El Que Hace La Ley, Hace La Trampa; The Criminality Of Good Business In Puerto Rico, Kuwary Torréns Negrón

Master's Theses

This thesis analyzes the relationship between the increase in unemployment caused by the implementation of the 2009 economic policy-Ley Siete and the increase in crime. In order to analyze this link I examine the neoliberal rhetoric used to implement policies in Puerto Rico in the past and over the last four years. This thesis demonstrates how Ley Siete became a government tool that further developed economic disparities and helped crime flourish. The economic policy managed to benefit some while laying off thousands of people and the government became complicit in crime by not developing a plan to tackle the increase …

Between Facebook And Boas: Kichwa Indigenous Identity In Alto Napo And Challenges To Multiculturalism In Ecuador, Anna Maria Fernandez-Marti

Master's Theses

This qualitative study examines contemporary Kichwa indigenous identity formation in the Alto Napo region of Ecuador through Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital. Following an extended-case method, I analyze the articulation of indigenousness (as an idealized expression of tradition) vis-à-vis the power relationships of the actors involved in such process. A combination between participant observation, daily field notes and twelve tape-recorded interviews during a two-month research allowed me to deconstruct essentialist portrayals and stereotypes of Kichwa indigenous peoples in Alto Napo, and confirm that their identity is hybrid, multiple and shifting. A comparative analysis between urban and rural social dynamics in …

Do Culturally Engaging Reading Materials Matter? An Analysis Of Rural Libraries In Burkina Faso, Erica Ernst

Master's Theses

Academics have noted the lack of culturally relevant reading materials in African libraries. Book collections are primarily composed of donated materials from western countries intended for a western, rather than African audience. This research project aimed to gain insight onto children’s reading preferences in the rural Burkina Faso and to learn about the popularity of local photo books that were added in 2009. Quantitative methods examined library book checkout records in three categories of African, French, and local photo books. Additionally the library subscription records were used in order to gain information about the children including age, gender, and ethnicity. …

Arizona’S Senate Bill 1070: A Case Study On State-Sponsored Immigration Policy, Ryan Murphy

Master's Theses

This study assesses the origins of Arizona’s state-sponsored immigration policy. It attempts to identify the social dynamics within Arizona that contributed to the overwhelming public support for SB 1070. Since it has been two years after the law was passed, this analysis determines what impact the law has had thus far within the state. Finally, it postulates the future of Arizona’s immigration policy.

Ca Transparency In Supply Chains Act: Can It Stop Worker Abuses Among Suppliers In The Developing World?, Elizaveta Doubossarskaia

Master's Theses

The goal of this paper is to answer the question of whether California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) is an effective mechanism for addressing forced labor in global supply chains. SB 657 applies to 3200 companies doing business in the state of California. The law demands that companies within its scope provide public disclosures on what they have done to eliminate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains. The purpose of the disclosure is to educate consumers in hopes of motivating them to make ethical purchasing choices and to support companies with progressive supply chain …

The Media Is A Funhouse Mirror: Comparing Economic Interaction Issues In The U.S. And Chinese Media, Yiye Zhang

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This project studied the differences between mainstream news reporting in the U.S. and China. I employed content analysis to analyze the major features of 427 news reports about the economic interaction between the two countries. The research focused on the key media frames in the two sets of news media, the factors that shaped these media frames, and the real meanings behind those reports. The study found both similarities and differences. The two sets of media showed significant differences in their reporting of news and events about economic issues in terms of the selection of topics, and the discourse …

Oil, Power, And Discourse: How Chevron Evaded Its Dues To The Indigenous Communities Of The Ecuadorian Amazon, Kine Norland

Master's Theses

Abstract

The principal objectives of this thesis were to shed lights on the backside of oil and to question the great power of big corporations. I researched why Chevron refused to acknowledge its legal obligation to remedy the complex problems it has caused in the Ecuadorian Rainforest. The catastrophes the indigenous communities have been facing are about to change as a result of grass root mobilization against Chevron. By the use of observations, discourse analysis of the media, and the use of theories from Michel Foucault, I was able to explain how Chevron has managed to escape from the terrible …

Egyptian Civil Society (Transnational Vs. Local): The Distinction Between Theory And Practice, Jeremiah Davis

Master's Theses

Abstract:

The strength and dominance of political society, rather than the weaknesses of civil society, is arguably one of the primary reasons for massive civil uprising in Egypt led by independent, unaffiliated members of society. In many cases it appears that civil society was behind the Egyptian Revolution, although is this the case? Did the Revolution happen in spite of civil society? Just as the state can be a roadblock to development and democratization, civil society may also be detrimental to society’s growth. In this thesis, the development and civil society community is analyzed to discover the functions of CSOs …

Tremulous Jaw Movements Induced By The Vmat2 Inhibitor Tetrabenazine, Samantha J. Podurgiel

Master's Theses

Parkinsonism is a movement disorder characterized by several cardinal motor symptoms: resting tremor, akinesia, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. Parkinsonian resting tremor can be modeled in rodents using the tremulous jaw movement model. Tremulous jaw movements (TJMs) are defined as “rapid vertical deflections of the lower jaw that resemble chewing but are not directed at any particular stimulus.” TJMs occur in a frequency range of 3-7 Hz and are induced by a number of pharmacological manipulations that parallel those seen in human Parkinsonism including dopamine (DA) depleting agents, DA antagonists, and cholinomimetic administration. Additionally, TJMs can be attenuated using antiparkinsonian …

What’S In Your Cup: A Critique Of The Fair Trade System And Its Ability To Support Qualitative Socioeconomic And Environmental Transformation, Brittan M. Stockert

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Flow Of Water, Power, And Ideas: Water Commodification In Cape Town, South Africa And The Stratified Experiences Of Time And Space Compression, Jenna Washburn

Master's Theses

I use the neoliberalization of the water sector in Cape Town, South Africa in order to test my theory of unequal development. I assert that the neoliberal economic practices of water commodification, business-friendly tariff policies, and prepaid management devices keep people along the periphery from accessing water, power, and ideas – thus causing a stratification of time and space compression between the core and the periphery.

By painting a theoretical picture of world cities, I wish to complicate the dominant views of time/space compression and suggest that, much like development and arguably because of it, time and space compression actually …

Joint Use Partnerships: Evaluating The Feasibility Of A Joint Use Partnerhsip Between The City Of San Luis Obispo And Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Kathryn S. Mineo

Master's Theses

As demand for additional athletic fields continues to increase, the City of San Luis Obispo is struggling to meet the recreation needs of the community. This project evaluated the feasibility of a joint use partnerships with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for the shared use of the University’s underutilized Sports Complex, and made recommendations of strategies to address the City’s recreation needs. This project reviewed current and professional academic literature on successful approaches to joint use partnerships; conducted case study analyses on two Cal Poly facilities; and worked with City and University officials to examine the issues associated with establishing …

An Analysis Of Human Disturbance To Rocky Intertidal Communities Of San Luis Obispo County, Grant Tyler Waltz

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

An Analysis Of Human Disturbance To Rocky Intertidal Communities Of San Luis Obispo County

Grant Tyler Waltz

The number of coastal areas open to public access in California and San Luis Obispo County is increasing due to the acquisition by California State Parks of land previously owned by private entities. For example, California State Parks acquired property from the Hearst Corporation in 2005, which included 18 miles of coastline. California State Parks is responsible for providing public access in these newly acquired areas and also for maintaining the health of the natural systems found on these properties. Part of …

The Application Of Systems Engineering Principles To Model Lithium Ion Battery Voltage, George Gibbs

Master's Theses

The objective of this project is to present a Lithium Ion battery voltage model derived using systems engineering principles. This paper will describe the details of the model and the implementation of the model in practical use in a power system. Additionally, the model code is described and results of the model output are compared to battery cell test data. Finally, recommendations for increased model fidelity and capability are summarized.

The modeling theory has been previously documented in the literature but detailed implementation and application of the modeling theory is shown. The detailed battery cell test voltage profiles are proprietary; …

Measuring Impedance Of Tissues Using A Microfabricated Microelectrode Array, Ashwini Bhat

Master's Theses

MEASURING IMPEDANCE OF TISSUES USING A MICROFABRICATED MICROELECTRODE ARRAY By Ashwini Bhat

This thesis looks at the possibility of using impedance spectroscopy for differentiating tissue, using a microelectrode array (MEA). The thesis first discusses the background and the motivation for this thesis. It covers the certain basic concepts of the human skin starting from the top epidermis layer all the way to the deep dermis layers of the skin. Then it discusses different types of skin cancer and how they occur, in humans. It also discusses various microfabrication techniques such as oxidation, wet etching, sputtering and photolithography for the creation …

A Case Study Considering Impacts Of Active Membership In The Young Professionals Networking Group On Sense Of Community And Social Capital, Casey Albert Fodness

Master's Theses

Sense of community, social capital, and emerging adulthood are all topics of increasing interest in multiple fields over the past three decades. Both sense of community and social capital are predictors of overall well-being for individuals and communities. As emerging adults begin to establish a sense of person and place, many have begun to look to young professionals groups as an outlet for networking and identity exploration. There is limited research on the impact of these organizations related to sense of community and social capital. This case study is meant to be a starting point to expand the research on …

The Reviresco Rainbow Interactive Theatre Model: A Study Combining Theatre Of The Oppressed And Theatre In Education For The Development Of A New Model For Social Literacy, Dustin M. Carlson

Master's Theses

The Reviresco Rainbow Interactive Theatre Model reflects an intense quest into the use of theatre and dramatic role play for the enhancement of social education. Apathy is a common problem in today’s learning environment due to the overwhelming pressure of academia and the ignorance of social literacy. The Reviresco Rainbow Interactive Theatre Model gives students, educators, and the community creative avenues to address the current learning climate in schools, and tools to instill the value of theatre arts in education. The model includes the study, analysis, and combination of Theatre of the Oppressed and Theatre in Education practices to form …

Analysis Of Microsatellites From Sclerocactus Glaucus And Sclerocactus Parviflorus To Assess Hybridization Levels And Genetic Diversity, Anna Louise Schwabe

Master's Theses

Sclerocactus glaucus is an endemic Colorado species that is federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Sclerocactus glaucus is losing habitat due to disturbance by oil and gas exploration, urbanization, open range cattle grazing and recreational land use. Due to the low number of wild populations, conservationists question the genetic integrity of the species. Field biologists have observed S. glaucus populations with individuals possessing morphological characteristics of the closely related and widely distributed Sclerocactus parviflorus. Individuals from 28 populations of S. glaucus, 9 populations of S. parviflorus, and 1 population of S. cloveriae were sampled. Microsatellite analysis using 13 variable …

A Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave-Based Boundary Detection System In A Small Pcb Profile, Hamid R. Asgarian

Master's Theses

Falls are a cause of concern for the elderly because it can make them unable to call for help. A monitoring system can detect automatically their immobility and provide help to the elderly if they fall. Ultra-wide band signals for a monitoring system is an excellent choice since it has low enough power to not interfere with other medical and household electronics as well as being able to transmit data to a central monitoring unit. One part of this monitoring system is a boundary detection system used to verify that the monitoring system is not capturing events outside the monitoring …

Controlling Nanoparticle Dispersion For Nanoscopic Self-Assembly, Nathan S. Starkweather

Master's Theses

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter and devices on the nanometer scale. Below the critical dimension length of 100nm, materials begin to display vastly different properties than their macro- or micro- scale counterparts. The exotic properties of nanomaterials may trigger the start of a new technological revolution, similar to the electronics revolution of the late 20^th century. Current applications of nanotechnology primarily make use of nanoparticles in bulk, often being made into composites or mixtures. While these materials have fantastic properties, organization of nano and microstructures of nanoparticles may allow the development of novel devices with many unique properties. …

Activation Of Alcohols Toward Nucleophilic Substitution: Conversion Of Alcohols To Alkyl Halides, Amani Atiyalla Abdugadar

Master's Theses

The conversion of alcohols into alkyl halides is one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry. Development of new methodology is still desirable in academic research. Unfortunately, the hydroxyl group of the alcohol is relatively difficult to replace under normal conditions. That necessitates the conversion of alcohols to a more activated functionality before nucleophilic substitution becomes viable. Under vigorous conditions, the replacement is straightforward. Procedures for the generation of halides from alcohols have been extensively examined, e.g., using HX or Mitsunobu inversion. However, these methods require time, strong acid, or catalysis to proceed. These classical methods suffer from issues …

Vertical Distributions Of Carbonite Lithologies, Bedding Features, And Macrofossils In The Broken Rib Member Of The Upper Devonian Dyer Formation Near Monument Lake, Garfield County, Colorado, Sharon Sadle

Master's Theses

The Broken Rib Member of the Upper Devonian Dyer Formation is a series of fossiliferous limestone beds deposited during the Famennian stage of the Late Devonian. The limestone units are well-exposed near Monument Lake in the White River National Forest of west-central Colorado, where they weather into a series of step-like, laterally continuous surfaces. A graphic log, recorded in the field, reveals that lithologies vary from carbonate mudstones to wackestones and reflect the fluctuating water depth associated with a transgressing and regressing sea. The fossil assemblages consist of well-preserved, identifiable brachiopods, bryozoans, pelmatozoans, and other minor taxa that occur in …

The Process Of Keeping Creative Expression And Artistic Freedom Unencumbered And Uncensored: A Study Of Student Actors In The Musical [Title Of Show], Mathew B. Hagmeier

Master's Theses

Creativity and the ability to freely devise and express are human capacities recognized to be highly important in today’s world. Yet, while many champion these qualities, modern society continually makes achieving them a laborious process, riddled with the pressure of success and commercial marketability. Two years of researching and devising educational methodologies surrounding the use of theatre as a tool for the development of students’ unbridled creativity, expression, and self-efficacy have led me to ask the following questions of this process: Can students achieve authentic creative self-expression inside the confines of portraying a pre-written character? How does one freely express …

Identifying And Characterizing Non-Coding Rnas In The Dinoflagellate Karenia Brevis, Helen Namataka

Master's Theses

When algal cells proliferate and accumulate in marine and fresh water systems, they form algal blo'oms. The majority of these blooms are beneficial, but a significant number are detrimental and are known as harmful algal blooms (HABs). A number of negative effects, including closing of recreational beaches and economic loss, are observed during HABs. Predictably, the longer a bloom persists, the greater its effects on human, environmental and economic health. Karenia brevis, a mixotrophic dinoflagellate, forms HABs, and blooms caused by this organism have been known to remain several months after formation. For these reasons, research has been conducted to …

The Effects Of Dro And Dra For Increasing Academic Engagement And Decreasing Disruptive Behavior Of Elementary Students In General Education Classrooms, Jonna Lea Halphen

Master's Theses

The research literature suggests that functional assessment and differential reinforcement methods are effective for decreasing an array of problem behaviors. However, research is limited in the number of studies including children of typical development exhibiting common problem behaviors (e.g., inappropriate vocalization, off-task behavior) in a general education setting. In addition, previous studies have failed to report data regarding increases in appropriate replacement behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relative effectiveness of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and differential reinforcement on alternative behavior (DRA) for decreasing problem behavior and increasing academically engaged behavior with elementary-age …

Fungal Biofilm Colonization And Succession On Artificial Reefs In The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Amy Leigh Salamone

Master's Theses

This study represents the first characterization of natural mixed-species fungal biofilm communities on artificial reefs in the marine environment. Previous fungal biofilm studies have failed to observe the naturally-occurring biodiversity in coastal areas, which comprise the most utilized zone of the marine environment. Artificial reefs can increase fishing yields, amplify oyster habitats, contribute to shoreline stabilization, promote good water quality, and deter pollution. Proper management practices of artificial reefs require knowledge of the colonization of these new habitats by marine organisms and their subsequent succession. Fungi, along with bacteria, archaea, protists, algae, and diatoms, quickly form a complex biofilm on …

Marginalization Of Mothers In The Market: A Comparative Study Of The Limits And Opportunities For Public Policy, Jennifer Mary Crosslin

Master's Theses

Despite significant gains of women living in advanced democracies over the last several decades, sex inequality in the market still exists. Women still earn less, work less, and are less likely to be found in top leadership positions in the market, especially mothers, but disparity between men and women in terms of these outcomes varies among many countries. This study explores the relationship between government policies and the market outcomes of women in the United States and other European nations to determine if the different policies explain the variances, and consequently the necessity of state intervention for achieving gender equality. …

Factors Influencing The Spatial And Temporal Distrubtion Of Primary Productivity And Community Respiration In The Mississippi Coastal Estuarine Region, Ryan Anthony Vandermeulen

Master's Theses

This study describes the spatial and temporal distribution of net primary productivity (NetPP) and respiration (RESP) in relation to the biogeochemical, optical, and hydrographic variability in the Mississippi Sound and Mississippi Bight over the course of one year. Surface in-situ measurements of NetPP and RESP were regularly determined at two stations by a time-course detection of dissolved oxygen (DO) using novel optode technology. In addition, various biogeochemical, optical, and hydrographic parameters were examined over 14 stations throughout the estuary over a year, using ground and satellite (MODIS Aqua) measurements. In this study, consistently low dissolved inorganic N:P ratios (average N:P …

Carbon And Nitrogen Dynamics In High Intensity Minimal Exchange Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) Raceways, John Henry Francis

Master's Theses

Three separate shrimp (litopenaeus vannamei) growouts were examined at The University of Southern Mississippi's Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The objectives of this project were to (1) determine if there was a significant difference in any water quality parameters between the 2 density treatments, (2) construct carbon and nitrogen budgets to see where the carbon and nitrogen went in the system for all growouts, (3) determine if plastic media had any effects on water quality parameters and shrimp production, (4) determine if plastic media allowed for a nitrifying bacteria population to establish more rapidly, (5) determine if the …

Low Cost Neurochairs, Frankie Pike

Master's Theses

Electroencephalography (EEG) was formerly confined to clinical and research settings with the necessary hardware costing thousands of dollars. In the last five years a number of companies have produced simple electroencephalograms, priced below $300 and available direct to consumers. These have stirred the imaginations of enthusiasts and brought the prospects of "thought-controlled" devices ever closer to reality. While these new devices were largely targeted at video games and toys, active research on enabling people suffering from debilitating diseases to control wheelchairs was being pursued. A number of neurochairs have come to fruition offering a truly hands-free mobility solution, but whether …