Digital Commons Network^™

We're Here To Stay: Nonviolence And The Disability Rights Movement, Sky Mcleod

University Honors Theses

Nonviolent resistance is an effective tool for enacting large scale change including the advancement of civil rights. Disabled Americans have often used nonviolent protest and civil resistance to this aim. Despite this rich history of activism, the history of the Disability Rights Movement has largely been missing from scholarship on nonviolent resistance. Similarly, historical accounts in Disability Studies provide a fragmented perspective on the use of nonviolent resistance by Disabled people. This thesis delves into this under-appreciated history. From the League of the Physically Handicapped in the 1930s to Trump’s inauguration in 2016, this paper traces the progress of the …

"Crush The Monster": Homosexuality And Moral Panic In 1950s Idaho, Ian Hadrick

University Honors Theses

On October 31, 1955, three men were arrested and accused of performing homosexual acts in the quiet, suburban community of Boise, Idaho. The arrests set off a sweeping investigation of Boise's "widespread homosexual underground" that made national news and resulted in more than one thousand police interrogations and the conviction of fifteen homosexual Boiseans. Though Boise's moral panic and the ensuing investigation are among the largest of the sex panics of the 1950s, the city's 1955 homosexuality scandal has attracted relatively little scholarly attention. An in-depth analysis of the social, economic, and political forces that combined to produce hysteria in …

At The Intersection Of Domestic Violence And Mass Shootings: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Relationship Between Ipv And Gun Violence, Troy Bleau

University Honors Theses

The intersectional study of domestic violence and mass shootings has only recently been the subject of inquiry within the psychology field. Within the past ten years research has been developed to examine the relationship between these two epidemics. What authors have found is that DV does play a role in shooting perpetration. This study aimed to identify domestic violence as a risk factor to predict, and subsequently intervene before future instances of shootings. 112 shootings were analyzed between the years of 2020 and 2023--they were then categorized as DV-related, non-DV related, and/or History of DV. The tested hypothesis was that …

Present Case Studies Highlighting Practical Implications Of Architectural Design Choices, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

The interpretability of deep neural networks (DNNs) has become a crucial focus within artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly as these models are increasingly used in high-stakes applications such as healthcare, finance, and autonomous driving. This article explores the impact of architectural design choices on the interpretability of DNNs, emphasizing the importance of transparency, trust, and accountability in AI systems. By presenting case studies and experimental results, the article highlights how different architectural elements—such as layer types, network depth, connectivity patterns, and attention mechanisms—affect model interpretability and performance. The discussion is structured into three main sections: real-world applications, architectural trade-offs, …

Trade Law Policing On The Factory Floor: Next Generation Agreements And Their Corporate Accountability Tools, Kathleen Claussen

Articles

Trade policymakers' increased attention to sustainability has prompted the development of trade tools focused on corporate accountability within international trade agreements. As evidenced by the creation and use of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement's Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, this institutional shift has potent implications for labour rights and environmental protections. This article, which transcribes a lecture delivered at the Lauterpacht Centre in October 2023, scrutinises the turn toward supply-chain policing within international trade law and its institutional, legal, sociological, rhetorical and disciplinary effects.

Application Of Intravenous Laser Irradiation Of Blood (Ilib) In Physical Medicine: A Narrative Review, Ya-Chi Chuang, Yuan-Yang Cheng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Intravenous laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) involves a type of intravascular treatment which applies a helium-neon laser possessing a wavelength of 632.8nm. Since its first use in 1981 by Russian scientists, it is now widely applied in the treatment of various diseases, including chronic musculoskeletal pain, wound healing, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and acute kidney injury. The underlying mechanism for ILIB may be associated with its anti-oxidative (through regulating the reactive oxygen species systems) and anti-inflammatory effects (by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines). Moreover, positive effects on …

Repeated Stimulation Of Feeding Mechanoafferents In Aplysia Generates Responses Consistent With The Release Of Food, Hillel J. Chiel

Faculty Scholarship

How does repeated stimulation of mechanoafferents affect feeding motor neurons? Monosynaptic connections from a mechanoafferent population in the Aplysia buccal ganglia to five motor followers with different functions were examined during repeated stimulus trains. The mechanoafferents produced both fast and slow synaptic outputs, which could be excitatory or inhibitory. In contrast, other Aplysia mechanoafferents produce only fast excitation on their followers. In addition, patterns of synaptic connections were different to the different motor followers. Some followers received both fast excitation and fast inhibition, whereas others received exclusively fast excitation. All followers showed strong decreases in fast postsynaptic potential (PSP) amplitude …

The Relationship Between Healthcare Access And Change In Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Among The General Population Of Five Countries During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nadja Alexandrov, Emily Stella Scott, Mathieu F. Janssen, Erica I. Lubetkin, John N. Yfantopoulos, Gouke J. Bonsel, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Purpose To determine whether (1) healthcare access at onset of the pandemic and (2) age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and pre-existing health status were associated with change in health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes a general population sample of five countries.

Methods An online questionnaire was administered to respondents from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic between April 22nd and May 5th of 2020, and 1 year later between May 23rd and June 29th of 2021. The questionnaire included questions on demographic background, health status, and …

Publications Of The Faculty Of New York Law School 2020-2024, New York Law School

Bibliographies of Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Wildland Firefighter Respiratory Protection Device, Oliver Pilon, Xaviera Pons, Calder Wood, Tommy Ozawa, Jack Adema, Payton Mayer

Biomedical Engineering

This paper presents the development of First Respire and their design of a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) specifically curated for wildland firefighter while simultaneously addressing the critical absence of respiratory protection for wildland firefighters operating in the challenging wildland-urban interface (WUI) environments. Current respiratory protection options, such as bandanas and N95 masks, fall short in providing adequate defense against toxic particulate matter and gases, exposing firefighters to increased risks of health complications, including cancers and respiratory diseases. Through collaborative efforts of the Wildfire Conservancy, the WUI Fire Institute at Cal Poly, and CAL FIRE, First Respire aims to create a …

Focused Led Sintering, Dylan Defazio, Nilav Maulik, Branden Majors, Michael Fontillas

Mechanical Engineering

This report provides a detailed overview of the final design of our light-emitting diode (LED) focusing system. Our system incorporates a converging lens and a specially designed "glass funnel," which acts as a thick fiber optic that narrows the light to a fine point through internal reflection. The glass components of our system are precisely housed in a part made using advanced computer-numeric controlled (CNC) Mill and CNC Lathe manufacturing processes. This ensures high precision and durability of the overall system. Our LED focusing system is designed with a 60-watt stage light. The decision to use a glass funnel as …

Port Adapter For Unported Pressure Sensors, Peter Kristjaan Tomson, Yasser Fahad Aldaoud, Terak Benjamin Hornik

Mechanical Engineering

Boundary layer research is an exciting and ever-changing field in fluid mechanics; thus, the need for high-quality empirical data is ever-growing in importance. Dr. Westphal, a professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s (Cal Poly) Mechanical Engineering Department in conjunction with Northrup Grumman is conducting just such research. Dr. Westphal has elected to make the change to pressure sensors that do not come with a built-in port to connect to pitot-static tubes. This necessitates a solution to adapt an unported pressure sensor to his testing apparatus which requires a tubed connection. This document outlines the Final Design Review …

Solar Farm, Parker Folsom, Jon Copeland, Julia Fay, Aiden Taylor

Mechanical Engineering

This senior project focused on creating a portable single-axis solar follower. The purpose of this solar follower is to allow for single-axis tracking of the sun at various points on our sponsor's property to gather information on solar power production. This data will be utilized to locate future sites for a utility-scale solar farm.

The final design of the solar follower comprises four subsystems: two legs, the frame, and the panel assembly. This modular design allows for portability and adjustability on challenging terrain. Following the design stage, our team purchased and manufactured all of the necessary components. All manufacturing work …

2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition, Nora Riedinger, Miles Mikkelsen, Brendan Stratford, Derek Tom, Zach Kwast, Harmon Yanikian-Sutton, Kennedy Urcelay, Tori Thomas, Brady Caron

Mechanical Engineering

PolyWave Energy is the second team from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo to compete in the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition. PolyWave Energy consists of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Business Administration students who have worked together from September 2023 to May 2024 on designing, building, and testing a marine power device to serve a selected market.

In response to the escalating concerns surrounding carbon emissions, climate change, and the depletion of fossil fuels, California Polytechnic State University’s Polywave Energy team has developed a sustainable and reliable energy source for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) charging. Through extensive research of …

Scitechatorium Exhibit, Adam Khan, Cole Busch, Logan Femling, Alan Onuma

Mechanical Engineering

This document outlines the final stages of development and analysis of our interactive children’s exhibit for the Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School’s SciTechatorium. We will showcase the final form of our ball and track display, giving a detailed look at each component and subsystem.

To describe how our final prototype will be built we have included a detailed manufacturing summary for our design. Our models have been designed with manufacturability in mind, and we have outlined which processes were used to produce all our parts.

There are also detailed descriptions of testing that were conducted to verify the performance of the …

Table Of Contents

Mercer Law Review

No abstract provided.

Foreword: Symposium On Current Issues In Professional Identity Formation, Patrick Longan

Mercer Law Review

On March 8, 2024, the Mercer Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism, in partnership with the Mercer Law Review, held the 24th Annual Georgia Symposium on Ethics and Professionalism. These symposia rotate among Mercer University School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, Emory University School of Law, and the University of Georgia School of Law. Funding for the symposia comes from endowments created by the settlement of claims of litigation misconduct against the DuPont Corporation and its counsel in litigation in the 1990s. The initiative for the structure of the settlement came from the late Judge Hugh Lawson …

Ai And The Legal Puzzle: Filling Gaps, But Missing Pieces, Joseph Anderson

Mercer Law Review

One of the foremost concerns arising from artificial intelligence’s penetration into the legal realm revolves around accountability and transparency. Traditional legal processes entail a human-driven decision-making paradigm, with judges, lawyers, and legal professionals accountable for their judgments and actions. However, as artificial intelligence systems grow more complex, they often operate as ‘black boxes,’ making it challenging to decipher the rationale behind their decisions. This opacity raises questions about how to attribute legal liability when AI-powered systems make errors or biased judgments. Striking a balance between the efficiency of artificial intelligence and the transparency required in legal proceedings is a pressing …

What About Us? How Law Schools Can Help Historically Underrepresented Law Students Develop Their Professional Identities, David A. Grenardo

Mercer Law Review

Talking about race, gender, and sexual orientation can be painful, messy, and difficult. This country’s history of discrimination and violence against historically underrepresented, marginalized, excluded individuals—racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQIA+, those living with disabilities, the socioeconomically disadvantaged/lower class—makes these topics fraught with controversy and risk. We can easily offend someone accidentally when we try to address these topics even with the best of intentions. For example, some people may get nervous trying to figure out whether to use the words African-American, Black, BIPOC, person of color, or all of the above when discussing these topics and referring to someone …

Just Me, Myself, And I: Georgia Trial Courts May Consider Pro Se Motions Filed By Represented Criminal Defendants, Mckayla A. Doss

Mercer Law Review

For decades, Georgia’s trial courts have applied the absolute rule that pro se motions filed by represented (or presumably represented) criminal defendants were a legal nullity. In essence, hybrid representation was not permitted—legal representation precluded criminal defendants from acting as “co-counsel” or filing their own pro se motions.The application of this absolute rule substantially affected the time-sensitive period that follows a criminal conviction, as defendants in Georgia have a limited period of time to file a notice of appeal or a motion for new trial before the window of direct appeal closes. Failure to file these motions results in the …

A (Not-So) “Minor” Application Of The “Spousal Standing” Exception To Georgia’S Wrongful Death Act, Kelly N. Lafleur

Mercer Law Review

The death of a loved one is a tragedy, especially when allegations of wrongdoing exist surrounding the death, and the decision to bring a lawsuit is a deeply personal matter. But who bears the burden of making that decision—the deceased’s spouse, their child, or another loved one? The answer may depend on the court’s application of equitable principles to preserve the claim.

Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act grants a decedent’s surviving spouse the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. In the event there is no surviving spouse, that right is granted to the decedent’s “child or children, either minor or …

Acoustic Activation Imaging With Intravenous Perfluoropropane Nanodroplets Results In Selective Bioactivation Of The Risk Area, S. Li, C. Chen, J. Lof, E. A. Stolze, J. Sklenar, X. Chen, J. J. Pacella, F. S. Villanueva, T. O. Matsunaga, E. Carr Everbach, S. J. Radio, S. N. Westphal, S. Shiva, F. Xie, X. Leng, T. R. Porter

Engineering Faculty Works

Background: Acoustically activatable perfluoropropane droplets (PD) can be formulated from commercially available microbubble preparations. Diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound frequencies have resulted in acoustic activation (AA) predominately within myocardial infarct zones (IZ). Objective: We hypothesized that the AA area following acute coronary ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) would selectively enhance the developing scar zone, and target bioeffects specifically to this region. Methods: We administered intravenous PD in 36 rats and 20 pigs at various stages of myocardial scar formation (30 minutes, 1 day, and 7 days post I/R) to determine what effect infarct age had on the AA within the IZ. This was correlated with …

Español Práctico: Introducción Al Estudio De La Lengua Española, Jinny K. Choi, Raymond Elliott, Sonia Kania

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

Hoy en día el español es una lengua global que cuenta con unos 500 millones de hablantes nativos. Español práctico: introducción al estudio de la lengua española es un Recurso Educativo Abierto (REA) que explora la historia, la estructura y la diversidad de esta lengua global. El libro provee al alumno una introducción al estudio del español como sistema lingüístico e incluye temas como el desarrollo del español como lengua global, los sonidos y la ortografía de la lengua, la estructura de las palabras y las oraciones, la variación y el contacto de lenguas. El libro sirve de puente entre …

Evaluating The Impact Of Sb 684 In San Luis Obispo, Andrew Darrell

City and Regional Planning

This study evaluates the impact of California Senate Bill 684 (SB 684) on housing development in San Luis Obispo. SB 684 aims to streamline the approval process for small-scale residential projects to address the state's housing shortage by promoting affordable housing construction. The aim of this report will be to examine the provisions of SB 684 and evaluate the feasibility of development under it. A general overview of the legislative provisions accompanied by legal context will provide a background to the law. Case studies of small lot development will illustrate design decisions that can be incorporated into new SB 684 …

The Social Cost Of Unpaid Student Loans, Brooke E. Gotberg, Evan Miller

Denver Law Review

Federal student loans represent a multibillion-dollar investment by American taxpayers. Although most student loans are repaid on time, a significant minority of borrowers struggle to repay their debts. This is particularly true when the education obtained using the loans does not translate into higher earning potential for the borrower. Policymakers have periodically focused attention on easing the burden of student debt. The sympathetic plight of many borrowers makes it easy to consider only their best interests. However, on the opposite side of every debtor is a creditor; in this case, it is the federal government as a representative of taxpayers. …

Vol. 101, No. 4: Full Issue, Denver Law Review

Denver Law Review

No abstract provided.

Financial Identity In The American Credit System: The Habitus Of The Debtor, Linda Coco

Denver Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Predictable Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence Factors And Emotional Quality, Thaddeus Henderson

Dissertations (2016-Present)

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictability of emotional intelligence factors on the relationship quality among African American male college students. Specifically, this study was concerned with the predictable relationship between the emotional intelligence factors of emotion regulation, self-regulation, emotion management, and emotion in oneself and others and relationship quality components (romantic relationship, relationship satisfaction, relationship happiness, relationship adjustment, and relationship intimacy) among African American male college students.

A predictive correlation research design was utilized in this empirical study. One hundred one (101) African American male college students were selected to participate in the study two instruments …

The Predictability Of Social And Emotional Learning Activities, On Attendance Rate, Positive Behavioral, Hamza Ander

Dissertations (2016-Present)

The purpose of the study is to examine the predictability of social-emotional learning activity factors on attendance rates, positive behavior outcomes, and negative behavior outcomes among high school at-risk students. Specifically, this study was concerned with the predictable relationship between SEL activity factors on home visits, club participation, and mentoring on the attendance rate and number of positive behavioral and negative behavioral outcomes among at-risk high school students.

A predictive correlational research design was employed in this study. This type of research design examines the predictable relationship between two or more independent variables and one criterion (dependent) variable).

The findings …

Causal Inference Using Bayesian Network For Search And Rescue, Amanda Belden

Master's Theses

People who are considered missing have much higher probabilities of being found dead compared to those who are not considered missing in terms of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. Dementia patients are incredibly likely to be declared missing, and in fact after removing those with dementia the probability of the mission being regarded as missing person case is only about 10%. Additionally, those who go missing are much more likely to be on private land than on protected areas such as forests and parks. These and similar associations can be represented and investigated using a Bayesian network that has been …