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This study explores the innovative reuse of end-of-life (EoL) wind turbine blade (WTBs) parts as floats for photovoltaic (PV)-floating systems. In response to the growing concerns about EoL WTB waste, this study applies circular economy principles to repurpose high-value composite materials. By transforming a segment of an Enercon E40 WTB into a float for a PV-floating system, this study not only provides a sustainable solution to EoL composites, but also contributes to the development of renewable energy. The article describes the design of the PV-floating system and the lessons learned from its construction. It also provides an outlook on how such a system can be further scaled up.

As profit margins tighten it becomes imperative that swine producers obtain accurate, farm-specific biological and economic performance data. Management, health, and environment account for large differences in performance, thus producers find value in moving beyond traditional book values for nutritional regimes. The objectives of the Illinois Lean Growth Project (ILGP) are to 1) demonstrate the value of farm specific amino acid levels to optimize biological and economic returns, 2) model farm specific data (ADG, feed intake, composition of gain) interfaced with economic conditions to determine optimum harvest weights, and 3) develop environmentally responsible feeding protocols that minimize urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion by reducing excess dietary nutrients. The ILGP utilizes real-time (B-mode) ultrasound (RTU) to capture farm specific data. RTU measurements can be used to accurately predict composition of growth and lysine:calorie ratios in grow-finish pigs. Determining lysine:calorie ratios ensures the right amount of lysine is provided in diets that vary in energy density. Once accurate data is established it is integrated into a model and used to generate farm specific decision aids. A biological model for grow-finish pigs was constructed using the STELLA research dynamic modeling software. The model utilizes farm specific data, which interfaces with an adjustable economic model allowing quick access to graphical results. One example of practical use is analyzing net profit along a range of harvest weights while changes occur in cost of feed, sale prices, and overhead. The ILGP more accurately assesses composition of gain, corrects overfeeding of nutrients, and more precisely positions phase feeding. Research suggest a 12% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus excretion when phase feeding is positioned correctly. Key Words: Grow-finish model, On-farm, Swine

Purpose: Numerous studies have shown that healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs) fail to provide breast cancer risk assessment (BrCRA) in primary care settings. A potential barrier to the use of BrCRA is insufficient knowledge or training of risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of a BrCRA program developed to enhance NPs' knowledge of risk assessment and use of empiric risk assessment models. Data sources: Thirty-five NPs participated in a before-after (pretest-posttest design) study evaluating the effectiveness of a BrCRA education program conducted at a national NP conference. Demographics, pre/post knowledge, and course satisfaction measures were all examined as a part of this pilot study. Conclusion: Continuing education through the implementation of a BrCRA program significantly increased NPs knowledge in assessing breast cancer risk and the use of empiric risk assessment models. Implications for practice: Many healthcare providers, including NPs, are inadequately prepared to assess a woman's risk for breast cancer. Understanding breast cancer risk assessment is essential if NPs are to provide appropriate counseling, management, and referral strategies needed to reduce a woman's risk for developing the disease. Continuing education provides one means to enhance NP's knowledge of BrCRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe nurse practitioners' (NPs') knowledge, use, and perceived comfort level in providing breast cancer risk assessment to women in clinical settings. Data sources: This descriptive study was part of a needs assessment to determine if education and training programs on breast cancer risk assessment are warranted for NPs. A convenience sample of 147 NPs completed surveys to assess their knowledge of breast cancer risk assessment and use of empiric breast cancer risk assessment tools, and to evaluate their perceived comfort level in assessing women's risk for developing breast cancer. Conclusions: Assessing women's risk for the development of breast cancer is important in providing primary and secondary preventive strategies such as chemoprevention, lifestyle changes, and enhanced surveillance thatmayreduce a woman's risk for developing the disease. Although 51.4% of NPs reported providing breast cancer risk assessment, few (37%) reported use of family history or the Gail model (6%) to determine their patients' breast cancer risk. NPs' knowledge of breast cancer risk assessment and use of empiric risk assessment models were low. The majority (71%) of NPs felt uncomfortable or a low level of comfort in conducting breast cancer risk assessment. Implications for practice: Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Breast cancer risk assessment is important in identifying women who may be at high risk for developing the disease. At the front line in health care, NPs can play a vital role in assessing women's risk for breast cancer. These findings suggest that education and training may be warranted to enhance knowledge and use of empiric risk models to increase the comfort level of NPs in conducting breast cancer risk assessment to their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo define and discuss five genetic disorders--Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, Canavan's disease, thalassemia, and cystic fibrosis (CF)--and to explain the importance of the nurse practitioner's (NP's) assessment of clients' ethnicity during preconception counseling, which should address these genetic conditions.Data SourcesReview of literature from professional journals, professional organizations' Web sites, guide-lines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Institute of Health Consensus Statement, and the authors' professional clinical experience.ConclusionsThe goal of preconception counseling is to identify potential or actual medical, psycho-logical, or social conditions that may affect the mother or fetus. NPs are often the health care providers that initiate preconception counseling to women in varied primary care settings. NPs must be familiar with ethnicity-related inheritable conditions in order to provide appropriate client information and education and to implement testing and, when needed,. referral for genetic counseling to individuals and families at risk for genetic disorders such as Tay-Sachs, Canavan's disease, CF, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.Implications for PracticeNPs providing health care to women of child-bearing age should assess the client's use of contraception and intent for future pregnancy, Preconception counseling when indicated should be initiated to all women to increase [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resting spores (hypnospores) of Chaetoceros diadema (Ehrenberg) Gran, Chaetoceros vanheurckii Gran, and Chaetoceros didymus Ehrenberg were collected from a large plastic enclosure moored in Saanich Inlet, B.G., Canada. The effects of combination of temperatures and irradiance on the germination of these resting spores were investigated. Nutrient uptake, carbon fixation, and changes in the photosynthetic capacity of the germinating spores were also examined. Resting spores germinated optionally at combination of temperature and irradiance similar to those in the environment during sporulation. They did not germinate at irradiances ⩽1.3 μEin m[sup-2] s[sup-1] or temperatures >25.3° C.Nitrate, phosphate and silicate were taken up after the rising spores had germinated and resumed vegetative growth. Chlorophyll a fluorescence in vivo, and the DCMU-induced increase in in vivo fluorescence also increased after the rising spores had germinated. Resting spores began to fix carbon as soon as they were placed in light. Spores began to fix carbon as soon as they were placed in light. Spores remained viable for at least 645 d. The length of time between first exposure to light and germination did not change during this period: however, the percentage of viable resting spores decreased . None of the chaetoceros spores decreased markedly. None of the Chaetoceros spores germinated after 737 d of storage at 2-4° C in darkness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]