Mercury species measured atop the Moody Tower TRAMP site,Houston, Texas

Atmospheric mercury speciation was monitored within Houston, Texas, USA, August 6–October 14, 2006 as part of the TexAQS Radical and Aerosol Measurement Program (TRAMP). On average, all mercury levels were significantly elevated compared to a rural Gulf of Mexico coastal site. Concentrations varied from very clean to very dirty. Multi-day periods of stagnant or low-wind conditions brought elevated concentrations of all mercury species, whereas multi-day periods of strong winds, particularly southerly winds off the Gulf of Mexico, brought very low values of mercury species. Over the entire mercury measurement period, the daily averages of mercury species showed distinct and consistent relationships with the average planetary boundary layer dynamics, with gaseous elemental and particulate-bound mercury near-surface concentrations enhanced by a shallow nocturnal boundary layer, and reactive gaseous mercury concentration enhanced by midday convective boundary layer air entrainment transporting air aloft to the surface. Mercury concentrations were not significantly correlated with known products of combustion, likely indicating non-combustion mercury sources from the Houston area petrochemical complexes. On the morning of August 31, 2006 an observed emission event at a refinery complex on the Houston Ship Channel resulted in extremely high concentrations of aerosol mass and particulate-bound mercury at the TRAMP measurement site 20 km downwind.     

Phenotypic Effects of Cattle Mitochondrial DNA in American Bison

Hybridization between endangered species and more common species is a significant problem in conservation biology because it may result in extinction or loss of adaptation. The historical reduction in abundance and geographic distribution of the American plains bison (Bison bison bison) and their recovery over the last 125 years is well documented. However, introgression from domestic cattle (Bos taurus) into the few remaining bison populations that existed in the late 1800s has now been identified in many modern bison herds. We examined the phenotypic effect of this ancestry by comparing weight and height of bison with cattle or bison mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from Santa Catalina Island, California (U.S.A.), a nutritionally stressful environment for bison, and of a group of age‐matched feedlot bison males in Montana, a nutritionally rich environment. The environmental and nutritional differences between these 2 bison populations were very different and demonstrated the phenotypic effect of domestic cattle mtDNA in bison over a broad range of conditions. For example, the average weight of feedlot males that were 2 years of age was 2.54 times greater than that of males from Santa Catalina Island. In both environments, bison with cattle mtDNA had lower weight compared with bison with bison mtDNA, and on Santa Catalina Island, the height of bison with cattle mtDNA was lower than the height of bison with bison mtDNA. These data support the hypothesis that body size is smaller and height is lower in bison with domestic cattle mtDNA and that genomic integrity is important for the conservation of the American plains bison. Efectos Fenotípicos del ADN Mitocondrial de Ganado en el Bisonte Americano     

The Impacts of Water Conservation Strategies on Water Use: Four Case Studies1

Tsai, Yushiou, Sara Cohen, and Richard M. Vogel, 2011. The Impacts of Water Conservation Strategies on Water Use: Four Case Studies. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(4):687‐701. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00534.x Abstract: We assessed impacts on water use achieved by implementation of controlled experiments relating to four water conservation strategies in four towns within the Ipswich watershed in Massachusetts. The strategies included (1) installation of weather‐sensitive irrigation controller switches (WSICS) in residences and municipal athletic fields; (2) installation of rainwater harvesting systems in residences; (3) two outreach programs: (a) free home indoor water use audits and water fixture retrofit kits and (b) rebates for low‐water‐demand toilets and washing machines; and (4) soil amendments to improve soil moisture retention at a municipal athletic field. The goals of this study are to summarize the effectiveness of the four water conservation strategies and to introduce nonparametric statistical methods for evaluating the effectiveness of these conservation strategies in reducing water use. It was found that (1) the municipal WSICS significantly reduced water use; (2) residences with high irrigation demand were more likely than low water users to experience a substantial demand decrease when equipped with the WSICS; (3) rainwater harvesting provided substantial rainwater use, but these volumes were small relative to total domestic water use and relative to the natural fluctuations in domestic water use; (4) both the audits/retrofit and rebate programs resulted in significant water savings; and (5) a modeling approach showed potential water savings from soil amendments in ball fields.     

Scientist–stakeholder collaboration in integrated assessment of climate change: lessons from a case study of Northwest Canada

Research on the climate change issue has generally focused on uncertainties in climate projections and calculation of mitigation costs. Most integrated assessment (IA) efforts have been directed at the mitigation component. The problem of climate change, however, is really about the potential effects on ecosystems, resources, and societies that depend on them. As illustrated by experiences from the Mackenzie Basin Impact Study, a case study from Northwest Canada, these effects will be unique to each region and country. Many of these will be indirect, including region specific thresholds, vulnerabilities and adaptations which may not be included in sectoral analyses. Science can define some of the “What if” aspects of climate change, but the regional “So what” and “What should be done” questions are largely unanswered and subject to intense debate in various political fora. IA needs to recognize the multiobjective and multistakeholder aspects of vulnerabilities, risks, and potential responses to climate change. IA could provide a more holistic analysis of the regional impacts dimension of climate change by including both modeling and non‐modeling approaches, and incorporating institutional and stakeholder issues that do not readily lend themselves to economic analyses.     

The OEIS complex: two case reports that illustrate the spectrum of abnormalities and a review of the literature

We present two cases of OEIS (omphalocele, exstrophy, imperforate anus, spinal defects) complex -MIM 258040 and a review of the literature. Case 1 was a 14-year-old girl who presented at 30 weeks' gestation. An ultrasound examination showed an omphalocele and spina bifida; the bladder was not visualised. She went into spontaneous labour two weeks later and the baby died shortly after birth. A full post-mortem examination was refused, but the mother did agree to an external examination, skin biopsy for fibroblast culture, X rays and MR imaging. The MR imaging showed a pelvic kidney, a large omphalocele containing the other kidney, liver, bowel and a fluid filled structure thought to represent an exstrophy of the bladder (EB). Case 2 was a 30-year-old woman who had an ultrasound examination at 20 weeks' gestation; this showed an omphalocele, but the bladder was not visualised. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated and a post-mortem examination showed a low set umbilical cord associated with a small omphalocele; there was an imperforate anus; a blind ending rectum terminated in the omphalocele. We conclude that these two cases illustrate the variability of the OEIS complex. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The dispositional approach to job satisfaction: more than a mirage,but not yet an oasis

This paper readdresses the person–situation debate in organizational research. The well‐known arguments of Davis‐Blake and Pfeffer (1989) are evaluated in light of research and theory that has transpired since the publication of their original critique. A new dispositional model of job satisfaction is then proposed. The model is based on several informational and action steps including exposure to work events and condition, as well as the evaluation, memory, retrieval, and expression of affect in the organizational context. Using this model, we discuss how dispositional affect can influence what is experienced in the workplace, how one evaluates it, and how it is expressed to others, including organizational researchers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cost-Effectiveness of a Photochemical Oxidant Episode Regulation

The precursors used to conduct and the results of a cost-effectiveness study of photochemical oxidant episode control actions for the State of Illinois are analyzed. The method is general enough to be used in analyzing short-term episode regulations in other geographical areas and for other types of pollutants. Real costs and the probable emission reductions of the precursor compounds to oxidant formation, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, are estimated for each of twenty-two control actions and for sets of control actions that are implemented at four episode stages. Control actions affect the use of motor vehicles and parking facilities; scheduling of road repairs; and the operation of manufacturing and other facilities having process emissions, electric power plants, commercial establishments, and refuse incinerators. The actions are analyzed and compared on the basis of relative economic efficiency. The expected annual cost of the regulation and the distribution of cost across sectors are also discussed. The annual cost of the oxidant episode regulation in the Chicago SMSA Is estimated to be $12.9 million; expected annual emission reductions are 1180 ton hydrocarbons and 970 ton nitrogen oxide. It is concluded that the expected cost of the regulation is not overly restrictive if the frequency of major curtailments in manufacturing and transportation is low; the cost is relatively small compared with the estimated annual cost of sulfur dioxide and particulate controls.     

A new metric space incorporating radon-222 for generation of back trajectory clusters in atmospheric pollution studies

A novel metric space for the clustering of back trajectories to be used in fine particle aerosol data analysis was proposed and evaluated. The metric is based on spatial and non-spatial variables incorporating great-circle distance, altitude and radon-222.Its performance was examined using the intra-cluster variation of measured and fingerprint apportioned aerosol mass as the quantitative criterion. The new metric was demonstrated to perform better than those based on great-circle distance, or a great-circle distance and altitude alone. The same criterion was applied to investigate the clustering performance as a function of the length of its back trajectories. The optimum back trajectory length was found to be dependent on the pollution source being considered.Performance tests, as well as the application of the new metric space to re-analysis of previously published results, were based on a three year long dataset comprising co-located aerosol fine particles (PM_2.5) collection and hourly measurements of radon-222 concentration.The new metric space can easily be redefined to include other trace species.     

Charged Droplet Scrubbing for Fine Particle Control

Some basic mechanisms of interaction of highly charged scrubbing droplets with fine particulate are studied. In the fine particulate size range (1.0-0.1 micron), the most effective mechanisms are electrically augmented impact scrubbing and charge exchange without impact. A charged droplet scrubber using electrohydrodynamically sprayed droplets and an applied field to achieve electrical impact scrubbing is described. It is shown that such scrubbers are capable of high densities of droplets in the 100 jum size range, and charged to near their upper stability limit. Collection efficiencies of 30 to 50% per stage are demonstrated in the submicron particulate size range.