Digital Commons Network^™

Mary’S Dilemma: A Novel Take On Jackson’S Famous Thought Experiment, Noah O. Abolafia-Rosenzweig

CMC Senior Theses

This paper explores and evaluates the famous Mary case put forward by Frank Jackson in support of what he calls the knowledge argument against physicalism. After laying out Jackson’s position, I set out to determine whether certain previous physicalist attempts at undermining it have been successful. Finding that they have not, I use their shortcomings to inform the construction of a new position, one which I argue renders the Mary case at odds with itself and frees physicalism from the knowledge argument’s grasp.

Water Policy: The World's Most Important Resource Politicized, Ethan Gilbert

CMC Senior Theses

Water is the most important resource on the planet for sustaining life, and many consider access to water as a fundamental human right. However, in light of its necessity, the distribution and allocation of water has become a highly politicized issue. Economic and political conditions have been shown to be influential in shaping a country’s water policy, more so then recognition of water as a basic human right. The reason for this is that many agree that there needs to be a value assigned to water to encourage its conservation and efficient use, and different methods of addressing that issue …

Corporate Social Responsibility And Financial Performance: Does It Pay To Be Good?, Harmony J. Palmer

CMC Senior Theses

The prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives today suggests that the corporate perception of such policies has shifted from an unnecessary addition to a critical business function. Using a reliable source of data on corporate social performance (CSP), this study explores and tests the relationship between CSP and corporate financial performance (CFP). Unlike prior research, this study additionally tests the impact CSP has on sales and gross margin in hopes of providing insight on sales strategies that can be implemented to maximize the impact of the relationship. The dataset includes most of the S&P 500 firms and covers years …

Duality Of Terrestrial Subterranean Fauna, Tone Novak, Matjaž Perc, Saška Lipovšek, Franc Janžekovič

International Journal of Speleology

Terrestrial animals in subterranean habitats are often classified according to their degree of morphological or ecological specialization to the subterranean environment. The commonly held view is that, as distance into a cave increases, the frequency of morphologically specialized, i.e., troglomorphic, species or ecological specialization will increase. We tested this hypothesis for the fauna in 54 caves in Slovenia–the classical land for subterranean biology. We found that there exist two ecologically well separated terrestrial subsurface faunas: one shallow and one deep. 1) The shallow subterranean fauna, adapted to the terrestrial shallow subterranean habitats (SSHs) in the upper 10 m of subsurface …

Monitoring Occupancy And Abundance Of New England Cottontails Using Non-Invasive Genetic Tools, Daniel Brubaker

Master's Theses and Capstones

The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis ) is a species of conservation concern. Efficient monitoring methods are needed to guide and assess conservation decisions in an adaptive management framework. I used genetic tools and non-invasively collected fecal DNA to determine New England cottontail detection rates during presence/absence surveys and to identify the environmental and behavioral factors that influence detection.

I found New England cottontail detection rates to be high (>90%) when surveys were conducted under ideal conditions. Prior knowledge of cottontail activity, low snow depth, and allowing 2-4 days without high winds following a snowfall are the most important …

Energy From Olive Mill Waste: Pyrolysis And Oxidation Kinetics Of Olive Mill Waste, Li Buessing

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study investigates the utilization of the olive mill waste stream before and after the removal of entrained phenolic compounds. The kinetics of pyrolysis and oxidation were analyzed via thermogravimetric analysis. Particle size, heating rate, and extraction process of the phenolic compounds affected the apparent activation energies. The pits and pulp in the olive mill waste had apparent activation energies ranging for pyrolysis from 91-137 kJ/mol and 72-87 kJ/mol, respectively. The analysis of the oxidation of olive mill waste was divided into two distinct zones: the devolatilization and oxidation of volatiles zone and the char oxidation zone. The oxidation had …

A Comparison Of Bobcat (Lynx Rufus) Habitat Suitability Models Derived From Radio Telemetry And Incidental Observations, Derek Ja Broman

Master's Theses and Capstones

Habitat suitability models derived from data obtained from radio telemetry and citizen observations were developed to evaluate habitat selection of monitored bobcats, compare statewide habitat suitability models and maps developed using locations from telemetry and citizen observations, and produce statewide population estimates. In the winter of 2009-2010, adult bobcats were captured in southwest New Hampshire and equipped with GPS tracking collars. GPS locations were used to calculate home ranges and to build habitat suitability models using resource selection functions (RSF) following a used vs. available design. RSFs were also applied to recent reported statewide sightings. Comparisons between these two approaches …

Field And Laboratory Observations Of Two Gulf Of Maine Sacoglossans, Seth W. Goodnight

Master's Theses and Capstones

The ecology of the sacoglossan Alderia modesta and its ability to retain active chloroplasts from the yellow-green alga Vaucheria spp. was examined with field and laboratory studies. Field surveys found no A. modesta, because Vaucheria spp. was absent or sparse in surveyed marshes. A grass removal experiment tested whether interspecific competition was causing the algal absence. The alga appeared in some plots, but did not promote A. modesta settlement. Absence of Vaucheria spp. is likely due to factors other than competition. Lack of animals prevented laboratory studies.

Placida dendritica and its food Codium fragile ssp. fragile were then chosen for …

Cryopreservation Spermiation Induction And Computer Assisted Analysis Of Summer Flounder (Paralicthys Dentatus) Spermatozoa, Ryan T. Brown

Master's Theses and Capstones

The objective of this thesis was to improve the aquaculture practices for summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus. The experiments in this thesis examined male reproduction. First a practical method for summer flounder sperm cryopreservation was developed. These experiments examined the various parameters required to successfully freeze and store summer flounder spermatozoa. Success of cryopreservation was measured by examining post thaw viability and fertility.

One of the problems facing summer flounder aquaculture is sexually dimorphic growth rates, with females growing larger than males. To overcome this, meiogynogenetic summer flounder were developed, allowing the production of all female stocks. The second set of …

A Comparison Of Standard And Ventless American Lobster Trap Dynamics, Abigail S. Clark

Master's Theses and Capstones

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is the most valuable marine resource in New England and, as with any fishery, effective management depends on accurate stock assessment. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of standard and ventless traps, focusing on determining which trap provides a better index of lobster abundance. While ventless traps caught approximately five times as many lobsters as standard traps, the size of captured lobsters did not differ significantly between trap types. Ventless traps saturated after 16 - 24 hours, but standard traps did not saturate at all. Despite saturating at all densities, ventless …

Valuation Of Ecosystem Services: The Case Of Orseg National Park, Hungary, Ildiko Losonci

Master's Theses and Capstones

A chronic lack of sufficient financial resources has prevented many protected area professionals from achieving adequate ecosystem protection. Using a case study of O&huml;rseg National Park in Hungary and the contingent valuation technique, we examined the relative importance of various ecosystem services to respondents, their WTP for these services, and the oath of honesty's effect on hypothetical bias.

Results from the intercept survey that was administered in the park in the summer of 2011 and filled out by 212 respondents show that visitors prefer the protection of the park's cultural monuments, and ecosystems services like local natural food, climate regulation …

Variations In Carotenoids And Retinol In Milk And Cheese From Jersey Cows At An Organic Dairy Compared To A Conventional Dairy Over A Pasture Season, Amy Rose Beliveau

Master's Theses and Capstones

Carotenoids, widely distributed in nature, are considered to be potentially beneficial in the prevention of a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and eye diseases. As humans are unable to synthesize carotenoids, the diet is the only source of these beneficial components. Carotenoid concentration in cow's milk varies greatly as a result of feeding practice and season, but no research thus far has investigated these variations in Jersey cows over an entire pasture season. The objectives of this experiment were to 1) determine the differences in concentrations of carotenoids and retinol in milk from cows consuming different diets, …

Paleobiological And Paleoclimatological Significance Of Stable Isotope Patterns Across Early Eocene Hyracotherium Tooth Rows, Abigail R. D'Ambrosia

Master's Theses and Capstones

The main objective of this study was to determine the most reliable teeth in early Eocene Hyracotherium fossil tooth rows for paleoclimate reconstruction using delta18O values preserved in the tooth enamel. Specimens came from two localities within the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming, D-1204 and D-1583. ANOVA and T-test results generally indicate non-significant differences in mean and variance across tooth rows consisting of m/1, m/2, p/4, and m/3 adult teeth, suggesting any of these teeth may be used for paleoclimate reconstruction purposes as long as sample sizes are large. Additionally, two distinct isotopic patterns were observed across tooth rows, possibly representing …

The Role Of Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L) Source Population Characteristics In Resilience To Stress And Restoration Success, Holly K. Bayley

Master's Theses and Capstones

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), an underwater marine flowering plant, has a high degree of morphological plasticity that allows it to survive and grow under a range of conditions and adapt to environmental changes. The degree to which resilience to stress varies among eelgrass populations is important for eelgrass conservation and management. Eelgrass plants from ten genetically differentiated populations were used in a mesocosm experiment where light availability and sediment organic content were manipulated. Productivity and survival were inhibited and morphology was altered by the stress treatments, with these plant responses differing significantly among populations. To further test differences in resilience, …

Two-Dimensional Unsteady Flow Visualization By Animating Evenly-Spaced Streamlets, Zhengang Hong

Master's Theses and Capstones

Flow visualization has been widely used to display and discover patterns and features in vector fields. Common applications include the representation of ocean currents and weather model data.

In this thesis, a flexible method for animating vector fields is developed, based on a generalization of a Poisson disc sampling method. The algorithm has two stages; in the first streamlets are drawn into an image buffer, larger than their intended size. Before they are drawn they are tested to see if they impact on already drawn areas; if they do, they are rejected. In the second stage the ones that pass …

Adaptation Of A Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Population To A Biofilm Lifestyle: Why Is Polyphosphate Kinase Important?, Keith Ferguson

Master's Theses and Capstones

In the environment, bacterial populations often exist as communities called biofilms. During this sessile state, bacteria excrete exopolysaccharides that form a sticky, protective matrix. This protective matrix also presents a prominent medical challenge since chronic infections of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are commonly biofilm associated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one bacterium that can colonize the CF lung and persist in a biofilm community. During chronic infections, P. aeruginosa adapts to its lung environment and displays genetic and phenotypic diversification. To model evolution during chronic infections, biofilm populations were experimentally evolved for 540 generations and the genetic variation was sampled at 100, …

The Impact Of Dakota Missions On The Development Of The U.S.-Dakota War Of 1862, Daphne D. Hamborg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the relationships between three groups of people on the mid-nineteenth century Minnesota frontier: evangelical Protestant missionaries, the Dakota who converted to the Christian faith and lifestyle taught by these missionaries, and the Dakota who remained traditional in their outlook and lifestyle. It does this through an analysis of the impact of these relationships on the development of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. As is made clear through the use of both primary and secondary sources, the missionaries helped create tensions within the Dakota community, tensions expressed through shifting social structures, argument, alienation, and, at times, violence. As …

Identification Of Factors That Promote The Growth Of Dormant Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis, Thu Minh Cao

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Johne's disease, which is caused by the acid-fast bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Mpt), is a chronic, inflammatory intestinal disease that primarily affects ruminants. This disease has a significant effect on the economics of dairy farming. Mpt has a remarkable ability to survive in host tissues for 2-6 years without producing any signs of infection. However, the reliability of diagnostic techniques is limited only to those animals with clinical disease. This may be due to the entry of the organism into a dormant state, which has been reported for other mycobacteria. Reversion to the actively growing state (resuscitation) would improve …

Effect Of Process-Oriented Guided-Inquiry Learning On Non-Majors Biology Students' Understanding Of Biological Classification, Breann Marie Wozniak

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of process-oriented guided-inquiry learning (POGIL) on non-majors college biology students' understanding of biological classification. This study addressed an area of science instruction, POGIL in the non-majors college biology laboratory, which has yet to be qualitatively and quantitatively researched. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach was used. Students' understanding of biological classification was measured in two areas: scores on pre and posttests (consisting of 11 multiple choice questions), and conceptions of classification as elicited in pre and post interviews and instructor reflections. Participants were Minnesota State University, Mankato students enrolled in …

Modeling Potential Impacts Of Heavy Metals And Btex Compounds From The Former Year-A-Round Cab Company On Hiniker Pond, Jason Nolan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Year-A-Round Cab Company (an industrial metal preparation, painting, and welding facility) in Mankato, MN has a history of numerous environmental violations. The site is located 300 yards north of Hiniker Pond, a popular swimming spot. The primary purposes of my research were to determine if BTEX (ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylenes) and heavy metals had reached Hiniker Pond, and model estimated contaminate plumes from the Year-A-Round Cab Company. Lead, cadmium, and chromium were found in sediments at levels of up to 30 times higher near the site as compared to the control lake, Hallett's Pond. Although BTEX were not …

Grave Exclamations: An Analysis Of Tombstones And Their Use As Narrative Of Self, Lacey Jae Ritter

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

We establish our selves through narratives--with others and by ourselves--during life. What happens, however, when a person dies? The following paper looks at the way narratives about the deceased's selves are created by the bereaved after their loved ones have died. The paper focuses on the narratives created on the deceased's tombstones, as these are available to the public and last the longest of all final declarations of the person's identity (i.e., obituaries, funeral programs, eulogies). Because I am interested in the way narratives of the self are constructed postmortem, a symbolic interactionist approach was used. The study focuses on …

Perceptions Of A Text-Based Sjt Versus An Animated Sjt, Amanda Helen Halabi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has indicated that Multimedia SJTs hold higher face validity than text-based SJTs while also reducing the adverse impact that has been experienced with the use of cognitive ability tests. (Chan & Schmitt, 1997; Motowidlo et al., 1990; Weekley & Jones, 1997, 1999). The animated SJT, a new and emerging form of testing, holds many similarities to the MMSJT. However, no research has been conducted to support this claim. The present study examined the perceptions of an animated SJT versus a text based SJT to provide additional information to the field of selection tests. The research was conducted to provide …

The New Global Human Community, Rafael Domingo

Chicago Journal of International Law

Under the impact of globalization, the international community is in the process of evolving into a new community made up of new members, inspired by new principles, and based on new ideas. The first part of this Article aims to justify the existence of this emerging community using four arguments that can be summarized by the Latin terms dignitas, usus, necessitas, and bonum commune. The second part argues that the new global human community has four features: that it comprises persons, not nation-states; that it is universal in nature; that membership in it is compulsory; and that it is incomplete …

Speaking For The Seas Examining And Promoting Sustainable Seafood In The Chesapeake Bay, Courtney A. Smith

Theses & ETDs

Technological developments in the fisheries sector allow fishing fleets to extract greater quantities of fish than ever before. To expand their allowable catch limits, some fisheries choose to evade regulatory efforts intended to protect marine stocks by illegally harvesting fish, causing further exploitation of the world's finite marine resources. To reduce the frequency of illegal, underreported, and unregulated fishing, fisheries can undergo sustainable certification, which verifies to consumers that the product was not harvested using harmful fishing practices. Consumers and harvesters benefit from the consumer's increased knowledge of sustainable alternatives can lead to support for eco-labeled products. Through social marketing, …

Informal Math Education Using Origami To Teach Elementary School Students Math Concepts, Gina Fawks

Theses & ETDs

There is a disconnect that students have between what they learn in the math classroom and what they understand and can do in the 'real' world. Informal math education can be used to bridge that gap. A specific type of informal math education is the use of origami to teach math concepts. I worked with forty-five elementary school students at the Roy McBean Boys and Girls Club of America. I did three origami projects covering a variety of math concepts that students in kindergarten through fifth grade should know or learn based on Florida Sunshine Standards ([Anonymous] Florida 2010) with …

Beyond Decorative? Painted Images Of The Woman As Part Of The Cult Of Domesticity, Eugenie Fortier

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores images of the middle- to upper-class woman in her domestic realm from the mid-nineteenth century to the turn of the twentieth century, extending the topics observed via Edward Hopper's paintings to the middle of the twentieth century. Observed through Impressionist works, which attempted to show everyday life, the validity of these images becomes questionable; since they were primarily painted by male artists, it is possible that the models were depicted as particularly exemplary of the female stereotype. However, as the artists strived to capture reality, they seem to simultaenously capture an emotional state of ennui that is …

Polar Bear Sport Hunting In Nunavut, Canada Perspectives On Polar Bear Conservation And The Endangered Species Act, Tait Mandler

Theses & ETDs

Polar bears are the iconic symbol of the Arctic and the imminent changes to this ecosystem. As an ice-obligate marine mammal, polar bears are found circumpolar in 19 subpopulations, with 13 in Canada. Concerns about potential impacts climate change will have on the Arctic environment prompted listing polar bears under the United States Endangered Species Act. Previously, US sport hunters were able to participate in certain Canadian Inuit-led polar bear hunts in subpopulations having scientifically established quotas. After the ESA listing, US importation of polar bear trophies was prohibited and the US, in effect, surrendered its ability to influence which …

Geochemistry And Release Of Contaminants From Cohesive Sediments Of The Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, Vincent Percuoco

Master's Theses and Capstones

The role of cohesive sediments as a source of nutrients and metals to the Great Bay Estuary, NH was investigated by analyzing the porewater of several sediment cores obtained from three fields sites. Contaminant fluxes were compared between several release mechanisms including: molecular diffusion calculated from porewater profiles, bioturbation during core incubations, and sediment resuspension under simulated erosion. Ammonium, phosphate, silica, and nitrate accumulation in porewater lead to diffusive fluxes of 0.3-2, 0-0.5, 0.3-2, and -0.1-0.1 mmol m~2 day-1 respectively. Fluxes from bioturbation were on the same order of magnitude. Under simulated erosion, nutrient fluxes were over an order of …

Invertebrate Abundances And Diversity Of A Six Year Old Organic Apple Orchard In Northwest Arkansas, Cory Johnson, Brina Smith, Mary C. Savin

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Ground cover mulch applications in perennial systems can have multiple benefits, one of which may be to enhance the size and diversity of the ground surface faunal community. To determine if ground cover and organic fertilizer applications altered invertebrate communities, litters in an experimental 0.4-ha organic apple orchard in Fayetteville, Ark. were sampled during a four week period beginning in February 2012. The orchard was planted in 2006 in a replicated 4 × 3 factorial design with organic ground cover and fertilizer treatments applied annually each April. Invertebrates were extracted using Berlese funnels and hand sorting techniques. Ground covers (wood …

The Arkansas Meat Goat Enterprise Budget, Jessica House, H. I. Goodwin

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Goats have long been the most populous livestock animals on the planet. They have been a staple food for many low-income countries. The United States has a growing demand for goat meat. There is an increase in ethnic cultures that desire goat meat as well as a growing interest from the general population. Goat meat is a healthy alternative compared to traditional red meats. Goats also pair well with other livestock animals due to their wide range of palatable feeds. They are commonly used in cattle operations for weed control because of their ability to consume noxious weeds. There is …