In recent decades, there has been a tremendous change in the college student
experience. In many ways this change has been driven by developments in
technology, which have in turn changed the way students conduct research,
socialize, and recreate. This thesis seeks to gain an understanding as to how
Internet...
The release of marine debris into the oceans and seas is a global issue of growing concern. These materials are harmful to marine environments and can also transport non-native species to novel habitats. Non-native species floating on marine litter is one of the lesser known impacts associated with marine debris....
Sexual health is an important part of quality of life for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), but a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have severe physical and psychosocial consequences on this aspect of health. Despite the frequency and distressing nature of sexual health concerns among AYA cancer survivors, sexual health...
The early marine phase following freshwater emigration has been identified as a critical period in salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) life history, characterized by high but variable mortality. Consistent with the “growth-mortality” and “bigger-is-better” hypotheses, at least some of the mortality during the critical period appears to be size-dependent – with smaller...
Magneto- and chemostratigraphic correlation underpins much of our understanding of Earth history, yet typical correlation techniques are neither quantitative nor objective. Within this dissertation, I detail my efforts to develop and apply dynamic programming-based algorithms that accomplish optimal and reproducible stratigraphic alignment. I apply these algorithms to three geologic intervals:...
The prevalence of sexual violence among the college student population has become a significant public health issue. The real magnitude of the problem is unknown since most students do not report incidents of sexual violence. However, some studies have estimated that 1 in 5 students experience sexual violence while in...
There has been much discussion in the conservation and policy realms of COVID-19 as a zoonotic disease, or a disease transmitted from wildlife to humans. However, wildlife consumption in China is not only a potential source of disease but also a practice embedded in complex beliefs about health. This paper...
The demand for the development of sustainable energy is an all time high as we burn through limited fossil fuel reserves and as environmental concerns rise every year. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have limitations due to inconsistent power supply that cannot meet the regular needs...
Headwater streams and their riparian zones are a common, yet poorly understood,
component of Pacific Northwest landscapes. I sought to describe the ecological significance of
headwater stream riparian zones as habitat for forest-floor invertebrate communities, and to
assess how alternative management strategies for riparian zones may impact these communities.
I...
Seed germination sensu stricto is defined as the physiological events before the radicle tip ruptures the covering tissues. The ability of the radicle to elongate (or germination potential) is observed in developing embryos prior to completion of seed maturation. When embryos at early developmental stages, such as globular, heart, torpedo...