bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Credit Scoring and the Availability of Small Business Credit in Low‐ and Moderate‐Income Areas
Authors: Frame W. Scott , Woosley Lynn 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper estimates that credit scoring is associated with about a $3,900 increase in small business lending per sample banking organization, per low‐ and moderate‐income (LMI) area served, and this effect is roughly equivalent to that estimated for higher‐income areas. For our sample, this corresponds to a $536 million increase in small business credit in LMI areas in 1997 than otherwise would have been the case. This effect appears to be driven by increased out‐of‐market lending by banking organizations, as in‐market lending generally declines. Overall, it does not appear that credit scoring has a disparate impact on LMI areas.
Maturity and Corporate Loan Pricing
Authors: Gottesman Aron A. , Roberts Gordon S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe investigate the relation between corporate loan spreads and maturity to test whether lenders are compensated for longer maturity loans (tradeoff hypothesis) or limit their exposure by forcing riskier borrowers to take short‐term loans (credit‐quality hypothesis). Earlier studies reject the tradeoff hypothesis. We use the LPC DealScan database to create a matched sample of pairs of loans to the same borrower on the same day holding credit quality constant. We perform mean of difference tests and cross‐sectional and regression analyses, and find evidence supporting both the tradeoff and credit quality hypotheses.
Noninterest Income and Financial Performance at U.S. Commercial Banks
Authors: DeYoung Robert , Rice Tara 
Published: December 2004

AbstractNoninterest income now accounts for over 40% of operating income in the U.S. commercial banking industry. This paper demonstrates a number of empirical links between bank noninterest income, business strategies, market conditions, technological change, and financial performance between 1989 and 2001. The results indicate that well‐managed banks expand more slowly into noninterest activities, and that marginal increases in noninterest income are associated with poorer risk‐return tradeoffs on average. These findings suggest that noninterest income is coexisting with, rather than replacing, interest income from the intermediation activities that remain banks' core financial services function.
Adenovirus as an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Leen Ann M. , Rooney Cliona M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAdenoviruses are non‐enveloped, lytic, DNA viruses capable of infecting most animal species. There are 51 different human adenovirus serotypes, which are grouped from A to F on the basis of genome size, composition, homology and organization. Pathogenicity varies according to group and type, but infections are generally well controlled by the host immune system in immunocompetent individuals. However, in the immunosuppressed, adenoviral infections are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. To date there is no effective therapy. Adoptive transfer of immune T cells offers a therapeutic option, but this strategy has been hindered by the lack of information on targets of protective cellular immunity, and by the immunological heterogeneity of the 51 human adenoviruses. Nevertheless, until such an approach is implemented, or an effective antiviral agent becomes commercially available, it is likely that adenovirus infections will continue to be responsible for a significant number of virus‐associated deaths each year.
The role of allogeneic transplantation in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Peggs Karl S. , Mackinnon Stephen , Linch David C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe evolution of combination chemotherapy regimens, combined with improvements in supportive care, has incrementally improved survival outcomes for patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Although 40–60% of younger patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma can now expect to be cured, significant numbers will either fail to achieve a remission or relapse after attaining a remission. In addition, certain histological subtypes are associated with particularly poor prognoses with combination chemotherapy alone (e.g. mantle cell lymphoma, B‐cell prolymphocytic leukaemia). Relatively few of these patients can achieve long‐term responses. Other NHL subtypes, whilst associated with more favourable prognoses in terms of overall survival, are rarely, if ever, cured (e.g. most low grade NHL including follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma). For these reasons dose escalation and allogeneic transplantation have been investigated as potential ways of improving outcome, although this has mainly been in the setting of advanced disease. Any possible benefits have frequently been out‐weighed by procedural morbidity and mortality. The parallel development of transplantation approaches that limit procedural toxicity along with advances in supportive care require that the role of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the management of lymphoma be re‐evaluated.
Expression of functional interleukin‐21 receptor on adult T‐cell leukaemia cells
Authors: Ueda Maki , Imada Kazunori , Imura Akihiro , Koga Hikari , Hishizawa Masakatsu , Uchiyama Takashi 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAdult T‐cell leukaemia (ATL) is caused by human T‐cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV‐I). It has been suggested that cytokines play a role in the development and in the neoplastic cell growth of ATL. However, the precise mechanism involved in this process still remains unclear. Interleukin‐21 (IL‐21) and its receptor (IL‐21R) have been recently described. In this study, we examined the expression of IL‐21R and the effect of IL‐21 on ATL cells. Real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that HTLV‐I‐infected cell lines and primary ATL cells expressed IL‐21R mRNA. Cell surface expression of IL‐21R on these cells was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis using a newly developed monoclonal antibody against human IL‐21R. In contrast to the expression of IL‐21R, IL‐21 mRNA was scarcely detectable in these cells. Notably, IL‐21 induced the proliferation of ATL‐43T and ED‐40515(+) cells, both of which were derived from leukaemic cell clones of ATL. Concerning the intracellular signalling pathways, IL‐21 activated the phosphorylation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 and STAT5. Taken together, these findings provide the first evidence that ATL cells express functional IL‐21R, suggesting that it may contribute to the pathophysiology of ATL. In addition, the IL‐21/IL‐21R system may represent a new target for the treatment of ATL.
Response to chemotherapy and treating institution predict survival in primary central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Korfel Agnieszka , Martus Peter , Nowrousian Mohammad R. , Hossfeld Dieter K. , Kirchen Heinz , Brücher Joachim , Stelljes Matthias , Birkmann Josef , Peschel Christian , Pasold Rita , Fischer Lars , Jahnke Kristoph , Thiel Eckhard ,   the German primary central nervous system lymphoma Study Group (G‐PCNSL‐SG)
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe majority of the available data on primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) derive from small unicentric or oligocentric studies. In this multicentre study, we evaluated the response, survival and toxicity in PCNSL patients after carmustine, methotrexate 1·5 g/m2, procarbazine and dexamethasone (BMPD) chemotherapy and searched for prognostic factors. Fifty‐six patients received the BMPD protocol (dexamethasone was given only in course 1). The overall complete response rate to chemotherapy was 61% (34/56). Ten complete responders received whole‐brain irradiation and 24 were not irradiated. Responders to chemotherapy had significantly longer median overall survival than non‐responders (18·2 vs. 9·9 months, P = 0·02). Median survival was significantly longer at institutions accruing at least four patients than at those with fewer patients (31·5 vs. 9·5 months, P = 0·03).
Molecular mechanisms whereby immunomodulatory drugs activate natural killer cells: clinical application
Authors: Hayashi Toshiaki , Hideshima Teru , Akiyama Masaharu , Podar Klaus , Yasui Hiroshi , Raje Noopur , Kumar Shaji , Chauhan Dharminder , Treon Steven P. , Richardson Paul , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThalidomide and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), which target multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, can overcome drug resistance. These agents also have immunomodulatory effects. Specifically, we have reported that thalidomide increased serum interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) levels and natural killer (NK) cell numbers in the peripheral blood of responding MM patients. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms whereby IMiDs augment NK cell cytotoxicity. NK cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with IMiDs were examined in the presence or absence of anti‐IL‐2 antibody, ciclosporin A or depletion of CD56‐positive cells. IMiDs‐induced signalling pathways, triggering IL‐2 transcription in T cells, were also delineated. IMiDs facilitated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells‐2 and activator protein‐1 via activation of phosphoinositide‐3 kinase signalling, with resultant IL‐2 secretion. IMiDs enhanced both NK cell cytotoxicity and ADCC induced by triggering IL‐2 production from T cells. These studies defined the mechanisms whereby IMiDs trigger NK cell‐mediated tumour‐cell lysis, further supporting their therapeutic use in MM.
Patient self‐testing is a reliable and acceptable alternative to laboratory INR monitoring
Authors: Gardiner Chris , Williams Karen , Mackie Ian J. , Machin Samuel J. , Cohen Hannah 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAn ageing population and the continuing expansion of clinical indications for coumadin therapy have increased pressure on hospital anticoagulant clinics. One solution is patient self‐testing (PST) of the international normalized ratio (INR) using capillary blood samples on point‐of‐care coagulation monitors at home. We conducted a prospective study to determine whether patients can achieve accurate INR values through PST, using the CoaguChek S (Roche Diagnostics, Lewes, UK). The main outcome measurements were: comparability of INR values obtained by PST and the hospital laboratory, patient acceptability as assessed by a questionnaire and anticoagulant control. Eighty‐four patients [53 men, 31 women; median age 59 years (range 26–83)], receiving long‐term oral anticoagulation (warfarin), were recruited from our Anticoagulation Clinic. Patients were randomized to weekly self‐testing or continuing 4‐weekly hospital laboratory monitoring of INR. Comparison of INRs (n = 234) showed no significant differences between the CoaguChek (median INR 3·02) and laboratory testing (median INR 3·07). There was excellent correlation between the two methods (r = 0·95), with 85% of CoaguChek results within 0·5 INR units of the laboratory method. On four occasions, differences of >1 unit INR were obtained, but in each case the patient's anticoagulation was unstable (INR >4·5 by both methods) and the differences in INR would not have altered patient management. 87% of patients found self‐testing straightforward, 87% were confident in the result they obtained and 77% preferred self‐testing. We conclude that PST is a reliable alternative to hospital clinic attendance and is acceptable to the majority of suitably trained patients.
Does elevated CO2 facilitate naturalization of the non‐indigenous Prunus laurocerasus in Swiss temperate forests?
Authors: Hättenschwiler S. , Körner C. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

An increasing abundance of the non‐indigenous evergreen woody plant species Prunus laurocerasus has been observed in the understorey of Swiss temperate forests. We addressed the question whether rising atmospheric CO2 concentration contributes to the success of this species in a comparative test with four co‐occurring native species (Ilex aquifolium, Hedera helix, Fraxinus excelsior, Carpinus betulus).
We grew plants from germination to the end of the third growing season in open‐top chambers exposed to either ambient or two elevated CO2 concentrations (500 and 660 µmol mol−1) in a deeply shaded forest understorey (1·2–3·2% of full sun).
Species differed greatly in their response to CO2. Biomass growth in Prunus increased by an average of 56% at the two elevated CO2 concentrations compared to ambient CO2; there was no significant difference between 500 and 660 µmol mol−1. In contrast the native Ilex, with the same functional traits, a similar life history and occurring in the same habitat, showed no significant CO2 response.
A particularly large and nearly linear CO2 effect on seedling growth was observed in the liana Hedera with 100% more biomass and 137% longer stems at 660 µmol CO2 mol−1 compared to ambient CO2. Seedlings of the deciduous tree species Fraxinus produced 43% more biomass at elevated CO2 (no significant difference between 500 and 660 µmol mol−1), but there was no significant CO2 effect on Carpinus seedlings.
Our results indicate that elevated CO2 might contribute to the current spread of Prunus in natural forests. The strong CO2 response in Hedera suggests an increasing rate of tree colonization with rising CO2. Increasing dominance of non‐indigenous understorey species and accelerated liana colonization of canopy trees could both have far‐ranging consequences for forest community dynamics and composition.
Effect of ingestion by five avian dispersers on the retention time, retrieval and germination of Ruppia maritima seeds
Authors: Charalambidou I. , Santamaria L. , Langevoord O. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

Vertebrates are important seed dispersers for many plants, particularly those inhabiting naturally fragmented habitats such as lakes and wetlands. Such dispersal often takes place through the transport of ingested seeds (endozoochory).
Endozoochorous passage of seeds is likely to vary among both disperser and dispersed species. We hypothesized that seed retention time and survival of gut passage varies among disperser species (here Anas ducks) and is influenced by intraspecific differences in seed size.
Wigeongrass (Ruppia maritima) seeds were ingested by five duck species; Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail and Mallard. Defecated seeds were recovered and germinated.
Total retrieval and germination of seeds, patterns of retrieval over time and seed weight before and after gut passage did not differ among duck species. Hence interspecific differences among Anas ducks and intraspecific differences in seed weight do not affect seed retention time or the response of seeds to gut passage.
Germination of retrieved seeds was influenced by the retention time in the gut, with seeds voided earlier more likely to germinate than those voided later.
The probability of dispersal at different retention times by any given duck was low. However, when considering the thousands of ducks moving among wetlands, the dispersal probabilities of seeds become significant.
Estimation of seed dispersal distance as a function of retention time suggested higher dispersal probabilities for seeds voided earlier. Based on average flight speeds ranging from 10 to 70 km h−1, most probable dispersal distances range from 40 to 280 km. Dispersal over greater distances is possible, but less likely.
Compensatory growth following early nutritional stress in the Wolf Spider Pardosa prativaga
Authors: Jespersen L. B. , Toft S. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

Spiders may often be subjected to nutritional stress during their development, either because of lack of prey (starvation) or because the prey available is nutritionally insufficient or chemically defended (i.e. deterrent or toxic). The ability of the Wolf Spider Pardosa prativaga (L. Koch) to catch up on growth and development after treatment with different types and intensities of nutritional stress in the initial period of independent life was tested.
The stress types (prey) were: (1) starvation; (2) toxicity (the collembolan Folsomia candida Willem); (3) deterrency (the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L.); (4) nutritional insufficiency (the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen). Nutrient‐enriched D. melanogaster was used as control and was also the food given to the treated spiders after the stress period ended.
Though the spiderlings were set back considerably, especially by starvation and toxic and deterrent prey, those that survived achieved the same weight as the control spiders within 3–7 weeks, depending on treatment. The duration of instars after termination of the stress treatment was not affected. Thus, seemingly compensation was accomplished by a burst of supernormal growth initiated shortly after the stress was alleviated.
Growth compensation is considered a physiological mechanism that allows spiders an optimal seasonal timing of the life cycle even if their phenology is retarded in its early phases.
Light‐acquisition and use of individuals as influenced by elevated CO2 in even‐aged monospecific stands of Chenopodium album
Authors: Hikosaka K. , Yamano T. , Nagashima H. , Hirose T. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

We studied the effect of CO2 elevation on photosynthesis and growth of individuals in even‐aged monospecific stands of an annual, Chenopodium album, established at ambient and doubled CO2 concentrations in open‐top chambers.
The whole‐plant photosynthesis of every individual in the stand was calculated from (1) the distribution of light and leaf nitrogen and (2) the relationships between photosynthetic parameters and leaf nitrogen content per area. Elevated CO2 increased light‐saturated rates of photosynthesis by 10–15% and the initial slope of the light‐response curve by 11%, but had no effect on the convexity of the light‐response curve and dark respiration.
The relative rate of photosynthesis (RPR, the rate of photosynthesis per unit above‐ground mass) was analysed as the product of light capture (Φmass, the photon flux captured per unit above‐ground mass) and light‐use efficiency (LUE, plant photosynthesis per unit photon capture).
At an early stage of stand development (33 days after germination), RPR was nearly constant and no difference was found between ambient and elevated CO2. However, CO2 elevation influenced the components of RPR such that the reduction in Φmass at elevated CO2 offsets the effect of the higher LUE. Later (47 days), RPR was positively correlated with plant mass at both CO2 concentrations. When compared at an equal plant mass, RPR was lower at elevated CO2, which was caused by a reduction in Φmass despite some compensation by higher LUE.
We conclude that elevated CO2 increases size inequality of a stand through enhanced photosynthesis and growth of dominants, which reduce the light availability for subordinates and consequently increase size inequality in the stand.
The geographical range structure of the Holly Leaf‐miner. III. Cold hardiness physiology
Authors: Klok C. J. , Chown S. L. , Gaston K. J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe thermal tolerances of a phytophagous insect, the Holly Leaf‐minerPhytomyza ilicisCurtis, a specialist on hollyIlex aquifoliumL., were investigated to determine whether these contribute to the high levels of miscellaneous larval mortalities that play an important role in determining the local abundances of this species across its geographical range.Temperatures of crystallization, lower and upper lethal temperatures and rapid cold hardening experiments indicated that the Holly Leaf‐miner has a pronounced cold hardiness, exceeding that of its host plant. Acute exposure to cold does not therefore contribute directly to miscellaneous mortalities and neither do summer temperatures exceed the upper lethal limits of the larvae.Holly Leaf‐miner densities are north‐skewed; in the south densities gradually taper off and disappear well north of the distribution limits of the host plant. The parasitoidChrysocharis gemmacauses high larval mortalities in the centre of the distribution of the Holly Leaf‐miner and is absent in the cold north, with the level of parasitism being positively correlated with miscellaneous mortalities. OnlyC. gemmaadults overwinter and the attacks on Holly Leaf‐miner, starting late winter, are likely opportunistic. This, andC. gemma's absence in the cold north, suggest significant cold susceptibility inC. gemmalarvae. Thus, the greater proportion of miscellaneous larval mortalities of the Holly Leaf‐miner are possibly the result of pre‐premature deaths whenC. gemmalarvae are killed by cold snaps in late winter.
Maternal age affects offspring lifespan of the seed beetle,Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Fox C. W. , Bush M. L. , Wallin W. G. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryOffspring from older parents often have shorter adult lifespans than offspring of younger mothers. We examine the effects of offspring genotype, maternal age and paternal age on offspring survival, development and adult lifespan in the seed beetle,Callosobruchus maculatus.Females took about a quarter of a day longer to develop from an egg to an adult and lived ≈7 days longer than males. Mortality patterns were best described by a logistic mortality model, and all three model parameters differed significantly between the sexes; females had a higher baseline mortality rate than males but the mortality rate increased more slowly in females than in males. Females also showed a delay, relative to males, in the age at which mortality became age‐dependent.The proportion of eggs that hatched and larval survivorship both declined with increasing maternal age, while egg‐to‐adult development time increased substantially. Contrary to the pattern observed in many other organisms, offspring of older mothers livedlongerthan offspring of younger mothers, even after controlling for heterogeneity among families. There was no evidence that paternal age affected any offspring traits.The effect of maternal age on offspring lifespan was greater for male offspring than for female offspring (consistent with the general observation that the genetic and environmental factors affecting lifespan differ between the two sexes) and varied among sire families (indicating that offspring genotype mediated the non‐genetic effect of maternal age on lifespan).
Egg yolk androgen levels increase with breeding density in the European Starling,Sturnus vulgaris
Authors: Pilz K. M. , Smith H. G. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryHigh breeding density can cause elevated plasma androgen levels in adult birds. Since maternal androgens are deposited into egg yolk, high breeding density may result in elevated yolk androgen levels as well.The relationship between breeding density and yolk androgen levels was examined in the European Starling,Sturnus vulgaris. The concentration and total content of yolk androstenedione and yolk testosterone were measured in eggs from 24 clutches distributed across nine different colonies of nestboxes.Yolk androstenedione and testosterone levels were significantly higher in colonies where a greater proportion of nestboxes had active nests.Yolk testosterone levels were significantly higher, and yolk androstenedione levels were marginally higher, in colonies with a greater absolute number of active nests.Yolk androgen levels were not related to the number of active nests in adjacent nestboxes.We conclude that female starlings nesting in colonies with higher breeding densities transfer more androgen to their eggs.This relationship may be mediated by increased interfemale aggression, particularly towards floater females searching for mates or nests to brood parasitize, in high‐density colonies. Such a relationship between maternal environment and maternal yolk androgens may represent adaptive maternal modification of offspring phenotype or a non‐adaptive physiological constraint which females cannot avoid.