2018 Establishing groundwater Nitrate / Nitrite levels In Hamilton, Montana & local areaMarch

We propose to collect emergent groundwater around Hamilton, using standardized collection methods that include quality and control samples with analysis performed at a certified drinking water testing laboratory (Energy Labs). Nitrate background in natural groundwater systems should contain less that\u27s 1 mg/L nitrates (U.S. Geological Survey) but in our aquifer, nitrates/nitrites should be less than 0.25 mg/L based on previous sampling. We will map the locations of the samples and use local hydrology data to help determine the source and flow direction of the groundwater. Routine testing and reporting of groundwater quality in our community will help protect our health and the economy of our river. Groundwater in sand and gravel aquifers from shallow wells supplies all the Hamilton area drinking water. The aquifers receive recharge from streams and ditches flowing in from he sides of the valley and the shallow aquifers discharge to the Bitterroot River and to ditches that flow past the West and north edge of Hamilton. we plan to collect about a dozen samples in an arc around the down gradient edge of Hamilton from these groundwater discharges. Nitrates are tasteless and odorless, and are often the first sign of deterioration of groundwater quality. Nitrates are a health threat because they can cause blue baby syndrome and may function as initiators of human carcinogenesis. Nitrates are also an environmental threat because they cause eutrophication damage to surface water aquatic environments in the Bitterroot River. High densities of private septic systems, and large acreages that receive fertilizer or that support farm animals are located up gradient to the south and eats of Hamilton. these are probable sources of pollution to shallow groundwater

Toward Robust Interpretation of Low‐Temperature Thermochronometers in Magmatic Terranes

Many regions central to our understanding of tectonics and landscape evolution are active or ancient magmatic terranes, and robust interpretation of low‐temperature thermochronologic ages in these settings requires careful attention to the drivers of rock heating and cooling, including magmatism. However, we currently lack a quantitative framework for evaluating the potential role of magmatic cooling—that is, post‐magmatic thermal relaxation—in shaping cooling age patterns in regions with a history of intrusive magmatism. Here we use analytical approximations and numerical models to characterize how low‐temperature thermochronometers document cooling inside and around plutons in steadily exhuming environments. Our models predict that the thermal field a pluton intrudes into, specifically the ambient temperatures relative to the closure temperature of a given thermochronometer, is as important as the pluton size and temperature in controlling the pattern and extent of thermochronometer resetting in the country rocks around a pluton. We identify one advective and several conductive timescales that govern the relationship between the crystallization and cooling ages inside a pluton. In synthetic vertical age‐elevation relationships (AERs), resetting next to plutons results in changes in AER slope that could be misinterpreted as past changes in exhumation rate if the history of magmatism is not accounted for. Finally, we find that large midcrustal plutons, such as those emplaced at ~10–15‐km depth, can reset the low‐temperature thermochronometers far above them in the upper crust—a result with considerable consequences for thermochronology in arcs and regions with a history of magmatic activity that may not have a surface expression.Key PointsIntrusive magmatism may produce important first‐order effects on patterns of low‐temperature thermochronometer coolingAnalytical approximations and numerical models predict cooling ages in and around crustal plutons in steadily exhuming environmentsLarge plutons emplaced in the middle crust at 10–15‐km depth can reset low‐temperature thermochronometers in the upper crustPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146628/1/ggge21696.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146628/2/ggge21696_am.pd

Long-Term Citizen-Collected Data Reveal Geographical Patterns and Temporal Trends in Lake Water Clarity

We compiled a lake-water clarity database using publically available, citizen volunteer observations made between 1938 and 2012 across eight states in the Upper Midwest, USA. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether temporal trends in lake-water clarity existed across this large geographic area and (2) whether trends were related to the lake-specific characteristics of latitude, lake size, or time period the lake was monitored. Our database consisted of >140,000 individual Secchi observations from 3,251 lakes that we summarized per lake-year, resulting in 21,020 summer averages. Using Bayesian hierarchical modeling, we found approximately a 1% per year increase in water clarity (quantified as Secchi depth) for the entire population of lakes. On an individual lake basis, 7% of lakes showed increased water clarity and 4% showed decreased clarity. Trend direction and strength were related to latitude and median sample date. Lakes in the southern part of our study-region had lower average annual summer water clarity, more negative long-term trends, and greater interannual variability in water clarity compared to northern lakes. Increasing trends were strongest for lakes with median sample dates earlier in the period of record (1938–2012). Our ability to identify specific mechanisms for these trends is currently hampered by the lack of a large, multi-thematic database of variables that drive water clarity (e.g., climate, land use/cover). Our results demonstrate, however, that citizen science can provide the critical monitoring data needed to address environmental questions at large spatial and long temporal scales. Collaborations among citizens, research scientists, and government agencies may be important for developing the data sources and analytical tools necessary to move toward an understanding of the factors influencing macro-scale patterns such as those shown here for lake water clarity

Trends in surgical aortic valve replacement in pre- and post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement eras at a structural heart center

BackgroundThe advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has directly impacted the lifelong management of patients with aortic valve disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved TAVR for all surgical risk: prohibitive (2011), high (2012), intermediate (2016), and low (2019). Since then, TAVR volumes are increasing and surgical aortic valve replacements (SAVR) are decreasing. This study sought to evaluate trends in isolated SAVR in the pre- and post-TAVR eras.MethodsFrom January 2000 to June 2020, 3,861 isolated SAVRs were performed at a single academic quaternary care institution which participated in the early trials of TAVR beginning in 2007. A formal structural heart center was established in 2012 when TAVR became commercially available. Patients were divided into the pre-TAVR era (2000–2011, n = 2,426) and post-TAVR era (2012–2020, n = 1,435). Data from the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database was analyzed.ResultsThe median age was 66 years, similar between groups. The post-TAVR group had a statistically higher rate of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, more reoperative SAVR, and lower STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) (2.0% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.0001). There were more urgent/emergent/salvage SAVRs (38% vs. 24%) and fewer elective SAVRs (63% vs. 76%), (p < 0.0001) in the post-TAVR group. More bioprosthetic valves were implanted in the post-TAVR group (85% vs. 74%, p < 0.0001). Larger aortic valves were implanted (25 vs. 23 mm, p < 0.0001) and more annular enlargements were performed (5.9% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.0001) in the post-TAVR era. Postoperatively, the post-TAVR group had less blood product transfusion (49% vs. 58%, p < 0.0001), renal failure (1.4% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.0001), pneumonia (2.3% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.01), shorter lengths of stay, and lower in-hospital mortality (1.5% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.0007).ConclusionThe approval of TAVR changed the landscape of aortic valve disease management. At a quaternary academic cardiac surgery center with a well-established structural heart program, patients undergoing isolated SAVR in the post-TAVR era had lower STS PROM, more implantation of bioprosthetic valves, utilization of larger valves, annular enlargement, and lower in-hospital mortality. Isolated SAVR continues to be performed in the TAVR era with excellent outcomes. SAVR remains an essential tool in the lifetime management of aortic valve disease

The monoclonal antibody combination REGEN-COV protects against SARS-CoV-2 mutational escape in preclinical and human studies.

Monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are a clinically validated therapeutic option against COVID-19. Because rapidly emerging virus mutants are becoming the next major concern in the fight against the global pandemic, it is imperative that these therapeutic treatments provide coverage against circulating variants and do not contribute to development of treatment-induced emergent resistance. To this end, we investigated the sequence diversity of the spike protein and monitored emergence of virus variants in SARS-COV-2 isolates found in COVID-19 patients treated with the two-antibody combination REGEN-COV, as well as in preclinical in vitro studies using single, dual, or triple antibody combinations, and in hamster in vivo studies using REGEN-COV or single monoclonal antibody treatments. Our study demonstrates that the combination of non-competing antibodies in REGEN-COV provides protection against all current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern/interest and also protects against emergence of new variants and their potential seeding into the population in a clinical setting

Genome-wide patterns of selection in 230 ancient Eurasians

Ancient DNA makes it possible to directly witness natural selection by analyzing samples from populations before, during and after adaptation events. Here we report the first scan for selection using ancient DNA, capitalizing on the largest genome-wide dataset yet assembled: 230 West Eurasians dating to between 6500 and 1000 BCE, including 163 with newly reported data. The new samples include the first genome-wide data from the Anatolian Neolithic culture whose genetic material we extracted from the DNA-rich petrous bone and who we show were members of the population that was the source of Europe’s first farmers. We also report a complete transect of the steppe region in Samara between 5500 and 1200 BCE that allows us to recognize admixture from at least two external sources into steppe populations during this period. We detect selection at loci associated with diet, pigmentation and immunity, and two independent episodes of selection on height

Best practices for working with transgender clients in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare

Research suggests that simply identifying an individual as transgender does not necessarily indicate the existence of other mental health concerns. However, many transgender adolescents experience significant psychosocial and mental health concerns, which are likely due to the challenges faced by youth with nonconforming gender identity and expression. Though issues related to gender identity are rarely the primary reason why individuals seek mental health treatment, it is important for mental health practitioners to possess some knowledge of the issues affecting the transgender community to provide effective treatment. This paper examines the clinical needs of youth who identify as transgender, and best practices for working with transgender clients in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare. Recommendations for best practices include ensuring that clinicians and other staff members are adequately educated on issues related to gender identity, examining bias on a personal and institutional level, taking corrective action to create more trans-affirming environments, and promoting client self-determination and voice before and during treatment. In addition, more research on the topic of transgender clients in mental health treatment, and specifically in OBH programs, is needed to better inform clinical practice

Time Comparisons of Channel Lines of the Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot River is a fast moving cobble-gravel-sand-bed, braided and meandering, north flowing river with peak discharges above ten thousand cubic feet per second during spring snow melt at our riverbank community, Hamilton, Montana. The river is the life blood of our valley with water quality good enough to support trout. Low flow of August can drop to 500 cubic feet per second at Hamilton endangering trout with high temperatures, were it not for the cooling effect of groundwater seeping into the channel and shade from trees. We examine a ten mile reach between Anglers Roost and Woodside Crossing where there is heavy visible interference from man-caused armoring (riprap) of the banks to protect bridges, roads, homes, and irrigation diversion dams or jetties. Here the river descends at a rate of 15 to 17 feet per mile occasionally widening its active channel to half a mile and then coalescing to a single channel where confined by structures. Our hypothesis is that increasing percentages of riprap control the movement of the channel because energy of peak flow increases when the river is constrained. Even small reaches of the river can change dynamically as illustrated by two separate meander cutoffs through 18 years. We illustrate major channel changes by comparing main channels between 1995 and 2018

Long-term citizen-collected data reveal geographical patterns and temporal trends in lake water clarity.

We compiled a lake-water clarity database using publically available, citizen volunteer observations made between 1938 and 2012 across eight states in the Upper Midwest, USA. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether temporal trends in lake-water clarity existed across this large geographic area and (2) whether trends were related to the lake-specific characteristics of latitude, lake size, or time period the lake was monitored. Our database consisted of >140,000 individual Secchi observations from 3,251 lakes that we summarized per lake-year, resulting in 21,020 summer averages. Using Bayesian hierarchical modeling, we found approximately a 1% per year increase in water clarity (quantified as Secchi depth) for the entire population of lakes. On an individual lake basis, 7% of lakes showed increased water clarity and 4% showed decreased clarity. Trend direction and strength were related to latitude and median sample date. Lakes in the southern part of our study-region had lower average annual summer water clarity, more negative long-term trends, and greater inter-annual variability in water clarity compared to northern lakes. Increasing trends were strongest for lakes with median sample dates earlier in the period of record (1938-2012). Our ability to identify specific mechanisms for these trends is currently hampered by the lack of a large, multi-thematic database of variables that drive water clarity (e.g., climate, land use/cover). Our results demonstrate, however, that citizen science can provide the critical monitoring data needed to address environmental questions at large spatial and long temporal scales. Collaborations among citizens, research scientists, and government agencies may be important for developing the data sources and analytical tools necessary to move toward an understanding of the factors influencing macro-scale patterns such as those shown here for lake water clarity