Scholars and their Research Project

Alanna Perez

Title:    Economic Sanctions: The Conditions for Success and the Case of Zimbabwe

Abstract:    This study identifies the conditions that allowed for the successful use of economic sanctions against South Africa, which effectively led to the downfall of the repressive apartheid regime, and applies them to the current case of Zimbabwe. As identified by Schwartzman, the ideal social and economic conditions that allowed sanctions to be effective in the downfall of apartheid were international consensus, global economic integration and an economy sensitive to embargoes, mass opposition, and organized elite opposition. Are these social and economic conditions present in Zimbabwe and if so, how? This study determines that the current economic sanctions against Zimbabwe stand a promising chance because of the presence of at least three out of the four conditions identified by Schwartzman.

Alejandra Cazares

Title:    Development and Testing of DNA Microsatellite Primers for the prairie falcon (Falcon mexicanus)

Abstract:    Microsatellite analysis was used to test if DNA microsatellite markers that were developed for the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) also work on a closely related species of falcon, the prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus). Five DNA markers were analyzed across 13 individuals. Upon completion of successful amplification of the microsatellite alleles, genotypes were determined for all 13 individuals. Population genetic characteristics were obtained from the genotypes of prairie falcon from the Pinnacles National Monument. Additionally, prairie falcon genotypes were compared to peregrine falcon genotypes and the utility of his method for use of falcons systematic was considered.

Ameer Thompson

Title:    Parental investment as a function of body condition in female convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)

Abstract:    Many fish exhibit parental investment behaviour. It has long been assumed that parental investment behavior would be affected by the parent's body condition. Using the defensive attacking behavior of female parental convict cichlids, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, on a predator model, we tested their willingness to invest in their brood given a decline in somatic condition. By decreasing the female's diet, thus degrading her body condition, we found that the number of times she bit the model decreased as her body condition decreased.

Andro Rios

Title:    Methodology for Carbohydrate Analysis in Atmospheric Aerosols

Abstract:    The purpose of this research is to develop a method to analyze potential carbohydrates, in the form of particulate matter in the atmosphere, that arise from biomass combustion using an instrumentation method called High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). New methods development for chemical characterization is crucial to further the study of aerosols in the field of atmospheric chemistry because of the effects that aerosols have on climate, visibility, health and because of limitations of past methods This researcher worked on a method by the use of chemical standards from the most common, naturally occurring carbohydrates, and performed acid catalyzed hydrolysis to break down the larger chained oligosaccharides into monosaccharides. Once the monosaccharides were obtained the samples were then injected and run through a special carbohydrate column using HPLC, which allows for the separation of glucose, galactose, fructose. Results show that only qualitative analysis can be performed using the acid catalyzed hydrolysis method. To obtain a quantitative analysis, further work must be done on developing a hydrolysis method that reduces the effects of the contaminants on the separation of the desired monosaccharides.

R. Blaine Davis

Title:    Black Power: Advertiser's images of Black males in select contemporary magazines

Abstract:    This study examines the portrayals of Black males in Ebony and Essence magazine advertisements in the 21st century. Previous research has shown a tendency to stereotype the roles and features of Blacks in magazine advertising. Current advertising is analyzed to determine the depictions of Black males in the advertising of magazines with predominantly Black readership. Results indicate that advertisers overwhelmingly prefer to use ads with all Black actors in these magazines. A high proportion of the ads were for personal products and entertainment and several depicted Black males in romantic or sexual situations. This study examines the portrayals of Black males in Ebony and Essence magazine advertisements in the 21st century. Previous research has shown a tendency to stereotype the roles and features of Blacks in magazine advertising. Current advertising is analyzed to determine the depictions of Black males in the advertising of magazines with predominantly Black readership. Results indicate that advertisers overwhelmingly prefer to use ads with all Black actors in these magazines. A high proportion of the ads were for personal products and entertainment and several depicted Black males in romantic or sexual situations.

Brittney Z. Gandy

Title:    Light Intensity on an Ecological Friend: A study on bats

Abstract:    Over time, through what Darwin described as "survival of the fittest," evolution determines which organisms remain on this earth. The most important organisms in a given period in time typically remain and survive, while the others become extinct by various mechanisms. "In this climate of evolving concepts . all organisms affect each other to some degree. The most intimate associations may be represented by eukaryotic cells and their putative endosymbionts, the mitochondria and their plastids, inseparable partners in the structure of what biologists regard as one living unit, yet in origin are perhaps separate species"(Findley, 1993, p.3). Thus, all species are interrelated: as one "living unit," though each is different, bird, mouse, man, bat, each live and affect one another.

Edith Garcia

Title:    Reducing School Violence in a Northern California School District Impact of the School Resource Officer Program

Abstract:    America's schools are having difficulty in completing their mission of education. Violence has plagued the school environment making it difficult to maintain safe learning institutions. The occurrence of school violence has resulted in the development of the School Resource Officer program (SRO). The SRO program places uniformed police officers on school grounds to help school administrators with school violence, and as a deterrent for inappropriate behavior. This study was designed to determine if SROs in a Northern California school district are effectively reducing school violence and disciplinary problems at the high school level. A total of 6 SROs were surveyed from the school district. Each SRO represents a single high school, as there is only one SRO assigned for each high school. Using a questionnaire to measure the SRO's perceptions of the program, and high school data on crime, this study seeks to determine if certain goals and objectives are being met through comparative analysis

Jason E. Ybarra

Title:    INFRARED SEARCH FOR OUTFLOWS

Abstract:    In order to learn about the mechanisms of star formation in any region, a study of outflows within the region needs to undertaken. Information on the outflow levels in the Rosette Molecular Cloud is lacking. In particular, there is no information on the level near-infrared emission features within the cloud. Near-infrared H2 emission features are often found in regions containing optical Herbig-Haro objects. This survey has detected near-infrared outflow features within the Rosette Molecular Cloud. Photometric data from 2MASS is used to identify possible proto-stellar objects within these regions. Spatial relationships between the outflow features, visible Herbig-Haro objects, and possible outflow sources will be discussed.

Jessica Gordley

Title:    In Search of a Rulebook: A Content Analysis of Academic Debate Judging Philosophies

Abstract:    Academic debate has no codified set of rules, but academic judging philosophies may provide insight into the subjective rules and norms that are communicated to debaters. Through a content analysis of the 2003 Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) National Judging Philosophy Booklet, this study examined judges argument preferences pertaining to two relatively new types of argumentation: critiques and performance. Findings revealed that more judges indicate a preference towards both critiques and performance than do not, so long as their reservations are met. Findings further show that the relationship between preference and region a judge is from is only statistically significant for critiques. Findings also indicate that years of judging experience and sex of the judge do not have a statistically significant relationship to argument preference for critiques or performance. This research will contributes to a better understanding of judges' argument preferences and the way demographics relate to those preferences.

Justin D. Ancheta

Title:    The availability of yellow grease at fast food chains and restaurants in Sacramento for biodiesel usage

Abstract:    The availability of fry oil in Sacramento is researched to find if there is a good source of tallow or bio-waste from restaurants and fast food chains. The tallow and bio-waste is necessary for the production of low-cost biodiesel for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiesel is a clean alternative fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fats that can be used as a substitute in diesel engines. Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter, can all be diminished if diesel engines use biodiesel as an alternative fuel. The availability of yellow grease for biodiesel has the possibility of decreasing the cost of biodiesel so that it can be used in the Sacramento Valley to decrease the amount of air pollution that comes from local sources as well as windblown pollutants from the Bay. For this study, if a substantial amount of yellow grease is found at fast food chains or restaurants, then further studies on the feasibility of local yellow grease rendering companies should be researched. This study will pinpoint which types of restaurants are the best for yellow grease rendering in Sacramento. No difference between restaurant grease availability was found. However, with a larger sample size it is possible to find a difference in both the amount of yellow grease at restaurants and especially the price of yellow grease per restaurant.

Martin A. Chamorro

Title:    A Perspective on God's Relation to a Dynamic Conception of Time

Abstract:    This study analyzes the competing theories of God's relation with time, according to a dynamic view of time, in order to offer a logical description of such a relationship. The dynamic view of the world maintains that only the present is real and exists, whereas the future and the past do not exist. God can be timeless, existing wholly outside of time, or He can be temporal experiencing past, present, and future. The aim of the study is to show that God is temporal in relation to a dynamic view of the world. This researcher utilizes a test for hypothesis to determine whether the theory that God is temporal in a dynamic world outweighs all rival theories. When this hypothesis is compared to the hypothesis that God is timeless, the former proves more plausible.

Melissa Johnson

Title:    An Analysis of Escherichia coli in American and Tanzanian Water Samples

Abstract:    Two strains of Escherichia coli were examined for levels of heat resistance in relation to heating rate. The research was divided into four phases. In Phase I, samples of sterile river water were inoculated with an ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strain of E. coli, and D-values were determined for 58ºC, 60ºC, and 62ºC. In Phase II, several water baths were inoculated with the ATCC type strain, and the temperatures of the baths were increased from 50-61ºC at the rates of 1ºC/ .5 minute, 1ºC/ 2 minute, and 1ºC/ 11 minute. The results revealed that a decrease in heating rate led to an increase in mortality over a given unit of time. In Phase III, one temperature (D-value of 1 minute) was used to heat two strains of E. coli present in water samples; the first strain was an ATCC strain, and the second was a strain isolated from Tanzania water samples. The results were used to determine if heat resistance was similar in related strains of E. coli. In Phase IV, the procedures in phase I were repeated using a solar cooker to determine if the results in the lab could be replicated using a natural setting. The information obtained in this study will be applied to the solar water pasteurization projects conducted yearly in Tanzania and Kenya, under the auspice of Dr. Robert Metcalf, Professor of Microbiology at California State University, Sacramento.

Sewit Hezchias

Title:    Title: Racial Identity and Political Mobilization among African Brazilians

Abstract:    According to Richard L. Jackson, in Brazil "black skin and African features continue to be handicaps, white racism and anti-black consciousness realities, and ethnic lynching a serious threat to the racial identity of black people" (Jackson, 1992, p. 229). Studies comparing blacks access to education, health care, employment, housing, and other quality of life indexes with that of browns and whites reflect massive inequality. "The lowest social-economic class is unquestionably 'black'" (Brown 1992, p. 229). Nevertheless, the state and the political system of Brazil continues to perpetuate the myth of racial democracy - the idea that Brazil is a land of racial equality. Not only has this myth operated to deny racial difference in Brazil, according to the literature, it has suppressed racial mobilization and significantly inhibited the formation of a shared ethnic identity.