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Objective The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of maternal sociodemographic, medical, and pregnancy characteristics on not receiving maternal and neonatal interventions with deliveries occurring at 22 to 23 weeks of gestation. Study design This was a case–control study of U.S. live births at 22 0/6 to 23 6/7 weeks of gestation using vital statistics birth records from 2012 to 2016. We analyzed births that received no interventions for periviable delivery. Births were defined as having no interventions if they did not receive maternal (cesarean delivery, maternal hospital transfer, or antenatal corticosteroid administration) or neonatal interventions (neonatal intensive care unit admission, surfactant administration, antibiotic administration, or assisted ventilation). Logistic regression estimated the influence of maternal and pregnancy factors on the receipt of no interventions when delivery occurred at 22 to 23 weeks. Results Of 19,844,580 U.S. live births in 2012–2016, 24,379 (0.12%) occurred at 22 to 23 weeks; 54.3% of 22-week deliveries and 15.7% of 23-week deliveries received no interventions. Non-Hispanic Black maternal race was associated with no maternal interventions at 22 and 23 weeks. Private insurance, singleton pregnancy, and small for gestational age were associated with receiving no neonatal interventions at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation. Conclusion Withholding or refusing maternal and neonatal interventions occurs frequently at the threshold of viability. Our data highlight various sociodemographic, pregnancy, and medical factors associated with decisions to not offer or receive maternal or neonatal interventions when birth occurs at the threshold of viability. The data elucidate observed practices and may assist in the development of further research. Key Points Non-Hispanic Black race was associated with receiving no maternal interventions. Indicators of high socioeconomic status were associated with no neonatal inventions. Patient-level factors influence the receipt of no interventions for periviable birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Determining the prevalence of doping within an elite athlete population is challenging due to the extreme sensitivity of the topic; however, understanding true doping prevalence is important when designing anti-doping programs and measuring their effectiveness. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of doping among Olympic, Paralympic, World, and National-level competitive athletes in the United States subject to the World Anti-Doping Code. All athletes who were subject to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, a World Anti-Doping Code ("Code")-compliant anti-doping program, were invited to complete a web-delivered survey. Using a direct questioning approach, the survey items asked athletes whether they had used each specific category of banned substance / method on the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List. Multiple strategies to encourage honest reporting (e.g., protecting anonymity by collecting minimal demographic information; using an outside organization to administer the survey) and to detect inconsistent responses were used. Results: Depending on the method of calculation, 6.5–9.2% of the 1,398 respondents reported using one or more prohibited substances or methods in the 12 months prior to survey administration. Specific doping prevalence rates for each individual substance / method categories ranged from 0.1% (for both diuretics / masking agents and stem cell / gene editing) to 4.2% for in-competition use of cannabinoids. Conclusion: Determining the prevalence of doping within different athlete populations is critical so that sport governing bodies can evaluate their anti-doping efforts and better tailor their programming. By measuring doping prevalence of specific categories of substances and methods, rather than just the overall prevalence of doping, this study also highlights where sport governing bodies should focus their future educational and detection efforts. Key Points: Estimated doping prevalence among U.S. elite athletes ranged from 6.5 to 9.2%. The most prevalent category of doping was in-competition use of cannabinoids (at 4.2%), whereas the least prevalent categories of doping were diuretics or masking agents (0.1%), stem cell or gene editing (0.1%), narcotics (0.2%), and hormone and metabolic modulators (0.2%). Of the athletes who reported doping, most reported using only one substance or method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There were 37 longwall faces operating in mines in the United States in 2019. The average panel width for these longwalls was approximately 368.5 m (1209 ft). This translates to a range of approximately 170–240 shields per longwall, depending upon the width of shield. The movement of longwall shields is a significant contributor to respirable dust overexposures to longwall operators. Foam is expected to have the potential to reduce this shield dust generation. The foam is applied to the area on the roof between the coal face and the shield tip after the shearer passes. In this study, the longwall shield dust simulator was used to test three foam agents for their ability to control dust from longwall shield movements. Results showed that at low-velocity ventilation (≈ 3.0 m/s (600 fpm)) all foam agents were able to produce dust reduction levels of at least 45%. At high-velocity ventilation (≈ 5.1 m/s (1000 fpm)), the reductions were lower and more variable, ranging from being undeterminable for one foam agent to having 46%–63% reductions for the other two foam agents, with one instance of an increase in dust concentration. Overall, the use of foam agents can provide longwall shield dust control. Important factors are roof coverage and the ability of foam to remain on the roof for extended time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results regarding the ibuprofen reduction rate at three various temperature values (8, 18 and 28 °C) which were conducted using a static test in accordance with the PN-C-04645 'Water and wastewater. Evaluation of partial biodegradation of anionic and non-ionic surface active substances. Initial test' standard. A single study cycle including the analysis of ibuprofen degradation rate in specific temperature variants lasted 24 h. The activated sludge for tests was obtained from the aeration zone of a bioreactor localized in the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant in Poznan City (Poland), which was used for inoculation (1 g/dm3) of sterile samples with the medium and ibuprofen (10 mg/dm3) after appropriate pre-treatment (intense aeration for 5 h). The analysis procedure included the separation and concentration of analytes from biodegradation samples by means of solid phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent determination with high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using an UltiMate 3000 RSLC liquid chromatogram (Dionex, USA) with a tandem API 4000 QTRAP mass spectrometer (Biosystem, MDS Sciex, USA). Both literature review as well as the conducted initial studies confirmed that the removal of ibuprofen proceeds more rapidly at higher temperature values. A higher retention rate also enhanced the reduction of ibuprofen concentration. A decrease of its concentration was observed after 24 h, which reached 40 and 50 % for temperature values of 8 and 18 °C, accordingly, whereas the highest reduction by approx. 65 % was noted at 28 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ARRIVE trial demonstrated the benefit of induction of labor at 39 weeks gestation. Obstetrics departments across the United States faced the challenge of adapting clinical practice in light of these data while managing logistical constraints.Objective: To determine if there were changes in obstetrical practices and perinatal outcomes in the United States after the ARRIVE trial publication.Study Design: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of low-risk, nulliparous women who initiated prenatal care by 12 weeks gestation with singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies delivering at ≥39 weeks. Data were obtained from the US Natality database. The pre-ARRIVE group were women who delivered between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. The post-ARRIVE group consisted of women who delivered between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Births that occurred in 2018 were excluded. Practice outcomes were rates of induction of labor, timing of delivery, and cesarean delivery rate. Adverse maternal outcomes were blood transfusion and admission to medical intensive care unit. Adverse neonatal outcomes were need for assisted ventilation (immediate and >6 hours), 5-minute APGAR score <3, neonatal intensive care unit admission, seizures, and surfactant use. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Trends were tested across the time period represented by the pre-ARRIVE group using Cochran-Armitage trend test.Results: There were 1,966,870 births in the pre-ARRIVE group and 609,322 in the post-ARRIVE group. The groups differed in age, race, body mass index, marital status, infertility treatment, and smoking history (P<.001). After adjusting for these differences, the post-ARRIVE group was more likely to undergo induction (36.1% vs 30.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 [1.36-1.37]) and deliver by 39+6 weeks of pregnancy (42.8% vs 39.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.14 [1.14-1.15]). The post-ARRIVE group had a significantly lower rate of cesarean delivery than the pre-ARRIVE group (27.3 % vs 27.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.94 [0.93-0.94]). Patients in the post-ARRIVE group were more likely to receive a blood transfusion (0.4% vs 0.3%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.43 [1.36-1.50]) and be admitted to medical intensive care unit (0.09% vs 0.08%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.20 [1.09-1.33]). Neonates in the post-ARRIVE group were more likely to need assisted ventilation at birth (3.5% vs 2.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.28 [1.26-1.30]) and >6 hours (0.6% vs 0.5%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 [1.31-1.41]). The neonates in the post-ARRIVE group were more likely to have low 5-minute APGAR scores (0.4% vs 0.3%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.91 [0.86-0.95]). Neonatal intensive care unit admission did not differ between the 2 groups (4.9% vs 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.01 [0.99-1.03]). There were no differences in neonatal seizures (0.04% vs 0.04%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.97 [0.84-1.13]), and surfactant use (0.08% vs 0.07%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.05 [0.94-1.17]) between the 2 groups.Conclusion: There were more inductions of labor, more deliveries at 39 weeks' gestation, and fewer cesarean deliveries in the year after the ARRIVE trial publication. The small but statistically significant increase in some adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes should be explored to determine if they are related with concurrent changes in obstetrical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alcohol ethoxylates (AE) are high production volume (HPV) chemicals globally used in detergent and personal care products and are truly a work-horse for the household and personal care industries. Commercial AE generally consist of a mixture of several homologues of varying carbon chain length and degree of ethoxylation. Homologues that are not ethoxylated are also known as aliphatic alcohols or simply fatty alcohols (FA). This group of homologues represents a special interest in the context of environmental risk, as these are also abundant and ubiquitous naturally occurring compounds (e.g. animal fats and in human feces). Hence, in a risk assessment one needs to distinguish between the natural (background) concentrations and the added contribution from anthropogenic activities. We conducted a weight-of-evidence risk assessment in three streams, documenting the exposure and predicted risk, and compared these to the habitat and in situ biota. We found that the parameters (e.g., habitat quality and total perturbations hereunder total suspended solids (TSS) and other abiotic and biotic stressors) contributed to the abundance of biota rather than the predicted risk from AE and FA. Moreover, the documented natural de novo synthesis and rapid degradation of FA highlight the need to carefully consider the procedures for environmental risk assessment of naturally occurring compounds such as FA, e.g. in line with the added risk concept known from metal risk assessment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surfactants may affect soil structure differently depending upon the soil or the quality of rainfall or irrigation water. This study examined whether the water-stable aggregation of 11 wettable soils was affected by surfactants and the water in which the soils were sieved. The study also examined whether the wettable soils' water drop penetration time (WDPT) was affected by surfactants, water drop quality, and elapsed time since the surfactants were applied. Two nonionic surfactants and a surfactant-free water control were sprayed (by misting) upon air-dry soil, then WDPT was measured 1 and 72 h thereafter. Subsequently, this treated soil was slowly wetted with an aerosol to its water content at a matric potential of −3 kPa, then immediately sieved for 600 s in water that contained either appreciable or few electrolytes. Water-stable aggregation, quantified as mean weight diameter (MWD), varied widely among soils, ranging from 0.10 to 1.36 mm. The MWDs were affected (at p = 0.06) by surfactant treatments, depending upon the soil but not sieving water quality. Surfactants affected the MWD of an Adkins loamy sand and Feltham sand, two of the three coarsest-textured soils. Although WDPTs never exceeded 5 s, depending upon the soil WDPTs were affected by surfactant treatments but not by water drop quality. After surfactant application, WDPTs generally decreased with time for three soils but increased with time for one soil. Findings suggested that surfactants interacted (1) with clay mineralogy to affect MWD and (2) with soluble calcium to affect WDPT for certain soils. Surfactant treatments but not water quality affected both MWD and WDPT for some but not all of 11 wettable, US soils. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We determined the first nationwide inventories of alkylphenol surfactants in U.S. sewage sludges (SS) using samples from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency''s 2001 national SS survey. Additionally, analysis of archived 3-year outdoor mesocosm samples served to determine chemical fates in SS-amended soil. Nonylphenol (NP) was the most abundant analyte (534 ± 192 mg/kg) in SS composites, followed by its mono- and di-ethoxylates (62.1 ± 28 and 59.5 ± 52 mg/kg, respectively). The mean annual load of NP and its ethoxylates in SS was estimated at 2408–7149 metric tonnes, of which 1204–4289 is applied on U.S. land. NP compounds showed observable loss from SS/soil mixtures (1:2), with mean half-lives ranging from 301 to 495 days. Surfactant levels in U.S. SS ten-times in excess of European regulations, substantial releases to U.S. soils, and prolonged half-lives found under field conditions, all argue for the U.S. to follow Europe''s move from 20 years ago to regulate these chemicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on 517 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the U.S. waters, including pharmaceuticals, surfactants, and plasticizers, to provide a framework for future monitoring efforts. The study developed three ways to examine the ecological effects of CECs which include hazard-based, persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT), and hazard-based mixed with persistence and bioaccumulation potential. Results show that the methods identified 126 unique CECs as high priority.

Physical developer (P D) is a widely u ed chemical processing technique for the development of latent prints on dry or wetted porous surfaces. The objective of Part I of this research was to verify that the United States Secret Service (USS ) formulation for PD will outlast the 7- to 10-day shelf life that is mentioned by some practitioners. The USSS recently changed the nonionic surfactant from Synperonic N to Tween 20, which appears to have improved the longevity of the working solution. This research compared fresh and aged batches of working solutions using both non ionic surfactants and determined that PD working solutions incorporating Synperonic N had a shelf-life ranging from 10 to 15 days, whereas PD working solutions incorporating Tween 20 had a shelf life of approximately 2 Y2 months. In addition, Part II of this research will discuss the importance of reliability testing to determine the stability of the reagent and comparisons conducted between two different reliability test solutions, gold chloride (AuCI3) and EDTA tetra sodium salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phenomenon was noted in 2007 in the U.S. corn (Zea mays L.)-producing regions where ears failed to properly develop after postemergence pyraclostrobin {carbamic acid, [2-[[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3 yl]methyl]phenyl]methoxy-, methyl ester} applications. Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the effect of pyraclostrobin, non-ionic surfactant (NIS), alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE), and crop stage on arrested ear (AE) development. Results indicated that pyraclostrobin did not promote AE development and the cause of these malformed corn ears was APE, a common component of NIS which is routinely added to pyraclostrobin applications in corn. Alkylphenol ethoxylate or APE-containing NIS at 0.5% v/v applied to corn at V12 (12 leaf collar stage) and again at V16 (16 leaf collar stage) caused 36 and 21% AE development, respectively, compared to no AE development in the untreated control or when three different pyraclostrobin formulations were applied without additives. In five application timing experiments, pyraclostrobin plus APE-containing NIS caused maximum AE development (10-62%) when applied at the V10 (10 leaf collar) to V14 (14 leaf collar) growth stage. Pyraclostrobin applied alone at any corn growth stage or pyraclostrobin plus NIS applied at V8 (eight leaf collar stage), V18 (18 leaf collar stage), VT (tasseling stage), R1 (silking stage), or R2 (blister stage) did not cause AE development. The risk of AE development under field conditions can be alleviated by removal of APE-containing NIS when pyraclostrobin is applied to corn at growth stages after V8 and before V18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous surfactants commonly used to treat a variety of neonatal respiratory diseases are derived from either bovine or porcine sources. The extent to which parents are aware of this fact is currently unclear, as is the impact that this may have on familial cultural or religious belief systems. Our primary aims were to assess U.S. neonatologists' utilization of bovine and porcine surfactant preparations, their views on parent disclosure pertaining to the particular animal origins of exogenous surfactant therapy, and their willingness to provide alternative surfactant preparations based on parental religious preferences. An anonymous Web-based survey was provided to 2,137 neonatologists. There was a 46.9% response rate. We found that 63.4% of respondents used only bovine-derived surfactants, 14.9% exclusively used porcine-based surfactants, and 21.7% used combinations. While 74.3% of neonatologists discussed surfactant use with parents, only 2.2% always discussed its animal origins. When asked, 47.9% of neonatologists believed parental preference for religious reasons would not impact their surfactant choice, 19.4% reported it would affect their choice, and 32.7% said it maybe would. Access to only one surfactant was a major barrier to communication. Results showed that many neonatologists may be open to being inclusive of parents regarding surfactant therapy. Carrying different surfactant types on hospital pharmacy formularies and encouraging physician-parent communication may achieve a more family-centered approach to neonatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial and centralized oilfield wastewater disposal facilities (COWDFs) are used in the Western United States for the disposal of formation water produced from oil and natural gas wells. In Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, COWDFs use large evaporation ponds to dispose of the wastewater. Birds are attracted to these large evaporation ponds which, if not managed properly, can cause wildlife mortality. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted 154 field inspections of 28 COWDFs in Wyoming from March 1998 through September 2008 and documented mortality of birds and other wildlife in 9 COWDFs. Of 269 bird carcasses recovered from COWDFs, grebes (Family Podicipedidae) and waterfowl (Anatidae) were the most frequent casualties. Most mortalities were attributed to oil on evaporation ponds, but sodium toxicity and surfactants were the suspected causes of mortality at three COWDFs. Although the oil industry and state and federal regulators have made much progress in reducing bird mortality in oil and gas production facilities, significant mortality incidents continue in COWDFs, particularly older facilities permitted in the early 1980's. Inadequate operation and management of these COWDFs generally results in the discharge of oil into the large evaporation ponds which poses a risk for birds and other wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Comparison of the differences between availability of animal-derived surfactant preparations used to treat premature infants is incomplete. The objective of this study was to assess the short-term treatment efficacy of the two most commonly used surfactant preparations in the United States, beractant (100 mg kg-1 initial and subsequent doses) and poractant alfa (200 mg kg-1 initial and 100 mg kg-1 subsequent doses), in very premature, mechanically ventilated infants <30 weeks gestation with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Study Design:Inborn infants at two institutions, open label, 1:1, randomized controlled trial. Level of respiratory support for first 72 h of life. Morbidities of prematurity observed during the neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization.Result:We studied 52 infants 24 0/7 to 29 6/7 weeks gestation; 25 received poractant alfa (27.1±1.6 weeks, birth weight of 930±231 g) and 27 received beractant (26.7±1.7 weeks, P=0.343 and birth weight 900±271 g, P=0.668). Respiratory support for the first 72 h of life was lower in the poractant alfa than beractant group for mean airway pressure (MAP, P=0.003) and respiratory index (MAP × FiO2, P=0.032). Infants in the poractant alfa group had a greater number of infants extubated at 48 (13/25 vs 6/27, P=0.027) and 72 h (15/25 vs 8/27, P=0.029) than the beractant group. Although the study was not powered to detect morbidities of prematurity, the prevalence of PDA and air leaks was less in the infants treated with poractant alfa than in those treated with beractant. Rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (8/23 vs 11/22, P=0.303) or death (2/15 vs 5/27, P=0.272) were similar in the infants treated with poractant alfa and beractant, respectively.Conclusion:This study suggests significant short-term benefits to the use of the larger initial dose of poractant alfa than beractant in very premature infants with RDS. Further studies involving a larger number of preterm infants are needed to assess long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conduct of a scientifically sound safety assessment of new ingredients and finished products is essential prior to their introduction into the marketplace. Such assessments are based on a risk assessment paradigm established by the National Academy of Science (NAS, 1983) that consists of a four-step process: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. This risk assessment paradigm has been (1) used as a framework for estimating an adverse health risk posed by environmental chemicals, and (2) applied to systemic toxicological endpoints. The general principles of risk assessment may be applied to skin safety evaluation of consumer products, considering that dermal toxicity is also a threshold phenomenon. This study describes a risk assessment-based approach for skin safety evaluation of laundry detergent products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negatively charged poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres encapsulated with hydrophilic drugs have been successfully prepared by a solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) solvent evaporation method in the presence of anionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS), and nonionic surfactant polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The effects of microencapsulation methods, surfactants types, and surfactant concentrations on the properties of microspheres were studied. Amoxicillin (AMX) was chosen as a hydrophilic model drug, and its encapsulation efficiency (EE) and in vitro release profiles were measured. The s/o/w method achieved higher EE of 40% in PLGA microspheres using surfactant SDS compared with the conventional water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) method (about 2%). Triphasic release profiles were observed for all PLGA microspheres (s/o/w) with slight drug burst, a slow diffusion-controlled release within the period of about 7 days and followed by the degradation-controlled sustained release for further 30 days. Smaller particle size and surface charge were achieved for s/o/w method than w/o/w method using the same anionic surfactants, and smooth surface and less porous interior matrix. The s/o/w method effectively encapsulated AMX into anionic PLGA microspheres using anionic surfactants, and these negatively charged PLGA microspheres represented an attractive approach for the controlled release of hydrophilic drugs. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:2377–2389, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An environmental assessment of amine oxides has been conducted under the OECD SIDS High Production Volume (HPV) Program via the Global International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) Amine Oxides Consortium. Amine oxides are primarily used in conjunction with surfactants in cleaning and personal care products. Given the lack of persistence or bioaccumulation, and the low likelihood of these chemicals partitioning to soil, the focus of the environmental assessment is on the aquatic environment. In the United States, the E-FAST model is used to estimate effluent concentrations in the United States from manufacturing facilities and from municipal facilities resulting from consumer product uses. Reasonable worst-case ratios of predicted environmental concentration (PEC) to predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) range from 0.04 to 0.003, demonstrating that these chemicals are a low risk to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on health advisories issued for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroctanesulfonte (PFOS) in the U.S. It notes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Water has developed provisional health advisory values for PFOA and PFOS to assess potential risk from exposure to the chemicals through drinking water. It is also mentions that the USEPA has identified exposure to PFOS and adverse health outcomes in humans to be inconclusive. The derivation of provisional health advisories is demonstrated in the article.

Abstract: A remediation agent containing a biosurfactant was prepared by spray drying the sterilized culture broth of Gordonia sp. strain JE-1058, and the agent was designated as JE1058BS. On subjection to the baffled flask test developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, JE1058BS showed a strong potential to be applied as an oil spill dispersant even in the absence of a solvent. It also proved to be an effective bioremediation agent for the remediation of oil spills at sea. The addition of JE1058BS to seawater stimulated the degradation of weathered crude oil (ANS 521) via the activity of the indigenous marine bacteria. Its addition also stimulated the removal of crude oil from the surface of contaminated sea sand. These results indicate that biosurfactant-containing JE1058BS has a strong potential to be applied as a remediation agent for the clean-up of oil spills at sea and on shorelines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of temperature on the interfacial tension between gemini surfactant solution and crude oil is investigated in this paper. The interfacial tension is measured by the spinning drop interfacial tension-meter of Texas-500c. For surfactants 14-4-14 and 16-4-16, the interfacial tensions are very sensitive to temperature and undergo minima with the increase of the temperature. Temperature has also an effect on the dynamic interfacial tension, i.e. increasing the temperature can shorten the time needed for an interfacial tension to reach equilibrium. However, for a mixing surfactant system, the effect of temperature on the interfacial tension between oil and surfactant solution is not remarkable because of synergism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alkyl ethoxysulphates (AES) are anionic surfactants widely used in numerous commercial and industrial applications. In spite of the high AES volume consumption a few data concerning the occurrence, fate and effects of AES in marine environments are reported in literature. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biodegradability and toxicity of AES in pristine sea water. Ultimate biodegradation was studied according to the guideline 835.3160 “Biodegradability in sea water” proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Acute toxicity of AES was studied to the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana, Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros gracilis, Dunaliella salina and Tetraselmis chuii and the invertebrate Artemia franciscana, using culture growth inhibition and death, respectively, as effect criteria. During the degradative process two different stages were observed, which were better described with the first order and logistic kinetic models, respectively. Lag times were 3.3 (stage A) and 26.5 (stage B) days whereas half-lives were 18.6 (stage A) and 49.8 (stage B) days. AES inhibited the microalgae growth, with 96-h EC50 values ranging from 4.68 g L−1 for D. salina to 24.02 mg L−1 for I. galbana. Mean 48- and 72-h LC50 values for A. franciscana were 38.30 and 23.92 mg L−1, respectively. The results indicate an extensive biodegradability of AES in sea water, although at a very slow rate. Acute toxicity was highly dependent on the species tested, being the green alga D. salina the most affected organism. The present study provides relevant data concerning the biodegradability and adverse effects of an AES surfactant on marine organisms, which are useful to establish water quality criteria in a regulatory framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present paper describes the results of the application of the biodegradation test proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) "Biodegradability in sea water" Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) 835.3160, to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS), the synthetic surfactant with the highest consumption volume on a world-wide basis. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been employed for the separation and quantification of the different homologues and isomers of the surfactant. Water from the Bay of Cádiz (South-West of the Iberian peninsula) has been used as test medium. The results indicate how both lag and t50 time shows a significant linear relationship with the length of the alkyl chain of the homologue; the effect of this is that the homologues of longer chain length not only begin to degrade first but also degrade at a faster rate. Regarding the isomeric composition, it is observed that as the percentage of biodegradation increases, there is an increase in the proportion of internal isomers, in comparison with the isomeric relationships of the original test substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extension of surfactant-based technologies for use in remediation of mercuric ion [Hg(II)]-impacted soils and ground. waters was explored. In concept, a target metal ion can be selectively sequestered and mobilized from the subsurface by a ligand solubilized in surfactant solution. The selected ligand, 1-decyl-2-thiourea (DTU), was used in this study due to its extremely high selectivity for Hg2+ and its compatibility with micellar solubilization. In batch semiequilibrium dialysis studies using a mixture of 0.3 mM DTU and 30 mM cetylpyridinium nitrate (a cationic surfactant), 99.8% of applied Hg(II) (0.1 mM) was retained, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of this ligandsurfactant system for separating the mobile contaminant from the waste stream. Isolation of the target metal ion from the complex is desirable to allow for ligand and surfactant reuse. As a function of the ligand type, this can be achieved by precipitation, pH stripping, or ligand-ligand exchange. In theory, for DTU, Hg(II) removal can be done at an elevated pH by formation of a soluble mercury-hydroxide complex, which would pass a secondary ultrafiltration stage, allowing retention and reuse of the ligandsurfactant colloid. While only batch studies were conducted for this feasibility study, the possibility of utilizing flow-through ultrafiltration units coupled with contaminant isolation steps in pump-and-treat field applications is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outlines several topics that will be addressed during the 82nd Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology annual meeting from October 27-29, 2004 at McCormick Place North in Chicago, Illinois, which reflect on issues that are critical to understanding the coatings technology. Environmentally compliant technologies; Pigments and extenders; Rheology and applications; Surfactants and defoamers; Latex technologies.

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of the chemical Azoxystrobin on apple trees. Previous reports have shown that this commercial chemical is highly toxic to certain varieties of apple trees. Farmers in Northwestern Pennsylvania have reported to regulatory agencies that commercial apple trees are undergoing damage and have indicated that the cause is low exposure doses of Azoxystrobin from various sources. Results show that Azoxystrobin concentrations in the range of 100 parts per trillion and greater adversely affect trees when combined with a surfactant Damage, subacute lowest observable effect concentration, for azoxystrobin alone was shown to be around 10 part per billion. Azoxystrobin was obtained from a commercial spray tank previously used to employ this compound approximately two years ago. Sprayers tested from the local area were shown to have residue concentrations of Azoxystrobin sufficient to inflict damage to apple trees. Concentrations in contaminated sprayers ranged from <5ppm to 670ppm Azoxystrobin. A spray drift experiment demonstrated that with and without surfactant damage resulted on all leaves at distances of 250 feet. Comparison of apple blossoms in the suspect affected area with a control site suggests that plants exposed to low levels of this chemical exhibit greater blossom abnormality. It is hypothesized that damage from drift results to apple trees miles from the contaminant or emission source. Based on the finding of contaminated sprayers and that some products are currently being used which contain Azoxystrobin establishes the existence of a large number of non-point sources for this chemical in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Apple trees have the ability to uptake this chemical through its roots (soil route) when the trees are early in their seasonal development. When trees are in later growth of the season, application of Azoxystrobin to soil did not appear to cause toxicity. Damage on leaves not treated with Azoxystrobin that emerged after application of this chemical to older leaves on the same branch indicates translocation. Study results demonstrate that use of compounds containing Azoxystrobin in general locations where apple trees or other sensitive plants are grown result in chronic toxicity from low dose exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) are complex mixtures containing fluorocarbon- and hydrocarbon-based surfactants that are used to fight hydrocarbon-fueled fires. The military is the largest consumer of AFFF in the United States, and fire-training activities conducted at military bases have led to groundwater contamination by unspent fuels and AFFF chemicals. A direct-injection, liquid- chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) method was developed to quantify a suite of fluorotelomer sulfonate surfactants in groundwater collected from military bases where fire-training activities were conducted. The 4:2, 6:2, and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates were detected and quantified in groundwater from two of the three military bases. The total fluorotelomer sulfonate concentrations observed at Wurtsmith AFB, MI, and Tyndall AFB, FL, ranged respectively from below quantitation (≤0.60) to 182 μg/L and from 1100 to 14600 μg/L. Analyses of a fluorotelomer-based AFFF concentrate by negative ion fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry and LC MS/ MS analyses indicate that the AFFF concentrate contains only a small amount of fluorotelomer sulfonates and that fluoroalkylthioamido sulfonates are the main anionic fluorosurfactant in the mixtures. More research is needed to determine the fate of fluoroalkylthioamido sulfonates in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the desulfonation and degradation of the disulfodiphenylether carboxylates (DSDPEC) from linear alkydiphenyletherdisulfonate surfactants in the U.S. Quantitative formation of DSDPEC; Degradation of xenobiotic compounds into the soil systems; Substitution of sulfono substituents relative to alkyl chain.

Examines the effects of surfactants on infiltration by creating a water-repellent soil system in California. Mitigation of soil water repellency; Measurement of the drop-penetration times of solutions; Increase of the surface tension of the solution.

Surfactants are commonly used in various operations, and their disposal and accumulation in raw sludge has been linked to ground water contamination. This study examined the interaction between human intestinal microflora and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a common surfactant used in many research laboratories and industry. Fourteen strains of intestinal bacteria were grown under anaerobic conditions in the presence of CTAB. Eubacterium biforme was the only strain to tolerate high concentrations of CTAB. High concentrations of CTAB resulted in the induction of a stress-protein, similar to the heat shock-protein E. coli DnaK. This finding is unique in that a heat-shock protein was induced by a surfactant in a major human intestinal bacterium. This indicates that the heat-shock protein DnaK may play an important role in surfactant interaction and resistance in sludge and within the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on herbicide formulations used by companies in the U.S. Liquid formulation types; Dry solid formulations; Discussion on surfactants and emulsifiers.

Examines the influence of surfactant introduction to the functional level of newborns with very low-birth-weight in the United States. Effects of surfactant introduction on children with cerebral palsy; Influence of surfactant availability on the social function of the newborns; Predictors of cerebral palsy and functional outcome.

Investigates the static-die away of the nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactant using estuarine water samples collected at four stations in Tampa Bay, Florida. Observation of the concentration of five NPE intermediate degradation products and total surfactant; Intermediates detected; Sequence of degradation and intermediate accumulation and decay.

Surfactants exhibit a protein-denaturating potency which is responsible for water uptake and swelling of the stratum corneum. There is also an increased transepidermal water loss related to the alteration of the barrier function. In the present prospective study, we evaluated sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-dependent changes in electrometric properties of skin. Single and iterative SLS challenges were performed. Measurements were made using a NOVA DPM on continuous mode for 5 min in order to assess both the baseline surface hydration and the rate of changes during probe occlusion. The present noninvasive instrumental evaluation of surfactant irritancy shows high sensitivity in each subject, but suffers from large inter-individual variability in the skin response following single and iterative sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenges. The baseline surface hydration, that is almost unaffected 1 h after removing SLS patches, significantly decreases after a lag time of 24 h. The rate of water accumulation in the stratum corneum during the probe occlusion is significantly increased by SLS and is proportional to the SLS concentration and the number of iterative patches. Single water- or SLS-patch-tests fail to predict the skin response to cumulative SLS challenges and inter-individual variability is large for all electrometric variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Names the following newly Federal Drug Administration approved drugs as outstanding according to nurses. Ondansetron (Zofran--Glaxo) antiemesis; Ketorolac (Toradol--Syntex) injectable narcotic alternative; Granulocyte colony stimulating factor, G-CSF; Epoetin alfa (Epogen, Amgen) which treats anemia; Fluconazole for cryptococcal infection; Fluoroquinolones (Cipro--Miles); Surfactant; Adenosine (Adenocard--Fujisawa). INSETS: THE COST QUESTION;NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OLD DRUGS.

Studies surfactant solubilization using a vertical circulation well in Traverse City, Michigan. Method of collecting periodic effluent samples; Curves for effluent breakthrough and mass recovery for tracer tests; Effect of the surfactant on the contaminant mass extracted; Degree of retardation in the subsurface formation.

The feasibility of using cationic surfactants to desorb lead (Pb) from contaminated soil was investigated by a two-phase batch-test program. In phase I, Pb desorption from the Slaughterville sandy loam was measured as a function of surfactant concentration for 10 cationic surfactants. In Phase II, Slaughterville sandy loam and Teller loam soils were used to measure the impact of pH on surfactant desorption of Pb. During this part of the investigation, pH was varied over the range of 4 to 9, while the initial surfactant concentration was kept constant at 0.025 mole/L. Phase I results indicate that 3 of 10 screened surfactants, Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate (ISML), Lapyrium Chloride (LC), and Dodecyl Pyridinium Chloride (DPC), are clearly better in desorbing lead. At solution concentration of 0.1 mole/L, ISML, LC, and DPC desorbed 82, 59, and 50% of Pb, respectively, from Slaughterville sandy loam. Data from phase II show that Pb desorption by 0.025 mole/L surfactant solutions is pH dependent. As pH decreased, desorption of lead increased. At a pH of 4, ISML, LC, and DPC desorbed 83, 78, and 68% Pb, respectively, from Slaughterville sandy loam along with 36, 32, and 29% Pb, respectively, from Teller loam. These test results support the feasibility of using cationic surfactants in the removal of lead and other heavy metals from fine-grained soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), surfactants commonly used in textile manufacture as well as in industrial and household cleaning products, are perceived by some users as potentially hazardous to the environment. Producers have a great deal of information on the environmental fate and effects of NPEs to share with the textile industry. NPEs, which have been tested thoroughly for effects toward mammals and aquatic life, exhibit toxicity patterns very similar to other widely used surfactants. They are highly treatable in aerobic biological treatment plants—studies in U.S. wastewater plants have shown up to 99.8% removal. Nationwide river monitoring has provided a statistically valid model of the distribution of nonylphenol (NP) and NPEs in U.S. surface waters. The treatability studies demonstrate their high degree of biodegradability under real-world conditions. The large body of data on NP and NPEs toxicity, combined with the environmental exposure data, allows very confident predictions of the risk they pose to the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the result of the use of enzyme detergents to fabrics such as wool. According to companies that manufacture detergents formulated with enzymes, almost half of the heavy-duty detergent products used in the U.S. are enzyme detergents. The use of such detergents reportedly ensure strength of the fabric and reasonable washing stability. Such effects manifest that it is good in removing stains and tough dirt in the clothes. However such result could not surpass the effectiveness of the ordinary detergents. Likewise, several problems have been encountered with the use of the product such as the damage it caused to buttons and clothes and some medical implications. Moreover, when it is applied to protein fibers like wool it reportedly makes the fiber suffer degradation.

The article presents several international guidelines, patents and trials related to treatment and prevention of pregnancy complications. World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report on the prevention of malaria to be able to prevent the morbidity and mortality for newborn. Consultations on female genital mutilation (FGm) has been conducted to be able to eradicate the FGM. A randomized controlled trial on the efficiency of surfactant treatment for newborn was conducted in the U.S.