Testing Adaptive Habitat Selection In Breeding Swainson's Hawks (Buteo Swainsoni), Elizabeth Meisman

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Adaptive habitat selection theory predicts that individuals preferentially select habitats that maximize or improve their fitness. However, patterns of habitat preferences may dampen with increasing population density and become decoupled from habitat quality when environmental conditions change. Such dynamics may be especially important in long-lived territorial species that exhibit site fidelity. One of the longest running raptor studies in North America has tracked an increasing population of breeding Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in Butte Valley, California since 1985, where agricultural practices have shifted over the decades, providing an ideal system for studying these processes. Using nest records from …

“Thank You For Listening To Us”: Incorporating Community Context And Perspectives Into Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Planning For Fields Landing & King Salmon, California, Clara Riggio

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Fields Landing and King Salmon, California are two low-lying, coastal communities on Humboldt Bay (Wigi). These communities already experience coastal flooding during the highest astronomical tides each year, and flood conditions are expected to worsen as sea levels continue to rise. The Fields Landing & King Salmon (FLKS) Living with Water Project was created as a partnership between Humboldt County departments of Planning & Building and Public Works, along with support from social science researchers at Cal Poly Humboldt, including the author. In Chapter 1, I describe the co-production approach used throughout the project, including analysis of four dilemmas that …

Assessing The Ecological Drivers Of Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Of Fuels In The California Home Ignition Zone, Christopher David Benterou

Master's Theses

Consecutive years of devastating home losses to wildfire indicate the need for home fuel reduction and construction improvements. Existing research correlates house survival with modifications to the home ignition zone (HIZ) and is required in high fire hazard areas of California (CA). Mitigations, designed to disrupt continuous fuel patterns, (e.g., separating surface and canopy fuels), can also introduce ecological changes that can alter overall code compliance. Previous compliance studies used respondent and agency-generated data, which may lack accuracy. Assessing additional house and ecological features (e.g., canopy cover and construction) would improve prediction of compliance, but these relationships are poorly studied. …

Small-World Simulations: A New Method To Test The Effect Of Legal Rules, Johannes Kruse

Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper Series

Small-world simulation exposes an artificial society to a legal rule and observes what its members do. The agents are driven by language models: their conduct is not stipulated in equations but reasoned in their own words. The architecture can be turned on any legal regime; personalized speed limits are the demonstration, chosen because rational-choice and behavioral predictions there conflict. Validated against documented driving patterns, the simulation generates behavior no one wrote into it. Because language models are trained on what people say rather than do, the method estimates orderings, not levels: a benchmark, not a substitute for evidence.

The Rise Of Global Collaboration In China Policy Research: Evidence From Bibliometric Network Analyses, 2000–2025, Yu Xiao, Aaron Ley, Ping Xu

Political Science Faculty Publications

This study examines the evolution of China policy research and its growing role in global policy scholarship. Using bibliometric and social network analyses of 326 articles published in 20 high-impact political science journals from 2000 to 2025, we trace the field’s expansion, identify key thematic concentrations, and document the emergence of robust international collaboration patterns. Cross-national co-authorship networks reveal a clear transition from a fragmented, Western-centered structure to a dual-hub system anchored by Mainland China and the United States, while institution-level networks show that leading Chinese universities have become central collaborators and Hong Kong institutions continue to serve as critical …

Characteristics Of Cerebral Palsy In The Midwestern Us, Susie Kim, Kelsey Steffen, Lauren Gottschalk-Henneberry, Jennifer Miros, Amy Robichaux-Viehoever, Karen Taca, Bhooma R Aravamuthan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong motor disability worldwide. Yet, data is limited on how CP manifests in the US. Our objective was to characterize and determine factors affecting functional outcomes in a large population of young people with CP in the Midwestern US.

METHODS: We integrated caregiver and clinician-facing standardized data entry into routine clinical care at a tertiary care CP center (https://bit.ly/CP-Intake-Methodology). We extracted this data for people with an ICD10 diagnosis of CP seen between March 22, 2023 and December 28, 2023 and used it to describe CP characteristics and determine factors affecting the …

Novel Insights Into Early Alzheimer's Disease: Quantitative Gradient Recalled Echo Mri Reveals Preatrophic Neuronal And Myelin Injury Concurrent With Emerging Amyloid Pathology, Satya V V N Kothapalli, Tammie L S Benzinger, Randall J Bateman, Melody Li, Cihat Eldeniz, John C Morris, Dmitriy A Yablonskiy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Brain amyloid accumulation is considered an early sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, appearing decades before manifestation of clinical symptoms. However, very little is known about neurodegeneration during this early AD stage. Herein we use quantitative gradient recalled echo (qGRE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal preatrophic microstructural neuronal and myelin damage concurrent with amyloid pathology.

METHODS: qGRE MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid [

RESULTS: qGRE detected significantly lower gray matter neuronal density and white matter myelination in the group of participants with amyloid level below the conventional amyloid-positive threshold (mean cortical standardized uptake value ratio of …

Biological Aging Acceleration In Major Depressive Disorder: A Multi-Omics Analysis, Breno Satler Diniz, Shangshu Zhao, Gabin Drouard, Eero Vuoksimaa, Miina Ollikainen, Eric J Lenze, Ming Xu, Richard H Fortinsky, George A Kuchel, Jaakko Kaprio, Chia-Ling Kuo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to a higher risk of premature aging, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Using data from two population cohorts (UK Biobank and Finnish Twin Cohort), we evaluate the relationship between systemic and organ-specific proteomic and epigenetic aging acceleration and MDD. A lifetime history of MDD was associated with accelerated proteomic aging at both systemic and organ-specific levels-including the brain-in both cohorts, with stronger associations than those observed with systemic epigenetic aging. Systemic and brain-specific proteomic aging acceleration were linked to higher risks of incident MDD and a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease, …

Alzheimer's Disease Stage 1 And 2: Biology, Diagnostics, And Treatment, Suzanne E. Schindler, Sarah M. Hartz, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Concordance Of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, Whole-Exome Sequencing, And Chromosomal Microarray For Evaluating High-Risk Molecular Features In Meningiomas, Brenndan Crumley, Emilie Russler-Germain, Sonika Dahiya

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, classified into three WHO grades based on histologic and/or molecular criteria. cIMPACT-NOW Update 8 underscores the increasing importance of molecular testing in grading and risk stratification, noting that morphologically WHO grade 1 tumors with concurrent 1p and 22q losses demonstrate clinical behavior comparable to WHO grade 2 meningiomas. This study aimed to assess the concordance of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and whole-exome sequencing (WES) in defining the molecular risk profile of meningiomas.

METHODS: A total of 113 meningiomas were analyzed by WHO grade to assess the …

The Operation And Control Strategy Of Microgrids: A Brief Review, Mohammad Alam, Salsabila Zaman

Electrical Engineering Student Publications

A microgrid is an effective approach for integrating various distributed energy resources to meet local energy demand. It possesses the capability to operate independently or in conjunction with the main utility grid. Typically, a microgrid is a small-scale power system (usually several megawatts or less) comprising three primary components: the ability to function in both grid-connected and islanded modes, distributed power generation sources, and autonomous control centers. Microgrids enhance system resilience by ensuring uninterrupted operation during grid disturbances. Additionally, they are environmentally sustainable and contribute to improved power quality. As a crucial element of modern power systems, microgrids can effectively …

Perceptions Of Georgia Elementary School Administrators Toward Elementary Agricultural Education, Addie Tucker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Elementary agricultural education (EAE) is a growing component of K-12 agricultural education, yet limited research exists on how school leaders perceive its value. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Georgia elementary school administrators regarding the implementation and value of EAE programs. Specifically, this study examined elementary principals’ and district superintendents’ views on the benefits, effectiveness, and value of EAE. A descriptive research design was used. Georgia elementary principals and district superintendents with active EAE programs during the 2025-2026 academic year were surveyed in the fall of 2025. The sample consisted of 18 principals and 18 …

Identifying The Knowledge And Skills That Students Enrolled In Agricultural Systems Technology Degree Programs Need: Perspectives From University Faculty, Jerry Blake Kennedy

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

National trends have highlighted the need for a knowledgeable, skilled workforce in advanced agricultural systems. University-level Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) undergraduate degree programs and closely-related degree programs are vital to equipping the agricultural workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to support the industry. Ensuring that AST curricula are relevant and appropriate is vital to equipping undergraduate students in such programs with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the modern agricultural workforce. This study sought to identify the essential knowledge and skills needed by undergraduate AST degree program students from the perspectives of university-level faculty across the …

Speaking For The Families: Organizational Socialization Of Military Spouses In Volunteer Leader Positions, Virginia Klaus

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Military spouses holding volunteer leadership positions in military unit family readiness groups, provide a link between commanders and families of service members. They act within military organizations as the only official voice of spouses, a stakeholder group recognized as influential in retention rates and force readiness. Despite their importance, military spouses are often portrayed in research as passive members, taking on roles to meet the expectations of their peers and military organizations. That contradicts historical evidence of military spouses as active organizational members who have socialized other spouses, and as family advocates who have challenged military organizational practices and policies. …

The Effect That Positive And Negative Self-Concepts Have On Adolescents' Behavior And Personalities, Portia L. Davis

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The development stage of adolescence is a complex process in which adolescents begin to explore their identity and form either a positive or negative self-concept. Self-concept plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents' personalities and behaviors. Self-concept includes how adolescents view themselves and how others see them. An adolescent's self-concept can influence their self-confidence, social relationships, and decision-making abilities. This study examines the relationship between overall self-concept and adolescents' personality traits and behaviors. To gather this information, a quantitative research design is used, in which adolescents complete assessments such as the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV), …

Personality Assessment Inventory Profiles In Adults Seeking Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, Emily Kinsey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to examine differences in interpersonal functioning and response validity among adults presenting for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment compared to those seeking services for other clinical concerns. The study used archival data from 238 client files collected in an outpatient clinical setting. Interpersonal functioning was assessed using the Dominance (DOM), Warmth (WRM), and Nonsupport (NON) subscales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991). Response validity was evaluated using the Negative Impression Management (NIM) and Positive Impression Management (PIM) scales. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed no significant group differences across DOM, WRM, and NON …

Wired For Inclusion: Leveraging Strengths Of Neurodivergent Special Educators, Brok Hess, Teresa Clark Ed.D.

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Special education teachers face unique challenges, and neurodivergent special educators possess distinctive strengths that can allow them to excel in the classroom. However, barriers, stigma, and ableism persist that have prevented neurodivergent individuals from accessing this career, receiving support, and thriving as special educators. Self-efficacy and executive functioning both correlate to success and retention within education. This research analyzed the relationship between special education teachers’ self-efficacy and executive functioning, specifically among neurodivergent special educators. Results concluded that a significant positive correlation exists between neurodivergent special education teachers’ executive functioning and self-efficacy. Attention to these results will highlight the importance of …

Out In The Arena: Examining The Lgbtq+ Experience In Ihsa, Katharine C. Didier

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated factors influencing Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) LGBTQ+ riders’ perceptions of inclusion, safety, and belonging, with the hypothesis that teams with diversity and inclusion policies would be perceived as more accepting. An online survey was developed to gather information from self-identified LGBTQ+ IHSA students. Questions covered demographics, team environment, and perceived inclusivity within their equestrian programs. Question types included multiple choice, Likert-type, short answer, and open-ended. IHSA coaches were asked to share the survey link with team members. Students were able to respond anonymously. The survey was open for 8 weeks. Reminders were sent out at 3 …

Attention Or Affect? Evaluating The Discriminant Validity Of Cpt-3 Performance, Gavin F. Price

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The Conner Continuous Performance Test Third Edition (CPT-3) is a behavior-based measure of attention-related problems commonly used to assess Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Research into the discriminant validity of the CPT-3 remains limited, particularly regarding the influence of internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression on performance. The current study examined whether CPT-3 performance was more strongly associated with cognitive indicators of inattention or internalizing symptoms, such as depressive or anxious symptoms. Archival data from 105 adult clients at Murray State University Psychological Center was analyzed. Cognitive inattention was measured using Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) – Working Memory Index (WMI) discrepancy …

Comprehensive Postsecondary Transition Planning For Students With Intellectual Disability In Florida, Sonia Y. Clark-Rosier

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of early transition planning on parents’ postsecondary expectations for their child with an intellectual disability and to examine the benefits of planning, particularly when considering higher education opportunities. This study also probed the factors that contribute to the development of self-efficacy in special education teachers facilitating comprehensive transition planning. Schlossberg’s transition theory, with its four S’s—situation, support, self, and strategies—served as the theoretical framework. The data collection methods were document analysis, focus groups with special education teachers, high school teachers, and parents, and researcher observations. Seven themes emerged to …

The Economic Impact Of The Georgia Young Farmers Association On Georgia's Economy, Robert E. Bodiford Iii

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture is Georgia’s largest economy, generating billions of dollars annually. Sustaining this sector requires ongoing investment in human capital through education, training, and leadership development. While research has extensively examined youth agricultural education, limited attention has been given to the economic contributions of adult agricultural education programs. The Georgia Young Farmers Association serves as a primary provider of structured adult agricultural education in the state, offering continuing education through meetings, farm tours, workshops, and leadership development activities. The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic impact of the Georgia Young Farmers Association on Georgia’s economy[BL1] . The …

Parent And Family Engagement In Middle Schools: A Qualitative Exploration Of Parent Perspectives And Student Success In West Tennessee, Angela Y. Searcy

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Parent and family engagement in middle school has been demonstrated to increase students' academic achievement; however, barriers often prevent parental participation. This study focused on parents' and teachers' perceptions of the parents' role in the educational process and sought to answer research questions about parents' perceptions, parents as equal partners in the educational process, and barriers to parental participation. A qualitative research design was used for the study. Teachers and parents from a middle school in West Tennessee participated in interviews to generate data used in this study. Teachers and parents identified common themes affecting the parent-school partnership, including …

Career And Technical Education Readiness Trends Across Kentucky High Schools And Workforce Regions: A Longitudinal Analysis, Brittany Forgey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become an increasingly important component of Kentucky’s educational accountability system and workforce development initiatives. Despite expanded emphasis on career readiness and technical skill attainment, limited research has examined long-term trends in CTE readiness across Kentucky public high schools. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, longitudinal study was to examine trends in CTE readiness indicators from 2011 through 2025. Human Capital Theory and Social Capital Theory provided the conceptual framework. Publicly available data from the Kentucky Department of Education School Report Card, KYStats, Supplemental Career and Technical Education reports, and other Kentucky Department of Education …

Integrating Human Rights Into State And Federal Court Litigation, Lauren E. Bartlett

All Faculty Scholarship

Human rights have never been more important in the United States as they are today. After more than 10 years of dormancy, the seminal work that guides public interest attorneys in incorporating human rights work has been finally updated. The Human Rights in the U.S. Handbook for Public Interest Attorneys is a handbook that provides practical direction to public interest attorneys, including clinical law teachers, legal aid attorneys, public defenders, and others, on how to use human rights in their everyday work. The Handbook invaluably advises attorneys on best practices for using human rights arguments before U.S. state and federal …

Library Support For Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) In The Philippines: The Case Of American Corners, Princess Grace Wooden, Darin Jan Tindowen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined the role of libraries in supporting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the Philippines, with particular focus on American Corners as library-based learning spaces. Grounded in the increasing demand for flexible and accessible education, the study aimed to assess the readiness of American Corner libraries and determine the extent of MOOC implementation, as well as examine the relationship between these variables. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed, involving 28 American Corner staff composed of directors and librarians from 14 participating institutions. Data were collected using a validated survey questionnaire and analyzed through frequency, percentage, weighted mean, …

Uncovering The Disciplinary Pulse Of Library And Information Science Through Large-Scale Topic Modelling Of Openalex Scholarly Literature, Sailendra Malik, Sukumar Mandal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library and Information Science is among the oldest and intellectually pluralistic scholarly disciplines but the inner thematic structure has not been established. The article develops a systematic and data intensive mapping of the field by the Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modelling to 7,824 articles in the English language indexed in OpenAlex in the year 2000 to 2025. A ten topic solution is an optimised solution that identifies a group of readable and sensible thematic domains including information literacy digital libraries scientometrics archives and scholarly communication. The analysis of temporal trajectory reveals that there have been consistent expansion at the emergent …

Rethinking Library Opac: From Siloed Retrieval To Ai And Ml-Driven Discovery Using Fastapi And Mysql, Sukumar Mandal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper explores integration methods between MySQL and FastAPI to develop dynamic Online Public Access Catalog services including functionalities for modern libraries and information centers. It addresses evolving user expectations by replacing rigid keyword-based search models with adaptive, intelligent discovery experiences that prioritize search relevance. The goal involves transforming traditional library retrieval tools into contextual discovery platforms that effectively understand specific user intent and complex needs. The prototype was created on Ubuntu in a customized Python environment. It uses FastAPI to manage asynchronous API calls and MySQL to store bibliographic data. SQLAlchemy abstracts the database layer, and Pydantic validates data. …

From Reactionary To Anticipatory Integrated Action: Novel Environmental Health Surveillance For Mass Gatherings, Benjamin J. Ryan, Michael Donahoo, Danielle Esler, Paul Barach, Benjamin Coghlan, Shelby Garner, Laura M. Langan, John Piispanen, Bryan W. Brooks

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Advances in AI-driven analytics, human-in-the loop techniques, and wastewater monitoring provide the foundation needed to shift from reactive to anticipatory actions for mass gatherings. Traditional surveillance systems focus on clinical and laboratory-based notification pathways, which often result in tardy actions being implemented. Thus, traditional surveillance is becoming outdated. Mass gatherings pose heightened public health risks and hazards, including trauma; injury and substance misuse; deliberate poisoning; and infectious diseases such as food and waterborne illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, and respiratory diseases. There is also a heightened concern due to reduced vaccination coverage. As a result, future international events such as the …

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition And Stress Adaptations Underlie Yttrium-90 Resistance In Liver Cancer Cell Lines, Alexander Zheleznyak, Dhanusha Duraiyan, Prasanth Thunuguntla, Jessica Camacho, Shuang Wu, Jingxia Liu, Jason D Weber, Daniel L J Thorek, Benjamin S Strnad, Ryan C Fields, Matthew A Ciorba, Christine Yoon, Valerie Blanc, Nicholas Davidson, Jessica Silva-Fisher, Christopher D Malone

2020-Current year OA Pubs

UNLABELLED: Molecular signatures predict prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma, but their relevance to transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 (90Y) is unknown. We aimed to identify baseline and treatment-induced pathways associated with response and nominate biomarkers. Ten transcriptomically diverse human liver cancer cell lines were exposed to escalating activities of glass 90Y microspheres for 10 days. Normalized AUC values quantified sensitivity. Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing at baseline and after treatment was analyzed with elastic net regression and gene set enrichment. Findings were corroborated by qRT-qPCR and exploratory analysis of pretreatment tumor samples from patients undergoing TARE. Liver cancer cell line responses to 90Y …

Airway Management In Emergency Department Thoracotomy: A Narrative Review, Aaron J Lacy, Adam Liebendorfer, Sarah M Guess, Rami S Al-Aref, Anthony P Kronfli, Rachel E Armstrong, Amelia W Maiga, Alexander Bracey, Ryan N Barnicle

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) is a high-risk, life-saving intervention for patients in traumatic cardiac arrest. A critical component of EDT is airway management, typically performed by emergency physicians, yet formal guidance regarding optimal strategies remains limited. Airway management in this setting is uniquely complex due to concurrent anatomic injury, physiologic instability, and the procedural demands of thoracotomy.

DISCUSSION: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) during EDT presents multiple challenges. Anatomic difficulties may arise from facial or cervical trauma, restricted positioning, and the presence of cervical collars. Cognitive load is heightened by the chaotic, multidisciplinary environment, requiring strategies such as pre-briefing, checklists, and …