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Using Livestreaming Technology to Answer Novel Questions About the Behavior and Physiological Ecology of the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus Viridis)
No full textRecent advances in remote monitoring technology are opening up new opportunities for developing innovative natural history and biological research methodologies. In particular, the emergence of livestreaming camera technology has made recording remote video of wild and secretive animals much easier and made it possible to collect data at extremely fine temporal resolutions. In 2024, Project RattleCam launched a livestreaming camera at a Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) den in Colorado. The goal of this work was to study Prairie Rattlesnake behavior 24-7 throughout the species’ active season with minimal human disturbance. Additionally, I used this system to study the effects of changes in weather conditions on the rattlesnakes’ behavior and activity patterns. The camera allowed me to record several novel observations about rattlesnake natural history, including multiple social interactions, snakes drinking during hailstorms, and numerous ecological interactions between the rattlesnakes and other species. The number of rattlesnakes visible on the camera also decreased at higher temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) indexes, suggesting that surface activity decreases during periods of higher temperatures and/or UV radiation. The proportions of coiled and more sheltered snakes increased during warmer and drier conditions, as well as during periods of higher UV radiation, which suggests that snakes may spend more time sheltering during warmer and drier conditions. Rattlesnake behavior at communal den sites was affected by numerous weather conditions, and predictive models must incorporate these factors to more accurately predict behavioral responses to changes in climate overtime. Livestreaming technology shows great promise for studying snake behavior at communal den sites and provides a useful framework for answering novel natural history questions about snakes and other secretive animals
From Sight to Bite: Consumer Segmentation, Recognition, and Sensory Preferences of Upcycled and Sustainable Foods
No full textUpcycled foods are a rising trend as the issue of food waste and sustainability becomes an increasing concern. Understanding how consumer characterizations influence their perception of these foods is vital to the widespread acceptance of upcycled products. The goals of this research were to 1) identify and characterize consumers who may be more accepting of upcycled foods and 2) evaluate consumer acceptability of upcycled foods based on prior characterization. These objectives were carried out through two studies.
In the first study, an online questionnaire was developed to evaluate food neophobia, lifestyle, behavior, beliefs, awareness, and familiarity or recognition of upcycled and sustainable food products using a pre- and post-infographic intervention. The survey was created using Red Jade SaaS and distributed to participants through the Cal Poly Sensory database, North Carolina State University Sensory Service Center database, social media (LinkedIn and Nextdoor), and personal communication. Participants (n=947) were segmented using a k-means clustering algorithm on lifestyle, neophobia, and beliefs questions. Four clusters were identified: Greenthusiasts (n=306)- environmentally conscious and open-minded to new products, Balanced Believers (n=347)- supportive of new products with reasonable doubt, Healthy Hesitants (n=208)- willing to make health-focused changes but hesitant towards new products and technologies, and Eco-Skeptics (n=86)- doubtful and resistant to change, most food and technologically neophobic. Based on pre- and post-intervention, Eco-Skeptics had the lowest initial awareness and recognition of sustainable and upcycled food products, while Greenthusiasts had the highest. All four segments trended towards improved recognition of the food products post-intervention.
The design of the second study used segmentation identified in the first study, followed by a non-blind sensory evaluation with upcycled products and their respective concepts. Participants (n=101) were recruited from the San Luis Obispo, CA, USA, area to evaluate three cookies: an upcycled, sustainable, and conventional. The upcycled concept and cookie preformed the best with consumers thinking the concept was better than expected, the cookie having higher hedonic scores (p \u3c 0.05), and the highest purchase intent after tasting. Consumer segments who were initially hesitant to consume upcycled and sustainable foods (Eco-skeptics and Healthy Hesitants) showed a positive response to the upcycled cookie. These findings provide insight on targeting specific consumer populations to encourage the success of upcycled foods
Effects of Whey, Almond, and Fortified Almond Protein Powder Supplementation on Nitrogen Balance and Postprandial Amino Acid Profile in Healthy, College-Aged Females
No full textPlant-based protein is growing in popularity and demand due to ongoing trends in health-consciousness and sustainability. Plant-based proteins are not as effective as animal-based proteins in terms of digestibility and bioavailability. Methods including complementation and fortification are used to increase plant-based protein quality. The purpose of this study was to assess protein quality of almond (AP), amino-acid-fortified-almond (AP+), and whey (WP) protein powder supplements by investigating their effects on the nitrogen balance and postprandial amino acid concentrations of healthy, college-aged females. This study was single-blind and utilized a staggered, rolling start design. Nitrogen balance significantly increased with all three supplements, with no statistical difference between each group’s effect. Amino acid profiles were measured at baseline and 60-minutes postprandial. All supplements elicited an increase in total amino acid (TAA) concentrations from baseline to 60-minutes. WP caused a significantly greater change in TAA than AP, and AP+ was not significantly different from either group. For both essential amino acid (EAA) and leucine concentrations, WP and AP+ caused similar increases from baseline to 60-minutes, both significantly greater than AP’s effect. This study highlights the effectiveness of fortifying a plant-based protein with amino acids to increase overall protein quality. Future studies will include investigation of the effect of AP and AP+ on muscle protein synthesis
Using Hydraulic Simulations to Determine the Effects of Tidal Behavior and Riparian Restoration on Chorro Creek
No full textThis thesis examines how tidal backwater effects and riparian restoration influence flooding in the Chorro Creek watershed, a major tributary to the Morro Bay Estuary on California’s Central Coast. Restoration efforts, including levee removal, floodplain reconnection, and revegetation have attempted to improve ecological function and reduce sediment transport. However, recent flood events suggest that these changes may also affect local hydraulics in ways not fully anticipated, particularly under the influence of tides and sea level rise. To analyze these dynamics, a two-dimensional HEC-RAS model was developed using LiDAR terrain, historical imagery, and field data collected from pressure and ultrasonic gauges. The model was calibrated with limited observed storms and verified against separate events, then applied to simulate a range of fluvial and tidal stages under present and future sea levels. A statistical analysis of observed peak stage heights was conducted to evaluate flood behavior during compound events. Comparing model results from the different scenarios indicate that the increased channel roughness resulting from restoration resulted in larger simulated water levels during high-creek flow events. Measured tidal backwater effects extend beyond the limits assumed in existing flood maps and significantly alter water levels near key infrastructure such as South Bay Boulevard and State Park Road. Under projected sea level conditions, even moderate storms may produce flooding in previously unaffected areas, especially if they occur in combination with high tidal conditions. This study highlights the importance of integrating tidal dynamics and restoration impacts into hydraulic modeling and floodplain management. It underscores the need for updated design standards, more accurate flood mapping, and adaptive planning strategies in tidally influenced watersheds. By linking hydrodynamic simulation with ecological restoration and tide stage effects, the research offers a framework for managing flood risk and environmental resilience in coastal systems
AGED 539 Graduate Internship Report - Avenal High School
No full textThis report includes documentation that Avenal High School meets the quality criteria required for High School Agriculture Education Programs. The documents are used for reviewing a school as well as applying for grant funding through the Agriculture Incentive Grant. There are supporting documents provided to show proof of things that are being done as well as areas that may need improvement
Creative Engagement with AI through Poetic Inquiry: A Posthuman Pedagogy
No full textIn this article, I describe an original teaching activity that explores the intersection of generative AI, poetic inquiry, and posthuman pedagogy, examining how students can critically and creatively engage with disruptive technologies. Using Rosi Braidotti’s posthuman framework (2013, 2019), I consider how generative AI might be used to challenge traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and knowledge production. Through a structured learning activity, students analyze a human poet’s work, generate AI-assisted poetry, and compose their own creative pieces, fostering non-linearity, memory and imagination, and defamiliarization—three key elements of Braidotti’s posthuman thinking. This pedagogical approach encourages ethical, affirmative engagement with AI, offering students a way to navigate and interrogate the evolving relationship between human and machine creativity. Ultimately, this inquiry highlights the transformative potential of generative AI while emphasizing the importance of critical reflection, agency, and relationality in an era of rapid technological change