May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Does Handedness Affect Lateralization of Facial Emotion Processing
Presentation Year: 2024
Shairy
Jimenez Delgado
Psychology
Behavioral and neuroimaging work on the visual processing of facial stimuli has consistently demonstrated a right hemisphere bias in face perception generally as well as in emotion perception. Research on lateralization of other cognitive functions such as language has found differential patterns of lateralization between right-handed and left-handed individuals. Several neuroimaging studies found evidence between handedness and degree of lateralization for face processing. The current study seeks to extend previous work by investigating the relationship between degree of handedness and degree of hemispheric lateralization for the processing of faces displaying positive and negative affect.
Does the Thatcher Effect extend to infant faces?
Presentation Year: 2024
Adnan
Alyan
Psychology
You will spend more time looking at faces than any other type of object in your lifetime. Because faces are such an important social signal, humans have developed a perceptual expertise for faces. Decades of research on the mechanisms of face processing have demonstrated that although faces contain both featural and configural information humans rely more heavily on configural processing strategies when viewing faces. However, this work has been done using almost exclusively adult facial stimuli. The current study uses a well-established configural disruption known as the Thatcher Effect (TE) to investigate the use of configural processing for infant faces.
Don't get caught with a CAUTI
Presentation Year: 2024
Jill
Williams
School of Applied Health
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the 5th most common healthcare-associated infection. Of hospital-acquired UTIs, 75% are associated with urinary catheters. 12-16% of people hospitalized require a urinary catheter. There is a 3-7% increased risk of a UTI each day the catheter is in. The negative effects of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are pain and discomfort, as well as longer hospital stays, increased cost, complications like secondary infections and mortality (estimated 13,000 deaths/year). The proposed outcomes of are after 1 year, there will be a 50% reduction in CAUTI rates and after 1 year, there will be a 2-day reduction in length of hospital stay.
Drug Decriminalization
Presentation Year: 2024
James
Brother
Social Work
I've been conducting research regarding drug decriminalization because of the harmful effects on people's future, the disproportionate impacts on people of color, and the opportunities to develop other forms of restorative justice and recovery.
Eelgrass beds impact on juvenile Dungeness crab in Humboldt Bay, CA.
Presentation Year: 2024
Jillian
Hodge
Wildlife
The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a pivotal decapod species along the Pacific coast, playing a significant role both economically and ecologically. This study aimed to investigate the influence of common eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds on juvenile Dungeness crab populations within Humboldt Bay, California. Utilizing crab hoop traps deployed across 30 sites at four distinct beach locations, the research sought to identify habitat preferences and better understand the ecological dynamics shaping juvenile Dungeness crab distributions.
Effects of cleft lip and palate on visual scanning and neural processing of infant faces
Presentation Year: 2024
Nathan
Boone
Psychology
Infant faces rapidly capture our attention and elicit enhanced neural processing compared to adult faces, likely due to their
evolutionary significance. Cleft lip/palate is estimated to affect 1 in 700 live births worldwide and is associated with difficulties in early caregiver interactions. Behavioral studies have shown that cleft lip/palate reduces perceptions of cuteness; however, the underlying neural and perceptual mechanisms governing responses to cleft lip/palate remain relatively understudied. The current study uses eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) to explore visual scanning patterns and neural responses to infants with and without cleft lip/palate.
Effects of Freshwater on Purple Sea Urchin and Bull Kelp Dynamicx at the Mouths of Rivers Along the Mendocino Coast
Presentation Year: 2024
Marina
Storey
Biological Sciences
Urchins are voracious herbivores that mow down kelp forests turning them into urchin barrens. This regime shift from kelp forests to urchin barrens has led to the closer of the red abalone fishery which had an estimated value of $44 million dollars.
In Mendocino CA, bull kelp has been observed persisting at the river mouths in making an interest to local and scientific communities. Urchins are known to not do well with lower salinities possibly leading to this phenomenon.
Effects of Participation in a Deliberative Democracy Initiative on Sense of Community
Presentation Year: 2024
Marissa
Morales
Psychology
This poster examines the effects of participation in a deliberative democracy on neighborhood and city sense of community (SOC). The study consisted of 15 qualitative interviews of panelists, focusing on how their neighborhood and city SOC changed by taking part in the citizens' assembly. Interviews were coded and resulted in six primary themes: Pride in neighborhood; Knowledge of community; Working as a representative of the community on the panel; Social connectivity within neighborhood; Multiple perspective-taking; and Community advocacy. This study adds to the literature by highlighting ways citizens’ assemblies improve participants' sense of community more broadly.
Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Growth and Pain Management Post-ACL Reconstructive Surgery
Presentation Year: 2024
Abby
Borg
School of Applied Health
For my project I conducted a literature review on the efficacy of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on muscle growth and pain management among the population of post-operative ACL patients. BFRT is a proposed therapy for combatting quadriceps atrophy following ACLR. This therapy consists of placing cuffs that act as a tourniquet on the proximal part of the lower limbs and inflating them to a pressure that partially restricts blood flow to the lower limbs. Through this review, I found that BFRT is a promising therapy for ACLR patients.
Environmental Storytelling for a Hopeful Planet
Presentation Year: 2024
Deidre
Pike
Journalism & Mass Communication
Environmental Storytelling for a Hopeful Planet is a website collaboration with original content -- from videos to slideshows -- created by students in journalism and environmental studies. Students met in Spring 2024 to practice a mix of environmental journalism and science communication, devising innovative storytelling modes to communicate verifiable ecological truths -- curated and presented with a healthy dose of hope. Students crafted stories about the removal of the Klamath Dam, the Arcata Marsh as wastewater treatment, Humboldt's Birding Club, composting, foraging for edible native plants, and the bliss of living near the world's tallest carbon sequestering trees.
Envisioning a Better Future for the Tijuana River Using an Anthropological Approach
Presentation Year: 2024
Kimberly
Cramer
Anthropology
The Tijuana River is currently polluted by sewage leaks and other waste which impacts water quality, ecosystems, and human health. The river bisects the U.S.-Mexico border and is controlled by differing policies between the two nations. The poor wastewater infrastructure and binational context of the issue creates concern for environmental and public health. In this poster, I analyze conservation methods to explore the causes and potential solutions for water pollution in the Tijuana River. My findings prioritize a solution focused on community involvement, Indigenous perspectives, and collaboration between national governments to address root problems and advocate for structural change.
Ethics in forensic anthropology: Racial profiles and the obstruction of finding missing persons
Presentation Year: 2024
Nicolette
Svitenko
Anthropology
The use of racial biometrics in forensic anthropology poses significant harm in identifying the deceased. Despite the absence of a valid biological basis for race, its persistence in forensic analysis raises ethical concerns. Societal structures perpetuate racial categories, affecting individuals' experiences and access to resources. My research delves into this tension, questioning the ethical implications and consequences for accuracy and equity in forensic investigations, especially for marginalized communities. By advocating for more ethical and evidence-based practices, this inquiry aims to ensure integrity and equitable outcomes in forensic work. Keywords: Forensics, racism, ethics.
Evening Bike Ride Extravaganza
Presentation Year: 2024
ernesto
roide
School of Applied Health
I put on an event as my senior project for my recreation administration degree. It is an evening community bike ride in McKinleyville at Roger’s Market! There will be backyard games, music, snacks, drinks, and a whole lot of fun. Everyone will meet at Roger’s, which is right next to the Hammond Trail. Participants can ride their bikes along the trail, play backyard games, and purchase refreshments at the market. I will be tabling the event and making sure every attendee gets a stamp! This stamp will mean they signed the necessary waiver and know the risks involved during the event. I’ll have a first aid kit and bike repair kit at my table just in case.
Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption
Presentation Year: 2024
Isabel
Perez-Zoghbi
Chemistry
Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.
Expression of Olfactory G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Axolotls During Development
Presentation Year: 2024
Josafath
Aparicio
Biological Sciences
G-protein-coupled receptors are responsible for binding to odorants and initiating responses in vertebrate olfactory neurons. These receptors are coupled to specific G proteins, whose expression can be used as markers for olfactory neuron maturation during embryonic development. My project focused on developing a quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR assay to investigate the expression of the G-protein Golf in an aquatic caudate amphibian (the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum). The developmental expression of other caudates has been thoroughly investigated, but not in Axolotls. I designed an absolute quantification assay and tested it on late stage embryos and larvae.
Expression of Olfactory G-Proteins in Axolotls During Development
Presentation Year: 2024
Josafath
Aparicio
Biological Sciences
G-protein-coupled receptors are responsible for binding to odorants and initiating responses in vertebrate olfactory neurons. These receptors are coupled to specific G proteins, whose expression can be used as markers for olfactory neuron maturation during embryonic development. My project focused on developing a quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR assay to investigate the expression of the G-protein Golf in an aquatic caudate amphibian (the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum). The developmental expression of other caudates has been thoroughly investigated, but not in Axolotls. I designed an absolute quantification assay and tested it on late stage embryos and larvae.
Female Athletes using therapy to manage PMS
Presentation Year: 2024
Vanessa
Saltos
School of Applied Health
I am doing a literature review on the Effects PMS has on mental health within female collegiate athletes and how to help manage these symptoms. I'm researching the best resources in order to help combat these symptoms.
FISH 480: Challenges that Women Scientists Encounter Conducting Fieldwork-Based Research
Presentation Year: 2024
Cynthia
Le Doux-Bloom
Fisheries Biology
Despite closing the gender gap for women scientists in some STEM careers, field-based research remains heavily dominated by men. We investigated if women scientists encounter challenges while conducting fieldwork that our male colleagues do not. Results indicated challenges exist around parity, recruitment, retention, and workplace dynamics.
Food preference of backyard birds in Siskiyou County, CA
Presentation Year: 2024
Cheyanne
Nelson
Wildlife
This project examined the food preferences of backyard birds in Siskiyou County, California in Spring 2024. We used Nature’s Way CWF3 Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeders at eight different locations. For each trial, feeders presented two food types: nut n' berry mix and sunflower seeds. Feeders were left out for 72 hours. We recorded the weather conditions (i.e. cloudy, windy, rainy, sunny), as well as the minimum and maximum temperature, and feeder height. A combination of direct observation and game cameras was used to determine bird species present. We predicted that birds, on average, will prefer the nut and berry mix due to the higher fat content relative to sunflower seeds.
Fort Humboldt: The Development of Redwood Logging in Humboldt, 1878-1950
Presentation Year: 2024
Qasim
Naqvi
Anthropology
In this poster, I describe the process by which we inventoried items and analyze how technology evolved in concert with broader shifts in the Redwood timber industry. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how archival research and data collection processes are conducted within the realm of historical archaeology and also reflects Humboldt County's independence. The material analysis presented in this project will showcase logging technology’s environmental, cultural and economic impacts on the landscape and lifestyles of the region’s inhabitants.