Search Results (34)

Amphibians are threatened globally by habitat loss and emerging diseases, yet information on their diversity and distribution remains scarce in many regions. Ethiopia is renowned for its rich anuran diversity, but little is known about the diversity and abundance of anurans in Chebera Churchura National Park (CCNP). We conducted surveys from June 2022 to April 2024 along transects in various habitats during both dry and wet seasons. Methods included visual encounter surveys, acoustic monitoring, opportunistic observations, and pitfall traps with drift fences. Species identification was primarily based on morphology and subsequently validated through genetic barcoding using mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence analysis for five species. A total of 2175 individuals were recorded, representing 16 species from 8 families. The families Bufonidae and Ptychadenidae were the most dominant. Riverine forest habitats exhibited the highest anuran diversity, followed by montane forest, woodland, and savannah grassland. These findings underscore the importance of CCNP as a refuge for Ethiopian anuran species and the need for further research into the park’s unexplored areas. Full article

Illegal solid waste dumping is a key urban sustainability challenge due to increased urbanisation and human consumption, but its prevalence and impacts across a socially differentiated gradient are seldom considered. We used street and off-street road surveys to examine the extent of illegal solid waste dumping across an income gradient in two medium-sized towns of Makhanda and Knysna in South Africa. We enumerated all dumpsites encountered in low- and high-income areas, recorded their GPS coordinates, and visually estimated size and composition using a standardised typology. We encountered 215 illegal solid waste dumpsites unevenly distributed by town (155 in Makhanda and 60 in Knysna) and income status, with the majority located in low-income areas compared to high-income areas. Most illegal solid waste dumpsites in low-income areas were small and located along roadsides and vacant plots. In both towns, illegal solid waste dumpsites were dominated by household and garden waste. The findings suggest that social differentiation matters in illegal solid waste dumping and should be factored into service provision strategies for ensuring environmental justice. We recommend that (i) municipalities should consider income heterogeneity in designing effective and equitable waste management plans, (ii) the national government should consider additional human and financial support to municipalities for efficient and equitable residential waste management, (iii) waste recycling at source (within households) should be mainstreamed in waste management strategies, and (iv) cleanup campaigns should be considered as a short-term solution to manage existing illegal solid waste dumpsites. Full article

In August 2023, a large forest fire burned more than 60% of the Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli Forest National Park in northeastern Greece, following another large fire in 2022. To quantify the effects of these fires on local herpetofauna, we analyzed community composition, abundance, and diversity before and after the 2023 event. Standardized visual encounter surveys were conducted across 29 sites between 2015 and 2024, spanning burned and unburned areas. Species richness, abundance, and diversity metrics, together with Bray–Curtis community dissimilarities, were compared across sampling periods and fire-severity classes. Amphibian assemblages showed high postfire persistence, with 82% of regional species still detected and no significant changes in diversity indices, likely reflecting the buffering role of perennial streams and other hydrologically stable refugia. In contrast, reptile communities showed clear compositional shifts and experienced severe declines: overall reptile species richness decreased to 30% of prefire levels and diversity indices dropped significantly. Tortoises (i.e., Testudo graeca, T. hermanni) declined by nearly 90% relative to prefire estimates, indicating high vulnerability of low-mobility, long-lived species. Snakes were not detected in any burned sites, whereas only a few small-bodied lizards and the freshwater turtle Mauremys rivulata persisted locally. These findings demonstrate that extreme, landscape-scale fires can restructure reptile communities in Mediterranean forests, particularly where long-term habitat change and drought had already reduced population resilience. The study underscores the need for targeted postfire restoration, conservation planning for slow-dispersing taxa, and long-term biodiversity monitoring under increasingly frequent fire regimes. Full article

Heritage education is increasingly expected to connect past evidence with questions of responsibility, environmental change, and sustainable futures, yet primary learners often encounter heritage through fragmented, visually driven exposure with limited support for interpretation beyond factual recognition. This mixed-methods study applies an SRT framework (Supply–Response–Transformation) to examine early, sustainability-relevant meaning-making in primary heritage learning supported by a short animation-based digital story, with an industrial heritage site serving as the case context. Evidence includes stakeholder interviews (n = 39), a student pre-test (n = 399), a post-viewing survey (n = 452), student drawings (n = 12), and classroom observations. Findings indicate that narrative-visual mediation aligns with students’ reported curiosity and comprehension-related cues under classroom conditions, and that post-viewing responses cluster around four classroom-observable outcome signals: valued historical understanding, responsibility and care, change–consequence–restoration reasoning, and personal and cultural positioning. This study interprets digital storytelling as a classroom-feasible mediation format through which meaning-making signals become observable in early meaning-making beyond factual recall. It provides an interpretable chain for judging the visibility and elaboration of early meaning-making signals under real classroom constraints. Full article

Land snails have the highest recorded extinction rate, and these small animals are often overlooked, leading to data gaps. Past data for land snails is often lacking, making the analysis of trends difficult. Here, we compared past presence surveys to new quantitative estimates to infer changes over time. We surveyed 55 sites for land snails and habitat characteristics in 2024 using visual encounter surveys for medium to large snails and litter samples to assess the density of small to medium snails. We assessed habitat on two scales to assess associations and selection. We identified 27 land snail species, including a non-native species (Oxychilus cellarius). Sites with higher snail density and a richer assemblage generally had deeper litter, higher canopy cover and taller understory vegetation. Rare land snails were detected at most sites where they had previously been found, and we detected several species at new sites where they had not previously been documented, due to litter sampling. Vertigo arthuri (V. paradoxa) selected sites with a higher canopy cover. The abundance and density of land snails will enable better estimates of long-term trends and help assess how they respond to management actions. Resolving the taxonomy of Oreohelix and Succineidae is critical for direct management of these species. Full article

International shopping is a significant motive for outbound travel; however, evidence on the experiential drivers of luxury travel retail among Chinese luxury travelers remains limited. This study investigates the factors shaping overseas shopping experiences and assesses the adequacy of the luxury customer experience (LCX) framework in this episodic, time-constrained, cross-border context. A quantitative survey of Chinese luxury travelers (N = 407) was conducted and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version [30.0], Mac) within the LCX framework. The results show that modern artistic visual merchandising positively predicts overall experience evaluation (β = 0.162, p < 0.001), and emotional connection significantly predicts repurchase intention (β = 0.197, p < 0.001). We find that overall experience evaluation and subsequent behavioral responses are shaped by specific drivers, including service-related post-purchase factors, emotional fulfillment and brand trust, visual appeal, and affective/cognitive evaluations. These results point to possible gaps in theory when LCX is used in short-term travel retail contexts. To address these gaps, we propose the transient experience, relationship quality, action outcomes, connection, and engagement (TRACE) conceptual framework for analyzing feedback-driven encounters throughout the travel experience. Overall, this study extends LCX to episodic, time-constrained contexts and introduces TRACE as a conceptual complementary model to guide future theory testing and model validation in luxury travel retail contexts. Full article

The mangrove ecosystems in Muara Angke, Jakarta, serve as a national benchmark for sustainable mangrove management in Indonesia, yet face significant urban pressures threatening their long-term viability. This study evaluates the ecological integrity and governance effectiveness of this critical ecosystem, covering Wildlife Reserve, Nature Park, Protected Forest, and Production Forest areas totaling 327.7 hectares. An exploratory mixed-methods approach was employed over four months (June–September 2025), integrating vegetation diversity assessments through plot sampling, avifauna surveys via point count methods, herpetofauna identification using Visual Encounter Surveys, water quality assessments through systematic literature review, geospatial analysis of mangrove dynamics using Sentinel-2A imagery (2015–2025), and social-governance evaluation using close-ended questionnaires and One Score One Criteria Scoring System. Results revealed moderate to severe water pollution with phosphate and nitrate exceeding standards, moderate vegetation diversity (13 species; Shannon-Wiener H′ = 1.466–1.728), high avifaunal diversity (55 species; H′ = 3.54) confirming significance along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, and significant sediment accretion (32 hectares) attributed to coastal reclamation. Management evaluation identified critical conservation compliance deficiencies (score 1.43/7). The findings indicate urgent need for integrated interventions including pollution control, ecosystem-based restoration, enhanced monitoring, and cross-sector policy integration to prevent rapid mangrove degradation and ensure sustainability of this ecologically significant urban mangrove ecosystem. Full article

Obtaining reliable estimates of population sizes and their temporal trends is essential for assessing the conservation status and guiding the management of threatened species. Parrots (order Psittaciformes) are among the most diverse yet most threatened groups of birds worldwide, but information on their population sizes remains scarce. Their ecological traits and low densities complicate the application of widely used distance sampling methods for estimating population densities, which correct for declining detectability with increasing distance. Researchers have proposed simple encounter rates—the number of birds or groups detected per hour of observation during casual walks—as an alternative approach to address these limitations when estimating the abundance of rare species. Previous studies of the globally endangered African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) demonstrated that encounter rates derived from walk transects serve as reliable surrogates for densities estimated using distance sampling models. In this study, we evaluated whether car surveys and point counts, two other commonly used methods for estimating bird abundance, produce encounter rates comparable to those obtained from walk transects, thereby allowing greater methodological flexibility. To this end, we conducted a nationwide survey of African grey parrots in Equatorial Guinea using walk transects, car transects, and point counts (199 surveys, 1973 km, 192 h), which yielded 1166 encounters and 2972 recorded individuals. Three aspects of parrot detectability (the frequency of aural and visual detections, whether birds were perched or in flight, and detection distances) did not differ among the three survey methods. Encounter rates and the number of individuals observed per hour varied among sampled regions but did not differ among survey methods. These findings support the use of the three methods, either individually or in combination, to estimate the abundance of this globally endangered species and provide a basis for testing and applying this approach to other parrot species and geographic regions. Full article

Cetaceans are essential for maintaining the balance and stability of deep-sea ecosystems. However, environmental challenges and limited funding have resulted in a marked lack of data on species diversity and the conservation status of deep-sea cetaceans. In this study, we undertook two research expeditions in the deep-water regions of the northern South China Sea, employing an integrated visual and acoustic survey approach. In total, 28 cetacean encounters, involving 12 species and more than 1000 individuals, were documented through visual observation, while acoustic monitoring recorded 53 detections. These findings demonstrate that the deep-sea waters of the northern South China Sea have relatively high cetacean biodiversity and constitute significant habitats for these marine mammals. Nevertheless, this area also experiences intensive human activities, with fisheries, maritime traffic, and oil and gas extraction posing primary threats to local cetacean populations. Improving the management of human activities in this marine zone is essential for ensuring the effective protection of cetacean species and their critical habitats. Full article

E-polis is a serious digital game designed to gamify sociological surveys studying young people’s political opinions. In this platform game, players navigate a digital world, encountering quests posing sociological questions. Players’ answers shape the city-game world, altering building structures based on their choices. E-polis is a serious game, not a government simulation, aiming to understand players’ behaviors and opinions; thus, we do not train the players but rather understand them and help them visualize their choices in shaping a city’s future. Also, it is noticed that no correct or incorrect answers apply. Moreover, our game utilizes a novel middleware architecture for development, diverging from typical asset-prefab-scene and script segregation. This article presents the data layer of our game’s middleware, specifically focusing on data analysis based on respondents’ gameplay answers. E-polis represents an innovative approach to gamifying sociological research, providing a unique platform for gathering and analyzing data on political opinions among youth and contributing to the broader field of serious games. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preterm infants are at a high risk of neurodevelopmental impairments due to immature brain development and the stressors of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment. To improve outcomes, incorporating a neuropromotion strategy by promoting nurturing encounters (NEs) is essential. Methods: In this 48-bed tertiary perinatal care center, an informal survey showed that staff lacked consistent knowledge about sensory neurodevelopment, while parents expressed a need for clearer guidance. This paper describes the development and implementation of the Sensory Developmental Care Map (SDCM) as part of a larger quality-improvement initiative. The SDCM is an educational tool designed to guide NICU staff and families in providing neuroprotective and neuropromotive care, based on the infant’s gestational age (GA). The SDCM was created by integrating evidence on sensory development across GAs and providing practical strategies to promote positive sensory input while protecting the developing brain. The map visually indicates when to protect or stimulate each sense, offering clear, developmentally appropriate guidance. Printed and digital versions of the map were made accessible to families and staff, with bedside copies and a poster displayed in the unit. Results: A post-implementation evaluation is ongoing, but preliminary feedback suggests that the SDCM improved the family understanding of sensory developmental care. The SDCM serves as a valuable resource for promoting appropriate sensory input for preterm infants and further enhancing developmentally supportive care within the NICU. Full article

Objectives: Parenteral drug products manufactured under GMP conditions should be visually inspected for defects and particulate contamination by trained and qualified personnel. Although personnel qualification is required, no practical protocols or formal guidelines are available for the development of qualification test sets (QTSs) used for qualification procedures. The current practice is to either procure a standardized QTS from a commercial supplier or amass sufficient manufacturing rejects during visual inspection procedures to compile in-house QTSs. However, both strategies inherently possess disadvantages and limitations. The objective of this study was to develop a manufacturing protocol for an optimal and adaptable QTS for training and qualification procedures. Methods: We combined the results of a literature search, survey of five Dutch hospital pharmacy compounding facilities, semi-structured personnel interviews, and extensive pre-GMP formulation studies to develop an optimal and adaptable QTS manufacturing protocol. Results: The literature search did not identify a manufacturing protocol for an optimal and adaptable QTS, but did identify specifications and requirements for optimal QTSs. The survey among hospital pharmacy compounding facilities revealed considerable variability in the qualification procedures and used QTSs. Semi-structured personnel interviews and pre-GMP formulation studies demonstrated that defects encountered during routine productions could be realistically simulated with pharmaceutical-grade excipients. As a proof-of-concept, we manufactured two different QTSs under GMP conditions and assessed these for formal GMP training and qualification purposes, which were considered a significant improvement compared to using manufacturing rejects. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study presenting these data and our adaptable protocol, which is provided in the Supplemental Materials, may aid compounding facilities in the standardization, training, and qualification of personnel involved in visual inspection procedures. Full article

Nowadays, a detailed safety policy is applied for dams. These policies cover structural safety, monitoring, inspection, safe operation, and emergency plans. For high-risk dams, all these policy elements need to be included in dam safety programs. Deficiencies in embankment dams, which suffer the most damage, can be detected by visual inspection and programmed monitoring of dams. In dams, horizontal and vertical deformation, leakage, pressure, stress, loads acting on structural elements, and environmental factors are generally measured. These behaviors can be numerically modeled to determine the dam behavior. Numerical analysis methods are important for monitoring the safety of the dam. Models created with software such as Plaxis provide information about dam behavior. Although numerical analysis is very important for dams, obtaining the material parameters used in the construction of the dam needed for modeling, recording the construction stages of the dam, not taking the water level change in the dam reservoir instantaneously, and not taking the measurement records of the dam measurement instruments correctly for different reasons constitute problems and difficulties for the analyses. Within the scope of this study, İkizdere Dam in Turkey was modeled with the Plaxis finite element program; the survey and piezometer measurement data taken from the dam were evaluated by comparing with the analysis results; the difficulties and problems encountered in the modeling and analysis phase were stated, and recommendations were made on dam safety and numerical analysis. Thus, in addition to other studies, it was emphasized that it is important for dam engineers to monitor the use of numerical analysis models throughout the entire process, not only in the planning phase but also from the planning phase to the life of the dam, and to keep records of all recording intervals that will be needed in digital analysis models. Full article

Limited background data are available on the Mishmi takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) and Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) subspecies in the Eastern Himalayas of China because of the lack of systematic field investigations and research. Therefore, mature-animal ecological methods were used to evaluate these takin subspecies’ phenotypic characteristics, distribution range, activity rhythm, and population size. From 2013 to 2022, 214 camera traps were installed for wild ungulate monitoring and investigation in all human-accessible areas of the Eastern Himalayas, resulting in 4837 distinguishable takin photographs. The external morphological characteristics were described and compared using visual data. Artificial image correction and related technologies were used to establish physical image models based on the differences between subspecies. MaxEnt niche and random encounter models obtained distribution ranges and population densities. Mishmi takins have a distribution area of 17,314 km², population density of 0.1729 ± 0.0134 takins/km², and population size of 2995 ± 232. Bhutan takins have a distribution area of 25,006 km², population density of 0.1359 ± 0.0264 takins/km², and population size of 3398 ± 660. Long-term monitoring data confirmed that the vertical migration within the mountain ecosystems is influenced by climate. Mishmi takins are active at 500–4500 m, whereas Bhutan takins are active at 1500–4500 m. The two subspecies were active at >3500 m from May to October yearly (rainy season). In addition, surveying combined with model simulation shows that the Yarlung Zangbo River is not an obstacle to migration. This study provides basic data that contribute to animal diversity knowledge in biodiversity hotspots of the Eastern Himalayas and detailed information and references for species identification, distribution range, and population characteristics. Full article

The significance of practical experience and visualization in the fluid power discipline, highly tied to students’ success, requires integrating immersive pedagogical tools for enhanced course delivery, offering real-life industry simulation. This study investigates the impact of using virtual reality (VR) technology as an instructional tool on the learning and engagement of 48 mechanical engineering technology (MET) students registered in the MET: 230 Fluid Power course at Purdue University. An interactive VR module on hydraulic grippers was developed utilizing the constructivist learning theory for MET: 230 labs, enabling MET students to explore light- and heavy-duty gripper designs and operation through assembly, disassembly, and testing in a virtual construction environment. A survey consisting of a Likert scale and short-answer questions was designed based on the study’s objective to evaluate the students’ engagement and perceived attitude toward the module. Statistical and natural language processing (NLP) analyses were conducted on the students’ responses. The statistical analysis results revealed that 97% of the students expressed increased excitement, over 90% reported higher engagement, and 87% found the VR lab realistic and practical. The NLP analysis highlighted positive themes such as “engagement”, “valuable experience”, “hands-on learning”, and “understanding”, with over 80% of students endorsing these sentiments. These findings will contribute to future efforts aimed at improving fluid power learning through immersive digital reality technologies, while also exploring alternative approaches for individuals encountering challenges with such technologies. Full article