Use of geographic information system tools to predict animal breed suitability for different agro-ecological zones.

Predicting breed-specific environmental suitability has been problematic in livestock production. Native breeds have low productivity but are thought to be more robust to perform under local conditions than exotic breeds. Attempts to introduce genetically improved exotic breeds are generally unsuccessful, mainly due to the antagonistic environmental conditions.

Comparison of performance, health and welfare aspects between commercially housed hatchery-hatched and on-farm hatched broiler flocks.

On-farm hatching systems for broiler chicks are increasingly used in practice. We studied whether or not performance, health and welfare aspects differed between commercial flocks hatched on-farm or in a hatchery (control). In two successive production cycles on seven farms, a total of 16 on-farm hatched flocks were paired to 16 control flocks, housed at the same farm.

Towards a framework to assess, compare and develop monitoring and evaluation of climate change adaptation in Europe.

Adaptation is increasingly recognised as essential when dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change on societies, economies and the environment. However, there is insufficient information about the effectiveness of adaption policies, measures and actions. For this reason, the establishment of monitoring programmes is considered to be necessary.

Urban heat indicator map for climate adaptation planning.

By 2050, 75 % of the world's population will live in cities and the occurrence of heat wave events might have doubled. Mapping the climate and land use change impact for urban heat events should set the agenda for adaptation planning at the local scale. Literature on urban heat mapping does not reveal a clear indicator to visualise the urban heat impacts that includes consequences of land use and climate changes for planning purposes.

Reduced efficacy of fluazinam against in the Netherlands.

is the causal organism of potato late blight, the most important disease in potato, the second most important arable crop in Europe. The population in Europe is well known for its sudden changes in composition. Currently it is composed of a wide variety of genotypes, some of which are dominant clonal lines while others are rare or even unique to a year or location.

Effectiveness of the MetSLIM lifestyle intervention targeting individuals of low socio-economic status and different ethnic origins with elevated waist-to-height ratio.

Objective: To evaluate whether the lifestyle intervention MetSLIM targeting individuals of low socio-economic status of Turkish, Moroccan and Dutch origin was successful in improving waist circumference and other cardiometabolic risk factors, lifestyle behaviour and quality of life.

Design: A quasi-experimental intervention study (Netherlands Trial Register NTR3721). The intervention group participated in a 12-month combined dietary and physical activity programme.

Changes in in vitro gas and methane production from rumen fluid from dairy cows during adaptation to feed additives in vivo.

The adaptation of dairy cows to methane (CH4)-mitigating feed additives was evaluated using the in vitro gas production (GP) technique. Nine rumen-fistulated lactating Holstein cows were grouped into three blocks and within blocks randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets: Control (CON; no feed additive), Agolin Ruminant® (AR; 0.05 g/kg dry matter (DM)) or lauric acid (LA; 30 g/kg DM).

Process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial of a diabetes prevention intervention in Dutch primary health care: the SLIMMER study.

Objective: To investigate (i) how the SLIMMER intervention was delivered and received in Dutch primary health care and (ii) how this could explain intervention effectiveness.

Design: A randomised controlled trial was conducted and subjects were randomly allocated to the intervention (10-month combined dietary and physical activity intervention) or the control group. A process evaluation including quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted.

Encouraging vegetable intake as a snack among children: the influence of portion and unit size.

Objective: People eat more unhealthy foods when served more (portion size effect) and when the food is served in larger units (unit size effect). The present study aimed to examine whether these effects can be used for the good: to increase vegetable consumption among children.

Design: A 2×2 between-subjects experiment was conducted at two schools.

Indicators used in livestock to assess unconsciousness after stunning: a review.

Assessing unconsciousness is important to safeguard animal welfare shortly after stunning at the slaughter plant. Indicators that can be visually evaluated are most often used when assessing unconsciousness, as they can be easily applied in slaughter plants. These indicators include reflexes originating from the brain stem (e.