Digital Commons Network^™

Can Household Water Sharing Advance Water Security? An Integrative Review Of Water Entitlements And Entitlement Failures, Melissa Beresford, Ellis Adams, Jessica Budds, Leila M. Harris, Wendy Jepson, Tennille Marley, Chloe Nguyen, Amber Pearson, Anaís Delilah Roque, Asher Y. Rosinger, Sameer H. Shah, Matthew Stellbauer, Amber Wutich

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

An increasing number of studies find that water sharing—the non-market transfer of privately held water between households—is a ubiquitous informal practice around the world and a primary way that households respond to water insecurity. Yet, a key question about household water sharing remains: is water sharing a viable path that can help advance household water security? Or should water sharing be understood as a symptom of water insecurity in wait for more formalized solutions? Here, we address this question by applying Sen’s entitlement framework in an integrative review of empirical scholarship on household water sharing. Our review shows that when …

A Review Of Social, Behavioral, And Ethical Considerations For Smart Life Engineering, John Murray

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Smart Life (SL) systems do not exist in a technological vacuum; they are embedded in a social ecosystem and have rich and complex interactions with their surroundings. It is important to recognize that their design and implementation will have an impact on the individuals and communities around them. This chapter examines the social, behavioral, and ethical issues to be considered in a holistic systems approach to SL engineering, to help practitioners and stakeholders to design the strategies needed for successful SL deployments. It addresses these topics from several disciplinary viewpoints and provides a comprehensive set of references for those requiring …

Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives On Technology Use In Urinary Care: Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study, Nicole Zhang, Ni Zhang, Yun Wang, Rachel Wong, Kaylin Ma

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Urinary issues pose a significant burden on health care systems, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance patient care and alleviate the provider burden. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore health care professionals’ perceptions of urinary issues and assess their acceptance and readiness to adopt wearable and remote technologies for managing these conditions. The study aimed to identify the attributes and barriers influencing technology integration in clinical practice, using established theoretical frameworks, such as the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted. A structured survey questionnaire was administered …

Avatars And Digital Identity: Branding In The Metaverse, Gema Bonales-Daimiel, Belén Moreno-Albarracín

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Considering avatars as virtual identities in digital universes, and according to the scarcity of previous research on the impact generated by them, this study delves into avatars’ emergence as personal brands within metaverses, assessing the mediation of AI in the design process and evaluating the impact of avatars on user experience and advertising. After carrying out a mixed methodology based on a survey to users, interviews to active companies in metaverses and avatars design specialists; and a content analysis of metaverse platforms, it’s been proved that avatars are revolutionizing digital communications, allowing immersive interactions and the implementation of virtual experiences …

Autoregressive Neural Quantum States Of Fermi Hubbard Models, Eduardo Ibarra-García-Padilla, Hannah Lange, Roger G. Melko, Richard T. Scalettar, Juan Carrasquilla, Annabelle Bohrdt, Ehsan Khatami

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Neural quantum states (NQSs) have emerged as a powerful ansatz for variational quantum Monte Carlo studies of strongly correlated systems. Here, we apply recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and autoregressive transformer neural networks to the Fermi-Hubbard and the (non-Hermitian) Hatano-Nelson-Hubbard models in one and two dimensions. In both cases, we observe that the convergence of the RNN ansatz is challenged when increasing the interaction strength. We present a physically motivated and easy-to-implement strategy for improving the optimization, namely, by ramping of the model parameters. Furthermore, we investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the autoregressive sampling property of both network architectures. For …

Examining Equity And Graduation Rates At Two Institutions Using A Course Deficit Model And The Collaborative Learning Through Active Sense-Making In Physics Curriculum, Cassandra A. Paul, David J. Webb

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We have previously described the reformed introductory physics course, collaborative learning through active sense-making in physics (CLASP), for bioscience students at a large public research one university (Original University) and presented evidence that the course was more successful and more equitable than the course it replaced by several measures. Now we compare the original success of CLASP with an implementation at a second institution. We find that the original results hold at another institution despite some changes to the original curriculum and a somewhat different student population. We find that students who take CLASP are (1) less likely to drop, …

The 40th Annual Tei-Sjsu High Tech Tax Institute Conference On Nov. 4-5, 2024: R&D In Uncertain Tax Times, Jing Luo

The Contemporary Tax Journal

No abstract provided.

Quantitative Analysis Of Machine Learning Model Performance And The Need To Consider Explainability, Vishnu S. Pendyala

Open Educational Resources

This presentation, titled "Quantitative analysis of Machine Learning model performance and the need to consider explainability," delves into various metrics used for evaluating machine learning models. It thoroughly examines fundamental classification metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, and F-score, while also discussing more advanced measures such as the Kappa Statistic and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), particularly highlighting their relevance in scenarios with imbalanced datasets. The presentation underscores the importance of model accuracy in real-world applications and briefly introduces regression metrics like R-squared and F-statistic. Additionally, it addresses challenges related to data imbalance and fairness in ML models, stressing the critical need …

The Contemporary Tax Journal Volume 13, No. 2 – Winter 2024

The Contemporary Tax Journal

No abstract provided.

The 40th Annual Tei-Sjsu High Tech Tax Institute Conference On Nov. 4-5, 2024: Ai In The Corporate Tax Department - Let’S See It!, Raymond Clark

The Contemporary Tax Journal

No abstract provided.

Redefining Reference Services In The 21st Century, Johanna Tunon

School of Information Student Research Journal

The role of reference services in libraries has evolved significantly in the 21st century, driven by technological advancements and changing user needs. This paper explores how reference services have transitioned from traditional, desk-centric interactions to encompass a wide array of platforms and tools, including digital innovations and generative AI. The decline in reference transactions has prompted librarians to adapt, shifting focus towards more complex consultations and instructional roles, while also navigating the blurred boundaries between reference assistance and formal instruction. The paper also examines the updated definitions and limitations of reference services by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), …

The Structure And Function Of A Coastal State Aquaculture Plan, C. R. Fong, C. M. Gonzales, M. Rennick, H. J. Lahr, L. D. Gardner, B. S. Halpern, H. E. Froehlich

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Aquaculture contributes approximately half of all global aquatic food production and will be critical in addressing future seafood demand, including the United States (U.S.). Many states, territories, and countries are developing and updating aquaculture specific policy in an effort to plan for, and better manage the expansion of aquaculture in their territorial waters. The U.S. has considerable potential to sustainably expand aquaculture production, which has been a focus in both federal and state policy. State aquaculture plans have been used for over 40 years to help plan and coordinate aquaculture development, with a growing emphasis on sustainability. Here, we located …

Spartan Daily, December 5, 2024, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2024

Volume 163, Issue 42

Spartan Daily, December 4, 2024, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2024

Volume 163, Issue 41

Wood, Robert Chapman, San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

Harvard Business School, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, 2000-2001

Boston University, School of Management, DBA 2000

Williams College, BA 1971

Spartan Daily, December 3, 2024, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2024

Volume 163, Issue 40

Classroom To Console, Ashton Headley

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

In an era where technology is continuously growing and intertwined into daily life, the field of education has seen drastic changes and innovation. Including changes we see today, with the ability to connect to class online, procter tests, submit assignments etc. And amongst these innovations, educational games have surfaced as a resource for helping learners across various age groups. By merging entertainment/gamification with educational content, these games offer an interactive and entertaining approach to acquiring knowledge and learning essential or non-essential skills. Whether it is implemented in classrooms, workplaces, or home settings, educational games are transforming the educational environment effectively …

Consistent Vmt Mapping And Modeling In California: How Can We Better Assess The Vmt Impacts Of State And Local Transportation Projects?, Serena E. Alexander, Shams Tanvir, Syed Tanvir Ahmed, Annie Jones

Mineta Transportation Institute

Despite California’s ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, the state is not reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from personal vehicle travel, and per capita Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and GHG emissions continue to increase. One central challenge of climate planning facing California is the lack of consistent methods to measure the VMT impacts of transportation projects. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this research answers the question: “What are the advantages and limitations of existing VMT calculators to determine the climate impacts of transportation projects to help meet California’s climate goals?” Research methods included: (1) a quantitative analysis …

The Evolution And Preservation Of Video Games: An Artistic And Cultural Journey, Dhru Fuletra

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

From the first time I held a game controller, video games have been a fundamental part of my life. They started as simple, pixel-filled adventures on early consoles and have grown into the vast, immersive worlds we explore on today’s advanced systems. For me, they’ve always been more than just a way to pass the time; they’ve been gateways to alternate realities where creativity, interaction, and storytelling seamlessly come together. Over the years, video games have transformed from casual hobbies into intricate cultural phenomena and, importantly, into a recognized art form. In this essay, I contend that video games are …

The Evolution Of Artificial Intelligence In Gaming, Aditi Jorapur

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Competitive Advantage In Libraries And Information Centers, De-Graft Johnson Dei, Linda Anane-Donkor

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Libraries and information centers keep experiencing sluggish growth due to the absence of an integrated and coherent strategy that can be deployed to enable them to be competitive, have a competitive advantage, and gain market position. This study, therefore, sought to assess the strategies for competition in libraries and information centers and develop a framework that can be deployed in libraries and information centers for competitive advantage. The study adopted a conceptual and qualitative approach to research. Based on the review and analysis, the researcher developed a framework that suggests that technology (infrastructure, social media systems, gamification, and artificial intelligence) …

Mitigating Urban Heat Island And Enhancing Indoor Thermal Comfort Using Terrace Garden, Girish Visvanathan, Kailas Patil, Yogesh Suryawanshi, Vishal Meshram, Shrikant Jadhav

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The United Nations advocates for sustainable urban planning and design, emphasizing green infrastructure initiatives to mitigate urban heat island effects and enhance the resilience and livability of cities globally. To address urban heat challenges, a study was conducted in Chennai, India, from April to June 2023. The study focused on assessing temperature dynamics on a building's terrace by comparing a well-maintained garden area with an exposed region. Temperature and humidity sensors were deployed in both the garden and exposed areas of the terrace, as well as within rooms beneath it, to monitor hourly temperature fluctuations. The findings indicate a significant …

Critical Minerals Mining And Native American Sovereignty: Comparing Case Studies Of Lithium, Copper, Antimony, Nickel And Graphite Mining In The United States, Macdonald Amoah, Benjamin K. Sovacool, Dustin Mulvaney, Morgan D. Bazilian, Richard Luarkie, Daniel Cardenas

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Owing to the historical patterns of colonialism and settlement, many of the remaining undeveloped mineral resources needed for a low-carbon energy transition are located on lands that have historic, ancestral, or cultural significance to Native American Tribes and Indigenous communities, as well as are near environmental-sensitive areas. While some mining projects occur on private land, the majority of mining projects are proposed for lands owned by the United States Federal Government and managed by multiple agencies (United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management etc.) with goals across the spectra from natural resource development to cultural resource conservation. Through a …

Piloting A Novel Computational Framework For Identifying Prosthesis-Specific Contributions To Gait Deviations, Jacques Ezechiel N'Guessan, Muhammad Hassaan Ahmed, Matthew Leineweber, Sachin Goyal

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This paper introduces a novel computational framework for evaluating above-knee prostheses, addressing a major challenge in gait deviation studies: distinguishing between prosthesis-specific and patient-specific contributions to gait deviations. This innovative approach utilizes three separate computational models to quantify the changes in gait dynamics necessary to achieve a set of ideal gait kinematics across different prosthesis designs. The pilot study presented here employs a simple two-dimensional swing-phase model to conceptually demonstrate how the outcomes of this three-model framework can assess the extent to which prosthesis design impacts a user's ability to replicate the dynamics of able-bodied gait. Furthermore, this framework offers …

Predevelopment Revolving Loan Funds To Develop Affordable Housing: Program Features And How They Can Be Strengthened, Shishir Mathur, Hilary Nixon, Shreya Chokshi

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Predevelopment revolving loan funds (PDRLFs) are pools of money from which loans are made and to which loan repayments flow in. They are a part of revolving loan funds (RLFs) that are extensively used in the US to support small businesses and housing. However, PDRLFs' use for funding affordable housing is little-studied. This paper begins to fill this research gap through a literature review and case studies to better understand the key features and the ways to strengthen affordable housing-focused PDRLFs. Finally, it suggests key strategies to strengthen them further, which include flexible funding by the state and federal governments …

Developing An Roi Assessment Model For Employee Development Programs Implemented By California Transit Agencies, Tyler Reeb, Susan Gallagher

Mineta Transportation Institute

The objective of this research is to determine the extent to which transit agencies in California are implementing Return on Investment (ROI) assessments or otherwise evaluating the value and effectiveness of the employee development programs they administer, what cost and performance data they collect and track, and what resources or support are needed to support ROI assessment efforts. Transit agencies will necessarily incur expenses in efforts to improve the recruitment, retention, and morale of employees, but will struggle to solicit adequate funding unless they are able to demonstrate the value of such efforts to a broader audience. Thus, developing and …

The Indirect Benefits Of A Transit Apprenticeship And Its Potential Value As A Flexible Postsecondary Pathway, Kathleen F. Mcconnell, Priya Raman

Mineta Transportation Institute

The transit sector has begun to embrace apprenticeships as a worthwhile training model. Apprenticeships may also address young people’s interest in career advancement opportunities, an additional benefit to the transit sector as it replaces an aging workforce and resolves other recruitment challenges. Apprenticeships that emphasize both technical and soft skills invest in career advancement by offering employees the chance to develop “cross-cutting competencies.” A highly developed model of this approach is found in the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Joint Workforce Initiative (JWI), which formally recognizes skills acquisition with accredited certificates. Further development of this model would find support in …

Experimental Investigations Of Wind Shear From Passing A Vehicle, Hamid Rahai, Assma Begum, Jeremy Bonifacio, Ryan Moffit

Mineta Transportation Institute

Wind energy can be harnessed for various commercial and transportation-related applications. This study assessed experimentally the potential of capturing wind energy from the passage of vehicles for electric power generation. Both wind tunnel experiments and field tests were performed. The wind tunnel experiments were performed in an open-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at a free-stream mean velocity of 23 m/s. Five PVC pipes placed adjacent to the wind-blowing domain were used to simulate the columns under a freeway overpass. A scaled Ahmad body (simplified car body model) was used as the vehicle. The spanwise distance between the Ahmad body and the …

Right Turn On Red: Energy-Saving Measure Or Unsafe Maneuver?, Bruce Appleyard, Anurag Pande, Joseph Gibbons, Shams Tanvir, Megan Honey, Nell Ahangarfabrik, Mario Carbajal, Madison Swayne

Mineta Transportation Institute

There is a growing interest in prohibiting right turn on red (RTOR) policies in the name of pedestrian and bicycle safety but there is not enough research on the subject to help agencies make informed decisions. When Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, they included a provision requiring states to permit right turns on red lights as an energy-saving measure to receive federal assistance for mandated conservation programs. Since 1980, all states have permitted right turns on red as a general rule. More research is needed to help guide state policies that can support jurisdictions in …

An Assessment Of The Viva Callesj Event In San Jose, Richard Kos, Adam Cohen

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report evaluates the Viva CalleSJ event held in San Jose, California, on September 8, 2024. As a celebrated open-streets initiative, Viva CalleSJ temporarily transformed six miles of city streets into car-free zones to encourage active transportation, foster community engagement, and support local businesses. This assessment employed a mixed-methods approach, including participant surveys, interviews with stakeholders, and observational analysis. Key findings highlighted the event’s success in attracting a diverse audience, promoting physical activity, and driving economic benefits. Over 50% of attendees arrived by bicycle, and 77.7% planned to spend money at the event, averaging $54.23 per participant. Community-building impacts were …