Nitrogen Isotopes in Zostera marina: a Potential Indicator of Anthropogenic Nutrient Loading in Casco Bay, Gulf of Maine

Estuaries that are in close proximity to densely populated areas and/or receive runoff from populated watersheds are particularly susceptible to nitrogen loading, which can lead to anthropogenic-caused eutrophication. In a past study by McClellend and Valiela (1998) stable nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and Zostera marina were proven to be enriched in 15N in densely populated estuaries relative to less poplulated estuaries in Cape Cod. Little is known about whether this technique for identifying the presence of anthropogenic nutrients can be used on the coast of Maine. In this paper, two areas in the Casco Bay were studied to see if a populated area (Mackworth Island, Portland) shows 15N enrichment relative to a less populated area (Maquoit Bay, Brunswick). The DIN and the Zostera marina from Mackworth Island were shown to have δ15N values ~2.5 ‰ enriched relative to Maquoit Bay, suggesting that nitrogen isotopes in Zostera marina can be used to detect the presence of anthropogenic nitrogen. This information has the potential to help indicate early signs of eutrophication and help prevent any further nutrient overloading in Casco Bay

REALIZING A BULLY-FREE FIRE STATION: AN APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY FOR THE FIRE SERVICE

Workplace bullying, a prevalent and damaging issue, poses significant challenges for employees and employers. This thesis investigates the intricate relationship between organizational culture and bullying behaviors in the U.S. fire service, focusing mainly on the region under the Great Lakes Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The study examines the factors contributing to bullying and offers strategies for its mitigation among managers. To this end, the research employed a modified appreciative inquiry approach to interview firefighters. ChatGPT helped to extract qualitative codes in a systematic analysis of themes that were then categorized into dimensions and used to form a comprehensive framework to counteract bullying in fire stations. This thesis establishes the need to implement a bullying mitigation framework as a fundamental step toward addressing it. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear definition of bullying specific to fire service context, offering a working definition as part of its contribution. The research concludes by underscoring the need for an increased focus on selection, management, and leadership within fire stations and at the organizational level, affirming the fire service’s commitment to eradicating workplace bullying.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, West Bloomfield Fire Departmen

Increasing Parental Involvement In Our Schools: The Need To Overcome Obstacles, Promote Critical Behaviors, And Provide Teacher Training

This paper examines critical parental behaviors for student success as well as the major obstacles for parental involvement. Suggestions are given for improving preservice training in teacher education programs

Sleep Environment Recommendations for Future Spaceflight Vehicles

Current evidence demonstrates that astronauts experience sleep loss and circadian desynchronization during spaceflight. Ground-based evidence demonstrates that these conditions lead to reduced performance, increased risk of injuries and accidents, and short and long-term health consequences. Many of the factors contributing to these conditions relate to the habitability of the sleep environment. Noise, inadequate temperature and airflow, and inappropriate lighting and light pollution have each been associated with sleep loss and circadian misalignment during spaceflight operations and on Earth. As NASA prepares to send astronauts on long-duration, deep space missions, it is critical that the habitability of the sleep environment provide adequate mitigations for potential sleep disruptors. We conducted a comprehensive literature review summarizing optimal sleep hygiene parameters for lighting, temperature, airflow, humidity, comfort, intermittent and erratic sounds, and privacy and security in the sleep environment. We reviewed the design and use of sleep environments in a wide range of cohorts including among aquanauts, expeditioners, pilots, military personnel and ship operators. We also reviewed the specifications and sleep quality data arising from every NASA spaceflight mission, beginning with Gemini. Finally, we conducted structured interviews with individuals experienced sleeping in non-traditional spaces including oil rig workers, Navy personnel, astronauts, and expeditioners. We also interviewed the engineers responsible for the design of the sleeping quarters presently deployed on the International Space Station. We found that the optimal sleep environment is cool, dark, quiet, and is perceived as safe and private. There are wide individual differences in the preferred sleep environment; therefore modifiable sleeping compartments are necessary to ensure all crewmembers are able to select personalized configurations for optimal sleep. A sub-optimal sleep environment is tolerable for only a limited time, therefore individual sleeping quarters should be designed for long-duration missions. In a confined space, the sleep environment serves a dual purpose as a place to sleep, but also as a place for storing personal items and as a place for privacy during non-sleep times. This need for privacy during sleep and wake appears to be critically important to the psychological well-being of crewmembers on long-duration missions

PRODUCTION, PRICE AND RISK FACTORS IN CHANNEL CATFISH FARMING

The effects of several production/management, price and risk factors upon channel catfish profitability are analyzed with a multiperiod mixed-integer linear programming model. Factors analyzed include pond size and optimal stocking rates, alternate levels and trends in catfish prices, pond production losses and level of family consumption withdrawals. Model results indicate that channel catfish offer the potential to significantly increase farm rates of return while providing an avenue of intensive farm growth, without expanding the land base of the farm. However, the long range financial success of the firm was very sensitive to several of the management and risk factors examined.Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty,