Open-Source Wearable Sensors for Behavioral Analysis of Sheep Undergoing Heat Stress
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dr. authors
The subject addressed (heat stress) is very relevant in geographical areas where high temperatures, radiation and/or relative humidity occur and can cause problems in livestock, in addition to the tendency for episodes of heat stress to increase. because of climate change. The draft is a good attempt to establish how to measure it and how to forecast it using modern and precise instruments.
The discussion is very broad, because aspects that seem to belong to the introduction are addressed, and there are some aspects in the document that must be corrected for publication.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.docx
Author Response
Thank you so much for your review. Our responses are below.
In line 75, the authors state the hypothesis: "We hypothesized that animals experiencing HS would shift daily time 75 budgets relative to those housed in thermoneutral conditions". I think the word budgets is misapplied and should be bouts.
Response: We have changed budgets to bouts.
In line 75, the size of the pens used in the experiment is mentioned: (8'11"), using an Anglo-Saxon measure, which, according to scientific conventions, should be expressed in metric system measures.
Response: We have changed to the metric system. Please check line 89.
In lines 117 to 119 the authors say that respiration rate will be abbreviated BrPM and that heart rate will be abbreviated BPM, however, during the description of the results these abbreviations are not used, causing confusion. I suggest using the abbreviations indicated.
Response: We have included the abbreviations in the results and discussion.
The tables and figures of an article should be placed as close as possible to the place where they are mentioned for the first time, however in this article that does not happen, since first table 1 is not located after the paragraph in which it is mentioned, but rather subsequently, in addition to the fact that table 1 is placed until after figure 1, which is mentioned later. I suggest reviewing and correcting the arrangement of the tables and figures.
Response: We have changed the order of Table 1 and Figures 1, 2, and 3.
In the discussion (lines 289 to 291) the authors point out that "Although those responses have been well established in the literature, physiological signals in sheep associated with gradual versus radical changes in ambient temperature have not been well studied", which has already been pointed out. in the introduction, being unnecessary to repeat it in this section. The same can be said of what is written in lines 422 to 434.
Response: The sentences have been deleted from the discussion.
Lines 387 to 398 (ending where it reads "was not an objective of this study") provides a broad description of the effect of heat stress on dry matter intake, which is not adequate because the authors did not measure this variable, so I suggest removing that paragraph.
Response: The paragraph was deleted.
Throughout the document, the authors use different notations for degrees Celsius (°C, â—¦C, and oC), and only one should be used (the first one).
Response: We have changed the degrees Celsius °C notation throughout the manuscript.
In the discussion, the authors use several active citations (lines 408, 443, 444, 449) without specifying the names of the authors. Names should be noted, as this is one of the reasons for using active citations.
Response: Can you please explain what you meant? The author's names are specified in the references.
In the references (line 518), the authors wrote: RUMINANT NUTRITION SYMPOSIUM, being correct to write it with upper and lower case.
Response: We have corrected the reference.
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors present a study on behavior analysis despite the methodology not being novel the paper provides critical insight into animal welfare studies. The article is within the scope of the journal and i recommend a significant revision for it to be ready for publication. my comments are below
The methodology in the abstract is unclear please be specific I recommend editing of abstract
The introduction lacks a presentation of the objectives of this study there making it difficult to analyze the results
Give a brief background of some of these technologies for animals’ body temperature measurements
The author should clearly outline the behavioral changes in extreme temperature changes observed during the study.
The author should suggest mitigation strategies and technologies to help minimize negative impact. The figures don’t clearly contrast the two groups of animals applied in the study consider a different graph presentation to bring out a comparison
In behavior classification was an ethogram used? and was there a control experiment?
How was the room temperature increased?
In the statistical analysis was the data normally distributed?
Moderate improvement in the English language
Author Response
Thank you so much for your review and comments. Our responses are below.
The methodology in the abstract is unclear please be specific. I recommend editing of abstract.
Response: We have edited the methodology in the abstract.
The introduction lacks a presentation of the objectives of this study, making it difficult to analyze the results.
Response: We have stated the objective of the study in line 74.
Give a brief background of some of these technologies for animals’ body temperature measurements.
Response: Lines 46 to 51 provide background about the technologies used for body temperature.
The author should suggest mitigation strategies and technologies to help minimize negative impact. The figures don’t clearly contrast the two groups of animals applied in the study consider a different graph presentation to bring out a comparison.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. We believe this graph effectively highlights the differences. However, we welcome any further suggestions for a different graph presentation.
In behavior classification was an ethogram used? and was there a control experiment?
Response: Yes, in lines 131 to 135, we provided a detailed description of how each behavior was classified.
How was the room temperature increased?
Response: The rooms temperature was adjusted and maintained under the control of a computer system (Siemens Building Automation System). We have added this information to the manuscript (please check line 99).
In the statistical analysis was the data normally distributed?
Response: Yes, we have added this information to the text. Please check line 142.
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors investigated open-source wearable sensors for behavioral analysis of sheep undergoing heat stress in the study. The subject of this study is suitable for “Applied Sciences” journal. The authors showed that wearable sensors may help classify behavioral shifts indicative of thermal stress. This is an exciting study, but I have several concerns (below indicated) about the manuscript in its current form that needs to be addressed by the authors before consideration for publication. After the authors address these concerns, the manuscript can be accepted.
1. The benefit of the wearable sensor application in determining heat stress in the sheep industry should be stated in the introduction section.
2. The aim of the study should be clearly stated in the last part of the introduction.
3. The number of animals used in the study is low. To support the results' reliability, the relevant coefficient, in which the number of animals is determined by power analysis, should be added to the statistical analysis part.
4. The results have been well presented, the discussion has supported the results, and the conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments, but the conclusion may be improved.
5. The references are appropriate, but the authors should be checking both the text and reference section.
Author Response
Thank you so much for your comments and review. Our responses are below.
- The benefit of the wearable sensor application in determining heat stress in the sheep industry should be stated in the introduction section.
Response: We have added it to the introduction (please check line 62 for reference).
- The aim of the study should be clearly stated in the last part of the introduction.
Response: We have stated the objective of the study in line 74.
- The number of animals used in the study is low. To support the results' reliability, the relevant coefficient, in which the number of animals is determined by power analysis, should be added to the statistical analysis part.
Response: This information was added to the statistical analysis section.
- The results have been well presented, the discussion has supported the results, and the conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments, but the conclusion may be improved.
Response: We have attempted to improve the conclusion.
- The references are appropriate, but the authors should be checking both the text and reference section.
Response: We have checked the references.
