bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A six year follow up study of the subclinical effects of carbon disulphide exposure on the cardiovascular system
Authors: Takebayashi T , Nishiwaki Y , Uemura T , Nakashima H , Nomiyama T , Sakurai H , Omae K 
Published: January 2004

Aims:A six year prospective cohort study was conducted to clarify whether the current carbon disulphide (CS2) exposure level is low enough to prevent subclinical health impairment and/or to ameliorate health effects due to previous high exposure. This paper describes the effects on the cardiovascular systems.Methods:The study subjects were 432 male workers exposed to CS2and 402 non-exposed workers in Japan, all of whom were examined in 1992–93. A total of 251 CS2exposed, 140 formerly exposed, and 359 non-exposed workers participated in the follow up survey (follow up rate 89.9%) in 1998–99. Mean duration of exposure was 19.3 years at the end the study. Mean CS2and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) concentrations were 5.0 ppm and 1.6 mg/g creatinine. Health items examined were serum biochemical indices including lipids and coagulation-fibrinolysis factors, blood pressure, aortic stiffness, ophthalmography, and electrocardiography at rest and after Master’s double 2 step test. Potential confounding factors were adjusted for.Results:Incidence of ischaemic findings, defined as Minnesota codes I, IV1–3, V1–3(at rest and after the load), or receiving treatment for ischaemia, was significantly higher in the exposed workers, especially for the spinning/refining workers (adjusted OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0) or the highest quartile of six year mean TTCA (adjusted OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.8 to 8.7), although the observed increase in risk was diminished when rigorous ECG criteria were applied. Incidence of retinal microaneurysm was increased with marginal significance. Among cardiovascular risk factors we examined, only blood pressure values were significantly increased in the exposed workers.Conclusions:Increased risk of ischaemic electrocardiogram findings among Japanese viscose rayon workers was observed. Although its clinical significance is to be discussed, the current Japanese occupational exposure limit for CS2, 10 ppm, would be high to prevent subclinical cardiovascular effects in this study population.
Lung cancer mortality in UK nickel-cadmium battery workers, 1947–2000
Authors: Sorahan T , Esmen N A 
Published: January 2004

Aims:To investigate mortality from lung cancer in nickel-cadmium battery workers in relation to cumulative exposure to cadmium hydroxide.Methods:The mortality of a cohort of 926 male workers from a factory engaged in the manufacture of nickel-cadmium batteries in the West Midlands of England was investigated for the period 1947–2000. All subjects were first employed at the plant in the period 1947–75 and employed for a minimum period of 12 months. Work histories were available for the period 1947–86; the factory closed down in 1992. Two analytical approaches were used, indirect standardisation and Poisson regression.Results:Based on serial mortality rates for the general population of England and Wales, significantly increased mortality was shown for cancers of the pharynx (observed (Obs) 4, expected (Exp) 0.7, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 559, p<0.05), non-malignant diseases of the respiratory system (Obs 61, Exp 43.0, SMR 142, p<0.05), and non-malignant diseases of the genitourinary system (Obs 10, Exp 4.1, SMR 243, p<0.05). Non-significantly increased SMRs were shown for lung cancer (Obs 45, Exp 40.7, SMR 111) and cancer of the prostate (Obs 9, Exp 7.5, SMR 116). Estimated cumulative cadmium exposures were not related to risks of lung cancer or risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, even when exposure histories were lagged first by 10, then by 20 years.Conclusions:The study findings do not support the hypotheses that cadmium compounds are human lung carcinogens.
A mortality cohort study among workers in a graphite electrode production plant in Italy
Authors: Merlo D F , Garattini S , Gelatti U , Simonati C , Covolo L , Ceppi M , Donato F 
Published: January 2004

Background:Graphite electrode manufacturing workers are exposed to coal tar and its volatiles containing a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), silica and graphite dusts, and asbestos.Aims:To investigate mortality from cancer and other diseases among workers in a graphite electrode production plant in Italy.Methods:A total of 1291 males actively employed between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1989 who had worked at the plant for at least one year were studied. The follow up extended from 1950 to 1997. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using mortality rates for the Italian and regional male population.Results:Excess mortality was observed for all causes (SMR 1.44, CI 1.32 to 1.56), all cancers (SMR 1.27, CI 1.07 to 1.50), liver cancer (SMR 4.19, CI 2.68 to 6.23), silicosis (SMR 66.39, CI 52.56 to 82.7), and cirrhosis and other chronic diseases of the liver (SMR 1.87, CI 1.31 to 2.59) in comparison with the national male population. When regional rates were used to calculate the number of expected deaths, SMRs remained higher for silicosis (SMR 57.32, 42.11 to 76.22), and liver cancer (SMR 2.57, 1.57 to 3.97). Mortality from silicosis was increased in workers hired at young ages (<25 years, SMR 81.79; 25–34 years, SMR 82.73), and in workers aged <45 at death (SMR 333.3, CI 159.8 to 613). Mortality from liver cancer increased threefold (SMR 3.11, CI 1.78 to 5.05) in workers with more than 10 years of employment at the plant during the manufacture of Karbate products.Conclusions:Results support the association between excess mortality from silicosis and occupational exposure to siliceous sands experienced during graphite electrode manufacturing. The observed excess mortality from liver cancer is compatible, to some extent, with exposures that may have occurred during the manufacture of phenolic and furfuryl resins treated products, although a role of lifestyle factors and viral infections cannot be excluded.
"FREELY ELECTED IN FEAR": PRINCELY ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL POWER IN EARLY MODERN TRANSYLVANIA
Authors: Murdock Graeme 
Published: January 2004

AbstractTransylvania's survival was threatened by both its Habsburg and Ottoman neighbors. Given this precarious international position, ruling princes required sufficient power to govern effectively, and also needed to maintain a broad consensus for their right to exercise authority over the diverse political elite. A successful balance of power between princes and the estates was built around the freedoms granted to a number of different churches, and around the right of the diet to elect princes. This article examines the elections of Gábor Bethlen and other Calvinist princes in Transylvania during the early seventeenth century. Even though these elections were rarely free or fair, they provided a key basis for the growing political authority of princes who were widely identified as divinely-appointed rulers. Transylvania thus provides a model of a competence for elective monarchy, a form of political organization often thought to lead inevitably to unstable and ineffective government.
THE WORLD OF THE TURKS DESCRIBED BY AN EYE-WITNESS: GEORGIUS DE HUNGARIA'S DIALECTICAL DISCOURSE ON THE FOREIGN WORLD OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Authors: Classen Albrecht 
Published: January 2004

AbstractGeorgius de Hungaria (b. 1422/23) went through extraordinary experiences while being a slave in Ottoman Turkey for the two decades after he had been captured in 1438. In his subsequent account, Tractatus de Moribus (first written down in 1481/82), he not only reflects upon his woeful experiences as a slave, but also provides detailed information about Ottoman culture. For some time Georgius seems to have been on the brink of converting to Islam and experienced forms of mystic visions that confirmed this new belief. But he eventually returned to Christianity and later, while writing his account, made every attempt to assert his firm adherence to Christian teachings. As a critical analysis of his treatise demonstrates, however, his open admiration of Ottoman culture is undeniable, and his sharp criticism of Islam ultimately proves to be the writer's self-defense against a deep-seated fear of having transgressed traditional European norms.
Slope seeking: a generalization of extremum seeking
Authors: Ariyur Kartik B. , Krstić Miroslav 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis work introduces slope seeking, a new idea for non‐model based adaptive control. It involves driving the output of a plant to a value corresponding to a commanded slope of its reference‐to‐output map. To achieve this objective, we introduce a slope reference input into a sinusoidal perturbation‐based extremum seeking scheme; derive a stability test for single parameter slope seeking, and then develop a systematic design algorithm based on standard linear SISO control methods to satisfy the stability test. We then extend the results to the multivariable case of gradient seeking. Finally, we illustrate near‐optimal compressor operation under slope seeking feedback through a simulation study upon the well‐known Moore–Greitzer model of compressor instability. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimality for the linear quadratic non‐Gaussian problem via the asymmetric Kalman filter
Authors: Romera Rosario 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn the linear non‐Gaussian case, the classical solution of the linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control problem is known to provide the best solution in the class of linear transformations of the plant output if optimality refers to classical least‐squares minimization criteria. In this paper, the adaptive linear quadratic control problem is solved with optimality based on asymmetric least‐squares approach, which includes least‐squares criteria as a special case. Our main result gives explicit solutions for this optimal quadratic control problem for partially observable dynamic linear systems with asymmetric observation errors. The main difficulty is to find the optimal state estimate. For this purpose, an asymmetric version of the Kalman filter based on asymmetric least‐squares estimation is used. We illustrate the applicability of our approach with numerical results. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance characterization of a non‐linear system as both an adaptive notch filter and a phase‐locked loop
Authors: Karimi‐Ghartemani M. , Ziarani A. K. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe behaviour of a non‐linear dynamical system is described. The system may be characterized as an adaptive notch filter, or alternatively, as a phase‐locked loop. Either way, the system has the inherent capability of directly providing estimates of the parameters of the extracted sinusoidal component of its input signal, namely its amplitude, phase and frequency. The structure and mathematical properties of the system are presented for two cases of fixed‐frequency and varying‐frequency operation. The effects of parameter setting of the system on its performance are studied in detail using computer simulations. Transient and steady‐state behaviour of the system are studied in the presence of noise. Simplicity of structure, high noise immunity and robustness and the capability of direct estimation of amplitude, phase and frequency are the salient features of the system when envisaged as an adaptive notch filter or a phase‐locked loop. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensor network design for fault tolerant estimation
Authors: Staroswiecki M. , Hoblos G. , Aitouche A. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis paper addresses the problem of fault tolerant estimation and the design of fault tolerant sensor networks. Fault tolerance is defined with respect to a given estimation objective, namely a given functional of the system state should remain observable when sensor failures occur. Redundant and minimal sensor sets are defined and organized into an automaton which contains all the subsets of sensors such that the estimation objective can be achieved. Three criteria, which evaluate the system fault tolerance with respect to sensor failures when a reconfiguration strategy is used, are introduced: (strong and weak) redundancy degrees (RD), sensor network reliability (R), and mean time to non‐observability (MTTNO). Sensor networks are designed by finding redundant sensor sets whose RD and/or R and/or MTTNO are larger than some specified values. A ship boiler example is developed for illustration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plutonium‐related work and cause‐specific mortality at the United States Department of Energy Hanford Site
Authors: Wing Steve , Richardson David , Wolf Susanne , Mihlan Gary 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackgroundHealth effects of working with plutonium remain unclear. Plutonium workers at the United States Department of Energy (US‐DOE) Hanford Site in Washington State, USA were evaluated for increased risks of cancer and non‐cancer mortality.MethodsPeriods of employment in jobs with routine or non‐routine potential for plutonium exposure were identified for 26,389 workers hired between 1944 and 1978. Life table regression was used to examine associations of length of employment in plutonium jobs with confirmed plutonium deposition and with cause specific mortality through 1994.ResultsIncidence of confirmed internal plutonium deposition in all plutonium workers was 15.4 times greater than in other Hanford jobs. Plutonium workers had low death rates compared to other workers, particularly for cancer causes. Mortality for several causes was positively associated with length of employment in routine plutonium jobs, especially for employment at older ages. At ages 50 and above, death rates for non‐external causes of death, all cancers, cancers of tissues where plutonium deposits, and lung cancer, increased 2.0 ± 1.1%, 2.6 ± 2.0%, 4.9 ± 3.3%, and 7.1 ± 3.4% (±SE) per year of employment in routine plutonium jobs, respectively.ConclusionsWorkers employed in jobs with routine potential for plutonium exposure have low mortality rates compared to other Hanford workers even with adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, and employment factors. This may be due, in part, to medical screening. Associations between duration of employment in jobs with routine potential for plutonium exposure and mortality may indicate occupational exposure effects. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:153–164, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effectiveness of the HomeSafe Pilot Program in reducing injury rates among residential construction workers, 1994–1998
Authors: Darragh Amy Rowntree , Stallones Lorann , Bigelow Phillip L. , Keefe Thomas J. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackgroundThe construction industry typically has one of the highest fatal and non‐fatal injury rates compared with other industries. Residential construction workers are at particular risk of injury (work is in remote sites with small crews, there are often many subcontractors, and they have limited access to safety programs). Difficulty accessing information specific to this group has made research more challenging, therefore, there are few studies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the HomeSafe Pilot Program, a safety education and training program designed to reduce injuries among residential construction workers.MethodsResearchers evaluated whether overall and severe injury incidence rates declined during the intervention period. Data were analyzed using incidence rates and Poisson regression to control for the effect of antecedent secular trend.ResultsInjury incidence rates declined significantly following HomeSafe; however, this effect was not statistically significant once temporal variation was controlled.ConclusionsThe decline in injury rates following HomeSafe cannot be attributed solely to HomeSafe, however, programmatic and methodologic limitations contributed to the inconclusive results. Further research into the hazards faced by residential construction workers is needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:210–217, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative exposure‐response for silica dust and lung cancer in Vermont granite workers
Authors: Attfield Michael D. , Costello Joseph 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackgroundExcess lung cancer mortality among the exposed Vermont granite workers has been reported. These studies were based on job and tenure surrogates, with the potential for misclassification and inability to evaluate quantitative exposure‐response.MethodsIndustrial hygiene data collected from 1924 to 1977 was analyzed in conjunction with mortality data to examine quantitative exposure‐response for silica, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. A person‐years analysis was undertaken by cumulative exposure group, including lagged and unlagged tabulations. Poisson models were fitted to untransformed and log transformed exposure.ResultsThe results indicated a clear relationship of lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis, non‐malignant lung disease, and kidney cancer with cumulative exposure. An exposure to 0.05 mg/m3 from age 20 to 64 was associated with a lifetime excess risk of lung cancer for white males of 27/1,000.ConclusionsThe results of this study of workers exposed almost exclusively to silica and no other major occupational confounding exposures indicate a clear exposure‐response for lung cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:129–138, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mortality patterns among workers exposed to styrene in the reinforced plastic boatbuilding industry: An update
Authors: Ruder Avima M. , Ward Elizabeth M. , Dong Maxia , Okun Andrea H. , Davis‐King Karen 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackgroundMortality was updated through 1998 for 5,204 workers exposed to styrene between 1959 and 1978 at two reinforced plastic boatbuilding plants. The a priori hypothesis: leukemia and lymphoma excesses would be found.MethodsStandardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) used Washington State and U.S. rates.ResultsOverall, 860 deaths occurred (SMR 1.09, CI 1.02–1.17), with excess mortality for esophageal cancer (n = 12, SMR 2.30, CI 1.19–4.02), prostate cancer (n = 24, SMR 1.71, CI 1.09–2.54), and accidents (n = 99, SMR 1.26, CI 1.02–1.53). Among 2,062 highly exposed workers, urinary tract cancer (n = 6, SMR 3.44, CI 1.26–7.50) and respiratory disease (n = 12, SMR 2.54, CI 1.31–4.44) rates were elevated. Urinary tract cancer SMR increased with duration of employment.ConclusionsWe found no excess leukemia or lymphoma mortality. Unanticipated excess urinary tract cancer and respiratory disease mortality, possibly associated with styrene exposure, are difficult to interpret and could be chance findings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:165–176, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concentration of hydroxyproline in blood: A biological marker in occupational exposure to asbestos and its relationship with Pi*Z and Pi*S polymorphism in the alpha‐1 antitrypsin gene
Authors: Mas S. , Casterad X. , Laso N. , Lafuente M.J. , Panades R. , Calleja A. , Hernandez S. , Turuguet D. , Deulofeu R. , Ballesta A. , Ascaso C. , Lafuente A. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackgroundHydroxyproline (OHP) is one of the most abundant amino acids in collagen and, in general, it provides a good measure of overall collagen catabolism.MethodsAsbestos workers suffering from asbestosis (cases n = 85); asbestos exposed workers without asbestosis (exposed controls, EC, n = 86), and non‐exposed population (non‐exposed controls, NEC, n = 122) were studied. The concentration of free OHP in whole blood was measured following the Pico‐Tag procedure.ResultsConcentration of OHP in blood was significantly different in the three groups studied (P < 0.001), being higher in cases (19.8 ± 14.7 μmol/L) than in EC (16 ± 12.4) and NEC (13.5 ± 6.7). When all individuals were grouped and stratified by the Pi*S and Pi*Z polymorphisms in the alpha‐1‐antitrypsin gene, the highest OHP levels were detected in the Pi*S homozygotes, one of the asbestosis‐at risk‐genotypes (Pi*S homozygotes, x = 24.5 ± 11.7; Pi*S heterozygotes, x = 16.6 ± 10.0; wild type, wt, x = 15.9 ± 11.8).ConclusionsBlood OHP concentration could be used for monitoring human exposure to asbestos, either as a marker for occupational monitoring or as an additional clinical parameter in diagnostic exploration of asbestosis. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:186–193, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural development in cycloolefin copolymers under uniaxial elongational flow
Authors: Maiti Pralay , Okamoto Masami 
Published: January 2004

AbstractDevelopment of structures in new cycloolefin copolymers (COCs) of ethylene–norbornene (E–NB) and ethylene–tetracyclododecene (E–TD) of different NB/TD compositions were investigated under uniaxial elongational flow. For E–NB copolymer, which has multiblock sequences, a shoulder in WAXD at 0.76 nm was evident besides its amorphous halo, and the relative intensity of the peak increased with increasing comonomer content (NB). The appearance of a new peak for E–TD copolymer, and a relatively higher intense peak for E–NB copolymer at the same position of 0.76 nm, indicated that local ordering of the segments occurred when the COC was subjected to uniaxial flow. A lower comonomer composition of elongated COC, at a constant Hencky strain rate, exhibited two Tg values, whereas a higher composition showed a single Tg. Both local ordering and segmentization occurred in low comonomer content COCs but only local ordering occurred in higher comonomer content COCs. Both the shear viscosity and roll processing experiments exhibited similar phenomena of segregation. A model is proposed to illustrate the structure of COC after uniaxial elongation/deformation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3421–3427, 2004
Cobalt (II), nickel (II), and copper (II) complexes of polystyrene‐supported Schiff bases
Authors: Suja N. R. , Yusuff K. K. Mohammed 
Published: January 2004

AbstractTwo novel polystyrene‐supported Schiff bases, PSOPD and PSHQAD, were synthesized. A polymer‐bound aldehyde was condensed with o‐phenylenediamine to prepare the Schiff base PSOPD, and a polymer‐bound amine was condensed with 3‐hydroxyquinoxaline‐2‐carboxaldehyde to prepare the Schiff base PSHQAD. This article addresses the study of cobalt (II), nickel (II), and copper (II) complexes of these polymer‐bound Schiff bases. All the complexes were characterized, and the probable geometry was suggested using elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal studies, surface area studies, and magnetic measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3710–3719, 2004