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AbstractThe relatively frequent observation, during periods of onshore drift, of a surface line of convergence in nearshore coastal waters may have significant implications for the sampling procedure used for monitoring compliance with the EC Bathing Water Directive. A simple theory is developed for predicting the formation of the convergence line, and a possible alternative sampling method is suggested.

AbstractThe catchment of the upper Clyde estuary has experienced a significant and steady increase of rainfall over the past twenty years. The corresponding increase of runoff has had a positive impact on the water quality both of the individual rivers and of the estuary. Examples are provided to show that approximately one third of some observed improvements are attributable to the additional dilution. It is emphasized that comparisons of water quality data, either by region or by period, should allow for climate variability.

ABSTRACTThis paper describes how the Clyde River Purification Board (the regulatory authority) and Bee‐cham Pharmaceuticals (the identified discharger) agreed and adopted a novel means of controlling a pharmaceutical plant effluent which is discharged to Irvine Bay, Scotland. Control was achieved by means of a consent (licence) condition requiring compliance with a laboratory test of acute toxicity, which was added to the more orthodox conditions already imposed upon the discharge. The new condition was derived using the concept, explicit in the environmental quality objective/environmental quality standard approach to pollution control, of an allowable mixing zone around the outfall. The derivation and validation of the condition necessitated laboratory and field bioassay, current measurements and dye releases, and the use of a plume development model.

ABSTRACTMany environmental variables are known to be involved in the inactivation processes affecting enteric bacteria in seawater. It is commonly believed that bacteria may attempt to reduce adverse effects by adhering together, thereby decreasing the surface area exposed to the hostile environment. This mechanism may be described as self‐protection and should enhance the survival of the bacterial population.Controlled laboratory experiments, epifluorescence microscopy, and Coulter counter analysis were used to examine and elucidate the inactivation mechanisms for the enteric bacterium E. coli. In general, the survival of E. coli was found to be enhanced with increasing initial cell concentration in the absence of any suspended solids.

The plasma electrolytic oxidation is an innovative method for the surface treatment of titanium and its alloys. This review provides an overview of the historical development of the process and summarizes the current state of the art. The chemical as well as the electro- and plasma-chemical basics of the layer forming mechanisms, which comprises the substrate/electrolyte interface before discharge initiation and the different types and stages of plasma electrolytic discharge phenomena are explained within the context of titanium-based materials. How these phenomena can be influenced by the use of suitable electrolytes and controlled by the electrical regime is described. Subsequently, the microstructures and composition of the layers are described in detail, and the properties for specific applications are then discussed. The resistance of a PEO coating to corrosive environments, tribological factors, and alternating mechanical stress is viewed critically, and the extensive functional properties such as physiological compatibility, photocatalytic activity, and decorative properties are revealed. Finally, examples of various practical applications in the medical engineering, aviation, automotive, and environmental technology fields, as well as other branches of industry, are presented. ; M. Aliofkhazraei acknowledges comments received from Prof. A. Yerokhin during intial steps of preparation of this review paper. D.D. Macdonald gratefully acknowledges the support of the FUTURE (Fundamental Understanding of Transport Under Reactor Extremes), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of En- ergy (DOE), Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES). E. Matykina would like to thank the support of the RTI2018-096391-B-C33 (MCIU/ AEI/FEDER, UE) and S2018/NMT-4411 (Regional Government of Madrid and EU Structural and Social Funds). S.V. Gnedenkov ac- knowledges the support of the Russian Science Foundation (No. 20-13- 00130).

Background: To increase the likelihood of successful implementation of evidence-based practices, researchers, knowledge users, and healthcare professionals must consider aspects of context that promote and hinder implementation in their setting. The purpose of the current study was to identify contextual attributes and their features relevant to implementation by healthcare professionals and compare and contrast these attributes and features across different clinical settings and healthcare professional roles. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 145 semi-structured interviews comprising 11 studies (10 from Canada and one from Australia) investigating healthcare professionals' perceived barriers and enablers to their use of research evidence in clinical practice. The data was collected using semi-structured interview guides informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework across different healthcare professional roles, settings, and practices. We analyzed these data inductively, using constant comparative analysis, to identify attributes of context and their features reported in the interviews. We compared these data by (1) setting (primary care, hospital-medical/surgical, hospital-emergency room, hospital-critical care) and (2) professional role (physicians and residents, nurses and organ donor coordinators). Results: We identified 62 unique features of context, which we categorized under 14 broader attributes of context. The 14 attributes were resource access, work structure, patient characteristics, professional role, culture, facility characteristics, system features, healthcare professional characteristics, financial, collaboration, leadership, evaluation, regulatory or legislative standards, and societal influences. We found instances of the majority (n = 12, 86%) of attributes of context across multiple (n = 6 or more) clinical behaviors. We also found little variation in the 14 attributes of context by setting (primary care and hospitals) and professional role (physicians and residents, and nurses and organ donor coordinators). Conclusions: There was considerable consistency in the 14 attributes identified irrespective of the clinical behavior, setting, or professional role, supporting broad utility of the attributes of context identified in this study. There was more variation in the finer-grained features of these attributes with the most substantial variation being by setting.