Recreational Spots Research Articles

Factors Responsible for the Activities of the Transitional Rites of Passage on Youth’s Morality in South Africa

In South Africa, the transitional rites of passage on the morality of the youth have been brought to the fore by ongoing transitional rites depicted by weekend social activities with the practice of substance use and abuse among the youths at various recreational spots. The transitional rites are structured under the guise of “freaks” as an evolving culture among the youths. The freak culture is a counterculture of the usual initiation schools for transitional rites of passage which instil morality among youths. This exploratory qualitative case study aimed to establish the factors responsible for the activities of the transitional rites of passage on youth’s morality. Through purposive sampling techniques, data was obtained from 11 stakeholders, spanning custodians, parents, and youths from Thulamela Local Municipality in South Africa. Analysed using thematic analysis, the findings widely showed that the factors responsible for the activities of the transitional rites are the acts of the current ongoing transitional rites effect as an inappropriate behaviour towards youth morality. This study concluded that to establish the factors responsible for the activities of the transitional rites of passage on youth’s morality, activities and practices evolved as a current socialization standard for quick maturity status. As a result of that, it will be harder to provide a complete change in this evolving culture. However, what will work is to build on the existing transitional rites of passage to moderate and appropriate the morality of the youth in Thulamela communities. This study would also benefit government departments, particularly the Department of Social Development, in designing appropriate and up-to-date transitional rites of passage policies that place priorities on the moral behaviours of the youths. Keywords: Behaviour, Morality, Transitional Rites, Youths, Social Activities, Freak Culture.

The role of toilets in public spaces: An interview study with individuals experiencing gastrointestinal issues

This study, conducted in Norway, addresses the issue of inadequate access to toilets in public spaces and transportation systems, particularly concerning individuals with disabilities who have heightened needs of toilets. The study employed in-depth interviews with individuals experiencing various gastrointestinal issues, including bladder-related problems. Utilizing a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted via telephone to accommodate potential travel difficulties. This approach also leveraged previous successes with sensitive topics. A sample size of 10 interviews was chosen based on prior research indicating that key themes typically emerge within this range. Key findings indicate significant barriers to participation in societal activities due to insufficient toilet facilities. For transport in particular, boats and trains emerge as preferred modes over buses, trams and subways due to the presence of onboard toilets. Notably, urban areas and recreational spots like parks and beaches suffer from a lack of restroom facilities. In order to improve these facilities, informants highlighted measures such as provision of open, hygienic toilets with barrier-free access. These measures should be coupled with clear signage and awareness campaigns regarding toilet facilities tailored to individuals with diverse health needs. The study underscores the critical role of toilets in maintaining public health and acknowledges the right to access toilets as recognized by the United Nations. Testimonials from individuals with disabilities underscore the profound impact of toilet accessibility on their daily lives, revealing instances of social isolation and restricted activities due to inadequate facilities. Proposed interventions encompass improved hygiene standards, increased toilet availability, and enhanced staff training to cater to the diverse needs of users. The study advocates for legislative reforms and policy guidelines to address the pressing issue of toilet accessibility, aiming to foster inclusivity and equal participation in public life for individuals with disabilities.

Long-Term Trampling Effects on Plant Species Biodiversity Along Edmonton’s Ravine Woodlands

Background Edmonton’s ravine woodlands along the River Valley are rich with riparian vegetation. However, as a recreational spot, it is affected by human trampling, one of the most common forms of disturbances that ravine woodlands experience. Long-term human trampling acts as a factor in spreading non-native plants. Methods Therefore, we examined whether trampling will increase species richness at the edges of the main trail due to the regular introduction of new species. To test this hypothesis, we randomly selected seven transects in flat spots in Kinsmen Park at Edmonton’s River Valley. Then, we created a 4-plot gradient perpendicular to the main trail in each transect and assessed plant species diversity and non-native plant cover in each plot. Results We observed a slight but noteworthy decline in the richness of plant species as distance increased from the main trail, with a p-value of 0.091 indicating marginal significance. However, there was little to no evidence that this decline was due to the decrease in non-native plant cover. Conclusions However, there was little to no evidence that this decline was due to the decrease in non-native plant cover. Long-term trampling has a positive effect on species richness; however, further large-scale studies are needed to investigate the cause of that effect.

A Mathematical Model to Assess the Impact of Tourism Activities on the Economy of Vendors at Bukit Maras, Terengganu, Malaysia

Bukit Maras is one of the recreational spots that has been identified as having great potential to be promoted as a tourist destination in Terengganu. In this study, it is intriguing to see the whether the tourism activities that occurred at Bukit Maras have a positive impact on the economic activity of the local vendors from the point of view of mathematical modelling. The objective of this paper is to formulate a mathematical model in the form of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), inspired by the concept of symbiosis interaction in ecology. Further, some mathematical analyses of this model such as finding the steady states and their stability, were also proved. In addition, some numerical simulations are performed using Maple software to produce the plots of time series as well as phase portraits. To prove the positive impact of the presence of tourists on the economics of vendors, a parameter called the spending rate by the tourists was varied. The results showed that as the spending rate increased, it was expected that the number of vendors would increase too. This indicated that the economics of the vendors have improved. Moreover, it is also predicted that the number of tourists will continuously increase in the future, provided that the attractiveness factors of the Bukit Maras are well preserved. These results are significant for the local government to provide more funding for the development of Bukit Maras so that both tourists and vendors can be sustained in the future.

Impact of plastic pollution on outdoor recreation in the existence of bearing capacity and perspective management

Large-scale increases in plastic waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and fossil fuel depletion all have negative consequences for the environment. Plastic pollution can lead towards negative impacts on outdoor recreational activities. China and the European Union, as world leader in recycling and reuse, are tackling this issue by putting in place measures to counteract this trend for better outdoor recreational activities. As China and EU nations are most attracted by the tourists it is possible that recreational spot can have harmful effects upon wild and human life. So, we analyze the impacts of plastic waste recycling and reuse on outdoor recreation. It is possible to speed up the circular process if industry reduces its resource and energy consumption while also being able to handle plastic waste responsibly, utilize renewable energy sources, generate jobs, and contribute to economic growth, among other things. This research investigates the transition to sustainability in the European Union nations and China between 2000 and 2020 via the prism of resource and energy productivity in the EU nations and China. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model, as well as the estimator Driscool Kraay, are employed in this study. There is a statistically significant relationship between plastic recycling and valorization because of plastic pollution leads toward negative impacts on outdoor recreation, as well as resource productivity, according to the data. Increased energy tariffs, insufficient investment in research and development, a lack of job opportunities, and other factors all act as roadblocks to the implementation of circular growth strategies.

STATE-WIDE WETLAND INVENTORY MAP OF MINNESOTA USING MULTI-SOURCE AND MULTI-TEMPORALREMOTE SENSING DATA

Abstract. Carbon sequestration coupled with flood mitigation and other functions of wetlands, such as water filtration, coastal protection, biodiversity, and providing recreational spots, make wetland mapping and monitoring important for different countries. Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform is becoming a very important tool for lots of environmental studies as it provides a suite of tools and access to data that facilitate large-scale environmental monitoring projects through its powerful parallel processing capabilities. In this study, we use GEE to access multi-source remote sensing datasets and implement an object-based image analysis, and random forest algorithm for the classification of wetlands in the state of Minnesota. Emergent, forested, and scrub-shrub wetland classes, water, as well as urban, forest, and agriculture land cover types were classified using Sentinel-2, Sentinel-1, USGS 3D Elevation Program 10-meter DEM, and gridded soil data. NDVI, EVI, BSI, NDBI, and NDWI spectral indices were calculated from Sentinel-2 imagery, VV and VH polarization channels, and their ratio, as well as span parameters, were calculated from Sentinel-1 imagery, and slope and aspect features were extracted from DEM. Simple Non-Iterative Clustering (SNIC), Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and random forest algorithms were implemented to classify wetlands from the GEE platform. Emergent wetlands, water, urban, and agriculture classes performed well with producer accuracies greater than 90%. Sentinel-1, DEM, and soil datasets improve the identification of wetland classes and highlight the importance of multi-source approaches for wetland mapping.

Recreational fishing and citizenship: a sensory ethnography of fishermen with Asian ancestry, Sydney, Australia

This paper draws on a sensory ethnography conducted with migrant recreational fishermen of Asian ancestry in a context of heightened scientific concerns about over-fishing. We offer the concept of recreational fishing assemblage to consider the affective and emotional dimensions of recreational fishing experiences. Our conceptual framework builds on feminist scholarship that appreciates human-non-human entanglements in the constitutions of subjectivities, specifically environmental policies, ideas, fishing equipment and affect. Our rhizoanalysis offers insights to how racialized and gendered bodies intersect with environmental citizenship to territorialize some recreational fishing spots for white bodies. In this spirit, we offer an interpretation of the contradictory ways that citizenship is lived through the experiences of recreational fishing.

Molecular characterization of pathogenic Leptospira sp. in small mammals captured from the human leptospirosis suspected areas of Selangor state, Malaysia

Leptospirosis is caused by the spirochetal bacterium Leptospira of which rodents are considered the most important reservoir. This study aims to determine and characterize virulent Leptospira species among rodents and small mammals found in human settlements and recreational spots within the Hulu Langat and Gombak districts of Selangor, Malaysia; regions that frequently report probable human leptospirosis cases. Molecular analysis revealed an overall Leptospira detection rate of 14.3% among the 266 small mammals captured, and the human settlements were found to have the highest number of isolates (15.1%), followed by recreational sites (14.5%). The molecular characterization conducted based on the lipL32, secY genes and MLST revealed that the strains belonged to four different species, including; Leptospira interrogans (29; 76.3%; ST50, ST238, ST243), L. kirschneri (5; 13.15%; ST110), L. borgpetersenii (3; 8%; ST143) and L. weilii (1; 2.63%; ST242). The study revealed genotypes of circulating strains among small mammals in Malaysia, which include Leptospira locus ST110 L. kirschneri, ST 50 L. interrogans, ST143 L. borgpetersenii and ST242 L. weilii. Among the small mammals studied, 17/105 (16.2%) Rattus norvegicus, 7/59 (11.9%) of Rattus rattus, 5/24 (20.8%) of Maxomys whiteheadi, 4/18 (22.2%) of Sundamys muelleri, 2/22 (9%), Tupaia gliss, 2/16 (12.5%) Rattus tiomanicus and 1/4 (25%) of Suncus murinus carried pathogenic leptospires. The data from the present study may imply that, in addition to rodents, other small mammals also serve as maintenance hosts for Leptospira. Hence, much remains unknown about Leptospira maintenance hosts, and there is need for further investigation to ascertain the prevailing serovars of pathogenic Leptospira in Malaysia. This will assist in the development of efficient diagnostic assays with improved microscopic agglutination test (MAT) panels, and in the implementation of suitable prevention and control measures.

The distribution and length size of corbicula fluminea (ETAK) in Sungai Pergau at Gunung Reng

Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae), locally known as “etak” which is the favorite freshwater clams in the Kelantan state. This study was conducted to study on Etak distribution in Sungai Pergau at Gunung Reng which is known as a recreational spot. As it is the favorite freshwater clam in the state, the data could be helpful in monitoring its presence and if in decline, remedial and replenishment could be introduced. The numbers, weight and the length measurement of C. fluminea were identified as C. fluminea parameters. In addition, water quality used (conductivity, pH, turbidity, salinity, temperature, DO and nitrate) and types of substrate were also studied to identify the habitat characteristics that affect the distribution of this species. As there was no documentation of distribution and density of C. fluminea in Sg. Kelantan, it would be difficult to compare the density and distribution of “etak” in the others river in Kelantan. In total 166 individuals of C. fluminea (77g) found at middle streams with 11-12.5mm in length. As the finding shows that, the distribution of C. fluminea at Gunung Reng was not affected by water quality. In this study shows that the most substrate ranged from 0.25mm and 0.71mm which represent sand (sand-coarse and sand-fine). It is believed that the smaller substrates help to trap more suspended materials as food for C. fluminea and the harvesting activities reduce the time for the clams to grow mature with a larger size in length.

Isolation, identification, and pathological effects of beach sand bacterial extract on human skin keratinocytes in vitro.

BackgroundBeaches are recreational spots for people. However, beach sand contains harmful microbes that affect human health, and there are no established methods for either sampling and identifying beach-borne pathogens or managing the quality of beach sand.MethodThis study was conducted with the aim of improving human safety at beaches and augmenting the quality of the beach experience. Beach sand was used as a resource to isolate bacteria due to its distinctive features and the biodiversity of the beach sand biota. A selected bacterial isolate termed FSRS was identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri using 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and the sequence was deposited in the NCBI GenBank database under the accession number MF599548. The isolated P. stutzeri bacterium was cultured in Luria–Bertani growth medium, and a crude extract was prepared using ethyl acetate to examine the potential pathogenic effect of P. stutzeri on human skin. A human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) was used to assess cell adhesion, cell viability, and cell proliferation using a morphological analysis and a WST-1 assay.ResultThe crude P. stutzeri extract inhibited cell adhesion and decreased cell viability in HaCaT cells. We concluded that the crude extract of P. stutzeri FSRS had a strong pathological effect on human skin cells.DiscussionBeach visitors frequently get skin infections, but the exact cause of the infections is yet to be determined. The beach sand bacterium P. stutzeri may, therefore, be responsible for some of the dermatological problems experienced by people visiting the beach.

Dr Henryk Jordan’s Park as an Example of Pioneering Physical Culture Work in Poland

Henryk Jordan – who lived in Cracow at the turn of 19th and 20th century – was a well-known and esteemed medical doctor, social and political activist as well as an art patron and publicist. His most prominent heritage is a city park named after him. At the time it was a location where pioneering work promoting physical culture among youngsters took place. First trainings started in 1889 and instantly became popular. Trainings were carefully organized and combined physical training with a promotion of a patriotism. At the beginning of 1890’s Jordan introduced football which became very popular amongst male teenagers. Football became a part of trainings and competitions, and after a while organized football teams started to play in the park. This was a starting point of the oldest still existing Polish football clubs: Cracovia and Wisła. Jordan’s ideas inspired others, and soon many other cities in Poland. Jordan’s park exists until today, however, it plays a role of a popularizing recreational spot in the city centre. In other cities, so-called “Jordan’s gardens” became playgrounds for children.

Emerging adulthood themes and hookah use among college students in Southern California

IntroductionHookah (or waterpipe) use is increasing worldwide with implications for public health. Emerging adults (ages 18 to 25) have a higher risk for hookah use relative to younger and older groups. While research on the correlates of hookah use among emerging adults begins to accumulate, it may be useful to examine how transition-to-adulthood themes, or specific thoughts and feelings regarding emerging adulthood, are associated with hookah use. This study determined which transition-to-adulthood themes were associated with hookah use to understand the risk and protective factors for this tobacco-related behavior. MethodsParticipants (n=555; 79% female; mean age 22) completed surveys on demographic characteristics, transition-to-adulthood themes, hookah, and cigarette use. ResultsPast-month hookah use was more common than past-month cigarette use (16% versus 12%). In logistic regression analyses, participants who felt emerging adulthood was a time of experimentation/possibility were more likely to report hookah use. However, transition-to-adulthood themes were not statistically significantly related to cigarette use. ConclusionsThe profile for hookah use may differ from that of cigarettes among emerging adults. Themes of experimentation/possibility should be addressed in prevention programs on college campuses and popular recreational spots where emerging adults congregate. These findings can inform future studies of risk and protective factors for hookah use among emerging adults.

Water Quality Status of Recreational Spots in Chittagong City

The study was conducted to learn about water quality status at potential recreational spots in Chittagong City. Water samples were collected from six recreational spots. Derived parameters namely; Conductivity, Turbidity, Color, Odor, pH, Dissolve Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Sulfate and Nitrate of the collected water samples were compared with the standard value of the respective parameters. The study revealed that water conductivity of Karnafully Shishu Park (1400 µs/cm) and Jatisongho Park (1430 µs/cm) could satisfy the standard level (1500µs/cm) and the other spots exceeded the limit. Water collected from Foy’s lake was a bit turbid (5.07 ntu) but it did not significantly exceed the expected limit (5 ntu). The study also revealed that water of Foy’s Lake was darker (55 Hazen) compared to the standard (20 Hazen). In case of odor, all the spots’ water was unobjectionable except Chittagong Shishu Park and Jatisongho Park. BOD and DO content were satisfactory for all the spots. But COD was higher at Chittagong Shishu Park, Karnafully Shishu Park and Zia Smriti Complex. Nitrate concentration was also found satisfactory in water of all spots except Chittagong Shishu Park (19.33 ppm). All the parameters were under the desired levels for recreation with few exceptions. Although very small, to extend the recreational facilities for the urban people, these unwanted level of different physical and chemical parameters should be mended on an urgent basis.

Water Quality Characterization of Varsity Lake, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lakes and reservoirs are important sources of water supply, generate electricity and to irrigate fields. Since, lakes act as catchment basins for close to 40% of the landscape so serve as recreational, sporting and fishing activities. Varsity Lake University of Malaya (UM) is beautiful landscape at the front of the UM main entrance. It is used mainly for recreational and sporting (canoeing) activities. Study has been carried out in order to analyze water quality, nutrients and metals load starting from water inlets into the lake basin. It was found that there is high concentration of oil and grease particles in water due to water flow from cafeteria of college 2, engineering and built environment faculties which cause BOD and TSS value to be higher then normal in the lake. It was one of the main factors that caused the death of fish in the lake in recent months. Mercury and nitrate concentration is also high in the lake. A body contact is involved due to sporting and recreational activities so parameters are compared with Malaysian Interim water quality standards and it was concluded that lake water quality is not fulfilling the recreational spot criteria and is hazardous to human and fish life in the lake. Recommendations are proposed for immediate action. Best management practices is also discussed for prevention of oil and grease particles from entry into lake water to protect this valuable water resource from being polluted.

Development of an Equine Best Management Practice Demonstration Working Horse Farm

was allowed. Recreational vehicle spots were available for purchase. A total of 52 owners from 25 different counties utilized the shelter. A survey document was administered to the owners prior to their departure and resulted in an 81% response. When asked to rank their overall experience at the shelter, 93% of the respondents indicated they had an excellent experience and would return to the facility in the future. Additionally, 93% of the respondents had confidence in the shelter staff, were happy with animal accessibility and felt security was adequate. One-hundred percent of the respondents indicated that the procedures and paperwork were thoroughly explained upon check-in.

The urban region: natural systems in our place, our nourishment, our home range, our future

Consider dividing the land into two parts...urbanized areas and rural/remote areas. Urban planning sometimes achieves heroic successes both small and large where people are concentrated, but has little interest in the much-larger rural/remote land areas with dispersed people. Meanwhile conservation and other resource planners also achieve large and small miracles, but generally only where people are few. To sustainably mesh both nature and us on land requires seriously linking the two broad approaches, and later the emergence of a new integrated expertise. The concept of an urban region looks especially promising. Indeed, ‘‘Natural systems in our place, our nourishment, our home range, and our future,’’ serves as the philosophic framework for the ideas here. Humans have just crossed a threshold. We’ve entered the urban century: worldwide more of us live in urban areas than in rural areas. Steward Pickett points out that Homo sapiens is now an urban species. The city and its interdependent peri-urban/suburban area is our address, our place. Certainly the region provides nourishment. Daily benefits from cultural institutions, clean water supply, diverse recreational spots, local market-gardened food, employment opportunity, shopping galore, and our ever-diverse communities and neighbors are pervasive. The urban region is also our yearly home range. Repeated routes provide spatial integrity and attachment, strengthening our sense of place. Yet the other big story is where we are in the steep part of the J-shaped exponential urban-population curve. In a mere generation, by 2030, UNPD data indicate that today’s three billion urban people will become five billion. Lest we dismiss that as simply a problem of the two dozen megacities, the numerous dispersed smaller cities of 250–500 thousand neighbors have the really rapid growth rates. Moreover the urban poor are the fastest growing. Today’s billion low-income urban inhabitants are expected to double to two billion in a generation. Among the cascade of implications, poverty is really bad for the environment. In whatever form, these urban regions are increasingly our life, and our future. Some urban regions display greatness, from engineering marvel to cultural center, urban agriculture, economic engine, or greenspace system. Imagine the environmental degradation and societal ramifications if people were evenly distributed across the land rather than aggregated in urban regions. Yet rapidly we have created for civilization one of the great challenges of history. A huge city population depends daily and fundamentally on resources which are out of sight, out of the city. Natural Many of the specific ideas here are explored in: Forman, R. T. T. Urban Regions: Ecology and Planning Beyond the City. Cambridge University Press, New York (in press).

ANALISIS FAKTOR KEPUTUSAN WISATA BUDAYA, SEJARAH DAN ALAM YOGYAKARTA: PERSEPSI WISATAWAN DOMESTIK

This study is conducted to identify factors that influence the decision of tourists to visit Yogyakarta using factor analysis technique. Further, this study attempts to explore the perception of touristst on tourism in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta’s tourism have three main recreation’s attributes: culture, history, and nature. Empirical results show that, overall, visitors are satisfied with the services provided in selected recreational sites. However there has been a lack in facilities and diversification of recreational activities. Therefore, some factors such as accommodation, satisfaction and recreational spot services become important aspects to attract visitors. Keywords: factor analysis technique, recreation’s attributes

Levels of microcystins in two argentinean reservoirs used for water supply and recreation: Differences in the implementation of safe levels

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are an increasing problem in Argentina. The production of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins (microcystins) and their presence in drinking and recreational waters represent a growing danger to human and animal health. Risk management deals with the probability that a certain exposure to toxins will lead to specific health outcomes. Various model schemes for risk management have been portrayed, most of which have some common elements. These include the need for an information base on which to make decisions. Thus, seasonal variability in the concentrations of total microcystins and cyanobacterial cells was studied in two reservoirs: San Roque and Paso de las Piedras. Both reservoirs are eutrophic water bodies and mainly used to supply drinking water and for recreation. Because San Roque is an important recreational spot, the spatial distribution of microcystins was also investigated. Sampling of the San Roque Reservoir occurred from 1998 to 2000 and of the Paso de las Piedras Reservoir from June to December 2002 (late autumn, winter, and spring). Microcystins were identified by LC-MS, and their concentrations were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These hepatotoxic compounds were detected in all seasons, and even during winter relatively high concentrations were observed. Concentrations in the San Roque Reservoir varied from undetectable to 920 microg/L. On the contrary, in the Paso de las Piedras Reservoir the concentration remained below 1 microg/L, which is the provisional guideline value proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO; Chorus and Bartram, 1999) for microcystin-LR in drinking water. Comparison of cell number and concentration of total microcystins indicated that the phytoplankton in San Roque Reservoir contained more toxic cyanobacterial strains than did the Paso de las Piedras Reservoir. This indicates that the threshold of 2000 cell/mL proposed by WHO as a alert level should be adjusted: it should be reduced for the San Roque Reservoir, whereas it seems appropriate for the Paso de la Piedras Reservoir.

Life Flight Network celebrates 25 years of caring

Majestic Mt. Hood lies an hour east of Portland, Oregon—a white-capped jewel of the northern Oregon Cascades and playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Boasting year-around skiing, Mt. Hood's upper slopes are a training ground for the U.S. Winter Olympic ski and snowboarding teams. As a prime recreational spot, it attracts thousands of visitors every year.