bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenocortical activity in South American camelids
Authors: Arias N , Requena M , Palme R 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe welfare and productivity of South American camelids may be affected by stressful events. The purpose of this study was to validate a non-invasive method for stress monitoring using faecal samples and to apply it to evaluate a stressful event, such as confinement. For physiological validation, nine alpacas(Vicugna pacos)and six llamas(Lama glama)were subjected to pharmacological stimulation of their adrenal cortex. Serial faecal samples were collected during 48 h before and after stimulation. During confinement, faecal samples from six llamas were collected twice per day during six consecutive days. Faeces belonging to 18 vicuñas(Vicugna vicugna)were collected before and one day after their capture for confinement(Chacu). Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were extracted from each sample and quantified by an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay. Thirty-three and 28 h (median) after ACTH stimulation, FCM concentrations peaked with a ten- and eight-fold increase (median) above baseline in alpacas and llamas, respectively. There were no significant differences in FCM concentrations between sexes. In llamas, FCM concentrations peaked (4.7 times higher than baseline) after five days of confinement in females and after three days (2.7 times) in males. In vicuñas, three times higher FCM levels were observed the day after the start of confinement (in comparison to the starting values). Based on our findings, this non-invasive method is well suited to measure adrenocortical activity in alpacas, llamas and vicuñas. Thus, this method could help to improve management, handling and welfare in wild and domesticated South American camelids.
The effect of pre-stun shocks in electrical water-bath stunners on carcase and meat quality in broilers
Authors: Rao MA , Knowles TG , Wotton SB 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe objective of this study was to identify the extent of pre-stun shocks in a commercial broiler processing plant and to collect any evidence of their effect on broiler carcase and meat quality. The results showed that the degree of bird movement on entry to the water-bath was related to the incidence of pre-stun shocks, with heavier male birds showing less movement and correspondingly lower levels of pre-stun shocks. In a separate trial, 500 birds identified as receiving a pre-stun shock were compared with 500 control birds (no pre-stun shock). They were assessed for carcase downgrading conditions, red wing tips, wing haemorrhages, shoulder haemorrhages, breast muscle haemorrhages, the incidence of broken pectoral bones and also for meat quality defects. All downgrading conditions were subjectively assessed using photographic standards. The results of this study have shown that the incidence of pre-stun shocks has a significant effect both on carcase downgrading conditions and on meat quality. Pre-stun shocks are preventable and the poultry processing industry can improve both bird welfare and carcase and meat quality by ensuring that they do not occur.
Assessment time of the Welfare Quality®protocol for dairy cattle
Authors: de Vries M , Engel B , den Uijl I , van Schaik G , Dijkstra T , de Boer IJM , Bokkers EAM 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe Welfare Quality®(WQ) protocols are increasingly used for assessing welfare of farm animals. These protocols are time consuming (about one day per farm) and, therefore, costly. Our aim was to assess the scope for reduction of on-farm assessment time of the WQ protocol for dairy cattle. Seven trained observers quantified animal-based indicators of the WQ protocol in 181 loose-housed and 13 tied Dutch dairy herds (herd size from 10 to 211 cows). Four assessment methods were used: avoidance distance at the feeding rack (ADF, 44 min); qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA, 25 min); behavioural observations (BO, 150 min); and clinical observations (CO, 132 min). To simulate reduction of on-farm assessment time, a set of WQ indicators belonging to one assessment method was omitted from the protocol. Observed values of omitted indicators were replaced by predictions based on WQ indicators of the remaining three assessment methods, resources checklist, and interview, thus mimicking the performance of the full WQ protocol. Agreement between predicted and observed values of WQ indicators, however, was low for ADF, moderate for QBA, slight to moderate for BO, and poor to moderate for CO. It was concluded that replacing animal-based WQ indicators by predictions based on remaining WQ indicators shows little scope for reduction of on-farm assessment time of the Welfare Quality®protocol for dairy cattle. Other ways to reduce on-farm assessment time of the WQ protocol for dairy cattle, such as the use of additional data or automated monitoring systems, should be investigated.
Assessing the safety of collars used to attach predation deterrent devices and ID tags to pet cats
Authors: Calver MC , Adams G , Clark W , Pollock KH 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCollar-worn deterrents reduce predation by cats while collar-mounted ID enhances return of lost animals. A perception that collars are hazardous limits their use. We defined cases as ‘collar incidents’ (cat snagged its collar or caught a paw), ‘collar injuries’ (veterinary treatment needed for a collar incident), and ‘collar deaths’ (cat died), before integrating data from veterinarians, owners from the general public and owners from a welfare society. Despite biases associated with each of these groups, taken together, the results from these indicated that collar injuries or deaths are rare. Interviews with one hundred and seven veterinarians indicated an average rate of one collar injury observed per 2.3 years of veterinary practice. At one practice, over three years, only 0.33% of 4,460 cat cases were collar injuries, while 180 cat cases at four clinics during August and November 2011 included none. The 63 owners from the general public reported only one collar injury and no deaths in a lifetime of ownership, although 27% experienced collar incidents. In contrast, 22% reported cats needing treatment following road accidents, 53% reported cats needing treatment for fighting injuries and 62% had owned cats killed on the road.Most(62%) of the 55 respondents from a cat welfare society had experienced a collar incident, but only two cats needed treatment. One died. In contrast, 31 and 58% reported cats needing treatment for road accidents and fighting, respectively, and 41% had owned cats killed on the road. Fighting and road accidents are greater hazards to roaming cats than collars, which offer the compensatory benefits of mounting predation deterrents and ID tags.
47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome: Clinical characteristics and age‐specific recommendations for medical management
Authors: Aksglaede Lise , Link Katarina , Giwercman Aleksander , Jørgensen Niels , Skakkebæk Niels E , Juul Anders 
Published: January 2013

Abstract47,XXY (Klinefelter syndrome) is the most frequent sex chromosomal disorder and affects approximately one in 660 newborn boys. The syndrome is characterized by varying degrees of cognitive, social, behavioral, and learning difficulties and in adulthood additionally primary testicular failure with small testes, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, tall stature, and eunuchoid body proportions. The phenotype is variable ranging from “near‐normal” to a significantly affected individual. In addition, newborns with Klinefelter syndrome generally present with a normal male phenotype and the only consistent clinical finding in KS is small testes, that are most often not identified until after puberty. Decreased awareness of this syndrome among health professionals and a general perception that all patients with 47,XXY exhibit the classic textbook phenotype results in a highly under‐diagnosed condition with up to 75% of the patients left undetected. Typically, diagnosis is delayed with the majority of patients identified during fertility workup in adulthood, and only 10% of patients diagnosed prior to puberty. Early detection of this syndrome is recommended in order to offer treatment and intervention at the appropriate ages and stages of development for the purpose of preventing osteopenia/osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, and other medical conditions related to hypogonadism and to the XXY as well as minimizing potential learning and psychosocial problems. The aim of this review is to present the clinical aspects of XXY and the age‐specific recommendations for medical management. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three‐component Synthesis of Functionalized N‐Protected Tetrasubstituted Pyrroles by an Addition‐Elimination‐Aromatization Process
Authors: Magar Dhananjay R. , Ke Yi‐Jiun , Chen Kwunmin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA three‐component, one‐pot, synthesis of N‐protected tetrasubstituted pyrroles has been developed by treating nitroallylic acetates with an amine and a β‐keto ester mediated by ceric ammonium nitrate in MeOH. By this method, a diverse array of N‐protected pyrrole 2,4‐dicarboxylic acid derivatives have been synthesized in 37–76 % yield. The reactions proceed smoothly through an interesting SN2’ displacement and aromatization process.
Engineering the Mesopores of Fe3O4@Mesosilica Core–Shell Nanospheres through a Solvothermal Post‐Treatment Method
Authors: Yang Yan , Liu Jia , Bai Shiyang , Li Xiaobo , Yang Qihua 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA solvothermal post‐treatment method was developed to synthesize Fe3O4@mesosilica core–shell nanospheres (CSNs) with a well‐preserved morphology, mesoporous structure, and tunable large pore diameters (2.5–17.6 nm) for the first time. N,N‐Dimethylhexadecylamine (DMHA), which was generated in situ during the heat‐treatment process, was mainly responsible for this pore‐size enlargement, as characterized by NMR spectroscopy. This pore‐size expansion can be strengthened with the aid of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), whilst the nature of the surface of the Fe3O4@mesosilica CSNs can be easily modified with trimethylsilyl groups during the pore‐size‐expansion process. The hydrophobicity of the Fe3O4@mesosilica CSNs increased for the enlarged mesopores and the adsorption capacity of these CSNs for benzene (up to 1.5 g g−1) is the highest ever reported for Fe3O4@mesosilica CSNs. The resultant Fe3O4@mesosilica CSNs (pore size: 10 nm) showed a 3.6‐times higher adsorption capacity of lysozyme than those without the pore expansion (pore size: 2.5 nm), thus making them a good candidate for loading large molecules.
Supramolecular Polymerization of C3‐Symmetric Organogelators: Cooperativity, Solvent, and Gelation Relationship
Authors: Aparicio Fátima , García Fátima , Sánchez Luis 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA systematic study of the influence of solvent and the size of C3‐symmetric discotics on their supramolecular polymerization mechanism is presented. The cooperativity of the self‐assembly of the reported compounds is directly related to their gelation ability. The two series of C3‐symmetric discotics investigated herein are based on benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamides (BTAs) and oligo(phenylene ethynylene)‐based tricarboxamides (OPETAs) that are peripherally decorated with achiral (1 a and 2 a) or chiral N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3,4,5‐trialkoxybenzamide units (1 b and 2 b). The supramolecular polymerization of compounds 1 a,b and 2 a,b has been exhaustively investigated in a number of solvents and by using various techniques: variable‐temperature circular dichroism (VT‐CD) spectroscopy, concentration‐dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The supramolecular polymerization mechanism of compounds 2 is highly cooperative in solvents such as methylcyclohexane and toluene and is isodesmic in CHCl3. Unexpectedly, chiral compound 1 b is practically CD‐silent, in contrast with previously reported BTAs. ITC measurements in CHCl3 demonstrated that the supramolecular polymerization of BTA 1 a is isodesmic. These results confirm the strong influence of the π‐surface of the central aromatic core of the studied discotic and the branched nature of the peripheral side chains on the supramolecular polymerization. The gelation ability of these organogelators is negated in CHCl3, in which the supramolecular polymerization mechanism is isodesmic.
Monomer and Dimer of Mono‐titanium(IV)‐Containing α‐Keggin Polyoxometalates: Synthesis, Molecular Structures, and pH‐Dependent Monomer–Dimer Interconversion in Solution
Authors: Matsuki Yusuke , Mouri Yuki , Sakai Yoshitaka , Matsunaga Satoshi , Nomiya Kenji 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPowder and crystalline samples of the monomer (Et2NH2)5[α‐PW11TiO40]·2H2O (EtN‐1) and a crystalline sample of the μ‐oxo dimer (Et2NH2)8[(α‐PW11TiO39)2O]·6H2O (EtN‐2) of mono‐titanium(IV)‐containing α‐Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), FTIR, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, and solid‐state cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) 31P NMR and solution (31P and 183W) NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the dimeric polyoxoanion with a μ‐oxo group in 2 was determined for the first time. The monomer–dimer equilibrium in solution was clarified by pH‐varied 31P NMR spectroscopy.
Advanced techniques for constrained internal coordinate molecular dynamics
Authors: Wagner Jeffrey R. , Balaraman Gouthaman S. , Niesen Michiel J. M. , Larsen Adrien B. , Jain Abhinandan , Vaidehi Nagarajan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractInternal coordinate molecular dynamics (ICMD) methods provide a more natural description of a protein by using bond, angle, and torsional coordinates instead of a Cartesian coordinate representation. Freezing high‐frequency bonds and angles in the ICMD model gives rise to constrained ICMD (CICMD) models. There are several theoretical aspects that need to be developed to make the CICMD method robust and widely usable. In this article, we have designed a new framework for (1) initializing velocities for nonindependent CICMD coordinates, (2) efficient computation of center of mass velocity during CICMD simulations, (3) using advanced integrators such as Runge–Kutta, Lobatto, and adaptive CVODE for CICMD simulations, and (4) cancelling out the “flying ice cube effect” that sometimes arises in Nosé–Hoover dynamics. The Generalized Newton–Euler Inverse Mass Operator (GNEIMO) method is an implementation of a CICMD method that we have developed to study protein dynamics. GNEIMO allows for a hierarchy of coarse‐grained simulation models based on the ability to rigidly constrain any group of atoms. In this article, we perform tests on the Lobatto and Runge–Kutta integrators to determine optimal simulation parameters. We also implement an adaptive coarse‐graining tool using the GNEIMO Python interface. This tool enables the secondary structure‐guided “freezing and thawing” of degrees of freedom in the molecule on the fly during molecular dynamics simulations and is shown to fold four proteins to their native topologies. With these advancements, we envision the use of the GNEIMO method in protein structure prediction, structure refinement, and in studying domain motion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
QMX: A versatile environment for hybrid calculations applied to the grafting of Al2Cl3Me3 on a silica surface
Authors: Kerber Torsten , Kerber Rachel Nathaniel , Rozanska Xavier , Sautet Philippe , Fleurat‐Lessard Paul 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe present a new software to easily perform QM:MM and QM:QM' calculations called QMX. It follows the subtraction scheme and it is implemented in the Atomic Simulation Environment (ASE). Special attention is paid to couple molecular calculations with periodic boundaries approaches. QMX inherits the flexibility and versatility of the ASE package: any combination of methods namely force field, semiempirical, first principle, and ab initio, can be used as hybrid potential energy surface (PES). Its ease of use is demonstrated by considering the adsorption of Al2Cl3Me3 on silica surface and by combining different levels of theory (from standard DFT to MP2 calculations) for the so‐called High Level cluster with standard PW91 density functional theory calculations for the Low Level environment. It is shown that the High Level cluster must contain the silanol group close to the aluminum atoms. The bridging adsorption is favored by 58 kJ mol−1 at the MP2:PW91 level with respect to the terminal position. Using large clusters at the MP2:PW91 level, it is shown that PW91 calculations are sufficient for structure optimization but that embedded methods are required for accurate energy profiles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
e‐Government in the Age of Social Media: An Analysis of the Canadian Government's Use of Twitter
Authors: Small Tamara A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPolitical actors in Canada are using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The Canadian government has been lauded for its success in the online delivery of services, but it has been criticized for not employing the Internet for more democratic purposes, and little attention has been paid to this most recent development. This article examines the extent to which Twitter is being used by Canadian government departments and agencies. It asks whether governmental use of Twitter fits into previous patterns of service delivery oriented e‐government or whether it is taking advantage of the possibility for democratic interaction afforded by social media. Based on a content analysis of Government of Canada tweets, the paper finds that service delivery characterizes government tweets and shows how nominal a commitment the Canadian government has made to using Twitter as part of its well‐established and lauded e‐government strategy.
Transmission of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (Heterophyidae) to common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is independent of density of fish and trematodes
Authors: Boerlage A.S. , Graat E.A.M. , Verreth J.A. , de Jong M.C.M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractFish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) can cause major human health problems. The aim of this study was to quantify the transmission of parapleurolophocercous cercariae to common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and to study the effect of the density of cercariae and the density of fish on transmission with respect to the volume of water and surface area of the bottom. Fish were kept individually either as controls (n= 91) or were exposed to 250 cercariae in tubes with a volume of 25, 50, 100, 250 or 500 ml water (n= 190) with a surface area of 4, 12, 21, 30 or 49 cm2 (n= 195). The dose to which the fish were exposed was kept constant. Infection occurred in 94–100% of fish, with a mean of 15–18 metacercariae per fish and the proportion of FZTs established at 0.06–0.07 metacercariae per cercariae per fish. Neither the prevalence of infection with FZTs nor the number of metacercariae per fish nor the proportion of FZTs established were significantly associated with differences in the density of cercariae or the density of fish per ml water or per cm2 surface area. Thus, it was concluded that the transmission of cercariae to fish is independent of density.
Wealth accounting, ecological capital and ecosystem services
Authors: Barbier Edward B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper develops a methodology for including ecosystem services in a wealth accounting framework. Accounting for ecosystems and their services leads to adjusting net domestic product (NDP) for the direct benefits provided by the current stock of ecosystems but not for their indirect contributions in terms of protecting or supporting economic activity, property and human lives. When ecosystems are irreversibly converted for economic development, NDP must be further modified to reflect any capital revaluation that occurs with the current conversion of ecological capital to other land uses. The risk of collapse also requires adjustments to NDP, as any capital revaluation associated with ecosystem conversion must be adjusted for this risk, and the discounted minimum value of ecosystems associated with collapse must be subtracted from NDP. These various contributions of ecological capital to wealth accounts are illustrated with the example of mangroves in Thailand over the period 1970–2009.
Wheat Quality Requirements for Char Siew Bao Made from Australian Soft Wheat
Authors: Limley Heri Ann , Crosbie Graham Bruce , Lim Kay Kong , Williams Hannah Grace , Diepeveen Dean Aris , Solah Vicky Ann 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTAustralia exports 75% of the wheat produced annually, and the Asian region is an important export market for Australian wheat. These markets require suitable quality grain for use in wheat‐based products, so the understanding of wheat end products from an Asian consumer point of view is important. The major wheat quality requirements for char siew bao, a Chinese Guangdong‐style steamed bun, were determined. The research 1) developed laboratory methods for the production and assessment of char siew bao using a scoring system; 2) optimized the new methods and compared the new methods with a traditional method; and 3) used the new validated methods in an investigation of the role of soft wheat quality on char siew bao. A sponge‐and‐dough method with 1 hr fermentation time was developed to establish a simplified laboratory method for char siew bao production. The screening experiments and response surface methodology experiments showed that water addition, sugar, and sponge mixing time were responsible for 69% of the variation in total score. Dough strength was the most important parameter affecting char siew bao quality, followed by flour swelling volume, protein content, and dough extensibility. Both protein and starch quality were important determinants of char siew bao quality.
Taxonomic circumscription of heterogeneous species Neogoniolithon brassica‐florida (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in Japan
Authors: Kato Aki , Baba Masasuke , Suda Shoichiro 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe nongeniculate species Neogoniolithon brassica‐florida (Harvey) Setchell et Mason is circumscribed as a polymorphic species with various gross morphologies due to it being synonymized with several previous species. However, small subunit rDNA and cox1 analyses showed that N. brassica‐florida was polyphyletic, and strongly imply that crustose species lacking any protuberances such as Neogoniolithon fosliei (Heydrich) Setchell et Mason and species with protuberances or branches such as N. brassica‐florida and N. frutescens (Foslie) Setchell et Mason should be treated as genetically different groups (species). Therefore, we propose the resurrection of N. frutescens. We also confirmed that N. trichotomum was distinguished from N. frutescens by slender uniform diameter branches, a conceptacle with a prominent ostiole, and large cox1 interspecific sequence differences. Male and female reproductive structures of N. trichotomum were illustrated for the first time. Neogoniolithon fosliei, was divided into three clades, each of which was recognized as a species complex based on interspecific level sequence differences within clade and morphological differences. Therefore, we treated the clade most similar to N. fosliei as N. fosliei complex (Clade B), and the other clades as respective complexes of N. cf. fosliei with yellow conceptacles (Clade A) or N. cf. fosliei with large conceptacles (Clade C). Of two species complexes (Clade A and B) were morphologically consistent with two entities of N. fosliei previously reported in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, which is supported by their niche partitioning. DNA barcoding research of nongeniculate corallines can promote the finding of more reliable taxonomic characters and the understanding of their biological aspects.