Digital Commons Network^™

When A Sum Of Cubes Equals The Square Of The Sum, Jessica M. Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis investigates extensions and structural generalizations of the classical identity \[ \sum_{k=1}^{n} k^3 = \left( \sum_{k=1}^{n} k \right)^2, \] traditionally attributed to Nicomachus of Gerasa. Despite its simple look, this cube - square identity reveals connections between combinatorics, multiplicative number theory, and Diophantine equations.

We begin by presenting an expanded combinatorial proof of the identity based on Stein’s rectangle - counting argument, clarifying the geometric structure underlying the formula. We then establish a multiplicative analogue using Euler’s divisor-counting function \( \tau(n) \), proving that \[ \sum_{d \mid n} \tau(d)^3 = \left( \sum_{d \mid n} \tau(d) \right)^2, \] thereby extending …

Assessing The Research Integrity At A Public University In California, Michael Lee Gillespie

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

To investigate these issues, this study utilized a quantitative-dominant survey design supplemented by qualitative narratives. The sample included 61 tenured and tenure-track faculty from the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The primary instrument was the Survey on Organizational Research Climate (SOuRCe), which assesses seven subscales of ethical health. Data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to determine if specific climate dimensions predict the acceptance of ethically ambiguous practices.

Findings revealed that while interpersonal relations and local norms (such as advisor-advisee relations) were rated highly, departmental socialization was the lowest-rated dimension, indicating …

The Missing Link: Strengthening College And Career Readiness For African American Males, Deniesha Nicole Culverson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how supports in Linked Learning Pathways influence college and career readiness among African American males. This study explores how African American males describe their experiences in Linked Learning Pathways and how participation influenced their college and career readiness. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five African American male graduates who participated in Linked Learning Pathways. Findings indicate that participants generally perceived their pathway experiences as positive, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships, exposure to college and career opportunities, development of transferable skills, and access …

Female Victimization In Intimate Partner Violence, Phileine Phan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a widespread issue that disproportionately affects women, causing significant physical, psychological, and economic harm. Although research has explored IPV prevalence and risk factors, fewer studies address how race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and disability intersect to shape women’s experiences and access to support. Generalizing survivors’ experiences often leads to overlooked services and policies for marginalized women. This study addresses that gap through a qualitative systematic review of peer-reviewed research on IPV victimization among women in the United States. A thematic analysis will be used to identify patterns related to systematic inequalities, help-seeking barriers, and the …

Assessing The Needs Of Public Health Professionals In The Inland Empire, Esteban Silva-Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

An effective public health system relies on the need for highly trained professionals with degrees or certifications within the field of public health. As public health continues to evolve, professionals are required to improve and evolve with the pace of technology and knowledge advancements. This project focuses on reviewing literature on the current ongoing needs of public health professionals and providing them with resources that are available at low to no cost. It surveys the needs of public health professionals in the Inland Empire and the solutions created by organizations and federal agencies to support professional development for current and …

Impact Of Escitalopram On Postpartum Sleep/Wake Activity And Maternal Behaviors, Kimberly Guerrero Leon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The postpartum period is characterized by profound physiological and psychological changes, including disruptions in sleep and activity patterns, which may contribute to the onset of postpartum depression. If left untreated, postpartum depression can result in long-term consequences, including cognitive impairments, emotional dysregulation, impaired maternal-infant attachment, and the onset of sleep-related disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram, is prescribed for the treatment of postpartum depression due to its efficacy, favorable safety profile, and relatively low cost. While escitalopram is considered an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, far less is known about its impact on maternal behaviors during the postpartum …

The Quantification Of Fluoride Water Quality And Its Significance On Oral Health, Harleen Kaur Maroak

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and studies have shown that when added to community water supplies, it effectively reduces dental caries. According to the U.S. Public Health Services (PHS), 0.7mg/L is the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay. This study focuses on examining the fluoride levels in water in San Bernardino County (SBC) and Riverside County (RC). Data is collected from recently published articles, databases along with assessing the laboratory water sample (n=45) analysis to determine if the fluoride levels are meeting the optimal standards. In SBC, there are total of 154 water systems with …

When Health Meets The Classroom: Diabetes, Depression, And Absenteeism, Megan Lindsay Meyer, Victor Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study would examine how diabetes and depressive symptoms influence school attendance among students ages 10 to 17 in one school district. Students with diabetes who experience higher levels of depressive symptoms might be at increased risk for chronic absenteeism, which could negatively affect both academic performance and emotional well-being. Despite growing awareness of pediatric diabetes and school-based mental health needs, gaps would remain in understanding how diabetes self-management relates to depression and attendance outcomes. This proposed quantitative comparative study would include students with and without diabetes. Participants would complete standardized measures assessing diabetes self-management and depressive symptoms, and …

Trauma-Informed School Practices, Mental Health, And Academic Engagement Among High School Foster Youth, Ashley Avila, Vanessa Ramirez, Jaden Simmons

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Exposure to abuse, neglect, family separation, and violence can negatively affect foster youths’ well-being and their ability to succeed in school environments. Studies have shown that punitive disciplinary responses may contribute to retraumatization and school discouragement, while school settings are often one of the few stable environments in the lives of foster youth. Although trauma-informed school practices have been associated with improved school climate and student engagement, limited research has specifically examined how foster youths’ perceptions of these practices are associated with their mental well-being and academic engagement in high school settings. The purpose of this proposed study is to …

Against Despair: Hope As Rhetorical Practice In Chicana Theatre, Esperanza Arreola

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis argues that Chicana theatre functions as survival pedagogy—a rhetorical practice that teaches communities to name structural violence, transform bodily trauma into collective power, and rehearse liberation as a precondition for enacting it. Drawing on Kenneth Burke’s concept of literature as “equipment for living,” Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, and Cynthia M. Sheard’s reconceptualization of epideictic rhetoric as community formation, I analyze three plays that exemplify this pedagogy: Cherríe Moraga’s Heroes and Saints (1992) and The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea (2001), and Josefina López’s Real Women Have Curves (1990).

These works address distinct but interlocking forms of …

Examining Student Practices In A Technology-Mediated Math Classroom, Bradley T. Dodd

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

It is important for math educators to make sense of student thinking in the classroom. Without opportunities to practice this skill math educators struggle to improve, particularly when students are engaging in mathematics using technology. As such, there is a need for video artifacts of students engaging with mathematics using technology for use in professional development activities (Lovett 2020). In accordance with Lovett et al.'s (2020) design principles for examining student practices in a technology-mediated environment, I carried out a study to determine whether these artifacts of student work could be created working with college undergraduates as participants. Students engaged …

Farmworker Mental Health: Identifying Environmental And Occupational Factors, Lizette Alvarez, Lizette De Loera, Melissa Zambrano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Farmworkers have an extensive history of contributing to the economic development of the United States. However, research has paid limited attention to this population. From the ecological systems theory approach the purpose of this study is to contribute to the limited amount of research literature available on the implications of farmworkers mental health due to the experiences they encounter in regards to their occupational, environmental, psychosocial and community factors they face. This study will use a mixed methods approach, because of the researcher’s interest in detailed information about farmworkers’ environmental and occupational factors that impact their mental health. One hundred …

What Kind Of Foster Care Parent Training Leads To A Reduction In Foster Care Maltreatment?, Itzel K. Alcaras

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research proposal would identify the gaps in foster parent training and how caregiver maltreatment increases the risk of re-traumatization of foster children. While foster care is designed to promote safety, protection, and stability for children, existing literature continues to show that inadequate trauma-informed and evidence-based training may hinder caregivers' ability to respond to their complex needs, leading foster children to continue experiencing emotional and psychological harm. To further assess this concern, an exploratory qualitative study would be implemented utilizing a semi-structured interview that will include demographic questions then transition to open-ended questions format that will examine caregiver perceptions of …

Nonbinary And Transgender Representation In Media: How Scripted Media Impacts And Shapes The Identities Of Communities Outside The Gender Binary, Makenna Dykstra

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The lack of, and otherwise poor, representation of nonbinary and trans communities contributes to the societal othering of these communities. However, nonbinary and trans representation holds importance to these communities. Trans and nonbinary communities, like other communities, use media to help them negotiate their identities (Hall, 2005). However, current representation in scripted television is small and contentious, with the ability to have just as much of a negative impact as a positive one. LGBTQ+ television has a history of favoring moderate depictions of queerness, like that in nonbinary and trans characters, as a means of defining these identities to cisgender …

Gaps In Therapeutic Services For Foster Youth In Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs, Kaniqua Tainiaja Stewart, Maria Del Rosario Sanchez, Rachelle Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines rehabilitation outcomes among foster youth who are currently or were previously placed in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs), also known as group homes. With more than 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States, and approximately 39,000–57,000 residing in group homes, limited research has explored why rehabilitation efforts in these settings often fall short. Existing literature emphasizes policy reforms, compliance, and placement outcomes under California’s Continuum of Care Reform, but gives less attention to youths lived therapeutic experiences and the consistency and quality of mental health services delivered within STRTPs. This study addresses this gap …

Foster Youth Success In Higher Education, Brianna Mosqueda, Ana Gutierrez Perez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study explores the topic of foster youth and their personal experiences, identifying influential factors in career choice at higher levels of education. Emphasized factors include overall motivation levels, personal experiences, financial factors, support, and potential challenges. Results of this proposed study could identify resources to better understand current gaps in educational success using two theories, such as Social Cognitive Career Theory and Self-Determination Theory. Study data would be analyzed using a quantitative approach, implementing non-probability sampling, specifically quota sampling, to identify and recruit foster care youth participants. Survey responses collected via scaling questions would be transferred from the …

Foster Youth Perspectives On The Effectiveness Of School-Based Academic Support, Stephanie Monroy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research aims to explore how foster youth perceive the effectiveness of various evidence-based interventions that have previously been used to support their education. Due to the various barriers that foster youth face, they often experience significantly lower academic performance than their non-foster youth peers. Consequently, high school graduation rates among foster youth remain significantly lower than those of their non-foster youth peers. Much of the existing literature is outdated and does not adequately reflect current educational realities for foster youth. Additionally, existing literature primarily focuses on measurable outcomes and program evaluations, with less emphasis on ensuring the lived experiences …

How Are Women Dealing With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?, Adrianna A. Brown

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background and Aims: PCOS is one of the leading multisystem conditions among women of reproductive age. Dietary changes may help improve outcomes associated with PCOS and its comorbidities. While a lower carbohydrate, moderate protein diet is often recommended, those with PCOS often use temporary diets or dietary supplements instead of or in addition to prescription medications due to dissatisfaction with their treatment options. Additionally, studies examining the usefulness of supplements and their effects on PCOS symptoms are lacking. This study explored the prevalence of use of temporary diets, prescription medications, and dietary supplements among women with PCOS.

Methods: An anonymous …

We Are Fundamental (Somos Fundamentales): Examining The Perceptions Of Dei Initiatives Among First- And Second-Generation Latino Migrant Workers, Hector Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Regarding organizational literature, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a topic of considerable interest due to an abundance of minority groups in the workforce, who are typically targeted by DEI policies. Within minority groups are migrant populations which make up a great deal of the working population, with Hispanic workers also accounting for a significant portion of that workforce. Organizational literature has had a great underrepresentation of the Hispanic working population who are an imperative group to study to better understand their attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, and outcomes, based on organizational DEI approaches. This can help promote researchers and organizations …

Teacher's Efficacy In Fostering A Sense Of Belonging In Newcomer Adolescent Students, Brenda Melendrez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Schools are continuously serving a growing population of newcomer students that face unique social, cultural, and linguistic barriers (McCabe et al., 2024). Newcomer adolescent students experience additional challenges in high school contexts, due to the academic pressures, developmental changes, and social isolation hindering their sense of belonging (Fabris et al., 2024). Teachers play a central role in fostering belonging through teacher-student relationships, daily interactions, and academic and emotional support (Ozdemir & Ozdemir, 2020). However, teachers have reported limited teacher preparation on fostering belonging among newcomer students, impacting their confidence and ability to support their students (Motitswe, 2025). Teachers have specifically …

Parental Rejection, Identity Development, And Mental Health Among Lgbtqia+ Youth, Litzy Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, LGBTQIA+ youth continue to experience increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and identity development distress. Parental rejection has been identified as the central impact of these outcomes. However, limited research has examined the influence of parental responses on identity development and the role of micro-level supports, such as counseling and support groups, and macro-level supports, such as inclusive policies and community protections. The purpose of this proposed study is to examine the relationship between early parental rejection or acceptance and LGBTQIA+ youth’s mental health outcomes, identity development, and perceived effectiveness of support systems. …

Supreme Court And Presidentialism: When Judges Stand In The President’S Way, Michael Procopio Avelar

LL.M. Essays & Theses

This article examines the conditions under which constitutional courts are able to resist executive attempts at institutional capture during periods of democratic erosion. Instead of concentrating on the mechanisms through which courts are attacked, it focuses on how courts effectively behave in the long term when operating under sustained political pressure. The central claim is that judicial resistance cannot be explained solely by formal institutional design or by a general commitment to constitutional principles. It depends on the interaction of three variables: judicial replaceability, external support, and enforcement capacity.

The article develops a typology of judicial responses to executive aggrandizement, …

In Defense Of Creditors’ Schemes For Mass Torts, Rohan Balani

LL.M. Essays & Theses

Companies in the United States have increasingly turned to reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to resolve mass tort claims. Despite this experience, Australian companies have hesitated to use similar processes to achieve the same goal. Instead, mass tort liability continues to be resolved through traditional class action litigation. This essay argues that such hesitation is unfounded and that the creditors’ scheme of arrangement process in Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) provides not only an appropriate method for resolving mass tort liability, but one which is in many respects superior to a Chapter 11 reorganization. …

Mental Health Outcome Disparities In Children With A History Of Maltreatment: A Qualitative Study, Anna V. Echaury

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child maltreatment is a widespread social issue that leads to lasting effects that include perpetuating cycles of violence and can lead to long term problems in adulthood. The presented study aims to focus on describing the mental health outcome disparities in children who have experienced child maltreatment. Although existing studies have addressed mental health outcomes, previous work has overlooked the disparities between children who have experienced maltreatment and children who have not. This qualitative study will collect data using interviews and utilize thematic analysis to analyze the collected data. This research will enhance understanding of the impact of child maltreatment …

Human Trafficking Of Children Efficacy Of Counter Trafficking Programs For Youth, Alma Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Human trafficking is a global problem, and it is a significant problem within the United States. Children are a vulnerable group that become victims of human trafficking operations. Human trafficking prevention programs are available to address this issue, but there is much needed research to test the effectiveness of the countertrafficking programs for high-risk children. This study is a systematic review of studies on countertrafficking programs. This study will use a mixed methods approach to analyze quantitative and qualitative data from selected studies. This study hopes to find if current counter-trafficking programs are effective in preventing at-risk youth from becoming …

Evaluating The Impact Of Myplate-Based Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program (Efnep) On Healthy Dietary Choices Among Low-Income Families, Theresa N. Agbonome

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Dietary behaviors towards healthy food choices remain a major public health issue in the United States, with prevalence among low-income families. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) with Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) trains both health educators and volunteers to provide community-based nutrition education, which prioritizes low-income families. The initiative employs the MyPlate guidelines that are composed of 5 different food groups which include fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy products. This project focuses on evaluating nutritional habits of disadvantaged families within San Bernardino County (SBC) by using an evidence-based evaluation tool known as the …

We Define The Future: Lived Experiences Of Foster Youth In Higher Education And The Role Of The Educational Opportunity Program, Krystalyn T. Diaz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Foster youth face significant barriers to higher education, including housing instability, financial insecurity, trauma, and limited adult support, contributing to low college completion rates, with only 3 to 11 percent earning a bachelor’s degree (Morton, 2018; Moyer & Goldberg, 2019). The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), established in 1969 within the California State University system, was designed to reduce these barriers through counseling, mentoring, financial assistance, and basic needs support. However, limited research has centered the voices of foster youth to understand their experiences with these services. Guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Resilience Theory, this qualitative phenomenological study explored …

Development Of An Employee Leave Guide Handbook At The California University Of Science And Medicine, Leyal Nidal Fakhreddine

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Employee leave policies play an important role in supporting workforce well-being, organizational compliance, and retention of skilled labor, especially in medical and educational health institutions. However, employees still experience confusion when trying to make sense of complicated leave options such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), maternity and paternity leave, and military leave. The lack of clear, centralized guidance can result in delays, miscommunication, and increased workplace stress.

This project was carried out as a part of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program integrative learning experience requirements at California State University, San Bernardino, and was conducted during …

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Through Post-Discharge Follow-Up Programs, Gurjeet Singh

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Within 30 days of the discharge, hospital readmissions continue to be one of the significant problems in healthcare organizations and are commonly seen as the measure of care quality, coordination, and efficiency. The high readmission rates indicate the disconnect between inpatient and outpatient settings, patient education, medication reconciliation, and discharge planning. They also have high financial implications in value-based reimbursement settings. The proposed project will be a descriptive and analytical literature review studying the effects of structured post discharge follow up interventions such as scheduled telephone calls, telehealth visits, and home based outreach on preventing unnecessary hospital readmission and enhancing …

Why So Few? Sense-Making The Latino Librarian’S Place In The Hispanic-Serving Institution: A Phenomenological Approach, Valentin Macias Jr.

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Despite record Latinx student enrollment across California's higher education systems, Latino men remain severely underrepresented in academic librarianship, comprising less than 0.5% of librarians nationally. This persistent gap represents a critical equity issue within a profession that increasingly serves diverse student populations. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of twelve Latino male academic library professionals at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) through in-depth interviews to understand the factors shaping their professional identity, the barriers they encounter, and what sustains their persistence in the profession. Using transcendental phenomenology as the methodological approach and Critical Race Theory as the theoretical framework, the study …