Interview with Kathryn Stream

An oral history interview with Kathryn Sheaffer Stream

Methods of Restraint in Boar Castration

Recently the ambulatory clinic was called to the Veterinary Research Farm to castrate seven boars. Since the boars ranged in weight from 400 to 700 lbs., it was a good opportunity to demonstrate various methods of restraint. Four different methods were used

A mass-balance approach to estimate in-stream processes in a large river

A mass-balance approach was used to estimate in-stream processes related to inorganic nitrogen species (NH4 C, NO2 and NO3 ) in a large river characterized by highly variable hydrological conditions, the Garonne River (south-west France). Studies were conducted in two consecutive reaches of 30 km located downstream of the Toulouse agglomeration (population 760 000, seventh order), impacted by modification of discharge regime and high nitrogen concentrations. The mass-balance was calculated by two methods: the first is based on a variable residence time (VRT) simulated by a one-dimensional (1-D) hydraulic model; the second is a based on a calculation using constant residence time (CRT) evaluated according to hydrographic peaks. In the context of the study, removal of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for a reach of 30 km is underestimated by 11% with the CRT method. In sub-reaches, the discrepancy between the two methods led to a 50% overestimation of DIN removal in the upper reach (13 km) and a 43% underestimation in the lower reach (17 km) using the CRT method. The study highlights the importance of residence time determination when using modelling approaches in the assessment of whole stream processes in short-duration mass-balance for a large river under variable hydrological conditions

Colorado River Basin Study Comments--New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission

Comments on the Colorado River Basin Study prepared by the the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission

Trends in adoption of electronic health records by family physicians in Washington State

Objective Electronic health record (EHR) adoption is encouraged by health plans, government agencies, and both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP), but rates of EHR adoption by family physicians in Washington were previously unknown. This study measured current rates of EHR adoption by family physicians in Washington State, as well as perceived barriers to adoption and what physicians identify as possible means to overcome those barriers. Design A survey of medical practices in Washington State was performed. One physician per practice was selected to respond on behalf of their practice for all practices where family physicians work and for which contact information was available in the databases of the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) and WAFP. The survey was distributed either electronically or in print form depending on availability of an email address. Measurements Rates of EHR adoption, plans for adoption for those not yet using EHRs, perceived barriers to EHR adoption and perceived means to overcome those barriers. Results Response rate was 43.8%. EHR adoption by this group is relatively high at 57.9%and did not vary by practice location. Although solo practices had a relatively high rate of adoption (43.5%), EHR adoption remains strongly associated with practice size. Identified barriers to implementation are primarily financial, as are the means to overcome those barriers. If current trends continue, adoption will plateau at approximately 68% in the next four years. Conclusions Adoption rate appears to have peaked in this group given current constraints and barriers. Increased outreach efforts and assistance programs will be necessary to achieve EHR adoption in the remaining practices, particularly solo and small group practices

The oyster industry in Oregon

Aquaculture of oysters has never obtained the economic importance in Oregon as it has in other coastal states. There are at present seven commercial culturists in Oregon. The two oysters cultured are the Crassostrea gigas and the Ostrea lurida. Since oysters do not naturally spawn in Oregon waters the spat, seed, must be produced elsewhere to be planted in the tidewaters. Many problems in the culture of oysters result after the larvae has attached itself to a permanent growing site, It is then easy prey for other sea life, starfish and oyster drills. In today's environment a greater danger is water pollution. The pollution changes the chemical balance of the water as well as the temperature, both of which the oyster is sensitive to