The oil and gas (O&G) sector represents a large source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. However, estimates of O&G emissions rely upon bottom-up approaches, and are rarely evaluated through ...atmospheric measurements. Here, we use aircraft measurements over the Canadian oil sands (OS) to derive the first top-down, measurement-based determination of the their annual CO2 emissions and intensities. The results indicate that CO2 emission intensities for OS facilities are 13–123% larger than those estimated using publically available data. This leads to 64% higher annual GHG emissions from surface mining operations, and 30% higher overall OS GHG emissions (17 Mt) compared to that reported by industry, despite emissions reporting which uses the most up to date and recommended bottom-up approaches. Given the similarity in bottom-up reporting methods across the entire O&G sector, these results suggest that O&G CO2 emissions inventory data may be more uncertain than previously considered.Evaluating GHG emissions reported to inventories for the oil and gas (O&G) sector is important for countries with resource-based economies. Here the authors provide a top-down assessment of GHG emissions from the Canadian oil sands and find previous inventory reports underestimate emissions, by as much as 64% for surface mining facilities and 30% for the entire oil sands compared with their assessment.
Reactive uptake of glyoxal onto particulate matter has been studied in laboratory experiments in a 2 m3 Teflon reaction chamber. Inorganic seed particles of different composition were utilized, ...including (NH4)2SO4, (NH4)2SO4/H2SO4, NaNO3, and simulated sea salt, while the relative humidity and acid concentration were varied. The organic composition of the growing particles was measured in situ with an aerosol mass spectrometer, providing particle mass spectra as a means of product identification. Aerosol physical characteristics were also measured with a differential mobility analyzer and condensation nucleus counter. Regardless of seed composition, particle growth was rapid and continuous over the course of several hours. Identification of several mass fragments greater than the glyoxal monomer suggested that heterogeneous reactions to form glyoxal adducts of low volatility had occurred. Temporal analysis of the mass fragments was consistent with a proposed acid-catalyzed mechanism whereby glyoxal is first hydrated, followed by self-reaction to form cyclic acetal structures. Increased relative humidity slowed the formation of higher order oligomers, also consistent with the proposed mechanism. The relative contribution of various oligomers to the overall organic composition was strongly dependent on the relative humidity and hence the particulate water concentration. A mild acid catalysis was also observed upon increasing the acidity of the seed particles. Specific mass fragments were found that could only arise from sulfate esters and were not present on the non-sulfur-containing seed particles. This first evidence of the formation of organic sulfates in particles is presented together with a proposed mechanism and molecular structure. These results suggest that the formation of these products of glyoxal uptake can contribute significantly to secondary organic aerosol.
Reactive uptake of glyoxal by particulate matter Liggio, John; Li, Shao-Meng; McLaren, Robert
Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres,
27 May 2005, Volume:
110, Issue:
D10
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The uptake of gaseous glyoxal onto particulate matter has been studied in laboratory experiments under conditions relevant to the ambient atmosphere using an aerosol mass spectrometer. The growth ...rates and reactive uptake coefficients, γ, were derived by fitting a model of particle growth to the experimental data. Organic growth rates varied from 1.05 × 10−11 to 23.1 × 10−11 μg particle−1 min−1 in the presence of ∼5 ppb glyoxal. Uptake coefficients (γ) of glyoxal varied from 8.0 × 10−4 to 7.3 × 10−3 with a median γ = 2.9 × 10−3, observed for (NH4)2SO4 seed aerosols at 55% relative humidity. Increased γ values were related to increased particle acidity, indicating that acid catalysis played a role in the heterogeneous mechanism. Experiments conducted at very low relative humidity, with the potential to be highly acidic, resulted in very low reactive uptake. These uptake coefficients indicated that the heterogeneous loss of glyoxal in the atmosphere is at least as important as gas phase loss mechanisms, including photolysis and reaction with hydroxyl radicals. Glyoxal lifetime due to heterogeneous reactions under typical ambient conditions was estimated to be τhet = 5–287 min. In rural and remote areas the glyoxal uptake can lead to 5–257 ng m−3 of secondary organic aerosols in 8 hours, consistent with recent ambient measurements.
Highlights • The PowerQuant® System was developed to quantify human DNA and assess sample quality. • A developmental validation following SWGDAM guidelines was completed. • Degraded DNA, inhibited ...samples, and mixtures of male/female DNA were evaluated. • Results demonstrate reliability, reproducibility and suitability for forensic use. • The PowerQuant® System distinguishes degraded samples from inhibited samples.
Atmospheric emissions of gas and particulate matter from a large ocean-going container vessel were sampled as it slowed and switched from high-sulfur to low-sulfur fuel as it transited into regulated ...coastal waters of California. Reduction in emission factors (EFs) of sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter, particulate sulfate and cloud condensation nuclei were substantial (≥90%). EFs for particulate organic matter decreased by 70%. Black carbon (BC) EFs were reduced by 41%. When the measured emission reductions, brought about by compliance with the California fuel quality regulation and participation in the vessel speed reduction (VSR) program, are placed in a broader context, warming from reductions in the indirect effect of SO4 would dominate any radiative changes due to the emissions changes. Within regulated waters absolute emission reductions exceed 88% for almost all measured gas and particle phase species. The analysis presented provides direct estimations of the emissions reductions that can be realized by California fuel quality regulation and VSR program, in addition to providing new information relevant to potential health and climate impact of reduced fuel sulfur content, fuel quality and vessel speed reductions.
Vegetation zonation and tidal hydrology are basic attributes of intertidal salt marshes, but specific links among vegetation zonation, plant water use, and spatiotemporally dynamic hydrology have ...eluded thorough characterization. We developed a quantitative model of an intensively studied salt marsh field site, integrating coupled 2‐D surface water and 3‐D groundwater flow and zonal plant water use. Comparison of model scenarios with and without heterogeneity in (1) evapotranspiration rates and rooting depths, according to mapped vegetation zonation, and (2) sediment hydraulic properties from inferred geological heterogeneity revealed the coupled importance of both sources of ecohydrological variability at the site. Complex spatial variations in root zone pressure heads, saturations, and vertical groundwater velocities emerged in the model but only when both sources of ecohydrological variability were represented together and with tidal dynamics. These regions of distinctive root zone hydraulic conditions, caused by the intersection of vegetation and sediment spatial patterns, were termed “ecohydrological zones” (EHZ). Five EHZ emerged from different combinations of sediment hydraulic properties and evapotranspiration rates, and two EHZ emerged from local topography. Simulated pressure heads and groundwater dynamics among the EHZ were validated with field data. The model and data showed that hydraulic differences between EHZ were masked shortly after a flooding tide but again became prominent during prolonged marsh exposure. We suggest that ecohydrological zones, which reflect the combined influences of topographic, sediment, and vegetation heterogeneity and do not emphasize one influence over the others, are the fundamental spatial habitat units comprising the salt marsh ecosystem.
Key Points
Variety of salt marsh root zone environments much greater than supposed
Heterogeneous plant and sediment hydraulics physically organize salt marshes
First realistic 3D model of coupled surface‐groundwater salt marsh hydrology
Purpose
To describe safety, efficacy, and added oncologic margin of saline displacement of the rectal wall during MRI-guided cryoablation of primary and recurrent prostate cancer.
Methods
A ...retrospective review was conducted for patients who underwent MRI-guided cryoablation with saline displacement of the rectal wall for treatment of primary and recurrent prostate cancer over a 2-year period. Saline displacement was used when the distance from the edge of the ablation area to the rectal wall was insufficient to provide at least a 5-mm treatment margin. Pre- and post-ablation rectal wall displacement distances as well as ablative zone margins were assessed with MRI. Saline displacement distance was measured from the rectal wall to the edge of the lesion for focal lesion ablation and from the edge of the prostate for hemi-gland ablation. Immediate and intermediate-term complications were assessed.
Results
Saline displacement was used in 25 patients undergoing MRI-guided cryoablation. Twenty-one patients underwent salvage cryoablation, while four patients had it as primary treatment for prostate cancer. Median pre- and post- saline displacement rectal wall displacement distances were 6.0 and 11.2 mm, respectively (
P
< 0.0001). Median-added oncologic margin achieved by saline displacement was 4.6 mm (range 0.6–26.5). Median follow-up was 14 months (range 5–29). There were no intra-procedural complications and 3 patients experienced minor (Clavien–Dindo grade I) complications. One rectal complication occurred in a patient undergoing salvage cryotherapy with a history of extensive pelvic surgery and radiation.
Conclusions
Saline infusion at the time of MRI- guided cryoablation for prostate cancer resulted in increased distances between the target lesion and rectum. This is a useful technique in providing an added oncologic margin when treating lesions close to the rectal wall.
Low dose rate prostate brachytherapy Stish, Bradley J; Davis, Brian J; Mynderse, Lance A ...
Translational andrology and urology
7, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Low dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy is an evidence based radiation technique with excellent oncologic outcomes. By utilizing direct image guidance for radioactive source placement, LDR ...brachytherapy provides superior radiation dose escalation and conformality compared to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). With this level of precision, late grade 3 or 4 genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicity rates are typically between 1% and 4%. Furthermore, when performed as a same day surgical procedure, this technique provides a cost effective and convenient strategy. A large body of literature with robust follow-up has led multiple expert consensus groups to endorse the use of LDR brachytherapy as an appropriate management option for all risk groups of non-metastatic prostate cancer. LDR brachytherapy is often effective when delivered as a monotherapy, although for some patients with intermediate or high-risk disease, optimal outcome are achieved in combination with supplemental EBRT and/or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). In addition to reviewing technical aspects and reported clinical outcomes of LDR prostate brachytherapy, this article will focus on the considerations related to appropriate patient selection and other aspects of its use in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Multiple ovulations are uncommon in humans, cattle and many breeds of sheep. Pituitary gonadotrophins and as yet unidentified ovarian factors precisely regulate follicular development so that, ...normally, only one follicle is selected to ovulate. The Inverdale (FecXI) sheep, however, carries a naturally occurring X-linked mutation that causes increased ovulation rate and twin and triplet births in heterozygotes (FecXI/FecX+; ref. 1), but primary ovarian failure in homozygotes (FecXI/FecXI; ref. 2). Germ-cell development, formation of the follicle and the earliest stages of follicular growth are normal in FecXI/FecXI sheep, but follicular development beyond the primary stage is impaired. A second family unrelated to the Inverdale sheep also has the same X-linked phenotype (Hanna, FecXH). Crossing FecXI with FecXH animals produces FecXI/FecXH infertile females phenotypically indistinguishable from FecXI/FecXI females. We report here that the FecXI locus maps to an orthologous chromosomal region syntenic to human Xp11.2-11.4, which contains BMP15, encoding bone morphogenetic protein 15 (also known as growth differentiation factor 9B (GDF9B)). Whereas BMP15 is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily and is specifically expressed in oocytes, its function is unknown. We show that independent germline point mutations exist in FecXI and FecXH carriers. These findings establish that BMP15 is essential for female fertility and that natural mutations in an ovary-derived factor can cause both increased ovulation rate and infertility phenotypes in a dosage-sensitive manner.
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