Engaging People, Engaging in Service: A Case Study of a Community Garden

community garden, Slow Food, local food, agricultural literacy, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Analyzing Resources for the Production of High-Value Agricultural Products in the California High Desert

Urbanization of previously undeveloped land is a critical concern in Southern California. Housing development brings with it several potentially detrimental effects, among which are hardening of the landscape (pavement), diminished water absorption into the soil, and increased harmful runoff into the Pacific Ocean. The High Desert Region of San Bernardino County, California is an area currently experiencing significant development pressure. It is our belief that the development of agricultural production could, to some extent, substitute for residential and commercial development, and that agricultural production is a more sustainable use of the land in this area. This report examines and inventories resources of an unincorporated area near the Cajon Pass and Silverwood Lake, and assesses how they might best be utilized to introduce production of high-value agricultural products. A conclusion is that although water may be a limiting factor, the production of deciduous tree fruits (e.g., apples, cherries, pears, peaches, apricots, and nectarines) should be considered in this area. Small scale agricultural enterprises are more likely to achieve success. Implications for public policy and areas for future research are also presented.High-value agricultural products, resources, desert, California, strategic planning, sustainable agriculture, Demographics, Direct marketing, Farm Management, Production Economics,

Fantastic Birds and Where to Find Them

I investigated avian-habitat relationships in three related study systems. In my first chapter I characterize the nonbreeding habitat of the western subspecies of Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii subspp.), including the federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), with a range-wide species distribution model. The three western subspecies of Willow Flycatchers migrate between the riparian landscapes in the western and southwestern United States to the riparian areas in tropical dry forests along the Pacific coast of Central America. The predictive model of potential habitat suitability will be corroborated on the ground by conservation collaborators and used to locate new long-term monitoring sites, and acquire new protected areas. Unlike the migratory western Willow Flycatchers, The Nicaraguan Grackle is a residential (non-migratory) bird that occupies more open wetlands and riparian areas around the Nicaraguan great lakes and the Caño Negro wetland complex of Costa Rica. In my second chapter, I create urgently-needed baseline maps of habitat suitability with varied levels of freshwater recurrence for the Nicaraguan Grackle (Quiscalus nicaraguensis). This map of predicted habitat suitability will be used as evidence to garner elevated protection status for this understudied, declining species. Finally, in my third chapter, I use unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drones) to explore methods to improve habitat variables used in nest-site selection modeling for Mojave Desert riparian songbirds, including the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). I compared UAS and satellite image products of vegetation structure within first and second order resource selection functions for breeding and nesting habitat in Amargosa Canyon. The ultimate goal with this research was to determine key features of vegetation structure that influence nest-site selection to inform habitat restoration upstream on the Amargosa River

Narratives of Caring in the Elementary Art Room

Caring is an essential part of any classroom environment, but most investigations about caring in schools do not include the voices of art educators. How art teachers perceive and model caring has not been addressed in previous literature. Looking through a theoretical lens shaped by Dewey, Vygotsky, and feminist theory, specifically an ethic of care, this study examined three elementary art teachers\u27 caring practices and beliefs. Narrative analysis was used to find connections and points of departure in the participants\u27 stories of caring in their classrooms with existing literature. By sharing art teachers\u27 stories of caring, the findings from this study can add to previous understanding about how educators craft caring environments for their students

International relations in 2030: the transforming power of large developing countries

"This paper sets out a vision for international relations and development cooperation for the year 2030. It argues that the major transformation of the international political economy between 2007 and 2030 is likely to be the rise of large developing countries to great power status. Current trends in the growth of the economic and political power of such countries are examined, as are risks to their continued growth. These trends suggest that by 2030, it is highly likely that China, and potentially other developing countries will have become major powers, and that the international distribution of power will be multipolar. This multipolarity is less likely to be conflictual than in previous periods of historical multipolarity because of the growth of international institutions and because of the economic interdependence of major powers. The implications of this rise of large developing countries on poorer, smaller countries are not clear cut: while smaller developing countries may benefit from an increased diversity of development paradigms and reformed international institutions, conflict amongst great powers for power and influence could be played out on their territory. However, conflict between North and South over development goals and objectives is not thought to be a major risk. The overall vision for 2030 is an optimistic one, but this optimism depends both on the actions of existing and new powers in the coming 25 years." (author's abstract

Efficacy of Module-Based Functional Communication Caregiver Training for Moderate to Severe Problem Behavior

Intensive behavior-analytic services typically reduce behavior problems associated with autism spectrum disorder. However, there are substantial barriers to access these services, including access to behavior analysts who can conduct the training. One way to address problem behavior and barriers to services is to train caregivers to implement function-based interventions to produce sustained improvements in child behavior. We developed a computer-based module (i.e., an e-learning module) to train caregivers to implement functional communication training, a function-based intervention, with extinction and safety procedures. Caregivers conducted a functional analysis to determine the function of their child’s behavior. During baseline, caregivers responded as they typically would at home, and we determined their percentage correct caregiver responding. After completing the e-learning module, caregivers practiced implementing the training procedures in a role-play with a family member who acted like their child. Lastly, caregivers completed a posttest with their child, and we evaluated improvements in their percentage correct caregiver responding. All three caregivers demonstrated mastery of the procedures; one caregiver did not require feedback from a BCBA, and two caregivers required feedback to reach the mastery criterion. We discuss these findings and their implications for teaching caregivers to implement behavior-analytic procedures

Variability in the fabrication process of BiVO4 photoanodes

Hydrogen gas produced from the photoelectrochemical (PEC) decomposition of water, using sunlight as an energy source, is a promising approach for sustainable fuel production. This decomposition of water is also called artificial photosynthesis. A device that accomplished this process is sometimes call an artificial leaf, which mimics nature inasmuch as it stores solar energy as a chemical fuel (e.g., hydrogen) by splitting water, in this way imitating natural photosynthesis. In 2009, Dr. Keith Holland and Dr. David Lawrence of James Madison University (JMU) initiated a research program to investigate materials for the photoelectrochemical decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is a critical component of the artificial leaf concept for the production of solar derived fuels. Significant research is still required to develop the efficient and low-cost semiconducting photocatalyst materials required for PEC water decomposition. Recently, bismuth vanadate, BiVO4, has been identified as a potential low-cost and stable semiconducting oxide for the photooxidation of water. While numerous studies regarding the PEC performance of BiVO4 have been reported in existing literature, few studies about manufacturing variability have been reported. Variability in the performance of the photoanodes has been observed during previous studies at James Madison University. This study investigates one potential cause of variability in the manufacturing process- slight variations in the Bi:V ratio in precursor solutions used to fabricate the thin-film photoanodes. Small and controlled variations in the precursor solutions during the manufacturing process were observed to produce no significant effect on the PEC performance

Nurses’ Resilience Levels and the Effects of Workplace Violence on Patient Care

Nurses experience high rates of violence on the job, which is a significant stressor. Stress can alter nurses\u27 care of patients, but stress can be mitigated by resilience. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nurses\u27 resilience levels and their reports of patient care following episodes of workplace violence. Six themes emerged from nurses\u27 (n = 57) responses to workplace violence: vigilance, cautious yet individualized with care, part of the job, growth, jaded, and no effect. Low resilience levels were found in nurses with themes of feeling jaded, cautious yet individualized with care, and vigilance. High resilience levels were found in nurses with themes of no effect, growth, cautious yet individualized with care, and vigilance. Nurses\u27 resilience scores were related to their patient care descriptions after episodes of workplace violence. Raising nurses\u27 resilience levels through training might help them to positively overcome the effects of workplace violence, limiting impacts to patient care