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Levels of Cannabis Use and their Association with Stress, Academic Performance, and Daily Activities among College Students
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Role of environmental conditions in determining plant size differences in restored and natural Spartina alterniflora
Get PDFSediment composition plays a crucial role in plant growth, nutrient availability, water retention, and soil stability, factors that often differ between restored and natural salt marshes. Understanding these differences is essential for wetland restoration and environmental management. This study investigated how differences in physical conditions at a restored and a natural marsh in Connecticut impact smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) growth. Measurements of S. alterniflora height were taken at each site and estimated energy at each site via plaster erosion in the field. Plants and sediment were collected from Milford Point (natural) and Stratford Point (restored) and grown in a common-garden greenhouse experiment with plants from each site grown in sediment from each site. Plant height was monitored weekly over a ten-week period, and we compared the grain size of sediment from each site. In both the field and greenhouse measurements, plants from Milford were taller than plants from Stratford. Milford sediment was finer-grained than Stratford sediment, and Stratford experienced higher rates of plaster erosion than Milford, indicating more stressful conditions at Stratford than Milford. There were no effects of sediment source on plant growth in the greenhouse, suggesting that wave energy and plant lineage are more important than sediment grain size in determining plant height. Although previous experiments suggested that environmental conditions, not differences in plant genetics, drive the observed plant size differences, these results emphasize the importance of understanding both site conditions and plant genetics when planning for and evaluating marsh restoration
Understanding the Well-being of Aging Refugees in the United States
No full textBackground and Objectives: Refugees endure psychological distress from traumatic experiences such as war, persecution, and forced displacement when migrating to nations like the US for safety. This affects their ability to navigate resettlement and aging. Demographics, cultural background, and social networks are sparsely researched in the context of older refugees and affect quality of life. This study explores how sociodemographic factors influence quality of life among aging refugees in the U.S.
Research Design and Methods: A survey of 108 refugees aged 50+ from Bhutan, Burundi, and Somalia was conducted in a small Midwestern city. The survey assessed how their diverse backgrounds, sociodemographic factors, social integration, and loneliness influence their resettlement experiences. Hierarchical regressions were used to identify factors associated with quality of life. Results: Females, older participants, and African refugees reported lower quality of life than male, younger, and Bhutanese counterparts. Older age predicted lower quality of life, possibly due to health declines, reduced social engagement, and increased dependency on community support. Greater social integration and less loneliness were linked to higher quality of life, highlighting the protective role of strong social networks. Results showed that loneliness had more pronounced negative effects on women. This shows the need for interventions that address the social challenges faced by female refugees. Discussion and Implications: Interventions must consider the backgrounds of refugee groups. Community programs promoting social integration and empowering women may enhance quality of life. Welcoming spaces where refugees build meaningful connections and access resources will promote their well-being
Digital Assets in Mental Accounting: How Cryptocurrency and NFTs Influence Charitable Choices
No full textThe emergence of cryptocurrencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and other blockchain applications have transformed how businesses and their stakeholders create, perceive, and exchange value in a purely digital space. Drawing upon Mental Accounting Theory, we investigate how individuals categorize, manage, and exchange crypto-related value in their minds, focusing on whether cryptocurrencies and NFTs are managed within the same mental ledger and how this cognitive framework can facilitate cryptocurrency donations in exchange for NFT rewards. Our research reveals that cryptocurrency holders view NFTs as value-holding assets congruent with cryptocurrencies. As a result, benefactors are more likely to make charitable cryptocurrency contributions when receiving NFTs in return, particularly when the philanthropic contribution is framed as buying the NFT versus receiving the NFT as a thank-you gift. This study not only provides insights into consumer behavior in the context of blockchain but also introduces new research directions in Mental Accounting by highlighting how the discrepancy between NFT creation costs and perceived value enhances their potential as a tool for raising charitable funds within the blockchain ecosystem