Digital Commons Network^™

Learning From Adolescents’ Lived Experience: Recommendations For Suicide Prevention For Youth And Their Caregivers, Genesis Minaya

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored adolescents’ views on which supports are most helpful during suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Interviews revealed six themes: Communication & Disclosure, Empathic Non-Judgmental Support, Consistent Presence, Parent/Family Education, Coping Tools, Hope and Future Orientation. These findings highlight the critical role of family dynamics in adolescent suicide prevention.

Intergenerational Transmission Of Health: Evidence From Indonesia, Fatima Khan

Theses and Dissertations

This study estimates the causal transmission of health from mothers to their children. Intergenerational associations in health and other human capital outcomes are well established, but those associations may not be causal due to common unobserved factors between a mother and her child. This study employs two-stage least squares, using weather variation as an instrument, to causally identify the relationship between maternal health and child health outcomes in five dimensions: height-for-age, self-reported health, blood pressure, lung capacity, and hemoglobin levels. The data are from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (1993--2014), a longitudinal survey that provides a 21-year look into the …

Acute Exposure Of American Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) To Selected Antidepressant Drug: Histological, Biochemical, And Immunohistochemical Assessments, Md. Faisal Amin

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid increase in pharmaceutical use has brought significant health benefits to humans. Studies have shown that many pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants, are often detected in surface waters, groundwater, and even drinking water. These pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments threaten marine life seriously. Marine bivalves are vital source of seafood for people worldwide. In this study, we examined the effects of short-term exposure to fluoxetine, an antidepressant used to treat depression, at low (0.5 μg/L) and high (5 μg/L) doses over a one-week period on American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) under controlled laboratory conditions. Histological analysis revealed atrophy in the gills and …

Barriers To Hispanic Post-Secondary Education In Science Fields, Luis Slayton

Theses and Dissertations

The study aimed to examine whether external barriers could be identified and are present throughout a Hispanic individual's educational life. The beliefs of the Hispanic community regarding education and the nature of acquiring an education could be relevant to the factors that impede the completion of high school. A survey approach was chosen as the methodology for the study due to the confidential nature of a questionnaire. Human nature tends to be more honest when not asked personal questions face-to-face. Additionally, there is potential to generalize attributes from a small sample to a larger population, allowing inferences about the identified …

Examining The Relationship Between Teaching Presence In The Community Of Inquiry Framework And Student Satisfaction In Online Graduate Educational Technology Courses, Vianna Madrid

Theses and Dissertations

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework, comprising three key elements, social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence, provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how students engage with and perceive their online learning environments. Among these elements, teaching presence, encompassing course design and organization, facilitation of discourse, and direct instruction, plays a fundamental role in shaping students’ perceptions of instructional clarity, support, and overall satisfaction. This quantitative study, grounded in the CoI model, examines the relationship between the categories of teaching presence and student satisfaction among graduate students enrolled in online Educational Technology courses. Accordingly, a survey instrument incorporating the CoI …

Job Satisfaction And Vocational Services In Persons With Acquired Brain Injury, Claudia Eliza Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

The incidence of acquired brain injuries continues to rise world-wide resulting in increased disability status and national costs related to these injuries (Ahonle et al., 2020; BIAA, 2024; CDC, 2003; CDC, 2015; CDC, 2023; Grigorovich, et al., 2017; Tyerman et al., 2017). Long-term health effects associated with acquired brain injuries have social and environmental impacts that influence the individual with the injury beyond acute treatment and rehabilitation (Ahonle et al., 2020; CDC, 2023; Frieden et al., 2015; Grigorovich, et al., 2017; Tyerman et al., 2017). This, in turn, affects employment as many individuals with brain injuries are unable to return …

Exploring Intra- And Interpersonal Connection Through Mindful Moments At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Yvette Angeline

Theses and Dissertations

The demands of contemporary education have contributed to high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout among educators (Barton, 2019; Hidajat et al., 2023; Walker, 2022), uncovering a need for pedagogical approaches that prioritize holistic well-being and humanize the learning experience (Palmer, 2009; Salazar, 2013; Wong & Mishra, 2020). This qualitative case study investigates how moments of mindfulness, integrated as curricular practice within a teacher education program at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), nurtures pre-service teachers’ awareness of the self and world. This study explores aspects of mindfulness from its Eastern origins (Thich Nhat Hanh, 1975) and its Western secular applications (Jon …

Social Participation And Health-Related Quality Of Life For Adults With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Capabilities Mediation And Employment Status And Social Security Disability Insurance Moderation, Kayi Ntinda

Theses and Dissertations

Social participation is a key determinant of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), yet how individuals with NDDs engage socially to support their HRQoL remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the influences of personal capabilities, employment status, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as social factors for well-being are underexplored with this population.

This cross-sectional study investigated the direct and indirect effects of social participation on HRQoL, examining capabilities as a mediator and employment status and SSDI receipt as moderators. The study sample comprised 304 adults with NDDs (females = 83.3%; age range 18 to 60 years …

Assessment Of Floral Resources From Three Tamaulipan Thornscrub Communities Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Gracie Makenna Granados

Theses and Dissertations

The Tamaulipan thornscrub is a transition zone between the neotropics and the temperate regions, harboring high biodiversity. This habitat supports a diverse insect community, including many pollinators of native and cultivated plants in Texas and northeastern Mexico. This ecosystem has been extensively degraded and lost; only 5% of its original cover remains north of the Rio Grande. Restoration of the Tamaulipan thornscrub has been ongoing for over three decades, but the important roles of pollinators in the success of such efforts and the functioning of the restored ecosystem have rarely been considered in restoration efforts. The purpose of this study …

Occupational Therapy Educators’ Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach Students Culturally Responsive Care For Diverse Patient Populations, Jack Ruelas

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological investigation examined occupational therapy faculty preparedness for teaching culturally responsive care to entry-level doctorate students in Texas. Despite Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) mandates requiring cultural competence education, significant gaps persist between regulatory requirements and faculty readiness to deliver such instruction effectively. The study explored three interrelated dimensions: (1) faculty perceptions of their preparedness to teach cultural competence, (2) institutional training and support mechanisms, and (3) pedagogical integration strategies for culturally responsive content.

Employing interpretive phenomenology grounded in Freire's critical pedagogy and Iwama's Kawa Model, this investigation utilized a two-phase data collection methodology with eleven faculty …

Development Of A Wearable Biosensor For Cortisol Detection In Human Sweat Utilizing Pani/Peo Polymer Blend And Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots, Cesar Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Since the development of the first biosensor in 1962, the evolution of commercially available wearable biosensors has been driven by an increasing consumer interest in real-time health tracking. However, challenges related to sensor sensitivity and cost have hindered progress. Deploying a novel approach, the biosensor integrates a blend of Polyaniline (PANi) and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) along with Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots (N-GQDs) to enhance sensitivity and electroactivity, crucial for cortisol detection. To optimize performance, three distinct synthesis methods for N-GQDs; hydrothermal, microwave, and hot plate synthesis were compared employing a bottom-up approach utilizing citric acid (CA) as the primary reactant …

Low-Dimensional Learning For Remaining Useful Life Prediction Of Batteries Operating Under Various Environments, Rodrigo Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

In reliability, we typically define the standard operating conditions under which a component operates. However, the differences in battery operating conditions cause variability in the degradation patterns of identically manufactured batteries, rendering remaining useful life prediction a major challenge. To aid this task, several sensors are utilized to monitor battery state-of-health. However, traditional prognostics algorithms do not scale well to the volume of data generated. Furthermore, several authors do not explicitly consider operating environments in their prediction models. Therefore, we present a high-dimensional data analytics framework that integrates operating environment information for battery prognostics. This framework combines Multilinear Principal Component …

Multi-Theoretic Perspective Of Backer Decision-Making In Crowdfunding: Interplay Of Backer, Founder And Ai, Maliha Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Crowdfunding has become a transformative mechanism for financing innovation, connecting creators directly with backers while bypassing traditional funding barriers. Despite its rapid global growth, only about 33.7% of campaigns succeed, largely due to ineffective communication of value propositions and lack of backer engagement. This dissertation investigates the complex interplay between project founders, backers, and emerging AI technologies to understand the factors influencing donation intention and to enhance crowdfunding success prediction.

Adopting the behavioral decision-making framework, I draw on multiple theoretical perspectives- signaling theory, the dual-process model of persuasion, and the cognitive-affective trust framework to examine founder- backer interactions. Using a …

The Impact Of Positive Psychology Use Upon Gls Outcomes For People With Chronic Pain Syndromes, Timothy Michael Curtis

Theses and Dissertations

The essence of being human is realized by our discovery of meaningful purpose throughout each important stage of our lives. If we perceive that we lack this meaningful purpose in our lives, it could become a distressful source of suffering to our sense of well-being emotionally, cognitively and perhaps, spiritually. A strong indicator of well-being comes from a good evaluation we ascertain as to how well we believe outcomes in our lives are consistent with our goals and values, which is also known as satisfaction with life. Research findings indicate that the more someone experiences repeated negative life events, the …

Arginine Vasotocin And Corticosterone In Nesting And Non-Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles In X’Cacel-X’Cacelito Sanctuary, Krista Blair Reed

Theses and Dissertations

Sea turtles exhibit distinct behaviors before and after egg laying, however, not all individuals successfully oviposit. Some females display disruptions in their typical nesting behavior, returning to the water without laying eggs, which is referred to as a non-nesting emergence (NNE). NNEs can be due to external disturbances on the beach, but why they occur is often unclear. Arginine vasotocin (AVT) is a neuropeptide involved in various physiological processes, including stimulating smooth muscle contraction of the oviduct to facilitate egg deposition in nesting sea turtles. On the other hand, corticosterone is the primary stress hormone in sea turtles and is …

Biological, Histological, And Immunohistochemical Responses To Heat Stress In Common Goldfish, Carassius Auratus, Ngozichukwu Francis Ngozichukwu

Theses and Dissertations

Global climate change has led to rising temperatures, posing significant challenges to aquatic ecosystems and the health of ectothermic species such as goldfish (Carassius auratus) This thesis investigated the effects of heat stress on growth performance, histological alterations, and molecular stress responses in the gill and kidney tissues of goldfish Fish were exposed to control (24°C), medium (28°C), and high (32°C) temperatures for two weeks Growth parameters, including instantaneous growth rate (IGR), absolute growth rate (AGR), body value gain (BVG), and condition factor, were evaluated alongside histological and immunohistochemical markers of stress Results revealed that high temperature significantly reduced AGR …

Analyzing How Taste And Nutrition Impact Learning And Memory In Honey Bees Through Olfactory Associative Conditioning, Alessandra Elizabeth Perry

Theses and Dissertations

Honey bees detect sweet nectar, but not all sweet-tasting sugars provide nutrition. Unlike fruit flies, which can learn to avoid non-nutritious sweet foods, bees may lack this ability. To test if bees form caloric frustration memory (CFM), we conditioned them using odors paired with L-glucose (sweet but non-nutritious) or D-glucose (sweet and nutritious). Bees rewarded with L-glucose showed lower learning and long-term memory compared to D-glucose. Bees cannot differentiate between an odor associated with rewards containing malaise-causing compounds and an odor associated with a reward alone during differential conditioning. Therefore, we used differential conditioning to determine if lower acquisition in …

Transcriptomic Study On The Effect Of Salt Stress In Sorghum Bicolor Seedlings, Joshwa A. Gandy

Theses and Dissertations

The global impact and reliance on cereal crops, and sorghum in particular, is paramount for worldwide food security and for the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people. The detrimental effects of salt stress on crop plants and the huge economic losses it causes by affecting agricultural output worldwide is a devastating issue with huge impacts, which have prompted research to combat salinity in numerous ways. Understanding how cereals respond to the negative effects of salt stress is crucial for enhancing their salt tolerance. In this study of sorghum, we used a 3’-end RNA sequencing approach to elucidate major salt …

Interdigitated Gear-Shaped Screen-Printed Electrode Using G-Pani Ink For Sensitive Electrochemical Detection Of Stress Related Hormones Dopamine And Cortisol, Pritu Parna Sarkar

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces a novel interdigitated gear-shaped graphene-based electrochemical biosensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and cortisol. Modified with graphene–polyaniline (G–PANI) conductive ink, the sensor increased active surface area—94.52% and 57% higher than Metrohm DropSens 110 and circular printed sensors, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed for physicochemical characterization. The sensor detects dopamine and cortisol over a linear range of 0.1–100 µM, with limits of detection of 0.043 µM (R² = 0.98) and 0.0577 µg/mL (R² = 0.976), respectively, in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using redox probe. Electrochemical performance …

Chronic Lower Extremity Anomalies: Impact Of Diabetic Induced Foot Amputations On Human Locomotion, Anthony Arnoldo Melgar

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to understand the physiological changes that the human body undergoes post partial foot amputation (PFA). A total of three studies were conducted to fully comprehend biomechanical changes and adjustments that occur during locomotion for affected individuals. The first study of this thesis focuses on obtaining kinematic data for both the ankle joint angle and ankle joint torque for the healthy population, as well as for the affected PFA population. Results were compared, and notable differences were present between the two. The second study of this thesis dealt with individual muscle forces. To obtain the muscle force data, …

Low-Cost Monitoring And Fingerprinting Of High-Powered Electric Systems, Kwabena Buamono Aboagye-Otchere

Theses and Dissertations

Electric motors are vital to industry, transport, and energy, yet their maintenance challenges persist. While traditional reactive maintenance leads to costly downtime and safety risks, predictive maintenance, especially through IoT and machine learning offers early fault detection and operational efficiency. However, this shift introduces security concerns due to unintended magnetic emissions from motors. These emissions, though useful for non-intrusive monitoring, can be exploited to eavesdrop on sensitive industrial processes. This dissertation explores the dual nature of magnetic emissions: their value in motor diagnostics and their potential as a security vulnerability. It demonstrates how emissions can identify motors, monitor health, and …

Comparison Of Recovery Methods After Resistance Exercise For Power Performance, Isaac D. Huerta

Theses and Dissertations

Elite athletes engage in intense training to secure marginal performance advantages, placing considerable physical strain on their bodies. Effective recovery techniques are critical to rapidly restore physical function. Conventional methods like ice baths, hydrotherapy, and massages are often impractical due to cost and logistical barriers. This study examined the efficacy of voluntary deep slow breathing (VDSB) as a cost-effective recovery method compared to static stretching (SS) and no recovery method (control) in untrained male athletes aged 18–26. Using a within-subjects, randomized crossover design over four weeks, participants visited the lab seven times to complete a standardized full-body workout involving plyometric …

Phenotypic Plasticity In Response To Abiotic Factors In Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum Elaeagnifolium), And The Effectiveness Of North American Lacebug (Gargaphia Arizonica Drake And Calvo) As A Biocontrol, Marco Andre Silguero

Theses and Dissertations

Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) is a widespread invasive weed in South Texas and other arid regions, where it reduces crop productivity, competes with native vegetation, and resists conventional control methods. Its ability to thrive across different environments is linked to phenotypic plasticity, allowing it to adjust growth and physiology in response to light and water availability. In this thesis, I examine the role of plasticity in S. elaeagnifolium under field conditions and evaluate the potential of the North American lacebug (Gargaphia arizonica) as a biological control agent. Field observations were used to measure plant traits such as height, stem thickness, …

The Abduction Of Juan Manuel Fangio And Its Impact On The Cuban Revolution, Shalom Nissi Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

On February 23, 1958, Juan Manuel Fangio, the five-time Formula One Champion, was kidnapped by the 26th of July Movement (M-26) in Havana, Cuba, during the Cuban Revolution. The kidnapping took place on the eve of the Havana Grand Prix as an act of sabotage against Fulgencio Batista's government. Fangio's abduction became a symbol of political resistance, challenging Batista's authority and raising the profile of M-26 as a revolutionary group. This thesis examines how the incident, amplified by worldwide media coverage, influenced international perceptions of the Cuban Revolution. It argues that using Fangio’s fame strategically helped accelerate awareness of the …

The Effects Of A Tier 2 Intervention On The Behavior Of Elementary School Students Participating In Second Step: Enhancing A Schoolwide Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum, Charlotte Annalee Kennington

Theses and Dissertations

After reviewing the current research literature on the effects of social-emotional learning (SEL) on the behavior of elementary-age children, it was clear that there was limited research data on the effects of Tier 2 interventions designed to augment the effects of schoolwide SEL programs. Specifically, to what extent could a brief, group-delivered intervention improve the academic engagement, problem behavior, and socially appropriate comments of fifth-grade students receiving schoolwide SEL through Second Step in a traditional public school? Three fifth-grade students were recruited to participate in this study who all engaged in frequent problem behavior during Second Step lessons and throughout …

Molecular And Clinical Insights Into Role Of Gper In Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hcc), Hossain Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), encompassing stages from steatosis (MASLD) to steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, yet molecular markers of progression remain limited. The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a non-genomic estrogen receptor with metabolic and anti-inflammatory roles, emerges as a candidate regulator in hepatic pathophysiology. In this Dissertation thesis, we have delineated for the first time clinicopathological assessment of liver biopsies across MASLD stages revealing a robust inverse correlation between GPER expression and disease severity. Higher GPER levels in early MASLD associated with favorable metabolic and biochemical profiles, …

Insights Gained From Applying Molecular Techniques To Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus Gmelin, 1789) In The Mexican Caribbean, The Southern And Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Geaceli G. Orive

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on Balistes capriscus (Gray Triggerfish), a reef-associated species dependent on hard-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure across four sites was assessed: Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Veracruz, Chinchorro Bank, and Xahuayxol. Samples from RGV and Veracruz exhibited limited haplotype diversity, minimal nucleotide divergence, and weak genetic differentiation-patterns consistent with recent population expansion and ongoing connectivity within the GOM. While the study centered on B. capriscus, all individuals from Chinchorro and Xahuayxol unexpectedly grouped with Canthidermis maculata (Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish), suggesting misidentification, cryptic diversity, or taxonomic uncertainty in …

Commitment And Betrayal In Intimate Relationships: A Grounded Theory Analysis, Megan Van Alfen Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Commitment and betrayal are key aspects of a relationship that have impact on the quality or health of the relationship. The purpose of this paper was to use qualitative grounded theory methods to explore how commitment and betrayal are experienced in intimate relationships and to explore the outcomes of both. The data were taken from a larger project on healthy and unhealthy relationships where participants were recruited through convenience and theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and constructivist grounded theory methods were used to code, generate, and refine prominent categories in the data. Findings revealed that commitment is experienced through …

Belonging Starts With You: Exploring Trust, Belonging, And Spiritual Connection In The Success Of Culturally Diverse Students In Higher Education, Moises Aguirre

Theses and Dissertations

Cultivating trust and belonging is essential for student success in higher education, particularly for students from diverse cultural backgrounds (DCB) who face unique challenges in developing these connections. Research highlights lower levels of trust reported by DCB students toward peers and institutions, adversely impacting their academic performance and social integration (Van Maele & Van Houtte, 2010). The urgency of these issues is underscored by the demographic evolution in Utah's educational system, with projections indicating significant growth of students' diversity by 2065 (Hollingshaus et al., 2019). Because of these projected developments, this study investigates how DCB students conceptualize and experience trust …

The Effects Of An Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program On Belonging And Success, Alexa Darracq

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in an undergraduate peer mentoring program led to increased feelings of belonging and success compared to students who have never received BYU ComD peer mentoring. Outcomes were measured using pre- and post-experiment surveys and focus groups. This study had ten participants in the experimental group and 12 participants in the control group with seven participants from the experimental group who participated in the focus groups. Analysis of the results determined there were three key findings from the study: mentees benefited from the peer mentoring program, students signed up to receive …