Reinventory of the vascular plants of Mormon Island Crane Meadows after forty years of restoration, invasion, and climate change.

The majority of tallgrass prairie has been lost from North America's Great Plains, but remaining tracts often support significant biodiversity. Despite permanent protections for some remnants, they continue to face anthropogenic threats including habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change. Conservationists have sought to buffer remnants from threats using prairie restoration but limited research has assessed such practices at the landscape-level. We reexamine the flora of Mormon Island, the largest tract of lowland tallgrass prairie remaining in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska, USA, nearly 40-years after it was initially inventoried and following widespread restoration. We also conducted preliminary inventories of nearby Shoemaker Island and adjacent off-island habitats using an ecotope-based stratified random sampling approach. We examined change at Mormon Island between 1980-1981 and 2015-2020 and compared it to adjacent conservation lands using a number of vegetation indices. We documented 389 vascular plant species on Mormon Island, 405 on Shoemaker Island, and 337 on off-island habitats from 2015-2020, which represented an increase in native and exotic species richness on Mormon Island compared to 1980-1981 results. Floristic quality index (FQI) values increased at Mormon Island between 1980-1981 and 2015-2020. Paradoxically, the distribution of exotic-invasive species also expanded. Mormon Island from 2015-2020 was more similar to Shoemaker Island and off-island habitats from 2015-2020 than Mormon Island from 1980-1981. Widespread restoration introduced a number of high conservation value species native to Nebraska but novel to the CPRV, which improved FQIs despite increased exotic species invasion. These concurrent trends appear to have driven biological homogenization across the study area. Restoration did not fully buffer Mormon Island from exotic species invasion but it may have partially mitigated the impact considering the persistence of most native species across a 40-year period. We recommend using "local ecotype" seed for restorations to preserve distinctive local communities.

Time-resolved relaxation and fragmentation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons investigated in the ultrafast XUV-IR regime.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play an important role in interstellar chemistry and are subject to high energy photons that can induce excitation, ionization, and fragmentation. Previous studies have demonstrated electronic relaxation of parent PAH monocations over 10-100 femtoseconds as a result of beyond-Born-Oppenheimer coupling between the electronic and nuclear dynamics. Here, we investigate three PAH molecules: fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, using ultrafast XUV and IR laser pulses. Simultaneous measurements of the ion yields, ion momenta, and electron momenta as a function of laser pulse delay allow a detailed insight into the various molecular processes. We report relaxation times for the electronically excited PAH*, PAH+* and PAH2+* states, and show the time-dependent conversion between fragmentation pathways. Additionally, using recoil-frame covariance analysis between ion images, we demonstrate that the dissociation of the PAH2+ ions favors reaction pathways involving two-body breakup and/or loss of neutral fragments totaling an even number of carbon atoms.

Shame, self-identification with having a mental illness, and willingness to seek help in northeast Germany.

We examined a general population sample (n = 1330) from an epidemiological study (SHIP), investigating whether shame, social distance and reluctance to self-identify as having a mental illness interfere with willingness to seek help for mental health problems. Analyses were stratified for life-time diagnosis of any mental illness. Shame was the strongest negative predictor for willingness to seek help (beta = -0.183, p < .001). Structured Estimation Modelling showed shame being a full mediator of a negative association between social distance and willingness. Our results corroborate the important role of shame as an impediment to help-seeking for mental health problems in the general population.

Effect of formal training in scaling, scoring and classification of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of formal training in the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) on the classification accuracy and to identify the most difficult ISNCSCI rules. SETTINGS: European Multicenter Study on Human Spinal Cord Injury (EMSCI). METHODS: EMSCI participants rated five challenging cases of full sensory, motor and anorectal examinations before (pre-test) and after (post-test) an ISNCSCI instructional course. Classification variables included sensory and motor levels (ML), completeness, ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) and the zones of partial preservation. RESULTS: 106 attendees were trained in 10 ISNCSCI workshops since 2006. The number of correct classifications increased significantly (P<0.00001) from 49.6% (2628 of 5300) in pre-testing to 91.5% (4849 of 5300) in post-testing. Every attendee improved, 12 (11.3%) achieved 100% correctness. Sensory levels (96.8%) and completeness (96.2%) are easiest to rate in post-testing, while ML (81.9%) and AIS (88.1%) are more difficult to determine. Most of the errors in ML determination arise from sensory levels in the high cervical region (C2-C4), where by convention the ML is presumed to be the same as the sensory level. The most difficult step in AIS classification is the determination of motor incompleteness. CONCLUSION: ISNCSCI training significantly improves the classification skills regardless of the experience in spinal cord injury medicine. These findings need to be considered for the appropriate preparation and interpretation of clinical trials in spinal cord injury.

The HSG procedure for modelling integrated urban wastewater systems.

Whilst the importance of integrated modelling of urban wastewater systems is ever increasing, there is still no concise procedure regarding how to carry out such modelling studies. After briefly discussing some earlier approaches, the guideline for integrated modelling developed by the Central European Simulation Research Group (HSG - Hochschulgruppe) is presented. This contribution suggests a six-step standardised procedure to integrated modelling. This commences with an analysis of the system and definition of objectives and criteria, covers selection of modelling approaches, analysis of data availability, calibration and validation and also includes the steps of scenario analysis and reporting. Recent research findings as well as experience gained from several application projects from Central Europe have been integrated in this guideline.

From a black-box to a glass-box system: the attempt towards a plant-wide automation concept for full-scale biogas plants.

Biogas plants gain worldwide increasing importance due to several advantages. However, concerning the equipment most of the existing biogas plants are low-tech plants. E.g., from the point of view of instrumentation, control and automation (ICA) most plants are black-box systems. Consequently, practice shows that many biogas plants are operated sub-optimally and/or in critical (load) ranges. To solve these problems, some new biogas plants have been equipped with modern machines and ICA equipment. In this paper, the authors will show details and discuss operational results of a modern agricultural biogas plant and the resultant opportunities for the implementation of a plant-wide automation.

Operational results of an agricultural biogas plant equipped with modern instrumentation and automation.

Agricultural biogas plants based on energy crops gain more and more importance because of numerous energetic, environmental and agricultural benefits. In contrast to older biogas plants, the newest generation of biogas plants is equipped with modern ICA equipment and reliable machines/engines. In this paper, the authors present technical details and operational results of a modern full-scale agricultural biogas plant using energy crops.

Instrumentation, control and automation for full-scale manure-based biogas systems.

In recent years manure-based biogas plants (MBBP) have won more and more importance, because of the numerous ecological advantages. The processes are similar to processes, which have been well known for many decades in anaerobic wastewater/sludge treatment. As a result of technical progress and permanently rising prices for non-renewable energy, MBBPs have become more and more economically reasonable. Because of the economies of scale law more and more larger MBBPs are being built (250-2000 kW(el)). With regard to investment costs, reactor volumes and complexity etc., these (centralized) plants are comparable with small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Consequently, as actually in the case of the small WWTPs a rising use of instrumentation, control and automation (ICA) for larger MBBPs can be observed.

A process-dependent real-time controller for sequencing batch reactor plants: results of full-scale operation.

This paper presents results of a research project, in which a process-dependent real-time control (RTC) strategy for a sequencing batch reactor plant was realised in full-scale. The cycle controller is based on NH4 analysers, NO3 probes, TSS probes and sludge level probes. With this new RTC strategy it was possible to increase the treatment capacity by 50%. By implementation of the new controller the TN, TP and NH4-N treatment efficiency could be improved significantly, too. The treatment efficiency concerning COD is comparable.

A comparison of continuous flow and sequencing batch reactor plants concerning integrated operation of sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants.

Integrated operation strategies for combined sewer and WWTP are becoming more and more popular because of numerous benefits. One can find many examples in literature, but many of these studies deal with partly fictitious systems and/or were accomplished within the planning. Hence most of these studies do not have to deal with the restrictions given by already built constructions. The authors, who worked on several integrated projects, will discuss the requirements of SBR and CFR plants concerning an implementation of integrated operation.

Trends in instrumentation, control and automation and the consequences on urban water systems.

In recent years more and more on-line sensors have been used on different structures of urban water systems (UWS, i.e. wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), waterworks (WW), sewer systems). This development is influenced and driven by numerous trends, which will be discussed in this paper. For a better understanding, the discussion is illustrated with a factual example. The new possibilities of on-line measurement and automation technologies will also change the way as UWS will be planned, built and operated.

Integrated real-time control for a sequencing batch reactor plant and a combined sewer system.

Integrated real-time control (RTC) concepts, which are trying to operate drainage systems and WWTPs depending on the current capacities of both systems, are becoming more and more important. While almost all publications in this field have been concentrating on continuous flow systems, this paper will present a project which has been initiated to realise an integrated RTC strategy for a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) plant in simulation as well as in full-scale. The results of the simulation are that SBR plants can handle high hydraulic loads. The cost-benefit analysis shows that an integrated operation is reasonable concerning environmental and economic aspects. In order to verify the simulation results, full-scale operation has been started in January 2004. The first results seem to confirm the results of the simulation study.

A guideline for simulation studies of wastewater treatment plants.

A guideline for simulation studies of wastewater treatment plants is proposed. The aim of the HSG-guideline is to define a reference quality level that helps to make the results of simulation studies comprehensible and comparable and therefore increases the quality and reliability of mathematical modelling in wastewater treatment. The paper gives a summary of the HSG-guideline, written by a group of university members from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Induction of pathogen resistance in barley by abiotic stress.

Enhanced resistance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Ingrid) against barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei race A6) was induced by abiotic stress in a concentration-dependent manner. The papilla-mediated resistance was not only induced by osmotic stress, but also by proton stress. Resistance was directly correlated with increasing concentrations of various salts in the nutrient solution. Resistance induced by proton stress also depended on the stress intensity. Resistance induction occurred even at low stress intensities. Any specific ion toxicity affecting the fungal growth directly, and therefore leading to enhanced pathogen resistance, can be excluded because of the independence of resistance induction of the ion used and of the time course of sodium accumulation in the leaves. BCI-4, a marker for benzo[1,2,3]thiadiazolecarbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH)-induced resistance was not induced by these abiotic stresses. However, resistance was induced in the same concentration-dependent manner by the application of the stress hormone ABA to the root medium. During the relief of water stress, resistance did not decrease constantly. On the contrary, after a phase of decreasing resistance for 24 h the pathogen resistance increased again for 48 h before decreasing finally to control levels.

Crossbow homicides.

A total of eight cases of homicide by crossbow are reported, including six intentional, assault-like killings and one hired killer. The bolts showed a high penetration capacity despite the rather low kinetic energy (<100 J): a field-tip traversed one upper arm and the thorax (36 cm) and two broadheads caused perforating injuries of the thorax (25-26 cm). This was due to the high sectional density and the split-like penetration mechanism. Wound morphology was especially important if the perpetrator had extracted the bolt, which occurred in half of the cases. The shape of the entrance wound depended on the type of arrowhead: broadheads produced star-shaped to triangular wounds, field-tips caused circular, oval or slit-like injuries. Foreign material from the arrowhead was found inside two injuries. In assaults, the crossbow was used to hunt the victim down from a short distance which does not require practice but still has the advantage of a distance weapon. However, immediate incapacitation occurred rarely so that additional violence was frequently applied. The noiseless character of the weapon explains why many victims were taken by surprise and why the corpses initially remained unnoticed. Crossbows can therefore be considered ideal weapons for man hunting and some were bought for the very purpose of the killing.

Efficiency of SBR technology in municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Four wastewater treatment plants running with sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology have been evaluated in view of their effluent quality, treatment efficiency and energy demand. The plants are designed for approximately 5,000, 8,000, 15,000 and 25,000 population equivalents (p.e.). Although two of the plants were overloaded during the investigation time the effluent concentrations of nitrogen, especially ammonia, and phosphorus were low. The results show, that SBR plants which are designed according to German standards have additional capacities for degradation of organic matter and removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Furthermore SBR plants with combined sewer systems are able to treat combined sewage very well. Thus SBR technology proves to be a good alternative for municipal sewage plants and can help to save investment costs.

Presence of Legionellaceae in warm water supplies and typing of strains by polymerase chain reaction.

Outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease present a public health challenge especially because fatal outcomes still remain frequent. The aim of this study was to describe the abundance and epidemiology of Legionellaceae in the human-made environment. Water was sampled from hot-water taps in private and public buildings across the area of Göttingen, Germany, including distant suburbs. Following isolation, we used polymerase chain reaction in order to generate strain specific banding profiles of legionella isolates. In total, 70 buildings were examined. Of these 18 (26%) had the bacterium in at least one water sample. Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 4, 5 and 6 could be identified in the water samples. Most of the buildings were colonized solely by one distinct strain, as proven by PCR. In three cases equal patterns were found in separate buildings. There were two buildings in this study where isolates with different serogroups were found at the same time.

Influenza: recommendations for vaccination and treatment.

Influenza kills millions of people each year and has the potential to kill even more if proper vaccination and treatment protocols are not followed. This review provides the Louisiana State Office of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for vaccination and treatment of influenza.

Are physicians aware of which of their patients have indwelling urinary catheters?

PURPOSE: Although infections associated with indwelling urinary catheters are common, costly, and morbid, the use of these catheters is unnecessary in more than one-third of patients. We sought to assess whether attending physicians, medical residents, and medical students are aware if their hospitalized patients have an indwelling urinary catheter, and whether physician awareness is associated with appropriate use of these catheters. METHODS: The physicians and medical students responsible for patients admitted to the medical services at four university-affiliated hospitals were given a list of the patients on their service. For each patient, the provider was asked: "As of yesterday afternoon, did this patient have an indwelling urethral catheter?" Respondents' answers were compared with the results of examining the patient. RESULTS: Among 288 physicians and students on 56 medical teams, 256 (89%) completed the survey. Of 469 patients, 117 (25%) had an indwelling catheter. There were a total of 319 provider-patient observations among these 117 patients. Overall, providers were unaware of catheterization for 88 (28%) of the 319 provider-patient observations. Unawareness rates by level of training were 21% for students, 22% for interns, 27% for residents, and 38% for attending physicians (P = 0.06). Catheter use was inappropriate in 36 (31%) of the 117 patients with a catheter. Providers were unaware of catheter use for 44 (41%) of the 108 provider-patient observations of patients who were inappropriately catheterized. Catheterization was more likely to be appropriate if respondents were aware of the catheter (odds ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 6.7, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Physicians are commonly unaware that their patients have an indwelling urinary catheter. Inappropriate catheters are more often "forgotten" than appropriate ones. System-wide interventions aimed at discontinuing unnecessary catheterization seem warranted.