bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
1986 Tax Reform and Dairy Farm Businesses
Authors: LaDue Eddy , Casler George , Conrad Jeffrey 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe 1985 tax data for 120 dairy farm businesses was used to determine the effects of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 on taxes paid by dairy farmers. Taxes before credits peak in 1991 without capitalization and in 1987 with capitalization of pre‐productive expenses. Carryover of investment tax credit limits tax increases for a few years, particularly for middle income dairymen. Modification of the ratio of regular depreciable to capitalizable property caused by changes in culling rates can alter the optimal capitalization election decision. In the long run, average taxes will increase about 170 percent.
Potential Impact of Biological Nitrogen Fixation: The Case of Corn
Authors: Halbrendt Catherine , Blase Melvin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWith the discovery of gene‐splicing technique and advances in biotechnology, biological nitrogen fixation in corn could occur. This study evaluates the impact of BNF on U.S. nitrogen fertilizer demand and corn‐planted acreage. An econometric model was constructed. Three substitutive levels of 25, 33 and 50 percent reduction of current application rates were examined. The results showed a decrease of 18, 25 and 36 percent of nitrogen fertilizer demand and about 1 percent in acreage planted as a result of lower production costs.
Economic Impacts of Porcine Somatotropin on Midwest Hog Producers
Authors: Lemieux Catharine M. , Richardson James W. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPorcine Somatotropin (PST) administered to feeder pigs has been shown to increase feed efficiency, ratio of lean meat to carcass weight, and market weight. Three representative grain‐hog farms in the Midwest were simulated for five years to estimate the economic incentives for adopting PST. Larger‐scale operations garnered greater increases in income from PST adoption than small‐ and medium‐scale operations that adopted PST. Without a carcass merit premium, however, the economic benefits from adoption are merely sufficient to cover the costs of adoption.
Farm Characteristics and Business Risk in Production Agriculture
Authors: Schurle Bryan , Tholstrup Mike 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis article uses historical farm level data to investigate relationships between business risk and farm characteristics. Farm characteristics examined are the enterprise mix, farm size, location of the farm, age of the operator, financial obligation of the farm, machinery investment, government program payments and a measure of returns to the operation. Many of these variables are significantly related to business risk, which suggests several possibilities for future research.
Effects of the 1986 Tax Reform Act on Grain Marketing Decisions: A Case Study of Winter Wheat Producers
Authors: Tronstad Russell , Taylor C. Robert 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDynamic programming is utilized to derive an optimal monthly marketing‐storage decision rule for winter wheat. Tax years before (1986) and after (1987 and 1988) the 1986 Tax Reform Act are analyzed in conjunction with the state variables of grain price, storage and before‐tax income. In general, results indicate that it is better for producers to store less winter wheat now than before passage of the 1986 Tax Reform Act. This is especially true for winter wheat prices between $2.75 and $3.75 per bushel.
The Economic Damages of Groundwater Contamination in Small Rural Communities: An Application to Nitrates
Authors: Walker David R. , Hoehn John P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractProcedures are developed for estimating the economic damages imposed on small rural communities when groundwater becomes contaminated. Net economic damages are the sum of producer and consumer surplus. In the case of nitrate contamination, annual damages for communities typical of rural Michigan range from $40 to $330 per household. Damage levels within this range depend on nitrate level, average household income, community size, climatic characteristics, and the selected treatment alternative.
Third World Debt and Wheat Imports: An Analysis for Selected Countries
Authors: Stiegert Kyle , Azzam Azzeddine 
Published: November 2012

AbstractQuestions have been raised recently concerning the potential threat of a reduced ability to import in nations where external debt is rapidly increasing. The central purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent external debt is having on LDC wheat imports. A model, which allows for increasing government intervention as the capacity to import decreases, was tested using time series data (1970–1985) for six wheat importing nations.
Management Information Systems: Impact on Dairy Farm Profitability
Authors: Lazarus William F. , Streeter Deborah , Jofre-Giraudo Eduardo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSeven of 196 New York dairy farms used on‐farm computers for accounting in 1984, rising to twenty‐three in 1987. A regression of net farm income per cow on computer use, years computer experience and other variables showed income increasing the first year of computer use, dropping and rising again by year four.
Maladaptive sex ratio adjustment by a sex‐changing shrimp in selective‐fishing environments
Authors: Chiba Susumu , Yoshino Kenji , Kanaiwa Minoru , Kawajiri Toshifumi , Goshima Seiji 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Selective harvesting is acknowledged as a serious concern in efforts to conserve wild animal populations. In fisheries, most studies have focused on gradual and directional changes in the life‐history traits of target species. While such changes represent the ultimate response of harvested animals, it is also well known that the life history of target species plastically alters with harvesting. However, research on the adaptive significance of these types of condition‐dependent changes has been limited.

We explored the adaptive significance of annual changes in the age at sex‐change of the protandrous (male‐first) hermaphroditic shrimp and examined how selective harvesting affects life‐history variation, by conducting field observations across 13 years and a controlled laboratory experiment. In addition, we considered whether plastic responses by the shrimp would be favourable, negligible or negative with respect to the conservation of fishery resources.

The age at sex‐change and the population structure of the shrimp fluctuated between years during the study period. The results of the field observations and laboratory experiment both indicated that the shrimp could plastically change the timing of sex‐change in accordance with the age structure of the population. These findings provide the first concrete evidence of adult sex ratio adjustment by pandalid shrimp, a group that has been treated as a model in the sex allocation theory.

The sex ratio adjustment by the shrimp did not always seem to be sufficient, however, as the supplement of females is restricted by their annual somatic growth rate. In addition, adjusted sex ratios are further skewed by the unintentional female‐selectivity of fishing activity prior to the breeding season, indicating that the occurrence of males that have postponed sex‐change causes sex ratio adjustment to become unfavourable.

We conclude that the plastic responses of harvested animals in selective fishing environments must be considered in efforts to conserve wild animal resources, because such responses can become maladaptive.
On the practical usage of genetic algorithms in ecology and evolution
Authors: Hamblin Steven 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Genetic algorithms are a heuristic global optimisation technique mimicking the action of natural selection to solve hard optimisation problems, which has enjoyed growing usage in evolution and ecology. However, there is little standardisation in how genetic algorithms are implemented in these fields and even less practical advice for those hoping to implement genetic algorithms for their own models. This article aims to demystify genetic algorithms and provide assistance to researchers; basic programming knowledge is important for working with genetic algorithms, but none is required to read this article.
I review the basics of genetic algorithm methodology and provide suggestions on problems that may or may not benefit from genetic algorithm methods. The genetic operators (selection, replacement, mutation, crossover) and their rate parameters (mutation rate, etc.) are a source of potential confusion and to ease their selection, I present recommendations informed by historical usage and best practices, concluding with potential pitfalls.
Good reasons for employing genetic algorithms include: solving optimisation problems beyond the reach of analytical techniques, relaxing model assumptions, evolving behaviour in individual‐based models, and simulating co‐evolutionary processes. However, genetic algorithms are not always the correct technique to use. Simpler methods may sometimes outperform genetic algorithms, and certain problem features may cause trouble.
Genetic algorithms strike a balance between exploration of the search space and exploitation of good solutions, driven by the choice of genetic operators and rate parameters. I outline a basic set of parameter values and operator choices for genetic algorithm models as a starting point and provide advice on how to modify them to explore the exploitation/exploration trade‐off. Finally, I provide general advice on analysis and reporting of these models.
There are a number of potential issues that can surprise unwary users, such as rate parameter values that lead to pathological outcomes; I suggest ways to detect and correct these problems. Also, contrary to popular usage, genetic algorithms can find solutions to game theory problems but cannot guarantee their stability. Finally, while genetic algorithms offer great power and flexibility by drawing inspiration from evolutionary processes, they are (usually) not a faithful model of genetics or evolution.
Early life influences on the risk of injecting drug use: case control study based on the Edinburgh Addiction Cohort
Authors: Macleod John , Hickman Matthew , Jones Hayley E. , Copeland Lorraine , McKenzie James , De Angelis Daniela , Kimber Jo , Robertson James R. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsTo investigate childhood influences on onset of injection drug use.DesignMatched case–control study.SettingEdinburgh, Scotland.ParticipantsA total of 432 individuals presenting at a community health facility with injection drug use and 432 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐injecting controls recruited through the same facility.MeasurementsMain exposures considered were family structure and experience of public care, carer substance use, physical and sexual victimization and conduct problems, all measured at personal interview. The outcome was history of adult injection drug use recorded in medical records corroborated at personal interview.FindingsCompared to two‐parent families all other family structures were associated with increased risk of injection drug use, the greatest increased risk being associated with public care. Violence, criminality and financial problems in the family were also associated with increased risk, as were all types of carer substance use. The greatest increased risk was associated with markers of early conduct problems, particularly school exclusion and childhood contact with the criminal justice system. In multivariable analyses the strongest risk factors for later injecting were always having lived with a relative or family friend (not always a parent) and in care/adopted/foster home at any point [odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–6.92 and OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 0.91–5.17, respectively], experienced violence from parent or carer (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.38) and early evidence of conduct problems [ever excluded from school (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.68, 4.45); childhood criminality (ever arrested by police pre‐adult OR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.90, 4.89, ever been in borstal/young offenders/list D school OR = 4.70, 95% CI: 2.02, 10.94)]. After adjustment for family structure and conduct problems, sexual victimization was associated weakly with injecting onset (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.76–2.19). More than 70% of injection drug use onset appeared attributable to the risk factors identified.ConclusionsInjection drug use in adults is associated strongly with prior childhood adversity, in particular not living with both parents and early conduct problems. Prevention initiatives should also consider these risk factors.
Coexistence between native and exotic species is facilitated by asymmetries in competitive ability and susceptibility to herbivores
Authors: Heard Matthew J. , Sax Dov F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDifferences between native and exotic species in competitive ability and susceptibility to herbivores are hypothesized to facilitate coexistence. However, little fieldwork has been conducted to determine whether these differences are present in invaded communities. Here, we experimentally examined whether asymmetries exist between native and exotic plants in a community invaded for over 200 years and whether removing competitors or herbivores influences coexistence. We found that natives and exotics exhibit pronounced asymmetries, as exotics are competitively superior to natives, but are more significantly impacted by herbivores. We also found that herbivore removal mediated the outcome of competitive interactions and altered patterns of dominance across our field sites. Collectively, these findings suggest that asymmetric biotic interactions between native and exotic plants can help to facilitate coexistence in invaded communities.
The Influence of Sequential Male Courtship Behaviors on Courtship Success and Duration in a Terrestrial Salamander, Plethodon shermani
Authors: Eddy Sarah L. , Kiemnec‐Tyburczy Karen M. , Uyeda Josef C. , Houck Lynne D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMost organisms use multiple cues across many modalities to assess potential mates. Salamanders in the genus Plethodon have an elaborate courtship display, yet previous studies primarily have concentrated on the influence of olfactory cues on courtship success. In this study, we tested whether two different cues (one chemical and one visual) affected courtship success and duration in the red‐legged salamander, Plethodon shermani. By staging and observing over 180 courtship trials, we found that ‘foot‐dancing’, a male visual cue performed in the earliest stages of courtship, significantly increased the likelihood that a male and female would progress to subsequent stages of courtship and, thus, the likelihood of insemination. In contrast, delivery of biologically relevant levels of a non‐volatile pheromone (produced in a large gland on the male's chin) during courtship trials did not increase overall insemination rate success, but did significantly reduce the duration of one of the later stages of courtship, tail‐straddling walk. Thus, we propose that early use of visual cues in Plethodon courtship, may (1) increase the detectability of the male message by increasing the range at which the male can be perceived by the female and (2) indicate the context of the male's approach and subsequent behaviors. In short, this study draws attention to the need to examine behavioral traits affecting courtship success at multiple stages and across several sensory modalities.
Peptidoglycan‐induced T helper 2 immune response in mice involves interleukin‐10 secretion from Langerhans cells
Authors: Matsui Katsuhiko , Nishikawa Akemi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPatients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have superficial skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus and an increased number of T helper (Th)2 cells in their peripheral blood. The purpose of this study was to clarify the involvement of interleukin (IL)‐10 secretion from Langerhans cells (LCs) in staphylococcal peptidoglycan (PEG)‐induced Th2 immune responses in mice. Mice were primed with LCs pulsed with PEG (or LPS) and ovalbumin (OVA) and then given a booster OVA injection 2 days later in the hind footpad. Five days after the OVA injection, cytokine responses in the draining popliteal lymph nodes were investigated by RT‐PCR and ELISA. Production of both IL‐10 and IL‐12 by cultured LCs was detected by ELISA. Administration of PEG‐ or LPS‐stimulated LCs into the hind footpads of the mice induced Th2‐prone and Th1‐prone immune responses, respectively, as represented by expression of IL‐4 and interferon‐γ. In vitro experiments showed that PEG induced greater production of IL‐12 p40 from LCs than did LPS, whereas LPS induced greater production of IL‐12 p70 from LCs than did PEG. Furthermore, it was found that PEG‐stimulated LCs induced greater production of IL‐10 than did LPS‐stimulated LCs, and that neutralization of IL‐10 augmented IL‐12 p70 production and inhibited Th2 development by PEG‐stimulated LCs. These results suggest that PEG can induce Th2 development through down‐regulation of IL‐12 p70 production by LCs in an IL‐10 production‐dependent manner and would explain the role of S. aureus colonization in patients with AD.
Contradictions of ‘Sustainable Mobility’– The Illogic of Growth and the Logic of Myth
Authors: Essebo Maja , Baeten Guy 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the prospects of viewing ‘sustainable mobility’ as a merger of seemingly opposing values and ideas into a coherent and fully emplotted myth. Myth, in this sense, is not a false story meant to amuse or discredit, but rather a story based on naturalised beliefs giving it the supremacy of the obvious. Through the process of emplotment, myths create internal logics that help relieve anxiety, rationalise behaviour and naturalise societal and individual convictions. As such, myths are a fundamental and habitual part of life. The myth of sustainable mobility is not one, but two stories – that of development as quantitative growth and the discourse of sustainability – which are merged, emplotted and naturalised. It is based on the fears of economic and environmental collapse, but while fear is an essential characteristic of myth and a source of much of its power the myth also offers hope. The hope lies in the promise of continued trends of increased mobility while still being able to preserve the world for ‘future generations’. This entangles the very notions of mobility, development and sustainability, creating a confusion of concepts as the contrast between growth and limits wanes. Rather than setting biophysical limits, sustainability becomes a justification for continued growth – green growth, sustainable mobility.
The Urban Harvest Approach as an Aid for Sustainable Urban Resource Planning
Authors: Agudelo‐Vera Claudia Marcela , Mels Adriaan , Keesman Karel , Rijnaarts Huub 
Published: November 2012

SummaryNow that more than half of the world's population lives in cities, improving urban resource cycles is crucial for sustainable urban development. Currently cities are highly dependent on external supplies of water, energy, nutrients, and other materials, while local possibilities of self‐production of such resources are generally overlooked. This article describes a novel method, the urban harvest approach (UHA), its rationale, and the steps toward sustainable urban resource planning. The UHA is based on the urban metabolism concept. Herein, a city is regarded to have multiple potentials in the form of untapped primary and secondary (already used) resources that can be utilized. The UHA works on the principle that urban systems and their direct peri‐urban surroundings can become self‐sufficient by applying three strategies: minimizing demand, minimizing outputs, and multisourcing. An elaboration of the UHA for the resource “water” at the building scale is also presented in this article. A freestanding house in the Netherlands and a similar house in Australia were studied, with a focus on indoor consumption. Results showed a 40% demand reduction when water‐saving technologies were implemented. In both cases, after demand minimization, local resources were sufficient to cover the demand by recycling grey water and harvesting rainwater. These findings confirm that a multimeasure implementation according to the three different strategies is needed to achieve sustainable urban water systems. The UHA helps to structure large influences of urban context on water and other resource cycles as an aid to urban planners and water managers in designing sustainable urban areas.
Functions of the Intermediary Organizations for Agricultural Innovation inMexico: TheChiapas Produce Foundation
Authors: Dutrénit Gabriela , Rocha‐Lackiz Alma , Vera‐Cruz Alexandre O. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractInnovation intermediary organizations (IIOs) may build bridges between the demand and supply of knowledge. The understanding concerning the scope and functions of these intermediaries in the case of the agricultural sector is scarce, particularly for developing countries. The aim of this article is to discuss the functions played byIIOs operating in the segment of small farmers in the agricultural sector in the context of a developing country. The analysis allows extracting policy implications having in mind small farmers with different economic conditions and levels of innovativeness. This article uses a case study methodology. The main sources of information are interviews with members of the board and staff of the Produce Foundation, responsible for managing public resources to promote innovation processes in the agriculture sector in a specific state,Chiapas, as well as with farmers, technological suppliers, and researchers in this state.
Derivation of Transcranial Doppler Criteria for Angiographically Proven Middle Cerebral Artery Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Sebastian Joseph , Derksen Carol , Khan Khurshid , Ibrahim Mohammad , Hameed Bilal , Siddiqui Muzaffar , Chow Michael , Findlay J. Max , Shuaib Ashfaq , Saqqur Maher 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDTranscranial Doppler (TCD) has been subjected to criticism for detecting vasospasm (VSP). Our study's aim is to derive criteria for middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasospasm (MCA‐VSP) based on cerebral angiography (CA).METHODSA prospective data of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) from January 2004 to August 2009. TCD was performed daily from day 2 to 14 from symptom's onset. Follow‐up CA was done at day 7‐9. TCD mean flow velocities (MFV) of all vessels at baseline (b), middle (m) and before CA (preangio) were recorded. Several MCA MFV ratios were computed. Moderate to severe VSP on CA was defined as >1/3 luminal narrowing. Univariate and stepwise logistic regression analysis were performed.RESULTSOne hundred sixty‐nine patients (338 MCA) with aSAH were included, mean age: 54.8 ± 13, women: 103 (62%). Twenty‐nine patients (8.6%) had angiographic MCA‐VSP. TCD scoring system of 3 points for MCA‐VSP was computed based on (a) bMCA MFV ≥ 120 cm/s (sensitivity: 59.3%, specificity: 85%, PPV: 36.4%, NPV: 93.5%, P < .001) (1 point), Preangio MCA MFV ≥ 150 cm/s (79.3%, 89.9%, 39%, 97.3%, <.001) (1 point), and affected preangio MCA/bMCA MFV ratio ≥1.5 (84%, 63%, 25.6%, 96.3%, .001) (1 point). The score of 3 has 96% sensitivity and 96% specificity (OR: 300) whereas the score of 1 has 12% sensitivity and 58% specificity (OR: 4.3) for identifying MCA‐VSP.CONCLUSIONTCD stringent criteria for moderate to severe MCA‐VSP are feasible and applicable in aSAH population.