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- Creator:
- Juarez, James Gregory
- Description:
- Eugenics is a term sometimes casually thrown around in everyday discussions. It even appears in various forms of popular media such as television shows, movies, cartoons, novels, and even Japanese anime. Eugenics did not simply appear in human history as a coincidence. Its history is surprisingly engrained in the history of California itself. This master’s thesis has compiled a condensed history of eugenics to provide readers a solid understanding of the term. It then introduces readers to two significant historical figures as part of society’s amnesia about the existence and history of a eugenics movement: Charles Matthias Goethe and Paul Popenoe. This thesis utilizes various historical sources and artifacts of these two men to bring to life their actions within the twentieth-century eugenics movement. Goethe and Popenoe shared a singular worldview or they both wanted to use eugenics to solve the problems of twentieth-century society, such as: immigration; low IQ values; the population of low humans; opponents of eugenics; conflicted eugenicists of Catholic faith; eugenics organizations not agreeing; and a lack of sharing eugenics scholarship. However, Goethe and Popenoe had different ways of accomplishing their goals through the areas of: eugenics rhetoric; a California sterilization program; an intrinsic value of faith; analogizing low humans; collaboration among eugenics organizations; proliferating eugenics literature; and a global eugenics network. and Thesis (M.A., History)--California State University, Sacramento, 2018.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- History
- Creator:
- Koontz, Richard Anthony
- Description:
- Thesis (M.S., Mechanical Engineering)--California State University, Sacramento, 2018. and A generic remote control airplane is converted into an autonomous UAV. The aircraft’s dynamic behavior is represented in state space form, with a series of 1st order differential equations. Stability and control derivatives are estimated using software based on theory and empirical data. These estimates are checked using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A SolidWorks® model of the remote control plane is obtained with the assistance of a 3D scanner. This model is used to estimate mass properties of the airplane, and to export geometric data to ANSYS for CFD. A mathematical model of the aircraft is created in Matlab, and Simulink is used to design the autonomous UAV’s control systems. A control system for the inner loop or plant is designed using a linear quadratic regulator. A guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system is designed for the outer loop. The performance of the UAV is analyzed in Simulink and results are discussed. Recommendations for continuation of the project are made.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Viani, Alessandro
- Description:
- Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that is present in the Earth’s crust in small amounts, over time becoming exposed due to both natural and manmade processes. The arsenic exposed in the ground can be subject to weathering such as rainfall, allowing the arsenic to become mobilized. A manmade source of arsenic is wood that has been pressure treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a compound that protects the wood against insects and fungi. Over time, the wood can start to break down, allowing the arsenic to leach out into the surrounding soil. Once in the soil, plants can uptake the arsenic, which can lead to accumulation in the edible portions such as the leaves and berries, potentially harming humans and animals which consume them. In this study, the zeolite chabazite was used to sorb arsenic from the soil, reducing the amount available for uptake by the plant. Using radishes, with both non-modified and iron modified chabazite mixed in with the soil, the arsenic concentration in the radishes was reduced from 36.111±9.601 mg/kg in the leaves to 15.345±5.837 mg/kg and 14.116±2.403 mg/kg for the non-modified and the iron modified chabazite, respectively. It was also found that chabazite particle size had a significant effect on arsenic adsorption, further reducing the arsenic concentration in leaves from 15.345±5.837 to 7.713±0.569 mg/kg for the non-modified chabazite, and from 14.116±2.403 to 6.179±2.083 mg/kg in the iron modified chabazite with reduced particle size. Additionally, sawdust from CCA treated wood was incorporated into soil, as to model uptake of arsenic resulting from leaching. The data for the sawdust plantings suggests complex ion interactions between the chabazite and the CCA treated wood, which may make remediation of soils contaminated with CCA more difficult. Furthermore, the component ions of CCA, chromium, copper and arsenic leach from the wood at different rates. Chabazite may have different affinities for each of these ions, creating less adsorption capacity for arsenic, potentially leading to higher concentrations in the plants. In addition to the planting studies, leaching studies were performed, assessing the maximum amount of arsenic that the iron modified chabazite could adsorb from aqueous solution. The adsorption was modeled using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Using data from the isotherms, it was found that the adsorption of arsenic by iron modified chabazite does not follow the Langmuir model, but fits the Freundlich model well.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Chemistry
- Creator:
- Martin, Justin Thomas
- Description:
- The aim of the present study was to fit data to a structural equation model that includes conservatism, HIV-related stigma, and avoidance behavior. An exploratory factor analysis was performed, and a subsequent structural model was created with conservatism directly relating to avoidance and indirectly affecting avoidance through HIV-related stigma. Results showed that though the chi-square was significant, the structural model resulted in good model fit. In the full model, positive pathways were found between all latent variables, though the direct path between conservatism and avoidance was not significant in the full model. When tested alone, it was found that the pathway between conservatism and avoidance was significant and positive, and further tests indicated full mediation with 45.6% of the effect of avoidance mediated through stigma. Replication studies should be performed to validate these results, and future research should focus on expanding the avoidance latent variable by including HIV-testing rates.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- West, Michael
- Description:
- Introduction--High altitude illness, specifically acute mountain sickness, is a potentially life threating ailment for individuals that travel to high altitude. Acute mountain sickness is characterized by the following symptoms; headache, lethargy, dizziness and gastrointestinal issues. To date there have been several attempts to validate the use of heart rate variability in an effort to predict when an individual is more likely to become sick at altitude, but no studies have included a model with exercise that is known to increase acute mountain sickness.--Purpose-- The purpose of this study is to examine changes in autonomic output via heart rate variability to see if there is a relationship between autonomic output and severity of acute mountain sickness during a 12-hour exposure to normobaric hypoxia.--Methods--Eleven participants (7 male and 4 female) were recruited for this study, of which eight (6 male and 2 female) finished the study. Participants were exposed to two 12-hour altitude sessions (FIO2 12.4%) which was roughly 4,200 meters. Baseline heart rate variability, blood pressures, heart rate, oxygen saturations and Lake Louise scores were obtained with participants seated for five minutes prior to entering the altitude tent. Subsequent measurements were taken at hours 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 with participants seated for at least five minutes and were taken prior to any exercise. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine any significant differences and Tukeys post hoc was used to determine where those differences occurred between groups. A Pearsons correlation was used to determine any relationships between the changes in HRV and AMS scores from hours 6 to 12. An alpha level of 0.05 was used for significance.--Results--The main finding of the study was a main effect for treatment and time for HRV measures. Significant differences between groups were observed and a significant difference between hour 3 and 12 of the non-exercise trial with LnrMSSD values being 3.73±0.45 and 3.40±0.36 respectively for hours 3 and 12. An interaction effect of treatment by time was observed for heart rate. Heart rates were significantly higher in the exercise trial at hours 4, 5, 6 and 12 when compared to all timepoints except hour 12 during the non-exercise trial. A Pearson value of 0.41 and 0.14 were calculated for non-exercise and exercise differences between LnrMSSD and LLS between hours 6 and 12 which yielded p-values of 0.30 and 0.75 respectively.--Conclusions--Although significant differences were found regarding HRV, no significant relationships between HRV and AMS were observed. This leads to the conclusion that HRV is not a valid tool for predicting AMS during acute normobaric hypoxic exposures.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Kinesiology (Exercise Science)
- Creator:
- Sanni, Shukurat
- Description:
- Safety is a major work zone concern; this concern is heightened for workers that work near travelling public. Motorists and passengers are more vulnerable and have a greater likelihood to be injured or killed from a work zone crash. The prevalence of work zone crashes was 45 percent in California in 2014. Work Zone Intrusion Alarm (WZIA) systems are innovative safety devices with the technology to provide auditory alert in work zones following a vehicle intrusion. These devices typically have a detection, transmitter, and auditory alert unit, with some devices having a visual and/or personal safety alert unit. The objective of this thesis is to assess the effectiveness of WZIAs. The objective was achieved with a combination of a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis revealed the potential of the devices. The quantitative analysis resulted from a pilot test of three WZIA systems: the Traffic Guard Worker Alert System, SonoBlaster and Intellicone. The research found WZIAs to be effective but recommends improvement to the systems’ functional characteristics. The findings and recommendations presented in this research will assist in the widespread implementation of Work Zone Intrusion Alarm systems. This thesis concludes with future research suggestions that will expand on this research’s findings.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Civil Engineering (Transportation)
- Creator:
- McIntyre, Danielle and Marion, Allison
- Description:
- Since the 1980’s there has been a gradual, yet steady increase in the academic demands placed on our students and in the amount of homework assigned (Kohn, 2006). Misconceptions on the effectiveness of homework and student achievement have led many teachers to increase the amount of homework assigned to keep up with political demands (Kohn, 2006). While a significant body of research demonstrates the lack of correlation between homework and student success, children at the elementary level are receiving amounts of daily homework that interfere with family life and other extracurricular activities (Cooper, Robinson & Patall, 2006; Vatterott, 2009). Due to many parents, students and teachers normalizing increasing homework demands as a part of school life, the outcome research surrounding homework has largely been ignored. The current lack of research in this area necessitates further examination of this issue. The present research study investigated parent, teacher, and student perspectives regarding the amount of homework students are assigned. The perceived effects of homework on family time was also examined. The participants in this study were students in grades 3-6 (n = 395), their parents (n = 442), and their teachers (n = 28). Preliminary research data suggests that (a) while parents largely reported homework relates to their child’s learning, a large portion of parents also stated that homework is busy work; (b) there are differences in the perceptions of the actual and ideal amounts of assigned homework, amongst parents, students, and teachers; and (c) while the majority of parents reported that homework rarely or never gets in the way of family time, a large portion also stated that homework creates a power struggle with their student. Limitations, recommendations for future research, and suggestions for increasing the home-school connection are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Education (School Psychology)
- Creator:
- Myers, Stephen Reitenour
- Description:
- This thesis explores public policies that have the potential to meet the 20% statewide edible food recovery mandates of SB 1383. This policy became law in 2016 as part of a broader effort to curb methane emissions, of which about a fifth is attributable to landfilled organic waste. While there have been significant successes at the city level across the nation, and while there are promising models at the county and regional level in California, a statewide edible food recovery mandate is unprecedented, and has the potential to throw local food distribution and waste hauling systems into chaos if not adequately designed and managed. The overall goal of this thesis is to identify policies that can enable local jurisdictions to meet their statutorily-required edible food recovery amounts with reasonable expenditures of money and effort. To make these determinations, I used Bardach’s (2012) analytical research method, the “Eightfold Path,” to develop a list of policy alternatives and criteria by which to assess them. The resulting analysis allowed me to plot alternatives along one axis of a table and criteria along the other, creating a “Criteria Alternatives Matrix,” or “CAM” for short. I analyzed four policy alternatives that the literature and my conversations with stakeholders in the waste management and food recovery fields recommended, and determined that one of the four policies have a relatively high likelihood of success according to the five criteria by which I evaluated each. I also determined that two other complementary alternatives could also be successful. The use of software to match donors and recovery organizations with on-the-spot transporters for time-sensitive donations was the top-ranked alternative, with (1) utilization of public health inspectors to promote recovery among regulated food distributors and (2) facilitation of planning and coordination between donors, recovery organizations, and transporters as equally-ranked complements. I recommended the implementation of donation-matching software as the strongest option to address the issue, but also indicated that some combination of the three could be particularly effective in facilitating edible food recovery in the near future.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Mouzes, Andie Mary
- Description:
- Civilian review boards can benefit not only an individual complainant, but also the surrounding community at large and law enforcement agencies across the country. The diminutive amount of existing research conducted on civilian review boards has focused primarily on the reason for their existence but not the tendencies that the data from these oversight boards reflect. This present study was designed to fill the gaps in the lack of research existing on the tendencies of civilian review boards and further, if race plays a vital factor in the complaint process. Specifically, this study examined complaints against Chicago police officers as logged by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) in Chicago. In sum, this thesis examined whether complaints in general had a racial foundation and more specifically, whether excessive force complaints against African American and White officers statistically differed. The study found that of the 2,577 disposed complaints used in this study, race did play a role in the complaints made against officers and complaints made about excessive force. Although the results did reflect a relationship between race of complainant by race of officer, it only accounted for 8.6% of the variance of the race of the officers involved in the complaints. It should be noted however that there are other factors besides race which need to be considered and were not thoroughly tested in this study. Research on the tendencies of civilian review boards may give complaining civilians an improved understanding of a civilian review board’s proceedings but more study needs to be done as to any racial disparities regarding complaints.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Criminal Justice
- Creator:
- Montes, Christina C.
- Description:
- Recent literature supports using a multi-component awareness training procedure to decrease speech disfluencies for college students. However, this procedure can be time-consuming and is likely not feasible in practical settings, such as college classrooms. The present study focused on the time required to decrease speech disfluencies. In Experiment 1, we conducted a component analysis of awareness training, and we evaluated the efficacy and efficiency of an awareness enhancement device in Experiment 2. We found that in vivo speech practice may be sufficient for reducing disfluencies for some students, but a treatment package including both video and in vivo training is more likely to result in marked behavior change. We also found that in vivo speech practice with the addition of an awareness enhancement device was effective for four of five participants; however, training time was comparable to the combined treatment package.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis)
- Creator:
- Mander, Navjoyat
- Description:
- The purpose of this attitudinal study was to examine the attitudes of Asian Indian men and women regarding gender roles. Perspectives concerning gender roles were surveyed through topics such as: cultural expectations of sons and daughters, household responsibilities, social mores, marriage, and intimate partner (domestic) violence. Through quantitative and qualitative data, the researcher was able to gather significant information. Quantitative data results exhibit variety of responses. While majority of the participants’ responses demonstrate egalitarian views, a constant 7% is evident in almost every statement with a contradictory response. By applying thematic data analysis, the researcher was able to conclude three major themes. However, the open-ended qualitative data results display conflicting attitudes expressed by the participants.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Education (Behavioral Sciences Gender Equity Studies)
12. Entropy
- Creator:
- Helenske, Tammy
- Description:
- During my time in the Master of Art Studio program at Sacramento State University Sacramento I have had an opportunity to expand my perceptions and grow as an artist. This work represents my exploration of time-based media, hybrid media, installation art, and the concept of immersion. The process expresses my personal struggles with mental illness from a subjective perspective. My search for source material to best communicate my content included audio and video exploration both in and out of the studio. The tools chosen to activate the content demanded equal amounts of research and attention. The result is a cohesive body of work that reflects my time in the program.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Art (Art Studio)
- Creator:
- Haghighat, Misha Daniali
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between professor-student interactions and psychosocial well-being (loneliness, social anxiety) through the mediator of campus belonging. The college transition can be stress-inducing for students (representative of steadily increasing rates of loneliness and anxiety), due to an absence of support networks (e.g., parents). Positive professor-student interactions were examined given that they foster a sense of campus belonging, in turn affecting psychosocial well-being. The current study was comprised of undergraduate students (N = 298) enrolled at a Northern California University. Simple mediation analyses indicated that positive professor-student interactions were linked with a greater sense of campus belonging, which in turn was linked with sense of psychosocial well-being. Additional analyses examined if demographic groupings (gender, ethnicity, job hours, transfer status) differed in these effects. Results reflect the benefits of professor-student interactions in scaffolding students’ sense of psychosocial well-being, and recommendations for furthering ties preemptively.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Goode, Stephen
- Description:
- Often the perceptions students have towards concealed carry differ in a variety of cases especially males’ and females’ opinions (Doubleday, 2013; Gius, 2018; Jang, Dierenfeldt, & Lee, 2014). Few studies have explored if one's gender had any significant effect on one’s perceptions of support for concealed carry policies on a college campus Doubleday, 2013; Gius, 2018; Jang, Dierenfeldt, & Lee, 2014. This quantitative study examined a small sample of California State University Sacramento criminal justice students and was conducted during the Spring 2019 semester. The results from the data did show a significant difference in variation between males’ and females’ perceptions towards concealed carry on a college campus. It is important to note that those significant variations should be examined and further analyzed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Criminal Justice
- Creator:
- Baginski, Chase
- Description:
- If teachers in the 21st century desire to create a critical impact on their students and democracy, then they must strive to make their classrooms more democratically centered. They must actively cultivate an experience within their classroom that fosters democracy for their students, allowing them to live and practice democracy from an early age. Democratic Education teaches students to be socially responsible and active citizens by allowing them to balance a greater amount of freedom and responsibility, preparing them for their roles as active and civic adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the guiding principles of four democratic schools, compare their similarities, and to make recommendations for public school teachers who are interested in creating a more democratically centered classroom based on those similarities. The study examined the following four schools: Summerhill School (1921), Sudbury Valley School (1968), Windsor House School (1971,) and Lehman Alternative Community School (1974). While it would be impossible for public school teachers to fully turn their classroom into a mini-democratic school, it is possible for them to implement strategies to increase democracy, especially in the vein of freedom and responsibility, in their classrooms. This range of strategies includes anything from rearranging the desk and tables in a classroom, to implementing Genius hours, cooperative learning, student-centered learning, and the use of UDL. If an educator wants to know if a strategy or action is going to move their class in a more democratic direction, all they have to do is ask “Is this going to offer my student more freedom in the class within the context of responsibility?” If yes, then that educator is moving towards democracy.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Education (Special Education)
16. Implementing choice of novel and previewing film adaptations as intrinsic reading motivation tools
- Creator:
- Shepard, Mallory
- Description:
- When adolescents read more, their attitudes toward reading become more positive, and their language and comprehension skills increase as well (Broeder & Stokmans, 2013). Reading motivation, reading enjoyment, literacy, comprehension levels, and amount of reading are all interrelated, and to increase one factor of reading, the other factors must also be increased (Becker, McElvany, & Kortenbruck, 2010). This study compared four groups of 8th grade adolescents (N = 19, 13-14 years old, 11 female and 8 male) and their reading motivation. Film and choice were assessed as possible motivational tools to increase intrinsic reading motivation. One group was assigned a novel to read and did not watch the film adaptation. A second group was assigned a novel to read and watched the film adaptation up to its climactic event prior to reading the book. A third group chose a novel to read from a given list, with brief descriptions of each novel. A fourth group chose a book to read from the given list and watched its film adaptation up to its climactic event before reading the book. Each participant’s intrinsic motivation to read was assessed with the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire (MRQ) developed by Guthrie and Wigfield (1997). Levels of intrinsic motivation were measured before and after reading the book. vi A series of ANOVAs were performed to test for significant differences and interactions between the groups. There were no significant main effects. Change in intrinsic motivation approached significance in the film groups. However, this change was in the opposite direction than expected, showing a decline in motivation. There was also a gradual increase in motivation for participants who did not preview a film and chose a book rather than being assigned a book, suggesting further experimentation with these manipulations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Child Development
- Creator:
- Melton, Jordan
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to explore the framing of the narrative presented by American news outlets in reporting on the NFL national anthem protests that began in 2016 to bring attention to police brutality and systemic racism towards blacks in the U.S. I analyzed the ways news media presented the protest, then evaluated how each article legitimized, validated, or transformed the stated purpose of the protest. Utilizing theoretical frameworks on colorblind and dog-whistle racism, critical race theory, frame alignment processes, and symbolism in America culture, I conducted a content analysis of news articles published during three key periods of the NFL anthem protest – September 2016 (n=100), February to May 2017 (n=99), and September 2017 (n=100). Common themes observed included lower mentions of the stated purpose of the protest, repeated allusions to the American flag and national anthem being totems of American ideals, and frequent use of frame transformation.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Sociology
18. Beyond the emergence of rhetorical agency: Operation Rescue and the function of prophetic agency
- Creator:
- Marin, Alfredo
- Description:
- This thesis analyzes the rhetoric of Operation Rescue, the Christian pro-life activist organization, within the theoretical framework of Kenneth Burke’s Logology. With the intent to answer the research question: How does rhetorical agency interrelate to the function of the rhetor’s message, this thesis considers the critical lens of metaphor and analogy to inform us about the emerging nature, function, and implication of prophetic agency within a religious context.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Communication Studies
- Creator:
- Martinez, Jacqueline Marie
- Description:
- Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major contributor to the cost of health care in the United States (Johnson, & Thomas, 2010; Dagenais, Caro & Haldeman, 2008). CLBP has many causes. CLBP effects a majority of the population (Kim et al., 2014; Johnson, & Thomas, 2010; Wong & Lee, 2004). Physical and psychological factors influence CLBP and it is beneficial to understand which factor has more of an influence. Physical factors can involve range of motion (ROM) of the hips and low back. The psychological factors can involve fear of motion, perceived pain and/or perceived disability. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the most influential aspect of CLBP by finding a simple method of assessing functional impairment through the evaluation of range of motion and psychological involvement. Understanding the influential aspects of CLBP will aid clinicians in providing an all-around approach during the rehabilitation process and potentially help reduce the health care cost of low back pain. Methods: Twenty volunteers participated in this study, three were excluded from the study because of reports of surgery or injury to the low back. The range of motion of the hips and low back were assessed using a goniometer. The psychological involvement related to CLBP was assessed using three questionnaires: the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The TSK measured fear of movement, the VAS measured pain level, and the ODI measured perceived disability due to back pain. Participants were asked to either sit, stand, or lie down according to the goniometer measurement protocol. Goniometer measurements were done in random order following the completion of the questionnaires. Results: Pearson Correlation Coefficient results showed a significant correlation between ROM of the low back and two of the three questionnaires. There was a significant (p=0.016) negative correlation between the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and low back ROM. There was a significant (p=0.003) negative correlation between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the ROM of the low back. No significant interaction was seen with hip ROM and any of the questionnaires. There was also no correlation between the TSK and the ROM of the hips or low back. A regression analysis revealed the correlation between ROM of the low back and the VAS and ODI were not meaningful. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the relationship between low back ROM and the values of disability (ODI) and pain (VAS) need to be evaluated and further investigated in individuals with CLBP.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Kinesiology (Movement Studies)
- Creator:
- Martinez, Isabella
- Description:
- The iconic symbols of light and darkness are well-recognized throughout literature. Readers are conditioned to accept that light traditionally connotes holiness, hope, and happiness, while darkness acts as a harbinger of doom, death, and depression. As the works of John Milton show, the Bible plays a large role in casting light as ‘good’ and darkness as ‘evil.’ However, as the literary canon expands beyond the Eurocentric viewpoint of the privileged white male, perceptions of darkness and light shift as well. With the inclusion of female authors and authors of color, darkness comes to be aligned with peace and sublimity as opposed to fear. To investigate this change, I examine selected works of John Milton, Edith Wharton, Jean Rhys, Edwidge Danticat, and Jamaica Kincaid, and engage with a myriad of cultures and critics. I posit that the relatively recent shift in the way darkness and light are perceived comes from the widening of the historically Eurocentric literary canon. The holiness of light is admired throughout Milton’s work, accepted in Wharton’s, and merely acknowledged by Rhys. Through their own experiences of multiculturalism, Rhys, Danticat, and Kincaid are able to envision another aspect of darkness, one untouched by Western religious beliefs. As the literary canon expands to include female authors and authors of color, we gain an appreciation of different cultures. Through the work of authors such as Danticat and Kincaid, darkness is being elevated to its true role as sublime rather than scary, an equal counterpart to the beauty of light.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- English (Literature)
- Creator:
- Martinez, Christian
- Description:
- A variety of calixarene analogues involving heteroatoms as the bridging units have been reported because the substitution of the carbon bridges with heteroatoms can impart novel properties and influence the conformer of the macrocycle. However, the chemistry of replacing the bridging methylene units of calixarenes derived from p-tert-butylphenol with free amino groups to prepare azacalixarene macrocycles is still in its infancy. Nitrogen bridges can alter the conformational properties of the macrocyclic array through changes in bond lengths and angles associated with the nitrogen heteroatom, which results in a cone conformation. Additionally, the nitrogen heteroatom also provides additional binding sites to the macrocycle and can participate in hydrogen bonding along the endo rim which may also influence conformational properties. Furthermore, the nitrogen heteroatom opens up new avenues to further functionalize the bridge position through amine alkylation or acylation chemistry. The synthetic methodology was developed for hexamethyl triazacalix[6]arene by preparing a functionalized linear oligomer followed by cyclization over seven reactions steps in 32.1% overall yield. Of the eight conformers possible for the hexamethyl triazacalix[6]arene, in solution the cone conformer is preferred due to the bifurcated hydrogen bonding by the amine-methoxy functional groups along the endo rim. Additionally, the cone-to-cone ring inversion can be observed by temperature-dependent 1H-NMR spectroscopy since the temperature dependent signal is the result of the conformational flexibility of calixarenes and indicates that the protons are exchanging environments rapidly on the NMR time scale at high temperature but are frozen at lower temperatures. 1H NMR spectra was collected at various temperatures beginning at room temperature (298 K) and stopping at -57 ⁰C (216 K). The rate of exchange for a given temperature was determined by the iterative parameter refinement of the line shape (1000 cycles and with a 92+ % overlap) and used in an Erying plot to determine the thermodynamic parameters. The enthalpy of activation (∆H‡) was determined to be 8.95 kcal/mol and the entropy of activation (∆S‡) was determined to be -4.3 cal/mol*K for the cone-to-cone inversion barrier. The Gibbs free energy of activation (∆G‡) for hexamethyl triazacalix[6]arene was calculated to 9.9 kcal/mol at coalescence. In comparison, the activation barrier for cone-to-cone inversion for the full carbon-bridged calix[6]arene is estimated to be below 9.3 kcal/mol.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Chemistry
- Creator:
- Landa, Israel
- Description:
- Receiving student financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study increases college access for students planning to attend a college or university. Early on, California made a commitment to make sure the University of California (UC) was accessible to students by providing financial assistance to eligible students in the form of free tuition. Over the years, state financial support has decreased, ending the no-tuition policy and increasing the cost of attendance at a UC. According to the UC, tuition and fee increases have been accompanied by substantial increases in financial aid. However, it is unclear if the UC is using financial aid optimally to ensure access to UC by historically underserved students. This study seeks to understand the characteristics of students who receive financial aid at the UC and how financial aid is being allocated. This study finds that all else being constant, White undergraduate students are more likely to receive financial aid, but Latino, Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian undergraduate students receive more financial aid than White undergraduate students at the UC. However, even as Latino and Black undergraduate students receive more financial assistance and their enrollment at UC has increased, enrollment rates continue to be lower than their White counterparts and they are less likely to receive aid at all. This thesis uses 2007-08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08) data collected by US Department of Education. This study surveyed 2007-2008 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in federal financial aid eligible postsecondary institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico. I used a logistic regression and an ordinary least squares regression to estimate the differences in the amounts received by different groups of undergraduate students attending the University of California (UC). After controlling for different variables, I found out that overall, Latino and Black undergraduate students tend to receive more financial aid than their White counterparts. However, when looking at longitudinal data on enrollment, these same students groups continue to be underrepresented at UC, in particular Black undergraduate Students. Even though Latino and Black students receive more financial aid overall at a UC, enrollment numbers still do not reflect the makeup of California’s high school graduating demographics. Given the history of underrepresentation at UC, it is important for policy makers to figure out ways to increase access to these students. I recommend that the state consider providing more free financial aid to cover the full cost of an education, which includes tuition, fees, books, transportation, housing and living expenses. I also recommend that the Legislature require the UC share disaggregated student financial aid data with academic researchers for the purposes of reporting and statistical analysis. This should provide some insights on how to expand financial aid to cover the full cost of attendance and expand access for those students with the most need, and ensure that access is provided in an equitable manner.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Kemmerer, Dennis
- Description:
- The number of California voters who are choosing not to register with one of the state's six recognized political parties has increased substantially over the last two decades, first surpassing Republican registration in mid-2018, and then to an all-time high of just over 28 percent of all registered voters in the state as of February 10, 2019. Unlike party-affiliated voters, the ideological leanings and policy preferences of these voters cannot be determined from voter registration rolls. Where campaigns could previously target Democratic- and Republican-registered households with liberal- and conservative-leaning messaging respectively, those campaigns will have to rely on other indicators to determine how to target those voters with messaging that aligns with their particular issue and candidate preferences. A linear regression analysis of the vote choices of party-unaffiliated voters in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections shows that racial/ethnic minority status, age, and household income are fairly strong indicators of ideological preference.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Government
24. Circumstantially fired combustion port geometry: analysis of hybrid rocket motor solid fuel grain
- Creator:
- Kearney, Jeremy
- Description:
- Efficient hybrid rocket engine designs are highly desirable due to the inherent safety of these systems when compared to the premixed solid rocket motor or bi-propellant rocket engines. Hybrid rocket motors use a pressurized tank to impel liquid oxygen or other oxidizers into the solid rocket fuel combustion chamber, where an ignition source is used to start the combustion reaction. An actuated valve can be placed between the oxidizer tank and the solid fuel grain, allowing throttle ability of the hybrid engine designs. Solid fuel grains are inert and will not combust without an oxidizer. The combination of throttle ability and a non-premixed inert solid fuel grain result in the increase safety of the hybrid motor system. Hybrid rocket motors lack the high regression rates that solid or liquid rockets possess and therefore are not as commercially viable. This paper focuses on a complex solid fuel grain geometry that leverages rapid prototyping to increase the effective regression rate of the solid motor. Traditional cylindrical fuel port geometries have long length to diameter aspect ratios that increases the fuel port burn surface area but results in a poor volumetric efficiency. Advanced designs such as triangular wagon wheel configurations or helical fuel ports have been successful at increasing the regression rate of the engine but can result in a decreased volumetric efficiency. In place of the previously mentioned fuel port configurations, it is proposed that by orienting the combustion ports laterally on the circumference of the solid fuel grain that the internal surface burn area and internal flow path of the oxidizer would be increased, resulting in an increased fuel regression rate. Preliminary theoretical analysis shows that there is a slight increase in the time to peak thrust using a circumferentially fired combustion port, but a significant decrease in the volumetric efficiency of solid fuel grain. One initial advantage of the design is an increased number of combustion ports, which allows for a smaller solid fuel grain length to diameter aspect ratio because of the increased internal flow path. The smaller aspect ratio gives more flexibility when tailoring the design to envelope limitations.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Johnson, Mark H.
- Description:
- For this thesis, I explore how Local Control Action Plans (LCAPs), under the Local Control Funding Formula, follow established administrative theory on strategic planning while also raising questions about how districts develop LCAPs. To explore these case studies, I develop an exploratory framework derived from literature on the topic, including synoptic and periodic strategic planning, executive-led versus worker-led strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. In order to conduct this analysis, I selected the following four school districts from different locales: Folsom Cordova Unified, Dixon Unified, San Juan Unified, and Amador County Unified to identify any themes in the district LCAPs. After applying my exploratory framework to analyze my district findings, I found three different themes within the districts sampled: (a) districts’ planning committees tend to specialize in their roles, (b) human resource and material resource conditions within districts could have an impact on the development of LCAPs, and (c) districts tend to act creatively when developing their LCAPs. Finally, I conclude with a hypothesis about local control and advise on further research.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Jiang, Brenden
- Description:
- Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by the genus Pseudo-nitzschia. It is responsible for causing amnesic shellfish poisoning, a condition capable of devastating marine wildlife and humans with severe neurological complications once ingested. Much of the biosynthetic pathway, its regulation, and the biological function of domoic acid remains to be elucidated. Recent research has found N-geranyl-L-glutamic acid as the true precursor to domoic acid. This is formed by the condensation of two metabolites, geranyl diphosphate and glutamate. The former, geranyl diphosphate, is synthesized through a condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. This initial step is catalyzed by a geranyl diphosphate synthase, a member of the prenyltransferase family. Here, expression of three prenyltransferase genes (Psemu2, Psemu3, and Psemu4) was analyzed through quantitative polymerase chain reaction in three strains of P. multiseries isolated from different growth phases to correlate relative abundance with domoic acid accumulation. Of the three transcripts, Psemu3 and Psemu4 were previously identified as potential geranyl diphosphate synthases in homology modeling studies. Psemu2 and Psemu3 consistently had higher relative expression over Psemu4 in all three strains. Prenyltransferase expression also decreased as domoic acid concentration reached an apparent maximum in late-log and stationary phase. This demonstrates that prenyltransferase transcripts Psemu2 and Psemu3 are highly expressed in log phase, and possibly may play a role in domoic acid biosynthesis.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Chemistry (Biochemistry)
- Creator:
- Harris, Chelsea J.
- Description:
- Although there is broad research focusing on recreational therapy and its benefits to various populations, there is limited information about municipal recreation leaders’ knowledge and perceptions of the profession and its practitioners. According to the literature reviewed, authors of various studies suggest that people do not know or fully understand the benefits and difference between recreational therapy and municipal recreation (Widmer, Duerden & Taniguchi, 2013; Witman & Shank, 1987; Walkenhorst et. al., 2015; Meeras, 2010; Martin and Markow, 2006). Moreover, staff directors and staff members are unaware of the needs and accommodations necessary for individuals with disabilities to access to recreation facilities. Municipal recreation leaders who are untrained, unaware, and unknowledgeable of the needs and accommodations necessary to guarantee optimum use and participation are a disservice to populations with disabilities. Furthermore, municipal recreation leaders need further training to increase knowledge of recreational therapy because of the increase of services and revenue that could be provided to serve a growing population of individuals with disabilities (Brault, 2005; Brault, 2010; McNeil, 1993; McNeil, 1997; McNeil, 2001; Steinmetz, 2006; Taylor, 2018). With the increasing number of individuals with disabilities in California, it is a duty of municipal recreation leaders to ensure safety and quality delivery of recreation services and programs. The purpose for this study is to identify the perceptions of municipal leaders on recreational therapy as it relates to their current level of knowledge of the profession and practitioners in the field. A survey was administered to 2,017 recreation professionals who are active members of California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS). Seventy-one (71) completed the online questionnaire in March and April 2019. The results of this study identified and revealed that a majority of the sample that completed the survey possess poor to average knowledge of the recreational therapy profession and its practitioners. Survey responses also suggested that a majority of the sample population was interested in receiving future training related to various topics in recreational therapy. The findings could serve as the foundation for future research on municipal recreation leaders’ knowledge and perceptions. In addition, the findings add to the existing literature and body of knowledge.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Recreation Administration
- Creator:
- Harris, Ayesha and Robinson, Rochelle
- Description:
- Families living in poverty are overly represented in the child welfare system. Risk factors that include but are not limited to, inadequate housing, emotional and social challenges, and domestic violence cause families living in poverty to be more likely to have CPS involvement. It is important to determine if families in poverty are overly represented in the child welfare system due to child welfare workers’ perception of poverty to ensure families living in poverty are not overly represented. The researchers present literature regarding child abuse and neglect, case substantiation, and perception of poverty, focusing on risk factors associated with poverty, and the child welfare system. This research aims to determine if perception of poverty influences a person’s decision to substantiate reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. The researchers in this study developed two sets of vignettes, one set depicting a family living in poverty and another set depicting a wealthy family. Each set of vignettes consisted of one vignette regarding a domestic violence incident, and another vignette regarding lack of supervision. In each vignette participants were asked to determine if the abuse occurred, or if neglect occurred using the California Department of Child Adult and Family Services definitions of Substantiated, Inconclusive, or Unfounded. The respondents were asked to provide a written explanation to defend their decision. Each respondent was also given the Feagin Poverty Scale (Feagin, 1972; Viljoen & Maseko, 2013) to measure their perception of poverty, and a demographic questionnaire. After analyzing the data using our hypothesis Master of Social Work student’s perception of poverty and case substantiation, we found that our hypothesis was partly substantiated with significance. Participants response to the Feagin Poverty Scale (Feagin, 1972; Viljoen & Maseko, 2013) and their decision to find child abuse and neglect allegations substantiated, unfounded or inconclusive suggest that there is a statistically significant correlation found between a person’s perception of poverty and their decision to determine child abuse and neglect allegations to be inconclusive, unfounded, or substantiated. Findings from this study suggest it would be beneficial for further research to be conducted to study perception of poverty and how this impacts caseworkers’ decision making in the child welfare system.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Hanna, Sherif
- Description:
- Using a Venturi to Capture and increase wind velocity are carried out to enhance the performance of wind turbines, the Idea of Ducted Wind Turbines has been an interest because of the ability to increase the velocity through them, the results of multi physics simulations involving Computational Fluid Dynamics, used to evaluate a highly acclaimed innovative wind power generation system known as INVELOX, are presented. This patented technology significantly outperforms traditional wind turbines, and it delivers superior power output, reflecting an idea of wind power plant in the urban Areas where wind velocity is low, so increased wind velocities throughout the INVELOX System and the Venturi resulted in significant improvement in the Kinetic Energy hence power output of Turbine. In addition, INVELOX technology brought an idea of retrofitting the traditional horizontal axis windmills to adapt the Innovative INVELOX design at reduced cost. Furthermore, the new design claiming the ability of solving all the major issues, such as low turbine reliability, intermittency issues, adverse environmental and radar impact that have so far undermined the wind industry. The goal in this thesis divided into two sections, section one I will try to examine the possibility to capture, accelerate and concentrate the wind by creating a simple prototype of a ducted wind turbine with a ratio of 1:20 with the new INVELOX design system to validate the feasibility of retrofit those traditional wind turbines. Second is test results will be measured from a fielded unit, the results will be compared with those obtained by using the bare INVELOX technology, both velocities at Intake and Venturi positions will be compared in this analysis. In more studies that are recent and in other thesis work the Actual concentration was on the INVELOX technology, the studies used computational fluid dynamics but never measured from a fielded unit, the performance of the system was validated by recent measured field data by the company itself. My Field test of a simple prototype Ducted Wind Turbine showed that the increase in wind speed maintained even with speeds as low as 2.5 m/s, and thereby energy production can be significantly improved. This measured data shown to be consistent with that obtained through full-scale computational fluid dynamics models and other research work. Further lab testing is recommended to confirm the velocity developing with an actual turbine being inserted.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Galante, Guy Frederick
- Description:
- The author posits that an environmentally focused place-based pedagogy will lead to increased nature relatedness, inclusion of nature in self, and overall love and care for a regional park that borders a Northern Californian university. This study represents a basic tool kit to get the seeds of connection to germinate in a particular place. Despite being literally just on the other side of the levee that separates the campus and the 23-mile park and river corridor, a considerable number of the university’s students do not seem to know that a regional park exists. College level outdoor recreation courses and science-based experiments that lead students to the regional park are often times students’ first ever, and maybe only, contact with it. Connecting the university’s students with the park more intentionally has the potential to foster environmental stewardship in a generation of young people who would then be equipped to handle the socio-political, socio-cultural, and environmental pressures that impact the park. Even if students do not engage in park policy matters in the future, they may spend their lives living near it and still can become perpetually responsible users and protectors of the cultural, environmental and recreational resources of the regional park. Not to mention that the river supplies a generous portion of the region’s water supply. This study is designed to gain an understanding of students’ connectedness to nature levels, and to get a sense of what they know about the regional park that borders their campus. The knowledge gained from the study will help guide the formulation of place-based curriculum to be offered to higher education students in the Sacramento, CA region.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Recreation Administration
- Creator:
- Fkiaras, Vasiliki Maria
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to examine how exercise order affects lower body jump power in collegiate athletes. There is still a disparity in knowledge on the effects of exercise order of resistance training on lower body jump power. Therefore, there is a need to learn more about the effect of exercise order on lower body jump power. The sample size was thirty-eight, 26 males (age: 21.346 ± 2.591, height: 70.846 ± 2.935 and weight: 149 ± 32.714) and 12 females (age: 20.364 ± 3.529, height: 66.364 ± 2.656 and weight: 149 ± 32.714) collegiate athletes were recruited for this study. Subjects were divided into three separate groups. Group A (GA; performing exercise order 1-5), Group B (GB; performing reverse order of GA, 5-1) and Group C (GC; the control group was asked to not perform any form of resistance training in and out of the facility during the duration of the study). The data collected was of the lower body power: Vertical Jump (VJ) and Standing Broad Jump (SBJ) to compare before and after results. Subjects were asked to train two days per week for six weeks during their off-season period. The exercises used for this study were solely lower body extremity exercises (back squat, bulgarian squat, lateral lunge, valslides and seated leg raises). A single factor ANOVA was used for comparing the differences amongst the three groups for the VJ and SBJ. A Scheffe post-hoc was used to determine whether there were any significant differences. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. Data was also reported as means ± SD. The results showed that there was a significant main effect found. After post-hoc analysis, there were no significant differences found. There are other variables to consider when knowing that more studies are needed to state a firm answer to exercise order affecting athletic performance. To summarize, in this study there was no 1-RM back squat test done. If there was a 1-RM test done, then percentages could have been prescribed to elicit a higher stimulus in training sessions. Incorporating a plyometric exercise or sprint test could possibly lead to a significant increase in lower body jump power tests. Lastly, conducting the study longer than six weeks or increasing the number sessions per week could lead to greater stimulus.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Kinesiology (Movement Studies)
- Creator:
- Everett, Heather Leann
- Description:
- This mixed methods study was designed to investigate the barriers to participation for individuals with disabilities with regards to non-motorized boating on California waterways. Barriers regarding accessibility were researched and data were analyzed from a sample of 1,746 self-administered online survey respondents. Reported barriers to participation for individuals with disabilities from the perspective of individuals with and without disabilities included: accessible parking, accessible docks, cost, accessible trails, lack of published information about accessibility, accessible restrooms and/ or concessions, adaptive rental equipment, staff knowledge regarding disabilities, program availability, transportation, unclear signage, effective communication from on-site staff, and accessible boat ramps. Data were collected from both the perspectives of individuals with and without disabilities in order to gain a variety of perspectives regarding barriers to accessibility. Individuals with disabilities participating in non-motorized boating on California waterways do experience many barriers to participation, and the data from this study may be utilized by practitioners in order to provide more inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Recreation Administration
- Creator:
- Drane, Natasha Marie
- Description:
- On January 31, 2018, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (Board), during a workshop, focused its attention on retail shopping centers experiencing chronic vacancies. In 2017, another major big-box retail closure in a shopping center prone to big-box departure sparked the Board’s discussion of this issue. The Board’s interest in declining shopping centers within Sacramento County (county) is the impetus of this Master’s in Public Policy and Administration thesis. This thesis employs a nested research design using both quantitative (regression analysis) and qualitative (interviews) methods. The regression analysis attempts to answer the research question: What causes vacancies in power centers located within Sacramento County? The findings of this portion of the study show location to competition and socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods near shopping centers highly influence vacancies. Specifically, when competition increases by one retail power center within one to three miles, the vacancy rate of a retail power center increases by 26 percent. The competition variables within 3-5 miles and within 8-10 miles have a positive effect on lease rates, driving vacancy rates down by 14 percent and 8 percent respectively. Household income above $200,000 decreased vacancy rates by 6.9 percent and having a higher education degree decreased vacancy rates by 3.25 percent. The regression analysis provides information, given available data, about what contributes to vacancies in Sacramento big-box retail centers, but this thesis also aimed to understand qualitatively what the county can do, if anything, to help these shopping centers with high vacancy rates and in decline or at risk of decline. The qualitative research question is: What can Sacramento County do, if anything, to help shopping centers in decline or at risk of decline become profitable again? Whether a local government intervenes into a declining shopping depends on the consideration of several factors, including retail market conditions as well as ownership and shopping center characteristics. The decision to provide incentives requires a determination of whether the incentive will help improve the outcome of the property over the long term, which requires a look at retail market conditions, owner needs, and property needs. Identifying the needs of owners and the property are important, but a local government must also evaluate its own priorities and identify its financial and human resource capacity to provide an incentive. The most important incentives for developers are certainty of time and cost, but economic incentives help also, when it determines the success of a project. The recommendations presented in this thesis take into consideration factors that the county can exercise control over and that can help improve economic development activities in the county in order to address the broader issue of declining retail shopping centers.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Chiu, Joubert
- Description:
- This research examines the experiences of individuals with tinnitus as told by the messages exchanged on an online discussion board. This study provides insight on an illness that is often overlooked, shedding light on the day to day problems individuals with tinnitus may face. This research also examines the different types of social support messages exchanged among forum users. A total of fifty primary posts and responses were collected for a grounded theory approach. Posts were coded and analyzed to reveal dominant themes and subthemes. The types of social support messages were categorized based on the Social Support Behavior Code framework (Cutrona and Suhr 1992). Tinnitus as a life disruption emerged to be the main core theme, followed by several subthemes under this category: “constant presence in the mind,” “losing agency,” and “feelings of isolation.” The findings suggest that individuals with tinnitus undergo behavioral and social changes based on the interactions they have with their surrounding environment. Some tinnitus sufferers grow fearful of their illness and others feel they are not treated well by others when disclosing information to medical specialists or close friends. Analysis of the types of social support messages exchanged revealed that “informational support” was the most common support message, followed by “emotional support,” and “esteem support.” Discussions on the issues of isolation led to informational and emotional support messages from repliers who participated on discussion threads.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Ciobanu, Daniel
- Description:
- Statement of Problem: Improvements to internal combustion efficiency have soared in the last decade due to stricter emission regulations and increased consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Variable valve timing (VVT), engine start-stop cycles, direct injection, and close-coupled catalytic converters are only a few of the technologies now found standard in most new cars now sold. However, this technology has largely been absent from smaller displacement engines typically found in two- and three-wheeled vehicles. This thesis examines the use of a computer-based engine cycle program to simulate the effects of adding VVT technology to a small displacement, high-speed relatively modern motorcycle engine, and whether the output gains, if any, mirror those of the larger engines used in automobiles and light trucks. Sources of Data: The bulk of the raw simulation data was generated by the Lotus Engine Simulation software in the form of text and CSV files. The dissemination of these data forms the basis for the conclusions reached. A portion of the background information was culled from two pivotal textbooks on four-stroke internal combustion engines: John Heywood’s Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals (2nd Edition), and Gordon P. Blair’s Design and Simulation of Four Stroke Engines. All input data required by the Lotus program was empirically derived from disassembling a Honda 600 F4i engine and performing metrology inspection in line with established CSUS lab practices, using calibrated instruments. Where empirical measurements were not practical, the Honda F4i service manual provided additional information. Conclusions Reached: After validating the software as a reliable source of engine performance data, single and parametric study simulations were performed to gather engine performance characteristics with inlet and exhaust valve parameters that were varied through a set of values that used the OEM fixed values as a center line. Three 2-D parametric studies were performed for 100% throttle, steady state operation: varying intake valve lift + closing time, varying exhaust valve closing time + intake valve opening time (overlap), and finally varying intake valve lift + exhaust valve lift. The results show that at full throttle, the use of VVT improved torque output by an average of 6% throughout the entire engine speed range, and decreased fuel consumption by 1-2 percent. If implemented in a production setting, these gains would come with the drawbacks of increased mass (and complexity) in a system that can hardly afford both, given the already small build envelope of motorbikes, and increased cost to consumers. However, given that motorbikes are currently higher greenhouse gas emitters than passenger cars, it is a small price to pay to at least slow the tide of pollution currently being output by this transportation group.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Creator:
- Olave, Barbara Joan
- Description:
- College participation rates are growing among students of lower socioeconomic status and first-generation students (those who are the first members of their families to attend college), however their success rates do not keep pace with students of higher socioeconomic status and those whose family members have attained college degrees. Research indicates that one element impacting college students’ success rates is confidence in their ability to bring about intended outcomes in the face of challenges (self-efficacy). Guided by Constructivist Learning Theory, this study was designed to assess the possible impact of increasing opportunities for successful completion of goals (efficacious actions) in introductory college courses. A total of 159 university students in four introductory sociology courses were either assigned to a control group taught using the conventional lecture style of teaching, or an experimental group which adopted the Team-Based Learning framework. Eligible participants completed pre- and post-tests to assess possible changes in self-efficacy levels, and final course grades were monitored to assess differences in final grades. It was hypothesized that adding opportunities for efficacious actions into lower division introductory college courses would increase both self-efficacy and grades among first-generation college students and therefore narrow the achievement gaps.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Ramirez, Erik Miguel
- Description:
- Institutions of higher education are becoming more diverse in student populations, but minority representation at the administrative level is still lacking. Despite current efforts to diversify leadership, the experiences of administrators of color remain largely unexplored. This thesis seeks to understand the communication practices and lived experiences of people of color in higher education administration. Drawing on co-cultural theory and dominant group theory, and on literature pertaining to diversity efforts in higher education, the benefits of diversity, and the experiences of professionals of color in academia, interviews were conducted with 16 high-level administrators of color to determine how they communicate in their respective positions and what their experiences suggest about current diversity efforts. A qualitative analysis revealed that administrators of color enact communication practices associated with both privileged and marginalized identities. As such, they occupy a dual positionality of privilege and marginalization from which they advocate for students of color and other underrepresented groups. Additionally, findings indicate that the intersection of privilege and marginalization in the position that administrators of color occupy generates a cultural taxation system composed of three factors: personal motivation, cultural group expectation, and institutional pressure. This study brings to light stories that are rarely told and offers a new way of understanding the experiences of people of color in leadership positions. Theoretical implications for intercultural communication and for the concept of cultural taxation are offered, as well as practical implications for addressing issues associated with administrative diversity in higher education.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Communication Studies
- Creator:
- Ramirez, Claudia
- Description:
- There is no single universal definition of the terms stalking and cyberstalking as these terms vary in legal, social and academic meaning. This study aims to determine which behaviors are most commonly considered stalking and cyberstalking, based on subjective opinion. Participants of this study (N=94) were provided with common stalking and cyberstalking behaviors and were able to select and write in behaviors they considered stalking and cyberstalking definitions. Furthermore, this study examines how many participants believe they have been victims of stalking and or cyberstalking. This rate was then compared to university reported stalking 2017 victimization rates of the university where the study took place, as well as other similarly sized universities. The results indicate that stalking victimization reported by Sacramento State and similarly sized universities are alarmingly low, which may indicate under reporting. Overall, this study suggests the spreading of awareness of stalking and advocacy and support of stalking victims from college campuses.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Criminal Justice
- Creator:
- Rein, Lindsey Kathryn
- Description:
- While working conditions are known to impact employees’ perceptions of the work environment and employees’ health, the effect of the layout of a school site on teachers has yet to be explored. This study aims to determine if the physical distance between a special education teacher’s classroom and the administrative office affects his/her experience of burnout, connection to the school, and administrative support. Data were collected from survey research in a small district in Northern California. Results indicated that, while special education teachers’ classrooms were farther from administration buildings, there was no significant impact of classroom distance on burnout symptoms, school connectedness, or perceptions of administrative support.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Education (School Psychology)
- Creator:
- Branch, Charles Ross
- Description:
- Since California began decarbonizing its energy supply nearly 20 years ago, the state has become a leader in the clean energy revolution. Backed mostly by a rapid expansion of solar energy, California now generates more renewable energy than any other state in the nation. Although California’s growth in solar energy is impressive, it does not come without challenges. Most concerning of these challenges is grid imbalance between energy supply and energy demand over the course of a day. Referred to as the “duck curve,” the imbalance raises concerns about the grid’s ability to integrate more solar energy as California moves to a 100 percent carbon free energy supply. This thesis explores energy storage as one approach to address California’s duck curve and meet the state’s energy policy goals. More specifically, I look at four energy storage technologies and perform a criteria-alternative matrix (CAM) analysis to determine which storage technology best mitigates the duck curve while helping California achieve its energy goals. The thesis concludes that policymakers and regulators should implement the four following recommendations: Recommendation #1: Adopt an “all of the above” strategy in terms of storage technologies. Recommendation #2: Pursue underground CAES as a priority for utility-scale energy storage. Recommendation #3: Expand the use hydrogen fuel cells for increased grid flexibility. Recommendation #4: Reduce reliance on solar energy by classifying large hydro as “renewable” energy.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Zahn, Shelby
- Description:
- Despite the influx of superhero films in recent years, the genre seems to replicate the hegemonic gender relations of capitalist American society. Is there a difference between how these films from 1990-2019 use their protagonists to portray gendered power dynamics? This study analyzes thirty-six of the highest-grossing American superhero films from 1990-1999, 2000-2009, and 2010-2019 in a qualitative content analysis. Connell and Messerschmidt’s conception of hegemonic masculinity (2005) is used as a framework. Themes of demographics, violence, and relationship to the state are coded. Findings suggest that villains and heroines are often enemies of the state, and heroes are often allies. Heroines encounter male threats in varying degrees of sexual violence.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Avalos, Michelle Gabrielle
- Description:
- The goal of this thesis is to supplement the analyses of a previously administered state-level multiple-choice examination using the 80 Percent Rule with Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analyses. DIF analysis addresses group differences when candidates are equated for level of ability (a more direct way to address test fairness) in an attempt to identify potentially biased exam items. By using a hierarchal logistic regression approach, the study evaluates Non-Uniform and Uniform DIF alongside the 80 Percent Rule assessment in an effort to address limitations identified in the 80 percent rule statistic as introduced in Section 4D of the Uniform Guidelines. The archival data utilized in this study were provided by a State Agency located on the West Coast of the United States. Job applicants (N = 1,517) across the state participated in the selection measure for a Cashier-based Classification and 8 demographics were utilized in the assessments (Male, Female, Over 40, Under 40, Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American, and Asian). It was concluded that the use of hierarchal logistic regression analysis in this study provided (1) clarity on violations identified through the 80 Percent Rule assessment and (2) evidence of item bias for several protected groups.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Psychology (Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
- Creator:
- Yates, Charlotte E.
- Description:
- The goal of this study was to explore variables associated with extended breastfeeding practice. Specifically, the study investigated whether intrapersonal factors (breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding history/education), interpersonal factors (perceived support, attitudes, and return to work) and demographics were associated with the practice of extended breastfeeding. A total of 414 participants completed a survey posted to a forum for mothers and mothers-to-be. Results revealed no significant associations between demographic variables and extended breastfeeding. However, there were significant associations between intrapersonal factors (breastfeeding self-efficacy), and interpersonal factors, (work support), and the practice of extended breastfeeding. Women who breastfed longer than 12 months were more likely to report greater breastfeeding self-efficacy, more likely to meet their breastfeeding goals at work, and had fewer work barriers to breastfeeding. Limitations, future directions, and implications are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Child Development (Applied Settings)
- Creator:
- Rambeau, Virgil E., Jr.
- Description:
- Food insecurity impacts university students, resulting with physical and mental health risks, at-risk for low GPAs, and change in behavior (Hughes, Serebryanikova, Donaldson & Leveritt, 2011; O’Neil & Maguire, 2017; Wood, Harris III & Delgado, 2017). Current research examines the relationship between food insecurity and adults, families, and children, while the food experience of university students is lacking in these studies. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to examine specific demographic characteristics of students who attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and to evaluate whether there are statistically significant differences between the student population experience with food insecurity. This study focused on four research questions: What is the relationship between income status and food insecurity? What is the relationship between racial identity and food insecurity? What is the relationship between hours worked per week and food insecurity? What is the relationship between housing insecurity and food insecurity? A Pearson’s Chi-Square demonstrated a correlation between housing insecurity and food insecurity. This study will contribute to future research that explores the food experience of university students.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Soehn, Ryan Amir
- Description:
- Zeolites are mesoporous natural or synthetically prepared aluminosilicate materials widely used as adsorbates, waste remediation agents, and catalysts. Due to the complexity of the synthetic process, there has been growing interest to modify readily available natural zeolites, thus transforming them into valuable active zeolite materials. Dealumination of a parent zeolite material, achieved through chemical and physical processing, produces stable reactive defect sites that can be subsequently utilized to insert new desired atoms into the structure. This study performs an in-depth analysis of each intermediary step necessary for metal substitution of natural zeolites to be successful. The results presented shows the successful controlled dealumination of zeolite mordenite using a hydrothermal process followed by washing to remove the extra-framework aluminum. Successful "atom planting" of aluminum (III) using AlCl3 and titanium (IV) using TiCl4 was performed on the dealuminated material as well as the non-modified material. Attenuated Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FTIR), solid state Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (ss MAS NMR), and Diffuse Reflectance Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (DRUV) was utilized to monitor the dealumination and atom-planting structural changes in the material throughout the modification process. The newly modified zeolite hopefully is expected to exhibit novel catalytic properties not shown by the starting material.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Chemistry
- Creator:
- Seed, Annemarie
- Description:
- The purpose of this work surveyed and interviewed women who completed a degree in studio art or other art related concentrations. This study focused on the educational experiences of females in their studio art courses. The researcher evaluated and analyzed data to identify similar experiences shared by women. This study focused on the following questions: What influences and informs female student’s art making practice? How can the curriculum in studio art education help (or hinder) female artist’s transition into the art market? Sources of Data Females of various ages, that have completed a degree within any concentration of studio art, art history or art education were surveyed and interviewed. There were 43 participants that took the survey. The survey was sent out through Facebook as an open call and through email to a network of professional contacts within the art community including museum staff, educators, gallery owners and artists. The artists selected to interview were volunteers from professional colleagues known through the local art community. The survey was designed to be primarily quantitative data to easily identify specific themes. The qualitative nature of the survey allowed for the researcher to conduct thematic analysis and make conclusions. In addition to the Likert scale questions, the survey allowed for other responses that produced rich data that the researcher developed and applied a coded scheme to produce qualitative data and draw conclusions. Conclusions Reached The quantitative and qualitative nature of the study allowed for the researcher to draw conclusions based on the data findings in relation to gender. The history and current research on the representation of women in the professional art field is deeply rooted in the hegemonic pedagogies of studio art curriculum. Women lack role models, mentorship and learning from and about other women artists. The study defines deficient areas within the studio art discipline that can and should be addressed.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Education (Behavioral Sciences Gender Equity Studies)
- Creator:
- Rangoonwala, Michael Karim
- Description:
- In the wake of globalization, a growing line of research has emerged to better understand individuals who grow up on the crossroads of national cultures due to their parents’ vocation known as third culture kids (TCKs). Scholars and counselors acknowledge the large need to better understand how TCKs negotiate their (inter)national cultural identity. Utilizing the communication theory of identity (CTI) framework, interviews were conducted with 17 missionary kid (MK) TCKs to examine if and how they experience identity gaps. A qualitative analysis revealed various intensity levels in personal-communal, personal-relational, and personal-enacted identity gaps. Multiple factors such as context, time, identity salience, relational closeness, and cultural similarity caused variation in the experience of these gaps. The notions of being a hidden immigrant and a cultural chameleon were emphasized through passive communication strategies of camouflaging, reactive revealing, and selective revealing. Additionally, the religious dimension of being an MK had identity gaps, which were also managed passively. This research affirms and extends TCK and CTI literature in numerous ways, providing unique theoretical viewpoints of a multifaceted, dialectical (inter)national cultural identity, as well as practical implications for scholars, counselors, and TCKs.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Communication Studies
- Creator:
- Potter, Nicole Malia
- Description:
- Several studies suggest that the perirhinal cortex (PER) may function to unitize stimulus components across time or modalities, and multiple findings have supported the involvement of the PER in stimulus unitization during fear conditioning. However, the role of the PER in processing such stimuli during other aspects of fear learning, including fear extinction, have not been evaluated. The current study assessed the involvement of the PER during a fear extinction paradigm using a discontinuous or a continuous conditioned stimulus (CS). Rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups based on two factors: CS type (a continuous light versus a discontinuous light) and PER manipulation (Saline group or Muscimol group). Results showed that the PER is involved in fear expression regardless of the CS type; however, the PER had a stimulus-specific role in the recall of an extinction memory.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Sauvé, Daniel and Okumura, Kara
- Description:
- This study describes and explores the nature of financial abuse (FA) of older adults, those aged 65 and over, in Sacramento County, California, with the aim of developing characteristic profiles for those with increased vulnerability for such mistreatment. This research was conducted with Sacramento County Adult Protective Services (APS), a program aimed at detection and prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and dependent adults, and the investigation of reports thereof. Existing data for 1,211 financial abuse (FA) reports was collected through the APS 24-hour report hotline. This study used descriptive statistics to identify existing correlations between hotline data points, and inferential statistics to relate those to level of risk of FA. Specific attention was given to the correlation between the victim’s gender, ethnicity, and living situation and the report outcome – substantiated or unsubstantiated – of financial abuse. Analysis shows that a statistically significant correlation exists between the victim living alone and the substantiation of the report of FA. Although the additional individual characteristics identified in the hypothesis, gender and ethnic minority, did not individually yield significant results, multivariate analysis indicated a significant vi relationship between report substantiation and non-minority females who live alone when compounded; additionally “non-relative” perpetrator relation was most strongly associated with substantiated reports. Overall, the results of this research confirms the complex nature of financial abuse of older adults; creates a localized perspective to assist in prevention, assessment, and intervention; and contributes to the larger body of literature of FA as a national public health issue.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Tsukada, Yusuke
- Description:
- Using the cross-national data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2015, this thesis compared workers in the United States and Japan. This thesis examined the potential factors resulting in unequal distribution of work-to-family conflict based on three research questions. First, I tested whether one experienced different levels of work-to-family conflict depending on the occupational status they had. Second, the thesis investigated whether specific job characteristics predicted the degree to which one was susceptible to work-to-family conflict. In particular, the thesis tested the consequences of the following natures of work conditions: job autonomy, job authority, control over working schedule, personal earnings, boredom at work, job insecurity, working on weekends, and weekly working hours. This thesis, therefore, not only identified the level of occupational status, but also examined the work conditions and characteristics that produced more work-to-family conflict. Finally, this thesis compared the above relationships by gender and between two countries: the United States and Japan. It was argued that the examination of the effect of cultural and social contexts on work-to-family conflict showed that American workers were likely to experience higher levels of work-to-family conflict than Japanese workers. It was also argued that, as peculiar Japanese cultural and social contexts, there were the effects of age and educational attainment on work-to-family conflict. Specifically, older Japanese workers were likely to experience lower levels of work-to-family conflict, and Japanese workers with higher educational attainment were likely to experience higher levels of work-to-family conflict. These findings implied that there were the different cultural and social contexts between the United States and Japan.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sacramento
- Department:
- Sociology