Charge exchange lifetimes for ions in the magnetosphere

Latest and best measurements of physical quantities involved in complete calculation of the charge exchange lifetime of mirroring magnetospheric ions are coalesced and summarized. It is critical that the charge exchange lifetimes for ions be known as accurately as possible in order to apply the charge exchange mechanism to ion phenomena within the earth's magnetosphere

Dependence of the charge exchange lifetimes on mirror latitude

The dependence of the charge exchange lifetimes on the mirror latitude for ions mirroring off the geomagnetic equator was re-computed using the improved hydrogen distribution models. The Chamberlain model was used to define the spatial distribution of the neutral hydrogen environment through which the ring current ions traverse. The resultant dependence of the charge exchange lifetime on mirror latitude is best fitted by the approximation that contains the charge exchange lifetime for equatorial particles

Inference of the ring current ion composition by means of charge exchange decay

The analysis of the measured ion fluxes during the several day storm recovery period and the assumption that beside hydrogen other ions were present and that the decays were exponential in nature, it was possible to establish three separate lifetimes for the ions. These fitted decay lifetimes are in excellent agreement with the expected charge exchange decay lifetimes for H(+), O(+), and He(+) in the energy and L-value range of the data. This inference technique, thus, establishes the presence of measurable and appreciable quantities of oxygen and helium ions as well as protons in the storm-time ring current. Indications that He(+) may also be present under these same conditions were found

Motions of charged particles in the Magnetosphere under the influence of a time-varying large scale convection electric field

The motions of charged particles under the influence of the geomagnetic and electric fields were quite complex in the region of the inner magnetosphere. The Volland-Stern type large scale convection electric field was used successfully to predict both the plasmapause location and particle enhancements determined from Explorer 45 measurements. A time dependence in this electric field was introduced based on the variation in Kp for actual magnetic storm conditions. The particle trajectories were computed as they change in this time-varying electric field. Several storm fronts of particles of different magnetic moments were allowed to be injected into the inner magnetosphere from L = 10 in the equatorial plane. The motions of these fronts are presented in a movie format

Alternative methods in tracking sources of microbial contamination in waters

A key factor in the management and remediation of impaired ground- and surface water is the ability to distinguish the sources of faecal contamination. Several approaches have been adopted as microbial source tracking methods (MST), which are generally classified as culturing, phenotypic, genetic, and chemical MST. None of the techniques used thus far can be considered a standard; important factors, such as the statistical correlation between the source and the faecal indicator and the understanding of the environmental fate of the faecal pollutants, still need attention. The most promising MST methods available today are based on the genetic fingerprinting of faecal micro-organisms. However, research is very active also in the investigation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products discharged in the environment together with faecal waste. An updated overview of MST methods to distinguish human from animal sources of faecal pollution is presented here, focusing particularly on the potentialities of new chemical tracers

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity and Development of Vaccine-Related Adverse Events: Results From PREVENT-COVID

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination is recommended for all individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including those on immunosuppressive therapies; however, little is known about vaccine safety and efficacy in these patients or the impact of vaccination on IBD disease course.We evaluated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine–related adverse events (AEs) and the effect of vaccination on IBD disease course among participants in the PREVENT-COVID (Partnership to Report Effectiveness of Vaccination in populations Excluded from iNitial Trials of COVID) study, a prospective, observational cohort study. Localized and systemic reactions were assessed via questionnaire. Disease flare was defined by worsening IBD symptoms and change in IBD medications. Outcomes were stratified by vaccine type and IBD medication classes.A total of 3316 individuals with IBD received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine. Injection site tenderness (68%) and fatigue (46% dose 1, 68% dose 2) were the most commonly reported localized and systemic AEs after vaccination. Severe localized and systemic vaccine-related AEs were rare. The mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with significantly greater severe AEs at dose 2 (localized 4% vs 2%, systemic 15% vs 10%; P < .001 for both). Prior COVID-19 infection, female sex, and vaccine type were associated with severe systemic reactions to dose 1, while age <50 years, female sex, vaccine type, and antitumor necrosis factor and vedolizumab use were associated with severe systemic reactions to dose 2. Overall rates (2%) of IBD flare were low following vaccination.Our findings provide reassurance that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine is safe and well tolerated among individuals with IBD, which may help to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccine confidence.The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine is safe and well tolerated among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Severe localized and systemic vaccine-related adverse events were rare, and rates of IBD flare were low (2%) following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination in a cohort of 3316 participants with IBD

Low Rates of Breakthrough COVID-19 Infection After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

We demonstrate low rates of breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and mild course of illness following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination in a large cohort of inflammatory bowel disease patients. Residence in southern United States and lower median anti-receptor binding antibody level were associated with development of COVID-19

Biological conversion of sulfide to elemental sulfur

202-210<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;="" mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">The use of a biological reactor (bioreactor) as a means of removing hydrogen sulfide from waste water and converting it to elemental sulfur has several advantages over conventional physical/chemical treatment processes. A suspended-growth continuous-flow stirred-tank bioreactor utilizing the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium limicola was successfully operated at five different sulfide loading rates and three different hydraulic retention times. In all but one of the five experiments, the rate of consumption of the sulfide was equal to its loading rate. The separation of elemental sulfur from the bioreactor contents is essential to realize its value as a chemical industry feedstock. Separations of elemental sulfur by plain settling, settling at elevated p<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;="" mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:="" en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa;mso-bidi-font-style:="" italic"="">H, <span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;="" mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">filtration and centrifuging were tested at bench scale using the contents of several batch bioreactors. Under plain settling, elemental sulfur and bacteria were removed from suspension to the same degree. Raising the <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:="" minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">pH to <span style="font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;="" mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:="" en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">8.6 or <span style="font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;="" mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:="" en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">8.8 resulted in some of the sulfur or bacteria settling independently of the sulfur-bacteria floes. Filtration was found to give conflicting results with different batches of bacteria. Centrifugation resulted in the best separation between elemental sulfur and bacteria; 90% of the elemental sulfur and 29% of the bacteria could be removed from suspension.</span