The role of religious beliefs and practice in the lives of older men in residential nursing homes: a case study of the role of Islam in nursing homes in Saudi Arabia and the implications for policy and practice

Increasing attention in the social science literature, particularly within the sociology of religion, psychology and gerontology is being given to the role of religion in the lives of older people. Moreover, research has repeatedly identified religion as a significant coping resource throughout human life. Through the use of the biographical narrative method of interviewing, and the subsequent thematic analysis of the data, this study focuses on the role of religious beliefs and practices in the life experiences of older men in two selected Saudi nursing homes. The research demonstrates the positive influence of religion on adjustment processes in later life in general and specifically on adjusting to life in a nursing home. The study shows that religion serves as an important thread of integration in older men's lives. As they grew older, the respondents in this research had become more religious and more involved in religious practices. The study found that religion was an important dimension in their everyday life. All of them had integrated religious beliefs and practices into their lives to help them respond positively to the difficulties which they experienced. Above all, they strongly believed that leading a religious (Islamic) life was their duty as Muslims and this would also lead to their being rewarded by God in the Hereafter, as they believed that a truly happy life would come after death. Based upon its findings, the study highlights the need to acknowledge the importance of religion in the social care provision for older people in Saudi Arabia, for example, in counselling, in social work provision in general and within residential homes for older men in particular

Surface sediment and phytoplankton diatoms across a trophic gradient in tropical reservoirs: new records for Brazil and São Paulo State

ABSTRACT This, study aimed to inventory the diatom flora of tropical reservoirs from southeastern region of Brazil under oligo- to hypereutrophic conditions. We collected diatom samples from the surface sediment and phytoplankton (summer and winter) in 41 sites (ten reservoirs). Seventy-eight taxa, distributed in 28 genera, were identified in the surface sediment and phytoplankton samples. Nizschia was the most representative genus, with nine species. Six taxa represent new records for Brazil and six for São Paulo State; ten taxa were identified at the genus level and probably represent new species. Additionally, this study contributed with data on the ecology of the species and evidenced the necessity of floristic surveys to improve the knowledge about tropical diatom biodiversity

Coscinodiscophyceae and Fragilariophyceae (Diatomeae) in the Iguaçu River, Paraná, Brazil

A taxonomic survey was carried out on Coscinodiscophyceae and Fragilariophyceae found in the Iguaçu River catchment area within Iguaçu National Park, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Between September 2007 and August 2008, we collected 24 samples from two stations on the Iguaçu River, upstream and downstream of the falls. We identified 37 taxa, including 22 specific and infraspecific taxa of Coscinodiscophyceae, together with 15 specific and infraspecific taxa of Fragilariophyceae. Melosira ruttneri Hustedt and Fragilaria alpestris Krasske ex Hustedt represent new records for Brazil

Composition and distribution of diatom assemblages from core and surface sediments of a water supply reservoir in Southeastern Brazil

Fresh water biodiversity is an increasing concern due to growing human impact. Herein, we report a long-term survey (ca. 90 years) of sedimentary diatoms and the modern flora from surface sediments and their biodiversity changes along a eutrophication gradient. Study was carried out in one of the most important water supply reservoirs (Guarapiranga Reservoir) of São Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil. Results are based on 75 core subsamples (subfossil assemblages from core) previously dated by 210Pb and 14 samples from surface sediments (modern assemblages). Overall, 84 taxa were reported, belonging to 30 genera, 71 species and eight non-typical varieties, besides five probable new taxa. Results expanded two new additions for the Brazilian diatom flora (Chamaepinnularia submuscicula and Stauroneis acidoclinata) and 30 infrageneric taxa for the state of São Paulo. 47.6% of total taxa inventoried were accounted exclusively for the subfossil assemblages indicating a significant biodiversity change over time. Access to past oligotrophic conditions and to contemporary mesotrophic regions of the Guarapiranga Reservoir accounted for these new additions representing 25% of the total diatom flora. Decline in the total species number along the trophic state gradient occurred for subfossil and modern assemblages. This pattern was even clearer when considering the changes in species richness over time.Eunotia with 21 taxa was the far most represented genera particularly in the oligotrophic phase. During the transitional period (1947-1974), richness gradually declined. With the onset (in the 1970s) and the major eutrophication period (since ca. 1990) occurred a drastic reduction in richness and the replacement of oligotrophic to eutrophic species. Human management also caused abrupt changes in richness. Marked decline occurred (1933) assotiated with hydrological impacts (water discharge increase) with the initial use of the reservoir as a public water supply. Unlike, sudden increase occurred probably associated with the application of algaecide to control cyanobacterial blooms. Present findings highlight the need for surveying the diatom assemblages in protected environments or in less degraded conditions for biodiversity assessment. Furthermore, reinforce the use of paleolimnological approach as in many cases the only tool to assess biodiversity changes encompassing time scales relevant to human-induced degradation and pre-anthropogenic impacts

Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) of Iguaçu National Park, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

This study represents a taxonomic survey of class Bacillariophyceae diatoms found in samples collected in the Iguaçu River (Iguaçu National Park, municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná, Brazil) between August 2007 and July 2008. Two sampling stations were utilized, the first located upstream of Iguaçu Falls (Cais Bananeiras Station) and second downstream of the falls (Cais Macuco Safari Station). The study resulted in the identification of 86 taxa, including 74 at the specific level and seven taxonomic varieties. Two of these had never before been documented in the state of Paraná: Gomphonema gibberum Hustedt and Pinnularia meridiana Metzeltin & Krammer. Nine are first-time records for Brazil: Cymbella charrua Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & García-Rodríguez, Placoneis ovillus Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & García-Rodríguez, Gomphonema affinopsis Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & García-Rodríguez, , Gomphosphenia lingulatiformis (Lange-Bertalot & Reichardt) Lange-Bertalot, Luticola aequatorialis (Heiden) Lange-Bertalot & Ohtsuka, Sellaphora garciarodriguezii Metzeltin & Lange-Bertalot, Eolimna submuralis (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot Kulikovskiy, Geissleria neosubtropica Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & García-Rodríguez and Stauroneis cf. sylviabonillae Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & García-Rodríguez