Evaluating the Variability of Urban Land Surface Temperatures Using Drone Observations

Urbanization and climate change are driving increases in urban land surface temperatures that pose a threat to human and environmental health. To address this challenge, we must be able to observe land surface temperatures within spatially complex urban environments. However, many existing remote sensing studies are based upon satellite or aerial imagery that capture temperature at coarse resolutions that fail to capture the spatial complexities of urban land surfaces that can change at a sub-meter resolution. This study seeks to fill this gap by evaluating the spatial variability of land surface temperatures through drone thermal imagery captured at high-resolutions (13 cm). In this study, flights were conducted using a quadcopter drone and thermal camera at two case study locations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and El Paso, Texas. Results indicate that land use types exhibit significant variability in their surface temperatures (3.9–15.8 °C) and that this variability is influenced by surface material properties, traffic, weather and urban geometry. Air temperature and solar radiation were statistically significant predictors of land surface temperature (R2 0.37–0.84) but the predictive power of the models was lower for land use types that were heavily impacted by pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The findings from this study ultimately elucidate factors that contribute to land surface temperature variability in the urban environment, which can be applied to develop better temperature mitigation practices to protect human and environmental health

Evaluating Variability of Urban Land Surface Temperatures Using Drone Observations

Temperature represents one of the largest impairments for rivers and streams across the United States. In Wisconsin alone, over 17 miles of streams are impaired for temperature. This situation is projected to get worse as urban development and climate change accelerate thermal stress on aquatic environments. Management solutions require accurate and reliable models that represent rainfall-runoff temperature dynamics – particularly the characterization of land surface temperatures and how this translates to urban runoff. However, current models may not reflect the thermal profiles of real-world systems because they rely on in-situ equipment limited to point measurements. Limited studies have considered the variability in temperature among urban surface types, which is known to be significant, and this can be a large factor of uncertainty when parameterizing hydrologic models. This lack of spatially representative data can be met with drone and infrared camera technologies that collect spatially distributed temperatures accurate to fractions of a degree Celsius. Therefore, this study addresses this knowledge gap by using drone observations to capture land surface temperature variability and develop land surface temperature models. Results indicate surface temperature variability is extensive and influenced by numerous variables related to urban environments, and that air temperature and solar radiation are significant predictors of mean land surface temperature. Conclusions from this study hold true in both Milwaukee, WI and El Paso, TX, indicating they could also be generalizable to regions beyond these two case study locations

Relationship of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration with Flow, Temperature and BOD for the Big Sioux River Downstream from Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The first phase of the study sought to determine if the past quality of the Big Sioux River in that reach would have been sufficient to meet the adopted standards. The resulting paper (2) by John M. Herreid compared data for the quality parameters available at the Brandon, South Dakota sampling station with the recommended limits for various stream beneficial uses as set forth in the South Dakota Water Quality Standards. The appraisal by Herreid was completed before the addendum was attached to the standards. The major change of consequence in the addendum was essentially that of raising the minim m dissolved oxygen requirement for the river from 2.0 to 4.0 milligrams per liter (mg/1). Consequently the conclusions, as reached by Herreid regarding this parameter, may have been premature. Herreid, however, discussed the past river quality at Brandon in regard to both of these oxygen limits (2-34). This first phase of the study showed that the quality of river water, except for total coliform count, at the Brandon sampling station would have been within the limits established in the standards nearly all of the time. It also demonstrated that the river would have been classified in the intermittent stream category for significant portion of the time in past years and that the frequency of this classification will probably increase in the future. The river is in this category when the wastewater flow compromises 50 percent or more of the total flow of the river. While in this category, the dissolved oxygen requirements for the river water are substantially less stringent than for other categories. A relationship between low flows and poor water quality in the Big Sioux River was also established in Herreid\u27s paper. For this reason it appeared that the quality standards would be most seriously threatened when the flow was just large enough so that the intermittent stream category was not in effect. Recognizing this potential problem, Herreid suggested that sufficient high quality dilution water, from proposed reservoirs upstream of the Big Sioux River and on Skunk Creek, be provided to avoid this problem. This paper reports on a second phase of the study initiated by Herreid. The prime objective of this phase of the study was to determine the relationship between dissolved oxygen, perhaps the most important single parameter, and various river conditions. Data from nine river sampling stations, covering the entire reach of the Big Sioux River affected by wastes discharged in the vicinity of Sioux Falls were utilized to define oxygen concentrations in the river. Thus an analysis of the variation of dissolved oxygen with various river conditions could be ascertained for this river reach

Impact of hurricane Harvey on the results of regional flood frequency analysis

Hurricane Harvey was an unprecedented event that resulted in immense damage to life and property. As a result, it is important to determine how this event, as well as past and future events like it, will impact engineering design equations that are based upon historical data, such as flood frequency analysis equations. This study seeks to contribute to this discussion by evaluating the extent to which Harvey influenced estimations of instantaneous peak discharges in rural ungauged basins in southeast Texas. Results indicate that Harvey significantly increased the computations of design floods using Log‐Pearson Type III analysis (e.g., 3–55% for 2‐year flood and 3–80% for the 100‐year flood). This subsequently impacted the estimation of instantaneous peak discharges through regional flood frequency analysis by up to 28%. These results highlight the influence that recent and future hurricanes can have on engineering design equations that are used for managing floodplains, assessing flood risk, and designing infrastructure such as levees, bridges, and culverts

Stormwater Management Actions Under Regulatory Pressure: A Case Study of Southeast Wisconsin

In the United States, new legislation has given regulatory authorities greater oversight of municipal stormwater management programs. However, estimating the impact of greater oversight on municipal actions is difficult due to the uncertainty in current compliance efforts and their associated costs. This paper seeks to fill this gap through a case study of NPDES stormwater runoff permit reports from municipalities in Southeast Wisconsin. Specifically, this study evaluates the reported actions and expenditures against socioeconomic variables to identify the relationships between cost, socioeconomics, and the best management practices (BMPs) used for compliance. Results indicate that there are distinct differences between municipalities with and without financial and personnel resources, clear high- and low-cost BMPs, and large variation in the practices municipalities implement to meet regulatory requirements. Furthermore, results suggest that regulators should take a flexible and pragmatic approach that considers individual municipal constraints and limitations when exercising greater regulatory authority

Public pension accounting rules and economic outcomes

We find a negative association between a state׳s fiscal condition and the use of discretion in applying Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules to understate pension funding gaps. We also find that the use of discretion is negatively associated with states’ decisions to increase taxes and cut spending. In addition, we find that the funding gap understatement is positively associated with higher future labor costs. Importantly, this association is primarily attributable to the GASB methodology, which systematically understates the funding gap. This suggests that the GASB approach is associated with policy choices that have the potential to exacerbate fiscal stress. Keywords: Public pension; Economic consequences of accounting rules; Real decision

TRANSMISSION OF VIBRATION ABOUT THE KNEE

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe effects of knee flexion angle, stance width and vibration platform frequency on the transmission of vertical acceleration about the knee. Fifteen adults were exposed to various vibration conditions while standing on a side-to-side vibration platform. Vertical acceleration data, expressed as transmission, were shown to be attenuated for all vibration conditions. A larger degree of knee flexion however, was conducive to greater attenuation about the knee. Such information may be used to develop vibration training programs with a more thorough understanding of effects of vibration

Nutrition and the elite and highly trained junior and young adult tennis player: A scoping review

Objectives The primary objective of this scoping review was to examine existing evidence regarding the dietary intake and nutrition habits of elite and highly trained junior and young adult tennis players. Methods Systematic searches of MEDLINE, EBSCOHost and Scopus were undertaken from the earliest record to December 2021. Reference lists of articles selected were manually searched. A five-stage protocol informed by Arkey and O’Malley's framework with consideration for the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology from scoping reviews was followed. Results The initial searches yielded an initial 145 records following the removal of duplicates. Following the screening process 14 articles were accepted for analyses. Three major themes were identified: (1) dietary intake and negative energy balance, (2) sub-optimal nutrient intake/habits, and (3) the use and impact of dietary supplements/ergogenic aids. Conclusion Research indicates sub-optimal nutritional practices amongst elite and highly trained junior and young adult tennis players. Particular concerns have emerged regarding insufficient calorie consumption to support performance, growth, and wellbeing

Effect of Temperature on Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease and Infections: A Replicated Cohort Study

Progressive lung disease accounts for the majority of morbidity and mortality observed in cystic fibrosis (CF). Beyond secondhand smoke exposure and socio-economic status, the effect of specific environmental factors on CF lung function is largely unknown.Multivariate regression was used to assess correlation between specific environmental factors, the presence of pulmonary pathogens, and variation in lung function using subjects enrolled in the U.S. CF Twin and Sibling Study (CFTSS: n = 1378). Significant associations were tested for replication in the U.S. CF Foundation Patient Registry (CFF: n = 16439), the Australian CF Data Registry (ACFDR: n = 1801), and prospectively ascertained subjects from Australia/New Zealand (ACFBAL: n = 167).In CFTSS subjects, the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR = 1.06 per °F; p<0.001) was associated with warmer annual ambient temperatures. This finding was independently replicated in the CFF (1.02; p<0.001), ACFDR (1.05; p = 0.002), and ACFBAL (1.09; p = 0.003) subjects. Warmer temperatures (-0.34 points per °F; p = 0.005) and public insurance (-6.43 points; p<0.001) were associated with lower lung function in the CFTSS subjects. These findings were replicated in the CFF subjects (temperature: -0.31; p<0.001; insurance: -9.11; p<0.001) and similar in the ACFDR subjects (temperature: -0.23; p = 0.057). The association between temperature and lung function was minimally influenced by P. aeruginosa. Similarly, the association between temperature and P. aeruginosa was largely independent of lung function.Ambient temperature is associated with prevalence of P. aeruginosa and lung function in four independent samples of CF patients from two continents