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The Water Table And Soil Moisture Response Following The Removal Of Conifers From An Encroached Meadow, Thomas W. Sanford

Master's Theses

Montane meadows play a key role in the physical and biologic processes of coniferous forests in the western United States. However, due to climate change, over grazing, and fire suppression, conifer encroachment into meadows has accelerated. In some western regions, nearly half of all meadow habitat has been loss due to conifer encroachment. To combat this issue, encroaching conifers can be removed in an attempt to increase meadow habitat and function. While multiple studies have assessed changes in soil structure and vegetation composition, few studies directly investigate changes in hydrology following meadow conifer removal projects. The goal of this study …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 11/29/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 11/8/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

For meeting minutes, see http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/senateminutes/1251/

Dharma And Darwin, Steven Marx

English

No abstract provided.

Academic Senate - Agenda, 11/1/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

A Novel Assessment Tool For Quantitative Evaluation Of Science Literature Search Performance: Application To First-Year And Senior Undergraduate Biology Majors, Jason M. Blank, Karen Mcgaughey, Elena Keeling, Kristen L. Thorp, Conor C. Shannon, Jeanine Marie Scaramozzino

Library Scholarship

Expertise in searching and evaluating scientific literature is a requisite skill of trained scientists and science students, yet information literacy instruction varies greatly among institutions and programs. To ensure that science students acquire information literacy skills, robust methods of assessment are needed. Here, we describe a novel tool for longitudinal, crossover assessment of literature-searching skills in science students and apply it to a cross-sectional assessment of literature-searching performance in 145 first-year and 43 senior biology majors. Subjects were given an open-ended prompt requiring them to find multiple sources of information addressing a particular scientific topic. A blinded scorer used a …

Review: Interspecies Ethics By Cynthia Willett, Thomas E. Randall

Between the Species

This paper provides a review of Cynthia Willett's book Interspecies Ethics. Willett aims to outline the beginnings of biosocial eros ethics – an ethical outline that sketches the potentiality of a cross-species cosmopolitan ideal of compassion (agape), derived through acknowledging and emphasizing the existence of spontaneous, playful interaction between social animals. Though this book is recommended for offering an innovative framework from which to explore the possibility of non-anthropocentric cross-species ethic, readers should be wary of expecting to find a fully-fledged moral program detailing how this would work.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 10/25/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Meeting Minutes, 10/25/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 10/18/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Academic Senate - Agenda, 10/11/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Atomic Tiles: Manipulative Resources For Exploring Bonding And Molecular Structure, Alan L. Kiste, Rebecca G. Hooper, Gregory E. Scott, Seth Bush

Chemistry and Biochemistry

A simple manipulative resource, Atomic Tiles, is described for scaffolding the learning of Lewis structures without using algorithmic, rule-based methods of drawing. Students use Atomic Tiles to (1) create models of bonding that lead to drawing Lewis structures, (2) use the structures they create to infer patterns required for rational structures and common organic functional groups, (3) translate between Lewis structures and molecular models, and (4) use molecular models to identify isomers.

Weights And Balances: Integrating Models For Prevention And Response To Southern California Offshore Oil Spills, Carmen Watts Clayton, Amoret Bunn

STAR Program Research Presentations

Licensing offshore oil and gas reserves in the United States waters are overseen by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Enforcement (BSEE). The licensing application includes planning for any worst-case oil spill scenario between BSEE and the applicant based on lessons learned from historic offshore spills such as the Deepwater Horizon (2010), Exxon Valdez (1989), and the Union Oil Platform Blowout (1969). The process for planning to respond to oil spills involves coordination with multiple agencies, trustees, and stakeholders to ensure that oil spill responses consider multiple factors, including ecologically sensitive species, commercial transportation and fisheries, …

Soil Moisture On Soledad Ridge In Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, Carrie Fong, Kathryn Mceachern, Ken Niessen

STAR Program Research Presentations

Santa Rosa Island is one of the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. Before the island was heavily grazed, Santa Rosa Island is thought to have had large stands of island oak trees, Quercus tomentella, that provided a critical source of water for the ecosystem by creating a “cloud forest”. Wind-borne fog collects on the leaves, branches, and twigs of the island oaks and other native shrubs. Once the water condenses it drips, falls, and soaks into the soil. Introducing cattle and especially sheep to the island has damaged the ecosystem and nearly decimated Santa Rosa Island …

Studying The Effects Of Serpentine Soil On Adapted And Non-Adapted Species Using Arduino Technology, Kiana Saniee, Edward Himelblau, Brian Paavo

STAR Program Research Presentations

Abstract: Serpentine soils are formed from ultramafic rocks and are represent an extreme environment for plants. Serpentine soils are unique in that they carry high concentrations of heavy metals, are nutrient deficient, particularly in calcium, and have poor water retention capabilities. Although these soils constitute harsh conditions for plant growth, there are a number of species that are adapted and even endemic to serpentine soil. Water retention by commercial potting mix was compared with serpentine soil. Also, serpentine adapted and non-adapted species were grown in both soil treatments and physiological data were collected. We used the Arduino electronic platform to …

Measurement And Modeling Of Cosmic Ray Exposure For Supercdms Dark Matter Detectors., Kameron Mccall, John Orrell, Jared Yamaoka

STAR Program Research Presentations

Dark matter is an unknown type of matter that composes roughly 27% of the observable universe and, as cosmological structure models suggest, the earth should be passing through a “dark halo” of this unknown matter present in the Milky Way galaxy. As we pass through this halo, the Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS) experiment aims to directly detect dark -matter particles. Though many dark matter particle candidates exist, SuperCDMS focuses on the detection of particles called WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles) as predicted by super-symmetric theories beyond the standard model. Due to the high-sensitivity of the germanium detectors employed, …

To Fish Or Not To Fish? What Effect Do California’S Marine Protected Areas Have On Up-And-Coming Kellet’S Whelk Fishery?, Jennifer Greene

STAR Program Research Presentations

Kellet’s whelk, Kelletia kelletii, were observed at sample sites throughout their range from Baja California, Mexico, to Monterey, CA to determine patterns of population density. Sample sites in each region were either located within California marine protected areas where take of the Kellet’s whelk in prohibited, or in non-protected areas where the whelks can be fished both commercially and recreationally. Kellet’s whelk population density was compared between all MPA and non-MPA sample sites. These mean densities were also found for sites in Santa Barbara and San Diego near active fishing ports and compared to data from the same sites collected …

Crisis Communications And Media Coverage Before, During, And After A Natural Disaster, Juliet Saunders

Journalism

This study is aimed to further define the connection between crisis communications and the media. This is a single-site case study that was one of the most reported on natural disasters in the United States, Hurricane Katrina. The study will focus on determining the meaning of crisis communications, crisis communications plans and the medias’ roles in natural disasters. Three experts in the field of Public Relations and Media were interviewed to gain insight into the working relationships between the media and crisis communicators. Before the study is able to determine the best practices for crisis communications, it must first look …

Executive Committee - Agenda 9/27/2016, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Traversing Swanton Road, 23rd Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Incorporated within this botanical overview but technically not part of the watershed sensustrictu, are the adjacent environs, ranging from the coastal strand up through the Western Terrace to the ocean draining ridge tops..... with the Arroyo de las Trancas/Last Chance Ridge defining the western/northwestern boundary and the Molino Creek divide, the southern demarcation. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over …

The Effects Of Radiation Exposure: An In Vivo Vs In Vitro Biomarker Study Analysis, Angeles L. Mora

STAR Program Research Presentations

Cells contain many genes that encode proteins which dictate the cell function. The thousands of genes expressed in a particular cell determine what the cell can do. When a cell is damaged, there are powerful mechanisms to repair damaged genes. Here, we investigated different cell lines that have been exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). To understand the effect of genes to different doses of IR and their correlations to up-regulated and down-regulated genes, a biomarker study has been performed on the following different cell types: In vivo lymphocytes from Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) isotopic radiation treated neuroblastoma patients and in vitro lymphoblastoid …

Identification Of Microorganisms Isolated From Mars-Bound Spacecraft Using Maldi-Tof, Melanie K. Phillips

STAR Program Research Presentations

The primary goal of the Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group (BPPG) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is to prevent microbial contamination between Earth and other planetary bodies. This helps preserve the ability to study other worlds as they exist in their natural states and protects our biosphere from extraterrestrial life. The process for identifying microbes located on space-bound hardware in JPL can be more efficient and precise by using the technique called matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Once this identification technique is fully implemented, the process time will be reduced from two weeks to one …

Impacts Of Fog Drip On Survivorship And Growth Of Native Herb And Shrub Seedlings On Santa Rosa Island, Julianne Bradbury, Ken Niessen, Kathryn Mceachern

STAR Program Research Presentations

Overgrazing on Santa Rosa Island led to loss of topsoil in ridgeline groves of endemic island oaks (Quercus tomentella). Restoration specialists attempting to mitigate the impacts of wind and water erosion must determine efficient methods of reestablishing native vegetation. Planting pillows, burlap sacks filled with planting mix and attached to the bedrock substrate, may nurture seedlings long enough for their roots to penetrate the underlying sandstone. Since the island’s ridgeline habitat is often inaccessible during the rainy season, restoration efforts are largely confined to the dry summer months, during which condensed fog is an important source of moisture …

Characterizing Upper Colorado River Basin Sediments, Kolyne S. De Jesus, Emily L. Cardarelli, Christopher A. Francis, John R. Bargar

STAR Program Research Presentations

More than 35 million people in the western United States depend on the Colorado River as a resource for drinking water, irrigation systems, and hydropower. Recent climate change reports predict average water levels within the Colorado River Basin will continue to decrease throughout the next century due to decreased precipitation, warming temperatures, and increased usage. Decreased river flow may have major impacts within the subsurface that are two-fold: 1) decreased water flowing may result in greater issues of water quality-due to accumulation and concentration of some elements within the subsurface, and 2) a decreased water stage may significantly alter the …

Abundance Of Crabs And Predation On Hemigrapsis Oregonensis In Tiscornia Marsh, San Francisco Bay, Alynn Hoffman, Julie Anne Gonzalez, Michelle Marraffini, Andrew L. Chang

STAR Program Research Presentations

With a carapace width ranging up to 35 mm for adult males and 29 mm for adult females, Hemigrapsis oregonensis is a native shore crab typically found in the rocky intertidal zone along the Northern Pacific coast. Although this habitat provides protection against desiccation as well as changes in temperature, it may also expose H. oregonensis to predators who prefer the same habitat. The goal of this research was to investigate both the predation on H. oregonensis and the abundance of various crabs of Tiscornia Marsh in San Francisco Bay. We hypothesize that the largest predation will occur in the …

Optimization And Coding Of A Lcls Control Program, Tanner M. Worden

STAR Program Research Presentations

SLAS’s, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) also known as X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) is the first X-ray laser of its kind. It gave Scientist from around the world the unique ability to observe the world at a subatomic level. Allowing for major advancements in the field of biological chemistry, drug science, material science and many more. Since the LCLS is a fairly unique scientific instrument, the demand for its use by the scientific community has always been high since it turned on back in 2009. This means that any and all time that the laser is not being used for …

Irrigation Efficiency Of Santa Rosa Island Cloud Forest Restoration Project, Rebecca Bernard, Kathryn Mceachern, Ken Niessen

STAR Program Research Presentations

Beginning in the 1800s, sheep and cattle ranching have caused significant erosion and devegetation of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park. In an effort to contain what little soil is left and rebuild the native chaparral, the Cloud Forest Restoration Project is testing erosion control structures such as wattles, leaf litter fences and silt dams. This summer a drip irrigation system was installed along with fog capturing fences to supply water to native plants transplanted near the erosion control structures. As the project has grown, more irrigation has been added to increase the area available for transplanting. This irrigation …

The Evaluation Of The Response Of American Eels To Rapid Decompression, Christina Macmillan, Alison Colotelo, John Stephenson, Briana Rhode, Trevor Macduff

STAR Program Research Presentations

Hydropower dams are used throughout the world to generate electricity and dams can negatively affect fish, as they can hinder or block migration or be a source of injury and mortality during passage. When moving downstream, fish can pass through the turbines instead of other routes (e.g. spillway and juvenile bypass system)where there is a sudden decrease in pressure that can cause barotraumas, injuries from the changes in barometric pressure, (e.g., hemorrhaging, embolism, ruptured organs) due to internal gases expanding. To determine the response of American eels, Anguilla rostrate, to rapid decompression, testing was conducted in the Mobile Aquatic …

Eye Tracking Food Cues In Subjects Who Are Overweight/Obese, Weight Loss Maintainers, And Normal Weight, Carrie A. Petro

Master's Theses

Adult obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Increasing success in weight loss maintenance will decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and therefore help control the adverse health effects of excess weight. Much is known about the behavioral characteristics of successful long-term weight loss maintenance, but less is known about the cognitive processes behind weight loss maintenance. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify differences in visual attention to high-energy dense foods between individuals who are normal weight, weight loss maintainers, and overweight/obese in a high-risk (food-buffet) situation; (2) to evaluate differences in food choices from …

Physically Effective Fiber Threshold, Apparent Digestibility, And Novel Fecal Microbiome Identification Of The Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys Pardalis), Breanna Paige Modica

Master's Theses

Particle size distribution of diet, feces, and change from diet to feces, as well as apparent digestibility (aDig, %) of selected nutrients, and novel fecal microbiome identification of mature female leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis, n = 16) fed exclusively one of three, nutritionally complete, pelleted diets were evaluated in a blind, complete randomized design study. Two diets included insoluble fiber (powdered cellulose) consisting of either 2.0 mm or 0.2 mm length. Insoluble fiber provides nutritional and physical benefits to both the animal host and the microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Insoluble fiber length was used as a …