Digital Commons Network^™

Erosion And Accretion: Mobilities Of Sand, People, And Memory At Queer Riis Beach, Jah Elyse Sayers

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park on the Rockaway Peninsula of Queens, New York, is a vibrant place of queer and trans public-space placemaking—and especially Black and working class queer and trans placemaking. A distinct queer ecology emerges in the interplay of the dynamic movement of the barrier island, queer and trans—especially queer and trans Afro-diasporic—mobilities. This queer ecology, while articulated with, also defies and exceeds logics and workings of private property. In response to a convergence of pressures on Black, queer, trans, and working-class placemaking on the beach site in the 2020s, beachgoers have mobilized longstanding provisional socialities …

Comparative Analysis Of Fixed Versus Variable Rate Of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation In Critically Ill Ecmo Patients On Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy, Lisa Hall Zimmerman, Alexander Chen, Felcia Ivascu, Anthony Iacco, Jimmi Mangla, Wesley Barnes, Sean Masters

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is the preferred dialysis modality for critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability. Anticoagulation is often necessary to deliver CKRT effectively and prolong the circuit lifespan. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline for acute kidney injury 2012 recommends regional citrate administration during CKRT for patients without contraindications to prevent filter clotting. Citrate works by chelating calcium and interfering with the activation of the coagulation cascade. This study evaluated effectiveness and safety of fixed (FIX) versus variable citrate rate (VAR) in critically ill patients receiving CKRT. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated …

Bacterial Adaptation To Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Based On Experiences From Ionizing Radiation, Ilham Said-Salman, Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi, Sami El Khatib, Seyed Alireza Mortazavi, Lembit Sihver

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

Bacteria, part of the three domains of life (Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria), are constantly exposed to man-made electromagnetic fields, which often exceed the intensity of natural electromagnetic sources. In response to this exposure, bacteria have developed various defensive and resistant traits. This article presents an overview of both historical and recent research on how bacteria adapt to common sources of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF). The widespread use of mobile phones and Wi-Fi, both utilizing Radiofrequency (RF) radiation, raises potential public health concerns, which have been addressed by international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). Understanding how bacteria adapt to …

A 2-Year Randomized Trial Of Pitavastatin Calcium Vs Placebo To Treat Combined Dyslipidemia In Adolescents With Overweight And Obesity., Brian W. Mccrindle, Silva Arslanian, Michele Mietus-Snyder, Elaine M. Urbina, Adam L. Ware, Jessica E. Teng, Felicia Trachtenberg, Mark W. Russell, Amy S. Shah, Mark Cartoski, Julie A. Brothers, Christine San Giovanni, Justin P. Zachariah, Sandra Pena, William T. Mahle, Amy L. Peterson, Sheela N. Magge, Geetha Raghuveer, Binu Sharma, Valiantsina Kazlova, Craig A. Sponseller, D'Andrea Freemon, Mario Stylianou, Sarah D. De Ferranti, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Combined dyslipidemia of overweight/obesity (CDO) is prevalent in youth and is associated with an increased risk of early cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the impact and safety of statin therapy for CDO in adolescents.

METHODS: A double-blind, randomized trial was performed across 18 North American sites. Participants aged 10 to 19 years with body mass index ≥85th percentile and CDO defined as non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) ≥120 mg/dL (3.10 mmol/L) and either low HDL-C or high triglyceride:HDL-C ratio were randomized centrally to receive either pitavastatin calcium 4 mg/d or placebo for 2 years. The primary outcome was …

Malignant Transformation Of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma Versus Presacral Teratoma In Currarino Syndrome: Results Of 'The Sct-Study'., Lieke J. Van Heurn, Joep P M Derikx, Nigel J. Hall, Amr Abdelhamid Abouzeid, Simone De Campos Vieira Abib, Lohfa B. Chirdan, Shigehisa Fumino, Seong C. Kim, Oliver Muensterer, Maricarmen Olivos, Shawn D. St Peter, Jos Twisk, Nicolas Vinit, Tianyou Yang, Augusto Zani, L W Ernst Van Heurn, Sct-Study Consortium

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The risk of malignant transformation and recurrence of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT) is relatively high, while it is possibly lower in cases associated with Currarino Syndrome (CS). However, the existing literature gives contradictory results. We aimed to examine the risk of malignant transformation in a large cohort of SCT and CS patients.

METHODS: In a global retrospective cohort study, data of consecutive SCT patients and CS patients with presacral teratoma was obtained from 132 institutes in 62 countries. Malignant transformation, defined as malignancy at initial resection, malignant recurrence, or death due to malignancy was analysed for SCT and CS patients. …

Worsened Multitasking Performance With Simulated Hearing Protection Correlates With Individuals' Choice Not To "Wear" It., Matthew G. Wisniewski, Patricia Mcclain, Chelsea N. Joyner

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Workers' reasons for not wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) largely come from performance issues that occur while wearing. Research has shown that such complaints are justified in regard to auditory situational awareness (e.g., speech comprehension), but other aspects of work performance (e.g., multitasking ability) are rarely characterized. Further, the relationship between HPD-related performance worsening and the choice to wear an HPD has not been objectively characterized. We address both gaps in the literature here.

METHODS: Participants were presented with moving objects on a computer screen and tasked to track a "target" object by hovering a cursor over it. Target …

What Sustainability Disclosures Disclose, Kim Hajin

Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper Series

Sustainability disclosures are the backbone of corporate sustainability efforts. If stakeholders want companies to compete over how “good” they are for society, they need a way to see what companies are doing and trying to do. But these disclosures have been widely criticized for their lack of credibility and comparability. To improve them, nonprofits and companies have developed voluntary reporting frameworks that many firms have now adopted and that have informed mandatory disclosure regulations. These critiques and regulatory debates have proceeded, however, without basic facts about what these disclosures contain and whether voluntary tools help. Answering these questions has been …

Partial Insect-Based Meal Inclusion In The Diets Of Ross® 308 Broilers Upregulates Growth And Immune Related Genes, Victor K. Rotich, Isaac M. Osuga, Mathew G. Gicheha, Shaphan Y. Chia, Jandouwe Villinger, Anderson N. Maina, Jinhua Xiao, Dennis Beesigamukama, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This work investigated the effects of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal (BSFLM) on growth- and immune-related gene expression in Ross 308 broilers. Birds were fed diets containing soybean meal (SBM), fishmeal (FM), combinations with BSFLM, or BSFLM alone. Growth, organ weights, immune genes [interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)] and growth-related genes [chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)] expression were measured. Our results demonstrate that birds fed FM+BSFLM had significantly higher final liveweight, average daily weight gain (ADG), and low feed conversion ratio. Birds fed FM+BSFLM showed highest …

“I Will Experience This Trauma Over And Over Again”: Sexual And Gender-Based Violence, Forced Migration And Structural Violence, Jenny Phillimore, Karen Block, Hannah Bradby, Hoayda Darkal, Lisa Goodson, Anna Papoutsi, Cathy Vaughan

School of Psychology

Forced migration has reached unprecedented levels as millions are forced to seek refuge from conflict, persecution, and violence. This exodus includes women enduring the traumas of displacement alongside sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Upon reaching supposed places of refuge, they encounter the structural violence of immigration and asylum regimes. Against this backdrop, the intersection of SGBV, forced migration, and structural violence emerges as an urgent area of study. Drawing from extensive qualitative interviews in Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, we set out to examine the impact of structural violence on the lives of forced migrant survivors of SGBV. The …

Developing Sight-Reading Proficiency In Music Education: A Synthesis Of Instructional Strategies And Pedagogical Approaches, Charles Clements Ii

Theses

Sight-reading is a foundational skill in music education that enables students to perform unfamiliar musical material independently. Despite its importance, instruction is often inconsistent and driven by performance priorities rather than systematic skill development. This thesis synthesizes existing research on sight-reading pedagogy to identify effective instructional strategies and organize them into a cohesive framework for educators.

By connecting research to classroom application, this project provides a practical, research-informed model for sight-reading instruction. The findings suggest that effective instruction requires a structured and integrated approach that supports both cognitive processing and musical performance, ultimately promoting greater student independence and musical literacy.

Gender Relations Within 18th And 19th Century Art And How It Affects A 21st Century Learner, Sophie Lima

Theses

This study constructs a curriculum unit comprising five lessons in feminist art history for middle school learners in 5th-8th grade. Drawing on theories and concepts from feminist art history, visual culture, and inquiry in art education, this curriculum aims to address the scarcity of age-appropriate materials in feminist art history. There is a need for curricular materials that help learners critically analyze issues of gender, identity, and power conveyed through visual culture. The curriculum encourages middle-grade students to engage with three approaches to art analysis: formalism, iconography, and feminism. The organized unit focuses on inquiry, interpretation, comparison, production, and evaluation. …

Holistic And Systems Thinking Modelling For Strategic Agriculture Production Planning In Sub-Saharan Africa, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Ghislain T. Tepa-Yotto, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Sabra Lewis, Christopher Suh, Rachel Zozo, Jeannette K. Winsou, Alpha Kamara, Joel Cornelius Runyu, Elfatih Abdel-Rhaman, Laura Schmitt Olabisi, Tahirou Abdoulaye

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

CONTEXT: Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) underpins food security, livelihoods, and economic growth, yet it faces mounting pressures from climate change, food insecurity, socioeconomic instability, and environmental degradation. While National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and bioeconomic models are increasingly used to guide policy, most existing tools remain fragmented and fail to capture the complex interdependencies across agricultural, economic, social, technological, and environmental domains. OBJECTIVE: This study develops and applies a holistic bioeconomic systems model for strategic agricultural planning in SSA, aimed at identifying leverage points that enhance resilience, sustainability, and productivity. It specifically examines how climate-resilient crop variety (CRV) adoption and …

Climate Change Reduces Pollination Services And Sunflower Yields Across Europe And Northern Africa, Stella Gachoki, Clémence Riva, Danilo Bevk, Yamina Haider, Noureddine Adjlane, Ioannis Manthos, Bojan Stipešević, Zlatko Puškadija, Marin Kovačić, Leonidas Charistos, Fani Hatjina, Fabrice Requier

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) productivity is highly dependent on pollinators, yet the effects of climate on pollination services and crop yield remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate how temperature gradients influence flower-visiting communities, pollination services, and sunflower productivity across Europe and Northern Africa. We conducted standardized two-year (2022 and 2023) pollination exclusion experiments across 36 sunflower fields spanning a broad climatic gradient, from temperate regions in Slovenia to arid conditions in Algeria. We found that sunflower production (seed set, seed number, and oil content) relied heavily on insect pollination. However, this benefit declined with rising temperatures, likely due to …

Gc-Ms-Based Comparative Analysis Of Compounds In Host Plants And Insect Gut Extracts, Rita Dill, Kimberly Smith, Shelia Okoth, Xavier Cheseto, Anne Osano

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background/Objectives: Herbivorous insects feed on plant tissues to obtain nutrients necessary for growth and development while simultaneously ingesting diverse plant secondary metabolites. Understanding the fate of these compounds during digestion is important for advancing knowledge of insect nutritional physiology and diet-associated biochemical processes. This study aimed to comparatively profile metabolites in host plants and corresponding insect gut extracts to generate insights into compound transfer and compositional changes within these systems. Methods: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics was combined with Ultraviolet-Visible (UV–Vis) quantification of total phenols and flavonoids to compare host plant tissues and insect gut extracts in three systems: fall …

Climate-Driven Stochastic Modelling Of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Transmission In Uganda, P. G. Kpatchana, J. Aduda, K. M. Agboka

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a climate-sensitive tick-borne zoonosis that remains a significant public health concern in Uganda, where temperature and vapour pressure deficit influence tick ecology and consequently disease transmission. This study aimed to develop and analyse a climate-driven stochastic model for CCHF transmission among ticks, livestock, and humans under environmental variability in Uganda. A compartmental transmission model was formulated and extended into a stochastic differential equation framework by incorporating multiplicative environmental noise. Climate-dependent tick recruitment, development, and mortality were parameterized using district-level temperature and vapour pressure deficit data to capture spatial heterogeneity in transmission risk. Theoretical analyses based …

Hyper-Bishops, Hyper-Rooks, And Hyper-Queens: Percentage Of Safe Squares On Higher Dimensional Chess Boards, Caroline Cashman, Joseph Cooper, Raul Marquez, Steven J. Miller, Jenna Shuffelton

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Chess has inspired an abundance of mathematical problems, especially in combinatorics and probability. One such problem, initially studied by Miller, Sheng, and Turek, considers the proportion of safe spaces when randomly placing n rooks on an 𝑛×𝑛 chess board. They show that as n approaches infinity, the proportion of safe spaces converges to 1/𝑒2. We first generalize their results to bishops and queens. This problem is significantly more interesting and difficult; while a rook attacks the same number of spaces regardless of its position, this is not so for bishops and queens. We prove that the proportion of safe spaces …

What To Expect When You’Re Expecting Passenger Rail: How Central Valley Communities Are Preparing For High-Speed Rail, Josephine K. Hazelton-Bpyle, Naomi Bick

Mineta Transportation Institute

Approved by California voters in 2008, the California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) project is a planned 800-mile rail corridor across California aimed at delivering intercity passenger rail service to the state’s largest metropolitan areas. This was the first voter-approved high-speed rail project in the United States and remains one of its most contentious. The first phase of the project’s construction is currently underway in California’s Central Valley, including many communities that initially opposed CAHSR. While supporters champion increased connectivity and the provision of environmentally sustainable transportation alternatives, critics contend the project’s benefits will not outweigh its environmental costs and economic disruptions. …

Culturally Informed Responses To Grief And Loss In A Fractured World: Implications For School Social Work In African Contexts, Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Rachel Phelps

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

School Social Workers (SSWs) are in a unique position to respond to systemic forms of grief and loss. Most interventions rarely consider the larger social context or how racialized experiences impact both the types of grief and loss learners experience, as well as how schools respond to their grief. The Culturally Informed Response to Grief and Loss Certificate (CIRGL) aims to fill this gap by providing an online, asynchronous professional development program that centres the lived experiences of minoritized youth and asks professionals to critically examine their own biases. This paper shares the results of the evaluation of the Train …

Friendships And Coping Among Adolescents With Lgbtq+ Parents, Jacob S. Withrow, Nita U. Kulkarni, Rachel H. Farr

Psychology Faculty Publications

Adolescents with LGBTQ+ parents and LGBTQ+ adolescents navigate unique social and identity-related challenges as compared to those without minoritized sexual and/or gender identities. Adolescents with LGBTQ+ parents (regardless of their own sexual or gender identity) and adolescents who personally identify as LGBTQ+ are distinct populations, though they sometimes overlap. Research on adolescents with LGBTQ+ parents has often focused on parent–adolescent relationships and family structures. How do friends help youth cope with identity-based minority stressors, like peer microaggressions, bullying, and exclusion, common for those with minoritized identities? Friendships are developmentally pivotal during adolescence, shaping social competence, identity exploration, and psychological adjustment. …

Volume 109, Number 3 (2026)

Judicature

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Music On Construction Labor Productivity, Ayush Khare

Construction Management

Every day the construction industry is looking for ways to improve labor productivity, jobsite morale, and overall project efficiency. Contractors often focus on larger strategies such as scheduling, manpower planning, equipment selection, and material coordination to help projects stay on time and within budget. However, smaller jobsite conditions can also affect how workers perform throughout the day. Music is one of these conditions. On many construction sites, music is already used informally by laborers while they complete physical and repetitive tasks. Even though music is common in construction culture, its effect on productivity and morale is not often measured or …

Self-Healing Concrete In Compression With Crystalline Admixtures, Nathaniel Paul Warfield

Construction Management

The construction industry is steadily pursuing sustainable and regenerative materials that extend service life and reduce maintenance requirements. Self-healing concrete containing crystalline admixtures represents one such technology. This study evaluated the compressive strength performance of a commercially available high-strength concrete with and without a crystalline self-healing admixture. Three 6-inch by 12-inch cylinders were cast using Quikrete High Strength Concrete. One cylinder served as the control specimen, while two cylinders contained Penetron Admix at approximately 1% of cement weight. One admixture cylinder was intentionally cracked after 14 days to allow time for healing before testing. All specimens were tested in compression …

Developing A Preparation Manual For The Asc Region 6 & 7 Reno Competition, Addyson Mae Demasters

Construction Management

The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 6 & 7 Competition is one of the most prestigious student construction management competitions in the United States. Success in the competition requires technical knowledge, effective communication, time management, and strategic preparation. The purpose of this senior project was to develop a comprehensive Competition Preparation Manual for future Cal Poly Construction Management students competing in the ASC Reno Competition. The manual was created through the collection and analysis of information from previous competitors, team captains, competition retrospectives, and the author's personal experience participating in ASC Reno competitions. Surveys were sent to students in …

The Efficiency Of Residential Modular Construction, Alina Viola Dziuk

Construction Management

This study examines the efficiency of permanent modular construction in the residential multifamily sector framed with steel in the western United States, with a particular focus on labor productivity, materials, project scheduling, and cost performance in California. Research was conducted through five interviews with production managers from U.S.-based modular manufacturing companies. Results indicated that modular construction improves labor, material, time, and cost efficiency. Overall, the qualitative data gathered from interviews and the literature review suggest that modular construction offers a practical solution to California’s housing shortages, declining labor pool, and rising construction costs while improving overall project efficiency and productivity. …

Understanding Cmu Construction Sequencing Through Scheduling Application, Tristan J. Roberson

Construction Management

Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) wall systems are used very often in all types of construction including commercial and residential. With this said, the scheduling logic behind their installation can often be unclear for students and people new to the industry. The purpose of this project is to analyze CMU construction sequencing and demonstrate how it integrates within an overall project schedule. This study was conducted using interviews with industry professionals, review of CMU manufacturing processes, and development of a simplified Critical Path Method schedule in Microsoft Project. Information from CMU professionals regarding manufacturing processes and lead times were incorporated based …

Small-Scale Rainwater Harvesting: A Sustainable Practice For Single-Family Homes In Southern California, Azzah R. Bensrhir

Construction Management

Southern California is prone to drought and struggles with low water supplies. Los Angeles and San Diego County have enacted outdoor water regulations that aim to reduce the overall reliance on municipal and groundwater supplies. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a feasible way for single-family homeowners in Southern California to contribute to water conservation efforts. To determine the feasibility of installing, maintaining, and understanding overall challenges and costs of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems, four interviews were conducted with residents of Los Angeles and San Diego County who have owned and operated a RWH system for more than five years. The results …

Thematic Analysis Of Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required For Hydrogen Fuel Cell Transit Workforce, Steven Dandurand

Construction Management

The adoption and implementation of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) in public transit creates opportunities for reducing emissions and a greener future, but causes challenges related to workforce readiness and training. This research uses thematic analysis to analyze interviews with professionals to evaluate the current knowledge and skill levels of transit bus drivers, maintenance personnel, and infrastructure teams, with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps that may cause problems with the implementation of hydrogen buses on a larger scale. Data was collected through a review of transit agency resources, and interviews with drivers, technicians and agencies. The findings indicate …

Beyond Contract Law: Expanding Legal Education In Construction Management, Grace M. Hetland

Construction Management

The California Polytechnic State University Construction Management (CM) program is designed to prepare students for the managerial responsibilities of the construction industry. However, construction projects involve a broad range of legal considerations that extend beyond traditional contract administration. While the CM curriculum currently includes a course focused on construction contract law, there is limited exposure to other legal disciplines that frequently affect construction professionals throughout the project lifecycle. This research explores the potential value of expanding construction law education in the CM curriculum by implementing an additional topics course as an elective for students. To determine which legal subjects would …

Logistics And Workforce Management In Remote Reforestation Projects: A Case Study Of Ponterra In Panama, Omar Mejia-Meraz

Construction Management

With global efforts in reducing carbon emissions, large-scale reforestation projects are becoming increasingly important. While the environmental benefits of reforestation are well known, the operational and logistical challenges of reforestation projects are often overlooked. This case study examines the reforestation efforts conducted by Ponterra in the Azuero Peninsula region of Panama and analyzes how construction management principles support the planning, execution, and long-term success of restoration projects. Through a qualitative analysis consisting of an interview with Ponterra’s Field Operations Lead and supporting literature, this study evaluates the planning strategies, logistical challenges, workforce coordination, and client engagement involved in large-scale reforestation …

Analyzing Productivity In California’S Residential Construction Industry, Logan K. Booher

Construction Management

Following technological advancement over past years in California's residential construction industry, productivity levels have fallen short. This has revealed a pressing issue and raises the question of whether advancements in technology correlate with productivity improvements. This study investigates whether the lack of growth is a significant problem, specifically in California's residential construction industry, and what underlying factors are limiting improvements. Using an action-based research approach, the data for this study were collected through surveys that consisted of multiple-choice questions and checklist rankings, given to construction professionals across various roles and project types in California. The objective is to examine how …