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A Study of Anthropogenic Impacts on Echinoderms in the Jambiani Intertidal Area, Zanzibar
Full text linkThe coastal region of Jambiani, Unguja, hosts a rich diversity of marine life within its extensive intertidal zones. Despite its ecological significance, this area is increasingly exposed to anthropogenic disturbances due to increased human activities. This study examines the impacts of these disturbances on the biodiversity, zonation, and species abundance of echinoderms in the intertidal habitats of Jambiani. Through a comprehensive field study involving fifteen transects and detailed substrate analysis, the project evaluated the distribution and abundance of echinoderm species and assessed the influence of human activities such as seaweed farming, anchor damage, and beach trampling on these communities. The findings suggest correlations between habitat conditions and echinoderm distributions because of different anthropogenic impacts, highlighting the delicate balance between local economic activities and marine biodiversity conservation. The results highlight the importance of targeted conservation strategies and sustainable management practices to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and preserve the ecological integrity of intertidal zones, essential for local communities’ livelihoods and regional biodiversity
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Young Jordanian Women on their Second-Class Citizenship
Full text linkThis case study examines the societal impact of Jordan\u27s gender-discriminatory nationality law on the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of young women. Utilizing quantitative interviews with six Jordanian women, aged 21-37, the research explores their perspectives on the law\u27s implications and justifications. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, the 1954 Jordanian Nationality Law disproportionately favors men in citizenship transmission, violating international human rights principles ratified by Jordan. This results in Jordanian women who marry non-national men not being able to transmit their nationality to their children in most cases. Without Jordanian nationality, these children suffer many challenges such as limited employment and educational opportunities. It is hypothesized that participants will consider the nationality law as unfair, have a collective desire for equal nationality rights, not have a consensus of opinions on the justifications behind the law, and discuss the impact of the law on their approach to marriage. Findings reveal a consensus among participants that the law is unfair since it hinders women\u27s equality and a collective desire for equal nationality rights Also, showcases varying opinions of the justification of the law, and opinions on influence on their approach to marriage and family planning. The study utilized convenience sampling, conducting interviews in English, potentially limiting diverse perspectives. Despite limitations, it sheds light on Jordanian women\u27s experiences with discriminatory laws, contributing to broader discussions on gender equality and human rights. Further research should employ inclusive methodologies and comparative analysis to address the multifaceted implications of such legislation. Ultimately, this study advocates for policy reform to uphold women\u27s rights and foster inclusive societies
Socio-economic Integration Strategies of “Former Rwandan Refugees” in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
No full textThis research is entitled The Socio-economic Integration Strategies of “former Rwandan refugees” in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This is an analysis of immigrants who were once under international protection. The presence of former Rwandan refugees in the city of Yaoundé dates back to the time of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. With the advent of the cessation clause in 2018, we are faced with individuals who must find ways of coping with the new realities. Based on the assimilation and integration of immigrant, this study analyzes the integration strategies of former Rwandan refugees. This integration is facilitated by a social context described as welcoming and less restrictive. The data collection method is based on semi-structured interviews, a literature review and direct observation. The theoretical framework and methodology used enabled us to understand that integration and assimilation within the Rwandan community are due to constant contact and interaction with the host society
Lengua Madre : Educational Experiences of AISD Students With Spanish as a Mother Tongue
Full text linkThis study examines the educational experiences of Spanish-speaking students within the Austin Independent School District (AISD), exploring the question: How do adults who grew up with Spanish as their mother tongue and attended AISD perceive their educational experiences in light of the language of instruction? Few studies capture the personal, retrospective perspectives of Spanish-speaking students in predominantly English-medium districts. This small-scale qualitative study adds narrative depth to a field often dominated by success metrics and demographic data.
Data was collected through anonymous online surveys from former AISD students who identified as Spanish speakers. Thematic analysis focused on educational backgrounds, language proficiency, cultural identity, challenges, support systems, and recommendations. Insights were further informed by document review and policy analysis of AISD’s bilingual education policies. Findings reveal significant challenges related to language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and maintaining bilingual proficiency. Participants described social and emotional struggles in an English-dominant environment and highlighted systemic biases affecting access to support, such as dual-language programs.
The findings emphasize the need for inclusive and culturally responsive educational practices. Recommendations include expanding dual-language programs, integrating culturally relevant curricula, providing bilingual counseling, and ensuring equitable resource distribution. While this study may not directly shape policy, it contributes to the conversation on educational equity for linguistic minorities by centering the voices of former students and providing insights for future policy and practice
Opportunities for US Manufacturing in Vietnam From the Perspective of a Vietnamese Business Consultancy Firm
Full text linkAs trade relations between Vietnam and the United States continue to advance, business opportunities in Vietnam for US manufacturers are ever-expanding. I took a deep dive into this topic at my internship with InCorp Vietnam, one of the leading business consulting firms in Vietnam. Formerly Cekindo, the company specializes in assisting foreign clients to begin and continue operations in the Vietnamese market. The firm offers many services ranging from business advice, legal consultancy services– involving government permissions and work visas– to setting up entire payrolls for the Vietnamese offices of these foreign enterprises. My position at InCorp Vietnam was with both the human resources department and the market research department. My main task was to research the opportunities that US manufacturers had in Vietnam to better identify which companies that InCorp Vietnam would reach out to for consultancy services. This entailed establishing the context of the current success stories among American businesses in Vietnam. Furthermore, I had to delve into researching the many manufacturers associations of the US to select which would provide InCorp Vietnam with the most opportunity to assist in consultancy services. My secondary task was to assist the company’s team in learning professional, workplace English. This involved teaching lessons and conducting group discussions. This paper intends to relay my findings as to the current economic climate for American companies wishing to operate in Vietnam and what opportunities are available for them using much of the information and sources from my research. It will also discuss my observations working at a Vietnamese company.
An exploration of the strengths and challenges faced by healthcare workers that provide palliative care in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in 2024
Full text linkEste informe explora las fortalezas y los desafíos que enfrentan los trabajadores de la salud que proveen cuidados paliativos en 2024. La exploración se realiza a través de entrevistas personales con cuatro trabajadoras en el campo en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires y la literatura existente sobre el tema. Ellas trabajan en el mismo equipo de cuidados paliativos en papeles diversos y ofrecen perspectivas diferentes sobre el estado de los cuidados paliativos hoy en día y una mirada hacia el futuro. Se utiliza una metodología cualitativa en un estudio de caso para entender más sobre este programa de cuidados paliativos. La sanción de la Ley 27.678 en 2022 garantiza el acceso de cuidados paliativos a todas las personas en Argentina y es una parte importante de la historia de los cuidados paliativos en el país. Comprender cómo esta ley afecta a este equipo y a su programa puede ayudar a mostrar la trayectoria futura de los cuidados paliativos. En este informe se analizan las formas en que han cambiado ciertos aspectos del campo luego de la sanción de la mencionada ley. Este análisis explora la inclusión de currículo de los cuidados paliativos en la formación de los trabajadores de salud, comunicación médico- paciente-familia, el impacto de estigmas y generalizaciones en el campo y el futuro del campo
Tracing Transitions: CARTOGRAPHICAL ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL CHANGE IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON
Full text linkIndustrial presence has increased in the Ecuadorian Amazon over the past several decades, in the form of lucrative monoculture cultivation and petroleum extraction. Simultaneously, large quantities of land have been deforested. Using a combination of GIS and remote sensing tools such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and supervised classification, this study assesses the changes in vegetation, land-use, and petroleum infrastructure in the surrounding area of the Kichwa community of Loma del Tigre, between the years 2011-2024. The interactions and connections between these three landscape factors are also considered. The study region encompasses growing urban areas, African palm plantations, pasture, petroleum infrastructure and forest, among other things. Forest presence was found to decrease, while the other mentioned factors increased. These results suggest that ecosystem services have been reduced, while water and soil contamination has worsened. The findings of this study may be beneficial in the proposal of the expansion of land protection programs, such as Socio Bosque. The resulting maps from this study may also be beneficial to the community of Loma del Tigre, in pinpointing the sources of contamination in their surroundings
WATER QUALITY OF THE NAPO RIVER BASIN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STREAMS IN POLYCULTURES AND OIL PALM MONOCULTURES
Full text linkOil palm cultivation has grown rapidly in recent years in Ecuador, resulting in significant economic and environmental changes to the country. In the Northeast Ecuadorian Amazon, a hotspot for both petroleum extraction and oil palm production, poor water quality has been a persistent issue for decades. However, knowledge gaps exist regarding to what extent intensive monocultures, such as oil palm, contribute to poor water quality in this region, and how they compare to other forms of agriculture. This investigation compared water quality in streams of the Napo River watershed running through oil palm monocultures and traditional polycultures. Water quality was measured using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators and evaluated using the BMWP-Col and EPT indices. At least mild contamination was found in all sampling sites, but the majority of streams in oil palm plantations received worse index classifications than polycultures. However, differences between scores were not statistically significant, therefore, additional research is required to validate these preliminary results and assess the influence that agricultural systems have on water quality in this region
Habitat and oviposition site preference of glass frogs (Anura: Centrolenidae) on Río Antón in El Valle de Antón, Coclé, Panamá
Full text linkAmphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class, with global populations declining at unprecedented rates, largely due to chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Neotropical regions, particularly in Central and South America, host the highest density of amphibian species, many of which are endemic but heavily impacted by this disease. El Valle de Antón in Panama has experienced significant chytridiomycosis-related declines, yet some species, such as glass frogs (Centrolenidae), have persisted. While detailed research exists on behavior, breeding biology, habitat preference, and oviposition site selection of certain glass frog species, there is limited knowledge about Cochranella granulosa, Hyalinobatrachium tatayoi, and Sachatamia albomaculata, three species found near rivers in El Valle. This study investigated habitat and oviposition site preferences of these species to better understand their natural history and inform conservation strategies. Over the monitoring period, 158 observations were recorded, including 99 individuals, 10 amplexus events, and 49 egg clutches. Most observations were made along main river transects, indicating a preference for moderately larger, faster-moving streams. Results revealed species-specific oviposition site preferences, with S. albomaculata selecting lower heights than both other species, as well as farther locations over the stream compared to H. tatayoi, which primarily occupied areas above the bank. All species preferred smooth or waxy leaves for oviposition, though H. tatayoi exclusively laid eggs on leaf undersides, unlike C. granulosa and S. albomaculata. Dense canopy cover (\u3e87%) was common at oviposition sites, but canopy alone was insufficient without a robust understory. These findings highlight niche differentiation and habitat preferences among coexisting glass frog species, offering insights into their ecology and resilience against threats like chytridiomycosis
Moving Beyond Photovoltaics: Advancing and Scaling Concentrated Solar Power for the Future of Energy
Full text linkThis paper examines solar energy technologies, starting with photovoltaic (PV) systems, and then thoroughly evaluates Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), a newer technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver. The paper includes a breakdown of the four types of CSP: Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), Solar Power Towers (SPT), Linear Fresnel Reflectors (LFR), and Solar Parabolic Dishes (SPD). Furthermore, the paper separates the CSP processes: collection, transfer, and storage of energy. Two case studies are included in this study: a small-scale CSP system in Portugal and a large-scale project in Italy. The paper discusses key recent improvements in parabolic trough collectors, showing how they are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. The study also looks at molten salt (MS) as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) and heat storage medium (HSM). It covers its benefits and challenges, such as freezing and corrosion risks. The principles of thermal energy storage (TES) are also explored, showing how it helps to store and release energy when needed. Finally, the paper looks at CSP’s applications, the challenges it faces, and the ongoing tests that CSP experts are conducting. The results of the research show how CSP is becoming an important part of renewable energy solutions