Effects of sedimentation and periphyton communities on embryonic rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax

The decline of anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) populations has been suspected to be linked to anthropogenic causes. Increased runoff from agriculture and urbanization has led to additional sediment inputs and eutrophying compounds in rivers. The aim of this study was to assess the survival of embryonic rainbow smelt from fertilization through hatching under varying levels of sedimentation (0.00, 0.25, 1.00, and 6.00 g per 45.6 cm 2) and with periphyton communities of different biomass and algal composition. Additionally, embryo survival was assessed when cultured on periphyton in combination with sterilized sediment or eutrophying compounds (nitrates and phosphates). Oxygen consumption was monitored from embryos cultured alone, on periphyton layers, and under sediment. Survival was significantly reduced under the highest sediment treatment and attributed to low oxygen availability to the embryos. Embryonic survival was also significantly reduced on the highest periphyton biomass (251.5 g/m2 dry weight, 15.7 g/m 2 ash free dry weight), and periphyton containing a high cyanobacteria content (50%). These results suggest that embryonic survival could be reduced in rivers with heavy sedimentation or a high standing biomass of periphyton

Thromboprophylaxis prescribing among junior doctors:the impact of educational interventions

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in an important aspect of the care of hospitalised patients, for which the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance. Guidance compliance continues to be a concern. Junior doctors are the main group responsible for prescribing thromboprophylaxis. We aimed to compare local pharmacological thromboprophylaxis prescribing against NICE guidelines in a surgical department at a district general hospital, and determine whether interventions aimed at improving compliance were effective. METHODS: Over four months, a two cycle audit of prescribing patterns for VTE prophylaxis was performed using data collected at four intervals: 1. Baseline 2. Following pro-forma introduction and feedback 3. A second baseline data collection. 4. Following VTE prophylaxis teaching. RESULTS: A total of 394 admissions were included. Correct identification and prescribing for at-risk patients ranged between 76 and 93 %, whilst risk assessment documentation and explanation to patients occurred in fewer than 50 and 66 % respectively. Prescribing and risk assessment improved in the first cycle (chi2 = 6.75, p = 0.009 and chi2 = 10.70, p = 0.001 respectively), a consequence of one specialty improving following additional feedback. Teaching was not associated with improvements. Overall compliance with NICE guidelines was achieved in no more than 25 % of admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite junior doctors generally prescribing VTE thromboprophylaxis appropriately, overall compliance with guidelines remained poor regardless of educational interventions. Verbal feedback was the only intervention associated with modest improvements. A pressurised work environment may limit the impact of educational interventions. Guidance simplification or devolving responsibility to other members of staff may improve compliance. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1480-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Medical Waste Day

Increasing use of single use plastic and single use devices has led to a large uptick in medical waste globally. During our research we have found that small changes make a big impact. Some of the biggest differences were made by hospitals by switching to a reusable product or retraining staff on proper techniques. According to this research, educating healthcare professionals and the public about different types of medical waste and its generation has brought forth the most success in reducing medical waste. Instead of directly altering the way medical systems handle their waste, we are reaching those who may begin to foster that change. In order to go about this, we are implementing a medical waste day. Our approach to the development and implementation of a medical waste day required collaborative efforts within our group and the broader community. This was done in 5 steps: finding partners with like minded interests, creating a preliminary survey to assess local need, organizing the event, hosting the event, and evaluating the impact of the event. The goals of this project include: increasing education of medical waste, increasing awareness of the issue, and fostering connections between sustainability organizations and directors of medical equipment and waste at local medical facilities. After hosting the event it is clear there was an increased understanding of issues surrounding medical waste and what individuals can do to help drive Missoula medical waste system towards a more sustainable future

Effect of Alcohol on Nutritional Habits and Mental Well-Being

Alcoholism is a pervasive disease believed to affect nutritional choices and mental state. This study examined the effects of drinking on diet quality and mood. An anonymous online survey was administered through a Google survey that was distributed on social media platforms. The survey included basic demographic questions and questions aimed at gauging alcohol consumption, nutritional habits, and self perceived mental well-being. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze data in SPSS version 25.0. There is an association between binge drinking and depressed mental health. In addition, alcohol drinking influences food choices and overall mood after a night of drinking. Future research can further explore the relationship between dietary choices, amount of alcohol, and mental statushttps://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2023/1053/thumbnail.jp

Caring, Investing, Empowering: Undergraduate Research Mentoring Practices by English Faculty

Mentoring undergraduate research has received attention in scholarly publications, particularly in STEM areas (Pierszalowski & Buser, 2021; National Academies; Pathways to Science). More general advice on mentoring appears in Temple et al (2010) and Vandermaas-Peeler et al, 2018). Attention to mentoring undergraduate researchers in the humanities has been addressed by Behling (2009), Klos, et al (2011), Crawford et al (2014). Grobman and Kinkead (2010) include a section on mentoring in their Undergraduate Research in English Studies. What are the characteristics of faculty mentors in a department of English? This study seeks to determine a profile of effective mentoring in this discipline. Do these characteristics match those identified by Shanahan, et al (2015) in their comprehensive review of literature, “Ten Salient Practices of Undergraduate Mentors: A Review of the Literature”

Omega-3 fatty acids attenuate cardiovascular effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollution

Exposure to air pollution is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Evidence shows that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) may attenuate the adverse cardiovascular effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, it is unclear whether habitual dietary intake of omega-3 PUFA protects against the cardiovascular effects of short-term exposure to low-level ambient air pollution in healthy participants. In the present study, sixty-two adults with low or high dietary omega-3 PUFA intake were enrolled. Blood lipids, markers of vascular inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis, and heart rate variability (HRV) and repolarization were repeatedly assessed in 5 sessions separated by at least 7 days. This study was carried out in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, USA between October 2016 and September 2019. Daily PM2.5 and maximum 8-h ozone (O3) concentrations were obtained from nearby air quality monitoring stations. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the associations between air pollutant concentrations and cardiovascular responses stratified by the omega-3 intake levels

Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses of Himalayan Hot Springs at Manikaran Modulate Host Genomes

Hot spring-associated viruses, particularly the archaeal viruses, remain under-examined compared to bacteriophages. Previous metagenomic studies of the Manikaran hot springs in India suggested an abundance of viral DNA, which prompted us to examine the virus–host (bacterial and archaeal) interactions in sediment and microbial mat samples collected from the thermal discharges. Here, we characterize the viruses (both bacterial and archaeal) from this Himalayan hot spring using both metagenomics assembly and electron microscopy. We utilized four shotgun samples from sediment (78–98°C) and two from microbial mats (50°C) to reconstruct 65 bacteriophage genomes (24–200 kb). We also identified 59 archaeal viruses that were notably abundant across the sediment samples. Whole-genome analyses of the reconstructed bacteriophage genomes revealed greater genomic conservation in sediments (65%) compared to microbial mats (49%). However, a minimal phage genome was still maintained across both sediment and microbial mats suggesting a common origin. To complement the metagenomic data, scanning-electron and helium-ion microscopy were used to reveal diverse morphotypes of Caudovirales and archaeal viruses. The genome level annotations provide further evidence for gene-level exchange between virus and host in these hot springs, and augments our knowledgebase for bacteriophages, archaeal viruses and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat cassettes, which provide a critical resource for studying viromes in extreme natural environments