Quantifying physiological influences on otolith microchemistry

Trace element concentrations in fish earstones (‘otoliths’) are widely used to discriminate spatially discrete populations or individuals of marine fish, based on a commonly held assumption that physiological influences on otolith composition are minor, and thus variations in otolith elemental chemistry primarily reflect changes in ambient water chemistry. We carried out a long-term (1-year) experiment, serially sampling seawater, blood plasma and otoliths of mature and immature European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) to test relationships between otolith chemistry and environmental and physiological variables. Seasonal variations in otolith elemental composition did not track seawater concentrations, but instead reflected physiological controls on metal transport and biokinetics, which are likely moderated by ambient temperature. The influence of physiological factors on otolith composition was particularly evident in Sr/Ca ratios, the most widely used elemental marker in applied otolith microchemistry studies. Reproduction also triggered specific variations in otolith and blood plasma metal chemistry, especially Zn/Ca ratios in female fish, which could potentially serve as retrospective spawning indicators. The influence of physiology on the trace metal composition of otoliths may explain the success of microchemical stock discrimination in relatively homogenous marine environments, but could complicate alternative uses for trace element compositions in biominerals of higher organism

Mothers\u27 Work and Children\u27s Lives: Low-Income Families after Welfare Reform

This book examines the effects of work requirements imposed by welfare reform on low-income women and their families. The authors pay particular attention to the nature of work—whether it is stable or unstable, the number of hours worked in a week and the regularity and flexibility of work schedules. They also show how these factors make it more difficult for low-income women to balance their work and family requirements.https://research.upjohn.org/up_press/1026/thumbnail.jp

A public health approach to addressing and preventing misdiagnosis in the scale-up of HIV rapid testing programmes.

The global impact of the scale-up HIV testing and treatment has been impressive. In 2015, approximately 60% of people with HIV worldwide were aware of their status [1]. As a result by the end of 2015, 17 million people with HIV were on treatment, and global treatment coverage reached 46% [1]. HIV testing and treatment have reduced AIDS-related deaths by 43% since 2003 [1,2]. In order to further increase impact and improve health outcomes, in 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people with HIV regardless of disease status [3]. These calls to continue scale-up of testing and treatment and to achieve the United Nation’s (UN) “90-90-90” targets remain a global priority. Achieving the “first 90” by reaching people with HIV who have yet to be diagnosed, and linking them to treatment as early as possible, is a critical first step. Degrees of uncertainty exist with all medical testing and diagnoses; in the field of HIV, advances in diagnostic test technology have made testing accurate and reliable. WHO prequalified HIV rapid diagnostic tests all have a sensitivity of ≥99% and specificity ≥98% and are accurate when used correctly in a validated national algorithm. A large number of tests are conducted every year. Although a degree of error and misdiagnosis can be expected, very few cases of false negative and false positive diagnoses have been reported [4–12]. This lack of reporting on testing error and misdiagnoses is not unique to HIV [13–16]. Publication bias and concerns about programme reputation may have contributed to low reporting of misdiagnosis and limit the open discussion required to address errors systematically [16]. To further investigate diagnostic error, determine common causes, and identify potential ways to address misdiagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings, WHO, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) held a symposium to address the social, public health, human rights, ethical and legal implications of misdiagnosis of HIV status [17]. This special issue of the Journal of the International AIDS Society follows this symposium by focusing on the individual and public health implications of HIV misdiagnosis

A rational approach to selecting and ranking some pharmaceuticals of concern for the aquatic environment and their relative importance compared with other chemicals

Aquatic organisms can be exposed to thousands of chemicals discharged by the human population. Many of these chemicals are considered disruptive to aquatic wildlife; the literature on the impacts of these chemicals grows daily. However, since time and resources are not infinite, we must focus on the chemicals which represent the greatest threat. One group of chemicals of increasing concern is the pharmaceuticals, where the struggle is to identify which of them represent the greatest threat. In the present study, we compiled a list of 12 pharmaceuticals based on scoring the prevalence of different compounds from previous prioritization reviews. These included rankings based on prescription data, environmental concentrations, PEC/PNEC ratios, PBT, and fish plasma model approaches. The most frequently cited were diclofenac, paracetamol, ibuprofen, carbamazepine, naproxen, atenolol, ethinylestradiol, aspirin, fluoxetine, propranolol, metoprolol and sulfamethoxazole. For each pharmaceutical, literature on effect concentrations was compiled and compared with river concentrations in the UK. The pharmaceuticals were ranked on the degree of difference between the median effect and median river concentrations. EE2 was ranked as the highest concern, followed by fluoxetine, propranolol and paracetamol. The relative risk of these pharmaceuticals was compared with those of metals and some persistent organic pollutants. Pharmaceuticals appear to be less of a threat to aquatic organisms than some metals (Cu, Al, Zn) and triclosan using this ranking approac

Northeast Bathymetry and Backscatter Compilation: Western Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, and Long Island Sound

High-resolution bathymetry is critical for mapping the surficial geology of the seafloor, identifying critical habitats, and assessing marine mineral resources such as sand and gravel. In 2016, a high-resolution bathymetry map was developed for the western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) utilizing all available multibeam echosounder (MBES) surveys, as well as several older extant surveys (Western Gulf of Maine Bathymetry and Backscatter Synthesis, Ward et al., 2016). As part of that effort, a backscatter mosaic also was developed for a subset of the MBES surveys. The backscatter synthesis did not include all of the MBES surveys due to low quality of some of the mosaics and limitations of combining MBES backscatter surveys (e.g., different frequencies). In order to extend the high-resolution bathymetry coverage of the U.S. Northeast (NE), the WGOM Bathymetry and Backscatter Synthesis was substantially expanded. A careful review of the available bathymetry and backscatter from Maine to New York was conducted and the needed databases obtained. In addition, bathymetric lidar surveys were gathered, primarily in the WGOM. Unfortunately, the MBES coverage was relatively sparse over large areas of the NE region with few surveys available for mid and northern Maine, south of Cape Cod, and along the Atlantic coast of Long Island to New York Harbor. However, relatively good coverage exists for Long Island Sound. Similarly, high quality backscatter mosaics co-registered with the bathymetry was sparse. Nevertheless, the available bathymetry and backscatter does allow a significant expansion of the overall coverage and exposes areas where more information would be beneficial. Some low-resolution bathymetry data (e.g., single beam surveys that leave gaps between survey lines) were also obtained but were only used in a Regional Bathymetry Map. The “Northeast Bathymetry and Backscatter Compilation: Western Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, and Long Island Sound” expands the coverage of high-resolution MBES to include southern New England and Long Island Sound. The main bathymetry synthesis is gridded at 4m, 8m, and 16m. Also included are MBES bathymetry surveys that provide more detail of regions where research projects have been conducted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center (CCOM/JHC). The overall backscatter coverage for the WGOM inner continental shelf is presented as compilations and individual survey mosaics (UNH CCOM/JHC surveys). South of Cape Cod to New York Harbor the backscatter is limited and presented as individual surveys where available

Using risk-ranking of metals to identify which poses the greatest threat to freshwater organisms in the UK

Freshwater aquatic organisms face the challenge of being exposed to a multitude of chemicals discharged by the human population. The objective of this study was to rank metals according to the threat they pose to aquatic organisms. This will contribute to a wider Chemical Strategy for freshwater which will risk rank all chemicals based on their potential risk to wildlife in a UK setting. The method involved comparing information on ecotoxicological thresholds with measured concentrations in rivers. The bioconcentration factor was also considered as a ranking method. The metals; Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were analysed using this approach. Triclosan and lindane were used as comparative organic pollutants. Using a range of ranking techniques, Cu, Al and Zn came top of the list of concern, with Cu coming first

Efficacy of Electromyography and the Dead Bug Exercise

The Dead Bug exercise is performed in physical therapy clinics to restore lumbar spine stability and core strength in patients with lower back pain (LBP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using electromyography (EMG) feedback to enhance proper mechanics during the Dead Bug exercise. Sixteen healthy, college age students volunteered as subjects for the study. Subjects performed the Dead Bug (Fig. 1a.) with and without visual EMG cues and were given instructions on how to execute the exercise. Data was recorded using a BTS FREEEMG Analyzer and signal processed and data analyzed using the BTS SEMGanalyzer software (BTS Bioengineering, Brooklyn, NY). Electrodes were placed on the right rectus abdominis (RA) and right rectus femoris (RF) of each subject of the agonist and antagonist muscle of the movement, respectively. Subjects performed two trials of the exercise on two test days with two weeks in between testing. EMG data were normalized using subjects’ maximum voluntary contraction. Students’ paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis with a p \u3c 0.05 used for significance. The averages of the normalized EMG data (ND) between both visual trials for RA and RF, mean + standard deviation, were 0.302 ± 0.158 and 0.118 ± 0.094, respectively. The averages of the normalized EMG data between both nonvisual trials for RA and RF were 0.284 ± 0.146 and 0.084 ± 0.049, respectively. No significant differences were found for visual and nonvisual trials for agonist and antagonist muscles (Table 2). After evaluation of the study, the study protocol was determined to not be identical to a typical physical therapy setting which utilizes continuous feedback to the patient. Therefore, pilot testing of two subjects was performed on the Dying Bug exercise (Fig. 1b&c.) with continuous visual, biomechanical, palpation, and verbal feedback. As anticipated, a positive trend was shown in mean visual values relative to nonvisual values for the targeted muscles (Table 1)

The Use of EMG as a Physical Therapy Learning Aid

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle recruitment of an agonist and antagonist muscle during the step up physical therapy exercise with and without visual electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback. 15 healthy, college-aged subjects were recruited to participate in the study. Subjects performed the step up with and without visual feedback in two separate sessions over a four week period. Muscle activity was recorded from the Vastus Medialis (VMO) of the target leg and Medial Gastrocnemius on the contralateral leg. EMG recordings were collected using a BTS FREEEMG system and data was processed using BTS SEMGanalyzer software (BTS Bioengineering, Brooklyn, NY). Results: Average Gastrocnemius muscle activity during visual sessions was .340 mV (SD .141) and .310 mV (SD .138) during non-visual sessions. Average VMO muscle activity was .309 mV (SD .097) during visual sessions and .299 mV (SD .139) during non-visual sessions. A paired t-test was used to determine statistical significance between visual and non-visual sessions. Values were considered significant with a p\u3c.05. No significant difference was observed between visual and non-visual trials for the agonist and antagonist muscles. Two subsequent trials were conducted while visual, verbal and palpation feedback was given throughout the entirety of the exercise. The results showed greater muscle activity in the agonist muscle and less activity in the antagonist muscle when the subject received biofeedback. These findings support the conclusions of previous studies (Holermann, Taian, Vieira, Taskiran, Ekblom, One-Bin), suggesting that EMG biofeedback can be used as a tool for proper muscle recruitment during physical therapy exercises

Hydrogeology and Geochemistry of Glacial Deposits in Northeastern Kansas

Twelve counties (Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Nemaha, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte) in northeastern Kansas were glaciated during the Pleistocene Epoch. The glacial deposits consist of till, fluvial, loess, and lacustrine deposits locally totalling thicknesses of 400 ft (120 m). A major buried valley 3 mi (5 km) wide, 400 ft (120 m) deep, and 75 mi (120 km) long trends eastward across southern Nemaha, northern Jackson, and central Atchison counties. Several smaller tributary valleys can be identified in Atchison, Nemaha, Brown, Jackson, and Jefferson counties. Other buried valleys generally trend southward to the Kansas River valley or northward into Nebraska and Missouri. The glacial deposits filling the buried valleys locally are clayey. However, most valleys contain at least some water-bearing sand and gravel. Wells drilled into the best water-bearing sand and gravel deposits may yield as much as 900 gallons per minute (gpm; 0.06 m3/sm3/s), but less than 500 gpm (0.03 m3/s) is more common. The alluvial deposits of the Kansas and Missouri river valleys are the major sources of ground water in northeastern Kansas. Wells in these aquifers may have yields of 5,000 gpm (0.3 m3/s), but yields are more commonly less than 3,000 gpm (0.2 m3/s). We analyzed data from 80 pump tests using computer programs to find the best fit for transmissivity (1) and storage (S) values on glacial, alluvial, and bedrock aquifers. Transmissivities in the Missouri River valley alluvium ranged from 200,000 gallons per day per foot (gpd/ft) to 600,000 gpd/ft (2,000-7,000 m2/d), and storage values were between 0.001 and 0.0004. Tests in the Kansas River valley alluvium indicated transmissivities in the range 50,000-600,000 gpd/ft (600-7,000 m2/d) and storage values of 0.03. In the main buried valley across northeastern Kansas, the glacial deposits had T and S values of 2,500-25,600 gpd/ft (31.0-318 m2/d) and 0.00002-0.002, respectively. In the smaller buried valleys the glacial deposits had T values ranging from 1,500 gpd/ft to 100,000 gpd/ft (19-1,200 m2/d). Because of increasing population size in northeastern Kansas, appropriations of water for public and industrial water supplies have been increasing. Most of the pumpage comes from wells in the Kansas and Missouri river valleys. However, in 1981 the Division of Water Resources reported allocations of 1,466 acre-ft of water from wells tapping glacial aquifers associated with the main buried channel across Nemaha, Jackson, and Atchison counties and an additional 837 acre-ft from tributaries associated with the main buried channel. Nemaha County has the largest appropriation of water from the glacial aquifer (1,549 acre-ft/yr in 1983), and Wyandotte County has the largest appropriation of water from the alluvial aquifers (54,250 acre-ft/yr in 1983). Shawnee County has the largest number of ground-water appropriation rights (217). In 1981, for the 12-county study area, the Division of Water Resources found that 773 wells have ground-water appropriation rights. These 773 wells have appropriation rights for 140,484 acre-ft of water from alluvial aquifers, 5,290 acre-ft from glacial aquifers, and 2,146 acre-ft from Pennsylvanian and Permian rock aquifers. Maps for each county show the depth to bedrock, total thickness of Pleistocene sand and gravel deposits, estimated yield of wells, depth to water in wells and test holes, and the saturated thickness of Pleistocene deposits. A bedrock topographic map for the twelve counties was prepared from outcrop data and information from more than 5,000 water well, oil and gas, and test-hole logs. Ground waters from alluvial deposits are hard calcium bicarbonate waters that may have iron concentrations of several milligrams per liter. Sand and gravel associated with the glacial deposits generally yield hard calcium bicarbonate waters and may contain appreciable amounts of iron, manganese, sulfate, and chloride locally. Nitrate concentrations above 45 mg/L are noted in a number of wells of varying depth and aquifer source