scholarly journals Water-stained leaves: formation and application as a field indicator of wetland hydrology

Wetlands ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob F. Berkowitz ◽  
Jason P. Pietroski
Keyword(s):  
Wetland Hydrology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Wetland Delineation ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Leaf Color ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Wetland Hydroperiod ◽  
Upland Conditions ◽  
Field Indicators

AbstractWetland delineations conducted in the United States utilize field indicators as proxy measures of the presence or absence of wetland hydrology. Water-stained leaves provide a practical, qualitative field indicator of wetland hydrology; however, the formation of water-stained leaves has not been elucidated. In response, leaves from six tree species were examined under five treatments to investigate the water-staining process and concomitant timeframes. Results indicate that leaf staining occurred within 14-21 days of continuous exposure to wetland waters and sediment under both laboratory and field conditions. Leaf staining was characterized by readily observable shifts in leaf color (i.e., decreasing Munsell hue, value, and chroma) causing the leaves to appear very dark or black. No color shifts associated with leaf staining occurred in treatments exposed to upland conditions. The timeframe associated with leaf staining corresponds with established wetland hydrology criteria requiring a minimum hydroperiod of 14 consecutive days of soil saturation, flooding, or ponding. Leaves exposed to wetland waters and sediment underwent color shifts significantly faster and to a greater extent than leaves inundated with deionized water, likely as a result of increased microbial abundance and the presence of anaerobic conditions in the simulated wetland treatments. Results suggest that water-stained leaves 1) are a useful and reliable wetland hydrology field indicator for wetland delineation purposes, 2) may provide a proxy measure of wetland hydroperiod, and 3) Munsell color measurements can help differentiate between leaves exposed to wetland and upland conditions.

scholarly journals Analysis of Global Pediatric Cancer Research and Publications

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Syrimi ◽  
Grant Lewison ◽  
Richard Sullivan ◽  
Pamela Kearns
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Pediatric Cancer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
The Cost

This study sought to investigate the amount of global research activity and investment in pediatric cancer research, using publications as a proxy measure, and to understand geographical differences in research activity. To do this, we used a quantitative method—bibliometrics—to analyze Web of Science publications in the 10 years from 2007 to 2016. We found that global pediatric cancer research outputs have increased from 2,937 in 2007 to 4,513 in 2016, at an annual growth rate of 4.3%. This rate is slower than for both cancer research as a whole and general pediatric research. The increase in output was due almost entirely to China. International collaboration was similar to that in cancer research overall, with the highest levels among countries in close geographical proximity. Hematological and CNS childhood cancers are the main areas for research. Genetics and prognosis were the main research domains, and there was little work on radiotherapy or palliative care. In terms of citations, the best-performing countries were the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom. On the basis of estimates of the cost of research papers in different countries, the total world pediatric cancer research expenditure is estimated to have been 1.54 billion US dollars (USD) in 2013, and 1.79 billion USD in 2016. Our data suggest that current global policy toward pediatric cancer needs significant review and change to increase investments, balance research portfolios, and improve research that is relevant to low- and middle-income countries.

Border Culture, Mexican Identity, Class, And Media Consumption: A Look Into “Fresa” High School Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (26) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Latin American ◽  
The United States ◽  
Media Consumption ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
School Students ◽  
Latin American Countries ◽  
Mexican Identity

The border strip between the south of the United States and the north of Mexico provide an excellent opportunity to study the effects of the flow of media productions from the United States to Mexico. Many communication theories have attempted to explain the reception of transnational media flows to Latin American countries. Scholars from the cultural imperialism camp argue that the flow of culture is unidirectional from capitalist or First World countries (mainly the United States) to developing countries (also know as the Global South); other theories claim there is an asymmetrical dependence between developed and underdeveloped countries (Fejes, 1981). However, recent arguments claim audiences tend to prefer content closely related to their own cultural values (Straubhaar, 1991). Audience research has concluded there is no evidence to support the loss of cultural identity in some Latin American countries and regions according to their media preference (Straubhaar, 1991 Lozano, 1992). Nonetheless, those studies have also found that regardless of the geographical or cultural proximity to the United States or Europe, upper and middle class audiences tend to prefer to a certain degree US media content or international programming over domestic programming. Combining those two theoretical propositions, the purpose of this study is to look at the media consumption preferences of high school students in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and find a relation between the cultural products they consume, their sense of Mexican identity, and nationalism. Using both methodological approaches, quantitative and qualitative, a survey was conducted with students from three different private high schools in Nuevo Laredo and a total of 22 participants were interviewed in separate focus groups. One of the most important findings of this study is that upper-middle and upper class students from Nuevo Laredo are not worried about losing their Mexican identity as a consequence of continuous exposure to American media. It could be argued that they are more afraid of not being able to attain the best from what their privileged geographical location has to offer in terms of cultural capital. They recognize that one of the biggest advantages of living in the border with the United States is the ability to practice while learning English and to have access to American products.

Trends in Extreme Distress in the United States, 1993–2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (10) ◽  
pp. 1538-1544
Author(s):  
David G. Blanchflower ◽  
Andrew J. Oswald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Time Trends ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us ◽  
Low Education ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
Using Data

Objectives. To investigate changes from 1993 to 2019 in the percentage of US citizens suffering extreme distress. Methods. Using data on 8.1 million randomly sampled US citizens, we created a new proxy measure for exceptional distress (the percentage who reported major mental and emotional problems in all 30 of the last 30 days). We examined time trends for different groups and predictors of distress. Results. The proportion of the US population in extreme distress rose from 3.6% in 1993 to 6.4% in 2019. Among low-education midlife White persons, the percentage more than doubled, from 4.8% to 11.5%. Regression analysis revealed that (1) at the personal level, the strongest statistical predictor of extreme distress was “I am unable to work,” and (2) at the state level, a decline in the share of manufacturing jobs was a predictor of greater distress. Conclusions. Increasing numbers of US citizens report extreme levels of mental distress. This links to poor labor-market prospects. Inequality of distress has also widened. Public Health Implications. Policymakers need to recognize the crisis of an ever-growing group of US citizens in extreme distress.

scholarly journals First Report of Stem-End Rot of Mango Caused by Phomopsis mangiferae in Taiwan

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 764-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Ko ◽  
C. W. Liu ◽  
C. Y. Chen ◽  
S. Maruthasalam ◽  
C. H. Lin
Keyword(s):  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
First Report ◽  
Agar Plug ◽  
Rot Disease

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is grown on approximately 20,000 ha in Taiwan. It is an economically important crop and the income of many fruit farmers comes primarily from mango production. During 2006 and 2007, a stem-end rot disease was observed 1 week after harvest on 28 to 36% of stored mangoes picked from six orchards in the Pingtung, Tainan, and Kaoshiung regions. Two popular mango cultivars, Keitt and Irwin, showed greater susceptibility to this disease, while ‘Haden’ was found to be moderately susceptible. In storage, symptoms initially appeared as light-to-dark brown lesions surrounding peduncles. Rot symptoms advanced slowly but eventually penetrated the mesocarp, which consequently reduced the commercial value of fruits. The fungus formed abundant pycnidia (0.1 to 0.6 mm in diameter) on infected fruits in advanced stages of symptom development. Pieces of symptomatic fruits plated on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 ± 1°C consistently yielded the same fungus. A single conidial isolate was cultured. Pycnidia developed on PDA after continuous exposure to light for 9 to 14 days. On the basis of morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Phomopsis mangiferae L. (2,3). Pycnidia released two types of conidia: α-conidia (5 to 10 × 2.3 to 4.0 μm) were hyaline and oval to fusoid; and β-conidia (15.0 to 37.5 × 1.3 to 2.5 μm) were hyaline and filiform with characteristic curves. Conidiophores were hyaline, filiform, simple or branched, septate, and 15 to 75 μm long. Cultures incubated under continuous fluorescent light (185 ± 35 μE·m–2·s–1) at 25°C for 3 days were used as inoculum for pathogenicity tests. Five fruits from ‘Keitt’ were wounded with a sterilized scalpel and each wound (2 × 2 × 2 mm) was inoculated with either a 5-mm mycelium agar plug or a 0.5-ml spore suspension (105 conidia per ml) of the fungus. Five wounded fruits inoculated with 5-mm PDA plugs or sterile water alone served as controls. Inoculated areas were covered with moist, sterile cotton. Fruits were enclosed in plastic bags and incubated at 24°C for 3 days. The test was performed three times. The same symptoms were observed on all inoculated fruits, whereas no decay was observed on control fruits. Reisolations from the inoculated fruits consistently yielded P. mangiferae, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. This disease has previously been reported in Australia, Brazil, China, Cuba, India, Malaysia, and the United States (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. mangiferae causing stem-end rot disease on mangoes in Taiwan. Our report necessitates taking preventive strategies in the field, prior to or after harvest, to contain postharvest losses in mangoes. References: (1) G. I. Johnson. Page 39 in: Compendium of Tropical Fruit Diseases. R. C. Ploetz et al., eds. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1994. (2) R. C. Ploetz, ed. Page 354 in: Diseases of Tropical Fruit Crops. CABI Publishing. Wallingford, UK, 2003. (3) E. Punithalingam. No. 1168 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1993.

The Environmental and Hygienic Safety of Nitrilotriacetate (NTA)

1971 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-37
Author(s):  
F.G. Flynn ◽  
P.H. Jones
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
The University ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Aerobic Biodegradability

Abstract NTA is the prime substitute for detergent phosphates and its use in large quantities, approximately 0.5 × 106 metric tons per year in Canada and the United States, is possible. This paper is a summary of the literature and of work done at the University of Toronto regarding evaluation of the environmental and hygienic safety of NTA and NTA built detergents. A large number of topics is covered, the conclusion of each being that NTA is safe to use. Such topics include: aerobic biodegradability, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and nitrate contribution. Areas of doubt regarding NTA are its non-degradability under anaerobic conditions and the possibility of its delivering heavy metals into drinking water supplies.

The Medicalization of Poverty in the Lives of Low-Income Black Mothers and Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 644-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruby Mendenhall
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Black Mothers ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Children With Asthma ◽  
Health Related

Scholars are beginning to use the concept medicalization of poverty to theorize how the United States spends large amounts of money on illnesses related to poverty but invests much less in preventing these illnesses and the conditions that create them (e.g., economic insecurity, housing instability, continuous exposure to violence, and racism). This study examines the connection between poverty, disease burden and health-related costs through the in-depth interviews of 86 Black mothers living in neighborhoods with high levels of violence on the South Side of Chicago. The rippling costs of poverty and violence include 56 percent of the mothers reporting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and 48 percent reporting mild to severe depressive symptoms. Mothers also report poor housing quality such as “toxic mold.” The physical costs include reports of back pains, stomach aches, hair falling out, panic attacks, hands shaking, insomnia (sometimes for two days), fainting from exhaustion and lack of sexual desire, and children with asthma and osteomyelitis reportedly from the exposure to mold. Transformative solutions are explored that build upon the cultural resources of Black mothers (e.g., women-centered networks, spirituality and collective-cooperatives) and engage policy levers (e.g., Earned Income Tax Credit and Tax Increment Financing).

scholarly journals Antenatal corticosteroids: a reappraisal of the drug formulation and dose

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan H. Jobe ◽  
Matthew Kemp ◽  
Augusto Schmidt ◽  
Tsukasa Takahashi ◽  
John Newnham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Fetal Lung ◽  
The United States ◽  
Drug Formulation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Fetal Exposure ◽  
Antenatal Corticosteroids ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
Fetal Lung Maturation

Abstract We review the history of antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACS) and present recent experimental data to demonstrate that this, one of the pillars of perinatal care, has been inadequately evaluated to minimize fetal exposure to these powerful medications. There have been concerns since 1972 that fetal exposures to ACS convey risk. However, this developmental modulator, with its multiple widespread biologic effects, has not been evaluated for drug choice, dose, or duration of treatment, despite over 30 randomized trials. The treatment used in the United States is two intramuscular doses of a mixture of 6 mg betamethasone phosphate (Beta P) and 6 mg betamethasone acetate (Beta Ac). To optimize outcomes with ACS, the goal should be to minimize fetal drug exposure. We have determined that the minimum exposure needed for fetal lung maturation in sheep, monkeys, and humans (based on published cord blood corticosteroid concentrations) is about 1 ng/ml for a 48-h continuous exposure, far lower than the concentration reached by the current dosing. Because the slowly released Beta Ac results in prolonged fetal exposure, a drug containing Beta Ac is not ideal for ACS use. Impact Using sheep and monkey models, we have defined the minimum corticosteroid exposure for a fetal lung maturation. These results should generate new clinical trials of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) at much lower fetal exposures to ACS, possibly given orally, with fewer risks for the fetus.

Calibrating Hydric Soil Field Indicators to Long-Term Wetland Hydrology

2004 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1461-1469 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Vepraskas ◽  
X. He ◽  
D. L. Lindbo ◽  
R. W. Skaggs
Keyword(s):  
Wetland Hydrology ◽  
Hydric Soil ◽  
Field Indicators

scholarly journals Evaluating the use of iron-coated tubes for wetland delineation in South Africa: A pilot study in the Kruger National Park

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
CW van Huyssteen ◽  
TL Johnson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
The United States ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Hydric Soils ◽  
Wetland Delineation ◽  
Technical Standard ◽  
High Ph ◽  
Fe Reduction

The identification of hydric soils is important for wetland delineation and protection.  South Africa currently uses the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) wetland delineation guidelines which can be subjective in certain contexts.  A robust technical standard that can be legally conclusive is therefore required and should be developed for South African conditions.  The National Technical Committee of Hydric Soils (NTCHS, 2007) in the United States of America has accepted the Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) tube methodology as a technical standard, but this had not yet been tested in South Africa.  It is proposed that the NTCHS (2007) be adapted for use in South Africa. These Fe-coated tubes are installed into the soil and if reducing conditions are present, the Fe coating is removed.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of IRIS tubes as a technical standard for wetland delineation in South Africa. The study took place in three different wetland systems (Malahlapanga, Nshawu and the Tshuthsi spruit) in the Kruger National Park.  Piezometers were installed in triplicate in each zone, and the water table, pH and Eh were recorded monthly. Soils were classified, soil wetness indicators identified, and vegetation described.  The study took place from September 2012 to August 2013.  The areal percentage of paint removed from the top 300 mm of the IRIS tubes was quantified by scanning the tubes and then compared to the DWAF wetland indicators. It was found that the DWAF indicators and the IRIS tube method were mostly in agreement; however, the conditions at the Tshutshi spruit were not favourable for Fe reduction, and hence the use of IRIS tubes, due to the high pH values recorded.  The IRIS tubes were therefore a useful tool for wetland delineation in the majority of conditions, but are not recommended in high pH, sodic environments.  Further research is recommended over a wider geographical area as well as testing the MIRIS methodology (Manganese Indicators of Reduction in Soils) in wetlands that would inhibit Fe reduction.

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