Pacific McGeorge School of Law
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Understanding the Antibiotic Activity Contained in the Carlson Lab Natural Products Library
No full textKnocking on Resistance’s Door: Investigating the Spread and Drivers of kdr Mutations in Northern California Culex tarsalis
No full textVector-borne diseases are an increasingly relevant threat to public health as climate change alters the ecology of vector populations in relation to humans. One key to combating vector-borne disease is using pyrethroid insecticides against mosquito populations. However, wild mosquito populations have exhibited resistance to those key pyrethroids. One resistance mechanism under investigation is the altering of the voltage-gated sodium channel, which is associated with the genetic mutations known as kdr. The prevalence and history of kdr mutations has been investigated in some populations of Culex pipiens, however, it is unknown in northern California Culex tarsalis populations. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of the kdr L1014F mutation at two points in time, 2007-2009 and 2021-2022, with three populations (Sacramento-Yolo, Lake County, and Sutter-Yuba) and selective pressure from insecticides. By investigating these two time points, we gain insight into the changes in phenotypic resistance observed in these populations. Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and allele-specific primers, individual samples were tested for the kdr L1014F and L1014S mutations. In 2007-2009 populations, there were relatively low (2.4-3.5%) occurrences of L1014F. In 2021-2022 populations, there were high (\u3e85%) occurrences of L1014F, a strong increase when compared to 2007 populations. These data have concerning implications for the levels of pyrethroid resistance in their respective populations. Data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation shows that agricultural and structural pest control industries were key players in the application of pyrethroid insecticides in the study areas. Implementation of the principles of Integrated Vector Management, such as novel control methods and pesticide rotation, will be vital in combating vector-borne disease in the face of this widespread pyrethroid resistance
Early theories on fluid resistance and translation of Euler’s “Dilucidationes de resistentia fluidorum”
No full textIn 1763, Euler published Dilucidationes de resistentia fluidorum (Explanations on the resistance of fluids), a memoir that challenges the fluid resistance theories proposed by Isaac Newton and d’Alembert. Euler\u27s work explores the resistance experienced by solid bodies moving through fluids, critiquing both Newton\u27s common rule and d’Alembert\u27s paradox, which predicted zero resistance for non-viscous fluids. Euler\u27s treatise is divided into two parts: the first focuses on the mathematical modeling of fluid flow patterns, while the second addresses the calculation of fluid resistance on surfaces. Despite significant advancements, Euler\u27s work remains constrained by the limitations of non-viscous fluid assumptions, ultimately grappling with the same paradoxes he sought to overcome. This paper reviews the key contributions and limitations of Dilucidationes, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of Euler\u27s insights in the context of classical fluid dynamics. Additionally, it highlights the translation capabilities of AI-powered tools, specifically ChatGPT, in translating complex mathematical texts, marking a noticeable improvement in handling notation-heavy content
Student Perceptions of Campus Facilities and Their Impact on Educational Experience
No full textThis dissertation investigates the perceptions of undergraduate students regarding campus facilities at a picturesque academic institution located in Northern California and explores how these perceptions impact their educational experiences and outcomes. Despite the significant role of physical and technological infrastructure in shaping educational environments, student voices are often underrepresented in the capital renewal process. This study aims to fill this gap by employing a qualitative research approach grounded in empowerment theory and using participatory methods, such as photovoice and semistructured interviews. It underscores the importance of student involvement in facility planning and renewal processes and introduces the research objectives, theoretical framework, and method.
By highlighting the value of student perceptions, this research contributes to the broader discourse on educational facility planning and the enhancement of student experiences in higher education
Hygiene Heroes: Strengthening Oral Hygiene to Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients
No full textBackground: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) impact pediatric patient outcomes, increasing mortality, hospital stays, and healthcare costs. At Sutter Medical Center Sacramento (SMCS), the CLABSI prevention bundle includes proper line care, dressing assessments, and hygiene practices, including twice-daily oral care, daily linen changes, and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing. Sutter found their CLABSI bundle compliance at approximately 76–78%, with oral hygiene identified as the most frequent gap in care.
Aim: This quality improvement project, partnered with SMCS, targeted oral care compliance to enhance overall bundle adherence, strengthen staff-leadership communication, and ultimately reduce CLABSI rates in the hematology/oncology units. In a wider perspective, this project sought to support Sutter’s broader commitment to preventing hospital-acquired infections through evidence-based care.
Methods: Targeting all 80 registered nurses and 9 technicians working on the pediatric and hematology/oncology units at SMCS, staff education was delivered through Tuesday Teaching Tip (“T3”) emails, huddle reminders, and weekly patient rounds, focusing on proper oral hygiene practices for patients with central lines. Educational hygiene flyers were provided to patients and families during weekly oncology rounding to deliver individualized education and assess oral care practices. Kamishibai cards (K-card) audits tracked pre- and post-intervention bundle adherence to evaluate the effectiveness in improving oral care compliance and decreasing CLABSI rates.
Results: Mean oral care compliance improved from 71% (SD = 0.30) during the pre-intervention phase to 91% (SD = 0.06) in phase 1 and 87% (SD = 0.03) in phase 2. The difference between the pre-intervention phase and phase 1 was statistically significant (p = .043). The rolling 12- month CLABSI rate decreased from 0.87 (SD = 0.40) to 0.61 (SD = 0.24) per 1,000 catheter days by phase 2, though changes were not statistically significant (p \u3e .05). Overall, the intervention was associated with improved oral care compliance and a downward trend in CLABSI rates.
Conclusion: This project was used to enhance and improve oral hygiene compliance in hematology/oncology pediatric patients with central lines at SMCS as a strategy to reduce CLABSIs. This supported an existing quality improvement project at SMCS and aimed to reinforce best practices through two primary interventions: nurse education through “T3” email updates and huddle reminders, as well as the implementation of an educational hygiene flyer for patients and their families. Through these interventions, oral care compliance increased within the unit, ranging between 80% and 90%, and is expected to continue improving over the next several months.https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/nursing-portfolios/1033/thumbnail.jp
Reducing Opioid Overdose Harm Through Narcan Access and Education
No full textBackground: The overuse of opioids has led to an epidemic that affects the health of young adults in Sacramento, CA. Social and economic factors have influenced the use of opioids which has led those individuals to acquire an addiction and dependency to such drugs. This age group is typically engaged in college and career-minded endeavors. Thus, the impact on this age group is substantial, requiring impactful interventions.
Aim: The purpose of this intervention is to provide a foundation for educating those affected by opioid overdose. This strategic goal is to equip students at the University of the Pacific’s Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing program with ways to improve outcomes and prevent deaths. Students should be educated and informed on how to respond to opioid overdose and the proper use of Narcan.
Methods: Surveys using the Likert-scale questionnaire were developed to determine whether the pre and post-interventions were impactful. The data from the 50 participants were collected anonymously via Google Forms and analyzed using Intellectus.
Results: Results showed significant improvements, including improvement from 63% to 81% in the total correct of knowledge questions. The result of the two-tailed independent samples t-test was significant based on an alpha value of .05, (t80) = -5.75, p \u3c .001, indicating the null hypothesis can be rejected. This finding suggests the mean of Knowledge survey was significantly different between the pre and post categories.
Conclusion: Implementing opioid educational interventions and emphasizing training in a university setting with a focus on healthcare professionals is highly impactful. Understanding causation and remedies in a university setting helps build the foundation for addressing concerns and providing a basis for meaningful interventions.https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/nursing-portfolios/1039/thumbnail.jp
Smart Honeypot Network with Autonomous Deception
No full textCybersecurity systems traditionally rely on static defensive strategies such as firewalls, intrusion-detection systems, and conventional honeypots that passively record unauthorized access attempts. However, modern cyber threats are increasingly adaptive, automated, and capable of modifying behavior based on the environment encountered. This creates a growing mismatch between dynamic offensive strategies and defensive tools that remain fixed in both structure and response. The problem this project investigates is how a defensive network can engage with an attacker as an intelligence-gathering tool rather than simply blocking intrusion which specifically through interactive deception that adapts to attacker behavior.
This work explores the development of a smart honeypot network capable of autonomous deception. The system is composed of several simulated environments which include SSH, HTTP, and malware-capture honeypots that are deployed within virtual machines to ensure a secure and isolated testing environment. The deception engine was implemented in Python and functions as the central coordinator of adaptive system behavior. It monitors attacker interactions through captured log data and modifies honeypot behavior in real time, such as altering available ports, presenting fabricated file structures, and dynamically changing operating system identity and service banners. This creates the illusion of a responsive live system while remaining entirely artificial.
To evaluate system performance, simulated attacks were conducted using standard penetration tools for reconnaissance, brute-force credential cracking, and controlled exploit and payload testing. All interactions remained confined to a lab environment to ensure ethical and safe experimentation. During these simulations, all commands, timing intervals, session durations, and interaction patterns were logged and analyzed. These logs formed the feature set used for attacker classification.
A key innovation in this project is the integration of an AI-based behavioral classifier. Using extracted features such as command sequencing, probing depth, authentication patterns, and exploration style, the classifier estimates attacker skill level along a defined spectrum. Based on this classification, the deception engine automatically adjusts its response strategy. For example, a less sophisticated attacker may be presented with simpler fake responses, while a more advanced attacker may be guided deeper into fabricated service layers or more convincing system illusions. This results in prolonged engagement and richer intelligence collection.
This project contributes to research in cyber deception and adversarial modeling by demonstrating that a defensive system does not need to merely prevent access as it can actively transform intrusion activity into actionable intelligence. By safely prototyping this approach in a controlled environment, the work lays a foundation for future deployment in real-world network settings, where authentic threat actor behavior can be captured and analyzed with proper safeguards
The impact of oral health disparities on smoking prevalence
No full textSmoking increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, lung infections, and diabetes, and causes oral health problems. The prevalence of smoking is significantly influenced by intersecting factors such as socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic marginalization, and differing cultural practices. Importantly, minority groups experience earlier tobacco exposure and reduced access to education and cessation programs. A comprehensive analysis of individual characteristics is essential for predicting and effectively addressing tobacco-related oral and systemic health disparities. Education and prevention initiatives are key to decreasing the prevalence of smoking in populations affected by structural inequities
Letter from Henry C. Robinette to Brother, 1861 October 24
No full textHenry Clay Robinette, attended the Delaware Military Academy (1857-1860) and joined the Union Army at the outset of the Civil War. H.C. Robinette fought at the battles of Corinth and Vicksburg (1862) and was later on the General Grant\u27s staff (1864-1865). After the war he was court-martialed for cursing an officer in a barroom brawl (1867)but his father petitioned President Andrew Johnson on his behalf with the result that his sentence was commuted and he was promoted to brevet major for gallant and meritorious services at the Battle of Corinth and the siege of Vicksburg.https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/civil-war/1031/thumbnail.jp