bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoting quality of life discussions between the veterinary profession and the pet-owning public
Authors: Main DCJ 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBecause it is the pet-owning public that normally provides the day-to-day care for companion animals, maintaining or improving standards in animal welfare is best achieved by engaging owners in the debate over an individual animal's quality of life (QoL). Veterinary practice teams (including veterinary surgeons and nurses) are in an ideal position to promote discussion of pets' QoL, as most owners respect and value their opinion. As well as educating each new generation of animal carers on appropriate husbandry, the veterinary profession can engage the pet-owning public in the scientific process of QoL assessment and the related debates concerning definitions of welfare and QoL. QoL assessment is a complex process with many influencing factors. The structure of an assessment will depend upon its purpose, which may be research, legislation, a certification scheme or, probably most usefully, a management tool to facilitate clinical decision-making. The process of completing a QoL assessment within a clinical environment may result in positive changes in human behaviour towards animals irrespective of the actual result of the assessment. This influence on human behaviour is a key test of validity for formal assessment systems that are designed to improve QoL.
Welfare implications of nipple drinkers for broiler chickens
Authors: Houldcroft E , Smith C , Mrowicki R , Headland L , Grieveson S , Jones TA , Dawkins MS 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCommercially reared broiler chickens are commonly supplied with drinking water through lines of nipple drinkers that are positioned above the birds' heads to avoid water leaking and spoiling the litter underfoot. This means that the birds have to peck upwards to obtain water, an action that is very different from the ‘scoop’ action of natural drinking seen when birds drink from troughs or puddles. In this study we investigate the welfare implications of this unnatural drinking behaviour imposed by nipple drinkers. We show 1) that chickens have no apparent aversion to the taste of tap water, 2) that they prefer bell drinkers and troughs over nipple drinkers, 3) that the stereotyped ‘scoop’ action is seen even when birds are drinking from bowls of different heights, 4) that chickens have a strong preference for drinking from nipples that are lower rather than higher and, 5) that when offered a choice between bowls and nipples of the same height, the chickens are indifferent to the method of water presentation. We conclude that the height at which water is presented to chickens is more important to them than whether they can drink with the natural ‘scoop’ action. While this might suggest that chicken welfare could be improved by lowering the drinker lines, wet litter causes welfare issues of its own through its effect on hock burn and pododermatitis. We suggest that drinker systems should be designed so that both aspects of welfare (birds able to drink in their preferred way and clean litter) are possible.
A population-based on-farm evaluation protocol for comparing the welfare of pigs between farms
Authors: Goossens X , Sobry L , Ödberg F , Tuyttens F , Maes D , De Smet S , Nevens F , Opsomer G , Lommelen F , Geers R 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe variability of animal-based parameters was studied within a population of 41 farrow-to-finish farms. Data were collected during three visits, each corresponding to a different season within a two-year period. The largest between-farm variability was observed for stereotypic behaviour by pregnant sows, and for skin, ear and tail lesions, dirtiness and respiratory problems in growing pigs. Relationships with housing and management parameters were established to formulate advice on how to improve pigs' welfare. Group-housed sows performed less oral stereotypic behaviour than individual housed sows (18.7 versus 44.1%), but a higher proportion of skin lesions was observed in group-housed sows (15.4 versus 2.0%). Prevalence of tail-biting behaviour varied between 0 and 21%. The risk for tail biting was higher in cases of reduced levels of floor space per pig, and ear-biting behaviour occurred more often when tails were docked short. Coughing was not correlated directly with the occurrence of lung lesions, but the risk was higher in instances of reduced space availability per pig. Farms could be ranked according to these welfare parameters, ie either according to the score of each individual parameter or based on the summation of all scores. Hence, welfare status was defined in relation to farm-specific information, allowing formulation of advice on housing and management to ultimately improve pig welfare through the matching of a predefined benchmark.
RICHPIG: a semantic model to assess enrichment materials for pigs
Authors: Bracke MBM 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA computer-based model was constructed to assess enrichment materials (EMats) for intensively-farmed weaned, growing and fattening pigs on a scale from 0 to 10. This model, called RICHPIG, was constructed in order to support the further implementation of EC Directive 2001/93/EC, which states that “pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities”. This paper describes the underlying conceptual framework for assessing EMats and explains the concepts, procedures and calculation rules used for semantic modelling. A (parsimonious) weighted average calculation rule was used to calculate enrichment scores from assessment criteria scores (which specify welfare relevant material properties of EMats) and weighting factors (WFs, which specify the relative importance of the assessment criteria). In total, 30 assessment criteria were identified and classified as object design criteria (eg novelty and accessibility), behavioural elements (eg nose, root, chew), biological functions (explore and forage), manipulations (ie object-directed behaviours), other (non-manipulative) consequences (eg aggression and stress) and object performance criteria (eg changeability/destructibility and hygiene). WFs were calculated from a systematic analysis of 573 scientific statements collected in the database, using 11 so-called weighting categories (Wcat, ie scientific paradigms to assess welfare such as the study of natural behaviour, consumer demand studies and stress-physiology) to assign Wcat level scores (which indicate the intensity, duration and incidence of a welfare impact) to the assessment criteria. The main advantages of the RICHPIG model are that it is based explicitly on available scientific information, that it has an explicitly formulated conceptual framework, is transparent, disputable, upgradeable, robust and reasonably in accordance with expert opinion. Major scope for improvements exist in the form of the need for further upgrading with new knowledge, empirical validation and (further) implementation in political decision-making processes.
Lower-Row Caging in a Two-Tiered Housing System Does not Affect the Behaviour of Young, Singly Housed Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Schapiro S J , Bloomsmith M 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIt has been suggested that housing of laboratory primates in two-tiered racks adversely affects the psychological well-being of those primates housed on the lower row. Excessive darkness and its consequences are among the factors suggested to account for the supposed diminished well-being of lower-row inhabitants. Additionally, two-tiered housing has been suggested to introduce unacceptable variation into experimental designs, potentially necessitating additional subjects and/or invalidating results. Only recently have data been published to address these issues, but all studies have involved small numbers of subjects. In the present study, we compared the behaviour of 45 yearling rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) housed in upper-row cages with the behaviour of 48 yearling rhesus macaques housed in lower-row cages during a year of single housing. There were no significant differences across cage locations for time spent performing behaviours indicative of diminished psychological well-being (abnormal behaviour, inactivity, vocalisation, self-directed grooming) or for species-typical activities (feeding, playing). The difference in time spent exploring between macaques housed on the lower row and those housed on the upper row approached significance, with lower-row-housed animals spending more time exploring. Although lower-row cages are significantly darker than upper-row cages at our facility, the data from the present study demonstrate that the diminished lighting and other supposed disadvantages experienced by lower-row-housed monkeys have few behavioural consequences. Thus, there are now additional empirical data that suggest that lower-row-housed monkeys are not suffering in a “monkey cave”, and that the findings of research projects using two-tiered housing systems are unlikely to be compromised.
Validation of an Uncertainty Propagation Method for Moving‐Boat Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Discharge Measurements
Authors: Despax Aurélien , Le Coz Jérôme , Mueller David S. , Hauet Alexandre , Calmel Blaise , Pierrefeu Gilles , Naudet Grégoire , Blanquart Bertrand , Pobanz Karine 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe moving‐boat Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) gauging method is extensively used to measure the discharge of rivers and canals. Informed decisions related to water management require reliable estimates of the uncertainty of such measurements. The evaluation of the uncertainty is however a difficult task because of the complexity of the ADCP data workflow and the lack of reference discharges in rivers and canals. This study presents an evolution of the OURSIN method, which follows the framework of the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. The method has been implemented in the QRevInt software which provides an ADCP data quality review prior to the uncertainty analysis. As a computationally efficient alternative to the Monte Carlo approach, the uncertainty propagation combines elemental measurement uncertainty sources, transect‐to‐transect discharge variability, and estimation of the uncertainty of discharges in unmeasured areas by sensitivity analysis. The OURSIN uncertainty results are validated using empirical uncertainty estimates from two large‐scale repeated measures experiments with variable site and flow conditions. The mean and the 95% quantiles of the uncertainty differences are −0.4% [−4.4%; +2.5%]. The OURSIN method provides a comprehensive uncertainty budget that is helpful for understanding the relative impacts of error sources and defining strategies to minimize them. The method should be further evaluated with experiments in different conditions, and additional uncertainty components and options such as GPS reference for boat velocity could be implemented.
Very Low Frequency Whistler Mode Wave Events Observed Simultaneously by the Kannuslehto Station and Van Allen Probes
Authors: Bezděková B. , Němec F. , Manninen J. , Santolík O. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Kurth W. S. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEvents characterized by substantial intensity enhancements in the frequency range between about 1.5 and 4 kHz in the measurements of the ground‐based Kannuslehto station, Finland are analyzed. Altogether, as many as 465 events are identified in the Kannuslehto data measured during the campaigns between December 2012 and October 2019. It is shown that the events usually last for several hours and they occur preferentially on the dawn side during geomagnetically active periods. Simultaneous measurements performed by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft are used to reveal the L‐shells and magnetic local times where a corresponding intensity increase occurs in space. A backward ray tracing analysis is further employed to investigate the wave propagation between the tentative source region and the ground. Wave normal angles of waves eventually detectable at Kannuslehto are determined and compared with those obtained from a detailed wave analysis. Either a wave ducting, propagation in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide, or their combination seem to be needed for the waves to reach Kannuslehto.
Time restricted feeding is associated with poor performance in specific cognitive domains of Suburb-Dwelling older Chinese
Authors: Li Jiayu , Li Ruijin , Lian Xuan , Han Peipei , Liu Yuewen , Liu Chuanchuan , Wang Beibei , Xu Chunliu , Wang Feng , Wang Jingru , Zheng Xueling , Shen Mingyao , Zha Yanan , Mao Bin , Li Ming , Yu Ying , Guo Qi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between time restricted feeding (TRF) and different areas of cognitive function in the elderly in Chinese communities. This study consisted of 1353 community-dwelling Chinese older adults aged 60 years and older in Chongming area, Shanghai (563 males; the mean age, 73.38 ± 6.16 years). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and six different cognitive domains was assessed by the Chinese-version of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Recording the eating time of each meal through oral inquiry to calculate the time window between the first meal and the last meal of the average day. Participants with an eating time window duration of more than 10 h were then identified, as well as those with eating time restricted to less than 10 h (TRF). Our study found that TRF may be associated with a higher incidence rate of cognitive impairment. TRF only limited the eating time window and did not change the frequency of participants' dietary intake. We used a linear regression model to study the association of TRF with cognitive function. After adjusting for confounding variables, the results showed that TRF was related to MMSE score (P < 0.001), "Orientation to place" (P < 0.001) and "Attention/calculation" (P < 0.001) functions. Among Chinese older community-dwellers, TRF was associated with a higher prevalence of CI and negatively correlated with the "Orientation to place" and "attention/calculation" functions.
Prioritization of emotional faces is not driven by emotional content
Authors: Stuit Sjoerd M. , Paffen Chris L. E. , Van der Stigchel Stefan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEmotional faces have prioritized access to visual awareness. However, studies concerned with what expressions are prioritized most are inconsistent and the source of prioritization remains elusive. Here we tested the predictive value of spatial frequency-based image-features and emotional content, the sub-part of the image content that signals the emotional expression of the actor in the image as opposed to the image content irrelevant for the emotional expression, for prioritization for awareness. Participants reported which of two faces (displaying a combination of angry, happy, and neutral expressions), that were temporarily suppressed from awareness, was perceived first. Even though the results show that happy expressions were prioritized for awareness, this prioritization was driven by the contrast energy of the images. In fact, emotional content could not predict prioritization at all. Our findings show that the source of prioritization for awareness is not the information carrying the emotional content. We argue that the methods used here, or similar approaches, should become standard practice to break the chain of inconsistent findings regarding emotional superiority effects that have been part of the field for decades.
Hybrid of Metapenaeus dobsoni lectin and platinum nanoparticles exert antimicrobial and immunostimulatory effects to reduce bacterial bioburden in infected Nile tilapia
Authors: Lakshmi Sreeja , Rubeena Abdul Salam , Subramaniyan Siva Bala , Raman Thiagarajan , Vaseeharan Baskaralingam , Arockiaraj Jesu , Karthikeyan Sivashanmugam , Anbazhagan Veerappan , Preetham Elumalai 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA novel antibacterial immunostimulant using Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and lectin from Metapenaeus dobsoni (Md-Lec) was developed. The Md-Lec and PtNPs (Pt-lec) hybrid formed through non-covalent interaction exhibits antimicrobial activity against fish specific pathogens by affecting membrane integrity and producing excess reactive oxygen species. The therapeutic efficacy of Pt-lec was demonstrated through rescuing Aeromonas hydrophila infected Nile Tilapia. Pt-lec prevents the infection spreading and reduces the bacterial bioburden in less than 12 h, and as a result of this the fish were restored to normalcy. To assess immunostimulation, we studied the expression of three different immune related genes, namely LEC, Myd88 and COX-2 in the gills, liver, spleen and kidney of fish under various experimental conditions. Our results showed that Pt-lec treatment appeared to be better when compared to lectin alone in enhancing the expression of Myd88 and COX-2, but LEC was not as expected. These results suggest that Pt-lec has the ability to protect Nile Tilapia against bacterial infection by restricting bacterial bioburden through their direct effects on the bacterial membrane and indirectly through their effects on host immune-related gene expression. This hybrid could have potential “green” application in fish farming in rescuing infected animals when compared to widely and unregulated antibiotics.
Pregnancy outcomes in Takayasu arteritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Partalidou Styliani , Mamopoulos Apostolos , Dimopoulou Despoina , Dimitroulas Theodoros 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTakayasu arteritis (TA) is a systemic disease affecting women of reproductive age. Similarly to other systemic autoimmune diseases, pregnancies in patients suffering from TA are at high risk for adverse outcomes; however, the precise incidence of adverse events has not been assessed in a systematic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in TA. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Cinahl databases from inception to 25 May 2022. Three independent investigators extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using ROBINS-1 tool. We used a random effects model to calculate the prevalence of the adverse pregnancy outcomes in TA, namely miscarriage, hypertension and pre-eclampsia. We calculated the prevalence of the adverse outcomes in pregnancy for TA. We included 27 studies, with 825 pregnancies. The occurrence of miscarriage, hypertension and pre-eclampsia in patients with TA was 16% (CI 12–21%, p < 0.01), 37% (CI 30–45%, p < 0.01) and 14% (CI 8–23%, p < 0.01), respectively. The results of our meta-analysis indicate that pregnancies in patients with TA are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to the general population, suggesting that pregnant women with TA should be closely monitored.Trial registration: There was no registration for this systematic review.
Highly efficient thin-film 930 nm VCSEL on PDMS for biomedical applications
Authors: Kwon Ohdo , Moon Sunghyun , Yun Yeojun , Nam Yong-hyun , Kim Nam-heon , Kim Donghwan , Choi Wonjin , Park Sungjun , Lee Jaejin 
Published: January 2023

AbstractRecently, biocompatible optical sources have been surfacing for new-rising biomedical applications, allowing them to be used for multi-purpose technologies such as biological sensing, optogenetic modulation, and phototherapy. Especially, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is in the spotlight as a prospective candidate for optical sources owing to its low-driving current performance, low-cost, and package easiness in accordance with two-dimensional (2D) arrays structure. In this study, we successfully demonstrated the actualization of biocompatible thin-film 930 nm VCSELs transferred onto a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) carrier. The PDMS feature with biocompatibility as well as biostability makes the thin-film VCSELs well-suited for biomedical applications. In order to integrate the conventional VCSEL onto the PDMS carrier, we utilized a double-transfer technique that transferred the thin-film VCSELs onto foreign substrates twice, enabling it to maintain the p-on-n polarity of the conventional VCSEL. Additionally, we employed a surface modification-assisted bonding (SMB) using an oxygen plasma in conjunction with silane treatment when bonding the PDMS carrier with the substrate-removed conventional VCSELs. The threshold current and maximum output power of the fabricated 930 nm thin-film VCSELs are 1.08 mA and 7.52 mW at an injection current of 13.9 mA, respectively.
Definition and reliability of 3D acetabular and global offset measurements from bi-plane X-rays
Authors: Gasparutto Xavier , Besonhe Pauline , DiGiovanni Peter Luca , Armand Stéphane , Hannouche Didier 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe importance of the global offset, the sum of femoral and acetabular offset, has been underlined in the literature as a key factor for the functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the acetabular offset is not defined for bi-plane X-rays, a technology providing 3D measurements of the lower limb and commonly used for patients undergoing THA. The aim of this paper is to introduce a measurement method of the 3D acetabular offset with bi-plane X-rays. Our method combines the use of technical and anatomical coordinate systems. The most appropriate definition will be selected based on the best reliability and measurement error. The consequent reliability of the global offset was also assessed. Twenty-eight patients undergoing primary THA were selected retrospectively. Two operators performed three reconstructions for each patients before and after THA. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and smallest detectable change (SDC) were computed for intra-operator, inter-operator and test–retest conditions for all combinations of technical and anatomical coordinate systems. ICCs were good to excellent. One combination was more reliable than others with a moderate mean SDC of 6.3 mm (4.3–8.7 mm) for the acetabular offset and a moderate mean SDC of 6.2 mm (5.6–6.7 mm) for the global offset. This is similar to the reliability and mean SDC of the femoral offset (4.8 mm) approved for clinical use which indicates that this method of acetabular offset measurement is appropriate. This opens a research avenue to better understand the role of the acetabular offset on THA outcomes, which seems overlooked in the literature.