Precision Measurement of the Universal Gravitotional Constant

Frederick Kuster-Tabares, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In cooperation with Indiana University (formerly IUPUI), the Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) Gravity Lab is undertaking a project to more accurately measure the value of the Universal Gravitational Constant in terms of SI base units. Gravitational modifications to the torque on the pendulum will be obtained via two methods through sequential experiments with a common apparatus, with the goal to provide a window into the cause of previous discrepancies between the two methods of measurement, resulting in a more accurate determined value for G.

Predicting Phosphorus Retention in Two Volcanic-Derived Forest Soils of Northern California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Plant available phosphorus (P) occurs in anionic forms which become plant-unavailable ("fixed" or "retained") when iron and aluminum oxides form insoluble phosphate complexes. P-retention is especially likely to occur under acid conditions in soils containing short range order (SRO; poorly crystalline) materials, namely allophane and imogolite. This set of characteristics is common in volcanic-derived forest soils in Pacific Northwest timber regions. We built upon 25 years of research by investigating phosphorus retention on two well-studied sites, Whitmore and Feather Falls. Simple soil assays were used in a mixed-effects model to predict P-retention on these soils.

Predicting Renewable Energy Usage with Linear Regression and Time-Series Analysis

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

For California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, increasing renewable energy production and consumption is important in the face of climate change. We develop a model to analyze these states’ current renewable energy production and future projection. Findings from the model could lead to policy changes in favor of renewable energy.

Preliminary Lupinus Nipomensis Surveys Convey Varying Plant Vigor Across Grazing Treatments

Trinity Edwards, Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Lupinus nipomensis (Nipomo Lupine) is an endangered endemic species to the Nipomo-Guadalupe Dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California. Scientists have been researching this species for many years to better understand it. Ehrharta calycina (Veldt Grass) is an introduced perennial grass species that outcompetes Nipomo Lupine. Various groups have tried to aid Nipomo Lupine in its survival by manual pulling and herbicide treatment of Veldt grass. We are beginning to investigate grazing as an alternative management tool, which will hopefully prove to better aid this species in its survival.

Preparation and Evaluation of Polylactic Acid-Quinoa Composite films

David Schmitz, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) was evaluated as a starting material for the preparation of biodegradable composites with polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-renewable polymer. Incorporation of natural plant fibers into composite material has been shown to generate active packaging materials with a variety of benefits as well as increasing the rate at which these materials degrade back into the environment. Films with varying amounts of quinoa combined with PLA were prepared and studied in a variety of methods to evaluate their usefulness as bio-renewable materials.

Preparation and Evaluation of Polylactic Acid-Quinoa Composite Films

Rafael Bernard, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Biodegradable composites were developed by incorporating quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) into polylactic acid (PLA), with varying ratios. The resulting films were characterized using melting points, bomb calorimetry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, water uptake, water permeability, water contact angle, antioxidant assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of differing quantities of quinoa fiber affected the properties of the composites. hese initial studies show quinoa/PLA composites have potential in the development of bio-renewable and biodegradable materials for active food packaging.

Preservation of Diatoms Around the January 26, 1700 Earthquake Event, using Core Sample MD.14.03B collected at McDaniel Slough, North Humboldt Bay, Arcata

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Core MD1403B contains a salt marsh soil layer between mudflat material, which was caused by subsidence produced by the 1700 earthquake. Three samples were taken from the core to look at the preservation of the diatoms from each sample and compared to one another to determine if the 1700 earthquake caused a large enough subsidence to produce high velocity water to flow into the area. The samples were examined at using the secondary electron(SE) feature of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Increased occurrence of damaged cells supports the conclusion that there was a fluctuation in water levels that produced a high velocity flow of water.

Prevalence of Iridovirus in Terrestrial Isopod Colonies

Aang Younger, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Presentation on a study conducted in Arcata, CA on the prevalence of an understudied virus in terrestrial isopods: Iridovirus. This study aimed to detect if there are associations among soil moisture level, density of potential isopod hosts, and/or temperature with the prevalence of Iridovirus. Across 7 study sites, a significant association was detected between soil moisture level and prevalence of Iridovirus, and density of potential isopod hosts and prevalence of Iridovirus.

Professional Networking Communications

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I will be presenting a poster and an oral presentation on Professional Networking Communications (P.N.C). Being able to attain new opportunities through the art of communication is what P.N.C means to me. Not everyone is born with a golden spoon, so to get what you want, you might have to persuade, motivate, or enlighten someone. You can network with verbal communication, like speaking appropriately, and variating your tone of voice. However, physical communication is just as effective when networking; the way one dresses, behaves, and even stands. Professional networking communication is the skill of growing yourself and or career through person to person encounter.

Provenance Analysis of the Plio-Pleistocene Prairie Creek Formation, Humboldt County, CA

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Pio-Pleistocene Prairie Creek Formation (PCF) is located within Prairie Creek State Park on the forearc of the Cascadia subduction zone. The PCF was deposited in late Pliocene to Pleistocene time during a time of mostly forearc subsidence, which resulted in an ancestral Klamath River to deposit fluvial sand and conglomerate in a braided river environment. By looking at the composition of the sand and gravels we can determine the provenance of the formation, which can then intern be used to constrain the paleogeography of the nearby coast range and Klamath Mountains during the time of deposition.