Metabolic disruptions and impaired reproductive fitness in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a threat to organisms and ecosystems due to their persistent nature. Ecotoxicology endpoints used in regulatory guidelines may not reflect multiple, low-level but persistent stressors. This study examines the biological effects of PFAS on Eastern short-necked turtles in Queensland, Australia. In this study, blood samples were collected and analysed for PFAS, hormone levels, and functional omics endpoints. High levels of PFAS were found in turtles at the impacted site, with PFOS being the dominant constituent. The PFAS profiles of males and females differed, with males having higher PFAS concentrations. Hormone concentrations differed between impacted and reference sites in male turtles, with elevated testosterone and corticosterone indicative of stress. Further, energy utilisation, nucleotide synthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and amino acid synthesis were altered in both male and female turtles from PFAS-impacted sites. Both sexes show similar metabolic responses to environmental stressors from the PFAS-contaminated site, which may adversely affect their reproductive fitness. Purine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, and ferroptosis pathway changes in turtles can cause gout, cell death, and overall health problems. Further, the study showed that prolonged exposure to elevated PFAS levels in the wild could compromise turtle reproductive fitness by disrupting reproductive steroids and metabolic pathways.

Demographic patterns of walleye (Sander vitreus) reproductive success in a Wisconsin population.

Harvest in walleye Sander vitreus fisheries is size-selective and could influence phenotypic traits of spawners; however, contributions of individual spawners to recruitment are unknown. We used parentage analyses using single nucleotide polymorphisms to test whether parental traits were related to the probability of offspring survival in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. From 2017 to 2020, 1339 adults and 1138 juveniles were genotyped and 66% of the offspring were assigned to at least one parent. Logistic regression indicated the probability of reproductive success (survival of age-0 to first fall) was positively (but weakly) related to total length and growth rate in females, but not age. No traits analyzed were related to reproductive success for males. Our analysis identified the model with the predictors' growth rate and year for females and the models with year and age and year for males as the most likely models to explain variation in reproductive success. Our findings indicate that interannual variation (i.e., environmental conditions) likely plays a key role in determining the probability of reproductive success in this population and provide limited support that female age, length, and growth rate influence recruitment.

A review of toxicity assessment procedures of solar photovoltaic modules.

Environmental management of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is attracting attention as a growing number of field-operated PV modules approach end of life (EoL). PV modules may contain small amounts of toxic metals, and the procedures for assessing and regulating the toxic metal content and release of such materials at EoL differ widely across nations. This paper provides an overview of the metal composition of PV modules and common procedures for toxicity assessment through extensive research and review of technical literature and legislative documents. This review focuses on three primary aspects: first, it explores the distribution of toxic elements within current and emerging PV module designs, with a specific focus on obtaining representative samples for proportional toxicity testing within different module laminate areas. Second, it examines a sampling standard and the diverse toxicity testing methods and regulations employed in various regions, encompassing standards like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Test Method 1311 (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, TCLP) in the U.S., Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Europe, and the Waste Extraction Test (WET) in California. Third, the review examines the sources of variability in toxicity testing outcomes, including techniques for securing homogeneous samples from non-uniform PV modules, selecting particle sizes representative of landfill conditions in extracted samples, determining appropriate leachate characteristics such as leaching agents and pH levels, and considering factors like test duration and temperatures. In summary, this review summarizes relevant regulations and offers a comprehensive overview of the strengths and limitations associated with several toxicity assessment procedures currently in practice.

Social Work Education & Support of Gender Expansive People: A Qualitative Analysis of MSW Student Experiences.

This study examined Master of Social Work (MSW) student experiences with social work education related to support of transgender, nonbinary, queer or other gender expansive people. Sixty-seven students from a sample of thirty-four MSW programs in the United States provided brief qualitative reflections on their educational experiences related to gender identity or expression. Thematic content analysis of these data revealed five primary emergent themes related to; MSW program capacity, persistent bias/tension, safety issues, emotional and academic burden, and lived-experiences external to social work education. Findings suggest there remains a disconnect between the stated intent of social work to support gender expansive communities and the reality of social work education. Specifically, although most students appear to want more from their schools of social work regarding trans-affirming education, most programs reflect persistent discomfort with this domain, or a hesitance or inability to address the topic appropriately and consistently. Examples of how social work education might work to improve its capacity to reflect support of gender expansive people and communities are discussed.

Angler and environmental influences on walleye Sander vitreus and muskellunge Esox masquinongy angler catch in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin 2003-2015.

Angler trip success and catch rates are dependent upon a fishes' vulnerability to angling. Angling vulnerability can be influenced by angler-specific attributes (i.e., bait choice, lure size, use of a guide), and individual fish traits (i.e., boldness, aggression, stress responsiveness, and memory retention). The mechanisms that function in a fishes' angling vulnerability, and contribute to catch rate, are likely correlated with environmental factors however, the influence of environmental factors on angling vulnerability are not well understood. We used the long-term (1946 -present) compulsory creel dataset from Escanaba Lake, WI, USA to test for interactions between angling vulnerability (i.e., angler trip success and catch rates) and environmental factors to better understand these dynamics in recreational fisheries. Our objective was to test for the influence of angler associated variables and environmental factors on open water angler trip success (i.e., catch ≥ one fish) and catch rate of walleye Sander vitreus and muskellunge Esox masquinongy during 2003-2015 using a hurdle model approach. Fishing trip success and catch rates for both species were most strongly influenced by angler-related variables (i.e., guide status, bait type, the proportion of the fish population previously caught). Environmental factors associated with lower light intensity (i.e., diel period, mean daily solar radiation, solar-Julian day interaction) had a positive influence on walleye vulnerability. Lower air temperatures and lunar position (moon overhead or underfoot) and phase (gibbous' and full moon) also had a positive effect on walleye angling. Muskellunge trip success and catch rate were positively influenced by light metrics (i.e., diel period and mean daily solar radiation) and increased with air temperature. Lunar variables (position and phase), as well as wind speed and direction also influenced muskellunge angling vulnerability. A better understanding of the influence of environmental factors on angling vulnerability is an important component of fisheries management as management goals focus on balancing fish populations and creating satisfactory catch rates to enhance the angling experience. Our results suggest that angler-specific variables, light, temperature, lunar, and weather conditions influenced species-specific angling vulnerability for walleye and muskellunge.

Ambient PM2.5 organic and elemental carbon in New York City: Changing source contributions during a decade of large emission reductions.

Fine particle (PM2.5) exposure is a public health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. In New York State, significant emission reductions occurred during the past decades due to fuel switching, increased renewable energy, and transformations in buildings and transportation. Between 2002 and 2018, anthropogenic emissions of CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, and primary PM2.5 declined by 58%, 61%, 89%, 47%, and 29%, respectively, in New York and three adjoining states. Ambient PM2.5 mass concentrations decreased but contributions of source types to changes in PM2.5 elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) are incompletely understood. Receptor modeling was used to estimate changing source contributions to EC and OC in New York City (NYC) between 2007 and 2019. Source identification was facilitated by incorporating measurements of CO, NO, NO2, O3, SO2, and speciated hydrocarbons (1,3-butadiene, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, isoprene, benzene, toluene, xylenes, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde). Hydrocarbon species identified mobile-source emissions, evaporative emissions, biogenics, and photochemical secondary organic aerosol. At three study locations, predicted reductions of TC (OC + EC) summed over all source types were 1.3 ± 0.2 µg m-3, compared with a measured TC reduction of 1.5 ± 0.2 µg m-3. Declining sulfate concentrations and cleaner mobile sources together reduced the predicted average TC by a combined 1 µg m-3. Smaller changes occurred in other source contributions, e.g., 0.15 ± 0.01 µg m-3 reduction likely in response to NYC regulations related to heating fuel oil. Biomass burning PM2.5 increased between 2007 and 2011, then declined between 2015 and 2019. Reductions contrast with a non-significant increase of 0.05 µg m-3 in photochemical TC. Further opportunities to decrease PM2.5 concentrations include wood burning and photochemical-related OC. Continued temporal analysis and source apportionment will be needed to track changes in air quality and source contributions as jurisdictions expand renewable energy and energy efficiency goals.Implications: Large emission reductions that occurred in the eastern U.S. between 2002 and 2019 lowered average fine particle concentrations in New York City by a factor of two. Secondary organic aerosol concentrations declined as sulfate decreased but increased non-significantly with rising ozone. Cleaner mobile-source emissions lowered elemental and organic carbon concentrations. Opportunities for further reductions of PM2.5 concentrations include biomass burning and photochemical secondary aerosol.

Reactive oxidized nitrogen speciation and partitioning in urban and rural New York State.

This study examined reactive oxidized nitrogen (NOy) speciation and partitioning at one urban site, Queens College (QC) in New York City, and one rural site, Pinnacle State Park (PSP) in Addison, New York (NY) from September 2016 to August 2018 and June 2016 to September 2018, respectively. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), nitric acid (HNO3), particle nitrate (pNO3), peroxy nitrates (PNs), alkyl nitrates (ANs), and NOy measurements were made at both sites. Across all seasons at QC, the median NOx, HNO3, pNO3, PNs, ANs, and NOy concentrations were 10.99, 0.49, 0.24, 0.62, 0.94, and 13.95 parts per billion (ppb), respectively. All-season median percent contributions of NOx, HNO3, pNO3, PNs, and ANs to the total NOy at QC were 77, 4, 2, 5, and 7%, respectively. Therefore, the sum of the individual NOy species (NOyi ≈ NOx + HNO3 + pNO3 + PNs + ANs) accounted for 95% of the total NOy at QC, which was well within measurement uncertainties. At PSP, the median NOx, HNO3, pNO3, PNs, ANs, and NOy concentrations were 0.65, 0.16, 0.12, 0.13, 0.18, and 1.56 ppb, respectively, over all seasons. The median percent contributions of NOx, HNO3, pNO3, PNs, and ANs to NOy over all seasons at PSP were 42, 10, 8, 9, and 12%, respectively. NOyi comprised 81% of NOy across all seasons at PSP, and deviations from 100% closure were generally within measurement uncertainties. Since both datasets yielded NOy budget closure results that were either fully or largely explained by the measurement uncertainties, the observed NOyi is likely representative of ambient NOy in urban and rural New York. The results have implications for understanding the fate of NOx emissions and their impact on local and regional air quality in urban and rural New York State.Implications: Continuous speciated and total reactive oxidized nitrogen (NOy) measurements were made in urban and rural New York from 2016 to 2018. Different NOy species have contrasting effects on the chemistry that impacts ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) formation and concentrations. Since O3 and PM2.5 are regulated pollutants that have proven difficult to control, the results have implications for current and future air quality policy.

Overview of the Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017.

The Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017 (LMOS 2017) was a collaborative multiagency field study targeting ozone chemistry, meteorology, and air quality observations in the southern Lake Michigan area. The primary objective of LMOS 2017 was to provide measurements to improve air quality modeling of the complex meteorological and chemical environment in the region. LMOS 2017 science questions included spatiotemporal assessment of nitrogen oxides (NO x = NO + NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission sources and their influence on ozone episodes; the role of lake breezes; contribution of new remote sensing tools such as GeoTASO, Pandora, and TEMPO to air quality management; and evaluation of photochemical grid models. The observing strategy included GeoTASO on board the NASA UC-12 aircraft capturing NO2 and formaldehyde columns, an in situ profiling aircraft, two ground-based coastal enhanced monitoring locations, continuous NO2 columns from coastal Pandora instruments, and an instrumented research vessel. Local photochemical ozone production was observed on 2 June, 9-12 June, and 14-16 June, providing insights on the processes relevant to state and federal air quality management. The LMOS 2017 aircraft mapped significant spatial and temporal variation of NO2 emissions as well as polluted layers with rapid ozone formation occurring in a shallow layer near the Lake Michigan surface. Meteorological characteristics of the lake breeze were observed in detail and measurements of ozone, NOx, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, VOC, oxygenated VOC (OVOC), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) composition were conducted. This article summarizes the study design, directs readers to the campaign data repository, and presents a summary of findings.

A role for social media? A community-based response to guns, gangs, and violence online.

Social media represents a relatively novel environment for prevention efforts targeting youth gun and gang violence, and associated trauma. The aim of this study is, therefore, to present findings from a novel intervention designed to complement existing, community-based violence prevention efforts. In doing so, we focus on the role of adult empathy in the relationships between youth and the adult credible messengers (CMs) who deliver the program. Guided by the purpose of complementarity, our mixed methods data analyses combine insights gained from CM's quantitative reports of 145 instances of risky online behavior with qualitative analyses of three focus groups addressing their experiences. Results underscore the complexities of social media as a context with the potential to simultaneously contribute to, and serve to prevent, trauma. Results also indicate that empathic concern and perspective taking were important in informing the type of intervention tactics employed by CMs. Relatedly, CM's perspective taking mattered not only in their responses to risky and/or trauma-related content, but also in their identification of some relevant social media posts.

Cross-continental emergence of Nannizziopsis barbatae disease may threaten wild Australian lizards.

Members of the genus Nannizziopsis are emerging fungal pathogens of reptiles that have been documented as the cause of fatal mycoses in a wide range of reptiles in captivity. Cases of severe, proliferative dermatitis, debility and death have been detected in multiple free-living lizard species from locations across Australia, including a substantial outbreak among Eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) in Brisbane, Queensland. We investigated this disease in a subset of severely affected lizards and identified a clinically consistent syndrome characterized by hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, dermal inflammation, necrosis, ulceration, and emaciation. Using a novel fungal isolation method, histopathology, and molecular techniques, we identified the etiologic agent as Nannizziopsis barbatae, a species reported only once previously from captive lizards in Australia. Here we report severe dermatomycosis caused by N. barbatae in five species of Australian lizard, representing the first cases of Nannizziopsis infection among free-living reptiles, globally. Further, we evaluate key pathogen and host characteristics that indicate N. barbatae-associated dermatomycosis may pose a concerning threat to Australian lizards.

Homelessness: Understanding unmet needs and identifying resources.

BACKGROUND: Graduate occupational therapy students collaborated with an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) to address occupational therapy's role in intervening for individuals who are homeless. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to provide educational resources on specific needs related to health and wellbeing to individuals who are homeless. METHODS: A variety of methods were used to gather information on common needs of the homeless population related to health and wellbeing, community integration, and development of routines. Initial data was collected through the use of a needs assessment for nine participants with thirteen questions followed with a weekly visit to a homeless shelter. The weekly visits allowed the students to build rapport and trust with the residents to gain an understanding of individual perspectives and barriers to occupation. RESULTS: The students worked with residents how to best access community based resources and services related to occupational needs. Specific needs were identified, and further resources were provided to support community integration, independent living, and self-management. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings provided a basic understanding of the foundational needs of individuals to be used to support future research linking occupational therapy to the homeless population to achieve individual goals, improve health and wellbeing, and enhance life skills management.

Mobile-Platform Measurement of Air Pollutant Concentrations in California: Performance Assessment, Statistical Methods for Evaluating Spatial Variations, and Spatial Representativeness.

Mobile platform measurements provide new opportunities for characterizing spatial variations of air pollution within urban areas, identifying emission sources, and enhancing knowledge of atmospheric processes. The Aclima, Inc. mobile measurement and data acquisition platform was used to equip four Google Street View cars with research-grade instruments, two of which were available for the duration of this study. On-road measurements of air quality were made during a series of sampling campaigns between May 2016 and September 2017 at high (i.e., 1-second [s]) temporal and spatial resolution at several California locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the northern San Joaquin Valley (including non-urban roads and the cities of Tracy, Stockton, Manteca, Merced, Modesto, and Turlock). The results demonstrate that the approach is effective for quantifying spatial variations of air pollutant concentrations over measurement periods as short as two weeks. Measurement accuracy and precision are evaluated using results of weekly performance checks and periodic audits conducted through the sampler inlets, which show that research instruments located within stationary vehicles are capable of reliably measuring nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), methane (CH4) black carbon (BC), and particle number (PN) concentration with bias and precision ranging from <10 % for gases to <25 % for BC and PN at 1-s time resolution. The quality of the mobile measurements in the ambient environment is examined by comparisons with data from an adjacent (< 9 m) stationary regulatory air quality monitoring site and by paired collocated vehicle comparisons, both stationary and driving. The mobile measurements indicate that U.S. EPA classifications of two Los Angeles stationary regulatory monitors' scales of representation are appropriate. Paired time-synchronous mobile measurements are used to characterize the spatial scales of concentration variations when vehicles were separated by <1 to 10 kilometers (km). A data analysis approach is developed to characterize spatial variations while limiting the confounding influence of diurnal variability. The approach is illustrated using data from San Francisco, revealing 1-km scale differences in mean NO2 and O3 concentrations up to 117 % and 46 %, respectively, of mean values during a two-week sampling period. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, spatial variations up to factors of 6 to 8 occur at sampling scales of 100 - 300m, corresponding to 1-minute averages.

Increasing Isoprene Epoxydiol-to-Inorganic Sulfate Aerosol Ratio Results in Extensive Conversion of Inorganic Sulfate to Organosulfur Forms: Implications for Aerosol Physicochemical Properties.

Acid-driven multiphase chemistry of isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX), key isoprene oxidation products, with inorganic sulfate aerosol yields substantial amounts of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) through the formation of organosulfur compounds. The extent and implications of inorganic-to-organic sulfate conversion, however, are unknown. In this article, we demonstrate that extensive consumption of inorganic sulfate occurs, which increases with the IEPOX-to-inorganic sulfate concentration ratio (IEPOX/Sulfinorg), as determined by laboratory measurements. Characterization of the total sulfur aerosol observed at Look Rock, Tennessee, from 2007 to 2016 shows that organosulfur mass fractions will likely continue to increase with ongoing declines in anthropogenic Sulfinorg, consistent with our laboratory findings. We further demonstrate that organosulfur compounds greatly modify critical aerosol properties, such as acidity, morphology, viscosity, and phase state. These new mechanistic insights demonstrate that changes in SO2 emissions, especially in isoprene-dominated environments, will significantly alter biogenic SOA physicochemical properties. Consequently, IEPOX/Sulfinorg will play an important role in understanding the historical climate and determining future impacts of biogenic SOA on the global climate and air quality.

Architecture of the Suprahyoid Muscles: A Volumetric Musculoaponeurotic Analysis.

Purpose: Suprahyoid muscles play a critical role in swallowing. The arrangement of the fiber bundles and aponeuroses has not been investigated volumetrically, even though muscle architecture is an important determinant of function. Thus, the purpose was to digitize, model in three dimensions, and quantify the architectural parameters of the suprahyoid muscles to determine and compare their relative functional capabilities. Method: Fiber bundles and aponeuroses from 11 formalin-embalmed specimens were serially dissected and digitized in situ. Data were reconstructed in three dimensions using Autodesk Maya. Architectural parameters were quantified, and data were compared using independent samples t-tests and analyses of variance. Results: Based on architecture and attachment sites, suprahyoid muscles were divided into 3 groups: anteromedial, superolateral, and superoposterior. Architectural parameters differed significantly (p < .05) across muscles and across the 3 groups, suggesting differential roles in hyoid movement during swallowing. When activated simultaneously, anteromedial and superoposterior muscle groups could work together to elevate the hyoid. Conclusions: The results suggest that the suprahyoid muscles can have individualized roles in hyoid excursion during swallowing. Muscle balance may be important for identifying and treating hyolaryngeal dysfunction in patients with dysphagia.

Assessing the impact of anthropogenic pollution on isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol formation in PM2.5 collected from the Birmingham, Alabama, ground site during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study.

In the southeastern US, substantial emissions of isoprene from deciduous trees undergo atmospheric oxidation to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) that contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Laboratory studies have revealed that anthropogenic pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NO x ), and aerosol acidity, can enhance SOA formation from the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation of isoprene; however, the mechanisms by which specific pollutants enhance isoprene SOA in ambient PM2.5 remain unclear. As one aspect of an investigation to examine how anthropogenic pollutants influence isoprene-derived SOA formation, high-volume PM2.5 filter samples were collected at the Birmingham, Alabama (BHM), ground site during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS). Sample extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) with prior trimethylsilylation and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS) to identify known isoprene SOA tracers. Tracers quantified using both surrogate and authentic standards were compared with collocated gas- and particle-phase data as well as meteorological data provided by the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network to assess the impact of anthropogenic pollution on isoprene-derived SOA formation. Results of this study reveal that isoprene-derived SOA tracers contribute a substantial mass fraction of organic matter (OM) (~ 7 to ~ 20 %). Isoprene-derived SOA tracers correlated with sulfate ( SO42- ) (r2 = 0.34, n = 117) but not with NO x . Moderate correlations between methacrylic acid epoxide and hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (together abbreviated MAE/HMML)-derived SOA tracers with nitrate radical production (P[NO3]) (r2 = 0.57, n = 40) were observed during nighttime, suggesting a potential role of the NO3 radical in forming this SOA type. However, the nighttime correlation of these tracers with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (r2 = 0.26, n = 40) was weaker. Ozone (O3) correlated strongly with MAE/HMML-derived tracers (r2 = 0.72, n = 30) and moderately with 2-methyltetrols (r2 = 0.34, n = 15) during daytime only, suggesting that a fraction of SOA formation could occur from isoprene ozonolysis in urban areas. No correlation was observed between aerosol pH and isoprene-derived SOA. Lack of correlation between aerosol acidity and isoprene-derived SOA is consistent with the observation that acidity is not a limiting factor for isoprene SOA formation at the BHM site as aerosols were acidic enough to promote multiphase chemistry of isoprene-derived epoxides throughout the duration of the study. All in all, these results confirm previous studies suggesting that anthropogenic pollutants enhance isoprene-derived SOA formation.

Microscale air quality impacts of distributed power generation facilities.

UNLABELLED: The electric system is experiencing rapid growth in the adoption of a mix of distributed renewable and fossil fuel sources, along with increasing amounts of off-grid generation. New operational regimes may have unforeseen consequences for air quality. A three-dimensional microscale chemical transport model (CTM) driven by an urban wind model was used to assess gaseous air pollutant and particulate matter (PM) impacts within ~10 km of fossil-fueled distributed power generation (DG) facilities during the early afternoon of a typical summer day in Houston, TX. Three types of DG scenarios were considered in the presence of motor vehicle emissions and a realistic urban canopy: (1) a 25-MW natural gas turbine operating at steady state in either simple cycle or combined heating and power (CHP) mode; (2) a 25-MW simple cycle gas turbine undergoing a cold startup with either moderate or enhanced formaldehyde emissions; and (3) a data center generating 10 MW of emergency power with either diesel or natural gas-fired backup generators (BUGs) without pollution controls. Simulations of criteria pollutants (NO2, CO, O3, PM) and the toxic pollutant, formaldehyde (HCHO), were conducted assuming a 2-hr operational time period. In all cases, NOx titration dominated ozone production near the source. The turbine scenarios did not result in ambient concentration enhancements significantly exceeding 1 ppbv for gaseous pollutants or over 1 µg/m(3) for PM after 2 hr of emission, assuming realistic plume rise. In the case of the datacenter with diesel BUGs, ambient NO2 concentrations were enhanced by 10-50 ppbv within 2 km downwind of the source, while maximum PM impacts in the immediate vicinity of the datacenter were less than 5 µg/m(3). IMPLICATIONS: Plausible scenarios of distributed fossil generation consistent with the electricity grid's transformation to a more flexible and modernized system suggest that a substantial amount of deployment would be required to significantly affect air quality on a localized scale. In particular, natural gas turbines typically used in distributed generation may have minor effects. Large banks of diesel backup generators such as those used by data centers, on the other hand, may require pollution controls or conversion to natural gas-fired reciprocal internal combustion engines to decrease nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Initial analytic quality assessment and method comparison of an immunoassay for adrenocorticotropic hormone measurement in equine samples.

BACKGROUND: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) may be diagnosed by measuring baseline plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The Immulite 1000 analyzer uses an automated chemiluminescence enzyme assay, previously validated for measuring equine ACTH. Recently, an automated bench-top immunoassay analyzer (AIA-360), designed for analytes in people, became available for veterinary use. OBJECTIVES: Objectives were to evaluate analytic performance of the AIA immunoassay for measuring equine ACTH, and compare the results with those obtained by the Immulite. METHODS: Adrenocorticotrophic hormone was measured in plasma samples from 52 clinical cases. For the AIA, within- and between-run coefficients of variation (CV) were assessed, linearity and recovery studies performed, and observed total error (TEobs ) calculated. Correlation and agreement between the 2 analyzers were also evaluated. RESULTS: Within-run and between-run CV of the AIA ranged from 2.3% to 4% and 3.5% to 8%, respectively. ACTH recoveries ranged from 89.5% to 115.9%. TEobs at 26.5 pg/mL ACTH was 4.1 pg/mL. The ACTH results (median: 25.9 pg/mL; range: 4.3-276.7 pg/mL) with AIA were significantly lower (P < .0001) than with the Immulite (median: 29.9 pg/mL; range: 10.3-639.0 pg/mL). Correlation between the 2 analyzers was r = 0.882 (P < .0001), with a significant bias for the AIA of -16 pg/mL. The 2 methods were not identical within inherent imprecision. CONCLUSION: The AIA is precise for measuring ACTH in horses. Although correlation between the instruments is good, the values obtained by the immunoassays cannot be used interchangeably and should be interpreted using reference intervals established for each analyzer to avoid false negatives. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the AIA-360 should be evaluated before clinical use.

Valid and reliable techniques for measuring fibrosis in patients with head and neck cancer postradiotherapy: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fibrosis is a common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Although treatments for fibrosis have been developed, valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to verify their efficacy. The purpose of this review was to identify and appraise tools used to measure head and neck fibrosis. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for primary research published through April 2014. Main search terms included head and neck cancer, radiotherapy, fibrosis, validity, and reliability. Methodological quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). Two blinded raters conducted all assessments. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: The search retrieved 534 unique citations. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria, representing 9 different tools. Only 1 tool was assessed for reliability and validity. QUADAS-2 revealed that all studies were at risk for bias. CONCLUSION: To date, there are no valid and reliable techniques for measuring fibrosis postradiotherapy for head and neck cancer, especially within the suprahyoid and pharyngeal regions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2322-E2334, 2016.