bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forage production by two Lotus species as influenced by companion grass species
Authors: HOPKINS A. , MARTYN T. M. , JOHNSON R. H , SHELDRICK R. D. , LAVENDER R. H.
Published: April 2006

A small‐plot experiment was carried out with grass‐lotus (Lotus spp.) swards on a lowland (185 m) clay‐soil site in S‐W England. Two species of lotus (Lotus corniculatus cv. Leo and L. pedunculatus, syn, L. uliginosus, cv. Maku) were each sown at 10 kg seed ha−1 with lour grass species each at two grass‐seed rates: Festuca pratensis at 6 or 3 kg ha−1 and Phleum pratense, Agrostis capillaris and Poa pratensis at 4 or 2 kg ha−1. Assessments were made over three harvest years (1992–94). during which no fertilizers were applied. Mean total herbage dry matter (DM) harvested from cv. Leo swards was 90 t ha−1 in year 1, 8–9 t ha−1 in year 2 and 4 0 t ha−1 in year 3. and from cv. Maku swards 6–6 t ha−1 in year 1. 8–9 t ha−1 in year 2 and 3–9 t ha−1 in year 3. Highest three‐year mean total yields were with F. pratensis as the companion grass (7–4 t ha−1 year−1), followed by Phleum pratense (7–0 t ha−1), A. capillaris (6–9 t ha−1) and Poa pratensis (6–2 t ha−1). The lower grass‐seed rate resulted in a greater proportion of lotus in the total harvested DM in year I. The higher grass‐seed rate resulted in higher yields from F. pratensis swards in year 1, but there were no significant effects for other species or in subsequent years. Lotus as a proportion of harvested DM declined from about 70% in year 1 to about 20% in year 3. The mean DM yield of lotus herbage in years 1, 2 and 3, respectively, was 5–5, 2–8 and 0–8 t ha−1 from cv. Leo swards, and 4–0, 3–3 and 0–8 t ha−1 from cv. Maku swards. Lotus herbage was of higher digestibility from cv. Leo [digestible organic matter (DOM) of 661 g kg−1 of lotus DM] compared with cv. Maku (551 g kg−1 DM). Mean N content of lotus herbage was 35 g N kg−1 DM. Digestibility of companion grass herbage was highest for Phleum pratense (557 g kg−1 DM) and lowest for A. capillaris (493 g kg−1 DM). It is concluded that lotus may be an alternative legume to white clover for low‐input, low‐fertility situations. However, further research is needed to evaluate its performance on different sites and under different management regimes, particularly grazing, and to overcome the apparent problems of its persistence.
Factors affecting the stolon growth of white clover in ryegrass/clover patches
Authors: Marriott C. A. , Bolton G. R. , Duff E. I.
Published: April 2006

The effects of spatial location of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) within a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)/white clover pasture on stolon and petiole extension were investigated in two experiments, where patch size containing white clover (0·5 m, 1·5 m and 4 m diameter), location within the patch (inside and edge) and cutting height (4 cm and 8 cm) were varied. Stolon extension rate was greater on the edge of a patch (12·1 mm week−1) than inside the patch (7·2 mm week−1). Patch size affected both stolon and petiole extension rate, which were both greater in small and medium‐sized than in large patches. It is suggested that the fastest spread of white clover in patchy sward environments should occur from small patches, which could double in diameter during a growing season. Manipulating the heights of vegetation within and outside large patches affected light quality (red‐far red; R/FR) at ground level, which was greater under shorter than taller swards and greater under the canopy of the grass matrix than the grass/white clover patch. However, the height differences between adjacent vegetation had little effect on stolon or petiole growth. In May only, stolon extension at the patch boundary was greatest when both patches and the grass matrix had a height of 8 cm.
Persistence and colonization of gaps in sown swards of grass and clover under different sward managements
Authors: Marriott C. A. , Fisher J. M. , Hood K. J. , Smith M. A.
Published: April 2006

The effects of extensive sward management and patch size on the persistence and colonization of gaps in sown swards was examined by creating gaps of five different sizes (2·3, 7, 10, 14 and 19 cm in diameter) in four different sward treatments: a fertilized sward grazed to 4 cm, i.e. relatively intensive management, and three extensively managed unfertilized swards, which were not grazed or grazed to 4 cm or 8 cm. The swards were originally sown with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), but had developed differences in species composition as a result of the management treatments imposed 2 years before and during the experiment. Light quality measurements, i.e. red‐far red (R/FR) ratio, were used to determine when the light environment in the gaps no longer differed from that in control, uncut patches and this was used as an estimate of gap persistence. Persistence of gaps depended on both sward management and gap size. Gaps disappeared most rapidly in the ungrazed sward and fertilized 4‐cm sward, and most slowly in the unfertilized 8‐cm sward. Small gaps persisted for up to 2 weeks in all but 8‐cm swards, whereas larger gaps were estimated to persist for up to 20–25 weeks in unfertilized, grazed swards. There was no evidence that the number of grass or dicotyledonous species increased in the gaps compared with the control areas. There were significant positive linear relationships between the vegetation that developed in gaps and that in the control, uncut patches, reflecting the different species composition of the established sward of the grazed (grass‐dominant) and ungrazed (Ranunculus repens‐dominant) treatments. For total grass dry matter and tiller numbers, as well as L. perenne tiller numbers, there was a small, but significant, effect of both patch size and sward management on the slopes of the regressions between the controls and gaps. The results are discussed in relation to the potential for species composition of sown swards to change as a result of gap creation.
Effects of length of grazing session, rumen fill and starvation time before grazing on dry‐matter intake, ingestive behaviour and dry‐matter rumen pool sizes of grazing lactating dairy cows
Authors: Chilibroste P. , Tamminga S. , Boer H.
Published: April 2006

The effects of the length of allowed grazing time (Experiment 1) and length of starvation period before grazing (Experiment 2) on dry‐matter (DM) intake, ingestive behaviour and changes in DM rumen pool sizes during the first grazing bout were investigated in lactating Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows. In Experiment 1, four lengths of allowed grazing time (1, 1·75, 2·50 and 3·25 h) after overnight starvation were compared. Increasing the length of the allowed grazing time significantly increased DM intake (P < 0·01), the proportion of time spent actively eating (P < 0·01) and DM rumen pool size after grazing (P < 0·05). However, DM rumen pool size after grazing was smaller than that measured immediately before the start of starvation (P < 0·01). Bite mass during the first hour of grazing was greater than in the following grazing time. Experiment 2 consisted of a factorial combination of two durations of starvation before grazing (16·5 h and 2·5 h) and the presence or absence in the rumen of 12·5 kg of a synthetic indigestible material. DM intake, as well as grazing time, were greater after a starvation period of 16·5 h and were reduced by the presence in the rumen of indigestible material (P < 0·01). The interaction between factors on grazing time, although not significant (P < 0·06), supports the idea of a combination of signals controlling meal size under grazing conditions. Bite mass was not significantly modified by the period of starvation. DM rumen pool size after grazing was reduced by the placement in the rumen of synthetic indigestible material (P < 0·05) and tended to be lower in cows with the larger period of starvation (P < 0·058). In both experiments, bite rate declined as the grazing session progressed, but bite rate was not affected by treatments.
Effects of cultivar and cutting frequency on dynamics of stolon growth and leaf appearance in white clover grown in mixed swards
Authors: ELGERSMA A. , FENGRUI LI
Published: April 2006

The hypothesis that dynamics of growth, branching of stolons and appearance of leaves are important for the persistence of white clover (Trifolium repens) in mixed swards was tested. The effect of cutting frequency and white clover cultivar on stolon and leaf dynamics was studied throughout the growing season in a field experiment. Mixtures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover cultivars with different leaf sizes, cvs. Alice, Gwenda and Retor, were evaluated for white clover persistence at two cutting frequencies. Stolon dynamics, stolon survival, leaf and node appearance rate, branching, flowering and stolon elongation rate were analysed and related to white clover content and yield.

There were clear seasonal fluctuations in stolon and leaf characteristics. Stolon elongation rate and appearance rates of nodes, leaves and branches declined in autumn. Temperature and irradiation explained a major part of the variation of stolon elongation rate and leaf appearance rate and 25% of the variation in stolon branching rate.

Significant and consistent differences in yield and botanical composition were found between mixtures. Mixtures with cv. Alice had the highest total and white clover yield and the highest white clover content, whereas mixtures with cv. Retor had the lowest yield and the lowest white clover content. Stolon elongation rate and stolon internode length were significantly higher in cv. Alice than in the other white clover cultivars, whereas cv. Retor had a significantly higher percentage of leaves with damage caused by insects and slugs than the other cultivars. Little support was found for the hypothesis that branching characteristics are a key component of competitive success in mixed pasture, as most measured branching characteristics were not associated with differences in white clover yield between cultivars and cutting regimes.
Endophytic fungi and alkaloid production in perennial ryegrass in Germany
Authors: OLDENBURG E.
Published: April 2006

Infection withNeotyphodiumendophyte was detected in 33 of 38 ecotype populations ofLolium perenneoriginating from old grassland at four widespread sites in Germany. The frequency of individual infected plants of the different populations ranged mostly from 1% to 30%; a few populations showed higher infection levels, up to 80%. The contribution of endophyte‐positive plants to the biomass of the original swards was estimated to range from 1% to 34%.

Concentrations of the indole alkaloid lolitrem B detected in the endophyte‐positive German ecotypes were similar to those in the endophyte‐positive cultivars‘Ellett’and‘Grasslands Nui', originating in New Zealand, when all were cultivated under the climatic conditions of northern Germany. A seasonal variation in lolitrem B concentrations was observed from 1993 to 1996. The highest concentrations, 0·8–1·4 mg kg−1dry matter of herbage, were recorded during the months of July and August. These concentrations were not considered to be sufficient to induce‘ryegrass staggers', a neurological disorder in grazing animals. It is concluded that further research is necessary to elucidate the implications of grass endophytes under the climatic conditions of Central Europe.
New approaches for measuring coagulation
Authors: BARROWCLIFFE T. W. , CATTANEO M. , PODDA G. M. , BUCCIARELLI P. , LUSSANA F. , LECCHI A. , TOH C. H. , HEMKER H. C. , BÉGUIN S. , INGERSLEV J. , SØRENSEN B.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  Although specific assays of coagulation factors are essential for diagnostic purposes they only give partial information about an individual's haemostatic state. This can be better assessed by various global tests, and recent developments and evaluations of five such tests are described in this symposium: the PFA‐100; waveform analysis; thrombin generation; overall haemostasis potential; thrombelastography. Each test has advantages in various applications, but the thrombin generation test and waveform analysis have been found most useful in haemophilia, whilst the PFA‐100 is helpful in von Willebrand's disease.
Genetic diagnosis of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders
Authors: PEYVANDI F. , JAYANDHARAN G. , CHANDY M. , SRIVASTAVA A. , NAKAYA S. M. , JOHNSON M. J. , THOMPSON A. R. , GOODEVE A. , GARAGIOLA I. , LAVORETANO S. , MENEGATTI M. , PALLA R. , SPREAFICO M. , TAGLIABUE L. , ASSELTA R. , DUGA S. , MANNUCCI P. M.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  Inherited deficiencies of plasma proteins involved in blood coagulation generally lead to lifelong bleeding disorders, whose severity is inversely proportional to the degree of factor deficiency. Haemophilia A and B, inherited as X‐linked recessive traits, are the most common hereditary hemorrhagic disorders caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX). Together with von Willebrand's disease, a defect of primary haemostasis, these X‐linked disorders include 95% to 97% of all the inherited deficiencies of coagulation factors. The remaining defects, generally transmitted as autosomal recessive traits, are rare with prevalence of the presumably homozygous forms in the general population of 1:500.000 for FVII deficiency and 1 in 2 million for prothrombin (FII) and factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency. Molecular characterization, carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis remain the key steps for the prevention of the birth of children affected by coagulation disorders in developing countries, where patients with these deficiencies rarely live beyond childhood and where management is still largely inadequate. These characterizations are possible by direct or indirect genetic analysis of genes involved in these diseases, and the choice of the strategy depends on the effective available budget and facilities to achieve a large benefit. In countries with more advanced molecular facilities and higher budget resources, the most appropriate choice in general is a direct strategy for mutation detection. However, in countries with limited facilities and low budget resources, carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis are usually performed by linkage analysis with genetic markers. This article reviews the genetic diagnosis of haemophilia, genetics and inhibitor development, genetics of von Willebrand's disease and of rare bleeding disorders.
Von Willebrand's disease: clinical management
Authors: FEDERICI A. B. , CASTAMAN G. , THOMPSON A. , BERNTORP E.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  The aim of treatment of von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is to correct the dual defect of haemostasis, i.e. the abnormal platelet adhesion due to reduced and/or dysfunctional von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the abnormal coagulation expressed by low levels of factor VIII (FVIII). Desmopressin (DDAVP) is the treatment of choice for type 1 VWD because it can induce release of normal VWF from cellular compartments. Prospective studies on biological response versus clinical efficacy of DDAVP in VWD type 1 and 2 are in progress to further explore its benefits and limits as therapeutic option. In type 3 and in severe forms of type 1 and 2 VWD, DDAVP is not effective and for these patients plasma virally inactivated concentrates containing VWF and FVIII are the mainstay of treatment. Several intermediate‐ and high‐purity VWF/FVIII concentrates are available and have been shown to be effective in clinical practice (bleeding and surgery). New VWF products almost devoid of FVIII are now under evaluation in clinical practice. Although thrombotic events are rare in VWD patients receiving repeated infusions of concentrates, there is some concern that sustained high FVIII levels may increase risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Dosage and timing of VWF/FVIII administrations should be planned to keep FVIII level between 50 and 150 U/dL. Appropriate dosage and timing in repeated infusions are also very important in patients exposed to secondary long term prophylaxis for recurrent bleedings.
Assessment of the main metabolism pathways for the flukicidal compound triclabendazole in sheep
Authors: VIRKEL G. , LIFSCHITZ A. , SALLOVITZ J. , PIS A. , LANUSSE C.
Published: April 2006

Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is an halogenated benzimidazole (BZD) compound worldwide used to control immature and adult stages of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize in vitro the patterns of hepatic and ruminal biotransformation of TCBZ and its metabolites in sheep. TCBZ parent drug was metabolized into its sulphoxide (TCBZSO), sulphone (TCBZSO2) and hydroxy derivatives by sheep liver microsomes. The same microsomal fraction was also able to oxidize TCBZSO into TCBZSO2 and hydroxy‐TCBZSO (HO‐TCBZSO). TCBZ sulphoxidation was significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited after inactivation of the flavin‐monooxygenase (FMO) system (77% inhibition) as well as in the presence of the FMO substrate methimazole (MTZ) (71% inhibition). TCBZ sulphoxidative metabolism was also reduced (24% inhibition, P < 0.05) by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PB). The rate of TCBZSO conversion into TCBZSO2 was also significantly inhibited by PB (55% inhibition), MTZ (52% inhibition) and also following FMO inactivation (58% inhibition). The data reported here indicate that the FMO is the main enzymatic pathway involved in TCBZ sulphoxidation (ratio FMO/P450 = 3.83 ± 1.63), although both enzymatic systems participate in a similar proportion in the sulphonation of TCBZSO to form the sulphone metabolite (ratio FMO/P450 = 1.31 ± 0.23). Additionally, ketoconazole (KTZ) did not affect TCBZ sulphoxidation but decreased (66% inhibition, P < 0.05) the formation of TCBZSO2. Similarly, inhibition of TCBZSO2 production was observed after incubation of TCBZSO in the presence of KTZ and erythromycin (ETM). Conversely, thiabendazole (TBZ) and fenbendazole (FBZ) did not affect the oxidative metabolism of both incubated substrates. The sheep ruminal microflora was able to reduce the sulphoxide (TCBZSO) into the parent thioether (TCBZ). The ruminal sulphoreduction of the HO‐TCBZSO derivative into HO‐TCBZ was also demonstrated. The rate of sulphoreduction of HO‐TCBZSO was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that observed for TCBZSO. The metabolic approach tested here contributes to the identification of the different pathways involved in drug biotransformation in ruminant species. These findings on the pattern of hepatic and ruminal biotransformation of TCBZ and its main metabolites are a further contribution to the understanding of the pharmacological properties of widely used anthelmintics in ruminants. Comprehension of TCBZ metabolism is critical to optimize its flukicidal activity.
The pharmacokinetics of orbifloxacin in the horse following oral and intravenous administration
Authors: DAVIS J. L. , PAPICH M. G. , WEINGARTEN A.
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and physicochemical characteristics of orbifloxacin in the horse. Six healthy adult horses were administered oral and intravenous orbifloxacin at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Plasma samples were collected and analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Plasma protein binding and lipophilicity were determinedin vitro. Following i.v. administration, orbifloxacin had a terminal half‐life (t1/2) of 5.08 h and a volume of distribution (Vd(ss)) of 1.58 L/kg. Following oral administration, the average maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 1.25 μg/mL with at1/2of 3.42 h. Systemic bioavailability was 68.35%. Plasma protein binding was 20.64%. The octanol:water partition coefficient (pH 7.4) was 0.2 ± 0.11. No adverse reactions were noted during this study. Dosage regimens were determined from the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic parameters established for fluoroquinolone antibiotics. For susceptible bacteria, an oral dose of approximately 5 mg/kg once daily will produce plasma concentrations within the suggested range. This dose is suggested for further studies on the clinical efficacy of orbifloxacin for treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in the horse.
The cellular response to chromosome breakage
Authors: Longhese Maria Pia , Mantiero Davide , Clerici Michela
Published: April 2006

DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most deleterious types of damage that can occur in the genome of eukaryotic cells because failure to repair them can lead to loss of genetic information and chromosome rearrangements. DSBs can arise by failures in DNA replication and by exposure to environmental factors, such as ionizing radiations and radiomimetic chemicals. Moreover, they might arise when telomeres undergo extensive erosion, leading to the activation of the DNA damage response pathways and the onset of apoptosis and/or senescence. Importantly, DSBs can also form in a programmed manner during development. For example, meiotic recombination and rearrangement of the immunoglobulin genes in lymphocytes require the generation of site‐ or region‐specific DSBs through the action of specific endonucleases. Efficient DSB repair is crucial in safeguarding genome integrity, whose maintenance in the face of DSBs involves branched signalling networks that switch on DNA damage checkpoints, activate DNA repair, induce chromatin reorganization and modulate numerous cellular processes. Not surprisingly, defects in these networks result in a variety of diseases ranging from severe genetic disorders to cancer predisposition and accelerated ageing.
Androgenetic alopecia: Does its presence change our perceptions?
Authors: Karaman Göksun Can , Dereboy Çiğdem , Dereboy Ferhan , Çarman Esra
Published: April 2006

Background  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of androgenetic alopecia on males with and without hair loss and to delineate the level of stress gained by this type of alopecia.

Methods  Two hundred and 52 males (175 with hair loss, 77 without hair loss), between 16 and 72 years of age, participated in the study. A hair loss form (five questions for sociodemographical features, eight questions for dermatological features, eight questions for psychological evaluation) and a list of stressful life events were used.

Results  Desire for treatment was significantly different between the participants with and without androgenetic alopesia (AGA; χ2 = 5.877, d.f. = 1, P = 0.015). Regardless of the presence of AGA, 61.4% accepted AGA as a natural condition with a solution that should be sought, 38.5% as a cause for increased attention, and 56.2% thought that the psychological effects of AGA would mostly be negative. The negative effects of their AGA on other family members, relationships with the opposite sex and occupation/academic life were considered by 37.1%, 43.0% and 36.3% of the participants, respectively. None of the psychological parameters differed significantly between the participants with and without AGA. A small portion (5%) of the variance in perception of stress (0.222 = 0.048) might be explained by the degree of alopecia.

Conclusion  Social and cultural differences might alter perceptions concerning AGA regardless of its presence in an individual.
Stable International Environmental Agreements: An Analytical Approach
Authors: DIAMANTOUDI EFFROSYNI , SARTZETAKIS EFTICHIOS S.
Published: April 2006

In this paper we examine the formation of international environmental agreements (IEAs). We show that the welfare of the signatories does not increase monotonically with respect to the number of signatories. We provide an analytical solution of the leadership model. In particular, we find that if the number of countries is greater than four then there exists a unique stable IEA with either two, three, or four signatories. Furthermore, we show that the welfare of the signatories is almost at its lowest level when the IEA is stable. While in our model each country's choice variable is emissions, we extend our results to the case where the choice variable is abatement efforts.
On the Relative Equitability of a Family of Taxation Rules
Authors: MORENO‐TERNERO JUAN D. , VILLAR ANTONIO
Published: April 2006

A taxation problem consists of collecting a given amount of taxes out of a population whose gross income vector is given. A tax rule R is more equitable than a rule R′ when the after‐tax income vector generated by R Lorenz dominates that generated by R′. In this paper, we present a one‐parameter family of tax rules whose members are fully ranked in terms of relative equitability, for any (finite) income distribution.
Employment, Social Mobility and Neighbourhood Effects: The Case of Sweden
Authors: MUSTERD SAKO , ANDERSSON ROGER
Published: April 2006

In science and in society at large, there is a big debate going on about the existence and potential impact of ‘neighbourhood effects’. The dominant question is: does the social composition of the neighbourhood have specific positive or negative effects on the career prospects of those who are living there? We seek to contribute to this debate by investigating the relationship between individual social mobility and the social composition of the residential environment. For that purpose we analysed new longitudinal Swedish data, which is available at the individual level. We particularly focused our attention on the employment careers of individuals in relation to the levels of employment or unemployment in their individual environments. Environment effects on social mobility were isolated, controlling for relevant variables that were available at the individual level. We were also able to control for changes in the environments over time. Individual longitudinal data could be used over the period 1991–9. The analyses revealed that their environment appears to have a moderate yet clear impact on the employment prospects of unemployed individuals. The academic relevance of the article is in its contribution to the theoretical underpinnings of the human–environment relationship; the societal relevance is to the area‐based policies and the housing policies aimed at social mixing, which are currently being developed in many places in the Western world.
Perceptions, Persecution and Pity: The Limitations of Interventions for Homelessness in Developing Countries
Authors: SPEAK SUZANNE , TIPPLE GRAHAM
Published: April 2006

Interventions for homelessness in developing countries are frequently negative and unhelpful. They tend to exist in an environment of hostility, suspicion and apathy towards homeless people. This environment is cultivated and enhanced by negative and derogatory language and images used by politicians, the public and the media in their portrayal of homeless people as unemployed, beggars, drunks and criminals. Findings from a recently completed study of homelessness in nine developing countries suggest that this perception is largely false. This article argues that, until the popular misconception of homeless people is corrected, even the most well‐intentioned interventions will have little long‐term effect.
Governing Lisbon: Evolving Forms of City Governance
Authors: SILVA CARLOS NUNES , SYRETT STEPHEN
Published: April 2006

For Lisbon, a dominant national capital and increasingly internationalized city, the last 30 years have witnessed a period of dramatic growth, modernization and dynamism. As the socioeconomic landscape has changed, so too has the political and institutional one, with a significant evolution in the nature of systems of governance to manage, respond to and lead the city through this period of intense transition. Whilst increased global and particularly European integration has been an important driver to change, critically it has been the interplay of these global forces with the role and constitution of the national state and political developments at the level of the city, region and municipality that has shaped the evolutionary path of governance change. This article analyses recent governance change within Lisbon to argue that governance transition within Lisbon is characterized by significant change with regard to the relationships between public and private sectors, but also by strong continuities with regard to the dominant role of the central state in the absence of political devolution. The result is a governance system marked by structural constraints that limit the city's capacity to deal with current strategic challenges in an integrated, coordinated and inclusionary manner.
Global City Frontiers: Singapore's Hinterland and the Contested Socio‐political Geographies of Bintan, Indonesia
Authors: BUNNELL TIM , MUZAINI HAMZAH , SIDAWAY JAMES D.
Published: April 2006

During the 1980s, Singapore's policy‐makers perceived that the continued expansion of the Singapore economy required more spaces and workers beyond the 680‐square‐kilometre territorial limits of the city‐state. While planning to extend these limits through further land reclamation, Singapore also began to foster economic cooperation with regional neighbours, most famously in the form of a so‐called Growth Triangle incorporating proximate areas of Malaysia and Indonesia. The empirical focus of this article is on the tourist enclave developed on the Indonesian island of Bintan, a 45‐minute ferry ride from Singapore. This enclave embodies complex re‐territorializations. We specify how, despite a decade of re‐fashioning zones of Bintan into quasi‐enclaves and the literal and metaphorical cultivation of a tourist haven, other claims on these transfrontier zones resurfaced in the form of resistances and struggles over the terms of access to land and resources. It is argued that the trajectory of Bintan is symptomatic of wider transformations and epitomizes new configurations of sovereignty, urbanity and ‘gated globalism’.
Manuel Castells’The City and the Grassroots
Authors: MAYER MARGIT
Published: April 2006

Castells’ definition, developed in The City and the Grassroots, of urban social movements as movements which combine struggles over collective consumption with those for community culture and political self‐determination, reflects the dynamics of movements in the 1960s and 1970s — which have since undergone a series of transformations. In spite of these transformations and fragmentations, Castells’ analysis remains relevant to contemporary studies of urban movements. One of its legacies is the identification of the conflict lines along which, still today, the major urban contestations take place, even though most of the individual movements no longer converge in one multi‐class actor intent on urban social change. The issue of collective consumption is more topical than ever in the current conjuncture, as public infrastructure and services are curtailed, and as local as well as supra‐national manifestations of the anti‐globalization movement are zeroing in on the neoliberalization of the public sector. Also, Castells’ highlighting of the contesting of state power has proved prophetic, not only in the continued presence of autonomous strands in the varied protests against commercialization, privatization, surveillance and exclusion, but also because it implies a sharp critique of the limitation of the civic engagement discourse currently in vogue.
Accruals Management to Achieve Earnings Benchmarks: A Comparison of Pre‐managed Profit and Loss Firms
Authors: Barua Abhijit , Legoria Joseph , Moffitt Jacquelyn Sue
Published: April 2006

Abstract: This study examines whether firms with profits before accruals management are more likely than firms with losses before accruals management to meet or exceed earnings benchmarks when pre‐managed earnings are below those benchmarks. We extendBrown (2001)by documenting that the differential propensity to achieve earnings benchmarks by profitable and nonprofitable firms results from differential accruals management behavior. We find that firms with profits before accruals management are more likely than firms with losses before accruals management to have pre‐managed earnings below both analysts' forecasts and prior period earnings and reported earnings above these benchmarks.
Seasonality in Fund Performance: An Examination of the Portfolio Holdings and Trades of Investment Managers
Authors: Gallagher David R. , Pinnuck Matt
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  This study examines the extent to which seasonal variation arises across calendar months in the performance of active Australian equity managers. While it is well documented that there is seasonality in equity market returns, it is unknown whether calendar month variation in managed fund performance exists. Employing a unique database of monthly stock holdings, we find evidence consistent with systematic variation in the risk‐adjusted performance of active investment managers over the calendar year. Specifically, we find fund performance is higher in the months when corporate earnings are announced. We also document that the performance of fund managers is lower in the months preceding the tax year‐end. Finally, we report evidence that investment manager performance is greater than normal in December, possibly due to both window dressing and the Christmas holiday effect. These findings have important implications for investors attempting to exploit anomalies in fund returns by timing their entry and exit points from active equity funds.
An International Analysis of Historical and Forecast Earnings in Accounting‐Based Valuation Models
Authors: Barniv Ran , Myring Mark
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  In this paper we examine whether the valuation properties of historical accounting amounts, namely earnings and equity book value, differ from those of forecasted earnings for firms in 17 developed countries classified into six accounting regimes. We compare the performance of a historical model and a residual‐income forecast model for explaining security prices. The historical model uses the book value of equities and actual historical earnings and the forecast model uses the book value of equities and analysts' forecasts of earnings in the residual income for estimating the intrinsic value of the firm. The results suggest that book values, historical earnings or forecasted earnings are value relevant in most regimes and countries examined. The forecast model offers significantly greater explanatory power for security prices than the historical model in the Anglo‐Saxon and North American countries, Japan, Germany, and three Nordic countries. The explanatory power of the historical model is similar to that of the forecast model in the Latin countries, two Nordic countries, and Switzerland. We find that the forecast model performs similarly to the historical model where financial analysts' forecasts are noisy and analysts are less active. Further results indicate that the forecasted earnings are more value‐relevant than the historical earnings in countries with stronger investor protection laws, less conservative GAAP, greater income conservatism, and more transparent accounting systems.
Maternal haemodynamics in pre‐eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy during caesarean delivery
Authors: Tihtonen K , Kööbi T , Yli‐Hankala A , Huhtala H , Uotila J
Published: April 2006

Objective  To determine how pre‐eclampsia modifies maternal haemodynamics during caesarean delivery.

Design  Prospective study.

Setting  Tampere University Hospital, Finland.

Population  Ten pre‐eclamptic parturients and ten healthy parturients with uncomplicated pregnancies scheduled for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

Methods  Haemodynamic parameters were assessed by whole‐body impedance cardiography noninvasively.

Main outcome measures  Stroke index (SI), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before operation, continuously during caesarean section, during the period of dissipation of anaesthesia and on the second to fifth postpartum day.

Results  Baseline haemodynamics in women with pre‐eclampsia differed significantly from healthy women in higher SVRI and MAP and lower SI and CI. In women with pre‐eclampsia, preload infusion increased both SI and HR, causing a significant rise in CI, while in healthy parturients, only HR rose. In both the groups, spinal blockade reduced SVRI but CI remained stable. At the moment of delivery, CI increased in both groups. In uncomplicated pregnancies, both SI and HR increased, but in women with pre‐eclampsia, SI was not altered and the rise in CI was due to an increase in HR only. After the reversal of anaesthesia, haemodynamics in the control group returned to baseline values, whereas in women with pre‐eclampsia, SI and CI fell to levels that were significantly lower than the levels observed before surgery.

Conclusions  In women with pre‐eclampsia, inability to increase SI at the moment of delivery may suggest dysfunction of the left ventricle to adapt to volume load caused by delivery and prompts concern for the increased risk of pulmonary oedema.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae), an endemic plant of San Clemente Island
Authors: WALLACE LISA E. , FURCHES M. STEVEN , HELENURM KAIUS
Published: April 2006

In this paper, we report the isolation of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae), a rare species restricted to San Clemente Island, California. We found moderate levels of allelic variation (mean NA= 5.5) and high levels of expected heterozygosity (mean HE= 0.531) across sampled individuals. However, eight loci showed a significant absence of heterozygous individuals, which we attribute to small population size and demographic history of the species.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the rust pathogen, Melampsora lini
Authors: BARRETT LUKE G. , BRUBAKER CURT L.
Published: April 2006

We developed and characterized primers for 11 variable microsatellite loci present in the genome of the flax rust, Melampsora lini. The microsatellite loci were identified by sequencing clones from a library of EcoRI DNA fragments enriched for four simple sequence repeat motifs (AAG, AAT, TC and TG). All 11 primer pairs successfully amplified DNA fragments from a sample of 102 M. lini isolates (98 isolated from Linum marginale and four from Linum usitatissimum), revealing a total of 32 alleles. Allelic diversity at the 11 loci ranged from 0.030 to 0.449.
THE DETERMINATION OF BRICK PROVENANCE AND TECHNOLOGY USING ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FROM THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES*†
Authors: PAVÍA S.
Published: April 2006

This work applies established analytical techniques from the physical sciences to Irish brick, in order to gather evidence of ceramic technologies, provenance and sources of raw materials. Petrographic microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy with an energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction attachment were used to study the brick of Rathfarham Castle, Dublin, built c. 1618, where clay brick was introduced in 1771. Local clay was fired in the laboratory and analysed in a similar manner. The petrography of the pointing mortar was studied in order to gather evidence of ceramic provenance. This paper concludes that the brick was hand‐ moulded with a silica‐based, predominantly non‐calcareous clay of glacial origin, gathered locally, including fluxes and a high percentage of non‐plastic material. The mineralogy and petrography of the brick, together with the presence of pebbles and a coarse matrix, suggest that the raw clay was probably gathered from a glacial deposit. The presence of abundant pebbles and colour inhomogeneities suggests a lack of processing of the raw clay. The brick was probably fired in clamps at top firing temperatures ranging from 750°C to above 900°C. Transformation of limestone temper involving the breakdown of calcite and the generation of calcium silicates, and the new formation of plagioclase, high‐temperature quartz, hematite and spinel were revealed. The presence of spinel in ‘hot spots’ indicates that fuel was added to the raw clay in order to assist firing.
The Advantages of a Rooftop Garden and Other Things
Authors: Zande Robin Vande
Published: April 2006

Design education is an aesthetic and humanistic approach for teaching how to contribute to the improvement of the conditions that affect everyone's lives. This article offers an overview of some important concepts to teach young people about regeneration design and the future of our changing environment. It is becoming increasingly evident that we are immersed in vital ecological relationships and with that awareness comes the undertaking of responsibly sharing the planet with non‐human life, of the need to live within environmental limits, and of ways to create communities that enhance life. There is movement toward a transition from a society preoccupied with consumerism and exploitation, to one that gives priority to a more sustainable future. Underscoring the importance of this issue are three regeneration principles adhered to by many city planners, architects, and product designers: smart growth, sustainable development, and new urbanism. Each has a slightly different set of theories and practices but all have a common thread in restructuring efforts for cities and buildings to be aesthetically, economically, and ecologically healthier places for human and non‐human life. Students should be taught that life‐enhancing design embraces inclusiveness, is built to human scale, is eco‐effective, is aesthetically enriching, and is embedded in social responsibility
Interior Design in Architectural Education
Authors: Gürel Meltem Ö. , Potthoff Joy K.
Published: April 2006

The domain of interiors constitutes a point of tension between practicing architects and interior designers. Design of interior spaces is a significant part of architectural profession. Yet, to what extent does architectural education keep pace with changing demands in rendering topics that are identified as pertinent to the design of interiors? This study explores interior designrelated coursework taught in accredited architectural programmes in the United States. Two methods of collecting data are used: self report from architectural programme chairs and content analysis of web‐site posted programme catalogues describing course content. The findings show that many interior design concepts are not well addressed in the architectural curricula [1]. On average, only 0.44% of program content is dedicated to curricula focusing on knowledge and skills in shaping interiors. These findings offer a parameter to educators who are involved in assessing and reforming architectural education by expanding issues of design in general. The authors contend that the pedagogical approach in architectural programmes would benefit from the inclusion of more interior design concepts and through such education efforts the stature of interior design is likely to be improved.
Contractual Relations in Agricultural Credit Markets: A Hedonic Pricing Approach with Application to Poland
Authors: Petrick Martin , Latruffe Laure
Published: April 2006

We present a micro‐econometric analysis of agricultural credit market outcomes in Poland that investigates the relationship between contractual arrangements and interest rates. An innovative theoretical framework based on a hedonic market model is developed. We interpret the factors that influence interest rates as ‘quality’ components of the credit contract. Using unique data allows us to consider both nominal interest rates and additional bank fees. The results show that banks have preferences for particularly liquid types of collateral, whereas they care little about the purpose for which the loan is used. Furthermore, the analysis allows quantification of the effects of socioeconomic attributes of farmers, different lending sources and government subsidies on interest rates. The latter effect is small compared with the officially declared reduction of the nominal interest rate. A simulation shows that enabling more borrowers to use liquid forms of collateral implies lower rates than those obtained by participating in the subsidy programme.
Structural Breaks, the Export Enhancement Program and the Relationship between Canadian and US Hard Wheat Prices
Authors: Dawson P. J. , Sanjuán Ana I.
Published: April 2006

This paper examines the long‐term relationship between the export prices of Canadian and US hard wheat and the effects of the US Export Enhancement Program (EEP). Using monthly prices for 1974–2001, we adopt the cointegration procedure of Johansen et al. (2000) which permits structural breaks. Results show that a long‐term relationship exists, and there are two breaks that coincide with the EEP. The first break is in late 1985 when the long‐term US/Canadian price ratio fell by 5.5%, while the second is in early 1995 when it increased by 9.2%. Weak exogeneity tests imply that Canada is the price leader, and impulse responses show that long‐term equilibrium is restored within five months following a shock to either price.
The Redistributive Effects of Agricultural Policy on Scottish Farm Incomes
Authors: Allanson Paul
Published: April 2006

This paper focuses on the measurement of the redistributive effects of agricultural policy, proposing measures to characterise and quantify these effects that are based on the change in absolute value of the Gini coefficient. An illustrative study shows that the distribution of support in Scotland in 1999/2000 was regressive with respect to pre‐support farm incomes. Nevertheless, the provision of support would have had an equalising effect on farm incomes but for the resulting changes in the ranking of farms within the income distribution. Reranking not only makes ‘coupled’ support policies ineffective but also inefficient as redistributive instruments.
A Model of Direct and Intermediated Sales
Authors: Hendershott Terrence , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2006

We examine a model in which an upstream firm can sell directly online and through heterogeneous intermediaries to heterogeneous consumers engaging in time‐consuming search. Direct online sales may be more or less convenient and involve costly returns if the good fits consumers poorly. Direct selling appeals to higher‐value consumers and increases the upstream firm's profits by allowing price discrimination. Competition and segmentation due to direct sales results in lower intermediary prices, making all consumers better off. Thus, entry by an upstream firm increases consumer surplus at the expense of intermediaries with the net result being an increase in social welfare.
Reputation in Auctions: Theory, and Evidence from eBay
Authors: Houser Daniel , Wooders John
Published: April 2006

Employing a procedure suggested by a simple theoretical model of auctions in which bidders and sellers have observable and heterogenous reputations for default, we examine the effect of reputation on price in a data set drawn from the online auction site eBay. Our main empirical result is that seller's, but not bidder's, reputation has an economically and statistically significant effect on price.
Optimal Task Design: To Integrate or Separate Planning and Implementation?
Authors: Khalil Fahad , Kim Doyoung , Shin Dongsoo
Published: April 2006

Integrating planning and implementation, by having one agent perform both tasks, may be effective in encouraging planning activity whose outcome is not observable. Emphasizing its information‐generating role, we find that planning activity is best encouraged by partially integrating the tasks. This is because the value of information is nonmonotonic in the degree of task integration. Therefore, the threat of using a second agent to implement the project may relax the moral hazard constraint associated with the planning task. The project size is distorted to increase the value of information, and there can be overinvestment relative to the first best.