bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Costs and Benefits of Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change
Authors: Wreford Anita , Moran Dominic , Moxey Andrew , Andy Evans K. , Fox Naomi , Glenk Klaus , Hutchings Mike , McCracken Davy I. , McVittie Alistair , Mitchell Malcolm , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Wall Eileen 
Published: August 2015

SummaryA changing climate will inevitably impact on the natural environment, including agriculture. Anticipatory adaptation is necessary to minimise the negative impacts of climate change, to take advantage of opportunities, and to ensure that food and fibre production is maintained. More detailed information is required as to which adaptation measures will yield relatively greater social rates of return. Such information would help define an efficient adaptation agenda in the agricultural sector. This article identifies key adaptation strategies across England's agricultural sector, and applies cost–benefit analysis to these to determine their net present values, highlighting where the greatest returns can be made, and the role for policy. The results span a wide range, with some soil management activities indicating a negative NPV of £122 million over the course of this century, to a positive NPV of £3,279 million in the case of some livestock adaptations to heat stress. Animal disease surveillance and peatland restoration also generated high NPVs of £1,850 million and £1,840 million, respectively. Adaptations addressing crop disease, water storage measures and managed coastal realignment generated more modest values ranging from £1 million to £61 million. Direct comparison of the numbers is misleading however as some refer to the national level while others are site‐specific. The analysis provides a basis for a discussion on priorities and planning for adaptation in the agricultural sector.
Mitigating Climate Change and the Role of Innovation and Productivity: An American Perspective
Authors: Salois Matthew Jude 
Published: August 2015

SummaryWith increasing global demand for animal protein, strategies for mitigating climate change are paramount to policymakers as well as the dairy and livestock industries. This article examines the role of technology and innovation in animal production as a strategy towards climate change mitigation and feeding a growing and wealthier world population. It focuses on the ability to produce more food with fewer resources as a means of reducing the environmental impact of the dairy and livestock industries. Environmental sustainability can be maintained and increased through an agricultural system that is highly productive through efficient use of natural resources. But the key to harnessing the societal and environmental benefits of an efficient and sustainable agri‐food sector is addressing political and media impediments, often advanced on the basis of inaccurate information and data. Safe, regulated and proven innovations in the form of products, practices and genetics are currently available to farmers to produce livestock foods more sustainably. The main policy challenge is the enabling of this innovation, so as to expand choices in the adoption of agricultural technology. This will involve the public and private sector confronting and correcting the misleading biases that persist in the media on agricultural and food technology.
What is the Meat and Livestock Industry Doing to Reduce its Impact on Climate Change?
Authors: Guinot Caroline , Huang Hsin , Legg Wilfrid 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe meat and livestock industry is frequently criticised for its greenhouse gas emissions, directly from livestock production itself and indirectly from animal feed production, part of which is linked to deforestation undertaken to produce livestock feed. One of the most influential critiques was in FAO's Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental issues and options. FAO has since revised downwards its estimate of livestock's share of GHG emissions from 18 to 14.5% and the organisation now argues that livestock can be part of the solution to climate change. The meat and livestock industry is actively involved in multi‐stakeholder actions to design cost effective mitigation strategies tailored to the diversity and complexity of the sector and the broad range of services that livestock provides. Improving environmental performance is a high priority for the meat and livestock industry. Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production have fallen through implementing more climate‐friendly practices and by continually exploring new initiatives meat products provide. The meat and livestock industry is a vital global industry and it has been estimated that 1 billion poor people derive part of their livelihood from livestock production.
Regional Blue and Green Water Balances and Use by Selected Crops in the U.S.
Authors: White Michael , Gambone Marilyn , Yen Haw , Arnold Jeff , Harmel Daren , Santhi Chinnasamy , Haney Richard 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe availability of freshwater is a prerequisite for municipal development and agricultural production, especially in the arid and semiarid portions of the western United States (U.S.). Agriculture is the leading user of water in the U.S. Agricultural water use can be partitioned into green (derived from rainfall) and blue water (irrigation). Blue water can be further subdivided by source. In this research, we develop a hydrologic balance by 8‐Digit Hydrologic Unit Code using a combination of Soil and Water Assessment Tool simulations and available human water use estimates. These data are used to partition agricultural groundwater usage by sustainability and surface water usage by local source or importation. These predictions coupled with reported agricultural yield data are used to predict the virtual water contained in each ton of corn, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans produced and its source. We estimate that these four crops consume 480 km3 of green water annually and 23 km3 of blue water, 12 km3 of which is from groundwater withdrawal. Regional trends in blue water use from groundwater depletion highlight heavy usage in the High Plains, and small pockets throughout the western U.S. This information is presented to inform water resources debate by estimating the cost of agricultural production in terms of water regionally. This research illustrates the variable water content of the crops we consume and export, and the source of that water.
RANZCOG CREI Consensus Statement on treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Authors: Kwik Michele , Karia Sonal , Boothroyd Clare 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an uncommon but important iatrogenic condition associated with considerable morbidity and a small risk of mortality.This document gathers the consensus of a group of fertility subspecialists to aid health professionals in the development of protocols and guidelines for the management of women with OHSS.AimTo produce evidence‐based consensus statements on the treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).MethodsThe CREI Consensus Group met in 2013 and 2014 and identified issues for inclusion and review. Review of the available evidence was conducted and consensus statements prepared. Areas of dissent of expert opinion and for further research were noted.ResultsThere is a paucity of good data regarding the treatment of this condition, and much of the treatment is supportive in nature. Most of the management recommendations are based on good clinical practice points, rather than evidence from randomised trials.ConclusionOHSS is an uncommon but serious condition for which there are a number of proven preventative strategies. Once OHSS is present, the treatment of OHSS is mainly supportive, and more research is required to elucidate treatment options targeted specifically at the main causative factors, to better treat the condition.
Lamellar changes in the keratoconic cornea
Authors: Mathew Jessica H. , Goosey John D. , Söderberg Per G. , Bergmanson Jan P. G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify ultrastructural changes associated with ectasia and to determine the association between lamellar count and corneal thinning.MethodsFive surgically removed keratoconic corneal buttons and four, non‐keratoconic, normal eye bank control corneas were processed for transmission electron microscopy using an established protocol, ensuring minimal tissue distortion. A sequence of overlapping digital images, spanning the full apical cone corneal thickness, was assembled. A seamless digital montage was printed at 5000× magnification. Lamellae were counted in the anterior–posterior orientation, along a linear line, using established criteria for identification of individual lamellae.ResultsThe stromal thickness estimated as a 95% confidence interval for the mean, CI (0.95), in the keratoconic corneas was 372 ± 62 μm, while in the normal cornea, it was 446 ± 89 μm. All keratoconic corneas showed ultrastructural evidence of lamellar splitting and a loss of interweaving anterior lamellae. In the keratoconic corneas, the median total linear stromal lamellar absolute count tangential to the corneal surface was 362, (25th percentile; 75th percentile) = (355; 365) lamellae and in the normal cornea, 246, (25th percentile; 75th percentile) = (239; 251). The linear lamellar density in the keratoconic corneas was estimated as CI (0.95) 117 ± 22 and 86 ±19 lamellae per 100 μm in the anterior and posterior portion of the stroma, respectively. In normal cornea, the linear lamellar density was estimated as CI (0.95) 51 ± 8 and 80 ± 20 lamellae per 100 μm. The mean difference of linear lamellar count between the anterior and the posterior portion of the cornea was estimated as CI (0.95) 31 ± 23 for keratoconic corneas and −29 ± 28 for the normal corneas.ConclusionsThe current morphometric analysis of ultrastructural changes suggests that ectasia and thinning in keratoconus is associated with lamellar splitting into multiple bundles of collagen fibrils and loss of anterior lamellae. These structural changes, possibly in addition to lateral shifting of lamellae due to the pressure gradient over the cornea, are a potential explanation to the central loss of mass.
Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study
Authors: Sahm Laura J. , Kelly Maria , McCarthy Suzanne , O'Sullivan Ronan , Shiely Frances , Rømsing Janne 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimFever and febrile illness are some of the most common conditions managed by parents. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents around fever in children under five years of age.MethodsBetween July and August 2014, a convenience sample of parents was invited to participate in this study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results were analysed thematically using a constant comparison method.ResultsTwenty‐one parents participated in the study. Five themes emerged from the data: parental concern, help‐seeking behaviour, parental knowledge, parent fever management practices and initiatives. Parents used a range of information sources to obtain their knowledge on management of fever; however, due to issues of trust with these sources, reassurance was often sought from healthcare practitioners. There was a desire amongst most parents for initiatives to be introduced which provide general information on how to manage fever in children.ConclusionParents were very concerned when their child was febrile and instigated practices obtained from accessible information sources. This study has identified a need for specific and reliable information initiatives to be introduced as a means of reducing parental concern and ensuring evidence‐based strategies for managing a child with fever.
Effects of grass forage species and long‐term period of low quality forage diet feeding on growth performance, nutrient utilization and microbial nitrogen yield in growing wether lambs
Authors: Kim Da‐Hye , Choi Ki‐Choon , Song Sang‐Houn , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSix growing lambs were used to evaluate the feeding value of two forage‐based diets in a long‐term feeding period by measuring body weight (BW) gain, digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention and microbial N (MBN) yield. The animals were fed imported low‐quality timothy hay (TH) with concentrate diet (THD) or imported low‐quality Italian ryegrass straw (IR) with concentrate diet (IRD) for 9 months. The forages were offered at 2% BW, and concentrate was fed at 40% of forage intake. The BW gain averaged 82.6 and 66.2 g/day for THD and IRD, respectively, without showing significant difference. Average forage intake (% BW) was significantly greater for IR than for TH, although it was not affected by feeding periods. The digestibility did not differ between diets or periods. The numerically greater (P = 0.06) ratio of retained N to absorbed N for IRD than that for THD was prominent. Neither diet nor period had significant effect on MBN supply and efficiency of MBN synthesis. The results suggest that the IR‐based diet can be also used for long‐term periods of feeding to growing ruminant animals as a grass hay‐based diet without any detrimental effects on nutrient utilization and growth performance.
Pathophysiological evaluation of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) by continuous ruminal pH monitoring
Authors: Sato Shigeru 
Published: August 2015

AbstractEvaluation of the radio‐transmission pH‐measurement system for monitoring the ruminal pH and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle is described. This is done in order to reveal the possible application of this system for detection and pathophysiological research of SARA by continuous ruminal pH measurement. The possibility of using this system for assessment of the ruminal pH in SARA cattle, and the presence of negative correlation between the ruminal pH and ruminal temperature in heathy and SARA cattle were determined. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analysis showed that the ruminal microbial community was simpler in SARA cattle, and the bacterial numbers in SARA cattle were lower than those in healthy hay‐fed cattle. Concentrate feeding might have reduced the diversity of the ruminal microbial community. Changes in the ruminal microbial community of SARA cattle might be related to the changes in ruminal pH followed by the decrease in the number of some bacteria. Continuous monitoring of the ruminal pH using the radio‐transmission pH‐measurement system would be applied for detection and prevention of SARA in the field and pathophysiological research of SARA, including ruminal zymology and bacteriology, which have been determined previously by sampling of the ruminal fluid and measuring of ruminal pH.
Change of fatty acid composition of the lumbar longissimus during the final stage of fattening in the Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Honda Takeshi , Ishida Takafumi , Kobayashi Ikuo , Oguri Yusuke , Mizuno Yuto , Mannen Hideyuki , Iwaisaki Hiroaki , Kuge Shiro , Saito Kunihiko , Oyama Kenji 
Published: August 2015

AbstractConsideration of the shortened fattening period seems to be worthwhile for the realization of profitable beef production. In this study, change of fatty acid composition of the lumbar longissimus during the final stage of fattening was investigated in Japanese Black cattle. Each of 110 fattening animals was sampled three times: the initial two samples were taken by biopsy (25.7 months and 27.5 months on average) and the final one was from carcasses (29.9 months on average). Preliminary analysis indicated that removing muscle tissues from the constant body position of the living animals should be essential for sampling. Average monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) at three sampling points were 58.1%, 58.5% and 60.5%, and the differences of the third sampling with the first and second samplings were significant. Both in steers and heifers, MUFA also increased as the fattening stage proceeded, and MUFA of the heifers at all the sampling points were significantly higher than those of the steers. The increasing rate of MUFA rose from 0.21 percentage points (pp)/month at period 1 (from the first sampling to the second sampling) to 0.84 pp/month at period 2 (from the second sampling to the slaughter).
Distribution of radioactive cesium and its seasonal variations in cattle living in the "difficult‐to‐return zone" of the Fukushima nuclear accident
Authors: Sato Itaru , Sasaki Jun , Satoh Hiroshi , Deguchi Yoshitaka , Otani Kumiko , Okada Keiji 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe amount of radioactive cesium in various tissues of cattle which lived in the highly contaminated area designated as the "difficult‐to‐return zone", was measured in May and December of 2014. The average concentration of radioactive cesium in the skeletal muscles ranged from 3900 to 5500 Bq/kg, and there was no significant difference between May and December. The sirloin (in December), tenderloin and top round (in May and December) showed significantly higher concentrations of cesium than the neck muscle, which is generally used for the radioactivity inspection. The Longus colli muscle, which is also used for the inspection in some institutions, showed the same radioactivity as the neck muscle. Study results indicated that relative cesium concentrations in internal organs were higher in May compared to December. There were high correlations of cesium concentration between the blood and other tissues. However, regression coefficients between the blood and muscles were significantly higher in December than those in May. When radioactivity in the neck or Longus colli muscles between 50 to 100 Bq/kg is detected, the slaughtered cattle should be re‐inspected using another muscle, such as top round or sirloin, to prevent marketing of meat that violates the criteria of the Food Sanitation Act.
Social network aided plagiarism detection
Authors: Zrnec Aljaž , Lavbič Dejan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe prevalence of different kinds of electronic devices and the volume of content on the Web have increased the amount of plagiarism, which is considered an unethical act. If we want to be efficient in the detection and prevention of these acts, we have to improve today's methods of discovering plagiarism. The paper presents a research study where a framework for the improved detection of plagiarism is proposed. The framework focuses on the integration of social network information, information from the Web, and an advanced semantically enriched visualization of information about authors and documents that enables the exploration of obtained data by seeking of advanced patterns of plagiarism. To support the proposed framework, a special software tool was also developed. The statistical evaluation confirmed that the employment of social network analysis and advanced visualization techniques led to improvements in the confirmation and investigation stages of the plagiarism detection process, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the plagiarism detection process.
Using repertory grid techniques to measure change following dialectical behaviour therapy with adults with learning disabilities: two case studies
Authors: McNair Louisa , Woodrow Ceri , Hare Dougal 
Published: August 2015

Accessible summary

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can be adapted for individuals with learning disabilities. DBT aims to teach people how to control their feelings, communicate with other people, manage distress and be more self‐aware.

This article presents the case studies of two adults with learning disabilities who completed DBT and shows how their opinions of themselves and others changed.

The results discussed include overall change in construing, changes in self‐esteem and changes in dilemmas they had about themselves before DBT.

AbstractBackground: Government strategy indicates that individuals with learning disabilities should have access to adapted psychological therapies. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is recommended for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD); however, there is little published research regarding whether it can be appropriately adapted for adults with learning disabilities. The research available primarily focuses on measures of behavioural and psychiatric change, with little emphasis on the psychological changes that occur.Materials and Methods: Two case studies are presented that using repertory grid technique, based on personal construct psychology (PCP). Both individuals completed repertory grids prior to, and following, adapted DBT for adults with learning disabilities within a specialist community psychology service in the United Kingdom.Results: The case studies show some of the psychological changes that have occurred within adults with learning disabilities who received adapted DBT within a community psychology service. Changes included altered self‐esteem and dilemmas individuals have about themselves.Conclusion: The contrasting case studies demonstrate the complexity and idiosyncrasy of the experiences of individuals with learning disabilities who receive DBT, and discuss how this information can be integrated into clinical practice.
A RE‐EXAMINATION OF REAL INTEREST PARITY IN CEECs USING ‘OLD’ AND ‘NEW’ SECOND‐GENERATION PANEL UNIT ROOT TESTS
Authors: Albulescu Claudiu Tiberiu , Pépin Dominique , Tiwari Aviral Kumar 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThis study applies ‘old’ and ‘new’ second‐generation panel unit root tests to check the validity of the long‐run real interest rate parity (RIP) hypothesis for ten Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) with respect to the Euro area and an average of the CEECs’ real interest rates. When the ‘new’ panel unit root tests are carried out relative to the Euro area rate as reference, we confirm the results of previous studies that support the RIP hypothesis, and the results of the ‘old’ tests used as a benchmark. Nevertheless, when the ‘new’ tests are performed using the average of the CEECs’ rate as reference, our results are mitigated, revealing that the hypothesis of CEECs’ interest rates convergence cannot be taken for granted. From a robustness analysis perspective, our findings indicate that the RIP hypothesis for CEECs should be considered with caution, because the RIP hypothesis is sensitive to the retained reference rate for computing the real interest rate differential, and also to the retained countries in the sample.
GROWTH EFFECTS OF INFLATION UNDER THE PRESENCE OF INFORMALITY
Authors: Asfuroglu Dila , Elgin Ceyhun 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTIn this paper we build an endogenous growth model in which the informal economy is subject to a cash‐in‐advance constraint along with physical capital accumulation and consumption. In this setting, we find that inflation generally adversely affects long‐run growth. However; this effect strongly interacts with the size of the informal economy. Specifically, the negative effect becomes milder (and can even be positive) under the presence of a large informal economy. Moreover, using an annual cross‐country panel data set of 161 countries over the period 1950‐2010 we also provide some empirical support for the mechanism of our theory.