bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Incorporation and Unincorporation of Azolla Biofertilizer on the Grain Yield of Rice
Authors: Subramani S. , Kannaiyan S. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Azolla pinnata R. Brown was used as a biofertilizer for rice crop in early and late wet seasons of 1985–86. Azolla as dual crop with rice increased the grain yield significantly over uninoculated control. Incorporation of Azolla increased the yield components and grain yield higher than leaving Azolla on water surface without incorporation. Azolla incorporation with 90 kg nitrogen/ha recorded the highest plant height, tiller numbers/ hill, panicles/m2 and 1000 grain weight and grain yield of rice.
Effect of Bitter Lupin Extract on Growth and Yield of Different Crops
Authors: Kahnt G. , Hijazi L. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLupin extract is a mixture of alkaloids, mineral salts and carbohydrates taken out in mechanical debittering of lupines by a process developed by Mittex AG. The possibility of using this extract as growth regulator, sprayed in quantities up to 60 kg/ha, or as fertilizer, dosage up to 500 kg/ha, was studied. Two years (1985, 1986) experiments have shown that if factors like plant physiological stage, N fertilization, and weather were harmonized extract spraying worked as growth regulator yielding increases of 4, 8, 18 and 23% in winter wheat, maize, soybean and potatoes, respectively. Potato yield in organic farming was even increased up to 33%. Yield increases from 6 to 38% were also registered in carrots, onion and Chinese cabbage. Application of extract as fertilizer gave still higher increases reaching as high as 17, 43 and 57 % in winter wheat, maize and cabbage, respectively. 250 kg/ha soil application of extract reduced the N fertilizer input from 180 kg/ha to 90 kg/ha along with 20 % increase in chinese cabbage yield.
Accumulated Heat Units and Phenology Relationships in Wheat as Influenced by Planting Dates under Late Sown Conditions
Authors: Rajput R. P. , Deshmukh M. R. , Paradkar V. K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe field experiments were carried out at College of Agriculture Farm Rewa and Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kuthulia on Vertic haplurtalfs Soils, during rabi 1981–82, to study the influence of planting dates on Phenology and heat unit relationships under late sown conditions. The wheat cultivar sonalika was planted on 15 Dec., 23 Dec., 31 Dec. 1981 and 7th Jan. 82 at R.A.R.S., Kuthulia and on 16 Dec., 23 Dec., 30 Dec. 1981 and 6 Jan. 82 at College of Agriculture Farm. The results indicated that the requirement of accumulated heat units decreased with delayed planting. Besides growing degree days a unit incorporated the bright sunshine hours is also utilized (H.T.U.). A phenothermal index was also introduced (the AHU per growth day). It was nearly constant irrespective of planting dates and sites. The heat use efficiency decreased from 16.29 to 12.56 × 10−3 q/ha/GDD in case of D1 to D4 respectively. A regression for predicting the maturity date for wheat crop using heat units accumulated upto flowering initiation for the Vindhyan region of Central India is developed.
Productivity of Rainfed Sorghum — A Physiological Analysis
Authors: Devi D. Durga , Sundaram K. M. , Natarajaratnam N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to study the varietal variability of productivity in sorghum under rainfed conditions. Six varieties viz., TNS 24, TNS 27, CO 20, CO 19, CO 24 and K3 were utilized in this study. Among these varieties TNS 24, CO 19 and TNS 27 were found to be tolerant to drought situations while K 3, CO 20 and CO 24 were susceptible. The classification was mainly based on the yield data. Highest leaf area was observed in tolerant varieties, The reduction in leaf area at the harvest stage was also minimal (6.8%) in the tolerant varieties. LAD and CGR also showed higher values in the tolerant varieties. The dry matter accumulation was higher in the tolerant varieties. The yield improvement in the tolerant genotypes is mainly due to the increased dry matter accumulation while harvest index is not related to yield in the varieties studied.
Quality of life of the community‐based patients with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Muangpaisan Weerasak , Assantachai Prasert , Intalapaporn Somboon , Pisansalakij Doojpratana 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  To determine quality of life (QOL) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to normal subjects and to investigate the impact of demographic factors on QOL.Methods:  There were 122 participants aged 50 and over, diagnosed with MCI (n = 85) or normal (n = 37) recruited from a community‐based setting in Bangkok. The Thai version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL‐BREF‐THAI) was used to assess the QOL in the subjects.Results:  The MCI patients had significantly lower psychological QOL compared to normal subjects. The MCI patients with low education had poorer total QOL scores, and patients with poor financial status had poorer psychological QOL scores and total QOL scores. The MCI patients who lived alone had poorer social relationship QOL. There were correlations between the Thai version of Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) and physical QOL, TGDS and psychological QOL, and TGDS and total QOL scores. The depression subscale of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory had negative correlation with physical and psychological QOL.Conclusion:  The MCI patients had poorer psychological QOL than normal subjects. Low education, poor financial status, living alone and depressive symptoms had an influence on the quality of life.
Self‐reported assessment of intraoral prostheses among patients attending the prosthodontic department in a dental institute in India
Authors: Shigli Kamal , Hebbal Mamata , Angadi Gangadhar Shivappa 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  This study was conducted to provide a patient assessment of intraoral prostheses among subjects who reported to the Department of Prosthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum.Methods:  A nine‐item self‐designed closed‐ended questionnaire was recorded followed by a clinical examination. Patients who reported in a period of 2 months and had at least one prosthesis with a duration of usage of at least 1 month were included for the study. Collected data was statistically analyzed using the χ2‐test at a significance level of P < 0.05.Results:  The questionnaire was answered by 125 patients, 72 completely edentulous and 53 partially edentulous, with age ranging 16–84 years (mean age, 54.13 ± 17 years). There was a wide variation in the duration of usage of prostheses, ranging 3 months to 27 years. Statistically, a highly significant difference was found between age and duration of prostheses (χ2 = 77.29, P < 0.001), between the type of prostheses being used with age and opinion with existing prostheses. When opinion regarding existing prostheses was compared with sex, age and duration of prostheses being used, a statistically significant difference was found between opinion with existing prostheses and age, sex and duration of prostheses. Of the patients, 49.6% complained of loss of function, 14.4% of loose prostheses and 7.2% reported pain with the existing prostheses.Conclusion:  Loss of function was the most common complaint with the existing prostheses among complete denture wearers. As the majority of the patients using fixed prostheses had no complaint with the prostheses, attention should be paid to preservation of natural teeth.
Ciprofloxacin induces mutagenesis to antibiotic resistance independent of UmuC in Streptococcus uberis
Authors: Varhimo Emilia , Savijoki Kirsi , Jefremoff Hanna , Jalava Jari , Sukura Antti , Varmanen Pekka 
Published: April 2008

Summary Streptococcus uberis is an environmental bovine mastitis pathogen capable of UV‐inducible SOS mutagenesis. Bacterial SOS systems can be induced by several chemicals including also antibiotics used in clinical practice. Here, we have studied the effect of ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and known inducer of SOS, on mutations leading to antibiotic resistance in S. uberis. Mutation frequencies and spectra were compared in a wild‐type S. uberis strain and its ΔumuC derivative. The results revealed that concentrations of ciprofloxacin corresponding to 0.3–0.5× minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) induce mutagenesis independent of UmuC. Partial sequencing of the rpoB gene of individual rifampin‐resistant clones from wild‐type and ΔumuC strains revealed a similar but complex pattern of point mutations including transitions, transversions and deletions/insertions. It was previously shown that UV induces mainly transition‐type mutations and UmuC is essential for the process. Thus, the results presented here demonstrate that S. uberis employs distinct mechanisms for ciprofloxacin and UV‐induced mutagenesis, which is a striking difference to Escherichia coli SOS model.
Short‐term β‐adrenergic regulation of leptin, adiponectin and interleukin‐6 secretion in vivo in lean and obese subjects
Authors: Goossens G. H. , Jocken J. W. E. , Van Baak M. A. , Jansen E. H. J. M. , Saris W. H. M. , Blaak E. E. 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are endocrine organs, secreting substances that have been implicated in obesity‐related disorders. This study examined short‐term β‐adrenergic regulation of circulating leptin, adiponectin and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentrations and secretion from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle (IL‐6) in vivo in lean and obese subjects.Methods:  Systemic concentrations and net fluxes of leptin, adiponectin and IL‐6 across abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and forearm skeletal muscle (IL‐6) were assessed before and during β‐adrenergic stimulation (intravenous isoprenaline infusion) in 13 lean and 10 obese men.Results:  Basal circulating leptin concentrations were higher in the obese (p < 0.001), while circulating adiponectin (p = 0.45) and IL‐6 concentrations (p = 0.41) were not different between groups. β‐Adrenergic stimulation decreased leptin concentrations in both groups (p < 0.01), but did not reduce net abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue leptin release. Increased leptin clearance and/or decreased leptin secretion from other fat depots may explain the reduction in leptin concentrations. Adiponectin concentrations remained unchanged during β‐adrenergic stimulation in both groups. β‐Adrenergic stimulation increased IL‐6 concentration, which was more pronounced in the obese (p = 0.01 vs. lean). This cannot be explained by increased IL‐6 release per unit abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle but might be because of the increased fat mass and fat‐free mass at whole‐body level.Conclusions:  Short‐term β‐adrenergic stimulation decreases leptin concentrations, which cannot be explained by reduced net leptin release from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, while it elevates IL‐6 concentration partly by increased release from this fat depot and muscle. Finally, β‐adrenergic stimulation has no short‐term regulatory role in adiponectin secretion.
Glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in seven European countries: findings from the Real‐Life Effectiveness and Care Patterns of Diabetes Management (RECAP‐DM) study
Authors: Guisasola F. Álvarez , Mavros P. , Nocea G. , Alemao E. , Alexander C. M. , Yin D. 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  This study was undertaken to assess glycaemic control as well as changes in glycaemic control over time in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who added a sulphonylurea (SU) or thiazolidinedione (TZD) to their metformin monotherapy in typical treatment settings within seven European countries.Methods:  An observational, cross‐sectional multicentre study with retrospective medical chart review was conducted in Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain and UK. T2DM patients who added a SU or a TZD to metformin monotherapy between January 2001 and January 2006 (i.e. index date) and who had ≥1 haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) measurement within 12 months before the visit date, which occurred from June 2006 to February 2007, were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. The main study outcome measure was the proportion of patients with adequate glycaemic control (defined according to the International Diabetes Federation as HbA1C < 6.5%) using the most recent HbA1C measurement before the visit date. In addition, patients were grouped based upon the interval from the index date to the most recent HbA1C measurement to evaluate goal attainment and treatment changes over time.Findings:  In this European cohort of 2023 T2DM patients on metformin and either an SU or a TZD (mean age = 60.4 years), 25.5% of patients had adequate glycaemic control. The average HbA1C level was 7.2% after a mean of 2.6 years of treatment with combination oral antihyperglycaemic agent (AHA) therapy. Among the patients (n = 227) with most recent HbA1C measurement within 1 year after first adding an SU or a TZD, 27% had adequate glycaemic control (HbA1C < 6.5%), with a mean (s.d.) HbA1C of 7.1% (1.0); 1.3% of these patients were using some type of insulin therapy. Among the patients (n = 176) with most recent HbA1C measurement occurring ≥5 years after adding an SU or a TZD, 20% had adequate glycaemic control, with a mean (s.d.) HbA1C of 7.4% (1.17), and 29.6% of these patients were using insulin. Overall, patients with (vs. without) adequate glycaemic control had significantly (p < 0.05) lower HbA1C levels (7.6 vs. 8.2%) at the time of adding an SU or a TZD to ongoing metformin monotherapy, were less likely to report a history of macrovascular complications (20 vs. 26%) and were more often engaged in physical activity three to five times a week (29 vs. 23%).Conclusions:  Approximately one quarter of European out‐patients with T2DM had adequate glycaemic control after a mean of 2.6 years following initiation of combination AHA therapy. Overall glycaemic control modestly declined over time, even though more patients were being treated with insulin. These findings highlight the progressive nature of the disease and need for more effective disease management/therapeutic alternatives.
Cost‐effectiveness of sitagliptin‐based treatment regimens in European patients with type 2 diabetes and haemoglobin A1c above target on metformin monotherapy
Authors: Schwarz B. , Gouveia M. , Chen J. , Nocea G. , Jameson K. , Cook J. , Krishnarajah G. , Alemao E. , Yin D. , Sintonen H. 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  Sitagliptin is a novel oral incretin enhancer that acts by inhibiting the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 enzyme and is indicated in Europe as a treatment adjunct to metformin (MF), sulphonylurea (SU), MF plus SU and diet and exercise, in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of the current analysis was to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of adding sitagliptin to the regimens of patients with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) above the International Diabetes Federation goal (6.5%) while on MF in six European countries: Austria, Finland, Portugal, Scotland (United Kingdom), Spain and Sweden.Methods:  A discrete event simulation model, which employed the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Outcomes Model risk equations for predicting risks of diabetes‐related complication, was used. Lifetime costs and benefits were projected for alternative treatment strategies of adding sitagliptin, compared with adding rosiglitazone or a SU to MF in patients not at HbA1C goal on MF monotherapy. Changes in HbA1C as well as side effects associated with these different treatment strategies were based on clinical trial data. Mean baseline values from local epidemiologic studies involving patients with type 2 diabetes not at HbA1C goal on MF monotherapy were included in the current analysis. Costs of medications, side effects and direct costs of diabetes‐related complications were based on country‐specific data. UKPDS‐based disutility weights associated with diabetes complications were incorporated. Disutilities associated with medication side effects were based on published data. All future costs and benefits were discounted according to local guidelines on cost‐effectiveness analysis. One‐way sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying key input parameters.Findings:  The discounted incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) associated with the addition of sitagliptin to MF, compared with adding rosiglitazone, in the different countries analysed ranged from treatment with sitagliptin being dominant (cost saving with improved health outcome) to its being cost‐effective [€4,766 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY)]. Treatment with sitagliptin added to MF was cost‐effective compared with adding a SU, with discounted ICER values ranging from €5949/QALY to €20 350/QALY across countries. Sensitivity analyses showed that these results were robust to changes in input parameters, including clinical efficacy, costs and utility weights for both diabetes‐related complications and hypoglycaemia.Conclusions:  Compared with adding rosiglitazone or a SU to MF, adding sitagliptin to MF is projected to be either cost saving or cost‐effective for patients with type 2 diabetes who are not at HbA1C goal on MF.
The effect of the availability of inhaled insulin on glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes failing on oral therapy: the evaluation of Exubera® as a therapeutic option on insulin initiation and improvement in glycaemic control in clinical practice (EXPERIENCE) trial
Authors: Del Prato S. , Blonde L. , Martinez L. , Göke B. , Woo V. , Millward A. , Gomis R. , Canovatchel B. , Strack T. , Lawrence D. , Freemantle N. ,   on behalf of the EXPERIENCE Trial Team
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim  To examine the impact of inhaled human insulin (Exubera®, EXU) on patient or physician willingness to adopt insulin after oral glucose‐lowering agent failure.Methods  During a randomized controlled trial in primary, secondary and tertiary care in Europe and North America, 739 patients using ≥ 2 oral glucose‐lowering agents with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8.0% were assigned to two treatment groups: Group 1 (standard care with the option of EXU) or Group 2 (standard care only). Standard care included adjusting oral therapy (optimizing current regimen or adding/omitting agents) and/or initiating subcutaneous (s.c.) insulin. The primary endpoint was difference in HbA1c between randomized groups at 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes included differences in the rate of uptake of insulin therapy, proportion achieving satisfactory glycaemic control, treatment satisfaction and safety outcomes.Results  At baseline, insulin was initiated by more [odds ratio 6.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2 to 8.8; P < 0.0001] patients in Group 1 (86.2%; 76.7% EXU plus 9.5% s.c.) than Group 2 (50.7%; s.c. insulin only). At 26 weeks, mean (sd) changes in HbA1c from baseline were –2.0% (1.2%) and –1.7% (1.3%) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, a difference of –0.2% (95% CI: –0.1% to –0.4%; P = 0.004). In Group 1, 45% of patients achieved an HbA1c≤ 7.0% by 26 weeks compared with 39% in Group 2 (P = 0.02).Conclusion  The availability of EXU may increase initiation of insulin, thereby contributing to improved overall glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on two or more oral glucose‐lowering agents.
Immigrants, Morality and Neoliberalism
Authors: Bagchi Amiya Kumar 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis article critiques the liberal and state‐centred view of morality and governance as applied to immigrants. It argues that the alternative perspective provided by some moral philosophers and political theorists can be combined with analysis of the current global economic and political order to outline a framework for protecting the welfare and human rights of the immigrants. It also argues that this framework brings out the commonality of interests of workers in host countries and immigrants in re‐empowering the state to provide for the comprehensive social security that the neoliberal state has trashed.
Habitat selection and reproductive success of Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana on farmland in central Sweden – the importance of habitat heterogeneity
Authors: BERG ÅKE 
Published: April 2008

Many granivorous birds have shown severe population declines in Europe during recent decades. The aim of the present study was to analyse habitat preferences and reproductive success of one such species, the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana, in different farmland habitats in south‐central Sweden. Four seemingly different land‐use types were preferred: permanent set‐asides, short rotation coppice, and grazed and unmanaged semi‐natural pastures. Territories and random sites differed considerably in the proportion of these preferred land‐use types; 39% of territories had > 70% preferred habitat (at the 100‐m scale) compared to 5% of random sites. In contrast, 22% of territories and 65% of random sites had no preferred habitats. All the preferred habitats had heterogeneous ground vegetation characterized by patches with bare ground, or at least sparse ground vegetation, intermixed with patches with taller vegetation. Ortolan Buntings also preferred a heterogeneous habitat structure with occurrence of field islets, shrubby edges, barns and electric wires, which could act as song posts or suitable nest‐sites, in 88% of territories. At a larger (1‐km square) scale, territories occupied by pairs aggregated strongly in areas with high proportions of preferred habitats. The number of territories with single males correlated positively with the number of pairs, which suggests that conspecific attraction may influence territory distribution. No measured habitat factors were related to reproductive success. However, due to habitat preferences and the higher proportion of paired males in one habitat type (set‐aside), the production of young (fledglings/ha) is expected to be higher in set‐asides, as well as in short‐rotation coppices and semi‐natural pastures. Thus, these habitats are important for the conservation of the Ortolan Bunting. Large areas with habitat structures such as field islets are especially important because the Ortolan Bunting breeds in aggregations in these areas.
From Involution to Revolution in Mexico: Liberal Development, Patriarchy, and Social Violence in the Central Highlands, 1870–1915
Authors: Tutino John 
Published: April 2008

AbstractForces loyal to Emiliano Zapata rose to demand land and community autonomy in the revolution that brought destruction and transformation to Mexico after 1910. Men fought to right historic wrongs, land losses that began in the colonial era and political exclusions that mounted during the nineteenth century. Yet those historic grievances were already deeply felt and clearly expressed during the political and social conflicts of the 1860s and 1870s. Revolutionary mobilization did not surge until 1911, after three decades of political stability and commercial development under the authoritarian liberal regime of Porfirio Díaz. This article examines the social consequences of that dynamic liberal development in the highland basins south of Mexico City, the Zapatista heartland after 1910. It argues that population growth, land concentration, and mechanization fueled a commercial expansion that led to proliferating insecurities among the rural majority, insecurities lived by young men as threats to the patriarchal roles they presumed their birthright – their one advantage in communities defined by dependence and hard labor. The first result was a rising tide of violent crime within families and communities during decades of political stability. Then, after the political break of 1910, villagers refocused their rage outward in revolutionary assaults on those who presumed to rule and profit. Young men from communities south of Mexico City turned to revolution only after successful liberal development undermined their chances to live as patriarchs, even as dependent laboring patriarchs. They fought for land, community – and patriarchy.