702 research outputs found
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The Effect of Superfund on Post-Industrial Communities: An Analysis of Geographic Identity
No full textThe interactions between people and place have long been understood as producing an integrated dialogue between them. The forcommunicated paper deals the impact of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or Superfund, on local communities and their sense of place in southwest Colorado.
A literature review of relevant research was conducted, revealing the economic impacts of Superfund (mean 4 - 16.26% depreciation in property values) via hedonic regression analysis. Studies of the impact of outside stigma also demonstrated the endemic capacity of negative, outside outlooks to exacerbate the challenges of post-industrial development. Case studies were also gathered from other sources, covering the sequence of events in Toluca, Illinois; Cokedale, Colorado; Picher, Oklahoma; and Berlin, North Carolina. Common trends were observed in the recounting of said case stories that impacted the evolution of their geographic identity in dealing with site designation and remediation proceedings. Trends included the homogeneity of sense of place, community involvement in remediation efforts, existing alternative economic development, motivation on the part of the government itself, and a community’s ability to cope with and combat outside stigma.
These trends were then used to generate a case study of superfund proceedings in Durango, Colorado, and the remediation of the “Smelter” site, the location of the leftover tailings of the Vanadium Corporation of America. A predictive discussion was then undertaken with regards to the future remediation of the Bonita Peak Mining District, a newly listed site near Silverton, Colorado. In the cases of both Durango, and Silverton, there was observed to be high levels of community involvement and alternative exploration, namely into tourism, which suggests a positive ultimate outcome in each case. The final impact on Silverton’s sense of place, however, would seem to depend upon the community’s desire and ability to retain the artifacts of their hard-rock mining heritage, and to what extent they prove successful at doing so
Synthesis of Conformationally Constrained Diarylether Paracyclophanes
No full textThe syntheses of a series of macrocyclic diarylether paracyclophanes with varying length in the bridging chain are reported. Several naturally occurring biologically active cyclophanes have been described in the literature, and many of these are chiral by virtue of restricted bond rotation opposed to the presence of stereocenters. We report the first systematic study of the relationship between the bridging chain length and the barrier to racemization of these important compounds. Progress toward the synthesis of a library of diarylether paracyclophanes with varying tether lengths is described, as well as stereochemical implications
A Fracture Analysis to Assess the Structural History of the Equity Block at Creede, CO.
No full textThe Creede district in central Colorado has a mining history of nearly 150 years. During this time most of the mining has focused on Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu mineralization associated with main-stage Creede mineralization, which happened around 25 Ma in response to hydrothermal circulation on the margin of the 26 Ma Creede caldera. Exploration and mining in the northern part of the district has focused on the Equity fault. This fault represents a major mineralized structure characterized by gold mineralization. The Equity fault forms the southern margin of a major fault-bounded block known as the Equity “horst” block.
A prevailing thought was that the Equity block was uplifted about 1,300 feet prior to mineralization either by emplacement of a shallow pluton or by compressive tectonics that caused reverse displacement. An alternative hypothesis was the block had experienced normal displacement, but then underwent rotation to produce an apparent reverse displacement.
In this research project, joints that developed within and adjacent to the Equity block, as well as structural features in the Equity fault, were examined to gain insight into the origin of the block and test previous hypothesis. Stereonet plots of over 440 joint measurements reveal two distinct and dominant joint patterns. One joint set strikes at 195° and dips 80° west, subparallel to the Amethyst fault that bounds the Equity block to the west and is one the main mineralized zones in the district. The other set of joints strikes at 270° and dips ~70° north, subparallel to the Equity fault. Movement on both of the faults appears to have influenced joint development in the area.
Considering the joint data, and structural fabrics and features along the Equity fault, we propose that the structure is an extensional feature even though it has apparent reverse displacement. Our analysis suggests the possibility that the entire Equity block was tilted south during the resurgence of the 26.9 Ma San Luis caldera, changing the orientation of the Equity fault
The Psychology of Technology on Childhood Development: Reconnecting to Nature with Walkable Urbanism
No full textOver the past two decades, the presence of many forms of technology in children's lives is increasing while time spent in natural environments is simultaneously decreasing. Overexposure to technology is resulting in negative effects towards children's physical and psychological development. More of the time children spend is indoors, and away from nature due to homework, television screens, and parental anxiety about the potential threats of strangers. The disconnect between children and nature is raising concerns about sustainable living for future generations.
The purpose of this research is to examine the cognitive, emotional, and physical importance of childhood exposure to nature. From disappearing access to natural areas due to increased population and urban sprawl to competition for television and computers, homework and other time pressures, this research analyzes the factors contributing to childhood alienation from the natural world. This research also determines what the cognitive, emotional and physical consequences are of spending a limited time in nature, including literature on the rise in obesity and attention disorders. It also proposes policy recommendations for government leaders to establish and implement principles and guidelines to promote change in the current structural and educational approaches to strengthen the development of children within elementary and middle schools. This research concludes by bringing attention to the possibilities of nature based environmental education and sustainable urban planning to promote walkable cities.
The experience of nature is a critical component of human physical, emotional, intellectual, and even moral development. Findings show that outdoor play, has been linked to increases in students’ grade point averages and more efficient classroom learning, as well as positive associations with children's physical fitness, concentration, memory, behavior, and school satisfaction. In addition, more walkable developments are beginning to offer neighborhood residents with easy access to public transportation while creating a good mix of housing, shopping and employment possibilities. Walkable communities also lead to more social interaction, physical fitness, diminished crime, and increased wellness, addressing many social and economic problems
The Effects of Impulsivity on Gun and Substance Use
No full textPrior research examined the correlation between impulsivity, gun and substance usage. These studies isolated two variables at a time, while there was limited research that analyzed all three of these factors. It is widely debated whether substance usage increases aggression, thus making individuals more likely to commit gun crime, or individuals commit crimes with guns in order to uphold their drug habits (Williams-Reid, 2001). Impulsivity increased with a longer drug-use habit for alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, hallucinogens but not for marijuana (Bernstein et al., 2014). Positive gun views were associated with impulsive and aggressive tendencies (Martin et al., 2001). We put forth a survey which consisted of three parts: hypothetical gun use, the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001) and a substance use screening. Our hypothetical statements examined topics such as self-defense, protection of others and proximity to crime. The UPPS Impulsivity scale is divided into four sub-scales: urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation and sensation seeking. We hypothesized that different substances will be correlated with individual subscales; gun use will be correlated with all subscales except for lack of perseverance. A sample of 100 students averaging 22 years of age participated in the study (56% female, 42% male). Our findings showed that gun experience and ownership were correlated with sensation seeking. Results varied throughout the hypothetical gun scenarios. The use of marijuana, depressants and stimulants was correlated with high impulsivity, while the four subscales of impulsivity were divided among substance categories. Suicidal thoughts were highly correlated with impulsivity, including 3 out 4 subscales. In the future we are interested in investigating scenarios that are based on criminal activity rather than ethical reasoning. We would also like to expand our sample to forensic and clinical populations in order further investigate correlations involving suicidality and criminal activity
Understanding Spring Awakening: The Treatment of Adolescents in 19th Century Germany
No full textThis research explores how a play written in 1981 is still relevant enough in our world today to have been adapted into a Tony Award-winning stage musical in 2006. Initial research was conducted on the everyday lives of German teenagers, including topics of child-adult relationships, education, and childhood sexuality. By comparing various translations of the original Frank Wedekind script to the modern rock musical adapted by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, the question of relevance is answered, especially in terms of handling sexual education.
The second part of this research was the actual application of the information in the rehearsal process and in the outcome of the performance. The use of the folk rock score is used to let the audience into the character’s heads and to further the generational gap between the children and adults, highlighting the lack of understanding on either side. The adaptation of Wedekind’s play includes issues initially present in the script but also the issues of rape and child abuse
The Man in the Black Leather Coat: Panopticism and Historical Fiction
No full textA panoptic analysis of Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44 Trilogy and David Benioff’s City of Thieves proved the existence of surveillance themes. This work examines the relevance of panoptic analysis to historical fiction and the Soviet Union, as well as generates an understanding of how history is understood
Estimation of South Cascade Glacier summer mass balance derived from high-resolution satellite imagery in 2004 and 2008, Washington
No full textA technique to estimate the South Cascade Glacier summer mass balance derived from remote sensing and GIS is evaluated by comparison to a traditional field-calculated mass balance measurement. The process of transforming surficial snow into glacial ice occurs at various rates throughout the glacier surface, creating zones of accumulation (firn) and ablation (ice), visibly appearing on the glacier as the firn line. Glacial firn and ice have a unique spectral signature that can be discriminated from IKONOS and WorldView-1 satellite imagery and used to estimate an accumulation area ratio (AAR). This technique was evaluated using an established relationship between the South Cascade Glacier AAR in 2004 and a known field-calculated mass balance of the same year. The mass balance in a subsequent year (2008) was then estimated from the satellite image. Results for the summer mass balance in 2008 estimated from satellite imagery were -3.81 mWE; results from field-calculated measurement were -3.51 mWE. The resulting error of 8.66% was predominantly due to shadows cast on to the glacier surface from adjacent outcrops and rocks on the surface of the glacier. This method produced a measurement that estimates mass balance using a ratio between pixels of glacial firn and ice more efficient relative to field-calculated data. In order for the proposed technique to be effective, high temporal and spatial resolution satellite images are needed to supplement preliminary data. The proposed technique will minimize the need for volume, density and stream discharge field measurements and provide a more efficient technique to estimate changing glacier dynamics
The Effects of Media Violence on Fort Lewis College Students
No full textWe investigated whether there was a correlation between perceived media violence and aggressive behavior. Human aggression is defined as “as any behavior intended to harm another person who does not want to be harmed” (Bushman & Huesmann, 2010). The harm can be psychological or physical. Most researchers define violence as aggression that has as its goal extreme physical harm, such as injury or death (Bushman & Huesmann, 2010). A person who verbally abuses another would not be committing an act of violence by this definition. Thus, all violent acts are aggressive, but not all aggressive acts are violent—only the ones designed to cause extreme physical harm or injury are violent (Bushman & Huesmann, 2010).
151 pre-video media violence surveys, and 151 post-video response surveys were administered. The surveys were administered to Fort Lewis College students by investigators. Students filled out the pre-video media violence survey and then were shown one of two videos. The control group watched the “The Most Heartfelt & Inspiring Commercial Ever made” video, whereas the experimental group watched the “MMA Fight Videos-knockouts, takedowns, submissions” video. Both groups filled out the post-video response survey to the video they watched. We collected the surveys and analyzed the data in the SPSS system to see whether there was any correlation between the perceived media violence and aggressive behavior.
We found overall that the Heartwarming video had a more positive emotional effect than the MMA wrestling video. A two-tailed Independent t-test was conducted and found a significant change in the effect of the film clip on the participants, emotional change, and emotions felt the most. Also participants reported that the media did not influence them to want to cause harm. A limitation of our study is that we had to use a less powerful violent film clip than we had wanted due to ethics concerns. Our study shows that prosocial videos can exert powerful influences on people’s emotions
An Analysis of Wilderness First Responder Self-Efficacy
No full textThe purpose of this study was to measure self-efficacy of Wilderness First Responders (WFRs) over time post-certification to determine the impact of time, number of re-certifications, and frequency of skill use on self-efficacy. Previous research studied self-efficacy post-certification in Wilderness First Aid students which is a much shorter version of the Wilderness First Responder certification. This study had two parts utilizing the same survey asking participants to rate their perceived self-efficacy levels of executing different WFR skills. The longitudinal study measured self-efficacy levels in the same 10 WFRs directly after certification and again at 3 months post-certification. The broad study included 65 WFRs at any point in their certification to take the survey. To analyze results, Microsoft Excel was used to run paired t-tests to compare mean scores. Statistical significance was determined at p<0.05. Results indicated a statistically significant decrease in self-efficacy in participants after 3 months of certification. The broad self-efficacy study trends indicate self-efficacy slightly decreasing over-time, but results were not statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant increase in average self-efficacy of those who had been re-certified 3 times compared to those on their first certification. Finally, those who practiced skills seasonally or never proved to have statistically significant lower average self-efficacy scores than those who practiced skills monthly. WFR self-efficacy is incredibly important to ensure the confidence of an outdoor professional in medical scenarios and these results provide insight into factors affecting the increase and decrease of this self-efficacy. Knowing how certain factors impact WFR self-efficacy can help improve the wilderness medicine field in the future