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The Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Pre Production Rubber Pellets in Lake Champlain
Get PDFPre-production rubber pellets, a form of primary microplastics used in manufacturing, were first detected in Lake Champlain in 2012. These uniform 1 mm pellets pose ecological concerns due to their persistence and potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. This study investigates the spatial and vertical distribution of these pellets using long-term data (1992–present) from the Lake Champlain Research Institute at SUNY Plattsburgh, collected from 15 lake stations. Pellets were quantified from samples retrieved via net tows from lake bottoms and vertical sampling at 5-meter intervals. In 2012, pellets were found ubiquitously across all stations, with Station 33 reporting the highest count (213). Vertical distribution analysis showed pellet presence at all depths. A Chi-Square test of independence revealed no statistically significant relationship between storm events and vertical pellet distribution. These findings suggest a widespread and persistent presence of pre-production microplastics in Lake Champlain, independent of storm disturbances, and no significant distribution pattern. Ongoing statistical analyses aim to refine our understanding of microplastic transport and inform policy on plastic pellet management and mitigation strategies in the future.NASUNY PlattsburghCenter for Earth & Environmental ScienceN/AHagar, Su
Landscape: MFA Thesis - Printmaking
No full textThroughout my MFA at SUNY New Paltz, each project reflects my growing understanding of community, nature, collaboration, and craftsmanship. Deeply rooted in personal experiences, these projects explore ecological consciousness, cultural identity, and collective labor. This thesis discusses the origin and development of my projects—Water Talks, Picking Up Sticks, 6×6 Garden, Woodworking, and Hay Paper—highlighting the role of community and materials in my artistic practice.NASUNY College at New PaltzPrintmakingMFAHoussart, EmilieDe Armendi Sobrino, AuroraNusbaum, Thoma
Succession: objects that hold queer culture: MFA Thesis - Printmaking
No full textThrough these diverse objects and artworks, the body of work displayed in my
thesis not only highlights the rich tapestry of queer culture but also invites viewers to
reflect deeply on their own experiences and perceptions. By intertwining historical
relevance, considered printmaking techniques, and creative craftsmanship, my work
champions the resilience and creativity inherent in queer communities. The thoughtful
presentation of each piece fosters a dialogue that transcends mere visual appreciation,
encouraging introspection and a greater understanding of the complex, yet beautiful,
journey of queer identity. This exhibition ultimately serves as a celebration of the spirit
and tenacity of LGBTQ+ individuals, marking their indelible and inextricable impact on
art, history, and society.NASUNY College at New PaltzPrintmakingMFADe Armendi Sobrino, AuroraHoussart, EmilieClayton, Lorenz
Nordoff-Robbins music therapists’ experience of Csikszentmihalyi’s ‘Flow’ during clinical improvisation: an interpretive phenomenological inquiry
Get PDFCsikszentmihalyi’s flow theory has been explored in relation to a wide range of topics, from sports performance to education. There has been a substantial amount of research on flow and music. There have been a few studies conducted exploring flow in the context of music therapy, however there is a paucity of research related to this topic. Two studies have explored flow as it slows up during music therapy clinical improvisation, both of which are unpublished. Two interviews were conducted and analyzed to explore how music therapists working with the Nordoff-Robbins approach experience and talk about flow during clinical improvisation. Results included four themes related to the participants’ experiences of flow: 1) therapists’ internal experiences during clinical flow, 2) therapists’ experiences of the music during clinical flow, 3) perceived conditions of clinical flow, and 4) beliefs about the therapeutic value of clinical flow. Clinical flow experiences were characterized by many aspects that are easily equitable to characteristics described by Csikszentmihalyi (1990) and Csikszentmihalyi et al. (2018). Participants also discussed flow characteristics related specifically to the improvised music. Participants’ responses suggest that their flow experiences during sessions were predicated largely on the therapeutic relationship. They also believed that flow experiences during clinical improvisation are often shared between the client and therapist. Participants further shared the belief that flow experiences during sessions have positive impacts on therapy. The results of this study suggest that flow might be a useful construct for understanding significant moments that occur during clinical improvisation. Keywords: Flow, Improvisation, Nordoff-RobbinsNASUNY College at New PaltzMusic therapyMSMurphy, KathleenZhang, JingwenStuart-Rohm, Kary
Preventing short-term rental unit conversion through long-term landlord support
Get PDFOver the last decade, the rise in third-party market platforms has resulted in a crisis
surrounding the quantity and affordability of long-term housing. The domination of short-term
rental (STR) units in housing markets across the United States has disproportionately af fected
small towns in New York’s Hudson Valley region. When confronted with the appeals of short -
term rental markets, long-term landlords face financial pressure to convert their long-term units
into short-term units–displacing tenants, reproducing the negative externalities associated with
STRs, and further diminishing long-term housing options. This research explores five potential
legislative structures to encourage cooperation between public offices and private long-term
landlords to maintain a sufficient long-term rental stock in the Hudson Valley. Qualitative data
collection occurred through secondary analysis and one-on-one interviews with Hudson Valley
renters, long-term landlords, and public officials. Preliminary analysis revealed a strong
preference amongst participants for non-cash municipal supports, dilapidated/brownfield site
usage requirements, and public engagement opportunities during the permission process.NASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/
Theatre leadership in action: rebuilding a light lab, tech and design association, and the Praxis stage series
Get PDFNASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/AVarga, AndreaMcHale, Travi
Does climate change impact terrorism? An empirical approach investigating the link in predominantly global south countries
Get PDFThis thesis seeks to examine how climate change, through both long-term vulnerabilities and acute natural disasters, affects terrorism. Using the “climate threat multiplier” framework, this analysis explores how climate-related factors such as food and water insecurity, environmental degradation, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events interact with state fragility to create conditions that strengthen or give rise to terrorist organizations and non-state armed groups (NSAGs). Additionally, on the flip side, the paper will seek to explore how climate adaptation may decrease terrorism. Keywords:
International Relations, Climate Change, Terrorism, Violent Extremism, Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs), Climate Threat Multiplier, Climate Natural Disasters, Climate Adaptation, State Fragility, Global South, Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN Index), Climate Vulnerability GDL Vulnerability Index (GVI), Global Terrorism Database (GTD), Regression AnalysisNASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/AÖzler, Ilg
The Role of Small Mitigation Wetlands in Supporting Fall Migrating Waterfowl
No full textWhile wetland mitigation aims to offset disturbances to wetland habitats, it often falls short in matching the ecological function, size, and quality of the originally disturbed area. Further, the criteria for defining wetland mitigation success are a matter of debate, and current practices often fail to evaluate success based on management goals. When evaluating mitigation success, it can be useful to establish criteria based on specific wetland functions, like habitat that supports wildlife. We used a stratified sampling design to estimate forage availability and energetic carrying capacity (ECC) for waterfowl in mitigation wetlands along a quality gradient in the Lake Champlain Valley of New York state. Vegetation and invertebrate food sources were sampled to estimate forage biomass (kg/ha) and ECC in terms of duck-energy days (DED/ha). Our results revealed significant variation in forage availability and DEDs across the quality gradient, with a more than 20-fold increase in DEDs from the lowest to highest quality sites. Submergent marsh vegetation provided the highest unweighted mean DEDs in most study areas. While invertebrate food sources were relatively insignificant overall, they played a more substantial role in poor-quality wetlands. The study highlights the importance of conserving wetland quality, not just acreage, in mitigation efforts and demonstrates that small mitigation wetlands can contribute significantly to waterfowl habitat if properly managed. These findings emphasize the need for more rigorous standards in wetland mitigation projects and suggest using alternative means, like ECC for waterfowl, for defining mitigation success based on management goals. Further, we investigated the relationship between ECC for waterfowl and waterfowl use of small mitigation wetlands. To do this, we conducted game camera surveys at three of the five study areas—one low quality, one medium quality, and one high quality—based on a rapid qualitative assessment and our ECC results. Two daily surveys were conducted using the game cameras from September 1st – December 17th, 2023. We found no relationship between site quality and number of waterfowl observed, suggesting other drivers of waterfowl habitat selection like abundance of emergent vegetation, proximity to open water, and disturbance regime. This study demonstrates the need for managing mitigation wetlands wholistically for a variety of species, both flora and fauna, with a focus on habitat heterogeneity and connectivity. Additionally, this study highlights the advantages and disadvantages of low-cost ecological sampling methods like game cameras and autonomous recording units. Further research is required to better understand waterfowl habitat selection drivers and the significance of small mitigation wetlands across the landscape for more than just waterfowl.NASUNY PlattsburghCenter for Earth & Environmental ScienceMSAlldred, MaryMihuc, TimGarneau, Daniell
The Effects of Simulated Herbivory on the Growth of a Common Greenhouse Weed
No full textHerbivory plays an important role in the growth and reproduction of plants. We studied the impacts of herbivory on Pseuderanthemum variabile by measuring height, biomass, and photosynthesis. Preliminary observations indicate that increased levels of simulated herbivory were detrimental to the photosynthetic efficiency and overall health of the plants.Biological SciencesHellquist, C. Eri
Testing shear flow responsiveness in Neutrophil-like HL-60 cells
No full textNeutrophils are immune cells that form the first line of defense against infection. Neutrophils can directionally migrate to various stimuli, but the mechanism of mechanically induced directional migration is poorly understood. To address this, we are using neutrophil-like HL-60 cells to establish a system to study shear flow responsiveness.Biological SciencesArtemenko, Yuli