Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse flowering plant families. Despite the worldwide popularity of Phalaenopsis for floral aesthetics, many other ecologically important species are either endangered or threatened and require elaborate cultivation strategies. Currently one of the top conservation approaches utilizes clonal propagation techniques via tissue culture, resulting in vegetative propagation in mass numbers. We present successful sterile introduction, cultivation and maintenance of Phalaenopsis seedlings with the hope that this tissue culture method can be applied to native orchid species here in Humboldt County.

Gravity has been tested rigorously at distance scales from 1cm up to astronomical distances. The experiment being run in Humboldt State Universities Gravity Lab seeks to test gravity at previously untested distances below the centimeter level. To do this, a pendulum is suspended by a torsion fiber and oscillates in front of a movable mass. By moving the mass back and forth, one can measure a gravitational force on the pendulum by looking at the twist in the fiber. The data from the pendulum are then compared with well established theories of gravity to see if the accuracy of the theories at large distances translates to smaller scales.

Patient readmissions within 30 days of discharge not only cost hospitals around 15,000 dollars per incident but also indicate increased mortality rates and worse patient outcomes. Readmissions occur for multiple reasons such as, lack of clear discharge instruction, delayed primary care follow-up, medication issues, or worsening symptoms. Hospitals must take a multidisciplinary approach to addressing this issue. Interventions can be implemented to improve readmission rates, like discharge calls within 48 hours, creation of hospital policy to guide the call, and primary care follow-up within 10 days. With better transition from hospital to primary care, patient readmissions will decrease.

To investigate the role of hormones in female intrasexual competition, we carried out a longitudinal study of changes in intrasexual competitiveness (Study 1) and assessed intrasexual competition in women using various forms of hormonal contraceptives (Study 2). Study 1: Multilevel modeling of the data revealed a significant, positive within-subject effect of testosterone on intrasexual competition, indicating that women reported greater intrasexual competitiveness when testosterone was high. Study 2: No significant differences were observed for reported intrasexual competition among women using combined oral contraceptives versus women using progesterone-only contraceptives.

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.

Many metals in seawater are key micronutrients, essential in small quantities for the growth of phytoplankton. Analysis of these metals can be challenging due to their low concentration and the complex seawater matrix. Properly quantifying the blanks of the analytical method is critical to obtaining excellent results. In this work, we present preliminary data on accurately and precisely quantifying the blanks due to the analytical process of measuring metals in seawater. Once the blanks are properly quantified and minimized, the method can be used with seawater samples.

While walking on the ground and using a treadmill are the standard mode of exercise, treadmill walking has gained popularity recently. Treadmills are more efficient and reliable because of the better control of speed, and grade, and can be used in all weather conditions. Even though multiple studies looked over the impact of surfaces at different inclines at biomechanics (gait, impact forces, tibial acceleration, and muscle activation), still the impact of surfaces has not been examined using different treadmill manufacturers while comparing high-incline (20%) with low-incline (1%).

This study seeks to examine the relationship between coyote behavior and proximity to areas of public lands where hunting frequently takes place and cosmopolitan areas where coyotes are generally free from being huntedover time using California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Incident Report data. Insights gained are intended to inform targeted management strategies, aiding in conservation and coexistence efforts between humans and coyotes. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to addressing the pressing challenges of human-wildlife conflict, a pervasive issue with far-reaching implications.

Our objective of this study was to assess the effects of simulated acid rain on web-spinning spider assemblages in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, and we hypothesized that acid rain would decrease the richness and abundance of web-spinning spider taxa. Spiders are an ideal bioindicator to study the effects of anthropogenic pollutants due to their abundance, position as apex predators, various foraging behaviors and the feasibility in collecting them. In our field experiment, quadrats were sprayed with water of varying pH levels. After the treatments, all web-spinning spiders in the quadrats were collected and identified and results were statistically analyzed.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three different workload protocols on exercise volume completed during multiple sets of exhaustive anaerobic running on a treadmill. The longer times per set and greater volume achieved during the descending speed (DS) protocol, in comparison to the descending grade (DG) and constant set (CS) protocols, suggests the potential for a greater training effect. Total exercise volume achieved during the four sets of the DS protocol was significantly higher than both the CS and DG protocols. Differences in cadence values among the protocols could help explain differences in performance implicating muscle fiber type recruitment and fatigue.