bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of providing a greater freedom of movement through periodic
exercise on the welfare and stress physiology of stall-housed gestating sows
and on piglet behaviour
Authors: Tokareva M , Brown JA , MacPhee DJ , Janz DM , Seddon YM 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
In Canada, the 2014 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs
proposed the continued operation of existing stall barns after 2024 on
condition that bred sows be given access to
periodic exercise. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of periodic
exercise on sow welfare. Sows (n = 180) were
assigned to one of three treatments: stall-housed (Control: C); stall-housed
and exercised weekly for 10 min (Exercise: E); and group-housed (Group: G).
Sow postures and stereotypies were recorded once per week in early, mid and
late gestation before (AM) and after (PM) exercise. Female piglets (n = 168
from C, E and G sows) underwent isolation and novel object tests at 19-22
days of age. Postures differed by treatment in AM with G
sows lying more and sitting less than C and E
sows, which did not differ. In PM, E sows sat
more than G sows, with C sows being intermediate. In early gestation, G sows
performed fewer stereotypies than E sows, with C
sows being intermediate. In mid gestation, G
sows performed fewer stereotypies than C and
E sows, which did not differ. Piglets from C sows
were more active in the novel object test than E and G piglets, which did
not differ. Group housing improved sow comfort (indicated by postures) and
reduced sow stress (indicated by stereotypies), but periodic exercise did
not. Decreased activity level in piglets from
sows given greater freedom of movement
indicates that gestation housing can influence the behaviour of
offspring.
Public concern for animal welfare and its correlation with ethical
ideologies after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China
Authors: Su B , Martens P 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a major public
health challenge and a serious threat to sustainable social development. A
consideration of animal welfare is clearly justified, given the potential
contribution of animals to the spread of the disease. The present study,
therefore, sought to investigate the concern the Chinese people have for
animal welfare (PCAW) and how their ‘ethical ideology’ (idealism and
relativism) determines PCAW after COVID-19, through comparison with the same
study, carried out in China in 2015. Our results demonstrated a significant
improvement in Chinese PCAW after COVID-19. The adverse impact of COVID-19
may have resulted in a lowered idealism score and this decreased score
served to neutralise significant correlations between idealism and PCAW,
compared to the 2015 results. The global pandemic did not increase people's
relativism score and a significant correlation was found between relativism
and PCAW. Gender, age, educational level, public perception of animals after
COVID-19, zoo and aquarium visiting were all shown to be predictor variables
for PCAW. This study is one of the first to investigate Chinese PCAW after
COVID-19 and can therefore provide knowledge that will potentially increase
Chinese PCAW.
Do you see the same cat that I see? Inter- and intra-observer reliability
for Qualitative Behaviour Assessment as temperament indicator in domestic
cats
Authors: Travnik IC , Machado DS , Sant’Anna AC 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) is used to assess animals’
emotional expressions and its potential for serving as an indicator of
temperament has been explored. This method is open to assessors’
interpretation and it is therefore necessary to evaluate the observers’
reliability for different species and contexts. We aimed to assess the
intra- and inter-observer reliability of QBA as an indicator of cat
(Felis catus) temperament. The QBA was
applied by 19 observers with divergent profiles of contact with cats (cat
owners vs non-owners) and experience in behavioural assessment (experienced
vs inexperienced). Forty-two, 12-min videos were assessed, composed of
footage of four behavioural tests: unfamiliar person, novel object,
conspecific reaction, and food offering tests. By using Principal Component
Analysis, we found three principal components (PC) that were considered the
main dimensions of cat temperament. According to Kendall's coefficient of
concordance, intra-observer reliability was high to very high in PC1
(0.80-0.90) and moderate to high in PC2 and PC3 (0.50-0.82). Inter-observer
reliability for the 19 observers was high in PC1 (0.71) and low in PC2 and
PC3 (0.21-0.29). The individual concordances with the gold observer (defined
based on greater experience with the QBA) ranged from moderate to high. We
concluded that QBA could be a reliable tool to assess cat temperament, given
the high values of intra- and inter-observer reliabilities in PC1, which is
the dimension that most explains the behavioural variations in the cats’
temperament. The same did not occur for PC2 and PC3, showing that
reliability varied among the different dimensions and observers.
Single vs multiple cat adoptions: A trade-off between longer adoption
times and social bonding in shelter cats
Authors: Engebrecht L , Smith T , Suchak M 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Timely adoption is essential for shelters to prevent unnecessary illness
or euthanasia in cats (Felis catus). Many studies
have examined the role of individual cat characteristics and environmental
factors in facilitating cat adoptions, but none have looked at the role the
number of cats being adopted plays. In this study, we examined whether or
not adopting cats in pairs influences adoption times, in addition to
commonly studied factors. We then collected video data on a small subset of
cats to determine whether pairs that were adopted together differed
behaviourally from pairs who were not. Our results demonstrate that cats who
are adopted as part of a multi-cat outcome spent three days (42%) longer on
the adoption floor than those adopted individually, independently of other
factors such as age and coat colour. This difference increased to 13 days
(185%) longer if the cat had a notification indicating they must be adopted
together with another cat. While behavioural data show that these pairs of
cats engage in significantly more affiliative behaviour with each other than
cats who were adopted singly, there was a large discrepancy between which
pairs the shelter classified as multi-outcome and those who would be
classified that way based on behaviour alone. We suggest that decisions to
place cats together should be made carefully given the potential adverse
impacts of keeping cats in the shelter longer. Further, we suggest that
guidance should be developed to help shelters accurately and consistently
identify which cats merit a multi-outcome adoption.
A formal model for assessing the economic impact of animal welfare
improvements at bovine and porcine slaughter
Authors: Jerlström J , Berg C , Karlsson AH , Wallenbeck A , Hansson H 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse
profitability is complex, with potential trade-offs between animal welfare
costs and benefits. Slaughterhouses currently lack data support for
decisions on investments that can improve both animal welfare and
profitability. Therefore, this study mapped the economic impacts for
slaughterhouse businesses of improved cattle and pig welfare at slaughter.
Specific aims were to: (i) highlight the possible economic impact of animal
welfare improvements, based on the scientific literature; (ii) develop an
economic model demonstrating the theoretical contribution of animal welfare
to slaughterhouse profitability; and (iii) validate the economic model
through focus group interviews with slaughterhouse personnel in Sweden. The
findings indicated that investing in animal welfare improvements could
result in accumulation of an intangible asset that can be considered
together with other production factors in the economic model. Model
validation stressed the importance of selling by-products for the economic
outcome and of smooth workflow for productivity. The study thus improves
understanding of the economic impacts of animal welfare at slaughter and
incentives for slaughterhouse businesses to improve animal welfare. The
results are important for public and private policy-makers interested in
enhancing animal welfare at slaughter.
Electric shock control of farmed animals: Welfare review and ethical
critique
Authors: Grumett D , Butterworth A 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The available methods of electric shock control or containment of farmed
animals are increasing and potentially include: (i) fixed and movable
electric fencing; (ii) cattle trainers; (iii) prods or goads; (iv) wires in
poultry barns; (v) dairy collecting yard backing gates; (vi) automated
milking systems (milking robots); and (vii) collars linked to virtual
fencing and containment systems. Since any electric shock is likely to cause
a farmed animal pain, any such control or containment must, to be ethically
justifiable, bring clear welfare benefits that cannot be practicably
delivered in other ways. Associated areas of welfare concern with ethical
implications include the displacement of stockpersons by technology, poor
facility design, stray voltage, coercive behavioural change and indirect
impacts on human society and values.
Isaiah 19
Authors: Aster Shawn Zelig 
Published: July 2022

This essay dates portions of the “Burden of Egypt” prophecy in Isaiah 19 to the Neo-Assyrian period, based on its borrowing of motifs from Assyrian royal inscriptions. These include the unique motif of the establishment of a monument on the border with Egypt and Assyrian attempts to dominate Egypt by controlling its trade. The essay also demonstrates the dependence of parts of Isaiah 19 on material in Exodus 1–15, integrating specific phrases from these Exodus chapters with motifs known to us from Assyrian royal inscriptions. This integration could only have taken place during the Assyrian period (late eighth–early seventh centuries), and this has obvious implications for the dating of the Exodus text.
The essay understands the prophecy as a re-envisioning of the Assyrian campaign of 734, part of which was directed at Egypt. In this re-envisioned campaign, YHWH Himself is directing the Assyrian attack (Isa. 19:1–4) on Egypt. The essay focusses on 19:19–25, which describe how the Egyptians suffer as a result of the Assyrian attack. In their despair, they acknowledge the sovereignty of YHWH. This recognition is based on the Assyrian model of recognizing the Assyrian king as universal sovereign, and the monument described in v. 22 is based on the monument established by the Assyrians on the Egyptian border. The behavior of the Egyptians in vv. 20–22 provokes the unique theological statements of vv. 23–25, in which Egypt and Assyria join Israel in the triad blessed by YHWH.
This passage demonstrates Isaiah’s use of a sort of “replacement theology” in which the universal sovereignty of YHWH is imagined and described based on Assyrian claims of universal dominion.
Evaluation of Heavy Metal Content and Human Health Risk Assessment of Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare) Grown on Arsenic Spiked Soils
Authors: Waribo H. A. , Kalu C. R. , Anyalebechi E. O. , Briggs O. N. , Bartimaeus E. S. 
Published: July 2022

AIM: This study investigated the concentration of heavy metal (Arsenic), taken up by waterleaf plant cultivated in three contaminated soil type namely; sandy, loamy and clay. The health risk associated in exposing the waterleaf plants was accessed from the different soil types at different treatment levels of 40mg/kg (low) and 80mg/kg (high) of arsenic.
Methods: Three soil types namely; sandy, loamy and clay were spiked with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of arsenic. The waterleaf plant was grown on the spiked soil samples for the period of 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Each soil sample was taken before the spiking of the soil to serve as the basal control soil sample. This will determine the content of arsenic in the soil. After the stipulated growth period, the soil sample was collected into a clean sample bottle likewise the waterleaf plant which was harvested, washed, oven dried and ground into a powdered form which was acid digested. The heavy metal content in both the plant and soils were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Results: The results of arsenic concentration in waterleaf from loamy soil at 40 mg/kg were 0.118 mg/kg, 0.189 mg/kg, 0.295 mg/kg, and 0.332 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 respectively. At 80 mg/kg, arsenic concentrations in loamy soil were 0.200 mg/kg, 0.388 mg/kg, 0.612 mg/kg and 0.693 mg/kg respectively. For sandy soil, the concentration of arsenic in the waterleaf plant treated at 40 mg/kg were 0.083 mg/kg, 0.219 mg/kg, 0.279 mg/kg, and 0.310 mg/kg for weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8 respectively and 0.159 mg/kg, 0.400mg/kg, 0.572 mg/kg, 0.632 mg/kg at 80 mg/kg respectively while in clay soil, the arsenic concentration was 0.079 mg/kg and 0.167 mg/kg for weeks 2 and 4 at 40 mg/kg and 0.190 mg/kg and 0.320mg/kg for 80 mg/kg for weeks 2 and 4 respectively. No growth was recorded in weeks 6 and 8. The mean values of the arsenic concentration in the plant spiked with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg respectively were significantly different (p<0.05)from each other but that for the loamy soil at 40 mg/kg was not significantly different (p>0.05).The Estimated Daily Intake for arsenic was <1, Target Hazard Quotient was < 1 and the Health Risk Index for adults that would be exposed to arsenic was <1 except for the loamy soil which was ≥ 1 at week 4 and 6 for treatment level 80 mg/kg.
Conclusion: Arsenic concentration increases in the plant with increasing period of growth, while in the soil, the reverse occurs. The result shows that the waterleaf plant absorbed heavy metal (Arsenic) from the contaminated soils but at concentrations that do not pose any health risk within the experimental period of exposure. However, it is possible that with extended duration of exposure, consumption of plants exposed to contaminated soils with heavy metals could be hazardous.
Impact of Hydroxyurea on Blood Transfusion Rate in Patients of Beta-Thalassemia Major
Authors: Memon Sumair , Ujjan Ikram Din , Ashraf Humaira , Memon Tasneem , Sana Faria , Talib Shujaullah 
Published: July 2022

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of hydroxyurea on the blood transfusion rate in patients with beta-thalassemia major.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was held in the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology/Pathology at LUMHS Jamshoro, and Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, in Hyderabad, Sindh from February 2015 to August 2015. Patients with beta thalassaemia major, diagnosed with Hb electrophoresis, who had Hb less than 7 g/dl and were regularly transfused every two to four weeks were included. Patients were divided into two groups in equal numbers. Half of the patients underwent blood transfusion with the treatment of hydroxyurea and half without hydroxyurea. In comparison to those who did not receive hydroxyurea treatment. The ability to keep haemoglobin levels over 9 g/dl or a lowering of at least 50% from the initial transfusion needs were considered signs of therapeutic success. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 26.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 11.02+3.93 years and males were in the majority (68.0%). In 56.2% of cases, there was a positive family history. The mean serum ferritin level was 12824.39+300.60 ng/ml and the mean haemoglobin level was 7.52+1.67 gm/dl. Some patients did not report follow-up, because some families had migrated to other areas of Sindh, and some cases went to other welfare hospitals/ centers, for treatment. Therefore, out of 40 patients, 30 were observed with hydroxyurea, and overall, this treatment showed a significant decrease in blood transfusion requirements (P-0.01).
Conclusion: As per the study’s conclusion, hydroxyurea was observed to be the most effective treatment to decrease the blood transfusion rate, but patients should be treated under proper and responsible observation.
Audit of Data Sharing by Pharmaceutical Companies for Anticancer Medicines Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Modi Natansh D. , Abuhelwa Ahmad Y. , McKinnon Ross A. , Boddy Alan V. , Haseloff Mark , Wiese Michael D. , Hoffmann Tammy C. , Perakslis Eric D. , Rowland Andrew , Sorich Michael J. , Hopkins Ashley M. 
Published: July 2022

ImportanceEmerging policies drafted by the pharmaceutical industry indicate that they will transparently share clinical trial data. These data offer an unparalleled opportunity to advance evidence-based medicine and support decision-making.ObjectiveTo evaluate the eligibility of independent, qualified researchers to access individual participant data (IPD) from oncology trials that supported US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new anticancer medicines within the past 10 years.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this quality improvement study, a cross-sectional analysis was performed of pivotal clinical trials whose results supported FDA-approved anticancer medicines between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2021. These trials’ results were identified from product labels.ExposuresEligibility for IPD sharing was confirmed by identification of a public listing of the trial as eligible for sharing or by receipt of a positive response from the sponsor to a standardized inquiry.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcome was frequency of IPD sharing eligibility. Reasons for data sharing ineligibility were requested and collated, and company-, drug-, and trial-level subgroups were evaluated and presented using χ2 tests and forest plots.ResultsDuring the 10-year period examined, 115 anticancer medicines were approved by the FDA on the basis of evidence from 304 pharmaceutical industry–sponsored trials. Of these trials, 136 (45%) were eligible for IPD sharing and 168 (55%) were not. Data sharing rates differed substantially among industry sponsors, with the most common reason for not sharing trial IPD being that the collection of long-term follow-up data was still ongoing (89 of 168 trials [53%]). Of the top 10 anticancer medicines by global sales, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and pomalidomide had the lowest eligibility rates for data sharing (&lt;10% of trials).Conclusions and RelevanceThere has been a substantial increase in IPD sharing for industry-sponsored oncology trials over the past 5 years. However, this quality improvement study found that more than 50% of queried trials for FDA-approved anticancer medicines were ineligible for IPD sharing. Data accessibility would be substantially improved if, at the time of FDA registration of a medicine, all data that support the registration were made available.
The Future for Room‐Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries: From Persisting Issues to Promising Solutions and Practical Applications
Authors: Yan Zichao , Zhao Lingfei , Wang Yunxiao , Zhu Zhiqiang , Chou Shu‐Lei 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRoom‐temperature sodium–sulfur (RT‐Na/S) batteries are emerging as promising candidates for stationary energy‐storage systems, due to their high energy density, resource abundance, and environmental benignity. A better understanding of RT‐Na/S batteries in the view of the whole battery components is of essential importance for fundamental research and practical applications. In particular, the components other than sulfur cathodes in preventing the migration of polysulfides and accelerating the reaction kinetics have been greatly overlooked. Such a biased research trend is also adverse to the broader applications for RT‐Na/S batteries, which have long been ignored in previous reviews. Herein, approaches to the historical progress toward practical RT‐Na/S batteries through a “teamwork” perspective are comprehensively summarized, and balanced research trends are encouraged to enable practical RT‐Na/S batteries. In the meantime, the persisting issues, promising solutions, and practical applications of advanced sulfur host design, Na metal anode protection, electrolyte optimization, separator modification, and binder engineering are clearly emphasized. Finally, the device‐scale evaluation in practical parameters and advanced characterization tools are thoroughly provided. This review aims to provide the “teamwork” perspective on the whole‐cell design and fundamental guidelines that can shed light on research directions for practical RT‐Na/S batteries.
The Modular µSiM: A Mass Produced, Rapidly Assembled, and Reconfigurable Platform for the Study of Barrier Tissue Models In Vitro
Authors: McCloskey Molly C. , Kasap Pelin , Ahmad S. Danial , Su Shiuan‐Haur , Chen Kaihua , Mansouri Mehran , Ramesh Natalie , Nishihara Hideaki , Belyaev Yury , Abhyankar Vinay V. , Begolo Stefano , Singer Benjamin H. , Webb Kevin F. , Kurabayashi Katsuo , Flax Jonathan , Waugh Richard E. , Engelhardt Britta , McGrath James L. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAdvanced in vitro tissue chip models can reduce and replace animal experimentation and may eventually support “on‐chip” clinical trials. To realize this potential, however, tissue chip platforms must be both mass‐produced and reconfigurable to allow for customized design. To address these unmet needs, an extension of the µSiM (microdevice featuring a silicon‐nitride membrane) platform is introduced. The modular µSiM (m‐µSiM) uses mass‐produced components to enable rapid assembly and reconfiguration by laboratories without knowledge of microfabrication. The utility of the m‐µSiM is demonstrated by establishing an hiPSC‐derived blood–brain barrier (BBB) in bioengineering and nonengineering, brain barriers focused laboratories. In situ and sampling‐based assays of small molecule diffusion are developed and validated as a measure of barrier function. BBB properties show excellent interlaboratory agreement and match expectations from literature, validating the m‐µSiM as a platform for barrier models and demonstrating successful dissemination of components and protocols. The ability to quickly reconfigure the m‐µSiM for coculture and immune cell transmigration studies through addition of accessories and/or quick exchange of components is then demonstrated. Because the development of modified components and accessories is easily achieved, custom designs of the m‐µSiM shall be accessible to any laboratory desiring a barrier‐style tissue chip platform.
“Tree‐Trunk” Design for Flexible Quasi‐Solid‐State Electrolytes with Hierarchical Ion‐Channels Enabling Ultralong‐Life Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Zheng Yun , Yang Na , Gao Rui , Li Zhaoqiang , Dou Haozhen , Li Gaoran , Qian Lanting , Deng Yaping , Liang Jiequan , Yang Leixin , Liu Yizhou , Ma Qianyi , Luo Dan , Zhu Ning , Li Kecheng , Wang Xin , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe construction of robust (quasi)‐solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) for flexible lithium‐metal batteries is desirable but extremely challenging. Herein, a novel, flexible, and robust quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte (QSSE) with a “tree‐trunk” design is reported for ultralong‐life lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs). An in‐situ‐grown metal–organic framework (MOF) layer covers the cellulose‐based framework to form hierarchical ion‐channels, enabling rapid ionic transfer kinetics and excellent durability. A conductivity of 1.36 × 10−3 S cm−1, a transference number of 0.72, an electrochemical window of 5.26 V, and a good rate performance are achieved. The flexible LMBs fabricated with as‐designed QSSEs deliver areal capacity of up to 3.1 mAh cm−2 at the initial cycle with high mass loading of 14.8 mg cm−2 in Li‐NCM811 cells and can retain ≈80% capacity retention after 300 cycles. An ultralong‐life of 3000 cycles (6000 h) is also achieved in Li‐LiFePO4 cells. This work presents a promising route in constructing a flexible QSSE toward ultralong‐life LMBs, and also provides a design rationale for material and structure development in the area of energy storage and conversion.