Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of The Patterning Cascade Model In Human Mandibular Premolar Variation, Molly Militello

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human mandibular premolars represent a morphologically transitional tooth class, possessing a relatively caniniform third premolar (P3) and a more molariform fourth premolar (P4). Marked variation in cusp height and lingual cusp number are characteristics unique to these postcanine teeth. The aim of this study is to determine if human premolar variation aligns with predictions outlined by the patterning cascade model (PCM). The PCM posits that tooth size and enamel knot spacing/surrounding inhibitory fields (approximated by cusp tip positioning) play a role in determining ultimate crown morphology, providing a predictive framework for examining crown variation within and between individuals. While there …

Adults Matter Too: An Examination Of State Adult Missing Persons Policies And Procedures To Implement A Best Practices Handbook, Hunter Smith

Honors Theses

The most recent estimates put the number of active missing person records at 97,127. Over the past eight years, child active records have decreased by 2,530, while adult active records have increased by 14,696. While there is no clear explanation for this trend, a common theory is that there are multiple federal and state laws requiring the entry of missing people under the age of 2; however, very few, if any, extend to adults. Additionally, there is a lack of standardization across available policies and procedures for where these cases should be reported, the time frame for doing so, and …

Flood Waters Rise: Hurricanes, Disaster Response, And Race Relations In Coastal Alabama, 1906 – 2006, Danielle Leonardi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This thesis examines the changes in social relations after natural disasters, specifically hurricanes. The Hurricane of 1906 caused massive damage to Mobile due to the limited warnings. Tensions before the hurricane were already heightened from the Atlanta Race Riot and boiled over after the storm, resulting in a double lynching. Mobile received very little federal aid after the 1906 hurricane and relief heavily on their own communities and the Alabama National Guard. Hurricane Frederic in 1979 was much different because of its position in the Civil Rights Movement. The government relief was slow due to the overwhelming amount needed, and …

"Speak Arabic!": Arabic Dialect Comparison Videos And The Reconfiguration Of The Maghreb-Mashreq Language Ideology, Jacquelyn Stewart-Kuhn

Honors Theses

There is a hidden power imbalance in the Arabic-speaking world. It is not related to warfare, politics, or oil, but language. For decades, Egyptian and Levantine (Mashreqi) dialects have been over-represented in Arabic language media, to the detriment of North African (Maghrebi) dialects. This imbalance has played a crucial role in reinforcing what Hachimi (2013) refers to as the “Maghreb-Mashreq language ideology,” i.e. the belief that Mashreqi dialects are superior to Maghrebi dialects. Yet in an era of social media, Mashreqi voices and dialects are becoming less dominant, and Arabic-speakers across the region are being increasingly exposed to Maghrebi voices …

Interpreting Geochemical Sourcing In The Northwest Great Basin: The 26wa12962 Sample Study, Tyler Alexander Reinholt

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Located in Northwest Washoe County Nevada along the California and Nevada border, 26WA12962 is an upland spring site consisting of habitation debris and several thousand pieces of debitage on the surface. The purpose of this research project is to interpret energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) results of 80 random samples of obsidian, and fine grain volcanics such as basalt and dacite from the excavations on 26WA12962 that were conducted in 2021. This thesis will investigate if there is a preference for a specific source, as well as assisting in gathering data within a lithic landscape. To accomplish this goal, I …

Distribution And Conveyance Of Late Prehistoric Western Mojave Obsidian Artifacts, Nicholas James Shepetuk

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There is a significant lack of publication, synthesis, and analysis of existing Late Prehistoric obsidian artifact sourcing data in the western Mojave Desert. However, a wealth of such data exists, especially in non-published archaeological reports produced mainly by cultural resources management firms. The purpose of this study was to test the validity of two regions which are divided roughly by the Mojave River and which are based on Sutton’s (1989) interaction sphere model. The Northwestern Region occupies the portion of the Mojave Desert to the north and west of the Mojave River, while the Eastern Region makes up the area …

Where The Ancestors Sleep: Radiocarbon Dating Of Bioapatite From La Consentida, Oaxaca, Robert Mitchell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study aims to refine the chronology of the burial sequence at the Early Formative Period (2000–1000 BCE) site of La Consentida in Oaxaca, Mexico. Previously, the chronology of mortuary spaces at La Consentida was supported by nine radiocarbon dates (2020–1510 cal BCE) from secure contexts, including charcoal, carbonized material from pottery, and two human bone samples processed together using R_combine to establish a single direct date for human remains at the site. This thesis study dated bioapatite from nine sets of adult human remains found in the two known mortuary contexts at La Consentida and two carbon-rich sediment samples …

How Gender Affirming Care Affects The Current Sex Estimation Standards In Forensic Anthropology: A Preliminary Study, Dakota Taylor

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Current sex estimation standards in forensic anthropology are based on individuals whose gender matches their biological/osteological sex, also known as Cisgendered individuals. Recently, transgender individuals have started to become more common in the forensic context due to the increase in hate crimes and violence. This research builds upon past research done on how facial feminization surgery can affect both visual and metric methods, where it was found that forensic anthropologists should rely on the visual methods if they suspect someone to be transgender due to it being more accurate and being able to clearly state the scars left on the …

Numerical Variations In The Thoracic And Lumbar Vertebrae Within The John A. Williams Skeletal Collection, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, Nc (Usa), Leanna Annette Sanford

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This research is on how human variation can lead to the identification of remains based on skeletal variation. The data were collected by performing a morphoscopic trait study of the John A. Williams (J.A.W.) Documented Human Skeletal Collection at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC (USA). Morphoscopic traits are nonmetric traits, visually identified using the knowledge of osteology. The study was performed to study variation of the vertebral column, specifically focusing on morphoscopic traits of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The focus of this research is centralized on the presence of numerical variations in the vertebral column such as eleven …

The Osteobiography Of Human Remains From The Seaview And Indian Town Trail Archaeological Sites, Maggie M. Klemm

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Extensive site surveys and excavations on the Island of Barbuda led by Sophia Perdikaris have identified over 62 sites spanning from the Archaic time period to Historic times. Over the last 18 years, these multidisciplinary teams have focused on mapping all sites and performing rescue excavations on sites threatened by sea level rise, erosion or development. Two such sites are the Saladoid site of Seaview (BA016) and the Troumassoid site of Indian Town Trail (BA01). The dunes surrounding the site of Seaview receive the brunt of storms and hurricanes. In 1998 hurricane Georges exposed skeletal material now part of the …

The Kruger Collection Reimagined: A Case Study In 3d Scanning And Interactive Exhibit Design, Annissa Davis

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This thesis examines the use of 3D modeling in museum exhibition to create exploratory exhibits that facilitate unique relationships between the visitors and the collection beyond what is provided by the collection’s in person counterparts. Typical use of 3D modeling in museums is currently often representative rather than exploratory. By employing a Digital Humanities lens to approach the development of a digital exhibition utilizing 3D technology and interactive elements created in a video game engine (Unity), this thesis project evaluates these potential new relationships. Using the Eloise Kruger Collection of Miniatures as a case study, the following text details the …

A Manual On The Planning And Integration Of Archaeological Methods In To Outdoor Forensic Search Investigations, Jonathan Robert Garcia

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

As archaeology and its applications into forensic contexts develop into the growing discipline of forensic archaeology, an increasing amount of literature has resulted stemming from research on the integration of common archaeological methods. However, much of this literature is intended for professional archaeologists or forensic anthropologists who are well experienced in their respective disciplines. Emerging literature generally does not consider those who leads efforts at forensic scenes in the outdoors such as law enforcement officers who often lack a background in archaeology or forensic anthropology. This thesis seeks to resolve this dilemma by creating a new and accessible manual. The …

Excavating The Archives: A Re-Analysis Of Artifacts Recovered From Catclaw Cave, Emily C. Swett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this thesis research is to a) promote collaboration between archaeologists, federal agencies, and repositories, through museum-based archaeology, b) bring attention to an under-researched region of the Southwest, c) understand the use of Catclaw Cave, d) understand Patayan culture and use of the Lower Colorado River Valley, and e) identify potential trade networks between inhabitants of the Lower Colorado River Valley and other communities in the Southwest. This thesis, which focuses on habitation and lifeways prior to contact with Europeans, is guided by the hypothesis that the Colorado River served as a major trade route for people living …

Developing A Methodology For Evaluating The Sensitivity Of Rock Imagery Sites To Vandalism In Washington County, Ut, Erin C. Haycock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study uses statistical analysis to examine the relationship between the characteristics of rock imagery (also known as rock art) sites and intentionally caused damages in Washington County, Utah. This project aims to create an index for public land managers to respond proactively to vandalism at rock imagery sites. Included here is an analysis of the severity and frequency of damage to the sites and an inventory of the types of site damage to determine the most common and destructive types of vandalism. Site attributes such as the number of figures in a panel, the type of images, and panel …

The Dawn Of Advanced Collaborative Practices: Charting Transdisciplinary Synergies Through Thematic And Social Network Analysis Within Boise State's Grand Challenges Initiative, Eva Lorraine Gaudio

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The likelihood of academic collaboration is influenced by specific characteristics that vary across attributes and associations. For instance, social networks have been found to influence the adoption of evidence-based instructional practices and interdisciplinary research performance. This study examines research collaboration practices at a university to support initiatives in increasing interdisciplinary collaboration. Purpose: The study has three aims: 1) to characterize existing collaborative research practices under the university systems and policies in effect at the start of this project in a sample of faculty researchers; 2) to gain a better understanding of the historical network structure of research using collaborative grant …

Celtic Cultural Identity In The Late Iron Age: Regional Comparisons Of Pit Burials, Samantha Lynn Beier

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Celtic-speaking peoples were once distributed across a vast territory from Europe to southwest Asia in the Middle and Late Iron Age. For example, the movement of some of these Celtic peoples, the Galatians, from Europe to Anatolia may be responsible for the appearance of new cultural practices that have been observed at two communities in the region during the Hellenistic period/Late Iron Age (ca. 300-100 BCE). Burial practices are one cultural practice that can be observed archaeologically in order to further investigate the migration of the Galatians and other Celtic tribes. Human interments in pits are found across Europe and …

Lucy Through The Years -- Temporal Trends In The Australopithecus Dentition, Olivia Ervin

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Australopithecus afarensis, an extinct human ancestor (ca. 3.75 – 2.95 million years ago) first distinguished in 1978, has a dense fossil record. Until recently, A. afarensis fossils were primarily known from two locations, Laetoli, Tanzania, and Hadar, Ethiopia, that are approximately 1750 kilometers apart. Additionally, there is no temporal overlap between the sites; fossils from Laetoli are older than 3.5 Ma and those from Hadar stretch from 3.4 – 3.0 Ma. For some tooth positions, the Laetoli and Hadar fossils subtly differ in size and shape. Previous research indicated that some of these differences could be attributable to evolutionary change, …

A Three-Dimensional Analysis Of Parkin Phase Vessels, Ca. Ad 1450, Eastern Arkansas, Liley Bozard

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ceramic assemblages from Mississippian mound centers in eastern Arkansas have been used to distinguished distinct communities in the Central Mississippi Alluvial Valley (CMV). While archeologists have considered how the relative frequency of fine ware to coarse ware may differentiate communities, they have rarely looked at whole vessels in the CMV to describe practices related to food consumption, preparation, or serving, nor have they considered if vessel forms or decorations can distinguish communities or phases. In this thesis, I analyzed 800 whole vessels from Parkin and Nodena phase sites (A.D. 1400-1550) and quantified differences according to variables such as paste recipe, …

Archaic Burials In The Necropolis Of Aigai And The Manufacturing Of Significance In Archaeology, Abigail Chapman

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

The excavation of Ancient Aigai, modern Vergina in Greece, has unearthed a wealth of archaeological treasures, including Macedonian tombs attributed to Philip II and Alexander the Great. However, the manufactured significance imposed on these excavations has shaped the contemporary understanding of Archaic burial practices in Aigai. This paper aims to understand how the constructed narratives surrounding these excavations influence current ideas on burial customs in Aigai during the Archaic period. By analyzing the layout of the city and its necropolis, scholarship can gain valuable insights into the social structure of Archaic Macedonia. This can help to develop a more complete …

Houses Built For Gods: Articulations Of Urban Hokora In Kyoto, Steele Engelmann

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Amidst the urban landscape of Kyoto, Japan, there are thousands of hokora, small neighborhood shrines. This study uses social theories of pilgrimage and space to examine the articulation of hokora, community, and personal desire. As sites of local pilgrimage, hokora form networks of communal, but also individual, aspirations across the urban spiritual landscape of the city. This thesis argues that communities are connected to the larger social structures of Kyoto through hokora. As such, neighborhoods are reproduced and displayed through their hokora’s entanglements with the urban, social, and religious landscapes of Kyoto. Therefore, this study deploys an ethnographic approach to …

Across The Snake River Plain: Terminal Pleistocene, Early Holocene, And Early Middle Holocene Land-Use In Southeast Idaho, Jennifer Finn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The range of mobility demonstrated to overcome challenges with resource distribution is a hallmark of hunter-gatherer societies. Previous studies in southeast Idaho have investigated the possibility that precontact human movement was impacted by climatic differences. According to preliminary studies on regional obsidian toolstone conveyance, land use patterns were already changing throughout the early Holocene due to increased aridity. However, the geographical distribution of Northern Side-notched projectile points suggests a significant expansion in mobility at the early Holocene/middle Holocene transition. This thesis tests the hypothesis that precontact early middle Holocene human mobility in the study area was conditioned by environmental factors …

Wellbeing, Mental Health, And Natural Resource Dependency In Rural Utah, Kristen Rene Koci

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation examines wellbeing, mental health, and natural resource (NR) dependency in rural Utah. The following questions are asked: How do wellbeing and mental health vary throughout the state of Utah, including by rural-urban location? What concerns do applied practitioners have regarding mental health in rural parts of the state? How do chronic stress and social dislocation contribute to mental health outcomes in rural NR dependent communities in the state? Four studies were conducted to pursue these research questions.

The first two studies use data from the Utah Wellbeing Survey to explore wellbeing and mental health in Utah communities over …

Protein Residue Analysis In Archaeology: A Geological Contamination Experiment, Theresa Popp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Protein residue analysis has been used by archaeologists for decades to explore ancient diets and hunting behaviors based on proteins deposited on tools and artifacts, however, protein contamination of buried artifacts has been assumed but lacked formal study. Through a contamination experiment testing different geological contexts (e.g. water movement and freeze-thaw), possible routes of protein contamination within soil were identified, adversely impacting protein residue analysis conducted on buried artifacts. Protein was found to move through soil in large enough concentrations to elicit positive protein residue results on sterile artifacts that never made direct contact with the protein source used in …

Mixed Methods Approach To Assess ‘Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor’ Activity Within ‘Alternative’ Health Contexts Of Human Maternal Placentophagy, Jacob C. White

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Rats with elevated opioid levels experience an even greater increase in pain threshold after placenta or amniotic fluid consumption via placental opioid-enhancing factor (POEF) in the afterbirth. POEF only enhances opioid hypoalgesia; it cannot produce hypoalgesia alone. Although the POEF molecule remains unidentified and its efficacy in humans is unknown, it could be a safe, novel pain treatment. People who consume placenta as an alternative postpartum health practice are ideal for testing POEF bioactivity. Though rat models show that bioactive POEF is highly sensitive, some forms of the practice in humans may conserve POEF.

This project is the first attempt …

Patterns Of Non-Consumptive Public Land Users: How Do Birders Value Species And Make Foraging Decisions, Rebecca (Bekki) Ann Waskovich

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Non-consumptive wildlife-associated recreation has grown by over 1000% since 1970. While the number of consumptive users has remained largely unchanged. Behavioral ecology and foraging theory can help to explain birder behavior to ascertain recreationists’ values and motives while on the landscape. During the Christmas Bird Counts of December 2022, 68 participants from Boise, Bruneau, and Nampa, Idaho counts were surveyed. A subset of those participants (29) volunteered to be interviewed further. Rarity and native species were found to be a top value for birders with 127 unique species with low encounter rates across all sites appeared in the top ranked …

Ai-Powered Information Retrieval In Meeting Records And Transcripts Enhancing Efficiency And User Experience, Srushti Nitin Ghadge

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the traditional search methods, which is to search from video recordings of the meetings by moving the slider back and forth or by keyword search in transcripts versus integrated AI video plus transcript search. Based on the previous test results, we introduced some human-centric design features to the AI and built a new enhanced AI search tool for information retrieval. For search technique efficiency testing, the method had two set of experiments. The first results of the experiment showed that AI-based search algorithms were more accurate and faster than conventional search approaches. Participants were also happier with …

Loyalitas Masyarakat Jawa Kuno Kepada Raja Berdasarkan Data Prasasti Abad Xiii–Xv Masehi, Victoria Geraldine, Andriyati Rahayu

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The sima inscription is an edict issued by the king as a gift given to certain parties. One of the reasons for its bestowment is as a reward to those who have shown him loyalty. This paper studies the forms of loyalty shown by the Ancient Javanese People to the king and the factors that influenced it. The study aims to give an understanding of the relationship that existed between the Ancient Javanese people and the king in the XIII–XV Centuries AD. The results of this research provides new insight for the effort to reconstruct the life of the Ancient …

Museum Dan Sekolah: Sinergi Kebijakan Demokratisasi Kebudayaan Melalui Program Pembelajaran Seni Dan Budaya Di Kota La Rochelle - Prancis, Agung Wibowo, Dwi Winarsih, Atik Catur Budiati

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Our article describes the relationship between museums and schools as a policy of democratisation of French culture, a policy that has encouraged the ministry of education and the ministry of culture to work together in designing arts and culture learning programmes in museums and in schools. The case study of the implementation of the national policy of democratisation of culture by the municipality of La Rochelle is an important consideration that can help us to understand how the locality of public policy implementation in France can contribute specific characteristics to the cultural development and management of museums and schools. Arts …

Batu Nisan Di Situs Binanga Sebagai Indikasi Pemukiman Muslim Kuno Di Pantai Barat Aceh, Amir Husni, Sanusi Ismail, Nasruddin As Nasruddin As, Bustami Abubakar, Reza Idria, Hermansyah Hermansyah, Ruhamah Ruhamah, Muhajir Al Fairusy

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article aims to discuss the development of ancient Muslim settlements on the west coast of Aceh based on the findings of Islamic gravestones at the Binanga site in Subulussalam City, Aceh. This site is very unique, it is located inland and right on the banks of the Singkel River, which is connected to the highlands of Sumatra. There are 131 Islamic gravestones, and their shapes vary greatly. The results of the morphological analysis show that the gravestones were divided into two groups: Aceh gravestones (batu Aceh) and Barus gravestones (nisan Barus). There are no biographical inscriptions carved …

Pendidikan Selera Dalam Perkembangan Restoran Hindia Belanda Dan Rijsttafel Di Belanda Pada Periode Kolonial, Andika Ariwibowo

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article discusses the early development of rijsttafel and Dutch East Indies restaurants in the Netherlands during colonial period between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries. The study takes a closer look at the early development of rijsttafel and Dutch East Indies restaurants in the Netherlands during the colonial period, as well as the role of actors in introducing rijsttafel and Dutch East Indies ethnic food in the Netherlands. This study aims to provide an alternative way of studying the history of culinary and gastronomic development and the influence of Dutch East Indies culture in the Netherlands. The historical sources used …