Digital Commons Network^™

Lovers And Friends: Understanding Friends With Benefits Relationships And Those Involved, Lydia Kathleen Merriam-Pigg

Master's Theses

Friends with benefits relationships (FWBRs) are defined as sexual relationships between two individuals who are friends, though they are not emotionally intimate or committed to one another. Little FWBR research has explored who is most likely to become involved in FWBRs and how personality may affect their FWB experiences. With the present study, I examined two aspects of personality that have been strongly implicated in romantic relationship choices and experiences: self-monitoring behavior and attachment styles. Further, I examined relationship closeness in FWBRs and compared the findings to literature reports of other types of relationships.

Consistent with predictions, some experiences in …

Producing Short And Long Run Projections For The Ecological Footprint, David Gordon Moore

Master's Theses

The Ecological Footprint is a useful tool for public awareness of ecological pressures and for policymakers who aim to reduce them. In order to determine the potential effects of future actions and policies, it is necessary to construct scenarios of future global conditions, both in the short-term and long-term. This study develops two alternative methods for creating Ecological Footprint scenarios: first using asymmetric changes in simple economic output (GDP) to look at short-term projections; then using widely accepted scenarios from international agencies to develop long-term projections.

Changes in GDP were found to be causal in determining changes in the Ecological …

Visual Search On A Mobile Device While Walking, Ji Jung Lim

Master's Theses

Previous studies have examined the effects of walking and user interface elements on mobile task performance, using physical target selection tasks. The current study investigated the effect of walking and user interface elements on visual search on a mobile device, isolating the effects on perceptual and cognitive processes. The effects of object size, contrast, and target location on mobile devices while walking and standing were examined. A serial visual search using "T" and "L" shapes on a mobile device, which controlled for physical target selection involvement was conducted. The results showed that walking, bigger object size, and the target position …

Scaling Cuda For Distributed Heterogeneous Processors, Siu Kwan Lam

Master's Theses

The mainstream acceptance of heterogeneous computing and cloud computing is prompting a future of distributed heterogeneous systems. With current software development tools, programming such complex systems is difficult and requires an extensive knowledge of network and processor architectures. Providing an abstraction of the underlying network, message-passing interface (MPI) has been the standard tool for developing distributed applications in the high performance community. The problem of MPI lies with its message-passing model, which is less expressive than the shared-memory model. Development of heterogeneous programming tools, such as OpenCL, has only begun recently. This thesis presents Phalanx, a framework that extends the …

A Morphological Study Of Eriogonum Nortonii (Polygonaceae) And Implications For Its Biogeography, Lisa Deree Morton

Master's Theses

Morphological characters, phenology, and abiotic parameters were measured to determine whether divergence has occurred between populations of Eriogonum nortonii E. Greene on the east and west sides of the Salinas Valley. Morphological variability was demonstrated across all populations but not between populations on opposite sides of the valley. Investigations into present and paleoenvironmental factors as well as dispersal factors suggest recent episodes of long distance dispersal were responsible for the disjunct distribution of E. nortonii populations.

Growing Greens And Soiled Soil: Trends In Heavy Metal Contamination In Vegetable Gardens Of San Francisco, Jennifer Gorospe

Master's Theses

As urban dwellers prioritize eating locally grown foods to reduce environmental impacts, benefit the local economy, and bring fresh produce to the table, urban gardening has emerged as a popular approach to improving food security. Researchers have shown previously that urban landscapes can accumulate environmental toxins at levels that may be unsafe for human health, with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities often shouldering an unequal burden of exposure. In order to identify and predict likely risk to gardeners, in this study, soil samples from 91 vegetable gardens in the city of San Francisco were analyzed for 16 heavy metals. A majority of …

More Myself, Karin Louise Mckie

Master's Theses

More Myself by Karin McKie is about living in the margins of the social network. As an ad hoc anthropologist, I survey my journeys, both internal and external, with a wry eye. I have lived alone since 1993, work mostly from home, no texting on my phone, and no kids ... that I know about. Throughout these essays, I chronicle the differences, as well as the intersections, between loneliness and being alone.

What is the nature of solitude? Am I worth knowing; am I worth loving? How did I get where I've got? From Virginia to Chicago and San José, …

Documenting The Delta: Lessons Learned From Film, Charies Lee Parker

Master's Theses

California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, "the Delta," is one of the state's most important natural resources. Beginning in the mid 1800s and continuing to the present day, anthropogenic activities radically altered, and continue to affect, this ecosystem. Wetland reclamation and water projects transformed the Delta landscape from a tidal wetland into an artificially homogenous freshwater system. As a result, the health of the Delta ecosystem is in jeopardy. Experts agree that current management practices of the Delta are unsustainable; however, experts cannot agree on a viable solution.

An educational documentary film, "California Kings: Sold Down the River," was used as the …

Luminescence Studies Of Europium (Iii) - D-Glucosamine Complexes In Water, Triny Trinh Pham

Master's Theses

LUMINESCENCE STUDIES OF EUROPIUM(III) - D-GLUCOSAMINE

COMPLEXES IN WATER

by Triny Trinh Pham

Lanthanide complexation interactions measured by luminescence have become

interesting topic in recent years. Europium is a rare earth metal and the Eu(III) ion is a hard acid; when Eu(III) and a monosaccharide ligand are present, a complex may be formed. The goal is to determine the equilibrium constant KEuL between the europium ion and a D-glucosamine ligand. At 25oC and pH ~ 7.40, a physiologically important pH, adding D-glucosamine enhanced the luminescence of 0.0025 M Eu(III). As the concentration of ligand increased, the emission intensity was also …

Health Implications Of Mercury, Selenium, And A Red Pelage In Pacific Harbor Seals (Phoca Vitulina Richardii) Off Central California, Elizabeth Alexis Mchuron

Master's Theses

San Francisco Bay (SFB) is the largest estuary on the west coast of the United States. It provides habitat for many species, although is heavily urbanized with a history of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) contamination. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are good indicators of the health of SFB because they are long–lived, upper–level trophic consumers, and present in the estuary year–round. The objective of this study was to examine the role of Se and Hg contamination on the health of harbor seals in this region, and the role of Se in the development of a red pelage. Between 2009 and …

Cracking The Coven: Shakespeare, The Supernatural, And The Female Power Base, Doll (Heather) Elizabeth Piccotto

Master's Theses

There has been extensive writing and research into the fairy magic and witchcraft practices of the Early Modern Period in the 400-plus years between when Shakespeare's plays were performed and now--even including a tome on demonology by King James I himself. However, as witchcraft and fairy magic are distinctively female realms, with women making up 90% of accused witches and fairy magic being mainly related to domestic duties, one cannot accurately discuss these phenomena in the plays without addressing how they affect the female characters. This project examines the role of the supernatural in three of Shakespeare's plays, A Midsummer …

A Versatile Group Of Investigative Theater Practitioners: An Examination And Analysis Of "The Civilians", Kimberly Suzanne Peterson

Master's Theses

This thesis analyzes The Civilians, a New York-based theater company that creates interview-based cabaret/theater works, specifically examining the group's organizational structure and creative and administrative processes. The goal of this thesis is to provide insight into how this organization functions, and the lens of organizational structure and processes is used because, as business scholars have noted, structure and process are fundamental elements of any organization. Additionally, this study is framed using Gaétan Morency and Jane Needles's analysis of Cirque du Soleil, François Colbert's analysis of the Piccolo Teatro of Milan, and Celia Wren's article, "Dissolving the Barriers," which investigates eliminating …

Kinetic Modeling Of Methanol Synthesis From Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, And Hydrogen Over A Cu/Zno/Cr2o3 Catalyst, Daaniya Rahman

Master's Theses

The main purpose of this study was to investigate kinetic models proposed in the

literature for methanol synthesis and select the best fit model using regression techniques

in POLYMATH. Another aim was to use the results from the best fit model to explain

some aspects and resolve some questions related to methanol synthesis kinetics. Two

statistically sound kinetic models were chosen from literature based on their goodness of

fit to the respective kinetic data. POLYMATH, the non-linear regression software, was

used to fit published experimental data to different kinetic models and evaluate kinetic

parameters. The statistical results from POLYMATH were …

Entre L'Ombre Et La Lumière: La Problématique Du Mal Et L'Instance Du Gouffre Chez Charles Baudelaire Et Albert Camus, Laurence Pilot-Darier-Baziere

Master's Theses

During the seventeenth century, Pascal explored the causality and effect of evil upon humanity. In The Pensées, he correlates the role of both lightness and darkness, seemingly two apparently opposite conditions associated with good and evil, as being in fact an intricate vision of the underlying condition affecting humankind, contributing to a better understanding of human existence and serving as a tangible measure of being. This thesis explores how Pascal's concept is redefined through the aesthetic, literary, and philosophical lenses of two French authors: Charles Baudelaire and Albert Camus. It exposes how Baudelaire's and Camus' divergent perceptions arrive at the …

The Role Of Language In Shaping The International Cultural Tourism Experience Of Student-Travelers, Avina Ramnani

Master's Theses

This qualitative, exploratory study sought insight into how language affects the cultural tourism experience in the international tourism context. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews of 13 student-travelers, who traveled with the San Jose State University's study-abroad programs. The analysis of the data was carried out within a socio-linguistic context using grounded theory methods. Findings indicated that travel motivations and the perception of significance of the language spoken at a destination were intimately connected. Further, the desire on the part of the student-travelers to experience the local culture affected the desire for interaction with the host population, which was in …

Differential And Temporal Immunomodulation Of Alpha4 Integrins On Cd4+ Memory Cells By Bordetella Pertussis And Bordetella Parapertussis, Dipti Ravindra

Master's Theses

Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis), is reemerging worldwide due to vaccine inefficacy. The hallmarks of infection are extreme lymphocytosis and delayed recovery, which are partially associated with pertussis toxin. Lymphocytes migrate to infected tissues using trafficking receptors. Specific combinations of these lymphocyte trafficking receptors are identified for skin and gut but are not well established for lung.

This study focused on the effect of pertussis toxin on lung-associated trafficking receptors and tested the hypothesis that pertussis toxin alters dendritic cell imprinting of lung trafficking receptors on T cells, thus delaying resolution of the infection. B. pertussis-infected mice were …

A Candle In The Dark - Concerto For Clarinet And Wind Ensemble, Jason Gary Mcchristian

Master's Theses

A Candle in the Dark - Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble is cast in three movements. The work is an exploration of the qualities of the concerto form with its inherent narrative of the single solo protagonist and its dialogue with a larger ensemble. In particular, I was interested in discovering the virtuoso capabilities in the agility and expressiveness of the solo clarinet and, in general, exploring the possibilities of the wind ensemble. The title, added after the composition was finished, quotes Carl Sagan's description of the use of reason and skepticism in a world preoccupied with superstition, with …

Being Desired, Ninos Aglantinos Oshaana

Master's Theses

Existential questions inspire or rather demand creative expression. The present collection of poems attempts to discern the way humanity is propelled forward through its insatiable hunger for meaning. At the core of this hunger is desire. We are beings who are born out of desire, who also desire and want to be desired. We want our matter to matter. Our desire is for a lasting identity. In short, we desire being. Within the three respective sections in this collection, these poems express the journey of discerning our ethnic, social, and spiritual identities along with their formation, disruption, and celebration.

Effects Of A Virtually Abroad Program On Students' Cross-Cultural Competence, Emalynn Lucie Robinson

Master's Theses

A program-long, longitudinal, self-report study was conducted to assess the benefits and effects of student engagement in a five-week virtual team project, called the Virtually Abroad Program (VAP). The VAP required two or three students from each country to work together as a team on a course project. Students completed questionnaires at the start (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of the project. Study variables included culture-general knowledge, culture-specific knowledge, openness to new cultural experiences, and overall program evaluation. From Time 1 to Time 2, both types of knowledge increased significantly for the U.S. sample but not for the sample …

Métamorphoses D'Électre D'Eugene O'Neill À Marguerite Yourcenar, Celine Richard

Master's Theses

MÉTAMORPHOSES D'ÉLECTRE D'EUGENE O'NEILL À MARGUERITE YOURCENAR

by Céline Richard

Since Greek Antiquity, the Electra myth remains a constant source of inspiration. Electra, in looking to avenge the unpunished murder of her father, becomes the symbol of absent justice. During the first half of the twentieth century, five playwrights reinterpreted the infamous crime in order to modernize and update this legendary myth. Even though Marguerite Yourcenar's apolitical play Électre ou la Chute des Masques makes little reference to the events of her time, the playwright tears down one by one the veil of appearances exposing the fears, malaise, and revolt …

Who Framed Silicon Valley And Hollywood: Newspaper Coverage Of Regional Business Clusters In The San Francisco Bay Area And Southern California, Frank Michael Russell

Master's Theses

This study involved coverage of Silicon Valley technology companies and Hollywood entertainment companies in the San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune. Previous work has suggested that newspaper coverage decisions are influenced by the communities that news organizations serve, journalistic values that can favor corporate interests, and the work of experienced framers of media messages. Silicon Valley and Hollywood are two well-known examples of regional industrial agglomerations, which are clusters of adjacent related businesses that are a powerful form of organization for the deployment of capital and labor. California's technology and entertainment companies have developed strong geographical …

Low-Tech, Eye-Movement-Accessible Aac And Typical Adults, Sarah Marie Swift

Master's Theses

Low-tech, eye-gaze-accessible augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) options are important for individuals with motor impairments which result in limited voluntary movement, including many diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Available devices include EyeLink, partner-assisted scanning (PAS), and E-tran. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of use for these devices, the user preferences related to them, and changes in rates and preferences over time. In another ongoing study component, Roman, Quach, Coggiola, and Moore (2010) investigated these devices with pairs of participants that included persons with ALS (PALS) and their communication partners. In this component, seven pairs …

A Comparison Of Two Versions Of Modified Mercalli Intensity For Earthquake Exposure Assessment, Jamie Lynne Ratliff

Master's Theses

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an earthquake exposure assessment for the State of Washington using peak ground acceleration (PGA) shaking from the USGS ShakeMap Project grouped to approximate Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) classes. Since ShakeMap datasets also have data representing official MMI classes, a companion exposure assessment was performed to determine whether MMI-grouped PGA data and official MMI data are interchangeable. Along with the exposure assessment, a spatial sampling process was used to further check how MMI-grouped PGA and official MMI data compared. Results indicated that significant variations existed spatially between the two ShakeMap datasets; generalizations by ShakeMap in creating …

Plasmablast Frequency And Trafficking Receptor Expression Are Altered In Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis, Nicole Jeanne Tarlton

Master's Theses

Background: The incidence of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic autoinflammatory disease of the colon, is on the rise. Although an increased infiltration of B cells from the peripheral blood into the colon occurs in UC, B cell trafficking is understudied. We hypothesized that the frequency of circulating plasmablasts (PBs) and their trafficking receptor (TR) expression may be indicative of the location and degree of pathology in pediatric UC. Methods: We conducted multicolor flow cytometry analyses of circulating IgA+/- PBs and IgA+ memory B cells (MBCs) in pediatric UC patients with remission, mild, moderate, and severe disease (n=12) and healthy …

Binge Drinking And Drug Use Among College Students: A Test Of Hirschi's Social Control Theory, Katelyn Riley-Cook

Master's Theses

This thesis tests Travis Hirschi's Social Control Theory using a sample of college students. The purpose of the study was to examine whether social bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief) impact binge drinking and drug use among college students. In addition, this study assessed the need for drug and alcohol intervention and prevention measures.

Random classes were selected from a college catalogue, and a total of five classes were surveyed. The total sample size was 193 students from a Bay Area university.

The research revealed little support for Hirschi's theory. Contrary to the theory, the research showed that attachment to …

Chi-Squared Distance And Metamorphic Virus Detection, Annie Hii Toderici

Master's Theses

Malware are programs that are designed with a malicious intent. Metamorphic malware change their internal structure each generation while still maintaining their original behavior. As metamorphic malware become more sophisticated, it is important to develop efficient and accurate detection techniques. Current commercial antivirus software generally try to scan for malware signatures within files and match them against a known set of signatures; therefore, they are not able to detect metamorphic malware that change their body from generation to generation, with each copy comprised of its own unique signature. Machine learning methods such as hidden Markov models (HMM) have shown promising …

Emission From O2 Gas In The Kleinman-Low Region Of The Great Nebula In Orion, Michael Denney Turner

Master's Theses

We calculated line intensities of ground-state emission from atomic ([O I]) and molecular (O₂) oxygen under various conditions of temperature (10–10⁴ K) and density (10–10⁴ cm^-3) in photodissociation regions (PDR) of molecular gas clouds, with UV flux intensity (G₀) of 10⁵. Using a magnetohydrodynamic shock model to produce profile data in a range of pre-shock velocities (5 ≤ v_s ≤ 20 km s^-1) and a range of pre-shock H and H₂ gas densities (10³–10⁵ cm^-3), we calculated line intensities for both …

Total Organic Carbon Rejection In Osmotic Distillation, Hali Laraelizabeth Shaw

Master's Theses

The osmotic distillation (OD) system is a spacecraft wastewater recycling system designed to produce potable water from human urine and humidity condensate. The OD system uses vapor-liquid separation to purify the wastewater across an osmotic distillation membrane, which is microporous and hydrophobic. When treating a mixture of urine and humidity condensate, the OD can produce water with a non-purgeable total organic carbon (NPTOC) concentration of less than 7 ppm; however, it is unclear what mechanism allows the system to achieve such a high total organic carbon (TOC) rejection when compared to other conventional distillation-based water treatment systems.

The hypothesis for …

Advisor Induced Demand And Moral Hazard In The Third-Party Payor System, David Chandler Thomas

Master's Theses

Health-care consumption in the United States has risen from 5.2% in 1960 to 17.8% of 2009 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) creating a burden that will soon be too heavy for the economy to bear. This paper proposes that the primary accelerants of health-care expenditures result from the third-party payer system that emerged in the 1950s. These corporate benefits and government subsidies, when overlaid on the traditional health-care model, have led to sustained increases in the production, recommendation, and consumption of health care while magnifying the moral hazard problem inherent in health insurance.

Outrageous Pamphleteers: A History Of The Communication Company, 1966-1967, Evan Edwin Carlson

Master's Theses

The thesis examines the history of the Communication Company, a grassroots radical street press utilizing mimeograph technology and operating for and within the psychedelic hippie counterculture of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District from 1967-1968. The symbiotic relationship between the Communication Company and the Diggers, a street theater and anarchist collective that became a group of de facto social workers of the Haight, is discussed, demonstrating how the Communication Company fulfilled a critical role as the Diggers' outreach and information ministry. The products of the Com/co press were also examined within the context of the American radical pamphlet tradition. By exploring the …