Digital Commons Network^™

An Institutional And Policy Analysis Of Adaptive Capacity To Climate Change Of The Agricultural Sector Of Bangladesh, Calvin Wood Martin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis evaluates the adaptive capacity of Bangladesh’s agricultural sector in the context of climate change, focusing on policy and institutional capacities. An analytic framework is applied to assess policy coherence, resources, and implementation effectiveness of key national and international policies. The study also examines aspects of institutional capacity, such as administration, technological innovation, protective infrastructure, and access to benefits and resources. Through expert interviews and a comprehensive literature review, the research identifies both strengths and challenges in current efforts to enhance climate resilience. The findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly in strengthening policy coherence, resource needs, and institutional support …

The Relationship Between Teacher Agency And Occupational Well-Being Among Primary School Teachers, Hongbo Yu

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Primary school teachers’ occupational well-being has been highly discussed in recent years. Improving professional ability, teaching achievement, teaching seminars, teacher-student relations, and colleague relations make teachers busy and unfulfilled. Teachers, reporting decreases in their overall well-being, are experiencing higher burnout rates, increased workloads, higher levels of negative emotions, and negative internalization symptoms.

This study addressed the relationship between agency and occupational well-being among primary school teachers in Hongshan District. Teacher agency, defined as the capacity of teachers to act purposefully and constructively to direct their professional growth and influence their work environment, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in …

A Study On The Relationship Between College Teachers’ Perception Of Professional Learning Communities And Self-Efficacy, Hongli Jia

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate the relationship between college teachers’ perceptions of the professional learning community and teacher self-efficacy. Drawing on quantitative data from a sample of 367 college teachers in Inner Mongolia in China during the 2023-2024 school year, the research investigated the impact of PLC participation on self-efficacy across different career stages and majors.

The findings revealed a medium positive correlation between college teachers’ perception in PLCs and teacher self-efficacy. The regression model indicated that collective learning and application and shared personal practice significantly influenced the overall teacher self-efficacy, but shared and supportive …

Following The Footprints Of Iron, Marve William Nelson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

With the advent of lead isotope analysis in the 1960’s, metallurgic studies within archaeology have grown from their infancy of organizing artifacts into typological categorizations into their own sub-discipline of archaeology: archaeometallurgy. Archaeometallurgic researchers conducts muti-phase, chemistry-based, studies to determine provenance of source metal ores as well as microchemical and metallographic analyses to identify smelting and forging techniques, culminating in multidisciplinary studies which detect shifting commerce pathways and correlate them to periods of significant cultural change. The results of these studies have offered evidence for both verification and refutation of various previous hypotheses of cultural evolution through cultural transmission. Archaeometallurgy …

Analysis Of The Transformations Of Laguna Melincué Wetland, Argentina, Bianca Giunti

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In Argentina, freshwater wetlands are threatened by land use changes, unsustainable irrigation practices, and climate change. Twenty-three wetlands cover 5,176,578 ha of the Argentinian territory and have been designated as wetlands of international importance by the Convention of Wetlands (Kandus et al., 2008; Ramsar Sites Information Service, 2022). These figures are significant given Argentina’s unique geographic location on a central migratory bird flyway and the profound biological diversity found in these wetlands (Jahn et al., 2013; Red Aves Internacionales, 2015). The Government of Argentina has recently moved to implement wetland protection and conservation policies. Nevertheless, policy and governance efforts to …

Exploring Spatial Climate Analogs For Climate Impact Projection, Adaptation, And Communication, Svetlana Valeryevna Yegorova

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Climate change requires that we adapt to the many impacts that are already unavoidable. To adapt, institutions and managers need to be able to anticipate how ecosystems are likely to respond to the observed and projected changes in climate. This dissertation explores spatial climate analogs for projecting climate change exposure and impacts to ecological systems, and for communicating climate impacts to diverse audiences. Chapter 1 summarizes the current state of knowledge about spatial climate analogs, and identifies areas for further research. Chapter 2 compares the skill and impact projections of analog impact models, to that of two commonly used empirical …

Density Anomaly Leads To Rift Initiation: Quantifying Active Rifting And Comparison To The East African Rift Zone, Chloe Boucher

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Active rifting, elastic failure in the lithosphere from rising density anomalies in the mantle, is fundamental to the Wilson Cycle which describes the cycle of tectonic plates. Active rift zones are common in the oceanic lithosphere but are less common in the thicker continental lithosphere. The current largest active continental rift zone is the East African Rift Zone (EARZ). Although active rifting is fundamental to plate tectonic theory, the mechanics and parameters needed for a density anomaly to initiate a rift have not been undertaken. This model aims to solve the problem of a density anomaly initiating a continental rift …

El Pequeño Riego De México: Puebla, Morelos, Y Baja California Sur, José A. Rivera Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Small to medium-sized irrigation systems in México are characterized in the literature as El Pequeño Riego. Some systems can be compared to those in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, while others are significantly larger and more complex. Regardless of irrigated acres or hectáreas, however, there are many elements that are commonly shared across these regions. Firstly, the irrigation works are based on the use of acequias dug from the earth that need to be maintained and cleaned season to season. The terms canals and acequias are interchangeable. Secondly, the irrigators themselves, whether called parciantes or regantes, take …

Movement-Based Interventions To Support Executive Function And Emotional Regulation In Autism Through The Potential Molecular Induction Of Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review, Julie Dalmolen

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder is associated with cognitive challenges that can hinder Executive Function. Disruptions in ER tend to create the largest barriers to social interactions with peers and can lead to disengagement from social activities and increased isolation which can impede learning and increase sedentary behaviors. Exercise interventions have been extensively studied in the autism population. While research suggests a variety of movement-based practices are effective in supporting metabolism, motor skills, stereotypical behaviors, and executive function, the impacts on emotional regulation are less clear, as are the types of exercise interventions that have the greatest effects. This systematic review aimed …

Climate Change, Policy Paralysis, And A Nuclear Waste Island? Exploring Perceptions Of Risk, Trust, And Community Agency In Navigating Uncertain Futures Facing Humboldt Bay's Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Site, Alexander Brown

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Climate and coastal hazards threaten the long-term viability of indefinite in-situ nuclear waste storage in the U.S., especially at vulnerable “stranded” sites like Humboldt Bay, California. The national policy framework is fundamentally incompatible with emergent climate realities and does not adequately accommodate uncertainty, localized hazard conditions, and the sociocultural and political dynamics that manifest in diverse and contested public arenas. I interviewed 21 community-experts working at the intersection of climate change and nuclear waste, and co-facilitated three scenario planning workshops to gather insights on how to responsibly manage Humboldt Bay’s nuclear waste in a climate-altered world. Qualitative findings indicate variation …

Evolution Of Regulations Impacting Landowner Decision Making: A Comparison Of Private Forest Policies In California And Oregon, Claire E. Anderson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

California and Oregon have long and dynamic histories of forest practice regulation on privately owned lands. Private lands remain connected to the larger environment despite arbitrary property boundaries, thus management decisions made on those lands impact ecosystem services across landscapes. Because forests have public trust resources such as clean water, there are policy tools that facilitate public involvement in private forest land decision making.

This study compares the trajectories of policy changes governing private corporate forest landowners in California and Oregon. Interviews with environmental advocates, agency members, and forestry professionals, along with document analysis, provide key insights to how private …

The Role Of High School Freshman Grades, Socioeconomic Status, And School Location On College Enrollment, Sarah Morris, Sarah Mckenzie

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

Prior research underscores the pivotal role high school freshman grade-point averages (FGPA) play in college enrollment, with a focus predominantly on urban settings. This study broadens this perspective, employing a diverse Arkansas sample (n = 33,207), spanning rural, suburban, and urban high school students and filling a notable literature gap. Utilizing a logit analysis, we found that high school students with an A FGPA were 23% more likely to enroll in college than B FGPA peers. Those failing a course in their high school freshman year were 13% less likely to enroll in college. Among similar academic ability students, …

Exploring Colorism In Children’S Literature: Sulwe And Black Is Brown Is Tan, Jasmine April Fortunato

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

My analysis of the texts Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and Black Is Brown Is Tan by Arnold Adoff works to evaluate the representation of colorism in children’s literature to understand how it is represented and has evolved in its messaging towards a young audience. Using the frameworks of Critical Race Theory, Critical Skin Theory and Color Blindness under a lens of colorism, my research utilizes visual analysis to view how it is physically conveyed and research in the literacy of children in understanding intersectional issues. Utilizing literary analysis, I analyze the ways colorism is discussed and combatted through comparisons, representation, …

Cash Substitution And Deferred Consumption As Data Breach Harms, Lisa Yao Liu, Lior Strahilevitz

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

Federal courts have long been divided over whether consumers whose data are breached suffer an “injury in fact” that gives them standing to sue under Article III of the United States Constitution. Judicial opinions find no constitutional standing in a narrow majority of such cases, and plaintiffs are likely to lose absent causal links to subsequent identity theft or the disclosure of embarrassing information. Consumers whose data are breached thus are left without a federal remedy, and firms’ incentives to invest in data security are diminished. Our paper identifies a novel injury that results from data breaches. Upon learning about …

Occupational Licensing And Labor Market Mobility: Evidence From The Legal Profession, Adam Chilton, Jacob Goldin, Kyle Rozema, Sarath Sanga

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

We study how state occupational licensing requirements shape labor mobility across U.S. legal markets. Drawing on newly collected data, we link variation in state bar exam waiver policies to lawyers’ license acquisitions, professional disciplinary records, and educational histories. We find that bar exam waivers increase the number of experienced lawyers obtaining a new license by 38 percent, but that the additional lawyers are subject to more professional discipline and tend to have graduated from less selective law schools. Our results suggest that state-level occupational licensing regimes can create a trade-off between the supply and quality of professionals in an industry.

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Care In Sustaining The Well-Being Of Refugee Entrepreneurs, Arielle Badger Newman, Lisa Jones Christensen

Faculty Publications

Many international aid organisations encourage refugees to engage in entrepreneurship after relocation to a new host country. Yet, this encouragement may be based on data about entrepreneurship from non-refugee populations, particularly those who do not experience the common traumas of forced relocation. This chapter addresses the topic of trauma and refugee entrepreneurship by asking the following question: How can support organisations encourage well-being (or mitigate ill-being) for entrepreneurial refugees? In doing so, we propose how organisations supporting refugee entrepreneurship can incorporate trauma-informed practices. Specifically, there are four “Rs” to being trauma-informed, which correspond to: realisation, recognition, response, and resistance to …

The Divine Mirror: How William Blake’S Poetry Reflects On Humankind And The Creative Process, Jack Berenzweig

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This thesis aims to deconstruct William Blake’s argument on the meaning of God through his various writings from a modern perspective. Utilizing both recent examples and other depictions of divinity, this research aims to illustrate Blake’s perspective-in a non-blasphemous manner-that God is inherently derived from man, and that true divinity stems from creative expression

Ketamine's Therapeutic Potential: A Literature Review, Mya Arscott

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The demand for alternative treatment for depressive disorders has increased in recent years. Our clinical understanding of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has evolved, highlighting the need for different treatments to develop for this subgroup of depression. Treatment-resistant depression is defined as the absence of significant improvement in depressive symptoms despite standard therapy. Considerable improvement in depressive symptoms can seen in an improvement of functioning in everyday activities and a decrease in negative symptoms such as loss of interest, feelings of worthlessness, etc. Ketamine's rapid method of action has been shown to be notably beneficial for individuals with TRD. Research has proven …

Disparities In Punishment For Drunk Driving And Using A Cellphone While Driving, Jessica Cordiner

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

In the United States, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .08% is regarded as one of the most serious offenses threatening road safety; meanwhile, driving while using a cell phone (CUD) is considered to be significantly less serious. Whether or not an accident occurs, the BAC driver may face punishment, including fines, license revocation, jail time, probation, and more, while the CUD driver merely faces fines and points against their license at most. Both offenses risk harm to others, but only the BAC driver's offense gets taken seriously. I argue that assuming both are equally culpable …

You Feel What You Eat: Exploring How Culture And Food Access May Shape Mental Health Via The Gut Microbiome, Drew Burgess

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Previous research implicates the gut-brain axis in mental health, but factors such as cultural diet and other circumstances that influence the gut-brain axis have not been extensively studied. This thesis aims to investigate cultural factors and other factors, including seasonal and economic conditions, that may influence diet and therefore, the gut microbiota, and in turn, the gut-brain axis. To explore this connection, the relationship between components of diet and changes in the gut microbiota composition was reviewed. To understand how those factors may interact to impact anxiety and depression via the gut-brain axis, a host of influences should be considered, …

Genetic Doping, Enhancement, And Therapy: An Ethical Analysis In The Context Of Competitive Sport, Damon Farrell

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

In the realm of sports, a domain characterized by skill, competition, and entertainment, the consensus stands firm—cheating is unequivocally wrong. Violations extend beyond the traditional realm of illicit substances like stimulants and steroids to encompass emerging technological advancements, notably gene doping. Gene doping involves the utilization of genetic-altering technology to augment human performance, introducing a new dimension to the ethical discourse surrounding sports. Despite its designation as a banned practice by numerous sports agencies, there are scenarios where the deployment of this technology warrants consideration and even ethical approval. This analysis delves into the prospects of gene doping, elucidates fundamental …

A Study To Elucidate The Interaction Of Membrane-Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (Mt1-Mmp) And Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha (Hif-1Α) In Pancreatic Cancer, Michelle E. Gras

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Pancreatic cancers are difficult to treat with a 13% survival rate. Factors such as hypoxic niches within the cancer promote drug resistance, while enzymes such as membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) are linked to disease etiology. MT1-MMP’s transmembrane region is implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, little is known about the cytoplasmic tail (MT1-MMP-CT). Recent studies have linked MT1-MMP-CT and the transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible-factor-1-subunit-alpha (HIF-1α); a transcription factor that is stable only under hypoxia. This study uses flow cytometry to quantify the co expression of HIF-1α and MT1-MMP-CT among human pancreatic cell lines, under both normoxia and hypoxia. This …

The Acute Effects Of Graphene Nanoflakes On Whole-Cell Cholesterol, Ritvik Kesharaju

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Graphene is a novel nanomaterial with great potential in biomedicine owing to its high electron mobility, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. In biological applications, graphene often makes direct contact with the plasma membrane and likely affects cellular function. The lack of understanding about graphene-plasmalemma interaction inspired this mechanistic study. Based on published work from our lab about graphene’s chronic effects on cell growth, we used graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) and examined their acute effects in astrocytes. Our tests show that GNFs readily insert into the plasmalemma, focally enrich membrane cholesterol (mChol), stabilize surrounding membrane, and promote membrane protein activity and transmembrane …

Faith And Governance: Balancing Religious Expression And Government Neutrality In Democratic Republics, Kathaleen Kelly

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

As nations grow more diverse in religious beliefs, the debate intensifies over what, if any, public religious displays governments should allow. Some argue that the separation of church and state does not hinder the state and religious institutions from coexisting peacefully, thereby allowing the public display of some religious symbols. In contrast, others firmly believe in preventing overlap between the two and that public displays of religion are inappropriate. I argue that in democratic republic nations with laws upholding the separation of church and state, the government should not allow religious displays on public, government-owned land by examining John Rawls’ …

Colonial Legacies, Modern Woes: A Study Of Guatemala’S Battle With Corruption, Emma N. Solórzano Leonardo

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Utilizing data sets from the Corruption Perceptions Index and Latino Barometer, this thesis investigates the persistent corruption within the Guatemalan government, examining the influence of colonial and liberal legacies and their continuation through the Guatemalan Civil War in perpetuating systemic corruption and impunity. It explores the rise of a progressive anti-establishment presidential ticket in 2023, despite oligarchic opposition, emphasizing the role of resilient democratic values in shaping election outcomes. By detailing the fluctuations of corruption levels in relation to regime changes from 2012-2023, this study underscores the impact of anti-corruption efforts, such as the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala …

Loot Box…Gambling?, Carolyn Mas

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The ‘loot box’ has become a prevalent monetization method in the gaming industry where users receive a randomly selected in-game reward after paying a fee. The items in these boxes can range from cosmetic items to valuable tools that help players gain a competitive advantage. This mechanism is akin to gambling because players can utilize in-game trading platforms or third-party platforms to trade in-game items for actual currency. This thesis will argue that the elements of chance, purchase, and reward involved with this mechanism exploit the same neurological reward pathways associated with gambling in a way that leaves audiences of …

Standing And Snitches, Emily Strauss

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Hierarchies Of Discrimination In Baby Making? A Response To Professor Carroll, Radhika Rao

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Toward A Taxonomy Of Freedom Of Movement Claims: Identifying Rights-Based Pathways For Today’S Refugees Beyond The 1951 Refugee Convention, Moria Paz

Faculty Scholarship

This Article discusses the current migratory crisis as one instance of a conceptual mismatch in human rights between formal law and the tools that courts and other quasi-judicial bodies actually utilize in adjudication. While the doctrine centers around individual right-holders, enforcement bodies provide a remedy only when there is a state duty-holder. Human rights scholarship regarding refugees focuses on the right to freedom of movement. However, this right frequently offers little benefit to these individuals adrift at sea or wandering in the desert.

An alternative framing might ultimately be more effective before human rights courts and other quasi-judicial bodies. This …

Plausible Photomolecular Effect And Microwave In Phase Transition Of Water As A New Dawn For Renewable Energy And Ensemble-Holistic Approach To Health Management, Victor Christianto, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Interaction among light and water molecules have baffled scientists for many decades, and even centuries. In this regards, photons in the visible spectrum, where bulk water normally doesn't absorb light, can surprisingly cleave off large water clusters from the water-vapor interface, according to a recent study by Tu and Chen (2023). This discovery, termed the "photomolecular effect," opens exciting possibilities for not only revolutionizing renewable energy but also paving the way for a more integrated-ensemble approach to health management (cf. Smarandache & Christianto, 2010; Tu & Chen, 2023; Tu et al., 2024). In a sense, other than with green or …