THE FEASIBILITY OF WETLAND RESTORATION TO REDUCE FLOODING IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY: A CASE STUDY OF THE MAPLE RIVER WATERSHED, NORTH DAKOTA

The economic feasibility of alternative wetland restoration activities to store water and reduce flood damage was evaluated in the Maple River Watershed, North Dakota, a sub-watershed of the Red River of the North Watershed. The evaluation was based on recent hydrologic modeling and wetland restoration studies, the National Wetland Inventory, local land rental values, and site-specific historical flood damage. With benefit-cost ratios ranging from 0.08 to 0.13, neither simple wetland restoration based on plugging existing drains, nor restoration with outlet control devices, nor complete restoration intended to provide a full range of wetland-based environmental services were economically feasible over a 20-year future period. Peak flood stages and flood damage would need to be reduced by between 4 and 12 percent in order for wetland restoration options to break even. The inclusion of additional wetland benefits did not make wetland restoration economically feasible. It is, therefore, not recommended that public funds be used for extensive wetland restoration projects throughout the Maple River Watershed or the Red River Valley in order to reduce flood damage.Economic feasibility, wetland restoration, flooding, Red River Valley, Land Economics/Use,

On the relationship between sigma models and spin chains

We consider the two-dimensional $\rm O(3)$ non-linear sigma model with topological term using a lattice regularization introduced by Shankar and Read [Nucl.Phys. B336 (1990), 457], that is suitable for studying the strong coupling regime. When this lattice model is quantized, the coefficient $\theta$ of the topological term is quantized as $\theta=2\pi s$, with $s$ integer or half-integer. We study in detail the relationship between the low energy behaviour of this theory and the one-dimensional spin-$s$ Heisenberg model. We generalize the analysis to sigma models with other symmetries.Comment: To appear in Int. J. MOd. Phys.

The “Gaijin Henro” : Outliers, Discrimination, and Time Variability with Pilgrimage in Shikoku

The diaries of foreign pilgrims on the Shikoku henro provide us with exceptional data to understand the experience of the pilgrimage. These narratives feature unique approaches, religious interpretations, and social interactions while walking the 1200 km journey. In particular, they curiously shed light on perceptions of discrimination while navigating the henro trail. I argue that the accounts of foreign pilgrims, like many of those by Japanese pilgrims, demonstrate that time-related factors are primary drivers of the pilgrimage experience. Time features of these lengthy religious journeys offer a potent area of analysis for the global field of pilgrimage studies

APOL1 CKD Risk Alleles in New Mexico African American and American Indian Populations: Racial Disparity

Purpose/Background: Two haplotypes of human apolipoprotein L1 gene (gene: APOL1; protein: ApoL1) harboring three coding sequence mutations have been demonstrated as risk variants associated with non-diabetic chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in African Americans. The first one, termed G1, is a two non-synonymous SNP haplotype (rs73885319 (A\u3eG; p.S342G) and rs60910145 (G\u3eT; p.I384M). The second one, termed G2, is a two codon deletion haplotype rs71785313 (6-bp in frame deletion) These two coding-sequence variants have been discovered in CKD patients of African ancestry and linked to the pathogenesis of primary focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), hypertension-attributed kidney disease, and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), under a recessive inheritance pattern. Marked disparities exist in races, rates, and etiological classifications of CDK between African Americans (AAs) and European Americans. Sequencing and genotyping analysis of known APOL1 SNPs showed that only APOL1 G1 and G2 confer kidney risk, and other common and rare APOL1 missense variants, including the G3 haplotype, do not contribute to FSGS and HIVAN in the US population. According to the report of US census bureau, African American and American Indian (AI) citizens in New Mexico make up nearly 2.5% and 10.9% of the state\u27s entire population in 2018 (2). However, whether APOL1 G1 and G2 kidney-risk alleles are linked with hypertension-attributed CKD in AAs and AIs in New Mexico has not been investigated. Materials & Methods: We analyzed the published results of a retrospective analysis of inpatient and discharge data from hospitals across the state of New Mexico, known as Hospital Inpatient and Discharge Dataset (HIDD; 3). Results: A pattern persisted for all three years (2012-2014) that AAs had the highest rate of CKD followed by AIs per 10,000 population in New Mexico. AAs had the highest age adjusted rate of CKD with hypertension at 102.6 per 10,000 population (29.7% (102.6/345.7) of all CKD with hypertension patients) followed by American Indians at 91.9 (26.6% (91.9/345.7) of all CKD with hypertension patients). Interestingly, in terms of CKD with diabetes, AIs had the highest age adjusted rate at 79.9 per 10,000 followed by AAs at 66.5. Discussion/Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD with hypertension in AA and AI populations is significantly high in New Mexico, To understand the etiology of CKD in AAs and AIs in New Mexico, genotyping the APOL1 G1 and G2 risk alleles in these two populations is warranted. Detection of APOL1 associations with CKD and delineation of injury pathways (autophagy, necroptosis and ferroptosis) would bring hope for effective treatment for these kidney diseases. In addition, modifier loci can influence APOL1 risk for the development of CKD. ‘Second hits’, for example viral and environmental, may alter the outcome of APOL1 risk variants

Modeling and Simulation of Commercial Satellite Imagery Processes

The purpose of this research was to develop a general, statistical model of order-to-delivery times for commercial satellite imagery. The research looked at the current four satellite providers with 3-meter or better imagers in the context of a generalized model of commercial imaging satellite operations. Existing methods use orbit analysis tools to determine the imaging time of a specified target based on defined satellite position and times, but can only develop shortest and longest times to an imaging opportunity. To address the general question of the time it takes to deliver an image for non-specific targets, this research develops a process model using Arena simulation software and random targets within large defined regions. Analysis of delivery times conducted on the output reveals dependencies on collective satellite coverage, prediction of weather over the target area, the number of collection requests in the system, and the computer and communications resources of the satellite operator

Job Competencies, Career Paths, and Educational Backgrounds of fortune 500 Training Directors

This study examined the job competencies, career paths, and educational backgrounds of training directors and also compared the responses of male and female training directors in an attempt to identify possible sources of justification for reported male/female salary differences. Data for the study were gathered through the use of two questionnaires. The first was based on a part of the American Society for Training and Development\u27s (ASTD) 1987-1989 Competency and Standards Study. Additionally, a demographic questionnaire dealing with biographical, educational, and professional characteristics was self-developed. Both were mailed to training directors in all Fortune 500 companies. Major findings include: (1) all of the ASTD competencies received at least a moderately useful rating; (2) many of the training directors had worked in the field of training or in a related business field prior to becoming a training director and over one-fifth had worked in the field of education; (3) a number of undergraduate majors were represented among the training directors, but business was the most popular master\u27s major and education was the most popular doctoral major; (4) 95.8% of the training directors had completed a bachelor\u27s degree, over 70% had some graduate education, 40.6% had completed a master\u27s degree, and 15.2% had completed a doctorate; and (5) statistically significant gender differences were found in the rating of two competencies (intellectual versatility and project management skill), in age, in salaries, in years in training and development, and in years as a training director. Several recommendations were made. The preparation, selection, and assessment of trainers should be guided by the competencies identified in the survey. Career paths should focus on lower level training positions, human resources development, and education. Students should focus their studies on business, education, and related majors. Trainers should strongly consider pursuing graduate education. Women should be encouraged that gender differences related to job competencies, career paths, and educational backgrounds are slight

Vertical Pilgrimage : Japanese Mountain Religious Experience and American Big Wall Climbing

Looking carefully at the most popular contemporary pilgrimage in Japan, the Shikoku henro, and Japanese mountain ascetic traditions more generally, we can probe an intriguing mode of sacred travel that I characterize as“ vertical pilgrimage.” I demonstrate that religious training centered on holy mountains and rocks can be seminal in the making of a Japanese Buddhist saint and is instrumental in the formation of long-standing pilgrimage institutions. I argue that vertical pilgrimage in Japan, which is structured on ascetic emphasis, repetition, and risk-fueled concentration, can offer theoretical orientations that have real utility in other mountain pilgrimage contexts. To illustrate this analytical efficacy, I introduce the case of vertical pilgrimage on El Capitan in Yosemite, California