Iron mixed with clay, partly strong, partly brittle

The goal of this thesis was to critically analyze religious cultural exchange between the Seleucid rulers and the non-Hellenic subjects of the Seleucid Empire (ca. 300 - 64 BCE). The research focuses on Seleucid-Babylonian relations and Seleucid-Jewish relations, although there was some research done on earlier events of Jewish history, primarily the Neo-Babylonian period (ca.626 - 539 BCE). The main conclusion of this thesis is that the Hellenistic/Seleucid Period should no longer be categorized as a period of cultural assimilation, or “Hellenization” of ancient West Asian cultures. Instead, the research of this thesis proves that the cultures ruled by the Seleucids engaged with Seleucid religion and reacted to it in a diverse number of ways, including but not limited to a willing integration and active collaboration with Seleucid religious customs (and vice versa) or a total rejection of Seleucid religious influence, rejection which led to civil conflicts with the Seleucids. The Seleucid-Babylonians represent one of the cultures that integrated and collaborated with Seleucids in religious customs. The Seleucid-Jews represent the opposite, a complete rejection of Seleucid religious influence

Distributed Leadership Practices of Elementary and Secondary School Administrators in the State of Washington

The positive impact of an effective school administrator cannot be understated. Research on leadership practices highlights the efficacy of distributed leadership for positive student outcomes and teacher satisfaction especially after the challenges of the pandemic. However, further research is required to understand how principals implement distributed leadership practices and the differences across school levels. The purpose of the study was to examine the engagement of elementary and secondary school administrators in the State of Washington in distributed leadership practices. Utilizing the Distributed Leadership Readiness Scale, perceptions of distributed leadership engagement were assessed across four dimensions: mission, vision, and culture; leadership practices; shared responsibility; and school culture. Findings indicate that administrators in Washington State perceive themselves as highly engaged in distributed leadership. The dimension with the highest engagement was school culture and the dimension with the lowest engagement was leadership practices. Significant differences in engagement were observed between elementary and middle schools in the dimensions of mission, vision, and goals and shared responsibility as well as between elementary and high schools in the dimension of shared responsibility. Effect sizes for these differences were small, suggesting relatively modest variations in engagement levels across school levels. The study offers valuable insights into the readiness of administrators in Washington State to engage in distributed leadership practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing potential differences in engagement across various school contexts

Timing of subduction initiation and deformation history of amphibolite and blueschist in the Easton metamorphic suite, Northwest Cascades, Washington

High-temperature metamorphic soles form in nascent subduction zones when a thin sliver of newly subducting oceanic plate is accreted and metamorphosed by the overlying mantle. The Easton metamorphic suite is a Jurassic to Cretaceous subduction complex in northwest Washington state that preserves a relatively coherent metamorphic sole overlain by serpentinized peridotite. Within the metamorphic sole, amphibolite-facies units structurally overlie a high-grade blueschist unit, with shear zones marking major contacts. Two types of amphibolite were identified, including meter-scale, coarse-grained diopside-bearing garnet amphibolite blocks with an upper amphibolite to granulite facies assemblage and continuous layers of fine to medium-grained foliated amphibolite. The coarse amphibolite blocks are surrounded by garnet-hornblende-white mica quartzose schist, foliated amphibolite, and serpentinite. Garnet major and trace-element geochemistry show zoning patterns consistent with prograde garnet growth. Garnet cores have elevated Lu, suggesting that garnet-whole rock 176Lu-176Hf ages reflect prograde to peak metamorphism. Two garnet-whole rock 176Lu-176Hf isochrons from the coarse amphibolite blocks are ~203 Ma. A garnet-whole rock 176Lu-176Hf isochron from the foliated amphibolite is ~183 Ma, ~16 m.y. older than a previously published 40Ar/39Ar hornblende cooling age from the same sample. Combined with prior cooling ages and thermometry data, the ~183 Ma age is interpreted to reflect the initiation of subduction in the Easton metamorphic suite. The foliated amphibolite accreted at ~183 Ma at ~760°C, followed by cooling to high-grade blueschist-facies at ~500-600°C at ~165 Ma an

Environmental Scan of Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Library Collections

This document presents the result of an environmental scan of collections practices, projects, and policy language related to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI). The scope of this scan is ADEI collections projects within the functional areas represented on the Western Libraries’ Scholarly Resources Groups (SRG). It excludes literature with a focus on: Cataloging and metadata Circulation Course reserves Publishing Hosting Discovery If issues related to these functional areas are deemed to be future priorities, the units and departments responsible for these functional areas will need to be involved in the development of related goals and projects. This scan focuses on print and electronic monograph collections and, to a lesser extent, print and electronic serials. ADEI work with archives and special collections is discussed only in cases where the techniques or findings are applicable to other types of library collections. Preceding the environmental scan there is a list of possible goals and associated recommendations for the SRG’s consideration

Reflectance spectroscopy datasets for the validation of TANAGER

The Three-Axis N-sample Automated Goniometer for Evaluating Reflectance (TANAGER) is a custom goniometer designed to rapidly acquire spectra of natural rock surfaces across the full scattering hemisphere. TANAGER interfaces with a Malvern Panalytical ASD Fieldspec 4 Hi-Res reflectance spectrometer to collect data from 350-2500 nm at a range of incidence, emission and azimuth angles. To validate the accuracy and repeatability of data collected with TANAGER - and to characterize any instrument noise, artifacts or sample heating effects - we collected spectra from three categories of targets: (1) powdered calcium sulfate (anhydrite), (2) naturally weathered basalt surfaces, and (3) color calibration targets. Here, we share repeated spectra of anhydrite over two 30 minute heating tests to characterize spectral changes due to loss of adsorbed water. We also share spectra of the color standards and basalts from repeated data collection runs with incidence and emission angles ranging from -70 to +70 degrees, for both in-plane and out-of-plane geometries

S.A.D. Survival Kit: A Podcast on Seasonal Affective Disorder

This document explores seasonal affective disorder through the lens of the accompanying mini podcast series S.A.D. Survival Kit. Over the course of five episode transcripts, the audience will gain a better understanding of seasonal affective disorder and its associated interrelations with the surrounding environment and any individual’s internal physical and mental health. The podcast is available on Spotify and SoundCloud. (Links are on page 1.) Seasonal affective disorder is a form of seasonal depression marked by a significant change in one’s behavior or thinking patterns when seasons shift. Episode 1 explains the basics of S.A.D. and concludes that many people experience seasonal changes, whether or not they are formally diagnosed with S.A.D. Episode 2 discusses how the use of light therapy, phototherapy, antidepressants, vitamin supplements, and certain lesser known remedies may alleviate one’s symptoms of S.A.D. Episode 3 explores the unique interactions between S.A.D. and four distinct pre-existing mental conditions: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism. Episode 4 concludes that our metabolism plays a key role in determining our state of mental health; we can improve our mental health by improving our habits of eating, exercising, and sleep. Finally, Episode 5 discusses how the mood management theory influences our media consumption while experiencing S.A.D., and how community engagement can be a form of self care and a powerful tool to overcoming seasonal changes

A Closer Look at Interrogation Strategies: Confabulation, False Memories, and False Confessions due to Interrogator Pressure and Information Exposure

This literature review seeks to explore how interrogation strategies, such as compliance pressure and provision of information, can result in subject confabulation, false memories, and false confessions. These effects reduce the reliability of subject statements, and overall reliability of the criminal justice system. Additionally, differences in subject cognitive ability can make some more susceptible to interrogation methods. These factors must be accounted for when conducting interrogation procedures in order to mitigate their effects and prioritize the reliability of information relied on by the criminal justice system

Palm (excerpt from Northern Flicker)

Palm is a poem excerpted from the collection titled Northern Flicker. The collection traces themes of the pressing co-existence of violence and tenderness, entanglement with people and nature, and evolving ideas of home, language, and self

The Biophysical Resilience Capacity of the Salish Sea’s Tidal Wetlands to Sea Level Rise

Tidal wetlands offer significant ecosystem services, cultural identity, and economic opportunities, but the impact that projected SLR will have on tidal wetlands in the Salish Sea is not known. In this thesis, I examine the exposure, watershed-scale biophysical resilience capacity, and jurisdictional variation in resilience capacity of the Salish Sea’s tidal wetlands to SLR. I quantify exposure, resilience, and jurisdictional variation using existing spatial data and analysis techniques. I employ a framework for biophysical resilience capacity developed by NOAA and NERRA. This study’s results indicate that there is substantial variation in wetlands area by watershed, from 0 km2 to more than 200 km2, but wetlands area is not clustered in space. There is a clear North to South trend of projected SLR (in 2100, RCP 8.5 emission scenario). The Central Salish Sea and Puget Sound subregions have the lowest tidal wetlands resilience capacity; this trend is mirrored in the management complexity. Overall, tidal wetlands in Washington counties have less resilience capacity than in British Columbian regional districts. This study identified that the large wetlands in the Puget Sound and Strait of Georgia watershed have low resilience capacity to high projected SLR, and thus are of greatest concern. There are several watersheds with low wetlands area and high resilience capacity and visa-versa, but there are no watersheds with large wetlands and high resilience capacity. These results provide comparable and digestible information for managers and policymakers to use when allocating resources towards restoration and protection of tidal wetlands in the Salish Sea

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2022/2023 Report

This report describes the results from the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (https://diatom.cenv.wwu.edu/). The major objectives of the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks