A Comprehensive Evaluation of Benthic Invertebrate Communities in the Emory River, Watts Bar Reservoir, TN

The release of fly ash at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant (KIF) on 22 December 2008 discharged approximately 4.1 million cubic meters of coal ash into the adjacent aquatic and terrestrial systems. Previous benthic invertebrate investigations conducted by TVA and collaborative researchers concluded that benthic invertebrates in the Emory River were at moderate risk from ash-related constituents, primarily arsenic, in ash-contaminated sediment that remained in the Emory River following extensive dredging efforts. These conclusions were based on the observation of statistically significant reductions in growth and biomass in laboratory toxicity tests with Emory River sediment. Benthic invertebrate community survey results from 2010, however, did not support this conclusion. These previous surveys evaluated benthic invertebrate community data and sediment data across a large spatial scale, providing an “area-wide” interpretation of the relationships between the benthic invertebrate community results to the ash release. In the present research, co-located sediment and benthic invertebrate community samples were collected from nine locations in the Emory River. Community metric results were compared among samples, locations, and previous years and to co-located sediment chemistry and physical sediment properties. Temporal trends were also evaluated over a 5-year period of time at two locations to gauge if an initial impact and/or recovery could be determined. Despite this refined investigation, no trends or significant differences were identified between ash-impacted locations compared to the reference location, and no evidence of an initial impact or subsequent recovery trends were established. Furthermore, no significant relationships could be established between benthic invertebrate community metrics and sediment chemistry results. This information is important for the informed monitoring, remediation, and damage assessment of the benthic invertebrate community at the Kingston Ash Recovery site. This research also increases our knowledge of benthic invertebrate tolerance to metal mixtures in sediment of natural systems

The Impact of the Economic Crisis on English Language Teaching in Greece: a Case Study of a Language School

The ongoing financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures imposed on Greece have impacted heavily on the country. While recent studies have highlighted the effect on health and other social services, the domain of education remains under-researched, especially in the field of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) provision. Due to the long-standing deficiencies in the state education system, most EFL students attend private language schools (frontistiria); in a time of economic crisis this presents certain challenges for the students and the frontistiria themselves. A case study approach was used to explore this issue. The investigation identified certain ways in which a single language school is being affected by the crisis. Non-payment of school fees can be seen to have resulted in delayed salary payments to the staff, while student exam choice has also been influenced by the current economic situation. Insights from behavioural economics and theories of decision making under uncertainty were drawn upon to help in understanding choices made by stakeholders at the school. Bourdieusian notions of linguistic capital were also utilised and behavioural economic theory applied to these conceptualisations of capital. The study suggests that with private EFL tuition still in demand, the school and its stakeholders are adapting old ways to respond to a new situation

How Libraries Responded in the Early Days of the Pandemic: A Study of the LIS Literature

As we emerge from an unprecedented pandemic that saw closure of libraries, schools, and universities worldwide, we can begin to assess potential lasting impacts on institutions, professions and communities. Through a rapid bibliometric study of COVID-19-related library publishing, we provide a first glimpse into the impacts of the pandemic on library operations, services, collections, and the workforce. We identified and analyzed 237 journal articles published in 2020 about libraries and the pandemic. These articles indicate broad cross-sectoral, global impacts on libraries and librarianship. Our analysis provides a baseline for future research on lasting effects of the pandemic on the field

A Randomized Depression Prevention Trial Comparing Interpersonal Psychotherapy—Adolescent Skills Training To Group Counseling In Schools

Given the rise in depression disorders in adolescence, it is important to develop and study depression prevention programs for this age group. The current study examined the efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training (IPT-AST), a group prevention program for adolescent depression, in comparison to group programs that are typically delivered in school settings. In this indicated prevention trial, 186 adolescents with elevated depression symptoms were randomized to receive IPT-AST delivered by research staff or group counseling (GC) delivered by school counselors. Hierarchical linear modeling examined differences in rates of change in depressive symptoms and overall functioning from baseline to the 6-month follow-up assessment. Cox regression compared rates of depression diagnoses. Adolescents in IPT-AST showed significantly greater improvements in self-reported depressive symptoms and evaluator-rated overall functioning than GC adolescents from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. However, there were no significant differences between the two conditions in onset of depression diagnoses. Although both intervention conditions demonstrated significant improvements in depressive symptoms and overall functioning, results indicate that IPT-AST has modest benefits over groups run by school counselors which were matched on frequency and duration of sessions. In particular, IPT-AST outperformed GC in reduction of depressive symptoms and improvements in overall functioning. These findings point to the clinical utility of this depression prevention program, at least in the short-term. Additional follow-up is needed to determine the long-term effects of IPT-AST, relative to GC, particularly in preventing depression onset

San Francisco Bay Area KIPP Schools: A Study of Early Implementation

Measures how well five San Francisco Bay Area schools have implemented the goals of the Knowledge Is Power Program during the first year of a three-year initiative to prepare underserved urban youth for college

Case Study of Zero Waste Bag Design Utilizing Pre-Consumer Upholstery Fabric Waste

The upholstery industry generates tremendous fabric waste each year, which negatively impacts the environment. The researchers aimed to explore a potential use of pre-consumer upholstery fabric waste through the creation of reusable grocery bags, under the frame of Barquet et al.\u27s (2016) five sustainability factors for product service system business model. By utilizing 98.88% of 234.48 ounces of upholstery fabric waste provided by an upholsterer, this study resulted in the creation of 30 reusable grocery bags with a total estimated retail value of $1,300. We revealed the positive linkage of our reusable bag design process to four of the sustainability factors: Apply Designs for Environment, Identify Economic Value, Promote Behavior Change, and Act Towards Social Well-being. Findings also suggest this upholstery fabric waste should no longer be considered waste, as it performs as valuable resources for the creation of other durable products

Carjacking in Australia: recording issues and future directions

Carjacking literature is limited, and perceptions vary about the level of violence involved, diverse scenarios and the motivations of offenders. The media tends to over represent carjackings involving weapons and violence, although these are relatively rare incidents. This paper examines carjacking in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa reported through the literature