Digital Commons Network^™

Surfactant-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Titania Nanorod Thin Films, Ben Milo Petersen

Master's Theses

Titania (TiO2) nanorods have shown promise for applicability in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and may present a cost-effective solution for the fabrication of efficient and affordable solar power generation. In contrast to traditional silicon solar cell fabrication, the fabrication of DSSCs does not require expensive high energy, vacuum, and temperature processes. Titania nanorods have the potential to increase the electron transport rate in DSSCs by forming a direct electrical pathway, thus improving the performance. This study set out to investigate ways in which titania nanorod hydrothermal growth could be enhanced and made more reliable through (1) experimentation with procedures to …

Interannual Differences In The Estuarine Ghost Shrimp, Neotrypaea Californiensis, Michael Buncic

Master's Theses

The dispersal of invertebrate marine larvae can be expected to be wide ranging and show little population structure. Neotrypaea californiensis, the burrowing ghost shrimp, is found throughout the waters and coastal estuaries of the northwestern United States. Three hundred and four larval samples were used to study population diversity and structural difference occurring over the course of spawning periods from June to September in successive years (2005 and 2006). Data and genetic analysis from nucleotide sequencing of a section of the mitochondrial Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene suggest that ocean-borne larvae off the coast of Oregon and Washington …

Where's My Daddy? Effects Of Fatherlessness On Women's Relational Communication, Latoya Marie Jackson

Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis research was to understand the relationship between father absence and women's communication styles in romantic heterosexual relationships under social cognitive theory. Two studies were conducted using a multi-method research approach in order to triangulate the results. Seven fatherless women were interviewed to arrive at a better understanding of how father absence informed their romantic relational experiences. Specifically, the topics of relationship roles, self-disclosure, expression, and self-silencing in romantic relationships were examined in the interviews. Participants reflected on what growing up fatherless meant to them and whether or not this had any influence on the role …

The Struggle For Sufficient Housing In Santa Clara Countuy, Robert Musallam

Master's Theses

This study examined the role systemic racism plays in shaping people's ability to acquire sufficient housing in Santa Clara County. The purpose of this study was to identify historical and contemporary forms of institutional racism through the narratives of residents or former residents of the San Jose Family Homeless Shelter [SJFS] in San Jose, California. Of particular interest is evidence of housing discrimination and what Neubeck and Cazenave (2001) call "welfare racism." Clients of the SJFS represent those directly affected by welfare reform and least protected from oppressive housing policies or practices.

Through semi-structured open-ended interviews with former residents of …

New Media Use Among High Achieving Adolescents, Kathleen Sara Alpizar

Master's Theses

To date, there has been relatively little research on adolescents and their new media use in school and at home. It is important to study this new media use because it can reveal much about how communication patterns are changing or evolving as adolescents incorporate new media seamlessly into their lives.

This study examined high achieving adolescents' use of new media at school and in their homes. Data were gathered at school through questionnaires and group discussion sessions. In addition, students kept diaries of all of their media use for one week.

This study revealed that high-achieving adolescents use new …

Framing Corporate Social Responsibility On The Websites Of Fortune 10 Green Giants, Kriti Ashok

Master's Theses

This thesis reports a framing study of corporate social responsibility on the Internet. The study explores how Fortune 10 Green Giants frame corporate social responsibility on their websites. The Green Giants are Honda, Continental, Suncor, Tesco, Alcan, PG&E, S.C. Johnson, Goldman Sachs, Swiss Re, and Hewlett-Packard. According to Fortune magazine, these 10 companies have gone beyond what the law requires to operate in an environmentally responsible way. The study is focused on the textual content of these 10 corporation websites. The study involves identification of frames, determination of the most used and the least used frames, and identification of patterns …

Functionalized Silica Nanostructures For Biosensing Applications, Hector Nuno

Master's Theses

This work covers both two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) silica-based nanostructures for use in biomedical sensing applications. The first section of this study discusses the formation of 2D nanostructured surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensor substrates. The surface of these biosensors was nanostructured by adding sacrificial star polymers or block copolymers to a silicate precursor solution. Subsequent vitrification resulted in two distinct morphological patterns: random and ordered porosity. Amino groups on the surface of the biosensors enabled the installation of analyte receptors and antifouling agents such as oligo (ethylene oxide).

The second section discusses the development of 3D core-shell …

Autumn Garden, Les Brady

Master's Theses

Autumn Garden is a novel using a semi-omniscient third-person narrator who conveys the perspectives of ten-year-old Nick Lucera, his mother, Mary, and father, Tony. The story challenges conventional beliefs of mortality as Nick confronts the greatest loss of his young life, his mother's impending death. The novel is set in 1970's coastal California.

Two characters influence how Nick processes events in his life: seventeen-year-old neighbor, Brian, an evangelical Christian, and Sal Amato, an acquaintance of Nick's parents, whose insights range from the curious to the fantastic. Brian's friendship is a refuge for Nick, who suffers regularly from the bullying inflicted …

Western Pond Turtle Summer Habitat Use In A Coastal Watershed, Jae Abel

Master's Theses

Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) habitat use was studied in a coastal pond, lagoon, and stream system during the summer of 1995 and 1996 at Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz County, California. Location and habitat association data were recorded for locations and sightings of radio-tagged and un-tagged turtles during the normal active season. Summary comparison of habitat associations and habitat availability provided inference of habitat preference at several habitat scales. For most of the active season the turtles were in relatively sunny aquatic habitat, in deeper, slower velocity water. In addition, the turtles were most commonly associated with exposed …

Distribution, Abundance, Growth, And Habitat Use Of Steelhead In Uvas Creek, Ca, Joel Malone Casagrande

Master's Theses

Distribution, abundance, growth, and habitat use of juvenile steelhead (Onorhynchus mykiss) were studied in a central California stream under two increased summer flow reservoir release strategies. The effect of habitat quality (including longitudinal changes in flow, water temperature, canopy closure, substrate quality, and turbidity) on abundance and growth of steelhead among sites was determined. Increased stream flow extended rearing habitat and steelhead distribution downstream to reaches that previously would have been dry. Yearling or older steelhead were relatively scarce at all Uvas Creek sites. Steelhead were most abundant, but small, in the upstream half of the study reach, …

Flow Cytometry Of Alexandrium Catenella From Elkhorn Slough, California., Phillip Roland Hawkins

Master's Theses

This study describes the use of flow cytometry for the enumeration of the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella in both estuarine samples from Elkhorn Slough, California and from sea water samples from inner Monterey Bay. Samples were subjected to a density-barrier sample enrichment technique employing percoll to separate debris from phytoplankton prior to sample fixation, labeling and analysis. Clarified, enriched preparations of phytoplankton were subjected to whole cell Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) using a ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probe specific for the North American ribotype (NA1) of the dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium and analysis by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry was validated …

Preparation Of Carbon Nanotube Based Device And Its Electrochemistry, Weiling Hsieh

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop methodologies for the exploitation of carbon nanotube thin films as chemical and electrochemical sensors. In this study we prepared thin films of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by solution casting methods and then used a novel hybrid electrochemical-conductometric method to measure the CNT film electrical conductivity as a function of electrochemical bias and stimulus. The bias between the CNT film and the contacting electrolyte and the bias between the opposite ends of the CNT film (referred to as K1 and K2) were simultaneously controlled - analogous to a transistor with an electrolyte gate. A …

Family Of Circulant Graphs And Its Expander Properties, Vinh Kha Nguyen Tran Nguyen

Master's Theses

In this thesis, we apply spectral graph theory to show the non-existence of an

expander family within the class of circulant graphs. Using the adjacency matrix and its properties, we prove Cheeger's inequalities and determine when the equalities hold. In order to apply Cheeger's inequalities, we compute the spectrum of a general circulant graph and approximate its second largest eigenvalue. Finally, we show that circulant graphs do not contain an expander family.

Difference And Accommodation In Visigothic Gaul And Spain, Craig H. Schamp

Master's Theses

This thesis examines primary sources in fifth- and sixth-century Gaul and Spain and finds a surprising lack of concern for ethnicity. Authors in the fifth century expressed concern for the sanctity and safety of the church, their patria, and themselves, but seldom mention any issues that could be related to ethnicity. Even the Arian Christianity of the Goths seems to be of little or no concern. This changes in the middle of the sixth century, when Arian Christianity becomes an overarching issue in Visigothic history. The sources portray nearly every political concern in the second half of the sixth century …

Ethnic Identity As A Moderator Of Ingroup Bias, Katherine Stokes-Guinan

Master's Theses

This thesis replicated and extended work by Perdue, Dovidio, Gurtman, and Tyler (1990) by priming 132 Asian, Hispanic, and White participants with ingroup and outgroup designators outside of conscious awareness before asking them to make judgments about positive and negative trait words. While bias patterns were similar for participants from all three ethnic groups, they were different among individuals with high and low scores on a measure of ethnic identity (the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure by Phinney, 1992). Specifically, participants with high ethnic identity scores demonstrated ingroup bias along ethnic lines, while participants with low ethnic identity scores did not. …

Athletic Trainers' Comfort And Competence In Addressing Psychological Issues Of Athletes, Gina Marie Biviano

Master's Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the frequency with which athletic trainers address certain psychological issues related to injury and non-injury-related psychological issues with their student-athletes, their comfort and competence level with these discussions, and referral patterns to other mental health professionals. An electronic survey was adapted from Mann, Grana, Indelicato, O'Neill, and George (2007) and administered through www.surveymonkey.com ®. A random sample of 1,000 athletic trainers (ATs) who were members of the NATA were invited to participate, which yielded a response rate of 31.1%. More than half (n=170, 55.7%) of all subjects had completed 1-2 psychology …

Aquatic Ecology Of San Felipe Lake, San Benito County, California, Julie Renee Casagrande

Master's Theses

This two-year study examined San Felipe Lake environmental factors and food-web relationships. The lake is shallow, warm, productive, and generally well-mixed. High turbidity resulted from wind mixing of bottom sediments, carp feeding activity, and plankton blooms and excluded submerged aquatic plants. Emergent vegetation was restricted by cattle grazing. Summer temperatures reached 26-28°C throughout the water column, and dissolved oxygen was occasionally low on the bottom overnight and during windless daytime periods. Phytoplankton, fine organic matter, and detritus formed the base of the food web, supporting a zooplankton community dominated by copepods, the water column macroinvertebrate Neomysis, and several open water …

The Sleeper Stretch: Effects On Range Of Motion And Injury In Baseball Players, Kendall Grow

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to provide information concerning the effects of a posterior capsule stretching program on the internal range of motion (R–O–M) of overhead athletes as well as to determine if there was any impact on the number of players experiencing shoulder injuries. Thirty–five Division I collegiate baseball players had the degree of shoulder internal rotation (IROT) assessed in both their dominant and nondominant arms (pretest) and were subsequently divided into those who exhibited GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit; n=27) and those who did not (n=8). Then the Sleeper Stretch was taught to each player and utilized …

A Framing Analysis Of Weblogs And Online Newspapers, Maria Carolina Janssen

Master's Theses

The thesis examined possible differences in framing of information in news weblogs and professional news articles. A frame analysis was conducted to answer the main question: Is news framed differently in online newspapers as compared to weblogs? Articles from four blogs and four online newspapers were gathered over a period of 30 days. A total of 43 frames were identified in the selected blogs. A total of 92 frames were identified in the selected online newspapers. The most commonly identified frame in both blogs and online newspapers was the progress frame with 51 appearances. The critical frame was used 47 …

A Qualitative Study Of The Motivations Of Runners In A Cause-Based Marathon-Training Program, Karin Ann Jeffery

Master's Theses

In the late 1980s, the nonprofit sector within the United States introduced a new philanthropic paradigm, the cause-based fundraising endurance-training program. Participants in such programs raise funds for a charitable cause and, in return, are coached to complete a marathon or other endurance event.

Cause-based training programs frequently use recruitment messages implying that the cause provides a guaranteed motivation to exercise. However, little research has examined this assumption. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively research the motivations of runners in a charitable cause-based marathon-training program, particularly the relationship between the cause and the participants' motivations to train …

Modeling Particle Transport Distances As A Function Of Slope And Surface Roughness, Morgan K. Mendoza

Master's Theses

Significant effort has been put into modeling the evolution of hillslope profiles through time. The models use a continuum approach and are commonly deterministic. Early models assumed a linear relationship between hillslope angle and sediment flux. This relationship produces hillslope profiles that increase in steepness from crest to base. However, hillslopes observed in the field are commonly planar downslope of their convex crests. Recently, non-linear sediment transport equations have been developed that produce hillslope profiles closer to those which are observed in nature, yet the mid-slope sections are not entirely planar. Currently, there is interest in using a non-deterministic approach …

Planet Building: A Case Study Of Corporate Sustainability For A Globalized World, Darci L. Arnold

Master's Theses

With the increasing complexities of a globalized 21st-century world, the growing power of industry clusters makes corporations important actors in designing sustainable development strategies. This thesis presents an applied case study at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) as the company designed and launched its award-winning Sensible Sustainability platform. The research was conducted to determine how a large multinational company could create a business case for sustainability, and the results illustrate that value exists for firms engaged in sustainability initiatives.

CBRE's initial no-cost and low-cost activities resulted in increased operational efficiencies and lower costs. Over the course of the research period, the …

An Abridged History Of The Orange, Robert Aho

Master's Theses

The orange is more than a fruit that one can purchase at a supermarket or pick from the tree in the yard. The fruit started as an object of exoticism. It was later transformed into a symbol of purity. Eventually the orange became a vehicle for humanity to demonstrate its mastery over nature. In modern society, oranges are the foundation of enterprises, ones that sustain entire regions of the world. This thesis presents a series of essays, each using aspects of art history and geography, to describe the history of the orange. The intention of this thesis is to introduce …

Aircraft Deconfliction Responsibility Across En Route Sectors In Nextgen Separation Assurance, Christopher Donald Douglas Cabrall

Master's Theses

The subject of the current research is a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) concept that involves automated separation assurance developed to enable controllers to provide both safe and efficient air traffic services at much higher traffic densities than possible today. The study investigated the issue of how responsibility should be handled between controllers for the resolution of a conflict that is predicted to occur in a sector other than where it was detected. Two possibilities, a De-Conflicting AirPlanes procedure (DCAP) versus a De-Conflicting AirSpace procedure (DCAS), were examined under human-in-the-loop simulations with scripted aircraft conflicts. Results showed that the …

Riparian Brush Rabbit Habitat Requirements In Caswell Memorial State Park, Clinton Robert Elsholz

Master's Theses

With the rapid growth of agricultural and urban development in California's Central Valley in the 20th and 21st centuries, many habitats, including riparian forests, have been drastically altered. Along with these habitats, species that are dependent on them have also been fragmented and their long-term survival threatened. The riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is one such species that has experienced profound population contraction over the past century. This research was conducted at Caswell Memorial State Park ("the Park"), located in Ripon, California, which is the largest remaining habitat fragment within the rabbit's historical range. One objective of this research …

Outcomes Of Dialogic Communication Training On A City Government Management Team, Minna Johanna Holopainen

Master's Theses

Managing diversity in today's organizational environments can challenge many organizations. This action research study addresses that challenge by investigating the outcomes of dialogic communication training on a city government management team experiencing organizational diversity. The study consisted of four phases: (1) individual interviews for needs assessment, (2) focus group meeting for training design, (3) dialogic communication training, and (4) individual interviews for assessment of the outcomes. The results of this study indicate that dialogic communication and the development of dialogic style of leadership through dialogic communication training provide a valuable and practical approach for work teams. Specifically, management team members' …

Improvement Of A Propagation Delay Model For Cmos Digital Logic Circuits, Rodger Lawrence Stamness

Master's Theses

Propagation delay models, for CMOS Digital Circuits, provide an initial design solution for Integrated Circuits. Resources, both monetary and manpower, constrain the design process, leading to the need for a more accurate entry point further along in the design cycle. By verifying an existing propagation delay method, and its resulting delay model, calibration for any given process technology can be achieved. Literature reviews and detailed analysis of each step in the model development allow for greater understanding of each contributing parameter, and ultimately, adjustments to the model calibration result in a more accurate analytical model. An existing model was verified …

An Investigation Of Co-Rumination On Stress Levels And Mood, Anthony Thomas Holguin

Master's Theses

A recently defined type of social support known as co-rumination, the process of sharing negative thoughts, feelings, or ideas with a supporter that triggers the supporter to share similar thoughts and feelings of negativity, is believed to generate both a sense of bonding and an exacerbated stress response. The present study examined the impact of co-rumination on stress levels and mood states in men and women. Participants were assigned to one of three conditions (a control condition, a stress condition without a co-ruminator, or a stress condition with a co-ruminator), which depended on both the timeslot for which a participant …

Impacts Of Avian Predation On Juvenile Salmonids In Central California Watersheds, Danielle Frechette

Master's Theses

Central California coho salmon () are endangered and steelhead () are threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. As part of local monitoring efforts, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags) are used in population biology and marine survival studies of these stocks. Since 2006, PIT tags have been recovered on Año Nuevo Island (ANI), an important breeding site for several species of seabirds and marine mammals. The objective of this study was to assess magnitude and effects of avian predation on juvenile salmonids in central California. Objectives were accomplished by 1) identifying predators, timing of predation, and quantifying predation using PIT …

Finding Duplication Events Using Genomevectorizer, Elena Kochetkova

Master's Theses

GenomeVectorizer is a software application designed to extend the functionality of GenomePixelizer, a genome-visualization tool that was developed for the Department of Plant Pathology at University of California, Davis, in 2002. GenomeVectorizer was written using XML, XSLT, and SVG technologies combined with JavaScript scripting to provide the level of flexibility, dynamism, and interactivity not supported by the TCL/TK written application (GenomePixelizer). This new visualization tool was tested with available data from the Arabidopsis NBS-LRR study, and its output was compared to the output of GenomePixelizer. The relationships drawn at the same identity value were identical.

GenomeVectorizer was successfully applied to …