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Eastern Red Cedar Range Expansion: The Role of Seed Dispersal by Avian and Mammal Species
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10099/10363-thumbnail.jpgDuring the past 50 years, Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), native to the Eastern United States, has been encroaching into grassland/prairie ecosystems in the US. Eastern red cedar (ERC) outcompetes native species, forming dense monocultures and lowering biodiversity. The process of encroachment occurs through seed dispersal by birds and mammals. The outer covering of seeds provides nutrients when other food is scarce, and foraging increases due to the lack of other resources in winter. In avian species, seed dispersal depends on distance traveled based on whether birds are resident, nomadic, or migratory. Mammals and resident birds typically disperse seeds short distances while nomadic or migratory birds tend to move seeds longer distances. We focus on seed dispersal of the ERC using wildlife cameras to monitor bird and mammal foraging behavior in two grassland habitats. Cameras were placed at the crown and base of five trees at each site to observe foraging. We focus on the seasonality of foraging behavior by birds and mammals and how it influences seed dispersal and encroachment of ERC. Mammal species observed include white-tailed deer, Virginia opossum, Eastern cottontail rabbit, and rodents. Birds using ERC include robins, cedar waxwings, bluebirds, and blue jays. Mammalian foraging was very consistent over time, while birds were more episodic in their use of ERC. Overall, mammals and resident bird species were most consistently observed and likely to be important for short-distance seed dispersal, while nomadic and migratory birds have a greater potential for longer-distance dispersal of Eastern red cedar.</p
Assessing Biofilm Diatom Community Response to Nutrients
No full textAnthropogenic changes to the environment impact aquatic ecosystems by modifying resource availability, which could influence community composition and function. Studies suggest a positive relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning, with more diverse systems being more resilient. Some individuals are particularly sensitive to nutrient shifts in the environment. Organisms that indicate change in the environment are valuable because they shed light on humans’ impact on the ecosystem. Diatoms are useful bioindicators of water quality, as they respond to environmental conditions like nutrient inputs.To test the effect of nutrient availability on diatom community composition, we deployed nutrient diffusing substrate at four stream sites before and after nutrient rich tributaries. We used seven nutrient treatments including macronutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, along with micronutrients molybdenum and zinc with a control at each of the four sites. We expect the phosphorus treatments to select for fast growing taxa, and for the magnitude of this effect to be less at sites with higher background nutrient concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that tributaries upstream and downstream of nutrient rich tributaries have unique algal communities. Results from this experiment will provide insight into how stream communities respond to anthropogenic influences
Influence of Vegetation on Phosphorus Sorption and Redox Status in a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland
No full textOld Woman Creek estuary (OWCE, Huron, OH) has been found to be an effective sink for phosphorus (P), which may contribute to eutrophication in Lake Erie. However, the mechanisms of P retention in wetlands are spatially and temporally variable, making predictions challenging. The quantity and mineralogy of iron (oxyhydr)oxides are key drivers of P sorption in mineral-rich wetlands such as OWCE. Wetland plants create oxidized microsites in reduced sediments due to leakage of oxygen from their roots, thereby potentially enhancing P retention. We assessed sediment Fe:P ratios, which have been found to negatively correlate with pore and surface water phosphate concentrations, and metal oxide quantity and mineralogy among four different plant types in OWCE that varied in hydrologic conditions and dominant plant type (Typha, Floating-leaf, Mudflat, and Open Water). I predicted that sediments in zones with plants that have a high-gas transport capacity (Typha) would contain higher Fe:P ratios and higher concentrations of metal oxides due to the bulk effect of oxidized microsites. Preliminary results from 2018 support my predictions and show that sediments dominated by Typha had higher Fe:P. Higher fractions of poorly-crystalline iron oxides provide further support that Typha-dominated sediments had higher P retention capacity
Indigenous Fish-Skin Craft Revived Through Contemporary Fashion
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10451/10622-thumbnail.jpgThe use of fish skin for the construction of garments and accessories is an ancient tradition shared by Arctic societies in coastal areas. Arctic peoples have maintained a strong relationship with the environment, developing a subsistence lifestyle depending on the marine environment’s animal resources for food and clothing. Arctic fish-skin craft has become a way to communicate ecological change and traditional knowledge—effectively enhancing cultural resilience for the Arctic people. During the broad transformation occurring over the last century, Arctic indigenous peoples have demonstrated resilience to systematic colonization and repression of their language, culture and native fishing rights as well as dramatic ecological changes in seafood security. This paper looks at the role of fish skin in the Arctic as a way to bridge knowledge and social justice between generations and cultures and to nurture resilience during times of change and transformation.
Meanwhile, the use of fish skin by Arctic indigenous peoples has recently been assimilated as a fashion sustainable material alternative to exotic leather, due to its lower environmental impact. The Atlantic Leather tannery, located on the north coast of Iceland, has been one of the main agents in the renaissance of the fish-skin craft. Processing fish leather since 1994, based on the ancient Icelandic tradition of making shoes from the skins of wolffish, revived ancestral tanning techniques. The tannery has brought this historic eco-luxury material back into fashion, providing blue jobs for coastal dwellers in remote rural areas, maintaining the viability of the fisheries sector, and attracting young people to work in them. This paper looks at Atlantic Leather’s role in preserving the rich cultural traditions that have been developed within the Icelandic fishing industry while processing fish leather, promoting social justice through inclusive jobs.</p
Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stories from the field
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10694/11454-thumbnail.jpgThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted education, forcing teachers and teacher educators into emergency, remote instruction. While there were noted challenges, there also were global success stories of innovation in preparing current and future teachers. This AACE and SITE-published, open access eBook contains 133 chapters with over 850 pages documenting best practices, strategies, and efforts by teacher educators, professional developers, researchers, and practitioners. It is divided into seven sections that address pedagogy, collaboration, field experiences, preservice education methods, professional development, digital tools, and equity issues. Chapters are presented as innovations with supporting materials that could be easily replicated or studied.</p
Report from the American Society for Microbiology COVID-19 International Summit, 23 March 2020: Value of Diagnostic Testing for SARS–CoV-2/COVID-19
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10701/11459-thumbnail.jpgAs we enter the second quarter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV-2) increasingly available (though still limited and/or slow in some areas), we are faced with new questions and challenges regarding this novel virus. When to test? Whom to test? What to test? How often to test? And, what to do with test results? Since SARS–CoV-2 is a new virus, there is little evidence to fall back on for test utilization and diagnostic stewardship (1). Several points need to be considered to begin answering of these questions; specifically, what types of tests are available and under which circumstances are they useful? This understanding can help guide the use of testing at the local, regional, state, and national levels and inform those assessing the supply chain to ensure that needed testing is and continues to be available. Here, we explain the types of tests available and how they might be useful in the face of a rapidly changing and never-before-experienced situation. There are two broad categories of SARS–CoV-2 tests: those that detect the virus itself and those that detect the host’s response to the virus. Each will be considered separately.
We must recognize that we are dealing with (i) a new virus, (ii) an unprecedented pandemic in modern times, and (iii) uncharted territory. With this in mind, in the absence of either proven effective therapy or a vaccine, diagnostic testing, which we have, becomes an especially important tool, informing patient management and potentially helping to save lives by limiting the spread of SARS–CoV-2. What is the most appropriate test, and for whom and when?
Hypothetically, if the entire world’s population could be tested all at once, with a test providing 100% specificity and sensitivity (unrealistic, obviously), we might be able to identify all infected individuals and sort people into those who at that moment in time were asymptomatic, minimally/moderately symptomatic, and severely symptomatic. The asymptomatic and minimally/moderately symptomatic could be quarantined to avoid the spread of the virus, with the severely symptomatic managed and isolated in health care settings. Contract tracing could be carried out to find those at risk of being in the incubation period by virtue of their exposure. Alternatively, testing for a host response, if, again, the test were hypothetically 100% sensitive and specific, could identify those previously exposed to the virus and (if we knew this to be true, which we do not) label those who are immune to the virus, who could be tapped to work in settings where potentially infected individuals (e.g., sick patients in hospitals) might otherwise pose a risk. Unfortunately, these hypothetical scenarios are not reality. However, with this ideal situation as a guide, what we do have available as tests today should be carefully considered in terms of how they can be leveraged to move the current crisis closer to the ideal situation, especially in the absence of therapeutics or vaccines.
Although the virus can be cultured, this is dangerous and not routinely done in clinical laboratories. While detection of viral antigens is theoretically possible, this approach has not, to date, been a primary one, but one that those participating in the summit considered to deserve further research.</p
SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics should inform policy
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10702/11460-thumbnail.jpgIt is generally agreed that striking a balance between resuming economic and social activities and keeping the effective reproductive number (R0) below 1 using non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important goal until and even after effective vaccines become available. Therefore, the need remains to understand how the virus is transmitted in order to identify high-risk environments and activities that disproportionately contribute to its spread so that effective preventative measures could be put in place. Contact tracing and household studies in particular provide robust evidence about the parameters of transmission. In this viewpoint, we discuss the available evidence from large-scale, well-conducted contact tracing studies from across the world and argue that SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics should inform policy decisions about mitigation strategies for targeted interventions according to the needs of the society by directing attention to the settings, activities and socioeconomic factors associated with the highest risks of transmission.</p
The Acute Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students and Employees
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/10703/11461-thumbnail.jpgThe COVID-19 pandemic has closed non-essential businesses which may alter individuals\u27 leisure behaviors. Consequently, physical activity and sedentary behavior may be negatively impacted as many fitness and recreational centers have been closed. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in a sample of university students and employees before and after the university cancelled face-to-face classes and closed campus. Participants ( N = 398) completed the validated Godin physical activity questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire which assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior pre- and post-cancellation of face-to-face classes. Participants were also separated in the groups ( low, moderate, high physical activity) based upon a tertile split of pre-pandemic total physical activity. Physical activity group by time ANOVAs were used to assess potential changes in total physical activity and sedentary behavior. Post-cancellation sedentary behavior was greater ( F (1, 388) = 9.2, p = 0.003, partial η 2 = 0.032) than pre-cancellation. Physical activity group moderated ( F (2, 395) = 22.0, p < 0.001, partial η 2 ≥ 0.10) changes in total physical activity from pre- to post cancellation. The high activity group decreased physical activity whereas the moderate and low activity groups increased physical activity ( t ≥ 2.4, p ≤ 0.02, Cohen\u27s d = 0.23). While the university closure increased sedentary behavior across the sample, it only decreased physical activity in participants who were the most active pre-cancellation. Pandemic-related closure of facilities designed for physical activity may disproportionately impact active individuals.</p
Ready Set Grow: Developing Farm to School Programs in Portage County
No full textReady Set Grow aims to produce healthier communities by educating children and their families to promote healthy lifestyles and environments. RSG works with the community to develop best practices for growing sustainable gardens and reducing waste. In the fall of 2019, we implemented a garden club at Walls elementary in Kent, Ohio. Our garden club included 44 students, three teachers and two interns. The club held nine meetings covering topics such as nature, growing, composting, and more. Studies have shown gardening improves mental and physical health, along with developing bonds among community members. We are continuing to garden this spring and intend to expand into other schools to further promote healthy lifestyles with the hopes the students will develop healthy eating and environmental behaviors.</p
Converting Sludge to Lightweight Aggregate: A Beneficial use of Dredged Material in Built Environment
No full textDredging sediments from rivers around the world is a standard practice to open waterways for naval transportation. In Ohio, 1.5 million cubic yards of sediment is being dredged annually from rivers streaming into lake Erie. Dredged material (DM) is highly nutritious and may be partly contaminated and has contributed to the endemic algae bloom. Following the passage of bill 1 by the US Senate and accordingly as of July 2020 and in an attempt to improve the water quality of the region the dredging process will not be allowed to be dumped in the open waters as historically exercised. The DM is hence stored in facilities to later be taken advantage of in various other ways. Studies have been carried out on utilizing dredged material in built environments namely in the manufacturing of bricks, blocks, and concrete. This study focuses on the manufacturing of economical high-quality lightweight aggregate (LWA) using dredged material collected from the harbor of Toledo. The result from this study showed that DM collected for this study from Toledo within the range of 4 years was consistent chemically; furthermore, high quality expanded LWA could be manufactured purely from DM under specific firing conditions