Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Portland State University As A Community Partner In Addressing Homelessness, Jennifer Hoskins

University Honors Theses

This paper explores the role of Portland State University as a community partner in addressing the issue of homelessness. The research includes a literature review, findings from a 10-month participant observation study, and interviews with community and academic leaders. The findings from the study focus on community needs, which include having a citizenry educated on issues of poverty and homelessness; having vocal support for public policies that serve people who are homeless; insight from research; and having labor to get work done. The research findings also focus on university needs, which include classroom curriculum centered on poverty and homelessness; service …

Language Sample Length Effects On Various Lexical Diversity Measures: An Analysis Of Spanish Language Samples From Children, Morgan Stills

University Honors Theses

Purpose: various studies have assessed whether lexical diversity in language samples is a useful clinical tool for assessing language abilities. However, not all studies used the same measure of lexical diversity indices or sample demographic. Therefore it is unclear which lexical diversity indices work best when analyzing Spanish language samples. The current study aimed to compare validity evidence for five lexical diversity measures based on Spanish language samples. Specifically it assessed how changes in language-sample length influenced each measure. The most accurate lexical diversity measures were expected to yield similar estimates for a given child across language samples that differed …

Communication Methods In Healthcare For Latinos With Limited English Proficiency: Physician Language Concordance And Children As Translators, Katie Castellanos

University Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis was to examine the primary methods of communication that Latinos with limited English proficiency (LEP) use when professional translators are not available. Latinos constitute 17% of the United States population, 64% of which have limited English proficiency. A literature review was conducted to identify research done in regards to children as translators and physician language concordance. Two themes of communication for Latinos with LEP in the absence of professional translators emerged from the literature review: the use of children as translators, and reliance on physician language concordance. Providers should take caution when working with these …

Mills And Veblen: An Institutional Analysis, Matthew Klosterman

University Honors Theses

This inquiry considers and also seeks to establish theoretical relationships between the thinking and contributions of Thorstein Veblen and C. Wright Mills. Selected writings of Veblen have not only formed new approaches to the discipline of Economics, but also influenced prominent scholars, like Mills. In his contributions, Veblen employs various approaches to social science analysis, such as use of dichotomy (Veblenian Dichotomy), subreption, and cumulative causation in his efforts to describe social change within an evolutionary-institutionalist framework. While not being explicit, some contributions of Mills utilize similar approaches advanced earlier by Veblen. In summary, Mills’ contributions to sociology appear to …

Differences In How Boomers And Millennials Experience Listening To Recorded Music, Pablo Saldana

University Honors Theses

Music is present in people’s lives. This work looks at cultural changes among two generations, the Baby Boomers and Millennials. Furthermore, there is a focus on values held by each generation when it comes to recorded music. Through textual analyses, claims are made about consumer habits, preferences, and relationships with music held by these distinct generations.

Standing On The Street Corners Of Capitalism : Translations Of Tawara Machi's Chocolate Revolution Tanka, Jared Ridabock

University Honors Theses

This thesis contains original translations of the first three rensaku of best selling author Tawara Machi's 1997 tanka collection Chocolate Revolution. In it, Tawara's work is examined from a critical lens developed by Dean Brink, arguing that while her poetry is subsumed within the language of capitalist consumer society, it's engagement with absurd moments therein creates an opportunity for resistance for readers. While this thesis initially agrees with Brink's assessment of Tawara as an apolitical writer, it suggests that recent works published to social media by Tawara Machi may show a deviation from her apolitical stance and discusses the effect …

The Impact Of Drought On The Sierra Nevada Range: Using Remote Sensing Data To Estimate Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Flux, Jessica Mazzi

University Honors Theses

Remote sensing is a widely used technique for studying Earth systems, including ecosystem response to global warming. With the recent California drought, remote sensing gives an opportunity to study large-scale CO₂ flux changes over time due to insufficient water uptake by plant life. In this study three flux towers were used, to correlate Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE = PRI * NDVI * PAR), gathered from remote sensing data, and measurements of CO₂ flux from in-situ flux towers over an area of 8,149 km² in the Sierra Nevada Range. To estimate CO₂ from NEE, two linear regressions …

Gretchen Kafoury: The Personal Is Political, Corinne Rupp

University Honors Theses

Gretchen Kafoury (June 23, 1942 – March 13, 2015) was a Portland politician whose personal ideals formed the backbone of her lengthy career in public service. While an avowed liberal and feminist, Kafoury recognized the need to work across political boundaries in order to get things done. She dedicated her time and voice to communities she saw as underserved, and helped build and protect a social safety net in all her elected positions.

The exhibit created from the Special Collections Archives housing her documents highlighted her political life and achievements, from her earliest days as a grassroots organizer for women’s …

Vignettes And Havensville Farm, Michael Mckee Green

University Honors Theses

This thesis includes a series of terse vignettes and a pastoral section. Both groups of poems share a connection to imagism and are invested in latency, given that the fraught images hint at violences just beyond the reader's sensual periphery.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Through Retinal Cell Layer Thickness: An Insight Into The Neurodegeneration Process, Zac Festner

University Honors Theses

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have long been known to suffer deterioration of the retina, sometimes leading to blindness. The damage has been assumed to occur predominantly within the retinal nerve fiber layer. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), researchers at Johns Hopkins University have determined that there is a subset of MS patients for whom the retinal deterioration is different. For this group the deterioration occurs at a deeper level within the retina, between the photoreceptors and the connecting cells. This deterioration affects the inner and outer nuclear layers of the retina. These findings are perplexing, as MS is considered …

Teaching The Middle East In Portland Public High Schools, Nicholas C. Jenkins

University Honors Theses

This paper examines the ways in which the Middle East is taught to high school students in Portland Public School. Specifically, it focuses on the required history courses, Modern World History and United States History for Freshman and Juniors, respectively. Beginning with a definition of the Middle East, this paper starts by placing itself and the author within a discourse community of educators, historians, and writers who discuss the issues with incorporating multiple points of view into their curriculum. After a discussion of the methods by which the data was collected, this paper concludes by offering a description of that …

A Numerical Modeling Investigation On Calving And The Recession Of South Cascade Glacier, Annika Noel Horlings

University Honors Theses

Retreat of South Cascade Glacier has been well documented since 1957. Despite this, little research has examined why South Cascade Glacier has receded more rapidly than other glaciers in the North Cascades region of Washington State during the last century. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether calving associated with the proglacial South Cascade Lake significantly influenced the glacier’s retreat. A simple numerical model using documented and projected historical net mass balances, bed configuration data, and lake basin data is used to approximate the recession of South Cascade Glacier during the last century. To evaluate the influence of …

Color Associations As Advertising Strategies: An Analysis Of Consumer Attitudes Toward The Healthfulness Of Energy Bar Packaging, Rachel Lotz

University Honors Theses

Color plays a strong role in shaping consumers’ attitude toward brands, expectations, and likeability in the field of advertising. Associations with colors are formed within consumers’ culture and are often universal in meaning. Through three studies, the role of color in relationship to perceived healthfulness on energy bar packaging is observed. The results show a strong correlation between a particular color associated with healthfulness due to preconceived color associations often highlighted in advertising strategies. However the results raised unexpected, yet insightful correlations with other colors, which participants identified as healthy. When participants were asked to pick the energy bar that …

Aphrodite Of Knidos, Trendsetter: Depictions Of The Female Nude And Sexuality In Ancient Greek Sculpture, Krista Buell

University Honors Theses

This paper explores the sexuality and femininity of the fourth century BCE sculpture called the Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles, and how this sculpture broke away from rigid old traditions and started new, positive ones regarding the nude female form.

Transformative Encounters In Conflict Processes, Garrett Evans

University Honors Theses

Beyond resolutions and agreements, there is a deeper level of internal and relational transformation which some conflict processes seek to bring forth. The purpose of this paper is to examine three models of transformation, how it occurs, and how to facilitate it; and to seek common themes and patterns between these models. With these themes identified and illuminated by insights from psychology, philosophy, and interpersonal neurobiology, I offer a synthesized hypothesis of transformation and recommendations for facilitation. Finally, I address future directions for study, particularly in the intersection of trauma, interpersonal neurobiology, contemplative psychology, and conflict transformation.

Synthesis, Structure And Contrast Efficacy Of Bismuth (Iii) Chelated With 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-Tetramethylene Phosphonate And Its Incorporation Into Nano-Assembled Capsules, Karley B. Maier

University Honors Theses

Medical imaging now plays an integral role in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. The use of contrast agents in molecular imaging has been instrumental in the diagnosis of cancer and similar pathologies. The incorporation of lanthanide-based contrast agents employed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into nano-assembled capsules (NACs) have shown potential utility for improved contrast in MRI by slowing the tumbling of the polyanionic paramagnetic metal ions. The utility of NACs was herein extended to computed tomography (CT) imaging by the incorporation of electron dense bismuth (III)-based chelates into NACs in order to provide a high payload of agent …

What Do Physicians Know About Global Plans To Stop Tuberculosis? Interviews From Five Countries, Hannah Johnson

University Honors Theses

Tuberculosis ranks alongside HIV as the leading cause of death worldwide. This fact is complicated by drug-resistant versions of tuberculosis. Furthermore, the limited availability and high cost of stronger antibiotics creates a barrier to treating drug-resistant tuberculosis. In 2000, the United Nations organized to fight tuberculosis via Millennium Development Goal six and the Global Plan to Stop Tuberculosis. In an effort to understand limitations on the effectiveness of global programs, this research addresses the following question: What do physicians know about global programs for TB? Mixed methods, involving both quantitative and qualitative data, were used to obtain the results of …

Venture Capital Dynamics: Challenges In Financing Technological Entrepreneurship, Evan Kaeding

University Honors Theses

The venture capital process is fraught with risk to the venture capitalist induced by agency costs, information asymmetry and moral hazard. Venture capitalists employ sophisticated contracting techniques to mitigate these risks, often at the expense of the entrepreneur. Additional complexity can arise depending on the affiliation of the venture capitalist. This work highlights the common pitfalls that high-technology entrepreneurs face as a result of the circumstances inherent in the fund raising process, and makes recommendations for mitigating these pitfalls.

Refugee Policies And The Interactions Of The United Nations And European Union, Siena Loprinzi

University Honors Theses

The United Nations (UN) has many policies when working with refugees but since the European Union (EU) formed, the UN has been mainly governed by what the EU thinks refugee policies should be. By looking at these two international organizations and their history and involvement in refugees since WWII, it is plain to see how much the EU is influencing the UN's refugee policies for its own advantage. While the EU has been dictating the refugee policies, other international organizations have been at the heart of helping refugees but getting little say or power over what refugee policies will be.

Applying Deception Detection To True And False Confessions: A Novel Approach To Conducting Experiments In Legal Psychology, Olivia Preston

University Honors Theses

Recent exonerations of convicted defendants by the efforts of advocates like the Innocence Project are accompanied by a concerning finding that a large proportion of defendants had falsely confessed to the alleged crime. False convictions result in due process violations and the suffering and stigma of the convicted and their families, in addition to imposing an economic burden on the community. Prior research has identified structural interrogation practices and individual characteristics that increase risk of false confessions, however knowledge on how to identify true and false confessions is minimal and undeveloped. Cues to deception in false statements may be an …

Integration Of Movement/Posture: A Dynamic Adaptive Process Model, Daniel A. Akins

University Honors Theses

Structural Integration (SI) is a process of manual therapy and sensorimotor education that aims to facilitate sustainable improvement in whole-body biomechanical functioning and a sense of ease and coherence in normal movement/posture. Traditional and currently widespread explanations for the physiological mechanisms underlying SI theory and practice have focused on notions of fascial tissue change and postural alignment, while recent challenges to these explanations advocate a shift away from these interests toward a neurocentric model that emphasizes movement, pain, and biopsychosocial factors. SI seeks to professionalize and become an auxiliary to healthcare, so it must embrace scientific standards while maintaining its …

Rose City Salon, Joan Brown

University Honors Theses

When Rose City Salon moves to a downtown location, owner Jillian struggles to create greater success. Her team of beauticians each has exceptional talent, but by some are considered freaks. Jillian’s husband Fred, and his business partner Jack are rich elitists who make their money with hostile take-overs of other people’s businesses. When Jack becomes romantically involved with one of Jillian’s freaks, Abilene, he keeps it a secret—for a long time.

Jillian works the salon into thee place to go for beauty. After Fred divorces Jillian, Abilene talks Jack into taking over Rose City Salon and giving it to her …

Future Mrs. President Or Simply Bill's Wife? : A Content Analysis Of New York Times Coverage Of Hillary Clinton In 2008 Versus 2016, Chandler E. Paterson

University Honors Theses

This study analyzed New York Times coverage in January 2008 and January 2016 of Hillary Clinton. Coverage of Hillary during these two months was compared based on the number of times the categories family and appearance were mentioned. In four of the sub-categories, the results show that fewer stories mentioned aspects of Hillary’s family and appearance in 2016 than in 2008. These findings support the hypotheses and indicate a change in the way media is discussing female politicians, along with the country’s support of them.

The United States’ Criminal Justice System Divided* : …On The Connection Between The Exclusionary Rule And Preserving Civil Liberties, Alexandre Pomar

University Honors Theses

The injustice by professionals within the criminal justice system gives rise to societal opinion that purports that these respective agencies lack a clear perception of their professional conduct. This invidious neglect toward societal opinion preempts the divide among law enforcement agencies--most specifically--and the United States population. The impaired perception on professional conduct the criminal justice professionals suffer from nationwide owes itself to the misuse of authority and a subsequent lack of accountability for improper actions. Over time, the dissolving of one’s civil liberties has perpetuated in accord to the deference awarded to law enforcement agencies and the courts that allow …

Black And Green: How Disinvestment, Displacement And Segregation Created The Conditions For Eco-Gentrification In Portland's Albina District, 1940-2015, Carter William Ause

University Honors Theses

The historically African-American Albina District of Portland, Oregon holds a long track record of neighborhood neglect, devaluation and displacement of poor residents by private real estate companies and city government. Devaluation in the area was the direct result of discriminatory real estate policies and mid-20th Century urban renewal projects. Starting in the 1990s, the city passed revitalization measures to increase private investment in the neighborhood and few historians have tackled studies of recent sustainability-oriented gentrification resulting from revitalization. Though contemporary works in urban studies at Portland State University have looked at revitalization and subsequent ecological gentrification in the area, the …

Lobbying The European Parliament: Identifying Changing Trends Post-Treaty Of Lisbon, Jason Means

University Honors Theses

This study evaluates the assumption that lobbying at the EP level steadily increased after the Treaty of Lisbon, and also the expectation that there would be no variation in lobbying activity (measured by types of lobbyists) during this period. Research was conducted through the utilization of data from the European Transparency Register as scraped by Friedrich Lindenberg between 2012 and 2014. After categorizing more than 16,000 entries it was determined that the amount of lobbyists targeting the EU has steadily increased, and the primary lobbying group between the researched period was Business--though, there was a significant amount of variation between …

The European Coal And Steel Community: The Path Towards European Integration, Nicholas Hudson

University Honors Theses

This inquiry seeks to establish the importance of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and its key role as the foundation for deeper European integration projects, which ultimately have manifested in the European Union seen today. By the end of the Second World War, the European continent was left in ruins, with nations desperately seeking to rebuild their economies and infrastructures, while also attempting to create a stability that would bring lasting peace to a region historically torn apart by war. European leaders, including the French diplomat Jean Monnet, were faced with the challenge of increasing output and employment …

Oregon Youth Peer Courts: Grand Jury Style, Sierra Udland

University Honors Theses

Youth Courts are diversionary programs for first time misdemeanors committed by youth. The court is made up of the youth's peers who interact with the defendant and ultimately impose a sentence. In this study two Oregon Youth Courts are examined to discover if the program goals of restorative justice are present. The courts utilize a specific style of peer jury model, called the "Grand Jury style" because the jurors ask the questions and decide the case. Eight cases are observed with a subset of jurors surveyed about sentencing decisions. Restorative justice principles are found through both modes of data collection. …

Adverse Effects Of Mercury And Some Management Options To Reduce Dental Amalgam Waste, Marta Szabatin

University Honors Theses

Mercury is a persistent, toxic pollutant and at elevated levels can cause serious environmental harm to aquatic life, wildlife, and humans. Mercury from anthropogenic sources continues to be a significant risk to human health causing regulatory agencies to address this issue. The purpose of this study is to review the sources, forms and adverse effects of mercury, and identify the tools regulating mercury-containing dental waste management, and the advantages and disadvantages of various management practices that help to minimize mercury releases into municipal sewage system and into waterbodies. Dental facilities are significant mercury dischargers to wastewater treatment facilities and dental …

Exploring The Negative Perceptions Of Female Legislators: The Consequences Of Gender Quotas In Argentina, Marcella Silverman

University Honors Theses

This paper examines how the presence of gender quotas effect public perceptions of female legislators in regards to their competence and qualifications needed to enter public office. This paper suggests that gender quotas can promote negative public perceptions due to pre-established gender norms and meritocracy violations similarly to sentiments in Affirmative Action programs. Analyzing the survey data taken from participants in Argentina, the results suggests that perceptions of female legislators are impacted by the individual’s knowledge of what a gender quota is as well as the specifics of how Argentine gender quotas are executed. Of the total percentage of participants …