This project investigated population status, habitat use and trophic interactions of harbor seals in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska. Aerial counts to monitor population trend indicated a 3.3% annual decline during 1990-1999. Counts were 20% lower in 1999 than in 1990, and >50% lower than in 1988. We sampled 390 seals during 1992-2000 and satellite-tagged 47 non-pups and 27 pups. Most tagged...

OBJECTIVE To determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can be detected on the transvaginal sonography (TVS) probe in the emergency department (ED) and whether the current barrier method plus disinfection can prevent HPV contamination of the TVS probe. METHODS This was a two-part cross-sectional study. In the first part, surveillance samples were taken from the TVS probe for HPV DNA detectio...

OBJECTIVE To develop a model to predict the success of a trial of vaginal birth after Cesarean section (VBAC) based on sonographic measurements of Cesarean section (CS) scar features, demographic variables and previous obstetric history. METHODS We used transvaginal sonography (TVS) to examine the CS scar of 320 consecutive pregnant women. TVS was carried out at 11-13, 19-21 and 34-36 weeks' ...

the most important environmental pollutant in steel industry is air pollution due to the process of its products. optimise sitting for this industry, in a great extend will prevent pollutants and emissions. khorasan steel company is located near some populous villages and three rivers. it is necessary to perform an investigation for providing abatement and control of air pollution, in time of p...

Estimation of the Young's modulus of metals based on the resonance frequency of a given structure has been reported previously. In some of these methods, an electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator has been used to induce resonance in the structure [1]. The resulting response could be measured by different means, for example by a piezoelectric device. In most cases either the excitation and/or...

The distribution of foliar-applied boron ([(10)B]boric acid) in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was studied using for analysis of the stable isotopes a technique allowing a high sensitivity: spark-source mass spectrometry. Boron was recovered in the nontreated aerial parts and in the roots; however, the greatest fraction was in the treated leaf. It was possible with a laser-probe mass spectrograph...

It has been hypothesized that pink salmon eggs incubating in intertidal streams transecting Prince William Sound (PWS) beaches oiled by the Exxon Valdez oil spill were exposed to lethal doses of dissolved hydrocarbons. Since polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in the incubation gravel were too low to cause mortality, the allegation is that dissolved high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons (...

introduction: after presbycusis, noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common cause of acquired hearing loss. numerous studies have shown that high-intensity noise exposure increases free radical species; therefore, use of antioxidants to detoxify the free radicals can prevent cellular damage in the cochlea. we studied the potential hearing protective effect of different doses of ascorb...

as a nuclear approach, positron emission tomography (pet) is a functional imaging technique which is based on the detection of gamma ray pairs emitted by a positron-emitting radionuclide. there are certain limitations to this technique such as normal tissue uptake. therefore, it has been recommended that patients prepare before scanning. fasting for a short while before pet imaging is an exampl...

the effects of unleaded gasoline and unleaded gasoline–ethanol blends on engine performance and pollutant emissions were investigated experimentally in a single cylinder, four-stroke spark-ignition engine with variable engine speeds (2600–3500 rpm). four different blends on a volume basis were applied. these are e0 (0% ethanol + 100% unleaded gasoline), e3 (3% ethanol + 97% unleaded gasoline), ...