Western Islands Research Articles

Determination of Legionella spp. prevalence in Spanish hotels in five years. Are tourists really at risk?

Legionella spp. is the etiological agent of the serious respiratory pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. This respiratory illness is frequently associated with travel and tourist resorts. Spain is an important tourist destination, and one of the top European countries concerning Legionnaires’ disease cases, both community and travel associated. Still, the colonization of Legionella in our hotels remains scarce. Here, we surveyed 204 hotels in the Canary Islands, Spain, for five years (2015–2019), to determine the Legionella prevalence. Samples were obtained and analysed following national and international guidelines. We detected the pathogen in 140 of 2,318 samples (6.0%). The water distribution systems (WDS) were more colonized (7.4%) than the whirlpools (4.7%). Contamination levels were minimal (<3 log CFU L−1) in most of the cases, and only 3.6% of samples were highly contaminated minimal (>4 log CFU L−1). We isolated Legionella in 4.3% and 8.5% of cold and hot water distribution systems, respectively. The Legionella prevalence in cold water systems samples was higher when free chlorine levels were below 0.2 mg L−1, whereas in the hot water systems samples, the prevalence was higher at <50 °C. Legionella pneumophila was the most frequently isolated species, being the members of the serogroups 2–14 the most prevalent. The annual distribution showed a colonization pick in June, followed by the winter months. Regarding the geographical distribution, the presence of Legionella was more prevalent in the western islands. Our study concludes that Legionella contamination rates in samples from facilities of the Canary Islands is lower than most of the observed in other European studies. However, corrective measures are still needed to improve Legionella control.

Water status in the Canary Islands related to energy requirements

A review of the methods of obtaining water in the Canary Islands (Spain) is presented, dividing the islands into two groups: the eastern islands and the western islands. This division is due to the different origins of water resources, with western islands using mainly underground sources, while the eastern ones main source is seawater desalination. Water sources define the way in which water is obtained, as well as the energy expenditure to obtain it. In this review, the energy consumption of different methods of drinking water collection is studied, as well as the resources that make up the energy mix in the Canary Islands. In addition, a projection is made for drinking water consumption and energy consumption related to water use in the archipelago up till the year 2035, in order to observe the expected trends in these sectors.

Imperiled sparrows can exhibit high nest survival despite atypical nest site selection in urban saltmarshes

Understanding habitat selection and its fitness consequences in remnant populations of birds in fragmented and urbanized habitat may provide guidance to land managers for imperiled species conservation. We studied Saltmarsh Sparrow, <em>Ammospiza caudacuta</em>, and Seaside Sparrow, <em>A. maritima</em>, nest site selection and nest survival at five sites in New York City (NYC) and one site on western Long Island, New York in 2012 and 2013. We compared marsh vegetation and nest structure characteristics between our study sites and other studied sites for these species in the Northeastern United States. Saltmarsh Sparrows in NYC selected nest sites with the tall form of low-elevation marsh grass (at two sites this was above the proportion available), which is atypical for this species, and Seaside Sparrows selected an upland shrub species at one site, possibly to compensate for a lack of tall low-elevation marsh grasses. Daily nest survival at New York sites increased with nest height above the ground for both species, contrary to previous studies for Saltmarsh Sparrows in intact habitat. Mean nest height for both species was found to be taller in NYC than at other studied locations, and NYC sites may have had taller than average vegetation available, indicating that these sparrows may be able to adapt to some changing marsh characteristics. The difference in nest site selection observed in NYC populations from published studies did not appear to have a cost to nest survival in at least one year. Although high-elevation marsh is the optimal habitat restoration target for Saltmarsh Sparrows, it may be difficult to create in small, urbanized marshes, and our results suggest that other approaches may be successful. A mix of substrates and vegetation heights may allow sparrows to exhibit variation in nest site selection and promote nest survival in the face of changing limiting factors.

Impacts of marine heatwaves on tropical western and central Pacific Island nations and their communities

Marine heatwaves can have devastating impacts on marine species and habitats, often with flow-on effects to human communities and livelihoods. This is of particular importance to Pacific Island countries that rely heavily on coastal and ocean resources, and for which projected increases in future marine heatwave (MHW) frequency, intensity, and duration could be detrimental across the Pacific Island region. In this study, we investigate MHWs in the tropical western and central Pacific Ocean region, focusing on observed MHWs, their associated impacts, and future projections using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) simulations under a low (SSP1–2.6) and a high (SSP5–8.5) greenhouse gas emissions scenario. Documented impacts from “Moderate” mean intensity MHW events in Fiji, Samoa, and Palau, that were categorised as “Strong” at their peak, included fish and invertebrate mortality and coral bleaching. Based on CMIP6 multi-model mean estimates, and relative to current baselines, “Moderate” intensity MHWs are projected to increase from recent historical (1995–2014) values of 10–50 days per year (dpy) across the region to the equivalent of >100 dpy by the year 2050 under the low emissions scenario, and > 200 dpy nearer the equator. Under the high emissions scenario, 200 dpy of Moderate MHW intensities are projected across most of the region by 2050, with >300 dpy nearer the equator. For the most intense “Extreme” category of MHW, estimates range from <1 dpy under the current climate to >50 dpy projected under the high emissions scenario by 2050. In contrast, “Extreme” MHWs are projected to increase to <5 dpy by 2050 under the low emissions scenario, highlighting the importance for Pacific Island nations that global emissions more closely follow the low emissions scenario trajectory. • Marine heatwaves are impacting Pacific Island communities. • Projected increase in marine heatwave metrics in tropical central-western Pacific. • Poses threats to tropical central-western Pacific Island nation food security. • Case studies and impacts in Fiji, Samoa and Palau.

Atmospheric Instability Conditions during Rainy Seasons over Tanzania

The amount of rainfall and its distribution in time and space is dependent on the atmospheric instability conditions, and on its moisture content. The aim of this study was to determine the atmospheric instability conditions during January to March (JFM), February to April (FMA), March to May (MAM), and October to December (OND) rainy seasons over local climate zones in Tanzania. Zone area average seasonal Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Convective Inhibition (CIN), Precipitable Water (PW) and Lifted index (Li) were calculated and analyzed. Results showed Li &lt; 0 in JFM and FMA over whole Tanzania. During MAM and OND, Li &lt; 0 over the Lake Zone, Western Highlands Zone and Central Zone only. CAPE ranged from 793 J/kg to 1183 J/kg during JFM, and 700 J/kg to 1080 J/kg during FMA. During MAM, CAPE ranged from 170 J/kg to 921 J/kg and from 173 J/kg to 833 J/kg during OND. Results also showed CAPE &gt; 1000 J/kg over the Lake Zone, Western Highlands Zone, Island Zone, and Central Zone. These results show that the atmosphere was moderately unstable during the JFM and FMA and was weakly unstable during the MAM and OND. Therefore, the atmosphere is likely to be more convective during JFM and FMA seasons.&#x0D; Keywords: Lifted index, Convective inhibition, Precipitable water, Convective available potential energy, Atmospheric instability.

Leask, Nigel. Stepping Westward: Writing the Highland Tour c. 1720–1830.

Leask, Nigel. <i>Stepping Westward: Writing the Highland Tour c. 1720–1830</i>.

Dissolved Oxygen and pH Dynamics Coupled to Photosynthesis in Huntington Bay, Western Long Island Sound

Abstract--- With global warming and eutrophication prompting increases in hypoxia and acidification in the oceans, it is important to understand the relationship between pH and O2 in coastal waters. In Huntington Bay (HB), an estuarine extension of western Long Island Sound, a region subject to both hypoxia and eutrophic acidification, summertime pH and O2 are elevated in surface water during the day at the height of photosynthesis. The high pH (8.4 - 8.6) and O2 (10 - 16 mg L-1) water may be exported from HB into the adjacent Sound, mitigating conditions there. The effects of nighttime respiration, seasonal variations, and responses to episodic events such as storms remain to be determined.

Differences in the occurrence and abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago using complementary data sources: Implications for conservation.

Batoids, distributed from shallow to abyssal depths, are considerably vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Data deficiencies on the distribution patterns of batoids, however, challenge their effective management and conservation. In this study, we took advantage of the particular geological and geomorphological configuration of the Canary Islands, across an east‐to‐west gradient in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, to assess whether patterns in the occurrence and abundance of batoids varied between groups of islands (western, central, and eastern). Data were collected from shallow (<40 m, via underwater visual counts and by a local community science program) and deep waters (60–700 m, via ROV deployments). Eleven species of batoids, assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, were registered, including three “Critically Endangered” (Aetomylaeus bovinus, Dipturus batis, and Myliobatis aquila), three “Endangered” (Gymnura altavela, Mobula mobular, and Rostroraja alba), two “Vulnerable” (Dasyatis pastinaca and Raja maderenseis), and two “Data Deficient” (Taeniurops grabata and Torpedo marmorata). Also, a “Least Concern” species (Bathytoshia lata) was observed. Overall, batoids were ~1 to 2 orders of magnitude more abundant in the central and eastern islands, relative to the western islands. This pattern was consistent among the three sources of data and for both shallow and deep waters. This study, therefore, shows differences in the abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago, likely related to varying insular shelf area, availability of habitats, and proximity to the nearby continental (African) mass. Large variation in population abundances among islands suggests that “whole” archipelago management strategies are unlikely to provide adequate conservation. Instead, management plans should be adjusted individually per island and complemented with focused research to fill data gaps on the spatial use and movements of these iconic species.

“Round Many Western Islands”: Children’s Adventure, Empire, and Rereading in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons (1930)

“Round Many Western Islands”: Children’s Adventure, Empire, and Rereading in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons (1930)

Correlation of Critical State Strength Properties with Particle Shape and Surface Fractal Dimension of Clinker Ash

Clinker ash is a byproduct obtained from coal-fired electrical generators. It is a type of recycled granular material with a complex particle shape and large surface roughness. Particle shape descriptors and surface fractal dimensions are effective parameters to quantify sand grain morphologies. A simple image analysis approach is employed to determine the aspect ratio, sphericity, roundness, and convexity of 12 types of clinker ash collected from thermal power plants distributed on the western island of Japan. Compared to the majority of sands with other mineralogical components, clinker ash particles have a smaller aspect ratio, sphericity, and roundness. Under similar test conditions, clinker ash exhibits higher shear resistance than natural sands at the critical state. Critical state friction angles tend to decrease with increasing aspect ratio, sphericity, roundness, and convexity. A decreased aspect ratio, roundness, and convexity enhance the slope and intercept of critical state lines in the void ratio and mean stress plane. The mean regularity, which is the average of four particle shape descriptors, is regarded as an effective index to characterize the shear strength of clinker ash at the critical state. The surface fractal dimension could also be decided from digital image analysis. The results also show that the critical state friction angle is well correlated with the surface fractal dimension for different types of clinker ash. The implication is that a rougher surface texture hinders the rotation, frustration, and interlocking of particles at the critical state, resulting in higher shear resistance.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection Among Women Consulting at the Sexually Transmitted Infection Centre in la Reunion: A Cross-Sectional Study

RésuméIntroductionL'infection à Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) est l'infection sexuellement transmissible (IST) bactérienne la plus répandue dans le monde. Souvent asymptomatique, elle peut mener à des complications significatives chez les femmes. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence du CT en centre de dépistage à la Réunion et d'explorer les déterminants de cette infection.MéthodeEnquête transversale comprenant un questionnaire anonyme et une PCR par auto-écouvillon génital mené chez les femmes consultant dans deux centres de dépistage à la Réunion au cours d'une année.RésultatsParmi les 620 femmes testées, la prévalence du CT était de 6,6% (IC 95% [4, 7, 8, 6]). La prévalence maximale par classe d'âge se situait entre 12 et 17 ans avec une prévalence de 14,3% contre 7,5% chez les 18-24 ans et 3,9% chez les 25-67 ans (p = 0,003). Les facteurs de risques étaient le jeune âge (p = 0,02), un premier rapport sexuel entre 11 et 14 ans (p = 0,01), une absence d'antécédent de dépistage (p = 0,02) et les motifs de consultation « infidélité du partenaire » (p = 0,01) et « partenaire infecté » (p = 0,02).ConclusionLa prévalence du CT chez les mineures réunionnaises est élevée. Un dépistage plus systématique et un renforcement de la sensibilisation aux IST chez elles semblent primordiaux.

Engagement of China and India in the Western Indian Ocean littoral and island states of East Africa

ABSTRACT A significant development in contemporary times is the emergence of the Indian Ocean as an important economic zone and an area of intensifying rivalry between China and India. In this region, East African Indian Ocean littoral and island states have assumed importance because of their geo-strategic significance. Both India and China have increased their presence in the region and offered windows of opportunities to these states. While China’s intense relationship with the region began with the introduction of its One Belt One Road (OBOR) in 2013, India, on its part, has declared this region as a ‘top priority’ area in its foreign policy agenda. This article explores the driving factors behind the growing footprint of China and India in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) littoral and island states in East Africa. While India and China have competing interests and strategies in this region, this article examines whether their increasing engagements bring development opportunities or pose challenges.

The Pattern of Herbivorous Fish Assemblages in The In Western and Eastern Outermost Island Indonesia

The herbivorous fishes have been considered as a critical functional group and have capability maintaining coral reef resilience and avoiding coral-algal phase-shifts. The present condition shown, almost in tropical reef location, alga has dominated coral, even in the small outer island. The requirement to conduct comprehensive basic research in studying the patterns and composition of herbivorous fish, especially on the small outer islands. Twelve coral reef sites in eastern Indonesia (Liki Islands) and western Indonesia (Natuna Island) used as a research location for comparing the structure patterns of herbivorous fish communities (diversity, density, and body size) using the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) method. There was different pattern of herbivorous fishes families in Liki Island and Natuna Islands, where Acanthuridae is dominant in eastern Indonesia (Liki Islands), including Ctenochaetus striatus (41,00 ± 11,72 se) individuals/350m2, A. maculiceps (23,33 ± 13,61 se) individuals/350m2, Naso hexacanthus (18,67 ± 6,34 se) individuals/350m2 while Scaridae is dominant in western Indonesia (Natuna island), including Scarus rivulatus (31,67 ± 10,61 se) individuals/350m2, Chlorurus sordidus (30,00 ± 8,52 se) individuals/350m2 and Scarus quoyi (19,00 ± 9,73 se) individuals/350m2. Based on herbivore fishes composition Liki Island has a higher density and biomass compared to Natuna Island.Keywords: herbivore, fish, coral, small outer island, Indonesia

Ambel

Ambel (ISO 639-3: wgo) is an Austronesian language spoken by approximately 1600 people on the island of Waigeo in the Raja Ampat archipelago (West Papua province, Indonesia). Within Austronesian, Ambel belongs to the South Halmahera-West New Guinea (SHWNG) subbranch (see Blust 1978); within SHWNG, Ambel is classified as a Raja Ampat–South Halmahera language (RASH; Remijsen 2001:32–37; Kamholz 2014). Other languages spoken in Raja Ampat include Maˈya, Matbat, Biga, Batta, and several closely-related varieties on Salawati island (all RASH); Biak (a non-RASH SHWNG language); and varieties of Malay, in particular Papuan Malay. While historically Maˈya and Biak were used as lingua francas throughout the archipelago, these days Malay is the dominant language. The spread of Malay in recent decades has been facilitated by improvements in telecommunications and infrastructure in the region; the government-backed immigration of Indonesians from the overcrowded western islands of the nation to the more sparsely populated Papua; and a rapidly growing tourist industry throughout Raja Ampat.

Regilaulude teema-analüüs: võimalusi ja väljakutseid / Topic analysis of Estonian runosongs: Prospects and challenges

Regilaulude teema-analüüs: võimalusi ja väljakutseid / Topic analysis of Estonian runosongs: Prospects and challenges

Speed‐up of the Madeira tip jets in the ERA5 climate highlights the decadal variability of the Atlantic subtropics

AbstractDuring the summer months, the northeasterly trade winds impinging on Madeira Island lead to the establishment of a quasi‐permanent wind pattern with two tip jets emerging near the western and eastern island tips. These jets respond to subtle changes of the upstream flow with an amplified signal, and a high‐resolution simulation of the regional atmospheric flow is found to indicate an intensification, associated with a lowering of the atmospheric boundary layer and a slight realignment of the background flow. These results are validated by observations at Madeira Airport, where the proximity of the East Jet has led to less favourable wind conditions for aircraft operations in the last decade. It is suggested that these trends may be explained by large‐scale changes in the structure of the Hadley Cell in the North Atlantic basin.

Guest or pest? Spatio-temporal occurrence and effects on soil and vegetation of the wild boar on Elba island

Where allochthonous large mammals, such as the wild boars, occur in high density, human-wildlife conflicts may arise. Thus, assessing their spatio-temporal patterns is paramount to their management. We studied the wild boars on Elba island, Italy, where they have been introduced and are perceived as pests to address their occurrence and impact of foraging on natural habitat. We surveyed the western island with three camera trapping surveys within one year. We found that the species' estimated occupancy probability was higher in summer-autumn (0.75 ± 0.14) and winter-early spring (0.70 ± 0.10) than in spring–summer (0.53 ± 0.15), whereas detection probability did not vary. Occupancy was significantly associated with lower elevation and woodland cover. Lower site use of wild boars during spring–summer might reflect lower food availability in this season and/or boars’ movements towards landfarms outside the sampled area. Detectability increased with proximity to roads during spring–summer and decreased with humans’ relative abundance in other periods. Boars were mainly nocturnal, with decreasing overlap with human activity when human presence was higher in the park. Soil degradation caused by wild boars was higher in pine plantations, which is the cover with a lower conservation interest. The spatio-temporal activity of wild boars on the island appears driven by seasonal preferences for food-rich cover and avoidance of human disturbance. The lowered site use in months with lower resources could partially reflect increased proximity to settled and farmed areas, which may trigger crop-raiding and the negative perception by residents.

Collaborative Governace in Post Earthquake Disaster Management on The Western Island of Java

The geographical conditions of Indonesia which are on the Pacific Ring of Fire and are crossed by three world plates, the Eurasian plate, the Indo-Australian plate and the Pacific plate make Indonesia the most disaster-prone country, especially earthquakes. The large number of population in Indonesia contributes to the risk of life and social loss, physical loss, and economic loss. Based on this, the government seems to need more attention to disaster management efforts, which are multidimensional. On the other hand, disaster management in Indonesia have not yet become a national strategic issue and development goals so that resulting in disaster management in Indonesia are still not optimal due to the collaborative management processes that are not comprehensive and sustainable between the various levels of actors involved.The purpose of this study is to analyze collaborative governance in the prevention of earthquake reconstruction rehabilitation in the Western Island of Java. This study uses a post positivism approach with qualitative research methods through in-depth interviews and documentation studies.The results of this study indicate that it is needed: the objectives in post earthquake disaste management must consider providing solutions that can reach ordinary people, community independence and participation, human resources, technology, finance and legal as well as derivative rules, leader support, and collaboration between governments, non-governmental institutions, private sector, donor agencies, international agencies, universities and the community

Radon measurements in water galleries in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain)

Water galleries are one of the main systems for capturing groundwater on the western islands of the Canary Islands (Spain). Water galleries are approximately 2-m high × 2-m wide excavated, sub-horizontal drains. This research focuses on taking measurements of radon, a natural radioactive gas present in volcanic territories, such as the Canary Islands, which may cause health problems for workers inside water galleries. The aim of the research is to evaluate radon gas activity as a natural risk in a selected group of water galleries of Tenerife by means of officially approved radon passive detector devices. It was observed that in all the galleries studied, the radon gas concentration values were exceeded by a wide margin, which makes it a factor to be monitored in gallery workers, due to the proven association between radon inhalation and lung cancer.

Variability of the Canary Current Diagnosed by Inverse Box Models

AbstractFour hydrographic cruises carried out between ~26.5 and 31°N in the eastern North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre in fall (2016 and 2017) and spring (2017 and 2018) are used to identify water masses and infer oceanic circulation. Geostrophic velocities are initially adjusted by referencing them to data from a Lower Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (LADCP) and later to velocities estimated with an inverse box model. The distribution of the intermediate water masses (700 to 1,400 m depth) varies seasonally. Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) comprises the largest contributor to the seasonal cycle in the intermediate water masses. Circulation of the Canary Current (CC) differs in fall and spring. In fall, the CC flows southward through the western islands and recirculates south of the archipelago, subsequently flowing northward through the passage between the eastern islands and Africa. North of Lanzarote, the recirculated CC intensified as it is joined by a southeasterly branch of the CC north of Lanzarote. In spring, the net transport of the CC is southward. High interannual variability in mass transport is evident in both spring and fall as a result of the position of the current, with its easternmost (westernmost) position found in spring (fall) 2018 (2016). At intermediate levels, highly variable northward/southward transport is apparent in fall over the African slope, with the Intermediate Poleward Under Current (IPUC) only present in 2017.