Browsing by Author "Enriquez, Monica"
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Item Effects of Microplastics and Soil Microbes on Dune Grass Performance(2020-09-29) Enriquez, MonicaMicroplastics are <5mm plastic pieces1 derived from chemical and mechanical breakdown. Microplastics have been making their way into soils, potentially affecting terrestrial ecosystems. Dunes, especially, are subject to microplastic pollution since they are close to oceans, and close to human-mediated beach pollution. Microplastics may affect plant performance by impacting soil abiotic properties (like soil moisture) or by impacting soil microbial communities that plans rely on. There has been little research on the impact that microplastics have on the plant performance, including whether they interact with soil microbes to influence plant performance. In this experiment, we tested how 3 species of grasses -- Texas-native Distichlis spicata, and invasive grasses Cynodon dactylon and Sorghum halepense -- responded to the addition of microplastics and soil microbes. Will added microplastic and soil microbes interact to impact grass performance? Will any species show resistance to the addition of microplastics?Item Skin to Skin Contact Between Mothers and Their Babies in the NICU and the Effects on Mothers’ Stress & Anxiety(2022-07-31) Enriquez, Monica; Guzman, Lizeth; Heng, ElaineMothers with infants admitted to the NICU report significantly higher levels of anxiety and stress compared to infants not admitted to the NICU, attributed to the disruption in their instinctual maternal role to hold, care for, and protect their infant. Mothers have to be separated from their neonate who is taken into critical care where they are stabilized which causes deep separation anxiety and other related mental health problems for NICU mothers. Skin to skin contact (SSC) stimulates natural oxytocin release and inversely decreases cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure in these mothers. SSC between neonatal patients and their mothers has been shown to be effective in decreasing anxiety and stress in mothers of NICU patients.