Digital Commons Network^™

Dnaforge: A Design Tool For Nucleic Acid Wireframe Nanostructures, Antti Elonen, Leon Wimbes, Abdulmelik Mohammed, Pekka Orponen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

DNAforge is an online tool that provides a unified, user-friendly interface to several recent design methods for DNA and RNA wireframe nanostructures, with the possibility of integrating additional methods into the same framework. Currently, DNAforge supports three design methods for DNA nanostructures and two for RNA nanostructures. The tool enables the design, visualisation and sequence generation for highly complex wireframe nanostructures with a simple fully automated process. DNAforge is freely accessible at https://dnaforge.org/.

Battery Management System Development For Electric Vehicles And Fast Charging Infrastructure Improvement, Yu Yang, Hen-Geul Yeh, Cesar Ortiz

Mineta Transportation Institute

The electric vehicle (EV) has become increasingly popular due to its being zero-emission. However, a significant challenge faced by EV drivers is the range anxiety associated with battery usage. Addressing this concern, this project develops a more efficient battery management system (BMS) for electric vehicles based on a real-time, state-of-charge (SOC) estimation. The proposed study delivers three modules: (1) a new equivalent circuit model (ECM) for lithium-ion batteries, (2) a new SOC estimator based on the moving horizon method, and (3) an on-board FPGA implementation of the classical Coulomb counting method for SOC estimation. The research team extends the traditional …

Malware Classification Using Dynamically Extracted Api Call Embeddings, Sahil Aggarwal, Fabio Di Troia

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Malware classification stands as a crucial element in establishing robust computer security protocols, encompassing the segmentation of malware into discrete groupings. Recently, the emergence of machine learning has presented itself as an apt approach for addressing this challenge. Models can undergo training employing diverse malware attributes, such as opcodes and API calls, to distill valuable insights for effective classification. Within the realm of natural language processing, word embeddings assume a pivotal role by representing text in a manner that aligns closely with the proximity of similar words. These embeddings facilitate the quantification of word resemblances. This research embarks on a …

Populism’S Influence On News Content: Polarization, Political Parallelism, And Journalistic Professionalism In Rafael Correa’S Ecuador, Manel Palos Pons

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This article investigates how populism in power influenced news media in Ecuador during leftist president Rafael Correa’s presidency (2007–2017). Correa’s administration triggered a bold media reform in Ecuador challenging traditional media and promising media democratization, but his government received sharp denunciations from press freedom and media organizations which considered Ecuador as a “not free” country, especially after the passing of a Communication Law in 2013 that regulated media extensively. Through content analysis of news and opinion pieces published in 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, and 2018 by Ecuador’s main legacy newspapers, El Comercio and El Universo, different legal and political contexts …

Development Of The Roadway Pothole Management Program, Dingxin Cheng

Mineta Transportation Institute

Addressing the issue of potholes is a primary concern for maintaining urban infrastructure. The research team has developed a prototype pothole management program. The program includes a mobile application and two machine learning models. The mobile app enables users to upload images of potholes, report relevant information, and provide driving directions to the pothole location. With the help of this application, the user can seamlessly capture images of the potholes, record pertinent information, and submit the data for necessary action. The mobile application is an essential tool in the Pothole Management Program (PMP), as it enhances the program's efficiency, effectiveness, …

Exploring Performance-Based Contracts: A Good Option To Address Long-Term Road Maintenance In California?, Maria Calahorra-Jimenez, Richard Poythress

Mineta Transportation Institute

Performance-based contracts (PBCs) used in road maintenance provide flexibility for considering new materials, design, and technology to achieve predetermined performance targets. Several states in the U.S. have already used these types of contracts in road maintenance, and their experience can inform the use of PBCs in California. The objectives of this research are twofold. First, identify the benefits and challenges of PBCs compared to traditional contracts. Second, explore the main aspects of PBCs implementation for road maintenance and relate them to California's context. To this end, deductive-inductive content analysis was conducted on 84 peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2023. …

Mapping Of Pavement Conditions Using Smartphone/Tablet Lidar Case Study: Sensor Performance Comparison, Calvin Beavers, Chad Day, Austin Krietemeyer, Scott M. Peterson, Yushin Ahn, Xiaojun Li

Mineta Transportation Institute

Poor road conditions affect millions of drivers, and assessing the condition of paved surfaces is a critical step towards repairing them. This project explores the feasibility of using the Apple iPad Pro LiDAR sensor as a cost-effective tool for assessing the damage and condition of paved surfaces. Our research aims to provide accurate and precise measurements using readily available consumer devices and compare the results to state-of-the-art equipment. This investigation involved visual inspection, identification, and classification of pavement distresses, followed by a comparison of the iPad and iPhone LiDAR data with a survey-grade terrestrial laser scanner. The project revealed several …

Experimental Investigation Of The Self-Healing Potential Of Bacteria For Sustainable Concrete Structures Phase 2, Andrea Calabrese, Pitiporn Asvapathanagul, Nisarg N. Patel, Nanubala Dhruvan, Austin Adams, Michael Hernandez, Douglas S. Lopez-Cruz

Mineta Transportation Institute

Concrete is a critical component of so much of the modern construction industry. This material, well known for its versatility, robustness, longevity, and strength, is well-suited for a wide range of structural applications. Nonetheless, the widespread occurrence of cracks in concrete structures, primarily attributed to its limited tensile strength, shrinkage, and overstain, imposes a considerable economic and environmental challenge when it comes to retrofitting these fissures. This study tackles this problem by harnessing bacteria tolerant to high alkaline conditions to enable Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) for the self-repair of concrete. This is achieved through an external application method, …

Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of The Roadside Transportation-Related Air Quality (Startraq 2022): Data-Driven Exposure Analysis By Transportation Modes, Jaymin Kwon, Yushin Ahn, Steve Chung

Mineta Transportation Institute

Particulate matter (PM) pollution poses significant health risks, influenced by various meteorological factors and seasonal variations. This study investigates the impact of temperature and other meteorological variables on PM10 and PM2.5 levels in Fresno County, known for high air pollution. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and generalized additive models (GAMs) assess the significance of these relationships. Analyzing data from Fresno County, we examine PM10 and PM2.5 levels across "hot" (June to August) and "cool" (September to May) seasons. Findings indicate PM10, both MLR and GAM models identify statistically significant variables, excluding temperature and wind direction in each season. However, during the …

Drosophila Nhe2 Overexpression Induces Autophagic Cell Death, Jobelle Peralta, Blake Dupriest, Daniel Orozco, Juan Reyna Pacheco, Laura Martins, Rachel Ann Soriano, Alan Wong, Ramy Wong, Bree Grillo-Hill

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process where double membrane-bound structures form around macromolecules or organelles targeted for degradation. Autophagosomes fuse with lysosomes to facilitate degradation and macromolecule recycling for homeostasis or growth in a cell autonomous manner. In cancer cells, autophagy is often up-regulated and helps cancer cells survive nutrient deprivation and stressful growth conditions. Here, we propose that the increased intracellular pH (pHi) common to cancer cells is sufficient to induce autophagic cell death. We previously developed tools to increase pHi in the Drosophila eye via overexpression of DNhe2, resulting in aberrant patterning and reduced tissue size. We examined …

Reading Colonial Transitions: Archival Evidence And The Archaeology Of Indigenous Action In Nineteenth-Century California, Lee M. Panich, Gustavo Flores, Michael Wilcox, Monica V. Arellano

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Archaeologists in North America and elsewhere are increasingly examining long-term Indigenous presence across multiple colonial systems, despite lingering conceptual and methodological challenges. We examine this issue in California, where archaeologists and others have traditionally overlooked Native persistence in the years between the official closing of the region’s Franciscan missions in the 1830s and the onset of US settler colonialism in the late 1840s. In particular, we advocate for the judicious use of the documentary record to ask new questions of Indigenous life during this short but critical period, when many Native Californians were freed from the missions and sought new …

Records Management As A Risk Mitigation Strategy At Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana., Tolani Blackie, Nathan Mnjama

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Records management is a very important component that can be used to mitigate risks in all organisations. The key objectives of the study were to establish whether Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has a risk management strategy for records and evaluate the importance, status of records as well as risk management in place. Study participants were purposively sampled in this simple stratified random sampling research design study.

The study revealed that WUC has a risk management strategy called "The Enterprise Risk Management Strategy" that covers aspects of records management. However, the study further revealed that records management policies, disaster preparedness plans, …

Gerston, Larry N., San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

Ph.D., Political Science, University of California, Davis, 1975

M.A., Political Science, University of California, Davis, 1970

A.B., Political Science and Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, 1969

Cognitive And Affective Information Seeking Barriers Affecting First-Year Students At The Tshwane University Of Technology (Tut), Rirhandzu S. Mhinga, Rirhandzu Sharon Mhinga, Madely Du Preez

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Introduction. Investigates cognitive and affective barriers caused by uncertainty that affect the information seeking and searching behaviour of first-year students registered at the Tshwane University of Technology, Polokwane campus. These students do not have a background of using academic information resources and systems. Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP) model and the four levels of information needs identified by Taylor guided this study. The research question that shaped this investigation is, how do feelings of uncertainty affect the information seeking behaviour of first year students?

Methods. A phenomenological research approach was employed in the study. Fifteen first-year students were interviewed. …

Exploring The Awareness And Usage Of Electronic Library Resources Among Students At College Level In Assam, Krishna Hazarika Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The current research paper explains how familiar and frequently students at College in Assam used electronic library resources. A descriptive survey method gathered information from 150 students via a questionnaire. Findings indicated a significant lack of awareness among students regarding electronic resources, with 61% of respondents expressing unawareness due to a lack of prior knowledge. Consequently, many students continued relying on traditional library systems for their research needs. Furthermore, only a small fraction (16%) of students knew about the existence of electronic library resources but rarely utilized them for academic purposes. Among these aware students, 37% used these resources once …

Fresno County Afterschool Transportation Education, Christian Wandeler, Felipe Mercado

Mineta Transportation Institute

Transportation is a critical infrastructure, and K–12 students benefit from understanding the industry and how it impacts their lives. This comprehensive report investigates the landscape of transportation education via the lens of the Madera Unified School District's afterschool programs, thus highlighting its crucial role in shaping the futures of students and, consequently, society. It further explores the substantial enhancements in learning, career readiness, and societal awareness that can be achieved through the strategic incorporation of transportation concepts into K–12 education, augmented by the support of afterschool programs and online educational technologies. The study tackles challenges and explores ways to make …

Smart Robot Design And Implementation To Assist Pedestrian Road Crossing, Hovannes Kulhandjian

Mineta Transportation Institute

This research focuses on designing and developing a smart robot to assist pedestrians with road crossings. Pedestrian safety is a major concern, as highlighted by the high annual rates of fatalities and injuries. In 2020, the United States recorded 6,516 pedestrian fatalities and approximately 55,000 injuries, with children under 16 being especially vulnerable. This project aims to address this need by offering an innovative solution that prioritizes real-time detection and intelligent decision-making at intersections. Unlike existing studies that rely on traffic light infrastructure, our approach accurately identifies both vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, creating a comprehensive safety system. Our strategy …

Enhancing Evacuation Warning Responsiveness: Exploring The Impact Of Social Interactions Through An Agent-Based Model Approach, Alessandro Toledo Salazar, Matthew Medrano, Mathias Duque Medina, Julio Roa, Jorge E. Pesantez

Mineta Transportation Institute

Evacuations are the preferred response to human- or natural-caused disasters. The process often involves people deciding when and how to evacuate based on messages from local authorities. However, diverse opinions of the affected people may influence their decision to evacuate or to stay and see how the situation unfolds. This project applies an opinion dynamics concept to model the opinion and decision-making of people threatened by wildfire. To demonstrate how individual opinions evolve with time, the model applies an agent-based approach that includes the interaction between an agency sending an evacuation message and the affected population. There are three sources …

Examining Transit Service Improvements With Internet-Of-Things (Iot): A Disparity Analysis, Shailesh Chandra, Robert Valencia, Vamsi Krishna Oruganti

Mineta Transportation Institute

Literature shows that poor service reliability of transit often leads to uncertain waiting times at transit stations, diminishing their popularity and usage, and this particularly affects low-income populations more likely to rely heavily on transit. This research delves into an in-depth analysis of the inequality assessment of the Los Angeles (LA) Metro Rail lines, with a particular focus on evaluating the potential impacts of integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This study investigates how IoT could influence service connectivity, accessibility, and the existing disparities in transit services. The primary goal of this study is to assess how the implementation of …

Experimental Evolution Studies In Φ6 Cystovirus, Sonia Singhal, Akiko K. Balitactac, Aruna G. Nayagam, Parnian Pour Bahrami, Sara Nayeem, Paul E. Turner

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Experimental evolution studies, in which biological populations are evolved in a specific environment over time, can address questions about the nature of spontaneous mutations, responses to selection, and the origins and maintenance of novel traits. Here, we review more than 30 years of experimental evolution studies using the bacteriophage (phage) Φ6 cystovirus. Similar to many lab-studied bacteriophages, Φ6 has a high mutation rate, large population size, fast generation time, and can be genetically engineered or cryogenically frozen, which facilitates its rapid evolution in the laboratory and the subsequent characterization of the effects of its mutations. Moreover, its segmented RNA genome, …

Intra- And Interannual Variation In The Foraging Behavior Of Common Murres (Uria Aalge) In The Central California Current, Sean Gee, Pete Warzybok, Michael E. Johns, Jaime Jahncke, Scott A. Shaffer

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Seabirds modify their behavior during the breeding season as they transition from incubation (self-feeding) to chick-rearing (self-feeding + chick provisioning) periods, which affects parental foraging patterns and distribution. However, it is less clear how much flexibility parents have to modulate their behavior when environmental conditions are unusually poor. Using GPS loggers and time depth recorders, we examined the foraging flexibility of common murres (Uria aalge) at Southeast Farallon Island as adjustments were made between breeding phases and across consecutive years (2019 and 2020) with contrasting oceanographic conditions (i.e. prominent marine heatwave in 2019). Foraging trips were longer during the incubation …

Protocol: Street Outreach Conflict Mediation Programs For Reducing Violence, Edward R. Maguire, Cody W. Telep, Thomas Abt, Ericka Adams

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: This systematic review will synthesize the available evaluation research on the effectiveness of street outreach conflict mediation programs. The review seeks to answer the following primary question: Are street outreach worker strategies that use conflict mediation and/or violence interruption strategies effective at reducing violence? Assuming a sufficient number of eligible studies, this review will also address two additional questions: Are there certain program elements that render these strategies more or less effective? Are there certain conditions under which these strategies are more or less effective? As …

Cyber Loafing And Innovative Work Behavior As Predictors Of Perceived Job Performance: A Nigerian Study, Oluyomi Folorunso, Ruth Okeile

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Previous studies on Perceived Job Performance (PJP) have focussed almost entirely on organizational settings different from the library. Furthermore, the studies did not investigate how the pertinent variables of Cyber Loafing (CL) and Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) predict PJP of the organizational workers. This study, therefore, was designed to examine CL and IWB as predictors of PJP of the personnel of some university libraries in Nigeria.

Theories of Reasoned Action and Job Performance anchored the study, while the survey design of correlational type was adopted. The study population comprised the 96 professional librarians and 95 library officers in the 12 …

Use Of Internet Resources Among Mbbs/Bds Students: The Case Of Clinical Students In A Medical School In Nigeria, Samuel Bello

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background: The Internet has been identified as a multipurpose technology that has become the world’s biggest library where information resources can be accessed with a simple mouse click away. The immense contributions of the tool in academia necessitated the efforts of some universities and Colleges to create an enabling environment, such as low or no-cost Internet access, for new students who need an Internet connection to survive on campus. This study investigated the Use of Internet Resources among MBBS/BDS Students: The Case of Clinical Students in a Medical School in Nigeria

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the use of …

The Management Variables And The Provision F Library Services To The University Undergraduates In South-East, Nigeria, Ngozi Immaculata Ike Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated management variables and the provision of library services to the university undergraduates in federal universities across Southeast Nigeria. The research examined the relationship between planning and organizing, and the extent of library services provided. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A multiple correlational design was employed. Data collection utilized a 4-point modified Likert rating scale. The population of the study was 19390 comprising librarians and students. This is made up of 19188 students and 202 librarians. The population was made up of all university undergraduate registered library users and librarians within the period the …

“Kenough”: What Greta Gerwig’S Barbie Film Has To Teach Us About Social And Distributive Justice Related To Masculinity And Positive Masculine Qualities, B.D. White

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Beyond Barbie’s feminist messages, the academy award winning film gently nudges the viewer to consider “male fragility,” prompting a deeper exploration of male role norms (MRNs) and masculine expression among cisgendered, American men. Conforming to these norms is linked to societal issues such as higher rape myth acceptance, homophobia, transphobia, and gender role strain. This analysis underscores the necessity of challenging traditional male norms for a more just society. This paper redefines MRNs, arguing that they are not a blueprint for healthy masculinity but a distortion rooted in a culture that restricts men's experiences. Norms are scrutinized, offering definitions, social …

Examining The Historical Evolution And Contemporary Significance Of Human Rights, Ailing Lu

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

This paper delves into the complex concept of human rights, examining its historical evolution and contemporary significance through the perspectives of Lynn Hunt's "Inventing Human Rights," Michelline R. Ishay's "The History of Human Rights," and Samuel Moyn's "The Last Utopia." Hunt's work explores the 18th-century Enlightenment, highlighting the political foundations of natural, equal, and universal rights. Ishay provides a comprehensive account spanning ancient civilizations to modern globalization, emphasizing the dynamic nature of human rights struggles. Moyn challenges conventional views, asserting the mid-20th century emergence of contemporary human rights amidst the Cold War and failed utopian visions. While each historian offers …

Privatized Immigration Detention In California And The Opportunity For Reform, Natalie Lager

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

The expanding literature on “crimmigration” law has turned academic attention toward the state of carceral immigration detention in the U.S. Immigration detention has increasingly become a private enterprise, which raises new concerns for immigrant rights and the political legitimacy of privatizing carceral institutions. California’s private detention centers have an alarming record of Constitutional violations, and detention corporations are seldom penalized for violating immigrants’ rights. In response, the California legislature passed AB 32 to ban private prisons and detention centers. In Geo Group v. Newsom (2020), the Ninth Circuit Court struck down the ban. Laws that dismantle private detention, such as …

Police Dogs: A Useful Tool Or Expensive Legal Nightmare, Madeline Hoyt

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

This article critically evaluates the arguments for and against the continuing use of police dogs. Arguments against the continuing usage of police dogs include the high level of variability in success rates due to different traits of the dogs, differing training styles, and the various types of drugs that the dogs are trained to detect. Arguments against the continuance of police dogs also include the legal issues related to the use of police dogs; health implications, job-related injuries incurred by the dogs, and the expenses related to the purchasing, training, and care of the working dogs. The arguments in favor …

Information Needs, And Sources Of Information, Of Art And Design Students In Diploma Awarding Institutions In Uganda., David Musiimaami, Constant Okello-Obura, David Luyombya

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Access to relevant information is crucial for Art and Design students to meet their information needs and achieve their educational goals and expand their knowledge base. This paper explores the information needs, and sources of information, of Art and Design students in diploma – awarding institutions in Uganda. This is part of a PhD study that investigated the information-seeking behaviour of Art and Design students in diploma-awarding institutions in Uganda. The study population comprised Art and Design diploma students in the four Art and Design diploma-awarding institutions in Uganda, library heads in the same institutions, and directors at National Council …