A New Ocean Wave Model Applied to Humboldt Bay Entrance

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A new one-dimensional ocean wave model was derived and applied to the Humboldt Bay Channel. This model consists of the continuity equation and momentum equation which describe the incomprehensibility and movement of sea water. This model was digitized on a computer using the Octave programming language and simulations were ran for five different ocean swell scenarios. Wind generated this swell ranging in speed from 10 to 50 nautical miles per hour, yielding wavelengths in the range of 8.5 to 212 meters with wave speeds in the range of 2.8-14.8 meters/second. In all cases the measured speeds agreed the the theoretical shallow water wave speed.

A Novel Interactive Web Map for Campus Accessibility

Astra Mattingly, Environmental Science & Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Individuals with physical disabilities have found that the Cal Poly Humboldt campus is difficult to navigate due to topography, aging infrastructure, and more. In order to make improvements to our campus, we need to have data on barriers that prevent physical accessibility. This map seeks to be a simple way to display physical accessibility data online to both aid navigation and promote physical and social change regarding accessibility.

A Search for Triggered Star Formation in the Compact Group of Galaxies NGC 5851, NGC 5852 and CGCG 077-007

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Galaxy interactions provide ideal conditions for triggering star formation, and impact galaxy evolution and the structure of the universe. I present analysis of one compact group of interacting galaxies. Areas of increased star formation are classified by the identification of the most UV bright regions within the galaxies. In order to gain deeper insight into how mergers drive galaxy evolution, star formation histories are determined by fitting ultraviolet to mid-infrared photometry to Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) models.

A Survey of Passerine Diversity on Cal Poly Humboldt Campus in Relation to Noise Pollution

Dee Naranjo, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Point count survey of passerine birds on Cal Poly Humboldt campus. Sites revisited multiple times to create a site occupancy model and examine species diversity, abundance, in relation to anthropogenic noise pollution on a landscape. As well, examine detection efficacy of other covariate factors.

A Survey of Shrew (Soricidae) and Mole (Talpidae) Mortality in Arcata, CA

Christina Giltzow, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In the Arcata Community Forest, many moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) have been found dead along walkways. I investigated starvation, cold temperatures, age and toxin exposure as possible causes for these mortalities. I performed necropsies on 12 specimens including Trowbridge’s shrew (Sorex trowbridgii), shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii) and coast mole (Scapanus orarius). and sent tissues as well as 3 additional specimens to UC Davis for toxicological screening. Body condition, cold temperatures and age did not appear to be linked to mortalities. The toxicological screens were negative for tested organic chemical compounds. The mortalities of these insectivores is still a mystery.

Activity of Novel Cellulases from Cow Rumen

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Utilizing cellulase enzymes can enhance the production of biofuels. In this study, 14 cellulases identified through metagenomic analysis of cow rumen were expressed in E. Coli, purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), and then assessed for enzymatic activity versus a control cellulase isolated from Aspergillus Niger. To do this, we evaluated the breakdown of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in a plate assay with Congo Red detection. 4 with high activity and 2 with low activity were selected for analyzing the effective pH on the enzymatic activity and expanding the research to kinetic analysis. Our results could inform new cellulase design and enhance biofuel production.

Affects of Common Fishing and Recreational Beaches on Dead Seabird Abundance Found Onshore

Nikkie Villagrana, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The objective of this study was to determine whether proximity to fishing communities has an affect whether or not I will find more dead seabirds on those beaches. There is evidence to suggest that one of the highest causes of plastic pollution is by commercial fishing litter. Plastic pollution has been one of the leading causes of seabird death and I aim to bridge the gap in knowledge by whether or not I find more dead seabirds onshore on the beaches that are linked to popular fishing communities in Humboldt County.

Agent-based Modeling of Microglia Behavior in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease

Emmanuel Mezzulo, Mathematics Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our research investigates the role of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), in the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using an agent-based model (ABM). Microglia cells, which typically act almost as neuronal guardians in the CNS can, under certain conditions, inadvertently contribute to AD progression if they become dysfunctional. By simulating microglia, neurons, and their interactions with signaling proteins, our ABM sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying the progression of AD, and has a the potential to inform therapeutic targets in AD treatment down the line.

Agent-based Modeling of Microglia Metabolic Pathways: Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abigail Penland, Computer Science Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that destroys memory and other cognitive functions. Several scientific findings have connected dysfunctional microglia, a type of immune cell, to AD progression. We created an agent-based model to simulate the interactions between microglia and their environment, addressing dysfunctional microglia's effect on AD. Our model represents a two-dimensional slice of the hippocampus, depicting microglia's ability to move, metabolize glucose, and interact with the blood brain barrier and amyloid beta plaques. We applied treatments of metabolic boosting and exercise to our model to study how varying treatment intensities can impede AD progression.

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos ) abundance in relation to different human-altered environments and levels of disturbance

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Examining Corvus brachyrhynchos (American crow) habitat selection is valuable in understanding how this generalist species adapts to human-altered environments. Objectives of the study: Are crows utilizing a specific type of anthropogenic environment significantly more than the other? Is human and vehicle presence at the sites is significantly affecting crow abundance? I recorded observations of crow abundance at four sites in Arcata, CA, USA representing two habitat types; urban and agricultural. Analysis of my results showed that crows are significantly selecting urban sites over agricultural.