Eelgrass beds impact on juvenile Dungeness crab in Humboldt Bay, CA.

Jillian Hodge, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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.

Effect of Channel Size on the Development of Resistance in a Carbon Nanotube Network

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The burgeoning demand for nanotechnology presents a specific issue in that it requires the production of electronic components at a physical scale that is difficult and costly to achieve. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have potential in a wide range of electronics applications (1), but there are many lingering questions about their behavior. This project seeks to use computational modeling to propose a relationship between the number of CNT-on-CNT contacts and the effective resistance of a CNT network as the physical parameters change.

Effect of Foot Orthoses on Energetics and Lower Limb Mechanics in Healthy Adults During Cycling

College of Professional Studies

The use of custom foot orthotics and wedging techniques has been recognized in the literature as a method to mechanically alter or improve joint function at the hip and knee. This study investigated the effect of foot orthoses on energetics and lower limb mechanics in healthy adults during cycling. We hypothesized that alterations to medial foot support will affect lower limb mechanics as well as metabolic values. Participants completed an individualized protocol that involved cycling in four foot orthoses conditions at three power intensities. The results of this study provide insights into the use of foot orthoses for; correcting mechanics, improving energetics and reducing injury.

Effect of Size at Release on Tendency of Trinity River Hatchery Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Return as Half-Pounders

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I used scale analysis to estimate the half-pounder frequency among wild and hatchery steelhead from the Trinity River 2011 and 2012 smolt years and compare those estimates to the half-pounder frequency from 1993 until 2008. Hatchery steelhead from 2011 and 2012 had higher half-pounder tendencies than those from 1993 until 2008. Wild steelhead from 2011 and 2012 also showed increased half-pounder tendencies. This supports the hypothesis that increased size at release of hatchery steelhead is related to decline in the half-pounder life history, but also suggests that another factor influences the half-pounder tendency of these steelhead.

Effectiveness of nSuns Powerlifting Program on Increasing 1RM

College of Professional Studies

Study of a powerlifting power to increase 1RM on the bench press.

Effectiveness of Trailhead Signs

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I went to three different trailheads to interview willing participants based on the information found on trailhead signs. Using this information, I was able to compile data to find the amount of visitors who looked at these signs, and which topics visitors answered most correctly.

Effects of Lethal Giant Larvae 1 on Murine Neural Progenitor Cell Differentiation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Using Immunocytochemistry to analyze the expression of differentiation markers in mouse neural progenitor cells. Comparisons are made between wild type cells and Lgl -/- cells to view differences in their differentiation potential and analyze some of the potential impacts of the Lgl1 gene or it’s absence.

Effects of a Dual-Task Paradigm on Tandem Gait Performance After Concussion

College of Professional Studies

Sport-related concussions are defined as the somatic and cognitive instabilities caused by direct, biomechanical forces colliding with an individual’s head or body. Health professionals utilize a series of tests to identify these instabilities at the time of injury and throughout recovery; however, each test measures the deficits individually. Alternatively, by combining two tests into a dual-task assessment, subtle impairments are better detected after a concussion. The purpose of this study is to determine if the Tandem Gait with a secondary cognitive task is a valid and reliable tool to distinguish prolonged gait deficits after a concussion in collegiate athletes.

Effects of a Race Timer on the 3 Minute All Out Test for Critical Power

College of Professional Studies

The 3 Minute all-out Test (3MT) provides a lens with which to gain insight on an individual's performance capabilities by measuring both anaerobic capacity and maximal aerobic capacity in one short test. The 3MT measures maximal performance based on the assumption that the subject is giving the test maximal effort. However due to the design of the 3MT, test participants may not be able to accurately gauge their perceived exertion, which could potentially affect performance outcomes during testing. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of introducing a race timer to the 3MT on performance outcomes in healthy active males, and also carries the potential to refine the 3MT.

Effects of Active Versus Passive Recovery on Blood Lactate and Performance in Repeated Wingate Tests

College of Professional Studies

The Wingate anaerobic test is one of the most widely used fitness tests that requires the participants to exert maximum effort. There is a lack of research on the effect of a longer duration active recovery protocol on blood lactate levels and performance in repeated Wingate tests as compared to passive recovery, and a lack of research on those components in females. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of active versus passive recovery on performance and blood lactate levels during two 30-second Wingate tests in healthy, college-aged females to further understand how different recovery types can affect performance and recovery. Hypothesis: An active recovery will allow for