Digital Commons Network^™

Parsing The Effects Of Demography, Climate, And Management On Recurrent Brucellosis Outbreaks In Elk, Gavin C. Cotterill, Paul C. Cross, Jerod A. Merkle, Jared D. Rogerson, Brandon M. Scurlock, Johan T. Du Toit

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Zoonotic pathogens can harm human health and wellbeing directly or by impacting livestock. Pathogens that spillover from wildlife can also impair conservation efforts if humans perceive wildlife as pests. Brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus, circulates in elk and bison herds of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and poses a risk to cattle and humans. Our goal was to understand the relative effects of climatic drivers, host demography, and management control programs on disease dynamics.

Using > 20 years of serologic, demographic, and environmental data on brucellosis in elk, we built stochastic compartmental models to assess the influences of climate forcing, …

A Critical Examination Of Employers Offering A Second Chance For Employment To Black Males With A Criminal Record, Jennifer Jones

Education Doctoral

Obtaining employment after serving time in prison is essential for successful reentry after incarceration. However, Black men experience the highest rate of unemployment in the United States, a trend that only intensifies after release from custody. While there is extensive research correlating the high rate of Black male recidivism with the negative influences of criminal acquaintances, community barriers, obstacles to education, and racial inequalities that prevent successful reentries, there is little literature surrounding the positive outcomes, for all parties, that arise from the decisions of hiring managers or directors who offer second chances of employment to Black men with a …

Implementing A Result Notification And Referral System In A Nurse-Led Wellness Center, Christine Bollom

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Cervical and breast cancer screenings reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality for American women. In 2017, about 70% of U.S. women over the age of 21 obtained a Papanicolaou (Pap) test, which screens for cervical cancer. African American women have a cervical cancer screening rate of 74.6% and Hispanic women have a rate of 68.6%. The cervical cancer screening rates decrease to 51% for women who are uninsured (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). In the United States, 50% of women older than 40 are current on their screening mammogram. African American women have a screening mammogram rate …

Increasing The Incidence Of Referrals And Execution Of Diabetic Eye Examinations In A South Texas Primary Care Clinic, Marisa Macias

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Diabetes is a significant public health problem, decreasing quality of life, causing disability and death (CDC, 2017; Foos et al., 2015; Grover & Joshi, 2015). Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to several eye complications including retinopathy and blindness (ADA, 2013; Liu & Swearingen, 2017). As the number of people afflicted with diabetes rises, the need for diabetic eye examination screenings also increases to prevent disability, improve quality of life and prevent blindness (ADA, 2018; Fisher et al., 2016; Garber et al., 2015; Raman et al., 2016).

The purpose of this project was to increase the rate of diabetic eye examination referrals, …

Program Evaluation Of An Aprn-Led Home-Based Psychiatric Care (Hbpc) Program For Vulnerable Geriatric Patients, Stacey A. Poole

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Mental illness remains under-treated in older adults, especially those that are home-bound. In response to access to care gaps, an innovative advanced practice registered nurse led Home-Based Psychiatric Care program was developed as an adjunct to an established home-based counseling agency. The program involves the research supported provision of home-based psychiatric evaluations and medication management by the agency’s PMHNP. Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the HBPC Program’s effectiveness at increasing access to timely and effective psychopharmacological treatment and management as evidenced by: (a) an increased percentage of referred patients who are being managed by the agency’s PMHNP, (b) a decrease in …

Business Leaders’ Strategies For Addressing Employee Turnover And Promoting Stability, Ke Huang

Leadership Education Capstones

One of the major issues that business leaders face are high rates of employee turnover. From 2013 to 2017, the annual total separation rate increased by 38.1 to 43.0 across all industries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). This demonstrates that employee turnover is increasing over time in the United States. Turnover is problematic because it forces business leaders and managers to replace reliable and trained employees with new employees, which is a timeconsuming process that is often quite costly. Out of all industries that deal with employee turnover, the hospitality industry is known for having one of the highest employee …

A Content Analysis Of The Contributions In The Narratives Of Daca Youth, Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Sanjuana Rodriguez, Banti Zehyoue

Journal of Youth Development

This study utilized cultural community wealth (Yosso, 2005) to explore the ways in which Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) youth make use of social media. Through the use of content analysis (Hay, 2005), the authors analyzed social media interviews publicly posted by DACA youth. Findings reveal that DACA youth engage in social media as a form of activism and to mobilize their communities. The findings support and extend our understanding of the ways that DACA youth are an asset to the wider community. Implications for those working with DACA youth are provided.

Examining Resiliency In Adolescent Refugees Through The Tree Of Life Activity, Marcella Stark, Brandy Quinn, Katharine Hennessey, Amanda Rutledge

Journal of Youth Development

Grounded in both resiliency science and positive youth development, the research team set out to understand the strengths and resources of adolescent refugees living in northeast Texas. In coordination with a local refugee services agency, members of the research team conducted the Tree of Life activity with 16 participants ranging in age from 13 to 20 years. Identifying 16 codes in the qualitative analyses of participants’ drawings, they organized these codes into 3 themes: self-efficacy, values, and relationships. The authors recommend the use of Tree of Life and other creative arts activities to facilitate the discovery of strengths and resources …

Partner Build Grow: Resources To Sustain Partnerships And Advance Prevention Initiatives, Evelyn Frankford, Rachel Sadlon, Olga Acosta Price, Linda Sheriff

Journal of Youth Development

Alignment of programs, practices, and policies by practitioners at the state and local levels can create health-promoting environments for all children. Such alignment, guided by principles of prevention science and public health, can enhance school–community partnerships involved with the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being and positive development of children and youth. The key to success of such prevention approaches is sustaining the work over time. Partner Build Grow, an online Action Guide, supports sustainability through cross-sector collaborations and systems change to create school–community environments that promote equity. Informed by local and national experts along with field experience and application of …

Partner Build Grow: Resources To Sustain Partnerships And Advance Prevention Initiatives, Evelyn Frankford, Rachel Sadlon, Olga Acosta Price, Linda Sheriff

Journal of Youth Development

Alignment of programs, practices, and policies by practitioners at the state and local levels can create health-promoting environments for all children. Such alignment, guided by principles of prevention science and public health, can enhance school–community partnerships involved with the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being and positive development of children and youth. The key to success of such prevention approaches is sustaining the work over time. Partner Build Grow, an online Action Guide, supports sustainability through cross-sector collaborations and systems change to create school–community environments that promote equity. Informed by local and national experts along with field experience and application of …

Using The Delphi Technique To Determine Challenges Facing Oklahoma’S 4-H Program, Kristin Young, Jeff Sallee, Jon Ramsey, Dwayne Cartmell

Journal of Youth Development

As youth development organizations continue to evolve and grow, professionals are faced with the challenges to address the ever-changing needs of their clientele. In order to maintain the longevity of the Oklahoma 4-H program, Extension professionals must address challenges prohibiting, discouraging, or discontinuing participation of youth, families, and volunteers in the program. Additionally, state administrators should examine the challenges their staff face in efforts to execute the mission of 4-H Youth Development. A modified Delphi technique was employed in this study to determine the challenges facing Oklahoma 4-H. Two expert panels were used in this study: Extension educators and 4-H …

Evaluation Of A Novel Dna Collection Matrix Designed To Improve Recovery Of Touch Dna From Non-Porous Surfaces, Eric Ramirez

Student Theses

The collection of touch DNA from evidence has been a challenge in the field of Forensic Biology for decades. There are numerous collection protocols, substrates, and solutions that have been used to varying levels of success. Currently, no single method or substrate stands out as the single most effective collection protocol. The Gene Link Omni Matrix™ K105 solution is a novel collection method that can be sprayed onto the surface of non-porous evidence. The matrix dries into a film, capturing cells and cell-free DNA which can be scraped off and collected into a tube. During extraction, the matrix dissolves into …

Art As A Pathway To God : A Historical-Theological Study Of The Jesuit Mission To China In The Late Ming And Early Qing Dynasties (1552-1773), Susangeline Y. Patrick

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Reaching First- Generation And Underrepresented Students Through Transparent Assignment Design, Ryne Leuzinger, Jacqui Grallo

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

This chapter discusses the findings of a national survey conducted to gain insight into academic librarians’ assignment design practices for one- shot and semester courses, with a focus on the degree to which librarians are utilizing elements of transparent assignment design.

Waste Reduction At La Isla, Alexandria Rangel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Community Solutions is a non-profit organization that serves the community of South Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. At La Isla, Community Solutions’ safe house, a new program was implemented, which focused on reducing waste. Food waste is an issue at La Isla, because a lot of food expires before it is used. The program focused on three key factors to reduce waste, including: creating and implementing a new inventory system, educational cooking classes and the creation of a recipe book in English and Spanish. The classes provided life skills such as cooking, nutritional information and awareness of the amount …

A High Percentage Of College Students Are Low Income In California, Paulo Magana

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey is an non-profit that aims to fight social justice by providing services to low-income and undocumented individuals in need. An important problem happening throughout the state of California is that there is a high percentage of college students that are low-income which often lack knowledge on the available resources within their schools and their communities. The main contributing factors found for this issue are belonging to a minority group or being part of a single parent household. The consequences can lead to food insecurity and. This capstone project was already developed and implemented. The …

Trauma On The Border: Immigrant Children In Detention Centers, Yosseline Pacheco

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Between the year 2018 through 2019, there has been a sixty-percent increase in unaccompanied children at the Southwest border where they are later transferred to the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The dramatic increase in undocumented children are immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador (the Northern Triangle countries of Central America). (Cardosa, Brabeek, Stinchcomb, Heidbrink, Price, Fil.Garcia, Crea & Zayas pg 1,2). During those two years the Trump administration passed many harsh policies designed to decrease the flow of migration, yet it has only done the opposite with the new formations of caravans that are headed …

No Habla Espanol: Are Monolingual Teachers Getting The Support They Need?, Alisha Miranda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how monolingual teachers view the support and resources they received to teach English Language Learners (ELL) and what they thought could be done to improve their teaching effectiveness. An evidence based argument is offered that monolingual teachers were not being provided with effective support and resources. More specifically, three themes emerged from an analysis of the data obtained from interviews of monolingual teachers and administrators. Based on the emergent themes, an action was undertaken to help monolingual teachers better address the needs of ELLs. This is an important issue for monolingual teachers because …

Teaching Emotion Coaching To Teachers Of Toddlers, Anna Colosi

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Toddlers and pre schoolers are at an age in which they are becoming aware of emotions and learning how to regulate and appropriately express their emotions. Emotion coaching is a communication strategy which supports young people to self regulate and manage their emotion responses. Teachers see these emotions and behaviors and don't know how to help the child express and deal with their emotions in certain situations. Young children need the guidance of adults to help them learn emotion skills. When toddlers have difficulty regulating and expressing emotion appropriately, they turn to other problem behaviors such as tantrums. Toddlers and …

Increasing Bullying Awareness In Elementary School Special Needs Students, Maria Olvera

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Students with learning disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than nondisabled peers (Banks, 2009). Students in special education need to be continually taught to identify the signs of being bullied and when to speak up to an adult if they are being bullied due to them being a hire target. It is important to teach students about expressing their feelings and identify common bully characteristics. Students with disabilities are already addressing challenges in the academic environment. There are many risks that can develop from a special needs child who is not reporting bullying at school …

Digital Simulations For Grade 7 To 10 Mathematics, Ma. Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas, Debbie Marie Verzosa, Maria Alva Q. Aberin, Len Patrick Dominic M. Garces, Flordeliza F. Francisco, Evangeline P. Bautista, Mark Anthony C. Tolentino, Winfer C. Tabares

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This article describes a Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) project aimed to facilitate the implementation of the mathematical objectives raised by the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K to 12 program in the Philippines through the use of innovative digital technologies. In particular, a selection of application software (“apps”) were created for Grade 7 to 10 mathematics that covered topics indicated in the five strands outlined in the K to 12 program – namely (1) number, (2) geometry, (3) measurement, (4) patterns and algebra, and (5) statistics and probability. The design …

Algorithms And Hardware Co-Design Of Hevc Intra Encoders, Yuanzhi Zhang

Dissertations

Digital video is becoming extremely important nowadays and its importance has greatly increased in the last two decades. Due to the rapid development of information and communication technologies, the demand for Ultra-High Definition (UHD) video applications is becoming stronger. However, the most prevalent video compression standard H.264/AVC released in 2003 is inefficient when it comes to UHD videos. The increasing desire for superior compression efficiency to H.264/AVC leads to the standardization of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). Compared with the H.264/AVC standard, HEVC offers a double compression ratio at the same level of video quality or substantial improvement of video …

The Grand Narrative Worldview: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Impact Of Biblical Metanarrative Teaching In Liberty University’S School Of Divinity Global Studies Program, Chesed Anne Dent

Masters Theses

There is limited research and literature on the effectiveness of narrative-centered academic learning environments that utilize biblical metanarrative as a tool for teaching. Literature exists showing that story is an effective tool within education, within discipleship, and within training for cross-cultural effectiveness. This narrative inquiry research study focused on Liberty University’s Global Studies Program, a program that overlaps these distinct areas into one platform. Global Studies uses the power of story through the Grand Narrative of Scripture to teach students academic content, equip them as messengers of God’s Story, and help them assess and understand their own narratives within a …

Characterization Of Plasmids Harbored By Vibrio Cholerae Isolates Endemic To The Rio Grande Delta, Viviana Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

Cholera is a diarrheal disease responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Epidemics along the Rio Grande Delta were reported during the 1850s, and the etiological agent Vibrio cholerae, remains endemic, thus presenting a unique opportunity for a study of historical and biological relevance. V. cholerae strains were isolated from two locations: the Rio Grande River under a bridge linking Brownsville to Matamoros (site 21) and where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico (site 42). Two strains from site 21, and one from site 42 were selected to isolate, subclone, sequence, assemble and annotate extra-chromosomal elements. Results …

Fragile X Syndrome And Family Occupations: Sertraline Treatment Via Case Studies, Decerie Mendoza, Tracy P. Ye, Martina C. Dualan, Elena A. Javier

Student Research Posters

Current research on children with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) lacks inclusion of qualitative outcomes on the child’s daily occupational performance. Standardized measurements are frequently utilized and provide useful information, however, can be less sensitive to change (Berry Kravis et al., 2013) and miss capturing family perspectives and improvements within meaningful occupations. This research incorporates family perspectives via semi-structured interviews to promote an in-depth understanding about FXS and its impact on child and family occupations in addition to standardized assessment scores through in-depth case study analysis. This study used a mixed method research design examining four male participants who were given …

Identity Fluidity, Empowerment, And Engendered Poverty: Performing A Veteran-Latina-Online-Graduate Student, Maricela Burns

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project is to use critical race theory and gendered discourse to shed light on engendered poverty, cultural capital and resilience in efforts to identify how the American educational system affects marginalized groups when the systems of power and privilege were not created for them. It is through a poignant narrative of one of these students (myself) in the educational system that I reflect, recollect, write and interweave my lived curriculum with what the literature says about ethnic experiences like mine. The efforts here serve to analyze the processes of constructing and building social and gender identity …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Simazine Under Visible Light Using Zinc Oxide/Molybdenum Disulfide Heterostructures, Alexandria Castillo

Theses and Dissertations

The photocatalytic degradation of simazine under visible light by using ZnO/MoS2 heterostructures was investigated. Reaction parameters studied to optimize simazine degradation included pH, loading mass of the photocatalyst, and percentage of MoS2 in the heterostructure. pH 2 was the optimal environment for the degradation reaction of all catalysts. A loading mass of 20 mg for each of the ZnO/MoS2 photocatalysts was determined to be the most effective for in the degradation process. The degradation reactions were observed to follow 2nd order kinetics for all photocatalysts at all temperatures. Band gap studies confirmed a lower energy than that of pure ZnO …

Understanding College Readiness Through The Framework For Success In Postsecondary Writing: An Analysis Of Algebra Writing In High School, Gabriel Cerda

Theses and Dissertations

The topic of college readiness in the United States has become increasingly important as the number of students entering post-secondary institutions has continued to increase. Along with efforts to increase college readiness for students in K-12, calls have been made to better define what it means to be college ready and understand what factors play a role in preparing students for a postsecondary education. This study uses the Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing as a critical lens and method of analysis to understand how the Framework can broaden our understanding of college readiness. This is a mixed methods study …

Comparison Of Rl Algorithms For Learning To Learn Problems, Adolfo Gonzalez Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning has been applied to many different problems successfully due to the expressiveness of neural networks and simplicity of first order optimization algorithms. The latter being a vital piece needed for training large neural networks efficiently. Many of these algorithms were produced with behavior produced by experiments and intuition. An interesting question that comes to mind is that rather than observing and then designing algorithms with beneficial behaviors, can these algorithms be learned through a reinforcement learning by modeling optimization as a game. This paper explores several reinforcement learning algorithms which are applied to learn policies suited for optimization.

To Love The Birds And The Places They’Ve Made Their Home: Poems From The Magic Valley, Alyssa B. Garza

Theses and Dissertations

The theme of the collection could be summed up in these lines written by Caryll Houselander in The Reed of God, “body and soul together give glory to God: the sharper the capacity for sorrow and joy, the greater the hallowing...Christ laid hold of the world with His human hands...He wed Himself to it. Our life is the response of the bride” (66–67). Our loving connection to every human person is our loving connection to Christ—charity is our bride-ness. The poems follow one bride through her journey, with the author’s environment (the Rio Grande Valley) coloring the verses, as …