Digital Commons Network^™

Generalizable Skill Learning In Robotic Agents Using Transformer Models, Erik Enriquez

Theses and Dissertations

This work explores the application of Transformer models to robotic skill learning, aiming to enhance generalization across various physical tasks and environments with continuous control. Despite their success in other domains, our experiments reveal that the utility of Transformers in robotics heavily depends on pretraining strategies. Specifically, Transformers pretrained on reinforcement learning tasks generalized effectively, while those trained with task-agnostic masking strategies did not. These findings challenge assumptions about the universality of Transformer-based methods and underscore the importance of domain-aligned pretraining for developing versatile robotic agents.

Identification Of Cadmium As A Structural And Functional Modulator Of Psd-95 Regulating Nmdars At Postsynaptic Membranes, Claudia Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) is an essential scaffolding protein in excitatory neurons. PSD-95’s N-terminal palmitoylation region elicits synaptic plasticity by targeting, anchoring, and trafficking glutamate receptors, such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), to the postsynaptic membrane. The molecular interactions of PSD-95 and its dysregulation in excitatory synapses are currently being explored as primary causes of neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. Recent studies demonstrate an overaccumulation of zinc at two cysteines (C3 and C5) and two histidines (H24 and H28) of PSD-95 blocks palmitoylation, causing a loss of NMDAR at the postsynaptic membrane. In addition, exposure …

A Modern Prometheus: Frankenstein's Relevance In Our Modern Society, Amanda C. Partida

Theses and Dissertations

For over two hundred years Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been in the public consciousness. It took only five years for the first adaptation, Presumption; or the Fate of Frankenstein, to be staged in 1825. Since then, there has been at least one adaptation every decade, with Universal Studios’ 1931 Frankenstein as the most famous adaptation, which shows just how much Shelley’s novel of science and hubris has resonated with audiences for many years.

This thesis aims to connect the ever-changing scientific anxieties of society with the most well-known Frankenstein film adaptations. By focusing on four specific films Frankenstein (1931), …

Two Essays On Finance And Culture, Gia Han Ngoc Doan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two essays on finance and culture. The first essay examines the relationship between corporate quality culture and product recalls. The results show that firms with a stronger quality culture are less likely to have product recalls. This relationship is stronger for firms with more female directors and higher levels of managerial ability. We also find that for firms in high-tech industries, the impact of quality culture on product failure is more profound. The results are robust to various endogeneity tests and alternative models. Our findings support that a firm’s quality culture significantly influences product success and …

The Impact Of Politics On Romantic Relationships: Longevity, Quality, And Political Beliefs Or Candidate Choice?, Jadelyn Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This project aimed to understand how polarization in the United States affects romantic relationships. Other studies in this area have only gauged samples that were either couples in relationships or singles. This work compared the responses of individuals based on their relationship status (in a relationship or not), to note the differences, if any, between samples. This research was conducted through surveys on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley student population.

In understanding how political opinions affect relationship longevity, satisfaction, and whether candidate choice or opinions matter more, there were interesting findings. Regarding relationship longevity, there was a significance …

Carbon Dioxide, Methane, And Nitrous Oxide Fluxes From Managed Aquatic Systems Of The Rio Grande Valley, Siena Rose Stassi

Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics from small-scale inland water remain relatively understudied, with knowledge gaps across ecosystem types and regions. In South Texas, there is a unique system of managed distributaries and their associated ox-bow lakes, commonly known as resacas. Most resacas are artificially managed and considered novel ecosystems, yet their GHG dynamics are unknown. Two resaca systems were monitored throughout one year to understand the magnitude, temporal variation, and environmental drivers of diffusive fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), along with ebullitive CH4 emissions. Emissions of both CO2 and CH4 peaked in hot summer months, …

Territorio Nepantla: A Visual Exploration Of The Matamoros – Brownsville Borderlands, Michel Valeria Flores Tavizón

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the work presented in the MFA exhibition titled Territorio Nepantla. A multidisciplinary exhibition featuring a visual exploration of the Matamoros and Rio Grande Valley borderlands through the perspective of a Mexican transfronteriza traversing the Matamoros – Brownsville border. The feminist Chicana theory of nepantla, a word from Nahuatl origin meaning “in-between” is central to the exhibition. Scholar Gloria Anzaldua defines the borderlands as a nepantla space, a liminal space where art and la frontera intersect. Nepantla represents the in-betweenness beyond physicality. A nepantla space can be emotional, spiritual, sexual, linguistical and more. This body of work …

Climate Resilience In Texas Assessing The Impact Of Extreme Weather On Energy Poverty And The Mitigating Role Of Tree Canopy Coverage, Yongwen Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Extreme weather events, including severe heat and cold waves —increasingly threaten public health, economic stability, and energy equity. This two-part study examines the interplay between extreme weather, energy poverty, and green infrastructure (tree canopy coverage) in Texas, a state characterized by climatic extremes and socioeconomic diversity.

This study consists of four chapters. The first chapter in the Introduction includes the research background, existing research, research gaps, research questions, and potential contributions. Followed by two core chapters. Chapter II aims to assess the impact of extreme weather on energy poverty at the household level. Chapter III aims to identify whether tree …

Survival, Biofilm Formation, And Control Of Foodborne Pathogens In Hydroponic Systems, Sai Rithin Reddy Kothur Thirupathi

Theses and Dissertations

The growing global population and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have intensified the demand for sustainable food production methods. Hydroponics, a form of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), has gained attention as a viable solution due to its efficient use of resources such as land and water. Although hydroponic systems are perceived as safer alternatives to conventional farming, recent foodborne outbreaks associated with these systems have raised significant public health concerns. This thesis research investigated the food safety risk in hydroponic, particularly the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens. Chapters I and II provide a comprehensive overview of hydroponics and the microbial …

Unveiling Perspectives: Young Adults Banned Books Critical Content Analysis, Tiffany Ladonna Jarebica

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation conducts a critical content analysis of seven banned young adult novels—All Boys Aren’t Blue, All the Things We Do in the Dark, Almost Perfect, Ask the Passengers, The Bluest Eyes, The Hate U Give, and The Kite Runner—within one Texas school district. Using intersectionality theory as a lens, the study explores how intersecting identities such as race, gender, sexuality, and trauma are portrayed in these narratives and examines the role these portrayals play in the censorship process. The analysis investigates the socio-cultural, political, and institutional factors that influenced the removal of these texts, considering how their …

Implementing And Evaluating An Ai-Powered Visual Decision Support System To Improve Antibiotic Usage Among Physicians With A Built-In Early Warning System, Akua Sekyiwaa Osei-Nkwantabisa

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread misuse and excessive prescription of antibiotics have played a pivotal role in the emergence and proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a critical global public health crisis. Addressing this challenge necessitates innovative solutions that enhance antimicrobial stewardship. This study presents the development and implementation of a visual decision support system designed to monitor and optimize antibiotic usage among healthcare providers. The proposed system integrates advanced machine learning algorithms with real-time data analytics to provide a dynamic, evidence-based decision support tool. Specifically, a neural network model was developed after evaluating multiple machine learning approaches, including Random Forest, Logistic Regression and …

Evaluating The Impact Of Reflex Math On Mathematics Achievement In Elementary Schools: A Quasi-Experimental Study In South Texas, Kasey Juarez

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the impact of Reflex Math, a gamebased instructional program focused on building math fact automaticity, on the achievement of Grade 3-5 students in a South Texas public school district. The study compared a 2023 intervention group that used the program from August to December with a 2022 comparison group that did not. The intervention’s effectiveness varied by grade level, with Grade 3 students showing the most positive gains, no significant effect in Grade 4, and a slight negative difference in Grade 5. Results showed statistically significant, though modest, gains in mathematics achievement among students who …

Other Others At The Border: An Autoethnographic Inquiry, Clover Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the concept of multiple otherness in online learning environments in Hispanic Serving Institutions. Hispanic Serving Institutions may unintentionally perpetuate practices and curricula that exclude and decenter the needs of older, disabled, or geographically diverse black women who may not identify within the university’s focus. Despite their missions to servingness of a stated population, Hispanic serving institutions must examine existing curricula that primarily cater to the dominant minority group they have tasked themselves to serve. By investigating existing curricular practices, this research seeks to maintain the integrity of minority-serving institutions while encouraging inclusivity for all students. By …

Family-Centered Organization Creating “Lazos” To Affix Families And Their Students To Education: A Case Study, Erica Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, parental involvement has alternatively shifted from being a central participant within the United States’ education reform to being a secondary input stakeholder primarily due to the constant attempts to align its purpose, presence, and effects in education initiatives. Additionally, the varied constructs considered by multiple researchers and federal or state education agencies to define ‘parental involvement’, the variety of ‘population descriptors’, and ‘types of communication’ have increased the complexity to address the needs diverse family structures have to successfully build “lazos” to affix themselves and their students to education. This case study explores the perspectives low socioeconomic Hispanic families …

Perceptions Of Special Education Teachers On The Transition Planning Process: Examining Practices That Predict A Positive Post-Secondary Outcome For Students With Disabilities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley School Districts, Mayra Lorena Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the significance of the transition planning process for students with disabilities, particularly from the perspectives of the special education teachers. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this research examined the role of the student, parent, work related experiences and teacher involvement in the transition process, and the relationship between these factors and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) measures. Using a quantitative approach, that included special education teachers’ responses to the Secondary Education Transition Questionnaire adapted version and a cross analysis with 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) CCMR indicators, the study identified critical gaps between …

Exploring Secondary Content And Career And Technical Education (Cte) Teacher Self-Efficacy In Supporting The Literacy Needs Of Long-Termed Emergent Bilinguals: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry, Jennifer Louise Burden

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation employed a mixed-methods convergent design, incorporating survey data and semi-structured interviews to investigate the self-efficacy of high school teachers in content areas and Career and Technical Education (CTE) towards their perceived abilities to support emergent bilingual students, particularly in content-specific literacy.

Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory and Dweck's (2008) growth mindset, this study explores how educators' perceptions of their abilities impact their instructional practices and student outcomes.

Findings reveal a need for more training and resources to increase student engagement, which impacts academic outcomes and attendance and calls for comprehensive reforms in teacher …

¿Puedo Decirlo En Español?: Teacher Views On Utilizing Translanguaging Pedagogies To Bridge The Language Gap In Secondary Classrooms, Luis Carlos Bocanegra

Theses and Dissertations

Translanguaging disrupts the notion of language as a fixed, separate system, offering a deeper insight into how individuals fluidly navigate and construct meaning across linguistic boundaries. This research study uses narrative research and participatory action research to employ translanguaging as a pedagogical framework to create inclusive spaces where emergent bilinguals could fully utilize their linguistic repertoire in secondary schools in the borderlands of the Rio Grande Vally in deep South Texas.

The findings of this study are organized into two overarching themes: cultural relevance and inclusivity in borderland schools, which brings to light the importance of culture, inclusivity, and supportive …

A Comparative Study Of Urban And Natural Nesting Gray Hawks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of South Texas, Evan Farese

Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization can negatively impact birds of prey, which occupy higher trophic levels. The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a neotropical raptor inhabiting the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, where it is threatened. The species’ ecology has been little studied and it is unclear how urbanization may affect population viability. I studied Gray Hawk reproductive success, diet, and thermal ecology at nests in urban and natural habitats in the LRGV. Camera trap data showed adults at urban nests delivered mostly avian prey, while mammalian prey was most frequently brought to natural nests. Data from temperature loggers showed …

Parenting Among Mothers With High Psychosocial Stress In South-Central Appalachia: Aspirations, Actions, And Intervention, Kelly Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conceptualizations of adaptive parenting within Appalachia have been historically limited by the scarcity of research with the region as well as stereotyped depictions of Appalachian parents. As such, this project aimed to examine Appalachian parenting through a culturally sensitive lens by centering lived experiences through the ecological systems theory. The sample included mothers (n = 41) who attended Mom Power, an attachment-based, trauma-informed parenting skills intervention in the Appalachian Highlands. Reflective Thematic Analysis was used to analyze qualitative interview data by exploring and conceptualizing current parenting challenges and associated maternal feelings and reactions. Results include the development of a metaphor …

Knowledge And Perceptions About Feeding And Growth In Infants And Young Children Among Early Interventionists, Kayla Chambers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutrition plays a vital role in early childhood, where rapid growth and development occur. This study investigates Early Interventionists’ (EIs) nutrition knowledge and perceptions of nutrition-related concerns in children receiving services through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). An electronic survey was distributed to EIs in Tennessee to assess their nutrition knowledge and perceptions and to identify nutrition concerns. Findings revealed that most EIs have never received any nutrition education, despite being asked for nutrition guidance by families and being open to nutrition-related training. The EIs reported seeing nutrition concerns such as growth delays, food refusal, and picky eating, but …

Tennessee Magnet Schools: Examining The Relationship Between Magnet School Designation And Student Achievement In Secondary Public Schools, Alex Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between magnet school designation and student achievement in Tennessee secondary public schools. Three years (2021-2023) of student achievement data from the Tennessee Department of Education was used to analyze student performance in 24 magnet and 287 traditional non-magnet schools. Schools were included in the study if they operated continuously throughout the study period and were categorized as either a public magnet school or a traditional non-magnet school. Excluded from the study were virtual, charter, alternative schools, and early colleges.

Four research questions were crafted to guide this study. Student …

Peer-Led Support Groups For People With Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, Linnea Tabaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease when diagnosed between the ages of 21 and 50. This population faces unique challenges due to family, social, and career demands that correlate with the age of diagnosis. Support groups have been utilized frequently for people with traditional PD and their caregivers but may not meet the unique needs people with EOPD face. This study explores the existing benefits of a peer-led support group (group led by members of the group) for persons with EOPD. Methodology: This is a qualitative case study of an established support …

Application Of Deep Learning On Gage R&R For Anomaly Detection, Oluwatope Richard Ojo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the application of deep learning techniques, specifically autoencoder based models, to enhance anomaly detection within Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies—an essential component of Measurement System Analysis (MSA) in quality engineering. Traditional Gage R&R methodologies, while effective for linear and low-dimensional data, exhibit limitations in detecting subtle, nonlinear variations in complex measurement systems. To address this challenge, an unsupervised autoencoder was developed and trained on a synthetically generated dataset comprising 2,500 voltage measurements (5V and 33V) derived using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) based on real-world manufacturing data measurements.

The proposed autoencoder model achieved a 95th percentile-based …

Inferring Feeding Biology In Extinct Shrews (Soricidae: Mammalia): Application Of A Linear Morphometric Approach, Derek J. Den Ouden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Linear morphometrics have been used extensively to infer the ecology of fossil organisms, but shrews have not yet been thoroughly explored using this technique. Often considered to have a homogenous insectivorous diet, direct dietary observation suggests shrew dietary diversity is substantial. Diversity of this nature is well established to have influenced skull morphology in other mammal clades, so similar patterns are hypothesized to be detectable in shrews. To test this, I examined the link between known diet and morphological disparity in extant shrews using linear morphometrics and then utilized that framework to infer the dietary ecology of several fossil taxa. …

Revealing Hidden Histories: A Multi-Sensor Aerial Survey For Detecting Unmarked Burials At Sinking Spring Cemetery, Abingdon, Va, Noah Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Sinking Spring Cemetery, established in 1773 in Abingdon, Virginia, spans 11 acres and is divided by a road. The 9-acre southern section was reserved for white church members. Enslaved individuals and free people of color were buried in the smaller northern section, where few headstones remain today. This study aimed to map the unmarked graves using thermal, multispectral, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors deployed on unmanned aerial systems. Graves were characterized by subtle topographic depressions mapped by LiDAR and cooler radiant temperature anomalies in thermal imagery. Thermal data collected at different times of the day and year …

Adapting To The Digital Age: Information Management Strategies For Improving Customer Perceptions Of Digital Banking In Ghana, Crystal Frema Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mobile money services are crucial in the financial landscape of Ghana’s economy. Despite Ghana's successful Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) project, significant disparities exist in digital banking service utilization. Using Design Science Research, this study examines customer hesitancy in digital banking adoption. The TIDE framework was developed by analyzing the information management practices and artifacts of MTN Mobile Money, Banks and reviewing the literature. It comprises three key pillars: Security Management, Customer Education, and Experience Enhancement. This framework aims to instill digital trust, improve service adoption and utilization, and promote financial inclusion and digital literacy. Expert reviews acknowledged its potential to …

Male And Female Contributions To Sexual Dimorphism, Catherine L.W. Clayton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since Darwin, the evolution of sexual dimorphism connects to different evolutionary mechanisms reflecting both natural selection and sexual selection. In primates, body size dimorphism has been attributed to multiple factors, including sexual selection, fecundity selection, ecological selection, and other factors. In contrast, canine tooth size dimorphism has been primarily associated with sexual selection in males with minor change in females, with other factors playing only a secondary role. This suggests that the degree to which body size dimorphism and canine size dimorphism covary, controlling for phylogeny, should reflect the strength of sexual selection. Conversely, the magnitude of divergence between the …

Exploring The Role Of Influencer Marketing In The Animal Health Industry: A Content Analysis Of Strategies And Impact, Haylee Henry

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A review of literature revealed a lack of peer-reviewed research on influencer marketing within the animal health and nutrition industry, specifically within the livestock sector. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing how animal health and nutrition companies of different sizes utilized influencer marketing and how consumers interacted with content tailored to influencer marketing. A content analysis was conducted. This study collected and analyzed social media influencer posts from eight North American animal health and nutrition companies, three small, three medium, and two large, between January 2023 and December 2024. Influencer content included posts by individuals, partner organizations, …

“For There Is Hope Of A Tree…”: A Study Of Two Historic African American Cemeteries In Pope County, Illinois, Martha Clare Buchert

Theses

To add to a growing body of academic literature regarding historic African American cemeteries, this study examines two such cemeteries located in Pope County, Illinois: the Miller Grove Cemetery and the Hill Cemetery. Utilizing several different investigative methods, including pedestrian survey, geophysical survey, and historic research, the archaeological features and material culture of both cemeteries were studied to see what could be learned about their associated communities without ground disturbance. The results of these methods demonstrate the connections of members within these communities and the interconnectedness of historic African American settlements throughout southern Illinois and the greater Midwest. They also …

Perilaku Pencarian Informasi Stray Kids (K-Pop) Oleh Kelompok Penggemar Melalui Twitter, Hanifah Basirah Azizah Fahimah

Jurnal Ilmu Informasi, Perpustakaan, dan Kearsipan

K-pop is a type of music that is popular with the public, especially teenagers. One of the popular K-pop music groups is Stray Kids. Stray Kids has a lot of fans, which is around 4.5 million seen from Stray Kids followers on social media. Based on this, this research was conducted to analyze how fans search for the latest Stray Kids information through Twitter social media using the Wilson theory method which consists of context of information needed, activating, intervening variables, activating mechanism and information seeking behavior. Based on the research conducted, the results were found in the form …