Social media has been used to share individual hauls of shoplifted items. Research suggests an evolutionary perspective for this behavior, suggesting mate-relevance. Images were collected using Tumblr search tags to examine the cost of stolen mate-relevant verses non-mate-relevant items posted online. The results demonstrate that mating-relevant items are significantly more expensive than non-mating-relevant items. Although the average prices of the stolen items were not significantly high for either category, the differences suggest a mating-relevant strategy for displaying shoplifted items.

As a part of a service learning class, we spent 30 hours in the community through the Y.E.S. House programs. Both of us had our service learning goals in terms of knowledge, skills, and values. Y.E.S. House places its volunteers in the community. In this poster, we present the lessons learned and challenges faced in the service learning.

Twelve-hour shifts for nurses have become increasingly popular due to the perceived benefits, including a way to fight nursing shortages. However, recent evidence suggests that twelve-hour shifts may negatively affect patient safety. Therefore, this project argues for creating a new policy for nurses to work eight-hour rather than twelve-hour shifts. The project examines the evidence regarding the impact of twelve-hour shifts on patient safety, nurse fatigue, and avoidable errors and discusses the benefits of eight-hour shifts. This project advocates for a change towards shorter work hours for nurses to improve their productivity and increase patient safety.

This project presents a unique approach to mapping the Maya landscape of Northwestern Belize. The basis of the research will explore various GIS and cartographic techniques to manipulate and visualize geospatial data to map and produce a model to assist with predictive site survey of archaeological structures. As a result of this research, various images of relief visualization will be produced to help with pre-field planning for the summer 2018 field season. This project is part of the Dos Hombres to Gran Cacao Archaeology Project (DH2GC) led by Dr. Marisol Cortes-Rincon at Humboldt State University.

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%).

Invasive plant encroachment threatens native fauna and flora in the coastal dunes. Herbivores play an important role in the composition of plant communities. In this study, I measured black-tailed deer habitat use in relation to the invasive coastal lupine in order to better understand the relationship between herbivores and the dune ecosystem.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the therapeutic potential of exercise as an adjunctive treatment for substance use disorder, with the focus on three target problematic areas, in chronic use and relapse. 1. Regulation of the stress response or the HPA axis. 2. Promotion of neuroplasticity through BDNF expression. 3. Activation of natural dopamine reward pathways. This research will evaluate exercise's efficacy in building stress resilience, facilitating neural repair, and satisfying altered reward circuitry - thereby reducing susceptibility to relapse triggers. Potentially legitimizing its use as a low-cost, sustainable adjunct to current rehabilitation strategies.

Trauma is repeated throughout a victim’s life, but the biological mechanisms of its recurrence (revictimization), even though understood biologically, are not accepted or discussed in all disciplines. To understand these issues, I conducted a synthesis of existing scientific research on revictimization. Sociological research revealed that initial trauma and revictimization are in a positive feedback loop, with incidences of one increasing the other. In biology, however, this loop has been acknowledged but has not been integrated into these disciplines. Recognizing the existence of this biological feedback loop has the potential to mitigate the damage of past, present, and future trauma.

Combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills are used more commonly than any other method of contraception, with over 22 million users worldwide. Although many studies have investigated the potential health-related side effects of hormonal contraceptive use, relatively less research has investigated the potential psychological side effects of COCs despite the fact that many women anecdotally report such side effects. The current meta-analysis analyzes mood outcomes in the literature and finds a small but significant mood improvement following initiation of COCs.

The project presents a strategy to address the question of how to best support marginalized survivors. Through translating academic and practical knowledge into a visual resource, “(in)difference to survivors”. It brings marginalized voices up front without putting them at risk. It is the ultimate hope that the project influences policy makers, Title IX professionals, applied anthropologists, and survivor support organizations. This is a project by and for survivors of sexualized violence.