Ecological CO2 Flux of a Green Roof Ecosystem and a Typical Grassland Ecosystem

The Hillside Auditorium Green Roof is a low impact development feature on the University of Arkansas campus. It retains storm water and allows plants living on the roof to take up and transpire the water. Green roofs work to mimic natural ecosystems in urban environments. A key property is ecosystem respiration, which plays a large role in the global carbon cycle and is an important biologic activity indicator. The ecosystem respiration of Hillside Auditorium Green Roof was compared to a typical grassland ecosystem at the University of Arkansas farm to determine how closely the green roof is able to mimic this ecosystem. The CO2 flux was compared to multiple parameters, such as soil temperature, soil moisture content, soil organic matter content, and amount of vegetation in testing area. The CO2 flux was found to have a positive relation with soil temperature on the green roof. There was little correlation between CO2 flux and soil moisture content on the green roof. There was a significant relationship between the CO2 flux and soil moisture content at the BENG Lab. In theory, increased amounts of organic matter will increase the flux of CO2 from the soil; however, the two study locations were found to have similar organic matter contents, and a conclusion could not be drawn if amount of organic matter caused a higher flux rate or not. The amount of vegetation in the study area will increase the amount of respiration and therefore increase the CO2 flux. Overall, the green roof had statistically higher rates of CO2 flux during the spring season

Prevalence and management of diabetes among the uninsured: A multicenter study in Tampa Bay, FL.

AIMS: This study describes the prevalence and management of uninsured patients with diabetes in free clinics around the Tampa Bay area. METHODS: A retrospective chart review collected data from uninsured patients who visited nine free clinics from January 2016 to December 2017. The data included sociodemographics, chronic disease diagnoses and treatments, and social history. Statistical analysis including chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to describe patients with diabetes. RESULTS: With a prevalence of 19.41% among 6815 uninsured patients and a mean HbA1c of 7.9% (63 mmol/mol), patients with diabetes were more likely to be White, women, obese, unemployed, and have hypertension and depression compared to patients without diabetes. There were no significant differences in sociodemographic variables between those with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. Among the variables studied by logistic regression, unemployment was found to be a significant predictor of poor glycemic control among men. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is a challenging chronic disease among the uninsured of Tampa Bay due to its prevalence and suboptimal glycemic control. Obesity and unemployment represent significant challenges that increase the burden of diabetes among the uninsured. Free clinics may benefit from additional resources and intervention programs, with future research assessing their effects on care outcomes