bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image analysis in morphological animal evaluation: a group for the development of new techniques in zoometry
Authors: Zehender G. , Cordella L.P. , Chianese A. , Ferrara L. , del Pozzo A. , Barbera S. , Bosticco A. , Negretti P. , Bianconi G. , Balestra G. Filippi , Tonielli R. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThe aim of the project is to seek new and more reliable methodologies to survey morphological parameters in domestic animals. The study describes the traditional tools adopted until today in the field of Zoometry and reports the methods independently set up by different research units, now combined into a single one. The approach was different in different applications but based on the same basic steps: video or photo shooting, computerised scanner image processing, achievement of precise body measurements and evaluation of the animals. The accuracy of the system was compared with the body measurements obtained manually and the results gave maximum difference of 1.1%. When warm carcass percentage was estimated by body measurements the observed error was 2.5%. The advantages of these new techniques are considerable, in terms of both accuracy of measurements and capability to survey new morphological parameters such as angles and surfaces, which are presently not measurable. The potentialities of the methodologies discussed allow more exact criteria of evaluation for the domestic and wild animals also when they are in natural living conditions. Moreover, the way is now opened to an improvement of the image acquisition techniques to calculate a tridimensional matrix.
The use of DNA markers in deciding conservation priorities in sheep and other livestock
Authors: Crawford A. M. , Littlejohn R.P. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe genetic diversity of most livestock species is reducing and it is not possible to preserve all livestock breeds. In order to preserve as much of the genetic diversity as possible we must first have a robust method of measuring the genetic differences between breeds. The analysis of microsatellite allele frequency is now the method of choice. Using sheep as an example, this paper describes the methods used for both microsatellite amplification and the analysis of the data once it has been collected.
Conservation of farm animal biodiversity: history and prospects
Authors: Hodges J. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources (AGR) is now recognized as a legitimate activity of public concern in which inter-governmental, governmental, non-governmental and private sectors are involved. Livestock breeds became threatened on a large scale only in the second half of the 20th century. They are now recognized as a significant human heritage resulting from domestication whose loss would deplete the quality of human life. Conservation as a conscious and organized activity is therefore a new item on the public agenda. This paper traces the origin of livestock conservation from the Vision in the 1950s and 1960s through the awakening of the environmental movement with the creation of UNEP in 1972, followed by the development of a Joint Conservation Infrastructure and Programme for animal genetic resources in the 1980s by FAO and UNEP.The paper describes the context, participants, constraints, opposition and activities of building the AGR Conservation Infrastructure and Programme. Although the concept of conservation was opposed by some and there were both financial and political difficulties, an effective institutional infrastructure for conservation was built by FAO by 1990 using UNEP funds. In 1992, the advent of the Convention on BioDiversity offered substantial funding for project activities for the first time through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). At that point it was desirable to move activities from central planning to the design, funding and operation of local or national conservation projects. “Top-down” institutional control should have been replaced by “Bottom-up” conservation activities. Regrettably this did not happen during the 1990s and, as shown by successive editions of the World Watch List, the number of endangered livestock breeds has continued to increase. Now that the conservation vision is accepted and the institutional infrastructures are in place it is time for a new dynamic by creating and funding specific conservation projects which harness the local human resources of knowledge and enthusiasm.
A world wide emergency programme for the creation of national genebanks of endangered breeds in animal agriculture
Authors: Groeneveld E. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryIn response to the rapid loss of animal genetic resources, a world wide emergency program is proposed to create national genebanks on the basis of somatic cells. Contrary to other procedures, like storing deep frozen semen or embryos, collection and storage of somatic cells can be done cheaply and rapidly for any species. Only in this way can an emergency store of animal genetic resources be created fast enough to forestall the ongoing rapid erosion of animal biodiversity. While animals can already be produced from somatic cells for 10 species, this number will continue to rise in the future. A layered strategy is proposed which is based on collection and storage within individual countries, thus leaving execution of the program, responsibility and ownership of these national cryobanks with those countries. After a pilot study, more country genebanks could be created as funds become available. With a limited effort, the creation of a network of national genebanks of last resort are a realistic option.
The population of laying hens loses important genes: a case history
Authors: Sørensen P. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe switch from keeping laying hens in a floor or free range system into a cage system led to a considerable change in the way that breeding and selection took place. In the past 40–50 years up to the present date, the increase in genetic improvement of the egg laying trait was substantial. However, cage-adapted populations of laying hens seem to have lost some of their abilities to an adequate performance when returned to the old floor\free range systems. The strong concentration of all parts of the poultry production has meant that less than 10 international breeding companies supply most hens for laying purposes in the world and they have very little interest in developing genetic material for the West-European region where there are marked consumer preferences for eggs produced in non-cage systems. A particular Danish line, of White Leghorn origin named “The Skalborg hen” seems to have survived during an era of cage production system and they seems to have a production potential at farm level.
Conducting Rapid Health Needs Assessments in the Cluster Era: Experience from the Pakistan Flood
Authors: Dar Osman A. , Khan Mishal S. , Murray Virginia 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDue to its unprecedented scale, the Pakistan flood disaster tested the limits of disaster management and coordination. Under the leadership of the World Health Organization, the Global Health Cluster system for coordinating activities improved collaboration and efficiency in conducing rapid needs assessments. However, the involvement of non-Cluster members was lacking, and information on existing service provision was not collected adequately. The present rapid health needs assessment process under the Cluster system will be discussed, using the recent floods in Pakistan as an example.
FLOWS AND INVARIANCE FOR DEGENERATE ELLIPTIC OPERATORS
Authors: TER ELST A. F. M. , ROBINSON DEREK W. , SIKORA ADAM 
Published: August 2011

AbstractLetSbe a sub-Markovian semigroup onL2(ℝd) generated by a self-adjoint, second-order, divergence-form, elliptic operatorHwithW1,∞(ℝd) coefficientsckl, and let Ω be an open subset of ℝd. We prove that ifeither C∞c(ℝd) is a core of the semigroup generator of the consistent semigroup onLp(ℝd) for somep∈[1,∞] or Ω has a locally Lipschitz boundary, thenSleavesL2(Ω) invariant if and only if it is invariant under the flows generated by the vector fields ∑dl=1ckl∂lfor allk. Further, for allp∈[1,2] we derive sufficient conditions on the coefficients for the core property to be satisfied. Then by combination of these results we obtain various examples of invariance in terms of boundary degeneracy both for Lipschitz domains and domains with fractal boundaries.
Stoping and the mechanisms of emplacement of the granites in the Western Ring Complex of the Galway granite batholith, western Ireland
Authors: Leake Bernard Elgey 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe western end of the Galway granite batholith demonstrates the importance of stoping as a granite emplacement process, which is currently controversial, and also of space generation by uplift of the centre of a ring complex. The granite rings are shown (with a coloured 1:25 000 geological map) to be consanguineous, near coeval, and older than the 407–410 Ma late molybdenite mineralisation. A newly-recognised Mace–Ards granite, around and injected by the Aplitic Murvey-type granite of the ring core (both lacking hornblende and titanite), has biotite–muscovite–cordierite orbs and sulphide–granite orbs, showing separation of immiscible hydrous and sulphide fluids from the late magma which, with vugs, indicates a low pressure, near-roof site. The outer ring of the Errisbeg Townland granite (ETG, the main batholith granite with K-feldspar phenocrysts), was emplaced by progressive outward stoping of the country rock metagabbro, as shown by mapping, and by chemical fractionation of feldspars, biotites and bulk rocks, to the marginal, dry, fine-grained aphyric, in part garnetiferous, highly fractionated, siliceous Murvey granite. Stoping ceased when, after previously invading dense metagabbro, the outer ring complex reached the low-density Roundstone granite, which is shown for the first time to be older than the Galway batholith. This arresting of the batholith intrusion shows that stoping was such a significant process that emplacement ceased when stoping became impossible. The inside edge of the ETG grades into the slightly later, intrusive, aphyric Carna granite, which shows inward fractionation to the wet magma of the Mace–Ards granite. The ring complex core was injected by highly fractionated, dry, Aplitic Murvey-type granite, intensely hydrothermally altered by late magmatic water. The radially outward dipping, inclined igneous layering in the ETG shows that the original ETG centre was pushed upwards by the intruded Carna granite and eroded away. The Galway granite and its nearby magmatism matches the low Ba and Sr, high Th and Rb, Scottish Cairngorm Suite and similarly has few appinitic rocks associated with it. Magmatism extended over >45 Myr from ∼425 Ma to 380 Ma. It originated by slab breakoff and consequent rise of the asthenosphere, causing deep crustal melting.
Crystallographic contribution to the vital effect in biogenic carbonates Mg/Ca thermometry
Authors: Pérez-Huerta Alberto , Cusack Maggie , Dalbeck Paul 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe processes involved in vital effects, defined as biological processes overriding environmental signals, are not well understood and this hampers the interpretation of environmental parameters such as seawater temperature. Insufficient knowledge is available about changes in physico-chemical parameters, in particular those related to crystallography, associated with biomineral formation and emplacement. This paper assesses the influence of crystallography on Mg2+ concentration and distribution in calcite biominerals of bivalved marine organisms, mussels and rhynchonelliform brachiopods, and considers the implications for Mg/Ca thermometry. In the mussel Mytilus edulis, changes in Mg2+ are not associated with crystallography; but in the brachiopod Terebratulina retusa, increases in Mg2+ concentrations (∼0·5–0·6 wt. ) are associated with the {0001 planes of calcite biominerals. A comparison between mussels and brachiopods with avian eggshells, which form at constant ambient temperature, also reveals that there is at least a common 0·1 wt. variation in magnesium concentration in these calcite biomineral systems unrelated to temperature or crystallography. Results demonstrate that the integration of contextual crystallographic, biological and chemical information may be important to extract accurate environmental information from biominerals.
Light guide lenses in trilobites?
Authors: Schoenemann B. , Clarkson E. N. K. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThree main types of eye have been defined in trilobites; holochroal, schizochroal and the rare abathochroal. At least in holochroal and schizochroal eyes, the lenses consist of oriented calcitic microcrystallites, the so-called trabecula, which run uninterruptedly throughout the lens from top to bottom. It is argued here that these are primary structures and not diagenetic. Holochroal eyes are commonly accepted to correspond to apposition eyes, which are the most common type of compound eyes in arthropods living today. Schizochroal eyes, present only in phacopine trilobites, are characterised by a doublet lens structure, with an aplanatic interface, correcting spherical aberration of the thick lenses to form a sharp focus for incident rays travelling parallel with the optical axis. This classic model seems to be functional for many phacopines. In these the trabecula are present, though all juxtaposed, forming a solid block. In the lenses of some phacopid species, however, the microcrystallites are separated from each other by gaps. If, during life, these gaps were filled with organic material, as the lens grew from the larval stages, or post-ecdysially, each trabeculum would be isolated from its neighbours by an organic sheath. A simple model is proposed here for the generation of the organic sheath surrounding each trabeculum. If the individual trabecula were isolated from each other, then the possibility of a new kind of visual system exists in these ‘derived’ phacopines. The differences between the refractive indexes inside and outside the trabeculum would ensure that each trabeculum acted as a light-guide, so that the whole ‘lens’ becomes a light guide bundle. This would result in a pixelled visual system, unique in the animal realm, but an archetype for modern technology of data transfer.
AGU and European Geosciences Union Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Authors: McEntee Chris 
Published: August 2011

To further our strategic goal to be a leader, collaborator, and sought after partner for scientific innovation, rigor, and interdisciplinary focus on global issues, on 5 April 2011 AGU signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the European Geosciences Union (EGU). By recognizing the “mutual interests among their members” and acknowledging that “joint activities between AGU and the EGU foster international exchange in scientific research,” the agreement is intended to help further the goals and objectives of both organizations through collaboration. Central to the MOU's success is the commitment by AGU and EGU to

an exchange of information on key programs and initiatives;
an expansion of membership of both organizations through possible joint programs;
an exchange of information and possible joint activities concerning educational opportunities, student programs, and professional services; and
an exchange of information and possible co‐organization of scientific conferences.
Effects of Length, Complexity, and Grammatical Correctness on Stuttering in Spanish-Speaking Preschool Children
Authors: Watson Jennifer B. , Byrd Courtney T. , Carlo Edna J. 
Published: August 2011

PurposeTo explore the effects of utterance length, syntactic complexity, and grammatical correctness on stuttering in the spontaneous speech of young, monolingual Spanish-speaking children.MethodSpontaneous speech samples of 11 monolingual Spanish-speaking children who stuttered, ages 35 to 70 months, were examined. Mean number of syllables, total number of clauses, utterance complexity (i.e., containing no clauses, simple clauses, or subordinate and/or conjoined clauses), and grammatical correctness (i.e., the presence or absence of morphological and syntactical errors) in stuttered and fluent utterances were compared.ResultsFindings revealed that stuttered utterances in Spanish tended to be longer and more often grammatically incorrect, and contain more clauses, including more subordinate and/or conjoined clauses. However, when controlling for the interrelatedness of syllable number and clause number and complexity, only utterance length and grammatical incorrectness were significant predictors of stuttering in the spontaneous speech of these Spanish-speaking children. Use of complex utterances did not appear to contribute to the prediction of stuttering when controlling for utterance length.ConclusionsResults from the present study were consistent with many earlier reports of English-speaking children. Both length and grammatical factors appear to affect stuttering in Spanish-speaking children. Grammatical errors, however, served as the greatest predictor of stuttering.
Statistical, Practical, Clinical, and Personal Significance: Definitions and Applications in Speech-Language Pathology
Authors: Bothe Anne K. , Richardson Jessica D. 
Published: August 2011

Purpose
To discuss constructs and methods related to assessing the magnitude and the meaning of clinical outcomes, with a focus on applications in speech-language pathology.

Method
Professionals in medicine, allied health, psychology, education, and many other fields have long been concerned with issues referred to variously as practical significance, clinical significance, social validity, patient satisfaction, treatment effectiveness, or the meaningfulness or importance of beyond-clinic or real-world treatment outcomes. Existing literature addressing these issues from multiple disciplines was reviewed and synthesized.

Conclusions

Practical significance,
an adjunct to
statistical significance,
refers to the magnitude of a change or a difference between groups. The appropriate existing term for the interpretation of treatment outcomes, or the attribution of meaning or value to treatment outcomes, is
clinical significance.
To further distinguish between important constructs, the authors suggest incorporating as definitive the existing notion that
clinical significance
may refer to measures selected or interpreted by professionals or with respect to groups of clients. The term
personal significance
is introduced to refer to goals, variables, measures, and changes that are of demonstrated value to individual clients.
Using the Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition to Characterize Language in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Volden Joanne , Smith Isabel M. , Szatmari Peter , Bryson Susan , Fombonne Eric , Mirenda Pat , Roberts Wendy , Vaillancourt Tracy , Waddell Charlotte , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Georgiades Stelios , Duku Eric , Thompson Ann 
Published: August 2011

Purpose
The Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition (PLS–4; Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002) was used to examine syntactic and semantic language skills in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to determine its suitability for use with this population. We expected that PLS–4 performance would be better in more intellectually able children and that receptive skills would be relatively more impaired than expressive abilities, consistent with previous findings in the area of vocabulary.

Method
Our sample consisted of 294 newly diagnosed preschool children with ASD. Children were assessed via a battery of developmental measures, including the PLS–4.

Results
As expected, PLS–4 scores were higher in more intellectually able children with ASD, and overall, expressive communication was higher than auditory comprehension. However, this overall advantage was not stable across nonverbal developmental levels. Expressive skills were significantly better than receptive skills at the youngest developmental levels, whereas the converse applied in children with more advanced development.

Conclusions
The PLS–4 can be used to obtain a general index of early syntax and semantic skill in young children with ASD. Longitudinal data will be necessary to determine how the developmental relationship between receptive and expressive language skills unfolds in children with ASD.
An Introduction to Item Response Theory and Rasch Models for Speech-Language Pathologists
Authors: Baylor Carolyn , Hula William , Donovan Neila J. , Doyle Patrick J. , Kendall Diane , Yorkston Kathryn 
Published: August 2011

Purpose
To present a primarily conceptual introduction to item response theory (IRT) and Rasch models for speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Method
This tutorial introduces SLPs to basic concepts and terminology related to IRT as well as the most common IRT models. The article then continues with an overview of how instruments are developed using IRT and some basic principles of adaptive testing.

Conclusion
IRT is a set of statistical methods that are increasingly used for developing instruments in speech-language pathology. While IRT is not new, its application in speech-language pathology to date has been relatively limited in scope. Several new IRT-based instruments are currently emerging. IRT differs from traditional methods for test development, typically referred to as classical test theory (CTT), in several theoretical and practical ways. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of IRT instruments are different from methods used for most traditional CTT instruments. SLPs will need to understand the basic concepts of IRT instruments to use these tools in their clinical and research work. This article provides an introduction to IRT concepts drawing on examples from speech-language pathology.
Anxiety and Stuttering: Continuing to Explore a Complex Relationship
Authors: Iverach Lisa , Menzies Ross G. , O’Brian Sue , Packman Ann , Onslow Mark 
Published: August 2011

PurposeThe relationship between anxiety and stuttering has been widely studied. However, a review conducted more than 10 years ago (Menzies, Onslow, & Packman, 1999) identified 5 methodological issues thought to preclude consistent research findings regarding the nature of this relationship. The purpose of the present review was to determine whether methodological improvements have occurred since the Menzies et al. (1999) review.MethodLiterature published since the Menzies et al. review was evaluated with regard to the 5 methodological issues identified in that review: (a) the construct of anxiety, (b) trait anxiety measures, (c) participant numbers, (d) treatment status of participants, and (e) speaking tasks.ResultsDespite some remaining ambiguous findings, research published since the Menzies et al. review has provided far stronger evidence of a relationship between stuttering and anxiety, and has focused more on social anxiety, expectancies of social harm, and fear of negative evaluation.ConclusionThe aims of future research should be to improve research design, increase statistical power, employ multidimensional measures of anxiety, and further develop anxiolytic treatment options for people who stutter.
Design Challenges of AAC Apps, on Wireless Portable Devices, for Persons With Aphasia
Authors: Steele Richard , Woronoff Pamela 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Successful interface design for rehabilitation technologies is much more challenging than generally thought. This paper identifies and discusses several interface methods that have proven beneficial to persons with aphasia on laptop computers that additionally show promise of successful implementation on smaller-format devices such as tablets and laptops. Illustrative, real-life examples will demonstrate how critically important it is to involve users in trying out proposed design solutions and providing user feedback.