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Improving the Germination Rate of Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) for Mineland Restoration
Ethan Ostraff, Christopher MIller, April Hulet, Bradley Geary, Kate Ruebelmann, and Matthew Madsen
Quercus gambelii Nutt. (Gambel oak) is an ecologically important species that provides food and shelter for many wildlife species. In areas impacted by disturbance, Q. gambelii is often the first woody perennial species to reestablish (USFS, 2016). The use of this species could be beneficial for the reclamation of mine sites in mountain shrubland areas of the western United States. However, due to the recalcitrant nature of these acorns (i.e. seeds that do not survive after drying or freezing), viability can quickly be lost after the acorns are harvested. Additionally, invasive weevils (Family Curculionidae) infest and kill oak acorns. These factors make Q. gambelii difficult to use in reclamation projects.
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Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening According to Health Professional Counseling and Age in the United States
Seth A. Otto and Ray M. Merrill
To determine the prevalence of PSA testing in men according to age, reasons for undergoing testing, and whether a discussion about harms and benefits took place with a doctor prior to testing.
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Survey of Visual Opsin Evolution Across Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera)
Ashlynn Powell, Jacqueline Heckenhauer, Steffen Pauls, and Paul Frandsen
Caddisflies are a highly diverse order of aquatic insects. As eggs, larvae, and pupae, they occupy freshwater habitats, while as adults, they are generally aerial and terrestrial1. Such varied environments call for a flexible and complex visual system. Visual systems are controlled by light-sensing molecules called opsins, which are categorized by the wavelength of light they are most sensitive to2. In insects, these categories are:
- Long wavelength (LW)
- Short wavelength (SW)
- Ultraviolet wavelength (UV)
Adaptive duplication of opsin genes is the primary mechanism of evolution that allows for greater visual capacity3. While opsins have been well studied in some insect groups, such as dragonflies, opsins in caddisflies have never been sampled. To gain an understanding of opsin evolution in caddisflies, we analyze the occurrence and phylogenetic relationships of visual opsins in 22 trichopteran genomes.
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Effects of Perceived Racism and Socioeconomic Status on Family Health
Tatiana Pryor, Sariah Villalon, and AliceAnn Crandall
Family health is strongly associated with lifelong health and development1 and one’s experiences in childhood may have an impact on their family health in adulthood2. Of the research conducted on family health in the United States, little information can be found that directly discusses health disparities and childhood socioeconomic status as predictors of family health. Recent research shows that current household income is positively associated with family health in adulthood, meaning that SES affects access to care and health practices3.
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Dietary and Energetic Trends of the Invasive Asian Shore Crab
Tanner Reese and Blaine D. Griffen
The Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus , is an invasive crab species that lives on the East Coast of the United States. It has become an important part of its invaded ecosystems and their energetic interactions. We studied this species’ energetics to better understand how they vary across season and latitude.
- The ratio of gut width to carapace width (“standardized gut size”) is indicative of long term diet quality in crabs (a larger gut corresponds to a lower average diet quality) (Griffen & Mosblack 2011)
- We measured standardized gut size and gut energy content to examine how this species’ diet composition and energy intake vary across season and latitude
- Our research helps explain the dietary and energetic trends of the Asian shore crab and could be useful in predicting future invasion patterns and locations
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Low-cost prosthetic feet for underserved populations: A comparison of gait analysis and mechanical stiffness
Kaleigh Renninger, Brevin Banks, and Dustin A. Bruening
- Lower limb loss is an ongoing cause of disability throughout the world.
- Despite advancements in prosthetic technologies, there are numerous underserved populations in need of effective low-cost prosthetic foot options.
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Polymer Coated Urea Microplastics: Urban Landscape
C. J. Seely, B. T. Geary, and B. G. Hopkins
- Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) is an effective fertilizer.
- Microplastics, from a wide range of waste materials, pollute water bodies.
- One potential source of microplastics are from PCU fertilizers if the coatings are transported overland into water bodies.
- Various urban landscape systems vary in the potential for surface runoff.
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The Harold B. Lee Library, a Safe Place to Study? An Examination of Carbon Dioxide and Cognitive Function
Braken Snyder, Connor Krause, Dantly Wilcox, Dustin Hansen, Esther Erickson, and James D. Johnston
High levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) above 1000 parts per million can negatively impact cognitive function and decision-making (Bowen et. al). Our study is based on a research article on Indoor Air Quality. If CO2 concentrations get too high, it depletes the oxygen your brain needs.
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Reviewing the Effects of Human-Induced Limb Damage in Crabs
Jacob B. Spencer and Blaine D. Griffen
Limb damage in crabs comes in various forms, each with unique consequences. Brachyuran crabs shed limbs as a defensive reflex, with natural breakage occurring along a plane, otherwise known as autotomy. In addition to autotomy, crabs commonly lose limbs due to fishing practices such as declawing. In many areas, taking the limbs and releasing the crab is a common practice. The logic is that the populations won’t decline if the crab is put back. Other practices such as nicking, or cutting the main claw tendon, are used to restrict claw movement. Various effects of these fishery practices have been documented and quantified in a variety of species. The focus of this research is to present a review of the effects of limb loss and damage in Brachyuran crabs. This review can be used by researchers and wildlife managers for reference regarding limb loss, particularly manual claw removal, of various crab species.
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Validity of Ultrasound Imaging for Intrinsic Foot Muscle Cross-sectional Area Measurements Demonstrated by Strong Agreement with MRI
Dallin C. Swanson, Joshua K. Sponbeck, Derek A. Swanson, Connor D. Stephens, Steven P. Allen, Ulrike H. Mitchell, James D. George, and A. Wayne Johnson
Intrinsic foot muscles maintain foot structural integrity and contribute to functional movement, posture and balance Thus, assessing intrinsic foot muscle size and strength are important One way to assess strength of a muscle is by measuring its cross sectional area ( Magnetic resonance imaging ( and ultrasound ( are two modalities allowing for visualization of these muscle bodies MRI has been shown to accurately image the individual muscles but is costly and time consuming US imaging may provide an alternative that is less costly and more readily available The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reproducibility of US imaging in measuring intrinsic foot muscle size in comparison to MRI.
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A Ketogenic Diet Enhances Hippocampal Mitochondrial Efficiency
Cali E. Warren, Erin R. Saito, and Benjamin T. Bikman
Mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment are common symptoms in many neurologic disorders, as well as in nonpathological aging. Ketones have been suggested as therapeutic for their relevance in epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder.
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Staying on Track: Air Pollution & Exercise on Campus
Selah Willis, Sabina Williams, Nicole Lyons, Karly Anderson, Haley McBride, and Jim Johnston
Which exercise location on campus has the lowest levels of PM2.5 & PM10? What time of day is the lowest concentration of pollutants?
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