FAST, REGIONAL CONDUIT FLOW TO AN EXCEPTIONAL-VALUE SPRING-FED CREEK: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOURCE-WATER PROTECTION IN MANTLED KARST OF SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Abstract: Karst springs of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, are important water resources, but their sources and flow paths are unknown. We traced flow in a mantledkarst groundwater system in the Great Valley section of the Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province using fluorescent dyes, with focus on Big Spring Creek. Upper Big Spring Creek is assigned High Quality/Exceptional Value status by Pennsylvania based on its high water quality and value as a multi-use resource with exceptional recreational or ecological significance. Subsurface flow followed the geologic strike after Sulpho Rhodamine B (Acid Red 52) dye was released on exposed carbonates. Subsurface flow had a maximum effective linear velocity of 2.5 km d 21 , which is 8 times greater than sodium fluorescein (Acid Yellow 73) dye released separately into a losing stream over colluvium (0.3 km d 21 ). Sulpho Rhodamine B was detected strongly 8.9 km away at Big Spring Creek's largest source spring (,250 ppt water; 50 ppb eluate), but weakly in an east source (2.5 ppb eluate). Sodium fluorescein was detected after four weeks at 0.07 to 0.15 ppb in eluate at springs at Huntsdale Hatchery, 9.5 km from release atop the colluvial mantle. Slow flow derived from losing streams on the colluvial mantle likely maintains water quality of Big Spring Creek and similar systems. However, this recharge is distant, and the flow passes below karst recharge features in the valley center, creating many opportunities for contamination. Future studies of contaminant and sediment loadings to subterranean basins and of source-water protection strategies that recognize these patterns are necessary to protect these streams

Suicide prevention in primary care: General practitioners' views on service availability

BackgroundPrimary care may be a key setting for suicide prevention. However, comparatively little is known about the services available in primary care for suicide prevention. The aims of the current study were to describe services available in general practices for the management of suicidal patients and to examine GPs views on these services. We carried out a questionnaire and interview study in the North West of England. We collected data on GPs views of suicide prevention generally as well as local mental health service provision.FindingsDuring the study period (2003-2005) we used the National Confidential Inquiry Suicide database to identify 286 general practitioners (GPs) who had registered patients who had died by suicide. Data were collected from GPs and practice managers in 167 practices. Responses suggested that there was greater availability of services and training for general mental health issues than for suicide prevention specifically. The three key themes which emerged from GP interviews were: barriers accessing primary or secondary mental health services; obstacles faced when referring a patient to mental health services; managing change within mental health care servicesConclusionsHealth professionals have an important role to play in preventing suicide. However, GPs expressed concerns about the quality of primary care mental health service provision and difficulties with access to secondary mental health services. Addressing these issues could facilitate future suicide prevention in primary care

Generation of recombinant single-chain antibodies neutralizing the cytolytic activity of vaginolysin, the main virulence factor of Gardnerella vaginalis

Generated scFvs is the first example of recombinant single-chain antibodies with VLY-neutralizing activity produced in prokaryote expression system. G. vaginalis caused infections continue to be a world-wide problem, therefore neutralizing recombinant antibodies may provide novel therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and other diseases caused by G. vaginalis

A review of the dye tracing experiments done in the Siebenhengste karst region (Bern, Switzerland)

This paper reviews and summarises 20 experiments to trace groundwater flow in the regions Beatenberg-Hohgant-Schrattenfluh and the Harder chain. We emphasize the water tracing experiment conducted in 1996 in the region Beatenberg / Gemmenalp, where the aim was to better delineate the catchment area of St. Beatus Cave, which extends to the Gemmenalphorn. The entrance of the Bärenschacht - a cave belonging to the Bätterich/Gelberbrunnen catchment - lies within this area. To the north lies a karstic zone within the Tertiary, in which water flows towards superficial brooks. The Bätterich/Gelberbrunnen catchment begins north of the line Gemmenalphorn - Bäreney. In addition, a map of the different dye tracings and of the catchment areas has been compiled

A review of the dye tracing experiments done in the Siebenhengste karst region (Bern, Switzerland)

This paper reviews and summarises 20 experiments to trace groundwater flow in the regions Beatenberg-Hohgant-Schrattenfluh and the Harder chain. We emphasize the water tracing experiment conducted in 1996 in the region Beatenberg / Gemmenalp, where the aim was to better delineate the catchment area of St. Beatus Cave, which extends to the Gemmenalphorn. The entrance of the Bärenschacht - a cave belonging to the Bätterich/Gelberbrunnen catchment - lies within this area. To the north lies a karstic zone within the Tertiary, in which water flows towards superficial brooks. The Bätterich/Gelberbrunnen catchment begins north of the line Gemmenalphorn - Bäreney. In addition, a map of the different dye tracings and of the catchment areas has been compiled

Grazing affects animal health: an examination of survey data collected by accredited veterinarians during visits to dairy farms

We developed a grazing index that objectively defines livestock operations based on the proportion of grass in the annual diet of the dairy cow herds. Data were collected from 102 cattle farms, and the results show that, in general, levels of grazing were higher in less intensive farming systems. Simultaneously, higher levels of grazing were associated with a decrease in the number of veterinary visits (notably to treat digestive and metabolic issues), the overall consumption of medications (notably those involved in curative treatments), and the frequency of severe hoof-related lameness. Animal lifespan and perinatal mortality were, respectively, positively and negatively correlated with higher levels of grazing. Some of the limits to interpreting these data are discussed