bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework of Access to Financial Services by Farmers in Emerging Economies: Implication for Empirical Analysis
Authors: Awunyo-Vitor Dadson 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This paper presents a discussion on the theoretical and conceptual framework on issues relating to access to financial services. The discussion begins by providing details of various theories that underpin the demand and supply side of access to financial services. The supply dimension of access to financial services is guided by the information asymmetry theory and the transaction cost theory, while the key demand dimension theories are the delegated monitoring theory and the rational choice theory. In the later sections, a conceptual framework was developed for the empirical evaluation of access to financial services and its impact on productivity with particular reference to farmers in emerging economies. The last section provides the concluding remarks, which recommends the use of empirical analyses to access factors influencing access and the impact of the access to farmers’ productivity.
Bank Capital, Operating Efficiency, and Corporate Performance in Nigeria
Authors: Salami Abdulai Agbaje , Uthman Ahmad Bukola 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This study examines the impact of bank capital and operating efficiency on the Nigerian deposit money bank financial performance with a view to resolving risk-based and non-risk-based capitals’ dichotomy existing in the bank literature. Using bank-specific data obtained from the annual reports and accounts of 15 banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange between 2012 and 2015, the panel data regression analyses revealed the superiority of standard capital ratio of equity-to-total-assets, a non-risk-based capital, over other measures. While all measures, both risk-based and non-risk-based capitals, showed significantly positive effects on bank performance as measured by return-on-asset, mixed results were obtained from other indicators: return-on-equity and net-interest-margin. Overall, only equity-to-total-assets influenced all adopted performance indicators positively. It was also found that operating efficiency measured by cost-to-income ratio had negative impact on bank performance, but on the average it appeared too high. Thus, incorporating the standard capital ratio of equity-to-total assets into regulatory regime by the banks’ regulator is recommended to ensure its relevance is not overshadowed.
Senųjų baltiškųjų Enchiridiono vertimų paralelės: dėl pasiutimo formos (vok. ӡu f luchen bewegt)
Authors: Dini Pietro Umberto 
Published: March 2019

[full article and abstract in Lithuanian; abstract in English]
The aim of this paper is to investigate how the expression ʒu fluchen bewegt (in the context: [Ich...] habe ſie erʒrnet und ʒu f luchen bewegt), found in the chapter on Confession in the Small Catechism by M. Luther, was rendered in the Old Prussian, Old Lithuanian and Old Latvian translations.The usage and semantics of this expression, as well as the different strategies employed by translators in each language for its respective translation, are studied in a contrastive way and by means of the hermeneutic method.Abel Will’s work was probably exposed to different impulses, among them literality and iconism. His translation process could be influenced both by the phonetic and semantic vicinity between the German Woge, bewegen and bewegt ~ bewogen. Contrastive examples in other languages are also given. According to the author, in the case of the OPr. word pobanginnos, A. Will created a Lehnschöpfung, a fact that reveals a subtle interference with the German language.
Laiko sakiniai su kuomet senojoje ir dabartinėje lietuvių kalboje
Authors: Pajėdienė Jūratė 
Published: March 2019

[full article and abstract in Lithuanian; abstract in English]
This article discusses the usage of subordinate clauses of time with kuomet in Old Lithuanian and Modern Lithuanian. The morphosyntactic structure of time clauses with kuomet, recorded in old Lithuanian writings (both translations and original texts), is rather similar: they are usually employed to emphasize the exceptionality of a certain moment or situation; therefore, they use negatives or other syntactic means that highlight exceptionality rather frequently, whereas time clauses with kuomet become an important part of the argumentative discourse. Situational, semantic and positional models of time clauses containing kuomet show that kuomet used in the time clauses of old Lithuanian writings meets all the necessary parameters of an adverbial subordinator. The usage of time clauses with kuomet in the original works of the authors of the old writings attributed to different dialects – Jonas Bretkūnas, Zacharijus Blothnas and Konstantinas Sirvydas – prevents us from considering kuomet as a dialecticism. The time clauses with kuomet used in Modern Lithuanian are also used to describe the situations of two actions that are related to exceptionality and the importance of a special moment. This enables us to define kuomet as a traditionally inherited adverbial subordinator of time clauses and to stop doubting the grammatical and contextual suitability of this subtype of time clauses for Modern Lithuanian.
Biometric indicators of Eyes with Occult Lens Subluxation inducing Secondary Acute Angle Closure
Authors: Xing Xiaoli , Huang Liangyu , Zhang Yan , Lv Yingjuan , Liu Wei , Liu AihuaLiu 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background: To compare the anterior biometry of eyes with secondary acute angle closure induced by occult lens subluxation (LS), misdiagnosed as acute primary angle closure (APAC) at the first visit, APAC, chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CPACG), cataract. Methods: This retrospective case study included 17 eyes with PAC due to occult LS, who were misdiagnosed as APAC on their first visit, 56 eyes diagnosed as APAC, 54 eyes diagnosed as CPACG, and 56 eyes diagnosed as cataract. Axial length (AL), Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) were recorded. Lens position (LP), relative lens position (RLP), corrected lens position (CLP) were calculated. Quantitative data were subject to one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Categorical data were analyzed using the chi-squared test. Results: The patients in the LS group had a longer ocular axial length than those with acute angle closure and CPACG. Corneal thickness in the LS group was not significantly different from that in the APAC group, but was significantly different from those of the CPACG and cataract group. The APAC group had the smallest ACD, while the LS group had the smallest AD. The LS group exhibited significantly shallower ACD (P<0.01). The LS group had the largest lens thickness. Conclusions: This study revealed that LS secondary PAC patients had a shallower ACD, thicker CCT and lens thickness comparing to those of APAC, CPACG and cataract patients. A short depth (< 1.25 mm) and a thick lens thickness (> 5.13 mm) are crisis of lens subluxation in our data. LP and CLP can be helpful for differential diagnosis. Trial registration: NCT03752710, retrospectively registered.
Knowledge Of Glaucoma And Associated Factors Among Adults In Gish Abay Town, Northwest Ethiopia, Jun 2018
Authors: Bizuneh Zewdu Yenegeta , Tsega Ayanaw , Addis Yezinash , Admassu Fisseha 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Introduction: Glaucoma is a global public health problem and it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the fifth cause of blindness in Ethiopia. Even though public knowledge of glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness, it is unknown in the study area, making provision of interventions difficult.
Objective: To assess knowledge of glaucoma and associated factors among adults in Gish Abay town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018
Methods: A Community based cross - sectional study design with systematic random sampling technique was used to select 630 adults. The study was conducted from April 25-May 05, 2018. Data was entered into Epi Info version 7 and was analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Binary logistic regression model and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level was used to identify the significant factors associated with knowledge of glaucoma. P–value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: About 594 adults were participated with a response rate of 94%. Nearly 52% of the participants were females with median age of 28 years. The proportion of good knowledge was demonstrated in 68.9% [95% CI; 61, 75.9]. Educational status: secondary education [AOR; 4.01: 1.15, 13.94], college and above [AOR; 4.49: 1.31, 15.32], history of eye examination [AOR; 2.86: 1.05, 7.79] and younger age (18-22) [6.39: 1.82, 22.41] were positively associated with good knowledge of glaucoma.
Conclusion and recommendation: The proportion of good knowledge of glaucoma was high. Better educational status, younger age, eye examination at least once in life and higher income level were associated with better knowledge of glaucoma. Recognizing the severity of glaucoma, enhancing knowledge is paramount at the community.
A NEW METHOD FOR COVARIATE SELECTION IN COX MODEL
Authors: Das Ujjwal , Ebrahimi Nader 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
In a wide spectrum of natural and social sciences, very often one encounters a large number of predictors for time to event data. An important task is to select right ones, and thereafter carry out the analysis. The l
1 penalized regression, known as “least absolute shrinkage and selection operator” (LASSO) became a popular approach for predictor selection in last two decades. The LASSO regression involves a penalizing parameter (commonly denoted by λ) which controls the extent of penalty and hence plays a crucial role in identifying the right covariates. In this paper we propose an information theory-based method to determine the value of λ in association with the Cox proportional hazards model. Furthermore, an efficient algorithm is discussed in the same context. We demonstrate the usefulness of our method through an extensive simulation study. We compare the performance of our proposal with existing methods. Finally, the proposed method and the algorithm are illustrated using a real data set.
Effect of Dense Planting of Hybrid Rice on Grain Yield and Solar Radiation Use in Southeastern China
Authors: Chen Song , Yin Min , Zheng Xi , Liu Shaowen , Chu Guang , Xu Chunmei , Wang Dangying , Zhang Xiufu 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
Hybrid rice grain yield was evaluated under dense planting.
Grain yield was greater in hybrid cultivars than in inbred cultivars under dense planting conditions.
The yield performance under dense planting was significantly affected by the weather condition.
ABSTRACTDense planting has been recommended as a promising practice for achieving greater grain yield. However, whether this practice is suitable for hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) is unknown. To evaluate the response of grain yield and canopy structure traits to planting density in hybrid cultivars, field experiments were conducted with inbred‐indica (Huanghuazhan), inbred‐japonica (Xiushui09), hybrid‐indica (Tianyouhuazhan), and hybrid‐japonica (Chunyou84 or Yongyou12) cultivars at five planting densities (40, 26.7, 20, 16.7, and 13.3 hills m−2, designated as D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5) in 2015 and 2016. Results showed that hybrid cultivars had 16.6 to 48.9% greater grain yield compared with inbred cultivars under the dense planting condition (D1 and D2), except for Tianyouhuazhan in 2015. The grain yield increased with increasing plant density in hybrid cultivars (except for Tianyouhuazhan in 2015), with the increase rates of 76.6, 108.0, and 138.6 kg Δhill−1 ha−1 for hybrid‐japonica‐Chunyou84 (2015), hybrid‐indica‐Tianyouhuazhan (2016), and hybrid‐japonca‐Yongyou12 (2016), respectively. However, the yield performance was significantly affected by the climate condition under dense planting. The grain yield of hybrid cultivars in 2015 averaged 8.3 t ha−1, which was 36.3% lower than that in 2016 under dense planting (D1 and D2). We speculate that unfavorable climate would suppress the yield performance more under the dense planting conditions. Furthermore, results showed that greater plant density leads to an increase in plant radiation use efficiency, except for indica‐hybird‐Tianyouhuazhan. This might be attributed to the upright top leaves when the planting density increased, which resulted in smaller leaf angles and extinction coefficient of the canopy.
Trinexapac‐ethyl Affects Seed Production in Crimson Clover
Authors: Morad Mohammed M. , Anderson Nicole P. , Chastain Thomas G. 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
Crimson clover canopy height was reduced with trinexapac‐ethyl applications.
Seeds m–2 in crimson clover was increased by trinexapac‐ethyl applications.
Seed yield responses to trinexapac‐ethyl were dependent on spring weather conditions.
Seed weight reductions were inversely proportional to trinexapac‐ethyl rate.
This is the first study to document effects of trinexapac‐ethyl on crimson clover seed crops.
ABSTRACTTrinexapac‐ethyl (TE), a plant growth regulator (PGR) and lodging‐control agent, increases seed yield in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), but the effects of TE are unknown in crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) seed crops. The objectives of this study were to determine TE application rate and timing effects on crop canopy characteristics, seed yield, and seed yield components of crimson clover. On‐farm trials were conducted at two locations (Banks and St. Paul, OR) in 2012 and 2013 and at the Hyslop Research Farm near Corvallis, OR, in 2015 and 2016. Treatments were TE PGR application rates (0, 105, 140, 210, 280, 420, and 560 g a.i. ha−1) and two application timings (stem elongation, Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie [BBCH] 32; inflorescence emergence, BBCH 51). Application of TE PGR reduced height of the seed crop canopy. Seed yield was increased in 2012 and 2013 with rates ≤280 g TE ha−1 when applied at the BBCH 32 timing. Seed yield increases attributable to TE ranged from 12 to 36%. However, no effects of TE application on seed yield were observed in 2015 and 2016, likely as a result of dry and warm spring weather. Seed yield increases in 2012 and 2013 were a result of TE‐induced increases in seeds m−2. Seed weight was reduced by TE application, and these reductions were inversely proportional to TE rate. Seed yield responses in crimson clover to TE PGR varied across years and locations, with seed yield increases occurring in wet and cool spring weather conditions.
Assessing Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plant Stress Algorithms Using Full and Deficit Irrigation Treatments
Authors: Chen Yong , Marek Gary W. , Marek Thomas H. , Xue Qingwu , Brauer David K. , Srinivasan Raghavan 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
SWAT simulated corn LAI and yield of full irrigation matched measured data well.
Stress algorithms adjusted corn LAI and yield unsatisfactory for limited irrigation.
Stress algorithms only consider dominant stress factors such as water and temperature.
Stress algorithms only adjust LAI and biomass rather than crop growth parameters.
Long‐term measured field data are needed to develop new stress algorithms.
ABSTRACTDecreased groundwater levels of the Ogallala Aquifer have increased interest in simulating crop responses to deficit irrigation strategies to evaluate the sustainable irrigation management for profitable crop production. However, the ability of widely used simulation models to accurately represent crop responses to deficit irrigation is not thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of the plant stress algorithms in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate corn (Zea mays L.) responses to deficit irrigation treatments. Results showed simulated corn leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and yield under full irrigation scenarios matched measured data reasonably well at two study sites. However, clear reductions in model performance statistics for corn LAI simulations were found under the deficit irrigation scenarios for both sites (Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency [NSE] <0.49; percent bias [PBIAS] >14%). Additionally, considerable overestimation of yield occurred in the deficit irrigation scenarios for both sites (PBIAS >30% in most years). The unsatisfactory results from simulations of both LAI and yield under the deficit irrigation scenarios suggested potential deficiencies of the plant stress algorithms in SWAT. Two apparent limitations of the plant stress algorithms were (i) the equation for computing actual plant growth factor using a singular stress factor, determined by the maximum value of four plant stress factors of water, temperature, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and (ii) the computed actual plant growth factor only adjusting potential daily accumulations of LAI rather than modifying the shape of the LAI development by adjusting related parameters.
Species, Seeding Rate, and Planting Method Influence Cover Crop Services Prior To Soybean
Authors: Haramoto Erin R. 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
Drilling seed increased cover crop biomass but didn’t always improve establishment.
With adequate moisture, planting method did not affect ground cover or winter weed biomass.
Cereal rye produced more biomass than wheat and had less weed biomass.
The lower seeding rate did not reduce cereal rye biomass.
Higher seeding rate increased percent ground cover, but didn’t affect weed biomass.
ABSTRACTSmall grain cover crops can be planted utilizing different methods. Due to their tillering capacity, seeding rates lower than current recommendations may offer adequate weed suppression and ground cover while they are growing. In 2 yr of field experiments, soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Pembroke’) and cereal winter rye (Secale cereale L. ‘Aroostook’) cover crops were planted following corn (Zea mays L.) by drilling or broadcasting 112 or 34 kg germinable seed ha−1 to examine how seeding rate and planting method influence plant establishment and density, biomass accumulation, winter weed suppression, and percent ground cover. Weather and soil conditions influenced cover crop biomass and ground cover produced by the two species planted at different rates using different methods, and thus subsequent weed suppression. When soil conditions were dry at and after planting, drilling seed led to higher plant density, cover crop biomass, percent ground cover, and lower weed biomass. In both years, cereal rye generally produced more biomass than wheat and contained less winter weed biomass. After a colder‐than‐average winter, percent ground cover with cereal rye was maintained at a higher level than with wheat. The higher seeding rate resulted in more ground cover, but did not affect winter weed biomass and did not consistently affect cover crop biomass. Generally, treatments that had more cover crop biomass also had higher percent ground cover and less winter weed biomass.
Legume Proportion in Grassland Litter Affects Decomposition Dynamics and Nutrient Mineralization
Authors: Kohmann Marta M. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Dubeux Jose C.B. , Silveira Maria L. , Moreno Leonardo S.B. 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
Grass reduced lag phase and increased legume decomposition in mixtures relative to monocultures.
Factors besides litter chemical composition, such as microbial diversity, affected decomposition.
Legume treatments were enriched and grass monoculture depleted in δ13C during decomposition.
Availability of C, and to a greater extent N, decreased during decomposition.
ABSTRACTThe impact of legume inclusion on the decomposition of aboveground plant litter in grasslands is not well understood. Our objective was to quantify litter decomposition and nutrient disappearance from ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) as affected by N fertilizer or proportion of ‘Florigraze’ rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) in litter. Five litter treatments (unfertilized bahiagrass [BG], bahiagrass receiving 60 kg N ha−1 [BGN], rhizoma peanut and bahiagrass mixtures in 33–67% and 67–33% proportions [RP33 and RP67, respectively], and pure rhizoma peanut [RP]) were incubated for 128 d during each of 2 yr. Decomposition followed a logistic curve with a linear decay between initial and final lag phases. Litter treatment did not affect decomposition rate, but RP33 litter decomposed to a greater extent than BG (35 and 43% remaining biomass, respectively) due to a longer linear decay period for RP33. At the end of incubation, only 25% of the initial rhizoma peanut component litter mass remained for RP33, whereas 35 and 39% remained for RP67 and RP. Bahiagrass decomposition was not affected by the presence of legume. Bahiagrass monocultures showed δ13C depletion, and all legume‐containing treatments showed δ13C enrichment during incubation. After incubation, there was less N in legume litter treatments despite similar chemical characteristics to BGN, indicating that other factors, such as microbial diversity, affected mixture decomposition. Recalcitrance of C and especially N increased during decomposition. We conclude that N return from mixed legume–grass litter is superior to that of unfertilized grass and equal or superior to that of moderately N‐fertilized grass.
Three‐Year Field Observation of Biochar‐Mediated Changes in Soil Organic Carbon and Microbial Activity
Authors: Li Ming , Wang Yimin , Liu Ming , Liu Qi , Xie Zubin , Li Zhongpei , Uchimiya Minori , Chen Yaozu 
Published: March 2019

Although biochar is considered a promising C sequestration agent, long‐term field experiments are lacking to assess the effects of biochar addition on the soil organic C (SOC) and microbial community. Corn (Zea mays L.) straw feedstock and biochar were applied to a sandy loam soil for three consecutive years to investigate the SOC distribution within various fractionations, responses of soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and community structure. In comparison with straw amendment, higher levels of biochar (6.0 and 12 t ha−1) significantly increased soil pH, SOC, total N (TN), available P (AP) and available K. Biochar (12 t ha−1) decreased the fulvic acid fraction by 15.9% and increased the free‐light C (FLC), intra‐aggregate, and organomineral fractionations by 6.05‐, 2.52‐, and 0.22‐fold, respectively. There was no significant influence of straw or biochar application on the soil microbial biomass C (MBC) contents or the activities of soil enzymes. A phospholipid fatty acids assay suggested that 6.0 t ha−1 straw slightly enriched the abundance of Actinobacteria in soil, whereas biochar (6.0 and 12 t ha−1) mainly promoted the growth of Gram‐positive bacteria, fungi, and general bacteria groups. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that soil pH, SOC, TN, AP, FLC, and fulvic acid significantly influence the structure of soil microbial community (r2 < −0.50, p < 0.05 for both MBC and the ratio of MBC to SOC; r2 > 0.50 for microbial biomass N, basal respiration [BR], and the ratio of BR through incubation to MBC). Established quantitative relationships provided evidence for understanding the effects of biochar amendment on soil environment after a long‐term field application.Core Ideas
After 3 yr of cultivation, higher levels of biochar improved soil properties.
Biochar at 12 t ha−1 changed soil organic C distributions within various soil fractionations.
There was no significant effect of amendments on soil microbial activity in the current study.
Biochar promoted growth of Gram‐positive bacteria, fungi, and general bacteria groups.
Biochar‐mediated changes in soil organic C affected the structure of soil microbial community.