This chapter presents the basics for handling text, numbers and simple data files. It focuses on basic R features, commas, brackets and concatenation, colon character, raise to the power symbol, exiting from R, and help pages.

This chapter describes the most common physical restraint techniques used in horse training and their effects on behaviour and welfare.

This chapter deals with dates and Julian dates. To illustrate some date handling, the chapter will look at nest building and laying dates for breeding pairs of the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) in Europe, on the mainland and on the island of Corsica. The problem with two-digit dates and POSIX...

Numerous techniques for handling, fixing, staining and mounting nematodes have been published during the development of the science of nematology over the last 60 years. This chapter includes those techniques that have been shown to be widely adapted and least hazardous to the user and the...

This chapter describes how to write clear animal welfare standards and guidelines that will be interpreted the same way by different people; the difference between animal-based outcome measures and input resource-based standards; how to determine the most important core criteria or critical points...

Calm, low-stress methods for handling cattle, sheep, pigs, and other farm animals will result in better productivity and increased human safety. People who are handling animals should be trained to understand and use basic behavioural principles such as the flight zone, point of balance, circling...

This chapter discusses slaughter procedures with animal-based measures (ABMs), the principles of all types of stunning methods, gas and low atmospheric pressure stunning (LAPS), how to determine insensibility (unconsciousness), welfare issues associated with slaughter without stunning and how to...

This chapter discusses if an animal is fit for transport, the preparation of animals for transport, the design of loading ramps and handling facilities, how to determine if bruises and injuries are occurring on vehicles or in the abattoir, research on space requirements and rest stops and the use...

This chapter focuses on fruit harvesting methods and technologies in pomegranates. Topics include fruit maturity, growth, development, biochemical changes during maturity and ripening, genetic differences among cultivars, crop quality, fruit colour development, non-destructive methods, harvesting...

This book provides valuable, up-to-date information on postharvest handling of seven fruit and nut crops: almond, fig, peach, persimmon, pistachio, pomegranate and table grape. These crops are of particular importance in the Mediterranean region and also to those countries that export and import...