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The Sovereignty Is Ours: Restructuring Tribal Constitutions And A Roadmap To Reclaiming Traditional Governance
No full textThis dissertation examines the historical and contemporary impacts of externally imposed governance structures on Native Nations, with a focus on resistance to and reform of non-traditional constitutions. Drawing on in-depth case studies, Tribal government documents, and interviews with Tribal leaders and community members, this study challenges the legacies of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) and other federal policies that disrupted traditional governance systems and imposed foreign frameworks of Tribal governance. It explores how these systems have influenced internal political dynamics, limited Tribal sovereignty, and perpetuated paternalistic control. Through a critical Indigenous lens, the research highlights how Tribal Nations are actively resisting and reforming these imposed systems by reclaiming culturally grounded governance models. It centers Tribal political thought, sovereignty, and self-determination as both theoretical frameworks and lived realities. By analyzing movements toward constitutional reform and governmental transformation, the dissertation demonstrates how Tribes are not only decolonizing governance structures but also revitalizing traditional modes of leadership and accountability that is rooted in relationality, kinship, and cultural knowledge. This work contributes to broader conversations on Native futurity and nation-building by offering practical and theoretical insights for Tribal communities engaged in constitutional reform and decolonization. It underscores the imperative of Tribal-led governance as a pathway toward genuine self-determination and cultural resurgence
Identities Projected by the Innovative Uses of the Particle Shi in Japanese
No full textChange in language use and meanings is one of the topics explored in sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology. The notions of indexicality (e.g., Ochs, 1992; Silverstein, 2003) and enregisterment (Agha, 2005) have been used to explore the relationship between a linguistic form and its social meanings, which are inferences that can be drawn based on how language is used in a specific interaction, and how a form gains new social meanings. The indexical and ideological link between linguistic forms and their social meanings can be emerged, strengthened, or weakened through widespread and repeated use of the forms in face-to-face interactions as well as in popular media and social media (e.g., Hiramoto, 2012; Ilbury, 2020; Squires, 2014).The particle shi in Japanese seems to be undergoing a change in its functions and meanings from a connective particle to an utterance-final, interactional particle (McGloin & Konishi, 2010; Ohyama, 2017; Sakakibara, 2008). Moreover, researchers have observed innovative uses of the particle shi in conversations among young people: Question Word + copula da + shi (Sakakibara, 2008; Irie, 2022), verb imperative form + shi (Yamamoto, 2012; Irie, 2022), and verb negative imperative form + shi (Irie, 2022). Although some studies describe these innovative uses of the particle shi as wakamono kotoba (“youth language”), they have been underrepresented in research, particularly concerning social meaning. The present study aims to investigate the identities projected by the innovative uses of the particle shi. Three sets of data were analyzed: 1) interviews with 12 young Japanese native speakers; 2) 1,200 tweets on X that include the innovative uses of the particle shi; and 3) manga and anime characters and their use of innovative shi. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, and tweets were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Moreover, tweets and the innovative shi in manga and anime were analyzed based on discourse analysis and Conversation Analysis, and character analysis was used to analyze the innovative shi users in manga and anime. Findings revealed that the innovative uses of the particle shi are associated with being eccentric; the users of the innovative shi were described as someone who is peculiar. It was also found that the innovative shi was employed to show the speaker’s disaffiliative stance and strong emotions. Furthermore, the analysis of the innovative shi users in manga and anime uncovered that the gender identification of the speaker evokes different identities. When the innovative shi user is male-presenting, the identity of a “popular otaku” is projected, whereas a “self-assertive gyaru” is projected when the speaker is female-presenting. This study offers insight into changes in language use and demonstrates how enregisterment can be investigated using different types of data
Ritmos de mi Tierra (Rhythms of my Land)
No full textFocusing on the cultural and musical heritage of Caloto, Cauca, Colombia, this study explores the town's diverse legacy, which emerges from a blend of Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and Mestizo traditions. Through a combination of archival research, ethnomusicological fieldwork, and artistic collaboration, this study aims to document and celebrate Caloto’s unique musical expressions while enriching the clarinet contemporary repertoire. The project unfolds in three phases: first, a historical review of archival materials on the role of music in Caloto’s traditional festivities; second, qualitative research including interviews and live performances conducted in June 2023; and third, the creation of new compositions by five Colombian composers for clarinet and guitar. These compositions incorporate extended techniques and syncopated rhythms, reflecting the cultural identity of Caloto. The project culminates in the release of a professional recorded album distributed globally in November 2024 by SoundSet Recordings, offering both an artistic contribution and a pedagogical resource that enhances clarinet education and promotes Latin American musical traditions
Motivational Interviewing: Current Perspectives and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology
No full textPurpose: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered approach that has shown promise in various therapeutic contexts; however, in the field of speech-language pathology, there remains a significant gap in research regarding its implementation in clinical practice. While Hoepner (2024) provided a suggested MI framework for use in speech-language pathology, existing literature is lacking in documentation on the frequency of MI use among clients, as well as what populations benefit most from this framework. Furthermore, there is limited research regarding the knowledge and comfort of MI principles among graduate students and practicing professionals in the field. This study aims to address these gaps by beginning to explore current MI practices among professionals and graduate students. It examines three key research questions: (1) the frequency of MI use across clinical populations; (2) the use of the four main steps of MI: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning; and (3), MI knowledge, comfort, and training sources of graduate students and professionals. Method: One hundred eight participant responses to a custom-designed online survey were analyzed. Seventy-eight were practicing SLPs, two were practicing SLPAs, one was a retired SLP, three were SLP Clinical Fellows (CF-SLP), and twenty-four were graduate students. The survey consisted of both closed- and open-ended questions that participants answered based on experiences from the last 12 months. It included a display logic feature that tailored questions based on participants’ responses, ensuring that they were only presented with questions relevant to the specific populations and diagnoses they endorsed working with. Results: Results revealed that the use of MI varied by diagnosis and age. MI was used more frequently with clients and caregivers of individuals with voice disorders, while it was reported less often with those with hearing impairments. Age also played a role, with clinicians more frequently using MI directly with adult clients relative to pediatric clients; conversely, MI was utilized more frequently with the caregivers of pediatric clients compared to adult clients. Of the four steps of MI, the “engage” step of MI was reportedly applied most. Additionally, graduate students and professionals reported low knowledge and comfort with MI, highlighting a gap in education and training. These findings suggest the need for more structured MI training in speech-language pathology
Educating Intensive Care Nurses on Thromboelastography Results: Pre-Post Implementation
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project (QIP) was to educate intensive care unit (ICU) nurses at Mayo Clinic Hospital (MCH) on thromboelastography (TEG) results and how these results help guide blood product transfusions and anticoagulation therapy.Background: ICU nurses commonly have limited knowledge about managing TEG results. Understanding TEG results could result in faster patient interventions. TEG interpretations benefit a wide range of patient populations. Methods: A recorded PowerPoint presentation was created regarding appropriate patient selection, result interpretation, and intervention management of TEGs for ICU nurses at MCH. A pre-post education test using Qualtrics software was used with a paired t-test to evaluate the knowledge gained from the intervention and the likelihood of use in practice. Results: 18 participants were included in the pretest-posttest, and survey data supported the overall benefits of this QIP. The pretest-posttest results had increased scores except for one result that decreased and one that stayed the same. P-values were statistically significant for both collective and individual scores, indicated that knowledge was gained from the educational intervention. Conclusions: The results of this QIP demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence of MCH ICU nurses regarding TEG results and patient management in clinical practice
On Twisted Group Algebras of Barnes-Wall Lattices and their Extraspecial Automorphisms
No full textLet be an integer and write for the Barnes-Wall lattice in . possesses a rich symmetry group, a subgroup of which is the extraspecial -group of + type, denoted . One of the main results presented in this dissertation is a theorem that demonstrates for , that the action of on extends to an action on the associated twisted group algebra . Additionally, this dissertation establishes that a certain projective representations of the automorphism group of , and can, in fact, be realized as an ordinary representation
Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Adherence Among Skin Cancer Survivors in Pima County: A Phototype Comparison
No full textThis study seeks to fill a critical gap in the literature by comparing the lifestyle behaviors of skin cancer survivors with Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes (FSP) of I and II (comprised of light-skinned, typically White individuals usually of Northern or Central European descent) versus those with an FSP of III and higher - usually comprised of individuals who identify within the Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) community. By investigating dietary habits, physical activity levels, and sun protective behaviors in these groups, the research aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing survivorship and inform targeted interventions to support healthier outcomes for all skin cancer survivors.This cross-sectional study assessed lifestyle behaviors among skin cancer survivors in Pima County, Arizona. Participants (n = 28) were recruited through local clinics and community outreach programs. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires (demographics, physical activity, sun exposure behaviors) and a 24-hour dietary recall conducted by trained staff, all of which were stored in REDCap. Physical activity adherence was measured using the CHAMPS survey, and dietary adherence was assessed with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Sun protection behaviors were also evaluated through self-reported questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression, were used to examine associations between skin type and adherence to health recommendations. No significant differences were observed in adherence to physical activity (p = 0.09), sun protection (p = 0.10), or dietary recommendations (p = 0.91) between participants with fair skin (FSP of I-II) and light/medium skin (FSP of III-IV). However, a trend was observed, suggesting that light/medium skin participants may be more likely to meet physical activity recommendations while exhibiting a higher non-adherence to sun protection behaviors. Age was significantly associated with dietary adherence (OR = 0.79, p = 0.01), with older individuals having lower odds of achieving higher grades. While no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the specific lifestyle recommendations when compared to their FSP, these findings suggest potential disparities in the behaviors associated with physical activity, sun protection, and dietary quality that may be worth exploring in future research with larger sample sizes
Beyond Solar Farms: A Case Study of The Motivations, Challenges, and Benefits Associated with Developing Agrivoltaics at Jack's Solar Garden
No full textSolar energy is an integral part of an energy transition in the United States from a portfolio comprised primarily of fossil fuels to one led by renewable sources. However, growing social opposition to the development of solar energy facilities threatens to significantly delay, if not derail, an energy transition to renewable sources. Agrivoltaics, the co-production of agriculture and solar energy on the same plot of land, is an increasingly proposed solution for social opposition to solar energy. Despite the rapidly increasing development of agrivoltaic projects in the United States, there is a dearth of applied social science research into the motivations, challenges, and benefits associated with crop-based agrivoltaic systems. Drawing on rural geographic traditions of studying the changing uses and values of the rural landscape, this thesis addresses this key gap in social science agrivoltaics literature by using a case study of Jack’s Solar Garden, a crop-based agrivoltaic site in Colorado. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach including interviews, content analysis, and media analysis, this case study yields valuable insights into the range of motivations, challenges, and benefits associated with implementing and operating crop-based agrivoltaic systems. This research reveals how the development of an agrivoltaic system resulted in meaningful compromise between a farmer wanting to install solar energy, and a local government seeking to preserve agriculture. Further, the development and operation of Jack’s Solar Garden highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration and the wide range of on-farm and community benefits that may accrue from agrivoltaic systems. The thesis concludes with
recommendations for further research
Valorizing Recirculating Aquaculture Biosolids for Durum Wheat Production: A Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Fertilizers
No full textNitrogen is a critical nutrient for durum wheat production and identifying sustainable nitrogen sources is essential to mitigating the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. Synthetic fertilizers such as urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) are effective but energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. Organic alternatives such as dairy manure solids (DMS) are widely used but may pose similar risks when applied at nitrogen-sufficient rates. With global food demand projected to increase by 70% by 2050 and conventional food systems proving unsustainable, integrated solutions such as aquaculture have gained attention. As of 2024 aquaculture supplies 56% of global seafood yet the nutrient-dense waste from these systems remains underutilized. This study evaluates recirculating aquaculture system biosolids (RAB) as a sustainable nitrogen source for Desert Durum® wheat comparing its performance to synthetic fertilizers (Control) and DMS during the 2023–2024 winter growing season in Tucson, Arizona. Results demonstrate RAB performed comparably to synthetic fertilizers in yield and grain protein content with improved outcomes over DMS. This establishes RAB as a viable alternative fertilizer for durum wheat production. Scaling this solution requires further validation across diverse agronomic contexts, long-term soil health evaluations, and characterization of intersystem dynamics
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Opioid-Induced Respiratory
No full textThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a critical regulator of respiratory function with potential implications for opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), a leading cause of opioid-related mortality. This dissertation examines the multifaceted role of cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) in respiratory control mechanisms and their interaction with opioid effects through a comprehensive series of in vivo experiments using wild-type (WT) and CB2R knockout (CB2RKO) mice.Respiratory parameters assessed via whole-body plethysmography revealed pronounced sexual dimorphism in naïve mice, with females exhibiting significantly higher respiratory rates (RR), tidal volumes (TV), and minute ventilation (MV) than males across all phases of the oestrous cycle. Remarkably, these sex differences were largely abolished in CB2RKO mice, demonstrating CB2R's fundamental role in establishing sex-specific respiratory patterns. Additionally, CB2R deletion significantly altered hypercapnic ventilatory responses, particularly in females in specific phases of the oestrus cycle, suggesting CB2R involvement in central and peripheral chemoreception mechanisms. Pharmacological studies provided further evidence for CB2R's respiratory role, with the CB2R inverse agonist SR144528 significantly decreasing RR in both male and female WT mice. However, contrary to expectations, the CB2R agonists AM2301 and JWH015 failed to attenuate fentanyl or oxycodone-induced respiratory depression, and in some instances exacerbated respiratory suppression, particularly in females under hypercapnic conditions. This indicates complex, context-dependent effects of CB2R modulation that differ from previously reported protective effects against morphine-induced respiratory depression. Molecular analysis of respiratory control centers revealed region- and sex-specific expression patterns of CB1R and CB2R in the pre-Bötzinger complex (pBc) and Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KF). Similarly, endocannabinoid levels (2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide) showed regional and sex-specific variations, with WT females exhibiting higher anandamide levels in the KF compared to males. The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) mRNA was significantly upregulated in both pBc and KF of CB2RKO mice, though protein levels remained unchanged, suggesting post transcriptional modifications. Blood gas analysis demonstrated that CB2R influences oxygen transport and hemoglobin dynamics with sex-specific effects. Female WT mice exhibited higher oxygen saturation (sO2) and fractional oxyhemoglobin of (FO2Hb), differences that were absent in CB2RKO mice. Moreover, acute administration of fentanyl (0.5 mg/kg) and oxycodone (10 mg/kg) significantly increased arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) levels, particularly in females. Further investigations examined the effects of modulating endocannabinoid levels through enzyme inhibition. The monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor MJN110 at 10 mg/kg exacerbated morphine-induced respiratory depression, particularly in males under hypercapnic conditions and in females during normoxia. Similarly, the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor JNJ42165279 failed to improve respiratory parameters when co-administered with morphine. These findings suggest that increasing endocannabinoid tone may potentiate rather than alleviate OIRD. This dissertation demonstrates that the ECS, particularly CB2Rs, represents a role in sex differences in respiratory physiology and response to opioids. The complex interplay between CB2R signaling, sex hormones, and respiratory control mechanisms offers new insights into the pathophysiology of OIRD and suggests that ECS-targeted interventions for respiratory disorders must carefully consider sex as a biological variable. These findings advance our understanding of ECS in respiratory control mechanisms and sex-specific involvement of ECS in physiology of the respiratory system