Forest regeneration and edge effects : an ecophysiological analysis after gap-cutting

As continuous cover forestry is an ongoing topic in todays forest debate, questions are raised about eventual issues connected to the management. It is known that seedling performance can be poor near the edge of harvested areas, and around retained trees. This is a critical issue in transitioning toward continuous cover forestry. In the current thesis, seedling abundance and biomass was quantified as a function of the distance to overstory trees after gap-cutting. The gaps had been either planted, planted and scarified, or left as untreated controls. In each gap, sample plots (2m radius) were laid out at distances -10 m (outside the gap, under canopy), 3 m, 10 m and 20 m. Incoming radiation and soil moisture was also measured in each gap. Seedling foliar nitrogen and isotopic analyses (13C/12C and 15N/14N ratio) were also performed to investigate potential causes of observed patterns. Results showed a clear reduction of growth (94%) at the edge compared to the center of the gaps. Proximity to edge-trees had negative effect on both seedling density and biomass, irrespective of treatment. Nitrogen concentration and 15N/14N was lower along the gap edge, while 13C/12C showed the opposite. No signs of light and soil moisture as limiting factors for seedlings growth could be observed. The results implied that competition for nutrients, mainly N, from retained edge-trees was restraining seedlings. The results also indicated presence of a Nsource accessible for center-seedlings but not edge-seedlings, which could be decomposing mycorrhizal mycelium

A Call to Revitalize Mental Health Wellness Practices for Black, Indigenous, & College Students of Color

Given the challenges faced by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities within the U.S. this year, it is more important than ever to ensure BIPOC college students are provided with access to mental health care

The Gig is Up: Supporting Non-Standard Workers Now and After Coronavirus

This issue brief discusses the specific COVID-19 related challenges of three gig work populations: rideshare and delivery drivers; hair stylists, barbers, and aestheticians; and sex workers

Initial investigation of wildflower honey using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for geographical information

Honey has been used as a food, sugar substitute, and flavor enhancer forever. The uses for honey are extremely varied from food to medicine. It is widely touted that you can address seasonal allergies, especially those following a move, by eating local honey. For this to be true the composition of the local honey, including trapped pollen, would allow allergy symptoms to be eliminated. In this project, the volatile and semi-volatile aroma compounds in wild flower honey from several different locations were analyzed. Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to help develop the characteristic flavor and aroma profiles of each honey analyzed. Then in combination with statistical analysis, such as principle component and cluster analysis, the data allowed for the characterizing of these honeys based on location. The goal of this project is to detect regional variations in honey to begin to establish the idea of terroir for honey

Creating art from research:a theatre play based on research interviews with senior therapists

The growing scope and influence of qualitative research methodologies has generated an interest in the use of art-informed approaches to disseminating research findings. In the present article, our aim is to present a methodological case study of the development of a theatre play based on a qualitative study of senior therapists' life and work. Lessons learned from this project are presented in relation to ethical issues, the process through which qualitative data are transformed into a theatre performance, and the distinctive perspective afforded by a dramaturgical approach. Implications for research practice are discussed

Childhood Obesity in America: What Role Does the Food Industry Play?

The objective of this research is to determine the impact of the food industry on childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a growing health problem in the U.S that must be addressed properly and reduced effectively. To help fight the growing battle of childhood obesity, the food industry (and media) must work with the government to help the consumer make healthy food choices by enhancing consumer knowledge through nutritional education, promoting nutritional awareness, providing clear nutritional facts, developing and improving healthier product choices, and providing more controlled portion sizes. Presenting consumers with these things will hopefully motivate them to make a better lifestyle change and potentially control our struggle with childhood obesity.Ope

Scoping and Design Considerations for APS and ADA Curb Ramps

The project scope and budget for traffic contracts is often very limited. In this session we will address questions about when existing curb ramps and pedestrian push-buttons must be replaced on traffic contracts and when replacement is optional. We will also review INDOT’s selection criteria for accessible pedestrian signals

Behavioural outcomes of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Mood and anxiety disorders are some of the biggest contributors to morbidity worldwide, and may be lethal. Appropriate treatment is therefore paramount. Antidepressant medications constitute the primary pharmacological treatment for these disorders, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the most common type in several Western countries. While developed to treat disorders that increase the risk of violence and suicide, there is concern that SSRI treatment may in itself increase the risk for these behavioural outcomes, especially among young people. The overarching aim of this thesis is therefore to contribute to the understanding of the risks and benefits of treatment with SSRIs in relation to severe behavioural outcomes in different age groups, including when SSRIs are combined with other central nervous system (CNS) drugs. We also document antidepressant prescription patterns in young individuals – the age group where the balance between benefits and risks of antidepressant treatment is least clear. In study I, we described the prevalence of antidepressant use and polypharmacy of CNS drugs with antidepressants over time in children, adolescents, and young adults living in Sweden. We found that, over time, there was an increasing trend in antidepressant use and an increase in the co-prescription of antidepressants with other CNS drugs. We also found that antidepressant users had higher likelihood than population controls of collecting other CNS drug classes additionally to antidepressants. In Study II, we investigated the hazard of conviction for violent crimes during treatment with SSRIs, including in different time periods since start and end of treatment. In a follow-up of up to 8 years, we found that the hazard of violent crime was statistically significantly elevated throughout treatment periods, and for up to 12 weeks after the end of treatment. This was true in youths as well as older adults, which adds to prior research that has found elevated risk of aggression outcomes during SSRI treatment in young adults but not older individuals. In Study III, we explored the incidence rate of suicide attempts or deaths (suicidal behaviour) in time periods before and after initiation of SSRI treatment. We found that the month immediately prior to SSRI treatment initiation was associated with the greatest incidence rate of suicidal behaviour, that treatment periods up to one year after treatment initiation were associated with lower incidence rate compared to the month immediately before initiation, and that the incidence rate gradually decreased over treatment time. However, all treated periods had higher incidence rates than the month one year before treatment start. These patterns were consistent across age categories, including among children and young adults. In Study IV, we applied a data-driven screening approach to compare the incidence rate of suicidal behaviour in periods after and before initiation of additional CNS drugs during continuous SSRI treatment. We found several drugs that were associated with statistically significantly reduced incidence rate of suicidal behaviour when initiated during SSRI treatment, and only two associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviour. We found no evidence of harmful effects of combining SSRIs with additional CNS drugs. Many of the signals of reduced suicidal behaviour correspond to prior evidence; novel signals could be further investigated to evaluate the use of these drugs concurrently with SSRI treatment. In conclusion, the presented thesis has documented: the increasing prevalence of antidepressant use and polypharmacy of antidepressants with other CNS drugs in young individuals resident in Sweden; the associations between SSRI use and violent crime and suicidal behaviour; and the impact of initiating other CNS drugs during SSRI treatment on the risk for suicidal behaviour. The findings are expected to help guide future research and clinical decision making

Black Lives Matter: Police Brutality in the Era of COVID-19

Although police brutality and COVID-19 are separate tragedies, they intersect. This brief describes how, from COVID-19 to police brutality, the U.S. black population consistently bears the burden of life-threatening consequences due to structural racism throughout multiple institutions

PORTRAYALS OF BLACK WOMEN ON TELEVISION & THE SHIFT IN THEIR REPRESENTATION: AN ANALYSIS OF SCANDAL & INSECURE

This paper is an in depth research that focuses on the experiences and representations of Black women in popular television shows like Scandal and Insecure. The research will show how these portrayals effect Black women in society and the impressions of Black women by the viewers of these television shows. Black women have always been the center of misrepresentations in television leading to limitations in character roles and appearances. These stereotypical roles effect how others look at Black women and it can also reflect on how Black women view themselves. The portrayals I will focus on will be stereotypes, occupational roles and physical appearance. An interpretative textual analysis and content analysis will explore two shows that have Black women as the main characters: Scandal & Insecure. The analysis will present a historical background of Black women stereotypes and compare their portrayals to Insecure and Scandal.. I’ll determine whether these shows are progressive at shifting away from stereotypes or perpetuating them. I’ll also examine the role of television/media with regards to these stereotypes. My conclusion is interesting because both series are written and directed by Black women, Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae. Nevertheless, with this progressive leadership, these shows have the potential to shift towards improving Black women’s representation on television