bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resumption of reproductive activity in the early postpartum period of cows
Authors: Roche J.F. , Diskin M.G.
Published: May 2019

Following parturition, there is an early resumption of sequential but transient FSH increases of 2-3 days duration in dairy and beef cows. The first increase results in the emergence of the first postpartum follicle wave and the decline in FSH results in selection of a dominant follicle (DF). The ovulatory fate of this DF is dependent on LH pulse frequency and IGF-I concentrations. The energy status of the cows affects the degree of anoestrus. High yielding cows in prolonged negative energy balance (NEB) have a greater incidence of anoestrous, where the DF is smaller and fails to produce sufficient oestradiol to induce ovulation. Thus, there are sequential follicle waves in anoestrus prior to first ovulation. A small percent of DFs in dairy cows fail to ovulate and they continue to grow due to high LH pulse frequency and form follicular cysts. These cysts produce oestradiol for a variable period and then become physiologically defunct, despite their morphological presence for variable periods before final regression. During their physiological active state, new follicle wave emergence and ovulation are suppressed. A further problem in high yielding cows is the increased incidence of abnormal ovarian cycles after ovulation, and specifically, the high incidence of maintained corpora lutea (CL), probably related to uterine problems in the peri-parturient period. The ovulation of smaller DFs and the high liver metabolic rate may adversely affect oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. The long-term effects of prolonged NEB on oocyte competence, DF physiology and follicular and luteal steroidogenesis all may have detrimental effects on conception rates to AI. Hormonal methods to induce ovulation should be carried out in conjunction with corrective management problems, once diagnosed The pre-treatment of anoestrous cows with progesterone for 5-9 days is a prerequisite for the concomitant expression of oestrus at first ovulation, but whether or not further hormonal therapy is necessary to ensure the ovulation of the DF, is dependent on energy status, body condition score and postpartum interval, which regulate LH pulse frequency.
Endocrine and physiological events from ovulation to establishment of pregnancy in cattle
Authors: Thatcher W.W. , Binelli M. , Arnold D. , Mattos R. , Badinga L. , Moreira F. , Staples C.R. , Guzeloglu A.
Published: May 2019

A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to characterise the dialogue between embryo and maternal units relative to the mechanisms controlling embryo survival in dairy cattle. Endometrial explants from pregnant cows had an attenuated PGF2αsecretory response following treatment with melittin (stimulator of PLA2) and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu). Thus previous exposure to the conceptus appears to regulate the endometrial synthetic pathway at a point coincident with or distal to PLA2as well as inhibit PKC or PKC mediated events. Endometrial explants collected from cows receiving intrauterine infusions of rblFN-τ had a reduced secretory response following stimulation with PDBu indicating attenuation in PKC activity. Based upon tyrosine-phosphorylation of STAT-proteins and their translocation to the nucleus after treatment with rbIFN-τ, the JAK-STAT pathway is functional in immortalised bovine endometrial cells (BEND cells). Bend cells, exposed to rblFN-τ, reduced PDBu induction of PGF2αsecretion and also decreased protein expression of Cox-2 and PLA. RblFN-τ clearly reduced PKC mediated events leading to an antiluteolytic response in endometrial cells. Feeding diets containing 2.6, 5.2 and 7.8% Menhaden fish meal to lactating dairy cows reduced uterine secretion of PGF2αfollowing sequential injections of oestradiol and oxytocin. Thus antiluteolytic effects in early pregnancy may be amplified by feeding by-pass fats. Pregnancy rate to a timed insemination at first service post-partum is increased in association with injection of bST(500 mg; sc) given at insemination. Furthermore injection of bST at time of insemination in superovulated donor cows increased the number of blastocysts and reduced number of unfertilised embryos. Prospects of integrating novel strategies to improve embryo development and survival into reproductive management systems appear to be attainable in high producing dairy cows.
The Scandinavian experience of including reproductive traits in Breeding Programmes
Authors: Lindhdé B. , Philipsson J.
Published: May 2019

Female fertility affects the culling rate as well as the direct reproduction costs and influences the calving interval and the calving season. It is therefore obvious that female fertility should be included in a Total Merit Index (TMI), which directs the genetic changes in dairy cattle selection. When the first TMI was introduced in Sweden in 1975 female fertility was included. A basic prerequisite for inclusion of fertility in the Scandinavian breeding programme was that milk recording, pedigree and AI-data were integrated in the same databases.

The paper deals exclusively with the additive genetic effects on female fertility. The heritabilities of the measures used for female fertility are low, usually below 0.05. Despite this, the additive genetic variance is high as demonstrated by large differences between progeny groups. Thus, selection must be based on progeny testing of bulls on daughter groups of 100-150 daughters or more, which is the case in all the Scandinavian countries. Different procedures for calculation of daughter fertility indices are practised in Scandinavia.

Research shows the importance of including measures of both the time interval from calving to insemination and a direct fertility trait such as number of inseminations or non-return rate (NR). It has also been shown that reproductive measures of different stages of life, i.e. heifer and lactating cow periods, must be considered. The genetic correlations between daughter fertility and different yield measures are negative (-0.2 to -0.4). Selection for yield without consideration of daughter fertility results in a deterioration of daughter fertility. A comparison of the flat genetic and phenotypic trends for daughter fertility along with strongly increased productivity in the SRB-breed, where Scandinavian bulls have dominated as sires of sons, and the negative trends in the SLB-breed where almost all sires of sons during a decade and a half have been imported from North America, illustrates the consequences of selection with and without consideration of daughter fertility in the sire-son path.

Daughter fertility will probably remain an important trait in the future, not only in countries with seasonal milk production connected to the pasture period. As dairy cattle breeding is quite international, calculation of international breeding values for daughter fertility in the same way as is practised by INTERBULL for production and conformation seems to be an important challenge for the future.
The Conference in Perspective
Authors: Robinson J. J.
Published: May 2019

Coming at a time of increasing concern about the declining fertility of high-yielding cows the organisers of this conference are to be congratulated on achieving a well-balanced programme representative of the breadth and depth of the science that is now being directed to the problem of dairy cow infertility. From a starting point of uncertainty about how to deal with the problem, delegates came away very well informed scientifically and, if perhaps with varying views as to the best way forward, more aware of the multidisciplinary research and development approach now being used to investigate it. The purpose of this perspective is to capture, along with the broad issues, the relevant technical detail of the papers and discussions in a way that hopefully provides a balanced overview of the conference.
Conjugacy of half-linear second-order differential equations
Authors: Došlý Ondřej , Elbert Árpád
Published: May 2019

Focal point and conjugacy criteria for the half-linear second-order differential equation

are obtained using the generalized Riccati transformation. An oscillation criterion is given in case when the function c(t) is periodic.
Rings graded by bisimple inverse semigroups
Authors: Munn W. D.
Published: May 2019

Sufficient conditions are obtained for a ring R, faithfully graded by a bisimple inverse semigroup S, to be (a) prime and (b) right primitive, these conditions being on the subring RG consisting of all elements of R with support contained in G, a maximal subgroup of S. Earlier results on semigroup rings arise as special cases.
Plane polynomial vector fields with prescribed invariant curves
Authors: Walcher S.
Published: May 2019

The main result of this paper is the determination of all plane polynomial vector fields that admit a prescribed collection of algebraic curves as invariant sets. As an application, the polynomial vector fields admitting certain types of algebraic integrating factors are characterized.
Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Wyllie Elaine
Published: May 2019

Surgery has become an accepted treatment modality for carefully selected adults with intractable focal epilepsy. More recently, increasing numbers of pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy are also being referred for surgical consideration. Key elements of surgical candidacy include medically intractable focal epilepsy, a localized epileptogenic zone, and a low risk for new postoperative neurologic deficits. The most common etiologies of the epilepsies in pediatric surgical candidates are malformation of cortical development and low grade tumor but some patients with childhood onset temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis also present for early surgery. Based on results from several recent pediatric surgical series, the chance for favorable seizure outcome after surgery is not adversely affected by young age, with seizure-free postoperative outcome reported for 60% to 65% of infants, 59% to 67% of children, and 69% of adolescents, compared to 64% reported in a large, predominantly adult series. Some subgroups of patients have higher percentages of seizure-free outcome, including those with hippocampal sclerosis or low grade tumor. In addition to seizures, developmental issues are also a major concern in children with intractable epilepsy. Few quantitative data are available, but some anecdotal experience suggests that surgical relief of catastrophic epilepsy may result in resumption of developmental progression after surgery, although the rate of development often remains abnormal. In one series, best developmental outcomes were seen in patients with earliest surgery and highest level of preoperative development. For each patient, the timing of surgery must be carefully considered, based on a full assessment of the relative risks and benefits, derived from a detailed presurgical evaluation.
Diagnostic Strategies in Young Patients with Ischemic Stroke in Canada
Authors: Chan Michael T.Y. , Nadareishvili Zurab G. , Norris John W. ,   Canadian Stroke Consortium
Published: May 2019

Background:

A preliminary national survey of ischemic stroke in the young (15-45 years) undertaken by the Canadian Stroke Consortium indicated that in 44% of 356 patients, no cause was found.

Objective:

To determine the reason for this high incidence of diagnostic uncertainty in young patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods:

Neurologists in the ten Canadian stroke centers completed a detailed questionnaire for patients aged 15-45 years admitted to hospital between January 1993 and December 1997. Using a step-wise diagnostic algorithm incorporating clinical, neuroimaging, neurovascular and laboratory data, we divided patients into three groups: (1) those with established cause for the ischemic stroke, (2) those who remained unexplained despite adequate investigation, (3) those who remained unexplained but were, in our opinion, under-investigated.

Results:

In 197 patients (56%), an identified cause was established including cardioembolic sources (14%), extracranial arterial dissection (13%), lacunar infarcts (8%) atherosclerosis (6%). A miscellaneous group of 15%, included cerebral venous thrombosis, coagulopathies, vasculitis and others. In 159 patients (44%) with no apparent cause for their stroke, we considered only 81 (23%) adequately investigated, and 78 (21%) inadequately investigated.

Conclusion:

About one in five young patients was inadequately investigated by a stroke-oriented group of neurologists. The major problem appears to be restriction of investigations to neuroimaging alone (usually computerized cerebral tomography), without further tests such as cerebral angiography and cardiac imaging.
Head Tremor in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Pal P.K. , Samii A. , Schulzer M. , Mak E. , Tsui J.K.C.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

To compare the clinical characteristics, natural history, and therapeutic outcome of patients with cervical dystonia (CD) with head tremor (HT+) and without head tremor (HT-).

Methods:

We prospectively evaluated 114 consecutive patients of CD over a 9-month period with a detailed questionnaire. Chi-square and t-tests were employed for statistical analysis.

Results:

Seventy-eight (68.4%) patients had head tremor and 27 of them (34.6%) had tremor as one of the first symptoms. Age at onset of symptoms were similar in HT+ and HT- groups; however there was a higher prevalence in women in the former group (66.7% vs. 41.7%; p=0.01). HT+ patients had more frequent positive family history of essential-like hand/head tremor (21.8% vs. 5.5%; p<0.05), associated neck pain (92.3% vs. 77.8%; p<0.05), and essential-like hand tremor (40% vs. 8.3%; p<0.001). They also appeared to have more frequent history of preceding head/neck trauma (14.1% vs. 8.3%), frequent head rotation (88.5% vs. 69.4%) and antecollis (12.8% vs. 5.5%) but less often head tilt (37.2% vs. 47.2%) and gestes antagonistes (60.2% vs. 75%) than the HT- patients; however these differences were not statistically significant. The frequency of prior psychiatric illnesses, the incidence of dystonias in other parts of the body, frequency of retrocollis and shoulder elevation, and spontaneous remission were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions:

Head tremor is common in CD and is more commonly associated with hand tremor and family history of tremor or other movement disorders. This supports a possible genetic association between CD and essential tremor (ET). Linkage studies are required to evaluate the genetic association between CD and ET.
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury – Results of a Canadian Survey
Authors: Sahjpaul Ramesh , Girotti Murray
Published: May 2019

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to obtain information from Canadian neurosurgeons regarding their opinions on, and utilization of, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods:

A brief survey was sent to practicing Canadian neurosurgeons questioning them about their utilization of, and confidence in, intracranial pressure monitoring in the management of patients with severe TBI.

Results:

One hundred and ninety-six surveys were mailed. There were 103 responses for a response rate of 52.6%. The vast majority of responding neurosurgeons (98.1%) utilized ICP monitoring in the management of patients with severe TBI, with most (63.4%) using it in more than 75% of their patients, 14.9% using it in 50-75% of patients, 14.9% in 25-50% of patients, and 6.9% using it in less than 25% of patients. The level of confidence that routine monitoring improves outcome from severe TBI ranged from 23.3% having a low level of confidence, 56.3% having an intermediate level of confidence, to 20.4% having a high level of confidence. Most respondents (78.6%) felt that some form of prospective trial evaluating the role of ICP monitoring in improving outcome from severe TBI was warranted; 17.4% felt such a trial was not warranted and 3.9% were uncertain.

Conclusions:

While ICP monitoring has gained almost universal acceptance among responding Canadian neurosurgeons, their level of confidence that routine monitoring improves outcome from severe TBI was quite variable, with only 20.4% of respondents having a high level of confidence. Over 75% of respondents felt that some form of prospective trial evaluating the utility of ICP monitoring is warranted. This information is being used in consideration of a prospective trial addressing this issue.
Modified sensory encoding during auditory hallucinations: case report and proposed mechanisms
Authors: van Sweden B. , Bryon H. , Maes M.
Published: May 2019

A patient is presented showing an altered oddball response while suffering from auditory hallucinations. The nontarget stimulus evokes a compound negative potential encompassing a normal early N1 component and an additional negativity within the categorization N2 range. These findings are discussed in reference to impaired mismatch processes and the deranged monitoring of inner speech theory, proposed in schizophrenia.
Neural correlates of emotion processing predict resilience in youth at familial risk for mood disorders
Authors: Nimarko Akua F. , Garrett Amy S. , Carlson Gabrielle A. , Singh Manpreet K.
Published: May 2019

Aberrant face emotion processing has been demonstrated in youth with and at a familial risk for bipolar and major depressive disorders. However, the neurobiological factors related to emotion processing that underlie resilience from youth-onset mood disorders are not well understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data during an implicit emotion processing task were collected at baseline from a sample of 50 youth, ages 8–17, who were healthy but also familially at high risk for either bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, and 24 healthy controls with no family history of psychopathology (HCL). Participants were reevaluated 3 years later and classified into three groups for analysis: high-risk youth who converted to a psychiatric diagnosis (CVT; N = 23), high-risk youth who were resilient from developing any psychopathology (RES; N = 27), and HCL youth (N = 24) who remained healthy at follow-up. For happy > calm faces, the CVT and RES groups had significantly lower activation in the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL), while the RES group had lower activation in the right supramarginal gyrus. For fear > calm faces, the RES group had lower activation in the right precuneus and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) compared to the CVT group. Connectivity analyses revealed the RES group exhibited higher left IPL connectivity with visual cortical regions for happy > calm faces, and higher IFG connectivity with frontal, temporal, and limbic regions for fear > calm faces. These connectivities were correlated with improvements in prosocial behaviors and global functioning. Our findings suggest that differential activation and connectivity in the IPL, IFG, and precuneus in response to emotional stimuli may represent distinct resilience and risk markers for youth-onset mood disorders.
‘Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen’: Cesti, Orontea, and the Gelone problem
Authors: WILLIAMS BROWN JENNIFER
Published: May 2019

Cesti's Orontea (Innsbruck, 1656), one of the most celebrated operas of the seventeenth century, is considered a significant antecedent of eighteenth-century opera buffa; the important role of Gelone is deemed one of the first basso buffo roles in opera history. Yet this view is based on incomplete and problematic historical data. This article reexamines that data and develops strategies for handling the text-critical problems that plague seventeenth-century opera. It concludes that Cesti probably designed Gelone for an alto – the most common voice type for buffo servants in the mid-late seventeenth century – and warns against using eighteenth-century models to interpret the seventeenth-century repertory.
Mozart in Turkey
Authors: PERL BENJAMIN
Published: May 2019

The essay analyses the Turkish mode in Mozart's output, discovering some unexpected examples, particularly Don Giovanni's aria ‘Fin ch'han dal vino’, whose uncommon sonority, obsessive rhythm and harmonic poverty evoke this topos. Don Giovanni may present Turkish features because his character coincides with eighteenth-century Western European views of the Turks as a threat to the established order and inclined to reckless sensuality. The romantic view of Don Giovanni as an ideal figure may also be connected with eighteenth-century thinking about ‘orientals’ as the representatives of utopia.
ACC-N-Malonyltransferase activity during zygotic embryogenesis and germination of chick-pea seeds
Authors: Martin-Remesal Clemente , Carmen Gomez-Jimenez Maria del , Matilla Angel J.
Published: May 2019

Some physiological characteristics of ACC-Nmalonyltransferase (ACC-N-MTase) have been studied in the seeds of chick-pea (Cicer arietinum L.). This enzymatic activity was detectable during all periods of zygotic embryogenesis; however, the highest values were found in the dry seed. In dry seeds, the enzymatic activity was greater in the embryonic axis than in the cotyledons. During the onset of germination, activity increased more strongly in the cotyledons than in the embryonic axis, reaching its highest values in the storage organs coinciding with radicle emergence (18 to 24 h). Removal of the cotyledons strongly diminished enzymatic activity in the embryonic axis. Low concentrations of ethrel (50 µM) stimulated the axis ACC-N-MTase. The highest specific activity was found in the apical meristem of the embryonic axis, declining over the length of the organ. The role of ACC-N-MTase activity in the germinative process is discussed, together with the regulatory effect of ethylene on this ACCconjugating enzyme.
Evaluation of dormancy and germination responses to temperature inCarduus acanthoides and Anagallis arvensisusing a screening system, and relationship with field-observed emergence patterns
Authors: Kruk Betina C. , Benech-Arnold Roberto L.
Published: May 2019

Experiments on the facultative winter annuals Carduus acanthoides and Anagallis arvensis were performed: (i) to determine thermal conditions that induce or release dormancy, (ii) to investigate to what extent changes in dormancy level resulting from those thermal conditions explain the seasonal pattern of emergence of these species, and (iii) to estimate required thermal time and base temperature for the germination of non-dormant seeds. Carduus acanthoides required high temperatures followed by decreasing temperatures for dormancy release; however, low winter temperatures did not induce secondary dormancy as expected for a winter annual. To the contrary, low temperatures stimulated dormancy release in the long term. InA. arvensis, dormancy relief was enhanced by dry storage at 25°C, and the response to low temperature was different depending on moisture conditions. Prolonged exposure to moist-chilling increased the dormancy level of the population, while dry storage at 4°C relieved dormancy. For both species, changes in the thermal range permissive for germination as a result of dormancy modifications explained to a large extent the timing of the emergence periods observed in the field. In neither species did base temperature for germination change with the dormancy level of the population. Thermal time required forgermination ofC. acanthoidesvaried with dormancy, while forA. arvensisseeds it was constant.
Sugarbeet seed priming: solubilization of the basic subunit of 11-S globulin in individual seeds
Authors: Bourgne Sophie , Job Claudette , Job Dominique
Published: May 2019

Priming of sugarbeet (Beta vulgarisL.) seeds induces increased solubilization of the basic B-subunit of 11-S globulin (a major seed storage protein in sugarbeet). Using a sensitive single-seed ELISA, the soluble and total B-subunit contents of individual untreated and primed sugarbeet seeds were measured. With the untreated seeds, there was a 160-fold range of the soluble B-subunit content among individual seeds. The individual primed seeds also exhibited large variations in their soluble B-subunit content, yet only over a five-fold range. Furthermore, the frequency distributions of soluble B-subunit content were markedly different for the primed and untreated seed populations; the primed seed population exhibited a substantially higher median than that for the untreated seed population. In marked contrast, and as expected from results with pooled seed samples, the distributions of total B-subunit content were superimposed when comparing untreated and primed seed populations.
Seed dormancy in red rice (Oryza sativa). XI. Commercial liquid smoke elicits germination
Authors: Doherty Lucia C. , Cohn Marc Alan
Published: May 2019

A commercial liquid smoke (LS) flavoring product (Reese Hickory brand) in aqueous dilutions of 4–5% (v/v) broke dormancy (40–100% germination) of both intact and dehulled red rice (Oryza sativa). To elicit this response in intact grains, the glumes had to be pricked with a dissecting needle following contact with LS and water rinsing. Germination percentages rose with increasing contact time (up to 7 d), and grains first imbibed with water before transfer to LS showed similar germination percentages as those first incubated with LS before transfer to water. LS dilutions were highly acidic (about pH 3). Dormancy-breaking activity of LS was pH-dependent and was reduced at pH values of 5–7. Buffer controls remained dormant irrespective of pH value. Maximum activity varied primarily among different bottles of LS and only to a minor extent between red rice seed lots. Dry-afterripening at 30°C for up to 14 d increased the sensitivity of unpricked, intact grains to LS compared with water controls. LS concentrations that broke dormancy of intact grains partially inhibited germination of nondormant, fully afterripened grains. Storing grains in containers of flooded soil increased sensitivity to both LS and pricking. Nitrite levels in LS were negligible and insufficient to account for the bioactivity of LS.
Uses and users of water in Bilbao, c. 1890–1910: a social-spatial analysis
Authors: Novo Pedro A. , Zarraga Karmele
Published: May 2019

The article analyses the characteristics of the public water service in the city of Bilbao between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. It addresses both the study of potable water and the different uses of non-potable water. In addition, the article includes the relationship between the water supply and the population that receives it. We are interested in knowing who enjoyed it at home, linking demographic sources with records of the water service of the city.
So much to gain: New approaches to child protection meetings
Authors: Elliott Bronwen , Kiely Patricia , Tolley Sue
Published: May 2019

While participation of parents in case planning in child protection is widely accepted as desirable, in practice both workers and parents are often left frustrated by the outcomes of child protection meetings. Two models of managing the decision making process are reviewed, Looking After Children (LAC) and Family Decision Making (FDM). Approaches to preparation, planning and management of conflict are highlighted. Strategies for facilitating parental participation are identified and can be applied more broadly to child protection meetings, to encourage more effective outcomes.
Looking After Children in Barnardos Australia: A study of the early stages of implementation
Authors: Dixon Deirdre
Published: May 2019

Looking After Children (LAC), a case management system for children in out-of-home care, has been the subject of pilot implementation in several Australian states. Barnardos Australia, in association with the University of NSW, implemented LAC in all of its out-of-home care programs as part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) research grant, in 1997–99.

This study looks at the factors affecting implementation of Looking After Children in Barnardos Australia out-of-home care programs during the initial twelve month period (1997–98). Information collected from interviews with eleven program managers, and examination of records containing LAC material on casework files, are used to explore factors which assisted or impeded LAC implementation. Similarities are highlighted between UK and Australian experiences of LAC implementation, and issues are raised of significance to agencies considering using LAC.
The influence of non-genetic factors on the shape of lactation curves in Red Sokoto goats
Authors: Akpa G. N. , Asiribo E.O. , Oni O. O. , Alawa J. P.
Published: May 2019

Milk yields of 66 nursing does recorded in Zaria, Nigeria were used to characterize the lactation curve and study the influencing factors in Red Sokoto goats. Lactation curve parameters obtained by fitting the model: Yt = atbe –ct were subjected to statistical analysis, using herd, season, parity, litter size and litter composition of dams.

The results indicate that the lactation curve of these goats was characterized by milk production increasing in early lactation, attaining a peak at approximately 2 to 5 weeks post partum and thereafter declining slowly to the end of lactation. The observed total yield, peak yield, peak day and the estimated persistency defined as c–( b + 1) was 79·3 kg, 1·2 kg, 20·5 and 143·2, respectively. Parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ were strongly but negatively correlated ( r = –0·53; P < 0·01). The curve parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ differed by herd and season ( P < 0·05); and parity only affected ( P < 0·01) parameter ‘ a‘. None of the factors significantly influenced parameter ‘ b‘ ( P > 0·05).

The significant herd and season effects may have practical implications in determining optimal feeding management and season of breeding to maximize total lactation yield.
Evaluation of extent and amount of heterogeneous variance for milk yield in Uruguayan Holsteins
Authors: Urioste J. I. , Gianola D. , Rekaya R. , Fikse W. F. , K. A. Weigel
Published: May 2019

The extent and amount of heterogeneous phenotypic variance for milk yield in the Uruguayan Holstein population were evaluated and a simple method of accounting for heterogeneity was developed. Lactation records (159 169) collected between 1989 and 1998 by two recording schemes were used to form 8955 herd-year-season-parity-lactation length contemporary groups. A log-linear model was used to identify factors affecting heterogeneity of phenotypic variance. The model included effects of production level, contemporary group size, recording scheme, herd, season of calving, parity number, calving year period and length of lactation and accounted for 50% of the variation in log variances. Estimates from this model were used in a Bayesian manner, to obtain posterior mean estimates of within-contemporary-group variances, which were then used to standardize records to a baseline variance. Effects of the adjustment were assessed by comparing coefficients of variation before and after correction, by correlation and regression between mean and standard deviations, and by using Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves. The adjustment procedure reduced heteroscedasticity primarily by decreasing the frequency of low-variance contemporary groups. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients indicated that the largest impact of the standardization procedure was related to the size of the contemporary group. Some differences in the effect of the correction were found between recording schemes. The method for adjusting records is simple and easy to adapt to current genetic evaluation procedures.
Tests of two theories of food intake using growing pigs 1. The effect of ambient temperature on the intake of foods of differing bulk content
Authors: Whittemore E. C. , Kyriazakis I. , Emmans G.C. , Tolkamp B.J.
Published: May 2019

An experiment was carried out on pigs to provide a test of two current conceptual frameworks available for the understanding and prediction of food intake. Framework 1 assumes that food intake will be that which allows potential (genetic) performance to be achieved. If this is not achieved then it is because intake is being constrained. Framework 2 sees food intake as being a consequence of a process of optimization such that biological efficiency (the ratio of net energy ingested to oxygen consumed) is maximized. Both frameworks predict that a reduction in temperature will increase the intake of a high quality food. For a food of low quality framework 2 predicts that intake will also be increased when temperature is decreased while framework 1 predicts that it will not. This difference between the predictions of the two frameworks allows them to be tested by means of an experiment in which foods of different quality were given to animals at different environmental temperatures.

Forty pigs were randomly allocated to a control (C) food based on micronized wheat with 13·1 MJ digestible energy (DE) and 232 g crude protein (CP) per kg fresh food, or one of two high bulk foods. The high bulk foods contained either 650 g/kg of unmolassed sugar-beet pulp (SBP) or 650 g/kg of wheat bran (WB). Half the pigs were maintained at a thermoneutral temperature of 22ºC for 14 days followed by a cold temperature of 12ºC for 14 days. The other half were maintained at 12ºC for a period of 14 days followed by a temperature of 22ºC for 14 days. Food intake was recorded daily and live weight twice weekly.

There was a highly significant food ✕ temperature interaction ( P < 0·001) for food intake. A reduction in temperature resulted in an increase in food intake on C and WB but had no effect on the intake of SBP. There was a highly significant effect of both temperature and food on intake ( P < 0·001). A reduction in temperature resulted in a significant increase in food intake, intake on WB was higher than that of either C or SBP. There was no overall effect of temperature on live-weight gain although a reduction in temperature resulted in a non-significant increase in the gain of C and reduction in the gain of WB and SBP. There was a highly significant effect of food ( P < 0·001) on live-weight gain, as gain on C was higher than that on either WB or SBP.

The results of the experiment were in agreement with the predictions set forward by the first framework that growing pigs are eating to achieve maximum performance subject to constraints.
Relationship between dam and calf characteristics with regard to dystocia in Belgian Blue double-muscled cows
Authors: Fiems L. O. , Campeneere S. de , Caelenbergh W. van , Boucqué Ch. V.
Published: May 2019

Information concerning 493 single calvings of the double-muscled beef cow herd of the institute was collected to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of dams and calves with regard to dystocia. Factors affecting dystocia are similar in double-muscled cattle to those in non-double-muscled cattle but the occurrence of dystocia is greatly increased in double-muscled cows. Incidence of caesarean section was significantly correlated with parity (–0·243), age of dam (–0·232), post-partum dam weight (–0·185), and calf birth weight (0·164). Caesarean deliveries were required for 89·5% of the parturitions. Calvings without caesarean section were characterized by higher means for post-partum dam live weight (634·7 kg), age (1675·5 days), parity (3·1) and the ratio of post-partum dam weight to calf birth weight (14·4), compared with 580·2 kg, 1251·1 days, 2·1, and 11·8, respectively for births with caesarean setion, while calf birth weight was lower in non-caesarean calvings (45·8 v. 49·9 kg). Caesarean births involved more male calves than females (55 v. 45%). Even when calf birth weight was 30 kg or lower, and also in multiparous cows, 40 and 86% of the deliveries, respectively, still occurred with a caesarean section.

Incidence of caesarean section could not be accurately predicted from pre-partum characteristics such as pre-partum dam weight, age and parity.
Morphometric and hormonal changes following persistent handling in pregnant blue fox vixens (Alopex lagopus)
Authors: Osadchuk L. V. , Braastad B. O. , Hovland A. L. , Bakken M.
Published: May 2019

Modern, intensive fox breeding implies a human-animal relationship but human contact causes stress in farm-bred blue foxes. Handling is a common part of routine farming practices, particularly during the breeding season. The purpose of this study was to determine how handling influences certain morphometric and hormonal parameters of adrenocortical and ovarian function and fertility in pregnant blue foxes and whether these effects are mediated through an increase in plasma concentrations of cortisol. Blue fox females were subjected to a 1-min daily-handling treatment in the last trimester of pregnancy (term = 52 days). Plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, progesterone, oestradiol and testosterone, as well as thein vitroadrenal and gonadal production of steroids were measured by radio-immuno assay in control (C, no. = 6) and handled (H, no. = 7) vixens on days 47 to 48 of pregnancy. In addition, the number of viable and dead foetuses, body, adrenal and ovarian weights in pregnant foxes and body weights of their viable foetuses were recorded. Handling increased plasma concentration of cortisol (C: 6·8 (s.e. 1·6) ng/ml v. H: 22·8 (s.e. 5·9) ng/ml,P< 0·05) as well asin vitroadrenal production of cortisol. In addition, handling decreased the body (C: 7·40 (s.e. 0·48) kg v. H: 6·24 (s.e. 0·13) kg,P< 0·05) and ovarian (C: 3·45 (s.e. 0·26) g v. H: 2·73 (s.e. 0·17) g,P< 0·05) weights of pregnant vixens and also the body weight of viable foetuses (C: 59·1 (s.e. 0·9) g, no. = 73 v. H: 50·6 (s.e. 1·2) g, no. = 58,P< 0·01). Handling did not cause any changes in adrenal weight, plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol orin vitroovarian steroid production. It is concluded that persistent handling of pregnant blue foxes is a mild stressor, which results in an increase in plasma concentration and adrenal production of cortisol and reduces maternal and foetal body weights.
The concept of ‘internal judicial independence’ in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Sillen Joost
Published: May 2019

Internal judicial independence as a new element of the case law of the Strasbourg Court on Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights – The Court has only found violations of internal judicial independence in cases against former communist countries – Relevance of the case law for other member states of the Council of Europe – Internal judicial independence as part of the requirement of an impartial tribunal? – Importance of the independence of the individual judge
The Illiberal Abuse of Constitutional Courts in Europe
Authors: Castillo-Ortiz Pablo
Published: May 2019

Legal constitutionalism – Political constitutionalism – Emergence of illiberal constitutionalism as a tertium genus – Examination of constitutional courts under three illiberal governments: Poland, Hungary, and Turkey – Illiberal governments’ strategies to seize control of constitutional courts – Illiberal governments’ aim to secure leverage over constitutional judges and restrict the powers of review of the court – Constitutional courts under illiberal rule invert the traditional functions that were assigned to them under the original Kelsenian approach – Instead of a check on power, illiberal constitutional courts become a device to circumvent constitutional constraints and concentrate power in the hands of the ruling actors.
Mutual Trust, Essence and Federalism – Between Consolidating and Fragmenting the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice after LM
Authors: Wendel Mattias
Published: May 2019

Mutual trust – Essence of EU fundamental rights – Values under Article 2 TEU – Intrinsic link between essence and values – Federalism – LM judgment – Rule of law crisis in Poland – Right to fair trial – Judicial independence – Fundamental right to an independent tribunal – Prohibition on transfers – Obligation to presume compliance with fundamental rights – Condition of ‘systemic deficiencies’ as a federal safeguard – Area of Freedom, Security and Justice – European Arrest Warrant – Dublin system
Severe Long‐Lasting Drought Accelerated Carbon Depletion in the Mongolian Plateau
Authors: Lu Chaoqun , Tian Hanqin , Zhang Jien , Yu Zhen , Pan Shufen , Dangal Shree , Zhang Bowen , Yang Jia , Pederson Neil , Hessl Amy
Published: May 2019

Paleoclimate records identified a severe drought lasting approximately a decade on the Mongolian Plateau during the 2000s, the severity of which was only exceeded by a single drought during the last two millennia. Under high‐emission scenarios, arid and semiarid areas are projected to continue to experience a drying trend over the coming decades; therefore, understanding how ecosystems respond to long‐lasting drought has global implications. Here we used a process‐based ecosystem model to examine the interannual and intra‐annual variations in net ecosystem productivity in response to climate extremes across the Mongolian Plateau. We find that the recent‐decade drought caused Mongolian terrestrial ecosystems to shift from a carbon (C) sink to a C source, canceling 40% of climate‐induced C accumulation over the entire twentieth century. Our study details a shortened C sequestering season, increased summer C source, and accelerated C depletion during the 2000s drought.
Investigating Smoke Aerosol Emission Coefficients Using MODIS Active Fire and Aerosol Products: A Case Study in the CONUS and Indonesia
Authors: Lu Xiaoman , Zhang Xiaoyang , Li Fangjun , Cochrane Mark A.
Published: May 2019

Smoke aerosols released from biomass burning greatly influence air quality, weather, and climate. The total particulate matter (TPM) of smoke aerosols has been demonstrated to be a linear function of fire radiative energy (FRE) during a period of biomass burning via a smoke aerosol emission coefficient (Ce). However, it remains challenging to quantify Ce appropriately through satellite observations. In this study, an innovative approach was put forward to explore Ce by establishing the relationships between FRE and TPM in two regions, the CONtiguous United States and Indonesia. Specifically, we identified 584 isolated fire clusters and smoke plumes in the CONtiguous United States and 248 in Indonesia using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer natural color images, and then calculated FRE from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer active fire product and TPM from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol optical depth product for each fire‐smoke matchup during Terra and Aqua overpasses. The relationships between TPM and FRE were constructed to determine Ce using an ordinary least squares regression. The results show that FRE and TPM are significantly correlated (r2 ≥ 0.63, p < 0.001) with the Ce varying across regions and fuel types. In the CONtiguous United States, forest Ce values are 21.3 and 34.1 g/MJ and savanna Ce values are 18.2 and 22.8 g/MJ for western and eastern regions, respectively; additionally, Ce is 20.9 g/MJ for grasslands and 5.0 g/MJ for shrublands. In Indonesia, Ce is 52.4 and 30.0 g/MJ for peatlands and forests, respectively. Overall, this study improves our understanding of Ce variations with fuel types and climate regions.
The Weddell Gyre, Southern Ocean: Present Knowledge and Future Challenges
Authors: Vernet M. , Geibert W. , Hoppema M. , Brown P. J. , Haas C. , Hellmer H. H. , Jokat W. , Jullion L. , Mazloff M. , Bakker D. C. E. , Brearley J. A. , Croot P. , Hattermann T. , Hauck J. , Hillenbrand C.‐D. , Hoppe C. J. M. , Huhn O. , Koch B. P. , Lechtenfeld O. J. , Meredith M. P. , Naveira Garabato A. C. , Nöthig E.‐M. , Peeken I. , Rutgers van der Loeff M. M. , Schmidtko S. , Schröder M. , Strass V. H. , Torres‐Valdés S. , Verdy A.
Published: May 2019

The Weddell Gyre (WG) is one of the main oceanographic features of the Southern Ocean south of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current which plays an influential role in global ocean circulation as well as gas exchange with the atmosphere. We review the state‐of‐the art knowledge concerning the WG from an interdisciplinary perspective, uncovering critical aspects needed to understand this system's role in shaping the future evolution of oceanic heat and carbon uptake over the next decades. The main limitations in our knowledge are related to the conditions in this extreme and remote environment, where the polar night, very low air temperatures, and presence of sea ice year‐round hamper field and remotely sensed measurements. We highlight the importance of winter and under‐ice conditions in the southern WG, the role that new technology will play to overcome present‐day sampling limitations, the importance of the WG connectivity to the low‐latitude oceans and atmosphere, and the expected intensification of the WG circulation as the westerly winds intensify. Greater international cooperation is needed to define key sampling locations that can be visited by any research vessel in the region. Existing transects sampled since the 1980s along the Prime Meridian and along an East‐West section at ~62°S should be maintained with regularity to provide answers to the relevant questions. This approach will provide long‐term data to determine trends and will improve representation of processes for regional, Antarctic‐wide, and global modeling efforts—thereby enhancing predictions of the WG in global ocean circulation and climate.
Décollements, Detachments, and Rafts in the Extended Crust of Dangerous Ground, South China Sea: The Role of Inherited Contacts
Authors: Liang Yao , Delescluse Matthias , Qiu Yan , Pubellier Manuel , Chamot‐Rooke Nicolas , Wang Jun , Nie Xie , Watremez Louise , Chang Sung‐Ping , Pichot Thibaud , Savva Dimitri , Meresse Florian
Published: May 2019

We investigate the crustal structure of the Dangerous Ground (South China Sea) through processing and interpretation of coincident wide‐angle reflection and refraction seismic data. Continental crust of Dangerous Ground has been moderately thinned, down to 15 km, so that most of the structures accompanying the early opening of the South China Sea from Cretaceous to Miocene have been preserved. Subbasement reflectors as well as refraction velocities image an interpreted dismantled Mesozoic metamorphic unit in the southernmost section of our study area. A rollover structure indicates that the reflective base of the unit was used as a décollement where low‐angle normal faults root and blocks rafted. The metamorphic unit is discontinued in a nearby basin located immediately to the north, where the refraction velocity model shows thinning of the crust from 20 to 15 km, with the presence of a 5‐km‐high mantle dome. In this deeper basin, mass transport deposits are found lying on a strong amplitude basement reflector interpreted as the footwall of an ~15 km offset crustal detachment surface that we link down to the mantle dome. We infer that the detachment reactivated an inherited low‐angle contact most probably related to the Yanshanian belt. In map view, the reactivated structure forms a half‐graben basin oriented NNE‐SSW oblique to the generally accepted direction of extension. This orientation follows the general trend of a granitic belt that spanned the South China margin prior to extension, related to the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific.
A Look at How Long-Banned PCBs Persist in the Ocean
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: May 2019

A new study tracks how climatic factors like sea ice cover and ocean circulation affect the life span and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the world’s oceans.