University of Guam

Introduction Caloneis egena is a species of diatom originally described from Campeche Bay (Mexico) that is regarded as cosmopolitan, with several reports from the Pacific region. Methods A strain of diatom from the genus Caloneis was isolated from the Gulf of Tomini, Sulawesi (Indonesia). It was subjected to an integrated approach combining microscopy, genomic analyses, and phylogeny. Results Although looking similar to C. egena , the strain from Tomini was found to be a new species, hereby described as Caloneis paraegena sp. nov. The complete mitochondrial and plastid genomes were sequenced and annotated and represent the first organellar genomes made available for the genus Caloneis . The multigene phylogeny inferred from these results positions C. paraegena as sister to a clade that associates Caloneis fontinalis , C. silicula , and C. lewisii . Discussion A survey of the literature dedicated to C. egena led to questioning its distribution, suggesting that records from the Pacific region might, in fact, represent C. paraegena based on morphology. Because of the absence of a molecular reference for C. egena , the exact relationship between these two species remains to be verified.

Microplastics (<5 mm) are an increasing concern for environmental and human health, continuously detected in ecosystems worldwide and a variety of human tissues. While health effects remain unclear, experimental studies on microplastic particles have suggested adverse outcomes. Microplastic fibers, which shed from everyday items, are more toxic than particles and twice as prevalent, yet remain understudied. Microplastic studies vary widely and use various extraction techniques, with few validating recovery accuracy. These limited recovery studies primarily examine particles, raising concerns about the true abundance of microfibers. This study establishes baseline recovery rates of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) microfibers of varying lengths from formalin-fixed human cadaveric lung tissue. Following enzymatic and oxidative digestion, PET microfibers showed a recovery rate of 47%, while 87% of PP microfibers was recovered. Chemical alterations were assessed using laser direct infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy; optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluated physical changes post-digestion. These findings provide insights into microfiber recovery, highlight potential over- and underestimations, and characterize the chemical and physical behavior of fibers within human tissue studies. Establishing accurate recovery methods is essential for advancing microfiber toxicology research and assessing potential health risks.

Abstract Despite extensive research on the western Pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS; Acanthaster cf. solaris ), especially from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR), there are persistent knowledge gaps that constrain understanding and management. Given renewed population irruptions of CoTS on the GBR, alongside escalating climate impacts and direct anthropogenic pressures, a quantitative assessment of knowledge gaps was undertaken to identify research priorities and guide future efforts. In this study, 27 experts independently scored 206 research questions across seven Themes and 39 topics, based on four different criteria ( Knowledge gap , Feasibility , Urgency , and Applicability ). These questions were ultimately rationalized into 170 distinct questions, with scores aggregated across merged questions. Management was the highest scoring Theme for Urgency , Applicability , and overall. All but six of the 20 top-ranked questions were from the Management Theme and mainly related to Culling and/ or Monitoring. Most questions (158 out of 170) also scored highly for Feasibility , suggesting that there are existing methods and technical capability available to advance the extensive and diverse range of research questions that were posed, if resources were made available. This quantitative assessment provides guidance on the prioritization of potential research that could improve management of CoTS populations to improve coral protection outcomes on the GBR. This study also suggests that there are limited constraints to undertaking necessary research to address many of the persistent knowledge gaps relating to CoTS.

Timely, concerted, and persistent culling (or manual removal) is required to effectively manage population irruptions of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS; Acanthaster spp.). However, there are concerns that handling and culling gravid starfish may induce spawning. This study explicitly tested the frequency and timing of spawning for Pacific CoTS (Acanthaster cf. solaris) injected with either bile salts (10 mL of 8 g·L-1 Bile Salts No. 3) or vinegar (20 mL of 4% acetic acid, with 10 mL injected into each of two non-adjacent arms), up to 48 h after treatment, while also considering three distinct experimental controls (handling controls, injection controls, and spawning controls). This study showed that male CoTS often spawn within 24 h after different culling treatments. However, the incidence of spawning by male starfish injected with vinegar (70%) was nearly twice that of male starfish injected with bile salts (36.4%). In contrast, there were no instances of spawning by female CoTS following handling or injections of bile salts and vinegar. Variation in the incidence of spawning between culling treatments is largely attributable to differences in the rate of mortality, whereby CoTS injected with bile salts (n = 23) consistently died within 24 h and therefore had limited opportunity to spawn. Meanwhile, CoTS injected with vinegar generally died >24 h post-treatment, and many had not died even after 48 h. This suggests that, where available, bile salts (rather than vinegar) should be used when culling Acanthaster cf. solaris, especially during reproductive periods. However, sustained culling effort is still the most direct and effective way to suppress the local densities and reproductive capacity of CoTS.

ABSTRACT This article provides two examples (an external and an internal evaluation with the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Islands Alliance) of a people‐centered approach to evaluation. We review how we came to our people‐centered approaches and how we used that approach in this particular context. First, we discuss an external evaluation of the Alliance examining relationships among Alliance members and with their community partners, and then we offer a discussion of the internal evaluation strategy used to better understand relationships within the Alliance. There were some differences, as well as many commonalities, in the way we, as evaluators, approached building authentic relationships that valued the context and the Alliance members. We contend that, regardless of an evaluation's goals, there are ways to incorporate people‐centered evaluation approaches into evaluation work .

Abstract The effects of ocean exploitation are especially pronounced in coastal, more easily accessible, regions. However, long-term ecological shifts often go unnoticed due to the absence of historical reference points, a phenomenon known as the shifting baseline syndrome. These two aspects are particularly pronounced in the Global South where coastal communities still heavily rely on marine resources for subsistence, but data is rarely available to quantify change, a major shortcoming in a context of demographic growth that is increasing extraction and worsening impacts. Intertidal mollusc harvesting is a vital source of protein and income for coastal communities in Mozambique, but its impacts have hardly been quantified so far. We here focus on Inhaca Island in southern Mozambique, where demographic growth has intensified since the late 1980s and molluscs are harvested primarily for consumption, while other species may be collected for ornamental purposes. The island hosts a marine biological station almost a century old with a collection of local biodiversity with the oldest samples from the 1940s. Leveraging on this unique baseline, we quantified changes in body sizes of intertidal molluscs over time, as a proxy of over-exploitation. We targeted species used for consumption or potentially for the souvenir trade. Edible species showed a significant decline in median and maximum size. In contrast, species potentially collected as souvenirs showed no consistent trend. These findings suggest that the sustainable exploitation of intertidal marine resources urgently requires management to guarantee their long-term availability and highlight the importance of historical collections in reconstructing baselines. Such collections, despite being built in colonial times, are a precious heritage that contemporary societies should preserve.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is not only a leading cause of neurological impairment but also a critical trigger for systemic complications. Among these, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) represents one of the most severe and life-threatening outcomes. Following a primary brain insult, secondary pathophysiological cascades—such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, autonomic dysregulation, and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)—initiate a systemic inflammatory response that affects peripheral organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart. This brain–body cross-talk results in multi-organ dysfunction, which significantly worsens prognosis and increases mortality. Understanding the mechanisms linking TBI to MODS is essential for early diagnosis, targeted therapeutic interventions, and improved patient survival. This review highlights the underlying pathophysiology, affected organ systems, and emerging management strategies to mitigate the systemic consequences of traumatic brain injury.

Purpose This study investigates the influence of women leadership and ESG performance on corporate resilience, using firm value and EVA, in the context of pre-, mid-, and post-COVID-19 pandemic. It also examines significant differences in these variables across COVID-19 periods. Design/methodology/approach Employing panel data analysis, the study examines 33 IDX KOMPAS100 companies from 2018-2023, resulting in 198 firm-year observations. Data were sourced from Refinitiv and Annual Reports. Findings The study reveals that ESG performance does not significantly impact EVA or firm value. Women Leadership positively influence firm value but has no significant effect on EVA. Only changes in ESG performance are significant across the pandemic, whereas firm value shows significance only between pre- and post-COVID-19. No significant changes in EVA and female executive were observed. Research limitations/implications The insignificant impact of ESG performance may stem from time lags in translating ESG efforts into financial outcomes. Practical implications The study provides significant implications for research by extending the discussion on corporate resilience through the lens of gender diversity and ESG performance. The growing importance of ESG performance during the pandemic shows that companies have increased commitment on ESG efforts even during hardships. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates female leadership and ESG performance to examine corporate resilience in Indonesia’s KOMPAS100 firms across COVID-19 phases, offering novel insights into gender diversity’s impact on firm value and challenging assumptions about ESG’s financial benefits in emerging markets.