bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internationalization of the organic fruit market: The case of Washington State's organic apple exports to the European Union
Authors: Peck Gregory M. , Andrews Preston K. , Richter Cindy , Reganold John P. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractProduction of some organic commodities, such as apples, is heavily concentrated in the United States (US), with Washington State being the leading US producer of organic apples. In 2003, there were 4047 ha of certified organic apple orchards in Washington State, an all-time high and a more than tenfold increase since 1989. But this growth has not occurred without difficulties. Washington State's organic apple growers have encountered international supply and demand pressures forcing them to seek new markets, such as the European Union (EU). In this paper, we explore the complexities of the international marketing of organic fruit, using organic apple production in Washington State and market opportunities for this organic fruit in the EU, as a case study. We find that as a result of the expansion of organic apple plantings in Washington State, there has been a decrease in the price premiums, which traditionally offset the greater costs of organic production and which originally motivated many Washington growers to certify their apple orchards. We also find that increased demand for organic fruits in the EU has been outpacing supply, making EU member states the most important export market for Washington's organic apples. However, despite the unification of US standards by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and an overriding EU standard, an entanglement of regulatory bodies from around the world is involved in the certification of organic products. For example, growers and marketers may have to interact with as many as six different regulatory bodies in order to export organic produce from the US to the EU. This study shows that while the EU market remains a promising destination for US organic apples, organic growers and marketers must plan ahead and thoroughly understand the multitude of regulations involved in the international trade of organic fruits.
Comparing agroecosystems: Effects of cropping and tillage patterns on soil, water, energy use and productivity
Authors: Gregory Megan M. , Shea Kathleen L. , Bakko Eugene B. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe compared soil characteristics, runoff water quantity and nutrient fluxes, energy use and productivity of three farm types in an unusually dry farming season: conventional (continuous corn and deep tillage), rotation (5-year corn–soybean–oats/alfalfa–alfalfa–alfalfa rotation with tillage 2/5 years) and no-till (corn–soybean with no cultivation). Soil organic matter content was highest on the rotation farm, followed by the no-till farm, and lowest on the conventional farm. Nitrate content of the soil did not differ significantly among the three farms, although the conventional farm had a much higher input of fertilizer nitrogen. Soil penetrometer resistance was lower and percent soil moisture was higher in the no-till and rotation systems compared to the conventional farm. Soil macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity were highest on the no-till farm, followed by the rotation farm. No invertebrates were found in the soil of the conventional farm. The conventional farm had the highest runoff volume per cm rain and higher nitrogen (N) loss in runoff when compared to the rotation and no-till farms, as well as a higher phosphorus (P) flux in comparison to the no-till farm. These results indicate that perennial close-seeded crops (such as alfalfa) used in crop rotations, as well as plant residue left on the surface of no-till fields, can enhance soil organic content and decrease runoff. The lower soil penetrometer resistance and higher soil moisture on the rotation and no-till farms show that conservation tillage can increase soil aggregation and water infiltration, both of which prevent erosion. Furthermore, crop rotation, and particularly no-till, promote diverse invertebrate populations, which play an important role in maintaining nutrient cycling and soil structure. Crop rotation and no-till agriculture are less fossil-fuel intensive than conventional agriculture, due to decreased use of fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. In this unusually dry year they provided superior corn and soybean yields, most likely due to higher soil moisture as a result of greater water infiltration and retention associated with cover crops (rotation farm) and crop residue (no-till farm).
Chemical changes under aerobic composting and nutrient supplying potential of banana residue compost
Authors: Ultra Venecio U. , Mendoza Danilo M. , Briones Angelina M. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn anticipation of the Philippines being a major producer of organic bananas, this study was conducted to provide a quantitative basis for certain practices in organic farming. The nutrient supplying capacity of banana residues in combination with leguminous materials and chicken manure was investigated in composting studies. Changes in the chemical composition of ten formulations of banana residue-based compost involving leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Flemingia macrophylla, Arachis hypogea) and chicken manure were analyzed periodically during a composting period of 16 weeks. Results showed that combinations of banana residues (BnR) and chicken manure or leguminous plants were highly decomposed compared to untreated BnR. The use of leguminous plants and/or chicken manure enhanced the composting process significantly compared to the effect of Bioquick. The compost piles were characterized by increases in pH, total N and total P, and decreases in total K, total carbon and C/N ratio with time. Notably, BnR+chicken manure attained a C/N ratio of 15 at 4 weeks, while the BnR+leguminous materials reached such a low C/N ratio at 8–16 weeks. An incubation study was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 24 weeks. It was designed to follow the dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) availability in two clay soils (Antipolo and Lipa) amended with five compost formulations (BnR alone, BnR+Sesbania prunings, BnR+Flemingia prunings, BnR+peanut stover and BnR+chicken manure) and with uncomposted banana residue at an application rate of 20 Mg ha−1. Results showed that net N mineralization occurred in soils amended with BnR+chicken manure and BnR+leguminous materials, which had C/N ratios ranging from 12 to 16. Net N immobilization during the earlier period of incubation was observed in uncomposted and composted banana residues with a C/N ratio of 68 and 24, respectively. Significantly higher net P mineralization was obtained only in soils amended with BnR+chicken manure. An abrupt increase in exchangeable K was observed in all treatments 2 weeks after the incorporation of organic residues. Higher available K in pure BnR treatments (uncomposted or composted) exhibits the inherently high K content of banana residues.
Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial of a Hand Hygiene Intervention Involving Pocket-Sized Containers of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub for the Control of Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Yeung Wing Kin , Tam Wai San Wilson , Wong Tze Wai 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To investigate the effectiveness of a multifaceted hand hygiene program involving the use of pocket-sized containers of antiseptic gel in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) with elderly residents.Methods.In this clustered randomized controlled trial, Hong Kong LTCFs for elderly persons were recruited via snowball sampling. Staff hand hygiene adherence was directly observed, and residents' infections necessitating hospitalization were recorded. After a 3-month preintervention period, LTCFs were randomized to receive pocket-sized containers of alcohol-based gel, reminder materials, and education for all HCWs (treatment group) or to receive basic life support education and workshops for all healthcare workers (HCWs) (control group). A 2-week intervention period (April 1-15, 2007) was followed by 7 months of postintervention observations.Results.In the 3 treatment LTCFs, adherence to hand rubbing increased from 5 (1.5%) of 333 to 233 (15.9%) of 1,465 hand hygiene opportunities (P = .001) and total hand hygiene adherence increased from 86 (25.8%) of 333 to 488 (33.3%) of 1,465 opportunities (P = .01) after intervention; the 3 control LTCFs showed no significant change. In the treatment group, the incidence of serious infections decreased from 31 cases in 21,862 resident-days (1.42 cases per 1,000 resident-days) to 33 cases in 50,441 resident-days (0.65 cases per 1,000 resident-days) (P = .002), whereas in the control group, it increased from 16 cases in 32,726 resident-days (0.49 cases per 1,000 resident-days) to 85 cases in 81,177 resident-days (1.05 cases per 1,000 resident-days) (P = .004). In the treatment group, the incidence of pneumonia decreased from 0.91 to 0.28 cases per 1,000 resident-days (P = .001) and the death rate due to infection decreased from 0.37 to 0.10 deaths per 1,000 resident-days (P = .01); the control group revealed no significant change.Conclusions.A hand hygiene program involving the use of pocket-sized containers of antiseptic gel and education could effectively increase adherence to hand rubbing and reduce the incidence of serious infections in LTCFs with elderly residents.
ISOLATED WOLF–RAYET STARS AND O SUPERGIANTS IN THE GALACTIC CENTER REGION IDENTIFIED VIA PASCHEN-α EXCESS
Authors: Mauerhan J. C. , Cotera A. , Dong H. , Morris M. R. , Wang Q. D. , Stolovy S. R. , Lang C. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT
We report the discovery of 19 hot, evolved, massive stars near the Galactic center region (GCR). These objects were selected for spectroscopy owing to their detection as strong sources of Paschen-α (Pα) emission-line excess, following a narrowband imaging survey of the central 0.°65 × 0.°25 (l, b) around Sgr A* with the Hubble Space Telescope. Discoveries include six carbon-type (WC) and five nitrogen-type (WN) Wolf–Rayet stars, six O supergiants, and two B supergiants. Two of the O supergiants have X-ray counterparts having properties consistent with solitary O stars and colliding-wind binaries. The infrared photometry of 17 stars is consistent with the Galactic center distance, but 2 of them are located in the foreground. Several WC stars exhibit a relatively large infrared excess, which is possibly thermal emission from hot dust. Most of the stars appear scattered throughout the GCR, with no relation to the three known massive young clusters; several others lie near the Arches and Quintuplet clusters and may have originated within one of these systems. The results of this work bring the total sample of Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars in the GCR to 88. All sources of strong Pα excess have been identified in the area surveyed with HST, which implies that the sample of WN stars in this region is near completion, and is dominated by late (WNL) types. The current WC sample, although probably not complete, is almost exclusively dominated by late (WCL) types. The observed WR subtype distribution in the GCR is a reflection of the intrinsic rarity of early subtypes (WNE and WCE) in the inner Galaxy, an effect that is driven by metallicity.
A Mars hopping vehicle propelled by a radioisotope thermal rocket: thermofluid design and materials selection
Authors: Williams H. R. , Ambrosi R. M. , Bannister N. P. 
Published: November 2010

Rocket-propelled vehicles capable of travelling a kilometre or more in a ballistic ‘hop’ with propellants acquired from the Martian atmosphere offer the potential for increased mobility and planetary science return compared with conventional rovers. In concept, a radioisotope heat source heats a core or ‘thermal capacitor’, which in turn heats propellant exhausted through a rocket nozzle to provide thrust. A systematic study of the thermodynamics, heat transfer and selection of core materials for a Mars hopper was undertaken. The aim was to advance the motor design and assess technical risks and feasibility. Analytical and numerical motor models were developed; the former to generate thermodynamic performance limits, an ideal hop distance and plot a materials selection chart using simple explicit relations. The numerical model assessed the effect of core configuration and geometry. A hop coefficientChopis shown to characterize the effect of core geometry independently of core material and temperature. The target hop distance of 1 km is shown to be robust. A moderate advantage to pebble-bed cores over a core consisting of straight channels was suggested. High-performance engineering ceramics such as boron carbide offer the longest hop providing the core temperature can be increased significantly above 1200 K.
Evaluating foreland basin partitioning in the northern Andes using Cenozoic fill of the Floresta basin, Eastern Cordillera, Colombia
Authors: Saylor Joel E. , Horton Brian K. , Nie Junsheng , Corredor Jaime , Mora Andrés 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis paper addresses foreland basin fragmentation through integrated detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology, sandstone petrography, facies analysis and palaeocurrent measurements from a Mesozoic–Cenozoic clastic succession preserved in the northern Andean retroarc fold‐thrust belt. Situated along the axis of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, the Floresta basin first received sediment from the eastern craton (Guyana shield) in the Cretaceous–early Palaeocene and then from the western magmatic arc (Central Cordillera) starting in the mid‐Palaeocene. The upper‐crustal magmatic arc was replaced by a metamorphic basement source in the middle Eocene. This, in turn, was replaced by an upper‐crustal fold‐thrust belt source in the late Eocene which persisted until Oligocene truncation of the Cenozoic section by the eastward advancing thrust front. Sedimentary facies analysis indicates minimal changes in depositional environments from shallow marine to low‐gradient fluvial and estuarine deposits. These same environments are recorded in coeval strata across the Eastern Cordillera. Throughout the Palaeogene, palaeocurrent and sediment provenance data point to a uniform western or southwestern sediment source. These data show that the Floresta basin existed as part of a laterally extensive, unbroken foreland basin connected with the proximal western (Magdalena Valley) basin from mid‐Paleocene to late Eocene time when it was isolated by uplift of the western flank of the Eastern Cordillera. The Floresta basin was also connected with the distal eastern (Llanos) basin from the Cretaceous until its late Oligocene truncation by the advancing thrust front.
Mitoxantrone in combination with an inhibitor of DNA‐dependent protein kinase: a potential therapy for high risk B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Elliott Sarah L. , Crawford Clark , Mulligan Evan , Summerfield Geoffrey , Newton Paula , Wallis Jonathan , Mainou‐Fowler Tryfonia , Evans Paul , Bedwell Clare , Durkacz Barbara W. , Willmore Elaine 
Published: November 2010

SummaryDefects in the DNA damage response pathway [e.g. del(17p)] are associated with drug‐resistant B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We previously demonstrated that over‐expression of DNA‐dependent protein kinase (DNA‐PK) correlates with chemo‐resistance and that inhibition of DNA‐PK sensitizes CLL cells to chemotherapeutics. Here, we investigated expression of DNA‐PK and other proteins that impact on drug resistance, and evaluated the effects of a DNA‐PK inhibitor (NU7441) on mitoxantrone‐induced cytotoxicity in CLL cells. NU7441 sensitized cells from 42/49 CLL samples to mitoxantrone, with sensitization ranging from 2‐ to 200‐fold Co‐culture of CLL cells in conditioned stromal medium increased chemoresistance but did not reduce sensitization by NU7441. Mitoxantrone treatment induced γH2AX foci and NU7441 increased their longevity (24 h). NU7441 prevented mitoxantrone‐induced autophosphorylation of the DNA‐PK catalytic subunit (DNA‐PKcs) at Ser 2056, confirming that DNA‐PK participates in repair of mitoxantrone‐induced DNA damage. del(17p) cases were more resistant to mitoxantrone than del(13q) cases, but were resensitized (7–16 fold) by co‐incubation with NU7441. Expression of DNA‐PKcs, Ku80, P‐glycoprotein and topoisomerase IIβ were significantly higher in del(17p) cases. PRKDC mRNA levels correlated with DNA‐PKcs protein expression, which predicted shorter survival. These data confirm the potential of DNA‐PK as a therapeutic target in poor prognosis CLL.
Clinical evaluation of the European LeukaemiaNet criteria for clinicohaematological response and resistance/intolerance to hydroxycarbamide in essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Hernández‐Boluda Juan‐Carlos , Alvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Gómez Montse , Angona Anna , Amat Paula , Bellosillo Beatriz , Martínez‐Avilés Luz , Navarro Blanca , Teruel Anabel , Martínez‐Ruiz Francisco , Besses Carles 
Published: November 2010

SummaryStandardized criteria of response to treatment and a unified definition of resistance/intolerance to hydroxycarbamide (HC) in essential thrombocythaemia (ET) have been proposed by the European LeukaemiaNet (ELN). We have retrospectively evaluated such criteria in 166 ET patients treated with HC for a median of 4·5 years. Overall, 134 patients achieved a complete clinicohaematological response (CR) and 25 a partial response. Thirty‐three patients met at least one of the ELN criteria defining resistance (n = 15) or intolerance (n = 21) to HC. Fifteen cases developed anaemia with thrombocytosis, which was associated with a high incidence of myelofibrosis and death from any cause. Other definitions of resistance were less useful. Factors determining the thrombotic risk were a history of prior thrombosis and a baseline leucocyte count >10 × 109/l. Of note, patients achieving a CR, even if sustained during the entire follow‐up, did not benefit from a lower incidence of thrombosis or an improved survival. In conclusion, most ET patients respond to HC, but the achievement of response, as defined by the ELN, does not correlate with the patients’ outcome. The best discriminating ELN criterion of resistance to HC was the detection of anaemia, which also identified a subgroup of patients with poor prognosis.
Intravascular inhibition of factor VIIa and the analogue NN1731 by antithrombin
Authors: Petersen Lars C. , Karpf Ditte M. , Agersø Henrik , Hermit Mette B. , Pelzer Hermann , Persson Egon , Nichols Timothy C. , Ezban Mirella 
Published: November 2010

SummaryNN1731 is a recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) analogue with increased intrinsic activity. This also applies to its reactivity towards antithrombin (AT), the role of which was investigated in a pharmacokinetic (PK) study. NN1731 or rFVIIa was administered to normal and haemophilia A dogs and elimination was measured by FVIIa clot activity, FVIIa‐ and FVIIa‐AT antigen. In vitro AT complex formation was studied in canine plasma spiked with NN1731 or rFVIIa. Based on FVIIa antigen concentrations, PK profiles in normal and haemophilia A dogs were similar for NN1731 and rFVIIa with antigen half lives, t½ ≈ 1·8 h. In contrast, PK profiles based on activity measurements were distinctly different. NN1731 induced a strong, short lasting (t½ ≈ 0·5 h) pro‐coagulant response, whereas rFVIIa induced a lower, longer lasting (t½ ≈ 1·1 h) response. Western Blot and FVIIa‐AT antigen analysis demonstrated in vivo AT complex formation that accounted for these divergences. AT complex formation with FVIIa or NN1731 in vitro in canine plasma was considerably slower than the in vivo reaction. The results suggest that in vivo inhibition by AT contributes significantly to define drug duration in haemophilia treatment with rFVIIa and in particular with the NN1731 analogue.
X‐linked lymphoproliferative syndrome: a genetic condition typified by the triad of infection, immunodeficiency and lymphoma
Authors: Rezaei Nima , Mahmoudi Elham , Aghamohammadi Asghar , Das Rupali , Nichols Kim E. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryX‐linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by the clinical triad of increased susceptibility to primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, dysgammaglobulinaemia and lymphoma. Most cases are caused by germline mutations in the SH2D1A gene, which encodes the adaptor molecule Signalling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule (SLAM)‐associated protein (SAP). Recently, a subset of patients with an XLP‐like phenotype was found to carry mutations in XIAP, the gene encoding the X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). Studies of XLP patients and Sap−/− mice reveal that loss of SAP expression impairs immune cell activities, such as natural killer and CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, T cell cytokine production, activation‐induced cell death, germinal centre formation and natural killer T cell development. Efforts to dissect the diverse roles of SAP and XIAP are enhancing our understanding of immune cell biology and defining how genetic defects in these molecules predispose to EBV‐specific as well as more general cellular and humoral immune dysfunction. These studies are also highlighting critical signalling pathways that might be amenable to pharmacological targeting to improve the treatment of XLP and other disorders associated with impaired antiviral and antitumour immunity.
Are family‐centred principles, functional goal setting and transition planning evident in therapy services for children with cerebral palsy?
Authors: Darrah J. , Wiart L. , Magill‐Evans J. , Ray L. , Andersen J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground  Family‐centred service, functional goal setting and co‐ordination of a child's move between programmes are important concepts of rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy identified in the literature. We examined whether these three concepts could be objectively identified in programmes providing services to children with cerebral palsy in Alberta, Canada.Methods  Programme managers (n= 37) and occupational and physical therapists (n= 54) representing 59 programmes participated in individual 1‐h semi‐structured interviews. Thirty‐nine parents participated in eleven focus groups or two individual interviews. Evidence of family‐centred values in mission statements and advisory boards was evaluated. Therapists were asked to identify three concepts of family‐centred service and to complete the Measures of Process of Care for Service Providers. Therapists also identified therapy goals for children based on clinical case scenarios. The goals were coded using the components of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health. Programme managers and therapists discussed the processes in their programmes for goal setting and for preparing children and their families for their transition to other programmes. Parents reflected on their experiences with their child's rehabilitation related to family‐centredness, goal setting and co‐ordination between programmes.Results  All respondents expressed commitment to the three concepts, but objective indicators of family‐centred processes were lacking in many programmes. In most programmes, the processes to implement the three concepts were informal rather than standardized. Both families and therapists reported limited access to general information regarding community supports.Conclusion  Lack of formal processes for delivery of family‐centred service, goal‐setting and co‐ordination between children's programmes may result in inequitable opportunities for families to participate in their children's rehabilitation despite attending the same programme. Standardized programme processes and policies may provide a starting point to ensure that all families have equitable opportunities to participate in their child's rehabilitation programme.