Search Results (374)

Petroglyph motifs from 23 sites and 37 panels in northern Georgia and western North Carolina foothills and mountains are analyzed within their archaeological, ethnographic, and landscape contexts. The Track Rock Tradition comprises 10 chronologically sequenced marking categories: (1) Cupules/Meanders/Open Circles; (2) Soapstone Extraction cars; (3) Vulva Shapes; (4) Figures; (5) Feet/Hands/Tracks; (6) Nested Circles; (7) Cross-in-Circles; (8) Spirals; (9) Straight Lines; and (10) Thin Incised Lines. Dating spans approximately 3800 years. Early cupules and meanders predate 3000 years ago, truncated by Late Archaic soapstone extraction. Woodland period (3000–1050 years ago) motifs include vulva shapes, figures, feet, tracks, and hands. Early Mississippian concentric circles date to 1050–600 years ago, while Middle Mississippian cross-in-circles span 600–350 years ago. Late Mississippian spirals (350–200 years ago) and post-contact metal tool incisions represent the most recent phases. The Track Rock Tradition differs from western Trapp and eastern Hagood Mill traditions. Given the spatial overlap with Iroquoian-speaking Cherokee territory, motifs are interpreted through Cherokee beliefs, supplemented by related Muskogean Creek ethnography. In Cherokee cosmology, the matrilocal Thunderers hierarchy includes the Female Sun/Male Moon, Selu (Corn Mother)/Kanati (Lucky Hunter), Medicine Woman/Judaculla (Master of Game), and Little People families. Ritual practitioners served as intermediaries between physical and spirit realms through purification, fasting, body scratching, and rock pecking. Meanders represent trails, rivers, and lightning. Cupules and lines emphasize the turtle appearance of certain rocks. Vulva shapes relate to fertility, while tracks connect to life-giving abilities. Concentric circles denote townhouses; cross-in-circles and spirals represent central fires. The tradition shows continuity in core beliefs despite shifting emphases from hunting (Woodland) to corn cultivation (Mississippian), with petroglyphs serving as necessary waypoints for spiritual supplicants. Full article

The spatial variation of forest ecosystem services at regional scales remains poorly understood, and few studies have explicitly analyzed how ecosystem services are distributed across different forest management types. This study assessed the spatial overlap between forest management types and ecosystem service hotspots in the Southeastern United States (SEUS) and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) forests. We used the InVEST suite of tools and GIS to quantify carbon storage and water yield. Carbon storage was estimated, stratified by forest group and age class, and literature-based biomass pool values were applied. Average annual water yield and its temporal changes (2001–2020) were modeled using the annual water yield model, incorporating precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, vegetation type, and soil characteristics. Ecosystem service outputs were classified to identify hotspot zones (top 20%) and to evaluate the synergies and tradeoffs between these services. Hotspots were then overlaid with forest management maps to examine their distribution across management types. We found that only 2% of the SEUS and 11% of the PNW region were simultaneous hotspots for both services. In the SEUS, ecological and preservation forest management types showed higher efficiency in hotspot allocation, while in PNW, production forestry contributed relatively more to hotspot areas. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers and forest managers seeking to preserve the multiple benefits that forests provide at regional scales. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) continues to be a leading cause of death and disability in older adults, especially in the southeastern United States. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationships among measured, diagnosed, and treated (HTN) in community-dwelling adults participating in student-led health screenings in eastern Alabama. Methods: Between 2017 and 2019, students from health-related disciplines facilitated screenings at 23 community and independent living sites to conduct health assessments, including measuring blood pressure (BP), obtaining medical history, and evaluating current prescriptions. Statistical analyses including chi-square tests, t-tests, and backward stepwise linear regression were performed. Results: The current sample includes data from 357 adults aged 60 to 99 years (mean age 74.6 ± 8.7), who were 70.9% females, 60.8% identifying as Black/African American (BA), and 36.8% residing in rural areas. The majority of clients had a prior HTN diagnosis (71.1%) and/or currently measured HTN (78.7%). Forty-three percent of adults screened had measured, diagnosed, and pharmaceutically treated HTN, while 31% had measured but untreated HTN. Black clients had higher measured systolic and diastolic BP and were more likely to also have been diagnosed with HTN (p < 0.05 for all). Linear regression indicated that lower systolic BP was predicted by not living alone (p = 0.003), White race (p = 0.004), and previous HTN diagnosis (p = 0.012), while female gender (p = 0.079) and decreasing body mass index (p = 0.053) had marginal predictive value. Conclusions: These results indicate that awareness and screening of HTN in this population are noteworthy, though management of the disease through ongoing screening and referrals is essential to reduce disparities. Full article

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (TPB), (Palisot de Beauvois), and the western tarnished plant bug (WTPB), Lygus hesperus, Knight, are major agricultural pests that cause significant damage to a wide range of crops in the southeastern and southwestern United States. Flonicamid (commercial name: Carbine 50WG) is generally effective against various sap-feeding pests, including both L. hesperus and L. lineolaris. This study evaluated the toxicity of flonicamid on third-instar nymphs and adults of both Lygus species under laboratory conditions. Two bioassay methods were used: spray application to assess both contact and oral toxicity, and dipping to evaluate oral toxicity. Results showed that L. hesperus was significantly more susceptible to flonicamid than L. lineolaris across both bioassay methods. While no significant differences in toxicity were observed between spray and dipping assays, third-instar nymphs exhibited significantly higher sensitivity than adults in both species. The addition of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450-monooxygenases (P450s), significantly enhanced the toxicity of flonicamid, suggesting that P450 enzyme plays a critical role in its detoxification. Sublethal exposure to flonicamid also induced increased P450 activity in both species. These findings provide valuable insights into the differences in susceptibility between L. lineolaris and L. hesperus to flonicamid and indicate that P450-mediated detoxification is critical for flonicamid metabolism. Such insights are valuable for early resistance monitoring and optimizing flonicamid application in integrated pest management programs. Full article

Background: Pneumococcal vaccination rates in the United States (US) remain suboptimal, especially for adults aged 19 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions. Community-pharmacy-based immunization services increase vaccine access, particularly in rural areas. This study describes the provision of pneumococcal immunization services, assesses the processes used to identify and confirm patient eligibility, and determines barriers to immunization services in rural community pharmacies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was emailed to members of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies, located in the southeastern US. The survey assessed which pneumococcal vaccines were offered, age groups, prescription requirements, and how patient eligibility was determined. In addition, participants were asked to rate a series of patient-related and organizational barriers to pneumococcal vaccination. Results: Ninety-four pharmacies completed the survey, with most (96.8%) offering pneumococcal vaccines, most commonly PCV20 (95.6%). Most pharmacies vaccinated patients upon request (98.9%) or when patients presented with a prescription (82.4%), but few proactively contacted patients to schedule the vaccination (17.6%). Pharmacists most often administered pneumococcal vaccines to patients aged 65 and older and used patient age and immunization information systems to identify eligible patients. The most common patient-related barrier was the patient’s belief that they do not need the vaccine. The most common organizational barriers were inadequate reimbursements for vaccine administration and vaccine products. Conclusions: Pneumococcal vaccinations are commonly offered in rural community pharmacies, which play an important role in immunization access. With recent guideline changes to the age-based recommendation, there is an opportunity to optimize strategies to increase vaccine uptake. Full article

Spiders and other arthropods can sometimes consume others of their kind, and this is most often associated with mating activity, whereby females cannibalize males during or after mating, or during mating attempts. Nonsexual cannibalism is less common but may be associated with food availability or territorial aggression. In the Southeastern United States, a non-native orb-weaving spider, Trichonephila clavata (the “jorō spider”), is expanding its range. Prior lab experiments indicated this species to be “shy” compared to other native spiders, based on behavioral reactions to stimuli. Here, we report descriptive observations and photo-documentation of nonsexual cannibalism by this species, including from anecdotal observations, plus findings from controlled pairings of spiders, both in the lab and in natural webs in the field. In the cases where cannibalism was witnessed, it involved one female biting and killing another, typically after a short fight. When two females of a similar size were placed together in a container (n = 25 trials), fights ensued 40% of the time. When females of different sizes were paired (n = 27 trials), fights happened 18% of the time, and the larger females were not always the aggressor. Across all the lab trials (n = 52), six bouts (9%) led to the direct killing of one female. In field trials where two females were placed on an empty web (n = 14 trials), we observed one fight (7%) where the aggressor ended up killing and wrapping the other spider in silk. Given that some of these instances happened away from any web, these observations imply that the aggression is not necessarily an act of territoriality. The intraspecific aggression could arise when females are provoked or stressed, which deserves more study. Full article

With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe in fire-prone regions affected by warmer and drier climate conditions, reducing hazardous fuels is increasingly recognized as a preventative strategy for promoting sustainability and safeguarding valued resources. Prescribed fire is one of the most cost-effective methods for reducing hazardous fuels and hence wildfire severity, yet empirical research on its effectiveness at minimizing damage to highly valued resources and assets (HVRAs) remains limited. The overarching objective of this study was to evaluate wildfire severity under differing weather conditions across various HVRAs characterized by diverse land uses, vegetation types, and treatment histories. The findings from this study reveal that wildfire severity was generally lower in areas treated with prescribed fire, although the significance of this effect varied among HVRAs and diminished as post-treatment duration increased. The wildland–urban interface experienced the greatest initial reduction in wildfire severity following prescribed fire, but burn severity increased more rapidly over time relative to other HVRAs. Elevated drought conditions had a significant effect, increasing wildfire severity across all HVRAs. The implications of this study underscore the role of prescribed fire in promoting sustainable land management by reducing wildfire severity and safeguarding both natural and built environments, particularly in the expanding wildland–urban interface. Full article

Background: Chronic diseases negatively impact health outcomes and are attributed to elevated morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Rural populations are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and have limited access to health programs and resources. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the cognitive impact that a web-based lifestyle medicine intervention had on participants recruited from rural community settings in the southeastern United States. This qualitative study was the second phase of a mixed methods design, which used a randomized controlled trial to evaluate intervention effects. Methods: The descriptive design of this qualitative study included semi-structured interviews to collect information about the impact of a lifestyle medicine intervention. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the grounded theory method of thematic analysis in an iterative process for discovering patterns, central themes, and concepts. Results: The four themes that emerged were (a) gaining awareness and overcoming barriers, (b) encouraging others as a “ripple effect”, (c) realizing actualities, and (d) seeing progress. These themes highlighted the cognitive impact of an online lifestyle medicine program and provided insights about how rural dwellers perceived and processed educational health information. Conclusions: This study shows that the intervention had a positive influence on participants that continued after participation. The findings of this study provide recommendations that can facilitate intervention development and implementation among rural populations. Full article

Blueberry is a high-value fruit crop in the United States, with Georgia and Florida serving as important early-season production regions. In these areas, several thrips species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), including Frankliniella tritici (Fitch), Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan), and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood), have emerged as economically significant pests. While F. tritici and F. bispinosa primarily damage floral tissues, S. dorsalis targets young foliage. Their rapid reproduction, high mobility, and broad host range contribute to rapid population buildup and complicate the management programs. Species identification is often difficult due to overlapping morphological features and requires the use of molecular diagnostic tools for accurate identification. Although action thresholds, such as 2–6 F. tritici per flower cluster, are used to guide management decisions, robust economic thresholds based on yield loss remain undeveloped. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices include regular monitoring, cultural control (e.g., pruning, reflective mulch), biological control using Orius insidiosus (Say) and predatory mites, and chemical control. Reduced-risk insecticides like spinetoram and spinosad offer effective suppression while minimizing harm to pollinators and beneficial insects. However, the brief flowering period limits the establishment of biological control agents. Developing species-specific economic thresholds and phenology-based IPM strategies is critical for effective and sustainable thrips management in blueberry cropping systems. Full article

In the Amazon, nearly one million people remain without reliable access to electricity. Moreover, the rural electricity grid is a mostly single-phase, ground-return type, with poor energy quality and high expenses. This study examines very low-head micro-hydropower (MHP) sites in the Amazon, emphasizing the integration of multiple axial-flow turbines. It includes an analysis of flow duration curves and key curves, both upstream and downstream, to design an MHP plant with multiple units targeting maximized energy yield. The presence of multiple turbines is crucial due to the substantial annual flow variation in the Amazon rivers. One contribution of this work is its scalable framework for ultra-low-head and high flow variability in small rivers, which is applicable in similar hydrological configurations, such as those typical of the Amazon. The design applies the minimum pressure coefficient criterion to increase turbine efficiency. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations forecast turbine efficiency and flow behavior. The CFD model is validated using experimental data available in the literature on a similar turbine, which is similarly used in this study for cost reasons, with discrepancies under 5%, demonstrating robust predictions of turbine efficiency and head behavior as a function of flow. This study also explores the implications of including inlet guide vanes (IGVs). We use a case study of a small bridge in Vila do Janari, situated in the southeastern part of Pará state, where heads range from 1.4 to 2.4 m and turbine flow rates span from 0.23 to 0.92 m³/s. The optimal configuration shows the potential to generate 63 MWh/year. Full article

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are required to prepare a Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) that outlines a fiscal strategy over a four-year period in order to qualify for federal funding. However, the growing population and limited financial resources available often pose significant challenges for transportation agencies in aligning their needs with available budgets. This article examines the project selection criteria used by 20 MPOs in the Southeastern United States to identify the best practices for prioritizing projects in TIPs. Using document analysis, this study categorizes the most commonly used criteria into nine broad groups: safety and security; environmental impacts; mobility, accessibility, and connectivity; preservation; environmental justice; equity; economic factors; alignment with other plans; and local support. Many of these categories are further divided into subcategories and metrics. Despite variations in criteria, weighting, scoring, and methodologies across these MPOs, the study identifies several shared factors that support effective decision-making in regional transportation planning. These findings can help transportation planners and policymakers refine their project prioritization strategies, promote consistency, and lead to improved decision-making frameworks for future TIP development. Full article

Driven by many factors, the housing affordability landscape in the United States (U.S.) is in crisis. This research examines the potential role of inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies as a tool to alleviate housing cost burdens and deliver affordable housing in the rapidly growing southeastern region of the U.S., with a specific focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Utilizing data from LawAtlas, this study first conducts a policy scan on the state of IZ policies across seven comparable jurisdictions. This study further employs qualitative semi-structured interviews with stakeholders to assess the current challenges to affordable housing in the county. Our findings suggest that growing regions such as Greenville County face unique challenges as they strive to meet the growing demand for affordable housing that serves a wide range of community members. A major finding from interviewees includes a need for more localized and nuanced metrics of housing affordability, greater density, and mixed-use development. However, the county faces challenges for such developments due to NIMBYism and preference for a more traditional rural and suburban typology of housing in the county. Finally, our study finds that zoning policies that enhance the supply of affordable housing by design can promote equity, trust, economic growth, and quality of life. Full article

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) due to their potential threat to both ecosystems and human health. The Tibetan Plateau (TP), characterized by its low temperatures, pristine ecological conditions, and remoteness from anthropogenic influences, serves as the investigation region. This study analyzed water samples from the temperature glacial watershed and employed the risk assessment method established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to assess both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of PCBs in five age groups. The total concentrations of PCBs (∑₃PCBs) varied from 738 to 1914 ng/L, with a mean value of 1058 ng/L, which was comparable to or exceeded levels reported in the surface water around the TP. Notably, the riverine sites located near the villages and towns exhibited the highest pollution levels. Our analyses indicated that glacier melting, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), reductive dechlorination processes, and various anthropogenic activities might be potential sources of PCB emission in the Meili Snow Mountains. According to the established national and international water quality standards, as well as toxic equivalency concentrations (TEQs) for dioxin-like PCBs (DL PCBs), the PCB concentrations detected in this study could result in serious biological damage and adverse ecological toxicological effects. However, the PCBs in all samples posed a negligible cancer risk to five age groups, and a non-carcinogenic risk to adults. These findings contribute valuable insights into the risks and sources of PCBs and may serve as a foundational reference for subsequent study of these compounds in the Meili Snow Mountains area of the southeastern TP. Full article

(1) Green infrastructure, such as green roofs, is emerging as an important way to improve environmental quality and protect crucial ecosystem services in urban areas across the globe. However, limited data exist on the specific ecosystem services provided by green roofs, particularly regarding how these services evolve over time and under varying management regimes. (2) This study examines how management, age and other variables influence some key substrate features, such as decomposition and carbon storage, that drive ecosystem services provided by green roofs in 13 urban locations across three states in the Southeastern United States. Data were collected over 4 months from March to June 2024, using the teabag index and substrate nutrient sampling. (3) We identified several significant effects of green roof management, age and other variables on key drivers of ecosystem services, including decomposition rate, carbon storage, and nutrient composition. (4) Specifically, intensive management practices were associated with lower substrate decomposition rates, while irrigation, substrate additions and elevation had significant positive impacts on decomposition rates, the stabilization factor (carbon storage), organic matter and other nutrient levels. Overall, intensive management, which often involves higher costs, did not consistently enhance ecosystem service delivery and was associated with slight reductions in service provisions. Although further work is needed, this study is among few that have examined green roofs substrates in a statistically rigorous way. Full article

This article examines how young children express informed assent in research settings that incorporate digital tools, participatory methods, and play-based approaches. Drawing on data from three studies involving kindergarten and first-grade children (ages 5 to 7) in the southeastern United States, this cross-case analysis explores how children navigated their participation using multimodal and relational strategies. Conceptual play theory, social semiotics, and participatory research frameworks guided the analysis, emphasizing assent as an evolving, co-constructed process rather than a singular verbal agreement. Through video recordings, field notes, and action-oriented transcripts, we investigated how children expressed comfort, curiosity, and agency across diverse contexts—including virtual reality storytelling, video-cued reflection, and interactive eBooks. Findings illustrate that assent was negotiated through gesture, movement, silence, humor, and peer interaction, often extending beyond adult-defined research routines. Children reinterpreted their roles, shaped the pace of sessions, and co-constructed meaning through play and dialogue. This retrospective synthesis of three previously conducted studies offers practical and ethical insights for researchers working with young children, including the importance of ongoing assent checkpoints, developmentally appropriate explanations, and flexible research environments. We argue that ethical research with children must prioritize multimodal communication, child-led pacing, and relational trust to support authentic and meaningful participation. By reframing assent as a dynamic and multimodal process, this research contributes to emerging conversations about ethical responsiveness, agency, and inclusive practices in early childhood research. Full article