Search

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly implemented worldwide to address stormwater issues while providing co-benefits such as habitat provision. However, research on public perceptions of GSI's ecosystem benefits is limited, and barriers such as perception and maintenance hinder biodiversity promotion in GSI. Through an online survey (n = 781), we explored how residents in four Northeast US urban areas—Prince George's County and Montgomery County, MD, New York City, and Philadelphia, PA—perceived the benefits and concerns regarding two types of bioswales (biodiverse and turf). Biodiverse swales feature various plants to promote biodiversity, whereas turf swales are primarily grass-covered. Our analyses included paired-samples t-tests, independent t-tests, one-way repeated measures ANOVA tests, and one-way ANOVA tests to compare perceptions across bioswale types, aspects of benefit/concern, and locations. Both bioswale types were recognized for enhancing green spaces and neighborhood aesthetics. Residents perceived greater environmental and social benefits from biodiverse swales than turf swales, particularly for habitat provision. While overall concerns for both bioswale types were low, potential issues like pest cultivation and the unappealing appearance of biodiverse swales remain significant barriers. Notably, implementing biodiverse swales alleviated initial concerns, especially about pests, suggesting familiarity can enhance acceptance. Location-specific differences in perception were observed, with New York City showing higher perceived benefits and concerns and Montgomery County exhibiting the lowest concerns. This variance is likely due to distinct urban environments, levels of environmental awareness, and demographic profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed Pennsylvania winemakers and winery owners to determine their skill levels, the varieties and styles of wines they produce, their wine-making production challenges, and best practices for addressing educational needs through Extension programs. Growing and sourcing high-quality fruit were identified as key challenges. Although most participants obtained production information from other industry members and preferred face-to-face workshops to further their education, response to a Penn State Extension Enology blog site, developed to address industry challenges and extend our educational reach, has been extremely positive.

Mid-Atlantic urban consumers were surveyed on their fruit and vegetable purchasing behaviors and their knowledge of produce grown in the region. Consumers were generally unaware of what produce is grown in the mid-Atlantic and during what months they are harvested. Additionally, differences pertaining to number of produce items purchased were exhibited based on demographic characteristics. Extension educators are advised of these trends as a basis to develop marketing and consumer educational efforts.

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel study, we examined the effect of dairy-based beverages (250 mL/day) containing 250 mg of dispersible baker's yeast β-glucan (Wellmune) compared to a macronutrient- and calorie-matched control on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in marathon runners. Healthy adults running in the 2017 Austin Marathon consumed either β-glucan (N = 132) or control (N = 225) for the 45 days prior to, day of, and 45 days after the marathon (91 days total). Participants completed a daily online survey assessing compliance, training status, and URTI symptoms. URTI occurrence and severity were evaluated using the Jackson Index and confirmed by the study physician. No significant differences in average duration and number of URTI episodes were found between β-glucan and control. However, those who completed the study per protocol on the β-glucan beverage reported significantly fewer URTI symptomatic days (3.43 ± 6.44 days, max 27 days) compared to those on control beverage (3.84 ± 6.84 days, max 49 days). Total URTI severity was significantly lower for β-glucan (4.52 ± 1.61) compared to control (5.60 ± 2.23). Specifically, lower (p <.05) severity ratings for nasal discharge and sore throat were reported for β-glucan compared to control. Average missed postmarathon workout days due to URTI were significantly less for β-glucan (0.09 ± 0.38 days, max 2 days) compared to control (0.36 ± 1.40 days, max 10 days). Overall, consumption of dairy-based beverages containing dispersible yeast β-glucan decreased URTI symptomatic days, severity of specific URTI symptoms, and missed postmarathon workout days due to URTI, without affecting duration and number of URTI episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intense social nature of wine tourism is widely acknowledged. Yet there is a paucity of research examining the nature of travel groups and, more specifically, the relationship(s) between the motivations that drive them to visit wine tourism destinations. Our study is the first to examine these relationships in combination with motivation-based segmentation. Utilising a sample of 994 respondents drawn from three states in the USA's mid-Atlantic region, and applying the ECHAID classification tree method, a robust segmentation solution is derived. Five segments merit further investigation of which three exhibit response rates of 80% plus and profile lifts of 1.32 or higher. These segments include respondents who: live in a household with at least one other wine drinker and either purchased mid-Atlantic wine and were a super core wine drinker (segment 2), did not purchase mid-Atlantic wine but did buy cases of wine (segment 4), or were single/the only adult in the household who drank wine, purchased mid-Atlantic wine, and were male (segment 6). We conclude that the relationship nature between members of visit groups influences motivation-based segmentation and socio-demographic group interaction effects exist in wine tourism. Practical implications of the findings are discussed and future research directions identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]