Digital Commons Network^™

The Dynamic Returns Of Descriptive Representation: A Study Of Race, Politics And Policy In Urban Governments, Stephanie Taylor Hawke

Dissertations and Theses

In 2015, 78% of Detroit's city council was African American--the highest percentage in the country. For decades, there had been an assumption in the academic and activist fields that a legislative body with such a high percentage of minority presence would produce incredible policy gains for that group (i.e. African American Detroiters). Instead, the council passed no Black racial policy. In a city where there were ostensibly no barriers for passing racial policy -- there were no subsequent policy gains. Though running contrary to existing scholarship, Detroit is not an anomaly; it is an indicator of the larger trend.

Using …

The Impact Of Online Professional Development On The Assessment Efficacy Of Novice Itinerant Teachers Of Students With Multiple Disabilities Including Visual Impairments, Jacqulyn Anne Donnenwirth Daniels

Dissertations and Theses

The primary question for this dissertation was: Does online professional development increase novice itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual impairments' (TVI) efficacy for assessing learning and literacy media for students with multiple disabilities including visual impairments? The literature suggested novice TVIs might experience low efficacy when implementing strategies unique to their job after leaving teacher-training programs. Working in an itinerant position can intensify perceptions of low efficacy. One area of low efficacy was conducting and reporting on the assessment of learning and literacy media (ALLM).

Using a quasi-experimental pre/post-design, data were collected from pre/postintervention knowledge questionnaires about the assessment process …

Exiters Of Religious Fundamentalism: Reconstruction Of Identity, Social Relationships And Support, And Meaning Related To Well-Being, Andreea Alexandra Nica

Dissertations and Theses

Over the past decade, researchers have documented the steady growth of religious "nones," those who do not affiliate with any organized religion. There is, however, limited research examining religious disaffiliation on health outcomes--that is, how the process of religious disaffiliation or exiting contributes to mental well-being. These trends and gap in the literature make it timely and it is important to consider the impact of leaving religion on the well-being of individuals experiencing this life transition. This qualitative study investigates a particularly understudied subgroup of exiters -- individuals who have exited Christian fundamentalist religious groups.

Drawing on 24 in-depth, individual …

News Work: The Impact Of Corporate Newsroom Culture On News Workers & Community Reporting, Carey Lynne Higgins-Dobney

Dissertations and Theses

By virtue of their broadcast licenses, local television stations in the United States are bound to serve in the public interest of their community audiences. As federal regulations of those stations loosen and fewer owners increase their holdings across the country, however, local community needs are subjugated by corporate fiduciary responsibilities. Business practices reveal rampant consolidation of ownership, newsroom job description convergence, skilled human labor replaced by computer automation, and economically-driven downsizings, all in the name of profit. Even so, the people laboring under these conditions are expected to keep their communities informed with democracy- and citizenship-enhancing information.

This study …

A New Benchmarking Methodology To Monitor Industry's Investment In Community-Based Obesity Prevention And Food Access Initiatives: Gaps And Opportunities, Olivia Barata Cavalcanti

Dissertations and Theses

Background:

Despite increased public health efforts and investment in obesity prevention, obesity continues to be a growing problem in the United States.¹ Excess weight increases the risk for a series of correlated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, joint abnormalities, polycystic ovarian syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, sleep disturbances and a decreased life span.^2–9

Traditional interventions to improve nutrition or decrease obesity have not achieved the desired success so far because obesity is a complex problem, involving a vast number of factors, sectors and actors that influence individuals’ energy balance.^10,11 To achieve change in …

Mobile Alcohol Primary Prevention: Feasibility With Urban Communter College Students, Janice Chisholm

Dissertations and Theses

The first year and possibly as early as the first two to six weeks of college are marked with personal and social transitions that may help to define academic and other behavior for new college students, including alcohol use patterns.1 Evidence suggests that alcohol use by college students negatively affects learning, retention, and graduation,2,3 and is associated with alcohol related unintentional injury, deaths, sexual violence, suicide and other problems.4 Young adults entering college have been found to increase their usage during the transition from high school, particularly for students with certain social characteristics (male sex, history of conduct issues, peer …

Incidence, Risk Factors, And Prediction Of Gastrointestinal And Intracranial Bleeding In A Cohort Of Older Veterans Prescribed Oral Anticoagulants, Angela Laurio

Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prediction of Gastrointestinal and

Intracranial Bleeding in a Cohort of Older Veterans Prescribed Oral Anticoagulants

by

Angela L. Laurio

Advisor: Marianne (Mimi) C. Fahs, PhD, MPH

Objectives:

The objectives of this dissertation were to: (1) describe and compare the incidence and odds of gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding in veterans age 50 to 89 who were prescribed warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, or no oral anticoagulants; (2) identify risk factors for gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding among older veterans prescribed oral anticoagulants, and to calculate the relative risk of bleeding over time through time-to-event analysis; and (3) develop …

Lady Grimm, Tessa Livingstone

Dissertations and Theses

Lady Grimm is a conceptual assemblage. A substrate of fairy tales, fables, and nursery rhymes provide a basis for transformative and macabre frames, specifically concerning a stillbirth in 1940s Scotland. The collection utilizes the folklore genre to navigate a world of uncertainty and realities too difficult for its speakers to face. It further critiques the assumption of voice being restricted to human cognition. Animalistic totems as sea lions, peacocks, rabbits, and iguanas are some of the spirits summoned in order to explore themes such as motherhood, irreversible loss, abandonment, and choice within choicelessness. The collection begins in tragedy but gestures …

The Influence Of Information On Public Support For Solitary Confinement: A Test Of Belief Updating And Confirmation Bias, Kayla J. Labranche

Dissertations and Theses

There is limited research measuring public opinion about the correctional practice of solitary confinement (SC). Given that public opinion can influence policies, it is important to determine whether or not one's beliefs can be updated upon receiving information about the use and effect of SC. Prior research indicates that public opinion is malleable, and thus, may be susceptible to modification. Though, people may be more willing to update their beliefs when the information they receive confirms their existing beliefs (i.e., confirmation bias). This study used an experimental design in which participants were asked to provide their opinions on a series …

Rates Of Developmental And Behavioral Screening Of Young Children: Implications For Health Care Policy And Practice, Shirley Berger

Dissertations and Theses

Background: The skills and capacities developed during early childhood are the foundation for a child’s future academic functioning, economic productivity, and lifelong health and mental health. When young children have developmental delays or disabilities, early identification and intervention lead to better outcomes; however, only a minority are identified before school entry. Primary care is an important setting for identification of developmental and behavioral conditions as most young children attend well-child visits regularly and parents expect developmental guidance from pediatricians. Two key pediatric preventive services are recommended: developmental monitoring/surveillance at every well-child visit and developmental screening at 9 months, 18 months, …

Sensing Building Structure Using Uwb Radios For Disaster Recovery, Jeong Eun Lee

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis studies the problem of estimating the interior structure of a collapsed building using embedded Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radios as sensors. The two major sensing problems needed to build the mapping system are determining wall type and wall orientation. We develop sensing algorithms that determine (1) load-bearing wall composition, thickness, and location and (2) wall position within the indoor cavity. We use extensive experimentation and measurement to develop those algorithms.

In order to identify wall types and locations, our research approach uses Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurement between pairs of UWB radios. We create an extensive database of UWB signal …

Pathways To Kindergarten Growth: Synthesizing Theories Of The Kindergarten Transition To Support Children's Development, Rita Yelverton

Dissertations and Theses

The transition into Kindergarten is a critical time for children's development--children's patterns of academic development and engagement with school often start in Kindergarten and persist throughout their academic careers. This is a developmental period that is marked by many changes in children's lives, and therefore it is not a surprise that many children struggle during this transition. These struggles are more common for children who are living in poverty, and although there have been national initiatives to address opportunity gaps in access to early education, investigations into the effectiveness of these programs in promoting children's Kindergarten development have shown mixed …

Interplay Of Transcription Factor E And Spt4/5 During Transcription Initiation In Pyrococcus Furiosus, Kimberly Kay Sheffield

Dissertations and Theses

Transcription, the first step in gene expression, is a highly regulated process which relies on a multi-protein complex to occur. Among these proteins are transcription factors, including initiation and elongation factors, which play differing roles in early and late stages of transcription. The mechanisms of transition from transcription initiation to elongation are not well understood in archaea, nor are the structures of the transcription factors involved. For transcription to occur in vitro, transcription factors TATA binding protein (TBP) and Transcription Factor B (TFB) are sufficient to allow RNA polymerase (RNAP) to synthesize RNA from template DNA. Another factor, Transcription …

Fungal Endophytes In A Seed-Free Host: New Species That Demonstrate Unique Community Dynamics, Brett Steven Younginger

Dissertations and Theses

Fungal endophytes are highly diverse, cryptic plant endosymbionts that form asymptomatic infections within host tissue. They represent a large fraction of the millions of undescribed fungal taxa on our planet with some demonstrating mutualistic benefits to their hosts including herbivore and pathogen defense and abiotic stress tolerance. Other endophytes are latent saprotrophs or pathogens, awaiting host plant senescence to begin alternative stages of their life cycles. Most, however, are likely plant commensals with no observable benefits to their hosts while under study. Yet, when considering the context-dependence that may determine plant resistance to pathogen attack, the consortium of endophytes present …

Exploring The Association Of Victimization And Alcohol And Marijuana Use Among American Indian Youth Living On Or Near Reservations: A Mixed Methods Study, Lindsay Nicole Merritt

Dissertations and Theses

Adolescent substance use research has yet to consider victimization as a potential risk factor contributing to alcohol and marijuana use among American Indian youth living on or near reservations, despite the presence of traumatic experiences, childhood adverse events, racism, and discrimination. Contribution to this lack of attention may be due to little being known about American Indian youth victimization. Even less is known about its association with alcohol and marijuana use in general and for those youth living on or near reservations in particular.

This study utilizes mixed methods with a nationally representative sample of American Indian youth living on …

Exploring District Judges' Decision Making In The Context Of Admitting Expert Testimony, Andrew Bryan Dzeguze

Dissertations and Theses

Over the last several decades, multiple schools of thought have emerged regarding what impacts judicial decision making. In contrast to the classic legal model, studies have argued alternatively that judges are policy actors who rule consistent with their political attitudes; that behavioral traits such as race, gender and socialization influence judicial conduct, both consciously and unconsciously; that whatever policy interests judges may have, these are moderated by institutional constraints and strategic considerations; and that judges are subject to some common cognitive shortcuts in decision making, although they may be moderated or present differently than in the general population in light …

Clock Jitter In Communication Systems, Andrew Wayne Martwick

Dissertations and Theses

For reliable digital communication between devices, the sources that contribute to data sampling errors must be properly modeled and understood. Clock jitter is one such error source occurring during data transfer between integrated circuits. Clock jitter is a noise source in a communication link similar to electrical noise, but is a time domain noise variable affecting many different parts of the sampling process. Presented in this dissertation, the clock jitter effect on sampling is modeled for communication systems with the degree of accuracy needed for modern high speed data communication. The models developed and presented here have been used to …

An Ethnographic Study Of Intermediate Students From Poverty: Intersections Of School And Home, Shiela G. Rector

Dissertations and Theses

The achievement gap in American schools between middle class students and students from poverty is well documented. This paper outlines the findings of a study designed to explore the experience and conscientization of struggling students from poverty. The argument will be made that poverty can be viewed as a culture and that this view may shed significant light on the dynamics of the achievement gap. Further, using the construct of poverty as a culture provides real life applications that have the potential to impact the achievement gap. The study explored the lived experiences in a public school setting of intermediate …

Understanding The Impacts Of Urbanization On The Avian Community Of Portland Oregon And Evaluation Of The Portland Oregon Backyard Habitat Certification Program, Andrew Daniel Gibbs

Dissertations and Theses

Over fifty percent of humans live in cities. The environmental cost of this is massive, as is the potential for utilizing privately held yards as an integral part of conservation in urban areas. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program (BHCP) in Portland, Oregon, was established to reduce invasive plants, support wildlife, and promote conservation. The program involves > 3000 yards certified at three tiers. While onsite inspections are required to verify compliance, there has never been an assessment of the value of these yards to wildlife. Chapter 1 examined the relationships between the urban landscape and bird distributions outside of yards. Chapter …

Pushing Back On School Pushout: Youth At An Alternative School Advocate For Educational Change Through Youth Participatory Action Research, Jessica Hopson Burbach

Dissertations and Theses

In the United States, a staggering four thousand students drop out every school day. Moreover, in 2016, the graduation rate in Oregon was only 74.8%, one of the lowest in the nation. Research shows that a disproportionate number of youth leaving school are from historically marginalized communities. Many of these youth resiliently return to education at alternative schools. This research sought to explore the educational experiences of youth in alternative schools in their own voices and perspectives. From a theoretical framework based in sociocultural theory, cultural capital, and critical theory, this study underscored the importance of youth voice in changing …

India's Economic Growth: Role Of Political Performance And Gender Wage Gap, Rajeev Indira Nagaraju

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation will explore how gender wage gap and political capacity represented by relative political extraction affect change in economic growth rate of a country. The main argument of the study is that gender wage gap is affecting the labor market by discouraging productive female labor force from entering the labor market. This in turn affects the efficiency and productivity of the labor market reflected in negative economic growth or economic growth potential being compromised. Here the case of Indian economy is examined. The important policy implication of this study is that it could account for the wage differential between …

A New Finite Difference Time Domain Method To Solve Maxwell's Equations, Timothy P. Meagher

Dissertations and Theses

We have constructed a new finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in this project. Our new algorithm focuses on the most important and more challenging transverse electric (TE) case. In this case, the electric field is discontinuous across the interface between different dielectric media. We use an electric permittivity that stays as a constant in each medium, and magnetic permittivity that is constant in the whole domain. To handle the interface between different media, we introduce new effective permittivities that incorporates electromagnetic fields boundary conditions. That is, across the interface between two different media, the tangential component, E_r(x,y), …

Investigating The Role Of Genomic Variation In Susceptibility To Environmental Chemicals Across Populations, Lindsay Adrian Holden

Dissertations and Theses

No two individuals are identical. This is true at the genetic level and at the phenotypic level. One of the traits that varies between populations is toxicant susceptibility: some individuals are sensitive to the effects of environmental chemical exposure, and others are resistant. This body of work aims to address the impact of genomic copy number variants (CNV)--large (>1 Kb) duplications or deletions across the genome--on the toxicant-susceptibility phenotype.

Herein copy number variants were characterized across three commonly used laboratory strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mRNA expression phenotypes were identified in the same strains. It was found that …

Using Archival And Archaeofaunal Records To Examine Victorian-Era Fish Use In The Pacific Northwest, Emily Celene Taber

Dissertations and Theses

Studies of historic fish archaeofaunas can contribute to our understanding of Victorian-era consumer choice and agency. However, most zooarchaeological work focuses on interpreting large mammal remains such as cow (Bos taurus). That fish are overlooked is particularly striking in the Pacific Northwest, where fishing was a major facet of both the bourgeoning industrial economy and local household practices. My thesis addresses this gap through study of archival records (mainly newspapers) and zooarchaeological fish records from a neighborhood in Vancouver, Washington focusing on the period between 1880 and 1910. My particular goals were to examine how fishes were acquired …

Impacts Of Mindfulness Training On Mechanisms Underlying Stress Reduction In Teachers: Results From A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jaiya Rae Choles

Dissertations and Theses

A teacher's ability to foster and sustain high quality learning environments for their students relies largely on their own coping abilities and mental health. However, due to the emotionally taxing nature of their profession, teachers are at increased risk for developing elevated levels of occupational stress and burnout. To help teachers cope with their occupational stress and other negative emotions related to their occupation, mindfulness-based stress reduction programs for teachers have been introduced through schools. Evidence for the effectiveness of such programs is promising, however few studies have considered underlying mechanisms that may be driving these effects.

Using data collected …

The Mind Of A Medieval Inquisitor: An Analysis Of The 1273 Compilatio De Novu Spiritu Of Albertus Magnus, Emily Mckinstry

Dissertations and Theses

The fight against heresy in medieval Europe has fascinated scholars for centuries. Innumerable books, movies, and even video games have been made about this struggle to combat heresy in the Middle Ages. Despite this apparent fascination with the subject, our understanding of medieval heretics and the inquisitors who prosecuted them remains murky. What we do know is that many medieval people lost their lives, while others were punished with imprisonment or excommunication. We also know that many others dedicated their lives to rooting out what they believed was the evil of heresy among the populace. And we know that fear …

Is Therapy Going To The Dogs? Evaluating Animal Assisted Therapy For Early Identified At-Risk Children, Leah Faith Brookner

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the historical context of human-animal relationships and examines the important ways that humans benefit from various types of interactions with domesticated animals. Therapeutic approaches that incorporate animals have been shown to have multiple benefits, including improved physical and mental health. Although this area of study is still largely overlooked in scientific fields of study, including social work, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has become increasingly prevalent in various mental health settings. Despite its popularity and anecdotal support, research on the benefits of AAT with children is minimal; there are no studies examining the ways in which this approach …

You Are D. B. Cooper, James Bezerra

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is a novel about the 1971 skyjacking of a plane out of Portland Airport. The novel is structured in the style of a choose-your-own-adventure book. It investigates the nature and identity of the skyjacker, who is known as D. B. Cooper.

Implementing Agile Methodology Techniques In Automobile Industry, Nikhil Kranthi Datrika

Dissertations and Theses

Automotive industries have continued to expand, as they cut on costs by regulating efficiency, grow and make profits. The factors that have continued to change the industry include marketplace growth, outsourcing for product development, customers demanding for improved reliability, development of human-vehicle software and have continued to change the automotive industry. As a result, companies have continued to face numerous challenges to manage the factors. The challenges include managing volatility, experiencing massive uncertainty, as well as reduced predictability of future businesses. Other challenges include handling a complex and interconnected industry and the need to form joint ventures and maintain successful …

Combined Theoretical And Experimental Investigation Of Hydrogen Production Catalysis, Carolyn Noelle Virca

Dissertations and Theses

The widespread use of solar energy has been limited in part by the issue of effective storage. Water splitting is a means of converting solar energy into chemical fuel, in the form of hydrogen gas. It can be performed through both photochemical and electrochemical processes, via the two half reactions of water oxidation and proton reduction. Electrochemically, the catalyst receives electrons from an external circuit, which can be coupled to a renewable source such as a solar cell. Photochemically, a light-absorbing molecule provides an excited electron to a catalyst, which either generates oxygen or hydrogen gas. The work described herein …