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Political Orientation and its Effect on Engagement and Perception of the Arts
Get PDFUtilizing the Symbolic Interactionism Theory (Gusfield, 2011), this study explored the relationship between political orientation and one’s engagement with and perception of art forms. The study utilized qualitative methods analysis to analyze similarities between participant responses. Findings from participants revealed the following themes: engagement with history leading to a more profound understanding of art, art causing real-life inspiration, and engagement with art leads to the formation of sub-cultures. Additionally, interviews revealed that people choose not to engage with certain art based on political orientation, people who consider themselves to be “spiritual” engaged with art differently, and many people’s perception of the biggest issue in the United States is polarization of politics. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, as well as limitations and directions for future research
Balancing Darkness And Visibility: An Algorithmic Approach To Light Placement In Low-Light, Ray-Traced Scenes
Get PDFIn recent years, digital media has seen incredible advancements in rendering visually stunning computer graphics scenes. Photo-realistic games, animated films, and more leave viewers blown away by the sheer beauty of their graphics. However, challenges arise when depicting dark scenes, often resulting in visual monotony and difficulty in comprehension due to insufficient detail within the scene. In order to enhance readability and visual interest of a scene, additional, artificial lights can be placed throughout a scene to enhance the aesthetic. These lights, however, must be strategically placed in order to retain an essence of darkness and maintain the delicate balance between light and dark. In this thesis, we explore an algorithm for light placement within low light, ray-traced scenes which leverages a k-means layering scheme to partition a scene and place artificial lights for artistic enhancement. Multiple scenes were generated and user feedback was collected comparing various lighting configurations for each scene, assessing the algorithm\u27s effectiveness in improving readability and maintaining the desired level of darkness as well as how additional lighting affects the user\u27s perception of the scene
Breaking the Curse: Rebranding the Sacramento Kings
Get PDFThe Sacramento Kings basketball team has a terrible reputation throughout the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has suffered a massive loss in their revenue and audience because of it. Even though they are the oldest team in the NBA and are based in the capital of California, which is the largest market in the world for basketball, they are consistently overshadowed by all of the other teams in California as well as most of the other teams in the NBA. This stems from their brand reputation which has slowly and consistently declined since the early 2000’s. Brand reputation is one of the largest factors when it comes to whether or not fans choose to follow a team, so my objective for this project is to increase the reputation of the Sacramento Kings’ brand through a redesign of their imagery and social media. I will evaluate my success by collecting data from fans of the NBA before and after the redesign. If their perception of the Kings has gotten better, then I will have succeeded
An Investigation Into the Use of Amateur Astronomy Equipment For Optical Orbit Determination Using a Mobile Telescope Platform
Get PDFThe process of optical orbit determination has long been in the domain of large organizations and stationary observatories with highly specialized scientific equipment. This thesis seeks to determine not only if satellites can be captured regularly using purely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, but also if initial orbit determinations can be made using that data. Moreover, the use of a mobile telescope platform allows users to circumvent the restrictions of fixed observatories such as low horizon viewing restrictions or existing light pollution.
A completely COTS setup was utilized that included an 8-inch Celestron NextStar 8SE telescope with an f/6.3 focal reducer and Canon Rebel T7i DSLR camera. Ten successful, complete observations of satellites were performed at San Geronimo Road Turnout in Cayucos. The DSLR utilized provided nearly double the field-of-view and ten times the resolution of previously used cameras while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of the setup to just over $4000. Initial orbit determination (IOD) solutions utilizing Gauss Extended and Gauss Extended with assumed circular-orbit(ACO) provided orbital parameters with as low as 0.02% difference from government generated two-line elements (TLEs)
Design and Testing of a Prototype Prosthesis for Pediatric Upper-limb Transradial Amputees to Provide Adjustable Size and Modular Characteristics
Get PDFThis study was conducted to develop a financially accessible body-powered upper-limb prosthetic socket that can be adjusted to maintain fit and function for a growing child with a transradial amputation. The main objectives of the study were to design, manufacture, and test a device that was comfortable, functional, affordable, and adjustable. The socket was designed to be comfortable using global variables controlling the computer-aided design (CAD) model size with user-specific measurements. Comfort was also incorporated using shape-forming of the socket for specific residual limb features. The device was designed to perform the two main functions of suspension, or attachment to the residual limb, and flexion/extension of the prosthetic hand fingers based on elbow flexion. This was accomplished with a custom-fit skin-socket interface and multiple-point Velcro straps, which, paired with heat forming, allowed the socket to be adjusted by changing the shape and size of a child’s residual limb. The functional prototype of this design was manufactured through 3D printing of base socket pieces, attaching the foam lining and Velcro straps, and assembling the device with the artificial tendons (AT) connected from the distal phalanges to the tension block on the upper arm socket (UAS). This design was evaluated to verify that the device could function in distributing pressure and withstand expected static loads and to validate that the manufacturing process could produce a socket that met the specifications based on the custom measurements. Testing demonstrated that the device could be manufactured through 3D printing while maintaining critical dimension values, which provided evidence that the custom fit could be replicated reliably. The device was also shown to withstand an expected load of five pounds at the prosthetic hand of the pediatric design with factors of safety that exceeded design requirements. Pressure distribution testing proved challenging with the measurement capabilities of force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) on the tissue replica, so a rigid-body replica was used and showed paired pressure readings that were significantly different. Low sample size may be a reason for the pressure difference as the total means were similar. One limitation of the study included a need for simulated-use testing with an intended end-user, which limited the inference of these results to proof of the design concept with limited sample sizes which have a higher chance of false negative results. Future studies expanding upon this project should include clinical evaluation of the device with pediatric transradial amputees to validate practical functionality with the end-user, as well as the customizability of the device with different users and prosthetic hands. Studies could also incorporate features such as sensory feedback to improve the acceptance of the device, especially for the intended pediatric population. Despite the limitations and areas for improvement with this study, a functional prototype of a modular, adjustable transradial prosthesis for pediatric use was developed and evaluated, providing an accessible option for this gap in the pediatric prosthetic industry
Quantifying the Mechanisms Behind Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health Following Compost Application in a Rangeland Chronosequence
Get PDFCompost application to rangelands has the potential to sequester carbon (C) and add essential plant nutrients to the soil. The California Department of Food and Agriculture\u27s (CDFA) Healthy Soils Project (HSP) provides financial support to farmers and landowners to implement innovative practices that promote soil health. The CDFA is currently recommending compost application rates of 6-10 tons per acre; however, previous research suggests that degraded soils may require a larger dose of compost to overcome limitations, therefore this recommendation might not meet soil health or soil carbon sequestration objectives. This study examines the compost rate effects on soil health, while also utilizing a comparison between soils with differing ages but similar environmental factors through the use of a rangeland chronosequence. Previous studies lack the combination of rate comparisons paired with soil development.
Compost was applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 30 tons/acre across the two marine terraces, T1 and T2. Terrace one (T1) is the less developed sandy loam, approximately 50,000 years old, and terrace two (T2) is the more developed sandy clay loam soil, approximately 120,000 years old. The interactions between the treatment and pre-existing mineral soil properties were examined to quantify the mechanisms behind C accrual and soil health on degraded soils. A randomized block design was utilized with 4 blocks per terrace, each 1-acre block containing each of the four treatments (Control, Low, Moderate, High).
Carbon sequestration was measured by testing soil GHG emissions as well as various pools of C within the soil such as total soil carbon (TC), labile soil carbon (POXC), and mineralizable carbon (Min C). Soil health factors were analyzed through measuring soil cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, K+), micronutrient/heavy metal availability (Znex, Mnex, Feex, Cuex), phosphorous (Olsen P), soil pH, total nitrogen (N) mineralization of nitrogen (PMN). Soil physical properties such as aggregate stability, water holding capacity (WHC), bulk density (Db), and aboveground biomass were also measured. Pre-existing site characteristics such as amorphous iron and aluminum oxides (Fe/Al-oxides) were examined as possible mechanisms for C storage. Data was analyzed via ANOVA and Tukey HSD mean separation to test significance. Linear mixed and mixed effects models were created to evaluate significance of site characteristics and assess which characteristic drives variability in soil C across the terraces.
Year one results show a statistically significant increase in percent carbon (TC) and labile carbon (POXC) in the top 5 cm of T2 between the 30 ton/acre treatment compared to 10 ton/acre treatment and the control. Similarly, levels of extractable Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ were significantly higher in the plots with 30 t/acre of compost compared to the control plots in T2, as well as for Kex, in T1. Finally, WHC significantly improved in the soil treated with 30 t/acre of compost compared to 10 t/acre in T2, and Db significantly improved in the soil treated with 30 t/acre of compost compared to the control in T2. One-year post-application, soil C, soil mineralogy/health, and soil physical properties significantly increased and/or improved when treated with the high 30 t/acre compost levels compared to the low and/or control treatments.
Two years after compost application, we see similar results with increased TC, Caex, and Mgex in the high application rates compared to the low and control in T2, and we also see the emergence of increased total nitrogen (TN) and extractable Znex in the 30 t/acre treatment plots compared to the 10 t/acre and control plots in T2. However, two years post-application, POXC, WHC, and Db now longer showed significant differences between any rates in T2, though they each appeared to follow the same trend.
Interestingly, results three years post-application showed continued TC and TN, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and Znex significance in the 30 t/acre treated plots compared to the low 10 t/acre plots in T2. Furthermore, TC, Min C, and TN all significantly increased in the 30 t/acre treatment plots in 2023 compared to the level’s measures in the 30 t/acre plots in 2021, suggesting continued C-sequestration and soil health benefits up to three years after a single compost application. Other soil health components such as POXC, extractable cations (K+, Ca2+, Na+, and Mg2+), Znex and Cuex, did not continue to increase into year three, but rather remained constant or slightly decreased, indicating an initial spike in nutrients immediately after compost application, followed by a decline back to “normal” values for some aspects of soil health. However, Alox did emerge as significantly higher under the 30 t/acre treatment compared to the 10 t/acre treatment in T2 in year three and showed a trend towards increasing levels of Alox between 2021 and 2023. This could indicate a lag in the effects of compost on the soil, with some nutrients emerging as significant three years after compost application.
An analysis of correlation between C content (TC, Min C, and POXC) and mineralogical properties (Fe/Al-oxides, clay percent) and the compost treatment levels were determined using linear mixed-effects models (MEM). Across all three years, the linear MEM showed that Feox, Alox, and clay percent were the main predictors of TC storage, with Alox showing the strongest effect, while compost treatment was significant, but had a smaller effect size. For Min C, the MEM shows Alox is the most significant predictor across all years, but an R2 of only 0.18 suggests that factors not included in the model, or year-specific conditions, are also affecting MinC. The MEM for POXC shows that Feox, Alox and clay impact POXC in 2021, with Feox influencing POXC across three years.
No significant treatment effects were observed on amorphous iron (Feox) or clay content on either terrace in any year, meanwhile Alox levels significantly increased with increasing compost application in 2022 and 2023. between terraces in 2022 and 2023, with T2 showing higher levels compared to T1. The linear MEM results indicate that Feox, clay percent, and Alox all significantly predict C storage within the soil after accounting for compost treatments. Since compost directly affects Alox, it is likely that compost and Alox are collinear, and thus compost indirectly influences TC through increasing Alox. In 2021, Feox and clay percent solely predict C storage, by 2023 Alox emerges as the most significant predictor of C storage. This collinearity may be attributed to the release of Alox into the soil from compost treatments. Alox is both a mediator through which compost influences C, and still a valid, strong predictor of TC storage.
The findings from this analysis indicate 1) an application rate of 30 tons/acre is more effective at sequestering C and improving soil health over the traditional 10 tons/acre, 2) pre-existing site characteristics and differences in pedogenic soil development (Alox and Feox and clay percent) are the key factors modulating soil health outcomes from compost application, and 3) continued C benefits across multiple years may be realized after a one-time application
A call to examine queer instructors’ identity disclosures in the classroom
Get PDFDespite the academy and students’ attitudes progressing towards queer instructors (Boren & McPherson, 2018), there is limited scholarship regarding the disclosure of queer identities in the classroom. In ignoring issues of queer disclosure, the communication discipline fails to challenge heteronormative assumptions of instructor identity. My Critical Commentary asks feminist scholars to go beyond traditional conceptions of instructor identities to combat this marginalization. I assert researchers should prioritize deconstructing heteronormativity, apply queer theory, and revisit notions of the classroom closet in their scholarship. By doing so, I argue communication scholars will equip institutions to better support queer faculty and students alike