bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequence-Controlled Vinyl Polymers by Transition Metal-Catalyzed Step-Growth and Living Radical Polymerizations
Authors: Satoh Kotaro , Kamigaito Masami 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe metal-catalyzed step-growth radical polymerization was achieved to enable two systems for preparing tailored polymeric structures, i.e., sequence-regulated vinyl copolymer and periodically-functionalized polymer. The former is a novel strategy for preparing sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers by step-polymerization of sequence-regulated vinyl oligomers prepared from common vinyl monomers as building blocks. The later deals the simultaneous chain- and step-growth radical polymerization, which resulted in the polymers with periodic functional groups.
N‐Phenacylthiazolium Bromide Inhibits the Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE)–AGE Receptor Axis to Modulate Experimental Periodontitis in Rats
Authors: Chang Po‐Chun , Tsai Sheng‐Chueh , Chong Li Yen , Kao Man‐Jung 
Published: February 2014

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are involved in the inflammatory process and are considered to be etiologic factors of diabetic periodontitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the capability of N‐phenacylthiazolium bromide (PTB), a glycated cross‐link breaker, in the modulation of periodontitis in various disease phases.Methods: Mitogenesis and cytotoxicity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) undergoing PTB treatment were evaluated in vitro. In vivo biomodulation was investigated by systemically administering PTB in the induction, progression, and recovery phases of ligature‐induced periodontitis in rats, with the results evaluated by microcomputed tomography, histology, immunohistochemistry of the AGE and AGE receptor (RAGE), and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), RAGE, periostin, fibronectin, and type I collagen.Results: Significantly promoted mitogenesis and reduced cytotoxicity of hPDLCs were noted with 0.05 to 0.1 mM PTB treatment at 24 hours. Systemic PTB administration significantly reduced periodontal bone loss, AGE deposition, and expressions of TNF‐α and RAGE but elevated the periostin level in all three phases of periodontitis.Conclusion: PTB inhibits the induction and progression of periodontitis and facilitates its recovery via improving cellular viability and inhibiting the AGE–RAGE axis.
Impact of Methylene Chloride on Microorganisms and Phenanthrene Mineralization in Soil
Authors: Schwartz Egbert , Trinh Sinh V. , Scow Kate M. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of the quantity of methylene chloride, used as a carrier solvent for phenanthrene when added to soil, on phenanthrene mineralization kinetics, soil phospholipid fatty acid profiles (PLFA), and phenanthrene distribution. Methylene chloride dosages of 25 μL/g soil or more resulted in an enrichment of saturated PLFAs, suggesting soil microorganisms had adjusted their cell membranes in response to the solvent. A greater fraction of phenanthrene mineralized when spiked in 5 μL/g than in 25 μL/g methylene chloride suggesting that the methylene chloride became toxic to phenanthrene‐degrading organisms in soil. Phenanthrene was more equally distributed among 0.1 g soil subsamples if spiked in 25 than 5 or 1 μL methylene chloride per gram soil. Thus the amount of methylene chloride used to spike phenanthrene in soil strongly impacted the mineralization kinetics, phenanthrene distribution, and microbial community in soil. Because a variety of spiking methods are used in biodegradation research, scientists should consider the quantity of solvents used when comparing results among different studies.
Trends in Agriculture in the LEASEQ Watersheds, 1975–1995
Authors: Richards R. Peter , Baker David B. , Eckert Donald J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTCounty‐level agricultural statistics were aggregated at the watershed level to provide estimates of trends in land use and agricultural management in the Maumee and Sandusky River watersheds during the period 1975–1995. Average farm size increased by 40% or more, but the number of farms decreased by nearly 40%; the total land area in agriculture also decreased, but only by about 7%. Conservation tillage increased from virtually nothing to nearly 50% of cropland in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; most of the change is due to adoption of no‐till soybean. The Conservation Reserve Program has enrolled more than 75000 hectares, but this represents less than 5% of total farmland. The great majority of land classified as highly erodible has been placed under treatment during the study period. Cropland in soybean has increased; land in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and hay has decreased. Cropland in corn has decreased in the Maumee watershed and increased slightly in the Sandusky watershed. Average per‐hectare yields of corn, soybean, wheat, and hay have increased by 10 to 40%. Fertilizer phosphorus sales increased until about 1980 and have declined significantly since then; fertilizer nitrogen follows a similar but less pronounced pattern. The decreases are more substantial in the Maumee watershed than in the Sandusky. Manure use for fertilizer has also declined significantly.
Effects of Ash Application on Cadmium Concentration in Small Mammals
Authors: Lodenius Martin , Soltanpour‐Gargari Ali , Tulisalo Esa , Henttonen Heikki 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTIn order to assess the effects of wood ash application to forests on small mammals, we collected bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and common shrews (Sorex araneus) from a forest area in southern Finland. Part of the sample population was from sites that had been treated with ash 1.5 years earlier, part from untreated control sites. The ash increased the soil pH and gave an average cadmium load in soil of 44 g ha−1 When comparing treated and control areas, we found slightly but significantly lower Cd concentrations in vole muscle, liver, and kidney from treated plots, whereas the Cd concentrations in shrew tissues were greater in animals from treated plots. In voles we detected an increase in Cd concentrations during the 45‐d sampling period in treated and untreated plots. The relative weight of kidneys was greater from the ash‐treated areas than untreated areas for both voles and shrews. The difference in Cd concentrations between the voles and shrews could be explained by the different food habits.
Evaluating Agricultural Nonpoint‐Source Pollution Programs in Two Lake Erie Tributaries
Authors: Forster D. Lynn , Rausch Jonathan N. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTDuring the past three decades, numerous government programs have encouraged Lake Erie basin farmers to adopt practices that reduce water pollution. The first section of this paper summarizes these state and federal government agricultural pollution abatement programs in watersheds of two prominent Lake Erie tributaries, the Maumee River and Sandusky River. Expenditures are summarized for each program, total expenditures in each county are estimated, and cost effectiveness of program expenditures (i.e., cost per metric ton of soil saved) are analyzed. Farmers received nearly $143 million as incentive payments to implement agricultural nonpoint source pollution abatement programs in the Maumee and Sandusky River watersheds from 1987 to 1997. About 95% of these funds was from federal sources. On average, these payments totaled about $7000 per farm or about $30 per farm acre (annualized equivalent of $2 per acre) within the watersheds. Our analysis raises questions about how efficiently these incentive payments were allocated. The majority of Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) funds appear to have been spent on less cost‐effective practices. Also, geographic areas with relatively low (high) soil erosion rates received relatively large (small) funding.
Bioavailable Phosphorus in Runoff from Alfalfa, Smooth Bromegrass, and Alfalfa–Smooth Bromegrass
Authors: Zemenchik Robert A. , Wollenhaupt Nyle C. , Albrecht Kenneth A. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTRunoff from sloping landscapes cropped with established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may contain bioavailable P (BAP) which accelerates eutrophication of surface water bodies. Such BAP exists as either dissolved reactive P (DRP) or bioavailable reactive particulate P (BPP). We hypothesized that before and after harvest, sod‐forming smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) or alfalfa–smooth bromegrass mixtures would have less BAP, DRP, and BPP runoff losses than taprooted alfalfa. Swards established in 1992 near Lancaster, WI were subjected to a 72 mm simulated rainfall applied for 1 h in 1993 and 1994 to forage regrowth at 4 and 6 wk after first harvest and immediately (0 wk) after second harvest. Hourly BAP losses for all sward types were 82% less when 1.5 Mg ha−1 of forage dry matter was present. High DRP losses (>0.050 kg ha−1) were associated with high DRP concentrations (>7.1 μmol L−1) and high surface soil P concentrations (>59 mg kg−1) resulting from broadcast maintenance P fertilizer. High BPP losses (>0.035 kg ha−1) were associated with high runoff volumes (>24 mm) and sediment concentrations (>2 g L−1). Summed over all 6 rainfall simulations, total BAP loss was only 0.07 kg ha−1 at the 6 wk stage of regrowth compared with 0.35 at 4 wk, and 0.41 at 0 wk. Moreover, there was no significant difference between sward types for DRP concentration, DRP loss, or BAP loss. We conclude that avoiding excessive defoliation was more effective at reducing BAP losses than specific forage species selection.
Tracing Sources of Sulfur in the Florida Everglades
Authors: Bates Anne L. , Orem William H. , Harvey Judson W. , Spiker Elliott C. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTWe examined concentrations and sulfur isotopic ratios (34S/32S, expressed as δ34S in parts per thousand [‰] units) of sulfate in surface water, ground water, and rain water from sites throughout the northern Everglades to establish the sources of sulfur to the ecosystem. The geochemistry of sulfur is of particular interest in the Everglades because of its link, through processes mediated by sulfate‐reducing bacteria, to the production of toxic methylmercury in this wetland ecosystem. Methylmercury, a neurotoxin that is bioaccumulated, has been found in high concentrations in freshwater fish from the Everglades, and poses a potential threat to fish‐eating wildlife and to human health through fish consumption. Results show that surface water in large portions of the Everglades is heavily contaminated with sulfate, with the highest concentrations observed in canals and marsh areas receiving canal discharge. Spatial patterns in the range of concentrations and δ34S values of sulfate in surface water indicate that the major source of sulfate in sulfur‐contaminated marshes is water from canals draining the Everglades Agricultural Area. Shallow ground water underlying the Everglades and rain water samples had much lower sulfate concentrations and δ34S values distinct from those found in surface water. The δ34S results implicate agricultural fertilizer as a major contributor to the sulfate contaminating the Everglades, but ground water under the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) may also be a contributing source. The contamination of the northern Everglades with sulfate from canal discharge may be a key factor in controlling the distribution and extent of methylmercury production in the Everglades.
Runoff and Drainage Losses of Atrazine, Metribuzin, and Metolachlor in Three Water Management Systems
Authors: Gaynor J.D. , Tan C.S. , Drury C.F. , Welacky T.W. , Ng H.Y.F. , Reynolds W.D. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTRainfall can transport herbicides from agricultural land to surface waters, where they become an environmental concern. Tile drainage can benefit crop production by removing excess soil water but tile drainage may also aggravate herbicide and nutrient movement into surface waters. Water management of tile drains after planting may reduce tile drainage and thereby reduce herbicide losses to surface water. To test this hypothesis we calculated the loss of three herbicides from a field with three water management systems: free drainage (D), controlled drainage (CD), and controlled drainage with subsurface irrigation (CDS). The effect of water management systems on the dissipation of atrazine (6‐chloro‐N2‐ethyl‐N4‐isopropyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), metribuzin [4‐amino‐6‐(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐3‐(methylthio)‐1,2,4‐triazine‐5(4H)‐one), and metolachlor [2‐chloro‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxy‐1‐methylethyl)acetamide] in soil was also monitored. Less herbicide was lost by surface runoff from the D and CD treatments than from CDS. The CDS treatment increased surface runoff, which transported more herbicide than that from D or CD treatments. In one year, the time for metribuzin residue to dissipate to half its initial value was shorter for CDS (33 d) than for D (43 d) and CD (46 d). The half‐life of atrazine and metolachlor were not affected by water management. Controlled drainage with subsurface irrigation may increase herbicide loss through increased surface runoff when excessive rain is received soon after herbicide application. However, increasing soil water content in CDS may decrease herbicide persistence, resulting in less residual herbicide available for aqueous transport.
The Lake Erie Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality Project
Authors: Richards R. Peter , Calhoun Frank G. , Matisoff Gerald 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTIn the last part of the twentieth century, recognition became widespread of the important effect of agricultural runoff on the health of aquatic ecosystems in the Lake Erie basin and elsewhere. Because of the efforts to remediate Lake Erie, the “dead lake” among the Laurentian Great Lakes, a number of research and demonstration projects were undertaken in the Lake Erie basin to evaluate and foster adoption of conservation tillage and other farming techniques that would reduce runoff while maintaining productivity. In addition, intensive water quality studies of long duration were begun on major tributaries to Lake Erie during this time. The Lake Erie Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality (LEASEQ) project examined governmental programs, changes in agriculture, and changes in water and soil quality during the period 1975–1995, and sought to evaluate the linkages among these factors. The study area is characterized by extensive agricultural land use of soils developed from glacial materials deposited on Paleozoic sedimentary bedrock, mostly limestone. Tile drainage is extensive, particularly in slow‐draining clay‐rich lacustrine soils in the lower reaches of the watersheds. This paper introduces the study area, its geology, geography, soils, and agricultural history. In addition, we provide an overview of the LEASEQ concept and introduce the 11 other papers in this series, which provide a detailed exposition of the results of our studies.
Climatic and Agricultural Factors in Nutrient Exports from Two Watersheds in Ohio
Authors: Moog Douglas B. , Whiting Peter J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTExport of agricultural nutrients and sediment to lakes and oceans is of great environmental concern in many agricultural watersheds. Recent years have seen efforts to reduce loads through agricultural practices such as conservation tillage, efficient fertilization, and reservation of erodible areas. Monitoring the efficacy of such efforts is complicated by the fact they take place against a varying climatic and hydrologic background. In this study, statistical analysis was used to identify those climatic, hydrologic, and agricultural variables that best explained variations in nitrate, phosphorus, and total suspended solids over the period 1976–1995 in two large agricultural watersheds that feed Lake Erie, those of the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers. The dominant variable was stream discharge; after curvefits to remove its influence, the residual loads were tested via stepwise linear regression to reveal the most significant explanatory variables. Loads of nitrate, total suspended solids, and total phosphorus tended to decrease when previous months were wet, except in the summer, and to decrease when snow cover was extensive. It is speculated that stores of nitrate in the soil were lost during wet periods through increased crop uptake and/or leaching. Nitrogen fertilizer application in the Maumee watershed decreased following dry periods, but not enough to decrease stream loads. Soluble reactive phosphorus loads were negatively correlated to conservation tillage and reserves, and positively correlated to fertilizer and manure sources. Results for total phosphorus were similar to those for total suspended solids, on which most transported phosphorus is adsorbed.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in patients undergoing tethered cord surgery after fetal myelomeningocele repair
Authors: Jackson Eric M. , Schwartz Daniel M. , Sestokas Anthony K. , Zarnow Deborah M. , Adzick N. Scott , Johnson Mark P. , Heuer Gregory G. , Sutton Leslie N. 
Published: February 2014

Object
Fetal myelomeningocele closure has been shown to be advantageous in a number of areas. In this study, the authors report on neural function in patients who had previously undergone fetal myelomeningocele repair and returned to the authors' institution for further surgery that included intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

Methods
The authors retrospectively reviewed data obtained in 6 cases involving patients who underwent fetal myelomeningocele repair and later returned to their institution for spinal cord untethering. (In 4 of the 6 cases, the patients also underwent removal of a dermoid cyst [3 cases] or removal of an epidermoid cyst [1 case] during the untethering procedure.) Records and imaging studies were reviewed to identify the anatomical level of the myelomeningocele as well as the functional status of each patient. Stimulated electromyography (EMG) and transcranial motor evoked potential (tcMEP) recordings obtained during surgery were reviewed to assess the functional integrity of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Results
During reexploration, all patients had reproducible signals at or below their anatomical level on stimulated EMG and tcMEP recordings. Corresponding to these findings, prior to tethering, all patients had antigravity muscle function below their anatomical level.

Conclusions
All 6 patients had lower-extremity function and neurophysiological monitoring recording signals at or below their anatomical level. These cases provide direct evidence of spinal cord and nerve root conductivity and functionality below the anatomical level of the myelomeningocele, further supporting that neurological status improves with fetal repair.
Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Present Increased DNA Damage Differentially Associated with DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms
Authors: Palomino Gustavo Martelli , Bassi Carmen L. , Wastowski Isabela J. , Xavier Danilo J. , Lucisano-Valim Yara M. , Crispim Janaina C.O. , Rassi Diane M. , Marques-Neto Joao F. , Sakamoto-Hojo Elza T. , Moreau Philippe , Sampaio-Barros Percival D. , Donadi Eduardo A. 
Published: February 2014

Objective.Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) exhibit increased toxicity when exposed to genotoxic agents. In our study, we evaluated DNA damage and polymorphic sites in 2 DNA repair genes (XRCC1Arg399Gln andXRCC4Ile401Thr) in patients with SSc.Methods.A total of 177 patients were studied for DNA repair gene polymorphisms. Fifty-six of them were also evaluated for DNA damage in peripheral blood cells using the comet assay.Results.Compared to controls, the patients as a whole or stratified into major clinical variants (limited or diffuse skin involvement), irrespective of the underlying treatment schedule, exhibited increased DNA damage.XRCC1(rs: 25487) andXRCC4(rs: 28360135) allele and genotype frequencies observed in patients with SSc were not significantly different from those observed in controls; however, theXRCC1Arg399Gln allele was associated with increased DNA damage only in healthy controls and theXRCC4Ile401Thr allele was associated with increased DNA damage in both patients and controls. Further, theXRCC1Arg399Gln allele was associated with the presence of antinuclear antibody and anticentromere antibody. No association was observed between these DNA repair gene polymorphic sites and clinical features of patients with SSc.Conclusion.These results corroborate the presence of genomic instability in SSc peripheral blood cells, as evaluated by increased DNA damage, and show that polymorphic sites of theXRCC1andXRCC4DNA repair genes may differentially influence DNA damage and the development of autoantibodies.
Influence of Psychological Stress on Headache in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Vargas-Hitos José Antonio , Sabio José Mario , Martínez-Egea Isabel , Jiménez-Jáimez Enrique , Rodríguez-Guzmán Manuel , Navarrete-Navarrete Nuria , López-Lozano Esther , Romero-Alegría Ángela , de la Calle Cristina , Jáimez-Gámiz Laura , Baños-Piñero Pilar , Nebrera-Navarro Fernando , Fidalgo Alba , Caminal Luis , de Ramón Garrido Enrique , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Expósito Manuela , Zamora-Pasadas Mónica , Jiménez-Alonso Juan 
Published: February 2014

Objective.To compare the prevalence and disability of headache in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with the general population and to assess the role of chronic psychological stress (CPS) in headache development.Methods.One hundred seventy patients with SLE and 102 control subjects matched for age, sex, and level of education were included in this multicenter, cross-sectional study. CPS, headache-related disability, and chronic analgesic intake (CAI) were evaluated in all participants.Results.No statistical differences in the prevalence of headache between both groups were observed but headache disability was significantly higher in patients with SLE. In addition, a higher average score in the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and a higher prevalence of patients with CAI were observed in patients with SLE. In multivariate analysis, CPSS score was positively (OR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14; p = 0.001) and CAI negatively (OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.99; p = 0.049) associated with headache in patients with SLE.Conclusion.Despite the prevalence of headache in patients with SLE and the general population being similar, headache-related disability may be higher in patients with SLE. Moreover, CPS might play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE headache, whereas CAI might have a protective effect against it.