California State University, Monterey Bay
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Constructed Technosols as a Soil Rebuilding Technique to Reclaim Abandoned Limestone Quarries in the Mediterranean Region: A Field Study
Get PDFSoil rebuilding represents a major challenge in the recovery of abandoned quarries. In this study, we explored the possibility of using reconstructed Technosols, to achieve soil rebuilding goals at an abandoned quarry site. We first investigated the use of a mixture containing commercial manure and limestone debris (LD) as pedotechnomaterials for an “ad hoc” (re)constructed Technosol (CT), for the recovery of an opencast limestone quarry in one of most concentrated quarry areas in the world. In a field experiment, we tested and monitored different pedotechnosystems (PTSs) made up of constructed Technosol + pasture species + different Mediterranean plant species. Specifically, a control (CT, without any additional treatments) was compared to treatments with organic amendment (CTOA) and conventional fertilizers (CTCF). Data were collected over a 12-month period and included crop performance, plant nutritional state, soil physical-chemical parameters, and metabolites. Analysis of variance compared differences among treatments, while factor analysis (FA) interpreted multiple relationships while explaining observed variability. Results showed that CTOA had better soil physical-chemical properties, greater plant growth, and overall superior agronomic performances compared to all other treatments due to the improved substrate conditions. According to FA, these results appear related to the creation of fertile soil conditions, with most of the investigated metabolites (i) playing a pivotal role in observed outcomes, together with (ii) a clear potential in being considered as a reliable fingerprint for investigating plant responses in constructed PTSs. The proposed pedotechniques in CTOA development show a great potential for the full recovery of abandoned limestone quarries in degraded Mediterranean areas by providing an excellent medium for plant growth, facilitating environmental reclamation
Impacts of Varying Blood Flow Restriction Cuff Size and Material on Arterial, Venous and Calf Muscle Pump-Mediated Blood Flow
Get PDFBlood flow restriction (BFR) may become ineffective or potentially dangerous without sufficient standardization. The purpose of this investigation was therefore to (1) assess the viability of multiple sizes of a novel BFR cuff to determine arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) and (2) compare resting arterial, venous and calf muscle pump (cMP)-mediated blood flow between the aforementioned conditions and a commonly employed wide-rigid, tourniquet-style cuff. In randomized, counter-balanced, and crossover fashion, 20 apparently healthy males (18–40 years) donned a widely employed wide-rigid (WR) cuff, along with the largest (NE) and manufacturer-recommended sizes (NER) of a novel narrow-elastic cuff. Participants subsequently assessed AOP, as well as (at 80%AOP) arterial, venous, and venous cMP flow relative to baseline values via ultrasound. All analyses were performed at a significance level of p \u3c 0.05. Analyses revealed a significant condition effect for AOP (p \u3c 0.001; ηp2 = 0.907) whereby WR was significantly lower than both NE and NER; in addition, the latter two did not differ. Compared with baseline, there were no statistically significant differences between cuffs for either arterial or cMP-mediated blood flow. Unsurprisingly, no participants demonstrated venous blood flow at 80% AOP. These findings support the viability of a novel narrow-elastic BFR product, evidenced by consistent AOP acquisition and equivocal blood flow parameters
Socioeconomic Vulnerability: Qualitative Findings from Climate Change Data in California
Get PDFClimate Change has existed as an important focus in the science community for decades, however relevant literature often focuses on environmental viewpoints more so than those of a socioeconomic perspective. In 2023, an increase in severe weather and unexpected weather events across the United States shed light onto the shortcomings of our preparedness and mitigation techniques. Particularly in California, flooding, sea level rise, and drought conditions have led to high rates of population displacement, economic inequality, and health/safety risks. These events pose the questions as to how climate change and its related natural disasters can potentially affect the average California resident in terms of housing displacement, economic loss, and personal health safety concerns, how the income level of particular areas affects their overall vulnerability to climate change, and what possible sociological mitigation techniques could apply to California based on regional climate effects. Using a qualitative approach, this research reviewed secondary data through scholarly peer-reviewed sources. These articles were derived from online databases such as Sage Journals, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect, in addition to government published information from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Upon synthesizing the sources, the results found highlight several common themes that suggest low income
families in California are far more likely to face health and safety risks as a result of drought, flooding, and other natural disasters. Additionally, the economic support systems, both government relief and personal insurance, are more likely to adequately cover damages and rebuilding for higher income families. With these findings, there are several aspects of disaster mitigation that need attention in California, such as reformed drainage systems and transportation in urban areas, and better access to healthcare and support for rural communities. These notions of change are more important now than ever with the increase in severe weather in California, and the implications of this study aim to support regional initiatives and provide leeway for viable support systems to be established in preparation for these events
Computational Analysis of Water Dynamics in AOT Reverse Micelles
Get PDFAerosols can be modeled for detailed investigations using reverse micelles in the laboratory as well as in computational simulations. A long-standing question in the description of confined water under these conditions is that of a two-state model of core – interface or a three-state model of core – intermediate – interface. In this work, we present results of analysis of water dynamics inside reverse micelles from fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The size and composition of reverse micelles is expressed through w0, the ratio of the number of water molecules to the number of surfactant molecules. Reverse micelles of diverse sizes, with w0 ranging from 5 to 20, were constructed with Sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) surfactant and simulated within isooctane solvent. Residence time and diffusion coefficients, in the simulations, both behaved increasingly like bulk water with the increase in size of reverse micelles. Rotational anisotropy autocorrelation was modeled using exponential functions in the short time range of 10–20 ps and longer time data were modeled as a power law fit. Similarly, the diffusion of water in the reverse micelles was also modeled on a power law fit. All these metrics demonstrate a clear progression towards bulk water behavior as the reverse micelle size increases. Additionally, our results also support a 3-layer model of water in a reverse micelle of core – intermediate – interface. These results extend the understanding of water dynamics in reverse micelles and provide further evidence for the 3-layer model
Workforce Housing Needs in Monterey County
Get PDFThere is an ongoing housing crisis all over the state of California. Each city is struggling tremendously to make sure there is affordable housing available to the average individual. However, it is a lot more difficult to make housing affordable since the cost of living has increased over the years. As well with there being a low supply of homes available this created a bidding war for property, thus the concept of supply and demand. Specifically in Pacific Grove, the ongoing issue is that there is not enough housing due to the natural environmental barrier next to them which is the ocean. In this paper it will discuss the project of accessory dwelling units to try and help fight this ongoing housing crisis
The Oaxacan Community in Monterey County is not thriving compared to other Immigrants
No full textImmigrants from the Oaxaca community come to the United States in pursuit of a better life and more opportunities. Oftentimes may experience barriers in their life along with cultural differences that are not part of American culture. The Family and Children services department is there to prevent child abuse and neglect for children and youth and also have children remain in a permanent home. Due to barriers and cultural differences, there are times that the Oaxacan community loses out on opportunities for themselves and family. Sometimes may find themselves in the court dependency process and encounter language barriers when trying to work with the agency. The project assesses how the department is utilizing resources already available such as Centro Bionancional and how it is utilized or underutilized. The interviews and feedback provided concluded that the Centro Bionancional is underutilized. The next steps would be to draw awareness to both parties
Mental Health and Harm Reduction on School Campus
No full textSalinas High Union School District has implemented Wellness Centers in a number of their schools where students can receive mental health services on campus, yet these centers are understaffed and underprepared for the amount of students needing socioemotional support. This project group aimed to address student substance use on campus while focusing on student mental health and harm reduction. The group facilitated discussion on stressors students experience, developed education surrounding mental health, and educated students about harm reduction. The expected outcome was a decrease in student substance use on campus. Although this project did not meet the expected result of reducing substance use on campus within a 6 week period, it did succeed in providing students with a toolbox of coping skills and strategies to support in emotional regulation and distress tolerance. It is recommended that SUHSD continues to implement substance use groups aimed at harm reduction to support students in building insight between mental wellbeing and ongoing substance use, increase their mental health professional staffing levels, and advocate for more funding to implement more consistent services
The Impact of the Migrant Education Program on the Children of Seasonal Farmworkers
Get PDFIt has long been understood that the children of migrant workers are among the most vulnerable populations of students in the U.S. educational system. In response to this, the federal government created the Migrant Education Program in 1966 and in 1979 placed the program under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education. But is the program achieving its aim of providing equity to these children and young adults? Finding the answer to that research question is the purpose of this senior capstone, which is to examine the impact of the Migrant Education Program on children of seasonal farm workers. Through literature review, interviews with teachers in the Monterey County schools, as well as representatives of the Monterey County Office of Education, the findings provide a glimpse of what the program offers to migrant students in Monterey County and across the country, and questions whether these programs are up to the task before them
Impact of School Funding on Student Achievement
No full textThe connection between school funding and student achievement has been a topic of extensive research and debate in the field of education. This essay explores the complex relationship between the financial resources allocated to schools and the academic performance of students. Numerous studies have sought to understand the impact of funding levels on various aspects of the educational experience, including classroom resources, teacher quality, and extracurricular opportunities. The allocation of financial resources to schools plays a pivotal role in determining the quality of education and, consequently, the academic outcomes of students. By examining historical trends, policy frameworks, and empirical studies, this essay aims to elucidate the complex interplay between funding disparities and educational disparities
Improving the Social Emotional Recognition and Regulation for Special Education Adolescents
Get PDFThe focal topic for this project is emotional learning in high school students in special education programs. Social emotional learning is focused on emotions, recognizing emotions, and expression of emotions in connection to interacting with others. This is important in any stage of development because it creates the foundation of children’s future social interactions and how they deal with emotions in adulthood. Students with special needs sometimes lack the ability to recognize their own intense emotions and enact appropriate ways to express them. For these students, it can be difficult to process and express emotions in a social setting, like school, with many other students who do not learn and think the same as they do. Children with special needs may have difficulty maintaining and creating relationships because of this lack of regulation. Given SPED students’ emotion skills challenges, it is important to incorporate social emotional skills into their regular academic curriculum. This project provided the students with opportunities to practice recognizing other people’s emotions, appropriately expressing their own emotions, and using coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions. I provided three activities on three separate days that give students a fun way to learn emotion strategies and skills that can help them through adolescence and young adulthood. For my target group, I focused on high school students in the SPED program at Hollister High School. The students’ ages ranged from 14-18 years old, and the population in the school is majority Latinx