter m-1was indicated at 1.72- 12.54 items for Obhur beach study area. Litter quantity on the coast is inversely proportional to its geographical distance to a population and directly proportional to visitor frequency. Public education and awareness on waste disposal was found essential to protect the coastal environment.

Household characteristics and allergen and endotoxin levels in Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic

Few data are available from Eastern Mediterranean countries about levels of domestic allergens and endotoxins. Dust samples were collected from mattresses and floors of 457 homes in the Syrian city of Aleppo and analysed for antigens and endotoxins. The most important predictors for detectable levels of house-dust mite allergen Der p 1 were Arabic-style houses (OR 3.21) and newer houses (OR 1.56). In homes without cats, rubber mattresses were associated with detectable cat allergen Fel d 1 in mattress dust (OR 1.6). Cockroach allergen Bla g 2 was significantly more likely to be detected in houses over 20 years old than newer houses. Endotoxin levels were significantly higher in wool/cotton mattresses and older houses.

Stall Usage Differences of Thirteen Different Freestall Base Types

The objective of this study was to compare percentages of cow preference measures for factors affecting use of stalls with different stall bases. Stall status was recorded four times each day in two pens with different stocking densities for a 6-mo period starting June 19, 2002. Six factors were analyzed: stall base, distance to water (WDIST), stall location within stall base section (STLLOC), stalls on interior or exterior row (RLOC), inside barn temperature, and length of time cows were exposed to stall bases (XPOSR). The 101% stocking density (SD) pen had eight different bases: two foam mattresses (FMATR), three rubber mattresses (RMATR), and three rubber mats (RMAT). The 66% SD pen had seven different stall bases, two identical to the first pen: a cork-filled mattress (CMATR), two FMATR, two RMATR, a waterbed, and a RMAT. Each pen was analyzed separately. Stall bases were grouped with 3 to 7 stalls per section and randomly placed in each row. In the 101% SD pen, FMATR and RMATR had the greatest lying and occupied percentages, and two RMAT had the least lying and occupied percentages. In the 66% SD pen, one FMATR and one RMATR had the greatest lying and occupied percentages, waterbeds were intermediate, and the CMATR, one RMATR, and a RMAT were inferior. Waterbeds were the stall base of choice during the coldest weather. In both pens, cows preferred the exterior (EXTR) row during evening and early morning. The addition of a foam layer increased use of mattresses and mats.

Use of Impact Testing to Predict Softness, Cow Preference, and Hardening Over Time of Stall Bases

The objective of this study was to assess the softness and durability of commercially available free-stall bases, and to determine the relationship of stall base softness to cow preference. Clegg impact values were recorded at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station on June 19, 2002, and again on July 24, 2003. The Clegg Impact Soil Tester (model 95051, Lafayette Instruments, Lafayette, IN) with a 20-kg hammer was used in this study. The impact of the hammer on the free-stall base results in a digital display based on peak deceleration of the hammer's impact with the free-stall base in tens of gravities (CIV/H). The CIV/H value, as measured by the Clegg Impact hammer, is based on peak deceleration of the 20-kg hammer's impact with the surface, from a height of 30cm. Clegg impact measures were highly correlated with cow preference measurements. This relationship suggests that Clegg impact measures of compressibility were good indicators for predicting stall-base acceptance. A cork mattress, 4 foam mattresses, 4 rubber mattresses, 4 rubber mats, and a waterbed were evaluated in this study. Foam-based mattresses lost cushioning ability faster than rubber mattresses or rubber mats. Clegg impact values increased over the 13-mo time period for most stall base types, which indicated a tendency of stall bases to harden.

Effects of Alley and Stall Surfaces on Indices of Claw and Leg Health in Dairy Cattle Housed in a Free-Stall Barn

A 15-wk 2 x 3 factorial trial in a university dairy herd compared the effects of two alley surfaces and three free-stall beds on indices of lameness. Alley surfaces were grooved concrete (Ct) or 1.9-cm-thick interlocking rubber mats (R). Stalls were deep sand (S), rubber mattresses (M), or concrete (C). Mattress and concrete stalls were bedded with sawdust. At wk 1 and 15, the hind claws and hocks of 120 primi- (n=69) and multiparous (n=51) cows were scored for lesions and three claw measurements (dorsal wall length, heel depth, and toe angle) were recorded. Rates of lateral and medial claw growth and wear were calculated by measuring the migration of a reference mark away from the coronet. Digital photographs of claw surfaces were used to rescore claw lesions. Clinical lameness was evaluated by assigning a locomotion score from 1 to 4 to each cow during wk 1, 5, 10, and 14. Digital dermatitis (present/not present) and interdigital dermatitis (mild, moderate, or severe) were recorded at wk 15. The number of days that cows spent in a hospital barn was recorded. Before assignment, cows were professionally foot trimmed, sorted by initial claw lesion score, and then randomized in consecutive blocks of three to stall treatments. Photograph scores were highly repeatable. Nonparametric statistical techniques were used for analyses of rank data. Claw lesion score increased significantly for all treatment groups except RC and RS; however, when early lactation cows were excluded, no differences were found between treatment groups. Hock scores increased significantly more for cows in CtC than in CtS or RS. Significantly more animals from RC spent more than 10 d in the hospital pen compared with RM and RS. Groups did not significantly differ for clinical lameness. Cows in RS and RC had significantly lower rates for lateral claw net growth than those in CtM. Having moderate or severe interdigital dermatitis at wk 15 was associated with greater increases in claw lesion score and more treatments for digital dermatitis. All claw measurements were correlated; however, toe angle was most strongly correlated with the other two. In this experiment, stall and alley configurations did not lead to significant differences in several indices of lameness.

Prévalence de lˈallergie au latex chez les nourrissons et les jeunes enfants asthmatiques

The prevalence of bronchial asthma is still growing worldwide, especially in ‘western lifestyle’ countries.Purpose. – The hypothesis is that this increasing trend could be linked to sensitization to ‘new’ allergens such as latex, especially in infants and young children. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that sensitization to latex is more frequent in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic children.Patients and methods. – Two thousand two hundred and fifty-two infants and children less than 6 years of age with asthma were explored consecutively between December 1995 and December 1999 regarding: 1) their atopic status by skin testing to usual airborne and food allergens, and specific IgE assay, and 2) more specifically, their sensitization to latex by oriented questionnaire, skin prick-test with commercial latex extract and anti-latex-specific IgE by CAP-System Pharmacia®.Results. – Twenty-six infants had a latex-positive prick-test. Out of them: 1) four had anti-latex-specific IgE, and 2) two experienced urticaria following contact with a rubber balloon and a rubber mattress. Finally, latex sensitivity was detected only in 2.5% patients with allergic asthma and 0.5% patients with non-allergic asthma.Conclusion. – The results of our study do not support the hypothesis that increasing prevalence of asthma in our country might be due at least in part to latex sensitization. To confirm that clinical symptoms are related to allergy to latex, prick-tests performed with a commercial extract appear to be less sensitive than specific lgE.

Litter on the israeli coastline

Counts of litter pieces which were conducted on six beaches in Israel at approximately monthly intervals showed that the overall mean was 36·77 pieces of litter per 5-m-wide beach transect. More than 70% of the litter was plastic and the remaining litter was made up of wood, metal, glass and other materials. The results indicate that the litter pollution level is related to the distance of a beach from a population center. During winter litter polution is reduced due to storm waves which carry it landward. Clean-up operations during summer help reduce litter on the beach but only for a few weeks. The nature of the litter components (containers of food, beverages and cosmetics, plastic bags, garments, foam rubber mattresses and toys) indicates that most of the litter is left by beach-goers. This impression is supported by the lack of remnants of fishing nets and large food containers and by the scarcity of containers of lavatory cleansers and household cleaners. This is in contrast to findings on the eastern shores of the Atlantic where used containers of household cleansers discarded from ships constituted the most abundant item of coastal litter.

A Metabolic Bed for Collecting Excreta in Premature Infants

SummaryA mattress and plastic bed for collection of urine and feces in premature infants housed in isolettes is described. The dimensions of the bed are 65.5 x 34.4 x 13.5 cm. A drainage hole is located 18 cm from the foot of the bed and midway (16.5 cm) from either side. The angle of the depression in the bed for the drainage hole is approximately 12.5°. The bed is covered with a plastic‐backed foam rubber mattress. The plastic surface on which the infant lies is impervious to water. The method of excreta collection using the bed does not involve the need for restraints; urine and/or feces are washed off the undiapered infant and the bed into a container beneath the drainage hole. The bed has been well tolerated in over 30 studies of 4 days duration, and laboratory experiments with urine and feces applied to the mattress for 15–60 min have indicated excellent recovery of total nitrogen.

A Metabolic Bed for Collecting Excreta in Premature Infants

A mattress and plastic bed for collection of urine and feces in premature infants housed in isolettes is described. The dimensions of the bed are 65.5 x 34.4 x 13.5 cm. A drainage hole is located 18 cm from the foot of the bed and midway (16.5 cm) from either side. The angle of the depression in the bed for the drainage hole is approximately 12.5 degrees. The bed is covered with a plastic-backed foam rubber mattress. The plastic surface on which the infant lies is impervious to water. The method of excreta collection using the bed does not involve the need for restraints; urine and/or feces are washed off the undiapered infant and the bed into a container beneath the drainage hole. The bed has been well tolerated in over 30 studies of 4 days duration, and laboratory experiments with urine and feces applied to the mattress for 15-60 min have indicated excellent recovery of total nitrogen.