bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food bulk: Its measurements and their relationship to the voluntary food intake of pigs
Authors: Kyriazakis I. , Emmans G.C. , Horgan G.W. 
Published: January 2018

When a highly digestible food is progressively diluted with one of greater ‘bulk’ the prevailing view is that the rate of food intake will initially increase at such a rate such that DE intake remains constant and, that beyond a critical point, intake of food and DE will fall as the dilution proceeds further. The critical point has been assumed to reflect the capacity of the pig for ‘bulk’. Current models which attempt to predict the voluntary food intake (VFI) of pigs use either food dry matter (DM) as a measure of bulk (eg Whittemore, 1983) or the undigested organic matter (eg Roan, 1991), or ignore the problem (ARC, 1981). It has long been known however, that such views are likely to be inadequate across the complete range of foods (eg the significant reduction in VFI of pigs on foods based on sugar beet pulp, compared to that on other more undigestible materials).The experiment described here was designed (i) to try to identify the property of ‘bulky’ foods which might be responsible for limiting their VFI and (ii) to see the extent to which the capacity for a ‘bulky’ food might be modified by prior experience.
Cortisol Response of Sows to Alternative Farrowing Systems
Authors: Rudd A.R. , Mendl M.T. , Broom D.M. , Simmins P.H. 
Published: January 2018

Variation in circulating Cortisol is often used as an indicator of stress in farm animals. In this study the variation in baseline salivary Cortisol of farrowing and lactating sows was examined, to assess their physiological response to three different farrowing systems. It was part of a larger project examining alternative farrowing systems.Three farrowing systems in neighbouring rooms were compared. In two systems the sows were loose-housed and could move freely: five strawed pens (2.5m x 1.5m) with farrowing rail (Pen), and five crates modified to allow the sows to walk through (Free Crate). Sows had access via a passageway to a transponder-controlled feeder and a north facing outside area with two water drinkers.
The Efficacy of Citric Acid Mycelium in the Prevention of Uptake and the Removal of Caesium137 in Sheep
Authors: Owens P.A. , Telfer S.B. , Johnson C.L 
Published: January 2018

The Chernobyl nuclear power station accident in April 1986, resulted in widespread deposition of radionuclides across Europe and the Former Soviet Union. The radionuclides 1-131, Cs-134 and Cs-137 are of particular concern as a potential health hazard due to their accumulation in the plant-animal-human food chain.Due to the long half life of Cs-137 (30 years), contaminated regions will take several years to return to evels prior to the accident.
Developmental Disorders Limiting Productivity in Poultry
Authors: Whitehead Colin C. 
Published: January 2018

The success of the poultry industry since the end of the Second World War has been based very considerably upon the introduction of increasingly productive strains of birds. This has been achieved by intensive selection for productive characteristics such as growth rate, meat yield and egg productivity. However this emphasis on production attributes seems to have resulted in birds that have pronounced weaknesses in other characteristics that become manifest in a range of metabolic disorders. The severity and impact of these disorders is such that there needs to be a re-evaluation of the basis for continued genetic development of poultry stock.The main metabolic disorders affecting modern poultry are those involving skeletal and cardiac systems. There are three main types of skeletal disorder: bone growth abnormality in meat poultry, bone fragility in laying hens and cartilage disorders in heavy breeding birds. The main cardiac disorders are ascites and sudden death syndrome.
Effect of Forage:Concentrate Ratios in the diet and Intake Restriction on the Rumen Fermentation and Hormone Profiles of Finishing Beef Steers.
Authors: Thorp C.L. , Steen R.W.J. , Wylie A.R.G. , McEvoy J.D. , Shaw C. 
Published: January 2018

Studies have shown that reducing energy intake by restricting dry matter intake (DMI) at a constant forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio is more effective at increasing carcass lean and reducing carcass fat content than is reducing energy intake by increasing the F:C ratio (1). Research at this Institute has also shown that, per megajoule of digestible energy (DE), diets restricted in this manner are 45 % more efficient at producing carcass lean.The mechanism by which these methods of restriction result in these differences in carcass composition has previously been assumed to be that of rumen fermentation. More recently however, the significance of rumen fermentation in controlling the carcass composition of beef cattle has been questioned (2,3).The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of decreasing the F:C ratio, at constant DE and DMI, on both rumen and endocrinological parameters, in particular the hormones insulin and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), in finishing beef steers.
Effect of Proteinated Minerals and Yeast Culture on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Fattening Heifers
Authors: Fallon R.J. , Drennan M. , Boland M.P. 
Published: January 2018

Feed additives which enhance the growth rate of beef cattle during the fattening period would be of benefit to the industry. The effects of dietary supplementation with “Bio-Boost Plus”, a product containing mineral proteinates (Cu, Zn, Mn) and yeast culture on heifer growth rate and carcass characteristics were examined. The response to the inclusion of yeast culture in the diet of fattening cattle was a 7.5% increase when averaged over sixteen different studies (Wallace and Newbold, 1993). It was postulated that the response to yeast culture would be increased with the inclusion of proteinated minerals Cu, Zn and Mn to the daily diet.Seventy two 16 month old continental cross heifers with an initial liveweight of 393 kg were assigned on a liveweight basis to one of two treatments: a) control - diet consisting of grass silage ad libitum plus 3 kg of concentrates per head per day; b) Bio-Boost Plus - control diet supplemented with 15 g of Bio-Boost Plus per head per day. Heifers were group penned according to treatment (8 pens of 9 animals) for the 131 day experimental period. The daily concentrate (rolled barley 900, soyabean meal 80 and minerals and vitamins 20 g/kg) allowance was offered in one feed each morning and the Bio-Boost Plus was added as a top dressing to the concentrate.
Comparative Digestibility of Fresh Herbage Cut at Two Maturity Stages by Two Breeds of Sheep
Authors: Giráldez F.J. , López S. , González J.S. , Mantecó A.R. 
Published: January 2018

Evidence has been provided for important morphophysiological variations of the digestive system of the different species of ruminants (Hofmann, 1989). These variations are a consequence of the ecophysiologycal adaptation and diversification of ruminants, and are related to feeding behaviour and digestive physiology. Ruminants of different feeding types have gained ecological advantage, which determines that some species are better adapted than others for each specific situation. Some recent studies have shown that important variations may also occur between breeds within each ruminant specie (Carro et al., 1993; Silanikove et al., 1993). The present work was conducted to study differences between Churra (CHR) and Merino (MER) sheep in digestibility and rumen degradation characteristics of fresh herbage harvested at different maturity stages.The experiment comprised two digestion trials. Each trial was conducted with twelve mature CHR sheep (mean live-weight (LW)= 48 kg (SE 1.8)) and twelve mature MER sheep (LW = 46 kg (SE 1.2)). Animals were fed on fresh herbage harvested from a sward which consisted of a mixture of grasses and clover. Herbage for the first trial was harvested in early June (early cut EC), whereas the herbage used in the second trial was cut in late July (late cut LC). After cutting, the herbage was chopped (5-10 cm) before feeding to the animals. Within each trial, animals of each breed were randomly allocated to six feeding levels (ranging from 8.1 to 24.7 g forage DM/kg LW/day).
Feeding African Palm Oil and Gliricidia Sepium to Dairy Cattle in the Tropics
Authors: Margerison J. K. , Preston T. R. , Phillips C. J. C. 
Published: January 2018

The advancement of ‘self reliance’ in developing counties is essential to their future success. This can be achieved by reducing their dependence on imported products, such as concentrate feeds made from imported materials. If this is to be accomplish alternative feed resources must be identified and developed. In topical environments oil producing plants and leguminous fodder trees are abundant and represent an existing feed resource which can be utilized. These feeds are capable of providing a sustainable alternative to imported feeds, as they are inherent to these environments and economic to produce.The aim was to assess the possibility of the complete replacement of concentrate with African Palm Oil and Gliricidia sepium.A total of sixty six cows were used in two experiments which were completed simultaneously on two separate farms. The cows were allocated to the experimental diets 20 days post-partum and the treatment groups were balanced for previous lactation yield, the number of previous parturitions, calving index and condition score.
The effect of prior training of broiler chickens on diet selection using whole wheat
Authors: Covasa M. , Forbes J.M. 
Published: January 2018

It has been suggested that female broiler chickens, having lower growth potential, are overprovided with dietary protein and that they will benefit more than males from a choice between a commercial standard food and whole wheat. The need for an initial learning period, before animals make ‘correct’ dietary choices has been emphasised (Mastika and Cumming, 1987; Rose and Kyriazakis, 1991; Shariatmadari and Forbes, 1991), but the problem of predicting the amount of necessary sampling, the method of learning and consequently the length of the experience period, or how often it has to be repeated, remained to be considered.Therefore, the present experiment was designed to study whether birds need a learning period when presented with two foods, a commercial standard food (N) and whole wheat (W) in a choice feeding system.
Meal patterns in pregnancy and lactation of two spanish sheep breeds
Authors: Amor J. , Barrio J.P. , Bermúdez F.F. 
Published: January 2018

The majority of the studies on the feeding behaviour during pregnancy and lactation have been made in cows, being information on sheep scarce and generally limited to daily food intake (Bermúdez, 1989). During pregnancy and lactation variations do occur in nutrient requirements that markedly influence food intake. There is sometimes a small increase in intake in mid-pregnancy, and then a slight decline in the last few weeks before parturition is often observed (Forbes, 1970). This has been explained by the reduced ruminal function due to physical competition for abdominal space. The volume of the gravid uterus and abdominal fat contribute to compress the rumen, this effect being enhanced when bulky food is eaten. After lambing food intake always increases, but not in a way so as to match the high energy requirements of this stage. All these changes are expected to affect size and duration of meals, as well as the rate of eating.The aim of this experiment was to study the variation in eating patterns along pregnancy and lactation of two Spanish sheep breeds: Churra, a dairy breed, and Merino. The influence of the presentation of feed was also studied.
Effects on ewe and lamb performance of supplementing housed twin bearing/rearing crossbred ewes with self-help feed-blocks and liquid feed during late pregnancy and early lactation
Authors: Merrell B. G. , Marsh S. P. 
Published: January 2018

Twin-bearing crossbred ewes may be supplemented for a total period of up to 12 weeks during late pregnancy and early lactation, with feeding costs in some systems accounting for approximately 0.45 of variable costs. A less expensive mean of supplementing ewes over this period would be one practical way of reducing a major variable cost. Self-help feed-blocks have been successfully fed to hill ewes for many years and there is increasing evidence that a self-help feed-block system has applications within the more productive crossbred flocks. An experiment was undertaken which determined the effects on ewe and lamb performance of supplementing twin bearing/rearing Mule ewes with self-help feed-blocks and liquid feed during late pregnancy and early lactation. These systems were compared with the more traditional system of feeding compound nuts.Sixty six twin-bearing Scotch Mule ewes per treatment in three pens were fed a basal diet of ad libitum baled grass/clover silage (dry matter (DM) 366 g/kg, pH 5.4, NH3N 71 g/kg, crude protein (CP) 155 g/kg DM and metabolisable energy (ME) 10.1 MJ/kg DM) supplemented with either a proprietary compound sheep nut (N), a reduced rate (approximately 0.60 of N) of the compound nut plus feed-blocks (NB) or feed-blocks plus liquid feed (BL).
An evaluation of molassed sugar beet feed and distillers barley dark grains as concentrate supplements for out-wintered single-bearing hill ewes during late pregnancy
Authors: Merrell B. G. , Hyslop J. J. 
Published: January 2018

Supplementing hill ewes during late pregnancy with hay plus self-help feed-blocks is an established feeding system. However, there is considerable individual and seasonal variation in feed-block intake (Lippert and Milne, 1986) which can limit their effectiveness. This experiment evaluated an alternative system for supplementing hill ewes, during late pregnancy (6 weeks before lambing), based on molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF).One hundred and eighteen single-bearing Swaledale ewes were allocated to one of two treatments; 1. Control - supplemented with hay plus feed-blocks (HB), 2. Supplemented initially with MSBF (nuts), being replaced by a blend (50:50 fresh weight basis) of MSBF and pelleted distillers barley grains (BDG) (MSBF/BDG).The experiment commenced on 18 February 1993. Hay feeding was restricted to 300 g/head/day (HB). High energy (HE) and extra high energy (EHE) feed-blocks, were offered free access (at a rate of one block per 20 ewes). MSBF and MSBF/BDG were fed at a flat rate of 375 g/head/day. HE and MSBF were fed between 18 February and 26 March, being replaced by EHE and MSBF/BDG between 27 March and 10 May. Crude protein (g/kg dry matter (DM)) and metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM) values were 144 and 9.2; 174 and 9.4; 178 and 10.2; 108 and 12.5; 174 and 12.8 for hay, HE, EHE, MSBF and MSBF/BDG respectively. The ewes were out-wintered on hill grazings.
Effect of clover content in the diet on the performance of weaned lambs on grass/clover swards previously grazed by goats or sheep
Authors: del Pozo M. , Wright I.A. , Colgrove P. , Whyte T.K. 
Published: January 2018

The botanical species composition achieved in sown swards is largely a result of plant factors such as capacity for growth of the component species, their competitive interaction and sward canopy structure interacting with the different diet selection patterns of the grazing animals. These interactions not only control the subsequent development of plant species and their contribution to overall sward composition but also affect animal outputs.Sown swards offer a simple model to test hypotheses for understanding diet selection and foraging strategy of novel farm animal species like goats (Gordon and lllius, 1992). Their apparent selection against legumes in temperate grasslands (Clark et al., 1982), as compared to sheep, may offer opportunities for differential niche use by sheep and goats on grass/clover pastures. This could lead to increase clover contents in grass/clover swards and enhanced animal production. Previous field studies indicate that lambs in particular gain more live-weight when grazing swards with a higher clover content (Vipond et al., 1993).
Oestrous Activity and Ovulation Rate in Rasa Aragonesa Ewes Maintained at two Different Body Condition Levels
Implanted or Reimplanted in the Seasonal Anoestrus with Exogenous Melatonin
Authors: Zarazaga L. , Rondon Z. , Forcada F. , Abecia J.A. , Sanz M.A. 
Published: January 2018

The effects of melatonin implants in advancing the breeding season and enhancing both ovulation rate (OR) and litter size in the ewe are well documented (Haresign et al., 1990; López and Inskeep, 1991). Likewise, oestrous activity and OR in the early breeding season can be stimulated by a moderately and constant body condition (BC) in Mediterranean sheep breeds (Forcada et al., 1992). However, little information is available in relation to the effect of nutritional status in ewes receiving exogenous melatonin on reproductive parameters. The present study was carried out to determine the effects of a constant BC throughout the year, and implant or reimplant of exogenous melatonin on onset of oestrous activity and OR in a reduced seasonality sheep breed.The experiment was designed as a 2x2 factorial. Factors were two constant BC levels (≤2.50; L, and ≥2.75; H) and two forms of melatonin treatment (one implant -Melovine™- placed the 8th April; M, and a second implant 49 days later; 2M).
Seed germination of 53 species from the globally critically imperiled pine rockland ecosystem of South Florida, USA: effects of storage, phylogeny and life-history traits
Authors: Salazar Ana , Maschinski Joyce , Possley Jennifer , Heineman Katherine 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGermination studies at the community level are crucial for understanding and predicting changes in species distribution patterns, particularly in endangered plant communities. We investigated the effects of dry (11–25% relative humidity) and freezing (–18°C) storage conditions, phylogeny and plant life-history traits (life-form, life-span, microhabitat and seed dispersal mode) on seed germination percentage (GP) and time to reach 50% germination (T50) of 53 species native to pine rocklands in South Florida, USA, a globally critically imperiled ecosystem. Most species we studied (68%) withstood dry and freezing storage conditions and thus ex situ seed banking can assist their long-term conservation. Bayesian mixed effect models revealed that there was a significant phylogenetic signal in GP and T50 across species. Life-history covariates did not explain significant additional variation in GP in models controlling for the phylogenetic relationships among species. T50 differed among species with contrasting dispersal modes, with animal-dispersed seeds exhibiting more delayed germination than wind-dispersed or unassisted seeds. Differential germination responses across species with different seed dispersal modes have implications for potential shifts in species composition under disturbance and climate change. Thus, knowledge of species-relatedness and some life-history traits such as seed dispersal mode can significantly assist management decisions regarding seed storage and conservation of subtropical endangered plants.
Meeting the challenge of funding and allocating resources to mental health across Europe: developing the Mental Health Economics European Network
Authors: McDaid David , Knapp Martin , Curran Claire ,   THE MHEEN GROUP
Published: January 2018

SUMMARYAims – There is growing demand for economic analysis to support strategic decision-making for mental health but the availability of economic evidence, in particular on system performance remains limited. The Mental Health Economics European Network (MHEEN) was set up in 2002 with the broad objective of developing a base for mental health economics information and subsequent work in 17 countries. Methods – Data on financing, expenditure and costs, provision of services, workforce, employment and capacity for economic evaluation were collected through bespoke questionnaires developed iteratively by the Network. This was augmented by a literature review and analysis of international databases. Results – Findings on financing alone suggest that in many European countries mental health appears to be neglected while mechanisms for resource allocation are rarely linked to objective measure of population mental health needs. Numerous economic barriers and potential solutions were identified. Economic incentives may be one way of promoting change, although there is no one size fits all solution. Conclusions – There are significant benefits and synergies to be gained from the continuing development of networks such as MHEEN. In particular the analysis can be used to inform developments in Central and Eastern Europe. For instance there is much that can be learnt on both how the balance of care between institutional and non-institutional care has changed and on the role played by economic incentives in ensuring that resources were used to develop alternative community-based systems.Declaration of Interest: none of the authors have received any financial support that presents a conflict of interest.
Micropaleontological studies on the Thebes Formation of the Red Sea Coast and the Nile Valley, Egypt
Authors: Aref Mahmoud M. , Kenawy Abbas I. 
Published: January 2018

Thirty-eight species of larger foraminifera belonging to Nummulites, Operculina and Assilina are recorded, identified and systematically described from 5 stratigraphic sections of the Thebes Formation in the Red Sea Coast and the Nile Valley, Egypt.According to these species the age assigned to the Thebes Formation is Lower Eocene (Ypresian).The Nummulites species are subdivided here into 6 groups based on their evolutionary lineage following Schaub (1981). Moreover, spiral diagrams for the different species showing the relation between the number of whorls and the corresponding radius in median sections are drawn.