Spatially distributed tracer-aided runoff modelling and dynamics of storage and water ages in a permafrost-influenced catchment

Data availability. The model code and the data are available upon request. Acknowledgements. This work was funded by the European Research Council (project GA 335910 VeWa). We also thank funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's Changing Cold Regions Network and the Global Water Futures programme. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Heather Bonn, Renée Lemmond, David Barrett and Tyler de Jong for their help in the collection of field data. We acknowledge support by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Financial support. This research has been supported by the Framework 7, European Research Council (project GA 335910, VeWa grant).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Microstructural evolution in Nimonic 263 for high temperature power plant

It is necessary to develop and implement new power plant due to both current energy and environmental demands. To enable these objectives to be met, the next generation of power plant must be more efficient. A common method of improving efficiency in plant is to increase the steam temperatures and pressures, which will necessitate the introduction of new materials. Nickel-based alloys lend themselves to high temperature and pressure applications due to their significant creep strength and the ability to operate at metal temperatures above 750°C. Steam header and pipework systems carry steam from the boilers to the turbines and are of particular interest in this research. Header and pipework systems experience high operating temperatures and pressures in the power plant, and it is therefore paramount that a suitable material is chosen and methodologies are put in place to predict their safe operating lifetimes Microstructural evolution in Nimonic 263, one candidate material for next generation plant, has been quantified using a variety of advanced analytical electron microscopy techniques, including field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A focussed ion beam technique has also been used to produce site specific samples for examination in the TEM to assist in the identification of grain boundary precipitates. The changes occurring in the microstructure as a result of time and temperature of exposure have been quantified and the precipitates fully identified. The results are also compared to predictions from thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. It is shown that variation in exposure time and temperature can affect the microstructural development, and therefore the mechanical properties, of the Nimonic 263 alloy

Planting the Seed : Perceived Benefits of and Strategies for Discussing Long-Term Prognosis with Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the goals and approaches of clinicians with experience discussing long-term prognostic information with older adults. DESIGN: We used a semistructured interview guide containing 2 domains of perceived benefits and strategies to explore why and how clinicians choose to discuss long-term prognosis, defined as life expectancy on the scale of years, with patients. SETTING: Clinicians from home-based primary care practices, community-based clinics, and academic medical centers across San Francisco. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen physicians, including 11 geriatricians and 1 geriatric nurse practitioner, with a mean age of 40 and a mean 9 years in practice. MEASUREMENTS: Clinician responses were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparisons approach. RESULTS: Perceived benefits of discussing long-term prognosis included establishing realistic expectations for patients, encouraging conversations about future planning, and promoting shared decision-making through understanding of patient goals of care. Communication strategies included adapting discussions to individual patient preferences and engaging in multiple conversations over time. Clinicians preferred to communicate prognosis in words and with a visual aid, although most did not know of a suitable visual aid. CONCLUSION: Engaging in customized longitudinal discussions of long-term prognosis aids clinicians in anchoring conversations about future planning and preparing patients for the end of life

GROM-RD: Resolving Genomic Biases to Improve Read Depth Detection of Copy Number Variants

Amplifications or deletions of genome segments, known as copy number variants (CNVs), have been associated with many diseases. Read depth analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an essential method of detecting CNVs. However, genome read coverage is frequently distorted by various biases of NGS platforms, which reduce predictive capabilities of existing approaches. Additionally, the use of read depth tools has been somewhat hindered by imprecise breakpoint identification. We developed GROM-RD, an algorithm that analyzes multiple biases in read coverage to detect CNVs in NGS data. We found non-uniform variance across distinct GC regions after using existing GC bias correction methods and developed a novel approach to normalize such variance. Although complex and repetitive genome segments complicate CNV detection, GROM-RD adjusts for repeat bias and uses a two-pipeline masking approach to detect CNVs in complex and repetitive segments while improving sensitivity in less complicated regions. To overcome a typical weakness of RD methods, GROM-RD employs a CNV search using size-varying overlapping windows to improve breakpoint resolution. We compared our method to two widely used programs based on read depth methods, CNVnator and RDXplorer, and observed improved CNV detection and breakpoint accuracy for GROM-RD. GROM-RD is available a

Technology use by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support employment activities: A single-subject design meta analysis

This is the published version. Copyright 2006 IOS PressObjectives: Technology has the potential to improve employment and rehabilitation related outcomes for persons with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of technology use on employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Study design: A comprehensive search of the literature pertaining to technology use by people with intellectual disabilities was conducted, and a single-subject design meta analysis was conducted for a subset of those studies, which focused on employment and rehabilitation related outcomes. Results: The use of technology to promote outcomes in this area was shown to be generally effective, in particular when universal design features were addressed. Conclusions: Technology has the potential to enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve more positive employment and rehabilitation outcomes. It is important to focus on universal design features important to persons with cognitive disabilities, and there is a need for more research in this area

Thermal Stability of Frozen Volatiles in the North Polar Region of Mercury

Earth-based radar observations have revealed the presence on Mercury of anomalously bright, depolarizing features that appear to be localized in the permanently shadowed regions of high-latitude impact craters [1]. Observations of similar radar signatures over a range of radar wavelengths implies that they correspond to deposits that are highly transparent at radar wavelengths and extend to depths of several meters below the surface [1]. Thermal models using idealized crater topographic profiles have predicted the thermal stability of surface and subsurface water ice at these same latitudes [2]. One of the major goals of the MESSENGER mission is to characterize the nature of radar-bright craters and presumed associated frozen volatile deposits at the poles of Mercury through complementary orbital observations by a suite of instruments [3]. Here we report on an examination of the thermal stability of water ice and other frozen volatiles in the north polar region of Mercury using topographic profiles obtained by the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) instrument [4] in conjunction with a three-dimensional ray-tracing thermal model previously used to study the thermal environment of polar craters on the Moon [5]

Stable isotopes of water reveal differences in plant – soil water relationships across northern environments

Funding Information: We thank the European Research Council ERC for funding (VeWa project GA 335910). Contributions from CS were supported by the Leverhulme Trust through the ISO-LAND project (RPG 2018 375). Support for MJK and JPM were provided by the US National Science Foundation (EAR0842367) and Boise State University. We thank Dr. Samantha Evans for technical support. Thanks to the Dorset Environmental Science Centre for provision of meteorological data. The work conducted in Krycklan was partly financed by SITES (VR) and the KAW Branch-Point project. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Nadine Shatilla for collection of the Wolf Creek samples and the Global Water Futures program for financial support. We also would like to sincerely thank Jeff McDonnell for his support throughout the VeWa project and all participants in the different VeWa workshops esp. Tanya Doody and Marco Maneta for their invaluable input into the discussions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Modulation of Interleukin-12 activity in the presence of heparin

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), especially heparin and heparan sulfate (HS), modulate the functions of numerous cytokines. The aims of this multidisciplinary research were to characterize heparin binding to interleukin-12 (IL-12) and determine the mechanism(s) by which heparin influences IL-12 bioactivity. Heparin and HS were found to bind human IL-12 (hIL-12) with low micromolar affinity and increase hIL-12 bioactivity by more than 6-fold. Conversely, other GAGs did not demonstrate significant binding, nor did their addition affect hIL-12 bioactivity. Biophysical studies demonstrated that heparin induced only minor conformational changes while size-exclusion chromatography and small angle X-ray scattering studies indicated that heparin induced dimerization of hIL-12. Heparin modestly protected hIL-12 from proteolytic degradation, however, this was not a likely mechanism for increased cytokine activity in vitro. Flow cytometry studies revealed that heparin increased the amount of hIL-12 bound to cell surfaces. Heparin also facilitated hIL-12 binding and signaling in cells in which both hIL-12 receptor subunits were functionally deleted. Results of this study demonstrate a new role for heparin in modulating the biological activity of IL-12

Surgical ward rounds in England: a trainee-led multi-centre study of current practice

BACKGROUND: Recent guidance advocates daily consultant-led ward rounds, conducted in the morning with the presence of senior nursing staff and minimising patients on outlying wards. These recommendations aim to improve patient management through timely investigations, treatment and discharge. This study sought to evaluate the current surgical ward round practices in England. METHODS: Information regarding timing and staffing levels of surgical ward rounds was collected prospectively over a one-week period. The location of each patient was also documented. Two surgical trainee research collaboratives coordinated data collection from 19 hospitals and 13 surgical subspecialties. RESULTS: Data from 471 ward rounds involving 5622 patient encounters was obtained. 367 (77.9%) ward rounds commenced before 9am. Of 422 weekday rounds, 190 (45%) were consultant-led compared with 33 of the 49 (67%) weekend rounds. 2474 (44%) patients were seen with a nurse present. 1518 patients (27%) were classified as outliers, with 361 ward rounds (67%) reporting at least one outlying patient. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for daily consultant-led multi disciplinary ward rounds are poorly implemented in surgical practice, and patients continue to be managed on outlying wards. Although strategies may be employed to improve nursing attendance on ward rounds, substantial changes to workforce planning would be required to deliver daily consultant-led care. An increasing political focus on patient outcomes at weekends may prompt changes in these areas