May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Climate, Grasslands, and Policies; The Changing Livelihood of Tibetan Nomads
Presentation Year: 2015
The research interviews with nomads have shown that climate, grasslands and policies are changing the livelihood of Tibetan nomads. Tibetan nomads have established a way to graze their livestock and keep the grasslands healthy by moving based on the seasons. Climate change will decrease the grassland quality results in unhealthy livestock and decreases their resistance to winter storms. Herders express that policies that encourage or demand a sedentary livelihood have restricted mobility, decreased livestock conditions, and resulted in an increase in livestock loss. Today, Tibetan nomads are stuck between their traditional ways and the way the government has established for them.
Collecting seed at the hot, dry margins of a tree species’ natural range: do the progeny of these extreme trees have drought tolerance and water-use efficiency needed for restoration of harsh sites?
Presentation Year: 2015
Trees growing in the hottest/driest parts of their natural range may be better-adapted to hot, dry conditions and hold promise for restoration and resistance to climate change. If drought tolerance and water-use efficiency were heritable genetic traits, we could select for these characteristics and raise seedlings for reforestation on marginal sites or in areas where adverse changes in climate were forecast. 3000 redwood seedlings originating from wet and dry locations were planted by HSU students in 2010 and 2011. The experiment provides insights into outcomes of reclamation and “assisted migration” forest conservation/restoration strategies and impact of climate change on redwood forests.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Models of RO-PRO and FO-RO Hybrid Processes
Presentation Year: 2015
To address the two main issues of using reverse osmosis (RO) for desalination purposes (high energy demand and brine disposal), two hybrid systems have been proposed. One uses forward osmosis (FO) as pre-treatment while the other augments the RO step with pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). To meaningfully compare the energy reductions from both systems, computational fluid dynamics models of the PRO and FO processes are being developed to encapsulate the complex geometries of the membrane modules and the system response to these geometries.
Critical Multicultural Literacy for Social Justice
Presentation Year: 2015
This case study took place in a diverse school setting. We implemented critical multicultural literature to 3rd and 4th graders. Our question is: How do students respond to critical multicultural pedagogy and literature? We used dialogue journals, literature circles, critical dialogue, and art to build community and raise consciousness. We found that the single story approach is prevalent in schools and that multiple stories have fostered an understanding and empathy towards the diversity of struggles people face in this world. In conclusion, critical multicultural literature helps build community and empower students to be able to make changes in their community.
Determination of Metal Accumulation and Loading in the Oxidation Ponds at the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility
Presentation Year: 2015
The determination of temporal variations of metals, in the primary effluent and oxidation ponds, were collected biweekly (2007-2008) and weekly (2012-2013) at the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility. The data demonstrates the removal of contaminant metals in the oxidation ponds through sludge deposition as well as the role weather events play in elevated metal concentrations. The sludge in the oxidation pond systems where also measured to allow the projection of the accumulation of metals in the sludge within the system 30 years from now.
Determining Magma Mixing Duration and Dynamics Through Analysis of Reaction Rims on Olivine Crystals in Natural Samples of Black Dacite From the 1915 Eruption of Lassen Peak, CA
Presentation Year: 2015
Disequilibrium reaction rim textures on olivine grains from black dacite from the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak were measured and coupled with experimental reaction rim growth rates to estimate the duration of magma mixing that took place prior to the 1915 eruption. Reaction rims on 100 olivine grains were measured and the duration of magma mixing prior to the 1915 eruption was estimated to be between 12-17 months. The abundance of reaction rim growth varies during the duration of magma mixing and is evidence that the eruption of Lassen Peak was catalyzed by multiple injections of hot basaltic andesite into a relatively cool and mushy dacitic reservoir magma chamber prior to eruption.
Development and Psychometric Characteristics of the Chocolate Craving Inventory
Presentation Year: 2015
One of the most popularly craved foods in the United States is chocolate. Yet, current definitions and ways to assess chocolate craving vary from study to study. The purpose of this investigation was to create a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess problematic chocolate craving and its correlates. Preliminary findings indicate that the Chocolate Craving Inventory (CCI) is both a reliable and valid measure. Our investigation yielded high internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a college sample (N = 100). In addition, evidence for convergent and discriminant validity were also found. Future studies will further assess the psychometric properties of the CCI.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the College Help-Seeking Behavior Scale
Presentation Year: 2015
Although college students have access to many free or low-cost services, a majority do not take advantage of these resources. For decades, researchers have sought solutions to this misalignment of service availability, need, and utilization. Impeding this goal is the lack of a sufficiently broad psychometric instrument that can measure and predict help-seeking in an individual. At this time, no such measure currently exists. The purpose of this study was to develop the College Help-Seeking Behavior Scale (CHSB) to assess college students’ intention and past behavior regarding seeking help from social networks and on-campus services for various problems.
Development and Validation of the Humboldt Idealism Questionnaire
Presentation Year: 2015
Idealism is defined as believing that desirable consequences can, with the “right” action, always be obtained. This involves decreasing the amount of negative outcomes and increasing the amount of positive outcomes. Due to the lack of a reliable and valid existing measure of idealism, our goal was to create a psychometrically sound scale. Morality and justice are two important domains that were addressed during item creation. The HIQ was compared to the Global Belief in a Just World Scale in order to establish criterion validity; the short form of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale was used for discriminant validity.
Early Cretaceous Cupressaceae in the Budden Canyon Formation of northern California
Presentation Year: 2015
The Early Cretaceous Budden Canyon Formation of North America contains a few anatomically preserved plant fossils ca. 125 Ma old (Barremian-early Aptian). Recent investigations of the Budden Canyon Formation have revealed a preserved seed cone assignable to the Cupressaceae. Based on serial sections and a 3-D reconstruction, the fossil cone was compared with living Cupressaceae and revealed significant differences from most genera and closest similarity, but not identity, with Sequoia. The age and morphology of the cone also suggests that it may represent an extinct member of the sequoioid, a lineage which gave rise to modern redwoods (Sequoia) and giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron).
Effect of Size at Release on Tendency of Trinity River Hatchery Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Return as Half-Pounders
Presentation Year: 2015
I used scale analysis to estimate the half-pounder frequency among wild and hatchery steelhead from the Trinity River 2011 and 2012 smolt years and compare those estimates to the half-pounder frequency from 1993 until 2008. Hatchery steelhead from 2011 and 2012 had higher half-pounder tendencies than those from 1993 until 2008. Wild steelhead from 2011 and 2012 also showed increased half-pounder tendencies. This supports the hypothesis that increased size at release of hatchery steelhead is related to decline in the half-pounder life history, but also suggests that another factor influences the half-pounder tendency of these steelhead.
Engineering the S-Layer Protein RsaA in Caulobacter vibrioides for Heavy Metal Bioremediation
Presentation Year: 2015
One major contemporary environmental issues is the pollution of heavy metals into waterways. However, removal of heavy metal ions via bioremediation may be a possible solution. Using modified C. vibrioides paracrystalline RsaA surface layer proteins (S-layer proteins), our team hopes to bind lead, and other metal ions for decontamination through use of a filtration system. It is known that modified S-layers can be displayed on the microbial surface. Our initial target sequence (TNTLSNN) was chosen for its ability to bind Pb. Our future goals are the observation of heavy metal binding efficiency of each engineered RsaA surface, and the generation of prototype binding cartridges.
Establishment patterns of Oregon white oak and California black oak woodlands in northwestern California
Presentation Year: 2015
Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and California black oak (Q. kelloggii) woodlands are unique ecosystems, yet little is known about their tree establishment patterns, nor the variability of stand structure. Research objectives were: to describe age, stand structure, and tree regeneration in 4 mixed oak-conifer woodlands in northwestern California. Most white and black oaks established from 1850-1910 with rare establishment since 1950 (< 0.05%). Most Douglas-fir trees established since ~ 1950. All sites had high proportions of oak seedling mortality in open stands. These trends likely reflect the effects of altered disturbance regimes enabling the transition to conifer-dominant stands.
Eureka CPI Project
Presentation Year: 2015
Calculated CPI for Eureka area using local prices and data.
Examining Capabilities of Various Single Bacterial Strains on Peptide Degradation in Seawater
Presentation Year: 2015
The research aimed to compare the capabilities of two single strains of bacteria in their ability to hydrolyze a common peptide found in the seawater. The research is important in adding to knowledge of the carbon cycle, and how organic matter is processed on incredibly small scales. The data collected over the course of ten weeks turned out significant and more data is going to be added in the future to compile a database for the different bacteria strains which may one day help in environmental restoration projects.
Feasibility of Pressure Retarded Osmosis
Presentation Year: 2015
Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) is a renewable energy technology which captures energy from the osmotic pressure of salinity gradients across membranes. This poster presents a feasibility study of PRO at the Samoa Pulp Mill site by employing a pseudo-2-dimensional model to approximate the pressure drops and the salt and water fluxes across a spiral-wound membrane module. The net energy of the system accounts for parasitic loads including pretreatment, conveyance turbine and generator efficiency, and friction losses in the pipe networks. Technical and economic feasibility are evaluated in the project. The conclusions are that PRO is barely technically feasible and not economically feasible.
Features of the Coastal Atmospheric Marine Boundary Layer
Presentation Year: 2015
The marine boundary layer is a semi-annual atmospheric feature occuring along the Humboldt coastline. Fourteen years worth of weather balloon data provided by the NOAA atmospheric observatory in Trinidad, CA have been used to characterize seasonal and spatial patterns of the boundary layer. Preliminary results show that the boundary layer is highly dynamic and occurs in high frequency. It is most common in summertime as a result of warm inland temperatures and strong coastal upwelling. Seasonally, the boundary layer changes height, rising to 1500m in winter and lowering to 900m in summer. A five year time series provides evidence that the California drought may reduce the layer's frequency.
FOOD INSECURITY AND SNAP PARTICIPATION AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WORKING ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS
Presentation Year: 2015
This study is intended to investigate food insecurity among international students, who are working on campus, and to provide greater understanding of the barriers for them and/or their families in accessing SNAP benefits. Twelve individuals who had experience working on campus 20 hours per week as an international student were recruited. A survey based on demographic and financial information and interviews were conducted to identify their financial situation and barriers to access SNAP benefits. The study identified that without the financial support of parents, international students with children face the risk of food insecurity.
Forest Attributes of Reproductive Habitat for Harpy Eagles in Darien Province, Panama
Presentation Year: 2015
A Harpy Eagle's, (Harpia harpyja), reproductive cycle is distinctive amongst all raptors. Therefore, obtaining detailed knowledge of their reproductive habitat would assist in creating new management policies and conservation guidelines. We measured variables describing forest characteristics within 0.5-ha plots around each of ten nesting and control trees in the Pacific region of Darien Province, Panama. Variables measured were: tree family richness; tree density, height and diameter; shrub density; and coverage of understory and canopy foliage. We then used Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to compare a series of models specified a priori to assess the importance of forest attributes.
Forest Response to Severe Drought: Do restoration thinning treatments in coast redwood-Douglas fir forests increase resiliency to drought?
Presentation Year: 2015
Coast redwood-Douglas-fir forest hold important economic, ecological, and cultural values which will likely be threatened by changing climate and increased drought stress. Restoration thinning has been used by forest managers with the goals of decreasing stand competition and accelerating maturation to old-growth conditions. However, uncertainty still remains on whether restoration treatments provide forests with increased resiliency to disturbances such as severe drought. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of different restoration treatments in improving second-growth forest resiliency to drought stress in coast redwood-Douglas-fir forests of Redwood NP.