Digital Commons Network^™

Fire Severity Mediates Marten And Fisher Occurrence: Impacts Of The Dixie Fire On A Carnivore Community, Christopher James Collier

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The consumption of an astounding one million acres resulted from California’s largest single fire to date, the 2021 Dixie Fire. The social and economic losses associated with the fire were immediately apparent, but the effects on wildlife remained unknown. While previous research has suggested mixed or low severity fire may be beneficial to certain wildlife species, the responses to megafires are poorly understood for many carnivores. To better understand these responses to severe fire, I used a random sampling design stratified by burn severity to survey in and around the Dixie Fire footprint using baited camera stations. This allowed me …

Accelerations And Emg Differences Between Isocaloric High-Incline Walking And Level Grade Jogging, Taj Krieger

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Purpose: To examine muscle activation and biomechanical differences between high-incline walking (HIW) at 20% grade and level-grade jogging (LGJ) at isocaloric intensity on a treadmill. Methods: Physically inactive men and women between 18-31 completed the study. Participants (n=19) completed two isocaloric exercise trials (HIW and LGJ), each ten minutes in duration. EMG data was obtained from the Bicep Femoris (BF), Gluteus Maximus (GM), Lateral Gastrocnemius (LG), Tibialis Anterior (TA), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Anterior Deltoid (AD), Erector Spinae (ES) and Soleus (SOL). Resultant accelerations on the foot and sacrum were measured by IMU.

Results: When subjects were matched at isocaloric intensities …

Post-Fire Vegetation And Pyrodiversity Influence Breeding Abundances Of Lewis's Woodpeckers In The Eastern Cascades, Oregon, Brittany Welch

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Lewis’s woodpeckers (Melanerpes lewis) are described as "burn specialists" due to their preference for breeding in recently burned pine forests in the western US. However, despite increasing fire activity, this species experienced a 48% range-wide decline between 1968 and 2019, which raises questions about their adaptability to altered fire regimes in the region. We partnered with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to investigate how Lewis’s woodpeckers in the eastern Cascades, Oregon were influenced by post-fire habitat characteristics such as snag size, snag density, and burn severity across five wildfires that varied in fire age, size, and …

The Effects Of Native Perennial Cover On Physiological Indicators Of Habitat Quality For Sparrows In California Coastal Prairie Rangelands, Madeleine A. Ybarra

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Prescribed grazing management can have myriad effects on wildlife, with low to moderate grazing being associated with an increased abundance of some grassland birds. Specifically, Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) and Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) abundance have been shown to be positively associated with both grazing and a higher percentage of native plant cover. However, measures of abundance provide an incomplete assessment of habitat quality for birds. Physiological and morphological measurements can help indicate environmental stress in individual birds, which reveals more information about habitat quality. We measured body condition and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios to gauge avian stress …

The Impact Of A Structured Exercise Program On The Pre-Established Exercise Goals For Individuals With Disabilities, Emily C. Batini

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study aimed to identify the efficacy of a structured exercise program emphasizing family involvement and self-determination theory in meeting pre-established fitness goals for adults with disabilities. To measure physical strength and endurance changes, the 6-minute walk test, the curl-up, and push-up tests were utilized. A single-subject changing-criterion design was used in this study over the course of six weeks. Results indicated a positive relationship between the intervention and increased physical strength and endurance, according to testing results. Few participants met the criterion for each phase. However, many did demonstrate an increase in the distance walked, push-ups, and curl-ups completed …

Sparking Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Awareness Through A Strengths-Based Psychometric Tool: A Pilot Study In A Christian University, Lisa Devall-Martin Dr.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

The pilot study outlined in this article aimed to explore the relevance and value of a strengths-based psychometric tool, Lumina Spark©, in a teachers’ education program. The study involved pre-service teachers from a Christian university and was conducted over a six-week winter teaching practicum. The psychometric assessment and workshop were designed to help pre-service teachers explore their personality and develop self-knowledge, social awareness, and stress management skills. The study found that the Lumina Spark© tool was effective in helping pre-service teachers understand their strengths and weaknesses and how they relate to others. The study also found that the tool helped …

From The Editor, Paul Shotsberger

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

No abstract provided.

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 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 …

Cell-Type-Specific Consolidation Of Learned Motor Memories In The Neocortex, Rebecca Dicicco

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Motor learning is crucial for diverse behaviors, yet the neural mechanisms that consolidate the learning remain poorly understood. A recent study (Majumder et al., 2023) found that inhibiting Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in pyramidal tract (PT) neurons, but not Intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, in the Anterior Lateral Motor cortex (ALM) disrupt motor learning. This suggests a cell-type-specific reliance on CaMKII for inducing synaptic plasticity during motor skill acquisition. This project aims to explore how the brain consolidates the acquired motor skill as a long-term memory. We hypothesize that following motor learning, CaMKII in PT, but not IT, cells activates the …

“Biological Warfare: Can A War Be Justly Fought Using Biological Weapons?”, Gabrielle Emilio Fagundes

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Biological agents and toxins have been used as weapons offensively as early as 1320 BCE. Modern ability to manipulate and control biological materials has raised concerns as to how wars will be fought in the future. The Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the subsequent Geneva Conventions have clearly determined biological warfare as unethical and illegal due to the devastating effects it has on both combatants and noncombatants. The International Humanitarian Laws, based on the fourth Geneva Convention, are used as guidelines for fighting just and legal wars. Although the use of biological weaponry has been banned for almost a century, …

Hearts That Beat The Odds: An Analysis Of The Fontan Procedure, Joseph Farrell

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This thesis delves into the Fontan cardiovascular procedure, a specialized intervention for congenital heart defects. Through historical analysis, preparatory protocols, statistical data, and long-term effects, this paper offers a comprehensive examination of this surgical procedure. It traces its origins, breakthroughs, and milestones, from diagnosis to detailed planning and execution. With approximately 50,000 worldwide cases, statistical analysis explores success rates and demographics. Recognizing its lifelong impact, the research examines postoperative complications, quality of life, and ongoing healthcare needs. This comprehensive scrutiny extends to long-term implications. Additionally, there is a supplementing website conveniently disseminating insights and factual information about the Fontan procedure, …

Predicted Spread In The Southeastern Us Of The Non-Native Lizard, Agama Picticauda, Based On Current And Future Climate, Sebastian Giddings

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Peters’s rock agama, Agama picticauda, is a West African lizard first observed in South Florida in 1975. It has since spread through much of the state and into southernmost Georgia. To better understand the potential spread of this invasive species in the southeastern US, I used Maxent species distribution models with native and non-native occurrences for A. picticauda with current and future bioclimatic variables. The models suggest that by 2100, the species could spread through all of Florida, much of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and southern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Virginia.

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 …

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’ …

Expanding Meditation Options: Freeze Frame Meditation And Decision Making, Emerson Lee

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

To expand the variety of meditation types researched and available for use in improving mental health, this study examined whether Freeze Frame meditation, a lesser-studied meditation type, increases decision-making capabilities and wellbeing. We hypothesized that, compared to an active control group, participants engaging in Freeze Frame meditation would self-report increased wellbeing and decreased stress, as well as would rate the answers they received during the meditation to be impactful. Our hypothesis was partially supported by our results, which indicated Freeze Frame meditation increased self-reported wellbeing between pre-meditation and post-meditation time points but did not have an effect on decision-making.

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 …

Ethical Dilemmas In Glioblastoma Patient Care: A Case Study, Laura-Lee Mc Comie

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This thesis investigates the ethical implications surrounding the sudden death of a 46-year-old male patient from glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The analysis focuses on the intricate details of the case, dissecting the events that transpired, and identifying the medical and ethical mistakes that were made. Further, this thesis critically examines the decisions made by both the healthcare professionals and the patient, and the deficiencies in diagnosis, communication, and treatment strategy in the case. Because of delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment, the patient suffered an untimely death. By unraveling the complexities of this case, this thesis seeks to contribute …

Power Of The Spine: The Impact Of Non-Invasive Chiropractic Care On Patients, Jaden Mekled

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine involving the non-invasive treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. I spent 5 months working as an intern at Spine Design Chiropractic in Jupiter, Florida. For my thesis, I observe the current state of chiropractic care, using two case studies. The details I present display the use of chiropractic care in the diagnosis and treatment of two representative cases of patients at the clinic, outlining their different care plans and their outcomes.

Change Of Bacterial Diversity Within The Fecal Samples Of Gopherus Polyphemus For One Month, Gabrielle Ruiz

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The microbiome plays a significant role in the strength of the immune system; it aids in the recovery of nutrition, is essential for the prevention of invading pathogens, and helps in the remediation of harmful toxicants. The microbiome is largely unknown, especially in reptiles like the gopher tortoise. Gopher tortoises are threatened in Florida and multiple other states. Therefore, it is important to understand how the bacterial population changes over time outside of the organism. We humanely harvested fresh feces from three gopher tortoises in the Jupiter Abacoa greenway, and left the feces in the field. We re-took samples at …

The Enigma Of The Successful Psychopath: An In-Depth Examination, Josette Mobley

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

In this thesis, I examine three psychological characteristics – psychopathy, autism, and intelligence – and consider how they are related. Psychopathy is a condition that has long captured the public imagination. Articles and blogs are devoted to murderers with psychopathic features. Movies and TV shows have been based on real-life famous psychopaths narrating the horrible crimes they have committed. Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy and guilt, manipulation of other people, and violent antisocial behavior. Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. “Successful psychopaths” are those who have all the traits …

Invictus: Nigredo & Calcinatio, Christian Soares Deoliveira

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Invictus is a narrative virtual reality (VR) game which makes use of 16th century alchemical concepts on becoming spiritually whole. As an alchemist, the player begins their first steps in achieving The Great Work – a state of perfect being; synonymous with creating The Philosopher’s Stone. To begin, players embark into a stage called Nigredo, where the many is transmuted into one through the processes of alchemical Fire – calcination – as a method of purification. Players begin in an alchemical laboratory, learning about and preparing the first stage and process. To experience being transmuted by the power of Fire, …

Is Airbnb Impacting Home Prices? Evidence From Fort Lauderdale, Michael Thayer

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Airbnb has attracted significant attention from municipal governments due to its potential to influence housing affordability. This paper assesses the role of Airbnb concentration on home prices in Fort Lauderdale from October 2021 to December 2022 using a first difference fixed effect model and data scraped from the Airbnb website via InsideAirbnb. The results from the model suggest higher Airbnb concentration leads to higher home prices. For a home priced between the 35th and 65th percentile, an additional one percentage point of Airbnb concentration causes prices to increase by 3.2 percent.

Exploring The Relationship Between Amazon Badges And Star Ratings In Online Reviews, Trish Tran

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This thesis investigates the relationship between three Amazon badges (Vine Voice, Vine Customer of a Free Product, and Verified Purchase) and the star ratings. The status and incentives associated with badges pose a concern of credibility in online reviews. This thesis examines whether the Vine Voice badge and Vine Review of a Free Product badge are more likely to have higher star ratings, and whether the Verified Purchase badge is more likely to have lower star ratings. Amazon reviews on two different battery products were manually collected and parsed to extract variables relevant to the research question. An ordinal logistic …

Could Solar Energy Be Our Future? Literary Analysis, Tyler Martin

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

As energy consumption increases, the need for an efficient, cheap-to-make, and low-maintenance power converter is increasingly sought after. Solar energy has the potential to fill all these requirements as it is not only the most abundant source of energy on the planet, but the devices themselves require little to no cost post-installation. Solar cells convert photon particles into flowing current, producing voltage by merely remaining stationary, something that fossil fuel production cannot achieve. The efficiency of these devices has drastically improved over the last 30 years, jumping from less than 10% to nearly 30%, and with some of the practices …

The Effect Of Retirees On Palm Beach County Home Pricing, Randolph Tubbs

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Florida continues to be a major retirement destination. With a large and growing population of retirees, their effect on real estate prices becomes measurable. Using an ordinary least squares regression analysis, I assess the effect retirees have on home prices in Palm Beach County, Florida. I claim that, in contrast to existing literature, retirees are bidding up the prices on select properties within Palm Beach County. This paper will also determine the amount that retirees increase these properties by.

Integrating Field Observations With Genetic Data: A Study Of Fungal Diversity With Inaturalist And Dna Barcoding, Anthony Ward

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the underrepresentation of South Florida in the field of mycology. Upon reviewing samples and comparing them to their closest genetic match, it is safe to conclude that there are a significant number of samples with either unidentified or unknown species. Of the samples observed and recorded, a surprising 17 of 39 or 43.5% have only been identified as far as the Genus. These findings indicate a necessity for further research beyond the Genus to produce results that are more accurately representative of the fungal diversity in South Florida.

From Fast Fashion To Slow Fashion, Grace Xiong

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Fast fashion is an industry that capitalizes on the ever quick and changing fashion trends of our society. To keep up with the demand, many fast fashion corporations find themselves adopting certain practices that have generated a significant amount of environmental and social concerns. However, in a society that endorses the constant grooming of oneself into an image that fits the look of a particular group, corporations are not willing to let this opportunity for great profit go to waste. This paper will first examine the effects of the fashion industry on the environment in general, analyze the ideas of …