Digital Commons Network^™

La Tierra Aquí Es Amable: Soil Macrofauna Density And Producer Perceptions Of Agricultural Soil Fertility In Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Clara Fernandez Odell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Ethnopedology, as a subfield of ethnoecology, is the study of localized symbols and values, knowledge, and practices relating to soils. One key framework for ethnopedological studies is the Kosmos-Corpus-Praxis model, which synthesizes local and traditional ecological into three overlapping, interrelated spheres. Cerro Punta, Chiriquí is the primary vegetable-growing region in Panama, an industry highly dependent on the region’s fertile volcanic soils. Semi-structured interviews (n=8) and soil macrofauna density surveys as an indicator of soil fertility (n=9) were used to gather information regarding producers’ beliefs, knowledge, and decisions about soil fertility.

Among producers in Cerro Punta, religious beliefs and land symbolism …

Public Secrets & Private Identity: A Look Into Lesbi Lives In Bali, Kara Marler

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

Macro Implications Of Microplastics: A Comparative Study Of Microplastic Distribution In Bahía Almirante, Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Bonnie Feldberg

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Plastic is one of the most demanded materials in the modern world as it is durable and long lasting. However, that which makes it so commercially appealing also makes it environmentally degrading. Anthropogenic waste and specifically microplastics have been identified in natural habitats globally, with particular interest placed on marine ecosystems. This research aims to add to this pool by comparing microplastic concentrations in beach, mangrove, and shallow ocean sediment in Bahía Almirante, Bocas del Toro, Panama. Sediment samples were collected from each habitat type, processed, and then analyzed to obtain the number of microplastic particles per gram of dry …

Differences In Temporal And Territorial Feeding Patterns Of Various Tropical Trochilidae Species As Observed At Two Different Ecosystems In Soberanía National Park, Delaney Vorwick

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study aims to illustrate differences in feeding patterns and displays of territorialism at two artificial feeding sites, located in two ecosystems; one site in a secondary forest of Soberanía National Park, the other in a residential area in the nearby town of Gamboa. Four 1-hour observation periods were recorded each day for four days at both sites. During each period of observation, the allocation of time to the three activities of perching, flying, and feeding was recorded, along with the number of visits the feeders. Notes were taken on patterns of territoriality as connected to species and sex. Significance …

Fish Diversity And Distribution In The Seagrass-Coral Reef Continuum At Two Sites Off The Western Coast Of Isla Bastimentos, Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Kathy Liu

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Coral reefs are the most diverse marine ecosystem and the largest biogenic structure on Earth. They serve as shelter for many reef fishes and are a food source for resident and visiting fish species. In the tropics, coral reefs are often in close proximity to seagrass beds and the two contiguous marine habitats are not only highly interconnected but also highly understudied. The seagrass-coral reef continuum offers a wide array of services to human society as well as to various life stages of reef fishes resulting in diel, temporal, or yearly migrations of fish between the two habitats. Tropical reef …

Perceptions And Physical Realities Of Flood Risk In Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá, Julia Stanganelli

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Flooding is an issue of increasing global importance. With climate change and land-use alteration affecting hydrological cycles globally, certain regions of the world are experiencing more frequent or severe flooding. In the Chiriquí Province of Panamá, the town of Cerro Punta has been subject to several severe flooding events in the last few decades. This study aimed to understand perceptions of flood risk amongst residents of Cerro Punta, as well as evaluate physical flood risk in the area. Residents were interviewed regarding their perceptions of flooding as an increasing issue, possible causes, vulnerable areas and populations, and preparedness for future …

Mortality Rate Trends Of Australian Fur Seal Pups, Arctocephalus Pusillus Doriferus, And Possible Factors Affecting Pup Mortality In The Bass Strait Of Australia, Theresa Waters

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Australian fur seals (AFS), Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus, are upper trophic predators endemic to the Bass Strait of south-eastern Australia. Their populations have been monitored since the mid-1900s to assess ecosystem health and the continual recovery of the species from extensive hunting in the early 19th century. The best way to track the environmental conditions and recovery of AFS populations is by monitoring the pups that are confined to the breeding colonies. This study looked particularly at the mortality rates of AFS pups because mortality of the young is a good indicator of population dynamics. The aim of this study was …

The Effects Of Seawater Temperature On Photosynthesis In Crustose Coralline Algae, Alexander Carlson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA) are prolific reef builders and primary producers that play a key role in maintaining the structural integrity of coral reef systems (Littler and Littler, 2013). They are also highly important in increasing reef resilience by serving as a substrate for the recruitment and metamorphosis of coral larvae (Chisholm, 2000). Little is known about the way in which increasing seawater temperatures due to climate change might affect metabolic rates like photosynthesis in CCA. Therefore, a study was carried out in November, 2018, in the lab at Lizard Island Research Station to explore the photosynthetic performance of a …

He Effects Of Climate Change On Native Icelandic Plants: A Morphometric Analysis, Maia Jones

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study seeks to evaluate the morphology of three native Icelandic plant species, Alchemilla alpina, Arabidopsis petraea, and Silene uniflora, in order to determine if changing climatic conditions have had an effect on Icelandic vegetation during the twentieth century. I measured herbarium specimens collected during a time period before 1950, and during the period from the late 1960s to the present. Using traditional morphometrics methods, I searched for changes in morphological traits such as plant height, leaf length to width ratio, and leaf size, then performed two-tailed t-tests to analyze the results of the analyses. I found significant changes …

The Growing Sustainable Seaweed Industry: A Comparison Of Australian State Governance Directing Current And Future Seaweed Cultivation, Meagan E. Currie

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Seaweed is a critical part of natural marine ecosystems. In addition to supporting the marine environment, seaweeds are a significant global resource with nutritional, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Seaweed also has the capacity to remediate excess nutrients in the water caused by agricultural or aquacultural waste of other organisms. Seaweed has demonstrated large potential as a remediation tool in land based polyculture and offshore Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems.

Seaweed is already worth over US$7 billion as a global industry, but as of 2013 over 93% of global seaweed is produced in Asia (Lorbeer, 2013, p. 718). Australia imports …

The Viability Of Community Composting At The Melbourne Food Hub, Bailey Mcneill

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

My research assessed the viability of a community compost site at the Melbourne Food Hub modeled after other successful compost hubs and based on local demand. I surveyed 72 people at the Alphington Farmer’s Market, located at the Food Hub site, and 31 people answered the survey online for a total of 103 responses. In addition, I interviewed ten people working with existing community compost hubs around Melbourne to find out what compost systems they use, how community members engage with the site, what their biggest problems have been, and their motivations for composting.

My survey found that the majority …

Over A Cup Of Tea And Koko Sāmoa, Elizabeth Stanis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Fa’aSāmoa, a concept that incorporated culture, tradition, and heritage all specific to Sāmoa, impacts the daily life of Sāmoans. Agriculture and farming also have a role in everyday life, as they impact food security, the economy, and have ties to cultural events. This paper recognizes the importance of the Fa’aSāmoa and agriculture separately and then observes how the Fa’aSāmoa impacts agriculture and is incorporated into agricultural development. Through interviews with local Sāmoans and the use of historical particularism, the cultural side of agriculture and farming is better understood and its importance in society is analyzed through customary land and …

“So What Are You?:” Nepali Third Gender Women’S Identities And Experiences Through The Lens Of Human Rights Development Discourse, Amit Gerstein

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Nepal is the site of many national and international human rights development measures focused on the country’s gender and sexual minorities (SGM). Given the significant impact those development efforts have on SGM and Nepali society, national and international development actors need to understand the identities and experiences of the populations they attempt to help. Performed in Kathmandu and Bharatpur, this study attempts to understand the identities used by third gender women and if those identities are reflected in development discourse. Furthermore, this research seeks to understand the life experiences of these women and the discriminations they face, a reflection on …

The Learning Loss Effect In Genetics: What Ideas Do Students Retain Or Lose After Instruction?, Amber Todd, William L. Romine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Modern genetics is a relatively new domain, but it is increasingly important for students to have a firm grasp on the content, because genetic technologies are becoming more commonplace. In a previous study, we used the Learning Progression-based Assessment of Modern Genetics to assess high school students’ knowledge of genetics concepts after an intensive inquiry-based genetics instructional period. Given that this type of intensive inquiry-based instruction is unique, we are now investigating how students’ knowledge of genetics changes after instruction (i.e., learning loss effect). Using a six-measure longitudinal design, we found that students retained significant gains in five of the …

Chemistry Matters Fall 2018, Otterbein University Chemistry Department

Chemistry Matters Department Newsletter

In this issue:

Fall 2017 Sabbatical in Cambridge, UK/New Study Abroad Course in Chemistry/Students and Faculty Present at the 255th ACS National Meeting in New Orleans, March 2018/Exploring Biodiesel Chemistry in Multiple Lab Courses

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter, Fall 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter

Inside This Issue:
--Irvine Prairie
--2018 Prairie on Farms Field Day
--IRVM Seed Pick Up
--Dr. Doug Tallamy
--New Staff at the TPC
--Save the Date

Fall 2018, Echoes Staff

Rose Echoes

No abstract provided.

How Do Social Determinants Of Health Manifest In Oral Health?, Annette Cole

M. S. in Management

This research looks at the cause and effect of oral health inequities in the United States. The field of dentistry is a specialized form of health care that is devoted to preventing and treating oral disease and maintaining oral health. Successful patient outcomes in oral healthcare rely on a two-pronged approach. One is quality care delivered by dental providers, and the other is the adoption of daily oral self-care by the patient. Achieving oral health is the sum of collective circumstances not exclusive to an individual’s social, economic, biological or behavioral factors. Through a critical and integrative literature review of …

Sociology 29000: Immigration, Jennifer C. Sloan

Open Educational Resources

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the study of immigration from a sociological perspective. The course begins with an overview of the factors leading to migration and examines how social, economic, political, and legal issues affect individual decisions to migrate. Immigration is first examined first through a historical lens by looking at the history of migration to the United States as well as migration to European and Latin American countries. Next, we turn to the policies that govern migration and borders to study how those policies have affected migrant flows and the ethno-racial makeup …

October 2018, Marci Grant

The CETL Correspondent

Help get the word out!

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has scholarships available for faculty to attend any following Online Learning Consortium workshops.

Personal Librarian Programs In Medical And Academic Health Sciences Libraries: A Preliminary Study - Data, Natasha Williams

Research Data and Datasets

This preliminary study examined how personal librarian programs are implemented within medical and academic health sciences libraries. Increasing awareness of these programs and how they are implemented could create a larger and more accessible knowledge-base for establishing best practices that similar libraries can look to when creating their own programs. This document contains the raw data from the survey used to characterize existing programs.

From Thai Wisdoms Lead To Sustainable Development, Arunporn Itharat

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

-

The Stability Of Sahastara Remedy Ethanolic Extract Used For Application In Clinical Study, Puritat Kanokkangsadal, Preecha Wanichsetakul, Arunporn Itharat

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: The Sahastara remedy is a Thai traditional medicine which has long been used for muscle and joint pain treatment. It has been reported to be anti-inflammatory drug, so it was developed in the form of ethanolic extract capsule. Thus, stability of the extract capsule should be studied to obtain data for clinical study. This study was to investigate the stability of nitric oxide production inhibition activity and piperine content of Sahastara remedy ethanolic extract capsules.

Method: The Sahastara remedy was extracted with 95% ethanol. The extract was filled in capsule No.0 (sized 500 mg) to contain 100 mg of …

Comparative Study On Antioxidant Activities And Phytochemical Components Of Steamed And Non-Steamed Ginger Extracts, Naphatsaran Roekruangrit, Nuanjan Jaiarree, Arunporn Itharat, Atiwut Kamudhamas, Preecha Wanichsetakul, Weerachai Pipatrattanaseree

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberacae), is a widely-used plant in cooking and medicine in Thailand, listed in the National List of Essential Medicines 2011. In the past, Thai traditional practitioners always steamed the ginger rhizome before drug preparation, but there is no report comparing the biological activity and composition of extracts of ginger prepared from steamed and non-steamed rhizomes. The objectives of this research were to compare antioxidant activity and chemical composition of steamed and non-steamed ginger extracts.

Method: Ginger rhizomes (steamed and non-steamed) were dried and reduced to crude powders. They were macerated in 95% ethanol and boiled …

Cytotoxic Activity Of Dioscorea Birmanica Prain & Burkill Extract And Its Cytotoxic Compound Against Breast And Ovarian Cancer Cells, Nuanjan Jaiarree, Arunporn Itharat, Saovapak Poomirat

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Breast and ovarian cancers in Thailand are becoming a significant health problem. Dioscorea birmanica Prain and Burkill (Dioscoreaceae) is one of the main medicinal herbs to cure the breast and ovarian cancers in Thailand.To investigate cytotoxic activity against breast and ovarian cancer cells of D. birmanica extract and to isolate its cytotoxic compound.

Method: The ethanolic extract of D. birmanica and its fractions were tested for its cytotoxic activity against two types of breast cancer cells (T47D and MCF-7), ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3) and human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) using sulforhodamine B assay and the criterion of the National Cancer …

The Influence Of Dentin Sealing With Self-Etch Adhesive On Polymerization Of Silicone Impression Material, Akekaluck Hwanghonghirun, Niyom Thamrongananskul

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dentin sealing agents on curing process of polyvinyl siloxane impression material.

Method: Thirty six carries free human molar teeth were vertically imbedded in plastic tube, leaving clinical crown evenly exposed above the potting surface (resin surface). Occlusal of them were removed perpendicular to the long axis and flat surfaces of dentin were exposed with a slow speed diamond saw. The specimens were divided into 3 groups (n = 12) according to surface treatments: no treatment (group 1); sealing with self-etching system Xeno V plus (group 2); sealing with …

The Development Of Remineralising And Antibacterial Dental Composites To Prevent Secondary Caries, Piyaphong Panpisut

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

The aim of this article was to provide an overview of the current development of remineralising and antibacterial dental composites to reduce bacterial microleakage leading to secondary caries which is the most common reason of composite restoration failure. The literature of up to May 2018 from PubMed and Ovid was reviewed using key words; “remineralisation”, “antibacterial”, and “resin composite”. This review demonstrated that remineralising agents in several forms were used to enable calcium and phosphate and/or fluoride ions release from dental composites. In general, the additives successfully enhanced remineralising properties of the composites but inevitably reduced mechanical properties of the …

Artificial Intelligence And Precision Medicine, Vorapan Senanarong, Chidchanok Luasinsap, Somchai Bovornkitti

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Historically, medical procedures have been designed for treating the average patient, resulting in ubiquitous approaches that prove successful for some patients but not others. In line with the progress achieved in genomics, however, especially following the triumph of sequencing the human genome, in particular the “next generation sequencing” technology, a new field has emerged: precision medicine.
According to the United States National Institutes of Health, precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle. This approach requires significant computing power (supercomputers); algorithms that can learn by themselves …

International Conference On Precision Medicine, Vorasuk Shotelersuk, Somchai Bovornkitti

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

-

Academics: The Newsletter Of The Swosu College Of Arts And Sciences, Peter Grant

aCAdemicS: The Newsletter of the SWOSU College of Arts & Sciences

No abstract provided.