Digital Commons Network^™

Piloting A Pediatric Screener For Assessing Emergent Literacy With Preschool Children, Nafia Sarhadi

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Shopper Marketing Thesis For Upkept, Chesney Cox

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This shopper marketing brand thesis focuses on Upkept, an online tailoring and alterations company based in Rogers, Arkansas. Using research gathered through in-depth interviews, empathy maps and user personas are created to better understand customer motivations, behaviors, and perceptions surrounding clothing repair. Based on these insights, three strategic deliverables, partnerships, in-person touchpoints, and expanded services, are designed to increase brand awareness and encourage a shift in target market attitudes toward clothing repair as a valuable, accessible, and sustainable solution.

Internalizing Diasporic Peoples: How Do We Keep Native Hawaiians Connected?, Kallie P. Kaaihue-Paopao

Whittier Scholars Program

In the attempt to better understand the grounds for the generation culture disconnect of identity in Native Hawaiians, I study the diaspora of my people. Diaspora is the dispersion of people from their native lands. I find interest in this aspect of my people because the most common studies blame our dispersion on socioeconomic status and as a Native Hawaiian that wishes to do more for her people, I want to express that while it plays a part that there is a disconnection between the social actions and reactions of Hawaiʻi’s people. Common questions that I find unanswered are, why …

An Analysis Of The Rapid Intensification Of Hurricane Milton, Ayden Rodriguez, Mark Sinclair

Publications

Hurricane Milton (October 2024) provides a compelling case study of a multiscale pathway to rapid intensification (RI), highlighting the alignment of synoptic preconditioning, favorable environmental conditions, and rapid inner-core structural evolution. The storm originated from the interaction of multiple tropical waves embedded within a low-level trough associated with the Central American Gyre, which enhanced low-level vorticity and moisture convergence prior to development. Upon entering the Gulf of Mexico, Milton encountered an environment characterized by anomalously warm sea surface temperatures, high ocean heat content, and weak vertical wind shear, enabling steady intensification and the onset of explosive RI that exceeded conventional …

Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle, Kyra L. Elliott

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Both the amount and types of lipid deposition in beef cattle are key determinants of carcass value and meat quality. Amounts of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat influence carcass grading outcomes, palatability, and composition traits that are important to beef producers as well as consumers. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) compare beef grading camera estimates of intramuscular fat to amounts of chemically extractable lipid, 2) characterize the lipidomes of beef intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, and lean muscle using shotgun lipidomics, and 3) identify and characterize a novel genetic variant in cattle that may have important implications for …

Characterization Of Activity Changes In Gilts During Estrus Using The NuTrack Livestock Monitoring System, Emily P. Aquino

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Early and accurate detection of estrus in replacement gilts is essential for reproductive success and to ensure efficient production. The objective of this study was to evaluate activity changes occurring relative to first estrus of gilts and subsequent cycles. At ~ 110 days of age, 112 gilts were randomly assigned to 14 pens and placed under continuous video monitoring until the end of the trial at ~ 200 days of age. Daily boar exposure (~ 10 minutes per day) began at ~ 122 days of age. During this period, recorded observations included vulva scores (based on swelling and redness), mounting …

Enhanced Near-Surface Soil Labile Carbon And Microbial Indicators Under Cover Crops And Crop Diversification In Long-Term No-Till Systems, Sainfort Vital, Sutie Xu, Namrata Ghmire, Peter Sexton, Jixiang Wu, Christopher Graham, Lan Xu, Mengistu Geza

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

No-till systems improve soil functions and are widely adopted in South Dakota cropping systems. However, these cropping systems have become increasingly simplified due to reduced small grain adoption, potentially reducing carbon inputs and microbial diversity. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) quantify the effects of crop rotations and cover cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and their labile fractions across the 0–80 cm soil profile, and (ii) assess how these management practices affect microbial properties in the topsoil (0–7.5 cm), using a long-term no-till (>30 years) field experiment in South Dakota. Main treatments included a corn …

Advancing Targeted Food Allergen Detection: Extraction Optimization And Sample Preparation Method Comparison Using Lc-Ms/Ms, Zhenhao Wang

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Accurate quantification of food allergens in processed foods by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) requires effective protein extraction and sample cleanup. However, no single sample preparation workflow has shown consistent performance across diverse food matrices. This study evaluated extraction buffer formulations and post-extraction cleanup strategies for quantification of milk, soy, and peanut allergens in multiple processed food matrices.

Six extraction buffers with varying combinations of SDS, urea, and thiourea alongside a common Tris-HCl/DTT/PVPP base were evaluated across five food matrices. No significant differences in extraction efficiency were observed among buffer formulations for nonfat dry milk (NFDM), non-roasted soy flour, peanut …

The "Evil Forest" As Threshold: A Computational Eco-Feminist Study Of The Forest In Nigerian Fantasy, Cynthia O. Mbagwu

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study examines the representation of the “evil forest” in Nnedi Okorafor’s Zahrah the Windseeker and Ukamaka Olisakwe’s Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name, arguing that the forest functions as a liminal threshold that catalyses female transformation. Combining close reading with computational tools like TF-IDF keyword extraction in Ruby and sentiment analysis using VADER, the project investigates how pre-colonial and colonial connotations of the “evil forest” are re-imagined in contemporary Nigerian fantasy fiction. By segmenting each narrative into pre-liminal, liminal, and post-liminal phases, the study tracks shifts in sentiment toward the forest and correlates them with thematic developments …

Hidden Word Treasure Hunt: Design Of Dyslexia Game-Based Intervention, Olivia N. Epp

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

For this creative project, a literacy intervention board game entitled Hidden Word Treasure Hunt was designed for elementary students with dyslexia. Developmental Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning disability which causes reading and writing difficulties. The goal of the intervention is to provide a fun and engaging way for students with dyslexia to practice skills like spelling, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and more. The game includes multiple choice question cards (treasure cards) and challenge spelling cards (key cards), and the student also has the opportunity to practice spelling the words with a whiteboard and marker. The student and SLP can play their …

Killing The Hot Vampire: Gender, Camp, And The Stakes Of Desire In Nineteenth-Century Vampire Fiction, Ella G. Kehr

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis examines the representation and destruction of the Hot Vampire in nineteenth-century vampire fiction, focusing on Dracula (1897), Carmilla (1872), and The Blood of the Vampire (1897). It argues that these texts construct the female vampire as a figure of excessive sexuality, independence, and deviance which causes both societal (patriarchal) and narrative disruption. In the male-authored texts, the construction of the Hot Vampire is exaggerated beyond the neat bounds of gothic excess and monster theory. The destruction of these vampires also follows this unbound extravagance. The Hot Vampire’s death becomes the ritualized restoration of patriarchal order, which is often …

Immigrants And The Battle For Our Nation In The Courts, Raquel E. Aldana

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence In Video Production, Jonathan Ringor

Theses

This project examines the role of artificial intelligence in video advertisement production and explores whether AI can help bridge the gap between everyday users and professional advertising. The project combined both creative production and audience research. To do this, three original AI-generated advertisements were created in distinct commercial formats: a pharmaceutical advertisement, a petcentered narrative commercial, and a lifestyle montage advertisement. After the advertisements were completed, audience response was measured through a survey of U.S.-based participants. Participants evaluated each advertisement on realism, emotional engagement, trustworthiness, polish, and authenticity. The results showed that the advertisements were not perceived equally. The pet …

Stakeholder Perspective-Taking In Engineering Design: A Neurocognitive Approach, Megan C. Taylor

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Stakeholder engagement is a critically important yet overlooked phase of engineering design. While addressing stakeholders is known to lead to more thoughtful design outcomes, little work has been done regarding how stakeholder personas influence brain activity while designing. This study asks if the introduction of stakeholder personas- short overviews of people affected by a design problem- affects brain activation in undergraduate students during three design tasks: stakeholder identification, stakeholder needs generation, and stakeholder needs prioritization. To test this, 18 undergraduate mechanical engineering students were given a stormwater management design vignette; one group was given four stakeholder personas, while the control …

Stability Of Paraffin-Insulated Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Fiber Ultramicroelectrodes, Maxwell H. Kwakwah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen-doped carbon materials can facilitate the reduction oxygen-oxygen bonds, a key step in electroreduction of both O₂ (an important reaction in energy applications) and H₂O₂ (an important reaction in sensing and biosensing). Our lab previously demonstrated that thermal decomposition of urea in the presence of carbon fiber (CF) results in an N-doped carbon material that exhibits good electrocatalytic properties for H₂O₂ reduction. However, previous methods of insulating single N-doped CF via laser heating of borosilicate capillaries and epoxy to prepare ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) seemed to adversely affect surface nitrogen contents and electrocatalytic properties. More recent work that utilized paraffin to …

Slowing Down, Caring Deeply, Trusting Children: An Ethnographic Study Of Forest School Practice, Steph N. Dean, Amanda Gladys, Julianne A. Wenner

Publications

Forest School is an experiential, nature-based educational approach that often evolves as it takes root in new cultural and ecological settings. This ethnographic study explores how one Forest School in the Southeast United States interprets and enacts the Forest School model within its local context. Drawing on participant observations, interviews, field notes, and photography, we examine the lived experiences of the Forest School community to understand how cultural practices shape daily life at the school. Three central themes emerged: (1) slowing down to deepen learning and connections, (2) supporting the whole child through individualized care, and (3) trusting students with …

Tropical Hardware, Shane Chase

Student Theses

A collection of poetry.

Preface: In the spring of 2022 I lived in Bethnal Green, a once working-class neighborhood in East London. I grew attached to the area as it gave me a life I couldn’t have back in Florida. Everything needed to subsist was contained within walking distance. My connection to the place grew strong each time I walked through Middleton Green or passed Keeling House rising up out of the fog as I made my way to work. Gradually, I developed a sense of isolation, smelling the salt from the gulf, an ocean that wasn’t there. The threat …

Selfown, Richard Hollman

Student Theses

A play.

Fascism Usa: Class And Identity Politics In The Age Of Trump, Marc Edelman

Publications and Research

This essay argues that Trump’s triumph in the 2024 presidential contest represents the consolidation of an oligarchical authoritarian project, backed by a multi-class and (surprisingly, for some) multi-racial electorate. It brought intensified state and freelance attacks on immigrants, labor unions, women, LGBTQ+ people, journalists, civil servants, assorted “political enemies,” and other groups that the MAGA movement targets. It is institutionalizing authoritarian governance structures in ways that will be exceedingly difficult to undo. The paper first addresses the experience of growing up in the shadow of fascism. It analyzes various sectors that supported Trump and the impacts of inflation, incumbency, economic …

Supporting Reentry In Higher Education: A Case Management Model For Justice-Impacted Students, Yefry S. Mata Diaz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Formerly incarcerated students in Monterey County face real barriers like housing instability, lack of basic needs, and limited coordinated support, which makes it harder to stay in school and increases the risk of recidivism. This capstone project, implemented through Project Rebound at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in partnership with Bridges Community Services, focused on improving reentry outcomes for justice-impacted students. The project introduced a liaison-based case management model that included outreach, intake assessments, warm referrals, and ongoing mentorship to connect students to campus and community resources. The project served formerly incarcerated and system-impacted CSUMB students dealing with challenges …

Improving Technology Skills And Usage For Older Adults, Jasmine Alaniz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper attempts to provide further context of how older adults may lack skills in technology usage, navigating the internet, and understanding complex technology processes.

Increasing Awareness Of Compassion Fatigue, Stress, And Burnout In A Helping Profession, Lyndsey L. Lacey

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many people in helping professions may be unaware of how to manage the stressors that come with helping others. When people in helping professions do not manage stress well, they may experience compassion fatigue or burnout, which can lead to worsened job performance and depression. When people in these professions learn about managing stress and avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout, they may be more effective at their job, improve the quality of care the client receives, and support their colleagues. In order to address this issue, I created a one-day stress management workshop for behavioral technicians at Breakthrough Behavior in …

Building Kindness Skills In Kindergarten And First Grade Children, Hannah Baker

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many kindergarten and first grade children have not yet learned effective social skills, particularly in demonstrating kindness towards others. Children who fail to develop these skills may struggle socially, have difficulty forming relationships, as well as developing feelings of loneliness and rejection. Children who do develop these social skills may improve relationships with their peers and may become more considerate people. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop for first graders from Cypress Community Church in Salinas, California.

Increasing Preschool Students' Awareness Of The Importance Of Good Hygiene, Hannah Valerie Verhoek

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many preschoolers have not yet developed the skills necessary for maintaining basic hygiene. Without the early introduction of hygiene skills, preschoolers may not maintain personal cleanliness, thereby increasing their risk of contracting an illness. When young children learn about the importance of good hygiene, they can create healthy routines, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, and practicing sanitation practices to keep germs away.  To increase their hygiene skills, I created a one-day lesson for the preschool students, located in the Early Development program on the California State University of Monterey Bay campus.

College Pathways And Requirements For Immigrant Parents Of High School Students, Yesel Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some parents, especially immigrant parents, know that college is important, but they do not understand how the college system works and how to get there. When parents are unaware,  their high-school-aged children might not get the support they need to make good decisions about college in the future or what career paths to take. When parents learn about the benefits of going to college or university,  they can better understand the process of what steps their students need to take to be eligible and apply, and can help and encourage their kids.  In order to address this issue, I created …

Spreading Knowledge About Coping Stress Strategies, Maya Centeno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Some children may not yet have developed skills for stress management. Students who lack these skills may do poorly in academics and feel  their feelings  When children learn stress management skills, they can become more calm across settings and with Therefore,” I created a one- day lesson plan for 9 to11 year old children from Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside, California.

Promoting Healthy Relationships Through Communication And Conflict Resolution Skills In Adolescents, Persephone G. Patrone

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many adolescents struggle with social skills and may be unaware of how to start and sustain healthy relationships. Without effective social skills, they may have difficulty forming long-lasting relationships and may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. Developing these social skills can lead to greater emotional well-being, confidence, and future success. Therefore, I have created a one-day workshop for adolescents who attend the Village Project Inc. in Seaside, California.

Bridging The Gap To Higher Education: Increasing Parental Knowledge On University Systems And Financial Aid, Maria G. Rosales Marquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many parents of high school students are unaware about the different university systems and financial aid options available to their students for attending college. Without this awareness, parents may not accept all of the financial aid that is offered to their student and may make poor financial decisions such as accepting loans and getting in debt to pay for their child’s education. More awareness about university systems and financial options can help parents support their adolescents’ pursuit of higher education and navigating costs. In order to address this issue, I created a 90-minute presentation for parents who have students in …

Empowering English Language Learners For Academic Success, Tiger L. Rendon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone explores how future educators in California can best support English Language Learners, who make up a large portion of the student population that strives for academic success. Despite ELL students being common in elementary school classrooms, the strategies that service teachers use are based on their own knowledge and experience, which, although beneficial, can be difficult to adapt in an ever-changing environment. This research was conducted to help future educators understand that, even without resources, many classroom strategies can empower ELL students and promote success. Through a literature review, an anonymous survey, and interviews with seven elementary school …

Using Online And Traditional Tools To Assess K-5 Homework Assignments, Annika M. Altman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Online school work is becoming more common with every passing academic year. Since the pandemic, there has been a major shift to online homework for elementary school students that has yet to go back to traditional paper and pen homework. The purpose of this capstone paper is to examine the ways that online homework has shifted since the schools returned from lockdown to face-to-face classroom. Through the use of literature review, interviews with 3 teachers, anonymous surveys for parents, teachers, and  students, the results indicated both parents and teachers share the responsibility to ensure that students complete homework, whether online …