Characterization of fine particulate matter produced by combustion of residual fuel oil

Combustion experiments were carried out on four different residual fuel oils in a 732-kW boiler. PM emission samples were separated aerodynamically by a cyclone into fractions that were nominally less than and greater than 2.5 microns in diameter. However, examination of several of the samples by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) revealed that part of the PM2.5 fraction consists of carbonaceous cenospheres and vesicular particles that range up to 10 microns in diameter. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy data were obtained at the S, V, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, and As K-edges and at the Pb L-edge. Deconvolution of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) region of the S spectra established that the dominant molecular forms of S present were sulfate (26-84% of total S) and thiophene (13-39% of total S). Sulfate was greater in the PM2.5 samples than in the PM2.5+ samples. Inorganic sulfides and elemental sulfur were present in lower percentages. The Ni XANES spectra from all of the samples agreed fairly well with that of NiSO4, while most of the V spectra closely resembled that of vanadyl sulfate (VO.SO4.xH2O). The other metals investigated (i.e., Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb) also were present predominantly as sulfates. Arsenic was present as an arsenate (As+5). X-ray diffraction patterns of the PM2.5 fraction exhibit sharp lines due to sulfate compounds (Zn, V, Ni, Ca, etc.) superimposed on broad peaks due to amorphous carbons. All of the samples contain a significant organic component, with the loss on ignition (LOI) ranging from 64 to 87% for the PM2.5 fraction and from 88 to 97% for the PM2.5+ fraction. Based on 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, the carbon is predominantly condensed in graphitic structures. Aliphatic structure was detected in only one of seven samples examined.

Local estimation of age-dependent variance components from longitudinal twin data

In the study of longitudinal twin and family data, interest is often in the covariance structure of the data and the decomposition of this covariance structure into genetic and environmental components rather than in estimating the mean function. Various parametric models for covariance structures have been proposed but, e.g., in studies of children where growth spurts occur at various ages, it is difficult to a priori determine an appropriate parametric model for the covariance structure. In particular, there is a general lack of the visualization procedures, such as lowess, that are invaluable in the initial stages of constructing a parametric model for a mean function. Here we use kernel smoothing to modify a cross-sectional approach based on the sample covariance matrices to obtain smoothed estimates of the genetic and environmental variances and correlations for longitudinal twin data. The methods are proposed to be exploratory as an aid to parametric modeling rather than inferential, although approximate asymptotic standard errors are derived in the Appendix.

Training and Enterprise Councils as Facilitators of a Networked Approach to Local Economic Development: Forms, Mechanisms, and Existing Interpretations

The author reviews and examines the relevant literature concerning the role that networks have played in the local economic development activities of Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs), The analysis focuses on TECs as actors within, and catalysts of, networks—specifically at the local level. TEC mechanisms for economic development and the forms of TEC-facilitated networks are considered, and it is argued that a networking approach has gradually permeated TEC strategies both as a specific policy tool and as an instrument for improving the effectiveness of other support initiatives and programmes. The author finds the existence of a dichotomy between the relatively positive finds of Government-sponsored evaluations of TECs and those of more critical academic studies.

Expansion of the CGG repeat in fragile X in the FMR1 gene depends on the sex of the offspring

Analysis of 139 mother-to-offspring transmissions of fragile X CGG triplet repeats revealed that the repeat expansion is enhanced in mother-to-son transmissions compared with mother-to-daughter transmissions. Evidence has been based on analysis of mother-offspring differences in the size of repeat (in kb), as well as on comparisons between proportions of male and female offspring with premutations, and full mutations, inherited from mothers carrying a premutation. Mean difference in the repeat size from mother-son transmissions was 1.45 kb, compared with mother-daughter transmissions of 0.76 kb. The difference is due primarily to a greater proportion of male than female offspring with full mutation from the premutation mothers and also to a higher frequency of reduction in repeat size from mothers to daughters than from mothers to sons. Our findings suggest the possibility of an interaction of the normal X homologue in a female zygote with the FMR1 sequence on the fragile X during replication to account for the lower level of expansion in mother-to-daughter transmissions relative to mother-to-son transmissions.

Genetic correlates of menarcheal age: a multivariate twin study

Multivariate genetic models were fitted to data from 44 pairs of MZ and 42 pairs of DZ twin girls on weight, height, and skeletal maturation at the age of menarche, in order to obtain information on genetic relationships of those measures with the age of menarche. The relationships of all three physical measures with this age were largely genetically controlled, but a genetic system controlling skeletal maturity was identified as the only genetic determinant of menarcheal age, independent of those systems of the two remaining physical measures. Heritabilities of all individual traits considered in the study were uniformly high. Possible links of genetic information with hormonal functions determining menarche are discussed.

A phase I/II study of the intralesional injection of ricin-monoclonal antibody conjugates in patients with hepatic metastases

A phase I/II study of the intralesional administration of ricin-labelled monoclonal antibodies was conducted in patients with hepatic metastases of gastrointestinal origin. The anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody I-1 was conjugated to blocked ricin via a disulphide bridge. After a test dose of antibody, patients were injected with ricin-antibody conjugates under computed tomography (CT) guidance on two occasions 1 week apart. Patients with stable or responding disease would receive a third course. The dose of ricin relative to surface area was increased in a predefined manner in cohorts of 3 patients. A total of 27 patients with hepatic metastases were entered into this study. All patients had metastatic colorectal cancer (26 patients) or adenocarcinoma of unknown primary with elevated CEA levels (1 patient). The presence of malignancy was documented cytologically in 9 of 11 patients tested. Minor responses were seen in 7 patients. However, no major objective responses or changes in the growth rate of injected lesions were observed. Toxicity was generally mild, the most common being hepatic capsular pain 24-48 h after each injection. 6 patients experienced rigors. One patient had anaphylaxis. Human anti-mouse and anti-ricin antibody responses were observed. Although substantial amounts of ricin conjugated to monoclonal antibodies were delivered into single lesions, this therapeutic approach was unsuccessful. Future studies of ricin-labelled antibodies should incorporate the systemic administration of immunoconjugates.

Genotype-phenotype relationships in fragile X syndrome: a family study

Relationships between the measures of intellectual and physical status in the fragile X syndrome and the size of amplification of the fragile X-specific fragment, equivalent to the number of CCG repeats within the FMR1 locus, were studied by a maximum-likelihood scoring technique for analysis of pedigree data. This allows for estimation of random effects (genetic and environmental variance) concurrently with other (fixed) effects in a quantitative trait. FMR1 expression is usually shut down in males penetrant for the fragile X syndrome who have hypermethylated CCG amplifications of > or = 0.6 kb. The assumption of the step versus curvilinear function representing this relationship was tested by the likelihood-ratio criterion. The maximum-likelihood parameters were based on the most appropriate model for each measure. The results were indicative of the presence of a curvilinear relationship between the amplification size and the two intellectual scores, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and Block Design Test, measuring verbal and spatial abilities, respectively. Reasons for the unexpected curvilinear regression between the amplification size and intellectual scores were explained further by methylation analysis of fragile X males with amplifications of 0.6 < delta < or = 1.2 kb who appeared to be responsible for the curvilinearity of the relationship. Four of these showed unmethylated status of the amplified bands in lymphocytes, which were presumably transcriptionally active. Removal of the aberrant individuals led to the anticipated step function between amplification and intellectual scores. For the combined anthropometric score, as well as for several single physical measures, the step function was the most appropriate model regardless of the inclusion or omission of the aberrant individuals in the pedigree sample.

A new anthropometric scale for discrimination between sexes

Sexual dimorphism with respect to body size and shape has been analysed by means of discriminant function. An anthropometric score has been derived from 111 adult normal males and 108 females, based on 11 anthropometric and three dermatoglyphic variables. The score represents the range of quantified physical phenotypes of 'maleness' and 'femaleness'. Complete separation between the distributions of this score in either sex has been achieved. Predominantly, application of the anthropometric score can be in assessing a relationship between the anthropometric status of 'maleness' or 'femaleness', and cytogenetic or submicroscopic anomalies of sex chromosomes, and in studies of normal inter- and intra-population variation in sexual dimorphism.

Circumvention of doxorubicin resistance in multi-drug resistant human leukaemia and lung cancer cells by the pure antioestrogen ICI 164384

ICI 164384, a new steroidal antioestrogen, entirely devoid of oestrogenic activity, modulates doxorubicin resistance in vitro. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, ICI 164384 potentiated the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in a dose-dependent manner in both the classical multi-drug resistant (MDR) human leukaemia cell lines CEM/VLB 100 and CEM/VLB 1000 and the human small cell lung cancer cell line H69 LX4. ICI 164384 had no effect on the two respective parental cell lines, CEM/CCRF and H69 P. None of these cell lines expressed the oestrogen receptor. In comparative studies at concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 10 mumols/l, ICI 164384 was significantly more effective (1.2-6-fold) than tamoxifen in reducing the IC50 of doxorubicin in the CEM/VLB 100 line. In resistant cells, ICI 164384 increased 3H-daunomycin accumulation in a dose-dependent manner and was significantly more effective than tamoxifen at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10 mumol/l. ICI 164384 reduced the efflux of daunomycin from resistant cells more effectively than tamoxifen. These studies suggest that ICI 164384 is an effective modulator of MDR.

Radiation dose to the hands in nuclear medicine

Study of the distribution of radiation dose across both hands during the dispensing and administration of radiopharmaceuticals is useful in the assessment of the extremity doses received by nuclear medicine personnel. Some staff in the UK have already been designated as classified radiation workers due to the radiation doses that their hands may receive. With possible forthcoming reductions in the dose limits, it is important that as much data as possible is available on such dosimetry. By measuring the dose at nine different locations on each hand, an optimal site (the base of the second digit) to represent a more accurate 'mean hand dose' could be determined. The use of inserting different butterfly cannula into a vein, prior to radiopharmaceutical administration, was assessed in terms of the dose reduction effect to the member of staff performing the task. It was found that a long tubing cannula (300 mm) did not significantly reduce the radiation dose of the operator whereas shorter ones (95 mm) gave a very significant dose reduction.

Testing of gloves for permeability to UV-curable acrylate coatings

The handling of UV-curable acrylate formulations used in the coating of optical fiber requires protective measures to prevent contact dermatitis and/or allergic dermatitis. To characterize the permeability of various glove materials to a UV-curable acrylate coating, a study was undertaken using a modification of a standard ASTM permeability test, which demonstrated that nitrile rubber gloves provided the best protection of those glove materials tested.

Oral surgery

An overview of the various possibilities for oral surgery urgent care to the oral region has been presented. Modern treatment procedures have been described. The recent advances in dental science have become superior to what they were just a few short years ago; however, we must never forget the variabilities of human responses to any of our treatment techniques, and we must not be dogmatic in our approach. We should all be able to diagnose, interpret, and alter any of our treatment techniques as necessary.

Factors affecting the decline of ventilatory function in chronic bronchitis

Ninety six middle aged male patients with chronic bronchitis with relatively well preserved ventilatory function who were resident in Queensland, New South Wales, or Victoria took part in a prospective study to determine the relationship of various factors to the rate of decline of the FEV1. Thirty of the subjects withdrew, leaving 66 to be followed for four to six years. The mean rate of decline of the FEV1 was 58.6 (SD 51.4) ml/year. The subjects' ventilatory responses to bronchodilator and to methacholine (measures of bronchial lability) were significantly related to each other and to sputum eosinophilia. With a linear model for the data on 57 patients who had methacholine and skin tests the rate of decline of the FEV1 was found, after adjustment had been made for other variables, to be significantly related to State of residence, current smoking, response to bronchodilator, age, and occupational exposure to dust. Response to bronchodilator was interchangeable with response to methacholine. With the five variables in the model none of the following factors was related to the rate of decline of the FEV1:FEV1 on entry, FEV1% predicted normal, FEV1/VC%, skin test reaction, occupation on entry, history of sinusitis and rhinitis, and height. When data from all 66 subjects were introduced into the model, in addition to the five significant individual variables (FEV1/VC% X response to bronchodilator) was significantly related to the rate of decline of the FEV1. Of these prognostic indices, response to bronchodilator was independent of the initial FEV1, FEV/VC%, and FEV1% predicted. The difference between States, which was not explained by differences due to sampling or withdrawal of subjects, was due to a low rate of decline in Queensland.

In vivo and in vitro testing of gloves for protection against UV-curable acrylate resin systems

In vitro data demonstrated that the permeation of a UV-curable urethane acrylate resin system through glove materials was greatest for latex and neoprene gloves and less for two nitrile gloves. Permeation in vitro for the resin system took longer than 480 min. Individual components of the resin permeated faster when tested separately than when in the formulated system. In vivo 48-h patch test data suggested that neither nitrile glove would be adequate for worker protection, but the in vivo test exaggerated the duration of contact between resin, glove, and skin. Both nitrile gloves provide adequate protection under use conditions, provided the gloves were not re-used within 8 h.