An Assessment of Artificial Floating Islands as a Method of Habitat Creation in Marine Environments

Most megacities are located adjacent to the coast due to the continuous seaward migration of human populations; a process referred to as marine urban sprawl. The subsequent hardening of the natural coastline has caused the loss and degradation of coastal habitats. In order to halt, mitigate and compensate for further losses of biodiversity, it is important that habitat restoration techniques with involve ecological engineering are considered. Artificial floating islands (AFIs) are a habitat creation method used to improve water quality and support biodiversity in aquatic environments. This study aimed to assess the installation of AFIs as a restoration tool in heavily modified coastal water bodies. That included investigating: the suitability of halophytes for transplantation into the AFI matrix; the biofouling communities that establish on the AFIs; the abundance, species richness and behaviour of fish in association with AFIs; the density and behaviour of birds in association with the AFIs; and the public perception of current environmental concerns and therefore, opinion on AFIs as an ecological engineering method. Based on the results of this study sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides) would be recommended for transplantation on AFIs installed in saline environments. The invertebrate community assemblages were notably controlled by the primary settlement of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and Australian tubeworm (Ficopomatus enigmaticus). Juvenile phase European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gull (Laridae) spp. foraged on the benthic invertebrates that fouled the AFIs underside and European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) rested in the matrix. The public supported the use of AFIs in coastal environments but concerns regarding maintenance and degradation were raised. In conclusion, this study highlighted the importance of AFI size, structure, location and vegetation cover as these factors influence the species composition, degree of isolation and environmental exposure, contributing to the overall success of AFI deployments in heavily modified coastal water bodies

Incorporation of Video Vignettes into Pharmacy Residency Application Processes

This commentary discusses the introduction of video vignettes (VVs) into the context of pharmacy residency application processes. An extension of the conversation around which items are requested of pharmacy candidates when applying to pharmacy residency programs is provided. In conjunction with other documents that provide insights into candidates’ abilities, video vignettes (VVs) are presented as viable considerations to gain additional perspective. Implications for time-saving and cost conservation by utilizing VVs are also in view. Hiring employees will presumably have the latitude to require the content of VVs to address aspects deemed more relevant to their institutional operating procedures. Foreseeable benefits and challenges to video vignette (VV) adoption are described within this setting. Counterpoints are presented in response to disadvantages to adoption that may surface. An example of a VV has been crafted to actualize sample components that may be feasible for future use. The challenges faced by healthcare facilities to filling pharmacy residency positions from a vast number of applicants remain pronounced. Creativity in the pharmacy residency selection process is often stifled by routinized methods of application review. Innovative models such as VVs could offer a refreshing alternative to candidates for showcasing individualities and perhaps afford evaluating bodies a unique resource for further candidate differentiation.   Type: Commentar

Dynamic distribution modelling of the swamp tigertail dragonflySynthemis eustalacta(Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae) over a 20‐year bushfire regime

Intensity and severity of bushfires in Australia have increased over the past few decades due to climate change, threatening habitat loss for numerous species. Although the impact of bushfires on vertebrates is well-documented, the corresponding effects on insect taxa are rarely examined, although they are responsible for key ecosystem functions and services. Understanding the effects of bushfire seasons on insect distributions could elucidate long-term impacts and patterns of ecosystem recovery. Here, the authors investigated the effects of recent bushfires, land-cover change, and climatic variables on the distribution of a common and endemic dragonfly, the swamp tigertail (Synthemis eustalacta) (Burmeister, 1839), which inhabits forests that have recently undergone severe burning. The authors used a temporally dynamic species distribution modelling approach that incorporated 20 years of community-science data on dragonfly occurrence and predictors based on fire, land cover, and climate to make yearly predictions of suitability. The authors also compared this to an approach that combines multiple temporally static models that use annual data. The authors found that for both approaches, fire-specific variables had negligible importance for the models, while the percentage of tree and non-vegetative cover were most important. The authors also found that the dynamic model outperformed the static ones, based on cross-validation omission rate. Model predictions indicated temporal variation in area and spatial arrangement of suitable habitat, but no patterns of habitat expansion, contraction, or shifting. These results highlight not only the efficacy of dynamic modelling to capture spatiotemporal variables such as vegetation cover for an endemic insect species, but also provide a novel approach to mapping species distributions with sparse locality records.journal articl

Student Tributes to Professor Kent Newmyer

The following are the published remarks of the students and former students of Professor Kent Newmyer who spoke at a celebration honoring his work on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the University of Connecticut School of Law

Public perception of coastal habitat loss and habitat creation using artificial floating islands in the UK

Eco-engineering and the installation of green infrastructure such as artificial floating islands (AFIs), are novel techniques used to support biodiversity. The European Convention on Biological Diversity highlighted the development of green infrastructure as a key method of enhancement in degraded habitats. Research specifically on AFIs in marine environments has largely focused on their ecological functioning role and engineering outcomes, with little consideration for the social benefits or concerns. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of public perception of coastal habitat loss in the UK and AFIs as a method of habitat creation in coastal environments. This was achieved via a survey, consisting of six closed and two open questions. Of the 200 respondents, 94.5% were concerned about the loss of coastal habitats in the UK, but less than a third were aware of habitat restoration or creation projects in their area of residence. There was a positive correlation between proximity of residency to the coast and knowledge of habitat restoration or creation projects. The majority of the respondents understood the ecological functioning role of AFIs and 62% would preferably want successful plant growth and avian species utilising the AFI. Nearly a third of the respondents had concerns about AFI installations, such as the degradation of the plastic matrix, long term maintenance and disturbance of native species. Despite 90.9% of the respondents supporting the installation of AFIs, the concerns of the public must be addressed during the planning stages of any habitat creation project

A Redescription of Pericapritermes ceylonicus (Holmgren, 1911) (Blattodea, Isoptera, Termitidae) and First Record from India

Until now, the occurrence of Pericapritermes ceylonicus (Holmgren) was not confirmed in the Indian mainland. Here, we document the occurrence of this species from Karnataka state constituting its first report from India. The species was identified based on the soldier caste, and the worker characters were described for the first time, including the digestive tube and enteric valve armature. The enteric valve was characterized by the presence of gradually reducing triangular spines. The study provides the basis for further taxonomic characterization of Pericapritermes occurring in India using gut morphology of workers

High Acceptability for Cell Phone Text Messages to Improve Communication of Laboratory Results with HIV-infected Patients in Rural Uganda: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Background: Patient-provider communication is a major challenge in resource-limited settings with large catchment areas. Though mobile phone usership increased 20-fold in Africa over the past decade, little is known about acceptability of, perceptions about disclosure and confidentiality, and preferences for cell phone communication of health information in the region. Methods: We performed structured interviews of fifty patients at the Immune Suppression Syndrome clinic in Mbarara, Uganda to assess four domains of health-related communication: a) cell phone use practices and literacy, b) preferences for laboratory results communication, c) privacy and confidentiality, and d) acceptability of and preferences for text messaging to notify patients of abnormal test results. Results: Participants had a median of 38 years, were 56% female, and were residents of a large catchment area throughout southwestern Uganda. All participants expressed interest in a service to receive information about laboratory results by cell phone text message, stating benefits of increased awareness of their health and decreased transportation costs. Ninety percent reported that they would not be concerned for unintended disclosure. A minority additionally expressed concerns about difficulty interpreting messages, discouragement upon learning bad news, and technical issues. Though all respondents expressed interest in password protection of messages, there was also a strong desire for direct messages to limit misinterpretation of information. Conclusions: Cell phone text messaging for communication of abnormal laboratory results is highly acceptable in this cohort of HIV-infected patients in rural Uganda. The feasibility of text messaging, including an optimal balance between privacy and comprehension, should be further studied. A supplemental file containing the cell phone survey used in this research is attached below. Note: At the time of writing, David Bangsberg was affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Ragon Institute

P2‐540: Polygenetic Risk For Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia Status

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153242/1/alzjjalz2019062948.pd

P3‐558: Exposures Prior To Age 16 Are Associated With Dementia Status In The Health And Retirement Study

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152762/1/alzjjalz2019063595.pd