Digital Commons Network^™

A Critical Analysis Of Bumblefoot: Care And Preventative Measures In Captive Penguins, Jamie A. Wolanin

Honors Projects

Bumblefoot is a progressive and sometimes deadly infection that afflicts penguins living in human care. The most prominent cause of the disease is the extended amount of time that captive penguins spend standing in comparison to their pelagic and wild counterparts. For years, facilities have treated bumblefoot with surgery and antibiotics. However, this approach is palliative rather than preventative and has become problematic as bacteria develop stronger resistance to antibiotics. To address the behavioral abnormalities underlying the onset of bumblefoot, zoos and aquariums should utilize environmental enrichment. Many forms of environmental enrichment, including the relationship penguins have with their keepers …

The Reality And The Perception Of Greek Life At Grand Valley State University, Katherine Smigelski

Honors Projects

This research was conducted in order to determine whether Grand Valley’s Greek life atmosphere is stereotypical of Greek life around the country, as portrayed in the media, or if the reality is better than the perception. 179 responses were collected from current Grand Valley State University members of Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association organizations to determine whether their reality of their organizations is accurate compared to the perception of their organizations.

22q Deletion Syndrome Awareness, Emily Cavarretta

Honors Projects

The final outcome of the 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome project is a brochure to be used for public awareness. The brochure can be used in physician offices, university health colleges, and classes for health students. Individual research and input from the interviews are included. It includes pictures of children with 22q Deletion and the categories "What is 22q," "What Everyone Should Know," "Who works with individuals with 22q," "Advice to Parents from Parents," and "Tips for Teachers." Lastly, there is a Resources section for further information and picture citations.

Space Syntax: Regional Planning For Bicycles, Connor J. White

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study focused on using a mapping tool, Space Syntax, to analyze the connectivity of the Cache County road network and its use to plan for bicycles. Space Syntax is being compared to another method that is already used by city planners called Bicycle Level of Service, or BLOS. The two analyses used data from Cache County and, after they were modeled and evaluated, a statistical analysis was done to see how similar one is to the other. The analyses were done at both a regional and a local scale. At both scales the analyses were not similar.

Data was …

Non-Contact Evaluation Methods For Infrastructure Condition Assessment, Sattar Dorafshan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The United States infrastructure, e.g. roads and bridges, are in a critical condition. Inspection, monitoring, and maintenance of these infrastructure in the traditional manner can be expensive, dangerous, time-consuming, and tied to human judgment (the inspector). Non-contact methods can help overcoming these challenges. In this dissertation two aspects of non-contact methods are explored: inspections using unmanned aerial systems (UASs), and conditions assessment using image processing and machine learning techniques. This presents a set of investigations to determine a guideline for remote autonomous bridge inspections.

Riding To Learn: Informal Science In Adult Cycling Communities, Joel R. Drake

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Our understanding of how the world works is shaped through countless interactions with things in it. These interactions are our first exposure to science. Through them, we learn that heavy things are hard to push and books do not fall through tables. Our interactions are also shaped by the rules of the groups to which we belong (e.g., families, religious organizations, athletic teams). These rules lead us to accept that some things cannot or should not be done, limiting our interactions with the world. At the same time, these rules change our appreciation for what we do experience.

Prior research …

Combating The Actor's Sacrifice: How To Amend Federal Labor Law To Influence The Labor Practices Of Theaters And Incentivize Actors To Fight For Their Rights, Shelley Attadgie

Cardozo Law Review

Part I of this Note will provide a background of the stage theater industry and the current federal and state labor laws and regulations. Section L.A will introduce the basic structure of the acting world, the differences between union and non-union actors, and the conflict surrounding the recent repealing of the Los Angeles 99-seat Theatre Waiver. Section I.B will discuss current minimum wage laws, focusing on the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Part II of this Note will analogize the actor's situation in the line with the relevant statutes, regulations, and case law to determine whether theaters …

Preparing For The Apocalypse: A Multi-Prong Proposal To Develop Countermeasures For Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear Threats, Constance E. Bagley, Anat Alon-Beck

Cardozo Law Review

The false alarm of a Hawaiian nuclear attack in January 2018 is an example of the lack of U.S. preparedness for attacks using nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. To address such threats, this Article proposes the establishment of a nationwide integrated defense of health countermeasures initiative (DHCI). DHCI is a multi-prong program to create a defensive triad comprising government, private industry, and academia to develop countermeasures for health threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attacks. Key elements of our proposal include the use of the government's Other Transaction Authority to simplify procurement arrangements, the establishment …

The Relationship Between Feeding Type And Temporomandibular Joint Morphology In Superfamily Musteloidea, Travis L. Garvin

Masters Theses

Many studies have focused on the soft tissue analysis of carnivores and have demonstrated a relationship between feeding biomechanics and feeding types. Herbivores and omnivores rely heavily on anteroposterior and helical movement of the mandible and teeth for the breakdown of fibrous foods resulting in a flat mandibular fossa while the function of the carnivore TMJ is different, as they need a much stable joint for ripping and tearing of the flesh. I aim to look at whether the bony morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be directly related to feeding type, specifically in the superfamily Musteloidea. I sampled …

A Global Analysis Of Corporate Litigation Risk And Costs, Matteo P. Arena, Stephen P. Ferris

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

We analyze a unique hand-collected international sample of 475 corporate lawsuits involving 361 publicly-traded defendant firms headquartered in 16 developed countries to explore how country factors influence litigation risk, equity market value, lawsuit outcomes, and settlement costs. Unlike U.S.-focused studies, we do not find a significant relation between stock turnover, equity performance, and the probability of litigation. Defendant firms headquartered in civil law countries or countries with less efficient judiciary systems face lower litigation risk and costs as well as less share price decline at filing. Countries whose courts are less independent demonstrate a significant bias against foreign defendant firms.

Philosophia Soteria: How Occupational Safety And Health Professionals Influence Decision Makers, Daniel Jay Snyder

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify ideas about how occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals influence decision-makers on matters impacting occupational health and safety management systems. A modified nominal group technique was used that involved 67 participants in ten nominal groups and identified the most important ideas about how OSH professionals can influence workplace safety and health decision making. The research produced themes of communication, scientific, professionalism, leadership, adaptability, and business acumen that resulted in six domains of occupational safety and health professional influence.

Applications Of Node-Based Resilience Graph Theoretic Framework To Clustering Autism Spectrum Disorders Phenotypes, John Matta, Junya Zhao, Gunes Ercal, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

With the growing ubiquity of data in network form, clustering in the context of a network, represented as a graph, has become increasingly important. Clustering is a very useful data exploratory machine learning tool that allows us to make better sense of heterogeneous data by grouping data with similar attributes based on some criteria. This paper investigates the application of a novel graph theoretic clustering method, Node-Based Resilience clustering (NBR-Clust), to address the heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and identify meaningful subgroups. The hypothesis is that analysis of these subgroups would reveal relevant biomarkers that would provide a better …

Telehealth In Rural Tennessee- Closing The Gap In Care?, Kara L. Bianchini

Applied Research Projects

Telehealth is quickly becoming a tool used in everyday healthcare. Certain areas, such as rural communities in Tennessee, experience health disparities because of their location and distance from health care providers. This gap in care can be diminished through the use of telehealth services. This research project is taking place to gather data from hospitals in Tennessee currently providing telehealth services. I want to determine if telehealth is closing the gap-in-care seen in rural communities. Through research, I have found there are multiple barriers to telehealth, but also significant benefits. I think with additional education and training, telehealth can become …

Impact Information Governance Has On Healthcare Organizations, Nadine N. Ellington

Applied Research Projects

The purpose of this study evaluated the impact of information governance (IG) on healthcare organizations. Objectives and limitations were derived from literature reviews, case studies, and surveys. A methodology of evaluation research with a focus on summative evaluations was conducted. The population study consisted of health information management (HIM) professionals, consultants, data analyst, and other healthcare professionals. The findings from the research provided significant evidence supporting the value IG programs possess along with the benefits healthcare organizations gained with the adoption of the IG initiative.

Perceived Public Opinion Vs. Actual Public Opinion And Media's Influence., Sarah Carey

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This paper examines the extent of polarization in the United States in the current political climate. It was predicted that individual beliefs would be less polarized than news media makes it seem because while the political parties are moving further toward the poles, there is no evidence to suggest that individuals are doing the same. Using Berkeley’s Survey Documentation and Analysis tool, data from the American National Election Studies (ANES) was analyzed to test this premise. The ANES measured individuals’ party identification. The analysis focused on those who identify as Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. The survey then asked those same …

Comment In Response To Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility On Public Charge Grounds, Brittany Thomas, Nahal Zamani, Joann Kamuf Ward

Human Rights Institute

The proposed rule on “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” would cause irreparable harm to communities across the United States, and immigrants and their families, in particular. The proposed change contravenes globally accepted human rights norms, which aim to ensure an adequate standard of living and prohibit discrimination, including specific human rights obligations and commitments of the United States.

As legal organizations devoted to ensuring justice and human rights accountability in the United States, we submit this joint comment in opposition to the proposed rule, which threatens to destabilize communities, and undermine public health and safety by penalizing individuals who seek …

Framing The Global Pact For The Environment: Why It’S Needed, What It Does, And How It Does It, Teresa Parejo Navajas, Nathan Lobel

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment Staff Publications

We face a critical environmental crisis. Humanity consumes unsustainably; we use resources at a rate fifty percent faster than they are reproduced by the planet. The population is growing exponentially and climate change, the most important challenge of this century, is already wreaking havoc around the world. Despite numerous existing international environmental treaties, the Earth, and, therefore, human safety and prosperity, is in peril. According to a recent study by scientists from Stanford University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the ongoing “sixth mass extinction” threatens to cause an “assault on the foundations of human civilization.” In November 2017, …

Tying The Knot: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Understanding The Human Right To Adequate Nutrition, Jessica Fanzo, Kaitlin Y. Cordes, Elizabeth F. Fox, Anna Bulman

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment Staff Publications

Malnutrition is alarmingly prevalent, affecting one in three people worldwide. In this Article, we argue that a key reason the global community has been unsuccessful in combating malnutrition is a lack of clarity outside the field of nutrition regarding the true meaning of “nutrition.” In particular, this has limited the effectiveness of international human rights law as a mechanism for addressing malnutrition.

In this interdisciplinary Article, which draws from both the legal and nutrition fields, we unpack the meaning of nutrition and demonstrate that a standalone right to adequate nutrition does indeed exist in international human rights law as a …

Point/Counterpoint: Is There A Case For Subsidizing Sports Stadiums?, Victor Matheson

Economics Department Working Papers

In recent decades, governments have committed enormous public resources to subsidize construction of new stadiums, and the dollar value of taxpayer contributions for these subsidies continues to climb. Spending of taxpayer dollars includes both direct subsidies from state and local governments, as well as indirect subsidies from the use of tax-exempt bonds to finance construction. In granting stadium subsidies, governments claim that the stadiums are a public good that attracts tourists and businesses, thereby generating increased spending and job creation—benefits that flow to the community rather than to team owners. But do such benefits exist, and are they large enough …

The Deaf Catholic, Winter 2018

ICDA The Deaf Catholic

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in USA

ICDA The Deaf CatholicFinding Aid

The Bully Pulpit And The Pulpit Bully: A Comparison Of How Presidents Theodore Roosevelt And Donald Trump Used The Media To Propel Their Careers And Political Agendas., Scott E. Miller

History Theses

This thesis compares and contrasts how two of the more media savvy American presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump, utilized the press/media to advance their careers and promote their agendas. Both men’s ascent to power coincided with and benefited from the rise of new media outlets; Roosevelt’s with the newspaper revolution and Trump’s with the social media/networking explosion, specifically that of Twitter. Their groundbreaking mastery of these and other media formats share several common devices including trial balloons, manipulating news cycles and creating news distractions. However, a deeper dive reveals distinct differences as well.

Relying heavily on primary resources, including …

Review: Using Physiologically Based Models To Predict Population Responses To Phytochemicals By Wild Vertebrate Herbivores, J. S. Forbey, T. T. Caughlin

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

To understand how foraging decisions impact individual fitness of herbivores, nutritional ecologists must consider the complex in vivo dynamics of nutrient–nutrient interactions and nutrient–toxin interactions associated with foraging. Mathematical modeling has long been used to make foraging predictions (e.g. optimal foraging theory) but has largely been restricted to a single currency (e.g. energy) or using simple indices of nutrition (e.g. fecal nitrogen) without full consideration of physiologically based interactions among numerous co-ingested phytochemicals. Here, we describe a physiologically based model (PBM) that provides a mechanistic link between foraging decisions and demographic consequences. Including physiological mechanisms of absorption, digestion and metabolism …

Phr: Patient Health Record, Quinn Nelson

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The rapid development of information technology systems has expanded into multiple disciplines and results in systems that are limited by initial design and implementation: the Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) space is no different. The introduction of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system has changed the way healthcare operates. Initial designs of these systems were focused on serving the needs of insurance companies and healthcare billing departments. Research shows that the design of EHR systems negatively impact provider-patient interactions and the care they receive. This capstone project capitalizes on the collaboration efforts between UNO and UNMC – by joining a research …

Thermal Comfort In Heated-And-Ventilated-Only Warehouses, Christian Taber, Donald G. Colliver

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Building energy codes and standards contain minimum requirements that provide a path to energy efficient buildings and building systems. ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are the main national building code models in the United States. Both Standard 90.1 and the IECC are updated on three-year cycles with the goal of reducing building energy consumption.

Entendiendo Las Calorias/ Understanding Calories, Lorena Santana

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In Monterey County nearly half of residents have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Monterey County is 58.3% Hispanic and studies show that Latinos are 50% more likely to die from diabetes than Whites. Therefore the Central Coast YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program seeks to prevent the development of diabetes by aiding prediabetic patients to make a lifestyle change and become healthier through a one-year program. In the United States non-English speakers often lack access to resources in their own language. With this knowledge the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program has created an educational resource to support Spanish speakers in understanding materials …

College & Career Exploration, Karina Medina

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Taylor Farms Center for Learning was developed by the Future Citizens Foundation who is a California non-profit organization that provides programs throughout Monterey County. The rate of high school dropouts in Monterey County is extremely high. The purpose of the capstone project was to empower and promote youth to obtain a higher education and to simply allow youth to define success in their own terms. The empowerment process consisted of four educational workshops that focused on educating and informing youth of different postsecondary education and careers opportunities available. The results increased youth’s knowledge and awareness about postsecondary education and career …

School Based Flu Clinics, Jessica Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice provides health care in an ethically responsible, affordable, caring, and professional manner. The department of Community Services, focuses on providing traveling clinics to maintain a community healthy. School Based Flu Clinics were implemented under the Community Services department. These clinics address the excessive number of Monterey County residents becoming ill from influenza (flu) each flu season. The project was an event that immunized the community as well as provided education, about the importance of the flu shot. The four clinics, were open to the public, targeting students, parents, friends, and district employees. Flu vaccine …

Genius: Scie-Nce Access For Unde-Represente-D University Parties, Kaitlin Palmer

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The School of Natural Sciences (SNS) houses the biology, marine science, and environmental science, technology, and policy majors which have low retention rates. The Science Student Success (S3) Program was created as a toolbox for first-generation and low socioeconomic college students to receive support and access to the resources they need to help them succeed. Three S3 Program students were interviewed to obtain their viewpoints on what should be done to improve the success and retention of first-generation and low-income SNS students. From an analysis of the students’ interviews and the scholarly literature, three factors emerged as important to increase …

No Senior Or Persons With Disabilities Left Behind, Elizabeth Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey County Department of Social Services has been serving the community through the various programs to the community. The Aging and Adult Services unit of the department offers In-Home Supportive Services program which serves the senior population and people living with disabilities. This program unfortunately is not very known in the community and can serve a lot more people than it currently is. The problem being addressed is the lack of awareness that the program has among the community. The project implemented to remedy this lack of awareness is the creation of a county brochure that explains the program, …

Father Engagement, Marisa Morales

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey County Office of Education Head Start & Early Head Start Family & Community Engagement service has identified the need for father involvement in early childhood education. With a very meaningful purpose “Padres Bien Padres, Very Cool Dads”, was started. Four workshops were given to male role models to support parenting engagement with their children. In addition, professional development training was provided to head start Policy Council to raise awareness of the “Padres Bien Padres, Very Cool Dad’s” program and share different ideas and activities to improve and encourage fathers to participate in head start. The Policy Council members …