bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extraction of short-lived zirconium and hafnium isotopes using crown ethers: A model system for the study of rutherfordium
Authors: Sudowe Ralf , Calvert M.G. , Düllmann Ch. E. , Farina L. M. , Folden C. M. , Gregorich K. E. , Gallaher S. E. H. , Hoffman D. C. , Nelson S. L. , Phillips D. C. , Schwantes J. M. , Wilson R. E. , Zielinski P. M. , Nitsche Heino 
Published: March 2006

Summary
The extraction of zirconium and hafnium from hydrochloric acid media was studied using the crown ethers dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (DC24C8) as extractants. The goal was to find an extraction system that exhibits a high selectivity between the members of group 4 of the periodic table and is suitable for the study of rutherfordium. It was found that Zr and Hf are both extracted using DB18C6, DC18C6 and DC24C8. The extraction yield increases with increasing acid concentration and increasing concentration of crown ether. The extracted species most likely consists of an ion-association complex formed between a Zr or Hf chloro complex and a hydronium crown ether complex. Conditions can be found for each extractant that provide for the separation of Zr from Hf. This selective separation between Zr and Hf makes the extraction with crown ethers from HCl well suited to study the extraction behaviour of Rf and compare it to the behaviour of Zr and Hf. These extraction systems can be used to determine whether the extraction behaviour of Rf is similar to Zr, similar to Hf or follows the trend established by the lighter homologs. The extraction kinetics are fast enough for the study of the 78-s isotope 261mRf.
Recovery of fission palladium by electrodeposition using room temperature ionic liquids
Authors: Giridhar P. , Venkatesan K. A. , Reddy B. P. , Srinivasan T. G. , Vasudeva Rao P. R. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryRoom temperature molten salts for possible application of recovery of fission palladium from irradiated nuclear fuel/wastes have been investigated. The redox behavior of a solution of palladium(II) chloride and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl) at glassy carbon working electrode has been studied at various temperatures using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammogram of bmimCl-PdCl2consists of a single reduction and two oxidation waves indicating that Pd2+undergoes a single step two-electron quasi-reversible reduction process at the working electrode. Controlled potential deposition of palladium on platinum electrode gave a black deposit, which was characterized to be metallic palladium. Extraction of palladium by Aliquat-336 has been studied as a function of nitric acid concentration and the redox behavior of palladium in Aliquat-336 phase has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results suggest that some aqueous insoluble room temperature ionic liquids can act both as extractant and electrolytic medium and also have the potential of recovering of palladium from nuclear wastes.
Sunflower stem: a novel and economical scavenger for Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions and its kinetic and thermodynamic investigation
Authors: Malik Ummat Rasul , Hasany Syed Moosa , Subhani Muhammad Sadiq 
Published: March 2006

Summary
The sorption of > 93% of Hg(II) ions is achieved onto sunflower stem (50 mg/4.5 cm3) from deionized water (D.W.) in 10 minutes equilibration time between two phases. The kinetics of sorption follows Reichenberg, Lagergren and Morris-Weber equations. The first order rate constant of sorption computed from Lagergren equation is 0.28 ± 0.01 min-1. The sorption data obey Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) and Freundlich isotherms. The Freundlich sorption capacity K
F = 13 ± 6 mmol g-1, 1/n = 0.68 ± 0.03 and D–R saturation capacity C
m = (2.9 ± 0.4)×102 μmol g-1, β = -0.0047 ± 0.0002 mol2 kJ-2 and mean free energy = 10.3 ± 0.2 kJ mol-1. The variation of sorption with temperature (293–318 K) gives ΔH = - 32 ± 2 kJ mol-1, ΔS = 123 ± 6 J mol-1 K-1, ΔG
298K = - 4.30 ± 0.05 kJ mol-1. Ascorbate, Sr(II) and Y(III) enhance the sorption whereas disufite, iodide, Cd(II), bisulfite and thiocyanate suppress the sorption. Selectivity studies indicate that Hg(II) ions can be separated from I(I) and Cs(I) using sunflower stem column. The sorbent may be used as a scavenger for the preconcentration of Hg(II) ions from its very dilute solutions or treatment of industrial and municipal effluents containing Hg(II) ions. A possible mechanism of biosorption of Hg(II) ions onto the sunflower stem is suggested.
Evaluation of cerium(IV) catalyzed remediation of plutonium contaminated soils at the Idaho Cleanup Project
Authors: Gombert Dirk , Karraker David , Drake Ron 
Published: March 2006

SummaryAn engineering and analytical chemical program was used to evaluate a proposed process to remove plutonium from contaminated soils at the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Site. The design was based on the premise that the chemical process would be extremely efficient, reducing up to 250 nCi/g total transuranic contamination including both plutonium, in several chemical forms, and americium to less than 10 nCi/g. To ensure the effectiveness of the process on even heat-treated forms of plutonium, a very aggressive cerium IV catalyzed hot nitric acid leach step was used. Laboratory experiments showed that the chemistry could indeed remove plutonium, but due to the secondary wastes generated by coincident dissolution of the soil matrix, the process did not meet other design requirements.
Conversational Skills of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Replication and Extension
Authors: Frederickson Melissa S. , Chapman Kathy L. , Hardin-Jones Mary 
Published: March 2006

Objective To replicate and to extend a previous study examining the conversational skills of children with cleft lip and palate. Participants Thirty-four children (33 to 44 months) participated: 17 children with cleft lip and palate and 17 noncleft children. Methods The children were observed during an interaction with caregivers in their homes. Samples of caregiver-child interactions were coded as assertive or responsive, for type of conversational act, and for discourse level categories. Profiles of conversational activity were determined for each child based on the coding. Correlations were performed to examine the relationship between assertiveness and speech variables (articulation and resonance) for the children with cleft lip and palate. Results Group comparisons revealed that the children with cleft lip and palate produced fewer assertive utterances, were less likely to respond adequately to comments by caregivers, and produced more topic maintaining and fewer topic extending utterances than did their noncleft peers during conversational interactions. Examination of individual child data indicated that 35% of the children with cleft lip and palate exhibited conversational profiles characterized by either low assertiveness or low responsiveness. Finally, a significant positive correlation was noted between conversational assertiveness and speech production skills. Conclusion These findings suggested that the children with cleft lip and palate were less conversationally assertive than their noncleft peers. Further, there appeared to be a relationship between speech production skills and conversational skills, suggesting that poor speech may be impacting language performance for these children.
Early Postnatal Development of the Mandible in Children with Isolated Cleft Palate and Children with Nonsyndromic Robin Sequence
Authors: Eriksen J. , Hermann N. V. , Darvann T. A. , Kreiborg S. 
Published: March 2006

Objective Analysis of early postnatal mandibular size and growth velocity in children with untreated isolated cleft palate (ICP), nonsyndromic Robin sequence (RS), and a control group of children with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL). Material 114 children (66 isolated cleft palate, 7 Robin sequence, 41 unilateral incomplete cleft lip) drawn from a group representing all Danish cleft children born from 1976 through 1981. All children were examined at both 2 and 22 months of age. Methods Cephalometric x-rays and maxillary plaster casts. Mandibular length and height were measured and mandibular growth velocity (mm/year) was calculated. Cleft width was measured on the casts at 2 months of age. Results Mean mandibular length and posterior height were significantly smaller in isolated cleft palate and Robin sequence, compared with unilateral incomplete cleft lip. Mandibular length in Robin sequence was also significantly shorter, compared with isolated cleft palate. No significant difference was found between mean mandibular growth velocities in the three groups. No significant correlation was found between mandibular length and cleft width in either isolated cleft palate or Robin sequence at 2 months of age. Conclusion The children with isolated cleft palate and Robin sequence had small mandibles shortly after birth, but with a relatively normal growth potential. No true mandibular catch-up growth was found up to 22 months of age in either group. No significant correlation was found between mandibular size and cleft width in either group at 2 months of age. However, there was a significant trend toward the shorter the mandible, the more severe the sagittal extension of the cleft.
Epignathus: Large Obstructive Teratoma Arising from the Palate
Authors: Halterman Sandra M. , Igulada Kristen N. , Stelnicki Eric J. 
Published: March 2006

Objective This report describes an interesting case providing a brief review of the literature and highlighting the complexity in management and definitive treatment of a premature neonate with an obstructive epignathus teratoma and polydactyly bilaterally. Additionally, this case is unique because of the extremely large size of the oral tumor in relation to the neonate's total body size.
Prediction of Deterioration of Velopharyngeal Function Associated with Maxillary Advancement Using Electromyography of Levator Veli Palatini Muscle
Authors: Nohara Kanji , Tachimura Takashi , Wada Takeshi 
Published: March 2006

Objective The purpose of the present study was to examine the possibility that postoperative velopharyngeal function following maxillary advancement could be predicted using preoperative electromyography of the levator veli palatini. Design Levator muscle electromyography was recorded preoperatively during speech and blowing. Levator activity was expressed as a percentage relative to the maximum value observed throughout the experiment. Postoperative velopharyngeal function was evaluated by means of perceptual judgment and nasoendoscopy. Participants The subjects were four patients with repaired cleft palates who underwent maxillary advancement, two by osteotomy and two by distraction osteogenesis. None of the subjects presented with preoperative hypernasality, and nasoendoscopy demonstrated complete velopharyngeal closure in all subjects prior to maxillary advancement. Results Preoperative levator activity for speech of two subjects was similar to that for normal speakers (<60% of total range), and postoperative nasality and nasoendoscopic findings revealed no detectible changes. For the other two subjects, levator activity for speech exceeded 60% of the total range, similar to that of speakers with velopharyngeal incompetence. These subjects showed increased hypernasality and deteriorated velopharyngeal closure following maxillary advancement. Conclusion The deterioration of velopharyngeal function associated with maxillary advancement was demonstrated for subjects whose levator activity was at higher levels during speech in comparison with maximal activity observed during blowing, regardless of the amount of maxillary advancement. Preoperative levator muscle electromyography could be a predictor in identifying patients at higher risk of postsurgical deterioration of velopharyngeal function.
Blepharo-Cheilo-Dontic (BCD) Syndrome: Case Report
Authors: Iida Akihiko , Narai Shota , Takagi Ritsuo , Ono Kazuhiro , Ikeda Nobuyuki 
Published: March 2006

Objective To report a case of blepharo-cheilo-dontic (BCD) syndrome, to compare with the previous cases, and to discuss the possible treatment. Patient The patient was a 14-day-old boy born uneventfully on August 7, 2002. His scalp hair was sparse and curly. A tumor on the top of his head, which was thought to be a dermoid cyst, and a nevus on the back of his left hand were observed. All typical symptoms of blepharo-cheilo-dontic syndrome, such as euryblepharon with ectropion of the lower eyelids, distichiasis, bilateral cleft lip and palate, severe oligodontia, and conical teeth, were observed. Because there was no fatal complication, and growth and development were about normal, it was recommended that a long and active treatment plan be considered for this patient.
Pseudo Compound Poisson Distributions in Risk Theory
Authors: Hürlimann W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractUsing Laplace transforms and the notion of a pseudo compound Poisson distribution, some risk theoretical results are revisited. A well-known theorem by Feller (1968) and Van Harn (1978) on infinitely divisible distributions is generalized. The result may be used for the efficient evaluation of convolutions for some distributions. In the particular arithmetic case, alternate formulae to those recently proposed by De Pril (1985) are derived and shown more adequate in some cases. The individual model of risk theory is shown to be pseudo compound Poisson. It is thus computable using numerical tools from the theory of integral equations in the continuous case, a formula of Panjer type or the Fast Fourier transform in the arithmetic case. In particular our results contain some of De Pril's (1986/89) recursive formulae for the individual life model with one and multiple causes of decrement. As practical illustration of the continuous case we construct a new two-parametric family of claim size density functions whose corresponding compound Poisson distributions are analytical finite sum expressions. Analytical expressions for the finite and infinite time ruin probabilities are also derived.
Predicting IBNYR Events and Delays II. Discrete Time
Authors: Jewell William S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAn IBNYR event is one that occurs randomly during some fixed exposure interval and incurs a random delay before it is reported. A previous paper developed a continuous-time model of the IBNYR process in which both the Poisson rate at which events occur and the parameters of the delay distribution are unknown random quantities; a full-distributional Bayesian method was then developed to predict the number of unreported events. Using a numerical example, the success of this approach was shown to depend upon whether or not the occurrence dates were available in addition to the reporting dates. This paper considers the more usual practical situation in which only discretized epoch information is available; this leads to a loss of predictive accuracy, which is investigated by considering various levels of quantization for the same numerical example.
Estimation in the Pareto Distribution
Authors: Rytgaard Mette 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn the present paper, different estimators of the Pareto parameter α will be proposed and compared to each others.First traditional estimators of α as the maximum likelihood estimator and the moment estimator will be deduced and their statistical properties will be analyzed. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimator is biased but it can easily be modified to an minimum-variance unbiased estimator of a. But still the coefficient of variance of this estimator is very large.For similar portfolios containing same types of risks we will expect the estimated α-values to be at the same level. Therefore, credibility theory is used to obtain an alternative estimator of α which will be more stable and less sensitive to random fluctuations in the observed losses.Finally, an estimator of the risk premium for an unlimited excess of loss cover will be proposed. It is shown that this estimator is a minimum-variance unbiased estimator of the risk premium. This estimator of the risk premium will be compared to the more traditional methods of calculating the risk premium.
Combining Quota-Share and Excess of Loss Treaties on the Reinsurance of n Independent Risks
Authors: Centeno Lourdes , Simões Onofre 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn this paper, we seek to find the optimal retentions for an insurance company which intends to reinsure each of n risks belonging to its portfolio, by means of a pure quota-share treaty, a pure excess of loss treaty or any combination of the two. The criterion chosen to the selection of the optimal programme is the maximization of the adjustment coefficient, attending to the relationship existing between this coefficient and Lundberg's upper bound of the ruin probability.
Credibility Models with Time-Varying Trend Components
Authors: Ledolter Johannes , Klugman Stuart , Lee Chang-Soo 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTraditional credibility models have treated the process generating the losses as stable over time, perhaps with a deterministic trend imposed. However, there is ample evidence that these processes are not stable over time. What is required is a method that allows for time-varying parameters in the process, yet still provides the shrinkage needed for sound ratemaking. In this paper we use an automobile insurance example to illustrate how this can be accomplished.
A Simple Parametric Model for Rating Automobile Insurance or Estimating IBNR Claims Reserves
Authors: Mack Thomas 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIt is shown that there is a connection between rating in automobile insurance and the estimation of IBNR claims amounts because automobile insurance tariffs are mostly cross-classified by at least two variables (e.g. territory and driver class) and IBNR claims run-off triangles are always cross-classified by the two variables accident year and development year. Therefore, by translating the most well-known automobile rating methods into the claims reserving situation, some known and some unknown claims reserving methods are obtained. For instance, the automobile rating method of Bailey and Simon produces a new claims reserving method, whereas the model leading to the rating method called “marginal totals” produces the well-known IBNR claims estimation method called “chain ladder”. A drawback of this model is the fact that it is designed for the number of claims and not for the total claims amount for which it is usually applied.As an alternative for both, rating and claims reserving, we describe a simple but realistic parametric model for the total claims amount which is based on the Gamma distribution and has the advantage of providing the possibility of assessing the goodness-of-fit and calculating the estimation error. This method is not very well known in automobile insurance—although a satisfactory application is reported—and seems to be completely unknown in the field of claims reserving, although its execution is nearly as simple as that of the chain ladder method.
A Mixed Model for Loss Ratio Analysis
Authors: El-Bassiouni M. Y. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe model introduced may be treated as a mixed two-way analysis of variance with fixed company effects and random time effects. Further, the risk volumes are integrated into the model in such a way that the unexplained variance is inversely proportional to the risk volume of each company. The proposed model is used to analyze loss ratio data from the general insurance market in Kuwait. The maximum likelihood estimates of the structural parameters are obtained. These estimates are then used to compute the loss ratios and solvency margins for the four domestic insurance companies.
Distillation configurations and their energy requirements
Authors: Fidkowski Zbigniew T. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA method for systematic generation of all possible configurations of distillation columns for multicomponent separation is described. Classic configurations with sharp splits and all the possible (partially and fully) thermally coupled systems are generated by listing all the splits between components and applying various interconnecting streams and column stacking. Separation systems with multiple streams producing the same product (with the same or different purity) are also being generated. Additionally, a method for systematic evaluation of minimum vapor flows in all the configurations has been developed. The method can be used in evaluating various possibilities to select the optimum configuration for a new design or to improve an existing plant. Energy requirements of various column configurations for separation of four components have been evaluated and compared. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
History and results of the two inter‐laboratory round robin endotoxin assay studies on cotton dust
Authors: Chun David T.W. , Bartlett Karen , Gordon Terry , Jacobs Robert R. , Larsson Britt‐Marie , Larsson Lennart , Lewis Daniel M. , Liesivuori Jyrki , Michel Olivier , Milton Donald K. , Rylander Ragnar , Thorne Peter S. , White Eugene M. , Brown Mary E. , Gunn Varina S. , Würtz Helle 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn the US cotton industry, airborne cotton dust levels are regulated, and other countries are moving to specify safety limits for airborne endotoxins. There is concern about potential respiratory health hazards associated with agricultural and other organic dusts. In laboratories, ranking which samples have high and low levels of endotoxin is usually in good agreement between laboratories. When different laboratories assay identical samples, the levels differ. The objective of this research was to evaluate the intra‐ and inter‐laboratory variability for 13 laboratories measuring endotoxin in cotton dust.MethodTwo inter‐laboratory round robin endotoxin assay studies were conducted using cotton dust. In the first round robin, each laboratory used their normal in‐house assay method and then used a common extraction protocol. In the second round robin, a common extraction protocol and endotoxin assay kit was used.ResultsThe intra‐laboratory results had small variations but inter‐laboratory results had very high variations. The inter‐laboratory results using a common extraction protocol showed reduced differences. Using the same extraction protocol and endotoxin assay kit, the intra‐laboratory variation was small and inter‐laboratory variation was reduced but not enough for inter‐laboratory agreement. Most of the laboratories were able to discern between the high and low endotoxin concentration dusts.ConclusionsStandardization has reduced the differences in results between laboratories and possibly further standardization may bring closer inter‐laboratory agreement. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:301–306, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.