bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal selection method for establishing an inbred strain of laboratory animals with high performance for litter size at weaning
Authors: SATOH Masahiro , ISHII Kazuo 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe optimal selection method was investigated for establishing an inbred strain of laboratory animals with high performance for litter size at weaning (LSW). A Monte Carlo computer simulation was used to assess the effects of our selection methods on the genetic change of LSW under the continuous use of full‐sib mating for 20 generations. Smaller number of growing animals of each sex per litter and genetic evaluation for selection using a BLUP animal model increased LSW. Use of information on another trait genetically related to LSW, larger population size, and greater number of generations for random selection before starting full‐sib mating were useful for establishing an inbred strain of laboratory animals with high performance for LSW. It was concluded that LSW can be increased by directional selection when establishing inbred strains.
Sequence of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) growth hormone‐encoding gene and genetic variation in the promoter region
Authors: KANSAKU Norio , SOMA Aya , FURUKAWA Satoko , HIYAMA Gen , OKABAYASHII Hisato , GUÉMENÉ Daniel , KÜHNLEIN Urs , ZADWORNY David 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe duck growth hormone encoding gene and its promoter region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 5.25 kb were cloned and sequenced. Duck growth hormone (GH) consists of five exons and four introns and is structurally similar to mammalian and chicken GH gene. Although the distal region of duck GH promoter showed no similarity to chicken and turkey promoters, the proximal region of the promoter contained two putative Pit‐1 binding sequences, and showed similarity to chicken and turkey GH promoters. Genetic variation was detected at five positions of the promoter region. The results of this study indicate that the expression of duck GH is likely regulated in a similar manner to that of chicken GH via enhancer‐type cis‐acting elements and the presence of genetic variation in the duck GH gene may be applicable to marker‐assisted selection.
Genomic organization of the porcine dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) gene
Authors: OKUMURA Naohiko , HAMASIMA Noriyuki , SUZUKI Kohei , AWATA Takashi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTDopachrome tautomerase (DCT) is an enzyme that isomerizes the melanogenic intermediate 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine‐chrome (DOPAchrome) to 5,6‐dihydroxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid (DHICA) in the biosynthesis of melanin. In this study, we extracted the porcine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing the entire DCT gene and then sequenced it completely to determine its genomic structure. The BAC clone sequence was 127 098 bp in length. Compared to the DCT gene coding sequence determined in our previous study, the DCT gene structure determined in the current study comprised eight exons spanning 50.3 kbp of the genomic DNA, and the sequences from exon 7–9 of the glypican 6 (GCP6) gene were also detected in this clone. The gene order and the transcriptional orientation of the porcine genomic region in this BAC clone were identical to those of the corresponding human genomic region. In addition, we cloned three transcripts by using the 5′‐rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method in combination with alternative promoter usage and alternative splicing. Two 3′‐RACE products differed in the poly(A) addition site. Three 5′‐RACE clones differed in exon 1 that codes for a signal peptide that is important for the cytoplasmic trafficking of premature DCT; however, the relationship between the alternative transcripts and pig coat color is unclear.
Fecal D‐ and L‐lactate, succinate and volatile fatty acid levels, and relationships with fecal acidity and diarrhea in neonatal calves
Authors: SATO Hiroshi , KOIWA Masateru 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTo clarify the significance of fecal organic anions in neonatal diarrhea, a total of 252 fecal samples (91 diarrheic, 161 normal) were collected from 136 dairy calves (including three crossbreds) less than 4 weeks old. Fecal pH, D‐ and L‐lactate, succinate and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were analyzed. In normal feces, lactate was highest and VFA was lowest at week 1 of age, and lactate progressively decreased and VFA progressively increased with advancing age. In diarrheic samples, although higher pH and lower lactate levels were confirmed at week 1, samples at weeks 3–4 showed lower pH and VFA accompanied by higher lactate of D and L‐isomers. In diarrhea, fecal butyrate was significantly lower at all stages, but succinate levels did not differ significantly. The proportion of lactate to organic anions (sum of lactate, succinate and VFA) in diarrheic feces was lower at week 1, and higher in weeks 2–4, while that of VFA to organic anions showed the opposite pattern. Strong relationships were observed between fecal pH and lactate, and VFA proportions in organic anions, though the relationship was weak in diarrhea. Most of the elevated lactate was observed in fecal samples with lower VFA. However, succinate had no relationship with VFA or lactate levels.
Effects of Quillaja saponaria extract alone or in combination with Yucca schidigera extract on ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis in vitro
Authors: PEN Bunthoeun , SAR Chetra , MWENYA Benson , TAKAHASHI Junichi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of the study was to evaluate effects of Quillaja saponaria (QS) with or without Yucca schidigera extract (YS) on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis. The culture media consisted of 400 mL of strained rumen fluid collected from two non‐lactating Holstein cows and 400 mL of artificial saliva. The culture media was anaerobically incubated with 10 g of a mixture of concentrate and oat hay (1:1, w/w) at 39°C for 24 h. The treatments were arranged as 2 × 3 factorial design experiment consisting of three levels of QS (0, 2 or 4 mL/L) and two levels of YS (0 or 2 mL/L). Treatment interactions between QS and YS were observed for pH and ammonia N concentration. CH4 production was not modified by addition of QS but decreased (P < 0.05) when added with YS. Addition of QS with YS increased (P < 0.05) propionate concentrations. Protozoa numbers were decreased (P < 0.05) by QS addition alone or with YS. Results show that QS and YS exhibited strong antiprotozoal effects and combinations of both plant extracts may have potential as safe manipulators of ruminal fermentation.
Effect of placenta feeding to sows on plasma biochemical composition and growth of their piglets
Authors: DE SONG Ren , LI Guo M. , LEE Sung D. , HASEGAWA Nobumi , SONG Young M. , KIM Young H. , JUNG Hyun J. , PARK Jun C. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to investigate the effects on the plasma biochemical composition and growth of piglets of placenta‐fed sows. The experimental animals were a total of 21 sows (L × LW) of third parity, and each sow was suckled by 11 ± 1 piglets. Sows fed without placenta were considered as the control (C), treatment 1 (T1) were placenta‐fed from days 1–7 after farrowing and treatment 2 (T2) were placenta‐fed from day 7 before farrowing to day 7 after farrowing. Glucose of piglets was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 than C and T1 on day 10. Total cholesterol of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on day 4. Fe of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on days 4, 20 and 30. Unsaturated iron‐binding capacity was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on days 4 and 30. Immunoglobulin G of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T1 and T2 than C on days 4 and 10. Daily gain of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T1 than C and T2 on day 4 when daily gain was calculated. Total daily gain increased (P < 0.05) by prolongation of placenta feeding period. The results indicate that feeding placenta to sows may improve the plasma biochemical composition and growth of their piglets.
Survival and colonization of orally administered Lactobacillus plantarum 301102 in porcine gastrointestinal tract
Authors: TSUDA Harutoshi , HARA Kazushi , MIYAMOTO Taku 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival and colonization of Lactobacillus plantarum 301102 in porcine gastrointestinal tract and its influence on the intestinal microflora. This strain was isolated from traditional cheese from Inner Mongolia, China. Fermented milk prepared with strain 301102 was administered to pigs and fecal microflora was examined. Intestinal passage of strain 301102 was monitored by a combination of selection with selective medium and the carbohydrate fermentation test, and confirmed by analysis of plasmid DNA patterns. Colonization of this strain was assessed by recovery 7 days after administration. The numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium cells in the feces of pigs administered fermented milk prepared with strain 301102 were increased. This strain was recovered from all the pigs during the administration period, and from four of six pigs 7 days after administration. L. plantarum 301102 can pass through the gastrointestinal tract, balance the intestinal microflora, and colonize the intestinal tract, and is therefore an appropriate candidate for a probiotic.
Should physicians fake diagnoses to help their patients?
Authors: Helgesson G , Lynöe N 
Published: March 2008

Are fake diagnoses and false or misleading certificates permissible means of helping patients? This question is examined in relation to four examples from Swedish health care: the sterilisation case, the asylum case, the virginity case, and the adoption case.We argue that both consequentialist and deontological ethical theories, to be reasonable, need to balance values, principles, and interests such as wellbeing, truthfulness, autonomy, personal integrity, trust in the medical profession, and abidance by national legislation.We conclude that it can be justifiable for physicians to fake diagnoses and write false or misleading certificates in order to help patients when not doing so has dire consequences. However, physicians must also consider the long-term effects of making exceptions to honest, non-deceitful behaviour based on the best empirical evidence available. Otherwise valuable social practices might erode and public confidence in physicians be threatened.
Dealing with requests for euthanasia: a qualitative study investigating the experience of general practitioners: Table 1
Authors: Georges J-J , The A M , Onwuteaka-Philipsen B D , van der Wal G 
Published: March 2008

Background:Caring for terminally ill patients is a meaningful task, however the patient’s suffering can be a considerable burden and cause of frustration.Objectives:The aim of this study is to describe the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) in The Netherlands in dealing with a request for euthanasia from a terminally ill patient.Methods:The data, collected through in-depth interviews, were analysed according to the constant comparative method.Results:Having to face a request for euthanasia when attempting to relieve a patient’s suffering was described as a very demanding experience that GPs generally would like to avoid. Nearly half of the GPs (14/30) strive to avoid euthanasia or physician assisted suicide because it was against their own personal values or because it was emotional burdening to be confronted with this issue. They explained that by being directed on promoting a peaceful dying process, or the quality of end-of-life of a patient by caring and supporting the patient and the relatives it was mainly possible to shorten patient’s suffering without “intentionally hastening a patient’s death on his request”. The other GPs (16/30) explained that as sometimes the suffering of a patient could not be lessened they were open to consider a patient’s request for euthanasia or physician assisted suicide. They underlined the importance of a careful decision-making process, based on finding a balance between the necessity to shorten the patient’s suffering through euthanasia and their personal values.Conclusion:Dealing with requests for euthanasia is very challenging for GPs, although they feel committed to alleviate a patient’s suffering and to promote a peaceful death.
Semiclassical quantization of non-Hermitian multidimensional systems using Hamilton–Jacobi equation
Authors: Nanayakkara A 
Published: March 2008

The Hamilton–Jacobi equation of motion is solved in action variables for non-Hermitian systems. Both real and complex semiclassical eigenvalues are obtained that make action variables into integers. This study shows, regardless of the existence of periodic or quasi-periodic classical trajectories, Hamilton–Jacobi methods can be applied to quantize some complex non-Hermitian systems with a good accuracy. PACS Nos.: 23.23.+x, 56.65.Dy
De Broglie waves as an effect of clock desynchronization
Authors: Baylis William E 
Published: March 2008

De Broglie waves are a simple consequence of special relativity applied to the complex-phase oscillations of stationary states. As de Broglie showed in his doctoral thesis, the synchronized oscillations of an extended system at rest, even a classical one, become de Broglie-like waves when boosted to finite velocity. The waves illustrate the well-known but seldom demonstrated relativistic effect of clock desynchroniation (or dephasing) in moving frames. Although common manifestations of stationary-state oscillations in interference experiments are sensitive only to energy differences, de Broglie wavelengths are inversely proportional to rest-frame oscillation frequency, and their observed values require that the oscillation frequencies are proportional to the the total absolute energy, including the rest component mc2. PACS Nos.: 03.65.Ta, 03.30.+p, 01.65.+g
A varying-c cosmology
Authors: Shojaie H , Farhoudi M 
Published: March 2008

We develop a new model for the Universe based on two key assumptions: first, the inertial energy of the Universe is a constant, and second, the total energy of a particle, the inertial plus the gravitational potential energy produced by the other mass in the Universe, is zero. This model allows the speed of light and the total mass of the Universe to vary as functions of cosmological time, where we assume the gravitational constant to be a constant. By means of these assumptions, the relations between the scale factor and the other parameters are derived. The Einstein equation, by making it compatible with varying-c, is used and the Friedmann equations in this model are obtained. Assuming the matter content of the Universe to be perfect fluids, the model fixes γ to be 2/3. That is, the whole Universe always exhibits a negative pressure. Moreover, the behaviour of the scale factor is the same for any value of the curvature. It is also shown that the Universe began from a big bang with zero initial mass and expands forever even with positive curvature, but it is always decelerating. At the end, solutions to some famous problems, mainly of the standard big bang model, and an explanation for the observational data about the accelerating Universe are provided. PACS Nos.: 98.80.Bp, 98.80.Jk
Turbulent boundary layer over a deep cavity: friction coefficient and streamwise velocity components
Authors: Hassan M El , Labraga L , Keirsbulck L 
Published: March 2008

Deep cavities are present in car vehicles in numerous forms. Although drag downstream cavities have interested many authors, this aspect was never treated for particularly deep cavities. The objective of the present investigation is to study the effect of a deep cavity, characterized by its length-to-depth ratio L/H = 0.2, on both the skin friction coefficient and the statistic components of the streamwise velocity. Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) was used for the mean velocity and its statistic components measurements. Results obtained by other authors allowed a comparison between shallow and deep cavity configurations. The main conclusion is that with the same flow conditions, the drag increase downstream from the cavity is less important compared to the square cavity. A localized skewness coefficient decrease and a flatness coefficient increase could be related to intermittence ejection of flow from the downstream part of the cavity. This hypothesis was confirmed thanks to particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. PACS No.: 47.27.nb
Historical range of variability in live and dead wood biomass: a regional-scale simulation study
Authors: Nonaka Etsuko , Spies Thomas A. , Wimberly Michael C. , Ohmann Janet L. 
Published: March 2008

The historical range of variability (HRV) in landscape structure and composition created by natural disturbance can serve as a general guide for evaluating ecological conditions of managed landscapes. HRV approaches to evaluating landscapes have been based on age-classes or developmental stages, which may obscure variation in live and dead stand structure. Developing the HRV of stand structural characteristics would improve the ecological resolution of this coarse-filter approach to ecosystem assessment. We investigated HRV in live and dead wood biomass in the regional landscape of the Oregon Coast Range by integrating stand-level biomass models and a spatially explicit fire simulation model. We simulated historical landscapes of the region for 1000 years under pre-Euro-American settlement fire regimes and calculated biomass as a function of disturbance history. The simulation showed that live and dead wood biomass historically varied widely in time and space. The majority of the forests historically contained 500–700 Mg·ha–1 (50–70 kg·m–2) of live wood and 50–200 Mg·ha–1 (5–20 kg·m–2) of dead wood. The current distributions are more concentrated in much smaller amounts for both biomass types. Although restoring the HRV of forest structure is not necessarily a management goal for most landowners and managing agencies, departure from the reference condition can provide relative measure to evaluate habitat conditions for managers seeking to use forest structure as a means to maintain or restore ecosystem and species diversity.
Adding uncertainty to forest inventory plot locations: effects on analyses using geospatial data
Authors: Sabor Alexia A. , Radeloff Volker C. , McRoberts Ronald E. , Clayton Murray , Stewart Susan I. 
Published: March 2008

The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the USDA Forest Service alters plot locations before releasing data to the public to ensure landowner confidentiality and sample integrity, but using data with altered plot locations in conjunction with other spatially explicit data layers produces analytical results with unknown amounts of error. We calculated the potential error from using altered location data in combination with other data layers that varied in mean map unit size. The incidence of errors associated with the use of altered plot locations exhibited a strong inverse relationship to the mean map unit size of the other data sets used in the analyses. For a 30 m × 30 m resolution land cover map, plot misclassification rates ranged from 32% to 66%, whereas only 1%–10% of plots were misclassified for ecological subsection data (mean polygon size 9067 km2). Housing density data derived from the US Decennial Census (mean polygon size = 5.7 km2) represented an intermediate condition, with 5%–70% of data points misclassified when altered plot locations were used. These analyses demonstrate the impacts of altering FIA plot locations and represent an important step toward making the FIA database more helpful to a broad variety of end users.
Relative role of understory and overstory in carbon and nitrogen cycling in a southern Appalachian spruce–fir forestAES Publication 7863. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Authors: Moore P. T. , Van Miegroet H. , Nicholas N. S. 
Published: March 2008

This study investigated aboveground pools and fluxes of biomass, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) in the overstory and understory of a southern Appalachian red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) – Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) forest, following adelgid-induced fir mortality and spruce windthrow. Using fifty 20 m × 20 m plots, stratified by elevation (1700–1900 m), we estimated standing biomass and fluxes of all growth forms from periodic stand inventories (1998–2003), vegetation surveys, and existing or derived allometric equations. Total C and N pools and fluxes were calculated from plant- and tissue-specific C and N concentrations. Total aboveground biomass attained predisturbance values, ranging from 313 Mg·ha–1at the lower elevations to 204 Mg·ha–1at the upper elevations. Overstory biomass production (5650 kg·ha–1·year–1) and N uptake (11–15 kg·ha–1·year–1) exceeded earlier reported values, indicating forest recovery. Woody understory accounted for 3% of aboveground biomass, 10% of annual productivity, and 19% of total N uptake (∼7 kg·ha–1·year–1). Herbaceous vegetation, which comprised only 1% of total biomass, took up 18–21 kg N·ha–1annually, >50% of total ecosystem N uptake (37 kg·ha–1·year–1). This suggests that N-rich understory vegetation plays an important role in N cycling.
Inonotus tomentosus and the dynamics of unmanaged and partial-cut wet sub-boreal spruce–fir forests
Authors: Newbery J. E. (Ted) , Lewis Kathy J. , Walters Michael B. 
Published: March 2008

For wet sub-boreal spruce–fir forests (white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) × Engelmann spruce ( Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) in east-central British Columbia, we asked (i) do compositional and structural dynamics differ for unmanaged (UN) and partial-cut (PC) (50% removal 45 years before measurement) forests and (ii) how does Inonotus tomentosus Fr. (Teng) affect these dynamics? Inonotus tomentosus infected stands had 17% less spruce basal area (P = 0.059) than uninfected stands, but PC did not exacerbate I. tomentosus effects. PC and UN had similar live tree density, but UN had lower dead tree density. In all stands, snag longevity was typically <32 years, and ~40 years was required for dead wood to reach decay stage 3 or greater. UN was characterized by variable severity disturbances averaging ~8% of the canopy per decade. Management implications include the following: (i) harvest systems designed to emulate small-scale disturbance could remove trees at 8% of the canopy per decade, varied spatiotemporally, (ii) emulating dead wood abundance with partial cutting may be difficult given the impacts of partial cutting on dead wood abundance, and (iii) forests with moderate levels of I. tomentosus should not respond differently to harvesting than uninfected forests and thus require no special management.