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- Creator:
- Yocom, Jaden
- Description:
- The catastrophe of climate change is one which continues to grow more and more burdensome for humanity on a global scale. It is also a highly unique sort of issue due to the incomprehensible nature of all of its causes and effects. In this paper, I explore one particular consequence of climate change for humanity which is known as environmental migration. Environmental migration can be understood as the forced mobilization of an individual or a group of individuals due to environmental factors (such as natural disasters or severe resource depletion) that result from climate change. Those victimized by environmental migration are typically referred to as environmental migrants or climate refugees. In this essay, I argue against using the Rawlsian theory of justice to address the needs of climate refugees by developing critiques regarding historical injustice and moral responsibility. I instead support the Lockean theory of natural rights for addressing these needs and advocate for environmental reparations as a consequence of rights violations. I appeal to Boxil’s analogous argument regarding reparations for rights violations done unto the Black community. I conclude that environmental migrants continue to have their fundamental rights violated and deserve reparations for these instances.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- Department of Philosophy
- Creator:
- Prajapati, Gaurav
- Description:
- Spermatogenesis pauses only at the penultimate stage, the spermatid. The pause ends when an external signal activates the spermatid into a spermatozoon. Activation involves two pathways: (i) the try-5 pathway, named because the trypsin-like protein TRY-5, in the seminal fluid activates spermatids during mating; and (ii) the spe-8 pathway, named because the SPE-8 group complex transduces the activation signal within the sperm after the cells receive an unknown activation signal. Mutations in the spe-8 group genes (spe-8, -12, -19, -27, -29, and -43) result in spermatids that cannot activate in unmated hermaphrodites. We focus on one target of the SPE-8 complex, SPE-6 a serine-threonine kinase protein. Here, we test the hypothesis that active SPE-6 maintains the spermatid stage, and loss of SPE-6 function results in activation. A suppressor screen from Samuel Ward’s laboratory with spe-27(it132ts) generated numerous suppressor mutations that restore partial fertility. The only gene to be hit multiple times in the screen was spe-6. Previously known null spe-6 mutations stall spermatogenesis at the transition from primary to secondary spermatocytes. In contrast, most spe-6 suppressor mutations cause premature spermatid activation. Five suspected alleles of spe-6 were examined through complementation crosses and sequencing; three of five were confirmed to be spe-6 alleles. The alleles uncovered: zq10, zq11, and zq18 are compared to known spe-6 alleles: hc166, hc187, hc188, and hc190 to get a broader view of spe-6. All alleles except zq11 were able to suppress the sterility of spe-29(it127). Additionally, mutant males had active sperm in their seminal vesicles, while wild type males never harbor active sperm. These suppressor mutations were located in various locations with respect to the 3D structure of the protein, and two others were intronic and altered a splice junction, likely reducing transcript availability. These results suggest that a reduction in SPE-6 can be brought about through loss of function point mutations or loss of transcripts, with the effect that sperm activate prematurely, bypassing the need for the spe-8 group pathway signaling. The unique allele zq11 is an allele specific suppressor of spe-27(it132ts): it does not suppress spe-27(it110) or spe-29(it127). Allele specific suppression vi provides genetic evidence that SPE-6 and SPE-27 proteins interact physically and suggests that SPE-6 is a target of SPE-8 group signaling. The two splicing mutations were replicated in spe-44 using CRISPR/Cas9 in an effort to induce conditional mutation in this important gene. However, neither mutation in spe-44 produced a phenotype.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Hang, Wendy
- Description:
- This project focused on stress management and K-8 teachers. It presented a handbook of strategies to help prevent and reduce teacher stress and burn out using peer reviewed research and best practices as discussed in Chapter Two of this manual.
- Resource Type:
- Graduate Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- Department of Education
- Creator:
- Chen, Michael
- Description:
- It is often of interest to stabilize and reorient the attitude of falling objects. The approach of interest in this study was the utilization of aerodynamic control surfaces. However, the parameters of such a system were not well-documented. Therefore, a physical vehicle was created in order to capture the behavior of this type of system. The vehicle was modeled, fabricated, and programmed for data collection. Launch and retrieval apparatuses were fabricated for safety. Freefall data was collected for various initial conditions. The data was then processed into a common reference frame. A method of calculating the full inertia tensor of an object was developed for proper modeling. The resulting experimental data was processed for analysis and a preliminary dynamic model was created.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Chen, Michael
- Description:
- It is often of interest to stabilize and reorient the attitude of falling objects. The approach of interest in this study was the utilization of aerodynamic control surfaces. However, the parameters of such a system were not well-documented. Therefore, a physical vehicle was created in order to capture the behavior of this type of system. The vehicle was modeled, fabricated, and programmed for data collection. Launch and retrieval apparatuses were fabricated for safety. Freefall data was collected for various initial conditions. The data was then processed into a common reference frame. A method of calculating the full inertia tensor of an object was developed for proper modeling. The resulting experimental data was processed for analysis and a preliminary dynamic model was created.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Madrigal, Alma
- Description:
- Understanding the molecular basis underlying the formation of bone-forming osteocytes and lipid-storing adipocytes will help provide insights into the cause of disorders originating in stem/progenitor cells and develop therapeutic treatments for bone- or adipose- related diseases. In this study, the role of RGS2 and RGS4, two members of the Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS) family, were investigated during adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). HMSCs are multipotent adult stem cells that normally reside in adipose tissue and bone marrow. They can be expanded and differentiated into mature adipocytes or osteocytes upon receiving the appropriate stimuli in vitro, making them an excellent cellular model for studying human adipogenesis and osteogenesis. Expression of RGS2 and RGS4 were found to be inversely regulated during adipogenesis induced by dexamethasone (DEX) and 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX), regardless of the presence of insulin, with RGS2 up-regulated and RGS4 down-regulated. RGS2 expression was also up-regulated during osteogenesis induced by Ascorbic Acid-2-phosphate, B-glycerophosphate and DEX, at a level similar to that induced by treatment of DEX alone, a shared component of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation inducing media, but significantly lower than the level induced by adipogenic inducing media. RGS4 expression was down-regulated during the first 48 hours of osteogenenesis but up-regulated afterwards, in both cases at levels similar to that induced by DEX alone. Expression knock-down using small interfering RNA against RGS2 resulted in decreased differentiation efficiency during both adipogenesis and osteogenesis. On the other hand, expression knock-down of RGS4 also resulted in decreased adipogenic differentiation but increased osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, my results demonstrate that RGS2 and RGS4 are differentially regulated during adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs, whose expression are regulated by both DEX and IBMX during adipogenesis but only by DEX during osteogenesis. In addition, both RGS2 and RGS4 play positive roles during adipogenesis, but opposing roles during osteogenesis, with RGS2 as a positive regulator and RGS4 as a negative regulator.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Patel, Kishan, Chahla, Basel, Banuelos, Jake, and Nipp, Andrew
- Description:
- The research experience conducted this summer is about collision avoidance system for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) using stereoscopic vision. It is one of the focus areas of UAS research at the Cal Poly Pomona's UAS Lab. Collision avoidance using stereoscopic vision involves the detection of potential objects that are in the flight path of an aircraft using two cameras or stereo camera, analyzing the trajectory and speed of the hazard, then executing a maneuver that will move the aircraft away from the threat. The algorithm requires the development of a disparity map, which utilizes two cameras to measure the field depth that provides the necessary information required, such as distance from the UAV to the object, and velocity of that object . Two Point Grey Chameleon 3 cameras are mounted on a "Twin-Engine" UAV while using an Intel NUC board for onboard processing. The Intel NUC communicates with the autopilot, Pixhawk, which transmits data to the ground control station via 3DR radios. The Intel NUC generates a disparity map using an algorithm that uses the OpenCV library to process the images into the map. The algorithm will generate the disparity map that will be provided to the collision avoidance algorithm, which will guide the airplane to the location within the map with the least dense area. If one or more of the detected objects are deemed as a collision threat, the avoidance phase is initiated. This calculates the safest path to travel based on the least pixel dense region of the disparity map. The image processing algorithm is designed to remove noise in the image data.
- Resource Type:
- Student Research
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Oggionni, Tiziana
- Description:
- This study reports an investigation of the business-to-business (B2B) relationship between Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and hotels. Whereas it is clear that, by promoting the destination, DMOs bring business to hotels, the focus of the study drawn towards the different services that DMOs provide to hotels to support them in their ordinary activities. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the study, and primary data were collected through two-phase semi-structured interviews with industry practitioners. A preliminary list of services was identified from the literature review and then integrated with the responses from the DMOs representatives interviewed. The protocol, improved by DMOs’ inputs, was then used in the second phase of the research to learn the hotels’ perspectives on the services received, as well as the areas that may need improvement. The following services were in particular analyzed: membership management, training and education, data and research, lead generation, publication, networking opportunities, and cost sharing for trade shows participation. While overall the relationship between DMOs and hotels appears healthy and satisfying, some discrepancies were found between the two perspectives, with the main differences pertaining to the priorities given to some services (e.g.: lead generation and data) or in the awareness of what is available (e.g.: educational programs). Theoretical implications and practical recommendations are provided to improve the value of the relationship between DMOs and hotel partners.
- Resource Type:
- Graduate Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- The Collins College of Hospitality Management
- Creator:
- Rogers, Desiree
- Description:
- During the aquatic nymphal stage, dragonflies possess a modified labium that functions as a high-speed raptorial appendage used in prey capture. During labial protraction, a preparatory phase of slow protraction is followed by the release of a latched knob-like structure in the elbow region of the labium, which results in a fast strike phase when the appendage rapidly accelerates. The strike phase appears to be elastically powered, where relatively slow muscle contraction before and during the preparatory phase stores energy in associated elastic elements, and this energy is recovered via rapid recoil of the elastic structures once the latch disengages to produce a ballistic high-speed movement. I hypothesized that the performance (e.g., velocity, acceleration, power) of the muscle powered preparatory phase should be thermally dependent, whereas the performance of the prospectively elastic strike phase should be thermally independent. To test this hypothesis, individual nymphs were recorded (two cameras at 1000 Hz) capturing prey (California blackworm) across a temperature range of 15–35°C. I found significant temperature effects on the duration, distance, and average velocity of labial protraction during the preparatory phase. This result was expected, given that the shortening velocity of ectotherm muscle is known to be temperature dependent. In contrast, all kinematic variables of the strike phase maintained peak performance across all temperatures. The previously documented energy storage and latch characteristics involved in this prey-capture mechanism, coupled with the high observed performance and thermal robustness presented in this study, provide strong evidence that dragonfly nymph labial protraction is an elastically powered movement like those observed in some other vertebrate and invertebrate systems.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- Department of Biological Sciences
- Creator:
- Bañuelos, Stephanie
- Description:
- The effects of sexual coercion on the person and their self-esteem are critical to research. This study is intended to increase the understanding of how culture may play a part in maintaining sexual scripts and how they in turn affect those who have been victimized. Understanding the impact of sexual violence on women is significant for recovery and coping as well as for prevention programs. Studies show that females who have reported rape express lower levels of self-esteem, however the studies in the literature have consisted of predominantly white women. Although the data is critical to collect it cannot be generalized to all women, especially women of color. Due to the lack of literature surrounding sexual coercion and the effect on ethnic minorities, the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of sexual coercion on the well being of Latina college students to understand the cultural implications of sexual assault. In this study 144 self-identified Latina female undergraduate students from the Cal Poly Pomona campus partook in a series of published questionnaires on an online system. An independent samples t-test showed there was a slight decrease in self-esteem levels from victims of sexual coercion to those that were not. Correlational analysis presented a couple of positive relationships among the prevalence of sexual violence victim groups.
- Resource Type:
- Student Research
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Department:
- Department of Psychology and Sociology