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Mental Illness among the Homeless Communities
Get PDFThe goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of individuals with substance use and mental illness on their co-occurring conditions. Mental illness and substance use disorder are commonly known in homeless communities, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness. Other social factors like gentrification, displacement, systemic racism, and insufficient affordable housing also contribute to the problem by restricting the availability of shelter for vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the lack of stable, affordable housing in California is a significant problem, and having access to comprehensive healthcare services exacerbates these problems
The Stigmatization of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Get PDFThe research on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is historically limited and understanding what knowledge college students have on the topic could allow researchers to have a baseline for understanding where the stigma comes from. This proposal aims to interview college students at California State University with the intention of understanding how much is known about OCD. Gaining this knowledge will hopefully further help society understand why OCD is considered something that is undermined. First, literature and current study was done on what is available. It was understood that the students at California State University, San Bernardino have never been asked about their understanding of OCD. The study will allow for students of many demographics to represent what students in college know and understand about OCD. Since resources for the study are limited, the researcher is going to primarily use nonprobability sampling for convenience. The sample will involve classmates, coworkers, professors, friends, and family members that attend California State University, San Bernardino. Questions will be asked via zoom, phone call, or in-person interviews. The study will be qualitative and open ended. Coding the interviews after will be a part of the process, and this will allow the researcher to understand what the interviewees are saying and the common theme. OCD is an understudying topic, and the origin of its specific stigma is also understudied. This study aims to start understanding where all of this comes from
SUSTAINABILTY REPORTING AND E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY
Get PDFThe rapid expansion of the electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) industry has led to a critical surge in electronic waste (e-waste), which is currently growing at an annual rate of 4%. E-waste contains hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, which contribute significantly to environmental degradation and pose serious health risks—particularly in low- and middle-income countries where proper recycling infrastructure is lacking. In response, electronics manufacturers increasingly rely on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting frameworks to demonstrate transparency and accountability. However, a significant gap persists between what companies choose to report and what stakeholders—particularly consumers—expect to see.
This research explores that disconnect, focusing on how corporate sustainability reports align (or fail to align) with consumer priorities, especially in the context of e-waste management. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining consumer sentiment analysis from Reddit with structured environmental data sourced from e-waste datasets. Reddit was selected as the primary social media source due to its high engagement in niche forums like r/RightToRepair and r/ZeroWaste, where users engage in detailed, transparent discussions. This platform allowed for nuanced insights into stakeholder expectations related to repairability, transparency, and sustainability.
Natural language processing techniques, including sentiment analysis using the VADER method and topic modeling via Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), were employed to extract key concerns from over 1,000 Reddit posts. Simultaneously, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted on quantitative e-waste data to assess real environmental performance across various product categories. The integration of these two data streams—public sentiment and lifecycle metrics—offered a comprehensive view of sustainability communication gaps.
Findings show that while ESG reports commonly highlight high-level environmental metrics such as carbon footprint and energy efficiency, consumers are more concerned with practical issues like product durability, ease of repair, and toxic material disclosure. Sentiment analysis revealed positive attitudes toward clean energy initiatives but strong negativity around greenwashing and the lack of product-level accountability. LDA modeling confirmed that repairability is a more dominant theme in public discourse than broad climate commitments, emphasizing the need for companies to address sustainability at the product design level.
Furthermore, correlation analysis between consumer sentiment and reported carbon emissions revealed only a weak association, suggesting that favorable public opinion does not necessarily reflect improved environmental performance. This discrepancy underlines the importance of aligning ESG disclosures with measurable, product-specific data.
By highlighting these gaps, this study offers actionable recommendations: enhance ESG transparency with product-level LCA metrics, monitor real-time stakeholder sentiment, use accessible language in reporting, and adopt more consumer-centric communication strategies. The findings contribute to the evolving discourse on responsible production (SDG 12) and provide a framework for electronics companies to improve both the content and impact of their sustainability reports. Ultimately, this research emphasizes that successful sustainability reporting must bridge corporate priorities and consumer expectations to achieve meaningful progress in environmental stewardship
GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE INYO VOLCANIC CHAIN, AND EVALUATION OF THE PORTABLE NITON XRF INSTRUMENT
Get PDFThe Inyo Volcanic Chain (IVC) is a series of rhyolitic lava domes straddling the northwest rim of the Long Valley Caldera (LVC), most recently erupting ~650 years ago, producing the South Deadman, Obsidian, and Glass Creek Domes. For this study, samples were analyzed for geochemistry and petrography at six of the IVC domes. To measure geochemistry, a portable x-ray fluorescence machine (PXRF) was used, in part to test how well it performed on felsic rocks. The PXRF performed poorly with the factory calibration in detecting most elements, though detection of some elements improved with a calibration curve applied. The three oldest domes each derived from their own sources and there was no evolution of those lavas as they were emplaced. Obsidian Dome showed variability in geochemistry with the lava becoming more evolved as it was emplaced. South Deadman and Glass Creek Domes are both composed of two lavas, coarsely porphyritic (CP) lava, and finely porphyritic (FP) lava while Obsidian Dome is composed of the FP lava. Limited sampling of South Deadman and Glass Creek Domes meant that variation within a lava type on those domes could not be determined. Comparing the lavas of the chain indicated that none of them derive from the same magma source. The CP lava could be related to the lava that formed Deer Mountain which is thought to be the youngest eruption of the LVC. The other lavas of the IVC were not related to any external magma source studied
POST-FIRE DEBRIS FLOW INITIATION POTENTIAL BASED ON FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF DEBRIS FLOW OCCURRENCE FROM THE 2020 EL DORADO WILDFIRE ON YUCAIPA RIDGE, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
Get PDFThis study focuses on the potential debris flow initiation and effect in areas affected by the El Dorado Fire in the Southern San Bernardino Mountains. It uses novel technology combining drone-based photography and LiDAR imaging to create surface models of areas where potential debris flows could initiate, flow, and be deposited. The scans were repeated as geomorphic change occurred through the wet season to document spatial and volumetric changes resulted from the flows. These measurements were combined with traditional fire assessment and observational methods to characterize pertinent conditions.
As we investigated potential debris flow risk in this study area, we also observed other drainage systems in the Yucaipa Ridge area where potential flows could occur or performed forensic observations where flows did occur. Due to the difficulty to predict where flows will occur, we wanted to provide as much documentation of pre-flow conditions as we could reasonable could.
The 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 wet seasons produced only minimal rains with only minor flows occurring in October and December 2021. In late summer 2022, a weakening Pacific Hurricane Kay storm produced the most significant flows to date since the fires. This study represents the documentation of flows generated from these storm
INTEGRATING VALUES IN DUTCH MUSIC COPYRIGHT: A Q METHODOLOGY STUDY
Get PDFThis research investigates the integration of stakeholders\u27 values into the digital frameworks of Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) within the Dutch music copyright system. Utilizing Q methodology, the study captures diverse perspectives from composers, lyricists, publishers, and CMO representatives on values, value tensions, norms, and system requirements. A pilot study with four experts tested data collection methods and refined the study design for a larger, follow-up study involving 30 participants. Preliminary findings, based on factor analysis of participant rankings of 30 statements, reveal two distinct perspectives: one focused on Fairness and Accountability, emphasizing trust-building and equitable treatment, and the other on Technological Efficiency and Transparency, prioritizing clear information, verification mechanisms, and advanced IT systems. Qualitative insights from participant interviews provide nuanced understanding, highlighting the importance of transparency in royalty processes, balanced application of technology, and equitable royalty distribution in the digital age. This research contributes to the modernization of copyright management systems offering a conceptual model adaptable to other creative (Intellectual Property) industries
ASSESSING THE SOCIAL AND STRUCTURAL IMPEDIMENTS THAT PRECLUDE BLACK MALES FROM ENTERING THE TEACHING PROFESSION: EXPLORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROJECT IMPACT
Get PDFThe acute underrepresentation of Black male educators in the United States constitutes a persistent crisis in both education and social equity. Despite numerous efforts to diversify the teaching profession, Black men represent only 2% of the national teaching workforce—a figure that falls even lower in regions such as Southern California, where they comprise just 1.8% of teachers despite representing a significant share of the student population (California Department of Education, 2022). Empirical evidence consistently affirms the critical impact of Black male teachers on the academic achievement, identity development, and long-term success of Black students (Gershenson et al., 2018; Dee, 2020). Yet, this demographic remains absent mainly from classrooms due to deep-rooted structural and social impediments. This dissertation investigates the complex interplay of systemic barriers and cultural factors that discourage Black male college students from pursuing careers in education. Grounded in African American Male Theory (AAMT), the study utilizes a qualitative phenomenological case study approach to explore the lived experiences of Black male students enrolled in the teacher preparation programs at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), as well as alumni who have transitioned into teaching roles. Through this lens, the research critically examines the intersection of race, gender, and systemic inequity that shapes Black men’s pathways into the teaching profession.
Central to this inquiry is an evaluation of Project Impact, a Minority Male Teacher Pipeline Program at CSUSB designed to recruit, support, and retain Black and other minority male educators. The study is guided by three principal research questions: (1) What structural barriers inhibit Black male college students from entering the teaching profession? (2) How do societal expectations of masculinity influence their perceptions of teaching as a viable career? (3) In what ways has Project Impact mitigated these barriers and fostered professional success among its participants? Findings reveal a confluence of deterrents, including economic hardship, inadequate mentorship, cultural isolation, and prevailing stereotypes that position teaching as incompatible with traditional conceptions of Black masculinity. Yet, the data also underscore the transformative potential of Project Impact. Participants report that the program\u27s culturally responsive framework, financial and emotional support, and intentional community-building practices were pivotal to their professional persistence and success. By centering the voices of Black male educators and student teachers, this dissertation contributes a vital perspective to the discourse on educational equity. The findings illuminate the structural and cultural conditions perpetuating exclusion and offer practical insights for institutional leaders and policymakers committed to diversifying the teaching profession. Ultimately, this research affirms that targeted, culturally attuned interventions like Project Impact are effective and essential to building an educational system that reflects and empowers the diverse communities it serves
Responsible AI: Applications and Ethical Considerations
Get PDFAs artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms industries and societies, its applications present both immense opportunities and significant ethical challenges. This paper explores the concept of Responsible AI, emphasizing the importance of integrating ethical considerations into AI development and deployment. It examines a range of AI applications, from healthcare and finance to autonomous systems, highlighting their potential to drive innovation while also raising concerns about bias, privacy, accountability, and job displacement. The paper evaluates the ethical principles that should guide AI design, including transparency, fairness, privacy protection, and human oversight. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the current landscape of AI governance, identifying gaps in regulation and the need for robust, global frameworks to ensure AI technologies are developed and used responsibly
