17504 research outputs found
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The Needle and the Damage Done: How Does Chinese Participation in Illicit Global Economies Affect Domestic Security?
No full textAccording to the literature, illicit global markets, and drugs specifically, have an inherently negative relationship with state security and sovereignty. However, in China, where there are incentives at both the central and provincial level for domestic companies to manufacture fentanyl and other new psychoactive substances (NPS), we do not have evidence that drug use or trafficking poses a particular threat to Chinese state security. The goal of this thesis is therefore to explore how Chinese state participation in illicit global markets affects Chinese domestic security. To explore this question, this thesis established three main responses to illicit global markets seen in the literature, which were then employed as causal mechanisms as part of my outcome-based process tracing methodology. The outcomes seen as most essential to my thesis are the fact that chemical manufacturers producing fentanyl are more likely to ship their products to customers overseas than to ones within China and the lack of fentanyl-related deaths and affronts to security on the Chinese mainland caused by drugs. This thesis found that both outcomes can be explained by China’s dual use of ‘cooption’ and ‘repression’ strategies. By incentivizing the manufacture of fentanyl abroad through VAT export rebates, while heavily suppressing the use of drugs on the Chinese mainland, China has created conditions where if companies are going to produce fentanyl, then they have little choice other than to ship their products abroad. Additionally, by incentivizing the manufacture of fentanyl and NPS, the Chinese government has created a ‘side-gig’ to support an industry with immense ties to national security and economic stability. Therefore, I assert that by coopting fentanyl internationally while repressing it domestically, China has pacified the relationship between drugs and the state
Neurobiology in Antiquity: Exploring Sense Perception in Greek and Roman Thought
No full textHow can we see the forest? How are we able to hear the call of birds? Why are we capable of enjoying a fine meal? All these questions have been asked by ancient philosophers and neurobiologists alike. This thesis compares the modern model of sense perception to those of Greek and Roman philosophers and argues that the classical models still hold value despite their erroneous conclusions. The classical models of sense perception are derived from Plato’s Timaeus, Aristotle’s De Anima, Lucretius’s De Rerum Natura, and various works of Galen, including De Usu Partium and De Placitis Hippocratis et Platonis.
This thesis presents the visual pathways proposed by each philosopher alongside the modern neurobiological understanding. The philosophical models sought to identify the mechanism of sensory information’s reception, the information’s transmission through the body, and its processing in the seat of consciousness into a unified perception. Similarly, neurobiologists interrogate the molecular changes that occur within the sense organ, the transduction and transmission of sensory information through the nerves, and the final processing in specialized brain regions.
This thesis demonstrates that the differences between ancient and modern sense perception are not as stark as they appear. It argues that rather than dismissing the philosophical models as “wrong,” contemporary scientists should acknowledge the contributions of the philosophers who built the very foundation of science itself. Philosophy and science were not always discrete fields. Even now, the desire of both philosophers and scientists remains united—the pursuit of knowledge
From Hurt to Healing: Self-Compassion, Activism, Spirituality, and Post-traumatic Growth in Sexual Violence Survivors of Color in India and the United States
No full textThis study explores the experiences of adult survivors of sexual violence, focusing on the roles of self-compassion, activism, and spirituality in fostering post-traumatic growth (PTG) among people of color in India and the United States (U.S.). Sexual violence is a pervasive issue with profound psychological and emotional consequences, particularly for marginalized groups. The research aims to address gaps in the literature by examining how these factors interplay to facilitate healing and positive change after trauma. Using a cross-sectional survey design, I collected data from participants in India (n = 72, Mage = 32.85, SD = 8.64) and the United States (n = 59, Mage = 39.31, SD = 13.49). Findings showed that more self-compassion, activism, and spirituality predicted greater post-traumatic growth. Results also revealed that Indian and South Asian survivors reported higher engagement in activism compared to U.S. and Black/African American survivors, highlighting cultural influences on involvement in advocacy. Further, adolescent survivors reported higher PTG than childhood survivors. These findings emphasize the need for culturally tailored and age sensitive interventions, policies, and therapeutic practices that integrate self-compassion and spirituality while supporting survivor-led activism. The study contributes to trauma recovery literature by offering insights into the healing pathways of sexual violence survivors of color across two diverse nations
Historical Agendas: The College Board and the American Past
No full textThis Senior Independent Study examines how the most influential American independent educational institution, the College Board, responded and adapted to the political, social, and economic climate of 20th century America. Through the College Board’s creation of programs and partnerships with several high-powered agencies throughout the 20th century, the College Board was able to enhance American education through some of its most challenging periods. This project expands on previous scholarship regarding the history of the College Board by examining the historical context behind some of The College Board’s most outstanding achievements, such as the Advanced Placement program and the SAT. Additionally, this project examines several U.S. policy decisions and how the College Board supported the mission of the Federal Government regarding the goals of public education. This project aims to show the College Board’s connection to the American past and how its content decisions reflect the greater social, political, and economic circumstances of the 20th century
Investigating Geometry and Parameter Effects in Electrospray Deposition
No full textThe physical and mathematical principles that govern electrospray deposition were investigated, focusing on the influence of external parameters on the deposition geometry. Electrospray deposition, a process that uses electrostatic forces to atomize a liquid into fine droplets, plays a critical role in advanced material fabrication, particularly in the development of gas separation membranes. This study explores how variations in tip-to-plate distance and ethanol concentration affect the spatial distribution of deposited material, with the goal of optimizing cone-jet stability and deposition precision. Using an electrospray apparatus, we systematically varied the ethanol-to-water ratio (30/70, 50/50, and 70/30) and tip-to-plate distances (2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, and 3.0 cm) while maintaining cone-jet mode through voltage adjustments. The deposition patterns were captured on index cards, scanned and analyzed using image processing software to generate radial intensity profiles. These profiles were fitted using modified Gaussian and stretched exponential functions to quantitatively describe the distribution of the deposited material.
The concentration of ethanol significantly influences the radial profile and critical radii of the deposition. Solutions with lower ethanol concentrations exhibited greater variability in spray radius across different tip-to-plate distances. The reproducibility of the data was confirmed by low standard deviations, suggesting that the primary influences on the deposition geometry were the controlled parameters. The composition of the solution exerts a more substantial impact on the deposition patterns than on the spray distance. This research provides a novel analytical framework for quantifying electrospray deposition geometry, offering insights applicable to optimizing deposition processes in scientific and industrial contexts
Enhancing Quality of Life: Evaluating the Impact of the IncludeAbility App on Decision-Making, Community Engagement, Social Inclusion, and Autonomy for Individuals with Physical Disabilities.
No full textThis study assessed the impact of the IncludeAbility app on Quality of Life, Autonomy, Decision-Making, Community Engagement, and Social Inclusion among 33 individuals with physical disabilities. Recruitment was conducted through IncludeAbility, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting accessibility, with participants aged 18 and older completing the survey online via Qualtrics. The survey was meticulously developed from a comprehensive literature review and included validated items designed to precisely measure each construct, receiving approval from the Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC). Using straightforward statistical methods like t-tests and ANOVA, the analysis revealed that the app effectively improves users’ abilities to navigate environments, make independent decisions, and engage in community activities. The results showed consistent effectiveness across all measured areas, regardless of the type of assistance participants used, such as personal care or mobility aids. This study demonstrates that digital tools like the IncludeAbility app can significantly enhance autonomy and community involvement among individuals with physical disabilities, contributing to broader societal inclusivity and participation
Buy or Bye? Investigating Financial Literacy’s Impact on Mortgage Outcomes
No full textAmerica is experiencing a widening wealth gap between upper-middle income households and middle-income households. A common source of wealth middle income households has used in the past has been owning a home, however with recent fluctuations in the housing market, this mean of wealth holding has proven unsustainable for many households looking to grow their wealth. Could increasing financial literacy help households find more sustainable ways to grow their wealth and experience financial security? This research hypothesizes that households with higher financial literacy have the tools to make more informed housing tenure decisions resulting in lower default rates. Using a difference-in-differences approach, this study analyzes the effect of Virginia State Senate Bill 950, which mandated personal finance courses be required to earn a high school degree, on rates of delinquent mortgages and foreclosures. Contrary to expectations, the outcome of this test shows both rates of delinquent mortgages and foreclosures increasing in Virginia post Senate Bill implementation. While the results of this test reject the hypothesis, the results show evidence of racial disparities in the mortgage and housing markets showing that discriminatory policies such as zoning laws could be limiting the effectiveness of financial education. The results of this study show a need of broader policy interventions aiming to address racial disparities in the housing market
From High Standards to High-Risk: Linking Parental Socialization to Problematic Drinking Through Perfectionism
No full textThe current study sought to examine the indirect effects of perceived parental perfectionistic expectations on alcohol-related problems in emerging adulthood. Specifically, it explores how these expectations interact with perceived parental response styles (conditional negative regard, conditional positive regard, unconditional positive regard, and contingent punishment) in relation to two dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic standards and discrepancy). In turn we examined how these dimensions of perfectionism are associated with alcohol-related problems in emerging adulthood through negative effects and drinking to cope. Using a sample of 331 emerging adults, results indicate that when coupled with high parental expectations, the perception of parental conditional negative regard and contingent punishment in adolescence were associated with maladaptive perfectionism (high standards and discrepancy) in emerging adulthood. Perfectionistic discrepancy was then found to be predictive of alcohol-related problems through heightened levels of negative affect and coping-motivated drinking. Additionally, findings suggest that perfectionistic standards serve as a protective factor against problematic drinking. This study contributes to the understanding of how parent socialization influences perfectionistic tendencies and alcohol-related problems in emerging adulthood
Investigation of the Impact of Differing Soundscapes on Cognitive Thinking Skills and Mood
No full textDistinctive sound environments (soundscapes) have been suggested to have beneficial, hurtful, or exhibit no effect across human cognition outcomes. Previous research on natural soundscapes suggests numerous cognitive benefits on measures such as mood, creativity, and memory recall. The emergence of lo-fi music in research on cognition has garnered attention as cognitive benefits of lo-fi music listening on mood, sustained attention, and academic performance have been suggested, warranting further study. This study investigated the impact of natural and non-lyrical lo-fi soundscapes on positive and negative affect, creativity, and memory recall against a silent control condition. It was hypothesized that in the experimental conditions, (nature and lo-fi soundscapes) positive affect would be significantly different from the pretest, and negative affect would be significantly decreased from the pretest measure after comparison to the control condition. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that scores of creativity would be significantly different in the natural soundscape condition. It was also hypothesized that memory recall performance would be significantly increased in the nature and lo-fi soundscape conditions when compared to the control condition. 30 College of Wooster undergraduate students were tasked with remembering a series of 15 words for free recall, providing alternative uses for an item, and were asked to report positive and negative emotions at the start and end of the study. Between subjects analyses of variance revealed no significant differences in emotional affect, performance for creativity, and memory recall after exposure to soundscapes. These findings may be attributed to the limited duration of exposure to the soundscapes and the small sample size of the study