scholarly journals A New Signal of Tropicalization in the Northeast Atlantic: The Spread of the Spotfin Burrfish Chilomycterus reticulatus in Madeira Archipelago and Its Invasion Risk

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Nuno Castro ◽  
Susanne Schäfer ◽  
Paola Parretti ◽  
João Gama Monteiro ◽  
Francesca Gizzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Madeira Archipelago ◽  
Species Invasiveness ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Thermophilic Species ◽  
Medium Risk

Current trends in the global climate facilitate the displacement of numerous marine species from their native distribution ranges to higher latitudes when facing warming conditions. In this work, we analyzed occurrences of a circumtropical reef fish, the spotfin burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1958), in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic) between 1898 and 2021. In addition to available data sources, we performed an online survey to assess the distribution and presence of this species in the Madeira Archipelago, along with other relevant information, such as size class and year of the first sighting. In total, 28 valid participants responded to the online survey, georeferencing 119 C. reticulatus sightings and confirming its presence in all archipelago islands. The invasiveness of the species was screened using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit. Five assessments rated the fish as being of medium risk of establishing a local population and becoming invasive. Current temperature trends might have facilitated multiple sightings of this thermophilic species in the Madeira Archipelago. The present study indicates an increase in C. reticulatus sightings in the region. This underlines the need for updated comprehensive information on species diversity and distribution to support informed management and decisions. The spread of yet another thermophilic species in Madeiran waters provides further evidence of an ongoing tropicalization, emphasizing the need for monitoring programs and the potential of citizen science in complementing such programs.

scholarly journals Generation Z and Organizational Listening on Social Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Reinikainen ◽  
Jaana T. Kari ◽  
Vilma Luoma-aho
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
The Uk

Young people are avid users of social media and have appeared as a powerful force for social change, as shown by the ranks of those who have joined Greta Thunberg in the global climate movement. In addition to challenging political institutions and governments, young people today are also holding the corporate world accountable. To respond to young people’s expectations, brands, and organizations have turned to social media to interact and build relationships with them. However, critics have lamented that these attempts often fail and that young people’s trust in institutions, brands, and organizations continues to decline. This article asks how young people perceive organizational listening on social media and whether their perceptions are related to their trust in the information shared by brands and other organizations on social media. Data for the study were gathered through an online survey in Finland and the UK. The respondents (N = 1,534), aged 15–24, represent the age cohort known as Generation Z. The results show that organizational listening is connected to higher levels of perceived benefits from social media as well as higher levels of trust in the information that brands, public authorities, and non-governmental organizations share on social media. The results highlight the role of competent listening on social media, bolstering the previous literature connecting both organizational listening and trust with higher levels of participation and engagement online.

scholarly journals Knowledge about COVID-19 and Practices among Hemodialysis Technicians in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Amit S. Pasari ◽  
Amol Bhawane ◽  
Manish R. Balwani ◽  
Priyanka Tolani ◽  
Vishal Ramteke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Knowledge Gap ◽  
Institutional Ethics ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
The Right

Introduction. Hemodialysis technicians play a crucial role in infection control practices in hemodialysis units. Thus, it is important to assess the knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 among hemodialysis technicians in this pandemic situation. Materials and Methods. An online survey composed of 22 closed-ended questions using Google Forms was conducted in the month of April (13th to 19th) 2020. The survey consisted of questions regarding the knowledge of COVID-19 and current hemodialysis practice among hemodialysis technicians. The study was approved by the institutional ethics board. The survey was administered online through a mobile phone invitation. Basic statistics (mean and standard deviation or total number and percent) were computed for all covariates. Results. Out of 150, 115 technicians participated in the survey. 80.9% of the participants were males. The mean age of respondents was 28.22 + 6.97 years. Most of the respondents could correctly identify fever (87.8%), breathlessness (86.08%), and dry cough (81.7%) as the symptoms of COVID-19 infection. 75.7% of the technicians were aware that it can be transmitted by asymptomatic persons. 61.1% of the technicians were segregating patients who had symptoms such as fever and cough to the last shift of the day. 81.1% of the technicians read the guidelines issued by the Indian Society of Nephrology—COVID-19 working group. But, only 25.5% of the respondents could rightly identify to keep a minimum distance of two meters between two beds while dialyzing a suspected patient of COVID-19 along with other patients to minimise risk of COVID-19 transmission. 60% of the technicians have received hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis against coronavirus infection. Conclusion. Our study shows a significant knowledge gap among hemodialysis technicians about COVID-19. Effective COVID-19 education campaigns should be carried out intensively with relevant information among hemodialysis technicians to address the knowledge gap. A well-informed hemodialysis technician can prove to be a great tool to spread the right infection control practices among dialysis-dependent patients.

scholarly journals Contrasting effects of climate change on the European and global potential distributions of two Mediterranean helicoid terrestrial gastropods

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2637-2650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Proćków ◽  
Kamil Konowalik ◽  
Jarosław Proćków
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Climate Scenario ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Land Snails ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Terrestrial Gastropods ◽  
Potential Gain ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Physiological Adaptations

AbstractPredicting the impacts of global climate change on the current and future distribution of alien or endangered species is an essential subject in macroecological studies. Although several investigations have been devoted to animal and plant species, few have addressed terrestrial gastropods. We employed spatial distribution modelling to construct European and global potential distribution ranges of two land snails (Cernuella virgata and Hygromia cinctella) using current and future climate scenarios. Both species have been continuously spreading northward from the Mediterranean region, also being introduced to a few areas outside Europe. We found that under the current climate scenario, most presently occupied areas in Europe are also at high probability of future occurrence of these species. However, under four future climatic conditions, these snails will undergo contrasting scenarios. C. virgata will have a large potential gain, likely due to rising temperatures and its weak fluctuations. In this species, global warming increases in potential area size, accompanied by its morphological and physiological adaptations to arid conditions and the ability to passively disperse, are likely to facilitate invasion into new regions of the world. In contrast, there is no significant change in the geographical distribution of colonisation-prone areas for H. cinctella. Our results demonstrate that wetter climatic conditions in the driest season and greater temperature variability will be key limiting factors of its distribution in the future. An understanding of colonisation patterns can help to better manage these invaders and also to formulate policies for their control.

scholarly journals Dynamics of finite causal processes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalman Ziha
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Linear Feedback ◽  
Causal Processes ◽  
Mass Losses ◽  
Environmental Relations ◽  
The Mathematical Model

Abstract. Earth and environmental mechanisms and phenomena are often physically finite dynamical causal processes and need more precise mathematical elaboration. Therefore this article at the beginning resumes the decomposition of general infinite circular causal relations with linear feedbacks to primary causal effects and to interactions among boundless effects and causes. In the sequel it reveals the mathematical model of general finite cause-and-effect interaction with non-linear feedback induced by finiteness of causal processes with exhaustible causal capacities. The study also uncovers that the reverse application of the mathematical model makes it possible to discover and to estimate the unknown ultimate causal capacities from relevant information of supposedly finite causal processes beyond the instant of observation. The article at the end demonstrates that the environmental relations among global climate change and ice mass losses monitored recently on Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets are plausibly finite dynamical climate processes in interaction with cryosphere.

scholarly journals ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION IN LATVIAN MUNICIPAL NEWSLETTERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Ianis Bucholtz
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Editorial Policy ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Environmental Communication ◽  
Participation Level ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Performance

The present study reviews environment-related articles in official newsletters issued by municipalities in Latvia. It evaluates the themes and contents associated with environment in order to evaluate the performance of newsletters as providers of relevant information to the population. Official publications of four Latvian municipalities—Mazsalaca, Jūrmala, Krāslava, and Kandava—were analyzed. Common themes included nature and its protection, history of the place, social and cultural events, quality of life and performance of the municipality. A widespread approach of engaging the local population is to hold contests and competitions. However, it is uncertain if the response rate help raising the civic participation level significantly. The official newsletters are willing to publish environment-related public relations materials prepared by other institutions of companies, without exhibiting consistent editorial policy of their own. The implications of the continued publication of these newsletters as competitors to the regional independent newspapers are also discussed.

scholarly journals A Risk Screening of Potential Invasiveness of Alien and Neonative Marine Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for Sustainable Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13765
Author(s):  
Sercan Yapici
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Species Invasiveness ◽  
Medium Risk ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Invasiveness Potential

Biological invasions have posed a major threat to global and regional biodiversity. The Mediterranean Sea, one of the major biodiversity hotspots in the world, has long suffered multiple and frequent invasion events. This paper represents the screening results of the potential invasiveness of 23 introduced marine fish species, which are classified as neonative and alien. To predict the invasiveness potential of species under current and predicted climate conditions, the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) is applied. Thresholds have been constituted to classify low, medium and high-risk species by receiver operative characteristic curve analysis (ROC). The calibrated basic and climate-change threshold assessment scores used to classify species from low, to medium to high risk were computed between 27.5 and 33.0 respectively. Based on these thresholds, under current climatic conditions, 15 species were high risk, while the remaining species were medium risk, and the Chaetodipterus faber and the Holocentrus adscensionis switched from the medium-risk to the high-risk group under future climatic conditions. The highest score belonged to Fistularia petimba, followed by Siganus fuscescens, Abudefduf spp., Acanthurus monroviae and Lutjanus argentimaculatus. This study focused on the species that have not been assessed for their invasiveness potential, and the results can provide important insights into their sustainable management in the future.

scholarly journals Ecosystem changes in the Egyptian saline Lake Qarun during the XX–XXI centuries (short review)

2016 ◽  
Vol 320 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-261
Author(s):  
E.V. Anufriieva ◽  
G.M. El-Shabrawy ◽  
N.V. Shadrin
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Aquatic Organism ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Mnemiopsis Leidyi ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Species Invasions ◽  
Lake Qarun ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

Since beginning of the 20th century the salinity growth in Lake Qarun (Egypt) accelerated. Changes in the specific structure of plankton and benthos have been observed. Three stages of biotic changes may be separated. The salinity change determined biodiversity transformation only until 1928. Due to natural causes new species invasions – marginal marine (Cerastoderma glaucum, etc.) and halotolerant lacustrine (Arctodiaptomus salinus, Moina salina, etc.) – occurred, reducing the diversity and abundance of freshwater forms. Because of the growth of salinity the certain species of fish began to disappear in the lake. Catch of fish has fallen sharply, affecting the standard of living of the local population on the shores of the lake. To improve the situation, in 1928, people started to introduce the young marine fishes and crustaceans. Some species of introduced animals began to breed successfully, but not all, so the fry of some species of fish are transported annually from the sea into the lake. The second stage of the biotic transformation in the lake started, when the mass directed and accidental marine aquatic organism introduction by people was the main reason. The flow of marine species increased, halotolerant lacustrine species have disappeared, and the maritime community has formed. In 1950–1970s, intensive eutrophication began; it and alien species anthropogenic introduction have become the driving forces of the ecosystem changes. In the next decades, the main causes of changes in community structure will be eutrophication, pollution and aliens, especially jellyfish Mnemiopsis leidyi, invaded the lake in 2014.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Extent and Application of Bilingual Signage in New Zealand Public Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Rosemary Evans
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Library Anxiety ◽  
Upper Level

<p>Bilingual signage is important both for the assistance it renders patrons as they navigate through the library, and for the statement it makes about a library‟s commitment to biculturalism. Good signage enables library users to find their way around a library and locate the information they need. Many Māori report feeling uncertain and alienated in libraries, and bilingual signage has been identified as an important component in the process of making Māori feel welcome in libraries. This study aims to discover to what extent public libraries commit to biculturalism through their bilingual signage, and how bilingual signage is displayed to alleviate library anxiety among Māori users, and as well to determine to what degree the level of signage in public libraries can be related to the proportion of Māori in the local population. A mixed methods research design has been applied to investigate the quantitative and qualitative information collected in the first phase of the research (an online survey sent to 330 public libraries throughout New Zealand), followed by the second phase of qualitative in-depth data gathering in the form of personal visits to 12 Auckland public libraries to conduct a qualitative content analysis of their signage. The findings reveal that over 50% of New Zealand public libraries have some form of bilingual signage, but they also show that much bilingual signage is employed at the upper level of signage rather than the deeper levels applicable to wayfinding. Practices in bilingual signage that need to be addressed are identified. Suggestions are made for further research.</p>

scholarly journals Challenges and enablers of the embedded researcher model

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 743-764
Author(s):  
Dominiek Coates ◽  
Sharon Mickan
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Research Infrastructure ◽  
Healthcare Organisation ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Affiliation ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Academic Partnerships

PurposeThe embedded researcher is a healthcare-academic partnership model in which the researcher is engaged as a core member of the healthcare organisation. While this model has potential to support evidence translation, there is a paucity of evidence in relation to the specific challenges and strengths of the model. The aim of this study was to map the barriers and enablers of the model from the perspective of embedded researchers in Australian healthcare settings, and compare the responses of embedded researchers with a primary healthcare versus a primary academic affiliation.Design/methodology/approach104 embedded researchers from Australian healthcare organisations completed an online survey. Both purposive and snowball sampling strategies were used to identify current and former embedded researchers. This paper reports on responses to the open-ended questions in relation to barriers and enablers of the role, the available support, and recommendations for change. Thematic analysis was used to describe and interpret the breadth and depth of responses and common themes.FindingsKey barriers to being an embedded researcher in a public hospital included a lack of research infrastructure and funding in the healthcare organisation, a culture that does not value research, a lack of leadership and support to undertake research, limited access to mentoring and career progression and issues associated with having a dual affiliation. Key enablers included supportive colleagues and executive leaders, personal commitment to research and research collaboration including formal health-academic partnerships.Research limitations/implicationsTo support the embedded researcher model, broader system changes are required, including greater investment in research infrastructure and healthcare-academic partnerships with formal agreements. Significant changes are required, so that healthcare organisations appreciate the value of research and support both clinicians and researchers to engage in research that is important to their local population.Originality/valueThis is the first study to systematically investigate the enablers and challenges of the embedded researcher model.

scholarly journals Does Participation Foster Transformation Processes towards Sustainable Energy Systems? A Case Study of the German Energy Transformation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Energy Transformation ◽  
Sustainable Energy Systems ◽  
Participation Process

Sustainable energy transformation depends on learning processes, which allow us to cope with constantly changing environmental and social systems. Participation processes are viewed as a means of fostering social learning. In this paper, social learning is applied as an analytical concept to investigate the cognitive effects of participation such as knowledge acquisition, changes of perspective, and knowledge dissemination. Previous studies have indicated that certain characteristics of the participation process foster social learning. However, empirical evidence is still inconclusive, which is why this paper investigates which factors foster social learning. An empirical analysis was conducted on the basis of a quantitative online survey (N = 516), which questioned people who are in some way involved in the German energy transformation (Energiewende). The results show that social learning can be enhanced through participation. In particular, moderated processes—which foster a productive exchange, encourage the building of trust among participants, and allow easy access to relevant information—are likely to provide the appropriate conditions for social learning. Personal characteristics such as an individual’s degree of knowledge might have a greater influence on why people change their perspectives than the intensity of participation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document