bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in reclaimed water and river water in the Werribee Basin, Australia
Authors: Barker-Reid Fiona , Fox Ellen M. , Faggian Robert
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water used for irrigation in the Werribee River Basin, Australia, including river water and reclaimed effluent water (reclaimed water). Samples of reclaimed water, collected over a one-year period, were screened for the occurrence of ARGs using PCR detection assays. The presence of ARGs in the reclaimed water samples were contrasted with that of water samples taken from the Werribee River Basin, collected over the same time period, from five points selected for varying levels of urban and agricultural impact. Of the 54 river water samples collected, 2 (4%), 2 (4%), 0 and 0 were positive for methicillin, sulfonamide, gentamicin and vancomycin-resistant genes, respectively, while 6 of 11 reclaimed water samples were positive for methicillin (9%) and sulfonamide (45%). The presence/absence of ARGs did not appear to correlate with other measured water quality parameters. The low detection of ARGs in river water indicates that, regardless of its poor quality, the river has not yet been severely contaminated with ARGs. The greater prevalence of ARGs in reclaimed water indicates that this important agricultural water source will need to be monitored into the future.
Computational modelling methods for assessing the risks from lead in drinking water
Authors: Hayes Colin R.
Published: April 2010

Computational modelling methods have been used to predict the risks from lead in drinking water across a simulated supply zone, for a range of plumbosolvency conditions and a range of extents of occurrence of houses having a lead pipe, on the basis of five risk benchmarking methods. For the worst case modelled (very high plumbosolvency and 90% houses with a lead pipe) the percentage of houses at risk in the simulated zone ranged from 34.1 to 73.3%. In contrast, for a simulated phosphate-treated zone and 10% houses with a lead pipe, the percentage of houses at risk in the simulated zone ranged from 0 to 0.4%. Methods are proposed for using computational modelling for different levels of risk assessment, for both water supply zones and individual houses. These risk assessment methods will inform policy, help to set improvement priorities and facilitate a better understanding of corrective options.
Sorbitol-fermenting Bifidobacteria are indicators of very recent human faecal pollution in streams and groundwater habitats in urban tropical lowlands
Authors: Mushi Douglas , Byamukama Denis , Kivaisi Amelia K. , Mach Robert L. , Farnleitner Andreas H.
Published: April 2010

Sorbitol-fermenting Bifidobacteria (SFB) proved to be an excellent indicator of very recent human faecal pollution (hours to days) in the investigated tropical stream and groundwater habitats. SFB were recovered from human faeces and sources potentially contaminated with human excreta. SFB were undetectable in animal faeces and environmental samples not contaminated with human faeces. Microcosm studies demonstrated a rapid die-off rate in groundwater (T90 value 0.6 days) and stream water (T90 value 0.9–1.7 days). Discrimination sensitivity analysis, including E. coli, faecal coliforms, total coliforms and Clostridium perfringens spores, revealed high ability of SFB to distinguish differing levels of faecal pollution especially for streams although high background levels of interfering bacteria can complicate its recovery on the used medium. Due to its faster die-off, as compared to many waterborne pathogens, SFB cannot replace microbiological standard parameters for routine water quality monitoring but it is highly recommendable as a specific and complementary tool when human faecal pollution has to be localized or verified. Because of its exclusive faecal origin and human specificity it seems also worthwhile to include SFB in future risk evaluation studies at tropical water resources in order to evaluate under which situations risks of infection may be indicated.
Impact of the “Peers as Family” Dormitory Wing-Based Intervention on College Student Alcohol Use and its Secondhand Effects
Authors: Boekeloo Bradley O. , Novik Melinda G. , Bush Elizabeth N. , O'Grady Kevin E.
Published: April 2010

An intervention to reduce college alcohol use and secondhand effects was tested. Freshmen dormitory wings at a large Mid-Atlantic public university were assigned to single-gender (SG) or mixed-gender (MG) Information-Motivation-Behavior (IMB) workshops implemented during the first weeks of school, or a control condition. Students were surveyed before school began and at 2- and 6-month follow-up. Analyses indicated that, among males, the adjusted mean weekly alcohol use was lower in the SG than the control condition (1.89 vs. 2.72, p = .041). Among females, the adjusted mean weekly alcohol use was lower in the MG than the SG (1.60 vs. 2.44, p = .021) and control condition (1.60 vs. 2.27, p = .056). Further research should identify underlying mechanisms for effective alcohol behavior change among male and female wing-mates.
Deterrence Theory and the Role of Shame in Projected Offending of College Students against a Ban on Alcohol
Authors: Kelley Margaret S. , Fukushima Miyuki , Spivak Andrew L. , Payne David
Published: April 2010

In the present study we advance previous research in deterrence theory by examining the perceived deterrent effects of a newly instituted dry policy on a college campus. A survey of 500 full-time undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 26 was conducted 3 months following the ban on alcohol. Hypotheses are derived from deterrence theory and focus on both formal and informal sanctions as they predict projected offending. Findings indicate that perceived severity of the sanction does not predict deterrence against future policy violations. However, the informal deterrent of shame does lower projected offending. While these results suggest that a formal dry policy is not likely to deter future problem drinking behaviors among these college students, reductions may be achieved with the use of informal sanctions and the incorporation of principles from reintegrative shaming theory.
A New Integrated Photoreactor for Microwave Assisted Decolorization of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ferrari Carlo , Longo Iginio , Tombari Elpidio , Gasperini Luca
Published: April 2010

A new integrated photoreactor was assembled using a newly designed source, emitting both microwave power and UV radiation inside the reacting medium. The method is highly flexible and cheap, eliminating the need for the multimode and monomode microwave applicators, which are currently used for the excitation of a microwave electrodeless lamp. The characteristics of the source and the results from the decolorization of Acid Orange AO7 in an aqueous solution with hydrogen peroxide are presented. The decolorization process was carried out in batch condition and as continuous treatment and the effective reaction constant of the processes are reported. The experiments show that the photoreactor could be suitable for industrial application.
Cycloaddition of Isoamylene and ?-Methylstyrene in a Microreactor using Filtrol-24 catalyst: Microreactor Performance Study and Comparison with Semi-Batch Reactor Performance
Authors: Okafor Obiefuna C. , Tadepalli Sunitha , Tampy Geatesh , Lawal Adeniyi
Published: April 2010

The cycloaddition reaction between isoamylene and ?-methylstyrene yields indane compounds 1,1,2,3,3,-pentamethylindane and 3-ethyl-1,1,3-trimethylindane, which are intermediate cyclic products used in the synthesis of musk fragrances. This exothermic reaction is conventionally carried out industrially in large semi-batch reactors, which have high heat and mass transfer resistances, are difficult to optimize, and scale-up. Aqueous sulfuric acid is conventionally used as the catalyst for the cycloaddition reaction, but solid catalysts offer many advantages over the corrosive aqueous sulfuric acid catalyst including the elimination of expensive separation and purification steps, and the need to use corrosion resistant materials of construction. A microreactor, which has enhanced heat and mass transfer characteristics, high surface to volume ratio, and improved fluid mixing, was used for the reaction using an acidic solid catalyst, Filtrol-24. A parametric study to obtain the dependence of product yield, reactant conversion and space-time yield on process variables such as catalyst particle size, residence time, velocity, temperature, pressure and the molar ratio of the reactants in the feed, was conducted. Through this study the optimum reaction conditions were obtained. The cycloaddition reaction was also performed in the semi-batch reactor using Filtrol-24 catalyst in order to compare its performance to that of the microreactor. Higher product yields were obtained in the microreactor compared to the semi-batch reactor, and the space-time yield in the microreactor was 4.8 times larger than that obtained in the semi-batch reactor at optimum reaction conditions in both reactors.
Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Heart Wood Extract of Cedrus deodara in Rats
Authors: C. Ramesh , Krishnadas Nandakumar , Radhakrishnan Rajesh , Rangappa Srinath , Viswanatha Gollapalle Lakshminarayana Shastry , D Rajesh , Gopal Murugananthan , Talwar Sahil
Published: April 2010

The petroleum ether extract of the heart wood of Cedrus deodara (PECD) was tested for its diuretic and anti-urolithiatic activity. The urolithiasis was experimentally induced by administering sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg, i.p) for 10 days. PECD (100 and 200 mg/kg) was orally gavaged daily 1 h before sodium oxalate (NaOx) administration for 10 days. In NaOx treated rats, crystal was observed in urine under light microscope and elevation of serum parameters indicated the development of nephrolithiasis in the control group. Concomitant administration of PECD for 10 days along with NaOx prevented elevated serum biochemical levels due to the elimination of these in urine. Histology of the kidneys also indicated that PECD treatment had protected against NaOx induced nephroliathiasis. These results obtained, confirmed the beneficiary effect of Cedrus deodara in urolithiasis.
Protective Effect of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides on Experimental Sjogren's Syndrome
Authors: Lin Xiang , Sze Stephen Cho-Wing , Tong Yao , Zhang Zhangjin , Feng Yibin , Chen Jian ping , Ng Tzi Bun , Lin Xiao , Shaw PC , Zhang Kalin Yanbo
Published: April 2010

Sjogren's syndrome (SS), usually described as a chronic inflammation which results in xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes). According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, body fluid impairment causes the dryness, inducing water secretion deficiency. Discovery of a family of water-specific membrane channel proteins, the aquaporins, provides an interesting molecular mechanism of water permeability and transportation which were found abnormal in tissues of SS patients. Thus, this dryness may lead to the dysfunction in organs as various systematic manifestations. We established an autoallergic mouse model in vivo, and human salivary gland cell line A-253 in vitro. Polysaccharides of Dendrobium officinale (DP) were administrated as treatment, which was described to nourish yin and promote the body fluid. Results showed that immunization with SG autoantigen induced decrease of body weight and increased water intake, decreased AQP5 expression in a series of organs related to body fluid. Sera from model mice induced apoptosis of A-253 cells with activation of caspase-3. Administration of DP could reverse these pathological changes in both the animal and cell model. Thus, DP may be a promising candidate for the treatment of SS by up-regulating the expression of AQP-5 and protecting cells from apoptosis.
Anti-Nociceptive and Locomotor Activity of Zanthoxylum nitidum Stem Bark Extracts in Experimental Animal Models
Authors: Bhattacharya Sanjib , Haldar Pallab Kanti , Zaman M. Kamaruz
Published: April 2010

Objective: To evaluate the anti-nociceptive and locomotor activity of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Zanthoxylum nitidum stem bark in mice.Methods: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Z. nitidum stem bark were evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick method in Swiss albino mice. The locomotor activity was tested in mice by using actophotometer.Results: In writhing test, aqueous extract dose dependently and significantly inhibited writhes at the dose of 75 and 150 mg/kg body weight (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), while ethanol extract produced significant protection ( p < 0.05) at the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. In tail flick test, the ethanol extract showed significant (p < 0.01, after 60 min and p < 0.05, after 120 min) increase in reaction time. In locomotor activity evaluation, the ethanol extract in a dose dependent manner significantly (p < 0.05, at 75 mg/kg, and p < 0.001, at 150 mg/kg) depressed locomotor activity in mice.Conclusion: Present investigation demonstrates that the stem bark extracts of Z. nitidum exhibited remarkable anti-nociceptive and depressed locomotor activity in mice.
Conceptual Screening of Reactive Extraction Processing Options
Authors: Montolio-Rodriguez Daniel , Linke Patrick
Published: April 2010

Multi-phase superstructure optimization formulations for reactive extraction systems are often difficult to initialize and time consuming and solve. That is why such formulations, which capture detailed reaction and mass transfer phenomena, should only be employed for cases in which reactive extraction turns out to be a promising option. However, in systems with complex kinetics it is often non-obvious whether reactive extraction would enhance the performance of the system. The optimisation efforts can be minimised with the help of high-level models to screen the potential of the reactive extraction option prior to the detailed optimal process synthesis stage. This paper presents a conceptual optimisation formulation to establish the potential of reactive separations prior to complex detailed optimisation tasks. The conceptual approach supports high-level decision-making in early stages of design and allows to identify whether reactive extraction processes constitute promising design options for a given reaction system. The approach is illustrated with two biochemical examples of different complexity.
The Role of Replication-Invariance: Two Answers Concerning the Problem of Fair Division When Preferences Are Single-Peaked
Authors: Klaus Bettina
Published: April 2010

We consider the problem of allocating an infinitely divisible commodity among a group of agents with single-peaked preferences. A rule that has played a central role in the previous analysis of the problem is the so-called uniform rule. Thomson (1995b) proved that the uniform rule is the only rule satisfying Pareto optimality, no-envy, one-sided population-monotonicity, and replication-invariance. Replacing one-sided population-monotonicity by one-sided replacement-domination yields another characterization of the uniform rule (Thomson, 1997a). Until now, the independence of replication-invariance from the other properties in these characterizations was an open problem. In this note we prove this independence by means of a single example.
Daily course of the soil temperature in summer in chosen ecosystems of Słowiński National Park, northern Poland
Authors: Bednorz Ewa , Kolendowicz Leszek
Published: April 2010

Daily course of the soil temperature in summer in chosen ecosystems of Słowiński National Park, northern Poland

Patterns of the daily changes of the soil temperature in summer at three different ecosystems within the Słowiński National Park were analyzed. Strong correlation between the solar radiation and the soil temperature was found, particularly for the bare sandy surfaces, while the plant and humus cover hampers the solar energy flux to the soil. In the same way, correlations between the temperature of soil surface and the air temperature were computed. Finally, logarithmic models for the relationship between the global solar radiation and the soil surface temperature and between the soil surface temperature and the air temperature were constructed.
Influence of several size properties on soil surface reflectance
Authors: Cierniewski Jerzy , Kuśnierek Krzysztof
Published: April 2010

Influence of several size properties on soil surface reflectance

Several examples are provided here to quantify how the soil is influenced by the soil surface properties, i.e.: content and composition of organic matter, content of calcium carbonate, texture, moisture, as well as surface roughness. 28 soil samples were collected from the test area on a ground moraine, located north of Poznań. The soil samples were measured spectrally with an ASD FieldSpec 3 spectrophotometer in controlled laboratory conditions, in order to obtain a plot of the soil reflectance as a function of wavelength, from 400 nm to 2500 nm. The soil samples were also analyzed in the laboratory to establish their selected properties. The research shows that all tested soil properties strongly influence the soil reflectance.
Depositional processes within the frontal ice-cored moraine system, Ragnar glacier, Svalbard
Authors: Ewertowski Marek , Kasprzak Leszek , Szuman Izabela , Tomczyk Aleksandra
Published: April 2010

Depositional processes within the frontal ice-cored moraine system, Ragnar glacier, Svalbard

The marginal zone of the Ragnar glacier has been divided into four zones: ice surface, proglacial lake, lateral moraine and frontal moraine complex. Detailed researches were carried out in the last one - frontal moraine complex consisting of three subzones: (1) outer moraine ridge, (2) culmination moraine ridge and (3) inner moraine plateau. The frontal moraine complex of the Ragnar glacier shows large variability of lithofacies and depositional processes. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the intensity and variability of depositional processes from early stage of the frontal ice-cored moraines creation till present situation. Debris flow processes, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sedimentation as well as aeolian activity and down- and backwasting are identified as most important processes. Intensity of these processes has varied through the time. Presently the frontal ice-cored moraine complex of the Ragnar glacier is relatively stable, except few areas affected by the river or streams.
Map compiling, map reading, and cartographic design in "Pragmatic pyramid of thematic mapping"
Authors: Medyńska-Gulij Beata
Published: April 2010

Map compiling, map reading, and cartographic design in "Pragmatic pyramid of thematic mapping"

This paper concerns the dependent relationships between map compilation, map reading, and cartographic design with special regard to thematic mapping. The first step is to measure the simple relationship between cartographic practice and map design and present a pyramid of pragmatic thematic mapping. The model contains various types of maps, a range of cartographic principles, and sources of knowledge for map design. When presented as a pyramid, these functional dependencies can refer to a series of pragmatic criteria which relate to the use of thematic maps.
Glacier ice structures influence on moraines developement (Hørbye glacier, Central Spitsbergen)
Authors: szuman Izabela , Kasprzak Leszek
Published: April 2010

Glacier ice structures influence on moraines developement (Hørbye glacier, Central Spitsbergen)

Geomorphological and basic sedimentological investigation of controlled moraine system was carried out at the ice surface and within the moraine complex zone of the Hørbye glacier (Central Spitsbergen). The Hørbye glacier creates controlled moraine chains regarding transversal fractures and longitudinal foliation. The forms parallel to the ice flow direction are represented by medial moraines, whereas transversal ones by thrustmoraines. Both arrangements are clearly visible. However, thrust and shear planes are more effective in creating forms, both on the ice surface and in the moraine complex. The longitudinal landforms are less distinct, moreover they are coarser-grained and worse rounded, in contrast to the material from shear and thrust plains which is finer and better rounded. The study area can be divided into three subzones: clean ice surface, debris covered ice fractures and moraine complex. The outer and inner sandur plain were not taken under consideration. It is suggested that present arrangement of both thrust or shear plains and longitudinal foliation controls formation of foreland relief. This hypothesis has a particular sense in understanding construction of modern sedimentary basins as well as the mechanism of terminoglacial relief formation with regend to ice structure.
Changes of Arctic landscape due to human impact, north part of Billefjorden area, Svalbard
Authors: Tomczyk Aleksandra , Ewertowski Marek
Published: April 2010

Changes of Arctic landscape due to human impact, north part of Billefjorden area, Svalbard

This study present indications of human impact on selected components of environment in the vicinity of Petunia Bay, Billefjorden, central Spitsbergen. The area is easy accessible and has low restriction of human activity so it is a need for monitoring of the human impact there. Three groups of objects were inventoried. Large-scale objects are attached to industrial impacts (mainly mining and transport of natural resources) - mines, warehouses, blocks. They are clustered around the west side of the bay - Pyramiden settlement. Medium-scale objects (mainly linear forms - path, tracks) were created by transport as well as scientific and tourist activity. Small-scale impacts (campsites, firesites) were created mainly by scientists and tourists and scattered around whole study area. Industrial activity in this area took place between 1927 and 1998, but its tracks are persistent and hard to remove. Scientific and tourist movements also started at the beginning of the XX century, but nowadays the activities become more and more intensive.
Outline of the problem of research into climate change on the basis of the results of ground-based meteorological observations in Poznań, Poland
Authors: Woś Alojzy
Published: April 2010

Outline of the problem of research into climate change on the basis of the results of ground-based meteorological observations in Poznań, Poland

One of the important topics in the current discussion on causes of climatic changes is a proportion between natural and anthropogenic factors. The majority of climatologists are of the opinion that at present signs of the antropogenic factor are visible only on a local scale. An evaluation of the impact of this factor on a global scale will be possible in the future as more and more data on the physical parameters of Earth's atmosphere are to obtain using meteorological satellites.

The largest series of meteorological data, which currently constitute the basis of all analyses and forecasts concerning climate changes in the immediate and distant future, come from urban areas. The results of meteorological measurements are constantly influenced by the factor of municipal development, changes in the measurement locations within administrative borders, and also by variations resulting from the geographical location, the type of building development, and the colouring of the city. The city, depending on the dominant colour, and also on the colour of the surrounding area, does not always generate a urban heat island. There are areas around the globe, mainly in tropical latitudes, where the city is colder than the surrounding areas, which leads to the occurrence of a urban cold island.
Researching Behavioural Differences among Ethnic Minority Groups: The Case for Inferring Ethnicity on the Basis of People's Names
Authors: Webber Richard
Published: April 2010

This paper reviews the growing use of personal and family names as a basis for inferring ethnicity, for researching behavioural differences among ethnic groups, and as a basis for market segmentation. It argues that, in the UK, ethnicity is used in market research to a lesser degree than is warranted by the extent of behavioural differences between ethnic groups. The reasons for this are held to include the impact of the inclusion of an ethnicity question on response, the difficulty in generating sufficient numbers of records to support the analysis of categories, most of which represent small proportions of the total population, the propensity of some consumers to belong to multiple categories and difficulties in establishing the relative size of different ethnic segments in base populations. The paper then contrasts the way in which commercial and public-sector organisations currently use ethnicity data, concluding that ethnicity is more often researched to assist compliance with diversity legislation than to deliver genuine insights of the sort that result in improved customer service. Then follows an explanation of the methodology whereby consumers can be classified on the basis of their personal and family names. The UK's British National Party and a research project resulting in reductions in the inappropriate use of accident and emergency services are used as case studies. The paper then considers how effectively a classification based on names overcomes the problems previously cited as constraining the successful use of ethnicity as a survey demographic. The paper concludes by suggesting the vertical markets in which name-based classification offers organisations the best opportunity for improving their reputation among minority ethnic groups as a result of a better understanding of their particular needs.
Media Placement versus Advertising Execution
Authors: Malthouse Edward C. , Calder Bobby J.
Published: April 2010

We make three contributions towards understanding how engagement with the surrounding editorial context affects reactions to ads. First, while previous studies have shown that respondent-level engagement affects ads, we argue that vehicle-level engagement is more relevant to placement decisions, and show that magazine-level engagement affects actions taken from seeing an ad. Second, we compare the relative importance of engagement to the execution factors size, position and colour, and show that engagement is of comparable importance. Third, evaluations are done with more realistic procedures than previous studies and with real ads.
Consumer-Generated versus marketer-generated websites in consumer decision making
Authors: Bronner Fred , de Hoog Robert
Published: April 2010

Internet users are encouraged to rate and review all kinds of services and products. These kinds of reviews are described as eWOM (electronic word-of-mouth). Our central question is ‘Are consumers using these reviews, and what is the role of eWOM as compared with commercial-marketer-generated information and advertising on the internet?’ The vacation decision process was used as the domain of investigation, but these results are also compared with four other domains. The conclusion is that the roles of both types of site are complementary. Furthermore, it was found that, overall, positive and neutral/mixed contributions to consumer-generated websites are far more frequent than negative ones. Based on these findings, the implications for marketing and advertising strategies are sketched out: additional to existing strategies, market research has to monitor the eWOM about brands and, by using this information, companies should flexibly adapt their advertising to the discussion points raised at the consumer-generated sites.
Research into Questionnaire Design: A Summary of the Literature
Authors: Lietz Petra
Published: April 2010

Some consider responding to survey questions as a sophisticated cognitive process whereby respondents go through, often iterative, steps to process the information provided to them by questions and response options. Others focus more on the interplay between questions and answers as a complex communication process between researchers and respondents, their assumptions, expectations and perceptions. In this article, cognitive and communication research is reviewed that has tested the impact of different question and answer alternatives on the responses obtained. This leads to evidence-based recommendations for market researchers, who frequently have to make decisions regarding various aspects of questionnaire design such as question length and order, question wording, as well as the optimal number of response options and the desirability or otherwise of a ‘don't know’ option or a middle alternative.
Nested Learning Systems for the Thinking Curriculum
Authors: Resnick Lauren B.
Published: April 2010

The 21st century will require knowledge and skill well beyond the basic levels of reading and arithmetic that American schools know how to produce more or less reliably. Delivering a “thinking curriculum” to all American students requires major reform in the ways schools and districts organize their work. The transformation of the institution of schooling that will be needed to make this aspirational goal a real achievement is daunting. This article examines cognitive science, systems engineering, and social science concepts that are pointing toward a new foundation for policies and practices that may radically improve the proportion of students who can achieve true 21st-century skills.
Moral and Instrumental Rationales for Affirmative Action in Five National Contexts
Authors: Moses Michele S.
Published: April 2010

The author’s primary aims are to clarify the differing rationales for affirmative action that have emerged in five nations—France, India, South Africa, the United States, and Brazil—and to make the case for the most compelling rationales, whether instrumentally or morally based. She examines the different social contexts surrounding the establishment and public discussion of each nation’s policy. Next, she examines four justifications for affirmative action in these nations: remediation, economics, diversity, and social justice. She offers philosophical analysis of the justifications for affirmative action in each country and synthesizes federal and state legislation, court decisions, news media sources, and research-based scholarship. She argues that the social justice rationale ought to be invoked more centrally, underscoring affirmative action’s role in fostering a democratic society.
Words Matter: Implications of Semantics and Imagery in Framing Animal-Welfare Issues
Authors: Croney Candace C.
Published: April 2010

As criticisms of contemporary farm-animal production escalate, scholars have begun to scrutinize the imagery and linguistic techniques used to frame animal issues and their implications. Pro–animal rights groups typically present animal use as unnecessary, oppressive, and exploitive and adopt themes of compassion and protection to engage the public. In contrast, anti–animal rights groups represent animal use as necessary for human benefit and often situate animal and human interests as being incompatible. Overly simplistic, polarized representations of animal issues therefore emerge. Several analyses, however, have indicated that the discourse on farm-animal production fails to either make a compelling ethical argument for animal agriculture or address the ethical concerns raised by animal-rights activists. Proponents of animal agriculture are argued to consistently misrepresent animal production practices and portray animals as inanimate objects, reflecting lack of genuine concern for animal suffering or welfare. Thus far, the veterinary community has escaped this level of scrutiny. However, veterinarians are often viewed as being connected to animal agriculture. As veterinarians strive to assume leadership in animal welfare, it is useful for the profession to recognize that, as is the case for members of the animal sciences and industries, some aspects of its discourse may contradict its professed values and beliefs about animal care and welfare. Analysis of this discourse affords the opportunity to more effectively engage with the public on animal-welfare issues and to develop a compelling narrative of the role of animals in an increasingly urban society.
A Commentary on the Animal Welfare Symposium, with Possible Actions
Authors: Morton David B.
Published: April 2010

The author analyzes the common themes addressed by speakers at the AVMA/AAVMC conference on animal welfare, adding a few comments of his own. These themes can be summarized in the basic statement that “the veterinary profession has a responsibility to its members and to the public to provide and ensure a good education in animal welfare science, ethics, and public policy and law.” Veterinarians have a special role as animals' advocates for several reasons: they have the knowledge base and the required skills and commitment to fulfill this role; they have earned the confidence and respect of the constituents they serve; they are the professionals to whom policy makers logically turn for guidance on animal health and welfare issues. Therefore, the veterinary profession has an opportunity to reassert itself as the advocate not only for animals' physical health but also for their mental health and welfare. To be successful, however, the profession's leadership and members must engage without delay in advancing educational programs, research projects, and outreach to solidify authority in this key component of veterinary medicine.
Animal Ethics and Public Expectations: The North American Outlook
Authors: Thompson Paul B.
Published: April 2010

Recent social science research on the American public's attitudes toward the welfare of food animals tracks closely with a difficult-to-resolve philosophical issue. One side interprets welfare in terms of the way that a given animal is faring in a production setting. This view emphasizes the animal's medical condition and cognitive well-being. The other view derives norms for welfare from a conception of what is natural for an animal of a given species. This view presumes that an animal does well when it is living according to its nature. Both of these approaches reflect traditions of ethical thinking that have long histories of application to human and non-human animals, and each appears to have a significant constituency among the public. Each view implies a different approach and different standards for livestock welfare. The fact that this philosophical debate has a history dating back to ancient times suggests that it will not be resolved easily.
Animal Welfare: European Legislation and Future Perspectives
Authors: Bonafos Laurence , Simonin Denis , Gavinelli Andrea
Published: April 2010

Although animals are central to the life of all societies, substantial differences exist in the level of understanding or attitudes toward animal-welfare issues between agrarian and urban societies in developing or industrial countries. These differences are largely dependent on people's degree of contact with animals. Other than domestic species, people in industrialized nations tend to have limited contact with farm and wild animals. With this reduced or lack of daily animal contact, there can be a parallel lack of understanding of or appreciation for animal-welfare issues. As a result, different nations have adopted various policies, procedures, and laws to ensure that their societies protect the welfare of animals. In this article, we chronicle 30 years of actions by European nations through the European Commission to enact legislation that ensures uniform standards of animal-welfare practices to protect farm animals, animals used in research, and wild animals held in captivity.
Animal Welfare: A Complex Domestic and International Public-Policy Issue—Who Are the Key Players?
Authors: Bayvel A.C. David , Cross Nicki
Published: April 2010

Animal-welfare issues are usually portrayed in the media in a black-and-white fashion, with simple, single-perspective solutions proposed for what are often, in fact, complex policy issues. In this article, we argue that animal welfare is a multifaceted international and domestic public-policy issue that must take account of not only scientific, ethical, and economic issues but also religious, cultural, and international trade policy considerations. Management of animal welfare at a government policy level also requires an approach based on incremental change. Such change must be both science based and ethically principled, and the rate of change must recognize both the expectations of society and the constraints on the animal user. Ideally, such change should involve full ownership and buy-in from the affected animal user group. The range of stakeholders involved in the animal-welfare debate includes industry and producer groups, science bodies, and animal-welfare non-governmental organizations and professional groups, including the veterinary and legal professions. The veterinary profession, in particular, is expected to play an animal-welfare leadership role, and we discuss expectation versus reality at both a national and an international level. This latter discussion includes specific reference to the role of the World Organisation for Animal Health (the OIE) as an intergovernmental organization representing 175 countries and details some of the major achievements since the OIE assumed its international animal-welfare standard-setting role in 2002. We also address the role of the veterinary profession at national, regional, and international levels.
A Comparison of Veterinary Students Enrolled and Not Enrolled in an Animal-Welfare Course
Authors: Lord Linda K. , Walker Jennifer B. , Croney Candace C. , Golab Gail C.
Published: April 2010

An online survey was conducted to compare 46 veterinary students who previously enrolled in a discussion-based animal-welfare elective with 45 veterinary students who did not take the course. Students were asked a series of questions about their attitudes toward animal welfare and were presented with animal-use scenarios that had not previously been discussed in the elective course: greyhound racing, veal calf production, and the use of genetically engineered mice in research. For each scenario, students' actual knowledge was scored on the basis of open-ended factual questions. Students were also asked how comfortable they were with educating themselves about each topic and to describe factors they would use to evaluate the welfare of animals in each scenario. Factors were classified as being associated with (a) biological functioning, (b) ability to exist in a natural state, or (c) measures of affective state or feelings. There was no significant difference in actual knowledge of the three scenarios between students who took the course and those who did not. Students who took the course were significantly more likely to be comfortable about educating themselves on each of the three animal-use scenarios and scored significantly higher in identifying welfare-affecting factors than students who did not take the course. The results suggest that this approach to instruction is an effective way to teach veterinary students about how to educate themselves about animal-welfare issues and to increase their confidence in appropriately evaluating novel animal-welfare topics.
Student Perspectives on Animal-Welfare Education in American Veterinary Medical Curricula
Authors: Colonius Tristan , Swoboda Jamie
Published: April 2010

Animal welfare is a subject of increasing interest to society, and the veterinary medical profession has an opportunity—and a duty—to provide leadership and expertise. This commentary presents the view of two veterinary students at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine on the current state of animal-welfare education in American veterinary colleges. In our experience, animal welfare and its related disciplines are underemphasized in current American professional curricula. We present a case for why animal welfare must be a cardinal subject of instruction in veterinary colleges, detail the essential components of sufficient animal-welfare education, and discuss specific methods for integrating animal welfare into the current curricula. We strongly encourage veterinary colleges to identify animal-welfare education as a priority and to work toward increasing instruction and educational resources in this critical topic area.
Teaching Animal Welfare in Some Veterinary Schools in Latin America
Authors: Tadich Néstor A. , Molento Carla F.M. , Gallo Carmen B.
Published: April 2010

Animal welfare is an emerging topic in Latin America because of its impact on animal health, international trade, industry economic viability, and consumer perceptions. To enable veterinarians to be primary promoters of animal welfare, their training must include competencies in ethics, ethology, research, and public policy. During the past 10 years, animal welfare has gradually been incorporated into the curricula of several schools of veterinary medicine in Chile and other Latin American countries. Inclusion in these curricula is limited by a shortage of knowledgeable instructors. Research sustains inclusion of animal welfare in the curricula, but funding for research is often lacking.
Educating the Public: Information or Persuasion?
Authors: Coleman Grahame John
Published: April 2010

Beliefs form a major component of public attitudes, and attitudes have a role in determining how people behave as consumers and as citizens. Their behavior in turn affects the commercial viability and even the sustainability of animal industries. Beliefs are subjective facts, that is, matters that individuals consider to be true. The process of informing the community necessarily involves changing beliefs and, to this extent, persuasion. Education strategies relating to welfare issues depend on the target group and the desired outcome. Target groups include farmers, post-farm gatekeepers including transport drivers and abattoir workers, carers of companion animals, legislators and regulators, retailers, and the general community. These target groups may not be homogeneous, but each nevertheless has identifiable needs for knowledge and skills relevant to welfare. The approach that is likely to be most effective is to provide appropriately targeted dispassionate and factual information to the community. In this way, when debates about animal welfare occur, all the stakeholders—including animal-rights groups, retailers, farmers, legislators, and regulators—who are involved in the debate are more likely to produce good outcomes if discussion is based on a shared understanding of what current practices are and what science can reveal about welfare. Given that the mass media are the preferred source of information, the use of science-based media coverage and informed ethical debate is likely to have the best effect, albeit over a fairly long time frame.
Galloping Colts, Fetal Feelings, and Reassuring Regulations: Putting Animal-Welfare Science into Practice
Authors: Mellor David J.
Published: April 2010

About a decade ago, concern was expressed that fetuses might suffer while dying in utero after the death of their dams. However, reference to already published literature provided compelling evidence that fetuses cannot consciously experience negative sensations or feelings, such as breathlessness and pain, and showed that, provided certain precautions are taken, they cannot suffer—their welfare is assured. In this article, I outline the major features of fetal and neonatal physiology that underlie this conclusion as it relates to fetuses that are neurologically exceptionally immature, moderately immature, or mature at birth. As an example of the practical application of this knowledge, I also show how the results of detailed studies reported in the biomedical literature, together with evolving understanding of the capacity of animals to experience negative sensations reported in the animal-welfare science literature, led to the development of international guidelines for the humane management of livestock fetuses when their dams are slaughtered commercially. I also highlight the notion that significant progress in the scientific understanding of animal welfare, and its applications, can be made by remaining open to knowledge developed in disciplines at the margins of or beyond those in the animal-welfare science, ethology, and veterinary sciences arenas.
The Pattern of Dry Matter Distribution During Podding and its Effect on Pod Yield in Medium Maturing Peanut Cultivars1
Authors: Uguru M. I.
Published: April 2010

Data collected under field conditions from 12 medium maturing peanut cultivars were used to determine the average weekly changes in the dry weight of the roots, shoots, and pods. Root growth rate appeared to have diminished with the formation of pods. However, dry matter increased significantly in both the shoot and pods until the seeds began to mature. The incremental rate of the pod dry weight was linear with time during pod filling, but declined from 88 d after planting (DAP) when most pods were physiologically inactive due to maturation. Final pod yield was positively correlated to the rate of dry matter accumulation, duration of dry matter accumulation, and number of leaves, pegs, and pods/m2. Results suggest that significant improvements for higher pod yield can be achieved in medium maturing peanuts through selection for cultivars with high pegging and podding potentials.
Inheritance of White-Spot Testa Color Trait in Peanut1
Authors: Branch W. D.
Published: April 2010

The white-spot testa color trait has occasionally been found among segregating cross populations in the cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Crosses involving one such true-breeding white-spot selection were made both between and within subspecies of the cultigen to determine the inheritance of this unusual trait. The F1, F2, and F3 data indicated that two duplicate recessive genes, designated wsp1 and wsp2, control the white-spot trait in peanut.
Evaluation of Peanut Genotypes for Resistance to Southern Stem Rot Using an Agar Disk Technique1
Authors: Shokes F. M. , Weber Z. , Gorbet D. W. , Pudelko H. A. , Taczanowski M.
Published: April 2010

Six tests were conducted at two locations over 3 yr using an agar disk technique. Multiple disease assessments were made with a 1 to 5 scale, allowing the use of areas under the disease progress curve for genotype comparisons. Of the 11 genotypes evaluated, four were commercial cultivars. The cultivar Florunner was highly susceptible, Southern Runner exhibited a moderate level of partial resistance, Early Bunch was slightly more resistant than Southern Runner, and Marc I was less resistant than Southern Runner. The runner line UF91108 and the virginia lines F79/4-6-2-1-1-Z1, F79/4-6-2-1-1-Z16, and F84/49-2-2 all appear to have similar levels of resistance to stem rot. The runner breeding lines UF85112 and UF86107 had less disease over the six tests than any other genotypes. The agar disk technique worked well in the field, allowing selection of breeding lines with resistance to stem rot. Lines that exhibited good resistance in the six tests will be useful germplasm resources for a cultivar improvement program.