2,667 research outputs found

    Recreational Drone Use on Public Lands

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    Exploring Perspectives on Recreational Drone Use on Public Lands Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management Recreational drone use has increased in popularity and accessibility over the past several years. As of early 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recorded one million drone registrations with 87% of those being hobbyist registrations (Vanian, 2018). Drones have become more affordable, and, thus, more people are purchasing them for recreation. Often, drone users fly on public lands, but there are many concerns and challenges that go along with recreational drone use including privacy, safety, and impacts to wildlife and resources. For example, in August of 2014, a visitor to Yellowstone National Park flew his drone to gain a better view at the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, but then crashed the drone into the spring and it was never recovered. Despite these challenges, there has been outstanding footage from drones flown where humans rarely go and drones can offer unique opportunities for visitor engagement on public lands. But, how do we keep our resources protected and address the privacy concerns while still allowing some managed drone use? These different management options need to be explored depending on the area and particular usage. Despite these challenges and opportunities, there has been very limited research on recreational drone use. To address this gap, 16 senior PTRM students conducted a study on recreational drone use around Missoula, MT. Surveys were conducted with the public on their perceptions about recreational drone use, the public lands where drone use can take place, and the types of management actions. The study offers initial findings on public perceptions and can inform local management of drones and inform future research and policies on public lands

    Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca as an Alternative Lichenometric Species: a Preliminary Investigation at the Lawn Lake Alluvial Fan, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO USA

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    Lichenometry can be a useful tool to date past events when surface ages are unknown . As a method, lichenometry needs to overcome uncertainties in the understanding of lichen biology . Being fairly ubiquitous, Rhizocarpon geographicum is generally used for dating purposes . Other lichens can and have been used for studies, but are often used in conjunction with R . geographicum . This case study suggests that for areas lacking R . geographicum, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca may be used as an alternate species if the substrate in question does not have substantial R . geographicum growth . While R . geographicum is well-studied, R . chrysoleuca is not, and growth curves have not been established to any extent close to those for R . geographicum . This study uses an alluvial fan in Rocky Mountain National Park created by a dam breach in 1982 as a preliminary baseline to establish a basic R . chrysoleuca growth curve . Age of the substrate is known and was previously unexposed inside a glacial moraine . Assuming lichen growth began soon after the exposure, and as R . chrysoleuca represents the majority species at the site, a basic growth curve can be established, at least in alpine environments . This initial assessment can potentially aid researchers using lichenometry in alpine environments and, more specifically, where sufficient R . geographicum is not presen

    Effects of CO2-induced pH reduction on the exoskeleton structure and biophotonic properties of the shrimp Lysmata californica.

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    The anticipated effects of CO2-induced ocean acidification on marine calcifiers are generally negative, and include dissolution of calcified elements and reduced calcification rates. Such negative effects are not typical of crustaceans for which comparatively little ocean acidification research has been conducted. Crustaceans, however, depend on their calcified exoskeleton for many critical functions. Here, we conducted a short-term study on a common caridean shrimp, Lysmata californica, to determine the effect of CO2-driven reduction in seawater pH on exoskeleton growth, structure, and mineralization and animal cryptic coloration. Shrimp exposed to ambient (7.99 ± 0.04) and reduced pH (7.53 ± 0.06) for 21 days showed no differences in exoskeleton growth (percent increase in carapace length), but the calcium weight percent of their cuticle increased significantly in reduced pH conditions, resulting in a greater Ca:Mg ratio. Cuticle thickness did not change, indicating an increase in the mineral to matrix ratio, which may have mechanical consequences for exoskeleton function. Furthermore, there was a 5-fold decrease in animal transparency, but no change in overall shrimp coloration (red). These results suggest that even short-term exposure to CO2-induced pH reduction can significantly affect exoskeleton mineralization and shrimp biophotonics, with potential impacts on crypsis, physical defense, and predator avoidance

    Partnering with Medicaid to Advance and Sustain the Goals of the Child Welfare System

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    The purpose of this paper is to serve as a practical guide for child welfare directors who are looking to expand or sustain services for the children and families that they serve. This paper focuses on ways to partner with Medicaid to leverage opportunities to provide high quality services for children in child welfare who have behavioral health needs. It also includes information that will provide a foundational understanding of the behavioral health needs of children involved with the child welfare system, with an emphasis on describing child behavior through the lens of child development, adaptive functioning, and trauma; the services that can effectively address those behavioral and trauma related responses that can disrupt a child's skills and abilities; and, examples from states and counties who are providing these services and supports

    A rare schizophrenia risk variant of CACNA1I disrupts CaV3.3 channel activity

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    CACNA1I is a candidate schizophrenia risk gene. It encodes the pore-forming human CaV3.3 α1 subunit, a subtype of voltage-gated calcium channel that contributes to T-type currents. Recently, two de novo missense variations, T797M and R1346H, of hCaV3.3 were identified in individuals with schizophrenia. Here we show that R1346H, but not T797M, is associated with lower hCaV3.3 protein levels, reduced glycosylation, and lower membrane surface levels of hCaV3.3 when expressed in human cell lines compared to wild-type. Consistent with our biochemical analyses, whole-cell hCaV3.3 currents in cells expressing the R1346H variant were ~50% of those in cells expressing WT hCaV3.3, and neither R1346H nor T797M altered channel biophysical properties. Employing the NEURON simulation environment, we found that reducing hCaV3.3 current densities by 22% or more eliminates rebound bursting in model thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) neurons. Our analyses suggest that a single copy of Chr22: 39665939G > A CACNA1I has the capacity to disrupt CaV3.3 channel-dependent functions, including rebound bursting in TRN neurons, with potential implications for schizophrenia pathophysiology

    The risk, burden, and management of non-communicable diseases in cerebral palsy: a scoping review.

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    AIM: To examine the risk, burden, and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Ovid, CINAHL Plus) were systematically searched up to August 2017. Data on the prevalence of risk factors for, and the burden and management of, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and respiratory diseases were extracted. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies that examined the prevalence of risk factors among people with CP were identified. There was inconsistent evidence that people with CP had higher prevalence of metabolic risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and obesity, but strong evidence that they participated in low levels of physical activity, compared with people without CP. Seven studies reported on the burden of NCDs. Adults with CP had a higher risk of NCDs, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other heart conditions, and death due to NCDs, including cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and ischaemic heart disease, compared with the general population. Only one study reported on the management of NCD, specifically the uptake of breast cancer screening among females. INTERPRETATION: The burden of NCDs is higher among adults with CP compared with the general population. Further research is required to determine the prevalence of metabolic risk factors and management of NCDs among people with CP. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and increased risk of death because of NCDs. Evidence is inconsistent about the elevated prevalence of metabolic risk factors for NCDs. Evidence is consistent that people with CP participate in reduced physical activity. Only one study reported on management of NCD among people with CP. Available evidence suggests people with CP are less likely to receive preventive medicine

    Acute kidney injury: electronic alerts in primary care - findings from a large population cohort

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    Background: Electronic reporting of AKI has been used to aid early AKI recognition although its relevance to CA-AKI and primary care has not been described. Aims: We described the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with CA-AKI, and AKI identified in primary care (PC-AKI) through AKI e-Alerts. Design: A prospective national cohort study was undertaken to collect data on all e-alerts representing adult CA-AKI. Method: The study utilised the biochemistry based AKI electronic (e)-alert system that is established across the Welsh National Health Service. Results: 28.8% of the 22,723 CA-AKI e-alerts were classified as PC-AKI. Ninety-day mortality was 24.0% and lower for PC-AKI vs. non-primary care (non-PC) CA-AKI. Hospitalisation was 22.3% for PC-AKI and associated with greater disease severity, higher mortality, but better renal outcomes (non-recovery: 18.1% vs. 21.6%; progression of pre-existing CKD: 40.5% vs. 58.3%). 49.1% of PC-AKI had a repeat test within seven days, 42.5% between seven and ninety days, and 8.4% was not repeated within ninety days. There was significantly more non-recovery (24.0% vs. 17.9%) and progression of pre-existing CKD (63.3% vs. 47.0%) in patients with late repeated measurement of renal function compared to those with early repeated measurement of renal function. Conclusion: The data demonstrate the clinical utility of AKI e-alerts in primary care. We recommend that a clinical review, or referral together with a repeat measurement of renal function within seven days should be considered an appropriate response to AKI e-alerts in primary care

    Improving Breast Cancer Control via the Use of Community Health Workers in South Africa: A Critical Review

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    Breast cancer is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMCs). We explore community health worker (CHW) programs and describe their potential use in LMCs. We use South Africa as an example of how CHWs could improve access to breast health care because of its middle-income status, existing cancer centers, and history of CHW programs. CHWs could assume three main roles along the cancer control continuum: health education, screening, and patient navigation. By raising awareness about breast cancer through education, women are more likely to undergo screening. Many more women can be screened resulting in earlier-stage disease if CHWs are trained to perform clinical breast exams. As patient navigators, CHWs can guide women through the screening and treatment process. It is suggested that these roles be combined within existing CHW programs to maximize resources and improve breast cancer outcomes in LMCs

    Spitzer, Near-Infrared, and Submillimeter Imaging of the Relatively Sparse Young Cluster, Lynds 988e

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    We present {\it Spitzer} images of the relatively sparse, low luminosity young cluster L988e, as well as complementary near-infrared (NIR) and submillimeter images of the region. The cluster is asymmetric, with the western region of the cluster embedded within the molecular cloud, and the slightly less dense eastern region to the east of, and on the edge of, the molecular cloud. With these data, as well as with extant Hα\alpha data of stars primarily found in the eastern region of the cluster, and a molecular 13^{13}CO gas emission map of the entire region, we investigate the distribution of forming young stars with respect to the cloud material, concentrating particularly on the differences and similarities between the exposed and embedded regions of the cluster. We also compare star formation in this region to that in denser, more luminous and more massive clusters already investigated in our comprehensive multi-wavelength study of young clusters within 1 kpc of the Sun.Comment: 21 pages, 6 tables, 13 figures. Full resolution figures at: http://astro.pas.rochester.edu/~tom/Preprints/L988e.pd
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