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2023

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Effect Of Amino Acids On The Corrosion And Metal Release From Copper And Stainless Steel, Alyssa Vander Zee, Lila Laundry-Mottiar, Saman Nikpour, Sina Matin, Jeffrey D. Henderson, Ubong Eduok, Jonas F. Hedberg, Dmitrij Zagidulin, Mark C. Biesinger, James J. Noel, Yolanda S. Hedberg Jan 2023

Effect Of Amino Acids On The Corrosion And Metal Release From Copper And Stainless Steel, Alyssa Vander Zee, Lila Laundry-Mottiar, Saman Nikpour, Sina Matin, Jeffrey D. Henderson, Ubong Eduok, Jonas F. Hedberg, Dmitrij Zagidulin, Mark C. Biesinger, James J. Noel, Yolanda S. Hedberg

Chemistry Publications

Copper (Cu) and stainless steel 316 L are widely used for biomedical applications, such as intrauterine devices and orthopedic/dental implants. Amino acids are abundantly present in biological environments. We investigated the influence of select amino acids on the corrosion of Cu under naturally aerated and deaerated conditions using a phosphate-free buffer. Amino acids increased the corrosion of Cu under both aeration conditions at pH 7.4. Cu release was also significantly (up to 18-fold) increased in the presence of amino acids, investigated at pH 7.4 and 37 °C for 24 h under naturally aerated conditions. Speciation modelling predicted a generally increased …

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Are Saviour Siblings A Special Case In Procreative Ethics?, Elizabeth Finneron-Burns, Caleb Althorpe Jan 2023

Are Saviour Siblings A Special Case In Procreative Ethics?, Elizabeth Finneron-Burns, Caleb Althorpe

Political Science Publications

Children conceived in order to donate biological material to save the life of an already existing child are known as 'saviour siblings'. The primary reasons that have been offered against the practice are: (i) creating a saviour sibling has negative impacts on the created child and (ii) creating a saviour child represents a wrongful procreative motivation of the parents. In this paper we examine to what extent the creation of saviour siblings actually presents a special case in procreative ethics. Although we do not deny that there is a unique feature present in the saviour sibling case—namely, that the child …

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Using Edna To Detect Endangered Tidewater Goby, Eucyclogobius Newberryi, In Northern California's Lost Coast, Madison Richardson Jan 2023

Using Edna To Detect Endangered Tidewater Goby, Eucyclogobius Newberryi, In Northern California's Lost Coast, Madison Richardson

IdeaFest 2023

No abstract provided.

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Expression Of A Diverse Set Of Olfactory Receptors In The California Slender Salamander, Seanamae Adams, Karen Kiemnec Jan 2023

Expression Of A Diverse Set Of Olfactory Receptors In The California Slender Salamander, Seanamae Adams, Karen Kiemnec

IdeaFest 2023

Vertebrates use proteins expressed in the sensory cells of the nasal cavity to detect odors and chemical signals. The study aimed to characterize the olfactory receptors (ORs) in the California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus). We used standard molecular genetics techniques (PCR and cloning) to isolate 15 partial sequences of ORs from salamander olfactory tissue. We used phylogenetic reconstruction to show that the salamander ORs we isolated grouped with the gamma family of ORs found in many other vertebrates. Our preliminary results suggest that this species has a large and diverse OR family, a finding consistent with their ecological reliance on …

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Surgical Smoke: The Forgotten Biohazard, Julie Wooldridge Jan 2023

Surgical Smoke: The Forgotten Biohazard, Julie Wooldridge

IdeaFest 2023

Surgical smoke, a byproduct of surgical procedures, poses significant health risks to healthcare workers and patients. However, surgical staff often overlook it as a biohazard in operating rooms. This project highlights the harmful toxins of surgical smoke, including exposure to carcinogens and infectious agents, and the need for policy change to mandate local smoke evacuation. Effective policies and guidelines for smoke evacuation modeled from evidence-based research, combined with adequate education, awareness, and training, can minimize the risks of surgical smoke in the operating room and empower nurse leaders to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

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Examining The Relationship Between Zooplankton Abundance And Iscivorous Bird Richness At The Arcata Marsh, Aminah Aryan Jan 2023

Examining The Relationship Between Zooplankton Abundance And Iscivorous Bird Richness At The Arcata Marsh, Aminah Aryan

IdeaFest 2023

This study examined the relationship between zooplankton abundance and piscivorous bird richness at the Arcata Marsh

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Evaluation Of A Novel Cellulase To Optimize Biofuel Production, Amanda Ratcliff, Sarai Tapia, David Lopez Jan 2023

Evaluation Of A Novel Cellulase To Optimize Biofuel Production, Amanda Ratcliff, Sarai Tapia, David Lopez

IdeaFest 2023

Cellulose waste is utilized for biofuels, however cellulase enzymes are a limiting factor. We sought to evaluate a novel cellulase identified in cow rumen metagenomic analysis provided by the Joint Genome Institute. We performed DNA analysis, SDS PAGE, and a cellulase activity assay to theoretically calculate and compare to experimental molecular weight; and determine cellulase activity. The theoretical molar mass (64.9 kD) strongly correlates to the experimental molar mass (60.7 kDa). Purified cellulase has an activity, 6.27 cm2/ug, 6x higher versus commercial cellulase enzyme. These results have positive implications for the creation of biofuels from agricultural waste products.

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How Anthropogenic Disturbance Affects Terrestrial Wildlife Use And Presence In A California Coastal Dune Ecosystem, Joshua Zastrow Jan 2023

How Anthropogenic Disturbance Affects Terrestrial Wildlife Use And Presence In A California Coastal Dune Ecosystem, Joshua Zastrow

IdeaFest 2023

My research looks at the influence of anthropogenic (human) disturbance upon the terrestrial mammalian community. The specific anthropogenic variables that I tested for against wildlife presence, use-rates, and species richness was human use intensity, human and domestic animal use intensity, building density (per mile), and distance to major roadway. The study area completed between February 20th and April 5th, 2023, within Humboldt County, California, USA. The transects were placed parallel to the coastline along an area of rural suburban, lite industrial, agricultural, and wildlands, within a coastal dune ecosystem.

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Gender Equity In Wildlife Publishing: A Census Of 22 Years Of Authorship In The Journal Of Wildlife Management, Rebeca Becdach Jan 2023

Gender Equity In Wildlife Publishing: A Census Of 22 Years Of Authorship In The Journal Of Wildlife Management, Rebeca Becdach

IdeaFest 2023

Various studies have documented gender inequity in scientific fields, including medicine, computational biology, the physical sciences, and ecology. A clear indicator of this bias can be seen in the disparity between men and women authorship of scientific papers. This study describes gender diversity in wildlife publishing across institutions, countries, and study species taxa in recent decades. We reviewed all research articles published in the Journal of Wildlife Management from 1999 to 2020 and collected author names and affiliations. We classified the gender of each author using Genderize.io, and calculated the men:women ratio of first and co-authors over time.

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Enhanced Learning In Biochemistry Using The Protein Data Bank And 3d Molecular Modeling In Chimerax, Frank Cappuccio, Jenny Cappuccio, Christopher Arias, Ezekiel Buchert, Johana Cruz-Lopez, Cesar Fernandez, Elizabeth Kowalski, Elizabeth Tesla Nicholas, Gabrielle Onnenga, Kellie Pierson Jan 2023

Enhanced Learning In Biochemistry Using The Protein Data Bank And 3d Molecular Modeling In Chimerax, Frank Cappuccio, Jenny Cappuccio, Christopher Arias, Ezekiel Buchert, Johana Cruz-Lopez, Cesar Fernandez, Elizabeth Kowalski, Elizabeth Tesla Nicholas, Gabrielle Onnenga, Kellie Pierson

IdeaFest 2023

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a repository of atomic level resolution biological structures determined by researchers around the world. Protein macromolecular structures have become an essential tool for biotechnology fields. They are used to understand the chemical and biological processes in living systems and disease, and for precise drug design. Here students utilized the molecular modeling software UCSF ChimeraX to visualize 3D PDB protein structures of their choice. Students produced Quad Chart presentations and printed 3D models to allow for deep learning in protein structure.

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Salamander Occupancy According To Log Shape And Condition In Humboldt County, Riley Tetzlaff Jan 2023

Salamander Occupancy According To Log Shape And Condition In Humboldt County, Riley Tetzlaff

IdeaFest 2023

For my research project I studied whether or not the shape and condition of a log effected the occupancy rate of salamander, and according to my data I was half right.

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An Ode To Oysters And Their Herpes, Victoria Cifelli Jan 2023

An Ode To Oysters And Their Herpes, Victoria Cifelli

IdeaFest 2023

A comparison of the topography and microbial community of oyster gills with and without OsHV-1.

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Plant-Dwelling Spiders Care Where They Live: Higher Diversity And Greater Abundance On Native Plant Species, Specific Plant Types, And In Areas With Vegetation Richness, Brooke Culler Jan 2023

Plant-Dwelling Spiders Care Where They Live: Higher Diversity And Greater Abundance On Native Plant Species, Specific Plant Types, And In Areas With Vegetation Richness, Brooke Culler

IdeaFest 2023

Spiders are very effective biocontrol agents, particularly when their communities are more diverse. In the progression of more sustainable and natural agriculture, supporting spider communities in California vineyards has potential to keep vines safer from pests. I decided to observe spider taxonomic and guild richness, as well as abundance, on crop and non-crop vegetation in vineyards, while recording a sites plant species richness and assigning each of those species to be native or not. I set out to determine what factors support more spider diversity, and ultimately, how those factors may encourage spider communities on the vines themselves.

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Safety Plan, Alyssa Lawrence, Kristin Ciapusci Jan 2023

Safety Plan, Alyssa Lawrence, Kristin Ciapusci

IdeaFest 2023

We collaborated with Dr. Bayan at Waterfront Recovery Services to create a post-discharge safety plan for patients. The safety plan will be used and implemented on each individual client to reduce substance use and create a life of sobriety.

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Habitat Selection Of Northern Harriers In Grasslands And Coastal Wetlands In Humboldt County, Ca, Riley Sullivan Jan 2023

Habitat Selection Of Northern Harriers In Grasslands And Coastal Wetlands In Humboldt County, Ca, Riley Sullivan

IdeaFest 2023

Habitat selection is a well-studied behavior that strongly influences how a species interacts with the surrounding ecosystem. Countless studies address the habitat selection of raptors in the interest of conservation, but the habitat preferences and selection of the Northern Harrier specifically are poorly studied. I conducted a series of point counts between the Arcata Bottoms and the Arcata Marsh to compare the rate of Northern Harrier sightings between each zone.

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Analysis Of A G-Protein Coupled Receptor, Cb2, David Lopez, Amanda Ratcliff, Frank E. Cappuccio, Jenny A. Cappuccio Jan 2023

Analysis Of A G-Protein Coupled Receptor, Cb2, David Lopez, Amanda Ratcliff, Frank E. Cappuccio, Jenny A. Cappuccio

IdeaFest 2023

The CB2 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) is found in the brainstem & hippocampus and is devoid of psychotropic effects but is less studied than the CB1 receptor. CB2 is inducible in CNS microglia following inflammation or injury, indicating a role in pain response. Here we sought to analyze CB2 using ChimeraX structures and overcome GPCR protein insolubility in extraction. The pET28a-CNR2, plasmid created and transformed into E.coli pLysS, was confirmed by restriction digest. Purification of CB2 micelles was achieved by affinity chromatography with detergent (43 kD). We aim to utilize nanodiscs to stabilize CB2, allowing studies of the molecular underpinnings …

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Effects Of Substrate Rugosity On Abundance And Gonad Condition Of Purple Urchins (Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus) In The Intertidal Zone, Victoria Johnson, Julia Navasero Jan 2023

Effects Of Substrate Rugosity On Abundance And Gonad Condition Of Purple Urchins (Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus) In The Intertidal Zone, Victoria Johnson, Julia Navasero

IdeaFest 2023

In northern California, purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus) populations have exploded, leading to an invasion of the intertidal zone with potential consequences for those communities. We aimed to determine if there was a relationship between surface rugosity and urchin abundance and condition in this recently invaded habitat. We found that urchins took advantage of any intertidal habitat, as abundance was independent of surface rugosity. However, surface rugosity was related to urchin condition, with urchins on rougher surfaces in better condition than those on other surfaces. Rocky intertidal surfaces may therefore provide refugia for overabundant subtidal urchin populations.

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Comparing Salamander Activity Through Temperature Humidity And Rain, William Jones Jan 2023

Comparing Salamander Activity Through Temperature Humidity And Rain, William Jones

IdeaFest 2023

In this project I measured changes in the level of salamander activity based upon the local temperature, humidity, and the presence of rain in the Arcata community forest behind Cal Poly Humboldt.

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The Effects Of Self-Determination Theory-Based Exercise Program For Individuals With Disabilities, Guadalupe Cruz Jan 2023

The Effects Of Self-Determination Theory-Based Exercise Program For Individuals With Disabilities, Guadalupe Cruz

IdeaFest 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore how a structured exercise program based on SDT principles enhanced the exercise performance of an individual with DS.

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Climate, Competition, And Cavity-Nesters, Oh My!, Kellie Crouch Jan 2023

Climate, Competition, And Cavity-Nesters, Oh My!, Kellie Crouch

IdeaFest 2023

Fluctuations in climate variables, such as temperature and precipitation, have the ability to negatively influence the breeding success of birds. This study aimed to determine how these factors impact the breeding success of cavity-nesting songbirds in California. In order to do this, I analyzed relationships between nest box data from the California Bluebird Recovery Program and climate data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Biological Profiles: An Analysis On The Applicability And Implications Of Traditional And New Methods In Forensic Anthropology, Jazmin Borrayo Jan 2023

Biological Profiles: An Analysis On The Applicability And Implications Of Traditional And New Methods In Forensic Anthropology, Jazmin Borrayo

IdeaFest 2023

In forensics, commonly used when conducting an assessment of skeletal remains is the implementation of a biological profile. The key elements that typically form the basic biological profile are age, ancestry, sex, and stature. These components consist of further methods that comprise the estimation process and are essential in identification. Within recent years, there has been a rise in attention to the use and application of certain methods. This project analyzes the applicability and implications of traditional methods commonly used in forensic anthropology when conducting biological profiles as well as examines the emergence of new methods in the field.

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Northern Harrier Foraging Modes In Habitats Around Humboldt Bay, Collin Silva Jan 2023

Northern Harrier Foraging Modes In Habitats Around Humboldt Bay, Collin Silva

IdeaFest 2023

Northern harriers are generalist predators known to occupy and forage over a variety of wetland and grassland types in North America. Whether Northern harriers adapt their foraging modes over different habitat types to maximize their success and energy intake is not known with any confidence. This study addresses this knowledge gap on a small scale around Humboldt Bay at various wetland and grassland sites.

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Mapping The Cellular Origins Of Atherosclerotic Plaque, Hannah Cornwell Jan 2023

Mapping The Cellular Origins Of Atherosclerotic Plaque, Hannah Cornwell

IdeaFest 2023

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing plaque formation in arteries, leading to morbidity and mortality. Smooth muscle cells may contribute to plaque formation, but the exact origin remains unknown. Researchers can analyze smooth muscle cell function using histology, spatial transcriptomic analysis, and CODEX protein visualization. Using lineage tracing models with Rainbow mouse reporter lines, they can study cell fate and phenotypic shifts, identifying possible targets for disease tracking and modification to improve disease progression.

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Foraging Success Of American Robins (Turdus Migrators) In Pasture Conditions, Sara Dabovich Jan 2023

Foraging Success Of American Robins (Turdus Migrators) In Pasture Conditions, Sara Dabovich

IdeaFest 2023

My research project investigated success American Robins (Turdus migratorius) as predators in livestock pastures. Using random focal sampling and critical behavior incidence recording I obtained percent of successful attempts in moderately and over grazed pastures made by male and female birds.

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Unraveling The Taxonomic Classification Of The Tolowa Wallflower (Brassicaceae: Erysimum), A Dune Endemic Of The California North Coast, Cameron Jones Jan 2023

Unraveling The Taxonomic Classification Of The Tolowa Wallflower (Brassicaceae: Erysimum), A Dune Endemic Of The California North Coast, Cameron Jones

IdeaFest 2023

No abstract provided.

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Microhabitat Use In The Wandering Salamander, Noah Morales Jan 2023

Microhabitat Use In The Wandering Salamander, Noah Morales

IdeaFest 2023

An evaluation of characteristics of tree stumps that make them conducive for the presence of the Wandering Salamander (Aneides vagrans). I looked at stump diameter, the relative abundance of cracks on the stumps, and the amount of surface and canopy cover around the stumps to determine if wandering salamander abundance is correlated with any of those variables.

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Engineering Endothelial Cells To Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Heather Jackson-Pease Jan 2023

Engineering Endothelial Cells To Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Heather Jackson-Pease

IdeaFest 2023

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and AAVs has been a modern technology that has greatly influenced biological sciences. Coupling the editing technology of CRISPR and AAVs could lead to treating the underlying causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). PAH is a progressive disease in your lungs that causes vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, which can lead to heart failure. Placing a stent in the pulmonary artery, with endothelial cells engrafted on it, that overexpresses the important regulatory factors eNOS and VEGF, may lead to an increase in reendothelialization and vasodilation of the pulmonary artery.

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A Kin-Selection Model Of Fairness In Heterogeneous Populations, Geoff Wild, Veronica J. Flear, Graham J. Thompson Jan 2023

A Kin-Selection Model Of Fairness In Heterogeneous Populations, Geoff Wild, Veronica J. Flear, Graham J. Thompson

Biology Publications

Humans and other primates exhibit pro-social preferences for fairness. These preferences are thought to be reinforced by strong reciprocity, a policy that rewards fair actors and punishes unfair ones. Theories of fairness based on strong reciprocity have been criticized for overlooking the importance of individual differences in socially heterogeneous populations. Here, we explore the evolution of fairness in a heterogeneous population. We analyse the Ultimatum Game in cases where players’ roles in the game are determined by their status. Importantly, our model allows for non-random pairing of players, and so we also explore the role played by kin selection in …

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Polygenic Scores Ignore Development And Epigenetics, Dramatically Reducing Their Value, David S. Moore Jan 2023

Polygenic Scores Ignore Development And Epigenetics, Dramatically Reducing Their Value, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Polygenic scores cannot elucidate the mechanisms that produce behavioral phenotypes (including “intelligence”). Therefore, they are unlikely to yield helpful interventions. Moreover, they are poor predictors of individuals’ developmental outcomes. Burt’s critique is well-supported by the details of molecular biology. Specifically, experiences affect epigenetic factors that influence phenotypes via how the genome functions, a fact that lends support to Burt’s conclusions.

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Molecular And Systemic Epigenetic Inheritance: Integrating Development, Genetics, And Evolution, Robert Lickliter, David S. Moore Jan 2023

Molecular And Systemic Epigenetic Inheritance: Integrating Development, Genetics, And Evolution, Robert Lickliter, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Currently, a central problem for theoretical biology is the integration of development with genetics and evolutionary theory. Through the late 20th century, biologists held that animals resemble their ancestors strictly because of the transgenerational transmission of DNA. This view effectively wrote development out of evolutionary biology. However, many molecular and developmental biologists now understand that phenotypes—anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits—are not determined by genes (i.e., DNA segments) alone; instead, they emerge epigenetically from developmental processes involving co-acting genetic factors, environmental factors, molecular epigenetic factors, and other non-genetic factors within organisms’ bodies. This insight forces a rethinking of biological inheritance. …

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