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A Step Toward Reconstructing Climate Variability Druing the Last Ice Age Cycle in the Northeast Pacific Region
Get PDFThis study is designed as a step toward reconstructing the climate variability in the Northeast Pacific during the last ice age cycle, including the glacial and deglacial transitions. Reconstruction may also contribute to the regional picture of climate change and potentially provide new insights into the pattern of variability in the Northeast Pacific. Deep-sea sediment core AT26-19 09PC was collected west of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Samples were analyzed in 1 cm intervals, representing approximately 300-year resolution. The abundance of mineral grains, planktonic foraminifera, and the polar foraminifera N.pachyderma was quantified using split aliquots of each sample. This data can then be related to deposition patterns of ice-rafted debris, preservation of foraminifera CaCO3, and the varying presence of polar and subpolar waters at the study site. Results indicate that the abundance of polar foraminifera N. pachyderma and overall planktonic foraminifera abundance are greater during the glacial interval, as indicated by benthic δ¹⁸O data, compared to interglacial periods or deglaciation, which suggests a varying presence of polar waters at the study site. There is no evidence of iceberg deposition at the site in the last 80,000 years. However, the current study is limited by its use of a sedimentation rate-based age model and a limited examination of specific foraminifera species. Future research may provide additional information about the pattern of climate variability in the region, which may then be compared to climatic and oceanographic patterns observed in the subpolar Northeast Atlantic to explore similarities in regional climate variations. In addition, there is potential through future research for differences in the climate variability in the Northeast Pacific to be revealed, offering insights into the regional onset, progression and end of ice-age climate
What China’s Infrastructure Development Abroad Reveals About its International Goals
Get PDFChina’s Belt and Road Initiative has resulted in a variety of investment and infrastructure projects around the world, especially in developing countries. This initiative is unique in its implementation strategy, particularly the hands-on approach China takes to each infrastructure development project. Projects are financed by Chinese national banks and built by Chinese corporations utilizing majority-Chinese labor. These projects are seen by many countries as mutually beneficial; China is able to provide gainful employment and business to its national corporations in exchange for lucrative infrastructure for the host countries in the form of advanced roads, rails, ports, etc. Other countries, especially in the West, argue that these infrastructure plans are a new form of “colonialism” stemming from the leveraging of extensive debt to gain full or leased ownership of vital land in strategic locations, like in the Indian Ocean. This essay seeks to examine the Chinese infrastructure-development experiences in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Equatorial Guinea. These three countries represent different uses of investment to reach China’s goals, such as increasing access to natural resources, long-term ownership of trade and transportation hubs in the Indian Ocean, and the potential for future military expansion. Examining each case study lends itself to different conclusions as to the motivations behind China’s extensive investment and what it could mean for the future of global geopolitics
Waves: A Contemporary Piece
Get PDFContemporary dance is a style that has transformed over the years with various interpretations. It is a style of dance that can vary demographically as well as temporally. While some consider it as something that has evolved from the modern dance style, others view it in a more competitive and commercial aspect, evolving from techniques and motions that can typically be seen in ballet and jazz styles of dancing. Dancing is not only something that can be physically beneficial, but it can also be mentally beneficial as it is a very expressive form of art. This is especially true when it comes to contemporary dance, as it is such an abstract and impressionistic style. There is no limit to the creativity that one can portray while choreographing or performing a dance. This project explores the historical aspects and origins for the different interpretations behind contemporary dance. In addition, an original choreographed dance will be performed and recorded to showcase the incredible qualities and creativity of dance. My choreographed piece primarily focused on the variation of contemporary dance with aesthetics and techniques that stem from jazz and ballet styles, as this is the form I am most familiar with through my experience as a dancer. This project will demonstrate that there are no boundaries when it comes to choreographing a dance, and that it is only limited by one’s imagination
Assessment of the University of Rhode Island\u27s Dining Halls and Student Perceptions of On-Campus Dining
Get PDFUniversity dining halls are understudied food environments that affect student diet quality. This study (1) assessed dining hall offerings at the University of Rhode Island (URI) using the Partnership for a Healthier America’s Healthier Campus Initiative (PAHA) criteria for healthier campus food environments and (2) evaluated student perceptions of the dining hall through a campus-wide survey (n=165). We evaluated breakfast, lunch, and dinner using spring cycle menus (16 weeks in 2019 and 4 in 2021) from two full-service dining halls totaling 29 meals in 2019, and 84 meals in 2021 to determine adherence with PAHA criteria for availability of: 1) wellness meals (i.e., including whole grains, lean protein, lowfat dairy, fruits and vegetables), 2) ≥5 fruits, ≥5 vegetables, and ≥2 100% whole grains, 3) ≤4 fried foods at a time, 4) ≥3 desserts with \u3c150 kcals, labelled as healthier 5) healthier food identification at point of presentation, and 6) marketing strategies promoting healthy options. “All-day” menus (ADM) were also included to evaluate static items available. Spring 2019 and spring 2021 cycle menus consistently met PAHA criteria #3 for fried foods, but 0% of cycle menus met the other 5 criteria. In both 2019 and 2021, criteria 1&2 were met when the ADM was included, due to the inclusion of salad and deli items. Survey results, reported using Likert scales, revealed that students somewhat or strongly agreed that it was easy to get fresh fruits and vegetables in the dining hall (74%), low-fat products (38%), and whole grains (38%), low-sugar beverages (34%) and signage (24%) within the dining halls marketing healthy foods. Taken together, dining halls at URI did not adhere to most PAHA criteria; labeling and promoting healthier foods at point-of-purchase through signage may be good initial steps to enhance adherence to PAHA criteria
The Impacts of the United States Healthcare System on French-Speaking Immigrants: A Shorty Story
Get PDFStories are a powerful tool that can be used to educate others on topics requiring attention in the world, such as healthcare. In the United States, the structure of the current healthcare system affects disadvantaged populations and minority groups in adverse ways, making adapting to and living under this system difficult. This project brings to light these issues in the form of a short story. French speaking-immigrants of various ages, countries of origin, and perspectives were interviewed regarding their experiences with the U.S. healthcare system. Five individual interviews were conducted over the phone lasting 15-30 minutes each in order to gain a more in depth understanding of how non-native citizens and immigrants are impacted by the system’s structure. These interviews provided valuable insight into the true stories and experiences of French-speaking immigrants, and were used to inspire and write a fictional short story to educate others in the U.S. on the disparities that this population faces in the healthcare industry. The story focuses on a young mother from France who moved to the United States over a decade ago, who has created her life and family here ever since. From her experiences struggling to make appointments for her children and affording medical expenses, her story serves as a fictional template for the countless true instances of such treatment occurring in the country today. This story also aims to spark larger conversations about other populations who are negatively impacted by the state of U.S. healthcare
Beauty in the Face of Covid
Get PDFThe beauty industry relies on in-store browsing and product testing; thus, it was hard hit when shopping went digital due to the closure of brick-and-mortar stores. Beauty retailers saw an uptick in online sales, but consumers still would rather shop in-store. Eventually, stores were able to reopen with limitations. As the pandemic is winding down, the beauty industry has seen an increase in makeup sales
Alma Link Resolver Title & ISSN Report (Top 500) 2021-2022
No full textStatistics for 2021-2022 on the total number of OpenURL requests by journal title and ISSN made to the Ex Libris Alma link resolver for items held by the University of Rhode Island Libraries. Includes only the top 500 journals.
Information provided includes journal Title, ISSN, EISSN, Number of Requests, Number of Clicked Requests, % Clicks from Requests
Do views of offshore wind energy detract? A hedonic price analysis of the Block Island wind farm in Rhode Island
Get PDFSocial concern and disapproval of offshore wind by coastal communities causes delays and costs to offshore wind development. One concern is property value impacts stemming from a loss of pristine ocean views. We evaluate this concern using the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF), the first of its kind in the United States. While the BIWF has fewer turbines than currently proposed offshore wind developments, it is situated about 26 km [16 miles] from the Rhode Island mainland, which is a policy relevant distance, given that proposed US developments tend to be 21–32 km from coastlines. Using properties from the mainland, we estimate difference-in-differences hedonic valuation models with treatment defined by views of BIWF. Across many specifications and samples, we find no evidence of negative impacts to property values. Coefficient estimates are both negative and positive, but none are statistically distinguishable from zero. We additionally estimate hedonic models using properties on Block Island, which is only 4.8 km from the BIWF, meaning the BIWF is more of a visually dominant feature there as compared to the mainland. These models similarly find insignificant effects of views. In sum, our findings suggest that the viewshed impacts of the BIWF were minimal
Consumers\u27 Perceptions of the Role of the Marketing System in Subjective Well-being
Get PDFThe term happiness is used colloquially to refer to subjective well-being. In the years when the performance of marketing systems in Brazil was reduced, there was a fall in happiness index, which demonstrates the importance of marketing systems in the subjective well-being of individuals and society. Most studies on the role played by the marketing system in subjective well-being are based on mature markets. Little has been studied on the subject in Latin American markets. This article describes the role of marketing systems in the subjective well-being of Brazilian consumers. In qualitative research through interviews with consumers from cities of different sizes and economic development, it was found that in general the subjective well-being of the consumer can be achieved by access to products and consumer experiences. Preliminary conclusions are presented on how the marketing system and the consumption it provides influence on the subjective well-being of the consumer from the variation of income, level of education and access to public services
E-participation in contemporary China: A comparison with conventional offline participation
Get PDFDrawing on the resource theory of political participation, we compare the determinants of Internet-based e-participation and conventional offline political participation in China by employing data from an original survey conducted in 2013. We find that e-government and other online platforms provide more equal participation opportunities to Chinese citizens traditionally lacking political resources. Although non-party members and non-elites are disadvantaged in conventional offline participation, they are not in e-participation, especially through using e-government systems. Internet/computer access and Internet skills push individuals away from conventional offline participation, and frequent social media users are more likely to engage in e-participation. Taken together, these results suggest that e-government and other online platforms offer the genuine potential to expand the scope of participation and empowers those traditionally disadvantaged in China