Geophysical Research Articles

УЧАСТИЕ ЕСТЕСТВЕННОНАУЧНЫХ МУЗЕЕВ В РАЗВИТИИ КРАЕВЕДЧЕСКОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ В СРЕДНЕЙ ШКОЛЕ

The article discusses various forms of local history activities to be implemented in the interaction of natural science museums and secondary schools. The practical experience of employees of the Earth Science Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University in the field of local history is described, namely: conducting a professional development program (Summer School), thematic classes with students, and consultations on the creation of educational expositions in school museums. A thematic plan of the section “Nature of the Native land” in a school museum is given. The prerequisites for successful cooperation between natural science museums and secondary schools in the joint implementation of local history activities are substantiated

КАРТИНЫ «ЦЕЛИННОГО ЦИКЛА» В.Ф. СТОЖАРОВА КАК ОБРАЗЕЦ ЛАНДШАФТНОЙ ЖИВОПИСИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ЭКСПОЗИЦИИ МУЗЕЯ ЗЕМЛЕВЕДЕНИЯ МГУ)

Scientific and artistic descriptions of three paintings by Vladimir F. Stozharov (1926-1973) are given, namely: “Kazakh small hills”, “Peneplain of Central Kazakhstan”, and “Geologists in Kazakhstan”. The pictures were painted in 1955 following Stozharov’s creative trip to Central Kazakhstan in the summer of 1954 specifically for the Earth Science Museum of Moscow State University, which was being formed at that time. They have become part of the landscape painting gallery, but are almost unknown to a wide range of specialists. Being part of Stozharov’s “Virgin land cycle,” these three canvases are united by a single theme, namely, the landscapes of the Kazakh small hills. The article also examines Stozharov’s life path and the geography of his creative trips. Without pretending to provide an exhaustive analysis of the artist’s work, the authors focus on Stozharov’s “Virgin lands cycle.”

Follow the Trace: Becoming a Seismo-Detective with a Campus-Based Raspberry Shake Seismometer

Abstract Seismic signals, whether caused by earthquakes, other natural phenomena, or artificial noise sources, have specific characteristics in the time and frequency domains that contain crucial information reflecting their source. The analysis of seismic time series is an essential part of every seismology-oriented study program. Enabling students to work with data collected from their own campus, including signals from both anthropogenic and natural seismic sources, can provide vivid, practical examples to make abstract concepts communicated in classes more concrete and relevant. Data from research-grade broadband seismometers enable us to record time series of vibrations at a broad range of frequencies; however, these sensors are costly and are often deployed in remote places. Participation in the Raspberry Shake citizen science network enables seismology educators to record seismic signals on our own campuses and use these recordings in our classrooms and for public outreach. Yale University installed a Raspberry Shake three-component, low-cost seismometer in the Earth and Planetary Sciences department building in Summer 2022, enabling the detection of local, regional, and teleseismic earthquakes, microseismic noise, and anthropogenic noise sources from building construction, an explosive event in a steam tunnel, and general building use. Here, we discuss and illustrate the use of data from our Raspberry Shake in outreach and education activities at Yale. In particular, we highlight a series of ObsPy-based exercises that will be used in courses taught in our department, including our upper-level Introduction to Seismology course and our undergraduate classes on Natural Disasters and Forensic Geoscience.

Investigating Students’ Perception with an Online Dynamic Earth Course during COVID-19: A Quantitative Inquiry

This study investigated Earth science students’ experiences with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the US. We used an existing survey from the online education literature, the Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES), which consists of three instruments: (a) community of inquiry (CoI), (b) Institutional Support (IS), and (c) Self-Directed Online Learning Scale (SDOLS). The survey rating subscales ordered from highest to lowest are autonomous learning, asynchronous online learning, institutional support, teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence, respectively, indicating interest for the online learning environment. Among all of the subscales, the asynchronous online category was rated the highest by the students. The data were then analyzed using Rasch modeling. According to the Rasch analyses, asynchronous online teaching represents the most favorable course delivery technique for geoscience education. Overall, the survey data show a general interest in online delivery and the effectiveness of the modality, thus indicating potential for evolving into an online Earth science program. Finally, also discussed are possible future extensions of the research (e.g., extending the research to other introductory online geoscience courses).

Adequacy, Utilization of Laboratory Equipment and Performance of Junior High School Science Teachers

This research aimed to determine the relationship between laboratory equipment adequacy and utilization, and the performance levels of Science teachers in Malapatan Municipality. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, utilizing surveys and observations to collect the data from 13 teachers across three districts, Malapatan Districts 1, 2 and 3. The study revealed that most teachers have Master of Arts in Education degrees in Science, a significant portion lacks in-service training, potentially limiting their effectiveness in using laboratory resources and teaching methods. The deficiency in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics equipment hinders Grade 9 Science teachers' ability to conduct hands-on experiments and practical demonstration crucial for teaching these subjects. Classifying skill shows high extent in utilizing the laboratory equipment while Observing, Inferencing, Experimenting, Predicting, Communicating, and General Questions require improvement. In terms of teaching performance, teachers excel in Physics but need improvement in Earth Science, Chemistry, and Biology. The weak positive correlation between equipment adequacy and teacher performance needs to be improved, indicating that additional factors such as teacher skills and resource availability play significant roles. The researcher developed a comprehensive and effective professional training program for science teachers to effectively utilize laboratory equipment and incorporate science process skills into teaching methods.

Teaching and learning natural sciences using augmented reality in preschool and primary education: A literature review

Augmented reality has the potential to transform and enrich Natural Sciences education. This is particularly true in preschool and primary education. This study aims to provide a literature review regarding the use of augmented reality in preschool and primary education to teach and learn Natural Sciences, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental sciences, and Physics. A total of 63 related studies are examined. Based on the results, augmented reality emerged as a valuable and effective educational tool that can improve teaching and learning of Natural Sciences and its branches (e.g., Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental sciences, and Physics) in kindergarten and elementary schools. Students, teachers, and parents expressed positive attitudes and emotions about the use of augmented reality in education. Students that learned through augmented reality applications achieved better learning outcomes than those who learned through traditional means and methods. Specifically, augmented reality helped students acquire a deeper understanding of the concepts taught, improved their self-learning, and increased their engagement, motivation, comprehension, flow, and academic performance. Augmented reality can also help teachers provide lessons of high quality. Moreover, the ability of augmented reality to support both formal and informal learning was evident. Augmented reality also effectively supported collaborative learning, scaffolding, and experiential learning and enabled students to communicate and interact with their peers, surrounding environment, and digital content. Finally, augmented reality arose as an educational means that can improve students' ecological empathy as well as environmental consciousness and awareness. Based on the findings, implications and future research directions are provided.

Recent Advances in Modern Hydrogeology: Promoting Harmony between Nature and Humanity

Hydrogeology is a crucial branch of Earth science dedicated to deciphering the complex interactions between groundwater and the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere [...]

Benchmarking the accuracy of higher-order particle methods in geodynamic models of transient flow

Abstract. Numerical models are a powerful tool for investigating the dynamic processes in the interior of the Earth and other planets, but the reliability and predictive power of these discretized models depends on the numerical method as well as an accurate representation of material properties in space and time. In the specific context of geodynamic models, particle methods have been applied extensively because of their suitability for advection-dominated processes and have been used in applications such as tracking the composition of solid rock and melt in the Earth's mantle, fluids in lithospheric- and crustal-scale models, light elements in the liquid core, and deformation properties like accumulated finite strain or mineral grain size, along with many applications outside the Earth sciences. There have been significant benchmarking efforts to measure the accuracy and convergence behavior of particle methods, but these efforts have largely been limited to instantaneous solutions, or time-dependent models without analytical solutions. As a consequence, there is little understanding about the interplay of particle advection errors and errors introduced in the solution of the underlying transient, nonlinear flow equations. To address these limitations, we present two new dynamic benchmarks for transient Stokes flow with analytical solutions that allow us to quantify the accuracy of various advection methods in nonlinear flow. We use these benchmarks to measure the accuracy of our particle algorithm as implemented in the ASPECT geodynamic modeling software against commonly employed field methods and analytical solutions. In particular, we quantify if an algorithm that is higher-order accurate in time will allow for better overall model accuracy and verify that our algorithm reaches its intended optimal convergence rate. We then document that the observed increased accuracy of higher-order algorithms matters for geodynamic applications with an example of modeling small-scale convection underneath an oceanic plate and show that the predicted place and time of onset of small-scale convection depends significantly on the chosen particle advection method. Descriptions and implementations of our benchmarks are openly available and can be used to verify other advection algorithms. The availability of accurate, scalable, and efficient particle methods as part of the widely used open-source code ASPECT will allow geodynamicists to investigate complex time-dependent geodynamic processes such as elastic deformation, anisotropic fabric development, melt generation and migration, and grain damage.

Accurate and precise in situ determination of beryllium contents in beryllium minerals using ablation spot size of 13 μm by LA–ICP–MS

Beryllium is a strategically critical metal, and its accurate in situ analysis in beryllium minerals is challenging in the field of earth science. High spatial resolution is also a difficult point in the analysis. A new analysis approach for the accurate and precise determination of beryllium contents in beryl using an ablation spot size of 13 μm by LA–ICP–MS was first achieved in this study. The control variables were used to optimise the instrument conditions and determine the laser ablation parameters suitable for determining beryl under an ablation spot size of 13 μm. The energy density was set at 5.5 J/cm2 with a repetition rate of 4 Hz, and the ablation time was 50 s. A new concept, the Relative Fractionation Index (RFI), was proposed to measure fractionation and matrix effects. Two potential beryl reference substances (B4–2 and Brl-3) were also assessed by determining their homogeneity to further improve the measurement accuracy. Other common beryllium minerals, including phenakite, chrysoberyl, and herderite, were identified in this study. By comparing the RFI values of different minerals and reference materials, appropriate reference materials and determination conditions were selected, and ideal analysis results were obtained. Therefore, the accurate and precise determination of beryllium contents in common beryllium minerals was achieved using an ablation spot size of 13 μm by LA–ICP–MS.

A case study of depolymerization in silicates: Melting of quartz and zircon crystallization at high pressure

The experimental study of depolymerization reaction SiO2 + ZrO2 → ZrSiO4 reveals that melting of quartz and crystallization of zircon in the presence of water increases at high pressure. The melting rate of quartz is identified as the rate-determining step of the reaction. In highly polymerized silicates, Si-O-Si bond angles are subject to alteration under the influence of pressure. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable within the three-dimensional lattice structure of quartz, where each corner of the tetrahedra is shared. Theoretical analysis of the Si-O-Si bond angle bending demonstrates a change in oxygen hybridization from sp to sp2, favoring larger Si-O distances. The sp2 hybridization in bridging oxygen promotes acid attack by hydrogen ions of water, resulting in SiO bond heterolysis in quartz. The depolymerization from tectosilicates to nesosilicates leads to an increase in oxygen “size” and polarizability, as well of closer packing of oxygen atoms. This change in behavior and packing of oxygens is further illustrated by the high-pressure-driven transition from tridymite to stishovite. Additionally, the impact of network-modifying elements on the structure of polymerized silicates is investigated; particularly those acting as electron donors, which lengthen Si-O distances in quartz. The findings are discussed in relation to key topics in Earth Sciences, including the crystal chemical basis of the Bowen's reaction series, the “metallization” in rocky planets and the structural controls of hydrous and dry melting in silicates.

Towards interdisciplinary integration of electrical engineering and earth science

Towards interdisciplinary integration of electrical engineering and earth science

Micro-sample Nd isotopic measurement on reference rock powders via the thermal ionization mass spectrometer Nd+ mode

The Sm–Nd isotopic system has been broadly utilized for dating and tracing in earth and planetary sciences. However, low Nd+ ionization efficiency permanently hinders precise and accurate measurements on small amounts of Nd samples. So far, isotopic measurement of micro-amount Nd sample via thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) Nd+ mode was mostly performed on Nd reference solutions, but less on natural rock or mineral samples. In the present study, analytical procedures to measure isotopic composition via the TIMS Nd+ mode were designed for natural rock powders by using 1–5 ng pure Nd. The analytical technique was refined through low-blank sample digestion, small-column chemistry for Nd extraction from matrix elements, loading Nd using purified H3PO4 solution, and careful heating of filaments before data acquisition. Measurements on small Nd amounts (1 ng–5 ng) of either the JNdi-1 reference solution or four reference rock powders yielded satisfactory results of 143Nd/144Nd value with respect to precision and accuracy. The analytical results agree well with the recommendation values of the reference materials within analytical errors and the internal precision is better than ±0.005 % (2RSE). When using 1 ng or 2 ng Nd amounts, 144Nd ion flow can remain stable in a signal intensity of >100 mV, and without the assistance of an additional ionization enhancer. Therefore, the analytical procedure, featured by low procedural blank (about 10–22 pg), high Nd+ ionization efficiency, and easy operation, has broad prospects for the application of Nd isotope in single-grain minerals or micro-samples.

Colloid Transport in Bicontinuous Nanoporous Media.

Colloid transport and retention in porous media are critical processes influencing various Earth science applications, from groundwater remediation to enhanced oil recovery. These phenomena become particularly complex in the confined spaces of nanoporous media, where strong boundary layer effects and nanoconfinement significantly alter colloid behavior. In this work, we use particle dynamics models to simulate colloid transport and retention processes in bicontinuous nanoporous (BNP) media under pressure gradients. By utilizing particle-based models, we track the movement of each colloid and elucidate the underlying colloid retention mechanisms. Under unfavorable attachment conditions, the results reveal two colloid retention mechanisms: physical straining and trapping in low-flow zone. Furthermore, we investigate the effects of critical factors including colloid volume fraction, d, pressure difference, ΔP, interaction between colloids and BNP media, Ec-p, and among colloids, Ec-c, on colloid transport. Analysis of breakthrough curves and colloid displacements demonstrates that higher values of d, lower values of ΔP, and strong Ec-p attractions significantly increase colloid retention, which further lead to colloid clogging and jamming. In contrast, Ec-c has minimal impact on colloid transport due to the limited colloid-colloid interaction in nanoporous channels. This work provides critical insights into the fundamental factors governing colloid transport and retention within stochastic nanoporous materials.

Effect of Psychoeducation on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive and debilitating chronic illness that results in irreversible loss of kidney function. Nowadays, caregiving is the central role for patients who are suffering from chronic disease worldwide. Considering this, the present study was conducted to investigate the psychoeducational impact on the mental health of those who care for patients with CKD. A pre-test and post-test method of the quasi-experimental design was employed to conduct the study on a total number of 60 participants (experimental group 30 and control group 30). Participants’ age range was 18 to 59 years and mean and standard deviation were respectively 30.28 and 9.86. An adapted Bangla version of the General Health Questionnaire-28 and Psychoeducation Materials (developed by Hossain et al., 2023) were administered to the participants. Participants were selected purposively from the National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology (NIKDU) of Dhaka city. The obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, t-test, etc. Results indicate that there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in mental health problems (t = 4.274, p < .05). Results also revealed that there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in somatic problems (t = 2.412, p < .05), anxiety and insomnia (t = 3.614, p < .05), social dysfunctions (t = 2.916, p < .05) and severe depression (t = 2.588, p < .05) among caregivers of patients with CKD. The findings of the present study indicate that after the psychoeducational training, mental health problems were better than mental health problems before the psychoeducational training. The implications of the findings have been discussed in light of research evidence from earlier research. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(2): 179–194, 2023 (December)

Effect of Psychoeducation on Reducing Burden Among Primary Caregivers of People with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious psychological illness that needs long-term treatment. Family members, especially those who care for a patient at home, experience the burden of providing long-term care. Psychoeducational intervention may enhance the caregiver’s outcomes. The major goal of the study was to explore the effect of psychoeducation on reducing the burden among primary carers of people with schizophrenia. In this study, thirty-two participants (32 caregivers) were purposefully selected based on the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A personal information form and the Bangla version of the Zarit Burden Interview scale were administered. Total participants were divided by simple randomization into two groups (i.e., experimental and control groups). Following the baseline evaluation by questionnaire, the experimental group of 16 caregivers received two sessions of psychoeducation, but the control group of the same number of caregivers did not. The effectiveness of psychoeducation was evaluated using a pretest-posttest control group design. Findings suggested that psychoeducation decreased the level of burden, and after the intervention, the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. These findings found that the psychoeducation intervention had a positive outcome in reducing the burden on caregivers of patients who deal with schizophrenia. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 81–94, 2023 (June)

Formulation and Cell Viability Assessment of Microparticles of Isolated Lactobacillus sp. with Alginate-Chitosan Solution

This study was performed to isolate the probiotic Lactobacillus sp. from dairy products available in Dhaka to form microparticles with isolated Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria and determine cell viability. Depending on their biological and physical traits and selective growth in MRS agar and MRS broth medium, the isolates were recognized as Lactobacillus spp. Major biochemical tests and growth at different temperatures were taken into account for the identification of the isolates. Low pH tolerance, homo- or hetero-fermentative activity, hydrolysis of arginine, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted to assess probiotic activity. Among several isolates of Lactobacillus sp., four showed considerable tolerance to lower pH (pH 3.0) and growth at different temperatures (15 to 37°C). They were resistant to common antibiotics like penicillin (10µg), gentamicin (30µg), tetracycline (30µg), chloramphenicol (30µg), erythromycin (15µg) and streptomycin (30µg). The isolates were shown to have superior probiotic capabilities and may be employed as possible probiotic microorganisms after comparing all probiotic features evaluated in this experiment. The capacity of probiotic bacterial cells to survive when stored and in gastrointestinal transit is difficult to maintain. As a solution to these obstacles, microparticles were formulated with sodium alginate and chitosan. The cell viability check of the microparticles was continued for two weeks, and the response positively indicated increased stability. The results show promise for the encapsulation of the isolates. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 69–80, 2023 (June)

Collection Practices and Socio-Economic Status of Crab Collectors at Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira Distrct in Bangladesh

This study evaluated the mud crab (Scylla olivacea) collection techniques and socio-economic conditions of crab collectors in Shyamnagar Upazila. The results showed that 48% of the collectors collected crabs from the Sundarbans mangrove forest; on the other hand, 42% of the crab collectors collected crabs from coastal rivers, and 10% collected crabs from canals and shrimp farms. In the study area, 63% of crab collectors used doon with Cuchia fish as bait, 6.66% used thopa with Tilapia fish as bait, and the rest used net or hand-picking techniques to collect crabs. Most crab collectors were Muslims (56.9%), and the rest were Hindu (43.1%) regarding religious belief. Regarding gender, 58.1% of crab collectors were female, whereas 41.9% were male. Almost half of crab collectors (41.9%) had no institutional education. In this area, 33.72% were landless and lived on ‘Khas’ land. A significant number of people (29.5%) were married at an early age. The crab collectors (36.2%) earned less than Tk. 200 daily. Natural calamities and other constraints are making the livelihood of crab collectors vulnerable, but they are trying to continue their occupation to sustain their lives. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 57–68, 2023 (June)

Selfitis Behaviour as Predictor of Psychological Distress among Students of Dhaka City

Selfie is an interesting self-portrait phenomenon that has changed young people's communication and leisure time. Instead of living in the present moment, people are busy clicking selfies and uploading them on social media, adversely impacting their psychological health. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the impact of selfitis behavior on psychological distress among students at various educational levels (i.e., schools, colleges, and universities). Data were collected purposively from 400 participants at different educational institutions situated in Dhaka city. A package of Bangla-adapted versions (Zaman and Konica, 2019) of measuring tools (i.e., selfitis behavior scale and psychological distress scale) and a personal information form were used to collect the necessary information regarding the study. Results revealed that selfitis behavior was positively correlated with psychological distress. The individual effect of selfitis behavior construct identified two significant predictors (i.e., environmental enhancement and attention seeking), which jointly explained 12.6% of the variance in psychological distress. Here, the strongest predictor of psychological distress was attention-seeking, which alone explained 10.3% of the variance in psychological distress. Further, results also revealed that the three significant demographic predictors (i.e., socioeconomic status, daily selfie-taking, and educational qualification) jointly explained 16.1% of the variance in psychological distress. These results suggest valuable insights for researchers, educators, and educational counselors dealing with these concerns. Additionally, the findings would aid psychologists, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders in comprehending the factors contributing to psychological distress. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(2): 133-146, 2023 (December)

Relative Abundance, Diversity and Threats of Avian Fauna at Dhanmondi Lake in Dhaka, Bangladesh

A study was conducted on the relative abundance, diversity, and threats of avifauna in Dhanmondi Lake, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March to December 2021. Data was collected by following the line transect sampling method and direct field observations, where four days were spent every month in the study area. A total of 34 species of birds were observed, belonging to 9 orders and 20 families. Out of 34 species of birds, 94% were residents and 6% were migrants; of them, 55% were non-passerines and 45% were passerines. The relative abundance of avifauna was also estimated as 29% of species being very common, 15% being fairly common, 27% being common, and 29% being few. The highest number of individuals was observed in December (209 individuals), followed by 199 individuals in April, 189 individuals in March, 187 individuals in October, 178 in November, 177 in August, and 170 in June. The Shannon-Weiner index was estimated to be at its maximum (H′ = 2.98) in March-21, and its minimum value was obtained (H′ = 2.62) in June-21. Similarly, the value of Simpson’s index of diversity was obtained to be maximum (D = 0.09) in June-21 and minimum (D = 0.06) in December-21. Human activities such as large gatherings, random assemblies, festivals, dumping of waste, throwing of papers, polythene, and plastics here and there, and finally, noises from the different vehicles, were identified as major threats to avian species. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 95–109, 2023 (June)

Effect of Fluid Intelligence on Reading and Listening Abilities

The present study explored the effect of fluid intelligence on reading and listening abilities. A total of 50 undergraduate students (age ranging from 20 to 24 years) participated in this study. Data were collected using the shortened version of Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices, and the tests assessed reading and listening ability. The obtained data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Results indicated that individuals with high intelligence outperformed on reading and listening comprehension compared to individuals with low intelligence. However, no significant gender difference was observed in intelligence, reading ability, and listening ability (p > .05). The findings offer crucial allusions for educational institutions in designing the curriculum for students. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 1-6, 2023 (June)