cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-626416
title: Pulsed infrared desorption of carbon dioxide guest molecules in amorphous solid water

description: The trapping and release of CO₂ from thin films of amorphous solid water (ASW), &lt; 500 monolayers (ML), were investigated by irradiating vapor-deposited ASW/CO₂ mixtures with pulsed 3424 cm⁻¹ infrared radiation and detecting the ejected molecules using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS).  The studies were concerned with the preferential removal of CO2 over H₂O after consecutive low energy radiation pulses (&lt; 1.2 mJ/pulse), and the ejection of water aggregates with high energy pulses (&gt; 1.2 mJ/pulse) which were ionized to protonated water clusters of the form (H₂O)nH⁺ with n = 1 – 6. ❧ Amorphous solid mixtures of ASW/CO₂ with typical composition ratios of 3:1 or 4:1 (H₂O:CO₂) were prepared by co-depositing CO₂ during ASW formation on a MgO(100) substrate.  Porous ASW was formed by dosing the MgO substrate with gaseous H₂O at 90 K under ultra-high vacuum conditions.  CO₂ multilayers that formed atop the ASW/CO2 film were removed by annealing the film to ~ 112 K and returning it to 90 K.  Ablation was achieved through vibrational excitation of the asymmetric stretch of H2O molecules in the ice film.  The 3424 cm⁻¹ light was generated by optimizing the second Stokes component in the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) of 1064 nm radiation from a Nd:YAG laser (10 ns pulses) in D2 (ν = 2987 cm⁻¹).  The overall quantum Raman conversion efficiency of ~ 4% was obtained. ❧ Single-pulse irradiation of ASW and H₂O/CO₂ amorphous mixtures resulted in the ejection of both species with high translational energies.  The rapid temperature increase after irradiation facilitates CO2 removal via evaporation prior to segregation of CO₂.  The high thermal conductivity of the crystalline substrate quenches the heterogeneous nucleation of cavities that take place near the substrate.  The presence of small protonated water clusters is interpreted as evidence for trivial fragmentation occurring near the surface of the film. ❧ Despite the significant energy transfer to the substrate, near complete removal of CO2 has been measured through consecutive pulses incident on the same location at the film’s surface.  CO₂ removal occurred in as few as 6 pulses, whereas only 10 – 20 ML of H₂O were removed per pulse.  The ability of the ice to trap CO₂ changes after each pulse.  Whereas the first pulse irradiates an amorphous film, consecutive irradiation of film can induce irreversible changes to the morphology of the irradiated volume thereby inducing partial crystallization. ❧ Future experiments are aimed at exploring guest-host interactions after irradiation, where energy deposition occurs in less time than the characteristic time for thermal transfer to the substrate.  Studies where transport and segregation of dopants play a pivotal role in the enhancement of phase explosions and where the energetic release of aggregates through morphology changes is exploited to achieve lift-off of large surface-bound species are also outlined.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-654015
title: Bundeswehr in transition: Germany slowly transforms its cold war defense force into modern expeditionary military

description: A decade after World War II, the Federal Republic of Germany created a new military meant only to defend the nation’s borders.  The new force, called the Bundeswehr, prepared young men to fight against a possible invasion by the Soviet Union.  But when the Soviet Union crumbled at the end of the 20th century, Germany was left with an antiquated military prepared for an enemy that no longer exists. In the two decades since, Germany has sought to reform its military, so it could deploy throughout the world like the American, French, and British forces.  But the process has not been easy.  Despite providing the third-largest force in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, the Bundeswehr continues to lag behind other powerful countries in the number of troops it can send abroad.  Experts say this may not change much in the coming years because politicians remain wary of deploying troops outside of Germany’s borders.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-127364
title: The experience of living in a group home
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-132488
title: Homophobia: A Study of the Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals Toward Homosexuality
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-147118
title: The use of the small group in staff development
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-339990
title: Spatio-temporal analysis of wildfire incidence in the state of Florida

description: Wildfire is a growing problem in the United States that lends itself well to spatial analysis for those seeking to minimize human and environmental damages. This thesis analyzed spatio-temporal trends of wildfire in the state of Florida between the years of 1985–2014 and analyzed ecological and human demographic variables in relation to wildfire ignitions. Human population numbers, population growth, precipitation, and temperature affect the spatial distribution of wildfire. These changes can modify fire regimes in many areas, though the direction and extent of this influence is not fully understood. This research used correlation analysis to study the components of wildfire ignitions, separated into human and natural caused fires, visualized fire locations, and examined fire ignition hot spots in relation to the causes. It is hypothesized that population growth and population numbers positively influence the number of human caused wildfire ignitions, while high temperatures and low precipitation increase lightning caused fires. To create spatio-temporal maps and conduct the analysis, data on wildfire points, population counts, precipitation, and temperature were gathered and analyzed. Spatial analysis (e.g., Hot Spot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi* statistic)) and non-spatial statistics (e.g., Pearson’s correlation) were used to analyze statistically significant clustering of wildfire incidence. This thesis also used historical data to better recognize trends in wildfire occurrence and distribution. Wildfire management groups, already dealing with large fires every year, can use this information to become better prepared for future changes in wildfire incidences. The analysis revealed no significant correlations between the study variables and wildfire incidence. However, the research did reveal that there is significant clustering of wildfire ignitions due to human activity and lightning strikes.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-379379
title: 2T physics, Weyl symmetry and the geodesic completion of black hole backgrounds

description: In this thesis, we discuss two different contexts where the idea of gauge symmetry and duality is used to solve the dynamics of physical systems. The first of such contexts is 2T-physics in the worldline in d+2 dimensions, where the principle of Sp(2,R) gauge symmetry in phase space is used to relate different 1T systems in (d − 1) + 1 dimensions, such as a free relativistic particle, and a relativistic particle in an arbitrary V(x²) potential. Because each 1T shadow system corresponds to a particular gauge of the underlying symmetry, there is a web of dualities relating them [1]. The dualities between said systems amount to canonical transformations including time and energy, which allows the different systems to be described by different Hamiltonians, and consequently, to correspond to different dynamics in the (d − 1)+1 phase space. ❧ The second context, corresponds to a Weyl invariant scalar-tensor theory of gravity, obtained as a direct prediction of 2T gravity [6], where the Weyl symmetry is used to obtain geodesically complete dynamics both in the context of cosmology and black hole (BH) backgrounds. The geodesic incompleteness of usual Einstein gravity, in the presence of singularities in spacetime, is related to the definition of the Einstein gauge, which fixes the sign and magnitude of the gravitational constant GN, and therefore misses the existence of antigravity patches, which are expected to arise generically just beyond gravitational singularities. The definition of the Einstein gauge can be generalized by incorporating a sign flip of the gravitational constant GN at the transitions between gravity and antigravity. This sign is a key aspect that allows us to define geodesically complete dynamics in cosmology and in BH backgrounds, particularly, in the case of the 4D Schwarzschild BH and the 2D stringy BH [2]. The complete nature of particle geodesics in these BH backgrounds is exhibited explicitly at the classical level, and the extension of these results to the behavior of fields, interpreted as the first quantized particle wavefunctions in the backgrounds is discussed for the 2D stringy BH case. It is shown that the geodesic completion also carries through at the quantum level, by examining the effective potential of the corresponding Schwarzschild problem. Also, in the case of the 2D stringy BH, it is explicitly shown that the spacetime has a multi-sheeted structure, which resolves possible issues like the presence of closed timelike curves. This multi-sheeted structure is conjectured to exist also for the 4D Schwarzschild BH (and perhaps for all BH backgrounds). ❧ The main new results of this thesis are the extended network of dualities, in the form of canonical transformations including time and energy, between the 1T dynamical systems, presented in Chapter 2 and the construction of the geodesically complete 4D Schwarzschild and 2D stringy black hole backgrounds, presented in Chapter 3.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-622961
title: Gifted students' perceptions of the differentiated curriculum

description: A differentiated curriculum for the gifted provides learning experiences that are challenging, interesting, satisfying, useful in the application to the real world, transferable to other disciplines and content areas, and allows for choice. While a differentiated curriculum is necessary for gifted learners, students’ attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of the differentiated curriculum are seldom sought. This study examined highly gifted, gifted, and perceived gifted students’ perceptions of the elements of a differentiated curriculum defined by the California GATE Standards (2005). The population included gifted students in grades 3-5 from three suburban private schools in Southern California. Quantitative methods and descriptive statistics were used to analyze how gifted students perceived the vignettes on a survey questionnaire depicting examples of a differentiated curriculum. Students’ responses also indicated how different formal and informal methods of identification of giftedness affected students’ perceptions of challenge, choice, interest, satisfaction, usefulness, and transfer in relationship to their curricular experiences. The findings revealed that highly gifted, gifted, and perceived gifted students identified curricular elements representing the differentiated curriculum positively, and that formally identified gifted students’ perceptions of challenge of the differentiated curriculum (51%) were significantly different and lower than formally identified highly gifted (87%) and informally perceived gifted (95%) students’ perceptions. Gifted students’ perceptions of interdisciplinary connections were significantly different and lower than perceived gifted students. The results indicated that for a better match between the concepts of a differentiated curriculum and the learner, teachers and students need to be collaborators in the teaching and learning processes.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-631304
title: Contributions to cognitive decline among older Latinos in Los Angeles, California

description: The Latino population is the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States. Few studies are available in this population regarding risk factors for decline in cognitive function.  We conducted a longitudinal study comparing changes in cognitive function over 4-years using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument Short Form (CASI-S) in a population-based cohort of Latinos aged 40 years and older in La Puente, California.  Older subjects and subjects who were retired and not working compared to subjects who were working full-time had largest declines in CASI-S scores.  As the number of elderly Latinos and other ethnic groups continues to grow, it is important to understand the contributions to decline in cognitive function.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-637416
title: Assessing economic engagement with North Korea: a case study of China

description: By looking at the experiences of the Chinese government and its businesses, this thesis attempts to determine which forms of economic initiatives with North Korea are most effective at creating change and achieving one’s goals. In a world where many leaders continue to choose only sanctions against North Korea, economic interdependence and engagement may provide a more successful route. China has taken the lead in engagement with North Korea in order to create stability on its own border and obtain resources to support its own economic growth. This thesis determines that China has had mixed success, but its continued efforts may prove more fruitful in the future.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-662181
title: Partners of breast cancer survivors: Research participation and understanding of survivors' concerns

description: The majority of studies about adjustment to cancer focus only on the perspectives of the individual with cancer, and overlook the contributions made by those in the survivor’s social network. This dissertation examines post-treatment adjustment of breast cancer survivors and contributions to adjustment from survivors’ male partners. It is presented as two manuscripts. Both studies derive from the Moving Beyond Cancer (MBC) intervention study and a second study of the male partners of the MBC participants. ❧ The first study (Chapter 1) addresses methodological limitations common in research on couples, namely, low rates of participation, and a lack of understanding about how representative couples are of the larger population. This study examined demographic, treatment, relationship and quality of life characteristics associated with recruitment and retention of partners of breast cancer survivors from the MBC intervention study. Of 384 partnered survivors who participated in the MBC intervention study, 280 provided consent for their partners to be contacted, 193 partners completed the initial study questionnaire, and 164 partners completed both study questionnaires. Backward stepwise logistic regression indicated that greater family income, and support from a partner or helpful other increased the likelihood that the survivor would consent to have her partner contacted (χ2 = 56.93, p
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-662262
title: The beginning and before: theatre of the oppressed at Beit T'Shuvah

description: The following paper critically examines both internally and externally the process of applying theater arts to the treatment and recovery of drug addicts and alcoholics. ❧ The setting for the work is Beit T’Shuvah, a treatment center in Los Angeles and the characters are myself and the residents of BTS who came to the Theater of the Oppressed group I offered through the support of the Applied Theater Arts Masters program at USC. ❧ Throughout the paper I interrogate my own personal experience of the work, as well as the work itself. The paper concludes with a further examination of some of these questions: How does participatory action research work with people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction? Is there a “perfect” PAR? Is it possible to work in a fully participatory fashion with a group that is in constant flux, givin a limited amount of time? How do the practices of PAR research and Theatre of the Oppressed differ? and finally, How are they possibly the same, and if so, how might we fulfill both roles at the same time? ❧ Transparency is key in this type of work and, as such, is key in the telling of its story. I found myself questioning whether there may be a need to maintain a certain level of professionalism that could conflict with full transparency? Where do we draw this line? ❧ As the work was incredibly personal, I thought it only right to include the personal struggles and obstacles I encountered along the journey. The goal of this text is to track personal progress while maintaining a critical perspective of the work as a whole.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-673284
title: Optical performance and signal processing to enable robust and reconfigurable optical networks

description: For advanced optical networks at bit-rates beyond 100 Gbit/s, there is a desire to realize an evolution of the network architecture and cost-effective performance and scalability. Today's networks are typically built to operate within well-defined specifications and function in a fairly static fashion, and even a single failure can bring down the network services. As the data rates increase and the modulation formats become more complex, it becomes quite challenging to measure the data degradation mechanisms and to provide stable and accurate physical states to the network controller for data dropping, correction, compensation and routing. In order to enhance the functionality of network control and management, optical performance monitoring becomes an increasingly practical tool to overcome such challenges and to agilely reflect the physical state of the network and the quality of all data channels, enabling robust and reconfigurable networks. In this dissertation, we demonstrate OSNR, CD, and PMD monitoring methods particularly to accommodate various high-speed advanced modulation formats. These optical performance monitors presented here are easily deployable, compact, inexpensive, accurate, fast, stable and reliable. ❧ High-capacity optical communication systems are currently developed to meet the inevitable growth in data capacity. Various methods that have been explored to maximize the information capacity of optical communication systems include higher-order modulation formats, polarization multiplexing and space-division multiplexing. Most recently, space-division multiplexing has been considered as an innovative tool to greatly increase the spectral efficiency by transmitting independent data streams via multiple spatial modes in a few-mode fiber, a multi-core fiber or a free-space link. In this dissertation, the main focus is placed on the demonstrations of free-space optical data links with high spectral efficiency and high capacity using spatially multiplexed orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) modes. In contrast to other spatial modes, the distinct features of OAM modes include excellent orthogonality in the spatial domain, low crosstalk among modes and high photon efficiency, making OAM modes useful in many optical signal processing applications.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-118182
title: The Pasadena Big Sister Project: Family Perceptions and Involvement
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-327985
title: Comparison of spatial data types for urban sprawl analysis using Shannon’s entropy

description: This study compares the use of cadastral land use data with remotely sensed land cover data for urban sprawl studies using the Shannon’s Entropy spatial metric. Many rapidly urbanizing countries lack the technological or economic infrastructure necessary to establish and maintain digital cadastral systems, so remotely sensed land cover data may be a viable option for performing urban growth and urban sprawl studies due to its accessibility, cost, and thematic consistency. Shannon’s Entropy is a commonly used metric for measuring sprawl in regions outside of the United States, where cadastral data is not available. Few studies have compared land cover and cadastral land use data using Shannon’s Entropy as the main comparison metric. The study uses Model Builder in ArcGIS to perform Shannon’s Entropy calculations on the metropolitan areas of Minneapolis and Chicago during the period from 2000 to 2011. The calculation uses the proportion and dispersion of low-density land development within the study area to quantify sprawl. The study cities are divided up into buffer zones, and the proportion of low density land development is measured for each zone. This study found that there was no significant difference between the Shannon’s entropy results between land use and land cover. The results suggest that land cover data may be suitable for urban footprint studies in regions where cadastral data is not readily available or otherwise unavailable. This study also found that both metropolitan areas had high entropy values, but entropy did not significantly increase over the study period. These results help inform the broader literature on usable data types for urban footprint studies, as well as the use of Shannon’s entropy for such studies.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-349828
title: Impact of pharmacy-based transitional care on healthcare utilization and costs

description: Objectives: Pharmacist interventions may prevent adverse events after hospital discharge and reduce the risk of readmission as well as healthcare costs. This study evaluates the impact of pharmacy-based transitional care services on healthcare utilization and costs for members of a US managed Medicaid health plan. ❧ METHODS: Synergy Pharmacy Solutions (SPS) provided pharmacy-based transitional care services for high risk hospital discharges covered by Kern Health Systems (KHS) managed Medicaid plan. Over 1,100 qualifying discharged patients from Bakersfield Memorial Hospital were referred to SPS. A control group of matched KHS discharges from neighboring hospitals were then identified by matching each to a hospitalization episode in the experimental group based on the number of prior hospitalizations and length of stay [±1 day]. ❧ Thirty-day and 180-day readmissions were analyzed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Thirty-day and 180-day inpatient, outpatient, prescription drug, emergency room, and total healthcare costs were analyzed by ordinary least squares (OLS) and generalized linear model (GLM) regressions. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidity profiles were used as independent variables in all models. ❧ A dynamic budget impact model reflecting possible changes in model parameters over the prediction period was developed. Effects of the expansion of the transitional care services on inpatient and total healthcare costs from the payer perspective were stimulated in a 2-year period following initial hospital discharge. ❧ RESULTS: We found a 28.0% reduction in 30-day readmissions and a 31.9% reduction in 180-day readmissions. Cox model on time to readmission estimated the overall hazard ratio of readmission at 0.749. The GLM model showed a $2,139 reduction in 180-day total healthcare costs. The budget impact analysis predicted that the transitional care program could be cost-saving at over $3 per member per month, translating into over $25 million in total healthcare cost savings over 2 years. ❧ CONCLUSIONS: The analyses demonstrated that patients receiving pharmacy-based transitional care services achieved reduced readmission rates and lower healthcare costs compared with those who received usual care. Consequently, the expansion of the SPS transitional care program was predicted to result in cost savings of over $25 million in a 2-year period. These estimates can be used by health plans to make budgetary decisions on cost-saving programs.