Case Study Focusing on ASD, Improving Accuracy in Sports with SDT and Video Modeling

Cassandra Mcmillen, Other Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a teacher selected video model on the performance of the golf putt. The researcher believes a systematic approach of instruction will improve skill development for both participants. For this single subject study a changing criterion design was used. Overall, a changing criterion study provides a structured and adaptive approach to skill development, fostering progressive improvement, motivation, and the transfer of learning, all of which contribute to increased accuracy and technique on the skill of putting. Results indicate that there was a gradual upward trend in both participants' successfully attempted putts.

CCAT: Conjoining Social and Natural Systems

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

As a senior in Environmental Studies I have chosen to complete my service learning capstone project at the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) since I am one of the co-directors managing the non-profit organization. CCAT is a student run sustainable living demonstration site that utilizes appropriate technology. While at CCAT I have analyzed and critiqued how social systems and natural systems overlay one another creating a sustainable relationship. Living lighter and in tune with the local environment is not only doable but rewarding and beneficial. My service learning project has helped to fill part of the gap between where I am now and where I aim to be professionally.

Challenging Boundaries: Investigating the relationship between human persecution and Coyote behavior in California

Steven Childs, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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.

Cham, The Sacred Dance of Tibet

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

During the summer of 2019, I was given the opportunity to participate in the HSU Tibet program under the direction of Anthony Rossi. The program is set up to allow each student a chance to conduct field observations of various topics. My focus, as a Religious Studies major, was set to learn about the various ritualistic practices unique to Tibet Buddhist. The ritual that I have chosen to focus on is the Tibetan Buddhist Cham, a festival dance that we observed in Drigung on June 30. My goal is that my project gives a comprehensive understanding of the religious goals of this ritual through an analysis of the dance formation, history, and meanings to its community.

Change in Snowmelt Timing and its Effects on the Green-up Timing of Mixed Conifer Forests

Tully Leonard, Computer Science Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Shifts in the timing of snow-pack melt influences the phenological cycles of evergreen forest in the Sierra Nevada mountain range; this can lead to potential alterations in the timing and duration of green-up in these forests. This can affect the forest’s resilience to ecological disturbances, like wildfires or insect outbreaks. In order to investigate these patterns this study uses data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), which monitors the green-up of the forest and the snow depth. In addition, the snow water equivalent (SWE) data from the National Water and Climate Center (NWCC) was used to approximate the amount of snow-pack water available to the vegetation.

Changes in Motivation and Intention to Change Multiple Health Behaviors Associated with a College Health Course

Joshua Worthington, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Drawing from the theory of planned behavior, the present study examined changes in self-reported health behaviors, and attitudes and intentions to change behaviors across outcomes of diet, exercise, tobacco smoking, and stress management before and after a health class. Students in several sections of a Health Psychology course (N=477) were invited to complete an online survey assessing self-reported health behaviors, and importance, confidence. Improved intentions, confidence, and importance were reported most health behaviors observed.

Changing Clothes: The Handmaid's Uniform as a Symbol of Protest

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The bright red cloak and fearsome white bonnet featured in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood has been internationally recognized as a symbol for protest. Bruce Miller’s Hulu adaptation of the novel propelled this new wave of activism. I argue that the costume functions as a metonym, reacting to larger issues concerning women’s rights. This study examines whether the uniform is a viable protest image or is it being co-opted to get people to buy into a certain social and political system?

Characterization of a Novel Endocellulase Enzyme for Biofuel Optimization

Amanda Ratcliff, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Currently food crops are used to produce bioethanol production, while plant waste cellulose could be used. However, cellulase enzymes are a limiting factor. We sought to characterize a novel cellulase identified by metagenomic analysis of bovine rumen by the JGI and Hess et al. We performed protein expression, genomic analysis, and characterization by SDS-PAGE, CMC and DNS activity assays, and electron microscopy of cellulose degradation. Our data indicates the cellulase is an endoglucanase with an activity of 6.27 cm2/ug, or 6x higher than commercial cellulase enzymes. These results have implications for creating efficient biofuels from agricultural waste products versus the current methods

Characterization of a Novel Endocellulase to Optimize Biofuel Production

Layla Beck , Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Bioethanol is a biofuel already prevalent throughout industry as a gasoline additive. It is widely considered carbon neutral since the carbon released upon combustion was taken from the CO2 in the air and made into cellulose during photosynthesis. Starchy or sugary food crops are used in bioethanol production when plant waste cellulose could be used instead. Efficient and scalable cellulase enzymes are limiting this switch. We sought to characterize a novel cellulase identified by metagenomic analysis of bovine rumen by the JGI and Hess et al. We performed protein expression and characterization by SDS-PAGE, CMC and DNS activity assays to compare this enzyme’s efficacy to commercial ones.

Characterization of Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin Bound Nanodiscs via Western Blotting

Celeste Diepenbrock, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (ASR) is a light-sensitive transmembrane protein found in the cyanobacterium Anabaena Nostoc. Membrane proteins have proven difficult to study due to their insolubility and tendency to form aggregates in aqueous environments. Nanodiscs are small protein structures that assist in the study of insoluble proteins. In this experiment, self-assembled ASR-bound nanodiscs were purified by Ni-NTA Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC). Native gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and absorption spectroscopy were used to detect Anabaena sensory rhodopsin and the scaffolding protein, ApoAI, in the prepared nanodisc sample.