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If You Build It: Using Ground Squirrel Risk Perception to Test Wildlife Crossing Structure Success
No full textRoads and traffic present many risks for wildlife, and animals must be able to accurately assess risks in their environment. Animals can often perceive the level of risk they face, and their behavioral responses can alter their fitness and potentially even whole-population dynamics. However, animals may be unable to properly measure the levels of risk near roadways because roads present novel environmental conditions and alter predators’ behavior. To mitigate some of the ecological problems created by roadways, wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) are being incorporated into transportation projects. To understand whether WCSs provide quality habitat for wildlife, we compared the levels of risk that small mammals perceive on under- and overcrossings on an interstate highway to the levels in natural habitats within the Cascade Range of central Washington. This study presents the first time that the behavior of resident animals is being used to assess the effectiveness of WCS. We quantified the risk perception of Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels (Callospermophilus saturatus) by setting out feeding trays and measuring general population-level foraging behaviors. We also observed the behaviors of individual squirrels at the feeding trays (via video imaging), and conducted in-person scan sampling on days when the trays were not present. Animals’ activity budgets away from the trays did not differ significantly between the WCS and natural habitats. Squirrels depleted the trays twice as fast on the WCSs, but individual squirrels’ frequency of vigilance behaviors did not differ between the two habitats. We found few clear differences in individual behaviors between the undercrossings and overcrossing, or between different microhabitats on the WCSs. These results indicate that the individuals on the WCSs perceived similar levels of perceived risk compared to the animals living in natural habitats. If properly planned and constructed, WCSs can provide quality habitat that wildlife populations can use without additional stress. Behavioral ecology presents a promising new technique to assess the effectiveness of road ecology projects
Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) occupancy in a post-fire whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) ecosystem
No full textClark’s nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) share a highly adapted mutualistic relationship that sustains subalpine whitebark pine ecosystems, which are under threat from increased frequency, severity, and extent of wildfire due to recent climate change. Whitebark pine is not well-adapted to survive extreme wildfire events, and post-fire regeneration likely depends on caching by nutcrackers. However, little is known about nutcracker behavior within burned whitebark pine habitat. This study investigated drivers of Clark’s nutcracker occupancy following fire in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State by evaluating the degree to which local and landscape-scale habitat metrics predict nutcracker presence, as detected via calls recorded with autonomous recording units (ARUs). Twenty-eight ARUs were randomly deployed within severely burned, moderately burned, and unburned whitebark pine habitat above 1828 m, in four fire footprints in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, from June 26 until October 5, 2024. Results from a dynamic occupancy model provided evidence that nutcrackers were highly likely to occupy all sites, from unburned to severely burned at the local scale, when most area within a 3-km radius contains a mosaic of burned and unburned whitebark pine habitat. As the availability of either burned or total whitebark pine habitat within a 3-km radius decreased, nutcrackers showed a stronger preference for locally burned sites, especially during the early to late summer. These occupancy patterns suggest that burned habitat provides an important but as yet unidentified resource during the summer, prior to whitebark pine cone maturation. In addition, our results suggest that nutcrackers are available to potentially facilitate post-fire whitebark pine regeneration in this region as long as fire footprints contain a mosaic of burned and unburned habitat
Effect of Coniferous Trees and Water Availability on Soil Acidification
No full textProject Mentor(s): Mary Poulson, PhD
Water availability and coniferous tree species can cause acidification and a change in soil fertility. Previous research in European forests found that rainfall, soil acidity, and conifer prevalence influenced soil quality and biodiversity. However, not much is known about these effects in the Pacific Northwest’s forests. Three forests were chosen based on a gradient of annual precipitation. The Hoh Rain Forest, the Tiger Mountain State Forest, and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were used for wet, mesic, and dry conditions, respectively. Each location had a three-by-six grid spaced 50 meters between each plot. The location was marked, and a six-inch hole was dug at the base of the nearest tree to collect a soil sample. Collected soil samples were tested for pH, water content, and nutrient content. Soil pH ranged from 5.5 at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 6.0 at Tiger Mountain State Forest, and 6.5 at the Hoh Rain Forest. Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, western red cedar, bigleaf maple, and red alder were grown in the CWU Biology Greenhouse. Trees were grown in simulated soil moisture regimes to those of the chosen sites. Results of this study indicate that the occurrence of coniferous tree species, particularly ponderosa pine, and increased soil water content will contribute to soil acidification. This study provides insight into the environmental interactions occurring in Washington’s forests and will allow for better forest management practices
Effects of Familiarity and Use of American Sign Language (ASL) on Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Sign Modulation
No full textCross-fostered chimpanzees that acquired signs of American Sign Language (ASL) use sign modulations in signed interactions with humans. In this study, the researcher examined the effects of familiarity and use of ASL on four signing chimpanzees\u27 modulations of signs. Three of the chimpanzees had been cross-fostered and acquired signs from human researchers. The fourth acquired signs from other chimpanzees. Modulations are modifications to the form of a sign and alter the sign’s meaning. They affect intensity and comprehension and vary across conversational contexts among human and chimpanzee signers. During 4-min trials, the chimpanzees were presented with a human participant who was in one of four conditions: familiar-signer, familiar-nonsigner, unfamiliar-signer, and unfamiliar-nonsigner. The researcher coded sign duration and counted sign reiterations from videos of trials. Loulis was the only chimpanzee to participate in trials of all four conditions and to have any significant differences between conditions. Loulis used significantly longer sign durations and more iterations of signs with nonsigners. Specifically, he used longer durations with familiar-nonsigners than with unfamiliar-signers and significantly more iterations of signs with familiar-nonsigners than with familiar-signers. This study contributes to the understanding of how chimpanzees engage in social interactions and adds to our perception of their sensitivity to others. Understanding these behaviors can impact how we understand, interact with, and care for both captive and wild chimpanzees
THE ASSOCIATION OF VITAMIN D STATUS IN US ADULTS WITH DEPRESSION: NHANES 2011 - 2018
Full text linkABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D (VD), essential for bone health and various physiological processes, has been increasingly associated with mental health, particularly depression. Depression is the most common and prevalent of disorders regarding mental health. It is influenced by biological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors. This study examines association and the interplay of both vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and depression among adults 18- 70+ residing in the U.S, focusing on disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups.
Methods: Data was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018. The present study utilized a cross-sectional analysis included 7,981 participants aged 18 and older. VD status was classified as sufficient ( ≥ 50 nmol/L) or insufficient/deficient ( \u3c 50 nmol/L), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate an individual’s depression score. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used for statistical analysis to evaluated the associations between serum VD levels, dietary intake, and depression, adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic variables.
Results: Approximately 46.1% of participants had insufficient or deficient VD levels. Depression was significantly more prevalent among individuals with lower serum VD levels (p = 0.0004), particularly in females, younger adults, non-Hispanic Blacks, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Dietary VD intake showed no significant association with depression, suggesting that serum VD levels, influenced by factors such as sun exposure and VD metabolism, play a more critical role. Obesity and food insecurity were also strongly associated with both VDD and depression.
Conclusion: VDD is strongly linked to a higher likelihood of developing depression, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to improve VD status, particularly in vulnerable populations. Interventions should include dietary supplementation, education on sun exposure, and addressing socioeconomic barriers. Further longitudinal studies are required to determine if there is any causality between the two, and to investigate any potential therapeutic benefits of VD in mental health management.
By Joshua Yearout, THE ASSOCIATION OF VITAMIN D STATUS IN US ADULTS WITH DEPRESSION: NHANES 2011 – 2018, March, 202
PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF DALEA CANDIDA VAR. OLIGOPHYLLA
No full textThe focus of this project was the plant Dalea candida and its phytochemistry. The plant compounds were isolated and purified by an array of chromatographic techniques. The structures of the pure compounds were determined by one-dimensional and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, supported by infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, experimental and calculated circular dichroism spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Plant parts were worked on separately since they typically differ in content. Purified compounds will be tested for biological activities. Based on our results, eight new or known compound were isolated, specifically four new compounds and four known compounds. Compound 2 (pawhuskin D) was the first discovery of a new pawhuskin isolated from a Dalea species in over twenty years, resulting in additional neuropharmacological testing, specifically for opioid-binding activity. The new compound pawhuskin D was isolated in the early stages of this project and is similar to the known compound pawhuskin A, a k-opioid antagonist of some importance
The Role of Implicit Bias in Police Citizen Interactions - A Historical Review and Policy Recommendations
No full textAbstract
This paper examines the impact of implicit bias on police-citizen interactions, contributing to racial disparities in stops, arrests, and the use of force. While explicit racism has declined since the Civil Rights Era, unconscious stereotypes continue to influence law enforcement decisions. Research highlights that Black individuals experience higher rates of police encounters and fatal force compared to White individuals, a pattern not fully explained by crime rates but rather by systemic and historical biases within policing institutions. Efforts to address implicit bias, such as diversity training, have shown limited long-term effectiveness. Instead, meaningful reform requires structural changes, including improved police training that prioritizes de-escalation, stricter oversight of officer discretion, and stronger community engagement. Eliminating connections to historical and modern white supremacist influences within law enforcement also remains a critical step toward ensuring fairer practices. Understanding the role of implicit bias in policing and implementing evidence-based solutions can help create a more equitable justice system. Ensuring these changes strengthens public trust and promotes more just outcomes in law enforcement practices.
Keywords: implicit bias, policing, racial disparities, law enforcement reform, structural racism
From Canterbury to the Conference: Chaucer’s First 18 Lines Reborn
No full textProject Mentor(s): Charles X. Li, PhD
This presentation examines the phonological shift from Chaucerian Middle English to Modern English, focusing on the Great English Vowel Shift. Using the first eighteen lines of Chaucer’s “General Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales as a case study, we demonstrate how vowel sounds in Middle English transitioned to those in Early Modern and Modern English. By analyzing specific words from these opening lines, we illustrate the vowel changes that marked the shift and their impact on pronunciation. Our presentation will conclude with a recitation of Chaucer’s first eighteenth lines, intertwined couplet by couplet by their Modern English counterparts, offering a direct comparison between the sounds of Middle English and Modern English. This provides a clear, audible demonstration of how the Great English Vowel Shift shaped the English pronunciation over time. Recitation recording available in the SOURCE 2025 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@cwusource551
Innovation Within Sustainable Technologies: The Future of Energy Conserving Hardware in Data Centers
No full textProject Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD
The US is confronting a growing energy demand crisis, with analysts projecting a 2.4% rise in data center energy consumption by 2030. Data centers are major energy consumers, with primary usage concentrated in IT equipment and extensive cooling systems. While Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) remains the leading metric for assessing energy efficiency, it is limited to assessing total facility energy and IT energy use without accounting for environmental and social impacts. Supplementary metrics of data center energy consumption include Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE), which measure water use and carbon emissions, respectively, per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of IT energy use. These metrics provide insight into the environmental cost of energy sources, however, are limited by variability based on geographic location, energy grid composition, and a lack of standardization. Emerging technologies like the COOLERCHIPS (Cooling Operations Optimized for Leaps in Energy, Reliability, and Carbon Hyperefficiency for Information Processing Systems) program aim to enhance the energy performance of data centers by improving microchip efficiency and optimizing hybrid cooling systems that use both air and liquid coolants. These innovations show promise in reducing energy metric scores, but a more integrated framework is necessary to capture the complexities of sustainable data center operation. This review explores the pressing issue of data center energy consumption in the U.S., critically examines current and emerging efficiency metrics, and emphasizes the need for more holistic, adaptable solutions. As digital infrastructure expands, prioritizing energy and environmental efficiency is vital to ensuring sustainable growth in large-scale industries
Distribution Patterns and Habitat Suitability of Malabar Slender Lorises (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus) in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, India
No full textMalabar slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus) is a small-bodied, nocturnal strepsirrhine endemic to the Western Ghats region of India. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Goa hosts a population of slender lorises. Research on slender loris distribution and habitat suitability is lacking. Predictive species distribution models allow us to identify habitat suitability for slender lorises. Using 16 occurrence records of slender loris observations, I constructed a MaxEnt species distribution model using 21 bioclimatic, topographic, and habitat variables. I used the jackknife method for model validation. The model identified isothermality as the climatic variable affecting the distribution of slender lorises, and deciduous forest as the most suitable habitat type. Additionally, my observations of lorises occurring near villages indicates their likely tolerance of human-modified landscapes. These observational data were also likely to be affected by survey bias. Results of this study are useful in determining habitat suitability of slender lorises and assist in conservation of the species