Two-phase jet releases,droplet dispersion and rainout I. Overview and model validation

Many accidents involve two-phase releases of hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere. This paper describes the results of the fourth phase of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) on liquid jets and two-phase droplet dispersion. The objective of Phase IV of the JIP was to generate experimental rainout data for non-flashing experiments, and to develop recommendations for the best methodology to predict rainout [total rainout mass and its spatial distribution (‘distributed’ rainout)].Phase IV of the JIP first included rainout experiments by the UK Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) for sub-cooled releases of water and xylene with a range of orifice sizes and stagnation pressures. See the companion paper II for further details. Secondly model validation was carried out by DNV Software for these experiments using different correlations for the initial droplet size (Sauter Mean Diameter, SMD), i.e. the CCPS SMD correlation and the Phase III JIP SMD correlation. The validation includes flow rates, droplet size, distributed rainout and cloud temperature drop. Subsequently validation was considered for a wider range of experiments from the literature (sub-cooled and superheated releases) for both SMD and total rainout. Adopted rainout methods comprised both methods including explicit modelling of the droplets (using an extended version of Phast dispersion model UDM), as well as more simple methods based on rainout correlations without droplet modelling. Recommendations are made for the most accurate droplet size and rainout modelling. A modified CCPS UDM droplet size correlation has been shown to agree best against experimental rainout data.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a collaborative activity of clinical genetic departments and IVF centres

An Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 22 (5) 2002, 451. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) requires the combined efforts of geneticists and workers in the field of reproductive medicine. This was studied on the basis of a questionnaire, sent to 35 members of the PGD Consortium of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). A reply was obtained from 20 centres. They represent the majority of activities in the field of PGD in the world. It is obvious that many of the activities (in vitro fertilisation, embryo culture and biopsy) take place in IVF units while others (counselling and diagnosis) are the responsibility of genetic diagnostic centres. The distances between both units vary considerably. In all but one centre sex determination is offered. Aneuploidy screening is offered in 13 out of 20 centres. PGD of translocations and other structural chromosome abnormalities is offered in all but one centre. The number of monogenic diseases offered varies considerably. In comparison to prenatal diagnosis PGD is more expensive. The majority of these costs are due to the IVF or ICSI procedure. The charges for PGD vary between about € 600 and € 4000. In 16 out of 20 centres the parents to be must sign an informed consent form. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Disruptive counterillumination and its anti-predatory value in the plainfish midshipman Porichthys notatus

The plainfin midshipman Porichthys notatus Girard occurs in nearshore waters off the western coast of North America. We found that the ventrally directed photophores of juvenile laboratory-grown P. notatus function in counterillumination. Their bioluminescence matched downwelling light to obscure the silhouette as viewed from below. P. notatus did not obligatorily counterilluminate at all times in appropriate light. A hydrodynamic stimulus, in addition to appropriate downwelling light, was required to induce counterillumination. This is perhaps an adaptation to conserve its Vargula-type luciferin, which is obtained from its diet. The angular distribution of light produced by P. notatus approximated that typical of downwelling light in the ocean. There was a direct relationship between downwelling irradiance and the maximum intensity of P. notatus luminescence. Insufficient light was produced to replace the light blocked by the fish under lighting conditions typical of the natural environment. The luminescence was, however, effective in eliminating the silhouette of P. notatus as observed with an image-intensifying camera and by dark-adapted human observers. Consequently, the effectiveness of counterillumination probably originates in part from the disruptive pattern of the luminous photophores. P. notatus from the Puget Sound population, which lacks a luciferin source and is non-luminous, displayed counterillumination behavior when its luminescent system was activated by force-feeding the fish with dried Vargula hilgendorfi. Experiments using adult P. notatus as predators on a mixed population of non-luminous (Puget Sound) and luminous (Santa Barbara Channel) juvenile P. notatus revealed that under conditions of dim overhead illumination non-luminous P. notatus were preyed upon at twice the rate of luminous individuals. This is the first experimental evidence suggesting that counterillumination is effective as an anti-predatory strategy. Received: 25 August 1998 / Accepted: 25 March 1999     

Groundwater protection in mixed land-use aquifers

Compared with groundwater pollution episodes of a point-source nature, nonpoint-source contamination makes for particularly difficult policy design. This is especially true in the context of a mixed land-use aquifer, where the same pollutant may derive from various human land-use activities and in different concentrations. To data, the emprirical literature attempting to estimate the relative loadings of pollutants from alternative land uses is rather sparse. Yet this information is vital to a variety of numerical computer models used to predict likelihood of groundwater contamination, and the statistical results are useful in their own right for regional policy formation. Regression analysis is applied to estimate loadings of nitrate and sodium from various land uses. The model is then used to illustrate how well-intended local groundwater protection policies that fail to recognize land-use substitution and cross-pollutant effects may be misdirected.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for single gene disorders: experience with five single gene disorders

We report our experience of 14 preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) cycles in eight couples carrying five different single gene disorders, during the last 18 months. Diagnoses were performed for myotonic dystrophy (DM), cystic fibrosis (CF) [ΔF508 and exon 4 (621+1 G>T)], fragile X and CF simultaneously, and two disorders for which PGD had not been previously attempted, namely neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and Crouzon syndrome. Diagnoses for single gene disorders were carried out on ideally two blastomeres biopsied from Day 3 embryos. A highly polymorphic marker was included in each diagnosis to control against contamination. For the dominant disorders, where possible, linked polymorphisms provided an additional means of determining the genotype of the embryo hence reducing the risk of misdiagnosis due to allele dropout (ADO). Multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (F-PCR) was used in all cases, followed by fragment analysis and/or single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) for genotyping. Embryo transfer was performed in 13 cycles resulting in one biochemical pregnancy for CF, three normal deliveries (a twin and a singleton) and one early miscarriage for DM and a singleton for Crouzon syndrome. In each case the untransferred embryos were used to confirm the diagnoses performed on the biopsied cells. The results were concordant in all cases. The inclusion of a polymorphic marker allowed the detection of extraneous DNA contamination in two cells from one case. Knowing the genotype of the contaminating DNA allowed its origin to be traced. All five pregnancies were obtained from embryos in which two blastomeres were biopsied for the diagnosis. Our data demonstrate the successful strategy of using multiplex PCR to simultaneously amplify the mutation site and a polymorphic locus, fluorescent PCR technology to achieve greater sensitivity, and two-cell biopsy to increase the efficiency and success of diagnoses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards a science of sustainable upland management in developing countries

Farmers attempting to subsist in tropical uplands often rely upon unsustainable resource use practices that lead to soil erosion, declining crop yields, and a loss of soil productivity capacity. Other uses of tropical uplands, including logging and conversion of forest to rangelands, have similar results. The undesirable effects of these actions are felt on-site, at the watershed level, and even nationally. Ecological cause-effect relationships are poorly understood, and few examples exist of the successful integration of ecological knowledge with upland development. It is hypothesized that recent results of ecological research could be applied to uplands management so that stable sustainable systems of human use may be established. A second hypothesis is that statistically reliable data can be obtained from experiments in upland situations, although natural variations of soils, weather, and vegetation are great. To test these hypotheses, research involving multinational collaboration among American and Southeast Asian scientists has begun. The objective of the work is to provide credible quantitative information to help policy and decision makers and resident farmers to plan and implement improved practices based on ecological principles.Some findings to date include: