Using dredged material to restore the Chesapeake Marshlands Complex: Preliminary application of a risk-based optimization model for comparing placement options

Using dredged material to restore wetlands in the Chesapeake Marshlands Complex (CMC) could offer solutions to two separate problems: 1) restoring and protecting the marshes in the CMC; and 2) finding an innovative reuse for dredged material from the Chesapeake Bay approach channels. The risk-based optimization model presented here assesses and compares restoration options for two alternative years (2023 and 2036) when the project may begin and represents a preliminary screening of material placement locations. Restoration of Zones 2a (Barbados Island) and 2b (Confluence Area) appear to provide significant environmental benefits, suggesting that restoration at these locations would provide the best return on investment. Low marsh restoration also provides a significant amount of benefits accrued. Based on sensitivity analysis, it appears that the choice of when to begin the project also represents tradeoffs between onsite habitat benefits and recreational benefits. Model results should be interpreted cautiously, considering the model limitations

Using Paleoecology of Planktic Foraminifera to Interpret the Thermocline Behavior of the Kuroshio Current Extension across the Mid-Piacenzian Warm Period

The Kuroshio Current Extension (KCE) is a major western boundary current as part of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Such currents are currently warming at a rate 2-3 times faster than other regions in the world ocean. Observational sea surface temperature data from the past century have concluded that the KCE has warmed by approximately 1-2℃. Previous studies have utilized warm periods during the Pliocene to determine that the current may have warmed 3-4℃. Thus, it is imperative to quantify the behavior of the KCE under increased warming, such as using analogue warm periods in Earth’s past like the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period (mPWP). This study uses stable isotopic data from two species of thermocline-dwelling planktic foraminifera (Globoconella inflata and Neogloboquadrina incompta), from Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1207A, located on the northern edge of the KCE. Such data is used to characterize the behavior of the thermocline within the KCE through the Pliocene. This will be the first stable isotopic record to investigate the behavior of the KCE across the mPWP at a high resolution (~3 thousand years). In addition, we investigate how paleoecology of thermocline-dwelling planktic foraminifera affects the interpretations of geochemical records through time. Specifically, we compare stable isotopic records obtained from species that grow during the winter months (G. inflata) to that of a species present year-round in the KCE (N. incompta).https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2022/1026/thumbnail.jp

Arthroscopic removal of palmar intermediate carpal bone fracture fragments in four horses using a transthecal approach through the carpal flexor tendon sheath

OBJECTIVE: To describe the removal of palmar intermediate carpal bone (ICB) fracture fragments using a transthecal approach through the carpal flexor tendon sheath. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Four horses with fractures of the palmar aspect of the ICB. METHODS: Two horses were injured when falling and two during recovery from general anesthesia. Three horses underwent MRI to supplement conventional imaging. Three horses had concurrent fractures of the radial and/or accessory carpal bones. Conventional proximolateral carpal sheath arthroscope and instrument portals were used, supplemented with a medial instrument portal through the carpal flexor retinaculum to access the palmar carpal ligament. Optimized dissection through the latter was facilitated by needle guidance and radiography. The fragment was dissected from the soft tissue attachments and the palmar ICB fragments retrieved through the carpal sheath in all horses. Surgery time was 85 to 142 min. RESULTS: Limitations of this technique include a long surgery time and the potential for hemorrhage to impair visibility during surgery. All four horses were discharged 3 to 8 days postoperatively. Three horses returned to full athletic work within 9 months postoperatively and one horse was euthanized due to persistent lameness. CONCLUSION: A tenoscopic transthecal carpal flexor tendon sheath approach provides access for removal of palmar ICB fracture fragments but should be viewed as an advanced arthroscopic procedure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A transthecal approach through the carpal flexor tendon sheath offers an alternative technique for removal of palmar ICB fracture fragments

Turbidity composition and the relationship with microbial attachment and UV inactivation efficacy

Turbidity in water can be caused by a range of different turbidity causing materials (TCM). Here the characteristics and attachment of bacteria to TCMs was assessed and the resultant impact on UV disinfection determined. TCMs represent potential vehicles for bacterial penetration of water treatment barriers, contamination of potable supplies and impact on subsequent human health. The TCMs under investigation were representative of those that may be present in surface and ground waters, both from the source and formed in the treatment process. The TCMs were chalk, Fe (III) hydroxide precipitate, kaolin clay, manganese dioxide and humic acids, at different turbidity levels representative of source waters (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 1, 2, and 5 NTU). Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis attachment followed the order of Fe(III) > chalk, with little to no attachment seen for MnO2, humic acids and clay. The attachment was postulated to be due to chalk and Fe(III) particles having a more neutral surface charge resulting in elevated aggregation with bacteria compared to other TCMs. The humic acids and Fe(III) were the TCMs which influenced inactivation of E. coli and E. faecalis due to decreasing UV transmittance (UVT) with increasing TCM concentration. The presence of the Fe(III) TCM at 0.2 NTU resulted in the poorest E. coli inactivation, with 2.5 log10 reduction at UV dose of 10 mJ cm− 2 (kd of − 0.23 cm2 mJ− 1) compared to a 3.9 log10 reduction in the absence of TCMs. E. faecalis had a greater resistance to UV irradiation than E. coli for all TCMs. Effective disinfection of drinking water is a priority for ensuring high public health standards. Uniform regulations for turbidity levels for waters pre-disinfection by UV light set by regulators may not always be appropriate and efficacy is dependent on the type, as well as the amount, of turbidity present in the water

Exceptional institutional performance: a case study of three North Carolina community colleges' strategic responses to accountability factors, 2007--2009

Accountability demands on North Carolina community colleges are examined in a qualitative case study of three institutions that met Exceptional Institutional Performance standards set by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2007–2008 or 2008–2009 after not having met them in previous years. The study uses a theoretical foundation of Joseph Burke’s accountability triangle to view the accountability pressures and the resulting strategic planning to successfully confront the pressures of market, political, and academic perspectives. Each college is explored using a within-case model, and a cross- case comparison is made to determine convergent themes of strategic planning. A set of best practices emerges from the common themes of the three colleges for meeting the needs of community constituents, students, and campus constituents through effective plan implementation

Community Recruitment and Retention of New Residents: A Study Using a Market Assessment Process

In declining population regions, such as much of the rural Great Plains, many rural communities are competing for both employment opportunities and people to fill the work-force needs. While the former (jobs) has been traditionally emphasized in community development efforts, it is increasingly evident that new resident recruitment and retention is just as critical, if not more, to community sustainability. As part of a larger study of new resident migration into Nebraska’s Panhandle region, the purpose of this study was to explore new resident recruitment and retention patterns perceptions and development strategies from both sides of the market—the demand side (new residents) and the supply/provider side (communities marketing themselves as a desirable places to live). Using an iterative Delphi survey process of community practitioners, with input fed into the analysis from new-resident focus group findings, we were able to assess current market performance in terms of the relative effectiveness of new resident recruitment and retention programs and draw implications for future improvement

Associations between First Year Medical Students’ Lifestyles, Resting Blood Pressure, and Resting ECGs

Introduction: There is considerable evidence that psychological stressors can impact cardiovascular health. Medical students experience a high degree of stress based upon their responses to survey questionnaires, although there are few physiological studies that support this association that are targeted specifically to medical students. Medical students in general represent an underrepresented age group in the context of cardiovascular treatment guidelines. Therefore, medical students are a pertinent cohort for study based upon these findings. Objective:The purpose of this study was to analyze whether medical student lifestyles impact normal baseline cardiovascular measurements of blood pressures and electrocardiograms in this population. Methods: Twenty five Medical students in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating class of 2017 were recruited and met inclusion criteria. Blood pressure and lifestyle factor surveys were obtained on a weekly basis and ECGs were recorded biweekly. All ECGs were read by a cardiologist. Participation by the cardiologist and the subjects was voluntary and without compensation. BP and Heart Rate data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the ECG analyses using Fisher Exact Test. Data obtained throughout the study was compared to the subjects’ initial data gathered at the beginning of the academic year. Data was organized into the male gender category, the female gender category, and a category that combined the data for both genders. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the amount of caffeine consumption and systolic BP abnormalities (p=0.05), and also a statistically significant difference in the amount of strength training exercise and diastolic BP abnormalities (p=0.04) for the male gender category. There were statistically significant differences in the amount of strength training exercise and prevalence of early repolarization (p=0.01), and the amount of study hours and bradycardia (p= 0.04) for the female gender category.There were statistically significant differences between the amount of aerobic exercise and T wave inversions (p=0.03), anxiety level and voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.05), the amount of strength exercise and systolic BP abnormalities (p=0.02), the amount of strength exercise and diastolic abnormalities (p=0.004), the amount of study hours and bradycardia (p=0.034), and the amount of study hours and inverted T waves (p=0.008) for the combined gender category. Conclusion: Changes in both blood pressure and ECGs in association with both behavioral and curriculum lifestyle factors were demonstrated. Whether the behavioral habits that differed significantly from baseline were due to the curriculum cannot be determined from these preliminary analyses. However, these findings in this population are concerning with respect to younger adults as a discrete and unique population, and may warrant closer scrutiny in conjunction with the American Heart Association Guidelines to determine whether a new category of recommendations for younger adults may be warranted with respect to blood pressure and heart rate parameters

Newcomers to the Nebraska Panhandle: Why Did They Move Here?

Key Findings • New residents rated the high cost of living and urban congestion as the top reasons for leaving their previous community. • The top rated reasons newcomers move to their current communities involve community quality of life amenities: to find a simpler pace of life, to find a less congested place to live, and to be closer to relatives. Other reasons for moving to the Panhandle include the decreased cost of living, the quality of the natural environment and to find a higher paying job. • Families cite the better environment in which to raise children and better quality schools as reasons for moving to the Panhandle. • Job-related considerations are important factors in the decision to move, but community quality of life amenities can be the factors that ultimately lead persons to choose to move to the Nebraska Panhandle

Newcomers to the Nebraska Panhandle: Why Did They Move Here?

Key Findings • New residents rated the high cost of living and urban congestion as the top reasons for leaving their previous community. • The top rated reasons newcomers move to their current communities involve community quality of life amenities: to find a simpler pace of life, to find a less congested place to live, and to be closer to relatives. Other reasons for moving to the Panhandle include the decreased cost of living, the quality of the natural environment and to find a higher paying job. • Families cite the better environment in which to raise children and better quality schools as reasons for moving to the Panhandle. • Job-related considerations are important factors in the decision to move, but community quality of life amenities can be the factors that ultimately lead persons to choose to move to the Nebraska Panhandle