Digital Commons Network^™

Seeing Community Through The Trees: Characterizing Resident Response To Urban-Tree Planting Initiatives, Eli Goldman

Sustainability and Social Justice

Urban tree planting initiatives have become common across cities in the United States. In order to advocate for sustainable urban forests, managers of urban planting initiatives must adopt a strong community framework, which includes community values in reforestation efforts. Clark University researchers conducted interviews and surveys with residents in six central Massachusetts cities and towns to assess why residents value urban trees and to characterize public response to reforestation efforts. Results indicate residents had positive experiences with tree planting programs, are most likely to value urban trees for aesthetic reasons, and commonly associate change in neighborhood character with Asian Longhorned …

Sweden’S Floating Refugee Camp: A New Form Of Spatial Segregation?, Miranda L. Weinstein

Sustainability and Social Justice

This paper looks at the structure of discrimination and marginalization of refugees and asylum-seekers. The paper investigates a new form of housing –– floatels –– which was seen in Sweden in 2016. This paper explores the relevant literature on identity, biopower, and spatial segregation, to make the case that floatels are contemporary forms of encampment. Floatels are clear examples of the State’s use of biopower to spatially segregate certain undesirable populations. By providing a case study of the situation in Sweden, the overall goal of the paper is to highlight the issues and complexity involved in refugee housing. In particular, …

Gis Specialist 2016 Internship With Cdm Smith In Boston, Massachusetts, Suzanne L. Meek

Sustainability and Social Justice

This report provides a detailed experience of my internship with CDM Smith during the summer of 2016. This was a formal 12-week internship that was extended an additional two weeks due to my success in the first few weeks. My title was listed as a GIS Specialist Intern. My responsibilities included applying GIS technologies to construction, water, and energy projects, digitizing various locations for cities and private clients, FEMA projects, and street light audits in two different towns in New England.

Searching For Ourselves: African Cultural Representation In Children’S Books In The United States, And Implications For Educational Achievement, Lulama Moyo

Sustainability and Social Justice

Using documentary and discourse analysis of children’s literature I explore the extent to which there is a multicultural gap in children’s literature to reveal the prevailing challenges of the colonized and Eurocentric values embedded in the contemporary education system that supports the monocultural socialization of young children in their early formative years. I translate my research through examining four thematic ways on how the multicultural gap is manifested which are subject matter, the lack of African writers, degree of complexity of diasporic experiences, and confronting whiteness. By focusing more specifically on the gap in African diasporic children literature, I review …

High School Gardens Program Across The Nation: Current Practices, Perceived Benefits, Barriers, And Resources, Noehealani Cierra Bareng- Antolin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

School garden programs in the United States emerged near the end of the 19th century. The use and purpose of school gardens are multifaceted and is dependent on the school and individuals involved. Current research on school garden programs suggests positive benefits for student academic achievement, nutrition knowledge, and dietary behaviors. Research on school garden programs is predominately conducted at the elementary and middle school levels. High school garden programs do exist; however, there is limited research on the current practices, perceived benefits of, barriers to, and resources necessary for high school garden programs. The purpose of this study was …

Aquaponics: Redefining Education For Our Youth, Joshua Peal

Senior Theses

In America, we are seeing a lack of effectiveness with our K-12 schools. This costs the school districts and taxpayers money with very little return guaranteeing an ongoing investment into adulthood. Students finishing high school have very little if any applied learning and technical skills, and still need to accomplish at least four years of college or a trade school to be able to compete, even for a job not requiring a degree. Of those high school graduates, half and growing do not feel that they are prepared for college. Students also have little understanding of, or experience with, the …

Adaptive Strategies In A Slow-Motion Apocalypse, Allana Ross

Graduate School of Art Theses

Nature is a construct inherited from Enlightenment thought. Our culture of nature—the way we construct, teach, communicate and perpetuate our concept of nature—has furthered the false dichotomy of an untamed nature versus a resource-consuming culture. This dualistic thinking has facilitated the current environmental crisis. We thus need a new culture of nature and a system of re-education that enables a symbiotic relationship between ourselves and our environment. A re-negotiation of this relationship is imperative to our continued survival on this planet; thus a reformation of the culture of nature can be viewed as an adaptive strategy. Systems-focused ecological art practice …

Governing The Urban Water Commons : Essays On Collaborative Policy Networks In A Polycentric Ecology Of Urban Water Policy Games., Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Governing social-ecological systems, such as the urban water commons, is a multi-scale and multi-sector (polycentric) human-environment process. This dissertation interrogates this process by situating itself within the Ecology of Games Framework by Norton Long (and updated by Mark Lubell) and the literature on polycentric governance by the Bloomington School of Political Economy. The dissertation’s three essays 1) offer both theoretical and methodological means to enact polycentric public economies within the ecology of games framework, and 2) explicate the conditions under which interoganizational collaboration is fostered within a polycentric ecology of policy games in governing the Middle Rio Grande urban watershed. …

Mineralogical And Chemical Characteristics Of Gossan Waste Rocks From A Gold Mine In Northeastern Thailand, Thitiphan Assawincharoenkij, Christoph Hauzenberger, Chakkaphan Sutthirat

Applied Environmental Research

The mineralogical and chemical compositions of various ocher gossans from a gold mine in northeastern Thailand were investigated, including some heavy metals and other toxic elements. Mineralogical characteristics were carried out using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) whereas chemical compositions were analyzed using Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer (EPMA). These ocher gossans can be classified, initially based on Munsell color, into five types: type-I (pale-yellow color), type-II (brownish-yellow color), type-III (yellowish-brown color), type-IV (dusky-red color) and type-V (red color). The primary silicate minerals (i.e., quartz, garnet epidote and amphibole) are found in type -I, -II, -III and -IV. They …

Solid Waste Generation, Composition And Management In Paro Hotel Industry, Choni Zangmo, Alice Sharp

Applied Environmental Research

Management of solid waste has become an increasingly important global issue as a result of population growth, as well as increasing individual needs, changes in lifestyle and growth in tourism. This waste management problem has become severe in the Paro region of Bhutan, driven by growth in tourism, changes in consumption patterns and growth in GDP. This research aimed to study the amount of waste sent to landfill, and the current status of solid waste management systems and waste composition in Paro District hotels. The current composition of solid waste from hotels comprises organic waste (53 %), glass (14 %), …

Kaolin Modified Nano Zero Valent Iron Synthesis Via Box-Behnken Design Optimization, Pummarin Khamdahsag, Wannakan Thongkao, Apichart Saowapakpongchai, Visanu Tanboonchuy

Applied Environmental Research

Nano zero valent iron (NZVI) has been extensively studied for its application to treat pollutants, particularly in contaminated water. This research studies enhancement of the reducing power of NZVI using kaolin as a supporter and ethanol as a medium. Kaolin modified nano zero valent iron (K-NZVI) was synthesized under three different parameters including ethanol content (0-100 v%), ratio of kaolin to NZVI (0-1.5), and dropping rate of NaBH4 (4-10 mL/min). The Box-Behnken Design was used to design the experimental conditions, and Reactive Red 120 was used as an organic pollutant probe to quantify the reducing power of the synthesized K-NZVI. …

Microbial Dynamics And Biogas Production During Single And Co-Digestion Of Cow Dung And Rice Husk, Aderonke K. Akintokun, Wasiu A. Abibu, Moses O. Oyatogun

Applied Environmental Research

Anaerobic digestion is achieved by the combined effort of hydrolytic, acetogenic and methanogenic bacteria. Microbial dynamics and biogas production during anaerobic digestion of cow dung and rice husk were studied in this research. The experiment lasted for 30 days using a 10 L scale bio-digester. All proximate parameters reduced significantly after digestion for CD (cow dung), RH (rice husk), and CD:RH (cow dung and rice husk) except moisture content, which increased for all substrates. Ash content (1.08-1.67 mg) and crude fibre (1.27-1.96 mg) increased in CD only. The pH ranges for the substrates were CD (7.0-7.5), RH (6.1-7.6), and CD:RH …

A Gis Model For Pm10 Exposure From Biomass Burning In The North Of Thailand, Borworn Mitmark, Wanida Jinsart

Applied Environmental Research

Human exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 µm (PM10) is found to be associated with biomass burning in Thailand. Recent investigations confirm that primary sources of PM10 are natural forest fires and agricultural waste burning. Incidence of atmospheric haze increases significantly during the dry season from January to April. PM10 exposure in eight provinces in Northern Thailand were determined using GIS through spatial interpolation. Daily average ambient PM10 concentrations from 10 monitoring stations were used as the input data for the GIS model. Three interpolation techniques: Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Kriging and Spline, were compared. The …

Antecedents And Consequences Of Csr Reporting By Corporations : The Role Of Management Strategy And Organization Characteristics, Rosita G. NuñEz

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

As consumers have become increasingly aware of sustainability issues, corporations find themselves facing the dual task of demonstrating to customers and investors that they are capable of meeting the challenge of addressing environmental concerns while increasing profits. Many corporations provide corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, despite challenges from shareholders questioning the benefits. Firms in different sectors may have unique challenges. This may mean that the same extent of reporting will not be applicable to all businesses.

The main objective of this dissertation is to determine which characteristics identify firms that engage in CSR and reporting, and how the firm benefits …

Risks Associated With Harvesting And Human Consumption Of Two Turtle Species In New Jersey, Natalie R. Sherwood

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Snapping turtles and diamondback terrapins have unique life characteristics, making their populations’ survivorship heavily dependent upon the turtles that reach sexual maturity, limiting the harvest potential of turtles and making them vulnerable to exploitation. Therefore, this research tests mercury concentrations in diamondback terrapins and snapping turtles to determine if turtle meat should require human consumption advisories, and examines transport of mercury through the snapping turtle food web by testing prey items for mercury burden and mapping food webs using stable isotope composition.

Consumption of New Jersey diamondback terrapins and snapping turtles pose a health risk. 25% of Cape May and …

Provenance Tracing Of Glacial Sediment From The Foundation, Academy, And Recovery Ice Streams, Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Ashley Marie Cirone

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This project seeks to advance our understanding of Antarctic Ice Sheet dynamics and to gain insight into the bedrock composition beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet by “fingerprinting” ice streams that drain into the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf. The Ronne- Filchner Ice Shelf is the second largest ice shelf in Antarctica and receives ice drained from both the West and East Antarctic Ice Sheets through a series of ice streams. In response to global warming, this sector has the potential to contribute dramatically to sea level rise, especially from the Recovery Catchment. Till samples were collected from lateral moraines adjacent to the …

Determining Late Pleistocene To Early Holocene Deglaciation Of The Baltic Ice Lake Through Sedimentological And Geochemical Analysis Of Iodp Site M0064, April Lynn Kelly

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

IODP Site M0064 within the Baltic Sea’s Hanô Bay was drilled to investigate the déglaciation history of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene. This research aims to better understand how déglaciation speed, SIS drainage patterns, and changes in relative sea level influences sediment deposition within the Baltic Ice Lake (BIL) on a high-resolution timescale. Site M0064 contains diamicton at -47 - 9 mbsf, followed by an upward transition to cm-scale grey thinly laminated rhythmites at -8 mbsf, and a sharp 2.5 cm thick dark brown organic layer at -7.87 msbf, transitioning to reddish-brown thinly …

The Cost Of Direct And Indirect Potable Water Reuse In A Medium Sized Inland Community, Jason Glenn Herman

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

In the face of increasing population, development pressures, and climate change, many regions around the world face freshwater shortages. Planned potable water reuse can improve sustainability and reliability of water supplies by providing drinking water from wastewater. Most potable reuse research has focused on large coastal communities with relatively high mean household incomes. However, the US Department of Interior predicts that “hot spots” of conflict over water in the arid West are “highly likely” in numerous small-to-medium-sized inland communities with low-to-moderate household income levels. Potable reuse options may be different for larger, wealthier coastal communities as compared to small-to-medium-sized inland …

Effects Of Changing Environments On Survival Of A Widely Distributed Ungulate, S Andrew Sims

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wildlife species distributed over large areas of land inhabiting varying environments are experiencing shifts in their home ranges due to human expansion and climate change. As these species home ranges shifts out of familiar, critical habitat they are forced to interact with novel environments, which in turn affects the species population demographics. In order to manage and conserve these species accordingly, specifically in a time of large-scale change, it is imperative that we add to current understandings of how they interact with various environments. Furthermore, frequently generating short-term predictions of demographic drivers will allow for conservation and management insight that …

Public Opinion On Renewable Energy: The Nexus Of Climate, Politics, And Economy, Shawn K. Olson-Hazboun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation research examines the factors underlying public opinion toward renewable energy in the United States. U.S. citizens in general support the continued development of renewable energy, yet opposition has been widely observed toward a variety of renewable energy facilities at the local level. Previous research on public responses to renewable energy has focused on one or a small number of communities experiencing renewable energy development. In this research I examine public views more broadly, in communities with and without renewable energy development, and also using nationally representative opinion data. I ask the following questions:

What local experiences influence how …

Economic Impacts Of Climate Change Mitigation In The State Of Montana, Paul H. Edlund

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In 2017, several sources of the state of Montana’s economy are susceptible to climate change impacts; those industries include tourism, agriculture, wildlife management, and outdoor recreation. In recent years, political figures, national governments, and grassroots organizations have called for extreme methods of climate change mitigation for the entire global community. In response, communities, countries, and individuals have responded and changed their habits and policies to begin mitigating climate change.

During this research, I analyzed peer reviewed articles, government documents, and interviews from Montana economy experts. From those results, I was able to discern the approximate amount of money associated with …

The Firece Green Fire: Vol. 7 Issue 23, Wofford College Environmental Studies Program

The Fierce Green Fire

No abstract provided.

Ultrasound Monitoring Of Extant Adnexal Masses In The Era Of Type 1 And Type 2 Ovarian Cancers: Lessons Learned From Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials, Eleanor L. Ormsby, Edward J. Pavlik, John P. Mcgahan

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

Women that are positive for an ovarian abnormality in a clinical setting can have either a malignancy or a benign tumor with probability favoring the benign alternative. Accelerating the abnormality to surgery will result in a high number of unnecessary procedures that will place cost burdens on the individual and the health delivery system. Surveillance using serial ultrasonography is a reasonable alternative that can be used to discover if changes in the ovarian abnormality will occur that favor either a malignant or benign interpretation. Several ovarian cancer screening trials have had extensive experiences with changes in subclinical ovarian abnormalities in …

Scene Of A Changing Climate, Mona Nazeri Dr

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

For the last 500,000 years, the world climate has been in transition from warm to cold and vice versa. However, recent human-caused climate change has increased the rate of change in extreme and average climate conditions. Globally, people are facing higher than average temperatures as well as accelerated rates of drought and flooding. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC,) natural systems around the globe are being affected by regional climate change, mainly temperature increases. They IPCC found that 20-30% of plant and animal species are likely to be at increased risk of extinction if global average temperatures …

Home On The Market Range: A Land Feasibility Analysis For Large-Scale Bison Farming, Skylar Peyton

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

The current beef industry is unsustainable and destructive. Battling against increasing industrialization, new options are being assessed. Bison, being equal in carcass weight but different in land use, sustainability, and labor, seems like a positive option. However, is there enough land to support an equal number of bison? To answer this question, interviews and research materials were used to create a land feasibility analysis. It found that 69% of the focus area, mostly in the Dakotas, could convert and be as productive as current beef producers. Feedlots present an issue since they are acreage-efficient, but the final conclusion remains that …

Mapping A Home Where The Buffalo Roam, Skylar Peyton

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

The beef industry has increasingly become unsustainable, relying heavily on trucking and corn-based feed. Bison seems like a positive alternative due to labor, gestation, and carcass weight. This project explored the land usage, carrying capacity, and potential land barriers for large-scale bison farming in the Upper Midwest. The results found that almost 70% of the study area could switch to bison and maintain or increase productivity. North and South Dakota showed the most potential while Nebraska showed the least. This could be due to the acreage-efficiency found in feedlots. The final conclusion is that land is not a barrier for …

Soil Phosphorous Accumulation Following 12 Years Of Biosolids Application To Continuous Corn Cropping System In Cenral Minnesota, Skylar Peyton

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Since 2003, a small, private wastewater treatment facility for Saint John’s University located in Collegeville, MN has utilized a nearby agricultural field to routinely dispose of its Class B biosolids. The field soil textures range from sandy loam to loamy sand and have been managed under continuous corn (Zea mays L.) production since 2003. Repeated land applications of biosolids to this field has led to extractable phosphorus (P) (Bray-1) soil test values to accumulate beyond state-mandated levels for continued land application. The objective of this research was to quantify a general P budget in this cropping system based on previous …

Scholastic Minutes 04/27/2017, Scholastic Committee

Scholastic Committee

No abstract provided.

2017 Science Seminar Program

Science Seminar

No abstract provided.

Medieval European Writings Over Time, Leah Ellman

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

This map series was created for Professor Jessica Harkins, to be used as an educational tool that visually demonstrates literature production during three medieval time periods. The maps detail the evolution of European territories and approximate locations of texts written around the years 800 AD, 1100 AD, and 1400 AD. My client was specifically interested in works from the British Isles, but also requested whole maps of historical Europe so as to portray the rapid change of territories and their impact on the literature of the time.

The maps were originally derived from an ESRI basemap, and territory details were …