bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammation and functional outcome in diisocyanate‐induced asthma after cessation of exposure
Authors: Piirilä P. L. , Meuronen A. , Majuri M.‐L. , Luukkonen R. , Mäntylä T. , Wolff H. J. , Nordman H. , Alenius H. , Laitinen A. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  The clinical outcome of diisocyanate‐induced asthma has been found to be poor despite cessation of exposure. Our aim was to study the outcome of diisocyanate‐induced asthma after initiation of inhaled steroid treatment at a mean period of 7 months (range 2–60 months) after cessation of exposure by following up lung function and bronchial inflammation.Methods:  Bronchoscopy was performed on 17 patients 2 days after a positive inhalation challenge test, after which budesonide 1600 μg a day was started. Bronchoscopy, spirometry, and histamine challenge tests were repeated at 6 months and on average 3 years. The results were also compared with those obtained from 15 healthy control subjects.Results:  Nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity diminished significantly (P = 0.006); however, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values decreased, with a median yearly reduction of FEV1 of 79 ml. The count of mast cells in bronchial mucosa decreased (P = 0.012) and that of macrophages increased (P = 0.001). Interleukin‐4 level in mucosa was during the first year significantly higher than in controls but its level decreased in the follow‐up. Interleukin‐6, interleukin‐15, and tumour necrosis factor alpha messenger‐RNA levels were significantly higher in hyperreactive patients than in nonhyperreactive patients at the end of the follow‐up.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that inflammation may persist in diisocyanate‐induced asthma despite inhaled steroid medication. However, TH2‐type inflammation diminished. Persistent nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity was associated with proinflammatory acting cytokines produced mainly by macrophages. Considering the poor prognosis of the disease the findings could be utilized to develop the follow‐up and treatment of diisocyanate‐induced asthma.
Agronomic Adaptation of Some Field Crops: A General Approach
Authors: Ulukan H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study is focused on the various agronomic traits to adaptation of cultivated field crops. As known, there is a close and strong relationship between cultivation (also known as domestication) and adaptation. Life has existed for more than 2500 million years on Earth and the birth of agriculture, some 10 000 years ago in the Middle East’s fertile crescent, revolutionized human culture and society. Plants survive (they live and grow) in new and different areas. Adaptations are special features that allow a plant or animal to live in a particular place or habitat. These adaptations might make it very difficult for the plant to survive in a different place. In general, field crops must be placed in an environment that meets their ‘requirements’. The future of agricultural productivity and sustainability depends on the ability of crop plants (here, field crops) to grow and be productive in response to changing environments. The term ‘adaptation’ refers to the ability of different species with different genetic make‐ups to cope with a specific range of circumstances such as climate, food supply, habitat, defence and movement. Adaptations can be structural (shape, skin colour etc.), behavioural (special ways in which a particular organ behaves to survive in its natural habitat), physiological (systems present in an organism for it to perform certain biochemical reactions such as venom, sweat, secreting slime), etc. This explains why certain plants are found in one area, but not in another. You would not see any plant from the Cactaceae family living in the Arctic Regions nor would you see lots of really tall trees living in grasslands! Environmental factors, such as photosynthetic activities, biodiversity and soil conditions, are related to this subject. Each grower should consider vital points such as marketing potential(s), transportation, storage, yield and price, producer’s resources and most importantly, specific plant adaptational requirements and peculiarities. On the other hand, global heating (or global warming) is a most intensive subject and it has an important place. Especially, relationship to field crops, their production and yield levels of this topic's harmful effect(s) must be restricted or removed with proper agronomic action(s).
Deficit Irrigation of Soya Bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in a Sub‐humid Climate
Authors: Sincik M. , Candogan B. N. , Demirtas C. , Büyükcangaz H. , Yazgan S. , Göksoy A. T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of water deficit on yield and crop water requirement of soya beans in a sub‐humid environment (Southern Marmara region, Bursa, Turkey) in 2005 and 2006. One full‐irrigated treatment (T1), one non‐irrigated treatment (T5) and three different deficit irrigation (T2 = 25 % water deficit, T3 = 50 % water deficit, T4 = 75 % water deficit) treatments were applied to ‘Nova’ soya bean planted on a clay soil. Non‐irrigated and all deficit irrigation treatments significantly reduced biomass and seed yield and yield components. The full‐irrigated (T1) treatment had the highest yield (3760 kg ha−1), while the non‐irrigated (T5) treatment had the lowest yield (2069 kg ha−1), a 45.0 % seed yield reduction. T2, T3 and T4 deficit irrigation treatments produced 11.7–27.4 % less seed yield than the T1 treatment. Harvest index showed less and irregular variation among irrigation treatments. Both leaf area per plant and leaf area index were significantly reduced at all growth stages as amount of irrigation water was decreased. Evapotranspiration increased with increased amounts of irrigation water supplied. Our results indicate that higher amounts of irrigation resulted in higher seed yield, whereas water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency values decreased when irrigation amount increased.
Disentangling the rhizosphere effect on nitrate reducers and denitrifiers: insight into the role of root exudates
Authors: Henry S. , Texier S. , Hallet S. , Bru D. , Dambreville C. , Chèneby D. , Bizouard F. , Germon J. C. , Philippot L. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryTo determine to which extent root‐derived carbon contributes to the effects of plants on nitrate reducers and denitrifiers, four solutions containing different proportions of sugar, organic acids and amino acids mimicking maize root exudates were added daily to soil microcosms at a concentration of 150 μg C g−1 of soil. Water‐amended soils were used as controls. After 1 month, the size and structure of the nitrate reducer and denitrifier communities were analysed using the narG and napA, and the nirK, nirS and nosZ genes as molecular markers respectively. Addition of artificial root exudates (ARE) did not strongly affect the structure or the density of nitrate reducer and denitrifier communities whereas potential nitrate reductase and denitrification activities were stimulated by the addition of root exudates. An effect of ARE composition was also observed on N2O production with an N2O:(N2O + N2) ratio of 0.3 in microcosms amended with ARE containing 80% of sugar and of 1 in microcosms amended with ARE containing 40% of sugar. Our study indicated that ARE stimulated nitrate reduction or denitrification activity with increases in the range of those observed with the whole plant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the composition of the ARE affected the nature of the end‐product of denitrification and could thus have a putative impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Community composition of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria and archaea in soils under stands of red alder and Douglas fir in Oregon
Authors: Boyle‐Yarwood Stephanie A. , Bottomley Peter J. , Myrold David D. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis study determined nitrification activity and nitrifier community composition in soils under stands of red alder (Alnus rubra) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) at two sites in Oregon. The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, located in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, has low net N mineralization and gross nitrification rates. Cascade Head Experimental Forest, in the Coast Range, has higher net N mineralization and nitrification rates and soil pH is lower. Communities of putative bacterial [ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB)] and archaeal [ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA)] ammonia oxidizers were examined by targeting the gene amoA, which codes for subunit A of ammonia monooxygenase. Nitrification potential was significantly higher in red alder compared with Douglas‐fir soil and greater at Cascade Head than H.J. Andrews. Ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria amoA genes were amplified from all soils, but AOA amoA genes could only be amplified at Cascade Head. Gene copy numbers of AOB and AOA amoA were similar at Cascade Head regardless of tree type (2.3–6.0 × 106amoA gene copies g−1 of soil). DNA sequences of amoA revealed that AOB were members of Nitrosospira clusters 1, 2 and 4. Ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria community composition, determined by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) profiles, varied among sites and between tree types. Many of the AOA amoA sequences clustered with environmental clones previously obtained from soil; however, several sequences were more similar to clones previously recovered from marine and estuarine sediments. As with AOB, the AOA community composition differed between red alder and Douglas‐fir soils.
Determinants of Income Growth in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Labor Markets
Authors: Hammond George W. , Thompson Eric C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article analyzes determinants of growth across labor markets in the United States, using a production function approach based on four inputs: labor, manufacturing investment, human capital investment, and public capital investment. We find little role for public capital investment in growth, but that manufacturing investment spurred growth in nonmetropolitan areas, in contrast to metropolitan areas. We also find that human capital investment mattered more for metropolitan areas than for nonmetropolitan areas. Further, the presence of more colleges and universities, more household amenities, and lower tax rates are all found to have encouraged human capital accumulation in U.S. labor markets.
Would You Choose Your Preferred Option? Comparing Choice and Recoded Ranking Experiments
Authors: Caparrós Alejandro , Oviedo José L. , Campos Pablo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPrevious research has shown that results from a choice experiment are statistically different from those obtained from a ranking experiment that is recoded and treated as a choice experiment using only the first rank. By avoiding some of the shortcomings of previous comparisons, we obtain the opposite results using data from the valuation of a cork oak reforestation program in the south of Spain. Structural models and welfare estimations are statistically indistinguishable irrespective of the use of parametric or bootstrapping tests. Further, we employ follow‐up questions and subsample analysis to test whether divergences appear when potential effects are isolated.
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Patterns: A Segmentation Approach
Authors: Bertail Patrice , Caillavet France 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this article, we study the heterogeneity of fruit and vegetable consumption patterns in France. A finite mixture of AIDS models is used to describe food demand patterns revealing different preferences over distinct classes. We obtained six different clusters, which reflect specific socio‐demographic characteristics and different income and price elasticities. This approach is appropriate for targeting specific public nutritional policies. Our main results show that unlike the other clusters in which the usual price and income policy tools may be used, the lowest income cluster with the lowest consumption, remains insensitive to economic variables.
Geographical Indications and the Competitive Provision of Quality in Agricultural Markets
Authors: Moschini GianCarlo , Menapace Luisa , Pick Daniel 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe economics of geographical indications (GIs) is assessed within a vertical product differentiation framework that is consistent with the competitive structure of agriculture. It is assumed that certification costs are needed for GIs to serve as (collective) credible quality certification devices, and production of high‐quality product is endogenously determined. We find that GIs can support a competitive provision of quality and lead to clear welfare gains, although they fall short of delivering the (constrained) first best. The main beneficiaries are consumers. Producers may also accrue some benefit if production of the high‐quality products draws on scarce factors that they own.
Women's Access to Credit: Does It Matter for Household Efficiency?
Authors: Fletschner Diana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStudies that assess the impact of credit constraints on farm households' efficiency have largely used the household as the unit of analysis. This can be problematic when there are gender‐based market imperfections and asymmetries in how rights, resources, and responsibilities are distributed within the household. Constraints on women matter: in addition to the efficiency loss associated with the husbands' credit constraints, when women are unable to meet their needs for capital, their households experienced an additional 11% drop in efficiency. This suggests that there are efficiency‐based arguments for enhancing women's access to capital and that studies based only on the household's head may significantly underestimate the true economic impact of credit constraints.
Agricultural Payments and Land Concentration: A Semiparametric Spatial Regression Analysis
Authors: Roberts Michael J. , Key Nigel 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOver the last twenty years, both crop production and agricultural payments have shifted toward larger operations. This study examines whether payments from federal farm programs contributed to increased concentration of cropland and farmland. Using zip code—level data constructed from the microfiles of the 1987–2002 agriculture censuses we examine the association between government payments per acre and subsequent growth in land concentration. A semiparametric generalized additive model (GAM) controls for location and historical concentration, sales per acre, and ratio of cropland area to zip code area. Findings indicate, both with and without nonparametric controls, government payments are strongly associated with subsequent concentration growth.
Nonattendance in a dermatology clinic – a large sample analysis
Authors: Cohen AD , Dreiher J , Vardy DA , Weitzman D 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  Previous studies have described factors determining non‐attendance at dermatology appointments in small sample sizes.Objective  To perform an analysis of factors associated with non‐attendance in a dermatology clinic in a larger sample.Methods  Factors determining non‐attendance were examined in 52 604 consecutive first‐time visits to a dermatology clinic over a period of 44 months.Results  Non‐attendance proportion was 27.6%. Among children, non‐attendance was associated with waiting for an appointment < 7 days [odds ratio (OR), 1.44], Bedouin sector (OR, 1.30), rural Jewish sector (OR, 0.45) and the treating physician. Among adults, non‐attendance was associated with female gender (OR, 1.08), age < 55 years (OR, 1.65), waiting time for an appointment < 7 days (OR, 1.44), timing of the appointment between 1 and 4 pm (OR, 1.13), Bedouin sector (OR, 1.63), rural Jewish sector (OR, 0.46) and the treating physician.Conclusion  Non‐attendance is common among Bedouins, adult female patients and young adults and is more likely as waiting times become longer. Strategies to reduce non‐attendance are needed.
Observations on some East African Birds.
Authors: Moreau R. E. , Moreau. Winifred M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryContributions are made to the biology of about forty species. Among other items dealt with are parasitism in Cercococcyx; undeseribed nests and eggs, including those of Pseudoalcippe a. abyssinicus, Phyllastrephus f. placidus, Calamonastes s. simplex, Uræginihus cyanocephalus, Cryptospiza salvadorii, and Emberiza poliopleura; removal of its own eggs by a Nightjar (Caprimulgus); care of young Klaas's Cuckoos by birds of their own species; polygamy and monogamy in the Ploceus spp.; subspecific and local voice‐variation; communal nest‐building in Spermestes nigriceps; the number of grass‐stems comprising a nest of Pseudonigrita cahanisi.
XXXVI.—Some Remarks on Non‐breeding in the Arctic, especially in North‐east Greenland
Authors: Bird C. G. , Bird E. G. 
Published: April 2008

Summary

The non‐breeding of migratory and non‐migratory birds caused by different factors.
The correlation between the numbers of lemming and the breeding of the Long‐tailed Skua, Greenland Falcon, and Snowy Owl.
The effect of snowfall on ice conditions, with the consequent effect on food‐supply and the availability of the nesting sites of the Arctic Tern and Sabine's Gull.
The effect of snowfall on the distribution of the Rock‐Ptarmigan and its food supply.
Weather conditions affecting courtship displays, etc.
The light factor is discussed in different aspects.
On Woodland Bird Parties in Northern Rhodesia
Authors: Winterbottom. J. M. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The habit of insectivorous birds in tropical regions of gathering together into parties is described and some typical parties are given. The reasons adduced for such behaviour are considered, but none is really satisfactory as an explanation. The species composing the parties are divided into “nucleus” species, which may form pure parties by themselves and round which the other species group themselves, and “circumference” species. The commonest species in 107 such parties, from the eastern and western sides of Northern Rhodesia, are referred to in brief notes.
Some Notes on the Anatomical Differences obtaining between the Cuculidæ and the Musophagidæ, with Special Reference to the Specialization of the Œsophagus in Cuculus canorus Linnæus
Authors: Lowe Percy R. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The feather‐tracts, the osteology, and the myology all present such differences in the Cuculidæ and Musophagidæ as to make it difficult to see how these two families can be placed in the same order. In addition, the Cuculidæ are insect‐feeders and the Musophagidæ subsist entirely on fruit, so that, although I have not been able to examine the alimentary system of the latter, we may be certain that the two systems are strongly contrasted.Finally, the Cueulidæ in their geographical distribution are nearly world‐wide, whereas the Musophagidæe are confined to the tropical parts of Africa.Coloration and colour‐pattern, too, in the latter family present a striking contrast, as do habits.It seems, therefore, as if the old systematists, impressed with a certain superficial resemblance in shape and form, came to the conclusion that the two families were phylogenetically allied. Anatomical facts seem to point the other way.
Some Weights of African and of Wintering Palsearctic Birds
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY.Weights are given for 132 species of African birds and 15 species of Palsarctic birds (collected in winter quarters). For three African species the data admit of some discussion. Apalis m. mhnocephah from 2900–3600 feet are significantly heavier than those from 200–1200 feet. In the Weavers Xitagra n. nigriceps and Xanthophilus aureojlavus breeding and non‐breeding males do not differ in weight. In the Palsarctic migrants it seems that there may be a tendency for most species to weigh less in winter quarters than in Europe.
On the Bateleur, especially at the Nest
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAn account is given of one hundred hours of observations at a Bateleur'a nest in north‐eastern Tanganyike Territory. The adults were a white‐backed bird and a chestnut‐backed, with a sub‐adult; probably over three years old, in association with them. The youngster took 130 dap to fledge. During at least part of the time all its food was brought by the white‐backed adult. When the fledgling was about one month old its feeds averaged about one in eight hours; during its last week in the nest feeds were nearly three times as frequent.Literature and unpublished data are reviewed in relation to special points of interest, viz.:—Slow development and maturation accords with longevity. Fledging period apparently longer than authentically recorded for any land bird. First wing‐moult may have started before first flight.Tail length is greater in proportion to wing in juveniles than in adults.Proportion of white‐becks to chestnut‐backs differs in parts of Africa, being least in South africa. White‐tailed birds seem confined to Sudanese semi‐desert belt.Voice, flight habits and wing‐noises seem to differ in parts of Africa.Food comprises both carrion and live prey, especially snakes, but not poultry or other birds. Claws are not less sharp than those of Stephanoaëtus and Polemaëtus.Breeding records in Tropical Africa show, when analysed with reference to egg‐dates, that as a rule in each area the young get through their fledging period, or at least the later, unbrooded part, during the local cool dry season.Psychologically the Bateleur is most peculiar: in the wild it is shy of man, sociable with big birdv of its own and other species, and breeding birds tolerate sub‐adults: in captivity it becomes unusually tame, has a grecting ceremony for friends and likes to be handled.
FIELD‐NOTES ON NIDIFICATION AND DISTRACTION‐DISPLAY IN THE GOLDEN PLOVER
Authors: Williamson Kenneth 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Data for the Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, breeding in the Faeroe Islands, suggest that the species is more successful up to. and including the hatching phase than the Whimbrel Numenius ph. phœopus. Oyster‐catcher Hœmatopus ostralegus occidentalis, and Faeroe Snipe Capella gallinago faeroeensis. Comparative figures for average clutch, young leaving the nest, and losses due to predators, infertility, etc., are given for a small number of nests.Simultaneous hatching is more general than in the Whimbrel and the hatching‐period, normally about 100 hours, is some 10–20 hours less. Detailed records of hatching are given in the case of seven nests.Field‐notes are given on the nuptial flight, and a “partnership‐run” is described.Both sexes share incubation and care of the young, the family quickly deserting the nesting‐site. Shell remains are removed and young hatched late in the day appear to pass the night on the nest.In distraction‐display an aggressive form was not recorded, but stationary and moving “lure displays” of three distinct kinds (in addition to the normal run from the nest or young) are described. A case is cited in which the male, when flushed from eggs, directed the “lure‐display” at its mate.
THE RACES OF TURDUS ERICETORUM INDIGENOUS TO THE BRITISH ISLES
Authors: Clancey P. A. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The diagnostic criteria, ranges, hybrid zones, and migrations of the three indigenous British races of Turdus ericetorum are defined. The migratory dispersal of T. e. catherinœ is traced, and its identity as the innominate “small, dark migrant Song‐thrush” of workers is established. An explanation of the distributions of T. ericetorum races in the British Isles is advanced. T. e. ericetorum and T. e. hebridensis are ascertained to be moderately migratory, T. e. catherinœ strongly so. The findings on early records of T. e. hebridensis on passage evidence confusion between that form and T. e. catherinœ. Irish, Stornoway (Lewis, Outer Hebrides), and Orkney and Shetland breeding populations require further racial study.