Other Life Sciences Commons^™

Ecological And Public Health Consequences Of Sand Mining In Aquatic Ecosystems: A Systematic Review, Uduak Sylvanus Jacob, Isangedighi Asuquo Isangedighi, Olusola Abayomi Akangbe, Emmanuel Dami Omogbemi

Journal of Bioresource Management

The persistent exploitation of the aquatic ecosystem, driven by increasing demand for aquatic resources, including construction-grade sand, is evidenced by hydrological and geomorphological degradation of the aquatic ecosystem, with severe negative consequences on the fauna and flora communities. The rising global demand for sand and inefficient mining regulations have resulted in indiscriminate and illegal sand mining globally. However, developing an effective policy framework for sustained river sand mining requires local, regional, and global data (both qualitative and quantitative) on the status, drivers and implications of sand mining. This paper uses a systematic literature review approach to compile the ecological and …

Needs Assessment For Evaluation Competencies Among Extension And Outreach Professionals, Mariah K. Awan, Hui-Hui Wang, Rama Radhakrishna

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted an extensive literature review to develop an assessment tool with both quantitative and qualitative items that can be used to conduct a statewide needs assessment of professional development needs in program evaluation for Extension educators and similar non-profit organizations. This tool can be used to identify priority topics for evaluating professional development trainings and materials. It can be easily distributed via Qualtrics. The results of the literature review and the needs assessment survey instrument are shared.

Light-Driven Zonation And Community Structure Of Aerophytic Microalgae In A Tropical Limestone Cave (Gua Tempurung, Malaysia), Wan Maznah Wan Omar, Mohammad Basri Eshak, Luthfiana Aprilianita Sari, Zulaihat Hamza Abdullahi, Yusuf Abdullahi

International Journal of Speleology

Cave ecosystems host specialized phototrophic biofilms structured primarily by light availability, yet quantitative assessments of aerophytic microalgal community organization in tropical limestone caves remain limited. This study investigated spatial variation in the structure of aerophytic microalgal communities across four ecologically distinct zones (entrance, transition, penetration, and low light) of Gua Tempurung, Malaysia. Stratified sampling was conducted during three seasonal periods. Dominant phototrophic morphospecies were identified using microscopy, and community composition was analyzed in relation to key environmental variables. Twenty-three dominant microalgal morphospecies were recorded across the cave gradient. Cyanobacteria constituted the major component of both richness and abundance, followed by …

Electrochemical Sensors Based On Graphene Oxide/Pedot:Pss Composite Decorated With Bimetallic Gold–Silver Nanoparticles For H2o2 Detection, Rayyan Azzahra Hidayat, Budi Riza Putra, Munawar Khalil, Wulan Tri Wahyuni

Makara Journal of Science

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a biomarker that indicates oxidative stress levels in the human body; thus, rapid and accurate detection methods are necessary to diagnose various disorders. This study developed a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for detecting H₂O₂ using bimetallic gold–silver nanoparticles (Au–Ag NPs) combined with graphene oxide and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)-modified glassy carbon electrode. The surface properties of the modified electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrodes was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry. The bimetallic Au-Ag …

Everyday Practices In Seed Sovereignty, Tapiwa Singini, Wu Xu

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Seed sovereignty is increasingly recognized as central to debates around food security, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods, particularly in the Global South. In Malawi, seed is not merely an agricultural input but a carrier of memory, resilience, and political agency. This paper explores how smallholder farmers in rural Malawi engage in everyday acts of resistance to maintain seed sovereignty amidst expanding corporate influence, restrictive state policies, and climate variability. Based on 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Mchinji District, I employ a political ecology framework and peasant resistance theory to analyze the lived strategies of farmers. These include seed saving, informal …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

Design, Implementation, And Reflection From An Interdisciplinary Course In Museum Studies, Brenna L. Decker

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

In Spring of 2023, I developed a special topics course titled Collection Material Handling to introduce students to museum management using Utah State University collections on the Logan, UT campus. The cross-listed upper-level course brought 16 USU students together from two disciplines: anthropology and natural sciences. The publication details how I used various learning theories to guide the creation of course content and how I structured and implemented activities in the classroom and in the collections. Examples of worksheets, activities, student feedback, and recommended improvements to assignments are provided. I encourage …

Addressing Economic Instability And Workforce Turnover In Early Childhood Education: The Role Of Stipends, Wage Supplements, And Professional Development, Lucinda J. Leffler

Endeavors: Mississippi State Undergraduate Research Journal

Child care workers are vital to early childhood education, yet they face persistent economic instability, low wages, and high turnover rates. To address these challenges, states and policymakers have implemented stipends, wage supplements, and professional development programs aimed at improving financial security, job satisfaction, and workforce retention. This literature review examines the effectiveness of these initiatives across the United States, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Vroom’s Expectancy Theory and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to contextualize their impact. Research indicates that financial incentives significantly reduce turnover, while professional development fosters job satisfaction and career advancement. However, sustainability concerns remain, particularly with …

Stakeholder Perspectives On The Status And Conservation Management Of Critically Endangered Nassau Grouper In The Bahamas, Krista D. Sherman, Lester Gittens

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Ensuring the sustainability of marine resources that provide food, economic security and other critical ecosystem services is a major challenge globally. Assessing stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions of the status of fisheries and how they should be managed can yield important insights to facilitate the development of management frameworks that are likely to assist with achieving sustainability. As a socioeconomically and culturally important and critically endangered species, evaluating stakeholder perspectives on the status of the Nassau Grouper fishery is critical to help inform policy. Knowledge and perceptions of stakeholders working in The Bahamas were assessed using voluntary participatory approaches, including a …

Who Cares For The Caregiver? Exploring Extension’S Role In Informal Caregiving Support, Mckenzie R. Tuttle, Erin L. Martinez, Aimee Fox

Journal of Extension

Family caregivers provide invaluable service by taking on the responsibility of caring for older adults in the United States. With a growing aging population, the need for family caregivers and demands on their time and resources will continue to increase. Although a variety of caregiving resources and support services exist, family caregivers often lack the awareness, time, transportation, or financial resources to connect to services. There is a critical need to address the barriers that prevent caregivers from accessing services. In this commentary, we highlight barriers and make recommendations for improving conversations, research, and practice to meet this growing problem.

Gait Measurement Descriptions Of Human Tracks, Robert Speiden

International Journal of Missing Persons

Search and rescue missions use a variety of tools to find missing persons, one of which can be visual tracking. Trackers detect, interpret and document information about human contact with the ground. Humans typically move on two feet at various speeds. Movement as an obligate biped leaves a series of footprints that alternates from one side to the other. This pattern of footfalls is rather simple, and the footfalls can be easily divided into descriptive dimensions.

This work summarized published measurements of bipedal gait ground contact points in 70 resources. Four resource types were surveyed including 33 biomechanical gait analysis …

Artificial Fruit Ripening Agents And Their Impact On Health Of The University Students In Lahore, Muhammad Ahsan, Faraz Ahmad, Faiza Usman, Shamaila Habib, Imran Shahid, Sohail Abbas, Sajida Munir

Journal of Bioresource Management

To evaluate the impact of chemicals used in artificial fruit ripening and to create an approach for raising public awareness of the risks associated with artificial fruit ripening. It was a cross-sectional and observational study, in which data was gathered from 900 university students by convenient sampling technique in Lahore. The duration of research was from May 2021 to Dec 2021. The adverse reactions caused due to different fruits were recorded on a questionnaire. Candidates included in this research were, aged between 18 years to 28 years and healthy, whereas unhealthy were excluded. Out of 900 participants, 247 (27.4 %) …

Evaluation Of The Water Quality And Distribution Of Heavy Metals In The Gomti River Flowing Through The Urban Region Of Lucknow, India, Neha Gondial, Sandhya Bharti

Makara Journal of Science

The physicochemical properties and heavy metals contents of the Gomti River water (GRW) samples collected from five selected sites covering a stretch of ~31 km in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India were ascertained. The sites were Ghaila Pul, Mehndi Ghat, Shaheed Smarak, Kukrail Junction, and Bande Dam, represented as S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5, respectively, following from upstream to downstream. S1 was considered as a reference site. The values of pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness (TH), total chloride (TC), total alkalinity (TA), total acidity (TAC), total …

Authentication Of Shallots From Brebes Using Gas Chromatography Fingerprinting Technique Combined With Chemometrics, Yana Setyani Pradina, Adelia Puteri, Gina Fauzia Rachma, Nazwa Balqis, Gerli Puspita Anggraini, Hendri Wasito

Makara Journal of Science

Shallots from Brebes, also called Bima Brebes, have a more pungent aroma compared to other varieties. Its high demand results in increased prices in the market, leading to frequent cases of fraud wherein Bima Brebes shallots are replaced with other types of shallots. This study aimed to develop an analytical method using gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC-FID) fingerprinting combined with chemometrics to authenticate Bima Brebes shallots. Essential oils were extracted through ultrasonic hydrodistillation, followed by organoleptic, refractive index, GC-FID fingerprinting and chemometric analysis. The yield value of the five studied shallot varieties ranged from 0.02% to 0.08% w/w. Meanwhile, the …

Growth And Mobility Of Physella Acuta Under Individual And Combined Acetaminophen And Salinity Exposure, Rhea Wilder, Jason Doll, Daniel Elias

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Global climate change, driven by rapid population growth and anthropogenic activities, presents an urgent challenge to aquatic ecosystems. Salinity intrusion threatens water quality and availability for human and wildlife populations. At the same time, due to the demand for pharmaceuticals, these pollutants are increasingly detected in freshwater environments, with acetaminophen being one of the most prevalent. This research analyzed the individual and combined effects of salinity (2.5 g/L) and acetaminophen (488 μg/L) on Physella acuta. Overall, we observed reduced snail movement under elevated salinity and no effects on growth or movement with acetaminophen alone or in combination with salinity. …

اللجوء الإنساني في ضوء المواثيق الدولية, Shaker Salem Hamdan Kharabsheh, Omar Yasin Mahmoud Khdeirat, Solieman Hamdan Salem Kharabsheh

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدف المقال البحث في ماهية اللجوء الإنساني في ضوء المواثيق الدولية، من خلال بيان مفهوم اللجوء الإنساني، وتوضيح حقوق اللاجئ واجباته، واستعراض الإطار القانوني الدولي والإقليمي لحماية اللاجئين. ولتحقيق هذه الأهداف تمت الاستعانة بالمنهج الوصفي التحليلي، والمنهج القانوني. وقد توصلت الدراسة إلى أن اللجوء ظاهرة اجتماعية ذات بُعد إنساني قديمة قدم التاريخ، وإنه ولغاية إعداد هذه الدراسة لا يوجد تعريف واحد متفق عليه لحق اللجوء، حيث يتم النص على حق الفرد في طلب اللجوء دون وضع تعريف محدد له. ومن أهم الضمانات التي أقرتها المواثيق الدولية للاجيء عدم جواز طرده إلى البلد الذي يخشى فيه اضطهاده. وأن أبرز المعاهدات الدولية …

An Effective Method For Long-Term Control Of American Bullfrogs Syntopic With Special-Status Native Amphibians In California, Usa, Jeff A. Alvarez, Jeffery T. Wilcox

Human–Wildlife Interactions

American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are invasive in western North America and are well established in California, USA, where they are widespread. This invasive species has been implicated in the decrease of native amphibian populations and is believed to have contributed to the decline of threatened and endangered amphibians regionally. We utilized air rifles, tin alloy pellets, and 2 shooters to systematically control L. catesbeianus in both lentic and lotic habitat types within 2 counties in California. We visited sites monthly (April through November) for approximately 8 and 14 years to lethally target and remove L. catesbeianus …

Public Benefits And Private Costs: Implications For Moose Management In The Adirondacks, Heidi E. Kretser, Nancy A. Connelly, T. Bruce Lauber, Richard C. Stedman, Jeremy Hurst, David W. Kramer, James H. Stickles

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Private lands beyond protected area boundaries have long been recognized as important to sustaining wildlife as a public resource. However, private landowners may perceive disproportionate negative impacts from wildlife sustained by these lands, and these perceptions may impede effective management. We explore perceived issues related to managing moose (Alces alces), a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New York State (NYS), USA, as a public benefit while simultaneously addressing private landowners’ concerns. We examined the public benefits of moose and attitudes toward potential management actions using surveys of NYS residents and Northern New York (NNY) residential landowners. We …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Volunteers’ Stewardship Action-Taking Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic Predicted By Their Motivation Toward Engagement And Ability To Teach Others, Suzanna R. Windon, Olga Buchko, Linda Falcone

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The current study investigates the relationship between volunteer stewardship action-taking, motivation toward engagement in volunteer activities, and the ability to teach others during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final data set included 1,196 responses from the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and Master Watershed volunteers, which provided a response rate of 39.9%. The results of this study showed that approximately 15.1% of the variation in volunteer stewardship action-taking experiences could be explained by volunteers’ motivation toward engagement in volunteer activities and their ability to teach others. Most findings are in line with previous research. Extension and outreach educators and volunteer coordinators …

Trees In Our City How A Tree And A Small Patch Of Dirt Inspired A Classroom, Zuleika Hines

Occasional Paper Series

As a new Director in a new school, I knew that I wanted the children to have a curiosity for nature. But to lead the children to a place of discovery, they would need the opportunity to observe, play, and engage in elements of nature that would support hands-on activities both in the classroom and outside. When the opportunity came for me to build my own early childhood program, I knew that I had a unique opportunity to incorporate elements of nature in the design of the classroom. But I wanted nature to be local and the trees of our …

High-Risk Wildlife Strike Regions: An In-Depth Visual Representation Of Wildlife Strikes At And Around Part 139 Airports In Florida., Luke P. Ochs, Flavio A. C. Mendonca Ph.D.

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Wildlife strikes with aircraft have been and continue to be a problem in the aviation industry costing millions of dollars in both damage and delays. This study used the geoprocessing information system ArcGIS to depict wildlife strikes at Florida’s 26 Part 139 Airports from 2012 to 2021. Importing reports from the National Wildlife Strike Database into ArcGIS, this study used symbology and geoprocessing tools to create a color/ size gradient that depicts the risk (number of damaging strikes out of known strikes) at each airport. Using an interactive map with ArcGIS Online viewers can observe then select each airports vector …

An Introduction To The Special Issue: Island Invaders, Aaron B. Shiels, Shane R. Siers, S. Nicole Frey

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This is the introductory letter from the associate editors of the special issue on Island Invaders.

Psychophysiological Effects Of Increasing Awareness Of Nondual Consciousness In Young Adults With Depression And Anxiety, Milena Braticevic

CONSCIOUSNESS: Ideas and Research for the Twenty-First Century

Young adults increasingly suffer from anxiety and depression during the time of transition into adulthood. This research study examined the effects of increasing awareness of nondual consciousness in young adults who were experiencing various levels of anxiety and depression. The methodology was mixed-method and included four 1-hour group-based sessions over 4 weeks. Increasing awareness of nondual consciousness through educational, experiential, and behavioural components resulted in reduction in the average depression score from 19.4 (borderline clinical depression) to 10 (normal), and reduction in the average anxiety score from 12.7 (moderate anxiety) to 6.9 (mild). Participants reported increased mental, emotional, physical, and …

Development Of Tlc Fingerprinting Profile Of Shadanga Paniya – An Ayurvedic Formulation To Treat Symptoms Of Covid-19, Mehta D. Mehul, Kunal M. Gohil, Krunal A. Doshi

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

BACKGROUND: Shadanga Paniya is a compound Ayurvedic formulation that contains six ingredients. Ayurvedic Physicians have been using Shadanga Paniya to treat fever for ages. Symptoms of COVID-19 are also being treated by Shadanga Paniya. However, the Shadanga Paniya has not reported standardisation.

AIMS: To prepare Shadanga Paniya as per the standard classical protocol. To carry out qualitative tests, standardisation and TLC profile development for Shadanga Paniya.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the ingredients of Shadanga Paniya wiz. Nagarmotha, Pittapapada, Khasa, Lal Chandana, Sugandhbala and Sunthi were taken in equal amounts. All these ingredients are heated over mild heat with water. The …

A Winning Approach: Teaching Science Communication Skills Through Small-Group Workshops, Serena B. Gumusoglu, Maria Noterman Soulinthavong, Jennifer Barr

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: Research almost always culminates in the communication of findings. Despite the necessity of grant and manuscript writing throughout academic careers, scientific trainees often receive little guided practice in written communication. To fill this gap, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a voluntary writing initiative for biomedical students at a research-intensive (R1) university in the midwestern United States called Writing Initiative in Neuroscience (WIN).

Method: WIN consisted of didactic and workshop components. The didactic component included discussions with topic-specific experts on writing grants and manuscripts for the public and for non-academic scientific careers. The workshop component consisted of small group-based peer …

The Rise Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Their Effects, And How We Can Stop Their Growth, Andrea Prisco

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Dramatic changes in the agricultural industry over the last century have led to the rise of concentrated animal feeding operations– industrial facilities that raise a large number of animals in confined spaces. Animals raised in these facilities suffer from poor quality of life and abuse. For humans, these facilities have had adverse effects on the environment and public health, but they are also associated with high productivity and low food costs. This Comment analyzes the effects of concentrated animal feeding operations on animal well-being, the environment, and public health. This Comment also analyzes current federal legislation that helps combat the …

Plants Used By Nyamwezi Traditional Health Practitioners To Remedy Sexually Transmitted Infections In Sikonge, Tanzania, David S. Kacholi, Halima Amir

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study aims to document medicinal plants used by Nyamwezi traditional health practitioners (NTHPs) in managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Sikonge District. The data on medicinal plants were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 23 NTHPs were interviewed. The findings revealed that 28 medicinal plants, belonging to 16 families and 25 genera, are used for the management of STIs in Sikonge. Most species belonged to family Fabaceae (17.9%), Apocynaceae, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae (10.7% each), and Olacaceae and Rutaceae (7.1% each). Out of the recorded plants, 45.7% are used to manage gonorrhoea, 25.7% syphilis, 17.1% vaginal candidiasis, 8.6% …

Human–Carnivore Conflicts In A Recently Established Pakistani National Park, Rukhsana Khatoon, Maqsood Anwar, Charles H. Nilon, Matthew E. Gompper

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human–carnivore conflicts (HCCs) are increasing globally. These conflicts may encompass competition for food resources, crop and livestock depredations, and attacks on humans. Concerns over conflicts may result in retaliatory killings of carnivores and negative views of wildlife or landscape conservation. Yet, despite the economic and conservation implications of HCCs, data regarding the magnitude and severity of the conflicts may be lacking because many incidents are unreported. To better inform this issue, we compared HCC data for 2016 to 2018 obtained from official records of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department for a newly established national park in the Punjab Region …

Application Of Competitive Intelligence For Insular Territories: Automatic Analysis Of Scientific And Technology Trends To Fight The Negative Effects Of Climate Change, Henri Dou, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Islands Research

Islands are fragile territories because of their geographical position. As a result, climate impacts can have serious consequences, of which some are irreversible. Therefore, it is necessary to allow insular territories to benefit from the latest scientific and technological advances in combating climate effects. The current article shows how to deal with automatic analysis of scientific information on the one hand, but also its applications via patents. We will analyse the latest scientific results as well as their possible applications using patent analysis. We will also focus on experts, laboratories, and leading companies, that are active on the field. The …