Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

1.The meeting began at 1:00 pm. Seven individuals, representing five Land Grant institutions, attended the NE1045 project meeting (participant list is below). Each representative institution delivered a brief update of NE1045 related activities for the reporting year October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. Accomplishments of these research and outreach activities are noted in the Accomplishment section of this report. Name email Institution Abit, Sergio sergio.abit@okstate.edu OSU Amador, Jose caimital@gmail.com URI Cooper, Jennifer feefs83@gmail.com URI Heger, Sara sheger@umn.edu UMN Loomis, George GLoomis@uri.edu URI Miles, Randall MilesR@missouri.edu UMO Radcliffe, David dradclif@uga.edu UGA 2.Sara Heger (UMN) discussed the 50/50 split between research and teaching of the program in Minnesota and the 4 dedicated staff that work within the program as part of the Water Resource Center. She then discussed activities relating to training professionals including: over 1500 trained within MN and another 500+ trained across the region for both certification and continuing education. As part of this work they are evaluating the current online training opportunities available and how to move forward developing options for online training in Minnesota. They have also offered several new workshops in underserved areas of the state and are developing a new field based troubleshooting class. Several research projects where then discussed which relate to Objective 2 including an Evaluation of Adult Care Facilities and MNDOT rest areas. Other projects discussed included evaluating a new technology for phosphorous removal and another on optimizing septic tank performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The last project discussed was the progress on the development of an online tool for the production of O&M manuals for septic systems across the US through a NIFA grant. 3.David Radcliffe reported on a UGA OWTS watershed research project that is providing some of the first information on the impact of OWTS in suburban streams of the Southeast. Findings are that OWTS may provide a beneficial effect in maintaining stream baseflow, but above a threshold density have a detrimental effect of increasing nitrate concentrations in streams. Work with the SWAT model supports the experimental findings. He also reported that thirty-two new Georgia Department of Health employees attended a required Level II soils course and examination, providing them with essential training needed for their professional advancement. 4.Jennifer Cooper and Jose Amador summarized the findings of the University of Rhode Island climate change and OWTS mesocolumn research project (findings reported in subsequent sections). George Loomis stated that 45 outreach and training classes were conducted, reaching nearly 1,200 practitioners and decision makers during the report period. 5.Sergio Abit from Oklahoma State University reported activities that are in connection with Project Objective number 4 which is on Training and Outreach Education. The second year of his extension program yielded three new extension publications, two conference presentations, one peer-reviewed conference proceedings and eight short-term extension classes that provided in-service training credits to extension educators as well as professional continuing education units/credits to licensed installers, soil profilers and sanitarians in Oklahoma. Meetings with regulators has led to a research/monitoring project that was initiated to generate data that may be used update current State regulations that pertains to soil-based OWTS decisions. 6.Randall Miles from the University of Missouri reported the delivery of 12 one-day and two-day onsite wastewater workshops in Missouri, 7 classes done regionally in IA and IL, 2 two-day workshops in NM, and 3 presentations at national onsite wastewater conferences. He reported on some continuing monitoring efforts, conducted on an as needed basis, to assess the long-term performance of long pressure distributed systems associated with a past research project at the Rock Bridge, MO site (an NODP- Phase II project). Miles reported on UMO research investigating the utilization of wastewater dispersal for bio-fuel production in small rural communities in Missouri. 7. The meeting concluded at 5:00 pm.

Outputs Project Objective 2 – Develop new OWTS design criteria for the purposes of climate change adaptation and mitigation University of Georgia findings – Synoptic samples and discharge measurements of 24 watersheds in Metropolitan Atlanta with a range of onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) density were taken under baseflow conditions in spring, summer, and fall of 2011, 2012, and 2013. Mean baseflow measurements were not statistically different between high density and low density watersheds except in July 2012 when stream flow was at record low levels. NO3- concentrations showed a linear increase with OWTS density above a threshold of about 100 OWTSs per sq.km. Results suggest an increase in baseflow due to the presence of OWTS effluent which may off-set the effects of impervious surfaces and maintain baseflow during drought conditions. Results also indicate a positive correlation between NO3- concentration and OWTS density within the watershed above a density of about 100 OWTSs per sq.km. Nitrogen isotopes indicate the NO3- may be a combination of OWTS effluent and lawn fertilizers. This study showed that OWTSs have potential positive and negative impacts on the water quality and quantity of urbanizing watersheds of this region. University of Minnesota findings – UMN is conducted research evaluating 55 onsite systems and the wastewater from rest stops, weigh scales and truck holding facilities across Minnesota. The findings of this research will assist design and management issues related to similar facilities across Minnesota and the US in the future. The UMN published a report on an evaluation of 6 adult care facilities. These facilities have a challenging waste stream due to high: flows, cleaning compounds and medicines. An estimation tool was developed for milk house wastewater treatment systems. In addition, UMN is performing field evaluation of a phosphorus removal system on 3 existing mound systems in Minnesota to quantify the potential benefit for phosphorus removal. A new grant was received to optimize septic tank performance focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and capturing nutrients. University of Rhode Island – The main objective of this study is to quantify the responses of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to changes in separation distance from water table and in temperature. We will measure effects on water quality functions (BOD5, N, P and bacterial removal) of OWTS and examine the potential mechanisms behind these effects, focusing on physicochemical and biogeochemical processes. We will examine these effects in the soil treatment areas (STAs) of four OWTS STA technologies currently approved for use in Rhode Island: (i) gravity-fed conventional, (ii) pressurized shallow narrow drainfield (PSND) and (iii) GeoMatTM, a proprietary product that enables ultra shallow STA placement. Our overarching hypothesis is that climate change will have a differential effect on the water quality functions of dissimilar STA technologies. We expect hydrologic and temperature changes to act synergistically, reducing effectiveness and area of treatment in the vadose zone through lower O2 solubility (shifting from aerobic to anaerobic), greater microbial O2 use, longer saturation, and higher water table levels. Effects will depend on separation distance from the water table and the soil surface. Conventional systems, with the shortest separation distance from the water table and the longest separation from the soil surface, will be most affected. PSND will be less affected because of greater separation from the water table and are closer to the soil surface than conventional OWTS, with little impact in GeoMatTM systems, which are installed within 15 cm of the soil surface. Examination of the physico-chemical and biogeochemical mechanisms involved will help us understand how these systems may be altered to improve their performance under different climate change scenarios. Findings from this research will enable regulatory agencies to make revisions to regulatory code governing OWTS which will effect changes in system designs that will be protective of human health, water quality and the environment. Experimental Results - URI. During the reporting period we evaluated the water quality functions of two advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) drainfields – shallow narrow (SND) and Geomat® (GEO) – and a conventional pipe and stone (P&S) drainfield over 12 months using replicated (n = 3) intact soil mesocosms. The SND and GEO mesocosms received effluent from a singlepass sand filter, whereas the P&S received septic tank effluent. Between 97.1 and 100% of BOD5, fecal coliform bacteria and total phosphorus (P) were removed in all drainfield types. Total nitrogen (N) removal averaged 12.0% for P&S, 4.8% for SND, and 5.4% for GEO. A mass balance analysis accounted for 95.1% (SND), 94.1% (GEO) and 87.6% (P&S) of N inputs. When the whole treatment train (excluding the septic tank) is considered, advanced systems – including sand filter pretreatment and SND or GEO soil-based treatment – removed 99.8–99.9% of BOD5, 100% of fecal coliform bacteria and P, and 26.0 – 27.0% of N. In contrast, the conventional system removed 99.4% of BOD5, 100% of fecal coliform bacteria and P, but only 12.0% of N. All drainfield types performed similarly for most water quality functions despite differences in placement within the soil profile. However, inclusion of the pre-treatment step in advanced system treatment trains results in better N removal than in conventional treatment systems, despite higher drainfield N removal rates in the latter. Evaluation of the fate and transport of bacteriophage representing human pathogenic virus showed that there were no differences among treatment systems, and no bacteriophage were detected in the drainage water from the mesocosms two week after addition. We used 15N-labeled ammonium chloride to trace the transformations of N in the mesocosms. Our analysis to date suggests that both nitrification and denitrification are active in all mesocosms, and that nitrification may be an important contributor to N2O production. Modelling Results - URI. The HYDRUS 2D/3D software was used to model pathogen and nutrient transport under different OWTS operating conditions. The main objective of the modeling research is to numerically simulate the responses of three different onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), (i) conventional or pipe and stone, (ii) Pressurized Shallow-Narrow Drainfield (PSND), and (iii) GeoMat™. Measurement of OWTS water quality include BOD5, N, P and bacterial removal, besides others. The purpose of the modeling is to examine the potential mechanisms behind the attenuation of these water quality parameters, focusing on physicochemical and biogeochemical processes. Over the reporting period, we published one paper (Morales et al., 2014) and prepared a second for submission. The first paper describes the effect of soil texture and depth on transport of two septic tank effluent (STE)-borne microbial pathogen surrogates – green fluorescent protein-labeled E. coli (GFPE) and MS-2 coliphage – in soil treatment units. HYDRUS 2D/3D software was used to model the transport of these microbes from the infiltrative surface. The model suggests that the microbe detachment rates were about two orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding attachment rates. Low or negligible detachment rates indicate quasi-irreversible adsorption of microbes to soil. For the second paper, the HYDRUS 2D/3D software was used to model the impact of variable hydraulic loading rates (HLR), changing precipitation patterns, variable initial bacteria concentrations and other environmental stresses at different depths and soil textures. The results show that an increase of the initial bacteria concentration required greater depth in coarser soils than in fine textured ones to completely remove E.coli. When a biomat layer was included in the transport model, the performance of the OWTS increased by up to 12.02%. Overall, this study shows that bacteria removal is linked to soil properties, as well as operational and environmental conditions. The dependency on temperature and, to a lesser degree, precipitation patterns might impact the performance of OWTS under changing climate conditions. University of Tennessee at Knoxville – In many locations, climate change will lead to less separation distance between the soil surface and the groundwater. As a result there will be less aerobic soil available for wastewater treatment. New design criteria are needed to provide additional treatment before effluent is dispersed into the subsurface soil environment. It is often assumed that the soil environment will remove trace organics. Our UTK study is looking at the treatment potential of packed-bed recirculating media biofilters to remove trace organic contaminants before soil dispersal. This project is being funded by a grant from the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center. The focus is on the degradation of select pharmaceutical and person care products (P&PCP) in a fine-gravel media. This treatment method utilizes the media as attachment sites for microorganisms. As wastewater trickles through the media, it becomes aerated (non-saturated flow) and compounds can diffuse in and out of the biofilm. It is thought that the combination of aerobic/anaerobic zones with endogenous respiration (plenty of oxygen, limited organic carbon) will enhance the degradation of trace organic contaminants. Four laboratory-scale media filters have been constructed, three will receive wastewater spiked with the selected organic compound, and the forth will serve as a control for any background trace organics. To minimize sorption to the apparatus, all components are either glass, PTFE-coated, or stainless steel. Each system is hydraulically loaded at 194 L d-1 m-2 (5 gal d-1 ft-2) with domestic wastewater from a STEG community system, and has a recirculation rate of 5:1. The organic loading is approximately 150 mg L-1 COD. At this time our focus is on ibuprofen, triclosan, and diclofenac. The results are mixed, it appears that we can achieve removal, but it is not clear as to the removal mechanism. Additional analyses will be conducted to determine the roles of sorption versus biodegradation of the trace organics. North Carolina State University findings – Modeling efforts of infiltration through one- and two-layered soils with different physical and hydrological properties using HYDRUS with an expanded data base were continued. A series of simulations were performed to assess infiltration and the subsequent runoff for a 53.8-mm/hour (approximately 2-in/hour) rainfall using 135 different soil profiles with varying soil surface and subsurface properties and top layer thickness ranging between 0 and 50 cm. An Infiltration Index, I = Cumulative Infiltration (cm)/Rainfall Amount (53.8 mm), was obtained using the normalized simulated infiltration values. Using the 1970 Wake County (NC) Soil Survey, and 1968 and current USGS elevation information, changes in the infiltration/runoff capacity for the NCSU Centennial Campus (located in Raleigh, NC) was assessed. The topography, I, and land-use of the area for 1968 and 2013 were compared, and a series of maps of the potential discharge (i.e., runoff) were developed for the Centennial Campus under the old (1968) and current (using 2013 data) conditions. Laboratory Experiment - NCSU: The laboratory experiment was reinitiated to evaluate the impact of surface soil layer thickness on infiltration and soil water distribution within the profile. In one trial, the topsoil collected from the surface layer of a soil located at the Clayton Field Research Laboratory, NC State University, was packed to a depth of 45 cm in the column (25.4-cm inside diameter and 50-cm long column) equipped with a 27.5-cm diameter porous plate. Three thermal probes were installed at 10, 20, and 30 cm below the soil surface in the column for measuring soil water content. After saturating the column from below, approximately 110 cm of vacuum was applied to the porous plate at the end of the column to simulate a water table at 150 cm below the soil surface. A predetermined quantity of water was uniformly applied to the top of the column to simulate different rainfall intensity. The outflow from the bottom was measured with time and soil water content was monitored continuously at the three depths within the column. In another set of measurements, the column was packed with the subsoil materials and the experiment was repeated as described above. NCSU investigators included: Aziz Amoozegar, Joshua Heitman, David Lindbo, Robert Austin, and Amanda Liesch. Michigan State University (MSU) findings – Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from OWTS. The removal and recovery of phosphorous using an engineered reactive iron media coated with nano iron is being investigated. MetaMateria, LLC, developed the media that was tested. The media's surface precipitates phosphorus from onsite generated wastewater in a static column. Performance was evaluated on wastewater from a cluster system at different empty bed contact times (EBCT). The removal mechanism is surface complexation (adsorption), governed by equilibrium. Data from column studies showed that a minimum of 1 hour is necessary to maintain effluent phosphorus below 1 to 2 mg/L over a significant period of time. With an EBCT of 3 hours, effluent levels lower than 0.5 mg/L are achieved. Media exhaustion in a column with a 3 hour EBCT has taken over 600 days. A 1 gallon per minute pilot-scale unit is currently being tested. The ultimate outcome includes a change in action and condition. Removal of phosphorous from onsite generated wastewater helps prevent eutrophication of surface water and growth of toxic algae that may be increasing in severity due to global climate change. Phosphorus recovery as calcium phosphate can be used for fertilizer at a fraction of the cost as producing a fertilizer using phosphate rock. Further, there are few sources of phosphorus in the world so local production by recovery from wastewater reduces GHG emissions associated with mining and transport. This research was conducted as part of a Phase 2 NSF grant awarded to MetaMateria Partners, LLC, in partnership with MSU, which will continue through February 2015. The project is an excellent example of private industry/University cooperation. MSU findings – Land treatment of food processing wastewater. Wastewater can irrigate a crop, provide nutrients, recharge aquifers, reduce energy use, uptake carbon, and save resources. When excessive carbon is land applied, the soil environment becomes anaerobic and metals naturally in soil serve as electron acceptors and become mobile when reduced. Included are manganese, iron, and, ultimately, arsenic. For this objective, major MSU activities included field studies at a MSU test site that included direct soil oxygen and moisture monitoring using remote monitoring techniques and periodic site visits to make visual observations and characterize soil. This field activity complimented previously completed column experiments. Results show that careful control of hydraulic and organic loading values helps prevent metal mobilization. However, with higher levels of oxygen in the soil, an unintended consequence is nitrate release because denitrification does not occur under aerobic conditions. Studies using cropping strategies and variable irrigation are being investigated to reduce nitrate release. The outcome is a change in action and condition in that careful operations and design allow food processors to continue using this technology. Additionally, using onsite application of wastewater, as compared to treatment in a traditional activated sludge process, has a compounding reducing impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions are achieved by not using energy for wastewater aeration, carbon dioxide uptake by the plant grown using the wastewater, and reduced production of industrial nutrients by using the wastewater as irrigation water for a crop commodity. The project is funded by a very large international food processor. MSU findings – Pretreatment of fast food restaurant wastewater to prevent premature drain field aging. Testing of the Advanced Grease Interceptor (AGIS), developed and manufactured by Sustainable Environmental Technologies, is ongoing. The technology is proven to reduce the impacts of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in a sewer system originating from fast food restaurants. The current project is examining if AGIS decreases the premature aging of drain fields receiving wastes from fast food restaurants. The AGIS produces enzymes in a modified septic tank and uses a one-time inoculation. Experimentation entails simulated pilot-scale drain fields that have dimensionally correct depths and are instrumented with soil sensors to trace the formation of a biomat. Each receives a different waste so comparisons can be made. Further, LC-MS is being used to directly monitor changes in the FOG. Results show that the AGIS does reduce the molecular weight of FOG and the number of double bonds. This results in the FOG being less cohesive and more biodegradable. The pilot-scale drain fields are demonstrating different behaviors, dependent on the whether AGIS pretreatment was used or not. The ultimate outcome includes a change in action and condition. Successful pretreatment prevents the premature aging of the drain field and all of the expense and energy required to rebuild. University of Missouri – Some continuing monitoring of past research projects involving long pressure distributed systems at the Rock Bridge, MO site (an NODP- Phase II project) has been performed, on an as need basis, to assess long-term performance of these systems. Research on the utilization of wastewater dispersal for bio-fuel production in small rural communities in Missouri was conducted using recycled water and nutrients from larger flows, and incorporating drip dispersal, spray, or center pivot irrigation for dispersal. The target stakeholders are smaller rural communities and subdivisions where nearby land could be used for growing grasses for biofuels (mostly Miscanthus). MFAOIL, Inc. already has, or is building, the biofuel processing plants and growing Miscanthus, and plans to sell fuel to production agriculture entities. One of the largest retail gas and convenience stores in the state, BreakTime, is leading the way for Wastewaterlogic, Inc. to serve as either a Level 4 or 5 Responsible Management Entity (depends on the specific situation), providing a prime example of innovative wastewater management for others in the state to follow. Activities Project Objective 4 – OWTS Training and Outreach Education University of Georgia – On October 20 - 24, 2014 UGA staff held a Level II soils workshop for 32 new Georgia Department of Health employees, including a test at the end. Approximately 400 professionals and decision makers attended a keynote presentation at the North Carolina Onsite Conference on October 14, 2014 that summarized the findings of the UGA watershed scale OWTS impacts study. University of Minnesota – During the reporting period the UMN trained over 1,500 septic professionals (onsite wastewater system maintainers, service providers, installers, designers, and inspectors) in Minnesota in over 50 training events and also delivered training in SD, ND, IA, WI, IL, at the request of states, counties and professional organizations. UMN developed and implemented new hands-on OWTS training focused on advanced technology, collection and cluster systems with emphasis on aquifer assessment, nitrogen reduction, and groundwater mounding evaluations for new certifications in Minnesota. UMN staff planned and organized the educational program for 2013 annual conference in partnership with the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association; and continued work on a NIFA-funded project to develop a customized community septic system owner’s guide. This tool will assist property owners in understanding how their system works and what is needed for operation. UMN staff also conducted a survey of available online training for septic professionals and published a report documenting the opportunities, challenges and issues moving forward. University of Kentucky – An onsite wastewater treatment system short course was conducted for engineers, architects, and system installers (6 units) in Lexington, KY, on May 21, 2014 (co-instructed by M. Lee, J. Buchanan (UTK), and Wilson). Participants rated the program a 4.8/5.0, and the seminar manual a 4.8/5.0. University of Tennessee at Knoxville – J. Buchanan was involved with 15 educational sessions during 2014 and spoke to nearly 1,300 people about septic system installation, operation, and maintenance. The scope of these events ranged from meeting with individuals seeking knowledge about their systems, community-level discussions about high septic system failure rates, state-level meetings with regulators, engineers and soil scientists, to presentations at national/international meetings. North Carolina State University – David Lindbo led the NE1045 conference planning team that successfully planned, coordinated, and delivered a national Onsite Wastewater Research Conference (sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America) in Albuquerque, NM in April 2014; attended by 96 researchers and professionals from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe). NCSU successfully delivered their twenty-ninth annual NC onsite wastewater conference on Oct. 8-9, 2013. Oklahoma State University – OSU delivered short-term courses about soil-based septic system decisions, aerobic treatment systems, OWTS contaminant fate in the soils as well as a refresher soil science course for environmental professionals. These courses were attended by sanitarians from the Indian Health Services, representatives from various Native-American Nations, County Extension Educators and regulators. These courses were delivered via classroom lectures and online approaches. OSU also handled the Soils Module for two batches of the Soil Profilers Certification program in the State. Three new extension publications about aerobic treatment units, OWTSs permitted in the state of Oklahoma and about system maintenance were prepared and disseminated to various county extension offices. Meetings with officials from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and representatives of the Oklahoma Certified Installers’ Association yielded a collaborative grant proposal to secure money to fund planned efforts to align OWTS certification/training programs in the State, establish an OWTS demonstration facility and organize an inaugural state-wide OWTS conference. An agreement was established with ODEQ to conduct monitoring/research projects to generate data that could be used to update current OWTS policies in the State. Michigan State University – The new MSUE Comprehensive Onsite Wastewater Management Education Program was launched and entailed providing programming to professionals and homeowners. The two professional classes that were offered are “Key Ingredients of a Good Onsite Treatment System” and “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Design and Management”, each taking one 8 hour day. Seven homeowner classes were offered across Michigan and generally lasted 2 hours. University of Rhode Island – The URI project team delivered 8 seminars to academic and professional audiences throughout the U.S. In addition, we helped plan and successfully deliver a national Onsite Wastewater Research Conference (sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America) in Albuquerque, NM in April 2014; attended by 96 researchers and professionals from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe). In addition, we published 6 abstracts, and 6 peer-reviewed papers are either published or in review. The team also delivered 45 workshops/ classes in 5 states in the region, reaching a total of nearly 1,200 practitioners, decision makers and students. These classes provided continuing education credits needed by over 800 licensed professionals to renew their professional licenses. These classes included in-door and out-door hands-on venues and ranged from half-day to two-day venues with qualifying exams. During the report period, URI scientists have provided direct OWTS technical assistance to: Old Saybrook, CT; Oyster Bay / Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY; Peconic Estuary, Long Island, NY; and, Suffolk County health Dept., NY. Coordinating with Vermont DEC OWTS regulators and the Vermont Technical College, URI offered two classes to train VT practitioners on OWTS pumps and controls and high strength wastewater treatment. URI conducted nine required classes which enable Rhode Island and Massachusetts wastewater practitioners to receive regulatory jurisdiction approval to design and install bottomless sand filters. URI researchers made invited presentations at five conferences about climate change and OWTS reaching approximately 235 wastewater practitioners, board of health officials, regulatory decision makers and coastal resource managers. University of Arizona – Conducted 8 classes with 297 participants total for the report period (topics included Septic Inspection, Soil and Site Evaluation, Intro to Design, Installation, OWTS Technologies, and Homeowner Education). Kitt Farrell-Poe is a member of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Onsite Wastewater Advisory Committee (OWAC). OWAC meets monthly; its purpose is to assist and counsel ADEQ in selecting and altering courses of action for guiding the Arizona onsite wastewater industry in a direction that is most beneficial for the citizens and environment of Arizona and facilitate the implementation of actions taken. She is an at-large member of the Arizona County Departments of Environmental Health Services Association (ACDEHSA) subcommittee Onsite Technical Advisory Group; continues to work on State’s Report of Inspection form to incorporate review comments; and continues to work with state association of county health departments to incorporate Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT) Glossary of Terms into rule change recommendations. Dr. Farrell-Poe is collaborating with the University of Minnesota on the Community Septic Systems Owner's Guide, serving as a member of the Project Development Team to create the contents of the various modules and more specifically to develop, review, revise, and refine materials gained from the other national development programs and to test the beta version of the CSOG with communities in Arizona. In February 2014, she accepted a new position at the University of Arizona as Department Head for the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department. This new role will temporarily reduce her efforts in onsite wastewater education & outreach. NE1045 project colleagues planned, coordinated, and successfully delivered a national Onsite Wastewater Research Conference (sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America) in Albuquerque, NM in April 2014; attended by 96 researchers and professionals from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe).

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