Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of A California Wetland: Harbor Seal (Phoca Vitulina) Haul-Out Patterns In Elkhorn Slough, Emma Nicholson

Master's Theses

This project investigated small-scale habitat use patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). The goals were to provide an updated overview of the harbor seal population in Elkhorn Slough, California, USA, identify haul-out areas that are seasonally relevant for pupping and molting, and analyze environmental factors that may influence the harbor seals’ abundance and distribution in the slough. Seal counts were conducted by Elkhorn Slough volunteers throughout the entire slough June 2020-May 2023. Additional survey data at the 5 most populated haul-out sites were collected by volunteers from MLML April 2022-May 2023. A comparison to harbor seal abundance data from 1991-1992 …

The Nasa Raman Spectroscopic Database: Ramdb Version 1.00, A. L. Mattioda, L. Gavilan, C. L. Ricketts, P. K. Najeeb, A. Ricca, C. Boersma

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The NASA Raman Spectroscopic Database (Ramdb) was developed to provide a publicly accessible, user-friendly database for spectra relevant to the planetary science community. This paper describes the first set of spectra made available in version 1.00 of Ramdb, the methods used to obtain and process the Raman spectra, and provides a walkthrough of the database website that is located at www.astrochemistry.org/ramdb. Ramdb presently offers 112 laboratory and theoretical Raman spectra of samples relevant to planetary exploration and space science. Laboratory spectra were measured at multiple laser excitation wavelengths, namely: 405, 532, and 785 nm. Spectral data for six projects (amino …

Evaluating A Microalga (Schizochytrium Sp.) As An Alternative To Fish Oil In Fish-Free Feeds For Sablefish (Anoplopoma Fimbria), Katherine A. Neylan, Ronald B. Johnson, Frederic T. Barrows, David P. Marancik, Scott L. Hamilton, Luke D. Gardner

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Alternative feeds are critical for the sustainable expansion of the marine finfish aquaculture industry. The industry uses wild-caught forage fish as a primary ingredient in farmed fish feeds. Alternative ingredients are needed to safeguard fisheries' sustainability and future aquaculture development. While there have been successes in alternative feeds, it is necessary to improve the existing options and identify alternative ingredients with higher concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study was designed to test a microalga, Schizochytrium sp., as a feed ingredient for sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) using six test diets. There were two fish-ingredient control diets: +FM+FO, which contained …

Assessing Digital Proficiency Requirements For Library And Information Services Professionals (Lis) In The Digital Age: Library Heads' Perspective In Tanzania., Joseph Solomon Daudi Dr., Mabel Majanja Prof

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The objective of this study was to ascertain the digital competencies that Library Heads’ in the library and information services (LIS) sector in Tanzania expect in prospective Library and information science (LISc) graduates. In order to accomplish this objective, a quantitative research methodology was utilized, involving a survey of 50 Library Heads’ in the field of LIS in Tanzania. An online survey was conducted and a response rate of 39 respondents, equivalent of 78% of the entire selected sample.

The findings of this study underscore the importance of digital skills and competencies in effectively managing digital information, digital technical skills …

Digital Phobia: An Inquiry For Mapping The Unseen Dimension Of New Digital Anxiety, The ‘Digiphobia’, Amarjit Kumar Singh ,Library Assistant, Md. Arshad Ali , Professional Assistant, Dr. Pankaj Mathur, Deputy Librarian,

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background: As technology continues to advance, individuals' interactions with digital platforms have become integral to daily life. Amidst this technological evolution, a novel concern emerges—Digital Phobia, hereafter referred to as “Digiphobia.” This phenomenon, although not previously explored in scholarly literature, necessitates an in-depth investigation due to its potential impact on individuals' well-being. Our research employs a two-step methodology to investigate its existence, implications, and manifestations.

Introduction: This research paper introduces and proposes the term "Digiphobia" as a comprehensive conceptualization of anxiety arising from interactions with digital spaces, applications, and environments. The proliferation of digital technologies has led to the emergence …

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.13, Iss.2, Student Reseach Journal

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Innovation And Responsibility: Librarians In An Era Of Generative Ai, Inequality, And Information Overload, Odin H. Halvorson

School of Information Student Research Journal

In an era marked by generative AI, widening inequality, and information overload, librarians with LIS training find themselves at the forefront of a changing landscape. The traditional paradigm in academia is challenged by new technologies and social shifts, prompting a reassessment the librarian's role as a public leader. This article discusses three perspectives on these issues, placing them within the larger conversation of the LIS field. Dr. Norman Mooradian lays the groundwork for a paradigm shift by exploring the intersection of knowledge and ethics in a knowledge economy. Boheme Morris delves into the complexities of inequality within the high-tech knowledge …

Book Review: The Promise Of Access: Technology, Inequality, And The Political Economy Of Hope, Daniel Greene, Boheme Morris

School of Information Student Research Journal

In The Promise of Access: Technology, Inequality, and the Political Economy of Hope, Daniel Greene provides a comprehensive, approachable evaluation and critique of the concept of the “access doctrine” and how it has permeated American policy and organizations.

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Analysis Tools For Timely Audits: Two Case Studies Of Carlsbad Libraries, Sarah Wilson

School of Information Student Research Journal

When libraries explore how their youth collections can be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI), it is beneficial to first identify where representation gaps exist amongst their holdings. Digital DEI audit tools can quickly target areas for improvement. The following studies use digital instruments to analyze the DEI representation in two youth library collections in Carlsbad, California. The fiction picture book collections were probed at both a Carlsbad elementary school in Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) and the Georgina Cole public library (Cole). Three digital instruments were used: Diverse BookFinder Collection Analysis Tool, TeachingBooks Collection Analysis Toolkit, and collectionHQ Diversity …

Knowledge Ethics: Conceptual Preliminaries Scope And Justification, Norman Mooradian

School of Information Student Research Journal

This paper lays out the conceptual groundwork for a long-term project examining ethical issues raised when addressing the value of knowledge to a knowledge economy. The project includes a series of papers on specific topics that interrelate to the subjects of knowledge, ethics and organizations. While some of the planned articles for the project will have a practical focus, others, such as this one, will be conceptual in nature. The following outlines selected key concepts for an ethics of knowledge and their relationship with cognate areas of inquiry and practice.

Information Seeking Behavior Among The Final Years Students Department Of Lisas At The University Of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan, Inam Magsi, Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Rind, Arif Ali Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Present study investigates the Information Seeking Behavior among the Final Years Students Department of LISAS at the University Of Sindh Jamshoro Pakistan the main objectives of the study were 1. To Know how Frequently LIS Student visit library 2, To investigate purpose of seeking information of LIS students and what type of information resources they usually access. 3. To identify which type of information formats used by LIS students. 4. To find out the problems faced by the LIS students while seeking information the study is based on survey method. The researchers have created a well-structured questionnaire after analyzing …

The Role Of Women Librarian In Eradicating Gender Based Violence In Rivers State, Nigeria., Roseline Omolola Oladipupo, Eberechi Ejuh, Princess Solomon, Princess

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined the roles of women librarians in eradicating gender based violence in Rivers State, Nigeria. Four (4) objectives were formulated to guide this study. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the research. The population for the study comprised 70 women Librarians in Rivers State. Census sampling was adopted. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Mean and percentage were used for analyzing the elicited responses. Based on the findings, the various forms of gender based violence are; emotional violence, sexual violence, physical violence, socio-economic violence, amongst others. The study also identified the roles of women librarians in …

Research Collaboration Among Library And Information Science (Lis) Professionals In Nigeria., Ebisemen Patience Lulu-Pokubo, George Azubuike Onwueme

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper investigated research collaboration as a tool for professional development among Library and Information science Professionals in Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprises of all the professional librarians of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) members in Rivers and Delta states. The findings of the survey showed that the professional librarians as members of NLA Delta and Rivers States are highly involved in research collaboration. The study also revealed the relevance of research collaboration and it was observed that research collaboration brings about higher quality of result in the LIS profession …

The Relationship Between Communication With Coworkers And Job Satisfaction Among Teleworkers: The Moderating Role Of Communication Modality, Madison L. Mariano

Master's Theses

Teleworking has become increasingly prevalent due to public health concerns and advancements in communication technologies. While organizations should take steps to promote job satisfaction among teleworkers, there is little research on the predictors of job satisfaction among full-time teleworkers. Specifically, few studies have focused on how coworker communication might impact job satisfaction among full-time teleworkers. This study focused on this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between the frequency of communication with coworkers and job satisfaction and the moderating role of communication modality. Communication modality refers to a form of communication technology available to teleworkers, ranging from rich …

Justice And Equity In Urban Water Allocations And Conservation Solutions: A Case Study Of Non-Traditional Housing Dwellers, Matthew J. Mangoni

Master's Theses

Access to water is a human right. With droughts becoming more frequent and severe, equitable and just access to fresh water is a critical concern for policymakers and regulators. Allocation-based (AB) water rates are used widely to incentivize conservation. Previous authors document benefits of this approach for single family homes (SFH) in urban areas. People living in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) or multi-family homes and renters – commonly grouped as non-traditional housing (NTH) tend to face barriers to understanding or controlling water use and costs. This thesis investigates the equity and effectiveness of 1) AB water rate structuring and 2) a …

User’S Perceptions And Expectations With H.U Beg Library Services: A Study Of Service Quality Measurement, Muhammad Kabir Khan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this study is to measure the service quality at the FAST H. U. Beg Library in Islamabad from the perspective of its users. The study also aims to report on the perceptions and expectations of users regarding the library's services. The methodology used was a survey approach, and data was collected from students, teachers, and staff members using a modified SERVQUAL questionnaire. The findings indicate that the library offers high-quality services and that users are satisfied with a range of its service quality qualities. The practical implication of this study is that it will encourage library professionals …

E-Commerce And The Digital Economy: The Place Of Nigerian Libraries, Rebecca Chidimma Ojobor Dr., Scholastica C. Ukwoma Dr., Victoria N. Okafor Prof.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

The paper takes a literature-based approach to examine the state of academic libraries in Nigeria in the implementation of e-commerce in the digital economy with the goal of identifying the barriers to e-commerce practices and proffering recommendations for better e-commerce applications in Nigerian libraries. E-commerce is becoming a fundamental mode of exchange as a result of the development of information and communication technologies (ICT), and is providing the digital economy with many exciting opportunities. The efficiency and productivity of many organizations, including the library, could be increased through e-commerce. It gives the library an outstanding opportunity to lessen the …

Unrealvision: A Synthetic Dataset Generator For Human-Pose Estimation And Behavior Analysis, Thinh Lu

Master's Theses

For over a decade, computer vision (CV) has become an indispensable component of numerous camera surveillance applications as well as intelligent autonomous systems. Thanks to new advances in AI, Edge Computing, and IoT technologies, there is now a rapidly growing number of smart camera devices, industrial and consumer robots that are using computer vision for various applications - from human tracking and analysis, object classification, to visual inspection and anomaly detection. For most common use cases, building vision-based applications can be a straightforward and affordable task thanks to the increasing number of publicly accessible datasets and research publications. However, it …

Schools’ Records Management Also Matters: An Information Governance Maturity Model Assessment Of Records Management Practices At Mufakose 4 Secondary School In Harare, Zimbabwe, Patrick Mandizha, Samson Mutsagondo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

There has been a tendency to focus on universities and colleges each time researchers look at records management within the educational sector. Primary and secondary schools have many times been left behind, yet schools’ records management also matters. Using the ARMA International’s Information Governance Maturity Model, this study assesses how Mufakose 4 Secondary School in Zimbabwe fared in its records management programme with special focus on the eight principles of the ARMA International’s Information Governance Maturity Model, that is, accountability, transparency, integrity, protection, compliance, availability, retention and disposition. Each of these principles were further assessed on a scale of 1 …

Temporal Changes In The Surface Chemistry And Topography Of Reactive Ion Plasma-Treated Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Alter Endothelialization Potential, Ryan A. Faase, Novella M. Keeling, Justin S. Plaut, Christian Leycam, Gabriela Acevedo Munares, Monica T. Hinds, Joe E. Baio, Patrick L. Jurney

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Synthetic small-diameter vascular grafts (<6 mm) are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, but fail much more readily than similar grafts made from autologous vascular tissue. A promising approach to improve the patency rates of synthetic vascular grafts is to promote the adhesion of endothelial cells to the luminal surface of the graft. In this study, we characterized the surface chemical and topographic changes imparted on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), an emerging hydrogel vascular graft material, after exposure to various reactive ion plasma (RIP) surface treatments, how these changes dissipate after storage in a sealed environment at standard temperature and pressure, and the effect of these changes on the adhesion of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). We showed that RIP treatments including O2, N2, or Ar at two radiofrequency powers, 50 and 100 W, improved ECFC adhesion compared to untreated PVA and to different degrees for each RIP treatment, but that the topographic and chemical changes responsible for the increased cell affinity dissipate in samples treated and allowed to age for 230 days. We characterized the effect of aging on RIP-treated PVA using an assay to quantify ECFCs on RIP-treated PVA 48 h after seeding, atomic force microscopy to probe surface topography, scanning electron microscopy to visualize surface modifications, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate surface chemistry. Our results show that after treatment at higher RF powers, the surface exhibits increased roughness and greater levels of charged nitrogen species across all precursor gases and that these surface modifications are beneficial for the attachment of ECFCs. This study is important for our understanding of the stability of surface modifications used to promote the adhesion of vascular cells such as ECFCs.

Scalable And Consolidated Microbial Platform For Rare Earth Element Leaching And Recovery From Waste Sources, Nathan M. Good, Christina S. Kang-Yun, Morgan Z. Su, Alexa M. Zytnick, Colin C. Barber, Huong N. Vu, Joseph M. Grace, Hoang H. Nguyen, Wenjun Zhang, Elizabeth Skovran, Maohong Fan, Dan M. Park, Norma Cecilia Martinez-Gomez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Chemical methods for the extraction and refinement of technologically critical rare earth elements (REEs) are energy-intensive, hazardous, and environmentally destructive. Current biobased extraction systems rely on extremophilic organisms and generate many of the same detrimental effects as chemical methodologies. The mesophilic methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 was previously shown to grow using electronic waste by naturally acquiring REEs to power methanol metabolism. Here we show that growth using electronic waste as a sole REE source is scalable up to 10 L with consistent metal yields without the use of harsh acids or high temperatures. The addition of organic acids increases …

Unveiling The Cognitive Impact: An Exploratory Study On Food Insecurity And Value-Driven Attentional Capture, Nichole S. Hogoboom

Master's Theses

Food insecurities have been shown to lead to serious negative health outcomes such as increased risk for diabetes and obesity in adulthood, food-related mental health and behavioral issues, all of which can have a crossover effect in many areas of a person’s life. This experiment explores whether previous history of food insecurity is associated with how people allocate attention to pictures of food; whether they are prioritizing or ignoring food stimuli in their environment. We hypothesized that the severity of food insecurity experienced in childhood would correlate with attentional bias towards food images, and that how hungry or thirsty participants …

Uncovering Weaknesses In Autonomous Driving: A Formal Approach To Adversarial Scenario Generation And Falsification, Carlos O. Hernandez

Master's Theses

Autonomous vehicles utilize advanced safety features like proactive driving assistance and pre-collision alerts to minimize the risk of accidents. However, evaluating the correct functionality of these systems is complex. First, safety systems are highly sophisticated, integrating software, networking, and hardware components, many of which rely on advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Second, an array of dynamic factors, including numerous actors and physical variables, can influence the performance of safety mechanisms during critical scenarios. Each actor’s unique behavior introduces unpredictability, making it difficult to anticipate future states and outcomes. This thesis presents a comprehensive framework for testing autonomous vehicle …

A Survey Of Library Service Delivery In An Age Of Internet In Mountain Top University, Eunice Oluwayemisi Oloyede Dr, Aderonke Ayobami Ogungbade Miss, Opene Sunday Ozonuwe Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Modern information technology has led to significant changes in how libraries operate. This study examined how library services are provided in the age of the internet at Mountain Top University Library. It adopted a descriptive survey method, and 200 participants were chosen at random for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the sampled population. Data analysis was done using SPSS, and the results were presented in a percentage and frequency table. The study found that the majority of the respondents, 192 (96%), agreed that electronic mail (e-mail) was available in the library, 187 (93.5%) agreed …

Synthesizing Physiology With Aquaculture For Olympia Oyster Restoration In Elkhorn Slough, Ca, Jacob Harris

Master's Theses

Conservation aquaculture is an emerging restoration strategy for depleted and low-density foundation species. It was recently applied for Olympia oysters in California. The only native oyster species is at risk of local extinction in much of its range. Conservation aquaculture can support oyster abundance, but long-term restoration success will be constrained by habitat conditions that suppress early growth and reproductive fitness. Following years of reproduction failure in Elkhorn Slough, CA, we examined these two critical life stages: juvenile and brooding. Our aim was to improve restoration by evaluating aquaculture methods and studying their physiology. We tested site parameters, oyster size, …

Assessing Sediment Migration And Salmonid Habitat Recovery Following A Small Dam Removal And A Flood, Mill Creek, California, Usa, Madeline C. Doyle

Master's Theses

In 2021, the lower Mill Creek Dam (~4 m tall, ~8 m wide) was removed from the Mill Creek-San Vicente Creek watershed (18 km2), located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Topographic surveys and pebble counts were performed at 27 transects four times between 2021 and 2023 to compare changes in channel characteristics and grain size to document the response to a small dam removal and the transition between drought and flood conditions. The goals of this study were to: (1) describe the movement of impounded sediment; (2) assess the success of habitat restoration for two endangered anadromous fish species: coho …

Analysis Of Solid Phase Mineralogy To Explore Past Biogeochemical Conditions Of The Deep Biosphere In The Guaymas Basin, Rachel W. Clifford

Master's Theses

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 385 to the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California explored carbon cycling in the hot subseafloor of a nascent ocean basin. Roughly 50 km from the modern spreading axis, we compared adjacent sites U1545 and U1546. While the sites are ~1 km apart and have highly similar sediment compositions, a ~70 m igneous sill crosses U1546 at ~300 mbsf. The depth of the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) at U1546 is 100 mbsf, while at U1545 it is 50 mbsf. Solid phase carbonates capture geochemical conditions of porewater over time. Using smear slide …

Effort Expectancy As Correlate Of Electronic Health Information Resources Use By Clinical Sciences Students In University Of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Olutoyin Olukemi Oso Dr, Seun Gbolahan Kolawole

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined effort expectancy as correlate of electronic health information resources used by clinical sciences students in University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. The study focused on purpose, frequency of use, effort expectancy and facilitating condition on the use of electronic health information resources use. The design of the study is descriptive survey. The population of the study was four-hundred and ten (410) students. A sample fraction of 0.61 was chosen and out of the population, 250 students were selected as the sample-size from the three departments that made up the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. The proportionate stratified random …

Sjsu Erfa News, Winter 2024, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA) Newsletter

Volume 38, No. 2

Sdebuddy - Code Documentation Using Large Language Models, Nischay Nagendra

Master's Projects

In this fast developing world of software development, it is crucial to maintain the quality of code and the developers’ productivity. This can be done effectively with good code documentation. SDEBuddy uses the latest generation of Large Language Models (LLMs) and finetuning procedures to create code documentation. In this project, state-of-the-art models such as Llama2 and Llama3 are employed to mimic the behavior of the given code and produce documentation. Such models are tuned for various programming languages and documentation formats using LoRA and QLoRA fine-tuning approaches. These models are evaluated in terms of the BLEU score, ROUGE score and …