bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of spring defoliation pattern on the mid‐season production and morphology of swards of perennial ryegrass cultivars of different maturity
Authors: Hurley G. , O’Donovan M. , Gilliland T. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe effect of three spring management treatments on the vertical distribution of dry‐matter (DM) yield and morphology of four cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Fennema, Corbet, Foxtrot, Melle) in mid‐season was investigated. The management treatments commenced with cuts on 15 February (Early), 1 March (Medium) and 29 March (Late), each followed by a 28‐day re‐growth period until the next cut and then further 21‐day re‐growth periods after each subsequent cut. This created four mid‐season measurement periods across the management treatments at cut 3 (5 April–17 May), cut 5 (17 May–28 June), cut 6 (7 June–19 July) and cut 7 (28 June–9 August). Tiller and sheath height and their ratio, and leaf lamina length, were measured prior to the four mid‐season cuts (cuts 3, 5, 6 and 7) when measurements of DM yield and proportions of leaf, stem and dead material in three herbage horizons (Lower, 0–8 cm; Middle, 8–15 cm; Upper, >15 cm) were made. There were significant responses in mid‐season to the management treatments involved complex interactions between management treatment and cutting date, which modified seasonal patterns in DM yield and leaf:stem ratio. There were significantly greater tiller heights, tiller:sheath ratios and leaf lamina lengths but lower sheath heights from the Early to Late management treatments. The greatest responses in morphological characteristics occurred in the Middle horizon compared with either the Lower (predominately stem and pseudo‐stem), or the Upper (predominately leafy) horizons. Distribution of DM yield between Middle and Lower horizons but not overall DM yields was significantly affected by management treatment. Morphological differences between cultivars were mostly in the Middle horizon and ranking of the cultivars was similar across the management treatments. The different responses of cultivars Fennema and Melle showed that genotype had a significant effect regardless of management. The leafiest mid‐season swards were achieved by delaying initial spring defoliation in the cultivar which had the lowest stem production.
What explains property‐level variation in avian diversity? An inter‐disciplinary approach
Authors: Dallimer Martin , Acs Szvetlana , Hanley Nick , Wilson Paul , Gaston Kevin J. , Armsworth Paul R. 
Published: February 2009

Summary

Modern farmed landscapes have witnessed substantial losses in biodiversity principally driven by the ecological changes associated with agricultural intensification. The causes of declines are often well described, but current management practices seem unlikely to deliver the EU‐wide policy objective of halting biodiversity losses.
Available evidence suggests that property‐scale factors can be influential in shaping patterns of biodiversity; however, they are rarely included in studies. Using 44 upland farms in the Peak District, northern England, we investigate the roles of ecological, agricultural and socio‐economic factors in determining avian species richness, for the first time incorporating information from all three influences.
Although we might expect that habitat quality would be the main factor affecting species richness, these variables had little influence. The landscape context of each property was unimportant in explaining any of the three measures of species richness (Total, Upland and Conservation Concern) used here. Within‐property habitat quality did explain 42% of the variation in richness of upland specialist species, but had no influence on Total or Conservation Concern Richness.
Socio‐economic circumstances of farms alone accounted for 24% of the variation in Total Richness, with land tenure and labour inputs important predictors of avian diversity. However, net income, rental value and the level of Agri‐Environment Scheme (AES) payments did not play a role in predicting species richness.
Farm management variables, including many of the main prescriptions outlined in AES, accounted for 23% of the variation in the richness of species of Conservation Concern, but less than 10% for Total Richness. However, no farm management variable alone was shown to offer better predictive power of avian species richness than random.
Synthesis and applications. The agricultural landscape is managed by a mosaic of landowners, all of whom can influence biodiversity conservation. We demonstrate that variation at the property‐scale in habitat, management and socio‐economics can feed into determining patterns of biodiversity. Currently, farmland conservation policy largely assumes that socio‐economic barriers and financial costs of implementing conservation measures are constant. Incorporating a consideration of the varying circumstances of individual properties into policy design is likely to result in substantial biodiversity gains.
Pulmonary tuberculosis case detection through fortuitous cough screening during home visits
Authors: González‐Ochoa Edilberto , Brooks Jorge L. , Matthys Francine , Calisté Pausides , Armas Luisa , Van der Stuyft Patrick 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjective  To compare the yield of active tuberculosis (TB) case detection among risk groups during home visits with passive detection among patients at health services.Methods  In April 2004, in a first phase, we introduced, active screening for coughing among all family members of patients that were visited at home by their family doctor or nurse for other reasons. Subsequently, from October 2004 onwards, active screening was restricted to family members belonging to groups at risk of TB.Results  The overall detection rate of TB increased from 6.7/100 000 during passive detection at health services before the intervention to 26.2/100 000 inhabitants when passive detection was complemented by active case finding. Active screening among risk groups yielded 35 TB cases per 1000 persons screened compared to 20 TB cases per 1000 persons passively screened at health services. Active case finding was particularly efficient in those coughing for 3 weeks or more (107/1000 screened).Conclusion  This study demonstrates that active case finding in groups at risk during home visits increases the case detection rate in the population and permits the identification of cases that may not be detected through passive case finding at health facility level.
Unilateral versus bilateral endoscopic metal stenting for malignant hilar biliary obstruction
Authors: Naitoh Itaru , Ohara Hirotaka , Nakazawa Takahiro , Ando Tomoaki , Hayashi Kazuki , Okumura Fumihiro , Okayama Yasutaka , Sano Hitoshi , Kitajima Yasuhiro , Hirai Masaaki , Ban Tessin , Miyabe Katsuyuki , Ueno Koichiro , Yamashita Hiroaki , Joh Takashi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The extent of liver drainage for palliative treatment of malignant hilar biliary obstruction is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic unilateral versus bilateral drainage in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction using a self‐expanding metal stent (SEMS).Methods:  We carried out a retrospective review of 46 consecutive patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction who were treated by endoscopic biliary drainage using SEMS between 1997 and 2005. Unilateral metal stenting (group A) was performed in 17 patients between 1997 and 2000, and bilateral metal stenting (group B) was performed in 29 patients between 2001 and 2005. The successful stent insertion, successful drainage, early complications, late complications, stent patency, and survival rate for groups A and B were evaluated and compared retrospectively.Results:  There were no significant differences between the two groups in successful stent insertion (100% vs 90%, group A vs B, respectively), successful drainage (100% vs 96%), early complications (0% vs 10%), or late complications (65% vs 54%). Cumulative stent patency was significantly better in group B than in group A (P = 0.009). In cases of cholangiocarcinoma, cumulative stent patency was significantly better in group B than in group A (P = 0.009), whereas there were no inter‐group differences for gallbladder carcinoma. Cumulative survival did not differ significantly between the groups.Conclusions:  Endoscopic bilateral drainage using SEMS for malignant hilar biliary obstruction is more effective than unilateral drainage in terms of cumulative stent patency, especially in cases of cholangiocarcinoma.
Thromboelastographic evaluation of coagulation in patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis and non‐cirrhotic portal fibrosis: A pilot study
Authors: Kapoor Sorabh , Pal Sujoy , Sahni Peush , Chattopadhyay Tushar K 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension due to extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHO) and non‐cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) is a major cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in India. Hypercoagulability has been proposed to explain the thrombosis in the portal vein in EHO and intrahepatic portal vein radicals in NCPF. However, some authors have reported hypocoagulability in these patients. Thromboelastography (TEG), which gives a dynamic assessment of coagulation, has potential for evaluating coagulation in these patients but has not been used so far. It was the aim of this study to evaluate the coagulation status in patients of EHO and NCPF using TEG.Methods:  Thirty patients with EHO and 19 patients with NCPF were studied. TEG was done in all patients. R (reaction time), K (constant), α (angle), MA (maximal amplitude), A 60 (width of tracing after 60 min) were recorded and TEG index calculated and compared to controls.Results:  Seven patients (23.3%) in the EHO group and eight (42.1%) in the NCPF group had severe thrombocytopenia (platlets, < 50 000 cells/dL). TEG showed significantly shorter R, higher MA and larger A in both EHO and NCPF compared to controls (P < 0.01). Thrombocytopenia normalized A but R continued to be significantly shorter in EHO and NCPF. Overt hypercoagulability (TEG index, > +2.5) was seen in two patients with EHO and one patient with NCPF.Conclusion:  A latent hypercoagulable state exists in patients with EHO and NCPF which is partially masked by the thrombocytopenia secondary to splenomegaly and hypersplenism.
The Phosphorus Indicators Tool: a simple model of diffuse P loss from agricultural land to water
Authors: Heathwaite A.L. , Fraser A.I. , Johnes P.J. , Hutchins M. , Lord E. , Butterfield D. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. The Phosphorus Indicators Tool provides a catchment‐scale estimation of diffuse phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land to surface waters using the most appropriate indicators of P loss. The Tool provides a framework that may be applied across the UK to estimate P loss, which is sensitive not only to land use and management but also to environmental factors such as climate, soil type and topography. The model complexity incorporated in the P Indicators Tool has been adapted to the level of detail in the available data and the need to reflect the impact of changes in agriculture. Currently, the Tool runs on an annual timestep and at a 1 km2 grid scale.We demonstrate that the P Indicators Tool works in principle and that its modular structure provides a means of accounting for P loss from one layer to the next, and ultimately to receiving waters. Trial runs of the Tool suggest that modelled P delivery to water approximates measured water quality records. The transparency of the structure of the P Indicators Tool means that identification of poorly performing coefficients is possible, and further refinements of the Tool can be made to ensure it is better calibrated and subsequently validated against empirical data, as it becomes available.
The use of land evaluation information by land use planners and decision‐makers: a case study in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Bacic I.L.Z. , Rossiter D.G. , Bregt A.K. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Land evaluation is the prediction of land performance over time under specific uses, to guide strategic land use decisions. Modern land evaluation has a 30 year history, yet the results have often been disappointing. Land users and planners have been reported to ignore land evaluations, perhaps reflecting poor quality, low relevance, or poor communication. To test the success of a large land evaluation exercise undertaken as part of micro‐catchment project in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, we queried agricultural extensionists, considered as the primary land evaluation clients. We used a questionnaire with both structured and open questions, to determine their experiences with, and attitudes to, the current land evaluation method. The soil resource inventory and associated land evaluation had some usefulness, but were not in general used for their intended purpose, namely farm planning. This was mainly because they did not contain crucial information necessary to such planning in the actual context of the farmer taking decisions. The primary deficiencies were identified as:

no estimate of environmental degradation risk;
no financial analysis;
no social analysis of decision‐makers' attitudes and preferences;
no risk assessment for weather, yields, profits and market; and
insufficiently‐specific alternative land uses.

These deficiencies could have been avoided with a demand‐driven approach, evaluating and reporting according to the true needs and opportunities of the decision‐makers.
Modelling of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn uptake, by winter wheat and forage maize, from a sewage disposal farm
Authors: Hough R.L. , Hough R.L. , Young S.D. , Crout N.M.J. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. A predictive model of metal concentrations in crops was developed to optimize soil liming and sludge application strategies at a dedicated sewage sludge disposal site. Predictions of metal concentrations in plant tissue were derived from measured values of soil metal concentration, humus content and soil pH. The plant and soil data used to parameterize the model were collected on site using quadrat sampling of mature crop and underlying topsoil. The uptake model was used to map predicted metal concentrations in wheat grain and forage maize based upon a database of soil characteristics (metal content, % humus and pH) measured as part of a routine geochemical survey of the site. The effect of a management strategy to modify uptake of Cd by wheat by changing soil pH was investigated. The effect of soil dust adhering to maize plants at harvest was also simulated to investigate the importance of this pathway for Cd transfer to animal feed such as silage.The model gave satisfactory predictions for uptake of Cd and Zn but less useful simulations for Pb, Cu and Ni. The results for Cd uptake showed a greater dependence on soil pH in the case of wheat in comparison to maize. It is suggested that, for the study site, liming to pH 7.0 will reduce Cd concentrations in wheat grain to within EC legal standards. However the Cd content of maize may still exceed these guidelines, with a relatively minor contribution from contamination with soil dust.
Incentive Contracting and Value Relevance of Earnings and Cash Flows
Authors: BANKER RAJIV D. , HUANG RONG , NATARAJAN RAMACHANDRAN 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTAccounting performance measures such as earnings and cash flows are useful for both valuation and performance evaluation purposes. However, little evidence exists on whether there is any association between these two roles. In this study, we provide large sample empirical evidence that the value relevance of earnings explains a significant amount of the cross‐sectional variation in the pay‐sensitivity of earnings and the incremental value relevance of cash flows explains variation in the marginal pay‐sensitivity of cash flows. We document that while both value relevance and compensation weight on earnings decline from the subperiod of 1993 to 1997 to the subperiod of 1998 to 2003, both value relevance and compensation weight on cash flows increase from the earlier subperiod to the later subperiod. Overall, our results provide additional evidence that value relevance of a performance measure plays a significant role in its use for performance evaluation.
Identification of the amino acid residues in the extracellular domain of rat P2X7 receptor involved in functional inhibition by acidic pH
Authors: Liu X , Ma W , Surprenant A , Jiang L‐H 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  P2X7 receptors are potently inhibited by extracellular acidification. The underlying molecular basis remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the role of extracellular histidine, lysine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid residues in the functional inhibition of rat P2X7 receptors by acidic pH.Experimental approach:  We introduced point mutations into rat P2X7 receptor by site‐directed mutagenesis, expressed wild type (WT) and mutant receptors in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and, using patch clamp recording, characterized the effects of acidic pH on BzATP [2′‐3′‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine 5′‐triphosphate]‐evoked ionic currents.Key results:  Reducing extracellular pH, that is, increasing extracellular proton concentrations, inhibited BzATP‐evoked currents in cells expressing WT P2X7 receptors, with IC50 value (half‐maximal antagonist or inhibitor concentration) for protons of 0.2 µmol·L−1. The major effect of acidification was suppression of the maximal current response without altering the agonist sensitivity. Five residues in the receptor extracellular domain (His85, Lys110, Lys137, Asp197 and His219) were mutated to alanine and current inhibition by protons assessed. Compared with WT, the H85A, H219A, K137A mutants were two‐ to threefold more sensitive, whereas the K110A and D197A mutants were 2.5‐ and 9‐fold less sensitive. Double‐alanine substitution of Lys110 and Asp197 resulted in 23‐fold decreased sensitivity to inhibition by protons. Furthermore, charge neutralization (K110M, K110F, D197N and D197F), but not charge conserving mutation (K110R and D197E), attenuated the inhibition of currents by protons.Conclusions and implications:  Functional inhibition of rat P2X7 receptors by acidic pH was variably affected by the extracellular His85, Lys110, Lys137, Asp197 and His219 residues, with the Asp197 residue being most critical for this inhibition.
Effect of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, on the triggering of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in dogs and humans
Authors: Beaumont H , Jensen J , Carlsson A , Ruth M , Lehmann A , Boeckxstaens GE 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) are the main mechanism underlying gastro‐oesophageal reflux and are a potential pharmacological treatment target. We evaluated the effect of the CB1/CB2 receptor agonist Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC) on TLESRs in dogs. Based on these findings, the effect of Δ9‐THC was studied in healthy volunteers.Experimental approach:  In dogs, manometry was used to evaluate the effect of Δ9‐THC in the presence and absence of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A on TLESRs induced by gastric distension. Secondly, the effect of 10 and 20 mg Δ9‐THC was studied in 18 healthy volunteers in a placebo‐controlled study. Manometry was performed before and for 3 h after meal ingestion on three occasions.Key results:  In dogs, Δ9‐THC dose‐dependently inhibited TLESRs and reduced acid reflux rate. SR141716A significantly reversed the effects of Δ9‐THC on TLESRs. Similarly, in healthy volunteers, Δ9‐THC significantly reduced the number of TLESRs and caused a non‐significant reduction of acid reflux episodes in the first postprandial hour. In addition, lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and swallowing were significantly reduced by Δ9‐THC. After intake of 20 mg, half of the subjects experienced nausea and vomiting leading to premature termination of the study. Other side‐effects were hypotension, tachycardia and central effects.Conclusions and implications:  Δ9‐THC significantly inhibited the increase in meal‐induced TLESRs and reduced spontaneous swallowing in both dogs and humans. In humans, Δ9‐THC significantly reduced basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. These findings confirm previous observations in dogs and indicate that cannabinoid receptors are also involved in the triggering of TLESRs in humans.
Characterization of BK channel splice variants using membrane potential dyes
Authors: Saleem F , Rowe ICM , Shipston MJ 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  Large conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium (BK) channels are encoded by a single gene that displays extensive pre‐mRNA splicing. Here we exploited a membrane potential assay to investigate the sensitivity of different BK splice variants to elevations in intracellular free calcium and their inhibition by the BK channel blocker paxilline.Experimental approach:  Murine BK channel splice variants were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and their properties analysed in response to ionomycin‐induced calcium influx in both fluorescent membrane potential (fluorescent‐imaging plate reader) and patch clamp electrophysiological assays. The dose‐dependent inhibition of distinct splice variants by the BK channel‐specific blocker paxilline was also investigated.Key results:  Ionomycin‐induced calcium influx induced a robust hyperpolarization of human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing distinct BK channel splice variants: stress regulated exon (STREX), e22 and ZERO. Splice variant expression resulted in membrane hyperpolarization that displayed a rank order of potency in response to calcium influx of STREX > e22 > ZERO. The BK channel inhibitor paxilline exhibited very similar potency on all three splice variants with IC50s in membrane potential assays of 0.35 ± 0.04, 0.37 ± 0.03 and 0.70 ± 0.02 µmol·L−1 for STREX, ZERO and e22 respectively.Conclusions and implications:  BK channel splice variants can be rapidly discriminated using membrane potential based assays, based on their sensitivity to calcium. BK channel splice variants are inhibited by the specific blocker paxilline with similar IC50s. Thus, paxilline may be used in functional assays to inhibit BK channel function, irrespective of the variant expressed.