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When reviewing the website “Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus,” it is hard not to notice how much effort had been put into the design of the website. The website has a similar layout to most other conservation websites, including an FAQ, links for more information, and describing ways a person can help. However, upon further examination, it becomes quite obvious that the website is purely for humor. For example, on the tab that is supposed to include images of the creature, there are pictures of plastic toy octopuses in trees, and poorly photoshopped pictures of hawks carrying an octopus. The most interesting page on the website is the links page. On this page, there are three sets of additional websites: cephalopod websites, other animals of interest, and conservation websites. On the cephalopod websites, there is only information on the aquatic cephalopods and no mention of the tree octopus. Next, all of the other “animals of interest” that are listed are also satirical animals, like the “mountain walrus” and “prairie crayfish”. Finally, all of the conservation links are well known and reputable animal conservation websites, however upon research of those sites, the pacific northwest tree octopus is never mentioned. Ultimately, this website is a joke, and it can be noticed rather quickly if it is analyzed with any effort. The website is well made, but there is no semblance of truth to the information that it is stating, because its references do not support it at all.

Brachypodium distachyon is worthwhile to study because it is related to many of the grass species which we use for food, feed, and biomass; being closely related to rice, corn and wheat (Yang, et al., 2010). B. distachyon is a monocot, and because many monocot species are used for bioethanol production, it has become a model organism for advancing our understanding of species used to produce biofuels (Man Bo, et al., 2016). The plant is also excellent for laboratory use because of its quick regeneration time, small size, and compact genome (Yang, et al., 2010). B. distachyon is also well studied, and as a result its full genome had been sequenced and is an available resource for those studying it.

During the methods part of Rosenzweig's research, several experimental factors had to be considered. In order to avoid bias, the examiners were not told which rat’s brain belonged to which of the three environments. After the treatment period, the brains were measured, weighed and analyzed to determine cell growth and levels of neurotransmitter activity. A neurotransmitter called acetylcholinesterase was the focus of the chemical examination. This neurotransmitter is responsible for faster and more efficient transmission of neural impulses. The cerebral cortex of the brain is responsible for experiences, movement, learning and sensory input. It was found to be heavier and thicker in rats raised in the enriched environment compared to the rats raised in the impoverished environment. The rats that inhabited the enriched environment also had increased acetylcholinesterase activity, had larger neurons and a higher RNA to DNA ratio. No differences were found between the number of neurons. Rosenzweig assumed that these differences implied higher levels of chemical activity had taken place. These results were seen again when they performed the same experiment several more times. The cortex increased in weight in response to the type of experience in each environment type, but the sub-cortex (the rest of the brain) changed very little. This measurement of the cortex to the sub-cortex was the most accurate measurement because overall brain weight varies with the overall weight of each animal (there is no correlation). They also found that enriched synapses were much larger in the rats that came from the enriched environment. These experimental results all supported the hypothesis which stated that animals raised in highly stimulating environments would demonstrate differences in brain growth and chemistry when compared to animals reared in plain/dull circumstances.

Rod and cone cells are proven photoreceptors of the eye, and responsible for scotopic and photopic vision.  Natural circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follows a daily cycle.  This rhythm is tuned to environmental influence and can be reset with exposure to light.  Mice and people that lack rods and cones still posses the ability to reset their circadian clock, meaning rods and cones are not the only way to perceive light.  Retinal ganlion cells (RGCs) are specialized neurons that receive visual information from photoreceptive neurons (rods and cones) on the retina and project into the brain.  Melanopsin has been identified with green flourescent protein (GFP) labeling to be present in RGCs which were previously thought to act only as output cells from rods and cones.  Melanopsin is a protein that, according to the amino acid sequence, is very similar to proteins found in rod and cone cells such as rhodopsin and color opsins.    Circadian rhythm experiments have concluded that eyeless mice are unable reset their circadian clock, but mice genetically modified to lack rods and cones can reset their circadian clocks.  This means that the mechanism for setting this circadian clock lies within the retina and is still photosensitive in blind animals.  Recent experiments tested if melanopsin could act as the mechanism to set circadian rhythm, modify pupil size, and influence conscious visual perception.

The plumage characteristics in the phylogenies and the table were chosen based off of the color patterns of specific anatomical positions of the bird. Most of the positions were in areas that would be easy to see from far away, or that might be used in species recognition. In addition, the majority of the plumage characteristics were classified by if they were colored brightly, colored cryptically, or multicolored. In our table characteristics were mapped out using a numerical system to indicate if they had a specific trait or if the trait was absent. Some plumage characteristics were given a binary code of 0', and 1's while others used 0's, 1's, and 2's. If the color was also involved in the identified characteristic the box was colored the same color. On the phylogeny, the characteristics were only mapped if they were present. If the characteristic was not there it was left blank. In addition, if the trait was colored it was given a colored bar of that color to see if it was a significant factor in species differentiation.

The plumage characteristics in the phylogenies and the table were chosen based off of the color patterns of specific anatomical positions of the bird. Most of the positions were in areas that would be easy to see from far away, or that might be used in species recognition. In addition, the majority of the plumage characteristics were classified by if they were colored brightly, colored cryptically, or multicolored. In our table characteristics were mapped out using a numerical system to indicate if they had a specific trait or if the trait was absent. Some plumage characteristics were given a binary code of 0', and 1's while others used 0's, 1's, and 2's. If the color was also involved in the identified characteristic the box was colored the same color. On the phylogeny, the characteristics were only mapped if they were present. If the characteristic was not there it was left blank. In addition, if the trait was colored it was given a colored bar of that color to see if it was a significant factor in species differentiation.

In the article, Movement Intention After Parietal Cortex, the hypothesis that is discussed is whether or not direct stimulation of either the parietal or premotor cortex in the brain would result in direct movement of different regions of the body. The study was conducted by using seven human patients that either had a tumor in anterior or posterior of the central sulcus. In order to find specific sites for stimulation, an MRI was used to find 57 sites. Patients were under local anesthesia and as specific regions were stimulated the patients were asked whether they felt something or moved a body part. The results of the study showed that premotor cortex stimulation resulted in movement while parietal stimulation resulted in the intentions of movement. At higher intensity of stimulation the parietal stimulation lead to the patients believing the movement was accomplished. Overall, the study showed that before people perform a movement there in an intention of conscious movement in the parietal. 

            Throughout decades, NASA has been trying to improve their strategies to gaining access to places within our solar system and improve their technologies to enable its capabilities in future missions and support other spaceflight activities. One project that they are in the development is the Solar Electric Propulsion, or the (SEP). This new project is a cost-effective way to lengthen and improve the capabilities of space travel to enable NASAs ability to seek new missions beyond their current capability. This project will use on-board solar arrays that will use photons, or light rays, given off by the sun which will act as a solar propellant as oppose to the current chemical propulsion system, which has proven to be not only costly but also limited. The incoming solar rays will be absorbed by highly absorbent converters that will transfer this energy into electricity, similar to those we see on Earth with solar panels on houses and buildings. This new system will also use about 10 times less propellant but will cause the same amount of thrust and can provide a movement force of more than 65,000 mph. Not only will this new technology enable us to study deeper into our solar system, it can also be used to aid Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission which is a planetary defense mission in which we are able to redirect potentially hazardous Asteroids that can be seen traveling in the path of the Earth.

Rod and cone cells are proven photoreceptors of the eye, and responsible for scotopic and photopic vision.  The natural circadian cycle is tuned to environmental influence and can be reset with exposure to light.  Mice and people that lack rods and cones still posses the ability to reset their circadian clock, meaning rods and cones are not the only way to perceive light.  Melanopsin is a protein that, according to the amino acid sequence, is very similar to proteins found in rod and cone cells such as rhodopsin and color opsins.  Melanopsin has been found to be present in retinal ganglion cells, which were previously thought to act only as output cells from rods and cones to the rest of the brain.  Circadian rhythm experiments have concluded that eyeless mice are unable reset their circadian clock, but mice genetically modified to lack rods and cones can reset their circadian clocks.  This means that the mechanism for setting this circadian clock lies within the retina and is still photosensitive in blind animals.  Recent experiments tested if melanopsin could act as the mechanism to set circadian rhythm, modify pupil size, and influence conscious visual perception.

The nitrogen cycle is an essential process of life as it is helps turn nitrogen into a form that is available to animals and plants. Nitrogen is a necessity of life as it is essential for growth and reproduction for both plants and animals. A key component of the nitrogen cycle is the presence of plants as they help turn inorganic forms of nitrogen, such as ammonia and nitric acid, into organic forms of nitrogen that can then be move up the food chain. Clearing the forest would kill all the plants and trees in that area, ultimately having a major effect on the nitrogen cycle. With no plants, the conversion of inorganic forms of nitrogen to organic forms of nitrogen cannot happen. Instead, bacteria in the soil breakdown the plant available nitrogen into gases in a process known as denitrification. Another negative effect is that plant available nitrogen is very soluble in water, thus if plants aren’t there to take up the nitrogen, then it will be leached away into our rivers, lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water. In conclusion, clearing forests could have some unforeseen devastating effects on the nitrogen cycle and more importantly the environment.