Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Participatory Action Research In Learning Commons Design Planning, Margaret Brown-Sica, Karen Sobel, Erika Rogers

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to document the process the Auraria Library went through to plan research methods to produce information for their learning commons project.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview and the results of one library’s planning methods using user-centered and participatory action research (PAR) principles. It includes a literature review and data gathered from several information gathering sessions. It also discusses useful resources and ideologies found outside the field of library science, such as “placemaking” and the concept of “third place.”

Findings – Adopting values that honor user-centered, evidence-based decision making is a …

Analytical Beam Propagation Model For Clipped Focused-Gaussian Beams Using Vector Diffraction Theory, Glen D. Gillen, Christopher M. Seck, Shekhar Guha

Physics

Vector diffraction theory is applied to the case of focused TEM₀₀ Gaussian beams passing through a spatially limiting aperture in order to investigate the propagation of these clipped focused-Gaussian beams. Beam distributions at different axial distances show that a traditional M² propagation model cannot be used for the propagation of clipped focus-Gaussian beams. Using Luneberg’s vector diffraction theory and Fresnel approximations, an analytical model for the on-axis transverse and longitudinal electric fields and intensity distributions is presented including predictions of the maximum obtainable intensity. In addition, an analytical expression is provided for the longitudinal component of the electric …

Applied Statistics: Experience & Cerification In Quality Assurance, Huey D. Dodson

Statistics

The composition of my senior project can be broken down into two parts. The first part of my project, without which the second could not be pursued, involved a 13 week internship at a produce processing facility where I took part in several projects varying in scope and type. The second part was to acquire certification as a Quality Process Analyst from the American Society for Quality.

This document is structured to represent the dichotomous nature of my project; the first section is dedicated to my internship experience, and the second dedicated to the certification examination preparation and completion.

A Natural Missing Link Between Activated And Downhill Protein Folding Scenarios, Feng Liu, Caroline Maynard, Gregory E. Scott, Artem Melnykov, Kathleen B. Hall, Martin Gruebele

Chemistry and Biochemistry

We propose protein PTB1:4W as a good candidate for engineering into a downhill folder. PTB1:4W has a probe-dependent thermal unfolding curve and sub-millisecond T-jump relaxation kinetics on more than one time scale. Its refolding rate in denaturant is a non-linear function of denaturant concentration (curved chevron plot). Yet at high denaturant concentration its unfolding is probe-independent, and the folding kinetics can be fitted to a single exponential decay. The domain appears to fold via a mechanism between downhill folding and activated folding over several small barriers, and when denaturant is added, one of these barriers greatly increases and simplifies the …

Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy: Meteorite Samples And The Search For 98tc, Kristopher L. Merolla

Physics

The focus of this project is low-count-level gamma-ray spectroscopy on meteorite samples in search of a particular isotope of Technetium (98Tc), which according to stellar theory, should be present in the universe. The spectral lines for 99Tc have, however, been observed in S-, M-, and N- type stars, which makes finding 98Tc created naturally a possibility, and thus a search can be justified.

Cosmic Evolution Of Black Holes And Spheroids. Iv. The MBh - LSph Relation, Vardha N. Bennert, Tommaso Treu, Jong-Hak Woo, Matthew A. Malkan, Alexandre Le Bris, Matthew W. Auger, Sarah Gallagher, Roger D. Blandford

Physics

From high-resolution images of 23 Seyfert-1 galaxies at z = 0.36 and z = 0.57 obtained with the Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we determine host-galaxy morphology, nuclear luminosity, total host-galaxy luminosity, and spheroid luminosity. Keck spectroscopy is used to estimate black hole mass (M _BH). We study the cosmic evolution of the M _BH-spheroid luminosity (L _sph) relation. In combination with our previous work, totaling 40 Seyfert-1 galaxies, the covered range in BH mass is substantially increased, allowing us to determine for the first time …

Updated Bus Routes And Text Messaging System For San Luis Obispo Public Transit System Web Application, Matthew Bojorquez

Computer Engineering

As gas prices continue to rise and people become more aware of their carbon footprint, public transportation becomes more economically, environmentally, and sustainably viable. Currently, bus route timetables are available inside buses and at the transit center, but many users have little knowledge of how to read them. Therefore, to entice more people into using public transportation, we must make riding the buses less of a hassle for users. The Efficient Deployment of Advanced Public Transportation Systems (EDAPTS) system attempts to accomplish this. Building upon a web application designed by Jeff Tikkanen, a former Cal Poly student, that places bus …

Forest Roads Mapped Using Lidar In Steep Forested Terrain, Russell Alan White, Brian Dietterick, Thomas Mastin, Rollin Strohman

Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences

LiDAR-derived digital elevation models can reveal road networks located beneath dense forest canopy. This study tests the accuracy of forest road characteristics mapped using LiDAR in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA. The position, gradient, and total length of a forest haul road were accurately extracted using a 1 m DEM. In comparison to a field-surveyed centerline, the LiDAR-derived road exhibited a positional accuracy of 1.5 m, road grade measurements within 0.53% mean absolute difference, and total road length within 0.2% of the field-surveyed length. Airborne LiDAR can provide thorough and accurate road inventory data to support forest management and watershed …

U-Singularity And T-Topos Theoretic Entropy, Goro C. Kato

Mathematics

We will give descriptions of u-singularities as we introduce the notion of t-topos theoretic entropies. The unifying methodology for a u-singularity is the universal mapping property of an inverse or direct limit. The qualitative, conceptual, and structural analyses of u-singularities are given in terms of inverse and direct limits of micro decompositions of a presheaf and coverings of an object in t-site in the theory of temporal topos.

Urcohomologies And Cohomologies Of N -Complexes, Naoya Hiramatsu, Goro Kato

Mathematics

For a general sequence of objects and morphisms, we construct two N-complexes. Then we can define cohomologies (i, k)-type of the N-complexes not only on a diagonal region but also in the triangular region. We obtain an invariant defined on a general sequence of objects and morphisms. For a short exact sequence of N-complexes, we get the associated long exact sequence generalizing the classical long exact sequence. Lastly, several properties of the vanishing cohomologies of N-complexes are given.

“Little Language” Project Modules, John Clements, Kathi Fisler

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Many computer science departments are debating the role of programming languages in the curriculum. These discussions often question the relevance and appeal of programming-languages content for today's students. In our experience, domain-specific, “little languages” projects provide a compelling illustration of the importance of programming-language concepts. This paper describes projects that prototype mainstream applications such as PowerPoint, TurboTax, and animation scripting. We have used these exercises as modules in non-programming languages courses, including courses for first year students. Such modules both encourage students to study linguistic topics in more depth and provide linguistic perspective to students who might not otherwise be …

Assessing Traceability Of Software Engineering Artifacts, Senthil Karthikeyan Sundaram, Jane Huffman Hayes, Alex Dekhtyar, E. Ashlee Holbrook

Computer Science and Software Engineering

The generation of traceability links or traceability matrices is vital to many software engineering activities. It is also person-power intensive, time-consuming, error-prone, and lacks tool support. The activities that require traceability information include, but are not limited to, risk analysis, impact analysis, criticality assessment, test coverage analysis, and verification and validation of software systems. Information Retrieval (IR) techniques have been shown to assist with the automated generation of traceability links by reducing the time it takes to generate the traceability mapping. Researchers have applied techniques such as Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI), vector space retrieval, and probabilistic IR and have enjoyed …

Partnering Enhanced-Nlp With Semantic Analysis In Support Of Information Extraction, Hisham Assal, John Seng, Franz J. Kurfess, Emily Schwarz, Kym Pohl

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Information extraction using Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools focuses on extracting explicitly stated information from textual material. This includes Named Entity Recognition (NER), which produces entities and some of the relationships that may exist among them. Intelligent analysis requires examining the entities in the context of the entire document. While some of the relationships among the recognized entities may be preserved during extraction, the overall context of a document may not be preserved. In order to perform intelligent analysis on the extracted information, we provide an ontology, which describes the domain of the extracted information, in addition to rules that …

Obtaining The C-27 California Landscape Contractors License, Nick Logan

Horticulture and Crop Science

The purpose of this project was to obtain the C-27 contractors license in California while still continuing education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, prior to graduation. Experience and verification of experience is extremely important in the process of obtaining the C-27. Without sufficient experience in landscape contracting, attempting to obtain the license is futile. Some people have the experience needed and this project is aimed at helping those people realize they can take advantage of their knowledge and become licensed. Even if those eligible are not prepared to own and operate a landscaping business, having the license can be …

Laurel Community Farmstand, Terje Johansen

Horticulture and Crop Science

The project was for us to come up with a temporary farmstand that would be set up to sell fruits and vegetables but mainly to draw people to the area to bring awareness that there were plans to build a development at that location. Our group, Dana Curtice, Robert Vasilieff and Terje Johansen met with the developers three times. New ideas and information were presented in the first two meetings. The third meeting was to present our final design.

Millimeter-Scale Contact Printing Of Aqueous Solutions Using A Stamp Made Out Of Paper And Tape, Chao-Min Cheng, Aaron D. Mazzeo, Jinlong Gong, Andres W. Martinez, Scott T. Phillips, Nina Jain, George M. Whitesides

Chemistry and Biochemistry

This communication describes a simple method for printing aqueous solutions with millimeter-scale patterns on a variety of substrates using an easily fabricated, paper-based microfluidic device (a paper-based ―stamp‖) as a contact printing device. The device is made from inexpensive materials, and it is easily assembled by hand; this method is thus accessible to a wide range of laboratories and budgets. A single device was used to print over 2500 spots in less than three minutes at a density of 16 spots per square centimetre. This method provides a new tool to pattern biochemicals—reagents, antigens, proteins, and DNA—on planar substrates. The …

Electrochemical Sensing In Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices, Zhihong Nie, Christian A. Nijhuis, Jinlong Gong, Xin Chen, Alexander Kumachev, Andres W. Martinez, Max Narovlyansky, George M. Whitesides

Chemistry and Biochemistry

This paper describes the fabrication and the performance of microfluidic paper-based electrochemical sensing devices (we call the microfluidic paper-based electrochemical devices, μPEDs). The μPEDs comprise paper-based microfluidic channels patterned by photolithography or wax printing, and electrodes screen-printed from conducting inks (e.g., carbon or Ag/AgCl). We demonstrated that the μPEDs are capable of quantifying the concentrations of various analytes (e.g., heavy-metal ions and glucose) in aqueous solutions. This low-cost analytical device should be useful for applications in public health, environmental monitoring, and the developing world.

Programmable Diagnostic Devices Made From Paper And Tape, Andres W. Martinez, Scott T. Phillips, Zhihong Nie, Chao-Min Cheng, Emanuel Carrilho, Benjamin J. Wiley, George M. Whitesides

Chemistry and Biochemistry

This paper describes three-dimensional microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (3-D μPADs) that can be programmed (postfabrication) by the user to generate multiple patterns of flow through them. These devices are programmed by pressing single-use ‘on’ buttons, using a stylus or a ballpoint pen. Pressing a button closes a small space (gap) between two vertically aligned microfluidic channels, and allows fluids to wick from one channel to the other. These devices are simple to fabricate, and are made entirely out of paper and double-sided adhesive tape. Programmable devices expand the capabilities of μPADs and provide a simple method for controlling the movement …

Review Of Sustainable Energy – Without The Hot Air By David Mackay, David W. Hafemeister

Physics

No abstract provided.

Psc 307: Nuclear Proliferation, David Hafemeister

Physics

No abstract provided.

The Longitude Problem From The 1700s To Today: An International And General Education Physics Course, Thomas J. Bensky

Physics

For instructors wishing to use physics as part of an international or general education course, the framework for a course based on the “longitude problem” from the 1700s is described. The longitude problem is teeming with basic principles of physics and astronomy, which makes it ideal for a non-science-major-based college-level course. This paper summarizes the longitude problem in the context of conceptual physics and astronomy and outlines an appropriate curriculum. Specifics on teaching such a course in London, as part of an international studies program, are discussed.

Computer-Guided Solutions To Physics Problems Using Prolog, Thomas J. Bensky, Catherine A. Taff

Physics

By posing a continual stream of pertinent questions, a nonmathematical computer program can prod freshman physics students toward an analytical solution to one-dimensional kinematics problems.

Web-Based Student Data Collection And Assessment, Thomas J. Bensky

Physics

Gathering information from students for learning assessment is a critical need of any teacher. In this paper, the tech-savvy instructor is introduced to basic techniques of creating custom, web-based, student-data collection software. Despite widespread deployment of generalized course management systems, the author argues that small, ultra-customized data collection methodologies, can be of great help in collecting and assessing student input, reducing demands on paper, and easing the familiar grading bottleneck while satisfying an individual's pedagogical needs.

Defining A Standard Metric For Electricity Savings, Jonathan Koomey, Hashem Akbari, Carl Blumstein, Marilyn Brown, Richard Brown, Chris Calwell, Sheryl Carter, Ralph Cavanagh, Audrey Chang, David Claridge, Paul Craig, Rick Diamond, Joseph H. Eto, William Fulkerson, Ashok Gadgil, Howard Geller, José Goldemberg, Chuck Goldman, David B. Goldstein, Steve Greenberg, David W. Hafemeister, Jeff Harris, Hal Harvey, Eric Heitz, Eric Hirst, Holmes Hummel, Dan Kammen, Henry Kelly, Skip Laitner, Mark Levine, Amory Lovins, Gil Masters, James E. Mcmahon, Alan Meier, Michael Messenger, John Millhone, Evan Mills, Steve Nadel, Bruce Nordman, Lynn Price, Joe Romm, Marc Ross, Michael Rufo, Jayant Sathaye, Lee Schipper, Stephen H. Schneider, James L. Sweeney, Malcolm Verdict, Diana Vorsatz, Devra Wang, Carl Weinberg, Richard Wilk, John Wilson, Ernst Worrell

Physics

The growing investment by governments and electric utilities in energy efficiency programs highlights the need for simple tools to help assess and explain the size of the potential resource. One technique that is commonly used in this effort is to characterize electricity savings in terms of avoided power plants, because it is easier for people to visualize a power plant than it is to understand an abstraction such as billions of kilowatt-hours. Unfortunately, there is no standardization around the characteristics of such power plants.
In this letter we define parameters for a standard avoided power plant that have physical meaning …

Strain Within The Ultrahigh‐Pressure Western Gneiss Region Of Norway Recorded By Quartz Cpos, Nicolas C. Barth, Bradley R. Hacker, Gareth G.E. Seward, Emily O. Walsh, David Young, Scott Johnston

Physics

Electron back‐scatter diffraction was used to measure the crystal preferred orientations (CPOs) from 101 samples across the ultrahigh‐pressure Western Gneiss Region of Norway to assess slip systems, sense of shear, CPO strength, and strain geometry. The CPOs suggest a dominance of prism slip, with lesser amounts of prism [c] slip and basal slip; there are few Type‐I and Type‐II girdles. The major structural feature in the study area—the high‐strain, top‐W, normal‐sense Nordfjord–Sogn Detachment Zone—is characterized by asymmetric and strong CPOs; an eastern domain with strong asymmetric CPOs shows top‐E shear. Strain throughout the study area was characterized by a mix …

Psc 307: Nuclear Weapons Arms Control, David Hafemeister

Physics

No abstract provided.

Preparing A Vacuum Chamber To Trap Atoms, And The Principles Of A Magneto-Optical Trap, Grant Rayner

Physics

No abstract provided.

Reflectivity Of A Cholesteric Liquid Crystal, Justin Lawson

Physics

In this paper we investigate the light properties of a chiral liquid crystal or a crystal for which the director angle relative to some fixed axis changes as a function of the crystal depth. Sometimes a dopant can introduce a chirality or "twist" in a nematic liquid crystal. For such cases of non-linear depth dependence (where chirality is determined by a diffusion equation) we may use this research to work backwards from a crystal's light properties to intensity and duration of dopant exposure.

Recommender System For Audio Recordings, Jong Seo Lee

Master's Theses

Nowadays the largest E-commerce or E-service websites offer millions of products for sale. A Recommender system is defined as software used by such websites for recommending commercial or noncommercial product items to users according to the users’ tastes. In this project, we develop a recommender system for a private multimedia web service company. In particular, we devise three recommendation engines using different data filtering methods – named weighted-average, K-nearest neighbors, and item-based – which are based on collaborative filtering techniques, which work by recording user preferences on items and by anticipating the future likes and dislikes of users by comparing …

Exercise Power Grid Display And Web Interface, Alexander (Alex) Chernetz

Computer Engineering

The 2008-2009 expansion of the Recreation Center at Cal Poly includes three new rooms with cardiovascular fitness equipment. As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable development, the new machines connect to the main power grid and generate power during a workout. This document explains the process of quantifying and expressing the power generated using two interfaces: an autonomous display designed for a television with a text size and amount of detail adaptable to multiple television sizes and viewing distances, and an interactive, more detailed Web interface accessible with any Java-capable computer system or browser.