bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of recent food, alcohol, and tobacco intake and the temporal scheduling of testing on cardiovascular activity at rest and during psychological stress
Authors: SHEFFIELD DAVID , DAVEY SMITH GEORGE , CARROLL DOUGLAS , SHIPLEY MARTIN J. , MARMOT MICHAEL G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractParticipants in cardiovascular psychophysiological studies receive various instructions regarding restraints on alcohol, food, and tobacco intake prior to testing. Further, although the hour of testing is frequently a concern, little attention is paid to month of the year. In the present study, we examined cardiovascular activity at rest and in response to a laboratory stress task in 1,272 men in terms of these variables. Alcohol consumption among alcohol users and food intake within 4 hr of testing were associated with higher baseline diastolic blood pressure (BP) but lower baseline heart rate (HR). Tobacco use in smokers within 1 hr of testing was associated with elevated baseline BP and HR. Hour of testing was related to baseline HR, whereas month of the year was associated with baseline BP. In contrast to these baseline effects, cardiovascular reactions to the laboratory stress task were largely immune to these contextual influences.
Suppression of sleepiness in drivers: Combination of caffeine with a short nap
Authors: Reyner Luise A. , Horne James A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrevious research has shown that caffeine and a<15‐min nap effectively and separately reduce sleepiness in drivers for I hr. In the present study, we examined in 12 sleepy individuals the treatments combined, taken during a 30‐min break, prior to a longer (2 hr) continuous monotonous afternoon drive in a car simulator. Nonnap comparisons were 200 mg caffeine only and placebo. For placebo, driving incidents. Subjective and electroencephalographic measures of sleepiness all reflected a mid‐afternoon peak'. This peak was significantly reduced by caffeine and eliminated by the combined treatment, which reduced incidents to 9% of placebo levels versus 34% of placebo levels for caffeine alone. Naps comprising “nonsleep dozing” were still effective.
Attentional selection and attentional gradients: An alternative method for studying transient visual‐spatial attention
Authors: EIMER MARTIN 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn two experiments, I employed an alternative method for studying transient visual‐spatial attention. Instead of using precuse, attention was manipulated by presenting most stimuli sequentially at predictable locations. In Experiment 1, most stimuli appeared in a regular clockwise or counterclockwise order, but some were separated by one or both visual meridians from the expected location. In Experiment 2, most stimuli were presented succesively along the horizontal meridian, and some stimuli were separated by one, two, or three positions from the expected location. Faster response times and larger posterior P1 and N1 components as well as enhanced negativities at midline electrodes were found for expected‐location than for unexpected‐location stimuli. These effects were partially modulated by the distance of unexpected stimuli from the current focus of attention, suggesting the existence of attentional gradients. Moreover, the data suggest that the direction of previous attentional shifts and the visual meridians play an important role for spatial attention.
Maintaining soil fertility under increasing land use pressure in the Middle Mountains of Nepal
Authors: Schreier H. , Shah P.B. , Lavkulich L.M. , Brown S. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Nepal is facing a serious problem of being unable to maintain soil fertility in agriculture and forestry. Land use practices initiated over the past 10–15 years have resulted in insufficient nutrient inputs, while biomass use and production have increased. Changes in forest soil fertility have resulted from intensive use of forest biomass for animal feed and collection of forest litter for use in agriculture. The agricultural fertility changes have resulted from intensifying annual crop rotations from 1.5 to 2.5 crops and insufficient inputs. The removal of biomass from the forest has curtailed the natural organic cycle by virtually eliminating nutrient inputs.The soils are very acidic and have little C, N, P and exchangeable bases, but have large amounts of active iron. Basic nutrients are not sustained in agriculture and differences in inputs and management between irrigated and rainfed agricultural systems are becoming visible. Irrigated fields show the largest cation content because of input from irrigation water. Rainfed agricultural sites, which receive the most nutrients (fertilizers and manure), have the highest pH values and C and N contents. All soil fertility conditions are marginal and put into question the long‐term sustainability of current levels of production. Alterations in the cropping intensity are needed and the introduction of nitrogen fixing trees and crops seems to be the most viable option towards sustainability.
The carbon content of soil and its geographical distribution in Great Britain
Authors: Howard P.J.A. , Loveland P.J. , Bradley R.I. , Dry F.T. , Howard D.M. , Howard D.C. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. England and Wales have 155 314 1 × 1 km squares, of which 140049 have more than 50% soil cover. The total soil organic carbon content, based on the dominant soil series and dominant land cover type, is estimated to be 2773 × 106 t C. Scotland has 84929 1 × 1 km squares, of which 82 420 have a nominated dominant soil series. The total soil organic carbon content is estimated to be 19011 × 106 t C, 6.85 times the total organic carbon content of the soil of England and Wales. The total organic carbon content of the soil of Great Britain is estimated to be 21 784 × 106 t C, of which 87% is in Scottish soils and 75% is in Scottish peats.A map of the mean soil organic carbon content of 10 × 10 km squares of the National Grid using classes of equal range illustrates the narrow range of organic carbon contents of the soils of England and Wales and the dominance of organic carbon in Scottish soils. A map using the same data, but with classes of unequal ranges increasing in size with increasing carbon content, is better for showing detailed differences within England and Wales.
Soil structural improvements with the addition of Lantana camara biomass in rice‐wheat cropping
Authors: Sharma P.K. , Verma T.S. , Bhagat R.M. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. A long‐term field experiment was initiated in June 1988 in a silty clay loam soil to investigate the potential of Lantana camara, an obnoxious weed, for improving structural properties and productivity of soil in rice‐wheat cropping. Lantana was incorporated into the soil 10–15 days before puddling at 10, 20 and 30 t/ha (fresh weight).At the end of the sixth cropping season, Lantana additions increased the organic carbon (OC) of the 0–15 cm soil layer by 11–24%, and of water‐stable aggregates (WSA, 0.50–8.0 mm diameter) by 10–21%; OC of WSA <0.50 mm diameter remained unaffected. About 17–25% of the applied OC was retained in the soil. The OC increase resulted in a decrease in bulk density of the plough layer (0–15 cm) by 7%, a decrease in aggregates of 2–8 mm diameter and of clods by 4% and 6%, respectively. There was an increase in water‐stable aggregates and aggregate porosity, and a decrease in clod‐breaking strength from 420 to 216 kPa. Soil cracking at the surface changed from wide, deep cracks in hexagonal pattern to a close‐spaced network of fine cracks. Lantana additions increased <5mm wide cracks at the expense of 10–20 mm wide cracks; 5–10 mm wide cracks remained unchanged. Total volume of cracks decreased by 36% and surface area of cracks by 55% compared with the control plots.
Modelling and measurement of the effects of fertilizer‐N and crop residue incorporation on N‐dynamics in vegetable cropping
Authors: Greenwood D.J. , Rahn C. , Draycott A. , Vaidyanathan L.V. , Paterson C. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. An easy‐to‐use simulation model was developed with the aim of improving fertilizer practice when crop residues are incorporated instead of removed. It was tested against data from a well‐monitored N fertilizer experiment in which three successive brassica crops were grown followed by barley.Experimental findings included: (a) that fertilizer‐N greatly increased yield of 3 crops without increasing residual soil mineral‐N at harvest unless supply exceeded crop demand; (b) that, by contrast, fertilizer‐N increased both yield of and residual soil mineral‐N left by the remaining crop throughout the range of applications; and (c) that at each harvest the apparent disappearance of fertilizer‐N by immobilization and other processes was almost proportional to fertilizer‐N. These phenomena were simulated by the model.Overall the model gave estimates of soil mineral‐N, plant weight and % N in the crop for each crop that were either in close agreement with or linearly related to the measured values. Deviations from this pattern are shown to result almost entirely from experimental error. In addition the model gave simulations of the time course of soil mineral‐N and soil water that were in good agreement with measurement.Simulations with the model indicate that appreciable benefits from residue incorporation of crops will only be obtained when fertilizer‐N is also applied, unless plant masses at harvest are small.
A model for estimating soil moisture changes as an aid to irrigation scheduling and crop water‐use studies: II. Field test of the model
Authors: Bailey R.J. , Groves S.J. , Spackman E. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. A model was developed to estimate daily evapotranspiration and root zone soil moisture changes appropriate for scheduling irrigation, incorporating a modified version of the Penman‐Monteith equation.The model was field tested during 1992–94, for potatoes and sugarbeet, by comparing modelled root zone soil moisture changes with field measurements taken using neutron probes. The study confirmed the accuracy of the model when predicting crop water use and soil moisture change. Linear regression of measured versus modelled data exhibited a slope of 0.99 and an intercept close to and not significantly different from zero. The relationship accounted for 80% of the variation.
The effect of phosphorus and mulching on the efficiency of phosphorus use and productivity of wheat grown on a mountain Alfisol in the Western Himalayas
Authors: Sharma P. K. , Parmar D. K. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. A field experiment was conducted over two years in one of the mountain Alfisols of the Western Himalayas to study the effects of phosphorus and mulching on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and productivity of wheat (cv. S‐308) at difference growth stages. The source of phosphorus was single superphosphate at 0, 26, 52 and 78 kg P/ha whereas the sources of mulching materials were pine needles (Pinus longifolia), lantana weed (Lantana camara) at 8 t/ha and transparent polyethylene sheet compared with no mulch.The phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) at tillering, flowering and harvesting was greatest at the lowest dose of P and decreased as the P levels were increased. However, the increased levels of P up to 78 kg/ha, significantly improved the dry matter yield at tillering stage (30%) and flowering stage (93%) and also the grain yield (139%) and straw yield (148%) at the harvest stage. The application of mulching materials in general, and polyethylene in particular, significantly increased the phosphorus use efficiency and the productivity of wheat by 27% at tillering stage; 17% at flowering stage, and by 98 and 110% in the case of grain and straw yield at harvest stage.Although the polyethylene mulch effect was physically superior to the other materials, the latter gave greater financial returns. Consequently, the economic optimum application of P in association with 8 t/ha of lantana mulch was found to be 53 kg/ha over two years, whereas, in the absence of mulching, it was 58 kg/ha.
Organic manure phosphorus accumulation, mobility and management
Authors: Smith K. A. , Chalmers A. G. , Chambers B. J. , Christie P. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Organic manures are an important source of P which can make a significant economic contribution to farm fertilizer policies. In the region of 119000 tonnes of P are returned annually to UK agricultural land in the form of manures collected and handled on farms, with an estimated 66000 tonnes of P applied to tillage land and 53000 tonnes to grassland.Previous research on the utilization of manure P has tended to indicate a lower efficiency compared to inorganic fertilizer P in the season following application, but in the longer term manure and fertilizer P can be regarded as equivalent. Failure to adequately account for manure P additions to the land may result in soil enrichment which could increase the agricultural contribution to eutrophication, as a result of surface runoff or leaching.Recent research has indicated that the current guidelines for minimizing runoff losses following the land spreading of manures are generally soundly based. However, there is a need for further research where manures are applied to cracking clay soils with underdrainage, and where rainfall soon after slurry application can increase surface runoff.The careful cycling of manures within a properly devised fertilizer plan should minimize the risk of unnecessary soil P enrichment and subsequent leaching losses by restricting topsoil extractable P levels to less than 70 mg I‐1.
Molecular characterization of the variable domains of an αIIbβ3‐specific immunoglobulin M κ platelet cold agglutinin in a follicular lymphoma patient with treatment refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenia: idiotypic overlap between αIIbβ3 integrin antibodies
Authors: Jennings Nicola S. , Harmer Ian J. , Campbell Kate , Stafford Prachi , Smith Graham A. , Metcalfe Paul , Benton M. Ann , Marsh Judith C.W. , Ouwehand Willem H. 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: Cold hemagglutinins are generally immunoglobulin M (IgM) κ antibodies reactive at temperatures below 37°C and if of high titer may cause hemolysis. Platelet (PLT) cold agglutinins (CAs) are rare and poorly characterized. A detailed molecular characterization of the variable domains of a pathologic, PLT‐reactive, CA is presented.CASE REPORT: A 70‐year‐old woman was admitted with rectal bleeding accompanied by widespread petechiae, bruising, tongue and buccal mucosa bleeding, and epistaxes and proved refractory to HLA‐ and HPA‐matched PLTs. Detailed investigation showed monoclonal heavy‐chain gene rearrangement with an IgM paraprotein of 3.3 g per L and a trace of κ Bence Jones protein in the urine, compatible with a diagnosis of secretory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‐NHL). PLT antibody (PAIg) investigations revealed a potent IgM κ PLT CA. Sequencing of the rearranged variable domain genes of the malignant clone together with idiotype‐specific antibodies obtained by DNA‐based immunization of rabbits and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time‐of‐flight analysis of the PAIgM provided a irrefutable link between the thrombocytopenia, the IgM paraprotein, and the PAIgM against αIIbβ3. The thrombocytopenia and bleeding were refractory to standard treatment and PLT transfusion, but treatment with rituximab resulted in a recovery of the PLT count and a complete remission of B‐NHL.CONCLUSION: The IgM κ paraprotein derived from the malignant B‐cell clone was a potent and clinically significant CA against αIIbβ3. The testing for PLT CAs in patients with a paraprotein and refractory to matched PLTs may aid the selection of appropriate treatment.
Residual risk of transfusion‐transmitted viral infections in Shenzhen, China, 2001 through 2004
Authors: Shang Guifang , Seed Clive R. , Wang Fei , Nie Dongmei , Farrugia Albert 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: There are no current estimates of the residual risks of transmission by blood of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. Such estimates are an essential prerequisite to monitoring and improving transfusion safety as well as supporting evidence based assessment of the value of implementing new screening interventions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Viral screening data for donors from Shenzhen, China, for the period 2001 to 2004, were retrospectively analyzed. The data were applied to a published model to estimate the residual risk of transmitting HIV, HBV, and HCV by blood transfusion in Shenzhen, as well as to assess the residual risk reduction value of various new tests.RESULTS: The point estimates for the combined 2003 and 2004 period calculate as 1 in 17,501 for HBV, 1 in 59,588 for HCV, and 1 in 903,498 for HIV. The predicted yield for improved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) assays, minipool (MP) nucleic acid testing (NAT), and individual‐donation (ID) NAT was 6.9, 9.5, and 28.3 per million donations, respectively. The predicted yield for implementing a fourth‐generation HCV (antigen‐antibody) or MP NAT assay was 13.4 or 14.7 per million donations, respectively. For HIV, the predicted yield for implementing a fourth‐generation HIV (antigen‐antibody) or MP NAT assay was markedly smaller, 0.25 or 0.65 per million donations, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Relative to that reported for Western blood systems, the prevalence and the residual risk of HBV and HCV are high, whereas HIV is comparable. Pending a formal cost‐effectiveness study for NAT, implementing improved HBsAg and combination HCV antibody‐antigen assays in Shenzhen would markedly reduce the residual risk.
The Costs and Quality‐of‐Life Outcomes of Drug‐Eluting Coronary Stents: A Systematic Review
Authors: GROENEVELD PETER W. , SUH JANICE J. , MATTA MARY ANNE 
Published: February 2007

Objectives:While the efficacy of drug‐eluting coronary stents (DES) has been demonstrated by several clinical trials, the impact of DES on health‐care costs and recipient quality of life (QOL) is controversial. We performed a systematic review of the published literature on DES costs and the QOL effects of restenosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR).Methods:Among 536 potential articles initially identified by a broad search, 12 publications ultimately met inclusion criteria. Data were independently abstracted, evaluated for quality and relevance, and summarized by two reviewers. Excessive heterogeneity among these studies prevented formal meta‐analysis, thus a narrative synthesis of the literature was performed.Results:In four economic studies, DES recipients had $1,600–$3,200 higher up‐front costs than recipients of bare metal stents, but the differences in total costs after 1 year were less pronounced ($200–$1,200), and estimates of the average cost of an avoided revascularization ranged widely ($1,800–$36,900). All eight QOL studies indicated that restenosis was associated with lower QOL, but only two studies quantified this in terms of quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), with estimates ranging from 0.06 to 0.08. An additional study estimated that the median willingness to pay to prevent restenosis was $2,400–$3,600.Conclusions:There is a lack of convergence in the literature on the cost of DES in avoiding TVR. There is more agreement that the average QALY benefit of an avoided revascularization is 0.04–0.08. This implies that use of DES in patients where the average cost per avoided revascularization exceeds $8,000 may be less likely to be cost‐effective.
Patient feedback as a motivating force to quit smoking
Authors: Hanioka Takashi , Ojima Miki , Hamajima Nobuyuki , Naito Mariko 
Published: February 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  The effectiveness of a brief intervention by dental professionals utilizing feedback of oral symptoms and dental treatments specifically relevant to smoking was examined in terms of it being a motivating factor to quit smoking.Methods:  Information pertaining to the present study was mailed to 208 dental clinics and 45 dentists agreed to participate. Dental patients who currently smoked were assigned consecutively to either an intervention (IG) or nonintervention group (NG) in each clinic during the 6‐month experimental period. In IG, dental professionals provided brief explanations regarding oral symptoms and dental treatments specifically relevant to smoking. The effectiveness of intervention was evaluated with respect to attempts to quit and progression through the stages of behavioral changes involved in quitting using the standardized questionnaire.Results:  Dropout was considerable; 10 clinics terminated their participation. Questionnaires of 797 patients (IG, 416; NG, 381) were received from 35 clinics and the records of 497 patients (IG, 248; NG, 249) were analyzed. Among patients in IG and NG, 12.1% and 4.8% reported attempts to quit, respectively. Odds ratios of quitting attempts and progression and regression through the stages of behavioral changes adjusted for sex, age, and stage at the first visit were 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 4.5), 1.7 (1.1, 2.8), and 0.28 (0.15, 0.53) for all patients, respectively, and 3.1 (1.3, 7.5), 2.1 (1.3, 3.4), and 0.21 (0.11, 0.44), respectively, for patients who were not ready to quit. Trends in the movement through stages differed because of the stage at the first visit.Conclusions:  As a result of the limitation imposed by the considerable dropout number, we concluded that a brief intervention by dental professionals potentially motivates smokers with respect to their attempts to quit smoking and promotes behavioral changes involved in quitting.
Effects of Pinealectomy and Aging on the Serum Corticosterone Circadian Rhythm in Rats
Authors: Oxenkrug Gregory F. , McIntyre Iain M. , Gershon Samuel 
Published: February 2007

Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were housed in alternate light/dark conditions (light on, 7:00 AM, light off, 7:00 PM). Corticosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay from blood samples that were obtained by tail clip at 4‐h intervals. Pinealectomized animals have shown significant increase of corticosterone levels at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM in comparison with 2‐month‐old intact rats. There were no differences in serum corticosterone rhythm between 24‐month‐old and pinealectomized animals. Twelve‐month‐old rats have shown significant increase of corticosterone levels at 7:00 and 11:00 AM in comparison with 2‐month‐old animals.The age‐associated increase of serum corticosterone and the similarity between serum corticosterone circadian rhythm in aged and pinealectomized animals suggest that an age‐related decrease in melatonin production [Reiter et al., 1981] may contribute to age related changes of hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal axis regulation.
Effects of Some Fatty Acids on the Serotonin N‐Acetyltransferase Activity in Cultured Chick Pineal Glands
Authors: Wainwright S. D. , Wainwright Lillian K. 
Published: February 2007

Low concentrations of aracbidonate, oleate, or palmitate signficantly affected the cycle of NAT activity of cultured chick pineal glands in different ways. The effects observed were altered by change of the lighting conditions of culture. Effects of arachidonate were also shown to be altered by change of the serum component of the culture medium.Effects of premature exposure to light of glands cultured under diurnal conditions of illumination were changed markedly by substitution of the serum component of the medium or a supplement of ionophore A23187 and less markedly by supplements of fatty acids.