Digital Commons Network^™

Temporal And Spatial Impacts Of Water Control Structures On The Benthic Infaunal Community Of A Tidally Restricted Wetland In Elkhorn Slough, Ca, Christine Marie Mann

Master's Theses

North Azevedo Pond in Elkhorn Slough, CA is a partially tidally restricted wetland that underwent an experimental ponding manipulation which increased inundation and tidal mixing within the system. This wetland has two spatially significant infaunal microsystems, south and north. Benthic cores taken before and after the manipulation showed that both the south and north infaunal communities remained dominated by the same major taxa, respectively. Both systems, however, experienced species shifts following the ponding manipulation. In the South, the non-native bivalve, Gemma gemma, declined from an average of 19,103 to 385 individuals (m2)-1 whereas the native clam, Nutricola tantilla, increased from …

Motivation To Persist: The Role Of Hope, Academic Self-Efficacy, And Sense Of Belonging On First Generation Latinx College Students And Their Intent To Persist, Deanna Peck

Dissertations

The landscape of higher education is changing. More diverse students are attending universities at higher numbers, yet these students are not graduating. This quantitative study uses linear regression, stepwise regression, and then exploratory factor analysis to examine three constructs - hope, academic self-efficacy, and sense of belonging - in first generation Latinx college students to see if these constructs made a difference in their intent to persist. While these constructs were positively statistically significant, their effect sizes were weak and do not explain the all the reasons why first generation Latinx college students intend to persist to graduation. In addition, …

Fiscal Transparency In The Era Of California's Local Control Funding Formula: An Analysis Of Funding Levels, Expenditures, And Student Achievement, Blanca Baltazar-Sabbah

Dissertations

This research presents an analysis of California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) before and after implementation (AY 2013 to AY 2016). Funding allocations, expenditures, and student achievement data were analyzed across nine school districts in Northern California. Findings revealed a significant increase in state and local funding after implementation of LCFF for all districts. Statistical analyses showed larger districts received the greatest increases in funding and per pupil funding increases with the number of students who were eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL). While these trends were consistent both before and after the implementation of LCFF, the percent of …

The African American/Black Racial Tapestry: Black Adolescents' Private, Independent School Experiences And Racial Identity Development, Angela R. Birts

Dissertations

While private, independent schools are homes to students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, the subjective experiences of African American students within these spaces are distinct. Twelve African American high school students attending ten different private, independent schools were asked to describe their racial and ethnic backgrounds, and explain how race is manifested in their schooling experiences. A methodological bricolage, including ground theory methods, is intricately woven into the fabric of this study to reflect the rich tapestry of African American/Black youth identities and their experiences in independent schools that underscore youth’s interpretation of contemporary black culture and my personal …

The Relationship Between Perceptions And Actual Use Of Workplace Flexibility And Employee Engagement, Katherine Baer

Master's Theses

Previous research has identified both perceptions of the availability of flexible work arrangements and use of these arrangements as a predictor of engagement (Richman, Civian, Shannon, Hill, & Brennan, 2008; Ten Brummelhuis, Bakker, Hetland, & Keulemans, 2012). However, no studies have looked at the incremental effect use of flexible work arrangements have on engagement, above and beyond actual use. Very few studies have looked at how gender moderates the relationship between perceptions of flexible work arrangements and use of flexible work arrangements and engagement. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the relationships between perceptions and actual …

The Moderating Effect Of Gender And Tenure On The Relationship Between Perceived Supervisor Support And Organizational Commitment, Megan Evelyn Little

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which the demographic variables of gender and tenure influence the strength and direction of the relationship between perceived supervisor support and organizational commitment. Responses to a 2014 organization-wide employee opinion survey from 383 employees within a computer software company were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. In support of previous research, results from this study lay credence to the finding that perceived supervisor support has a positive, significant relationship with organizational commitment such that individuals who felt supported by their supervisors were more likely to report higher levels of organizational …

Recombinant Expression And Potential Autocatalysis Of Aedes Aegypti Trypsin-Like Serine Proteases (Aaspii And Aaspiv), Diane Francine Eilerts

Master's Theses

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can be found globally in tropical and subtropical urban areas and spread Zika, Dengue fever, yellow fever, and Chikungunya viruses. Current vector control methods are limited and nonspecific. The female Ae. aegypti mosquito uses blood meal proteins to obtain nutrients required for oogenesis; inhibition of the midgut trypsin-like serine proteases responsible for blood meal digestion may provide a novel method of vector control. Ae. aegypti blood meal digestion is complex and the role of uncharacterized serine proteases in blood digestion is unclear; specifically, a group of trypsin-like serine proteases (AaSPII–V) is expressed at constant levels before and …

Using Stable Isotope Analysis To Infer Breeding Latitude And Migratory Timing Of Juvenile Pacific-Slope Flycatchers (Empidonax Difficilis), Emily Bailey Moffitt

Master's Theses

Effective conservation of migratory species is hindered by a lack of knowledge of population links between breeding, wintering and stopover habitats. The Pacific-slope flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is one of the many Neotropical migratory songbirds whose populations are steadily declining throughout western North America. This research contributed to the assessment of connectivity in this species by inferring relative breeding origins and habitat selection of juvenile birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway to the South San Francisco Bay Area in the fall. Feather data collected from July 20 to October 12, 2014 were analyzed for three stable isotopes (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N). …

Affective And Cognitive Effects Of Awe In Predicting Hopelessness And Brooding Rumination, Eldita Tarani

Master's Theses

This study investigated the effects of awe, as a positive emotion, in ameliorating

depressive symptoms such as hopelessness and rumination. Previous research indicates that awe is unique compared to other positive emotions in that is elicited by information rich-stimuli that facilitate shifts in cognition as one attempts to accommodate this new information to their current frame of reference. In addition, awe was found incite a self- diminishing effect that contrast the inflated significance one places on the self, during negative self-referential thinking (e.g. hopelessness). We hypothesized that exposure to an awe stimuli (video) would prompt subjects to feel less hopeless …

Academic Barriers For Migrant Middle School Students In Salinas, California, Alexa Terhorst

Master's Theses

The educational barriers facing migrant students are examined in this research based on the experiences of teachers and Mexican migrant middle school students in Salinas, California. Through the research, I ask if academic barriers for migrant students differ from obstacles of their peers and if so, what are those differences? The barriers to migrant students’ education were explored through a literature review, examining themes of parental involvement, teacher–student relationships, student self-esteem, and the use of educational programs. Through snowball sampling, semi-structured interviews, and surveys, data were collected from four teachers and 18 migrant students to understand how these themes manifested …

A Feminist Focus Group Analysis Of Women's Experiences In Postpartum Yoga Classes With Babies Present, Ky Carnell Russell

Master's Theses

Women in the postpartum period face a number of physical and emotional challenges that research results indicate could be alleviated through exercise. Unfortunately, many new mothers are unable to participate in regular exercise due to a variety of personal and societally constructed obstacles. There is a growing trend to incorporate babies into yoga classes in an effort to increase the accessibility of postpartum exercise. There has been limited research conducted regarding the effectiveness of this emerging trend, and none have examined the feelings of participants engaged in mother and baby yoga classes. To address this gap in the literature, the …

Preliminary Findings Using Growth Mindset And Belonging Interventions In A Freshman Engineering Class, Jinny Rhee, Camille Johnson, Clifton Oyamot

Faculty Publications, Mechanical Engineering

Engineering is typically plagued with lower graduation rates and larger achievement gaps compared to other majors; the projected demand for its future graduates lends to the urgency in reversing these trends. Holding a growth mindset, or a belief that intelligence is mutable, and a feeling of belongingness are keys to persisting in and graduating from college. In prior research, improvements in retention and graduation rates have been found following minor interventions, particularly among some underrepresented populations of students. The current study explored whether similar interventions could be effective in increasing retention and graduation rates among underrepresented populations of engineering and …

What Motivates Young Adults To Talk About Physical Activity On Social Network Sites?, Ni Zhang, Shelly Campo, Jingzhen Yang, Petya Eckler, Linda Snetselaar, Kathleen Janz, Emily Leary

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background:
Electronic word-of-mouth on social network sites has been used successfully in marketing. In social marketing, electronic word-of-mouth about products as health behaviors has the potential to be more effective and reach more young adults than health education through traditional mass media. However, little is known about what motivates people to actively initiate electronic word-of-mouth about health behaviors on their personal pages or profiles on social network sites, thus potentially reaching all their contacts on those sites.
Objective:
This study filled the gap by applying a marketing theoretical model to explore the factors associated with electronic word-of-mouth on social network …

Records Risk Assessment At A Hospital In Zimbabwe, Njabulo Bruce Khumalo Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Many organisations usually do not value records management until a time when disaster strikes and records are destroyed. In most institutions, there is a lack of preparedness as there are no records risk assessments and records management systems are not assessed to find how they are performing. Without records risk assessment activities in especially hospitals, records will continue to deteriorate, be lost or even accessed by unauthorised people. Without proper records risk assessments, disasters are likely to strike and destroy records which are the basis for business transactions, continuity and evidence. Purpose of the Study: This study will seek to …

Research Productivity In The Departments Of Chemistry And Physics Of The University Of Burdwan During 1960 – 2000: A Comparative Study., Amitava Nandi, Sanjukta Mondal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

During 1960-2000, Chemistry and Physics department of the University of Burdwan, produced 141 awarded Chemistry theses, 979 published Chemistry thesis articles and 67 awarded Physics theses, 610 published Physics thesis articles. To compare the year wise productivity, authorship pattern and collaboration, Co-authorship pattern, Impact of authors, the citation scenario of the outstanding authors and ranked list of journals they have been analysed. The highest number of thesis (30) during 1986-1990 & 1991-1995 and the highest number of thesis articles (283) during 1991-1995 was submitted by the Chemistry Department whereas Physics department submitted highest number of theses (19) and highest number …

Information Needs And Computer Self Efficacy As Factors Influencing Use Of Electronic Reference Services By Undergraduates In A Nigerian University, Olawale Oyewole, Tope Johnson Oladepo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examines the influence of information needs and computer self efficacy on the use of electronic reference services by undergraduate students in a Nigerian University. Appropriate literature on information needs, computer self efficacy and use of electronic reference services was reviewed. The Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and the population consisted of 15395 students of the Federal University of Technology Akure and the librarian in charge of the electronic reference service in the institution’s library. The multistage random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 251 and the questionnaire and an interview …

The Collaboration Between Librarians And Faculties In Preserving And Publishing The Intellectual Heritages Through The Institutional Repositories: A Case At Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta, Ulpah Andayani

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper deals with the professional partnership between librarian and faculty members in preserving dan publishing the intellectual heritages through the institutional repositories at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta. As a new model or innovation of preservation and publishing, institutional repositories are regarded as the complex project. The collaboration among stakeholders, therefore, is required to the successful development of institutional repositories within the university. By using descriptive study, this paper explores the initiative program of the institutional repositories development and the roles of the librarian in bridging the self-submission by faculties. Based on the study, it was found that …

Library And Information Services To The Visually Impaired Persons, Junaid Rayini

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Visually impaired people have the same information needs as sighted people. Just as sighted people might read a newspaper, listen to a CD or download electronic information from the Internet; visually impaired people also want access to relevant information in their chosen accessible format. Developing an efficient library service for print-disabled people is extremely important, because there are significantly fewer books available commercially in accessible formats compared to what is published in print for the general public. Libraries have a moral obligation to make information available to all categories of users regardless of their gender, age, race, political affiliation or …

Extent Of Access To Health Information And Sources For Chronic Disease Patients In Tertiary Health Institutions In South East Nigeria: Implications For Libraries Role, Ebele N. Anyaoku, Obiora C. Nwosu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Access to relevant health information is essential for helping people to take good decisions to enhance their health and well-being. The research examined the importance, level and sources of access to health information for patients with chronic diseases in two Federal Government Teaching Hospitals in South East Nigeria. The research is a cross-sectional survey that used questionnaire to collect data. Sample was 784 patients in two Federal Government Teaching Hospitals in South East Nigeria. Research questions focused on the importance of health information, extent of patients’ access to disease, coping and treatment information. Findings show that while large majority indicated …

Information Professionals’ Role In Enhancing Awareness Creation Towards Obstetric Fistula Treatment In Rural Areas Of Tanzania, Onesta C. Rwihura, Boniface Mbangala

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper focuses on sensitisation of information professionals to create awareness on the treatment of Obstetric Fistula in rural areas of Tanzania. The rural women in Tanzania lack access to information on treatment of Obstetric Fistula, as a result, they face many problems such as social isolation, stigmatization, humiliation, rejection by their husbands and relatives. Due to these problems, Obstetric Fistula survivors feel guilty and loneliness, they lose hope for living and become disappointed. There is, therefore, a need for information professionals to disseminate Obstetric Fistula information in rural areas to create awareness of the treatment of this problem. Non-probability …

A Review On Literature Of Waqf For Poverty Alleviation Between 2006-2016, Nur Atikah Atan, Fuadah Johari

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background - The success of Waqf as a source of socio-economic financing in Islamic history in developing a country by providing the social and public goods to the society have been a major factor for Waqf practices to be retrieved back today. In order to exterminate the poverty, depending in Zakat alone is not enough. Waqf can be an alternative in solving the socio-economic problem of the Ummah which covers the issues such as poverty, inequality and rising cost of living as well in promoting the social well-being in the society. Purpose - The purpose of this article is to …

Paradoxical Modeling Of The Negative Uses Of Ict And Their Implications Among Secondary School Students In Oyo State, Nigeria, Ojinga Gideon Omiunu Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated negative uses of ICT and its Implications among secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria: A Phenomenographical analysis towards a Grounded Theory. A multi stage sampling technique was deployed and used in this study which involves the convenient sampling at the first stage, random sampling at the second stage, purposive sampling technique at the third stage and the purposive sampling technique was also used at the fourth stage to select respondents of the study. Information obtained were recorded and transcribed and used for analysis, and a thematic analysis was done. Findings of the study revealed that in …

Viral Marketing For Smart Cities: Influencers In Social Network Communities, Madhura Kaple, Ketki Kulkarni, Katerina Potika

Faculty Publications, Computer Science

Social networks are used by cities primarily for announcing local-area events, but also for increasing engagement of citizens in votes and elections. Given the current plethora of heterogeneous social networks, city administrators can benefit from social networks to promote initiatives, which are important to a current smart city as well use them to discover future needs in order to manage resources more efficiently. Our focus in this paper is how we can adapt commercial and viral marketing techniques to smart city systems to influence the behavior, opinion and choices of citizens in order to improve their well being and that …

Reciprocity And Vernacular Statecraft: Andean Cooperation In Post-Disaster Highland Ecuador, A. J. Faas

Faculty Publications, Anthropology

Cooperative labor parties known throughout the Andes as mingas, although outwardly appearing to be the same cultural institution, are practiced quite differently and with varying meanings in different socioeconomic contexts. This article discusses how minga cooperation came to exhibit contrasting, yet intimately related, patterns of practice and social relationships in both a displaced, disaster-affected village and a disaster-induced resettlement. It describes actors in these groups appealing to ostensibly common repertoires of shared meaning and culture, while organizing themselves in distinct ways in order to access and control scarce resources. In one village, minga participation is largely sustained through traditional …

Effect Of Cohorts On Student Retention In Engineering, Patricia Backer, Cindy Kato

Faculty Publications

Project Succeed is a campus-wide initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Its focus is to improve the 5-year graduation and retention rates and close the achievement gap for Under-Represented Minorities (URMs) across all majors at San José State University (SJSU). There are three major goals: strengthen SJSU’s core academic performance in retention and graduation; provide an improved supportive environment for URM students; and enhance the delivery and integration of academic and co-curricular support services. For Fall 2015, newly matriculated students in the College of Business, College of Engineering, and Child and Adolescent Development Department (CHAD) were assigned schedules …

Information Outlook, May/June 2017, Special Libraries Association

Information Outlook, 2017

Volume 21, Issue 3

Faculty Led Study Abroad: Influences On Student Intercultural Communication, Interprofessional Attitudes, And Professional Identity, Lynne Andonian, Ruth Rosenblum

Faculty Publications

Interprofessional education is valued within healthcare professional programs as reflected in accreditation standards and program outcomes as well as college-wide initiatives. Little is known about the relationships between interprofessional attitudes among healthcare students (nursing, occupational therapy, social work), their degree of intercultural communication skills, and their professional identity. Thirty three students participating in interprofessional faculty-led study abroad completed pre- and postmeasures of the constructs under study: interprofessional attitudes, intercultural communication, and professional identity. Statistically significant positive relationships were found between interprofessional attitudes and intercultural communication skills which are discussed as well as implications for education and practice. This quantitative, descriptive …

Demographic Variables And Job Performance Of Librarians In University Libraries In South East Nigeria, Cyprian Ifeanyi Ugwu, Mercy Ebere Ugwu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study aims at determining the relationship between demographic variables and the job performance of librarians in university libraries in South East Nigeria. The study was based on correlational research design. A total of 100 Librarians working as supervisors in the university libraries participated in the study. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) and Spearman’s ranked order coefficient were used to analyze the data collected while ANOVA and multiple regressions were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 probability levels. The findings revealed high job performance of librarians with respect to their task and extra …

47th Chicano Commencement, 2017, San Jose State University, Associated Students

Chicano Commencement

47th Annual Chicano Commencement

"Con Orgullo, Con Poder, Y Sin Miedo" The 47th Annual Chicano Commencement was held on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the SJSU Event Center.

Neural Net Stock Trend Predictor, Sonal Kabra

Master's Projects

This report analyzes new and existing stock market prediction techniques. Traditional technical analysis was combined with various machine-learning approaches such as artificial neural networks, k-nearest neighbors, and decision trees. Experiments we conducted show that technical analysis together with machine learning can be used to profitably direct an investor’s trading decisions. We are measuring the profitability of experiments by calculating the percentage weekly return for each stock entity under study. Our algorithms and simulations are developed using Python. The technical analysis methodology combined with machine learning algorithms show promising results which we discuss in this report.