Digital Commons Network^™

Rapid-Prototyping Nanofabrication: Lcd-Based Projection Lithography And Physical Vapor Deposition, Sabeel Saleem Mohammmed

University Honors Theses

The semiconductor industry's continued growth, driven in large part by demand for artificial intelligence hardware, has highlighted the need for greater workforce development in regions adjacent to major fabrication centers like Oregon's Silicon Forest. This capstone project lays the groundwork for a small scale and student led semiconductor fabrication lab at Portland State University by demonstrating two of the core steps in chip manufacturing: photolithography and thin film deposition. Rather than relying on conventional fixed reticles, this work explores a unique, low cost approach to patterning that uses an ultraviolet-compatible liquid crystal display (LCD) as a programmable reticle, allowing arbitrary …

Esophageal Innominate Artery Fistula After Delayed Recognition Of Esophageal Foreign Body., Arianne J Abreu, Rahul Sinha, Robert T Sataloff

Otolaryngology (ENT) Resident Research

Esophageal innominate artery fistula (EIF) is a rare cause of life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This condition occurs most often secondary to an aneurysm, tumor, or esophageal foreign body. After stabilization of airway and circulation, the management options vary from open to endoscopic and endovascular repair. The initial presentation, diagnosis and management of EIF in the literature focuses on adults primarily. In this case report, the clinical presentation of EIF in a pediatric patient, secondary to delayed recognition of a foreign body, highlights management considerations in this population.

Explaining Variation In Medical Aid In Dying Policy Across U.S. States, Abigail Hopper

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This paper asks why Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) policy in the United States does not follow a simple partisan pattern between states. Existing scholarship on morality policy emphasizes ideological conflict and partisan alignment, but this framework cannot fully explain why states with similar political compositions have adopted different MAiD policy outcomes, indicating that some key mechanisms shaping the variation have been overlooked. To address this, this paper combines a national dataset of MAiD policies across all fifty states with a comparative case study of Montana, Colorado, and West Virginia, focusing on differences in institutional venues, framing strategies, and coalition …

La Poésie De Guerre - La Poésie Française Dans Les Deux Guerres Mondiales, Veronica Mayrose

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

Cette thèse explore six poèmes de la Première Guerre mondiale et la Seconde Guerre mondiale, avec une concentration sur comment ces poèmes utilisent des thèmes similaires à exprimer desidées differentes. Cette thèse explore aussi comment le contexte historique influence la naturedes poèmes, particulièrement concernant les tranchées de la PMG et l'Occupation de la Francede la SGM.

Differential Roles Of Moesin And Vasp In Β-Catenin-Associated Networks During Zebrafish Heart Regeneration, Allen Rutman

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

With cardiovascular disease remaining as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, it is largely due to the limited regenerative capacity of the human heart. However, zebrafish (Danio rerio) can fully regenerate cardiac tissue following injury, providing a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of heart repair. To investigate these mechanisms, we used proteomics methods in the past. Proximity labeling is a technique that identifies proteins based on their physical proximity to a protein of interest. It can be applied in organisms and in living cells (Roux et al., 2012; Cho et al., 2020). We used proximity labeling to characterize protein …

Welsh, British, And Argentine: Identities Of Convenience In The Welsh Colonies Of Patagonia, Benjamin Welch

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

In this thesis, I examine the Welsh colonies in Patagonia (in Welsh, Y Wladfa) and how the Welsh negotiated their complex identity. Founded in 1865 as a nationalist project intended to preserve Welsh language, culture, and religion, the colony faced extreme hardships and was forced to ask for help. Drawing on British, Welsh and Argentine sources, I argue that Welsh colonists adopted a pragmatic approach to identity, emphasizing their Welshness, Britishness, or Argentinity as needed. While this flexibility was necessary for the colony to survive, it undermined the original goal of a Welsh homeland free of outside influence. Ultimately, the …

Industrial Democracy: Unionization, Power, And Control In Rockefeller’S Southern Colorado, Ava Welty

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

By 1914, democracy was clearly connected to America’s political ethos, and Wilson and Frank Walsh only amplified the term. Against this backdrop, labor and CF&I sought to define their movement as aligned with the national project of industrial democracy, despite having divergent understandings of the term. CF&I and Rockefeller built upon decades of social betterment, in addition to new ideas of company unionism to create their definition of industrial democracy, while workers returned to union recognition as a tool of power to construct their definition of industrial democracy. This paper argues that conflicting definitions of industrial democracy after the Ludlow …

A Novel, Embedding-Based Approach To Longitudinal Survey Data Imputation, Julia Rezvani

University Honors Theses

Longitudinal surveys are ubiquitous in the social sciences as a means of tracking changes in behavior and opinions with time and identifying potential causal mechanisms. These surveys are frequently plagued by missing data and semantic drift, both of which limit their effectiveness and scientific utility. Imputation algorithms allow researchers to fill gaps in collected survey datasets, imperfectly reconstructing lost data. Although deep learning algorithms have been used in imputation to great success, approaches which simultaneously leverage the semantic and temporal structure of longitudinal surveys have not yet been developed. We propose a novel imputation architecture which is capable of leveraging …

Determinants Of Cardiovascular And Metabolic Noncommunicable Diseases Among People Living With Hiv In Rwanda: Protocol For The Ncohirwa Prospective Cohort Study, Valentine Dushimiyimana, Marc Twagirumukiza, Madeleine Durand, Ntobeko Ntusi, Brenda Asiimwe Kateera, Noella Bigirimana, Ladislas Nshimiyimana, Pacifique Ndishimye, Vivianne Niyonkuru Umuhire, Prosper Karame, Valens Ndagijimana, Joseph Mucumbitsi, Alfred Dusabimana, Cecile Ingabire, Yvonne Delphine Nsaba Uwera, Km Monirul Islam, Celestin Hategeka, Sabin Nsanzimana, Ernst Rietzschel, Steven Callens, Clarisse Musanabaganwa, Jean Claude Semuto Ngabonziza, Eric Remera, Jean Pierre Musabyimana, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Albert Tuyishime, Gallican Nshogoza Rwibasira, Gregorie Muhorakeye, Simeon Tuyishime, Francois Uwinkindi, Evarist Ntaganda, Simon Pierre Niyonsenga, Noel Gahamanyi, Kayigi Etienne, Fidel Umwanankabandi, Theogene Kubahoniyesu, Alphonse Mbarushiman, Muhammed Semakula, Leopold Bitunguhari, Jean Damascene Kabakambira, Annette Uwineza, Marcellin Musabende, Felix Babane, Vincent Karamuka, Fidens Dusabeyezu, Alyson Kelvin, Pacifique Mukashema, Augustin Murindabigwi, Steven Karera, Katia Giguère, Godfrey Katende, Jean Berchmans Tugirimana, Deo Mutambuka

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension and diabetes, are major contributors to morbidity and mortality globally and in Rwanda, where the dual burden of HIV and NCDs is increasing. Evidence remains limited on how biological, behavioural, social, environmental and health-system determinants influence cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rwanda. The NCOHIRWA cohort was established to prospectively investigate determinants associated with CVDs, hypertension, diabetes and related NCD outcomes among PLHIV, newly diagnosed PLHIV and people without HIV (PWoH). This manuscript presents the protocol for the NCOHIRWA cohort study.

Methods:  The NCOHIRWA study …

Did King Arthur Conquer Greenland?, Christopher Berard

Humanities Program Faculty Publications

Did medieval people really believe that King Arthur conquered Greenland, Iceland, and lands stretching as far as Russia? Christopher Berard examines how a remarkable legal tradition transformed Arthur into the ruler of a vast northern empire.

https://www.medievalists.net/2026/06/did-king-arthur-conquer-greenland/

Representasi Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Film Berbahasa Jerman Ich Bin Dein Mensch, Jovita Syahyananda, Desti Nur Aini

Journal of Language, Literature, and Arts

This study aims to describe the representation of character education dimensions, namely knowing the good, loving the good, and doing the good, in the German-language film Ich bin dein Mensch, as well as its implications for German language learning. This research employed a qualitative method using interpretative content analysis of dialogues and scenes in the film that represent the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The findings show that the dimension of knowing the good is reflected in the characters’ moral awareness in understanding the boundaries of human relationships with technology. The dimension of loving the good appears through emotional …

Constitutional Inferences On Emerging Technologies: Analyzing Government Overreach, The Fourth Amendment, And Democratic Process In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Alan To

McNair Research Journal SJSU

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)

technologies by federal agencies presents novel constitutional questions that

existing legal doctrine has not yet adequately addressed. This paper

examines the emerging constitutional dimensions of the 2026 conflict

between Anthropic and the Department of Defense (DOD), in which the

Pentagon demanded unrestricted use of Anthropic's AI model Claude for

domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons systems, ultimately

designating Anthropic a supply chain risk when the company refused.

Drawing on three salient constitutional frameworks, specifically the Fourth

Amendment doctrine established in Kyllo v. United States (2001) and

Carpenter v. United …

Words Can Hurt: A Review Of Racial Microaggressions And Their Effects On Cortisol Level, Edgar Perez-Lopez

McNair Research Journal SJSU

The study examines the impact of racial microaggressions on cortisol levels,

highlighting inconsistent findings across various research methodologies.

Microaggressions--subtle discriminatory actions--are linked to stress and

can raise cortisol levels, a hormone released in response to stress. Some

studies suggest that frequent microaggressions blunt cortisol response,

making it less available for future stressors, while others reported increased

cortisol levels. The divergence in results may be due to differences in

research designs, such as cross-sectional, interpersonal research, or

nomothetic, versus longitudinal, intrapersonal research, or idiographic

approaches. Combined, the results of each type of research proves chronic

and acute impact of microaggressions. The …

Platonic Affection, Philia, And Trans-Philosophy, Kai Parker

McNair Research Journal SJSU

In this article, I review the heteronormative social conventions of cisgender

men and women's abilities to build and maintain friendships vis-.vis

traditional Western gender roles. It divides the philosophical concept of

Plato’s “platonic love” as fully realized Eros from the basic social

interpretation of “platonic” relationships as connections devoid of sexual or

romantic feelings. Aristotle's definitions of friendship, divided into the three

categories of pleasure, utility, and virtue, are compared to friendships

cisgender men and women form with others of the same orientation. Men's

friendships are found to more often fall into friendships of utility and

pleasure, while women's friendships …

The Relationship Between Gender, Platonic Physical Affection, And Interpersonal Sensitivity, Mariam Malik

McNair Research Journal SJSU

Interpersonal sensitivity (IS), also known as emotional maturity or empathy,

is characterized by recognizing emotions and displaying empathy, which

are important social skills. Understanding the factors that are associated

with interpersonal sensitivity can provide the foundation for research

revolving around improving interpersonal sensitivity, and in turn,

improving social skills. Platonic physical affection (PPA), such as holding

hands and hugging, is a social variable often associated with those close to

one another (e.g., friends and family). However, the exhibition and

receptivity to this social variable may differ across cultures and genders.

This study aimed to see if there is a relationship …

Front Matter, Maria Cruz

McNair Research Journal SJSU

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

McNair Research Journal SJSU

No abstract provided.

Bridging Interprofessional Gaps: A Pilot Study On Aac And Asl Training For Allied Health Profession Students, Angela M. Riccelli, Danielle Osmelak, Leslie Guca, Keith Werosh, Valerie Coolman, Rebecca Kvasnicka

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Interprofessional education (IPE) is recognized as a critical component of health professions training, equipping future clinicians with the skills necessary for collaborative practice and patient-centered care. However, students in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs often have limited exposure to individuals who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) or American Sign Language (ASL). This study evaluated the impact of a grant-funded, AAC- and ASL-focused IPE event at Governors State University on students’ self-reported interprofessional competencies. Using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS-R) developed by Archibald, D., Trumpower, D., and MacDonald, C.J., in 2009 and revised in …

The Art Of Martin Wong, And The Traditions He Drew From, Janie Mendosa

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Martin Wong was a singular figure in the art world, drawing from diverse influences including Pan-Asian traditions, Western modernism, social realism, and the emerging graffiti movement. As a queer artist who lived in urban New York City to San Francisco's Chinatown, he existed on the margins.

Refining A Flow Injection Analysis Method For Trace Concentrations Of Iron In Seawater, Brooke I. Stafford, Liam W. Hodgson, Noah S. Schuhmann, Elijah J. Vestal, Claire P. Till

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Iron is an essential micronutrient required for the growth of phytoplankton, the base of the oceanic food chain. Iron exists in the ocean in extremely low concentrations, limiting primary productivity in ~⅓ of the surface ocean, and can be affected by physical processes such as upwelling of water masses, and by biological and chemical processes within the water. In order to further our understanding of iron availability in the ocean, here we refine and improve our understanding of an analytical method to measure nanomolar iron in seawater. The method used is an adaptation of Lohan et al. (2006), a flow …

Interrogating Settler Narratives Of Erasure In The Schatz Tree Farm Archives, Sangeeta Sarkar

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

In 1987, L. W. Schatz donated a 385-acre parcel of land to Cal Poly Humboldt to be used as an experimental station, outdoor classroom, and demonstration area for forestry educators and students. Previous student research and other institutional narratives have extensively documented the history of this land from a settler perspective. However, this documentation contains few mentions of the Indigenous history of the landscape. Through literature review and archival research, this paper critically analyzes settler colonial narratives around the Schatz Tree Farm and the ways in which they contribute to Indigenous erasure. The predominant forms of narrative erasure in settler …

Exploring The Relationship Between Tree Dbh And Lichen Cover On Coast Redwood, Grace M. Personeus, Sierra Gittleman, Alisa A. Zarattini

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

We investigated the relationship between Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and lichen cover on coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) to see if larger trees had higher percentages of cover. We measured cover using 10 cover classes on the southeastern and southwestern sides of trees in a secondary growth forest. We found a significant relationship between DBH and cover, yet no significant difference between the two sides measured. We suggest that further research with a larger sample size and more varied age classes will provide further insight into the relationship.

Allosteric And Uncompetitive Inhibition Of Yeast Alcohol Dehydrogenase Identified By Enzyme Kinetics, Dylan Jeremy Harrison, Jenny A. Cappuccio

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Enzyme kinetics is a powerful technique used to quantify the rate at which an enzyme converts a substrate into a product and to identify potential inhibitors. In this study, kinetic analysis was employed to assess the activity of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) in the presence and absence of sweeteners commonly found in alcoholic beverages. YADH catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde using NAD⁺ as a cofactor; the reduction to NADH can be monitored spectrophotometrically at 340 nm. Based on structural similarities to the ribose moiety of NAD⁺, it was hypothesized that sucrose and sucralose could directly interact with the …

Full Issue, The Press At Cal Poly Humboldt

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

No abstract provided.

Narrative, Identity, And Liminality Of Player Development Personnel In Ncaa Power 4 Conferences: Supporting Athlete Identity Development And Navigating Role Evolution In The Nil Implementation Era, Joseph L. Herman Ii

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Derived from a larger study, this article examines Player Development Personnel (PDPs) in NCAA Power 4 (P4) conferences as they support athlete identity development and navigate role evolution during the NIL implementation era. Although academic advisors and support staff have long contributed to athlete development, limited scholarship has examined how PDPs understand their professional identities, responsibilities, and institutional constraints in NIL-era athletics. Guided by the Narrative, Identity, and Liminality Model (NILM), MNF, and institutional logics, this study situates PDP work within an ecosystem shaped by commercialization, racialized narratives, and organizational expectations (McLean & Syed, 2015; Southall et al., 2008). Semi-structured …

Educating Ncaa Student-Athletes To Mitigate Social Media Risks: Results From An Intervention Pilot Program, Ksenia Power, Nataliya Bredikhina, Bomin Paek

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

With the introduction of the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy in July 2021, student-athletes have become increasingly reliant on social media for personal branding and monetization. However, prior research suggests that excessive social media use can negatively impact student-athletes’ well-being, highlighting the need for targeted digital literacy education. Addressing these concerns, this study designed and evaluated an online intervention, “Student-Athlete Training for Online Resilience Management” (STORM), aimed at improving student-athletes’ perceived knowledge and confidence in navigating social media-related risks. Using two waves of survey data (N = 117), the study assessed changes in perceived knowledge of social …

Big Fish Or Little Pond? National Evidence On The Relationship Between Transferring And Athletic Performance Within Division I Men's College Basketball, Kendall Cole, Francis A. Pearman Ii, Saurabh Khanna

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Beginning with the introduction of the transfer portal in 2018, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has made several policy changes that have made transferring both easier and more desirable among student athletes, particularly in Division I (DI) revenue-generating sports. Yet, little is known about the relationship between transferring and student athletes’ athletic performance. Using individual- and team-level data on all DI men’s college basketball student athletes from the 2018-19 season through the 2023-24 season, we examine the relationship between transferring and athletic performance, specifically one’s points per game, minutes per game, and number of games started per season. Results …

Online Harassment And Mental Health Among Collegiate Student-Athletes: Findings From An Ncaa Division I Conference Survey, M. Courtney Hughes, Michelle K. Demaray, Emily A. Skiba, Sarah E. Warriner

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Social media is central to college athletics, yet public visibility can expose collegiate student-athletes to online harassment, a risk the NCAA has recently highlighted by documenting sizable volumes of abusive, discriminatory, and betting-related content directed at athletes and officials. This study surveyed 85 NCAA Division I student-athletes from ten universities across the Mid-American Conference and assessed social-media behaviors, online harassment exposure, depression, and anxiety. Most athletes used social media 1–3 hours/day, 78% enabled name-mention alerts, and platforms commonly used included Instagram (98.8%) and X (65.9%). Online harassment was reported via social posts (9.4%), direct messages (4.7%), and texts (3.5%), with …

“Where’S This Energy When They’Re Killing Us!?”: Black Sport Media, Disruptions Of Linked Fate, And The Plantation Politics Of Protection, Sayvon Jl Foster

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Following the viral interaction between Nyck Harbor and the Texas State Trooper, Black sport media figures dominated the discourse surrounding the incident. By centering Black sport media figures as sources of discursive authority, this study illuminates the role of (Black) sport media in shaping the understanding and response to experiences of Black college athletes. Using Thompson’s (2022) abductive thematic content analysis, commentary from eight prominent Black sport media voices - Bomani Jones, Stephen A. Smith, Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, Von Miller, Marcellus Wiley, Jason Whitlock, and Etan Thomas - was analyzed. With Dawson's (1994) Linked Fate Theory (LFT) as the …

Understanding Parents Perceptions Concerning Division I Student-Athlete Mental Health, Jonathan M. Casper, Jason Bocarro, Marie Amidon

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Collegiate student-athletes (SAs) frequently underreport mental health concerns and are less likely to seek professional support compared to their non-athlete peers. Given the substantial emotional and academic support parents provide, this study examined NCAA Division I parents’ perceptions of their student-athletes’ mental health and overall well-being, as well as their awareness and perceptions of available mental health services. An online survey (N = 178) was administered across two Division I universities. Parents reported considerable concern regarding mental exhaustion, anxiety, academic pressures, and future planning. They also identified sport-specific stressors, including relationships with coaches, playing time, team dynamics, and injuries. Although …