scholarly journals Resilience at the Transition to Agriculture: The Long-Term Landscape and Resource Development at the Aceramic Neolithic Tell Site of Chogha Golan (Iran)

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Riehl ◽  
E. Asouti ◽  
D. Karakaya ◽  
B. M. Starkovich ◽  
M. Zeidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Stratigraphic Sequence ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
Slow Development ◽  
Transition To Agriculture ◽  
A Site ◽  
Aceramic Neolithic

The evidence for the slow development from gathering and cultivation of wild species to the use of domesticates in the Near East, deriving from a number of Epipalaeolithic and aceramic Neolithic sites with short occupational stratigraphies, cannot explain the reasons for the protracted development of agriculture in the Fertile Crescent. The botanical and faunal remains from the long stratigraphic sequence of Chogha Golan, indicate local changes in environmental conditions and subsistence practices that characterize a site-specific pathway into emerging agriculture. Our multidisciplinary approach demonstrates a long-term subsistence strategy of several hundred years on wild cereals and pulses as well as on hunting a variety of faunal species that were based on relatively favorable and stable environmental conditions. Fluctuations in the availability of resources after around 10.200 cal BP may have been caused by small-scale climatic fluctuations. The temporary depletion of resources was managed through a shift to other species which required minor technological changes to make these resources accessible and by intensification of barley cultivation which approached its domestication. After roughly 200 years, emmer domestication is apparent, accompanied by higher contribution of cattle in the diet, suggesting long-term intensification of resource management.

scholarly journals Looking for a Long-Term Record in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: The 2010 Field Season at The Stinking Springs Rockshelter, Teton County, Wyoming.

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Cannon ◽  
Molly Cannon
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vegetation History ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Radiocarbon Age ◽  
Field Season

The mountainous environment of northwestern Wyoming is not known for the preservation of organic remains, specifically that of vertebrate species. The paucity of vertebrate remains has hampered the ability of researchers to understand the evolution of the Quaternary mammalian community, which is in sharp contrast to the detailed understanding of the region’s geologic, climatic, and vegetation history. The few sites that have produced vertebrate remains have been largely confined to dry caves and rockshelters in the surrounding region and a few open air archaeological sites. In southern Teton County we have located a large rockshelter at the mouth of Hoback Canyon that presents a unique opportunity to recover a long-term mammalian record documenting Quaternary paleoecological change. Hand augering in 2006 revealed evidence of intact, datable strata likely to yield a robust mammalian faunal record. A radiocarbon age of 4210 ± 50 yrs BP was obtained from Ponderosa pine charcoal at a depth of 90 cm below surface, suggesting a record extending at least to the mid-Holocene. In 2010, the Utah State University Field School conducted limited controlled excavations in two 1m2 units. Excavations produced additional evidence of stratified deposits to a depth of 1.9 m. Remains recovered include lithic debitage, hearth features, faunal remains, and a possible large mammal processing area. Two specimens, one on Pinus charcoal from a depth of 1.9 m and a portion of a bighorn sheep mandible from 1.0 m, were submitted for radiocarbon assay. The ages are 4350 ± 25 yrs BP and 3360 ± 25 yrs BP, respectively. The size, geology, and setting above the Hoback River in a natural bottleneck between ungulate winter and summer ranges make the Stinking Springs rockshelter an excellent candidate for archaeological and paleoecological investigation. Proposed future investigations are designed to assess the rockshelter for the presence of preserved vertebrate remains and the deposit’s potential to address a number of key issues of how the mammalian community developed during the Quaternary in relation to large-scale (e.g., glaciation) and small-scale climatic (e.g., post-glacial maximum warmth, Little Ice Age) shifts. The anticipated record will not only provide information on the mammalian community structure, but will also provide a paleoecological model for understanding the economies of precontact Native American groups who lived in the region, and will also provide key information that can be applied to future management of threatened species and their habitat (e.g., pronghorn antelope).

Using laboratory incubations to predict the fate of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Fahlman ◽  
Jerker Fick ◽  
Jan Karlsson ◽  
Micael Jonsson ◽  
Tomas Brodin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Dissipation Rates

Environmental contextEnvironmental persistence of excreted pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems is usually predicted using small-scale laboratory experiments assumed to simulate natural conditions. We studied five pharmaceuticals comparing their removal rates from water under laboratory conditions and under natural environmental conditions existing in a large pond. We found that the laboratory conditions did not fully capture the complexity within the pond, which led to different removal rates in the two systems. AbstractEnvironmental persistence is a key property when evaluating risks with excreted pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems. Such persistence is typically predicted using small-scale laboratory incubations, but the variation in aquatic environments and scarcity of field studies to verify laboratory-based persistence estimates create uncertainties around the predictive power of these incubations. In this study we: (1) assess the persistence of five pharmaceuticals (diclofenac, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, trimethoprim and oxazepam) in laboratory experiments under different environmental conditions; and (2) use a three-month-long field study in an aquatic ecosystem to verify the laboratory-based persistence estimates. In our laboratory assays, we found that water temperature (TEMP), concentrations of organic solutes (TOC), presence of sediment (SED), and solar radiation (SOL) individually affected dissipation rates. Moreover, we identified rarely studied interaction effects between the treatments (i.e. SOL×SED and TEMP×SOL), which affected the persistence of the studied drugs. Half-lives obtained from the laboratory assays largely explained the dissipation rates during the first week of the field study. However, none of the applied models could accurately predict the long-term dissipation rates (month time-scale) from the water column. For example, the studied antibioticum (trimethoprim) and the anti-anxiety drug (oxazepam) remained at detectable levels in the aquatic environment long after (~150 days) our laboratory based models predicted complete dissipation. We conclude that small-scale laboratory incubations seem sufficient to approximate the short-term (i.e. within a week) dissipation rate of drugs in aquatic ecosystems. However, this simplistic approach does not capture interacting environmental processes that preserve a fraction of the dissolved pharmaceuticals for months in natural water bodies.

Small-Scale Deliberation and Mass Democracy: A Systematic Review of the Spillover Effects of Deliberative Minipublics

2021 ◽  
pp. 003232172110072
Author(s):  
Ramon van der Does ◽  
Vincent Jacquet
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Mass Democracy

Deliberative minipublics are popular tools to address the current crisis in democracy. However, it remains ambiguous to what degree these small-scale forums matter for mass democracy. In this study, we ask the question to what extent minipublics have “spillover effects” on lay citizens—that is, long-term effects on participating citizens and effects on non-participating citizens. We answer this question by means of a systematic review of the empirical research on minipublics’ spillover effects published before 2019. We identify 60 eligible studies published between 1999 and 2018 and provide a synthesis of the empirical results. We show that the evidence for most spillover effects remains tentative because the relevant body of empirical evidence is still small. Based on the review, we discuss the implications for democratic theory and outline several trajectories for future research.

scholarly journals 106 - Environmental Influences on the Cognitive and Psychological Well Being of Older Adults with Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
William E. Reichman ◽  
L. Bradford Perkins ◽  
Hilde Verbeek
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Term Care

This symposium will review the latest data on the influence of environmental design and its attributes on the cognitive and psychological wellbeing of older adults living with dementia. The presenters will cover the myriad ways in which the physical environment of care can adapt to the changing demands of older adults with sensory, motor and cognitive deficits and foster optimal functioning and quality of life. The role of emerging technologies will also be reviewed as they complement the contribution of the design of the physical environment to the wellbeing of older adults with cognitive impairment. Information will be offered through a review of the existing research literature as well as case studies that illustrate the impact of environmental modification on fostering wellbeing and minimizing the emergence of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The presenters will represent and integrate sensibilities that have emerged from the fields of architecture, cognitive neuroscience and psychology.How the Principles of the Culture Change Movement Inform Environmental Design and the Application of Technology in the Care of Older Adults Living with DementiaWilliam E. ReichmanThe culture change movement informs a number of principles that have been applied to more contemporary design concepts for the congregate care of older adults living with dementia. This talk will review the core tenets of the Culture Change Movement as exemplified by the Greenhouse, Dementia Village and other innovative models of congregate long-term care. Specific reference will be made to how these tenets have been operationalized around the world into the design of programming and the creation of residential care environments that foster a better quality of life for older adults and an enhanced work environment for care providers. This talk will also include the emerging role of technologies that complement innovative design of the environment and which foster optimized social and recreational functioning of older adults living with dementia.A Better Life Through a Better Nursing Home DesignL. Bradford PerkinsOver the last 20 years there has been extensive experimentation related to the role of the environment in the housing, care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer’s and other age related dementias. Prior to that time the typical housing and care environment was a locked unit in a skilled nursing or other restrictive senior living facility. In 1991 the Presbyterian Association on Aging in Western Pennsylvania opened Woodside Place on its Oakmont campus. This small 36 bed facility was designed to incorporate the latest research and care experience with persons suffering from these issues. This one small project, as well as the long post occupancy research led by Carnegie Mellon University, clearly demonstrated that individuals with Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia could lead a healthier, happier, higher quality of life in a more residential, less restrictive environment. Not everything in this pioneering project worked, and five generations of living and care models have followed that have refined the ideas first demonstrated by Woodside Place. Bradford Perkins, whose firm designed Woodside Place and over 100 other related projects, will discuss what was learned from Woodside Place as well as the five generations of projects (and post occupancy research) that followed.Innovative dementia care environments as alternatives for traditional nursing homes: evidence and experiences from the NetherlandsHilde VerbeekKey goals of the dementia care environment focus on increasing autonomy, supporting independence and trying to enable one’s own lifestyle for as long as possible. To meet these goals, innovative, small-scale and homelike care environments have been developed that have radically changed the physical, social and organizational aspects of long-term care in the Netherlands. This presentation discusses various Dutch models that have implemented small-scale and homelike care environments, including green care farms, dementia village and citizen initiatives. The models reflect a common care concept, focusing on residents’ remaining strengths, providing opportunity for choice and aiming to sustain a sense of self and control. A small number of residents (usually 6 to 8) live together in a homelike environment and nursing staff are part of the household. Residents are encouraged to participate in daily household activities, emphasizing normalization of daily life with person-centred care. The physical environment resembles an archetypal home. This talk presents the scientific evidence on the impact and effects of these small-scale, homelike models on residents, their family caregivers and staff. Furthermore, the presentation will highlight working approaches and how these initiatives have positively influenced routine care across the long-term care spectrum.

scholarly journals Mapping Research Conducted on Long-Term Care Facilities for Older People in Brazil: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1522
Author(s):  
Patrick Alexander Wachholz ◽  
Deborah Cristina De Oliveira ◽  
Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith ◽  
Reena Devi ◽  
Paulo José Fortes Villas Boas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Older People ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics, strengths, and gaps in research conducted in Brazilian long-term care facilities (LTCFs) for older adults. Electronic searches investigating the residents (≥60 years old), their families, and the LTCF workforce in Brazil were conducted in Medline, EMBASE, LILACS, and Google Scholar, within the timescale of 1999 to 2018, limited to English, Portuguese, or Spanish. The reference lists were hand searched for additional papers. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for critical appraisal of evidence. Data were reported descriptively considering the study design, using content analysis: 327 studies were included (n = 159 quantitative non-randomized, n = 82 quantitative descriptive, n = 67 qualitative, n = 11 mixed methods, n = 6 randomized controlled trials, and n = 2 translation of assessment tools). Regardless of the study design, most were conducted in a single LTCF (45.8%), in urban locations (84.3%), and in non-profit settings (38.7%). The randomized trials and descriptive studies presented the lowest methodological quality based on the MMAT. This is the first review to provide an overview of research on LTCFs for older people in Brazil. It illustrates an excess of small-scale, predominantly qualitative papers, many of which are reported in ways that do not allow the quality of the work to be assured.

Time-Dependent Changes in Excitability After One-Trial Conditioning of Hermissenda

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 3460-3464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Crow ◽  
Vilma Siddiqi
Keyword(s):  
Time Dependent ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Type B ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Phototactic Behavior ◽  
Parallel Processes ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
A Site ◽  
Different Levels

Crow, Terry and Vilma Siddiqi. Time-dependent changes in excitability after one-trial conditioning of Hermissenda. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 3460–3464, 1997. The visual system of Hermissenda has been studied extensively as a site of cellular plasticity produced by classical conditioning. A one-trial conditioning procedure consisting of light paired with the application of serotonin (5-HT) to the exposed, but otherwise intact, nervous system produces suppression of phototactic behavior tested 24 h after conditioning. Short- and long-term enhancement (STE and LTE) of excitability in identified type B photoreceptors is a cellular correlate of one-trial conditioning. LTE can be expressed in the absence of STE suggesting that STE and LTE may be parallel processes. To examine the development of enhancement, we studied its time-dependent alterations after one-trial conditioning. Intracellular recordings from identified type B photoreceptors of independent groups collected at different times after conditioning revealed that enhanced excitability follows a biphasic pattern in its development. The analysis of spikes elicited by 2 and 30 s extrinsic current pulses at different levels of depolarization showed that enhancement reached a peak 3 h after conditioning. From its peak, excitability decreased toward baseline control levels 5–6 h after conditioning followed by an increase to a stable plateau at 16 to 24 h postconditioning. Excitability changes measured in cells from unpaired control groups showed maximal changes 1 h posttreatment that rapidly decremented within 2 h. The conditioned stimulus (CS) elicited significantly more spikes 24 h postconditioning for the conditioned group as compared with the unpaired control group. The analysis of the time-dependent development of enhancement may reveal the processes underlying different stages of memory for this associative experience.

Protected Areas: offering security to whom, when and where?

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALICE B. KELLY ◽  
A. CLARE GUPTA
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
Term Management ◽  
Over Time

SUMMARYThis study considers the issue of security in the context of protected areas in Cameroon and Botswana. Though the literature on issues of security and well-being in relation to protected areas is extensive, there has been less discussion of how and in what ways these impacts and relationships can change over time, vary with space and differ across spatial scales. Looking at two very different historical trajectories, this study considers the heterogeneity of the security landscapes created by Waza and Chobe protected areas over time and space. This study finds that conservation measures that various subsets of the local population once considered to be ‘bad’ (e.g. violent, exclusionary protected area creation) may be construed as ‘good’ at different historical moments and geographical areas. Similarly, complacency or resignation to the presence of a park can be reversed by changing environmental conditions. Changes in the ways security (material and otherwise) has fluctuated within these two protected areas has implications for the long-term management and funding strategies of newly created and already existing protected areas today. This study suggests that parks must be adaptively managed not only for changing ecological conditions, but also for shifts in a protected area's social, political and economic context.

scholarly journals Asymmetric competition causes multimodal size distributions in spatially structured populations

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1823) ◽  
pp. 20152404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Velázquez ◽  
Robert B. Allen ◽  
David A. Coomes ◽  
Markus P. Eichhorn
Keyword(s):  
Resource Competition ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Asymmetric Competition ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Multimodal Distributions ◽  
Using Data

Plant sizes within populations often exhibit multimodal distributions, even when all individuals are the same age and have experienced identical conditions. To establish the causes of this, we created an individual-based model simulating the growth of trees in a spatially explicit framework, which was parametrized using data from a long-term study of forest stands in New Zealand. First, we demonstrate that asymmetric resource competition is a necessary condition for the formation of multimodal size distributions within cohorts. By contrast, the legacy of small-scale clustering during recruitment is transient and quickly overwhelmed by density-dependent mortality. Complex multi-layered size distributions are generated when established individuals are restricted in the spatial domain within which they can capture resources. The number of modes reveals the effective number of direct competitors, while the separation and spread of modes are influenced by distances among established individuals. Asymmetric competition within local neighbourhoods can therefore generate a range of complex size distributions within even-aged cohorts.

Species Responses to Grazing and Environmental-Factors in an Arid Halophytic Shrubland Community

1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Soil Salinity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Species Responses

Species responses to grazing and environmental factors were studied in an arid halophytic shrubland community in Western Australia. The grazing responses of major shrub species were defined by using reciprocal averaging ordination of botanical data, interpreted in conjunction with a similar ordination of soil chemical properties and measures of soil erosion derived from large-scale aerial photographs. An apparent small-scale interaction between grazing and soil salinity was also defined. Long-term grazing pressure is apparently reduced on localised areas of high salinity. Environmental factors affecting species distribution are complex and appear to include soil salinity, soil cationic balance, geomorphological variation and the influence of cryptogamic crusts on seedling establishment.

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