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Transportation’s Influences on Wellbeing: A Literature Review and Scoping Framework
Get PDFThis study investigates the relationship between transportation and wellbeing: the conditions humans need to flourish at all levels. Using the results gleaned from our literature review of 44 articles, we found correlations linkages between transportation elements and components of physical, psychological, economic, and social wellbeing. These transportation factors affected overall wellbeing, not merely wellbeing during travel. We find that active travel, followed by public transit, are the best travel modes for wellbeing, and that congestion, pollution, and transport disadvantage harm wellbeing. Our findings also indicate that multimodal, people-focused infrastructure corresponds to higher wellbeing. Generally, the four areas of wellbeing we studied seem to be interrelated and influence one another; they “stack” in a way that determines total wellbeing. These results indicate a strong need for accessible, affordable, and high-quality public transit, active transportation facilities, traffic-calming, and walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, as these resources promote wellbeing. We also reiterate the need to continue efforts to reduce transportation air and noise pollution and congestion; these factors create many issues for travelers and inhabitants of polluted or congested areas. Moreover, women, children, older people, and people belonging to minority groups were more likely to receive greater benefits or disadvantages from these factors than other travelers. This demonstrates a need for continued efforts focused on travel behavior change and travel demand management, since travel-related demand, perception, and behavior all influence wellbeing
Familiar New Histories: Promenade Theatre and Local Amateur Actors in a Creative Heritage Project
No full textBuilding upon previous work in the creative heritage sector, in this paper I analyse A Time Traveller’s Guide to Theatrical Brecon, a promenade production funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, performed on the streets of Brecon in mid Wales, UK in 2021. The performance involved local amateur actors from Brecon Little Theatre and was accompanied by a map and educational resources and workshops for local schools. It brought to life stories from Brecon’s theatre history for its local residents. Brecon Little Theatre members created and performed the promenade performance, creatively engaging with historical material to write, direct, rehearse, and present fictionalised scenes rooted in historical events. In my analysis of the project, I offer a methodology for creative heritage which intersects the fields of theatre history, public history, and amateur theatre. I propose a form of participatory history involving an academic institution, amateur performance practices, and the wider public. I suggest that through involving amateur theatre groups in the formation of community heritage, and developing meaningful accompanying resources, wider demographics within society can be engaged within creative heritage processes
Irrigation Performance Connection to Water Quality in Big Creek
Get PDFDue to new technologies and improved water management strategies, sprinkler irrigation systems are becoming more common in Utah and nearby areas. These systems are generally thought to be more efficient, but their effects on water quality are not well understood. This study focuses on the Big Creek watershed, which flows into Bear Lake—an area where water quality concerns are increasing.
The purpose of this research was to explore how different irrigation systems—sprinkler and surface—affect both water use and water quality. Field tests were conducted to measure how evenly water was applied and how efficient each system was. Water and soil samples were collected before and after the irrigation season to assess changes in salinity and nutrient concentrations in both the fields and the creek.
The results showed that sprinkler systems were more efficient and applied water more evenly. Surface irrigation fields had more variation, which may lead to increased runoff and nutrient movement into waterways. Although there were no large differences in soil nutrients, some water quality indicators—such as sodium and sulfate—suggested that irrigation type and seasonal variability can influence return flow water quality.
This study helps improve our understanding of how irrigation choices affect the environment and provides valuable information for enhancing irrigation practices while protecting Bear Lake\u27s water
Development of the Sexual Mindfulness Measure for Abstinent Persons
Get PDFSexual wellbeing plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual aspects of life. One key factor in sexual wellbeing is sexual mindfulness, or the ability to be aware and accepting of one\u27s sexual thoughts, feelings, and sensations. While previous research has focused on sexual mindfulness in romantic relationships, little is known about how it applies to abstinent individuals. To address this gap, I developed a 16-item validated measure of sexual mindfulness specifically for abstinent individuals: the Sexual Mindfulness Measure for Abstinent Persons (SMM-AP). This tool adapts key elements from the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to better reflect the experiences of single, abstinent adults. Using a sample of 192 unmarried individuals between the ages of 18-29, I conducted statistical analyses to ensure the measure was both reliable and accurate. By creating a tool to assess sexual mindfulness in abstinent individuals, this research can help clinicians better understand and support their clients’ sexual wellbeing. A validated measure can also guide future interventions aimed at reducing distress around sexuality, decreasing compulsive sexual behaviors, increasing comfort with one’s sexual identity, and preparing individuals for future relationships. This measure will promote a healthier and more holistic approach to sexuality, regardless of relationship status
Detecting Burn Severity and Vegetation Recovery After Fire Using dNBR and dNDVI Indices: Insight From the Bosco Difesa Grande, Gravina in Southern Italy
Get PDFWildfires serve a paradoxical role in landscapes—supporting biodiversity and nutrient cycling while also threatening ecosystems and economies, especially as climate change intensifies their frequency and severity. This study investigates the impact of wildfires and vegetation recovery in the Bosco Difesa Grande forest in southern Italy, focusing on the 2017 and 2021 fire events. Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) accessed in January 2025, we applied remote sensing techniques to assess burn severity and post-fire regrowth. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to compute the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); burn severity was derived from differenced NBR (dNBR), and vegetation recovery was monitored via differenced NDVI (dNDVI) and multi-year NDVI time series. We uniquely compare recovery across four zones with different fire histories—unburned, single-burn (2017 or 2021), and repeated-burn (2017 and 2021)—providing a novel perspective on post-fire dynamics in Mediterranean ecosystems. Results show that low-severity zones recovered more quickly than high severity areas. Repeated-burn zones experienced the slowest and least complete recovery, while unburned areas remained stable. These findings suggest that repeated fires may shift vegetation from forest to shrubland. This study highlights the importance of remote sensing for post-fire assessment and supports adaptive land management to enhance long-term ecological resilience
Effect of In Vitro Copper, Zinc, Manganese, And Selenium Supplementation on Bovine Granulosa Cell Culture
No full textTrace minerals, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se), are essential nutrients that support many biological functions in livestock, including growth, immune health, and reproduction. However, research from the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory shows that many cattle in Utah suffer from mineral deficiencies, which could impact their overall health and performance. While much research has focused on supplementing cattle with trace minerals after they are weaned or during the feedlot stage, fewer studies have explored how providing these minerals to reproducing females affects their offspring\u27s health and reproductive potential. This study aims to better understand how these key minerals influence reproductive cells in cattle.
This study examined how supplemental Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se influence bovine granulosa cells, which are critical for ovarian function and hormone production. Granulosa cells were isolated from slaughterhouse bovine ovaries and cultured with media containing eight concentrations of each trace mineral to assess their effects on cell survival and growth. After identifying the optimal mineral concentrations, we examined how the cells responded by measuring their oxidative stress levels, hormone production, and gene expression.
Our findings revealed that while the granulosa cells could generally tolerate a range of mineral concentrations, the length of time they were cultured had a greater impact on their survival and growth than the mineral concentration itself. Moderate levels of Cu and Zn helped the cells grow faster, but higher concentrations of Zn reduced their long-term survival. Mn and Se had only minor effects, though Mn appeared slightly harmful in some cases.
One key discovery was that all four minerals increased oxidative stress in the cells, with Cu and Zn causing the highest levels. However, when all four minerals were combined, the stress was somewhat reduced, suggesting a complex balancing effect. Importantly, Cu, Zn, and Mn increased the production of progesterone, a hormone essential for production, while estradiol, another key hormone, remained mostly unchanged. Gene expression analysis also showed significant differences in cell function and antioxidant activity across the different treatments.
Overall, this study highlights the importance of properly balancing trace minerals in cattle diets to support reproductive health. Future research will focus on how these changes influence oocyte development, embryo growth, and overall fertility in cattle
Biosignature Analysis in Saline Environments Using the Microfluidic Organic Analyzers for Biosignatures (MOAB)
No full textThis study examines amino acid stability in high-salinity environments to enhance biosignature detection technologies. Using both absorption spectroscopy and capillary electrophoreses (CE), we investigated the survivability of valine and serine in laboratory-created brines simulating those found on celestial bodies throughout the solar system. Our findings reveal a protective effect of brines on amino acids, with reduced degradation rates compared to control samples containing no salts. During the 12-day observation period, both polar and non-polar amino acids showed enhanced stability in high-salinity environments, though non-polar amino acids exhibited more pronounced benefits from this protective effect. Valine concentrations in saline conditions decreased by only 16.4% compared to 36.3% in control samples, while serine showed more modest improvements in preservation. Desalination protocols implemented for CE analysis proved effective but resulted in some amino acid loss that must be considered in future space missions. These results have significant implications for astrobiology research, suggesting that high-salinity environments such as the subsurface oceans of Enceladus and Europa may serve as excellent reservoirs for preserved biosignatures. The differential preservation rates between amino acid types also provide potential mechanisms for distinguishing between biotic and abiotic amino acid sources in extraterrestrial samples. Our work validates using the Microfluidic Organic Analyzer for Biosignatures (MOAB) for future space missions while highlighting the need for optimized desalination protocols to maximize detection sensitivity in briny environments
Production of Iron Powder From Lunar Regolith by Carbonyl Iron Refining
No full textCarbonyl Iron Refining (CIR) is a promising method of iron production to be used in a lunar environment. Commercially, CIR operates at pressures \u3e 200 bar, which is a challenge in a lunar landscape due to vessel weight constraints. Here we explore the feasibility of CIR operations at pressures \u3c 60 bar in order to optimize the process for largescale lunar iron production. Many different forms of tests were conducted, and it was concluded that it is possible for CIR to perform at a lower pressure maximum. However, further experimentation and development needs to be perused in order to optimize the parameters to justify the processes usage
Precision Hinges for Origami Space Arrays
No full textOptical satellite performance improves with increased surface area, which enhances light capture and sensor input. Deployable array mechanisms allow satellites to remain compact during launch and expand in orbit. This study focuses on designing passive hinges in rigid-panel origami-based deployable satellites for optical applications. A novel kinematic coupling method is developed, incorporating magnets, compact Lamina Emergent Torsional (LET) joints, and principles from Maxwell couplings. This system autonomously achieves precise alignment without motorized actuation reducing complexity. The design process involved iterative testing of ten two-panel hinge prototypes to identify the most effective designs. These were integrated into a degree-four vertex pattern ( bird\u27s foot ) for further refinement and ultimately applied to a full origami flasher pattern with 26 panels. The coupling accommodates the flasher\u27s non-rigid foldable nature while ensuring precise alignment, essential for optical applications requiring rigid panels. Alignment accuracy was evaluated using a Faro 3D scanning arm. Additionally, all prototype configurations maintained an 8mm thickness, optimizing the stowed-to-deployed ratio for space applications. This study highlights the feasibility of precise kinematic couplings for small origami-inspired satellites and provides a foundation for advancements in deployable optical systems