bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion?
Authors: MOFFATT SUZANNE , SCAMBLER GRAHAM 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTIt is known that, in general, people of pensionable age have gained in income compared to other age groups in the British population over the last two decades, but that a substantial minority still experience relative poverty. This paper reports a small qualitative study into the effectiveness of a welfare-rights advice and acquisition service for men and women aged 60 or more years that was provided through a local primary health-care service. Additional financial and non-financial resources were obtained by accessing previously unclaimed state-welfare benefits. It was found that these significantly improved the participants' quality of life. Fourteen of the 25 participants received some type of financial award as a result of the service offered, with the median income gain being £57 (€84 or US $101) per week. The impact of additional resources was considerable and included: increased affordability of necessities and occasional expenses; increased capacity to cope with emergencies; and reduced stress related to financial worries. Knowledge of and access to welfare-rights services also appeared to have a positive effect. It is argued that a level of material resources above a basic level is necessary for social relations and for accessing services and civic activities, and can reduce social exclusion among older people.
The trade-off between home-ownership and pensions: individual and institutional determinants of old-age poverty
Authors: DEWILDE CAROLINE , RAEYMAECKERS PETER 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThis article reports an analysis ofEuropean Community Household Panel(ECHP) data to test the hypothesis suggested by Kemeny (1981) and Castles (1998) of a trade-off between the extent of home-ownership and the generosity of old-age pensions. To this end, we evaluate the impact of a range of both pensions arrangements and housing policies on the risk of poverty in old age. The most important analytical innovation is the inclusion of social housing provision as an important policy alternative to the encouragement of home-ownership. Although we found substantial empirical support for the trade-off hypothesis, the findings raise several issues for discussion and further research. Firstly, we found that neither generous pensions nor high ownership rates had the strongest poverty-reducing potential, for this was most strongly associated with the provision of social housing for older people. Furthermore, the analysis identified a group of older people who are faced with a double disadvantage, in the sense that in high home-ownership countries, those who did not possess their own homes also tended to receive low pension benefits. Although this effect arises at least partly as a result of selection – the larger the ownership sector, the more selective the group of people who do not own their homes – the high poverty risk among ‘non-owners’ was apparently not countered by the pension system.
Sex biases in parasitism of neotropical bats by bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae)
Authors: Patterson Bruce D. , Dick Carl W. , Dittmar Katharina 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe describe levels of parasitism of ectoparasitic bat flies (Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae) on male and female bats from an extensive Neotropical survey. The collection resulted from coordinated vertebrate-parasite surveys undertaken by the Smithsonian Venezuelan Project (SVP) from 1965–1968, which sexed 24 978 bats of 130 species. Streblid parasites were recovered from 6935 individuals of 87 bat species, but only 47 species were captured frequently enough (≥ 20 infested individuals) to permit reliable estimates of streblid parasitism on males and females. Well-sampled species included 39 phyllostomids, four mormoopids, two noctilionids, one natalid and one molossid. Prevalence of streblid parasitism (proportion of individuals infested) of male and female bats was generally not significantly different, and averaged 0.34 across infested species. In species-level analyses assessed against captures, significant sex differences in infestation levels were noted in six species; all had mean prevalence below 0.5 and females were parasitized disproportionately in each. Sex differences in total numbers of flies were noted in 21 species, and in 16 of these, females carried disproportionately heavy loads. Sex differences were also found for eight species of bat in the number of fly species infesting an individual; seven of eight showed heavier female parasitism. In analyses weighted by infestation levels, sex differences in total number of flies were found in only 12 species, with seven showing excessive parasitism of females, and no species showed sex differences in the number of fly species infesting them. These significant biases were not associated with sexual size dimorphism among the bat species. Generally higher levels of parasitism among female bats accords with theory, given their generally higher survivorship and enhanced probabilities of lateral and vertical transmission of host-specific parasites, but contrasts with patterns shown by many other parasitic arthropods. Future analyses should target social groupings of bats, not passively sampled foragers, to better address the mechanisms responsible for this pattern.
Changes in seed rain during secondary succession in a tropical montane cloud forest region in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: del Castillo R. F. , Ríos M. A. Pérez 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSeed dispersal is the first stage of colonization, and potentially affects recruitment. This process deserves more attention in tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF), since secondary succession is common owing to episodic disturbances. We studied annual seed rain in 10 nearby forest stands, ≈7 to ≈100 y following shifting agriculture, and one primary forest stand in southern Mexico to test the hypothesis that seed rain is limited at the scale of neighbouring fragments and that such limitation differs among species with different dispersal modes and successional origin. Annual seed rain was heterogeneous among forest fragments probably due to the prevalence of local seed dispersal, differences in stand age and the proportion of zoochory, and may help explain the patchy distribution of species observed in TMCF. Seed rain abundance and species diversity per unit trap area increased with the age of the stand. Biotically dispersed seeds increased towards older stands relative to abiotically dispersed seeds. Late-successional seeds were rarer in early successional stands than pioneer seeds in late-successional stands, suggesting that long-distance dispersal is generally more common for pioneer plants. Seed dispersal appears to constrain forest regeneration and to influence fragment species composition as a function of the distance from the source forests.
Feasibility of collecting oral fluid samples in the home setting to determine seroprevalence of infections in a large-scale cohort of preschool-aged children
Authors: BARTINGTON S. E. , PECKHAM C. , BROWN D. , JOSHI H. , DEZATEUX C. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYOral fluid is a non-invasive biological sample, which can be returned by post, making it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies in children. We report our experience of oral fluid collection from 14 373 preschool-aged children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Samples were collected by mothers in the home setting following the guidance of trained interviewers, and posted to the laboratory. Samples were received from 11 698 children (81·4%). Children whose mothers were of Black Caribbean ethnicity and who lived in non-English-speaking households were less likely to provide a sample, and those with a maternal history of asthma more likely to provide a sample [adjusted risk ratio (95% CI) 0·85 (0·73–0·98), 0·87 (0·77–0·98) and 1·03 (1·00–1·05) respectively]. Collection of oral fluid samples is feasible and acceptable in large-scale child cohort studies. Formal interpreter support may be required to increase participation rates in surveys that collect biological samples from ethnic minorities.
Prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse in young athletes
Authors: Hepner Absalom D. , Morrell Holly , Greaves Seaneen , Greaves Jeff , Movahed Mohammad Reza 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse has been reported to be between 0.6 and 21%. The goal of our study was to evaluate its prevalence in young athletes who underwent hand-held echocardiography as a screening mostly in southern California.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 1742 echocardiograms that were performed as a part of a cardiac screening of teenage athletes. The total prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse was calculated and stratified based on gender.ResultsWe screened a total of 1172 male and 570 female high school athletes. The echocardiographic prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse was 0.9%. The prevalence was similar in both genders, at 1.2% in male and 0.7% in female athletes.ConclusionThe prevalence of mitral valvar prolapse in young athletes mostly in southern California was found to be less than 1%, and was similar in both genders.
UV photolysis of polyynes at λ=254 nm and at λ>222 nm
Authors: Cataldo Franco , Strazzulla Giovanni , Iglesias-Groth Susana 
Published: June 2008

AbstractFor the first time the kinetic rate constants of the UV photolysis of polyynes C6H2, C8H2, C10H2, C12H2 and C14H2 under rigorously inert atmosphere have been determined in three different solvents: n-hexane, n-heptane and decalin. First- or pseudofirst-order kinetics appear suitable to describe the photolysis of these molecules and k values in the range between 3.0×10−3 s−1 and 4.6×10−3 s−1 have been determined. The unique exception is represented by C6H2 which photolyses more slowly with k=3.2×10−4 s−1. Two different UV sources have been used in the present study: a low-pressure mercury lamp having a monochromatic emission at 253.7 nm and a medium-to high-pressure lamp with a continuous emission between 222 nm and 580 nm. The results are of interest in the understanding, and also the modelling, of the fate of polyynes released by carbon-rich stars in the interstellar medium or the polyynes released by comets in their active phase.
Social and political influences on agricultural systems
Authors: Archer David W. , Dawson Julie , Kreuter Urs P. , Hendrickson Mary , Halloran John M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAgricultural systems are situated within social and political environments that have tremendous influence on how they operate. If agricultural systems are to be sustainable, it is critical to understand how they are influenced by social and political factors. An expert panel approach was used to identify and rank the importance of social and political factors on agricultural systems in the US and to provide some insights into their impacts, interactions and mechanisms of influence. The panel identified a wide range of social and political factors that affect agricultural systems. The factors were divided into three categories: internal social factors, external social factors and political factors. Factors from each of the three categories were highly ranked, indicating that no single category dominated the others. Although there were contrasting views about the importance of some factors, there was strong consensus about many of them. Globalization and low margins that require increased scale and efficiency were identified as the two most important factors affecting agricultural systems. Several newly emerging factors were identified as well as factors needing further research. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is imperative to help guide scientific research so that beneficial discoveries are accepted and used, and to ensure that policy decisions enhance the future sustainability of agricultural production.
Principles of integrated agricultural systems: Introduction to processes and definition
Authors: Hendrickson John R. , Hanson J.D. , Tanaka Donald L. , Sassenrath Gretchen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAgriculture has been very successful in addressing the food and fiber needs of today's world population. However, there are increasing concerns about the economic, environmental and social costs of this success. Integrated agricultural systems may provide a means to address these concerns while increasing sustainability. This paper reviews the potential for and challenges to integrated agricultural systems, evaluates different agricultural systems in a hierarchical systems framework, and provides definitions and examples for each of the systems. This paper also describes the concept of dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and calls for the development of principles to use in developing and researching integrated agricultural systems. The concepts in this paper have arisen from the first in a series of planned workshops to organize common principles, criteria and indicators across physiographic regions in integrated agricultural systems. Integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises that interact in space and time, resulting in a synergistic resource transfer among enterprises. Dynamic-integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises managed in a dynamic manner. The key difference between dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and integrated agricultural systems is in management philosophy. In an integrated agricultural system, management decisions, such as type and amount of commodities to produce, are predetermined. In a dynamic-integrated system, decisions are made at the most opportune time using the best available knowledge. We developed a hierarchical scheme for agricultural systems ranging from basic agricultural production systems, which are the simplest system with no resource flow between enterprises, to dynamic-integrated agricultural systems. As agricultural systems move up in the hierarchy, their complexity, amount of management needed, and sustainability also increases. A key aspect of sustainability is the ability to adapt to future challenges. We argue that sustainable systems need built-in flexibility to achieve this goal.
Organic premiums of US fresh produce
Authors: Lin Biing-Hwan , Smith Travis A. , Huang Chung L. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe study uses the 2005 Nielsen Homescan panel data to estimate price premiums and discounts associated with product attributes, market factors, and consumer characteristics, focusing on the organic attribute for five major fresh fruits and five major fresh vegetables in the United States. The results suggest that the organic attribute commands a significant price premium, which varies greatly from 13 cents per pound for bananas to 86 cents per pound for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 13 cents per pound for onions to 50 cents per pound for peppers among fresh vegetables. In terms of percentages, the estimated organic price premiums vary from 20% above prices paid for conventional grapes to 42% for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 15% above prices paid for conventional carrots and tomatoes to 60% for potatoes. Furthermore, prices paid for fresh produce are found to vary by other product attributes, market factors, and household characteristics.
Economics of organic and conventional hazelnut production in the Terme district of Samsun, Turkey
Authors: Demiryurek Kursat , Ceyhan Vedat 
Published: June 2008

AbstractUnderstanding the economics of organic agriculture is crucial to support of organic production by policy-makers and to facilitate producers converting their lands to organic production. The aim of this research was to compare organic and conventional hazelnut producers, in terms of their socio-economic characteristics, production systems and economic performance. The main data were gathered with surveys of 64 randomly selected conventional hazelnut producers and all the organic hazelnut producers (39) living in villages of the Terme district of Samsun, Turkey in 2005. Results revealed that, compared to conventional hazelnut producers, organic hazelnut producers were more educated, had larger hazelnut areas and spent more time on agricultural activities. The current research also used cluster analysis to define relatively similar farmers from both production systems and to compare variables. Organic producers needed more labor, especially hired workers, and used more lime, organic fertilizer and insect traps, while conventional producers used more synthetic inputs. Organic producers had lower costs of production and had higher income. It is recommended that the organic producers be supported financially, and assisted by research and extension services to produce and use their own inputs, rather than purchasing from outside. They should also be encouraged to establish associations to increase their marketing efficiency.
Producer participatory spring wheat variety evaluation for organic systems in Minnesota and North Dakota
Authors: Kandel H.J. , Porter P.M. , Carr P.M. , Zwinger S.F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractOrganic producers in Minnesota and North Dakota, USA, indicated that they wanted to participate in hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL. emend. Thell) variety evaluations. The objectives were to determine if a farmer–researcher developed scoring system could be used to rank wheat varieties for yield potential when grown in certified organic fields, identify views of organic producers about on-farm research, and identify the educational impact of the participatory variety evaluation process. Hard red spring wheat varieties were compared for grain yield at six locations on certified organic farms in Minnesota and North Dakota over a three-year period. A scoring system was developed and then used to identify the relative rank of adapted varieties for yield. Producers were asked to rank all varieties on a scale from 1 to 9, where 1 is lowest yield potential and 9 is highest yield potential. Producers were able to distinguish higher producing varieties as a group in 2003 and 2004. ‘Oklee’ a high yielding variety was ranked lowest in 2005. There was a significant linear relationship between producer ranking and yield (P&lt;0.05) even though producers could not pick the highest yielding varieties consistently in the field. The producer survey showed that grain yield, protein content, wheat scab resistance, leaf disease resistance, early seedling vigor, test weight and canopy closure were traits producers valued most in a variety. Heading date, impact on succeeding crops, straw and stubble production were ranked lower. Multi-year variety evaluation on certified organic land was highly valued by the producers surveyed. From an educational perspective, the exercise was successful in that producers had to observe individual varieties carefully in order to come to a consensus producer ranking. The model of participatory research can be used for a variety of field research projects and field days.
Consumer willingness to pay for domestic ‘fair trade’: Evidence from the United States
Authors: Howard P.H. , Allen P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe success of fair trade labels for food products imported from the Global South has attracted interest from producers and activists in the Global North. Efforts are under way to develop domestic versions of fair trade in regions that include the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Fair trade, which is based on price premiums to support agricultural producers and workers in the Global South, has enjoyed tremendous sales growth in the past decade. Will consumers also pay a price premium to improve the conditions of those engaged in agriculture closer to home? To address this question, consumer willingness to pay for food embodying a living wage and safe working conditions for farmworkers was assessed with a national survey in the United States. The question format was a discrete choice (yes/no) response to one of four randomly selected price premiums, as applied to a hypothetical example of a pint of strawberries. Multilevel regression models indicated that respondents were willing to pay a median of 68% more for these criteria, with frequent organic consumers and those who consider the environment when making purchases most willing to pay higher amounts. Although the results should be interpreted with caution, given the well-known gap between expressed attitudes and actual behaviors, we conclude that there is a strong potential market opportunity for domestic fair trade.
Economizing the use of nitrogen fertilizer in wheat production through enriched compost
Authors: Ahmad Rizwan , Naveed Muhammad , Aslam Muhammad , Zahir Zahir A. , Arshad Muhammad , Jilani Ghulam 
Published: June 2008

AbstractManipulation of organic wastes and their composts as a source of organic matter (OM) and nutrients is imperative for sustainable agriculture. Further, the fortification of composts with chemical fertilizer enhances agronomic effectiveness of both by reducing the amount of fertilizer and improving the quality of compost. The present study aimed to explore the potential of organic and chemical nutrient sources with their optimal application and integration for sustainable wheat production. Accordingly, waste fruits and vegetables were collected, dried, ground and processed in a composting vessel. During the enriched composting, waste material (300 kg) was fortified with 30 kg N, i.e. 25% of the standard rate (120 kg N ha−1) of N fertilizer. Treatments for both greenhouse and field experiments using wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) included: control (without any compost or N fertilizer), compost (non-enriched), fertilizer N 120 (120 kg N ha−1), nitrogen-enriched compost (NEC), NEC+N 30 (30 kg N ha−1) and NEC+N 60 (60 kg N ha−1). Application rate of composts (non-enriched or enriched) was 300 kg ha−1in the respective treatments. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied at 90 kg P2O5ha−1and 60 kg K2O ha−1, respectively in all treatments. The crop was grown to maturity, and data on wheat growth and yield attributes were recorded. Application of NEC significantly improved the growth, yield and N, P and K contents of wheat compared with compost and control treatments. The performance of NEC+N 60 was statistically similar to that of fertilizer N 120. Economic analysis also revealed the superiority of NEC+N 60 over other treatments in terms of net return and relative increase in income; however, the value/cost ratio was highest with NEC alone. For effective and economical use of N fertilizer, it is suggested to integrate N fertilizer at reduced rates with NEC. Through enriched compost, application rates can be decreased from tonnes to kilograms per hectare, and dependence on chemical fertilizer can be reduced to a certain extent. So the approach is farmer friendly as it lowers compost application rates, and is economically acceptable as it saves N fertilizer. It is also environmentally sustainable due the recycling of organic waste and possible reduction of N losses to the environment. Thus, the study has wide application in the global environment and fertilizer market.
Examining the Association Between Church and the Party Identification of Black Americans
Authors: Mangum Maruice 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe goal of this article is to examine the association between church attendance and the party identification of black Americans. Using ordinary least squares and logistic regression to analyze data taken from the 1996 National Black Election Study, I find that church attendance has dual effects for determining the party identification of blacks. On one hand, church attendance encourages blacks to be Republican. On the other hand, attending voting churches does not foster Republicanism. Attendance at voting churches influences blacks to be Democrats. Also, blacks who attend voting churches with increasing frequency are likely to identify themselves with the Democratic Party.