Snag Availability and Preference of Cavity-Nesting Species in Philadelphia Urban Parks

In addition to habitat destruction and fragmentation, the removal of standing dead trees, known as snags, for safety and aesthetic purposes has increased pressure on cavity-nesting species to find resources for shelter, food, and nesting especially in isolated urban forest islands. Forested, riparian habitat in two Philadelphia urban parks (Wissahickon Valley Park and Cobbs Creek Park) was monitored for cavity nesting in four 0.5-acre circular sampling plots to determine their habitat suitability. Bird presence and nests were recorded during the nesting season of mid-April through mid-July in 2021 and 2022. Habitat assessments were completed in November 2021 and April 2022. Dead or dying trees (snags), as well as living trees with cavities, were also recorded and categorized by species and diameter at breast height. Across all plots, the most abundant cavity-nesting species in 2021 and 2022 was the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolina) while Plot C1 had the most standing deadwood. Information from this study could be used to inform management of forest islands and urban parks through nesting box programs, snag maintenance, and greater conservation efforts to improve biodiversity. Despite forest islands such as Cobbs Creek Park and Wissahickon Valley Park being adversely affected by a lack of resources, they still offer crucial habitat for many bird species, especially cavitynesters. However, many forest islands could improve through nesting box programs, snag maintenance, and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, it is important to work on conserving the remaining woodlands of the east coast, reconnecting isolated patches where possible, and encouraging the overall health and biodiversity of these forests so that they can support and encourage healthy bird populations with an emphasis on the less well-known cavity nesting species that have more limited nesting opportunities

Mechanisms of urethral continence and their clinical application

Controversy about the basic nature of urethral function does not preclude accurate clinical assessment of disorders of function. While the precise method of treatment of urethral continence dysfunction varies from institution to institution, the basic techniques are quite similar. It is the application of a treatment method to a particular case which causes difficulty. It is important, therefore, to have some understanding of the functional elements in the urethral continence mechanism to be able to determine which element does not function. Most cases of intractable incontinence are associated with poor function of the involuntary part of the sphincter. In general, peak urethral closing pressures are unrelated to continence function unless there is no pressure at all.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47059/1/345_2004_Article_BF00326702.pd

Studies of the Venerable Bede, the Great Famine of 1315-1322, and Libraries in Prisoner of War Camps

This paper includes three studies about the Venerable Bede, the Great Famine of 1315-1322, and libraries in prisoner of war camps. The study of the Venerable Bede focuses on his views on and understanding of time, especially its relation to the Easter computus. The second study is a historiography of the Great Famine of 1315-1322, with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of the catastrophe. The third paper is a study of the libraries that were provided for German soldiers in prisoner of war camps in the United States during World War II, which includes an analysis of the role of reading in the United States’ attempt to re-educate the German prisoners

Disasters, the Stories We Share

Disasters: Stories we share, a traveling exhibit is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Each host site created an exhibit banner based on events in their community. Additional content was included in the virtual exhibit https://disasterexhibit.org/. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this oral history collection, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities (www.neh.gov).For over 100 years, Red River floods defined the cities and people who experienced the rising waters ? not only due to the destruction, but the feelings and relationships developed during a time of restoration. Some areas may still show the wear and tear of the flood, but nearby restaurants, shops, and other small businesses are alive and bustling. The images in the exhibit show a community with some scars, but one that continued to thrive. The subject of floods was chosen for the Fargo-Moorhead portion of the traveling exhibit and was a collaboration between Trista Raezer-Stursa, University Archivist, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Chelsea Olmsted, Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria, Minnesota; and Susanne Caro, Government Information Librarian, North Dakota State University Libraries.The National Endowment for the Humanities