Cultured amniotic fluid cells for prenatal diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders: A methodological study

The influence of culture conditions on the ultrastructure and enzyme activities of amniotic fluid cells are reported. Morphological changes were determined as a function of the number of lysosomal-like inclusion bodies per cell, and these results correlated to the activity of Thiexosaminidase, a-mannosidase, β-glucuronidase, arylsulphatase C and 5′ nucleotidase. The parameters examined were pH of the culture media, type of media, increasing cell passage and day of harvest. Our results indicate that enzyme activities are less sensitive to changes in culture conditions as compared to ultrastructural changes. We therefore recommend that in order to obtain reliable ultrastructural results for the diagnosis of storage disorders, cultures should be grown in MEM as the culture medium, the pH of the medium carefully monitored to remain below pH 7·4, examining the cultures no later than the eighth cell passage and no later than the 10th day after subculture.     

SOLID SET IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING1

: Irrigation systems can be formulated to enable linear programming to be used to obtain optimal systems. Linear programming is a readily available technique in most scientific and technical centers which have computer facilities. The objective function towards a minimal cost is based on a suggested classification of the system components, and the constraints mainly refer to required pressures and discharges. A case study in which linear programming is used to determine optimal pipe diameters is given for the solution of a solid set under tree sprinkler system.     

OPTIMIZING THE RETURN FROM A JOJOBA PLANTATION UNDER SCARCE DATA CONDITIONS1

ABSTRACT: There is a serious shortage of yield data for Jojoba (SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS) from mature and cultivated plantations of ten years or older. Thus, the optimal quantities of water and fertilizers that are needed annually by a Jojoba plantation to achieve maximum profits were estimated from existing plantations. A computer model (IMSL subroutine ZXMWD) was used to determine a Mitscherlich yield function. An economic profit model that incorporates the yield function was then designed to maximize the profits. According to the net present value (NPV) criterion, the maximum yearly net profit is about $7800 per ha, which is achieved during the 11th growth year. The computed cumulative NPV is approximately $21,000 per ha for the entire 15-year period. Similar profits were calculated when the model was tested to examine the NPV using different assumptions with respect to varying costs.     

The geomorphology and ecosystem service economic value baselines of tributary watersheds in Malaysia

Environment, Development and Sustainability - This study presents how a cluster of tributary watersheds was evaluated for geomorphology and ecosystem service economic value baselines. Tributary...     

Reproduction, larval growth, and reproductive development in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) exposed to atrazine

Reproductive success and development of F2 offspring from F1 adult African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) exposed to atrazine throughout larval development and as sexually mature adults was examined. Larval X. laevis were exposed to one of four nominal concentrations of atrazine (0, 1, 10, 25 microg atrazine/l) beginning 96 hr after fertilization and continuing through two years post-metamorphosis. Clutch size and survival of offspring were used as measurement endpoints to gauge reproductive success of the F1 frogs. Larval survivorship and time to metamorphosis were used to gauge developmental success of the F2 offspring from atrazine-exposed frogs. Testes in F1 and F2 frogs were examined for incidence of anomalies, such as testicular ovarian follicles, and sex ratios in F2 offspring were investigated to determine if exposure to atrazine caused trans-generational effects (effects on F2 individuals due to exposure of F1 individuals). There were no effects of any of the studied concentrations of atrazine on clutch size of F1 frogs. There were also no effects on hatching success or time to metamorphosis. Sex ratios did not differ between F2 offspring among treatments. There was no evidence to suggest a transgenerational effect of atrazine on spawning success or reproductive development of X. laevis. This is consistent with the presence of robust populations of X. laevis in areas where they are exposed to atrazine that has been used for several decades for weed control in production of corn. Our observations also are consistent with the results of most other studies of frogs where no effects were found to be associated with exposure to atrazine. Our data do not support the hypothesis that atrazine significantly affects reproductive fitness and development of frogs.     

Combining Analytical Hierarchy Process and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering in Search of Expert Consensus in Green Corridors Development Management

Environmental management and planning are instrumental in resolving conflicts arising between societal needs for economic development on the one hand and for open green landscapes on the other hand. Allocating green corridors between fragmented core green areas may provide a partial solution to these conflicts. Decisions regarding green corridor development require the assessment of alternative allocations based on multiple criteria evaluations. Analytical Hierarchy Process provides a methodology for both a structured and consistent extraction of such evaluations and for the search for consensus among experts regarding weights assigned to the different criteria. Implementing this methodology using 15 Israeli experts—landscape architects, regional planners, and geographers—revealed inherent differences in expert opinions in this field beyond professional divisions. The use of Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering allowed to identify clusters representing common decisions regarding criterion weights. Aggregating the evaluations of these clusters revealed an important dichotomy between a pragmatist approach that emphasizes the weight of statutory criteria and an ecological approach that emphasizes the role of the natural conditions in allocating green landscape corridors.     

Air Pollution and Morbidity: SO2 Damages

The role of SO₂ and COH (coefficient of haze) as causative factors in hospital emergency room admissions for respiratory and cardiac disease is analyzed using data from Chicago's Cook County Hospital. Some of the findings are that, while COH appears not to affect morbidity, SO₂ does, with most important impacts being felt by those with cardiac disease, females, and the youngest and oldest age groups. It is concluded that marginal morbidity damages, about which little had been known, are not high relative to other damage categories. These damages are estimated to be on the order of 10 cents per microgram per cubic meter per person per year.     

PROCEDURE FOR THE ECONOMICAL EVALUATION OF WATER NETWORKS' PARAMETERS1

ABSTRACT: The Generalized Geometric Programming and Branch and Bound technique are used to reach optimally designed water systems with their variables in integer forms. The water systems and constraints are formulated by sets of nonlinear equations. A solution for a specific water system is presented.     

Adapting empirical equations to Lake Kinneret data by using three calibration methods

This paper examines whether the relationships between a number of characteristic limnological variables (suspended particulate matter, turbidity, Secchi depth, light attenuation, and chlorophyll a) determined for temperate lakes are consistent with the relationships found in Mediterranean lakes such as Lake Kinneret. We found that the use of published relationships between lake variables may lead to erroneous results when applied indiscriminately to other lake types.