离心泵密封口环动力学特性系数计算

本文根据Hirs的紊流整体流动理论,研究了离心泵间隙密封的动量方程式,在此基础上,推导了计算动力学系数的微分方程组,进行了数值求解并对计算结果进行了分析比较。

陕北地区石家湾-李家岔探区三叠系延长组石油成藏条件分析

Shijiawan –Lijiacha area, lying on the northeastern part of the Shanbei Slope of Ordos Basin, was selected as studying area. The previous explorations proved that the 2nd segment and 6th segment of the Yanchang Formation are the most important oil-bearing formations. It is indicated that the sedimentary facies and reservoir characteristics restricted the hydrocarbon accumulation regularity. Therefore, with petrology methodologies, such as outcrop observation, core description, geophysical logging interpretation, thin section determination, scanning electron microscope, as well as rock property analysis, the reservoirs was were systematically studied and characterized. The sedimentary micro-facies, seals, reservoir-seal combines, migration pathways and entrapping modes were taken into account. The author tempted to establish a base for further studies on reservoirs and on petroleum geology, and to provide some reliably geological evidences for later prospect activities. It was found that the sediments in the 2nd and 3rd segments of the Yanchang Formation in Shijiawan –Lijiacha area were deposited in braided rivers, and most sandy-bodies were identified as channel sandbars. The 4+5th and 6th segments were principally deposited in deltaic-plain environment, consisting of corresponding sub-facies such as distributary channels, natural levee, crevasse-splay and marsh. The skeleton sandy-bodies were identified as sandy sediments of distributary channels. The sand grains in reservoir in studied area possess generally low mineralogical maturity and moderate structural maturity, and the form of pores may be classified into intergranular types and dissolved types. Most reservoirs of Yanchang Formation in Shijiawan –Lijiacha area belong to extreme low-porosity low-permeability ones (type III), and the 2nd sediments belongs to low permeability one (type II) and the 6th segment belong to super low-permeability one(type Ⅳ). The reservoirs in the 2nd segment behave more heterogeneous than those in the 6th segment. The statistic analysis results show that, for 6th and 4+5th segments, the high quality reservoir-seal combines may be found everywhere in the studied area except in the northwest and the southwest parts; and for 1st and 2nd segments, in the northeast, central and southwest parts Petroleum migration happened in the duration of the Early Cretaceous period in both lateral and vertical directions. The migration paths were mainly constructed by permeable sandy-bodies. The superimposed channel sandy-bodies consist of the principal part of the system of carriers. the vertical fractures, that may travel through the seals between reservoirs, offered the vertical paths for migrating oil. It may be synthesized that oil coming from south kitchens migrated first laterally in carriers in the 6th segment. When arrived at the studied area, oil will migration laterally or/and vertical within both the sandy-bodies and fractures, in a climbing-stair way. The results demonstrate that the oil was entrapped in traps structure-lithology and/or lithology traps. In some cases, the hydrodynamic force may help to trap oil. Accumulation of oil in the area was mainly controlled by sedimentary facies, seals, structure, and heterogeneity of reservoir in the 2nd, 4+5th and 6th segments. Especially, the oil distributions in both the 2nd and 6th segments were obviously influenced by seals in the 4+5th segment. The existence of seals in 1st segment seems important for accumulation in the 2nd segment.

油气运聚动力学的模拟分析——以准噶尔盆地为例

The petroleum migration, happening in the geologic past, is the very important and complex dynamic processes in the petroleum systems. It plays a linking role among all static factors in a system. The accumulation is in fact the result of the petroleum migration. For the petroleum geology, the dynamics research of the petroleum migration refers to the mechanism and process research, as well as the use of the quantitative methods. In this thesis, combining with the qualitative analysis and quantitative modeling, the author manages to discuss theoretically some key problems dealing with migration processes, which have not been solved yet, and to apply the studied results in petroleum system analysis in actual basins. The basin analysis offers the base of the numerical modeling for geological phenomena occurring in sedimentary basins, that consists of the sedimentary facies analysis, the section reconstructing technique, eroded thickness estimating, etc. The methods to construct the geologic model, which is needed in the research of oil and gas migration and accumulation, are discussed. The basin analysis offers also the possibility for the latter modeling works to get and select the parameters, such as stratum's thickness, age, stratigraphy etc. Modeling works were done by using two basin modeling softwares: Basin_Mod and TPC_Mod. The role of compaction during the secondary migration and the heterogeneity of migrating paths within the clastic carrier are modeled. And the conclusions were applied in the migration studies in the Jungaer Basin, lying on the Northwest part of the China. To construct a reliable migration model, the author studied the characteristics of the sedimentation, the pore fluid pressure evolution, as well as the distribution and the evolution of fluid potential, following the tectonic evolution of the Jungaer Basin. The geochemical prospecting results were used to evidence and to calibrate the migration processes: the oil-source correlation, the distribution of the properties of oil, gas and water. Finally, two important petroleum systems, Permian one and Jurassic one were studied and identified, according, principally, to the studies on the petroleum migration within the Jungaer Basin. Since the oil, as well as the gas, moves mainly in separate phase during the secondary migration, their migrating behaviors would be determined by the dynamics conditions of migration, including the driving forces and pathways. Based on such a consideration, the further understandings may be acquired: the roles played by permeable carriers and low-permeable source rock would be very different in compaction, overpressure generation, petroleum migration, and so on. With the numerical method, the effect of the compaction on the secondary migration was analyzed and the results show that the pressure gradient and the flux resulted from compaction are so small that could be neglected by comparing to the buoyancy of oil. The main secondary migration driving forces are therefore buoyancy and capillary within a hydrostatic system. Modeling with the commercial software-Basin_Mod, the migration pathways of petroleum in clastic carriers seem to be inhomogeneous, controlled by heterogeneity of the driving force, which in turn resulted from the topography of seals, the fabrics and the capillary pressure of the clastic carriers. Furthermore, the direct and indirect methods to study fault-sealing properties in the course of migration were systemically summarized. They may be characterized directly by lithological juxtaposition, clay smear and diagenesis, and indirectly the comparing the pressures and fluid properties in the walls at two apartments of a fault. In Jungaer Basin, the abnormal pressures are found in the formations beneath Badaowan or Baijantan Formation. The occurrence of the overpressure seems controlled by the stratigraphy. The rapid sedimentation, tectonic pressuring, clay sealing, chemical diagensis were considered as the principal pressuring mechanisms. The evolution of fluid pressure is influenced differently at different parts of the basin by the tectonic stresses. So the basin appears different pressure evolution cycles from each part to another during the geological history. By coupling the results of thermal evolution, pressure evolution and organic matter maturation, the area and the period of primary migration were acquired and used to determine the secondary migration time and range. The primary migration in Fengcheng Formation happened from latter Triassic to early Jurassic in the main depressions. The main period of lower-Wuerhe Formation was at latter Jurassic in Changji, Shawan and Pen-1-jing-xi Depression, and at the end of early Cretaceous in Mahu Depression. The primary migration in Badaowan and Sangonghe Formation is at the end of early-Cretaceous in Changji Depression. After then, the fluid potential of oil is calculated at the key time determined from area and time of the primary migration. Generally, fluid potential of oil is high in the depressions and low at the uplifts. Synthetically, it is recognized that the petroleum migration in the Jungaer Basin is very complex, that leads us to classify the evolution of petroleum systems in Northwestern China as a primary stage and a reformed one. The remigration of accumulated petroleum, caused by the reformation of the basin, results in the generation of multiple petroleum systems. The faults and unconformities are usually the linkers among the original petroleum systems. The Permian petroleum system in Jungaer Basin is such a multiple petroleum system. However, the Jurassic petroleum system stays still in its primary stage, thought the strong influences of the new tectonic activities.

吐合盆地鲁克沁构造带断块油藏形成机制及油藏预测

Lukeqin arc belt is a compound structure generated by multi-movements and composed of 6 sub-structural zones, which are connected by Huoyanshan Mountain. General characteristics of the arc belt are multi-patterns of structure, multi-phases for petroleum, multi-types of trap and multi-layers for reservoirs. As a part of the eastern Lukeqin arc belt located on the south of Taibei depression, Lukeqin structural zone behaves as a complex faulted-fold zone, in which the formation and distribution of hydrocarbons are controlled by structures. As the dominant source of dynamics for the second migration of hydrocarbon, structure stress field is closely related with the potentials of hydrodynamics. Results derived from the simulations of stress field by finite element method indicate that the northwest tending faults prefer seal to the northeast tending ones. The reason is that the northwest tending faults were squeezed more strongly than the northeast tending ones. Therefor, the northeast tending faults become always the paths for oil to migrate southeastward. Lukeqin structural zone is the main site for oil to concentration because it is surrounded by high stress. Situated on the front of the foreland basin of Turpan-Hami, Lukeqing arc belt is a dam to hold back the southward migrating oil from Shengbei depression. The axis line of Shenquan-Shengnan-Yanmuxi, Lukeqin and Yubei controls the migrating paths and concentrating process of oil and gas. Results derived from stress simulation and structure analyses indicate consistently that both Yubei and Lukeqin structural zones are the favorite areas for oil to migrate. The generally southward paths for oil to migrate out of Taibei depression can be two ways. One of them is from Taibei depression to Yubei structural zone and the other is from Taibei depression to Lukeqin structural zone. By the both ways, oil migrated upward along the faults and southeastward along the structural axis to concentrate in either Permian or Triassic system. The newly ascertained path for oil migration, which is accurately southeastward instead of coarsely southward, indicates the directions for further explorations on the compound Lukeqin block zone. Five kinds of seal models of fault are all found in Lukeqin block zone by studying the seal features of faults occurred in the zone. Having studied the fault seal and their controlling factors by fuzzy set method, the paper deems that the northwest tended faults are better than the northeast tended ones for oil to concentrate. The most important factors to decide the seal extent of faults in this zone are the characteristics of main stress and fluids instead of capillary pressure differences between the two sides of fault and smear mud factors. There exist seal differences not only between the faults of different time but also between the sections within a fault due to the variation of depths, strata and positions. The general distribution rules of reservoirs were dominated by the seal characteristics of a fault during the time reservoirs formed. While the current features of fault seal decide the conservation of reservoirs and heights of oil accumulations. Seal or not of a fault is not absolute because the essential for fault to seal is the distribution of permeability of fault zone. Therefor, the multi cyclical activities of faults create the space-time variation of seal features of the fault. Totally, the seal extent of the faults within the area is not as perfect as to accumulate ordinary crude. Crude oil can only be sealed when it becomes viscous. Process for crude oil to become viscous and viscous happened strongly because of the fault-fold movements. Shallowly burying and even revealing of the objective layers of the reservoirs made the crude oil to be thickened by water washing biologically degradation and oxidation degradation. The northwestward deepening during or after the reservoir formation of the structural zone provided the power for oil to migrate one or more times. The main reason for oil accumulation is the formation of Lukeqin block zone during Xishanyao stage, middle Jurassic Period, Early Yanshanian Movement. While the main reason for reservoir conservation is the placidity of Triassic blocks after the formation of reservoirs. Contrasting to former opinions, it is concluded that the reservoirs in Lukeqin zone, including viscous reservoirs, were formed by one time but not more times. So the author proposes the opinion that the reservoirs of viscous oil were formed by viscous oil migration under the conditions of aptitude sets of fault seals controlled by fluid and other factors. To grope the distribution rules outside Taibei depression and discuss the formation mechanism of Anjurassic reservoirs, it is necessary to study the dominate factors for the formation of reservoirs in Lukeqin structural zone such as structural stress, fault seals and thickening mechanism of crude oil. Also, the necessary studies are the key to break through the Taibei depression and Anjurassic systems. Therefor, they are significant for the future exploration and reserve increasing of hydrocarbon within the Turpan-Hami basin. The paper studied the distribution rules of block reservoirs and forecasted the favorable zones for further exploration in Turpan-Hami basin. Conclusions can be useful for not only the exploration in the area but also the theory consult in the adjacent areas.

Ochrona i konserwacja zasobu w archiwach państwowych w Polsce

Wydział Historyczny

Caracterização molecular de isolados de Enterobacteriaceae produtores de beta-lactamases de espectro alargado (ESBLs) provenientes de suiniculturas de produção intensiva e extensiva de Portugal

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas

Evolution of the sex-related locus and genomic features shared in microsporidia and fungi.

BACKGROUND: Microsporidia are obligate intracellular, eukaryotic pathogens that infect a wide range of animals from nematodes to humans, and in some cases, protists. The preponderance of evidence as to the origin of the microsporidia reveals a close relationship with the fungi, either within the kingdom or as a sister group to it. Recent phylogenetic studies and gene order analysis suggest that microsporidia share a particularly close evolutionary relationship with the zygomycetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we expanded this analysis and also examined a putative sex-locus for variability between microsporidian populations. Whole genome inspection reveals a unique syntenic gene pair (RPS9-RPL21) present in the vast majority of fungi and the microsporidians but not in other eukaryotic lineages. Two other unique gene fusions (glutamyl-prolyl tRNA synthetase and ubiquitin-ribosomal subunit S30) that are present in metazoans, choanoflagellates, and filasterean opisthokonts are unfused in the fungi and microsporidians. One locus previously found to be conserved in many microsporidian genomes is similar to the sex locus of zygomycetes in gene order and architecture. Both sex-related and sex loci harbor TPT, HMG, and RNA helicase genes forming a syntenic gene cluster. We sequenced and analyzed the sex-related locus in 11 different Encephalitozoon cuniculi isolates and the sibling species E. intestinalis (3 isolates) and E. hellem (1 isolate). There was no evidence for an idiomorphic sex-related locus in this Encephalitozoon species sample. According to sequence-based phylogenetic analyses, the TPT and RNA helicase genes flanking the HMG genes are paralogous rather than orthologous between zygomycetes and microsporidians. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The unique genomic hallmarks between microsporidia and fungi are independent of sequence based phylogenetic comparisons and further contribute to define the borders of the fungal kingdom and support the classification of microsporidia as unusual derived fungi. And the sex/sex-related loci appear to have been subject to frequent gene conversion and translocations in microsporidia and zygomycetes.

Distribution of HPV genotypes in cervical intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer in Tanzanian women.

BACKGROUND: Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with uterine cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cancers (ICC). Approximately 80% of ICC cases are diagnosed in under-developed countries. Vaccine development relies on knowledge of HPV genotypes characteristic of LSIL, HSIL and cancer; however, these genotypes remain poorly characterized in many African countries. To contribute to the characterization of HPV genotypes in Northeastern Tanzania, we recruited 215 women from the Reproductive Health Clinic at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Cervical scrapes and biopsies were obtained for cytology and HPV DNA detection. RESULTS: 79 out of 215 (36.7%) enrolled participants tested positive for HPV DNA, with a large proportion being multiple infections (74%). The prevalence of HPV infection increased with lesion grade (14% in controls, 67% in CIN1 cases and 88% in CIN2-3). Among ICC cases, 89% had detectable HPV. Overall, 31 HPV genotypes were detected; the three most common HPV genotypes among ICC were HPV16, 35 and 45. In addition to these genotypes, co-infection with HPV18, 31, 33, 52, 58, 68 and 82 was found in 91% of ICC. Among women with CIN2-3, HPV53, 58 and 84/83 were the most common. HPV35, 45, 53/58/59 were the most common among CIN1 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In women with no evidence of cytological abnormalities, the most prevalent genotypes were HPV58 with HPV16, 35, 52, 66 and 73 occurring equally. Although numerical constraints limit inference, findings that 91% of ICC harbor only a small number of HPV genotypes suggests that prevention efforts including vaccine development or adjuvant screening should focus on these genotypes.

cDNA for the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor: a protein with multiple membrane-spanning domains and encoded by a gene whose chromosomal location is shared with that of the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor.

We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA encoding the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor. The deduced amino acid sequence (413 residues) is that of a protein containing seven clusters of hydrophobic amino acids suggestive of membrane-spanning domains. While the protein is 87% identical overall with the previously cloned hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor, the most highly conserved regions are the putative transmembrane helices (95% identical) and cytoplasmic loops (93% identical), suggesting that these regions of the molecule harbor important functional domains. Several of the transmembrane helices also share lesser degrees of identity with comparable regions of select members of the opsin family of visual pigments. We have localized the gene for the beta 2-adrenergic receptor to q31-q32 on chromosome 5. This is the same position recently determined for the gene encoding the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor and is adjacent to that for the FMS protooncogene, which encodes the receptor for the macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Evaluation of Altered Kras Codon Bias and NOS Inhibition During Lung Tumorigenesis

The small GTPases HRAS, NRAS and KRAS are mutated in approximately one-third of all human cancers, rendering the proteins constitutively active and oncogenic. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and more than 20% of human lung cancers harbor mutations in RAS, with 98% of those occurring in the KRAS isoform. While there have been many advances in the understanding of KRAS–driven lung tumorigenesis, it remains a therapeutic challenge. To further this understanding and assess novel approaches for treatment, I have investigated two aspects of Kras–driven tumorigenesis in the lung:

(I) Despite nearly identical protein sequences, the three RAS proto-oncogenes exhibit divergent codon usage. Of the three isoforms, KRAS contains the most rare codons resulting in lower levels of KRAS protein expression relative to HRAS and NRAS. To determine the consequences of rare codon bias during de novo tumorigenesis, we created a knock-in Krasex3op mouse in which synonymous mutations in exon 3 converted codons from rare to common. These mice had reduced tumor burden and fewer oncogenic mutations in the Krasex3op allele following carcinogen exposure. The reduction in tumorigenesis appeared to be a product of rare codons affecting both the oncogenic and non–oncogenic alleles. Converting rare codons to common codons yielded a more potent oncogenic allele that promoted growth arrest and enhanced tumor suppression by the non-oncogenic allele. Thus, rare codons play an integral role in Kras tumorigenesis.

(II) Lung cancer patients exhale higher levels of NO and iNOS-/- mice are resistant to chemically induced lung tumorigenesis. I hypothesize that NO promotes Kras–driven lung adenocarcinoma, and NOS inhibition may decrease Kras–driven lung tumorigenesis. To test this hypothesis, I assessed efficacy of the NOS inhibitor L–NAME in a genetically engineered mouse model of Kras-driven lung adenocarcinoma. Adenoviral Cre recombinase was delivered into the lungs intranasally, resulting in expression of oncogenic KrasG12D and dominant-negative Trp53R172H in lung epithelial cells. L–NAME treatment was provided in the water and continued until survival endpoints. In this model, L–NAME treatment decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival. These data establish a potential clinical role for NOS inhibition in lung cancer treatment.

Low frequency of paleoviral infiltration across the avian phylogeny.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian genomes commonly harbor endogenous viral elements. Due to a lack of comparable genome-scale sequence data, far less is known about endogenous viral elements in avian species, even though their small genomes may enable important insights into the patterns and processes of endogenous viral element evolution. RESULTS: Through a systematic screening of the genomes of 48 species sampled across the avian phylogeny we reveal that birds harbor a limited number of endogenous viral elements compared to mammals, with only five viral families observed: Retroviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Bornaviridae, Circoviridae, and Parvoviridae. All nonretroviral endogenous viral elements are present at low copy numbers and in few species, with only endogenous hepadnaviruses widely distributed, although these have been purged in some cases. We also provide the first evidence for endogenous bornaviruses and circoviruses in avian genomes, although at very low copy numbers. A comparative analysis of vertebrate genomes revealed a simple linear relationship between endogenous viral element abundance and host genome size, such that the occurrence of endogenous viral elements in bird genomes is 6- to 13-fold less frequent than in mammals. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal that avian genomes harbor relatively small numbers of endogenous viruses, particularly those derived from RNA viruses, and hence are either less susceptible to viral invasions or purge them more effectively.

Application of a rank-based genetic association test to age-at-onset data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism study.

Association studies of quantitative traits have often relied on methods in which a normal distribution of the trait is assumed. However, quantitative phenotypes from complex human diseases are often censored, highly skewed, or contaminated with outlying values. We recently developed a rank-based association method that takes into account censoring and makes no distributional assumptions about the trait. In this study, we applied our new method to age-at-onset data on ALDX1 and ALDX2. Both traits are highly skewed (skewness > 1.9) and often censored. We performed a whole genome association study of age at onset of the ALDX1 trait using Illumina single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Only slightly more than 5% of markers were significant. However, we identified two regions on chromosomes 14 and 15, which each have at least four significant markers clustering together. These two regions may harbor genes that regulate age at onset of ALDX1 and ALDX2. Future fine mapping of these two regions with densely spaced markers is warranted.

Radiolabeled inhibitors as probes for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in gliomas: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of labeled butyl-phenyl sulfonamide analogs.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant gliomas frequently harbor mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene. Studies suggest that IDH mutation contributes to tumor pathogenesis through mechanisms that are mediated by the neomorphic metabolite of the mutant IDH1 enzyme, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). The aim of this work was to synthesize and evaluate radiolabeled compounds that bind to the mutant IDH1 enzyme with the goal of enabling noninvasive imaging of mutant IDH1 expression in gliomas by positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS: A small library of nonradioactive analogs were designed and synthesized based on the chemical structure of reported butyl-phenyl sulfonamide inhibitors of mutant IDH1. Enzyme inhibition assays were conducted using purified mutant IDH1 enzyme, IDH1-R132H, to determine the IC50 and the maximal inhibitory efficiency of the synthesized compounds. Selected compounds, 1 and 4, were labeled with radioiodine ((125)I) and/or (18)F using bromo- and phenol precursors, respectively. In vivo behavior of the labeled inhibitors was studied by conducting tissue distribution studies with [(125)I]1 in normal mice. Cell uptake studies were conducted using an isogenic astrocytoma cell line that carried a native IDH1-R132H mutation to evaluate the potential uptake of the labeled inhibitors in IDH1-mutated tumor cells. RESULTS: Enzyme inhibition assays showed good inhibitory potency for compounds that have iodine or a fluoroethoxy substituent at the ortho position of the phenyl ring in compounds 1 and 4 with IC50 values of 1.7 μM and 2.3 μM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 4 inhibited mutant IDH1 activity and decreased the production of 2-HG in an IDH1-mutated astrocytoma cell line. Radiolabeling of 1 and 4 was achieved with an average radiochemical yield of 56.6 ± 20.1% for [(125)I]1 (n = 4) and 67.5 ± 6.6% for [(18)F]4 (n = 3). [(125)I]1 exhibited favorable biodistribution characteristics in normal mice, with rapid clearance from the blood and elimination via the hepatobiliary system by 4 h after injection. The uptake of [(125)I]1 in tumor cells positive for IDH1-R132H was significantly higher compared to isogenic WT-IDH1 controls, with a maximal uptake ratio of 1.67 at 3 h post injection. Co-incubation of the labeled inhibitors with the corresponding nonradioactive analogs, and decreasing the normal concentrations of FBS (10%) in the incubation media substantially increased the uptake of the labeled inhibitors in both the IDH1-mutant and WT-IDH1 tumor cell lines, suggesting significant non-specific binding of the synthesized labeled butyl-phenyl sulfonamide inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the feasibility of developing radiolabeled probes for the mutant IDH1 enzyme based on enzyme inhibitors. Further optimization of the labeled inhibitors by modifying the chemical structure to decrease the lipophilicity and to increase potency may yield compounds with improved characteristics as probes for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in tumors.

Multicomponent gas-mixture measurements using an array of gas sensors and an artificial neural-network

An Electronic Nose is being jointly developed between the University of Greenwich and the Institute of Intelligent Machines to detect the gases given off from an oil filled transformer when it begins to break down. The gas sensors being used are very simple, consisting of a layer of Tin Oxide (SnO2) which is heated to approximately 640 K and the conductivity varies with the gas concentrations. Some of the shortcomings introduced by the commercial gas sensors available are being overcome by the use of an integrated array of gas sensors and the use of artificial neural networks which can be 'taught' to recognize when the gas contains several components. At present simulated results have achieved up to a 94% success rate of recognizing two component gases and future work will investigate alternative neural network configurations to maintain this success rate with practical measurements.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl DDT And Dieldrin Residues In Grey Seal (Halichoerus-Grypus) Males Females And Mother-Foetus Pairs Sampled At The Farne Islands England During The Breeding-Season

PCB, DDT, DDE, dieldrin and total non-polar organohalogen residues have been determined in the blubber-lipid of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) sampled during the 1972 breeding season (November) at the Farne Islands off the north eastern coast of England. PCBs were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography linked to a chlorine- and carbon-selective microwave plasma detector and total organohalogen residues were determined by microcoulometry. Total organohalogen residues were negatively correlated with blubber thickness and positively correlated with age in males (aged 1 to 24 y) and females (aged 5 to 38 y). However, the correlation of blubber-lipid residue with age in males depended upon the inclusion of immature (aged < 6 y) animals, and in females reflected only a small residue increment. The mean blubber organohalogen concentration of the males was significantly greater than that of the females. PCB and DDT group residue concentrations were significantly correlated. PCB, DDT, DDE and dieldrin were detected in the liver of mother/foetus pairs demonstrating transplacental movement of these residues. The possibility of the condition of the seals at breeding time influencing residue levels and of these residues influencing the health of the population is discussed.