Evaporite karst geohazards in the Delaware Basin, Texas: review of traditional karst studies coupled with geophysical and remote sensing characterization

Evaporite karst throughout the Gypsum Plain of west Texas is complex and extensive, including manifestations ranging from intrastratal brecciation and hypogene caves to epigene features and suffosion caves. Recent advances in hydrocarbon exploration and extraction has resulted in increased infrastructure development and utilization in the area; as a result, delineation and characterization of potential karst geohazards throughout the region have become a greater concern. While traditional karst surveys are essential for delineating the subsurface extent and morphology of individual caves for speleogenetic interpretation, these methods tend to underestimate the total extent of karst development and require surficial manifestation of karst phenomena. Therefore, this study utilizes a composite suite of remote sensing and traditional field studies for improved karst delineation and detection of potential karst geohazards within gypsum karst. Color InfraRed (CIR) imagery were utilized for delineation of lineaments associated with fractures, while Normalized Density Vegetation Index (NDVI) analyses were used to delineate regions of increased moisture flux and probable zones of shallow karst development. Digital Elevation Models (DEM) constructed from high-resolution LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data were used to spatially interpret sinkholes, while analyses of LiDAR intensity data were used in a novel way to categorize local variations in surface geology. Resistivity data, including both direct current (DC) and capacitively coupled (CC) resistivity analyses, were acquired and interpreted throughout the study area to delineate potential shallow karst geohazards specifically associated with roadways of geohazard concern; however, detailed knowledge of the surrounding geology and local karst development proved essential for proper interpretation of resistivity inversions. The composite suite of traditional field investigations and remotely sensed karst delineations used in this study illustrate how complex gypsum karst terrains can be characterized with greater detail through the utilization of rapidly advancing technologies, especially in arid environments with low vegetation densities

Self-inflating bag or Mapleson C breathing system for emergency pre-oxygenation?

Background: A crossover study was performed in healthy volunteers to compare the efficacy of a self-inflating bag with the Mapleson C breathing system for pre-oxygenation. Method: 20 subjects breathed 100% oxygen for 3 min using each device, with a 30 min washout period. The end tidal oxygen concentration and subjective ease of breathing were compared. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in performance between the two devices, with the Mapleson C providing higher end expiratory oxygen concentrations at 3 min. The mean (SD) end expiratory oxygen concentration was 74.2 (3.8)% for the self-inflating bag (95% Cl 72.4% to 75.9%) and 86.2 (3.7)% for the Mapleson C system (95% Cl 84.5 to 88.0);

Community Safety and the Night Time Economy: a report for Gloucestershire Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner

This report presents the findings from a three-year project that examined issues related to crime, crime reduction, and community safety in Gloucestershire’s Night Time Economy. ‘Night Time Economy’ (NTE) is the term used in this report to refer to economic activity that takes place between 6pm and 6am. The project was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire between September 2014 and December 2017, and was conducted by a research team from the school of Natural and Social Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire

Promoting Responsible Gambling through Creative Advertising: Developing an Intervention Effectiveness Scale

Abstract Although somewhat controversially grounded, the notion of responsible gambling (RG) subsumes some level of consumer protection (harm-minimization) through restriction of a gambler’s expenditure of time and money to affordable limits (Breen et al., 2005). With RG believed to protect industry interests, Livingstone and Rintoul (2020) argue for a new discourse. We believe creative advertising messaging as a means of preventing and minimizing harm can influence RG. Hence, understanding what makes an effective RG advertising message and determining criteria to assess that effectiveness are critical. Advertising effectiveness includes attention, recall, and behavioral intentions. This presentation focuses on the pressing need for a valid and reliable measure (RG-IES) to examine the relationship between RG messages and effectiveness. We define RG-IES as how well an RG message engages the gambler’s cognitive, emotional, and motivational faculties to increase their likelihood of evaluating individual play duration and intensity. RG-IES has four-dimensions: attention, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Attention to advertising is necessary for ad effectiveness, and allows consumers to form cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses (Olney et al., 1991); this forms the basis of attitudes. Subjective norms reflect perceived opinions of referent others; PBC indicates consumers’ individual beliefs they can control their behaviors. Implications An effective RG message will enhance how gamers think, feel and consider the space and issues around them in a new light. Effective RG interventions can influence behavioral beliefs about the consequences of problem gambling, normative beliefs about how others perceive problem gambling; and PBC, by reminding gamblers they control their own gambling decisions. REFERENCES Breen, H., Buultjens, J., & Hing, N. (2005). Evaluating implementation of a voluntary responsible gambling code in Queensland, Australia. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 3, 15–25. Livingstone, Charles, and Angela Rintoul (2020). Moving on from responsible gambling: a new discourse is needed to prevent and minimise harm from gambling. Public Health 184,107-112. Olney, T. J., Holbrook, M. B., & Batra, R. (1991). Consumer responses to advertising: The effects of ad content, emotions, and attitude toward the ad on viewing time. Journal of Consumer Research, 17(4), 440-453

Calling Their Bluff: Misplaced Loyalty is a Problem for Gamblers

Abstract Due to the ubiquity of casinos, both brick and mortar and online, problem gambling has emerged as a significant public health issue. It is estimated that 30% - 50% of all casino revenues are generated from problem gamblers who tend to be disproportionately male, young, and minority group members (Welte et al. 2014). Although prior research has examined the mediating role of gambling behaviors in the relationship between casino marketing strategies and problem gambling, it is not clear what role casino loyalty programs play in predicting problem gambling, particularly in underserved and minority populations. Prentice & Wong (2016) examined the mediating role of gambling behaviors in the relationship between casino marketing strategies and problem gambling. Their findings indicate that loyalty programs were not significantly related to problem gambling despite the fact that only customer loyalty was conceptualized to have an effect on problem gambling. So, what role do casino loyalty programs play in predicting problem gambling? The objective of this study is to bridge the identified theoretical gap and examine casino loyalty programs through the normative framework of the “integrative justice model’” (Santos & Laczniak 2009). Specifically, this presentation will discuss the aims and importance of (1) explaining the influence of casino loyalty programs in the relationship between ease of access and problem gambling; and (2) uncovering the impact of casino loyalty programs in the context of an underserved population. Implications Casino loyalty programs are unstudied within the context of problem gambling. Marketing’s role as both a contributor to the problem and as a force in its alleviation is a complex one. Existing customer loyalty programs may need to be modified to reduce disproportionate harm to underserved and minority populations. References Prentice, C., & Wong, I. A. (2016). Embracing or fighting the urge: A multilevel investigation on casino service, branding and impulsive gambling. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 56, 109‐118. Santos, N., & Laczniak, G. (2009). Marketing to the poor: An integratie justice model for engaging impoverished market segments. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 28(1), 3-15. Welte, J. W., Barnes, G. M., Tidwell, M.-C. O., et al. (2015). Gambling and problem gambling in the United States: Changes between 1999 and 2013. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31, 695-715

Incidental Captures of Plains Spotted Skunks in Central South Dakota

The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) had a historically broad distribution in the central United States, extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains. This subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) has experienced population declines in recent decades possibly due to habitat loss and reduction of prey through conversion of grasslands and forests to croplands, as well as reductions in abandoned buildings, fence rows, creek bottoms, and wood piles throughout the region (Crabb 1948, Kaplan and Mead 1991, Gompper and Hackett 2005, Sasse 2017). Woody debris provides access to prey, and a dense understory and overhead cover provide camouflage and protection from avian predators (Lesmeister et al. 2013, Eng et al. 2018). Overharvest, disease, pesticide use, and expanding or increasing predator populations might also have contributed to population declines (Gompper and Hackett 2005, Gompper 2017). Because the plains spotted skunk is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012), it is important to communicate new information on abundance, distribution and ecology of the subspecies. Furthermore, limited data exist on incidental captures of plains spotted skunks by researchers and state agencies (Diggins et al. 2015, Sasse 2018). Data collected through live-capture and non-invasive techniques are needed to improve the effectiveness of management and the understanding of this subspecies (Hackett et al. 2007)

Lifecourse investigation of the cumulative impact of adversity on cognitive function in old age and the mediating role of mental health: longitudinal birth cohort study

Objective: To investigate the accumulation of adversities (duration of exposure to any, economic, psychosocial) across the lifecourse (birth to 63 years) on cognitive function in older age, and the mediating role of mental health. // Design: National birth cohort study. // Setting: Great Britain. // Participants: 5362 singleton births within marriage in England, Wales and Scotland born within 1 week of March 1946, of which 2131 completed at least 1 cognitive assessment. // Main outcome measures: Cognitive assessments included the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III, as a measure of cognitive state, processing speed (timed-letter search task), and verbal memory (word learning task) at 69 years. Scores were standardised to the analytical sample. Mental health at 60–64 years was assessed using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire, with scores standardised to the analytical sample. // Results: After adjusting for sex, increased duration of exposure to any adversity was associated with decreased performance on cognitive state (β=−0.39; 95% CI −0.59 to –0.20) and verbal memory (β=−0.45; 95% CI −0.63 to –0.27) at 69 years, although these effects were attenuated after adjusting for further covariates (childhood cognition and emotional problems, educational attainment). Analyses by type of adversity revealed stronger associations from economic adversity to verbal memory (β=−0.54; 95% CI −0.70 to –0.39), with a small effect remaining even after adjusting for all covariates (β=−0.18; 95% CI −0.32 to –0.03), and weaker associations from psychosocial adversity. Causal mediation analyses found that mental health mediated all associations between duration of exposure to adversity (any, economic, psychosocial) and cognitive function, with around 15% of the total effect of economic adversity on verbal memory attributable to mental health. // Conclusions: Improving mental health among older adults has the potential to reduce cognitive impairments, as well as mitigate against some of the effect of lifecourse accumulation of adversity on cognitive performance in older age

Incidental Captures of Plains Spotted Skunks in Central South Dakota

The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) had a historically broad distribution in the central United States, extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains. This subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) has experienced population declines in recent decades possibly due to habitat loss and reduction of prey through conversion of grasslands and forests to croplands, as well as reductions in abandoned buildings, fence rows, creek bottoms, and wood piles throughout the region (Crabb 1948, Kaplan and Mead 1991, Gompper and Hackett 2005, Sasse 2017). Woody debris provides access to prey, and a dense understory and overhead cover provide camouflage and protection from avian predators (Lesmeister et al. 2013, Eng et al. 2018). Overharvest, disease, pesticide use, and expanding or increasing predator populations might also have contributed to population declines (Gompper and Hackett 2005, Gompper 2017). Because the plains spotted skunk is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012), it is important to communicate new information on abundance, distribution and ecology of the subspecies. Furthermore, limited data exist on incidental captures of plains spotted skunks by researchers and state agencies (Diggins et al. 2015, Sasse 2018). Data collected through live-capture and non-invasive techniques are needed to improve the effectiveness of management and the understanding of this subspecies (Hackett et al. 2007)