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Timing, inclement weather, and limited budgets can obstruct archaeological survey efforts. Here, we ameliorate some of these with use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) at the Goose Lake Out...

Coffeehouses have been a part of America's cultural landscape since the seventeenth century. Their fortunes have risen and fallen with the changing demand for coffee and consumer preferences. This ...

Sharing economies are being identified across diverse territories, including the food sector, as potential means to enact urban sustainability transitions. Within these developments ICT (informatio...

Full-time occupation of recently deglaciated landscapes in the northwestern Great Lakes by late Paleoindian groups marks a key milestone in the colonization of the region, yet settlement-subsistence systems of these colonizing populations remains poorly understood. Here we apply geoarchaeological modeling and early Holocene environmental reconstruction to analyze environmental settings of known late Paleoindian sites in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Our results reveal significant settlement patterning associated with this early Holocene record, highlighting the spatial correlation between site locations and high ground adjacent to hilly terrain and inland lakes – prime locations for monitoring the movement of large game. The analysis highlights a core area with a high likelihood for undiscovered late Paleoindian sites in the northwest corner of Marquette County and suggests the possibility of a north-south travel corridor into the region from upper Wisconsin along the Michigamme River.

This article provides a history of efforts to map vernacular regions as context for offering readers a way of using business directories in order to construct a GIS-based map of vernacular regions. With Michigan as a case study, the article discusses regional-naming conventions, boundaries, and inclusions and omissions of areas from regional labels in order to offer educators ideas that can enhance classroom content on regions. This article concludes by providing suggestions for classroom activities collecting, analyzing, and discussing vernacular region patterns and processes in accordance with National Geography Standard Five at the eighth-grade level.

Background : Changes in climate and recent land use have been related to treeline advances in many alpine and arctic regions. Short-term (

Background: Accumulating evidence, mainly from small-scale experiments, suggests that species diversity helps stabilise ecological communities; however, this relationship needs testing at larger scales in a wider range of natural communities. Aims: In experimentally burnt ericaceous shrub stands, we aimed to determine whether more diverse stands had more stable vegetation cover. Methods: Using two prescribed fire management experiments – one on heathland and one in forest – at scales of 100–700 m2, we compared pre-disturbance vegetation characteristics (measures of diversity, traits and composition) with resistance (degree of perturbation on disturbance), resilience (here defined as post-disturbance recovery rate) and stability (the inverse of temporal variability). Results: Responses to disturbance were usually best explained by a measure of dominance: Simpson's index. High dominance was associated with high resilience, but low resistance and low stability. Within the forest, the shrub community...

Background: Dramatic reductions in early-spring Calluna vulgaris moisture content have been linked to extreme fire hazard and plant die-back. Aims: To investigate spatial and temporal variation in the fuel moisture content of Calluna vulgaris. Methods: Calluna vulgaris plants were sampled in different sites and seasons to examine vertical profiles in moisture content. Live moisture content was monitored throughout autumn 2003 and spring 2004. Changes were compared to trends in temperature, soil resistance and rainfall. The effect of exposure was examined by comparing shoot moisture content in sheltered and exposed locations. Results: Significant spatial and temporal variation in moisture content was observed. In spring rapid fluctuations in moisture coincided with periods of dry weather, low temperatures and frozen ground. Shoots from exposed locations had significantly lower moisture content when the ground was frozen. Conclusions: Significant declines in the live fuel moisture content of Calluna vulgari...

Street youth are increasingly at risk for HIV infection due to high-risk sexual behaviors and injection drug use. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which demographic characteristics of street youth in Toronto were predictive of HIV status. Age, gender, and ethnicity, education, length of time street-involved, and income were measured among a cross-sectional sample of 18- to 30-year-old street youth (N = 140). Results revealed statistically significant relationships between Age and HIV status (β = 2.413, p

Background: Abernethy Forest, an area of native Caledonian Scots pine forest, includes areas of open or sparsely forested peatland, largely ombrotrophic, but locally influenced by water from mineral ground. Aims: To relate vegetation species-composition to the limit of ombrotrophy inferred from water chemistry. Methods: Species composition was listed in 300 sample quadrats; chemical analyses of water samples were available from 200 of these. The vegetation data were classified using TWINSPAN. Relationships between vegetation and chemical results were analysed statistically using contingency tables. Results: Eleven ‘vegetation types’ were recognised, five (189 samples) judged as primarily ombrotrophic-bog vegetation. The others showed evidence of flushing, or transition to forest. A previous analysis of major cations in the 200 water samples indicated that a limiting Ca/Mg ratio of 1.0 divided 61 samples showing telluric influence from 139 essentially ombrotrophic samples. Neither division was sharp. Conti...

(2006). Paris, Capital of Modernity. David Harvey; The New Berlin: Memory, Politics, Place. Karen E. Till. Urban Geography: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 293-296.

Summary The distributions of Scottish rare plants are well known and we have a good understanding of the communities and habitats in which they occur. But how do we ensure that populations are maintained or enhanced? The ecological processes that determine current population size and distribution must be understood. We review the type of information from monitoring that is required to assess change in species status and to guide conservation management. Managing for habitats must be the right approach to conserving species, but we need to take careful consideration of the individual requirements of different species. Environments fluctuate at a range of spatial and temporal scales; we review the evidence that rare plant species respond to such fluctuations. We consider that there might be a danger that overprotecting some habitats, by trying to maintain constant ideal management prescriptions, might be putting some species at risk. We believe that conservation managers can resolve the apparent conflicts b...

Summary A morphologically distinct variety of Athyrium distentifolium called A. distentifolium var. flexile has been found only in Scotland. Research was undertaken for aUK Biodiversity Action Plan. To confirm that this taxon has a definitely recognisable morphology, a morphometric analysis was used on the range of characters used to define this variety. It showed that it can be clearly differentiated.

Summary A study was made in the Cairngorms, Scotland to make recommendations for a monitoring scheme capable of detecting changes in the vegetation caused by recreational pressure following the development of a funicular railway. Four methods were used in field trials to assess percentage cover of plant species and gravel, rock and bare ground, where appropriate, in two vegetation types (open and closed). The methods used were visual estimates in 50 × 40 cm quadrats (Q), the mean of visual estimates in twenty 10 × 10 cm sub-quadrats of the 50 × 40 cm quadrats (Q20), a modified point intercept method (RL) and photography. Variances between observers and between-quadrats were estimated for the different methods. The sampling design for detecting change was based on a model of variance, constructed from field trial data. Between-observer and between-quadrat variances were related to mean percentage cover and approximated to a binomial distribution. The between-quadrat variance was larger than observer varian...

Summary A substantial proportion of the Abernethy Forest Reserve has Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) growing on the surfaces of a variety of mires. The hydrology of the mires has been affected by drainage and peat cutting but this area is unusual in having had a long period of protection from grazing by domestic stock. There are three main types of pine populations found on these mires. Woodland bog comprises predominantly bog vegetation with abundant pine seedlings due to the heavy seed rain from the surrounding woodland. Only a few very small trees survive, which are stunted, heavily diseased and have very low seed production. Wooded bog also comprises predominately bog vegetation but there are scattered mature trees of a moderate height with an open canopy. The trees are fertile and can form uneven aged stands with regeneration. Bog woodland is a predominantly woodland vegetation with tall, dense tree cover on deep peat. The trees are well grown with a dense canopy. A few remnants of bog vegetation remai...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of British army recruit training on the physical fitness and strength of female recruits. A total of 73 females (aged 17-23 years) of a single intake of Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) recruits were tested at the beginning and end of their 6-week recruit training programme at the WRAC training centre, Guildford. The battery of tests comprised the maximal cycle time for a standard NATO test as an indirect method of determination of maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) using a cycle ergometer; maximal isometric hand grip strength (Max Grip); maximal isometric 38 cm upright pull strength (Max 38) and maximal incremental dynamic lift to 152 cm (IDL 152). In addition, body-weight and the sum of biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured in order to assess alterations in fat-free mass and percentage of body fat (BF). The recruits responded to training with significant increases in mean VO2 max from 45.7 ml kg-1 min-1 (SD = 5.2) to 46.7 ml kg-1 min-1 (SD = 4.4) or 2.2% (p.05), mean Max Grip from 263.1 N (SD = 52.2) to 304.9 N (SD = 54.0) or 15.9% (p0.001) and mean IDL 152 from 328.0 N (SD = 78.1) to 361.2 N (SD = 74.6) or 10.1% (p0.001). There was a significant increase in the mean body-weight of 0.61 kg or 1% (p0.05), mean fat-free mass of 1.05 kg or 2.4% (p0.001), and a significant reduction in the mean % BF by 3.3% (p0.001). It is concluded that female recruit training in the British army is effective in terms of increasing aerobic fitness, physical strength and fat-free mass and in reducing the percentage of body fat.

Summary Maintaining successful regeneration is clearly essential to the conservation management of threatened plants. We examine some of the considerations necessary to determine whether regeneration is successful.

In an open study 17 women with confirmed, severe and long-standing premenstrual syndrome used photic stimulation with a flickering red light, every day for up to four menstrual cycles. At the end of treatment prospectively recorded median luteal symptom scores were reduced by 76% (95% confidence interval 54-93, P < 0.001), with clinically and statistically significant reductions for depression, anxiety, affective lability, irritability, poor concentration, fatigue, food cravings, bloating and breast pain. Twelve of the 17 patients (71%) no longer had the premenstrual syndrome. One patient failed to improve. One patient withdrew because of worsening premenstrual depression, but photic stimulation was otherwise well tolerated. The improvement is greater than that reported for relaxation or in open studies of fluoxetine, and much more than historical placebo rates. Photic stimulation may be a useful treatment for the premenstrual syndrome, and by its suggested action on circadian rhythms may have wider therapeutic applications.

Sixty-two Adult Artillery Recruits, 95 Junior Infantry Soldier Recruits and 104 Junior Infantry Leader Recruits were studied before and after 3, 5 and 11 months, respectively, of British Army basic training. Before basic training the mean maximal oxygen uptake predicted from cycle ergometry (pred VO2max) for Adult Artillery Recruits was 56.1 ml (kg min)-1. It was 58.3 ml (kg min)-1 for the Junior Infantry Soldier Recruits and 58.0 ml (kg min)-1 for the Junior Infantry Leader Recruits. For Adult Artillery Recruits, after basic training there were statistically significant increases in body weight (+2.1%) and pred VO2max (+3.6%) but mixed responses for muscular strength, endurance and fatigue. For Junior Infantry Soldier Recruits, there was no significant change in body weight but a significant reduction in pred VO2max (-2.4%) and a trend towards increased isometric muscular strength. For Junior Infantry Leader Recruits, there were significant increases in body weight (+4.9%), pred VO2max (+3.0%), and isometric muscular strength. These results suggest that the intensity and nature of 3 months of basic training for Adult Artillery Recruits was sufficient to improve their aerobic fitness but was not effective in materially improving muscular strength and endurance. The intensity and nature of basic training for Junior Infantry Soldier Recruits over 5 months was effective in increasing muscular strength but resulted in a decrease in aerobic fitness possibly on account of their high initial fitness level. Basic training over 11 months for Junior Infantry Leader recruits was effective in increasing body weight, aerobic fitness and muscular strength. This may have reflected a change in the intensity and nature of training and in lifestyle after the initial 5 months of basic training, which was undertaken in common with the Junior Infantry Soldier Recruits, or it may be related to normal ageing.

(1995). Scale in the modelling of vegetation dynamics. Giornale botanico italiano: Vol. 129, No. 1, pp. 276-276.

In emergencies, it may be necessary for men to manually handle very large quantities of materials. Although data are available for loads carried on the back and there are specific civilian and military recommendations concerning safe maximum loads and acceptable workloads for repetitive lifting, data quantifying maximum capabilities for repetitive lifting tasks are not available. We have therefore undertaken a preliminary study to determine the relationship between lifting rate and time to exhaustion using three standard loads. Eight healthy, fit, well-trained young soldiers bimanually lifted three loads (25, 50 and 75% of their maximal lifting capacity (MLC) for a single lift to waist height) from the floor to a platform at waist height (40% stature) situated directly in front of them at lifting rates of 2, 3 and 4 lifts min −1 (75% MLC), 4, 6 and 8 lifts min−1 (50% MLC) and at 8, 10 and 12 lifts min−1 (25% MLC) for 1 hour or until they become exhausted or were unwilling or unable to continue or maintain...

This study was designed to investigate the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and subjective responses to carrying a load close to the trunk in five different ways. Each of five subjects carried a load equivalent to 35% body weight (BW) for one hour at 4-5 km hr−1 and 0%grade on a motor driven treadmill using each of the following modes of load carriage: (1) the total load carried in a backpack with frame (BP/F), (2) the total load carried in a backpack with no frame (BP/NF), (3) half the load in a backpack (with frame) and half in pouches attached to a waist belt (BP/WB), (4) half the load in a backpack (with frame) and half in a front pack on the chest (BP/FP), and (5) the total load carried as a trunk jacket (TJ), i.e. a military type ‘flak’ jacket with weights inserted in pockets evenly distributed about the trunk. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean cardiorespiratory and metabolic costs associated with each of the five modes of load carriage. However, BP/FP and TJ were...

Human capabilities in manual materials-handling activities may be influenced by a number of task variables. The psychophysical method of Snook (1978) was used to determine the effects of load and lifting frequency upon workloads selected by eight male soldiers. The subjects repeatedly lifted and lowered a box (38 × 55 × 24 cm) to and from a platform set at 40% stature for 10 minutes and either adjusted the load, or the lifting frequency, or a combination of both variables in order to select a workload which they considered to be a maximum acceptable workload (MAWL) for a work-period of one hour. When the lifting frequency was adjusted, the mean MAWL was 94·5 kg m min −1 (S.D. 28·4). This was significantly greater (P ≤ 0·05) by 27% than when the load alone was adjusted (74·3 kg m min −1, S. D. 23·3). Control of both variables together produced a MAWL of 76·5 kg m min −1 (S. D. 24·1) which was similar to that selected when the load alone was adjusted. When the soldiers lifted and lowered their selected work...

There are many different ways in which loads may be carried, and the mode of load carriage adopted can be determined by factors such as weight, shape and size of the load, the duration for which it has to be carried, the terrain, climate and the physical characteristics and condition of the individual and the clothing he wears as well as his personal preference. It is generally more expensive in terms of energy cost to carry loads on the head, in the hands or arms, or attached to the legs, than to carry the load closely attached to the trunk as when using a backpack. A combined front-and backpack, or carriage of loads around the waist, tend to incur the lowest energy cost for a given load, as lateral and anteroposterior stability is optimized. However, there may be chest restriction and a limitation to evaporate body cooling, and donning and doffing problems may mitigate against the adoption of this method. Hand or arm carriage usually leads to local muscle fatigue rather quickly. Despite this, for conven...

The psychophysical method used by Snook [576] to determine maximum acceptable workloads for repetitive lifting during an 8 hour workday in industrial populations was evaluated for application in military ergonomics. Under the conditions of the present experiment, the mean load selected by 10 soldiers (17-5 kg) was lower than reported by Snook [576] for industrial workers, and by Garg and Saxena [243] for college students. When the soldiers lifted and lowered their selected load for an 8 hour workday, the average heart rate was 92 beats min−1 and the mean oxygen cost was 21% of their maximum oxygen uptake (determined for uphill treadmill running). There was no evidence of cardiovascular, metabolic or subjective fatigue. The results indicate that with good subject co-operation and firm experimental control in a laboratory, the psychophysical method can identify loads that soldiers can lift repetitively for an 8 hour workday without metabolic, cardiovascular or subjective evidence of fatigue, but it is not c...