bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Health Professionals on Health Promotion Activities in Japanese Worksites
Authors: Hirao Tomohiro , Jitsunari Fumihiko , Asakawa Fumiyuki , Suna Shigeru , Kitamado Takako , Fukunaga Ichiro , Takeda Noriaki , Kageyama Hiroshi
Published: February 2008

Impact of Health Professionals on Health Promotion Activities in Japanese Worksites: Tomohiro Hirao, et al. Department of Hygiene & Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa Medical University—We tried to assess the impact of health staff on health promotion activities in Japanese worksites. We surveyed all worksites with 50 or more employees in Kagawa Prefecture, western Japan through self‐administered questionnaires. We constructed a general linear model that contained three health professions, occupational physicians, health supervisors and occupational health nurses, which are common in the Japanese workplace as co‐regressors, and fourteen health promotion activities as dependent variables. The impact of occupational physicians was small. The impact of health supervisors was considered high in workplace defined activities. The impact of occupational health nurses was considered high in person‐to‐person services and life‐style related activities. Through assessing the impact, the strengths and weaknesses of each health professional were clarified.
Metal‐Induced Lung Disease: Lessons from Japan's Experience
Authors: Kusaka Yukinori , Sato Kazuhiro , Suganuma Narufumi , Hosoda Yutaka
Published: February 2008

Metal‐Induced Lung Disease: Lessons from Japan's Experience: Yukinori Kusaka, et al. Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Fukui Medical University—Metals inducing occupational respiratory diseases, e.g. metal fever, acute and chronic pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer are described. The metals mentioned are the following: aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, platinum, rhodium, rare earth metals, titanium, uranium, vanadium, welding, zinc, zirconium. With respect to these metals, mechanism of the disease, disease statistics, case reports, diagnostic methods, patho‐physiology of the disease, and preventive measures including occupational exposure limits are also described. Experience in Japan on these issues is given in detail.
Risk of Suicide and Accidental Death among Subjects Visiting a Doctor because of Mental Disorder: A Matched Case‐Control Study in Finnish Farmers
Authors: Penttinen Jyrki
Published: February 2008

Risk of Suicide and Accidental Death among Subjects Visiting a Doctor because of Mental Disorder: A Matched Case‐Control Study in Finnish Farmers: Jyrki Penttinen. Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health—Background: Various mental disorders, especially depression, precede suicide. According to some authors, also victims of accidental death in many cases have suffered from mental problems. In most former studies the study design has been retrospective. In this prospective study the risk of suicide or accidental death among patients visiting a primary health care doctor was evaluated. Subjects and methods: 20 suicides, 24 accidental deaths and 176 controls (four matched controls for each case) were included in a cohort comprising 3,172 male farmers who were followed up for 13 yr. Results: Generally speaking, persons visiting a doctor because of some mental problem had a clearly increased risk of committing suicide: odds ratio (OR)=5.6; 95% confidence limit (CL): 1.7, 18.5. The corresponding OR for accidental deaths is 1.5 (95% CL: 1.1,2.1) Alcohol abuse was the most usual mental disorder preceding suicide (OR=13.2, 95% CL: 1.4, 121) and accidental death (OR=10.9; 95% CL: 1.3, 91.4). Visits to the doctor because of depression preceded suicide in 5 of 20 cases. Not one of 80 controls of suicide cases had visited a doctor because of depression during the follow‐up, so it was not possible to calculate the OR. Those having used psychotropical drugs during the follow‐up had a 14.5‐fold risk (95% CL: 3.1,68.3) of dying from suicide and 3.8‐fold risk (95% CL: 1.3, 10.3) of dying accidentally. Conclusions: Alcohol abuse is the most usual mental disorder associated with accidental death. Suicide is often preceded by alcoholism or depression.
Exposure of Workers to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields and Electric Appliances
Authors: Kim Yoon Shin , Cho Yong Sung
Published: February 2008

Exposure of Workers to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields and Electric Appliances: Yoon Shin Kim, et al. Institute of Environmental and Industrial Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Korea—The purpose of this study was to investigate personal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. Thirty‐seven subjects in occupational and 65 subjects in nonoccupational groups were measured for personal 24 h continual exposure, using EMDEX II (for 40‐800 Hz, Enertech Consultant, Inc.), from March 1996 through December 1999. The mean personal exposure levels of the occupational group was 0.46μT, whereas the value for the non‐occupational group was 0.08μT. Occupational groups were exposed more intensely while at work. Among the electric appliances examined, a massage unit showed the highest mean value of 247.07μT, followed by an electric blanket with 5.24μT. Finally, this study was expected to provide significant data for future study of exposure assessment of magnetic fields. A large scale study concerning more detailed exposure assessment should provide important information on health risk assessment of MFs.
Changes in Cholinesterase Activity, Nerve Conduction Velocity, and Clinical Signs and Symptoms in Termite Control Operators Exposed to Chlorpyrifos
Authors: Gotoh Masahiro , Saito Isao , Huang Jian , Fukaya Yukio , Matsumoto Tadao , Hisanaga Naomi , Shibata Eiji , Ichihara Gaku , Kamijima Michihiro , Takeuchi Yasuhiro
Published: February 2008

Changes in Cholinesterase Activity, Nerve Conduction Velocity, and Clinical Signs and Symptoms in Termite Control Operators Exposed to Chlorpyrifos: Masahiro Gotoh, etal. Asahi Rosai Hospital—We have surveyed periodical medical examinations for pest and termite control operators (n=64) exposed to chlorpyrifos and other organophosphate pesticides. Distribution of serum butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities of all workers ranged 0.01‐1.18 (ApH). Serum BuChE activities in 6 workers in one termite control company were severely depressed and ranged from 0.01 to 0.21 ΔpH. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in 3 workers were lower than the normal range. Erythrocyte AChE activities and serum BuChE acitivities in chlorpyrifos sprayers were significantly correlated (r=0.720). In other clinical signs, blood urine nitrogen (BUN) in 4 workers and white blood cell (WBC) counts in 4 workers were abnormal. Sensory nerve conduction velocities in the sural nerve of all 6 workers were significantly reduced to 18.8‐26.6 m/s in the left leg and 19.2‐27.2 m/s in the right leg. In the results of ophthalmic examinations, accommodation time (both eyes) in 4 workers extended over the normal range and electroretinography (ERG) in 2 workers showed abnormal ERG including disappearance of oscillatory potential. Chlorpyrifos residue in blood in 4 operators whose serum BuChE activities ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 ApH were detected in the range 2‐8 ng/m 1. They had sprayed chlorpyrifos daily for 5 d before every blood sampling. It is suggested that serum BuChE activity and sensory nerve conduction velocity are sensitive indicators to evaluate the effects of chlorpyrifos exposure, and may be used effectively to monitor exposure and the effects of chlorpyrifos on health.
Acute Methemoglobinemia—A Common Occupational Hazard in an Industrial City in Western India
Authors: Dewan Aruna , Patel Ashwin , Saiyed Habibullah
Published: February 2008

Acute Methemoglobinemia—A Common Occupational Hazard in an Industrial City in Western India: Aruna Dewan, et al. Poison Information Centre, National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH)—Cases of acute methemoglobinemia reported to the Poison Information Centre at NIOH over a period of six years from 1993 to 1999 were analyzed. Of 1067 acute poisonings, there were 30 cases of acute methemoglobinemia, the majority of which were due to occupational exposures. The causative agents were mostly aromatic nitro amino compounds used as intermediates in the manufacture of dyes. Diagnosis of acute methemoglobinemia was made on the basis of clinical presentation and occupational history. A particular occupation viz. washing chemical contaminated plastic bags was responsible for many cases of methemoglobinemia. This report highlights the risk of acute poisoning among workers in the small scale chemical industry and also among self employed workers handling toxic chemicals.
Bisphenol‐A Affects Spermatogenesis in the Adult Rat Even at a Low Dose
Authors: Sakaue Motoharu , Ohsako Seiichiroh , Ishimura Ryuta , Kurosawa Shuichi , Kurohmaru Masamichi , Hayashi Yoshihiro , Aoki Yasunobu , Yonemoto Junzo , Tohyama Chiharu
Published: February 2008

Bisphenol‐A Affects Spermatogenesis in the Adult Rat Even at a Low Dose: MotoharuSakaue,et al.Environmental Health Sciences Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies—Bisphenol‐A (BPA), a xenobiotic estrogenic compound widely used as a plastics monomer, has been suspected to have a so‐called low dose effect on the reproductive system when administered transplacentally. In the present study, we investigated possible low‐dose effects of BPA on spermatogenesis in adult rats. Male rats (13 weeks old; W13) were administrated a daily oral dose of BPA, ranging from 2 ng to 200 mg/kg, for 6 days and examined for testicular weight (TW) and daily sperm production (DSP) at W14 and W18. A BPA dose as low as 20 jug/kg tended to decrease TW and significantly reduced both DSP and the efficiency of spermatogenesis (DSP per gram testis) at W18, showing that BPA suppressed a normal increase in DSP and TW from W13 to W18. A single administration of 20figBPA/kg to W13 rats affected the intensity or mobility of several protein spots in the testicular cytosol fraction as shown by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. The present study showed that BPA at a low dose affects spermatogenesis in the adult rat.
24‐Hour Heart Rate Variability in Shift Workers: Impact of Shift Schedule
Authors: van Amelsvoort Ludovic G.P.M. , Schouten Evert G. , Maan Arie C. , Swenne Kees A. , Kok Frans J.
Published: February 2008

24‐Hour Heart Rate Variability in Shift Workers: Impact of Shift Schedule: L.G.P.M. van Amelsvoort, et al. Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University—Disturbance of the circadian pattern of cardiac autonomic control by working at night when the physiological system anticipates rest could explain part of the elevated cardiovascular risk in shift workers. Analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a non‐invasive tool to estimate disturbances of the cardiac autonomic control. To assess the influence of working at night on cardiac autonomic control, HRV levels were determined in shift workers. 24‐h ECG recordings were made during a day on morning shift and a day on night shift. Within person differences between a morning and a night shift were calculated. Possible modification of the reported effects by the shift schedule was determined. Significantly elevated mean %LF during sleep was found on a day worked on night shift compared with a day on day shift (%LF + 3.04, P<0.01). Type of shift schedule was found to be a significant modifier of this effect. The difference in %LF between the night and day shift for the different shift schedules apart were: + 0.88% for the workers in the fast forward rotating shift, + 3.06% for the fast backward rotating shift, + 6.15% (P<0.001) for the medium speed backward rotating shift and + 1.18% for the shift workers without a regular shift schedule. The results suggest an increased sympathetic dominance during a night shift sleep, indicating an inferior sleep quality. Optimisation of this schedule might diminish this impact and could contribute to a reduction of the cardiovascular disease risk among shift workers.
Use of Material Safety Data Sheets at Workplaces Handling Harmful Substances in Okayama, Japan
Authors: Seki Akihiko , Takehara Hideki , Takigawa Tomoko , Hidehira Takashi , Nakayama Shoji , Usamt Masaki , Uchida Genkei , Kira Shohei
Published: February 2008

Use of Material Safety Data Sheets at Workplaces Handling Harmful Substances in Okayama, Japan: Akihiko Seki, et al. Department of Public Health, Okayama University Medical School—In April 2000, the revised Industrial Safety and Health Law, which prescribes the creation and issue of material safety data sheets (MSDSs), was enforced in Japan. Before the enforcement, we conducted a survey relating to the use of MSDSs in hazardous workplaces in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. We sent questionnaires to all workplaces possibly using hazardous chemicals, and answers from 422 workplaces, where hazardous chemicals were used but not produced, were analyzed. One‐third of the workplaces did not request MSDSs at the time of chemical transfer. In more than half of the workplaces, MSDSs were not posted or kept. The main reason for such lack of use or misuse of the MSDS system was a lack of knowledge and understanding of the system. In addition, half of the respondents considered that MSDS documents were unsatisfactory because of the difficult words used in them. These two problems, i.e., a lack of knowledge and understanding of the MSDS system, and the use of difficult words in the documents, should be remedied in order for the MSDS system to be implemented effectively and thereby protect workers from the harmful effects of chemicals.
New species and records from the Eocene of England and France support early diversification of the coral genusAcropora
Authors: Wallace Carden C.
Published: February 2008

Five new species of the highly successful reef-building coral genusAcroporaare described from Eocene locations in England and France (Acropora britannica, A. alvarezi, A. wilsonae, A. bartonensis, andA. proteacea) and additional records are given for six fossil species (A. deformis, A. anglica, A. solanderi, A. roemeri, A. lavandulina, andA. ornata), based on re-examination of material in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London. Specimens came from the Lutetian (49.0 to 41.3 Ma) of France, Bartonian (41.4 to 37.0 Ma) of England and France and Priabonian (36.0-34.2 Ma) of England. Included are the earliest record of a species with tabular or plate-like colonies similar to those in the modern“hyacinthus”species group (A. proteacean. sp.) and the earliest records of simple hispidose forms (A. bartonensisn. sp. andA. roemeri), similar to those in the modern“florida”species group. The Priabonian material from southern England (A. brittanican. sp. andA. anglica) shows the earliest occurrence of two sturdy species groups, the“humilisII” and“robusta”groups respectively, which now occur together on reef fronts throughout the modern Indo-Pacific. The new descriptions and records contribute to evidence that the genus diversified rapidly after its appearance in the fossil record. This diversification may have contributed to the rapid speciation and dispersal, observed in this genus during the Neogene, culminating in its extraordinary dominance of modern Indo-Pacific reefs.
A new Xenungulata (Mammalia) from the Paleocene of Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Gelfo Javier N. , López Guillermo M. , Bond Mariano
Published: February 2008

A new form of Xenungulata Paula Couto, 1952 from red levels of the Peñas Coloradas Formation in a locality near Puerto Visser (45°17'S, 67°01'W), Chubut province, Argentina, is represented by a fragmentary left jaw with the m3 (MPEF-PV 1871). Notoetayoa gargantuai n. gen. and n. sp. is the first ever found in direct association with Carodnia feruglioi Simpson, 1935a which characterizes the incompletely known homonymous zone of the late Paleocene of Patagonia. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis, including representatives of “Condylarthra,” Litopterna, Notoungulata, Pyrotheria, Xenungulata and Astrapotheria, plus the characters that could be scored in the new taxon, was performed using TNT software. A single most parsimonious tree was obtained. Notoetayoa gargantuai has a closer phylogenetic relationship with the Xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis Villarroel, 1987 from the ?middle Paleocene of Colombia than with any other Tertiary ungulate group of South America. Notoetayoa gargantuai fills an important gap in the knowledge of the mammalian faunas from the Paleocene of Patagonia, particularly of the poorly known pre-Itaborian times.
A new species of Notobatrachus (Amphibia, Salientia) from the Middle Jurassic of northwestern Patagonia
Authors: Báez Ana Maria , Nicoli Laura
Published: February 2008

Notobatrachus degiustoi is the most completely known Jurassic frog and has been recorded in many outcrops of the La Matilde Formation of the Deseado Massif area in southern Patagonia. Herein, we erect a new species of the genus based on partially articulated remains collected from the Callovian Las Chacritas Member of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, about 500 km northwest of the northern limit of the known geographical distribution of N. degiustoi. The new species differs from the latter in having a maxilla with a distinct pterygoid process and lacking teeth at least along the posterior two-thirds of its length, and a complete maxillary arch. We also provide an expanded diagnosis of Notobatrachus. This finding adds to our understanding of the early diversification of frogs.
Early Tithonian serpulid-dominated cavity-dwelling fauna, and the recruitment pattern of the serpulid larvae
Authors: Schlögl Ján , Michalik Jozef , Zágorŝek Kamil , Atrops François
Published: February 2008

A Lower Tithonian cavity-dwelling community from pelagic carbonate platform deposits of the Czorsztyn Unit, Western Carpathians, represents a succession of mostly solitary coelobite organisms, dominated by scleractinian corals and small-sized serpulids during the initial recruitment stage, and by serpulids during the following recruitment stages. These bioconstructors were accompanied with other suspension feeders: thecideidine brachiopods, oysters, bryozoans, sponges, crinoids and sessile foraminifers. The boundary between the first and the second recruitment stage represents an interval of aggregate growth interruption, when a thin sheet of cyclostome bryozoans developed. Corals and serpulidsNeovermiliaandVermiliopsisare primary bioconstructors; all other associated organisms profited from the free spaces between the serpulid tubes. The aggregates were already bioeroded, mineralized and encrusted during their growth. Serpulid larvae show a special recruitment pattern. Their tubes were observed attached on the inner surfaces of adult serpulid tubes only. Possible causes of such a larval behaviour involve several physical, biological or chemical factors. Except for the first recruitment stage, the rest of the succession seems to be physically controlled by the gradual infilling of cavities.
Food for thought: supplementary feeding as a driver of ecological change in avian populations
Authors: Robb Gillian N , McDonald Robbie A , Chamberlain Dan E , Bearhop Stuart
Published: February 2008

Every year, millions of households provide huge quantities of supplementary food to wild birds. While alteration of the natural dynamics of food supply represents a major intervention in avian ecology, we have a remarkably limited understanding of the impacts of this widespread pastime. Here, we examine the many and varied responses of birds to supplementary feeding at backyard feeders – in large‐scale management projects and in focused academic studies – and evaluate population responses to the bird‐feeding phenomenon. Our review encompasses a wide range of species, from songbirds to raptors, and compares provisioning with a variety of foods, at different times of year and in different locations. We consider positive impacts, such as aiding species conservation programs, and negative ones, such as increased risk of disease transmission. It seems highly likely that natural selection is being artificially perturbed, as feeding influences almost every aspect of bird ecology, including reproduction, behavior, demography, and distribution. As the effects of bird feeding cascade through ecosystems and interact with processes of environmental change, we suggest areas for future research and highlight the need for large‐scale experiments, with a particular focus on the backyards of an increasingly urban and generous, but sometimes fickle, human population.
Cascading effects of predator richness
Authors: Bruno John F , Cardinale Bradley J
Published: February 2008

Biologists have long known that predators play a key role in structuring ecological communities, but recent research suggests that predator richness – the number of genotypes, species, and functional groups that comprise predator assemblages – can also have cascading effects on communities and ecosystem properties. Changes in predator richness, including the decreases resulting from extinctions and the increases resulting from exotic invasions, can alter the composition, diversity, and population dynamics of lower trophic levels. However, the magnitude and direction of these effects are highly variable and depend on environmental context and natural history, and so are difficult to predict. This is because species at higher trophic levels exhibit many indirect, non‐additive, and behavioral interactions. The next steps in predator biodiversity research will be to increase experimental realism and to incorporate current knowledge about the functional role of predator richness into ecosystem management.
Integrated Operations—Observations From More Than 40 Field Evaluations
Authors: Steinsbø Marianne , Bøe Arild , Høydalsvik Hallvard , Nordtvedt Jan-Erik
Published: February 2008

Integrated Operations (IO) have provided increased value to the oil industry in recent years and several fields have documented beneficial results from ongoing IO initiatives. Each field has various challenges related to optimising the field management, but there are also similarities. To clarify where the potential of increased values are, numerous field evaluations have been conducted. The background from more than 40 of field evaluations has lead to some interesting observations. This paper will describe the procedure in a field evaluation and how the key aspects are identified. Five central observations will be discussed in detail.
An Investigation of Two-Phase Oil/Water Paraffin Deposition
Authors: Couto G. H. , Chen Hong , Dellecase Emmanuel , Sarica Cem , Volk Michael
Published: February 2008

Paraffin deposition is a very complex phenomenon. Whenever paraffinic oil comes in contact with a cold pipe wall that is below the wax appearance temperature (WAT) of the oil, solid paraffin crystals can precipitate and deposit on the pipe surface. This may significantly reduce or even block the area open to flow.

Most oil fields produce water along with the oil, and the deposition process is not well understood for oil/water flow conditions. Very few studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of water on the deposition process.

The objective of this study is to investigate paraffin deposition under different oil/water conditions. The tests were conducted using a cold-finger device and a crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico. Emulsions were created with both fresh water and brine. A simple oil/water wax-deposition model was developed by modifying the current University of Tulsa single-phase deposition model for solubility and physical properties of the mixture as a function of water content.
Soil Quality Assessment in Rice Production Systems: Establishing a Minimum Data Set
Authors: de Lima Ana Cláudia Rodrigues , Hoogmoed Willem , Brussaard Lijbert
Published: February 2008

Soil quality, as a measure of the soil's capacity to function, can be assessed by indicators based on physical, chemical, and biological properties. Here we report on the assessment of soil quality in 21 rice (Oryza sativa) fields under three rice production systems (semi‐direct, pre‐germinated, and conventional) on four soil textural classes in the Camaquã region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The objectives of our study were: (i) to identify soil quality indicators that discriminate both management systems and soil textural classes, (ii) to establish a minimum data set of soil quality indicators and (iii) to test whether this minimum data set is correlated with yield. Twenty‐nine soil biological, chemical, and physical properties were evaluated to characterize regional soil quality. Soil quality assessment was based on factor and discriminant analysis. Bulk density, available water, and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, and Mn) were the most powerful soil properties in distinguishing among different soil textural classes. Organic matter, earthworms, micronutrients (Cu and Mn), and mean weight diameter were the most powerful soil properties in assessing differences in soil quality among the rice management systems. Manganese was the property most strongly correlated with yield (adjusted r2 = 0.365, P = 0.001). The merits of sub‐dividing samples according to texture and the linkage between soil quality indicators, soil functioning, plant performance, and soil management options are discussed in particular.
Near‐Field Dust Exposure from Cotton Field Tilling and Harvesting
Authors: Hiscox April L. , Miller David R. , Holmén Britt A. , Yang Wenli , Wang Junming
Published: February 2008

The frequency and intensities of dust exposures in and near farm fields, which potentially contribute to high intensity human exposure events, are undocumented due to the transient nature of local dust plumes and the difficulties of making accurate concentration measurements. The objective of this study is to measure near‐field spatial concentrations of the dust plumes emitted during tilling and harvesting of an irrigated cotton field outside of Las Cruces, NM (soil class: fine‐loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Typic Calciargid). A comparison of remote lidar measurements of plumes emitted from cotton field operations with in situ samplers shows a strong agreement between the two techniques: r2 = 0.79 for total suspended particulates (TSP) and r2 = 0.61 for particulate matter with diameter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM10). Plume movement was dependent on the short‐term wind field and atmospheric stability. Horizontal spread rate of the plumes, determined from lidar measured Gaussian dispersion parameters, was less than expected by a factor of 7. Thus, in‐plume downwind concentrations were higher than expected. Vertical dispersion was dependent on the rise of “cells” of warm air convecting off the soil surface. On a windy day, discing the field showed TSP and PM10 concentrations at the source itself of up to 176 μg m−3 and 120 μg m−3, respectively. These resulted in in‐plume peak TSP concentrations of about 1.22 μg m−3 at 10 m downwind and 0.33 μg m−3 at 100 m downwind. The measured concentrations highlight a potential exposure risk to people in and around farming operations.
Development of a Dynamic Model to Predict PM10 Emissions from Swine Houses
Authors: Haeussermann Angelika , Costa Annamaria , Aerts Jean‐Marie , Hartung Eberhard , Jungbluth Thomas , Guarino Marcella , Berckmans Daniel
Published: February 2008

Influences on dust emissions from livestock operations are number, weight, and kind of animals and characteristics of the housing system. Differences between facilities cannot be explained solely by mechanistic input variables. The objective of this study was to characterize the main input variables for modeling emissions of particulate matter with a mass median diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) from swine facilities using a data‐based model. Investigations were performed in mechanically ventilated facilities for weaning, growing‐finishing, and sows in Italy and Germany. The measurements included inside and outside concentration of airborne PM10 particles (scatter light photometry), ventilation rate (calibrated measuring fans), indoor air climate at a measuring frequency of 60 s, feeding times, and animal‐related data such as weight and animal activity. Dust concentration and emission were simulated using a dynamic transfer function. The results indicated that the average PM10 emission rate was influenced considerably by housing system. The simulation of the PM10 emission rate resulted in a mean percentage error per data set of 21 to 39%, whereas the average simulated and measured emission rate per data set differed by about 4 to 19%. High prediction errors occurred especially during situations in which the absolute level and spatial location of the measured activity peaks did not correspond with the measured dust peaks. Further recommendations of the study were to improve continuous and accurate measurements of input variables, such as the activity level in animal houses, and to optimize the amount of measuring days in relation to the model accuracy.
In Situ Transmissiometer Measurements for Real‐Time Monitoring of Dust Discharge during Orchard Nut Harvesting
Authors: Downey D. , Giles D. K. , Thompson J.F.
Published: February 2008

Rapid assessments of operating conditions and field preparation on dust discharge from nut harvesters are needed to guide improved equipment design and grower practices for dust reduction. An industrial opacity sensor, typically used for industrial stack monitoring, was adapted for use on a nut harvester to measure relative dust intensity during nut pick‐up operations in almond orchards. Due to the high volume of discharge air and the presence of large debris such as leaves, additional components were coupled with the sensor to enable subsampling of the air. Pre‐harvest windrow preparation conditions were evaluated. Results indicated that relative dust intensity decreased by 32% during harvest activities after windrow preparation with proper nut sweeper adjustment. Conventional harvesting results indicated that under typical operating conditions, reducing the separation fan speed could reduce relative dust intensity by 54%. Ground speed also had a strong effect; reducing speed from 4.8 to 2.4 km h−1 reduced opacity of discharged air by 50%. The measurement system was also mounted on a separate vehicle and used as a tool for comparing modifications in harvest machine designs where direct measurement of discharge may not be feasible due to mechanical constraints. A comparison between a conventional harvester and one modification in the harvester design found that the machine modification decreased relative dust intensity by 73%. The measurement tools described in this work can be used to provide rapid feedback on harvester operating conditions, orchard cultural practices, and machine design modifications.
Carbon Monoxide from Composting due to Thermal Oxidation of Biomass
Authors: Hellebrand H.J. , Schade G.W.
Published: February 2008

Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) were observed from decomposing organic wastes and litter under laboratory, pilot composting plant, and natural conditions. Field studies included air from inside a compost heap of about 200 m3, emissions from composting of livestock wastes at a biologically operating farm, and leaf litter pile air samples. The concentration of CO was up to 120 μmol mol−1 in the compost piles of green waste, and up to 10 μmol mol−1 in flux chambers above livestock waste windrow composts. The mean CO flux rates were approximately 20 mg CO m−2 h−1 for compost heaps of green waste, and varied from 30 to 100 mg CO m−2 h−1 for fresh dung windrows. Laboratory studies using a temperature and ventilation‐controlled substrate container were performed to elucidate the origin of CO, and included hay samples of fixed moisture content at temperatures between 5 and 65°C, including nonsterilized as well as sterilized samples. The concentration of CO was up to 160 μmol mol−1 in these experiments, and Arrhenius‐type plot analyses resulted in activation energies of 65 kJ mol−1 for thermochemically produced CO from the nonsterilized compost substrate. Sterilized samples showed dramatically reduced CO2 but virtually unchanged CO emissions, albeit at a slightly lower activation energy, likely a result of the high‐temperature sterilization. Though globally and regionally these CO emissions are only a minor source, thermochemically produced CO emissions might affect local air quality in and near composting facilities.
Nitrogen Loss through Lateral Seepage in Near‐Trench Paddy Fields
Authors: Liang Xin‐Qiang , Li Hua , Chen Ying‐Xu , He Miao‐Miao , Tian Guang‐Ming , Zhang Zhi‐Jian
Published: February 2008

A near‐trench paddy field experiment with five urea application rates (0–360 kg N ha−1 in 90‐kg increments) was conducted on a paddy soil in the Taihu Lake Region of China to elucidate N losses through lateral seepage during three rice (Oryza sativa L.) growing seasons. The total N (Nt), NH4+–N, and NO3−‐N concentrations in the lateral seepage water increased with increasing N rates. The seasonal Nt fluxes by lateral seepage varied from 6.8 to 25.6 kg N ha−1 for urea application rates of 90 to 360 kg N ha−1 Lateral seepage accounted for 4.7 to 6.6% of the Nt applied, implying that lateral seepage was an important pathway of N loss from near‐trench paddy fields. The cumulative N loss via lateral seepage was significantly related to N fertilization rate (P = 0.05). Floodwater level was also identified as a main factor affecting N losses via lateral seepage from paddy fields, as indicated by a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.43) between floodwater level and daily lateral flow during the flooded period (P = 0.05). Under the conditions of these experiments, a shallow floodwater depth of 50 mm, urea application rates of 90 kg N ha−1 or less, and no rainfall within 1 wk after N application reduced N losses by lateral seepage from paddy fields.
Adsorption–Desorption Characteristics of Mercury in Paddy Soils of China
Authors: Jing Y. D. , He Z. L. , Yang X. E.
Published: February 2008

Mercury (Hg) has received considerable attention because of its association with various human health problems. Adsorption–desorption behavior of Hg at contaminated levels in two paddy soils was investigated. The two representative soils for rice production in China, locally referred to as a yellowish red soil (YRS) and silty loam soil (SLS) and classified as Gleyi‐Stagnic Anthrosols in FAO/UNESCO nomenclature, were respectively collected from Jiaxin County and Xiasha District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The YRS adsorbed more Hg2+ than the SLS. The characteristics of Hg adsorption could be described by the simple Langmuir adsorption equation (r2 = 0.999 and 0.999, P < 0.01, respectively, for the SLS and YRS). The maximum adsorption values (Xm) that were obtained from the simple Langmuir model were 111 and 213 mg Hg2+ kg−1 soil, respectively, for the SLS and YRS. Adsorption of Hg2+ decreased soil pH by 0.75 unit for the SLS soil and 0.91 unit for the YRS soil at the highest loading. The distribution coefficient (kd) of Hg in the soil decreased exponentially with increasing Hg2+ loading. After five successive desorptions with 0.01 mol L−1 KCl solution (pH 5.4), 0 to 24.4% of the total adsorbed Hg2+ in the SLS soil was desorbed and the corresponding value of the YRS soil was 0 to 14.4%, indicating that the SLS soil had a lower affinity for Hg2+ than the YRS soil at the same Hg2+ loading. Different mechanisms are likely involved in Hg2+ adsorption–desorption at different levels of Hg2+ loading and between the two soils.
Alcohol, Volatile Fatty Acid, Phenol, and Methane Emissions from Dairy Cows and Fresh Manure
Authors: Sun Huawei , Trabue Steven L. , Scoggin Kenwood , Jackson Wendi A. , Pan Yuee , Zhao Yongjing , Malkina Irina L. , Koziel Jacek A. , Mitloehner Frank M.
Published: February 2008

There are approximately 2.5 million dairy cows in California. Emission inventories list dairy cows and their manure as the major source of regional air pollutants, but data on their actual emissions remain sparse, particularly for smog‐forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs). We report measurements of alcohols, volatile fatty acids, phenols, and methane (CH4) emitted from nonlactating (dry) and lactating dairy cows and their manure under controlled conditions. The experiment was conducted in an environmental chamber that simulates commercial concrete‐floored freestall cow housing conditions. The fluxes of methanol, ethanol, and CH4 were measured from cows and/or their fresh manure. The average estimated methanol and ethanol emissions were 0.33 and 0.51 g cow−1 h−1 from dry cows and manure and 0.7 and 1.27 g cow−1 h−1 from lactating cows and manure, respectively. Both alcohols increased over time, coinciding with increasing accumulation of manure on the chamber floor. Volatile fatty acids and phenols were emitted at concentrations close to their detection limit. Average estimated CH4 emissions were predominantly associated with enteric fermentation from cows rather than manure and were 12.35 and 18.23 g cow−1 h−1 for dry and lactating cows, respectively. Lactating cows produced considerably more gaseous VOCs and GHGs emissions than dry cows (P < 0.001). Dairy cows and fresh manure have the potential to emit considerable amounts of alcohols and CH4 and research is needed to determine effective mitigation.
A new paradigm for low-cost urban water supplies and sanitation in developing countries
Authors: Mara Duncan , Alabaster Graham
Published: February 2008

To achieve the Millennium Development Goals for urban water supply and sanitation ∼300,000 and ∼400,000 people will have to be provided with an adequate water supply and adequate sanitation, respectively, every day during 2001–2015. The provision of urban water supply and sanitation services for these numbers of people necessitates action not only on an unprecedented scale, but also in a radically new way as “more of the same” is unlikely to achieve these goals. A “new paradigm” is proposed for low-cost urban water supply and sanitation, as follows: water supply and sanitation provision in urban areas and large villages should be to groups of households, not to individual households. Groups of households would form (even be required to form, or pay more if they do not) water and sanitation cooperatives. There would be standpipe and yard-tap cooperatives served by community-managed sanitation blocks, on-site sanitation systems or condominial sewerage, depending on space availability and costs and, for non-poor households, in-house multiple-tap cooperatives served by condominial sewerage or, in low-density areas, by septic tanks with on-site effluent disposal. Very poor households (those unable to afford to form standpipe cooperatives) would be served by community-managed standpipes and sanitation blocks.
Development-induced water pollution in Malaysia: policy implications from an econometric analysis
Authors: Muyibi Suleyman A. , Ambali Abdul Rauf , Eissa Garoot Suleiman
Published: February 2008

This paper evaluates the development-induced water pollution in Malaysia within an econometric framework. It explores the relationship between water pollution problems and rapid economic development such as industrial growth and urbanization/population in the country. Methodologically, a Multiple Regression Analysis that is essential to reveal the likely hidden interactive effects between the multivariate pollutants from different sources on river catchments was employed. The main objectives of the paper are (a) to spell out the structure and regional pattern of water pollution issues in Malaysia; (b) to find the hidden interactive effects of point and non-point sources of water pollutants on rivers; and (c) to turn the attention of water policy-makers to the implication of such interactive effects, which may jeopardize the administrative enforcement actions of minimizing water pollution issues in any given country. The paper, therefore, argues that if the abatement policy instruments are stringently controlling only water pollutants from one single source, policy abatement programs designed for controlling water pollution would not be effective. This paper has concluded that the imposition of appropriate treatment technology in industries is strongly needed to solve the problem of water pollution. People awareness of water pollution programs, and public and private sector participation are prerequisites that must always reflect in every stage of policy control and design by the authority.
Interactions between water, energy, food and environment: evolving perspectives and policy issues
Authors: Hellegers Petra , Zilberman David , Steduto Pasquale , McCornick Peter
Published: February 2008

Major changes are occurring with far reaching implications for the existing equilibria or disequilibria in the water-energy-food-environment interface. The increased demand of energy worldwide will reflect directly and indirectly on water-dependent systems. Direct implications will come from higher energy prices, which make extraction and conveyance of water more costly. Indirect implications will be in the form of demand for alternative energy sources. It triggers demand for hydropower and remains a major driver—along with some environmental policies—for biofuel expansion. The key question is how these effects may alter water allocation and influence food security, rural poverty and environmental sustainability. This paper sets the background and context of this special issue by highlighting some of the major water-related policy issues related to the subject and provides an overview and synthesis of the papers in this special issue. Besides offering insight into how these papers address these questions in the practical context of few selected countries and basins, this paper also indicates some key areas for future research on the subject.
Water–food–energy–environment synergies and tradeoffs: major issues and case studies
Authors: McCornick Peter G. , Awulachew Seleshi B. , Abebe Michael
Published: February 2008

The already complex interrelationships between water, food, energy and the environment are facing both challenges and opportunities. Rising fuel costs and increasing concerns over the effects of climate change are reinvigorating policymakers’ interest in renewable energy sources such as hydropower and bio-energy—both from biofuels as well as biomass. Development of any of these sources has the potential to generate positive economic and environmental benefits, yet, at the same time, they can cause negative food and equity impacts. This obviously entails major tradeoffs between the food, energy and environmental goals of water and energy development, allocation and management. Using both a brief global overview as well as a closer review of four case studies from India, Ethiopia, Jordon and the USA, this paper tries to (i) a present the nature of the tradeoffs under different hydrological, energy, agricultural and environmental contexts and (ii) provide some anecdotal evidence and illustrative cases for the available policy options for minimizing conflicts but maximizing synergies between water, energy, food and environment.
BELIEFS VERSUS ACTIONS: ASSESSING ABORTION VIEWS AND BEHAV IORS AT TWO COLLEGES
Authors: Firmin Michael W. , Hwang Chi-en , Wood Jennifer
Published: February 2008

The study assesses discrepancies between people's beliefs and behaviors with regard to abortion. Participants in this research were two college student populations who have strong, but opposite views, about abortion. Both groups were surveyed regarding their beliefs about abortion
and a subset of students was subsequently selected and asked to volunteer an hour of their time at a local Crisis Pregnancy or Planned Parenthood Center. The respective reported views did not predict behavior relative to actually assisting at Crisis Pregnancy or at Planned Parenthood. Thus
we concluded that while students may hold strong beliefs about issues such as abortion, they are reluctant to take action regarding these reported attitudes.
OBJECT RELATION QUALITY, ALEXITHYMIA, AND DEFENSE MECHANISMS OF DRUG ABUSERS WITH ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER
Authors: Aleman Kristian
Published: February 2008

The purpose was to investigate, in a sample of drug abusers, whether subscales in the KAPP (Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile, Weinryb, 1992) interview and defense mechanisms explored by the DMTm (Defense Mechanism Technique modified) could differentiate between DSM-III-R clusters and
personality disorders (PDs). Forty-seven (47) subjects out of the 84 injecting drug abusers (56%) recruited from a detoxification hospital ward in Sweden had a primary antisocial PD (ASPD) with a comorbid second DSM-III-R PD diagnosis. Pathology was significant on the KAPP subscales
of“Dependency and separation,” “Alexithymic traits,” “Normopathic traits,”“Coping with aggressive affects,” and “Sexual satisfaction” in relation to cluster B (dramatic). All subscales were predominant in patients with ASPD/narcissistic
PD, who showed the defense mechanism marked denial. The two latter subscales were related to patients with ASPD/borderline PD, who showed the defense of introaggression and the DMTm sign of disappearance of threat. Finally, some psychoanalytic constructs in KAPP and
DMTm showed congruence.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGENCY AND COMMUNION SCALE
Authors: Li Shih-Ming , Tseng Li-Chung , Wu Chin-Sheng , Chen Ciou-Jhen
Published: February 2008

Based on the concepts of agency and communion set forth by Bakan (1966), this study includes two substudies to develop the agency and communion scale. Study 1 develops the scale through two groups of samples: one group was composed of 116 university college students and the other consisted
of 118 technical college students. For further validation, in study 2 the agency and communion scale, self-esteem scale and interpersonal quality scale were completed by 190 students. The agency and communion scale covering 16 items was developed at last and this scale had reliable cross-sample
analysis and good construct validity. This scale can be used to assess the basic components of the personality. The basic components of the personality will need further exploration and advanced studies in the future.