May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Soils and Climate Change
Presentation Year: 2016
The pedosphere is an often overlooked resource already affected by and contributing to climate change. For example, soil stores a certain amount of carbon, and biological processes in soil emit the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). The amount of nutrients, microorganisms, and moisture that soils hold are all affected by atmospheric CO2 levels and surface temperatures. Soils are an extremely important part of the earth’s biosphere, and they can be managed more effectively to mitigate their effects to the climate and the changing climate’s effects on them. I will explore these impacts and relate them to primary productivity, food security, human health, and land desertification.
Student Perceptions of Diversity in University Curriculum: Informing Course Design
Presentation Year: 2016
When aspects of culture and diversity are integrated into courses, students can benefit in many ways including enhanced critical thinking and greater social agency, or one’s belief in the importance of working to correct social injustice. Despite these benefits, few instructors report that they integrate diversity-related content into their course curriculum, with many citing lack of knowledge for how to do this as a primary barrier. The purpose of this study is to assess student perceptions of diversity in the curriculum using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, with the broader goal of informing future curriculum design.
Studying the Connection Between X-Ray and UV Absorption in AGN Outflows
Presentation Year: 2016
Active Galactic Nuclei are still somewhat of an enigma; young, bright galaxies with a large range of redshifts. Our current research is focused on gas outflows from the active galactic nucleus (AGN). These outflows are identified by broad absorption lines in the spectra of AGN. Current multi-epoch observations of many active galactic nuclei (AGN) have resulted in broad absorption lines that appear and disappear over time. Current observations show that these outflows have speeds up to 0.2c. Our team’s ultimate goal is to understand the mechanism that drives quasar outflows and characterize the broad spectral absorption lines, as well as why the outflows are variable
Synthesis of Bis(diaryl)thienothiadiazole Compounds with Pyridyl and Pyrimidyl Groups For Use in Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Presentation Year: 2016
An organic photovoltaic (OPV) is a polymeric or small molecule device that accepts photons and generates a current. Donor-acceptor molecules are used to create a heterojunction where an electronic environment dissociates excitons, which are bound excited electron-hole pairs. Charge dissociation is facilitated at the heterojunction by the interaction of an exciton on the donor molecule with the electronic configuration of the acceptor molecule. Thiophene derivatives have proven to be promising candidates for high efficiency donor molecules. Rational design and attempted synthesis of bis(diaryl)-thienothiadiazole compounds with pyridyl and pyrimidyl groups are reported.
The Effect of Posture on Running Economy, Kinematics, and Muscle Activation
Presentation Year: 2016
This study investigated the effect of postural alterations (degree of forward lean and strategy) on running economy (energy consumed), kinematics (joint motion), and muscle activation during running. We found that running with a large lean resulted in a decrease in running economy and increased hip flexion such that the body increases its reliance on the less efficient gluteus maximus muscle. Furthermore, leaning forward increased gluteus maximus activation during stance phase, particularly when accepting body weight in landing. These findings suggests that running with an upright posture or more moderate forward lean, may be more energetically optimal.
The Feminist Pedestal: Ronda Rousey and the Representation of Female Athletes
Presentation Year: 2016
This article will explore the feminist self-identification of female athletes in addition to critiquing the harms and benefits of placing female athletes on a “feminist pedestal.” Ronda Rousey, a well-known athlete in mixed martial arts, will serve as a case study in the analysis.
The Functional Role of Identification in Self- and Group-Identity Uncertainty
Presentation Year: 2016
We looked at the relationship between self-conceptual uncertainty and group identity-uncertainty. Study 1 provides evidence that group identity-uncertainty produces self-uncertainty, even when people have the opportunity to identify with relevant groups. Study 2 shows that group-identity uncertainty motivates disidentification from a group relevant to their uncertainty. These findings highlight the complexity of the self-concept, suggesting that group-identity uncertainty produces self-uncertainty as well as disidentificaiton with sub-groups related to the uncertain identity.
The Homeless Students of Color of Humboldt State University
Presentation Year: 2016
In the Fall semester of 2015, Humboldt State University experienced an increase in enrollment unlike any in its history; HSU recruited a total 1,429 incoming freshmen, which joined the already-enrolled student body of 7,370. Of that population, 31% was Hispanic-identified, and 31.3% of that population was from Los Angeles alone. Competitive housing on and off campus left many students in housing insecurity; some endured homelessness for a majority of the semester. This ethnographic research spans the Fall 2015 semester as an attempt to analyze the multi-faceted issue of student homelessness. The increase in enrollment provides an opportunity for analysis in our very racialized present.
The Importance of Soil Analysis Concerning Ancient Civilizations
Presentation Year: 2016
Human activities leave an impact on everything, including deep in the soil. This soil then can be tested thousands of years later to help determine what activities occurred at the site for a culture that may have been lost, is barely known about, or left no evidence other than their footprint in the dirt. I will relate my experience as an intern in the Archaeology Lab on campus to this project, which also concerns soil analysis from someone else's project.
The JNK/c-Jun Pathway Regulates Potency and OCT4 Expression in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
Presentation Year: 2016
This study examines a role for the JNK/c-Jun pathway in stem cell potency, differentiation, and Oct4 expression. Oct 4 is a transcription factor known to regulate genes involved in embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation. cJun is a protein that regulates genes responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Its transcriptional activity is regulated in part by its activator, JUN amino-terminal kinase (JNK). In this study we modulated JNK/cJun signaling in murine embryonic stem cells through both chemical modulation of the JNK pathway and transient transfection of vectors expressing GFP cJUN, GFP L40/42A, GFP cJun R54A or GFP alone.
The Morris Graves Collection at the Morris Graves Museum of Art
Presentation Year: 2016
This project will see the creation of an exhibition revolving around the artist Morris Graves. The project involves research of the archives at the Morris Graves Museum of art and analysis of the condition of the works in storage. An analysis of the content and readiness for display of the collection is being done in order to plan out the format for the exhibition. The personal art collection of Morris Graves is at the Morris Graves Museum of Art yet no comprehensive exhibition displaying the works in that collection has been put on. This project aims to bring attention to the importance of the artist Morris Graves during the 1950's contemporary art scene.
The NCAA-DOD Grand Alliance Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium – Longitudinal Clinical Study Core
Presentation Year: 2016
With support from the NCAA and U.S. Department of Defense, the North Coast Concussion Program (NCCP) has embarked on a groundbreaking two year study of the history and impact of concussions among NCAA athletes. This multi-institution study is aimed at understanding the neurobiological and psychosocial nature of concussive injury and recovery for the purpose of enhancing the safety and health of collegiate student-athletes, service members, youth sports athletes and the broader public. At Humboldt State, faculty and students of the NCCP work together to conduct baseline and post injury monitoring of neurocognitive, motor control, and behavioral data in about 450 athletes from all sports.
The Role of Lgl1 in Tumor Forming Properties of Mouse Neural/Progenitor cells
Presentation Year: 2016
In the Sprowles lab we are interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in development and disease. One of the main projects in our lab is understanding the stem cell origin of glioblastoma, an aggressive and highly malignant form of brain cancer. We are investigating the role of Lethal Giant Larvae homolog 1 (Lgl1), a cell polarity protein and its role in tumor initiation and maintenance. Through the use of transgenic Lgl1 knockout mice we have isolated and propagated neural stem/progenitor cells from different region of the adult mouse brain and are investigating the functional consequences of Lgl1 deletion on signaling pathways often see to be dysregulated in cancer.
The struggle for a K -21 Education
Presentation Year: 2016
The demographics of K-12 public schools in CA have changed dramatically since the 1980s today students of color make up 75% of the student body. Since 1980 the number of White students in the CSU has gone from 70% to just 26.5% in 2015. Ever since the 1980s we have seen a divestment in K-12 and in the CSU. This research will not only describe the crisis in k-12 and higher education schooling but also create the changes needed for a sustainable future. This qualitative study proposes a paradigm shift of INVESTMENT- social justice, multilingualism, learner centered, nepantla, ethnic studies, African Indigenous knowledge, and sentipensante pedagogy in order for all our students to succeed.
The ‘Paleo’ diet in the United States: Why, how, and what now?
Presentation Year: 2016
As part of a Masters thesis, this study explored how individuals are defining, interpreting, and practicing the Paleo diet in the United States and any associated health outcomes. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Ethnographic methods included interviews and media analysis. A national survey was also conducted. This study found that specific practices of this diet varied by individual. Most common practices included frequent vegetable consumption, and avoidance of grains and processed foods. Increased energy and muscle tone, and decreased weight and frequency of illness were the most frequently reported health outcomes from these practices.
This Is All Simlish To Me: An Ethnographic Analysis of The Sims, A Virtual Life Simulation Video Game
Presentation Year: 2016
The scope of my research was to understand why Simmers created Sims and for what purpose. Ethnographic research took place over the course of 16 weeks on the Sims 3 and 4, forum sites, and YouTube videos. Through fieldnotes, participant observation, transcribed interviews, and surveys I was able to find three key evolving patterns, which was time investment, community building in game-play and participation in challenges and story-writing.Research findings reveal that the Simmers game-play is not only to pass time, but to achieve a goal that they have set for themselves which, allows them to connect with other Simmers, and creates a community based on shared interests.
To Shave or Not to Shave : Gender Conformity, Resistance and Female Body Hair.
Presentation Year: 2016
My research seeks to examine the body hair experiences of female HSU students and pressures they face conforming to local normative gender expectations. Drawing on a random sample of 300 female HSU students, I administered an online survey. My survey questions focused on the factors influencing respondents to grow out armpit and leg hair, and how individual characteristics influence women`s body hair practices at HSU. I will present my methods, data, and concluding analysis.
Tough Girls: Exploring Nonverbal Behaviors of Females at Rock Shows
Presentation Year: 2016
Because females have historically been socially and physically discouraged from participating in such events. It is important to examine effective nonverbal behaviors which promote gender inclusion in this setting. Utilizing a literature review and observation of the behaviors of females who attend rock music performances, this project describes community efforts to provide safety for female audience members through nonverbal communication and observations support the perceived female inhibition to participate equally to males in such an environment.
Toward an Intersectional Criminology
Presentation Year: 2016
Studying race, class, gender and age are considered crucial for understanding social inequality and offending, but criminology has yet to fully explore sexuality. In this study, we provide a baseline examination of sexuality and offending in the U.S. for several life course stages. We find that the effect of being a sexual minority on the likelihood of offending is often larger than or comparable to the significant effects of race and gender; this varies over the life course and across behaviors. We demonstrate that sexual orientation is another crucial attribute for understanding social inequality and offending, and join the call for a more intersectional approach to the study of offending.
Undergraduate Literary Journals in the U.S.
Presentation Year: 2016
Our project reviews teaching practices associated with undergraduate literary journal editing in other colleges and universities. We translate our findings by recommending new projects and directions for *Toyon: Multilingual Journal of Literature and Art,* based on examples of what other campuses are doing. This project contributes to Humboldt State University's focus on undergraduate publishing and hands-on learning experiences to prepare students for professions in editing, design, production, and writing for audiences beyond the university.