Chaminade University of Honolulu

About: Chaminade University of Honolulu is a education organization based out in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Experiential learning. The organization has 164 authors who have published 223 publications receiving 5381 citations.

Changes in Soil Microbial Activity Following Cadaver Decomposition During Spring and Summer Months in Southern Ontario

Abstract: Bodies are often disposed of clandestinely in environments allowing direct contact with soil yet the impact of cadaver decomposition on the surrounding environment remains generally poorly studied. The microbial load associated with a decomposing body is substantial and it is believed that decomposition has a notable impact on the surrounding soil microbiology. During 2011 and 2012 a study consisting of four experimental trials was undertaken at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology decomposition facility located in Southern Ontario. The study documented the decomposition of human analogues (pig carcasses) and the subsequent microbiological impacts on the soil within the decomposition islands created. Two trials were conducted per year, one in the spring and one in the summer to account for seasonal variations. For each trial, soil samples were collected from three experimental sites and three controls sites over a 3 month period. Sample analysis included soil pH, moisture and microbial activity using a fluorescein diacetate assay. Microbial activity levels between control and experimental samples were compared on each sampling day and overall for all trials. An increase in microbial activity was observed on multiple occasions during the Spring 2011, Summer 2011 and Spring 2012 trial. However, a decrease in microbial activity was observed during the Summer 2012 trial. Soil pH and soil moisture underwent similar fluctuations in control samples and experimental samples pointing to environmental conditions having a strong influence on both these soil parameters.

Translational Sleep Science in Behavioral Medicine: Introduction to this Special Issue.

Abstract: The consideration of sleep and circadian rhythms in the context of health is a relatively recent development in the history of the field of behavioral medicine This special issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine recognizes that sleep and circadian rhythms are fundamental to appreciating physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors in the health and well-being of the population The articles included in this issue draw attention to the breadth and saliency of sleep as a marker of health status and as a target of behavioral intervention to promote health Such research highlights the diversity of participants, research methods, and clinical significance of translational sleep science allowing us to recognize the role of sleep in the context of health in new ways These studies also illustrate progress in integrating theory, employing prospective and longitudinal designs and multimodal and integrative assessments This introduction to the special issue concludes by discussing challenges and opportunities in the field of behavioral sleep medicine, including those posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the need to more effectively provide sleep disorder treatment among underserved populations