Perceptions of disorder: Contributions of neighborhood characteristics to subjective perceptions of disorder

Theoretical explanations and empirical evidence of how disorder is perceived and its relation to independently observed measures of disorder are rare. In recent work, Sampson and Raudenbush [2004. Seeing disorder: Neighborhood stigma and the social construction of “Broken Windows”. Social Psychology Quarterly, 67(4), 319–342] investigated how individuals form perceptions of disorder and found that perceptions of disorder in Chicago neighborhoods are shaped not only by observable conditions of disorder, but also by neighborhoods’ racial and socioeconomic composition. In this paper, we investigate the bases for perceiving disorder with data from Baltimore using a methodology similar to that used by Sampson and Raudenbush (2004). Using surveys, systematic social observations, census data, and police records to investigate variations in individual perceptions of disorder at the individual and neighborhood levels, this study, consistent with the literature, finds that visual cues of disorder are not unambiguous and that perceptions of disorder are based not only on neighborhood observed disorder but also on individual characteristics of residents and neighborhood social structure. Additionally, our findings indicate that neighborhood poverty and not neighborhood racial composition affects perceptions of disorder in Baltimore. The fact that these findings are in contrast to the findings in Chicago suggests that the influence of racial segregation on perception of disorder is imbedded in the larger historical context.     

Ecological risk assessment of agricultural pesticides in the highly productive Ndop flood plain in Cameroon using the PRIMET model

Flood plains can make a significant contribution to food security due to their rich agricultural and aquaculture potentials but the misuse of pesticides in these ecosystems may seriously threaten their sustainability. We have assessed the risk of commonly used pesticides by rice and vegetable farmers on two major streams in the Ndop flood plain in Cameroon using the PRIMET model. Thirty pesticide formulations were identified containing 17 active ingredients belonging to fungicides (7), herbicides (3), and insecticides (7). Out of these, five posed acute and/or chronic risks to the streams. Chlorpyriphos-ethyl (ETR = 655), chlorothalonil (ETR = 250), and cypermethrin (ETR = 190) posed a definite acute risk to both streams. These pesticides also posed possible chronic risks with cypermethrin also posing a definite chronic risk (ETR = 1658) to fish in one of the streams. Mancozeb (ETR = 2.2) and λ-cyhalothrin (ETR = 2.8) posed a possible acute risk to both streams. It was interesting to note that most pesticides, including some of those that posed a risk, were applied at lower doses than their respective recommended doses. Differences in ETRs were also observed in the two streams with higher values occurring in the stream having a lower concentration of suspended solids. The higher velocity of the Ngwala-Mesaw stream did not affect the acute risk posed by pesticides. Pesticide toxicity was an important determinant in the risk posed and we recommend that appropriate mitigation measures be put in place to reduce the risk of these pesticides such as the implementation of an appropriate buffer zone between the edge of field and water body.

     

Fate of 14C-acetyl sulfamethoxazole during the activated sludge process

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Compared to antibiotic parent molecule, human metabolites are generally more polar and sometimes not less toxic in wastewater. However, most...     

Development,validation and matrix effect of a QuEChERS method for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides in fish tissue

This study aims to develop and validate a method to determine OCPs in fish tissues, minimizing the consumption of sample and reagents, by using a modified QuEChERS along with ultrasound, d-SPE and gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD), refraining the pooling. Different factorial designs were employed to optimize the sample preparation phase. The validation method presented a recovery of around 77.3% and 110.8%, with RSD lower than 13% and the detection limits were between 0.24 and 2.88 μgkg^?1, revealing good sensitiveness and accuracy. The method was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of tissues from different species of fish and OCPs residues were detected. The proposed method was shown effective to determine OCPs low concentrations in fish tissues, using small sample mass (0.5 g), making the sample analyses viable without the need for grouping (pool).     

Performance comparison of three methods for detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Giardia</Emphasis> spp. cysts and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptosporidium</Emphasis> spp. oocysts in drinking-water treatment sludge

Detecting pathogenic protozoa in drinking-water treatment sludge is a challenge as existing methods are complex, and unfortunately, there are no specific technical standards to follow. Selecting an efficient analytical method is imperative in developing countries, such as Brazil, in order to evaluate the risk of parasite infection. In this context, three methods to detect Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were tested in sludge generated when water with protozoa and high turbidity was treated. Jar testing was carried out using polyaluminium chloride as a coagulant to generate the residue to be analyzed. The results showed that calcium carbonate flocculation with reduced centrifugation and immunomagnetic separation obtained the highest recoveries in the tested matrix showing 60.2%?±?26.2 for oocysts and 46.1%?±?5 for cysts. The other two methods, the first using the ICN 7× cleaning solution and the second considering the acidification of the sample, both followed by the immunomagnetic separation step, also presented high recoveries showing 41.2%?±?43.3 and 37.9%?±?52.9 for oocysts and 11.5%?±?85.5 and 26%?±?16.3 for cysts, respectively. Evidently, these methods and others should be studied in order to make it possible to detect protozoa in settled residue.     

Paris agreement on climate change and Botswana’s Vision 2036: an examination of linkages

Sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development are concepts that are gaining momentum globally in the advent of global warming and climate change. The threshold for the entry in force of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change was achieved exactly 5 days after the unveiling of Botswana’s Vision 2036 document. This development framework envisages sustainable economic development and climate change adaptation. This article uses exploratory research methodology of systematic document analysis to analyze these principles in the context of Botswana. It investigates government's intentions in achieving the third pillar of the national vision. Botswana has declared its intensions to reduce carbon emissions by 15% by 2030 through the intended nationally determined contributions. While the country’s ambitions are largely forward-looking and aligned with those of the Paris Agreement, the economic diversification plans of Botswana threaten to potentially contribute significantly to the emission of greenhouse gases. The article applies sustainability and/or sustainable development theory in examining the relationship between the Paris Agreement and Botswana’s vision. It concludes that there is link between the two documents, both of which are anchored of the development which is environmentally sustainable. It further concludes that developing nations should make international commitments which are aligned to their developmental plans.     

Discourses of Place: Environmental Interpretation about Vermont Forests

Motivated by a lack of scholarly attention to the substance of interpretive messages and materials, this study examines discursive aspects of interpretative brochures available at forest recreation and tourism sites in Vermont, United States. Directive statements that instruct and guide visitor experiences—and the discourses to which they contribute—were analyzed for content, form, and meaning. Across the interpretive brochures, four broad discourses were identified: the natural forest, the recreational forest, the productive forest, and the dependent forest. Consideration of intertextuality revealed a fifth, hybrid discourse that linked forests to meanings of Vermont as a distinctive place. The convergence of these discourses across the set of brochures gives insight into the ways interpretation serves to both direct individual visitor experiences at particular sites, and to influence the development of larger-scale place meanings.     

Recycling Irrigation Reservoir Stratification and Implications for Crop Health and Production

Recycling irrigation reservoirs (RIRs) are an emerging aquatic ecosystem and water resource of global significance. This study investigated the vertical distribution of water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH in eight RIRs at two nurseries each in Virginia and Maryland from 2011 to 2014. Monomictic thermal stratification was observed from April to October in all RIRs, despite their shallow depths (0.75‐3.89 m). The strongest stratification had a top‐bottom temperature difference of 21.53°C. The top‐bottom temperature difference was positively correlated with water column depth, air temperature, and daily light integral (p < 0.05). Wind speed did not impact the thermal stratification, likely due to their relatively small surface areas. Thermal stratification affected the vertical distribution of DO and pH. The top‐bottom differences in DO and pH were greater during stratification periods than nonstratification periods. Water pH in all RIRs was higher at the top than at the bottom with the greatest difference of 4.16 units. Discovery and characterization of thermal stratification in RIRs helps understand water quality dynamics in this novel ecosystem and promote safe and productive water reuse for irrigation. Specifically, water withdrawal depths should be adjusted according to variations in temperature, DO, and pH during the stratification and nonstratification periods to mitigate pathogen risk and improve water treatment efficacy and crop production.     

Parabens abatement from surface waters by electrochemical advanced oxidation with boron doped diamond anodes

The removal efficiency of four commonly-used parabens by electrochemical advanced oxidation with boron-doped diamond anodes in two different aqueous matrices, namely ultrapure water and surface water from the Guadiana River, has been analyzed. Response surface methodology and a factorial, composite, central, orthogonal, and rotatable (FCCOR) statistical design of experiments have been used to optimize the process. The experimental results clearly show that the initial concentration of pollutants is the factor that influences the removal efficiency in a more remarkable manner in both aqueous matrices. As a rule, as the initial concentration of parabens increases, the removal efficiency decreases. The current density also affects the removal efficiency in a statistically significant manner in both aqueous matrices. In the water river aqueous matrix, a noticeable synergistic effect on the removal efficiency has been observed, probably due to the presence of chloride ions that increase the conductivity of the solution and contribute to the generation of strong secondary oxidant species such as chlorine or HClO/ClO ⁻. The use of a statistical design of experiments made it possible to determine the optimal conditions necessary to achieve total removal of the four parabens in ultrapure and river water aqueous matrices.

     

Body feathers as a potential new biomonitoring tool in raptors: a study on organohalogenated contaminants in different feather types and preen oil of West Greenland white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla)

We investigated the variation in concentrations and profiles of various classes of organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) in different feather types, muscle tissue and preen oil from 15 white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) carcasses from Greenland. The influence of moult patterns and potential external contamination onto the feather surface was examined, while the present study is also the first to investigate the use of body feathers for OHC monitoring. Concentrations of sum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feathers from white tailed eagles ranged from 2.3 ng/g in a primary wing feather to 4200 ng/g in body feathers. Using 300 mg of body feathers, almost 50 different OHCs could be quantified and median concentrations in body feathers were 10 fold higher than concentrations in tail feathers (rectrices) or primary wing feathers. Body feathers could be very useful for biomonitoring taking into account their easy sampling, short preparation time and high levels of OHCs. In addition, the effects of confounding variables such as feather size, moult and age are also minimised using body feathers. Correlations with concentrations in muscle tissue and preen oil were high and significant for all feather types (r ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 for sum PCBs). Significant differences in concentrations and profiles of OHCs were found between different primary feathers, indicating that the accumulation of OHCs in feathers varies over the moulting period (maximum three years). Washing of feathers with an organic solvent (acetone) resulted in a significant decrease in the measured concentrations of OHCs in feathers. However, our results indicated that preen oil is probably not the only contributor to the external contamination that can be removed by washing with acetone. Possibly dust and other particles may be of importance and may be sticking to the preened feathers. Rectrices washed only with water showed high and significant correlations with concentrations in muscle and preen oil as well. Washing with acetone therefore does not seem to be of great influence when relating to internal tissue concentrations. We recommend washing feathers only with distilled water in order to remove dirt and dust particles before analysis.