Motorized Activity on Legacy Seismic Lines: A Predictive Modeling Approach to Prioritize Restoration Efforts.

Natural regeneration of seismic lines, cleared for hydrocarbon exploration, is slow and often hindered by vegetation damage, soil compaction, and motorized human activity. There is an extensive network of seismic lines in western Canada which is known to impact forest ecosystems, and seismic lines have been linked to declines in woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Seismic line restoration is costly, but necessary for caribou conservation to reduce cumulative disturbance. Understanding where motorized activity may be impeding regeneration of seismic lines will aid in prioritizing restoration. Our study area in west-central Alberta, encompassed five caribou ranges where restoration is required under federal species at risk recovery strategies, hence prioritizing seismic lines for restoration is of immediate conservation value. To understand patterns of motorized activity on seismic lines, we evaluated five a priori hypotheses using a predictive modeling framework and Geographic Information System variables across three landscapes in the foothills and northern boreal regions of Alberta. In the northern boreal landscape, motorized activity was most common in dry areas with a large industrial footprint. In highly disturbed areas of the foothills, motorized activity on seismic lines increased with low vegetation heights, relatively dry soils, and further from forest cutblocks, while in less disturbed areas of the foothills, motorized activity on seismic lines decreased proportional to seismic line density, slope steepness, and white-tailed deer abundance, and increased proportional with distance to roads. We generated predictive maps of high motorized activity, identifying 21,777 km of seismic lines where active restoration could expedite forest regeneration.

Real-life efficiency of urine source separation.

Urine source separation (NoMix technology) is a promising innovation in wastewater management. To improve and further develop NoMix technology, it has been implemented in four Swiss households and at our research institute (Eawag). We conducted measurements during one year on frequency of toilet usage (in households 5.2/person/day for weekdays, and 6.3/person/day for weekends), flushing behavior (30-85% small flushes), and recovered urine. We calculate the amount of urine effectively recovered per voiding in NoMix toilets (138 ml/flush in households; 309 ml/flush in women's toilets at Eawag), and waterfree urinals (225 ml/usage). We estimate urine recovery in the households to be maximally 70-75% of the expected quantity, leaving room for technical and behavioral improvements. Based on sampling of N and P concentrations, we suspect nitrogen losses in the extended urine piping system. For households and workplaces, the daily and weekly flushing pattern is recorded. Our results are in accordance with literature data from a shorter period but with more people. These results represent a good dimensioning basis for future urine source separation applications. An example of extrapolation to an entire watershed is presented. The flushing pattern corresponds well with the typical nitrogen loading of a treatment plant.

Nutrient cycles and resource management: implications for the choice of wastewater treatment technology.

We look at the most important issues of the global nitrogen and phosphorus cycle and conclude that the nutrients from human metabolism are of no importance for the global nitrogen cycle and of minor importance for the global phosphorus cycle. However, for water pollution control, N and P from the human metabolism are of extreme importance. Nitrogen is mainly an issue for coastal waters, whereas P is an issue for freshwater and coastal areas alike. It is by now generally recognised that coastal ecosystems are exceedingly important for human well-being and at the same time highly endangered. The recycling issue is of high importance in areas where nutrient application is low due to economic constraints. NoMix technology (urine source separation) holds a large promise to become an efficient mainstream technology. The largest short-term potential is found in densely populated areas in coastal areas without existing infrastructure and in areas with nutrient deficiency, especially in urban areas with a large nutrient potential. We believe, however, that these technologies will, with time, also become competitive in Europe.

Treatment processes for source-separated urine.

The separate collection and treatment of urine has attracted considerable attention in the engineering community in the last few years and is seen as a viable option for enhancing the flexibility of wastewater treatment systems. This comprehensive review focuses on the status of current urine treatment processes and summarises the properties of collected urine. We distinguish between seven main purposes of urine-treatment processes: hygienisation (storage), volume reduction (evaporation, freeze-thaw, reverse osmosis), stabilisation (acidification, nitrification), P-recovery (struvite formation), N-recovery (ion-exchange, ammonia stripping, isobutylaldehyde-diurea (IBDU) precipitation), nutrient removal (anammox) and handling of micropollutants (electrodialysis, nanofiltration, ozonation). The review shows clearly that a wide range of technical options is available to treat collected urine effectively, but that none of these single options can accomplish all seven purposes. Depending on the overall goal of the treatment process, a specific technical solution or a combination of solutions can be found to meet the requirements. Such combinations are not discussed in this paper unless they are explicitly presented in the literature. Except for 'evaporation' and 'storage', none of the processes described have so far advanced beyond the laboratory stage. Considerable development work remains to be done to optimise urine-processing techniques in order to create marketable products.

Morphology of protein-protein interfaces.

BACKGROUND: Most soluble proteins are active as low-number oligomers. Statistical surveys of oligomeric proteins have defined the roles of hydrophobicity and complementarity in the stability of protein interfaces, but tend to average structural features over a diverse set of protein-protein interfaces, blurring information on how individual interfaces are stabilized. RESULTS: We report a visual survey of 136 homodimeric proteins from the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank, with images that highlight the major structural features of each protein-protein interaction surface. Nearly all of these proteins have interfaces formed between two globular subunits. Surprisingly, the pattern of hydrophilicity over the surface of these interfaces is quite variable. Approximately one-third of the interfaces show a recognizable hydrophobic core, with a single large, contiguous, hydrophobic patch surrounded by a ring of intersubunit polar interactions. The remaining two-thirds of the proteins show a varied mixture of small hydrophobic patches, polar interactions and water molecules scattered over the entire interfacial area. Ten proteins in the survey have intertwined interfaces formed by extensive interdigitation of the two subunit chains. These interfaces are very hydrophobic and are associated with proteins that require both stability and internal symmetry. CONCLUSIONS: The archetypal protein interface, with a defined hydrophobic core, is present in only a minority of the surveyed homodimeric proteins. Most homodimeric proteins are stabilized by a combination of small hydrophobic patches, polar interactions and a considerable number of bridging water molecules. The presence or absence of a hydrophobic core within these interfaces does not correlate with specific protein functions.

Fate of major compounds in source-separated urine.

Urine separation is a promising alternative to present-day waste water management. It can help to manage our nutrient flows in a sustainable way. Currently, techniques are being developed to recycle and treat source-separated urine. These techniques, however, must consider the spontaneous processes that change the separated urine. The initial cause of changes is the contamination with microorganisms, which can hardly be avoided in urine-collecting systems. The most important transformation processes are microbial urea hydrolysis, mineral precipitation and ammonia volatilisation. Additionally, a variety of microorganisms may grow in source-separated urine, because the content of biodegradable organic compounds is very high. These microorganisms may also include pathogens. In this paper we give an overview of the effects that the spontaneous transformation processes may have. We focus on nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulphur, organic substances, pathogens and the buffering capacity. The discussion is based on own experiences and literature reviews. This overview will help to develop appropriate technologies for urine recycling.

Young users accept NoMix toilets--a questionnaire survey on urine source separating toilets in a college in Switzerland.

We studied user behavior and acceptance of NoMix toilets by collecting 271 questionnaires from young adults. We discriminated between short- and long-term users (months of habituation). Most respondents noticed that the NoMix toilet is different. Nevertheless, the existing NoMix technology was well accepted regarding design, hygiene and smell in this institutional setting. Only few respondents changed their sitting or flushing behavior. The necessity to sit when urinating might be slightly problematic (62% sit), but it seems possible that people adopt this new behavior required by the NoMix toilet. General acceptance of the NoMix toilet was high: 70% of respondents found the idea convincing--many for environmental reasons--87% were willing to move into an apartment with a NoMix toilet, and 20% would pay substantially more for a NoMix toilet. We informed about the NoMix toilet with instructions for use in the toilet cabin, an information poster, and an information leaflet that we distributed after questioning. Our information was noted by most respondents and significantly increased the knowledge about and the acceptance of the NoMix toilet. We recommend that future pilot projects with NoMix toilets consider a well devised information policy to support decision making and acceptance of this new technology.

Severity of Parkinson's disease and the dosage of bromocriptine.

In view of reports that low-dose bromocriptine (15 mg or less daily) therapy is effective in Parkinson's disease, we undertook a retrospective study of 79 patients with Parkinson's disease to evaluate factors that affect the optimal daily dose of bromocriptine in subjects whose intake of levodopa was decreased as bromocriptine was introduced. Doses of bromocriptine 15 mg or less daily were seldom therapeutic; doses of over 15 mg, up to 30 mg, were appropriate for patients with mild, early disease. Those with more severe symptoms of longer duration usually required larger doses. The optimal daily requirement of bromocriptine was correlated to the severity and duration of the illness, but not to the age of the patient.

Dystonia and calcification of the basal ganglia.

We studied a family with dominantly inherited dystonia and intracranial calcification. Thirty-seven members were examined; 13 were affected by dystonia that was segmental in most patients, affecting especially the voice, face, neck, and limbs. Intracranial calcification involved the putamen, pallidum, cerebral white matter and cortex, and cerebellar nuclei. Several patients had both dystonia and calcification, but others had either dystonia or calcification alone.

Motor function in the normal aging population: treatment with levodopa.

In normal elderly humans there is progressive motor dysfunction and loss of nigrostriatal neurons and brain dopamine similar to, although of a milder degree than, that seen in Parkinson's disease. Ten healthy elderly volunteers were given carbidopa/levodopa or placebo in a double-blind crossover study. We measured movement velocity, reaction time, tremor, visual evoked response (VER), and electroretinography (ERG). Significant changes were seen only in ERG. Motor functions and VER were unchanged. Although there appeared to be pharmacologic activity (ie, changes in ERG), levodopa, in adequate antiparkinson dosage, had no impact on the mild extrapyramidal impairment of normal elderly subjects.

Parkinson's disease: a comparison of mesulergine and bromocriptine.

Previous studies with mesulergine (CU 32-085) demonstrated safety and efficacy in short-term observations of patients with Parkinson's disease. We compared mesulergine with bromocriptine in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease. Eighteen patients completed the randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Clinical assessments employed the UBC scale and "Mini-Mental State" examination; neurophysiologic measurements were undertaken on wrist rigidity and speed and accuracy of hand movement, and toxicity screening tests were compared. There were no significant differences between the effects of mesulergine (mean dosage, 27.4 mg/d) and bromocriptine (mean dosage, 40.8 mg/d).

Comparison of pergolide and bromocriptine therapy in parkinsonism.

Twenty-four parkinsonian patients compared pergolide and bromocriptine therapy in a randomized double-blind, two-period crossover study. Both drugs were adjusted to an optimal balance between benefits and side effects. The mean daily dose and dose range for pergolide and bromocriptine were 3.3 mg (0.7 to 7.2) and 42.7 mg (5.8 to 87.5), respectively. Adjunctive medications, which for most patients included levodopa (plus carbidopa), were not altered during the study. A similar spectrum of clinical effects was found with both drugs and with lisuride, which was used to treat 13 of the patients in a previous study. Despite neurochemical differences in the antiparkinsonian ergots, their clinical utility is quite similar. We draw attention to hepatotoxicity and pleural reactions that may occur rarely with these drugs.

A controlled trial of isoniazid therapy for action tremor in multiple sclerosis.

Ten patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and action tremor were treated with isoniazid (INH) in a double-blind single crossover trial. The daily dose of INH administered during the 4-week treatment phase of the trial was determined by acetylator phenotype with slow acetylators receiving 12 mg/kg per day and rapid acetylators 20 mg/kg per day. Six of eight patients who completed the trial showed clinical improvement in the postural (alternating) tremor while on INH but the degree was minimal in all cases. Results of tremograms indicated that improvement also occurred in the intentional (synchronous) component of three patients while on INH, but this did not achieve statistical significance. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) homocarnosine and ornithine were markedly elevated with INH therapy (providing evidence for substantial inhibition of GABA aminotransferase activity and increase in GABA in the CNS), but no correlation was found between the degree of GABA elevation in the CSF and the clinical response. Side effects were minimal and well tolerated. Although INH appears to have a limited therapeutic role, a trial is warranted in MS patients with postural tremor.

The structure of DAPI bound to DNA.

The structure of the DNA fluorochrome 4'-6-diamidine-2-phenyl indole (DAPI) bound to the synthetic B-DNA oligonucleotide C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G has been solved by single crystal x-ray diffraction methods, at a resolution of 2.4 A. The structure is nearly isomorphous with that of the native DNA molecule alone. With one DAPI and 25 waters per DNA double helix, the residual error is 21.5% for the 2428 reflections above the 2-sigma level. DAPI inserts itself edgewise into the narrow minor groove, displacing the ordered spine of hydration. DAPI and a single water molecule together span the four AT base pairs at the center of the duplex. The indole nitrogen forms a bifurcated hydrogen bond with the thymine O2 atoms of the two central base pairs, as with netropsin and Hoechst 33258. The preference of all three of these drugs for AT regions of B-DNA is a consequence of three factors: (1) The intrinsically narrower minor groove in AT regions than in GC regions of B-DNA, leading to a snug fit of the flat aromatic drug rings between the walls of the groove. (2) The more negative electrostatic potential within the minor groove in AT regions, attributable in part to the absence of electropositive-NH2 groups along the floor of the groove, and (3) The steric advantage of the absence of those same guanine-NH2 groups, thus permitting the drug molecule to sink deeper into the groove. Groove width and electrostatic factors are regional, and define the relative receptiveness of a section of DNA since they operate over several contiguous base pairs. The steric factor is local, varying from one base pair to the next, and hence is the means of fine-tuning sequence specificity.

Assessment of Parkinson's disease.

The quantitative assessment of clinical deficits in Parkinson's disease has become more difficult due to such factors as the introduction of therapy that induces involuntary movements, the recognition of marked fluctuations in response to treatment, and an increasing of memory disturbance in patients. An attempt to take these problems into account using a brief and simple scale of evaluation is presented.

Effect of interferon-gamma on biogenic amine metabolism, electroencephalographic recordings, and transient potentials.

For assessment of the underlying central mechanisms of interferon (IFN), measurements have been made of the neurotoxicity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations, along with electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings and visual evoked potentials (VEP) during recombinant IFN-gamma therapy. Interferon-gamma was administered intravenously to 14 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer as 2 mg/m2 (48 X 10(6) IU/m2) three times weekly with 4 h infusion for 12 weeks. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were taken by means of lumbar puncture prior to treatment and during the end of the second week of IFN-gamma infusions. During the course of treatment, CSF 5-HIAA diminished from 129.6 +/- 10.9 to 84.5 +/- 10.4 nmol/L (p less than 0.001), while no significant changes were observed in HVA, EEG, and VEPs. These results suggest that IFN-gamma has an effect on the central serotonergic neurotransmission.

Beta 1 versus nonselective blockade in therapy of essential tremor.

The beta 1-selective blocker metoprolol was compared to propranolol and a placebo in a double-blind crossover trial in 24 patients with essential tremor. Both beta blockers suppressed the essential tremor, but metoprolol, which caused a mean reduction of 32.0% in tremor intensity from the base-line value, was less effective than propranolol, which reduced mean tremor intensity by 41.3%. Subjective benefit for their tremor was found by 15 of the patients taking propranolol and by one taking metoprolol. The tremor frequency was not affected. No serious side effects were observed. Metoprolol may offer an alternative for those essential tremor patients who cannot tolerate propranolol.

Self-organizing map in recognition of topographic patterns of EEG spectra.

The self-organizing map, a neural network algorithm, was applied to the recognition of topographic patterns in clinical 22-channel EEG. Inputs to the map were extracted from short-time power spectra of all channels. Each location on a self-organized map entails a model for a cluster of similar input patterns; the best-matching model determines the location of a sample on the map. Thus, an instantaneous topographic EEG pattern corresponds to the location of the sample, and changes with time correspond to the trajectories of consecutive samples. EEG segments of "alpha," "alpha attenuation," "theta of drowsiness," "eye movements," "EMG artifact," and "electrode artifacts" were selected and labeled by visual inspection of the original records. The map locations of the labeled segments were different; the map thus distinguished between them. The locations of individual EEG's on the "alpha-area" of the map were also different. The clustering and easily understandable visualization of topographic EEG patterns are obtainable on a self-organized map in real time.

Waste design and source control lead to flexibility in wastewater management.

The concepts of waste design and source control are introduced as contracts between wastewater handling agencies and consumers and consumers and industry respectively. Waste design serves to produce waste streams that are optimized in composition and time sequence for easy transport and treatment. Source control makes services and installations available, which allow the consumer to adhere to the specification of waste design. Increased delegation of responsibility to the consumer is expected to result in more flexible wastewater handling systems.

Nutrients in urine: energetic aspects of removal and recovery.

The analysis of different removal and recovery techniques for nutrients in urine shows that in many cases recovery is energetically more efficient than removal and new-production from natural resources. Considering only the running electricity and fossil energy requirements for the traditional way of wastewater treatment and fertiliser production, the following specific energy requirements can be calculated: 45 MJ kg(-1)N for denitrification in a WWTP, 49 MJ kg(-1)p for P-precipitation in a WWTP, 45 MJ kg(-1)N for N-fertiliser and 29 MJ kg(-1)p for P-fertiliser production. These numbers are higher than the values derived for thermal volume reduction of urine (35 MJ kg(-1)N for eliminating 90% water) or production of struvite (102 MJ kg(-1)N, including 2.2 kg P). Considering only the electricity and fossil energy for the traditional way of wastewater treatment and fertiliser production, the energy value of 1 PE urine is 0.87 MJ PE(-1) d(-1) (fertiliser value: 0.44, wastewater treatment: 0.43 MJ PE(-1) d(-1)). A more detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) of the entire urine collection system, including the required materials and the environmental burden, support the energy analysis. The LCA compares conventional denitrification in a wastewater treatment plant with collecting urine in households, reducing the volume by evaporation and using it as a multi-nutrient fertiliser. The primary energy consumption for recovery and reuse of urine, including the nutrients N, P and K, is calculated with 65 MJ kg(-1)N, compared with 153 MJ kg(-1)N derived for the conventional 'recycling over the atmosphere'.