Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework

The Water Safety Plan (WSP) is receiving increasing attention as a recommended risk management approach for water reuse through a range of research programmes, guidelines and standards. Numerous conceptual modifications of the approach – including the Sanitation Safety Plan, the Water Cycle Safety Plan, and even a dedicated Water Reuse Safety Plan – have been put forward for this purpose. However, these approaches have yet to encapsulate the full spectrum of possible water reuse applications, and evidence of their application to reuse remains limited. Through reviewing the existing evidence base, this paper investigates the potential for adapting the WSP into an approach for water reuse. The findings highlight a need for the management of risk to reflect on, and facilitate the inclusion of, broader contexts and objectives for water reuse schemes. We conclude that this could be addressed through a more integrated approach to risk management, encapsulated within an overarching risk management framework (adapted from the WHO's Framework for safe drinking water) and operationalised through the Water Reuse Safety Plan (WRSP). We also propose that the WRSP should be based on modifications to the existing WSP approach, including an increased emphasis on supporting communication and engagement, and improvements in decision support mechanisms to better account for uncertainty, risk interactions and risk prioritisation

[Beta]-amyloid-mediated nitric oxide release from rat microglia by ligation of the integrin Mac-1

Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized histopathologically by a loss of neurons and an accumulation of [beta]-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites, and reactive glial cells. While most previous studies on the neurodegeneration of AD have focused on neuronal cells and direct [beta]-amyloid-mediated neurotoxicity, few have focused on the role of reactive glial cells in [beta]-amyloid-mediated neurotoxicity. In the present study nitric oxide release from cultured rat microglia was examined by exposing the cells to synthetic [beta]-amyloid peptides ([beta]25-35 and [beta]1-40) alone and in combination with cytokines. Assessment of microglial release of nitric oxide was based on the colorimetric assay for nitrite in the culture medium and histochemistry for nitric oxide synthase. Of the cytokines tested, only IFN-[gamma] (1000 U/ml) induced nitric oxide release from microglia. [beta]25-35 did not stimulate nitric oxide release by itself, but it did induce nitric oxide release when co-exposed with IFN-[gamma]. In contrast, [beta]1-40 did induce microglial release of nitric oxide by itself, and this effect was enhanced significantly by co-exposure with IFN-[beta] (100 U/ml). To elucidate the mechanisms involved in [beta]-amyloid mediated nitric oxide release, the binding of [beta]25-35 with the leukocyte integrin Mac-1, a cell surface receptor on microglia, was studied by observing (1) [beta]-amyloid ([beta]25-35)-mediated release of nitric oxide from cultured microglial cells following exposure to monoclonal antibodies against each subunit of Mac-1 (anti-CD18 and anti-CD11b) and (2) competitive binding assay of fluorochrome-labeled [beta]25-35 with anti-CD18 or anti-CD11b by fluorescent flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that binding of CD18 and CD11b on microglial cells are individually sufficient to elicit release of nitric oxide and that a combination of CD18 and CD11b elicit a maximal NO release. [beta]25-35 significantly reduced nitric oxide release mediated by Wt.3. In contrast, [beta]25-35 significantly increased nitric oxide release by OX42. The binding study further suggested that Wt.3 and [beta]25-35 share a common site of action on the CD18 of Mac-1. These findings warrant a further investigation into the role of microglia in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer\u27s disease via nitric oxide toxicity induced by the synergistic action of [beta]-amyloid (with a costimulatory factor) and mediated by the microglial surface receptor Mac-1

Nonlinear Models of Exchange Rate Pass-Through in International Forest Product Markets

Forest Products, International Price Linkages, Exchange Rate Pass-Through, Vector Error Correction Models (VECM), Thresholds, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Copula-Based Nonlinear Models of Spatial Market Linkages

Replaced with revised version of paper 06/28/11.Spatial Market Linkages, Copula Models, State-dependence, Forest Products, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Collaboration on risk management: the governance of a non-potable water reuse scheme in London

Ageing water infrastructure and population growth, issues that are characteristic of megacities, are likely to exacerbate water supply deficits in London. To address this threat, wastewater reclamation and non-potable reuse can potentially close the supply-demand gap without impacting on environmental water bodies. There is a need to understand the types of challenges that diverse stakeholders face in relation to the governance of NPR schemes, and how those challenges might be addressed in a megacity context. A case study is used to explore these challenges for an operational sewer mining scheme in London, where reclaimed non-potable water is used for irrigation and toilet flushing at the site of the London 2012 Olympic Park. Through qualitative analysis of interview and document data, the results highlight that collaboration and learning opportunities are perceived as necessary to improve scheme governance. The findings indicate that formal and informal engagement activities centred on risk management can support the development of common understandings, build important inter-stakeholder relationships and help maintain trust. Non-potable reuse can contribute to the resilience of megacities through infrastructure diversification, but its feasibility will depend on the willingness of stakeholders to participate and continually negotiate new risk management practices

Athletic Trainers Provide a Positive Outlet to Athletes\u27\u27 Injuries and Mental State During Summer Travel Baseball Season

Please enjoy Volume 6, Issue 1 of the JSMAHS. In this issue, you will find Professional, Graduate, and Undergraduate research abstracts, and case reports. Thank you for viewing this 6th Annual OATA Special Edition

Particle streak velocimetry and CH laser-induced fluorescence diagnostics in strained, premixed, methane–air flames

We present the use of simultaneous particle streak velocimetry (PSV) and CH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) diagnostics in the study of planar, strained, premixed, methane–air flames, stabilized in a jet-wall stagnation flow. Both PSV and PLIF data are imaged at high spatial resolution and sufficiently high framing rates to permit an assessment of flame planarity and stability. Concurrent measurements of mixture composition, (Bernoulli) static-pressure drop, and stagnation-plate temperature provide accurate boundary conditions for numerical simulations. The new PSV implementation is characterized by very low particle loading, high accuracy, and permits short recording times. This PSV implementation and analysis methodology is validated through comparisons with previous laminar flame-speed data and detailed numerical simulations. The reported diagnostic suite facilitates the investigation of strained hydrocarbon–air flames, as a function of nozzle-plate separation to jet-diameter ratio, L/d, and equivalence ratio, ɸ. Methane–air flames are simulated using a one-dimensional streamfunction approximation, with full chemistry (GRI-Mech 3.0), and multi-component transport. In general, we find good agreement between experiments and simulations if boundary conditions are specified from measured velocity fields. Methane–air flame strength appears to be slightly overpredicted, with the largest disagreements for lean flames

Informing public attitudes to non-potable water reuse – The impact of message framing

Water reuse is of increasing relevance for water-stressed regions but is often considered a contentious option. Research has shown that providing the public with information about reuse options can impact positively on its acceptability, although such impacts can be confined to specific groups. In this context, there is growing interest in understanding the impact of different forms and mechanisms of communication with the public around reuse. This contribution has investigated the use of video animations to communicate the safety of non-potable recycled water schemes. The aim of this study was to evaluate how different ways of framing messages about the safety of recycled water might impact on public attitudes. Participants were recruited in London (n = 689), UK, and randomly allocated to test and control groups, with the former being exposed to one of four video animations that used different frames to convey messages about recycled water safety. Surveys collected pre- and post-video message responses for dependent variables including the general acceptance of diverse non-potable recycled water uses, risk perceptions and trust. The findings complement existing knowledge on the impacts of different types of messaging on public attitudes to reuse schemes with important evidence for the positive impact of water safety communications framed in terms of compliance with water quality requirements. Contrarily, a positive attitudinal impact was not evident for safety message framed in terms of the selection of water treatment technology to remove contaminants nor in terms of non-potable water risks relative to other every-day risks. The results are of value to water resource planners looking to develop communication resources, as part of more comprehensive public engagement strategies, for improving perceptions of water reuse. Importantly, the findings help isolate the effects of specific message frames, and inform the debate on whether an increased understanding of risk positively or negatively influences willingness to support water reuse schemes