bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Hematological Parameters and Incidence of Ischemic Heart Diseases among Japanese White‐Collar Male Workers
Authors: Kobayashi Toshio , Miyosht Yuji , Yamaoka Kazue , Yano Eiji
Published: February 2008

Relationship between Hematological Parameters and Incidence of Ischemic Heart Diseases among Japanese White‐Collar Male Workers: Toshio Kobayashi, et al. Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine—The determination whether high hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) are risk factors for ischemic heart diseases (IHD) remains controversial in Japan. To examine whether hematological parameters are independent risk factors for IHD, we conducted a case control study among 3,924 Japanese male white‐collar workers aged 35‐60 yr. IHD cases were defined as men with a first episode of acute myocardial infarction or angina pectoris during the investigation period (from April 1995 to April 2000). Five controls without a history of IHD were assigned for each case, matching for age and smoking status. Twenty‐two IHD cases were developed during the study period and 110 controls were assigned. Hematological parameters, obtained from periodic health examinations undergone before the onset of the disease, were analyzed with the conditional logistic regression model. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were estimated, controlling for Body Mass Index, total cholesterol, alcohol use, hypertension and fasting blood sugar. Crude OR (95%CI) for Hct, Hb, red blood cell count (RBC) and Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were 1.21 (1.03‐1.42), 2.04 (1.17‐3.56), 1.09 (0.96‐1.24) and 1.09 (0.98‐1.22), respectively. The multivariate adjusted OR (95%CI) for Hct, Hb, RBC and MCV were 1.28 (1.06‐1.54), 2.75 (1.39‐5.46), 1.08 (0.92‐1.28) and 1.09 (0.97‐1.24), respectively. These results suggest that Hct and Hb are independent risk factors for ischemic heart diseases among Japanese middle‐aged male white‐collar workers.
Safety of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Adverse Reactions Are Associated With Immunoglobulin A Content
Authors: Manlhiot Cedric , Tyrrell Pascal N. , Liang Lisa , Atkinson Adelle R. , Lau Wendy , Feldman Brian M.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. Anecdotal reports have suggested differences in children's tolerance to different intravenous immunoglobulin products; however, there has been little research on this issue. We sought to determine whether different intravenous immunoglobulin products used in the treatment of juvenile dermatomyositis are equally well tolerated by patients and, if not, whether differences in tolerance are linked to immunoglobulin A content.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. The intravenous immunoglobulin infusion history (product given and history of adverse events) of patients who were attending the juvenile dermatomyositis clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children from 1986 to 2005 was reviewed. Products with an immunoglobulin A content of >15 μg/mL were classified as “high immunoglobulin A.” Data were analyzed by using logistic regression models adjusted for repeated measures.

RESULTS. Thirty-eight patients with juvenile dermatomyositis received 1056 infusions at the Hospital for Sick Children. Adverse events were reported on 92 occasions (9%), affecting 25 patients (66%), a frequency that is higher than that usually reported in adult patients (<1%–5%). Adverse events were reported more often with products that contained high immunoglobulin A (15.0% vs 8.0%). These were accounted for specifically by fever (8.0% vs 1.0%), lethargy or malaise (2.0% vs 0.1%), and nausea or vomiting (5.0% vs 1.0%). Of the possible pharmacologic predictors, including dose, immunoglobulin G concentration, immunoglobulin A level, pH, glycine content, sugar content, sodium content, and osmolality, only immunoglobulin A level was significantly associated with adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS.Intravenous immunoglobulin was found to be safe and well tolerated by most children with juvenile dermatomyositis. However, in contrast to adult studies, we found that significant differences existed in tolerance to different intravenous immunoglobulin products, most likely because of immunoglobulin A concentration. This study confirms anecdotal reports that a high level of immunoglobulin A in intravenous immunoglobulin is less well tolerated by children and provides evidence that product choice is important in pediatrics.
Safety and Tolerability of Cold-Adapted Influenza Vaccine, Trivalent, in Infants Younger Than 6 Months of Age
Authors: Vesikari Timo , Karvonen Aino , Smith Helen M. , Dunning Andrew , Razmpour Ahmad , Saville Melanie K. , Gruber William C. , Forrest Bruce D.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. Young children are at high risk for influenza-related complications. Vaccination of close household contacts is recommended to provide indirect protection to children <6 months of age. Studies have shown that live, cold-adapted influenza vaccine, trivalent, is efficacious in children. To assess the risks associated with inadvertent exposure of infants to vaccine viruses from vaccinated contacts, this study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of cold-adapted influenza vaccine, trivalent, administered intranasally to healthy children 6 to <24 weeks of age.

METHODS. Healthy infants aged 6 to <16 weeks and 16 to <24 weeks, respectively, were randomly assigned to receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine, or placebo intranasally 35 ± 7 days apart. Reactogenicity events were monitored for 11 days after each dose. Other adverse events were monitored through 28 to 35 days after dose 2.

RESULTS. Of the infants aged 6 to <16 weeks, 31 received influenza vaccine and 28 received placebo, and of those aged 16 to <24 weeks, 30 received influenza vaccine and 31 received placebo. In the 6- to <16-week cohort, more influenza vaccine, recipients experienced irritability (66.7% vs 35.7%) and runny nose or nasal congestion (63.3% vs 33.3%) after dose 1 but not dose 2. There were no significant increases in any other reactogenicity events or adverse events in the vaccine recipients compared with the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS. Although there was an increase in mild reactogenicity events in children 6 to <16 weeks of age, cold-adapted influenza vaccine, trivalent, was generally well tolerated in infants 6 to <24 weeks of age. These findings support further evaluation of cold-adapted influenza vaccine, trivalent, in infants <6 months of age.
A new species of turritelline gastropod from a turritelline-dominated limestone in the Paleocene of North Carolina
Authors: Allmon Warren D. , Harris W. Burleigh
Published: February 2008

Turritelline Gastropods (family Turritellidae, subfamily Turritellinae; sensu Marwick, 1957) are common components of many Cretaceous to Recent benthic marine assemblages worldwide. They are frequently the dominant or even the sole macrofossil in such assemblages (Allmon, 1988), termed “turritelline- dominated assemblages” (TDAs; Allmon and Knight, 1993). They are defined as macrofaunal assemblages in which turritelline gastropods: 1) comprise either at least 20% of the total actual or estimated biomass or at least 20% of the macroscopic individuals in the assemblage, and 2) are at least twice as abundant as any other macroscopic species in the assemblage (Allmon, 2007). TDAs have been widely reported from siliciclastic and carbonate sediments of the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains, but turritelline-dominated limestones (sometimes referred to as “turritella limestone” or “turritella rock”) appear to be limited to the Cretaceous and Paleogene (Allmon and Knight, 1993; Allmon, 2007; Allmon and Cohen, 2007).
Micromys caesaris, a new murid (Rodentia, Mammalia) from the Late Pliocene of the Guadix Basin, southeastern Spain
Authors: Minwer-Barakat Raef , García-Alix Antonio , Martín-Suárez Elvira , Freudenthal Matthijs
Published: February 2008

The Genus Micromys includes a single extant species, Micromys minutus (Pallas, 1771), which lives in Europe and North Asia. This genus is known in the fossil record since the late Miocene; eight fossil species have been described in Europe and Asia, most of them of late Miocene and early Pliocene age. The evolution of this genus during the late Pliocene is barely known. Although it is present in numerous localities of this age, remains of Micromys are usually scarce and generally assigned to the species M. minutus or M. praeminutus Kretzoi, 1959.
A redescription of a rare chordate, Metaspriggina Walcotti Simonetta and Insom, from the Burgess Shale (Middle Cambrian), British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Morris Simon Conway
Published: February 2008

Until Recently, our understanding of the earliest history of the fish has been fragmentary in terms of the fossil record and conjectural with respect to many details of phylogeny. Fortunately, significant new information has become available in recent years, most notably from the discoveries of at least three taxa of agnathan fish from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte of Yunnan, China (Shu et al., 1999, 2003; Shu, 2003; see also Hou et al., 2002; Hou et al., 2004, p. 192-193; Zhang and Hou, 2004). Two of the taxa (Haikouichthys and Zhangjianichthys) are represented by numerous specimens, but it is noteworthy that amongst the forty-odd Burgess Shale-type occurrences apart from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte, chordates (or indeed cephalochordates and urochordates) are otherwise unknown. The one exception is the Burgess Shale itself, characterized by the rather enigmatic Pikaia gracilens (Conway Morris, 1982, 1998) and the much rarer chordate described herein. Apart from this exceptionally preserved material, the fossil record effectively only begins in the Ordovician (e.g., Sansom et al., 2001, 2005; Sansom and Smith, 2005), in as much putative fish scales from the latest Cambrian (Young et al., 1996) may be better interpreted as arthropodan (see Smith et al., 2001, p. 78). The difficulties of interpreting what is overall an extremely patchy record are further compounded by the fact that the relevance to this early history of the extant agnathan hagfish and lamprey has remained (and indeed to some extent remains) problematic, given the uncertainty as to which of the presumed archaic features have been overprinted by specializations for modes of life that might have had little counterpart in the ancestral forms.
Geralinura carbonaria(Arachnida; Uropygi) from Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA, and the origin of subchelate pedipalps in whip scorpions
Authors: Tetlie O. Erik , Dunlop Jason A.
Published: February 2008

The whip scorpions (Arachnida: Uropygi) from the Pennsylvanian Coal Measures of Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA are restudied. Four Mazon Creek uropygid specimens have previously been described and a fifth is added here. Contrary to earlier reports, none of the specimens lack eyes and the sternum is similarly shaped in all the specimens. Consequently, the two younger names,Geralinura similisPetrunkevitch, 1913 andG. giganteaPetrunkevitch, 1913 are here treated as junior synonyms ofG. carbonariaScudder, 1884. The morphology of the pedipalps is more like those of some modern amblypygids, being spiniferous and non-chelate, suggesting the subchelate palps found in all Recent whip scorpions is an apomorphy not yet incorporated into the bodyplan ofG. carbonaria.Indeed, subchelate palps also seem to be absent in other species of this age. For completeness, we summarise here the six Pennsylvanian whip scorpions currently recognised—including sketch reconstructions—with comments on further differences between the Paleozoic and living taxa.GeralinuraScudder, 1884 is reserved forG. carbonariaand the British speciesG. britannicaPocock, 1911.ProthelyphonusFriĉ, 1904 is reinstated for the Czech speciesP. bohemicus(Kuŝta, 1884).Parageralinuragen. nov. is proposed for the widely overlooked Dutch speciesP. neerlandica(Laurentiaux-Vieria and Laurentiaux, 1961) and the German speciesP. naufraga(Brauckmann and Koch, 1983). All the Coal Measures whip scorpion genera are treated here as plesion taxa, basal to the Thelyphonidae, which can be defined as whip scorpions with a fully subchelate pedipalp, the chelae formed from large and distinct patellar and tibial apophyses.
Late Cretaceous octobrachiate coleoid lower jaws from the north Pacific regions
Authors: Tanabe Kazushige , Trask Pat , Ross Rick , Hikida Yoshinori
Published: February 2008

Eight well-preserved cephalopod jaw fossils were discovered from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian and Campanian) deposits of Vancouver Island, Canada, and Hokkaido, Japan. They occur individually in calcareous concretions and retain their three-dimensional architecture. Seven of them consist of a widely open outer lamella and a posteriorly projected inner lamella with a pointed rostrum. Both lamellae are made of fluorapatite, which may represent diagenetically altered chitin, and lack a calcareous element. Based on these diagnostic features, the seven jaw fossils are identified as lower jaws of the Coleoidea. Comparison with the lower jaws of modern coleoids allows us to distinguish the following new genera and species among them;Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyiof the Order Vampyromorphida, andPaleocirroteuthis haggartiandP. pacificaof the Order Cirroctopodida. The lower jaws of these new taxa are clearly distinguished by having a much less projected inner lamella from those of modern and extinct species of the Superorder Decabrachia and the Order Octopodida. The maximum lengths of their outer lamellae (35.0-67.1 mm) are much larger than those of most modern vampyromorph and cirroctopodid species, indicating the large body size and weight of their owners. One of the other three lower jaws examined, characterized by a posteriorly extended outer lamella, may be assigned to the Octopodida. This study clearly demonstrates that large octobrachiate coleoids existed in the Late Cretaceous North Pacific.
The earliest endosymbiotic mineralized tubeworms from the Silurian of Podolia, Ukraine
Authors: Vinn Olev , Mõtus Mari-Ann
Published: February 2008

The earliest endosymbiotic tubeworms have been discovered within skeletons of the tabulate coralHeliolitessp. from the Silurian (Ludlow) of Podolia, Ukraine. The new tubeworm species has a maximum diameter about 1 mm, a slightly conical tube, a smooth lumen in the tube and a lamellar wall structure. The tube wall is 0.05-0.10 mm thick. The new endosymbiotic tubewormCoralloconchus bragensisn. gen. and sp. shares zoological affinities with the tentaculitids (incertae sedis) and is assigned to the Family Cornulitidae (Tentaculita, Cornulitida).
String Corrosion and String Protection During Constructing and Operating Gas Storage Facility in Bedded Salt Deposit
Authors: Guangjie Yuan , Qinghua Wang , Ruichen Shen , Jinping Yuan , Lijun Lu , Chunmao Wang
Published: February 2008

With more and more salt cavern gas storage under construction, the corrosion problems of leaching string, production string, and production casing require more attention by experts on gas storage. This paper introduces several corrosion phenomena that are encountered during the operation of leaching salt caverns and during natural-gas injection and withdrawal. The main corrosion factors are discussed such as brine, air, microbes, components of natural gas, gas injection velocity, operating status, and others. The corrosion mechanisms are also analyzed. To prevent the corrosion effects, a series of measures are successfully applied during different construction phases of the gas storage facility in the Yangtze River Delta, such as oxygen scavenger and biocide, coating protection, annulus protection liquid, and cathodic protection.
Analysis of the Mechanism of Transport and Retention of Nonaqueous-Scale-Inhibitor Treatments in Cores Using Novel Tracer Techniques
Authors: Shields R. A. , Sorbie K. S. , Singleton M. A. , Guan H.
Published: February 2008

In recent years, a number of nonaqueous delivery systems for scale inhibitors (SI) have been developed that are designed to be applied as low-damage, low-water-cut or pre-emptive squeeze treatments (e.g., in critical or expensive subsea wells). The mechanisms through which nonaqueous SI systems operate is an important technical issue. Only when a good understanding of the transport and retention mechanisms is developed can this be built into a model for designing such squeeze treatments (such as the SQUEEZE VI model). The experimental work in this paper focused on a specific oil soluble version of a standard pentaphos-phonate inhibitor (DETPMP), which has been described previously in the literature. Several floods have been carried out comparing corresponding nonaqueous and aqueous applications of DETPMP to better determine the main features of the transport and retention mechanism of the system. Novel core flood experiments with tracers in both the aqueous and oleic phases have been performed and are reported in this paper. Unique information is generated by designing very detailed flooding cycles and carrying out tracer floods at each stage. Results point to the formation of an immobile "emulsion-like" third phase in this system. To confirm our proposed mechanism, nonaqueous inhibitor has also been applied at zero residual water saturation (100% oil) to investigate whether or not the tailing effect (or third layer deposition) could be generated without previous oil/water partitioning of the SI. For this case, tailing of the brine tracer only was observed. Mass balance showed that there was still considerable retention of SI that was ultimately produced during the aqueous post-flush.

The corresponding aqueous-inhibitor coreflood showed similar returns to that of the previous nonaqueous experiment and no retardation of either the tracer species or the metal ions in the brine. No formation damage occurred for either phase after the inhibitor was injected. A further "control" flood (no SI treatment) proved that the brine tracer tailing arose as a direct result of the treatment.

The use of the tracer species in each (water and oil) phase is a genuine innovation, which provides a powerful additional technique for demonstrating the effect of chemical treatments on the flow and the retention of all fluids in the core.
Experience in AA-LDHI Usage for a Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Dry-Tree Oil Well: Pushing the Technology Limit
Authors: Harun A. F. , Fung G. , Erdogmus M.
Published: February 2008

A dry tree well in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has been producing oil with more than 50% water cut. This raises a concern, because the existing Anti-Agglomerants Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitor (AA LDHI) used during extended shutdowns and cold restarts, is effective only up to 50% water cut. Because more time and resources would be required to bring a new AA LDHI, more detailed analysis were performed to evaluate the possibility of managing hydrate risks through operating procedures. It was found that during extended shutdown, the wellbore fluid can be pushed down below the mudline using the dry gas from the glycol contact tower followed by diesel or methanol. Thus, it eliminates the hydrate risk during extended shutdowns. Confirmed by the actual data, the cold restart simulations found the warm-up time in the wellbore to be less than an hour. The actual data also show the cumulative water cut one hour after restart was found to be below 50%. The cold restart procedures have been updated with the strategy to outrun the water and come out of the hydrate condition as quickly as possible. Since then, the well has been brought on production using the existing LDHI without any hydrate problems, even with a water cut approaching 90%.
Effective Gas-Shutoff Treatments in a Fractured Carbonate Field in Oman
Authors: Ali E. , Bergren F. E. , DeMestre P. , Biezen E. , Van Eijden J.
Published: February 2008

A giant, fractured carbonate field in north Oman has both complex geology and complex reservoir-drive mechanisms. The upper, densely fractured layers are produced using the gas/oil gravity-drainage (GOGD) process, while the less-fractured lower set of layers is subjected to waterflooding. The production from the GOGD layers is through vertical and horizontal wells completed in a thin fracture oil rim. Gas conformance control is a challenge in many of these wells because the gas breakthrough occurs for a variety of reasons: downward movement of fracture gas/oil contact (fracture-oil-rim thinning), gas breakthrough via high-conductivity fractures (fracture gas breakthrough), zonal-isolation failure at the wellbore (mechanical gas breakthrough), and increasing gas saturation in the matrix (matrix gas breakthrough). An integrated multidisciplinary team studied well and reservoir performance and openhole (OH) and cased-hole logs to diagnose the source of higher-than-expected gas/oil ratio (GOR) in several GOGD wells. The most important logs in this work were memory-production-logging-tool (MPLT) surveys used to identify the sources of gas production and formation-microimager (FMI) logs used for fracture identification and characterization.

This paper illustrates the work carried out in horizontal open-hole and vertical cased-hole completions to shut off the undesirable gas flow successfully. The horizontal wells identified with poor zonal isolation behind the liner were treated with an innovative gel gas-shutoff procedure. The merits of this procedure out-weighed those of other proposed solutions: targeted placement, a strong full-blocking gel to fill up channels behind the liner, inert particles to control fluid loss of the full-blocking gel to small fractures and the formation matrix, and displacement with an already-cured gel that could be washed out of the wellbore.

Significant drops in the GORs of these wells resulted in sustained oil-production increases. This is a step change in the ability to manage detrimental gas production in this field and is expected to lead to further opportunities for improved gas management and well performance in this field and other fields where the GOGD recovery mechanism is used.
Investigation of Gas Carryover With a Downward Liquid Flow
Authors: Sutton Robert P. , Skinner Terry K. , Christiansen Richard L. , Wilson Lyle
Published: February 2008

An investigation into gas carryover resulting from the downward flow of water was conducted. Water accumulation in a gas well is responsible for well-productivity decline and left untreated will eventually result in the well loading up and ceasing to produce. Submersible pumps offer a viable means of removing water from the well; however, gas interference can significantly degrade pump performance and even result in pump failure. An effective means of mitigating this problem is to place the pump below the producing interval, effectively allowing gravity to separate the gas and water. The rule of thumb (in this instance) is to limit the downward liquid velocity to values less than 0.5 ft/sec to ensure gas/water separation. High steel prices dictate smaller casing strings be used where possible to enhance project economics in operations such as coalbed methane. However, smaller pipe sizes result in higher flow velocities for a corresponding surface flow rate. These higher flow velocities reduce separation efficiency, which could jeopardize project success. To quantify the relationship between gas-carryover and liquid velocity, a full-scale model was built and actual gas carryover rates were measured. Two sizes of annular flow geometries representative of those used in the field were used in the test. The results were also confirmed with separate measurements taken from a test-well facility. These studies show the traditional rule-of-thumb value of 0.5 ft/sec to be conservative. Multiphase-flow pattern maps also were integrated into the study as a supplemental aid to the development of operation guidelines and to add insight into operational practices of submersible pumps. As a result of this work, smaller casing sizes were successfully used resulting in substantial project cost savings.
Rigless Tubing Repair Using Permanent and Retrievable Straddles on the North Slope, Alaska
Authors: Julian J. Y. , Cismoski D. A. , Burton J. P. , Johns J. E.
Published: February 2008

At Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, nonrig tubing repairs have become a viable alternative to rig workovers (RWOs). They provide economic remediation for wells with production tubing by "A" annulus communication. Electricline (EL)-set straddles can eliminate tubing communication at a significant cost savings. They are particularly attractive in areas in which RWO cost is significant, such as offshore, remote, or Arctic locations. The advantage of tubing-straddle repair over a conventional RWO is that there is no need to pull tubing, resulting in the well being returned to service faster. Typical straddle deployment costs are less than 5% of the costs for tubing replacement with an RWO. To date, 263 permanent and retrievable tubing straddles have been set in 181 wells at Prudhoe Bay.

This paper discusses the history of conventional tubing straddles at Prudhoe Bay and the recommended prestraddle diagnostics. The paper also provides a systematic approach for their design and deployment.
Auto, Natural, or In-Situ Gas-Lift Systems Explained
Authors: Vasper Adam
Published: February 2008

The terms auto, natural, and in-situ gas lift all refer to artificial lift systems that use gas from a gas-bearing formation to gas lift a well. The gas lift gas is produced downhole and bled into the production tubing via an auto gas lift valve designed for gas operations.

The value of auto gas lift is probably easier to demonstrate than for other types of intelligent well because it provides a direct replacement for conventional gas lift equipment, compressors, and pipelines, and the ancillary equipment they require.

An estimated 60 auto gas lift systems have been installed at the time of writing of this paper, most of them in the Scandinavian sector of the North Sea. Several papers have discussed this technology, but so far none has presented a rigorous analysis or solution of the wells' production from a gas lift perspective.

This paper presents the basic theory behind auto gas lift and how to apply it. The components of the theory are well known and commonly used in nodal analysis and conventional gas lift design. Properly combining these components enables an auto gas lifted well's performance to be calculated and downhole equipment to be correctly sized and located.
Carbon Dioxide Efflux from Soil with Poultry Litter Applications in Conventional and Conservation Tillage Systems in Northern Alabama
Authors: Roberson T. , Reddy K. C. , Reddy S. S. , Nyakatawa E. Z. , Raper R. L. , Reeves D. W. , Lemunyon J.
Published: February 2008

Increased CO2 release from soils resulting from agricultural practices such as tillage has generated concerns about contributions to global warming. Maintaining current levels of soil C and/or sequestering additional C in soils are important mechanisms to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere through production agriculture. We conducted a study in northern Alabama from 2003 to 2006 to measure CO2 efflux and C storage in long‐term tilled and non‐tilled cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plots receiving poultry litter or ammonium nitrate (AN). Treatments were established in 1996 on a Decatur silt loam (clayey, kaolinitic thermic, Typic Paleudults) and consisted of conventional‐tillage (CT), mulch‐tillage (MT), and no‐tillage (NT) systems with winter rye [Secale cereale (L.)] cover cropping and AN and poultry litter (PL) as nitrogen sources. Cotton was planted in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Corn was planted in 2005 as a rotation crop using a no‐till planter in all plots, and no fertilizer was applied. Poultry litter application resulted in higher CO2 emission from soil compared with AN application regardless of tillage system. In 2003 and 2006, CT (4.39 and 3.40 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively) and MT (4.17 and 3.39 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively) with PL at 100 kg N ha−1 (100 PLN) recorded significantly higher CO2 efflux compared with NT with 100 PLN (2.84 and 2.47 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively). Total soil C at 0‐ to 15‐cm depth was not affected by tillage but significantly increased with PL application and winter rye cover cropping. In general, cotton produced with NT conservation tillage in conjunction with PL and winter rye cover cropping reduced CO2 emissions and sequestered more soil C compared with control treatments.
Abundances and Flux Estimates of Volatile Organic Compounds from a Dairy Cowshed in Germany
Authors: Ngwabie Ngwa Martin , Schade Gunnar W. , Custer Thomas G. , Linke Stefan , Hinz Torsten
Published: February 2008

Animal husbandry and manure treatment have been specifically documented as significant sources of methane, ammonia, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter. Although volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also produced, much less information exists concerning their impact. We report on chemical ionization mass spectrometry and photo‐acoustic spectroscopy measurements of mixing ratios of VOCs over a 2‐wk measurement period in a large cowshed at the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) in Mariensee, Germany. The high time resolution of these measurements enables insight into the sources of the emissions in a typical livestock management setting. During feeding hours and solid manure removal, large mixing ratio spikes of several VOCs were observed and correlated with simultaneous methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia level enhancements. The subsequent decay of cowshed concentration due to passive cowshed ventilation was used to model emission rates, which were dominated by ethanol and acetic acid, followed by methanol. Correlations of VOC mixing ratios with methane or ammonia were also used to calculate cowshed emission factors and to estimate potential nationwide VOC emissions from dairy cows. The results ranged from around 0.1 Gg carbon per year (1 Gg = 109 g) for nonanal and dimethylsulfide, several Gg carbon per year for volatile fatty acids and methanol, to over 10 Gg carbon per year of emitted ethanol. While some estimates were not consistent between the two extrapolation methods, the results indicate that animal husbandry VOC emissions are dominated by oxygenated compounds and may be a nationally but not globally significant emission to the atmosphere.
Soil–Atmosphere Trace Gas Exchange in Semiarid and Arid Zones
Authors: Galbally Ian E. , Kirstine Wayne V. , Meyer C. P. (Mick) , Wang Ying Ping
Published: February 2008

A review is presented on trace gas exchange of CH4, CO, N2O, and NOx arising from agriculture and natural sources in the world's semiarid and arid zones due to soil processes. These gases are important contributors to the radiative forcing and the chemistry of the atmosphere. Quantitative information is summarized from the available studies. Between 5 and 40% of the global soil–atmosphere exchange for these gases (CH4, CO, N2O, and NOx) may occur in semiarid and arid zones, but for each of these gases there are fewer than a dozen studies to support the individual estimates, and these are from a limited number of locations. Significant differences in the biophysical and chemical processes controlling these trace gas exchanges are identified through the comparison of semiarid and arid zones with the moist temperate or wet/dry savanna land regions. Therefore, there is a poorly quantified understanding of the contribution of these regions to the global trace gas cycles and atmospheric chemistry. More importantly, there is a poor understanding of the feedback between these exchanges, global change, and regional land use and air pollution issues. A set of research issues is presented.
Effects of Sodium Bisulfate on Alcohol, Amine, and Ammonia Emissions from Dairy Slurry
Authors: Sun Huawei , Pan Yuee , Zhao Yongjing , Jackson Wendi A. , Nuckles Lisa M. , Malkina Irina L. , Arteaga Veronica E. , Mitloehner Frank M.
Published: February 2008

Sodium bisulfate (SBS) is extensively used in the poultry industry to reduce ammonia and bacterial levels in litter. It is also used in the dairy industry to reduce bacterial counts in bedding and ammonia emissions, preventing environmental mastitis and calf respiratory stress. The present study measured the effect of SBS on the air emission of ammonia, amine, and alcohol from a dairy slurry mix. Amine flux was undetectable (<5 ng L−1) across treatments. Application of SBS decreased ammonia, methanol, and ethanol emissions from fresh dairy slurry. Ammonia emissions decreased with increasing levels of SBS treatment. The 3‐d average ammonia flux from the control (no SBS applied) and the three different SBS surface application levels of 0.125, 0.250, and 0.375 kg m−2were 513.4, 407.2, 294.8, and 204.5 mg h−1m−2, respectively. The ammonia emission reduction potentials were 0, 21, 43, and 60%, respectively. Methanol and ethanol emissions decreased with an increase in the amount of SBS applied. The 3‐d average methanol emissions were 223.7, 178.0, 131.6, and 87.0 mg h−1m−2for SBS surface application level of 0, 0.125, 0.250, and 0.375 kg m−2, with corresponding reduction potentials of 0, 20, 41, and 61, respectively. Similar emission reduction potentials of 0, 18, 35, and 58% were obtained for ethanol. Sodium bisulfate was shown to be effective in the mitigation of ammonia and alcohol emissions from fresh dairy slurry.
Ammonia Assessment from Agriculture: U.S. Status and Needs
Authors: Aneja Viney P. , Blunden Jessica , James Kristen , Schlesinger William H. , Knighton Raymond , Gilliam Wendell , Jennings Greg , Niyogi Dev , Cole Shawn
Published: February 2008

Recent studies suggest that human activities accelerate the production of reactive nitrogen on a global scale. Increased nitrogen emissions may lead to environmental impacts including photochemical air pollution, reduced visibility, changes in biodiversity, and stratospheric ozone depletion. In the last 50 yr, emissions of ammonia (NH3), which is the most abundant form of reduced reactive nitrogen in the atmosphere, have significantly increased as a result of intensive agricultural management and greater livestock production in many developed countries. These agricultural production practices are increasingly subject to governmental regulations intended to protect air resources. It is therefore important that an accurate and robust agricultural emission factors database exist to provide valid scientific support of these regulations. This paper highlights some of the recent work that was presented at the 2006 Workshop on Agricultural Air Quality in Washington, D.C. regarding NH3 emissions estimates and emission factors from agricultural sources in the U.S. and Europe. In addition, several best management practices are explored as the scientific community attempts to maximize the beneficial use of reactive nitrogen while simultaneously minimizing negative environmental impacts.
Are Leaves that Fall from Imidacloprid‐Treated Maple Trees to Control Asian Longhorned Beetles Toxic to Non‐target Decomposer Organisms?
Authors: Kreutzweiser David P. , Good Kevin P. , Chartrand Derek T. , Scarr Taylor A. , Thompson Dean G.
Published: February 2008

The systemic insecticide imidacloprid may be applied to deciduous trees for control of the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive wood‐boring insect. Senescent leaves falling from systemically treated trees contain imidacloprid concentrations that could pose a risk to natural decomposer organisms. We examined the effects of foliar imidacloprid concentrations on decomposer organisms by adding leaves from imidacloprid‐treated sugar maple trees to aquatic and terrestrial microcosms under controlled laboratory conditions. Imidacloprid in maple leaves at realistic field concentrations (3–11 mg kg−1) did not affect survival of aquatic leaf‐shredding insects or litter‐dwelling earthworms. However, adverse sublethal effects at these concentrations were detected. Feeding rates by aquatic insects and earthworms were reduced, leaf decomposition (mass loss) was decreased, measurable weight losses occurred among earthworms, and aquatic and terrestrial microbial decomposition activity was significantly inhibited. Results of this study suggest that sugar maple trees systemically treated with imidacloprid to control Asian longhorned beetles may yield senescent leaves with residue levels sufficient to reduce natural decomposition processes in aquatic and terrestrial environments through adverse effects on non‐target decomposer organisms.
Physical and Chemical Changes during Composting of Wood Chip–Bedded and Straw‐Bedded Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure
Authors: Larney Francis J. , Olson Andrew F. , Miller Jim J. , DeMaere Paul R. , Zvomuya Francis , McAllister Tim A.
Published: February 2008

In the 1990s, restrictions on incineration encouraged the forest industry in western Canada to develop new uses for their wood residuals by product. One such use was as a replacement for cereal straw bedding in southern Alberta's beef cattle (Bos taurus) feedlot industry. However, use of carbon (C)‐rich bedding, such as wood chips, had implications for subsequent composting of the feedlot manure, a practice that was being increasingly adopted. In a 3‐yr study, we compared composting of wood chip–bedded manure (WBM) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw‐bedded manure (SBM). There were no significant differences in temperature regimes of SBM and WBM, indicating similar rates of successful composting. Of 17 physical and chemical parameters, five showed significant (P < 0.10) differences due to bedding at the outset of composting (Day 0), and 11 showed significant differences at final sampling (Day 124). During composting (10 sampling times), seven parameters showed significant bedding effects, 16 showed significant time effects, and four showed a Bedding × Time interaction. Significantly lower (P < 0.10) losses of nitrogen (N) occurred with WBM (19%) compared with SBM (34%), which has positive implications for air quality and use as a soil amendment. Other advantages of WBM compost included significantly higher total C (333 vs. 210 kg Mg−1 for SBM) and inorganic N (1.3 vs. 1.0 kg Mg−1 for SBM) and significantly lower total phosphorus (4.5 vs. 5.3 kg Mg−1 for SBM). Our results showed that wood chip bedding should not be a problem for subsequent composting of the manure after pen cleaning. In combination with other benefits, our findings should encourage the adoption of wood chips over straw as a bedding choice for southern Alberta feedlots.
Droughts: The impact of semantics and perceptions
Authors: Smakhtin Vladimir U. , Schipper E. Lisa F.
Published: February 2008

Global environmental change coupled with increased demand for food and competition for diminishing water places the issue of disaster risk management high on the global political agenda. Drought is one of the most complex natural hazards, affecting natural resources and human development recurrently. Drought affects agricultural production globally, triggering significant food and health insecurity and habitat loss through land degradation and desertification. While the consequences of droughts can usually be predicted, preventive action is frequently absent or insufficient to prevent serious impacts in many regions of the world. We believe that lack of a common understanding of what drought is stands in the way of cohesive anti-drought action. This paper examines drought definitions emerging from influential scholarship, practitioners' discourse and multilateral policy processes that emphasise diverging aspects of the phenomena of dry periods, including the source, duration, spatial extent, impact and affected stakeholders. This paper begins by examining the concepts of hazard and disaster. It then explores the various perceptions associated with drought and the problems posed by inconsistency in definitions. It concludes that a common conceptual understanding of drought is essential for effective action to address the growing need for reliable food supply, poverty alleviation and increased agricultural productivity globally.
Wells are not always water follies: sustainable groundwater policies for the American West
Authors: Rajagopal-Durbin Aparna , Durbin Timothy Joslin
Published: February 2008

In his top-ten bestseller, Water Follies, Robert Jerome Glennon catalogues humanity's crimes against the Western American landscape by discussing the host of environmental impacts caused by groundwater pumping. Robert Glennon's solution to increased environmental damage due to groundwater pumping is to stop growth and development. Although development is the primary force behind environmental degradation of the American West, removing people wholesale from the ecological equation is a logistical impossibility. Furthermore, you cannot realistically introducing human beings into the West without causing some environmental impact unless people stop using water. By the same token, just because environmental degradation is unavoidable does not mean that it cannot be mitigated to some extent. This paper provides a critique on Robert Glennon's solution to the environmental damage caused by groundwater pumping and proposes a more realistic groundwater policy that entails establishing a tree of environmental values and directing the damage to the least valuable environmental resource. This proposal is made against the backdrop of the unique hydrology of the American West, the history of American groundwater policy, and projections for future growth and development of the American West. Ultimately, a system of trade-offs between environmental values embraces the reality of population growth, but at the same time empowers societies to make wise decisions about which resources to protective and preserve.
Problems of groundwater management and the need for its inclusion in the Brazilian national model of integrated water resources management
Authors: Rodrigues Francisco de Assis , Pereira Sueli Yoshinaga
Published: February 2008

This paper discusses certain issues related to groundwater management within the context of the Brazilian national policy for water resources management. In order to investigate the importance of this water supply source, we interviewed groundwater users in the city of São Paulo, where some 57% of the total water supply comes from this source, and surveyed some of the factors affecting the use of this alternative. These include the existence of a good supply of groundwater, an inadequate public water supply system unable to meet user demands, the degradation of fresh water sources and the reduction in costs involved. Preliminary conclusions suggest the inadequacy of the present system of water resources management, which has not yet integrated the use of groundwater reserves into an overall national program for water resources management.
Biofuels and implications for agricultural water use: blue impacts of green energy
Authors: de Fraiture Charlotte , Giordano Mark , Liao Yongsong
Published: February 2008

Rising energy prices, geopolitics and concerns over the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change are increasing the demand for biofuel production. At present biofuel production is estimated at 35 billion liters, accounting only for a small part (∼2%) of the 1200 billion liters of annual gasoline consumption worldwide. But the contribution of biofuels to energy supply is expected to grow fast with beneficial impacts including reductions in greenhouse gasses, improved energy security and new income sources for farmers. However, biomass production for energy will also compete with food crops for scarce land and water resources, already a major constraint on agricultural production in many parts of the world. China and India, the world's two largest producers and consumers of many agricultural commodities, already face severe water limitations in agricultural production, yet both have initiated programs to boost biofuel production. This paper explores the land and water implications of increased biofuel production globally and with special focus on these two important countries, using the WATERSIM model. It concludes that, although of lesser concern at the global level, local and regional impact could be substantial. In fact, the strain on water resources would be such in China and India that it is unlikely that policy makers will pursue biofuel options, at least those based on traditional field crops.
Implications of India's biofuel policies for food, water and the poor
Authors: Rajagopal Deepak
Published: February 2008

Increasing consensus about the end of cheap oil, the consequences of global warming and the need for rural development are catalyzing the expansion of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. While most nations are promoting the expansion of conventional crops, India's strategy for biofuels is to promote Jatropha curcas, a drought-tolerant, perennial crop with little prior commercial track record. The aim of this paper is three-fold. (1) To compare the characteristics of various crops with their potential as biofuels in order to assess the relative advantages and disadvantages of Jatropha curcas. (2) To analyze the implications of current biofuel policies for food supply, agricultural water demand and the rural poor. (3) To highlight briefly some alternative strategies that can overcome drawbacks in the current strategy. One conclusion is that although Jatropha curcas has a low water requirement, which is an important benefit, it has several other disadvantages. Another recommendation that emerges from this paper is that biofuel policies should also focus on short-duration, multi-purpose and proven drought-tolerant crops like sweet sorghum that can be adopted by small landholders while wasteland rehabilitation policies should focus on broader array of options, which can provide greater direct benefits to the rural poor.
RELATIONS OF CHANGES IN PHYSICAL SELF-APRAISAL AND PERCEIVED ENERGY WITH WEIGHT CHANGE IN OBESE WOMEN BEGINNING A SUPPORTED EXERCISE AND NUTRITION INFORMATION PROGRAM
Authors: Annesi James J.
Published: February 2008

In preliminary investigation, relations of changes in the self-appraisal factors of body satisfaction and physical self-concept, and changes in the mood factors of fatigue and energy, were tested with weight changes over 20 weeks in obese women (N = 52) initiating a supported
exercise and nutrition information treatment. Within-group t tests indicated that all psychological factors significantly improved, and weight was significantly reduced (M = −5.83 kg, SD = 6.98). Regression analyses indicated that a significant amount of the variance
in weight change (R2 = .412) was accounted for through changes in body satisfaction and physical self-concept as predictor variables. Although linear bivariate correlations between fatigue and energy changes, and weight changes, were significant (Rs = .463 and −.360, respectively),
when individually entered into regression equations along with changes in body satisfaction and physical self-concept neither significantly increased the explained variance in weight change. After replication, implications for theory and weight loss treatment were suggested.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERSONALITY TRAITS AND ATTENDING A FITNESS CENTER
Authors: Chen Lily Shui-Lien , Lee Yung-Hsin
Published: February 2008

The sports and recreation industry is emerging in Taiwan. Few related studies have used it as a sample. This study has been designed to explore the notion of personality traits based on fitness center members in Taiwan. Because of its validity and wide use (Furnham, Moutafi, & Crump,
2003), the Five Factor Model (FFM) developed by McCrae and John (1992) is adopted in this study to assess the personality of fitness center members. The measurement scale of personality traits is cited from Saucier's (1994) Mini-Markers. The empirical findings reveal that those people
with low tendency to experience negative emotions, i.e., neuroticism, and high tendency to experience positive emotions, i.e., extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, will join the fitness center. Sports and recreation industry managers can design strategy
to satisfy their customer needs based on these findings.