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How do Educators Perceive the Effectiveness of AI Tools in Supporting Student Learning in ELA and Mathematics?
No full textThis study investigates how educators perceive the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in supporting student learning in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Guided by the research question—How do educators perceive the effectiveness of AI tools in supporting student learning in ELA and mathematics? The study explores educator experiences with AI integration in a virtual independent study charter school. The goal is to understand both the perceived benefits and challenges of AI use in instructional practice, particularly in alternative learning environments where traditional methods often fall short. The study focuses on how AI tools are currently implemented in K–12 instruction, with an emphasis on differentiation, engagement, and instructional efficiency. Using a descriptive phenomenological design, qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with six teachers and one paraprofessional. Thematic analysis revealed seven core themes, and strategies such as member checking supported the credibility of findings. Participants reported that AI supports personalized instruction and saves time, but also raised concerns about academic dishonesty, overreliance, and uneven student outcomes. A consistent theme was the lack of formal professional development, which many cited as a barrier to effective and ethical AI use. These findings underscore the need for sustained training and intentional implementation. The study recommends that schools invest in targeted professional development and pursue further research in varied settings. This thesis contributes to the field of education by centering educator voices and emphasizing the need for balanced, human-centered approaches to AI integration in learning environments. Keywords: academic integrity, artificial intelligence, differentiation, educator perception, English Language Arts, instructional technology, mathematics, personalized learning, professional development, virtual educatio
"Enhancing ASD acceptance: evaluating SpectrumSoul mobile application's impact on motor skills, user engagement, and satisfaction"
No full textMotor skill development reflects an important turning point of early adulthood for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially when considering the impact of motor skill deficiencies on functional independence, social engagement, and quality of life. This study focuses on understanding the viability and feasibility for SpectrumSoul, a mobile application designed specifically to address these challenges through hands on activities that target both motor and cognitive areas. The study was conducted in two main phases. Phase 1 involved designing and developing the mobile application using science-based therapeutic content at a level that has an accessible user interface at a child focused level. Phase 2 (currently in progress) focuses on the implementation of the mobile application to test the effects of said application on motor skill development. This testing is centered around a one-month period involving children ages 3-9 years with ASD. Outcome measures included: 1) the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3), to evaluate pre- and post-intervention changes in motor function; 2) the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), to assess user satisfaction; and 3) Google Analytics, to quantify engagement and usage. Data analysis will employ repeated-measures analyses of variance to evaluate changes in motor skills, and Pearson correlation coefficients to examine associations between user engagement, satisfaction, and functional outcomes. Through the gamifying of motor skill exercises, SpectrumSoul addresses a market around physical activity where current ASD interventions are lacking. This study aims to expand the research literature surrounding digital health interventions by evaluating the remote, and accessible home-based approaches on the development of children with ASD
Empowering Families: Family-Centered Support Program for Hispanic Parents of Children with Autism
No full textThe prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased significantly in recent years, with Hispanic children experiencing higher diagnosis rates and greater delays in receiving early intervention services. Research indicates that Hispanic children are often diagnosed approximately 2.5 years later than their non-Hispanic White peers, due in part to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers. These delays impact access to critical interventions that can improve long-term developmental outcomes. Additionally, Hispanic parents often face challenges in navigating autism services due to a lack of culturally responsive resources, limited service awareness, and deeply rooted cultural beliefs that influence perceptions of ASD. This project, Family-Centered Support Program for Hispanic Parents of Autistic children, aims to address these disparities by developing a culturally competent support program tailored to the unique needs of Hispanic families. The project is grounded in a comprehensive literature review examining the barriers Hispanic parents face, including language difficulties, fear of discrimination, traditional gender roles, and stigma surrounding disabilities. Additionally, research highlights the effectiveness of family-centered interventions and parent support programs in improving advocacy skills and service engagement. The methodology for this project includes conducting a needs assessment through surveys and interviews with Hispanic parents of children with ASD, school psychologists, and service providers. This data will inform the development of a structured, bilingual family-centered support program designed to enhance parental knowledge of autism services, advocacy skills, and community connections. The program will include educational workshops, resource guides, and peer support groups to empower parents in navigating the special education system and accessing appropriate services for their children. Findings from this project are expected to demonstrate that culturally responsive interventions lead to increased service utilization, greater parental confidence in advocating for their children, and improved access to early intervention. By addressing cultural and systemic barriers, this program aims to reduce disparities in autism service utilization and promote equitable access to support for Hispanic families. This research underscores the importance of culturally competent approaches in autism services and family support programs, highlighting the need for continued efforts in developing inclusive, community-based interventions that address the unique needs of underserved populations
The Impact of Job Security on Employee Motivation and Performance in the Public Sector
No full textIn the public sector, there is often an imbalance between job security and employee motivation. Job security is vital for public servants; however, it can also result in complacency and decreased motivation. This study examines the relationship between job security, employee motivation, and work performance among public sector employees, focusing on whether long-term employment stability enhances performance or fosters complacency. Using a qualitative approach, the research employs semi-structured interviews to specifically examine how different individual and organizational factors affect motivation and work performance across various staff categories in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Anticipated findings suggest that job security is most effective when combined with a comprehensive system of accountability, merit-based evaluations, and opportunities for professional development. Findings suggest that public sector organizations must find a balance between employee protection and performance expectations to maintain workforce stability and deliver high-quality public services
FPGA hardware acceleration for convolutional neural networks
No full textEmbedded systems can leverage machine learning algorithms by creating convolutional neural network (CNN) implementations in Field-Programable Gate Arrays (FPGA) which utilizes parallelization and software processor offloading. The current practices of using machine learning algorithms in software are high-level languages where the performance is greatly affected by underlying layers of operating system (OS), Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) and Central Processing Unit (CPU) drivers. Current artificial neural network (ANN) implementations in FPGA utilize improved algorithms for matrix multiplication which were originally designed for linear computation. This research explored the idea of parallelizing every possible memory allocation and reducing the number of linear computations. System Verilog for FPGA development was chosen for its ability to add additional dimensions for array roll-up as well as a less verbose syntax. This assists in organizing data in a higher-level data structure when compared to Verilog. The FPGA flip-flop and look-up table (LUT) count limitations for various devices were placed as secondary considerations. By minimizing the effort to compensate for FPGA size and maximizing parallelization, simulation results show a near-linear operational complexity across varying input sizes
Determinants of Immigrants' Access to Social Service Programs in Los Angeles County
No full textAbstract Determinants of Immigrants' Access to Social Service Programs in Los Angeles County By Anai Arely Palacios Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management and Leadership Throughout the history of the United States, immigrants have had varying levels of acceptance into society, which makes the current immigrant groups more hesitant to seek social services. Some of these benefits are much needed, but the fears and other feelings of rejection prevent their access and use. This thesis investigates some of the factors that influence immigrants' and those in mixed-status households ' access to social services in a sanctuary jurisdiction, Los Angeles County. These include public charge, systemic racism, legal status, socioeconomic issues, and language barriers. Using a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 300 individuals living in Los Angeles County, this study will analyze the relative impact of these factors on immigrants' access to social service programs in a sanctuary jurisdiction, such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. This study will show that these issues outweigh the benefits of residing in a sanctuary jurisdiction. It will also highlight the need for more outreach and personalized interactions between the Los Angeles County departments administering social services programs to overcome the obstacles in enrollment. Keywords: social services, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, immigrants, Los Angeles County, sanctuary jurisdiction, public charge, systemic racism, legal status, socioeconomic issues, language barrier
Studying Extra-Pair Copulation among Spheniscus demersus (African Penguins) in Captivity at the San Diego Zoo.
No full textAfrican penguins (Spheniscus demersus), an endangered species native to southern Africa, face severe population decline due to habitat loss, overfishing, and environmental stressors. Captive breeding programs under the Species Survival Plan (SSP) aim to preserve genetic diversity, yet extra-pair copulation (EPC) can compromise studbook accuracy and pedigree-based management. This study developed and validated molecular approaches to enhance parentage testing and genetic monitoring in African penguins, integrating minimally invasive sampling with advanced genotyping techniques. Three specific aims were addressed: (1) establish a protocol for extracting DNA from the perivitelline membrane (PVM) of fertilized eggs, (2) create a genetic database using microsatellite markers for accurate parentage verification, and (3) develop a proof-of-concept workflow for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using High-Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis. DNA extraction from PVM was technically challenging due to low sperm DNA content and membrane structure, but yielded sufficient quality for PCR amplification. Microsatellite genotyping across eight loci successfully produced unique multi-locus profiles for all individuals, revealing moderate genetic diversity within the captive population. HRM-based SNP genotyping identified 11 distinct melt clusters, demonstrating strong potential for rapid and cost-effective haplotype differentiation. This research introduces a novel, minimally invasive method for paternal DNA recovery, validates microsatellite markers for genetic management, and establishes HRM as a scalable genotyping tool. Together, these approaches improve parentage testing accuracy, support informed breeding decisions, and contribute to the long-term conservation of African penguins
Expanding the functional roles of the multidrug efflux transcriptional regulator AcrR of Escherichia coli through ChIP-Seq
No full textThe rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is caused by the abuse and misuse of antibiotics, and is one of the biggest threats to global health. Bacteria can utilize several mechanisms that confer resistance against antimicrobials, one being multidrug efflux pumps that can export many compounds that are toxic to the cell, one of the major concerns. Among them, AcrAB-TolC is the main multidrug efflux pump in the Enterobacteriaceae family, and is known to export most classes of antibiotics. Recent findings indicate that AcrAB-TolC also plays a role in removing cellular metabolites, regulating motility, and virulence. However, the metabolic and physiological roles of AcrAB-TolC and AcrR, its main transcriptional repressor, are not well understood. Recent findings have shown that AcrR also directly regulates motility, polyamine metabolism, and four central metabolism genes in Escherichia coli. The role AcrR plays in directly regulating metabolism and other cellular functions at a genome-wide scale remains a gap in knowledge that this project aimed to close. The goal of this project was to identify the metabolic and physiological direct regulatory roles of AcrR at a whole-genome scale by combining Chromatin Immunoprecipitation- DNA Sequencing (ChIP-Seq), electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), gene expression, and functional assays. ChIP-Seq findings indicate that AcrR directly regulates a wide array of functions in E. coli, including biofilm formation, multiple metabolic pathways, and additional efflux pumps. Using EMSA and gene expression assays, this project confirmed that AcrR directly binds to and represses the promoters of several targets identified by ChIP-Seq. These targets included: 1) the acrEF operon, which encodes for the AcrEF-TolC multidrug efflux pump; 2) the rdcAB operon, which is involved in controlling nucleoid partitioning and biosynthesis of the secondary messenger cyclic di-GMP; and 3) the panM gene, which is involved in vitamin B5 (pantothenate) biosynthesis. Overall, these findings significantly expand our understanding of the physiological roles of AcrR in E. coli and suggest AcrR is a global regulator that coordinates multidrug efflux, metabolism, and other functions to allow bacteria to cope with antimicrobials and other stressors
Navigating Change: Evolving from Shared to Professional Nursing Governance
No full textBackground: Over the past four decades, many healthcare organizations worldwide have adopted shared nursing governance (SNG) to improve nurse satisfaction, engagement, and patient outcomes. While some SNG models have enhanced autonomy, they have struggled to achieve full independence for the nursing profession as originally envisioned. Scholars now recommend moving from SNG to professional nursing governance (PNG), emphasizing full autonomy, accountability, and self-regulation. Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was twofold: to evaluate the current state of SNG at a large academic medical center in Southern California, which has grown its SNG model for over 20 years, and to identify strategies that support its evolution toward PNG. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using the Verran Professional Governance Scale (VPGS), Control over Nursing Practice Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Structural Professional Governance Self-Assessment Survey. The sample included 1,318 frontline nurses and nursing leaders across 24 inpatient nursing departments. The Human-Centered Leadership in Healthcare framework guided project implementation and evaluation. Results: A total of 378 responses met the inclusion criteria, revealing varying degrees of PNG behaviors across units. The highest-rated subscale was collateral relationships, indicating strong peer collaboration and support. The lowest-rated subscale was professional obligation, reflecting limited engagement in health policy, public advocacy, and broader professional activities. Conclusion: This project underscores the need for evidence-based strategies to transition from SNG to PNG. Human-centered leadership and validated governance tools can guide nurses toward greater professional autonomy and self-regulation within the healthcare system
(Re)mapping Middle School Curriculum and Classroom Design Through Chicano/a/x Studies
No full textThis graduate project documents the design, implementation, and impact of a transformative Ethnic Studies curriculum in a public middle school classroom. It builds and shares a curriculum that braids Chicanx/Latinx Studies pedagogical frameworks with Common Core literacy goals and California History-Social Science standards through a research tool and signature assignment known as the History Journal; used both as a daily classroom practice and as a method of data collection. Analysis of student work revealed multi-dimensional growth across academic, social-emotional, and civic domains. Students demonstrated increased reading comprehension, evidence-based writing, and historical analysis aligned to Common Core standards; they also developed metacognitive awareness, emotional vocabulary, and the ability to engage in restorative dialogue. Beyond the classroom, students began to see themselves as active participants in their school and broader community, using their voice to question injustice, advocate for change, and connect their learning to real-world issues. Students engaged with, analyzed, and built upon theoretical frameworks and canonical texts from Chicana/o/x Studies. These included Teaching to Transgress by bell hooks, Writing 50 Years (más o menos) Amongst the Gringos by Dr. Roberto Cintli Rodríguez, A Young People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, Bad Mexicans by Kelly Lytle Hernández, and New Directions in Chicanx and Latinx Studies by Amber Rose González, Mario Alberto Viveros Espinoza-Kulick, Melissa Moreno, Lucha Arévalo, and Eddy Francisco Alvarez Jr. In addition to foundational Chicanx Studies texts, students engaged work from related fields in Ethnic Studies and education, including scholarship by Dolores Delgado Bernal, Daniel Solórzano, and Tara J. Yosso. This project affirms that middle school students, especially those navigating gendered, socioeconomically disadvantaged, undocumented, and racialized realities, are fully capable of engaging with complex texts, critical inquiry, and deep reflection. Its central orientation emerges from the educational experiences of working-class, multilingual, and racialized youth. It aligns with scholarship that positions Ethnic Studies as not only rigorous and standards-aligned, but also essential for creating humanizing classrooms. This study calls on educators to prioritize collective safety over control, and to consider transformative justice as a foundation for classroom management. In doing so, this project contributes to ongoing conversations about content, student engagement, pedagogy, and the imperative role of Ethnic Studies in K-12 education