bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anatomy of a crisis: the causes and consequences of surging food prices
Authors: Headey Derek , Fan Shenggen 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAlthough the potential causes and consequences of recent rising international food prices have attracted widespread attention, many existing appraisals are superficial and/or piecemeal. This article attempts to provide a more comprehensive review of these issues based on the best and most recent research, as well as on fresh theoretical and empirical analysis. We first analyze the causes of the current crisis by considering how well standard explanations hold up against relevant economic theory and important stylized facts. Some explanations turn out to hold up much better than others, especially rising oil prices, the depreciation of the U.S. dollar, biofuels demand, and some commodity‐specific explanations. We then provide an appraisal of the likely macro‐ and microeconomic impacts of the crisis on developing countries. We observe a large gap between macro and micro factors, which, when identifying the most vulnerable countries, often point in different directions. We conclude with a brief discussion of what ought to be learned from this crisis.
Fighting global food price rises in the developing world: the response of China and its effect on domestic and world markets
Authors: Yang Jun , Qiu Huanguang , Huang Jikun , Rozelle Scott 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis article addresses how China is being affected by and is responding to the world food crisis. So far, Chinese officials have responded to higher world prices by drawing down stocks and limiting exports of major grains. These policy instruments were not available for soybeans, so domestic prices of soy and other oilseeds have risen with international prices. Using a global CGE model, we show that the initial world price rise was largely due to higher world oil prices and demand for biofuels as opposed to other factors, especially in maize and soybeans. China's response to this shock has kept domestic grain prices low relative to world grain markets and to domestic soybean prices. As grain stocks are depleted, however, demand growth will push domestic prices back into alignment. Anticipating this pressure on consumers and accelerating supply response through public investment will facilitate adjustment.
Alcohol‐based hand‐disinfection reduced children's absence from Swedish day care centers
Authors: Lennell Anne , Kühlmann‐Berenzon Sharon , Geli Patricia , Hedin Katarina , Petersson Christer , Cars Otto , Mannerquist Kerstin , Burman Lars G , Fredlund Hans ,   the Study Group
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim: To determine if the use of alcohol‐based hand‐disinfection as a complement to regular hand washing at daycare centers (DCCs) can reduce the childhood rate of absenteeism.Methods: Children aged 0–6 years attending DCC were studied in a cluster randomized controlled trial during 30 weeks. Thirty matched pairs of DCCs were included in the study, where one of the DCCs was randomized to intervention and the other to control within each pair. The intervention consisted in children and staff using alcohol‐based oily disinfectant gel containing 70% ethanol after regular hand washing. The main outcome was the rate of episodes of absence from DCC due to infection. A regression model was fitted at the individual level and controlling several possible confounders for illness. Absences were reported by the parents.Results: Differences in missing absence reports between the two groups led to only evaluating those 29 DCCs (1431 children) that were able to provide complete reports. In the multivariate regression, the intervention significantly reduced the rate of absenteeism of a child by 12% compared to a child in a control DCC (IRR 95% CI: 0.799–0.965).Conclusion: Hand‐disinfection used by children and staff significantly decreased childrens absences due to infections in Swedish DCCs.
Serum zinc in small children with coeliac disease
Authors: Högberg Lotta , Danielsson Lars , Jarleman Stefan , Sundqvist Tommy , Stenhammar Lars 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn coeliac disease (CD) there is a gluten‐induced small bowel enteropathy leading to malabsorption of various nutrients, vitamins and trace elements. Low levels of serum zinc have been reported in adults with untreated CD. In the present study we related the serum concentration of zinc to the morphology of the small bowel mucosa in 58 children, all under 4 years of age and under investigation for coeliac disease. The mean serum concentration of zinc (mean ± SD; μmol/L) was significantly lower in children with untreated CD (9.7 ± 2.0) (n = 11) compared to non‐coeliac children without enteropathy (15.1 ± 2.3) (n = 16) (p < 0.001), coeliac children on a gluten‐free diet without enteropathy (14.2 ± 1.6) (n = 14) (p < 0.001), coeliac children on gluten challenge with enteropathy (14.1 ± 2.1) (n = 12) (p < 0.001) and coeliac children on gluten challenge without enteropathy (13.8 ± 1.9) (n = 6) (p < 0.005).Conclusion: Serum zinc concentration is decreased in untreated coeliac children with enteropathy and normalizes on gluten‐free diet. A low serum zinc value in a child being investigated for possible CD on clinical grounds can thus be used as a complementary marker for enteropathy indicating further investigation with small bowel biopsy. The hypothetical role of zinc in the pathogenesis of CD is discussed.
Hospitalization in adolescence affects the likelihood of giving birth: a Swedish population‐based register study
Authors: Selling K Ekholm , Carstensen J , Finnström O , Josefsson A , Sydsjö G 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAim: To examine the effect of hospitalization during adolescence on the likelihood of giving birth.Methods: 142 998 women born in 1973–75 were followed with the help of the Swedish Medical Birth Register (MBR) and the Swedish Total Population Register (TPR) up until the end of 2000 with respect to their likelihood of giving birth. All analyses were adjusted for parental socio‐economic characteristics and factors related to the studied women's own birth.Results: The likelihood of giving birth between 20 and 27 years of age was positively affected by hospitalization at least once during adolescence according to the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register (HDR); adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–1.35. Women hospitalized due to genitourinary diseases, respiratory diseases, abdominal problems and abuse of alcohol and drugs were more likely to have given birth during the study period, while hospitalizations according to cerebral palsy and congenital malformations tended to decrease childbearing. Women hospitalized due to psychiatric diseases had an increase likelihood of given birth at 20–24 years but a reduced thereafter.Conclusion: A majority of the causes of hospitalization during adolescence increased the likelihood of giving birth between ages 20 to 27.
Inconsistent determination of overweight by two anthropometric indices in girls with Turner syndrome
Authors: Isojima Tsuyoshi , Yokoya Susumu , Ito Junko , Horikawa Reiko , Tanaka Toshiaki 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) as classified by the two major anthropometric indices, body mass index (BMI) and weight‐for‐height (WFH) and to make growth reference charts of them for comparison with those of the normal population.Method: The samples for analysis were obtained from a retrospective cohort. In total, 1447 girls' cross‐sectional data were analysed. Subjects were divided into four groups by ages: group A (0–5.99 years), B (6–10.99 years), C (11–15.99 years) and D (16–20.99 years). The cut‐off values of overweight by BMI and WFH were those of the 90th percentile and 120 percent, respectively and the prevalence was calculated. For constructing growth reference charts, the LMS method was used.Results: The prevalence of overweight differed between the two indices. The proportions of the coincidental classification in all subjects, group A, B, C and D were 82.53%, 89.96%, 91.79%, 69.98% and 60.61%, respectively. These differences corresponded to the difference of age‐dependent patterns of the two indices from those of the normal population, as judged from the growth charts constructed with all subjects.Conclusion: A discrepancy in the prevalence of overweight as classified by BMI and WFH for girls with TS was detected.
Birth weight charts for gestational age in 63 620 healthy infants born in Peruvian public hospitals at low and at high altitude
Authors: Gonzales Gustavo F , Tapia Vilma 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim: To construct distribution curves for birth weight, length and head circumference using a large sample of infants born at low (150 m) and high (3000–4400 m) altitude.Methods: Cross‐sectional analysis of a perinatal database. All live singleton deliveries from public hospitals during 2001–2006 (gestational age from 26 to 42 weeks) with no history of perinatal deaths or smoking and no current obstetric complications (n = 63 620) were included. Fractional polynomial regression models were used to smooth curves for each gestational age.Results: Mean and median birth weight differences between those born at low and high altitudes reached statistical significance after 35 and 33 weeks, respectively. Values of the 10th percentile were higher at low altitude from 36 weeks, whereas values at the 90th percentile were different from 34 weeks. In the Peruvian growth curves, birth weight was greater at each gestational age than in the curves derived by Lubchenco.Conclusion: Altitude affects growth patterns; these growth standards will provide useful references for the care of the newborn in highland populations. In addition, the data have implications for the antepartum management of pregnant patients undergoing sonographic evaluation of fetal weight in whom new definitions of what represents small or large for gestational age in utero can result in differences in time or mode of delivery.
Peyronie’s Disease Intervention Trials: Methodological Challenges and Issues
Authors: Müller Alexander , Mulhall John P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Peyronie’s Disease (PD) has been studied for more than 260 years since Francois de la Peyronie’s description in 1743. Based on the current literature, the prevalence of PD seems 3–9% with an average age of onset in the fifth life decade. Much effort has been spent on developing nonsurgical treatment options to cure or at least prevent disease progression.

Aim
The recent examination of drug trials for erectile dysfunction has led us to assess PD trial methodology more closely.

Methods
An Iinternet search on PubMed was performed using MeSH words PD, clinical trials, oral, transdermal, intralesional and shock wave therapy focusing on 26 representing studies published over the last 15 years.

Mean Outcome Measures
A comprehensive review of the current literature on nonsurgical treatment options for PD was conducted to address methodological issues and challenges in PD trials highlighting trial design, patient population, and symptom and sign assessment.

Results
The majority of the reviewed studies are underpowered and the heterogeneity in the methodological approach and patient assessment between the studies is one of the remarkable findings from our review. Studies should use a uniform means of defining the degree and type of penile deformity and a large enough cohort of patients should be studied for adequate study power. An ideally designed PD intervention trial should comprise: (i) a randomized, placebo-controlled design; (ii) with a PD patient set representative of the general PD population; and (iii) a comprehensive symptom and sign assessment before and at the end of treatment which includes an assessment of at least deformity, pain, and sexual function.

Conclusion
A number of challenges exist for the design of PD intervention trials and deciphering the data generated from them. The field would benefit greatly from a consensus statement or guidelines development on the design and conduct of such trials.
DRYING CHARACTERISTICS AND MILLING QUALITY ASPECTS OF PADDY DRIED WITH GAS‐FIRED INFRARED
Authors: LAOHAVANICH JUCKAMAS , WONGPICHET SEREE 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT Wet paddy was dried under different process conditions applying a laboratory gas‐fired infrared (GIR) dryer. Peak wavelength of infrared emitted and initial moisture content of paddy were varied to study the drying behavior. The available thin‐layer drying models were fitted to the drying data. Then, the modified Page model was chosen with higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9985 − 0.9695) and best‐fitted over other models, based on comparing the values of root mean square deviation (RMSD), average percentage of error (%E) and chi‐square (χ2) between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. Qualities of GIR and temper‐dried wet paddy in terms of head rice yield and whiteness were evaluated. Response surface methodology found that an increase in GIR drying time could increase head rice yield. However, an increase in both GIR drying time and tempering time could decrease the whiteness. The contour overlay graph could then be used for determining the appropriate drying conditions, depending on the industrial or user requirement.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSInfrared (IR) drying technology has appeared as one of the potential alternatives to the traditional heating methods for obtaining high‐quality dried agro‐products. For long‐grain paddy drying, there is at present a dearth of reports exploring IR drying kinetics, and even in such reports, milling quality was the focus of investigation with respect to appropriate drying process conditions. This study has presented the modeling determination and explanation on milling qualities of paddy dried with gas‐fired infrared dryer. The drying process has provided a guideline on basic information to build a commercial drying system. Finally, these results would have practical applications for maintaining or increasing the milling qualities of paddy in the existing industry.
SOME PHYSICOMECHANICAL AND NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF BARBERRY (BERBERIS VULGARIS L.) FRUITS
Authors: AKBULUT MEHMET , ÇALIŞIR SEDAT , MARAKOĞLU TAMER , ÇOKLAR HACER 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT The barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) fruits growing wild in Turkey were analyzed for some physical (dimensions, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density, fruit density, volume, terminal velocity, hardness and porosity) and chemical (moisture, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanin and phenolics, crude protein, crude oil, crude energy, crude fiber, ash, pH, acidity, alcohol‐soluble extract and color) properties. Mineral content of barberry fruits growing wild in Turkey was determined by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. The average pulp mass ratio, thickness, width, length, mass, volume, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and projected area were measured as 75.59%, 3.51 mm, 3.32 mm, 7.69 mm, 0.07 g, 71 mm3, 4.46 mm, and 0.58 and 0.2535 cm2, respectively. The energy, reducing sugar, protein, cellulose, oil, ash, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total anthocyanin and soluble solid matter values of barberry fruits were established as 69.25 kcal/g, 6.52%, 10.32%, 9.42%, 0.84%, 1.12%, 3.10%, 256.48 mg/kg, 789.32 mg/100 g, 931.05 mg/kg and 19.4%, respectively. It is very important to evaluate the technological properties of equipment used in harvesting, transportation, storage and processing of fresh fruits. Also, the information supplied on the proximate composition of the barberry fruit is highly beneficial for human nutrition.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe chemical properties such as ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and phenolic compounds, reducing sugar, crude protein, crude fiber, crude oil, ash and mineral contents of barberry fruits are mostly important for human nutrition and processing. In addition, it is very important to establish the physical properties of equipment used in harvesting, transportation, storage and processing of fresh fruits. However, further studies are necessary to understand the physical properties for equipment design and to provide necessary information for the use of wild edible fruits.
QUALITY EVALUATION OF MESQUITE (PROSOPIS JULIFLORA) PODS AND CASHEW (ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE) APPLE SYRUPS
Authors: GUILHERME A.A. , HONORATO T.L. , DORNELLES A.S. , PINTO G.A.S. , BRITO E.S. , RODRIGUES S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT The aim of the present work was to evaluate the quality of honey‐like syrups obtained from mesquite pods (Prosopis juliflora) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale) apple juice. The syrups were obtained through vacuum concentration of the plant extracts. Physicochemical parameters (soluble solid content, protein content, pH, acidity, water activity and specific gravity) were evaluated considering the quality parameters for honeys. The mineral content was determined by atomic absorption and flame photometry. The results were compared to the published data for honeys from several parts of the world. Mesquite pod syrup and cashew apple syrup presented quality parameters statistically different from the values reported by other authors for honeys from several parts of the world. The syrups presented superior nutritional quality than honeys regarding their mineral contents. These honey‐like syrups might be considered a good mineral source for human nutrition. Mesquite pod syrup presented a nutritional value superior to cashew apple syrup.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe concentration of fruit juices and plant extracts is a good way of preserving foodstuffs without the need of additives or the use of refrigerated systems. In this work, vacuum concentration of mesquite pod extracts and cashew apple juice was carried out to obtain syrups with high sugar content. The quality properties of the final product were evaluated. Syrups obtained from plant extracts present minerals, color, aroma and flavor compounds. Syrups rich in minerals and sugars obtained from plant extracts or fruit juices are suitable for food industry applications such as flavor agents for yogurts, syrups for pastry and candies, ice creams, toppings and fillings for bakery products, savory sauces or as preserves. In confectionary industries, plant syrups can be used to replace glucose syrups (caramels, toffees, gums, fudges), which are the most common syrups used in the industry. Syrups can also be directly consumed like honeys and maple syrup. However, little information on these honey‐like products has been published. The syrups studied herein were shown to be a good source of minerals for human nutrition.
ANALYSIS OF VARIABLES AND MODELING OF GEVUINA AVELLANA OIL EXTRACTION WITH ETHANOL NEAR AZEOTROPE CONDITIONS
Authors: FRANCO DANIEL , SINEIRO JORGE , NÚÑEZ MARÍA JOSÉ 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT Oil extraction from Gevuina avellana Mol. (Chilean hazelnut) with ethanol, near the conditions of its azeotrope with water, was carried out in this work. The effects of solubility, liquid‐to‐solid ratio and moisture content of ethanol were studied using 92% ethanol, azeotropic (96%) and absolute ethanol (99.9%) as solvents. Water content had a high effect on oil solubility, which reached 140 g/L in 99.9% ethanol, whereas it was 40 g/L with azeotropic ethanol. Oil accounted for 93% of total extractable compounds with absolute ethanol. Kinetics studies of the extraction process were performed at 50C, giving as a result apparent diffusivity values near 10
−11
m2/s, being the highest values obtained for ethanol 92% (7.5–16 × 10−11). It was also found that the higher the liquid‐to‐solid ratio, the higher the diffusivity. Simulation of four‐stage countercurrent extraction with azeotropic ethanol yielded 23.5% oil extraction, whereas simulation of four‐stage cross‐flow extraction yielded 40.7%. Ethanol can be an alternative to batch cold pressing or hexane solvent extraction, for G. savellana seeds or meal processing.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe results presented in this paper are applicable for obtaining oil from oilseeds by extraction with ethanol. It includes relevant results for the optimization of extraction conditions and particularly those regarding liquid‐to‐solid ratio and percentage of water. Considering the more specific focus of this research, the results are applicable to obtaining Gevuina avellana oil by using an ethanol‐based process, which will allow to avoid one of the cold‐pressing process drawbacks: the high oil content of the meal, which is a factor limiting its lifetime.
MULTI‐OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT RANGE OF BAKING SYSTEMS
Authors: HADIYANTO  , BOOM R.M. , VAN STRATEN G. , VAN BOXTEL A.J.B. , ESVELD D.C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT The operational range of a food production system can be used to obtain a variation in certain product characteristics. The range of product characteristics that can be simultaneously realized by an optimal choice of the process conditions is inherently limited. Knowledge of this feasible product range and the limitations therein would be of great help to the process/product innovator. In this article, the method of Pareto analysis, in combination with dynamic optimization, was introduced to map the feasibility range for multi‐objective optimization problems. The Pareto front obtained for a set of conflicting objectives divides the product specification space into a feasible and a nonfeasible area. For process design, such an analysis is a versatile tool to evaluate different options and to search for extension of the operational range. In this work, such Pareto analysis was applied for bakery production. Bakery products might have conflicting specifications for the final quality (crispness, brownness and moisture content). The analysis shows how the feasible area was changed as the initial dough water content is modified. Furthermore, it was proven that by modification of the process (i.e., application of multiheating systems – combined convective, microwave and radiation heating), the feasible area was extended significantly. Taking these options into account, the operational range of bakery systems was improved significantly. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn bakery operation design, it is required to know the information about how the Pareto solution can be used to find the possibilities to extend the feasible region and to improve the flexibility of the system. In this study, the optimization for multi‐objective function in bakery operation was investigated by changing the product formulation, i.e., changing initial water content, and by changing the process system, i.e., introducing multiheating strategy. It was concluded that, by changing both the product formulation and process system, the process flexibility and product range could be enlarged. Therefore, the results presented in this article may be useful for the designer to improve current bakery processes.