California State University, Monterey Bay
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Increasing Social-Emotional Competence in Preschoolers
Get PDFThis capstone project focused on the enhancement of social-emotional competence in preschool-aged children, typically ages 3 to 5 years old. Preschool children often struggle to express their feelings and solve social problems in stressful situations. According to Stein and Steed (2022), children with social-emotional challenges may struggle with several behaviors, including self-regulation, conflict resolution, and peer interaction. Furthermore, these social-emotional challenges are linked to an increased risk for later academic problems and mental health issues (Stein & Steed, 2022). Preschoolers need social-emotional skills to regulate their attention, emotions, and behavior. Because of this need, I developed a set of three lessons to foster preschool children’s social-emotional development, which will ultimately foster their resilience. The first lesson focused on being aware of and labeling feelings with words and expressions. The second lesson focused on preschool children learning to understand their peers’ feelings by recognizing them and showing understanding during group activities such as playtime. The third lesson focused on preschoolers demonstrating two ways to build positive peer relationships. My lessons were conducted at Marina Child Development Center in Marina, California. The participants were preschool children, ages 3 to 4 years old, in an inclusion classroom setting, including students with Individualized Education Plans and English language learners
Azospirillum brasilense Inoculation in a Maize–Urochloa–Rice Cropping System Promotes Soil Chemical and Biological Changes and Increases Productivity
Get PDFLarge quantities of cover crop residues in the soil, combined, or not, with the inoculation of seeds with diazotrophic bacteria, can increase organic matter (OM) and protect soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi. Thus, the use of these sustainable biotechnologies can benefit microbial interactions, soil fertility and rice production in the Brazilian Cerrado region. In this study, we evaluated the effects of maize and Urochloa ruziziensis, intercropped or individually, as cover crops and an inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense on the chemical (fertility) and biological (C–microbial biomass and C–CO2 released) attributes of soil and the effects of root colonization by AMF and DSE on the yield of rice grown in succession in highlands. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, in a typical dystrophic Red Oxisol. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks arranged in strips, incorporating a combination of eight residual cover crops: ((1) maize, (2) maize–I (I = inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense), (3) Urochloa (U. ruziziensis), (4) Urochloa–I, (5) maize + Urochloa–I, (6) maize + Urochloa–I, (7) maize–I + Urochloa and (8) maize–I + Urochloa–I). This was accompanied by two treatments of rice as a successor crop (inoculated or not with A. brasilense), with four replicates, totaling 64 experimental units. A cover crop and rice seed inoculation prompted increases in OM and AMF relative to DSE, while the inoculation of rice, regardless of the cover crop treatment, increased the soil’s P content. The combination of maize + Urochloa–I and inoculated rice as the next crop generated increases in its sum of bases (SBs) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). There was a 19% increase in rice grain yields when the seed was inoculated
Deconstructing the IOBC tiered method: Are we overestimating the compatibility of pesticides and natural enemies?
Get PDFAccurately estimating the risk of sensitive populations subjected to toxicant disturbances is central to our ability to protect ecosystem services. While the gold standard for assessing risk historically involves static measures such as the LD50 or LC50, more sophisticated approaches have been developed in an attempt to capture more nuanced outcomes. In the 1980s the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) developed a tiered approach to determine the compatibility of pesticides and natural enemies in the context of integrated pest management (IPM). We analyzed the IOBC approach using stage-based matrix models to project population outcomes for four parasitoid species, Diaeretiella rapae, McIntosh, Fopius arisanus, (Sonan), Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead, Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri) and the predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. By imposing mortality levels in matrix models equivalent to those outlined in the IOBC Tier 1 Class 1 (29 %) (harmless) and Class 2 (79 %) (slightly harmful) mortality classes, we explored discrepancies between the IOBC approach and population outcomes generated by these models. Our results highlight that the IOBC Class 1 and 2 levels of mortality are too high to protect many natural enemies from pesticides, setting the stage for unrealistically optimistic views of pesticide compatibility in many cases. Furthermore, a one size fits all approach to protect natural enemies from pesticides does not work because of differences in demographic rates among species which will be less negatively affected by Tier 1 levels of mortality and those that do not reproduce quickly and will thus be more vulnerable to pesticides. Therefore, the IOBC method should be used cautiously if at all, and results should be interpreted with the caveats and pitfalls highlighted here. Results of this study indicate that it is time to reevaluate how we estimate pesticide compatibility with natural enemies and adjust the methods and mortality thresholds based on more realistic measures of toxicity
Enhanced Care Management
Get PDFSanta Cruz County’s Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program assists Medi-Cal recipients who are unhoused, have substance use disorders/serious mental illness, or are high utilizers of medical services, obtain and maintain medical care coordination services. This population faces many challenges living in Santa Cruz, and the ECM team needs additional resources to continue the supportive work the care management program provides.
The needs assessment documents the ECM team’s desired physical and emotional resources to support their health and identifies the current barriers to supporting clients. The ECM team responded to a Google form survey and the responses were analyzed for common themes. The team identified motivational interviewing and establishing rapport early on as the most effective skills for establishing a good working relationship with clients. They identified unreliable cell phone access, needing more ECM team members, and too-large caseloads as the primary struggles to support clients. The next steps are to collaborate further with local community service providers, begin advocating for the county to expand access to cell phone charging stations, and hire additional team members to better support the clients and the well-being of the team themselves
Mental Health Survey With Client Feedback
Get PDFAddressing mental health stigmas in lower-income communities and taking in client feedback to give better results back to clients. Monterey County Behavioral Health Access to Treatment provides crisis services, alcohol and substance abuse support, transitional youth programs, and access services to those with mental health disorders. The agency serves only those with medical insurance in the Monterey County area. The purpose of the mental health survey, along with client feedback, is to track client progress and outcomes. This can help ensure that clients receive the support and care that is most relevant to their individual circumstances. The most important findings when viewing the results were that most clients wished they were not referred to other services and had to wait an extended period. Clients wished they could receive services at the Access to Treatment office sooner. However, clients are always instructed that MCBH only takes in high-level care clients, and lower-level of care patients will be referred out. Addressing this issue takes time and more awareness from clients when they first come in. The Access to Treatment office is a crisis prevention center, but it can still help those in non-crisis situations
Benefits of Teaching Pre-Literacy in Waldorf Education in Early Childhood
Get PDFThis senior capstone research project examines the benefits of teaching pre-literacy in Waldorf education in early childhood. In Waldorf Education, literacy development incorporates differentiated instructions that fosters cognitive and social emotional learning of their students. Through the use of literature review and several teachers in various grades of Waldorf schools, the result findings revealed that pedagogical practices around literacy instructions promote critical thinking skills, nurtures children’s creative expression, and imagination. Literacy curriculum in Waldorf schools allows students to create tangible evidence of self-expressions and communication skills. Given its emphasis on holistic curriculum, it allows teachers to engage with their diverse learners through varying curricula concepts that foster empathy where some students could benefit from this type of culturally responsive curriculum that can prepare for lifelong learning
Conquering Fears as a First-Generation Hispanic College Student
Get PDFApplying to college can be a daunting task, especially for first-generation students like the ones at Seaside High School (SHS). Research from the National Center for Education Statistics highlights this challenge: while 54% of students whose parents completed high school enrolled in college immediately after graduation, only 36% of students whose parents did not finish high school made that transition (Balemian & Feng, 2013). These students often face barriers like financial strain, limited awareness of available support programs, and the pressure of navigating higher education independently. Recognizing these challenges is key to expanding access to opportunities. In response, I developed two workshops specifically designed to guide students through the financial resources needed for college and provide essential information for navigating the college journey. These sessions were offered at Seaside High School to support students as they take this important step toward their future
Association Between Pleurotus ostreatus Consumption and More Optimal Sports Performance: A Narrative Review
Get PDFIn the past few years, much research has been conducted on edible mushrooms, among which Pleurotus ostreatus (PO)—also known as oyster mushrooms—has received attention due to its many health and medicinal benefits. Some research has shown that PO and its active compounds, such as lectins, polysaccharides, primarily β-glucans, phenols, polyphenols, terpenoids, ergosterols, and glycoproteins, are strong immune system modulators, have anti-inflammatory properties, and have potentially positive effects on the cardiovascular system and athletic performance. In this narrative review, an extensive search (academic databases from inception to April 25, 2024) was conducted in the scientific literature, and various aspects of PO and its effects on health and athletic performance were investigated. This narrative review article thereby demonstrates the potential benefits of PO for improving the overall baseline health and concomitant athletic sports performance, recovery, and cardiovascular system function. In addition to potential enhancements in antioxidant defense, substrate metabolism, and being a rich source of many essential nutrients, we describe a possible positive relationship between PO intake and improved athletic performance and recovery in athletes after intense exercise by reducing inflammation, modulating the microbiome, neutralizing free radicals, and strengthening the cardiovascular system. However, more research in basic studies and clinical trials is needed to investigate PO’s clinical applications, mechanisms, and effects on athletes
Effects of Smartphone Use on the Learning of Middle School Students
No full textThe use of technology is part of our daily lives with most people waking up and going to bed with some type of device in their hand. From weather alerts to local news we rely on technology to stay informed, and to fulfill everyday activities. With that being said, it is no wonder why smartphones have found their way into the classroom. Though they are mostly looked down upon, this capstone research project examines the effects of smartphone use on middle school students’ learning. Through the use of literature review, surveys of students, teachers, and parents, the results indicated that smartphones, when used appropriately, could be an excellent tool for student learning
Whole genome sequence of the denitrifying thermophile Geobacillus thermodenitrificans subsp. calidus DSM 22629T
Get PDFWe present a full genome sequence for the thermophilic denitrifier Geobacillus thermodenitrificans subsp. calidus DSM 22629T (3,408,575 bp, 48.94% GC). This genome includes 3,615 predicted genes, including those needed to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas. This organism and genome sequence provide valuable resources for future phylogenetic, genomic, and biotechnological research