Politics, Engineering and Aridity—Sustainable Use of Water in Arizona

26 pages (includes illustrations)

Politics, Engineering and Aridity—Sustainable Use of Water in Arizona

26 pages (includes illustrations)

Effect of an agri-environmental measure on nitrate leaching from a beef farming system in Ireland

peer-reviewedAgricultural nitrogen (N) management remains a key environmental challenge. Improving N management is a matter of urgency to reduce the serious ecological consequences of the reactive N. Nitrate (NO3−–N) leaching was measured under suckler beef production systems stocked at two intensities: (1) intensive, 210 kg organic N ha−1 with two cut silage harvests; and (2) rural environmental protection scheme (REPS), 170 kg organic N ha−1 with one cut silage harvest. Three replicate plots of each treatment were instrumented with ceramic cups (8 per plot), randomly placed within each plot at a depth of 1 m to collect soil solution for NO3−–N at 50 kPa suction to collecting vessels one week prior to sampling. Samples were taken on a total of 53 sampling dates over 3 winter drainage periods (2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05). Over the course of the experiment the mean annual soil solution NO3−–N concentration exceeded the MAC twice out of 15 means (5 treatments over 3 years). The REPS grazing and silage sub treatments had significantly lower mean annual soil solution total oxidized N (TON) concentrations than the respective intensive treatments in years 2 and 3. Annual total NO3−–N losses over the three years in intensive and REPS systems ranged from 55 to 71 and 15 to 20 kg N ha−1, respectively. Mean N surpluses in intensive and REPS systems were 210 and 95 kg ha−1, respectively with the corresponding mean N inputs of 272 and 124 kg N ha−1. The reduction in N inputs under the REPS system results in lower N leaching losses and contributed to a significant reduction in pressures on water quality

Modeling sea level rise impacts to Oregon’s tidal wetlands : Maps and prioritization tools to help plan for habitat conservation into the future

Background: Tidal wetlands are important habitats for salmon and a diversity of other fish and wildlife species. They also trap sediment, buffer coastal communities from flooding and erosion, and perform other valued ecosystem services. Tidal wetlands currently exist just at and above sea level, and healthy tidal wetlands are able to adapt to slow sea level changes. But if sea level rises too fast, tidal wetland plant communities may not be able to persist at their current locations. To survive, these plants may have to move to areas of higher elevation. These higher areas are called “landward migration zones” ("LMZs"); they are potential future tidal wetlands under sea level rise ("SLR"). This project modeled and prioritized these LMZs. It was sponsored and supported by the MidCoast Watersheds Council (MCWC) and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and funded by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program. Geographic scope: This project mapped LMZs for 23 estuaries on Oregon's coast south of the Columbia River. From north to south these are: Necanicum River, Nehalem River, Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, Sand Lake, Nestucca Bay, Salmon River, Siletz Bay, Yaquina Bay, Beaver Creek, Alsea Bay, Yachats River, Siuslaw River, Umpqua River, Coos Bay, Coquille River, New River Area, Sixes River, Elk River, Rogue River, Pistol River, Chetco River, and Winchuck River. Modeling approach: This project used an elevation-based method (modified bathtub approach) to map current and future tidal wetlands. Elevation was obtained from LIDAR; projected SLR was obtained from recent, authoritative, and region-specific scientific literature. LMZs were modeled for six SLR scenarios that could be expected between now and the year 2160, but this study did not assume any specific timeframe for the scenarios modeled. Both lower and upper boundaries for LMZs were mapped, to allow determination of areas that would be lost due to conversion to mudflat under each SLR scenario. Wetland types mapped: This project mapped potential future tidal wetlands in three vegetation classes: marsh, shrub and forested. We did not attempt to map the specific locations of each vegetation class, because the necessary data are not yet available. The study did not map seagrass beds, because their distribution is controlled not just by elevation, but also by other factors like water clarity and substrate type. However, the mapping does show areas that transition from vegetated tidal wetland to mudflat with rising sea level. Diked and developed areas: The mapped LMZs are at appropriate elevations to support vegetated tidal wetlands, but may currently lack a connection to tidal waters (e.g. they might be behind a dike or tide gate). Mapping these areas helped identify lands vulnerable to SLR. The LMZ mapping did not exclude developed areas such as roads, parking lots, urban, industrial, or residential areas. Developed areas within LMZs may be at risk for inundation under SLR, but they are not likely to be suitable as future tidal wetlands. We accounted for developed areas by separately summarizing the area of LMZs on impervious versus non-impervious surfaces. Sediment accretion: This study's LMZ maps did not account for rates of sediment accretion (although results were compared to models that do account for sediment accretion). Accretion is an important factor, but data on variability in accretion rates on the Oregon coast are lacking. Local groups may wish to incorporate local accretion data when interpreting study results. Products: This study's products include a PDF map of the 4.7 ft SLR scenario for each estuary; a PDF prioritization map based on the 4.7 ft SLR scenario for each estuary; a presentation that explains the project and its products; a project flyer; and geospatial data (shapefiles of LMZs for the six SLR scenarios modeled, and a shapefile containing prioritization data and results). Products are available from MCWC: http://www.midcoastwatersheds.org/

Effect of trainee level on surgical time and postoperative complications of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between trainee level and surgical time and postoperative complications of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ACLR at an academic orthopaedic ambulatory surgery center collected demographic and clinical information, including the number of trainees present and trainee level. Unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses assessed the association between trainee number and level with surgical time (time from skin incision to closure) and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 799 patients in this study operated on by one of five academic sports surgeons, 87% had at least one trainee involved. The average surgical time overall was 93 ± 21 minutes and by trainee level was 99.7 (junior resident), 88.5 (senior residents), 96.6 (fellows), and 95.6 (no trainees). Trainee level was significantly associated with surgical time (P = 0.0008), with increased surgical time in cases involving fellows (0.0011). Fifteen complications (1.9%) were observed within 90 days of surgery. No notable risk factors of postoperative complications were identified. CONCLUSION: Resident trainee level does not have a notable effect on surgical time or postoperative complications for ACLR at an ambulatory surgery center, although cases involving fellows had longer surgical times. Trainee level was not associated with risk of postoperative complications

Sex Ratio Changes as Sentinel Health Events of Endocrine Disruption

The production and widespread use of synthetic chemicals since the 1940s have resulted in ubiquitous contamination of fish, wildlife and human populations. Since the 1960s, observers have documented major damage to wildlife reproduction across the globe, and subsequently, damage to reproductive health in exposed humans as well. The sex ratio in human communities and populations can be readily measured to ascertain whether reproductive effects, such as subtle birth defects of the reproductive tract caused by exposures to chemicals, might be occurring. Male to femalesex ratios appear to be declining in populations in several parts of the globe, possibly as a result of prenatal exposures to chemicals. Sex ratio data for communitieswith unusual occupational or environmental exposures can be compiled using traditional epidemiological techniques in pursuit of environmental justice. Local, regional and national population health researchers and occupational hygienists can use health statistics toexamine sex ratios as sentinel health events that might portend patterns of subtle structural birth defects of the reproductive tract and functional deficits in neurodevelopment

Patient perspectives of managing fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis, and views on potential interventions: a qualitative study

<p>Background: Fatigue is a major component of living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), though it has been largely over-looked, and currently there are no specific agreed management strategies.</p> <p>Methods: This qualitative exploratory study involved participants who are members of an existing population-based ankylosing spondylitis (PAS) cohort. Participants residing in South West Wales were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss; (1) effects of fatigue, (2) self-management strategies and (3) potential future interventions. The focus groups were audio-recorded and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.</p> <p>Results: Participants consisted of 3 males/4 females (group 1) and 4 males/3 females (group 2), aged between 35 and 73 years (mean age 53 years). Three main themes were identified: (1) The effects of fatigue were multi-dimensional with participants expressing feelings of being ‘drained’ (physical), ‘upset’ (emotional) and experiencing ‘low-mood’ (psychological); (2) The most commonly reported self-management strategy for fatigue was a balanced combination of activity (exercise) and rest. Medication was reluctantly taken due to side-effects and worries over dependency; (3) Participants expressed a preference for psychological therapies rather than pharmacological for managing fatigue. Information on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was received with interest, with recommendations for delivery in a group format with the option of distance-based delivery for people who were not able to attend a group course.</p> <p>Conclusions: Patients frequently try and manage their fatigue without any formal guidance or support. Our research indicates there is a need for future research to focus on psychological interventions to address the multi-faceted aspects of fatigue in AS.</p&gt