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Electrical Identification Of Innate Immune Cells, Rasha Ayman Nasser

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the electrical characterization of the key players of the innate immune cells. Innate immunity is basically the nonspecific immune response that is triggered by any foreign body that attacks the human system. The key players of the innate immune system are mainly dendritic cells and macrophages. Accurately classifying these cell types helps us understand the mechanism of the immune system thereby enabling the development of models to improve new prospects for therapeutics and diagnostics. The characterization described in this thesis is based on extracting the capacitance for each biological cell using I-V curves. The main …

Identification Of Micrornas Related To Type 2 Diabetic Osteopath, Mouza Mohammed Saeed Alfashti Alaleeli

Theses

T2DM is linked to an increase in the fracture rate as compared to the non-diabetic population even with normal or raised Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Previous studies have addressed the question of how T2DM induces osteoporosis; the exact underlying mechanism is still elusive. Bones undergo continuous remodelling throughout life. Bone remodelling implicates the coupling of osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. This process is controlled by numerous genetic, hormonal, and neurogenic mechanisms. Osteoporosis is a result of bone loss that occurs by uncoupled remodelling. The existing evidence indicates that short non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are the key …

Employees Support As A Determinant Of Merger Success: Exploring The Organizational Context And Its Interventions During Post-Merger Integration, Abdulla Humaid Saif Aljarwan Alshamsi

Dissertations

Mergers is an extreme form of organizational change, which usually has an adverse impact on the merging organizations employees’ wellbeing. In literature it was argued that organizational integration after merger, which is referred to as Post-Merger Integration (PMI) is usually resisted by employees, which is considered as a major contributor to the high failure rates of mergers. It was further argued that employees’ resistance toward integration is attributed to stress, uncertainty, ambiguity and lack of clarity on the changes that merger and integration initiate. Therefore, PMI activities were assumed to psychologically traumatize employees and jeopardize their sense of belonging, attachment, …

Global Conservation Status Of Croaker And Drum (Family: Sciaenidae) And Role Of The Maw Trade, Claire E. Gorman

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Understanding threats and drivers of extinction risk is critical to conserving marine biodiversity. Although marine bony fishes are some of the most diverse and abundant vertebrates in the world, overexploitation is the major threat to these taxa. Species in the family Sciaenidae are important marine resources in many parts of the world, supporting small- and large-scale fisheries for consumption and the international maw (dried swimbladder) trade. Sciaenids exhibit a diverse array of life history characteristics, such as high fecundity, large body size, formation of spawning aggregations, and longevity. Some characteristics increase their susceptibility to anthropogenic stressors. Despite being ecologically and …

Family Communication Patterns During Recovery Maintenance: Relapse Prevention For Alcoholics & Addicts, Adam Pyecha

Communication & Theatre Arts Theses

The following thesis is research into the Family Communication Patterns (FCP) (McLeod & Chaffee, 1972) of “alcoholics and drug addicts” (ADA) with long-term recovery stages III and IV. Improving relapse rates of ADA in early recovery stage I and stage II may require knowledge about the family communication environment and family type of those ADA with extended recovery time. This is an exploratory descriptive of FCP and family typology of 81 ADA identifying as Twelve-step fellowship (TSF) members recovering from the disease of addiction (Jellinek, 1947; 1960). Data was collected via online questionnaire with adapted scales; AWARE 3.0 relapse awareness …

Wicked Ideas For Wicked Problems: Marine Debris And The Complexity Of Governance, Dawn Helene Driesbach

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Myriad challenges regarding earth's common spaces, those unregulated by sovereign state authorities, mount and intensify as resources diminish and competition for commercial, scientific and security advantages increases; the pollution and degradation of those spaces simultaneously expands. Threats to the global commons complicate efforts to achieve international consensus which impedes attempts to develop effective governance. As an example, marine debris is a growing problem and is an existential threat to the global commons.

This dissertation aims to characterize marine debris as a wicked problem and explores the complexity of governance in the global ocean commons by answering two fundamental questions. Under …

Drag Incorporated: The Homonormative Brand Culture Of Rupaul's Drag Race, Nathan T. Workman

Institute for the Humanities Theses

This thesis argues RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR, 2009–) positions itself as a homonormative pathway to LGBTQ+ social inclusion through privileging neoliberal selfbranding and commodity activist practices that reify privileged raced, classed, and sexuality identity markers. Utilizing interdisciplinary and intersectional cultural studies methods to conduct a textual analysis, I examine how RPDR produces homonormative LGBTQ+ identities through the commodification and standardization of drag cultures. In conversation with existing RPDR scholars, I critically survey RPDR’s gender biases and prosocial messaging as an example of brand culture’s reification of hegemony and homonormativity within LGBTQ+ communities. This research considers the …

Copper And Cobalt Metal Conjugation Enhances Flaviviral Replication, And Denv/Zikv Caused Thrombocytopenia Suppresses Integrin Signaling, Shovan Dutta

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Vector control is a global concern, and effective strategies have been on the way. Among the many different strategies, insect repellents to protect us from blood-feeding arthropods are very common. Food processing or preservatives in food expose us to several chemicals associated with insect repellents, insecticides, and pesticides. Using metallic conjugation with plant extracts or essential oils has become a widespread strategy to increase their efficacy. But it is worth it to be aware that some of those metallic compounds like Cobalt or Copper upon conjugation with thiosemicarbazone ligands derived from Citral and 2-acetylethiazole at the center coordination enhance both …

Holy Stitches Batman, Or, Performative Villainy In Gothic/Am, A. Luxx Mishou

English Theses & Dissertations

Holy Stitches, Batman, or, Performative Villainy in Gothic/am is an interdisciplinary examination of gothic affect and deviant fashion in the narrative construction of villainy. It asks not just what a villain looks like, but what it means to look like a villain. A villain is a character who consciously and purposefully deviates from standards of normativity in order to pursue their own, often criminal, interests. The signifier of “villain” articulates a different purpose – an adversarial relationship with normativity that guides personal identification. Not exceptional to a gendered cultural system, they are informed by the societies in which they operate, …

Onboard Autonomous Controllability Assessment For Fixed Wing Suavs, Brian Edward Duvall

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Traditionally fixed-wing small Unmanned Arial Vehicles (sUAV) are flown while in direct line of sight with commands from a remote operator. However, this is changing with the increased popularity and ready availability of low-cost flight controllers. Flight controllers provide fixed-wing sUAVs with functions that either minimize or eliminate the need for a remote operator. Since the remote operator is no longer controlling the sUAV, it is impossible to determine if the fixed-wing sUAV has proper control authority. In this work, a controllability detection system was designed, built, and flight-tested using COTS hardware. The method features in-situ measurement and analysis of …

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, But Moderately Variable: The Influence Of Environmental Variability On Coral Thermal Tolerance, Courtney Nicole Klepac

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Anthropogenic climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and severity of marine heat waves, resulting in declining health of coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Coral bleaching events – the breakdown in symbiosis between the coral host and their intracellular photosynthetic algae – are increasingly common in recent years and contribute to widespread losses in coral cover. However, bleaching and heat stress responses vary across spatial scales both within and among coral species. Coral populations native to highly variable environments can have greater bleaching resistance than corals from more stable habitats and corals transplanted into these variable reef sites can …

The Effects Of Self-Regulated Learning Training On Teachers’ Self-Regulated Learning, Self-Efficacy For Teaching, And Perceived Instructional Effectiveness In Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Environments, Melissa Quackenbush

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The effects of training on teachers’ self-regulated learning (SRL), self-efficacy for teaching, and perceived instructional effectiveness in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments were investigated. Participants were 80 K-12 teachers who had recently transitioned to teaching in a CSCL environment when schools closed in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. The researcher also explored how teachers use SRL skills in their learning and instruction. Training consisted of weekly collaborative meetings addressing pedagogy and technology connections. Participants in the treatment group received explicit training in SRL and practice applying concepts to their learning and instruction. Participants in both group conditions engaged in …

The Impact Of Microbial Experience On The Murine Innate Immune Response, Cody Thomas Morrison

Masters Theses

The hygiene hypothesis predicts that certain environmental factors shape overall immune system function in animals and humans. While current specific pathogen free (SPF) mouse models are invaluable for studying the immune system, they have limitations for comparison with humans who have microbial exposures throughout their lifetimes. Several studies have shown that the composition of the immune system of SPF mice more closely resembles that of newborns, whereas the immune system from mice exposed to microbial pathogens more closely reflect adult immunity. In this study we have established a model using traditional SPF mice (“clean mice”) and SPF mice that were …

Increasing Nutrition And Healthy Eating Among Preschoolers, Hanyssa Usi

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There is little nutritional education in preschools. Children are not being taught about the importance of eating nutritious foods. When children are taught about nutrition, they will create positive eating habits that could make them less susceptible to health complications. To address the lack of nutrition education, I created a three-day lesson about nutrition for preschoolers at Teddy Bear Learning Center in Monterey, California.

Addressing Isolation In Seniors Living In Monterey County, Josefina Leon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Isolation amongst seniors is a serious issue that affects more than a quarter of the United State’s population. This figure will rise as the Baby Boomer population continues to age. Risk factors leading to isolation in seniors include but are not limited to personal choice, fear of injury, and social connectedness. If left unaddressed, the consequences of isolation in seniors are grave and include a lack of access to essential resources, feelings of loneliness, and death. Seniors with medical conditions or other disabilities are more vulnerable to isolation and are more likely to suffer a decline in health as a …

Addressing Lack Of Engagement With The Youth In Their Community, Mayte Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Santa Cruz County Friday Night live Partnership (FNL) is a program that is youth led and driven, designed to prevent alcohol and drug use among youth. The capstone project focused on lack of engagement with youth in the community. This was addressed with a radio public service announcement (PSA). It was focused on a Positive underage drinking campaign done through chapter weekly activities. A radio public service announcement (PSA) was done by the youth to engage with their community. A timeline was calculated that showed the percentages of recruitment before, during, and after the video to show efficacy of the …

Insufficient Post Secondary Information For Students In Alternative Schools, Iradzeni Salazar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Access to resources and information is important as it can help individuals plan for future goals and enable them to become successful in life. Youth Alliance is a non-profit organization that serves children, youth, and families through culturally relevant services and programs. A program offered is Restorative Justice, which serves at-risk youth at a continuation school. Few students continue with their education after graduating from alternative schools. Insufficient knowledge about post-secondary education as well as discouragement from peers and academic history contribute to students not acquiring a post-secondary education. Consequently, these individuals are more likely to fall into the school …

No-Cost Flu Clinics, Madyson Shands

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Thousands of people go each year without access to flu vaccinations. In consideration of the current pandemic, there was a need for vaccinations in order to limit the possibility of a double pandemic. The Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), Community services is a non-profit organization that provides services that range from immunization to wellness programs. The community service department strives to connect with the community and construct programs that will assess their needs. The project consists of no-cost flu clinics working with agencies within the Monterey community. Interim is a transitional housing center for adults with mental illnesses. There was a …

Casa Advocates Virtual Activities Capstone, Ana Guadalupe Borrayo-Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

CASA of Santa Cruz County's mission is to provide court-appointed volunteers and for every foster youth to receive the love and care that they deserve. The majority of the foster youth being served are Hispanic, but there are not enough bilingual volunteers, and this is a problem. One Contributing factors include a lack of awareness to become volunteers, cultural understanding of the role of a CASA volunteer, and that bilingual advocates need relevant outreach material to understand. Consequences include foster youth being on a waitlist, not enough advocates to serve the population in need, and a lack of support for …

For Advocates, Raquel Magadan-Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz (CASA) program is to provide children in the foster care system a volunteer advocate who spends time with the child to ensure they are receiving the services they need (CASA of Santa Cruz County, 2019). The problem addressed is the high volume of foster children in Santa Cruz county and the three causes of the problem are substance abuse, poverty, and abuse and neglect. The consequences are how abuse affects a foster child’s mental health, what it means to be a dual-status youth (a child involved in the welfare …

English Discussion Group Curriculum, Cristina Rico

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The internship took place in the Monterey County Free Library in the Adult Literacy Program. Monterey County has the lowest literacy rate among adults. Monterey County residents are foreign-born who are residents with no or some English skills. The county has language barriers between the residents and businesses. The contributing factors of low literacy rates are foreign-born having no English skills, access to education to adults and parents, and learning disabilities. If the issue continues in the cycle, Individuals are who are illiterate will face low income or unemployment, which leads to the transmission of illiteracy, and low self-esteem and …

Any Is Too Many: Impaired Driving In Santa Cruz County, Karena Brewington

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many people operate vehicles under the influence in Santa Cruz County (SCC) because of recidivism. DUIs cost dearly in human and financial terms. Financial difficulties and stigma pose barriers to providing DUI services. Community Prevention Partners (CPP) resides under the Public Health umbrella of SCC’s Health Services Agency. This Capstone Project represents an integrated effort to increase CPP’s DUI secondary prevention efforts through its Alcohol Initiative workgroup. Through the Alcohol Initiative, CPP administers the DUI Resource Center (DUIRC), a community space to support DUI offenders around completion of their sentencing components. This project proposes to decrease the recidivism of …

Supporting Survivors Coming Forward, Samanta Herrera

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As an intern at Survivors Healing Center an issue that was identified was child sexual abuse cases are too common. The contributing factors that have a correlation to the community problem that was mentioned is denial, emotional maltreatment, and family characteristics. The consequence of the contributing factors led to depression, suicidal and a potential reacurrence of sexual abuse. The purpose of the project was to educate participants on how to support survivors who are coming forward. By educating them the expected outcome was to have some participants leaving with knowledge towards the issue. As a result of addressing the contributing …

Mpc Resource Webinar, Julianna Andrade

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) at the University Corporation of Monterey Bay mission statement aims to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The educational issue for low-income students is the lack of accessibility to resources that assists with preparedness and success in post-secondary education. Students aren’t able to attend college due to poverty, lack of academic preparation and familial factors. Consequences consist of post-secondary dropout, financial debt and unpreparedness for college life. The barriers students and their families face include language barriers, structural barriers and …

Social Isolation In Aging Adults, Lisa Marie Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The agency I interned at for the last year and half was Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice (VNA). The problem that I was looking into was social isolation in our aging adult population. Social isolation is a growing problem as the baby boomers are retiring and becoming senior citizens. Contributing factors to this problem are; loneliness, disabilities, and a decrease in sensory abilities. The consequences are; mental health decline, a decline in their physical ability , and mortality. My capstone project was implementing a birthday celebration with a local skilled nursing facility to gather as many occupants together to get …

Stress And Mindfulness Presentation, Miriam Garcia Cendejas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Rancho San Juan High School in Salinas California serves students from ninth to eleventh grade. The problem at this agency is students in need of skills to cope with stress and anxiety. The contributing factors to the problem are unhealthy relationships, family problems, pent up emotions, and distance learning due to the pandemic. The consequences of these contributing factors are vaping, anxiety, fighting, and depression. A powerpoint presentation was presented to those students who need coping skills for stress, depression, and anxiety. The powerpoint introduced students to mindfulness and there was a pre and post survey included in the presentation …

¿Qué Es Eso?“ Socio-Emotional Learning In Ell Households, Vanessa Ortiz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) within the English Language Learner (ELL) community that immigrated from Mexico to the United States (U.S.). This project will address the importance of implementing SEL both at home and in the classroom. The goal of this capstone project is to create a better understanding of how essential social emotional learning is across environments, especially in the home and school environments. This is an important issue because a student's success may be dependent on the stability of their overall wellbeing and ability to cope with a range of feelings …

Pick Me Up: Covid-19 School Lunch Meals, Viviana Figueroa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In 2020 many students had to continue their education through social distance learning from home, which resulted in many students having food insecurities. The focus of this Capstone Project is on students who do not have access to Covid-19 school lunch distributions. This is important because many students may be eating unhealthy or not eating at all, which can result in physical and mental health issues. An evidence based argument proves that there has been a decrease of the number of students receiving a school lunch meal due to Covid-19. Consideration of the issue should include the perspectives of a …

Music Therapy: Revitalizing Alzheimer's Disease Patients, Natalie Villalobos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper explains the different benefits that music therapy has on patients with Alzheimer's disease. It will briefly explain what Alzheimer’s disease is: the causes, some of the symptoms, and the effects it may have. Also, the paper will explore the impact music has on the brain in regards to affecting a specific area, its connection to memory, and to emotions. Although Alzheimer’s does not have a cure, research has shown that music therapy does decrease the rate at which it grows. By looking at results from different research studies, a better understanding of what treatment or a specific session …

Volunteer Engagement, Ken Townend

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

When Covid-19 hit and caused a pandemic, volunteering and not for profits in Monterey County was severely impacted. Using new application forms, surveys, and a presentation, a program was created to engage volunteers when volunteering became almost nonexistent. The presentation was the centerpiece of the engagement program. The presentation will inform volunteers how to stay engaged, learn new skills, and find gainful employment through volunteering.