In a democratic system, or a system of rule by the people, economic arguments are not sufficient for the creation of public policy. There are many important values that should influence our public policy decisions including: human dignity, justice, trust and authority. Public policy is not only a matter of...
The purpose of this study is to identify factors that support the likelihood of persistence of academically underprepared community college students to 45 college level credits. Factors considered in this research include: (a) race/ethnicity, (b) age, (c) enrollment status, (d) socio-economic status (SES), (e) first quarter GPA, (f) developmental need,...
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....
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 McDonald Forest is one of the Oregon State University Research Forests, owned by the College of Forestry and located approximately seven miles northwest of the heart of Corvallis. I took four hikes on the McDonald Forest at four major recreation destinations: Oak Creek, Dimple Hill, Lewisburg Saddle, and Peavy...
Conservation is, among other things, the expression of a relationship between humans and nonhuman nature. This relationship can be described empirically using the methods of social science, but it can also be prescribed in the form of philosophical arguments. Scholars in the field of environmental ethics have discussed and debated...
This study examined how different urbanization patterns in France and the United States influenced the development of their respective housing markets. More specifically, the study analyzed the evolution of housing size in France and the United States during the 20th century. Descriptive statistical analysis and regression models were used to...
In spring of 1993 and 1994, mature 'Marion' (Rubus sp.) plants were pruned to 0, 4, 8, and 12 floricanes. An additional treatment of 0 floricanes with early (30 cm) primocane pruning was included. Primocane growth was measured from emergence in April until growth cessation at the end of October....
Sustaining an older adult's ability to live independently is a very important
goal of geriatrics and gerontology. The extent to which an individual can live
independently depends on his or her ability to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily
Living. Impairments in the physical domains of muscle strength, flexibility,
endurance, and...
Freshwater systems cycle carbon along a spatial and temporal biogeochemical continuum, across which ecosystem processes contribute to transformations of organic matter (OM). Various ecological constraints impact rates OM transformation and production and consumption of the energetic end of respiration, methane. Microbiological processing and complete reduction of carbon substrates to methane...