Digital Commons Network^™

Climate Adaptation And Water Conservation Decision-Making In Paso Robles, California Vineyards, Christopher R. Klier

Master's Theses

This paper examines vineyard perceptions and adoption of climate change adaptation and water conservation measures in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA). A survey was distributed to all 220 vineyards and vineyard management companies that operate in the AVA, with a 53.64% response rate. The objective of the survey was to determine vineyard manager and owner attitudes towards climate change and adaptation, as well as their perceptions of how these threats would impact their operation. A second objective was to document the current level of water conservation and climate adaptation while identifying the barriers and opportunities for further adoption …

Comparison Of Animal Versus Plant-Based Protein Supplementation To Nitrogen Balance In Female College Students, Adeline Maykish

Master's Theses

Plant-based diets have become popular in the past 10 years, with approximately 11% of Americans self-identifying as vegan or vegetarian, and many others trying to reduce meat consumption. Due to this increasing interest, the plant-based food market has exploded with several novel innovative products serving as alternatives to animal-based products. One such example is almond protein powder, a fairly new protein supplement created as an alternative to whey protein. A number of studies have compared animal-based protein supplementation, such as whey to plant-based supplementation, such as soy, on muscle protein synthesis and skeletal muscle preservation. Due to the novelty of …

Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Glycodendrons Through Small Molecule And Linear Polymer Models, Molly Jones

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of glycopolymer-dendron thiol-ene coupling reactions with the long-term goal of increasing biocompatibility of near infrared (NIR) fluorophores for bioimaging applications. A design of experiments was used with small molecule model compounds to determine the parameters for successful thiol-ene click reactions that would lead to success of more complicated amphipathic polymer-polymer coupling reactions. The first chapter provides an introductory overview of the importance and applications of glycopolymers, bioimaging, and Janus dendrimersomes. The second chapter presents the synthetic methods for creating a glucose-functionalized glycopolymer with an acrylamide backbone, the exploration of thiol-ene coupling …

Different Class: The Creation Of The Premier League And The Commercialization Of English Football, Colin Damms

Master's Theses

This project examines how English football evolved from a culture of hooliganism and poor upkeep into a popular and enterprising industry across the globe. The Premier League and its stars marketed the English game and its culture worldwide. Since the 1990s England has established itself as the leading club footballing nation. I argue that through football, and the culture and economics behind it, we can see the ways in which England attempted to change its image in the modern world. In the 1980s and 1990s Britain was confronted with its own established culture of violence, bigotry, and nationalist pride, particularly …

The Effects Of Segmenting Worksheets On Independent Seatwork With Elementary Students Delivered In A Remote Manner Using Parents As Interventionists, Lauren Peak

Master's Theses

Students have a limited amount of time each day to complete independent assignments. These assignments prioritize the learning opportunities provided to students. Learning opportunities or the chance to practice with feedback is highly effective, and additional repetition enhances the learning experience. By increasing student's time-on-task, they will be provided more learning opportunities. This study sought to discover if segmented work could increase the number of problems completed, digits correct per minute and on-task behavior. An alternating treatment design across four participants allowed for the comparison of segmented worksheets and whole worksheets. Additionally, parents served as the interventionist in this remote …

Effect Of Borrelia Burgdorferi On The Amyloid-Beta And Phospho-Tau Markers And Oxidative Stress Response Of Neuroblastoma Cells, Dina Elzohiry

Master's Theses

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the neurons are injured and mostly subjected to death throughout the brain, interconnections between neural networks may detach, and several regions of the brain begin to shrink in size. Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) and phospho-tau (p-Tau) are considered as main hallmarks of AD. Lyme-causing bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi can invade central nervous system resulting in neurological disorders. To evaluate how B. burgdorferi bacteria can contribute to the development and/or progress of AD, protein expression of Amyloid-Beta aggregates and p-Tau protein tangles were assessed before and after infection with B. burgdorferi in BE2C and Kelly neuroblastoma cell lines. To assess …

A Meta-Analysis Of Youth Gender Prejudice Interventions, Molly Ackerman-Pulliam

Master's Theses

This meta-analysis of youth gender prejudice interventions provides an estimate of the overall effectiveness of empirical efforts to reduce expressions of gender prejudice or promote gender egalitarian attitudes among child and adolescent samples. Studies eligible for inclusion were quasi- or fully-experimental designs with child and adolescent participants ranging from 5-17 years of age that quantitatively measured gender prejudice reduction or increases in an egalitarian view of gender. The final sample of 31 studies were located via database searches using both general and specific keywords and Boolean operators. Effect sizes for measures of gender prejudice were calculated using Cohen’s d as …

Exploring Racial Injustice Conversations In Intergenerational Asian American Households Following The Death Of George Floyd: A Case Study, Jasmine Nicole Lopez Itliong

Master's Theses

This study explores intergenerational racial injustice conversations in Asian American households by focusing on conversations that occurred following the death of George Floyd. Asian American historical oppression, Eastern versus Western ideologies, and intergenerational communication conflict present several challenges for navigating conversations about racial injustice among family members. Given the important role of family in facilitating identity and fostering support, this study also considers the implications of mental health and well-being of Asian Americans associated with their ability to communicate about racial injustice. Informed by Racial Triangulation Theory and Family Communication Patterns Theory, four in-depth interviews were conducted, along with a …

Quantification Of Red Blood Cell Deformability And Distribution In Venous Valve Mimics, Zyrina Alura Calderon Sanchez

Master's Theses

Red blood cells (RBCs) are vital to sustaining life as they are necessary for microvascular oxygenation and tissue perfusion, as well as inflammation and hemostasis. RBC deformability plays a key role in their distribution in blood vessels, and hence directly influences pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and deep vein thrombosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that RBC deformability will affect their distribution in venous valve pockets, the location of venous thrombosis. To test this hypothesis, we used confined microfluidic flows to quantify RBC deformability, and manipulated membrane cholesterol to alter RBC deformability. The effect of RBC deformability changes …

The Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness And Servant Leadership, Harmeet Parmar

Master's Theses

In recent years, servant leadership has become a widely studied leadership style. Literature has focused on the outcomes of servant leadership, and only a few studies have looked at the antecedents of servant leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine trait mindfulness as an antecedent of eight dimensions of servant leader behaviors. It was hypothesized that trait mindfulness would have a positive relationship with the servant leader dimensions humility, authenticity, and standing back. In addition, a research question was posited to see if trait mindfulness would have a relationship with the other dimensions of servant leadership including empowerment, …

Perception Correction: Addressing Social Stigmatization Around Bdsm And Mental Health, Erin Afana

Master's Theses

Mainstream society’s characterization of activities and subgroups as abnormal can result in a long history of being shamed and pathologized, leading to discrimination and stigmatization. BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism) is an alternative lifestyle with a variety of identities, characteristics and practices that are viewed by many as being outside of societal norms. The consequences of this can be seen in how society, in general, views BDSM participants, how the criminal justice system responds to issues involving BDSM, and how the mental health system perceives those who participate in BDSM activities. The purpose of this thesis …

Evaluating Effect Of Folic Acid On Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast Cells With Impaired Dna Repair System, Suneeti Madhavan

Master's Theses

Mandatory folic acid (FA) fortification programs have been introduced in many countries since 1998 [1]. This fortification program, especially when combined with vitamin supplements taken for health purposes, can lead to higher-than-normal levels of synthetic FA in the body [2]. Recent research has linked high levels of synthetic FA (more than the daily requirement of 400μg/day) with increased incidences of cancer [2-7]. In comparison, low levels of FA have been shown to cause DNA damage due to impaired DNA repair processes [8,9]. This study hypothesizes that increased levels of FA give rise to DNA modification. Therefore, if cells harbor an …

The Effects Of Vine Age On Vine Performance, Fruit, And Wine Composition Of Zinfandel In The Templeton Gap Ava, California, Vegas L. Riffle

Master's Theses

A two-year study was conducted at a commercial vineyard in California’s Templeton Gap AVA to evaluate the effect of vine age on viticultural, enological, and sensory attributes of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Zinfandel grapes and wines. The experimental block was dry farmed, conventionally managed, with own-rooted Zinfandel vines that, when determined unproductive, were replaced with new vines of genetically identical scion plant material grafted onto St. George (Vitis rupestris Scheele) rootstock. Treatments included Young vines (5 to 12 years old), Control (representative proportion of young to old vines in the block), and Old vines (40 to 60 years old). …

Analyzing Intramural Sport Participation At The State University Of New York College At Cortland 2021, Stephen D'Alessandro

Master's Theses

SUNY Cortland has historically had a robust and active Intramural Sports program. The program saw 2,380 students participate during the Spring 2016 semester, but that number has steadily declined in recent years. In the Fall 2019 semester, the participation rate had fallen to 1,482 participants. Research has been conducted on the topic, although it is not applicable to SUNY Cortland. Past research on intramural participation has focused on constraints to participation, finding a lack of time a primary constraint However, the research is 15 years old and conducted at universities with vastly different demographics than SUNY Cortland. The purpose of …

Modeling Action Potential Propagation During Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Through A Three-Dimensional Computational Model, Julia Elizabeth Kelley

Master's Theses

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common monogenic disorder and the leading cause of sudden arrhythmic death in children and young adults. It is typically asymptomatic and first manifests itself during cardiac arrest, making it a challenge to diagnose in advance. Computational models can explore and reveal underlying molecular mechanisms in cardiac electrophysiology by allowing researchers to alter various parameters such as tissue size or ionic current amplitudes. The goal of this thesis is to develop a computational model in MATLAB and to determine if this model can accurately indicate cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This goal is achieved by combining …

Los Zetas, Neoliberalism, And Popular Opposition: A Study In Linkages, Gina R. Lyle

Master's Theses

Los Zetas are considered by security analysts to be a transformative force within transnational criminal organizations (TCO), exporting their unique model throughout Mexico. Los Zetas’ idiosyncratic interventions include their diversification of criminal operations, professionalization of TCO security, sophisticated use of media and technology, extreme forms of violent coercion, and decentralized command structure. This project aims to complicate the narrative that Los Zetas emerged because of top leaders’ sadistic tendencies or due to an inherently violent culture in Mexico by reframing the group’s evolution within historical processes. Moving beyond Los Zetas, this project examines how persons affected by Los Zetas’ indiscriminate …

Upending The "Racial Death-Wish": Black Gay Liberation And The Culture Of Black Homophobia, Kailyn Pope

Master's Theses

This thesis analyzes the origin and impact of Black homophobia found in activist spaces of mid- to late-twentieth-century American society. Black gay Americans were subjected to intersecting forms of systemic and cultural oppression that were exceedingly hard to escape due to both the homophobia in Black spaces and the racism in gay spaces. Black gay activists and artists thus had to create their own avenues of expression where they and others could fully embrace what it meant to be Black and gay. This work utilizes a Black feminist framework to explore the roots of Black homophobia and how this type …

Design And Implementation Of A Modular Human-Robot Interaction Framework, Michael J. Juri

Master's Theses

With the increasing longevity that accompanies advances in medical technology comes a host of other age-related disabilities. Among these are neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, which significantly reduce the motor and cognitive ability of affected individuals. As these diseases become more prevalent, there is a need for further research and innovation in the field of motor rehabilitation therapy to accommodate these individuals in a cost-effective manner. In recent years, the implementation of social agents has been proposed to alleviate the burden on in-home human caregivers. Socially assistive robotics (SAR) is a new subfield of research …

Effects Of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria And Fungi On Strawberry Plant Health, Fruit Yield, And Disease Susceptibility, Mary Maher

Master's Theses

Studies on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi (PGPF) as biostimulants have shown significant positive effects on plant health, fruit yield, or pest management. However, very few published studies to date have been specific regarding their effects on strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa), particularly on soilborne disease prevalence in organically grown strawberries. Empirical data on the results of using these products in commercial growing applications under various conditions would be highly valuable, especially for organic growers who have limited synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers registered for use. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of …

The Effect Of Reaction Conditions On The Nucleation And Particle Growth Of A Colloidal Covalent Organic Framework, Brendan Posson

Master's Theses

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a novel class of crystalline materials with regular porosity, high specific surface area, and various linkage chemistries. Conventional chemical syntheses of these materials lead to the formation of bulk powders characterized as polycrystalline aggregates. Synthesizing these materials as colloidal systems is an effective means to prevent aggregation and achieve larger single-crystalline domain sizes. In this thesis, I describe the effect of temperature and transimination catalyst strength on COF particle nucleation and particle growth. Morphology and crystallinity of the COF-300 particles were confirmed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The onset of colloidal …

An Equity-Minded Assessment Of Belonging Among Computing Students At Cal Poly, Kylan Nicole Stewart

Master's Theses

Creating a Computer Science and Software Engineering Department that supports students with diverse identities and backgrounds is essential to creating a computing workforce that reflects the world at large. Inspired by the work of Metcalf et al.'s survey conducted at the University of Illinois, we use the same methods to examine the state of our computing department with respect to issues of inclusive climate and student sense of belonging, which have been shown to be important for retention in STEM fields. We use the four areas that contribute to belonging based on the work of Rainey et al. along with …

A Survey Of Computer Graphics Facial Animation Methods: Comparing Traditional Approaches To Machine Learning Methods, Joseph A. Johnson

Master's Theses

Human communications rely on facial expression to denote mood, sentiment, and intent. Realistic facial animation of computer graphic models of human faces can be difficult to achieve as a result of the many details that must be approximated in generating believable facial expressions. Many theoretical approaches have been researched and implemented to create more and more accurate animations that can effectively portray human emotions. Even though many of these approaches are able to generate realistic looking expressions, they typically require a lot of artistic intervention to achieve a believable result. To reduce the intervention needed to create realistic facial animation, …

Connected Vehicle Co-Simulation For Autonomous Vehicles In Airsim Using Ns-3, Alexandra Garro

Master's Theses

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications enables vehicles to communicate directly with each other, as well as roadside infrastructure. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, a subset of V2X communication, enables the vehicle to not solely rely on on-board sensors and allows the vehicle to share information directly to any nearby vehicles. Information shared between vehicles may include a vehicle's position, velocity, and direction, as well as other data. As these are safety-critical applications, rigorous security assessments are needed, yet it can be very expensive, dangerous, and complex to test security vulnerabilities of autonomous vehicles. Therefore, we aim to leverage realistic open-sourced simulators to carry out …

Will Oakland Burn Again: Understanding The Fire Hazard In An Urban Park System, Alessandra M. Zambrano

Master's Theses

Though almost thirty years have passed since the 1991 Tunnel Fire, the wildfire hazard is still present in the Oakland Hills. This study was conducted to determine if the vegetation in the Oakland Hills had reverted back to fuel conditions that contributed to the Tunnel Fire, examine how the fire hazard has changed since 1991, and evaluate planned wildfire mitigation. The goal was to determine how fuel conditions have changed since 1991 and compare potential fire behavior to that of the Tunnel Fire. Additionally, the study examined the effectiveness of the mitigation actions described in the East Bay Regional Park …

Implementing A Data Acquisition System For The Training Of Cloud Coverage Neural Networks, Weston C. Montgomery

Master's Theses

Cal Poly is home to a solar farm designed to nominally generate 4.5 MW of electricity. The Gold Tree Solar Farm (GTSF) is currently the largest photovoltaic array in the California State University (CSU) system, and it was claimed to be able to produce approximately 11 GWh per year. These types of projections come from power generation models which have been developed to predict power production of these large solar fields. However, when it comes to near-term forecasting of power generation with variable sources such as wind and solar, there is definitely room for improvement.

The two primary factors that …

Evaluation Of Blood Vessel Mimic Scaffold Biocompatibility, Nicole M. Abraham

Master's Theses

The Tissue Engineering Research Lab at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo focuses on creating tissue-engineered blood vessel mimics (BVMs) for use in preclinical testing of vascular devices. These BVMs are composed of electrospun scaffolds made of an assortment of polymers that are seeded with different cell types. This integration of polymers with cells leads to the need for biocompatibility testing of the polymer scaffolds. Many of the lab’s newest scaffolds have not been fully characterized for biologic interactions. Therefore, the first aim of this thesis developed methods for in vitro cytotoxicity testing of polymers used in the fabrication …

Microfluidic Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy System Automation And Characterization, Keaton Frahmann

Master's Theses

In this work, a novel microfluidic cell culture platform capable of automated electrical impedance measurements and immunofluorescence and brightfield microscopy was developed for further in-vitro cellular research intended to optimize cell culture conditions. The microfluidic system design, fabrication, automation, and design verification testing are described. Electrical and optical measurements of the 16 parallel cell culture chambers were automated via a custom LabView interface. A proposed design change will enable gas diffusion, removing the need for an environmental enclosure and allow long-term cell culture experiments. This "lab on a chip" system miniaturizes and automates experiments improving testing throughput and accuracy while …

Development Of A Portable Low-Moisture Food Pasteurization Device Using Rf Heating, Eric Jason Ohata

Master's Theses

Bacterial presence in low-moisture foods such as flour, cereals, baby formula, and spices, have become a concern due to sanitizing challenges. The food industry currently focuses on wet food sanitation as opposed to low-moisture foods because of bacteria’s inability to reproduce in low water activity media. Traditionally, food processing RF heating pasteurizes in mass quantities while an equivalent consumer device does not exist the market today. A consumer product would help eliminate food waste by providing an easy way to sanitize food and extend shelf life. The Portable Food Pasteurization (PFP) project is an interdisciplinary project involving the Electrical Engineering, …

A Performance Survey Of Text-Based Sentiment Analysis Methods For Automating Usability Evaluations, Kelsi Van Damme

Master's Theses

Usability testing, or user experience (UX) testing, is increasingly recognized as an important part of the user interface design process. However, evaluating usability tests can be expensive in terms of time and resources and can lack consistency between human evaluators. This makes automation an appealing expansion or alternative to conventional usability techniques.

Early usability automation focused on evaluating human behavior through quantitative metrics but the explosion of opinion mining and sentiment analysis applications in recent decades has led to exciting new possibilities for usability evaluation methods.

This paper presents a survey of modern, open-source sentiment analyzers’ usefulness in extracting and …

Perishable Food Waste Reduction Through Technological Implementation At The Retail Level Of The Food Supply Chain, Cassandra Harriman

Master's Theses

Food waste has become a disaster of global proportion that the world can no longer turn a blind eye to. This paper aims to reduce food waste at the retail level of the food supply chain by recommending and quantifying the effects of current technology that can be implemented in traditional supermarkets. This research recommends that retailers implement electronic shelf labels in stores and employ dynamic pricing of perishable products, leading to reduction of food waste. No prior research had considered the primary goal of reducing food waste while preserving retailer profit through technological implementation. This paper quantifies the effects …