Evaluation of Hydrodynamic Drag on Experimental Fouling-release Surfaces, using Rotating Disks

Fouling by biofilms significantly increases frictional drag on ships' hulls. A device, the friction disk machine, designed to measure torque on rotating disks, was used to examine differences among experimental fouling-release coatings in the drag penalty due to accumulated biofilms. Penalties were measured as the percentage change in the frictional resistance coefficient C f . Drag penalties due to microfouling ranged from 9% to 29%, comparable to previously reported values. An antifouling control coating showed a smaller drag penalty than the fouling-release coatings. There were also significant differences among the fouling-release coatings in drag due to biofilm formation. These results indicate that the friction disk machine may serve as a valuable tool for investigating the effects of experimental coatings, both antifouling and fouling-release, on microfouling and associated drag penalties

Risks to Birds in the Lake Calumet Region from Contaminated Emergent Aquatic Insects

The highly industrialized Grand Calumet River basin includes an extensive wetlands complex that has been severely degraded through heavy industrial activity, sewage and industrial discharges, landfills, and hazardous waste storage/disposal. Sediments and other environmental media in this area are contaminated with heavy metals and organic compounds. Our objective was to empirically quantify risks to insectivorous birds in the Lake Calumet wetlands region from contaminated sediments via ingestion of aquatic insects using tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) as a model organism. To accomplish this objective, we completed the following tasks: (1) assessed organic contaminant transfer (polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], organochlorine pesticides, polybrominated diphenylethers [PBDEs]) from an aquatic ecosystem (sediment and benthic macroinvertebrates) to a terrestrial food chain (tree swallows feeding on emergent aquatic insects), (2) quantified elemental contaminants in these locales and biota, (3) evaluated ecological effects these contaminants may have on tree swallows, comparing mercury loads and nesting ecology data at different sites as a case study, and (4) assessed the value of stable isotope data in determining how food chain length and food source (aquatic versus terrestrial, location of origin) affects contaminant loads in tree swallows nesting at Lake Calumet wetlands. With the exception of timing of nest initiation and other variables that are dependent on nest initiation timing (e.g., clutch size, and nestling mass), we observed no differences among sites in tree swallow nesting ecology endpoints. A variety of inorganic and organic contaminants were accumulated by nestlings via their insect diets, but concentrations of nearly all the contaminants were at the lower end of ranges in the literature. The exception to this trend was dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations in eggs and nestlings at Big Marsh which were among the higher reported values. To our knowledge, this paper is the first report of PBDEs concentrations in tree swallow nestlings. Our stable isotope analysis suggested a terrestrial origin for many of the contaminants as has been suggested by others.published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society

Objective: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society created a panel to provide evidence-based reviews of studies assessing PCOS-CVD risk relationships and to develop guidelines for preventing CVD. Participants: An expert panel in PCOS and CVD reviewed literature and presented recommendations. Evidence: Only studies comparing PCOS with control patients were included. All electronic databases were searched; reviews included individual studies/databases, systematic reviews, abstracts, and expert data. Articles were excluded if other hyperandrogenic disorders were not excluded, PCOS diagnosis was unclear, controls were not described, or methodology precluded evaluation. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were confirmed by at least two reviewers and arbitrated by a third. Consensus Process: Systematic reviews of CVD risk factors were compiled and submitted for approval to the AE-PCOS Society Board. Conclusions: Women with PCOS with obesity, cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, and subclinical vascular disease are at risk, whereas those with metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus are at high risk for CVD. Body mass index, waist circumference, serum lipid/glucose, and blood pressure determinations are recommended for all women with PCOS, as is oral glucose tolerance testing in those with obesity, advanced age, personal history of gestational diabetes, or family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mood disorder assessment is suggested in all PCOS patients. Lifestyle management is recommended for primary CVD prevention, targeting low-density and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adding insulin-sensitizing and other drugs if dyslipidemia or other risk factors persist. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95: 2038-2049, 2010

Assessment of cardiovascular risk and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome: A consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society

Objective: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society created a panel to provide evidence-based reviews of studies assessing PCOS-CVD risk relationships and to develop guidelines for preventing CVD. Participants: An expert panel in PCOS and CVD reviewed literature and presented recommendations. Evidence: Only studies comparing PCOS with control patients were included. All electronic databases were searched; reviews included individual studies/databases, systematic reviews, abstracts, and expert data. Articles were excluded if other hyperandrogenic disorders were not excluded, PCOS diagnosis was unclear, controls were not described, or methodology precluded evaluation. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were confirmed by at least two reviewers and arbitrated by a third. Consensus Process: Systematic reviews of CVD risk factors were compiled and submitted for approval to the AE-PCOS Society Board. Conclusions: Women with PCOS with obesity, cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, and subclinical vascular disease are at risk, whereas those with metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus are at high risk for CVD. Body mass index, waist circumference, serum lipid/glucose, and blood pressure determinations are recommended for all women with PCOS, as is oral glucose tolerance testing in those with obesity, advanced age, personal history of gestational diabetes, or family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mood disorder assessment is suggested in all PCOS patients. Lifestyle management is recommended for primary CVD prevention, targeting low-density and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adding insulin-sensitizing and other drugs if dyslipidemia or other risk factors persist.Robert A. Wild, Enrico Carmina, Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis, Anuja Dokras, Hector F. Escobar-Morreale, Walter Futterweit, Rogerio Lobo, Robert J. Norman, Evelyn Talbott and Daniel A. Dumesi