Grain size and vegetation as controlling variables of stream channel morphology

Streams are one of the major driving forces that shape the landscapes in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the eastern United States as a whole, and they serve an important role in transporting both water and sediment to the Atlantic Ocean. However, streams are often modified for human use, thus altering their natural equilibrium. These alterations have frequently led to the degradation of channel stability as well as damage to property and infrastructure. A better understanding of how both grain size (D50) and vegetation impact stream sinuosity (S) is needed to analyze the prevalence of channel degradation in this context. In this study, conducted from August 2018 – February 2019, five relatively undisturbed stream channels were analyzed in the George Washington National Forest in western Virginia. Stream width, depth, and bedload (D50), as well as vegetation type and density, were analyzed using field measurements. Google Earth was used to analyze stream channel sinuosity, gradient, and catchment area size. A positive relationship was found between 1) channel width and basin area, 2) sinuosity and basin area, 3) D50 and stream gradient, and 4) D50 and stream channel W/D ratio; findings which align with prior research. However, a positive relationship was also found between D50 and catchment basin area, and between D50 and sinuosity, trends that run contrary to prior work. T. canadensis, L. tulipifera, B. lenta, and Quercus spp. were the most common adult tree species found among the stream sites, and it was found that there was a strong positive correlation between streamside vegetation density and stream sinuosity, suggesting that streamside vegetation serves as a stabilizing agent allowing streams to develop equilibrated meanders. Thus, streamside vegetation was found to be a critical part of stream stability, and its presence should be a consideration taken whenever analyzing channel degradation in this context

Fellowships in Community Pharmacy Research: Experiences of Five Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy

Objective To describe common facilitators, challenges, and lessons learned in 5 schools and colleges of pharmacy in establishing community pharmacy research fellowships. Setting: Five schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States. Practice description: Schools and colleges of pharmacy with existing community partnerships identified a need and ability to develop opportunities for pharmacists to engage in advanced research training. Practice innovation: Community pharmacy fellowships, each structured as 2 years long and in combination with graduate coursework, have been established at the University of Pittsburgh, Purdue University, East Tennessee State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and The Ohio State University. Evaluation: Program directors from each of the 5 community pharmacy research fellowships identified common themes pertaining to program structure, outcomes, and lessons learned to assist others planning similar programs. Results: Common characteristics across the programs include length of training, prerequisites, graduate coursework, mentoring structure, and immersion into a pharmacist patient care practice. Common facilitators have been the existence of strong community pharmacy partnerships, creating a fellowship advisory team, and networking. A common challenge has been recruitment, with many programs experiencing at least one year without filling the fellowship position. All program graduates (n = 4) have been successful in securing pharmacy faculty positions. Conclusion: Five schools and colleges of pharmacy share similar experiences in implementing community pharmacy research fellowships. Early outcomes show promise for this training pathway in growing future pharmacist-scientists focused on community pharmacy practice

Implementing Motor Management

Electric motors account for sixty five percent of industrial energy consumed today. There are many opportunities to conserve electricity by using more energy efficient motors and drives. Proven technologies and practices can reduce energy consumption by up to 18 percent, if applied. It is important to evaluate motors to ensure that motors of the correct size and best efficiency are being used for their applications. When motors are repaired, replaced or retrofitted, each must be evaluated and a decision made on its repair or replacement. In addition, a plant survey should be conducted to identity inefficient motor designs and applications where adjustable speed drives may be used to reduce consumption. It makes sense to have a motor management program in place before decision need to be made, leading to a more informed decision

Incorporating a pharmacist into an interprofessional team providing transgender care under a medical home model.

PURPOSE: A pharmacist\u27s role in providing care to transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) patients within a medical home model of care is described. SUMMARY: A comprehensive transgender services clinic was established in February 2015 in New Mexico. Clinic services are provided under an informed consent model of care, as opposed to the traditional gatekeeper approach. The clinic\u27s interprofessional team consists of a clinical pharmacist, a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, an endocrinologist, a diabetes educator, a massage therapist, a nurse, a nutritionist, and medical assistants. The clinical pharmacist has served in the following roles: (1) assessing health literacy and tailoring the consent process to the patient\u27s literacy level, (2) initiating in-depth discussion of the medical risks and benefits of cross-sex hormone therapy (HT), as well as HT alternatives, (3) discussing typical timelines for physical outcomes of HT, (4) discussing a patient\u27s expectations and goals for csHT, (5) discussing the different HT formulations and helping to determine which formulation is best suited to meeting patient\u27s goals, (6) helping the team obtain prior authorizations for csHT, and (7) managing risk reduction strategies such as smoking cessation and weight loss. Involvement of a pharmacist in the clinic has improved care access and quality for TGNC patients in the southwestern United States. CONCLUSION: A pharmacist in an interprofessional team staffing a clinic for TGNC people has assumed multiple responsibilities and helped improve patient care

Systematic replacement of lysine with glutamine and alanine in Escherichia coli malate synthase G: effect on crystallization

Alanine and glutamine mutations were made to the same 15 lysine positions on the surface of E. coli malate synthase G and the impact on crystallization observed. The results support lysine replacement for improvement of crystallization and provide insight into site selection and type of amino-acid replacement

Exercise Intervention Improves the Metabolic Profile and Body Composition of Southwestern American Indian Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: The Southwestern American Indian population carries a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity, placing this group at higher risk than the general population for developing early type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, likely impacting overall lifespan. This study aims to evaluate the impact of early lifestyle interventions which promote healthy eating and regular exercise on risk factors contributing to the development of the metabolic syndrome among the adolescent Zuni Pueblo population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe a prospective, single site, community-based cohort study performed among sixty-five adolescent Zuni Indians aged 13.9 ± 1.7 years who were recruited between March 2011 and January 2014. The study intervention consisted of a targeted, tri-weekly exercise regimen with nutritional counselling, and the primary study outcomes included changes from baseline in metabolic profile (fasting lipids, A1c), vital signs (blood pressure, resting heart rate) and anthropometric characteristics of the study group. RESULTS: 41 participants have anthropometric data measured at baseline and after completion, biochemical data are available from 30 participants, and body composition data from 26 patients. Using the paired Student\u27s t-test with Bonferroni correction, significant improvements were shown in pediatric BMI percentile, fasting lipid profile, A1C, total body fat, and fat free mass after six months of exercise and nutritional intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, standardized fitness program among Southwest American Indian adolescents was effective at reducing fasting lipids and adiposity, as well as improving glycemic indices over the course of six months