Physical and compositional characteristics of drinking water storage tank sediment.

Thirty-one drinking water storage tank sediment samples were collected in 13 states, 17 distribution systems, and 29 tanks over the course of 4 years. Sediment samples were characterized for elemental composition and physical properties, which were found to be inconsistent both between samples of the same distribution system and across geographical regions. Differences between samples from the same tank also indicated spatial differences in sediment composition within storage tanks.

Team-Based Approach to Successful Annual Wellness Visits.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to implement a 2-phase approach to rapidly increase the number of annual wellness visits (AWVs) and build a sustainable model at 3 study units (Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and clinics in 2 regions of Mayo Clinic Health System), which collectively serve approximately 80 000 patients who qualify for an AWV annually.

Methods: In the rapid improvement phase, beginning in July 2022, goals at the facilities were reoriented to prioritize AWVs, educate staff on existing AWV resources, and create low-effort workflows so that AWVs could be incorporated into existing patient appointments. Staff at all 3 study units worked independently and iterated quickly.

Integrating gradient with scale in ecological and evolutionary studies.

Gradient and scale are two key concepts in ecology and evolution that are closely related but inherently distinct. While scale commonly refers to the dimensional space of a specific ecological/evolutionary (eco-evo) issue, gradient measures the range of a given variable. Gradient and scale can jointly and interactively influence eco-evo patterns.