Digital Commons Network^™

The Influences Of Parental Expectations On Children's Academic Achievements: A Comparative Analysis Of The United States And China, Xiaoyu Wang

Master's Theses

Parenting is very important to children, and it directly or indirectly influences children's outcomes in schools. Parents express passions and strong desires to help their children to succeed regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, and they are highly interested in their children's education in school.

This paper is concerned with parental expectations for school-aged children in the United States and China under the influences of historical, cultural and social context. I will comprehensively compare relevant literature parts in both America and China, determining the distinctions in terms of various parenting patterns. Research about parental expectations in the two countries …

Women's Access To Secondary Education In Colonial And Postcolonial Tanzania And Rwanda, Emlyn Ashley Ricketts

Master's Theses

This paper will examine how the politics of colonialism and independence during the twentieth century, as well as the culture of each country, have created and limited secondary educational opportunities for women in Tanzania and in Rwanda. I will argue that the English and Belgian colonizers' goals of the education systems in colonial Tanganyika and Ruanda-Urundi-how much education they thought was appropriate for women to have and their overarching goals in creating the education systems in the colonies-shaped the place of women within Tanzania and Rwanda today. I will argue that English and Belgian colonizers imposed a western, Christian, patriarchal …

Characterization Of Hydride-Based Silica And Diamond Hydride Stationary Phases, Nima C. Parmar

Master's Theses

Aqueous normal phase chromatography possesses characteristics of both normal phase (NP) and also reverse phase (RP) chromatography. It can retain polar as well as non-polar compounds by carefully selecting the concentration ratio of organic solvent to water in the mobile phase. Silica hydride columns contain only a small percentage of silanol groups which are polar in nature and have an effect on the separation process. Diamond hydride columns consist of a small amount (~2%) of carbon chemically bonded to a silica hydride surface.

This research work characterized both hydride-based silica and diamond hydride stationary phases under isocratic and gradient conditions. …

Nowhere: Blank Verse Concerning Small-Town Life In California, Daniel Scarpa

Master's Theses

I wanted to explore the process of using place - specifically, small towns in California that I visited - as inspiration for the writing of a book of poetry. This has been done in the past, most notably by poets such as Kenneth Rexroth and Gary Snyder. I was inspired by these poets and several others and my own experience in these often overlooked small towns to create a collection of syllabic blank verse poems that touch on their economies, practical reasons for isolation, and unique micro-cultures. While on the whole, I am pleased with the way the collection turned …

Internalized Oppression: Latino Narratives On Educational Experience, Carolina Avalos

Master's Theses

A qualitative study investigated the lived experiences and impact of internalized oppression within educational contexts. Six Latino-identified people--ages 22-38--who are current or former college students were interviewed about their early and adult educational experiences. A constant comparative methodology was used to identify commonalities found in participant narratives. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed to organize data into themes. Emergent themes included: (a) identity formation, (b) experience of racial micro-aggression in school, and (c) the value of acquiring an occupation being valued higher, in the household, than educational attainment. Findings provided insight into participant experiences with internalized oppression and educational …

Theoretical And Experimental Exploration Of Gill Remodeling In Gambusia Affinis, Barbara Tess Douglas

Master's Theses

In this thesis, the phenomenon of gill remodeling discovered in several species of fish is explored. Gill remodeling is achieved through an increase or decrease in cells within the interlamellar space, termed the interlamellar cell mass (ILCM). The effect of the ILCM on flow is explored using a theoretical model gill section. The model gill section was compared in three states: full ILCM, half ILCM, and clear (no ILCM). Differences in surface area, total flow, flow velocities, oxygen uptake, and available oxygen were compared between the three conditions. All parameters were distinctly larger for the model without the ILCM indicating …

Evaluation Of The Cmip5 Decadal Hindcasts In The State Of California, Colin Mckellar

Master's Theses

This study investigated the ability of the new Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) decadal hindcasts to predict the observed decadal variability for maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) in California over two historical periods in the 20th century and one future period in the 21st century. Annual and seasonal California temperature trends were computed by averaging 54 United States Historical Climate Network version 2 temperature observations from 1960-1990 and 1980-2010. Modeled California temperatures were reconstructed with bi-linear interpolation from the CMIP5 decadal hindcasts and 20th century experiments. The individual model ensemble averages (MEA) and mean model ensemble …

Correlation Of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy And Nanoparticle Aggregation With Rhodamine 6g, Christopher Aaron Hoff

Master's Theses

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has fascinated the analytical chemistry field for decades. The SERS phenomenon has progressively leveraged the inherently insensitive Raman phenomenon from a novelty vibrational spectroscopy method into one capable of single molecule detection, with attendant molecular level selectivity and information. Yet, even after 40 years since its discovery, the core mechanism behind this phenomenon is still debated. This thesis presents results from a series of photometric titrations wherein solutions of 30 nm Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were titrated with rhodamine 6G (R6G), spanning five orders of magnitude in R6G concentration, and which elucidate the conditions required for …

Geometric Algebra: An Introduction With Applications In Euclidean And Conformal Geometry, Richard Alan Miller

Master's Theses

This thesis presents an introduction to geometric algebra for the uninitiated. It contains examples of how some of the more traditional topics of mathematics can be reexpressed in terms of geometric algebra along with proofs of several important theorems from geometry. We introduce the conformal model. This is a current topic among researchers in geometric algebra as it is finding wide applications in computer graphics and robotics. The appendices provide a list of some of the notational conventions used in the literature, a reference list of formulas and identities used in geometric algebra along with some of their derivations, and …

Strain Measurement Validation Using 3d Photogrammetry Techniques, Tori Chinn

Master's Theses

This project was conducted to validate the measurement of static strain and dynamic frequency in an aluminum beam using 3D photogrammetry technology against analytic modeling and conventional strain measurements. A review of the 3D photogrammetry literature was conducted and a summary is presented here. Static load displacement and strain were compared between analytical calculations, photogrammetric data, strain gauges, experimental measurements, and an FEA model. First mode forced vibration was validated between analytical work, FEA, accelerometers, and photogrammetric measures. Results yielded positive and repeatable correlations between photogrammetric data and analytical computations with most reliable results for displacement.

Made Marian: Myth And Reality In The Redondo Beach Public Library, 1895-1924, Lisa Blank

Master's Theses

Librarians have been depicted in the literature as missionaries, apostles, and crusaders, militant maid Marians spreading the gospel of the library spirit. This thesis examines the historical depiction of the "typical" early librarian by posing two key questions. First, to what extent was the work of librarianship different or unique compared to that of other middle-class female occupations? And second, in what way was the librarian herself distinct from other middle-class women; that is, what defining characteristics or life events brought her to and kept her in librarianship?

Utilizing local newspapers, official reports, and census and vital statistics data, this …

System Level Modeling And Circuit Design For Low Voltage Cmos Equalizer For Coaxial Cable For Video Application, Han Zhang

Master's Theses

A new method of modeling coaxial cable frequency response with genetic algorithm was introduced. A system-level multi-stages adaptive equalizer model with QFB block was generated and tested with multiple cable models, pathological PRBS-23 data with data rate 1.5 GHz was used. This thesis also provided analysis of influences on output by using different parameters in simulations. Two adaptive equalizer circuits with different pre-amplifiers were implemented in GPDK 45 nm CMOS technology. Related simulations about adaptive ability, single stage compensation ability, and cascade stages compensation ability were completed. A tradeoff between output eye height and peak-to-peak jitter was discussed based on …

The Effectiveness Of Experiential Environmental Education: O'Neill Sea Odyssey Program Case Study, Lauren Elizabeth Hanneman

Master's Theses

Environmental education programs aim to develop participant awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of their affective relationship to the natural environment through conceptual knowledge and personal experiences. Previous findings have suggested that participation in environmental education programs leads to short-term positive increases in environmental knowledge, pro-environmental attitudes, and intentions to act in environmentally responsible behaviors; however, few studies have included long-term, follow-up assessment. This research provided an analysis of the effectiveness of the O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) education program in fostering a long-term awareness of personal responsibility about ocean pollution among student participants.

A survey administered to 261 students from the greater …

Relationship Between Cognitive Functions And Hormones, Daniel C. Miao

Master's Theses

Stress has been implicated by recent research to significantly contribute towards many cognitive and physiological deficiencies. One of the most popular topics of study is the effect of stress on inhibition, the all-or-none decision about an action or inaction. However, only recently have scientists begun investigating neuroendocrine molecules that link stress and inhibitory processing. Participants included San José State University undergraduates (27 male, 63 female, 1 unstated) who were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test, an established stress task, and who were assessed before and after stress exposure for cortisol levels. Participants were also given a pre- and post-test …

Embedded Cloud System For Ann-Cod Analysis Using Uv Spectroscopy, Kaushik Patra

Master's Theses

One of the many parameters indicating water quality is chemical oxygen demand (COD), which is an indirect measurement of the amount of organic compound material in water. There have been many studies, in both academia and the industry, to analyze the COD content of water using spectral analysis. The proposal of this thesis was to study, analyze, and identify methods to determine the presence of COD using UV spectroscopy data and an artificial neural network (ANN) in a cloud-connected embedded system. The system was implemented using an ARM11 board and a portable spectrometer. Light in the UV range was used …

Mathematical Inequalities, Amy Dreiling

Master's Theses

In this thesis, we discuss mathematical inequalities, which arise in various branches of Mathematics and other related fields. The subject is a vast one, but our focus is on inequalities related to complex analysis, geometry, and matrix theory.

We investigate recently proven trigonometric and hyperbolic inequalities. This includes Katsuura's string of seven inequalities for the sine and tangent functions and Price's Inequality (with new proofs derived by Katsuura and Obaid). We also discuss complex hyperbolic inequalities and inequalities from infinite products.

We then establish geometric inequalities, including those relating parts of the triangle as well as conic sections and their …

Brats: A Memoir, Timothy James Heath

Master's Theses

There are two Americas. There is the America where families grow up generation after generation in the same geographic location. There is another America. This America moves populations about as if they were post-it notes attached to a bulletin board. Today, Great Lakes, tomorrow, Fort Carson, next week, Fort Wainwright, and so on. In this America, children rarely spend more than two years in the same location. Many are uprooted in the middle of a school year, often the senior year. Many do not know where home is, as their sponsor (the family member in the military) has not lived …

Analysis And Application Of Transmission Line Conductors, Orin Laney

Master's Theses

Skin effect is usually a concern reserved for radio frequency design and for high current conductors used in utility power distribution. Proximity effect between adjacent conductors has traditionally been a concern for the design of magnetic windings and other applications involving wire bundles. The rise in the ubiquity of high speed bit streams and other signals of very wide bandwidth has broadened the range of applicable contexts and increased the need to account for such effects. This

is especially true for transmission lines used to interconnect critical signal paths in applications ranging from microelectronic devices to the signal integrity of …

Effects Of Compression On The Temperature Distribution Of A Tissue-Mimicking Material During High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (Hifu) Ablation, Austin Robbins Roth

Master's Theses

Local blood flow near a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) target has been shown to decrease ablation effectiveness and predictability, creating a barrier to clinical use for breast cancer treatment. This study investigated the effects of compression on HIFU ablation of a perfused tissue-mimicking material. Gellan gum-based phantoms, with thermal and acoustic properties similar to those of soft tissue, were ablated with a 1.13 MHz HIFU transducer while being subjected to varying levels of external compression. Phantoms were designed with an embedded 6 mm diameter vessel meant to mimic a thermally significant blood vessel near a breast tumor. The internal temperature …

Features Of Copulation And The Copulation Call In Glaucous-Winged Gulls (Larus Glaucescens), Amanda Sandler

Master's Theses

Glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) breed along the Pacific Northwest coast where they perform highly stereotypical behavior patterns, including associated vocalizations. Early studies suggested the copulation call functions in maintaining pair bonds. Recent studies, however, challenge the idea that strengthening pair bonds is the only function of this call. I described the spectral and temporal features of the copulation call and investigated whether copulation behaviors varied over the course of the 2012 nesting season. During continuous observations from a blind in daylight hours, I documented the start and stop time for every copulation in a sample area of a nesting colony …

A Tunable Electromagnetic Band-Gap Microstrip Filter, Greg A. Lancaster

Master's Theses

In high frequency design, harmonic suppression is a persistent struggle. Non-linear devices such as switches and amplifiers produce unwanted harmonics which may interfere with other frequency bands. Filtering is a widely accepted solution, however there are various shortcomings involved. Suppressing multiple harmonics, if desired, with traditional lumped element and distributed component band-stop filters requires using multiple filters. These topologies are not easily made tunable either. A new filter topology is investigated called Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) structures.

EBG structures have recently gained the interest of microwave designers due to their periodic nature which prohibits the propagation of certain frequency bands. EBG …

Seeking Modernity, Brain Gain, And Brain Drain: The Historical Evolution Of Chinese Students' Overseas Education In The United States Since Modern China, Di Luo

Master's Theses

This thesis is an historical research project that examines major waves of Chinese students studying in the United States since the mid-nineteenth century, as well as the impact of returned, American-educated Chinese students to the modernization of Chinese society. It also discusses the trend and pattern of the current wave after 1978 and compare it with previous waves. The analysis and examination of this thesis is based on a wide variety of written documents in both Chinese and English, including historical literatures, academic articles, dissertations, surveys, government publications, statistical data from both primary and secondary sources, as well as educational …

Unpacking The Study Of Instructional Improvement: Issues, Outcomes, And Implications Of Three Comprehensive School Reform Efforts, Gabriella Silva Gorsky

Master's Theses

There is a long history of educational reform efforts in the United States. Current literature on school reform suggests that a comprehensive approach that involves implementing instructional change across many instructional domains is more effective at producing the types of far-reaching improvement desired compared with mono-focal approaches focusing on a single new strategy. This study explored the impacts and outcomes of the Accelerated Schools Project (ASP), America’s Choice (AC), and Success for All (SFA) within the Study of Instructional Improvement (Ball, Cohen, & Rowan, 2010) schools to answer three primary questions: Are student outcomes on TerraNova mirrored by outcomes on …

Galois Theory And The Hilbert Irreducibility Theorem, Damien Adams

Master's Theses

We study abstract algebra and Hilbert's Irreducibility Theorem. We give an exposition of Galois theory and Hilbert's Irreducibility Theorem: given any irreducible polynomial f(t₁, t₂, …, t_n, x) over the rational numbers, there are an infinite number of rational n-tuples (a₁, a₂, …, a_n) such that f(a₁, a₂, …, a_n, x) is irreducible over the rational numbers.

We take a preliminary look at linear algebra, symmetric groups, extension fields, splitting fields, and the Chinese Remainder Theorem. We follow this by studying …

Effectiveness Of Peer Mentoring In First-Year Program Classrooms, Katherine Casey

Master's Theses

First-year programs (FYPs) for college students offer extended orientation to campus resources and provide first-time freshmen with essential skills for academic success, and many believe that the effectiveness of FYPs increases with the presence of peer mentors. The present study measured the added effectiveness of peer mentoring in FYP classrooms with knowledge of campus resources as a dependent measure. Ninety one first-year students in nine sections of FYP classes participated in this quasi-experimental study. Seven of the classes had peer mentors (n = 70), and the two control classes (n = 21) did not have peer mentors in the classroom. …

Titan I Propulsion System Modeling And Possible Performance Improvements, Oreste Giusti

Master's Theses

This thesis features the Titan I propulsion systems and offers data-supported suggestions for improvements to increase performance. The original propulsion systems were modeled both graphically in CAD and via equations. Due to the limited availability of published information, it was necessary to create a more detailed, secondary set of models. Various engineering equations--pertinent to rocket engine design--were implemented in order to generate the desired extra detail. This study describes how these new models were then imported into the ESI CFD Suite. Various parameters are applied to these imported models as inputs that include, for example, bi-propellant combinations, pressure, temperatures, and …

Women In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Fields: The Importance Of The Need To Belong And Self-Esteem On The Intention To Leave A Job, Jung Eun Lee

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to predict individual intentions to leave science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field jobs. Psychological predictors were gender, the need to belong, self-esteem, perceived personal discrimination, and perceived group discrimination. We used the Amazon Mechanical Turk to recruit participants and Survey Monkey to conduct an online survey. Participants were 174 men and women who worked or studied in STEM fields. Two-step hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. As a result, we found that all predictors mentioned above accounted for the variance in the intention to leave a job. Self-esteem and …

Foucault's Pendulum, A Classical Analog For The Electron Spin State, Rebecca Linck

Master's Theses

Spin has long been regarded as a fundamentally quantum phenomena that is incapable of being described classically. To bridge the gap and show that aspects of spin's quantum nature can be described classically, this work uses a classical Lagrangian based on the coupled oscillations of Foucault's pendulum as an analog for the electron spin state in an external magnetic field. With this analog it is possible to demonstrate that Foucault's pendulum not only serves as a basis for explaining geometric phase, but is also a basis for reproducing a broad range of behavior from Zeeman-like frequency splitting to precession of …

Real-Time Auto Tuning Of A Closed Loop Second Order System With Internal Time Delay Using Pseudo Random Binary Sequences, David Adams

Master's Theses

This research yielded a real-time auto tuning algorithm to adaptively tune a proportional integral and derivative (PID) controller for a first or second-order system with internal time-delay. The method uses a 15-bit pseudo-random binary sequence as an input to obtain the closed-loop system impulse response while the system is operating. Time-delay is assessed by analysis of the estimated closed-loop impulse response and is used in the system model for closed-loop pole assessment. The fast fourier transform of the estimated impulse response produces an estimate of the frequency response data, and a non-linear regression optimization technique, utilizing MATLAB, identifies the closed-loop …

Condition-Dependent Risk Assessment Of Large-Scale Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power Systems, Sherwin Li

Master's Theses

This thesis reviews the methods for evaluating the reliability of large PV systems and techniques for quantifying the impacts of PV interconnection on distribution system reliability. In addition, a comparative study is performed to evaluate the seasonal condition-dependent risk performance of central-inverter and string-inverter grid-tied PV power systems. Major contributions include: 1) risk analysis of seasonal impacts for string and centralized PV systems. Seasonal sensitivities of PV system risks to system structures, temperature variation, solar insolation, and capacitor equivalent series resistance are analyzed; and 2) the incorporation of the effect of operational conditions and the aging failure model into the …