bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Japanese Classification of Computed Tomography for Pneumoconioses with Standard Films: Comparison with the ILO International Classification of Radiographs for Pneumoconioses
Authors: Suganuma Narufumi , Kusaka Yukinori , Hosoda Yutaka , Shida Hisao , Morikubo Hiroshi , Nakajima Yasuo , Akira Masanori , Matsumoto Torn , Hiraga Yomei
Published: February 2008

The Japanese Classification of Computed Tomography for Pneumoconioses with Standard Films: Comparison with the ILO International Classification of Radiographs for Pneumoconioses: Narufumi Suganuma, et al. Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Fukui Medical University—Objective; Computed tomography (CT) has recently come to be used for personal diagnosis of pneumoconioses and preliminarily for epidemiological purposes. This study aimed to compare the diagnosis of pneumoconioses by the Japanese Classification of CT for Pneumoconioses (Hosoda‐Shida Classification) with that by the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses (ILO 1980 standard). The Hosoda‐Shida Classification is also described in this article. Subjects and Methods: CT and chest posterior‐anterior X‐ray (CXR) were performed in 21 subjects with an occupational history of mining, and 6 subject without exposure to any risk of pneumoconiosis. Three radiologists independently described the findings of CT and CXR according to both the Hosoda‐Shida Classification and the ILO 1980 standard, respectively. Results: At least two of the three readers agreed in determining both the profusion and the type of small rounded opacities in 96% (26/27) of the CT films. The inter‐reader agreement of profusion was satisfactory with the Cohen's weighted kappa value of 0.57 to 0.71. The weighted kappa for CXR and CT in describing the profusion and the type of small rounded opacities were 0.70 and 0.77, respectively. Conclusion: The Hosoda‐Shida Classification for pneumoconioses is shown to be reliable and compatible with the ILO 1980 standard in describing the profusion and the type of small opacities.
Estimation of Dioxin Exposure Concentrations and Dioxin Intakes of Workers at Continuously Burning Municipal Waste Incinerators
Authors: Kumagai Shinji , Koda Shigeki , Miyakita Takashi , Yamaguchi Hideki , Katagi Kenichi , Ueno Mitsuo
Published: February 2008

Estimation of Dioxin Exposure Concentrations and Dioxin Intakes of Workers at Continuously Burning Municipal Waste Incinerators: Shinji Kumagai, et al. Department of Occupational Health, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health—In order to examine the dioxin exposure level in incinerator workers, total dust concentration in the breathing zone and dioxin concentrations in fly ash, slag and deposited dust were determined at three municipal waste incineration plants A, B and C equipped with continuously burning incinerators of stoker type. Three incinerators were operated at plants A and B, and four at plant C. The incinerators of plants A and B were equipped with electrostatic precipitators for removing particulate matter from the flue gas stream. In plant C, three incinerators were equipped with electrostatic precipitators and one with a bag filter. Total dust exposure concentrations during daily operation of the incinerators were 0.11 to 1.50 mg/m3, and dioxin concentrations in the deposited dust were 1.0 to 6.4 ng toxicity equivalent (TEQ)/g. Dioxin exposure concentrations were estimated to be 0.5 to 7.1 pg TEQ/ m3. Total dust exposure concentrations during periodic cleaning of the inside of the incinerator were 30 to 780 mg/m3, and dioxin concentrations in the slag were 0.004 to 1.1 ng TEQ/g. Dioxin exposure concentrations were estimated to be 0.5 to 48 pg TEQ/m3. Total dust exposure concentrations during periodic cleaning of the inside of the electrostatic precipirator were 51 to 2,000 mg/m3, and dioxin concentrations in the fly ash were 7.3 to 64 ng TEQ/g. Dioxin exposure concentrations were estimated to be 370 to 92,000 pg TEQ/m3, which were 150 to 37,000 times as high as the dioxin administrative level (2.5 pg TEQ/m3). Total of occupational and environmental dioxin intakes for an incinerator worker is predicted to exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI: 4 pg TEQ/kg/d), when dioxin concentration in fly ash is 1,000 ng TEQ/g, even if an airline mask is used during the periodic maintenance. Consequently, it is essential to decrease the dioxin concentration in fly ash. When the dioxin concentration in fly ash is no higher than 100 ng TEQ/g, if an airline mask is used during the periodic maintenance, the dioxin intake is predicted to be lower than the TDI. Thus, wearing an airline mask would be effective.
Association between Deletion Polymorphism of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene and Proteinuria in Japanese Overweight Men
Authors: Hashimoto Yoshiaki , Futamura Azusa , Nakarai Hideo , Yokota Hiromitsu , Omura Miho , Tsukamoto Kazuhisa , Togo Masako , Sato Hiroaki , Hara Masumi , Isoo Naoyuki , Taguchi Jun‐ichi , Nakahara Kazuhiko
Published: February 2008

Association between Deletion Polymorphism of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene and Proteinuria in Japanese Overweight Men: Yoshiaki Hashimoto, et al. Departments of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital—A cross‐sectional study was performed in 237 overweight men (BMI: 25.0‐34.8 kg/m2) to investigate the relationship between an insertion (I)/ deletion (D) polymorphism of intron 16 of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and proteinuria. Proteinuria (± or greater) was determined with a reagent strip. The prevalences of proteinuria were 9.2,13.3 and 24.3% in the subjects with the ACE II, ID and DD genotype, respectively. There was a significant difference between the II and the DD genotypes in the prevalence of proteinuria. No difference among the three genotypes was observed in blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, triglycerides and HbA1c. When the subjects were divided into two groups according to the result of urinalysis, the prevalence of the DD genotype was significantly higher in the group with proteinuria (28.1 %) than in the group without it (13.7%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the ACE DD genotype was independently related to proteinuria. The results suggest that the ACE DD genotype may be an independent risk factor of proteinuria in Japanese overweight men. It is specially important for subjects with the ACE DD genotype to prevent the other risk factors of proteinuria such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity by keeping healthy life‐style habits.
Role of Complement and CD14 in Meconium-Induced Cytokine Formation
Authors: Salvesen Bodil , Fung Michael , Saugstad Ola D. , Mollnes Tom E.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. Meconium aspiration syndrome has a complex, poorly defined pathophysiology. Meconium is a potent activator of complement in vitro and in vivo; the latter is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. The complement system and Toll-like receptors are 2 important upstream components of the innate immune system that act partly independently in the inflammatory network. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative role of complement and CD14 in meconium-induced cytokine production.

METHODS. Human adult (n = 6) and cord whole blood (n = 6) anticoagulated with lepirudin was collected and distributed into tubes that contained inhibitory antibodies (anti-CD14, anti-C2, anti–factor D, or combinations thereof). The tubes were preincubated for 5 minutes before addition of meconium or buffer and then incubated for 4 hours at 37°C. Complement activation was measured by quantification of the terminal sC5b-9 complement complex by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A panel of 27 inflammatory mediators (cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors) was measured by using multiplex technology.

RESULTS. Fourteen of the 27 mediators measured were induced by meconium both in cord and adult blood. In cord blood, 2 additional chemokines were induced and the inflammatory response was, in general, more potent. Blocking of complement or CD14 differentially reduced the formation of most mediators, anti-CD14 being more effective. Notably, the combined inhibition of complement and CD14 almost completely abolished meconium-induced formation of the cytokines and the chemokines and markedly reduced the formation of growth factors. The endogenous lipopolysaccharide content of meconium could not explain the CD14-mediated response.

CONCLUSIONS. Meconium-induced triggering of the cytokine network is differentially mediated by complement and CD14. A combined inhibition of these effector mechanisms may be an alternative approach to reduce the inflammatory reaction in meconium aspiration syndrome.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Twice-a-Day Insulin Glargine Mixed With Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs Versus Standard Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hassan Krishnavathana , Rodriguez Luisa M. , Johnson Susan E. , Tadlock Susanne , Heptulla Rubina A.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE. Insulin glargine is difficult to use for children due to the number of injections required because it is claimed to be immiscible with rapid-acting insulin analogs. For this study, we hypothesized that treating new-onset type 1 diabetes with twice-daily insulin glargine plus a rapid-acting insulin analog mixed in the same syringe would result in better glycosylated hemoglobin than twice-daily neutral protamine Hagedorn with a rapid-acting insulin analog (standard treatment).

METHODS. Forty-two patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes were started on standard treatment. Three months after diagnosis, if patients were found compliant and had a glycosylated hemoglobin level of ≤9%, then they were randomly assigned either to receive insulin glargine twice daily mixed with a rapid-acting insulin analog or to continue on standard treatment for 3 more months. Additional lunchtime rapid-acting insulin analog injections were given for the insulin glargine group as necessary.

RESULTS. Nineteen patients in the insulin glargine group and 17 in the neutral protamine Hagedorn group completed the study. The glycosylated hemoglobin level at baseline was 6.8% ± 1% vs 6.9% ± 1% and at poststudy was 6.7% ± 1.3% vs 7.6% ± 1% in the insulin glargine versus neutral protamine Hagedorn group, respectively. Two patients in the insulin glargine group required lunch rapid-acting insulin analog in the last month of the study. Although both groups were encouraged to contact the principal investigator with all queries, more in the insulin glargine arm opted to do so.

CONCLUSIONS. Glycemic control with insulin glargine mixed with a rapid-acting insulin analog given twice daily seems significantly more effective than the standard therapy in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, it decreases pain and burden of injections for children with diabetes by allowing patients to mix glargine with rapid-acting insulin analog.
Volutoderminae (Gastropoda: Volutidae) of Coniacian through Maastrichtian age from the North American Pacific Slope
Authors: Saul Louella R. , Squires Richard L.
Published: February 2008

Specimens of the large, shallow-marine, volutid gastropodVolutodermaGabb, 1877, herein recognized only from strata of Late Cretaceous (Coniacian through early Maastrichtian) age in British Columbia, Washington, California, and Baja California have commonly been identified asVolutoderma averillii(Gabb, 1864). This review of available specimens assigns them to two genera:VolutodermaandLongoconchaStephenson, 1941.

Twelve species, nine of them new, comprise three morphologic lineages ofVolutoderma, i.e., 1) “Typical” includesV. quernan. sp.,V. averillii(Gabb),V. blakein. sp.,V. jalaman. sp.,V. perissan. sp., and possiblyVolutoderma?n. sp.; 2)“Angelica”includesV. angelican. sp.,V. elderin. sp., andV. ynezaen. sp.; and 3)“Magna”includesV. santanaPackard,V. magnaPackard, and perhapsV.? antherenan. sp. A new species ofLongoconcha, L. eumeka, is the first Pacific Slope record of this genus, which has a Gulf Coast and Tethyan Old World distribution. A smaller volutid,RetipirulaDall, 1907 is endemic to the study area and was formerly known only from its type speciesR. crassitesta(Gabb, 1869) of Paleocene age. Two newRetipirulaare reported:R. calidulaof latest Maastrichtian age andR. pinguisof Paleocene age.

Only theVolutodermalineage containingV. averilliihas been found north of San Francisco. Recovery of rudist bivalves from formations yieldingVolutodermasuggests that these volutes were warm-temperate to subtropical gastropods. Co-occurrences of these gastropods and rudistids may aid in placing the warm-temperate/subtropical boundary during the Late Cretaceous.
The first Upper Triassic silicified hypercalcified sponges from the Alexander Terrane, Gravina island and Keku Strait, Southeast Alaska
Authors: Senowbari-Daryan Baba , Caruthers Andrew H. , Stanley George D.
Published: February 2008

This paper describes the first silicified Upper Triassic (Early Norian) hypercalcified sponges known from the Alexander terrane, southeast Alaska. Sponges consist of five taxa from the Cornwallis Limestone of Keku Strait, southeast Alaska:AmblysiphonellaSteinmann,ParauvanellaSenowbari-Daryan and Di Stefano,Nevadathalamia cylindrica(Seilacher),N. miniman. sp., andStellispongia(S.cf.subsphaericaDieci, Antonacci, and Zardini). The hypercalcified sponges of the Alexander terrane as described in this paper provide paleogeographic linkage with other far-flung terranes of western North America, namely the Western Great Basin of Nevada, Stikinia of the Yukon, as well as the Antimonio terrane of northwestern Mexico. In addition,Parauvanellacf.ferdowensisis known from the Upper Triassic Nayband Formation, Iran. FinallyStellispongiacf.subsphaericais known from the Upper Carnian Cassian Formation of the Dolomite Alps.

Sponges (particularly hypercalcified inozoans, sphinctozoans, chaetetids, and sponge-like organisms) are known worldwide from many Upper Triassic reef and nonreef sites. Although Upper Triassic deposits within the Cordilleran terranes and cratonal North America do not typically contain reeflike buildups, hypercalcifying sponge-like organisms were noted as occurring as part of the intricate paleoecological structure within a biostrome along the western shoreline of Gravina Island, southeast Alaska (southern Alexander terrane). This is in contrast to Keku Strait, southeast Alaska (central Alexander terrane), where hypercalcified sponges were identified from limestone beds within nonreef deposits.
Naktodemasis bowni: New ichnogenus and ichnospecies for adhesive meniscate burrows (AMB), and paleoenvironmental implications, Paleogene Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming
Authors: Smith Jon J. , Hasiotis Stephen T. , Kraus Mary J. , Woody Daniel T.
Published: February 2008

Adhesive meniscate burrows (AMB) are common in alluvial paleosols of the Paleogene Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. AMB are sinuous, variably oriented burrows composed of a nested series of distinct, ellipsoidal packets containing thin, tightly spaced menisci subparallel to the bounding packet. Menisci are non-pelleted and texturally homogeneous with each other and the surrounding matrix. AMB were constructed most likely by burrower bugs (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), cicada nymphs (Hemiptera: Cicadae), and less likely by scarabaeid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) or carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), based on burrow morphology and comparison to similar structures produced by these organisms in modern soils. Extant burrowing insects excavate backfilled burrows in well-rooted A and upper B horizons of soils generally below field capacity depending on soil type. This study demonstrates that AMB are distinct morphologically from such previously described ichnofossils asBeaconites, Laminites, Scoyenia, Taenidium, andAncorichnus. Naktodemasis bowni, a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, represents burrows composed of nested ellipsoidal packets backfilled with thin, tightly spaced, menisci subparallel to the bounding packet. The presence ofN. bowniindicate periods of subaerial exposure associated with pedogenic modification under moderately to well-drained soil conditions, or during periods of better drainage in imperfectly drained soils.N. bowni, therefore, can differentiate alluvial paleoenvironments from marine and lacustrine paleoenvironments, as well as periods of subaerial exposure of sediments deposited in aquatic settings.
Neogene Cupuladriidae of tropical America. II: taxonomy of recentDiscoporellafrom opposite sides of the Isthmus of Panama
Authors: Herrera-Cubilla Amalia , Dick Matthew H. , Sanner Joann , Jackson Jeremy B. C.
Published: February 2008

We used up to 30 morphological characters to discriminate and describe species of the genusDiscoporellabased on complete colony specimens collected from both coasts of the Isthmus of Panama. The characters included zooidal characters and colony-level characters such as colony size and basal granule density. Species were classified by a series of multivariate cluster and linear discriminant analyses until the majority of specimens were assigned to their putative species with high confidence. In the first phase of the analyses, the colonies were grouped by ocean (Caribbean versus eastern Pacific), discriminated predominantly by colony size and basal granule density, characters that might reflect ecophenotypic responses to different conditions in primary productivity and predation between the two oceans. Further analyses of these two groups separately resulted in the discrimination of seven species. Five new species from the Caribbean (D. scutella, D. peltifera, D. bocasdeltoroensis, D. terminataandD. triangula), and two from the eastern Pacific (D. marcusorumandD. cookae). Of these,D. cookaehad been identified previously asD. umbellata, a species once considered cosmopolitan, with a range spanning the Caribbean and eastern Pacific coasts of America. With the exception of one genetically defined clade represented by only two specimens, the correspondence of classification between groups discriminated morphometrically by separate step-wise multivariate analyses and those detected by a previous genetic analysis, ranged from 91% to 100%. In analyses of all specimens combined or separated by ocean, but using the total number of characters, 20% to 30% of the specimens could not be distinguished morphometrically from extremely similar sympatric species or cognate (“geminate”) species from the opposite ocean. Diversity was higher in the Caribbean compared to the eastern Pacific, which reflects a similar pattern recently described for the genusCupuladriafrom the same region.
Basal Middle Cambrian short-stalked eocrinoids from the Kaili biota: Guizhou province, China
Authors: Zhao Yuanlong , Parsley Ronald L. , Peng Jin
Published: February 2008

Gogiid eocrinoids (Echinodermata) are the most abundant coelomate invertebrates in the Middle Cambrian (Taijiangian) Kaili Biota, Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, China. Both long- and short-stalked taxa are represented. The short-stalked Globoeocrinus globulus n. gen. and sp. has a globular theca, with well-developed sutural pores on all thecal plates in older mature specimens, short, thick stalk composed of small polygonal to rounded platelets, a large flattened attachment disc, and up to ten long, thin, helically coiled brachioles with tall, pointed cover plates. Some younger mature specimens have varying patches of non-pored plates that usually occur on the upper (probably) posterior portion of the theca. This species is over three times more abundant than the other co-occurring long-stalked gogiid Sinoeocrinus lui Zhao, Huang and Gong, 1994. Most specimens of G. globulus (ca. 80%) attach to acrotretid brachiopods, trilobite exuviae, or other skeletal remains. They are also capable of attaching directly to the seafloor.
Late Cretaceous and Paleogene freshwater gastropods from Northeastern Mexico
Authors: Perrilliat María Del Carmen , Vega Francisco J. , Espinosa Belinda , Naranjo-Garcia Edna
Published: February 2008

Twenty-three species of Campanian, Maastrichtian, Paleocene, and Eocene freshwater gastropods from northeastern Mexico are described, including eight new species:Viviparus mcbridei, Pachychilus(Pachychiloides)lawtoni, Melanoides(Melanoides)yolandae, Melanoides(Melanoides)wollebeni, Physa cepedaensis, Mesolanistes magnus, Mesolanistes murrayi, andGyraulus zoltani.Specimens were collected from fine-grained, green sandstone and mudstone, red mudstone, and as hematized remains in fine light-brown sandstones belonging to the following stratigraphic units of northeastern Mexico: Cerro del Pueblo (Campanian, Parras Basin), Olmos (Maastrichtian, Sabinas Basin), Las Encinas (Paleocene, Parras Basin), and Carroza (Eocene, La Popa Basin) Formations. All except two of the genera (?PyrguliferaandMesolanistes) have recent representatives. Review of habitats of living species of the six extant genera and interpretations of sample lithologies support the inference of dominantly freshwater paleoenvironments. Only one Maastrichtian locality is interpreted confidently to have had a brackish water influence.
African crocodylians in the Late Neogene of Europe: A revision of Crocodylus bambolii Ristori, 1890
Authors: Delfino Massimo , Rook Lorenzo
Published: February 2008

Genus Crocodylus is considered to have originated in Africa during the Early Miocene but it is only in the Late Miocene that there are evidences of dispersal toward Europe, where tomistomines and the alligatoroid Diplocynodon were widespread since the Paleogene. Revision of the type material of Crocodylus bambolii Ristori, 1890, a Tortonian crocodylian from the renowned Oreopithecus localities in central Italy, excludes it from Diplocynodon. The morphology of the remains, combined with chronology and biogeography, confirms its identity as cf. Crocodylus. The validity of the species Crocodylus bambolii is however not supported by the available morphological characters so that a solid differential diagnosis cannot be realized. It is therefore here proposed to consider Crocodylus bambolii as a nomen dubium. The European Late Miocene distribution of short-snouted crocodylians sees only alligatoroids in western Europe and, curiously, only crocodylids in the Central Mediterranean area. The Tusco-Sardinian and the Apulo-Abruzzi paleobioprovinces, whose lands are nowadays part of the Italian peninsula, are apparently the only European areas inhabited by short-snouted crocodylids, which are at the same time among the last crocodylians of the continent. The isolated teeth from Fiume Santo and Scontrone, two localities of these palebioprovinces, are also not Diplocynodon-like, but further material is needed to identify their owners with confidence.
Lenisquilla californiensis, a new species of stomatopod crustacean
Authors: Cunningham John A. , Hof Cees H. J. , Braddy Simon J.
Published: February 2008

Stomatopods, or mantis shrimps, are malacostracan crustaceans. Known as “lean, mean, killing machines” (Watling et al., 2000, p. 1), modern stomatopods are obligate carnivores, feeding exclusively on live prey (Schram, 1986). Characteristically, their second thoracic appendages are enlarged to form powerful, raptorial claws. Modern stomatopods are divided into two broad functional groups based on the shape and usage of their raptorial claws: ‘spearing’ and ‘smashing’ stomatopods (Caldwell and Dingle, 1976).
Middle Cambrian arthropods from Utah
Authors: Briggs Derek E. G. , Lieberman Bruce S. , Hendricks Jonathan R. , Halgedahl Susan L. , Jarrard Richard D.
Published: February 2008

The Middle Cambrian Spence Shale Member (Langston Formation) and Wheeler and Marjum Formations of Utah are known to contain a diverse soft-bodied fauna, but important new paleontological material continues to be uncovered from these strata. New specimens of anomalocaridids include the largest and smallest near complete examples yet reported from Utah. New material of stem group arthropods includes two new genera and species of arachnomorphs:Nettapezoura basilikaandDicranocaris guntherorum.Other new arachnomorph material includes a new species ofLeanchoiliacomparable toL. protogoniaSimonetta, 1970;Leanchoilia superlata?Walcott, 1912;SidneyiaWalcott, 1911a; andMollisonia symmetricaWalcott, 1912.L. protogoniafrom the Burgess Shale is confirmed as a separate species and is not a composite fossil. The first example of the trilobiteElrathia kingiipreserving traces of the appendages is described. In addition, new material of the bivalved arthropodsCanadaspisNovozhilov in Orlov, 1960;BranchiocarisBriggs, 1976;WaptiaWalcott, 1912; andIsoxysWalcott, 1890 is described.
Corallite increase and mural pores inLichenaria(Tabulata, Ordovician)
Authors: Elias Robert J. , Lee Dong-Jin , Woo Sung-Kyu
Published: February 2008

Lichenariamay be a representative of the most primitive stock of tabulate corals. The degree of paleobiologic complexity discovered inL. globularisandL. grandisis therefore surprising. Six types of corallite increase are recognized. All are lateral, which is the predominant mode in tabulates. Most types, however, are unique or are comparable to those in few other Ordovician taxa. Only Type 1 (L. globularis), yielding a single offset with a simple basal mural pore, is typical of tabulates. In Type 2 (L. globularis), one parent produces two offsets simultaneously, whereas in Type 3 (L. globularis), two offsets arise from separate parents at nearly the same time and join via a connective mural pore. Types 4 (L. globularis, L. grandis), 5 (L. grandis), and 6 (L. globularis, L. grandis), respectively, involve one, two, and two to four corallites in addition to the parent, which join via a connective mural pore at the site of offsetting.

Several features ofL. globularisandL. grandispoint to unexpectedly high levels of colony integration. Continuously fused common walls lacking back-to-back epithecae suggest soft tissue continuity among polyps above the corallum. Connective mural pores indicate temporary fusion of polyps. Coordinated behavior of polyps is suggested by the development of conjoined offsets from two parents during Type 3 increase, and by fusion during Types 4 to 6 increase. Attempts at certain types of increase sometimes failed to yield offsets, suggesting expendability of incipient buds, perhaps reflecting subjugation of individuals for the good of the colony.

In light of this study, genera that have previously been included in Lichenariidae and Lichenariida require reassessment and their phylogenetic relationships should be reconsidered. Unfortunately, this is hindered because fundamental characters such as corallite increase and wall structure remain inadequately known in most early tabulates.
Diversity and distribution of Triassic bryozoans in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction
Authors: Powers Catherine M. , Pachut Joseph F.
Published: February 2008

Seventy-three species of stenolaemate bryozoans are documented worldwide from the Triassic. Stage-level diversity and paleogeographical analyses reveal that the recovery of bryozoans following the end-Permian mass extinction was delayed until the Middle Triassic. Early Triassic bryozoans faunas, dominated by members of the Order Trepostomida, were depauperate and geographically restricted. Bryozoan diversity increased during the Middle Triassic and diversity peaked in the Carnian (early Late Triassic). High extinction rates throughout the Late Triassic led to the extinction of all stenolaemate orders except the Cyclostomida by the end of the Triassic. Comparisons between global carbonate rock volume, outcrop surface area, and bryozoan diversity indicate that the documented diversity pattern for bryozoans may have been related, in part, to the availability of carbonate environments during the Triassic.
A new species of Buchia (Bivalvia: Buchiidae) from British Columbia, Canada, with an analysis of buchiid bipolarity
Authors: Grey Melissa , Haggart James W. , Smith Paul L.
Published: February 2008

Critical reinvestigation of the bivalve Buchia cf. blanfordiana Jeletzky, 1965 from the Upper Jurassic of western British Columbia indicates that it is morphologically distinct from B. blanfordiana Stoliczka, 1866 of the Indo-Pacific region. We analyzed collections from relatively coeval sections containing multiple buchiid species from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and used ten morphological characters to describe Buchia shell shape and size. We tested for taxonomic differences on left and right valves using a traditional morphometric approach with both linear and angular measurements and Fourier (outline) analyses. Phenetic discrimination revealed considerable overlap in the morphospace, but high classification rates between the two groups when compared with a step-wise discriminant analysis. This study supports the retention of the Indo-Pacific genera Australobuchia Zakharov, 1981 and Malayomaorica Jeletzky, 1963 and confirms that Buchia (=Australobuchia) blanfordiana is restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. Consequently, we propose the new name Buchia columbiana n. sp. for material assigned to Buchia cf. blanfordiana Jeletzky, 1965. Our results have implications for bipolarity and migration of the genus Buchia, supporting previous suggestions that buchiids formerly identified as Buchia from the Southern Hemisphere should be grouped as a separate genus.
Two ornithischian dinosaurs renamed: Microceratops Bohlin 1953 and Diceratops Lull 1905
Authors: Mateus Octávio
Published: February 2008

The Ceratopsian dinosaur genera Diceratops Lull, 1905 and Microceratops Bohlin, 1953 are preoccupied by the Hymenoptera insects, Diceratops Foerster, 1868 and Microceratops Seyrig, 1952, respectively. Therefore, the name of the ceratopsian dinosaur Diceratops Lull, 1905 from the Late Cretaceous of United States is a junior homonym of the hymenoptera Diceratops Foerster, 1868. Diceratus n. gen. (Greek di = “two,” Greek ceratos = “horned”) is proposed as the replacement name of Diceratops Lull, 1905. Some workers have considered Diceratops synonymous with Triceratops (e.g., Dodson and Currie, 1990) but it was reinstated by Forster (1996) after analysis of the characteristics of all existing ceratopsid skulls, and recent reviews (e.g., Dodson et al., 2004) have considered Diceratops a valid genus.
Use of Wavelet Transform in Pressure-Data Treatment
Authors: Ribeiro P. M. , Pires A. P. , Oliveira E. A. P. , Ferroni J. G.
Published: February 2008

Since the beginning of the 1980s, more downhole pressure gauges (DPGs) were installed in production and injection wells. The main purpose was well monitoring and evaluation of reservoir performance. This kind of gauge provides a large amount of data, but there are various problems that do not allow their complete use. These problems are related to quantity and quality. Most software is not able to handle the main objective for using DPGs with all the data available in a long recording period. Besides that, gauges present noise and strange data (outliers). It becomes necessary to treat the data before its use in the study of reservoir behavior. The concept of wavelet transform (WT) was developed about a century ago, but it was during the 1980s that it received practical application. Now it is used in a wide variety of applications, and, especially in data treatment, it presents two main features that make it attractive: smoothing of the signal and retention of the details. In this paper, we use the WT to overcome the main problems and enhance the reliability of the information contained in the data. We tested different wavelets with several decomposition levels against actual and synthetic data. The outliers must be removed before the wavelet analysis in order to enhance its performance. We show that there is no unique "correct" WT to apply in any flow period. For example, for some data sets the Daubechies 1 wavelet at decomposition Level 6 was used for flow periods, and Level 3 for buildup. It is important to notice that the use of high decomposition levels may cause loss of information, as is shown in some examples. The wavelet analysis was also used to recognize transients from its ability to enhance the details. This is particularly useful to identify flow rate changes when they have not been reported, for example. Finally, we propose a methodology to treat the data before its use in posterior interpretation.
Mechanistic/Probabilistic Modeling of Slug Initiation in a Lower Elbow of a Hilly-Terrain Pipeline
Authors: Al-Safran E. M. , Sarica C. , Zhang H. -Q. , Brill J. P.
Published: February 2008

Probabilistic/mechanistic modeling was carried out to develop a predictive model for initiated slug-length distribution at the lower elbow of a hilly-terrain pipeline. Statistical analysis suggested the appropriateness of a Log-Normal model over an Inverse Gaussian model. The Log-Normal model is correlated by two empirical relationships developed for mean slug length and slug-length standard deviation. Based on experimental observations, the approach of critical liquid level (instead of critical liquid volume) was adopted as the slug initiation criterion at the lower elbow. Consequently, the critical liquid level was mechanistically modeled and empirically correlated to the initiated mean slug length and standard deviation. A model validation study demonstrated the capability of the probabilistic/mechanistic models to reproduce experimental data with a satisfactory match. The match is improved when the developed correlations were tuned using the statistical confidence intervals of their coefficients.
Effect of Reservoir Mineralogy and Texture on Acid Response in Heterogeneous Sandstones
Authors: Morgenthaler Lee N. , Zhu Ding , Mou Jianye , Hill A. D.
Published: February 2008

A series of coreflood experiments with stimulation fluids [hydrochloric acid (HCl) preflush followed by hydrochloric/hydrofluoric acids (HCl/HF) main flush followed by amonium chloride (NH4Cl) post flush] has been conducted on a suite of cores from several Gulf of Mexico Miocene turbidite reservoirs. Using thin-section petrography and computer tomography (CT) scans, the samples were characterized as more or less heterogeneous. Samples ranged from reasonably homogeneous to highly laminated. Sample mineralogy was assessed by X–ray diffraction (XRD). The quartz content of the cores ranged from 28 to 78%. One core plug contains 39% clay, and the rest of the cores contained between 5 and 18%. These cores also contained between zero and 40% clinoptilolite zeolite. All of these sands are unconsolidated and contain only detrital carbonates. Treatment with HCl was not expected to cause core failure. The only core failure observed occurred during HCl/HF treatment.

Acid response was assessed on the basis of permeability change and effluent chemical analysis, which varied dramatically among the samples. Release of particles was not observed. In the poorer-quality, more-laminated samples, channeling with significant permeability increase was observed during HC1 treatment with little additional change during later stages of the treatment. Selective pore enlargement with little alteration of the matrix framework was observed in post-treatment thin sections. In more-homogeneous sand samples, more-general acid attack was observed. Core effluent indicated carbonate dissolution during the HCl preflush, while HCl/HF attacked alumino-silicates and was roughly half spent during transit through the core. In the homogeneous samples, comparison of thin sections before and after acidization revealed near-complete (greater than 80%) dissolution of carbonate and an extensive "cleaning" of clays and fines from the pore space.

We used a fine-scale simulator of sandstone acidizing to match the responses observed in these experiments. The model corroborates the effects of heterogeneities in the permeability field and in the mineral distribution on the sandstone-acidizing process. These model results show how characterization of fine-scale heterogeneity in sandstone can improve the design of matrix-stimulation treatments.
Implementation of a Total-System Production-Optimization Model in a Complex Gas-Lifted Offshore Operation
Authors: Nadar Manickam S. , Schneider Tim S. , Jackson Kathy L. , McKie Calum J. N. , Hamid Javad
Published: February 2008

A total-system production-optimization model has been implemented in a complex gas lifted offshore operation, resulting in production gains and operating-cost reductions. Whereas previous optimization models considered only the wells and production-gathering network, the new model is able to consider the combined performance of the total system, including downhole well configurations, the complex production-gathering and lift-gas-distribution pipeline networks, separators, compressors, and pumps. The model is applicable to most gas lifted fields and will be particularly beneficial when applied to those with complex production systems, and those where compressors are a constraint on total-system performance.

The output from the optimization model principally comprises recommended values for individual-well gas lift injection rates, separator pressures, compressor discharge pressures, and compressor use. Field results are presented in this paper to demonstrate how implementing the optimizer's recommendations in the field resulted in economic benefits through increased production and reduced operating costs. Also described is how the model allows field operations engineers to reoptimize field control parameters on a more frequent basis and with less manpower than previously.

The successful implementation of a complex model with such a broad scope is as dependent on the implementation process as it is on the technology. Therefore, in addition to describing the details of the model itself, this paper will cover the issues that arose during the implementation and how they were resolved. These include the level of manpower and support required, project organization and execution, and the processes required to sustain the benefits after the initial optimization gains have been realized.
Enablers for Successful Implementations of Intelligent Energy: The Statoil case
Authors: Henriquez A. , Fjærtoft I. , Johnsen C. , Yttredal O. , Gabrielsen T.
Published: February 2008

Statoil has implemented a strategy for wide deployment of Integrated Operations (IO), which has evolved on the basis of the company's cultural and organisational characteristics, the experiences it has gained and the assets it operates.

A phase of experimentation, including R&D activities, pilots and wide deployment, was identified as necessary for the understanding of the challenges ahead to mature. Two examples are the development of work processes for production optimization and the design of new wells and drilling with net present value as the main quality criterion.

The second phase was to establish field-specific plans in order to ensure more rapid and broader progress. The third phase recognised that the ambition could be set higher if a concrete vision was established: "to strengthen decision-making onshore and strengthen execution offshore". In addition, IO synergies were identified across assets.

One success factor has been the wholehearted support of senior management, the CEO and the E&P senior vice president and his team. Another factor has been the change management process, which was established through a core team consisting of both discipline and asset expertise, with the formal support of the technical and administrative organisations

The empowerment of the assets and their multidisciplinary groups to develop and implement a broad set of initiatives has been crucial. It provided the enthusiasm, experience and confidence required to make the transition to company-wide solutions.

The impact on the bottom line is already being felt: in 2006, the production increase as a resulted of IO generated USD1.5 billion.
Stimulation of High-Temperature Sandstone Formations From West Africa With Chelating Agent-Based Fluids
Authors: Ali S. , Ermel E. , Clarke J. , Fuller M. J. , Xiao Z. , Malone B.
Published: February 2008

Fluids based on chelating agents have been developed for matrix stimulation of high-temperature sandstone formations. These fluids dissolve sizeable amounts of calcite and clays and maintain high levels of dissolved metal in solution over time with minimal precipitation. A series of field samples from high-temperature (149°C) sandstone reservoirs in a West African formation bear carbonate concentrations ranging from 2% to 37% (w/w). The effects of matrix treatment using a chelating agent-based system on these field samples were studied using coreflood and slurry reactor experiments.

Linear coreflood test data show dramatic increases in the formation permeability after treatment with the chelating agent-based fluid. The improvement in permeability is ascribed to the removal of carbonate minerals and soluble clays, without secondary metal precipitation. Slurry reactor tests elucidated the kinetics of mineral dissolution in mechanically ground field samples. Treatment with acidic chelant fluids generated high levels of dissolved calcium, silicon, and aluminum that remained in solution over time. For comparison, conventional mineral-acid treatment of the field samples generated high levels of metals in solution that declined over the same period of time, which is indicative of secondary precipitation. The effectiveness of the chelant fluid for stimulation of this high-temperature formation was confirmed through increased formation permeability and high levels of dissolved minerals.
Simultaneous Chemical and Sensory Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds and Semi‐Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Swine Manure using Solid Phase Microextraction and Multidimensional Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry–Olfactometry
Authors: Lo Yin‐Cheung M. , Koziel Jacek A. , Cai Lingshuang , Hoff Steven J. , Jenks William S. , Xin Hongwei
Published: February 2008

Swine manure is associated with emissions of odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases that can affect air quality on local and regional scales. In this research, a solid phase microextraction (SPME) and novel multidimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–olfactometry (MDGC‐MS‐O) system were used to simultaneously identify VOCs and related odors emitted from swine manure. Gas samples were extracted from manure headspace using Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) 85‐μm SPME fibers. The MDGC‐MS‐O system was equipped with two columns in series with a system of valves allowing transfer of samples between columns (heartcutting). The heartcuts were used to maximize the isolation, separation, and identification of compounds. The odor impact of separated compounds was evaluated by a trained panelist for character and intensity. A total of 295 compounds with molecular weights ranging from 34 to 260 were identified. Seventy one compounds had a distinct odor. Nearly 68% of the compounds for which reaction rates with OH·radicals are known had an estimated atmospheric lifetime <24 h.
Methane Emissions from Free‐Ranging Cattle: Comparison of Tracer and Integrated Horizontal Flux Techniques
Authors: Griffith David W. T. , Bryant Glenn R. , Hsu David , Reisinger Andy R.
Published: February 2008

Accurate measurements of methane (CH4) emission rates from livestock in their undisturbed natural environments are required to assess their impacts on radiative forcing (i.e., enhanced greenhouse effect) and the environment. Here we compare results from two nonintrusive techniques for the measurement of CH4 emissions from cattle. The cows were kept in an outdoor feeding strip that allowed them to follow natural behavioral patterns but contained them within a well defined space. In the first technique, nitrous oxide (N2O) was released as a tracer at the upwind edge of the feeding strip, and the downwind concentrations of N2O and CH4 were measured simultaneously using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Average CH4 emission per cow was calculated each half‐hour on three separate days from the correlation between the two gases. The second technique was the integrated horizontal flux (IHF) or 1‐D mass‐balance method, in which we used the measured vertical profiles of CH4 concentration and windspeed downwind of the cows to determine the total CH4 emission. Comparing the IHF results to the known release rate of N2O allowed us to test the IHF technique independently. We found agreement within 10% for all comparisons on all days. The daily CH4 emission rate averaged over all tracer and IHF measurements was 342 g CH4 head−1 d−1 This is within the range of previous measurements for mature lactating dairy cattle (200–430 g CH4 head−1 d−1) but higher than expected for yearling cattle. The high CH4 emissions are accompanied by high CO2 emissions determined from the FTIR measurements. The bias is most likely due to the measurements being made during and after supplementary feeding of the cattle.
Sorption of the Antibiotic Tetracycline to Humic‐Mineral Complexes
Authors: Gu Cheng , Karthikeyan K. G.
Published: February 2008

Humic substances, by altering the surface properties and/or competing for available reaction sites, can either suppress or promote sorption of organic compounds to mineral surfaces. Limited literature evidence points to the reduction in sorption of the antibiotic tetracycline to clay minerals in the presence of humic substances. We investigated the surface interaction of Elliott soil humic acid (ESHA) with hydrous Al oxide (HAO) and the effect of this association on tetracycline sorption. Strong interaction between ESHA and HAO led to ESHA‐promoted dissolution of HAO and surface charge reversal. The ESHA‐HAO sorption–desorption isotherms were successfully described using a modified Langmuir model that accounted for the heterogeneity of HAO surface and ESHA. Ligand exchange was proposed as the major interaction mechanism, and the edge Al atoms on HAO surface were considered as the sorption sites for ESHA macromolecules. ESHA was coated onto HAO to achieve two different organic content (foc) levels of 0.81 and 1.52%. Sorption results were compared for the binary ESHA‐tetracycline and HAO‐tetracycline systems, and the ternary ESHA‐HAO‐tetracycline system. The coating of ESHA on HAO significantly suppressed tetracycline sorption levels, attributable to altered HAO surface charge characteristics and/or direct competition between ESHA and tetracycline for potential sorption sites. Higher foc level, besides increasing the extent of sorption suppression, also resulted in greater ionic strength dependence and increased nonlinearity of sorption behavior. It, therefore, appears that the presence of humic substances, in both dissolved and mineral‐bound forms, is likely to increase the environmental mobility of tetracycline compounds.