Use of the C18 (Octadecyl) Solid Phase Extraction Column for Wastewater Toxicity Identification and Characterization

Biomonitoring requirements are continually being added to NPDES permits. As a result, many municipal wastewater treatment facilities have been identified as having effluent acute toxicity. To solve this problem, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) protocol. This protocol lists a set of simple procedures which are used to separate whole effluent samples into different fractions containing different classes of similar compounds. Toxic fractions are further separated and concentrated using various techniques to assist in the possible identification of certain classes of suspected toxic compounds. Once sample fractionation and toxicity testing have been thoroughly investigated, chemical-specific analyses are conducted to tentatively identify toxic constituents. The C18 (Octadecyl) Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Column is used in the TIE protocol to separate and concentrate moderately polar to nonpolar organic compounds from toxic effluent samples. An increasing gradient of methanol (MeOH) in water is used to elute the column; the objective is to separate retained compounds into eight different fractions based on their polarity. The objective of conducting this research is to determine if the C18 SPE Column elution procedure is a viable technique for the identification and characterization of toxic effluents. This study showed that the C18 column was able to remove compounds causing acute toxicity from samples collected at the Cross Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Fayetteville, NC. The 80 to 85 percent MeOH/H20 fractions contained the most toxicity. However, laboratory tests of the procedure using known target compounds indicated that several different MeOH/H20 fractions contained each individual compound thus showing deficiencies in resolution. Moreover, the target compounds that were selected differed widely in polarity (as indicated by the compounds octanol/water partitioning coefficient), yet this did not cause a wide separation of these compounds into specific MeOH/H2O fractions. This research showed the C18 SPE column is capable of retaining relatively non-polar compounds as indicated by the target compound evaluation. These compounds were effectively eluted from the CIS SPE column with MeOH/H20, but separation was not well defined. In the situation of toxic wastewaters, where numerous nonpolar organic compounds may possibly be present in WWTP's discharge, the C18 SPE column provides little information regarding the identity of the non-polar organics causing toxicity in a toxic MeOH/H20 fraction.Master of Science in Environmental Engineerin

Aplastic Anemia Complicating Orthotopic Liver Transplantation for Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis

Aplastic anemia developed in 9 of 32 patients (28 percent) undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for acute non-A, non-B hepatitis, at one to seven weeks after the procedure. No patient previously had evidence of hematologic dysfunction or conditions known to be associated with aplastic anemia. No other cases of aplastic anemia were identified among 1463 patients undergoing liver transplantation for all other indications at the four centers participating in the study (chi-square = 415, P<0.001; 95 percent confidence interval for the incidence of aplastic anemia after transplantation for non-A, non-B hepatitis, 13 to 44 percent, vs. 0.00 to 0.13 percent for all other indications). The operative and postoperative treatment of these patients was not otherwise different, indicating that the aplastic anemia was a complication of the hepatitis, not of the transplantation procedure. Four of the nine patients died of complications due to infections. Three of the surviving patients have been followed for less than six months, one for one year, and one for two years. The two patients followed the longest have recovered marrow function to an appreciable degree, and two of the others have evidence of early recovery. We conclude that patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for non-A, non-B hepatitis are at a high risk for the development of aplastic anemia. (N Engl J Med 1988; 319:393–6.) © 1988, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved

Hematology oncology practice in the Asia-Pacific APHCON survey results from the 6th international hematologic malignancies conference: bridging the gap 2015, Beijing, China

This report serves as a snapshot of the state-of-knowledge in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Hematology Oncology community, and establishes a baseline for longitudinal investigations to follow changes in best practices over time. The objective of this study was to understand the approach to hematologic diseases, common standards of care and best practices, issues that remain controversial or debated, and educational or resource gaps that warrant attention. We used mobile application to disseminate and distribute questionnaires to delegates during the 6th international hematologic malignancies conference hosted by the APAC Hematology Consortium at Beijing, China. User responses were collected in an anonymous fashion. We report survey results in two ways: the overall responses, and responses as stratified between Chinese physicians and 'Other' represented nationalities. Overall geographical concordance in survey responses was positive and strong. Perhaps more interesting than instances of absolute agreement, these data provide a unique opportunity to identify topics in which physician knowledge or opinions diverge. We assigned questions from all modules to broad categories of: patient information; diagnosis; treatment preference; transplantation; and general knowledge/opinion. On average, we observed a geographic difference of 15% for any particular answer choice, and this was fairly constant across survey modules. These results reveal utility and need for widespread and ongoing initiatives to assess knowledge and provide evidence-based education in real time. The data will be made more valuable by longitudinal participation, such that we can monitor changes in the state of the art over time.published_or_final_versio

Modeling of bone conduction of sound in the human head using hp-finite elements: Code design and verification

We focus on the development of a reliable numerical model for investigating the bone-conduction of sound in the human head. The main challenge of the problem is the lack of fundamental knowledge regarding the transmission of acoustic energy through non-airborne pathways to the cochlea. A fully coupled model based on the acoustic/elastic interaction problem with a detailed resolution of the cochlea region and its interface with the skull and the air pathways, should provide an insight into this fundamental, long standing research problem. To this aim we have developed a 3D hp-finite element code that supports elements of all shapes (tetrahedra, prisms and pyramids) to better capture the geometrical features of the head. We have tested the code on a multilayered sphere and employed it to solve an idealized model of head. In the future we hope to attack a model with a more realistic geometry

Avian response to microclimate in canopy gaps in a bottomland hardwood forest.

Abstract - Microclimate may infl uence use of early successional habitat by birds. We assessed the relationships between avian habitat use and microclimate (temperature, light intensity, and relative humidity) in experimentally created canopy gaps in a bottomland hardwood forest on the Savannah River Site, SC. Gaps were 2- to 3-year-old group-selection timber harvest openings of three sizes (0.13, 0.26, 0.50 ha). Our study was conducted from spring through fall, encompassing four bird-use periods (spring migration, breeding, post-breeding, and fall migration), in 2002 and 2003. We used mist netting and simultaneously recorded microclimate variables to determine the influence of microclimate on bird habitat use. Microclimate was strongly affected by net location within canopy gaps in both years. Temperature generally was higher on the west side of gaps, light intensity was greater in gap centers, and relative humidity was higher on the east side of gaps. However, we found few relationships between bird captures and the microclimate variables. Bird captures were inversely correlated with temperature during the breeding and postbreeding periods in 2002 and positively correlated with temperature during spring 2003. Captures were high where humidity was high during post-breeding 2002, and captures were low where humidity was high during spring 2003. We conclude that variations in the local microclimate had minor infl uence on avian habitat use within gaps. Instead, habitat selection in relatively mild regions like the southeastern US is based primarily on vegetation structure, while other factors, including microclimate, are less important

Mouse Estrous Cycle Identification Tool and Images

The efficiency of producing timed pregnant or pseudopregnant mice can be increased by identifying those in proestrus or estrus. Visual observation of the vagina is the quickest method, requires no special equipment, and is best used when only proestrus or estrus stages need to be identified. Strain to strain differences, especially in coat color can make it difficult to determine the stage of the estrous cycle accurately by visual observation. Presented here are a series of images of the vaginal opening at each stage of the estrous cycle for 3 mouse strains of different coat colors: black (C57BL/6J), agouti (CByB6F1/J) and albino (BALB/cByJ). When all 4 stages (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus) need to be identified, vaginal cytology is regarded as the most accurate method. An identification tool is presented to aid the user in determining the stage of estrous when using vaginal cytology. These images and descriptions are an excellent resource for learning how to determine the stage of the estrous cycle by visual observation or vaginal cytology

The Vehicle, 1966, Vol. 8

Vol. 8 Table of Contents CommentaryBill Moser & Avis Eaglestonpage 3 The Vengeance of the DeadStephen W. Gibbspage 5 Ode To A MeadowKathleen McCormackpage 12 Row OnDavid Helmpage 13 Sonnet 63R.L. Hudsonpage 14 UntitledKathleen McCormackpage 14 The Pure GoldDavid Helmpage 15 CommunionDavid Helmpage 15 PreludeMichael Baldwinpage 15 The AlbatrossKaren Cooleypage 16 The Albatross (photo)DeWittpage 17 Ruff and the VaseDavid Helmpage 18 LaBelleKathleen McCormackpage 19 Not Quite SoR.L. Hudsonpage 20 Feeling (no number)David Reifpage 21 Song at DuskDavid Helmpage 21 Arcadia RuminationsR.L. Hudsonpage 22 The BarWayne Johnsonpage 25 HelloWilliam Framepage 26 The ProcessJerry DeWittpage 27 The KillingAdrian Beardpage 30 The Amusement Park GameStephen W. Gibbspage 38 DamnMel Tylerpage 40 PainWilliam Framepage 40 UntitledSusan Champlinpage 41 Portrait of A Scholar As A Young ManStephen W. Gibbspage 42 The TimesW.D.Mpage 46 ParadoxW.D.M.page 46 MankindDavid Helmpage 47https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1014/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, 1966, Vol. 8

Vol. 8 Table of Contents CommentaryBill Moser & Avis Eaglestonpage 3 The Vengeance of the DeadStephen W. Gibbspage 5 Ode To A MeadowKathleen McCormackpage 12 Row OnDavid Helmpage 13 Sonnet 63R.L. Hudsonpage 14 UntitledKathleen McCormackpage 14 The Pure GoldDavid Helmpage 15 CommunionDavid Helmpage 15 PreludeMichael Baldwinpage 15 The AlbatrossKaren Cooleypage 16 The Albatross (photo)DeWittpage 17 Ruff and the VaseDavid Helmpage 18 LaBelleKathleen McCormackpage 19 Not Quite SoR.L. Hudsonpage 20 Feeling (no number)David Reifpage 21 Song at DuskDavid Helmpage 21 Arcadia RuminationsR.L. Hudsonpage 22 The BarWayne Johnsonpage 25 HelloWilliam Framepage 26 The ProcessJerry DeWittpage 27 The KillingAdrian Beardpage 30 The Amusement Park GameStephen W. Gibbspage 38 DamnMel Tylerpage 40 PainWilliam Framepage 40 UntitledSusan Champlinpage 41 Portrait of A Scholar As A Young ManStephen W. Gibbspage 42 The TimesW.D.Mpage 46 ParadoxW.D.M.page 46 MankindDavid Helmpage 47https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1014/thumbnail.jp