Examination of thirteen petroliferous formations for hydrocarbon-utilizing sulfate-reducing microorganisms

Virgin cores and production fluids were obtained from seven wells, ranging in depth from 805 ft to 14 492 ft, and examined for the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) using Rosenfeld's sulfate-reducing medium modified by using crude oil in place of lactate. Cores from an additional six wells, ranging in depth from 1160 ft to 13 337 ft were tested for SRB using the modified Rosenfeld medium and API-sulfate-reducing medium. Produced waters from five of the six wells were tested also. All of the eleven produced water samples were positive for SRB while H₂S production was not detected from the core samples.     

Enhancement of Overgrowth by Gene Interactions in Lethal(2)giant Discs Imaginal Discs from Drosophila Melanogaster

Recessive lethal mutations of the lethal(2)giant discs (l(2)gd) and lethal(2)fat (l(2)ft) loci of Drosophila melanogaster cause imaginal disc hyperplasia during a prolonged larval stage. Imaginal discs from l(2)ft l(2)gd or Gl(2)gd double homozygotes show more extensive overgrowth than in either single homozygote, and double homozygous l(2)ft l(2)gd mitotic clones in adult flies show much more overgrowth than is seen in clones homozygous for either l(2)gd or l(2)ft alone. dachsous (ds) also acts as an enhancer of l(2)gd, producing dramatically overgrown discs and causing failure to pupariate in double homozygotes. The comb gap (cg) mutation, which also interacts with ds, greatly enhances the tendency of imaginal discs from l(2)gd larvae to duplicate as they overgrow. If l(2)gd homozygotes are made heterozygous for l(2)ft, then several discs duplicate, indicating that l(2)ft acts as a dominant enhancer of l(2)gd. l(2)ft also acts as a dominant enhancer of l(2)gd, and conversely l(2)gd acts as a dominant modifier of l(2)ft. The enhancement of overgrowth caused by various mutant combinations is accompanied by changes in expression of Decapentaplegic and Wingless. These results show that tumor suppressor genes act in combination to control cell proliferation, and that tissue hyperplasia can be associated with ectopic expression of genes involved in pattern formation.     

Survial of fasted rats exposed to altitude.

Rats fasted for 48-96h before exposure were shown to have a longer survival time at groups 33,500 ft (1 ft = 0.305 m) simulated altitude than nonfasted controls. Although both become hypothermic at 33500 ft, colonic temperatures of the fasted rats were not sufficiently lower than those of nonfasted animals to explain the difference in survival time. The injection of glucose and insulin before exposure almost completely eliminated the protection afforded by fasting, whereas glucose alone had no effect on survival. It is therefore suggested that an alteration in carbohydrate metabolism, possibly in combination with other starvation-induced changes, allowed fasted rats to survive at 33500 ft until declining body temperature reduced metabolic rate to a level compatible with oxygen supply.     

Plasma gonadotrophins, prolactin and corticosterone concentrations in male mice exposed to high altitude

Groups of sexually-naive male NFR/N mice were maintained at sea level or exposed to simulated altitudes of 18 000 ft (5486 m) or 22 000 ft (6705 m) for 1, 3, 7, 14 or 28 days. Plasma LH concentrations were slightly but not significantly depressed after 1 day of hypoxia. Plasma FSH values were reduced (P < 0.05) after 1, 7, 14 and 28 days of exposure to 22 000 ft when compared to the values in the other groups. Prolactin concentrations fluctuated considerably, but were not uniformly affected by high altitude exposure. Exposure to 18 000 ft resulted in an elevation of plasma corticosterone concentration (P < 0.05) for 3 days, which was followed by a decline to control group values, whereas at 22 000 ft corticosterone levels remained elevated. These findings indicate that plasma LH values are transiently reduced during the initial 24 h of exposure to high altitude and that plasma FSH concentrations are depressed in a sustained manner during severe hypoxia.     

Hormonal and electrolyte response to exposure to 17,500 ft.

Hormone, electrolyte, and body fluid compartment changes were studied in subjects who either spent time at 10,000 ft before flying to 17,500 ft or were premedicated with acetazolamide and flown directly to 17,500 ft. In the former group, at 10,000 ft, renin and aldosterone were not different from control. Cortisol increased significantly from 9.8 to 19.5 mug/100 ml on the third day. At 17,500 ft, renin, aldosterone and cortisol were significantly elevated on day 3 but had returned to control levels by day 5. Sodium and potassium excretion was significantly reduced at both altitudes. Total body water, extracellular and plasma volume were reduced (P less than 0.05) at 17,500 ft. Subjects pretreated with acetazolamide and flown directly to 17,500 ft had significant increases (P less than 0.001) in plasma renin, aldosterone, and cortisol levels during the first 4 days at altitude. On day 1 there was a decrease of 45% in sodium and 38% in potassium excretion. On day 4 there was a decrease of 63% and 51%, respectively. These changes are not associated with the premedication. The initial changes may reflect the immediate response to stress and alkalosis followed by a return to control levels as the body adapts to altitude.     

Non-chemical biofouling control in heat exchangers and seawater piping systems using acoustic pulses generated by an electrical discharge

Acoustic pulses generated by an electrical discharge (pulsed acoustics) were investigated as a means for biofouling control in two test formats, viz. a 5/8" outside diameter titanium tube and a mockup heat exchanger. The pulsed acoustic device, when operated at 17 kV, demonstrated 95% inhibition of microfouling over a 20 ft length of titanium tube over a 4-week period, comparable to chlorination in combination with a high-velocity flush. The pulsed acoustic device inhibited microfouling over a downstream distance of 15 ft, therefore, a single pulsed acoustic device is theoretically capable of protecting at least 30 ft of tube from microfouling (15 ft on either side of the device). A correlation between acoustic intensity in the frequency range 0.01-1 MHz and the level of biofouling inhibition was observed. The threshold acoustic intensity for microfouling inhibition was determined for this frequency range. It was also observed that the orientation of the device is critical to obtaining microfouling inhibition.     

Cell behaviour of Drosophila fat cadherin mutations in wing development

We have studied several cell behaviour parameters of mutant alleles of fat (ft) in Drosophila imaginal wing disc development. Mutant imaginal discs continue growing in larvae delayed in pupariation and can reach sizes of several times those of wild-type. Their growth is, however, basically allometric. Homozygous ft cells grow faster than their twin cells in clones and generate larger territories, albeit delimited by normal clonal restrictions. Moreover, ft cells in clones tend to grow towards wing proximal regions. These behaviours can be related with failures in cell adhesiveness and cell recognition. Double mutant combinations with alleles of other genes, e.g. of the Epidermal growth factor receptor (DER) pathway, modify ft clonal phenotypes, indicating that adhesiveness is modulated by intercellular signalling. Mutant ft cells show, in addition, smaller cell sizes during proliferation and abnormal cuticular differentiation, which reflect cell membrane and cytoskeleton anomalies, which are not modulated by the DER pathway.     

Two-generation analysis of pollen flow across a landscape. II. Relation between phi(ft), pollen dispersal and interfemale distance

We study the behavior of Phi(ft), a recently introduced estimator of instantaneous pollen flow, which is basically the intraclass correlation of inferred pollen cloud genetic frequencies among a sample of females drawn from a single population. Using standard theories of identity by descent and spatial processes, we show that Phi(ft) depends on the average distance of pollen dispersal (delta) and on the average distance between sampled mothers (x(1)). Provided that mothers are sampled far enough apart (x(1) > 5delta), Phi(ft) becomes independent of x(1) and is then inversely proportional to the square of delta. Provided that this condition is fulfilled, delta is directly estimable from Phi(ft). Even when x(1) < 5delta, estimation can easily be achieved via numerical evaluation. We show that the relation between Phi(ft) and delta is only modestly affected by the shape of the distribution function, a result of importance, since this shape is generally unknown. We also study the impact of adult density within the population on Phi(ft), showing that to achieve the correct inference of delta from Phi(ft) it must be taken into account, but that it has no effect on the distance at which mothers must be sampled.     

Non-Chemical biofouling control in heat exchangers and seawater piping systems using acoustic pulses generated by an electrical discharge

Acoustic pulses generated by an electrical discharge (pulsed acoustics) were investigated as a means for biofouling control in two test formats, viz. a 5/8" outside diameter titanium tube and a mockup heat exchanger. The pulsed acoustic device, when operated at 17 kV, demonstrated 95% inhibition of microfouling over a 20 ft length of titanium tube over a 4-week period, comparable to chlorination in combination with a high-velocity flush. The pulsed acoustic device inhibited microfouling over a downstream distance of 15 ft, therefore, a single pulsed acoustic device is theoretically capable of protecting at least 30 ft of tube from microfouling (15 ft on either side of the device). A correlation between acoustic intensity in the frequency range 0.01-1 MHz and the level of biofouling inhibition was observed. The threshold acoustic intensity for microfouling inhibition was determined for this frequency range. It was also observed that the orientation of the device is critical to obtaining microfouling inhibition.     

The natural cross-pollination of crop plants with particular reference to the radish

Experiments were carried out to determine what degree of intervarietal cross-pollination occurs when two radish varieties are grown at varying distances apart. The varieties chosen were Icicle and Scarlet Globe. Hybrids are distinctive; thus crossing is readily determined.
In closely planted experiments, where one half of the plot was Icicle and the other half Scarlet Globe, the amount of intercrossing ranged from 30 to 40 % at a distance of 9 in. to an average of about 1 % at 15 ft. Intercrossing decreased fairly regularly and rapidly with distance.
Single plants of Icicle were run out from plots of Scarlet Globe; in 1941 at distances from 9 in. to 95 ft. and in 1942 from 9 in. to 408 ft. In the plants near the red plots crossing was approximately 100 %. In 1941 there was a regular and rapid fall with distance and intervarietal crossing stopped at 95 ft. In 1942 the plots were closer to beehives; intercrossing was less regular and extended farther than in 1941, but beyond 240 ft. it was only 0.1%, and in an all-white plot 360 ft. from a red plot with no intervening stringer plants it was nil.
Given a mass of plants and a profusion of flowers, bees confine their flower visiting to a small area. When radishes are grown in quantity 300 ft. guards against contamination of stock due to intervarietal crossing. If only small numbers are grown intercrossing is likely to occur over a greater distance.     

Hypobaric impact on clinical tolerance and 24-h patterns in iron metabolism markers and plasma proteins in men

Long-distance flights can cause a number of clinical problems due to mild hypoxia resulting from cabin pressurization. Using a chronobiological approach, the aim of this work was to assess the clinical tolerance and biological impact of daytime exposure to hypobaric hypoxia on markers of iron metabolism and plasma proteins. Fourteen healthy, male volunteers, ages 23 to 39 yrs, spent 8.5 h in a hypobaric chamber (from 07:45 to 16:15 h) simulating an altitude of 8000 ft. This was followed by another 8.5-h session 4 wks later simulating conditions at an altitude of 12,000 ft. Biological variables were assayed every 2 h over two 24-h spans (control and hypoxia spans, respectively) per simulated altitude. Whereas most of the subjects tolerated the 8000 ft exposure well, eight subjects (57%) presented clear clinical signs of hypoxic intolerance at 12,000 ft. The 24-h blood iron profile showed a biphasic pattern at both altitude simulations, with a significant (～40%) increase during hypoxia, followed by a (～25%) decrease during the first hours of recovery. The iron circadian rhythm showed a significant phase delay during the hypoxic exposure at 8000 ft vs. reference. Mean 24-h ferritin levels decreased at both altitudes, but mainly during the nighttime after the 12,000 ft exposure in accordance with Cosinor analysis. The transferrin and total plasma proteins 24-h profiles did not show significant change. Moreover, significant differences, mainly in iron, ferritin, and transferrin, were found at 12,000 ft according to the clinical tolerance to hypoxia, and significant correlations were found between the mid-range crossing times, i.e., here half-descent times (d-T(50)), for ferritin and total plasma proteins and the reported level of clinical discomfort under hypoxia. This study shows that an 8.5-h exposure to mild hypoxia is able to alter very quickly the 24-h pattern of iron and ferritin. These alterations seem to depend, at least in part, on the clinical tolerance to hypoxia and may help explain the interindividual differences observed in the tolerance to hypoxia.     

Diffusion limitation in normal humans during exercise at sea level and simulated altitude

The relative roles of ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) inequality, alveolar-capillary diffusion resistance, postpulmonary shunt, and gas phase diffusion limitation in determining arterial PO2 (PaO2) were assessed in nine normal unacclimatized men at rest and during bicycle exercise at sea level and three simulated altitudes (5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 ft; barometric pressures = 632, 523, and 429 Torr). We measured mixed expired and arterial inert and respiratory gases, minute ventilation, and cardiac output. Using the multiple inert gas elimination technique, PaO2 and the arterial O2 concentration expected from VA/Q inequality alone were compared with actual values, lower measured PaO2 indicating alveolar-capillary diffusion disequilibrium for O2. At sea level, alveolar-arterial PO2 differences were approximately 10 Torr at rest, increasing to approximately 20 Torr at a metabolic consumption of O2 (VO2) of 3 l/min. There was no evidence for diffusion disequilibrium, similar results being obtained at 5,000 ft. At 10 and 15,000 ft, resting alveolar-arterial PO2 difference was less than at sea level with no diffusion disequilibrium. During exercise, alveolar-arterial PO2 difference increased considerably more than expected from VA/Q mismatch alone. For example, at VO2 of 2.5 l/min at 10,000 ft, total alveolar-arterial PO2 difference was 30 Torr and that due to VA/Q mismatch alone was 15 Torr. At 15,000 ft and VO2 of 1.5 l/min, these values were 25 and 10 Torr, respectively. Expected and actual PaO2 agreed during 100% O2 breathing at 15,000 ft, excluding postpulmonary shunt as a cause of the larger alveolar-arterial O2 difference than accountable by inert gas exchange.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Two-generation analysis of pollen flow across a landscape. III. Impact of adult population structure

The rate and distance of instantaneous pollen flow in a population are parameters of considerable current interest for plant population geneticists and conservation biologists. We have recently developed an estimator (phi ft) of differentiation between the inferred pollen clouds that fertilize several females, sampled within a single population. We have shown that there is a simple relation between phi ft and the average pollen dispersal distance (delta) for the case of a population with no geographic structure. Though forest trees usually show considerable pollen flow, assuming an absence of spatially distributed genetic structure is not always wise. Here, we develop analytical theory for the relation between phi ft and delta, for the case where the probability of Identity by Descent (IBD) for two individuals decreases with the physical distance between them. This analytical theory allows us to provide an effective method for estimating pollen dispersal distance in a population with adult genetic structure. Using real examples, we show that estimation errors can be large if genetic structure is not taken into account, so it is wise to evaluate adult genetic structure simultaneously with estimation of phi ft for the pollen clouds. We show that the results are only moderately affected by changes in the decay function, a result of some importance since no completely established theory is available for this function.     

Polar Lipids of Chromatium Strain D Grown at Different Light Intensities

The total amount and the composition of polar lipids of the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium strain D grown in high (7,500 ft/c) and low (100 ft/c) incident white light were measured. Cells grown with low incident light as compared with cells grown in high incident light contained approximately 3.5 times more chlorophyll and contained significantly more internal membranes (chromatophores) as determined by electron microscopy. Nevertheless, there was approximately 40% more phospholipid in cells grown at 7,500 ft/c than in cells grown with 100 ft/c; the phospholipid composition of the cells was similar under both conditions of growth. These observations lead us to suggest that the organization and perhaps localization of the phospholipids in Chromatium may be dependent on the light intensity supplied during growth.     

gener: a server‐based analysis of pollen pool structure

The server‐based program gener performs the two‐generation analysis of pollen flow for data consisting of mother/offspring arrays using genetic markers. The gener program decomposes the genetic variance sampled by maternal individuals within and among pollen pool components of genetic variance and is accessible from http://dyerlab.bio.vcu.edu . These estimates are used to construct the test statistic, Φ_ft , whose significance is tested via permutation. The Φ_ft statistic can subsequently be used to quantify genetic effective pollen donor population size (N_ep), effective mating area and dispersal distance. Furthermore, the gener program can calculate Φ_ft values for all pairs of substrata within the data set.     

Decompression limits for compressed air determined by ultrasonically detected blood bubbles.

The direct decompression limits for a group of divers over a range of pressure-time air exposures was determined using ultrasonic detection of venous gas emboli (VGE). In addition to dry chamber exposures, ranging from 233 ft for 7 min to 25 ft for 720 min, we exposed six divers to open ocean dives at 165 ft for 10 min. Findings demonstrated a strong individual propensity to form VGE, correlating with susceptibility to bends. No bends developed without the prior detection of precordial VGE. The present concept of no problems after any period of time at 30 fsw was not confirmed. Isopleths of equal percentage occurrence of VGE were computed between 10 and 60%. Open ocean exposures increased the percentage of VGE and bends, when compared to dry chamber exposures. Limiting tissue half times computed from the 20% VGE isopleth suggested that saturation exposures are controlled by a greater sensitivity of the short-half-time tissues than previously appreciated, rather than by additionally extended half times.     

The horizontal and vertical distribution of flying insects near artificial windbreaks

Lath fences 3 ft and 8 ft high affected the horizontal distribution of flying insects similarly: most insects accumulated at a distance equal to 2–3 times the height of each fence to leeward, where catches, measured at 14 and 38 in. (≡ to 0·4 times the height of the fence above the ground) were 30–40 % greater than in exposed positions. Behind an 8 ft fence accumulations extended vertically to 12–16 ft (≡ to 1·5-2·0 times the height of the fence). Vertical profiles of weak-flying insects, in winds > 3 m.p.h. differed in sheltered and exposed positions; in shelter the boundary layer was deeper and insects were more abundant nearer the ground than elsewhere. For strong flyers, and insects which flew only in winds < 2 m.p.h., vertical profiles in sheltered and exposed positions were indistinguishable.     

Microbiological Studies on the Performance of a Laminar Airflow Biological Cabinet

Engineering and microbiological tests indicated that a typical, commercial laminar airflow cabinet was not effective in providing either product protection or agent containment. The cabinet was modified and tested through a series of alternate configurations to establish a set of design criteria. A mock-up cabinet was developed from these design criteria. The mock-up unit was evaluated for efficiency in providing both product protection and agent containment. In these evaluations, challenge methods were developed to simulate normal, in-use laboratory operations. Controlled bacterial or viral aerosol challenges were used at higher than normal levels to provide stringent test conditions. Test results indicated that the mock-up unit was considerably better in preventing agent penetration (0.1 to 0.2 particles per 100 ft(3) of air) than the commercial cabinet (5 to 6 particles per 100 ft(3) of air) during product protection tests. Similarly, agent containment was considerably better in the new cabinet (particle escape of 2 to 3 per 100 ft(3) of air at only one of the five test sites) than in the commercial cabinet (particle escape of 2 to 14 per 100 ft(3) of air at three of the five test sites).     

Effect of altitude exposure on platelets.

Since decompression from depth is known to produce a fall in platelet count, the effect of altitude decompression and high-altitude exposure on platelets was investigated. Sixteen subjects decompressed without hypoxia to 20,000 ft simulated altitude for two hours showed a significant (P less than 0.01) drop in circulating platelet count of approximately 10% for three days following decompression. Four of five subjects similarly exposed had a shortened autologous platelet survival compared to that prior to exposure. Subjects exposed to 9,800 ft and then 17,600 ft in a mountain environment showed a significant mean decrease in platelet count on day 2 of 7% and 25% respectively, which had returned to control by day 5. Nonhypoxic and hypoxic decompressed rabbits which received homologous chromium-51-labeled platelets had an increase in lung radioactivity compared with sea-level controls. It is postulated that altitude decompression produces platelet reductions similar to these seen after decompression from depth, and that platelets sequester in the pulmonary vascular bed.     

Visual acuity of essential fatty acid-deficient rats

1. Rats were maintained on a diet deficient in fat and on a normal diet of rat cubes. 2. Rats were trained to discriminate between vertical and horizontal striations. The minimal stripe width that could be used for discrimination was determined. 3. In bright illumination (0·7 or 4·5 ft.lamberts) both deficient and normal rats had the same ability to discriminate between black and white stripes. 4. With an illuminance of 0·002 ft.lambert, supplemented rats could discriminate as efficiently as at 0·7 ft.lambert, but deficient animals were unable to discriminate at 0·002 ft.lambert. 5. Control rats had 14% of docosahexaenoic acid in their retinal fats but the deficient rats had only 1%. 6. Deficient animals had no vitamin A stores in the liver whereas the control animals had about 190 i.u./g. 7. The visual acuity of the rats used was about 45′ of arc.