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Support systems : a single case study exploring collaborative efforts to promote positive mental health in Greater Houston high schools.
No full textIn the Greater Houston area, a growing number of adolescents are grappling with severe mental health challenges. These mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders) can have profound effects on students' learning, development, and overall quality of life without timely and adequate interventions. Despite the escalating need, many adolescent-age students do not have access to adequate mental health services, particularly within the school setting. The increasing prevalence of these mental health challenges and limited access to care highlights the need for school-based interventions that create learning environments conducive to student well-being. To address these challenges, I conducted a qualitative single case study to explore how high schools in the Greater Houston area provide mental health support through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. This study aimed to understand how schools integrate mental health services into their existing structures and how support group facilitators work alongside other school personnel to implement these interventions. I gathered data through semi-structured interviews and a focus group session. Four support group facilitators participated in the study, offering detailed insights into their firsthand experiences and perspectives. I analyzed the data to identify the strategies the support group facilitators employed to support students and identified the unique challenges they faced in delivering mental health services effectively within the school system. The findings of this study identify implications for educational policy and practice. The support group facilitators in this study highlighted strategies that effectively promoted mental health within the MTSS framework, such as early intervention and ongoing collaboration with school personnel. However, they also identified significant barriers, including limited resources, varying levels of buy-in from school personnel, and challenges in maintaining consistent communication. The support group facilitators' descriptions of their collaborative efforts within the MTSS framework suggest that these initiatives positively impact student well-being. These descriptions offer informative perspectives and actionable guidance for shaping future initiatives to improve mental health support in schools. Ultimately, these insights contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve educational and mental health outcomes for adolescents in the Greater Houston area
Feedback control of analog neurons and shunting inhibition in dendrites for bio-inspired neuromorphic systems.
No full textNeuromorphic engineering is an interdisciplinary field that takes inspiration from biological nervous systems to develop artificial computational architectures. This research revisits the original vision of neuromorphic computing by focusing on analog circuit implementations that closely emulate biological neural mechanisms. The work explores a tuning approach for analog neuron circuits based on the Izhikevich model and advances the use of dendritic circuits implemented with subthreshold MOSFET transistors. A key contribution is the development of a calibration technique for an analog neuron circuit capable of exhibiting complex spiking behaviors. A proof-of-concept tuning algorithm is introduced, leveraging spike pattern feature extraction and proportional feedback control to adjust the neuron’s output. This approach can be used to ensure consistent spiking responses across neurons in a neuromorphic system, even in the presence of noise or component variations. Another key contribution is the implementation of analog dendrite circuits as active computational elements rather than passive structures. By utilizing shunting inhibition— an inhibitory mechanism that modulates the response of a neuron’s membrane potential— an analog dendrite circuit is proposed that can perform gain modulation in a power-efficient manner. This is demonstrated through an analog circuit that models shunting inhibition and its effect on processing excitatory current signals. The research further investigates the potential of using analog dendrites in motion vision applications. Inspired by recent findings in Drosophila T4 neurons, an analog circuit using shunting inhibition is shown to enable high-level computation like coincidence detection and direction selectivity. This approach offers an alternative to classical delay-and-compare models, potentially overcoming their limitations in processing high-speed stimuli. The adaptability of the shunting conductance mechanism could allow for a broader range of velocity tuning in neuromorphic vision systems. Ultimately, this work bridges gaps in analog neuromorphic system design by introducing neuron calibration techniques and demonstrating an application of active dendritic computation. The findings contribute to the broader goal of developing biologically inspired, energy-efficient computing architectures that leverage the intricate computational properties of neural tissue
Silence as politics : witness and resistance in contemplation.
No full textThis project finds its roots in the broader integration of the vita contemplativa and the vita activa, in which contemplation is understood as a spiritual practice with effects upon our political realities. In this view, contemplation and, more particularly, contemplative silence are relational, embodied acts deeply entangled with the socio-political reality in which they emerge. To that end, in this dissertation, I argue that silence functions performatively in ways analogous to and dialectically with speech. Not merely the absence of sound or speech, we convey meaning through acts of silence, which in turn affect the world in which we live. Instead of passive withdrawal, silence can be a transformative act that offers the self in openness to and for the other. I bring performativity theory in conversation with mystical and contemplative theology, drawing from the work of J.L. Austin, Haig Khatchadourian, and Judith Butler to that of Sarah Coakley, Dorothee Sölle, Meister Eckhart, and Howard Thurman. Contemplative silence thus appears not as retreat or resignation, but as a deliberate act of relational and embodied vulnerability—a radical openness to the divine Other and an embodied practice that witnesses to dignity, resists domination and cultivate solidarity
Poder absoluto violencia política en tres novelas de la dictadura Latinoamericana = Absolute power and political violence in three novels of the Latin American dictatorship.
No full textLa violencia, en todas sus manifestaciones, desde la política a la social, ha sido una constante de la realidad latinoamericana moderna, con frecuencia asociada a regímenes políticos dictatoriales que han infringido sistemáticamente en los derechos básicos de los ciudadanos. Como fuerza equilibradora, aparece la actuación de la Iglesia, aunque en muchas ocasiones se haya aliado con el poder.
El objetivo de este estudio se centra en tres novelas latinoamericanas: Yo el Supremo, de Augusto Roa Bastos, Un día en la vida, de Manlio Argueta y La fiesta del chivo, de Mario Vargas Llosa, las cuales se sitúan en tres regiones y en tres momentos clave de América Latina y se examinarán las características que definieron los regímenes políticos en su relación con el poder, la violencia política que generaron y el papel jugado por la Iglesia ante la represión desencadenada.
Violence, in all its manifestations, from political to social—has been a constant feature of modern Latin American reality, often associated with dictatorial political regimes that have systematically infringed on the basic rights of citizens. In some instances under dictatorial governments, the Church exerted considerable influence, yet it often maintained close ties with those in power.
The aim of this study focuses on three Latin American novels: I, the Supreme by Augusto Roa Bastos, One Day of Life by Manlio Argueta, and The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa. These works are set in three different regions and take place at three key moments in Latin American history. The study will examine the characteristics that defined political regimes in relation to power, the political violence they generated, and the role played by the Church in response to the repression unleashed
The political relevance of the spiritual church : a theological critique and alternative to the Presbyterian doctrine of the "spirituality of the church."
No full textThis dissertation argues that the Presbyterian doctrine of the “spirituality of the church” puts forward theologically incoherent distinctions to discern what “political” topics the church can address. By identifying these forms of theological incoherence, I complement of the historical work done on the “spirituality of the church”—which is caught in a stalemate between social historians who identify the idea as an excuse to avoid questions of racial injustice and historians of doctrine which treat it as an application of historical Presbyterian two kingdoms theology. I argue that the “spirituality of the church” was a reinterpretation of the role of the church in Presbyterian two kingdoms theology made in the disestablished context of the United States, but that the role of the church was variously recast in a theologically incoherent manner that situates the church towards inconsistent forms of application. In contemporary discussions, the doctrine is typified into three interpretations—those of Stuart Robinson, James Henley Thornwell, and Charles Hodge. I argue that the position of each figure proves theologically incoherent, and that the conceptual difficulties involved in all three illustrate problems at attempting to rule a political question beyond the relevance of the moral law found in scripture which the church has authority to apply. I offer an alternative understanding of the church’s role, within Presbyterian two kingdoms theology, that avoids these problems, by way of theological exposition of concepts found in the Westminster Confession of Faith
Mean girls club : a multiple case study exploring perceptions of incivility among female leaders in academic healthcare.
No full textWorkplace incivility leads to pervasive challenges in academic healthcare organizations, particularly for female leaders who often encounter barriers to professional growth and leadership development. In this multiple-case study, I explored how five female leaders in various academic healthcare institutions describe the relationship between reciprocal social factors (e.g., personal, behavioral, environmental), workplace incivility, and their approach to leadership. I gathered insights into participants’ social and professional backgrounds, behaviors that either perpetuated or disrupted incivility, and the institutional environments in which these experiences occurred through a leadership questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.
I employed Bandura’s (1995) social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework for the study to understand the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors involved. I collected data by administering a leadership questionnaire and conducting one-on-one interviews with open-ended questions, allowing participants to describe their experiences in detail. I applied Creswell and Poth’s (2018) data analysis spiral and cross-case analytical techniques, to identify common themes across the cases.
Key findings revealed discrepancies between the values and policies espoused by organizations and the actual experiences of participants, eroding trust, and security within the workplace. Inconsistent practices, such as a lack of transparency and perceptions of favoritism, were negatively related to team morale and cohesion. Relational mentorship emerged as a positive factor that helped participants adapt their leadership styles and navigate the complexities of incivility. Additionally, participants frequently reported exclusionary behaviors and challenges with work-life balance as stressors, exacerbating the issues related to workplace incivility and reducing job satisfaction.
This study highlighted the complex interplay between individual, interpersonal, and institutional factors in the experiences of workplace incivility among female leaders. The findings suggest that organizations can implement equitable professional development, mentorship programs, and inclusive leadership initiatives to create environments where female leaders can excel without facing workplace incivility or barriers to career advancement. Furthermore, organizations can regularly evaluate these interventions to ensure they meet the evolving needs of female leaders, promoting long-term organizational change and fostering a more inclusive work culture
Ambient seismic noise tomography of the southern United States and seismic inversion with dictionary learning using unsupervised machine learning.
No full textSeismic tomography and inversion are well-established methods to understand deep subsurface structures. These techniques are particularly effective in delineating complex crustal architectures, which often deviate from simplified textbook models. High-resolution seismic tomography enables the interpretation of such intricate geological features. In the context of the Alleghenian orogeny, understanding Laurentia’s tectonic evolution depends on unraveling the structural relationships between the Suwannee terrane and adjacent crustal blocks—spanning from Texas in the west to Georgia and Florida in the east.
This study is presented in three chapters. In Chapter 1, our goal is to identify the suture zone between the Gondwanan Suwannee terrane, adjacent terranes, and the Laurentian continental margin by developing an accurate shear wave velocity model. This helps improve our understanding of the lithology and formation of the southeastern U.S., including the Florida Peninsula. Since the region is seismically quiet, we use vertical component data from over 280 broadband stations (USArray, Transportable Array, SESAME Array, and regional networks) to estimate the Empirical Green’s Function (EGF) through cross-correlation and cross-coherence. This mimics Rayleigh wave phase characteristics.
We address the problem of non-stationary phases in Rayleigh wave extraction from ambient noise. Seismic interferometry assumes stationary phase dominance in EGF estimation, but real-world, non-uniform source distributions introduce inaccuracies. To mitigate this, we use cross-coherence to improve signal-to-noise ratio and apply double-beamforming to accept only contributions aligned with the Great Circle Path (GCP) between station pairs. Group velocity dispersion curves of Rayleigh waves are used to estimate 1D shear wave velocity models via Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling, revealing tectonic boundaries.
In the next chapter, we apply the Double-sided Optimized Multiple Signal Characterization (DOPMUSIC) algorithm to estimate EGFs by modeling significant noise sources across frequency bands along the GCP. In Chapter 4, to address the computational intensity of seismic inversion for thin-layered structures, we incorporate unsupervised machine learning. CNN and U-Net decompose seismic traces into dictionary and coefficients, reconstruct reflectivity, and convolve it with a wavelet. Lasso regularization aids training. We also use Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) for efficient high-frequency reflectivity recovery. Seismic examples validate our approach
A steep pathway toward public education : a qualitative single-case study exploring leadership self-efficacy of Black male secondary school principals in Central Texas.
No full textThe underrepresentation of Black male educators in Central Texas, comprising only 1.8% of teachers despite Black male students constituting about 7%, perpetuates challenges for future Black male leadership in education and the professional world. Research gaps exist in understanding Black males' leadership self-efficacy and how traditional leadership theories fail to account for their unique challenges. As the demographic landscape shifts towards minorities becoming the majority by 2043, more research is urgently needed to address current educational and workplace diversity inadequacies that to the future societal and economic success. Stereotypes impact self-efficacy, necessitating immediate research into the leadership practices of Black males to foster inclusive educational environments. This qualitative single-case study design explored Black males' leadership self-efficacy and lived experiences among secondary principals in Central Texas. The research investigated the participants' perceptions and experiences using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Semi-structured interviews allowed in-depth exploration of self-efficacy components, providing personal insights. A focus group facilitated group discussions on self-efficacy, offering diverse perspectives. The design ensured trustworthiness and authenticity, enhancing understanding of effective leadership and identifying barriers. Through thematic analysis, the study revealed meaningful insights, guiding comprehension of the phenomenon. Overall, the methodological approach facilitated a comprehensive examination of Black male leadership self-efficacy and its educational implications. The study on leadership self-efficacy among Black male secondary school principals in Central Texas explores the significance of supportive environments and targeted professional development in advancing their leadership skills. While these principals exhibit strength in specific domains, systemic barriers, and limited representation pose challenges. Addressing hiring practices and access to resources helps promote diversity and inclusion in educational leadership. By recognizing and addressing Black male principals' unique experiences and needs, educational institutions can promote more equitable leadership practices, enhancing student outcomes and fostering growth in both public education and Black male leadership across various organizations
Higher education institutions and human capital : impacts of colleges and universities in rural and urban communities.
No full textThis dissertation examines some of the ways in which higher education institutions (HEIs) impact the economic and social realities of the communities in which they exist. Particular attention is given to how colleges and universities contribute to human capital levels while also shaping economic outcomes in unequal ways. In this dissertation, I use the 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-year estimates to 1) describe rural and urban differences, especially in the context of human capital levels and economic wellbeing of U.S. counties, 2) examine how colleges and universities shape these rural-urban differences and differences among rural communities, 3) examine how college presence contributes to housing affordability concerns in rural and urban counties, and 4) examine the ways in which college presence impacts rural poverty rates among working age adults and those in rural areas without college degrees. The results from these analyses help to highlight current rural-urban differences, especially within the context of college presence, and shine a new light on how colleges and universities can both contribute to, and detract from, the wellbeing of the communities around them
Investigation of body-centric channels and antennas for wireless communication and sensing.
No full textWireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) are transforming healthcare by enabling continuous health monitoring through interconnected sensors worn on or implanted in the human body. Achieving reliable communication in these systems requires efficient propagation channels and wearable antennas or waveguides to transmit electromagnetic signals effectively. This dissertation examines dominant on-body and in-body propagation channels and leverages on-body channel variations to sense and classify hip motion activities. Additionally, it explores a non-radiative magneto-inductive waveguide approach to enhance on-body signal transmission and investigates e-textile fabrication techniques for developing flexible, wearable antennas and waveguides. These advancements contribute to more robust and adaptable WBAN solutions for healthcare applications and beyond