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GIS-based analytical modeling on evaluating impacts of urbanization in Amman water resources, Jordan
No full textAmman governorate is the largest governorate in terms of population and urbanization in Jordan that is the third most water-scarce country worldwide. It has also limited water resources that were rapidly decreasing as results of groundwater over-pumping and climate changes that generate a serious water crisis. However, the population and urbanization focused on the Northwest of the governorate. The surface water and groundwater resources are available in the Northwest area as well. The overlaying between urbanization and population on one hand and water resources on the other hand resulted in different environmental, hydrological, and hydrogeological problems. Our research investigated these problems using an integrated approach of remote sensing and geographic information systems. Furthermore, our research suggested a spatial plan that would solve the conflict of urbanization\u27s impact on water resources in Amman. Accordingly, the catchment areas that span on the study area and their drainage network were defined
Host-parasite Interactions between a Copepod (Pharodes tortugensis) and Small Reef-associated Gobies (Coryphopterus) in the British Virgin Islands
No full textThe effects of parasitic copepods on free-living hosts are infrequently documented, and the copepod Pharodes tortugensis has remained virtually unstudied since described. For the first time, we document its host range in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the prevalence and intensity of infections on wild hosts, and its impacts on host morphology and performance. Infections were observed on four benthic gobies in the BVI (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum, C. venezuelae, C. dicrus and C. eidolon) but not on other host species previously reported from other parts of the western Atlantic. Infected gobies were widespread in the BVI (detected at 33 of 52 sites, prevalence from 1–25%) but extremely rare elsewhere in the Caribbean (detected at 2 of 16 sites, prevalence \u3c 0.006%). As is typical of macroparasite infections, P. tortugensis was over-dispersed in BVI host populations (mean intensity = 4.7, range = 1–17). Infections were most common in juvenile and female hosts, and rarely found in larger male hosts. The copepods attach in the branchial chamber of the goby; female copepods show high attachment fidelity to the ventral surface of the chamber, while male copepods attached most often to the first two gill arches and in the branchial chamber adjacent to the female. Infections caused substantial damage to the host’s branchial chamber and gill filaments. Parasitized gobies also had larger livers and smaller gonads than unparasitized individuals of similar length. The changes in organ mass of infected gobies were not sizeable enough to affect total body mass, and host condition (the body-length vs. body-mass relationship) was similar for gobies with and without infections. Parasitized gobies were, however, significantly smaller in body mass at a given age, reflecting slower overall growth. Effects of P. tortugensis on individual hosts were broadly similar to those of other parasitic copepods that infect fish gills and, for unknown reasons, the BVI appears to be a persistent hotspot of infections on these goby hosts
Nitrogen Sinks or Sources? Denitrification and Nitrogen Removal Potential in Riparian Legacy Sediment Terraces Affected by Milldams
No full textRiparian zones are key ecotones that buffer aquatic ecosystems through removal of nitrogen (N) via processes such as denitrification. However, how dams alter riparian N cycling and buffering capacity is poorly understood. Here, we hypothesized that elevated groundwater and anoxia due to the backup of stream water above milldams may enhance denitrification. We assessed denitrification rates (using denitrification enzyme assays) and potential controlling factors in riparian sediments at various depths upstream and downstream of two relict U.S. mid-Atlantic milldams. Denitrification was not significantly different between upstream and downstream, although was greater per river km upstream considering deeper and wider geometries. Further, denitrification typically occurred in hydrologically variable shallow sediments where nitrate-N and organic matter were most concentrated. At depths below 1 m, both denitrification and nitrate-N decreased while ammonium-N concentrations substantially increased, indicating suppression of ammonium consumption or dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. These results suggest that denitrification occurs where dynamic groundwater levels result in higher rates of nitrification and mineralization, while another N process that produces ammonium-N competes with denitrification for limited nitrate-N at deeper, more stagnant/poorly mixed depths. Ultimately, while it is unclear whether relict milldams are sources of N, limited denitrification rates indicate that they are not always effective sinks; thus, milldam removal—especially accompanied by removal of ammonium-N rich legacy sediments—may improve riparian N buffering
Division of Research and Economic Development Annual Report for FY2022
Get PDFAnnual report for the Division of Research and Economic Development of the University of Rhode Island for the year 2021-2022.
Includes statistics of project proposals, expenditures, URI Foundation Awards, previous annual report summaries and awards received by individual academic and administrative departments
Editorial: Helping scientists to communicate well for all considered: Strategic science communication in an age of environmental and health crises
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Correction: Four priority areas to advance invasion science in the face of rapid environmental change (Ref: Environ. Rev. 29(2): 119–141 (2021), 10.1139/er-2020-0088)
No full textRef: Environ. Rev. 29(2): 119–141 (2021) dx.doi.org/10.1139/er-2020-0088. In discussing the vital importance of taxonomic expertise for managing biological invasions, we noted that difficulties in recognizing cryptic species can challenge the use of classical biological control. As an example, we described control efforts targeting Adelges tsugae, the hemlock woolly adelgid, during which collections from Japan of the intended biocontrol insect Laricobius osakensis were inadvertently contaminated with individuals of its cryptic congener L. naganoensis. Specifically, we wrote (p. 130) “The U.S. Department of Agriculture subsequently permitted further introduction of L. naganoensis, requiring no risk assessment or monitoring, simply because it was too difficult to distinguish it readily from its congener”. We should have specified that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, citing the difficulty of distinguishing between the two species, approved release of L. naganoensis based on the opinion that it was unlikely to establish and, if it did, it would probably not have a harmful impact (USDA 2017). Furthermore, we wish to clarify that despite government approval L. naganoensis was never released into eastern North America
A rapid method to assess salt marsh condition and guide management decisions
Get PDFSalt marshes are increasingly vulnerable to degradation and loss from accelerating sea-level rise and other pervasive disturbances, spurring a need for broad, science-based information to guide management. The Salt Marsh Rapid Assessment Method, MarshRAM, was designed to address this need by documenting information characterizing salt marsh type, setting, ecological value, disturbance, integrity, and opportunity for landward migration at the site scale. We used the method to collect information from onsite and remote observations of thirty-one (31) salt marshes in Rhode Island, USA. MarshRAM\u27s Wetland Disturbance Index is a checklist that ranks the intensity of individual and cumulative human disturbances, while the Index of Marsh Integrity (IMI) is generated using a novel walking-transect approach to rapidly characterize site-wide vegetation-community composition. The IMI was designed to reflect ecological response to direct disturbances and inundation stress, and our finding that IMI strongly correlates with cumulative disturbance + marsh platform elevation indicates it works as intended. A strong correlation between IMI components and historic marsh loss suggests that salt marsh community cover can also serve as an indicator of salt marsh resilience. Our study marshes diverge from accounts of historic New England salt marsh conditions in that meadow high marsh species no longer dominate the high marsh zone, Spartina alterniflora is now the dominant high marsh species, and severe edge erosion and invasion by Phragmites australis are ubiquitous. We demonstrate how MarshRAM data can be analyzed to inform restoration and conservation strategies and policy decision-making. For example, our findings suggest that inundation stress is strongly impacting marsh platform integrity, high-marsh vegetation loss is a strong indicator of degradation and vulnerability, and unassisted landward marsh migration may already be promoting resilience to inundation stress. We suggest adapting MarshRAM to meet the management needs of other regions or broader applications
Certified Exercise Physiologists: Educated Leaders in Fitness and Beyond
No full textApply It! After reading this article, the health and fitness professional should be able to 1) understand the knowledge and skills that certified exercise physiologists possess as a result of their educational background and ACSM Exercise Physiologist (EP) certification; 2) describe employment opportunities and common tasks for EPs; 3) identify the various populations that seek guidance from EPs; and 4) acknowledge the lack of representation of EPs in health care provider (HCP) networks
Factors related to work ability among nursing professionals from urgent and emergency care units: A cross-sectional study
No full textBACKGROUND: Nursing professionals are on the front line of health systems in Brazil as well as worldwide. Studies on the work ability of nursing professionals are especially relevant as care demands increase and health care workforce shortages are expected. As the population of Brazil ages, the need for nursing care will increase. OBJECTIVE: To identify levels and predictors of work ability among Brazilian nursing professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 267 nursing professionals (72 nurses and 195 nursing technicians and nursing auxiliary) from public emergency and urgent care units was conducted. Measures included the following: Work Ability Index; Questionnaire of Socio-demographics, Lifestyle and Work and Health Aspects; and Violence at Work questionnaire. Generalized linear regression and Poisson models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean work ability was 40.4 (range: 22 to 49). Almost 79.6% (n = 211) of participants reported good or excellent work ability, and 20.4% (n = 54) reported moderate or poor work ability. Better perceptions of health and job satisfaction, absence of health issues (past 15 days), lower stress levels, and having a partner were associated with better work ability. Victims of workplace violence were less likely to have good or excellent work ability than non-victims (prevalence ratio = 0.80; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90). Professionals with cumulative experiences of workplace violence were less likely to report better work ability. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of good or excellent work ability was 79.6%. Our findings indicate that the following factors are predictors of work ability: self-reported perception of health, health issues in the last 15 days, workplace violence, job satisfaction, stress, and marital status