Modelling sediment supply and transport in the River Lugg: strategies for controlling sediment loads

The River Lugg has particular problems with high sediment loads that have resulted in detrimental impacts on ecology and fisheries. A new dynamic, process-based model of hydrology and sediments (INCA- SED) has been developed and applied to the River Lugg system using an extensive data set from 1995–2008. The model simulates sediment sources and sinks throughout the catchment and gives a good representation of the sediment response at 22 reaches along the River Lugg. A key question considered in using the model is the management of sediment sources so that concentrations and bed loads can be reduced in the river system. Altogether, five sediment management scenarios were selected for testing on the River Lugg, including land use change, contour tillage, hedging and buffer strips. Running the model with parameters altered to simulate these five scenarios produced some interesting results. All scenarios achieved some reduction in sediment levels, with the 40% land use change achieving the best result with a 19% reduction. The other scenarios also achieved significant reductions of between 7% and 9%. Buffer strips produce the best result at close to 9%. The results suggest that if hedge introduction, contour tillage and buffer strips were all applied, sediment reductions would total 24%, considerably improving the current sediment situation. We present a novel cost-effectiveness analysis of our results where we use percentage of land removed from production as our cost function. Given the minimal loss of land associated with contour tillage, hedges and buffer strips, we suggest that these management practices are the most cost-effective combination to reduce sediment loads

Safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery: Roux-en-y gastric bypass is superior to gastric banding in the management of morbidly obese patients: a reply to the response by Bhoyrul et al

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have read the letter by Bhoyrul et al. in response to our recently published article "<it>Safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is superior to gastric banding in the management of morbidly obese patients"</it>. We strongly disagree with the content of the letter.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>Bhoyrul et al. base their letter mostly on low level evidence such as single-institutional case series (level IV evidence) and expert opinion (level V evidence). Surprisingly, they do not comment on the randomized controlled trial, which clearly favours gastric bypass over gastric banding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The letter by Bhoyrul et al. is based on low level evidence and is itself biased, unsubstantiated, and not supported by the current literature.</p

Characterization of Arterial Wave Reflection in Healthy Bonnet Macaques: Feasibility of Applanation Tonometry

Nonhuman primates are commonly used in cardiovascular research. Increased arterial stiffness is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and higher CV risk. We determined the augmentation index (AI) using applanation tonometry in 61 healthy monkeys (59% female, age 1–25 years). Technically adequate studies were obtained in all subjects and required 1.5 ± 1.3 minutes. The brachial artery provided the highest yield (95%). AI was correlated with heart rate (HR) (r = −0.65, P < .001), crown rump length (CRL) (r = 0.42, P = .001), and left ventricular (LV) mass determined using echocardiography (r = 0.52, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, HR (P < .001) and CRL (P = .005) were independent predictors of AI (R2 = 0.46, P < .001). Body Mass Index (BMI) and AI were independent predictors of higher LV mass on multivariate analysis (P < .001 and P = .03). In conclusion, applanation tonometry is feasible for determining AI. Reference values are provided for AI in bonnet macaques, in whom higher AI is related to HR and CRL, and in turn contributes to higher LV mass

Integrative genomic analysis of CREB defines a critical role for transcription factor networks in mediating the fed/fasted switch in liver

BACKGROUND: Metabolic homeostasis in mammals critically depends on the regulation of fasting-induced genes by CREB in the liver. Previous genome-wide analysis has shown that only a small percentage of CREB target genes are induced in response to fasting-associated signaling pathways. The precise molecular mechanisms by which CREB specifically targets these genes in response to alternating hormonal cues remain to be elucidated. RESULTS: We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing of CREB in livers from both fasted and re-fed mice. In order to quantitatively compare the extent of CREB-DNA interactions genome-wide between these two physiological conditions we developed a novel, robust analysis method, termed the ‘single sample independence’ (SSI) test that greatly reduced the number of false-positive peaks. We found that CREB remains constitutively bound to its target genes in the liver regardless of the metabolic state. Integration of the CREB cistrome with expression microarrays of fasted and re-fed mouse livers and ChIP-seq data for additional transcription factors revealed that the gene expression switches between the two metabolic states are associated with co-localization of additional transcription factors at CREB sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a model in which CREB is constitutively bound to thousands of target genes, and combinatorial interactions between DNA-binding factors are necessary to achieve the specific transcriptional response of the liver to fasting. Furthermore, our genome-wide analysis identifies thousands of novel CREB target genes in liver, and suggests a previously unknown role for CREB in regulating ER stress genes in response to nutrient influx

Efficient conversion of black cumin cake from industrial waste into lipopeptide biosurfactant by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found in the online version at doi:10.1016/j.bej.2023.108981.Most biosurfactants are obtained using costly culture media, which limits their wider industrial use. In the present study, a low-cost culture medium, containing the agro-industrial residue black cumin cake, was developed for amphisin production by Pseudomonas fluorescens DSS73. By using black cumin cake as the substrate, not only was the production cost reduced but also a higher production yield was achieved. A Box-Behnken experimental design was applied to maximize lipopeptide biosurfactant production. The optimal conditions for amphisin production, such as black cumin cake (6.6%) and NaCl (8.0 mM) concentration, and cultivation time (6.5 days), were determined. Yield of amphisin production, performed in optimal conditions, reached 16.51 ± 0.49 g/L. Such high production has not been evidenced previously for Pseudomonas lipopeptide biosurfactants. Moreover, active utilization of the substrate, observed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), documented by numerous holes and pitting on the black cumin cake surface, was confirmed. Finally, antifungal activity of amphisin against Aspergillus carbonarius was demonstrated. Hence, amphisin production by P. fluorescens was achieved with statistical optimization using an inexpensive agro-industrial by-product for the first time.This work was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland, project 2020/37/B/NZ9/01519. EJG would like to acknowledge the support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Resuspension by fish facilitates the transport and redistribution of coastal sediments

Author Posting. © Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, 2012. This article is posted here by permission of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Limnology and Oceanography 57 (2012): 945-958, doi:10.4319/lo.2012.57.4.0945.Oxygen availability restricts groundfish to the oxygenated, shallow margins of Saanich Inlet, an intermittently anoxic fjord in British Columbia, Canada. New and previously reported 210Pb measurements in sediment cores compared with flux data from sediment traps indicate major focusing of sediments from the oxygenated margins to the anoxic basin seafloor. We present environmental and experimental evidence that groundfish activity in the margins is the major contributor to this focusing. Fine particles resuspended by groundfish are advected offshore by weak bottom currents, eventually settling in the anoxic basin. Transmittance and sediment trap data from the water column show that this transport process maintains an intermediate nepheloid layer (INL) in the center of the Inlet. This INL is located above the redox interface and is unrelated to water density shifts in the water column. We propose that this INL is shaped by the distribution of groundfish (as resuspension sources) along the slope and hence by oxygen availability to these fish. We support this conclusion with a conceptual model of the resuspension and offshore transport of sediment. This fish-induced transport mechanism for sediments is likely to enhance organic matter decomposition in oxygenated sediments and its sequestration in anoxic seafloors.The VENUS Project and University of Victoria supported the ship and submersible time for field experiments, and the U.S. Geological Survey and Coastal and Marine Geological Program generously supported J.C. The project was supported by Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to V.T. and P.S. and a Yohay Ben-Nun fellowship and Moshe Shilo Center for Marine Biogeochemistry Fund award to T.K

The Grizzly, April 27, 1979

Honorary Degrees Given to Speakers: College to Graduate 272 at Commencement • Anti-nuclear Crowd Rallies at Limerick • Middle States Visitation Completed • Grosh Wins Award • Comment: Defrost Frozen Rooms; No Deans in Quad; Pay for Wismer • Letters to the Editor: Wilson Rebutted; Why APO Won; Inaccuracy; Students\u27 Fault; POD Responds; Clouser Revisited • Roving Reporter: Who Should be Ugly Man? • Security Change • Breakfast in America: Supertramp\u27s Masterwork • Wismer Eggs Never Break • Well Flung Spring Fling • Men\u27s Lacrosse Falls Hard • News in Brief: Espadas Receives Grant; College Hosts Prospectives; Zucker Premiers Composition • Paradise Lost: A Dump for All Seasons • Linksmen Victorious • Court Aces Down Foes • Marathon Men • Lacrosse Continues Winning Streak • Women\u27s Tennis Up and Down • Bears Fall to Widener • Cindermen Rip Uphttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1019/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 27, 1981

Parents Day Slated for Early April • Overwhelming Enthusiasm Welcomes Special Olympics • Bomberger Tower Under Construction • SPC Elects New Grizzly Editor-in-Chief • Shakespeare Opens • Departmental Focus: Math Department • Transplanted Texan: NY to Collegeville • Spectrum Tries New Ticket Sales • Values Next Forum Topic • TV Production in Communications • Language Clubs Host Dessert Festival • Final Exam Schedule • Baseball Team Carries Much Potential • Hoopsters Finish 3rd in Nation • Tennis Team Prepares for Tough Season • Women\u27s Lacrosse Start Season 1-1https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1056/thumbnail.jp