bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geography and Chronology of the Transition to Agriculture
Authors: Bogucki Peter
Published: December 2019

After millennia of hunting and gathering, prehistoric human societies around the world made the transition to food production using domesticated plants and animals. Several key areas for the initial domestication of plants and animals can be identified: southwestern Asia, Mesoamerica, China, Neotropical South America, eastern North America, Highland New Guinea, and sub-Saharan Africa. In the Old World, wheat, barley, millet, rice, sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs were the major founding crops, while in the New World, maize, squashes, beans, and many other seed and tuber plants were brought into cultivation. Although each area had its own distinct pathway to agriculture, it typically followed a standard path from resource management by hunter-gatherers, incipient cultivation (and livestock herding in some areas), domestication, to commitment to agriculture. Many theories to explain the transition to agriculture have been proposed. Early single-factor hypotheses have been largely discarded in favor models drawn from human evolutionary biology that emphasize the interplay between humans and the species targeted for domestication. Although within the long span of human history, the transition from hunting and gathering to farming in the last 10,000 years can be considered extraordinarily rapid, usually this process took decades, centuries, or even millennia when considered from the perspective of the human factors involved. From these core areas, agricultural practices dispersed, both through their integration into the plant and animal economies of hunter-gatherer societies and through the spread of farming populations. The transition to agriculture had consequences on a global scale, leading to social complexity and, in many cases, urban societies that would be impossible to imagine without agriculture.
Cultivation and Environmental Impact of Corn
Authors: Nafziger Emerson
Published: December 2019

Corn ranks first among crops in quantity produced globally, owing to its high yield and to its value as a food for humans and domestic animals. While its water-use efficiency is high compared to that of other crops, the production of high corn yields requires a great deal of water; the availability of water largely determines where the crop is grown. As a high-yielding grass species, corn also requires a substantial supply of nutrients (especially nitrogen) from external sources, including manufactured fertilizers and organic materials such as animal or green manures. This, along with the need to manage soils, weeds, insects, and diseases, makes corn production environmentally consequential.

Corn captures large quantities of sunlight energy through photosynthesis, but its production requires large external inputs of energy, coming mostly (in mechanized production) from fossil fuels. So even though the crop’s high yields moderates the environmental cost per unit of grain produced, minimizing the external environmental consequences of large-scale corn production is an important goal in the quest for greater sustainability of production of this important crop.
Environmental Footprints of Modernization Trends in Rice Production Systems of Southeast Asia
Authors: Wassmann Reiner
Published: December 2019

Assessing the environmental footprints of modern agriculture requires a balanced approach that sets the obviously negative effects (e.g., incidents with excessive use of inputs) against benefits stemming from increased resource use efficiencies. In the case of rice production, the regular flooding of fields comprises a distinctive feature, as compared to other crops, which directly or indirectly affects diverse impacts on the environment. In the regional context of Southeast Asia, rice production is characterized by dynamic changes in terms of crop management practices, so that environmental footprints can only be assessed from time-dependent developments rather than from a static view. The key for the Green Revolution in rice was the introduction of high-yielding varieties in combination with a sufficient water and nutrient supply as well as pest management. More recently, mechanization has evolved as a major trend in modern rice production. Mechanization has diverse environmental impacts and may also be instrumental in tackling the most drastic pollution source from rice production, namely, open field burning of straw. As modernization of rice production is imperative for future food supplies, there is scope for developing sustainable and high-yielding rice production systems by capitalizing on the positive aspects of modernization from a local to a global scale.
The Forest Transition
Authors: Rudel Thomas
Published: December 2019

Forest transitions take place when trends over time in forest cover shift from deforestation to reforestation. These transitions are of immense interest to researchers because the shift from deforestation to reforestation brings with it a range of environmental benefits. The most important of these would be an increased volume of sequestered carbon, which if large enough would slow climate change. This anticipated atmospheric effect makes the circumstances surrounding forest transitions of immediate interest to policymakers in the climate change era. This encyclopedia entry outlines these circumstances. It begins by describing the socio-ecological foundations of the first forest transitions in western Europe. Then it discusses the evolution of the idea of a forest transition, from its introduction in 1990 to its latest iteration in 2019. This discussion describes the proliferation of different paths through the forest transition. The focus then shifts to a discussion of the primary driver of the 20th-century forest transitions, economic development, in its urbanizing, industrializing, and globalizing forms. The ecological dimension of the forest transition becomes the next focus of the discussion. It describes the worldwide redistribution of forests toward more upland settings. Climate change since 2000, with its more extreme ecological events in the form of storms and droughts, has obscured some ongoing forest transitions. The final segment of this entry focuses on the role of the state in forest transitions. States have become more proactive in managing forest transitions. This tendency became more marked after 2010 as governments have searched for ways to reduce carbon emissions or to offset emissions through more carbon sequestration. The forest transitions by promoting forest expansion would contribute additional carbon offsets to a nation’s carbon budget. For this reason, the era of climate change could also see an expansion in the number of promoted forest transitions.
ShinyGO: a graphical gene-set enrichment tool for animals and plants
Authors: Ge Steven Xijin , Jung Dongmin , Yao Runan
Published: December 2019

Motivation

Gene lists are routinely produced from various omic studies. Enrichment analysis can link these gene lists with underlying molecular pathways and functional categories such as gene ontology (GO) and other databases.

Results

To complement existing tools, we developed ShinyGO based on a large annotation database derived from Ensembl and STRING-db for 59 plant, 256 animal, 115 archeal and 1678 bacterial species. ShinyGO’s novel features include graphical visualization of enrichment results and gene characteristics, and application program interface access to KEGG and STRING for the retrieval of pathway diagrams and protein–protein interaction networks. ShinyGO is an intuitive, graphical web application that can help researchers gain actionable insights from gene-sets.

Availability and implementation

http://ge-lab.org/go/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
qgg: an R package for large-scale quantitative genetic analyses
Authors: Rohde Palle Duun , Fourie Sørensen Izel , Sørensen Peter
Published: December 2019

Here, we present the R package qgg, which provides an environment for large-scale genetic analyses of quantitative traits and diseases. The qgg package provides an infrastructure for efficient processing of large-scale genetic data and functions for estimating genetic parameters, and performing single and multiple marker association analyses and genomic-based predictions of phenotypes.

Availability and implementation

The qgg package is freely available. For the latest updates, user guides and example scripts, consult the main page http://psoerensen.github.io/qgg. The current release is available from CRAN (https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=qgg) for all major operating systems.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
On the effects of EU trade policy: agricultural tariffs still matter
Authors: Cipollina Maria , Salvatici Luca
Published: December 2019

We capitalise on the latest development in the empirical structural gravity literature to examine the question of whether and how much the European Union (EU) agricultural tariffs affect agricultural imports. We capture both the protectionist and preferential nature of EU trade policies by measuring the effects of multilateral, bilateral and unilateral agreements on international trade relative to intra-EU trade. The computation of bilateral protection and preference margins is used to determine which countries/sectors are most negatively/positively affected. On average, EU agricultural tariffs have decreased international trade by 14 per cent. We also find that EU preferences have been effective in promoting trade by about 10 per cent.
Introduction to the special issue entitled ‘Heart failure management of the elderly patient: focus on frailty, sarcopenia, cachexia, and dementia’
Authors: Seferović Petar M
Published: December 2019

This is a special issue focused on heart failure management of the elderly patient with a focus on frailty, sarcopaenia, cachexia, and dementia, all common problems in the contemporary older heart failure (HF) patient. The Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has brought together experts to discuss these topical and clinically difficult areas. There are papers on ageing, demographics, and heart failure, drug treatment of the older patient, the frail heart failure patient and how to recognize frailty and screen for it without the risk segmenting these patients in a form of discrimination of them as less worthy of treatment through ‘frailtyism’. This is also discussion of the common problems affecting skeletal muscle, both sarcopaenia and cachexia, as well as dementia and cognitive decline and the crucial issue of planning health care for the older patient with HF most effectively by the use of care plans.
Heart failure management of the elderly patient: focus on frailty, sarcopaenia, cachexia, and dementia: conclusions
Authors: Coats Andrew J Stewart
Published: December 2019

With the ageing of populations heart failure is becoming more common and more complex. It is affecting ever older patients and the number of prevalent comorbidities is rising. Even as we continue to gain success in large-scale clinical trials with more effective therapies so our patients are becoming more complex. One of the biggest challenges is the effect of age. Frailty, comorbidity, sarcopaenia, cachexia, polypharmacy, and cognitive decline are all challenging our patients as never before and these challenges will be difficult for cash strapped health care systems to manage. For these reasons, the Heart Failure Association brought together a panel of experts to debate and review this complex area, championing the need for us to establish better ways of caring for the patients of the future.
Frailty in patients with heart failure
Authors: Vitale Cristiana , Uchmanowicz Izabella
Published: December 2019

The importance of frailty in heart failure (HF) patients has been increasingly recognized because of its high prevalence and its significantly adverse impact on prognosis and quality of life. Due to the impact of frailty on both prognosis and treatment of HF patients, all patients with HF, regardless of their chronological age, should be evaluated for the presence of, or the risk for developing frailty. However, although several instruments are available, there is still no consensus as to which is the best method to assess frailty in patients with HF. Therefore, a validated and easy to apply instrument to assess frailty in HF patients in daily practice is warranted.
Cardiac cachexia
Authors: Lena Alessia , Ebner Nicole , Anker Markus S
Published: December 2019

Cachexia is a multifactorial disease characterized by a pathologic shift of metabolism towards a more catabolic state. It frequently occurs in patients with chronic diseases such as chronic heart failure and is especially common in the elderly. In patients at risk, cardiac cachexia is found in about 10% of heart failure patients. The negative impact of cardiac cachexia on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life demonstrates the urgent need to find new effective therapies against cardiac cachexia. Furthermore, exercise training and nutritional support can help patients with cardiac cachexia. Despite ongoing efforts to find new therapies for cachexia treatment, also new preventive strategies are needed.
Seasonal, medium-term and daily patterns of tree diameter growth in response to climate
Authors: Vospernik Sonja , Nothdurft Arne , Mehtätalo Lauri
Published: December 2019

Tree growth is expected to be responsive to climatic drivers across a spectrum of temporal scales, ranging from yearly growth to daily water use and photosynthesis. Automatic dendrometers offer the potential to provide continuous high-resolution measurements of tree radius changes. The signal recorded contains three components: (1) a long-term seasonal growth component, (2) a mid-term component representing swelling after rainfall and subsequent drying and (3) daily cycles of water-uptake related to tree transpiration. For 91 trees at 4 sites (Picea abies: 58, Pinus cembra: 17, Fagus sylvatica: 14, Pinus sylvestris: 2) monitored in Austria between 2012 and 2015, we simultaneously modelled these three processes using a hierarchical nonlinear mixed-effects model represented by two logistic growth curves. The focus was on the mid-term and daily component, and therefore long-term growth that is typically modelled by including tree size, competition or site variables was represented by random effects only. Both mid-term and short-term components were species-specific. In general, P. cembra and F. sylvatica were less sensitive to climate variables than P. abies. For all species, the mid-term component was best represented using a 14-day moving average difference between rainfall and potential evapotranspiration, a 24-h moving average of precipitation and its 1–3 days lags, a 24-h moving average temperature and its 1–3 days lags. The daily cycles of water uptake were best related to hourly humidity and its 3-h lag, and interactions with the 14-day moving average difference between rainfall and potential evapotranspiration accounted for attenuating cycles after rainy events and increasing cycles in dry periods.
Presidential Risk Propensity and Intervention in Interstate Conflicts
Authors: Keller Jonathan W , Grant Keith A , Foster Dennis M
Published: December 2019

What explains a state's decision to intervene in ongoing interstate conflicts? Intervention is a risky proposition, potentially incurring audience costs if the effort is unsuccessful or if casualties and other costs mount. Various domestic political factors and features of the international environment certainly shape the risks surrounding intervention, but recent work in political psychology suggests that individual leaders’ risk-taking propensity, as measured by their locus of control (LOC), greatly influences their willingness to engage in potentially risky actions. In this paper, we examine the link between US presidents’ risk propensity and the frequency with which they intervene internationally. Our analysis of the period 1946–2001 reveals that presidents with an internal LOC are generally more likely to intervene in ongoing conflicts. Moreover, such leaders are specifically more likely to engage in unilateral interventions and those geared toward harming the interests of interstate rivals, indicating a particular predilection toward risk-taking in their decision-making surrounding interventions.
GERIATRIC TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE SHARE SIMILAR PATTERNS OF WHITE MATTER DEGRADATION
Authors: Irimia Andrei , Rostowsky Kenneth , Chaudhari Nikhil , Calvillo Maria , Lee Sean
Published: December 2019

Although mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with white matter (WM) degradation, the nature of these alterations and the outcomes of their comparison have not been elucidated. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been utilized in both conditions, and has uncovered decreases in the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the corpus callosum and cingulum bundle, compared to healthy control (HC) volunteers [1, 2]. Despite mTBI being a potential risk factor for AD, no systematic quantitative comparison has been drawn between their WM degradation patterns. Here we investigated WM FA differences using DTI and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) between age- and sex-matched adults: 33 chronic mTBI patients, 67 AD patients and 81 HC participants. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI were acquired at 3T. mTBI patients were scanned acutely and ~6 months post-injury. FSL software was used for artefact correction, FA computation and TBSS implementation. Statistical comparison of WM FA patterns between mTBI and AD patients was achieved by two one-sided t tests (TOSTs) of statistical equivalence, with equivalence bounds defined where Cohen’s d < 0.3. A significant difference was found between the FA means of mTBI vs. HC groups, and the AD vs. HC groups (p < 0.01, corrected). Mean FA differences between mTBI and AD were statistically equivalent in the corpus callosum and in the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (p < 0.05, corrected). Future research should focus on clarifying the similarities between mTBI and AD, potentially leading to novel hypotheses and improved AD diagnosis.
EARLY TIME RESTRICTED FEEDING IMPROVES HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN FUNCTION IN GERIATRIC MONKEYS
Authors: Kavanagh Kylie , Bashore Alexander , Davis Matthew , Sherrill Chrissy , Parks John
Published: December 2019

Ageing conveys the greatest risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, which is the dominant cause of mortality in developed nations. High density lipoprotein (HDL) particles mediate reverse cholesterol transport, are anti-inflammatory and their function predicts CVD. We observed lower plasma cholesterol efflux capacity in geriatric vervet monkeys (p=0.03) when consuming either healthy or Western diets. Adult (n=16) and geriatric (n=19) monkeys were stratified into groups fed Western diet on ad libitum (Ad Lib) or early time restricted feeding (eTFR) schedules. eTRF supplied excess food only between 6am to 2pm. Housing, seasonality and fasting conditions for data and sample collections were equivalent. After 6 months, cholesterol efflux to HDL was greater in eTRF monkeys (p=0.01), with no age by group interaction. Efflux media and plasma was chromatographically separated to confirm labelled cholesterol, and enzymatically measured cholesterol, respectively, was affiliated with HDL particles. eTRF monkeys had higher total plasma cholesterol levels (p=0.03) which was due to greater cholesterol amounts associated with only HDL, and resulted in HDL particles that were larger. eTRF resulted in robustly better HDL function such that measures from geriatric individuals were comparable to younger adults. Additionally, no differences in adiposity was observed in eTRF monkeys. Few interventions are known to raise HDL levels, and more importantly, are confirmed to improve HDL function. Our study is to date the largest, longest, controlled eTRF evaluation in primates and we show that positive biological effects are observable in HDL isolated from both adult and geriatric individuals independently of weight change.
THE IMPACT OF AN EARLY-STAGE DYADIC CARE PLANNING INTERVENTION ON CAREGIVER BURDEN
Authors: Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Whitlatch Carol , Johnson Justin
Published: December 2019

Evidence supports the development of proactive, dyadic interventions for used in early-stage dementia. This type of intervention leads to more effective decision making which can reduce subsequent caregiver stress and burden. SHARE (Support, Health, Activities, Resources, Education), a six-session counseling-based intervention, encourages and supports care dyads to have important discussions about health care preferences that are often delayed or avoided until later-stage dementia. Typically, both the PWD and caregiver assume that most of the help will be delivered by the caregiver. SHARE aims to expand the network of care by evenly distributing care task responsibilities from the caregiver alone to other potential sources of support: family/friends and paid service providers. Early-stage dyads (n=63) successfully created a balanced and manageable plan of care with the help of their SHARE Counselor over a 6-month period. Follow-up interviews assessed care dyads from 1.5 to 2 years after their participation in SHARE ended. Analyses determined change in PWD ADL needs from enrollment (T1) to two years later (T2) and impact on caregiver task burden. Paired samples t-tests indicated a significant increase in PWD need for assistance with 18 ADLs, from a T1 mean of 8.76 to a T2 mean of 11.34 (t=-6.72, p=.000). This paper examines: 1) the benefits and challenges of creating a Care Plan in the early stages of dementia, 2) how SHARE dyads utilized their Care Plans when PWDs needed assistance, and 3) if reliance on family/friend and paid service provider options were realistic over time.
THE FORECASTING OF POPULATION SUPER-AGING AND POLICY SIMULATION OF LONG-TERM CARE IN CHINA (2019-2070)
Authors: Chen Chen
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this paper is to provide a policy simulation of Long-Term Care based on the aging population forecast for China, focusing on the super-aging and oldest-old segments of the population. As a developing country, it is a challenge for China to increase its wealth with the financial implications of an aging nation. The study identified two significant turning points for population development: 1) The multi-pilot program of long-term care policy reform must be executed between 2016 – 2020. This reform is time dependent because the multi-state longevity development period is from 2016 to 2030 and in the year 2030, the oldest-old population will be part of China’s society. 2) The year 2060 will be representative of a stable period in China, as the age of China’s population will no longer be accelerating.
Improved method for the catheterization of the right ventricle in a rat model of pulmonary artery hypertension
Authors: Tontodonati Marcello , Ridley Debbie , Remie René , Clements Peter
Published: December 2019

Ventricle catheterization in the rat is widely practiced in cardiopulmonary research. The catheters deployed are either fluid filled or solid tip pressure or pressure–volume catheters. The access to the right ventricle is through the right jugular vein, most commonly without direct visualization such as fluoroscopy. Advancement of the catheter tip is aided by visualizing the pressure signals of the monitoring/recording systems used. This approach may present challenges due to various reasons, including the stiffness of new catheters, their dimensions or anatomical changes associated with the animal disease model. In this article, we present a novel approach, which has been optimized, successfully validated surgically and adopted in current projects. It has been shown to improve both the overall quality of the signals recorded and the time to access the right ventricle, thus reducing the overall time of surgery. The method presented in this article is safe, easy to reproduce and does not require additional skills compared to a more ‘standard’ approach.
Effects of levosimendan on ventriculo-arterial coupling and cardiac efficiency in paediatric patients with single-ventricle physiology after surgical palliation: retrospective study
Authors: Iacobelli Roberta , Ricci Zaccaria , Marinari Eleonora , Haiberger Roberta , Di Molfetta Arianna , Toscano Alessandra , Di Chiara Luca
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

The use of levosimendan for paediatric patients with low cardiac output after congenital heart surgery has been recently described. We sought to evaluate ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) and other ventricular energetic parameters before and after 72 h from levosimendan start in infants with single-ventricle physiology and cardiac failure after palliation with Norwood or hybrid procedures.

METHODS

In this single-centre retrospective study, 9 consecutive patients affected by hypoplastic left heart syndrome-like anatomy were retrospectively analysed. Systolic elastance, diastolic elastance, arterial elastance, VAC and cardiac mechanical efficiency were calculated by measuring, through 2-dimensional echocardiography, end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume and by recording mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure.

RESULTS

The median (range) weight and age were 2.8 (2.3–6) kg and 16.5 (6–116) days, respectively. After 72 h from levosimendan start, end-systolic volume significantly decreased (−1 ml, −3.2 to −0.1, P = 0.007), whereas mean arterial pressure and end-diastolic volume remained stable. Heart rate showed a significant decrease (−28 beats/min, −41 to 22, P = 0.008). Systolic elastance (2.9 mmHg/ml, 0.4–5.4, P = 0.008), arterial elastance (−5.9, −24 to −0.5, P = 0.038), VAC (−0.86, −1.5 to −0.16, P = 0.009) and cardiac mechanical efficiency (0.18, 0.03–0.22, P = 0.008) differences also showed significant modifications.

CONCLUSIONS

In a small case series of patients with single-ventricle physiology, levosimendan showed to improve contractility and optimize VAC, with a reduction of heart rate. Monitoring of VAC and ventricular energetics can be an interesting aspect to improve the management of heart failure in infants with univentricular anatomy.
Thrombotic risk following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus open thoracotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Spiezia Luca , Liew Aaron , Campello Elena , Di Gregorio Guido , Zuin Andrea , Simioni Paolo
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

There is no consensus on the risk of thrombotic events following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus open thoracotomy (OT), despite multiple studies. In fact, the estimates for the overall thrombotic risk for VATS versus OT are inconclusive. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we endeavoured to ascertain the best estimate of thrombotic risk in VATS versus OT.

METHODS

Relevant studies were searched through PubMed and Cochrane Library database. Outcomes of interests were myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Data were pooled using random-effects model. The results were presented as odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were meta-analysed: 17 observational studies and 2 randomized controlled trials. Using propensity-matched data, in comparison with OT, VATS was associated with a statistically significant, postoperative reduction in MI (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39–0.91; P = 0.017), DVT/PE (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.44–0.61; P < 0.001), PE (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43–0.82; P = 0.001) and DVT (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.35–0.64; P < 0.001). Unadjusted data showed no statistical differences for all outcomes. The risk of DVT/PE (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42–0.72; P < 0.001), but not the other outcomes, remained significantly lower following the exclusion of the sole large study. There is no significant statistical heterogeneity between the included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the postoperative thrombotic risk following VATS is significantly lower than OT. Further prospective randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes are warranted to corroborate our findings.
321 Socio-demographic factors associated with attitudes towards animals among first-year veterinary students
Authors: Robbins Jesse , Parsons Rebecca , Johnson Anna , Jorgensen Matthew , Danielson Jared , Millman Suzanne
Published: December 2019

Veterinarians are seen as experts in matters relating to animal welfare and ethics. However, relatively little is known about veterinary students’ attitudes and beliefs towards animals. To begin to address this gap, we surveyed the freshman class of veterinary students at a major U.S. veterinary college (n = 125) to examine their views on the ethics of various forms of animal use, their beliefs about the extent to which different species are capable of experiencing emotions (AKA ‘belief in animal mind’) and their beliefs about the degree to which humans and non-human animals are similar. The 20-item attitudes towards animal scale showed high internal consistency (a = 0.91, CI95 [95% Confidence Interval] 0.89, 0.93). Preliminary multiple regression analyses indicated female (vs male) students held more positive attitudes toward animals (b = 0.35, P = .005). Growing up in a household where animals were raised for food was associated with less positive attitudes (b = -0.30, P = .006). More liberal political ideology was associated with more positive attitudes towards animals (b = 0.17, P = < .0001). Female students also believed animals were capable of experiencing a greater diversity of emotions (b = 126.96, P = 0001). Neither socioeconomic status (P = 0.65) nor having a pet as a child (P = 0.12) were associated with attitudes towards animals or belief in animal mind. However, childhood pet ownership was associated with greater perceived similarity between human and non-human animals (b = 1.38, P = 0.01). Subsequent analyses will assess whether taking a required, introductory course in animal welfare has any effect on these measures. Eventually these data could provide baseline information for longitudinal analyses exploring how student attitudes and beliefs about animals are affected as they progress through the veterinary curriculum.
199 Beef cattle genetic technology utilization - survey of stakeholders 2018
Authors: Weaber Robert L , Kuehn Larry A , Snelling Warren , Thallman Mark , Golden Bruce L , Spangler Matt L
Published: December 2019

A web-based survey was conducted to understand the utilization of digital and genetic information by beef producers to inform the development of an online beef cattle selection decision support tool allowing creation of customized selection indices. Of 1,656 respondents, responses from U.S. seedstock, commercial cow-calf, stocker and feedlot sectors in 43 states formed a subset (n = 1,065) used in this analysis. Of respondents, 89% were owners, 76% and 47% identified involvement in the commercial cow-calf sector and seedstock sector, respectively (responses were permitted for multiple sectors). Respondents averaged 55 years old with 31 years beef industry experience. Percentages with 100 or fewer females for breeding, 100–500 cows, 500–1,000 cows and more than 1,000 cows were 47, 38, 8, and 6%, respectively. Bull purchases per year were 0 (21%), 1–2 (53%), 3–5 (15%), 6–10 (5%), 11–20 (2%), and >20 (2%). Seedstock producers and industry meetings were most frequently cited as good sources of genetics information. Expected progeny differences were the most commonly reported/used source of genetic information. Nearly 70% (57%) reported keeping very or somewhat detailed animal production/performance (cost of production) records. The majority (90%) have a smart phone while only 45% use a tablet/iPad. Most producers (65%) used the internet as a source of agriculture data/information at least daily. Of all respondents, 44% spend 10 hours or more per week on the internet and 59% had greater than DSL speed. Two-thirds correctly identified the definition of a selection index with 80% indicating that selection indexes provide an efficient, consistent and objective method of ranking selection candidates. Nearly 64% would probably or definitely use an online tool to generate customized indexes. Willingness to pay annually for a tool varied with 36% only using it if free/sponsored, 17% would pay $50–99, 14% would pay $100–249, with 3% would pay $500 or more.
212 Genomic prediction of carcass average daily gain, fat and loin depth in three-way crossbred pigs including information collected on purebreds
Authors: Tiezzi Francesco , Schwab Clint , Fix Justin , Maltecca Christian
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to predict three-way crossbred performance for carcass traits using different crossbred/purebred reference populations. Carcass measures (average daily gain, back-fat and loin depths) were collected in 4,893 three-way-cross individuals (CB individuals, 1,252 being genotyped). Live measures of body weight and tissue deposition were collected on 3,050 purebred Duroc individuals (PB individuals, 941 being genotyped), paternal-half-sibs (PHS) of the CB individuals. Models’ predictive performance was tested via 4-fold cross-validation. The basic model included CB phenotypes from the training set without inclusion of genomic information (i.e. pedigree BLUP). We also sequentially included: 1) CB genotypes; 2) PB phenotypes and genotypes for the training families (PBt); 3) PB phenotypes and genotypes for the validation families (PBv). Variance components (heritabilities and genetic correlations between CB and PB traits) were not estimated but fixed at different values within a plausible interval, the combination of such parameters that gave the best predictive ability was considered for that model. Results reported pedigree prediction of CB traits to show about 0.25 accuracy (correlation between breeding value and adjusted phenotype) for the three traits. The inclusion of CB genotypes was beneficial, with an increase ranging from 25 to 50% (depending on the trait) compared to pedigree prediction. When PBt genotypes and phenotypes were included, prediction accuracy dropped to almost null accuracy. When PBv genotypes and phenotypes were included, predictive performance was better than models that included CB information only. Results suggest that PB information can improve selection accuracy for CB traits, with the condition PB are PHS of the CB in validation. Otherwise, inclusion of PB information from the training set can be detrimental. CB genotypes, on the other hand, always improve prediction accuracy. We can conclude that reference populations aimed at improving CB performance should include phenotypes and genotypes from these individuals.
217 Capturing genetic diversity – an assessment of the nation’s gene bank in securing Duroc pigs
Authors: Wilson Carrie S , Rohrer Gary A , Newcom Douglas W , Blackburn Harvey D
Published: December 2019

Benchmarking the completeness of gene bank collections (GBC) vs in-situ populations is an indicator of how well collections can represent a breed. To that end, we compared Durocs in the gene bank (69 animals) vs in-situ population (175 animals) using molecular markers. The in-situ pigs were from 10 states and 42 breeders (provided by National Swine Registry and USMARC) while the GBC pigs were from 14 states and 39 breeders. In-situ and GBC pigs were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60v1 and GGP-HD SNP arrays, respectively. Using both arrays, the SNP mapped to autosomal chromosomes were imputed using AlphaImpute software resulting in a combination of 71,515 SNP. Analyses were done using SNP & Variation Suite v8.8.1. After quality control deletions for call rate, sample rate, and monomorphic markers, 32,215 SNP remained and 4 in-situ animals were excluded. In-situ and GBC estimates of heterozygosity were similar (HO ~ 0.32 and HE ~ 0.32). The in-situ and GBC populations had 459 and 1,228 monomorphic markers, respectively, that were polymorphic in the other population. The in-situ pigs had more rare alleles, defined as an allele frequency < 0.01, than the GBC pigs (1,790 vs 1,154). Both populations had a similar number of highly polymorphic markers, defined as an allele frequency 0.3 to 0.5, with 12,703 for the in-situ and 12,603 for the GBC pigs. Wright’s FST between the two populations was 0.0065, suggesting no difference between the two populations. Principle components 1 and 2 explained 22 and 12% of the variation, respectively, with no distinction between the in-situ and GBC populations. Benchmarking the in-situ and GBC populations indicated 98.1% of sampled in-situ alleles were captured in the collection. This evaluation indicates that gene banks can capture a breed’s genetic diversity and have the germplasm available for utilization by industry and research communities.
242 Effects of different carbohydrate sources on taurine status in healthy Beagle dogs
Authors: Pezzali Julia Guazzelli , Acuff Heather L , Alexander Celeste , Swanson Kelly S , Aldrich Charles G
Published: December 2019

Consumption of grain-free (GF) diets has recently been linked to canine dilated cardiomyopathy in selected dog breeds. Soluble fiber present in GF carbohydrate sources may be contributing to taurine depletion, thus affecting heart health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different carbohydrate sources on taurine status in healthy Beagle dogs. Two practical diets sufficient in sulfur-amino acids and taurine were formulated with the same proportion of carbohydrate sources: a grain-based (GB) containing sorghum, millet, and spelt, and a GF containing peas, potatoes and tapioca starch. Twelve Beagle dogs were fed experimental diets for 4-wk in a randomized complete block design. The morning prior to feeding experimental diets (baseline) and two and four weeks after, markers of taurine metabolism were analyzed in blood, urine, and fresh fecal samples. Data were analyzed as a change from baseline in a repeated measures model by GLIMMIX (SAS, version 9.4) in which the main effects of time, diet, and their interaction were evaluated. Greater concentrations of taurine in plasma (158 vs. 117 nmol/mL) and whole blood (254 vs. 234 nmol/mL) were observed during experimental period compared to baseline. An increase in plasma methionine was also observed during experimental period compared to baseline (64 vs. 57nmol/mL). Dogs fed GF exhibited higher plasma taurine concentration compared to those fed GB (181 vs. 138 nmol/mL). There were no significant effects of diet, time, or their interaction on plasma cystine concentration, urinary taurine:creatinine ratio, or total fecal bile acid (BA) excretion (P > 0.05). However, dogs fed GF had greater fecal primary BA (26 vs 14%) as a proportion of total BA compared to those fed GB. This study suggests that GF diets do not impair taurine blood concentration, but the increased proportion of fecal primary BA may decrease recycling of taurine through enterohepatic circulation.
358 Effects of fermented feed supplementation on pig growth performance: A meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Bocheng , Li Zhi , Lu Zeqing , Wang Yizhen
Published: December 2019

Fermented feed (FF) is recommended due to its high nutritional value and digestibility, but its effects on pig growth performance are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of FF on pig growth performance. We systematically searched in PubMed and Web of Science for studies (published between January 1, 2000 and December 20, 2018) comparing the effects of FF supplementation with basal diet on the pig growth performance. The main outcomes were average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain: feed ratio (G/F). Random-effects model was used to compute the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The robustness of the pooled estimates was determined using sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Of 1371 identified articles, 25 were eligible and were included in the meta-analysis (n = 2391 pigs). Compared with the basal diet, FF supplementation improved ADG and G/F of weaned piglets (ADG: WMD = 18.698 g/d, 95% CI: 13.925 to 23.472, P < 0.001; G/F: WMD= 0.027, 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.036, P < 0.001), growing pigs (ADG: WMD =24.436 g/d, 95% CI: 12.441 to 36.430, P < 0.001; G/F: WMD = 0.011, 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.021, P = 0.004), and finishing pigs (ADG: WMD = 42.012 g/d, 95% CI: 8.799 to 75.226, P = 0.015; G/F: WMD = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.032, P = 0.014), but had no effect on ADFI (P > 0.05). The subgroup analyses revealed that fermented feed ingredients could boost the growth performance of weaned piglets and growing pigs. Moreover, the fermented feed additives promoted growth at all stages. Our study supports FF can enhance pig growth performance. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis on the topic to provide production strategies for FF application in pig industry.
145 Eco-efficiency of Northeast U.S. grass-fed beef systems
Authors: Dillon Jasmine A , Rotz Alan , Karsten Heather
Published: December 2019

Grass-fed beef systems (GFB) are one approach proposed to improve the sustainability of animal-sourced foods. Our objective was to estimate carbon (CF) and reactive nitrogen (NF) footprints and cost of production (COP) for northeastern U.S. GFB. A partial life cycle assessment was conducted using the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). Systems were characterized using surveys and interviews. Representative operations were simulated in IFSM by grouping farms with similar environments and forage management practices. Environments were defined using USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Farms were categorized as feed sufficient (FS: produced all supplemental forage on-farm) or feed importing (FI; purchased all supplemental forage). Differences between zones and farm types were analyzed using Dunn’s test with a Bonferroni correction and the Kruskal-Wallis test, respectively. Warmer zones supported longer grazing seasons (P < 0.01), greater pasture legume content (P < 0.05), and denser stocking rates (P < 0.01), resulting in twice the market weight production per hectare compared with farms in cooler zones (P < 0.01). Grazing season length and pasture legume content were similar between farm types (P > 0.1). FI herds were half the size of FS herds (P < 0.01), used 37% more land per animal (P < 0.01), and had 10% lighter market weights with 52% lower market weight production per hectare (P < 0.05). CF, NF, and COP/animal were 1.1, 1.3, and 2.1-fold greater for FI farms, respectively. Zone differences in climate, soils, and pasture legume content affected footprints. In warmer zones where soils had greater clay content, N2O contributed a greater portion of CF and NF, and NO3 leaching was moderate. In the coolest zone with coarser soil, N2O contributed a small portion of CF and NF, with greater NO3 losses. Analyses suggest attention to nitrogen management, efficient resource utilization, and botanical composition might reduce CF and NF.
PSVI-7 Variation in bitter taste receptor genes in three breeds of goats
Authors: Worku Mulumebet , Ekwemalor Kingsley
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to detect bitter taste receptor (T2Rs) variants in three breeds of goats. The ability to taste bitter taste impacts feed intake, digestion, and rejection of potentially toxic substances. Blood was collected from three breeds of goats (Spanish, Savannah, and Boer n = 5 /breed). Genomic DNA was extracted. The concentration and purity of DNA was determined using the Nanodrop spectrophotometer. Primers specific for seven T2R gene variants (T2R3, T2R4, T2R10, T2R12, T2R13, T2R16, and T2R67) were used to detect the goat T2R gene based on average threshold cycle. DNA products were commercially sequenced (Eurofins Genomics). The sequenced products were used in BLAST against the Capra hircus redundant nucleotide database. All seven taste gene variants were detected in the Savannah breed, In Spanish goats T2R4 and T213 were not detected, In Boer goats only T2R3, T2R16 and T2R13 were detected. Polymorphisms in T2R impact dietary preference, innate immunity and health. Thus, studies are needed to ascertain the possible functional significance of this variation using a larger sample size
PSII-21 Vaginitis incidence and effects on fertility of beef females enrolled on estrus synchronization protocols using a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device
Authors: Dias Nicholas W , Sales Alvaro , Timlin Claire , Pancini Stefania , Currin John , Mercadante Vitor R G
Published: December 2019

Our objectives were to characterize the incidence of vaginitis caused by a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and its effects on fertility of beef females enrolled on estrus synchronization followed by timed-artificial insemination (TAI). A total of 1,097 mature cows and 215 heifers from 9 different locations were enrolled in the 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR synchronization protocol. At CIDR insertion, all females were inspected for any previous signs of vaginitis prior to enrollment in the experiment. As evidence of vaginitis, a CIDR score was determined at CIDR removal, and an AI plastic sheath score was also performed at TAI following a 1 to 4 system: 1=clean presenting no secretion; 2=clean presenting clear secretion; 3=presence of purulent secretion; 4=presence of purulent secretion and blood. Pregnancy status was determined by rectal ultrasonography approximately 40 days after TAI. The scores for CIDR and AI plastic sheath did not differ between cows and heifers. Of all females, 6% had a CIDR score of 1, 31% score 2, 56% score 3, and 7% score 4. Plastic sheath score was 1 for 16%, 2 for 62%, 3 for 15%, and 4 for 7% of females. Pregnancy rate to TAI differed between cows and heifers (P < 0.01), among locations (P < 0.001) and ranged from 36 to 66%; however, it was not influenced by CIDR score (P = 0.259) and plastic sheath score (P = 0.785). Pregnancy rate of females by different CIDR scores was 60%, 57%, 52%, and 46% for scores 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Pregnancy rate of females by different AI plastic sheath score was 60%, 55%, 45%, and 48%, for scores 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The presence of vaginitis caused by a CIDR does not influence pregnancy rates of TAI in beef females.
PSV-40 Antibacterial activity of sodium chlorate and essential oils against Escherichia coli (F18 and K88) during incubations with porcine fecal bacteria
Authors: Salinas-Chavira Jaime , Anderson Robin , Latham Elizabeth , Cabrera Rafael , Castillo Yamicela , Olivas-Palacios Ana Luisa , Felix-Portillo Monserrath , Armendariz-Rivas Ruth Lisbeth , Arzola-Rubio Alejandro , Arzola Claudio
Published: December 2019

In two trials was evaluated the influence of sodium chlorate (SC) and essential oils (EO) on the growth of Escherichia coli F18 and K88 (F18 and K88) incubated with porcine fecal bacteria. The treatments were 2 levels of SC (0 and 10 mM/mL) and 2 levels of Activo® (0 and 1.5%; vol/vol). Activo® (EW Nutrition, Des Moines, IA) is a blend of oregano oil and cinnamon oil (EO) with water and citric acid. In trial one, ½-strength Mueller Hinton broth mixed with porcine feces (0.5% w/vol) was inoculated with a novobiocin and naladixic acid resistant F18-strain. This fecal suspension was transferred to tubes (3/treatment) and anaerobically incubated at 39 oC for enumeration at 0, 6 and 24 h using MacConkey agar supplemented with novobiocin and naladixic acid with aerobic incubation at 37 oC. An interaction (EO x SC) at 6 and 24 was observed (P < 0.01). At 6 and 24 h, EO alone or combined with SC had the lowest counts of F18 (P < 0.05); SC alone had lower counts of F18 than control (P < 0.05). In trial 2 were used the same procedures of trial 1, except that K88 was inoculated in the porcine fecal suspension. There was an interaction at 6 h (P < 0.01) where EO had the lowest counts of K88. The control showed the highest counts of K88 (P < 0.05). There was no interaction at 24 h (P = 0.14). The counts of K88 were reduced by EO (P < 0.01), however the counts were not affected by SC (P = 0.14). It was concluded that SC reduced the counts of E. coli F18, but it had minimal effect on E. coli K88 in the challenged porcine feces; essential oils were effective to reduce the pathogenic bacteria in the porcine feces.