bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land‐use Effects on Anion‐associated Cation Leaching in Response to Above‐normal Precipitation
Authors: Brye Kristofor R. , Norman John M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractFertilizers and liming agents are generally used to achieve optimal economic yields. However, several negative effects of long‐term annual fertilization of nitrogen (N) in particular have been observed, such as reduced cation exchange capacity and decreased base saturation, which may stimulate accelerated leaching loss of other nutrients. Equilibrium‐tension lysimeters installed at a depth of 1.4 m were used to evaluate leaching of soil‐solution ionic constituents from a tallgrass prairie restoration and optimally and deficiently N‐fertilized, no‐tillage (NT) and chisel‐plowed (CP) maize (Zea mays L.) agroecosystems on Plano silt loam soil (fine‐silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Argiudoll). This study was conducted in south‐central Wisconsin, USA during a 1‐year period of above‐normal precipitation between January 2000 and January 2001. The loss of soluble constituents added to agroecosystems to maintain adequate soil fertility and pH, such as N, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, was generally numerically smaller from the natural prairie 25 years after conversion from cultivated agriculture than from optimally and deficiently N‐fertilized, NT and CP maize agroecosystems, though the differences were not significant. Tillage and fertilizer N‐rate generally did not significantly affect drainage, ionic concentrations, or their leaching losses in the maize agroecosystems, though all parameters evaluated tended to be numerically smaller in the deficiently than optimally N‐fertilized maize agroecosystems. Nitrate‐N leaching losses were generally significantly positively correlated with leaching losses of K, Ca, Mg, and Na in the maize agroecosystems, but not for the prairie, indicating that nitrate‐N leaching plays a significant role in the concomitant loss of cations to maintain soil‐solution charge balance in N‐fertilized maize agroecosystems in a temperate environment.
On the Limnology of Deep and Saline Lake Burdur in Turkey
Authors: Girgin Sönmez , Kazancı Nilgün , Dügel Muzaffer 
Published: October 2004

AbstractLimnological characteristics of Lake Burdur in Lake District in south‐western Turkey are presented. It is a deep, tectonic (estimated max. depth 100 m), athalassic, highly alkaline, and saline lake. A set of physical and chemical variables was monitored, phyto‐ and zooplankton was sampled from surface layer of the lake during 1997. Physico‐chemical variables indicated that the lake is hyposaline and composed of some hydrochemically different water layers formed by groundwater sources located on the bottom of the lake. The phytoplankton composition of Lake Burdur consisted of Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Dinophyta, and Chrysophyta. The abundance and number of species of Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta were higher than the other taxa. The zooplankton composition of the Lake consisted of Rhizopoda, Rotifera, and Crustacea. Number of species of Rotifera was higher than the other taxa. The diversities of the phyto‐ and zooplankton were calculated according to the Shannon‐Weaver diversity index. The diversity of each group was found to be low in the lake.
Development of Easy and Reproducible Immobilization Techniques Using TiO2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Aquatic Pollutants
Authors: Doll Tusnelda E. , Frimmel Fritz H. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractTwo main routes of methods for the preparation of photocatalytic active titanium dioxide films on glass substrates were investigated: (1) the use of titanium dioxide powder and (2) the in situ generation of the catalyst via hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) or TiCl4. The activities of the catalyst films were evaluated by measuring the degradation of dichloroacetic acid (DCA), clofibric acid, and terbuthylazine used as model organic compounds. The concentration decrease of DCA and the concentration increase of chloride ions as the decomposition product allowed to distinguish between photocatalytic degradation of DCA and adsorption onto the TiO2 films. Furthermore, TiO2 films of the commercially available materials P25 (Degussa) and Hombikat UV100 (Sachtleben Chemie) were used to investigate whether there was a difference in the degradation pathways of terbuthylazine as a model compound. For the experiments mini flow‐through reactors were constructed.The investigated immobilization techniques were easy to handle without need of any expensive equipment. All TiO2 coatings showed good photocatalytic activities and mechanical stabilities with efficient long‐term stabilities. The best immobilization reproducibility was achieved by the spray coating technique and by the in situ method with the dipping sol‐gel process starting by TTIP. During the continuous use of the TiO2 films no TiO2 particles were found in the irradiated solutions.
Living with achondroplasia: Quality of life evaluation following cervico‐medullary decompression
Authors: Ho Nicola C. , Guarnieri Michael , Brant Larry J. , Park Susan S. , Sun Bonnie , North Marisa , Francomano Clair A. , Carson Benjamin S. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractAchondroplasia is the most common of the heritable skeletal dysplasias. Cervico‐medullary compression is a frequently encountered and potentially lethal neurological complication. Cervico‐medullary decompression (CMD) at the foramen magnum is often employed to relieve the pressure on the emerging cervical cord. Given the inherent risks associated with major surgery, there has been a substantial debate regarding the best criteria for CMD. Our objectives for this study are to explore the quality of life of patients who had undergone CMD, and to assess whether surgery is associated with mortality and increased long‐term morbidity. A Medical Outcome Study 36‐item Short Form General Health Survey designed to evaluate eight general health concepts as well as achondroplasia‐related issues, was administered to patients assessed in the neurosurgery department in Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1977 and 1998. One hundred and sixty‐seven patients were eligible for inclusion. Forty‐three could not be contacted, and two refused consent. One hundred and twenty‐two patients were assessed. Fifty‐six (46%) individuals had CMD and 66 (54%) did not. There was 1 case of mortality in the CMD group and 12 cases in the non‐CMD group. In the non‐CMD group, all deaths, as far as we know, were unrelated to cervico‐medullary compression. In this cohort of surviving patients (n = 109), the quality of life of the 55 (50.5%) who had undergone CMD is comparable to that of the 54 (49.5%) who did not have surgery, controlled for age and sex. CMD is indicated for patients with achondroplasia with significant symptomatic foramen magnum compression. It can be life saving. It can abolish profound central apnea that may cause sudden death and alleviate neurological complications associated with damage of the significantly compressed spinal cord. With regards to long‐term outcome evaluation, the quality of life of individuals with achondroplasia who had CMD is similar to those age‐ and sex‐matched patients who did not have this surgery. Moreover, CMD, with all its inherent surgical risks, does not appear to be associated with higher mortality or increased long‐term morbidity. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trade agreements and bilateral treaties expand use of investor‐state arbitration provisions
Authors: Kantor Mark 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn a move to help arbitration gain an even stronger foothold as an alternative to unreliable national courts, the U.S. State Department with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative earlier this year released a new draft U.S. model bilateral investment treaty. The new model's objective, writes Mark Kantor, of Washington, D.C., in the first of two parts, is to provide a consistent approach to dealing with conflict over investment provisions in Nafta and other free trade agreements, and future treaties.
Language‐association cortex asymmetry in autism and specific language impairment
Authors: De Fossé Lies , Hodge Steven M. , Makris Nikos , Kennedy David N. , Caviness Verne S. , McGrath Lauren , Steele Shelley , Ziegler David A. , Herbert Martha R. , Frazier Jean A. , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Harris Gordon J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractLanguage deficits are among the core impairments of autism. We previously reported asymmetry reversal of frontal language cortex in boys with autism. Specific language impairment (SLI) and autism share similar language deficits and may share genetic links. This study evaluated asymmetry of frontal language cortex in a new, independent sample of right‐handed boys, including a new sample of boys with autism and a group of boys with SLI. The boys with autism were divided into those with language impairment (ALI) and those with normal language ability (ALN). Subjects (right‐handed, aged 6.2–13.4 years) included 22 boys with autism (16 ALI and 6 ALN), 9 boys with a history of or present SLI, and 11 normal controls. MRI brain scans were segmented into grey and white matter; then the cerebral cortex was parcellated into 48 gyral‐based divisions per hemisphere. Group differences in volumetric asymmetry were predicted a priori in language‐related regions in inferior lateral frontal (Broca's area) and posterior superior temporal cortex. Language impaired boys with autism and SLI both had significant reversal of asymmetry in frontal language‐related cortex; larger on the right side in both groups of language impaired boys and larger on the left in both unimpaired language groups, strengthening a phenotypic link between ALI and SLI. Thus, we replicated the observation of reversed asymmetry in frontal language cortex reported previously in an independent autism sample, and observed similar reversal in boys with SLI, further strengthening a phenotypic link between SLI and a subgroup of autism. Linguistically unimpaired boys with autism had similar asymmetry compared with the control group, suggesting that Broca's area asymmetry reversal is related more to language impairment than specifically to autism diagnosis. Ann Neurol 2004
Norwegian version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in patients with hand osteoarthritis: Validity, responsiveness, and feasibility
Authors: Kjeken Ingvild , Slatkowsky‐Christensen Barbara , Kvien Tore K. , Uhlig Till 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo test the Norwegian version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) for validity, responsiveness, and feasibility in patients with hand osteoarthritis.MethodsSeventy‐nine patients completed a COPM interview and several self‐reported health status questionnaires, including Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire; Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index. Rescoring of the same instruments was performed 4 months later, after an intervention.ResultsThe COPM detected a great variability of occupational performance problems. The hypotheses for testing validity were confirmed. Mean COPM change was 1.51 (P < 0.001) in performance score, and 2.22 (P < 0.001) in satisfaction score. The median time spent on the COPM interview was 30 minutes (range 10–70 minutes). The patients found the questions easy to understand, but 37% reported problems performing the scoring procedure.ConclusionsThe Norwegian version of the COPM is a valid and responsive instrument for use in clinical practice in osteoarthritis patients. It may serve as an instrument to promote a client‐centered approach and as a supplement to other health measures in the planning and evaluating of interventions. Feasibility regarding scoring needs to be improved.
High prevalence of symptomatic enthesopathy of the shoulder in ankylosing spondylitis: Deltoid origin involvement constitutes a hallmark of disease
Authors: Lambert Robert G. W. , Dhillon Sukhvinder S. , Jhangri Gian S. , Sacks Juliette , Sacks Herbert , Wong Benjamin , Russell Anthony S. , Maksymowych Walter P. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the prevalence and characteristics of shoulder involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). To analyze the sensitivity and specificity of shoulder lesions defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with AS.MethodsPrevalence of shoulder involvement was ascertained by chart review of 400 AS patients. One hundred of these patients and 285 controls were selected for clinical evaluation. AS patients with a clinically defined shoulder disorder (n = 15) and a control group of 91 patients (94 shoulders) with nonspecific shoulder pain were studied with MRI. Fifty‐four MRI‐defined variables per shoulder were analyzed by 2 observers. A third cohort of patients with AS (n = 76) was prospectively evaluated by clinical exam for AS‐specific shoulder lesions identified on MRI.ResultsShoulder pain was recorded in 3.5% of patients by chart review. Shoulder involvement by clinical evaluation was noted in 24.7% of patients versus 14.2% of controls (odds ratio [OR] 8.17, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.14–21.28, P < 0.001). Rotator cuff tendinitis was significantly more prevalent in patients (15.1%) than controls (3.5%; OR 8.17, 95% CI 2.66–25.14, P < 0.001). Acromioclavicular joint arthrosis was the most common lesion observed in AS shoulders (94%), although specificity was low (32%). Bone marrow edema at any entheseal site was noted in significantly more AS shoulders (70.6%) than in control (19.1%) shoulders (P < 0.001, corrected P = 0.02). Erosion of the greater tuberosity with or without adjacent bone edema had the best combination of sensitivity (58–65%) and specificity (86–92%). Intense acromial entheseal edema at the deltoid origin was observed only in AS shoulders (41.2%; P < 0.001). Evaluation of a prospective cohort of patients with AS showed that 22.4% had rotator cuff enthesopathy.ConclusionShoulder lesions in AS are common and characterized clinically by rotator cuff tendinitis and on MRI by intense bone edema localized to the supraspinatus/greater tuberosity and deltoid/acromial entheses. Intense acromial bone edema at the deltoid origin is a hitherto undescribed and highly specific feature of AS. Enthesopathy of the rotator cuff is underrecognized in AS and should be incorporated into instruments measuring enthesitis.
Pilot study of the effects of a heat‐retaining knee sleeve on joint pain, stiffness, and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Mazzuca Steven A. , Page Mark C. , Meldrum Russell D. , Brandt Kenneth D. , Petty‐Saphon Satham 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo identify changes in joint pain, stiffness, and functional ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) after use of a knee sleeve that prevents loss of body heat by the joint.MethodsSubjects with symptomatic knee OA (n = 52) were randomized to 2 treatment groups: verum sleeve (specially fabricated to retain body heat) or placebo sleeve (standard cotton/elastane sleeve). Subjects wore the sleeve over the more painful OA knee for at least 12 hours daily for 4 weeks. Pain, stiffness, and functional impairment (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) in the index knee were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of wear, after which sleeve use was discontinued. Telephone followup interviews were conducted 2 and 4 weeks later.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of sleeve wear, subjects in the active treatment group reported a 16% decrease in mean WOMAC pain score relative to baseline (P = 0.001). Those who wore the placebo sleeve reported a 9.7% decrease from baseline (P = 0.002). The difference between treatment groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). However, it was found that the 12 subjects who believed correctly that they had received the verum sleeve reported a highly significant decrease in WOMAC pain score (−27.5% relative to baseline, P = 0.0001). In comparison, subjects who received the verum sleeve but believed they had received the placebo sleeve exhibited only a marginally significant improvement in pain (−13.0% relative to baseline, P = 0.07). In the placebo group, the modest improvement in pain scores appeared unrelated to the subject's impression of the type of sleeve worn.ConclusionThis pilot study was insufficiently powered to be a definitive trial of the heat‐retaining sleeve. Given the magnitude of changes in knee pain in the active treatment group, heat retention merits further scientific investigation as a treatment modality for patients with knee OA.
Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy in osteoarthritis of the hip: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hoeksma Hugo L. , Dekker Joost , Ronday H. Karel , Heering Annet , Van Der Lubbe Nico , Vel Cees , Breedveld Ferdinand C. , Van Den Ende Cornelia H. M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of a manual therapy program compared with an exercise therapy program in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.MethodsA single‐blind, randomized clinical trial of 109 hip OA patients was carried out in the outpatient clinic for physical therapy of a large hospital. The manual therapy program focused on specific manipulations and mobilization of the hip joint. The exercise therapy program focused on active exercises to improve muscle function and joint motion. The treatment period was 5 weeks (9 sessions). The primary outcome was general perceived improvement after treatment. Secondary outcomes included pain, hip function, walking speed, range of motion, and quality of life.ResultsOf 109 patients included in the study, 56 were allocated to manual therapy and 53 to exercise therapy. No major differences were found on baseline characteristics between groups. Success rates (primary outcome) after 5 weeks were 81% in the manual therapy group and 50% in the exercise group (odds ratio 1.92, 95% confidence interval 1.30, 2.60). Furthermore, patients in the manual therapy group had significantly better outcomes on pain, stiffness, hip function, and range of motion. Effects of manual therapy on the improvement of pain, hip function, and range of motion endured after 29 weeks.ConclusionThe effect of the manual therapy program on hip function is superior to the exercise therapy program in patients with OA of the hip.
Patient‐reported health care utilization in rheumatoid arthritis: What level of detail is required?
Authors: Ruof Jörg , Huelsemann Jan L. , Mittendorf Thomas , Handelmann Silke , Von Der Schulenburg J. Matthias , Zeidler Henning , Aultman Rick , Merkesdal Sonja 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the level of detail required in self‐reported health care utilization questionnaires for administration to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsA preliminary questionnaire was developed on the basis of existing tools for use in rheumatic conditions and in‐depth interviews with 10 RA patients. Data gathered over 1 year of administration in a clinical setting were then matched to a comprehensive database of payer‐reported information. Kappa statistics were calculated for each health care utilization domain. For domains where disaggregation into metric data was potentially preferable, histograms of difference were assessed visually and the strength of association examined using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.ResultsPatients (n = 136) included in the base case analysis determined the preferred levels of detail for each domain. Physician visits: occurrence of physician visits (yes/no; κ not applicable) and their number (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). Medication use of the following drug classes (yes/no): disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD; κ = 0.68), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (κ = 0.64), osteoporosis medication (κ = 0.56), analgesic (κ = 0.38), and steroid (κ = 0.83). Further disaggregation into different DMARD classes was recommended (κ ranging between 1 [use of biologics: yes/no] and 0.67 [use of azathioprine: yes/no]. Imaging: imaging of bones and chest (yes/no; κ = 0.20). Hospitalization: inpatient episodes (yes/no; κ = 0.64) and number of inpatient days (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). Transport: costs incurred (yes/no; κ = 0.13) and amount (r = 0.39, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe use of highly aggregated items to assess health care utilization in RA is supported. Dichotomous assessment (yes/no) was the preferred level of detail for items in the domains covering medication and diagnostic procedures or tests. Metric data is appropriate in 3 areas: number of physician visits, number of inpatient days, and total expenditure on transportation.
Sex effects on heart rate variability in fibromyalgia and Gulf War illness
Authors: Stein Phyllis K. , Domitrovich Peter P. , Ambrose Kirsten , Lyden Angela , Fine Michael , Gracely Richard H. , Clauw Daniel J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate autonomic abnormalities in male and female fibromyalgia (FM) and Gulf War illness (GWI) patients by comparing heart rate variability (HRV) with that of age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls.MethodsSubjects included 26 (19 women, 7 men) with FM, 11 (6 men, 5 women) with GWI, and 36 (18 men,18 women) healthy controls. HRV was determined from Holter recordings obtained in the Clinical Research Center. Analysis of variance compared 24‐hour, daytime, and nighttime HRV by sex within groups and by group within sex.ResultsIn women with FM or GWI, HRV was significantly lower than in men with FM or GWI. HRV was similar in male and female controls. When HRV was compared by group within sex, HRV was significantly decreased in women with FM or GWI and no significant differences were seen for men with these conditions.ConclusionDecreased HRV in FM and GWI appears to be sex dependent. Results suggest that different mechanisms may be operative in symptom expression in men and women with this spectrum of illness.
Comprehensive assessment of clinical outcome and quality of life after total shoulder arthroplasty: Usefulness and validity of subjective outcome measures
Authors: Angst Felix , Pap Géza , Mannion Anne F. , Herren Daniel B. , Aeschlimann André , Schwyzer Hans‐Kaspar , Simmen Beat R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the physiometric and psychometric properties of clinical, generic, and condition‐specific assessment instruments. To describe patients' outcome after total shoulder arthroplasty.MethodsForty‐three patients were assessed in a 5–6‐year cross‐sectional catamnesis.ResultsWith regard to shoulder joint stability, pain, general physical health, and mental health, the patients showed scores comparative to normative scores. Significant functional limitation was evidenced by low mean scores on the specific function scales (e.g., Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score = 64.0, normative score = 86.6). There were high correlations among the joint‐specific scales (up to 0.93) and moderate correlations between these and the generic and clinical scales. Factor analysis identified 3 different assessment domains.ConclusionThe patients' quality of life (QOL) was high and not affected by impairment in some specific functional abilities. Physical QOL, mental QOL, clinical assessment, condition‐specific measures, and generic measures were identified as separate domains, all of which are required for a comprehensive and sophisticated assessment in practical clinical routine.