Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparative Perspective On Three Primate Species’ Responses To A Pictorial Emotional Stroop Task, Lydia M. Hopper, Matthias Allritz, Crystal L. Egelkamp, Sarah M. Huskisson, Sarah L. Jacobson, Jesse G. Leinwand, Stephen R. Ross

Publications and Research

The Stroop effect describes interference in cognitive processing due to competing cognitive demands. Presenting emotionally laden stimuli creates similar Stroop-like effects that result from participants’ attention being drawn to distractor stimuli. Here, we adapted the methods of a pictorial Stroop study for use with chimpanzees (N = 6), gorillas (N = 7), and Japanese macaques (N = 6). We tested all subjects via touchscreens following the same protocol. Ten of the 19 subjects passed pre-test training. Subjects who reached criterion were then tested on a standard color-interference Stroop test, which revealed differential accuracy in the primates’ responses across conditions. Next, …

Marijuana Legalization Effect On Opioid Abuse: A Synthetic Control Approach, Elisha Kwaku Denkyirah

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

The opioid epidemic constitutes one of the worst drug crises in the history of U.S. State-level policies, in general, have done little to prevent prescription opioid abuse. A noteworthy exception to other clinical efforts to curb opioid abuse is marijuana. Despite preliminary evidence, many states are hesitant to introduce legislation to expand access to medicinal marijuana or liberalize laws on the recreational use of marijuana, fearing additional research is needed. Utilizing a synthetic control method and annual state-level data from 2006 to 2018, this study examines the effect of recreational marijuana legalization on opioid abuse. The findings strongly indicate marijuana …

Rice Variety Choice And Subsidy Effects On Market Share, Jeremy Zwinger

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

The United States has been losing market share because the unintended consequences of policy decisions have influenced what rice to grow, rather than taking the signal directly from buyers. U.S. share of Mexican rice imports has fallen from 100% in 2002 to 67% in 2021 as better perceived-quality product is purchased from other international origins. During this same time, hybrid rice acres have gone from 0% to over 70%. This research develops a theoretical model to evaluate subsidy effects on market-share performance when support for quality rice improvements is considered. Empirical analysis using Granger Causality suggests that planting hybrid rice …

Functional Analysis Of Folate Biosynthesis Genes Of Rickettsia Monacensis Str. Humboldt Via Complementation Assay, Brandon James Hill

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Nutritive symbiosis between bacteria and ticks is observed across a range of microbes and hosts, however, little characterization on the molecular components responsible for these symbioses has been done. Previous studies in our lab demonstrated that Rickettsia monacensis str. Humboldt (RMSH) can synthesize folate de novo via folA, folC, folE, folKP, and ptpS pathway. In this study expression of RMSH folate genes within a folate gene mutant E. coli K-12 strain BW25113 was used to functionally characterize RMSH folate genes in vivo. RMSH folate genes were subcloned into TransBac vector and transformed into folA, …

The Effect Of Quality Of Life On Cardiometabolic Risk Factors In Postmenopausal Women, Chavela Lynn Riotutar

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Background: The emergence of cardiometabolic (CMD) indicators for Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) coincides with the decline in estrogen production during menopause and substantially increases development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Quality of life (QOL) encompasses physical, material, and social well-being. Research reveals a correlation between low QOL scores and CMD disease. Menopause significantly increases CMD risk, and may also lower QOL scores. Objective: To investigate the relationship between QOL and CMD risk in postmenopausal women. Method: Cisgender, postmenopausal women (age > 45 years) were recruited through emails to complete the online survey. Data collection included demographics, physical characteristics and activity level, …

Response Of Invertebrate Drift To Dam-Release Restoration Pulse Flows From Lewiston Dam On The Trinity River, Ca, Jasmine S. Williamshen

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The widespread construction of dams to regulate rivers has dramatically altered aquatic ecosystems, but these impoundments also provide a unique opportunity to support freshwater conservation goals by implementing functional flow regimes designed to mitigate dam-related impacts on fisheries. Drifting invertebrates are an important food source for stream-dwelling juvenile salmonids such that drift feeding can be an energetically profitable foraging strategy, yet the effect of streamflow alterations on invertebrate drift dynamics is largely undetermined. Drift net samples were collected on four days before and four days during the ascending limb (14-42 m³/s) of restoration pulse flows in April 2020 …

Integrated Curriculum In Physical Education, Delaney M. Rice

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This paper seeks to address an absence of resources for teachers that highlight cross-curricular integration of physical education and core academics to benefit the learning, motivation, health, and academic outcomes of students. Curricular integration, or the highlighting of overlapping themes between subjects, has become a popular way to maximize educational time in schools. The benefits of curricular integration are well documented, however, less known are the benefits of curricular integration in the fields of physical education and special education. By analyzing existing literature, reviewing existing curricula and educational resources, and surveying educational professionals, a guide was created to support teachers …

Effect Of Whole Fruit Based Anthocyanins On Systemic Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, And Waist Circumference In Women, Anastasiya Yudinova

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) remains the leading cause of death nationally. Intra-abdominal fat (IAF) is one of the primary risk factors for CMD. Women are particularly vulnerable to developing CMD due to hormonal changes during and after menopause that increase IAF. Excess IAF has deleterious effects on the body, increasing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to CMD. This systematic review and meta-analyses examined current research related to consumption of whole foods high in anthocyanins, their impact on oxidative stress and inflammation, and the medium and amount of anthocyanin delivery that yields the most benefits to women at risk for CMD. …

Zoning Out: Urban Agriculture, Sustainability, And Development In Portland, Oregon, Brian Elliott

Philosophy Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper examines the recent history of urban planning policy in and around Portland, Oregon with respect to efforts to enhance local agriculture. Despite recent and ongoing efforts to promote distribution and direct sale of local food products in the city, I argue that the dominant effect of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in place since the 1970s has been to push agricultural production further from the most populous areas of the city. Whereas the UGB at present cannot include areas zoned specifically for agricultural use, I argue that it must reformed to allow for "agricultural reserves" within the boundary. …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Technology-Based, Rural Weight Management Int Ervention In Older Adults With Obesity, John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew M. Clark, Summer B. Cook, David Kotz, Tyler L. Gooding, Meredith N. Roderka, Rima I. Al-Nimer, Dawna M. Pidgeon, Ann Haedrich, K. C. Wright, Christina Aquila, Todd A. Mackenzie

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background

Older adults with obesity residing in rural areas have reduced access to weight management programs. We determined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of an integrated technology-based health promotion intervention in rural-living, older adults using remote monitoring and synchronous video-based technology.

Methods

A 6-month, non-randomized, non-blinded, single-arm study was conducted from October 2018 to May 2020 at a community-based aging center of adults aged ≥65 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2. Weekly dietitian visits focusing on behavior therapy and caloric restriction and twice-weekly physical therapist-led group strength, flexibility and balance training classes were delivered using video-conferencing …

A Weight-Loss Intervention Augmented By A Wearable Device In Rural Older Adults With Obesity: A Feasibility Study, John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Matthew L. Clark, Summer B. Cook, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Rima I. Al-Nimer, Dawna Pidgeon, David Kotz, Todd A. Mackenzie, Stephen J. Bartels

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background

Older persons with obesity aged 65+ residing in rural areas have reduced access to weight management programs due to geographic isolation. The ability to integrate technology into health promotion interventions shows a potential to reach this underserved population. Methods

A 12-week pilot in 28 older rural adults with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) was conducted at a community aging center. The intervention consisted of individualized, weekly dietitian visits focusing on behavior therapy and caloric restriction with twice weekly physical therapist-led group strengthening training classes in a community-based aging center. All participants were provided a Fitbit Flex …

Differential Etiology: Inferring Specific Causation In The Law From Group Data In Science, Joseph Sanders, David L. Faigman, Peter B. Imrey, Philip Dawid

Faculty Scholarship

In every toxic-tort case, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant exposed the plaintiff to something that caused an injury. The causal proof is in two parts: proof of general causation and proof of specific causation. General causation addresses the question of whether the exposure can cause injury in anyone. In the area of toxic torts, the evidence available to answer this question comes in the form of groupbasedstudies in the fields of toxicology, epidemiology, and genetics—studies that search for the effects of causes. Proof of general causation, however, is not enough. Because court cases focus on the individual, the …