Digital Commons Network^™

Protecting Your Digital Life: Congress Needs To Take Lessons From Hipaa’S Playbook To Amend The Proposed Federal Privacy Law, Taeyoon Kong Kim

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

Lost Track Of Time, Kisa Tamai

A Midwestern Review: A Magazine of the Arts and Issues at DePauw University

Kisa Tamai is a junior from Honolulu, Hawai'i, majoring in Communication and Global Health. She occasionally shoots 35mm film in memory of her grandfather. She enjoys hiking and rock climbing.

Understanding The Interactions Between Pollen-Borne Ilarviruses And Pollinators In Peach Orchards, Mandeep Tayal

All Dissertations

Pollen-mediated virus transmission is a common problem in fruit crops. Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) are pollen-borne ilarviruses endemic to the southeastern U.S. and cause substantial losses in peach production. PNRSV and PDV are primarily transmitted through vegetative propagation (grafting) as well as via pollen and seed. However, the role of pollinators in transmission dynamics of these viruses is not well understood. First, I documented the bee diversity and abundance during peach bloom in South Carolina, identifying Bombus and Apis as the most dominant genera, followed by Eucera, Andrena and Habropoda. Bee community composition …

Strategic (Non)Disclosure: Activation And Avoidance Of Social Ties Among Women Seeking Abortion, Kathleen Broussard

Faculty Publications

The increased politicization of sexual and reproductive health has created barriers to medically necessary care. In absence of formal health care, social ties become critical sources of information and resources, yet the disclosure of stigmatized health needs carries significant risk. How do people navigate the risks and benefits of disclosure when seeking care for stigmatized needs? Drawing on original survey data (N = 153) and in-depth interviews (N = 55) with women who attempted a self-managed abortion, I first describe the distinct roles of weak and strong ties in women’s health-seeking experiences. I then demonstrate how both partial disclosure and …

Environmental Impact Assessments (Eia): Analysis Of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessments For The Development Of A Uniform Teia Model, Nicolas Chapa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the evolution, processes, and importance of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), focusing on transboundary EIAs and the need for a uniform framework. Originating from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 in the U.S., EIAs have become globally adopted instruments for assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of development projects. This work reiterates historical milestones, strengths, and current limitations of EIAs. Research also included a review of environmental regulations from Mexico, such as the General Law on Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA). Through several case studies requiring the use of transboundary EIAs, where shared resources and concerns …

Heat Acclimated Algae Improves Heat Tolerance And Longevity In Daphnia, Ashit Dutta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Xenohormesis suggests that consuming stressed food provides physiological adaptation to the consumer for similar stresses. To evaluate this, Daphnia magna was provided with heat-stressed Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 25℃ whereas the control group was provided Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 12℃. In the heat tolerance experiment, Daphnia kept at 28℃ and 20℃ while consuming 25℃ algae had significantly higher heat tolerance compared to the control. Additionally, in stressed conditions, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown food had significantly higher lifespan compared to the control. Next, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown algae had significantly higher levels of antioxidants which could explain the lifespan extension. Finally, in fatty …

Community College Student Success During Covid-19 Pandemic Based On Class Modality, Rebecca Aslinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, comparative study was to determine whether there were significant differences in Introduction to Education grades as measured by GPA among community college students between 2018-23 with the change of class modality due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This study examined differences in Introduction to Education grades as measured by GPA at three community colleges from 2018-23. Archival data were used for this study. The population for this study consisted of all students enrolled in the Introduction to Education course at three institutions. Both in-person and online classes were examined during the time before, during, and …

Electrochemical Biosensing Of Cerium With A Tyrosine-Functionalized Ef-Hand Loop Peptide, Sogol Asaei, Geeta Verma, Nicholas S. Sinclair, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

The significance of easily detecting rare earth elements (REEs) has increased due to the growing demand for REEs. Addressing this need, we present an innovative electrochemical biosensor, focusing on cerium as a model REE. This biosensor utilizes a modified EF-hand loop peptide sequence, incorporating cysteine for covalent attachment to a gold working electrode and tyrosine as an electrochemically active amino acid. The sensor was designed such that binding to cerium induces a conformational change in the peptide, affecting tyrosine's proximity to the electrode surface, modulating the current. A calibration curve was generated from cyclic voltammetry current peaks at ~0.55–0.65 V …

Psychological Distress Among Family Caregivers Of Persons With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias In Uganda, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) present growing global health challenges, especially in aging populations, such as Uganda. In Uganda, familial caregiving, predominantly undertaken by female relatives, is the primary form of support provided to patients with ADRD. Cultural stigma around dementia and limited access to support services amplify caregivers' challenges. This study examined psychological distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL) among family caregivers of patients with ADRD in Wakiso District, Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 caregivers from three sub-counties in Wakiso, selected through purposive sampling to capture diverse experiences. Participants included caregivers aged 18 years …

Cobm Adjunct Faculty Newsletter: December 2024, Ellen Ramsey

College of Business and Management Adjunct Faculty Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2023/2024, Tennessee. Department Of Safety & Homeland Security.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Metabolic Shifts In Ratio Of Ucocn To Cocn Toward Bone Resorption Contribute To Age-Dependent Bone Loss In Male Mice, Matthew Bernhard, Obinna Okorie, Wei-Ju Louis Tseng, Mengcun Chen, Julia Danon, Mingshu Cui, Elisabeth Lashbrooks, Yanmei Yang, Bin Wang

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The study of the senile osteoporosis in men still lags significantly behind that in women. The changes of protein molecule levels and their relationships with bone loss remain poorly understood. In the present study, we used C57BL/6J male mice at ages from 3 to 24 mo to delineate the mechanisms of aging effects on bone loss. We used the microcomputed tomography, mechanical testing, histomorphometry assays, and detection of serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOcn) and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOcn) to assess bone mass changes and their relationships with the ratios of ucOcn-to-cOcn in mice from different age groups. The results showed …

Enhanced Care Management, James Love

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Santa Cruz County’s Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program assists Medi-Cal recipients who are unhoused, have substance use disorders/serious mental illness, or are high utilizers of medical services, obtain and maintain medical care coordination services. This population faces many challenges living in Santa Cruz, and the ECM team needs additional resources to continue the supportive work the care management program provides.

The needs assessment documents the ECM team’s desired physical and emotional resources to support their health and identifies the current barriers to supporting clients. The ECM team responded to a Google form survey and the responses were analyzed for common …

Career Readiness, Jeanette Quezada

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aimed to address the lack of job experience among adolescents, which often leaves them feeling unprepared for the job market or higher education. Career readiness workshops were conducted with 7th-12th grade students at Learning For Life Charter School to enhance their job preparation skills. It was hypothesized that the workshops would boost students’ confidence in tasks such as filling out job and college applications, creating resumes, and writing cover letters. Pre- and post-workshop surveys revealed significant improvements in self-assessed confidence levels. Based on these findings, the workshops were beneficial for students. To further leverage these results, it is …

Obesity: Influencing Behavioral Consumption Through Meal Kit Distribution, Alejandro Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Founded in 2002, Everyone’s Harvest is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to providing access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables through certified farmers markets and community food programs. Its key initiatives—Fresh Rx, Market Match, Edible Education and Farms Together —focus on alleviating nutrition insecurity and combating diet-related health conditions by providing vulnerable populations the resources to purchase, or receive, fresh produce and gain nutritional knowledge. This study explores a new intervention: the distribution of farmers' market meal kits as a complementary strategy to the current Edible Education program. These meal kits, which feature seasonally available produce and pre-measured ingredients, aim to …

Disposal Deficiency: Single-Use Battery-Powered Smoking Devices, Isaiah A. Zuniga

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There exists a critical issue in the disposal process for single-use battery-operated smoking devices, including cannabinoid and tobacco products in Monterey County, which pose significant social and health ramifications. The County of Monterey Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention Program aims to educate youth and adults and support cessation services. This project focuses on spreading awareness through educational media about the proper disposal of single-use battery-operated smoking devices, with the long-term aspiration of developing a comprehensive disposal process to reduce environmental contamination and encourage healthier habits. Initial findings revealed that many users are unaware that vapes and similar devices cannot be disposed …

Addressing The Lack Of Parental Involvement With Spanish-Speaking Parents In Education, Zaira Cortez-Zacarias

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Student achievement and engagement at an independent studies school must be improved by the lack of parental involvement among Spanish-speaking parents. Learning for Life charter school provides an alternative, flexible learning environment for middle and high school students (grades 7-12) who require more individualized attention and they serve students in Monterey, Salinas, San Benito, and Santa Cruz school districts. Identifying obstacles to parental involvement in Spanish-speaking families and creating plans to improve engagement and communication were the goals of this project. The project's main objectives were to develop outreach strategies that are sensitive to cultural differences, provide language assistance, and …

Financial Empowerment Workshops To Improve Life Skills For Former Foster Youth, Nelsy Leny Montes-Romero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper focuses on the Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation Program (TAY NAV), overseen by the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., designed to assist former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 24, who are at risk of homelessness after exiting the foster care system. TAY NAV provides various services, including housing support, case management, employment preparation assistance, and access to essential resources like first-month rent and security deposits. The program currently serves 30 participants with diverse backgrounds in Santa Cruz County. A significant challenge faced by former foster youth is the lack of familial support, …

Communicating Development For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Ruby Mandujano

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) often face significant communication barriers that hinder their ability to express needs, access essential services, and engage fully in social, vocational, and healthcare settings. This paper explores how American Sign Language (ASL) can effectively reduce these communication barriers and promote self-advocacy among adults with developmental disabilities. The Gateway Center of Monterey County, an agency serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities aged 18 and over, provides a model of communication support by incorporating ASL into its programs. Although Gateway serves only a tiny percentage of the larger population of adults with intellectual and …

Harvesting Hope: How La Casa De La Cultura Serves Migrant Families Through Health And Advocacy Programs, Ana Ruiz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aims to enhance community engagement in Pajaro through strategic outreach and marketing efforts for weekly meetings hosted at La Casa de la Cultura. By increasing awareness and participation, the initiative seeks to empower residents, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, to access vital resources and services. The project will collect data on attendance and community interests, leading to more tailored presentations that address pressing concerns. Ultimately, this outreach aims to foster a unified, informed community capable of advocating for its needs and accessing available support systems effectively.

Bridging The Gap Of Client Engagement With Mental Health Services, Megan Cuva

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Within Monterey County there is a continuum of deterioration of mental health and substance use. The Monterey County Behavioral Health: Adult Post Hospital Team (APHT) provides acute care to clients who are being discharged from the Emergency Room or Mental Health Unit with a mental health or substance use disorder. The purpose of the project is to help bridge the gap of client engagement through different collaborative methods of post hospital care. By analyzing quantitative data from the APHT tracking sheet and gathering qualitative insights through case notes and interviews with two mental health professionals, the researcher aims to determine …

Bridging The Gap: Fostering Open Dialogue On Resource Access And Service Needs, Cameron Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project investigates whether there are additional resources desired by clients or are needed to better support said clients in their recovery at the Interim, Inc. organization. This agency is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to build community connections through providing services to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. While there is a wide range of programs available, there may still be clients with unmet needs. The purpose of this project was to identify any service gaps by conducting separate surveys of clients and staff members. Through the use of open-ended questions, the expectation of receiving …

Benefits Of Teaching Pre-Literacy In Waldorf Education In Early Childhood, April Guerrero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone research project examines the benefits of teaching pre-literacy in Waldorf education in early childhood. In Waldorf Education, literacy development incorporates differentiated instructions that fosters cognitive and social emotional learning of their students. Through the use of literature review and several teachers in various grades of Waldorf schools, the result findings revealed that pedagogical practices around literacy instructions promote critical thinking skills, nurtures children’s creative expression, and imagination. Literacy curriculum in Waldorf schools allows students to create tangible evidence of self-expressions and communication skills. Given its emphasis on holistic curriculum, it allows teachers to engage with their diverse …

Affordable Housing Solutions: Navigating The Cienega Heights Application Process, Valerie Solorzano

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The lack of affordable housing and widespread knowledge about the eligibility and application process in Santa Cruz County has created significant challenges for the community. This project focuses on addressing these issues by increasing public awareness of affordable housing opportunities and providing guidance on the application process. MidPen Housing, a nonprofit organization specializing in affordable housing, serves as a key example of efforts to meet this need. Their development in Watsonville provides housing for low-income and farmworker families.

A key component of this project involves conducting a public educational outreach event to inform the local community about qualifying for Cienega …

Combating Social Work Burnout With Agency Trainings, Franchesca Weaver

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Supporting providers to alleviate the high level of burnout is proven to ameliorate their ability to provide efficient care. With the understanding of the importance of supporting providers in this field, the deep dive into utilizing trainings that helps combat burnouts is equally important. This research project was aimed to investigate the relevance of the implemented trainings by reviewing finalized progress notes of county social workers who have taken the Sleep Coach training. This was done by analyzing notes using search keys, then giving a score to each time the word ‘sleep’ was mentioned, based on the context it was …

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Tracker, Anthony Homami

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on developing a tracking system for the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) program offered by AIM Youth Mental Health. The program, which helps both youth and community members address trauma and mental health crises, lacks an organized system to track participant data. This project addresses this gap by creating a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet that records essential participant information. The tracker will document data starting from 2022 and will be updated regularly as new trainings occur. By implementing this tracking system, AIM Youth Mental Health will be able to demonstrate the program's effectiveness to potential funders …

Comprehensive Community Medicine, Alexander Walther

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Comprehensive Community Medicine (CCM) is a theoretical framework designed to address the complex needs of individuals with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance use disorders (SUDs). Dual diagnosis is highly prevalent, particularly among populations experiencing homelessness, and is associated with poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare service utilization. Structural inequities, including a fractured healthcare system, exacerbate the challenges faced by this vulnerable group. Research indicates that effective care for dually diagnosed individuals requires a layered approach addressing clinical, systemic, legal, and housing barriers.

The development of CCM has been informed by interviews with local stakeholders, including County EMS board …

Benefits Of After School Programs On The Academic Success On Lower Elementary School Students, Jessica Rodriguez Rodriguez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

After School programs offer significant benefits to students. They support students by offering tutoring, homework assistance, enrichment activities that reinforce classroom learning, and helping young students develop essential skills in reading, math, and critical thinking. The purpose of my capstone project is to examine the benefits of afterschool programs on the academic success of lower elementary school students. Through literature review, interviews with teachers, a coordinator, an academic coordinator, an administrator, and anonymous student surveys, the result findings indicated that afterschool programs are important and have benefited students in meeting their needs to foster their success. It also highlights the …

The Importance Of Mental Health In Children, Haide Batres

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on teaching children how to identify and cope with their mental health challenges. Ho and Funk's (2018) research highlighted how children's social and emotional health impacts their development and social interaction. During this time, children experience changes within themselves, increased sensitivity to stress, and challenges to socially interact with others. They begin to develop mechanisms, which can either support or delay their emotional well-being. Understanding these changes is important for contributing to their future mental health. To promote resilience and healthy coping mechanisms, I presented a three-day workshop to third-grade students (8-9 years old) from Hispanic …

Impact Of Place Based Learning On Community Engagement And Ownership, Alexis Mendez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Place-based learning (PBL) offers an educational approach that emphasizes local history, environments, and communities, allowing students to engage with relevant content through the expertise gained from lived experiences. By utilizing their immediate surroundings, students are able to absorb educational material and foster a sense of place that can encourage civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and community ownership. This senior capstone research project explores the potential to enhance community ownership and engagement in Salinas, California through a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. This project integrates the local geological and cultural history of California, Monterey Bay, and the Salinas Valley, alongside hands-on water quality …