Integrating scientific assessment of wetland areas and economic evaluation tools to develop an evaluation framework to advise wetland management

Wetland ecosystems provide society with a range of valuable ecosystem services. However, wetlands worldwide are experiencing increasing pressure from a number of sources, caused by an interrelated combination of market failure and policy intervention failure. Whatever the cause, the result is massive degradation and loss of these ecosystems and ultimately, loss of their services. To better manage wetlands the availability of sufficient relevant and reliable scientific information is required together with an assessment tool capable of providing meaningful evaluations of the consequences of management. Current assessments of wetlands are often biased towards either economic or scientific issues, with limited attempts at integration. Evaluations that neglect integration overlook the complexity of wetland ecosystems and have failed to sufficiently protect these areas. This paper reviews the literature to propose an evaluation framework which combines a scientific assessment of wetland function with cost utility analysis (CUA) to develop a meaningful trade-off matrix. A dynamic approach to wetland assessment such as the hydro geomorphologic method (HGM), developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, offers the opportunity to consider interrelationships between ecosystem process and functions and the resulting ecosystem services. CUA facilitates the evaluation of projects where the consequences of investment or no investment are complex and difficult to value in monetary terms. The evaluation framework described in this paper has the potential to deliver an integrated wetland management tool. However, for this potential to be realised, targeted interdisciplinary research by scientists and economists is required.

Multi-scale hydrogeomorphic influences on bull trout spawning habitat in snowmelt-dominated headwater streams

I investigated relationships between geomorphology, hydrogeology, and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) redd occurrence and density at multiple spatial scales in gravel-bed, pool-riffle, snowmelt dominated headwater streams of northwestern Montana. Subreach redd occurrence tended to be associated with the finest available textural facies. In subreach streambed sections hosting bull trout redds, redd density was significantly (at α=0.05) positively related to bankfull Shields stress (τ*bf, p=0.04) and bankfull Shields stress adjusted for grain stress only (τ**bf, p=0.02). In stream reaches hosting bull trout redds, reach-average redd density was significantly positively related to reach-average τ**bf (p=0.02) and reach-average streambed grain size (D16, p=0.01; D50, p=0.02, D84, p=0.02). Spawning reaches exhibited high streambed horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivities, and streambed temperatures were dominated by stream water diurnal cycles to a depth of at least 25 cm. Groundwater provided substantial thermal moderation of stream water for multiple high density spawning reaches. At the valley-scale, redd occurrence tended to be associated with unconfined alluvial valleys. Many previous studies highlight the thermal sensitivity of bull trout. My spawning gravel competence results indicate that a shift in the timing of high flows could increase the likelihood of redd scour during the bull trout egg incubation period

COVID-19: Intranasal and Oral Routes of Vaccination

The mainstay protocol exercised by global health leaders to control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) has been screening, the identification of cases, isolation thereof, contact tracing and nation-wide lockdowns. The development of vaccinations against the SARS-CoV-2 virus has marked a new dawn for the war against corona virus disease (COVID-19)

SARS-CoV-2 and its sinister routes of transmission: Mauritius from COVID safe paradise to COVID outbreak

Nil

Outcomes of stab wounds presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi

IntroductionInjuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating that we understand the local burden of injury to improve injury-related trauma care and patient outcomes. The characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors for mortality following stab wounds in Malawi are poorly delineated.MethodsThis is a retrospective, descriptive analysis of patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, with stab wounds from February 2008 to May 2018. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to compare patient and injury characteristics based on mortality. We performed Poisson multivariate regression to predict the factors that increase the relative risk of mortality. Results During the study, 32,297 patients presented with assault. Of those patients, 2,352 (7.3%) presented with stab wounds resulting in a 3.2% (n=74) overall mortality. The majority of wounds were to the head or cervical spine (n=1,043, 44.6%), while injuries to the chest (n=319, 13.7%) were less frequent. We found an increased relative risk of mortality in patients who presented with an injury to the chest (RR 3.95, 95% CI 1.79-8.72, p=0.001) and who were brought in by the police (RR 33.24, 95% CI 11.23–98.35, p<0.001). ConclusionIn this study, stab wounds accounted for 7.3% of all assault cases, with a 3.2% mortality. Though the commonest site of stab was the head, wounds to the chest conferred the highest relative risk of mortality. A multifaceted approach to reducing mortality is needed. Incorporating training of first responders in basic life support, including the police, may reduce stab-related mortality

Rural Community Health Needs Assessment Findings: Access to Care and Mental Health

This article highlights the qualitative results from focus groups conducted as part of a Community Health Needs Assessments in two rural Georgia communities. Four 1-hr focus groups were facilitated with 32 community stakeholders. Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis identified two primary themes: mental health and barriers to accessing health care. Focus group participants discussed mental health challenges as they related to substance abuse and suicide. Participants acknowledged barriers to access, including no health insurance, cost, eligibility gaps for government-sponsored programs, the low availability of specialty care, and poverty. Addressing mental health and access to care in rural communities may require alternative, tailored programs

Effects of Acute Late Sleep Restriction on Strength, Power, and Running Speed in Recreationally Active Females

Previous research suggests that late sleep restriction (SR) paired with exercise in the morning does not have a significant impact on sport performance measures. However, this evidence is based on research conducted primarily in males. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of late sleep restriction on measures of strength, speed, and power among recreationally active females. METHODS: Twenty-three (23) recreationally active (aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise at least three times a week for six months) females participated in this study (mean age 21.5 years, BMI 23 kg/m2). A randomized, cross-over design was used under two conditions, recommended sleep (RS), and late SR. Participants performed three exercises to obtain measures; Isometric mid-thigh-pull (Relative Peak Force [RPF], Peak Force [PF], Rate of Force Development [RFD]), 20-yard sprint (time in seconds), and Counter-movement jump (Jump Height [JH], Relative Peak Power [RPP]). Conditions were separated with a 3-day resting period. For RS, participants were instructed to achieve 7h of sleep which align with the recommendation for healthy sleep length. For SR, participants subtracted three hours of sleep from the usual wake-up time with at least three hours of awake time before testing. RESULTS: No significant differences were found comparing RS and SR for all measures. CONCLUSION: Late SR did not affect measures of strength, speed, and power among recreationally active female athletes when compared to RS. These results support former research suggesting no evidence of impaired performance for strength, power, or speed with a single bout of late sleep restriction and exercise in the morning. Previous research suggests that psychomotor functioning may be affected in a greater way than gross motor functioning. Therefore, future research should consider effects of multiple, consecutive bouts of SR on performance measures as well as psychomotor functioning specifically in females

Best Practices for Cataloging Video Games Using RDA and MARC21

While a cataloger with experience handling different formats will find that many concepts extend to video games, there are a few ‘quirks’ to the format that those unfamiliar with video games should know about