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Waiting: A Case Study of the Norristown Transportation Center
Get PDFIn his 1963 book Behavior in Public Places, Erving Goffman described the concept of civil inattention as the most proper form of public interaction with strangers. It takes the form of a simple nod or glance as we pass by a stranger on the street. Civil inattention strikes a balance between asking too much of strangers or ignoring them entirely. It allows us to acknowledge one another just long enough to establish politeness and trust that both parties are using the established place as intended and do not pose a threat to one another. Through an observational case study of the Norristown Transportation Center, I argue that our propensity for civil inattention is beginning to change. What is now taking place in public places is not civil inattention as Goffman described, but a more complete form of inattention that reflects a complete avoidance of strangers. The primary force at work in this change is our ritualized use of smartphones. Through my observations, I argue that these changes in civility are not limited to public spaces like the train station and may have more wide-reaching consequences on human interaction
Simulated Recovery: Measuring the Impact of Structural Adjustment on Economic Development in Latin America
Get PDFThis paper uses synthetic control analysis to assess the long-term effects of structural adjustment policies on economic development. Focusing on Mexico as a case study, the findings indicate that these policies may have contributed to economic stagnation and widening inequality. By comparing actual outcomes with a synthetic counterfactual, the analysis reveals a notable divergence in performance over time. Reforms intended to stabilize the economy and promote growth—such as austerity, liberalization, and privatization—often led to reduced public investment, weakened institutions, and increased social vulnerability. The results support broader critiques of structural adjustment, suggesting that the costs of such interventions can outweigh their intended benefits. While the methodology has limitations, it offers valuable insights into the lasting consequences of policy choices and highlights the need for more inclusive approaches to economic reform
The Physiological Responses of Exaiptasia pallida Under Different Light and Feeding Conditions
No full textExaiptasia pallida is a tropical sea anemone that serves as a model organism for many symbiotic cnidarian species because of their shared characteristics, including their symbiotic relationship with algal endosymbionts from the family Symbiodiniaceae. The relationship between the symbiont host is characterized as a close circle mutualistic relationship. The energy exchanged between the host and the symbiont allow cnidarians to grow and reproduce at higher rates. Here, we explore the effects of light availability and heterotrophy on the reproduction, growth, and physiology of Exaiptasia pallida anemones. Our results show that anemone with supplemental heterotrophic feeding exhibited the highest symbiont density across light treatments. Similarly, chlorophyll a concentration was shown to be higher in the fed group compared to the starved group across all light treatments. Together this indicates that the symbionts benefit from the extra energy the host receives through supplemental heterotrophic feeding. Photosynthetic efficiency was lower in high light starved conditions suggesting that high light may reduce photosynthetic efficiency when heterotrophic feeding is available. At the end of our experiment. the average number of anemones increased under low light starved conditions. These findings suggest a complex interaction between light, feeding, and asexual reproduction in cnidarians. Finally, protein concentration was found to be highest under high light and fed conditions. This suggests that in presence of higher light conditions, anemones can still maintain high protein concentration if they have heterotrophic feeding opportunities. In conclusion, these results aid in our understanding of the complex interactions between light and feeding in maintaining a healthy cnidarian host-symbiont relationship
Arches
No full textThis photo was taken of the arches in Izamal, La Ciudad Amarilla.
Submitted as part of the Spring 2025 Study Abroad Photo Contest.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/study_abroad_photos/1058/thumbnail.jp
Social Identity and Belongingness: College Students’ Happiness, Life Satisfaction, and Personal Growth
Get PDFThis study examines how a mixture of psychological, social, and developmental factors influences processes by which individuals develop their identities throughout college. It was hypothesized that these processes would be different for first-generation college students compared to non-first-generation college students, for transfer students compared to non-transfer students, and for commuter students compared to non-commuter, residential students. To measure this, a survey was constructed using established measures of happiness, life satisfaction, personal growth, affective forecasting as well as other psychological, social and developmental measures (e.g. psychological- contingencies of self-worth, e.g. social- university belongingness, e.g. developmental- emerging adulthood). Data was collected from currently matriculating students at a residential liberal arts college in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Initial exploratory analyses examined differences in identity exploration by level of self-focus for first-generation college students compared to non-first-generation college students. Inferential analyses revealed differences in university belongingness and identification as a college student between commuter and residential students. Multiple regression analyses revealed predictors of happiness, life satisfaction, personal growth, and affective forecasting
The Ethics of Gene Editing Hereditary Deafness
Get PDFGene editing has been a hot topic of interest in the field of science, and many gene editing solutions for heritable diseases are in the works. In most cases, gene editing is done with good intentions, but there are some instances where it would not be favorable for reasons that may not be inherently obvious to everyone. Several forms of deafness and hearing loss can be inherited, meaning that it can be passed down from parent to offspring. Curing hereditary deafness using gene editing may seem like a good idea, but it can lead to unintentional discrimination and further stigmatization of the Deaf community. As a person who is hard of hearing, this is particularly important to me. Therefore, I will discuss in depth the implications of using gene editing techniques to cure hereditary deafness as well as alternatives for what can be done for the Deaf community and those who are hard of hearing
Gargoyle
No full textPictured is student Grace Maccarelli and her first friend in Strasbourg, France - a Gothic gargoyle statue. Grace joked that there was no language barrier between them.
Submitted as part of the Fall 2025 Study Abroad Photo Contest.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/study_abroad_photos/1079/thumbnail.jp
Parmigiano Reggiano Factory
No full textThis photograph was taken on a day trip to Parma for a tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano factory. The picture shows the maturing room in which the wheels of cheese mature for a minimum of 8 months to become the beloved Parmesan cheese.
Submitted as part of the Fall 2025 Study Abroad Photo Contest.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/study_abroad_photos/1072/thumbnail.jp
Joe Flax, Parkhurst Executive Chef
No full textDigital photograph of Joe Flax playing billiards in Lower Wismer dining hall at Ursinus College. A printed version of this photograph was temporarily installed on the interior lobby of the Wismer building on campus as part of the Spring 2025 COSA celebration.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/art_envportraits/1031/thumbnail.jp
Colleen Grzywacz, Administrative Assistant for MCS, Art & Art History, and Film Studies
No full textDigital photograph of Colleen Grzywacz at home with her grandchildren and a pet dog. A printed version of this photograph was temporarily installed on the exterior of the Innovation & Discovery Center building on campus as part of the Spring 2025 COSA celebration.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/art_envportraits/1029/thumbnail.jp