Predators in Paradise: Ecotourism and Predator-Prey Dynamics in Monteverde, Costa Rica

The use of camera trap surveys is increasingly common to investigate recurring diel activity of mammals. Investigation into the temporal overlap of mammals can provide unique insights into predator-prey dynamics. Understanding this relationship is essential to effectively manage and conserve both species. Extensive research across the tropics has found that daily activities of mammals were shaped by thermoregulation and trophic location in food webs. Although broad scale studies of daily patterns of mammals have enhanced our understanding of these constraints, many study sites included were remote protected areas under strict conservation measures. Such protected areas often had full complements of native species and low levels of human activity. For example, most studies of this kind in the Neotropics include both pumas (Puma concolor) and jaguars (Panthera onca). Thus, Neotropical predator-prey activity patterns may differ in areas of higher human activity, such as private land reserves or in areas where pumas are the apex predator. To test the effect of ecotourism on temporal overlap of predator-prey species, I used remote camera trapping data collected from Monteverde, Costa Rica. The data I used was collected from 16 remote cameras deployed over 819 camera trap nights. Cameras were placed on two private land reserves in the greater Monteverde area in 2021-2022. Both sites differed significantly in their amount of human activity in the form of recreational hikers. I analyzed daily activity patterns and temporal overlap using the R package ‘overlap’ to test whether overlap of predator-prey species differed in areas of high human activity compared to areas of lower human activity. During my study, I detected 21 pumas, 23 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), 55 collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), 258 white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica), 674 Central American agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata), and 1507 humans. In general, overlap between predators and prey increased by about 23% at the site with higher human activity. For example, pumas overlapped more with agouti (by 29%) and coati (by 23%) in the site with higher human use. These results support the mutual attraction hypothesis outlined by Van Scoyoc et al. (2023) that predicts human activity will increase predator-prey overlap. My results have potential implications for ecotourism management in Monteverde and other Neotropical locales

Oral History Interview: Garnette Cremeans

These are a part of a series of interviews which Diana Parnicza conducted in the course of her project concerning Appalachian caregivers. Ms. Garnette Cremeans (identified in the interview as Caregiver #8) discusses: her health problems; her family; detailed information about taking care of her husband; a series of true/ false questions about her family; people who help support her and help take care of her husband; getting supplies so she can care for her husband; and other topics.https://mds.marshall.edu/oral_history/1364/thumbnail.jp

Proposed Environmental Impacts of the Gallipolis Locks and Dam Replacement, Ohio River Mile 279.2, on the Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fishes of Flatfoot Creek, Mason County, West Virginia

The Gallipolis Locks and Dam at Ohio River Mile 279.2 is soon to be modified or replaced. Construction in the area will effect the lower portion of the small drainage basin (14.61 km) of Flatfoot Creek. Depending on the action taken, a large proportion of Flatfoot Creek and/or a tributary of Mud Run will have severe ecological alterations. For this reason, Flatfoot Creek was investigated for water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish populations and the feeding requirements of the fishes. A physio-chemical analysis was made of Flatfoot creek. With the exception of five parameters, the creek met guidelines set by state and Federal agencies. The most important limiting factors of the tailwaters were low dissolved oxygen (1.0 mg/1) and high total solids (652 mg/1). The benthic populations ranged from a low species diversity (d = 0.36) at the tailwaters to the highest value (d = 3.04) at the headwaters. Dipteran larvae and aquatic oligochaetes inhabited the lower reaches while ephemeropterans, plecopterans, and trichopterans inhabited the upper reaches. No rare, threatened or endangered species of benthic macroinvertebrate was found in the study area. The fishes of Flatfoot Creek were dominated by forage species (e.g. Emerald Shiner, Striped Shiner and Creek Chub). The rough fishes and game fishes comprised a small portion of the specimens. Important among the rough fishes were the White Sucker, Black and Yellow Bullheads. Game fishes were predominantly Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Longear Sunfish. The Southern Redbelly Dace and the River Shiner are listed as fishes of scientific interest on the tentative list of rare animal species for West Virginia. Stomach analysis showed a large portion of the fish populations to be dependent upon benthic organisms, to the extent that fishes would not inhabit the area unless sufficient benthic populations were present. Recommendations were made to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for disposal of dredge material from the canal they propose to construct. The author feels uniform disposal over the bottomlands of Flatfoot Creek with the stream re-channeled will have the least detrimental effect on the environment. Ecological requirements such as pool and riffle habitats with proper substrate material will allow benthic and fish populations to populate the man-made portion of the stream

Marshall University Music Department Presents a Senior Recital, Stephen Jarrett, Viola, Janice Bragg, Piano, Judith Cremeans Gibson, Mezzo-soprano

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1171/thumbnail.jp

On the Complexity of Tipping in Super-Modular Games

The problem of finding the minimum tipping set in a super modular game is known to be NP-hard. Here, I derive an approximation algorithm to find a small tipping set in such a game. In the special case of the uniform game, the approximation provides the exact minimum tipping set. Interdependent security is a growing field. One model used for interdependent security is the airline security model. This model is used as an example for the approximation methods, and was the working model for many of the proofs and strategies developed to find tipping sets and their approximations. This algebraic approach, which makes use of group theory, is then evaluated for accuracy, It is then applied to a dynamic approach, using a simple learning function without the complete information often assumed. This method links the non-greedy approximation to a version of SAT, and a type of influence graphs and the covering problem. The approximation fared well when finding the key players in a game, but struggled with cascades

Implications of Upcoding on Medicare Fraud

The complexity of and quantity of funds involved in Medicare reimbursements have led to a significant increase in the number of Medicare fraud. A particular kind of Medicare fraud, upcoding, has contributed to excessive and avoidable health care spending. Upcoding has been an illegal tactic that some providers have used to increase their Medicare reimbursement for specific medical conditions. This is accomplished by coding a provided service as a more expensive service than what was performed. With the proliferation of upcoding, there has been an unprecedented $12.5 billion in fraudulent Medicare charges. While solving the problem of upcoding will not eliminate the multiple contributing factors to this enormous healthcare expenditure, it would be a start

Development of Tools and Methods for the Characterization of the Groundwater-Surface Water Interface

This study focuses on water exchange, and associated processes, at the groundwater-surface water interface (GWSWI). The contributions of the study, as a whole, can be divided into two groups: scientific contributions and technical contributions. Scientifically, there are three main contributions. Firstly, the data presented below map a stream reach to show separate the effects of water flow and contaminant concentrations on contaminant mass discharge. The field demonstration of this concept, at the sub-meter scale, is novel. Secondly, the data included in the comparison of methods suggest the variability of flow across the GWSWI is large when compared with the differences related to replication of measurements. This suggests the importance of mapping in detail to ensure that all the controlling points of discharge are included. Thirdly, SBPVP measurements made a field-based mass loading calculation for a vertical flow bioreactor possible. It was found that the attenuation capacity of this system was about three orders of magnitude greater than the theoretical attenuation capacity suggested. Technically, there are five main contributions. Firstly, the design and validation of a new measurement tool to quantify flow across the groundwater-surface water interface (the streambed point velocity probe, or SBPVP). Secondly, a demonstration and comparison of the SBPVP in the field with three other, more commonly used methods. Thirdly, the development of a new method to quantify contaminant discharge into a stream using the SBPVP. Fourthly, a demonstration that the new approach can provide highly detailed information about the distribution of contaminant mass discharge, which could be of value to risk assessment and remediation design. Fifthly, the application of the SBPVP to the characterization of a vertical flow bioreactor for the purpose of assessing its performance. Given these contributions, the study presents a new tool for investigating the groundwater-surface water interface and describes various applications (and their associated scientific advances) in detail

Implications of upcoding on Medicare

The complexity of and amount of funds involved in Medicare has led to a significant increase in the incidence of Medicare fraud. A type of Medicare fraud, upcoding, has contributed to excessive and unnecessary health care spending. Upcoding has been an illegal strategy that some providers have used to increase their Medicare reimbursement for certain conditions. This is accomplished by coding a provided service as a more expensive service than what was actually performed. With the proliferation of upcoding, there has been an astonishing $12.5 billion in fraudulent Medicare charges since 2007. The fraudulent strategy of upcoding to increase Medicare reimbursement for organizational financial gain has been a common occurrence and has resulted in substantial Medicare overpayments. While solving the problem of upcoding will not eliminate the myriad contributing factors to this enormous healthcare expenditure, it certainly would be a start