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Organic Farming at Unadilla Community Farm with a Look at Entomopathogenic Nematodes
No full textiv, 22 p.This summer I worked at Unadilla Community Farm in West Edmeston, NY. There I learned about how an organic vegetable farm works and various topics related to organic farming including food forests, permaculture, dynamic accumulators, and pest management with beneficial organisms. I also saw how the local community was involved with the farm. Additionally, I gained more insight into how biology is integrated into farming, as well as what kind of career I would like to pursue in the future. Through my experience at Unadilla, I decided to look at an aspect of pest management with beneficial organism (also known as biological control) for my literature review. I specifically focus on entomopathogenic nematodes and their benefits, disadvantages, how they compare to chemical insecticides, what progress has been made on their application and formulation, and the current and future directions of their study
Return to Normal: An Experiential Observational Account of Elementary Students Return to In Person Learning
No full text13 p.For my senior individualized project, I accepted an internship an Eastside Youth Strong’s Eastside Arts and Sciences Experiential Learning (EASEL) program. I served as an assistant to three educational professionals employed in various positions with Kalamazoo Public Schools. This internship allowed for me to gain numerous forms of experience working with children in a professional environment. For the project itself I focused on two main topics which occurred during my time working at EASEL. The first topic was observing a student with diagnosed ADHD. With that topic I reflected on my time with the student while connecting their behavior to the symptoms listed under ADHD in the DSM-5. From these observations the staff at EASEL attempted to adjust for the betterment of the specific student, and the group as a whole. For the second topic of the project, I discuss a potential issue which occurred over the course of EASEL programming. Discussing the increase in students removing themselves from lessons and activities I attempt to provide reasoning and explanation for this new and unusual behavior. Following discussions with the professionals on staff it was concluded that the most plausible causes for the behaviors were the extended time spent in virtual learning environments combined with the lack of in person educational experience held by the younger students in the camp. It is believed that during the pandemic, while in virtual classes, students were able to remove themselves from activities and lessons which did not interest them by turning off their microphone and camera. Due to the restrictions of the software being used there were few responses the teachers could use to prevent or resolve these behaviors. As seen with the behaviors during the EASEL program, the students have continued to remove themselves from lessons, physically removing themselves as opposed to virtually as they have done for the last 15 month
Hypertriglyceridemia is significantly associated with impaired executive function amongst older adults with a history of chronic smoking
No full textv, 32 p.This study investigated the role of the complex known as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its role on the cognition of older adults with a history of heavy smoking. and as continuous independent variables on cognition as the outcome for older adults. Because the syndrome consists of five factors (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and central adiposity), the impact was evaluated both as a dichotomous syndrome and as independent variables. The participants in the study had a mean age of 72 years and a minimum of a ten-year smoking history. Cognition was defined with four primary domains: learning/memory, language, visuospatial, and executive function/processing speed. AIC analysis led to all linear regression models adjusted for the presence of COPD as a comorbidity and WRAT-4 scoring as a measurement of pre-morbid intelligence, from which this study found a negative association between executive function and elevated triglyceride levels. This result signifies that hypertriglyceridemia slows the speed of processing and this effect is independent from the other factors of MetS. These findings support prior research that associates hypertriglyceridemia with impaired cognitive functions, however this study is unique because it is examining this relationship amongst heavy smokers. It is important to further investigate this often underrecognized yet detrimental form of dyslipidemia as cause for early, but significant cognitive impairment as triglyceride metabolism functions antagonistically neurologically. These results, if combined with additional research, offer an opportunity for patients to rebuild their cognitive skills through modification of triglyceride levels with the help of medication and/or lifestyle intervention
Discussing the Impacts of Biological Volunteer Work, and Invasive Plants on Native Biotic Communities
No full textii, 24 p.This SIP is based on both paid and volunteer work experiences at the Kalamazoo College Lillian Anderson Arboretum. During this work, I was responsible for the upkeep of public and natural spaces within the Arboretum and used my time to learn about the ecosystems around me and how to keep a public greenspace functional and healthy. The written portion of this SIP delves into my personal experiences and growth at the Arboretum. This experience allowed me to regain a true interest in the biological science that I had once thought lost and gave me knowledge that I could actively apply in and out of the classroom. In addition, the written portion of this thesis discusses the effects of invasive plants on vertebrates and invertebrates, native plants, and the ecosystem as a whole. These plants are actively harming the fragile balance of our indigenous habitats and, while it is not fully known how to mitigate their effects, many methods of removal and environmental protection exist and should be used to their fullest extent. It is entirely up to us to help relieve the stress caused by invasive plants, as they are only here because of our actions
Sustainable Irrigation in the Developing World
No full text49 p.This SIP analyzes an application of physical theories to the design of a sustainable irrigation system like the one constructed in the village of Pawaga. Unlike most physics SIPs whose subject matter is supported by organized research experiences or internships, this SIP was supported by a volunteer experience. My specific contributions to the project (both on and off location) include surveying the system site, researching and studying fluid mechanics, aiding with the system’s design and installation, and project funding.
The individual components that make up the system are as follows: Little Ruaha River (source of water), 3-acre horticultural plot (sink for water), drip-line irrigators, 5000 L reservoir tank, electric pump, solar panels, electrical grid control box, water filter, and connective piping of varying diameters. I was able to develop a physical model using the irrigation system’s parameters and other data that pertains to the site. The model will study the flow of fluid through the system. Measurements were taken repeatedly throughout the project’s schedule. Specifically, I measured distances, diameters, flow rates, and air pressure. With these measurements I calculated hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure, measured the angle of the slope that separates the tank and river, and modeled the water moving from elevated source to sink.
The irrigation project is an overall success. This project is an ongoing one as I depart from the project site. Since my departure updates on the project and communication with the student’s SIP mentor has been maintained. As the system exists now there are 3-acres of irrigated soil. Since its construction, the system has yielded one successful season of crops. This SIP has presented a dripline irrigation system that successfully functions at a scale above that of a home garden and argues that its design may be implemented as a solution for regions of the world that are challenged with regards to agriculture
Exploring the Cosmos from the IDE
No full textv, 21 p.This report is an overview of the what, why, and how of the Astropy Python package (also known as the Astropy project) and its associated modules. Scientific data collected by the forefront of technology is available to the public through the use of Astropy. With its ease of use, millions of data points of stars, galaxies, and various celestial objects can be queried to find emergent properties and run data analytics. What is detailed are the company and minds behind the project, the most important modules which make up the project, and a comprehensive example of its use
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on the Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
No full textii, 22 p.My goals post-graduation from Kalamazoo College are to attend Physical Therapy graduate school or enter a Physical Therapy Assistant program. I am set on heading into the Physical Therapy department so this past summer of 2022, I was able to shadow Doctor of Physical Therapy Jesus Martinez from DHR Health Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Institute in Edinburg, Texas for 100 hours. I was not hands-on due to the institute of DHR’s protocols, but my shadowing experience consisted of working with several patients with different injuries. I learned how to initially address patients with distinct injuries, what to look for during rehabilitation sessions, and how to critically think of which exercises are best suited for the patient’s injury. My shadowing experience confirmed for me that I want to enter this field and learn more about it. A certain rehabilitation method that I worked with multiple times and intrigued me was a method called Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT). It is a high-intensity training method used to speedily increase muscle strength near the injured site to prevent the loss of muscle. It is a fairly new method but is being proven to be highly beneficial when deemed necessary. BFRT is unique as its high intensity promotes blood flow to injured sites that would not be receiving that usual blood flow. The blood flow from BFRT helps improve muscle strength, but I try making a connection if BFRT could help the bones and possibly prevent or decrease osteopenia
HHMI Inclusive Excellence Report, Year 4
No full text16 p.Report on the HHMI Inclusive Excellence grant for the 2021-22 year. Responses were given in the following areas: Defining context, Assessing and understanding institutional contexts, Defining institutional aspirations, Reconceiving/re-conceptualizing the future, Examining assumptions, Acquiring and practicing new competencies, Crossing disciplinary boundaries, Re-invigorating institutional steering, Unanticipated outcomes to date, and PIC engagement
the fate of a circle
No full text14 p.My visual timeline functions as an exploration of language when spoken word cannot adequately relay one’s experience. Additionally, I hope to investigate distortions and shifting perceptions within the self. Each journal entry captures moments of intimate reflection, while striving to uncover the veiled distortions and obscurities within the fabrication of the mind’s realities
Field Evaluation and Mesocosm Assessment of Invasive Round Goby Densities in East Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
No full textvi,53 p.The invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was first found in Lake Michigan in 1993 and has since proliferated throughout and caused drastic ecological changes. Understanding and accurately measuring their abundance and expansion throughout the lakes is crucial to many conservation efforts. Baited photoquadrats are a method to do this and provide some advantages over other sampling gear. In this study, we focused on assessing summer round goby densities in East Grand Traverse Bay (EGTB), Michigan using baited photoquadrats to provide information for current and future conservation efforts. However, as round gobies characteristically burrow in both sand and cobble, indices of round goby abundance and density gathered from photoquadrats may be underestimated. Therefore, we also aimed to adjust these indices with large mesocosms in which known densities of round gobies were compared with measurements from photoquadrats. In the experimental trials (mesocosm), we found no effect of substrate on round goby densities measured in contrast to results from the EGTB photoquadrats. We found a significant effect of bait on round goby density estimates obtained from photoquadrats; however, future studies should test our results with different bait types. Further, future study designs should include more environmental components, like macrophytes or dreissenids; to more closely mimic conditions from the field. Although more research is needed, our results provide a better understanding of round goby densities in EGTB and highlight the necessity of assessing different sampling methods and their biases as round gobies continue to have a massive impact on the freshwater ecosystems of Lake Michigan