bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taurine in the anterior cingulate cortex diminishes neuropathic nociception: A possible interaction with the glycineA receptor
Authors: Pellicer Francisco , López‐Avila Alberto , Coffeen Ulises , Ortega‐Legaspi J. Manuel , Ángel Rosendo 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTaurine is an inhibitory amino‐acid which has been proposed as a nociceptive process neuromodulator. The glycineA receptor (glyRA) has been postulated as a receptor in which taurine exerts its function. Functional image studies have documented the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the affective component of pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of taurine as a glycinergic agonist in the ACC using a neuropathic pain model related to autotomy behaviour (AB). In order to test whether glyRA is responsible for taurine actions, we microinjected strychnine, a glyRA antagonist. We used taurine microinjected into the ACC, followed by a thermonociceptive stimulus and a sciatic denervation. Chronic nociception was measured by the autotomy score, onset and incidence. The administration of taurine 7 days after denervation modifies the temporal course of AB by inhibiting it. Our results showed a decreased autotomy score and incidence in the taurine groups, as well as a delay in the onset. Those experimental groups in which strychnine was microinjected into the ACC, either on its own or before the microinjection of taurine, showed no difference as compared to the control group. When taurine was microinjected prior to strychnine, the group behaved as if only taurine had been administered. Our results evidence a significant neuropathic nociception relief measured as an AB decrease by the microinjection of taurine into the ACC. Besides, the role of the glyRA is evidenced by the fact that strychnine antagonises the antinociceptive effect of taurine.
Forecasting collaboration in the European grocery sector: Observations from a case study
Authors: Småros Johanna 
Published: August 2006

AbstractModeling‐based research provides strong support for collaborative forecasting as a means of improving supply chain efficiency. Yet, despite positive attitudes towards collaboration and several pilot implementations undertaken in the beginning of the millennium, large‐scale implementations of collaborative forecasting are still scarce.This article presents the results of an exploratory case study examining four collaboration projects involving four manufacturers and one retailer operating in the European grocery sector. By analyzing the positive and negative experiences of these companies and the results of their collaboration projects, factors that have an impact on the feasibility and value of forecasting collaboration are identified. A main finding is that many collaboration models appear to build on invalid assumptions concerning retailers’ forecasting needs, resources, and processes, as well as manufacturers’ capabilities to benefit from the demand or forecast information made available through collaboration.
Devils Hole, Nevada, δ18O record extended to the mid-Holocene
Authors: Winograd Isaac J. , Landwehr Jurate M. , Coplen Tyler B. , Sharp Warren D. , Riggs Alan C. , Ludwig Kenneth R. , Kolesar Peter T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe mid-to-late Pleistocene Devils Hole δ18O record has been extended from 60,000 to 4500 yr ago. The new δ18O time series, in conjunction with the one previously published, is shown to be a proxy of Pacific Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) off the coast of California. During marine oxygen isotope stages (MIS) 2 and 6, the Devil Hole and SST time series exhibit a steady warming that began 5000 to > 10,000 yr prior to the last and penultimate deglaciations. Several possible proximate causes for this early warming are evaluated. The magnitude of the peak δ18O or SST during the last interglacial (LIG) is significantly greater (1 per mill and 2 to 3°C, respectively) than the peak value of these parameters for the Holocene; in contrast, benthic δ18O records of ice volume show only a few tenths per mill difference in the peak value for these interglacials. Statistical analysis provides an estimate of the large shared information (variation) between the Devils Hole and Eastern Pacific SST time series from ∼ 41 to ∼ 2°N and enforces the concept of a common forcing among all of these records. The extended Devils Hole record adds to evidence of the importance of uplands bordering the eastern Pacific as a source of archives for reconstructing Pacific climate variability.
Additive and heterotic breed effects in the genetic evaluation of pig sire breeds
Authors: Wolf J. , Peškovičová D. , Žáková E. , Groeneveld E. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe data sets consisted of field performance data from 54 848 purebred and 16 175 crossbred animals (Czech data set, CZ) and 16 610 purebred and 9 228 crossbred animals (Slovak data set, SK). Animals from the following breeds were included: Duroc, Hampshire, Piétrain, sire line of Large White (CZ) or Yorkshire (SK), Czech Meat pig (CZ) or Slovak Meat pig (SK), Belgian Landrace (SK). Two-trait animal models were calculated for average daily gain from birth to the end of the field test (ADG) and lean meat content (LM, only in CZ) or backfat thickness (BF, only in SK). The models included additive breed and breed heterotic effects. Piétrain was the breed with the highest LM and the lowest BF. The additive genetic breed effect was about 1·5% LM (CZ) in comparison with Large White or −0·4 mm BF (SK) in comparison to Yorkshire. The sire line of Large White (CZ) or the Yorkshire breed (SK) clearly exceeded all the remaining sire breeds in ADG (on average by 30 to 50 g/day). There was a clear tendency to negative heterosis in LM in all crossbred combinations (CZ). In BF, heterotic effects between −0·2 mm and +0·3 mm were estimated, mostly not being significant (SK). The estimates of the heterotic effects for ADG were positive throughout. Higher values up to 40 g/day (7%) were observed in the Czech data set. Though heterotic breed effects are of some importance especially for ADG, their inclusion in the equations for breeding value estimation will have only a minor impact on the predicted breeding values.
Milk production and reproductive performance of cows induced into lactation and treated with bovine somatotropin
Authors: Mellado M. , Nazarre E. , Olivares L. , Pastor F. , Estrada A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractMilk production and reproductive performance of pluriparous dairy cows was compared for cows whose lactations were induced by hormonal treatment or followed natural calving. The study was conducted on 179 high-yielding dairy cows in a large dairy operation in a hot arid environment of northern Mexico, where bovine somatotropin (bST) was routinely used in all cows. To induce lactation, 98 cows that had previously failed to become pregnant were treated with 500 mg bST on days 1, 8 and 21. From days 2 to 8, cows were treated with oestradiol cypionate (0·30 mg/kg live weight (LW) per day) and progesterone (0·28 mg/kg LW per day). From days 9 to 15, oestradiol cypionate alone was given. PGF2α was given on day 16. Nothing was administered on days 17 and 18, and 15 mg flumetasone was administered from days 19 to 21. Lactation was induced successfully in all 98 cows subjected to the hormone treatment. All cows received 500 mg bST every 14 days throughout lactation from 63±7 days after lactation had started. Cows with induced lactations produced less (P<0·01) milk per 305-day lactation (9599±1387 kg) than controls (12 302±1245 kg). Proportion of cows pregnant was similar in induced cows and non-treated cows (71 v. 75%). Induction of lactation was associated with increased numbers of services per pregnancy (5·8±4·0 v. 4·22±2·98; P<0·01) compared with controls; however, impaired reproduction might not necessarily have been related to the hormonal treatment to induce lactation, but due to the nature of the cows utilized for this treatment group. This protocol can be used on dairy farms where bST treatment and prolonged steroid administration of dairy cows is legally permitted.
Differential control of lipogenesis and lipolysis during development of ovine preadipocytesin vitro
Authors: Soret B. , Melrose S. E. , Finley E. , Vernon R. G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe stromovascular fraction of adipose tissue from sheep, like that of other species, contains preadipocytes which can be induced to differentiate in culture, providing a potentially useful system for studying adipocyte development. Differentiation of ruminant preadipocytes has only been partly characterized previously so we have investigated the factors regulating the development of lipogenesis and lipolysis in sheep cells. Insulin, rosiglitazone (a peroxisome proliferation activated receptor-γ agonist) and either dexamethasone or a lipid suplement are required during differentiation for maximum rates of lipogenesis, whereas all four components are required to achieve maximum rates of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Tri-iodothyronine had no effect on the development of lipogenesis but resulted in a reduced rate of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Lipogenesis and lipolysis also differed in that the rate of lipogenesis increased to a maximum at about 10 days of differentiation and then fell, whereas the rate of lipolysis reached a plateau at about 10 days. By contrast to catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis, there is little or no evidence for development of the adenosine-based antilipolytic system; this may be because response to adenosine develops very late during preadipocyte differentiation or additional, unidentified factors are required to induce this antilipolytic system. Lipogenesis in differentiated preadipocytes responded to both insulin and growth hormone. These studies show that the development of lipogenesis and lipolysis are under distinct control systems. Furthermore, while preadipocytes differentiatedin vitroshow many of the characteristics of adipocytes differentiatedin vivo, there are still significant differences.
In vivo measurements of muscle volume by automatic image analysis of spiral computed tomography scans
Authors: Navajas E. A. , Glasbey C. A. , McLean K. A. , Fisher A. V. , Charteris A. J. L. , Lambe N. R. , Bünger L. , Simm G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThis study investigates the accuracy of an automatic image analysis method that was developed for spiral computed tomography scans (SCTS), with the objective of calculating the volume of muscle in the hind leg (HLMVCT) and lumbar region (LRMVCT) in lambs. The first step in the image analysis method was the isolation (segmentation) of the muscle regions in each image of the SCTS, using a new program that was implemented in the Sheep Tomogram Analysis Routines software (STAR). Due to the differences of muscle shape in the regions investigated, the new segmentation program applies different segmentation paths in specific subregions. These were automatically identified by the program based on skeletal landmarks. After the segmentation was completed, the muscles areas were automatically measured by counting the pixels representing muscle in each image; the volumes were calculated by adding the muscle areas of each image multiplied by the depth of the image (inter-slice distance). The accuracy of these measures of muscle volume was evaluated, using regression analysis, by comparing HLMVCT and LRMVCT to the hind leg and lumbar region muscle weights measured after dissection (HLMWD, no. =240, and LRMWD, no. =50, respectively) of Texel (TEX) and Scottish Blackface (SBF) female and male lambs slaughtered in 2003-04. The effects of breed, sex and year on the association (SCTS v. dissection) were evaluated. There was a strong association between HLMVCT and HLMWD ( R2=97·4%), which only increased slightly ( R2=97·7%) when breed was included in the model. This indicates that HLMWD can be estimated directly from HLMVCT with a high degree of accuracy. For the lumbar region, the association was high ( R2=83·0% to 88·8% depending on the model) but lower than in the hind leg, probably because the automatic segmentation isolates only the areas of the longissimus lumborum and multifidi muscles. Breed had a significant effect on the prediction of LRMWD from LRMVCT, as well as sex in the case of the TEX lambs. The results indicated that the predictions of LRMWD from LRMVCT require different equations for very divergent breeds such as TEX and SBF.
Testing selection indices for sustainable hill sheep production – lamb growth and carcass traits
Authors: Conington J. , Bishop S. C. , Lambe N. R. , Bünger L. , Simm G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTwo selection indexes, one intended for lamb producers and finishers and one for store lamb producers, were derived using genetic parameters for carcass and maternal characteristics from Conington et al. (2001) and economic values from Conington et al. (2004). This paper summarizes responses to selection for lamb traits only, after 5 years of selection (1998 to 2003) on two farms using these selection indexes. The index for lamb producers and finishers, evaluated on farm 1, with a flock size of 680 ewes, includes economic weightings for maternal traits as well as carcass weight, fat and conformation grades, whereas the index for store lamb producers, evaluated on farm 2, with a flock size of 580 ewes, only includes economic values for maternal traits and lamb growth to weaning. Three selection lines of Scottish Blackface sheep per farm were created with the first lambs born to each line in 1999. These lines were selection (S), control (C) and industry (I); they were of equal size on each farm. Five top- and five average-performing ram lambs were selected each year for the S and C lines respectively using a multi-trait best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) implementation of the indexes. The I-line used four mature rams bought from industry, selected on appearance only, i.e. adherence to breed ‘type’. Results showed that 5 years after the implementation of the index, the S line had significantly higher index scores than the C or I lines on both farms. The means (s.d.) for the average index scores in 2003 are 114 (328), 119 (371) and 451 (328) (farm 1), and −8 (146), −11 (130), and 250 (129) (farm 2) for the C, I and S lines, respectively, giving predicted net differences (S-C) of £3·38 (farm 1) and £2·58 (farm 2) per ewe. Phenotypic responses showed significant S v. C differences in weaning weight on both farms. As predicted from previous analyses, no changes in carcass quality traits were seen at farm 1 although S-line carcass weights tended to be heavier than those from the C or I lines. The results show that genetic improvement using multi-trait selection indices has been successful and it is a viable, long-term strategy to improve levels of production for hill sheep in extensive environments.
Influence of parity, birth order, litter size and birth weight on duration of farrowing and birth intervals in commercial exotic sows in Zimbabwe
Authors: Motsi P. , Sakuhuni C. , Halimani T. E. , Bhebhe E. , Ndiweni P. N. B. , Chimonyo M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAlthough the farrowing process has an impact on postnatal piglet survivability and growth performance, information on factors that influence the farrowing process under field conditions is rare. The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing the duration of farrowing and birth intervals in Large White×Landrace crossbred sows. Data were collected from the Pig Industry Board, Acturus, Zimbabwe. The durations of farrowing were log transformed to normalize them, while birth intervals remained skewed after the transformation. As a result, Friedman's test was used to analyse for factors affecting birth intervals. The mean duration of farrowing was 217 min. Number of piglets born alive (NBA), average birth weight and the presence or absence of stillbirths influenced ( P<0·05) the duration of farrowing. The total number of piglets born (NBT) and order of piglets significantly influenced birth intervals ( P<0·05). There was wide variation in birth intervals, with the within-litter coefficient of variation ranging from 50 to 140 percent. The relationship between birth interval and order of birth was: Y=0·1011x2−1·771x+37·917 ( P<0·05). Relative birth order, expressed as a proportion of the total number of piglets born, also showed a significant quadratic relationship with birth interval: Y=0·0021x2−0·121x+23·952 ( P<0·05). The study found that relative birth order, NBA and NBT play an important rôle in influencing birth intervals and duration of farrowing, while parity and piglet weight do not. Logarithmic transformation failed to normalise data on birth intervals, highlighting their highly skewed nature.
Fibre and protein requirements of early weaned rabbits and the interaction with weaning age: effects on digestive health and growth performance
Authors: Feugier A. , Smit M. N. , Fortun-Lamothe L. , Gidenne T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe aims of this work were first to evaluate nutritional requirements of early weaned kits (23 days of age), more especially fibre (experiment 1) and protein (experiment 2) needs. In experiment 1, 276 early weaned rabbits were offered from 23 to 50 days of age one of the three experimental diets containing increasing acid-detergent fibre level (160, 190 or 220 g/kg). Fibre was substituted by starch and fat to obtain three isoenergetic diets. In experiment 2, 306 early weaned rabbits were offered from 23 to 50 days of age one of the three experimental diets containing increasing crude protein (CP) level (150, 180 or 210 g/kg). Protein was substituted by starch and fat to obtain three isoenergetic diets. These studies revealed no effect of the dietary fibre level and the dietary CP level on health status. But from 23 to 36 days of age rabbits given diets containing a fibre level over 190 g/kg or a CP level under 180 g/kg showed the lowest growth rate as compared with other respective treatments. Secondly, this research aimed to evaluate the interaction between age at weaning (23 days or 35 days of age) and food (RD and RY diets) on digestive health and performances of young rabbits (experiment 3). RD diet was formulated to contain (per kg) 170 g starch, 160 g fibre and 180 g CP (according to the nutritional requirements of does) and RY diet was formulated to reach 110 g starch, 160 g fibre and 210 g CP (according to the results of experiments 1 and 2). 39 litters of nine pups per litter were assigned at 18 days of age to one of four experimental groups in a 2×2 factorial design: RD23 (no.=84 rabbits), RY23 (no. =85 rabbits), RD35 (no. =86 rabbits) and RY35 (no. =74 rabbits). Food intake and live weight were not influenced by feeding strategy. Between 23 and 35 days of age, mortality was higher in RY than in RD group (20·4 v. 6·8% respectively;P<0·05). During this period growth rate was proportionately 0·584 higher in conventionally weaned than in early weaned rabbits (P<0·001). After 35 days of age, food intake and growth rate were proportionately 0·104 and 0·097 higher respectively in conventionally than in early weaned rabbits (P<0·05). Consequently, live weight was higher in conventionally weaned rabbits at both 35 and 53 days of age (proportionately +0·113 and +0·267 respectively;P<0·001). Mortality rate between 23 and 35 days was 21 points higher (P<0·001) in early weaned than in conventionally weaned pups and 43 points higher (P<0·001) from 35 to 53 days of age. These data suggest that the removal of milk feeding by early weaning leads to detrimental effects on health and growth of the young, which were not compensated by a diet meeting better their nutritional needs.
Cloning, expression and tissue distribution of IGF-1 from giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Authors: Hu X. -L. , Zhu M. -Y. , Zhang Z. -H. , Hou R. , Shen F. -J. , Zhang A. -J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractInsulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide that regulate growth, differentiation and muscle regeneration in several species. This study was designed to analyse the cDNA sequence of IGF-1 in giant panda, its gene expression and tissue distributions in relation to growth, development and reproduction of captive giant pandas. A cDNA encoding IGF-1 was cloned by reverse transcriptase-PCR from a male giant panda cub liver tissue. Sequence alignment analysis showed the cysteine residues and other amino acid residues of the mature IGF-1 peptide of giant panda are highly conserved in mammalian species. DNA encoding the mature IGF-1 peptide of the giant panda was ligated with pET-DsbA expression vector and expressed inE.coliBL21. Western blot confirmed the IGF-1 antigen activity of the recombinant protein. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis it is demonstrated that the IGF-1 mRNA distribution abundance were significantly higher in the liver, muscles and heart than those in the other tissues studied. However, the IGF-1 peptide distribution abundances in all the tissues studied did not show any significant differences. The localization of the IGF-1 peptide was in accordance with that of mRNA for each tissue. These results may suggest that IGF-1 play an autocrine or paracrine rôle in regulation of the giant panda growth and development.
Cash‐based interventions: lessons from southern Somalia
Authors: Mattinen Hanna , Ogden Kate 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCommodity distributions, the predominant relief response, are subject to growing criticism, while donors and humanitarian actors are increasingly viewing cash‐based interventions as a viable alternative. This paper aims to contribute to the current debate on cash‐based interventions by drawing on the experience of Action Contre la Faim in southern Somalia, where it has implemented cash for work programmes since 2004. The authors conclude that cash‐based interventions are a feasible option in complex emergencies as well as in highly insecure environments as long as appropriate modalities are employed and objectives are clearly set in accordance with the needs and the context. Cash as a relief response offers wide‐reaching possibilities for the future from both the perspective of the donor/agency and the standpoint of the beneficiary. It enables the beneficiaries to take control of the relief themselves and to adapt it to their individual requirements in a timely manner.
Does money work? Cash transfers to ex‐combatants in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration processes
Authors: Willibald Sigrid 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThis paper analyses the relevance and potential of cash transfers as part of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) assistance packages provided to ex‐combatants in transitions from war to peace. To this end, a theoretical framework is established that permits the identification of the advantages and disadvantages of using cash in DDR. Subsequently, an empirical analysis is carried out to compare selected theoretical assumptions on the use of cash with the reality of lessons learned from recent experience in Sierra Leone and other African countries. The study shows that some theoretical drawbacks commonly associated with the use of cash in DDR processes may indeed bear out in practice. At the same time, though, the paper argues that the utility of cash transfers in DDR is affected by a variety of factors that go far beyond the simple choice of employing cash, most notably decisions on payment location, eligibility criteria and targeting.