Subsurface temperature estimates from a Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) reanalysis provide accurate coral heat stress indices across the Main Hawaiian Islands.

As ocean temperatures continue to rise, coral bleaching events around the globe are becoming stronger and more frequent. High-resolution temperature data is therefore critical for monitoring reef conditions to identify indicators of heat stress. Satellite and in situ measurements have historically been relied upon to study the thermal tolerances of coral reefs, but these data are quite limited in their spatial and temporal coverage. Ocean circulation models could provide an alternative or complement to these limited data, but a thorough evaluation against in situ measurements has yet to be conducted in any Pacific Islands region. Here we compared subsurface temperature measurements around the nearshore Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) from 2010 to 2017 with temperature predictions from an operational Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to evaluate the potential utility of this model as a tool for coral reef management. We found that overall, the ROMS reanalysis presents accurate subsurface temperature predictions across the nearshore MHI region and captures a significant amount of observed temperature variability. The model recreates several temperature metrics used to identify coral heat stress, including predicting the 2014 and 2015 bleaching events around Hawai'i during the summer and fall months of those years. The MHI ROMS simulation proves to be a useful tool for coral reef management in the absence of, or to supplement, subsurface and satellite measurements across Hawai'i and likely for other Pacific Island regions.

Site- and species-specific metal concentrations, mobility, and bioavailability in sediment, flora, and fauna of a southeastern United States salt marsh.

Salt marshes are highly productive and valuable coastal ecosystems that act as filters for nutrients and pollutants at the land-sea interface. The salt marshes of the mid-Atlantic United States often exhibit geochemical behavior that varies significantly from other estuaries around the world, but our understanding of metal mobility and bioavailability remains incomplete for these systems. We sampled abiotic (water and sediment) and native biotic (three halophyte and two bivalve species) compartments of a southeastern United States salt marsh to understand the site- and species-specific metal concentrations, fractionation, and bioavailability for 16 metals and metalloids, including two naturally occurring radionuclides. Location on the marsh platform greatly influenced metal concentrations in sediment and metal bioaccumulation in halophytes, with sites above the mean high-water mark (i.e., high marsh zone) having lower concentrations in sediment but plants exhibiting greater biota sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs). Transition metal concentrations in the sediment were an average of 6× higher in the low marsh zone compared to the high marsh zone and heavy metals were on average 2× higher. Tissue- and species-specific preferential accumulation in bivalves provide opportunities for tailored biomonitoring programs. For example, mussel byssal threads accumulated ten of the sixteen studied elements to significantly greater concentrations compared to soft tissues and oysters had remarkably high soft tissue zinc concentrations (~5000 mg/kg) compared to all other species and element combinations studied. Additionally, some of our results have important implications for understanding metal mobility and implementing effective remediation (specifically phytoremediation) strategies, including observations that (1) heavy metals exhibit distinct concentration spatial distributions and metal fractionation patterns which vary from the transition metals and (2) sediment organic matter fraction appears to play an important role in controlling sediment metal concentrations, fractionation, and plant bioavailability.

Outcomes of an expedited same-day discharge protocol following cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation.

BACKGROUND: With increasing constraints on healthcare resources, greater attention is being focused on improved resource utilization. Prior studies have demonstrated safety of same-day discharge following CIED implantation but are limited by vague protocols with long observation periods. In this study, we evaluate the safety of an expedited 2 hour same-day discharge protocol following CIED implantation. METHODS: Patients undergoing CIED implantation at three centers between 2015 and 2021 were included. Procedural, demographic, and adverse event data were abstracted from the electronic health record. Patients were divided into same-day discharge (SDD) and delayed discharge (DD) cohorts. The primary outcome was complications including lead malfunction requiring revision, pneumothorax, hemothorax, lead dislodgement, lead perforation with tamponade, and mortality within 30 days of procedure. Outcomes were compared between the two cohorts using the χ2 test. RESULTS: A total of 4543 CIED implantation procedures were included with 1557 patients (34%) in the SDD cohort. SDD patients were comparatively younger, were more likely to be male, and had fewer comorbidities than DD patients. Among SDD patients, the mean time to post-operative chest X-ray was 2.6 h. SDD had lower rates of complications (1.3% vs 2.1%, p = 0.0487) and acute care utilization post-discharge (9.6% vs 14.0%, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the 90-day infection rate between the cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: An expedited 2 hour same-day discharge protocol is safe and effective with low rates of complications, infection, and post-operative acute care utilization.

Outcomes of a Remote Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Risk factor modification, in particular exercise and weight loss, has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, access to structured supporting programs is limited. Barriers include the distance from appropriate facilities, insurance coverage, work or home responsibilities, and transportation. Digital health technology offers an opportunity to address this gap and offer scalable interventions for risk factor modification. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 12-week asynchronous remotely supervised exercise and patient education program, modeled on cardiac rehabilitation programs, in patients with AF. METHODS: A total of 12 patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF were enrolled in this pilot study. Participants met with an exercise physiologist for a supervised exercise session to generate a personalized exercise plan to be implemented over the subsequent 12-week program. Disease-specific education was also provided as well as instruction in areas such as blood pressure and weight measurement. A digital health toolkit for self-tracking was provided to facilitate monitoring of exercise time, blood pressure, weight, and cardiac rhythm. The exercise physiologist remotely monitored participants and completed weekly check-ins to titrate exercise targets and provide further education. The primary end point was program completion. Secondary end points included change in self-tracking adherence, weight, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), waist circumference, AF symptom score, and program satisfaction. RESULTS: The median participant age was 67.5 years, with a mean BMI of 33.8 kg/m2 and CHADs2VASC (Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension, Age [≥75 years], Diabetes, Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack, Vascular Disease, Age [65-74 years], Sex [Female]) of 1.5. A total of 11/12 (92%) participants completed the program, with 94% of expected check-ins completed and 2.9 exercise sessions per week. Adherence to electrocardiogram and blood pressure tracking was fair at 81% and 47%, respectively. Significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, and BMI were observed with improvements in 6MWT and AF symptom scores (P<.05) at the completion of the program. For program management, a mean of 2 hours per week or 0.5 hours per patient per week was required, inclusive of time for follow-up and intake visits. Participants rated the program highly (>8 on a 10-point Likert scale) in terms of the impact on health and wellness, educational value, and sustainability of the personal exercise program. CONCLUSIONS: An asynchronous remotely supervised exercise program augmented with AF-specific educational components for patients with AF was feasible and well received in this pilot study. While improvements in patient metrics like BMI and 6MWT are encouraging, they should be viewed as hypothesis generating. Based on insights gained, future program iterations will include particular attention to improved technology for data aggregation, adjustment of self-monitoring targets based on observed adherence, and protocol-driven exercise titration. The study design will need to incorporate strategies to facilitate the recruitment of a diverse and representative participant cohort.

Microbial community dynamics and cycling of plutonium and iron in a seasonally stratified and radiologically contaminated pond.

Plutonium (Pu) cycling and mobility in the environment can be impacted by the iron cycle and microbial community dynamics. We investigated the spatial and temporal changes of the microbiome in an iron (Fe)-rich, plutonium-contaminated, monomictic reservoir (Pond B, Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA). The microbial community composition varied with depth during seasonal thermal stratification and was strongly correlated with redox. During stratification, Fe(II) oxidizers (e.g., Ferrovum, Rhodoferax, Chlorobium) were most abundant in the hypoxic/anoxic zones, while Fe(III) reducers (e.g., Geothrix, Geobacter) dominated the deep, anoxic zone. Sulfate reducers and methanogens were present in the anoxic layer, likely contributing to iron and plutonium cycling. Multinomial regression of predicted functions/pathways identified metabolisms highly associated with stratification (within the top 5%), including iron reduction, methanogenesis, C1 compound utilization, fermentation, and aromatic compound degradation. Two sediment cores collected at the Inlet and Outlet of the pond were dominated by putative fermenters and organic matter (OM) degraders. Overall, microbiome analyses revealed the potential for three microbial impacts on the plutonium and iron biogeochemical cycles: (1) plutonium bioaccumulation throughout the water column, (2) Pu-Fe-OM-aggregate formation by Fe(II) oxidizers under microaerophilic/aerobic conditions, and (3) Pu-Fe-OM-aggregate or sediment reductive dissolution and organic matter degradation in the deep, anoxic waters.

Nuclear waste Educator's workshop: What and how do we teach about nuclear waste?

A workshop was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on July 25th and 26th, 2022. The objective was to develop a blueprint for educating next-generation engineers and scientists about nuclear waste management and disposal, which requires knowledge from diverse disciplines, including nuclear, chemical, civil, environmental, and geological science and engineering. The 49 participants included university professors, researchers, industry experts, and government officials from different areas. First, we have developed a list of key fundamental knowledge on waste management and disposal across the nuclear fuel cycle. In addition, we discussed strategies on how to teach students with diverse backgrounds through innovative teaching strategies as well as how to attract students into this area. Through the workshop, we identified the critical needs to (1) develop community resources for nuclear waste education; (2) synthesize historical perspectives, including past contamination and the management of general hazardous waste; (3) emphasize a complete life-cycle perspective, including proper waste management as the key component for energy sustainability; (4) teach students how to communicate about the key facts and risks to technical and non-technical audiences; and (5) accelerate the use of the state-of-art-technologies to attract and retain a young workforce. Furthermore, we aim to build a diverse, inclusive community that supports students in developing their own narratives about nuclear waste, particularly in recognizing that antagonistic views have been important to improving safety and protecting public health and the environment.

Sources, seasonal cycling, and fate of plutonium in a seasonally stratified and radiologically contaminated pond.

Unlike short-term laboratory experiments, studies at sites historically contaminated with radionuclides can provide insight into contaminant migration behavior at environmentally-relevant decadal timescales. One such site is Pond B, a seasonally stratified reservoir within Savannah River Site (SC, USA) has low levels (µBq L-1) of plutonium in the water column. Here, we evaluate the origin of plutonium using high-precision isotope measurements, investigate the impact of water column geochemistry on plutonium cycling during different stratification periods, and re-evaluate long-term mass balance of plutonium in the pond. New isotopic data confirm that reactor-derived plutonium overwhelms input from Northern Hemisphere fallout at this site. Two suggested mechanisms for observed plutonium cycling in the water column include: (1) reductive dissolution of sediment-derived Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides during seasonal stratification and (2) plutonium stabilization complexed strongly to Fe(III)-particulate organic matter (POM) complexes. While plutonium may be mobilized to a limited extent by stratification and reductive dissolution, peak plutonium concentrations are in shallow waters and associated with Fe(III)-POM at the inception of stratification. This suggests that plutonium release from sediments during stratification is not the dominant mechanism driving plutonium cycling in the pond. Importantly, our analysis suggests that the majority is retained in shallow sediments and may become increasingly recalcitrant.

Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of the transport and retention of nanocrystal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in saturated porous media: Effects of electrolytes, organic ligand, and natural organic matter.

This study explores the transport and retention of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in water-saturated sand columns as a function of electrolytes (Na+ and Ca2+), ionic strength, organic ligand citrate, and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM). Numerical simulations were carried out to understand the mechanisms that govern the transport and interactions of QDs in porous media and to assess how environmental parameters impact these mechanisms. An increase in the ionic strength of NaCl and CaCl2 increased QDs retention in porous media. The reduction of the electrostatic interactions screened by dissolved electrolyte ions and the increase of divalent bridging effect are the causes for this enhanced retention behavior. Citrate or SRNOM enhanced QDs transport in NaCl and CaCl2 systems by either increasing the repulsion energy barrier or inducing the steric interactions between QDs and the quartz sand collectors. A non-exponential decay characterized the retention profiles of QDs along the distance to the inlet. The modeling results indicated the four models containing the attachment, detachment, and straining terms - Model 1: M1-attachment, Model 2: M2-attachment and detachment, Model 3: M3-straining, and Model 4: M4-attachment, detachment, and straining - closely simulated the observed breakthrough curves (BTCs) but inadequately described the retention profiles.

Tissue-Specific Toxicokinetics of Aqueous Radium-226 in an Estuarine Mussel, Geukensia demissa.

Radiological contamination of coastal habitats poses potential risk for native fauna, but the bioavailability of aqueous radium (Ra) and other dissolved metals to marine bivalves remains unclear. This study was the first to examine the tissue-specific disposition of aqueous 226Ra in a coastal mussel, specifically the Atlantic ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa. Most organ groups reached steady-state concentrations within 7 days during experimental exposure, with an average uptake rate constant of 0.0013 mL g-1 d-1. When moved to Ra-free synthetic seawater, mussels rapidly eliminated aqueous 226Ra (average elimination rate constant 1.56 d-1). The biological half-life for aqueous 226Ra ranged from 8.9 h for the gills and labial palps to 15.4 h for the muscle. Although previous field studies have demonstrated notable 226Ra accumulation in the soft tissues of marine mussels and that, for freshwater mussels, tissue-incorporated 226Ra derives primarily from the aqueous phase, our tissue-specific bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were on the order of (8.3 ± 1.5) × 10-4 indicating low accumulation potential of aqueous 226Ra in estuarine mussels. This suggests marine and estuarine mussels obtain 226Ra from an alternate route, such as particulate-sorbed Ra ingested during filter-feeding or from a contaminated food source.

Gender bias in teaching evaluations: the causal role of department gender composition.

Women are underrepresented in academia's higher ranks. Promotion oftentimes requires positive student-provided course evaluations. At a U.S. university, both an archival and an experimental investigation uncovered gender discrimination that affected both men and women. A department's gender composition and the course levels being taught interacted to predict biases in evaluations. However, women were disproportionately impacted because women were more often in the gender minority. A subsequent audit of the university's promotion guidelines suggested a disproportionate impact on women's career trajectories. Our framework was guided by role congruity theory, which poses that workplace positions are gendered by the ratios of men and women who fill them. We hypothesized that students would expect educators in a department's gender majority to fill more so essential positions of teaching upper-level courses and those in the minority to fill more so supportive positions of teaching lower-level courses. Consistent with role congruity theory when an educator's gender violated expected gendered roles, we generally found discrimination in the form of lower evaluation scores. A follow-up experiment demonstrated that it was possible to change students' expectations about which gender would teach their courses. When we assigned students randomly to picture themselves as students in a male-dominated, female-dominated, or gender-parity department, we shifted their expectations of whether men or women would teach upper- and lower-level courses. Violating students' expectations created negative biases in teaching evaluations. This provided a causal link between department gender composition and discrimination. The importance of gender representation and ameliorating strategies are discussed.

The Influence of Iron and Ligand Type on Plutonium Uptake in Two Strains of Hydroponically Grown Corn ( Zea Mays ).

ABSTRACT: This work investigates the uptake and root-shoot transport of plutonium (Pu) and iron (Fe) in corn ( Zea mays ) to gain insight into the Pu uptake pathway. Plutonium has no known biological function in plants yet may feasibly enter plants through the uptake pathway used by Fe (an essential nutrient), as these two elements have similar chemical properties. A series of experiments was conducted in which two hydroponically grown corn strains (one normal and one deficient in the transporter protein for Fe) were exposed to varying concentrations of complexed Pu and Fe. Results suggest that while Fe did inhibit Pu uptake to a certain extent, Pu was able to use alternative uptake pathways. In a 10 ppb Pu:1 ppb Fe hydroponic solution, all shoots had detectable shoot Pu concentrations compared to only 22% of plants when the Fe concentration was raised to 10 ppb. While root Pu accumulation was reduced for the corn strain deficient in the Fe transporter protein at lower Pu media concentrations, there were no differences at higher Pu concentrations, signifying the existence of substitute transport routes. A comparison of citrate and deferoxamine B (DFOB) ligand influence found that Pu complexed with DFOB remained in the roots of the plant, while movement of Pu into the shoots of the plant was more prevalent with the Pu-citrate complex. This study advances understanding of the behavior and mobility of Pu in the terrestrial environment and specifically the interactions between Pu and an essential nutrient in a common crop species.

Vadose-zone alteration of metaschoepite and ceramic UO2 in Savannah River Site field lysimeters.

Uranium dioxide (UO2) and metaschoepite (UO3•nH2O) particles have been identified as contaminants at nuclear sites. Understanding their behavior and impact is crucial for safe management of radioactively contaminated land and to fully understand U biogeochemistry. The Savannah River Site (SRS) (South Carolina, USA), is one such contaminated site, following historical releases of U-containing wastes to the vadose zone. Here, we present an insight into the behavior of these two particle types under dynamic conditions representative of the SRS, using field lysimeters (15 cm D x 72 cm L). Discrete horizons containing the different particle types were placed at two depths in each lysimeter (25 cm and 50 cm) and exposed to ambient rainfall for 1 year, with an aim of understanding the impact of dynamic, shallow subsurface conditions on U particle behavior and U migration. The dissolution and migration of U from the particle sources and the speciation of U throughout the lysimeters was assessed after 1 year using a combination of sediment digests, sequential extractions, and bulk and µ-focus X-ray spectroscopy. In the UO2 lysimeter, oxidative dissolution of UO2 and subsequent migration of U was observed over 1-2 cm in the direction of waterflow and against it. Sequential extractions of the UO2 sources suggest they were significantly altered over 1 year. The metaschoepite particles also showed significant dissolution with marginally enhanced U migration (several cm) from the sources. However, in both particle systems the released U was quantitively retained in sediment as a range of different U(IV) and U(VI) phases, and no detectable U was measured in the lysimeter effluent. The study provides a useful insight into U particle behavior in representative, real-world conditions relevant to the SRS, and highlights limited U migration from particle sources due to secondary reactions with vadose zone sediments over 1 year.

Comparative uptake, translocation, and plant mediated transport of Tc-99, Cs-133, Np-237, and U-238 in Savannah River Site soil columns for the grass species Andropogon virginicus.

This study examines the ability of the grass species Andropogon virginicus to alter the subsurface transport and redistribution of a suite of radionuclides (99Tc, 133Cs (stable analog for 135Cs and 137Cs), 237Np, 238U) with varying chemical behaviors in a Savannah River Site soil via the use of vegetated and unvegetated soil columns. After an acclimation period, a small volume of solution containing all radionuclides was introduced into the columns via Rhizon© pore water sampling tubes. Plants were grown for an additional 4 weeks before shoots were harvested, and columns were prepared for sampling. Plant presence led to decreased radionuclide release from the columns, mainly due to radionuclide specific combinations of system hydrology differences resulting from plant transpiration as well as plant uptake. For the most mobile radionuclides, 99Tc followed by 237Np, plant presence resulted in significantly different soil concentration profiles between vegetated and unvegetated columns, including notable upward migration for 237Np in columns with plants. Additionally, plant uptake of 99Tc was the greatest of all the radionuclides, with plant tissues containing an average of 44 % of the 99Tc, while plant uptake only accounted for <2 % of 237Np and <0.5 % of 133Cs and 238U in the system. Although overall plant uptake of 133Cs and 238U were similar, the majority of 133Cs taken up by plants was associated with 133Cs already available in the aqueous phase while 238U uptake was mainly associated with the solid phase, meaning that plant activity resulted in a fraction of the native 238U being mobilized and thus, made available for plant uptake. Overall, this study quantified the influence of several plant-mediated physical and biogeochemical factors that have significant influence on radionuclide mobility and transport in this complex system which can be further utilized in future system or site-specific environmental transport and risk assessment models.

Temporal evolution of Pu and Cs sediment contamination in a seasonally stratified pond.

There remains a lack of knowledge regarding ecosystem transfer, transport processes, and mechanisms, which influence the long-term mobility of Pu-239 and Cs-137 in natural environments. Monitoring the distribution and migration of trace radioisotopes as ecosystem tracers has the potential to provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of geochemical cycles. This study investigated the distribution of anthropogenic radionuclides Pu-239 and Cs-137 along with total organic carbon, iron, and trace element in contaminated sediments of Pond B at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Pond B received reactor cooling water from 1961 to 1964, and trace amounts of Pu-239 and Cs-137 during operations. Our study collected sediment cores to determine concentrations of Pu-239, Cs-137, and major and minor elements in solid phase, pore water and an electrochemical method was used on wet cores to determine dissolved elemental concentrations. More than 50 years after deposition, Pu-239 and Cs-137 in sediments are primarily located in the upper 5 cm in area where deposition of particulate-bound contaminants was prevalent and located between 5 and 10 cm in areas of high sedimentation, showing a limited migration of Pu-239 and Cs-137. A Factor analysis demonstrated different sediment facies across the pond resulting in a range of geochemical processes controlling accumulation of Pu and Cs. Highest concentrations appear to be controlled by particulate input from the influent canal, dominated by clay, silt, and sand minerals bearing Fe. Elevated Pu-239 in the sediments were observed in areas with high organic matter and higher deposition rate relative to the Pond B system near the outlet indicating strong association of Pu with OM and particulates. Therefore, organic matter cycling likely plays a role in Pu redistribution between sediment and overlying pond water, and deposition in organic rich sediments accumulating near the outlet. Though Pu appears to have been distributed throughout the pond, Cs-137 concentrations remained the highest near the influent canal.

Leaching and transport of technetium from reducing cementitious waste forms in field lysimeters.

Field lysimeters tests examined leaching of technetium-99 (99Tc) from two types of cementitious waste forms and found that the presence of blast furnace slag reduced the overall leaching of 99Tc from the waste form. The two cementitious waste forms were a slag-grout 45%/45%/10% mixture of fly ash, blast furnace slag, and cement, respectively, referred to as slag-grout or a 55%/45% mixture of cement and fly ash, respectively, referred to here simply as cement. Duplicate sources of each composition were buried in four lysimeters for approximately 10 months to evaluate leaching characteristics under natural meteorological conditions in South Carolina, USA. Effluent samples were collected four times during the experiment, and the distribution of 99Tc in the sediment was determined by destructively segmenting the lysimeters at the end of the experiment. The transport of Tc within the lysimeter was simulated by assuming advection, dispersion, and sorption in partially saturated porous media, and by using a shrinking-core type approximation for the release of Tc from the source. The shrinking-core model predicted that the oxidation front created by the oxygenated infiltrating groundwater moved into the cementitious source at a rate of 14 µm/day. As this front moved through the source, Tc(IV) was oxidized to the highly mobile Tc(VII) (as TcO4-) species, which then was transported through the sediment primarily via advection due to a small partitioning coefficient (Csolid/Caq; Kd = 0.14 mL/g). The simulations predicted a cycle of accumulation of Tc in sediment at the source between rainfall events, followed by downward advection due to infiltration during rainfall events. The anomalous upward movement of Tc peak was predicted to be due to upward flux caused by evaporation after the experiment was terminated by capping the lysimeter. These experiments demonstrate that Tc leaching from cementitious waste forms under simulated vadose zone oxidizing conditions can be reasonably approximated by the shrinking core model, and the migration of Tc through the sediment is profoundly influenced by the presence of slag in the grout formulation and hydraulic conditions due to the low sorption affinity of TcO4-.