Summary Report: Updating the Estimation of Water Surface Elevation Probabilities and Associated Damages for Great Salt Lake

Problem Statement: Rising levels of the Great Salt Lake are severely impacting private and public property. in the private sector, the mineral industry, the railroad, and a number of recreation enterprises are suffering major damages. In the publi sector, the State of Utah is esperiencing large losses inflicted on roads and highways, waterfowl and related wildlife areas, and park and recreation facilities. The lake is partitioned by a semipervious railroad causeway into a north and a south arm with the sourth arm having about twice the water surface area and usually being two or three feet higher because it receibes nearly all the surface runoff from tributary rivers. in the last two years, the largest rainfall years of record (exceeded only the approximations made for 1866), record inflows, and record low evaporation rates have brought the largest historical rise in the lake water surface. Over this period, the sourth arm lake level rose to 4200.25 (June 1981), dropped to 4198.20 (October 1981), rose to 4200.85 (June 1982), dropped to 4199.80 (September 1982), and then rose to 4205.00 (July 1983). The south arm level dropped to about 4204.6, on August 15, but by January 15, 1984, the water surface reached an elevation of 4206.15. The north arm was about 2.5 feel lower. The lake level was the highest since 1887 when the lake was retreating from a high of 4207.7 in the previous year. The measured inflow of 5.3 million acre feet (maf) during the water year ending Sept. 1983, was the largest of record, surpassing estimated and more approximate values of 4.5 maf for 1872 and of 4.1 maf for 1909. The rise of 5.2 feet in 1983 surpassed the previously highest values of 3.4 feet in 1862 and 1907. in 1983, precipitation was 68 percet above normal, and evaporation was 86 percent of normal. Sequences from water years 1851 through 1983 of river inflows (Bear, Weber and Jordan), precipitation on the lake, evaporation from the lake, and annual high stages are given in Table 1. The flows are adjusted to represent present land and water use conditions, lake levels are historical readings on the south arm, and numbers given for the earlier years were not measured (except for two intermittent precipitation gages in the Salt Lake City area) but estimated through correlations and lake water blanace computations by the Utah Division of Water Resources and the Utah Water Research Laboratory. Objective planning of a strategy for dealing with this problem requires defining technically workable control methods, estimating their effects on probable lake lebels, translating effects on levels to effects on damges, and comparing the benefits of the damage reduction achieved with costs. This summary report presents estimates of probable lake levels under current conditions and the changes in these probabilities that could be expected with various lake level control alternatives (breaching the causeway, pumping into the western desert, and constructing reservoirs for irrigation development in the tributary basin). It also presents benfit estimates for these alternatives. Methodology is described in Bowles, James, and Chadwick (1984)

PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data

Source apportionment of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) requires an understanding of the mass loading of these compounds in river basins. However, there is a lack of temporally variable and catchment-scale mass loading data, meaning identification and prioritization of sources of PFAS to rivers for management interventions can be difficult. Here, we analyze PFAS concentrations and loads in the River Mersey to provide the first temporally robust estimates of PFAS export for a European river system and the first estimates of the contribution of wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) to total river PFAS export. We estimate an annual PFAS export of 68.1 kg for the River Mersey and report that the yield of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the catchment is among the highest recorded globally. Analysis of river and WwTW loads indicates approximately one-third of PFOA emitted from WwTWs is potentially stored in the catchment and approximately half of PFOS transported by the River Mersey may not originate from WwTWs. As governments move toward regulation of PFAS in WwTW effluents, our findings highlight the complexity of PFAS source apportionment and the need for catchment-scale mass loading data. This study indicates that strategies for reducing PFAS loading that focus solely on WwTW effluents may not achieve river water quality targets

Steric Shielding of Surface Epitopes and Impaired Immune Recognition Induced by the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein

Many viruses alter expression of proteins on the surface of infected cells including molecules important for immune recognition, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Virus-induced downregulation of surface proteins has been observed to occur by a variety of mechanisms including impaired transcription, blocks to synthesis, and increased turnover. Viral infection or transient expression of the Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) was previously shown to result in loss of staining of various host cell surface proteins including MHC1 and β1 integrin; however, the mechanism responsible for this effect has not been delineated. In the present study we demonstrate that EBOV GP does not decrease surface levels of β1 integrin or MHC1, but rather impedes recognition by steric occlusion of these proteins on the cell surface. Furthermore, steric occlusion also occurs for epitopes on the EBOV glycoprotein itself. The occluded epitopes in host proteins and EBOV GP can be revealed by removal of the surface subunit of GP or by removal of surface N- and O- linked glycans, resulting in increased surface staining by flow cytometry. Importantly, expression of EBOV GP impairs CD8 T-cell recognition of MHC1 on antigen presenting cells. Glycan-mediated steric shielding of host cell surface proteins by EBOV GP represents a novel mechanism for a virus to affect host cell function, thereby escaping immune detection

Potent and Broad Inhibition of HIV-1 by a Peptide from the gp41 Heptad Repeat-2 Domain Conjugated to the CXCR4 Amino Terminus.

HIV-1 entry can be inhibited by soluble peptides from the gp41 heptad repeat-2 (HR2) domain that interfere with formation of the 6-helix bundle during fusion. Inhibition has also been seen when these peptides are conjugated to anchoring molecules and over-expressed on the cell surface. We hypothesized that potent anti-HIV activity could be achieved if a 34 amino acid peptide from HR2 (C34) were brought to the site of virus-cell interactions by conjugation to the amino termini of HIV-1 coreceptors CCR5 or CXCR4. C34-conjugated coreceptors were expressed on the surface of T cell lines and primary CD4 T cells, retained the ability to mediate chemotaxis in response to cognate chemokines, and were highly resistant to HIV-1 utilization for entry. Notably, C34-conjugated CCR5 and CXCR4 each exhibited potent and broad inhibition of HIV-1 isolates from diverse clades irrespective of tropism (i.e., each could inhibit R5, X4 and dual-tropic isolates). This inhibition was highly specific and dependent on positioning of the peptide, as HIV-1 infection was poorly inhibited when C34 was conjugated to the amino terminus of CD4. C34-conjugated coreceptors could also inhibit HIV-1 isolates that were resistant to the soluble HR2 peptide inhibitor, enfuvirtide. When introduced into primary cells, CD4 T cells expressing C34-conjugated coreceptors exhibited physiologic responses to T cell activation while inhibiting diverse HIV-1 isolates, and cells containing C34-conjugated CXCR4 expanded during HIV-1 infection in vitro and in a humanized mouse model. Notably, the C34-conjugated peptide exerted greater HIV-1 inhibition when conjugated to CXCR4 than to CCR5. Thus, antiviral effects of HR2 peptides can be specifically directed to the site of viral entry where they provide potent and broad inhibition of HIV-1. This approach to engineer HIV-1 resistance in functional CD4 T cells may provide a novel cell-based therapeutic for controlling HIV infection in humans

HEY LARRY! INVESTIGATING INTERRUPTIONS IN FUTURE VERTICAL LIFT PLATFORMS

Using technology to improve human performance is critical to maximizing the benefits of future combat systems. This study explores the effects of interruptions during high and low cognitive load states when completing dynamic tasks. Furthermore, it provides insight into how to integrate artificial intelligence and virtual assistants into future aircraft effectively. This research and the following analysis provided the Holistic Situation Awareness and Decision Making (HSA-DM) program office with meaningful data and recommendations that will enable them to reduce the impact of interruptions while improving the performance of future pilots. Specifically, this study collected and examined heart rate variability, subjective cognitive load, flight metrics, interruption lag, and task resumption lag while participants piloted an aircraft and performed dynamic tasks in a flight simulator. There were three different modalities used to assist participants with completing interrupted tasks while performing their primary task. The research team determined that the tactile activated artificial intelligence was the most effective at reducing total interruption time while having the smallest effects on flight performance and cognitive load.Major, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Accuracy of predictive methods to estimate resting energy expenditure of thermally-injured patients

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bias and precision of 46 methods published from 1953 to 2000 for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) of thermally injured patients. Methods Twenty-four adult patients with ≥20% body surface area burn admitted to a burn center who required specialized nutrition support and who had their REE measured via indirect calorimetry (IC) were evaluated. Patients with morbid obesity, human immunovirus, malignancy, pregnancy, hepatic or renal failure, neuromuscular paralysis, or those requiring a FiO2 \u3e50% or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≥10 cm H2O were excluded. One steady-state measured REE measurement (MEE) was obtained per patient. The methods of Sheiner and Beal were used to assess bias and precision of these methods. The formulas were considered unbiased if the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the error (kilocalories per day) intersected 0 and were considered precise if the 95% CI for the absolute error (%) was within 15% of MEE. Results MEE was 2780 ± 567 kcal/d or 158% ± 34% of the Harris Benedict equations. None of the methods was precise (≤15% CI error). Over one-half (57%) of the 46 methods had a 95% confidence interval error \u3e30% of the MEE. Forty-eight percent of the methods were unbiased, 33% were biased toward overpredicting MEE, and 19% consistently underpredicted MEE. The pre-1980s methods more frequently overpredicted MEE compared with the 1990 to 2000 (p \u3c .01) and 1980 to 1989 (p \u3c .05) published methods, respectively. The most precise unbiased methods for estimating MEE were those of Milner (1994) at a mean error of 16% (CI of 10% to 22%), Zawacki (1970) with a mean error of 16% (CI of 9% to 23%), and Xie (1993) at a mean error of 18% (CI of 12% to 24%). The conventional 1.5 times the Harris Benedict equations was also unbiased and had a mean error of 19% (CI of 9% to 29%). Conclusions Thermally injured patients are variably hypermetabolic and energy expenditure cannot be precisely predicted. If IC is not available, the most precise, unbiased methods were those of Milner (1994), Zawacki (1970), and Xie (1993)

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) predation on an Augrabies flat lizard (Platysaurus broadleyi)

CITATION: Baxter-Gilbert, J. et al. 2019. Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) predation on an Augrabies flat lizard (Platysaurus broadleyi). The Herpetological Bulletin, 148: 37-38. doi:10.33256/hb148.3738The original publication is available at https://www.thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-bulletinOn 27 August 2018 at Augrabies Falls National Park (28.5942° S, 20.3381° E) we observed an adult Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) foraging adjacent to the main waterfall along a rock shelf midway down the cliff-side. At 15:37 h we saw the bird capturing and swallowing an Augrabies flat lizard (Platysaurus broadleyi; Fig. 1). This observation is noteworthy as to date the primary predators of Augrabies flat lizards are known to be raptors (e.g. Rock Kestrel, Falco rupicolus, and Booted Eagles, Aquila pennatus) and sand snakes (Psammophis sp.), with other potential predators being mongooses and large arthropods, such as spiders and centipedes (Whiting, 2002; A. Jenkins pers. comm.). Hamerkop, to the best of our knowledge, have not been documented previously to consume reptiles, and as such there have been no previous observations of them eating this specific lizard species. The known diet of Hamerkop consists of frogs, particularly of the genus Xenopus, insects, and fish (Skead, 1953; Liversidge, 1963; Dean & MacDonald, 1981; Kahl, 1987; Yohannes, et al., 2014).https://www.thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-bulletin/issue-number-148-summer-2019/1949-10-hamerkop-i-scopus-umbretta-i-predation-on-an-augrabies-flat-lizard-i-platysaurus-broadleyi-ihttps://www.thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-bulletin/issue-number-148-summer-2019/1949-10-hamerkop-i-scopus-umbretta-i-predation-on-an-augrabies-flat-lizard-i-platysaurus-broadleyi-iPublishers versio

PONV Prophylaxis Failure Disproportionately Affects Female Patients, Despite Intraoperative Computerized Decision Support Guidance

Objectives: To compare postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis treatment and outcomes based on patients’ sex, using a retrospective cohort. The setting was the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit of a tertiary care university medical center. Patients: A total of 678 adult male and female patients with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) scores of 1-4 underwent surgery with general anesthesia. All patients received preoperative PONV risk assessment. PONV prophylaxis was administered at the discretion of the anesthesia care team members with guidance from a computerized decision support system. Measurements: Adequacy of prophylaxis was retrospectively determined based on individual patient risk factors and the observed treatment received, compared with guideline-based prophylaxis recommendations. Patient outcome was measured by diagnosis of PONV in recovery. Results: Comparing patients who received fewer than the guideline-recommended number of prophylactic antiemetics by sex, 94.6% were female and 5.4% were males (p \u3c 0.001). Patients who received fewer than guideline-recommended number of antiemetics had significantly higher rates of nausea or vomiting in the post-anesthesia care unit (30.4% vs 17.5%, p \u3c 0.001). Conclusion: This retrospective cohort study shows that female patients receiving general anesthesia are disproportionately affected by failure to adhere to PONV prevention guidelines