Avian influenza (AI) virus can remain infectious in water for months, and virus-contaminated surface water is considered to be a source of infection within wild waterfowl populations. Previous work ...has characterized the effects of pH, salinity, and temperature on viral persistence in water, but most of that work was done with modified distilled water. The objective of this study was to identify the abiotic factors that influence the duration of AI virus persistence in natural surface water. Surface water samples were collected from 38 waterfowl habitats distributed across the United States. Samples were submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory for chemical analysis and the University of Georgia for viral reduction time analysis. Samples were filtered with 0.22-μm filters, and the durations of persistence of three wild-bird-derived influenza A viruses within each water sample at 10, 17, and 28°C were determined. The effects of the surface water physicochemical factors on the duration of AI viral persistence in laboratory experiments were evaluated by multivariable linear regression with robust standard errors. The duration of AI virus persistence was determined to be longest in filtered surface water with a low temperature (<17°C), a neutral-to-basic pH (7.0 to 8.5), low salinity (<0.5 ppt), and a low ammonia concentration (<0.5 mg/liter). Our results also highlighted potential strain-related variation in the stability of AI virus in surface water. These results bring us closer to being able to predict the duration of AI virus persistence in surface water of waterfowl habitats.
Modern agricultural practices in the United States have resulted in nearly unrivaled efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, there is also the potential for release of these compounds to the ...environment and consequent adverse affects on wildlife and human populations. Since 1993, the National Water‐Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program of the U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated water quality in agricultural areas to address these concerns. The objective of this study is to evaluate trends in pesticide concentrations from 1993–2005 in the surficial and Upper Floridan aquifers of southwest Georgia using pesticide and pesticide degradate data collected for the NAWQA program. There were six compounds—five herbicides and one degradate—that were detected in more than 20% of samples: atrazine, deethylatrazine (DEA), metolachlor, alachlor, floumeturon, and tebuthiuron. Of the 128 wells sampled during the study, only eight wells had pesticide concentrations that either increased (7) or decreased (1) on a decadal time scale. Most of the significant trends were increasing concentrations of pesticides in older water; median pesticide concentrations did not differ between the surficial and Upper Floridan aquifers from 1993 and 2005. Deethylatrazine, in the Upper Floridan aquifer, was the only compound that had a significant change (increase) in concentration during the study. The limited number of wells with increases in pesticide concentrations suggest that ground‐water sources of these compounds are not increasing in concentration over the time scale represented in this study.
Climate change is driving global declines of marine habitat-forming species through physiological effects and through changes to ecological interactions, with projected trajectories for ocean warming ...and acidification likely to exacerbate such impacts in coming decades. Interactions between habitat-formers and their microbiomes are fundamental for host functioning and resilience, but how such relationships will change in future conditions is largely unknown. We investigated independent and interactive effects of warming and acidification on a large brown seaweed, the kelp Ecklonia radiata, and its associated microbiome in experimental mesocosms. Microbial communities were affected by warming and, during the first week, by acidification. During the second week, kelp developed disease-like symptoms previously observed in the field. The tissue of some kelp blistered, bleached and eventually degraded, particularly under the acidification treatments, affecting photosynthetic efficiency. Microbial communities differed between blistered and healthy kelp for all treatments, except for those under future conditions of warming and acidification, which after two weeks resembled assemblages associated with healthy hosts. This indicates that changes in the microbiome were not easily predictable as the severity of future climate scenarios increased. Future ocean conditions can change kelp microbiomes and may lead to host disease, with potentially cascading impacts on associated ecosystems.
Climate change is driving the poleward redistribution of coral species, but the rate and magnitude of future range extensions within temperate regions are rarely quantified. A better understanding of ...the likely future distribution of corals is needed to anticipate the resulting social, economic and environmental implications. Here, we project the rate and magnitude of extensions of suitable thermal conditions for hard coral communities along the east Australian coastline, using data on coral community presence, in conjunction with historical and projected ocean temperatures. Our projections indicate that temperatures will be suitable for coral communities dominated by the subtropical coral Pocillopora aliciae, currently found off Sydney, to extend their range poleward by 80 (RCP 2.6) to 450 km (RCP 8.5) by 2100, corresponding to a rate of 0.9–5.0 km year−1. Similarly, thermal conditions will be such that diverse coral communities, such as those currently occurring in the Solitary Islands, may extend their range by 130 (RCP 2.6) to 580 km (RCP 8.5) by 2100, at a rate of 1.4–6.4 km year−1. These projections are similar to those forecast for coral species in other parts of the world. Newly establishing coral communities in temperate regions may provide a range of novel local economic opportunities, particularly for marine tourism.
Climate change is driving the poleward redistribution of coral species. Here, we project shifts in suitable thermal conditions for hard coral communities along the east Australian coastline, finding that shifts of several hundred kilometres are likely by the end of the century. The potential resulting range extensions for coral communities may provide a range of novel opportunities, particularly for marine tourism.
Introduction & BackgroundFood production is a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. A more sustainable diet is often a healthier one, so making lower carbon food ...choices serves to benefit the planet and person. In order to understand the carbon footprint of food choices, linkage of recipe information to carbon footprint data and transaction records is required. To inform positive change insights from data linkage must be communicated to the target audience, in this case schoolchildren.
Objectives & ApproachSchool dinner recipe information and transaction records for school meals at five schools for a six week period were acquired. Carbon footprint estimates were calculated for each recipe, using published data. An automated dashboard was created in order that these calculations could be replicated by catering teams. Carbon footprints were appended to the school transaction records for meal choices. An interactive web game was created in ‘top trump’s' style using a selection of the recipes, with carbon footprint and popularity ranking, generated from the transaction records.
Relevance to Digital FootprintsTransactional meal sales data from schools are digital footprint data. In this work we link these digital footprint data to detailed recipe information with estimated carbon footprints from an open data source.
ResultsThe Consumer Data Research Centre Carbon Calculator and The Planet Plates game were created. The Carbon Calculator is being used in a number of settings to support food procurement and recipe development. The Planet Plates game has been used in Leeds Schools to empower schoolchildren to make positive changes to lower the carbon footprint of their meal choices. The children were engaged with all the activities and not only learned about sustainability of their food choices, but about how data they generate can be used anonymously for public good.
Conclusions & ImplicationsData linkage of digital footprint data is a powerful tool for behaviour change to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Methods and insights should be shared widely and made accessible to a range of stakeholders wherever possible.
To explore biopsychosocial factors (beliefs, depression, catastrophizing cytokines) in individuals newly diagnosed with lung cancer and no pain to determine their relationship at diagnosis and across ...time and to determine whether these factors contribute to pain intensity or pain interference with function at pain onset.
A longitudinal, exploratory, pilot study was implemented in a private medical center and a VA medical center in the southeast. Twelve subjects not experiencing pain related to cancer of the lung or its treatment were recruited. A Karnofsky status of 40% and hemoglobin of 8 g were required. Five questionnaires were completed and 10 mL of blood was drawn at baseline; 4 questionnaires and blood draws were repeated monthly for 5 months. One baseline questionnaire and a pain assessment were added at final. Demographic, clinical, and questionnaire data were summarized; standardized scale scores were calculated.
Biopsychosocial scores that were low at baseline increased from T1-T4 but decreased slightly T5-T6. Individuals with higher pain intensity and higher pain interference at final had higher psychosocial scores at baseline than individuals with lower pain intensity and lower pain interference at final.
Unrelated to disease stage, metastasis, or treatment, unique levels of biopsychosocial factors are observed in patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer who report higher levels of pain intensity and higher levels of pain interference at the time pain occurs. Replication studies are needed to validate this response pattern and determine the value of repeated individual assessments.
Climate change is driving global declines of marine habitat-forming species through physiological effects and through changes to ecological interactions, with projected trajectories for ocean warming ...and acidification likely to exacerbate such impacts in coming decades. Interactions between habitat-formers and their microbiomes are fundamental for host functioning and resilience, but how such relationships will change in future conditions is largely unknown. We investigated independent and interactive effects of warming and acidification on a large brown seaweed, the kelp Ecklonia radiata, and its associated microbiome in experimental mesocosms. Microbial communities were affected by warming and, during the first week, by acidification. During the second week, kelp developed disease-like symptoms previously observed in the field. The tissue of some kelp blistered, bleached and eventually degraded, particularly under the acidification treatments, affecting photosynthetic efficiency. Microbial communities differed between blistered and healthy kelp for all treatments, except for those under future conditions of warming and acidification, which after two weeks resembled assemblages associated with healthy hosts. This indicates that changes in the microbiome were not easily predictable as the severity of future climate scenarios increased. Future ocean conditions can change kelp microbiomes and may lead to host disease, with potentially cascading impacts on associated ecosystems.
Patient enablement is an outcome of importance to advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) and an indication of patients’ perceptions of their ability, confidence, and empowerment in managing their health ...care needs. Using a patient-reported experience measure (PREM), the Patient Enablement and Satisfaction Survey—Advanced Nurse Practitioner measure, this cross-sectional study found that consultation with an ANP in a urology outpatient/ambulatory care setting resulted in a high-level patient enablement. Moreover, content analysis of qualitative data provided by patients in response to an open question revealed experiences of patient-centered and empowerment-focused care following consultation with an ANP in urology.
•Patients report feeling enabled after a first consultation with an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP).•Most patients attending an ANP urology service report good or very good health.•The Patient Enablement and Satisfaction Survey—Advanced Nurse Practitioner measure (PESS-ANP) is a useful patient reported experience measure of enablement.•The PESS-ANP measure shows good internal consistency.
Standard treatment of hypoglycemia is oral carbohydrate, but it often results in hyperglycemia and entails extra caloric intake.
To evaluate low-dose glucagon to treat mild hypoglycemia in ambulatory ...adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Randomized crossover trial (two 3-week periods).
Five U.S. diabetes clinics.
Twenty adults with T1D using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and experiencing frequent mild hypoglycemia.
Nonaqueous mini-dose glucagon (MDG) (150 µg) to treat nonsevere hypoglycemia.
Successful treatment was defined as blood glucose (BG) ≥50 mg/dL 15 minutes and ≥70 mg/dL 30 minutes after intervention, on the study meter. Two authors, blinded to treatment arm, independently judged each event as a clinical success or failure.
Sixteen participants (mean age 39 years, 75% female, mean diabetes duration 23 years, mean hemoglobin A1c 7.2%) had 118 analyzable events with initial BG of 50 to 69 mg/dL. Successful treatment criteria were met for 58 (94%) of 62 events during the MDG period and 53 (95%) of 56 events during the glucose tablets (TABS) period (adjusted P = 0.99). Clinical assessments of success for these events were 97% and 96%, respectively. CGM-measured time in range did not differ between treatment groups during the 2 hours after events, but TABS resulted in higher maximum glucose (116 vs 102 mg/dL; P = 0.01) over the first hour.
Low-dose glucagon can successfully treat mild hypoglycemia and may be a useful alternative to treatment with oral carbohydrate when trying to avoid unnecessary caloric intake.
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