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- Creator:
- Carlin, Joseph A.
- Description:
- Extreme episodic events have the capacity to transport large amounts of terrestrial material to the coastal ocean. While estuaries and deltas are typically thought to trap most of this material, some escapes these coastal features and is transported to distal depocenters along the continental shelf. Distal shelf depocenters can act as the ultimate sink for event deposits, yet event sedimentation and the impact of terrestrial carbon burial within these shelf deposits remains understudied. Therefore, this study investigated event sedimentation within the Texas Mud Blanket (TMB), a distal shelf depocenter of the Brazos River located in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Using a core that was collected from the TMB during a months-long elevated discharge event in late 2015 to early 2016 we applied a multi-proxy approach to delineate the event deposit. We utilized physical sediment properties (fabric, texture, and bulk density), radioisotopes (7Be and 210Pb), and organic geochemical properties (ẟ13C, C/N, and lignin-phenols) to identify a 10 cm event layer at the surface of the core. Within this 10 cm layer, we also distinguished two sub-layers associated with separate extreme discharge periods in the winter and spring, respectively. Using these event layer characteristics, we identified three other earlier potential event deposits in the core that we have attributed to events in 2010, 2007, and 2000–2001. From these results, this study has demonstrated that the TMB may be an archive for event deposits over multi-decadal time periods, in particular the transition from periods of prolonged drought to extreme wetness associated with the Brazos River. This event-dominated sedimentation regime can enhance long-term carbon burial, potentially increasing current estimates of carbon burial significantly in the TMB and other similar distal shelf depocenters. Ultimately this study highlights the potential for distal shelf depocenters as organic carbon burial “hotspots,” and postulates that this role may expand in the future as climate change increases the intensity and frequency of extreme events.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Paig-Tran, E.W. Misty, Lowe, Andrew, Walker, Sean, and Walter, Ryan P.
- Description:
- The cory catfishes (Callichthyidae) are small, South American armored catfishes with a series of dermal scutes that run the length of the fish from posterior to the parieto-supraoccipital down to the caudal peduncle. In this study, we explore the anatomy and functional performance of the armored scutes in the three-striped cory catfish, Corydoras trilineatus . The lateral surface has a dorsal and a ventral row of scutes that interact at the horizontal septum. The scutes have little overlap with sequential posterior scutes (~33% overlap) and a deep ridge in the internal surface that connects to the underlying soft tissue. The internal surface of C. trilineatus scutes is stiffer than the external surface, contrary to the findings in a related species of cory catfish, C. aeneus , which documented a hypermineralized, enamel-like, non- collagenous, hyaloine layer along the external surface of the scute. Clearing and staining of C. trilineatus scutes revealed that the scutes have highly mineralized (~50% mineralization) regions embedded in be- tween areas of low mineralization along the posterior margin. Puncture tests showed that posterior scutes were weaker than both anterior and middle scutes, and scutes attached to the body required 50% more energy to puncture than isolated scutes. Corydoras trilineatus has the strongest armor in areas critical for protecting vital organs and the external armored scute receives synergistic benefits from interactions to the soft underlying tissue, which combine to provide a tough protective armor that still allows for flexible mobility.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Fisher, Koren
- Description:
- Introduction Sedentary behavior (SB) is highly prevalent among older adults, with more than 25% engaging in 6 hours or more of SB daily. SB has been associated with several cardiometabolic biomarkers in younger adults; however, there is a paucity of research in older populations. This study examined associations between patterns of SB and cardiometabolic biomarkers in community-dwelling adults aged 55 years and older. Methods Data were drawn from a convenience sample of 54 community-dwelling individuals (12 males, 42 females; mean age = 72.6 ± 6.8 years, range = 56–89 years). Cardiometabolic biomarkers assessed included systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose and cholesterol parameters. SB was assessed via accelerometry over a 7-day period, and measures included daily time in SB, number and length of sedentary bouts, the number and length of breaks between sedentary bouts, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and light physical activity (LPA). Associations between the SB measures and each cardiometabolic risk factor were examined using separate stepwise multiple regression models, controlling for sex, MVPA, and accelerometer wear time. Isotemporal substitution models were used to examine the change in cardiometabolic outcomes when SB is replaced by an equal duration of either LPA or MVPA. Results Adjusted regression analyses showed that daily sedentary time was positively associated with DBP (β = 0.052, ∆R2 = 0.112, p = 0.022) and inversely associated with HDL cholesterol (β = −0.111, ∆R2 = 0.121, p = 0.039). Sedentary bout length was also associated with DBP and HDL cholesterol (β = 0.575, ∆R2 = 0.152, p = 0.007; β = −1.529, ∆R2 = 0.196, p = 0.007, respectively). Replacement of 10 minutes of SB a day with LPA was associated with improved DBP and HDL cholesterol (p ≤ 0.05). No other significant associations (p ≤ 0.05) were found. Conclusion Sitting for prolonged periods of time without interruption is unfavorably associated with DBP and HDL cholesterol. Prospective studies should identify causal relationships and observe specific changes in cardiometabolic profiles in older populations.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- There has been limited analyses of DI mid-major male basketball players, and no analyses of relationships between athletic abilities and playing time in this population. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe and compare backcourt and frontcourt players from one mid-major team and (2) determine if there were relationships between playing time (total minutes, total games played, minutes per game) and select tests from the NBA Combine (height, body mass, standing reach, and wingspan; countermovement [VJ] and approach [AppVJ vertical jump], lane agility drill, ¾ court sprint, and 83.91-kg bench press). A retrospective analysis of data from the 2018 season for a men's DI team (n = 10) was conducted. Performance testing was completed in the pre-season, and playing time metrics were collated by the team's staff over the season. Players were split into backcourt (n = 6) and frontcourt (n = 4) groups and compared via independent samples t-tests (p < 0.05) and effect sizes (d). Pearson's correlations calculated relationships between playing time metrics and the NBA combine test data (p < 0.05). When compared to the backcourt group, the frontcourt group were significantly taller, heavier, had a greater standing reach and wingspan, and performed poorer in the VJ, AppVJ, and ¾ court sprint (d = 1.49-3.45). There were no significant relationships between playing time and any NBA Combine test (r = -0.363-0.511). Basketball-specific skill may have a larger impact on playing time in this mid-major team. However, the mid-major players in this study may have had above-average athletic abilities as measured by NBA combine testing, limiting correlations with playing time.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Wu, Jindong
- Description:
- Urban trees provide various important ecological services, the quantification of which is vital to sustainable urban development and requires accurate estimation of tree biomass. A limited number of allometric biomass equations, however, have been developed for urban species due to the prohibitive cost. Remote sensing has provided cost-effective means for estimating urban forest biomass, although the propagation of error in the estimation process is not well understood. This study aimed to offer a baseline assessment of the feasibility of estimating urban tree biomass with remote sensing-based general equations applicable to broad taxonomic groups by conducting a large urban tree inventory on a university campus. The biomasses of 191 trees of seven species from the inventory, separated into two categories (i.e., evergreen and deciduous), were calculated exclusively with urban-based species-specific allometric equations. WorldView-2 satellite imagery data were acquired to retrieve normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values at the location, crown, and stand levels. The results indicated that biomass correlated with NDVI in varying forms and degrees. The general equations at the crown level yielded the most accurate biomass estimates, while the location-level estimates were the least accurate. Crown-level spectral responses provided adequate information for delivering spatially explicit biomass estimation.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geography and the Environment
- Creator:
- Lee, Alice
- Description:
- Objectives: The aims of our study were to describe current hepatitis B prevalence among Vietnamese Americans and to examine predictors of hepatitis B risk in this specific ethnic community. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based screening program. Setting: This analysis was based on hepatitis screening community events in Southern California. Participants: 2508 Vietnamese Americans in Southern California. Outcome measures: Serological tests for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody were used to classify participants as one of four hepatitis B infection statuses: currently infected, previously infected, susceptible, or immune due to a previous hepatitis B vaccination. Results: Across 2508 participants, 9.0% were currently infected with hepatitis B and 17.7% were at risk for hepatitis B. Females and those reporting a previous hepatitis B vaccination were at significant decreased risk of hepatitis B (OR=0.48, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.69 and OR=0.53, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.93, respectively) whereas those born outside of the USA and with a family history of the disease showed substantial increased risk (OR=13.36, 95% CI 1.62 to 110.05 and OR=4.68, 95% CI 2.66 to 8.22, respectively). Among those who reported a previous hepatitis B vaccination, less than half (42.9%) possessed the protective antibodies that result from a hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusions: Vietnamese Americans remain disproportionately burdened by hepatitis B. Public health efforts that focus on improving hepatitis B awareness and vaccination knowledge and that are tailored to specific high-risk subgroups, such as immigrants and those with infected family members, could help in addressing the disease's burden in this high-prevalence population.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Carlin, Joseph
- Description:
- Continental shelf environments are uniquely situated to capture some of the most dynamic processes on Earth including climatic variability and anthropogenic modifications to coastal systems. Understanding how these processes have affected sediment delivery and accumulation on the shelf in the past may provide insight into potential changes in the future. To address this, we investigated shelf sedimentation within Monterey Bay, California. Sediment cores were collected from four locations throughout the bay to capture both the modern and late Holocene sedimentological record using grain size analysis, and sediment chronologies determined from 210Pb, 137Cs, and 14C. From the grain size results we focused on the total percent sand, and established a Littoral Sand Fraction (LSF) index to assess sediment contribution from the littoral zone as a result coastal erosion. Grain size results from the multicores consistently showed an increase in sand over the past several decades (post 1970s). For the cores located within the bay proximal to three major rivers, the increase in sand corresponded to a general increase in the LSF over the same period. We attributed these trends to increased sediment contributions to the shelf due to accelerated coastal erosion in the region. This accelerated coastal erosion was likely the combined result of dam construction in the mid-twentieth century that limited fluvial supply to the coast, and a shift in climate toward wetter, stormier period. Applying these sediment characteristics back over the past ∼1,000 years we found that dry climatic periods resulted in deposits that were limited in total sand but enriched in littoral material suggesting elevated coastal erosion. During wet periods deposits were enriched in total sand but limited in littoral sand suggesting elevated fluvial supply and low erosion. Compared to the late Holocene record, the previous several decades represent a shift to a new regime, uncharacteristic of deposits over the past millennia, highlighting the impact humans have had on shelf sedimentation.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Yu Bai
- Description:
- During recent years, researchers throughout academia and industry have been advancing the theory, designing, and applications of mobile service computing through the Internet of Things (IoT). Research interest in mobile service computing stems from its performance, security, reliability, and power consumption. Hence, ultra-low power integrated circuits are essential for mobile service computing that can offer the advantages of low power for computational tasks in the IoT that is driven by the restricting constraints of power consumption and autonomy in both computation and idle phases. To attain the benefits of ultra-low power circuits, the energy-consuming and computational intense demands are imposed by the underlying processing and memory devices on which the conventional ultra-low power integrated circuit can benefit substantially from innovative hardware designs. Logic-in-Memory (LIM) architectures are considered as the potential approaches to attain goals within area and energy constraints starting with the lowest layers of the hardware stack. In this paper, we propose and implement the LIM asynchronous computing paradigm for energy-efficient mobile service computing. The results indicate that the proposed design achieves 38% leakage reduction and 30% accuracy improvement compared to the state-of-the-art non-volatile asynchronous circuits. At the system level, we compare our designs with various commercial microprocessors. The experimental results show that the asynchronous processors attain a four-fold throughput increase relative to their synchronous counterparts under these operating constraints. Therefore, the proposed design offers an approach toward tangible benefits of the battery-constrained embedded mobile service computing.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Computer Science
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- This study determined the influence of years spent working in custody on fitness measured by a state-specific testing battery (Work Sample Test Battery; WSTB) in deputy sheriffs. Retrospective analysis was conducted on one patrol school class (51 males, 13 females) divided into three groups depending on time spent working in custody: DS24 (<24 months; n = 20); DS2547 (25–47 months; n = 23); and DS48+ (≥48 months; n = 21). These groups were compared to a recruit class (REC; 219 males, 34 females) in the WSTB, which comprised five tasks completed for time: 99-yard (90.53-m) obstacle course (99OC); 165-pound (75-kg) dummy drag; six-foot (1.83-m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500-yard (457.2-m) run (500R). A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (controlling for sex and age) with Bonferroni post hoc determined significant between-group differences. DS48+ were slower in the 99OC compared to the REC (p = 0.007) and performed the CLF and SW slower than all groups (p ≤ 0.012). DS24, DS2547, and DS48+ were all slower than REC in the 500R (p ≤ 0.002). Physical training should be implemented to maintain fitness and job-specific task performance in deputy sheriffs working custody, especially considering the sedentary nature of this work.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Kirby, Matthew
- Description:
- Records of past climate can inform us on the natural range and mechanisms of climate change. In the arid Pacific southwestern United States (PSW), which includes southern California, there exist a variety of Holocene records that can be used to infer past winter conditions (moisture and/or temperature). Holocene records of summer climate, however, are rare from the PSW. In the future, climate changes due to anthropogenic forcing are expected to increase the severity of drought in the already water stressed PSW. Hot droughts are of considerable concern as summer temperatures rise. As a result, understanding how summer conditions changed in the past is critical to understanding future predictions under varied climate forcings. Here, we present a c. 10.9 kcal BP δ18O(calcite) record from Lake Elsinore, California, interpreted to reflect δ18O(lake water) values as controlled by over-water evaporation from summer-to-early fall. Our results reveal three millennial scale intervals: (1) the highly evaporative Early Holocene (10.55–6.65 kcal BP), (2) the less evaporative Mid-Holocene (6.65–2.65 kcal BP); and (3) the evaporative Late Holocene (2.65–0.55 kcal BP). These results are coupled with an inferred winter precipitation runoff (sand content) record from Kirby et al. (2010). Using these data together, we estimate the duration and severity of centennial-scale Holocene droughts and pluvials (e.g., high δ18O(calcite) values plus low sand content = drought and vice versa). Furthermore, the coupled δ18O(calcite) and sand data provide a generalized Holocene lake level history. The most severe, long-lasting droughts (i.e., maximum summer-to-early fall evaporation and minimum winter precipitation runoff) occur in the Early Holocene. Fewer, less severe, and shorter duration droughts occurred during the Mid-Holocene as pluvials became more common. Droughts return with less severity and duration in the Late Holocene. Notably, the Little Ice Age is characterized as the wettest period during the Late Holocene.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Loyd, Sean
- Description:
- Major hydrocarbon accumulations occur in traps associated with salt domes. Whereas some of these hydrocarbons remain to be extracted for economic use, significant amounts have degraded in the subsurface, yielding mineral precipitates as byproducts. Salt domes of the Gulf of Mexico Basin typically exhibit extensive deposits of carbonate that form as cap rock atop salt structures. Despite previous efforts to model cap rock formation, the details of subsurface reactions (including the role of microorganisms) remain largely unknown. Here we show that cap rock mineral precipitation occurred via closed-system sulfate reduction, as indicated by new sulfur isotope data. 13C-depleted carbonate carbon isotope compositions and low clumped isotope-derived carbonate formation temperatures indicate that microbial, sulfate-dependent, anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) contributed to carbonate formation. These findings suggest that AOM serves as an unrecognized methane sink that reduces methane emissions in salt dome settings perhaps associated with an extensive, deep subsurface biosphere.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Galpin, Andrew
- Description:
- Human skeletal muscle fibers exist across a continuum of slow → fast-twitch. The amount of each fiber type (FT) influences muscle performance but remains largely unexplored in elite athletes, particularly from strength/power sports. To address this nescience, vastus lateralis (VL) biopsies were performed on World/Olympic (female, n = 6, “WCF”) and National-caliber (female, n = 9, “NCF”; and male, n = 6, “NCM”) American weightlifters. Participant accolades included 3 Olympic Games, 19 World Championships, 25 National records, and >170 National/International medals. Samples were analyzed for myosin heavy chain (MHC) content via SDS-PAGE using two distinct techniques: single fiber (SF) distribution (%) and homogenate (HG) composition. The main finding was that these athletes displayed the highest pure MHC IIa concentrations ever reported in healthy VL (23±9% I, 5±3% I/IIa, 67±13% IIa, and 6±10% IIa/IIx), with WCF expressing a notable 71±17% (NCF = 67±8%, NCM = 63±16%). No pure MHC IIx were found with SF. Secondary analysis revealed the heavyweights accounted for 91% of the MHC IIa/IIx fibers, which caused a correlation between this FT and body mass. Additionally, when compared to SF, HG overestimated MHC I (23±9 vs. 31±9%) and IIx (0±0 vs. 3±6%) by misclassifying I/IIa fibers as I and IIa/IIx fibers as IIx, highlighting the limitation of HG as a measure of isoform distribution. These results collectively suggest that athlete caliber (World vs. National) and/or years competing in the sport determine FT% more than sex, particularly for MHC IIa. The extreme fast-twitch myofiber abundance likely explains how elite weightlifters generate high forces in rapid time-frames.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- This study analyzed the effects physical fitness may have on reasons for academy separation in law enforcement recruits. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 401 recruits; 330 recruits graduated (GRAD), and 71 recruits separated at various times during academy. Twenty-eight recruits separated for personal reasons (SEPPR); 18 due to physical training failures (i.e., poor fitness) or injury (SEPFI); and 25 due to academic or scenario failures (SEPAS). Fitness testing occurred prior to academy, and included: Push-ups and sit-ups in 60s; a 75-yard pursuit run (75PR); vertical jump; medicine ball throw; and multistage fitness test (MSFT). A one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc compared between-group fitness test performance. A multiple stepwise regression calculated whether recruit characteristics or fitness could predict separation. The GRAD group was younger than the SEPAS group (p < 0.01), faster in the 75PR than the SEPFI group (p = 0.02), and completed more MSFT shuttles than the SEPPR and SEPFI groups (p = 0.01). Age predicted GRAD and SEPAS group inclusion; MSFT predicted GRAD, SEPPR, and SEPFI group inclusion. Recruits who had superior high-intensity running capacity (75PR) and aerobic fitness (MSFT) should have a better chance of completing academy. However, this could be influenced by training practices adopted during academy.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
14. The Role of Regional Contrast Changes and Asymmetry in Facial Attractiveness Related to Cosmetic Use
- Creator:
- Peissig, Jessie
- Description:
- This study collected behavioral data for testing how regional contrast changes due to the addition of cosmetics would affect attractiveness ratings. In addition, we used an established model of asymmetry to look for a correlation between changes in attractiveness related to the application of cosmetics to specific regions of the face and changes in symmetry. Using this asymmetry model we compared female faces with and without makeup. Specifically, we used a highly controlled set of grayscale faces in which makeup application was standardized to explore these issues from a perceptual perspective. The human data showed that adding upper eye makeup significantly increased attractiveness ratings. In contrast, increases in contrast to the lower eyes and lips did not lead to increases in attractiveness ratings; application of cosmetics to the lower eyes led to a significant decrease in attractiveness. We found that for the makeup condition that led to increased attractiveness, asymmetry did not change significantly when makeup was applied to the female faces. This suggests a role for mechanisms other than symmetry related to increases in attractiveness related to makeup use in females.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Tomaszewski, Robert
- Description:
- Identifying research gaps and generating research questions are often a first step in developing ideas for writing a research paper or grant proposal. The concept of substance-based bibliometrics uses the counts of substances in the scientific literature to better understand, assess, and clarify the state and impact of information in the chemical sciences. Connecting substances indexed to specific bioactivity or target indicators can lead to assessing the biochemical, biological, and medicinal relevance of substances as well as developing ideas for expanding drug design and discovery through identifying and modifying the structural features of molecules. This study uses Chemical Abstracts through the SciFinder database to count for the occurrence of substances in the scientific literature. The study sets out search strategies for discovering potential research gaps and new ideas through visualization of chemical structures with known bioactivity and target indicators. The author recommends that subject librarians integrate research gap training in their bibliographic instruction classes, particularly to upper-level undergraduate and graduate chemistry students.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Pollak Library
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- This study determined relationships between an agency-specific fitness test battery (PT500), and a work sample test battery (WSTB) in law enforcement recruits. Retrospective analysis on 219 males and 34 females from one agency was conducted. The PT500 comprised: push-ups, sit-ups, and mountain climbers in 120 s; pull-ups; and 201 m and 2.4 km runs. The WSTB comprised: 99 yard (90.53 m) obstacle course (99OC); body drag (BD) with a 165 pound (75 kg) dummy; 6 foot (1.83 m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500 yard (457.2 m) run (500R). Partial correlations, controlling for sex, calculated PT500 and WSTB relationships (p < 0.05). Stepwise regression determined whether fitness predicted WSTB performance. The 500R related to all PT500 assessments (r range = -0.127⁻0.574), 99OC related to all bar push-ups and mountain climbers, and BD related to none. The CLF related to sit-ups, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run; SW related to mountain climbers, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run (r range = -0.127⁻-0.315). Push-ups, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run were involved in predictive relationships for 99OC, CLF, SW, and 500R (r² range = 0.217⁻0.500). To perform better in the WSTB and job-specific tasks, developing upper-body strength and aerobic fitness may be beneficial.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Ramirez, Maria Soledad
- Description:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogen that shows an outstanding ability to undergo genetic exchange, thereby acquiring different traits that contribute to its success. In this work, we identified genetic features of an indigo-pigmented A. baumannii strain (Ab33405) that belongs to the clonal complex CC113B/CC79P. Ab33405 possesses a high number of genes coding for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors that may contribute to its survival, not only in the human host, but also in the hospital environment. Thirteen genes conferring resistance to different antibiotic families (trimethoprim, florfenicol, β-lactams, aminoglycosides and sulfonamide) as well as the adeIJK genes and the capsule locus (KL) and outer core locus (OCL) were identified. Ab33405 includes 250 unique genes and a significant number of elements associated with Horizontal Gene Transfer, such as insertion sequences and transposons, genomic islands and prophage sequences. Also, the indigo-pigmented uncommon phenotype that could be associated with the monooxygenase or dioxygenase enzyme coded for by the iacA gene within the iac cluster was probably conferred by insertion of a 18-kb DNA fragment into the iacG gene belonging to this cluster. The Ab33405 genome includes all type VI secretion system genes and killing assays showed the ability of Ab33045 to kill Escherichia coli. In addition, Ab33405 can modulate susceptibility antibiotics when exposed to blue light.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- James, Sagil
- Description:
- Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) are third generation solar cells used as an alternative to traditional silicon solar cells. DSSCs are characterized by their durability, easy handling and ability to perform better under diverse lighting conditions which makes them an ideal choice for indoor applications. However, DSSCs suffer from several limitations including low efficiencies, susceptibility to electrolyte leakage under extreme weather conditions, and the need for expensive materials and fabrication techniques which limits their large-scale industrial applications. Addressing these limitations through efficient design and manufacturing techniques are critical in ensuring that the DSSCs transform from the current small-scale laboratory levels to sizeable industrial production. This research attempts to address some of these significant limitations by introducing the concepts of nature-inspired fractal-based design followed by the additive manufacturing process to fabricate cost-effective, flexible counter electrodes for DSSCs. The new conceptual fractal-based design counter electrodes overcome the limitations of conventional planar designs by significantly increasing the number of active reaction sites which enhances the catalytic activity thereby improving the performance. The fabrication of these innovative fractal designs is realized through cost-effective manufacturing techniques including additive manufacturing and selective electrochemical co-deposition processes. The results of the study suggest that the fractal-based counter electrodes perform better than conventional designs. Additionally, the fractal designs and additive manufacturing technology help in addressing the problems of electrolyte leakage, cost of fabrication, and scalability of DSSCs.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Ahmed, Wylie
- Description:
- The intracellular environment is a dynamic space filled with various organelles moving in all directions. Included in this diverse group of organelles are vesicles, which are involved in transport of molecular cargo throughout the cell. Vesicles move in either a directed or non-directed fashion, often depending on interactions with cytoskeletal proteins such as microtubules, actin filaments, and molecular motors. How these proteins affect the local fluctuations of vesicles in the cytoplasm is not clear since they have the potential to both facilitate and impede movement. Here we show that vesicle mobility is significantly affected by myosin-II, even though it is not a cargo transport motor. We find that myosin-II activity increases the effective diffusivity of vesicles and its inhibition facilitates longer states of non-directed motion. Our study suggests that altering myosin-II activity in the cytoplasm of cells can modulate the mobility of vesicles, providing a possible mechanism for cells to dynamically tune the cytoplasmic environment in space and time.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Physics
- Creator:
- Yang, Joshua
- Description:
- Background In response to the growing awareness and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or e-cigarettes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asserted its regulatory authority over ENDS in May 2016. Federal, state, and local regulatory action on ENDS may have significant and unique impacts on specialty ENDS retailers, including tobacco and vape shops. The purpose of this study is to describe the commercial motivations of vape shops in minority communities as business entities whose financial interests and actions may be particularly impacted by regulation of ENDS. Methods Specialty tobacco and vape retail stores in three minority communities were identified through an online search and community canvassing. Key informant interviews were conducted with tobacco and vape shop owners or managers discussing the business interests and tactics of selling ENDS for their store. Interview data were coded and analyzed for major themes. Results Interviews with 18 tobacco shops and 9 vape shops were completed. Tobacco shops’ reasons for carrying e-cigarettes were business oriented, focused on maintaining their customer base. In comparison, vape shops opened because of the owner’s positive experiences with e-cigarettes and belief in the potential of e-cigarettes to help people quit or reduce smoking. Tobacco shops mainly see their customers as using e-cigarettes to quit smoking whereas vape shops reported their customers using e-cigarettes for more varied reasons. Tobacco shops are much more limited in their marketing than vape shops, which rely heavily on social media and experimentation with other forms of marketing. Conclusions Tobacco shops and vape shops differ in their rationale and approaches to the business of e-cigarettes. Vape shops engage in a wide range of activities that stabilize their financial interest and increase their influence with customers and within the vape community. In order for regulatory policymaking and tobacco control interventions to maximize effectiveness, the actions of vape shops in promoting ENDS use and influencing policy debates must be taken into account.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Paig-Tran, Erin
- Description:
- Solid-liquid filtration is a ubiquitous process found in industrial and biological systems. Although implementations vary widely, almost all filtration systems are based on a small set of fundamental separation mechanisms, including sieve, cross-flow, hydrosol, and cyclonic separation. Anatomical studies showed that manta rays have a highly specialized filter-feeding apparatus that does not resemble previously described filtration systems. We examined the fluid flow around the manta filter-feeding apparatus using a combination of physical modeling and computational fluid dynamics. Our results indicate that manta rays use a unique solid-fluid separation mechanism in which direct interception of particles with wing-like structures causes particles to “ricochet” away from the filter pores. This filtration mechanism separates particles smaller than the pore size, allows high flow rates, and resists clogging.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
22. Densities and zonation patterns of native and non-indigenous oysters in southern California bays
- Creator:
- Zacherl, Danielle
- Description:
- Worldwide, artificially armored shorelines can dominate available estuarine habitat. Increases in artificial substrata in southern California, USA, coincide with increased abundances of nonindigenous species. The US west coast Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida, may be particularly sensitive to changes in natural habitat availability and recently experienced large-scale declines in abundance. Simultaneously, the non-indigenous and often invasive Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, has been introduced along the US West Coast, including into southern California estuaries where its impact is unstudied. We recorded C. gigas and O. lurida densities from October 2010 through July 2017 throughout southern California on several habitat types and as a function of tidal elevation as a critical baseline for evaluating impacts of C. gigas. Ostrea lurida was present in higher proportions than C. gigas in hard substrate-dominated habitats, whether natural or human-introduced. A strong zonation pattern emerged; C. gigas achieved its maximum density above +0.4 m MLLW versus O. lurida at or below +0.2 m MLLW. These data reveal the optimal tidal elevation for placement of a restored O. lurida bed and establish a critical baseline and techniques for evaluating future changes in oyster density.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Yang, Joshua
- Description:
- Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over two-thirds of deaths worldwide, and global efforts to address NCDs have accelerated. Current prevention and control efforts rely primarily on individual behavior/lifestyle approaches that place the onus of responsibility for health on the individual. These approaches, however, have not stopped the increasing trend of NCDs worldwide. Thus, there is urgent need for exploring alternative approaches in order to attain the aim of reducing global premature NCDs mortality by 25% by 2025, and meeting the NCD reduction objective in the Sustainable Development Goals. Discussion We suggest the need for a structural approach to addressing the NCDs epidemic that integrates social science and public health theories. We evaluate two overarching principles (empowerment and human rights) and three social determinants of health (labor and employment, trade and industry, and macroeconomics) addressed in the 2013 Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs to demonstrate how a structural approach to NCDs can be incorporated into existing NCD interventions. For each area considered, theoretical considerations for structural thinking are provided and conclude with recommended actions. Conclusion Achieving the global health agenda goals of reducing NCDs mortality will require a shift to a paradigm that embraces concerted efforts to address both behavioral/lifestyle factors and structural dimensions of NCDs.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- This study investigated relationships that linear speed and lower-body power have on change-of-direction (COD) speed in collegiate women soccer players. Data from two Division I (n = 39) and one Division II (n = 18) schools were analyzed. Subjects were assessed in: power (vertical jump (VJ); jump height, peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw), power-to-body mass ratio (P:BM); linear speed (10-m sprint); and COD speed (modified T-test (MTT), 505, COD deficit). Independent samples T-tests derived significant between-group differences, with effect sizes (d) calculated. Pearson’s correlations determined relationships between COD speed, linear speed, and power, with regression equations calculated. Division I players demonstrated superior 505, COD deficit, VJ height, PAPw, and P:BM (d = 1.09–2.21). Division II players were faster in the MTT (d = 1.51). For all players, the 505 correlated with the 10-m sprint (r = 0.39–0.53) and VJ height (r = −0.65–0.66), while the COD deficit related to the 10-m sprint (r = −0.77–0.82). The regression data supported these results. Division I players were superior in the 505 and COD deficit, and expressed their power in the 180° 505 task. Division II players should enhance lower-body power and the ability to perform 180° direction changes.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Verdugo, Anael
- Description:
- This paper presents a computational study of the stability of the steady state solutions of a biological model with negative feedback and time delay. The motivation behind the construction of our system comes from biological gene networks and the model takes the form of an integro-delay differential equation (IDDE) coupled to a partial differential equation. Linear analysis shows the existence of a critical delay where the stable steady state becomes unstable. Closed form expressions for the critical delay and associated frequency are found and confirmed by approximating the IDDE model with a system of delay differential equations (DDEs) coupled to ordinary differential equations. An example is then given that shows how the critical delay for the DDE system approaches the results for the IDDE model as becomes large.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mathematics
- Creator:
- Verdugo, Anael
- Description:
- The repressilator is a genetic network that exhibits oscillations. The net-work is formed of three genes, each of which represses each other cyclically, creating a negative feedback loop with nonlinear interactions. In this work we present a computational bifurcation analysis of the mathematical model of the repressilator. We show that the steady state undergoes a transition from stable to unstable giving rise to a stable limit-cycle in a Hopf bifurcation. The nonlinear analysis involves a center manifold reduction on the six-dimensional system, which yields closed form expressions for the frequency and amplitude of the oscillation born at the Hopf. A parameter study then shows how the dynamics of the system are influenced for different parameter values and their associated biological significance.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mathematics
27. Enhancing Learning Power through First-Year Experiences for Students Majoring in STEM Disciplines
- Creator:
- Koch, Robert
- Description:
- Academic programs targeted for first-time students can help their persistence in STEM majors. Our project, ASCEND STEM, included three first-year experiences (FYEs) designed to offer students the skills that would help them successfully traverse potential barriers to academic success. In the FYEs, we sought to strengthen the learning power, improve the academic achievements, and increase the postsecondary success of first-time, full-time freshmen majoring in a STEM discipline. Two models of FYE were offered in three settings—two scenarios were for engineering majors and the third for science and mathematics majors. Both models tested whether the offering of literacy skill building in the context of discipline knowledge acquisition strengthened learning power (as measured by the Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory) and asked whether this could affect academic success and persistence within the STEM major. We found that either model one, integrating literacy skill building and discipline-based concepts into a single course (the approach used in science and math), or model two, pairing a literacy skill building course with either a discipline-based course or a special group support program (the approach used in engineering), improved learning power. Increases in learning power were a valid predictor of improved grades and persistence in engineering where a highquality control group was available.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Schenk, H. Jochen
- Description:
- Premise of the Study Xylem sap in angiosperms moves under negative pressure in conduits and cell wall pores that are nanometers to micrometers in diameter, so sap is always very close to surfaces. Surfaces matter for water transport because hydrophobic ones favor nucleation of bubbles, and surface chemistry can have strong effects on flow. Vessel walls contain cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectins, proteins, and possibly lipids, but what is the nature of the inner, lumen‐facing surface that is in contact with sap? Methods Vessel lumen surfaces of five angiosperms from different lineages were examined via transmission electron microscopy and confocal and fluorescence microscopy, using fluorophores and autofluorescence to detect cell wall components. Elemental composition was studied by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and treatments with phospholipase C (PLC) were used to test for phospholipids. Key Results Vessel surfaces consisted mainly of lignin, with strong cellulose signals confined to pit membranes. Proteins were found mainly in inter‐vessel pits and pectins only on outer rims of pit membranes and in vessel‐parenchyma pits. Continuous layers of lipids were detected on most vessel surfaces and on most pit membranes and were shown by PLC treatment to consist at least partly of phospholipids. Conclusions Vessel surfaces appear to be wettable because lignin is not strongly hydrophobic and a coating with amphiphilic lipids would render any surface hydrophilic. New questions arise about these lipids and their possible origins from living xylem cells, especially about their effects on surface tension, surface bubble nucleation, and pit membrane function.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Stapp, Paul
- Description:
- In late 2009, the Catalina Island Conservancy began using fertility control to replace periodic removals to manage an introduced population of American bison (Bison bison) on the island. Through the application of the immunocontraceptive vaccine porcine zona pellucida (PZP), population growth was slowed within 1 year, and halted over time. In response to lingering questions about the use of PZP to manage large, free-ranging wildlife populations, we sought to determine the reversibility of PZP by ceasing the annual application to a subset of 15 bison cows and monitoring for subsequent calf arrival, and to document changes in the timing and length of the breeding season in response to PZP by monitoring breeding behavior and assessing fecal progesterone (FP) levels for all 60 resident cows over a 13-month period. As of June 2017, no new calves had been observed on the island, suggesting that, following repeated annual treatment with PZP (3 or 4 years), bison do not resume normal reproduction for at least 4 or 5 years, and that fewer treatments would be advisable if a faster return to fertility is desired. Based on observations of bull and cow behavior, and FP levels, cows displayed estrous cycles consistently throughout the study period, indicating that bison may ovulate year-round when conception and its consequences, e.g., lactation and presence of calves, are blocked. Because there is little evidence that an extended breeding season would negatively impact the health of bulls or result in large numbers of out-of-season births on Catalina, PZP appears to be a highly effective tool for managing the population of introduced bison on the island. However, the extended period of contraception and breeding activity of both cows and bulls may make PZP less suitable in high-latitude, predator-rich environments where bison conservation remains a top priority.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Rathbun, Matt
- Description:
- A twisted torus knot is a knot obtained from a torus knot by twisting adjacent strands by full twists. The twisted torus knots lie in F, the genus 2 Heegaard surface for S3. Primitive/primitive and primitive/Seifert knots lie in F in a particular way. Dean gives sufficient conditions for the parameters of the twisted torus knots to ensure they are primitive/primitive or primitive/Seifert. Using Dean’s conditions, Doleshal shows that there are infinitely many twisted torus knots that are fibered and that there are twisted torus knots with distinct primitive/Seifert representatives with the same slope in F. In this paper, we extend Doleshal’s results to show there is a four parameter family of positive twisted torus knots. Additionally, we provide new examples of twisted torus knots with distinct representatives with the same surface slope in F.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mathematics
- Creator:
- Jacobs, Wura
- Description:
- Aim: A binary measurement of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been found not to influence behaviors. We aimed to examine the influence of other measures of family history such as number of relatives, genetic closeness of relatives, and severity of T2D of family members on nutrition and physical activity behaviors among college students. Methods: Students across four colleges in Texas were sampled. Multiple linear regression models, controlling for covariates, were used to model results. Cross-sectional data were used. Results: More number of relatives with T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.131, p = 0.007) and exercise (β = 0.129, p = 0.037). Having relatives with severe T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.157, p = 0.002) and exercise (β = 106, p = 0.027). Closer genetic relationship with someone with T2D was associated with increased vegetable consumption (β = 0.107, p = 0.023) and exercise (β = 0.096, p = 0.047). Conclusion: It is likely that the severe complications that may accompany the relatives T2D or having an immediate family member living with T2D may in fact motivate other family members without T2D to modify their attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about T2D, thus encourage health-protective behaviors.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Lockie, Robert
- Description:
- The close-grip bench press (CGBP) is a variation of the traditional bench press (TBP) that uses a narrower grip (~95% of biacromial distance (BAD)) and has potential application for athletes performing explosive arm actions from positions where the hands are held close to the torso. Limited research has investigated CGBP mechanics compared to the TBP. Twenty-seven resistance-trained individuals completed a one-repetition maximum TBP and CGBP. The TBP was performed with the preferred grip; the CGBP with a grip width of 95% BAD. A linear position transducer measured lift distance and duration; peak and mean power, velocity, and force; distance and time when peak power occurred; and work. Pre-sticking region (PrSR), sticking region, and post-sticking region distance and duration for each lift was measured. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to derive differences between TBP and CGBP mechanics (p < 0.01); effect sizes (d) were also calculated. A greater load was lifted in the TBP, thus mean force was greater (d = 0.16–0.17). Peak power and velocity were higher in the CGBP, which had a longer PrSR distance (d = 0.49–1.32). The CGBP could emphasize power for athletes that initiate explosive upper-body actions with the hands positioned close to the torso.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Yang, Joshua
- Description:
- Background:E-cigarette use has been increasing in the United States, though knowledge of potential risks and harms associated with e-cigarette use is low. Marketing of e-cigarettes may serve as a source of information to shape beliefs and attitudes toward e-cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common marketing claims made within “vape” and tobacco shops in sales interactions with customers in demographically diverse cities. Methods:Vape and tobacco shops from three diverse cities in Southern California were selected for inclusion in the study. From May 2015 to July 2015, simulated customers asked salespeople in vape and tobacco shops how e-cigarettes compare to conventional cigarettes, and then recorded the resulting claims that were made using a standardized form designed for this purpose. Data were analyzed from January to March 2016. Results:The most frequent claims made by sales staff were that: smoking e-cigarettes helps one quit smoking (57% of the simulated shopping interactions), e-cigarettes come in multiple flavors (54%), and e-cigarettes are healthier than conventional cigarettes (50%). Simulated customer interactions that took place in vape shops included more positive marketing claims than those that occurred in tobacco shops; this relationship approached statistical significance (p = .087). There was a significant relationship between city and the average number of positive e-cigarette claims made (p < .001). Conclusions:A wide range of marketing claims are made about e-cigarettes in retail settings. These may vary by geographic location, community demographics, and type of retail outlet.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Yen, Shu-Chen
- Description:
- High-impact educational practices can promote student involvement and learning outcomes, but are rarely tested in the community college setting—where involvement is a typical challenge to student success. For Family Child Care (FCC) providers, who tend to be older and overworked, higher-education training can be especially difficult. The present study examined the use of learning communities as a high-impact practice in Project Vista Higher Education Academy (PVHEA), a two-year professional development intervention program for Cantonese/Mandarin FCC providers at the East Los Angeles College in California. Quantitative and qualitative data during the inaugural term (January 2012-December 2013) indicated that PVHEA successfully helped FCC providers access and complete college coursework towards Child Development degrees and credentials. Course completion rate reached 100%, and the providers gradually increased course load while maintaining above-average grades. Positive changes were also observed in self-efficacy, aspirations, and professional image. The associated program challenges were discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Child and Adolescent Studies
- Creator:
- Delyser, Dydia
- Description:
- Amid growing attention by geographers to materiality, emotion, and work, we draw together practices of making and communities of enthusiasm to autoethnographically trace the restoration of three Indian motorcycles, revealing restoration as a dynamic aesthetic and political practice that links restorers to communities of enthusiasm as well as to the agentic materiality of the things they restore. Restoration, we show, is a culturally and geographically situated skilled practice that links material agency to labors of love and devotion. Such devotion to things, in turn, suggests a provocative counternarrative to the unsustainable throwaway society of the Anthropocene. Emotional labor, material devotion, and handcraft skill could, we suggest, proffer positive pathways as we endeavor to make, restore, and, indeed, sustain our material world.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geography and the Environment
- Creator:
- Costa, Pablo
- Description:
- International Journal of Exercise Science 10(3): 354-364, 2017. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six months of training with three different number of sets of resistance training on flexibility in young men. Forty-seven men (mean ± SD age = 24 ± 1yrs; body mass = 79.39 ± 9.12 kg; height = 174.5 ± 5.6 cm) were randomly divided into three training groups performing either one set (G1S), three sets (G3S), or five sets (G5S) of all exercises in a resistance training session or a control group (CG). All groups were assessed pre- and post-training for Sit-and-Reach test and range of motion of 10 joints using goniometry. The training protocol included three weekly sessions and was composed of nine exercises performed at a moderate intensity (eight to 12RM). The results demonstrated significant differences pre- to post-training for the Sit-and-Reach test for all training groups; however, only the G5S showed significant differences when compared to the CG (31.04 ± 5.94cm vs. 23.56 ± 6.76cm, respectively; p < 0.05). Of the ten joint movements measured, there were range of motion increases only to shoulder flexion (G1S), shoulder extension (G3S), elbow flexion (G3S), and knee flexion (G3S) when comparing pre- to post-training (p < 0.05). In conclusion, different resistance training volumes improved flexibility for some joints of young men. These findings indicate that performing only resistance training can result in increases in flexibility.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Jacobs, Wura
- Description:
- We live in a digital age and this has changed the landscape of health information. With the changing US demographic, otherwise acute diseases morphing into chronic diseases as a result of treatment advancements, and evolving health needs of the population, there is need for increase in available and accessible health information. It is estimated that one in three US adults use the internet to diagnose or learn about a health concern. Nevertheless, a nagging question is whether the Web is reducing or creating disparities in health information availability and use for making health decisions. This study examined factors associated with heath information seeking from the internet, traditional media, and health care professionals among a diverse population of US adults. Data for the analysis was from four cycles (2011–2014) of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a national survey of US adults. Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES), regression analyses were conducted. STATA 13 was used for analyses. Findings indicated that there is a possibility that while the Web is an easily available source of health information, it could also create inequalities in health information accessibility. The Web should not be considered a substitute for using alternative health information sources. Doing so, might create disproportionate access to health information essential for health decisions.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Kirby, Matthew
- Description:
- Paleoenvironmental records from a southern California coastal saltmarsh reveal evidence for repeated late Holocene coseismic subsidence events. Field analysis of sediment gouge cores established discrete lithostratigraphic units extend across the wetland. Detailed sediment analyses reveal abrupt changes in lithology, percent total organic matter, grain size, and magnetic susceptibility. Microfossil analyses indicate that predominantly freshwater deposits bury relic intertidal deposits at three distinct depths. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the three burial events occurred in the last 2000 calendar years. Two of the three events are contemporaneous with large-magnitude paleoearthquakes along the Newport-Inglewood/Rose Canyon fault system. From these data, we infer that during large magnitude earthquakes a step-over along the fault zone results in the vertical displacement of an approximately 5-km2 area that is consistent with the footprint of an estuary identified in pre-development maps. These findings provide insight on the evolution of the saltmarsh, coseismic deformation and earthquake recurrence in a wide area of southern California, and sensitive habitat already threatened by eustatic sea level rise.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Bursztyn, Natalie
- Description:
- In searching for ways to improve undergraduate success in introductory geoscience courses, the importance of experiential learning in engaging students has become clear—and in geoscience, that is encapsulated best by field trips. However, as general education class sizes increase, so do the cost, liability, and difficulty of running a field trip. A solution for economically and conveniently bringing kinesthetic field experiences to a broader audience lies in the integration of technology through mobile-device games, apps, and augmented reality (AR) field trips. We report here an examination of learning gains at five colleges after intervention with augmented reality field trips to Grand Canyon. The AR field trips cover three topics taught in introductory geoscience courses: geologic time, geologic structures, and hydrologic processes.Results involving nearly 1000 students show that overall gains are similar to control groups, with completion of the AR field trips being a predictor of student learning success in some cases. Prior interest in the geosciences, students’ base-level understanding of the material, and whether or not the student is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) major are strong predictors of improvement in geoscience learning. Gender and ethnicity had no statistical impact on the results, suggesting the AR field trip modules have broad reach across student demographics. Because these modules have been shown elsewhere to increase student interest in learning the geosciences, we advocate their adoption, leading to increases in student learning.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Hofmann, Jim
- Description:
- Molecular clocks based upon amino acid sequences in proteins have played a major role in the clarification of evolutionary phylogenies. Creationist criticisms of these methods sometimes rely upon data that might initially seem to be paradoxical. For example, human cytochrome c differs from that of an alligator by 13 amino acids but differs by 14 amino acids from a much more closely related primate, Otolemur garnettii. The apparent anomaly is resolved by taking into consideration the variable substitution rate of cytochrome c, particularly among primates. This paper traces some of the history of extensive research into the topic of rate heterogeneity in cytochrome c including data from cytochrome c pseudogenes.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Liberal Studies
- Creator:
- Pichler, Shaun
- Description:
- Management and organization research has traditionally focused on employees’ work role and the interface between their work and family roles. We suggest that persons assume a third role in modern society that is relevant to work and organizations, namely the Information and Communication Technology User (ICTU) role. Based on role theory and boundary theory, we develop propositions about the characteristics of this role, as well as how ICTU role characteristics are related to boundary spanning activity, inter-role spillover with the work role, and work role performance. To this end, we first conceptualize the ICTU role and its associations with work and family roles. We then apply identity theory and boundary management theory to advance our understanding of how the ICTU role is related to criteria that are important to individuals and to organizations, namely self-selection into certain types of work roles and positive and negative inter-role spillover. The implications of this role for theory, research, and practice in management and organizations are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Management
- Creator:
- Schenk, H. Jochen
- Description:
- Vascular plants transport water under negative pressure without constantly creating gas bubbles that would disable their hydraulic systems. Attempts to replicate this feat in artificial systems almost invariably result in bubble formation, except under highly controlled conditions with pure water and only hydrophilic surfaces present. In theory, conditions in the xylem should favor bubble nucleation even more: there are millions of conduits with at least some hydrophobic surfaces, and xylem sap is saturated or sometimes supersaturated with atmospheric gas and may contain surface-active molecules that can lower surface tension. So how do plants transport water under negative pressure? Here, we show that angiosperm xylem contains abundant hydrophobic surfaces as well as insoluble lipid surfactants, including phospholipids, and proteins, a composition similar to pulmonary surfactants. Lipid surfactants were found in xylem sap and as nanoparticles under transmission electron microscopy in pores of intervessel pit membranes and deposited on vessel wall surfaces. Nanoparticles observed in xylem sap via nanoparticle-tracking analysis included surfactant-coated nanobubbles when examined by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Based on their fracture behavior, this technique is able to distinguish between dense-core particles, liquid-filled, bilayer-coated vesicles/liposomes, and gas-filled bubbles. Xylem surfactants showed strong surface activity that reduces surface tension to low values when concentrated as they are in pit membrane pores. We hypothesize that xylem surfactants support water transport under negative pressure as explained by the cohesion-tension theory by coating hydrophobic surfaces and nanobubbles, thereby keeping the latter below the critical size at which bubbles would expand to form embolisms.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Soper, Daniel
- Description:
- Service level agreement (SLA) negotiations involving cloud-based information technology (IT) service providers and customers are now commonplace. Although historical research on negotiation has often relied on economic foundations, the important nature of IT service levels to organizations' operational effectiveness suggests that negotiation complexities in the context of cloud-based outsourcing (or cloudsourcing) cannot be well understood by relying on economic perspectives alone. To that end, this paper reports on experiments designed to determine the relevance of competing sociotheoretic frameworks as they pertain to IT cloudsourcing negotiations. Contributions include a rigorous examination of hypotheses derived from social exchange theory, equity theory, learning theory, and the win-win theories of negotiation. Additional contributions include the development of methodological constructs (using the Euclidean geometry) that reflect the complex nature of IT cloudsourcing SLAs, i.e., that they are composed of numerous service category contract clauses where negotiation tradeoffs within a service category as well as across service categories are possible. We find strong support for the relevance of the social exchange theory to IT cloudsourcing negotiations, as well as moderate support for the win-win theories of negotiation. Our conclusions provide clear directions for extending our work into the realm of negotiation support systems, and we rely on our findings to conjecture that IT cloudsourcing negotiation is a unique context for sociotheoretic negotiation research due to the inherent importance of information technologies to organizations' operational effectiveness.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences
- Creator:
- Mitra, Sinjini
- Description:
- This paper develops an integrated theoretical framework that links visuo-spatial mental models of Web interface design to user satisfaction, and reports on a controlled experiment aimed at investigating the nature of these mental models. Using data from more than 500 subjects in conjunction with both graphical and statistical analyses, we find that Web users possess a strongly cohesive shared mental model of the way in which a Web interface should be designed. In addition to describing and quantifying this shared visuospatial mental model, this paper also shows how both experience and the physiological properties of the human visual system give rise to such models, and discusses the implications of the results for organizational website design, scientific theory, and future research in this area.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences
- Creator:
- Segal, Nancy
- Description:
- Aim: Epigenetic comparisons within monozygotic twin pairs have enhanced our understanding of nongenetic mechanisms underlying disease etiology. We present epigenetic findings for a unique case of doubly exchanged Colombian male monozygotic twins raised in extremely different environments. Results: Using genome-wide DNA methylation data from cheek swabs from which blood-specific differentially methylated probes had been removed, the individuals grouped by shared genetics rather than shared environment, except for one twin who presented as an outlier. Closer inspection of DNA methylation differences within both reared-apart twin pairs revealed several genes and genetic pathways likely to be influenced by the rearing environment. Conclusion: Together with our previous findings, we suggest that genetics, pre- and postnatal environments contribute to the epigenetic profile, although additional studies are needed to quantify these effects.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Lukaszewski, Aaron
- Description:
- Human life history (LH) strategies are theoretically regulated by developmental exposure to environmental cues that ancestrally predicted LH-relevant world states (e.g., risk of morbidity–mortality). Recent modeling work has raised the question of whether the association of childhood family factors with adult LH variation arises via (i) direct sampling of external environmental cues during development and/or (ii) calibration of LH strategies to internal somatic condition (i.e., health), which itself reflects exposure to variably favorable environments. The present research tested between these possibilities through three online surveys involving a total of over 26,000 participants. Participants completed questionnaires assessing components of self-reported environmental harshness (i.e., socioeconomic status, family neglect, and neighborhood crime), health status, and various LH-related psychological and behavioral phenotypes (e.g., mating strategies, paranoia, and anxiety), modeled as a unidimensional latent variable. Structural equation models suggested that exposure to harsh ecologies had direct effects on latent LH strategy as well as indirect effects on latent LH strategy mediated via health status. These findings suggest that human LH strategies may be calibrated to both external and internal cues and that such calibrational effects manifest in a wide range of psychological and behavioral phenotypes.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Dover, Alison G.
- Description:
- Emphases on high-stakes testing and accountability can undermine teachers' ability to use their professional expertise to respond to the localized needs of their students. For justice-oriented teachers, they also create ideological conflicts, as teachers are forced to navigate increasingly prescriptive curricular mandates. In this article, we examine how justice-oriented veteran social studies teachers in the United States use their disciplinary expertise and professional agency to respond strategically to the influence of the Common Core State Standards on their discipline. We conclude by discussing the implications for preparing candidates to teach for social justice in accountability-driven contexts.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Secondary Education
- Creator:
- Loyd, Sean
- Description:
- Methane cold seep systems typically exhibit extensive buildups of authigenic carbonate minerals, resulting from local increases in alkalinity driven by methane oxidation. Here, we demonstrate that modern seep authigenic carbonates exhibit anomalously low clumped isotope values (Δ47), as much as ∼0.2‰ lower than expected values. In modern seeps, this range of disequilibrium translates into apparent temperatures that are always warmer than ambient temperatures, by up to 50 °C. We examine various mechanisms that may induce disequilibrium behaviour in modern seep carbonates, and suggest that the observed values result from several factors including kinetic isotopic effects during methane oxidation, mixing of inorganic carbon pools, pH effects and rapid precipitation. Ancient seep carbonates studied here also exhibit potential disequilibrium signals. Ultimately, these findings indicate the predominance of disequilibrium clumped isotope behaviour in modern cold seep carbonates that must be considered when characterizing environmental conditions in both modern and ancient cold seep settings.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Distefano, Anthony
- Description:
- Japan is widely perceived to have a low level of HIV occurrence; however, its HIV epidemics also have been the subject of considerable misunderstanding globally. I used a ground truthing conceptual framework to meet two aims: first, to determine how accurately official surveillance data represented Japan's two largest epidemics (urban Kansai and Tokyo) as understood and experienced on the ground; and second, to identify explanations for why the HIV epidemics were unfolding as officially reported. I used primarily ethnographic methods while drawing upon epidemiology, and compared government surveillance data to observations at community and institutional sites (459 pages of field notes; 175 persons observed), qualitative interviews with stakeholders in local HIV epidemics (n = 32), and document research (n = 116). This revealed seven epidemiologic puzzles involving officially reported trends and conspicuously missing information. Ethnographically grounded explanations are presented for each. These included factors driving the epidemics, which ranged from waning government and public attention to HIV, to gaps in sex education and disruptive leadership changes in public institutions approximately every two years. Factors constraining the epidemics also contributed to explanations. These ranged from subsidized medical treatment for most people living with HIV, to strong partnerships between government and a well-developed, non-governmental sector of HIV interventionists, and protective norms and built environments in the sex industry. Local and regional HIV epidemics were experienced and understood as worse than government reports indicated, and ground-level data often contradicted official knowledge. Results thus call into question epidemiologic trends, including recent stabilization of the national epidemic, and suggest the need for revisions to the surveillance system and strategies that address factors driving and constraining the epidemics. Based upon its utility in the current study, ground truthing has value as a conceptual framework for research and shows promise for future theoretical development.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Public Health
- Creator:
- Rathbun, Matt
- Description:
- We characterize cutting arcs on fiber surfaces that produce new fiber surfaces, and the changes in monodromy resulting from such cuts. As a corollary, we characterize band surgeries between fibered links and introduce an operation called generalized Hopf banding. We further characterize generalized crossing changes between fibered links, and the resulting changes in monodromy.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mathematics
- Creator:
- Hoese, William
- Description:
- Background: Evolutionary trees illustrate relationships among taxa. Interpreting these relationships requires developing a set of “tree-thinking” skills that are typically included in introductory college biology courses. One of these skills is determining relationships among taxa using the most recent common ancestor, yet many students instead use one or more alternate strategies to determine relationships. Several alternate strategies have been well documented and these include using superficial similarity, proximity at the tips of a tree, or the fewest intervening nodes in the tree to group taxa. Results: We administered interviews (n = 16) and pencil-and-paper questionnaires (n = 205), and constructed a valid and reliable assessment that measured how well students determined relationships among taxa on an evolutionary tree. Our questions asked students to consider a focal taxon and identify which of two additional taxa is most closely related to it. We paired the use of most recent common ancestor with one of three alternative strategies (i.e., similarity, proximity, or node-counting) to explicitly test students’ understanding of the relationships among the taxa on each tree. Conclusions: Our assessment enables us to identify students who are effectively distracted by an alternative strategy, those who use the most recent common ancestor inconsistently, or who are guessing in order to determine relationships among taxa. Our 18-question tool (see Additional file 1) can be used for formative assessment of student understanding of how to interpret relationships on evolutionary trees. Because our assessment tests for the same skill throughout, students who answer incorrectly, even once, likely have an incomplete understanding of how to determine relationships on evolutionary trees and should receive follow-up instruction.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Turel, Ofir
- Description:
- This study examines a behavioral tripartite model developed in the field of addiction, and applies it here to understanding general and impulsive information technology use. It suggests that technology use is driven by two information-processing brain systems: reflective and impulsive, and that their effects on use are modulated by interoceptive awareness processes. The resultant reflective-impulsive-interoceptive awareness model is tested in two behavioral studies. Both studies employ SEM techniques to time-lagged self-report data from n1 = 300 and n2 = 369 social networking site users. Study 1 demonstrated that temptations augment the effect of habit on technology use, and reduce the effect of satisfaction on use. Study 2 showed that temptations strengthen the effect of habit on impulsive technology use, and weaken the effect of behavioral expectations on impulsive technology use. Hence, the results consistently support the notion that information technology users’ behaviors are influenced by reflective and impulsive information processing systems; and that the equilibrium of these systems is determined, at least in part, by one’s temptations. These results can serve as a basis for understanding the etiology of modern day addictions.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences
53. Timing and rates of Holocene normal faulting along the Black Mountains fault zone, Death Valley, USA
- Creator:
- Knott, Jeffrey
- Description:
- Alluvial fans displaced by normal faults of the Black Mountains fault zone at Badwater and Mormon Point in Death Valley were mapped, surveyed, and dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and 10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) methods. Applying TCN methods to Holocene geomorphic surfaces in Death Valley is challenging because sediment flux is slow and complex. However, OSL dating produces consistent surface ages, yielding ages for a regionally recognized surface (Qg3a) of 4.5 ± 1.2 ka at Badwater and 7.0 ± 1.0 ka at Mormon Point. Holocene faults offsetting Qg3a yield horizontal slip rates directed toward 323° of 0.8 +0.3/–0.2 mm/yr and 1.0 ± 0.2 mm/yr for Badwater and Mormon Point, respectively. These slip rates are slower than the ~2 mm/yr dextral slip rate of the southern end of the northern Death Valley fault zone and are half as fast as NNW-oriented horizontal rates documented for the Panamint Valley fault zone. This indicates that additional strain is transferred southwestward from northern Death Valley and Black Mountains fault zones onto the oblique-normal dextral faults of the Panamint Valley fault zone, which is consistent with published geodetic modeling showing that current opening rates of central Death Valley along the Black Mountains fault zone are about three times slower than for Panamint Valley. This suggests that less than half of the geodetically determined ~9–12 mm/yr of right-lateral shear across the region at the latitude of central Death Valley is accommodated by slip on well-defined faultsand that distributed deformational processes take up the remainder of this slip transferred between the major faults north of the Garlock fault.
- Resource Type:
- Article
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Wu, Loan
- Description:
- In the state of California, new teachers have two years to complete Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) through a university or a school district. Many districts opt to run their own BTSA program because it gives them more power to insert the district’s vision and mission into the program. There are three BTSA mentoring models from which a district can choose to use in order to fulfill the state induction requirements. In the XYZ school district, they use full-time released teachers to serve as support providers to participating teachers. This case study researched to what degree participating teachers felt BTSA resources influenced their instructional practices for English learners (ELs). It is evident, based upon this study’s survey and interviews, that the 2012- 2013 teacher cohort in the XYZ school district felt the greatest impact BTSA had on their instructional strategies was attributable to their support provider. Additionally, they also felt that BTSA expectations, which included structured lessons, observations, reflections, and data gathering, influenced their instructional strategies regarding ELs. This research is important because it provides research that can be used to improve the EL resources provided for new teachers in the teacher induction program in XYZ District. District leaders can utilize the results to analyze ways to improve teacher induction programs to ensure teachers are being provided effective professional development to meet the needs of XYZ District’s large EL population.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Dorsey, Steven A.
- Description:
- The growth of online school programs has continued at a staggering rate in recent years as schools and districts try to offer a more personalized educational experience to meet the needs of their diverse student populations. The need for administrators to lead these unique environments is growing in concert. Research in the area of online school programs is in its infancy, and further study is needed. The purpose of this case study was to explore the unique nature of the online learning environment in a public school district and the leadership qualities needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape. This single case study of an online school program run by a Southern California public school district as a dependent charter was the basis of the investigation. There were three prevalent themes to arise from the research. The first was the need for innovative leadership skills in the environment. The second theme was that of the varied demands from local districts and an expanding range of responsibilities. The third theme addressed the culture and flexibility fostered in the online environment Several areas were identified as possible subjects for further research. First, the teacher evaluation system needs to be addressed, as the current evaluation system focuses on teachers in brick-and-mortar learning environments. The next potential subject is the exploration of innovation and of changing responsibilities to ensure a successful implementation of online learning programs. Finally, research into the challenges of administrative credentialing will help to ensure we are preparing young administrators to handle leadership in an online and blended learning environment.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Koirala, Janak Das
- Description:
- Every year, millions of scrap tires are either discarded in huge piles across the landscape or dumped in landfills in large volumes all over the world. These tire piles cause environmental pollution while posing fire and health hazards. Being volumetric goods in comparison to other wastes, they occupy large volumes in landfills. Rainwater tends to accumulate in the stockpiled tires, which, then become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases, such as encephalitis. Several states in the United States have, therefore, banned the disposal of used tires in the land. Shredded rubber has been used in a variety of applications in geotechnical engineering including in highway pavements and backfills of retaining walls, but mostly as individual material. In this study, kaolinite and montmorillonite were modified using different sizes and quantities of shredded rubber tires and used to evaluate the improvement in geotechnical properties. Five different sizes and five different proportions of shredded rubber tires were mixed with the clay minerals. Laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the changes in density, permeability and unconfined compressive strength of such modified soil with shredded tires. The results showed that for kaolinite, the maximum dry density decreased as the percentage of shredded rubber tire in the mixture was greater than 4% by dry weight. In Montmorillonite, the maximum dry density of the modified soil increased till 2 to 4% of shredded rubber tire was added to the soil. The highest strength was observed at 4% shredded rubber tire content in kaolinite and at 5% shredded rubber tire content in montmorillonite. Permeability increased when smaller sized shredded rubber tire was added to kaolinite. In montmorillonite, permeability values sharply increased up to 2% shredded rubber tire content and thereafter, showed a linear increase in permeability for all sizes of shredded rubber tire used. From this study, it is concluded that shredded rubber can be effectively used to improve the compaction and strength characteristics of weak soils.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Creator:
- Pantha, Krishna Hari
- Description:
- This paper presents the results of a study, whose aim was to determine the undrained shear strength at different over-consolidation ratios, which is a very important parameter to evaluate the stability of natural and man-made slopes in soft clay. The undrained shear strength of clays was determined using a laboratory test method utilizing the Direct Simple Shear (DSS) apparatus in the geotechnical engineering laboratory at California State University, Fullerton. In this study, the change in undrained shear strength of soil with over-consolidation ratio in a mineralogical framework was studied. Four different soil samples were prepared by mixing commercially available clay minerals such as kaolinite and montmorillonite with quartz at different proportions by their dry weight. These samples included 100% kaolinite, a mixture of 70% kaolinite with 30% quartz, a mixture of 50% kaolinite with 50% quartz and a mixture of 50% montmorillonite with 50% quartz. The plasticity characteristics of these samples were evaluated. Each of the first three samples had five different specimens representing five different over-consolidation ratios (2, 4, 8, 16 and 32). The fourth sample had only two specimens for two different over-consolidation ratios, i.e. 2 and 4. The applied consolidation stresses were 600 kPa, 300 kPa, 150 kPa, 75 kPa and 37.5 kPa for five different over-consolidation ratios of 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32, respectively. Using the direct simple shear device, the undrained shear strength of these samples were measured using a strain rate of 5%/hour. The pore pressures generated at different applied stresses was also back calculated from the change in total stresses. The pore water pressure continuously increased up to certain displacement and then after tended to remain constant. The results showed that it was inversely proportional to the over-consolidation ratio. Using the results, the SHANSEP model and Hvorslev’s theory were utilized to check normalized shear strength, and true friction angle and true cohesion of each soil sample, respectively. The result showed that the shear strength depends up on the composition of clay minerals and stress history of the soil. The relationship of the normalized undrained shear strength ratio was directly proportional to the overconsolidation ratio of the soil. Similarly, the true friction angle of the soil depended up on the composition of the clay minerals, but not on the stress history. True friction angles of 19.28°, 20.63°, 21.06° and 35.24° were obtained for Sample Nos.1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively; whereas, the true cohesion of these sample were measured as 8.46°, 7.21°, 4.55° and 0.39° respectively.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Creator:
- Woli, Hari
- Description:
- Global warming is a big concern these days all over the world including in the USA. It has said to trigger landslides all over the world every year due to the global warming. Landslides can damage the structures and block roads and rivers that require much effort and finances to repair. On 11 March 2011, an earthquake with magnitude 9.0 (Mw) occurred in Tohoku, Japan. Approximately 15,893 people were killed, 6,152 people were injured and much of the infrastructure was damaged. Hundreds of landslides occurred at that time. Recently, an earthquake with magnitude 7.8 occurred on 25 April 2015 in Gorkha, Nepal, west of the capital Kathmandu. A major aftershock with magnitude 7.3 occurred on 12 May 2015 near Kodari, east of Kathmandu. As a result of both of these major earthquakes, more than 9000 people were killed and thousands of landslides occurred in various parts of the country. Both earthquakes occurred in the dry season, and hence, a major concern was the increased likelihood of landslides in the rainy season following these earthquakes. This research describes the effect of post-earthquake rainfall on slope stability by examining the landslide distribution pattern in Nepal, following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and its aftershocks. A high resolution Google Map was used to locate the landslides triggered in the eastern to mid-western part of Nepal following the earthquake and after the first rainy season. A landslide database was created and contains the angle of inclination, features at risk and landslide area for each landslide identified. To evaluate the stability of slopes following a post-earthquake rainfall event, a 45º slope was modelled in a Plexiglas container and subjected to shaking on a shake table and rainfall in the laboratory. A clayey soil obtained from Mission Viejo, CA was used to prepare a slope model with void ratio 1.2. The slope was instrumented with accelerometers, tensiometers, and copper wires to record acceleration, pore water pressure and deformation of the slope, respectively. A series of sinusoidal waves with 20 cycles at various amplitudes and frequencies (0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g and 1 Hz, 2 Hz, 3 Hz) were applied to the slope model. After the seismic loading was applied, a rainfall simulator was placed on top of the slope and used to apply rainfall with an intensity of 16.8 mm/hr. The water front from the infiltrating rainwater was marked on either side of the Plexiglas container at different time intervals. Slope instability was not observed during the post-earthquake rainfall event. This was attributed to a decrease in the void ratio due to the seismic shaking leading to a reduction in the seepage rate for the rain water and lower pore pressures on the slope. Hence, the likelihood of further slope instability in the rainy season following an earthquake decreases. The results were verified in the case study from Nepal as there were no reported landslides during the rainy season immediately following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and its aftershocks.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Creator:
- Walker, Kimberly Mae
- Description:
- Ostrea lurida’s potential role as a foundation species has not been explored, so little is understood about ecosystem services produced by ongoing restoration efforts for the United States’ only native oyster species on the west coast. Further, the effectiveness of different techniques for restoring Olympia oyster beds has not been systematically evaluated. The most common technique is augmenting available habitat by adding dead shell onto mudflats and allowing remnant oysters to seed the shell with spat; shell has been added at varying thicknesses, either consolidated in bags or simply placed loose onto the mudflat. Here, I explored the effects of different combinations of Olympia oyster restoration techniques (varying the thickness of constructed shell beds using loose versus bagged oyster shell) on invertebrate abundance, diversity, and community composition. Twenty-five oyster beds were established in Newport Bay, Orange County, California in June 2010. Five beds were not augmented with any shell and were used as control plots. The other twenty beds were randomly assigned to be constructed using dead oyster shell at thicknesses of 12 cm or 4 cm using shell bagged in jute or loose shell (n= 5 replicates per treatment). Visual inspection of MDS plots and results from ANOSIM indicated after one year a significant shift in community composition of the oyster beds versus the control plots, with trends in differences of the thick beds and thin-bagged beds. However, the density of most invertebrate species changed over time and bagging of the shell in some cases also mattered. Amphipods, polychaetes and oligochaetes all declined significantly on some treatment plots over the study period, but not because of shell enhancements. Bivalves, gastropods and isopods all increased over the study period with trends towards increases on the thicker beds and thin-bagged beds, although insignificant. Results could inform future restoration efforts for this species and establish ecosystem services provided by O. lurida as a foundation species.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Sanchez, Carl A.
- Description:
- This study investigated the relationship between athletes’ perceptions of coaching behaviors and how these perceptions influenced the athletes’ life skill development. Life skills are defined as the ability to effectively communicate, make good decisions, problem solve, set and achieve desired goals, assume leadership roles, and manage time efficiently (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale 1993). The participants in this study were female college basketball players (n = 84) ranging in age from 18 – 25 years old. All participants completed the Youth Experience Survey – 2.0 that assessed their positive and negative experiences during sport participation. They also completed the Coaching Behavior Survey for Sports that measured various coaching behaviors and actions. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that the athletes reported several particular coaching behaviors that significantly influenced their personal development. These findings suggest that the coaching behaviors perceived by the athletes during instruction of “physical training and conditioning,” “technical skills,” and “goal setting,” led to personal experiences that influenced the athletes’ individual life skill development. During these training experiences, the athletes reported positive personal growth regarding the ability to regulate their temper, fear, anxiety, and stress; work in groups; and identifying with the social dynamics of sports participation. They also reported being inspired to identify, set, and achieve goals. Upon examining their interpersonal behaviors, the athletes reflected on how these behaviors influenced their outlook on life, social dynamics, and personal environment.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Moua, Cha
- Description:
- Long-term studies of animal ranging ecology are critical to understanding how animals utilize their habitat across space and time. Although gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) inhabit an unusual, high altitude habitat that presents unique ecological challenges, no long-term studies of their ranging behavior have been conducted. To close this gap, I investigated the daily path length (DPL), annual home ranges (95%), and annual core areas (50%) of a band of ~220 wild gelada monkeys at Guassa, Ethiopia, from January 2007 to December 2011 (for total of n = 785 full-day follows). I estimated annual home ranges and core area using the fixed kernel reference (FK REF) and smoothed cross-validation (FK SCV) bandwidths, and the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method. Both annual home range (MCP - 2007: 5.9 km2 ; 2008: 8.6 km2 ; 2009: 9.2 km2 ; 2010: 11.5 km2 ; 2011: 11.6 km2 ) and core area increased over the 5-year study period. The MCP and FK REF generated broadly consistent, though slightly larger estimates that contained areas in which the geladas were never observed. All three methods omitted one to 19 sleeping sites from the home range depending on the year. Thus, neither the MCP nor fixed kernel estimators were more accurate than the other. Similarly, mean annual DPL (± SE m) increased over the study period (2007: 2,848±57 m; 2008: 3,339±65 m; 2009: 3,272±72 m; 2010: 3,835±80 m; 2011: 4,100±86 m). In general, the geladas showed remarkable variation in daily, monthly, and annual DPL. I also investigated the effects of movement across uneven topography on DPL, and I discuss the ecological implications of these findings. I compare the ranging behavior of geladas at Guassa to (a) geladas at other study sites, (b) to Papio (baboon) species, (c) to both terrestrial and arboreal primates, and (d) to grazing ungulates. The extensive interannual variability in ranging patterns in this study demonstrates the importance of longterm monitoring for wild nonhuman primates and its implications for conservation policy.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Anthropology
- Creator:
- Miller, Erikah
- Description:
- The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between perceived physical attractiveness and counterproductive workplace behavior. The main hypothesis was that the more physically attractive an employee rated himself/herself to be, the more likely he/she would be to engage in counterproductive behavior in the workplace. One hundred and sixty-seven participants were recruited for the present study; some from various undergraduate classes at California State University, Fullerton and others from the workplaces of these students who took part in the study. Close to half of the study’s participants (n = 88) were categorized as the “Worker” while the other half (n = 79) were labeled the “Coworkers” of the students in the Worker sample. Two measures of workplace deviance and one measure of attraction were used to survey the participants. Based on the participants’ self-reports (Counterproductive Behavior Index, Goodstein & Lanyon, 2002; Workplace Deviance Scale, Bennett & Robinson, 2000; and the Interpersonal Attraction Scale, McCroskey & McCain, 1974), no relationship between counterproductive workplace behavior and attraction was found in the Worker population even when age and work tenure were assessed. However, the Coworker ratings of the Worker population suggested otherwise. A positive relationship was found for physical attraction and counterproductive workplace behavior. Higher attractive ratings by Coworkers, correlated with higher ratings of counterproductive behavior of Workers in their workplace. Overall findings suggested a halo effect found in the Coworker ratings of their peers; Coworkers rated their peers much lower in all measures of deviance. Further investigation is warranted to assess this effect in the workplace.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Carter, Ariel L.
- Description:
- Adult California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, spawn on sandy beaches during spring high tides. Embryos develop within the sand enclosed in the chorion, which must be strong enough to protect the embryo but also allow rapid hatching. Grunion embryos are competent to hatch at 8 days post-fertilization (dpf) at 20°C, but require agitation in seawater to hatch, and can delay hatching up to 30 dpf. I hypothesized that chorions of fertilized eggs would require more force to break than chorions of unfertilized eggs because of hardening of the chorion at fertilization, and that chorions would require more force to break during normal incubation (10 dpf) than after extended incubation (28 dpf) due to degradation over time. Gametes were collected from grunion in March-July 2013- 2015. Eggs were fertilized and embryos were incubated in the laboratory at 20°C for up to 30 dpf. Mean crushing force (N) did not differ significantly between unfertilized and fertilized eggs except for 1 of 9 collection dates when it was significantly greater in fertilized eggs. Thus, the hardness of grunion chorions apparently does not increase at fertilization. Mean crushing force did not differ significantly between 10 dpf and 28 dpf but decreased significantly over the 28 days of incubation in 7 of 14 clutches. I used hydrophobic interaction column chromatography to partially purify the choriolytic enzyme, which allows the embryo to hatch from the chorion, and enzyme kinetics parameters were estimated. The Vmax was 0.045 ± 0.003 ΔA280 min-1 mg-1 protein and the Km value was 0.652 ± 0.111 mg casein ml-1 .
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Vorhies, Cara
- Description:
- This mixed methods study analyzes the emergence of a recent learning theory—heutagogy—and studies its relevance to classroom teachers in terms of 21st-century skills and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). There is a lack of understanding within the field of P-12 education of the use of heutagogy as an educational orientation. Therefore, this study represents the perspectives of high school teachers regarding their educational orientation toward learning and teaching, and it attempts to explain the use, or lack of use, of heutagogical techniques by teachers in public, comprehensive high schools. In this explanatory sequential research study, survey data (N = 34) were first collected in a Southern California school district to explore educators’ educational orientations and then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Second, purposeful sampling from the survey data was used to write case profiles of three teachers with self-reported orientations consistent with each of three learning theories: pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy. The use of semistructured interviews and document review further enhanced the researcher’s understanding of teachers’ use of learning theories in their own classrooms and how educators perceived their readiness and execution of the CCSS. Overall, the quantitative research found that teachers in the district under study generally fell within the spectrum of high pedagogy to high andragogy; no teacher was found to be primarily linked with heutagogy. Teachers within the school district were found to be comparable in terms of educational theories, mostly aligning within the range of andragogy. Qualitative results indicate a need for the school district to encourage and support teacher efforts; recognize educators as learners and as professionals; adopt long-term professional development, especially in 21st century skills; and legitimize new learning theories to avoid fixed habits in administrators and educators. Although the limited sample size prevented forming conclusions about all teachers in the district, the findings suggest a progressive direction for the district. Educators reported relative alignment with andragogy and movement toward heutagogical practice, which may have a positive impact on the execution of the CCSS, possibly resulting in higher levels of student achievement and equitable student outcomes.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Sanders, Janelle A.
- Description:
- The majority of Americans endorse egalitarian views, however our society is still plagued by prejudice and discrimination. (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2000). Unfortunately, great disparities exist in the treatment of individuals based on race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2000). It appears discrimination has become more subtle over the past forty years; however, it can still have dire consequences for minority groups (Pearson, Dovidion & Gaertner, 2009). Though research has examined this understated form of discrimination in the legal system from various theoretical perspectives, little research has focused on Social Dominance Theory (Pratto & Sidanius, 1994) for biases in juror decision making. SDT describes how social divisions are created in order to maintain or increase hierarchical separation of groups (Pratto et al., 1994). A key component to SDT is an individual’s personal Social Dominance Orientation (SDO; Pratto et al., 1994). SDO refers to the degree in which an individual values social groups arranged hierarchically (Pratto et al., 1994). Applied to the legal system, jurors who endorse hierarchical arrangements of groups are more likely to be punitive toward perceived subordinate groups (e.g., minorities and the poor). In addition, juror demographic characteristics, such as gender and SES, have been shown to influence juror decisions. Specifically, juror gender and SES often combine to contribute to biases toward a defendant. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how Social Dominance Theory can explain the interaction of juror SDO, juror gender, and juror SES to explain juror biases in decision making. Archival data, collected from 375 undergraduates at California State University, Fullerton, will be used to examine the hypotheses that female jurors, with high SES and SDO, will find the defendant guilty more often, recommended harsher sentences, find the defendant to be more culpable of the crime, and rate the defendant more negatively on a variety of trait ratings. Results demonstrated a nonsignificant relationship between juror gender, SDO, SES and verdict outcomes; the majority of participants found the defendant to be guilty of the crime. Similarly, juror gender, SDO, and SES did not significantly relate to sentence length, however a trend showed that female jurors, of high SDO and SES, were among the participants more likely to recommend a life sentence to the defendant. As predicted there was a significant three-way interaction between the independent variables and culpability measures; however, the direction of results only partially supported the hypothesis. Lastly, the fourth hypothesis was fully supported in that female jurors, high in social dominance and socioeconomic status rated the defendant more negatively on a number of trait ratings. Several findings in the current study were surprising and additional research is needed to further understand the ways in which SDO interacts with genders and SES to influence juror decision-making. Future studies would benefit from taking into account whether or not the juror is a parents, as well as some demographic factors of the defendant.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Khanal, Prakash Chandra
- Description:
- Based on previous studies, ground reinforcement methods such as stone columns, jet grouting, dynamic compaction, soil cement mixing, etc. are commonly used against potential liquefaction, settlement and to improve the bearing capacity of soil. However, additional benefits of ground improvement such as the possible reduction in seismic ground shaking are not usually considered in the practice or in the current International Building Code (IBC). As seismic damage is a major concern, soil-cement mixing was found to be the most effective in reducing of ground shaking levels. Among soil-cement mixing, compacted soil-cement panels have been considered as one among the most effective improvement techniques for seismic remediation. Past research shows that replacement of a portion of soil up to certain depth using compacted soil-cement mixture works effectively in improving soft clays and loose dry sand. However, field compaction effort requires some preparation and additional cost. The present study compares the results obtained through deep soil mixing panels with the results obtained with compacted clay based soil-cement panel. The compacted soil-cement panels and deep soil mixing panels corresponding to replacement ratios of 10% and 20% were prepared and cured for 14 days. A series of small-scale shake table tests were performed using models with unimproved and improved soil with reinforcement panels at different seismic shaking levels. The research results show that compacted soil-cement panels are more effective in reducing seismic amplification than deep soil mixing panels. The compacted soil cement panels could reduce the seismic amplification by 12% and 25%, whereas the reduction for deep soil mixing panels was 9% and 15% for the replacement ratios of 10% and 20%, respectively.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Creator:
- Rael, Carie Renee
- Description:
- The student movement in California has influenced the direction of public higher education since the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s. Students have largely been ignored within the historical narrative despite directly affecting the progress of California’s public higher education system. This project discusses the accomplishments of the student movement, which include the creation of the Ethnic and Women Studies programs, the fight against the Bakke decision, Proposition 187 and Proposition 209, along with students standing up against the privatization of public higher education. The successes for the student movement created a significant conservative backlash that drove California’s public higher education system further into the private sphere despite the student movement’s best efforts. Oral histories from various student activists along with flyers, pamphlets, protest signs, video footage, newspaper articles, audio recordings, and other archival evidence make up the primary sources for this project. The oral histories from student activists provide narratives normally left out of the history of California’s education system and create a more complex history of California’s public higher education system.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of History
- Creator:
- Rossel, Cezar
- Description:
- Technology hardware and software are becoming increasingly available for use in the classroom. Even so, its effectiveness for learning new concepts in mathematics must be verified. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not middle school students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), Other Heath Impairments (OHI), or Emotionally Disturbed (ED) learned mathematics content using an online mathematics program, Khan Academy, as opposed to teacher-led instruction or a combination of both teacher-led and Khan Academy. A quasi-experimental design was used with the students serving as their own comparison group. Students were exposed to three different conditions over the course of four months: 1) computer aided instruction solely, 2) computer aided instruction with adult support, and 3) direct instruction from the teacher. The participants were middle school students in the 7th and 8th grade in a special class designed for students with challenging behaviors. Ten participants, eight males and two females with a broad range of disabilities ranging from Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), Other Heath Impairments (OHI), or Emotionally Disturbed (ED) took part in this study. The results were inconclusive; however there was exceptional social validity and significance in that all students profited from all models of instruction, student attention to tasks were improved and negative behaviors were not increased in two of the three models. Only the condition in which students could not ask for assistance resulted in offtask or negative behavior. Thus, even though the study was limited by the small sample size and the short trial period, the results supported the use of Khan Academy as a tool for instruction of students with challenging behaviors.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Special Education
- Creator:
- Blanchard, Erin H.
- Description:
- The population of older adults in the United States is rapidly increasing. Falls are a major health concern among the older adult population, and there is an increasing need for more theory-driven fall risk reduction programs that are multifactorial, effective, and inexpensive. The Stay Well At Home (SWAH) program was a 16-week, in-home multifactorial fall risk reduction program that was implemented by trained lay facilitators. The development of this intervention was guided by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the efficacy of SWAH program as a multifactorial program, to determine its effectiveness as a HAPA-guided intervention, and also to inform further program development of the SWAH program. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of SWAH recipients (N=15) at the conclusion of the 8-week in-home phase of the program. The purpose of the interviews was to learn about participant experiences with the program and changes they may have observed in themselves. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then thematically analyzed. Themes were also related back to HAPA constructs. The major themes reported by SWAH recipients included an overall increase in fall protective behaviors (100%) as well as improvement in gait (80%), balance (73%), and physical performance (53%). Recipients also responded positively to the SWAH program content and structure. Common barriers for SWAH recipients were health and motivation barriers (73%) and taking the time to exercise (67%). Analysis of the main themes in this study suggest that SWAH was effective at implementing the HAPA model with the exception of successfully implementing action planning activities. The SWAH program was perceived by the interviewed participants as effective in reducing overall fall risk and was fairly successful as a HAPA-guided intervention. Further, it was well received and viewed as beneficial by many SWAH recipients.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Chavoya, Frank A.
- Description:
- Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder caused by a deletion of the paternal chromosome 15. PWS is characterized by increased body fat, hypotonia, growth hormone (GH) deficiency, motor and cognitive disabilities, and hyperphagia, potentially resulting in obesity. This study measured and compared the amount of calories spent while walking in PWS and controls. Participants included 8 children with PWS (7 were on growth hormone replacement therapy [GHRT], mean age = 11.1±0.8 y; body mass = 44.7±11.7 kg; height = 147.8±8.2 cm; body fat = 37.2±11.4 %; lean mass = 26.4±4.3 kg), 9 lean children (mean age = 9.8±2.0 y; body mass = 35.4±11.3 kg; height = 142.9±20.5 cm; body fat = 22.2±8.6 %; lean mass = 25.5±11.6 kg), and 10 obese children (mean age = 10.6±1.1 y; body mass = 62.1±14.6 kg; height = 151.1±9.6 cm; body fat = 44.4±3.7 %; lean mass = 33.3±5.1 kg). Lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM) were measured with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Participants walked for three 5-minute bouts on a treadmill at 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mph, with a 6-minute seated rest period in between speeds. Expired gases were analyzed for minutes 4-5 of each speed. There were no group by time interactions for any of the variables of interest. PWS had a higher VO2 ml·kg-1 ·min-1 than obese (p = 0.041), but similar to lean (p = 1.000); PWS exhibited a greater caloric expenditure in kcal·kg-1 ·min-1 than obese (p = 0.028), but similar to lean (p = 1.000). No other differences were found among the PWS and control groups during walking for VO2 when expressed in L·min-1 or ml·kgLMB-1 ·min-1, caloric expenditure when expressed in kcal/min or kcal·kgLBM-1 ·min-1, or metabolic equivalents. The results of this study suggest that children with PWS are spending similar calories as lean controls of comparable body mass while walking. Thus, the difference in body fat does not appear to affect calories spent doing the same absolute work in PWS.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Braun, Andrew
- Description:
- The period between 472 A.D. and 510 A.D. was one of institutional uncertainty for the Catholic Church. The Western Roman Emperor was deposed and the position left vacant. The governing of Italy fell on Germanic warlords, both subordinate to and independent of the Emperor in Constantinople whose attentions were focused on political intrigue and wars, both civil and foreign. A schism in the Church further reduced his influence. This left a void of leadership for the people of Rome. The remaining Emperor was now far away, and the secular leadership of Italy in the hands of foreigners and not members of the Catholic Church. The bishops of Rome began to fill that void, though not without controversy and resistance. He was able to use his moral authority, and his important political position to form the beginnings of independent political authority. The temporal reality of this independence would vanish with the end of the Acacian Schism and the conquest of Rome by Emperor Justinian in 536AD. Only the rhetorical innovations, pushing for temporal authority remained, to be used in the ensuing centuries with the formation of the Papal States.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of History
- Creator:
- Ryks, Melissa N.
- Description:
- The theory of Aversive Racism is often used to explain the contemporary prejudice being displayed towards racial minority defendants in the U.S. criminal court system. This form of contemporary racism is characterized by its subtleties; the aversive racist is sympathetic to past injustice, supports equality, and believes themselves to be non-prejudiced, but all the while harbors subtle and sometimes subconscious negative feelings and beliefs. The purpose of this study is to examine if aversive racism can best explain juror decision-making biases when race, socioeconomic status (SES), and attractiveness of the defendant are varied for mothers who are charged with killing their child. To date, no known research has examined juror decision-making when these sociocultural factors are varied. In a mock juror study, 375 participants were randomly assigned to one of 12 conditions in a 3 (ethnicity: European-American, AfricanAmerican, or Hispanic), X 2 (SES: high or low), X 2 (attractiveness: attractive or unattractive) between groups design. After reading a case transcript, participants were asked to provide a verdict, recommend a sentence, answer various culpability questions, and rate the defendants on a number of trait ascription characteristics. Participants also provided personal demographic information such a race, gender, age, etc. Based on previous research it is hypothesized that minority, unattractive, and low SES mothers will be found guilty significantly more often, receive lengthier sentences, be found more culpable, and be rated more negatively on trait ratings compared with European-American, attractive, and high SES defendants. Results demonstrated partial support for the proposed hypothesis. Significance was observed for sentence, with participants giving minority, low SES, and unattractive defendants lengthier sentences. Significant interactions were also observed for various culpability ratings. Limitations and future directions will be discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Burdi, Christina Elizabeth
- Description:
- Rocky intertidal grazers with similar morphologies and ecological habitats likely compete for food and space. Two intertidal limpets Lottia scabra and L. conus (Gastropoda: Lottidae), are alike in their morphology and overlap in range in southern California. Despite both species being common in this region, little has been published on L. conus since it was described in 1945, thus comparisons of L. conus to L. scabra are minimal. Limited descriptions and dorsal shell plasticity contribute to inaccurate identifications; therefore any potential interactions between these species remain unstudied. I evaluated published and unpublished shell differences between L. conus and L. scabra to determine whether shell diagnoses could distinguish between species. To ensure accurate identifications, species-specific mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA primers were successfully designed and applied using a PCR-based assay. Sequencing of selected individuals with nuclear (ITS-1) DNA confirmed that the mitochondrial and nuclear markers agree in their identification. Measured shell features were significantly different between L. conus and L. scabra, however, the range in these characteristics overlapped considerably, which contributed to misidentifications. Qualitative diagnoses also contradicted published distinctions. My results indicated that L. conus has a wider range of morphologies than previously recognized, some of which are indistinguishable from L. scabra, and can only be reliably identified with molecular techniques. Furthermore, I found that non-lethal sampling of foot mucus could be used in the field for iii species identification for future studies on the potential ecological interactions between L. scabra and L. conus. This technique has considerable potential for a variety of molluscan studies while reducing organism mortality.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Leeper, Robert J., III
- Description:
- The present study contributes to the sociology of health and illness by applying Link and Phelan’s theory of fundamental causes of disease to the study of language competence and health. The study answers the following research question: How does being limited in English proficiency (LEP) influence the effects of being obese on the prospects of having been diagnosed with heart disease for California residents? The project examines interaction effects between English competence and obesity to determine the partial effects of obesity and English competence on heart disease using secondary data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. Contrary to expectations, findings indicate that individuals who are limited in English proficiency and are not obese (or overweight) have the lowest odds of being diagnosed with heart disease. Furthermore, findings indicate, consistent with expectations, that individuals who lack English competence have higher chances of experiencing the effects of obesity and overweight on heart disease compared with English proficient counterparts. Findings suggest that LEP and English proficient individuals deal differently with mechanisms linked with disease.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Gaytan, Sergio
- Description:
- The present study contributes to the sociology of health and illness by applying Link and Phelan’s theory of fundamental causes of disease to the study of language competence and health. The study answers the following research question: How does being limited in English proficiency (LEP) influence the effects of being obese on the prospects of having been diagnosed with heart disease for California residents? The project examines interaction effects between English competence and obesity to determine the partial effects of obesity and English competence on heart disease using secondary data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. Contrary to expectations, findings indicate that individuals who are limited in English proficiency and are not obese (or overweight) have the lowest odds of being diagnosed with heart disease. Furthermore, findings indicate, consistent with expectations, that individuals who lack English competence have higher chances of experiencing the effects of obesity and overweight on heart disease compared with English proficient counterparts. Findings suggest that LEP and English proficient individuals deal differently with mechanisms linked with disease.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Sociology
- Creator:
- Nadimi, Khadija
- Description:
- Tsunami are a very real natural hazard for coastal Southern California; however, there are no geological records of past tsunami occurrence to determine their frequency and magnitude. For this study, a combination of five sedimentological analyses (sediment description, magnetic susceptibility, total organic matter, total carbonate content, and grain size analysis) were used to test our guiding hypothesis that the “wetlands of Southern California – specifically San Elijo Lagoon – record evidence for paleotsunami.”. And, provide the first geological evidence for paleotsunami in Southern California. The results of the study provide the first sedimentological record from San Elijo Lagoon that spans last 2200 years BP. Furthermore, the results indicate that depositional environment has changed significantly due to changes in the lagoon’s depositional environment over the last 2200 years BP. San Elijo Lagoon was selected for the investigation based on a number of factors, specifically: a historical tsunami database, generated mathematical models for Southern California tsunami, sedimentary structures reported from previous studies, and reconnaissance survey core results. Unfortunately, no sedimentological data were found in this study to support our hypothesis. Rather, the event unit we analyzed (CTU-I) is interpreted to reflect a storm deposit (or deposits) from the nearby Escondido Creek. So the main question now is why is there no unequivocal evidence for paleotsunami in San Elijo Lagoon? Absence of paleotsunami record in this region is may be due to following reasons: preservation potential of tsunami deposits, preservation potential of the catchment area, post-depositional alteration of tsunami deposits, Holocene sea level change, and limitation of paleotsunami proxies. Perhaps further research must be conducted to fill the gap between the geological records, a historical tsunami database and generated mathematical models for Southern California tsunami. Without such records, recurrence interval and vulnerability assessment is difficult to precisely reconstruct for this region.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Lam, Caroline
- Description:
- In the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the D1 protein, which is the main electron acceptor of photosystem II, is encoded by the chloroplastic psbA gene. Translation of D1 is regulated by a set of nuclear-encoded RNA-binding proteins (RB38, RB47, RB55, and RB60), which form a complex and interact with a stem-loop structure in the 5’-untranslated region of the psbA mRNA. Earlier work showed that the genes that encode two of these RNA-binding proteins, rb38 and rb60, as well as the psbO gene, which encodes the OEE1 protein within the Oxygen Evolving Complex, are regulated by red light. This red-light induction involves calmodulin (CaM), a ubiquitous calciumbinding protein that is found in all eukaryotic cells. Thus, it was hypothesized that calcium (Ca2+) would also be involved in this red-light signaling pathway. To test this hypothesis, cells that were grown in the dark in Ca2+-free media were either exposed to varying amounts of Ca2+ or the Ca2+-channel inhibitors, nifedipine and neodymium (Nd3+), in the presence of Ca2+. Treatment with Ca2+ had a dose-dependent effect on rb38, rb60, and psbO mRNA accumulation, but not on rb47 accumulation, with maximal accumulation occurring in response to 10-6 M free Ca2+. This Ca2+-induced accumulation was reduced with the addition of the Ca2+ inhibitors. A similar pattern was not however reflected in the protein levels. RB38, RB47, RB60, and OEE1 accumulated equally across all treatments. An increase in psbA mRNA accumulation was seen only after darkgrown cells were treated with Ca2+ concentrations above 10-5 M, and no change was recognized after a 10-6 M treatment or in presence of the inhibitors. Both Ca2+ and the inhibitors did however affect D1 accumulation, with the inhibitors reducing the increase that was recognized after a 10-6 M Ca2+ treatment. While this study adds to our understanding of Ca2+ acting as a secondary messenger in the red-light signaling pathway, and presents some interesting implications on future work in red-light signaling and D1 synthesis in C. reinhardtii, more research however is needed to dissect the pathway fully.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Ott, Christopher Michael
- Description:
- Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a crucial protein involved with cholesterol homeostasis and is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Apomine and simvastatin are potent cholesterol-reducing compounds that mediates their actions through inhibition of HMGCoA-reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. We hypothesize that these two compounds increase apoE secretion from human HepG2 liver hepatocyte cells to capture cholesterol from extracellular sources to compensate for their sterol-deprived state. Treatment of HepG2 liver hepatocyte cells with apomine in serum-free medium leads to a significant increase in secreted apoE that is suppressed in the presence of LDL cholesterol added to the culture medium. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that Apomine and simvastatin increase expression of apoE along with the lipid membrane receptors: LDLR and ApoER2. These results indicate that the presence of cholesterol in the growth medium suppresses the cell’s drive to search for cholesterol through increased apoE secretion. Moreover, the results suggest that increase in apoE expression by apomine and simvastatin is dependent upon SREBP2, responsible for cellular cholesterol regulation. This novel regulation of apoE expression by apomine is relevant to the fields of Alzheimer’s disease and other cholesterol homeostasis related processes.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Trexler, Jeena
- Description:
- The first half of the 20th century marked a period of rapid growth in Los Angeles. Across the United States professional city planners attempted to transform major cities. Los Angeles experimented with several plans but many women came to the city armed with their own plans and civic imaginations. By examining the gendered nature of city planning and the way that it collided with the new woman of the 20th century, we are able to understand the various ways that women pursued power through civic participation. Aline Barnsdall, oil heiress and patron of the arts, commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Southern California design for her home, Hollyhock House. Barnsdall’s tumultuous relationship with Wright and her conflict with city leaders like Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times, reveal the limits of women’s power in a conservative environment. Christine Sterling utilized traditional methods of female power as she worked as a historical housekeeper in her preservation of Olvera Street. By courting powerful leaders and utilizing booster images of Los Angeles’s mythic, Spanish Fantasy past, Sterling gained power and transformed the landscape of downtown. Alice Constance Austin worked as an architect for the socialist community of Llano del Rio. The independent, experimental nature of the communal project allowed Austin the freedom to design a city from scratch and to express her feminist beliefs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of History
- Creator:
- Nakagawa, Futoshi
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of students who were nearing completion of the noncredit ESL class sequence offered at their institutions and to examine how and if their experiences influenced their decision-making process regarding their goals for the future. This exploratory qualitative study used tenets of constructivist grounded theory in the data analysis process. The effect on family weighs heavily on the decision-making process was the overarching theme found in this study. In addition, the four themes that interacted with this overarching theme were: (a) enrollment in classes stems from situations participants face that require improved language skills in the target language; (b) a family element exists within decisions surrounding employment; (c) family obligations supersede the decision to enroll in classes: class schedules are a key factor; (d) participants recalibrate their educational and life aspirations through classroom experiences. This study offers insights for educational leaders by examining the similar undercurrents that exist among adult learners and their decision-making process. This information can help inform new ways in which classrooms provide an environment that not only delivers language instruction but also offers support for challenges and circumstances that adult learners encounter in their day-to-day lives.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Martinez, Laura V.
- Description:
- This thesis explored the identity management and identity negotiation processes in interfaith marital communication. Sixteen marital partners participated in this study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, interpreted, and analyzed. Guided by Identity Management Theory and Identity Negotiation Theory, the thematic analysis results highlight the development of the interfaith relational identity through the co-creation of a superordinate spiritual and value system, an implementation of relational boundaries to prioritize the relational identity, and the identification of key milestone decisions (i.e., wedding plans and children socialization coordination) interfaith partners face. Three dialectical tensions along the trajectory of turbulent developmental events were uncovered: Negotiating the Uncertainty-Familiarity Dialectic: Birth and Coming of Age Religious Rituals, Negotiating the Identity Differentiation-Relational Connection Dialectic: Holiday Religious Rituals, and Negotiating the Openness-Closedness Boundary Dialectic: Death Rituals and End of Life Arrangements. In addition, seven communication strategies associated with the dialectics were identified: accommodation, ambiguity, evasion tactics, parallel integrative strategy, creative compromise, temporary acquiescence, and dodging postponement. A retrospective assessment of interfaith marriage revealed three mixed emotions operating within the relationship: Affective Resignation-Wistfulness Emotion, Pride-Remorse Hybrid Emotion, and Upholding Relational Vision-Valuing Identity Distinctiveness Emotion.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Communications
- Creator:
- Willison, Sabrina Catherine
- Description:
- The purpose of this content analysis is to examine representations and use of racialized and coded language in print media sources between August 9, 2014 and December 6, 2014 about the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The analysis includes coverage of specific time periods during those months of Al Jazeera America, the New York Post, The New York Times, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. After a white police officer shoots a black teenager, the media creates and responds to opposing narratives regarding race, justice, and the role of police in poor communities. This project illustrates how the media frames and shapes narratives and how the use of specific language shapes those narratives. The findings highlight three themes that appear throughout the news sources: the consensus and exacerbation of political discord, the media’s racialization of the military style law enforcement, and the social construction of race through discourse.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Sociology
- Creator:
- Godbole, Gargi Kiran
- Description:
- This study explored the effects of interviewers’ emotions in a mock interrogation context. Prior research reveals that emotional states can either hinder or improve information processing and decision-making. For example, studies show that a sad, but not a happy, state leads to better lie detection accuracy (Ask & Granhag, 2007; Semmler & Brewer, 2002). Other research shows that a sad, but not an angry, state leads to careful processing of criminal scenarios (Tiedens & Linton, 2001). Emotion models suggest that happy and angry moods induce perceivers to a shallow-based, heuristics processing style, whereas sad moods lead to a deep, systematic-based processing style. Thus, it can be predicted that sad moods will have a more focused approach in interrogating suspects, while angry and happy emotions will lead to having a more dispersed choosing style. In this study, we examined angry, happy, sad, and neutral emotional states on mock interrogators’ decisions about the use of high- versus low-coercive interrogation tactics. Participant read a crime scenario where they imagined being an interrogator. Next, they were told to visualize and write an autobiographical event to induce one of the four emotional states – angry, happy, sad, or neutral. They then rated two broad categories of tactics – lowpressure tactics (e.g., “reduce fears”) and high-pressure tactics (e.g., “identify and exaggerate fears”) – on the extent to which they would use them to interview the suspect in the scenario. It was hypothesized that sad, but not angry or happy, participants would select less coercive tactics to interview the potential suspect. The results did not confirm the main hypothesis; although emotions were induced, they did not have an effect on selecting tactics. All participants across emotion conditions significantly selected the low-pressure tactics as a way to interrogate the potential suspect. One reason this may have happened is that the choice of low-pressure tactics could have been seen a more socially desirable response for the college student participants in this study. The limitations in this study and future research will be discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Mccaffrey, Sean
- Description:
- Low back pathologies are some of the most prevalent in western society. Two factors that have shown to influence low back pain are sitting and lifting; however, little research has identified how sitting effects muscle activation during these tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged sitting on muscle activation and muscle involvement of the biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), erector spinae (ES) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles during a lifting task. Twenty-one recreationally active males (24 ± 2 years, 1.80 ± 0.06 m, 81.0 ± 12.50 kg, 25.16 ± 3.34 kg/m2 ) completed 5 lifts with a 22.68 kg crate before and after two hours of sitting. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activation during the concentric and eccentric phases of the lifts. Muscle activation ratios were calculated for each muscle during the lift. No significant differences were found in muscle activation ratios (p > 0.05) post sitting. There were no significant differences in RMS EMG for the GM, ES, and RF (p > 0.05) muscles; however, the BF muscle decreased 17% (p = 0.046) during the eccentric phase of the lift. Prolonged sitting significantly decreases muscle activation of the BF muscle. Therefore, altered pathologies could be expected in populations that sit for two hours or more.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Kinesiology
- Creator:
- Patil, Hrishikesh
- Description:
- MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical systems) gyroscopes are widely used as an inertial measurement unit in different industrial applications. MEMS are the device that combines mechanical and electrical components on a small silicon wafer with components sized in the range of a micro meter. Amongst all the gyroscopes available, vibratory gyroscopes are most simple in construction and are widely used. In vibratory rate gyroscope, sensitivity is achieved by reducing frequency mismatch and this is mostly done by selecting the common beam topology. However, due to the common beam, mechanical coupling effect is introduced, which might affect the overall stability of the device. Thus, this is a challenging part for a designer to achieve higher sensitivity, while maintaining stability. In this thesis a new 2-DOF vibratory rate gyroscope is proposed that has two independent axis of vibration with a mechanical coupling measure. Design includes selection of structural parameter, as well as driving and sensing topology. The structural design parameters of drive and sense beams are carefully selected so as to achieve maximum sensitivity, while reducing the overall coupling between the drive and sense mechanism. The design showed improved decoupling and sensing sensitivity. From the simulation, the displacement sensitivity is in the range of 3nm/(°/sec) and capacitance change is in the range of femto Farad. Furthermore, the angular rate table and capacitance results are provided in this paper to verify device performance.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Creator:
- Esquibel, Marissa S.
- Description:
- This study explores the relationship between negative religious coping (NRC) and symptoms of depression and anxiety in Arab American adolescents, an under-researched topic in an under-researched population. The data were provided by a previous study that investigated socio-cultural adversities, cultural resources, and psychological distress in Arab American adolescents (Ahmed, Kia-Keating, & Tsai, 2011). In general, research has demonstrated NRC is associated with poor mental health outcomes in samples varying in age, race, gender, religion, and so on. However, research investigating NRC in Arab American adolescents is nonexistent. The current study includes four hypotheses. First, it was hypothesized that NRC would have a positive relationship with depression. Second, it was hypothesized that NRC would have a positive association with anxiety. Third, it was hypothesized that female participants would have a stronger relationship between NRC and depression and anxiety. Fourth, it was hypothesized that second generation participants would have a stronger relationship between NRC and depression and anxiety. The sample consisted of a predominately Muslim Arab American population of 240 adolescents. The results demonstrated that NRC was positively associated with anxiety and second generation participants had a stronger relation between NRC and depression and anxiety. Understanding the relationship between NRC and mental health in Arab American adolescents can inform counselors and help provide better psychological treatment for this vulnerable population.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Wieber, Emily Nguyen
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was 1) to measure fruit yield of navel orange trees and the plants’ physiological responses to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and 2) to determine if plant-based measures, including stem water potentials (stem), sap flow (SF), and daily trunk diameter fluctuations (TDF) could be easily used to indicate citrus water need using minimal instruments. The study was conducted in 2014/15 at the Citrus Experiment Station at the University of California, Riverside, and consisted of one control and three deficit irrigation treatments. Control trees were irrigated to replace 100% of water lost due to crop evapotranspiration (ETc). During the early fruit growth period (mid-May to mid-July), RDI1 and RDI3 trees were subjected to 25% of ETc. During fruit maturity period (mid-October to mid-December), RDI2 and RDI3 trees were subjected to 75% of ETc. At all other times, irrigation was 100% of ETc. All RDI treatments resulted in lower yield and higher percentage of small oranges than the control, but the yield effects were only significant for RDI1 and the size effect only for RDI1 and RDI3. Total water savings were 19% for RDI1, 2% for RDI2, and 21% for RDI3. Considering the benefits of water savings and the potential loss/gain in gross revenues, RDI3 and RDI2 were better irrigation strategies than RDI1. Of the plant-based parameters, the labor-intensive discontinuous stem had the highest signal intensity for water stress, while the continuous measurements using plant sensors failed to detect water stress consistently.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Wynants, Shelli A.
- Description:
- In higher education, the population of students with disabilities has more than tripled in the last three decades; however, they continue to have low rates of persistence, retention, and degree completion (National Council of Disability, 2003; Wagner, Newman, Cameto, Levine, & Garza, 2006). Faculty play a critical role in the success of students with disabilities but many lack an understanding of these students’ needs and of inclusive instructional strategies to enhance their success (Burgstahler & Moore, 2009). The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the impact of an online disability awareness program on college faculty’s knowledge, attitudes, and application. The four research questions that guided the study investigated (a) the differences in participants’ knowledge of and attitudes toward students with disabilities prior to and after completion of the online program; (b) how participants’ pretest and posttest knowledge and attitudes toward students with disabilities differ by faculty demographics; (c) how faculty describe their experience in the program, including their intentions to incorporate their learning into their teaching practices and interactions with students; and (d) how the themes that emerge from the qualitative data can provide a deeper understanding of the quantitative knowledge and attitude impact of the program on faculty. The study followed a sequential, transformative mixed methods design consisting of three phases. In the first phase, 38 faculty members completed a survey measuring attitudes toward and knowledge of students with disabilities, both before and after completing an online disability awareness program. Quantitative results indicated both attitudes and knowledge significantly improved from pretest to posttest. In the second qualitative phase, 10 faculty participants were interviewed. Analysis of the qualitative findings led to the identification of three themes in regard to the impact of the program on faculty pedagogy and two themes related to practical issues of online professional development. The third meta-analysis phase of the study found four convergences supporting the overall positive impact of the program and two divergences related to faculty demographic characteristics. Interpretations of these findings along with their implications for policy, theory, practice, and future research are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Lwali, Racha
- Description:
- The electronics industry has remarkably evolved. The new technology of power film resistors has helped shrink equipment size and minimize cost. The manufacturing parameters that affect power resistors’ key capabilities are the temperature coefficient of resistant, long-term stability, and humidity resistance. Since voids are widely associated with reliability and performance issues, this project focuses on refining power film resistor manufacturing process in order to minimize the voids that occur within the solder joints during the soldering process. In order to do so, vacuum hot plate soldering is investigated as an alternate manufacturing technique. The present study is intended to demonstrate that the vacuum hot plate soldering method is a strong candidate for manufacturing power film resistors. For this purpose, the research presented below will seek to illustrate how the performance, the long-term reliability, and the manufacturing of the resistors can be improved, with this new process. This study will show how using the vacuum hot plate method reduces voids in the solder joints of the power film resistors. Also, it will show how resistors produced with the vacuum hot plate method have a stable temperature coefficient of resistance and preform well during load life and humidity testing. These results will compared to other soldering methods as well as competitor parts.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Kloess, Peter Alfred
- Description:
- California has experienced significant climate change from the onset of the Miocene (~23Ma) to the present. The impact of past climate change is often recorded in the fossil record, and can be revealed by studying how ecological communities change through time. Fossil seabirds are the ideal taxon for studying faunal responses to environmental changes because they are numerous in collections, easily identified from fragmentary remains, and since modern seabirds respond quickly to immediate changes in their environments, we expect the fossil record of seabirds to faithfully represent past environments. The first study to look at fossil seabird diversity through the Tertiary of the North Pacific relied entirely on literature records to describe the appearance and disappearance of seabird species and correlated these patterns to geologic and climatic events. My thesis utilizes an empirical, specimen-based approach to accurately describe the seabird response to climate and tectonic change during ~12 million years of coastal California’s geologic history (middle Miocene to early Pliocene). The foundation of my dataset is a previously unstudied collection of 305 bird specimens from the John D. Cooper Center for Archaeology and Paleontology, representing a relatively complete sequence of strata (Topanga Group, Monterey Formation-equivalent, and Capistrano Formation). Representing the middle Miocene to early Pliocene of Orange County, these strata form the basis for delineating chronostratigraphic bins used for studying the diversity of the fossil seabird community of California. Comparison of this new collection with 378 seabird specimens from three other institutions across California provides a more complete and detailed view of the seabird community during this period. Diversity, taxonomic richness, and relative abundance were examined using quantitative statistical methods to understand the change in seabird populations over time and depth of deposition. Using these statistical techniques, my data show a clear increase of panalcid abundance and decline of sulid abundance that is coincident with global climatic and tectonic changes as well as enhanced nutrient upwelling. Upwelling through this time also accounts for morphological changes in salmon and speciation in marine mammals. In the future, the specimen-based methodology used here can be applied to contemporaneous taxa, such as marine mammals, to quantitatively analyze diversity and relative abundance during the late Neogene and further explore the relationship between physical drivers and faunal change.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Geological Sciences
- Creator:
- Quinn, Taylor A.
- Description:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition most prevalent in women, particularly over the age of 50. Chronic conditions, including pain, affect more than half of adults over 65. Such conditions can contribute to functional limitations that lead to disability, illness, and death. Currently, the U.S. faces a national healthcare crisis that can be attributed to the deteriorating cognitive and physical health of older adults. Exploring ways to promote healthy behaviors that may prevent or delay such conditions should be of paramount importance. Past literature exploring the benefits of positive mood has linked elevated positive affect (PA) with improved memory, physical recovery, and habitual activity engagement. The focus of this study was to identify potential benefits of heightened levels of PA on various domains of cognition, physical performance, and perceived cognitive and physical health. A total of 94 individuals 50+ years of age with and without FM participated in the current investigation. A series of objective and subjective cognitive and physical assessments were administered. Results from the study indicate associated benefits of heightened PA for FM and non-FM individuals. For FM individuals, higher PA was associated with fewer reported problems with concentration and improved working memory performance. For non-FM individuals, higher PA was associated with fewer functional limitations, superior lower extremity strength, and fewer reported troubles with memory and concentration.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Walker, Amanda
- Description:
- This study examines the relationship between previous work experience and alcohol use after retirement. Stress-coping theory and role theory suggest that major life transitions can contribute to changes in alcohol consumption, but most investigations into this relationship have been limited to younger and middle-aged adults. Retirement is one of the most significant life changes, but research is mixed on the impact of retirement on alcohol use. Using data from the first two waves of the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) and National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), this study examines the prior work experience and subsequent drinking changes in middle-aged and older retirees. Overall, participants maintained their usual levels of drinking after retirement and results suggest that work-related variables, such as work pride, coworker support, supervisor support, skill discretion, decision authority, and workplace demands were not significant predictors of changes in alcohol consumption in retirement. Despite the expectation that people who were working longer hours and experiencing more workrelated stress during employment would be more likely to drink post-retirement, results did not uphold these hypotheses. Findings suggest that work-related factors do not influence drinking status changes following retirement, but additional research is needed to fully understand the possible differences between cohorts as well as to explore other important contributing variables.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Sanchez, Melany
- Description:
- This study explores the experiences of single Mexican American women who have chosen to remain single. I explore the question: How do Mexican American women understand singlehood and how has their experience of taking on a nonnormative gender role impacted their lives? The intent of this study is to explore longterm voluntary singlehood among Mexican American women who have chosen to go against, not only societal expectations, but also their cultural and familial norms and values. Exploring single Mexican American women’s experiences offers insight on how women often successfully go against cultural norms to create new norms that change our generational traditions. I conducted ten in-depth interviews with Mexican American, heterosexual-identified women who claimed a connection to Mexican culture. My sample of women, were between the ages of 35 years to 50 years of age and were currently not in a committed relationship, nor looking for one. The findings from this research underline the importance of achieving a transformative identity that challenges dominant gender roles. It allows transformative women’s identities to reveal themselves and to constitute a new structure of gender relations.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Sociology
- Creator:
- Daniels, Christina L.
- Description:
- Atmospheric aerosol particles impact global climate indirectly by forming clouds that interact with solar radiation. The aerosol interaction with water is dependent on the particle composition and composition can change via reactions in the atmosphere. Dicarboxylic acids are a prevalent organic component of aerosol in our atmosphere and have the ability to readily react with both light and hydroxyl radicals. In this study, aqueous solutions of succinic acid (SA), a C4 dicarboxylic acid, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were photolyzed resulting in the formation of hydroxyl radicals that in turn react with the succinic acid. Solutions of various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to succinic acid (H2O2:SA) were measured from 0 to 120 min to study the change in particle composition and resulting hygroscopic growth (i.e., water uptake) of the products. The product composition was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with either a flame ionization detector or mass spectrometry for concentration and composition information, respectively. Reaction products with carbon chains greater than succinic acid were formed at small H2O2:SA ratios (< 2:1 H2O2:SA) when C-C bond scission dominates over H abstraction while oxidation of succinic acid to smaller reaction products dominates at larger H2O2:SA ratios (> 5:1 H2O2:SA). The hygroscopic growth behavior of the reaction product mixtures was measured using a humidified tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA). There was no change in hygroscopic growth when photolyzed from 15 to 120 minutes for a 1:1 H2O2:SA solution although the relative ratio of reaction products varies. There was an increase in hygroscopic growth (> 20%) with increased peroxide concentration when photolyzed for 30 minutes given the formation of much smaller, highly hygroscopic compounds for H2O2:SA ≥ 5:1. Growth factor data can be accurately represented using the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) mixing rule when the majority of product mass balance is known through 1) identification of the majority of reaction products or 2) products are lost to the gas phase. These results indicate that aqueous oxidation of succinic acid could dramatically affect how succinic acid forms clouds and, in turn, affects climate.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Creator:
- Pasquarella, Fred Joseph
- Description:
- The Fullerton Ontological Confusion (FOC) scale was constructed to address the issues of inconsistent theory and inadequate measurement regarding paranormal, superstitious, magical, and supernatural (PSMS) beliefs. For the FOC scale, PSMS beliefs were defined as confusions of ontology, or the misattribution of core knowledge belief categories. The FOC was empirically evaluated under an Item Response Theory framework using the nominal response model (NRM) to estimate item parameters and the Wald test to evaluate within-item category variation. Using the NRM and the Wald test, the FOC scale items were revised to yield a measure that was optimally formatted and informative. Correlational analysis was used to validate the FOC scale by testing the hypothesized relationships to theoretically related and unrelated constructs. The FOC scale was found to have a good degree of validity with most of the testable validation hypotheses being supported. Compared to the available existing measures, the FOC scale could be used as a more pure and informative measure for PSMS beliefs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
96. Scavengers of Human Sorrow: The Lives and Crimes of Gilles De Rais and Elizabeth Bathory, 1405-1614
- Creator:
- Mccoy, Damian
- Description:
- That members of the nobility in pre-modern Europe were occasionally cruel is no secret. However, the French marshal Gilles de Rais (d. 1440) and the Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory (d. 1614) represent something more than nobles behaving badly. They are two of the earliest documented “serial killers,” but despite of what is known about them, their motives have remained unclear. Using an interdisciplinary and comparative approach for analysis, Gilles de Rais and Elizabeth Bathory are revealed here as more complex than previously thought. Firstly, primary sources ranging from trial records to letters provide the necessary historical background. Secondly, modern scholarship supplies the psycho-criminological methods, helps contextualize pre-modern violence and society, and shows the impact of Gilles’ and Elizabeth’s and their victims’ social status, associations, and gender. Lastly, movies, television shows, and song lyrics show how Gilles and Elizabeth continue to be immortalized even centuries after their crimes. Gilles and Elizabeth killed because they were serial killers, but the social climate of their times effectively enabled them to do so.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of History
- Creator:
- Geddes, Amanda C.
- Description:
- Newcomers to America bring with them unique cultures, values, customs, and languages. Although accepted and welcomed, these newcomers are expected to assimilate into the American way of life, and learning English is part of that assimilation. The effects of this continued flow of newcomers to America on public education are broadly evident. With increasing numbers of newcomers comes the need to adjust laws and teacher expectations for instructing students in English. California Senate Bill 2042 (SB 2042) is one example of a shift in policy with a goal of better preparing teachers to instruct English Language Learners (ELLs). Passed in 1998, SB 2042 mandated the Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Certificate be embedded in the base credential. This resulted in teachers credentialed in1998 and later being trained in effective English language development (ELD) strategies prior to entering the classroom. This mixed methods dissertation investigates teachers’ perceptions of their preparation for teaching ELLs by comparing pre- and post-SB 2042 credentialed teachers’ perceptions of their adequacy in using effective ELD strategies for teaching ELLs. In the past, preservice teachers primarily received subject matter instruction and direct teaching in classroom management (McDonald et al., 2011). The focus on ELL support was lacking and, in some cases, absent completely. Because of the passage of SB 2042, instruction in the effective use of ELD strategies for teaching ELLs is increasingly promoted and mandated in teacher preparatory programs. In response to the growing ELL population, teacher preparatory programs continue offering ELD strategies in their coursework. Although some studies have addressed the infusion of ELD strategies in teacher preparatory programs, gaps still remain in the current literature pertaining to teacher perceptions of their own preparation for teaching ELLs. The problem this study addressed was the variation in training that teachers receive in effective ELD strategies for teaching ELLs.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Educational Leadership
- Creator:
- Fawaz, Allia A.
- Description:
- Evolutionary trees present hypotheses of the relationships among taxa. Some undergraduate biology students have trouble properly interpreting relationships on these trees; instead of using the most recent common ancestor (MRCA), many students use alternative strategies such as tip proximity, node counting, or morphological similarity to determine relationships. I designed questions to examine these alternative strategies and the use of the MRCA strategy to measure the most commonly, and the most consistently, used strategies by students in college introductory biology. I developed three highly reliable multiple-choice questionnaires, with each of the four possible answers for a question indicating the use of a different strategy (Cronbach’s α = 0.83; α = 0.89; α = 0.89). I administered the questionnaires to undergraduate students in their first core biology class after they received instruction on reading evolutionary trees (n = 197; n = 115; n = 97). Some students’ alternative strategy use was consistent. Students were much more likely to choose answers consistent with the tip proximity and node counting strategies than the morphological similarity strategy. The students looked at the expected areas for their chosen strategy when taking the questionnaire using eye-tracking equipment. Over 53% of the students missed at least one question on the questionnaires. The taxa and tree structure may have influenced the students’ use of the alternative strategies on the questionnaires. These questionnaires allow us to understand how students determine evolutionary relatedness among species and can help instructors of biology courses improve students’ understanding of evolutionary trees.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Morales, Thomas Alexander
- Description:
- University students evaluated actions in moral scenarios in which a decision had to be made about whether to kill one person to save the lives of a larger number of people. Each participant rated both how right and how wrong they felt this action would be (bivariate measurement), with non-zero ratings on both scales representing moral ambivalence. Participants also indicated whether they would personally perform the action by responding Yes, No, or Can’t Decide (indecision). Participants’ sensitivities to impending reward (rightness of saving lives) and punishment (wrongness of killing) were measured on scales corresponding to the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS). No correlations were found between BIS scores and ratings of wrong and BAS scores and ratings of right. Moderated logistic regression analysis of responses of Can’t Decide vs. Did Decide indicated no predictive value for high BIS scores but for several scenarios Can’t Decide was negatively correlated with the degree of separation between ratings of right and wrong. Additional correlational analysis showed that: (1) when a decision was made, the proportion of Yes responses was correlated with the group’s mean ratings of Right – Wrong; (2) the proportion of Can’t Decide responses was negatively correlated with the proportion of Yes responses among Decided subjects, implying that Can’t Decide was a substitute for committing to taking no action. Indecision in situations where doing nothing meant letting more people die was apparently an escape from taking moral responsibility for the consequences of inaction.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Psychology
- Creator:
- Vo, Holly H.
- Description:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common eye disease that could lead to irreversible vision loss but hard to be noticed by carriers in early stages. On the path of recognizing DR stages by multi-scale color uniform local binary pattern in retinopathy images, this work explores two main point. The first point is investigating the role of feature dimensionality reduction in the process of extracting discriminatory features for effective classification. The second point is exploring the discriminatory information carried in different color spaces for fundus images. Experiments are conducted on a large scale dataset of 35,126 training images and 53,576 testing images that have been taken by different devices with high variance in dimension, quality and luminance. The proposed multi-level feature dimensionality reduction (FDR) methodology is applied in three scopes in the feature hierarchy of the fusion of five color spaces: RGB, L*a*b*, HSI, I1I2I3, and rgb. The novel combination of the proposed multi-level FDR method and color fusion achieves 75.2% accuracy by one-to-one SVM classifier.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Fullerton
- Department:
- Department of Computer Science