Mercury dynamics in a San Francisco estuary tidal wetland : assessing dynamics using in situ measurements

© The Author(s), 2012. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Estuaries and Coasts 35 (2012): 1036-1048, doi:10.1007/s12237-012-9501-3.We used high-resolution in situ measurements of turbidity and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) to quantitatively estimate the tidally driven exchange of mercury (Hg) between the waters of the San Francisco estuary and Browns Island, a tidal wetland. Turbidity and FDOM—representative of particle-associated and filter-passing Hg, respectively—together predicted 94 % of the observed variability in measured total mercury concentration in unfiltered water samples (UTHg) collected during a single tidal cycle in spring, fall, and winter, 2005–2006. Continuous in situ turbidity and FDOM data spanning at least a full spring-neap period were used to generate UTHg concentration time series using this relationship, and then combined with water discharge measurements to calculate Hg fluxes in each season. Wetlands are generally considered to be sinks for sediment and associated mercury. However, during the three periods of monitoring, Browns Island wetland did not appreciably accumulate Hg. Instead, gradual tidally driven export of UTHg from the wetland offset the large episodic on-island fluxes associated with high wind events. Exports were highest during large spring tides, when ebbing waters relatively enriched in FDOM, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and filter-passing mercury drained from the marsh into the open waters of the estuary. On-island flux of UTHg, which was largely particle-associated, was highest during strong winds coincident with flood tides. Our results demonstrate that processes driving UTHg fluxes in tidal wetlands encompass both the dissolved and particulate phases and multiple timescales, necessitating longer term monitoring to adequately quantify fluxes.This work was supported by funding from the California Bay Delta Authority Ecosystem Restoration and Drinking Water Programs (grant ERP-00- G01) and matching funds from the United States Geological Survey Cooperative Research Program

Hi-GAL: The Herschel Infrared Galactic Plane Survey

Hi-GAL, the Herschel infrared Galactic Plane Survey, is an Open Time Key Project of the Herschel Space Observatory. It will make an unbiased photometric survey of the inner Galactic plane by mapping a 2° wide strip in the longitude range midlmid < 60° in five wavebands between 70 μm and 500 μm. The aim of Hi-GAL is to detect the earliest phases of the formation of molecular clouds and high-mass stars and to use the optimum combination of Herschel wavelength coverage, sensitivity, mapping strategy, and speed to deliver a homogeneous census of star-forming regions and cold structures in the interstellar medium. The resulting representative samples will yield the variation of source temperature, luminosity, mass and age in a wide range of Galactic environments at all scales from massive YSOs in protoclusters to entire spiral arms, providing an evolutionary sequence for the formation of intermediate and high-mass stars. This information is essential to the formulation of a predictive global model of the role of environment and feedback in regulating the star-formation process. Such a model is vital to understanding star formation on galactic scales and in the early universe. Hi-GAL will also provide a science legacy for decades to come with incalculable potential for systematic and serendipitous science in a wide range of astronomical fields, enabling the optimum use of future major facilities such as JWST and ALMA

The Effect of Gender Policies on Fertility: The Moderating Role of Education and Normative Context

In this paper, we aim to assess the extent to which individual-level completed fertility varies across contexts characterized by policies supporting different gender division of labor models. We examine key labor market and care policies that shape gender relations in households and in the public domain. We also consider the role of gender norms, which can act as both a moderator and a confounding factor for policy effects. We hypothesize that, by facilitating role compatibility and reducing the gendered costs of childrearing, policies that support gender equality lead to an increase in fertility levels and to a reduction in fertility differentials by the level of education. Using individual-level data from the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions for 16 countries, combined with country-level data, we analyze completed fertility through multilevel Poisson’s models. We find that the national level of childcare coverage is positively associated with fertility. Family allowances, prevalence of women’s part-time employment and length of paid leaves were also found to be positively associated with completed fertility, though the associations were not statistically significant. These variables show a significant positive pattern according to education. A high number of average working hours for men are negatively associated with completed fertility and show a strong negative pattern by educational level. The prevalence of gender-egalitarian norms is highly predictive of fertility levels, yet we found no consistent evidence of a weaker association of gender-equality policies in countries where egalitarian values are less prevalent

O trabalho da equipe de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial na perspectiva da família El trabajo del equipo en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial en la perspectiva de la familia A Psychosocial Care Center team's work from a family's perspective

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as vivências de familiares de usuários de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) em relação ao trabalho da equipe de saúde mental. Como referencial teórico-filosófico utilizou-se a sociologia fenomenológica. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista realizada com 13 familiares em outubro e novembro de 2006, em um CAPS de Porto Alegre. Três categorias emergiram da análise compreensiva. Este artigo está focado em uma dessas categorias: o trabalho como projeto, ação e ato. A análise realizada permitiu considerar que o trabalho da equipe do CAPS tem resultados concretos na assistência em saúde mental; as ações da equipe estão focadas no usuário; e que o trabalho da equipe deveria integrar mais a família ao serviço. Estas considerações podem servir de subsídios para que as equipes de saúde mental reflitam sobre suas práticas a respeito do envolvimento da família no seu trabalho.<br>El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las vivencias de los familiares de los usuarios de un Centro de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS) en relación al trabajo de un equipo de salud mental. Como marco teórico y filosófico se utilizó la sociología fenomenológica. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de entrevistas realizadas con 13 familiares, entre octubre y noviembre de 2.006, en un CAPS de Porto Alegre. Del análisis comprensivo, emergieron tres categorías. Este artículo está enfocado en una de esas categorías: el trabajo como proyecto, acción y acto. El análisis realizado permitió considerar que el trabajo del equipo del CAPS obtuvo resultados concretos en la asistencia de la salud mental; las acciones del equipo están enfocadas en el usuario; el trabajo del equipo debería integrar más a la familia al servicio. Estas consideraciones pueden servir de subsidio para que los equipos de salud mental reflexionen sobre sus prácticas en lo que se refiere a la participación de la familia en su trabajo.<br>The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of family members of patients seen at a Psychosocial Care Center (PSCC) in terms of the work performed by the mental health team. The theoretical-philosophical framework used was phenomenological sociology. Data collection took place by means of an interview performed with 13 family members in October and November, 2006 at a PSCC in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The comprehensive analysis yielded three categories. This article focuses on one of those categories: work as a project, action, and act. The analysis permitted to consider that the PSCC team's work has concrete results in mental health care; the team's actions are user-centered; and that the team's work should increase family-service integration. These considerations could serve as support for mental health teams to reflect about their practice regarding involving the patient's family in their work

O Centro de Atenção Psicossocial no cotidiano dos seus usuários

O estudo teve por objetivo compreender o cotidiano de usuários de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS). Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, tendo como referencial teórico-metodológico a sociologia fenomenológica de Alfred Schutz. O campo do estudo foi um CAPS localizado em Porto Alegre e os sujeitos entrevistados constituíram-se em 13 usuários. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre abril e junho de 2008, por meio de entrevista com uma questão norteadora. Na análise compreensiva dos depoimentos, emergiram cinco categorias concretas e este artigo relata sobre a categoria denominada: Os usuários consideram o CAPS como uma dimensão do seu cotidiano. Com essa pesquisa pôde-se compreender as concepções que os usuários têm acerca do seu cotidiano, demonstrando que estão (re)adquirindo o convívio social em diversos espaços da sociedade. Considera-se que os CAPS estão promovendo, além do atendimento, a reabilitação psicossocial dos seus usuários