bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasive plant impacts on soil properties, nutrient cycling, and microbial communities.
Authors: Grant T. A., III , Paschke M. W. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

This chapter reviews the processes and interactions by which exotic plant species alter the physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics of soil and provide a basis for applying these concepts to innovative soil management strategies that can reduce dominance of invasive plants and conserve diverse, functioning natural ecosystems. The impacts of invasive species on soil and selection of methods to manage soil processes for invasive species control are discussed.
What are alternative systems for poultry?
Authors: Fröhlich E. K. F. , Niebuhr K. , Schrader L. , Oester H. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

By the late 1960s, poultry production had developed from a small-scale rural enterprise to an economically important branch of agriculture. Flock sizes increased and production systems, for hygienic and economic reasons, became more intensive. Rearing and housing of laying hens took place in conventional cages. At the same time, public concern for intensively housed birds began to increase, particularly following publications such as Animal Machines written by Ruth Harrison in 1964. New animal protection laws came into force and agriculture was forced to adapt to the welfare concerns of consumers. Alternative systems for housing laying hens that provided greater freedom of movement and facilities for natural behaviour including the use of the third dimension (perching, nesting) were developed. Production systems for meat birds were introduced that, in addition to higher space allowances, specified maximum rates of growth and feed ingredients. Time alone will show which type of system for poultry egg or meat production will survive the evolving social and economic pressures on producers and consumers.
The impact of legislation and assurance schemes on alternative systems for poultry welfare.
Authors: Pritchard D. G. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Whereas a wide range of policy instruments - legal, economic, education and publicity - are available to effect changes in production systems, legislation and market-led assurance schemes have been the main forces used to protect and enhance the welfare of farm animals. The Conventions of the Council of Europe (COE) and their Recommendations focused on the provisions of resources and duty of care to meet the needs of animals. They are part of the aquis of the European Union (EU) and are incorporated into some national legislations as well as being used as the basis for private standards. The European single market harmonized welfare and health rules, methods of production and labelling for hen's eggs and chicken meat, so allowing consumers to buy foods with known provenance. The EU responded with a legal framework from 'farm to fork' to secure food safety, animal health and welfare. Farmers, food processors and large retailers sought to provide evidence of the quality of their products by private assurance schemes not only to meet new obligations for due diligence but also to gain commercial advantage. These schemes often merely reflected minimum legal standards but some also focused on improved health, welfare or environmental provisions. Membership of assurance schemes is associated with better compliance with legal standards in Great Britain. The EU WELFAREQUALITY project concluded that assurance schemes usually had impact only at a niche market level. The EU ban on conventional cages for hens in 2012 has had the greatest political and economic impact on poultry in Europe. Some countries banned enriched cages ahead of the deadline, despite scientific evidence that supported continued use of enriched cages. New EU legislation to improve the quality of care of intensively kept meat chickens was novel in limiting stocking densities by measuring welfare outcomes at abattoirs. The COE Recommendations on geese, turkeys, ducks and Muscovies have been implemented by national rules and private codes of practice which are often used to support assurance schemes. Major impacts have been on traditional systems through the ban on live plucking of feathers from geese and on gavage and individual cages for the production of foie gras.
Housing and management of layer breeders in rearing and production.
Authors: Thiele H. H. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Housing and management of layer breeders has to be done in an optimal way otherwise farmers waste their genetic potential and high economic value. A good start secured by optimal brooding conditions, excellent feed quality and appropriate management in the early life of chicks is a prerequisite. The development of sufficient eating capacities during the later rearing period and a fine-tuned light stimulation ensures a good start into the production phase. Furthermore they have to be adjusted to the different housing systems for layer breeders and via a fitting vaccination schedule prepared to react to the different disease challenges in their production environment. Once in production, the nutrient requirements of the birds have to be secured by a phased feeding programme. Good hatching egg quality can be achieved when avoiding floor eggs and by appropriate egg handling.
Nutritional challenges of alternative production systems.
Authors: MacLeod M. G. , Bentley J. S. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Many of the nutritional challenges posed by alternative systems can be addressed by application of existing scientific knowledge. However, regulations applied to alternative systems may limit the nutritionist's freedom of action, particularly with regard to the ingredients which can be used to formulate diets. Practical comments on meeting the nutrition-related stipulations of the various regulations are included in the present chapter. It is possible to formulate diets without animal protein, potentially genetically modified organisms (e.g. soybean and maize products) and synthetic amino acids, but it is difficult to attain nutritional optima. On the positive side, in free range systems, the bird's nutritional inputs may be enhanced by access to forage plants and animals. Also, there is clearly greater scope for the bird to be provided with food in ways that give greater opportunities for a repertoire of feeding behaviour, such as feedstuff choice. Some alternative systems may increase the bird's energy requirements because of increased expenditure of energy on physical activity and on thermoregulation in a cooler environment. Since there is so much scope for variation in environmental factors in alternative systems, nutritional decisions may have to be made on an iterative basis, meaning that cooperation between the producer and the nutritionist may be the key to success. This is particularly true where there are strict regulatory limitations on rate of growth or final body weight. There is a tendency for alternative systems to have a greater ecological impact than conventional systems, largely because of the lower efficiency of nutrient utilization. This chapter comments on nutritional methods of helping to reduce environmental impact.
Genotype-environment interaction: breeding layers with different requirements for varying housing systems.
Authors: Icken W. , Schmutz M. , Preisinger R. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

In addition to conventional selection criteria like egg production, feed conversion and egg quality, traits related to animal welfare have become more important in Europe and North America. To improve these traits and simultaneously capture performance data in non-cage environments hen-specifically, the Weihenstephan funnel nest box (FNB) was developed. The FNB captures egg production and egg quality data individually as well as nesting behaviour traits. A comparison of performance parameters from full siblings, tested in single bird cages and the FNB, leads back to potential genotype-environment interactions that will determine which testing system should be mainly used in the future for continuous improvement of egg production and egg quality. Low genetic correlations between full siblings, tested in varying housing systems, were estimated for egg number during the main laying periods. Otherwise, high genetic correlations and therefore no potential genotype-environment interactions could be assumed for the traits egg weight and egg number at the beginning of production. An additional breeding tool which has the potential to improve selection traits, regardless of the housing system, is genome-wide selection. Therefore, phenotypic performance recording must first be established for new traits before markers can be applied. Due to all these assumed effects, for a comprehensive performance testing with an evaluation of birds, consequent selection and reproduction of the best layers, layer breeding companies should implement hen-specific tests in non-cage systems in their breeding programmes.
Distinguishing between erythema multiforme major and Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis immunopathologically
Authors: IWAI Shinsaku , SUEKI Hirohiko , WATANABE Hideaki , SASAKI Yosuke , SUZUKI Takao , IIJIMA Masafumi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe early clinical presentations of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are similar to that of erythema multiforme major (EMM). Cytotoxic molecules, especially granulysin, are expressed in the skin lesions of SJS/TEN and cause extensive keratinocyte death. It is postulated that the function of regulatory T cells (Treg) in SJS/TEN is inadequate. This study examined whether an immunohistological examination of cytotoxic molecules and the immunophenotype of Treg is useful for discriminating SJS from EMM in the early period. Over the past 9 years, the lesional skin of 14 patients with SJS/TEN and 16 patients with EMM was biopsied. Double immunofluorescence labeling of CD8 and granulysin, perforin, or granzyme B was performed, and immunohistochemical analyses of granulysin, perforin, granzyme B, CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68 and Foxp3 were conducted using a highly sensitive indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The number of cells positive for each antibody per five high‐power fields was counted. The proportions of granulysin+ cells/CD8+ cells (P = 0.012) and perforin+ cells/CD8+ cells (P = 0.037) in SJS/TEN were significantly higher than in EMM. The number of Foxp3+ cells/five high‐power fields in SJS/TEN was significantly lower than in EMM (P = 0.004). Similarly, the number of CD4+ cells/five high‐power fields in SJS/TEN was significantly lower than in EMM (P = 0.0017). These data suggest that these panels of antibodies for labeling cytotoxic molecules, CD4 and Treg are useful for discriminating early SJS/TEN and EMM with a skin biopsy.
Virus variants with differences in the P1 protein coexist in a Plum pox virus population and display particular host‐dependent pathogenicity features
Authors: MALIOGKA VARVARA I. , SALVADOR BEATRIZ , CARBONELL ALBERTO , SÁENZ PILAR , LEÓN DAVID SAN , OLIVEROS JUAN CARLOS , DELGADILLO MA OTILIA , GARCÍA JUAN ANTONIO , SIMÓN‐MATEO CARMEN 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYSubisolates segregated from an M‐type Plum pox virus (PPV) isolate, PPV‐PS, differ widely in pathogenicity despite their high degree of sequence similarity. A single amino acid substitution, K109E, in the helper component proteinase (HCPro) protein of PPV caused a significant enhancement of symptom severity in herbaceous hosts, and notably modified virus infectivity in peach seedlings. The presence of this substitution in certain subisolates that induced mild symptoms in herbaceous hosts and did not infect peach seedlings suggested the existence of uncharacterized attenuating factors in these subisolates. In this study, we show that two amino acid changes in the P1 protein are specifically associated with the mild pathogenicity exhibited by some PS subisolates. Site‐directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that both substitutions, W29R and V139E, but especially W29R, resulted in lower levels of virus accumulation and symptom severity in a woody host, Prunus persica. Furthermore, when W29R and V139E mutations were expressed concomitantly, PPV infectivity was completely abolished in this host. In contrast, the V139E substitution, but not W29R, was found to be responsible for symptom attenuation in herbaceous hosts. Deep sequencing analysis demonstrated that the W29R and V139E heterogeneities already existed in the original PPV‐PS isolate before its segregation in different subisolates by local lesion cloning. These results highlight the potential complexity of potyviral populations and the relevance of the P1 protein of potyviruses in pathogenesis and viral adaptation to the host.
Consistent patterns in diatom assemblages and diversity measures across water‐depth gradients from eight Boreal lakes from north‐western Ontario (Canada)
Authors: KINGSBURY MELANIE V. , LAIRD KATHLEEN R. , CUMMING BRIAN F. 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Until recently, the distribution of diatom species assemblages and their attributes (e.g. species richness and evenness) in relation to water depth have been identified but not quantified, especially across several lakes in a region. Here, we examined diatom assemblages in the surface sediment across a water‐depth gradient in eight small, boreal lakes in north‐western Ontario, minimally disturbed by human activities.2. Surface‐sediment diatom assemblages were collected within each lake along a gentle slope from near‐shore to the centre deep basin of the lake, at a resolution of ∼1 m water depth. Analysis of sedimentary samples provided an integrated view of assemblages that were living in the lake over several years and enabled a high‐resolution analysis of many lakes. The study lakes ranged in water chemistry, morphology and size and are located along an east–west transect approximately 250 km long in north‐western Ontario (Canada).3. The majority of diatom species were distributed along a continuum of depth, with those taxa having similar habitat requirements forming distinct, though overlapping, assemblages. Three major zones of diatom assemblages in each lake were consistently identified: (i) a near‐shore assemblage of Achnanthes (sensu lato), Nitzschia, Cymbella (sensu lato) and other benthic species; (ii) a mid‐depth assemblage of small Fragilaria (sensu lato)/small Aulacoseira and various Navicula taxa; and (iii) a deep‐water assemblage of planktonic origin (mainly Discotella spp.).4. The depth of the transition between assemblage zones varied between the eight lakes. The boundary between the deep‐water planktonic zone and the mid‐depth benthic zone varied according to water chemistry and was probably related to light attenuation. The boundary was deeper in lakes with the lower dissolved organic carbon and total phosphorus (TP) (i.e. less light attenuation) and vice versa.5. Generally, species richness, species evenness and turnover rate of species as a function of depth were significantly lower in the planktonic assemblage zone in comparison with the two zones nearer the shore. Reproducibility of species and assemblage distributions across the depth gradient of the lakes illustrated that, despite potential for sediment transport, detailed ecological characterisation of diatom species can be gleaned from sedimentary data. Such data are often lacking, particularly for near‐shore benthic species.
Liminality as a framework for understanding the experience of cancer survivorship: a literature review
Authors: Blows Emma , Bird Lydia , Seymour Jane , Cox Karen 
Published: March 2012

blows e., bird l., seymour j. & cox k. (2012) Liminality as a framework for understanding the experience of cancer survivorship: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(10), 2155–2164.AbstractAims.  To report a narrative review of literature that drew on the concept of liminality as a framework for understanding the cancer experience. In doing so, we explored the utility of liminality for guiding research on experiences of cancer survivorship.Background.  The ‘rites of passage’ model uses the concept of liminality to explore transition. Taking cancer survivorship as a process, liminality may facilitate our understanding of this phenomenon.Data sources.  Searches of Medline, PsycInfo, British Nursing Index, Cinahl, ASSIA, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and British Library databases were conducted, covering 1985–2011. Search terms were cancer and liminal* or rite* of passage.Design.  A narrative review, using a textual narrative approach, was undertaken to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.Review methods.  Studies were arranged into groups according to the stage of the cancer trajectory on which they focused. Findings from each study were presented to highlight facets of the liminal experience at each stage.Results.  Ten studies were included for review. Liminality depicts the ambiguity and uncertainty often experienced by people affected by cancer. Although liminality appears useful for understanding experiences of cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and the period following active treatment, little research has explored the concept with respect to long‐term survivorship.Conclusion.  Gaps in current evidence highlight the need for additional research to ascertain the utility of liminality for understanding experiences of long‐term survivorship. Research exploring the personal and social implications of living a liminal life, at all stages of the cancer trajectory, is also warranted.
Reducing serious fall‐related injuries in acute hospitals: are low‐low beds a critical success factor?
Authors: Barker Anna , Kamar Jeannette , Tyndall Tamara , Hill Keith 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim.  This article is a report of a study of associations between occurrence of serious fall‐related injuries and implementation of low‐low beds at The Northern Hospital, Victoria, Australia.Background.  A 9‐year evaluation at The Northern Hospital found an important reduction in fall‐related injuries after the 6‐PACK falls prevention program was implemented. Low‐low beds are a key component of the 6‐PACK that aims to decrease fall‐related injuries.Design.  A retrospective cohort study.Methods.  Retrospective audit of The Northern Hospital inpatients admitted between 1999–2009. Changes in serious fall‐related injuries throughout the period and associations with available low‐low beds were analysed using Poisson regression.Results.  During the observation of 356,158 inpatients, there were 3946 falls and 1005 fall‐related injuries of which 60 (5·9%) were serious (55 fractures and five subdural haematomas). Serious fall‐related injuries declined significantly throughout the period. When there was one low‐low bed to nine or more standard beds there was no statistically significant decrease in serious fall‐related injuries. An important reduction only occurred when there was one low‐low bed to three standard beds.Conclusion.  The 6‐PACK program has been in place since 2002 at The Northern Hospital. Throughout this time serious fall‐related injuries have decreased. There appears to be an association between serious fall‐related injuries and the number of available low‐low beds. Threshold numbers of these beds may be required to achieve optimal usability and effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial is required to give additional evidence for use of low‐low beds for injury prevention in hospitals.
A review of the measurement properties of the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) to determine its suitability for use in an alcohol‐dependent population
Authors: MCPHERSON A. , MARTIN C. R. 
Published: March 2012

Accessible summary
The findings from this study reveal that the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring quality of life in a variety of populations. This facilitates the decision making of nurses and other health professionals which in turn aids them to utilize the SF‐36 with added confidence and assurance.
The main finding was that the SF‐36 would probably be a reliable and valid screening tool in an alcohol‐dependent population. This finding is important to those practitioners using or about to embark to use the SF‐36 in this population in that it provides further evidence to enhance their practical and research experience.
AbstractA psychometric evaluation of the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) was undertaken in contemporary studies to assess its suitability for use in an alcohol‐dependent population. Three criteria were used to try and determine this: factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability. Factor analysis revealed that it is mainly consistent with a bidimensional model, internal consistency reliability showed that it consistently provided scores above the recommended threshold and test–retest reliability of the SF‐36 highlights that it too provided higher than suggested scores. A conclusion was reached recommending the SF‐36 as a reliable screening tool in an alcohol‐dependent population, but this is given in caution as no studies were found analysing the instrument in this population.
Founder and present maternal diversity in two endangered Spanish horse breeds assessed via pedigree and mitochondrial DNA information
Authors: Álvarez I. , Fernández I. , Lorenzo L. , Payeras L. , Cuervo M. , Goyache F. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryPedigree information and 179 mtDNA sequences from two endangered Spanish horse breeds, the Asturcón pony (143) and the Mallorquí horse (36), were analysed to asses: (i) the pedigree and molecular maternal genetic diversity of the two breeds; (ii) the concordance between the dam lines recorded in the corresponding studbooks and the mtDNA haplotypes identified; and (iii) to assess the losses of maternal genetic variability occurred from the foundation of the studbooks to present. Up to 50 Asturcón and 18 Mallorquí founder dam lines were identified in the studbooks analysed. Up to 315 Asturcón mares and 51 Mallorquí mares that foaled in the last 5 years of recording formed a reference population. Only 35 Asturcón and 13 Mallorquí founder dam lines were represented in their reference populations. Sequences from a total of 38 Asturcón and 12 Mallorquí dam lines could be obtained. The 179 sequences obtained gave 15 different haplotypes, 11 and 9 of them being identified, respectively, in the Asturcón pony and in the Mallorquí horse. Five different haplotypes (roughly two‐thirds of the sequences) were shared by the two horse breeds. Most dam lines analysed had a single mtDNA haplotype. However, more than one haplotype was detected within eight of the dam lines in Asturcón pony. The found inconsistencies are likely to result from deficiencies in genebank management. The maternal Ne (mNe) computed using the dam line information was higher in the Asturcón pony (20.5) than in the Mallorquí horse (15.9), while these figures were on the opposite direction for the haplotypic line information (6.4 and 9.4, respectively). The ratio of the computed mNe values to the actual number of founder dam lines were always higher in the Mallorquí horse probably due to a more balanced distribution of individuals kept for reproduction among studs. Consequences for the conservation programmes of the analysed breeds are discussed.