Love\u27s Ship : Waltz Song

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/3649/thumbnail.jp

Assessing the use of δ18O-PO4 analysis for tracing source inputs and the cycling of phosphorus: Applications to the Grand River

The use of δ18O- PO4 analysis was assessed for the Grand River, a highly impacted river in Southern Ontario that receives inputs from 30 WWTPs. Significant nutrient inputs within the watershed have led to prolific aquatic plant growth, particularly within the central Grand River where this study is focused. Two of the largest WWTPs in the watershed fall within this region and these plants are in close proximity to each other (approximately 20 km apart). Various laboratory tests were carried out to assess the suitability of several DOM removal methods on Grand River water and WWTP effluent prior to mass spectrometric analysis with varying results. Sample analysis showed all river sites to possess δ18O- PO4 values that were elevated relative to equilibrium. These sites are not equilibrium-controlled and, instead, possess δ18O- PO4 signatures controlled by either source inputs, or isotopic fractionation. The second WWTP was shown to deliver PO43- that was elevated relative to equilibrium. WWTP effluent in this study displayed a large δ18O -PO4 range, ranging from 10.4 to 22.9‰. Most of the variation in isotopic composition was found at the second plant, which had high soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and a range of 12.5 to 22.8‰ (n = 3). The first plant showed little variation with much lower SRP and a mean value of 11.4 (SD ± 1.0‰, n = 2). The elevated δ18O- PO4 signatures collected from the second WWTP suggest that this plant is supplying the Grand River with isotopically distinct PO43-. This could be used as a way to establish the effect of the second WWTP on the downstream PO43- pool. Phosphate uptake and release by the epilithon and seston were measured using 32P-PO4 additions in recirculating beaker experiments. Two sites, one downstream of the first WWTP and one below the second WWTP, were assessed for gross and net PO43- uptake rates. The gross uptake rates at both sites were low (0.04 to 0.10 µg P cm-2 h-1), with long turnover times for the dissolved phosphate pool (12 to 40 h). Long uptake lengths (30 to 144 km) were measured, indicating low nutrient retention capabilities downstream of the two WWTPs. These significant P contributions appear to have large-scale effects on the river’s P-kinetics, limiting its ability to act as a net nutrient sink even in the more productive summer months. The biomass response below the WWTPs is insufficient to compensate for the elevated PO43- concentrations and low rates of PO43- uptake. Due to the limited use of δ18O -PO4 analysis in river systems, no model exists for predicting the response of δ18O -PO4 with distance downstream of a point source. Coupling rates of PO43- uptake and release with the effluent δ18O -PO4 values provides such a model and generates guidance for future use of this method in lotic environments. WWTP “plume chases” were previously carried out in the Grand River, and involved measuring SRP at several sites downstream of the WWTP discharge points. SRP was used as a proxy for PO43- concentration in this study, and is operationally defined by what passes through a 0.20-µm membrane filter and is molybdate reactive. Best-fit estimates of PO43- uptake and release were determined using these plume chase events. The rates calculated using the 32P-PO4 uptake and release beaker experiments were up to 50 times lower than the best-fit parameters. This exercise illustrates the unsuitability of relaying estimates of P kinetics collected through beaker experiments to an ecosystem level. Model predictions for the river reach below the second WWTP show that effluent δ18O -PO4 signatures should be observable many kilometres from the plant. Because of the unique mean isotopic composition observed for the second WWTP, sampling could occur at a variety of locations downstream to observe the effect of this plant on the river. The river reach below the first WWTP reduces the incoming P loads much quicker than the second reach, which is in part due to the much lower effluent SRP released by the first plant. It is still possible to isolate effluent derived δ18O-PO4 values downstream of this plant. The return to equilibrium is projected to occur several kilometers from the first plant’s confluence, suggesting the applicability of this method in both stream reaches. It would appear δ18O -PO4 could be a valuable tool for eliciting information on P cycling in effluent-impacted river ecosystems, with the Grand River possessing elevated but seemingly typical uptake lengths amongst eutrophic streams

Urban streets: generating design options, in Better Streets for Better Cities: A Handbook for Active Street Planning, Design and Management - Chapter 8

Using examples from the MORE cities, this chapter describes and illustrates the process of applying the MORE option generation and co-creation design tools (as introduced in Chapter 5) to develop design options. It also covers post-appraisal stakeholder engagement

Studies of Quasi Periodic Oscillations in the Black Hole Transient XTE J 1817-330

We have used archival RXTE PCA data to investigate timing and spectral characteristics of the transient XTE J1817-330. The data pertains to 160 PCA pointed observations made during the outburst period 2006, January 27 to August 2. A detailed analysis of Quasi-Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) in this black hole X-ray binary is carried out. Power density spectra were obtained using the light curves of the source. QPOs have been detected in the 2-8 keV band in 10 of the observations. In 8 of these observations, QPOs are present in the 8-14 keV and in 5 observations in the 15-25 keV band. XTE J1817-330 is the third black hole source from which the low frequency QPOs are clearly detected in hard X-rays. The QPO frequency lies in ~ 4-9 Hz and the rms amplitude in 1.7-13.3% range, the amplitude being higher at higher energies. We have fitted the PDS of the observations with Lorentzian and power law models. Energy spectra are derived for those observations in which the QPOs are detected to investigate any dependence of the QPO characteristic on the spectral parameters. These spectra are well fitted with a two component model that includes the disk black body component and a power law component. The QPO characteristics and their variations are discussed and its implication on the origin of the QPOs are examinedComment: 16 page, 9 figures and 2 tables. Accepted in MNRAS Journa

Using the internet to seek information about genetic and rare diseases: A case study comparing data from 2006 and 2011

BACKGROUND: The Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center (GARD) is a major provider of Web-based information on genetic and rare diseases. Little is known about the type of Web-based information individuals seek about genetic and rare diseases or their reasons for seeking. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to describe the types of Web-based information sought about genetic and rare diseases and the reasons for seeking it from GARD by examining inquiries from 2006 and 2011. METHODS: There were 278 English-language email and Web-based inquiries posed to GARD by lay individuals (ie, patients, parents, and relatives), which were randomly selected from inquiries in 2006 (n=68) and 2011 (n=210) and examined using content analysis. RESULTS: Most often in both years, individuals sought basic disease information (51/68, 75.0% and 132/210, 62.8%; P=.067) and information about treatment (17/51, 33.3% and 62/132, 47.0%; P=.095). Specifically, inquirers requested information about their disease prognosis (6/51, 11.8% and 23/132, 17.4%; P=.347) and made requests for specialists (8/68, 11.8% and 31/210, 14.8%; P=.536). In both 2006 and 2011, a substantial subset of inquirers requested information related to undiagnosed symptoms, representing 16.2% (11/68) and 11.9% (25/210; P=.362) of inquiries, respectively. Inquirers were significantly more likely to have seen a health care provider before contacting GARD (99/210, 47.1% vs 20/68, 29.4%; P=.010) and to ask about clinical research studies in 2011 than in 2006 (24/210, 11.4% vs 2/68, 2.9%; P=.037). In the 2011 data set, the majority of the inquirers were women (201/210, 95.7%). In our 2006 sample, men were the majority source of inquiries (54/68, 79.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study indicate that lay people contacting a genetic and rare disease information center most often seek information about disease prognosis, finding a specialist, and obtaining a diagnosis for symptoms. Unique characteristics of individuals searching the Internet for genetic and rare diseases information, includes a growing interest in participating in clinical research studies and a desire to supplement or better understand information discussed during a visit with a health care provider. These efforts represent advancements in patient self-advocacy

The SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey. Paper III: Astrometry

In this, the third in a series of three papers concerning the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey, we describe the astrometric properties of the database. We describe the algorithms employed in the derivation of the astrometric parameters of the data, and demonstrate their accuracies by comparison with external datasets using the first release of data, the South Galactic Cap survey. We show that the celestial coordinates, which are tied to the International Celestial Reference Frame via the Tycho-2 reference catalogue, are accurate to better than +/- 0.2 arcsec at J,R=19,18 rising to +/- 0.3 arcsec at J,R=22,21 with positional dependent systematic effects from bright to faint magnitudes at the +/- 0.1 arcsec level. The proper motion measurements are shown to be accurate to typically +/- 10 mas/yr at J,R=19,18 rising to +/- 50 mas/yr at J,R=22,21 and are tied to zero using the extragalactic reference frame. We show that the zeropoint errors in the proper motions are 17 and are no larger than 10 mas/yr for R < 17 mas/yr.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures; accepted for publication in MNRA

Creation and Curation of the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine Hackathon Dataset

In order to support innovation, the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) elected to create a collaborative computing experience called a "hackathon." The SIIM Hackathon has always consisted of two components, the event itself and the infrastructure and resources provided to the participants. In 2014, SIIM provided a collection of servers to participants during the annual meeting. After initial server setup, it was clear that clinical and imaging "test" data were also needed in order to create useful applications. We outline the goals, thought process, and execution behind the creation and maintenance of the clinical and imaging data used to create DICOM and FHIR Hackathon resources

Examining the effect of peer helping in a coping skills intervention: a randomized controlled trial for advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their family caregivers

PURPOSE: At the end of life, spiritual well-being is a central aspect of quality of life for many patients and their family caregivers. A prevalent spiritual value in advanced cancer patients is the need to actively give. To address this need, the current randomized trial examined whether adding a peer helping component to a coping skills intervention leads to improved meaning in life and peace for advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their caregivers. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes were also assessed. METHODS: Advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and caregivers (n = 50 dyads) were randomly assigned to a 5-session, telephone-based coping skills intervention or a peer helping + coping skills intervention. One or both dyad members had moderate-severe distress. Peer helping involved contributing to handouts on coping skills for other families coping with cancer. Patients and caregivers completed measures of meaning in life/peace, fatigue, psychological symptoms, coping self-efficacy, and emotional support. Patient pain and caregiver burden were also assessed. RESULTS: Small effects in favor of the coping skills group were found regarding meaning in life/peace at 1 and 5 weeks post-intervention. Other outcomes did not vary as a function of group assignment, with both groups showing small decreases in patient and caregiver fatigue and caregiver distress and burden. High recruitment and retention rates supported feasibility, and high participant satisfaction ratings supported acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: Although a telephone-based intervention is feasible and acceptable for this population, peer helping in the context of a coping skills intervention does not enhance spiritual well-being relative to coping skills alone