Digital Commons Network^™

New Approaches And Challenges Regarding Trade, Climate Action, And The Wto, Sunayana Sasmal

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

This report considers how the WTO, as an institution and its rules, can and should be a game-changer in undertaking climate action and the green energy transition globally. By leveraging its toolkit, the WTO has the potential to drive climate action, from regulating border carbon adjustments to promoting trade in green products, green electricity, and dissemination of climate technologies. However, unlocking this potential requires legal reforms, a proactive institutional role, and strong political will from WTO members.

“Standing” In The Way Of Equality: Acheson Hotels, Llc, V. Laufer, Hayley R. Mullen

University of Dayton Law Review

No abstract provided.

Addressing The Needs Of Survivors In Domestic Violence Shelters, Diana Edith Hernandez Saldivar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking often face significant barriers to accessing basic hygiene items when seeking shelter. Monarch Services, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz County, addresses these challenges at its Mariposa House. The agency offers various services for survivors, including advocacy, case management, and emergency shelter. This project involved organizing a donation drive, enhancing the intake process with a needs assessment, and gathering client feedback through surveys on hygiene items received. The expected outcomes were collecting hygiene products, integrating a needs assessment into the intake form, and client feedback. The shelter successfully received hygiene donations, updated …

Improving Communication Between Providers And Patients During Pediatric Cancer Care, Yuritza Arciga

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Listen First Survivorship project explores the communication barriers faced by young adults and their families during cancer treatment. The project focuses on identifying communication gaps and developing strategies to better support Jacob’s Heart's young adult cancer survivors. This project was implemented by Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services and Dr. Stephanie Smith of the Pediatric Oncology department at Stanford Children’s Hospital. The participants described feeling overwhelmed with too much information and not enough answers to their questions during their appointments. Through qualitative interviews and focus groups, key findings revealed that young adults experienced significant gaps in knowledge due to …

Active Transportation Term Guide, Kalonni Steib

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey County Health Department, through its Planning, Evaluation, and Policy (PEP) Department, is dedicated to promoting health equity by implementing strategic plans, aligning performance standards with national accreditation, and addressing social and environmental policies. Serving underserved and unincorporated communities, PEP focuses on overcoming language barriers in Monterey County, which has a significant Hispanic and Latino population. This project aimed to develop a bilingual glossary of active transportation terms to enhance communication between the community and government agencies. Implemented over three to six months, the glossary was piloted for feedback and updates. The project successfully identified key transportation terms and …

Addressing The Issue Of Public Defender Excessive Caseload In Low-Income Communities, Moises Reynoso Colin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey County Public Defender’s Office plays a vital role in providing legal representation to low-income individuals, ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld. Although the office effectively fulfills its mandate, it aims to enhance defense support by exploring ways to reduce attorney workloads and improve service quality. This project was developed to assess attorney-to-client ratios, identify staffing needs, and evaluate the potential benefits of integrating paralegals into the team. Using a mixed-methods approach, the project included interviews with attorneys to gather insights on workload challenges and identify tasks that could be delegated to paralegal staff. Findings revealed that certified paralegals …

The Forgotten S.O.P., Kamille Stevens

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (iiED) is dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship and economic growth within the Monterey Bay. Its goal is to create a pipeline of entrepreneurs from the Monterey Bay region who remain local and are able to increase the number of businesses and high-paying jobs in the area. To reach this goal, iiED provides multiple opportunities to its participants and tailors those opportunities based on their feedback.

Recently, iiED’s management has begun to experience turnover as individuals retire or reduce their work hours. As a result, iiED has begun to depend on the specialized knowledge of …

Cultural Concepts Of Distress Education For Clinicians, Leilani Jolene Santos Cancio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Adult System of Care (ASOC) program at Monterey County Behavioral Health supports adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. Despite serving a diverse population, there is limited training that addresses the complex intersection of culture and mental health. This project involved a workshop for ASOC clinicians focused on cultural concepts of distress, specifically "ataque de nervios," a syndrome common in Hispanic and Latino individuals. The workshop aimed to enhance clinicians' understanding of how cultural identity impacts mental health symptoms. Pre and post-workshop surveys assessed knowledge gains. The project yielded positive outcomes, with clinicians gaining valuable insights into …

Stronger Together: Boys Of New School And Costanoa, Analupita Ramirez-Cortes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Monarch Services has been in Santa Cruz County since 1977, providing crucial support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through a range of programs, including crisis intervention, youth support, and emergency shelter. The organization serves approximately 1,500 survivors annually, with a strong focus on Latino communities and bilingual services. In 2023, the Children and Youth Program served 118 individuals, offering case management, safety planning, and counseling. This capstone project aims to bridge the gap in education about healthy relationships, focusing on teen boys at CostaNoa High School and New School Community Day High School. By implementing The Mask …

Art For The Heart; Elevating The Annual Gathering For Women Art Fair, Melanie Verga

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Homelessness among women in Monterey County has many women facing mental health challenges, social isolation, and financial instability. Gathering for Women, a local nonprofit, serves homeless and at-risk women by providing essential services, including opportunities for creative expression. The project focused on expanding art media workshops and hosting an Art Fair and Artist Showcase to amplify the voices of marginalized populations. Workshops introduced diverse artistic mediums including jewelry making, painting, knitting and design. The Art Fair showcased participants' work online and at a local gallery, promoting community connection and support. The project successfully engaged nine participants, creating opportunities for artistic …

Identifying Gaps: Mixtec Parents’ Experiences Within The Salinas Union High School District, Daniela Maldonado Prudencio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Salinas Union High School District has identified low academic performance among Mixtec-speaking students as a significant issue. Since these students are learning English and Spanish simultaneously, they often face language barriers that affect their academic progress. The school system lacks culturally relevant systems and practices to support their unique needs. This gap also leads to limited parental engagement, as Mixtec-speaking parents struggle to navigate the school system further impacting student’s success. Low graduation rates, limited access to higher education, and limited career opportunities are some of the outcomes. In response, Salinas Union High School Pupil and Personnel Services worked …

Empowering Minds: Navigating Mental Health Through Workshop Based Learning, Isabel E. Rocha-Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Luna Y Sol is an organization located in Santa Cruz county, specifically in Watsonville. The organization serves youth with the ages ranging from 12 to 17 and their families. Luna Y Sol supports youth with Mental Health, Trauma and those who are exposed or have direct involvement with violence. The program offers youth a safe place and community for them to visit when needed. The project implemented at Luna Y Sol consisted of a four part mental health workshop for youth. The purpose was for youth to become more aware and familiarized on the topic of mental health which included, …

The Role Of Fitness Influencers In Shaping Hegemonic Masculinity Among Young Men, Ali Al Zamle

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study analyzes how fitness influencers on social media shape perceptions of hegemonic masculinity among young men. By examining content from influencers like Jay Cutler and Noel Dyzel, as well as insights from interviews, this research investigates the psychological and physical effects of adhering to idealized masculine body standards. The findings reveal that influencers reinforce traditional masculine norms but also offer alternative, more inclusive representations of strength and vulnerability. This analysis contributes to our understanding of how digital fitness culture influences young men's body image and mental health.

Impact Of Mental Health On The Academic Success Of Middle School Students, Kelsey Alcantara

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project examines the impact of mental health on the academic performance of middle school students. Mental health, such as anxiety and depression, has become a pivotal topic and more common among middle school students today. This research highlights the importance and the need for mental health support in schools and how it impacts students' focus, engagement, and academic performance. In addition, it further discusses how teachers identify and handle mental health issues in the classroom through the use of literature review and interview with middle school teachers, principals, and counselors. In order to improve academic performance …

The Effects Of Physical Education On The Well-Being And Academics Of Elementary School Students, Maria Melendez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone examines the vital role of physical education in schools, highlighting its profound impact on students' academic success and overall well-being. Despite its importance, many districts have recently reduced physical education programs, negatively affecting students' well-being and academic performance, particularly in elementary schools. This study aims to demonstrate the necessity of physical education in elementary schools for facilitating students' well-being and academic achievement through a comprehensive review of existing literature and interviews.

Benefits Of Afterschool Programs On The Academic Achievement And Social Development For Upper Grade Elementary School Students, Jorge Fernandez-Mora

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Afterschool programs provide beneficial support for students by offering tutoring, homework help, and enrichment/teach programs that reinforce classroom learning. These programs help young students build essential math, reading, and critical thinking skills. My capstone project explores the positive impact of afterschool programs on upper elementary school student's academic achievement and social development. Through the use of literature review and interviews with administrators, expanded learning coordinators, and teachers, the result findings revealed that afterschool programs are crucial in helping students meet their academic and social needs. It is also important to note that school-based academic support programs are safe in supervised …

Effects Of Teacher Burnout On Elementary School Students’ Learning, Isela Padilla

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of teacher burnout on elementary students through literature review and qualitative research. Interviews with local teachers, an administrator, and a school psychologist reveal a notable correlation between teacher burnout and student outcomes. Key findings indicate that burnout among teachers is linked to lower academic performance and increased behavioral issues in students. These results underscore the importance of addressing teacher well-being to support positive student learning and behavior.

Teaching New Mothers The Importance Of Prenatal And Postnatal Nutrition, Brisa Villa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many pregnant women are unaware of the significant impact that prenatal and postnatal malnutrition can have on both their health and their baby's development. Prenatal and postnatal malnutrition can affect pregnancy, childhood, and even adulthood. According to Barker (1997), prenatal malnutrition puts the baby at a high risk for heart disease, low-birth weight, high blood pressure, stillbirth, and many more long-term health issues. To address the issue of prenatal and postnatal malnutrition, I created a two-day workshop for new mothers on how to identify consequences of malnutrition during and after pregnancy, understanding appropriate portion sizes across different food groups and …

Soil Dynamics In Carbon, Nitrogen, And Enzyme Activity Under Maize–Green Manure Cropping Sequences, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Wanderley José De Melo, Roberto Alves De Oliveira, Paulo Henrique Silveira Cardoso, Raíssa De Araujo Dantas, Rodrigo Nogueira De Sousa, Dalila Lopes Da Silva, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Gian Franco Capra, Gabriel Maurício Peruca De Melo

Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The diversification of cropping sequences has a positive impact on soil organic carbon, while improving nutrient cycling and crop yields. The objective of this research was to assess amylase, cellulase, C and N dynamics, and maize yield on a low fertility oxisol in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was conducted under field conditions during three maize crop succession cycles. The treatments consisted of cultivating maize during the summer, after sorghum and lablab cropped as green manure and fallow during the winter. Higher maize yields were achieved by sorghum–maize succession compared to monocropping, due to higher N fertilizer and biomass inputs …

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Study: The Children Of Black Southern Protestant Theological Leaders, And Mental Health Implications, Kimberly Frantae Paige

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

According to Lee (2015), most PKs have their own personal stories about their complicated relationship with the church. The kids of Pastors experience pressure to satisfy their parents, peers, and the congregation. They also experience scrutiny and feel they are living “life in the fishbowl” (Benjamin et al., 2021). Meaning their lives and life decisions are constantly on display and discussed or questioned by onlookers; especially the community and members of their congregation (Benjamin et al., 2021). Meanwhile, they are trying to understand who they are, separate from who their parents are, and who society and the congregation thinks they …

Deep Learning Approach For Accurate Segmentation Of Oil Spills In Marine Systems, Mohamed Elsheref

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Oil spills present critical environmental hazards, threatening marine ecosystems and necessitating fast, accurate detection for effective mitigation. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery has been instrumental in detecting oil spills, but manual interpretation is often inefficient and prone to errors. This study addresses the limitations of manual methods by proposing a deep learning approach for automated oil spill detection and segmentation.

Utilizing a novel transfer learning-based semantic segmentation model, this research focuses on detecting oil slicks on the sea surface with higher accuracy and efficiency. The model leverages pre-trained networks and incorporates U-Net variants, including UNet++ and MultiResUNet, to optimize spatial …

Mission Possible: Motivating Students Toward High School Completion, Terri Howard

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Celebrated each spring, high school graduation yields many positive, long-term impacts on an individual’s life. These include better overall health, lower reliance on government resources, higher lifetime earnings, and eligibility for post-secondary educational opportunities (Levin et al., 2007; Rowley et al., 2011; McFarland et al., 2019; Uretsky, 2019). While the benefits of high school completion are clear, each year hundreds of students fail to meet diploma requirements. Autonomous motivation, both intrinsic motivation and integrated regulation, drives engagement in activities perceived as relevant to desired outcomes and is closely associated with positive academic performance, school persistence (Deci et al., 1991; Vallerand …

Contesting And Controlling Abortion In China’S Courts, Molly Bodurtha, Benjamin L. Liebman, Li Chenquian, Xiaohan Wu

Faculty Scholarship

The decision of the United States Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has brought renewed global attention to how legal systems protect and restrict women’s reproductive autonomy. Central themes have included how the rollback of reproductive rights in the United States coincides with the judiciary’s embrace of a broader “jurisprudence of masculinity” and the relationship between abortion restrictions and authoritarianism, as multiple countries have enacted restrictive measures while undergoing democratic backsliding.

Yet, the scholarly conversation on abortion, democracy, and how courts reflect and entrench gender disparities entirely omits China — the largest authoritarian state and a country …

The Equal Right To Exclude: Religious Speech And The Road To 303 Creative Llc V. Elenis, Kate Redburn

Faculty Scholarship

This Article explains how speech became the constitutional vehicle for the right to discriminate on religious grounds in places of public accommodation. It argues that cause lawyers for the New Christian Right cobbled together a right to exclude from a surprising doctrinal source: the egalitarian tendencies within the First Amendment. Using extensive original archival research, case materials, and little-known accounts of key figures, I reconstruct the New Christian Right’s legal strategy to obtain speech coverage for service denial. By strategically co-opting the progressive free speech legacy, innovative lawyers in the religious wing of the conservative legal movement convinced liberal jurists …

How The European Union Should Respond To Trump's Tariffs, Ignacio García Bercero, Petros C. Mavroidis, André Sapir

Faculty Scholarship

President-elect Trump has threatened to increase United States tariffs to 60 percent on imports from China and 10 percent to 20 percent on imports from other trading partners, including the European Union. In doing so the US would be ignoring its World Trade Organisation commitments and would also rollback the substantial liberalisation that has taken place during the past 80 years, with a potentially major negative impact on the world economy.

In response to this threat, the EU should pursue a three-pronged strategy.

First, the EU should engage bilaterally with the US to seek to avoid the imposition of tariffs. …

The New Professional: A Guide To Finding A Mentor As A New Dentist, Amrita Patel D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Patel provides guidance for new dentists on finding and maintaining effective mentoring relationships. She emphasizes that mentors can offer valuable guidance during the transition from dental school to clinical practice. The article explains that mentors need not be exclusively dentists and can be found through various channels, including professional associations, dental societies, alumni networks, and social media platforms. It outlines strategies for identifying potential mentors by observing their clinical skills, professionalism, and leadership styles. The piece concludes with practical advice for maintaining productive mentoring relationships, including setting clear expectations, preparing for meetings, and maintaining consistent communication. The article emphasizes …

Dentistry And The Law: Overlooked Purchase Agreement Terms, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Selling a dental practice involves numerous legal, financial, and operational considerations. Assembling a team—including a lawyer, accountant, broker, and insurance professional—is crucial for ensuring a smooth transaction. While letters of intent are optional, they help define terms like exclusivity, due diligence, and confidentiality.

Purchase agreements, often drafted by the buyer’s lawyer, should detail asset allocation, tax implications, and handling of accounts receivable. Neglected areas such as work-in-process procedures and rework responsibilities must also be addressed to avoid disputes. Properly planning and negotiating these terms protects both buyer and seller, minimizing post-sale complications and ensuring a seamless transition of ownership.

Integrating Sustainability And Food Safety Through Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment And Life Cycle Assessment Of Low-Moisture Foods, Jessica Bain

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food safety and sustainability are critical concerns in the food industry. However, these areas are often evaluated separately, leading to an incomplete understanding of the overall impact of food production on human health. This dissertation aims to integrate food safety with sustainability to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of low-moisture foods on human health, using the almond processing supply chain as a case study.

In addition to conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) of almond processing, wheat flour production, and dried apple processing, this dissertation aims to create a framework to bridge the gap between sustainability and food safety. …

Influence Of Head Sway On The Availability Of Visual Information In An Affordance Task, Ron Dickson Jr.

Honors Theses

This thesis investigated how varying postural conditions and environmental challenges influence human affordance perception in virtual environments, focusing specifically on participants’ judgments about whether they could stand upright on sloped surfaces. Using virtual reality (VR) to simulate ramps at various inclines, participants assessed their ability to stand on these slopes under different postural constraints (unaided standing, leaning, and touch-supported). Data was collected on head movement dynamics, including movement magnitude, variability, and complexity, using measures such as Euclidean distance and effort-to-compress (ETC). Logistic and linear regression analyses revealed that slope angle and stance significantly impacted participants' affordance judgments and movement patterns, …

Social Patterns In Physical Infrastructure: Associations Between Socioeconomic Status And Walkability, Kaylee Coursey

Honors Theses

Studies analyzing the relationship between socioeconomic status and physical infrastructure of a city are inconsistent in findings but agree on racial and class disparities. Utilizing walkability (Walk Score) as a measurement for physical infrastructure, this thesis aims to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and the walkability of a city. The Socio-Ecological framework suggests that environmental experiences are correlated with the social functioning of a community. Thus, socioeconomic status has a significant impact on the quality of one’s built environment.

Using housing data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) and Walk Score, a series of quantitative analyses were conducted …