Digital Commons Network^™

Graduate Internship Report For Pacheco High School And Ffa, Caitlin Lawrence

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

The Graduate Internship Project was designed to have the candidate examine and investigate the program in which they teach. The validation documents and other supporting materials address the many facets to the program in agricultural education at Pacheco High School in Los Banos, California. Of major importance are the FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The documents verify that the program is attempting to meet all of the quality criteria in agricultural education.

Brovine: Mammary Gland Gene Database, Therin C. Irwin

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Brovine is used by the Animal Science department at Cal Poly to catalog and analyze genetic information. Brovine, or the Mammary Gland Gene Database, is a system used to store and categorize genetic information which is gathered through experimentation and through TESS, a web application that lets users search through catalogs of similar genetic information. This document describes the purpose, use, and maintenance of Brovine.

Spread Spectrum Jamming - Part 2, Casey Burke, Christian Hume, Javier Meza

Electrical Engineering

Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) is a special modulation technique used in many telecommunication devices which uses a wide bandwidth relative to single-frequency carrier modulation techniques. Like the name suggests, the spectral content of wireless signals are spread across a range of frequencies to increase the security of transmitted signals by reducing the potential impact of outside interference (i.e. noise, jamming). This resistance against outside interference and jamming has particular application in the field of electronic warfare where spread spectrum jamming techniques may prove to be an effective way of shutting down remotely controlled enemy vehicles.

Last year, a group of …

The Deadliest School Shooting In American History: A Dramatistic Analysis Of The Virginia Tech Massacre, Natalie Susanne Zafis

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

The Virtual Bulletin Board: A Feminist Critique Of Pinterest, Alexandra B. Davila

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Design And Cost Analysis Of A Wetland Project, Matthew Rolen

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the cost and design of a thirty acre wetland habitat project. This project demonstrates the importance that wetlands play for waterfowl as well as wildlife. The project will also discuss the changes made to the habitat and the importance of that. Also the unique design of the habitat will be explained. The main purpose of the project is the cost analysis of it. The budget of the project and the funding it takes to develop or preserve such a project.

Strategic Plan For Wine Tourism 2013, Templeton, California, Krista Galatolo, Nicole De La Rosa

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Escherichia Coli Strain Diversity In Humans: Effects Of Sampling Effort And Methodology, Emily R. Neal

Master's Theses

Studies investigating Escherichia coli strain diversity and demographics in human hosts are frequently inconsistent regarding sampling effort and methodology while current strain typing methods are often expensive or laborious. To rectify these inconsistencies, sampling effort was investigated by comparing the diversity of 15-isolate collections to 100-isolate collections from 3 human subjects. Temporal variation in E. coli strain diversity was also studied by collecting 15 isolates once every 6 months. Additionally, strain identification and diversity collected by different sampling methods (fecal swabs vs. anal swabs collected at different times around defecation) were compared to identify any inherent biases in sampling method. …

Evaluating Usability Evaluations, Allen Leo Dunlea

Master's Theses

We live in an age when consumers can now shop and browse the web using hand-held devices. This means that competitive companies need to have a website to represent their brand and to conduct business. E-commerce sites need to pay special attention to the usability of their sites, since it has such an impact on how potential costumers view their brand.

Jakob Nielsen defines usability as a "quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use"; he separates usability into five quality components: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors and satisfaction. The current standard for testing usability involves having …

Dna Purification Process Optimization At Life Technologies Corporation, Trevor J. Shepherd

Master's Theses

This project focused on optimizing the plasmid DNA purification process at Life Technologies. These plasmids are designed to code for specialized proteins used by research universities, national laboratories, or research companies. Once cultivated and harvested, the plasmids must be analyzed for quality and quantity. The project is divided into improving three aspects of the process: 1) plasmid identification, 2) plasmid purity evaluation, and 3) process yield. Plasmid identification is now simpler, more robust and has zero ambiguity. Plasmid purity evaluation is now measured with computer software, which reduces user error and eliminates subjectivity. Using the nascent metrics provided by the …

Cplop: The Cal Poly Library Of Pyroprints, Jan Lorenz Villaceran Soliman

Master's Theses

To date, microbial source tracking (MST), i.e. determining the source of microbial contamination based on the specific strains observed in the environment, often uses methods that are time-consuming, expensive and not always reliable. The biology department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo has developed a new method for MST called pyroprinting. Pyroprints can be used as DNA fingerprints for identifying sources of fecal contamination and studying bacterial populations in host animals. The MST method consists of two parts: the pyroprinting process and a database of pyroprints. The Cal Poly Library of Pyroprints (CPLOP) was developed to provide a database application …

Computational Modeling To Evaluate Helical Electrode Designs For Use In Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Anthony W. Cowley

Master's Theses

An estimated 0.5% of world’s population has been diagnosed with epilepsy. Of these patients 20-30% will be unable to achieve seizure control with anti-epileptic drugs. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be an appropriate treatment option for some patients with pharmaceutically refractory, partial-onset seizures.

VNS therapy uses a helical electrode to interface between the implantable pulse generator and the vagus nerve. While there have been several studies related to the mechanical and electrical safety of such electrodes, little work has been done toward understanding the effectiveness of the helical electrode in nerve stimulation. A better understanding of the voltage field and …

Latent Cysteine Residues From Polymers Prepared Via Free And Controlled Radical Polymerizations, Douglas Vincent Amato

Master's Theses

One less commonly used “click” reaction is thiazolidine chemistry. Thiazolidine chemistry is a commonly used reaction used in biological systems because the reaction requires the presence of both cysteine (a common amino acid) and an aldehyde or ketone. If cysteine residues could be incorporated into a polymer then a variety of applications could be developed. Polymers containing free thiols (aka thiomers) have developed in the last decade to become great mucoadhesives. If there was a facile route to control the amount of free thiols along the polymer then more fine-tuned and potentially stronger adhesives could be made. For these reasons …

Business Plan For Lemon Production In California, Henry Sinanta

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Food System Planning Benefits & Recommendations For The City Of San Luis Obispo, Ca, Tessa Salzman

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Organic Polymer Solar Cells: The Effects Of Device Packaging On Cell Lifetime, Spencer Herrick

Physics

As the earth runs out of nonrenewable energy sources and climate change starts to have drastic effects on the environment, the world is becoming increasingly desperate for cost efficient, renewable energy sources. Organic polymer based solar technology is a cutting edge approach to meeting the world’s energy demands. We fabricate single-layer, organic photovoltaics devices that utilize the electrical characteristics of semi-conductive polymers. These solution processable materials are beneficial due to their low material cost, lightweight, and simple fabrication requirements. Our devices utilize multiple photoactive polymers, P3HT and PCPDTBT, to absorb photons over a wide spectral range. We optimized various device …

Application Of Phase Unwrapping To Digital Holographic Microscopy, Sara Taylor

Physics

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of The Fitzhugh-Nagumo Neuron Model, Zechariah Thurman

Physics

In this paper, the dynamical behavior of the Fitzhugh-Nagumo model is examined. The relationship between neuron input current and the firing frequency of the neuron is characterized. Various coupling schemes are also examined, and their effects on the dynamics of the system is discussed. The phenomenon of stochastic resonance is studied for a single uncoupled Fitzhugh-Nagumo neuron.

Stent Graft Blush, Vanessa Barrett, Thomas Matzinger, Mike Morelli

Mechanical Engineering

In order to better understand Type IV endoleaks (“blush”), the Cal Poly Senior Project team GraftTest has developed a blush evaluation system able to mimic several of the aorta’s environmental parameters. Capable of both pressure and flow rate control, this bench top system accommodates Medtronic’s wide range of abdominal and thoracic aortic stent grafts. Having researched endoleaks, stent grafts, and numerous other factors affecting stent graft blush, a system was developed with the aim of assessing and comparing the performance of Medtronic’s stent grafts with regard to blush. Furthermore, this system has been designed to provide reliable and repeatable results …

Design And Installation Of A Mobile Agriculture Chemical Mixing Station, Jason Mendes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project encompassed the design and fabrication of a Mobile Agricultural Chemical Mixing System. The design parameters were provided by Mark McKean and McKean Farms from Riverdale, Ca. The project’s objective was to provide safer working conditions for operators by improving their working environment while increasing mixing efficiency. This mobile system will provide storage for materials, as well as, a diversified mixing system at the site of applications.

The major components of the project include two chemical mixers to mix materials, a 2-inch suction pump to supply water from non-powered sources, and a flatbed trailer to encompass the unit …

Cardiac Condition Detection Using Artificial Neural Networks, Sean Franklin, Joseph Wallcave

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Testing Subspecies Limits In Monardella Villosa, Taylor Mclaughlin Crow

Master's Theses

Several subspecies of Monardella villosa (California Coyote Mint) have been distinguished on the basis of leaf thickness, shape, and trichome characteristics, yet many intermediates are known. We investigated morphological differences in natural populations of two subspecies (M. v. subsp. villosa and M. v. subsp. franciscana) in the Scott Creek watershed, north of Davenport, in Santa Cruz County, CA. Monardella villosa subsp. franciscana grows in coastal scrub in gulches and ocean terraces whereas subsp. villosa grows at more protected inland sites. Morphological difference between subspecies may be adaptations to these different habitats. I grew plants in a common garden at Cal …

Dairy Manure Flushwater Treatment By Packed-Bed Anaerobic Digesters, Neal Cary Adler

Master's Theses

Wastewater treatment performance of three pilot-scale packed-bed anaerobic digesters with walnut shell medium was researched for treating dairy freestall barn flushwater. Reciprocation mixing was evaluated as a means to lessen channelization in the media bed and to improve biogas production and organic matter removal at ambient temperatures. Reciprocation has been used in biological nitrogen removal systems to introduce air into the system to repeatedly oxygenate nitrifying biofilm along with mixing (Behrends et al. 2003), but the anaerobic systems benefit from mixing. Two tanks were used in each system, where one was full and one was empty at any given time. …

Nutrient Removal Using Microalgae In Wastewater-Fed High Rate Ponds, Matthew N. Rodrigues

Master's Theses

This thesis discusses the mechanisms associated with the removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater-fed high rate algae ponds (HRAP) designed to operate as triplicates. Research was conducted at the San Luis Obispo Water Reclamation Facility (SLOWRF) as a pilot-scale study of nine 30-square meter ponds one foot in depth. During period of study, triplicates were operated at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 4, 3 or 2-days. Main objectives for the study were to determine minimum HRTs required to achieve secondary and tertiary treatment. Experimental conditions such as CO₂ supplementation, nighttime aeration and operation of ponds in …

Establishment And Validation Of A Novel Fucci (Fluorescent Ubiquitination-Based Cell Cycle Indicator) In An In Vitro Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Model, Jane Marie Isquith

Master's Theses

The deregulation of the cell cycle is important in the leukemic transformation and in the continued discovery of more efficient targeted therapies. After elucidation of the role of the RNA editor ADAR1 in the malignant reprogramming of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) progenitors to leukemia stem cells (LSCs) during the chronic phase to blast crisis stages of the disease, current research seeks to uncover the mechanism of action of ADAR1 in this process. To study the potential role ADAR1 plays in the changes to cell cycle during this disease progression, a novel Fucci (fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator) system was introduced …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship In Agricultural Education, Amanda T. Hendrickson

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship report includes validation documents required in meeting the twelve quality criteria areas for secondary-level programs of instruction in agriculture at Minarets High School in O'Neals, California. The documents are concurrently used for the Agriculture Incentive Grant review process at Minarets High School conducted by representatives of the California Department of Education. The internship included the planning and development of a school garden facility. The construction and growth of this area was included as part of the comprehensive program plan for the Minarets Agriculture Department as well as in the 5 year plan. Documentation in support of the Minarets …

The Correlation Between Veldt Grass (Ehrharta Calycina) And Reproductive Condition Of The Lompoc Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Heermanni Arenae), Jacqueline Mae Bates

Biological Sciences

The invasive species, Veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), has come to dominate coastal dune shrub vegetation along the Central Coast of California. Along with creating many land management obstacles, this grass has become dominant in the open habitat of Lompoc Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys heermanni arenae). It is hypothesized that, due to a lack of suitable kangaroo rat habitat, during the breeding season months of March and April, there will be significantly fewer reproductively active females in areas of relatively high Veldt grass cover as opposed to relatively low Veldt grass cover. This study used data from a …

Gender Discrimination In The Workforce, Natalie Hays, Katherine Morrow

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Theory Of Continuity: An Alternate Analysis And Supporting Experiment On The Expressed Modes Of Human Interaction, Michael J. Vogel

Social Sciences

The methods currently used to survey, analyze and understand human relationships and interactivity fail to grasp the complexity and intricacy brought forth by a globalized, cohesive and communicative society. The conventional sociometric schools of social-group analysis are not fully equipped to understand the depth and complexity of interpersonal relations, losing out on the intricacies that exist between acquaintanceships, friendships, romances, and everything in between. This in mind, I have crafted and designed a new paradigmatic system for understanding and working with human relationships: the theory of Continuity. Employing a system of mutually-exchanged socio-emotive currency, Continuital theory seeks to quantify the …

Motivations And Relationship Quality Of Friends With Benefits Relationships Among Emerging Adults, Olivia Giorgi

Psychology and Child Development

This study was conducted to understand more about college-aged students’ motivations for Friends with Benefits (FWB) relationships, and the quality of those relationships. These casual relationships are gaining acceptance among college populations, but we understand little about gender differences in engaging in them. An online survey was created and participants were recruited from various groups and classes on campus. From this pool of students, 233 undergraduate students completed the survey. Measures included five motivation categories: sex, wanted FWB, relationship avoidance, friendship, and relationship simplicity (Hughes, Morrison, and Asada, 2005), in addition to six relationship quality aspects: satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, trust, …