Influence of organic matter in road deposited particulates in heavy metal accumulation and transport

The research study discussed in the paper investigated the influence of organic matter on heavy metal adsorption for different particle size ranges of build-up solids. Samples collected from road surfaces were assessed for organic matter content, mineral composition, particle size distribution and effective cation exchange capacity. It was found that the organic matter plays a key role in >75µm particles in the adsorption of Zinc, Lead, Nickel and Copper, which are generated by traffic activities. Clay forming minerals and metal oxides of Iron, Aluminium and Manganese was found to be important for heavy metal adsorption to <75µm particles. It was also found that heavy metals adsorbed to organic matter are strongly bound to particles and these metal ions will not be bio-available if the chemical quality of the media remains stable

Strategies to improve BCG-mediated protection from <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

Background: Host resistance to pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with the induction of IFN-y secreting T cells in the lung. Recombinant viruses used in heterologous prime-boost immunisation regimens can evoke powerful T cell immune responses and are promising candidates for novel tuberculosis vaccines. In this thesis, the immunogenicity and protection protective efficacy of viral vectors expressing the immunodominant antigen, 85A were investigated in murine and macaque models of tuberculosis disease.Results: Recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara, expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85A (MVA85A), strongly boosted BCG-induced antigen 85A specific- CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. A comparison of intranasal and parenteral immunisation of BCG showed that whilst both routes elicited comparable T cell responses in the spleen, only intranasal delivery elicited specific T cell responses in the lung lymph nodes and these responses were further boosted by intranasal delivery of MVA85A. Following aerosol challenge of BALB/c with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, intranasal boosting of BCG with either BCG or MVA85A afforded unprecedented levels of protection in both the lungs (2.5 log) and spleens (1.5 log) compared to naive controls. Protection in the lung correlated with the induction of antigen 85A specific IFN-y secreting T cells in the lung lymph nodes. In rhesus macaques, aerosol delivery of BCG induced comparable kinetics and frequencies of T cells in the peripheral blood compared to intradermal BCG without producing abnormal pathology. MVA85A vaccination induced low level Ag85A-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in the blood. Further vaccination with another attenuated poxvirus, Fowlpox expressing antigen 85A significantly increased 85A-specific T cell response in 5 of 6 outbred macaques. Analysis of lymphocytes in broncheo-alveolar lavage showed that vaccination with either BCG or M.85A/F.85A induced high frequencies of 85A-specific T cells in the respiratory compartment.Conclusions: These findings support further evaluation of mucosally targeted prime-boost vaccination approaches for tuberculosis

Cognitive Complexity, Mindfulness, and Reflection in Mental Health Professionals

In this cross sectional quantitative investigation, the relationships among mental health professionals\u27 cognitive complexity, mindfulness, and reflection were explored. To determine if there was a correlation between mindfulness and cognitive complexity, a Pearson\u27s correlation was conducted: There was a strong positive correlation between mindfulness and cognitive complexity. To determine whether observing and describing (two key variables of mindfulness) could predict counselor overall cognitive complexity, a simultaneous multiple regression was conducted. The observing subscale significantly predicted counselor cognitive complexity and the describing subscale did not significantly predict mindfulness. To determine if there is a correlation between mindfulness and reflection, a Pearson\u27s correlation was conducted. There was a strong positive correlation between mindfulness and reflection. In accordance with the findings of this study, limitations, recommendations for future research, and implications for future practice are discussed

Comparison of molecular markers to detect fresh sewage in environmental waters

Human-specific Bacteroides HF183 (HS-HF183), human-specific Enterococci faecium esp (HS-esp), human-specific adenoviruses (HS-AVs) and human-specific polyomaviruses (HS-PVs) assays were evaluated in freshwater, seawater and distilled water to detect fresh sewage. The sewage spiked water samples were also tested for the concentrations of traditional fecal indicators (i.e., Escherichia coli, enterococci and Clostridium perfringens) and enteric viruses such as enteroviruses (EVs), sapoviruses (SVs), and torquetenoviruses (TVs). The overall host-specificity of the HS-HF183 marker to differentiate between humans and other animals was 98%. However, the HS-esp, HS-AVs and HS-PVs showed 100% hostspecificity. All the human-specific markers showed >97% sensitivity to detect human fecal pollution. E. coli, enterococci and, C. perfringens were detected up to dilutions of sewage 10_5, 10_4 and 10_3 respectively.HS-esp, HS-AVs, HS-PVs, SVs and TVs were detected up to dilution of sewage 10_4 whilst EVs were detected up to dilution 10_5. The ability of the HS-HF183 marker to detect freshsewagewas3–4 orders ofmagnitude higher than that of the HS-esp and viral markers. The ability to detect fresh sewage in freshwater, seawater and distilled water matrices was similar for human-specific bacterial and viral marker. Based on our data, it appears that human-specific molecular markers are sensitive measures of fresh sewage pollution, and the HS-HF183 marker appears to be the most sensitive among these markers in terms of detecting fresh sewage. However, the presence of the HS-HF183 marker in environmental waters may not necessarily indicate the presence of enteric viruses due to their high abundance in sewage compared to enteric viruses. More research is required on the persistency of these markers in environmental water samples in relation to traditional fecal indicators and enteric pathogens

An indexing model for stormwater quality assessment: stormwater management in the Gold Coast

In the age of climate change and rapid urbanisation, stormwater management and water sensitive urban design have become important issues for urban policy makers. This paper reports the initial findings of a research study that develops an indexing model for assessing stormwater quality in the Gold Coast

Role of solids in heavy metals build-up on urban road surfaces

Solids are widely identified as a carrier of harmful pollutants in stormwater runoff exerting a significant risk to receiving waters. This paper outlines the findings of an in-depth investigation on heavy metal adsorption to solids surfaces. Pollutant build-up samples collected from sixteen road sites in residential, industrial and commercial land uses were separated into four particle size ranges and analysed for a range of physico-chemical parameters and nine heavy metals including Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni) and Copper (Cu). High specific surface area (SSA) and total organic carbon (TOC) content in finer particle size ranges was noted, thus confirming strong correlations with heavy metals. Based on their physico-chemical characteristics, two different types of solids originating from traffic and soil sources were identified. Solids generated by traffic were associated with high loads of heavy metals such as Cd and Cr with strong correlation with SSA. This suggested the existence of surface dependent bonds such as cation exchange between heavy metals and solids. In contrast, Fe, Al and Mn which can be attributed to soil inputs showed strong correlation with TOC suggesting strong bonds such as chemsorption. Zn was found to be primarily attached to solids by bonding with the oxides of Fe, Al and Mn. The data analysis also confirmed the predominance of the finer fraction, with 70% of the solids being finer than 150 µm and containing 60% of the heavy metal pollutant load

Nationwide questionnaire survey of the contemporary surgical management of pancreatic cancer in the United Kingdom & Ireland

AbstractThis paper reports the results of a questionnaire-based survey of pancreatic surgical specialists in the United Kingdom addressing aspects of staging, resection volume and outcome.A postal survey was undertaken of the 517 members of the Association of upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS). 57 surgeons undertook pancreatic resection from 162 overall respondents. Cross-checking with the list of members of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland yielded 64 pancreatic surgeons. 734 pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were reported by respondents compared with 822 procedures according to Government maintained Hospital Episode Statistics.The modal resection volume performed per annum was 6–10. There were 24 in-hospital deaths in 732 resections (3%) mortality. For individual respondents the modal percentage mortality was 5% (0 to 16%). All clinicians with mortality rates in excess of 10% did less than 10 resections per annum. Respondents favoured “amylase rich discharge beyond 7th post-operative day” as optimal for definition of post-resection pancreatic fistula.Accepting the limitations of questionnaire surveys, the results provide an important overview of pancreatic surgical practice: pancreaticoduodenectomy is carried out by a range of specialists, lower volume resectionists appear to have poorer outcomes and this study shows widespread agreement on optimum terminology for post-operative pancreatic fistula

Using Soil Properties to Predict Long-Term Effluent Treatment Potential

The capacity of a particular soil to treat wastewater will change over time. The physical properties influence the rate of effluent movement through the soil and its chemical properties dictate the ability to renovate effluent. This study presents the outcomes of an investigation to identify the major controlling soil properties which influence the renovation processes. By monitoring changes in these properties will permit improved prediction of the treatment potential of a soil. The changes within soil properties of the disposal area due to effluent application were found to be directly related to the subsurface drainage characteristics including permeability, clay content and clay type. The major controlling soil physical and chemical attributes were found to be moderate drainage, significant soil cation exchange capacity and dominance of exchangeable Ca or exchangeable Mg over exchangeable Na, low exchangeable Na, clay type and a minimum depth of 0.4m of potential unsaturated soil before encountering a restrictive horizon. An in-depth knowledge of the local soil characteristics and associated soil hydrology is essential for a better prediction of treatment potential of subsurface effluent disposal systems. The study confirmed that both the physical properties and chemistry of the soil can be valuable predictive tools for evaluating the effective long-term operation of sewage effluent disposal systems