Digital Commons Network^™

Politics In The Classroom: A Survey On College Students’ Comfortability To Share Their Views, Ashley Rene Tuell

Communication Studies

The following study used theories of belongingness and spiral of silence to investigate students’ comfortability when sharing their political views in class. This study employed a survey distributed to a convenience sample of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students. The survey contained multiple choice and free response questions that encompassed political affiliation, willingness to share political views in class, and demographics. The results of the survey were interpreted using SPSS statistics software, specifically ANOVA tests and Fisher’s LSD. The findings of this study ultimately indicated that liberal students feel more comfortable sharing their views than moderates and conservatives. Findings also …

The Use Of Biomimicry In Urban Planning And Design, Cole Sorensen

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Framework For Benchmarking Vehicle Miles Traveled (Vmt) Estimates Associated With University Campuses, Troy Kawahara

Master's Theses

Although vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has become the standard for assessing transportation related impacts in California, some have concerns that many VMT estimates are not properly grounded or informed by real world data, potentially resulting in flawed estimates and impact assessments. This is especially true of special generators, like college and university campuses, which have complex travel patterns distinct from that of the general public. This thesis attempts to resolve a significant disparity observed between two credible VMT estimates for Cal Poly’s campus wide VMT. As part of a campus master planning effort, a VMT estimate was produced in 2019 …

A Study On Ethical Hacking In Cybersecurity Education Within The United States, Jordan Chew

Master's Theses

As the field of computer security continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to educate the next generation of security professionals. However, much of the current education landscape primarily focuses on teaching defensive skills. Teaching offensive security, otherwise known as ethical hacking, is an important component in the education of all students who hope to contribute to the field of cybersecurity. Doing so requires a careful consideration of what ethical, legal, and practical issues arise from teaching students skills that can be used to cause harm. In this thesis, we first examine the current state of cybersecurity education in the …

Improving Automatic Transcription Using Natural Language Processing, Anna Kiefer

Master's Theses

Digital Democracy is a CalMatters and California Polytechnic State University initia-
tive to promote transparency in state government by increasing access to the Califor-
nia legislature. While Digital Democracy is made up of many resources, one founda-
tional step of the project is obtaining accurate, timely transcripts of California Senate
and Assembly hearings. The information extracted from these transcripts provides
crucial data for subsequent steps in the pipeline. In the context of Digital Democracy,
upleveling is when humans verify, correct, and annotate the transcript results after
the legislative hearings have been automatically transcribed. The upleveling process
is done with the …

Finite Element Analysis Of The Bearing Component Of Total Ankle Replacement Implants During The Stance Phase Of Gait, Timothy S. Jain

Master's Theses

Total ankle replacement (TAR) implants are an effective option to restore the range of motion of the ankle joint for arthritic patients. An effective tool for analyzing these implants’ mechanical performance and longevity in-silico is finite element analysis (FEA). ABAQUS FEA was used to statically analyze the von Mises stress and contact pressure on the articulating surface of the bearing component in two newly installed fixed-bearing total ankle replacement implants (the Wright Medical INBONE II and the Exactech Vantage). This bearing component rotates on the talar component to induce primary ankle joint motion of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The stress response …

Automated Tree Mortality Detection Using Ubiquitously Available Public Data, Michael T. Huggins

Master's Theses

Understanding the dynamic interplay between fire severity, topography, and tree mortality, is crucial for predicting future forest dynamics and enhancing resilience against climate change-induced wildfire regimes. This thesis develops a multi-sensor approach for automated estimation of tree mortality, then applies it to examine trends in tree mortality over a six-year period across a fire affected study site in the Trinity River basin in Northern California. The Random Forest model uses publicly available USGS 3D Elevation Program Lidar (3DEP) and NAIP imagery as inputs and is likely to be easily adaptable to other landscapes. The model had a Receiver Operating Characteristic …

Mary Ann Starkey: Domesticity & Political Leadership In New Bern, North Carolina During The Civil War, Julie A. Zafiratos

Master's Theses

Mary Ann Starkey was a pivotal change agent in New Bern, North Carolina during the Civil War. She was born into slavery, yet by 1863 was in a position to bring together abolitionists and recruiters from the North and refugees and freedom fighters from her community. She was president of the 400-member Colored Women’s Union Relief Association of Newbern, North Carolina which worked to heal, feed and support the first colored regiments in North Carolina in their fight for freedom. This thesis looks closely at the Civil War through the life of this one woman, by examining the archival evidence …

Legacy Of Colonialism And Post-Colonial Transition: The Algerian Conflict Of Identity, Judith Papineau

Social Sciences

Algeria was brutally taken and colonized by France for over 130 years, altering the structure of their society, cultural artifacts, heritage, and languages. Algerians fought and reclaimed their independence, but the consequences and adverse outcomes have seeped into the fabric of society long after the Independence War of 1954-1962. Building on the available literature on colonialism and post-colonial societies and theories, this paper examines, from a sociological perspective, the relationship between Algerians, language plurality, and how the country’s education system and its language education policies, maintained by the power, play a crucial role in systemically perpetuating a deeply rooted conflict …

Art From Scrap: Rebranding & Marketing, Lexanna Schultz

Graphic Communication

Art from Scrap is a creative reuse store that provides low-cost supplies for all kinds of craft-related hobbies (Explore Ecology, 2024). In general, art supply thrift stores help divert thousands of pounds of usable materials from landfills, and makes creative hobbies more accessible in terms of cost (Remainders, 2024). Art from Scrap’s initiative to extend the life cycle of craft supplies helps reduce unnecessary waste, however they currently do not have strong branding, and their limited marketing materials are inconsistent.

Grc: A Mustang Quest, Jackson T. Alexander

Graphic Communication

The main purpose of this study is to define the overall effectiveness of visual marketing through animation and storytelling narration. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has dozens of potential majors that interest students, thus leading to specific programs such as Graphic Communication (GRC) gaining fewer numbers compared to other College of Liberal Arts (CLA) fields. By analyzing what key elements are necessary for gaining outside attention and intrigue about a college program, I can better understand what information needs to be presented in my video project. This video will focus on defining what Graphic Communication is as a …

Prep, Cook, Eat! Cookbook, Mayson Rutsky

Graphic Communication

As a young adult, specifically a college student, finding the time, effort, and money to cook delicious and nutritious meals can be extremely difficult. The stereotypical young adult will gravitate to the frozen section of grocery stores simply because of how efficient they can be. However, eating solely frozen food is not satisfying or very healthy. Because young adulthood is the first time most are living on their own, it is also the first time they only have themselves to rely on for cooking meals. With little to no experience, it can be daunting to enter the kitchen and try …

Jetty, Gabriella Plue

Graphic Communication

In recent years, the intersection of environmental consciousness and consumer behavior has catalyzed the emergence of innovative brands committed to sustainability. Among these is Jetty, a sun care brand that epitomizes the ethos of environmental stewardship while meeting the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, particularly surfers. By blending the principles of eco-friendliness with high-performance sun protection, Jetty not only addresses the immediate concerns of sun exposure but also aligns with broader initiatives aimed at coral reef conservation. This paper delves into the inception, development process, marketing strategies, and theoretical underpinnings of the Jetty project, while also reflecting on potential avenues for …

Spotlight Magazine, Avery Brunsman

Graphic Communication

In response to challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Political Science (POLS) department at Cal Poly halted the distribution of its annual publication, Alumni Connections. Recognizing the need for a more captivating and accessible platform, the POLS department initiated a project to revive the publication. For my senior project, I will be leading design efforts for this new publication entitled Spotlight. Through this project, I plan to revitalize the magazine into a dynamic quarterly newsletter, balancing brevity and frequency to effectively connect with the target audience.

Implementation Of Fluid Viscous Damper For 2023 Eeri Seismic Design Competition, Dalton J. Muck, Payton S. Mcgee, Payton R. Filippin, Tynan Castro

Architectural Engineering

The authors of this report were a part of the 2023 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) student chapter for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). With thirteen other team members, they traveled to San Francisco, CA to compete in the Seismic Design Competition (SDC) hosted by EERI. The team was tasked with preparing a written proposal, design and computer analysis of the structural system, construction of two physical models, as well as creation of a poster and a presentation for a proposed mid-rise building located in the competition host city. The goal of the design of Cal …

Grc Dei Handbook, Lauryn J. Kim

Graphic Communication

The GrC Student Advisory Board developed a DEI Committee consisting of student members and faculty advisors to amplify resources and equal opportunities for the department in the Spring of 2023. For the Graphic Communication major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, having a DEI Committee is valuable for several reasons, particularly given the context of Cal Poly lacking diversity. In fact, Cal Poly is considered the only predominantly white institution of the 23 CSU campuses, and also the whitest public university in California. A DEI Committee in GrC significantly contributes to creating a more inclusive, productive, and innovative environment in …

Todo Sobre América Latina, Kayla Madeline Schwartz

World Languages and Cultures

This project attempts to inform a Spanish-speaking audience about the humanities of Latin America. The format is a blog which solicits more engagement with the embedded research and written text. Colorful photos and informative videos attract the attention of a general public that may otherwise not be interested in learning extensively about history and culture. Such focus is important because Latin American past has great bearing on the lives of much of the Latinx community today—in many regions.

Specifically, this blog contains articles about history, literature, movies and shows, dance, and travelling. The audience can learn about a broad timeline …

Plc Course Development, Leonard Hernandez, Jacqueline Grace Radding

Electrical Engineering

The goal of this project is to design and construct the first lab experiment for the newly developed EE435 laboratory course. The experiment entails PLC programming to automate LED lighting in a simulated building. Starting with why PLCs are used, how to use the interface of EcoStruxure Control Expert V15.0 and practice using logic to control the dimming of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) to sustain a certain number of lumens consistent in a zone. Through the lab manual developed in this project, students will gain experience of creating logic designs using Function Block Diagram (FBD) and learn the layout …

Exhaust Manifold Pressure As Engine Tuning Parameter, Kieran Truth Cunningham, Adam Sullivan Mathews, Connor Richard Smullen

Mechanical Engineering

In this project, the exhaust manifold absolute pressure (EMAP) of a 1986 Toyota Corolla was analyzed across a variety of load cases and was compared with the mass air flow (MAF) of the intake, simultaneously. Correlations were found in the trends of EMAP and MAF sensor readings that may prove helpful in tuning engines that have difficulty in accommodating a MAF sensor. These correlations were found in areas of the powerband where aftermarket tuned engines typically have poor airflow sensing. An equation was developed to spoof MAF input using EMAP and other engine operating parameters.

Learning And Listening: A Podcast On Navigating Latinx/E Identities, Lilianna A. Rivas

Communication Studies

Utilizing the Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), the present podcast seeks to explore and understand how individuals with intersectional identities in the Latinx/e community communicate their identity to others in the Latinx/e community and society. Research in the fields of Ethnic Studies, Psychology, Education, and Communication focuses on issues and identities in the Latinx/e community. Much existing research focuses heavily on intersectionality, and the podcast will seek to do the same. These intersections of identities can conflict or be perceived as in conflict. This creates a gray area in the spectrum between interpersonal and intergroup interactions. Some examples …

Reconstruction Of The Neglected: Cal Poly’S Old Powerhouse, Sophie Meier, Morgan Cuthbert, Luke Zamlich

Architectural Engineering

Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse (BLDG 76) is the only remaining building from the original Polytechnic school left on campus. It was built in 1910 and placed on the national registry in 1993. The Powerhouse used to do exactly what its name implies, provide power to campus. After it retired from its purpose, it was used for many other use cases, particularly as a space for the College of Architecture and Environmental design. Through its time, it was used as a classroom space, pottery/creative space, a workshop, and even once contained a fishpond. The building was then abandoned in 1990, a …

Case Study: Diesel Powered Loaders Compared To Electric Loaders In Heavy Civil Construction, Jayson Downs

Construction Management

As the construction sector evolves, the environmental consequences of greenhouse gasses have become a significant issue. Numerous contractors are transitioning to electric-powered systems, which offer more energy-efficient methods for heavy machinery, enhanced productivity, and construction equipment that meets new and improved emission standards. This paper aims to examine the viability of heavy civil construction firms transitioning from traditional diesel-powered wheel loaders to electric wheel loaders. Given the competitive and saturated market in road construction, many contractors have already started investing in electric systems. This results in cost savings in terms of fuel efficiency and operating expenses compared to conventionally fueled …

Design And Construction Of A Buddy Bench For An Elementary School Play Yard, Remy N. Hickle

Construction Management

A buddy bench was designed, constructed, and installed at the Shasta Meadows Elementary School in Redding, California. A response to loneliness and bullying in schools, the buddy bench is a physical and nonverbal way students can identify the need for companionship on a school playground. By sitting on the bench, students, teachers or school administrators will see them and can come over to spend time with them. Grounded in personal connections and a deep understanding of the school's ethos, the buddy bench aims to foster empathy, inclusion, and support within the student community. Through collaborative efforts with school staff, students, …

Tefft Street Corridor Redesign, Andres M. Figueroa

City and Regional Planning

The Tefft Street Corridor Redesign is a proposal for a buffered shared use path along the most significant 1.75 mile portion of Tefft Street located in Nipomo, California. The proposal includes an introduction, background information, existing conditions analysis, regulatory standards analysis, community engagement, conceptual designs, and implementation framework.

Racialization, Individualism, And Denial: How The American And Australian Dreams Uphold The Homelessness And Poverty Crises Of Today, Emily Rose Andrews

Social Sciences

Inspired by my lived experience of immersion in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, California, for two weeks; studying abroad in Adelaide, South Australia, for two months; and my current internship at the Department of Social Services in San Luis Obispo, California, I plan on formulating a research paper on the topic of homelessness for my senior project. Specifically, through an extensive literature review and analysis, I will investigate: How does the culture of poverty ideology influence public opinions and policy responses to homelessness in the United States and Australia? To answer this question, I will first introduce the concept …

Efficacy Of Passive Ventilation With High Exhaust Demands: A Case Study Of Cal Poly Sst, Siddarth Bokka

Construction Management

The Simpson Strong Tie Demonstration Laboratory serves as a multipurpose space allowing students at the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University to build full scale construction projects. The building features a material storage area, a high bay for construction of full-scale projects, and a mezzanine level that houses digital fabrication equipment. However, the building was never designed to house the specific equipment currently installed on the mezzanine and ventilate the exhaust fumes from them. Rather, the building relies on passive natural ventilation that is likely ineffective at properly exhausting hazardous fumes, resulting in complaints from …

A Comparison Of Western And Eastern Soft Systems Approaches, John L. Anaya, John L. Anaya, John L. Anaya

Master's Theses

Soft System Approaches have been developed worldwide to help problem-solvers and decision-makers develop solutions to complex problems, such as aerospace systems. Soft System Approaches were designed to help lower the disorder of developing a complex system by increasing understanding of a situation. Four Soft System Approaches were investigated, two from the West and two from the East. Within the context of the paper, the West refers to thought patterns associated with thinkers and scientists in Europe and North America, and the East refers to those from and around China. The two from the West are Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology …

Hand Tremor Stabilizer, Krishna Sai Bathini, Ryan Herrmann, Madeleine A. Beaupre

Biomedical Engineering

The Hand Tremor Stabilizer project represents a significant advancement in assistive device technology, aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by hand tremors due to conditions such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. Throughout the design process, our team engaged in a comprehensive approach that included rapid prototyping, iterative testing, and direct feedback collection from potential users. This process was instrumental in refining the device to meet specific user needs effectively.

Key customer requirements that guided the design of the Hand Tremor Stabilizer included ease of use, portability, washability, accuracy of motion control, comfortable grip, breathability, a natural feel …

Neonatal Respiratory Therapy Interface, Kennedy Austin, Evan Manley, Parker Murray, Harrison Oen

Biomedical Engineering

This Final Report reviews and outlines the scope, objectives, and deliverables for the BCPAP Interface Redesign project, aimed at enhancing the functionality, usability, and patient experience of the existing BCPAP interface. It also includes detailed testing results and manufacturing plans for the device prototype. The current system has challenges in universal usability, time constraints, and patient comfort, which this project intends to address effectively. The goal of this project is to reevaluate and redesign the interface of the bubble continuous positive air pressure (BCPAP) machine’s attachment site with the infant. Due to the millions of premature neonates and thousands of …

Academic Senate - Minutes, 2/27/2024, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.