bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing and incorporating seasonal structures into demand models for fruit
Authors: Arnade Carlos , Pick Daniel , Gehlhar Mark 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIt is widely recognized that purchases of perishable agricultural products are affected by the seasonal cycles of production. When there are seasonal effects where seasonal buying is not explained by prices alone, the seasonal component can be captured using appropriate dummy variables in a demand model. However, over time the introduction of different varieties and foreign sources of supply in the market may affect the seasonal structure in unknown ways, and because of this, it becomes important to identify and test for characteristics of seasonal structure in demand models. In this article, we set out to measure and test the various characteristics of the seasonal component of fruit demand. We model seasonality in the context of an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model, where we consider several types of fruit demand in the United States.
Agricultural trade restrictiveness in the European Union and the United States
Authors: Bureau Jean‐Christophe , Salvatici Luca 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe article provides a summary measure of the Uruguay Round tariff reduction commitments in the European Union and the United States, using the Mercantilistic Trade Restrictiveness Index (MTRI) as the tariff aggregator. We compute the index for agricultural commodity aggregates assuming a specific (constant elasticity of substitution) functional form for import demand. The levels of the MTRI under the actual commitments of the Uruguay Round are computed and compared with two hypothetical cases, a deeper cut in higher tariffs and a uniform reduction of each tariff, both leading to the same average reduction as in the Uruguay Round. This makes it possible to infer how reducing tariff dispersion will help improve market access in future trade agreements, and provides some guidelines for aggregating detailed tariffs in trade models.
The effects of EU corn, cotton, and sugar beet policies on Greek producers: a multimarket analysis
Authors: Katranidis Stelios D. , Nitsi Elisavet I. , Bullock David S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThis article examines the welfare effects of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) corn, cotton, and sugar beet regimes practiced in Greece after its 1981 entry into the European Union. Since Greek farmers produce corn, cotton, and sugar beets on the same land in different years, we model these markets as horizontally linked. By incorporating the demand for corn in our model, we take into account that corn is used as feed in livestock production. We use line integral theory to properly deal with the complications of welfare measurement in a multimarket setting. We estimate producer welfare effects of Greek corn, cotton, and sugar beet policy, and use bootstrapping techniques to obtain confidence intervals for the welfare measurements. Our analysis indicates that the income transfers to Greek farmers, (corn, cotton, and sugar beet growers as well as livestock producers considered as a total), rose between 1981 and 1992. The 1992 CAP reform led to a stabilization of income transfers to crop farmers, and lessened the negative impact on livestock producers.
Potential impacts of the proposed West African monetary zone on cowpea trade
Authors: Langyintuo Augustine S. , Lowenberg‐DeBoer J. , Arndt Channing 
Published: November 2005

AbstractMember countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are expected to form a West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) by December 2009, whereby members would use a common currency in an attempt to promote regional integration. Evidence suggests that reduction in transaction cost as a result of a decrease (or elimination) of nontariff barriers (NTBs) and real interest rates in response to elimination of exchange rate differentials positively influence trade. The objective of this study is to quantify the effects of (a) a 7% real interest rate on capital and (b) zero NTBs within ECOWAS countries, on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) trade to provide a measure of the potential impacts of the WAMZ on grain trade. The study applies a spatial and temporal price equilibrium model formulated in a mixed complementary programming (MCP) framework and solved using GAMS/PATH. The focus is on the Nigerian cowpea grainshed (NCG) comprising Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo in ECOWAS, and Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMC). The results show that if WAMZ results in reduced real interest rates within ECOWAS, the larger of the two monetary unions, consumers in the relatively larger coastal economies and producers in the smaller Sahelian economies would benefit while all others lose. However, net social welfare would increase by 0.19% over the base case of 6.3 billion US$ (bUS$). Removing NTBs among countries in the larger trading bloc may alter the pattern of cowpea flows with total trade volume increasing by 3%, but inter‐bloc trade decreasing by about 8%. The net total regional social welfare would increase by 0.14%, or 15 million US$ (mUS$), benefiting only consumers in importing countries and producers in exporting countries. The results emphasize the importance of specialization based on regional comparative advantage, but also draw attention to the need to devise ways to ensure acceptable welfare distribution among producers and consumers in line with policy objectives of the individual countries within the proposed WAMZ. Finally, this article contributes to the literature on the application of spatial and temporal models incorporating both ad valorem tariffs and differential interest rates in developing economies.
Modeling spatial price transmission in the grain markets of Ethiopia with an application of ARDL approach to white teff
Authors: Getnet Kindie , Verbeke Wim , Viaene Jacques 
Published: November 2005

AbstractFollowing the agricultural market liberalization policy, there is an emerging grain market structure in Ethiopia in which the central wholesale market exhibits concentration of power and spatial integration with the local markets. Due to this, it is hypothesized that the central wholesale market influences the long‐run price movements in the local markets. The relationship can be modeled as spatial price equilibrium with the aim to guide subsequent policy decisions with regard to public intervention in the post‐liberalization period. In this study, we modeled the spatial equilibrium relationship between the producer and the wholesale prices of white teff, a major staple in Ethiopia, using the autoregressive distributed lag modeling approach to cointegration analysis. First, the existence of a nonspurious long‐run relationship in levels between the producer prices in the local market and the wholesale prices in the central market is confirmed. Second, the long‐run relationship and the error correction model for the producer price are estimated. The results reveal that the wholesale price of white teff in the central consumer market is a major short‐ and long‐run determinant of the producer price in the local supply markets. Therefore, the institutional role of the government with the aim of improving producers' marketing margin and the overall performance of the grain markets in the post‐liberalization period can be influenced through targeted interventions at the central wholesale market.
Characterization of obesity in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) in a pedigreed colony
Authors: Takahashi Tomoko , Higashino Atsunori , Takagi Kaori , Kamanaka Yoshiro , Abe Masamitsu , Morimoto Mayumi , Kang Kyung Hwa , Goto Shunji , Suzuki Juri , Hamada Yuzuru , Kageyama Takashi 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground
Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata, is recognized as the monkey species inhabiting the northernmost area in the world, and thus likely to possess unique fat‐depositing mechanisms to resist cold weather in winter. We report that obese females are present in the Wakasa group of Japanese monkey reared in an open enclosure of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.Methods and Results  Eight of 12 females were categorized as obese, showing percentage body fat of over 22%. The levels of serum leptin (mean ± SD, 4.9 ± 2.3 ng/ml) measured in these obese monkeys were significantly higher than those of non‐obese peers of the same group (n = 4; 1.2 ± 0.5 ng/ml) and another Japanese monkey group (Takahama, n = 14; 0.8 ± 0.25 ng/ml); however, serum levels of adiponectin, insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and fructosamine did not differ between obese and non‐obese monkeys. Few serum lipid parameters such as triglyceride and cholesterol showed lower levels in obese monkeys than their non‐obese peers.Conclusions  These results show that these obese monkeys in the Wakasa group have not developed obesity‐related diseases/disorders such as diabetes. In the Wakasa group, the frequency of obese individuals was high in some maternal lineages, suggesting that genetic factors responsible for obesity may have been inherited in these lineages.
Coat condition, housing condition and measurement of faecal cortisol metabolites – a non‐invasive study about alopecia in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Steinmetz Hanspeter W. , Kaumanns Werner , Dix Illona , Heistermann Michael , Fox Mark , Kaup Franz‐Josef 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground Previous studies have characterized alopecia in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) by a mixed partial to complete alopecia in a bilateral symmetric pattern.Methods In this study, coat condition assessments were related to exogenous and endogenous factors in captive rhesus macaques under different housing conditions in order to identify disturbances in environmental factors controlling or influencing hair growth. Additionally, the degree of alopecia was investigated in relation to adrenal endocrine function as an indicator of social stress using faecal glucocorticoid measurements.Results Hair loss was found to vary with season and sex, was most pronounced in adult females during the winter and spring months. Generally, infants were not affected, but alopecia developed during adolescence. However, the housing system, available enclosure space and variations in group size and composition also appeared to influence coat condition. Levels of immunoreactive cortisol metabolites (11‐oxoetiocholanolone) in faeces were significantly negatively correlated with alopecia, suggesting a relationship between hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis activity and hair loss in captive rhesus macaques.Conclusions Although the present study demonstrates the influence of the HPA axis on coat condition, it is not known if hair loss is caused by abnormal behaviour or hormonal imbalances of the HPA axis itself. Our data suggest that alopecia in rhesus macaques is a highly complex multicausal disorder.
Identification of genes responsible for hereditary diseases in Japanese beef cattle
Authors: KUNIEDA Tetsuo 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTIn the breeding of domestic animals, selection of economically desired traits has been the most important consideration for the improvement of animals, but excluding negative factors in animal production, such as causative genes for hereditary diseases, is also required for the genetic improvement of domestic animals. The incidence of various hereditary diseases has been reported in Japanese beef cattle and these diseases have caused serious problems in the breeding and raising of healthy beef cattle. This article reviews the identification of causative genes for the following three hereditary diseases in Japanese beef cattle: (i) Chediak–Higashi syndrome; (ii) renal tubular dysplasia; and (iii) bovine chondrodysplastic dwarfism. Chediak–Higashi syndrome is a hereditary bleeding disorder reported in Japanese black cattle. To identify the cause of this disease, we cloned and sequenced the bovineLYSTgene, which has been found to be involved in Chediak–Higashi syndrome in humans, and found that an amino acid substitution of histidine to arginine at amino acid residue 2015 is the causative mutation in the cattle disease. Renal tubular dysplasia is a hereditary disease of Japanese black cattle showing renal failure and growth retardation. We mapped the locus for this disease to the 4 cM region of bovine chromosome 1 by linkage analysis and found a large deletion in this region. The deleted region contained thePCLN1gene encoding a tight‐junction protein of renal epithelial cells, and we concluded that deletion of thePCLN1gene is responsible for the disease. Bovine chondrodysplastic dwarfism is a hereditary disease of Japanese brown cattle, displayed by short limbs and joint abnormalities. We mapped the locus for the disease to a region of bovine chromosome 6 by linkage analysis. By constructing YAC and BAC contigs covering this region and sequence analysis, we identified a novel gene (LIMBIN), which plays an essential role in bone formation in this region, and found two mutations responsible for the disease. The identification of these mutations provided the basis for DNA‐based diagnostic systems for these three diseases, and after development of the diagnosis systems, the incidences of these hereditary diseases have dramatically decreased.
Controlled release of estradiol‐17β and bisphenol A from a silicone tube for long‐term administration in mice
Authors: OKADA Atsushi , NIWA Yoshitsugu , KATASE Takao , KAI Osamu 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTSilicone tubes filled with estradiol‐17β (E2) or the xenestrogen, bisphenol A (BPA) were covered with a polyethylene tube and implanted into mice subcutaneously. The releasing patterns from the tube in vivo were obtained from the volume of estrogen remaining in the tube by measurement with high performance lipid chromatography. E2 in glycerol was released in a few days from a silicone tube, which was not covered with a polyethylene tube (Type A). However, E2 in sesame oil was released very slowly from the silicone tube covered with a polyethylene tube (Type B) and approximately 10% of E2 remained in the tube at 56 days after implantation into the mice. The mean linear regression equation for E2 was Y = 70.967 − 1.2271X (R2 = 0.9268) and the quadratic regression equation was Y = 77.97 − 2.2773X + 0.0194 × 2 (R2 = 0.9864). The remainder rate curves of E2 and BPA were not significantly different throughout the experimental period of 56 days. The Type B tube in the present experiment might be useful for long‐term administration of estrogens.
Relationship between fat accumulation in the liver and energy intake, milk fat yield and blood metabolites in dairy cows
Authors: OHGI Tsutomu , KAMIMURA Shunichi , MINEZAKI Yasuhiro , TAKAHASHI Masanobu 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTIn the present study, 42 multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the relationship between fat accumulation in the liver and dry matter intake, milk yield and blood metabolites. Based on the percentage of fat in the liver cell at 2 weeks post‐parturition, the cows were classified into three groups. These groups were: (i) less than 10% of fat (normal group, n = 29); (ii) 10–20% of fat (mild group, n = 6); and (iii) more than 20% of fat (moderate group, n = 7). The bodyweight of the moderate group was high (771 kg) before calving. The sufficiency rates of total digestible nutrients (TDN) were remarkably decreased (approximately 65%) in early lactation. The milk fat yield and milk fat composition of the moderate group were higher (P < 0.05) than the other groups at 1 and 2 weeks post‐parturition. It was suggested that non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) mobilized from adipose tissues was directly used by the mammary gland for synthesis of milk fat. The percentage of bromsulfalein (BSP) retention of the moderate group was high (21.1%) at 30 min, and it showed that the BSP clearance function was significantly decreased. The concentrations of NEFA, β‐hydroxybutyric acid and glucose were appropriate indicators of energy status; however, aspartate aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and total bilirubin were not sensitive indicators of a moderate fatty liver. Thus, high‐yielding cows that calve in an overweight condition are more likely to develop excessive fat accumulation in the liver because of great mobilization from adipose tissues post‐parturition. In cows with a moderately fatty liver, a decrease in TDN sufficiency rates, an increase of milk fat yield and a reduction of liver function were observed in early lactation. The increase of serum NEFA and milk fat composition resulting from mobilization of adipose tissues helped to diagnose moderate fatty liver.
Gene expression of resistin and TNF‐α in adipose tissue of Japanese Black steers and Holstein steers
Authors: KOMATSU Tokushi , ITOH Fumiaki , HODATE Koichi , HAZEGAWA Shuhei , OBARA Yoshiaki , KUSHIBIKI Shiro 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to compare the expression of adipose tissue mRNA related to glucose metabolism between Japanese Black steers (n = 5) and Holstein steers (n = 5). We examined the expression of the resistin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) genes using real‐time polymerase chain reaction of cDNA in adipose tissue. The cDNA sequence identified by 5′/3′‐rapid amplification of cDNA and the deduced amino acid sequence were highly conserved in human, porcine and murine resistin. Expression of resistin mRNA was significantly greater in Holstein steers than in Japanese Black steers. In contrast, expression of TNF‐α mRNA was slightly greater in Japanese Black steers. Expression of GHR mRNA was significantly greater in Japanese Black steers compared with the Holstein steers, although there was no significant difference in the expression of GLUT1 mRNA. However, the plasma non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, insulin and growth hormone concentrations did not differ between Japanese Black and Holstein steers. The present results show that there is a difference in the expression level of mRNA related to glucose metabolism between Japanese Black steers and Holstein steers.
Differences between carcass grades in some morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements at early and middle stages of fattening in crossbred steers
Authors: UETAKE Katsuji , ISHIWATA Toshie , ABE Naoshige , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTThe differential variables for carcass grades were identified from morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements of young steers at a commercial farm. Thirty‐five Japanese Black × Holstein steers aged 6–10 months were randomly assigned to three pens. The steers had free access to ryegrass hay and a restricted amount of concentrate diet for the first 6 months of trial. They were then given oat straw ad libitum and an additional concentrate diet until slaughter. Behavioral observations (15 categories) were carried out once every 2 weeks for 2 h after feeding. Bodyweight was measured, blood sampled (for seven metabolic hormones and five metabolites), ultrasonic scanning conducted and physical measurements taken (10 parts for each animal) in months 1, 3 and 5 (early fattening stage, EFS) and in months 7, 9 and 11 (middle fattening stage, MFS) of the trial. Temperament scores during these procedures, entry order into restraint stalls, social rank and average daily gain were also assessed. A factor analysis and one‐way anova were used to identify clusters of variables which had different factor scores between carcass grades. As for the carcass yields, a cluster of chest girth and depth, bodyweight, withers and hip height, and rump length (P < 0.01), and a cluster of the frequency of scratching the body with facilities (P < 0.05) were identified as differential variables in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of concentrations of cortisol and epinephrine, and the frequency of eating straw were identified (P < 0.10). As for the carcass quality grade, a cluster of social rank, triglyceride concentration and the frequencies of stand‐chewing cud and eating hay, and a cluster of the frequency of investigating facilities (both P < 0.10) were identified in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of hip height, bodyweight, cannon circumference, chest depth, withers height and chest girth, and a cluster of the frequencies of eating a concentrate diet and stand‐chewing the cud, and social rank (both P < 0.10) were identified. In conclusion, bodyweight, chest girth and depth, withers and hip height were identified as good differential variables for future carcass grades of young steers. Facility enrichment that encourages steers to eat hay in the EFS, and to eat a concentrate diet in and after the MFS would be effective in upgrading carcass grades. High incidence of investigating and scratching the body with facilities and stand‐chewing the cud might lead to lower carcass grades.
‘Looking up’ behavior in the holding area of the milking parlor: its relationship with step‐kick, flight responses and productivity of commercial dairy cows
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , KILGOUR Robert J. , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTCommercial dairy cows milked in a parlor system are packed close together in the holding area before milking. The present study examined the relationships of ‘looking up’ behavior with some other behaviors and the productivity of 1116–1153 cows from five farms. The individual identities of the cows looking up in the holding area were recorded at 5 min intervals during six intermittent afternoon milking sessions. Entrance into the milking parlor and the numbers of steps and kicks by cows while the milking person was attaching the milking cups, were recorded in six milking sessions. Flight responses in the pasture after milking were recorded over four days intermittently. The frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior weakly, but significantly correlated with flight starting distance (r = 0.10, P < 0.05), while the correlation with the number of step‐kicks during milking was not significant. As for productivity, lactation number (r = −0.18, P < 0.001), milk yield (r = −0.15, P < 0.001) and fat content (r = −0.15, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior. Age of cows was correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior as well as lactation number (r = −0.21, P < 0.001). Entrance order was positively correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior (r = 0.15, P < 0.001). The ‘looking up’ behavior was observed more frequently in cows in their third or less lactation compared with cows which were in their fourth or greater lactation (P < 0.05). The lactation number of cows was correlated with their milk yield (r = 0.36, P < 0.001) and flight starting distance (r = −0.21, P < 0.001). In conclusion, ‘looking up’ behavior shown by cows in the holding area before milking might be an indicator of low motivation for milking, mainly because of fear of humans, and an aversion to milking caused by insufficient experience in being milked.