Long term nitrate removal in a denitrification wall

Nitrogen (N) inputs to groundwater are one of the most widespread environmental problems globally. However, as N is important for crop production to support the current global population, it is difficult to limit N input to an extent where groundwater contamination is completely avoided. Researchers have been testing new ways to remove N (in the form of nitrate (NO3-)) from groundwater, primarily through enhancing microbial denitrification. One technology utilizing this microbial process is a denitrification wall, which is an inexpensive, low-maintenance technology compared to other options to treat NO3--contaminated groundwater. Denitrification walls have been shown to be effective for removing NO3- from groundwater through denitrification for seven years in New Zealand, nine years in Iowa, and 15 years in Canada; however, long-term data on the efficacy of denitrification walls remain limited. In order to understand how these systems function in the long term, the performance of a New Zealand denitrification wall installed in 1996 was examined. Field sampling was carried out during the winter of 2010 at the denitrification wall at Bardowie Farm in Cambridge, New Zealand. This farm had received relatively high N inputs from spray-irrigation of effluent from the nearby Hautapu Dairy Factory for over 30 years. The denitrification wall was originally constructed by mixing 40 m3 Pinus radiata sawdust with soil down to a depth of 1.5 m where it intercepted groundwater flow. Groundwater samples were collected from wells installed upslope and within the wall and samples were analyzed for NO3- concentrations on five occasions. Soil samples were collected on four occasions from below the water table and analyzed for denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA), total carbon (C), available C, and microbial biomass C. Results were compared to previous measurements. Groundwater NO3- concentrations entering the wall averaged 2.6 mg N L-1, which was a decrease from 2002 where NO3- entered the wall at an average of 9 mg N L-1. Despite this decrease, NO3- concentrations within the wall averaged 0.2 mg N L-1, which corresponded to 92% NO3- removal. DEA rates in the wall were nearly as high as the first year of construction. In contrast, total C and microbial biomass C had decreased by half, while available C remained the same as measured two years after construction. Denitrification in the wall remained NO3- limited suggesting that C was still sufficiently available to the denitrifiers. These data indicated that the denitrification wall was still effective after 14 years. To predict denitrification wall longevity, a first-order decay curve was fitted to the total C data through time (R2 = 0.92; p < 0.05). The decay curve was used to predict the time until total C reached 0.1%, although it is unclear at what %C denitrification will become C limited. Using this decay curve, it was estimated that C in the wall would not be depleted for 66 years, although it is possible that C will become limiting to denitrifiers before that time. This long-term study suggested that denitrification walls are cost-effective solutions to removing NO3- from groundwater as they can be effective for a number of years without any maintenance

Adhesion, Stiffness and Instability in Atomically Thin MoS2 Bubbles

We measured the work of separation of single and few-layer MoS2 membranes from a SiOx substrate using a mechanical blister test, and found a value of 220 +- 35 mJ/m^2. Our measurements were also used to determine the 2D Young's modulus of a single MoS2 layer to be 160 +- 40 N/m. We then studied the delamination mechanics of pressurized MoS2 bubles, demonstrating both stable and unstable transitions between the bubbles' laminated and delaminated states as the bubbles were inflated. When they were deflated, we observed edge pinning and a snap-in transition which are not accounted for by the previously reported models. We attribute this result to adhesion hysteresis and use our results to estimate the work of adhesion of our membranes to be 42 +- 20 mJ/m^2

B799: Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems Farms Crop Yield and Quality Relationships with Soil Erosion

This document presents objectives and preliminary results of the Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems (FARMS) study. This study assumes that estimates of soil erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) represent long-term rather than short- term effects. The FARMS study randomly sampled 2400 plots over a three year period, 1980-82, for: crop management, soils, conservation practices and management, crop yields, soil chemistry, and sociological data. This report presents analyses from the 800 plots sampled in 1980. Statistics of rill and sheet soil erosion, as estimated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), are presented. Data are presented for each of the factors in the USLE, for potato yields and quality, for yield of other field crops, and for soil nutrient analyses. A significant response of yield to erosion was found when the dataset was limited to the most commonly found soil, Caribou (144 plots). Data analyses including potato yields for all varieties and soils (429 plots) do not show any relation to predicted erosion. Regression analysis predicts that for each ton increase in soil erosion per acre per year up to 12 tons, a decrease of 2.3 hundred- weight of potatoes per acre will occur. The cover and management factor (C) was found to be the most important variable in the USLE in predicting potato yield decreases. With each increase of 0.1 C, the predicted yield decrease amounted to 17 hundredweight gross for potatoes, and 20 hundredweight decrease for US-1 potatoes per acre.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1113/thumbnail.jp

Outcomes Associated with Using the Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) Score to Determine Geriatric Evaluations of Trauma Patients with Hip Fractures

Background: Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults in the U.S., commonly contributing to hip fractures specifically (Centers for Disease Control, 2016; Moreland, Kakara, & Henry, 2020). Many older adults who sustain a hip fracture will not return to their baseline function and may even require nursing home placement for additional care (Rubenstein & Josephson, 2006). Henry Ford Macomb Hospital (HFMH) is a community teaching hospital with Level II Adult Trauma designation. In 2013, the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) stressed the need for specialized geriatric care (American College of Surgeons, 2013, p.5). Falls with hip fracture accounted for 15% of Trauma admissions in 2014-2016 and 21% in 2017-2019 at HFMH. In 2016, the Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) screening tool was utilized for Trauma patients 60 years and older to help capture their need for a Geriatric evaluation. It is completed by a Trauma Resident upon evaluation of the patient in the Emergency Department. A Geriatric evaluation is recommended if the patient answered “yes” to two or more questions on the screening tool. If a patient is discharged prior to being seen for the evaluation, follow up information is encouraged to be provided for the Geriatric outpatient clinic. Aim: To evaluate outcomes of older adults who sustained a hip fracture after falling as related to the implementation LIMITATIONS of the ISAR tool to determine Geriatric evaluations and assess outcomes related to individual ISAR scores (0- 6). Methodology: Retrospective program evaluation conducted via chart review. July 1, 2014-June 30, 2016, and January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Data Analysis: Variables were described using standard summary measures such as means and standard deviation for continuous variables and counts/percentage for nominal data. Continuous variables that did not follow a normal distribution were described via medians and interquartile ranges. The two groups were compared with Student’s t- Tests and Chi-squared tests dependent on variables. To evaluate variables related to each ISAR score, Kruskal- Wallis analysis was used. The p-value was adjusted as needed to conclude significance using Hochberg’s adjustment. Results: A total of 1,142 charts were reviewed. Thirty-six were excluded for admission to non-trauma service, and an additional forty-six charts were excluded for patients with multiple admissions. Of the qualifying patients, 380 were included in our pre-Geriatric evaluation implementation and 680 in post. In the post period, 48/680= 7% patients did not have an ISAR completed. Many of the patients admitted to the Trauma Service with hip fractures sustained an intertrochanteric fracture, followed by proximal femur fracture and then femur shaft fracture. Majority of Trauma patients sustaining a hip fracture were white, non-Hispanic, English-speaking, Caucasian females. Outcomes Compared By ISAR Score: There is a significant difference in age between each ISAR score (p=0.001), with generally higher ISAR scores as age increases. The ISS does not correlate with increasing ISAR score (p=0.102). Length of stay increases with ISAR scores (p=0.012). The longest duration of ICU stays occurred in patient with an ISAR score of three. In-hospital mortality did not increase with increasing ISAR score (p=0.664). In-hospital mortality was highest in ISAR scores of five. Readmissions were highest in those with an ISAR score of five, and an ISAR score of one had the lowest rate of readmission. Hospice was consulted more frequently as the ISAR score increases (p=0.034), with the highest prevalence of consults noted in patients with ISARs of six. Majority of patients were discharged to SNF regardless of ISAR score (p=0.092). Outcomes Compared Before and After Geriatric Evaluation: Of the 680 patients in the post-group, 434 patients received a Geriatric Evaluation. Age and ISS was significantly higher in the Geriatric evaluation population. No significant difference was found between total LOS, though did decrease by four hours (p=0.075). In the pre-group, more patients were admitted to the ICU (5.78%) than the post-group (4.14%); however, the pre-group had a shorter ICU length of stay (5.73 vs 5.89, P = 0.847). Thirty-day readmissions trended higher in the post-group with a Geriatric evaluation (p=0.106). In-hospital mortality was lower in the post-group with a Geriatric evaluation (p=0.243). Hospice consults and discharges to Hospice were higher in the post-group with a Geriatric evaluation (p=0.083). Majority of patients were discharged to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) for both the pre- and post-group, followed by home with services, or home with self-care. Discharge to inpatient rehabilitation unit (IPR) decreased in the post-group with a Geriatric evaluation. Discussion: To the existing body of literature, this current study adds outcomes broken down by each individual ISAR score for patients with hip fractures and the associated outcomes using the ISAR score to guide the need for Geriatric evaluations. The ISS does not correlate with increasing ISAR score (p=0.102). It could be suggested that the individual questions that make up the ISAR score do not address the severity and/or mechanism of injury. The longest ICU LOS occurred in patients with an ISAR score of three; however, the ISAR screening tool was not originally developed to predict ICU stays. There is limited literature to support this finding and more research could be done in this area. With 30-day readmissions being the highest in those with an ISAR scores of four and five, quality and care coordination efforts could be directed towards Geriatric Trauma patients with these scores. Patients with a Geriatric evaluation, who were older and scored a higher ISS, had a shorter LOS by approximately four hours, this is vital because it can be associated with decreased costs and increased patient satisfaction. Admissions to Inpatient Rehab (IPR) decreased in the post-group, further investigation could assist with determining causal factors, though IPR admissions are typically low due to requiring a physical and medical need for admission. In-hospital mortality decreased in the post group, even with increased age and ISS. There are inconsistencies among current studies regarding the mortality of Trauma patients after undergoing a Geriatric evaluation, therefore AIM more research is needed to fully understand the impact. Limitations: More rigorous research design would be beneficial to fully understand the studied outcomes. The six-month period during which the Geriatric evaluation service was in the early stages of development and planning the use of the ISAR score was not included in the study time frame. The ISAR score can be challenging to obtain due to altered mental status or lack of family/surrogate presence to obtain accurate information at the time of screening. This study also did not verify the accuracy of the scores obtained by the Trauma Resident. This could impact the outcomes associated with each ISAR score in addition to the outcomes related to patients that received Geriatric evaluations. Compliance of the Trauma Service in following the recommendations as well as patients and family’s adherence to the plan of care may impact outcomes. In addition, this study did not address what specifically is included in a Geriatric evaluation. It also may have been helpful to know which individual ISAR questions are most often answered “yes” to validate if the specific concerns were addressed during the evaluation.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/nursresconf2021/1007/thumbnail.jp

Hartford Hub: Transforming Lower Lincoln

Breeah S. Carey received her degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences with minors in Spanish and psychology from Purdue University in May 2018. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Purdue University and wants to serve pediatric clients in school and clinic settings. She has volunteered in various schools in Newark, New Jersey, as a tutor in her mother’s after-school program and as a speaker for the Diamond’s in the Rough Program at Belmont Runyon Elementary School, where she encouraged minority girls to attend college in the future. Lauren Jankowski is a senior in interdisciplinary engineering who plans to pursue graduate school and focus her research on mental illness. She has volunteered with several organizations, such as St. Vincent de Paul, Hannah’s House, and Upward Basketball, since early high school. Madison Long received her degree in accounting from Purdue University in 2017 and began her career with Microsoft Corporation in Seattle, Washington, in their finance division. At Purdue, she frequently participated in local Lafayette community initiatives centered around child literacy and engagement, including United Way’s Read to Succeed Program and the Beck Lane Boys and Girls Club after-school volunteering program. Joshua Walker is a senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in computer science and plans to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering after a few years of work experience. He has provided one-on-one assistance with students at the free Math and Science Tutoring Center in his high school, refurbished bicycles intended for community use at Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative in Memphis, Tennessee, and worked with Engineers for a Sustainable World to keep tailgating parties at Purdue clean of trash

Building Successful Partnerships for Technology Transfer

As budgets for Cooperative Extension projects get tighter, many units are enticed to consider partnerships with agencies and organizations to continue to proactively deliver services. Our experience working with the USDA Forest Service in a partnership that involves joint staffing and funding for technology transfer and research projects enables us to offer specific advice on how to use this tool most effectively. Communication and planning are essential and should cover everything from who gets office keys to who hires temporary staff

B805: Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems: Crop Yield and Quality Relationships with Soil Erosion—1981

This document presents objectives and results of the Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems (FARMS) study\u27S second year. The principal objectives of FARMS were to study the relationship of crop yields to soil erosion and to simulate the economic nature of this relationship. Crop management, soils, conservation practices and management, crop yields, soil chemistry, and sociological data were collected from 800 plots in 1981. This report presents statistics for rill and sheet soil erosion, which are estimated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and assumed to represent a long-term rather than short-term effect. The report also presents summary statistics for each of the factors in the USLE: for potato yields and quality, for yields of six other field crops, and for soil nutrient analyses. No general response of potato yield and quality to predicted soil erosion was found. However, individual potato varieties responded differently to predicted soil erosion. Potato yields and specific gravity were found to be significantly related to the Cover and Management factor (C). Potato yield was found to decrease as intensity of potato production increased in the rotation period. Potato yields were significantly reduced when the previous crop was potatoes in comparison to grain or hay.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1056/thumbnail.jp

B811: Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems Farms Crop Yield and Quality Relationships with Soil Erosion - 1982

This document presents the objectives and third-year results of the Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems (FARMS) study. The principal objectives of FARMS were to study the relationship of crop yields to predicted soil erosion and to simulate the economics of this relationship. Crop management, soils, conservation practices and management, crop yields, soil chemistry, and sociological data were collected. The data analyzed in preparing this report are from the 800 plots sampled in 1982. This report presents statistics for rill and sheet soil erosion, which is estimated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and assumed to represent a long term rather than short term effect. The report also presents summary statistics for each of the factors in the USLE: for potato yields and quality, for yields of four other field crops, and for soil nutrient analyses.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1107/thumbnail.jp

Comparison of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites in Experimental and Natural Populations of Wild Tomatillos, Physalis longifolia Nutt.

We conducted a field experiment to determine the effects of mulch, fertilizer, and mycelium on biomass and important secondary metabolite concentrations in the edible and medicinal plant Physalis longifolia Nutt., with the hypothesis that increased plant stress (i.e., no mulch, fertilizer, or mycelium) would decrease biomass production and increase secondary compound content. Experimental cultivated plots and natural populations of P. longifolia were evaluated for the abundance of major bioactive withanolides previously isolated from the species: withalongolide A (1), withaferin A (2), and withalongolide B (3). Results indicated negligible differences between experimental treatments in biomass yield and withanolide abundance. However, withanolide concentrations from wild populations varied considerably with some being much higher than the source population used in the experiment. These results suggest that variation in secondary compound concentrations among wild populations is an important consideration when selecting source material for the cultivation of medicinal plants