A spatial and temporal analysis of trichloroethylene contamination in the aquifers under the former Fort Ord landfill

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile organic compound the U.S. Army used extensively on the former Fort Ord prior to the post\u27s closure. TCE is a probable human carcinogen and can cause a range of health effects depending on the quantity and duration of exposure. Fort Ord operated a group of landfills located on the post. The Army used these landfills for disposal of TCE-containing waste, and TCE subsequently leached into and contaminated the A-, 180-foot (Upper), and 180-foot restricted (Lower) aquifers. My project goals were to compile relevant information on the landfill and trichloroethylene, determine where the areas of highest TCE contamination exist in the aquifers of concern, provide an easy-to-read graphical representation of how the TCE plume has changed over time in the aquifers of concern, and ascertain if the current remediation strategy is appropriate for these aquifers. Using quarterly monitoring well data provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, I produced layers of annual TCE concentration gradients for each of the three aquifers using a geographic information system (GIS). I imported these images into an animation program and produced digital movies of the change in TCE concentration per year in each aquifer. Using these images, I determined that there is small but significant evidence of TCE plume flow. The areas of current highest TCE concentration include: pockets of relatively high concentration north and northwest of landfill Cell A and to the north and northeast of Cell F in the A-aquifer; areas of relatively high concentration located north, northwest, and southwest of Cell A of the 180-foot (Upper) aquifer; and an area of relatively high TCE concentration northwest of Cell A in the 180-foot restricted (Lower) aquifer. The Army\u27s current remediation strategy for this site includes a pump-and-treat system. I concluded this is the most appropriate methodology given the unique properties of the site and the current technology available. However, I also feel it will be necessary in the future to re-evaluate the feasibility of the Army\u27s goal to reduce TCE concentrations to EPA drinking water standards

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Characterizing Early Psychosocial Functioning of Parents of Children with Moderate to Severe Genital Ambiguity due to Disorders of Sex Development

PurposeWe examined the psychosocial characteristics of parents of children with disorders of sex development at early presentation to a disorders of sex development clinic. Parental anxiety, depression, quality of life, illness uncertainty and posttraumatic stress symptoms were assessed. Additionally we evaluated the relationship of assigned child gender to parental outcomes.Materials and methodsA total of 51 parents of children with ambiguous or atypical genitalia were recruited from 7 centers specializing in treatment of disorders of sex development. At initial assessment no child had undergone genitoplasty. Parents completed the Cosmetic Appearance Rating Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, SF-36, Parent Perception of Uncertainty Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised.ResultsA large percentage of parents (54.5%) were dissatisfied with the genital appearance of their child, and a small but significant percentage reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, diminished quality of life, uncertainty and posttraumatic stress. Few gender differences emerged.ConclusionsAlthough many parents function well, a subset experience significant psychological distress around the time of diagnosis of a disorder of sex development in their child. Early screening to assess the need for psychosocial interventions is warranted