Design, Construction, and Qualificataion of the West Virginia University Environmental Wind Tunnel

The interaction with the planetary atmosphere is an unavoidable fact when dealing with problems related to aerodynamic studies within the confines of the planet. These include flow effects on bridges, buildings, and various terrain types. Researchers look for more realistic approaches to modeling the complex behavior of the turbulent atmosphere. Environmental wind tunnels (EWTs) were specifically developed to meet this need.;Using parts donated by Cornell University to West Virginia University, a new EWT was built to allow researchers at West Virginia University to begin studying interactions with flow phenomena present in Earth\u27s atmosphere. Problems in the original design required sections of the EWT to the be redesigned, including irregular flow in the contraction, separation of flow in the wide angle diffuser, and a lack of adequately reliable methods of flow control.;Each tunnel section was individually examined and redesigned for optimal performance using a variety of tools. Contraction shapes were compared using computational fluid dynamics to obtain optimal flow entering the fetch. Analytical methods were deployed using techniques developed over the past decades to design a fetch that can accurately simulate planetary boundary layer growth. New controls were added to allow more diverse conditions and increased customization, such as the addition of variable frequency drives to vary test section velocity. Once construction was complete qualification of the EWT was required to model characteristics of the tunnel for future user benefits. This thesis presents an exhaustive qualification method for the newly constructed EWT

Selenoproteins—Tracing the Role of a Trace Element in Protein Function

Selenium is an important component of several enzymes, replacing sulfur in cysteine residues. Its discovery and significance are described in this primer

Postoperative infection following strabismus surgery: case series and increased incidence in a single large referral center

Purpose To identify and analyze cases of postoperative infection following strabismus surgery at a large referral center and to report the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes. Methods An electronic database search identified strabismus procedures at Duke Eye Center from July 1996 to October 2017. Diagnosis codes for periocular infections were used to further identify patients with possible infections following strabismus surgery. Results Of 9,111 strabismus surgeries, 13 (0.14%) met criteria for probable infection, all occurring since October 2012 (0/6580 before vs 13/2531 [0.51%] after; P < 0.0001). Mean age of infection cases was 11.4 years; 11 patients (85%) were under 18 years of age. Associated previous diagnoses were genetic abnormalities with associated developmental delay (n = 5 [38%]), previous skin or ear infection (n = 4 [31%]), and acute or chronic rhinitis (n = 3 [23%]). Infection site cultures revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3 [23%]), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (n = 3 [23%]), and Streptococcus pyogenes/group-A Streptococcus (n = 2 [15%]). Only 1 case had bilateral infection. Infection remained extraocular in all cases, but one eye lost light perception secondary to optic atrophy. No common surgeon/procedure/preparation-related risks were identified. Conclusions A unifying explanation for the increase in post–strabismus surgery infections at Duke Eye Center was not identified. Potential risk factors include age <18 years, developmental delay, immune compromise, preceding nonocular infection, and bacterial colonization

Aqua regia extractable selenium concentrations of some Scottish topsoils measured by ICP-MS and the relationship with mineral and organic soil components

The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com.Peer reviewedPreprin

Effects of selenium addition on minimally processed leafy vegetables grown in a floating system

BACKGROUND: In recent years the consumption ofminimally processed leafy vegetables has been increasing. At the same time food quality and its effects on human health have become crucial issues. Since selenium (Se) is an important microelement due to its ability to defend human organisms against free radicals, we investigated the effects of Se on chicory and lettuce production, and assessed the feasibility of a floating system as a method of producing Se-enriched vegetables. RESULTS: The addition of 0.5 and 1.0mg Se L−1 to the nutrient solution resulted in an increase in the selenium concentration in the leaves, which had a positive effect on the plant yield. Selenium was generally effective in decreasing the production of ethylene and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, even though a seasonal effect seemed to be present, consequently improving the quality of leafy vegetables and the shelf life in both species. The amount of Se accumulated in plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 0.5 mgSe kg−1 could provide the rational Se intake for human nutrition in accordance with the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of Se in a nutrient solution can be a useful system for providing enriched leafy vegetables. The floating system can be used to modulate the availability of Se in nutrient solutions and to grow vegetables with the optimal Se content for human healt

Gastroprotective Effect of Selenium on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Damage in Rats

In the present study, we examined the gastroprotective effect of selenium against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. The gastric mucosal lesions were produced by oral administration with various concentrations of ethanol for three days, and 80% ethanol treatment was determined to be the optimal condition for induction of gastric damage. To identify the protective effect of selenium on ethanol-induced gastric damage, various doses of selenium were given as pretreatment for three days, and then gastric damage was induced by 80% ethanol treatment. Selenium showed a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in a dose dependent manner. Specifically, 100 μg/kg selenium showed the highest level of gastroprotection. In addition, selenium markedly attenuated ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosa and increased activities of radical scavenging enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in a dose-dependent manner. Histological data showed that 100 μg/kg selenium distinctly reduced the depth and severity of the ethanol induced gastric lesion. These results clearly demonstrate that selenium inhibits the formation of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions through prevention of lipid peroxidation and activation of enzymatic radical scavenging

Effects of Various Doses of Selenite on Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) on the growth, accumulation and possible mechanisms of Se transport in certain parts (roots, leaves, stamp and apex) of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) plants. Se was supplemented by one-shot and two repeated doses to the soil (2.0 and 4.0 mg Se per kg of substrate). Selenium content in roots increased linearly with dose and was significantly higher compared to other plant parts of interest. However, growth of the above-ground parts of plant as well as roots was slightly inhibited with increasing selenium concentration in comparison to the untreated plants. The content of phytochelatin2, a low molecular mass peptide containing a sulfhydryl group, correlated well with the Se content. This suggests a possible stimulation of synthesis of this plant peptide by Se

The role of melano‐macrophage aggregates in the storage of mercury and other metals: An example from yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus)

Melano‐macrophage aggregates, collections of specialized cells of the innate immune system of fish, are considered a general biomarker for contaminant toxicity. To elucidate further the relationship between macrophage aggregates and metals exposure, yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), a long‐lived species, were sampled from the east and west coasts of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Metals concentrations in livers (inorganic Hg, methyl mercury, Se, Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn) and spleens (inorganic Hg and methyl mercury) were determined, as well as their correlations with melano‐macrophage aggregate area. Sections of liver tissue were analyzed by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry to determine how metals were spatially distributed between hepatocytes and macrophage aggregates. The concentration of inorganic Hg in whole tissue was the best predictor of macrophage area in yelloweye livers and spleens. Macrophage aggregates had higher relative concentrations than most metals compared with the surrounding hepatocytes. However, not all metals were accumulated to the same degree, as evidenced by differences in the ratios of metals in macrophages compared with hepatocytes. Laser ablation data were corroborated with the results of X‐ray synchrotron fluorescence imaging of a yelloweye liver section. Hepatic macrophage aggregates in yelloweye rockfish may play an important role in the detoxification and storage of Hg and other metals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1918–1925. © 2015 SETACPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112257/1/etc3009.pd

Immune Responses to Vibrio anguillarum in Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola lalandi, Fed Selenium Supplementation

Effects of dietary selenium (Se) on immune competence of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, were investigated. The fish were fed one of the three experimental diets including a control diet without Se supplementation and two diets supplemented with Se from Se-yeast (Selplex®) at 2 and 4mg/kg. After feeding for 6 wk, the fish were challenged by injecting Vibrio anguillarum and observed for 2wk. Dietary Se had no effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and survival over the course of 6-wk feeding; however, it significantly increased weight gain and Se content in muscle. Following the bacterial infection, the immune-stimulating effects of Se were observed in antibody, lysozyme, and bactericidal responses, and there was a corresponding increase in survival and hematocrit by Se. Under infectious condition, antioxidant capacity of fish as measured in term of resistance of red blood cells to peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity also increased by supplementation of Se. Liver necrosis and kidneymelano-macrophages were only seen in surviving fish fed the control diet after the challenge. Furthermore, there was evidence of myopathy in fish fed the diet without Se supplementation. This study suggests that Se, supplemented at 2 or 4mg/kg, can improve growth and health of yellowtail kingfish