Digital Commons Network^™

It Turned Into A Bioblitz: Urban Data Collection For Building Scientific Literacy And Environmental Connection, Kelly O'Donnell, Lisa Brundage

Publications and Research

In 2013, Macaulay Honors College redesigned its required science curriculum to focus on scientific literacy skills rather than content. Central to this shift was inclusion of a data collection event, a BioBlitz, to provide students with the basis for their own semester-long research projects. Students are teamed with naturalists in an urban green space to find as many species as they can in 24 h and to contribute to a global biodiversity database via the app iNaturalist. We have learned two important lessons: (1) developing an interdisciplinary curriculum with a high degree of experiential learning is more successful when both …

Trends Over Time In Incidence Of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients With Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms In New York, Sarah Marc, Jahnvi Bansal, Alexander Cove, Annet Kuruvilla, Joshua Helali, Ashutosh Yaligar, Junying Wang, Jie Yang, Jonathan Price, Thomas Bilfinger, Henry Tannous, Annie Laurie Shroyer, Allison Mclarty

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

Aim: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations, with increased risk for early onset thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA). This study aims to examine the trends over time in incidence of BAV patients with TAA, given imaging advancements and increased frequency of imaging.

Methods: Using administrative billing codes, this retrospective cohort study analyzed New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System records from January 2007- December 2018, evaluating BAV+TAA incidence trends. Subgroups based on index admission were evaluated with a pre-identified 2014 inflection time point using an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis.

Results: Using a …

Annual Reports Of The Officers, Trustees, Agents, Committees, And Organizations Of The Town Of Warren, New Hampshire For The Year 2022., Warren Town Representatives

Warren, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Tuna-Versal Pesticides, Sesa Doshi, Jimmy Yan, Sophie Brown

2023 Undergraduate Awards

Organochlorines like Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) have been used profusely in the past for their convenient nature and effective insecticide ability. With agricultural runoff and the anthropogenic introduction of this substance in sediments and water bodies, its bioaccumulation within species can be observed. This indicates that DDT is stored in the fat tissue of animals and detectable levels increase upon each higher trophic level. With skipjack tuna being a large and popular fish around the world, this experiment aims to investigate if pesticides could possibly carry large and observable implications towards human health upon consumption. To conduct our study, we have a …

History Of International Aid, Obidimma Ezezika, Kishif Fatima, Umayangga Yogalingam, Mona Jarrah, Suzanne Sicchia

Health Studies Publications

The following interactive discussion questions are based on a fictional animated storyline developed from Chapter 2 of the third edition of An Introduction to Global Health by Michael Seear and Obidimma Ezezika. The storyline and questions are intended to provide students with the opportunity to understand trends that shaped the modern aid industry, the origins of foreign aid institutions and organizations, and the history that led to current large-scale foreign aid initiatives.

There are questions for each of the five modules of the storyline as well as general reflection questions at the end. To answer the questions associated with the …

An Introduction To The Sustainable Developmental Goals Through The Lens Of Dewroze, Obidimma Ezezika, Kishif Fatima, Umayangga Yogalingam, Mona Jarrah, Suzanne Sicchia

Health Studies Publications

The following interactive discussion questions are based on a fictional animated storyline by Chapter 1 of the third edition of An Introduction to Global Health. The animated storyline and questions are intended to provide students with the opportunity to understand global health, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and barriers related to the social determinants of health, in the context of a developing country.

Students will be introduced to the fictional village of Dewroze where they will learn how poverty shapes vulnerabilities that lead to health inequities. In this village, students will meet Ada, Ada’s father, Ada’s mother who is pregnant, …

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

IdeaFest 2023

No abstract provided.

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 …

Scavenging Efficiency In Turkey Vultures (Cathartes Aura) At Forested Sites, Ephraim Lowe

IdeaFest 2023

Turkey vultures are well known for their incredible sense of smell due to their large olfactory bulbs, which are even larger than some mammals, such as rats. The study conducted compared the olfaction ability of turkey vultures to local mammals in the area by baiting sites in the Arcata Community Forest with carrion. It analyzed which species arrived to carrion sites first, and how weather, temperature, and humidity affected their ability to locate carrion efficiently.

Invasive Plant Species Removal: Volunteering With Sue-Meg State Park, Mason Gardner

IdeaFest 2023

Non-native species come to Humboldt county when small patches are washed up on beaches, hitch rides on ships and cars, or escape from someone's garden. Some of these species are considered invasive, and rapidly take over the landscape. Once they establish, they starve native species of resources like light and water, and out-compete them for surface area on the ground. They also harm native animals by replacing their food sources, harming them, or changing the landscape in which they live. Volunteering with the Invasive Plant Removal Team at Sue-Meg State Park, I had firsthand experience examining and removing these species …

The Effects Of Water Temperature On Blueband Hermit Crab (Pagurus Samuelis) Behavior, Maddy Frost

IdeaFest 2023

Overview on hermit crabs and their environment

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.

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.

Spotted Banana Slugs, Ariolimax Columbianus, And Canopy Cover, Sasha Milstein

IdeaFest 2023

Numerous animal species display diverse colorations as a means of performing cryptic coloration, which protects them from predation. In the case of banana slugs, some individuals exhibit monochromatic hues, while others display spots. The purpose of my study was to answer if some banana slugs are spotted to perform cryptic coloration as a means of anti-predator defense.

Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions On Highway 299 East, Marco Blancas

IdeaFest 2023

Overview on the percentage of road kill found driving on Highway 299 east.

There's Not A Lot Of Cool Chicks Out There: A Regional Study Of Climate Change On Passerine Morphology Over Time, Tabitha Page

IdeaFest 2023

No abstract provided.

Connecting Communities: Education And Resources For Humboldt County, California, Joseph Meihak, Alyna Frank, Tania L. Estrada Rodriguez, Fernando Betancourt

IdeaFest 2023

We created a website to promote ethical awareness and responsibility among the Cal Poly Humboldt community. The recent housing decisions have raised ethical concerns, and our website offers resources for housing, transportation, mental health, and local community services. We believe that these issues, such as food and housing insecurities and environmental impacts like pollution and resource scarcity, are interconnected. Our website aims to provide necessary resources to help address these issues and promote environmental consciousness.

White-Crowned Sparrow Songs Not Shown To Respond To Anthropogenic Noise Pollution In Coastal Humboldt County, Keagan Trischman

IdeaFest 2023

No abstract provided.

Bird Diversity In Arcata, California: A Study On Urban Influence, Brittany Ocheltree

IdeaFest 2023

In this study, the primary goal was to observe the effects of urbanization on bird species diversity and composition of native and non-native species in Arcata, California. Methods include fixed radius 75-meter point counts for ten minutes, within thirty predetermined study sites, where I counted bird species and the abundance of birds, landscape features (e.g., building density), along with noting any human activity that may occur. I hypothesized that non-native species would increase with increasing building density. In conjunction with that species diversity would decrease with building density.

Seasonal Change In Foraging Behavior Of Long-Billed Curlew (Numenius Americanus), Elena Adams

IdeaFest 2023

This study aimed to measure the proportion of time that long-billed curlews (Numenius americanus) were actively feeding, preening, roosting, walking, flying, or defending their territory. I hypothesized that the proportion of time that curlews were actively feeding would increase as they prepared for migration. Surveys were conducted along Humboldt Bay's Elk River to determine if the proportion of time curlews were observed feeding increased from February to April 2023. Understanding foraging response is critical to understand the importance of winter habitats for this species.

Effects Of Moonlight Illumination On Animal-Vehicle Collisions, Sidney Wells

IdeaFest 2023

Effects of moonlight illumination on animal-vehicle collisions

Mesocarnivore Responses To Visual Lures In Freshwater, California, Adeline Tealle

IdeaFest 2023

This study sought to understand the effects of a visual lure on mesocarnivores at camera trapping stations. By fashioning a lure from fur, feathers, and tinsel, I placed the lure in front of 5 randomized cameras along with 5 cameras with no lure. The cameras were placed along a 150 meter long transect on an active game trail in Freshwater, CA. 9 species of mesocarnivore were detected, and 5 species with larger sample sizes were included in analysis of interest towards the lure, time spent at camera stations, and relationships between species in response to the lure.

Giant Serpents Of Humboldt, Luis Penick Penick

IdeaFest 2023

My topic is a history of giant serpent folklore within Humboldt county and how and why it evolved. Covering how and why the folklore formed in the first place, and how and why has the folklore changed throughout time. This includes how it relates to other serpent folklore and why it is special and unique compared to different regions' folklore on serpents. To support my topic I am trying to briefly touch on why are serpents/snakes are so prevalent in folklore, what makes Humboldt a likely place for such a deep serpent mythos, what real life creatures sparked inspiration

Soulmates Within Primates, Michael Szyndler

IdeaFest 2023

This Poster is about the potential future research within the primatology field, specifically within the studies of pair bonding between Titi monkeys, Owl monkeys, and Gibbons. This project shows the conclusive evidence of pair bonding done already and what it entails and what the outcomes are. The project also includes information on these species as well as a breakdown of what pair bonding is and why it is important.

The Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis Patagonum) And Crested Screamer (Chauna Torquata): An Evaluation Of Enclosure Usage Within A Mixed-Species Exhibit, Kaylie Adams

IdeaFest 2023

An evaluation of enclosure usage within a mixed-species exhibit

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 20^th 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. …

What Taking Development Seriously Means For Evolutionary Theory, David C. Witherington, Robert Lickliter, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

Proponents of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) emphasize the critical role that organisms and their development play in the process of evolution. This framework explicitly rejects the genocentric focus that once dominated interpretations of the Modern Synthesis in evolutionary theory. In place of genocentrism, EES highlights processes like niche construction, developmental constraint, and extragenetic inheritance as central to any understanding of evolutionary process. However, much more is at stake in adopting the EES than simply moving beyond the gene-dominant viewpoint of the Modern Synthesis. The EES, in fact, represents a fundamental challenge to the core of classic Darwinism itself by …

Fsu Law Focus - 11/06/2023, Fsu College Of Law Office Of Communications

FSU Law Focus Newsletter

From the Dean: 2023 Florida State Law Magazine; Gift Funds New Student Lockers; Alum Profile: Alexander S. Douglas II (’89); Student Profile: 3L Savannah Sherman

Fsu Law Focus - 08/25/2023, Fsu College Of Law Office Of Communications

FSU Law Focus Newsletter

From the Dean: 1L Orientation; 2023 Alumni Awards Presentation; Alum Profile: Erin M. Carr (’10); Student Profile: 3L Shannon Kelley

Osteological Identification And Morphological Comparison Of Extant Sciurids, Amber Kalinowski, Mateusz Wosik

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Bone elements can reveal varying characteristics for each rodent, so it is best to analyze overlapping elements between and among taxa when drawing comparative conclusions.

Fossorial animals present robust skeletons, strong scapular girdles, short fore- and hind limbs, and prominent attachment sites for muscles. In an animal that is primarily cursorial it is expected to see a slimmer forelimb because the need for strong limbs to deal with biochemical strains is not present.

Using a sample of Marmota monax (groundhog) and Tamias striatus (chipmunk), two common taxa found in northeastern Pennsylvania, we can examine the locomotory modes of these closely …