Examining the importance of Aberdeenshire (UK) coastal waters for North Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates)

Using land- and vessel-based surveys, data on the relative abundance, distribution and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Aberdeenshire waters were collected between 1999 and 2001. Bottlenose dolphins were present throughout the year, with peak abundance during the months of March to May. The occurrence of calves was seasonal, With the proportion of calves highest during the spring months. Foraging behaviour was recorded mainly in the vicinity of Aberdeen harbour. Dolphins photographed in Aberdeenshire waters were successfully matched and confirmed as Moray Firth animals. The results of the present study suggest that Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins utilize Aberdeenshire waters more frequently than previously reported. Aberdeen harbour is apparently an important feeding area, and Aberdeenshire waters are regularly used by another-calf pairs. This has important management implications since this area of coastline does not currently form part of the designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for this population

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) observed during land-based surveys in The Minch, north-west Scotland

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Preliminary evaluation of radar imagery of Yellowstone Park, Wyoming

Evaluation of radar imagery of Yellowstone Park, Wyomin

Contribution of primary carbonaceous aerosol to cloud condensation nuclei: processes and uncertainties evaluated with a global aerosol microphysics model

This paper explores the impacts of primary carbonaceous aerosol on cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations in a global climate model with size-resolved aerosol microphysics. Organic matter (OM) and elemental carbon (EC) from two emissions inventories were incorporated into a preexisting model with sulfate and sea-salt aerosol. The addition of primary carbonaceous aerosol increased CCN(0.2%) concentrations by 65–90% in the globally averaged surface layer depending on the carbonaceous emissions inventory used. Sensitivity studies were performed to determine the relative importance of organic solubility/hygroscopicity in predicting CCN. In a sensitivity study where carbonaceous aerosol was assumed to be completely insoluble, concentrations of CCN(0.2%) still increased by 40–50% globally over the no carbonaceous simulation because primary carbonaceous emissions were able to become CCN via condensation of sulfuric acid. This shows that approximately half of the contribution of primary carbonaceous particles to CCN in our model comes from the addition of new particles (seeding effect) and half from the contribution of organic solute (solute effect). The solute effect tends to dominate more in areas where there is less inorganic aerosol than organic aerosol and the seeding effect tends to dominate in areas where there is more inorganic aerosol than organic aerosol. It was found that an accurate simulation of the number size distribution is necessary to predict the CCN concentration but assuming an average chemical composition will generally give a CCN concentration within a factor of 2. If a "typical" size distribution is assumed for each species when calculating CCN, such as is done in bulk aerosol models, the mean error relative to a simulation with size resolved microphysics is on the order of 35%. Predicted values of carbonaceous aerosol mass and aerosol number were compared to observations and the model showed average errors of a factor of 3 for carbonaceous mass and a factor of 4 for total aerosol number; however, errors in the accumulation mode concentrations were found to be lower in comparisons with European and marine observations.. The errors in CN and carbonaceous mass may be reduced by improving the emission size distributions of both primary sulfate and primary carbonaceous aerosol

Readout of solid-state charge qubits using a single-electron pump

A major difficulty in realizing a solid-state quantum computer is the reliable measurement of the states of the quantum registers. In this paper, we propose an efficient readout scheme making use of the resonant tunneling of a ballistic electron produced by a single electron pump. We treat the measurement interaction in detail by modeling the full spatial configuration, and show that for pumped electrons with suitably chosen energy the transmission coefficient is very sensitive to the qubit state. We further show that by using a short sequence of pumping events, coupled with a simple feedback control procedure, the qubit can be measured with high accuracy.Comment: 5 pages, revtex4, 4 eps figures. v2: published versio

Successful recruiting by an academic hospitalist section

Statement of Problem: Because of changes in resident staffing, our academic hospitalist Section required a 50% increase (from 12 to 18 FTE) in faculty members in one year. Thus, we undertook an intensive recruiting effort that spanned 9 months. Innovation Objectives: In a cost effective way, to attract and screen a large number of applicants for a position with our Section of academic hospital medicine. Program Description: In January and October, we advertised in national journals and on websites. We responded to over 100 inquiries with a standardized email describing our program, and with an invitation to formally apply by providing a letter of intent, current curriculum vitae, and three professional references. Over a 9 month period, we received formal applications from 68 physicians (53 were currently completing their residency, and 15 were practicing hospitalists). 5 were from our own residents, and 4 were from local hospitalists who had completed some training with us. These 68 applications and/or letters of reference were reviewed by our Hiring Committee. Using pre-established screening criteria, 26 of 68 (38%) applicants were judged competitive. Using standardized interviewing tools, Hiring Committee members interviewed by telephone 24 of these competitive candidates and their references. Of these, 18 were invited for an on-site visit. Findings to Date: Almost all of the invited candidates (16/18) visited our department for a one or two day visit which included face-to-face interviews, rounding, and social events. 12 of these 16 candidates (and 6 of 8 local candidates) were offered a position, and 5 accepted. Four of these had completed their residency in the past year. 3/5 (60%) of the successfully recruited faculty members had done some training at our institution. The recruiting cost included $6,431 for advertising and$14,292 for candidate visits; and required weekly meetings by our Hiring Committee. Key Lessons Learned: Using pre-established screening criteria and standardized telephone interviews, we targeted those candidates which we felt we were most likely to successfully recruit, and invited them for on-site interviews. We ultimately offered a job to 75% and hired 30% of those who completed an on-site visit. Over half of our successful recruits were from local candidates. The cost of our recruiting was $4,145 per successfully recruited physicia

Clinical vignette: Burkitts lymphoma mimicking ovarian cancer\u27

Case presentation: A 50 year-old Asian woman presented with four days of abdominal discomfort and progressive distention. She had no significant past medical history and did not consume alcohol. Her physical examination was remarkable for normal vital signs and a distended, non-tender abdomen with a fluid wave but without hepatosplenomegaly. Complete blood count and liver tests were normal. Abdominal ultrasound revealed ascites and an echogenic liver consistent with hepatic steatosis or cirrhosis, which was initially suspected. Viral hepatitis studies, human immunodeficiency virus antibody, ceruloplasmin, anti mitochondrial antibody, alpha-1 antitrypsin, anti-smith antibody and antinuclear antibodies were negative. CA-125 was markedly elevated at 301 U/ml (normal \u3c 22). Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed normal ovaries. Ascitic fluid examination revealed 42,900 total nucleated cells/cu mm of which 88 % were mononuclear cells, 5 % neutrophils and 7 % lymphocytes. Further analysis of showed abnormal B-cells expressing CD 19, CD 20, CD 10, FMC 7, and CD 45; FISH analysis showed MYC/IgH fusion associated with translocation of t (8;14) (q24;q32) characteristic of Burkitts lymphoma. Her serum LDH was 910 U/L (normal 82 — 310). Serum uric acid was normal. Computerized tomographic scanning failed to reveal hepatic or pulmonary involvement. Bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture were both negative for Burkitt\u27s involvement. She was treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin dexamethaosone, rituximab and methotrexate. Discussion: This woman presented with malignant ascites, the most common cause of which is ovarian cancer. This was initially assumed to be the diagnosis because of her elevated CA-125. The correct diagnosis was established by careful pathologic evaluation of ascitic fluid, showing monomorphic medium sized cells with basophilic cytoplasm and a high proliferation fraction with Ki-67 fraction approaching 100%. Translocation of the cmyc gene on chromosome 8 is characteristic of Burkitt\u27s lymphoma. Burkitt\u27s lymphoma is rare, constituting less than 1% of B-cell lymphomas. It is more common in males and usually presents with masses and tumor lysis syndrome. Less commonly it may present with ascites. This form may have a rapidly progressive course with bowel obstruction and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. We are aware of only one previous case of Burkitt\u27s lymphoma presenting with ascites and an elevated CA-125. Conclusions: This case illustrates a rare cause of malignant ascites, masquerading as ovarian cancer. Careful cytologic analysis of ascetic fluid cells led to the correct diagnosis.\u2