Scholars and their Research Project

Nicholas Anderson

Title: Coping and Social Support in Relation to Problematic Internet Use

Abstract: Previous research regarding the relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being yielded mixed results.  One theory proposes that excessive Internet use can be predicted from problematic psychosocial tendencies.  Vulnerable individuals who have these tendencies develop a preference for online interactions and a reduction in performance at school, work, or home (Caplan, 2003).  In the present study, 91 female and male participants completed surveys to test three hypotheses.  The first hypothesis, that higher use of avoidant coping is related to higher levels of loneliness and depressive symptoms was partially supported.  Avoidant coping was directly correlated with depressive symptoms.  The second hypothesis, that higher avoidant coping is related to higher problematic Internet use, was also supported.  The third hypothesis, that both higher offline and online social support are related to lower problematic Internet use received partial support.  Whereas higher offline social support was correlated with lower problematic Internet use, higher online social support was actually related to higher problematic Internet use.

Angela Arriola

Title: The Three 'R's of the California State University system: Reading, Writing, and Remediation

Abstract: Utilizing a quantitative approach, this research examines the relationship between teacher educational levels and the number of students requiring remediation in colleges and universities. Although past research has studied the effect of teacher experience and attributes on student achievement in high school, this research examines the impact that teacher education level has on student achievement during freshman year of college. For students unable to perform at the university level in math and English, remedial courses are required to prepare them for college-level coursework. Remediation numbers have steadily increased since the 1970s (Breneman & Haarlow, 1998). During the same time period, teacher quality - as measured by test scores measuring math and verbal skills - began to decline slightly (Corcoran, Evans, & Schwab, 2004). Because previous research (Hanushek, 1971) finds that teacher quality influences student achievement more than most other school characteristics combined, the findings of this research suggest that teacher quality standards may need to improve in order to adequately prepare college-bound students for the world of academia. Data from the California Department of Education and the California State University system was analyzed. The hypothesis that an inverse relationship exists between teacher education and the need for math and English remediation is supported.

Marisa Bautista

Title: Anti-proliferative Effects Of Chuchupate On Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the Native American medicine, chuchupate, for its ability to kill or inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Chuchupate, made from the root of three species of Oshá plant, Ligusticum porteri, Ligusticum grayi, or Lomatium californicum, was investigated for its anti-proliferative effects (ability to inhibit growth), and/or cytotoxic effects (ability to kill cells) on three human breast cancer cell lines: BT-474 and MCF-7 (estrogen-receptor positive cancer cells) and MDA-MB 231 (estrogen-receptor negative cancer cells). Cancer cells were incubated for 48 hours with growth media containing 0.1 percent (v/v) tinctures (70 percent ethanolic extracts made from dry L. porteri root, dry L. californicum root, fresh L. californicum root, or dry L. grayi root), or 0.1 percent (v/v) 70 percent ethanol as the control. The number of viable (live) cells was determined and compared to the number of cells in the control.

Jacqueline Gutierrez

Title: Acculturation and Self-Esteem among College Students of Mexican Origin

Abstract: This research examined the role of acculturation and self-esteem among Mexican origin college students. The Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II (ARSMA-II) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to measure both acculturation and global self-esteem, respectively, for this sample. A correlational analysis was performed to test the relationship between acculturation and global self-esteem. Thirty-seven Mexican origin college students participated in this study. The results showed no correlation between the variables tested.

Teresa Kirkpatrick

Title: Distinguishing Male from Female Convict Cichlid Fishes Using Morphometric Analysis

Abstract: This study examines the body-shape differences between male and female convict cichlid fish (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus). Convict cichlids were compared using morphometric analysis of their body-shapes. All methods showed that mature male and female cichlids were morphometrically different, although both genders of immature cichlids were morphometrically equivalent. Mature male and female cichlids were found to have a slightly different profile, with the females having a shorter, more rounded shape than males do have. These findings may suggest that natural selection has given mature male and female convict cichlids different body-shapes to perform their gender roles.

Elaine Manzanilla

Title: The pattern of expression of the plasma membrane ion pump LHA2 during tomato root colonization by endomycorrhizal fungi

Abstract: How mycorrhizal fungi are able to grow into plant roots and establish symbiotic associations is not well understood. One gene shown to be up-regulated at the level of mRNA accumulation during infection is the tomato plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase, LHA2. LHA2 is a member of the family of genes encoding PM H+-ATPases. To understand the role of LHA2 in mycorrhizal associations this researcher used an LHA2 promoter-GUS reporter gene construct to identify the cell and tissue specific expression of LHA2 during infection by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae. This initial qualitative analysis shows that LHA2 is not obviously up-regulated at the specific sites of infection, but does appear to be significantly upregulated throughout the root. This change in LHA2 expression appears to coincide with a dramatic change in root architecture during infection in which roots appear to elongate less than control roots, become more highly branched and produce more root hairs. This increased branching appears to result from an increase in initiation of lateral roots. Since LHA2 up-regulation is observed at the site of lateral root intiation and in the root apical meristem, where LHA2 expression has been observed in previous studies, it is possible that its induction may be part of the change in transcriptional program that contributes to the change in root architecture in infected roots. Further, this change in root architecture combined with LHA2 induction suggests that the plant hormone, auxin, participates in regulating the change in root architecture following infection since treatment with exogenous auxin produces a similar change in root architecture and root hair density.

Crystal Martinez

Title: Native American Tribes of California: Taking a Closer Look at the Relationship between Tribal Enrollment and Tribal Conflict Resolution

Abstract: This study was designed to analyze methods of tribal conflict resolution, by reviewing the process of tribal enrollment and looking at key viewpoints of conflict, relating to the issues of enrollment within the Native American community. This study is qualitative, and the methods used were both primary and secondary sources. The author selected a total of eight local Native American community members with whom oral interviews were conducted. This research identifies a relationship between tribal sovereignty and tribal enrollment, as well as tribal conflict resolution methods. This research also found a difference between conflict resolution in the mainstream society and conflict resolution within the Native American community.

Oscar Mendoza

Title: The Significance of Sense of Belonging in Fostering Academic Success among Latino College Students at California State University, Sacramento.

Abstract: Research addressing the topic of college student attrition and retention revealed that students who have a higher sense of commitment and integration to the university are more likely to succeed academically (Elkins, Susan A.; Braxton, John M.; James, Genn W. 1998). To examine the students' commitment and belonging within the institution, qualitative interviews were conducted with eight California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) seniors: four students from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and four equally matched non-CAMP participants. This study examines the significance of the students' involvement in college as part of the process of integration to the university.

Lashuana Smedley

Title: Integrating Urban Youth Culture and Popular Culture into Traditional Urban high school curriculum

Abstract: This research paper states that high schools educating the urban youth of today would be better served through a change in curriculum, primarily in English classes. The implication is that the integration of popular culture and urban youth culture into traditionally-taught lessons increase students' receptiveness to the topics examined. The curriculum change would make the lessons more relevant. For example, analyzing the poetic aspects of hip-hop and spoken word, which speak so strongly to today's urban youth, is an ideal educational tool. Thus, their uses are worthy of academic study, and strategies for integrating them effectively must be found. It is also suggested that the works of Latino and African American poets, playwrights, and authors also be incorporated into urban high school curriculum to bridge the cultural gap that exists between the students and the literary world. In this paper, the uses of and ways to integrate popular culture and urban youth culture into English lesson plan will be explored through a review of literature. The researcher proposes that, through this exploration, a new lesson plan may then be created using a combination of integration methods.

Deborah Ward

Title: Predicting Aboriginal Fishing Sites On the Feather River of California

Abstract: Traditionally, anthropologists assumed that salmon were a critical resource for Native Americans in California. As new archaeological data become available, however, there is growing debate concerning the importance and antiquity of salmon fishing in Native American economies. This study explores the aboriginal importance of salmon by modeling the locations of prehistoric fishing camps on the lower Feather River drainage in California. Development of this model necessitated an understanding of Native American fishing technology, salmon biology, river conditions, and surrounding terrain. This information was used to identify a series of natural features that helped determine the location of prehistoric fishing sites. The model was then evaluated against existing ethnographic and archaeological data on Native American site locations.

River Ybarra

Title: Investigation of multiple genes for the ZPC glycoprotein involved in sperm-binding in the frog Xenopus laevis

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate multiple genes in the ZPC glycoprotein. Six unique ZPC genes were previously found by PCR amplification and sequencing of cDNAs (mRNA that has been reverse transcribed into DNA) from the ovaries of a Xenopus laevis frog. In this study, these six cDNA sequences were analyzed and compared to evaluate the molecular evolution of the conserved portion of the ZPC genes. It was found that the six ZPC genes identified were related but had undergone a significant number of mutations, resulting in amino acid changes (percent identical amino acid residues ranged from 49 to 71%). Contrary to prior assumptions that only a single ZPC gene exists for the frog X. laevis, this data indicates that multiple independently-evolving ZPC genes exist. Computer algorithms were used to align the six ZPC cDNAs in the order they most likely evolved and compare their rates of nucleotide substitutions. It was found that 5 of the 171 amino acid codon positions had a probability score for positive evolution (rapidly evolving sites) that ranged between 51- 75%. These scores were above the threshold for the software program, but were not high scores overall. One of the five positively selected positions directly matched one of the four sites identified previously by Swanson et al. (2001) within the equivalent region of mammalian ZPC genes. These results suggest that not many positions within this region of the frog X. laevis ZPC are likely to be rapidly evolving. Thus, this region of the protein probably does not participate in sperm-binding because sperm-binding sites are thought to change rapidly. Rather, this region is likely to be involved in determining the structure of the protein.