Three-year movement patterns of adult desert tortoises at Yucca Mountain

We studied the home-range size and site fidelity of adult desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, during 1992-1994. Of 67 adult tortoises monitored at Yucca Mountain during this period, we evaluated the movements of 22 female and 16 male radiomarked tortoises that were located >50 times during each of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 activity seasons. We measured annual and three-year home range sizes by either 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) or by 95% cluster

The total synthesis of (-)-cyanthiwigin F by means of double catalytic enantioselective alkylation

Double catalytic enantioselective transformations are powerful synthetic methods that can facilitate the construction of stereochemically complex molecules in a single operation. In addition to generating two or more stereocentres in a single reaction, multiple asymmetric reactions also impart increased enantiomeric excess to the final product in comparison with the analogous single transformation. Furthermore, multiple asymmetric operations have the potential to independently construct several stereocentres at remote points within the same molecular scaffold, rather than relying on pre-existing chiral centres that are proximal to the reactive site. Despite the inherent benefits of multiple catalytic enantioselective reactions, their application to natural product total synthesis remains largely underutilized. Here we report the use of a double stereoablative enantioselective alkylation reaction in a concise synthesis of the marine diterpenoid (-)-cyanthiwigin F (ref. 8). By employing a technique for independent, selective formation of two stereocentres in a single stereoconvergent operation, we demonstrate that a complicated mixture of racemic and meso diastereomers may be smoothly converted to a synthetically useful intermediate with exceptional enantiomeric excess. The stereochemical information generated by means of this catalytic transformation facilitates the easy and rapid completion of the total synthesis of this marine natural product

Characteristics of the Receptor for the Biosphere Model

This analysis report is one of the technical reports containing documentation of the Environmental Radiation Model for Yucca Mountain Nevada (ERMYN), a biosphere model supporting the Total System Performance Assessment (TSPA) for the geologic repository at Yucca Mountain. A graphical representation of the documentation hierarchy for the ERMYN is presented in Figure 1-1. This figure shows relationships among the products (i.e., analysis and model reports) developed for biosphere modeling and biosphere abstraction products for TSPA, as identified in the ''Technical Work Plan: for Biosphere Modeling and Expert Support'' (TWP) (BSC 2003). Some documents identified in Figure 1-1 may be under development and not available at the time this report is issued. This figure is included to provide an understanding of how this analysis report contributes to biosphere modeling in support of the license application, and access to the listed documents is not required to understand the contents of this report. This report is one of the reports that develop input parameter values for the biosphere model. The ''Biosphere Model Report'' (BSC 2003), describes the conceptual model as well as the mathematical model and its input parameters. The purpose of this analysis report is to define values for biosphere model parameters that are related to the dietary, lifestyle, and dosimetric characteristics of the receptor. The biosphere model, consistent with the licensing rule at 10 CFR Part 63, uses a hypothetical person called the reasonably maximally exposed individual (RMEI) to represent the potentially exposed population. The parameters that define the RMEI are based on the behaviors and characteristics of the Amargosa Valley population, consistent with the requirements of 10 CFR 63.312. Amargosa Valley is the community, located in the direction of the projected groundwater flow path, where most of the farming in the area occurs. The parameter values developed in this report support the biosphere model and are reflected in the TSPA through the biosphere dose conversion factors (BDCFs). The analysis was performed in accordance with the TWP (BSC 2003). This analysis supports the treatment of fourteen features, events, and processes (FEPs) applicable to the reference biosphere (DTN: MO0303SEPFEPS2.000) and addressed in the biosphere model (BSC 2003). The treatment of these FEPs in the biosphere model is described in the ''Biosphere Model Report'' (BSC 2003, Section 6.2). The parameters developed in this report and the related FEPs are listed in Table 1-1

Influence of the alloying elements on phase transitions of high strength steels

Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagrams determined with a dilatometer were used to analyse the influence of the alloying elements on the phase transitions of high strength steel sheet alloys. Mo and Cr additions showed a significant influence on the extension of the bainitic region, whereas C and B additions showed noteworthy improvement in the quenchability of these steel alloys. These alloy properties are desirable requirements to be integrated in hot formed components. In addition to these experimental results, thermodynamic calculations were done with help of the JMatPro software in order to analyse the effect of Mn and C on the resulting mechanical properties as a function of the quenching rate

Schritthaltende Generierung von Wortgraphen

Rautenstrauch H, Fink GA, Kummert F, Sagerer G. Schritthaltende Generierung von Wortgraphen. In: Fortschritte der Akustik. Plenarvorträge und Fachbeiträge der 20. Deutschen Jahrestagung für Akustik, DAGA 94. Vol Teil C. Bad Honnef: DPG; 1994: 1261-1264

Benzo[a]pyrene contamination of vegetable oils

Oznaczono poziom benzo(a)pirenu w 40 próbkach olejów roślinnych pobranych z rynku. Zbadano wpływ ogrzewania oleju w wysokiej temperaturze na jego zawartość. Na podstawie piśmiennictwa porównano występowanie benzo(a)pirenu w tłuszczach roślinnych w innych krajach w odniesieniu do obowiązujących wymagań w Unii Europejskiej.Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) analysis was carried out with glass chromatographic column with alumina followed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrofluorometric detection. B(a)P level in 40 vegetable oils were as follow: from 0,11 to 0,38 µg/kg in olive; from 0,92 to 3,74 µg/kg in rape seed oils; from 0,11 to 2,25 µg/kg in sunflower oils and from 0,33 tol,26 µg/kg in soya oils. In another investigated oils: arachide (peanut) corn, safflower, linen, hempen, sesame, pumpkin seeds, grape seeds -values from 0,10 to 1,44 µg/kg and 3,83 µg/kg in sea buckthorn oil were detected. B(a)P concentration in 4 from 40 investigated oils exceed the 2 ppb limit proposed by the European Commission. Heating of sample of oils: olive, rape, soya, linen, corn, sesame, peanut, in temp. 240° C for 30 min. has not influence on decreased of B(a)P level

Occurrence of 3-monochloropropane-l,2-diol (3-MCPD) in food products

3-Monochloropropano-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) jest zanieczyszczeniem chemicznym zaliczanym do chloropropanoli. 3-MCPD w żywności może powstawać w wyniku procesu jej wytwarzania lub przechowywania. Po raz pierwszy obecność 3-MCPD stwierdzono w hydrolizatach białek roślinnych (HVP) produkowanych z użyciem kwasu solnego i w podwyższonej temperaturze. W badaniach na szczurach udowodniono działanie kancerogenne tego związku, jednakże nie potwierdzono działania genotoksycznego in vivo. Celem badań było oznaczenie zawartości 3-MCPD w produktach spożywczych pochodzących z obrotu i porównanie z dopuszczalnym limitem ustanowionym przepisami UE . Zbadano 99 próbek produktów spożywczych w tym: sosy sojowe, hydrolizat białka sojowego, cukier, zupy w proszku, kostki rosołowe, wyroby piekarskie, chipsy i tłuszcze jadalne. W 15% badanych próbek stwierdzono zawartość 3-MCPD poniżej 10 μg/kg; w 63% poziom 3-MCPD wynosił powyżej 10 μg/kg, w 22% badanych próbek produktów spożywczych nie stwierdzono występowania 3-MCPD. Oznaczenia wykonywano przy zastosowaniu chromatografu gazowego z detektorem mas (GC/MS).3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a contaminant belongs to a group of chemicals called chloropropanols. 3-MCPD can be formed in foods as result of processing or storage condition. At the beginning 3-MCPD was identified as a contaminant of the acid-hydrolysed vegetable protein, which is produced using hydrochloric acid and high temperature. Studies have shown that 3-MCPD is carcinogenic for rats, however genotoxic adverse effect was not observed in vivo. The purpose of this studies was determination of 3-MCPD amounts in retail food products and comparison with the EC legislative limit. 99 samples of foodstuffs was tested: soya sauce, hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVP), sugar, instant soups, stock cubes, bakery products, chips and edible fats. 3-MCPD was detected at levels below 10 μg/kg in 15% of the tested samples, and above 10 μg/kg in 63%. 3-MCPD was not occurred in 22 % of the tested samples. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS

Diet of desert tortoises at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and implications for habitat reclamation

The diet of desert tortoises at Yucca Mountain was assessed during 1992 to 1995 using a combination of feeding observations and scat analysis. Feeding observation data (1993 through 1995) showed that tortoises fed on a wide variety of items. The most frequently eaten items were forbs and annual grasses. These two forage groups comprised more than 90% of all bites taken. Analysis of scat (1992 and 1993) also showed that grasses and forbs were the most common groups, making up more than 80% of the composition of scat. Yearly differences between proportions of species in the diet were observed and were most likely attributable to differences in plant productivity, which is linked to rainfall patterns. Non-native species were an important component of the diet in all years, accounting for 13 to 50% of all bites observed and 6 to 24% of scat contents. A list of all items encountered in the diet is provided. To facilitate reclamation of desert tortoise habitat disturbed by the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project, native forage species that should be included in reclamation seed mixes, when feasible, were identified. Although shrubs make up only a small proportion of the diet, they should also be included in reclamation efforts because they provide habitat structure. Tortoise cover sites, and microhabitats amenable to seed germination and seedling establishment. In addition, non-native species should not be planted on reclaimed sites and, if necessary, sites should be recontoured and soil compaction reduced prior to planting