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- Creator:
- Wells, Joseph David
- Description:
- The turbine-less jet engine, in its fourth iteration at California State University, Los Angeles, looks to improve the efficiency of jet propulsion. This iteration of the turbine-less jet engine focused on adding a combustor to the engine assembly to improve thrust performance. By testing various sized combustors with the turbine-less jet engine this gave insight on how they affect engine performance. It was found that while shorter combustors initially outperformed longer combustors, longer combustors are more fuel efficient in achieving thrust at higher fan power output. However, the turbine-less jet engine can still benefit from better designing and more extensive testing. Since the turbine-less jet engines performs best when the air flow from the ducted fan is not impeded, a better method of securing the combustor and fuel injector would greatly improve thrust performance. Still in its infancy, the turbine-less jet engine has the potential to revolutionize jet propulsion.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Ortiz, Daniel
- Description:
- Human families are complex systems. Disruptions such as the birth of a child with a developmental disability can take a toll on a family system. The way a family adapts to such change is primarily influenced by multiple factors: parenting styles, relationships within the family, and how the family reacts to anxiety and stressors. The effects that can occur to family members, primarily siblings, is the purpose of this paper. This study aims to see outcomes for siblings of a child with Down syndrome. A review of articles will be examined and three major themes are identified: family/parenting, sibling relationships, and perceived life satisfaction. Research on interventions to help siblings adjust to and cope with such change was examined.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Beron, Jessica Paige
- Description:
- My culminating project to complete my Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Television, Film, and Theater in Acting was playing the role of Lucy, in my independently, self-produced production of Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle. Mr. Marmalade is a dark comedy about four-year-old Lucy who is severely neglected by everyone in her life, including her own imaginary best friend, Mr. Marmalade. The play investigates the treatment of women from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood and examines the result of child abuse and sexual violence. This project allowed me to apply the acting training I have received in the Graduate Program at California State University over the past three years, and explore the experimental approaches to theater, and physical approaches to acting that resonated with me most from the program. In order to play the role of Lucy, I produced the play myself, in July of 2019, using my own home as the venue. As I producer, I played a key role in conceptualizing the play and creating the production’s concept.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Television, Film and Theatre
- Creator:
- Cruz, Felicia L.
- Description:
- This thesis project will assess the asset needs of the community of Boyle Heights. Community service providers in the East Los Angeles region participated in semi-structured interviews. The research question sought to identify: how do community based service providers address asset poverty in their community? What barriers do service providers encounter?
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Oh, Chang Hwan
- Description:
- The agricultural industry in California is heavily reliant on irrigation, and abundant water is a necessity for successful food production. Research shows that proximity to irrigation sources has an effect on farmland prices, proving that water availability impacts the agricultural economy. California produces eighty percent of the global almond supply, along with other producing countries such as Spain, Iran, Italy and Morocco. It accounts for almost one hundred percent of the domestic demand in the United States. The almond market may have a relation to the recent drought event, which would show a connection between precipitation and the health of the agricultural industry. Although many studies have analyzed relationships between weather conditions and food prices using different approaches in the past, the relationship between the current drought situation in California and its resulting impact on the state’s agricultural production has not been studied enough. By using correlation and stepwise regression analysis, this research aimed to understand whether almond prices are vulnerable to drought. It was found that almond production is higher during drought years due to more controlled water supply to the crop, and reduced disease risk. Greater almond production results in almond price decrease. While almond production relies heavily on irrigation, water rates do not affect almond prices. The thesis concludes that droughts bring about agricultural economic changes where increased amounts of water dedicated to agricultural irrigation lead to reduced almond prices.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Geosciences and Environment
- Creator:
- Morris, John Christopher
- Description:
- A novel design of an arc-discharge chamber for production of single-walled carbon nanotubes is presented. This includes all design parameters, the design process from testing to redesign to implementation. The design parameters include power supply control, atmosphere and pressure control, electrode linear motion control, and automation. To facilitate nanotube growth, experiments were conducted with a bimetallic catalyst of nickel and holmium in two ratios of 1:3:96 and 2:2:96 at% (Ho:Ni:C at%) with the 96 being graphite powder. Tests were conducted at 3 electrical current settings: 75, 90 and 105 amps. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the production of carbon nanotubes in all tests, substantiated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Preliminary experiments indicated that a catalyst ratio of 2:2:96 at 75 amps produced the highest rate of carbon sublimation and XRD analysis suggests the highest quantity of single-walled carbon nanotubes produced.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Xu, Houhou Kevin
- Description:
- Roundtable Life Academy started out as a one man’s dream to promote personal development through social entrepreneurship. Over the years the social service organization grew and became a sustainable non-profit by adopting the social enterprise model. In order to explore the context and encourage discussion about moral and ethical dilemmas associated with this organization, a teaching case study of Roundtable Life Academy’s social enterprise business model and retreat coaching has been written.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Business Administration
- Creator:
- Baker, Kadrina
- Description:
- The purpose of this project is to discuss the makeup of underserved communities, and particularly the development of youth living in underserved communities. This project reveals the many ills that plague underserved communities, and thus its affect on their youth. Conversely, there is some discourse on youth living in underserved communities that thrive and overcome challenges. This project also describes nonprofit organizations and their role especially in regard to social service. This project then reviews curriculum development and fidelity as utilized by nonprofits and other entities. Specifically, this project goes on to critique a curriculum fidelity study, and concludes with the introduction and presentation of a nonprofit organization aimed to serve in underserved communities.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Valenzuela, Adela
- Description:
- This research contributes to further examination of how digital film distribution has affected the business model practices of the contemporary Hollywood industry, with the attempt to explain the current value system of the business models of film distribution between major Hollywood produced films and independently produced films. This thesis argues that disruption to the traditional value system and distribution models has occurred and seeks to determine the benefits connected to a disruptive system, for either major Hollywood films or independent films. Film case studies are presented to underscore some ways in which the film industry has been redefined through the influence of digital film distribution and how this influence has transformed the film value chain model suggested by Jehoshua Eliashberg, Anita Elberse, and Mark Leenders. Although different, integrated and a disintegrated value system share the same quality; each can earn revenue in several segments in the value chain. Despite the number of windows not being a source of guaranteed revenue, it opens the possibility of exploitation of different commissions and profit shares, and the quicker one can access these various revenue paths, the earlier one can collect profit. The findings in this thesis are a glimpse of the film industry at this point in history and should always be under constant discussion and re-assessment.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Communication Studies
- Creator:
- Lizarde, Venessa Miriam
- Description:
- The purpose of this project is to explore the use of story boxes for school populations in which there are visually impaired children. Story boxes are boxes which accompany a story in which props and items related to a story are kept. The items in the box represent important characters and items in the text. As these students cannot see the pictures in the stories and gain information from them, a story box serves as a way to animate the text as it is read. The first objective of this project is to collect information and review literature on the topic of story boxes and needs of students with visual impairments during literary experiences. The second objective is to use information from the literature to develop instructions for creating story boxes. Additionally, four detailed lessons will be included as part of this project, they will integrate use of a story box in presenting a story.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Creator:
- Ilacas, Grenalynn Casel
- Description:
- Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have emerged as a promising platform for a variety of point-of-care (POC) applications especially in regions of limited resources owing to their reduced reagent consumption rate and short sampling-to-result time. μPADs are easily fabricated by patterning hydrophobic materials in hydrophilic paper. They are low cost, compatible with biological samples, easy to stack, store, transport, and wick aqueous fluids without the use of active pumping. Herein, three projects describing novel applications utilizing μPADs for their use in the study of materials and their applications are described. For the first project, chemotactic behavior on a μPAD using as a model enzyme-substrate system glucose oxidase (GOx) and glucose is detailed. Chemotaxis is the movement of materials, particularly biological species, in response to the influence of chemical stimulation. Here, for the first time, chemotactic behavior on a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to afford a distribution of products not obtainable under other (non-μPAD) experimental conditions using as a model enzyme-substrate system glucose oxidase (GOx) and glucose. The second project describes an application that involves enzyme stability by storage on μPAD chips as a dehydrated preparation for a POC glucose diagnostic device as well as miniaturization studies providing further device optimization. POC glucose diagnostic devices were stored under various temperature environments (-20 oC, 0 oC, and 20 oC) and results produced 3D surface plots of the enzyme stability relative to time and storage conditions. Accuracy of enzyme storage varied between the three temperature conditions, where calculated predictions of glucose detection was compared to a 7-day storage study with an accuracy range of percent errors from 0.89% - 15.76%. The project also describes the miniaturization of the POC diagnostic devices using model substrate-enzyme assays detecting glucose and acetylthiocholine iodide (ATC). Results showed an increase of standard deviation as the devices decreased in size, however linear trends correlating an increase of glucose with an increase of color intensity was still observed for all miniaturization studies. Finally, in the third project, a well-based microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to detect glucose via a colorimetric assay using the solid metal-organic framework (MOF) Fe-PCN-222, to encapsulate glucose oxidase (GOx) is described. The well-based platform consisted of laminate sheets and multiple layers of wax-printed chromatography paper. Solutions of KI and glucose placed into the well flowed through the device and reacted with the GOx-MOF species sandwiched between the paper layers realizing a yellow-brown color. The LFA platform consisted of chromatography paper between parafilm and polyvinyl acetate (PVA) layers. MOFs spotted on the paper subjected to solutions of KI and glucose yielded a brown color. The devices were then dried, scanned, and analyzed yielding a correlation between yellow intensity and glucose concentrations. The use of the non-porphryrinic iron-based MOF, MIL-53(Fe) which can be substituted for a heme-peroxidase or porphyrin ring in a solution-phase environment was also examined.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Creator:
- Cardenas Fragoso, Diana
- Description:
- Research has found that the amount of years a household owns their home is the most significant driver of the widening wealth gap amongst White and Black families in the United States (Shapiro, Meshede, & Osoro, 2013). The pronounced gap in homeownership rates between immigrant and native-born populations guides the interest of this project. This project adds to the existing body of literature regarding asset-building in immigrant, low-to-moderate income households. The specific question that this project seeks to answer is, what are some determinants that influence homeownership in the immigrant population? East Los Angeles was purposefully chosen as the study site based on the demographic characteristics of the community. The interviews held with the participants over the course of several months allowed for the exploration of details that may hinder or facilitate the home buying process. The themes of life-course transitions as motivators, immigration status, financial security, as well as neighborhood factors were formulated from the narratives.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Tenney, Whitney
- Description:
- The purpose of this project report is to outline my roles as producer, writer, and actor on the short film, <italic>Little Treasure</italic>, which was produced to fulfill the thesis requirements for the MFA in Television, Film and Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles. Additionally, this report documents each aspect of production, emphasizing my experience while writing and performing the lead role in the film. The first portion of the report focuses on creative development and research, influenced by my desire to create female characters that do not fit the mold of typical cinematic stereotypes. The documentation of the writing process outlines and connects the evolution of the central character's journey to my own evolution as a screenwriter. The final chapters focus on how training as a stage actor has both enhanced and hindered my ability to transfer these skills to the medium of film in this production.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Television, Film and Media Studies
- Creator:
- Gunther, Jessica Elise
- Description:
- Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The illness affects the health of thousands of Americans and can have a serious impact on the economy and the perception of the food service industry. The objective of this project was to develop an antimicrobial, biodegradable film that is effective in inhibiting the bacterial growth of Listeria innocua on ready-to-eat meat products. Nisin and cinnamaldehyde, two natural antimicrobial agents were incorporated into biodegradable chitosan-methylcellulose composite films to test the efficacy of inhibiting the growth of Listeria innocua in Ready to Eat (RTE) turkey bologna. The results from a 21-day shelf life study shows that the films containing nisin were most effective in controlling the bacterial growth.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Kinesiology and Nutritional Sciences
- Creator:
- Dahdouh, Froseen Tony
- Description:
- Thesis (M.S.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012, Committee members: Donald J Johnson, Katherine A Roberts, Joseph L Peterson, DNA analysis is a powerful tool used to connect criminals to crimes. The first step in obtaining sufficient qualities of DNA for downstream characterization and analysis is collection via varied sampling methods. The Microbial Vacuum system (M-Vac) is a wet sampling device that was tested against traditional sampling methods; swabbing and cutting. The DNA recovery from blood deposited on tile, denim, wood, and carpet by different sampling methods were compared. In the dilute sample study, swabbing surpassed the M-Vac in collecting higher average yields of total DNA on the tested ceramic tile substrate. The M-Vac gave greater average yields compared to traditional sampling methods on all the neat blood stained substrates especially it gave statistically significant results compared to the swab technique on denim and tile substrate collections. Overall, M-Vac is a promising novel sampling method that can be used for the collection of biological stains., and M-Vac, Validation, Wet sampling
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Creator:
- Macias, Marlene
- Description:
- Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that is part of the human microbiota of the skin and mucosal epithelial cells. Normally, this microbe poses no threat in a healthy person but can cause oral candidiasis and systemic infections in immunocompromised individual. Systemic candidiasis account for about 44.8% of healthcare associated infections in the ICU. With its recent increase in resistance, the mortality rate has risen to 71-79%% in the reported cases. Its pathogenicity is linked to its ability to transition between yeast and hyphae forms since the germ tube expresses secreted aspartyl proteinases that help in degrading the epithelial and endothelial cells. In recent years, C. albicans has gained resistance to the anti-fungal agents currently used to treat candidiasis and consequently, candidiasis is now the fourth leading cause of death among hospital acquired infections. Hence, the importance of developing new anti-fungal medications has risen in response to the increased resistance of C. albicans. An FDA approved drug named Pyrvinium Pamoate (Pyr) has been found to have antifungal activity in biofilm formation. In helminth infections and cancer studies, Pyr is known to activate Casein Kinase 1 (CK1) and has also been found to inhibit AKT/PKB resulting in GSK3 activation. Both mechanisms lead to Beta-catenin degradation which inhibition Wnt signaling, leading to decreased cell proliferation and differentiation. However, studies involving the inhibitory mechanisms of Pyr on C. albicans are limited. C. albicans does not have Wnt signaling, but it expresses homologous proteins to those found in the pathway. Hence, the purpose of this study was to gain insight on the mechanisms that Pyr utilizes to inhibit the cellular fitness of C. albicans. Based on the two modes of action, I hypothesized that Pyr activity towards C. albicans would result in the upregulation in the gene expression of either YCK2 or MCK1 which are homologs of CK1 and GSK3. To further analyze the inhibitory effects, I measured the cell growth over period of ten hours, observed any changes in growth rate, morphology and cell wall architecture, and analyzed the expression of morphological change and virulence related genes in the Pyr treated strain. The results showed that the cell growth rate of C. albicans was decreased in the presence of Pyr in a does dependent manner. By the tenth hour, t there was an 72% decrease in samples with 2.5 µg/mL of Pyr and an average 94% decrease in the 5.0 µg/mL sample. The yeast cells were not budding out normally and the cells were much smaller compared to the DMSO control samples at 2.5 µg/mL. Furthermore, the cells resulted in more clumping and at 5.0 µg/mL. In hyphae cells, the 2.5 µg/mL concentration severely affected the filamentous growth of the hyphal germ tube and completely inhibited hyphal transition at the 5.0 µg/mL. The calcofluor white (CFW) staining in yeast showed that chitin began to accumulate in both 2.5 µg/mL and 5.0 µg/mL. Similarly, the CFW stain in hyphae demonstrated that there was an immense abundance of chitin accumulation occurring throughout the cell both 2.5 µg/mL and 5.0 µg/mL. , in the sample containing 2.5 µg/mL while the 5.0 µg/mL showed little chitin deposition, suggesting that Pyr in negatively affecting the Hyphal cell wall, resulting in more chitin accumulation as a compensatory mechanism of action. The transcriptional analysis showed a significant dose dependent increase of YCK2 expression in both one hour and three hour yeast samples and at one hour in Hyphae form, indicating that YCK2 is being highly expressed in response to the environmental stressor and possibly suggesting that Pyr affects C. albicans by inducing YCK2 expression. The gene expression of both ALS3 and HWP1 was significantly decreased in hyphal inducing conditions with no gene expression occurring at all at concentration of 2.5 µg/mL and 5.0 µg/mL in the three hour samples. These two hyphae specific genes are crucial for morphogenesis and biofilm formation and the downregulation indicates that Pyr affects the cell wall by inhibiting the gene expression of ALS3 and HWP1, therefore, leading to inhibition in morphological transition and biofilm formation.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Loreto, Violeta
- Description:
- Thesis (M.S.W.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2013, Adolescence is an important stage in the shaping and development of an individual's adulthood. There are different factors in an adolescent's life that can have an impact on their mental health well being. This study examines the relationship between parent marital status, substance abuse, socioeconomic status, and adolescent mental health. This study uses data from adolescents, ages 12-17, sampled for the 2007 California Health Interview Survey. This study found that those adolescents who live in single parent households, from lower socio-economic status, and who reported smoking and drinking reported difficulty across the majority of the mental health indicators in this study. These findings are important for Social Work practice, and may assist administrators and policy makers in developing programs that provide support to adolescents., and Committee members: Valentine Villa, Anh-Luu Huynh-Hohnbaum, Dale Weaver
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Creator:
- Villalobos, Darleen Marie
- Description:
- Continuation high schools, and especially the teachers of continuation high schools, are vastly understudied. This narrative study examined the reasons why long-term continuation high school teachers choose to remain in a school that has a great number of stereotypes surrounding them and their students. Six continuation high school teachers took part in the study. Based on the teachers' stories, long-term continuation high school teachers remain because they enjoy the community-like setting, they have the autonomy to make professional teaching decisions, and they truly enjoying building strong relationships with students who have suffered academic failure.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Applied and Advanced Studies in Education
- Creator:
- Jimenez, Agustin Raul
- Description:
- Functional communication training (FCT) is widely used and successful intervention for treating problem behavior. However, the intervention may be limited when implemented in natural contexts (e.g., family home) due to high rates of communicative responding which compromise treatment integrity. To address some of the limitations of previous work we examined the effects of a FCT intervention and schedule thinning procedure implemented in clients' daily environments. Specifically, this study evaluated of the effectiveness of using natural stimuli versus artificial cues associated with the multiple schedule for thinning the schedule of reinforcement. Results demonstrated that both types of multiple schedules were effective at thinning schedules or reinforcement to clinically relevant levels. One participant demonstrated that artificial stimuli are more effective at thinning schedules of reinforcement while no discernible difference was generated with the second. Follow up phases demonstrated that results were upheld over brief periods of time (i.e., 3 weeks) without intervention.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Special Education and Counseling
- Creator:
- Mazur, Kenneth Eric
- Description:
- Committee members: Ross Levinson, Steve Wight, John Kennedy, Peter McAllister, This study concerns the challenges that a composer faces in the process of creating a commercial musical for live children's theater. To demonstrate and illustrate the range of issues and choices involved, <italic>Barnyard Idol,</italic> a seven song children's musical, was written. The songs for <italic>Barnyard Idol,</italic> were produced in a project studio and are predominantly rhythm section oriented compositions covering a wide range of styles. These tracks provide the examples and are the subject matter of this project. The accompanying report discusses and analyzes the compositions. It traces the decision making process involved in creating musical styles for the characters, the creation of lyrical content, musical arrangement challenges, commercial marketing considerations and the impact of casting on composition. The creation of quality children's programming in an era of thirty second sound bites is a serious challenge. This project hopes to address some of these challenges., children, composing, Mazur, musical, theater, and Thesis (M.M.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2011
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Creator:
- Guha Thakurta, Debasish
- Description:
- Recommendation systems since the conception of Big Data and Big Data Analytics have been a source of new and improved challenges for Computer and Data Scientists. The global change in trend to move away from a brick and mortar model and venture into the new and ever improving domain of computers and cloud based infrastructure is evident in practically every sphere of business. This shift in paradigm has brought forth new and interesting challenges to deep dive into the world of big data and the demand for a tool to support the infrastructure is at an all-time high. This paper is an attempt to create an enterprise resource planning tool that will be able to address a lot of those issues. The algorithms that are backing up the platform will be robust, accurate as well as flexible enough to incorporate other dimensions such as diversity and novelty of recommendations. The flexible system will be controlled through a modifiable parameter to toggle the system from being totally accurate to being completely diverse and novel. The algorithm will be of a hybrid model that combines multiple methodology to formulate the final set of recommendations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Computer Science
- Creator:
- Sandoval, Veronica
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of mental health, parental involvement, socioeconomic status, and school support on school attendance among adolescents ages 12-17. Data was obtained from 2,799 adolescents who participated in the 2011 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The independent variables utilized in this study were mental health, parental involvement, socioeconomic status, and school support. The dependent variable was school attendance. The results of the study indicate that school support, lower poverty levels, and lower educational attainment were predictors of low school attendance among adolescents. Future studies should investigate additional factors that affect school attendance among adolescents. Furthermore, social workers and those in the helping and education professions should pool resources in the expansion of programs that empower this population to change behavior patterns and maximize education opportunities.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Blanco, Erik
- Description:
- The longevity revolution has lead to more years of shared lives between older parents and adult children. However, having these extra years together can be offset by the stressful life transitions of widowhood, health declines, and increased level of disability experienced by older parents. These transitions can lower older parents’ psychological well-being. Although social support to/from adult children has the potential to buffer these effects, most older parents wish to remain independent, even in later life, making them reluctant to accept social support from their adult children. The purpose of this thesis is to examine whether the provision of social support by older parents to adult children, or the receipt of social support from adult children to older parents, influences two orthogonal dimensions of older parents’ psychological well-being: positive mood and negative mood. I hypothesize that the provision of social support by older parents to adult children will increase parents’ positive mood and decrease parents’ negative mood. On the other hand, I hypothesize that the receipt of social support by older parents from adult children will have a differential influence on parents’ positive and negative mood, depending on parental need: older parents in need will show an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect if they receive support from adult children, whereas the reverse will be found for older parents not in need. Statistically speaking, I expect that parental need will interact with receipt of social support in its effect on older parents’ psychological well-being. To test these hypotheses, secondary data on older adults (N =461) with adult children who participated in the 2004 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations were used. The results revealed partial support for my hypotheses. I found that the provision of social support by older parents to adult children significantly increased parents’ positive mood showing that, when it comes to positive mood, it is better to give than receive. The results for the receipt of social support were more complex. As predicted, I found a significant interaction between receipt of social support from adult children and parental need on older parents’ negative mood. More specifically, older parents who had a higher level of disability showed a decrease in negative mood when they received social support from their adult children; however, this effect did not hold for older parents who had a low level of disability. These results suggest that when it comes to older parents’ negative mood, it is better to receive than provide but only when parents are in need. The results are discussed in terms of Cooley’s (1902) Looking Glass-Self and Clark’s (1987) theory of sympathy.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Vallejo, Christina Ingrid
- Description:
- The goal of this project is to determine the overall health of three sampling sites in the San Gabriel Mountains that are commonly used by visitors as recreation areas. Eaton Canyon Sturtevant Falls and Hermit Falls are commonly used riparian hiking areas. Each of these sites has a pool that is a common recreation and meeting location for a number of daily visitors. The study was conducted in 2016, in the midst of the historic drought in Southern California. Low dry year flows impact water quality and concentrations of bacteria over the summer. Common water quality parameters of DO, pH, specific conductivity, turbidity and temperature were used to determine overall health of the streams during the summer season of 2016. These indices showed that lower flow lead to worse water quality as the summer progressed and pools began to dry. In addition, E. coli testing for bacteria load were taken at each site through the summer to indicate any risk to human health for those who have contact with the water. This assessment showed several exceedances of bacteria that can jeopardize human health. Dry season flow and bacteria load needs to be monitored in areas that are popular with visitors who can come into contact with the water.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Geosciences and Environment
- Creator:
- Burns, Deborah Louise
- Description:
- In the last three decades, tattooing in the United States has grown in popularity due to its integration into mainstream culture through mass media. Once considered a deviant practice, tattooing is now viewed by many as an acceptable form of art and expression. Although the members of the tattooing subculture may see the broadening acceptance of tattooing as positive, there are also some concerns about the potentially negative aspects that may accompany US "mainstreaming" or co-opting of tattooing as an acceptable practice. Concerned with the potential gendering effects on tattooing and media representation, this study examines the presentation of gender in current popular US tattooing magazines. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that popular tattoo magazines present gendered images, where in women are more likely to be presented with emphasis on physical appearance and titillation and men are more likely to be presented with more neutral tattoo-as-art emphasis. .
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Phillips, Lyndsay
- Description:
- This thesis is a preliminary study of the iconology and iconography of Textual Street Art. The naïveté of the textual expressions are apt proof of what Derrida has called mimetic perversion for they alter the very syntax, structure, and morphology of forms and adapt them to their messages. It is interesting that simple textual utterances would have so much signified content, especially in regard to what is often complex and opalescent imagery. In addition, this thesis is also a study of how Contemporary Street Art de-institutionalizes art by removing it from the frame of galleries and museums. It alters the urban visual landscape by creating a new parergon for human expressions wherein all the previous concepts of art as collectible and valuable are made moot.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Art
- Creator:
- Torres, Justan
- Description:
- Restorative justice has caught the attention of many seeking a more victim-centered alternative to the traditional justice system. Despite many findings that there are higher rates of victim satisfaction using restorative justice practices versus the traditional justice system, there are also findings showing notable dissatisfactory experiences of victims and even re-victimization. These findings are troubling given that restorative justice principles claim to above all prioritize the safety of the victim. This paper seeks to establish standards for conducting and evaluating a victim-centered restorative justice process. Literature reviewed seeks to answer the questions: What are restorative justice principles? What has caused victim dissatisfaction in restorative justice processes? What has provided victim satisfaction in restorative justice processes? Additionally, the paper then reviews a system of best practices for implementing and evaluating a victim-centered and sensitive restorative justice process. Lastly, the paper makes recommendations for continued research on developing situationally specific best practices for conducting restorative justice. Given that victims of crimes or harms are often in a highly vulnerable position that can lead to re-victimization, suggestions are made to continue efforts at prioritizing victim safety and satisfaction in restorative justice processes.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
228. Poetics of location
- Creator:
- Sonksen, Mike
- Description:
- The following essay and collection of poems are bound by a poetics of location. My interdisciplinary graduate studies in English and History have provided a theoretical framework to synthesize historical accounts and literary instantiations of place. The poems presented in my thesis reveal my priorities and interests: poetry of place, urban history, architecture, social justice and community arts. Mapping the immediate world in my daily life poetically is a central theme. These poems of location are situated in time and place with the intention to connect generations, correct history, celebrate place and impact the future.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Interdisciplinary Studies
229. Gamification in Physical Education: A Fun Way to Enhance Student Motivation and Physical Competence
- Creator:
- Luong, Anne
- Description:
- Gamifying contexts have been shown to present positive results by motivating individuals to continue specific activities while enhancing enjoyment and building competence. The potential to utilize game elements in places such as the physical education classroom can be a new reform for helping youth regulate their behavior in addition to fulfilling specific psychological needs. Game elements create experiences that can improve student motivation, therefore the aim of this project is to develop a handbook that applies gamification toward 4th and 5th grade audiences in hopes of enhancing enjoyment and physical competence within the physical education setting.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Kinesiology and Nutritional Sciences
- Creator:
- Mendoza, Yvonne
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to examine contributing factors to neglectful use of contraception among adolescents. Given that the period of adolescence is such a vulnerable phase, it is important to examine factors that contribute to the lack of contraception use. This study hypothesizes that adolescents with high levels of self-esteem will successfully use some form of contraception method. The study utilized perceived attractiveness and intelligence to measure levels of self-esteem. The dataset used was a quantitative design from public secondary data set Wave IV from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). This data set was a national school-based study of health related behaviors of adolescents and their outcomes in young adulthood. The results of the present study found that when exploring self esteem, high levels of perceived attractiveness, and intelligence were a contributor in determining the use of some form of contraception for female participants.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Rearick, Molly Katherine
- Description:
- This study examines the perceptions of six teens and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their family members regarding the meaning of Quality of Life (QOL) to those diagnosed with ASD. While some QOL research exists in this area, none take into account the perspectives of individuals diagnosed with ASD. This mixed methods study employed interviews, home visits, artifact reviews, and a QOL scale to explore the perceptions regarding QOL of teens and adults diagnosed with ASD and their family members. Qualitative findings supported six QOL domains (emotional well-being, employment, interpersonal relationships, physical well-being, self-determination, and services) and identified two new ASD-specific sub-themes (safety and communication). QOL scale findings from participating family members were examined but were inconclusive due to the expressive language delays of participants diagnosed with ASD which prevented them from accessing the language-based QOL scale. Recommendations include the development of a QOL scale that is accessible to individuals diagnosed with ASD who have expressive language delays and the need for service providers to interface with teens and adults diagnosed with ASD and their family members to determine how best to improve overall QOL for those diagnosed with ASD.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Applied and Advanced Studies in Education
- Creator:
- Bublitz, Shelby Gayle
- Description:
- While there is a universal understanding of the health complications associated with being overweight or obese, the knowledge that diets are not the solution may only be known to those who have had the direct experience that episodes of weight loss are often followed by weight regain. Even with this direct experience, it may be hard to ignore the allure of the dieting culture and the instant gratification afforded by fad diets. The purpose of this project is to elucidate the physiological and psychological consequences of weight loss followed by weight regain also known as weight cycling. The goals of this project are the following: 1) generate an understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved once an individual starts a diet which lead to weight regain 2) discuss how this weight regain and thus weight cycling is disadvantageous to our health and can lead to disease 3) discuss the psychological consequences that episodes of weight loss followed by weight gain engender, and 4) provide an alternative solution that will promote weight maintenance and health. The anticipated outcome of this project is the understanding that dieting will elicit rapid weight loss, and that weight loss maintenance will be the difficult but rewarding task.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Kinesiology and Nutritional Sciences
- Creator:
- Siddiqui, Omair Mohammad
- Description:
- Regenerative Braking is an alternative way of applying brakes to a vehicle. In regenerative braking, the electric motor is used for applying braking force to the vehicle instead of mechanical brake pads. Unlike in conventional mechanical braking, where the vehicle’s kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy and dissipated as heat during braking, in a regenerative braking system, part of the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy which recharges the batteries. To achieve this, a controller with the capability of regeneration needs to be placed in the circuit. To calculate the average regenerative braking power provided by the electric motor, the Go-Kart is driven downhill and the difference in potential energy at the top and bottom of the hill is equated with the average regenerative braking power. The efficiency of this process can be calculated by dividing the amount of power recharged into the battery by the total average regenerative braking power. A dynamometer is a device used to measure torque acting on a motor/generator. By analyzing the free body diagram of a generator, which is placed on a platform suspended by a spring scale while being driven by another motor, the torque acting on the generator can be found. This torque yields the input mechanical power. The efficiency of the generator can be calculated by dividing output electrical power by the input mechanical power.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- West, Jessica Anne
- Description:
- Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Social Work, Spirituality, Students, Within the last 25 years, there have been many studies investigating the predictors of burnout within the social work profession. There has been little attention, however, to burnout among social work students. The proposed study would examine the extent to which social work students' spirituality predicts compassion fatigue, which is a precursor to burnout. The study would involve a minimum sample of 500 students from Greater Los Angeles Social Work Graduate Programs. Based on previous literature, it is hypothesized that those who consider themselves more spiritual will be more susceptible to experience compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue would be measured using the Professional Quality of Life: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Version 5, which has been tested and validated. Spirituality would be measured using the Spirituality Support Scale; to determine its validity, a pretest was conducted using a sample of current social work students. The results of the pretest indicated that the scale required alterations to fit multiple interpretations and it was adjusted accordingly., Thesis (M.S.W.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012, and Committee members: Sofya Bagdasaryan, Pauline Agbayani, Dale Weaver
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Creator:
- Zapata, Katherine Paola
- Description:
- Domestic violence (DV) is a worldwide public health issue affecting millions of women today. Domestic violence is also known as intimate partner violence (IPV) since it has been found the abuse occurs from someone the victim knows or is in proximity to. Today, every 9 seconds a woman is battered in the United states and nearly 1 in 3 women experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Women face the greatest risk of assault when they attempt to leave or threaten to leave their abusive partner, or report the abuse to authorities. Women who remain in abusive relationships stay for various reason. Common factors found for the prolonged engagement in DV relationships among women include: cultural values, economic dependence, fear, normalization, and social support system. Intervention programs available to address this problem include: therapeutic, supportive and psychoeducational interventions. The effectiveness of each intervention depended on the readiness of the women available to participate in the intervention program. Nonetheless, Therapeutic, Supportive Services and Psychoeducational intervention programs are found effective in treating women in DV relationships.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Gamelin, Brandi L.
- Description:
- While natural variations in atmospheric total (column) water vapor are normal, recent changes may be representative of Earth's long-term climate change. Unnaturally large shifts in Arctic climate and concerns regarding sea ice retreat, melting tundra, glacial retreat, and reduced surface albedo associated with warming temperatures have directed research focus to the Arctic region. The buildup of greenhouse gasses, especially water vapor, is expected to fuel high latitude storms, shifts in extreme weather, and increase water runoff to the Arctic Ocean. This research utilizes Atmospheric Infrared Sounder's (AIRS) daily Level III version 5 total water vapor data from September 2002 to December 2011. All original 1.0° lat by 1.0° lon grid points between 60°N to 80°N lat and 0° to 360° lon are selected to represent the pan Arctic land region. To minimize missing values, the data is processed into 5° by 10° grids with centered averages and a Principal Component Analysis is applied to the data set to determine spatial and temporal variations. Correlation analysis is utilized to reveal relationships between water vapor variations and influential northern hemisphere atmospheric teleconnection patterns. Stepwise regression analysis is applied to each Principle Component with multiple teleconnection pattern influences to determine the amount of variance explained by each pattern. The first six resulting principal components describe 58% of Arctic water vapor variability and are found to be connected to several atmospheric teleconnection patterns. The strongest connections to the Arctic water vapor variations are the Arctic Oscillation (AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Scandinavia Pattern, all with negative relationships, whereas positive relationships are among the smaller, regional teleconnections. Understanding water vapor variation, and their connections to large scale circulation patterns, would shed light on the responses of atmospheric water vapor to a warming climate over high latitudes.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Geosciences and Environment
- Creator:
- Nam, Jiyeong
- Description:
- This project includes a total of nine songs, with recordings and scores. It can be thought of as having two separate parts, each with a distinct musical style. The first part is an original composition in a jazz/modern style, for which I wrote three piano trio songs and one piano solo track. For this first part I was inspired by the abstract paintings of Mikyong A. Osburn, who is based in the Los Angeles area. Each piece is an attempt to capture my reflections on a particular art piece by Osburn. In addition, I have included another original composition in the same genre, “When Autumn Comes.”For the second part I composed three original orchestral scores in a cinematic style using traditional Korean themes. Two of them are composed for a medium sized orchestra (including flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn 1 and 2, piano, violin 1 and 2, viola, and cello) while a second is composed as a quartet including flute, violin, cello, and piano.Finally, the third piece is my original scoring for a scene from the film “Nim’s Island,” composed for a chamber orchestra of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piano, and string quartet.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Music, Theatre and Dance
- Creator:
- Coe, Kathleen Patricia
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sitter hours, sitter expenses, and fall rates on three adult medical-surgical units in an acute care setting. Departmental-level data was collected from 2008 through 2011 on sitter hours, sitter expenses, number of falls, and falls with injury. Data were analyzed to determine if there were significant correlations and to compare with national benchmarks. The rate of falls was highest on the neurology inpatient unit, and the highest fall rate was in the 41 to 60 year age group. This age was lower than was indicated on the current fall risk assessment tool at the study facility. Number of sitter hours and sitter expenses were not significantly associated with number of falls, fall rates, and falls with injury. As a result of this study, specific recommendations were proposed to the facility related to improving safety and fall prevention measures.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Nursing
- Creator:
- Bodi, Aboubakar
- Description:
- Previous studies have suggested that the Monterey Formation has an impact on the water quality in the Malibu Creek Watershed. The results of this study demonstrate that phosphorous is higher in stream reaches flowing across Monterey/Modelo outcrops than in streams flowing across other strata in the Malibu Creek Watershed, but it is usually only 0.1 to 0.25 mg/L PO43 - higher, which is lower than was previously thought. Previous studies indicated that phosphorous in stream reaches traversing Monterey/Modelo was usually in the range of 0.3 to 0.7 mg/L PO43- (Las Virgenes MWD, 2010) but my results, in Arroyo Conejo and especially in Russell Creek indicate that phosphorous is much lower in concentration. This is an indication that Monterey Formation is not the only source of high level of phosphorus in streams, but it is also due to human activities.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Geosciences and Environment
- Creator:
- Black, Robert David
- Description:
- Curriculum, Disability, Higher Education, Instruction, Learning, Universal Design, There is an increasing number of students with disabilities entering into higher education, 10.8% from 7.2% over two decades. As this proportion increases, a more inclusive environment in higher education is needed, and universal design for learning (UDL) can serve as a solution. UDL is a framework of instruction that aims to be inclusive of as many different learning styles and types of learners, and helps to reduce barriers. The purposes of this study were to (1) learn about the perspectives of students with disabilities on teaching methods and strategies that are conducive to learning and compare them to students without disabilities, (2) learn current faculty teaching methods and determine if they are already incorporating UDL principles, and (3) evaluate faculty attitudes towards students with disabilities and accommodations used. The findings of this study revealed that there are still barriers to learning for students with disabilities. These include faculty attitudes, lack of training and familiarity of faculty and staff, and accommodations that may be ineffective or inappropriate. Students both with and without disabilities demonstrated a variety of learning styles, and rated UDL principles as useful in improving their learning. It was also found that more education and training of faculty and staff are needed to reduce barriers, incorporate principles of UDL, and provide a more inclusive educational environment., California State University, Los Angeles, 2012, and Committee members: Lois A Weinberg, Martin G Brodwin, Diane Haager, Anthony Ross, Anne Hafner
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Applied and Advanced Studies in Education
- Creator:
- Adams, Kirby
- Description:
- A small, turbine-less jet engine with inlet air compression was developed at the Aerodynamics Laboratory at California State University, Los Angeles. This is the fifth iteration of the turbine-less jet engine, incorporating an entirely new design featuring a centrifugal compressor. The new design brings the engine closer to traditional model- and laboratory-sized turbojet engines, but still features a turbine-less design that utilizes a small off-the-shelf brushless direct current electric motor to power the compressor. The complete engine assembly was designed and then modeled in a three-dimensional computer-aided design software package called SolidWorks. A fully functional test model was fabricated from this design. The engine is partially composed of 3D printed ABS thermoplastic material and partially composed of machined 304 stainless steel sheet metal. The engine burns propane, a cheap and readily available fuel, and has been experimentally tested to determine how the new design has improved engine performance as compared to previous iterations of the turbine-less jet engine. The experimental study objectives were to mitigate ease of assembly and combustion stability issues during steady state engine operation. The experimental study objectives were achieved, as verified by the holistic assembly that resulted from the lengthy design and fabrication process and an experimental testing regime that successfully proved the engine is capable of stable steady state operation.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Lee, Linda
- Description:
- The accountability movement has shifted its focus from measuring student outcomes, to measuring teacher effectiveness using value-added modeling. In 2011, a major urban newspaper conducted a value-added analysis of teachers' effectiveness at raising standardized test scores, and posted their findings on the Internet. This study spotlights teachers' reaction to the use of value-added, and their suggestions for other measures and ways of improving the teacher evaluation process. Findings showed that teachers believed that using value-added in teacher evaluations has a high potential of changing what is taught, how it is taught, and the profession itself. Instead, they desired an evaluation process that focused on giving them feedback to help them refine their practice, a formative rather than summative evaluation model; thus highlighting a disconnect between teachers and policymakers on the purpose of evaluation. In addition, the findings indicated a weak spot in the system of teacher evaluation, where the role of the administrator was pivotal as to whether or not teachers felt supported in the development of their teaching.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Applied and Advanced Studies in Education
- Creator:
- Cho, Youn Hee
- Description:
- This thesis documents the process of creating an original solo theatrical performance, Should I Tell You?. The script was developed from insight and investigation into the social issues surrounding Korean Comfort Women, young girls forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. Through an examination of testimonies of the victimized women, an historical background of the issue, and the application of the theories and techniques of Caryl Churchill and Bertolt Brecht, I wrote a script which provides insight into how theatre can be used to educate audiences regarding the social issues. Following Laurel Richardson's concept of "writing as a method of inquiry," I used the writing of paper as a tool for analyzing the themes of Churchill's plays and Brecht's epic theatre techniques, as well as a method for illustrating my own insight on the Korean Comfort Women controversy.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Television, Film and Theatre
- Creator:
- Gallegos, Stephanie Mickie
- Description:
- Homeless youth populations often face multiple barriers to employment and engage in unique high-risk illegal behaviors as a mean of survival. This proposed study aims to explore some factors that affect criminal justice system involvement among homeless youth ages 18-24. This research was a quantitative study utilizing secondary data from the YouthNet (2011-2013) study, a longitudinal study that included data from homeless youth who access services at drop-in centers in Hollywood and Santa Monica, California. The findings were obtained using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses on the data acquired from the study. The results of the data analyses indicated that school enrollment status, survival sex behaviors (exchange of sex in lifetime), and duration of homelessness were significant factors for criminal justice system involvement while homeless. This study highlights that longer durations of homelessness increase the chances of youth having criminal justice involvement. It also highlights the importance of school enrollment while homeless and the need for continued dialogue and research on significant factors that prolong homelessness for youth.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Kreisel, Rachel
- Description:
- In the wake of hegemonic urban renewal projects of the 1960s, Los Angeles recognized that the aggressive rebuilding of Bunker Hill did not translate to the civic center. By the end of the 1970s the city was at a loss as how to make the center viable again. The 1975 CRA Redevelopment Plan failed to attract private developers. By the end of the decade, artists began moving into the empty warehouses and manufacturing spaces downtown. City leaders came to recognize the art community as both a first stage in the redevelopment of the central and industrial districts and as a means to increase the city's cultural cache in its aspirations for a global presence. The city engaged with the art community in a discourse about the use of space, how it could be revalued, and finally how the artists' paradigm became the model for downtown renewal.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- History
- Creator:
- Vivar, Ana I.
- Description:
- The purpose of this research was to examine how extensively health status and chronic health problems impact psychological distress among Latino American adolescents. This was accomplished by completing secondary data analysis using the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2009 Adolescent public data file. While this database included information of over 3000 adolescents in California, a subset was created only including those who reported a Latino ethnicity. Within the evaluated population, both gender and self-rated health proved to be statistically significant factors for psychological distress. The presence of Asthma was also a statistically significant factor for psychological distress in Latino Adolescents. Diabetes, allergies and poverty did not have a significant impact on psychological distress. Given the findings of this research, the hope is that social workers will aim to bridge the gap between the medical and the psychiatric worlds, understanding that the mind and body work in a synergic manner., Thesis (M.S.W.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012, Adolescents, Asthma, Chronic Illnesses, Latino, Mental Health, Psychological Distress, and Committee members: Siyon Rhee, Joanne Altschuler, Dale Weaver
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Creator:
- Avalos, Carmen
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between general health condition, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, and depression among elderly adults. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012 dataset was utilized in order to conduct the secondary analysis of variables for this study. This study found that there is a significant relationship between general health condition, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and depression among the sample of elderly adult participants. The results from this study found that elderly participants who reported a poor general health condition (self-rated health) had higher levels of depression, and elderly adults who reported an excellent general health condition had lower levels of depression. A low socioeconomic status was correlated to higher levels of depression among elderly adults. This study also found that elderly minorities have higher levels of depression when compared to their counterparts. Female elderly adults were found to have higher levels of depression than males in this study. The results of this study serve to raise awareness and contribute knowledge of significant contributing factors correlated to depression among the elderly population.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Arutyunyan, Nelli
- Description:
- Impaired mental health among older adults, especially among Latino American older adults, is an important public health concern. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of demographic characteristics and acculturation levels with mental health among Latino American older adults. Data were extracted from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2013-12014. The results of the data analysis indicated that, within the evaluated population, low educational attainment, high poverty level, and not having U.S. citizenship proved to be statistically significant factors for impaired mental health among Latino American older adults. The findings indicate a need for social workers to develop and implement programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and competent, evidence-based practices designed to meet the need for Latino American older adults, especially for those with lower educational attainment and higher poverty level, and those without U.S. citizenship.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- DeBlois, Laura Elizabeth
- Description:
- Limited mobility in older adults can affect their physical and mental well-being and reduce their involvement in their neighborhoods and community. This research project examined mobility of older adults by asking two primary questions: (1) What are the factors that limit the mobility of older adults?; and (2) What interventions are effective in improving the mobility of older adults? Through a systematic literature review of 25 peer-reviewed articles, key factors associated with limited mobility were identified. Physical, cognitive, psychological, and environmental factors were found to result in an older adult’s inability to complete daily activities, increased risk of falling, difficulties in cognitive processing, decreased utilization of life space, and limited interaction with their neighborhoods and communities. A second systematic literature review of 20 articles examined the effectiveness of interventions that can be used to enhance the mobility of older adults. It can be determined that there is a breadth of interventions that affect the factors of limited mobility. The interventions discussed in this research project show the effectiveness of physical exercise, cognitive behavioral training programs, task oriented brain exercises, and transportation programs in improving the mobility of older adults. The findings of this research project will help professionals who work with older adults understand the complexity of mobility and the role mobility plays in aging. Continued research on mobility will promote healthy aging and enhance older adult’s quality of life. Keywords: limited mobility, older adults, physical exercise interventions, cognitive behavioral training interventions, brain exercise interventions, transportation programs
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Kedzierski, Nancy Alicia
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to optimize the parameters of IMCSzyme<sup>TM</sup>;-glucuronidase for opiate analysis at the Orange County Crime Laboratory. The enzyme was tested using a validated method and two variables were studied: amount of enzyme used and hydrolysis time. The second portion of this study tested the enzyme for its hydrolysis efficiency in various commonly analyzed toxicological matrices: antemortem blood, post mortem blood, urine, and liver. Results of the optimization study demonstrated that using 100 µL of the IMCSzyme<sup>TM</sup>;-glucuronidase with a 30 minute hydrolysis time provided sufficient results for analysis as well as proved to work better than the H. pomatia ;-glucuronidase currently used. The matrix study demonstrated that the IMCSzyme<sup>TM</sup>;-glucuronidase provided sufficient results in the analysis of antemortem blood, post mortem blood, and urine, and insufficient results in liver.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Los Angeles
- Department:
- Criminal Justice and Criminalistics