Body Size Variation And Floral Associations Of The American Bumble Bee, Bombus Pensylvanicus, In East Texas, Sabekun Nahar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American bumble bee, Bombus pensylvanicus, is an important pollinator species that was once widespread in much of North America but has experienced population declines in recent decades in some regions. As a species of conservation concern, it is important to understand how body size varies in response to environmental conditions and to identify the key floral resources that support this species. I examined body size variation in East Texas and floral resource use of B. pensylvanicus across Texas. In the first chapter, body size variation among queens, workers, and males was quantified using thorax width and size variation …

Integrated Geophysical, Geotechnical, And Mineralogical Characterization Of Expansive Weches Formation Soils In East Texas: Implications For Infrastructure Design, Samuel Annobil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the geotechnical, geophysical, and mineralogical characteristics of soils derived from the Weches Formation in Nacogdoches County, East Texas, with emphasis on the relationships among electrical resistivity, moisture condition, compaction state, and mineralogical composition. The Weches Formation is well known for producing clay-rich, moisture-sensitive soils that pose challenges to subgrade performance because of their plasticity and swelling behavior. Representative soil samples were collected and subjected to laboratory testing, including particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor compaction, free swell tests, electrical resistivity measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineralogical analysis. The soils are predominantly fine-grained and clay-rich, with USCS …

Predictors Of Elevated Borderline Personality Disorder And Pai-Bor Scores: The Role Of Psychological, Trauma, And Treatment Factors, Isabel Avendano Gil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition that significantly affects individuals' emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning. BPD is characterized by impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, and self-destructive behaviors, and often results in significant impairment across multiple life domains. Previous research has consistently identified Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), particularly sexual abuse (SA), as key contributors to the development of BPD. These early traumas are closely associated with core features of the disorder, including affective instability, identity disturbance, impulsivity, and maladaptive interpersonal patterns.

Psychotherapeutic interventions, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have …

A Quantitative Study On The Impact Of Alternative Education Placements On Graduation Outcomes Of Public Education Students In Special Populations, Mark D. True

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) placement and graduation outcomes among students in special populations within a large, urban public school district in Texas. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, this study analyzed a four-year longitudinal cohort to determine whether DAEP placement was associated with differences in graduation outcomes, including on-time graduation, late graduation, and dropout status. The study examined differences between students with single and multiple DAEP placements. The sample included over 4,000 students including students who experienced DAEP placement. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to compare outcomes between DAEP and …

أثر الفيتو على فعالية مجلس الامن في النزاعات الدولية المعاصرة "دراسة تحليلية", محمد سلطان الكويتي

Theses

The Impact of the Veto on the Effectiveness of the Security Council in Contemporary International Conflicts: "An Analytical Study"

The League of Nations, which was established in 1919 after World War I to maintain peace, failed in its mission. Therefore, in 1945 the victorious allies established the United Nations through San Francisco Conference on June 25, 1945. This was followed by the establishment of the Security Council, with its primary responsibility in maintaining international peace and security. The establishment of the Security Council represented a tremendous hope for achieving world peace after the horrors of World War II. However, The …

Reward Representation Learning, Gregory M. Hyde

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The \emph{Markov decision process} (MDP) has long served as the canonical model for sequential decision-making. However, it assumes that the reward function is Markov with respect to a given state representation---an assumption that often does not hold in practice. Instead, agents typically only perceive streams of observations and actions and must infer the latent structure according to which reward unfolds over time. From this perspective, reward prediction is initially non-Markov, reflecting a mismatch between the agent's current representation and the underlying structure of the environment.

In this thesis, we advance the view that reward is not simply a signal to …

Cultura Y Confianza: Strengthening Culturally Competent Outreach To Support Women’S Mental Health In Watsonville, Sarra L. Huerta

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Women in Watsonville experience ongoing mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression, while facing barriers to accessing culturally responsive support. This capstone project was completed at Growing Greatness, a community-based organization that provides outdoor and wellness programming for youth and families in Watsonville, California. The project focused on improving outreach to better engage women, particularly Latina women, who may experience barriers related to stigma, language, and trust. The intervention involved developing a four-module bilingual curriculum designed to strengthen culturally competent outreach practices among staff, volunteers, and interns. The purpose of the project was to create more accessible, community-centered messaging …

Promoting Effective Decision-Making Skills In High School Students, Jasmine Quiroz-Piceno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many high school students face challenges in academic decision-making. Without support in developing academic decision-making skills, they may lack the skills to recognize opportunities and make poor choices that could affect their educational trajectory. When these students learn to recognize and manage psychological and emotional responses in decision making, they may be better able to make clear and confident decisions about their education and future career. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop to teach decision-making skills for high school students at Pajaro Valley High School in Watsonville, California.

Improving Citizenship Preparation At Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, Destiny C. Castrejon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Community-based organizations that serve low-income immigrant clients often deal with challenges like language barriers and limited access to materials that are easy to use. The goal of this internship project was to support citizenship preparation by creating simple and user-friendly study tools for immigrant clients. The project took place at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project in Watsonville and mainly served Spanish-speaking, low-income adults. The main activities included creating large-print bilingual flashcards based on the 128 citizenship test questions, printing and laminating them, and sharing them with staff and clients for use. Informal feedback was gathered from one client and …

The Relationship Between Sports Related Head Injuries, Mental Health And Academic Performance In University Student-Athletes, Odyssey Keller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student athletes face many challenges when it comes to participating in team sports, one of the most notable being sport-related head injuries. Concussions are a growing concern since they have the potential to impact mental health and academic performance long-term. While many athletes report recovery within weeks, some continue to struggle with impairments in their psychological functioning and overall mental well-being that interferes with academic performance over time. Many of the standardized protocols in place for concussion management vary across institutions. This study aimed to address gaps in the existing literature by assessing concussion history, mental health and academic challenges …

Voices Of A New Era: A Discursive Psychology Study Of Influencer-Follower Discourse On Tiktok, Andrea Guerrero Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study researched and investigated the discourse of five mega fashion influencers on TikTok, as well as the discourse of 15 followers engaging with fashion influencer content on the same platform. The theory used to guide this study was discursive psychology theory, which provided the groundwork for understanding how both influencers and followers position their identities, justify their actions and decisions, and construct their reality. The primary aim of this research is to deepen understanding of how influencer discourse shapes follower discourse, identifying recurring patterns, contradictions, and the ways in which tensions are negotiated. The findings reveal a range …

The Impact Of Traditional Machismo On Mental Health Outcomes: Depression And Suicide Risk Among Latino Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Men, Yesenia A, Romero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional masculine norms have long been recognized as influential factors in men’s psychological well-being. Within Latino cultures, the construct of machismo represents a culturally specific form of masculinity characterized by ideals of masculinity and characterized by ideals of strength, dominance, and emotional restraint. While these norms may promote resilience and family responsibilities, rigid adherence to traditional machismo has also been associated with emotional suppression, reduced help-seeking behaviors, and increased psychological distress. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between traditional machismo and mental health outcomes among Latino men, with particular attention to depressive symptoms as well as …

A Qualitative Study On Exploring The Underrepresentation Of Women Of Color In Fortune 500 Executive Leadership, Cherrese J. Belt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study the researcher examined the persistent underrepresentation of women of color in senior leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies. Despite the increasing number of highly qualified women of color, access to executive-level leadership opportunities remains disproportionately limited. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the barriers experienced by women of color in advancing to senior leadership positions and to identify strategies used to navigate these barriers. The researcher collected data through semistructured interviews with 10 women of color in management and senior leadership roles, each with over 15 years of professional experience in the United …

Modernizing United States Marine Corps Enlisted Professional Military Education: Benefits Of Transitioning From Industrial To Technological Learning, Michael W. Hensley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within organizational and societal contexts, there persists a belief that technologically infused asynchronous or synchronous educational programs, such as online, blended, or seminar-style formats, are inferior to in-person courses. Despite recent shifts in attitude caused by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and global threats, the perception of such programs as substandard remains prevalent. This dissertation addresses the necessity of researching the applicability and benefits of these formats, particularly within the United States Marine Corps Enlisted Professional Military Education programs. Emphasizing the potential enhancement of warfighting abilities and leadership skills, this research investigates how technology-based educational programs can benefit enlisted marines …

Board-Level Operating System Infrastructure In Rust, Lydia Klaus

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Memory and multi-threading problems are the cause of many exploits and security vulnerabilities, and errors of this nature are easy to cause in programming languages such as C and C++. Despite this, these languages are still heavily used for systems programming and underpin the majority of operating system kernels. This is partially due to a lack of suitable replacements; however, Rust is becoming more prominent as an option for systems programming. This language features a much more stringent approach to memory and multi-threading safety. It also aims to support a wide range of hardware targets, including microcontrollers, which have long …

Data-Driven Multimodal Mri Representation Learning For Subtype Discovery And Disease Progression Modeling In Parkinson’S Disease, Zihan Zhou

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibits substantial clinical and neuroanatomical heterogeneity, limiting robust patient stratification and clinically meaningful progression modeling from MRI. We propose a unified multimodal 3D generative representation-learning framework that learns an interpretable latent space from co-registered baseline T1/T2 MRI with an edge-aware channel. Confound-corrected latent embeddings support unsupervised subtype discovery, while disease duration provides weak supervision to orient a continuous progression axis. On an independent external cohort (PPMI, N=171), the discovery-trained subtype structure shows significant partial replication (ARI=0.35; permutation test p=0.001) and enables longitudinal clinical stratification: mixed-effects modeling reveals subtype-dependent MDS-UPDRS III progression, with the strongest effect in subtype …

Analysis Of Oscillating Flow Over A 2-D Airfoil With Flow Reversal, Colter Couillard-Rodak

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Finite-state models are useful tools in modeling the aerodynamics of rotorcraft in flight simulators. 2-D and 3-D finite-state models have been developed and compared to closed form solutions, however these models are currently unable to handle situations where the freestream changes directions and the rotor re-enters its own wake. A 2-D finite state model was previously developed that includes a parameter that accounts for the change in free stream. This model, however, contains an inherent stability issue at the instant that the velocity changes direction.

The effects of this instability can be mitigated in certain flow conditions. A purely oscillatory …

Temporal Logic Planning In Semantic Maps Of Unknown Environments Using Tl-Rrt, Dongrui Yang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Autonomous mobile robots are increasingly expected to perform complex missions in unstructured environments. Traditional path planning approaches handle simple point-to-point navigation, but struggle with complex tasks that involve temporal and logical orderings of objectives. Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) provides a method for complex missions (e.g., sequential visits to multiple targets or surveillance tasks) in a strict way. This thesis presents an integrated planning framework that enables a robot to satisfy LTL-based task specifications in an unknown environment by combining a Temporal Logic RRT* (TL-RRT*) planner with semantic mapping. The robot builds a semantic map of its environment online using simultaneous …

Considerations When Designing In Vivo Protocols For Conducting Biomechanical Research Of The Shoulder Joint In Hockey Athletes, Kylie Giesler

Honors Program Theses

While the numbers and details of hockey-related injuries are variable across sources due to variations in sample age, sex, location, and confidentiality of many large hockey leagues, a 2023 narrative review study identified more than 100,000 upper extremity injuries documented in research since 2000. Nearly half of those injuries were to the shoulder with common injuries being acromioclavicular joint sprains, shoulder instability and dislocations, labral and rotator cuff tears, and clavicle fractures. In respect to the National Hockey League (NHL), the highest level of play in ice hockey, 12% of all injuries are to the shoulder, second only to head …

Characterizing Negative Academic Experiences, Danae M. Gaytan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

According to the 2024 National College Health Assessment, roughly one in five college students experience serious psychological distress (ACHA, 2024). High levels of psychological distress among college students are well-documented (Emmerton et al., 2024; Eisenberg et al., 2013; Bewick et al., 2010), yet less is known about the specific experiences that contribute to this distress. Grounded in multiple theoretical frameworks, this study examines students’ negative academic experiences, their perceived causes, and associated outcomes. Using an online crowdsourcing platform, current higher education students (N = 215) described their most negative academic experience (NAE) and then answered questions about their reactions and …

Side-To-Side Differences In Three-Dimensional Femoral Head Coverage Associated With Initial Symptom Development In Patients With Bilateral Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip, Jiayi Sun

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is characterized by insufficient acetabular coverage of the femoral head and is a recognized cause of hip pain, instability, and early osteoarthritis. Although bilateral deformity is common, symptoms often first develop in only one hip. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether, in patients with bilateral DDH, side-to-side differences in three-dimensional (3D) femoral head coverage vary according to radiographic symmetry defined by the lateral center-edge angle (LCEA); and (2) to determine whether hips that appear radiographically symmetric still demonstrate focal 3D asymmetry.

This retrospective imaging-based study included patients with bilateral DDH …

Girl Grammar: A Syntactic And Pragmatic Analysis Of Girl And Miss Girl, Evelyn A. Powers

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

Based on observation, personal interaction, and informal interviews/linguistic judgements, this thesis presents the unique and asymmetrical grammaticality patterns of the terms Girl and Miss Girl. To account for these asymmetries, I provide a syntactic framework rooted in Minimalism and Rizzi’s (1997) expanded CP hypothesis, alongside a pragmatic explanation based on Barros and Frank’s (2023) attentional maintenance and attentional shift paradigm.

Miss Girl behaves as a typical R-expression when used as a 3rd person subject, but Girl has a very restricted distribution, inconsistent with either R-expressions or pronouns (it is acceptable as the subject of a main clause, ungrammatical in object …

Employment Pathways: Hands-On Training For Young Adults With Disabilities, Blanca E. Cruz Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

An eight-week hands-on training program was implemented to improve job readiness, communication skills, and confidence among young adults with disabilities in Monterey County. Participants included nine individuals with special needs who engaged in workshops, mock interviews, product training (on the item being sold), and work shifts at a local farmers’ market in Salinas. The program involved collaboration between Special Kids Connect staff, the farmers market team, and participants’ families. Mixed methodology assessments evaluated participants’ employment skills and self-confidence. Results showed improvements in practical job skills and increased confidence levels among participants. The program demonstrated that educational hands-on learning combined with …

Introducing Mindfulness In The First Grade Classroom, Isabel Zuchelli

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Curriculum on mindfulness is often absent for young elementary school children. Without skills in practicing mindfulness, young children may miss out on the benefits of mindfulness and struggle with emotional and behavioral self-regulation. When educators support children with a curriculum that teaches mindfulness, children can increase their focus, enhance impulse control, and improve peer relations as they progress in elementary school. Therefore, I have created a two-day lesson plan that implements activities to teach mindfulness to a first grade classroom at Santa Rosa Academic Academy in Atascadero, California.

From Service To Support: Empowering Aging Veterans, Priscilla A. Mireles

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was designed to assist aging veterans in Monterey County who face challenges staying safely in their homes long-term. It describes the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office, an agency dedicated to helping former service members and their families navigate the complexities of the federal benefits system to access essential support. The project focused on a small-scale community resource fair aimed at bridging the gap between aging veterans and local services including caregiving, healthcare, and transportation. By centralizing diverse organizations, the intervention aimed to increase awareness of available resources among this population. Most intended outcomes were met; …

Addressing Challenges With Mental Health Amongst The Unhoused Youth Community, John Paul Solis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the growing challenge of mental health concerns among unhoused youth in Santa Cruz County, particularly those served by the Youth Homelessness Response Team (YHRT) under the Community Action Board. Many youth in this population experience conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, which can impact their ability to engage in services and achieve stability. The purpose of this project was to increase mental health awareness and improve engagement with support services through the implementation of a Mindfulness Walk-in Workshop. The workshops were offered weekly to youth participating in YHRT, Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation (TAYNAV), and …

Building Inclusive Communities: Addressing Bullying And Supporting Lgbtq+ Youth In Monterey County, Mayra Luna

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Bullying among LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey County is a significant public health concern, contributing to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Rainbow Connection, a program within Monterey County’s Child and Adolescent System of Care, works to improve school climate and promote inclusive environments through partnerships and community engagement. This capstone project implemented an anti-bullying event in Salinas, a prominent town in Monterey County. Pink Shirt Day event is to raise awareness of bullying prevention and promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The project included collaboration with community partners, distribution of anti-bullying educational materials, and engagement with youth, families, and school members. …

Chit-Chat With Hats: Addressing Mental Health Decline Through Art Therapy And Community Engagement, Zoe G. Mendez-Sosa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the prominent social issue of mental health decline in Central Pacific California driven by lack of support systems for individuals. In partnership with Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS), “Chit-Chat with HATS was developed as a peer to peer group with art therapy techniques to promote emotional resilience and community connection. The primary objective of the program was to provide individuals struggling with mental health with tools to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

The program was structured with check-ins, mindfulness techniques, and opportunities of creative expression through art therapy techniques to help participants with processing complex …

An Evaluation Of A Nonprofit Support Service For System-Impacted Individuals In Monterey County, Jackie T. Nguyen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Formerly incarcerated individuals in Monterey County experience high rates of housing instability and homelessness due to systemic barriers such as stigma, employment discrimination, and restricted housing access. These challenges increase the risk of recidivism and long-term socioeconomic instability, highlighting the need for effective reentry support. This capstone project evaluated the effectiveness of a reentry program in promoting long-term stability and identified strengths and areas for improvement. The evaluation was conducted at Helping Empower Reentry Services (H.E.R.S.), a nonprofit organization serving Medi-Cal recipients through Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports. Activities included engaging with 30 program participants and collecting survey data …

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In Unhoused Elementary Youth Through Leadership Training, Jocelyn Ornelas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Outreach groups and after-school programs have been shown to contribute positive reinforcement and guidance to students who suffer from chronic absenteeism. The Salinas City Elementary School District Family Resource Center at Sherwood Elementary School provides resources to homeless and foster families. Several facilitators began conducting an outreach group with the sixth-grade unhoused population. Sessions were focused on spreading leadership knowledge surrounding the transition from elementary school to middle school. Expected outcomes included increased student leadership knowledge and overall attendance through observations, data collection, and feedback. At the conclusion of the program, 68% of the participants experienced an increase in their …