Kennedy Space Center

Sustainable lunar crop production will likely require coarse-textured media to mitigate waterlogging under reduced gravity, although larger particle sizes reduce water retention and availability. Maintaining a target root zone water content via sensor-based irrigation may improve plant water status in such media. For harvest management, the standard multiharvest “pick-and-eat” method enables continuous production, whereas a single-harvest “cut-and-sow” alternative may limit root buildup. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of sensor-based vs. time-based irrigation on growth, physiology, mineral content, and palatability of Lactuca sativa ‘Little Gem’ using pick-and-eat and cut-and-sow harvesting techniques in a coarse calcined-clay medium (Turface) to quantify interactions among plant performance, rhizosphere water availability, root zone salinity, and sensory outcomes. Forty-eight greenhouse-grown plants and 24 nonplant controls were randomly assigned to either sensor-based irrigation (maintaining a volumetric water content of 0.40 m³·m − ³) or time-based irrigation (daily application until leaching occurred). Within each irrigation treatment, the plants were subjected to either the pick-and-eat or the cut-and-sow harvesting technique. Plant growth and physiology were recorded throughout the experiment, and a sensory evaluation was conducted at termination. Within the pick-and-eat technique, sensor-based irrigation increased photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration and lowered leaf–air temperature, resulting in higher cumulative fresh and dry mass and larger leaf area and leaf mineral contents, including phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, than time-based irrigation. In the cut-and-sow technique, reseeding into the same medium promoted salt accumulation, particularly under sensor-based irrigation due to lack of leaching, and subsequently depressed gas exchange, total leaf area, and leaf dry and fresh weights compared with the pick-and-eat technique. The lowest palatability was reported on lettuce receiving time-based irrigation with pick-and-eat due to unpleasant mouth feel and flavor, which was attributed to early bolting. Overall, pairing sensor-based irrigation with a pick-and-eat harvest strategy maximized yield, stabilized physiology, limited premature bolting, and preserved sensory quality in coarse Turface media. Cut-and-sow harvesting technique under nonleaching irrigation minimized the risks of salinity buildup and performance impairment. These results highlight the importance of closed-loop water management and harvest strategy codesign when translating crop systems to reduced-gravity, regolith-based agriculture.

The extraction of plant essential nutrients from extraterrestrial regolith will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of lunar and martian agriculture. An essential instrument of these outposts will be bioregenerative life support systems (BLiSS) that attempt to fully recycle nutrients from organic wastes. While BLiSS may not be fully efficient and lead to a reduction in the quantity of some elements, it is necessary to explore if regolith can be used to fortify the composition of BLiSS effluent. Lunar (JSC-1A) and martian simulants (MGS-1) were reacted with a high-fidelity BLiSS effluent from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in a 24 h batch experiment and compared to reactions with an inorganic nutrient solution and water. Net sorption and dissolution of elements were determined by quantification of reacting solutions using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), with P demonstrating Langmuir and Zn and K demonstrating Freundlich sorption isotherms. The lunar simulant desorbed sizeable quantities of S, followed by Ca and Mg, while the martian simulant desorbed S, followed by Mg, Ca, and Na. Elemental bonding of C, N, P, and Ca was observed on the simulant solid phase with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after reaction with BLiSS solution. Minerals after experimentation were observed using scanning electron microscope-electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), revealing pitting in JSC-1A and covering of nanoparticles in MGS-1. There were marked differences between the reactions of the inorganic nutrient solution compared to BLiSS effluent, indicating the necessity to study high-fidelity solutions over single-element model systems. Overall, lunar and martian regoliths contain highly soluble components that may fortify BLiSS effluents with valuable metals and plant essential nutrients.

The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP; McComas et al. in Space Sci Rev 214:116, 2018a; McComas et al. in Space Sci Rev 221:100, 2025) is a NASA mission designed to study two of the most important issues in heliophysics: the interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium and the acceleration of energetic particles. These two puzzles are surprisingly intertwined because particle acceleration in the inner heliosphere plays a large role in the interactions at the edge of the heliosphere. The ten instruments on IMAP, situated near the Earth-Sun L1 Lagrange point, include both in situ and remote-sensing observations and are designed to work together to explore these questions. The High-energy Ion Telescope (HIT), described herein, measures in situ ions from hydrogen through nickel at energies ranging from a few MeV/nucleon to some tens of MeV/nucleon, depending upon species. While the primary focus of HIT is Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs), HIT is also sensitive to Anomalous Cosmic Rays (ACRs) and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) that are also present at these energies. Working with the other IMAP instruments, HIT studies how the variation in SEP intensities, spectra, anisotropies, and composition inform the acceleration processes that generate these particles, and, in turn, how these high-energy particles affect the outer heliosphere. This paper details the design and operation of the HIT instrument.

The risks to lunar surface assets from high-velocity regolith ejecta particle streams have significant implications for the sustainable human exploration of the lunar surface. Such regolith can result from lander engine plume-surface interactions. Consequently, the gas permeability of lunar regolith must be understood for precise plume surface interaction ejecta acceleration models. Motivated by these risks, and with the goal of supplying future plume surface interaction models with improved input parameters, the objective of this study is to understand the gas permeability of lunar regolith simulant BP-1 at sub-atmospheric pressures while considering density and moisture content variations. The Regolith Gas Permeability Tester (REGAPT) presented here is a purpose built transparent permeameter that allows the flow of gas to be controlled through the BP-1 once the whole system has reached pressures below 130 Pa. Results from REGAPT demonstrate a range in BP-1 gas permeability from 0 . 4 × 1 0 − 13 m 2 to 1 . 9 × 1 0 − 13 m 2 . Higher densities and lower porosities reduce permeability as expected. Outgassing from residual moisture in BP-1 is found to bias gas permeability measurements. It is therefore important to carefully control the moisture content of lunar regolith simulants in experimental studies that involve gas flow, such as those investigating the effects of plume surface interactions. • The permeability of lunar regolith influences gas flow during descent engine plume surface interactions. • A custom permeameter is used to determine the low pressure permeability of lunar regolith simulant BP-1 including contributions from viscous and non-viscous flows. • Density and moisture content are varied in the tested BP-1 samples. • For three different sample densities and three different moisture content levels, the permeability of BP-1 is found to range from 0 . 4 × 1 0 − 13 m 2 to 1 . 9 × 1 0 − 13 m 2 . • Moisture content outgassing is seen to bias permeability results and greatly complicates pump down.

Background: The integration of trauma-informed care (TIC) principles into healthcare leadership represents a transformative approach that addresses the pervasive impact of trauma on both patients and healthcare providers. In the Indian healthcare context, where diverse socioeconomic challenges and cultural complexities intersect with healthcare delivery, implementing TIC through leadership initiatives becomes critically important for improving organizational culture and patient outcomes. Objective: This study examines the implementation of trauma-informed care principles within healthcare leadership frameworks in Indian healthcare institutions, analyzing the organizational cultural transformation and subsequent impact on patient outcomes, staff wellbeing, and institutional performance. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a systematic review of literature (2015-2024), cross-sectional surveys of 847 healthcare professionals across 12 major Indian hospitals, in-depth interviews with 45 healthcare leaders, and analysis of patient outcome data from institutions implementing TIC principles. The study utilized validated instruments including the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-5), Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), and Patient Satisfaction Survey adapted for Indian healthcare contexts. Results: Implementation of trauma-informed leadership practices resulted in significant improvements in organizational culture metrics (p < 0.001), with clan culture scores increasing by 34.2% and hierarchical culture decreasing by 28.5%. Patient satisfaction scores improved by 27.8% (95% CI: 24.1-31.5), readmission rates decreased by 15.3% (p < 0.05), and staff turnover reduced by 22.7%. Healthcare providers reported 31% reduction in secondary traumatic stress and 26% improvement in compassion satisfaction scores. Conclusion: The systematic integration of trauma-informed care principles into healthcare leadership creates a paradigm shift that enhances organizational culture, improves patient outcomes, and promotes staff wellbeing. The Indian healthcare context presents unique opportunities and challenges for TIC implementation, requiring culturally adapted leadership approaches that acknowledge historical trauma, social determinants, and organizational hierarchies. Keywords: Trauma-informed care, healthcare leadership, organizational culture, patient outcomes, India, healthcare transformation, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue

Background: Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa are frequently exposed to armed conflict, violence, and displacement-related trauma, placing them at heightened risk of mental health disorders. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of trauma-related mental health outcomes among refugees and IDPs in African conflict and crisis settings. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), and the UNHCR digital library, including grey literature, for studies published between January 2000 and July 2025. Eligible studies reported prevalence rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or psychological distress using validated instruments among African refugee or IDP populations. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated through funnel plot analysis. Results: Out of 3,365 identified records, 40 studies met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, and 35 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates were 37.8% (95% CI: 32.5–43.2%) for PTSD, 32.1% (95% CI: 27.0–37.8%) for depression, and 30.4% (95% CI: 25.3–36.1%) for anxiety. Subgroup analysis indicated higher prevalence among IDPs compared to refugees and among studies conducted in East and Central Africa. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² > 90%). Conclusions: The findings reveal alarmingly high levels of trauma-related mental health conditions among refugees and IDPs in Africa, with considerable regional and population-based variations. These results underscore the urgent need for culturally adapted, trauma-informed mental health interventions in conflict-affected African settings. Keywords: Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Mental Health, Africa, Conflict, Crisis, Meta-analysis, Systematic Review

Mental health legislation plays a critical role in shaping equitable and rights-based service delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In 2012, Ghana passed the Mental Health Act (Act 846) to decentralize care, protect the rights of persons with mental health conditions, and integrate mental health into general health services. This study examines the extent to which the Act has influenced mental health program delivery in Ghana, using qualitative data from 20 key stakeholders across the Western Region and national-level institutions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document review and analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that although awareness of the Act exists among stakeholders, its implementation has been hindered by weak institutional coordination, inadequate funding, limited decentralization, and absence of a Legislative Instrument. Rights-based provisions and regulation of traditional healing practices remain largely unimplemented. The study concludes that Ghana’s mental health legislation, while progressive on paper, requires targeted governance reforms, operational clarity, and sustained political will to translate policy into practice. It calls for immediate passage of the supporting Legislative Instrument, improved inter-agency coordination, and culturally grounded stakeholder engagement to ensure full realization of the Act’s goals. Keywords: Mental Health Act, Governance, Policy Implementation, Mental Health Services, Ghana

Background: Occupational stress and poor psychological wellbeing among nurses and midwives remain critical challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana. While prior studies have examined these issues using variable-centred approaches, few have explored the underlying subgroups of professionals based on their stress responses and coping behaviours. Objective: This study aimed to identify distinct latent classes of nurses and midwives in Ghana based on their patterns of occupational stress, coping strategies, and psychological wellbeing using a person-centred analytic approach. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 287 nurses and midwives working in four Catholic hospitals in Ghana. Standardised instruments were used to assess occupational stress, coping strategies, and psychological wellbeing. Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to classify respondents into subgroups based on their psychological profiles. Associations between class membership and demographic variables were explored using chi-square tests. Results: Four distinct classes emerged: (1) high stress, low coping, low wellbeing (22%); (2) moderate stress, adaptive coping, average wellbeing (29%); (3) low stress, high coping, high wellbeing (31%); and (4) low stress, avoidant coping, low wellbeing (18%). Class membership was significantly associated with age, years of service, and professional category (p < .01). Younger and less experienced nurses were overrepresented in the most distressed class, while midwives with longer years of service were predominant in the most resilient group. Conclusion: The findings reveal meaningful heterogeneity in how nurses and midwives experience and manage stress. Person-centred approaches like LCA can uncover hidden subgroups that may benefit from tailored mental health interventions. The results underscore the importance of designing targeted support systems based on demographic and psychological profiles to enhance the wellbeing of healthcare workers in Ghana. Keywords: occupational stress, coping strategies, psychological wellbeing, nurses, midwives, Ghana, mental health, workforce resilience

This study investigated and compared occupational stress, coping strategies, and professional commitment among teachers in rural and urban areas in the Western Region of Ghana. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected from 200 teachers through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that rural teachers experienced higher levels of occupational stress than their urban counterparts, with key stressors in rural areas including inadequate teaching materials, lack of accommodation, and infrastructural deficits. Urban teachers reported stress primarily from administrative pressure, student behaviour, and workload demands. The study also found distinct differences in coping strategies. While urban teachers adopted more proactive approaches such as peer support and time management, rural teachers predominantly relied on spiritual coping and avoidance. A significant proportion of rural teachers expressed an intention to leave the teaching profession, indicating a lower level of professional commitment compared to urban teachers. Correlation and regression analyses confirmed a strong negative relationship between occupational stress and professional commitment, while coping strategies showed a moderate positive influence. The qualitative data enriched the findings by highlighting how teachers' lived experiences shaped their stress responses and decisions about staying in the profession. The study concludes that occupational stress among teachers in Ghana is context-dependent and significantly impacts teacher retention. It calls for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges of rural and urban teaching environments while promoting teacher wellbeing and professional stability.

This paper addresses rock hazard detection for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) robotic navigation in the challenging visual environment of the lunar south pole (LSP). We evaluate three state-of-the-art instance segmentation mod-els-Mask R-CNN, YOLOv8, and SAM-using a novel, synthetically generated dataset that simulates LSP-specific illumination challenges at sun angles of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$2.5^{\circ}, 5^{\circ}$</tex>, and 7.5°. Additionally, we evaluate these approaches in both up and downsun driving with low solar angle light. This study highlights the potential of deep learning-based approaches for improving ISRU operations by reliably identifying visual surface hazards, such as rocks, which may impede robotic navigation and excavation in future lunar missions.