1
|
McGlacken R, Hobson-West P. Between animal research and animal welfare: Analysing the openness practices of UK Named Veterinary Surgeons. Anim Welf 2024; 33:e36. [PMID: 39347485 PMCID: PMC11428074 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2024.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
The use of animals as scientific models is argued to be crucial for producing new scientific and medical knowledge and clinical treatments. However, animal research continues to raise socio-ethical concerns. In recent years, there has been a push for openness amongst the life science community, with the aim of increasing the transparency of animal research to wider publics. Yet, how this push for openness is experienced by those responsible for the care and welfare of research animals requires further study. This paper draws upon qualitative interviews with Named Veterinary Surgeons (NVS) in the UK and explores how they practise openness, avoid openness, and, at times, challenge the way their role is represented within openness agendas. Overall, this social scientific analysis reveals that the current openness agenda has the potential to create tensions for professionals, as they seek to manage regulatory and public imaginaries of the veterinary identity alongside the animal research controversy. The paper concludes by arguing for a culture of dialogue, where openness includes allowing those with responsibilities for animal welfare to express ambivalence or concern about their own role. Finally, the paper calls for sustained academic work on relations between the veterinary profession and wider society, particularly areas that involve contested practices in which care and harm may coincide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renelle McGlacken
- School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Pru Hobson-West
- School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Koivisto E, Mäntylä E. Are Open Science instructions targeted to ecologists and evolutionary biologists sufficient? A literature review of guidelines and journal data policies. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11698. [PMID: 38994214 PMCID: PMC11237169 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Open science (OS) awareness and skills are increasingly becoming an essential part of everyday scientific work as e.g., many journals require authors to share data. However, following an OS workflow can seem challenging at first. Thus, instructions by journals and other guidelines are important. But how comprehensive are they in the field of ecology and evolutionary biology (Ecol Evol)? To find this out, we reviewed 20 published OS guideline articles aimed for ecologists or evolutionary biologists, together with the data policies of 17 Ecol Evol journals to chart the current landscape of OS guidelines in the field, find potential gaps, identify field-specific barriers for OS and discuss solutions to overcome these challenges. We found that many of the guideline articles covered similar topics, despite being written for a narrow field or specific target audience. Likewise, many of the guideline articles mentioned similar obstacles that could hinder or postpone a transition to open data sharing. Thus, there could be a need for a more widely known, general OS guideline for Ecol Evol. Following the same guideline could also enhance the uniformity of the OS practices carried on in the field. However, some topics, like long-term experiments and physical samples, were mentioned surprisingly seldom, although they are typical issues in Ecol Evol. Of the journals, 15 out of 17 expected or at least encouraged data sharing either for all articles or under specific conditions, e.g. for registered reports and 10 of those required data sharing at the submission phase. The coverage of journal data policies varied greatly between journals, from practically non-existing to very extensive. As journals can contribute greatly by leading the way and making open data useful, we recommend that the publishers and journals would invest in clear and comprehensive data policies and instructions for authors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elina Koivisto
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology University of Turku Turku Finland
- Present address: Federation of Finnish Learned Societies (TSV) Helsinki Finland
| | - Elina Mäntylä
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology University of Turku Turku Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Davoudkhani M, Rubino F, Creevey CJ, Ahvenjärvi S, Bayat AR, Tapio I, Belanche A, Muñoz-Tamayo R. Integrating microbial abundance time series with fermentation dynamics of the rumen microbiome via mathematical modelling. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298930. [PMID: 38507436 PMCID: PMC10954177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rumen represents a dynamic microbial ecosystem where fermentation metabolites and microbial concentrations change over time in response to dietary changes. The integration of microbial genomic knowledge and dynamic modelling can enhance our system-level understanding of rumen ecosystem's function. However, such an integration between dynamic models and rumen microbiota data is lacking. The objective of this work was to integrate rumen microbiota time series determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing into a dynamic modelling framework to link microbial data to the dynamics of the volatile fatty acids (VFA) production during fermentation. For that, we used the theory of state observers to develop a model that estimates the dynamics of VFA from the data of microbial functional proxies associated with the specific production of each VFA. We determined the microbial proxies using CowPi to infer the functional potential of the rumen microbiota and extrapolate their functional modules from KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes). The approach was challenged using data from an in vitro RUSITEC experiment and from an in vivo experiment with four cows. The model performance was evaluated by the coefficient of variation of the root mean square error (CRMSE). For the in vitro case study, the mean CVRMSE were 9.8% for acetate, 14% for butyrate and 14.5% for propionate. For the in vivo case study, the mean CVRMSE were 16.4% for acetate, 15.8% for butyrate and 19.8% for propionate. The mean CVRMSE for the VFA molar fractions were 3.1% for acetate, 3.8% for butyrate and 8.9% for propionate. Ours results show the promising application of state observers integrated with microbiota time series data for predicting rumen microbial metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Davoudkhani
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| | - Francesco Rubino
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Creevey
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Seppo Ahvenjärvi
- Animal Nutrition, Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Ali R. Bayat
- Animal Nutrition, Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Ilma Tapio
- Genomics and Breeding, Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Alejandro Belanche
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Muñoz-Tamayo
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mason GJ. Animal welfare research is fascinating, ethical, and useful-but how can it be more rigorous? BMC Biol 2023; 21:302. [PMID: 38155349 PMCID: PMC10755948 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01793-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia J Mason
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare/Integrative Biology Department, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Muñoz-Tamayo R, Davoudkhani M, Fakih I, Robles-Rodriguez CE, Rubino F, Creevey CJ, Forano E. Review: Towards the next-generation models of the rumen microbiome for enhancing predictive power and guiding sustainable production strategies. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 5:100984. [PMID: 37821326 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The rumen ecosystem harbours a galaxy of microbes working in syntrophy to carry out a metabolic cascade of hydrolytic and fermentative reactions. This fermentation process allows ruminants to harvest nutrients from a wide range of feedstuff otherwise inaccessible to the host. The interconnection between the ruminant and its rumen microbiota shapes key animal phenotypes such as feed efficiency and methane emissions and suggests the potential of reducing methane emissions and enhancing feed conversion into animal products by manipulating the rumen microbiota. Whilst significant technological progress in omics techniques has increased our knowledge of the rumen microbiota and its genome (microbiome), translating omics knowledge into effective microbial manipulation strategies remains a great challenge. This challenge can be addressed by modelling approaches integrating causality principles and thus going beyond current correlation-based approaches applied to analyse rumen microbial genomic data. However, existing rumen models are not yet adapted to capitalise on microbial genomic information. This gap between the rumen microbiota available omics data and the way microbial metabolism is represented in the existing rumen models needs to be filled to enhance rumen understanding and produce better predictive models with capabilities for guiding nutritional strategies. To fill this gap, the integration of computational biology tools and mathematical modelling frameworks is needed to translate the information of the metabolic potential of the rumen microbes (inferred from their genomes) into a mathematical object. In this paper, we aim to discuss the potential use of two modelling approaches for the integration of microbial genomic information into dynamic models. The first modelling approach explores the theory of state observers to integrate microbial time series data into rumen fermentation models. The second approach is based on the genome-scale network reconstructions of rumen microbes. For a given microorganism, the network reconstruction produces a stoichiometry matrix of the metabolism. This matrix is the core of the so-called genome-scale metabolic models which can be exploited by a plethora of methods comprised within the constraint-based reconstruction and analysis approaches. We will discuss how these methods can be used to produce the next-generation models of the rumen microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Muñoz-Tamayo
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France.
| | - M Davoudkhani
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - I Fakih
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France; Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR 454 MEDIS, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - F Rubino
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Northern Ireland, UK
| | - C J Creevey
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Northern Ireland, UK
| | - E Forano
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR 454 MEDIS, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tedeschi LO. Review: The prevailing mathematical modeling classifications and paradigms to support the advancement of sustainable animal production. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 5:100813. [PMID: 37169649 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mathematical modeling is typically framed as the art of reductionism of scientific knowledge into an arithmetical layout. However, most untrained people get the art of modeling wrong and end up neglecting it because modeling is not simply about writing equations and generating numbers through simulations. Models tell not only about a story; they are spoken to by the circumstances under which they are envisioned. They guide apprentice and experienced modelers to build better models by preventing known pitfalls and invalid assumptions in the virtual world and, most importantly, learn from them through simulation and identify gaps in pushing scientific knowledge further. The power of the human mind is well-documented for idealizing concepts and creating virtual reality models, and as our hypotheses grow more complicated and more complex data become available, modeling earns more noticeable footing in biological sciences. The fundamental modeling paradigms include discrete-events, dynamic systems, agent-based (AB), and system dynamics (SD). The source of knowledge is the most critical step in the model-building process regardless of the paradigm, and the necessary expertise includes (a) clear and concise mental concepts acquired through different ways that provide the fundamental structure and expected behaviors of the model and (b) numerical data necessary for statistical analysis, not for building the model. The unreasonable effectiveness of models to grow scientific learning and knowledge in sciences arise because different researchers would model the same problem differently, given their knowledge and experiential background, leading to choosing different variables and model structures. Secondly, different researchers might use different paradigms and even unalike mathematics to resolve the same problem; thus, model needs are intrinsic to their perceived assumptions and structures. Thirdly, models evolve as the scientific community knowledge accumulates and matures over time, hopefully resulting in improved modeling efforts; thus, the perfect model is fictional. Some paradigms are most appropriate for macro, high abstraction with less detailed-oriented scenarios, while others are most suitable for micro, low abstraction with higher detailed-oriented strategies. Modern hybridization aggregating artificial intelligence (AI) to mathematical models can become the next technological wave in modeling. AI can be an integral part of the SD/AB models and, before long, write the model code by itself. Success and failures in model building are more related to the ability of the researcher to interpret the data and understand the underlying principles and mechanisms to formulate the correct relationship among variables rather than profound mathematical knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Elliott KC, Werkheiser I. A Framework for Transparency in Precision Livestock Farming. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3358. [PMID: 37958113 PMCID: PMC10648797 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies emerge, it is important to consider their social and ethical dimensions. Reviews of PLF have highlighted the importance of considering ethical issues related to privacy, security, and welfare. However, little attention has been paid to ethical issues related to transparency regarding these technologies. This paper proposes a framework for developing responsible transparency in the context of PLF. It examines the kinds of information that could be ethically important to disclose about these technologies, the different audiences that might care about this information, the challenges involved in achieving transparency for these audiences, and some promising strategies for addressing these challenges. For example, with respect to the information to be disclosed, efforts to foster transparency could focus on: (1) information about the goals and priorities of those developing PLF systems; (2) details about how the systems operate; (3) information about implicit values that could be embedded in the systems; and/or (4) characteristics of the machine learning algorithms often incorporated into these systems. In many cases, this information is likely to be difficult to obtain or communicate meaningfully to relevant audiences (e.g., farmers, consumers, industry, and/or regulators). Some of the potential steps for addressing these challenges include fostering collaborations between the developers and users of PLF systems, developing techniques for identifying and disclosing important forms of information, and pursuing forms of PLF that can be responsibly employed with less transparency. Given the complexity of transparency and its ethical and practical importance, a framework for developing and evaluating transparency will be an important element of ongoing PLF research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. Elliott
- Lyman Briggs College, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA
| | - Ian Werkheiser
- Department of Philosophy, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Taghipoor M, Pastell M, Martin O, Nguyen Ba H, van Milgen J, Doeschl-Wilson A, Loncke C, Friggens NC, Puillet L, Muñoz-Tamayo R. Animal board invited review: Quantification of resilience in farm animals. Animal 2023; 17:100925. [PMID: 37690272 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Resilience, when defined as the capacity of an animal to respond to short-term environmental challenges and to return to the prechallenge status, is a dynamic and complex trait. Resilient animals can reinforce the capacity of the herd to cope with often fluctuating and unpredictable environmental conditions. The ability of modern technologies to simultaneously record multiple performance measures of individual animals over time is a huge step forward to evaluate the resilience of farm animals. However, resilience is not directly measurable and requires mathematical models with biologically meaningful parameters to obtain quantitative resilience indicators. Furthermore, interpretive models may also be needed to determine the periods of perturbation as perceived by the animal. These applications do not require explicit knowledge of the origin of the perturbations and are developed based on real-time information obtained in the data during and outside the perturbation period. The main objective of this paper was to review and illustrate with examples, different modelling approaches applied to this new generation of data (i.e., with high-frequency recording) to detect and quantify animal responses to perturbations. Case studies were developed to illustrate alternative approaches to real-time and post-treatment of data. In addition, perspectives on the use of hybrid models for better understanding and predicting animal resilience are presented. Quantification of resilience at the individual level makes possible the inclusion of this trait into future breeding programmes. This would allow improvement of the capacity of animals to adapt to a changing environment, and therefore potentially reduce the impact of disease and other environmental stressors on animal welfare. Moreover, such quantification allows the farmer to tailor the management strategy to help individual animals to cope with the perturbation, hence reducing the use of pharmaceuticals, and decreasing the level of pain of the animal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Taghipoor
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France.
| | - M Pastell
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, Helsinki, Finland
| | - O Martin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - H Nguyen Ba
- Univ Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 SaintGenes Champanelle, France
| | | | - A Doeschl-Wilson
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush EH25 9RG, UK
| | - C Loncke
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - N C Friggens
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - L Puillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - R Muñoz-Tamayo
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The term 'open science' refers to a range of methods, tools, platforms and practices that aim to make scientific research more accessible, transparent, reproducible and reliable. This includes, for example, sharing code, data and research materials, embracing new publishing formats such as registered reports and preprints, pursuing replication studies and reanalyses, optimising statistical approaches to improve evidence assessment and re-evaluating institutional incentives. The ongoing shift towards open science practices is partly due to mounting evidence that studies across disciplines suffer from biases, underpowered designs and irreproducible or non-replicable results. It also stems from a general desire amongst many researchers to reduce hyper-competitivity in science and instead promote collaborative research that benefits science and society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Bertram
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Josefin Sundin
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Drottningholm, Sweden
| | - Dominique G Roche
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada; Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Eli S J Thoré
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden; Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; TRANSfarm - Science, Engineering & Technology Group, KU Leuven, Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fakih I, Got J, Robles-Rodriguez CE, Siegel A, Forano E, Muñoz-Tamayo R. Dynamic genome-based metabolic modeling of the predominant cellulolytic rumen bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes S85. mSystems 2023; 8:e0102722. [PMID: 37289026 PMCID: PMC10308913 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01027-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrobacter succinogenes is a cellulolytic bacterium that plays an essential role in the degradation of plant fibers in the rumen ecosystem. It converts cellulose polymers into intracellular glycogen and the fermentation metabolites succinate, acetate, and formate. We developed dynamic models of F. succinogenes S85 metabolism on glucose, cellobiose, and cellulose on the basis of a network reconstruction done with the automatic reconstruction of metabolic model workspace. The reconstruction was based on genome annotation, five template-based orthology methods, gap filling, and manual curation. The metabolic network of F. succinogenes S85 comprises 1,565 reactions with 77% linked to 1,317 genes, 1,586 unique metabolites, and 931 pathways. The network was reduced using the NetRed algorithm and analyzed for the computation of elementary flux modes. A yield analysis was further performed to select a minimal set of macroscopic reactions for each substrate. The accuracy of the models was acceptable in simulating F. succinogenes carbohydrate metabolism with an average coefficient of variation of the root mean squared error of 19%. The resulting models are useful resources for investigating the metabolic capabilities of F. succinogenes S85, including the dynamics of metabolite production. Such an approach is a key step toward the integration of omics microbial information into predictive models of rumen metabolism. IMPORTANCE F. succinogenes S85 is a cellulose-degrading and succinate-producing bacterium. Such functions are central for the rumen ecosystem and are of special interest for several industrial applications. This work illustrates how information of the genome of F. succinogenes can be translated to develop predictive dynamic models of rumen fermentation processes. We expect this approach can be applied to other rumen microbes for producing a model of rumen microbiome that can be used for studying microbial manipulation strategies aimed at enhancing feed utilization and mitigating enteric emissions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Fakih
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR454 Microbiologie Environnement Digestif et Santé, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Jeanne Got
- Université Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, Dyliss team, 35042 Rennes, France
| | | | - Anne Siegel
- Université Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, Dyliss team, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Evelyne Forano
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR454 Microbiologie Environnement Digestif et Santé, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Rafael Muñoz-Tamayo
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brennan JR, Menendez HM, Ehlert K, Tedeschi LO. ASAS-NANP symposium: mathematical modeling in animal nutrition-Making sense of big data and machine learning: how open-source code can advance training of animal scientists. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad317. [PMID: 37997926 PMCID: PMC10664406 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in precision livestock technology have resulted in an unprecedented amount of data being collected on individual animals. Throughout the data analysis chain, many bottlenecks occur, including processing raw sensor data, integrating multiple streams of information, incorporating data into animal growth and nutrition models, developing decision support tools for producers, and training animal science students as data scientists. To realize the promise of precision livestock management technologies, open-source tools and tutorials must be developed to reduce these bottlenecks, which are a direct result of the tremendous time and effort required to create data pipelines from scratch. Open-source programming languages (e.g., R or Python) can provide users with tools to automate many data processing steps for cleaning, aggregating, and integrating data. However, the steps from data collection to training artificial intelligence models and integrating predictions into mathematical models can be tedious for those new to statistical programming, with few examples pertaining to animal science. To address this issue, we outline how open-source code can help overcome many of the bottlenecks that occur in the era of big data and precision livestock technology, with an emphasis on how routine use and publication of open-source code can help facilitate training the next generation of animal scientists. In addition, two case studies are presented with publicly available data and code to demonstrate how open-source tutorials can be utilized to streamline data processing, train machine learning models, integrate with animal nutrition models, and facilitate learning. The National Animal Nutrition Program focuses on providing research-based data on animal performance and feeding strategies. Open-source data and code repositories with examples specific to animal science can help create a reinforcing mechanism aimed at advancing animal science research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jameson R Brennan
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University West River Research and Extension Center, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Hector M Menendez
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University West River Research and Extension Center, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Krista Ehlert
- Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University West River Research and Extension Center, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tedeschi LO, Menendez HM, Remus A. ASAS-NANP SYMPOSIUM: Mathematical Modeling in Animal Nutrition: Training the Future Generation in Data and Predictive Analytics for Sustainable Development. A Summary of the 2021 and 2022 Symposia. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad318. [PMID: 37997923 PMCID: PMC10664387 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luis O Tedeschi
- Texas A&M University, Department of Animal Science, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Hector M Menendez
- South Dakota State University West River Research and Extension Center, 711 N. Creek Dr. Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
| | - Aline Remus
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1Z3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Muñoz-Tamayo R, Tedeschi LO. ASAS-NANP symposium: Mathematical Modeling in Animal Nutrition: The power of identifiability analysis for dynamic modeling in animal science:a practitioner approach. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad320. [PMID: 37997927 PMCID: PMC10664400 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Constructing dynamic mathematical models of biological systems requires estimating unknown parameters from available experimental data, usually using a statistical fitting procedure. This procedure is usually called parameter identification, parameter estimation, model fitting, or model calibration. In animal science, parameter identification is often performed without analytic considerations on the possibility of determining unique values of the model parameters. These analytical studies are related to the mathematical property of structural identifiability, which refers to the theoretical ability to recover unique values of the model parameters from the measures defined in an experimental setup and use the model structure as the sole basis. The structural identifiability analysis is a powerful tool for model construction because it informs whether the parameter identification problem is well-posed (i.e., the problem has a unique solution). Structural identifiability analysis is helpful to determine which actions (e.g., model reparameterization, choice of new data measurements, and change of the model structure) are needed to render the model parameters identifiable (when possible). The mathematical technicalities associated with structural identifiability analysis are very sophisticated. However, the development of dedicated, freely available software tools enables the application of identifiability analysis without needing to be an expert in mathematics and computer programming. We refer to such a non-expert user as a practitioner for hands-on purposes. However, a practitioner should be familiar with the model construction and software implementation process. In this paper, we propose to adopt a practitioner approach that takes advantage of available software tools to integrate identifiability analysis in the modeling practice in the animal science field. The application of structural identifiability implies switching our regard of the parameter identification problem as a downstream process (after data collection) to an upstream process (before data collection) where experiment design is applied to guarantee identifiability. This upstream approach will substantially improve the workflow of model construction toward robust and valuable models in animal science. Illustrative examples with different levels of complexity support our work. The source codes of the examples were provided for learning purposes and to promote open science practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Muñoz-Tamayo
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Strydom A, Mellet J, Van Rensburg J, Viljoen I, Athanasiadis A, Pepper MS. Open access and its potential impact on public health - A South African perspective. Front Res Metr Anal 2022; 7:975109. [PMID: 36531754 PMCID: PMC9755351 DOI: 10.3389/frma.2022.975109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, access to research information has been restricted through journal subscriptions. This means that research entities and individuals who were unable to afford subscription costs did not have access to journal articles. There has however been a progressive shift toward electronic access to journal publications and subsequently growth in the number of journals available globally. In the context of electronic journals, both open access and restricted access options exist. While the latter option is comparable to traditional, subscription-based paper journals, open access journal publications follow an "open science" publishing model allowing scholarly communications and outputs to be publicly available online at no cost to the reader. However, for readers to enjoy open access, publication costs are shifted elsewhere, typically onto academic institutions and authors. SARS-CoV-2, and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the benefits of open science through accelerated research and unprecedented levels of collaboration and data sharing. South Africa is one of the leading open access countries on the African continent. This paper focuses on open access in the South African higher education research context with an emphasis on our Institution and our own experiences. It also addresses the financial implications of open access and provides possible solutions for reducing the cost of publication for researchers and their institutions. Privacy in open access and the role of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in medical research and secondary use of data in South Africa will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael S. Pepper
- SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jacobs M, Remus A, Gaillard C, Menendez HM, Tedeschi LO, Neethirajan S, Ellis JL. ASAS-NANP symposium: mathematical modeling in animal nutrition: limitations and potential next steps for modeling and modelers in the animal sciences. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac132. [PMID: 35419602 PMCID: PMC9171330 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of animal science, and especially animal nutrition, relies heavily on modeling to accomplish its day-to-day objectives. New data streams ("big data") and the exponential increase in computing power have allowed the appearance of "new" modeling methodologies, under the umbrella of artificial intelligence (AI). However, many of these modeling methodologies have been around for decades. According to Gartner, technological innovation follows five distinct phases: technology trigger, peak of inflated expectations, trough of disillusionment, slope of enlightenment, and plateau of productivity. The appearance of AI certainly elicited much hype within agriculture leading to overpromised plug-and-play solutions in a field heavily dependent on custom solutions. The threat of failure can become real when advertising a disruptive innovation as sustainable. This does not mean that we need to abandon AI models. What is most necessary is to demystify the field and place a lesser emphasis on the technology and more on business application. As AI becomes increasingly more powerful and applications start to diverge, new research fields are introduced, and opportunities arise to combine "old" and "new" modeling technologies into hybrids. However, sustainable application is still many years away, and companies and universities alike do well to remain at the forefront. This requires investment in hardware, software, and analytical talent. It also requires a strong connection to the outside world to test, that which does, and does not work in practice and a close view of when the field of agriculture is ready to take its next big steps. Other research fields, such as engineering and automotive, have shown that the application power of AI can be far reaching but only if a realistic view of models as whole is maintained. In this review, we share our view on the current and future limitations of modeling and potential next steps for modelers in the animal sciences. First, we discuss the inherent dependencies and limitations of modeling as a human process. Then, we highlight how models, fueled by AI, can play an enhanced sustainable role in the animal sciences ecosystem. Lastly, we provide recommendations for future animal scientists on how to support themselves, the farmers, and their field, considering the opportunities and challenges the technological innovation brings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Jacobs
- FR Analytics B.V., 7642 AP Wierden, The Netherlands
| | - Aline Remus
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Hector M Menendez
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Suresh Neethirajan
- Farmworx, Adaptation Physiology, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University, 6700 AH, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer L Ellis
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|