bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Status of rangeland resources and strategies for improvements in Nepal.
Authors: Pande R. S. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

The livelihood of the Himalayan people depends on rangeland-based livestock farming in Nepal. Above 2500 m altitude, the contribution of rangelands to livestock feed supply is more than 65%. Rangeland comprises about 11.5% of the total land resources of Nepal and over 98% are located in high mountains and Himalayan regions. Nepal is rich in biodiversity, with over 6500 species of flowering plants, including 180 species of grasses and legumes. Major rangelands vegetations are tropical (such as
Phragmites
-,
Saccharum
- and
Imperata
-type), sub-tropical (
Themeda
- and
Arundinella
-type), temperate (
Andropogon
-type), sub-alpine (
Danthonia
-type), alpine (
Kobresia
-type) and steppe. The production and productivity of rangelands are very low, ranging from 0.12 to 3.2 metric tonne (mt) dry matter (DM)/ha. Only 64% of the rangelands are accessible. Most of the rangelands are overstocked and severely grazed out. The estimated carrying capacity ranges from 0.06 to 1.4 livestock units (LU)/ha. The stocking rate on rangelands is very high - up to 37 times the carrying capacity. Indigenous techniques for rangeland management are not keeping pace with the increased livestock population. The traditionally practiced transfrontier pasturing between Tibet and Nepal has been stopped by the Tibetan/Chinese Government for Nepalese migratory herds effective from 1990, which compelled the Nepal Government to initiate various rangeland development activities to meet the feed supply for Himalayan herds. Until now, only 0.5% of the total rangelands of the high Himalayan regions have been improved. Major challenges on rangeland development/management are ownership/users' rights, illegal occupation of community rangelands as a private property, lack of basic information on rangelands, deteriorating conditions of rangelands and associated forests, poor infrastructure facilities, remoteness, ad hoc collection of grazing fees, lack of correlation between stocking rate versus carrying capacity, community awareness, lack of support services, invasion of rangelands, poor stakeholder participation, poor research and extension, high cost of development and poor supply/production of planting materials. The rangeland improvement programmes should be continued to improve the livestock-based livelihoods of the Himalayan community. Recently, Nepal has been transformed from a monarchy to a republic, and the Himalayan community are also aware of the poor situation and are demanding an equal share in developmental activities, and action should be taken to resolve the Himalayan problems through establishing a Himalayan Rangeland Board immediately.
Controlling salmon lice on farmed salmon and implications for wild salmon.
Authors: Jones S. R. M. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

This review documents the extent to which management of salmon lice (
Lepeophtheirus salmonis
) on farms has a measurable impact on the health of wild salmon. The salmon louse is a persistent and often severe parasite of farmed salmon throughout the Northern Hemisphere. High farm densities in some areas have led to lice levels within adjacent wild salmon populations that are higher than occur naturally. To minimize the additional infection pressure of the parasite on wild salmon, aquaculture industries adopt strategies of integrated pest management that include systematic monitoring, treatment, locating farms to minimize exposure to lice and maintaining optimal stock densities and single year-classes. Often these management activities are coordinated among farms within a region. A number of national or regional programmes collect and publicize salmon louse infection data from farmed and wild salmon. Some but not all management programmes show evidence of reducing infection levels on wild salmon; however, the available data are not yet sufficient to make firm conclusions regarding population effects. The local management and conservation of wild salmon populations should continue to be coordinated and integrated as the abundance of these fish is influenced by climatic, oceanographic and anthropogenic factors, including but not limited to salmon aquaculture.
Trends, drivers and impact of high food commodity prices.
Authors: Martuscelli A. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Price hikes are frequent in agricultural commodity prices, though a spike such as the 2007/2008 one had not been seen for 34 years. The causes are various in nature. There is a strong increase in the demand for industrial use and for feed use, owing to biofuel expansion and to changing diet habits in emerging countries, respectively. On the supply side, there has been a low supply response because of adverse weather conditions in some important exporting countries. As a consequence of the tight demand/supply situation, stocks are decreasing dramatically. The problem of high prices of basic food commodities exposes governments and societies to a great challenge that can only be addressed by means of a comprehensive food policy for the coming years. The challenge is to address the adverse impact of high food prices in the short run without compromising the long-run equilibrium of agricultural markets. High food prices in the short-run are very damaging for low-income groups of the population in developing countries. At the same time, high prices are an incentive for producers and extremely important for generating an aggregate supply response and to re-establish a long-run equilibrium. Agriculture is a sector where markets are far from perfect and require the presence of functioning institutions and public goods, which are lacking in most of the developing countries. There is the need to '
get institutions right
' and to undertake investments in the provision of public goods together with the right price signals. Only by putting in place these complementary policies can a situation of high prices can become an opportunity.
Developments in vaccination against bovine neosporosis.
Authors: Norton R. , Williams D. J. L. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Neospora caninum
is a major cause of bovine abortion worldwide, resulting in significant welfare implications and economic loss. Transmission of the parasite occurs via two routes: it can be transmitted transplacentally from dam to foetus, or it can be transmitted by ingestion of oocysts. There are no drugs licensed for use in cattle to control
Neospora
-associated abortions and although a vaccine is marketed in a limited number of countries, its efficacy has yet to be confirmed. Selected
Neospora
antigens have been targeted for use in subunit vaccines and have been evaluated in murine models but more work is needed to evaluate these antigens in cattle and to identify delivery methods which can provoke the pro-inflammatory immune response required for protective immunity. Cattle persistently infected with
N. caninum
are capable of transmitting the parasite to their offspring following recrudescence of infection during pregnancy, but they appear immune to exogenous challenge. The complex host-parasite interactions surrounding this phenomenon are not, at this stage, understood well enough to consider developing a vaccine against endogenous transplacental transmission. However, with our current knowledge, a vaccine that protects a pregnant cow against infection with oocysts and hence prevents exogenous transplacental transmission and abortion, is more feasible and an attractive prospect. This review looks at the issues surrounding development of a vaccine against bovine neosporosis such as live versus subunit vaccines, the difficulties in finding appropriate vaccine candidates and delivery systems and the complex balance of the immune response surrounding infection and pregnancy.
Electronic Algorithmic Prediction of Central Vascular Catheter Use
Authors: Hota Bala , Harting Brian , Weinstein Robert A. , Lyles Rosie D. , Bleasdale Susan C. , Trick William ,   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters
Published: November 2009

Objective.To develop prediction algorithms for the presence of a central vascular catheter in hospitalized patients with use of data present in an electronic health record. Such algorithms could be used for measurement of device utilization rates and for clinical decision support rules.Design.Criterion standard.Setting.John H. Stroger, Jr, Hospital of Cook County, a 464-bed public hospital in Chicago, Illinois.Participants.Patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit from May 31, 2005 through June 26, 2006 (derivation data set, May 31, 2005-September 28, 2005; validation data set, September 29, 2005-June 28, 2006).Methods.Covariates were collected from the electronic medical record for each patient; the outcome variable was presence of a central vascular device. Multivariate models were developed using the derivation set and the generalized estimating equation. Three models, each with increasing database requirements, were validated using the validation set. Device utilization ratios and performance characteristics were calculated.Results.Although Charlson score and duration of intensive care unit stay were significant predictors in all models, factors that indicated use or presence of a central line were also important. Device utilization rates derived from the algorithmic models were as accurate as those obtained using manual sampling.Conclusions.Automated calculation of central vascular catheter use is both feasible and accurate, providing estimates statistically similar to those obtained using manual surveillance. Prediction modeling of central vascular catheter use may enable automated surveillance of bloodstream infections and enhance important prevention interventions, such as timely removal of unnecessary central lines.
Dynamical fluctuations in dense granular flows
Authors: Gardel Emily , Sitaridou E. , Facto Kevin , Keene E. , Hattam K. , Easwar Nalini , Menon Narayanan 
Published: November 2009

We have made measurements of force and velocity fluctuations in a variety of dense, gravity-driven granular flows under flow conditions close to the threshold of jamming. The measurements reveal a microscopic state that evolves rapidly from entirely collisional to largely frictional, as the system is taken close to jamming. On coarse-grained time scales, some descriptors of the dynamics—such as the probability distribution of force fluctuations, or the mean friction angle—do not reflect this profound change in the micromechanics of the flow. Other quantities, such as the frequency spectrum of force fluctuations, change significantly, developing low-frequency structure in the fluctuations as jamming is approached. We also show evidence of spatial structure, with force fluctuations being organized into local collision chains. These local structures propagate rapidly in the flow, with consequences far away from their origin, leading to long-range correlations in velocity fluctuations.
MicroRNA identity and abundance in porcine skeletal muscles determined by deep sequencing
Authors: Nielsen M. , Hansen J. H. , Hedegaard J. , Nielsen R. O. , Panitz F. , Bendixen C. , Thomsen B. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNA) are short single‐stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post‐transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of target mRNAs. MiRNAs participate in the regulation of myogenesis, and identification of the complete set of miRNAs expressed in muscles is likely to significantly increase our understanding of muscle growth and development. To determine the identity and abundance of miRNA in porcine skeletal muscle, we applied a deep sequencing approach. This allowed us to identify the sequences and relative expression levels of 212 annotated miRNA genes, thereby providing a thorough account of the miRNA transcriptome in porcine muscle tissue. The expression levels displayed a very large range, as reflected by the number of sequence reads, which varied from single counts for rare miRNAs to several million reads for the most abundant miRNAs. Moreover, we identified numerous examples of mature miRNAs that were derived from opposite sides of the same predicted precursor stem‐loop structures, and also observed length and sequence heterogeneity at the 5′ and 3′ ends. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis suggested that highly expressed miRNAs are involved in skeletal muscle development and regeneration, signal transduction, cell‐cell and cell‐extracellular matrix communication and neural development and function.
Identification of polymorphisms in the ovine Shadow of prion protein (SPRN) gene and assessment of their effect on promoter activity and susceptibility for classical scrapie
Authors: Lampo E. , Duchateau L. , Schepens B. , Van Poucke M. , Saelens X. , Erkens T. , Van Zeveren A. , Peelman L. J. 
Published: November 2009

Summary Shadow of prion protein (SPRN) is an interesting candidate gene thought to be involved in prion pathogenesis. In humans, an association has already been discovered between mutations in SPRN and the incidence of variant and sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease. However, in sheep, the effect of mutations in SPRN is largely unknown. Therefore, we analysed the presence of mutations in the entire ovine SPRN gene, their association with scrapie susceptibility and their effect on SPRN promoter activity. In total, 26 mutations were found: seven in the promoter region, four in intron 1, seven in the coding sequence and eight in the 3′ untranslated region. The mutations detected in the coding sequence and the promoter region were subsequently analysed in more detail. In the coding sequence, a polymorphism causing a deletion of two alanines was found to be associated with susceptibility for classical scrapie in sheep. Furthermore, a functional analysis of deletion constructs of the ovine SPRN promoter revealed that the region 464 to 230 bp upstream of exon 1 (containing a putative AP‐2 and putative Sp1 binding sites) is of functional importance for SPRN transcription. Six mutations in the SPRN promoter were also found to alter the promoter activity in vitro. However, no association between any of these promoter mutations and susceptibility for classical scrapie was found.
Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses reveal population differentiation in Brazilian Creole sheep
Authors: Gonçalves G. L. , Moreira G. R. P. , Freitas T. R. O. , Hepp D. , Passos D. T. , Weimer T. A. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryUsing ND5 sequences from mtDNA and 10 nuclear markers, we investigated the genetic differentiation of two South American Creole sheep phenotypes that historically have been bred in different biomes in southern Brazil. In total, 18 unique mtDNA haplotypes were detected, none of which was shared between the two phenotypes. Bayesian analysis also indicated two different groups (k = 2). Thus, these varieties are supported as being genotypically distinct. This situation could have resulted either from geographical isolation, associated with differences in the cultural habits of sheep farmers and in the way that flocks were managed, or more likely, from the introduction of different stocks four centuries ago.
Assessment of cattle genetic introgression into domestic yak populations using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers
Authors: Qi X. B. , Jianlin H. , Wang G. , Rege J. E. O. , Hanotte O. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryHybridization between yak Poephagus grunniens and taurine Bos taurus or indicine B. indicus cattle has been widely practiced throughout the yak geographical range, and gene flow is expected to have occurred between these species. To assess the impact of cattle admixture on domestic yak, we examined 1076 domestic yak from 29 populations collected in China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Russia using mitochondrial DNA and 17 autosomal microsatellite loci. A cattle diagnostic marker‐based analysis reveals cattle‐specific mtDNA and/or autosomal microsatellite allele introgression in 127 yak individuals from 22 populations. The mean level of cattle admixture across the populations, calculated using allelic information at 17 autosomal microsatellite loci, remains relatively low (mYcattle = 2.66 ± 0.53% and Qcattle = 0.69 ± 2.58%), although it varies a lot across populations as well as among individuals within population. Although the level of cattle admixture shows a clear geographical structure, with higher levels of admixture in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau and Mongolian and Russian regions, and lower levels in the Himalayan and Pamir Plateau region, our results indicate that the level of cattle admixture is not significantly correlated with the altitude across geographical regions as well as within geographical region. Although yak‐cattle hybridization is primarily driven to produce F1 hybrids, our results show that the subsequent gene flow between yak and cattle took place and has affected contemporary genetic make‐up of domestic yak. To protect yak genetic integrity, hybridization between yak and cattle should be tightly controlled.
Prenatal phthalate exposure and reduced masculine play in boys
Authors: Swan S. H. , Liu F. , Hines M. , Kruse R. L. , Wang C. , Redmon J. B. , Sparks A. , Weiss B. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryFoetal exposure to antiandrogens alters androgen‐sensitive development in male rodents, resulting in less male‐typical behaviour. Foetal phthalate exposure is also associated with male reproductive development in humans, but neurodevelopmental outcomes have seldom been examined in relation to phthalate exposure. To assess play behaviour in relation to phthalate metabolite concentration in prenatal urine samples, we recontacted participants in the Study for Future Families whose phthalate metabolites had been measured in mid‐pregnancy urine samples. Mothers completed a questionnaire including the Pre‐School Activities Inventory, a validated instrument used to assess sexually dimorphic play behaviour. We examined play behaviour scores (masculine, feminine and composite) in relationship to (log10) phthalate metabolite concentrations in mother’s urine separately for boys (N = 74) and girls (N = 71). Covariates (child’s age, mother’s age and education and parental attitude towards atypical play choices) were controlled using multivariate regression models. Concentrations of dibutyl phthalate metabolites, mono‐n‐butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono‐isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and their sum, were associated with a decreased (less masculine) composite score in boys (regression coefficients −4.53,−3.61 and −4.20, p = 0.01, 0.07 and 0.04 for MnBP, MiBP and their sum respectively). Concentrations of two urinary metabolites of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), mono‐(2‐ethyl‐5‐oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono‐(2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and the sum of these DEHP metabolites plus mono(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate were associated with a decreased masculine score (regression coefficients −3.29,−2.94 and −3.18, p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.04) for MEHHP, MEOHP and the sum respectively. No strong associations were seen between behaviour and urinary concentrations of any other phthalate metabolites in boys, or between girls’ scores and any metabolites. These data, although based on a small sample, suggest that prenatal exposure to antiandrogenic phthalates may be associated with less male‐typical play behaviour in boys. Our findings suggest that these ubiquitous environmental chemicals have the potential to alter androgen‐responsive brain development in humans.
The roles of statistical inference and historical sources in understanding landscape change: the case of feral buffalo in the freshwater floodplains of Kakadu National Park
Authors: Bowman David M. J. S. , Prior Lynda D. , Williamson Grant 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe statistical analysis of Bowman et al. (Journal of Biogeography, 2008, 35, 1976–1988) revealed the weak relationship between the rate of woody cover encroachment onto the freshwater floodplains in the central section of Kakadu National Park (KNP) over a 40‐year period and estimates of proximate water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) density. The analysis relied on detailed mapping of buffalo tracks, the best historical record of spatial variation of buffalo density in KNP. In their reply, Petty & Werner (Journal of Biogeography, 2009, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02185.x) prefer to privilege an amalgam of historical sources to claim that buffalo removal is the primary driver of the woody expansion on floodplains. The contrasting weight placed on data analysis and differences of interpretation underscore a tension between statistically based historical ecology approaches and environmental history narratives, a tension that forms part of the broader cultural clash between the Sciences and Humanities.
Diffuse liver diseases in neonatal and pediatric liver transplant candidates: a pictorial essay
Authors: Caruso Settimo , Mamone Giuseppe , Marrone Gianluca , Milazzo Mariapina , Carollo Vincenzo , Miraglia Roberto , Maruzzelli Luigi , Minervini Marta Ida , Spada Marco , Riva Silvia , Luca Angelo , Gridelli Bruno 
Published: November 2009

Caruso S, Mamone G, Marrone G, Milazzo M, Carollo V, Miraglia R, Maruzzelli L, Minervini MI, Spada M, Riva S, Luca A, Gridelli B. Diffuse liver diseases in neonatal and pediatric liver transplant candidates: a pictorial essay. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 450–458. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  A wide spectrum of common and uncommon diffuse liver diseases affecting neonatal and pediatric liver transplant candidates is presented and analyzed using 16 and 64 multi‐detector row helical CT (MDCT) and 1.5 T MRI fast imaging. Correlation of imaging findings and explanted liver or histology is illustrated in representative cases. Associated uncommon congenital anomalies are shown. In conclusion, in pediatric liver transplant candidates, 16‐MDCT and 1.5 T fast MRI are useful for diagnosis and staging of liver disease, as well as for the evaluation of associated congenital anomalies.
The high‐risk recipient: the Eighth Annual American Society of Transplant Surgeons’ State‐of‐the‐Art Winter Symposium
Authors: Sung Randall S. , Pomfret Elizabeth A. , Andreoni Kenneth A. , Baker Talia B. , Peters Thomas G. 
Published: November 2009

Sung RS, Pomfret EA, Andreoni KA, Baker TB, Peters TG. The high‐risk recipient: the Eighth Annual American Society of Transplant Surgeons’ State‐of‐the‐Art Winter Symposium. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 23–28. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The evolution of organ transplantation has produced results so successful that many transplant programs commonly see recipients with medical risks, which in the past, would have prohibited transplantation. The Eighth Annual American Society of Transplant Surgeons State‐of‐the‐Art Winter Symposium focused on the high‐risk recipient. The assessment of risk has evolved over time, as transplantation has matured. The acceptance of risk associated with a given candidate today is often made in consideration of the relative value of the organ to other candidates, the regulatory environment, and philosophical notions of utility, equity, and fairness. In addition, transplant programs must balance outcomes, transplant volume, and the costs of organ transplantation, which are impacted by high‐risk recipients. Discussion focused on various types of high‐risk recipients, such as those with coronary artery disease, morbid obesity, and hepatitis C; strategies to reduce risk, such as down‐staging of hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment of pulmonary hypertension; the development of alternatives to transplantation; and the degree to which risk can or should be used to define candidate selection. These approaches can modify the impact of recipient risk on transplant outcomes and permit transplantation to be applied successfully to a greater variety of patients.