Digital Commons Network^™

Scoring Equitable Transit: A Data-Driven Framework For Affordable Transit-Oriented Development In California, Ahoura Zandiatashbar, Anton Rozhkov, Stephanie Nemet, Atticus Washington, Mounashree Prasanna

Mineta Transportation Institute

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a cornerstone of California’s climate and land use policy, promising walkable, compact neighborhoods near high-quality transit. However, these benefits are not always distributed equitably. This study introduces a scalable framework for identifying and scoring Affordable Transit-Oriented Development (A-TOD) across the state’s High-Quality Transit Areas (HQTAs). The goal is to equip policymakers, planners, and housing agencies with tools to evaluate station areas based on their physical form, affordability, and equity outcomes. Using a 1.5-mile network-based pedestrian buffer around over 66,000 transit stations, the research team developed a three-stage clustering and scoring system. Station areas were classified by …

Workforce Development Academy For Youth, Hassan Hashemian

Mineta Transportation Institute

To address the need for a diverse workforce in the 21st century and create an awareness of the career paths and opportunities that exist in the transportation industry, the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at the California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) has created the Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WDAY). The goal of this program is to build a pipeline of diverse, well-qualified young professionals for the transportation industry. The program works with high school students and teachers to offer academic courses, basic skills, workforce readiness training, internships, extracurricular activities, and career placements to prepare students and …

The Ideological Work Of Penal Reform: How Reformers Justify Penal-Welfare Hybridization, John Halushka, Brandon Miller

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This article uses the Santa Clara County Reentry Resource Center (RRC) as a case study to explore the cultural content of penal reform. Specifically, we explore the discourses that officials use to publicly justify projects of penal-welfare hybridization, or the linking of state systems of punishment and welfare to manage criminalized populations. Our qualitative analysis draws on a dataset consisting of county planning documents, budgets, videos, press releases, and newsletters published online between 2011 and 2023. By examining these materials over time, we are able to chart patterns of consistency and variation in how officials justify hybridization. We find that …

South Asian Nutrition Guide For Heart Health: A Practical Guide To Sodium, Saturated Fat, Packaged Foods, Recipes And Meal Planning, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

South Asians, including people with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than many other populations. They often develop heart disease at younger ages and sometimes at lower body weights. (Jose, 2024; Patel et al., 2021; Volgman et al., 2018).

This increased risk is not caused by a single factor. Evidence points to a combination of inherited, metabolic, lifestyle, and social influences. Common contributors include insulin resistance, abdominal or visceral fat, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated lipoprotein(a), family history, stress, migration-related changes …

Multi-Agent Path Planning And Optimization Using Q-Learning, Chirag Rudrish

Master's Projects

Robot navigation in a multi-agent setting requires a balance between safety and efficiency, especially in dense environments. In these two-dimensional spaces, the scope for geometric errors is much less and could lead to collisions or immobility. This project proposes to address the navigation task using a two-phase path planning pipeline that combines reinforcement learning and convex optimization in a scalable and robust manner. The first phase consists of generating diverse collision-free paths using a Q-learning agent that is trained on a visibility graph representation of the environment. The discretization of the environment using waypoint-based graphs allows the agent to train …

Multimodal Emotion Detection System, Shubhankar Sameer Munshi

Master's Projects

Trying to understand emotion from speech is a problem that is present in human computer interaction. Nevertheless, there are still some shortcomings in current SER methods. Text-based systems may miss vital vocal cues, such as sarcasm, tone changes, and delivery. On the other hand, purely audio-based systems are prone to noise and unstable acoustic features. The combination of linguistic and acoustic features in multimodal approaches partially solves this problem, but many existing approaches use inflexible multimodal fusion techniques that cannot adjust their behaviors according to the quality of input signals. In this work, we propose a multimodal approach based on …

Adaptive Real-Time Fraud Detection Using Online Learning And Explicit Concept-Drift Detection, Purva Govind Tugaonkar

Master's Projects

Real-time credit card fraud detection faces challenges such as extreme class imbalance, delayed feedback, and concept drift in transaction streams. This project implements and evaluates an adaptive streaming fraud detection framework based on three methodologies: (1) online learning with incremental updates, (2) explicit conceptdrift detection using statistical monitoring, and (3) separate models for immediate and delayed supervision, combined with cost-sensitive learning and anomaly detection. The system processes the credit card fraud dataset in a batched streaming fashion, uses multiple online learners and ensembles. Experiments show that online, driftaware models maintain high recall on frauds while controlling false positives under imbalanced …

Multi-Agent Path Planning And Optimization Using Q-Learning, Chirag Rudresh

Master's Projects

Robot navigation in a multi-agent setting requires a balance between safety and efficiency, especially in dense environments. In these two-dimensional spaces, the scope for geometric errors is much less and could lead to collisions or immobility. This project proposes to address the navigation task using a two-phase path planning pipeline that combines reinforcement learning and convex optimization in a scalable and robust manner. The first phase consists of generating diverse collision-free paths using a Q-learning agent that is trained on a visibility graph representation of the environment. The discretization of the environment using waypoint-based graphs allows the agent to train …

Uncovering The Disciplinary Pulse Of Library And Information Science Through Large-Scale Topic Modelling Of Openalex Scholarly Literature, Sailendra Malik, Sukumar Mandal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library and Information Science is among the oldest and intellectually pluralistic scholarly disciplines but the inner thematic structure has not been established. The article develops a systematic and data intensive mapping of the field by the Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modelling to 7,824 articles in the English language indexed in OpenAlex in the year 2000 to 2025. A ten topic solution is an optimised solution that identifies a group of readable and sensible thematic domains including information literacy digital libraries scientometrics archives and scholarly communication. The analysis of temporal trajectory reveals that there have been consistent expansion at the emergent …

Library Support For Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) In The Philippines: The Case Of American Corners, Princess Grace Wooden, Darin Jan Tindowen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined the role of libraries in supporting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the Philippines, with particular focus on American Corners as library-based learning spaces. Grounded in the increasing demand for flexible and accessible education, the study aimed to assess the readiness of American Corner libraries and determine the extent of MOOC implementation, as well as examine the relationship between these variables. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed, involving 28 American Corner staff composed of directors and librarians from 14 participating institutions. Data were collected using a validated survey questionnaire and analyzed through frequency, percentage, weighted mean, …

Ending Gender-Based Sexual Violence On Canadian Campuses: Peer Educator Perspectives, Jason A. Laker

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV) remains a pervasive problem in higher education, disproportionately affecting marginalized students and undermining their safety, well-being, and academic success. Post-secondary institutions (PSIs) increasingly rely on peer educators (PeerEds) to deliver prevention and response programs, leveraging their shared student experience to foster trust and engagement. This study explores the motivations and experiences of GBSV PeerEds in Canada and the United States, revealing how personal trauma, institutional critique, and allyship drive their involvement. Findings highlight the emotional labour, secondary trauma, and systemic constraints PeerEds face, alongside their contributions to campus culture and advocacy. The study critiques institutional …

Exploring Math Word Problem Generation With Llms, Trung Hieu Vuong

Master's Theses

Math Word Problem (MWP) is an important building block for learning math. This type of problem is particularly useful for younger audiences because solving it involves two simultaneous skill sets: reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning. With publicly available large language models (LLMs), generating additional MWPs is readily achievable. While researchers have started using LLMs as MWP facilitators, there still exists a gap in studies about the diversity of MWPs generated by unmodified, publicly accessible LLMs. For that reason, our study focused on two goals: (1) to evaluate the diversity of MWPs generated by publicly available LLMs when provided with examples …

Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: 3d Printed Tools And Assembly Techniques For Repeatable Lab-Scale Coin Cell Manufacturing, Daryl Miranda, Tosif Aliyev, Lamija Kovacevic, Sivapriya Voleti, Jaydie Lee, Kathleen Meehan, Monica C. So, Philip T. Dirlam

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The coin cell form factor has become a standard in energy storage research owing to its relatively low cost, low quantity of requisite electroactive material, fast experimental turnover, and capability to generate publishable quality data. Coin cell assembly at the lab-scale requires precise manual alignment of the many internal components of a cell to yield a properly functioning device. Truly repeatable device assembly presents a significant challenge to the acquisition of reliable data. In this report, we present a three-dimensional (3D) printable design for a coin cell alignment device and describe techniques for a generalized workflow to achieve reproducible coin …

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.15, Iss.2

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Hunt For "Dragon Shards Of Knowledge": A Study On The Information Needs Of The Mmorpg Community, Jessamy Hallie

School of Information Student Research Journal

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) information community. To evaluate and define these needs and behaviors a literature review of research contributions published by established information professionals studying MMORPG and video game players was performed. The results showed that the MMORPG community is considerably understudied and lacking sufficient library programming and educational opportunities compared to other communities. It also revealed their dependence on collaboration and the promotion of social connection between members. Their shared goals and common interests helped to facilitate members’ information-seeking and …

Guiding Scholarship, Together: A Collaborative Accomplishment, Pearl Kim

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Methodology To Reconstruct The Extent And Dynamics Of Historic Wildfires (1850-1950) In The Santa Cruz Mountains Of California, David Vásquez Ospina

Master's Theses

This thesis reconstructs the extent and dynamics of historic wildfires in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California between 1850 and 1950 using qualitative archival evidence from historical newspapers, maps, and related documents. A systematically coded database of 225 reports, consolidated into 155 unique wildfire events, was developed to analyze temporal and spatial patterns, ignition sources, vegetation types, suppression strategies, and impacts on communities and infrastructure. Historical rainfall records from the Boulder Creek station were integrated using water-year totals, three-year rolling averages, and standardized precipitation indices to examine how multi-year dryness relates to fire occurrence and size. Linear regressions show only …

Building A Data-Driven Security Ai Framework Using Machine Learning Models, Christopher Chan Vi

Master's Theses

This research project explores a modern approach to Intrusion Detection System (IDS) anomaly detection by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Large Language Models (LLM), and Explainable AI (XAI). The purpose is to assess the effectiveness of these technologies in enhancing the understanding of intrusion events. This research study addresses the challenges of threshold determination and the interpretability of anomaly detection results. The proposed solution involves an LLM-based framework with XAI capabilities, integrated with a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, to provide clear explanations for detected anomalies, utilizing both custom and pre-trained datasets. The study navigated inherent challenges, including …

Caring For Others And Self Care: Examining “Good” Care Among The Older Vietnamese Community In San José, California, Chloe Nguyen

Master's Theses

In this thesis, I present a study of the older Vietnamese community in San José, California. I explore the concept of "good" care through the anthropology of care, a conceptual framework that examines how care is understood and practiced across different cultural and social contexts. Using ethnographic methods, such as interviews and participant observation, I examine caregiving practices and experiences, as well as community members' perceptions of what constitutes "good" care. I draw on concepts of "good" care, reciprocal caregiving, and self-care to analyze themes that emerge from their caregiving practices and experiences. I also discuss caregiving at a distance …

Automated Design Of Scaffold-Free Dna Wireframe Nanostructures, Wen Wang, Abdulmelik Mohammed, Rong Chen, Antti Elonen, Silian Chen, Mengfan Tian, Junhao Yang, Ye Xiang, Pekka Orponen, Bryan Wei

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Computer-aided design has become common practice in DNA nanotechnology, and many programs are available that make the sophisticated design processes accessible to both the core research community and curious scientists in other fields. However, most of the design tools are committed to the scaffolded DNA origami method. Here we present an automated design pipeline for creating DNA wireframe nanostructures based on a scaffold-free molecular self-assembly approach. Unlike in the DNA origami method, scaffold-free designs are not built around a global backbone strand but are constituted entirely of short, locally intertwined oligonucleotides. This overcomes many limitations inherent in scaffolded nanostructure designs, …

An Assessment Of The Viva Callesj September 2025 Event In San José, Richard Kos, Adam Cohen

Mineta Transportation Institute

Viva CalleSJ is an open-streets initiative where several miles of the City of San José’s streets are closed to vehicular traffic, allowing residents to walk, bike, scooter, and skate freely. This report evaluates the Viva CalleSJ event held in San José on September 7, 2025, which attracted more than 150,000 participants. Using a mixed-methods approach, this evaluation examines aspects such as attendance, activities, modal access, and economic impacts, utilizing data from participant surveys (in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese), interviews, and observational analysis. The findings indicate that the Viva CalleSJ September 2025 event was largely successful in achieving its objectives, including …

Reclaiming Relational Pedagogies: The Role Of Talking Circles In Decolonizing Higher Education Classrooms, Veneice Lacy

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This article explores the use of Talking Circles as a decolonizing pedagogical practice within higher education, grounded in Indigenous epistemologies and relational worldviews. Drawing on the works of Indigenous scholars such as Graveline, Wilson, Archibald, and Simpson, the article positions Talking Circles not merely as instructional strategies but as ceremonial, spirit-centered pedagogies that resist the Eurocentric hierarchical and individualistic norms of Western academia. Through autoethnographic reflection and student narratives from undergraduate and graduate education courses, the article demonstrates how Talking Circles foster relational accountability, ethical engagement, and transformative learning. By centering oral tradition, reciprocity, and communal learning, Talking Circles reconfigure …

“What Are We And What’S Coming Next?”: Queer People’S Experiences During Sociopolitical Unrest In The Us, Ariana Cristal Morales

Master's Theses

Queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other gender and sexual identities) folx have become a major focal point during political elections. As political climates have projected forced attacks towards queer populations, society has followed suit. Investigation on the impacts of such changes towards queer folx is important to uncover, as sociopolitical climates have shifted within the last 10 years in the US. The present study utilizes a phenomenological framework to understand the lived experiences of queer participants living in the US from 2015-2025 during political and social shifts. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to explore 10 queer participant’s lived experience …

A Triple Bottom Line Analysis Of Food Waste-To-Bioenergy At California University Campuses: Social Enablers Break Down Economic Barriers, Anjali Sharma

Master's Theses

Greenhouse gas emissions from food waste (FW) and energy generation are two major hurdles to the climate crisis. Previous research shows that waste-to-energy systems may provide a solution to both these challenges, particularly at university campuses, due to their high FW generation and high energy needs. Despite this, few academic institutions in California, US, have adopted waste-to-energy systems, and campus-specific challenges and opportunities associated with these systems remain underexplored. For this study, I use an Environmental, Economic, and Social (EES) lens to document the current landscape of FW management and implementation of food waste-to-bioenergy at campuses in each of the …

Climatology Of Northeast Winds In Northern And Central California: A New Characterization Of The Diablo Wind, Alana R. Macken

Master's Theses

Diablo winds in northern California are known for driving some of the most destructive wildfires in state history. The Camp Fire of 2018, which caused at least 85 civilian fatalities, is just one example of the devastating outcomes associated with these rapidly developing downslope windstorms. While they are known to occur most frequently from fall through spring, much about the structure, evolution, and full spatial extent of these events remains poorly understood. Most previous studies have focused on a limited number of high-impact cases or have defined events using humidity-based thresholds in isolated regions such as the North Bay. As …

Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, September 8, 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

September 8, 2025

Spartan Daily, November 6, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 33

Broadening Workforce Participation In Transportation: Challenges And Strategies, Jodi Godfrey, Stephanie Ivey

Mineta Transportation Institute

Attracting and retaining a diverse, skilled workforce remains one of the most pressing challenges in the transportation industry. A new MTI-led California State University Transportation Consortium report examines why workforce participation gaps persist and identifies practical strategies organizations can implement to address them. Drawing on an extensive literature review, a nationwide industry survey with 996 respondents, and in-depth interviews with 15 transportation professionals, the study highlights both the barriers and the solutions to workforce participation. The findings emphasize that open dialogue, intentional investment, and inclusive workplace policies can help transform industry culture, making transportation careers more appealing to a broader …

Progressive Oxygenation Of The North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre, Jannes Koelling, Andrea J. Fassbender, Alison R. Gray, Gregory C. Johnson, Jonathan D. Sharp, Dustin Carroll

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA) is one of the few regions where the deep ocean is in direct contact with the atmosphere, making it a key location for interior ocean ventilation through gas exchange. We use a novel observation-based data product to analyze large-scale patterns of the air-sea flux of oxygen, finding a mean annual flux of 48.1 (Formula presented.) 14.6 Tmol (Formula presented.) from the atmosphere into the ocean integrated over the SPNA ((Formula presented.) N– (Formula presented.) N). An analysis of a fully-closed oxygen budget from the data-assimilative ECCO-Darwin ocean biogeochemistry model suggests that the net uptake is …

Fresno’S Scribbles Bike Path: A Master Plan For Active Transportation, Holly Sowles, Uris Giron

Mineta Transportation Institute

The Fresno Scribbles Bike Path Master Plan, which represents a commitment to equitable active transportation and social infrastructure, is designed to enhance the quality of life for Fresno residents by providing safe, comfortable, and accessible biking and walking paths while promoting sustainability and fostering a sense of community. This report details the Intelligent Design Visualization Lab’s (IDVL) ongoing contribution to the Fresno City Scribbles Bike Campus initiative. This multifaceted urban intervention seeks to promote bike and pedestrian safety, enhance environmental resilience, and active transportation infrastructure through design, serving as a form of placemaking. In collaboration with the Fresno State Transportation …