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Bloodstream infection rates in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Central Australia, 2014-2018 Methicillin-resistant I S. aureus i was isolated from 53 of 110 people with I S. aureus i bloodstream infections (48%), including 46 of 81 infections in Aboriginal people (57%); these proportions were substantially larger than earlier reports (for Aboriginal people: 28%[1] or 29%[4]; non-Aboriginal people: 5%[1] or 6%[4]). Keywords: Bacterial infections; Indigenous health; Drug resistance, microbial; Population health EN Bacterial infections Indigenous health Drug resistance, microbial Population health 415 417 3 05/17/23 20230515 NES 230515 Bloodstream infection rates are an indirect measure of social disadvantage and population health.[1] Rates of chronic disease and harmful alcohol consumption are higher among socio-economically disadvantaged people, who often live in overcrowded houses with poor sanitation; all these factors are recognised risk factors for bloodstream infections.[2] Thirty-four percent of the disparity in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is attributed to high levels of unemployment, lower educational attainment and household income, and inadequate housing, and a further 19% to health risk factors, including alcohol consumption and smoking.[3] Two estimates of mean annual bloodstream infection incidence in the Alice Springs area at the start of the 21st century were much higher for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal people (2001-2006: 937 I v i 64 per 100 000 person-years[1]; 2001-2005: 1355 I v i 70 per 100 000 person-years[4]). [Extracted from the article]

Academic nurses or midwives and those employed by health sectors as independent researchers rarely deliver direct clinical care; juxtaposed with clinical nurses and midwives who typically have positions without any included seconded or protected research time. Although the end goal of greater investment in nursing- and midwifery-led research is to improve health care outcomes, it is possible that a push for more researchers could further exacerbate clinical nursing and midwifery shortages. Keywords: Ethics, research; Clinical trials as topic EN Ethics, research Clinical trials as topic 514 516 3 11/14/22 20221115 NES 221115 The largest health workforce has the greatest research potential; investing in nursing and midwifery researchers is an investment in better care and cost outcomes For the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to achieve its full impact, it is necessary for health practitioners to be trained and reliably funded to deliver research and translation alongside their clinical work.1 We offer insight into current systems, concerns and suggestions as this applies to clinical research in nursing and midwifery. [Extracted from the article]

Assessing the patterns of wildlife attendance to specific areas is relevant across many fundamental and applied ecological studies, particularly when animals are at risk of being exposed to stressors within or outside the boundaries of those areas. Marine mammals are increasingly being exposed to human activities that may cause behavioral and physiological changes, including military exercises using active sonars. Assessment of the population‐level consequences of anthropogenic disturbance requires robust and efficient tools to quantify the levels of aggregate exposure for individuals in a population over biologically relevant time frames. We propose a discrete‐space, continuous‐time approach to estimate individual transition rates across the boundaries of an area of interest, informed by telemetry data collected with uncertainty. The approach allows inferring the effect of stressors on transition rates, the progressive return to baseline movement patterns, and any difference among individuals. We apply the modeling framework to telemetry data from Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) tagged in the Bahamas at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), an area used by the U.S. Navy for fleet readiness training. We show that transition rates changed as a result of exposure to sonar exercises in the area, reflecting an avoidance response. Our approach supports the assessment of the aggregate exposure of individuals to sonar and the resulting population‐level consequences. The approach has potential applications across many applied and fundamental problems where telemetry data are used to characterize animal occurrence within specific areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetting agents have been reported to alleviate localized dry spot and save water while maintaining turf quality at an acceptable level. However, limited research has been conducted on comparing the effects of different wetting agent products. A study was conducted from May to October in 2018 and 2019 in Riverside, CA to evaluate 10 wetting agent treatments on performance of 'Tifway II' hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] under deficit irrigation at three reference evapotranspiration (ETo) levels: 45, 55, and 65% ETo. Ten wetting agent treatments were selected based on manufacturer recommendations. Plots were evaluated for visual turf quality, percent green cover (PGC), dark green color index, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil volumetric water content, soil moisture variability, and proline content in dry-leaf samples. Wetting agent treatments improved turf quality and PGC, and decreased soil moisture variability. Moreover, up to 16% increase in soil moisture levels was observed on treated vs. untreated control. No differences were observed for NDVI, proline content in leaves, or fall color retention. Overall, soil moisture variability declined in 2019, and turf quality improved in both years when any wetting agent treatment was applied, and only minor differences were observed among wetting agent treatments evaluated in this study. Other physiological indicators and soil rootzone characteristics are needed to gauge the effects of wetting agents under deficit-irrigated turfgrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study sought to discover and replicate plasma proteomic biomarkers relating to Alzheimer's disease (AD) including both the "ATN" (amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration) diagnostic framework and clinical diagnosis. Methods: Plasma proteins from 972 subjects (372 controls, 409 mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 191 AD) were measured using both SOMAscan and targeted assays, including 4001 and 25 proteins, respectively. Results: Protein co‐expression network analysis of SOMAscan data revealed the relation between proteins and "N" varied across different neurodegeneration markers, indicating that the ATN variants are not interchangeable. Using hub proteins, age, and apolipoprotein E ε4 genotype discriminated AD from controls with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 and MCI convertors from non‐convertors with an AUC of 0.74. Targeted assays replicated the relation of four proteins with the ATN framework and clinical diagnosis. Discussion: Our study suggests that blood proteins can predict the presence of AD pathology as measured in the ATN framework as well as clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial serology samples were negative for endemic NT flaviviruses (Japanese encephalitis, MVE and Kunjin viruses) (Box). Following the 2022 national outbreak of Japanese encephalitis across the southern and eastern states of Australia,[[1]] the NT conducted a retrospective audit of NT patients with encephalitis presenting between October 2020 and March 2022. Keywords: Encephalitis; viral; Arbovirus infections; Infectious diseases; Communicable diseases; Serology; Public health; Vaccination EN Encephalitis viral Arbovirus infections Infectious diseases Communicable diseases Serology Public health Vaccination 253 254 2 09/20/23 20230915 NES 230915 Clinical record We present the case of a patient with Japanese encephalitis who was identified by a retrospective audit. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association (NIA‐AA) proposed the ATN framework as a classification system for Alzheimer's disease. The ATN framework helps to inform participant inclusion and potentially trial outcomes as clinical trials are increasingly targeting a range of pathologies. However, it is limited by biomarkers that are either not yet fully qualified or are relatively invasive and where access can be difficult. A blood‐based version of the ATN framework would be of considerable value and recent progress suggests such an objective is realizable. Method: To identify blood‐based biomarkers predicting different ATN profiles, we used SOMAscan assay platform to measure 4001 proteins in 785 subjects selected from the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer's disease Multimodal Biomarker Discovery study (EMIF‐AD MBD) study, all of whom had measures of amyloid, CSF total tau (T‐tau) and phosphorylated tau (P‐tau). We firstly performed linear regression to identify single proteins associated with the ATN framework. Then we constructed protein co‐expression network to identify co‐expressed protein modules. We further rank‐ordered modules based upon their relevance to ATN. Using the proteins within the module with the highest relevance, we performed machine learning to differentiate different ATN profiles from non‐pathological controls (NPC). Result: The proteins identified from linear regression were enriched with AD related pathways. Seven modules were identified from co‐expression analysis, among which blue module was highly associated with the ATN framework (Figure 1). Using machine learning, we identified a subset of proteins within the blue module, along with age and apolipoprotein E ε4, that discriminated NPC from amyloid pathology dementia including A+T‐N‐, A+T+N‐, A+T‐N+ and A+T+N+ profile with high area under the curve (AUC, 0.72, 0.80, 0.84, 0.84 respectively) (Figure 2). However, these proteins could not differentiate NPC from Suspected Non‐Alzheimer Pathology (SNAP), or non‐amyloid dementia (A‐T‐N+, A‐T+N‐ and A‐T+N+). Conclusion: The results suggest that high‐dimensional plasma protein testing could be a useful and reproducible approach for discriminating NPC from amyloid pathology dementia. A minimally invasive and cost‐effective blood biomarker of the ATN framework could facilitate clinical trials by contributing to rapid and effective selection of participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kikuyugrass [Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone] is considered either an invasive weed or the desired species on many golf courses, athletic fields, and other turf areas along coastal and inland California. A field study was conducted at the University of California, Riverside in 2012 and 2013 on 'Whittet' kikuyugrass mowed at 11 mm to identify management practices for producing sufficient turf quality and optimal playing conditions for golf course fairways and athletic fields. The study evaluated the effect of mowing frequency (three vs. six times per week), cultivation practice (verticutting vs. grooming), applications of trinexapac‐ethyl (TE), and nitrogen fertilization rates (96 vs. 240 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on turf quality, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), turf firmness, ball roll distance (BRD), and tensile strength. Mowing six times per week produced the highest turf quality turf during summer when kikuyugrass grows most vigorously, while trends were not clear for cultivation practice effects on turf visual quality. However, verticutting twice per year produced the least scalped and firmest turf, while decreasing BRD. Application of TE increased turf quality, NDVI, and BRD, but decreased tensile strength of the sward. Slightly higher turf quality was detected in plots fertilized at 240 kg N ha−1 yr−1 compared to those fertilized with the low N rate (6.0 vs. 5.8), but results do not seem to justify higher N fertility. Overall, results demonstrated that kikuyugrass available in California could benefit from high input management practices such as TE applications, high mowing frequency, and verticutting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persisting drought conditions in California are limiting water allocation for golf course irrigation. A study was conducted at the University of California, Riverside to determine if products including trinexapac-ethyl (TE), a surfactant (Revolution), and nitrogen (N) fertilizer [Gro-Power (5-3-1); SeaBlend (12-4-5) + StressRX (6-0-2) + XP Extra Protection (5-0-0); YaraLiva (15.5-0-0); Turf Royale (21-7-14); each applied at 25 g N m-2 yr-1) could enhance quality of 'Princess 77' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) irrigated at 53 or 92% turfgrass evapotranspiration (ETc) under fairway conditions. Product and irrigation treatments were applied from May through October 2016 and 2017. Every 2 wk, plots were evaluated for visual quality, normalized difference vegetation index, soil volumetric water content using time domain reflectometry, and percent green cover using digital image analysis. Root samples were collected in November of both years, and fall color retention and spring green-up were assessed using digital image analysis. At 92% ETc replacement, visual quality was highest in plots that received TE and surfactant. Although no differences were found among fertilizer treatments, fertilization alone was able to sustain visual quality at a minimally acceptable level at 92% ETc. Surfactant had the greatest positive effect on turf irrigated at 53% ETc, whereas TE did not improve visual quality on the same plots. Overall, results indicate that regular applications of either Revolution surfactant or SeaBlend + StressRX + XP Extra Protection can sustain bermudagrass visual quality at 53% ETc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plasma proteins have been widely studied as candidate biomarkers to predict brain amyloid deposition to increase recruitment efficiency in secondary prevention clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Most such biomarker studies are targeted to specific proteins or are biased toward high abundant proteins. Methods: 4001 plasma proteins were measured in two groups of participants (discovery group = 516, replication group = 365) selected from the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer's disease Multimodal Biomarker Discovery study, all of whom had measures of amyloid. Results: A panel of proteins (n = 44), along with age and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4, predicted brain amyloid deposition with good performance in both the discovery group (area under the curve = 0.78) and the replication group (area under the curve = 0.68). Furthermore, a causal relationship between amyloid and tau was confirmed by Mendelian randomization. Discussion: The results suggest that high‐dimensional plasma protein testing could be a useful and reproducible approach for measuring brain amyloid deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the need for utility financial decision-makers to understand how infrastructure asset management practices and principles support their financial strategies and improve capital investment decision-making. Topics mentioned include application of historical analysis to assess changes in an asset's condition, comparison of cost data with benchmarks, and the definition of asset management by the American Water Works Association Asset Management Committee's 2018 guidebook.

Introduction: A critical and as‐yet unmet need in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the discovery of peripheral small molecule biomarkers. Given that brain pathology precedes clinical symptom onset, we set out to test whether metabolites in blood associated with pathology as indexed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers. Methods: This study analyzed 593 plasma samples selected from the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer's Disease Multimodal Biomarker Discovery study, of individuals who were cognitively healthy (n = 242), had mild cognitive impairment (n = 236), or had AD‐type dementia (n = 115). Logistic regressions were carried out between plasma metabolites (n = 883) and CSF markers, magnetic resonance imaging, cognition, and clinical diagnosis. Results: Eight metabolites were associated with amyloid β and one with t‐tau in CSF, these were primary fatty acid amides (PFAMs), lipokines, and amino acids. From these, PFAMs, glutamate, and aspartate also associated with hippocampal volume and memory. Discussion: PFAMs have been found increased and associated with amyloid β burden in CSF and clinical measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing salinity issues caused by insufficient precipitation, drought, and increasing use of alternative nonpotable sources of irrigation water are a major concern for turf management in the southwestern United States. Modification of soil physicochemical properties that result from salinity is one means of alleviating plant salinity stress. A field study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the University of California, Riverside turfgrass research facility in Riverside, CA. Six commercial programs were tested for their ability to alleviate salinity stress on 'Tifway II' hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt- Davy] irrigated with saline water (electrical conductivity = EC ≈ 4.4 dS m-1). These included: CrossOver (calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, and monosilicic acid); Revert (polyalkylene glycol); SUNBurst Cal Plus 8% (calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate) applied at 0.23 or 0.47 mL m-2; a combination of DeSal (carboxylic acid), Stress Rx (potassium nitrate, potassium acetate, and calcium nitrate) and XP Micro (urea, magnesium nitrate, manganese nitrate, manganese sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron EDTA, kelp extract); and Turfcare Natural Plant Nutrient (Meliaceae spp. extracts). Plots were evaluated every 2 wk for visual turf quality, and Digital Image Analysis. Leachate was also collected and analyzed for EC on the same day. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for salinity at the end of each growing season. DeSal + Stress RX + XP Micro was the only treatment that resulted in acceptable visual quality (6.4) and decreased sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and Na content in the rootzone by the end of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Increases in catch‐and‐release practices in addition to angler engagement in management activities to evaluate and improve the trophy potential of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy fisheries have become prevalent in recent decades. An expectation of conservative angling practices and regulations is that released fish can be recaptured by anglers at a later time and potentially at a larger size. Although several studies have evaluated Muskellunge recapture rates, no studies have estimated the number of recaptured Muskellunge relative to the number present in the population. Additionally, few studies have evaluated angling size selectivity and the potential benefits or biases of incorporating those data into traditional Muskellunge assessments. This study evaluated the proportion of Muskellunge that were caught and recaptured relative to the population estimates in two Minnesota water bodies and the potential length‐related bias from angler‐caught fish. Data were obtained from traditional sampling gears (i.e., trap netting, boat electrofishing) and angling by volunteer anglers in the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers and Baby and Man lakes. Participating anglers captured 11–22% of the population, of which 1–3% were subsequently recaptured at both sites annually. Recaptured fish accounted for 5–16% of the annual catch. At the Mississippi River site, proportionally larger fish were angled compared with the modeled population size structure, whereas angler catch from Baby and Man lakes was similar to the modeled size structure, likely due to the differing techniques used by anglers in the two water bodies. A more thorough understanding of recapture rates and size selectivity may be particularly important when managing a low‐density species as angling pressure and angler involvement in management activities increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telomere dysfunction and fusion can drive genomic instability and clonal evolution in human tumours, including breast cancer. Telomere length is a critical determinant of telomere function and has been evaluated as a prognostic marker in several tumour types, but it has yet to be used in the clinical setting. Here we show that high-resolution telomere length analysis, together with a specific telomere fusion threshold, is highly prognostic for overall survival in a cohort of patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (n = 120). The telomere fusion threshold defined a small subset of patients with an extremely poor clinical outcome, with a median survival of less than 12 months (HR = 21.4 (7.9–57.6), P < 0.0001). Furthermore, this telomere length threshold was independent of ER, PGR, HER2 status, NPI, or grade and was the dominant variable in multivariate analysis. We conclude that the fusogenic telomere length threshold provides a powerful, independent prognostic marker with clinical utility in breast cancer. Larger prospective studies are now required to determine the optimal way to incorporate high-resolution telomere length analysis into multivariate prognostic algorithms for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for water conservation in urban landscapes requires research to investigate alternative irrigation methods that are more efficient than overhead sprinkler systems. A study was conducted in 2009 at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, and was repeated in 2013 at the University of California, Riverside, to compare the establishment of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) 'Princess 77'] and seashore paspalum [Paspalum vaginatum (Sw.) 'Sea Spray'] seeded on either 15 April or 15 May and irrigated at 100% reference evapotranspiration (ETos) with either an overhead sprinkler (OSI) or subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system. Higher germination rates were observed at both locations when OSI was used. All treatments reached full ground cover by the end of the growing season in California, whereas SDI plots seeded in May in New Mexico reached only 75% ground cover. May seeding resulted in slower establishment in New Mexico with 147 d to reach 75% ground cover, but not in California. Results suggest that loss of water by deep percolation may be the cause of slower establishment with SDI in New Mexico. Based on our results, warm-season turfgrasses should be established earlier in the season if SDI is used in light textured soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the research on the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura or whipworm infection within the health care facilities in the Northern Territory between 2002 to 2012. The usage of the retrospective observational analysis is mentioned, along with the tests on infected patients' faecal samples. Concluded is the epidemiology of Trichuris trichiura as the most frequently identified soil-transmitted helminth disease within the area.

For Pacific salmon, estuaries are typically considered transitional staging areas between freshwater and marine environments, but their potential as rearing habitat has only recently been recognized. The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine if Coho SalmonOncorhynchus kisutchwere rearing in estuarine habitats, and (2) to characterize and compare the body length, age, condition, and duration and timing of estuarine occupancy of juvenile Coho Salmon between the two contrasting estuaries. We examined use of estuary habitats with analysis of microchemistry and microstructure of sagittal otoliths in two watersheds of south-central Alaska. Juvenile Coho Salmon were classified as estuary residents or nonresidents (recent estuary immigrants) based on otolith Sr : Ca ratios and counts of daily growth increments on otoliths. The estuaries differed in water source (glacial versus snowmelt hydrographs) and in relative estuarine and watershed area. Juvenile Coho Salmon with evidence of estuary rearing were greater in body length and condition than individuals lacking evidence of estuarine rearing. Coho Salmon captured in the glacial estuary had greater variability in body length and condition, and younger age-classes predominated the catch compared with the nearby snowmelt-fed, smaller estuary. Estuary-rearing fish in the glacial estuary arrived later and remained longer (39 versus 24 d of summer growth) during the summer than did fish using the snowmelt estuary. Finally, we observed definitive patterns of overwintering in estuarine and near shore environments in both estuaries. Evidence of estuary rearing and overwintering with differences in fish traits among contrasting estuary types refute the notion that estuaries function as only staging or transitional habitats in the early life history of Coho Salmon. Received December 5, 2012; accepted June 10, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses issues in water infrastructure asset management, particularly in the U.S., as of August 2014. It claims that a comprehensive asset management strategy is recommended to end the so called organizational silos that disallow a utility to achieve cost savings and better efficiency. Among the organizations advancing effective utility management practices are the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Water Environment Federation.

The article presents a study regarding the human hookwoorm infection (HWI) in the Northern Territory, considering its prevalence and trends, along with the influence of community children's deworming program (CCDP). It states that the consecutive microbiologically confirmed cases of HWI was used in the study for a retrospective observational analysis. The result of the study shows that there was a decline in the annual prevalence of HWI.

The article discusses the need for integrated knowledge-sharing in asset management of waterworks in the U.S. It notes that familiarity of fluctuation of spending cycles has been minimal in asset management. It mentions that efficiency in engineering and financial aspects can result from recognition of resource gaps in project implementation.

The article focuses on the development of a centralized cost database for water infrastructure asset management in the U.S. It mentions the partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with the Water Environment Research Foundation to finance the WATER Infrastructure Database (WATERiD). It discusses the determination of cost-effectiveness, standardization, and asset anagement-driven by performance measures for creating a future water business models.

The article discusses the importance of developing data into intelligence in the water utility industry in the U.S. According to the report entitled "2012 Strategic Directions in the U.S. Water Utility Industry," the process of developing data into intelligence is helpful in addressing challenges in the industry like the data-intensive programs. Meanwhile, it suggests the need to communicate intelligence to the stakeholders and build technological capacity to achieve sustainable utility.

The article focuses on the increasing pressure on controlling the costs for water utilities while complying the stringent regulatory requirements and maintaining the fiscal and structural integrity in the U.S. It mentions that the water utilities may experience reinvention and undergo changes to meet the competing competitions. It also notes a transition water revolution which involves reallocation and identification of management objectives and financial risks.

The article discusses the economic conditions in public-private partnerships for municipal utilities which include the increase costs of infrastructure repair and replacement, retirement workforce and financial crises. It features the hierarchy of needs of the utility which showed graphically as pyramid with five levels including self-actualization, esteem and belonging. It cites the application of the Value for Money analysis to benefit the proposed project.

The article presents a study where mature turfgrass plots were irrigated with nonspiked tertiary treated wastewater of the evapotranspiration rate (ETo) and gathered leachate water. The study shows that primidone and trimethoprim were frequently found, while the detection of carbamazepine, meprobamate and sulfamethoxazole was less frequent. The study reveals the efficacy of turfgrass systems to reduce pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) during recycled water irrigation provided that the irrigation rates were higher compared to normal.

The article discusses the challenges ahead for the water and wastewater industries in terms of best practices. It refers to the definition of a public water system by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which are those that provide water consumption through pipes and other constructed conveyances. Moreover, several obstacles have been identified including the lack of financial capacity, inadequate rates, and lack of management.

The article reports on the developments in the financial reporting process of the water industry in the U.S. It notes the establishment of the Municipal & Financial Services Group by Edward Donahue III, which offered a dashboard model for clients to make financial projections on water rates. Meanwhile, it highlights the development of the Organizational Performance Dashboard by the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DCW) in 1996.

The article discusses the results of a comparative study on cases of melioidosis at Royal Darwin Hospital in the 2009-2010 wet season. The researchers compared 91 case of melioidosis in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010 and postulated reasons for the very high melioidosis incidence. The results show that the prominent increase in melioidosis cases in Darwin is associated with above average rainfall in Darwin.

The article provides information on the political aspects related to corrosion and pipe repair. It mentions that a stable water distribution system is essential to protect public health and maintain water quality, even though costs of repairing is high. It states that the condition of water distribution system pipe is impacted by the materials used in its construction, service conditions such as soils and line pressure, and age.

The article presents an alternative framework to set a regional ecological instream flow needs standard in Canada. It mentions that the standard is based on adoption of the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration/Range of Variability Approach as a widely applicable hydrological assessment tool coupled with the Canadian Ecological Flow Index which evaluate ecological responses to hydrological change. It offers an essential verification of changed hydrology that is widely applicable within Canada and important to assure the continuous feedback between ecological condition and the application of flow management criteria.

The article presents Part 1 of a series of articles that discusses the epidemic of corrosion, which is defined as the degradation of metal and is caused by oxidation or chemical action. It mentions that it occurs in water distribution pipelines, valves and fixtures, which can also affect the quality of drinking waters. It presents several types of localized corrosion and their prescription.

The article focuses on the application of comprehensive asset management planning for utilities to reduce a mountain of current and future infrastructure repair and replacement requirements and moving it. It offers value to utilities by shifting the investment to correct timing and reducing the capital replacement. It entails managing assets in such a way that the investment can be optimized. It involved the development of a concise set of integrated management strategies for all assets.

The article offers information on the water loss control programs and water audit process of American Water Works Association (AWWA) in the U.S. These programs aim at preventing AWWA's revenue losses caused by the theft of treated water during its supply operations. Water loss control programs have been designed to control supply-side losses, whereas water audit process is conducted for checking revenue losses of waterworks industry.

The article focuses on asset management comparative to a utility, with a zero-dollar budget increase that does not save money and allocate resource efficiently. It states that best practices for infrastructure management represents ways for cost savings and effective resource allocation and considerable return on investment (ROI). It discusses ways for effective asset management such as benchmarking of the operation and considering the impact of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

The article discusses the importance of open procurement and proper procurement practices and policies on cost reduction in water and wastewater utilities. It states that achieving best solution in project delivery requires appropriate delivery method and project materials based on careful financial analysis and evaluation. It says that well-managed utilities should avoid ignorance and lack of readiness and should determine the priorities and risks.

In this article the author discusses the financial challenges faced by engineers, and compares it with the construction of a suspended-span cantilever bridge. According to the author, the distance between engineering and finance can be assessed by conducting a needs analysis before implementing an asset-management plan. The author says that the financial cantilever consists of accounting, budget, revenue and billing, investments, debt management, and finance.

The article focuses on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe as a solution to address challenges and cost of aging water infrastructure crisis for waste and wastewater systems. It says that underground water infrastructures installed by U.S. government since 1800 until post 1945 soon will all start to fail due to corrosion and inadequate design and installation. It tells that PVC is considered as an effective product that is a bacteria-resistant material and which help maintain water quality.

The article discusses the concept of asset management for utilities that focus on infrastructure asset management in the U.S. A geographic information system (GIS) centric public asset management standardizes data that allows users to share information in an effective manner. According to the president of computerized maintenance and management system (CMMS) company, Brian Haslam, municipalities are implement systems that combine physical assets and soft assets that have real and economi value.

The article focuses on the use of capital planning in pipeline infrastructure replacement. It suggests that acoustic monitoring technology should be considered in improving underground infrastructure investment. It mentions the prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) inspection techniques such as electromagnetic and Sonic/ultrasonic inspection. It relates on the strategies for pipe risk management and condition assessment including risk management methodology, monitoring, and PCCP inspections.

The article focuses on the issuance of precautionary boil-water notices to cope with the increasing challenge associated with aging water infrastructure in the U.S. It states that the move was designed to quickly isolate and control water main breaks in the country's urban locations. It also cites the need to review one's safety information card through emergency response manual standard that contains standard operating procedures (SOP) to address water quality incidents.

The article offers the author's insights on the need for asset management planning in an organization. The author states that asset management and condition assessment are factors of effective utility management. He notes that the asset management plan may reveal risks and weaknesses in the business organization. He adds that each organization needs an asset management plan to be able to manage, communicate, and adjust service expectations to achieve goals.

Identifying and understanding temporal genetic changes within fish populations is important for the management of these populations, especially those of conservation concern. Such changes are often the result of genetic drift, which can be exacerbated when the size of a population decreases. Using molecular-genetics techniques, we monitored nine populations of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the Salmon River, Idaho, to determine how the genetic characteristics within and among these populations have changed over time. We found no evidence of change in the level of heterozygosity or allelic richness over three to four generations in eight of the populations. This is probably due to the fact that the populations all maintained a sufficiently large effective size, even though a few of the populations did show a decline in effective size. Also, the genetic structure among the populations did not change appreciably over time. Populations that had been supplemented with hatchery-reared fish showed genetic similarity to the within-basin hatchery source population, presumably because of the extensive use of native fish for hatchery brood stocks and minimal out-of-basin stock transfers. The lack of a detectable decline in these populations' levels of genetic diversity is encouraging, given the species' threatened status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information for visitors to Palenque, Mexico from a section of the book "Frommer's Mexico 2011" is presented. It notes that the temples in the ruins of Palenque are in the Classic style as its interior feature representations of their rulers and gods in stone and plaster. Particular focus is given transit options. Top attractions in the area include Parque Nacional Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions, and Temple of the Sun. Also included are information on accommodation and dining options, along with road trip options from Palenque.

A section from chapter 19 of the book "Frommer's Mexico 2011" is presented. It presents a travel guide to the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. The city serves as the capital of the state of Chihuahua. Being the largest and richest in Mexico, the city derives its wealth from mining, timber, cattle raising, tourism and maquiladoras or assembly plants for export goods. It can be reached by plane, train, car and bus. Among the hotels and restaurants in the area include the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, La Calesa and Restaurante Todo de Maíz.

A section from chapter 19 of the book "Frommer's Mexico 2011" is presented. It offers information on the Copper Canyon train and its routes in Mexico. The train offers first-class service between Chihuahua and Los Mochis which operates on a daily basis. It makes 12 stops all of which are short except at El Divisadero which offers a look on a panorama of the canyon. Delays sometimes occur due to landslides, minor derailments or maintenance projects. Mentioned are hotels and restaurants found in each stop such as Hotel El Fuerte and Paraíso del Oso.

A section from chapter 18 of the book "Frommer's Mexico 2011" is presented. It presents a travel guide to the region of Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas, Mexico. Tuxtla Gutiérrez serves as the commercial center of Chiapas. Coffee is the primary economic source of the region in addition to oil discoveries. The region can be reached by plane, by car and by bus. Among the primary tourist destinations in the region include the Miguel Alvarez del Toro Zoo (ZOOMAT), Instituto Marca Chiapas and hotels such as the Camino Real Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

Information for visitors to San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico from a section of the book "Frommer's Mexico 2011" is presented. There are several villages of Mayan-speaking Indians surrounding the city. Particular focus is given to Indian villages that lie within the reach of the city, as well as transit options. Top attractions in the area include Casa Na-Bolom, Museo del Ambar and Templo de San Cristóbal. Also included are information on shopping, accommodation and dining options.