Bridgewater State University

About: Bridgewater State University is a education organization based out in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 625 authors who have published 1223 publications receiving 21820 citations. The organization is also known as: BSU & Bridgewater State.

Distribution, Habitat Associations and Conservation Status of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger

Abstract: Ecological responses of nocturnal predatory birds to forest cover and other geospatial predictors vary both geographically and taxonomically. Considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding the habitat associations of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, a nocturnal bird restricted to Sri Lanka and the Indian Western Ghats. Via a 20-year island-wide survey, we searched for frogmouths in Sri Lanka to determine their habitat associations at both local and landscape scales and developed a habitat suitability model (HSM) to predict both current and future distribution. We confirmed frogmouth presence in 18% of the surveyed sites across all major bioclimatic zones (wet, intermediate, dry, and arid) from lower elevations (11-767m), comprising a broad geographic range. Frogmouth presence was mostly limited to forests (90%) with a few sites in agricultural mosaics. Land protection, altitude and both local and landscape-scale forest cover, as well as forest-cover loss at both spatial scales, were strong predictors of frogmouth presence. According to our HSM, the southwestern lowlands and parts of the intermediate zone contained the most suitable areas for frogmouths despite their smaller extent. Although the dry and intermediate zones contained extensive habitats for frogmouth, these regions were relatively less suitable. The habitat associations and geographic range of this species in Sri Lanka differ from that seen in India through negative associations with altitude and absence from montane zones, absence from degraded or severely disturbed habitats and independence from proximity to waterways. The Sri Lanka Frogmouth is sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances, including historical forest losses. We recommend landscape-scale conservation planning that incorporates both primary and mature persistent secondary forests to ensure the protection of this unique iconic species.—Karunarathna, S., Dayananda, S.K., Gabadage, D., Botejue, M., Madawala, M., Peabotuwage, I., Madurapperuma, B.D., Ranagalage, M., Udayakumara, A. & Surasinghe, T.D. (2022). Distribution, habitat associations and conservation status of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger. Ardeola, 69: 75-95.

Sleep disturbance is associated with less emotional reactivity in individuals with heightened repetitive negative thinking

Abstract: Recently, there has been increasing recognition that individuals with heightened repetitive negative thinking and anxiety often experience disruptions in their sleep and circadian rhythms. However, the mechanisms of this relation require further study. The primary aim of this study is to identify whether emotional reactivity is related to sleep in individuals with repetitive negative thinking. Fifty-two individuals selected for high levels of transdiagnostic repetitive negative thinking and varying amounts of sleep disruption were included in the study sample. Participants passively viewed emotionally-valenced (positive and negative) and neutral images. Some of these images had been previously-seen by participants and others were novel. Participants’ pupil diameter was measured as they viewed the images and they also rated their subjective reaction to these images. Poorer sleep quality was significantly associated with less pupil dilation in response to all novel stimuli (i.e., collapsing across emotion). Shorter habitual sleep duration and longer sleep onset latency were associated with lower subjective unpleasantness when viewing all study stimuli (i.e., collapsing across novelty and emotion). These findings were consistent with the possibility that sleep disturbance may be related to repetitive negative thinking through differences in emotional reactivity. Sleep disturbance has been associated with blunted responses to emotional stimuli in other samples. Future studies examining mechanisms and moderators of increased and blunted emotional response related to sleep disturbance are needed.

Empowering Belizean Youth through Photovoice

Abstract: Today's youth are faced with a number of different "roadblocks" on their way to becoming successful adults. Navigating adolescence is often difficult in its own right, but many youths have to deal with issues such as, poverty, unsafe neighborhoods and schools, drug/alcohol addiction, and disjointed homes to name a few. Although not all youth are faced with the same obstacles, these abovementioned obstacles can detract youth from becoming socially productive. Using Photovoice, a process by which participants identify, represent and enhance their community using a specific photographic technique, this study connected Belizean youth to their community through the process of identifying and taking photos of community strengths and weaknesses. After completing shared data analysis, the photos and a description of the meanings behind the photos were presented to a number of dignitaries in the community. The main themes presented were Responsibility and Support. This presentation gave youths voice in their community and allowed them to discuss strategies on how to increase community strengths as a way to reduce community weaknesses. Upon completion of the presentation, the dignitaries answered questions posed by the youth and offered collaborative strategies on how to promote social change. Keywords: Photovoice, Empowerment, Youth The National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012) indicates that the Belizean youthful population (70% of the population is below the age of 29) is doing well. However, there are a number of barriers youth face in developing into social, productive adults. For instance, there are a number of challenges that prevent youth from reaching their optimal well-being. More specifically, Belizean youth claim that adults only see them as problems to be fixed rather than resources to be nourished. In an attempt to remedy this situation, the Belizean government is committed to ensuring young people are empowered, thus increasing their likelihood of reaching their full potential and optimal well-being. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement a variety of positive youth development programs to increase youth voice and overall development. Positive youth development programs should be designed to contribute to the overall healthy development of youth. According to the Handbook of Applied Developmental Science (2003) the basic needs critical to all young people's survival and healthy development include: a sense of safety and structure; belonging and membership; self-worth and an ability to contribute; independence and control over one's life; closeness and several good relationships; and competency and mastery. While this handbook refers to youth in general, it does align with the National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012) in the sense that both believe youth need opportunities for empowerment. Further, both encourage adults to view youth as assets to be nourished rather than problems to be solved. One goal of this research project, and in line with recommendations from the National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012), was to empower youth; that is, provide them with a platform to have their voices heard in their community by connecting them with the ears of people in positions of power who can assist them with identified issues. While many youths are learning to function peacefully and responsibly, many are still learning negative, habit forming, life altering behaviors that may prevent them from achieving great success in society. Regardless of their life circumstances, all youth need ample opportunities for supervised growth promoting activities both inside and outside of school (Stiehl & Galvan, 2005). Photovoice is a participatory research method that was developed to promote empowerment and provide marginalized individuals with a platform to be heard in their own communities. According to Wang & Burris (1997) Photovoice is a technique or process by which individuals can identify, represent and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique. …