bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of regulatory issues raised by genetically modified organisms in agriculture.
Authors: Ramjoué C. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has been controversial since the late 1990s, and the question of how to regulate the products of modern agricultural biotechnology is central to that debate. Aside from potential impacts on human health and the environment, regulators must consider and are influenced by a range of issues that go beyond scientific evidence. This paper reviews these regulatory issues, using the case studies of GMO regulation in the USA and the European Union for illustration. It first discusses approaches to technology and nature as fundamental choices associated with the use of GMOs in agriculture. It then moves on to socioeconomic issues, which form the context in which regulatory decisions are made. On the basis of these two first sections, the review turns to a discussion of ways in which regulators frame GM crop and food policies. Finally, it addresses possible challenges to regulation, in particular critical public opinion or trade clashes resulting from conflicting regulatory approaches. This paper concludes that, when there is perceived scientific uncertainty concerning the potential impacts of a new technology on the part of certain stakeholders and actors in the debate, non-scientific regulatory considerations, for example relating to ethical, social and economic issues, are of crucial importance in shaping regulation.
Optimizing biomedical and industrial products development based on flax.
Authors: Czemplik M. , Szopa J. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

The principal goal of this review is to present the status of genetic modifications of flax (
Linum usitatissimum
) and its possible application in industry. Flax is a valuable source of oil and fibres, and development of genetic engineering allows the possibility of improving the quality of these products. There are different goals of flax modifications: improving the quality of flax fibres, improving oil properties, elevation of antioxidant level and creation of pathogen-resistant plants. These modifications made flax a more useful and precious source for a broad range of products applicable in industry. What makes flax valuable is the possibility of whole plant exploitation with almost no waste products.
Assessing impacts of organic production on pork and beef quality.
Authors: Sundrum A. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Organic livestock farming is based on a low-input production method, aiming to provide meat of a high product and process quality rather than maximizing production. Such high meat quality corresponds to the expectations of consumers, who are both seeking a premium product and who are willing to pay premium prices. This review focuses on the question of whether organic pork and beef production currently meet consumer demands, and it elaborates the potentials and limitations for producing high-quality meats under the current organic framework. Although defined by specific and basic guidelines, organic livestock production is characterized by largely heterogeneous farming conditions that allow for huge differences in the availability of nutrient resources, the implementation of feeding regimes, the use of genotypes, etc., all of which variously impact meat production. Correspondingly, there is substantial variation in the quality of organic meat entering the marketplace. According to the available literature, the quality of organic pork and beef was inconsistent and often fell short of expectations, as it is often similar to the quality of conventionally produced meat. Obviously, organic guidelines play a minor role with respect to meat quality. On the other hand, there is evidence that less intensified production systems may present suitable preconditions that would yield meats of high eating quality assumed that the relevant pre- and post-farmgate factors are considered and balanced within quality assurance systems. However, the trade value of carcasses is determined primarily by lean meat and cut composition while qualitative traits of meat are of no relevance. Neither does continuous recording of qualitative traits take place nor is an outstanding meat quality rewarded by higher prices. Of the various parameters, the intramuscular fat is highly related to palatability traits in both pork and beef and could be used to distinguish between different levels of eating quality. Despite the fact that many consumers express their wish for high-quality meats, the payment and marketing systems counteract all efforts to follow consumer demands and fail to communicate adequately differentiated meat palatability. It is concluded that only a direct assessment of qualitative traits and a payment system that honours meat quality grades that are above average can contribute so as to improve the currently unsatisfying situation. This, however, requires a shift in the paradigm from a guideline-oriented to an output-oriented approach, and the implementation of a systematic approach for an effective and efficient balancing of the multiple variables and complex interactions within each farming system.
Costs and benefits of induced resistance to herbivores and pathogens in plants.
Authors: Cipollini D. , Heil M. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
While once considered noise in the background of constitutive resistance, the phenomenon of induced resistance to herbivores and pathogens is now firmly accepted as an integral component of plant defence. As for other forms of adaptive phenotypic plasticity, fitness costs and benefits of induced resistance are presumed to exist and may be realized in numerous ways; with their relative importance depending on when, where, and how induced resistance is deployed. Carefully controlled studies in which induced resistance has been manipulated in the absence of attack have provided some of the best evidence for direct costs of resistance in plants. Similar studies in the presence of attackers have provided evidence for fitness benefits, but fitness benefits of induced resistance have been rarely measured directly, especially in long-lived plants. The growing interest in placing induced resistance in a broader context has revealed many potential ecological costs and benefits that are dependent on the environment, but their fitness effects have been little examined. Induced indirect resistance (that is, resistance mediated by interactions with the third trophic level) has been an increasingly popular topic that comes with a unique set of potential costs and benefits. Further progress in our understanding of induced resistance will benefit from an increased synthesis of the literature from both agronomic and ecological perspectives, the former containing more pathogen-oriented studies in agricultural crops and the latter containing more examples of induced resistance to herbivores in wild plants. Such a melding of information will also better inform applications of induced resistance in agriculture.
Accelerated lambing: Part 1. Housing for sheep.
Authors: Hunter G. L. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
This presentation has been written for those who may be considering practical intensification of sheep production and need information about its implications, potential and hazards, as well as for those with interests in this field of research. The limited literature on sheep housing and the management of a housed flock are considered, together with the importance of prolificacy and the suitability of a number of South African breeds to accelerated lambing. The productivity of a housed Ile de France flock in which three lambings a year was an objective, and difficulties met during 14 years of the flock's existence, are presented. 'Effective teaser rams' (ETRs) that both induce oestrus and increase lambing rate by as much as 20% have been noted and it is suggested that these as well as vasectomized goats (Effective teaser goats (ETGs)) may profitably be used for these purposes.
Expression QTL and their applications in genetic improvement of farm animals.
Authors: Wimmers K. , Murani E. , Ponsuksili S. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

The integration of approaches based on genetic linkage maps and those based on function-driven holistic expression profiling, termed 'genetical genomics', has great potential for elucidating the expression and inheritance of complex traits. This review discusses the status and potential applications of 'genetical genomics' and how genomic/genetic, transcriptomic and phenotypic information can be used to promote the identification of functional positional candidate genes for traits important in farm animal breeding schemes. Linkage and/or genome-wide association analyses for traits that are relevant in animal breeding provide information about the positional candidacy of a particular gene. Analysing the relationship of the expression levels of genes and these traits adds information about the functional role of a gene and gives insight into functional pathways involved in the conversion of the traits. Mapping of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) enables the display of regulatory networks and localization of genomic variations affecting the mRNA expression of a gene either within the genes itself (
cis
) or distant from the gene (
trans
). The key advantage of eQTL mapping is that it connects variation at the level of RNA expression to variation at the level of DNA. Only the latter provides versatile tools for breeding, whereas the first reveals information on the biology of a trait and directs research to new candidate genes.
Are market-based instruments effective tools for environmental management?
Authors: Henderson B. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Over the past few decades market-based instruments have enjoyed increasing use in environmental management. To examine whether market-based instruments are effective tools for environmental management, a range of evaluations from the literature covering point- and non-point-source pollution control, along with biodiversity management, were reviewed. As found in other reviews, the environmental context of the particular issue being addressed is a key determinant of instrument performance. Market-based instruments have been applied most successfully to the management of industrial point-source pollution issues. In these cases, emissions have generally proven to be reasonably easy to measure and have had sufficiently direct relationships with their environmental impacts. In contrast, the diffuse-source environmental problems commonly encountered in rural contexts proved to be less amenable to market-based solutions. In these situations, difficulties in clearly linking management actions with environmental outcomes generally undermined their effectiveness and efficiency.
Whole genome marker-assisted selection.
Authors: Weller J. I. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Most applications of genomic selection (GS) have so far been in animals, especially dairy cattle, although theoretical studies have also been conducted for maize. For the last 50 years, commercial breeding programmes for dairy cattle have been based on the progeny test scheme, which results in an average generation interval of approximately 7 years for the sire to dam path. It should be possible to double rates of genetic gain by the application of GS, if generation intervals are reduced to close to the biological minimum. During the last decade, methods were developed for high-throughput genotyping of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms per individuals. The number of potential polymorphic markers per species was increased from about 1000 to tens of thousands, and costs per individual marker genotype were reduced from several dollars to less than one cent. The application of marker-assisted selection based on genome-wide association studies requires solutions to new statistical problems. Specifically how should information from pedigree, phenotypic records and genotypes be combined to optimally rank candidates for selection? Various linear and Bayesian methods have been proposed and tested to compute genomic estimated breeding values. Linear models require significantly less computing time, and perform nearly as well as Bayesian methodologies. Methods are generally evaluated by comparing genomic evaluations based only on pedigree and genotype to genetic evaluations based on daughter records of the same bulls. Genomic selection programmes for dairy cattle have been implemented in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. With declining genotyping costs it becomes economically viable to genotype more individuals, including candidate bull dams. More emphasis can be placed on low heritability traits, such as fertility and disease traits, and it will be easier to control the increase in inbreeding in commercial animal populations.
Quantitative trait mutations in cattle, sheep and pigs: a review.
Authors: Stinckens A. , Schroyen M. , Peeters L. , Janssens S. , Buys N. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Most economically important traits in farm animals, such as daily gain, muscularity, meat quality, milk production, reproduction and others, are complex multifactorial traits that are controlled by an unknown number of genes combined with environmental factors. Since these traits show a continuous distribution rather than discrete values as monogenic or qualitative traits do, they are called quantitative traits and a polymorphism that affects such a quantitative trait is called a quantitative trait mutation (QTM). During the last few decades, several QTMs for different economically important quantitative traits in farm animals, such as muscularity, meat quality and milk production, were discovered. Also, for various congenital disorders, causal polymorphisms could be found or are under investigation. However, for other quantitative traits, no such QTMs have been revealed so far. An explanation for this discrepancy lies in the extent of the effect of the different polymorphisms that underlie a certain quantitative trait since this effect can vary from very small to quite large (up to 25-30% of the total phenotypic variance of a particular trait). Although new, emerging cost-effective genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping techniques have become available, only QTMs that explain a large portion of the phenotypic variation are worth unravelling, especially in the light of genome-wide selection. In this review, the research for QTMs is positioned against these contemporary techniques. Moreover, an overview is given of, past and present, research efforts in identifying QTMs in farm animals and the incorporation of these polymorphisms in modern animal breeding.
Classical biological control of weeds with Curculionidae.
Authors: Herrick N. J. , Kok L. T. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

The intentional use of insects to control weeds has been in practice for more than 150 years. Historically, species from the orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera have shown the greatest success. Among the Coleoptera, the weevils (family Curculionidae) have played an integral role in the suppression of more than 50% of targeted weed programmes in various regions of the world. Notable successes using Curculionidae are in the control of waterhyacinth, Australian
Acacia
spp. and several thistle species. Published records indicate that of the 67 weed species targeted for control with Curculionidae worldwide, most are terrestrial-herbaceous weeds (65.7%). Curculionidae used for most of the targeted terrestrial-herbaceous (
n
=44) and aquatic/semi-aquatic weeds (
n
=6) are in North America, while the majority of the terrestrial-arborescent weeds (
n
=17) are in Africa. Of the 75 species of Curculionidae used to control these weeds worldwide, 34 are in North America. Success, as defined by the establishment of a biological control agent that has a detrimental impact on the target weed, is dependent on the number of programmes implemented and the resources for follow-through. This review provides insight into the successful establishment of some selected weevil species and their impact on their target weeds.
Poultry sector development, highly pathogenic avian influenza and the smallholder production systems.
Authors: Rushton J. , Viscarra R. E. , Taylor N. , Hoffmann I. , Schwabenbauer K. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Poultry sectors are the fastest-changing component of the general livestock sector. These changes are typified by tremendous growth in poultry populations in industrial production systems. These industrial systems generally separate feed mills, breeding, production and processing into different operations. In a competitive market environment, such operations may be physically separated, but are closely integrated by strong private regulations. In less competitive market environments, encouraged by protection policies, industrial poultry chains are loosely integrated and are weakly regulated by governments. Large breeding flocks continue to exist, but are very weakly linked to low investment fattening and layer production units. Investment in processing is low and live bird markets are commonly used to market products. Loosely integrated industrial chains create enormous risks for the spread of contagious diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and affect the smallholder poultry producers who live and work alongside the industrial units and traditionally use live-bird markets for the sale of their own products and purchase of poultry. The review will discuss how changes in sector policy could improve industrial poultry sector performance and in turn reduce risks to the smallholder producers.
Can the rural economy deliver ecosystem services?
Authors: Speranza C. I. I. , Sand I. van de 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
This review explores how rural economies in developing countries can provide or enhance the provision of ecosystem services (ES). It does so by analysing two categories of ES that agricultural landscapes provide, namely carbon sequestration and hydrological services. One of the major constraints that rural economies face in providing ES lies in the public-good nature of many ES, which results in their underprovision. External factors, policies, processes and institutions, and the characteristics and perceptions of ES providers are important factors that influence ES provision (ESP). Payment for ecosystem services (PES) has emerged as a promising market-based instrument to incentivise the provision of ES. This review shows that despite its theoretical appeal, there are a number of practical challenges that hamper its wider application in developing countries. Scientific uncertainty about the relations between some management practices and the generation of ES persists. This uncertainty and other challenges such as the high transaction costs, insecure land tenure, limited demand and awareness, and the lack of capacity regarding the implementation of PES need to be addressed in order to increase ESP. The main drivers for PES schemes are external to the rural economy and come from both the international and the national level. In addition, perverse incentives and weak enforcement of environmental laws need to be addressed to foster the provision of ES and PES. In order to ensure and enhance the provision of ES in rural economies, it is important to continue to apply and revisit other instruments that address the public-good problem in addition to further improving and refining PES.
Microgoats in India and their role in future animal production in an era of climatic change.
Authors: Rout P. K. , Sharma M. C. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The major objective of this review is to analyse how microlivestock can help us to reduce poverty through sustainable development and enhance food production to meet the demands of the growing population. The role of microgoats has been examined on the basis of sustainability indicators in relation to climatic variation. The sustainability of microgoats has been analyzed on the basis of ecological adaptability, economically viability and energy efficiency in particular production environments and their suitability in diverse environmental conditions. The present review also highlights the importance of microgoats for future agriculture. Microgoats play multifaceted roles such as providing nutrition, fulfilling family needs, maintaining soil fertility and playing a vital role during disasters in disadvantaged areas. Microgoats are distributed in areas that show extreme climatic variation and seem to be efficient in food production under particular situations. Livestock production is increasingly going to face challenges of heat stress, water scarcity, coastal flooding, disease onset and food security. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate the different genotypes present in specific locations to establish which of them will be suitable in future for national and global applications. It is necessary to analyse suitable livestock components for sustainable agriculture and analyse closely the consequence of climate change as it will cause problems for the environment and subsequently disturb the peace, harmony and security of the whole world.
Molecular targets of quercetin in cancer chemoprevention.
Authors: Granado-Serrano A. B. , Ramos S. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Prevention of cancer through dietary intervention has received increasing interest recently, and dietary polyphenols have become important potential chemopreventive natural agents. Quercetin, among polyphenols, has been reported to interfere with the initiation, promotion and progression of cancer. It might lead to the modulation of proteins in diverse pathways and require the integration of different signals for the final chemopreventive effect. Quercetin has been demonstrated to act on multiple key elements in signal transduction pathways related to cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and inflammation; however, these molecular mechanisms of action are not completely characterized and many features remain to be elucidated. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the molecular basis of the potential chemopreventive activity of quercetin with an emphasis on its ability to control intracellular signalling cascades considered as relevant targets in a cancer-preventive approach.