Digital Commons Network^™

Taking The Bang Out Of The Gang: The Impact Of Catholic Schools On Gang Homicides In El Salvador, Ann Jillian Villanueva Adona

Master's Theses

This study explores the impact of Catholic presence on homicide rates in El Salvador, specifically focusing on the role of Catholic schools in reducing violence in gang-afflicted municipalities. Analyzing municipality-level data from various years, I used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Instrumental Variable (IV) regressions to study the association between school enrollment and homicide rates. Results show that higher enrollment in Catholic schools is linked to a reduction in homicide rates in gang-affected areas, contrasting with an increase in homicides for non-religious schools. This research sheds light on the importance of investing in Catholic education as a strategy for violence …

Exploring The Relationship Between Load Shedding And Crime In Gauteng, Bhavesh Ram

Master's Theses

This study investigates the impact of load shedding, a recurring power outage phenomenon in South Africa, on crime rates in the densely populated Gauteng province. Using a novel dataset that combines Eskom's load shedding schedules with detailed crime statistics from 2015 to 2022, a fixed-effects regression model is employed to examine the relationship between blackout hours and various crime categories. Findings reveal that while load shedding does not significantly affect overall crime rates, it significantly increases the incidence of contact crimes and sexual offenses, particularly during daylight hours. Additionally, our results provide evidence that load shedding diminishes the ability of …

Vrouwenwerk | Beyondtheglassceiling: Educate, Empower, Reimagine, Malou Lena Julia Desplenter

Master's Theses

In contemporary society, social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for advocacy and activism. This thesis explores the potential of Instagram in raising awareness and fostering dialogue around workplace equity for women in Belgium. Inspired by influential women's advocacy accounts, I embarked on a journey to fill a noticeable gap in the digital landscape – the absence of Belgian-centric content addressing workplace empowerment for women. Grounded in the unique intersections of Belgian national policies, European Union directives, and global socio-economic dynamics, this capstone delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by Belgian women in the workplace.

Through critical historical analysis …

Preventing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence In Ethiopia: An Applied Approach Towards Prevention, Leah Yared

Master's Theses

The Ethiopia-Tigray civil war is one of the deadliest conflicts in recent world history and quickly drew international attention for the mass reports of sexual violence, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing by federal militants. Mass rapes and sexual violence were used along ethnic lines to devastate and displace communities in Ethiopia. Despite the signing of the peace agreement in November 2022 to cease hostilities, the sexual violence has not come to an end. The violence has consequently spread to the Afar, Amhara, and Oromia regions, neighboring Tigray. The sexual violence in Ethiopia was core to the armed conflict. Nonetheless, the …

Online Esl / Efl Instruction For Korean Children Under 7 Years Old: A Curricular Design, Seong Sun Kim

Master's Theses

Early bilingual education is currently implemented in many countries around the world. There has been much research on the effects of early second language learning on children's language development and school performance, and the results are positive.

Koreans focus on learning foreign languages to communicate with other people around the world and approach to lots of information and experience. For Koreans to become fluent English speakers, the best time to learn a foreign language is during early childhood. It is a critical period for mastering pronunciation and developing language skills, making it an ideal time to easily learn a foreign …

Magpie Naheševehe: An Autoethnographic Study Of A Chief’S Son Reclaiming His Language, Quinn A. Magpie

Master's Theses

This paper is an autoethnographic study covering my journey to learn my heritage languages, Cheyenne and Arapaho. The purpose of this study is to give a personalized account of what studying my languages means to my Indigenous identity. Between the months of January and April of 2024, I studied my languages daily and documented the process. I then used Brayboy’s TribalCrit as my theoretical framework to elicit themes from my experience, many of which became a personal reflection on how my languages have become a new part of my life. This study also frames my father’s knowledge as essential towards …

The Plagiarism Question Of Ai: How Teachers Have Responded To Llms In The Classroom, Anthony E. Wolf

Master's Theses

This study is a phenomenology conducted in the Spring of 2024 that interviews seven educators to bridge the gap between speculation and the observable realities of the current applicability of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Interviews recorded pedagogical methods, classroom policies concerning LLMs, and various methods used to detect and address the use of LLMs for plagiarism. The findings seem to imply a relationship between the applicability of LLMs to teachers’ pedagogical methods and the policies that teachers implemented. Discussion is made through the lens of critical digital pedagogy, zone of proximal development, and Paperson’s …

Disabilities, Identity, And Success At Law School, Andrew Palos

Master's Theses

West Coast Law School, a pseudonym for a medium sized law school, is the subject of a qualitative case study with the focus of the case study on the experiences of students with disabilities. The case study was conducted in as a single-site setting with only one law school being the subject of the research. Students, staff and faculty were interviewed to offer several perspectives of the law school and the environment it created for students with disabilities. Research questions for this thesis focused on potential obstacles to success for students with disabilities, students with disabilities of color and structural …

Generalized Model To Enable Zero-Shot Imitation Learning For Versatile Robots, Yongshuai Wu

Master's Theses

The rapid advancement in Deep Learning (DL), especially in Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Imitation Learning (IL), has positioned it as a promising approach for a multitude of autonomous robotic systems. However, the current methodologies are predominantly constrained to singular setups, necessitating substantial data and extensive training periods. Moreover, these methods have exhibited suboptimal performance in tasks requiring long-horizontal maneuvers, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inventory, where a robot requires thousands of steps to complete.

In this thesis, we address the aforementioned challenges by presenting the Cross-modal Reasoning Model (CMRM), a novel zero-shot Imitation Learning policy, to tackle long-horizontal robotic …

Patterns And Potential Mechanisms Of Phenotypic Changes In Urban Small Mammals, Leslie Lopez

Master's Theses

Urbanization is an example of human induced rapid environmental change that can have wide-reaching ecological effects, including habitat destruction, fragmentation, and alteration of local climates. Effects of urbanization have been shown to impact wildlife, as disturbances resulting from urbanization can create novel environments and selective pressures that could lead to changes in morphology, physiology, or both. Small mammals such as rodents are an ecologically important set of wildlife species because they are a key prey item for several predators, hold strong influence over plants as a primary consumer, and some species carry and transmit major human and animal diseases. Previous …

Evaluating The Effect Of Noise On Secure Quantum Networks, Karthick Anbalagan

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on examining the resilience of secure quantum networks to environmental noise. Specifically, we evaluate the effectiveness of two well-known quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols: the Coherent One-Way (COW) protocol and Kak’s Three-Stage protocol (Kak06). The thesis systematically evaluates these protocols in terms of their efficiency, operational feasibility, and resistance to noise, thereby contributing to the progress of secure quantum communications. Using simulations, this study evaluates the protocols in realistic scenarios that include factors such as noise and decoherence. The results illustrate each protocol’s relative benefits and limitations, highlighting the three-stage protocol’s superior security characteristics, resistance to interference, …

Shut Up And Dribble: The Political Contradictions Of Black Masculinity In Sports, Isaiah Rogers

Master's Theses

"Shut Up and Dribble: The Political Contradictions of Black Masculinity in Sports" is a comprehensive analysis of literature and case studies that explore the regulation and representation of the black masculine body within sports. This thesis investigates three primary themes—sport, protest, and black masculinity—and seeks to uncover the evolution of various black masculine figures and their endeavors toward racial inclusivity. By analyzing sports literature, this work examines the experiences of five significant black athletes, including Jack Johnson, Ron Artest, and Colin Kaepernick, to illustrate how sports environments police the black body. Additionally, this thesis emphasizes two archetypes of black masculinity: …

See Me Show Me: Black Women Representation In Television Sitcoms, Lauryn Jennings

Master's Theses

Television is a commonplace item within the households of America. It brings the family together as well teaching people about other people. With this Black women have been shown in one-dimensional images that are harmful. Although these stereotypes are old they are still present within modern television sitcoms.

Back To Black: Analyzing The Presence Of White Control Over Black Representations In Media And The Responses Of Black Creators, Serena Smith

Master's Theses

The focus of this thesis largely discusses the perceptions held by White people of Black people and the Black community, and how these discriminatory perceptions have been presented in various forms of consumable media and other societal aspects throughout American history. These racially biased misrepresentations have also negatively affected the progression and internalization of the concept of Black cultural identities for Black people throughout history and how they are able to relate to the rest of American society. I am arguing that contemporary media and films produced by Black creators, such as Cord Jefferson’s 2023 film American Fiction, tend …

The Unseen Pen: The Hidden History Of Black Women Writers During The Civil Rights Movement, Serenity Hill

Master's Theses

As taught in standard high-school and general educational courses, integration was a primary goal of the Civil Rights Movement; however, when this era is discussed in classrooms, by historians, and in textbooks there are key perspectives and acknowledgements that are less recognized. The visibility of the Black women who pushed forward the movement is often reduced, overlooked, or overshadowed because of the more celebrated contributions of their male counterparts. Focusing on an era before the internet, with the eloquent writing of activists like Dr. King memorialized, this project aims to showcase how changes in course curriculum can shed light on …

The Kansas Band’S Musical Depictions Of Spiritual Quests, Elizabeth Romero

Master's Theses

The progressive rock genre has been an intriguing subject of study for the scholarly community, especially within the last 30 years. An understudied part of the progressive rock scene, however, is its manifestation in the United States through the band Kansas. The band from 1970’s Topeka is acknowledged by Mitchell Morris as troublesome for critics due to the hybrid use of European art music and blues influences. It is no wonder a large study of Kansas music has not taken place due to the maligning of the band by its critics as well as the controversial views regarding pretentiousness of …

Manufacturing Silicone In-House For The Creation Of Customized Neurovascular Blood Vessel Mimics, Jacob Wilbert Perisho

Master's Theses

The Tissue Engineering Lab at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo focuses on creating tissue-engineered Blood Vessel Mimics (BVMs) designed for the preclinical testing of neurovascular devices. These BVMs are composed of silicone models, representing anatomically accurate neurovasculatures, that are sodded with vascular cell types and then cultivated in bioreactors (which maintain physiologic conditions). These silicone models are currently sourced externally from industry partners, so the primary goal of this thesis was to develop the means and methods for the Tissue Engineering Lab to manufacture silicone models in-house.

The first aim of this thesis was to develop and explore …

Does Appearance Matter? The Relationship Of Perceived Body Size And Physical Appearance On Students' Attraction To Physical Activity At Recess, Danielle Belcher

Master's Theses

Drastic declines in recess physical activity (PA) have been observed within recent years (Center for Disease Control (CDC), 2017). Due to recess’ discretionary nature, psychosocial variables associated with PA are predictors of students’ PA levels. Recess is also a time of heightened bullying occurrences (Vaillancourt et al., 2010). Appearance-based bullying is the most common type of victimization that occurs in schools, transpiring more often in children with larger body max indexes (BMI), and possibly altering students’ physical self-perceptions. Physical self-perceptions have been shown to impact PA motivation, however, it is still unknown the extent to which appearance-based bullying, body size, …

Athletic Identity Association And Prospective Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Predict Attitudes Of Collegiate Athletes Toward Seeking Help From The Athletic Department, Allie Zerr

Master's Theses

There is an epidemic of mental health issues that has begun to be more openly talked about in college athletics. In 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has found that college student-athletes are now 1.5-2 times more likely to report struggling with mental health than ever before. Previous research has shown a significant association with basic psychological needs satisfaction and overall psychological well-being. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible ways that reported of autonomy, competence, and relatedness need satisfaction predicted whether athletes would seek mental health services and identify how athletic identity plays into this …

Clonal Plants' Traits And Responses Following Fire Disturbance In Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems In The Colorado Front Range, Raymond Erskine

Master's Theses

Mountain ecosystems are currently experiencing increasing impacts of disturbances (e.g., wildfire) due to global changes in climate and land use, leading to significant changes in vegetation composition and landscape dynamics. Clonal plants, characterized by their vegetative reproduction strategies, offer a range of ecologically important traits to cope with disturbances. However, clonality is often excluded in studies of post-fire vegetation dynamics in mountain ecosystems, and our knowledge of the ability of clonal plants to respond to differing disturbance regimes is limited. Therefore, I examined the response of understory vegetation following fire disturbance in burned and unburned ponderosa pine stands of the …

An Analysis Of Resources For Developing Music Curriculum In Charter Schools With Proposals For Research Instruments Specific To The State Of Arizona, Emily Stanton

Master's Theses

A robust music curriculum is the foundation for a successful music program. With school choice becoming more prevalent, parents who prioritize musical education for their children need information about the quality of the music curriculum in all school models, including charter schools. Currently, little data is available about music programs in charter schools. This document seeks to address that lack of information with a focus on charter schools in Arizona. There were no participants involved in this research. All proposed questions have not been used for research purposes at this time and are used as examples of options for future …

A Geospatial Analysis Of Patterns In Neighborhood Characteristics And United States Professional Sports Stadium Relocations From 1922-2022, Kara Logan

Master's Theses

In the United States of America, 135 stadiums for new or relocating teams have been constructed between 1970 and 2020 (Bradbury et al., 2022, p. 3). Within those years, researchers, journalists, and community members have examined the impact of those new stadiums on local communities, including economic, environmental, and residential impacts. However, the current scope of literature consists of a considerable number of case studies that examine a single stadium or mega-event, such as the Olympics.

This study will determine what patterns, if any, exist between the demographic and housing characteristics between the stadiums that major league United States professional …

Role Of Atp-Binding Cassette (Abc) Transporters As A Protector Of Testis Stem Cell Niche From Chemotherapy Drugs In Drosophila Melanogaster, Swagata Maity

Master's Theses

In chemotherapy treatments most tumor cells are destroyed by drugs, but some tumor cells are drug resistant, and these are known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Normal adult stem cells are also chemo resistant. Therefore, investigation of normal stem cells can be useful to provide further knowledge of CSCs. One of the primary ways that CSCs achieve drug resistance is by drug efflux through transmembrane pumps called ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Many studies on ABC transporters have been performed in vitro using cultured cell lines, but very few studies have been performed on normal stem cell populations in vivo. Drosophila …

The Effects Of Student Choice On Motivation And Writing Skills, Laura Annunziata

Master's Theses

This mixed methods action research study investigates the potential effects of student choice on motivation and academic performance in writing-based assignments in a fourth-grade classroom. Baseline data was collected prior to implementation of student choice writing activities and then used to compare writing samples collected post intervention. The baseline data suggests that students’ attitudes towards autonomy are positive. Having choices was important to them and helped them learn better. However, data also indicates that while students were motivated to write using choice, many of the reading and writing competency scores dropped during journal entry writing samples. Data shows that while …

The Effects Of Implementing Movement Breaks In Elementary Classrooms, Laura Ford

Master's Theses

This action research project investigated the implementation of movement breaks in a third-grade classroom to enhance academic performance and behavior. The short study aimed to assess whether integrating regular movement breaks into the classroom routine would lead to significant improvements in academic outcomes and behavior, particularly those students diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over a designated period, movement breaks were introduced at a specific interval during the school day. Data was collected through observations, surveys, and behavior tracking. Surprisingly, the findings revealed that despite the incorporation of movement breaks, there was no significant difference observed in overall academics or behavior …

Implementing Music To Increase Elementary Student Focus, Kathryn Garceau

Master's Theses

This action research project used a mixed methods design to address the effect of different types of music on student focus while performing an independent task. Despite its success with memorization, does music work equally as well on student focus? Data was collected over a period of three weeks for 30 minutes each morning for 5 days each week. The music played while students completed the task changed each week. This included lyrical songs during week one, classical music during week two, and instrumental versions of songs students knew the lyrics to during week three. Four behavior markers were observed …

Key Benefits Of Small Group Instruction For Diverse Learners, Lydia Mcevoy

Master's Theses

Utilizing a mixed method approach this research study investigated the effects of small group instruction on the learning of diverse learners. Informed by a preliminary literature review that supports the use of small-group instruction, the researcher conducted a small-scale action research project to focus on three diverse learners in a 1st-grade classroom over four weeks. One of the findings of this project shows that small group instruction helps promote social and emotional skills as students feel more comfortable interacting with peers in a small group rather than in a whole group. Another finding indicates that students feel more encouraged by …

The Effects Of Amphibole- And Sulfide-Producing Melts On Crustal Strength In Gabbros Of Lower Oceanic Crust In Oceanic Core Complexes, Mid-Atlantic And Southwest Indian Ridges, Trevor Hoffmann

Master's Theses

This study investigates gabbro-cored oceanic core complexes in the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Dikelets are a texture found in thin section samples from these systems that form as a result of crystal-plastic deformation. Thin section samples from the Atlantis Massif, MARK Area, and 13˚-15˚ North of the MAR and the Atlantis Bank of the SWIR were observed with petrography to find these dikelets and identify what type of dikelet is present. SEM-EDS is used to identify the mineral assemblages present in the dikelets. LA-ICP-MS is used on amphibole to determine if its …

The Role Of B Cell Activation State And Sex In Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediated Induction Of Chemokine Receptor 9 And Alpha4beta7 Expression In Vitro, Logan Bauerle

Master's Theses

Defense of mucosal tissues from microbial infection and allergy is reliant on continual production of antibodies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known to regulate B cell development and is associated with suppression of systemic humoral immunity. Recent attention has been paid to the role of the AhR in altering expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). B cells express CAMs and chemokine receptors to migrate around the body for localized secretion of antibodies. AhR agonists promote B cell migration to the small intestine through upregulation of chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) and integrin α₄β₇. Both the AhR …

Clonal Growth And Trait Variation In The Colorado Front Range: The Influence Of Elevation And Ecosystem, Jordan Conley

Master's Theses

Amid global climate change, exploring adaptive strategies among alpine flora, particularly through clonal growth, becomes critical for biodiversity conservation. This study aims to explore the patterns of dominance and distributions among clonal species across environmental gradients in the Colorado Front Range, employing a trait-based comparative analysis to understand the adaptive strategies of alpine flora and their implications for conservation amid rapid climate change. We focused on two species, studying traits like lateral spread, bud count, and bulbil numbers. Advanced statistical methods such as Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PerMANOVA) and Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP) were used to evaluate community compositions …