bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the performance of dairy cows offered kale, swedes and perennial ryegrass herbage in situ and perennial ryegrass silage fed indoors in late pregnancy during winter in Ireland
Authors: Keogh B. , French P. , McGrath T. , Storey T. , Mulligan F. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe effects on the performance of dairy cows offered kale, swedes, and perennial ryegrass in situ and perennial ryegrass silage fed indoors to dairy cows pre‐partum during winter in Ireland was examined. Eighty‐eight spring‐calving dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of four offered treatments; (i) 8 kg of dry matter (DM) of kale leaf and stem + 4 kg DM of perennial ryegrass silage (treatment K), (ii) 8 kg DM of the root and leaf of swedes + 4 kg DM of perennial ryegrass silage (treatment S), (iii) 12 kg DM of perennial ryegrass herbage (treatment G) offered in situ and (iv) perennial ryegrass silage offered ad libitum indoors (treatment ID). Cows on treatments K, S and ID had a greater (P < 0·001) increase in body condition score (0·20, 0·14 and 0·50 units respectively) pre‐partum than cows on treatment G which lost 0·22 units. Pre‐partum treatment had no effect on variables of milk production in the following lactation. In the first 100 d of lactation, cows on treatment G pre‐partum had a lower milk fat concentration (35·6 g kg−1) compared with cows on treatments S and ID (38·3 and 39·3 g kg−1 respectively). There was no effect of treatment on the intervals between parturition and first insemination (mean 74·6 d) and conception (mean 96·1 d). The results suggest that offering kale and swedes to dairy cows pre‐partum resulted in a similar lactation performance to dairy cows grazing a perennial ryegrass sward or offered perennial ryegrass silage indoors.
Characterizing and predicting plant phenology in species‐rich grasslands
Authors: Ansquer P. , Al Haj Khaled R. , Cruz P. , Theau J.‐P. , Therond O. , Duru M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe use of plant phenology for determining the timing of management practices is poorly understood in species‐rich grasslands. The objectives were to assess the effect of management practices on the dates at which phenological stages occur and to compare different methods of calculating the growing degree‐days in order to predict them. Dates at which phenological stages of plant species occurred were recorded and plant strategy for resource capture and use was assessed through measurements of the dry matter content of leaves in two experiments in regions with contrasting climatic conditions. In Experiment 1, conducted near Toulouse, France, a set of 31 species was sown in pure stands at two levels of N availability. In Experiment 2, a network of 18 permanent grasslands, located in the French Pyrenees, was studied. In both experiments, the dry matter content of leaves, and flowering and ripening times, were measured. In Experiment 1, the dates on which a given phenological stage occurred were correlated with one another, and the grass species showed a significant ranking of dry weight of leaves for these dates. In Experiment 2, the difference between average flowering times of plant communities was shown to be around 40 d and resulted more from the species composition of the plant community than from their sensitivity to management practices. Plant communities were significantly ranked by dry weight of leaves for their flowering time. The minimum and maximum base temperatures which minimized the growing degree‐days between the two locations were 0 and 25°C, respectively, and the most appropriate date from which to start to accumulate temperatures was found to be 1 February.
How does grazing intensity influence the diversity of plants and insects in a species‐rich upland grassland on basalt soils?
Authors: Dumont B. , Farruggia A. , Garel J.‐P. , Bachelard P. , Boitier E. , Frain M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe effect of stocking rate on the species richness, abundance and functional diversity of vascular plants, butterflies and grasshoppers was examined in a semi‐natural upland pasture in central France. Over a 5‐year period, 3·6‐ha plots were continuously grazed by Charolais heifers at 1·4 (High stocking rate), 1·0 (Intermediate) and 0·6 (Low) livestock units (LU) ha−1. To evaluate botanical diversity, percentage cover of all plant species was estimated in late July in ten fixed 1 m × 1 m quadrats per plot. Butterflies were counted on three occasions between late June and early August along three fixed 50‐m‐long transects per plot using the ‘Pollard walk’, with grasshoppers being recorded on two occasions along the same transects. Diversity patterns of the three taxa were affected by stocking rate. For plants, species abundance changed more than species number. Abundance of forbs became higher under the Low compared with the High stocking rate. Stress‐tolerant grasses were also more abundant in plots grazed at the Low stocking rate, while an opposite trend was observed for competitive grasses. Butterflies consistently responded to alterations in vegetation composition, especially to the dynamics of nectar plants. The species richness of grasshoppers also increased in plots at the Low stocking rate. The Low and Intermediate stocking rates were suitable for providing a high diversity of the three taxonomic groups. The results suggested that at least butterfly diversity would peak in vegetation taller than that of vascular plants.
Dynamics of the CD8 T‐cell response following yellow fever virus 17D immunization
Authors: Co Mary Dawn T. , Kilpatrick Elizabeth D. , Rothman Alan L. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryManagement of yellow fever is focused on the prevention of illness by the use of the yellow fever virus (YFV) 17D vaccine. The role of neutralizing antibodies in protection is generally accepted with YFV‐specific T cells likely contributing to the control of viral replication. We studied CD8+ T‐cell responses to four defined human leucocyte antigen‐B35‐restricted epitopes in YFV vaccine recipients as a model of the kinetics of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte responses to an acute human viral infection. Multiple features of these epitope‐specific responses were analysed after vaccination including magnitude, cytokine production, phenotype and T‐cell receptor repertoire. Peak peptide‐specific interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) responses of almost 1% of CD8+ T cells were seen as early as 2 weeks post‐vaccination; however, dominant responses varied between donors. Peptide‐specific responses were still detectable at 54 months post‐vaccination. Tetramer‐positive cells, at high frequencies, were detected as early as 7–9 days, before detectable IFN‐γ‐producing cells, suggesting a defect in the functional capacity of some antigen‐specific cells early post‐vaccination. The predominant memory phenotype of the tetramer‐positive population was a differentiated effector (CD45RA+ CCR7− CD62L−) phenotype. The T‐cell receptor Vβ analysis revealed a diverse oligoclonal repertoire in tetramer‐positive T‐cell populations in two individuals. These characteristics of the YFV‐specific T‐cell response could contribute to vaccine effectiveness.
Within and between population variation in disease resistance in cyclic populations of western tent caterpillars: a test of the disease defence hypothesis
Authors: Cory Jenny S. , Myers Judith H. 
Published: February 2009

Summary

Epizootics of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) are an obvious component of the population fluctuations of several species of temperate forest Lepidoptera, including the western tent caterpillar, Malacosoma californicum pluviale (Dyer). An observed relationship between epizootics and the subsequent reduction in fecundity of populations led to the formulation of the disease defence hypothesis. This hypothesis predicts that viral epizootics in peak populations select for more resistant moths and that their reduced fecundity in declining populations reflects a cost of disease resistance.
To test the disease defence hypothesis, we carried out bioassays to measure the variation in larval resistance to NPV infection for families of western tent caterpillars from four spatially distinct populations over 3 years of peak and declining host densities.
Each female moth lays a single egg mass and larvae are gregarious and remain together through development. We found that the resistance to disease of larvae within families was not related to the number of eggs in the mass from which they hatched (the fecundity of their mother).
Disease resistance of larvae varied among populations and over time in a manner consistent with selection for resistance. One population that had not experienced a strong viral epizootic during the last population decline was more susceptible to infection in the first year of the study. Larvae from a second population that experienced an early epizootic became significantly more resistant. The resistance of two other populations increased slightly before the viral epizootic occurred in the field however, and thus could not be explained by selection.
As population densities declined from peak density, the background mortality of larvae increased and the fecundity of moths decreased. This indicates a general deterioration in the quality of field populations of tent caterpillars associated with the declining populations.
Although some evidence suggests that viral epizootics can select for increased resistance of field populations of tent caterpillars, the general deterioration in quality, elevated background mortality, and the reduced fecundity after the epizootic are stronger influences on the population decline. These are possibly related to sublethal viral infection.
Predicting global habitat suitability for stony corals on seamounts
Authors: Tittensor Derek P. , Baco Amy R. , Brewin Paul E. , Clark Malcolm R. , Consalvey Mireille , Hall‐Spencer Jason , Rowden Ashley A. , Schlacher Thomas , Stocks Karen I. , Rogers Alex D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim  Globally, species distribution patterns in the deep sea are poorly resolved, with spatial coverage being sparse for most taxa and true absence data missing. Increasing human impacts on deep‐sea ecosystems mean that reaching a better understanding of such patterns is becoming more urgent. Cold‐water stony corals (Order Scleractinia) form structurally complex habitats (dense thickets or reefs) that can support a diversity of other associated fauna. Despite their widely accepted ecological importance, records of scleractinian corals on seamounts are patchy and simply not available for most of the global ocean. The objective of this paper is to model the global distribution of suitable habitat for stony corals on seamounts.Location  Seamounts worldwide.Methods  We compiled a database containing all accessible records of scleractinian corals on seamounts. Two modelling approaches developed for presence‐only data were used to predict global habitat suitability for seamount scleractinians: maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) and environmental niche factor analysis (ENFA). We generated habitat‐suitability maps and used a cross‐validation process with a threshold‐independent metric to evaluate the performance of the models.Results  Both models performed well in cross‐validation, although the Maxent method consistently outperformed ENFA. Highly suitable habitat for seamount stony corals was predicted to occur at most modelled depths in the North Atlantic, and in a circumglobal strip in the Southern Hemisphere between 20° and 50° S and shallower than around 1500 m. Seamount summits in most other regions appeared much less likely to provide suitable habitat, except for small near‐surface patches. The patterns of habitat suitability largely reflect current biogeographical knowledge. Environmental variables positively associated with high predicted habitat suitability included the aragonite saturation state, and oxygen saturation and concentration. By contrast, low levels of dissolved inorganic carbon, nitrate, phosphate and silicate were associated with high predicted suitability. High correlation among variables made assessing individual drivers difficult.Main conclusions  Our models predict environmental conditions likely to play a role in determining large‐scale scleractinian coral distributions on seamounts, and provide a baseline scenario on a global scale. These results present a first‐order hypothesis that can be tested by further sampling. Given the high vulnerability of cold‐water corals to human impacts, such predictions are crucial tools in developing worldwide conservation and management strategies for seamount ecosystems.
Deliberate self‐harm and suicide by pesticide ingestion in the Sundarban region, India
Authors: Banerjee Sohini , Chowdhury Arabinda Narayan , Schelling Esther , Brahma Arabinda , Biswas Mrinal Kanti , Weiss Mitchell G. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjective  To examine the clinical epidemiology, including case fatality and determinants of self‐harm in six island blocks of the Sundarban region of West Bengal, India.Methods  We examined the clinical records of 1277 patients admitted for deliberate self‐harm (DSH) to the six island hospitals from 1999 to 2001.Results  77.7% of the patients survived their attempt, 11.9% died and for 10.4% the outcome was not recorded. Women accounted for 65.2% of the DSH admissions and 67.1% of the deaths. Pesticides were the most commonly used means (88.7%). The case fatality of self‐harm reported in these hospitals ranged from 6.0% to 50.0% (mean 13.3%; CI, 11.3–15.3). The age group 55–64 years was at highest risk of death, the age group 15–24 years at lowest risk. Higher lethality of pesticide ingestion compared to other methods was suggestive but not significant. Case fatality within the region varied but was high compared to industrialized nations. Case records and management of DSH were poor.Conclusion  Effective DSH prevention in the Sundarban region would require better surveillance at clinical facilities and an intersectoral approach, linking the agricultural interests of pesticide safety and mental health interests for preventing DSH.
Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on acute necrotizing pancreatitis: Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xue Ping , Deng Li‐Hui , Zhang Zhao‐Da , Yang Xiao‐Nan , Wan Mei‐Hua , Song Bing , Xia Qing 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  This study addresses whether antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial for acute necrotizing pancreatitis.Methods:  This randomized, controlled trial enrolled 276 patients with severe acute pancreatitis. There were 56 patients with 30% or more necrosis proved by contrast‐enhanced computerized tomography who were eligible for randomization: 29 in the study group and 27 in the control group, who received i.v. imipenem–cilastatin (3 × 500 mg/day) within 72 h of the onset of symptoms for 7–14 days, and no antibiotic prophylaxis, respectively. The primary end‐point was the incidence of infectious complication. The secondary end‐points were mortality, the incidence of necrosectomy for infected necrosis, the incidence of organ complication and hospital courses.Results:  Characteristics of baseline data were similar in the two groups. No significant differences were found in the incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis (37% vs 27.6%), mortality (10.3% vs 14.8%) and the incidence of operative necrosectomy (29.6% vs 34.6%) between the study group and the control group (P > 0.05). The incidence of extrapancreatic infections, organ complications and hospital courses between the groups were also not significantly different. However, a significantly increased incidence of fungal infection was observed in the study group versus the control group (36.1% vs 14.2%, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  There was no benefit in the outcomes when antibiotic prophylaxis was routinely used in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.
Interventional endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: Yamao Kenji , Bhatia Vikram , Mizuno Nobumasa , Sawaki Akira , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Irisawa Atsushi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEndoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the combination of endoscopy and intraluminal ultrasonography. This allows use of a high frequency transducer, which, due to the short distance to the target lesion, enables ultrasonographic images of high resolution to be obtained. Endoscopic ultrasonography is now a widely accepted modality for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary diseases. It can be used to determine the depth of invasion of gastrointestinal malignancies, and often for visualizing lesions more precisely than other imaging modalities. The most important early limitation of EUS was the lack of specificity in the differentiation between benign and malignant changes. In 1992, EUS‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) of lesions in the pancreas head has been made possible using a curved linear array echoendoscope. Since then, many researchers have expanded the indication of EUS‐FNA to various kinds of lesions and also for a variety of therapeutic purposes. In this review, we particularly focus on the present and future roles of interventional EUS, including EUS‐FNA and therapeutic EUS.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia pacific region
Authors: Yuen Man‐Fung , Hou Jin‐Lin , Chutaputti Anuchit 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPrimary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant disease worldwide. It is among the top three causes of cancer death in the Asia Pacific region because of the high prevalence of its main etiological agents, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. In this region, the incidence of HCC has been static over recent decades. Older age is a major risk factor; the incidence increasing sharply after age 40 years. There is a male predilection, with male to female ratio of 3:1, except in elderly Japanese with equal sex incidence or female predominance. In most Asia‐Pacific countries, chronic HBV infection accounts for 75–80% of cases; Japan, Singapore and Australia/New Zealand are exceptions because of higher prevalence of HCV infection. In spite of advances in surgery, liver transplantation and newer pharmaco/biological therapies, the survival rate has improved only slightly over recent decades, and this could be attributable to earlier diagnosis (‘lead‐time bias’). The majority of patients present with advanced diseases, hence reducing the chance of curative treatment. The importance of HCC may decrease in two to three decades when the prevalence of chronic HBV infection decreases as a result of the universal HBV vaccination programs implemented in late 1980s in most Asia‐Pacific countries, and because of reduced incidence of medical transmission of HCV. However, transmission of HCV by injection drug use, and rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, both independent risk factors for HCC, may partly offset this decline.
Efficacy of adalimumab for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Clinical Setting
Authors: Trinder Matthew W. , Lawrance Ian C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  Anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha medications are effective in Crohn's Disease (CD) and efficacious in ulcerative colitis (UC). Adalimumab has been available through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since August 2008, but clinical experience for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Australia is limited.Aims:  To determine adalimumab efficacy for IBD in the Australian setting.Methods:  Crohn's disease or UC/IBD unclassified (UC/IBDU) patients received adalimumab after failure of disease control with conventional therapies or loss of control by infliximab. Response/remission at 8 and 12 weeks were determined by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Colitis Activity Index (CAI). All patients received 160 mg (week 0), 80 mg (week 2), followed by 40 mg every‐other‐week (eow). Patients with a limited response at 8 weeks were considered for weekly adalimumab.Results:  Of 38 CD patients 86.8% (33/38) had active luminal and 23.7% (9/38) fistulising disease at inclusion. Response occurred in 81.8% and 84.4% of luminal CD at 8 and 12 weeks, while 54.5% and 63.6% remitted respectively. 77.8% of fistulising CD responded and 55.6% remitted at 12 weeks. Fifteen CD patients had previously lost response to infliximab, and 86.7% of these responded and 53.3% remitted at 12 weeks. Of the seven UC/IBDU patients 43% and 14% responded, while 29% and 0% remitted at 8 and 12 weeks.Conclusion:  In CD, adalimumab is as, if not more, effective in the clinical setting than in the trials, and is effective in patients with an attenuated response to infliximab. Its efficacy is not as good in UC, but this requires further clarification.
Consumer quest for embeddedness: a case study of the Brantford Farmers' Market
Authors: Feagan Robert B. , Morris David 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFarmers' markets (FMs) in the US, Canada and Britain are often held as one key response to the unsustainability of conventional food production systems, as they provide consumers with a potentially more comprehensive valuation venue for their food purchases. This paper categorizes and examines the range of consumer motivations at the Brantford FM in Ontario, Canada using the concept of embeddedness. Though not a simple concept, embeddedness proves useful for framing non‐economic values sought by consumers at FMs in a way that helps to build our understanding of the context‐specific quality of patron motivations at FMs. In the study, values of social embeddedness (social interaction, knowledge of vendors, etc.) and spatial embeddedness (food freshness, supporting the ‘local’, etc.) emerge as core sets of consumer motivations at this FM, while natural embeddedness values (organic production, ‘food‐miles’ concerns, etc.) are less strongly held. This case study helps advance that specific sets of embedded values are expressed at FMs – consumer motivations partly reflect their historic and situated contexts, while contributing to our understanding of the importance of the embeddedness concept to alternative food system arguments for change.
Convergence in global markets and consumer behaviour
Authors: Mitry Darryl J. , Smith David E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractConsumer behavioural scientists such as economists and marketing researchers are interested in the degree to which global convergence is occurring with respect to various consumer behaviour dimensions, particularly the extent that consumption patterns in products appear to evolve and become more similar across different parts of the world. With increasing internationalization and cultural cross‐fertilization, the traditional societies of the world are converging in many ways. The strategic marketing of flavoured alcoholic beverages is a particularly interesting example of this evolutionary process to convergence. Consumers in countries of different cultural originations are developing preferences for the same products and show increasing sign of converging around global product identity. This article presents the results of a study analysing the evolutionary process.