Museum of the Earth

Sustainability, i.e., effective management of natural resources to maintain ecological balance, is taught in formal post-secondary and nonformal education for students of all ages, but is often left out of the basic college and university life sciences coursework. To achieve the United Nations’ 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we must provide students with ecological knowledge and skills to enhance sustainability. Beginning in 2014, Ecological Society of America (ESA) educators developed an integrated, four-dimensional curricular framework (Core Ecological Concepts, Ecological Practices, Cross-Cutting Themes, and Human-Environment Interactions) (4DEE) to generate ecologically literate college students. Here we investigated all possible connections between 4DEE and the SDGs, to determine whether instructors could teach both in context of one another - to the betterment of both sustainability and ecology education. Analysis of the subcomponents of 4DEE arrayed against the Targets in SDGs 13 - Climate Action, 14 - Life Below Water, and 15 - Life on Land, revealed good to strong SDGs connections to each of the 4DEE dimensions. Curricula following the 4DEE approach can better address the SDGs. By integrating this multidimensional framework and connections to the SDGs and their Targets in our classroom, lab, and field experiences on and off campus, educators can help form the next generation of teachers, workers, policymakers, and citizens in ecological literacy and responsible sustainable decision-making. Applying the multidimensional thinking and training of the ESA 4DEE with interdisciplinary collaborations in our institutions and off-campus community partnerships will increase both the ecological literacy and SDG-literacy of present and future generations.

Gnathiaantennacrassasp. nov. from seagrass beds off Rottnest Island, Western Australia is the first record of any gnathiid from the entirety of Western Australia; the male can be distinguished from congeners by the stout peduncular articles of the antenna. Gnathiataurussp. nov. is described from two adult specimens reared from praniza larvae found infecting elasmobranch fishes at Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef; the males can be distinguished from all congeners by the dorsally strongly elongate mandibles and smoothly rounded mediofrontal process on the anterior part of cephalosome. Gnathiaaff.maculosa Ota & Hirose, 2009 is recorded from Australia, together with further records of G.trimaculata Coetzee, Smit, Grutter & Davies, 2009 and G.grandilaris Coetzee, Smit, Grutter & Davies, 2008, all from elasmobranch fishes.

Mandatory reporting laws require the reporting to a designated government agency of a known or suspected case of abuse or neglect of children, elders, or other dependent adults. While these laws vary, researchers can be mandated to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect under a wide range of circumstances. This paper argues that a survivor‐centered and trauma‐informed research praxis calls for (1) actively challenging biased or uncritical reporting and the myth of a neutral researcher/mandated reporter, (2) working to minimize avoidable reporting, (3) moving from mandatory reporting to supporting, and (4) using harm reduction strategies to center survivors at all stages. Ultimately, a survivor‐centered approach to mandatory reporting in research means valuing the consent and agency of those who will live with the life‐altering consequences of researcher‐made reports.

Fundamental characteristics of the reproductive biology of female sand tiger sharks Carcharias taurus are needed to understand the periodicity, seasonality and environmental factors essential for reproduction in this iconic species. Animals in managed care, such as aquariums, provide the unique opportunity for longitudinal study in contrast to in situ sharks that are examined opportunistically, and at a single point in time. Additionally, comparison of reproductive observations from successfully reproducing in situ sharks and aquarium sharks may help elucidate reasons for lack of reproduction among aquarium sharks and aid the development of assisted reproductive techniques for managed populations. Reproductive status of in situ and aquarium female sharks was assessed using ultrasonography and plasma hormone (17β-estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) monitoring. The reproductive cycle was divided into eight stages based on ovarian activity and uterine contents. In situ sharks were sampled from Delaware Bay (n = 29), North Carolina (n = 39) and South Carolina (n = 11) during April-November from 2015–2020. Nineteen aquarium females from five aquaria were examined longitudinally for two or more consecutive years. Reproductive regionalization was observed among in situ females with the majority (83%) of North Carolina females in an active state of reproduction and all Delaware females in a resting reproductive state. All aquarium females had a pattern of reproductive cycling that was consistent with alternating years of activity and rest with confirmed biennial (n = 7) or triennial (n = 3) reproductive cycles with spring seasonality. In contrast to in situ females, aquarium females often retained uterine eggs for 9-20 months after ovulation in the absence of a developing embryo(s). Pre-ovulatory aquarium females had significantly higher concentrations of 17β-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone than other reproductive stages. For females in the ovulatory stage, in situ females had higher testosterone than aquarium females. Endocrine differences between successfully reproducing in situ females and aquarium females likely contribute to the limited reproductive success observed for this species in managed care and may be a reflection of diminished seasonal cues and environmental differences.

6601 Background: There is poor compliance among cancer centers with price transparency rules set forth by the CMS in 2021. Service charges higher than what a hospital reasonably expects to be reimbursed may both prevent competitive price shopping by the consumer and result in catastrophic financial toxicity for small payors and under/uninsured individuals. We investigated variability in the charged and reimbursed payments for pembrolizumab infusion within one metro area utilizing Medicare claims. Methods: Medicare claims data from 2016 through 2021 for all pembrolizumab (HCPCS J9271) infusions in a hospital outpatient department were selected from the Definitive Healthcare claims database for medical oncology providers in New York City (NYC). Average charges, reimbursements, and total claims were obtained for the 6 largest prescribers by volume. Annual percentage changes (APC) were calculated to evaluate trends during study period. Prices are presented as inflation adjusted numbers (charged and reimbursed; 2021 dollars). Analyses were performed in Excel (Microsoft Corp). Results: Our analysis included 5 NCI-designated cancer centers (NCI-A, NCI-B, NCI-C, NCI-D) of which 1 was PPS (Prospective Payment System)-exempt (NCI-PPS). One hospital was non-NCI and 4 hospitals were part of the discounted 340B Drug Pricing Program (NCI-A, NCI-B, NCI-D, Non-NCI). From 2016 to 2021, total Medicare claims increased 793 to 1537, and total payments to all centers increased from $5.4M to $16.3M. NCI-PPS comprised 61% of claims, and 65% of total payments in 2021. Average charge for pembrolizumab in 2021 ranged from $20,130 (NCI-PPS) to $155,825 (NCI-D/340B). During study period, APC ranged from +1.7% (NCI-A/340B) to +25.4% (NCI-D/340B). Despite wide variability in charged amounts for Medicare claims, re-imbursed amounts were similar across centers (range: $6227-9623, 2021). Conclusions: There is significant variability in charges for pembrolizumab in Medicare claims with price increases outpacing the annual rate of inflation. Within NYC, the highest charges were from a 340B hospital; NCI-PPS had higher volume and total payments but consistently lower charged prices each year. Our study highlights extreme price variability, and has policy implications for price transparency requirements and uniform rate setting to establish payment levels and control rate of annual growth. [Table: see text]

Adult male and larva of Gnathia capitellum sp. nov. (Crustacea: Isopoda: Gnathiidae) are described. The specimens were laboratory-reared larvae that infested host fishes collected by longline fishing in a coastal bay of Izu Peninsula and adult males found in dredge samples from shallow water (depth: 11–12 m) of Miura Peninsula, central Japan. Adult males of G. capitellum sp. nov. were easily distinguished from the other species of Gnathia Leach, 1814 from around the world by the small oval head and the inner margin of pylopod without plumose setae. Most other Gnathia species have a large rectangular head and plumose setae present on the article 1 of pylopod. Appearance of the adult male resembles the genus Afrignathia Hadfield and Smit, 2008 rather than Gnathia but Afrignathia has maxilla 1 which is absent in all known male gnathiids in the world including G. capitellum sp. nov. Fish parasitic larva of G. capitellum sp. nov. is also described herein. This larva closely resembles larvae of the genus Gnathia, but can be distinguished from the other Gnathia species by the remarkably oval-shaped basis in pereopods 2–4.

Male adults of gnathiid isopods (Crustacea; Isopoda; Gnathiidae) have remarkably developed rectangular-shaped cephalosomes and mandibles in most species. Tenerognathia visus Tanaka, 2005 belongs to a monospecific genus having remarkable characters in male morphology; reduced mandibles and large eyes occupying the whole of an elliptical cephalosome. The original description of T. visus is based on male adult specimens from coral rubble. This study found adult males and their larvae of T. visus attracted by light. Furthermore, specimens of female adults were observed by laboratory rearing of praniza larvae. In this study, morphologies of larvae and female adults of T. visus are described and notes on mating behavior in a laboratory aquarium are provided.

Impact to protected area resources due to uninformed or depreciative visitor behavior continues to be a principal concern for managers. Leave No Trace (LNT) is a prevalent educational strategy for mitigating such impacts. Through on-site surveys, this study examined frontcountry visitor attitudes toward Leave No Trace (LNT) practices, and self-reported knowledge concerning LNT in three Wyoming state parks to determine factors that influenced their behavioral intent to practice LNT. Results suggest that attitudes toward perceived effectiveness of LNT practices and appropriateness of LNT practices are significant predictors of behavioral intent. If education-based communication efforts focus on why LNT practices are appropriate and effective, there is an increased likelihood of meaningfully influencing behavioral intent.

The International Space Station (ISS) is the product of the efforts of sixteen nations over the course of several decades. It is now complete, operational, and has been continuously occupied since November of 20001. Since then the ISS has been carrying out a wide variety of research and technology development experiments, and starting to produce some pleasantly startling results. The ISS has a mass of 420 metric tons, supports a crew of six with a yearly resupply requirement of around 30 metric tons, within a pressurized volume of 916 cubic meters, and a habitable volume of 388 cubic meters. Its solar arrays produce up to 84 kilowatts of power. In the course of developing the ISS, many lessons were learned and much valuable expertise was gained. Where do we go from here? The ISS offers an existence proof of the feasibility of sustained human occupation and operations in space over decades. It also demonstrates the ability of many countries to work collaboratively on a very complex and expensive project in space over an extended period of time to achieve a common goal. By harvesting best practices and lessons learned, the ISS can also serve as a useful model for exploring architectures for beyond low- earth-orbit (LEO) space development. This paper will explore the concept and feasibility for a Lunar Station. The Station concept can be implemented by either putting the equivalent capability of the ISS down on the surface of the Moon, or by developing the required capabilities through a combination of delivered materials and equipment and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). Scenarios that leverage existing technologies and capabilities as well as capabilities that are under development and are expected to be available within the next 3-5 years, will be examined. This paper will explore how best practices and expertise gained from developing and operating the ISS and other relevant programs can be applied to effectively developing Lunar Station.

To analyse patterns of departure from a popular hiking trail in Yosemite National Park, at sites where fatal drownings have occurred in the past. This study employed direct observation. For 32 days throughout the summer of 2013, study team members observed hikers who entered areas that brought them in close proximity to hazardous sections of the Merced River. Subject and environmental data were recorded for 1417 such approaches. In 81% of our observation hours, subjects entered 'risk zones.' The median number of hikers seen near/in the river was eight per hour at the Vernal Fall footbridge, and three at the top of the waterfall. A regression analysis found that air temperature and later hike starts were positively associated, and water level was negatively associated, with the rate of river approach. Means of river access were also identified. Males, teens and people who were alone were significantly more likely to be observed entering particularly dangerous areas. It is common for hikers to approach water sources during summer months, particularly as air temperatures rise. By analysing how behaviour and environmental factors co-vary, safety advocates can tailor risk reduction measures to specific settings and visitor populations.