May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Study of Hornblende Reaction Rims in Regard to Magma Rate Through the Conduit in California's Mt. Lassen's 1915 Eruption
Presentation Year: 2015
Interpretation of hornblende reaction rims through the use of a scanning electron microscope to establish accent rate and path of magma through Mt. Lassen's volcanic conduit in the 1915 eruption.
The Effects of Artificial Substrates on Larvel Settlement and Community Structure in Humboldt Bay, California
Presentation Year: 2015
Different anthropogenic substrates have been shown to have a strong effect on larval recruitment and subsequent community development in estuarine fouling communities. Docks and piers have been shown to have an increased abundance of invasive species relative to natural substrates such as rock. We examined community structure in accordance to initial barnacle settlement on concrete, treated wood, untreated wood, tire rubber, and plastic settling plates. Results show that there were marked differences in initial barnacle settlement as well as final community structure (after 4 months) between treatments, revealing the importance of early settlement and substrate type on community composition.
The effects of simulated acid rain on web-spinning spiders in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico
Presentation Year: 2015
Our objective of this study was to assess the effects of simulated acid rain on web-spinning spider assemblages in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, and we hypothesized that acid rain would decrease the richness and abundance of web-spinning spider taxa. Spiders are an ideal bioindicator to study the effects of anthropogenic pollutants due to their abundance, position as apex predators, various foraging behaviors and the feasibility in collecting them. In our field experiment, quadrats were sprayed with water of varying pH levels. After the treatments, all web-spinning spiders in the quadrats were collected and identified and results were statistically analyzed.
The emotional response to social gaze is a domain specific cognitive mechanism
Presentation Year: 2015
Eye contact with another person (social gaze) produces a reflexive emotional responses measurable using skin conductance (SCR). A ‘domain specificity’ model of the social gaze response mechanism was tested by comparing SCRs during social and 'self-gaze' (gazing at one’s own eyes in a mirror). Domain specificity (versus generality) predicts responses only during social gaze and has theoretical implications for how this reflex evolved. Participants (N=76) completed ten, 20 second, social or self-gaze trials. Social gaze produced significantly greater mean SCR’s and showed more habituation across trials. There were no effects of sex or sex match on gaze-evoked SCRs. Results support domain speci
The importance of covariate spatial factors in building growth models for old growth sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) in the Sierra Nevada.
Presentation Year: 2015
A century of fire exclusion in the Sierra Nevada has altered the structure and composition of many old-growth forests. As a result many older sugar pines (Pinus lambertiana) are more prone to mortality due to uncharacteristically severe wildfire, pathogens and insect outbreaks, drought, and competition-induced stress, and many of these factors are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Examining tree growth is an excellent approach to understanding the influence of these factors on sugar pine vigor and survival. This study is a preliminary analysis to understand the importance spatial factors such as slope and distance to creek as covariates in building growth models for sugar pine.
The Integration of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems with Geospatial Science and Information Technology
Presentation Year: 2015
My research has two components. The first component explores field research techniques involving the integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), with mobile mapping tools and geospatial analysis, to generate layers of data for a target study area. The layers include georeferenced orthophotographs, digital elevation models (DEMs), 3D models, common GIS raster transformations, supervised classifications, and false-color composites. The second component explores the use of information technology to develop effective methods for displaying and communicating scientific information to a broader audience.
The Response of Breeding Western Snowy Plovers to Habitat Restoration and Sea Level Rise in Coastal Northern California
Presentation Year: 2015
The Western Snowy Plover is threatened by habitat loss from invasive European Beachgrass. Habitat restoration is implemented to counteract this threat. A second threat to this beach-nesting bird is flooding from sea level rise due to global warming. To inform managers, we evaluated these threats using GIS geospatial analyses to compare nesting habitat features in restored areas and evaluate sea level inundation. In this preliminary study, we found plovers nested on wider beaches with more woody debris, open sand, and other nests than at random. Most nests (84%) were in restored habitat, and a two meter increase from mean sea level would result in 53% of plover nests becoming inundated.
The role of the transcription factor cJun in the regulation of murine embryonic stem cell potency
Presentation Year: 2015
The OCT4 gene is a POU class V transcription factor essential for establishment of the inner cell mass, pluripotency and self -renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESs). OCT4 gene expression is controlled by various mechanisms including transcription factor regulation. The AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun is known to affect proliferation, apoptosis, and cell survival. Its transcriptional activity is increased by phosphorylation of L40/42 by Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In this study, we examine the role of c-Jun on the regulation of Oct4 expression.
The Sodium Channel Blocker Tricaine Reduces Regeneration in Lumbriculus variegatus:a Study at the Ultrastructural and Light Microscopic Levels
Presentation Year: 2015
Lumbriculus variegatus has great ability to regenerate from small fragments into a new worm. In this study, we expose the worms to the voltage-gated sodium channel blocker Tricaine (MS-222) and examine somatic regeneration of heads and tails following body transection. Images of regenerating worms under normal conditions and treated worms with (1700μm) of tricaine were examined after amputation through TEM, SEM, and light level. Regeneration of both new head and tail body segments was reduced in the presence of tricaine, especially in the tail regeneration. Therefore, voltage- gated sodium channels showed to affect regeneration in the blackworms.
The Upscaling of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation for Direct Potable Reuse of Wastewater
Presentation Year: 2015
Direct contact membrane distillation is a thermally driven separation process that can be used for treating wastewater. A solution of hot water and a solution of cold water are placed in direct contact on opposite sides of a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, causing the contents to separate into distilled water and brine. Due to these properties, DCMD has potential to be used on a larger scale, transforming impaired water bodies into viable sources of drinking water. This particular project is a bench-scale DCMD system and will be used to treat leachate from a landfill in Eureka, before being sent to University of Nevada-Reno to be coupled with a membrane bioreactor.
Threats Mediate the Relationship Between Contact and Same-Sex Marriage Attitudes
Presentation Year: 2015
This study examines a mediating relationship between positive contact, perceived threat, and same-sex marriage. We hypothesized that perceived threat, both symbolic and realistic, mediates the relationship between positive contact and attitudes toward same-sex marriage. Findings indicate that positive contact relates to more positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage and in turn, less realistic and symbolic threat. For instance, if an individual had more positive contact with a gay acquaintance then they were less likely to believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage would threaten such things as their religious freedom (symbolic) or financial well-being (realistic).
Tibetan Nationality: tourism, commodification, and souvenirs preserving identity.
Presentation Year: 2015
Over the summer of 2014 research was conducted in China and Tibet. The main focus of the research involved the social identity of the Tibetan people and the perception of the people and place through he yes of a tourist. In order to find the perceptions and identity of the people the tourism industry was analyzed using textual analysis and participant observation. Souvenirs in particular were a focal point of the research leading the author to a belief that however difficult and even destructive the tourism industry can be on a place and people in this case it seems that the industry may be serving as an mechanism of national identity preservation.
Water Management System of the Classic Maya of Palenque (A.D. 250-900)
Presentation Year: 2015
The scope of this research is to understand the dynamic relationship between the Classic Maya of Palenque and water. The research presents geographical features, climate, techniques, and technology used to harness water. Furthermore, the activities of the Classic Maya of Palenque (A.D. 250-900) involving water will be presented and elaborated as dynamic casual processes revealing and reconstructing cultural aspects. The investigation of the water management of Palenque system reveals the relationship between functionality and Maya ideology .The dynamic relationship between the Classic Maya of Palenque water management
Where Kitsch Meets Custom: Recent Native American Architecture in Northern California
Presentation Year: 2015
A wave of new construction projects sponsored by Native American tribes is currently sweeping across Northern California. Federal recognition and Indian gaming have brought with them a flurry of development opportunities, particularly for casinos and tribal services buildings. An overview of such structures illustrates significant differences between the buildings tribes build for the general public, versus those that they construct for their own use. Such analysis helps demonstrate both the vision the general public has of Indian tribes, as well as the vision tribes have of themselves.