Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Why Agtech Startups Fail? Evidence From Global Shutdown Patterns In 2025 And The Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, Ankit Chandra, Ishani Lal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Agricultural technologies are widely seen as a driver for sustainability, resilience, and food-system transformation. Yet in 2025, agtech startup across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa experienced multiple shutdowns. Although each company closed for its own reasons, the failures highlight consistent underlying patterns. We analyze 18 publicly reported shutdowns across controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), robotics, insect protein, digital platforms, sensors, and ag-biotechnology. We find that most ventures struggled not with scientific feasibility but with economic and adoption dynamics at the farm level. We identify a Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, in which the capital and operational burden of a technology exceeds farmers’ capacity …

Food Green Cities For Urban Sustainability (Book), Ambika P. Adhikari, Keshav Bhattarai, Drona Rasali, Sunil Babu Shrestha

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

The book delves into the essential role of urban agriculture, forestry, and sustainable practices in ensuring food security while addressing the challenges of climate change and urbanization. It highlights urban greening and sustainable land use as strategies to create livable cities and mitigate environmental degradation. Through its chapters, the book offers a rich compilation of research, practical solutions, and transferable strategies for application in other developing countries.

Urban Forestry In Selected Nepali And Us Cities: Assessment, Analysis, And Recommendations, Ambika P. Adhikari, Keshav Bhattarai

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

Urban forest delivers several benefits to urban area residents. The benefits include shade, dust control, noise mitigation, water retention, ecological services, pedestrian comfort, aesthetic improvements, and economic benefit to the community, including the provision of food. Nepali urban areas face several environmental and infrastructure-related problems that include air and noise pollution, frequent street flooding, and unclean roads and sidewalks. Further, a vast majority of pedestrians in cities face discomforting, unpleasant, unhygienic, and unsafe conditions. Urban forests can help alleviate many of these problems at a low cost as trees provide shade to the pedestrians, absorb dust and noise, and can …

Writing From The Rift: Queer Temporality And The Refusal Of Resolution, Daniela Ruiz Perez

Masters Theses

This thesis develops a phenomenological method for reading speculative literature as a site where queer ecological temporality is experienced rather than explained. Working with Annihilation (2014) by Jeff VanderMeer, The Day of the Triffids (1951) by John Wyndham, and Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals (2020) by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, the project treats reading as a bodily practice shaped by forms of attention. Texts are not interpreted for stable meaning and instead I remain with moments where resolution is withheld. The work is informed by a Marxist attention to how capitalist time organizes labor, productivity, and value, and how …

Allan Leslie Combs: Celebrating The Life Of A Trickster And Pioneer In Consciousness Studies, Zeke Floro, Leila A. Kincaid

Journal of Conscious Evolution

The Journal of Conscious Evolution (JCE) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to exploring consciousness, conscious evolution, and transdisciplinary inquiry as they relate to human growth, transformation, and planetary well-being. Originally founded by Allan Leslie Combs (1942-2025), Professor Emeritus at CIIS, JCE highlights outstanding work from both students and professional scholars around the world. A distinguished author, teacher, and mentor, Combs devoted himself to the study of consciousness, authoring over 250 publications on consciousness and the brain, including Synchronicity, The Radiance of Being (which won the 1996 best book award from the Scientific and Medical Network) and Consciousness Explained Better. …

Constructing Hybrid Identities: Cultural Negotiation And Belonging In Uzma Jalaluddin's Ayesha At Last, Chelsee M. Niebergall

CLAMANTIS: The MALS Journal

No abstract provided.

Poetry: For Harvey Milk And Comstock Correctional Upstate New York, Becky Thompson

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

A Conversation Between Jackson Katz And Douglas Kellner On Guns, Masculinities, And School Shootings, Jackson Katz, Douglas Kellner

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Lies And Life: The Other Italians, Charles Lemert

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Linking Classroom Knowledge, Professional Quality, And Career Readiness Through Internship Performance: A Perspective Of Practitioners, Wonyoung Kim, Namhun Lim, Mark Vermillion, Yong-Chae Rhee, Jeffrey Noble, G Clayton Stoldt

The COSMA Journal

Experiential learning has become a foundational tool of sport management (SMGT) education (Grant et al., 2024). However, there has been a lack of research on how practitioners of internship sites assess students' career readiness based on the multidimensional factors, such as internship performance, professional quality, and level of SMGT knowledge. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of sport management (SMGT) knowledge and professional quality on students’ career readiness, which is mediated by internship performance as perceived by industry practitioners. To achieve this, a path analysis was conducted using a total of 348 final internship evaluations completed …

We Want The Truth: Fan-Driven Branding And Organizational Response In Professional Wrestling, Jason W. Lee, Nick Davidson, Tim Wilson, Dylan Williams

The COSMA Journal

This teaching case study details a monumental moment in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) involving the announcement of the abrupt release of a long-tenured, beloved performer, Ron "R-Truth" Killings. The release came as a major surprise to WWE fans, as the performer had recently been featured in a high-profile, nationally televised "main event" match against the WWE icon and crossover pop culture star John Cena. After the news broke that the beloved performer would not be returning to the company, an instantaneous sentiment of shock and subsequent consumer backlash went viral. Ultimately, the WWE did an about-face, bringing …

Betty Friedan And Simone De Beauvoir, Charles Lemert

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Landscapes Of The Social Relations Of Production In A Networked Society, Robert Goldman, Stephen Papson, Noah Kersey

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Play For All: Financial And Legal Dilemmas In Proposing Adaptive Playgrounds, John J. Miller Dr., Jason W. Lee

The COSMA Journal

This case study examines the complexities of designing, funding, and legally complying with adaptive and inclusive playgrounds for children with disabilities. Inclusive playgrounds prioritize social integration by enabling children of all abilities to play together, while adaptive playgrounds focus on accommodating specific functional needs through specialized equipment. Both approaches support physical, cognitive, and social development and promote equitable community participation. Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), mandate accessibility in public and private recreational spaces, yet compliance alone does not guarantee meaningful inclusion. Additionally, funding remains a significant challenge, with full-scale adaptive playgrounds often costing hundreds …

Betting On Inclusion? The Ethical Dilemma Of Funding An Inclusive Playground, Jason W. Lee, John J. Miller Dr., Tasha Hyder

The COSMA Journal

This teaching case study provides an insightful exploration into multifaceted aspects of sport and recreation management. It narrates a fictionalized account enriched with real-life details, focusing on Rhonda Harper, a respected parks and recreation professional leading an initiative to fund an inclusive playground. While this endeavor has garnered support from local citizens, civic leaders, businesses, and children's advocates, raising the necessary $200,000 has proven to be challenging. A profound dilemma emerges when considering a potential $40,000 donation from a local gaming resort. Although this contribution could secure the needed funding for this initiative, it presents intricacies associated with the ethical …

A196: Prediction Of Cardiovascular Function Improvement Based On Wearable Device Motion Monitoring And Otnmanba-Bilstm Model, Yixuan Li, Lan Zheng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading chronic health conditions worldwide, with prolonged physical inactivity or improper exercise increasing the risk of their occurrence. Existing studies suggest that well-structured exercise interventions can significantly enhance cardiac function and improve the adaptability of the cardiovascular system. However, accurately predicting the long-term impact of different exercise durations and intensities on heart health remains challenging due to individual physiological differences, exercise habits, and lifestyle factors. This study employs a data-driven approach to develop a predictive model based on wearable device motion monitoring data, aiming to elucidate the dynamic relationship between exercise and cardiovascular health and …

A197: Perceptual Behavior And Social Interaction Of Chinese College Students Toward Esports, Xianhua Luo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Social exchange theory (SET) has been extensively used to recognize students’ perceptual behavior (PB) and social interaction (SI). Research has examined the potential factors of recognition and socialization against the economic factors in individual evaluation, seeking rewards or avoiding costs in relationships. The positive impact of PB and SI is a significant experimental approach to studying social psychology. Therefore, the processes of individuals’ perceptual behavior and their social interactions in Esports might address this research gap. Hence, the purposes of this study were to explain the PBs and SIs toward Esports among college students in China. Method: 341college students were …

A214: Effects Of Tai Chi And Brisk Walking On Sensation In Pn Elders, Qiongqiu Zhao, Qipeng Song

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a prevalent neurological disorder, affecting 26–39.2% of adults aged 65 and older due to peripheral nerve degeneration and associated conditions like diabetes. PN leads to sensory impairments, including diminished tactile sensation, increased fall risk, and mobility issues. Tai Chi (TC) is a low-impact exercise shown to enhance sensory function and balance in healthy older adults, but its effects on PN patients remain unclear. Brisk walking (BW) is a widely recommended exercise for older adults, yet its impact on sensory function in PN is not well-established. This study compares TC and BW interventions on tactile sensation in …

Lindenwood Digest, January 14, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

Primary Figures: President Porter visits classrooms and convenes with the Hawthorn Foundation; Payroll Director Monica Seiter serves as the contact for tax document inquiries; and MLB Network host Greg Amsinger leads "The Amsinger Series" event.

Key Events: Electronic 2025 W-2 forms became available in Workday on January 12, with paper forms scheduled for January 30; upcoming athletics include matches against UMass, Arkansas, and Delaware between January 15 and 18.

Date/Location: The digest covers institutional updates for the week of January 14, 2026, at Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri, noting a campus closure for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on …

The Impact Of Talent Management On Competitive Advantage In The Sharjah Police General Command, Omar Humaid Alqaydi

Journal of Police and Legal Sciences

The study aimed to study the impact of talent management on the competitive advantage in the Sharjah Police General Command, by identifying the impact of talent retention on the competitive advantage in the Sharjah Police General Command, seeking to identify the impact of talent attraction on the competitive advantage in the Sharjah Police General Command, and verifying the existence of an impact of talent development on the competitive advantage in the Sharjah Police General Command. The study used the qualitative approach, and the study tool was represented in interviews, and the study sample consisted of five interviews with specialists in …

Drug Education: The Gaps In Rural Versus Urban Communities, Madilyn Mages

Honors Capstone Projects

Drug education is often lacking in rural communities due to lack of access and lower quality of education causing an increase in youth using substances and drug overdoses. Looking at previous research, there is a definite gap in rural and urban adult and youth substance use. The research showed that higher levels of education show less risk of substance use issues. Research also looked at new programs and how they worked in urban areas to decrease risky substance use behavior. This is a call for new programs to be created for rural communities due to their differences. This research explores …

Livestreaming A Doitocracy: Platform-Jumping Participatory Practices In Modular Synthesis Gear Cultures, Eliot Bates

Publications and Research

Earth Modular Society (EMS) is a cross-platform community dedicated to live hardware modular synthesis, with their primary efforts going into a 24/7 modular “radio station” that livestreams on Twitch and YouTube, and a supporting Discord chat server. Although part of the broader modular synthesis gear culture (a large-scale social formation that coalesces around specific classes of fetishized technical objects), EMS represents a new development in gear cultures as it foregrounds live performance and minimizes the accrual of status via conspicuous consumption. The normative governance structures of platform-specific gear culture communities preclude all but one or a handful of users from …

From Retaliation To Restoration: Evaluating Norwegian Prison Rehabilitation Models For United States Integration, Lucas I. Abbott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluates the viability of implementing Norwegian rehabilitative frameworks within the American prison system by gathering the perspectives of formerly incarcerated men in the United States. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the research sought to understand how American offenders perceive Norwegian normalization techniques, such as single-occupancy rooms, humane architectural environments, respectful inmate-officer relationships, and their potential to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Fifteen participants who had served a minimum of three weeks in correctional institutions completed open-ended questionnaires analyzed through conceptual content analysis. Findings revealed strong support for individualized rooms, normalized environments, and increased positive human interaction as transformative …

Investigating The Reliability And Validity Of The Social Connectedness Instrument Among U.S. Adults, Blake A. Fraser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Growing evidence shows that poor social connectedness is becoming a public health threat, with rising prevalence and connections to poor mental and physical health across the lifespan. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop feasible and effective social connectedness interventions. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of current interventions, with studies recommending tailoring the intervention to an individual’s specific social connection needs. However, previous measures of social connectedness provide little information about potentially modifiable contributors of poor connection. Thus, the Social Connectedness Instrument (SCI) was developed to fill in this gap by proposing two novel latent constructs of …

A088: Best Core Stability Training Program For Lower Limb Dysfunction In Stroke Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis, Kaiqi Zheng, Dan Wang, Guoliang Liang, Chunyun Deng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Stroke is the third leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death among adults. Lower limb dysfunction caused by stroke significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Numerous studies have demonstrated that core stability training (CST) can effectively improve lower limb function in stroke patients, and combining CST with other rehabilitation approaches may yield better therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to identify the most effective CST-based combined intervention for treating lower limb dysfunction in stroke patients. Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to July 22, 2024, were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, …

A090: Development And Efficacy Evaluation Of Virtual Reality (Vr)-Based Personalized Exercise Prescriptions For Perimenopausal Women, Runze Zhu, Zekai Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Perimenopausal women (aged 45–54) frequently experience climacteric symptoms such as vasomotor disturbances, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular risks due to declining ovarian function and estrogen levels. Approximately 75% of women report varying degrees of discomfort, with 80% exhibiting at least one symptom (e.g., sleep disorders, mood fluctuations). Conventional exercise prescriptions often lack specificity to address individual health disparities and comorbidities (e.g., osteoporosis, metabolic dysfunction). This study aimed to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based personalized exercise prescription system to enhance exercise adherence through immersive experiences and evaluate its efficacy in alleviating perimenopausal physiological and psychological symptoms. A personalized exercise prescription generation system was …

A098: Artificial Intelligence Empowers Exercise And Health For The Elderly: Opportunities, Challenges, And Pathways For Implementation, Yaohong Wang, Ke Wang, Yangguiyi Zhao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

In the context of accelerated global aging and rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI technology provides a new paradigm for improving sports and health management services in the field of elderly care and quality of life. This study aims to reveal the core value of AI technology, analyze the current practical challenges of AI empowerment, and build multidimensional pathways for implementation to promote the coordinated development of healthy aging and technological innovation. Through literature analysis, case studies, and expert interviews, this study systematically explores the application of AI technology in the field of exercise and health of the …

A096: Artificial Intelligence Empowering Physical Education In Higher Education: Logical Tensions And Practical Pathways, Yangguiyi Zhao, Ke Wang, Yaohong Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Driven by the strategies of “education digitalization” and “integration of sports and education”, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is reshaping the core values and practical pathways of physical education in higher education. As AI empowers the construction of university sports systems, it has become a key driving force in addressing the challenges of traditional physical education and responding to educational needs. However, AI-driven educational innovation is not a linear evolution; the interplay of its internal logical tensions and external practical constraints necessitates systematic research and pathway exploration. Method: This study systematically explores the multidimensional tensions and coordinated development pathways of artificial …

A095: Blocking Factors And Precision Strategies Of Digital-Driven Governance: Modernization Of Elderly Sports Public Services, Fangfang Yang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The application of digital technology in the field of sports public services for the elderly presents numerous problems and difficulties. This paper attempts to explore precision strategies for the governance modernization of sports public services for the elderly, driven by digital technology. Analyzing the blocking factors of governance capacity modernization of sports public services driven by digital technologypractical significance for achieving universal health and the construction of a Healthy China. Literature review, expert interviews, and logical analysis. 1. Blocking Factors of Digital-Driven Governance Modernization of Sports Public Services for the Elderly: 1) Weak awareness of digital governance in elderly sports …

A099: Sports-Medicine Integration Treatment Behaviors In Obese College Students: Current Status, Effectiveness, And Influencing Factors, Yunan Li, Dongyue Wei, Shanping Chen, Zhiwei Hu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Obesity among college students has become a critical public health issue, impacting their physical and mental health. Sports-Medicine Integration (SMI), an innovative intervention, shows promise for obesity treatment. This study explores the characteristics, effects, and influencing factors of SMI treatments among students, offering insights to improve health literacy and promote holistic well-being in universities. Method: This study employed the "SMI Cognitive Situation Scale" (Gao Shangshang, 2020), the "Exercise Motivation Scale" (Chen Shanping, 2013), and a self-designed "Obesity Treatment Behavior Scale" to survey 1,225 non-physical education majors from general higher education institutions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0. Descriptive statistics assessed …