Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science

Analysis of Socio-Demographic, Pollution, And Hazard Risk Factors Affecting Life Expectancy In West Virginia: A Multilevel Regression Approach

Sagar Sharma Timilsina — 2025-01-08

West Virginia, a rural Appalachian state, has the second lowest life expectancy at birth in the USA. Multiple factors like demographic, socio-economic, pollution, hazard proximities, etc., are worsening the situation. We have developed multiple multilevel linear regression models with counties as the clustering variable to study the relation of different factors with life expectancy. Data was extracted from the EPA’s EJScreen and P2 EJ facility mapping tool datasets. Data covering 1,639 census blocks across all 55 counties of the West Virginia state is considered. We found the model with Hazard Proximity and Exposure Risk variables had the best fit, and it suggested that traffic proximities, residential lead exposure, toxic releases to discharge water, proximity to underground storage tanks, proximities to RMP facilities had a significant positive relation to lower life expectancies in West Virginia. Although not a significant parameter, proximity to Superfund sites was also positively related to lower life expectancies in West Virginia. Therefore, state- and federal-level policymakers should consider these hazard proximities and exposure risk factors while making policies related to life expectancies.

Turbidity more than herbivory, negatively correlated with Podostemum ceratophyllum Michx. stem length and biomass in slow water habitats in three Appalachian Plateau rivers.

Ashley Vankirk — 2025-01-08

The effects of environmental stressors (water chemistry, habitat characteristics, herbivory, etc.), on macrophytes are understudied and fewer studies have focused on how stressors impact macrophytes in swiftwater habitats. Podostemum ceratophyllum, a swiftwater macrophyte native to Eastern North America, has been identified as a foundation species of Appalachian rivers because of the plant’s positive influence on macroinvertebrates, fish, and ecosystem processes. We initially sought to explore the effects of herbivory on the plant in three rivers in the Appalachian Plateau, however, we found little evidence of herbivory limiting Podostemum stem length and biomass. Instead, we observed that when Podostemum was exposed to low-flow conditions for approximately two weeks, stem length significantly decreased, and reduced stem length and plant biomass were correlated with turbidity in these rivers. Continued research exploring how environmental stressors influence Podostemum growth and survival could improve river management and support the conservation and restoration of the plant to eastern North American Rivers.

Anatomical terminology regarding anatomical variations needs to be refined: An example systematic review of extensor pollicis et indicis and extensor indicis et medii variations

Jacob E. Herriott — 2025-01-27

The anatomical terminology used to identify typical anatomical structures has been condensed over time as evidenced by compendiums of anatomical terminology such as Terminologia Anatomica. Yet, most variant anatomical structures which are diverse, common, and inherently clinically important have not been subject to the same sort of scrutiny and standardization. Thus, superfluous anatomical terminology remains commonplace with regard to anatomical variations. This study utilizes a systematic review to demonstrate a thorough means of assessing anatomical nomenclature. Specifically, the study assesses superfluous terms used to describe singular anatomical variations of the extensors of the 1^st and 2^nddigits including extensor pollicis et indicis communis, extensor pollicis et indicis accessorius, and extensor pollicis et indicis as well as the extensors of the 2^nd and 3^rd digits including extensor indicis et medii communis, extensor indicis et medius communis, extensor indicis et medii proprius, and extensor indicis et medii accessorius. The systematic review informs the use of extensor pollicis et indicis and extensor indicis et medii as preferable terms due to accuracy in description, brevity, and historical consistency. The reproducible methods and results of this study may serve as a model to henceforth improve anatomical nomenclature in an objective and scientific way. Likewise, the methods and results of this study may be used as lens through which retrospective assessment and interpretation of anatomical variations may be viewed.