Western CEDAR Copyright (c) 2017 Western Washington University All rights reserved. http://cedar.wwu.edu Recent documents in Western CEDAR en-us Sun, 09 Jul 2017 01:49:01 PDT 3600 College Students’ Values for Self-Expression, their Facebook Use, and Bridging Social Capital http://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/591 http://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/591 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 09:00:19 PDT Emerging adults are coming of age in social worlds permeated by social media. Communication with others on social media can provide access to bridging social capital, defined as social resources embedded in relationships with acquaintances which promote access to new information. Grooming ties through self-expression and masspersonal communication in networked publics is important for acquiring bridging social capital, behaviors complicated by context collapse. When engaging in masspersonal communication, social media users must balance their desire to express themselves with their desire to maintain positive impressions to multiple audiences. Recent research suggests an important strategy for navigating context collapse is the use of privacy controls. However, using privacy controls could inhibit relational maintenance with acquaintances who offer novel information. The current study investigates how college students are adapting to masspersonal communication on Facebook by examining their bridging social capital, privacy control behaviors, values for self-expression, and network diversity. Confirming previous research, bridging social capital was associated with frequency of Facebook use and relationship maintenance behaviors, however, it was not associated with privacy control behaviors or network diversity. Value for self-expression, relationship maintenance behaviors, Facebook use, and network size each uniquely predicted bridging social capital. Further, strength of self-expression endorsements differed across masspersonal communication topics. Qualitative analysis of college students’ reasoning about the appropriateness of various masspersonal communication topics provides insights into the values and priorities young people are bringing into their social constructions of online norms in response to new tensions created by context collapse. Implications of findings are discussed.

]]> Chelsea J. Melton Environmental impact assessment: Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve addition http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/74 http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/74 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:01:17 PDT The goal of this project is to identify how adding a 45-acre cutout to the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve will impact the local environment. The impacts of two other potential proposals - an alternative and a no action proposal - are also examined. This report will describe all major environmental impacts associated with each of the three different actions. The recommended or preferred action will be determined by analyzing the cumulative impacts from each action. Ultimately, this document can serve as a tool for policymakers as well as students, researchers, and the public.

]]> Patrick Eckroth et al. Freestad Lake estuary restoration: environmental impact assessment http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/73 http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/73 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 14:26:35 PDT The purpose of this environmental impact assessment is to assess and evaluate a restoration along the northeast side of Samish Island in Skagit Valley, WA. Freestad Lake, a human-made saltwater lagoon, is to be restored to a pocket estuary. Our environmental assessment team discusses the resulting effects on natural and built elements of the environment, with special focus on Earth, Water, and Plants & Animals. As it is in the interest of the land owner and all involved parties to reestablish pocket estuary functions, our team aimed to evaluate the effects of the proposed project on the environment and conclude with our recommendation.

]]> Alex Westcott et al. Environmental impact assessment: proposed eastern brook trout removal from Hozomeen Lake http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/72 http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/72 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 14:17:25 PDT The North Cascades National Park has proposed the removal of eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from Hozomeen Lake and Hozomeen Creek through the use of the piscicide rotenone to prevent the spread of eastern brook trout into the habitat of the ESA listed bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Two treatments of rotenone will be applied over two successive years, followed by monitoring through 2024.

]]> Bennet March et al. Environmental impact assessment: Maddox Creek culvert removal and habitat restoration project http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/71 http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/71 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:33:42 PDT The EIA was completed as a class project for the ESCI 493 class of Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University in regards to a culvert removal proposal to help restore inaccessible salmonid habitat. A group of students performed an analysis of the environmental impacts that will arise from removing the culvert to open up fish passage making spawning and rearing habitat available for coho salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout. The proposed project is to remove an eroding 6-foot diameter by 210-foot long culvert pipe that is acting as a fish passage barrier to traditional spawning and rearing habitat of sea-run cutthroat trout, threatened steelhead trout, and coho salmon. The culvert is situated in Maddox Creek with South Laventure Road to the northeast and residential housing to the northwest. Removing the culvert will expose approximately two miles of spawning and rearing habitat for spawning and rearing salmon and trout. The proposed action includes removing approximately 262 thousand cubic feet of fill covering the culvert, excavating the pipe, and restoring the riparian habitat. Alternatives to this action include: 1) installing a slip liner on the inside of the existing culvert and weirs systems inside the slip line and downstream in the channel to backwater the culverts outlet in order to flood the culvert to allow for fish passage; or 2) the “No Action” alternative which will leave the culvert and creek in its current condition. Mitigation for the proposed and alternative actions will consist of stabilizing the surrounding vegetation and soil using silt fences, planting, hydroseeding/fertilizing, and mulching and installation of erosion control mats for erosion and sediment control.

]]> Madison DonTigny et al. Environmental impact assessment of: Sunset Fish Passage and Energy Project http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/70 http://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/70 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:57:10 PDT The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1 filled for a preliminary permit with the United States of America Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of a hydroelectric project on the South Fork of the Skykomish River on September 28th, 2011. This small scale hydroelectric project is referred to as the Sunset Fish Passage and Energy Project. By 2015 the FERC had approved the preliminary permit, as well as granted a two-year extension to the Snohomish PUD to continue investigations. In addition to the proposed hydro project, this document suggests an expansion of a pre-existing wind energy facility, called Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility, as an alternative to subsidize the energy output from the hydro facility. The following Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) discusses the probable environmental impacts that would result from the hydroelectric project, alternative wind energy project, and no action alternative.

]]> Emily Swortz et al. Mobilization of arsenic from biotic disturbances in organoclay amended sediments. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/23 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/23 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Organoclay (OC) amendments have been proposed as an effective remedial technology for in-situ sediment cleanup involving inorganic contaminants, such as arsenic. OC acts as a sorbent to sequester and immobilize the contaminants. It is speculated that synthetic worm gastric juice (SWGJ) may increase the mobility of contaminants in the sediment. This study will simulate natural biotic disturbance using SWGJ in batch partitioning experiments under laboratory conditions. The partitioning of arsenic (as arsenate) between two phases will be analyzed using an ICP-MS. A higher concentration of arsenic is expected to be measured in the water column and sediment treatments that include SWGJ, which will indicate that desorption has occurred. This novel study will provide us with partitioning coefficients for arsenic in treated sediments, which will provide us with insight towards the bioavailability of contaminants to fish and other organisms.

]]> Austin Faccone et al. Computational Identification of Novel Antiferroelectric Perovskite Materials http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/67 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/67 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Geoffrey McClarin Low-energy excitations of a Bose-Einstein condensate of rigid rotor molecules http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/66 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/66 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT We investigate the properties of the ground state and low-lying excitations of an oblate Bose-Einstein condensate composed of rigid rotor molecules in the presence of an external polarizing electric field. We build in a quantum model of molecular polarizability by including the full manifold of rotational states. The interplay between spatial and microscopic degrees of freedom via feedback between the molecular polarizability and inter-molecular dipole-dipole interactions leads to a rich quasi-particle spectrum. Under large applied fields, we reproduce the well-understood density-wave rotonization that appears in a fully polarized dipolar BEC, but under smaller applied fields, we predict the emergence of a spin wave instability and possible new stable ground state phases.

]]> Joseph Smith Plasmonic Enhancement of Organic Photovoltaic Devices http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/65 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/65 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Huy Nguyen Age-Activity Analysis in Wide Binary Stars http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/64 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/64 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT We present an analysis of flare activity in wide binary stars using a combination of data sets from the NASA Kepler mission. The target list is from Janes (2017), and contains a set of known wide binary star systems identified by proper motions in the Kepler field. We crossmatched these systems with data on relative flare luminosity for ~200,000 stars in the Kepler field from Davenport (2016). This combined data set allows us to compare flare activity between stars in co-eval binaries. We find that in some wide binaries, both components are of the same spectral type and mass, but display significantly different levels of stellar activity. This may be due to these systems being α Centauri-like hierarchical triple systems. We also hope to learn if flare rates are a useful metric for age, like gyrochronology, in these wide binary systems.

]]> Riley Clarke Modeling apparent variations in extinction vectors of young stars http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/63 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/63 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Young stars are surrounded by circumstellar dust. Light is extinguished as it passes through dust; it gets redder and fainter. The properties of the dust determine how the light is extinguished. Typically, models for visual extinction are based on a standard star and do not consider the effects of circumstellar dust. Studying star formation requires correcting observational data for the effects of circumstellar dust. Models may need to be adjusted to accurately describe the extinction of light from young stars. We can calculate the effects of extinction by applying an extinction law to a synthetic stellar spectrum and examining the effects on brightness at various wavelengths. Two properties are examined: the brightness, or magnitude, of light at visual wavelengths in the so-called V band, and the magnitude of light at infrared wavelengths in the K band. Without a disk, we expect models to show a linear relationship between V magnitude and the V-K magnitude difference as extinction increases. By adding a 1200K blackbody to the stellar spectrum to simulate emission from dust in a circumstellar disk, we can determine how the extinction of the spectrum behaves differently than a model without a disk. After simulating over 10 magnitudes of visual extinction, we see that the relationship between V and V-K is not completely linear for stars with disks. The slope between V and V-K changes as extinction increases. Brighter circumstellar disks cause a more drastic slope change with increasing extinction. For a 5700K star and a 1200K disk emitting equal amounts of energy, the slope decreases from 1.011 to 1.006 over 10 magnitudes of extinction and decreases to nearly 0 over 25 magnitudes of extinction.

]]> Elle Ojala Identification and Radial Velocity Extraction for 100+ Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/62 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/62 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Double-lined spectroscopic binary systems (SB2s) are pairs of stars that orbit near enough to each other that they are visually indistinguishable. The properties and frequency of binary systems are a strong test of stellar evolution models, and provide clues to the conditions and processes under which single and binary star systems form. We use near-infrared spectroscopy and computational methods to resolve the components of SB2s in the Perseus Molecular Cloud, Pleiades, NGC 2264, and the Orion A star forming region. We present line of sight, or radial velocity measurements for 104 SB2s, 86 of which are newly identified. SB2s are identified using cross-correlation functions (CCFs), which compare the observed spectra to a set of template spectra. Radial velocities are measured from the two peak positions in the CCFs, which correspond to the Doppler shift of each star in the system. For systems with multiple radial velocity measurements we present mass ratios and center-of-mass velocities, along with an initial estimate for cluster membership. For two systems, both with 16 measurements, we present initial orbital parameters.

]]> Martin Fernandez Behind the Scenes at Fringe Boutique http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/61 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/61 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Over the span of fall quarter, my partner Rachel and I worked exclusively with Fringe Boutique to create a case study that reflected the work of this local Bellingham business with a focus on their One Year Anniversary celebration. Through interviews with owner, Rhiannon Troutman, and multiple visits to the shop, we were able to understand the ins-and-outs behind the anniversary celebrations success while targeting the areas that could use improvement. With extensive research and multiple meetings with Troutman, we were able to find who Fringe’s target demographic was and the best way to reach them, PR techniques, outreach methods, and Troutman’s objectives for Fringe’s anniversary to determine how they each factored into the celebration. We spent the final week evaluating the anniversary and the various factors leading up to the event to identify specific PR tactics for Troutman to use for future events and to reach a wider audience to assure Fringe’s success.

]]> Sara Fontenot et al. Examining Spatiotemporal Variations in Snow Water Equivalent in Response to the El Nino Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decal Oscillation in the Pacific Northwest http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/60 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/60 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) play significant roles in dictating weather patterns on a seasonal, annual, and decadal scale in the Pacific Northwest. As such, ENSO and PDO have significant influence on snowpack development in the Cascade Range of Washington. While the standalone effects of ENSO and PDO on Pacific Northwest weather patterns are relatively well established, the combined effects and interplay of the two are less well understood. To better understand the effects of ENSO and PDO on snowpack development in the Washington Cascades, I used analysis of variance testing and regression analysis to analyze the significance and spatial variation of SWE values across multiple stations in the Washington Cascades over multiple decades. The analysis reveals interesting spatial and temporal patterns in SWE values in response to ENSO and PDO phases over the past six decades. Statistically significant differences between SWE values for multiple phase combinations were discovered upon completion of analysis. Results also indicated that while snowpack development is strongly influenced by ENSO and PDO phase, there are more variables at play in determining spatiotemporal variations in snowpack development and SWE. As winter snowpack development is crucial for drought mitigation and water resource management practices, a better understanding of snowpack development dynamics in response to large scale climatic oscillations and local climatic conditions may provide for more accurate predictions of snowpack size and extent in the future.

]]> Matt Lubar Applying a GIS framework to the management of the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/59 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/59 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Cemeteries are important landmarks that serve a significant role in preserving the cultural histories of humans around the world. Ritual burial has been a human practice for as long as 50,000 years. Well-documented and managed cemeteries are of interest not only of personal interest, but also of interest to historic, anthropogenic, and genealogical efforts to document the human experience. In this project, I used a Geographic Information Systems platform to digitize current records of the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, and worked with city officials to integrate this spatial data into the current cemetery management scheme. With each grave and person existing as a spatial feature that can store many attributes in the GIS database, important information can be organized and maintained in a much more intuitive and manner than before. Using this GIS framework for management of the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery will allow for streamlined record keeping and a user-friendly interface to facilitate public access to such records.

]]> Alice Lazzar-Atwood Effects of Demographic and Geographic Factors on Natural Hazard Fatalities Within Southeast Asia http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/58 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/58 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT As a region, Southeast Asia is particularly known for the vicious natural hazards that plague its citizens. However, many people are unsure of why these hazards have effects of such magnitude. Through this project, I am working to help to explain why countries within Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, have experienced so many fatalities from natural hazards. These countries experience many kinds of natural hazards, such as flooding, mudslides, tsunamis, and intense storms. Using factors such as population density, median age, and rural population, I analyzed why certain countries were more prone to experience mass casualties from these hazards. I attempted to standardize each country based on its geographic location given that some countries were closer to tectonic plate boundaries or were longer, narrower countries, which could affect the resulting fatalities from hazards such as tsunamis. In addition, I used geographically weighted regression to further analyze the effects that these factors had on fatalities through the correlation of each factor. I found that each factor had a different influence on the cause of fatalities within each country. Furthermore, I found that government hazard management policy within each country could have an effect on fatality rates form natural hazards. Analyzing all of this data shed light on how countries within Southeast Asia are affected by natural hazards and the drastic consequences that can emerge from them. Overall, these insights can help people to understand the effects of hazards within Southeast Asia and the root causes of resulting fatalities.

]]> Alexander Gordon-Sandweiss The arctic's shrinking sea ice gives way to increasingly navigable shipping corridors: GIS based analysis by satellite imagery and radar observation http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/57 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/57 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Changing Arctic sea ice affects annual trading seasons by increasing navigability of the Arctic Circle. A comprehensive assessment of shipping in the Arctic was conducted following recognition of the significant changes to governance, climate and resource development in the region. The changes in annual maximum growth of sea ice in the Arctic is difficult to predict, which puts ships at a disadvantage when planning when to traverse the ocean. Ongoing analysis of sea ice’s potential change to navigability each season can improve traversing the newly extended trading seasons. This analysis uses GIS methods to analyze recorded historic sea ice extents compared to more recently recorded satellite and radar data to explore changes to the most likely path of least resistance. This research revealed interesting patterns in international trade seasonality for Northern nations as well as potential effects of increased travel through sea ice growth and recession cycle. Many ships require ice crushers for travel along certain Arctic routes, which disrupts the formation of new thick sea ice in the freezing process. Providing real time satellite sea ice information could direct ships to the path of least resistance, avoiding thick ice as well as icebergs and ice bridges. My results prove that continuing analysis and communication with ships can be provided by satellite and aircraft radar observations to identify the shortest path of lease resistance, reduce disturbance to growing sea ice, and reduce the need for ice breaker ships.

]]> Adrienne Chambers Analysis of Projected Outcompetition of Any Two North American Species of Vegetation http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/56 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/56 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Outcompetition of species naturally occurs in all ecosystems when two species come into geographical contact and attempt to occupy the same niche. One species is more effective at competing for a resource, and forces the other out of the region. In areas where outcompetition goes unmonitored, invasive species can dominate an entire ecosystem and significantly reduce biological diversity. In this study, I identified an invasive species, Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan Blackberry), and a recessive species, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir), whose saplings suffer from sunlight deprivation in areas dominated by blackberry. Using current species distribution data these species, I determined climate-limited factors restricting the regions in which these species live, and found where these species could exist in the future, given particular emission scenarios. I then performed area-overlap analysis on the resulting distribution models to estimate where these two species could be interacting in the future, and how much area Douglas fir would be losing due to interactions with blackberry. The results combined the effects of climate change with the projected distribution of Himalayan Blackberry to show the resulting projected area of Douglas fir in North America. Finally, using these results as a proof-of-concept, I recreated this process as a GIS tool, with open inputs and parameters. This means that any ecologist or biologist concerned about the future interactions of two species can quickly analyze projected interspecies competition and determine if a region might suffer from diminished biodiversity in the future.

]]> Gary Boba Lead sorption constants in organoclay, activated carbon, apatite, and freshwater sediment http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/55 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/55 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Lead is one of many metals that is known to cause toxicological harm to aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations. Historically lead has been released to the aquatic environment through industrial, consumer, and gasoline products. Within the aquatic environment sediment typically sorbs lead and other metals, which reduces the bioavailability to aquatic organisms. Our experiment is a benchtop scale determination of sorption constants (Kd) between lead spiked water and four different sorbents (sediment, activated carbon, apatite, organoclay). The experimental goal is to produce sorption constants (Kd) for different treatments and compare the lead binding abilities of each treatment. The use of each treatment is applicable to large scale sediment remediation projects and will be useful in comparing which treatment will be best to use in remediating lead pollution.

]]> Eddie Kramarevsky et al. Lead sorption in aquatic environments http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/54 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/54 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Lead is released into the environment from various anthropogenic sources. It can have toxic neurological, developmental, and reproductive effect to humans and other organisms upon exposure. Lead has be found in a large number of aquatic contaminated sites across the United States, and there are efforts to reduce the likelihood of exposure. When lead is sorbed to sediment, it becomes less bioavailable and therefore less likely to produce toxic effects. Adding amendments, such as apatite and organoclay, to the sediment has been the new way of further reducing the exposure and toxicity of contaminants. This study compares the effectiveness of three different sediment amendments in sorbing lead. The lead in the sediment and the lead in the water exist in an equilibrium; the amount of time to reach equilibrium is relevant because lead and other contaminants move quickly in aquatic environments. This makes the interaction between the amendment and contaminant brief. This experiment focuses on the time-to-equilibrium for the basis of comparison among treatments at multiple lead concentrations. Site cleanup personnel look for an amendment that will sorb a large quantity of lead and do so quickly. This work provides data that can help to improve contaminated site cleanups in the future.

]]> Rita Foth et al. Calves, Corridors, and Caribou: Massive Mammalian Migration in Canada’s NWT http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/53 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/53 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The Bathurst caribou herd of Canada’s Northwest Territories has been intensely studied for the past three decades as the result of a dramatic population decline. Caribou undertake impressive annual migrations, leaving lower-latitude winter browsing ranges for northern summer ranges and calving grounds. While generalized documents and maps defining the herds range have been made available to the general public, these documents do not address interannual herd migration trends or delineate areas of greatest use and conservation concern. In this project, I performed point-density analysis and generated time lapse animations using migration data from satellite transmitters on tagged caribou (satellite telemetry) to identify high-use regions and effectively communicate overland movement patterns. While caribou often follow meandering, nonlinear migratory routes between summer and winter ranges, most migration activity fell within a 3,000 km² swath of land. Summer ranges and calving grounds were not identical across years, but they tended to fall within similar regions – a trend which emerged both in the density analysis and time series animations. Winter ranges were far more variable, generally occupying territory at similar latitudes from year to year, but with a broad East-West distribution. My results identify these overall migration trends and suggest that future caribou conservation efforts may be well-served by establishing permanent protected areas around the most-commonly used calving grounds and summer ranges, as pregnant females and young calves are vulnerable to predation and environmental stressors at these sites and times of the year.

]]> Lauren Øde Effects of Landscape and Environment on Turkey Vulture Distribution http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/52 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/52 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT My research was conducted on the foraging behavior of the turkey vulture, Cathartes aura. The purpose of my survey was to determine whether or not Turkey Vultures favored farmland, forest, or urban locales as places to congregate and search for food. As scavengers of carrion, vultures fill an important role in the local ecosystem. This study helps fill a knowledge gap about the distribution of vulture activity, and how human land use impacts this distribution. I conducted field surveys of vulture activity in urban, agricultural, and forest lands in Whatcom County. I selected several accessible sites in rural, urban, and wilderness environments in the general area around Bellingham and took counts of the number of vultures seen circling or perching at each site. I compared the average number of birds seen at each type of site using single factor analysis of variance and a Tukey-Kramer test. My results show significantly greater vulture abundances in both forest and farmland environments than in urban areas. Further study is needed to determine factors that deter vultures from city environments and whether those factors affect vulture nesting, reproduction, and migration. My results reveal important impacts of rapid urbanization, which both increases the rate of carcass generation and reduces access for one of the most effective carcass scavengers.

]]> Lydia Houston Opportunities and Challenges in Designing Participant-Centric Smoking Cessation System http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/51 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/51 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Smoking is still one of the most challenging behavioral health problems in modern society; successful cessation rate remains low. In the past, failed quit attempts have been attributed to factors including stress, presence of smoking cues, and negative affect – most of which were self-reported and as such were prone to recall bias. We believe that the first step in designing effective smoking cessation systems is to objectively identify factors that contribute to lapse. In our research, to gain understanding of lapse and factors contributing to lapse, we collected and analyzed physiological data utilizing wearable sensors from a four day pre-quit, post-quit study (N=55). In addition, we collected and analyzed self-report measures (n=3120), which offer rich contextual information about users’ social, emotional, geographical, and physiological conditions. Analysis of the data informed the design of a participant-centric cessation support system, MyQuitPal, which aims to assist individuals to gain better understanding about their smoking history and pattern. The design of MyQuitPal is also grounded on theories of long term health behavior change. We believe the design of MyQuitPal advances our understanding of complexities and opportunities surrounding the design of participant-centric smoking cessation systems.

]]> Ted Weber Theory-based Design of Smoking Cessation Applications http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/50 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/50 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Smoking is a major epidemic in public health around the world. There have been several strategies to combat this issue, yet smoking cessation remains one of the most difficult processes for people to achieve. Many physiological, contextual and social factors contribute to the low cessation rate. In 2015, 15.1% of all adults (36.5 million people) were cigarette smokers in the United States (16.7% males and 13.6% females).18 Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, and according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), only 4% to 7% of U.S. smokers who intend-to-quit are successful on any given attempt without medicines or external help.18 In recent years, there have been a large number of smoking cessation applications released through mobile phones in an attempt to better understand and assist smokers to quit. This idea of using mobile phones to attain smoking cessation has been gaining traction due to the increasing user base of mobile phones. Additionally, applications are often cheaper and more accessible for people than private counseling or medical facilities. Mobile phones and apps running on them combine accessibility and portability with access to proven smoking cessation strategies established in the field. Nonetheless, smoking cessation rates remain low. Therefore, to analyze the effectiveness of mobile applications as a smoking cessation technique, we have analyzed 20 scholarly and peer reviewed articles to help identify features that were effective in helping achieve smoking cessation.

]]> Blen Desta et al. A Computational approach for inferring the effects of protein mutations with deep learning http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/49 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/49 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Max Shelborne et al. Hyperparameter Optimization as a Web Service http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/48 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/48 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Jay High African American Women: Mass Media’s Impact on Body Image Perceptions http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/47 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/47 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT This study examines how the images of African-American women in the media affect the average African-American woman’s perception of her body image. Most studies already conducted, which concern body image perception, have dealt heavily with Caucasian-American women. Thus, the voices of African-American women are important to consider. Given the lack of focus on African-American women, the researchers will explore if African-American women’s perceptions are altered due to the images that are shown in the media. Using a quantitative method study, the researchers will administer surveys for participants to fill out and return. The surveys will be accompanied by a short screening of media imagery, which will involve images commonly seen in the media. A control group will be used to increase the validity of the experiment. Participants answers to the pretest and posttest surveys will be examined to measure the correlation between media imagery and the participants perception of their body image. The participants will be individuals who identify with the female gender and who are of African descent who live in the United States. Studying body image perceptions is important in general because low self-esteem can negatively affect one’s overall health and behavior. If the researchers identify the cause of low-self esteem is indeed due to mass media, steps can be made to assure women’s self-esteem is considered and protected. This issue is especially important because there is an underrepresentation of African-American women in the media, which leaves limited access for women, who identify as African-American, to connect with the women shown in the media. To help understand how the media impacts African-American women’s perceptions of their body images, the researchers will incorporate the Social Comparison Theory and the Cultivation Theory.

]]> Moise Payne et al. "Post-concussion services in speech-language pathology: Awareness, attitudes, and training in concussion for currently practicing SLPs." http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/46 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/46 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge that currently practicing speech-language pathologists possess on the subject of concussion, their awareness for the risks and consequences associated with concussion, as well as the training they have received in providing rehabilitative services to clients who have suffered a concussion and the degree of confidence they feel in their ability to provide such services.

]]> Colin Misich Plant Observation Device http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/45 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/45 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The P.O.D. Project is responsible for automating the experiment by accumulating data without the need for constant manual monitoring. Current procedures require adding water and recording data by hand frequently, and simply do not allow for the degree of control over lighting that is desired. This software and hardware solution will streamline the experimental process for the WWU biology department. The instruments used will be controlled by a computer which will automatically regulate light and water delivery. It will simultaneously record data from multiple sensors including light, temperature, and a camera unit. This will cut down on measurement and maintenance time as well as increase the accessibility to new experimenters.

]]> Wesley Kennedy Using a Ranking Task coupled with Think-Aloud Interviews to Characterize Upper-Division Students' Use of Scientific Models and Model Components in Quantum Chemistry http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/44 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/44 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The development of students' modeling practices is crucial for their success as future professionals in the scientific community. Quantum chemistry is a domain in which there are many challenges for learners including, but not limited to, the abstract nature of the subject and the high levels of mathematization required to fully engage in the modeling practice. Our initial work on characterizing students' scientific modeling practices in this domain has uncovered significant fragmentation of students' understanding, and general difficulties related to choosing appropriate model components (e.g. mathematical expressions). Based on these findings, we have developed and piloted a quantum chemistry ranking task which asks participants to use a four-point Likert scale to characterize the applicability of various models and model components to quantum mechanical problems at the physical chemistry level. Participants were asked to explain their selections for each item immediately after they completed it. The participants consisted of upper-division students in quantum chemistry at a large, public regional comprehensive university, as well as faculty members who are content experts. Descriptive statistics were employed to compare novice vs. expert responses, and literature-grounded coding scheme was used to generate qualitative descriptions of the data. Results were interpreted through the lenses of theoretical frameworks for fragmented knowledge structures and novice/expert approaches to organizing knowledge.

]]> Cassidy Crickmore Ground and Excited State Energies of Solar Thermal Fuel Candidates from Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Density-functional Tight-binding (DFTB) Calculations. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/43 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/43 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Khoa Le Structural Screening of Photoactive Covalent Organic Frameworks http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/42 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/42 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Jack D'Amelio Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles with Spectroscopic Analysis and Atomic Resolution Imaging http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/41 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/41 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a spectroscopic technique that promotes increased inelastic light scattering through the excitation and relaxation of a molecule's vibrational modes. This is achieved through increasing the magnitude of the molecule's dipole. This technique is wavelength dependent and correlates well with the enhancement of the field at the surface of the nanoparticles. SERS enhances the vibrational modes perpendicular to the metal surface, allowing detection that is as accurate as a single molecule. The synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles serves as basis for additional characterization of a variety of adsorbates. By determining the particle size and polarizability, this data can provide additional insight as to how other molecules could adsorb to the nanoparticle surface and how they interact with the surface and the molecules around it. Characterization of particles synthesized with AgNO3 and NaBH4 aims to reduce the amount of background signal in SERS which will help develop further understanding of these surface interactions.

]]> Joelle Lo Structural Analysis of the Catalytic Domain for the Plasmodium BEM46-Like Protein http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/40 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/40 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Malaria parasites are obligatory intracellular protists in the genus Plasmodium that are transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes. The liver-stage (LS) is a critical target for drug interventions as it results in a massive parasitic amplification event, producing thousands of blood-stage parasites that cause the symptomatic disease. In order to understand the morphological changes that occur on the parasite plasma membrane (PPM) during the mosquito- to liver-stage transition, we need to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the proteins implicated in LS development. The Plasmodium BEM46-like protein (PBLP) has been shown to be an important determinant for invasive-stage morphogenesis both in vitro and in vivo, although the enzymatic function of this protein has not yet been characterized. The bud emergence (BEM)46 proteins possess a conserved amino acid motif in the α/β-hydrolase superfamily that includes a variety of enzymes, although few have known biological functions. Here we examined the functional role of the catalytic domain of PBLP using protein structure prediction software. We were able to ascertain the putative active site of PBLP, which was consistent with the predicted active site proposed for other BEM46 proteins. In order to determine the function of PBLP, we cloned a cDNA copy of the pblp gene into a bacterial protein expression vector. Our goal is to express PBLP in Escherichia coli in order to purify and characterize its activity using functional enzymatic assays. Mutant PBLP constructs will be generated using overlap-extension PCR to verify the location of the putative active site as well as serve as a negative control in future enzymatic assays. Our aim is to gain a better understanding of the function of the catalytic domain of PBLP since it has the potential to be a major PPM target for novel drug intervention strategies.

]]> Michael Anderson et al. Presence of Daubentonia madagascariensis in Vatoharanana at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/39 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/39 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Daubentonia madagascariensis (aye-aye) population numbers are declining across the island of Madagascar. This species evolved with truly unique adaptations such as continuously growing incisors, an unusual finger joint and use of echolocation, all supporting an early separation of the aye-aye from its closest relatives the lemurs. Local beliefs associate this species with death, causing them to be killed. Additionally, habitat destruction hastens their disappearance from much of Madagascar. The goal of this study was to gather direct or circumstantial evidence using first-hand accounts to locate their presence in Ranomafana National Park. Sightings are rare but their dietary habitats indicate their continued presence.

]]> Alexandra Rose Variation in dietary intake and DNA methylation: The possibility of a remnant thrifty epigenotype in populations remaining at risk for seasonal food shortages. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/38 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/38 Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Anthropologists hypothesize a human ‘thrifty genotype’ allowed ancestral populations to store energy when food was bountiful and survive famine. LEP, which produces leptin, an adipocyte-synthesized protein regulating appetite, energy storage and expenditure, is a major candidate gene; however, no allelic variant of LEP seems to explain the range of leptin expression among populations. DNA methylation responds to nutritional programming, potentially modulating gene expression to provide flexibility of adaptive responses in unstable nutritional environments. We hypothesize differential epigenetic signatures among populations suggest a ‘thrifty epigenotype.’ We examine the relationship of dietary intake to DNA methylation percentage at functional CpG sites (4 & 7) of LEP core promoter (C/EBPαTBS and TATA) and serum leptin levels in 182 individuals from two distinct populations: Siberian Buryat and Kansas Mennonite. Serum leptin is higher in females than males and lower in indigenous Buryat (M2.54/Fe7.3ng/ml) than US Mennonite (M6.4/Fe 16.0ng/ml). Mean percent DNA methylation at functional CpGs is greater in Buryat (62/38) than Mennonite (55/35) (p<0.001 for all per Mann-Whitney U). Macronutrient percent of diet was greater in carbohydrate and protein for Mennonite and higher in fat for Buryat. After log transforming appropriate variables, dietary percent of macronutrients were correlated with DNA methylation, with results significant in Buryat only. Percent of dietary protein correlates with functional CpGs (r=.375/p=0.006 and r= .409/p=0.003). Serum leptin correlates with percent fat and negatively with percent carbohydrate in Buryat only (r=.330/p=0.017 and r=-.367/p=0.008 respectively). LEP methylation correlating with differential energy intake in Buryat only implies a remnant thrifty epigenotype. Funding: Wenner Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Western Washington University, and State of Kansas Attorney Settlement Fund.

]]> Aaron Williams Determination of fucoidan, alginate, and protein concentrations in edible seaweeds from the Salish Sea Region http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/37 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/37 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT In the past, the indigenous people of the Salish Sea relied on a variety of edible seaweeds as a food source. Some of these seaweeds contain biologically active compounds including fucoidans and alginates that have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, anti-tumor, anti-obesity, anti-coagulant, and anti-viral properties. This project will take advantage of seaweed samples harvested from the Salish Sea region that were used for measurements of toxin content. Although these seaweeds contain toxins they also have numerous health benefits that likely outweigh the detrimental effects of the toxins. In order to better understand the health benefits of consuming these traditionally harvested seaweeds, I propose to quantify the concentrations of fucoidan, alginate, and protein in the same seaweed samples used in the toxin project.

]]> Katherine Berreman Shankar monopoles in noncoplanar magnetic Weyl semimetals http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/36 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/36 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Tristan Lee Silk Poly(pyrrole) Biocompatible Actuator Performance Under Biologically Relevant Conditions http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/35 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/35 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Jo'Elen Hagler Cascade Mall shooting: a comparative analysis of coverage http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/34 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/34 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Mass shootings are something that need to be increasingly reported on in this day and age. They are a relatively new phenomena and, by nature, are entrenched in ethical questions. For this reason, I was interested in researching how news outlets approach and report on mass shootings. In this study, I examined a local incident, the Cascade Mall shooting in Burlington in which five individuals were shot down by a gunman within a Macy’s store. I compared coverage of the local Skagit Valley Herald and the larger, regional Seattle Times. I examined the type of sources used by the two news outlets as well as the content within each article. I wanted to find disparities in coverage as well as how they tailored their reporting to their different audiences; the Times has the largest readership in Washington State while the Herald covers only Skagit County. I read each article by the Skagit Valley Herald with content about the Cascade Mall shooting; 37 articles from September 23, 2016 when the event occurred until March 7, 2017. I did the same with the 24 articles published by the Seattle Times in the same time frame. This information is important because a mass shooting is a highly sensitive occurrence with increasing prevalence and I wanted to see if a larger newspaper would be comparable to a local one in its sensitivity, community coverage and approach.

]]> Melissa McCarthy 4th Avenue 4 Seasons Art 4 Everyone http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/33 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/33 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT A public relations campaign created for the City of Edmonds to raise awareness and public support for their new, 4th Avenue Arts and Cultural Corridor

]]> Yaelle Kimmelman et al. The Evolution of Presidential Press Conferences as a Public Relations Practice http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/32 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/32 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The presidential press conference is one of the most powerful public relations tools the White House administration has at its disposal because it allows the president to communicate to the public through interaction with the media. However, the practice has existed in one form or another for over 100 years, which allowed a relationship to form between the president and the press that has continued to develop throughout history. This study looks at the first presidential press conference given by eight U.S. presidents spanning the 20th and 21st centuries in a qualitative content analysis of four Democrat and four Republican leaders, as well as examines how presidential press conferences function as a medium. In general, it was found that each president tailored the press conference to match their political agenda and began to craft the message of their administration. From a stylistic stand point, the specific manner in which each president approached the press conference was based on personal preference. As public relations strategies and communication technologies progress, it is important to try and anticipate what role presidential press conferences will play in the relationship between the president and the media and what an effective presidential press conference might look like in the future.

]]> Katherine Misel Intergenerational Family Connections and Undergraduate Experience of Southeast Asian Students at Western Washington University http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/31 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/31 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Christine Consolacion Arts-based activities in the university classroom http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/30 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/30 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Heidi Knickerbocker Teaching Historic Trauma: Centering the generational trauma of Khmer youth http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/29 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/29 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The purpose of this independent study is to create a curriculum draft focused on teaching historic trauma to Khmer youth who may be experiencing secondhand trauma. The genocide of the Cambodian people occurred between 1975-1979. This genocide killed off about one third of the population. Intellectuals, culture, and traditional practices were what the communist, extreme nationalist leader wanted to destroy in order to create a “Year One” and have lives of civilians be focuses primarily on agriculture. People died from murder, starvation, malnutrition, bombings, and etc. The population that this curriculum will center is that of the generation that came to be after survivors of this genocide found “refuge” in the United States. The curriculum will include components of historical teachings and narratives about the genocide including American imperialism and it’s role in this era in Cambodia, political standpoints in the country during the time, personal narratives from survivors, and personal narratives of first generation Khmer-Americans.

]]> Chantheari Leng Recreating Intercalated Clays of Chondritic Meteorites http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/28 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/28 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT In order to better understand the reactions that form intercalated clays in carbonaceous chondritic (CC) meteorites, a suite of six combinations of nontronite plus fine-grained metal, organics, or sulfur ± water were heated at a temperature of 200°C in sealed Parr bomb containers for a period of three months. Intercalation is the process of materials being introduced between the layers of expandable clays via cation exchange. Reflectance spectra of CC meteorites differ from those of mixtures of the end members made physically in that the CC spectra are darker and show extremely subdued absorption bands of the phyllosilicates (clays) that they contain relative to the mechanical mixtures. This is likely due to the fact that the clays in CCs contain darkening agents, such as organics, magnetite, iron sulfides in intimate association with the clays (i.e., between individual phyllosilicate sheets) that a mechanical mixture cannot reproduce.

]]> Katherine Winchell Utilizing spatial analysis to predict optimal locations for wind energy production in Washington state and British Columbia http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/27 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/27 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Wind turbines can harness a free, readily-available natural resource to produce energy that feeds the ever-growing energy demands of the United States and Canada. Wind energy is a renewable resource that could be used to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and limit the production of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In the Pacific Northwest, a region dominated by the production of hydroelectricity, energy companies are beginning to invest and develop wind energy production. In Washington state, wind energy production accounts for 7.2% of the state’s total power production, while British Columbia produces 1.6% of its energy using wind power. In an effort to expand renewable energy production, this study utilized a multi-criteria evaluation to predict optimal future geographic locations for wind energy facilities in Washington and British Columbia. Using a geographic information system, variables on the region’s climate, topography, and anthropogenic developments were weighted and analyzed to identify possible locations for future wind development. Optimal areas had high aboveground wind speeds, non-forested land cover, low slope angles, and were in close proximity to existing power transmission lines. Additionally, priority was given to sites that were located away from urban centers in an effort to reduce noise and visual pollution. Early findings suggest that both Washington and British Columbia possess the ability to expand current wind energy production and supplement the use of hydroelectricity in this region.

]]> Eli Merrell Climate Implications on the Vulnerability of Populated Areas Along the Chesapeake Bay http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/26 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/26 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT According to the latest federal report, released in the final days of Barack Obama’s administration, the global average sea level rise was predicted to reach 8.2 feet by 2100 in the “extreme” scenario—a much faster rate than previously thought. 8.2 feet of sea level rise would put much of America’s east coast underwater. NOAA released the report days before the inauguration of Donald Trump—an event which no doubt did not bode well for Earth’s climate. Since his inauguration, President Trump has thoroughly proven his disbelief in climate change by making his best attempt to undo all of Obama’s climate policies, from the comfort of his new home not far from the Potomac River. Given these circumstances, it should be imperative to investigate the effects of the United States’ new policies on the vulnerability of the densely populated areas along the largest and most productive estuary in North America—the Chesapeake Bay. In this study, I conducted a multi-criteria analysis on the vulnerability of populations living along the Chesapeake Bay watershed. My main focus was mapping sea level rise, and then taking into account other factors which could contribute to vulnerability, including seasonal flood patterns and past natural hazard events. My results represent a realistic demonstration of what this region of the US may come to look like in coming years, taking into account sea level rise as well as other hazards and factors of vulnerability. Regardless of the denial of anthropogenic climate change that many Americans maintain, extensive damage is likely in this region. My probabilistic maps and study on vulnerability should be used to inform people in this region of the risks they face by living there.

]]> Stirling Scott Producing a ‘Walkability’ Index for Bellingham Neighborhoods Using Municipal Spatial Data http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/25 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/25 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Pedestrians have been somewhat overlooked in the United States’ automobile dominant transportation paradigm. The ability to be able to walk anywhere in an urban setting is very important for accessibility, agency, and community health. One goal of Bellingham planning is to create a more bike friendly and walkable place. Producing an index, which rates one’s ability to navigate an area by foot, allows for smarter planning and directing of city planning resources to improve pedestrian agency in different parts of the city. In this study, I applied geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical methods to calculate a ‘walkability’ index using publicly available data from the city of Bellingham. Each variable was given a specific weight based on its importance to pedestrians and then compiled into one formula. The results show interesting patterns in the overall ‘walkability’ of different neighborhoods in Bellingham. Tighter spatial distribution and higher density of street intersections tends to return the greatest levels of ‘walkability’. Because of this, population centers such as the downtown neighborhood end up allowing pedestrians higher levels of ‘walkability’. These patterns suggest that increasing ‘walkability’ is more dependent on projects that increase density and connecting areas of higher density.

]]> Anders Dowell Investigating glacial recession in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru using Landsat imagery http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/24 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/24 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The high peaks of the Cordillera Blanca in the Ancash region of Peru contain the highest concentration of tropical glaciers in the world. These glaciers function as an important water supply during the region’s winter season when precipitation is low. Climate change is accelerating the mass balance loss of these glaciers, and receding ice has exposed sulfide-rich geologic formations that influence the chemistry of glacial runoff. In an effort to predict future change, glacial recession in the Cordillera Blanca was analyzed through the analysis and classification of Landsat thematic mapper (TM) imagery acquired over a multi-year period. Snow and ice coverage was extracted from Landsat images through the implementation of a Normalized Differenced Snow Index (NDSI), which utilized the green (TM band 2) and short wave infrared (TM band 5) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, a water mask was created to reduce noise and misclassification associated with alpine streams and glacial lakes. The extent of snow and ice was calculated for each year to produce a linear regression and examine trends in coverage loss throughout the study period. Trends in glacial recession were then compared to water quality data from several valleys in the Cordillera Blanca that was gathered between the years of 2012-2016 on yearly research expeditions. This research could shed light on the implications of glacial recession and suggest a mechanism for declining water quality in the Ancash region of Peru.

]]> Eli Merrell Variations in abundance of Psuedacris regilla in relation to canopy and shrub cover near bodies of water in the Chuckanut Mountains, WA http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/22 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/22 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The abundance of Pacific Chorus Frog varies between bodies of fresh-water due to the influence of canopy and shrub cover on predation by birds. Wetlands in the Chuckanut Mountains have diverse canopy and shrub coverage allowing for a range of habitat for Pacific Chorus Frogs, and their predators, but a direct effect of canopy or shrub cover on frog abundance has yet to be established for this region. If chorus frog density is limited by avian predators, then we expect frogs to be in greater abundance in wetlands with greater shrub coverage, because the shrub cover provides camouflage and hinders catching by predators, while canopy cover provides perching sites for avian predators. We determined frog breeding distribution using the Wisconsin frog and toad aural survey protocol at wetland sites spanning a wide range in canopy and shrub cover. We estimated the relationship between frog distribution and shrub cover by fitting a logistic regression model to our field data. These results have implications for amphibian conservation, habitat management, and wetland buffer regulations.

]]> Max Stecher Determining Elk Browse Patterns in Northwest Washington http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/21 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/21 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The Pacific Northwest is home to recovering elk populations, a species of importance to First Nations in the region as well as a contributor to ecosystem functions. While elk restoration in this region is important to some, elk are perceived as a nuisance to others due to impacts on agriculture and riparian restoration projects. Learning the herbivory patterns of elk in the area may inform work to support elk while reducing conflicts. I measured elk browse intensity and plant selection in the Nooksack River South Fork valley, Whatcom County, Washington. I recorded fraction of woody stems browsed by species in circular plots clustered around randomly located focal points. I calculated absolute browse intensity for each plant species, and determined selectivity using resource selection functions. These results can be applied in riparian restoration programs by selecting plants less preferred by elk and in agriculture by allocating deterrence measures where browse pressure is greatest.

]]> Nicole Miller Northwestern Salamander Site Selection for Egg Deposition http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/20 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/20 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This project investigated Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma gracile) site selection for egg deposition. The Northwestern Salamander, among other amphibian species, is vulnerable to population declines due to habitat loss and degradation from increasing urbanization and climate change. Egg mass density provides an important measure of population abundance and reproductive success. Knowing the preferred site characteristics for egg deposition could be key to protecting Northwestern Salamanders from local population declines and extirpations. We measured egg mass density relative to four site characteristics: water depth, distance from shore, vegetation density, and water body area. During April 2017 we conducted perimeter searches of permanent ponds located in two low-elevation protected areas: Stimpson Nature Reserve and Chuckanut Community Forest. We evaluated relative importance of site characteristics using information theoretic methods applied to regression models. Our results provide information about Northwestern Salamander habitat use that can be applied to improve amphibian conservation efforts, including land and shoreline management.

]]> Kelly Melville et al. Microhabitat Effects on Small Mammal Distributions in Chuckanut Mountains http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/19 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/19 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Small mammals play a vital role in the function of ecosystems, providing services such as seed dispersal, bioturbation, and sources of prey for many organisms. Given the substantial timber harvesting in the Pacific Northwest, understanding the specific effects of habitat characteristics on small mammal distribution is important to identify. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of rodents and soricids in the Chuckanut Mountains of western Washington. We sampled species presence using track stations (n=60) relative to microhabitat structure determined by coarse woody debris, canopy cover, area leaf litter, tree stand height, and understory vegetation cover. We fit logistic regression models to distribution and habitat data, and compared relative importance of habitat characteristics using information theoretic methods. We determined that the presence of both rodent and soricid species was strongly associated with large amounts of coarse woody debris and understory cover and loosely correlated with high leaf litter area. Our study has forestry and wildlife management implications by identifying critical variables for abundant species positioned at the center of the food chain.

]]> Matthew Danielson et al. Noise pollution impact on songbird behavior http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/18 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/18 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Title: Noise pollution impact on songbird behavior This study examines impact of noise pollution on songbirds particularly territorial singing. Anthropogenic noise associated with expanding human development can reduce effectiveness of territorial singing, which is important to songbird reproductive success. With an increase in human presence, the success of songbirds’ calls will be negatively impacted due to competition with other sources of noise. We evaluated noise impacts by comparing songbird vocalizations in similar forested sites adjacent to vs. distant from Interstate-5. We compared background singing rates and songbird responses to broadcasts of pre-recorded songs of the same species. Species-specific responses were measured by percent of individuals responding and response times. Data on background singing and playback responses were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance.These results reveal implications of urban and transportation planning on valuable wildlife in a rapidly urbanizing region.

]]> Joycelyn Blue et al. Ergonomic Surgical Body Support System http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/17 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/17 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Awkward surgeons’ body posture during surgical procedure is one of the main ergonomics problems in the Operating Rooms (OR). Prolonged static head, neck and back posture in a standing position causes fatigue, aches, and pain to the supporting muscles. Due to the position of the patient during surgeries, surgeons usually lean forward to control work in the surgical area. This posture results in increased muscles activity in the upper and lower body to keep the surgeon balanced. This type of muscle activity increases the incidence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) among surgeons over time. In addition, surgeons rely on their hands and fingers to perform precision procedures which add more stress to their muscles. Various forms of research have been gathered thus far, including research articles supporting the need for such a device and current models and solutions. From this, a questionnaire was created and distributed to surgeons. From the responses acquired, all the information collected will be used to assess and propose various designs to determine the safest surgical body support system. The engineering design process will be implemented to develop the design concepts. Computer Added Design (CAD) will be used to simulate and test the various designs. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) will be used to evaluate surgeon’s posture while performing surgery using the simulated designs. Results will help make scientifically supported decisions about the safest surgical support system that can be used by surgeons in the OR.

]]> Allyce Froning et al. Development of Lab Scale Resin Transfer Molding System for Aerospace Materials Research http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/16 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/16 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Research was conducted into the development of a lab scale resin transfer molding (RTM) system for use in composite materials research and university education. A reactive injection mold (RIM) was converted into an RTM mold to produce flat 11”x 11” sandwich panels for destructive mechanical test specimens. The complete RTM system configuration was designed for elevated resin infusion temperatures (>100 °C) for high viscosity (>400 cP at 25 °C) resins systems such as benzoxazine, and accommodate curing temperatures (>150 °C) per the requirements of commercially available benzoxazine resin. The RTM system was implemented for the manufacturing of benzoxazine/fiberglass sandwich panels and the process was optimized using 2^3 full factorial design of experiments, investigating the influence of injection temperature, total infusion time, and vacuum pressure on final part quality. The RTM process was qualified through the measurement of fiber/resin ratio and void content through burnoff testing in accordance with ASTM D3171.

]]> Robert Kearney Benzoxazine resins developed for advanced composite manufacturing processes http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/15 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/15 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The existing phenolic resins used in aircraft interiors are being phased out owing to occupational health concerns. Our research partner, Zodiac Aerospace, needs new materials capable of meeting mechanical as well as flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) requirements of aircraft interior applications. Novel benzoxazines have been synthesized to achieve these requirements and tailored to both resin transfer molding (RTM) and prepreg processing applications. RTM is a closed-molding composite manufacturing process capable of producing high tolerance parts, but it requires carefully matched viscosities and pressures to achieve these standards. We have customized an RTM system for this application.Prepreg manufacturing is commonly used for aircraft interior applications, and earlier Zodiac grants helped developed a small-scale treater to produce and test prepreg. As part of this research, both water-based and solvent-free benzoxazine systems were formulated for prepreg manufacturing. Target temperatures and viscosities were identified for each of these applications. A rheometer was used to measure resin viscosities as well as cure kinetics, which was supplemented with studies using differential scanning calorimetry. Resin performance was also assessed by testing FST using a vertical burn chamber.

]]> Robert Kearney et al. Improving Chinese to English Machine Translated Messages through Automatic Post-Editing http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/14 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/14 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Chinese second language learners of English often use Machine Translators (MT) to translate personal and professional messages from their first language to English. MT’s are not perfect and often create messages lacking in coherence. Through Automatic Post-Editing (APE) we hope to develop a tool that will automatically make corrections to the output of the MT in order to make the message more coherent, increasing confidence that the user has in their message. This will allow the users to feel more confident about their personal and professional writing.

]]> Connor Freitas Capturing the Moment: A Rhetorical Analysis of World War II Celebration http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/13 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/13 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The iconic image V-J Day in Times Square is nationally remembered for the celebration of the end of World War II. Focusing on the archival collection Victory and Peace from the National Archives, this research demonstrates a disconnect in American perceptions and the reality of culture through iconic images. Specifically I investigate the extent to which images from the 1940s are romanticized, celebrated and replicated in reflection of remembrance of the World War II era. These replications do not properly reflect the true events in 1945, but rather the idea that many would like to take away from this era. The images I refer to throughout this research regarding a sudden kiss contribute to this generation’s nostalgia that comes from World War II phenomena. The relevance that this paper has to this contemporary moment contributes to the ideas of sexism, dominant American culture and the freedom of expression.

]]> Kylie Wagar Effects of Arabidopsis thaliana Villin-4 mutations on root hair physiology, morphology and function http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/12 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/12 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The protein Villin is found in both plants and animals across many taxa. In plants, one of the roles of Villin is to aid in root hair formation and function. They do this by assisting in the formation of actin bundles in root hairs in addition to other processes. It has been found that Arabidopsis thaliana with mutated Villin-4 have compromised actin bundles and in certain cases shorter or dysfunctional root hairs. This study examines the effects that the mutation in Villin-4 proteins has on various parts of plant root physiology. By examining the changes in responses of Arabidopsis thaliana Villin-4 mutants to various external abiotic conditions, this study aims to uncover novel phenotypes caused by the mutations in Villin-4. Specifically, this study looks at mutations in the Villin proteins affect the plant’s ability to detect gravity in the presence or absence of salt, in addition to how Villin mutants affect root hair growth and morphology in cold conditions or in a sucrose environment. We hope to elucidate a potential phenotype in gravitropism as expressed in 100mM Nacl through large data collections.

]]> Maya Klem et al. Analyzing Enzyme Activity in Petunia Pistil Plant Cell Walls During Early Stage Fertilization http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/11 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/11 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Nicolas Terentjev et al. Assessing the Quality of Models Upper-division Chemistry Students Develop and Apply in the Context of the Hydrogen Atom http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/10 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/10 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Quantum chemistry provides us with useful models to predict and explain atomic and molecular scale phenomena. Thus, a reasonably well-developed understanding of this domain is essential for undergraduate students of chemistry. Students’ abilities to develop, apply, and build upon scientific models in quantum chemistry, particularly in upper-division settings, have not been well studied in chemistry education research. We report the findings from think-aloud interviews administered to upper-division students in quantum chemistry courses at both a large, public regional comprehensive university and a small, private liberal arts college. The interviews centered on a task designed to allow students to develop, apply, and extend a model of the atom. Interview transcripts and sketches were coded using software for qualitative data analysis, and we applied literature-grounded coding schemes to systematically describe the level of models students were able to develop and apply for the atom, as well as the nature of students’ fragmented understanding of such models. Our preliminary findings indicate 1). many students exhibit fragmented understanding of model components that are necessary for effective meaning-making, 2). students experience difficulty with appropriate mathematization of their models—even with access to all relevant expressions for the quantum mechanical model of the atom. Implications for future work and instructional practice are also discussed.

]]> Joshua Kirsch Enhancing Sortase mediated transpeptidation reaction conversion via metal-peptide complexation http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/9 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/9 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus has grown in popularity as a robust and reliable enzyme for site-specifically modifying proteins. Recognizing and attacking the five amino acid recognition sequence (LPXTG), Sortase A forms a thioester intermediate which is susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the N-terminal amine of a glycine. During formation of the intermediate, sortase A excises the region of the peptide C-terminal to threonine. The excised fragment thus has an N-terminal glycine, and can attack the enzyme-protein intermediate, leading to reversal of the reaction. To attenuate reaction reversal, the recognition motif has been extended to LPETGGH, as GGH peptides are known to be strong chelators of metal ions. Sortase-catalyzed reactions performed using this modified recognition sequence in the presence of Ni2+ have been found to have a higher conversion to product; although little to no effect has been seen in the presence of other metal ions. To demonstrate the increase of efficiency and the potential for decreased cost, here we present the results of applying this metal chelation strategy to a range of model proteins and peptides.

]]> David Brzovic Broadening the Scope of Sortase-Mediated Ligations using Natural Sortase Homologs http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/8 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/8 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Sortase-mediated ligations have become an attractive option for protein modification chemistry, enabling the synthesis of a wide range of non-natural polypeptide derivatives. In an effort to expand the scope of this methodology, we have been characterizing the in vitro reactivity of a panel of natural sortase homologs. Here we present our studies on the substrate and nucleophile tolerance of sortases from a range of bacterial species. Notable findings include that sortase A from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SrtApneu) shows a high degree of substrate promiscuity, allowing this enzyme to process a range of substrate variations that deviate from the LPXTG substrate motif typically associated with sortase-mediated methods. In addition, this enzyme has the ability to accept an expanded range of primary amine nucleophiles. To demonstrate the utility of this expanded substrate scope, we have also succeeded in using SrtApneu to site-specifically modify the N-terminal serine residue of Dermcidin (DCD-1L). Overall, these results demonstrate that naturally occurring sortases represent a viable approach for the continued development of sortase-mediated protein modification.

]]> Nicholas Horvath Visualization of an Ineffective T-State Stabilizing Mutation in Circularly Permuted Hemoglobin http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/7 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/7 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The primary goal of our project is to develop a functional hemoglobin based oxygen carrier (HBOC) for clinical care. In order to accomplish this, we are working on designing a single chain hemoglobin (scHb) that can serve as the building block of a monodisperse polymeric HBOC. The scHb is formed from novel covalent fusions between the two α chains and two circularly permuted β chains. The initial constructs of non-covalently linked α and cp-β showed decreased stability and low T-state affinity (Asmundson, et. al., 2009). To counter these effects, a point mutation was included to increase T-state affinity (Tsai et. al in 1999). However, there is evidence that this mutation, αV96W, may in fact further decrease T-state affinity (Apperson, J., 2013). We have initiated X-ray crystallography trials of αV96W mutants to understand the structural basis for this unexpected effect on the T-state stability, to inform future protein engineering of these HBOC candidates.

]]> Joshua Kirsch Structural Studies to Understand the Effects of N108K T-State Stabilizing Mutation in Circularly Permuted Hemoglobin http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/6 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/6 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The primary goal of our project is to develop a functional hemoglobin based oxygen carrier (HBOC) for clinical care. In order to accomplish this, we are working on designing a single chain hemoglobin (scHb) that can serve as the building block of a monodisperse polymeric HBOC. The scHb is formed from novel covalent fusions between the two α chains and two circularly permuted β chains. The initial constructs of non-covalently linked α and cp-β showed decreased stability and low T-state affinity (Asmundson, et. al., 2009). To counter these effects, two point mutations have been included to increase T-state affinity (Tsai et. al in 1999). The first mutation, N108K, shows greater T-state affinity, however the second mutation, V96W, shows decreased T-state affinity. I am conducting X-ray crystallography trials of the βN108K mutant in order to understand the structural basis for this unexpected effect on the T-state stability, and to inform future protein engineering of the HBOC candidates.

]]> Leah Huey Molecular and Behavioral Effects of In-Utero Stress on Subsequent Generations of Caenorhabditis elegans http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/5 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/5 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Previous studies have implicated that in-utero stress can result in neuronal loss, memory deficits, and depression in adult rats. Other studies have proposed that maternal stress during pregnancy can cause epigenetic changes in the offspring associated with increased risk for anxiety disorders and autism. This likely occurs because of an elevation in glutamate receptors, such as the NMDA and AMPA receptors. Therefore, it is suggested that in-utero stressors in Caenorhabditis elegans acts via glutamate receptors, resulting in behavioral abnormalities. In the current study, this was tested by exposing wild-type N2 C. elegans to constant and repetitive motion stress for the duration of in-utero development (approximately 3 hours). Worms were then bleached to harvest embryos and adult offspring were examined for number of spontaneous reversals performed over a ten minute period. Worms that experienced in-utero stress showed significantly fewer spontaneously reversals than their control counterparts. Research in rats has suggested that stress increases the release of glutamate in the female dams and crosses the placental barrier resulting in the same effect in offspring. To study this effect in C. elegans, qRT-PCR was performed on adult offspring that had experience in utero stress to quantify GLR-1 glutamate receptor (AMPA) expression.These data together support what is known about the effects of stress in utero and provide a foundation for studying affected pathways and behavioral outcomes across generations in C. elegans.

]]> Kiley Hughes et al. Exploration of the Molybdenum Cofactor gene in the fruit fly Drosophila melangoster http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/4 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/4 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace metal found in most foods. Enzymes that require Mo cannot use this metal unless it is chelated with an organic complex called the Mo cofactor. MOCS1 is a gene that encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of the Mo Cofactor (“MoCo”). The MOCS1 gene is extremely highly conserved, found in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. Mutations in MOCS1 cause a disease in humans known as Molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) deficiency, which ultimately results in a combined deficiency of three essential enzymatic functions that depend on Mo: sulfite oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase. These enzymes confer a protective function on the cell, by removing toxic catabolites. Sulfite oxidase, for example, is located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, where it catalyzes the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate, removing the reactive and potentially toxic sulfite from the cell. MoCo deficiency segregates as an autosomal recessive disorder, and generally leads to early childhood death. We hypothesize that an increase in MOCS1 gene expression may have protective effects, by permitting the enzymes that depend on Mo and its cofactor to function more efficiently. Life extending strategies in model organisms have been successful when targeting similar protective pathways that also involve mitochondrial function. The work presented here outlines the preparatory phase of a longevity experiment, in which we plan to upregulate MOCS1 gene expression in fruit flies, and measure the effect on lifespan.

]]> Jazmyne McQualter et al. Understanding the Role of RNA Silencing Protein 1 in a small RNA Pathway in Tetrahymena http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/3 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/3 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Bailey Jochim Calibration of the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model for use in western Washington http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/2 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/2 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT While the invention of artificial fertilizers has drastically increased food production capability across the globe, misuse of these fertilizers can have unintended side effects on the health of humans and the environment, including groundwater contamination, eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, and accumulation of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. To better control nutrient runoff from agricultural land, evaluation and implementation of best management practices (BMP’s) are needed. Such practices can include restoration of riparian buffers on streams and altering the timing and rate of fertilizer application. Models that track the flow of nutrients on a small watershed scale can remotely evaluate the effectiveness of BMP’s. The Hooper Lab in the Biology Department is working with the Agricultural Policy/ Environmental eXtender (APEX) model to fit this need in Whatcom County. This model will be able to track nutrient flow through watersheds, taking into account a variety of environmental factors such as hydrology, topography, and soil type. The APEX model has been partially constructed and calibrated, but it requires testing across a greater range of conditions before it can be used. Our project focuses on building a database of stream discharge levels and nutrient concentrations from several watersheds around Whatcom County to calibrate and validate APEX output against real-world data. We collected stream discharge data in the field and analyzed water samples in the lab for concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous. We have also worked on constructing watersheds for APEX using GIS software. The long-term goal is to use APEX to evaluate and prioritize BMP projects in western Washington.

]]> Karen Jorgenson et al. Ergonomic Surgical Body Support System http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/1 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_two/1 Thu, 18 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Allyce Froning et al. Optimal diabatic evolution of Majorana based qubits in the presence of noise http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/66 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/66 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Kyle Ritland Identifying Spectroscopic Binaries in SDSS-IV/ APOGEE-2 with the R Statistic http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/65 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/65 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Stellar paired star systems provide astronomers with the only tools of directly measuring a star’s mass. To astronomers, these paired star systems are called binaries. Before we can measure said masses, these systems of interest must be identified. The SDSS-IV/APOGEE-2 survey obtains high resolution spectra that can reveal the presence of spectral lines from both members of a binary pair. The APOGEE spectrograph observes roughly 250 stars simultaneously, making it a remarkably efficient instrument for identifying infrared-bright binary systems. These systems have low-mass stars which are the objects we seek to identify. We present the criteria that reliably identifies binary stars on the basis of asymmetries and distinct dual peaks in their cross correlation functions (CCFs). A cross correlation function, generated by APOGEE, measures the agreement between modeled spectra and observed spectra. The asymmetries present in the CCFs are found by application of the R statistic which summarizes the amount of symmetry and structure in a CCF. Binary systems have the presence of two peaks in their CCFs which acts as a good secondary method for detecting these systems. Currently, we are applying conservative thresholds to the statistics we are using to identify binaries, while continuing examine how our method can be adjusted to maximize the size of our binary sample.

]]> Jessica Reyna et al. Analysis of stellar accretion of pre-main sequence stars http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/64 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/64 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Context: Young stars grow by accreting gas from a circumstellar disk. These stars also possess strong magnetic fields that channel the ionized gas from the disc down to the surface of the star. This infalling material creates a shock when it impacts the stellar surface, and then cools down by emitting photons corresponding to Hydrogen spectral lines as these atoms recombine. Measuring these emission lines can allow us to determine the mass accretion rate, temperature, and density of the material accreting onto these stars. Methods: We have created a catalogue of potential accreting young stars with spectra in the APOGEE Data Release 13. From each spectrum we calculate the “equivalent width” of the Brackett 11 Hydrogen emission line. The equivalent width is a measurement of the relative strength of a particular spectral feature relative to the local continuum. Using a equivalent width threshold of 1.2, we have found 2585 potential stars that exhibit a feature strong enough to distinguish from the surrounding continuum. When the locations of these stars are plotted, we find that they are located overwhelmingly in the galactic plane thereby supporting their status as young stars. Future Work: We are working now to measure Brn>11/Br11 line ratios which we plan to compare to current models of young stellar accretion. We will use these models to determine the temperature and density of the accretion streams, informing our understanding of pre-main sequence star evolution.

]]> Richard Ballantyne Cuidarse a sí mismo: Translating and Adjusting a Self-Care Brochure for the Latino(a) Community http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/63 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/63 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT As part of a project for the class "Spanish for healthcare professions," I translated a brochure that I made in collaboration with THRIVE, a peer health educator program on campus. In addition to translating the brochure, I modified the content and the format of the tri-fold to include various aspects of latino(a) culture, such as the importance of family and collectivism.

]]> Bridget Littlefield Our TreeHouse Volunteer and Awareness Project http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/62 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/62 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT In an effort to raise funds and raise awareness to the WWU campus about OurTreehouse, we held a three day bake sale on vendors row. Over those three days, we spoke to many students, faculty, and staff about the impact Our TreeHouse has on the Bellingham community and the population they serve and raised over $260 in donations. We also volunteered at OurTreeHouse's annual fundraising dinner. We assisted with set-up, decorating, serving, and take-down. Thanks to our efforts, we helped Our TreeHouse save almost $15,000 in outside costs. The event raised $32,500 for the organization to continue to provide grief counseling, workshops support groups and more for grieving family members in their time of need.

]]> Jonathan Odom et al. Humans for the Humane Society http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/61 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/61 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT To support the WHS and raise awareness for animal rights, we decided to put on a fundraiser and supply drive. Over the course of three weekends, we spent a total of 18 hours in front of grocery stores gathering donations and supplies, and handing out information. As a result of our hard work, we raised over $1,800 in cash donations and over $900 worth of supplies. Our cash donations cans pay for, 9 months of food for shelter dogs & cats, vaccinations for 180 dogs or cats, or full veterinary services for three injured animals in need.

]]> Colton Haisch et al. Best Practices in Civic Engagement: A Case Study of the B Kind Campaign by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/60 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/60 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT In November 2016, the B Kind Campaign was launched by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) to address the growing concerns of many Bellingham residents. These concerns grew in conjunction with the presidential election, during which candidates with opposing ideologies created a rhetoric that caused civil unrest amongst many Americans and impacted local communities. In response to input from community and business leaders, the DBP created the Campaign in under 24 hours. Their public relations efforts focus on showcasing the inclusive atmosphere downtown Bellingham is known for, while creating spaces where people of all identities can feel welcomed. This message is carried out through an urban media conversation, stimulated by the distribution of both virtual and physical materials for local businesses to display, proudly showing their alignment with “representing the values our downtown believes in: safety, inclusion and compassion.” This case study examines emerging best practices in hyper-local civic engagement campaigns and the implications of public versus private space in promoting civil speech.

]]> Lauren Drake et al. Analysis of Concentric Growth Rings in Hydrothermal Epidote http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/59 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/59 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Crystals found within geothermal cores from Akutan Island, Alaska, show concentric growth rings of what appear to be alternating bands of epidote and clinozoisite minerals. The intent of this project is to determine the nature of these growth rings and what processes could allow them to form. Our working hypothesis is that the rings are due to fluctuations in the oxidation states of the hydrothermal system, which would control the amount of available Fe3+ needed to make epidote. In relatively reducing conditions, Fe3+ would be scarce and clinozoisite (Fe-poor variety of epidote) would form. We have tested this hypothesis by chemically mapping the zoned minerals with the Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) on the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at WUU and using the electron microprobe at U-Washington to collect precise compositional data. If our hypothesis is correct, this will tell us how water flows in this system and how rapidly mineral-forming conditions can fluctuate and the nature of mineral formation in hydrothermal systems.

]]> Brandi Petryk Spatial Analysis of Agricultural Suitability and Simulated Mapping System for WSDA IHRP http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/58 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/58 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The WSDA’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot (IHRP) is a program for studying the viability of a hemp industry in Washington State, legally allowed under the Federal Farm Bill Section 7606. Hemp are non-psychoactive varieties of Cannabis sativa and can be used to make a variety of products, including animal feed that can abate antibiotics use, and are a sustainable alternative to wood and plastics. The intention of this project is to use GIS for informing growers and economists in their evaluations of cost-effective, high crop yield locations across Washington’s spatially variable ecologic conditions. These analyses must be based on the needs of hemp cultivars that are developed and imported from abroad. The WSDA will also need a mapping system for analyzing the legality of a licensed hemp farm in regards to the 4 mile proximity restriction to I-502 marijuana production locations. Two separate databases were created for spatial analysis of permissible field locations, and for agronomic analysis of climatic and edaphic conditions. There are 444 Washington I-502 marijuana farms that limit hemp production locations in all but six counties, and no further production licenses are currently available. Both western and eastern Washington have habitat potential for hemp production, but will have different needs that impact production cost: more irrigation in south eastern Washington and more liming west of the Cascades. Besides climatic, edaphic, and proximity limitations on hemp, there are many other roadblocks to hemp industry such as the stigma surrounding this species. But overall, the development of a productive and sustainable hemp industry in Washington State should be feasible, as well as beneficial to society.

]]> Kelly Lyons Projected Steelhead Populations based on Stream Gauge measurements http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/57 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/57 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The effects of increased discharge rates have a harmful effect on the local economy of the Pacific Northwest communities, and the habitats of various species of anadromous fish populations. The Lummi Nation and other local tribes along the PNW, have developed an economy that has been dependent on the health and return of fish (specifically salmon) for thousands of years. Native habitat populations of Steelhead, Summer Chum, and others within the Pacific Northwest are being stressed, and the number of returning anadromous salmon are decreasing as a result. Habitats of these species, are influenced by several different factors that can have deteriorating impacts on the habitats of these fish. The habitats where different species of salmon create redds to raise eggs are susceptible to many different outside factors that affect their overall health and development including: precipitation, pH, water temperature, air temperature, discharge rate, suspended sediment count (ssc), and visibility. The focus of this study area include the Nooksack and Skagit Valley watershed areas, and possibly other nearby communities known to have anadromous fish habitats. Species of fish include the Chinook, Bull Trout, and Steelhead (threatened). The fish listed require specific physical features that create a suitable habitat and are being transformed by urban and rural development (Thompson, 2016). The changing climate also accounts for fish habitats being put under a significant amount of stress such as increased air and water temperatures, ground water temperature, the amount of shade near Redds, physical barriers (Culverts, levees, seawalls, etc.). This report will pay close attention to data provided by nonprofit organizations and government agencies to give accurate results in Arcmap of different streams from a National Hydrography Dataset (NHD flow) based on measurements recorded on stream gauges every hour. The goal is to pinpoint areas within the watersheds that have been put under stress from different environmental factors, and require immediate attention.

]]> Matthew Luka Predictive GIS Modeling of Landslide Susceptibility in the Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/56 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/56 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Slope stability is often calculated using traditional “factor of safety” equations applied in engineering geology. Such equations contain variables that are difficult to quantify, including soil cohesion, root cohesion, and angle of internal friction. In an attempt to estimate landslide susceptibility in a more general sense, I have developed a GIS model that utilizes mainstream data to perform a multi-criteria stability analysis. The model includes variables such as slope grade, aspect, land cover, mean annual precipitation, road proximity, stream proximity, and fault proximity. I analyzed the slope stability of a coastal, mountainous watershed in northwestern Oregon. The Salmon-Drift Creek Watershed Council has a history of human-influenced landsliding associated with road cuts and logging. In the analysis, slope aspect and land cover types were assigned quantitative values. All datasets were normalized by maximum values, then weighted based on their influence on the landslide potential. The variable weights were determined from historical landslide causation in the study area and literature reviews of similar studies. My results suggest that the Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council has a large number of unstable slopes due to over-saturated soils and large-scale logging practices.

]]> Amanda Bixby Metal Mixture Toxicity to Lettuce Seedlings (Lactuca sativa) http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/55 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/55 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Metals are often found in the environment in mixtures. There is limited metal mixture data for management models used to assess the impacts of chemicals in the environment. In this project we are testing the acute toxicity of metal mixtures to Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and using the results to characterize mixture interactions. The mixtures are binary combinations of the following metals: iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, and cadmium. We are looking for effects where the combination of two metals are either more toxic (synergistic) or less toxic (antagonistic) than expected based on additivity. To date, binary combinations of iron and cadmium, iron and zinc, iron and copper, and cadmium and zinc are antagonistic, which is not as expected if the toxic mechanism is the same for each metal. Studying mixture toxicity will lead to better understanding of the mechanisms of metal toxicity that determine the differences in mixture effects. Ultimately, this can lead to better informed decision making when assessing the risk of metals in the environment and creating regulations.

]]> Ian Moran NAAP: A prevention strategy using mobile app and wearable devices http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/54 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/54 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Late night browsing using mobile devices is a common trend. Before going to sleep, many people check their emails, get up-to-date on trending news, play video games or spend time on social networking sites. Often this leads to reduced sleep times consciously or unconsciously – affecting their physical and mental well-being. Researchers found that the blue light emitting from these devices reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness, leading to disruptive or reduced sleep cycles. A recent piece of research indicated that melatonin production reduces by approximately 23% in 1-hour exposure to self-luminous devices and approximately 38% in 2 hours. Moreover, the content people browse before bed, such as interesting things on Facebook, a funny video on YouTube or maybe some sad news from a newspaper can cause excitement and higher alertness – further impacting sleep. Checking mobile devices bed can become an addiction and it is hard to change human addiction. Although there has been lots of research on mobile device addiction and sleep disorders, we have not found enough research on the potential solutions for this problem. In this poster, we propose an android app NAAP (Nighttime Application Addiction Prevention) based on existing research to help combat this problem. We emphasize personalization of the application to allow the app to intervene in the most effective ways for the user.

]]> Serena Bowen et al. Atlas http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/53 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/53 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Atlas, a mobile and tablet friendly web-based application, helps teachers grade and report their class’ satisfaction of Common Core State Standards. Thee website provides mutable tables populated by student common core grades, generates visualizations that correspond to that data, and integrates fluidly between students and teachers in the classroom, as well as parents interested in knowing their children’s academic standing. Students in states that have adopted the Common Core are required to satisfy certain standards in order to advance through grade school. The common core process requires creating, administering, grading and reporting to the state common core exam scores. In higher grades, districts create larger-scale assessments such as the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE), End-Of-Course Exams (EOC) and Smarter Balanced Assessments, all of which are graded outside of school and not by teachers. While for elementary schools, the teachers themselves are responsible for that same common core process, which undesirably distracts them from their role as a teacher due to the time necessary for the common core process. Ultimately, learning is the goal. However, the tedious process hinders that from occurring without serious effort. Current similar systems try to help streamline the process, but are often too expensive for districts and teachers to afford; they also require district-wide adoption. Programs also do not consider the relationship between student and teacher, so the teacher ends up using the software independently, rather than students. In Atlas, learning is still the goal, but the common core process becomes more automated. Teachers simply need to create an account on the Atlas site, and from there they can develop, administer, grade and report student common core aptitude.

]]> Christopher Beswetherick Create a Journey; invite your friends; travel the world. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/52 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/52 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Over the course of the last several months, our team has been designing and implementing a mobile application to incentivize healthy fitness habits and group interaction through traveling on virtual “journeys” around the world. Users will be able to create an account in the app; search for and add other users, which we call “buddies,” based on their usernames; create a new journey; and join and view the progress of existing journeys they were invited to and/or are contributing to. The journey creation process involves giving it a name, choosing buddies to invite along, selecting a start and end point on a world map, and pressing “start” to begin the trek. Users will leverage their phone’s built-in sensors to track the steps they take and the distance they travel, contributing toward the overall progress of all the journeys they are currently participating in. Along the way, users will encounter random events that will affect their rate of progress and will be recorded in the journey’s “journal,” along with other important milestones. Once journeys are completed, the user can look back at their statistics and journals in a list known as the “journey history.”

]]> Tyler Avila et al. City of Edmonds Mobile Application http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/51 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/51 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The Explore Edmonds is a mobile application that incorporates Google maps map and directions feature and merges that with the events information from the City of Edmonds website (visitedmonds.com/events). This gives visitors the opportunity to ‘pin’ local businesses around the downtown area, feature specific events, easily locate historical or artistic landmarks and create tours based on time or theme (i.e. Art tour, historical tour, etc.). Using this application will help highlight local business and allow tourists to travel at their own leisure around the beautiful town of Edmonds.

]]> Molly Bierman et al. An Examination of Cultivation Theory on Asian American Stereotypes http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/50 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/50 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT According to cultivation theory, television has an immense impact on an individual’s perception of society and those in it. “Mainstreaming” in cultivation theory claims the heavier one’s television viewing, the more likely the viewer will rely on television portrayals for real-life situations. From a cultivation theory perspective, attitudes toward Asian Americans are heavily affected by negative and/or positive representations of Asians in mainstream media. Cultivation theory as it relates to Asian American stereotyping is supported by three research studies. The three research studies find that repetitive stereotypical representations of Asian Americans are linked to an increased reliance on racial and ethnic stereotypes represented in the media. The method in each research study were survey questionnaire. Participants in each research study were undergraduate college students with an average age between 20-25 years old. The purpose of this study is to critique the validity of cultivation theory as it relates to stereotypes of Asian Americans represented in the media.

]]> Jade Lee From Bra-Burners to Bureaucracy: The Evolution of Second-Wave Feminism through NOW Newsletters http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/49 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/49 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The National Organization for Women (NOW) was an influential organization in the 1960s for furthering the agenda of second-wave feminists. The organization had many strategies for developing and controlling the national agenda for feminism, one of which was the production and dissemination of newsletters by local chapters of the group. This research paper analyzes the techniques used for legitimizing second-wave feminism to women who were unaffiliated with NOW, and the ways in which these newsletters interpolated new members into the group. The research involved conducting a textual analysis on a representative archival newsletter from the time period. This paper concludes that the use of local chapters of the organization and the publishing of local newsletters that contained information about the national goals of NOW created a streamlined national agenda that was able to legitimize second-wave feminism to new members.

]]> Alexandria Baker Gold Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/48 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/48 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Jon Scott Wrigley et al. Synthetic Studies on Guaipyridine Alkaloids: Rupestines B-D, G, L and M. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/47 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/47 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Samantha Grosslight et al. Characterization of Novel Mimivirus Proteins http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/46 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/46 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The discovery of the Mimivirus, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, in the early 21st century drove a shift in scientists’ perception of the dichotomy between viral and cellular life. The virus was originally misclassified as a bacterium due to its enormity. Upon sequencing of the virus’s massive 1.2-megabasepair genome, several putative genes previously thought to be unique to cellular life were identified. Some of the genes of interest putatively code for an mRNA cap-binding protein, translation initiation factor, and an ADP-ribosyl glycohydrolase. While the presence of these genes in viral genomes has the potential to be revolutionary, the genes have yet to be characterized. If the proteins have the expected functions, they are likely being used to manipulate the host’s translational machinery. These proteins are highly conserved among giant viruses; however, they show low homology to any characterized proteins. Efforts to begin characterizing these proteins in our lab have included bacterial expression of proteins, protein purification with affinity chromatography, activity assays, and x-ray crystallography. Further study of the Mimivirus is of interest due to the presence of anti-Mimivirus antibodies in the serum of pneumonia patients. Pneumonia causes over 50,000 deaths per year in the United States, and understanding the intricacies of the Mimivirus will allow for more targeted treatments for viral pneumonia.

]]> Giulia Corbet et al. Lipid Binding Studies of Blood Coagulation Factor VIII C1 and C2 Domains http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/45 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/45 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Blood coagulation factor VIII is an essential cofactor in the mammalian blood-clotting cascade. FVIII must bind the phospholipid membrane of activated platelets to function as a cofactor for FIXa. The blood coagulation cascade culminates in the formation of a stable blood clot. In humans, the C1 and C2 domains are implicated in binding phospholipid membranes, however the relative contribution of different residues in the lipid-binding mechanism is unclear. Using site-directed mutagenesis, expression of the isolated C1 and C2 domains in Escherichia coli cells, protein purification with metal affinity chromatography, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, liposome sedimentation assays, pull down assays, circular dichroism and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, we compare relative binding affinities and stability of five mutations on the C1 and C2 domains. Three of the mutations are on the C2 domain: R2320S, R2320T, and R2215A. The other two mutations are on the C1 domain: R2163H and R2159H. Our results combined with the crystal structure of C1 and C2 soaked with O-phosphatidylserine moieties will help elucidate the roles of these residues in the function and stability of FVIII with regards to Hemophilia A.

]]> Rachel Blazevic Synthesis of Pt-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysts for Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/44 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/44 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The applicability of Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) for small electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops make them an attractive target for research. The established catalyst of DMFC to induce oxidation-reduction reactions (ORR) has historically been platinum (Pt); however, Pt it is costly and does not perform ORR at an optimal level. Previous work has shown that when Pt is combined with Copper (Cu) to form a Pt3Cu bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst, the NP shows a high rate of ORR compared to pure Pt. The Rider group plans to synthesize this Pt3Cu bimetallic NP catalyst using their established block copolymer templating method to assess the loading characteristics of the block copolymer and how those physical characteristics affect the electrocatalytic abilities of the NPs. These physical characteristics will be determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and carbon monoxide-stripping cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the electrochemical analysis will be done by steady-state cyclic CV and a rotating disk electrode set-up.

]]> Kelly Yokuda The development of a stable cuprous oxide nanocatalyst for photoelectrochemical proton reduction http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/43 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/43 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Alternative energy is a rapidly growing field due to the abundance of greenhouse gasses produced by the use of fossil fuels. This project focuses on the creation of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices that catalyzes the reduction of pre-fuel compounds like hydronium and carbon dioxide (CO2). A light-absorbing catalytic electrode is fabricated using an clear and conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass as a base whose surface is first loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using a block copolymer template. In a second step, highly absorbing copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) is electrodeposited onto the ITO using the Au NPs as nucleation sites to control the size and form of the Cu2O. A thin titanium oxide (TiO2) coating was then applied to as an anti-corrosion layer that protects the Cu2O from the harsh conditions typical of the photoelectrochemical reduction of hydronium or CO2. The catalytic activity and specificity of the photoelectrochemical device was tested using advanced electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV).

]]> Sasha Alden Ethylene-induced Pectin Depolymerization for Pollen Tube Growth in Petunia axillaris Pistols http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/42 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/42 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT James Kussy Carbohydrate analysis of marine microalgae, Isocrysis sp. http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/41 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/41 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Galen Herz Studying Crystal Growth Kinetics via Monte Carlo Simulation http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/40 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/40 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Polycrystalline thin films of the organic semiconductor tetracene prepared using an approach called organic vapor-liquid-solid (OVLS) deposition have been studied via kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation. Understanding and controlling crystallization in such systems is important for applications such as solar cells, flexible displays, and lighting applications. We use KMC simulations to investigate the main kinetic parameters affecting the crystal growth. These simulations are compared to experimental data, and parameter values such as the relative monomer sticking probabilities on different crystal faces are determined. This poster describes the simulation algorithm develop for these studies, as well as initial results.

]]> Jonathan Cornet Photoelectrocatalytic Water Oxidation Using a PV-LSC Combination http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/39 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/39 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Douglas Baumgardner "Computational understanding and tuning of exotic distortions in perovskite materials" http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/38 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/38 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Joshua Welsh Exploiting the reactivity of sortase homologs for generating isopeptide bonds http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/37 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/37 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Chemically modified proteins are becoming increasingly attractive for their utility in medicine and basic research. A challenge for organic chemists is precise and reproducible manipulation of proteins that result in new function. Sortase enzymes are able to generate protein conjugates such as antibody derivatives, modified viral particles, and multiprotein fusions. To expand on these capabilities, we are working to exploit the reactivity of sortase homologs for generating isopeptide bonds. Exploration of sortase A from S.suis, S. oralis, and S. pneumoniae is underway with the goal of using the transacylation activity of these enzymes for controlled modification of lysine residues in vitro. Optimization of model ligation reactions will be presented, as well as structure function studies related to the structure of suitable lysine-containing reaction components.

]]> Natasha Hessami et al. Ethylene-induced Pectin Depolymerization for Pollen Tube Growth in Petunia axillaris Pistils http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/36 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/36 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT James Kussy Evaluating methods to identify cells in fluorescence microscopy images http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/35 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/35 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Developing efficient and accurate methods is an important aspect of conducting research. A common technique in cell biology is to visualize and quantify proteins in cells using fluorescence microscopy (Snap 2001). The accurate and efficient quantification of proteins, particularly for large numbers of microscopy images, requires a computer based analysis. There are two broad types of methods: using fluorescent cells and using non-fluorescent cells. I propose to evaluate the performance of these methods in two ways: determining how accurate the segmentation is, and evaluating what impact the accuracy has on estimates of gene expression under conditions where cell morphology is changing. The results will help inform cost-benefit analysis of different segmentation approaches.

]]> Halley Steiner Investigation of C3H Zinc Finger Gene Function Using CRISPR http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/34 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/34 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Zinc finger motifs are abundant and are known to have considerable variation in binding properties. In this study, we investigate the function of two C3H zinc finger proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana encoded by genes AT3G52440, AT5G06420 and AT1G01350. This family of proteins has been shown to be involved in protein-protein, protein-RNA, and protein-DNA interactions. Although many animal C3H zinc finger proteins have been extensively described, only a few family members have been characterized in plants. To better understand the function of these two zinc finger proteins, we employed CRISPR gene editing techniques to knock-out gene function. We used Agrobacterium mediated plant transformation to stably transfer CRISPR guide RNA and CAS9 into plants. The current progress of the phenotypic characterization of the generated CRISPR lines will be presented.

]]> Etaane Neumann Genetic and biochemical basis of receptor regulation by ERAS E3 ubiquitin ligases http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/33 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/33 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Proteins are the molecular machinery of the cell. Normally, proteins that are misfolded or do not function properly are marked and targeted for degradation, and accumulation of these misfolded proteins is implicated in several human neurological diseases. Ubiquitin ligases are enzymes that regulate misfolded proteins by marking them for destruction. Cells that are unable to produce ubiquitin ligases show abnormalities in protein regulation which can result in the dangerous build up of misfolded proteins. Transmembrane proteins, including receptors, are processed in the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell before being sent to the membrane. If a receptor has been made or processed incorrectly, it will be targeted by endoplasmic-reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and subsequently degraded. Our research focuses on three enzymes that function in the ERAD system in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans that harbor a mutation in these three genes, hrd-1, hrdl-1, and marc-6, show differences in protein accumulation. This project focuses on glutamate receptor protein GLR-1, which resides in the membrane of neurons. Glutamate receptors play a major role during learning and memory formation in higher organisms. Here, we show results of reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and EndoH (glycosylase) experiments designed to help determine if and how mutation of E3 ubiquitin ligases may impact protein trafficking and abundance. Our data will help us understand how ERAD regulates GLR-1 processing via two E3 ubiqutin ligases, marc-6 and hrdl-1.

]]> Nelson Ruth et al. Long-term monitoring reveals evidence of habituation to construction disturbance at a harbor seal haul-out site in Bellingham, WA http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/32 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/32 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Interactions between humans and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) have been steadily increasing, with shoreline construction activities contributing to long-term disturbance of coastal haul-out locations. Responses of marine mammals to construction activities have been well documented, often resulting in temporary or permanent habitat displacement, aversion behavior, stress inducement, and other behavioral changes. Habituation to human disturbance is common in harbor seals - a species that spends large proportions of time hauled-out near shore. We studied a harbor seal haul-out site in Bellingham Bay located adjacent to a shoreline development project. The area surrounding the haul-out site has experienced construction activities including dredging, shoreline armoring, building removal, repaving, and drainage replacement since 2011. Construction is scheduled increase in intensity until project completion around 2025. Long-term monitoring of the haul-out site began in 2007, allowing for comparisons of seal abundances before and after construction. Seal abundances remained constant or slightly increased throughout large-scale construction activities from 2007 until September 2015 when their haul-out structure was removed. Since that removal, seal numbers have substantially decreased – particularly during the pupping season – despite the presence of nearby haul-out replacement structures. Average seal abundance during peak months before 2015 was 36.8±8.09 (n=51 counts) and after 2015 was 5.60±5.49 (n=15 counts). Seals showed evidence of habituation to construction disturbance in the presence of a stable haul-out structure and may have tolerated increased construction if the haul-out structure had remained. Our results suggest that when managing shoreline environments, maintenance of historical haul-out structures may reduce the displacement of harbor seals during construction.

]]> Raven Capone Benko The Gatekeeper Project: Crowdsourced Examination of the Gender Composition of Anthropology Journals http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/31 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/31 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT The editorial boards of academic journals act as gatekeepers to maintain the scientific integrity and standards of journals while identifying emerging and innovative research. We introduce The Gatekeeper Project (Bruna 2017, http://brunalab.org/gatekeepers/) as an attempt to crowdsource data collection on the composition of the boards. We seek to understand how and why board composition varies within and across disciplines and use these data to help scholars, academic societies, editors, and publishers in their efforts to make the boards of our journals more inclusive and diverse. In this presentation we address findings from an examination of 40 years of anthropology journals. Data on Editorial Board composition was collected in two databases. Role based analysis included individuals serving multi-year terms in one editorial role, however, each individual was only counted once. Time based analysis included all board members for each year, and individuals were counted independently each year. All data was analyzed and graphed with R version 3.3.2 with the gplots and corrplot packages. Although the trend was towards improvement over time, particularly following the formation of the AA Committee on Gender Equity in Anthropology (CoGEA) in 1995, there was surprising variation between journals, including those with similar subdisciplinary foci. We also address correlation between editorial roles and gender, where female Editors in Chief are drivers for female Editorial Boards. While demographic changes in academia may reduce these disparities over time, we argue journals should proactively strive for gender parity on their editorial boards.

]]> Giselle Király Drummer's linguistic processing: Effects of rhythmic training on a musical CLOZE probability task http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/30 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/30 Wed, 17 May 2017 12:00:00 PDT Music requires a certain degree of syntactical expectations and predictions. As such, musical training may enhance an individual’s ability to more accurately process novel melodies. To this end, the current study investigated whether or not experienced drummers would outperform their string and wind musician counterparts, due to their rhythmic-based training and improvisational skills, on a musical CLOZE probability task. Subjects were presented authentic cadence (AC) and non-cadence (NC) melodic stems and were required to provide a sung response of the note that would continue the melody (Fogel et. al, 2015). Confidence ratings for sung responses and reaction times were also collected. Authentic stems, compared to non-cadence stems, were easier to predict due to their following of expected melodic structure. Observed accuracy for AC stems and reaction times for both sets of stems indicates enhanced processing of musical syntax, possibly driven by rhythmic-based training, and in turn may improve processing of linguistic syntax.

]]> Paul Rhoads et al. Open-Source Alternatives to Investigate Affective and Autonomic Phenotypes in HD Model Mice http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/29 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/29 Wed, 17 May 2017 13:00:00 PDT Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease classically characterized as a movement disorder, however non-classical symptoms have profound effects on the lives of HD mutation carriers. Apathy is one of the most prevalent psychiatric HD symptoms, is present in early stages, and continues to progress through all stages of the disease. Similarly, circadian dysfunction leads to sleep disturbances in HD patients, exacerbating symptoms and possibly contributing to disease progression. Despite this, current studies in HD mouse models largely focus on motor processes and rarely investigate the effects of these other crucial phenotypes, which may confound behavioral assays intending to measure cognitive, autonomic, and even motor symptoms. Commercial operant conditioning chambers used to assess affective phenotypes have several drawbacks, including high cost, low throughput and limited customizability. We adapted an open-source operant chamber that utilizes off-the-shelf hardware (Rodent Operant Bucket; Devarakonda et al., 2015) to investigate motivational phenotypes in an HD model mouse. HttQ111/+ and wild-type (Htt+/+) mice were subjected to three phases of operant training: fixed-ratio 1 (FR1), fixed-ratio 5 (FR5) and progressive ratio (PR) reinforcement schedules. Although no differences were observed in the FR1 and FR5 tasks, HttQ111/+ mice had significantly lower breakpoints in the PR task compared to Htt+/+ mice, suggesting an apathetic phenotype in HttQ111/+ mice. This method is a robust, yet inexpensive alternative to commercial chambers and could be used in future studies to test preclinical therapies. We additionally built a low-cost infrared homecage activity monitoring system: the Circadian Activity and Movement Phenotype Recorder, or CAMPR. This system was used to assess circadian activity in HttQ111/+ mice and can quantify clear distinctions between light and dark phase activity. Together, we have demonstrated that our in-house equipment is a viable alternative to commercial behavioral apparatuses.

]]> Madeline Hamilton et al. Fixed Junction Light Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on Polymerizable Ionic Liquids http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/28 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/28 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Corbit Sampson et al. The Employee Language Program http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/27 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/27 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Over the past few years, Western Washington University has been developing a program in which faculty, staff, and graduate students can grow (increase) their multicultural awareness through language proficiency. The Employee Language Program (ELP) is composed of a series of workshops in Spanish, French and Chinese.Each workshop has been designed to meet the expectations of each learning level. The ELP also develops special events tailored to language learners that connect the Spanish speaking community. An analysis of the performance of the ELP will be presented. Stressing the importance of programs like the ELP around colleges in the US is vital for the society we are currently living in. Data collected from the past few years as well as new information provided by the current participants and facilitators will be used to try to determine the impact that ELP has had and will have in tailoring Western’s community.

]]> Diane Perez et al. Issues with landlords: An investigative look at failed rental inspections in the York and Sehome neighborhoods http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/26 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/26 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT An in-depth examination of rental inspection results, as reported by the City of Bellingham, revealed several issues with landlords in the Sehome and York neighborhoods. The data obtained from inspection logs in compliance with the Bellingham Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program standards implemented in June 2016, along with tenant testimonies, exposed several failed units and landlords that were unresponsive or dismissive to tenant concerns whereas others were decidedly unwilling to maintain units to rental standards. Some of the landlords with failed inspections were repeat offenders. More than 20 tenants were interviewed, however the majority of landlords ignored inquiries or declined to comment on the failed inspections. The data set used in this investigative report only represents York and Sehome, as those were the first two neighborhoods to be inspected at the time of release, equating to approximately 15 percent of the 9,273 city-identified rental units requiring inspection, as of April 2017.

]]> Erasmus Baxter et al. Reporting with Dignity: Ethics of covering sexual assault http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/25 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/25 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Studies have shown that 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 16 men, will experience sexual assault during their time in college. Journalists have a unique opportunity to report on this pervasive issue in a way that gives a voice to survivors, who often are left feeling voiceless. This essay explores the ethical and journalistic standards that are required of reporters when covering stories of sexual assault, and also highlights the consequences that follow when those standards are not upheld.

]]> Lexi Foldenauer Fashion and Semiotics: How fashion editorials reflected two different yet socially and politically similar years http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/24 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/24 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This paper looked into the similarities of the year 1968 and 2016 and how fashion and fashion editorials reflected the social and political climate of these two years. By using semiotics we can understand the meanings of the editorial choices and how they reacted to what was happening. This aimed to uncover whether or not the different years of Vogue’s reacted differently by comparing the main editorials of 1968 to 2016, a total of 24 editorials. The research found that the main clothing for 1968 was free fitting and short clothing and the editorials emphasized, versatility movement and travel. By analyzing these meanings we realized the meaning behind these trends was the emphasis of going forward, whether that be with new roles and opportunities for women where they needed clothing to reflect or new innovations such as the jet plane which allowed for people to travel and obtain the fantasy of visiting unknown places. As for 2016, the editorials emphasized unique clothing (nothing was really the same), revolution and individuality, and escapism. The underlying meanings behind this can be attributed to the attitudes of 2016 encouraging people to be who ever they wanted to be. The unwearable and transformative clothing showcased in the 2016 editorials indicated changing into different characters, going along with the idea of revolution and change. The escapist and movie like sets also played into this idea of transforming into a different person with a new world to attend to.

]]> Carolyn Trainer Framing the Frat Boy: An analysis of frames used in coverage of campus rape by The New York Times http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/23 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/23 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Inaccurate and problematic coverage influences how the public processes sexual violence. Frames that misrepresent sexual violence may result in the revictimization of the victim. This study adapted a previous study by searching for monster, playboy, virgin and whore frames in the manifest and latent content of The New York Times coverage of campus rape. The most common frame found in this study was the playboy frame. This study found that The New York Times coverage is far from perfect and could be adjusted to remove problematic frames from future coverage. Keywords: Campus rape, The New York Times, framing

]]> Christina Becker Irrigation and Water Use in Whatcom County http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/22 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/22 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Every summer, large amounts of water are used for irrigation in Whatcom County, a large percentage of which is done without a water right. During those same summer months, water levels in the Nooksack River are consistently below minimum required flows, threatening water quality, fish habitat, and Tribal fishing rights. Despite this, there is little to no information about the amount of water being used during the summer months because the vast majority of wells are not publically metered. Moreover, there are no estimations of the proportion of water use being conducted without a water right, the main regulatory tool used to manage water in Whatcom County. Using geographic data from the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Agriculture, I was able to identify agricultural parcels irrigating without a water right and estimate the amount of water used for agriculture during the summer months. Preliminary results show more than 30% of all irrigating agricultural acres in Whatcom County irrigate without a water right. Additionally, more than 70,000 acre-feet of water (approximately 35,000Olympic swimming pools of water) are used for irrigation every summer. Beyond identifying and quantifying the issue of water management, I also attempt to offer potential conservation solutions and map their impact in the hopes that Watershed Improvement Districts, local political organizations formed for water management, may be able to utilize my research and seriously consider conservation solutions.

]]> Ben Larson Planning for Resilient Communities in the Pacific Northwest http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/21 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/21 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The Pacific Northwest region of North America is a diverse and beautiful landscape created by the active geological processes of this area. Earthquakes, tsunamis, glaciers, and volcanoes have shaped this environment and these forces continue to do so. Oregon and Washington combined are projected to grow by roughly 2.5 million residents by the year 2030, making those two states one of the fastest growing regions in the nation. Both states have been attracting significant foreign and domestic investment and economic activity over the past decade. The high level of geologic activity coupled with rapid growth of this area seems as though it is a natural recipe for disaster, however in my line of study we believe there is no such thing as a natural disaster. Rather, there are natural hazards, but a disaster only occurs when these hazards have not been considered or prepared for by people. So how do we as a society prepare? To begin addressing this question I conducted a two part series of GIS analyses to aid in planning for resilient communities and efforts in emergency management and disaster preparedness. The first series shows how much land, based off current levels of density, will be necessary for these projected new residents in 2030. The next series shows areas that, due to high exposure to violent levels of seismic activity, presence of liquefiable soils, and the threat of tsunami inundation, are not suitable for high levels of development and investment. Combining the results of this analysis indicates what areas should be targeted for future development, and which should be avoided. This is the first step to thoughtful planning and active efforts with which we can build a resilient Pacific Northwest region that continues to be a magnet for growth and opportunity.

]]> Christopher Johnson Animating the Temporal Progression of Cordilleran Deglaciation and Vegetation Succession in the Pacific Northwest during the late Quaternary Period http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/20 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/20 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The topography of the Pacific Northwest, its fjords, inland waterways and islands, are a result of an extended period of glaciation and glacial retreat. This retreat influenced the physical features and the resulting succession of vegetation that led to the landscape we see today. Despite this importance of the Cordilleran ice sheet and the large volume of research on the topic, there lacks a good detailed animation of the movement of the entire ice sheet from the last glacial maximum to the present day. In this study, I used spatial data of the glacial extent at different periods of time during the Quaternary period to model and animate the movement of the Cordilleran ice sheet as it retreated from 18,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE. I then used pollen data from lake sediment collection sites to model and animate the changing vegetation cover corresponding to the periods of glacial retreat. The visual result displays the temporal relationship between vegetation successions on a broad scale as a result of significant deglaciation. Fluctuations in the shape and size of the ice sheet are quantified and show how it lost and gained material over time. The visualization also revealed the sequential development of geologic events important to the region such as the opening of the Salish Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The resulting animation product can be used for educational and display purposes to illustrate the importance of the Cordilleran ice sheet on the development of the region’s physical identity.

]]> Henry Haro A Hiker's Guide to Climate Trends and Natural Disaster along the Pacific Crest Trail http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/19 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/19 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) spans roughly 2,650 miles through a small part of Canada, Washington, Oregon, and California. More than 180 thru- hikers and countless other section hikers hike the PCT annually. Just about every year the PCT changes in length because of reroutes due to flooding, fire, or other natural disaster. Despite this being an increasingly popular hiking trail, there does not seem to be a map that displays landmarks of interest to hikers as well as information about the occurrence of natural disasters along the PCT and those subsequent impacts to communities of trees. I used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to highlight areas along the PCT where natural disasters have occurred. I also looked at climate trends over past years in the areas encompassing the PCT. These climate trends are extremely useful in predicting useable water sources especially in areas where water availability fluctuate in the summer months. I used GIS tools to map the locations of campgrounds, trailheads and water sources along the PCT as well. My research revealed common natural disasters along the whole length of the PCT as well as interesting climate trends in these areas. The research and information I have gathered will culminate into an interactive web map available to hikers to easily research information about the section they are about to hike, or to answer questions about something they observed while hiking the PCT.

]]> Claire Anderson A sustainable cities project: understanding the ecological history of Stella’s marsh through a phase I environmental site assessment http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/18 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/18 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Over the past few decades public awareness of the widespread usage of toxic chemicals in the environment has grown. The general public has become concerned with ensuring that their properties or properties they plan to require do not contain toxic chemical contamination. Our project aims to address the concerns of a group of condominium residents in Edmonds, Washington over the changing plant species composition within the wetland adjacent to their property. The wetland, which is locally referred to as Stella’s Marsh, has shown dramatic changes in ecological community structure within a few short years. An accompanying poster describes the approach used in this work. Using ASTM standardized methods, we are conducting a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which is a standardized and legal process to identify current and past environmental conditions of the site. The descriptions of the records review portion of a Phase 1 ESA and our findings that have been compiled into a cumulative report are presented here.

]]> Emily Rahlmann et al. Metal Mixture effects on uptake and bioavailability in Lactuca sativa seedlings http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/17 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/17 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Metal pollution is a problem around the world. Metals are generally found in mixtures in the environmental but laboratory tests that measure toxicity of those metals are usually done one metal at a time. In this project, we are testing the toxicity of metal mixtures to Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seedlings and analyzing the mixture effects on accumulation in plant tissue and bioavailability. There is currently limited information about the mechanisms of metal toxicity to plants. This project builds on the work of an accompanying poster, where the additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects of metal mixture toxicity are being characterized. This project analyzes the same plants for metal concentrations in tissues and uses that data for three purposes: 1) to generate dose-response models with actual tissue concentrations to see how that compares with the results from the mixture toxicity results, 2) to analyze how the presence of one metal affects the uptake of another metal, and 3) to use this information to investigate the mechanisms of metal toxicity to plants. This project is ongoing; tissue samples are currently being measured for metal concentrations and the next steps involve data analysis to determine mixture effects on bioaccumulation.

]]> Eric Lawrence Investigating the Relationship Between an Invasive Species and Contamination in Stella’s Marsh, Edmonds, WA http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/16 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/16 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT In early 2015, residents of Stella’s Landing Condos in Edmonds, WA noticed bittersweet nightshade, an invasive species, starting to encroach on their cattail-dominated wetland, known as Stella’s Marsh. In this investigative study, we will attempt to identify the potential changes that allowed the invasive bittersweet nightshade to proliferate in Stella’s Marsh by performing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. We will analyze water samples for metals and TPH-BTEX, and wetland sediments will be analyzed for metals and PAHs. Vegetation cover and distribution of the bittersweet nightshade and native cattail will also be measured. We aim to determine if there are any relationships between potential contamination in the wetland and the distribution of the bittersweet nightshade. Finally, we will suggest management strategies to address the invasive vegetation based on our findings.

]]> Wyatt Carstens et al. Effects of salmon carcasses on growth of riparian white spruce (Picea glauca) in Alaska: a long-term fertilization experiment http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/15 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/15 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) mature and accumulate biomass in the ocean before returning to their natal streams to spawn and die. Upon their death, salmon contribute marine-derived nutrients to rivers and riparian zones. Prior studies have found that riparian trees grow faster along salmon-bearing streams than along comparable streams without salmon. At Hansen Creek, a tributary of Lake Aleknagik in southwestern Alaska, spawning survey crews have been removing post-spawn sockeye (O. nerka) carcasses from the stream every day throughout the spawning season since the 1940s. Starting in 1996, a long-term fertilization experiment was enacted, whereby all carcasses removed from the stream were thrown to the left bank only, within 15 m of the stream channel. In the summer of 2016, foliage and increment core samples were collected from white spruce (Picea glauca) trees on both banks. Here we compare incremental growth rates of trees on the left (fertilized) bank and the right (unfertilized) bank to determine if salmon carcass fertilization has had an influence on basal area growth of white spruce growth. Accounting for variations in climate and age-related growth trends, we expect to see enhanced growth rates on the fertilized bank during the 20 years of fertilization (1996-2016). These findings will help to elucidate the importance of seasonal marine-derived nutrient subsidies to riparian forests and the time scales over which such subsidies influence riparian ecosystems.

]]> Alexa Camaioni GIS Suitability Analysis to Identify Critical Habitat for the Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae) http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/14 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/14 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae) is listed as a near threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is under review to be listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Species listed as endangered or threatened sometimes have critical habitat designated for them, which are areas that contain features essential to the conservation of the species. Typically, critical habitats are not designated until a species is listed under the ESA. However, it would be beneficial to know possible critical habitats beforehand in order to expedite the process should the Cascades Frog be listed. Critical habitats were defined by performing a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) suitability analysis. I used a dataset containing observations of the Cascades Frog to identify the land cover, elevation, and climate variables that were ideal for the species. I combined the results with the distance from freshwater sources to create an index of suitability. The most suitable areas were isolated to identify the potential critical habitats for the Cascades Frog. Even though the identified critical habitats would be suitable for the Cascades Frog based on their biological requirements, a percentage of the identified areas are not ideal due to human modification of the landscape. If the Cascades Frog is listed as endangered or threatened, further research should be completed to identify if critical habitat should be designated for the species and if so, which of the identified areas should be designated.

]]> Victoria Niewohner A changing sea: the effects of temperature and CO2 to the temperate sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima and its green symbiont Elliptochloris marina http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/13 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/13 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Ocean acidification, which occurs as rising atmospheric CO2 reduces pH and changes the carbonate chemistry of seawater, is likely to change marine ecosystems. Calcifying organisms are clearly at risk, but non-calcifying, photosynthetic organisms could actually benefit from high CO2 conditions. Elliptochloris marina is a unicellular alga that engages in and endosymbiosis with the temperate sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. Little is known about how temperature and elevated CO2 will affect either partner in this non-calcifying cnidarian. A. elegantissima hosting E. marina were exposed to three concentrations of CO2 (400 μatm, 800 μatm, or 1200 μatm) at 12 or 20°C in a laboratory setting for 5 weeks. Sea anemone appearance and behavior, and photosynthetic efficiency and density of the symbionts were used to assess the health of the host, symbiont, and the symbiosis. Over 5 weeks of observation, there was no clear effect of temperature or CO2 on behavior of the sea anemones (measured by expansion of the tentacle crown). Anemones in the 20°C treatment appeared to be bleaching over the course of the experiment, but, by the end of 5 weeks, there was no statistically significant difference in symbiont density. There was also no significant effect of temperature, CO2, or the interaction between temperature and CO2 on symbiont photosynthetic efficiency. Our results show that a relatively short exposure to high seawater pCO2 and elevated temperature had no direct negative effect on A. elegantissima or E. marina. However, these conditions may impact the competitiveness of E. marina compared to another endosymbiont A. elegantissima hosts, which responds very positively to high CO2 and could lead to important changes in the ecology of this important intertidal species.

]]> Kimberly Diep A study on Additive Manufacturing Quality Monitoring Techniques http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/12 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/12 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a process of part creation that builds up layers of material based on a model rather than removing material from stock. There is growing interest in how AM can be applied to different industries. AM has proved itself useful as a rapid prototyping tool, but has yet to fully make the jump into mass production, especially in industries where failure prevention is critical, such as aerospace and orthopedic joint replacement. Consistent part quality and manufacturing repeatability are required to make AM a viable choice for part creation in these fields. Methods must be developed to monitor and correct the layer adding process as it occurs so that parts are strong and consistent. This project aims to present comprehensive research of existing quality assurance and quality control processes used in AM so that we can bring the best possible tools to Western Washington University to aid student learning.

]]> Claire Adams Keylogger Detection Using a Decoy Keyboard http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/11 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/11 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Keylogger Detection Using a Decoy Keyboard

]]> Margot Maxwell et al. Identifying Class Activity by Automatic Clustering of Classroom Noise http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/10 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/10 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Robin Cosbey et al. A Critique of Conflict Management Style Usage Within Communication Research http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/9 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/9 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT The objective of this piece is to critique the use of the five main conflict management styles: dominating, integrating, obliging, compromising, and avoiding within communication research. We analyzed past research findings, describing the use of the dualistic framework of individualism and collectivism and how these create generalizations about cultures and communication patterns. Furthermore, we describe the components of concern, detailing concern for self and concern for others and the various conflict management styles associated with each. Additionally, we identified various strengths within the theory, such as the recognition of ethnocentric tendencies, the tools to participate in self-reflection, and the acknowledgement of variability with the use of a variety of theories. We critiqued various weaknesses of the theory such as the polarization of the two dimensions of individualism and collectivism, which creates an either/or dynamic of the different styles, the appropriateness of the research instruments, and the ecological validity of the participant's responses.

]]> Zoe C. Kelly et al. Lolita Themes in Photography: An Ethics Case Study http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/8 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/8 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This case study involves the highly controversial South-Korean photographer, Rotta, and his erotic depictions of women with visual insinuations of underage children, more commonly known as the Lolita theme or aesthetic. These controversial images form an important ethical case study, which is evaluated through the TARES framework by Baker and Martinson (2010).

]]> Tiffany Ng Feminist Mother in a Hyper-masculine Society http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/7 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/7 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This paper examined a character with notable mention from Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, called Ekwefi. A textual analysis of the text and the role this character plays indicated that she communicated her identity as an independent woman in relation to being a second wife. Ekwefi seems to be, at first, pitied because of her lack of children and, subsequently, her bitter attitude. After further examination of her two prominent identities, Ekwefi displays characteristics of feminism through her actions, and by the actions of those around her. This paper ellaborates on these feminist motherhood roles of the character in a hyper-masculine society.

]]> Thu Le Identifying Social Hierarchies within Organizational Communication http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/6 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/6 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This study identified the hierarchical structure established through the social communicative practices within the Bellingham Marriott hotels. The cultural elements of informal rules, organizational communication styles, heroes, outlaws, and stories were reviewed and their role in the creation of social hierarchy were examined. Through stratified random sampling, participants completed a survey that assessed the communication practices amongnon-managerial level organizational members. The purpose of this study was to understand the hierarchical structure created among employees in a social parameter and identify a framework for social dominance derived from workplace communication. Findings revealed that departments that work directly with customers, and employees who were characterized as gossips had a high social capital and a higher hierarchical status.

]]> Alexandrea Moore Block Copolymer Templated Bimetallic Pt-M Nanoparticle Systems for Fuel Cell Catalysis http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/5 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/5 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT There are two central issues regarding polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) before they are considered viable for practical applications: poor catalytic performance of a pure platinum cathode catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, and the propensity for a pure platinum anode catalyst to become poisoned and rendered inactive. For this reason, bimetallic Pt/M or M/M, where M is a cheaper metal, with higher catalytic activity are desirable. A block copolymer templating method is presented to yield efficient nanoparticle catalysts for implementation into PEMFCs. Different polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymers of block ratio ~3:1 were used to synthesize the nanoparticles. The templating method was used to control size, morphology, structure, and composition. A full study was done on a platinum/gold system, utilizing cyclic voltammetry coupled with a rotating ring-disk electrode, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The catalysts were all subjected to activity testing for: the oxygen reduction reaction, emulating the reaction that would take place at a fuel cell cathode, and the methanol oxidation reaction, imitating the reaction that would take place at a fuel cell anode.

]]> Diane Perez Improved Efficiency of Thin Film Organic Photovoltaics via Optical Device Coupling http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/4 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/4 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) are seen as a promising technology for improving the productivity of solar power, primarily because they can be manufactured relatively cheaply compared to traditionally more popular silicon-based cells, and have a wider variety of applications due to their low toxicity and high flexibility. The most persistent limitation of OPVs is that they are relatively inefficient in converting sunlight into power, as compared to their inorganic counterparts. In the work presented here, a variety of fabrication methods were employed to yield increasingly efficient OPVs based on the conductive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and the functionalized fullerene phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester. The relationships between OPV film thickness, drying rate, absorbance, and current-voltage characteristics were analyzed in order to determine the potential of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) to increase OPV efficiency. Initial calculations based on optoelectronic theory predict that LSC-induced efficiency enhancement should be significant, but strongly dependent on OPV thickness.

]]> Thomas Morrissey Norms of reaction for pheromone response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/3 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/3 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Traits are commonly influenced by environmental and genetic factors, yet the contribution of each is often poorly understood. An important life history trait in baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the rate at which cells prepare for mating in response to environmentally released pheromones. Wild strains of yeast differ in mating pheromone response and alleles of the G-Protein alpha subunit of the pheromone receptor have been shown to affect both pheromone response and fitness. It is known that pheromone response depends on pheromone concentration, but the effects of environmental factors are largely unknown. In order to characterize the effects of environmental and genetic factors on pheromone response, we are focusing on an easily measured morphological transition that cells undergo during pheromone response. Less than an hour after exposure to pheromone, yeast cells elongate and attempt to find mating partners in a process that is called shmooing. We are investigating the norm of reaction to environmental factors for rate of shmooing in genetically distinct yeast isolates. For each isolate we are measuring how the fraction of shmooing cells in a culture changes with time after exposure to pheromone and across temperatures. Initial results suggest isolates follow unique norms of reaction. Understanding norms of reaction for pheromone response will facilitate future analysis of genetic mechanisms and help the larger community of researchers studying this model environmental response network.

]]> Shelby Duffy Are there rogue harbor seals in Whatcom Creek? The potential impact of harbor seals on a local salmon hatchery http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/2 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/2 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT Conflicts often arise between humans and predators when there is perceived competition over a resource. In the Salish Sea, salmon are a socioeconomically important fish species and an important food source for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Currently, there is debate on the impact that harbor seals have on salmonid populations in the region. Rogue individuals are defined as those that have a greater per capita impact on fisheries than individuals in the general population. Rogue harbor seals have been identified in other estuarine systems and can have major implications for management purposes. Harbor seals come to Whatcom Creek in Bellingham, USA, every fall, coinciding with the annual salmon runs. Past studies indicate that seals come into the creek to forage and are viewed as competitors by the local fishers. Over a four-year period (2012-2015), we tracked the occurrence and foraging behavior of individual seals using photo identification and defined a successful hunt as a surfacing event in which a seal had possession of a salmon. We described the existence of rogue individuals by combining relative occurrence and foraging success, the latter of which we are currently analyzing. Thus far, we have identified 91 individual seals, which on average were observed 2.20 ± 2.51 SD times per year. The most frequently observed individuals have visited the creek 16 (n=2 seals) and 11 (n=1) times per year. Preliminary results indicate that certain individuals returned to the creek in successive seasons, however each year the majority of seals foraging in the creek were comprised of new individuals with an average of 22.75 ± 21.29 SD new individuals per year. It appears that if there are rogue seals at Whatcom Creek, they represent a small number of individuals.

]]> Rachel Wachtendonk Analysis of Lithics from Bone Processing and Lithic Tool Production Units at Woodstock Farm (45WH0055) http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/1 http://cedar.wwu.edu/scholwk/2017/Day_one/1 Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:00 PDT This project analyzes lithics excavated from site 45WH0055, directly on Chuckanut Bay, Bellingham, Washington. The goal of our analysis was to determine if Ian Lewis’ 2013 thesis classification of activity areas was supported by type, quantity, and distribution of lithics. He hypothesized that two activity areas on the site were used for bone processing and lithic tool production with very little crossover. A separate goal of this project determined if the bone processing assemblage was most likely to be for butchering or bone tool production, a distinction not made in Lewis’ thesis. We analyzed each artifact based on technological attributes reflecting degree of modification and reduction stage, and classified lithics based on presence or absence of modification.

]]> Jori Hurst et al.