Principles of Environmental Remediation in Open and Closed Systems: A Case Study of the Lake Dianchi Drainage Basin

The predominant links between systems science and environmental science are usually made by disciplines such as oceanography, climatology and ecology, but the relationship between systems science and environmental remediation, including contaminated soil and site remediation and solid and wastewater treatment, has not been fully examined. This paper therefore considers the principles of environmental remediation and waste treatment in the context of open and closed systems theory. The characteristics of these systems, to a large degree, dictate the types and parameters of possible interventions, particularly when operating at larger time and distance scales. Three systems are discussed: closed systems, semi-open systems and fully open systems, providing an overview of system characteristics and behavior, along with examples of interventions commonly found in environmental remediation practice. The need for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to environmental science, technology and engineering when effecting successful open system remediation is also highlighted. A more detailed case study of these systems in the context of Lake Dianchi and its catchment system in Kunming is provided. Located in southern China, the Lake Dianchi drainage basin provides a valuable lesson in socially responsible, long-term environmental remediation, not only because it has been the focus of extensive local and international research and environmental remediation efforts since the 1990s, but because it provides credible evidence of the various types of systems described in this paper

Length and Weight Gain in the First Three Months of Life

The relationship between birthweight, birth-length and length and weight gains during the first three months of life for a cohort of 1,210 New Zealand infants was examined. The results of linear multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance showed that there was a complicated relationship between birth size and length and weight gains. Long, light neonates showed considerable weight gain but little length gain; conversely, short, heavy neonates showed considerable length gain but little weight gain. More generally, length gain appeared to be a resultant variable which was negatively related to birth-length but positively related to birthweight. Similarly, weight gain appeared to be a resultant variable which was negatively related to birthweight but positively related to birth-length. The findings suggest that growth in the immediate post-natal period operates in a redistributive fashion which tends to stabilise the relationship between the child’s weight and length

National variation in the composition of rheumatology multidisciplinary teams: a cross-sectional study

The objective of this study is to describe the composition of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) working within rheumatology departments across the UK. All rheumatology departments in the United Kingdom (UK) were invited to participate in a national electronic survey between February 2014 and April 2015 as a part of a national audit for the management of rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. Rheumatology departments were asked to report their MDT composition; defined as a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee), specialist nurse, occupational therapist physiotherapist, and podiatrist. The data were collected as Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of each professional group at each department adjusted to 100,000 population. The data were grouped according to British Society for Rheumatology regions to study regional variations. The survey was completed by 164/167 departments (98% response rate). All departments reported an MDT comprising a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee) and almost all included a specialist nurse but only 28 (17%) of the departments had MDTs comprising all the professional groups. There was a high degree of regional variation in the provision of Allied Health Professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and podiatrists) in the UK. MDT care is recommended for the management of inflammatory arthritis, but few UK rheumatology departments have a full complement of healthcare professionals within their MDT. There is a high degree of regional variation in the composition and staffing levels of the rheumatology MDT across the UK; the impact of which warrants further investigation