Microcystin Prevalence throughout Lentic Waterbodies in Coastal Southern California.

Toxin producing cyanobacterial blooms have increased globally in recent decades in both frequency and intensity. Despite the recognition of this growing risk, the extent and magnitude of cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxin prevalence is poorly characterized in the heavily populated region of southern California. Recent assessments of lentic waterbodies (depressional wetlands, lakes, reservoirs and coastal lagoons) determined the prevalence of microcystins and, in some cases, additional cyanotoxins. Microcystins were present in all waterbody types surveyed although toxin concentrations were generally low across most habitats, as only a small number of sites exceeded California's recreational health thresholds for acute toxicity. Results from passive samplers (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT)) indicated microcystins were prevalent throughout lentic waterbodies and that traditional discrete samples underestimated the presence of microcystins. Multiple cyanotoxins were detected simultaneously in some systems, indicating multiple stressors, the risk of which is uncertain since health thresholds are based on exposures to single toxins. Anatoxin-a was detected for the first time from lakes in southern California. The persistence of detectable microcystins across years and seasons indicates a low-level, chronic risk through both direct and indirect exposure. The influence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is a more complex stressor than presently recognized and should be included in water quality monitoring programs

Processes Controlling Nutrient Transport in the Southeastern Everglades Wetlands, Florida, United States of America.

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the processes that control material transport in the Southeastern (SE) Everglades and exchange with Florida Bay. Specifically, the objectives were to: (1) determine the factors controlling the spatio-temporal trends in material concentration and exchange; (2) estimate the annual nutrient and carbon export from the SE Everglades; and (3) determine the relative importance of surface water, atmospheric deposition, groundwater, and intrasystem cycling as sources and losses of nutrients to the watershed. Patterns in material exchange were observed for 2.5 years in three of five major creeks draining the SE Everglades. Statistical methods were used to derive annual carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) export to Florida Bay. Finally, water and nutrient budgets were calculated for the watershed. The seasonal pulse of freshwater and the lower input in the western watershed relative to the east explained the major spatio-temporal patterns in material exchange. Approximately 99% of exports to Florida Bay occurred during the rainy season. Higher hydraulic residence time and the advection of P-rich Gulf of Mexico waters to the western Bay resulted in higher nutrient concentrations and a lower TN:TP ratio in the western-most creek relative to the eastern creeks. The SE Everglades annually exported 7.1 g C m-2, 0.46 g N m-2, and 0.007 g P m-2 to Florida Bay. The low P flux relative to other estuarine systems reflects the efficiency of Everglades ecosystem in conserving P. Atmospheric deposition was the dominant P source to the watershed. Surface water was the major N source during the wet season, but annually equaled atmospheric N deposition. Annually 20 mg P m-2 and 590 mg N m-2 were imported into the watershed from hydrologic sources (surface water, groundwater, atmospheric deposition). Annual P import roughly equaled sediment P burial (33--71 mg m-2), while sediment N burial (1890--4071 mg m-2) exceeded hydrologic import. This budget deficit may be balanced by N fixation or may be due to underestimation of groundwater flux into the watershed. Further research is needed on the contribution of groundwater and N fixation to the nutrient budget of the SE Everglades wetlands

Microcystin Prevalence throughout Lentic Waterbodies in Coastal Southern California.

Toxin producing cyanobacterial blooms have increased globally in recent decades in both frequency and intensity. Despite the recognition of this growing risk, the extent and magnitude of cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxin prevalence is poorly characterized in the heavily populated region of southern California. Recent assessments of lentic waterbodies (depressional wetlands, lakes, reservoirs and coastal lagoons) determined the prevalence of microcystins and, in some cases, additional cyanotoxins. Microcystins were present in all waterbody types surveyed although toxin concentrations were generally low across most habitats, as only a small number of sites exceeded California's recreational health thresholds for acute toxicity. Results from passive samplers (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT)) indicated microcystins were prevalent throughout lentic waterbodies and that traditional discrete samples underestimated the presence of microcystins. Multiple cyanotoxins were detected simultaneously in some systems, indicating multiple stressors, the risk of which is uncertain since health thresholds are based on exposures to single toxins. Anatoxin-a was detected for the first time from lakes in southern California. The persistence of detectable microcystins across years and seasons indicates a low-level, chronic risk through both direct and indirect exposure. The influence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is a more complex stressor than presently recognized and should be included in water quality monitoring programs

International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus proposal: Medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe

In Europe, the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) licensed for dogs has grown considerably over the last years. Nevertheless, the same questions remain, which include, 1) when to start treatment, 2) which drug is best used initially, 3) which adjunctive AED can be advised if treatment with the initial drug is unsatisfactory, and 4) when treatment changes should be considered. In this consensus proposal, an overview is given on the aim of AED treatment, when to start long-term treatment in canine epilepsy and which veterinary AEDs are currently in use for dogs. The consensus proposal for drug treatment protocols, 1) is based on current published evidence-based literature, 2) considers the current legal framework of the cascade regulation for the prescription of veterinary drugs in Europe, and 3) reflects the authors’ experience. With this paper it is aimed to provide a consensus for the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy. Furthermore, for the management of structural epilepsy AEDs are inevitable in addition to treating the underlying cause, if possible

Energy minimising multi-crack growth in linear-elastic materials using the extended finite element method with application to Smart-CutTM silicon wafer splitting

We investigate multiple crack evolution under quasi-static conditions in an isotropic linear-elastic solid based on the principle of minimum total energy, i.e. the sum of the potential and fracture energies, which stems directly from the Griffith’s theory of cracks. The technique, which has been implemented within the extended finite element method, enables minimisation of the total energy of the mechanical system with respect to the crack extension directions. This is achieved by finding the orientations of the discrete crack-tip extensions that yield vanishing rotational energy release rates about their roots. In addition, the proposed energy minimisation technique can be used to resolve competing crack growth problems. Comparisons of the fracture paths obtained by the maximum tension (hoop-stress) criterion and the energy minimisation approach via a multitude of numerical case studies show that both criteria converge to virtually the same fracture solutions albeit from opposite directions. In other words, it is found that the converged fracture path lies in between those obtained by each criterion on coarser numerical discretisations. Upon further investigation of the energy minimisation approach within the discrete framework, a modified crack growth direction criterion is proposed that assumes the average direction of the directions obtained by the maximum hoop stress and the minimum energy criteria. The numerical results show significant improvements in accuracy (especially on coarse discretisations) and convergence rates of the fracture paths. The XFEM implementation is subsequently applied to model an industry relevant problem of silicon wafer cutting based on the physical process of Smart-CutTM technology where wafer splitting is the result of the coalescence of multiple pressure-driven micro-crack growth within a narrow layer of the prevailing micro-crack distribution. A parametric study is carried out to assess the influence of some of the Smart-CutTM process parameters on the post-split fracture surface roughness. The parameters that have been investigated, include: mean depth of micro-crack distribution, distribution of micro-cracks about the mean depth, damage (isotropic) in the region of micro-crack distribution, and the influence of the depth of the buried-oxide layer (a layer of reduced stiffness) beneath the micro-crack distribution. Numerical results agree acceptably well with experimental observations

Physical fitness as one of the directions of the historical development of physical culture

Purpose: to reveal the cultural and historical origins of the concept of "physical fitness". Material & Methods: an analysis of specialized literature covering various aspects of the development of the field of human activity associated with the use of physical exercises. Results: at the turn of the 20th century, the term "physical culture" was used as a generalising name for the three areas of people’s activities related to the use of physical exercises: activities aimed at bringing the body in line (physical fitness) activities aimed at developing physical strength and body build (bodybuilding) activities aimed at improving through the use of physical exercises (therapeutic physical culture). Conclusion: in terms of the theory of physical culture of physical fitness is seen as a particular socio-cultural phenomenon, which is a historically conditioned human activity involving the use of physical exercise at their leisure, and individual and socially significant results of such activities.Мета: розкрити культурно-історичні витоки поняття «фізична підготовленість». Матеріал і методи: аналіз спеціалізованої літератури, що охоплює різні аспекти розвитку галузі людини діяльність, пов'язана з використанням фізичних вправ. Результати: на рубежі 20-го століття термін «фізична культура» використовувався як узагальнююча назва трьох областей діяльність людей, пов'язана з використанням фізичних вправ: діяльність, спрямована на приведення організму у відповідність (фізична підготовка) спрямовані на розвиток фізичної сили та формування тіла (бодібілдинг) діяльності, спрямованої на вдосконалення шляхом використання фізичні вправи (лікувальна фізкультура). Висновок: з точки зору теорії фізичної культури фізична підготовка розглядається як особливий соціокультурний феномен, що є історично обумовленою діяльністю людини, яка передбачає використання фізичних вправ у вільний час, а також індивідуально та суспільно вагомі результати такої діяльності.Цель: раскрыть культурно-исторические истоки понятия «физическая подготовка». Материал и методы: анализ специальной литературы по различным аспектам развития области человеческого активность, связанная с применением физических упражнений. Результаты: на рубеже ХХ века термин «физическая культура» использовался как обобщающее название для трех областей деятельность людей, связанная с использованием физических упражнений: деятельность, направленная на приведение тела в норму (физическая подготовка); направленных на развитие физической силы и построения тела (бодибилдинг) деятельности, направленной на улучшение за счет использования физические упражнения (лечебная физическая культура). Вывод: с точки зрения теории физической культуры физическая подготовка рассматривается как частное социокультурное явление, которая представляет собой исторически обусловленную деятельность человека, включающую использование физических упражнений на досуге, а также индивидуальную и социальную значимые результаты такой деятельности

Physical fitness as one of the directions of the historical development of physical culture

Purpose: to reveal the cultural and historical origins of the concept of "physical fitness". Material & Methods: an analysis of specialized literature covering various aspects of the development of the field of human activity associated with the use of physical exercises. Results: at the turn of the 20th century, the term "physical culture" was used as a generalising name for the three areas of people’s activities related to the use of physical exercises: activities aimed at bringing the body in line (physical fitness) activities aimed at developing physical strength and body build (bodybuilding) activities aimed at improving through the use of physical exercises (therapeutic physical culture). Conclusion: in terms of the theory of physical culture of physical fitness is seen as a particular socio-cultural phenomenon, which is a historically conditioned human activity involving the use of physical exercise at their leisure, and individual and socially significant results of such activities.Мета: розкрити культурно-історичні витоки поняття «фізична підготовленість». Матеріал і методи: аналіз спеціалізованої літератури, що охоплює різні аспекти розвитку галузі людини діяльність, пов'язана з використанням фізичних вправ. Результати: на рубежі 20-го століття термін «фізична культура» використовувався як узагальнююча назва трьох областей діяльність людей, пов'язана з використанням фізичних вправ: діяльність, спрямована на приведення організму у відповідність (фізична підготовка) спрямовані на розвиток фізичної сили та формування тіла (бодібілдинг) діяльності, спрямованої на вдосконалення шляхом використання фізичні вправи (лікувальна фізкультура). Висновок: з точки зору теорії фізичної культури фізична підготовка розглядається як особливий соціокультурний феномен, що є історично обумовленою діяльністю людини, яка передбачає використання фізичних вправ у вільний час, а також індивідуально та суспільно вагомі результати такої діяльності.Цель: раскрыть культурно-исторические истоки понятия «физическая подготовка». Материал и методы: анализ специальной литературы по различным аспектам развития области человеческого активность, связанная с применением физических упражнений. Результаты: на рубеже ХХ века термин «физическая культура» использовался как обобщающее название для трех областей деятельность людей, связанная с использованием физических упражнений: деятельность, направленная на приведение тела в норму (физическая подготовка); направленных на развитие физической силы и построения тела (бодибилдинг) деятельности, направленной на улучшение за счет использования физические упражнения (лечебная физическая культура). Вывод: с точки зрения теории физической культуры физическая подготовка рассматривается как частное социокультурное явление, которая представляет собой исторически обусловленную деятельность человека, включающую использование физических упражнений на досуге, а также индивидуальную и социальную значимые результаты такой деятельности