A design anthropology approach to understanding human wildlife relationships: Monkeys, local development and participant conservation in southest Costa Rica

This project uses a combined methodology of participatory design and ethnographic fieldwork to study human-wildlife relationships and explore better ways to design and implement a monkey crossing bridge in the area of Talamanca, Costa Rica. It also examines how an interdisciplinary methodology can identify the needs of three species of monkeys and local beliefs, and to integrate these things into project design. The project not only answers how participatory design might promote a favorable human-wildlife relationship, but also explores local beliefs about development and conservation. Based on my research, I argue that the design of the bridge and the process of making it can be a potential passage to better understanding human-wildlife relationships, as well as establish community concerns about wildlife conservation. Three participatory design workshops were planned and hosted with the collaboration from local non-government organizations (NGOs). During the process, participatory observation was used to study the relationships between monkeys with different parties, and also examine the influence of participatory design-build. A participatory design-build project was completed near Cocles in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica. The design and construction of a new monkey bridge brought up questions about human-wildlife relationships, environmental issues, development and the nature of decision making. This process revealed a human and wildlife entanglement. Local activists, expats and NGOs saw the problem of wildlife road-crossings through the lens of existing environmental issues and debates in the community that stemmed mostly from an ongoing road construction project. Monkeys and other charismatic animals were a concern of the expatriate community; this concern originated from the same concerns about their own living environment. In contrast, the residents who were in the community over many generations viewed “injured monkeys” as suffering, but tended not to actively participate in advocating about either monkeys or living environments as part of who they are. Though different, all local residents in the Puerto Viejo area saw monkeys, along with other animals, as part how they based their sense of place. Therefore, for the more active groups of community members, it was natural to extend the discussion of monkey bridges to the discussion of a bike lane and improving the environment for the community. People protect the place they live. The most common problems the community identified were from the forced down planning and speculative development by others who essentially did not live in the place, and were detached from the landscape. Through a combination of design anthropology and a participatory design-build project, I argue that a people with different interests can work together on a concrete design and build project, relying on expertise as a pooling of skills and knowledge to complete

Understanding Second Grader’s Computational Thinking Skills in Robotics Through Their Individual Traits

This study investigated the relationship between the personal traits and computational thinking skills of second graders within the context of robotics activities. The hypothesized model showed that learning preference, intrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy were the main predictors of coding achievement and computational thinking skills, while no direct relationship was found between learning preference, intrinsic, or extrinsic motivation. The final path analysis revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation predict self-efficacy, self-efficacy predicts coding achievement, and coding achievement predicts computational thinking skills. Another important finding was the strong impact of self-efficacy on coding achievement as well as computational thinking skills. Results are interpreted with reference to implications for potential methods of improving computational thinking skills when using robotics in the lower grades in elementary schools

Undergraduate Research Experience in Cybersecurity for Underrepresented Students and Students with Limited Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research opportunities have expanded from elite universities in the United States to universities and learning institutions of all ranks and sizes. Research studies have showed some positive outcomes of the research experience for undergraduates (REU), such as enhanced research skills and competencies. However, with the widespread implementation of REU programs across the country, there are some serious and challenging issues, such as fierce competition among students for limited participation opportunities and a overlooking of underrepresented students’ needs. This study reported a nine-week REU Site program in cybersecurity designed for underrepresented students (women and minorities) and participants from institutions with limited research opportunities for the past three years. Results showed that most participants enjoyed the opportunity to work on a real world project and to gain research experience in the REU program. The program helped participants improve various research skills. Recommendations for future REU programs are discussed

Urolithin A, a Gut Metabolite, Improves Insulin Sensitivity through Augmentation of Mitochondrial Function and Biogenesis

Objective: Urolithin A (UroA) is a major metabolite of ellagic acid produced following microbial catabolism in the gut. Emerging evidence has suggested that UroA modulates energy metabolism in various cells. However, UroA’s physiological functions related to obesity and insulin resistance remain unclear. Methods: Male mice were intraperitoneally administrated either UroA or dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle) along with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated via glucose and insulin tolerance tests and acute insulin signaling. The effects of UroA on hepatic triglyceride accumulation, adipocyte size, mitochondrial DNA content, and proinflammatory gene expressions were determined. The impact of UroA on macrophage polarization and mitochondrial respiration were assessed in bone marrow–derived macrophages. Results: Administration of UroA (1) improved systemic insulin sensitivity, (2) attenuated triglyceride accumulation and elevated mitochondrial biogenesis in the liver, (3) reduced adipocyte hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration into the adipose tissue, and (4) altered M1/M2 polarization in peritoneal macrophages. In addition, UroA favored macrophage M2 polarization and mitochondrial respiration in bone marrow–derived macrophages. Conclusions: UroA plays a direct role in improving systemic insulin sensitivity independent of its parental compounds. This work supports UroA’s role in the metabolic benefits of ellagic acid–rich foods and highlights the significance of its microbial transformation in the gut