Academic literature on the topic 'Community beginning'

Abstract In bridge painting, some things have become familiar, if not routine, such as containment structures, monitoring, surface preparation, and application. Unfortunately, we must also contend with traffic constraints, train service, coast guard requirements, and community relations. All must be considered from beginning to end of the project. Let's start at the beginning and address the impact these items have on the development of the specifications.

Over the years, the cost/benefit balance of Health & Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) available for rotorcraft have generated much debate, especially at the procurement phase of new aircraft. Currently, there is consensus within and outside the HUMS community regarding the safety benefits of having a HUMS system installed. The Royal Canadian Air Force worked in conjunction with the HUMS support team from Bell Helicopter Canada to establish the direct quantitative cost savings of running the HUMS program on their fleet of 85 CH-146 (Bell 412CF) Griffon helicopters. Accepting the safety benefits, the objective was to determine whether the cost savings generated by the program would offset the annual investment required. Using the HUMS database and the various military tracking systems, the number of events for which HUMS provided sufficient data to deviate from either a maintenance action or from a conditional inspection was compiled for a 5 year period from the beginning of 2008 to the end 2012. The total saving was conservatively estimated at $2.1M per year which definitively surpasses the annual investment required to keep the program running.

Abstract Seawater injection into oil reservoirs for secondary oil recovery is frequently accompanied by souring. Souring causes various problems, such as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and deterioration of crude oil. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are considered to be major players in souring. Nitrate injection has been widely used to control the growth of SRB. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the bacterial community in response to nitrate addition to control biological souring. We investigated the effect of nitrate addition in an artificial souring experiment, using diluted crude oil as substrate and electron donor. Desulfotignum sp. was the predominant SRB under all conditions tested. Addition of nitrate at the beginning (N0) repressed the growth of SRB, concomitant with significant growth of the nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) Thalassospira sp. Nitrate addition after SRB growth (at day 28, N28) successfully remediated the sulfide produced by SRB, but no significant reduction in sulfate was observed subsequently. In the N28 experiment might be the result of the role of Arcobacter sp., which are nitrate-reducing sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, and/or the ability of Desulfotignum sp. to reduce nitrate and/or nitrite as a stress response. Thus, SRB might persist after nitrate addition, potentially causing subsequent SRB outbreaks

The agricultural sector is an important strategic branch of any economy. Food security and food independence of the state are the key to ensuring the national security of the state. This fact became especially evident during Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which, among other things, affected the global food market. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the oldest policies of the European Community, as it was launched in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, signed by six countries (Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg), which were about the creation of the European Union. The goal of �AP has always been a strong and competitive policy in the field of agriculture and ensuring a sufficient amount of food for the population. At the same time, it should be noted that CAP has evolved significantly from the beginning of European integration to the present stage, in addition to the above-mentioned initial goals, new goals have appeared in it. The purpose of this article is to show the evolution of CAP with special emphasis on environmental protection and the role of CAP in climate change. The Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 and its strategic priorities were analyzed. New priorities included in CAP were revealed. General theoretical methods of study were used. Analysis and synthesis, system-functional method, theoretical generalization made it possible to generalize tendencies of the development of the CAP.

In the summer of 2014 Vulcan Painters spearheaded a project to do surface preparation and recoat seven historic military tanks, asking for help from the industrial painting community, from contractors and suppliers. The aim of the project was to finish the work without expense to the foundation that sought to build a new museum to house 200 years of U.S. Army armor and cavalry history. This talk details the project from its beginning without even a space to paint, specifications for the tanks to be painted, or the tanks themselves selected, and moves through outreach to the industry through various media, seeking contractors to volunteer to paint a tank, and suppliers to donate paint, abrasive, equipment, and materials. Contractors who volunteered were both union and non-union, and the industry responded with donations of manpower, equipment and materials. Research into paint colors and manufacturers produced accurate colors and formulas, and led to requests to coatings companies to produce and donate coatings in a short period of time. As volunteers and materials were recruited, estimating time and materials and setting up scheduling for working painting crews became key. The underlying theme that made this project possible was the will of those who volunteered to give something back to the military, by preserving these tanks that are part of its history. Members of each painting crew brought their own personal reasons for volunteering, many involving family members who served. Contractor names and supplier names that are usually removed from these papers, according to SSPC paper requirements, are used here because of the highly collaborative nature of the project.

Aim/Purpose. The present study aimed to understand in depth the experience of identity formation of beginning teachers (BTs), members of Gen Y in their first year at elementary school, and teaching students of Gen Alpha from the perspective of BTs and their teacher mentors (TMs). Background. The purpose of the study was to compare the aspects described by BTs and their mentor teachers of the initial experience of teaching and of shaping the professional identity of BTs, members of Gen Y, in elementary schools, from the perspective of BTs and teacher mentors (TMs). Methodology. This was a qualitative study. Two groups participated in the study: (a) 75 BTs, members of Gen Y, and (b) 40 mentors of beginning teachers. Contribution. The findings of this study indicate that the creation of an emotionally and professionally supportive community led to a fruitful discussion on issues related to the process of absorption and integration of BTs in the school. This process advanced their professional development, expanding knowledge, abilities, strategies, innovative pedagogical practices for classroom management, and meaningful teaching and learning in the classroom. The supportive community provided an emotional, professional, social-organizational, and evaluative-reflective response to the needs of BTs, facilitating meaningful interactions between the BTs and their students. It created a space for students to practice emotional training, organize and manage behavior, regulate emotions and behavior, reduce feelings of anger, and arouse a feeling of optimism. Findings. The findings show that there was a conflict between the BTs’ and TMs’ perceptions of school reality. The mentors expected the BTs to adapt to the existing system, whereas the BTs perceived the process as one of formation of their identity as teachers. It turned out that parameters important to Gen Y teachers, such as knowing the school organization and being an influential factor that brings about change, were less important to their mentors. The findings of the present study reinforce those of previous studies that investigated the employment characteristics of Gen Y. Recommendations for Practitioners. A supportive community at school is likely to increase the level of mental wellbeing of Gen Y teachers. To this end, support communities of teachers should be created by form and discipline of study. In the community, emphasis should be placed on reflection and mental resilience in all situations and challenging events that happen to the BTs to help them cope with the accumulated stress. Recommendations for Researchers. Students need a sensitive environment that is appropriate for Gen Alpha children. This environment must allow for emotional training and regulation, behavior organization, and management to arouse a feeling of optimism and reduce anger. Teachers must teach with love, sensitivity, affectivity, and empathy to develop students’ emotional, social, and cognitive abilities. Impact on Society. To retain BTs and prevent them from quitting their career, schools must ensure that members of Gen Y understand the school organization and are satisfied with the way the organization is managed. They must have a sense of being significant partners in the life of the school. Under optimal working conditions, Gen Y teachers may greatly contribute to the values of education and equal opportunity, maximizing the personal potential of each student and the classroom as a whole and making the school relevant. Future Research. Future studies should examine the characteristics of students belonging to Gen Alpha. One of the difficulties mentioned by BTs was a misunderstanding of the characteristics of Gen Alpha, which created problems in the interactions within the teaching staff and between the teachers and the students and prevented gaining authority with other teachers and with students.

The human microbiota is a community of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses and parasites that form an ecosystem consisting of approximately 1014 microorganisms. The diversity of this community is due to differences in the host’s genome and the influence of environmental factors, including hygiene, diet, lifestyle and the use of various drugs. Research work in the recent past has confirmed that the altered composition of the gut microbiota, dysbiosis, contributes to the development of various diseases, including cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), (formely non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NASH), chronic inflammatory bowel disease and even some types of cancer. In the article, the author present some modern knowledge about the diverse composition of the human intestinal microbiota, its alterations, dybiosis, and the possibilities of changing the microbiota in the future.

Global urbanisation is leading to the degradation of living soils, with substantial and direct impacts on climate, biodiversity, food security, and human health. Urban land use policies are beginning to address soil protection. However, they rarely address the depollution and remediation of urban soils and the revitalisation of the agricultural socio-economic fabric, both essential to recover and maintain healthy soils. Instead polluted soils are often managed through further soil sealing (i.e. covering with a plastic ‘geotextile’ layer to isolate it and adding new soil on top). As alternatives, emerging urban communities of practice are currently experimenting with integrated and holistic practices of soil care, such as sourcing urban organic waste streams (food waste, leaves, grass clippings, waste from breweries, ecological paperboard packaging, etc.) for topsoil regeneration or using nature-based approaches (e.g. bioremediation) for the depollution of topsoils. Such practices urgently need enabling and adequate policy frameworks to be mainstreamed and aligned with related policies regarding climate action, green/blue infrastructure and urban food policy plans.

Pervasive stigma has surrounded HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the pandemic. In Southeast Asia, as elsewhere, it has been accompanied by discrimination, affecting transmission patterns and access to care and support. This paper describes the regional experience of stigma and discrimination and offers a review of community-based interventions that have attempted to reduce them. The evidence presented comes primarily from unpublished literature and anecdotal evidence gained through interviews with project staff throughout the region.

This study examines the political views of the Russian immigrant community in Serbia who relocated following the beginning of a full-scale Russian agression against Ukraine in February 2022. It reveals the primary reasons for leaving Russia, the willingness to engage in political and civic activism, and their adaptation to Serbian society and plans for the future. The research methodology combines a public opinion survey with in-depth structured interviews with a representative sample of Russian nationals living in Serbia. The study confirms prevailing assumptions that this group tends to hold liberal, pro-democratic views, and is largely opposed to Vladimir Putin’s regime and its military aggression in Ukraine. These results counter concerns about the potential for this community to destabilize the region or serve as a vehicle for propagating Moscow's influence. A significant majority of participants report feeling safe in their new country of residence and well-adapted to the local environment, with 40.2% planning to stay in Serbia for at least the next five years. Despite the widespread opposition to Putin and the war, however, most respondents (72.8%) express limited interest in engaging more actively in political affairs. This research concludes that Russians in Serbia prioritize their safety and economic well-being, and are hesitant to jeopardize these by participating in political activities that might draw attention to their opposition to the regime in Russia.

Channel Islands National Park includes the five northern islands off the coast of southern California (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands) and the surrounding waters out one nautical mile. There are approximately 176 miles of coastline around the islands, about 80% of which is composed of rock. The diversity and undisturbed nature of the tidepools of this rocky coastline were recognized as special features of the islands in the enabling legislation. To conserve these communities unimpaired for future generations, the National Park Service has been monitoring the rocky intertidal communities at the islands since 1982. Sites were established between 1982 and 1998. Site selection considered visitation, accessibility, presence of representative organisms, wildlife disturbance, and safety. This report summarizes the 2018–2019 sampling year efforts (from November 2018 to April 2019) and findings of the Channel Islands National Park Rocky Intertidal Community Monitoring Program. Specific monitoring objectives are 1) to determine the long-term trends in percent cover of key sessile organisms in the rocky intertidal ecosystem, and 2) to determine population dynamics of black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii), owl limpets (Lottia gigantea), and ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus). Objectives were met by monitoring percent cover of core species in target intertidal zones using photoplots and transects, and by measuring size frequency and abundance of black abalone, owl limpets, and sea stars using fixed plots or timed searches. Twelve key species or assemblages, as well as the substrate, tar, have been monitored twice per year at 21 sites on the five park islands as part of the rocky intertidal community monitoring program. Fixed photoplots were used to monitor the percent cover of thatched and acorn barnacles (Tetraclita rubescens, Balanus glandula/Chthamalus spp., respectively), mussels (Mytilus californianus), rockweeds (Silvetia compressa, and Pelvetiopsis californica (formerly Hesperophycus californicus), turfweed (Endocladia muricata), goose barnacles (Pollicipes polymerus) and tar. Point-intercept transects were used to determine the percent cover of surfgrass (Phyllospadix spp.). Information about size distribution (i.e., “size frequency” data) was collected for owl limpets in circular plots. Size distribution and relative abundance of black abalone and ochre sea stars were determined using timed searches. The maximum number of shorebirds and pinnipeds seen at one time were counted at each site. The number of concession boat visitors to the Anacapa tidepools was collected and reported. All sites were monitored in 2018–2019. This was the third year that we officially reduced our sampling interval from twice per year (spring and fall) to once in order to streamline the program and allow for the implementation of additional protocols. Weather conditions during the site visits were satisfactory, but high wind coupled with strong swell and surge limited or prevented the completion of some of the abalone and sea star searches. The percent cover for most key species or assemblages targeted in the photoplots was highly variable among sites. Mussel (Mytilus californianus) cover remained below average at Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands. Record or near record low abundances for Mytilus were measured at Middle West Anacapa (Anacapa Island), Harris Point (San Miguel Island), Prisoner’s Harbor (Santa Cruz Island), and Sea Lion Rookery (Santa Barbara Island) sites. The only site that appeared to have above average Mytilus cover was Scorpion Rock on Santa Cruz Island. All other sites had mussel cover near or below the long-term mean. Qualitatively, Mytilus recruitment appeared low at most sites. Both rockweed species, Silvetia compressa and Pelvetiopsis californica (formerly Hesperophycus californicus), continued to decrease markedly in abundance this year at the majority of sites compared to combined averages for previous years. Fossil Reef and Northwest-Talcott on Santa Rosa Island, Sea Lion Rookery on Santa Barbara Island, and South Frenchy’s Cove on Anacapa Island were the only sites that supported Silvetia cover that was near the long-term mean. No sites exhibited above average cover of rockweed. Extremely high levels of recruitment for Silvetia and Pelvetiopsis were documented at many sites. Most sites exhibited marked declines in S. compressa abundances beginning in the early 2000s, with little recovery observed for the rockweed through this year. Barnacle (Chthamalus/Balanus spp.) cover fell below the long-term means at all islands except Anacapa, where barnacle cover was slightly above average. Endocladia muricata abundances remained comparable to the grand mean calculated for previous years at Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa Islands, while cover of the alga decreased slightly below the long-term means at Anacapa and San Miguel Islands. Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) abundances at the islands remain less than one percent of 1985 population levels. Zero abalone were found throughout the entire site at Landing Cove on Santa Barbara Island and South Frenchy’s Cove on Anacapa Island. Above average abundances relative to the long-term mean generated from post-1995 data were observed at all but five sites. Juvenile black abalone were seen at all islands except Santa Barbara. Ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) populations crashed in 2014 at all monitoring sites due to Sea Star Wasting Syndrome, an illness characterized by a suite of symptoms that generally result in death. The mortality event was widely considered to be the largest mortality event for marine diseases ever seen. Beginning in June 2013, the disease swiftly and significantly impacted P. ochraceus (among other species of sea stars) populations along the North American Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. By the beginning of 2014, P. ochraceus abundances had declined by >95% at nearly all Channel Islands long-term intertidal monitoring sites, in addition to numerous other locations along the West Coast. At various times during the past decade, extremely high abundances (~ 500 P. ochraceus) have been observed at multiple sites, and most locations have supported >100 sea stars counted during 30-minute site-wide searches. This year, abundances ranged 0–13 individuals per site with all but one site having fewer than 10 P. ochraceus seen during routine searches. Insufficient numbers of sea stars were seen to accurately estimate the size structure of P. ochraceus populations. Only two juveniles (i.e., <50 mm) were observed at all sites combined. Giant owl limpet densities in 2018–2019 were comparable or slightly above the long-term mean at seven sites. Exceptionally high densities were measured at Northwest-Talcott on Santa Rosa Island, Otter Harbor on San Miguel Island, and Willows Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. The sizes of L. gigantea this year varied among sites and islands. The smallest L. gigantea were observed at Otter Harbor followed closely by Willows Anchorage and Anacapa Middle West, and the largest were seen at Northwest-Talcott. Temporally, the mean sizes of L. gigantea in 2018–2019 decreased below the long-term mean at each island except Anacapa. Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) are typically monitored biannually at two sites each on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. Beginning in 2015, all transects at each of the monitoring sites were only sampled once per year. At East Point on Santa Rosa Island, the conditions were not conducive to sampling the surfgrass transects, but qualitatively, percent cover of surfgrass appeared to be near 100% on all three transects. Relative to past years, cover of surfgrass increased above the long-term mean at Fraser Cove on Santa Cruz Island, fell slightly below the mean at Trailer on Santa Cruz Island, and remained approximately equivalent to the mean at the two Santa Rosa Island sites. Overall, the abundance and diversity of shorebirds in 2018–2019 at all sites appeared similar to observations made in recent years, with the exception of elevated numbers of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) observed at East Point on Santa Rosa Island. Black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) were the most ubiquitous shorebird seen at all sites. Black turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala) were not common relative to past years. Pinniped abundances remained comparable in 2018–2019 to historical counts for all three species that are commonly seen at the islands. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were seen in the vicinity of eight sites this year. As in past years, harbor seals were most abundant at Otter Harbor and Harris Point on San Miguel Island. Elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) were seen at six sites during the year, where abundances ranged 1–5 individuals per location. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) were common at Santa Barbara Island; 117 individuals were observed at Sea Lion Rookery. Sea lion abundances were higher than usual at Harris Point (N = 160) and Otter Harbor (N = 82) on San Miguel Island. Relative to past years, abundances this year were considered average at other locations.

With the beginning of the global financial crisis, which attracts the attention of the international community, the inability of existing methods to predict the events became obvious. Creation, testing, adaptation of the models to the concrete financial market segments for the purpose of monitoring, early prediction, prevention and notification of financial crises is gaining currency nowadays. Econophysics is an interdisciplinary research field, applying theories and methods originally developed by physicists in order to solve problems in economics, usually those including uncertainty or stochastic processes and nonlinear dynamics. Its application to the study of financial markets has also been termed statistical finance referring to its roots in statistical physics. The new paradigm of relativistic quantum econophysics is proposed.

American Memorial Park (AMME) in Saipan contains a rare mangrove wetland that is known to support several endangered species. Through monitoring water quality and vegetation characteristics of the wetland for >10 years we documented a declining mangrove population, an increase in invasive plant species, and declining surface water salinity. Comprehensive surveys conducted in 2014 and 2019 quantified declines in the plant community observed by park staff. Surface water salinity declined from 2009 to 2018 and no other trend in surface water quality was observed. Over the time period of the present study, AMME experienced shifts in annual rainfall conditions that could be associated with ENSO cycles. Dry conditions beginning in late 2016 and continuing through mid-2018 resulted in some surface water sampling sites completely drying. Several stressors may have contributed to declines in mangroves adapted to saturated soils directly and allowed competing plants to proliferate, including disruption of hydrologic connectivity with marine waters resulting in reduced surface water salinity, reduced rainfall causing dry soil conditions, and physical storm damage to canopies. Recommendations include study of groundwater salinity, maintaining or modifying a culvert subject to filling with sediment or other excavation work to improve saline water flow to the wetland at high tides, the establishment of a new groundwater monitoring well, adding a surface water monitoring station near the culvert, conducting a spatial assessment of the mangrove habitat suitability within the mangrove wetland, and developing or assisting with mangrove interpretive and outreach programs.

On August 8-9, 2023, the town of Lahaina, Hawaiʻi (on the island of Maui), endured a devastating fire fueled by environmental conditions, leading to 101 fatalities, widespread destruction, and devastating community impacts. The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) conducted an extensive data collection effort to establish a comprehensive timeline and fact base around the Lahaina fires. This Lahaina Fire Comprehensive Timeline Report (Phase 1) report focuses on the events that occurred prior to, during, and immediately following the Lahaina fire, such as preparedness efforts, weather and its impact to infrastructure, and other fires occurring on Maui for the time period beginning at 14:55 (2:55 p.m. HST) on August 8, 2023, and concluding at 08:30 (8:30 a.m.) on August 9, 2023. Data from the three (3) other Maui fires is also included in specific sections to give context to the situation in Lahaina.

This research brief uses nationally representative data from the 2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/17) to examine post-college transitions of US undergraduates into the skilled technical workforce (STW), defined here as workers in a collection of occupations that require significant levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree for entry. Thus far, empirical research on the STW has been limited by a dearth of data; however, based on newly available data from BPS:12/17, the findings in this report indicate that STW employment provides workers with above-median salaries, more equitable wages, a variety of benefits, and clear career paths. STW jobs attract diverse populations, especially those from underrepresented groups (e.g., Hispanics, individuals from low-income backgrounds, and those whose parents do not have college education). US community colleges and sub-baccalaureate programs play a large role in developing the STW.

This document describes the protocol and standard operating procedures for monitoring amphibians and amphibian habitat within the National Capital Region Network (NCRN). Amphibians were identified as a vital sign to be included in the network-wide monitoring program (National Park Service 2005). A pilot study and early work beginning in 2005 was conducted in a few of the network parks to test the sampling and data analysis methodology, and the monitoring program was subsequently expanded to all parks in the following years. This protocol and procedures within have been updated to align with advances in field methodology, data management, data analysis, and our overall knowledge gained from the network-wide amphibian community. The second half of this document contains detailed information on the sampling framework, field and survey methodology, and the collection and management of both field and GIS data. Techniques are described to estimate amphibian occupancy and trends within the NCRN.

The year 2025 marks a decade since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage for same-sex couples nationwide. Using the American Community Survey, 2023 1-year estimates from IPUMS USA (Ruggles et al., 2024), we present updated national estimates of individuals entering into same-sex and different-sex marriages in the last year (newlywed couples), building on our earlier profiles based on 2019 (Payne & Manning, 2021) and 2022 data (Westrick-Payne & Manning, 2023). We compare same-sex and different-sex newlyweds by marital history, average age at most recent marriage, and age gap between spouses, presenting estimates with 95% confidence intervals. A “first marriage” is a union where both spouses are marrying for the first time, while a “remarriage” involves at least one spouse who has been married before. Analyses are restricted to householders and their spouses. We use the term “sex,” rather than “gender,” to align with the language used in the ACS household roster, which, beginning in 2019, directly identified “same-sex” relationships (Kreider & Gurrentz, 2019).