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A Convergent Mixed Methods Study Of The Social Studies Academy In South Carolina Middle Schools, Audie Cherry

All Dissertations

There is a global labor shortage in the agricultural industry and middle school is a critical time to get students serious about career decision making. The Studies of Occupations, Culture, and Innovations toward Agricultural Literacy (SOCIAL) Studies Academy is a high impact professional development program in South Carolina that provides experiences and for middle school social studies teachers (N = 12) to become more suited to teach their standards associated with the agricultural sciences with hopes of encouraging more students to pursue agricultural careers. This study was a mixed-methods convergent parallel design that examined 1) Academy Fellows (n = 4) …

Blackberry Long-Cane Cold Storage And Forcing Strategy Effects On Flower And Fruit Development, Leala Machesney, Ryan Dickson, Amanda Mcwhirt, Margaret L. Worthington, Stephanie E. Burnett

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Blackberry (Rubus subg. Rubus) production using soilless culture and "long-cane" techniques offers growers the potential to achieve off-season harvests and increase yields. This study investigated the feasibility of achieving early spring harvests and high yields with four blackberry cultivars (Natchez, Ouachita, Prime-ArkVR Freedom, and Prime-ArkVR Traveler) grown using long-cane techniques and six different cold storage and forcing environment strategies. Long-cane blackberry plants were container-grown outdoors during 2020 and were overwintered either at an outdoor nursery or in a cold storage facility (4 degrees C). Dormant plants were then forced the following spring at the outdoor nursery location or in a …

Effects Of Flavonoids On Reducing Colon Cancer Risk Via Macrophage Polarization, Gracien Jules

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer is one of the most fatal diseases in the United States. Chronic tissue inflammation can cause cell proliferation, which leads to tumor formation and cancer development. Macrophages are responsible for maintaining tissue homeostasis and for inflammatory responses. M1 macrophages exhibit proinflammatory responses while M2 macrophages exhibit anti-inflammatory responses. Imbalance between M1 and M2 macrophages is closely related to inflammation-associated disease development. The anti-inflammatory effects of apiaceous vegetable constituents, specifically flavonoids, have been studied for their preventative effects towards reducing disease risk. However, sufficient evidence is lacking on the mechanisms by which flavonoids impact M1/M2 macrophage polarization. RAW 264.7 …

Crystal Structures Of Escherichia Coli Glucokinase And Insights Into Phosphate Binding, Joseph Andrews, Joshua Sakon, Chenguang Fan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Here, we report the crystal structure of Escherichia coli glucokinase (GLK), which has phosphate bound in the cleft between the alpha and beta domains adjacent to the active site. A ternary complex consisting of GLK, glucose and phosphate is also reported in this work. Diffraction data were collected at 2.63 angstrom resolution for the phospate-bound form (R-work/R-free = 0.191/0.230) and at 2.54 angstrom resolution for the ternary complex (R-work/R-free = 0.202/0.258), both at 297 K. A B-factor analysis of the phosphate-bound GLK structure revealed consistently lower values for phosphate-interacting basic residues in the alpha 4, alpha 5 and alpha 9 …

Hierarchy In Sensation: Exploring The 40 Hz Auditory Steady State Synchrony In The Primary Auditory And Prefrontal Association Cortices, Deepshila Gautam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Auditory processing begins in the cochlea and ascends through brainstem relays to the cortex, where sound features with increasing complexity are encoded. The 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) reflects induced gamma synchrony shaped by local cortical circuit dynamics. Disrupted 40 Hz ASSR is a consistent finding in schizophrenia, linked to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction in inhibitory interneurons, making it a promising translational biomarker. While multiple ASSR generators have been identified, it is not known if these are redundant or represent unique activity. This dissertation investigates regional differences in 40 Hz ASSR across two principal generators: the primary auditory cortex …

Effect Of Moderate Decrease In Contractility On Epithelial Cell-Cell Contacts Under External Stretch, Saika Sharmin

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Epithelial tissues are characterized by extensive cell–cell contacts and often subject to stretch during normal function. Cell-cell contact adhesion strength maintains mechanical continuity from cell to cell. Mechanical forces exerted by cells via actomyosin contractility are known to strengthen cell-cell adhesions to a certain extent. While it is known that a large decrease in contractility causes cell-cell contact rupture due to weakened adhesions, it is unclear how a moderate reduction in contractility affects cell-cell junction stability. Here, we studied how a moderate inhibition of non-muscle myosin II (NMII) affects the integrity of epithelial cell-cell contacts, especially when subject to the …

Effects Of Sediment Composition On Spartina Alterniflora And Juncus Roemerianus Productivity In Coastal Virginia: A Thin-Layer Sediment Placement Experiment, Caitlin Hemphill

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Climate change poses a major threat to the health of estuaries and their coastal wetland systems. The Chesapeake Bay’s coastal salt marshes are at high risk of inundation due to sea-level rise and land subsidence. Restoration techniques for maintaining coastal marsh resistance to sea-level rise are being developed and refined, with thin layer placement (TLP) emerging as a feasible solution in many areas of the United States. Despite TLPs use across the country, additional research is needed on species-specific responses, sediment types, and geographically focused studies in the lower Chesapeake Bay. My research addresses these gaps by combining both greenhouse …

Insights Gained From Applying Molecular Techniques To Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus Gmelin, 1789) In The Mexican Caribbean, The Southern And Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Geaceli G. Orive

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on Balistes capriscus (Gray Triggerfish), a reef-associated species dependent on hard-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure across four sites was assessed: Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Veracruz, Chinchorro Bank, and Xahuayxol. Samples from RGV and Veracruz exhibited limited haplotype diversity, minimal nucleotide divergence, and weak genetic differentiation-patterns consistent with recent population expansion and ongoing connectivity within the GOM. While the study centered on B. capriscus, all individuals from Chinchorro and Xahuayxol unexpectedly grouped with Canthidermis maculata (Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish), suggesting misidentification, cryptic diversity, or taxonomic uncertainty in …

Comparison Of Recovery Methods After Resistance Exercise For Power Performance, Isaac D. Huerta

Theses and Dissertations

Elite athletes engage in intense training to secure marginal performance advantages, placing considerable physical strain on their bodies. Effective recovery techniques are critical to rapidly restore physical function. Conventional methods like ice baths, hydrotherapy, and massages are often impractical due to cost and logistical barriers. This study examined the efficacy of voluntary deep slow breathing (VDSB) as a cost-effective recovery method compared to static stretching (SS) and no recovery method (control) in untrained male athletes aged 18–26. Using a within-subjects, randomized crossover design over four weeks, participants visited the lab seven times to complete a standardized full-body workout involving plyometric …

Plant Nutrient Interactions In High-Yielding Soybean Environments, Victoria Inklman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Plant nutrient demands and limitations are usually studied individually by nutrient. Here, we investigated how nitrogen (N) limitation in high-yielding soybean environments affects the uptake, removal, and residual of other plant macro- and micronutrients. The objective of this study was to quantify the uptake, removal, and residual levels of soybean macro- and micronutrients under N-limited conditions and to identify nutrient priorities for high-yielding soybean systems. Aboveground plant samples at physiological maturity were collected in 19 high-yielding soybean fields with N limitation across the state of Nebraska. Reference plots with ample N supply were included within each field to compare macro- …

What’S The Beef With Agriculture? Evaluating The Effectiveness Of An Agricultural Literacy Intervention On Students’ Attitudes And Knowledge Toward Sustainability And Animal Agriculture, Jenny E. Bennett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Agricultural literacy is essential for helping individuals understand how food systems impact their daily lives and society. While most research has focused on students’ knowledge, this study addresses the underexplored role of attitudes—critical predictors of behavior—as outcomes of educational interventions. This research analyzed survey data collected before and after an agricultural literacy intervention delivered to high school students in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs. The curriculum focused on sustainability in animal agriculture.

Findings from paired samples t-tests showed statistically significant improvements in students' attitudes (from moderately neutral to more positive) and knowledge scores. Further analyses revealed that demographic factors such …

Electrophysiological Markers Of Emotion Dysregulation In Autistic Youth, Rachel G. Mcdonald

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic mechanism that is conceptualized as difficultly regulating emotions and deploying appropriate regulation strategies in response to environmental stimuli. Meta-analyses suggest that autistic people, across the lifespan, experience more severe ED as compared to both neurotypical people and those with mental health conditions. Despite elevated risk and evidence linking ED to disruptions in neural mechanisms, no studies to date have examined neural markers of ED in autistic populations. The current project uses multi-method and multi-informant measurement to examine similarities and differences in neural mechanisms of ED in autistic and non-autistic populations. Forty-four youth aged 11—17 …

Regulation Of Icer Degradation And Its Role In Melanoma, Justin Wheelan

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with 100,640 new cases and 8,290 deaths estimated in the United States in 2024. While targeted therapies and immunotherapy have improved patient outcomes, resistance remains a major challenge, necessitating new therapeutic approaches. Approximately 50% of melanomas harbor BRAFⱽ⁶⁰⁰ᴱ mutations, leading to constitutive MAPK pathway activation. Targeted small molecule therapies such as BRAF and MEK inhibitors are available and initially reduce tumor burden, however resistance frequently occurs, likely through many pathways including compensatory activation of cAMP signaling. ICER (Inducible cAMP Early Repressor), a transcriptional repressor of CREB-mediated gene expression, is absent in melanoma …

Improved Autofluorescence Lifetime Decay Analysis For Identification Of Cellular Autofluorescence Biomarkers For Label-Free, Single-Cell Assessment Of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, Olivia Isabel Kolenc

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Optical imaging of metabolism using the autofluorescence of the metabolic cofactors NADH, NADPH, and FAD has a wide range of sensitivities and the capability to collect a great deal of metabolic information. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a non-invasive, label-free optical imaging technique capable of performing fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) using time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). However, autofluorescence FLIM presents a challenge in collecting sufficient photons to provide adequate signal to noise ratios (SNR) for analysis. Additionally, the specificity of autofluorescence biomarkers of metabolism has not been well-defined. Contextualizing these autofluorescence measures using established functional biomarkers can improve interpretability of …

Freezing And Shipping Optimization To Increase Quality And Profitability Of Meat E-Commerce, Paul Olaoluwaniyi Dahunsi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Freezing remains one of the most reliable methods for preserving meat quality and extending shelf life. However, quality deterioration can still occur due to structural and biochemical changes activated during freezing, thawing, and distribution. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers’ preference for bulk purchasing and online meat shopping has increased, raising questions about the best strategies to balance both quality maintenance and profitability. This thesis aimed to evaluate two key stages where frozen beef is most vulnerable to quality degradation: consumer-level freezing and post-purchase shipping. The objectives were (1) to determine the effects of product size and subsequent consumer freezing practices …

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies Of Collagenase H Mutant, Colh-E416q, Madelyn Millsap

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Collagenase H (ColH) from Hathewaya histolytica plays a central role in collagen degradation through endopeptidase and carboxytripeptidase reactions. To better understand how its domain architecture supports these functions, we examined the solution structure of a catalytically inactive mutant, ColH-E416Q, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The E416Q mutant is catalytically inactive because the glutamate residue at position 416, which normally functions as a general acid/base during catalysis, is replaced by glutamine—an amide that cannot donate or accept protons effectively, thus disabling the proton transfer steps essential for peptide bond hydrolysis. SAXS results indicate that the E416Q substitution leaves overall domain architecture …

Advanced Analytical Biosensing For Cancer Detection And Neural Diagnostics Using Tapered Optical Fiber (Tof), Protonic, And High Throughput Microplate –Based Technologie, Bayan Hassan Alharbi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the development and application of advanced biosensing technologies to enhance early disease detection, neurological diagnostics, and bioactive compound evaluation. The research spans four key areas. First, it introduces tapered optical fiber (TOF)-based plasmonic biosensors for the non-invasive detection of prostate cancer, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional diagnostic methods.

Second, it explores the use of fluorescent biosensors to test the Transmembrane Electrostatically Localized Proton (TELP) theory, shedding light on the role of localized protons in neuronal signaling and energy transfer. Third, the work presents a high-throughput, microplate-based biosensing platform for analyzing mitochondrial function under nanosecond …

A Simple Guide For Describing Soils, 2nd Edition, Angela Stuart-Street, Nicolyn Short Dr, Paul Galloway, Noel R. Schoknecht

Natural resources published reports

Soils are enormously diverse and can be very confusing to understand and talk about. This simple guide for describing soils helps to identify the most important parts of a soil profile and provide an easy way to understand and explain what you see. It gives you a step-by-step guide of what soil properties to describe and how to describe them, along with the tools to make basic soil classifications. The soil descriptors help you to identify the soil type and aid in assigning a simple and standardised name to the soil. While this guide is designed to link with a …

Efficacy And Safety Of Oral Decitabine/Cedazuridine In The Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia Subpopulations From Phase 2 And 3 Studies, Michael R Savona, Olatoyosi Odenike, Gail J Roboz, Harshad Amin, Amy E Dezern, Elizabeth A Griffiths, Kim-Hien Dao, Amer M Zeidan, Bhavana Bhatnagar, Rena Buckstein, Brian Leber, Mary-Margaret Keating, Somedeb Ball, Aram Oganesian, Yuri Sano, Harold N Keer, Guillermo Garcia-Manero

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) are commonly used in treating chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML); however, data from prospective studies of DNMTis in CMML are limited. The present analysis evaluated the efficacy, safety and pharmacodynamics of the oral DNMTi decitabine/cedazuridine in the subset of patients with CMML from the phase 2 and 3 trials, which led to the approval of this agent for myelodysplastic syndromes and CMML in the United States and Canada. Potential prognostic factors also were analysed. In all, 34 patients with CMML were screened and 33 were treated. Most patients (76% [n = 25]) had myelodysplastic type-CMML and 77% …

Orp2 Regulates Free Cholesterol Accumulation In Hepatocytes During Mash, Jin Wu, Yudi Zhao, Liwen Qiu, Qiaoli Chen, Xiaowei Wang, Jingwen Gu, Yan Liang, Yingjie Zhang, Hong-Yu Wang, Yang Liu, Xiaoqin Wu, Shuai Chen, Feng-Jung Chen, Mingming Gao, Hongyuan Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Cholesterol crystals in hepatocytes are known to strongly associate with human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. However, it remains unclear which molecular pathway(s) regulates free cholesterol accumulation and the formation of cholesterol crystals in hepatocytes. In cultured cell lines, oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) functions to deliver cholesterol to the plasma membrane from endosomal compartments.

Methods: Here, we generated liver-specific ORP2 knockout (ORP2-LKO) mice and characterized their metabolic phenotypes on chow and high-fat diet.

Results: The ORP2-LKO mice developed much more severe hepatic steatosis than floxed control mice after high-fat diet feeding. They also demonstrated more severe liver inflammation and damage. …

Patient, Physician, And Assessor Blinding In Phase Iii Randomized Trials In Oncology: A Meta-Epidemiological Analysis, Gabrielle Brown, Pavlos Msaouel, Avital M Miller, Ramez Kouzy, Timothy A Lin, Joseph Abi Jaoude, Ethan B Ludmir, Alexander D Sherry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Blinding mitigates bias in randomized trials and may be especially crucial for surrogate endpoints, such as progression-free survival (PFS). Here, we characterize utilization of and factors associated with blinding in Phase III oncology trials with PFS primary endpoints.

Methods: Two-arm, superiority-design trials investigating systemic therapy were identified in May 2024 from ClinicalTrials.gov with no date limitation. Trials were required to have a PFS primary endpoint. The study outcomes were the presence of double-blind designs and blinded independent central review (BICR) for the primary endpoint. Ninety-five percent credible intervals for binary outcomes were estimated from beta distributions, and multivariable logistic …

Computed Tomography Radiomics-Based Cross-Sectional Detection Of Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis In Head And Neck Cancer Survivors, Serageldin Kamel, Laia Humbert-Vidan, Zaphanlene Kaffey, Sarah Mirbahaeddin, Abdulrahman Abusaif, David T A Fuentes, Kareem Wahid, Cem Dede, Mohamed A Naser, Renjie He, Ahmed W Moawad, Khaled M Elsayes, Melissa M Chen, Adegbenga O Otun, Jillian Rigert, Mark S Chambers, Andrew Hope, Erin Watson, Kristy K Brock, Katherine Hutcheson, Lisanne Van Dijk, Amy C Moreno, Stephen Y Lai, Clifton D Fuller, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Md Anderson Head And Neck Cancer Symptom Working Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: This study aims to identify radiomic features from contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scans that differentiate osteoradionecrosis (ORN) from normal mandibular bone in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT).

Materials and methods: CECT images from 150 patients with confirmed ORN diagnosis (2008-2018) at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) were analyzed (80 % train, 20 % test). Radiomic features were extracted using PyRadiomics from manually segmented ORN regions and automated contralateral healthy mandible regions. Correlation analysis (r > 0.95) reduced features for model training. A random Forest (RF) classifier with Recursive Feature Elimination identified discriminative features. Explainability was assessed …

Large-Scale Genome-Wide Analyses Of Stuttering, Hannah G Polikowsky, Alyssa C Scartozzi, Douglas M Shaw, Dillon G Pruett, Hung-Hsin Chen, Lauren E Petty, Alexander S Petty, Emily J Lowther, Shu-Hsien Cho, Yao Yu, Sahar Mozaffari, Christy L Avery, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Reyna L Gordon, Janet M Beilby, Kathryn Z Viljoen, Robin M Jones, Chad D Huff, Heather M Highland, Shelly Jo Kraft, Jennifer E Below

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Developmental stuttering is a highly heritable, common speech condition characterized by prolongations, blocks and repetitions of speech. Although stuttering is highly heritable and enriched within families, the genetic architecture is largely understudied. We reasoned that there are both shared and distinct genetic variants impacting stuttering risk within sex and ancestry groups. To test this idea, we performed eight primary genome-wide association analyses of self-reported stuttering that were stratified by sex and ancestry, as well as secondary meta-analyses of more than one million individuals (99,776 cases and 1,023,243 controls), identifying 57 unique loci. We validated the genetic risk of self-reported stuttering …

Nanotechnology For Immuno-Oncology, Adam J Grippin, Daeyong Lee, Eileen E Parkes, Wen Jiang, Betty Y S Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although the first generation of cancer immunotherapeutics produced unprecedented improvements in clinical outcomes for individuals with cancer, novel strategies to increase treatment specificity, delivery efficiency and pharmacokinetics are still needed. In this Review, we describe the potential advantages and current limitations of nanomaterials for cancer immunotherapy and highlight rational uses of nanosystems to generate potent and durable antitumor immune responses. We close with a review of the current state of clinical development of nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy.

Mitophagy’S Impacts On Cancer And Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications For Future Therapies, Jason Huang, Vincent Truong Pham, Shaozi Fu, Gang Huang, Ya-Guang Liu, Lei Zheng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Substantial evidence supports an inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), but few studies investigate the biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. While previous explanations-such as inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), genetic mutations, and cell death-remain significant, they ultimately converge on mitophagy. This review identifies mitophagy as a pivotal factor in the development of both cancer and NDDs, while also evaluating specific mechanisms and processes to clarify how mitophagy connects these opposing disease trajectories. By examining these factors, we aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that explain the inverse relationship between cancer and NDDs, which will help develop therapeutic strategies …

Role Of Cellular Proteins In The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression And Dna Replication, Joseph R. Heath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that infects the majority of the human population. To facilitate infection, this virus relies on a combination of host and viral factors. Previous studies have revealed a number of host proteins that associate with the HSV-1 genome throughout infection but their putative role(s) in this process remain undefined. This study aims to examine two such proteins to determine their contributions to HSV-1 gene expression and DNA replication. The first of these factors is Ints3, a subunit of the Integrator complex. This protein complex functions in transcription regulation, and Ints3 …

Characterizing Gastric Cancer Tumor Immune Microenvironment Through Extracellular Vesicles, Claire Elizabeth Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) critically influences cancer progression and determining therapeutic response. As immunotherapies continue to improve and reshape cancer treatments, there is a need for tools that can more efficiently and accurately assess and monitor the TIME. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs), are lipid-bound nanoparticles that carry proteins, DNA, and RNA reflective of their cell of origin, offering a novel, non-invasive biomarker of the TIME. This makes them a promising candidate for immune profiling and treatment monitoring in cancer. This thesis investigates the potential of EVs as biomarkers for TIME composition and immune activity. An analysis …

Assessment Of Covid-19 Risks Related To Behaviour And Body Resistance In The Remote Area: Case Study In Jeneponto, Basri Basri, Andi Tilka Muftiah Ridjal, Lukman Setiawan, Renaldi M

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

COVID-19 has posed significant global health threats, with responses varying across populations due to differences in risk perception, behaviour, and biological vulnerability. In Indonesia, most research has focused on urban settings, with limited attention paid to rural or remote communities. This study assesses COVID-19- risks related—specifically behavioural and immunity-related-factors—in the remote area of both Bontoramba Subdistrict, Jeneponto Regency. A cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster random sampling across eight villages, with 183 participants selected from a total of 12,242 households. Data were collected between November to December 2020 using a validated structured questionnaire, administered both online and face-to-face interviews. The …

Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse, globally spread and yet poorly studied group of benthic organisms. They act as settlement cues for coral larvae, but this interaction is often species-specific, as CCA species can be either inducers or inhibitors to larval settlement and metamorphosis. Despite this importance, information on Caribbean CCA distribution, diversity, and impact on coral species is limited due to the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, CCA samples were collected from seven different reef sites in the southeastern region of Florida’s Coral Reef and genetically identified using molecular analyses. Some of the samples collected …

Coal Mining Reclamation: Lessons Learned From Tropical And Subtropical Countries, Priyaji Agung Pambudi, Suyud Warno Utomo, Roni Setyo Handoko

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

This study addresses the persistent environmental challenges associated with coal mining in tropical and subtropical regions, where complex microclimates and ecological variability hinder effective reclamation. Despite the increasing global coal demand, comparative cross-country insights remain limited. This research fills the gap by evaluating the best practices. This study employs a qualitative methodology with a comparative case study design, uses systematic literature review to evaluate ecology based reclamation policies and implementation practices. Data were sourced from peer-reviewed journals from Scopus and the Web of Science database and institutional reports, and analyzed using McHarg’s landscape ecology theory to evaluate reclamation policies, ecological …