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1. Inspiring the Next Generation of Humanitarian Mine Action Researchers

   Tuohy, Madison; Greenspan, Eva; Fasullo, Sofia; Baur, Jasper; Steinberg, Gabriel; Zheng, Linda; Nikulin, Alex; Clayton, Garrett M.; and de Smet, Timothy (February 2023, The Journal of conventional weapons destruction)

   Humanitarian mine action (HMA) is a critically under-researched field when compared to other hazards fields of similar societal impact. A potential solution to this problem is early exposure to and engagement in the HMA field in undergraduate education. Early undergraduate education emphasizing technical and social aspects of HMA can help protect lives by building a robust pipeline of passionate researchers who will find new solutions to the global explosive ordnance (EO) crisis. Early engagement of the next generation of HMA researchers and policy makers can occur through various classroom experiences, undergraduate research projects, and public outreach events. These include but are not limited to course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs); presenting research results at local, national, and international conferences; dissemination in edited and peer-reviewed publications; local community events; and through social media outreach. Early engagement, active guidance, and mentorship of such students by mid-career and experienced HMA scholars and practitioners could dramatically reduce the learning curve associated with entry into the HMA sector and allow for more fruitful long-term collaboration between academic institutions, private industry, and leading nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) operating across different facets of HMA. 

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2. Where do I Start?

   https://doi.org/10.13023/8QHC-3S89  

   Crystelle, Andrea; Schultz, Lori (April 2024, University of Kentucky Libraries)

   In this session, we will start at the beginning and talk about what you need to think about in setting up research analytics capabilities for your organization. There are so many options for tools and other resources to get started, but what if you only have Excel? How do you get reporting off the ground when it hasn’t been done (or done consistently) at your workplace? We’ll talk about ways to get started, including who you need to talk with, what you need to consider, and how to move forward with basic reporting. Presented at the 2024 Research Analytics Summit in Albuquerque NM 

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3. Data Governance and Stewardship 101

   https://doi.org/10.13023/52J9-MB78  

   Schultz, Lori_Ann M (May 2024, University of Kentucky Libraries)

   This session will be an introductory conversation to understand the fundamentals of data governance and stewardship. Attendees will be introduced to the core principles of data governance and the role of data stewards. We will talk about strategies for governance and stewardship at your institution, and how to work within roles and frameworks that may already exist at your institution. We’ll also talk about how to build this framework and external considerations you need to consider. Presented at the 2024 Research Analytics Summit in Albuquerque, NM 

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4. The effect of eugenol anesthesia on the electric organ discharge of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-023-01259-5  

   Lehotzky, Dávid; Eske, Annika I.; Zupanc, Günther K. H. (November 2023, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry)

   Abstract Eugenol, the major active ingredient of clove oil, is widely used for anesthesia in fish. Yet virtually nothing is known about its effects on CNS functions, and thus about potential interference with neurophysiological experimentation. To address this issue, we employed a neuro-behavioral assay recently developed for testing of water-soluble anesthetic agents. The unique feature of thisin-vivotool is that it utilizes a readily accessible behavior, the electric organ discharge (EOD), as a proxy of the neural activity generated by a brainstem oscillator, the pacemaker nucleus, in the weakly electric fishApteronotus leptorhynchus. A deep state of anesthesia, as assessed by the cessation of locomotor activity, was induced within less than 3 min at concentrations of 30–60 µL/L eugenol. This change in locomotor activity was paralleled by a dose-dependent, pronounced decrease in EOD frequency. After removal of the fish from the anesthetic solution, the frequency returned to baseline levels within 30 min. Eugenol also led to a significant increase in the rate of ‘chirps,’ specific amplitude/frequency modulations of the EOD, during the 30 min after the fish’s exposure to the anesthetic. At 60 µL/L, eugenol induced a collapse of the EOD amplitude after about 3.5 min in half of the fish tested. The results of our study indicate strong effects of eugenol on CNS functions. We hypothesize that these effects are mediated by the established pharmacological activity of eugenol to block the generation of action potentials and to reduce the excitability of neurons; as well as to potentiate GABA_A-receptor responses. 

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5. Long-Term Impact of Humanitarian Engineering Projects on Views of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Preliminary Qualitative Results from Alumni

   Dodson, K.; Deckard, C.; Duke, H.; White, J.; Buchanan, E. (January 2022, ASEE Annual Conference proceedings)

   This paper details a poster presented in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grantees Poster Session for the 2022 ASEE Annual Conference. The study, aptly titled, aims to examine the ‘Long-Term Effect of Involvement in Humanitarian Engineering Projects on Student Professional Formation and Views of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).’ As part of the larger study, this poster details the results from alumni (n=19) of the Lipscomb University engineering program collected through an open-ended questionnaire. The research team performed an inductive coding analysis of the qualitative data to understand the connections between humanitarian engineering projects, professional formation, and views of DEI. Quantitative results as well as data from other participant groups, including current students and non-alumni engineering professionals, will be presented elsewhere. Emergent codes showed that participants found both outward and inward value in serving others. Outward value reflected a better quality of life for the person benefiting from service while inward value provided personal satisfaction, learning, or growth for the participant. This inward value was also evident with respect to views of DEI where participants mentioned learning or growing from past events. Two participants directly mentioned a connection between their experiences with humanitarian engineering projects and their views of DEI. Additionally, the codes connected to existing literature in engineering education as well as theories like empathy, identity development, and emotional intelligence. These results are promising for this study and will be expanded upon through interviews where these connections will be examined at a deeper level. 

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