Search Results (249)

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted multiple aspects of human life, including the psychological and physical health of college students. This study explores how students in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a region within the larger Appalachian area, experienced anxiety, depression, and fear of COVID-19. An online survey was conducted at a large public university in the US, yielding responses from 680 undergraduate and graduate students. Linear regression was applied to continuous outcomes, specifically the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and depression scores. For dichotomous outcomes such as anxiety and depression (when categorized), separate logistic regression models were employed. The majority of respondents were female (78.0%), White (81.9%), and undergraduates (80.4%), with approximately 41.4% majoring in health-related disciplines. Results indicated that female students reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and fear of infection compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, undergraduate students exhibited greater depressive symptoms than graduate students. Students who perceived less institutional support from their university during the pandemic also reported significantly higher psychological distress. These findings underscore the pressing need for universities and policymakers to collaborate in enhancing mental health resources and communication strategies for students during times of crisis. Full article

The Central Appalachian region, where family forest landowners (FFLs) control much of the carbon sequestration potential, holds the potential for forest-based climate solutions. Despite this, participation in carbon offset programs remains low, largely due to the disconnect between small landowner needs and program structure. This study examines FFL preferences for carbon programs in Central Appalachia. Utilizing a panel-data mixed logit model, we evaluated the effects of contract length, payment amount, harvest requirements, and program administration on participation decisions. Our results indicate that higher payments significantly increase program participation. Furthermore, contract lengths of at least 15 years and restrictive harvests negatively influence program participation. Program administration played a significant role, with government-administered programs being less preferred, with odds 48% lower than privately administered programs. Landowner characteristics such as carbon-oriented ownership, education, and income also influence participation. The willingness-to-accept analysis shows high compensation demands for less favorable terms: $107–$397/ha/year for longer contracts and $104–$173/ha/year for harvest restrictions. Additionally, landowners require an extra $66/ha/year for government administration. The findings underscore the importance of designing carbon offset programs that are flexible, offer adequate compensation, and foster trust, while aligning with landowners’ management objectives. Full article

Temperate streams are among the most well-studied ecosystems globally, yet there remains much uncertainty regarding the processes that regulate food web structure. Here we explore the relative contribution of food web composition and watershed factors on inter-stream variation in size spectra slopes (λ). Size spectra describe the decrease in abundance with increasing body size of individuals within a community (N∼M ^λ). We estimated λ for invertebrate, fish, and combined food webs to test effects of functional groups and watershed variables. The mean λ for combined and invertebrate food webs aligned well with theoretic predictions (mean = −2.04 and −2.02 respectively, range =−2.58 to −1.51). In contrast, the mean fish slope was shallower and more variable among sites (mean = −1.85, range = −2.71 to −1.33). Drainage area, a proxy for ecosystem size, was positively related to λ in all three data groupings. The fish-only λs were also positively related to agricultural land cover and negatively associated with the relative abundance of predators and omnivores. These results demonstrate the potential for drainage area to increase the relative abundance of large consumers and highlight the role of functional group dominance. Such insights are difficult to obtain without a size spectrum approach. Full article

Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry (Latitude 30.1 N) in the Big Bend area of Florida with a central pressure of 939 hPa. It moved northwards creating devastating damage and loss of life; however, the greatest damage and number of fatalities occurred well to the north around the City of Ashville (Latitude 35.6 N) where extreme rainfall fell and some of the strongest wind gusts were reported. This paper describes the change in the hurricane’s structure as it tracked northwards, how it gathered tropical moisture from the Atlantic and a turning wind profile between the 850 hPa and 500 hPa elevations, which led to such extreme rainfall. This turning wind profile is shown to be associated with extreme rainfall and loss of life from drowning and landslides around the globe. The area around Ashville suffered 157 fatalities, which is a considerable proportion of the 250 fatalities so far recorded in the whole United Stares from Helene. This is of extreme concern and should be investigated in detail as the public expect the greatest impact from hurricanes to be confined to coastal areas near the landfall site. It is another example of increased death tolls from tropical cyclones moving inland and generating heavy rainfall. As the global population increases and inland centres become more urbanised, run off from such rainfall events increases, which causes greater devastation. Full article

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients face a four-fold higher suicide risk than the general US population. This study explores psychosocial aspects of GI cancer patient experiences, assessing suicidal ideation and behavior, mental distress during treatment phases, and psychosocial factors on mental health. Methods: A two-phase mixed-methods approach involved a web-based survey and follow-up interviews. Quantitative data analysis validated mental health and suicidal ideation constructs, and correlation analyses were performed. The patient journey was charted from diagnosis to treatment. Results: Two hundred and two individuals participated, with 76 from the rural Appalachian region and 78 undergoing treatments. Quantitative analysis showed a higher prevalence of passive suicidal ideation than active planning. The post-treatment recovery period was the most emotionally challenging. Qualitative data emphasized emotional support and vulnerability to isolation. Care quality concerns included individualized treatment plans and better communication. Patients also needed clear, comprehensive information about treatment and side effects. The in-depth interview with four GI cancer patients revealed a healthcare system prioritizing expedient treatment over comprehensive care, lacking formal psychological support. AI emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing patient understanding and treatment options. Conclusions: Our research advocates for a patient-centric model of care, enhanced by technology and empathetic communication. Full article

(1) Background: Geospatial associations for COVID-19 mortality were estimated using a cohort of 28,128 hospitalized Medicaid patients identified from the 2020–2021 Kentucky Health Facility and Services administrative claims data. (2) Methods: County-level patient information (age, sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and mechanical ventilation use [96 hrs. plus]); social deprivation index (SDI) scores; physician and nurse rates per 100,000; and annual average particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5) were used as the predictors. Ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) with the dependent variable, COVID-19 mortality per 100,000, were performed to compute global and local effects, respectively. (3) Results: MGWR (adjusted R²: 0.52; corrected Akaike information criterion [AICc]: 292.51) performed better at explaining the association between the dependent variable and predictors than the OLS regression (adjusted R²: 0.36; AICc: 301.20). The percentages of patients with COPD and who were mechanically ventilated (96 hrs. plus) were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality, respectively (OLS standardized βCOPD: 0.22; βventilation: 0.53; MGWR mean βCOPD: 0.38; βventilation: 0.57). Other predictors were not statistically significant in both models. (4) Conclusions: A risk of COVID-19 mortality was observed among patients with COPD and prolonged mechanical ventilation use, after controlling for social determinants, the healthcare workforce, and PM_2.5 in rural and Appalachian counties of Kentucky. These counties are characterized by persistent poverty, healthcare workforce shortages, economic distress, and poor population health outcomes. Improving population health protection through multisector collaborations in rural and Appalachian counties may help reduce future health burdens. Full article

John Strong Newberry described three species of the lobe-fin fish Onychodus (Osteichthyes, Sarcopterygii, Onychodontida) based on parasymphysial teeth, or tusks. Two species, Onychodus sigmoides Newberry, 1857 (type species of the genus) and Onychodus hopkinsi Newberry, 1857, were described from the “fish beds” in the Delaware Limestone (Middle Devonian, Eifelian) of Delaware, Ohio, USA; and one species, Onychodus ortoni Newberry, 1889, was described from the Ohio Shale, Huron Member (Upper Devonian, Famennian) of Perry Township, Franklin County, Ohio. In 1873, Newberry replaced the original species-group definition of O. hopkinsi with a definition based on teeth of different morphology from the West Falls Group (Upper Devonian, Frasnian) of Franklin, New York. Specimens of Newberry’s original Onychodus material, including the primary types, which were long assumed to be lost, have been rediscovered in a 19th-century collection. They show O. hopkinsi to be a junior synonym of O. sigmoides and clarify the species definition of O. sigmoides. Onychodus sigmoides, which is recognized from Middle Devonian strata of the Appalachian Basin in the United States and Canada, shows two end-member shapes of teeth on the parasymphysial whorl: procurved (arcuate) or nearly so proximally and recurved distally (anteriorly). Small teeth are commonly more slender than large teeth, which are robust. Parasymphysial teeth from the Upper Devonian of Ohio and New York are referred to O. ortoni. Full article

Sympatric species often exhibit habitat differences that promote coexistence. Two cryptic, sympatric salamander species, Desmognathus folkertsi and D. amphileucus, occupy streams across the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Georgia, USA. Although frequently occurring together, the adults exhibit differences in microhabitat with D. folkertsi predominating in smaller streams and D. amphileucus more abundant in larger streams. Our purpose was to test for possible differences in larval habitat. Using a stream in which the two species coexist, we collected larvae from riffles, and biotic and abiotic variables associated with the stream and adjacent riparian zone were recorded. Because adults partially segregate by stream size, we noted the entry of a tributary that increased stream size and flow rate. Results showed a significant distribution of the two species upstream compared to downstream of the tributary, with no D. amphileucus found upstream; D. folkertsi was found throughout the study stream. We also found a significant difference between species in flow rate. We found no differences in any other variable that explained larval distribution patterns. We hypothesize that D. folkertsi nest in lower-flow riffles than D. amphileucus, resulting in the distribution of larvae, a pattern that may reflect selection on larval survival. Full article

This paper presents three design case studies for implementing large-scale geologic carbon storage in the Appalachian Basin region of the midwestern United States. While the Appalachian Basin has a challenging setting for carbon storage, the three case studies detailed in this article demonstrate that there are realistic options for implementing carbon storage in the basin. Carbonate rock formations, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and moderate-porosity sandstones can be utilized as carbon-storage reservoirs in the Appalachian Basin. While these are not typical concepts for CO₂ storage, the storage zones have advantages such as defined trapping mechanisms, multiple caprocks, and defined boundaries that are not always present in thick, permeable sandstones being targeted for many carbon-storage projects. The geologic setting, geotechnical parameters, and hydrologic setting for the three case studies are provided, along with the results of reservoir simulations of the CO₂ injection-deployment strategies. The geological rock formations available for CO₂ storage in the Appalachian Basin are more localized reservoirs with defined boundaries and finite storage capacities. Simulation results showed that accessing carbon-storage resources in these fields may require wellfields with 2–10 injection wells. However, these fields would have the capacity to inject 1–3 million metric tons of CO₂ per year and up to 90 million metric tons of CO₂ in total. The CO₂ storage resources would fulfill decarbonization goals for many of the natural-gas power plants, cement plants, hydrogen plants, and refineries in the Appalachian Basin region. Full article

Detrital zircon (DZ) ages of Cretaceous sandstones in the United States contain critical spatial and temporal information on their sedimentary provenance and on the reorganization of drainage patterns. Herein, we report zircon U-Pb ages of sandstones from Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous formations of Arkansas. All Arkansas sandstones studied, except for those from the Upper Cretaceous Nacatoch Formation, display dominant Appalachian-Grenville DZ ages from among the Appalachian-Ouachita DZ grains that were studied. Our work shows that the sedimentary provenance of Arkansas sandstones started to change during the middle part of the Cretaceous. Notably, DZ grains from the Woodbine formation, which was deposited during the middle part of Cretaceous, show moderate contributions from Western Cordillera sources (275–55 Ma), and DZ grains from the Upper Cretaceous Nacatoch Formation exhibit dominant Western Cordillera sourcing. Our Arkansas-based DZ data suggest that the onset of DZ contribution of the Western Cordillera began at about 94 Ma, and the peak of the Western Cordillera source contribution occurred at about 73 Ma. Therefore, we can show that North American drainage reorganization with regard to Western Cordilleran DZ sourcing in Arkansas began during the time span 94–73 Ma, which is earlier than the previously reported onset of drainage reorganization with regard to Texas (i.e., 66–55 Ma). Full article

La Crosse virus (LACV) is a rare cause of pediatric encephalitis, yet identifying and mitigating transmission foci is critical to detecting additional cases. Neurologic disease disproportionately occurs among children, and survivors often experience substantial, life-altering chronic disability. Despite its severe clinical impact, public health resources to detect and mitigate transmission are lacking. This study aimed to design a Bayesian modelling approach to effectively identify and predict LACV incidence for geospatially informed public health interventions. A Bayesian negative binomial spatio-temporal regression model best fit the data and demonstrated high accuracy. Nine variables were statistically significant in predicting LACV incidence for the Appalachian Mountain Region. Proportion of children, proportion of developed open space, and proportion of barren land were positively associated with LACV incidence, while vapor pressure deficit index, year, and proportions of developed high intensity land, evergreen forest, hay pasture, and woody wetland were negatively associated with LACV incidence. Model prediction error was low, less than 2%, indicating high accuracy in predicting annual LACV human incidence at the county level. In summary, this study demonstrates the utility of Bayesian negative binomial spatio-temporal regression models for predicting rare but medically important LACV human cases. Future studies could examine more granular models for predicting LACV cases from localized variables such as mosquito control efforts, local reservoir host density and local weather fluctuations. Full article

This study applies machine learning (ML) techniques to classify fertile [for porphyry Cu and (or) Au systems] and barren adakites using geochemical data from New Brunswick, Canada. It emphasizes that not all intrusive units, including adakites, are inherently fertile and should not be directly used as the heat source evidence layer in mineral prospectivity mapping without prior analysis. Adakites play a crucial role in mineral exploration by helping distinguish between fertile and barren intrusive units, which significantly influence ore-forming processes. A dataset of 99 fertile and 66 barren adakites was analyzed using seven ML models: support vector machine (SVM), neural network, random forest (RF), decision tree, AdaBoost, gradient boosting, and logistic regression. These models were applied to classify 829 adakite samples from around the world into fertile and barren categories, with performance evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), classification accuracy, F1 score, precision, recall, and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC). SVM achieved the highest performance (AUC = 0.91), followed by gradient boosting (0.90) and RF (0.89). For model validation, 160 globally recognized fertile adakites were selected from the dataset based on well-documented fertility characteristics. Among the tested models, SVM demonstrated the highest classification accuracy (93.75%), underscoring its effectiveness in distinguishing fertile from barren adakites for mineral prospectivity mapping. Statistical analysis and feature selection identified middle rare earth elements (REEs), including Gd and Dy, with Hf, as key indicators of fertility. A comprehensive analysis of 1596 scatter plots, generated from 57 geochemical variables, was conducted using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to determine the most effective variable pairs for distinguishing fertile and barren adakites. The most informative scatter plots featured element vs. element combinations (e.g., Ga vs. Dy, Ga vs. Gd, and Pr vs. Gd), followed by element vs. major oxide (e.g., Fe₂O₃T vs. Gd and Al₂O₃ vs. Hf) and ratio vs. element (e.g., La/Sm vs. Gd, Rb/Sr vs. Hf) plots, whereas major oxide vs. major oxide, ratio vs. ratio, and major oxide vs. ratio plots had limited discriminatory power. Full article

Foliar endophytic fungi (FEF) live within leaves without causing visible signs of disease. FEF occur in all vascular plants, yet the exact nature of interactions between specific FEF and their hosts is not well understood. Some FEF are associated with enhanced water use efficiency, nutrient acquisition, and defense. However, others may have negative effects under high-stress conditions. We examined a series of gas exchange traits in sweet birch (Betula lenta, Fagaceae) along an elevation gradient in the Pisgah National Forest Asheville, North Carolina, USA. From these leaves, we cultured surface-sterilized samples to examine FEF frequency and diversity. FEF cultures were categorized by morphotype and identified through analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. FEF colonization frequency was 100% across all sites, and we identified 68 distinct morphotypes. Genetic identification of a subset of cultures suggests highly diverse FEF communities within this study system. Leaf gas exchange traits showed significant correlations with elevation at the site level, supporting the hypothesis that water stress increases with increasing elevation. However, further research is needed to determine associations between FEF communities and elevation. These findings, especially considering the limited sample size and small spatial scale of this study, indicate that the southern Appalachians are a promising region for future studies of FEF in forest systems. Full article

Using mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM), the mineral systems approach enables the identification of geological indicators linked to ore formation. This approach streamlines exploration by minimizing the time and cost required to identify areas with the highest mineral potential. With its extensive till cover and dense forests limiting bedrock exposure, New Brunswick provides an ideal environment to test this approach. The New Brunswick portion of the Canadian Appalachians hosts a diverse range of gold deposits and occurrences that formed during various stages of the Appalachian orogeny. In northern New Brunswick and the adjacent Gaspé Peninsula, the Tobique–Chaleur Zone contains several orogenic and epithermal gold systems that are closely associated with a large-scale crustal fault and its offshoots, i.e., the long-lived trans-crustal Rocky Brook–Millstream Fault system. To identify favorable zones for epithermal gold mineralization in northwestern New Brunswick, this study employed MPM by translating key mineral system components—such as ore metal sources, fluid pathways, traps, and geological controls—into mappable criteria for regional-scale analysis. The data were modeled through the integration of knowledge-based and data-driven methods, including fuzzy logic, geometric average, and logistic regression approaches. The concentration–area (C–A) fractal model was applied to reclassify the final maps based on prospectivity values obtained from these three approaches, dividing the mineral prospectivity maps into six classes, with threshold values emphasizing high-favorability zones. The fuzzy overlay model had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC 0.97), followed by the geometric average model (AUC 0.93), whereas the logistic regression identified more tightly constrained high-potential zones. In the prospectivity models, known epithermal gold mineralization consistently overlaps with regions of high favorability. This suggests a positive result from the use of MPM, indicating that this approach could be applicable to other regions and types of ore deposits. Full article

Microplastic pollution levels and potential sources of contamination in North Central Appalachia are evaluated to fill a major knowledge gap regarding microplastics in freshwater systems, which lead to negative consequences for the sustainability of healthy freshwaters. Fifty-five northern hogsucker fish were sampled from nine sites throughout seven freshwater streams in the region. Microplastic particles were extracted from the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts via 10% KOH digestion and identified visually. A total of 2185 particles were identified, ranging between 8 and 274 particles/individual and an average of 39.73 particles/individual. The most particles were found in fish within the Cheat watershed, particularly at the Big Sandy Creek downstream site, followed by tributaries of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. The most identified particle type was fiber (96.61%). There was a positive relationship between the total length of fish and number of particles. Agricultural land use and E. coli abundance were both positively correlated with microplastic abundance. Agricultural land use and sewage input both appear to be important drivers of microplastic pollution in these streams, although we cannot rule out the influence of atmospheric deposition. These results point to widespread levels of microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems in North Central Appalachia. Full article