Tracking NSZD mass removal rates over decades: Site-wide and local scale assessment of mass removal at a legacy petroleum site

Long-term estimates of natural source zone depletion (NSZD) rates for petroleum LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) sites are not available. One-off measurements are often thought valid over the lifetime of LNAPL sites. In the context of site-wide LNAPL mass estimates, we report site-specific gasoline and diesel NSZD rates spanning 21-26 years. Using depth profiles of soil gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, volatiles) above LNAPL, NSZD rates were estimated in 1994, 2006 and 2020 for diesel and 1999, 2009 and 2020 for gasoline. Each date also had soil-core mass estimates, which together with NSZD rates allow estimation of the longevity for LNAPL presence. Site-wide coring (in 1992, 2002, 2007) estimated LNAPL mass reductions of 12,000 t. For diesel NSZD, the ratio of NSZD rates for 2006 (16,000-49,000 L/ha/y) to those in 2020 (2600-14,000 L/ha/y) was ~3-6. By 2020, the 1994 diesel NSZD rates would have predicted the entire removal of measured mass (16-42 kg/m²). For gasoline, NSZD rates in 1999 were extremely high (50,000-270,000 L/ha/y) but 9-27 times lower (5800-10,000 L/ha/y) a decade later. The gasoline NSZD rates in 1999 predicted near complete mass removal in 2-12 years, but 10-11 kg/m² was measured 10 and 21 years later which is 26% of the initial mass in 1999. The outcomes substantiate the need to understand NSZD rate changes over the lifetime of LNAPL-impacted sites.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Synthesis of Bicyclic Resorcinols via an Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-Type 1,4-Addition: Access to Cannabidiol Analogues

The organocatalytic transformation of resorcinols is extremely rare. In this article, we report a highly enantioselective, organocatalytic intramolecular cyclization of these systems by a Friedel-Crafts-type 1,4-addition using a Jørgensen-Hayashi-like organocatalyst with a large silyl protecting group, and show that heat improves reaction yield with virtually no detriment to enantioselectivity. A variety of bicyclic resorcinols were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94%). To show the utility of these constructs, and as part of a wider project involving the synthesis of cannabinoid-like compounds, the resorcinol formed was used to generate both 'normal' and 'abnormal' cannabidiol (CBD) derivatives which were shown to have anticonvulsant activity.

Photochemical Probe Identification of a Small-Molecule Inhibitor Binding Site in Hedgehog Acyltransferase (HHAT)

The mammalian membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily is involved in biological processes including growth, development and appetite sensing. MBOATs are attractive drug targets in cancer and obesity; however, information on the binding site and molecular mechanisms underlying small-molecule inhibition is elusive. This study reports rational development of a photochemical probe to interrogate a novel small-molecule inhibitor binding site in the human MBOAT Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT). Structure-activity relationship investigation identified single enantiomer IMP-1575, the most potent HHAT inhibitor reported to-date, and guided design of photocrosslinking probes that maintained HHAT-inhibitory potency. Photocrosslinking and proteomic sequencing of HHAT delivered identification of the first small-molecule binding site in a mammalian MBOAT. Topology and homology data suggested a potential mechanism for HHAT inhibition which was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Our results provide an optimal HHAT tool inhibitor IMP-1575 (K i=38 nM) and a strategy for mapping small molecule interaction sites in MBOATs.

Photochemical Probe Identification of a Small-Molecule Inhibitor Binding Site in Hedgehog Acyltransferase (HHAT)*

The mammalian membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily is involved in biological processes including growth, development and appetite sensing. MBOATs are attractive drug targets in cancer and obesity; however, information on the binding site and molecular mechanisms underlying small-molecule inhibition is elusive. This study reports rational development of a photochemical probe to interrogate a novel small-molecule inhibitor binding site in the human MBOAT Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT). Structure-activity relationship investigation identified single enantiomer IMP-1575, the most potent HHAT inhibitor reported to-date, and guided design of photocrosslinking probes that maintained HHAT-inhibitory potency. Photocrosslinking and proteomic sequencing of HHAT delivered identification of the first small-molecule binding site in a mammalian MBOAT. Topology and homology data suggested a potential mechanism for HHAT inhibition which was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Our results provide an optimal HHAT tool inhibitor IMP-1575 (Ki =38 nM) and a strategy for mapping small molecule interaction sites in MBOATs.

Effect of compositional heterogeneity on dissolution of non-ideal LNAPL mixtures

The extent of dissolution of petroleum hydrocarbon fuels into groundwater depends greatly on fuel composition. Petroleum fuels can consist of thousands of compounds creating different interactions within the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), thereby affecting the relative dissolution of the components and hence a groundwater plume's composition over long periods. Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the variability in the effective solubilities and activity coefficients for common constituents of gasoline fuels (benzene, toluene, p-xylene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) (BTX) in matrices with an extreme range of molar volumes and chemical affinities. Four synthetic mixtures were investigated comprising BTX with the bulk of the NAPL mixtures made up of either, ethylbenzene (an aromatic like BTX with similar molar volume); 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (an aromatic with a greater molar volume); n-hexane (an aliphatic with a low molar volume); and n-decane (an aliphatic with a high molar volume). Equilibrium solubility values for the constituents were under-predicted by Raoult's law by up to 30% (higher experimental concentrations) for the mixture with n-hexane as a filler and over-predicted by up to 12% (lower experimental concentrations) for the aromatic mixtures with ethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene as fillers. Application of PP-LFER (poly-parameter linear free energy relationship) model for non-ideal mixtures also resulted in poor correlation between experimentally measured and predicted concentrations, indicating that differences in chemical affinities can be the major cause of deviation from ideal behavior. Synthetic mixtures were compared with the dissolution behavior of fresh and naturally weathered unleaded gasoline. The presence of lighter aliphatic components in the gasoline had a profound effect on estimating effective solubility due to chemical affinity differences (estimated at 0.0055 per percentage increase in the molar proportion of aliphatic) as well as reduced molar volumes (estimated at -0.0091 in the activity coefficient per unit increase in molar volume, mL/mol). Previously measured changes in activity coefficients due to natural weathering of 0.25 compares well to 0.27 calculated here based on changes in the chemical affinity and molar volumes. The study suggests that the initial estimation of the composition of a fuel is crucial in evaluating dissolution processes due to ideal and non-ideal dissolution, and in predicting long term dissolution trends and the longevity of NAPL petroleum plume risks.

Mass discharge assessment at a brominated DNAPL site: Effects of known DNAPL source mass removal

Management and closure of contaminated sites is increasingly being proposed on the basis of mass flux of dissolved contaminants in groundwater. Better understanding of the links between source mass removal and contaminant mass fluxes in groundwater would allow greater acceptance of this metric in dealing with contaminated sites. Our objectives here were to show how measurements of the distribution of contaminant mass flux and the overall mass discharge emanating from the source under undisturbed groundwater conditions could be related to the processes and extent of source mass depletion. In addition, these estimates of mass discharge were sought in the application of agreed remediation targets set in terms of pumped groundwater quality from offsite wells. Results are reported from field studies conducted over a 5-year period at a brominated DNAPL (tetrabromoethane, TBA; and tribromoethene, TriBE) site located in suburban Perth, Western Australia. Groundwater fluxes (qw; L(3)/L(2)/T) and mass fluxes (Jc; M/L(2)/T) of dissolved brominated compounds were simultaneously estimated by deploying Passive Flux Meters (PFMs) in wells in a heterogeneous layered aquifer. PFMs were deployed in control plane (CP) wells immediately down-gradient of the source zone, before (2006) and after (2011) 69-85% of the source mass was removed, mainly by groundwater pumping from the source zone. The high-resolution (26-cm depth interval) measures of qw and Jc along the source CP allowed investigation of the DNAPL source-zone architecture and impacts of source mass removal. Comparable estimates of total mass discharge (MD; M/T) across the source zone CP reduced from 104gday(-1) to 24-31gday(-1) (70-77% reductions). Importantly, this mass discharge reduction was consistent with the estimated proportion of source mass remaining at the site (15-31%). That is, a linear relationship between mass discharge and source mass is suggested. The spatial detail of groundwater and mass flux distributions also provided further evidence of the source zone architecture and DNAPL mass depletion processes. This was especially apparent in different mass-depletion rates from distinct parts of the CP. High mass fluxes and groundwater fluxes located near the base of the aquifer dominated in terms of the dissolved mass flux in the profile, although not in terms of concentrations. Reductions observed in Jc and MD were used to better target future remedial efforts. Integration of the observations from the PFM deployments and the source mass depletion provided a basis for establishing flux-based management criteria for the site.

The use of mass depletion-mass flux reduction relationships during pumping to determine source zone mass of a reactive brominated-solvent DNAPL

Mass depletion-mass flux relationships usually applied to a groundwater plume were established at field scale for groundwater pumped from within the source zone of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL). These were used as part of multiple lines of evidence in establishing the DNAPL source mass and architecture. Simplified source mass-dissolved concentration models including those described by exponential, power, and error functions as well as a rational mass equation based on the equilibrium stream tube approach were fitted to data from 285 days of source zone pumping (SZP) from a single well which removed 152 kg of dissolved organics from a multi-component, reactive brominated solvent DNAPL. The total molar concentration of the source compound, tetrabromoethane and its daughter products was used as a single measure of contaminant concentration to relate to source mass. A partitioning inter-well tracer test (PITT) conducted prior to the SZP provided estimates of groundwater travel times, enabling parameterisation of the models. After accounting for capture of the down-gradient dissolved plume, all models provided a good fit to the observed data. It was shown that differentiation between models would only emerge after appreciably more pumping from the source zone. The model fits were not particularly sensitive to the exponent parameters and variance of groundwater travel time. In addition, the multi-component nature of the DNAPL did not seem to affect the utility of the models for the period examined. Estimates of the DNAPL mass prior to the start of SZP from the models were greatest where the log of the variance of travel time was used explicitly in the source depletion models (mean 295kg) compared to where the associated power exponent and variance was fitted freely (mean 258 kg). The estimates of source mass were close to that of 220kg determined from the PITT. In addition to the PITT, multi-level groundwater sampling from within the source zone provided important supporting information for developing the conceptual model of the source zone. It is concluded that SZP may be an effective and relatively simple means for characterising DNAPL source zones.

The influence of lower face vertical proportion on facial attractiveness

This study investigated the influence of changing lower face vertical proportion on the attractiveness ratings scored by lay people.Ninety-two social science students rated the attractiveness of a series of silhouettes with normal, reduced or increased lower face proportions. The random sequences of 10 images included an image with the Eastman normal lower face height relative to total face height [lower anterior face height/total anterior face height (LAFH/TAFH) of 55 per cent], and images with LAFH/TAFH increased or decreased by up to four standard deviations (SD) from the Eastman norm. All the images had a skeletal Class I antero-posterior (AP) relationship. A duplicate image in each sequence assessed repeatability. The participants scored each image using a 10 point numerical scale and also indicated whether they would seek treatment if the image was their own profile. The profile image with normal vertical facial proportions was rated by the lay people as the most attractive. Attractiveness scores reduced as the vertical facial proportions diverged from the normal value. Images with a reduced lower face proportion were rated as significantly more attractive than the corresponding images with an increased lower face proportion. Images with a reduced lower face proportion were also significantly less likely to be judged as needing treatment than the corresponding images with an increased lower face proportion.

Effectiveness of in situ air sparging for removing NAPL gasoline from a sandy aquifer near Perth, Western Australia

In situ air sparging has the potential to augment the removal of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants in soil vapour extraction (SVE) systems when the NAPL is present in the capillary fringe or below the water table. NAPL removal can also be enhanced from above the water table by improving air access. Results are presented from a pilot-scale field trial aimed at evaluating the performance of such a remediation strategy where in situ air sparging was used in conjunction with a soil vapour extraction system to remove weathered gasoline NAPL from an unconfined sandy aquifer. A simple analysis that partitions extracted soil vapour between air injected through the sparge well and air drawn from the atmosphere across the soil surface, together with petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the extracted soil vapour, was used to interpret the effectiveness of air sparging. The composition and mass of the NAPL in the aquifer were also monitored along with observations on the distribution of air in the aquifer. Results showed that sparged air constituted 42% of the extracted soil vapour but contributed the majority of the petroleum hydrocarbons removed. For the first 5 days of sparging, hydrocarbon concentrations in the sparged air were in equilibrium with the NAPL in the aquifer leading to total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the combined system being three to four times greater than for soil vapour extraction alone. Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the extracted soil vapour decreased over time as a result of the depletion of the more volatile constituents from the NAPL, possible development of mass transfer limitations and increased fraction of clean air from depleted zones. Overall, 65% of the 673 kg of petroleum hydrocarbons extracted in soil vapour over a period of 30 days was carried in sparged air from the single sparge well. Percentages of the mass carried in the sparged air were even higher (median 70%) for individual aromatic hydrocarbons. Inclusion of air sparging increased the mass extracted by a factor of 1.9 (more for individual petroleum hydrocarbons) over and above that for soil vapour extraction alone for the 30 days of sparging. Air sparging was also effective in removing residual NAPL from below the water table. The mass of petroleum hydrocarbons removed from the site was not reflected in changes to the mass of NAPL in the aquifer. This result is apparently due to lateral inflow of NAPL to the site although evidence of a depleted source of volatilised hydrocarbons suggests the possible development of mass transfer limitations.

The psychosocial impact of orthognathic surgery: a systematic review

The aim of this study was to review the reported psychosocial benefits of orthognathic surgery. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE (1966 to December 2000), Web of Science (1981 to December 2000), and reference sections of identified articles. We also hand searched key orthodontic, oral surgery, and psychology journals. No language limitations were imposed. Randomized controlled trials, other controlled clinical trials, prospective studies (with or without controls), and retrospective studies (with or without controls) were considered for inclusion. Two reviewers extracted the data and independently assessed the quality of the studies. In all, 29 studies, including a number of prospective and retrospective studies, were identified as relevant. The results of the review indicated that orthognathic patients experience psychosocial benefits as a result of orthognathic surgery, including improved self-confidence, body and facial image, and social adjustment. However, there were wide variations in the study designs and a lack of uniformity in measuring the psychosocial constructs. This made it difficult to quantify the extent and the duration of the psychosocial benefits.

Oral appliances for the management of severe snoring: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA) in managing severe snoring. Twenty-eight adults with severe snoring and normal overnight oximetry were recruited from sleep disorder clinics. A maxillary placebo appliance and a MAA were worn by each subject for a period of 4-6 weeks each. Questionnaires at baseline and after each appliance period assessed bed partners' reports of snoring severity (loudness and number of nights per week), and patients' records of daytime sleepiness. Twenty-five subjects completed the entire trial. The MAA was significantly more effective than the placebo in reducing the frequency and loudness of snoring, the reported daytime sleepiness and the frequency of morning tiredness. Excessive salivation was the most commonly reported complication. It was concluded that the custom-made MAA was significantly more effective than the placebo in managing the main symptoms of severe snoring. However, not all subjects' partners reported an improvement with the MAA, with 84 per cent reporting a reduction in snoring loudness and 76 per cent reporting snoring on fewer nights per week.

The influence of dental to facial midline discrepancies on dental attractiveness ratings

This study investigated the perception of discrepancies between the dental and facial midlines by orthodontists and young laypeople. A smiling photograph of a young adult female was modified by moving the dental midline relative to the facial midline. Twenty orthodontists (10 males and 10 females) and 20 young adult laypeople (10 males and 10 females) scored the attractiveness of the smile on the original image and each of the modified images using a 10-point scale. The results showed that the images were scored as less attractive both by the orthodontists and laypeople as the size of the dental to facial midline discrepancy increased. The scores were unrelated to the direction of the midline discrepancy (left or right) or to the gender of the judge. Further analysis revealed that the orthodontists were more sensitive than laypeople to small discrepancies between the dental and facial midline. It was estimated that the probability of a layperson recording a less favourable attractiveness score when there was a 2-mm discrepancy between the dental and facial midlines was 56 per cent.

Cephalometric changes in adult pharyngeal morphology

This cephalometric study investigated morphological changes occurring in the pharynx between early and middle adult life. A sample of 16 young adults (mean age 20.2 years) had cephalometric films taken and repeated after an interval of 32 years. Changes in pharyngeal skeletal size, pharyngeal soft tissue thickness, pharyngeal airway depth, and soft palate dimensions were examined, in addition to standard craniofacial measurements. The results showed increases in maxillary prominence, and upper and lower anterior face height. The nasopharyngeal skeletal dimensions were unchanged over the 32-year interval, while the anteroposterior depth of the nasopharyngeal lumen increased as a result of a reduction in thickness of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. In the oropharynx, the depth of the airway decreased with age, and the soft palate became longer and thicker. The findings indicate that pharyngeal morphology is not immutably established during childhood and adolescence, but changes throughout adult life. The tendency towards a longer and thicker soft palate, and narrower oropharynx during adulthood is discussed in relation to their possible role in explaining the increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea and related disorders in later life.

The effects of sandblasting on the bond strength of molar attachments--an in vitro study

This study evaluated the effect of sandblasting foil mesh molar tube bases on the shear bond strength obtained when bonding to first molar teeth. Fifty-two recently extracted first molar teeth were etched with 35 per cent phosphoric acid gel for 30 seconds. Twenty-six sandblasted 'A' Company molar tube attachments and 26 non-sandblasted attachments were then bonded to the teeth using Phase II orthodontic bonding resin. After storage in water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C, the specimens were debonded in a direction parallel to the buccal surface. Survival analysis using the Weibull function revealed that for a 90 per cent probability of survival, the predicted bond strengths for sandblasted and non-sandblasted bases were 1.76 and 1.66 MPa, respectively. For larger shear stresses, the probabilities of bond survival with sandblasted molar tubes were greater than with non-sandblasted molar tubes although the differences were small, which may be explained by the large proportion of bond failures which occurred at the resin to enamel interface in both groups. It was concluded that sandblasting foil mesh bases is likely to provide only a minimal improvement in clinical performance when bonding to molar teeth.

A retrospective comparison of craniofacial form in Northern Irish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the craniofacial form of a sample of Northern Irish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). The quality of the outcomes achieved was compared with the outcomes reported for the six centers involved in the European multicenter study (Mars et al., 1992; Mølsted et al, 1992).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

PATIENTS

All children born with complete skeletal UCLP in Northern Ireland during the years 1983 to 1987.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cephalometric analysis was used to determine the craniofacial form and soft tissue profile. The quality of the dental arch relationships was independently assessed using the Goslon ranking system.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 25 children with complete skeletal UCLP who had cephalometric radiographs and study casts recorded at a mean age of 9.4 years (range, 8 to 11 years). Cephalometric analysis revealed no important skeletal differences between the Northern Irish UCLP children and the published results from the six Eurocleft centers. The soft tissue profile of the Northern Irish UCLP children was significantly more convex than the soft tissue profile recorded for center D in the Eurocleft study. The Goslon ranking system revealed that 18 (72%) of the Northern Irish UCLP children had good or satisfactory dental arch relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

No clinically important differences were detected between the mean cephalometric skeletal parameters of the Northern Irish UCLP children and those published for the six cleft centers involved in the Eurocleft study. On average, the Northern Irish UCLP children were found to differ significantly from Eurocleft's center D in their soft tissue facial contour and sagittal lip profile. The quality of the dental arch relationships of the Northern Irish sample was between the best and the less good Eurocleft centers.

Bonding to molars--the effect of etch time (an in vitro study)

This study evaluated the effect of etch time on the shear bond strength obtained when bonding to the buccal enamel of first molar teeth. Recently extracted first molar teeth were etched with 37 per cent phosphoric acid gel for 15, 30 and 60 seconds. Preformed cylinders of Concise composite resin were then bonded to the buccal surfaces of the molar teeth. After storage in water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C, the specimens were debonded in a direction parallel to the buccal surface. Examination of the shear bond strengths showed significant differences in shear bond strength between 15 and 30 seconds (P < 0.01) and between 15 and 60 seconds (P < 0.001). Weibull analysis revealed that the probability of bond survival increased as etch time increased, however, the difference between 30 and 60 seconds was not statistically significant. The results indicate that, despite current recommendations of a 15-second etch for premolars, canines and anterior teeth, an etching time of at least 30 seconds should be used when bonding to the buccal surfaces of first molars. A further increase in etching time to 60 seconds produces no significant increase in bond strength.

The effect of etch duration on the microstructure of molar enamel: an in vitro study

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of varying etch time on the microstructure of molar buccal enamel. The buccal surfaces of four groups of extracted first molar teeth were etched for 15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds. The etch patterns obtained were photographed with a scanning electron microscope and rated with a 3-grade scale. The 15-second etch time failed to produce any optimal etch patterns. The best etch patterns were found in molars etched for 60 seconds.

Reinnervation of developing rat molars

The ability of regenerating inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) fibres to reinnervate dentine of developing rat first molar teeth was investigated. At intervals of 5, 15, 30 and 50 days after intramandibular transection of the IAN at the age of 20 days, the percentage of innervated dentinal tubules was estimated and compared with results from a series of control specimens. In addition, the myelinated axon populations of the root canal pulps were examined by light microscopy. Degeneration of almost all pulpal myelinated axons and dentinal unmyelinated axons occurred within 5 days of surgery. By 15 days after transection there was evidence of some pulpal reinnervation by myelinated axons but less than 2% of dentinal tubules showed reinnervation (control, 31.8%). At 30 days after surgery the figure for dentinal reinnervation was approximately 17.7% (control, 44.9%), and by 50 days after transection (70 days of age) mean innervation was about 70% of the level observed in control 70 days teeth, though the difference between control and experimental specimens was not significant at the 5% level of probability. The results indicate that reinnervation of dentine does occur in developing teeth after nerve transection. It is argued that the results suggest a faster and probably more complete reinnervation in young animals; and that reinnervation may be attributable more to an active than to a passive mechanism, and this may also apply to dentinal innervation during development.

Toxicologic and carcinogenic evaluation of Fenvalerate in the B6C3F1 mouse

Groups of 50 male and 50 female B6C3F1 mice were fed dietary concentrations of 10, 50, 250 or 1250 ppm Fenvalerate for 2 years. Two groups of control mice, 50 per sex per group, received basal diet only. Mortality was increased and body weight was significantly decreased in male and female mice in the 1250 ppm treatment group. Mean body weight of female mice in the 250 ppm group was also generally lower than controls after the 60th week of feeding. Decreased albumin and increased glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels in mice fed 1250 ppm Fenvalerate were the only effects observed in the hematology and serum chemistry parameters examined. The only treatment related non-neoplastic pathologic effect observed in the study was multifocal microgranulomata in lymph nodes, liver and spleen of 1250 ppm male mice and 250 and 1250 ppm female mice. Less severe microgranulomatous changes were present in mesenteric lymph nodes of 50 and 250 ppm male mice. No statistically significant differences were observed in either the number or type of neoplasms in mice fed Fenvalerate diets when compared to concurrent controls. Thus, Fenvalerate was found not to be carcinogenic in B6C3F1 mice under the conditions of the test.