bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of Picuriste Use in a Sample of Health-Seeking Haitian Immigrants and Adult Children of Immigrants in Miami–Dade County, Florida
Authors: Rahill Guitele J. , Rice Christopher
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We explored covariates of the use of picuristes (traditional health workers with no formal medical training who provide intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injections, typically with nonsterile needles) in the Haitian community of Miami–Dade County, Florida.

Methods. We surveyed a community-based sample of 205 Haitian immigrants and adult children of Haitian immigrants. Through logistic regression analysis, we sought to corroborate the correlates of picuriste use identified in previous qualitative interviews of picuristes and their clients.

Results. Picuriste injections had been obtained by 17.6% of our respondents. After control for demographic characteristics, we found that participants who reported that a trusted person recommended a picuriste were 3.9 times as likely as participants without a recommendation to have used a picuriste. Similarly, participants who believed that the benefits associated with picuriste use were worth any resulting problems were 4.5 times as likely as those without this belief to have patronized a picuriste.

Conclusions. A significant minority of our sample patronized picuristes. Our data identified factors associated with picuriste use and shed light on a frequently hidden cultural health behavior.
Hidden Breast Cancer Disparities in Asian Women: Disaggregating Incidence Rates by Ethnicity and Migrant Status
Authors: Gomez Scarlett Lin , Quach Thu , Horn-Ross Pamela L. , Pham Jane T. , Cockburn Myles , Chang Ellen T. , Keegan Theresa H. M. , Glaser Sally L. , Clarke Christina A.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We estimated trends in breast cancer incidence rates for specific Asian populations in California to determine if disparities exist by immigrant status and age.

Methods. To calculate rates by ethnicity and immigrant status, we obtained data for 1998 through 2004 cancer diagnoses from the California Cancer Registry and imputed immigrant status from Social Security Numbers for the 26% of cases with missing birthplace information. Population estimates were obtained from the 1990 and 2000 US Censuses.

Results. Breast cancer rates were higher among US- than among foreign-born Chinese (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.72, 1.96) and Filipina women (IRR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.20, 1.44), but similar between US- and foreign-born Japanese women. US-born Chinese and Filipina women who were younger than 55 years had higher rates than did White women of the same age. Rates increased over time in most groups, as high as 4% per year among foreign-born Korean and US-born Filipina women. From 2000–2004, the rate among US-born Filipina women exceeded that of White women.

Conclusions. These findings challenge the notion that breast cancer rates are uniformly low across Asians and therefore suggest a need for increased awareness, targeted cancer control, and research to better understand underlying factors.
HIV Counseling and Testing Among Hispanics at CDC-Funded Sites in the United States, 2007
Authors: Duran Denise , Usman Hussain R. , Beltrami John , Alvarez Maria E. , Valleroy Linda , Lyles Cynthia M.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We sought to determine whether Hispanic–White HIV testing disparities exist and to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics.

Methods. We used 2007 HIV Counseling and Testing System data to compare test-level records of Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites, and we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with newly diagnosed HIV.

Results. Relative to Whites, Hispanics were more likely to have had a positive HIV test result (1.2% versus 0.8%), to have newly diagnosed HIV (0.8% versus 0.6%), and to have test results returned and receive posttest counseling more than 2 weeks after testing (24.3% versus 21.5%). Newly diagnosed HIV among Hispanics was most strongly associated with being a man who has sex with men (MSM; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.1, 7.6), being both an MSM and an injection drug user (AOR = 3.7; 95% CI = 2.6, 5.3), and being aged 40 to 49 years (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI = 4.9, 8.2).

Conclusions. Hispanic–White disparities exist with respect to rates of positive HIV test results and late return of results. HIV prevention strategies such as rapid testing should focus on Hispanic MSM.
Finding Synergy: Reducing Disparities in Health by Modifying Multiple Determinants
Authors: Freudenberg Nicholas , Olden Kenneth
Published: March 2010

Although researchers acknowledge that health disparities have multiple determinants, most recommendations for reducing inequities focus on a single approach.

We suggest integrating 2 approaches for reducing disparities: improving access to primary care and updating and more vigorously enforcing consumer and environmental protection laws. This strategy could reduce the main causes of disparities, such as chronic diseases and injuries; win public and policymaker support; and provide a cost-effective start for achieving equity. Most of the scientific knowledge needed to implement this strategy exists, thus years of additional research would not be needed.

Developing targeted regulatory and health care policies to reduce deaths from chronic diseases and injuries would be a major step forward in eliminating health disparities in the United States.
Using Motivational Interviewing in HIV Field Outreach With Young African American Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Outlaw Angulique Y. , Naar-King Sylvie , Parsons Jeffrey T. , Green-Jones Monique , Janisse Heather , Secord Elizabeth
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We sought to determine whether field outreach with motivational interviewing, as compared with traditional field outreach, leads to increases in HIV counseling and testing and rates of return for test results among young African American men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods. In a randomized, 2-group, repeated-measures design, 96 young African American MSM completed a motivational interviewing—based field outreach session and 92 young African American MSM completed a traditional field outreach session. The percentages of participants agreeing to traditional HIV counseling and testing (an oral swab of the cheek) and returning for test results were the primary outcome measures.

Results. More of the participants in the motivational interviewing condition than the control condition received HIV counseling and testing (49% versus 20%; χ21 = 17.94; P = .000) and returned for test results (98% versus 72%; χ21 = 10.22; P = .001).

Conclusions. The addition of motivational interviewing to field outreach is effective in encouraging high-risk young African American MSM to learn their HIV status. Also, peer outreach workers can be effectively trained to reduce health disparities by providing evidence-based brief counseling approaches targeting high-risk minority populations.
Results of a Pilot Diabetes Prevention Intervention in East Harlem, New York City: Project HEED
Authors: Parikh Punam , Simon Ellen P. , Fei Kezhen , Looker Helen , Goytia Crispin , Horowitz Carol R.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. Our community–academic partnership employed community-based participatory research to develop and pilot a simple, peer-led intervention to promote weight loss, which can prevent diabetes and eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in incident diabetes among overweight adults with prediabetes.

Methods. We recruited overweight adults at community sites, performed oral glucose tolerance testing to identify persons with blood glucose levels in the prediabetes range, and randomized eligible people to a peer-led lifestyle intervention group or delayed intervention in 1 year. Outcomes, including weight, blood pressure, and health behaviors, were measured at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results. More than half of those tested (56%, or 99 of 178) had prediabetes and enrolled in the study. Participants were predominantly Spanish-speaking, low-income, undereducated women. The intervention group lost significantly more weight than the control group and maintained weight loss at 12 months (7.2 versus 2.4 pounds; P < .01). One fourth (24 of 99) of participants progressed to diabetes.

Conclusions. In underserved minority communities, prediabetes prevalence may be higher than previously reported. Low-cost, community-based interventions can succeed in encouraging weight loss to prevent diabetes.
Racial Differences in the Association Between Self-Rated Health Status and Objective Clinical Measures Among Participants in the BARI 2D Trial
Authors: Thomas Stephen B. , Sansing Veronica V. , Davis Andrew , Magee Michelle , Massaro Elaine , Srinivas V. S. , Helmy Tarek , Desvigne-Nickens Patrice , Brooks Maria Mori ,   the BARI 2D Study Group
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We explored whether and how race shapes perceived health status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

Methods. We analyzed self-rated health (fair or poor versus good, very good, or excellent) and associated clinical risk factors among 866 White and 333 Black participants in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes trial.

Results. Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument scores, regular exercise, and employment were associated with higher self-rated health (P < .05). Blacks were more likely than were Whites to rate their health as fair or poor (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38, 2.57; P < .001). Among Whites but not Blacks, a clinical history of myocardial infarction (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.31; P < .001) and insulin use (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.38; P = .01) was associated with a fair or poor rating. A post–high school education was related to poorer self-rated health among Blacks (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.07, 3.24; P < .001).

Conclusions. Symptomatic clinical factors played a proportionally larger role in self-assessment of health among Whites with diabetes and coronary artery disease than among Blacks with the same conditions.
Disparities in Data on Healthy People 2010 Physical Activity Objectives Collected by Accelerometry and Self-Report
Authors: Ham Sandra A. , Ainsworth Barbara E.
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We compared findings on physical activity from national accelerometry data and Healthy People 2010 self-report data to identify differences in disparities by sociodemographic characteristics, gender, age, race/ethnicity, education level, and disability status.

Methods. Data were from the 2003 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey's accelerometry and the Healthy People 2010 Midcourse Review. We computed prevalence of inactivity and regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity movement according to Healthy People 2010 operational definitions.

Results. Mexican American adults were more active than non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites, and groups defined by race/ethnicity and educational attainment were more similar in physical activity in accelerometer than in self-report data. Disparities by gender and disability status were consistent with Healthy People 2010.

Conclusions. Disparities in physical activity differ from previous findings. Increased understanding of these disparities should be used to design better and more cost-effective physical activity interventions. Physical activity surveillance methods should be revised to make use of data collection methods that are more valid than self-report.
The Ohio Cross-Cultural Tobacco Control Alliance: Understanding and Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disparities Through the Integration of Science, Practice, and Policy
Authors: Deason Lucinda M. , Adhikari Surendra B. , Clopton Tracy M. , Oches Barry , Jensen Conrado
Published: March 2010

Objectives. We examined the development of a process designed to eliminate tobacco-related disparities in the state of Ohio and described how a cross-cultural work group used a multicomponent community planning process to develop capacity to address such disparities.

Methods. The community development model was used as a guide in the planning process. We employed a case study, focus groups, and telephone interviews to assess the process and collect data on tobacco use and awareness. We also employed the appreciative inquiry framework to create the organizational design for the Ohio Cross-Cultural Tobacco Control Alliance (CCTCA), which was formed from the cross-cultural work group and charged with addressing tobacco-related disparities in the state.

Results. Data on tobacco use and awareness were collected from 13 underserved populations. At the end of the planning process, the CCTCA was initiated along with structural capacity to serve as a new program incubator highlighting tobacco use and awareness levels in these populations.

Conclusions. The CCTCA appeared to be an effective way to begin mobilizing agencies serving underserved populations by providing an operational structure to address tobacco-related disparities. The alliance also successfully implemented culturally competent community-based programs and policies to help eliminate disparities.
Sectoral Job Training as an Intervention to Improve Health Equity
Authors: Tsui Emma K.
Published: March 2010

A growing literature on the social determinants of health strongly suggests the value of examining social policy interventions for their potential links to health equity. I investigate how sectoral job training, an intervention favored by the Obama administration, might be conceptualized as an intervention to improve health equity. Sectoral job training programs ideally train workers, who are typically low income, for upwardly mobile job opportunities within specific industries. I first explore the relationships between resource redistribution and health equity. Next, I discuss how sectoral job training theoretically redistributes resources and the ways in which these resources might translate into improved health. Finally, I make recommendations for strengthening the link between sectoral job training and improved health equity.
Air Drilling To Date
Authors: Gilbert Teddy J. , Tucker B.D.
Published: March 2010

The use of air to provide an aid by which holes could be drilled has been an interesting and sometimes complex series of events. The bulk of what has happenedpertaining to oil well drilling has been accomplished from approximately 1950 to date. Characteristically, this work has been a series of "Ups and downs". The most significant step has been in the development of foam to extend the application of the air techniques in locales where water influx and hole enlargement, would otherwise preclude the. use or air. It has taken application of the sciences, time, sweat, and more than a little faith to reach our present plateau.

Introduction

The interest in drilling using air has probably had as many "ups and downs" as the stock markets. The lows are associated with seemingly insurmountable problems; the highs associated with apparent solutions to these problems. Sometimes the very solutionsto a major problem have resulted in a new problems to solve. The fact that the problems have been and are being solved accounts for the continuing interest in drilling with air after a, decade and a half of experience in drilling with this technique.

Air drilling as a practical technique in the oilfield came of age in the early 1950's. The obvious attraction lay in the Potentially high drilling rates. The establishmentof air compressor rental companies in the mid 1950's, in West Texas and the Rocky Mountains was an indication that the use of air and gas had become an economic reality. The increasing cost per foot of hole for the operators gave impetus to the development of techniques which would increase penetration rates, thereby reducing the total cost of drilling a hole. In the absence of water invasion air drilling usually produced significant increases in penetration rates over that obtained with a liquid.

PROBLEMS APPROACHES RESULTS

Initially, air drilling was accomplished with small construction-type compressors which could only delivered in volumes of approximately 600 CPM at pressures to 150 psi. It was soon recognized that larger volumes and pressures were required and larger compressors which facilitated proper use of technology and engineering toward the drilling of oil wells with air and gas were introduced.

Through practical experience, a general rule of thumb was developed that an annular velocity of 3000 fpm (feet per minute) was necessary to properly clean the cuttings from the hole. Numerous companies and engineers made studies of air capacities requiredfor drilling operations. Of all the studies, one that gained considerable acceptance and popularity in general was published in 1957 by R. R. Angel as a guide to volume requirements for air or gas drilling.

Problems associated with the influx of formation water into the air or gas-drilled holes suppressed potentially high drilling rates and in some instances made continueddrilling with air impossible. A number of materials and techniques to shut off waterwere attempted with limited success.
Interim Progress Report On Husky's Pikes Peak Steam Pilot
Authors: Miller Karl A.
Published: March 2010

Husky's Pikes Peak Steam Pilot was initiated in 1981 to evaluate cyclic steam recovery in a Lloydminster area Waseca channel sand reservoir, and has since been expanded to include a total of fifty-four thermal wells. Development has been based on three hectare seven-spot patterns to facilitate eventual conversion to steam drive, and directional drilling has been in use the last two years.

The overall performance of the pilot has been very good, although data are limited as only three fully contained wells have completed two or more cycles.

Studies are underway at the pilot to evaluate the following: use of a post-cyclic steam drive process, production from wells with bottom water, production following the establishment of interwell communication, and methods of improving steam. A data management system is being developed, and both semi empirical and numerical modeling studies are underway.

Introduction

Husky's Pikes Peak Steam Pilot is located in Township 50, Range 23 and 24 West of the 3rd Meridian approximately 40 kilometers east of the town of Lloydminster (Figure 1). The discovery well, Husky A9-L-50-24, was drilled in 1970 and completed in the General Petroleum Sand. Attempts at primary production from the Waseca formation in 1977 to 1980 were not successful, likely due to the high viscosity of the crude and to high sand cuts.

An application seeking approval to initiate a steam pilot was submitted to and accepted by The Saskatchewan Energy and Mines in 1981, and by the end of L981 seven producers and two observation wells were drilled. Additional wells have been drilled each year, and the pilot presently has 54 thermal wells. Directional drilling was initiated in 1983 to reduce the effects on surface land, and there are now 30 directional thermal wells.

The Pikes Peak Waseca reservoir sand is well sorted and is primarily quartz. The pilot is located in one of the few areas in a north=south aligned channel which has thick oil bearing sands that are not underlain by bottom water. Net pay in the developed pilot area ranges from 7 m to 28 m, and averages 15 m.

Pilot wells are normally completed openhole with wire-wrapped screens, but based through completions are used if bottom water is indicated on the logs or if the potentially gassy underlying Sparky zone is penetrated.

The overall pilot performance has been very good, with a cumulative pilot SOR of 1.5 and an average calendar day oil rate of 15.5 m3/d/producer. Data for totally confined wells are limited, however. Interwe11 communication became common in mid-1983, and the performance of neighboring wells is now also considered when determining if a well should be re-steamed. A continuous injection test is underway in one pattern to help evaluate use of steam drive when cyclic stimulation is no longer economic. Studies are also underway to improve oil recovery from wells with bottom water.

GEOLOGY AND RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION

The Pikes Peak Steam Pilot is located on an exist-west structural high within a north-south trending channel complex.
Simulation Of Horizontal Well Performance In Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Authors: Collins D. , Nglem L. , Sharma R. , Jha K.N. , Mouritis F.M.
Published: March 2010

This paper examines the effect of horizontal wellbore hydraulics and flow direction in the recovery from idealized heterogeneous reservoirs subject to bottom-water drive. It is shown that wellbore hydraulics significantly influence the inflow along the wellbore. However, the total rate of the well is not affected by wellbore hydraulics. It is also shown that the heterogeneities give rise to different wellbore pressure drops for different flow directions.

A novel multi-level technique where the coarse-grid. fine-grid and wellbore equations are solved separately was developed. Preliminary test runs with this technique show substantial reductions in CPU time when compared to the standard technique.

Introduction

The inclusion of wellbore hydraulics in reservoir simulation with horizontal wells has received much interest recently [1,2]. It was shown in [I] that wellbore hydraulics can have a significant effect on the inflow (flow into the well) along the wellbore. Although the prediction of the production from a horizontal well may be very similar with or without wellbore hydraulics. the inclusion of wellbore hydraulics yields a substantially different drainage pattern along the wellbore. To increase the resolution of the flow around the wellbore a hybrid grid system which consists of local elliptical refinement of the coarse Canesian grid was used. The studies in [I] were restricted to homogeneous reservoirs.

This paper examines the effect of wellbore hydraulics and wellbore flow directions in the prediction of recovery from heterogeneous reservoirs. The reservoirs under study contain zones with permeability contrasts and shale streaks.

This paper also describes a novel solution technique for converging the systems of coarse-grid equations, fine-grid equations and wellbore flow equations. In [I], all these equations were converged simultaneously using Newton's method. In this paper, a multi-level technique is described which allows the separate solution of the different systems of equations. Thus, the coarse grid equations, the fine grid equations and the wellbore equations were solved separately. Attempts have been made to solve separately the coarse and fine grid equations [3,4], but have not been very successful. The method described here is more comprehensive than those in [2] and [3] because the wellbore is also included in the calculations. The key to the success of this multi-level technique is the transfer of information between the different systems through judicious specifications of boundary conditions. The advantages of this technique are highlighted.
An Alternative Approach To The Selection Of Pseudocomponents For Modelling In-Situ Combustion
Authors: Hutchence K. , Freitag N.
Published: March 2010

An important step in the numerical simulation of in-situ combustion for enhanced oil recovery is the selection of the pseudocomponents used to represent the oil. Frequently the oil is separated according 10 distillation cuts. In addition, a hydrocarbon pseudocomponent called "coke" is used to present the heavy residue that results from the reactions immediately ahead of a combustion zone. While this approach provides for some of the general changes that occur during in-situ combustion. it provides a poor basis for representing the overall set of chemical reactions.

Chemical principles and the results of several publications from diverse sources suggest that a modified SARA analytical approach presents a sound basis for representing in-situ combustion chemistry. The potential for such all approach is discussed and a set of pseudocomponents is proposed that could plausibly represent all the major physical and chemical changes that oil experiences in the in-situ combustion process. Finally. the steps that are foreseen to successfully implement such all approach are outlined.

Introduction

In-situ combustion may be a good option for enhanced oil recovery of many reservoirs. Unfortunately, its use is diminished by the lack of reliable methods for predicting performance. Usefully accurate prediction of performance almost certainly requires numerical simulation. The complicated interactions that control firefloods vary with oil and reservoir types and cannot normally be represented in simpler forms. Many of these interactions depend on the chemical reactions that dominate in-situ combustion. Consequently, the selection of a suitable set of pseudocomponents and reactions is vital to the establishment of an accurate numerical model for firefloods.

In the search for a suitable basis to express the chemical reactions of fireflooding, a thought-provoking publication by Ciajolo and Barbella1was found. Their thermal gravimetric analysis data suggested that SARA (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes) analysis offered this sought-after basis for pseudocomponent selection. Various data in another publication by Bad2 provided a separate indication that the oxidation and cracking behaviour of a wide variety of oils corresponded to their SARA analysis.

In this paper, the SARA-based approach is used to build a plausible and comprehensive reaction scheme that describes the chemistry of in-situ combustion.
Effect Of Heterogeneity On Miscible Flooding In Porous Media
Authors: Bouhroum A.
Published: March 2010

The present study consists of an experimental investigation of dispersion in inhomogeneous layered, isotropic porous media.

Thanks to an in situ method of measuring electrical conductivity, we have studied two layered models. We examine four different layouts. The first sample has three layers of different permeabilities. The second has only two layers. Furthermore. two models with layers oriented perpendicular to the flow are considered.

Besides normal "gaussian" dispersion, clear cut anomalies were observed. The experimental breakthrough curves are skewed as a consequence of tracer tailing.

Tailed breakthrough curves are known from displacement in cores with local heterogeneity. Good agreement has been obtained between the experimental results and the semiphenomenological model of Coats Smith. Thus~ the mechanism involved in this anomalous dispersion is not trapping in the so-called dead end pores, but rather is due to different residence times because of permeability difference.

Introduction

The mixing of a tracer during flow through a porous medium involves the interplay between the two basic phenomena of dispersion, namely, molecular diffusion and mechanical (geometrical) dispersion. If two miscible fluids are in mutual contact. initially with a shaped interface, they will diffuse into one another because of random molecular motion according to the diffusion law of Fick1:: Equation (1) (Available in full paper)

To account for the tortuous path of a porous medium, equation (I) was modified by Klinkenberg2, who used the analogy with electrical conductivity, thus: Equation (2) (Available in full paper)

Do thereby corresponds to the bulk molecular diffusion coefficient for the fluid multiplied by the geometric factor (F Ø). The formation factor is F= σ o / σ, were σ denotes the electrical conductivity of a rock saturated with a fluid of conductivity σOØ. is the porosity of the rock.

Molecular Diffusion is the dominant factor at extremely low or zero flow rate. At a higher flow rates, fluid flow plays a key role: there is a competition between the dispersive effect of the velocity gradients in the flow, and the various processes that homogenize the tracer (diffusion and transverse dispersion) across the porous media. The dimensionless Peelet number, which is the ratio of convective velocity U to the average velocity of molecular diffusion over a distance I characterizes this competition. Thus: Equation (3) (Available in full paper)
Packed Bed Slime Reactor: New Technology For Petroleum Wastewater Purification
Authors: Hill G.A.
Published: March 2010

The use of a high density concentration of Bacteria immobilized in a packed column (the Packed Bed Slime Reactor) is described for the biodegradation of organic petroleum wastewater effluents. The column has been characterized in lams of liquid holdup, mass transfer to a flowing countercurrent air phase and liquid dispersion. Equations are presented representing an accurate mechanistic model of the biodegradation behaviour of the column for phenol, cresol and actual refinery wastewater.

The column established a 200 micron thick slime layer of bacteria. Biodegradation of the phenolic pollutants was 100% efficient at a rate of 1.6*10−3 kg/m3 /s, significantly faster than any previously reported rates. Negligible air-stripping losses occurred during 100% biodegradation runs and the column responded swiftly to step changes m inlet concentrations reaching new steady states within three hours after a disturbance.

Introduction

Petroleum operations involve the handling of a great deal of water along with crude oil and/or petroleum products. Frequently this water phase undergoes intimate contact with the oil phase whether it be due to coproduction directly from the reservoir or due lo condensates from steam stripping columns within an oil refinery. Depending on the current value of crude oil, it may be economical to pump recovery wells with many times more water than oil while most oil refineries require a vast quantity of fresh water to process that same crude oil into useful products. A typical oil refinery will consume 18 barrels. of water for every barrel of crude oil it brings across its borders.

Although much of this water may either be unspoiled or used as a secondary recovery fluid at production sites, frequently petroleum operations generate considerable quantities of polluted waters which must be safely discharged. The primary ingredients of discharge water and typical effluent concentration guidelines are listed in Table 1 (from Beychok1). Of particular concern for petroleum operations are the organic phenols which contribute a major portion of the dissolved hydrocarbons in the wastewater. This is because the aromatic ring proves to be simultaneously a very stable and toxic molecule making phenols recalcitrant to natural degradation and poisonous to most forms of life.

This paper will focus on a novel design for secondary treatment of petroleum wastewaters. The packed bed slime reactor (PBSR) will be shown to be much more efficient than the aerated lagoon for biodegradation of phenols. The enhanced efficiency combined with the traditional but simple design will result in less money for construction and operation. The phenol biodegradation characteristics of an actual refinery wastewater effluent will be shown to be identical La that of artificial mixtures used in research studies.
Recovery Of Heavy Oils Using Vaporized Hydrocarbon Solvents: Further Development Of The Vapex Process
Authors: Butler A.M. , Mokrys I.J.
Published: March 2010

There are extensive deposits of heavy oil in Saskatchewan and Alberta which can only be recovered with low efficiency by conventional methods. Primary recovery in the best of these heavy oil reservoirs can yield about 6 percent of the OOIP. Waterflooding can improve the recovery, but only to an extent of f-2 percent because of the adverse mobility ratio. Thermal recovery processes using steam can be effective, but these are uneconomic in many Lloydminster type reservoirs because the deposits are relatively thin and heat losses to the overburden and underburden are excessive.

One potential means for overcoming the problem of heat loss is to make use of vapourized hydrocarbon solvents at their dew point. This paper discusses the results of experiments with Tangleflags heavy oil and propane carried out in a large, scaled, physical model. It focuses on the area of potential problems encountered with the use of saturated hydrocarbon vapours as a solvent. In particular, it addresses the issue of precipitation of asphaltenes which may lead to reduced permeability and lower production rates. Rates, recoveries, gas to oil ratios and other important parameters will be presented and field performance of the process will be predicted from the data obtained in the scaled laboratory model.

Introduction

Production of heavy oils and bitumens from the extensive deposits in Alberta and Saskatchewan is hampered by the high viscosity of these materials caused by the high content of asphaltenes. After these heavy crudes have been produced, often by thermal methods, dilution with light hydrocarbons is required to facilitate transport through pipelines to upgrading plants and refineries. The cost of steam injection to mobilize the heavy crude is large, mostly because there are inherent heat losses associated with heating surrounding rock formations that do not bear oil. This situation is further exacerbated in thinner reservoirs.

A new idea is to recover heavy oils using saturated hydrocarbon vapours under carefully controlled conditions which lead to separation of asphaltenes from the heavy crude. The asphaltenes are thus left behind deposited on the reservoir matrix while the much lighter oil is recovered. The handling, processing and transport of such in situ upgraded oil is easier and more economical.

In our previous paper[l] we described a new process for recovering heavy oil with the aid of a saturated hydrocarbon vapour. In this paper we present further experimental data to support the feasibility of the process and explore the benefits of in situ upgrading by asphaltene removal and deposition on the rock matrix.
Phytotoxic Antibiotic Sulfadimethoxine Elicits a Complex Hormetic Response in the Weed Lythrum Salicaria L.
Authors: Migliore Luciana , Rotini Alice , Cerioli Nadia L. , Cozzolino Salvatore , Fiori Maurizio
Published: March 2010

In order to evaluate the hormetic response of the weed Lythrum salicaria to drug exposure we investigated the effects of the antibiotic Sulfadimethoxine by growing Lythrum plants for 28 days on culture media containing different drug concentrations (between 0.005 and 50 mg.L−1). The antibiotic was absorbed by plants and can be found in plant tissue. The plant response was organ-dependent: roots, cotyledons and cotyledon petioles, were always affected by a toxic effect, whilst internodes and leaves length, showed a variable dose-depending response, with an increased growth at the lower drug concentrations and toxic effects at the higher ones. This variable response was probably dependant on different levels of local contamination resulting from a balance between accumulation rate and drug dilution in the increasing plant biomass. As a consequence, drug toxicity or hormetic response varied according to concentration and were different in each of the examined plant organ/tissue. Thus, even if hormesis can be considered a general plant response, each plant organ/tissue responds differently, depending on the local drug concentration and exposure time.
STAT3 knockdown by siRNA induces apoptosis in human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma line Hut78 via downregulation of Bcl-xL
Authors: Verma Navin , Davies Anthony , Long Aideen , Kelleher Dermot , Volkov Yuri
Published: March 2010

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas resulting from clonal expansion and localization of malignant T-lymphocytes to the skin. CTCL cells have defective apoptosis. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are a family of transcription factors known to play important roles in the development and progression of several human cancers by promoting cell proliferation and protecting against apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the specific role of STAT3, a major component of the STAT family, in growth and survival of human CTCL cell line Hut78. Western immunoblot analysis showed elevated expression of STAT3 and phospho-STAT3(Y705) in human CTCL cells as compared to freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Specific knockdown of STAT3 expression in Hut78 cells by RNA interference induced morphological and biochemical changes indicating apoptotic cell death. Moreover, STAT3 inhibition downregulated the expression of Bcl2 family of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL. These observations suggest that STAT3 is required for the survival of CTCL cells and strongly indicate that targeting STAT3 using siRNA techniques may serve a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CTCL.
Aerobic capacity and sprint velocity of Leagues I and IV football players
Authors: Michalczyk Małgorzata , Kłapcińska Barbara , Poprzęcki Stanisław , Jagsz Sławomir , Sadowska-Krępa Ewa , Kimsa Elżbieta , Kempa Katarzyna , Chmura Jan
Published: March 2010

Aerobic capacity and sprint velocity of Leagues I and IV football players

Study aim: To assess the aerobic capacity, sprint velocity and changes in biochemical variables in football players preparing for the spring round of matches.

Material and methods: Football players from League I (n = 19) and League IV (n = 15) were subjected twice to a graded running tests at the beginning and at the end of the pre-season preparation period. The following variables were recorded: maximum running velocity (km/h), O2max (ml/kg/min), pulmonary ventilation (VE), load at the lactate threshold (LT) expressed as the threshold velocity (LTV; km/h) or %O2max, activities of enzymes in plasma - creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), concentrations of lactate (La), ammonia (NH3) and of glucose (Gl) in plasma. At the end of the study the players were also subjected to a 30-m sprint test.

Results: In League I players, LT significantly (p<0.05) increased from 11.9 ± 0.8 (at the beginning) to 12.6 ± 0.7 km/h (at the end of the pre-season preparation period) and the maximum load - from 17.4 ± 0.9 to 18.3 ± 1.0 km/h, respectively. Also, the concentrations of NH3 and Gl significantly (p<0.05) increased and enzyme activities tended to increase (p<0.10) following the graded running test. Moreover, they attained significantly (p<0.05) higher velocity at the first 5 m of the 30-m sprint test than their League IV mates.

Conclusions: The negligible differences between football players from Leagues I and IV in their aerobic capacity and speed abilities, and the marked distance from world elite players in those indices, call for substantial changes in training strategies and schedules.
Sulis: An Open Source Transfer Decoder for Deep Syntactic Statistical Machine Translation
Authors: Graham Yvette
Published: March 2010

Sulis: An Open Source Transfer Decoder for Deep Syntactic Statistical Machine Translation

In this paper, we describe an open source transfer decoder for Deep Syntactic Transfer-Based Statistical Machine Translation. Transfer decoding involves the application of transfer rules to a SL structure. The N-best TL structures are found via a beam search of TL hypothesis structures which are ranked via a log-linear combination of feature scores, such as translation model and dependency-based language model.
Validation of a New Device to Measure Postsurgical Scar Adherence
Authors: Ferriero Giorgio , Vercelli Stefano , Salgovic Ludovit , Stissi Valeria , Sartorio Francesco
Published: March 2010

Background and Purpose

Scarring after surgery can lead to a wide range of disorders. At present, the degree of scar adhesion is assessed manually and by ordinal scales. This article describes a new device (the Adheremeter) to measure scar adhesion and assesses its validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change.

Design

This was a reliability and validity study.

Setting

The study was conducted at the Scientific Institute of Veruno.

Participants and Methods

Two independent raters, a physical therapist and a physical therapist student, used the Adheremeter to measure scar mobility and contralateral normal skin in a sample of 25 patients with adherent postsurgical scars before (T1) and after (T2) physical therapy. Two indexes of scar mobility, the adherence's surface mobility index (SMA) and the adherence severity index (AS), were calculated. Their correlation with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and its pliability subscale (PL-VSS) was assessed for the validity analysis.

Results

Both the SMA and the AS showed good-to-excellent intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.96) and interrater reliability (SMA: ICC=.97 and .99; AS: ICC=.87 and .87, respectively, at T1 and T2), correlated moderately with the VSS and PL-VSS only at T1 (rs=−.58 to −.66), and were able to detect changes (physical therapist/physical therapist student): z score=−4.09/−3.88 for the SMA and −4.32/−4.24 for the AS; effect size=0.6/0.4 for the SMA and 1.4/1.2 for the AS; standard error of measurement=4.59/4.79 mm2 for the SMA and 0.05/0.06 for the AS; and minimum detectable change=12.68/13.23 mm2 for the SMA and 0.14/0.17 for the AS.

Limitations

The measurement is based on the rater's evaluation of force to stretch the skin and on the patient's judgment of comfort.

Discussion and Conclusions

The Adheremeter showed a good level of reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in larger cohorts and to assess the device's validity for other types of scars.
Relationship Between Dynamic Balance Measures and Functional Performance in Community-Dwelling Elderly People
Authors: Desai Ankur , Goodman Valerie , Kapadia Naaz , Shay Barbara L. , Szturm Tony
Published: March 2010

Background

Poor balance control, mobility restrictions, and fall injuries are serious problems for many older adults.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new dynamic standing balance assessment test for identifying individuals at risk for falling in a group of community-dwelling older adults.

Design

This was a cross-sectional observational study of 72 community-dwelling older adults who were receiving rehabilitation in a geriatric day hospital.

Method

A Dynamic Balance Assessment (DBA) test protocol was developed based on the concept of the Sensory Organization Test and the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. The DBA consists of 6 tasks performed on a normal floor surface and repeated on a sponge surface. A flexible pressure mat was used to record the foot's center of pressure (COP) on both surfaces, and loss of balance was recorded. Balance performance also was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed “Up & Go” Test, gait speed, and the Six-Minute Walk Test. Participants were classified as “fallers” or “nonfallers” based on a self-report.

Results

No significant differences were noted between the faller group (n=47) and the nonfaller group (n=25) for demographic variables or medications. The DBA composite scores, which were derived from analysis of COP excursions of the 6 tasks performed on the sponge surface, were able to distinguish between fallers and nonfallers. Of the clinical tests, only the Timed “Up & Go” Test was able to differentiate between the faller and nonfaller groups.

Limitations

A prospective study is needed to confirm the current findings and to expand testing to a larger and more diverse sample.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that analysis of the extent and amount of COP displacements during selected tasks and under different surface conditions is an appropriate method to assess dynamic standing balance controls and can discriminate between fallers and nonfallers among community-dwelling elderly people.
Primary diffuse large B-cell central nervous system lymphoma presenting as an acute space-occupying subdural mass
Authors: Sacho Raphael H. , Kogels Marco , Plessis Daniel du , Jowitt Simon , Josan Vivek A.
Published: March 2010

Primary dural lymphomas are very rare tumors—usually low-grade B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type or marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. Primary dural involvement by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. The authors present an unusual case of primary dural involvement by a high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that presented as an acute subdural space-occupying mass and required emergency neurosurgical intervention.
Brief Study on the Genetic Variations at Isozyme Loci in Native Catfish (Clarias batrachus), African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and their Hybrid (Clarias gariepinus x Clarias batrachus)
Authors: Begum Majeda , Yesmine Shabana , Khan Nasima , Abdullah ATM , Khan Tanzir Ahmed
Published: March 2010

Genetic variations in native (Clarias batrachus Linnaeus, 1758), African (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) and their hybrid catfish (Magur) (Clarias gariepinusx Clarias batrachus) were investigated in six isozyme systems. The isozymes were Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), Malic enzyme (ME), Phosphogluco mutase (PGM), Glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The isozymes were studied in muscle, liver and heart tissues by using starch gel electrophoretic technique to examine the degree of genetic closeness among them. It was found that genotypes of the different catfishes varied depending on the type of isozymes and also on the type of biopised tissues. Atotal of three individual fish from each category of catfish was used. Isozyme, GPI in two liver tissues of native and African catfish showed heterogygosity and the other tissues showed homogygosity. However, the hybrid catfish showed heterogygosity in three samples of liver tissues. From the findings of the present electrophoretic study it may be said that Hybrid catfish received genetic traits from both the father and mother. Key Words: Genetic variation; Electrophoresis; Isozyme; Loci. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i4.4586 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(4), 381-386, 2009
Prevalence and Intensity of Hookworm Infections in Ekiti, Nigeria; A Cross Sectional Study in State Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre
Authors: Adewole SO , Akingbolu IA
Published: March 2010

Prevalence of hookworm and other helminthes infections from year 2004 till May, 2007 was carried out in both the State Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, in Ekiti State. Of the 2,686 recorded and examined, 1,246 persons representing 46.3% were infected with helminthes while 53.7% were infected with other helminthes like Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichura. At State Specialist Hospital (Ado-Ekiti), 646 persons representing 47.1% were infected with hookworm while 600 persons representing 45.5% were infected with hookworm at Federal Medical Centre, (Ido-Ekiti). There is a significant difference (X2=8.9; P< 0.05) in the prevalence and susceptibility of males and females to infections in the State Specialist hospital, Ado-Ekiti. Also, there is no significant difference (X2=3.82; P > 0.05) in the prevalence and susceptibility of males and females to hookworm infections. Key words: Prevalence; Epidemiology; Helminthes; Infections Hospital.   DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i4.4588 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(4), 399-402, 2009