Ocean Acidification and Surfgrass Buffering on Calcifying Intertidal Organisms

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our project addresses the question of whether Phyllospadix spp., a surfgrass, can effectively buffer calcium carbonate uptake by calcifying intertidal organisms. This question has significant ramifications for the Humboldt County coastline, which is considered an ocean acidification “hot spot” due to its exposure to acidic water during periods of upwelling. Our group will observe Phyllospadix spp. and it's influence on calcium carbonate deposition on cockle clams and articulated coralline algae . The results will vary due to the abundance of Phyllospadix spp. and invertebrates in each aquarium, and will determine if the calcification rate will be higher in the presence of Phyllospadix spp.

On the effects of climate-induced forest disturbances on spider assemblages in Michigan

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Climatic changes affect the intensity and frequency of forest disturbances (e.g. fire, droughts, and insect outbreaks). During the summer of 2016, we used an experimental forest at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) to observe spider responses to a simulated insect outbreak. We collected spiders from plots with different disturbance severities via pitfall traps and identified them to the lowest taxonomic level possible in order to compare Shannon-Weiner diversity indices. Our hypothesis that spider diversity would be lower in more disturbed plots was supported. Leaf area index, potential prey abundances, and down woody debris were also found to affect spider assemblages.

Open Textbooks in Higher Education

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

INSTRUCTOR PERSPECTIVES ON OPEN TEXTBOOKS IN HIGHER EDUCATION With this presentation, I explore the costs associated with higher education and how those costs may impact access. I explore the implementation of open textbooks as having the potential to bridge gaps between low and high-income students by making college less expensive and more accessible to students from all income levels. I will show prior research and stats on student approval and success with open textbooks, discuss how little research there is on instructors assessments of them, and show my survey findings from a survey I conducted on instructors at Ocean View University.

Optimizing Resistance During Multiple-Set Weight Training to Increase Training Volume for Rural Firefighters

College of Professional Studies

We hypothesized that a greater training volume would be produced using a training protocol where resistance is decreased with each set (DR) compared to a constant resistance (CR) protocol. In order to develop DRs, we used the subject's fatigue ratio (using an individualized regression equation) from a CR training protocol where the number of repetitions declines with each set. 20 active-duty male firefighters (mean±SD, age = 32± 7yr, height = 180±5 cm, body mass = 96±16 kg, fire service = 9±7 yr) completed 4 sets at 65% of their 1RM CR and DR bench press, lat pulldown, and leg press exercises to failure with 30 second rest intervals.

Physical Fitness Characteristics of Rural Firefighters on the Northern Coast of California

College of Professional Studies

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine the health-related physical fitness status of rural firefighters. CONCLUSIONS:Exercise programs for firefighters should focus on improving flexibility and body composition, while maintaining muscular strength and aerobic fitness to meet the demands of firefighting.

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.

Queers in the Pre-Stonewall Media Project

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The Stonewall Riots in June of 1969 started the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights movement in the United States. It took four more years for "homosexuality" to be removed from the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual (DSM). This study looks at the 20 years before the Stonewall Riots, exploring how LGBTQ people were discussed in the media. Using content analysis on articles from the Los Angeles Times (1950-1969), we explore the evolution of language used to describe members of the LGBTQ communities, through the McCarthy era (1950-1956), the decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK in 1967, and social movements, like the riots in the summer of 1969.

Realities Edge " An untold story about the forefathers of documentary"

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Reality's Edge is a documentary film about Robert and Francis Flaherty (Nanook of the North) and their dramatic struggles with friend and nemesis John Grierson (who established the BBC). Their opposition with Grierson established the parameters and practice of all documentary filmmakers that followed. This film is a glimpse of the remarkable early days of cinema that examines how the Flaherty's timeless films were produced. And this is the first film to credit and appreciate Francis Flaherty as a key collaborator with Robert (who has historically been the only recognized member of their team). In layman's terms, Reality’s Edge is the “big bang”of ethnographic documentary filmmaking.

Rebekah Lodge Historical Collection

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The goal of this project is to establish an ethnographic archive that documents Humboldt County women's stories and experiences. This archive will contain both historical and contemporary material and be devoted to making the stories, struggles, and achievements of women in Humboldt County known. The Rebekah's Lodge was a Independent Order Of the Oddfellows, whose main goal was to serve the community around Humboldt County through their services and volunteer work.

Reintegration in Humboldt County

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Evidence suggests a lack of reintegration services in rural Humboldt County. In an effort to understand the disconnect between the clients and the services, we will conduct focus groups and interviews with current inmates at Humboldt County Correctional Facility, service providers and ex-offenders. We aim to promote communication between both parties that will ease the process of reentry and inhibit recidivism through empowerment and access to necessary resources. This research will serve as a guide in the planning and development of the new rehabilitation center. We will also create an easily accessible resource guide and certificates of achievement for those reentering the community.