Digital Commons Network^™

The Circulation Of Climate Change Denial Online: Rhetorical And Networking Strategies On Facebook, Emma Frances Bloomfield, Denise Tillery

Communication Studies Faculty Research

This study uses a topical, rhetorical approach to analyze how climate change denial circulates online through the 25 most popular posts on the Watts Up With That and the Global Warming Policy Forum Facebook pages. These groups adopt the appearance of credibility through reposting and hyperlinking, thus establishing a supportive, networked space among other skeptical sites, while distancing readers from original sources of scientific information. Visitors use a variety of rhetorical strategies to echo posts’ main themes and to discredit alternative viewpoints. Differences between the topoi and rhetorical strategies of WUWT and the GWPF show that the climate change denial …

Thoughts And Prayers, Chloe Kardasopoulos

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Examining the symbolic Gun against its tangible counterpart illuminates abstract attachments of power and superiority this nation associates with the weapon. These elements loaded in the Gun transform the weapon into an object representative of American identity. Analyzing ideological commitments within the Gun guides a critical response to examine disproportionately increasing national gun violence against stagnant federal gun control. The ongoing gun debate must be analyzed in its entirety, beginning at its source - the Second Amendment. Scholars such as Gary Wills dissect the Second Amendment to extract its contextualized intent from modern writers’ manipulated interpretations. It is not the …

Functional Analysis Of Weeden Island Pottery From Bayou St. John, Emily Talbert

Anthropology Undergraduate Senior Theses

Analyses of Weeden Island culture and Tate’s Hammock phase pottery are sparse throughout the literature and tend to adopt a culture historical approach. This study uses pottery sherds from the Bayou St. John assemblage to conduct a functional analysis in order to determine what food related activities took place at this site during the Tate’s Hammock phase and Weeden Island culture. By comparing vessel form with orifice diameter, temper material and size, and a subassemblage that was likely connected to mound activities, this study was able to determine multiple patterns. Cooking and storage vessels were the most common vessel forms …

Assessment Of Drinking Water/Aquifer Vulnerability To Contamination By Natural Manganese And Anthropogenic Chemicals In The U.S., Ryan Kelly

Sustainability and Social Justice

Aquifers in the U.S. store groundwater used by many Americans every day for drinking eating, bathing and cleaning. These underground sources of water are vital to life and may be subject to contamination from both natural and anthropogenic pollution, including manganese (Mn) – especially shallow aquifers (<100 feet to bedrock). Natural sources of Mn are found in soils, surficial deposits, and bedrock, while anthropogenic contamination derives from landfills, waste facilities, or industries that use toxic materials. Pollutants like Mn raise concern because there is no policy in place to enforce regulation of Mn levels in water supplies based on limited information about health effects. Yet studies have shown elevated levels of Mn intake can lead to adverse human health effects. This study uses ArcMap to identify potential sources of Mn and/or toxics contamination in shallow U.S. aquifers based on geologic characteristics of a given aquifer source and proximity to waste sites. The results show approximately 2 million Americans may be at risk of consuming water with natural Mn contamination, and of those 2 million, close to 1.7 million are also vulnerable to additional toxics from anthropogenic waste. …

Foreign Policy Of Modern Persia (Iran) And The Middle East, Seyed Mohammad Houshisadat Ph.D.

Journal of International and Global Studies

The following article discusses modern Iranian foreign relations in the Middle East and North Africa from the rise of the Safavid dynasty up to the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty. It looks at the interplay of nationalist and ultra-nationalist variables. The nationalist factors include the beliefs system of the policymakers, interests related to political survival, the political economy, the geopolitics of modern Persia and also the geographical realm. The transnational variables consist of the global order, symmetrical and asymmetrical interdependence, and the regional systemic status. These major components are vital in modern Persia’s relationships with the regional and extra-regional players …

The Global Food Security Act: America's Strategic Approach To Combating World Hunger, Michael Adkins

Journal of Food Law & Policy

The world’s farms currently produce enough calories to adequately feed everyone on the planet. From the 1960s through 2008, per capita food availability worldwide has risen from 2220 kilocalories per person per day to 2790. Specifically, developing countries have recorded a rise in kilocalories per person per day, from 1850 to 2640. Yet, despite overall availability, around 815 million people still suffer from hunger or some form of malnutrition. Approximately one in ten people are undernourished.

Religion And Globalization: Crossroads And Opportunities, Alexander Chumakov, Mikhail Sergeev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A conversation between the First Vice-President of the Russian Philosophical Society, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor of Moscow State University, Alexander Chumakov and the editor of the special series "Contemporary Russian Philosophy" at Brill, the Nertherlands, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Mikhail Sergeev.

Fostering Compassionate Care For Persons With Alzheimer's Disease In Nursing Facilities., Sam Gilbert Cotton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation study was to examine the impact of the implementation of a new Compassionate Care (CC) curriculum on the quality of care provided by Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to residents with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). More specifically, this dissertation used Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation to assess the reactions, learning, and behavior change of the CNAs exposed to the curriculum, and ultimately the impact of the curriculum on the stress levels of residents with AD. To accomplish this, we had two studies that aligned with the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation. For Study #1, the evaluation of the compassionate …

Understanding The Relationship Between Anti-Transgender Bias, Non-Affirmation, And Post-Traumatic Stress: A Model Of Internalized Transphobia-Mediated Post-Traumatic Stress., Sebastian Mitchell Barr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transgender people’s increased risk for negative mental health outcomes, when compared to cisgender peers or the general public, has been well documented in the psychological literature. Researchers have begun to establish empirical support for a relationship between anti-transgender bias, non-affirmation of gender identity, internalized transphobia, and other transgender-specific minority stressors. Although little work has explored the mechanisms of this relationship, some psychologists have proposed conceptualizing these factors as potentially traumatic experiences and understanding the poor mental health outcomes as manifestations of complex post-traumatic stress. In this dissertation, I examine whether there is empirical support for this framework by evaluating the …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression, And Resilience In African-American Adolescents, Jamie C. Freeny

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Research shows that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common among adolescents; however, no studies have examined the prevalence of ACEs in a racially homogenous sample of African-American adolescents. Thus, the present study examined the cumulative and individual prevalence of ACEs in African-American adolescents. Data were collected from African-American adolescents (n = 241) who attended youth events hosted by churches in Houston, TX. An expanded ACEs tool was used to collect data. ACE scores were summed and dichotomized to 0-3 ACEs versus 4-19 ACEs because a score of four or more indicates a higher risk for adverse mental and …

Gender Balance From Civil Strife, Wyndi Shaffner

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of conflict on the sociopolitical status of women in several affected countries. The conflicts analyzed within this work are both violent and non-violent. I infer that conflict acts as an impetus to propel gender equity. I utilize the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) dataset to determine which movements in women’s equality have been made over the preceding twelve years and reinforce that data analysis with qualitative information through case analysis to add context and meaning to the quantitative findings.

This work focuses on two of the four primary indicators of …

Social Media Warriors: Leveraging A New Battlespace, Buddhika B. Jayamaha, Jahara Matisek

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

High-Energy Laser Weapons: Overpromising Readiness, Ash Rossiter

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

New Orleans: A Living Laboratory Dueling Narratives-Tourism Vs. Freight, Peter Alexander Webb

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research concerns the history of how the stories—narratives—which people tell about the Port of New Orleans and its related freight transportation have impacted Port-related traffic congestion on the last mile. “Last mile” refers to the last segment of a freight journey. In the context of the Port, it is the distance between the Tchoupitoulas Street exit ramp on US 90 and the entrance/exit of the Clarence Henry Truckway. The Clarence Henry Truckway is a 3.5-mile one way in/one way out dedicated truck route behind the floodwall of the Port on Tchoupitoulas street. Its access is threatened by proposed tourism-related …

Multidimensionality: Rethinking Power Projection For The 21st Century, David J. Katz

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews, Usawc Press

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Cultural Heritage Destruction In Middle Eastern Museums: Problems And Causes, Evan A. Wright

Museum Studies Theses

Destruction of cultural heritage sites and museums in the Middle East has become increasingly prevalent in the recent decades. This thesis aims to unravel the causes for these violent acts. It uses a socio-historical perspective of how culture, religion, and politics have polarized people and contributed to the ruination. Three museums are examined through a scope of progressive violence: The Kuwait National Museum, The National Museum of Iraq and the National Museum of Afghanistan. This thesis shows that both secular and religious factors have contributed to this destruction, and faults by international governing agencies and of investment of mitigation strategies …

Resource Competition Among The Uinta Basin Fremont, Elizabeth A. Hora-Cook

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Archaeologists describe the Uinta Fremont (A.D. 0 – 1300) as a mixed foraging-farming society that underwent a dramatic social change from A.D. 700 – 1000. Researchers observe through different architectural styles and subsistence activity a change from large, aggregated settlements to more dispersed and defensively oriented villages and hamlets. The Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) model provides an explanatory framework through which to interpret these changes. IFD predicts the order in which people or animals will occupy habitats based on a habitat’s relative suitability and suggests hypothetical behaviors that people or animals might engage in to improve or maintain the relative …

Building A Smart Nation: Singapore's Digital Journey, Siu Loon Hoe

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Singapore’s smart nation journey began when the drive was officially announced by the country’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in November 2014 (Lee, 2014). The vision is to improve people’s lives and create more opportunities through information and communications technology (ICT). The smart nation drive is an effort by the government to co-create innovative, people-centric solutions with citizens and businesses. The three priority areas, underpinned by cyber security, are elderly, transportation and data. Since then, various digital strategies and policies have been further articulated, and digital programmes and projects implemented in the country.

Drones And "Butterflies": A Low-Cost Uav System For Rapid Detection And Identification Of Unconventional Minefields, Timothy Desmet, Alex Nikulin, William Frazer, Jasper Baur, Jacob Abramowitz, Daniel Finan, Sean Denara, Nicholas Aglietti, Gabriel Campos

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Aerially-deployed plastic landmines in post-conflict nations present unique detection and disposal challenges. Their small size, randomized distribution during deployment, and low-metal content make these mines more difficult to identify using traditional methods of electromagnetic mine detection. Perhaps the most notorious of these mines is the Sovietera PFM-1 “butterfly mine,” widely used during the decade-long Soviet-Afghan conflict between 1979 and 1989. Predominantly used by the Soviet forces to block otherwise inaccessible mountain passages, many PFM-1 minefields remain in place due to the high associated costs of access and demining. While the total number of deployed PFM-1 mines in Afghanistan is poorly …

Multilayered Analyses Of The Experiences Of Undocumented Latinx College Students, Yue Shi, Laura E. Jimenez-Arista, Joshua Cruz, Terrence S. Mctier Jr., Mirka Koro-Ljungberg

The Qualitative Report

Being the target of constant discrimination and marginalization can often cause intense negative psychological reactions and shame for undocumented students. The following qualitative study describes past and current undocumented Latinx students’ experiences of educational inequality in higher education influenced by labels associated with “being undocumented.” In this study we used a constructivist theoretical perspective which enabled us to focus on undocumented participants’ perspectives, experiences, meaning-making processes, values, and beliefs. Data was collected through hour-long, semi-structured interviews with five undocumented students. Student narratives were analyzed using a multi-layered analysis approach: (1) narrative, (2) thematic, and (3) critical incident analysis. Findings for …

Impact Of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (Mass) On Vts Operations, Jia Chyuan Chong

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Not All Wore Helmets: Preserving The Work Of Women In The 'Great War', April K. Anderson-Zorn

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Many stories told about the Great War are usually about the exploits of men. But what about the women who fought for justice and freedom? This article features three women who were once students of Illinois State Normal University: Ellen C. Babbit, Elizabeth Taylor Cleveland, and Ada Adcock. With original letters, photographs, and surveys sent by university librarian Angeline Vernon Milner, the war stories of three extraordinary women can are told to new generations.

Too Much Of A Good Thing – When Virtue Becomes Vice, David Chan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Whole-Of-Society Approach Needed Against Truth Decay, Eugene K. B. Tan

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In an age of pervasive informationflows, governments do not defeat fake news. It's the people as a society whodo.The threatof deliberate falsehoods, or more popularly "fake news", posesserious threats to the democratic wellbeing of societies. The marketplace ofideas increasingly suffers from truth decay, propagated online or offline,imperilling an already vulnerable information ecosystem. In turn,this compromises the functioning of a democracy, which is premised on citizenshaving a shared reality rather than multiple distorted realities.

Spartan Daily, October 30, 2018, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2018

Volume 151, Issue 30

Faith-Based Peacebuilding Challenges In The Republic Of Kosovo, Xhemail Çupi

UBT International Conference

In order to realize coexistence between conflicting communities, it must initially precede a participant, consensual, moralistic and even civic political culture that would end with a tolerant dialogue between them. Reopening negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia with the European Union involvement marks the beginning, but not the end, of a long-term process of normalizing relations among their citizens. Flooding inter-ethnic relations have usually had a negative impact on inter-religious relations, and in Kosovo, due to the close association of ethnicity and religion, this has been demonstrated with the destroying and damaging of sacred objects. Consequently, despite the fact that no …

Mackinder And The Arctic's Emerging Geopolitics: Recommendations For The U.S. And Its Nato Allies, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This presentation shows how Halford Mackinder (1861-1947) described Canada and the Arctic region in his geopolitical writings. It goes on to stress how the Arctic is becoming increasingly important in international geopolitical policymaking due to its significant oil and natural gas resources, how warming temperatures are increasing international access to its waters, and the how countries as diverse as Canada, China, Russia, and the U.S. see the Arctic region in their strategic policymaking. It concludes by stressing that the Arctic can no longer be viewed as a region immune from international conflict and presents recommendations for the U.S. and its …

Strategic Insights: Better Late Than Never, M. Chris Mason

Articles & Editorials

No abstract provided.

Sez Who? Critical Legal History Without A Privileged Position, John Henry Schlegel

Contributions to Books

Published as Chapter 30 in Oxford Handbook of Historical Legal Research, Markus D. Dubber & Christopher Tomlins, eds.

Scholars active in the Critical Legal Studies movement of the 1980s regularly attacked the scholarship of liberal legalist scholars by using a variety of then contemporary epistemological theories that argued for the impossibility of any observer attaining a neutral position from which to observe social activities. Somewhat surprisingly, liberal legalist scholars seldom turned this criticism back at the work of CLS scholars who themselves never criticized their own work as they did that of other scholars. The examination of several pieces of …