Development and validation of a one-tube, nested real-time PCR method suitable for routine detection of Mycobacterium bovis in animal tissue.

AIMS: Development and validation of a real-time PCR test for high-throughput routine screening of animal tissue for Mycobacterium bovis and other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) members. METHODS AND RESULTS: A preliminary study compared the results of a combination of five tissue preparation/DNA extraction methods and nine PCR assays on a panel of 92 cattle tissue samples of known M. bovis culture status (55 positive and 37 negative). The combination of DNA extraction and PCR was found to be important in achieving optimal detection of M. bovis. The optimal combination of a simple tissue preparation/DNA extraction method and a one-tube, nested real-time PCR to maximize the sensitivity of detection of an M. bovis-specific RD4 deletion and an IS1081 MTBC-specific target was selected for further evaluation. In total, tissue samples collected from 981 cattle and 366 non-bovine animals and submitted for routine TB culture were parallel tested with the selected method, as well as tissue samples obtained from 156 animals in certified TB-free cattle herds. CONCLUSION: For cattle, the optimized RD4-IS1081 PCR test exhibited a diagnostic sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 94-97%) and specificity of 97% (95% CI: 95-98%) compared to culture. Specificity was 100% when testing the 156 samples from known TB-free cattle. For non-bovine species, the PCR had a diagnostic sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 83-98%) and a specificity of 99% (95% CI: 97-100%).

Assessment of the frequency of Mycobacterium bovis shedding in the faeces of naturally and experimentally TB infected cattle.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis bacilli in faecal samples of tuberculous cattle, and to better understand the risk of environmental dissemination of bovine tuberculosis (TB) through the spreading of manure or slurry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Faecal samples were collected from 72 naturally infected cattle with visible lesions of TB that had reacted to the tuberculin skin test and 12 cattle experimentally infected with M. bovis. These were examined by microbial culture and PCR to assess the presence of M. bovis bacilli. There were no positive cultures from any naturally infected test reactor animal. A single M. bovis colony was cultured from a faecal sample from one of the experimentally infected animals. A single PCR positive result was obtained from the faecal sample of one naturally infected test reactor. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of M. bovis in the faecal samples of TB-infected cattle was extremely low. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results suggest that the risk of spreading TB through the use of slurry or manure as an agricultural fertilizer is lower than that suggested in some historical literature. The results could inform a reconsideration of current risk assessments and guidelines on the disposal of manure and slurry from TB-infected herds.

American Society for Pain Management Nursing Guidelines on Monitoring for Opioid-Induced Advancing Sedation and Respiratory Depression: Revisions.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents up-to-date evidence and expert consensus-based revisions to the ASPMN 2011 guidelines that inform interprofessional clinical decision-making for hospitalized adults receiving opioid analgesics. DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A 14-member expert panel was charged with reviewing and grading the strength of scientific evidence published in peer reviewed journals and revising the ASPMN 2011 existing guidelines. Panel members formulated recommendations based on the strength of evidence and reached consensus through discussion, reappraisal of evidence, and voting by majority when necessary. The American Society of Anesthesiologists evidence categories for grading and classifying the strength of the evidence were used. Recommendations were subjected to a critical review by ASPMN members as well as external reviews. RESULTS: The 2011 guidelines were found to still be relevant to clinical practice, but new evidence substantiated refinement and more specific recommendations for electronic monitoring. The revised guidelines present risk factors divided into three categories: patient-specific, treatment-related, and environment of care. Specific recommendations for the use of electronic monitoring are delineated. CONCLUSIONS: All hospitalized patients that are administered opioids for acute pain are at risk of opioid induced advancing sedation and respiratory depression, but some patients are at high risk and require extra vigilance to prevent adverse events. All patients must be assessed for level of risk. Adaptations to the plan of care and monitoring strategies should be driven by iterative re-assessments according to level of risk. NURSING PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Opioid medications continue to be a major component in the management of acute pain. Clinicians have the primary responsibility for safe and effective pain management. Evidence based monitoring strategies can improve patient safety with opioids.

Medial Open Transversus Abdominis Plane (MOTAP) Catheters Reduce Opioid Requirements and Improve Pain Control Following Open Liver Resection: A Multicenter, Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional management of pain following open liver resection involves intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) or epidural analgesia. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of a regional technique called Medial Open Transversus Abdominis Plane (MOTAP) catheter analgesia compared with IV PCA. METHODS: This was a blinded, randomized, controlled parallel-arm trial conducted at 2 high-volume centers. Patients undergoing liver resection through a subcostal incision were enrolled. Using a standardized technique, 2 catheters were placed after resection: one in the plane between internal oblique and transversus abdominis and the other in the posterior rectus sheath. Patients were randomized to receive ropivacaine 0.2% (ROP) or saline (NS) through both catheters for 72 hours. All patients received IV PCA with hydromorphone as part of a multimodality analgesia program. Primary outcome was opioid use over the first 48 hours. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients were included in the analysis (71 ROP, 82 NS). Patients receiving ROP used significantly less opioid than patients with NS at 48 hours (median 39.6 mg morphine-equivalent vs 49.2 mg, P = 0.033) and at 72 hours (median 50.0 vs 66.4 mg, P = 0.046). Pain scores at rest and with coughing were significantly lower at all time points in patients who received ROP (P = 0.002). Median length of hospital stay was 5 days in patients receiving ROP and 6 days in patients who received NS (P = 0.035). There was no difference between groups in complications [ROP 20 (28.2%) vs NS 26 (31.7%), P = 0.63]. CONCLUSION: MOTAP catheter analgesia reduces opioid requirements, pain, and length of hospital stay compared with IV PCA following open liver resection with subcostal incisions.

Development of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline and Implementation Strategy Based on the Knowledge-to-action Cycle.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been shown to increase recovery, decrease complications, and reduce length of stay. However, they are difficult to implement. OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement an ERAS clinical practice guideline (CPG) at multiple hospitals. METHODS: A tailored strategy based on the Knowledge-to-action (KTA) cycle was used to develop and implement an ERAS CPG at 15 academic hospitals in Canada. This included an initial audit to identify gaps and interviews to assess barriers and enablers to implementation. Implementation included development of an ERAS guideline by a multidisciplinary group, communities of practice led by multidiscipline champions (surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses) both provincially and locally, educational tools, and clinical pathways as well as audit and feedback. RESULTS: The initial audit revealed there was greater than 75% compliance in only 2 of 18 CPG recommendations. Main themes identified by stakeholders were that the CPG must be based on best evidence, there must be increased communication and collaboration among perioperative team members, and patient education is essential. ERAS and Pain Management CPGs were developed by a multidisciplinary team and have been adopted at all hospitals. Preliminary data from more than 1000 patients show that the uptake of recommended interventions varies but despite this, mean length of stay has decreased with low readmission rates and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of short-term findings, our results suggest that a tailored implementation strategy based on the KTA cycle can be used to successfully implement an ERAS program at multiple sites.

Performance of a Noninvasive Test for Detecting Mycobacterium bovis Shedding in European Badger (Meles meles) Populations.

The incidence of Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, in cattle herds in the United Kingdom is increasing, resulting in substantial economic losses. The European badger (Meles meles) is implicated as a wildlife reservoir and is the subject of control measures aimed at reducing the incidence of infection in cattle populations. Understanding the epidemiology of M. bovis in badger populations is essential for directing control interventions and understanding disease spread; however, accurate diagnosis in live animals is challenging and currently uses invasive methods. Here we present a noninvasive diagnostic procedure and sampling regimen using field sampling of latrines and detection of M. bovis with quantitative PCR tests, the results of which strongly correlate with the results of immunoassays in the field at the social group level. This method allows M. bovis infections in badger populations to be monitored without trapping and provides additional information on the quantities of bacterial DNA shed. Therefore, our approach may provide valuable insights into the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in badger populations and inform disease control interventions.

Alternative parameterizations of relatedness in whole genome association analysis of pre-weaning traits of Nelore-Angus calves.

Gestation length, birth weight, and weaning weight of F2 Nelore-Angus calves (n = 737) with designed extensive full-sibling and half-sibling relatedness were evaluated for association with 34,957 SNP markers. In analyses of birth weight, random relatedness was modeled three ways: 1) none, 2) random animal, pedigree-based relationship matrix, or 3) random animal, genomic relationship matrix. Detected birth weight-SNP associations were 1,200, 735, and 31 for those parameterizations respectively; each additional model refinement removed associations that apparently were a result of the built-in stratification by relatedness. Subsequent analyses of gestation length and weaning weight modeled genomic relatedness; there were 40 and 26 trait-marker associations detected for those traits, respectively. Birth weight associations were on BTA14 except for a single marker on BTA5. Gestation length associations included 37 SNP on BTA21, 2 on BTA27 and one on BTA3. Weaning weight associations were on BTA14 except for a single marker on BTA10. Twenty-one SNP markers on BTA14 were detected in both birth and weaning weight analyses.

Understanding the Behavioral Health Risk Factors that African American and Latinx Women Experience within a National Context.

In an effort to address social determinants of health and to reduce barriers to care, there have been increased attempts to understand and mitigate public health concerns in ethnic minority communities. As knowledge increases regarding the impact of health disparities on ethnic minority communities, social workers practice knowledge must expand to include intersectional approaches and methods that are inclusive of mechanisms that address inconsistencies in access to health care. Using the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), this study examined behavioral health and psychosocial risk factors that African American and Latinx women (n = 7008) experienced and identified how these factors are associated with self-reported overall health. Results indicated that overall health and wellbeing is linked to psychosocial risk factors, such as depression, substance use, and even age for African American and Latinx women.

Inclusion of Beef Heart in Ground Beef Patties Alters Quality Characteristics and Consumer Acceptability as Assessed by the Application of Electronic Nose and Tongue Technology.

Consumer purchasing of beef is often driven by the trinity of flavor, palatability, and convenience. Currently, beef patties in the United States are manufactured with fat and lean trimmings derived from skeletal muscles. A reduction in total beef supply may require the use of animal by-product utilization such as variety meats to achieve patty formulations. The current study aimed to assess textural, color, and flavor characteristics in addition to volatile compounds through electronic technology, e-nose and e-tongue, of ground beef patties formulated with beef heart. Ground beef patties were manufactured with 0%, 6%, 12%, or 18% beef heart, with the remainder of the meat block being shoulder clod-derived ground beef. Patties (n = 65/batch/treatment) within each batch (n = 3) with each treatment were randomly allocated to cooked color (n = 17/batch/treatment), Allo-Kramer shear force (AKSF; n = 17/batch/treatment), texture profile analysis (TPA; n = 6/batch/treatment), cooking loss (n = 17/batch/treatment), consumer panel (n = 3/batch/treatment), e-nose (n = 1/batch/treatment), and e-tongue (n = 1/batch/treatment) analysis groups. Patties containing beef heart did not require additional cooking time (p = 0.1325) nor exhibit greater cooking loss (p = 0.0803). Additionally, inclusion rates of beef heart increased hardness (p = 0.0030) and chewiness values (p = 0.0316) in TPA, were internally redder (p = 0.0001), and reduced overall liking by consumer panelists (p = 0.0367). Lastly, patties containing beef heart exhibited greater red-to-brown (p = 0.0003) and hue angle (p = 0.0001) values than control patties. The results suggest that beef heart inclusion does alter ground beef quality characteristics and consumer acceptability.

Effects of a short-term carbohydrate-restricted diet on strength and power performance.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of switching from a habitual diet to a carbohydrate-restricted diet (CRD) on strength and power performance in trained men (n = 16) and women (n = 15). Subjects performed handgrip dynamometry, vertical jump, 1RM bench press and back squat, maximum-repetition bench press, and a 30-second Wingate anaerobic cycling test after consuming a habitual diet (40.7% carbohydrate, 22.2% protein, and 34.4% fat) for 7 days and again after following a CRD (5.4% carbohydrate, 35.1% protein, and 53.6% fat) for 7 days. Before both testing sessions, body weight and composition were examined using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Three 2 × 2 multiple analyses of variance were used to compare performance variables between the habitual diet and CRD. Subjects consumed significantly fewer (p < 0.05) total kilocalories during the CRD (2,156.55 ± 126.7) compared with the habitual diet (2,537.43 ± 99.5). Body mass decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Despite a reduction in body mass, strength and power outputs were maintained for men and women during the CRD. These findings may have implications for sports that use weight classes, and in which strength and power are determinants of success. A CRD may be an alternative method for short-term weight loss without compromising strength and power outputs. The use of a 7-day CRD could replace weight loss methods employing severe dehydration before competition.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Salmonella in Environmental Components and Peripheral Lymph Nodes of Fed Cattle From Weaning to Finish in Three Distinct Feeding Locations.

Salmonella prevalence in bovine lymph nodes (LNs) varies due to seasonality, geographic location, and feedyard environment. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish prevalence rates of Salmonella in environmental components (trough water, pen soil, individual feed ingredients, prepared rations, and fecal samples) and LNs from weaning to finish in three feeding locations, and (2) characterize recovered salmonellae. Calves (n = 120) were raised at the Texas A&M University McGregor Research Center; in lieu of beginning the backgrounding/stocker phase, thirty weanling calves were harvested. Of the remaining ninety calves, thirty were retained at McGregor and sixty were transported to commercial feeding operations (Location A or B; thirty calves each). Locations A and B have historically produced cattle with relatively "low" and "high" rates of Salmonella-positive LNs, respectively. Ten calves per location were harvested at the conclusion of (1) the backgrounding/stocker phase, (2) 60 d on feed, and (3) 165 d on feed. On each harvest day, peripheral LNs were excised. Environmental samples were obtained from each location before and after each phase, and every 30 d during the feeding period. In line with previous work, no Salmonella-positive LNs were recovered from cattle managed at Location A. Salmonella-positive LNs (30%) and environmental components (41%) were most commonly recovered from Location B. Of 7 and 36 total serovars recovered from Salmonella-positive LN and environmental samples, respectively, Anatum was identified most frequently. Data from this study provide insight into Salmonella prevalence differences among feeding locations and the possible influence of environmental and/or management practices at each. Such information can be used to shape industry best practices to reduce Salmonella prevalence in cattle feeding operations, resulting in a decreased prevalence of Salmonella in LNs, and thus, minimizing risks to human health.

Consider the Source: The Impact of Social Mixing on Drylot Housed Steer Behavior and Productivity.

Cattle are a social species in which social mixing can induce physical and psychosocial stress; however, the impact of social mixing on cattle welfare is unknown. Two different sources of genetically similar Angus crossbred steers were transported to the same feedlot and assigned to a pen where they were either socially mixed or housed with individuals from their source herds. Social mixing did not impact average daily gains in pens, feed intake, or feed efficiency; pens of socially mixed steers were more active. Sources differed in their responses to social mixing. One source was unaffected, whereas social mixing negatively impacted productivity for the other source. Irrespective of social mixing, the sources differed in the amount of time per day they spent ruminating and drinking. Group analyses indicated that socially mixing two sources of feedlot steers did not negatively impact group productivity, yet the impacts that were observed at the individual level suggest that prior experiences may influence their ability to cope with social stress, emphasizing the importance of early-life experiences to long-term welfare and productivity. Social mixing was not universally detrimental to cattle welfare, and the source of cattle may have the greatest affect on their performance regardless of whether a social mixing event has occurred.

Characterization of Growth Performance, Pork Quality, and Body Composition in Mangalica Pigs.

European heritage breeds, such as the Blonde (B), Red (R), and Swallow-bellied (SB) Mangalica pig, display an extreme propensity to fatten and are reputed to produce superior quality pork. This suggests that Mangalica pork should command a higher price, and the Mangalica is a candidate breed to target niche markets within the United States. Our objectives were to test this hypothesis by (1) directly comparing growth performance and carcass merit of purebred Yorkshire (Y), B, R, and SB Mangalica pigs to identify the best breed for adoption, and (2) comparing indices of pork quality in purebred R, Y, and crossbred (R × Y) pigs to determine if crossbreeding represented a viable alternative to the adoption of purebred Mangalica. Daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency were highest in Y and lowest in SB pigs with B and R ranked intermediately (p < 0.001). Backfat thickness was greatest in B and lowest in Y with R and SB ranked intermediately (p < 0.001). Marbling score was greatest in R pigs and lowest in Y pigs with B and SB ranked intermediately (p < 0.01). In contrast, loin eye area (LEA) was greatest in Y pigs compared to B, R, and SB (p < 0.001). Indices of meat quality were then compared in R, R × Y, and Y pigs. Backfat thickness and marbling scores were greater in R than R × Y and Y pigs (p < 0.001) while LEA was greater in Y than R × Y and R pigs (p < 0.001). Loin and ham ultimate pH, color, and firmness scores were significantly greater in R than R × Y or Y pigs (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, cook loss was significantly less in R than Y pigs (p < 0.007) while Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBS) was not different in chops between groups (p < 0.11). These data indicate that though Mangalica exhibit poorer growth performance, Mangalica pork exhibits superior pork quality attributes, suggesting that higher price points for Mangalica pork in niche markets are justified.

Influence of Hempseed Meal on Fresh Goat Meat Characteristics Stored in Vacuum Packaging.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hempseed meal (HSM) on goat meat characteristics. Goats (N = 10/treatment) were allocated to a diet concentration (0, 10, 20, or 30%) of HSM, fed for 60 days, and harvested. Carcass measurements were collected after chilling, and subsequently fabricated into wholesale subprimals. From the subprimals of the shoulder and leg, steaks were cut 2.54 cm thick, vacuum packaged, and assigned to laboratory methods: cook yield, instrumental color, lipid oxidation, microbial spoilage, and instrumental tenderness. HSM did not alter (p > 0.05) carcass characteristics, microbial spoilage, cook loss, or the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). However, a decrease in objective tenderness measurements (p < 0.05) was observed with greater concentrations of HSM supplementation in the diet. Instrumental surface color values for lightness (L*) indicated that steaks became lighter and less red (a*) as storage time increased (p < 0.05). Results suggest that HSM and storage time do not alter some goat meat traits, but HSM or storage time separately may influence goat meat quality. HSM may be an effective feed ingredient that does not alter carcass quality or meat yield.

Influence of Sous Vide Cooking on Ground Beef Patties.

With rising consumer demand for fast-food options, quick-service restaurants are constantly developing new menu items to attract consumers. Sous vide cookery has become popular for the in-home and fine dining consumer but has not been considered the first cooking option for quick service applications. Therefore, ground beef patties were manufactured to measure the influence of sous vide cooking time on the patty characteristics of moisture, color, and objective tenderness. Patties were randomly assigned a sous vide cooking time of 30, 60, or 90 min and then grilled to an internal temperature of 71.1 °C. Patties sous vide cooked for 30 min exhibited the greatest (p < 0.05) cook loss, Allo-Kramer Shear Force (AKSF) and were darker (L*) than patties sous vide cooked for 60 or 90 min. Additionally, neither internal redness, calculated spectral values of chroma, hue angle, or red-to-brown differed (p > 0.05) regardless of sous vide cooking time. Sous vide cooking duration prior to grilling the ground beef patties altered the moisture, color, and objective texture characteristics of ground beef patties.

Extended Storage of Beef Steaks Using Thermoforming Vacuum Packaging.

Extended storage duration often results in negative quality attributes of fresh or frozen beef steaks. This study focused on evaluating the fresh and cooked meat quality of beef steaks stored using vacuum packaging for 63 days. Steaks 2.54 cm thick were packaged into one of three thermoforming films VPA (250 µ nylon/EVOH/enhanced polyethylene coextrusion), VPB (250 µ nylon/EVOH/enhanced polyethylene coextrusion), or VPC (125 µ nylon/EVOH/enhanced/polyethylene coextrusion). Steaks placed in VPA were lighter (L*) and redder (a*) in surface color (p < 0.05) as the display period increased, whereas steaks packaged in VPB and VPC became darker. Yellowness, hue angle (Hue°), and chroma (C*) values were greater (p < 0.05) in steaks using VPC film as the storage period increased. Calculated spectral values of red to brown were greater (p < 0.05) for steaks in VPA and VPB than in VPC. However, steaks placed in VPC films contained greater (p < 0.05) forms of metmyoglobin and oxymyoglobin and lower calculated relative values of deoxymyoglobin. In addition, packaging treatment altered (p > 0.05) lipid oxidation, but storage time had a greater (p < 0.05) influence on purge loss, cook loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Current results suggest that the use of vacuum packaging for extended storage of beef steaks (>60) days is plausible.

Feeding Ractopamine Improves the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of the Lard-Type Mangalica Pig.

Mangalica pigs are gaining popularity within the U.S. as a niche breed, given their reputation for superior-quality pork. However, slow growth rates, a poor lean yield, and excessive adiposity limit the widespread adoption of Mangalica. To determine if feeding the metabolic modifier, ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC), would improve growth performance without impairing pork quality in the Mangalica, pigs were fed either 0 or 20 mg per kg RAC for 21 days. At 24 h postharvest, pork quality and carcass composition measurements were recorded; then, primal cuts were fabricated and assessed. RAC increased ADG (p < 0.04) and gain efficiency (p < 0.03) by 24% and 21%, respectively. RAC increased Loin Eye Area (p < 0.0001) by 21% but did not impact the 10th rib fat depth (p > 0.90) or marbling score (p > 0.77). RAC failed to alter any primal cut weights. Feeding RAC lowered b* values (p < 0.04) and tended to lower L* values (p < 0.08) while not affecting a* values (p > 0.30), suggesting RAC darkened loin color. Finally, RAC decreased cook yield percentage (p < 0.02) by 11% without impacting Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (p > 0.31). These data support the hypothesis that feeding RAC to Mangalica improves growth performance without impairing pork quality in this breed.

Whole-genome sequencing and genetic variant analysis of a Quarter Horse mare.

BACKGROUND: The catalog of genetic variants in the horse genome originates from a few select animals, the majority originating from the Thoroughbred mare used for the equine genome sequencing project. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertion/deletion polymorphisms (INDELs), and copy number variants (CNVs) in the genome of an individual Quarter Horse mare sequenced by next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Using massively parallel paired-end sequencing, we generated 59.6 Gb of DNA sequence from a Quarter Horse mare resulting in an average of 24.7X sequence coverage. Reads were mapped to approximately 97% of the reference Thoroughbred genome. Unmapped reads were de novo assembled resulting in 19.1 Mb of new genomic sequence in the horse. Using a stringent filtering method, we identified 3.1 million SNPs, 193 thousand INDELs, and 282 CNVs. Genetic variants were annotated to determine their impact on gene structure and function. Additionally, we genotyped this Quarter Horse for mutations of known diseases and for variants associated with particular traits. Functional clustering analysis of genetic variants revealed that most of the genetic variation in the horse's genome was enriched in sensory perception, signal transduction, and immunity and defense pathways. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first sequencing of a horse genome by next-generation sequencing and the first genomic sequence of an individual Quarter Horse mare. We have increased the catalog of genetic variants for use in equine genomics by the addition of novel SNPs, INDELs, and CNVs. The genetic variants described here will be a useful resource for future studies of genetic variation regulating performance traits and diseases in equids.

Systems Assessment of Beef Sustainability.

Assessment of sustainability of a system is largely a forecasting problem, in which the likelihood of system persistence must be evaluated. The use of systems thinking and systems analysis provides useful mechanisms for assessing sustainability in complex food animal production systems. Importantly, evaluation of the system also aids in the identification of variables highly correlated to persistence and ratios among stocks and outputs that can be useful for management. The complexity of the systems makes linear assessment of sustainability from gross resource use indicators tenuous, and likely to lead to false inference. Development of a framework for indicator development and assessment is critical to avoid unintended consequences of inadequate forecasts.