California State University (CSU): Open Journal Systems
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Symmetry of f-Vectors of Toric Arrangements in General Position and Some Applications
Get PDFA toric hyperplane is the preimage of a point in a circle of a continuous surjective group homomorphism from the n-torus to the circle. A toric hyperplane arrangement is a finite collection of such hyperplanes. In this paper, we study the combinatorial properties of toric hyperplane arrangements on n-tori which are spanning and in general position. Specifically, we describe the symmetry of f-vectors arising in such arrangements and a few applications of the result to count configurations of hyperplanes
Nullhomotopic and Generating Knight’s Tours on Non-Orientable Surfaces
Get PDFWe investigate closed knight’s tours on Möbius strip and Klein bottle chess boards. In particular, we characterize the board dimensions that admit tours that are nullhomotopic and the board dimensions that admit tours that realize generators of the fundamental groups of each of the surfaces
Joseph Conrad’s Criticism of Imperialism and Colonialism Through Literature
No full textThis paper looks into the early criticism of imperialism and colonialism through literature. Mainly through Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness. The paper examines how Heart of Darkness paints the reality created by King Leopold II of Belgium in the Congo. Conrad does this through his characters, which not only criticize King Leopold, but other colonial powers of the time as well. The book is also used by Conrad to share his personal experience in the Congo and to spread awareness of the hypocrisy of nationalism and imperialism. This paper highlights the influence of the book and its contributions to the global agenda to end King Leopold\u27s rule in the Congo
Examining the Impact of Human Presence on Insect Pollinators in Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat in North San Diego County
Get PDFPollinator conservation is an important field of research due to the essential role of pollinators in plant reproduction in all ecosystems. Pollinator diversity is a key indicator of the overall health of an ecosystem. We conducted a long-term focal survey of the insect pollinators of a southern California native Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) habitat, while examining the effect of human presence on the diversity of those insect pollinators. We additionally evaluated the frequency of plant-pollinator interactions, comparing sites of high and low human activity at the San Diego Safari Park. Our results showed that while invasive European Honey bees (A. mellifera)dominated pollinator networks in both sites, there wassignificant difference in evenness between the sites (Shannon\u27s Diversity Index 0.47 vs 0.84)
Don\u27t Be a Chicken: Uncovering A Rare Case of Breakthrough Chicken Pox
No full textA rare case study of a 39 year old male who was diagnosed with chicken pox (primary Varicella). Physical and lab exams were conducted for CBC, CMP, TSH, ESR/CRP, and blood cultures. No growth at 48 hour culture, HIV, RPR, HSV PCR and Monkeypox PCR of lesions were negative. However, VZV PCR of lesions was positive. Comparison between Primary Varicella (Chicken Pox) and Herpes Zoster (Shingles) were conducted to treat the paitent. The paitent was determined to have a breakthrough primary varicella because no pain was presented. 
Studying the Abundance of Virulence Factors Across Different Vegetation Types
Get PDFThe microbial community composition in wetlands is affected by soil and vegetation type. Additionally, the abundance of virulence factors can be altered. We hypothesized that vegetation type would significantly change the abundance and profile of virulence factors in rhizosphere soil and bulk soil. We conducted a study using soil samples from three vegetation types (lowland, riparian, and upland sedge) with two sites (rhizosphere soil and bulk soil) per vegetation type. After extracting and sequencing DNA from these samples, the abundance of virulence factors in each sample was identified. Our results showed that bulk soil had more variability in virulence factors than rhizosphere soil. Virulence factors that influence the symbiotic relationship between microbes and plants were seen to be in increased number in rhizospheric soil. This relationship is best explained by microbial proximity to plants, facilitating the exchange of nutrients and materials between both plant and microbe. Further analyses will be needed to exact the complete function of microbes between vegetation and soil types
Measuring Protist and Fungi Taxonomic Diversity Within The CSUSM Wetland
Get PDFSoil microbiome analyses on eukaryotic members of the community are poorly represented within the biological research world. We measured relative abundance of protists and fungi in the CSUSM wetland across different vegetation types (riparian (R), sedge (S), lowlands (L) to see if there were differences in taxa. The methods we used included collecting 24 soil samples from 3 different vegetation sites at the CSUSM wetland and and extracted 15 rhizosphere samples from bulk soil. We then extracted DNA via ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit and created NGS Library Prep EZ Kit via xGEN for shotgun metagenome sequencing. Once this was prepared we sent off for flow sequencing at Illumina. To classify eukaryotes, we ran Kraken 2 on the EukRibo database, subsetting Fungi and Protist only. Taxonomic tables and alpha beta diversity graphs were created and extraced using R and Excel. What we found was that Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum representen, even though fungi were not thought to be an important part of wetland soil communitites. At the class level a very abundant member was an anaerobic ciliate, Ciliphora Spirotrichea. Another member was Euglenozoa Euglenida which is a proist most commonly found in freshwater, especially when rich in organic matter. Alpha diversity showed no difference in community pairwisebetween bulk soil sites and across sites a statistically significanct difference was discovered. Within beta diversity most dispersed in the lowland samples and there was no significant differences across sites. 
Carbon, Nitrogen, and pH Analysis in Bulk Soil and Rhizosphere Samples in CSUSM Wetlands
Get PDFDifferences in vegetation composition can significantly impact soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and pH levels. The purpose of the current study was to measure how C, N, and pH levels vary with bulk and rhizosphere wetland soil samples at California State University San Marcos. The procedure entailed randomly collecting samples from the upper 20 cm soil layer from the three main vegetation types in the wetland: lowland (L), riparian (R), and sedge (S). From each site, eight bulk samples were collected, and eight rhizospheric samples were extracted from the bulk soil (n = 24). All of the samples were then isolated, dried, ground to a fine powder, then analyzed using both a CHN analyzer via dry combustion, and a pH meter. Statistical analysis was conducted through Jamovi, and graph creation was utilized through Excel. Non-parametric tests were conducted on data samples where transformations did not accommodate for normality. Results of the study showed that our hypotheses were partially true: though we were correct that the rhizosphere did have a higher C% compared to bulk soil, significance of this difference was only found in L and S, but not for R. Similarly, though we found that the rhizosphere was more acidic compared to bulk soil, significance of this difference was only found in L and S, but not for R. Finally, our results showed that there was no significance in average N% between L, R, and S in either rhizosphere or bulk soils. These findings may help to better understand the processes involved for successful agricultural practices, namely if in the possible future, there could be technology utilized to manipulate carbon, nitrogen, and pH variations in soil
Carbon, Nitrogen, and pH Analysis in Bulk Soil and Rhizosphere Samples in CSUSM Wetlands
Get PDFDifferences in vegetation composition can significantly impact soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and pH levels. The purpose of the current study was to measure how C, N, and pH levels vary with bulk and rhizosphere wetland soil samples at California State University San Marcos. The procedure entailed randomly collecting samples from the upper 20 cm soil layer from the three main vegetation types in the wetland: lowland (L), riparian (R), and sedge (S). From each site, eight bulk samples were collected, and eight rhizospheric samples were extracted from the bulk soil (n = 24). All of the samples were then isolated, dried, ground to a fine powder, then analyzed using both a CHN analyzer via dry combustion, and a pH meter. Statistical analysis was conducted through Jamovi, and graph creation was utilized through Excel. Non-parametric tests were conducted on data samples where transformations did not accommodate for normality. Results of the study showed that our hypotheses were partially true: though we were correct that the rhizosphere did have a higher C% compared to bulk soil, significance of this difference was only found in L and S, but not for R. Similarly, though we found that the rhizosphere was more acidic compared to bulk soil, significance of this difference was only found in L and S, but not for R. Finally, our results showed that there was no significance in average N% between L, R, and S in either rhizosphere or bulk soils. These findings may help to better understand the processes involved for successful agricultural practices, namely if in the possible future, there could be technology utilized to manipulate carbon, nitrogen, and pH variations in soil
Building Students Cultural Quotient Through Urban Internships and Practica Experiences: In a globalized society, cultural competence may begin at home.
No full textIn response to intensified globalization, the importance of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in U.S. higher education has risen. This study introduces a framework integrating Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and CQ within an urban, domestic context, challenging the emphasis on international experiences. Using the Chicago Center\u27s immersive programs as a foundation, a new 35-question scale was developed to measure CQ in a domestic setting. Preliminary findings show improved performance across all CQ dimensions, highlighting the efficacy of experiential curricular interventions. This research underscores the need for robust tools in assessing students\u27 CQ development in our globalized society