FORMS OF NITROGEN (NO 3 - -N; NO 2 - -N AND NH 2 CONH 2 -N) AND THEIR RELATIONS TO A.O.U. IN THE INDIAN COASTAL WATERS OF ARABIAN SEA

The distribution of three important dissolved forms of nitrogen, viz. nitrate, nitrite and urea in the surface and bottom water samples collected from 27 selected hydrographic profiles, in the Arabian Sea, along the west coast of India is described. Of the three forms, nitrate concentrations were the highest and comparatively higher concentrations were observed in the bottom water. Decomposition of organic matter resulting in the release of the thermodynamically stable nitrogen species, i.e. nitrate, may be the major factor resulting in higher nitrate concentrations at these depths, where the water is also characterized by low values of dissolved oxygen and temperature. The significant positive correlation between A.O.U. and nitrate of the bottom water samples emphasizes the role of oxidative decomposition of organic matter which plays an active role in reducing the oxygen concentrations below the theoretical values since at this depth ( ≈200 m) the net production is taken to be zero. This is also evidenced by the negative correlation of nitrate with dissolved oxygen and temperature, for the bottom samples.     

Collection of vapors of selected chlorocarbons and benzene on Tenax GC

Breakthrough and retention volume studies have been done for a series of chlorocarbon compounds on Tenax GC adsorbent with results compared to data of other workers. Initial data indicates that carrier velocity (Time to establish equilibrium) may significantly effect retention of these chemicals.     

The importance of investigating for uniparental disomy in prenatally identified balanced acrocentric rearrangements

We report the finding of paternal isodisomy for chromosome 14 in a fetus found to have a der(14;14)(q10;q10) by amniocentesis. The pregnancy was complicated by severe polyhydramnios and elevated amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The infant showed features consistent with paternal uniparental disomy (UPD) including postnatal growth retardation, poor respiratory function, feeding difficulties, and evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The present case, in addition to other reported cases of UPD involving balanced acrocentric rearrangements, supports testing for UPD in prenatally detected Robertsonian translocations and isochromosomes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influential factors in freeway crash response and clearance times by emergency management services in peak periods

OBJECTIVE: Various factors influence the time performance of emergency management personnel when a freeway traffic crash occurs. The proper identification and prioritization of factors that contribute to emergency management services' response times and clearance times result in better usage of taxpayer resources. METHOD: Use of a proportional hazard-based Cox-regression model analyzed statewide, peak-period, traffic crash data from 1999 Ohio logs. These data included time performance measures of emergency management services. RESULTS: Traffic crash severity had the most effect on response times. Those crashes involving injuries or fatalities had up to 20% less emergency management service response times than "property damage only" crashes. Environmental factors such as weather or roadway conditions had minimal effect on response times to traffic crashes. Day of week, urban or rural area, off or opposing-lane crash location, number of vehicles involved, heavy vehicle involvement, and response time significantly affected clearance time and the resulting total time during peak periods. CONCLUSIONS: By assessing resources currently dedicated to insignificant factors, emergency management services can further improve response times to those casualties that crucially need emergency services. By accurately identifying and deciphering traffic crash severity from initial field reports, services can further improve. Moreover, improvements in crash severity prediction reduce "false alarms" for emergency services. The improvements reduce the probability of a very short response time for a property damage only crash in which initial reports implied a very severe injury. By focusing on factors that significantly reduce traffic crash clearance times on freeways in peak periods, more reductions in average delay experienced by freeway users, in fuel consumption, and in motor vehicle emissions can occur.     

A STUDY OF THE SURFACE SYNOPTIC CIRCULATION PATTERNS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DROUGHT OF THE 1960's IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES1

A comparative evaluation is made of the frequency of air mass and frontal types during a 4-year representative portion of the drought as opposed to an equivalent non-drought period. Selection of the non-drought period is based on the Palmer Drought Index. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in the occurrence of continental polar air during the drought. Other conclusions concerning conditions during the drought, not statistically significant but worth further study, are: lower frequency of maritime tropical air in the summer months, more occurrences of cold and occluded fronts, and fewer occurrences of stationary fronts.     

Measurement of unregulated emissions: Some heavy duty diesel engine results

Development of analytical capabilities to evaluate unregulated emissions are discussed. The sampling and analysis methods along with some problem areas are included. Results obtained on three heavy-duty diesel engines are reported. Emphasis was placed on analysis of the particulate fraction including the solvent extractable material. Preliminary experiments suggest appreciable quantities of organic extract and BaP pass through the primary filter. Other species analyzed to obtain a baseline for emission reduction research included aldehydes, sulfates, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide. Of primary concern is the proper assessment of the results.