bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agricultural credit market participation in Finoteselam town, Ethiopia
Authors: Shete Maru , Garcia Roberto J. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the proportion of farmers with constrained and unconstrained participation in the agricultural credit market and estimate the parameters that determine agricultural credit market participation in Finoteselam town, Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed cross‐sectional study design where primary data were collected from 210 households through a questionnaire survey in Finoteselam town, north western Ethiopia. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was employed. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the proportion of farmers with different levels of participation in the agricultural credit market. The bivariate probit model was estimated to identify the parameters that determine smallholder credit market participation.FindingsThe study revealed that 48 percent of smallholder farmers are constrained non‐participating (i.e. rationed out) from the agricultural credit market due to lack of access to the service, 44.8 percent of them are constrained participating, 2.4 percent unconstrained participating and 4.8 percent of them are unconstrained non‐participating. Estimation results of the bivariate probit model indicated that variables such as high dependency burden, large landholding size, household's labor endowment, participation in off‐farm employment activities and incurring unforeseen expenses increased the probability of households to participate in agricultural credit markets. On the other hand, village dummy variable, old age of household head and borrowing from other sources decreased the probability of households participating in the agricultural credit market.Practical implicationsThe findings raise policy concerns to devise a mechanism for creating a functioning rural insurance market, improve the labor market for encouraging off‐farm employment activities, devise wealth‐creating schemes and address the credit need of those smallholder farmers who are still rationed out from the agricultural credit market.Originality/valueLittle has been done on the subject of agricultural credit market participation in Ethiopia. Hence, this research will add to the thin literature on the subject.
Application of seismic and sequence stratigraphic concepts to a lava‐fed delta system in the Faroe‐Shetland Basin, UK and Faroes
Authors: Wright K. A. , Davies R. J. , Jerram D. A. , Morris J. , Fletcher R. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTDetailed seismic stratigraphic analysis of 2D seismic data over the Faroe‐Shetland Escarpment has identified 13 seismic reflection units that record lava‐fed delta deposition during discrete periods of volcanism. Deposition was dominated by progradation, during which the time shoreline migrated a maximum distance of ∼44 km in an ESE direction. Localised collapse of the delta front followed the end of progradation, as a decrease in volcanic activity left the delta unstable. Comparison with modern lava‐fed delta systems on Hawaii suggests that syn‐volcanic subsidence is a potential mechanism for apparent relative sea level rise and creation of new accommodation space during lava‐fed delta deposition. After the main phase of progradation, retrogradation of the delta occurred during a basinwide syn‐volcanic relative sea level rise where the shoreline migrated a maximum distance of ∼75 km in a NNW direction. This rise in relative sea level was of the order of 175–200 m, and was followed by the progradation of smaller, perched lava‐fed deltas into the newly created accommodation space. Active delta deposition and the emplacement of lava flows feeding the delta front lasted ∼2600 years, although the total duration of the lava‐fed delta system, including pauses between eruptions, may have been much longer.
Effects on metabolic variables after 12‐month treatment with a new once‐a‐week sustained‐release recombinant growth hormone (GH: LB03002) in patients with GH deficiency
Authors: Roemmler J. , Gockel A. , Otto B. , Bidlingmaier M. , Schopohl J. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryIntroduction  GH substitution in GH deficiency (GHD) must be subcutaneously administered daily. A new sustained‐release formulation of GH (LB03002) has been developed, which has to be injected once a week. As a substudy to the phase III study, we performed this prospective study to evaluate the influence of LB03002 on metabolic variables and hormones.Methods  Eleven patients with GHD [four women/seven men, 58 years (29–69 years)] without GH therapy were included in the study. Eight patients were treated with LB03002 for 12 months and three patients received placebo for 6 months followed by LB03002 for 6 months. A 3‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at study entry and at study end. Additionally, IGF‐I, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, leptin, ghrelin, HbA1c and C‐peptide were measured. Body composition was evaluated by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and waist/hip ratio (WHR) and waist/height (WHtR) ratio were measured by tape and scale.Results  Multiple of upper limit of normal (xULN) of IGF‐I (0·23 (0·09–0·4) vs 0·71 (0·4–1·04), P < 0·01), WHR (0·98 (0·86–1·04) vs 1·01 (0·86–1·05), P < 0·05) and ghrelin levels [119·8 ng/l (67·7–266·6) vs 137 ng/l (67–289·5), P < 0·05] were significantly higher, whereas fat mass (FM) [34·7% (20·4–49·2) vs 32·4% (16·7–48·5), P < 0·05] and leptin [11·2 μg/l (3·3–55·7) vs 7·05 μg/l (2·4–54·3), P < 0·05] were significantly lower at study end. Glucose, insulin, HOMA‐IR, ISI, HOMA‐β, C‐peptide and HbA1c during OGTT were not significantly different before and after GH substitution, neither were BMI, WHtR, bone mineral density and lipid variables.Conclusion  Substitution with LB03002 showed statistically significant reduction in FM, which reduces leptin levels and increases ghrelin levels but does not seem to influence glucose and lipid metabolism.
Association between 25‐OH vitamin D and insulin is independent of lipoatrophy in HIV
Authors: Hammond E. , McKinnon E. , Glendenning P. , Williams R. , Mallal S. , Phillips E. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryObjective  Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is prevalent in HIV, and following antiretroviral therapy (ART), increased rates of lipoatrophy and metabolic abnormalities are described. We investigated the relationships between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and other metabolic parameters in a group of HIV patients with and without lipoatrophy to examine whether lipoatrophy could explain the high prevalence of VDD and metabolic abnormalities.Background  Vitamin D receptors are expressed in adipose tissue implicating vitamin D, through paracrine/autocrine mechanism, in exerting effects on fat metabolism. HIV patients frequently suffer from VDD, and those treated with thymidine analogues frequently suffer from lipoatrophy so we investigated whether lipoatrophy could explain these associations.Design and Patients  Cross‐sectional study of HIV‐infected male patients (n = 107; 39 with lipoatrophy) from the West Australian cohort with measurements of 25(OH)D, adiponectin, insulin, lipids and leg fat as a percentage of mass.Results  Reduced 25(OH)D levels were common and significantly associated with higher serum insulin in the entire cohort (P = 0·006), but there was no difference in 25(OH)D between untreated and antiretroviral‐treated patients with or without lipoatrophy. Treated patients with lipoatrophy were more likely to take thymidine analogue therapy, were older and on therapy longer than treated patients without lipoatrophy. Adiponectin levels did not correlate with 25(OH)D, but lipoatrophic‐treated patients had lower levels of adiponectin compared with nonlipoatrophic‐treated patients.Conclusions  Lower 25(OH)D is associated with higher serum insulin but not lipoatrophy or hypoadiponectinemia in HIV‐infected patients. The association between VDD and insulin resistance is likely to be mediated by independent mechanisms.
Changes of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in cocoa beans processing
Authors: Mazor Jolić Slavica , Radojčić Redovniković Ivana , Marković Ksenija , Ivanec Šipušić Đurđica , Delonga Karmela 
Published: June 2011

SummaryA number of studies have shown that the consumption of cocoa and chocolate products has positive health effects on humans. The object of this research was to monitor changes of total and individual phenolics and antioxidant capacity during the cocoa bean manufacturing. The loss of cocoa phenolics and their antioxidant activity vary with the degree of technological process. The process of roasting and cocoa nib alkalisation had the major influence on phenolic compounds as well as on antioxidant capacity. The roasting treatment resulted in 14% loss of the total phenolics content, while alkalisation resulted in 64% loss of total phenolics content. Procyanidins B1 and B2 as well as (−)‐epigallocatechin were the unstable components, while caffeic acid derivate showed the greatest stability in all technological process. Furthermore, PCA showed that phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and non‐fat cocoa solids parts of the samples were classified in groups according technological conditions.
Shallow groundwater nitrogen and denitrification in a newly afforested, subirrigated riparian buffer
Authors: Gumiero Bruna , Boz Bruno , Cornelio Paolo , Casella Sergio 
Published: June 2011

Summary1.The EU ‘Nitrates Directive’ (Directive 91/676/EEC) and the WFD (Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EEC) introduced a series of measures designed to reduce and prevent water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to control the nitrate concentration in freshwater. The objective of this paper was to verify the potential capacity of a specifically designed afforested riparian zone in removing the excess of nitrogen from river water.2.A buffer zone was set with irrigation ditches, to produce a subsurface water flow carrying water from the study river through the buffer strip to drainage ditches. This experimental system enables the co‐occurrence of two main processes: vegetation/microbial nitrogen uptake and denitrification. Bothin situdenitrification and denitrification potential were measured at different soil depths, and nitrogen removal of water passing through the buffer system was measured.3.After the first year, high removal rates (63–64%) of total nitrogen in water were recorded. The lowest rate of denitrification took place in the upper soil layer, while maximum denitrification occurred in the medium layer (40–55 cm). Denitrification occurred mainly in the first few metres of the irrigation ditches leading away from the river. The denitrification rates clearly increased from the second to the third year, with highest rates in summer and autumn. Denitrification potential indicated that carbon availability was the most limiting factor.4.Synthesis and applications.This study has demonstrated that nitrogen levels can be reduced in rivers by forcing water to circulate through afforested buffers. Nitrogen was removed both by plants and by microbial denitrification. Such activity can be supported by promoting anoxic conditions through appropriate water flow management. This could be achieved by creating semi‐natural floodplains where water flows can be efficiently managed as in a drained wetland.
Review: A systematic review of quality of life measures for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours
Authors: Townsend‐White C. , Pham A. N. T. , Vassos M. V. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground The quality of life (QOL) construct is proposed as a method to assess service outcomes for people utilising disability services. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of available QOL measures for people with intellectual disability (ID) to pinpoint psychometrically sound measures that can be routinely used for service evaluation.Method A systematic search of the disability literature published between 1980 and 2008 was conducted in order to identify appropriate QOL tools for use within an Australian context. Twenty‐four QOL instruments were identified and each instrument was then evaluated against a set of psychometric and measurement criteria.Results Six of the instruments examined were deemed to be psychometrically sound on the available information. No instruments were found that specifically assess QOL for people with ID who exhibit challenging behaviour. Most of the instruments assess QOL from a subjective perspective, use a questionnaire format and measure only some (not all) of the eight theoretically accepted domains of QOL.Conclusions More instruments that measure QOL need to be developed and rigorously validated. This is especially the case for high‐needs disability populations like those individuals that exhibit challenging behaviour or have severe to profound ID, as it is questionable whether existing measures can be used with these populations.
MTR4, a putative RNA helicase and exosome co‐factor, is required for proper rRNA biogenesis and development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Lange Heike , Sement François M. , Gagliardi Dominique 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThe exosome is a conserved protein complex that is responsible for essential 3′→5′ RNA degradation in both the nucleus and the cytosol. It is composed of a nine‐subunit core complex to which co‐factors confer both RNA substrate recognition and ribonucleolytic activities. Very few exosome co‐factors have been identified in plants. Here, we have characterized a putative RNA helicase, AtMTR4, that is involved in the degradation of several nucleolar exosome substrates in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that AtMTR4, rather than its closely related protein HEN2, is required for proper rRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis. AtMTR4 is mostly localized in the nucleolus, a subcellular compartmentalization that is shared with another exosome co‐factor, RRP6L2. AtMTR4 and RRP6L2 cooperate in several steps of rRNA maturation and surveillance, such as processing the 5.8S rRNA and removal of rRNA maturation by‐products. Interestingly, degradation of the Arabidopsis 5′ external transcribed spacer (5′ ETS) requires cooperation of both the 5′→3′ and 3′→5′ exoribonucleolytic pathways. Accumulating AtMTR4 targets give rise to illegitimate small RNAs; however, these do not affect rRNA metabolism or contribute to the phenotype of mtr4 mutants. Plants lacking AtMTR4 are viable but show several developmental defects, including aberrant vein patterning and pointed first leaves. The mtr4 phenotype resembles that of several ribosomal protein and nucleolin mutants, and may be explained by delayed ribosome biogenesis, as we observed a reduced rate of rRNA accumulation in mtr4 mutants. Taken together, these data link AtMTR4 with rRNA biogenesis and development in Arabidopsis.
Modelling the incidence ofHeterobasidion annosumbutt rots and related economic losses in alpine mixed naturally regenerated forests of northern Italy
Authors: Gonthier P. , Brun F. , Lione G. , Nicolotti G. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryA total of 2257 recently felled stumps were sampled from 22 mixed naturally regenerated forest stands in the Aosta Valley, western Italian Alps, and examined forHeterobasidion annosumbutt rots. Disease incidence ranged from 6% to 71% depending on sites, andH. annosumaccounted for 92% of the total number of diseased stumps.H. annosumincidence was significantly higher (Chi‐squared multiple comparison tests, p < 0.05) on Norway spruce (44%) than on the other tree species (silver fir = 18%, larch = 12% and Scots pine = 6%). Based on the information on the airborne inoculum composition of the fungus, all the three European species ofH. annosumwere present, with a variable frequency, depending on site. A partial least squares regression analysis showed that the relative abundance of Norway spruce and four variables describing the size of trees were the best predictors for the incidence ofH. annosumbutt rots. A model having these variables as predictors was developed (r2 = 0.75; p < 0.001) and successfully validated on five additional forest stands. An estimate of the losses in yield and value of timber associated with the disease, i.e. direct losses, was also carried out in the forests included in the survey. The percentage of direct financial losses was either comparable or lower than the average level of disease incidence.
Emotional and behavioural adjustment of children born very preterm at early school age
Authors: Bora Samudragupta , Pritchard Verena E , Moor Stephanie , Austin Nicola C , Woodward Lianne J 
Published: June 2011

Aims:  This paper describes the emotional and behavioural adjustment of children born very preterm (VPT) at early school age. Of particular interest was the degree of agreement between parents and teachers, and the extent of situational (parent or teacher) and pervasive (parent and teacher reported) adjustment problems.Methods:  A regionally representative cohort of 104 VPT (≤33 weeks gestation) and 108 full‐term (FT) children born during 1998–2000 was studied prospectively to age six. At corrected age six, child emotional and behavioural adjustment was assessed using the parent and teacher rated strengths and difficulties questionnaires.Results:  According to parents, 6‐year‐old VPT children had odds of emotional, inattention/hyperactivity and peer problems that were 2.7 to 3.8 times higher than their FT peers. Similar difficulties were identified by teachers, but odds were much lower and nonsignificant (1.1–1.8). Agreement between parents and teachers was lower in the VPT than the FT group (mean alternative chance‐correlated coefficient , AC1= 0.63 vs. 0.80). Examination of the extent of pervasively identified adjustment problems showed that VPT children had higher rates of emotional (6% vs. 1%) and inattention/hyperactivity problems (12% vs. 6%) than FT children.Conclusions:  Early school age, VPT children are at increased risk of pervasive emotional problems and inattention/hyperactivity, although these risks are relatively modest. The use of multiple informants to assess VPT children's well‐being is important to minimise the effects of report source bias and the over‐identification of adjustment problems in children born VPT.
The consequences of political disagreement in interpersonal communication: New insights from a comparative perspective
Authors: HOPMANN DAVID NICOLAS 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPolitical disagreement in interpersonal communication increases attitudinal ambivalence and can depress voter turnout. These effects seem to be driven by a wish to avoid social controversy rather than informational gains from encountering other opinions. This article shows that political disagreement in interpersonal communication increases the difficulty of deciding for which party to vote. Moreover, this effect is a result of social disapproval of one's party preference, while political expertise in interpersonal communication has no effect. For voter turnout, no direct effect of social disapproval of one's party preference is found. However, disapproval has an indirect influence on turnout via difficulty of vote choice. In sum, both political attitudes and political behaviour are affected by social pressures. Students of political attitudes and behaviour should try to include interpersonal discussion in their models in greater detail than is common practice today.
Differential Effects of Ethanol on Spectral Binding and Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 3A4 with Eight Protease Inhibitors Antiretroviral Drugs
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Kumar Anil 
Published: June 2011

Background:  Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the liver, which metabolizes approximately 50% of the marketed drugs including antiretroviral agents. CYP3A4 induction by ethanol and its impact on drug metabolism and toxicity is known. However, CYP3A4–ethanol physical interaction and its impact on drug binding, inhibition, or metabolism is not known, except that we have recently shown that ethanol facilitates the binding of a protease inhibitor (PI), nelfinavir, with CYP3A4. The current study was designed to examine the effect of ethanol on spectral binding and inhibition of CYP3A4 with all currently used PIs that differ in physicochemical properties.Methods:  We performed type I and type II spectral binding with CYP3A4 at 0 and 20 mM ethanol and varying PIs’ concentrations. We also performed CYP3A4 inhibition using 7‐benzyloxy‐4‐trifluoromethylcoumarin substrate and NADPH at varying concentrations of PIs and ethanol.Results: Atazanavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir showed type I spectral binding, whereas indinavir and ritonavir showed type II. However, amprenavir and darunavir did not show spectral binding with CYP3A4. Ethanol at 20 mM decreased the maximum spectral change (δAmax) with type I lopinavir and saquinavir, but it did not alter δAmax with other PIs. Ethanol did not alter spectral binding affinity (KD) and inhibition constant (IC50) of type I PIs. However, ethanol significantly decreased the IC50 of type II PIs, indinavir and ritonavir, and markedly increased the IC50 of amprenavir and darunavir.Conclusions:  Overall, our results suggest that ethanol differentially alters the binding and inhibition of CYP3A4 with the PIs that have different physicochemical properties. This study has clinical relevance because alcohol has been shown to alter the response to antiretroviral drugs, including PIs, in HIV‐1‐infected individuals.
Risk factors for cerebral palsy in children born at term
Authors: HIMMELMANN KATE , AHLIN KRISTINA , JACOBSSON BO , CANS CHRISTINE , THORSEN POUL 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjective. To provide an overview of current research on risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in children born at term and hypothesize how new findings can affect the content of the CP registers worldwide. Design. A systematic search in PubMed for original articles, published from 2000 to 2010, regarding risk factors for CP in children born at term was conducted. Methods. Full text review was made of 266 articles. Main Outcome Measures. Factors from the prenatal, perinatal and neonatal period considered as possible contributors to the causal pathway to CP in children born at term were regarded as risk factors. Results. Sixty‐two articles met the criteria for an original report on risk factors for CP in children born at term. Perinatal adverse events, including stroke, were the focus of most publications, followed by genetic studies. Malformations, infections, perinatal adverse events and multiple gestation were risk factors associated with CP. The evidence regarding, for example, thrombophilic factors and non‐CNS abnormalities was inconsistent. Conclusions. Information on maternal and neonatal infections, umbilical cord blood gases at birth, mode of delivery and placental status should be collected in a standardized way in CP registers. Information on social factors, such as education level, family income and area of residence, is also of importance. More research is needed to understand the risk factors of CP and specifically how they relate to causal pathways of cerebral palsy.