Digital Commons Network^™

Water Fun At Exploration Station Final Design Report, Brandon Dean Puccini, Sarah Rose Means, Natasha Tamlin O'Connell-Mackay

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Improving Ultra-Wideband Localization By Detecting Radio Misclassification, Cory A. Mayer

Master's Theses

The Global Positioning System (GPS) and other satellite-based positioning systems are often a key component in applications requiring localization. However, accurate positioning in areas with poor GPS coverage, such as inside buildings and in dense cities, is in increasing demand for many modern applications. Fortunately, recent developments in ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology have enabled precise positioning in places where it was not previously possible by utilizing multipath-resistant wide band pulses.

Although ultra-wideband signals are less prone to multipath interference, it is still a bottleneck as increasingly ambitious projects continue to demand higher precision. Some UWB radios include on-board detection of …

Automation Of Post-Earthquake Civil Infrastructure Reconnaissance, Jack Bergquist

Architectural Engineering

Traditionally post-earthquake structural engineering reconnaissance consists of a team of experts who are deployed to the field to record and capture earthquake damage data, which is later uploaded into online repositories. Despite many advances to these data archives in recent years, the entries in online repositories often have limited metadata which make it difficult and time consuming to extract specific damage evidence that can be used for meaningful analysis. This report outlines the author’s contributions to overcoming these challenges via the development of a neural network that automatically filters and classifies post-earthquake civil infrastructure damage data after a seismic event. …

Unexpected Setbacks When Excavating – Using Gpr For Mitigating Risk: A Case Study, Samuel L. Marcum

Construction Management

Whether constructing on undeveloped land or on an existing developed site, there is a risk of encountering unexpected objects when excavating. With today’s technology in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), this risk can generally be mitigated. Using Whiting-Turner’s construction of Stanford University’s new ChEM-H & SNI Building as an example, this case study discusses the use of GPR for underground mapping, as well as various ways to implement GPR technology. The ChEM-H & SNI site had many underground utilities that required precise pot-holing to verify locations. Although pot-holing is widely used, it is a destructive method, it is time and labor …

Lean Construction Implementation: Case Study, Devin J. Merker

Construction Management

Lean construction offers a collaborative approach to traditional construction practices and has the primary goal of increasing value to the client. With the proper use of lean construction tools on projects and the adoption of a lean culture, construction companies have recognized real benefits in terms of cost, productivity, and schedule while increasing customer satisfaction. The construction industry has been slow however in adopting the lean construction practices that have proven to be successful. The research in this study will familiarize the reader with the principles of lean construction, and address why the demand for lean construction is rising. In …

Unexpected Setbacks When Excavating - Using Gpr For Mitigating Risk: A Case Study, Sam Marcum

Construction Management

Whether constructing on undeveloped land or on an existing developed site, there is a risk of encountering unexpected objects when excavating. With today’s technology in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), this risk can generally be mitigated. Using Whiting-Turner’s construction of Stanford University’s new ChEM-H & SNI Building as an example, this case study discusses the use of GPR for underground mapping, as well as various ways to implement GPR technology. The ChEM-H & SNI site had many underground utilities that required precise pot-holing to verify locations. Although pot-holing is widely used, it is a destructive method, it is time and labor …

Case Study: The Implementation Of Tool Box Talks At A Steel Subcontracting Shop, Joseph M. Freschet

Construction Management

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing tool box talks at a small iron working shop. A case study of workers at Ironstone Metal Works, Inc. based out of San Carlos were given a series of tool box talks then evaluated on the effectiveness of the implementation of regular safety meetings. The impact focused on this paper will be the effectiveness of the implementation of regular safety training and how it relates to a safer work environment, reduced cost of workplace injuries, and workers knowledge of safe practices. An analysis of worker interviews and survey …

Case Study: Environmental Requirements And Its Impacts Upon The Conservation Center For Wildlife Care, Chase Flemmer

Construction Management

As the population of California continues to grow, urban spaces are rapidly being developed into areas considered to be environmentally sensitive. In order to prevent extensive damage to our state’s delicate ecosystems, environmental regulations are often enforced by local organizations during the course of impactful operations such as construction projects. These regulations will often vary from one site to another, depending on a given site’s location and proximity to the environmentally sensitive areas. No two jobs will posses the exact same specifications for dealing with this aspect of construction, and as such some will require more intense regulations than others. …

As-862-19 Resolution On Creation Of New Department For Interdisciplinary Studies In The Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies Program And Science, Technology And Society Program

Academic Senate Resolutions

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) has identified several benefits for formally combining two programs – the Interdisciplinary Studies (BA) program and the Science, Technology and Society (minors) program and elevating the combined programs into one new department called Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts Department; and the benefits and the structure of the new department are provided in the attachment to this resolution; and said change in status and name has been approved by the college of Liberal Arts department chairs/program directors and the CLA Interim Dean; and approval for combining these two programs into a new department …

The Influence Of Managerial Optimism And Self-Regulation On Learning And Business Growth Expectations Within An Emerging Economic Context, Stern Neill, Raghuvar Dutt Pathak, Barbara A. Ribbens, Terry W. Noel, Gurmeet Singh

Marketing

This paper examines psychological and behavioral mechanisms that underlie business growth expectations by examining how managerial optimism and self-regulatory focus influence learning behaviors. To empirically examine these relationships, the study situates in a resource-constrained business context by studying managers in two Pacific Island economies. Results indicate that a positive view toward gains encourages exploratory learning in unknown situations; whereas, a less optimistic disposition and avoidance are related to exploitative learning. This finding is consequential as managerial learning that leans toward development of new insights and possibilities is associated with greater business growth expectations versus learning that adheres to familiar and …

Optimizing A Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reactionprotocol For The Characterization Of Gene Expression In Blood Vesselmimics, Tristin Mcguffick

Master's Theses

Blood vessel mimics (BVMs) are tissue engineered blood vessels that are intended as an intermediate testing environment for intravascular devices, such as stents. Specifically, Cal Poly’s Tissue Engineering Lab hypothesizes that BVMs can be used to test endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell responses to existing and new vascular stents. Characterization techniques are required for BVMs to be accepted as a valid testing model, prior to being employed as an in vitro model to determine the effects of medical treatments. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is one available option for evaluating gene expression of tissues. qPCR can be performed …

Mountaintop Neutrino Detection: A Nu(Tau) Concept, Caroline E. Paciaroni

Physics

High-energy neutrinos traveling from the distant universe produce detectable signals at radio frequencies after interacting with the earth or its atmosphere. This is the principle behind a new experiment, the BEamforming Elevated Array for COsmogenic Neutrinos, or BEACON. BEACON will be a high altitude array of antennas that is sensitive to up-going tau neutrinos ($\nu_{\tau}$). These elementary particles serve as sources of information about the extraordinarily high energy events in the universe that create them, and also the laws of particle physics that govern their behavior. This report details the construction of a transient detector used to characterize site locations …

As-857-18 Resolution On Campus Climate: Oudi Collective Impact Report, Funding, And Student Fee, Paul Choboter, Dianne Deturris, Ashley Eberle, Harvey Greenwald, Camille O'Bryant

Academic Senate Resolutions

Cal Poly is in the planning stage for the next Advancement Campaign; therefore be it that the Academic Senate acknowledges the acceptance of OUDI' s Collective Impact Year End Report of June 2018 and shall strongly encourage the Cal Poly campus to be involved in discussions of the report; and be it further that Cal Poly shall continue raising funds in support of diversity and inclusion as a continued priority; and be it further that Cal Poly shall establish diversity and inclusion as a theme of the upcoming Advancement campaign; and be it further that the Vice President for Student …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 10/16/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Adapting Cell-Free Protein Synthesis As A Platform Technology For Education, Grace W. Chu, Max Z. Levine, Nicole E. Gregorio, Javin P. Oza

STAR Program Research Presentations

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has emerged as an enabling biotechnology for research and biomanufacturing as it allows for the production of protein without the need for a living cell. Applications of CFPS include the construction of libraries for functional genomics and structural biology, the production of personalized medicine, and the expression of virus-like particles. The absence of a cell wall provides an open platform for direct manipulation of the reaction conditions and biological machinery. This project focuses on adapting the CFPS biotechnology to the classroom, making a hands-on bioengineering approach to learning protein synthesis accessible to students grades K-16 through …

The Cal Poly Basic Needs Task Force Report - Fall 2018, Aydin Nazmi

Food Science and Nutrition

No abstract provided.

Between The Bars, Unique Shaw-Smith Dr, Eliese Maxwell, Victoria Otero, Catherine Trujillo, Habib Placencia Adissi

Creative Works

“Between the Bars” is a senior project exhibition, in collaboration with Cal Poly Sociology Professor Dr. Unique Shaw-Smith. Featuring artwork produced by incarcerated artists, the goal is to undo negative stereotypes and to empower the rehabilitation of incarcerated artists individually and collectively through art.The exhibit demonstrates that rehabilitation does occur in prison and emphasizes that art has the power to transcend all social differences and divisions. The exhibit features more than 60 works in diverse mediums including sculpture, painting, and poetry by 34 incarcerated artists from California Men’s Colony.

This catalog represents the onsite exhibit of the same name, which …

Effect Of Evapotranspiration Rate On Almond Yield In California, Dafne Isaac Serrano

Master's Theses

Since 2011, California has been under drought conditions. These conditions have not only affected water availability for farmers, but also production. California’s second most valuable crop, almonds, has been affected by drought conditions. This study used three models (Model 1-3) to describe almond yield variability from year to year and almond yield variability within a year in Kern County, CA. The study evaluated 185 almond farms that were classified in three locations (east side, west side and north west side). The years of the study were 2011 (wet year) and 2013-2015 (drought condition years). Model 1 determined a functional regression …

Kind Gestures: Longtime Aci Members Shape The Career Of Younger Generations, Anahid A. Behrouzi

Architectural Engineering

In this article, an Assistant Professor at California Polytechnic State University describes how her involvement with ACI has helped her to embark on projects that, as a young faculty member, she could have never envisioned. She also tells of her first ACI convention in Spring 2013, her first interaction with ACI Committee 133, Disaster Reconnaissance, in 2014, and using the ACI 318 Building Code in the classroom.

In Vitro Growth Of Osteoblasts On Poly Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Scaffolds Created Via Gas Foaming, Matthew James Thomas

Master's Theses

This study analyzed the feasibility of using gas foaming to create Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) scaffolds for use as a substrate in bone tissue engineering and set out to determine whether the presence of osteoblasts on these scaffolds enhanced their material stiffness. The process of bone formation involves osteoblasts depositing extracellular matrix and calcifying this matrix with calcium phosphate crystals (Hasegawa et al., 2017) and pits between 30-40μm in diameter on tissue engineering scaffold surfaces have been shown to best promote osteogenic activity in the presence of bone-forming cells (Halai et al., 2014).The scaffolds were determined to contain pits within …

Women With A Cause: Art, Representation, And Feminist Progress In Eighteenth-Century France, Darby Marie Leahy

Master's Theses

Throughout the eighteenth century the Age of Enlightenment transformed public discourse across Western Europe. In France, the salons of Paris became the primary institutions of Enlightenment thought. Hosted by women, the salons possessed a unique atmosphere in which men and women were regarded as intellectual equals. My thesis focuses on the role the female hostesses, salonnières, had in initiating French movements for gender equality that continued with great momentum throughout the French Revolution. By using popular artwork, literature, and memoirs I show how the efforts of French women to achieve gender equality helped give early rise to feminism.

An Assessment Of The Greatest Impacts On Distribution Uniformity For Drip And Micro Irrigation, Brooke Ashley Worden

Master's Theses

Using the Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Centers (ITRC) drip/micro evaluation program, global, or system, DU_lq is computed by combining the component DU_lq values of: pressure variation, uneven spacing between emitters, unequal drainage and “other” causes. “Other” causes include plugging, wear and manufacturing coefficient. The program also computes what percentage of the non-uniformity is due to each component. Burt (2004) showed that over 95% of the non-uniformity is due to “Other” causes and pressure differences. This thesis looks at what specifically in those components is driving the non-uniformity by analyzing various equipment and field practices and their …

Microfluidic Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy, John J. Foley

Master's Theses

The goal of this study is to design and manufacture a microfluidic device capable of measuring changes in impedance valuesof microfluidic cell cultures. Tocharacterize this, an interdigitated array of electrodes was patterned over glass, where it was then bonded to a series of fluidic networks created in PDMS via soft lithography. The device measured ethanol impedance initially to show that values remain consistent over time. Impedance values of water and 1% wt. saltwater were compared to show that the device is able to detect changes in impedance, with up to a 60% reduction in electrical impedance in saltwater. Cells were …

Relationship Between Time-Constants And 3db Cutoff Of High-Order Damped Lti Systems, Vladimir I. Prodanov, Katherina Prodanov

Electrical Engineering

This paper deals with linear time-invariant (LTI) systems and examines the link between the 3dB cutoff and time-constants. It shows that the cutoff frequency of a low-pass damped network can be estimated from the reciprocal of a p-norm calculated from the system's time-constants. Furthermore, to achieve good accuracy the p factor must have a fractional value, for example, p=1.7. Two formulas are derived, and their performance evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations which reveal a sub-3% error for most cases.

Dreamer Technologies' Home Automation System, David Lennon, Chandler Warne, Jordan Shaw

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

The home automation market has been growing rapidly over the course of the last few years, and it is expected to grow by 143% between 2015 and 2022.1 In the next few years, the connected home automation system will come to fruition and there will be home automation systems for sale that allows users to control any home device seamlessly from an easy to use interface. While there are many home automation companies already in the market, none of them have truly captured the idea of the connected smart home. All of the systems are lacking in some area, whether …

Influence Of A Guanidine Riboswitch In Bacterial Cells, Erik S. Timsak, Jefferey A. Kimbrel, Chris S. Ward, Rhona K. Stuart, Michael P. Thelen

STAR Program Research Presentations

Bacteria live in environments containing complex ecologies of other microbes that communicate and survive through the action of a variety of small metabolic compounds. One common yet relatively unstudied metabolite is guanidine. Although it can be toxic to cells, recent studies have revealed that guanidine may function as a cellular metabolite through a specialized RNA sequence known as a riboswitch. Within our overall project on improving algal productivity, the focus of this study is to: (a) describe various guanidine riboswitch sequences in bacteria that interact with biofuel producing algae; and (b) determine if guanidine has a positive or negative influence …

Experimental Study And Modeling Of The GM-I Dependence Of Long-Channel Mosfets, Michael Cheng, Vladimir I. Prodanov

Electrical Engineering

This paper describes an experimental study and modeling of the current-transconductance dependence of the ALD1106 and ALD1107 arrays. The study tests the hypothesis that the I-g _m dependence of these 7.8 μm MOSFETs conforms to the Advanced Compact Model (ACM). Results from performed measurements, however, do not support this expectation. Despite the relatively large length, both ALD1106 and ALD1107 show sufficiently pronounced `short-channel' effects to render the ACM inadequate. As a byproduct of this effort, we confirmed the modified ACM equation. With an m factor of approximately 0.6, it captures the I-g _m dependence quite well. The paper also introduces …

Effects Of Polydatin On In Vitro Bovine Embryo Developmental Competence, Metabolism, And Cryopreservation, Corie Marie Owen

Master's Theses

Bovine in vitro produced embryos suffer from poor developmental competence and altered metabolism which hinders their cryotolerance. Overall, the goals of this thesis were to improve oocyte and embryo culture with the antioxidant polydatin and to optimize slow freezing procedures. This thesis was designed as three experiments, and in each experiment, oocytes were aspirated from abattoir ovaries, matured for 23h, fertilized with semen from 1 of 3 bulls, and cultured in synthetic oviductal (SOF) based medium (SCF1) in 38.5 °C in 5% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 90% N₂. Stage 7 blastocysts were stained with Nile …

Evaluation Of Endothelial Cell Responses To Elevated Glucose, Gabriella Sugerman

Master's Theses

Developing a tissue-engineered Blood Vessel Mimic (BVM) to represent diabetic macrovascular disease could expedite design of new vascular devices specifically tailored to diabetic patients. In contribution toward this model, this thesis assessed Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) responses to high glucose conditions. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) were selected to signify oxidative stress activity, a hallmark of diabetic macrovascular disease. Next, activity of potential reference genes B2M, HPRT1, and ACTB was assessed. All genes were found to exceed acceptable variability, so the E-ΔC T method of data analysis was selected. Next, cellular responses to high …

A Zoopolean Look At Animal Research Ethics, Andrew T. Fenton

Between the Species

I will discuss how animal laboratory research can be ethically analyzed using Donaldson and Kymlicka’s political theory of animal rights. To accomplish this, I will not presuppose their strong animal rights framework. Donaldson and Kymlicka’s approach revolves around some basic human-animal relationships, reflecting the relational turn in applied ethics writ large. However, they do not discuss laboratory animal research in any detail, and so an extension to that domain of animal use is in order. Donaldson and Kymlicka’s emphasis on human-animal relationships is useful for reminding ourselves that in laboratories various staff or personnel can develop bonds with captive animals …