Spatial assessment of the economic feasibility of short rotation coppice on radioactively contaminated land in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. I. Model description and scenario analysis

The economic feasibility of short rotation coppice (SRC) production and energy conversion in areas contaminated by Chernobyl-derived (137)Cs was evaluated taking the spatial variability of environmental conditions into account. Two sequential GIS-embedded submodels were developed for a spatial assessment, which allow for spatial variation in soil contamination, soil type, and land use. These models were applied for four SRC production and four energy conversion scenarios for the entire contaminated area of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia and for a part of the Bragin district, Belarus. It was concluded that in general medium-scale SRC production using local machines is most profitable. The areas near Chernobyl are not suitable for SRC production since the contamination levels in SRC wood exceed the intervention limit. Large scale SRC production is not profitable in areas where dry and sandy soils predominate. If the soil contamination does not exceed the intervention limit and sufficient SRC wood is available, all energy conversion scenarios are profitable.     

Incidence of Stress and Psychosocial Factors on Musculoskeletal Disorders in CAD and Data Entry.

A comparative study concerning the incidence of psychosocial factors and stress on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) was conducted on 30 males carrying out a computer-aided design (CAD) task and on 26 females carrying out a data entry task. Both populations completed a questionnaire concerning complaints of MSD, stress symptoms, psychosocial factors and working life. This study showed that the work context was more favourable to the data entry task operators than to the CAD task operators. In addition, there were relationships in CAD and in data entry between complaints of MSD and stress variables as well as between anguish and psychosocial factors. This field study has shown the importance of stress and of the work context in the occurrence of MSD in computer work.     

Effects of azadirachtin on Beet soilborne pomovirus and soil biological properties on sugar beet

Beet soilborne pomovirus (BSBV) is an important soilborne virus disease in growing areas of sugar beet. BSBV was transmitted by Polymyxa betae Keskin. Effects of azadirachtin on BSBV and soil biological properties were studied under a greenhouse. The presence of BSBV was tested in soil samples using bait plant test and triple antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA). The concentration of BSBV in sugar beet roots was significantly reduced by the application of azadirachtin to the soils. TAS-ELISA absorption values in 1.52, 3.04, and 7.60 ppm were lower than that 0.38 and 0.76 ppm of azadirachtin. Furthermore, in this study, it was determined the 0.38, 0.76, and 1.52 ppm doses of azadirachtin in soils had high amounts of soil biological properties (Cmic, BSR, DHA), while the 3.04 and 7.60 ppm doses had no statistical significance compared to the control treatments.     

World mineral production and consumption in 1978

This article is an abridged version of a report on the status of world mineral production and consumption in 1978. Various indexes are used to assess the position in 1978 in comparison with that of earlier periods (1950 and 1973). The data given in this article are based on the calculation of mining production in terms of value. 51 major minerals are dealt with — six fuel materials, 22 metal materials, and 23 non-metal materials.     

Calculation and use of selectivity coefficients of feeding: Zooplankton grazing

A straightforward method for calculating selectivity coefficients (W_ij) of predation from raw data, mortality rates of prey, filtering rates, feeding rates and electivity indices is derived. Results from a comparison of selectivity coefficients for the copepod Diaptomus oregonensis grazing under a number of experimental conditions suggest that W_ij's for size-selective feeding are invariant, a conclusion also supported by the leaky-sieve model. Recommendations are made on how to use W_ij's in linear and nonlinear feeding constructs for zooplankton and other animals.     

Modeling sorbent injection for mercury control in baghouse filters: II--pilot-scale studies and model evaluation

Activated carbon injection for Hg control in a 500-lb/hr pilot-scale coal-fired furnace equipped with a fabric filter for particulate control was evaluated at different operating conditions. The pilot-scale tests showed that Hg removal was improved at lower temperatures and higher C/Hg ratios. The two-stage mathematical model developed to describe Hg removal using powdered activated carbon injection upstream of a baghouse filter was used to obtain Langmuir isotherm parameters as a function of temperature by fitting the model to a subset of experimental data. The predictive capability of the model was then tested by comparing model calculations with additional experimental data from this system obtained using different operating temperatures and sorbent to Hg ratios. Model predictions were in good agreement with experimentally measured Hg removal efficiency. Based on the model predictions, Hg removal in the duct appears to be limited and higher C/Hg ratio, lower operating temperature, and longer cleaning cycle of the baghouse filter should be utilized to achieve higher Hg removal in this system.     

Prenatal diagnosis of hereditary tyrosinaemia: Measurement of succinylacetone in amniotic fluid

A method is proposed for prenatal diagnosis in pregnancies at risk of hereditary tryosinaemia. Affected fetuses were detected on the basis of the abnormal presence in the amniotic fluid of succinylacetone, a metabolite previously identified in sera and urines of patients suffering from hereditary tyrosinaemia. Our data show that the forty amniotic control samples had no detectable succinylacetone, while succinylacetone was found in three out of the thirteen cases at risk. Following the parents' decision, these three fetuses were aborted. The ten other mothers who brought their pregnancies to term had normal infants. Enzymatic analysis from two of the aborted fetuses' livers revealed an absence or a low activity of fumarylaceto-acetate hydrolase (EC 3.7.1.2) compared with control fetal livers of the same age.     

Development of a sampling train for the assessment of particulate fugitive emissions

A prototype portable Fugitive Assessment Sampling Train (FAST), designed to obtain large samples of particulate emissions generated by sources whose configurations preclude sample collection before the diffusion of the emissions into the ambient atmosphere, has been successfully fabricated and tested. The prototype FAST utilizes a combination of commercially available and specially designed equipment to collect a 500 milligram particulate sample in an 8-hour period at locations downwind of most industrial fugitive sources. The particulate sample is separated into inhalable and respirable fractions and provides sufficient material for a complete Level 1 assessment including bioassays. A quantity of organic species larger than C₆, sufficient for mass spectrometry analysis, is collected on a bed of adsorbent resin. The establishment of design criteria and operating parameters, selection and design of hardware components, and the fabrication and initial testing of the FAST are discussed. The results of calibration tests and an initial field trial are presented and a plan for additional development is outlined.     

Temporal - and dose-related characteristics of biochemical and morphological alterations in the hamster induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- -dioxin

The temporal - and dose-related characteristics of hepatic enzymes induced and toxic responses elicited in the hamster by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- -dioxin were examined. The results demonstrate a dissociation of the induction of these hepatic enzymes from TCDD-elicited lethality, but not necessarily hepatic damage, in this species. Furthermore, the hyperthyroidism observed is suggestive of a role of these hormones in the relatively insensitive nature of this species to TCDD treatment.