Student Research

Warming temperatures across the Southwestern U.S. have posed a significant threat to the future of our forest ecosystems. Climate change has altered forest populations around the globe, with a record-breaking fire season currently taking place across the Southwestern U.S. An increase in fire activity, season length, and intensity in the region has been attributed to an extended dry spell that has produced some of the hottest days on record. Trees across the region are responding to these extended periods of aridity with high mortality rates, as well as changing annual radial growth patterns. To understand how detrimental these extreme conditions have been to the forest ecosystem, study plots were established in Prescott National Forest, Arizona, to collect tree-ring cores. These cores were analyzed using the standard dendrochronology procedures of collection, measurement, cross dating, and statistical analysis in order to determine the impact that severe droughts have had on the Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) population of the Southwest. Dendrochronology has long been used to understand forest dynamics, therefore using tree rings from Ponderosa pine (PIPO), one of the most populous tree species in the American Southwest, we can understand how this unprecedented era of climate change has impacted radial growth and the ultimate longevity of forest productivity. Additionally, when comparing the amount of ΔFosB – positive cells in the regions themselves, there was a statistical difference observed only in the ventromedial PFC (p < 0.01). Post Hoc testing was performed and confirmed statistical differences for amount of ΔFosB -positive cells in the ventromedial PFC. These preliminary results indicate that there is an association between cocaine use and the amount of ΔFosB present in the mesolimbic pathway. Further analysis will be performed to compare sex differences in the number of ΔFosB -positive cells in the different treatment groups. Overall, these new insights can lead into possible treatments that target transcription factors in those suffering from SUD. outcomes affect an individual’s outlook which may affect the economic growth of society. The three areas of importance include work opportunities, fair wages, and working conditions. Work opportunities are measured through unemployment levels, corresponding level of education with the unemployed, and demographics of the labor force. Fair wages are measured through incidence of low pay, adjusted labor income share, and various comparisons between top and bottom income earners. Working conditions considers number of hours worked per week, employee-employer relations, and workers’ rights. This research study uses regression analysis to understand the importance of work opportunities, fair wages, and working conditions and their relationship to income inequality. This study uses International Labour Organization data. The reality of COVID-19 has required schools to become more aware of the financial and resource disparities among school districts and among students. The board of education for each school district operates to serve the different wants and needs of their constituents. This study examines different leadership styles exhibited during the COVID-19 pandemic through three case studies. Leadership styles may be distinguished as the following: (1) Instructional Style, (2) Structuring Style, (3) Participative Style, (4) Entrepreneurial Style, and (5) Personnel Development Style. Specifically, the research questions are: (1) What types of leadership styles have exhibited at school district boards during COVID-19? (2) What factors have influenced the decisions of school district leaders? (3) How do different leadership styles of the district boards affect teacher engagement and student learning during COVID-19? Based on the interviews with the board members of these school districts in California, USA, the study anticipates that distinctive leadership styles lead to specific program development. The findings will contribute to the public administration literature and provide valuable resources for academic leaders. Families with autistic children face unique challenges that have the potential to influence the occupations of neurotypical (NT) siblings. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the occupations and occupational balance of NT children during their childhood, based on their adult reflections of growing up in neurodiverse families. Method: This study was a qualitative, narrative study that utilized interviews to obtain reflections from five adult NT siblings. Results: Data analysis generated several themes: family dynamics, hesitancy to acknowledge ASD, independent engagement in occupations, a different normal, and inclusion. Implications: Occupational therapy can support neurodiverse families by providing parent education and compensatory strategies to address the needs of all family members. In addition, due to societal stigma toward neurodiverse individuals, there is a need for more advocacy, education, and full inclusion of this population. Understanding Social Participation Among the Previously Incarcerated Population: A Narrative Study Objective: Formerly incarcerated individuals face many difficulties with reintegrating into society which is exacerbated by the lack of resources supporting social skills. This study sought to understand how prison affected social participation for previously imprisoned individuals. Method: Utilizing a qualitative approach, the researchers collected individual narratives by conducting interviews with 2 participants recruited from a community-based program (CBP). Researchers analyzed the interview transcripts by coding common themes on how social participation changed over time. Results: Participants struggled post-incarceration but involvement in CBP services provided them with the resources needed to reintegrate back into society. Implications: This study shows that CBP services can aid previously imprisoned individuals with life after prison. Particularly, how CBPs can support the occupation of social participation which can benefit many other aspects of an individual’s life. The structure and dynamics of the forest ecosystem are responding to global climate change. Patterns observed include high tree mortality and changing radial growth patterns in dry southwestern United States. Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a significant timber species and understanding of its distribution is vital. Maxent species distribution modeling is an approach that utilizes species occurrence and environmental data to predict suitable habitats. This study used environmental layers gathered from worldclim.org and species occurrence data for Ponderosa pine in Arizona collected from fieldwork and published literature. The environmental data were based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects (CIMP). These climate models were featured in this past 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (A6). The CIMP6 models contain projections for the years 2021 to 2040. Using these climate models for predicting suitable habitats will aid in the understanding of the future changes to the forest ecosystem in the United States. This study will also highlight the data preparation needed to utilize CIMP6 climactic variables using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). methods. Ring width was measured with the Velmex tree-ring measurement system and software (J2X). Visual cross dating and statistical tests (COFETCHA, ARSTAN, treeclim, bootres, and dplR) were used to remove age related noise. Findings from this study will help forest managers and the United States Forest Service manage the changing southwestern forest ecosystem. in urban environments, traffic-related air (TRAP) greater to historically marginalized communities people of persons living in where community residents experience this environmental harm at disproportionate rates to their privileged counterparts. The South Los Angeles region of California receives more attention to TRAP studies due to the diversity of the population and transportation infrastructure throughout the region. This study examines the air pollution distribution, transportation access, and population demographics. Notably, this study conducts a spatial analysis on traffic-related air pollution exposure and infrastructure qualities (e.g., road densities, transit access, and walkability) alongside population demographics. Statistical tests determine the significance of disparities between air pollution exposure and transit access based on demographic factors. This study finds that there are significantly higher rates of air pollution exposure closest to major freeways, which coincidentally has high road density and higher population of historically marginalized groups. Additionally, distance to the nearest transit stops decreases towards the inner Los Angeles region, suggesting the public transit is more accessible within the more populated areas of the county. The study results will be helpful to identify areas deserving of directed mitigation efforts for improved air quality and access to equitable transportation options. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) uses electromagnetic wavelengths to highlight vegetation health and greenness as a proxy of vegetation abundance. Similarly, Normalized Difference Burn Ratio (nDBR) exhibits burn severity and highlights potential post-wildfire vegetation regrowth. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) use pulsated light to measure vegetation biomass, carbon sequestration, tree canopy cover, and height. The first objective of this study was to assess spatial differences in healthy vegetation pre-wildfire and post-wildfire vegetation using NDVI indices. The second aim was to assess potential differences in post-wildfire vegetation recovery using nDBR indices. The third objective of this study was to highlight the significant differences in carbon seque