bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of resins and DBSA on asphaltene precipitation from petroleum fluids
Authors: Goual Lamia , Firoozabadi Abbas 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis work examines the effect of various resins and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) amphiphile on asphaltene precipitation from different petroleum fluids. Various resins are added to three different petroleum fluids to measure precipitation with n‐pentane. Results show that the dipole moment of resins (which is a measure of polarity) has a strong effect on precipitation. Resins with a high dipole moment are more effective than resins with a low dipole moment. The effectiveness is defined in terms of the increase in the onset point of precipitation. However, addition of resins to a petroleum fluid increases the amount of precipitated asphaltenes. This is the first report of such a behavior in the literature; the increase is less pronounced with the most polar resins. Addition of asphaltenes to a petroleum fluid results in a high amount of precipitation. As expected, the onset point of precipitation from asphaltene addition to a petroleum fluid is different from that of resins. When the DBSA amphiphile is mixed with the petroleum fluid at different concentrations, we observe a retrograde phenomenon. The amount of precipitated asphaltene increases first with increasing DBSA concentration. Beyond a certain concentration, there is a decrease in precipitation. At higher concentrations, DBSA proves to be very effective to move the onset point of precipitation. The data show the complex interactions between various species in petroleum fluids. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 470–479, 2004
Effect of aqueous PEG or PPG solvents on reaction selectivity and Gibbs energies
Authors: Leininger Neil F. , Gainer John L. , Kirwan Donald J. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractLow molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 300), polypropylene glycol (PPG 425), and their aqueous solutions are investigated for use as novel, nonvolatile, environmentally friendly reaction solvents. The kinetics and selectivities of a SN1 and a Diels‐Alder reaction (reactions commonly used in pharmaceutical synthesis) in the polyglycol‐H2O solutions are reported. Reaction rate constants and product selectivities in the polyglycol‐H2O solvents were comparable to those observed in the traditional organic solvents used with these reactions. Gibbs free energy calculations show that the reactants and reaction transition states for the SN1 and Diels‐Alder reactions are stabilized in the presence of the polyglycol‐H2O solvents. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50:511–517, 2004)
Two‐step formation of methane–propane mixed gas hydrates in a batch‐type reactor
Authors: Uchida Tsutomu , Moriwaki Minoru , Takeya Satoshi , Ikeda Ikuko Y. , Ohmura Ryo , Nagao Jiro , Minagawa Hideki , Ebinuma Takao , Narita Hideo , Gohara Kazutoshi , Mae Shinji 
Published: February 2004

AbstractVapor compositions of methane and propane mixed gas in a batch‐type reactor were measured by gas chromatography during hydrate crystallization at 274 K with molar ratios of propane below 10 vol %. The volume ratio of propane in the vapor decreased as the hydrate crystallization progressed. When the initial propane concentration was between 4 and 8 vol %, rapid gas consumption occurred for about 1 h, causing an initial pressure drop, and after a temporary stabilization of the pressure, a second pressure drop occurred; that is, hydrate crystallization occurred in two steps. X‐Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic analyses on samples taken from the reactor during each step revealed that the structure II methane–propane mixed gas hydrates crystallized in the first step, and structure I methane hydrates in the second step. This process was observed only when the partial pressure of methane was above the equilibrium pressure of methane hydrate at the end of the first step. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 518–523, 2004
Conversion of SO2 into elemental sulfur by using the RF plasma technique
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐Hsien , Lee Wen‐Jhy , Shih Minliang , Chen Chuh‐Yung , Tsai Perng‐Jy 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis study demonstrates a new approach for converting SO2 into elemental sulfur by adding CH4 in a radio‐frequency (RF) plasma reactor. With the applied power (P) of the RF reactor specified at 90 W and operating pressure set at 4000 N/m2, it was found that as the CH4/SO2 ratio (R) was increased from 0.3 to 1.0, most sulfur‐containing products were in the form of elemental sulfur. While R was increased from 1 to 2, the content of elemental sulfur was decreased significantly, but CS2 was increased dramatically. While R was increased from 2 to 3, both elemental sulfur and CS2 contents became quite comparable. Nevertheless, it was found that both H2 and CO (that is, syngas) were the main nonsulfur‐containing products under all testing conditions. These results indicate that the use of the RF plasma technique was not only beneficial to convert SO2, but also was able to convert CH4 into useful materials. For R = 0 (that is, no CH4 was introduced), it was found that the SO2 conversion (i.e., η) = 0.084, indicating that the RF plasma process was inadequate to convert pure SO2 without adding CH4 as a reducing agent. While R was increased to 2, it was found that η was improved significantly to 0.968 accompanied with η = 0.999. But as R was increased from 2 to 3, both η and η were slightly decreased. Both η and η also were sensitive to the applied power (P). As P was increased from 15 W to 90 W at R = 2, it was found that both η and η were increased dramatically from 0.247 and 0.320 to 0.968 and 0.999, respectively. But as P was increased from 90 W to 120 W, the increase on both η and η became very limited. Based on these, this study suggests that the operating condition of R = 2 and P = 90 W would be the most appropriate combination for SO2 conversion. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 524–529, 2004
Raymond Pearl's Legacy: The proper measure of man
Authors: Sokal Robert R. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractDuring much of his academic career, Raymond Pearl advocated the employment of quantitative and statistical methods in biology and applied them in his own voluminous research output, much of it in various aspects of human biology. If he were to return today, he would be pleased to note the fruits of his advocacy—the widespread quantification of biological and anthropological research. He would undoubtedly be impressed with the tremendous progress in statistical analysis in the 63 years since he ceased his work and with that amazing tool, the personal computer. But he would also note the dangers inherent in applying these powerful methods without sufficient regard for the experimental or observational designs they require and for their basic assumptions. Among the errors Pearl would note are: 1) the use of canned computer programs in ignorance of or inattention to their implied assumptions; 2) testing many contrasts in one dataset without making allowances for the lack of independence of these tests; 3) ignoring the effects of lack of independence (autocorrelation) when working with spatially, temporally, or phylogenetically related data; 4) presenting distorted ordination plots; and 5) using an unrealistic null distribution in computation or simulation, as when employing sample sizes too small to test the hypotheses the investigator is interested in. All of these errors are common not only in publications on physical anthropology and human biology, but also in the wider biological literature. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:113–124, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percentiles of body composition from bioelectrical impedance and body measurements in U.S. adolescents 8–17 years old: Project HeartBeat!
Authors: Mueller William H. , Harrist Ronald B. , Doyle Suzanne R. , Labarthe Darwin R. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractReference percentiles (5th, 10th, 50th, 85th, 90th, and 95th) of black and nonblack children ages 8–17 years from Project HeartBeat! (n = 678) are presented for body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), fat‐free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM) derived from bioelectrical impedance. Project HeartBeat! is a mixed longitudinal study in which three cohorts of children (seen initially at age 8, 11, or 14 years) were followed for 4 years and measured thrice‐yearly from 1991 through 1995. Weight, height, and BMI of Project HeartBeat! children are similar in central tendency and variability to those of nationally representative samples for nonblack children but not black children, for whom there is an excess of children at or above the 95th percentile for weight and BMI. Values of PBF above which cardiovascular risk variables increase (as suggested in the literature) are located at the 85th percentile of the Project HeartBeat! distributions. This percentile of PBF may be tentatively considered as a cutoff point with epidemiological significance for children. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:135–150, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of joint distribution in hand osteoarthritis: Contribution of age, sex, and handedness
Authors: Kalichman Leonid , Cohen Zvi , Kobyliansky Eugene , Livshits Gregory 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe most frequent site of osteoarthritis (OA) is the hands, but the pattern of hand OA development remains controversial. Understanding these patterns may assist in evaluating biological aging, determining etiology, and proposing ways of preventing hand OA. We investigated the pattern distribution of OA in hands and the influences of age, sex, and handedness on its development. The study population was comprised of Chuvashians (660 males age 18–89 years and 585 females age 18–90 years). OA development was evaluated for 15 joints of each hand according to the Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, cluster analysis, MANCOVA, and linear and polynomial regression. OA changes first appeared in subjects <30 years of age. Metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints underwent the first OA changes until the sixth decade, when the row of distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints became most affected. Cluster analysis showed that symmetry was the most common pattern of interrelationship between rows of joints. The best‐fitting and most parsimonious model of age‐related pattern of hand OA was the polynomial two‐interval linear model. It showed a higher rate of OA development during the relatively young ages, 32–34 years than later on. We found statistically significant differences between sexes only for the DIP (P = 0.019) and PIP (P = 0.011) rows of joints. Handedness had no influence on hand OA development. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:125–134, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methodologic issues in the use of workers' compensation databases for the study of work injuries with days away from work. I. Sensitivity of case ascertainment
Authors: Oleinick Arthur , Zaidman Brian 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundCase ascertainment costs vary substantially between primary and secondary data sources. This review summarizes information on the sensitivity of state administrative databases in workers' compensation systems for the ascertainment of days‐away‐from‐work (DAFW) work injuries for use in modeling studies.MethodsReview of the literature supplemented by data from governmental or organizational reports or produced for this report.ResultsEmployers currently appear to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for 98.9% of wage and salary workers. Wage and salary jobs account for approximately 90% of jobs in the United States. In industries such as manufacturing, the fraction of covered jobs is probably closer to 98%. In Minnesota, the number of DAFW cases ascertained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual survey of occupational injuries and illnesses is approximately 92–97% concordant with the number of wage compensation claims for injuries producing DAFW over the period 1992–2000, once adjustments are made to permit direct comparisons of the numbers. The workers' compensation databases provide information for more than 95% of the total DAFW resulting from work injuries. Covariate estimates are unaffected by this less than 5% loss because effects appear dependent on time from injury.ConclusionsStatewide workers' compensation administrative databases can have substantial utility for epidemiologic study of work injuries with DAFW because of their size, using high sensitivity for case ascertainment as the evaluative criterion. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:260–274, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Criteria for skin notation in different countries
Authors: Nielsen Jesper B. , Grandjean Philippe 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundSkin notation criteria was introduced almost 50 years ago as a qualitative indicator of a hazard related to dermal absorption at work. However, risk is not a qualitative term, but needs a quantitative measure to be useful for prevention. For this reason, some countries have developed alternative criteria for assigning skin notations to industrial chemicals.MethodsThe present analysis compares the current use of skin notations on lists of exposure limits for industrial chemicals in six countries.ResultsUp to one‐third of industrial chemicals listed now have a skin notation. The criteria for assigning skin notation differ but cannot explain the substantial discrepancies between countries that otherwise have very comparable occupational exposure limits (OELs).ConclusionsThe increasing number of chemicals with a skin notation requires a new approach to differentiating between degrees of risk. The first step will be to address the problems related to criteria for assigning skin notations, and the effect of penetration enhancers and mixtures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:275–280, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asbestos‐related pleural diseases: Dimensional criteria are not appropriate to differentiate diffuse pleural thickening from pleural plaques
Authors: Ameille Jacques , Matrat Mireille , Paris Christophe , Joly Nathalie , Raffaelli Claude , Brochard Patrick , Iwatsubo Yuriko , Pairon Jean Claude , Letourneux Marc 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundIn the literature, the criteria used to define pleural plaques (PP) and diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) are very heterogeneous and often imprecise. A multicenter restropective study was conducted to assess the relevance of two radiographic definitions of DPT.MethodsThe study population consisted of 287 subjects with asbestos‐related pleural thickening. Two definitions were used to characterize DPT on postero‐anterior chest radiographs: definition 1: pleural thickening associated with obliteration of the costophrenic angle; definition 2: pleural thickening at least 5 mm wide, extending for more than one quarter of the chest wall. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests were compared in the DPT and PP groups resulting from the two definitions of DPT.ResultsAccording to definition 1, 34 patients (11.8%) were classified in the DPT group. Prevalence of chronic sputum, dyspnea, and chest pain was significantly higher in this group than in the PP group. FEV1, FVC, and TLC were significantly lower. The differences persisted after adjustment for confounding factors. According to definition 2,102 patients (36.6%) were classified in the DPT group. DPT and PP groups did not differ in terms of prevalence of respiratory symptoms, or pulmonary function tests. Agreement between readers was significantly better when using definition 1.ConclusionsObliteration of costophrenic angle is a much more reliable sign than dimensional criteria to characterize DPT. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:289–296, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupational exposures to acid mists and gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa
Authors: Vianna Maria Isabel Pereira , Santana Vilma Sousa , Loomis Dana 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundThis study examines the hypothesis that acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases are associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.MethodsAll 665 active male workers of a metal processing factory were the study population. Semi‐quantitative measures of exposure were estimated from a job exposure matrix constructed with industrial hygienist scoring and job titles. Ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa were identified with standardized clinical dental exams.ResultsPast exposure to acid mists were positively associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa but only among workers without lip sealing (age‐ and alcohol consumption‐adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), PRadjusted = 3.40; 90% CI: 1.48–7.85). Also in this worker group, the mixture of acid mists and acid gases was associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa limited to exposure in the past (PRadjusted = 2.83; 90% CI: 1.12–7.17).ConclusionsThere is a positive association between acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa only in the absence of lip sealing. The evidence of a chronic rather than acute irritative process suggests a possible step on the etiology of oral malignancies, which needs investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:238–245, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among wheat flour mill workers in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ijadunola K.T. , Erhabor G.E. , Onayade A.A. , Ijadunola M.Y. , Fatusi A.O. , Asuzu M.C. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundWhile investigations into occupational health problems of various groups of workers have been conducted in Nigeria, so far, very little attention has been paid to the health status of workers in the grain industry. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among wheat flour mill workers and control groups in a medium size industrial setting in Nigeria was studied.MethodsThe study employed a cross‐sectional analytical design. Data were collected using structured interviews, work‐site observations, and physical examination. Respondents consisted of 91 flour‐millers, 30 matched internal controls from the maintenance unit of the same flour mill factory, and 121 matched external controls.ResultsFifty‐four percent of the flour‐millers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 30% of the internal controls (P < 0.05) and 19% of the external controls (P < 0.001). Most symptoms were significantly more prevalent among the flour‐millers compared with control subjects, and this trend was more evident amongst non‐smokers than ex‐smokers.ConclusionsThe study concluded that wheat flour mill workers in Nigeria, like grain workers elsewhere, were at an increased risk of developing both pulmonary and non‐pulmonary symptoms compared with control subjects. The result has implications for improved dust control measures in the grain industry in Nigeria. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:251–259, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agreement of job‐exposure matrix (JEM) assessed exposure and self‐reported exposure among adult leukemia patients and controls in Shanghai
Authors: Adegoke Olufemi J. , Blair Aaron , Ou Shu Xiao , Sanderson Maureen , Addy Cheryl L. , Dosemeci Mustafa , Zheng Wei 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackgroundEstimating a person's history of occupational exposure in case‐control studies is difficult.MethodsPercent agreement between selected self‐reported occupational exposures and job‐exposure matrix (JEM) exposure assessment for all participants and various subgroups of a population‐based case‐control interview study of 486 leukemia subjects and 502 healthy controls in Shanghai was evaluated.ResultsWith JEM as the “gold standard,” the sensitivities for self‐reported exposures ranged from 0.75 to 0.98. However, that for pesticide exposure was 0.44 in subjects >51 years old. Self‐reported exposures specificities ranged from 0.87 to 0.99. Agreement between self‐reported exposures and JEM assessment was good (kappa coefficients [κ]: 0.48–0.84). Variations in agreement for benzene exposure between males and females as well as between the direct interview and surrogate interview subgroups were observed.ConclusionsThe levels of agreement between self‐report and JEM in this study suggest that self‐reported exposures are a suitable method for assessing occupational exposures in this population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:281–288, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microcephaly, jejunal atresia, aberrant right bronchus, ocular anomalies, and XY sex reversal
Authors: Keegan Catherine E. , Vilain Eric , Mohammed Mansoor , Lehoczky Jessica , Dobyns William B. , Archer Steven M. , Innis Jeffrey W. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWe present a patient with microcephaly, jejunal atresia, aberrant right tracheobronchial tree, mild left blepharoptosis, and corectopia (irregular pupil), left sectoral iris stromal hypoplasia and peripheral anterior synechia, and 46,XY sex reversal. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels were within normal limits for a male infant at 3 weeks of age. Gonadectomy at age 18 months revealed immature testis tissue and no evidence of Müllerian structures. PCR amplification of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and flanking genomic regions revealed no evidence for deletion. Array‐comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) for assessment of gene dosage in other regions of the genome was normal. This patient represents a multiple anomaly disorder similar to intestinal atresia—ocular anomalies—microcephaly syndrome (MIM#243605) but incorporating 46,XY sex reversal with testicular tissue, demonstrating a defect in the sexual differentiation pathway. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neu–Laxova syndrome: Detailed prenatal diagnostic and post‐mortem findings and literature review
Authors: Manning Melanie A. , Cunniff Christopher M. , Colby Christopher E. , El‐Sayed Yasser Y. , Hoyme H. Eugene 
Published: February 2004

AbstractNeu–Laxova syndrome (NLS) is a lethal, autosomal recessive multiple malformation syndrome with many features resulting from severe skin restriction and decreased fetal movement. It is characterized by ichthyosis, marked intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), microcephaly, short neck, central nervous system (CNS) anomalies, limb deformities, hypoplastic lungs, edema, and abnormal facial features including severe proptosis with ectropion, hypertelorism, micrognathia, flattened nose, and malformed ears. We present two new patients with NLS with striking prenatal diagnostic findings and detailed post‐mortem examinations and review the previously described cases in the literature. Data from these patients suggest that the NLS represents a heterogeneous phenotype. Prenatal ultrasound findings of marked ocular proptosis in a growth restricted, edematous fetus should prompt consideration of a diagnosis of the NLS. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.