Non-native Mangroves of Moloka\u27i, Hawai\u27i: A Socio-ecological Analysis

Invasive species are recognized as a leading threat to ecosystems and their management is expensive, time consuming, and labor intensive. Therefore, it is important to review both benefits and detriments of the species to inform appropriate management decisions. Red mangrove was introduced to Moloka\u27i, Hawaii in 1902 to mitigate the effects of soil erosion and has since spread along the coast and to adjacent islands creating novel habitat. This study assessed both biological services and social attitudes towards Moloka\u27i\u27s non-native mangroves to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the species. Zooplankton community structure was examined in mangrove and non-mangrove sites and found to be different depending on the amount of mangroves present. Surveys of Moloka\u27i residents revealed no majority attitude towards mangroves nor support for complete eradication but residents were highly supportive of active management. Approaching other novel ecosystems created by established non-native species from a socio-ecological view may become more crucial as changes in climate, demographics, and environmental conditions further complicate effects. In our globalized world, non-native species introductions will continue to have both positive and negative effects that vary over time. Therefore, assessment of both social and ecological perspectives may lead to more effective management with greater community support

The Impact of Help-Self and Help-Others Appeals Upon Participation in Clinical Research Trials

The need for participants in medical research trials continues to grow yet the successful recruitment of volunteers remains a challenge. Much of the research regarding patient recruitment activities has been conducted in the social sciences. As such, the specific impact of advertising strategy to help recruit volunteers remains unclear. The proposed research is designed to help to fill this gap in the literature, generating insight for continuing academic research and helping practitioners gain efficiencies in developing new pharmaceuticals. This research uses an experimental design to assess the impact of two variables upon clinical trial participation. These two variables were selected given that they have not been examined together in the context of clinical trial recruitment. The first manipulated variable is advertising appeal. A help-self appeal, a help-other appeal, or a control appeal are independently featured in advertising copy. The second manipulated variable is message framing. A loss frame or a gain frame is featured in the advertising copy. This resulted in six print advertising scenarios that were randomly assigned to respondents. A third variable, involvement, was measured using three scale items adapted from past research. The research trial was described in each advertisement as a screening/detection trial for melanoma skin cancer. The attitude variable was measured using a six item scale, subjective norm was measured using a three item scale and intention was measured using a two item scale. The scale items used were adapted from prior research. A questionnaire was developed and pretested and the data was collected by Qualtrics of Provo, Utah. Three hundred seventy eight responses were used to test twelve hypotheses. Regression analysis was used to examine moderation and mediation. Moderated mediation was also tested using the SPSS macro PROCESS (Hayes 2013). The full model also included six covariates. A significant relationship was found between the help-others appeal (when compared to the control appeal) and the attitude toward participation in a clinical research trial for melanoma skin cancer. Furthermore, attitude was found to mediate the relationship between a help-others appeal (when compared to the control appeal) and the intention to participate in a clinical research trial for melanoma skin cancer. The moderating variable message frame was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between both the help-self appeal and the help-others appeal and the attitude toward participation in a clinical research trial for melanoma skin cancer. A loss frame led to a greater attitude toward participation in a clinical trial for either of the two appeals. There was no significant relationship between the gain frame and attitude. Involvement was not a significant moderator of the relationship between either of the two appeals and attitude toward clinical trial participation. The direction of the relationship between involvement and attitude was however positive. Moderated mediation results were different for the help-self and the help-others appeal. Independent of any moderation by message frame (gain or loss), the indirect effect of the help-self appeal on intention through attitude is moderated by involvement. As involvement with melanoma increases, the indirect effect of the help-self appeal through attitude upon intention to participate in a clinical research trial for melanoma skin cancer also increases, regardless of frame type. Independent of any moderation by involvement, the indirect effect of the help-others appeal upon intention through attitude is moderated by frame type. At each level of involvement, there is a greater indirect effect of the help-others appeal through attitude upon intention to participate in a clinical research trial for melanoma skin cancer for a loss frame than a gain frame

Teachers’ knowledge of English phonology and attitudes toward reading instruction as related to student outcomes

The purpose of this study was to determine if teachers’ knowledge of English phonology and attitudes toward explicit and implicit reading instruction were related to student growth in reading. First-grade teachers completed a knowledge assessment and attitudes survey, and their students were administered reading measures in the spring of kindergarten and first grade. The data were analyzed to determine relationships between teacher variables and student achievement. Moderate correlations emerged between teachers’ knowledge, attitudes toward explicit instruction, and student achievement, but there were no significant correlations between these teacher variables and student reading growth. Teachers with higher levels of knowledge were found to have more positive attitudes regarding explicit instruction, and higher performance on kindergarten reading measures was related to higher performance on first-grade reading measures

Non-Native Mangroves (\u3ci\u3eRhizophora mangle\u3c/i\u3e) of Moloka\u27i, Hawai\u27i: a Socio-Ecological Analysis

The formation of novel ecosystems by non-native species poses management challenges that are both socially and ecologically complex. This complexity necessitates consideration of both ecological dynamics and social attitudes and perceptions. Red mangrove propagules were introduced to Moloka\u27i, Hawaii in 1902 to mitigate the effects of soil erosion and they have since spread along the coast and to adjacent islands creating novel habitat. Non-native mangroves in Hawai\u27i present a unique case study to examine diverse social attitudes and perceptions resulting from a long history of land cover transformations on the Hawaiian Islands, socio-cultural diversity of involved stakeholders, and the potential array of ecosystem services they may provide under changing land use and climatic conditions. Ecological dynamics were examined to (1) determine whether novel mangrove habitat affects zooplankton diversity and richness, (2) test the hypothesis that zooplankton community composition differs significantly among established mangrove and coastal non-mangrove habitat, and (3) assess other factors driving differences in zooplankton community assemblages. This study found no significant differences found between sites with and without mangroves in terms of richness, diversity, or community composition. However, lunar cycles and site dynamics, including fishpond structure, mangrove and open shoreline length, percentage of mangrove shoreline length, total percentage of carbon in mangrove leaves, and disturbance in the upstream watershed influenced zooplankton community composition. These findings suggest that non-native mangroves support community composition, richness, and diversity similar to non-mangrove areas, though some widespread taxa have lower abundances in mangrove habitat. My research suggests that in the face of declining fisheries, threatened reef habitat, and changing climate and ocean conditions, mangroves may provide zooplankton habitat in novel locations similar to that provided by native habitat, such that habitat availability for zooplankton is not hindered by non-native mangroves. To understand social dynamics 204 residents of Moloka\u27i, Hawaii were surveyed to evaluate: 1) attitudes and perceptions about this non-native species, 2) what factors influence these attitudes, and 3) how attitudes influence perceptions about management. A belief that mangroves should be removed, concern about threats to Moloka\u27i\u27s coast, and not relying on mangroves for benefit were the primary drivers of negative attitudes towards non-native mangroves. Support for management actions was predicted by attitudes towards mangroves, perception and concern about threats to Moloka\u27i\u27s coast, and experiences involving mangroves. I propose a framework for assessing and incorporating diverse perceptions and attitudes into decision-making around non-native species that have created novel ecosystems. An active management approach allowing mangroves to thrive in certain locations and to provide services such as habitat and crabbing access while in other locations limiting their extent to protect native bird habitat and cater for human needs, including safe beach and ocean access, may ultimately offer the greatest benefits to both the ecosystem and society. As environmental issues, such as species introductions, become increasingly complicated in the age of the Anthropocene, with intricate relationships made more difficult in the face of climate change, integrated research in socio-ecological systems may provide a comprehensive approach to better evaluate and understand our changing world

Interview with Dennis Shinaberry

Dennis Shinaberry discusses seasonal cycles in agriculture, growing up on a farm and technological advancements in farming. Dennis discusses how to raise animals in different seasons, and how to keep them healthy. He also talks about the maturation of sheep.https://digital.kenyon.edu/ffp_interviews/1028/thumbnail.jp

Interview with Kokosing Gap Trail Chairman, Phil Samuel

Phil Samuels speaks of the Gap Trail, and how it was founded through the Federal Gasoline Sales Tax along with how the entirety of the trail used to be railroad tracks. He also talks about the importance of the Gap Trail to the community, and how it increases the value of the areas around it, along with the overall community on the trail. It is an important commodity and amenity for the community.https://digital.kenyon.edu/ffp_interviews/1013/thumbnail.jp

Interview with Ron Elliot

Ron Elliot, a local farmer, explains how the seasons effect his farming. He states that the spring and summer are for planting, while the fall is for harvesting and the winter is mainly for maintenance. He also discusses life on a farm with cows, and artificial insemination of the cows, and other modern technological farming advancements.https://digital.kenyon.edu/ffp_interviews/1017/thumbnail.jp

Understanding the impact of MSHSAA by-law 3.15.3 on participation in Missouri high school athletics from 2008-2016

This quantitative policy analysis seeks to understand the potential impact of MSHSAA By-Law, 3.15.3, the contact day policy, on sport participation in Missouri high school athletics. This policy increased the number of practices Missouri coaches could have with their athletes in the summer from 14 to 25 days. There was a concern from MSHSAA school leaders and coaches that this policy could impact single and multi-sport participation. This study seeks to determine if a relationship can be identified with the implementation of the policy and changes in participation. ... This quantitative policy analysis revealed a significant difference in single sport and multiple sport participation for the years prior to and following the implementation of MSHSAA By-Law 3.15.3. Research question two revealed that there has not been a significant change in the overall number of single sport and multi-sport participants. Research questions three and five revealed that urban school participation has significantly decreased following the implementation of the By-Law. Research questions four and six revealed that students that attend schools that offer ten or less sports have also seen a decrease in single and multi-sport participation. Finally, research question number seven revealed that multi-sport participation has decreased significantly in schools that do not offer 11-man football and has increased in schools that do offer 11-man football.Includes bibliographical reference