Digital Commons Network^™

Mitigating Network Congestion In High-Density Areas Through Advanced Distributed Antenna Systems, Amal Abdulrahman Albeshr

Theses

This dissertation investigates the optimization of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to address network performance challenges, enhance user satisfaction, and improve operational efficiencies in high-density environments. The study explores the integration of DAS with smart city infrastructure to support modern urban needs, such as real-time monitoring and IoT device connectivity. Set against the backdrop of growing urbanization and increasing demand for reliable connectivity, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of DAS as a transformative solution for telecommunications and smart city applications. The primary research question guiding this study was: How can Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) be optimized to enhance network performance …

Robust And Efficient Active Inference For Perception, Action, And Learning, Zhizhuo Yang

Theses

Active Inference (AIF) is an emerging framework rooted in neuroscience aimed at elucidating human perception, action, and cognitive processes. Recent advances in machine learning have facilitated the non-invasive study of human cognition through the lens of this framework. This dissertation expands upon this theoretical foundation to address practical challenges in robotic control and human cognitive behavior analysis. We initiate our exploration with a review of the eye-tracking studies that underpin the motivation for AIF research. This provides a background for understanding how AIF can model cognitive processes. First, we present a minimal AIF model within a discrete state space, framed …

The Tale Of Mari, Anya Vaughn

Theses

The Tale of Mari is a mixed media animated documentary which follows the life of Mari Arakaki Gaskins. Shortly after moving to America in the 1970s, Mari began illustrating comic strips about a Japanese family, emulating the cartoons she saw in newspapers. She sent a letter to the creator of Garfield, Jim Davis, and included her comics. Davis sent her a response, and told her that her artwork was good. However, he believed that the strips were unlikely to be published, because comics about a young Japanese girl would not be relatable to American audiences. Mari grew up during a …

Aars Online: A Collaborative Database On The Structure, Function, And Evolution Of The Aminoacyl-Trna Synthetases, Jordan Douglas, Haissi Cui, John J. Perona, Oscar Vargas-Rodriguez, Henna Tyynismaa, Claudia Alvarez Carreno, Jiqiang Ling, Lluis Ribas De Pouplana, Xiang-Lei Yang, Multiple Additional Authors

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are a large group of enzymes that implement the genetic code in all known biological systems. They attach amino acids to their cognate tRNAs, moonlight in various translational and non-translational activities beyond aminoacylation, and are linked to many genetic disorders. The aaRS have a subtle ontology characterized by structural and functional idiosyncrasies that vary from organism to organism, and protein to protein. Across the tree of life, the 22 coded amino acids are handled by 16 evolutionary families of Class I aaRS and 21 families of Class II aaRS. We introduce AARS Online, an interactive Wikipedia-like …

Nuclear Expression Of Dynamin 2 Is Associated With Tumor Aggressiveness In Bladder Cancer Patients: A Bioinformatics And Experimental Approach, Mahdieh Razmi, Leili Saeednejad Zanjani, Mandana Rahimi, Roya Sajed, Sadegh Safaei, Zahra Madjd, Roya Ghods

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Dynamin 2 (DNM2) is aberrantly expressed in different malignancies and exerts a function in tumor progression.

AIMS: This study, for the first time, aimed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic value of DNM2 in the pathophysiology of bladder cancer using bioinformatics analysis and experimental evaluation.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed gene expression of DNM2 in bladder tumor by GEPIA2 and GENT2 platforms. Cluster subnetworks were recognized from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the MCODE plugin to screen the key genes. Subsequently, the pathway enrichment analysis was evaluated. Then, the immunohistochemical examination was conducted on 209 paraffin-embedded bladder cancer …

Evaluation Of A Non-Metallic Dual-Port Expander For Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy, Kristen Mcconnell, Zachary Fellows, James Kraus, Mauricio Acosta, Joseph Panoff, Eduardo Pons, Alonso Gutierrez, Andrew Wroe

All Publications

Purpose: To provide a methodology for characterization of the technical properties of a newly developed non-metallic tissue expander for intensity modulated proton therapy.

Methods: Three tissue expanders (AlloX2-Pro: plastic-dual port, AlloX2: metal-dual port, and Dermaspan: metal-single port) were deconstructed, CT-scanned, and modeled in RayStation12A. A 165 MeV single spot was used to create RayStation dose planes, and the integrated depth dose profiles were calculated and the DR90 extracted to predict water equivalent thickness (WET). These predictions were compared to measurements taken with an IBA Giraffe MLIC. Native, water, and fully modelled overrides were compared for the AlloX2 Pro to quantify …

21st Century Community Learning Centers: Program Evaluation Evidence From Texas, Rosilyn Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Texas afterschool programs strive to enhance academic performance and meet students' needs, yet gaps in program quality persist. This study evaluated 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ performance in reading, math, GPA, attendance, in-school suspension, and engagement, both within these categories and against program goals and demographics. Theoretical frameworks used in this study include the logic model, social justice theory, and cultural relevance theory. This quantitative study utilized a nonexperimental and secondary data research design which utilized five statistical tests: the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, One-Way repeated ANOVA, Spearman Correlation, the Independent Samples t-Test, and the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results showed that …

Flipping The Script: Active Learning In Drug Information, Albert Bach, Ivan Portillo

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This presentation will highlight successful strategies that incorporate drug information skills into pharmacy laboratory courses across the curriculum. Attendees will gain insights on collaboration between clinical faculty and library services, active learning techniques, and drug information assignments to utilize within a laboratory based course.

Objectives:

Plan an active learning session that introduces first-year students to drug information sources.

Describe how clinical faculty and library services can collaborate to introduce drug information to students.

Explain the implementation of a DI Question during an Order Verification module in the hospital laboratory setting.

Provide students a tool for self-reflection prior to conducting …

Facilitated Forest Restoration Using Pioneer Seed Dispersers In Madagascar: The Example Of Microcebus Spp., Joerg U. Ganzhorn, Jean-Basile Andriambeloson, Sylvia Atsalis, Lis M. Behrendt, Marina B. Blanco, An Bollen, Stephanie M. Carriere, Lounes Chikhi, Melanie Dammhahn, Giuseppe Donati, Timothy M. Eppley, Multiple Additional Authors

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The concept of “facilitated restoration” aims at native biodiversity reinstatement with the help of animal seed dispersers attracted by fruiting trees. Yet, large-crowned trees will have to develop in the early stages of restoration; therefore, seed dispersal provided by small generalist mammals and birds that use rapidly growing herbs, shrubs, and small trees at early stages of forest succession would accelerate biodiversity restoration. Due to the elusive lifestyle of these small animals, it is unclear what species can contribute to the early stages of this process. Using the primate genus Microcebus (adult body mass about 60 g) as an example, …

Design Of A Custom Embedded Replay Control Board For A Vintage Porsche, Christopher Heltz

Theses

Many industries rely on decades old software and electronics to run machines that are essential for America’s industry. These companies operate on the sentiment of “if it’s broke, don’t fix it”. This works great until something breaks, then these same companies are faced with a tough decision. Either replace the old software and electronics with modern solutions or fix the original electronics. Both options have their challenges, the first costs much more in the short term and will require many man hours to design a new solution however the latter will require finding the original documentation or having trained individuals …

Scalable Access-Pattern Aware I/O Acceleration And Multi-Tiered Data Management For Hpc And Ai Workloads, Avinash Maurya

Theses

The exponential growth of data-intensive scientific simulations and deep learning workloads presents significant challenges for high-performance computing~(HPC) systems. These workloads generate massive data volumes at unprecedented velocities, straining the capabilities of existing memory hierarchies, I/O subsystems, and scheduling mechanisms. This dissertation addresses critical challenges in data management and workload scheduling to enhance performance, scalability, and resource efficiency in next-generation HPC and Artificial Intelligence~(AI) applications. Firstly, we develop advanced data and memory management strategies to alleviate I/O bottlenecks in deep memory hierarchies of modern HPC environments. We significantly mitigate data movement overhead by exploiting application-specific data access patterns and optimizing data …

Predicting Newborn Low Birth Weight: A Machine Learning Approach Using Maternal Health And Demographic Data, Rayan Elsayed

Theses

Low birth weight (LBW), defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight under 2500 grams, remains a major global health challenge due to its association with increased risks for adverse neonatal and long-term health outcomes. This study aims to identify maternal health factors that contribute to LBW and to develop predictive models to support early identification of at-risk pregnancies. Two machine learning models, Logistic Regression (LR) and Random Forest (RF), were developed to analyze the relationship between maternal factors and LBW outcomes. The RF model achieved an accuracy of 96.36%, demonstrating robust predictive performance across metrics, making it …

Tehran Is Ours, Hamideh Azimi

Theses

Tehran is Ours is a thesis film, mainly 2D animation, with some experimental and 3D parts. This film dramatizing the movement that is happening in Iran which is about women’s rights. 2D fluid animation represents the movement that never stops.

Recast, Reform, Reshape: Surreal Figurative Painting, Keely Wu

Theses

This thesis explores the use of surreal imagery and the reimagining of historical subjects as a means to discuss complex ideas of identity. In this exploration, I chose to use the human figure as a vessel for expressing my own intimate viewpoints and experiences. Through a series of paintings, I investigate how the juxtaposition of human forms with non-human elements challenges conventional notions of gender and sexuality to empower marginalized perspectives. My Master’s degree started with my transition from commercial illustration to fine art. The study examines my evolution of thematic and stylistic choices, emphasizing the creation of new works …

Impact Of Coolant Temperature On Boiling Chamber Performance For Cooling Electronic Chips, Nooruldeen Mustafa

Theses

Data centers in their quest for ever-increasing processing power are generating more heat than ever before. This heat, if not effectively managed, can lead to equipment failure, reduced performance, and significant financial losses. The development of efficient cooling systems is therefore a pressing need. While numerous two-phase techniques have been developed to meet this escalating heat dissipation demand, their compatibility with free-to-air cooling, especially at higher temperatures, remains a challenge. To address this issue, we propose the use of boiling chambers employing subcooled boiling and submerged condensation mechanisms, an innovative solution that promises effective heat dissipation. This study delves into …

Utilizing Machine Learning For Categorizing Disaster-Related Tweets, Ahmad Alfalasi

Theses

This study presents the development of a machine-learning model that recognizes tweets about disasters in real-time. The fast-paced development of social media, especially Twitter, has drastically changed the field of news transmission during crises. This change creates new challenges for the management of the volume, velocity, and veracity of data that are generated in such situations. The present tools do not have the capabilities of real-time processing of the huge volume of data; hence, new solutions are required. The model we are proposing addresses this problem by using advanced machine learning methods, such as natural language processing, to filter and …

Heat Transfer During Air-Water Two Phase Flow, Saumitra K. Deshpande

Theses

The effects of air injection on the heat transfer coefficient for the liquid flow in two-phase in microchannels are studied. Different manifolds and microchannel configurations are used for studying the effects of air injection. The manifold has a uniform gap of 400μm between the heater chip and the cover. A manifold is designed and manufactured to provide different air water flow patterns for different combinations of liquid and air flow rates. The effect of these flow rates on the heat transfer coefficient are studied. The flow rate for air injected is kept very small with respect to the flow rate …

What Explains State-Level Variation In Refugee Resettlement In The United States?, Rebekah Walker

Theses

The history of refugee resettlement in the United States reveals an ad hoc system that relies heavily on non-governmental agencies and state social services. Rates of acceptance for refugees vary greatly by state, yet the particulars of refugee placement are under-studied. This thesis seeks to explain why refugees are likely to be resettled in some states more than others–what factors are associated with higher or lower levels of refugee resettlement? Most literature looks at the economic impact from refugees and on refugees or analyzes the political environment that supports (or does not support) them, but refugee resettlement itself–the how and …

Unstable, Virginia Guerrero

Theses

Unstable is a film about a music-driven, psychedelic journey of reality slipping into a frenzy of madness. It explores bringing music to life with emphasis placed on music pacing, mood, and my own simultaneous, involuntary experience of color when listening to music. The film tells the story of a trapped, creepy, skeletal character escaping his shackles and causing mayhem. He bends reality and experiences several transformations as the music becomes increasingly aggressive. The story is primarily narrative with experimental features, including abstract backgrounds, varying art styles, and unexpected transitions. The main character goes through painful, physical changes and eventually reaches …

Shape Between Intimacy, Mackenzie Serwa

Theses

This thesis examines the parallel exploration of raw tactile materials and relationships to develop a personal dialogue of intimacy. It breaks down the materiality of glass, clay, and the impulse of collecting, aiming to communicate the human connections shared between each. By engaging with materials in this way, this study aims to foster a deeper understanding of the existence, influence, and expression of intimate relationships.

The Mythical Nexus: Illuminating The Rich Tapestry Of Global Folklore, Trishala Parmar

Theses

There is a lack of accessibility and exposure to global folklore for a wider audience. Despite the richness and diversity of folktales worldwide, many people may not have access to them due to limited resources, language barriers, cultural isolation, and a lack of exposure. I saw a need to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage through stories and make it fun. I created an interactive website called The Mythical Nexus which allows an audience to interact with different stories and cultures through a series of rotating cubes. This website connects stories and folklore from around the globe through the power of …

Masthead

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Working From 10 To 5, What A Way To Make A Livin’: The Sec’S Most Recent Amendments To Promote Corporate Governance And Curb Exploitative Hedge Fund Activism, Richard Young

UC Law Journal

This Note investigates the evolving regulatory landscape following the 2023 SEC amendments regarding beneficial ownership reporting. It begins by analyzing the rise of hedge fund activism and its influence on corporate governance strategies, addressing benefits, controversies, and criticisms associated with this form of shareholder activism. This Note then traces the historical development of the regulatory requirements for beneficial ownership reporting such the Williams Act and now nearly forty years later, the 2023 SEC amendments to Schedule 13(d) and Schedule 13(g). Lastly, this Note analyzes the ongoing limitations and challenges in balancing market transparency with market competition, gleaning into the future …

Artificial Intelligence And Cracks In The Foundation Of Intellectual Property, Robin Feldman

UC Law Journal

Our implicit image of progress and the standards we use to calibrate human contribution to progress are quietly at risk from the onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to significantly shrink the pool of creative work that is protectable by intellectual property (IP) law and the range of information that is protectable, as well as shrinking the value proposition of IP regimes themselves.

As society faces this changing landscape, we must tread carefully to distinguish fears about AI from the task of defining the boundaries of intellectual property, whose theoretic concepts aren’t designed to bear such weighty …

Free The Market: How We Can Save Capitalism From The Capitalists, Mark A. Lemley

UC Law Journal

The free market works because no one person or company is making the decisions. In a competitive market, businesspeople make the wrong decisions all the time, just as central planners do. But the consequences of those decisions don’t infect the market as a whole. Businesses that guess wrong lose money or go out of business. But as long as there is a competitor out there who guesses right, the market provides people what they want.

But it turns out that the very last thing capitalists want is a free market. Capitalism may thrive under conditions of robust market competition, but …

Patent Infringement, Private Law, And Liability Standards, Robert P. Merges

UC Law Journal

Private law governs interactions among private parties. A large body of private law theory holds that private law is aimed at corrective justice: doing justice as between the two parties to a private interaction (the private law dyad). This in contrast to public law, the law of state-citizen interactions, whose purpose is usually said to be the pursuit of society-wide fairness, often understood as distributive justice. Torts, contracts and property are the three classic areas of private law in common law jurisdictions. A sizeable literature now concerns itself with classic private law topics as they apply to intellectual property (IP). …

Debt End: The “Texas Two-Step” And The Constitution, Kirk Rider

UC Law Journal

The “Texas Two-Step” is a novel means of forcing a settlement agreement on mass-tort claimants. Corporations utilize the Two-Step bankruptcy strategy using a state law merger statute to split itself in two. One half of the corporation retains all the value, and the other half retains all the liabilities associated with the mass tort claims. The shell-company, which inherits the liabilities and then files a bankruptcy petition, uses the Bankruptcy Code’s powers to attempt a forced settlement on all current and future litigants and shield its financially healthy parent company in the process. Throughout this Note, I will survey the …

Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan

Construction Management

The objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss the process of performing quantity take-offs, completing an estimate, and creating a site logistics plan for the Operation WEBS (Women Empowered Build Strong) Tiny Home on Wheels project performed at the Paso Robles State Fair. This project is a part of the interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Brendan Moynahan and Jake Torres. Brendan Moynahan performed the deliverables covered in this paper while Jake Torres completed his own deliverables for another paper. Our individual responsibilities …

Building Safely: How Spanish Specific Safety Can Impact Job Sites, Luis D. Aguilar Montano

Construction Management

This project explores how Spanish Specific Safety Training is being approached in the construction industry, with an attempt to identify some possible issues associated with language barriers and accessibility to these trainings. This research involved data collection through thirty analytical surveys, in addition to conducting three semi-structured interviews with construction workers and supervisors. The focus of the data collection was to gain insights into several key areas, including training accessibility, workplace injuries, language barriers, and worker comfort. The survey results indicated strong support for Spanish-language safety training, with respondents recognizing its potential to improve safety and overall worker comfort. Many …

Lab Exercise For Cm 114: Static Bending Of Timber And Its Alternatives, Samuel E. Arreola

Construction Management

This lab exercise investigates the static bending behavior of various structural materials. In this lab, the primary objective is to evaluate and compare the stress, strain, and deflection of 2” x 10” lumber, TJI joists, LVL beams, and steel studs under controlled loading conditions. This lab will require the calculation of cross-sectional properties, applying incremental loads until failure, and recording all corresponding deflection values. Material failure was visually documented using photographs to understand structural performance under the load. By using structural engineering principles and the formulas for stress and strain, the completion of this lab exercise provides a comprehensive analysis …