Ventura County Community College District

What is the impact of dynamic changes in facial visibility on identifying the eye and forehead region? This study examines how wearing or removing a mask affects the ability to visually identify the eyes. We investigate whether these changes impact the recognition of upper facial features and alter sensitivity to the misalignment of the face's upper and lower halves, which disrupts holistic face processing. Results show that removing a mask generally impairs visual identification, suggesting that the perception of the whole face hinders recognition of the upper half. This hindering is evident from the fact that the interference decreases when the face is misaligned. In contrast, the impairment in identification caused by adding a mask to a target face rises from losing original support of the holistic processing, given that it was not diminished when the upper and bottom halves were misaligned. Additional findings show that misalignment negatively affects the identification of faces where a mask was either maintained or added, suggesting that masks may actually help direct attention to relevant facial features, rather than being integrated into a holistic representation. We discuss these results in light of their theoretical and practical implications for visual identification, particularly in the context of dynamic changes to facial appearance.

Rekyl is a web platform that makes recycling more rewarding and transparent by using blockchain technology. When users recycle things like food waste, plastics, or e-waste, they earn digital “Recyclo” tokens, which can be traded in for discounts or eco-friendly products. The platform partners with trusted recycling companies to ensure proper handling of materials and uses analytics to show users the positive effect their recycling has on the environment, such as reducing carbon footprints. All token transactions are secured and openly recorded on the blockchain, so users can trust that their efforts are making a real, measurable difference. The paper outlines the system design, features, and global scalability of Rekyl.

Farmworkers are at high risk of heat-related illness, especially those working in polytunnels. There is a gap in knowledge regarding working conditions inside polytunnels. Polytunnels are prevalent in California's Central Coast region. Recommendations to reduce the risk of heat-related illness among workers in polytunnels were formulated. Polytunnels-also known as hoop houses-are used worldwide to grow certain crops year-round, primarily to protect plants from precipitation and cool temperatures. Farmworkers may be at increased risk in polytunnels due to higher temperatures and relative humidity. In the Central Coast region of California, polytunnels are commonly used to grow berries and other crops, but information on measures used to reduce heat stress in farmworkers working in polytunnels or how many workers are potentially exposed to these conditions is scarce. The purpose of this study was to: (1) estimate the area under polytunnels and the number of workers in them in California's Central Coast region; (2)assess current practices to manage heat and protect workers in polytunnels; and (3)use this information to develop proposed best practices for protecting farmworkers in polytunnels. Using satellite imagery and crop production records, the area under polytunnels in the region was estimated at 5,162 ha with a conservatively estimated 46,000 farmworkers. Through key informant interviews, we found that farms are generally following OSHA worker safety regulations. However, additional measures may be needed to protect workers because environmental conditions inside polytunnels are variable and difficult to predict. For instance, wet bulb globe temperature would be a more accurate measure of heat stress risk than temperature alone. We propose recommendations that follow the hierarchy of controls to reduce the risk of heat-related illness among workers inside these structures.

Women with prenatal substance use have been identified as at-risk for the lack of engagement in perinatal services, such as medical care and home visitation programs. This issue is of particular concern in Florida (United States) where rates of fetal substance exposure have been steadily increasing. To identify pathways of and barriers to perinatal system and service engagement, journey mapping was used to compile various personas of perinatal women with substance use. A structured guide was developed to elicit maternal personas, system and service touchpoints, and system strengths and weaknesses from focus group participants with statewide stakeholders, including perinatal service administrators and community coalition members within three Florida communities. Workshop transcripts, debriefing, and member-checking sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually. Six journey-mapping workshops and two member-checking meetings with mothers in-recovery were conducted with a total of 109 participants. Four personas were identified: women who (1) have substance use on a recreational basis, (2) have prescription drug use/misuse, (3) have chronic substance dependence, and (4) are in-recovery from substance dependence. Pathways that promote and barriers that prevent perinatal women with substance use from being identified, referred, or willing to accept and engage in medical care and social services were identified. While these personas shed light on differential pathways experienced by women with OUD, they were not intended as fixed-member groups but rather fluid descriptions of circumstances in which individuals could shift over time. These personas are beneficial to understand differences in circumstances, as well as variations in pathways and barriers to service engagement. Additionally, personas may be used to identify approaches to optimize service engagement by perinatal women with substance use and to support system improvements and integrations.

The process for identifying patients with monoclonal gammopathies is complex. Initial detection of a monoclonal immunoglobulin protein (M protein) in the serum or urine often requires compilation of analytical data from several areas of the laboratory. The detection of M proteins depends on adequacy of the sample provided, available clinical information, and the laboratory tests used. To develop an evidence-based guideline for the initial laboratory detection of M proteins. To develop evidence-based recommendations, the College of American Pathologists convened a panel of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of monoclonal gammopathies and the laboratory procedures used for the initial detection of M proteins. The panel conducted a systematic literature review to address key questions. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, recommendations were created based on the available evidence, strength of that evidence, and key judgements as defined in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework. Nine guideline statements were established to optimize sample selection and testing for the initial detection and quantitative measurement of M proteins used to diagnose monoclonal gammopathies. This guideline was constructed to harmonize and strengthen the initial detection of an M protein in patients displaying symptoms or laboratory features of a monoclonal gammopathy. It endorses more comprehensive initial testing when there is suspicion of amyloid light chain amyloidosis or neuropathies, such as POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes) syndrome, associated with an M protein.

The diagnostic workup of lymphoma continues to evolve rapidly as experience and discovery led to the addition of new clinicopathologic entities and techniques to differentiate them. The optimal clinically effective, efficient, and cost-effective approach to diagnosis that is safe for patients can be elusive, in both community-based and academic practice. Studies suggest that there is variation in practice in both settings. To develop an evidence-based guideline for the preanalytic phase of testing, focusing on specimen requirements for the diagnostic evaluation of lymphoma. The American Society for Clinical Pathology, the College of American Pathologists, and the American Society of Hematology convened a panel of experts in the laboratory workup of lymphoma to develop evidence-based recommendations. The panel conducted a systematic review of literature to address key questions. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, recommendations were derived based on the available evidence, strength of that evidence, and key judgements as defined in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework. Thirteen guideline statements were established to optimize specimen selection, ancillary diagnostic testing, and appropriate follow-up for safe and accurate diagnosis of indolent and aggressive lymphoma. Primary diagnosis and classification of lymphoma can be achieved with a variety of specimens. Application of the recommendations can guide decisions on specimen suitability, diagnostic capabilities, and correct use of ancillary testing. Disease prevalence in patient populations, availability of ancillary testing, and diagnostic goals should be incorporated into algorithms tailored to each practice environment.

Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to pr colleges in the several States receiving and sixty-two, and of acts suppleme Outlook UC Cooperative Extension history A century of science and service Rose Hayden-Smith, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth, Family and Community Development Advisor, Ventura County Rachel Surls, UC Cooperative Extension Sustainable Food Systems Advisor, Los Angeles County O n a warm Friday, May 8, 1914, in Washington D.C., two pieces of new legislation awaited President Woodrow Wilson’s signature: a proclamation establishing the second Sunday each May as Mother’s Day, and the Smith-Lever Act. The honoring of mothers dominated the news that day, but Wilson recognized the importance of the Smith- Lever Act, calling it “one of the most significant and far-reaching measures for the education of adults ever adopted by government.” Sponsored by Sen. Hoke K. Smith and Rep. Asbury F. Lever, the bill was the result of national efforts to create a new educational model for U.S. agriculture. At that time, land-grant universities ran farmers in- stitutes and short courses taught by lecturers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offered its own form of Extension work that focused on pest control field demonstrations in the South and farm management in the North. Yet there was no consis- tent or efficient way to deliver important knowledge from the university campuses to the communities that needed it. Passage of Smith-Lever launched a century of innovation in U.S. education that continues to this day. In California, the educational model born out of the legislation is UC Cooperative Extension. For 100 years this statewide network of UC researchers and educators has developed and provided science-based information to solve locally relevant challenges in the areas of economics, agriculture, natural resources, youth development and nutrition. Progressive roots Agriculture has always been vital to America. In 1860, at the outset of the Civil War, farmers made up 58% of the U.S. labor force. It was that demographic that created the impetus behind the 1862 Morrill Act, which gave each state a grant of land to establish a college that would teach practi- cal subjects such as agriculture and engineering (see California Agriculture, April–June 2012, pg. 42). A key role of those Continued on page 10 California milestones Library of Congress Hatch Act establishes federal funding for agricultural research in state land-grant colleges President Lincoln signs Morrill Act, authorizing development of agricultural “land-grant” colleges in each state Andrew Hansen Christiansen named California’s first Extension farm advisor, placed in Humboldt County UC agricultural clubs formed in Ferndale and Fortuna; these early clubs evolved into today’s 4-H program B.H. Crocheron recruited to direct state’s Agricultural Extension Service, which he does for next 35 years First UC Extension specialist , a poultryman, hired with goal to double egg production from 80 eggs per hen per year average 8 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • VOLUME 68 , NUMBERS 1–2 The Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley University of California founded to teach “agriculture, mining and the mechanical arts” Congress passes the Smith-Lever Act, making federal funds available for extension work UC Agricultural Extension Service (later renamed “Cooperative Extension”) appoints farm advisors in Glenn, Solano, Stanislaus and Placer counties Library of Congress Emergency war appropriations provide growth for UC Agricultural Extension as “food for victory” becomes national priority