Passive samplers provide a better prediction of PAH bioaccumulation in earthworms and plant roots than exhaustive, mild solvent, and cyclodextrin extractions

A number of extraction methods have been developed to assess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioavailability in soils. As these methods are rarely tested in a comparative manner, against different test organisms, and using field-contaminated soils, it is unclear which method gives the most accurate measure of the actual soil ecosystem exposure. In this study, PAH bioavailability was assessed in ten field-contaminated soils by using exhaustive acetone/hexane extractions, mild solvent (butanol) extractions, cyclodextrin extractions, and two passive sampling methods; solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and polyoxymethylene solid phase extraction (POM-SPE). Results were compared to actual PAH bioaccumulation in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) roots. Exhaustive, mild solvent and cyclodextrin extractions consistently overpredicted biotic concentrations by a factor of 10-10?000 and therefore seem inappropriate for predicting PAH bioaccumulation in field contaminated soils. In contrast, passive samplers generally predicted PAH concentrations in earthworms within a factor of 10, although correlations between predicted and measured concentrations were considerably scattered. The same applied to the plant data, where passive samplers also tended to underpredict root concentrations. These results indicate the potential of passive samplers to predict PAH bioaccumulation, yet call for comparative studies between passive samplers and further research on plant bioavailability.     

Short communication: Heritability estimates for susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection defined by ELISA and fecal culture test results in Jersey cattle

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease), an enteric disorder in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis, causes economic losses in excess of $200 million annually to the US dairy industry. Costly diagnostic testing, cumbersome control programs, incurability, and ineffective vaccination all make M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis susceptibility a good candidate for genetic studies and genetic selection a potentially useful adjunct to management-based control programs. No report has been published for heritability of susceptibility to M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in Jersey cattle. The objective of this study was to estimate variance components and heritability for susceptibility to M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in US Jersey cattle. Data consisted of complete serum ELISA and partial fecal culture results on a total of 2,861 Jersey cows from 23 commercial herds throughout the United States after editing. Four M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis susceptibility phenotypes were defined using (1) ELISA sample-to-positive ratios as a continuous trait, (2) ELISA results as a binary trait (positive = 1, negative = 0), (3) ELISA results as an ordered categorical trait, and (4) a combined test in which ELISA and fecal culture results were both taken into account in a binary analysis. Three statistical models, including linear, binary threshold, and ordered threshold sire models, were used to analyze the data. All analyses were executed using the restricted maximum likelihood method in ASReml 3 software. The heritability estimates were low to moderate and ranged from 0.08 (±0.03) to 0.27 (±0.11) based on different trait definitions. The nonzero heritability indicates that susceptibility to M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in Jersey cattle is influenced by genetic factors. Therefore, selection of the least susceptible animals could decrease genetic predisposition to M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in Jersey populations in future generations.     

Lycopene from two food sources does not affect antioxidant or cholesterol status of middle-aged adults

Background

Epidemiological studies have reported associations between reduced cardiovascular disease and diets rich in tomato and/or lycopene. Intervention studies have shown that lycopene-containing foods may reduce cholesterol levels and lipid peroxidation, factors implicated in the initiation of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether consumption of lycopene rich foods conferred cardiovascular protection to middle-aged adults as indicated by plasma lipid concentrations and measures of ex vivo antioxidants.

Methods

Ten healthy men and women consumed a low lycopene diet with no added lycopene (control treatment) or supplemented with watermelon or tomato juice each containing 20 mg lycopene. Subjects consumed each treatment for three weeks in a crossover design. Plasma, collected weekly was analyzed for total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride concentrations and for the antioxidant biomarkers of malondialdehyde formation products (MDA), plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed Procedure and associations between antioxidant and lipid measures were identified by Pearson's product moment correlation analysis.

Results

Compared to the control diet, the lycopene-containing foods did not affect plasma lipid concentrations or antioxidant biomarkers. Women had higher total cholesterol, HDL-C and triglyceride concentrations than did the men. Total cholesterol was positively correlated to MDA and FRAP while HDL-C was positively correlated to MDA and GPX. GPX was negatively correlated to triglyceride concentration.

Conclusions

The inclusion of watermelon or tomato juice containing 20 mg lycopene did not affect plasma lipid concentrations or antioxidant status of healthy subjects. However, plasma cholesterol levels impacted the results of MDA and FRAP antioxidant tests.     

Community Participation in Urban Planning: the Case of Managing Green Spaces in Kumasi,Ghana

The entrenched position now taken by participatory planning in urban planning practice has made the call for community participation in the planning process now higher than ever. Community participation has been well-acknowledged to give local people a voice in planning decisions. This paper assessed the level of participation by local people in the management of urban green spaces. Using a case study research approach, Kumasi city, once the garden city of Africa was selected as the study area. The Kumasi city authorities, and residents including opinion leaders, and officials of allied bodies on green spaces constituted the study’s target population. A blend of qualitative research techniques such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and personal observation was employed whilst theoretical sampling technique was adopted. It was found out that the participation of the local people in the management of green space was low. The local people were neither consulted nor informed on green space projects (parks and gardens) by the city authorities. They were also not empowered to self-facilitate initiatives on green spaces and passively involved in final decisions on green spaces. To correct the situation, it is recommended that features of the communicative planning theory such as dialogue, consensus building, and facilitative leadership should be given attention in the urban planning system of Kumasi especially on green space projects.     

RELAP5-3D modeling of PWR steam generator condensation experiments at the Oregon State University APEX facility

This report describes modeling using RELAP5-3D of a series of six steam generator U-tube steam condensation (without non-condensable gas) tests conducted at the Oregon State University Advanced Plant Experiment Test Facility from 2005 through 2007. These tests were designed to evaluate steam condensation rates in a scaled pressurized water reactor steam generator at various primary and secondary side pressures and inlet steam mass flow rates. Comparisons between the experimental data and the RELAP5-3D model results are made to quantify the effectiveness of RELAP5-3D in handling steam condensation in U-tube steam generators. RELAP5-3D tends to over predict the condensation rate and heat transfer coefficient when compared against the experimental data when the code uses the laminar Nusselt correlation to determine the heat transfer coefficient. When RELAP5-3D results are used with the Shah correlation the comparison between the heat transfer coefficients is much improved.     

Forest fuel treatment detection using multi-temporal airborne lidar data and high-resolution aerial imagery: a case study in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,California

Treatments to reduce forest fuels are often performed in forests to enhance forest health, regulate stand density, and reduce the risk of wildfires. Although commonly employed, there are concerns that these forest fuel treatments (FTs) may have negative impacts on certain wildlife species. Often FTs are planned across large landscapes, but the actual treatment extents can differ from the planned extents due to operational constraints and protection of resources (e.g. perennial streams, cultural resources, wildlife habitats). Identifying the actual extent of the treated areas is of primary importance to understand the environmental influence of FTs. Light detection and ranging (lidar) is a powerful remote-sensing tool that can provide accurate measurements of forest structures and has great potential for monitoring forest changes. This study used the canopy height model (CHM) and canopy cover (CC) products derived from multi-temporal airborne laser scanning (ALS) data to monitor forest changes following the implementation of landscape-scale FT projects. Our approach involved the combination of a pixel-wise thresholding method and an object-of-interest (OBI) segmentation method. We also investigated forest change using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and standardized principal component analysis from multi-temporal high-resolution aerial imagery. The same FT detection routine was then applied to compare the capability of ALS data and aerial imagery for FT detection. Our results demonstrate that the FT detection using ALS-derived CC products produced both the highest total accuracy (93.5%) and kappa coefficient (κ) (0.70), and was more robust in identifying areas with light FTs. The accuracy using ALS-derived CHM products (the total accuracy was 91.6%, and the κ was 0.59) was significantly lower than that using ALS-derived CC, but was still higher than using aerial imagery. Moreover, we also developed and tested a method to recognize the intensity of FTs directly from pre- and post-treatment ALS point clouds.     

An assessment of PWR steam generator condensation at the Oregon State University APEX facility

This report describes the testing to assess steam generator U-tube steam condensation conducted at the Oregon State University Advanced Plant Experiment Test Facility from 2005 to 2007. Six separate SG condensation (without non-condensable gas) tests were conducted as part of this test program. These tests were designed to evaluate steam condensation rates in a scaled Pressurized Water Reactor steam generator at various primary and secondary side pressures and inlet steam mass flow rates. The experimental data will provide a basis to assess TRACE steam generator modeling techniques and to assist in development of improved models for condensation and steam generator thermal-hydraulics.     

Photographic fundraising: Civil war philanthropy

Abstract

With the development of the carte de visite in the 1850s, an inexpensive, reproducible, and highly portable image could be used for propaganda campaigns aimed at the heart and purse strings of a susceptible public. One measure of the popularity and versatility of the carte de visite may be found in its use as a vehicle for fund-raising during and after the American Civil War. Wounded soldiers, orphaned children, widows, and needy victims had their causes promoted by means of these small (2 1/2 × 4 1/4 in.) card-mounted, albumen photographs. The card mount provided space for a verbal appeal, to increase the impact of tlie photograph itself.     

Studio sample sheet

Abstract

This enormous studio sample sheet, featuring nearly 850 famous faces, and figures, spread across seven feet of thin canvas, was perhaps displayed in the window or behind the counter of a photographic establishment, or carried to small towns in England and abroad by a travelling studio salesman, in the hope of satisfying a popular demand for pictures of the Royal Family, political figures, stage and music hall performers, and celebrities of the day¹ (Figure 1). Each tiny photograph carries a number; there are about 32 of these reduced images on each 4 ½ × 5 ½ in. albumen print, and 27 such prints pasted along the length of the canvas. They appear to have been reproduced by photographing a composite layout of printed portraits, as the images lack the sharpness of prints made directly from the negative. The first in a series of portraits of a particular person is labelled, and successive numbered poses of that person follow, until the next series begins. Thus, Lilly Langtry is featured in 25 poses, in the upper left-hand corner of the canvas roll, (Figure 2) and in four or five other poses on two other albumen sheets. Queen Victoria is offered in ten different views, (Figure 3) and the very popular Princess of Wales in at least 25 (Figures 4 and 5). Almost all of these celebrated faces are English, although the youthful German Emperor is shown (see Figure 4). The pictures of the ‘Duke of York's Wedding Group’ enable us to date the prints as after 6th July 1893 (see Figure 5), so it is likely that these images were offered in Promenade size (7 ½ ? 3 ¾ in.) or Boudoir (8 ¼ × 5 in.) style, both of which were popular in the 1890s. However, the variety of studio settings and posing styles suggests that even older carte-de-visite and cabinet-card portraits were being enlarged and reissued in the larger formats popular in 1893.