Digital Commons Network^™

Impacts Of Energy Price Cap System On Electricity And Gas Prices In The Era Of Energy Crisis, Jyothi Swaroop Chava

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

29 million households in the United Kingdom (UK) use Energy Price Cap and the UK government spend about 43 billion dollars a year which is 1.7 percent of the GDP in subsidizing the energy price cap subsidies to the households and businesses. The energy prices in the UK have seen a significant rise in the past few years for distinct reasons. This culminating experience project explains the mechanism of the energy price cap used for the household energy supply in the UK and how it has been affected between the years 2022 to 2024. The research questions are: (Q1) How …

Truck Traffic Analysis In The Inland Empire, Bhavik Khatri

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study undertakes a meticulous examination of truck traffic within the Inland Empire, focusing on the distribution and dynamics of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to advocate for the region's transition to electric trucks. Utilizing advanced spatial analysis and data from Streetlight Data, it segments the region into six subregions, revealing distinct traffic patterns and environmental impacts. Notably, the research uncovers that the North Center and West zones, integral to the logistics and warehousing sectors, exhibit the highest traffic volumes, significantly influencing air quality and infrastructure.

Quantitative results from 2021 illustrate a pronounced disparity in truck activity: medium-weight vehicles accounted for …

Impact Of Seasonality On Demand Forecasting Techniques For Small-Scale Food Retailers, Indu Sree Guturu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of seasonality on SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) demand forecasting in small-scale food retailers through the analysis of historical sales data, focusing on four key products, labelled: Product A, Product B, Product C & Product D. The research aims to assess the accuracy of different forecasting models in capturing seasonal fluctuations. The research questions are: (Q1) What is the impact of seasonality on SKU demand forecasting in case of small-scale food retailers. (Q2) How does the efficacy of Traditional model compare to alternative technologically driven forecasting techniques? (Q3) To what extent can the impact of seasonality …

Barriers To Gender-Affirming Care, Gloria Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals who have accessed or are thinking of seeking gender-affirming medical care in a rural California county. The study adopted a post-positivist approach, and data was gathered from ten qualitative interviews with study participants. In the data analysis phase, the researcher utilized a bottoms-up approach and engaged in open, axial, and selective coding. Data analysis of qualitative interviews revealed sixteen open codes and connections between these codes. These codes were then categorized into three themes: the impact of an individual’s experience when accessing care, barriers to …

On Cheeger Constants Of Knots, Robert Lattimer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In this thesis, we will look at finding bounds for the Cheeger constant of links. We will do this by analyzing an infinite family of links call two-bridge fully augmented links. In order to find a bound on the Cheeger constant, we will look for the Cheeger constant of the link’s crushtacean. We will use that Cheeger constant to give us insight on a good cut for the link itself, and use that cut to obtain a bound. This method gives us a constructive way to find an upper bound on the Cheeger constant of a two-bridge fully augmented link. …

Childhood Neglect And Incarceration As A Adult, Marissa Mejia, Diana Gallegos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project aims to explain the relationship between experiencing childhood neglect and being incarcerated as an adult, and to see if childhood neglect is a contributing factor to incarceration as an adult. This systematic literature review will identify prior research and analyze it in order to answer the formulated research question. Does Childhood Neglect lead an adult to incarceration? This specific research method also identifies trends, gaps in knowledge, and areas for future research. The results from this study have provided empirically supported information that could be used in the field of social work, in schools, and in the …

The Aftermath Of The Pandemic’S Effect On College Student Depression, Lorena Sedano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The present study examines how stress from the aftermath of the pandemic has affected college student depression. Using qualitative methods, ten college students voluntarily participated in recorded interviews. During these interviews students shared how the return to normality affected their experiences with depression, and the experiences of other students on campus. The study examined coping mechanisms to their adaptations, student’s individual stories, the effects that were viewed on campus, and their experiences during this transition. Students also completed the PHQ-2 and brief questions from the perceived stress scale. During the completion of the PHQ-2, 60% of students reported to have …

Stressors, Caffeine Consumption, And Mental Health Concerns Among College Students, Stacey Trejo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between mental health challenges, life balance concerns and caffeine consumption among college students. As caffeine is considered a psychoactive and cognitive enhancer that enhances physical performance, consuming an excess of caffeine can result in caffeine intoxication, which may include experiencing negative side effects.

Utilizing quantitative methods and availability sampling, 61 college students completed a self-administered online survey via Instagram and, with the assistance of professors, in classrooms. The self-administered Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) reveals that college students are experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A majority …

Jane Austen And A Biographical Study Of The Historical Narrative Process, Serena Young

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Jane Austen, beloved national literary icon of Great Britain, is world-renowned for her fiction. Biographers have attempted to authentically piece together her life and often, try to connect her narrative to when and how her fiction was written, as well as point out circumstances within her personal life and speculate their influence on her work. Literary analysts and critics that have examined the historical narrative process, Hayden White and Kevin Gilvary, have found that the way in which a historical account is presented plays a significant role in how history is understood and perpetuated. When examining Jane Austen’s life, many …

Mexican Cookbook For People On Dialysis Treatment, Abigail Guadalupe Ellenich

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Dialysis is a treatment for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) with nonfunctioning kidneys. Managing nutrition during dialysis is crucial for improving patients’ quality of life and involves moderate consumption of protein, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and fluids. The objective of this project was to develop a cookbook that used traditional recipes from Mexican culture and modify the ingredients to meet the unique dietary needs of persons receiving dialysis. A qualitative assessment was performed to ensure that traditional flavors were retained. The recipes were obtained from various internet sources and ingredients were modified to meet and ensure compliance with the …

Factors That Contribute To Disparities In Access To Mental Health Services Within Hispanic Adults, Jasmine Soriano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this research project was to understand and identify the challenges Hispanic adults face when accessing their mental health services to better understand this concerning issue and help support social workers in bridging that gap in the Hispanic community. The study took place at a mental health clinic in Southern California through virtual interviews for those who chose to participate. This agency provides mental health therapy to individuals 0-21 years of age, but for the purpose of this study, only adults aged 18-21 qualified to participate. The study consisted of twelve voluntary participants from both Hispanic adult clients …

Self-Care Habits And Burnout Among County Social Workers On The Central Coast Of California, Jaclyn Boyd, Denise Ojeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Burnout, stress, and retention challenges have become pervasive issues among social workers in Child Welfare Services. The experience of stress and burnout can profoundly impact a worker's physical health and overall well-being. Implementing self-care practices, which involve attending to one's health and well-being through activities such as exercise, spiritual engagement, and hobbies, can effectively mitigate feelings of stress and burnout, fostering a positive impact on individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between reported stress levels and self-care habits among Child Welfare Services social workers in two counties on California's central coast. To gather relevant data, …

Leveraging Blockchain Technology To Revamp The Vehicle Electrification Journey: Perspectives Of Accountability And Economic Circularity, Eva Escobar Brown

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transition accelerated by global emission regulations for a phase out of internal combustion engines (ICEs) and a transition toward the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). While regulatory measures and incentivized adoption for EVs presents opportunities for reducing emissions and promoting sustainability, it also poses complex challenges. The EV industry faces potential production challenges, particularly in the sourcing, manufacturing, and lifecycle management of critical minerals and raw materials for electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). With a heavy reliance on a steady and diversified supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, …

The Role Of Social Support And Emotional Regulation In Relationship With Adverse Childhood Experiences And Food Addiction, Negin Ghaffari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that occur before the age of 18 and can have long-standing impacts on mental and physical health. Individuals with high exposure to ACEs may be at increased risk for depression, substance use disorders, and cardiovascular disease (Hughes et al., 2017). Social support has been shown to play an essential role in reducing the likelihood of adverse outcomes, such as substance dependence following exposure to adverse experiences. Furthermore, emotional regulation difficulties have been shown to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and food addiction. There has been little research on adverse events in …

Through The Lens Of Families And Staff In Emergency Shelters, Elizabeth Barcenas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research study explored the effectiveness that emergency shelters have on families transitioning into stable housing by gathering the perspectives of a former client and a staff member from a shelter in Riverside County. This research study utilized a qualitative approach, interviewing participants one-on-one from the shelter with open-ended questions. The themes that emerged during the study were the perspectives of the shelter, the barriers and challenges families face, and the services and support received within the shelter.

The study provides insight into the shelter, the challenges families face, the services offered, what’s working, and areas for improvement through the …

Addressing Rural Mental Health Crises: An Alternative To Police, Faith Ann Weatheral-Block

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

There has been an increase in contacts between law enforcement and people with mental illness since the start of deinstitutionalization in the 1960s. When law enforcement officers respond to crisis calls without the proper training, the likelihood of that interaction ending fatally is far greater. The purpose of this study is to determine mental health professionals' readiness to serve as an alternative to law enforcement in addressing mental health crises in rural areas. Using the nonprobability sampling methods of convenience and snowball, this exploratory qualitative study involved semi- structured interviews with 10 adult mental health professionals from various backgrounds in …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Altruism: The Impact On Social Work As A Career Choice, Nancy Salas, Brittany Altuna

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore and examine whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and altruistic behavior have a correlation between whether an individual chooses social work as a career choice. A quantitative study was conducted which included the responses of 99 students enrolled in a school of social work from a Southern California University. The participants were administered two sets of questionnaires via a Qualtrics online survey. One questionnaire measured the number of ACE’s a participant had experienced before the age of eighteen. The second questionnaire was a simplified nine item self-report altruism (SRA) scale that measured the …

The Barriers To Natural Outdoor Spaces: Perspectives From People With Mobility Disabilities, Sierra Fields, Kailah Prince

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Past research has predominantly examined the accessibility challenges encountered in built environments, particularly in urban parks and playgrounds. However, there is a gap in understanding the experiences of individuals with mobility disabilities in natural outdoor spaces, particularly state and national parks (SNPs). This study aims to address this gap by investigating the experiences of individuals with mobility disabilities within SNPs. Through qualitative data collection methods, including in-depth interviews, this research explores the perspectives of seven individuals who have visited SNPs in the past decade. The major findings covered a range of topics, including demographics, personal experiences, transportation barriers, infrastructure accessibility, …

Hispanic Cookbook For Individuals With Diabetes, Jewel Santamaria

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Can a cookbook positively influence the quality of life for Hispanics with diabetes? The purpose of this study was to develop a cookbook that is diabetic-friendly and culturally appropriate using common traditional Hispanic ingredients and methods.

Methods: Recipes for traditional Hispanic dishes were modified to meet nutritional needs for people with diabetes. The modified recipes were very similar to traditional Mexican cuisine, except healthier ingredients and techniques were substituted from the original recipes. Nutritional analysis was conducted using Cronometer software, with inclusions of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat in the cookbook. Additionally, a carbohydrate exchange for each recipe …

An Exploration Of Synergy Evaluation Application Model To Support Implementation On Merger And Acquisition, Jieping Mei

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The project focuses on a comprehensive system’s analysis and design of the front-end of the Synergy Evaluation Application Model (SEAM) system for mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The research questions asked are: Q1. How did the SEAM system incorporate the system requirements and design that incorporated the strategic goals and priorities of both the acquirer and the acquiree? Q2. What data sources will the SEAM system rely on, and how does it overcome data integration, automation, visualization challenges? Q3. How will the model identify build in potential synergies, both quantitative and qualitative? The research questions were analyzed through the SEAM …

Away From Keyboard: Practical Applications Of Antifascism, Amber Sarelle Easley

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My work sits uncomfortably between and across the disciplines of activism and art. This tension is typical of Socially Engaged Art: a social interaction proclaiming itself as art. I aim for these interactions to center antifascism in interrogating the complex interrelation between digital spaces and the streets outside our front doors, as antifascism is the only appropriate response to the blatant fascistic aspirations that is both digitally and physically present.

Things That Are Long, Frankie Gutierrez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Bigfoot has become an important motif for Frankie Gutierrez, especially since his transition in 2021. The characters in this exhibition showcase the deeply personal exploration of transness and non-mainstream trans identities, the in-depth observations of others, and their interactions with transgender people. He compares transness to the likeness of bigfoot, typically an elusive and hard-to-find character that everyone suspects, but has rarely been seen. Evidence of their existence surrounds us, but only those with open minds can truly see them. The characters in this show look like you and me, and no one at all. This exhibition is not meant …

Griz Give-And-Get: Understanding The Context, Philosophy, And Logistics Behind A Project To Reduce Waste At The University Of Montana, Sam Sullivan

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Griz Give-and-Get is an online platform at the University of Montana that aims to reduce consumer waste. It attempts to do this by providing students and staff with a place to give away their used items. The first objective of this essay is to describe the process behind Griz Give-and-Get’s early development. The second objective is to relate concepts from environmental philosophy to Griz Give-and-Get’s mission. Although part of Griz Give-and-Get’s mission is to build community and to mitigate the effects of student poverty, this essay will narrow its focus to explore the first issue that Griz Give-and-Get concerns itself …

(De)Composition: Earthen Storytelling For Collective Liberation, Priya Subberwal

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This interdisciplinary portfolio is an investigation into ecological communication through pedagogical design, online collaborative learning spaces, digital and print media, and creative writing. Braiding lenses of queer ecology, decolonial studies, anarchism, and collaborative and creative practice, this work hopes to explore the field of environmental communication through avenues that are reciprocal, community-driven, and oriented towards environmental justice and collective, intersectional liberation. Through the three distinct components of 1) the creation and facilitation of an online learning community, the Spiritual Ecology Study Club at Advaya, 2) the editing and production of two issues of Camas Magazine, an environmental literary magazine based …

The Utilization Of Music And Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response In Reducing Stress, Robert Scott

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Stress is often identified as a “silent killer” and the negative impact on one’s mental and physical well-being is greatly impacted without intervention. This study sought to determine which form of coping, autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) or music, is an effective strategy for reducing stress. The study was conceptualized using the positivist paradigm of research. An electronic survey was dispersed to participants via the website SurveyMonkey. Descriptive data was collected using demographic information gathered during the first portion of the survey. Participants’ self-identified stress levels were gathered before and after they viewed their randomly assigned coping strategy (ASMR or …

Caregivers Of Dialysis Patients, Alyssa Bousquet, Amelia Murillo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored the stress and coping skills as it relates to the burden of care experienced by Caregivers of Dialysis patient's. Questionnaires were sent out to 100 caregivers currently caring for dialysis patient's. The surveys explored demographics, stress, self-care, and types of care provided. Questionnaires were designed in order to elicit responses associated with perceived burden of care. These questions were also designed to pinpoint areas of exploration for future research based on the responses of the sample.

Comparing Outcomes Of Mechanical And Manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation In Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Margaret Beyer, Fabirce I. Mowbray, Nicole Wannis, David A. Berger, Christine M. Brent, Robert Dunne, Theresa A. Shields, Matthew T. Ball, Joseph Miller, Howard Klausner

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background and Objectives: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, with over 350,000 per year. Despite improvements in care, OHCA outcomes remain low. Chest compressions can be administered manually or via an automated mechanical device. Mechanical CPR (mCPR) devices are designed to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) by delivering consistent compression depth and rate. This retrospective cohort of the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) compared survival to hospital discharge with good neurological status (CPC 1 or 2) between manual and mechanical CPR. Methods: The CDC collaborated with Emory University …

The Impact Of Health-Related Social Needs On Health Outcomes Among Youth Presenting To A Midwest Pediatric Diabetes Clinic Network, Jasmine Roghair, Emily Dewit, Katelyn Evans, Mitchell Barnes, Heather Feingold, Samantha Jacob, Courtney M. Winterer, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Mark A. Clements, Shilpi Relan, Kelsee Halpin

Posters

Objective: Screening for health-related social needs (HRSNs) is recommended as part of routine diabetes care given the strong impact of social factors on health outcomes. Our objective was to compare diabetes-related health outcomes among youth presenting to a tertiary diabetes center based on whether they screened positive or negative for HRSNs at a routine clinic visit. Methods: Baseline data were collected from patients whose parent/guardian completed a HRSN screen as part of their child’s diabetes clinic intake from 9/1/21 to 8/30/22. The screen is a 6-item questionnaire adapted from the Accountable Health Communities HRSNs Screening Tool. Longitudinal data were analyzed …

Dental Manifestations Of A 4-Year Old Male Patient With Congenital Vitamin D Rickets: Review Of The Literature And Report Of A Case, Richard Nguyen, Robin Onikul, Brenda S. Bohaty, Neena Patel, Jenna Sparks, Amy Burleson

Posters

Patients that present with Vitamin D-resistant rickets may have abnormal tooth morphology, such as enlarged pulp horns that may extend into the dentino-enamel junction. As a result of this communication, there may be an increased chance of pulpal infection, resulting in spontaneous dental abscesses occurring without evident caries or history of trauma. The purpose of this poster is to report the case of a four-year-old patient who presented to Children’s Mercy Kansas City Dental clinic with chief concern for swelling of the face with unknown causes. The patient’s medical history was significant for congenital Vitamin D-resistant rickets. The poster presents …

February In Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, Grace Milburn

Posters

Describes her experience working in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.