The Gate is a collection of short stories by Cassondra Bird Combs. Combs' first collection is heavily inspired by the small Northern California towns she grew up in, and the disillusioned characters who live there. The Gate marks the introduction of an incredibly sympathetic voice, a voice hard to find in modern literature, that didn't rise from New York or Iowa but from a youth spent in solitude in the redwoods. Combs' characters range from a fifteen-year-old girl trapped in an endless abusive cycle to a young man whose parents have suddenly left him to a older woman trying to end her marriage by burning Christmas trees in the street. In these seven stories, Combs reminds us time and time again of the advantages and disadvantages of a rural life, and forges connection between character and reader in a remarkable way. In "Little World" a little girl is paralyzed by fear of the dark but is stronger than she knows. In "Turn" a young woman has to make peace with her past and escape. In "B-Side" a recovering addict realizes the thing he needs isn't the thing he wants. In a voice entirely in tune with the hum of the woods and alive with unusual descriptions and deft character traits, Combs' collection will keep you reading.

Chrysaora fuscescens is a cnidarian scyphomedusa that occurs in the northern California Current. In this upwelling system, medusae are seasonally abundant, and individuals can ingest 10-60% of the standing stock of vulnerable zooplankton taxa per day. Yet little is known about this medusa's feeding ecology. Using laboratory pseudokreisels, C. fuscescens feeding rates and behavior were quantified in the presence of a controlled flow field. C. fuscescens collected aboard research cruises were dissected, and prey items were counted in order to calculate feeding rates and prey selectivity. In the lab, C. fuscescens feeding rates were not affected by shear flow, and medusa maintained position by swimming counter-current. Field work demonstrates high feeding rates and positive prey selection for nonmotile taxa. For the first time, high clearance rates of ichthyoplankton have been documented. An understanding of jellyfish behavior can help explain jellyfish distributions and trophic impacts in a productive upwelling system.

The Eel River watershed has a high concentration of slow-moving landslides, or earthflows, due to argillaceous mélange bedrock and high tectonic uplift. Earthflows within this area are highly dissected by ephemeral channels, or gullies. Despite the pervasiveness of gullying in this area, the role of fluvial systems in relation to earthflows and varying uplift is poorly understood. To understand the role of earthflows and tectonics in dictating channel processes, we investigate channels in areas of differential uplift and mass failure activity. Channel networks are connected and continuous in catchments without earthflows, and disconnected and prone to bank failure on earthflow surfaces. Gully profiles are influenced BY earthflow undulations, which attenuate with fluvial incision after earthflows cease activity. We find notable differences in fluvial dissection between areas of high and low landslide activity. We find that mass wasting and local bedrock have a strong influence on formation and organization of channels.

Dirofilaria immitis, commonly known as dog heartworm, is a dangerous filarial nematode that is transmitted by a mosquito vector. Although this parasite is historically localized to regions closer to the equator, the last few decades have experienced an increase in the amount of dog heartworm cases in Northern California, most notably in Lake and San Joaquin Counties. The primary vector of D. immitis in Northern California is Aedes sierrensis, but it is not prevalent enough in some counties to explain the increase in infections. Because of this, more prevalent and abundant species should be assessed for their ability to transmit heartworm. Culex pipiens complex (wild) and Culiseta incidens (laboratory-raised colonies) were chosen as potential vectors during this study due to their ability to meet several key vector criteria, their relative abundance in the areas of interest, and the fact that they habitually take bloodmeals from domestic dogs. Additionally, Ae. sierrensis colonies were used in this study, based on previous knowledge that they are highly competent vectors. Female mosquitoes were infected with 2.5, 5, or 10 mff/ul of D. immitis-infected blood, and decapitated at 15, 18, and 21 days post-infection. Mosquitoes were subsequently tested via qPCR for the presence and relative quantification of D. immitis DNA. We found that Ae. sierrensis and Cx. pipiens complex were both able to support the development of D. immitis to its infective stage, while Cs. incidens was not a competent vector. We also concluded that including a standard curve of known amounts of D. immitis larvae makes it possible to approximate the intensity of the infection in the mosquito. The identification of these important vectors, and the ability to assess infection intensity, may be helpful in the continued vector control efforts in Northern California and beyond.

This research focused on population dynamics of two gelatinous zooplankters (Aequorea & Pyrosoma atlanticum) in the northern California Current to assess their relationship to environmental conditions and role in the pelagic ecosystem. Data collected since 1999 showed seasonal and interannual fluctuations in the abundance and distribution of Aequorea in the NCC, with a positive correlation with sea surface temperature and salinity. Pyrosoma atlanticum, which are typically found in tropical waters, have only been observed in high abundances in the NCC since 2014 and their role in the pelagic ecosystem is not well understood. Pyrosome abundance related to in situ environmental variables showed a positive correlation with warmer SST. We also used fatty acids as trophic markers to better understand pyrosome trophic ecology in the NCC. FA biomarkers suggest that pyrosomes have a broad phytoplankton diet, which may indicate an ability to inhabit warmer, lower nutrient zones. / 2020-01-11

This thesis presents methods to place landing sites for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concept. The analysis shows an integrated approach to establish UAM landing site requirements, place landing sites based on predicted demand, and estimate the costs associated with UAM landing sites. This thesis also makes estimates of fares associated with UAM operations. The methods presented are applied to three large urban centers in the United States. The analysis assumes an all-electric, advanced multi-rotor aircraft with autonomous navigational and Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities to estimate UAM landing site requirements. The thesis presents the land area requirements of UAM landing sites using Federal Aviation Administration heliport design criteria considering ground-taxi configurations. The analysis performed employs a UAM vehicle with an equivalent Rotor Diameter (RD) of 43 feet. In this thesis, UAM demand is estimated using a mode choice model developed in a companion study (UAM Scenario Analysis). The methodology to locate UAM landing sites includes splitting and consolidation of UAM landing sites considering the Zillow Transaction and Assessment Dataset (ZTRAX) to introduce land-use size and cost constraints. The sites are split using a K-Means clustering method and are consolidated using a simple center of mass approach where the demand of each landing site is analogous to mass. The results presented in this thesis apply to 75 and 200 landing sites in each region and assume passenger Cost-Per-Mile (CPM) of $1.20 and $1.80, respectively. This thesis presents a comparative study on how the availability of land affects the splitting, consolidation, and relocation of UAM landing sites for each region, the number of landing sites, and the cost per passenger-mile. / Master of Science / This thesis aims at the landing sites for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concept for commuting passengers in Northern California (17 counties), Southern California (9 counties), and Dallas-Fort Worth (12 counties) region. The aircraft for this service is designed to be an all-electric advanced multi-rotor aircraft with autonomous navigational and Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities. The commuting trips considered is focused on passengers traveling to work from home and back. This thesis presents the land area requirements of these landing sites, which are calculated from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Advisory Circular 150/5390-2C using ground-taxi configuration for a typical representative aircraft of an equivalent rotor diameter (RD) of 43 feet. The landing sites are then split into smaller sites and consolidated into larger sites. This thesis also presents a list of plots of land located within the 0.5 statute-mile boundaries of the landing sites for relocation. This entire analysis is based on the availability of land from the Zillow Transaction and Assessment Dataset (ZTRAX). The results presented in this thesis are for 75 and 200 landing sites set in the study area for a passenger Cost-Per-Mile (CPM) of $1.2 and $1.8, respectively. The results show how the availability of land changes for different CPM for a set of landing sites and affects the splitting, consolidation, and relocation of landing sites for each region. In the end, the thesis presents conclusions and recommendations unique to each region.

xiv, 227 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call numbers: KNIGHT QE720.2.K53 B75 2008 / The Holocene vegetation and fire history of the Klamath Mountains (KM), northern California, was reconstructed at three sites based on an analysis of pollen and high-resolution macroscopic charcoal in lake-sediment cores. These data were compared with five existing records to examine regional patterns. The objective was to determine the relative importance of climate history, substrate, and disturbance regime on the development of the Klamath vegetation. In the first study, two middle-elevation sites were compared along a moisture gradient in the northern KM. The pollen data indicated a similar vegetation history, beginning with subalpine parkland in the late-glacial period, and changing to open forest in the early Holocene and closed forest in the late Holocene. However, the timing of these changes differed between sites and is attributed to the relative importance of coastal influences and topography. The second study examined the effect of substrate and nutrient limitations on the vegetation history. The pollen data suggest that ultramafic substrates (UMS), containing heavy metals and low nutrients that limit plant growth, supported drier plant communities than those on non-ultramafic substrates (NUMS) for any given period. For example, between 14,000 and 11,000 cal yr BP, cooler and wetter conditions than present led to the establishment of a subalpine parkland of Pinus monticola and/or Pinus lambertina, Tsuga, Picea on non-ultramafic substrates (NUMS). On UMS, an open Pinus jeffreyi and/or Pinus contorta woodland developed. In the early Holocene, when conditions were warmer and drier than present, open forests of Pinus monticola/lambertina , Cupressaceae, Quercus and/or Amelanchier grew on NUMS, whereas open forest consisting of Pinus Jeffreyi/contorta , Cupressaceac and Quercus developed on UMS. In the late Holocene, cool wet conditions favored closed forests of Abies, Pseudotsuga , and Tsuga on NUMS, whereas Pinus jeffreyi/contorta , Cupressaceae and Quercus forest persisted with little change on UMS. The charcoal data indicate that past fire activity was similar at all sites, implying a strong climatic control. The results of both studies suggest that the influence of Holocene climate variations, disturbance regime, and substrate type have helped create the current mosaic of vegetation in the KM. / Adviser: Cathy Whitlock, Patrick Bartlein

Parental involvement plays an essential role in the United States (U.S.) educational system. However, parental involvement poses many challenges for Hmong parents in American schools. Many assumptions are made on the parts of teachers, staff, and Hmong parents about parents' roles pertaining to their involvement in their children's education. Hmong parents struggle to reconcile beliefs, attitudes, and values that they bring with them from Laos with the expectations found in the U.S. due to their unfamiliarity with the U.S. educational system. This study employed the used a qualitative, descriptive case study approach to examine the perceptions of Hmong parents involvement at a K-6 Hmong American charter school in Northern California. The primary data collection method used in this study was interviews with four school-community stakeholder groups. The purposeful-selected interview participants included two administrators, four teachers, six parents, and four students. The interviews were dialogically coded and nine themes were developed related to parental involvement. These nine themes were: communication with parents, committee involvement, flexibility of staff, enrichment programs non-traditional school schedule, importance of field trips, cultural events and presence of other cultures, recommend school to others, and positive behavioral reinforcement. The study concludes with a presentation of the implications of the nine themes on the design of parent involvement models and recommendations are offered related to policies and connected strategies for how to design culturally relevant supports for parent involvement in education.

To identify how high school assistant principals in large suburban schools serve as instructional leaders and how they develop these skills, this research utilized a multiple-case study design, followed by a cross-case analysis of the data. This research explores the instructional leadership of three female comprehensive high school assistant principals who are employed in the same Northern California school district. Each case was developed with the use of interviews, observation and document analysis. Included in each case is a description of the assistant principal's instructional job responsibilities, how they develop their instructional leadership and obtain opportunities to function in instructional leadership roles. This research found several main themes. They include that the theoretical model for Hallinger's Principals Instructional Management Rating Scale did not work in regards to assistant principals, they were found to serve not in the role of leader, but more in the role of facilitator and relationship builders, the role of the assistant principal has not evolved over the past century, they are constrained by the political dynamics of their school structure which leaves them as marginalized leaders, they lack opportunities to grow as instructional leaders due to opportunities for professional development and the ambiguity of their role, and female assistant principals may not take the opportunity to serve as a leader since this may not be perceived natural due to their gender association.

This thesis project aims to target the increasing number of people who live, work and transit through the densely populated metropolises that, fused together, create megaregions. These individuals, an already big and ever increasing number of people, are the so-called super-commuters, members of the workforce whose commutes surpass the figures of 90 minutes or, alternatively, 145 km in a single-way.As it happens with others who live in the same geographical region, they experience the need or wish of working in the dense urban centres that offer plenty of job opportunities, but little housing opportunities. This lack of housing paired with its very high and ever increasing prices forces these people to disperse and to search for living places farther away from their workplaces, thus trading convenience and free time for long commutes. Super-commuting is indeed showing a growing trend, not only in the number of super-commuters themselves but also in the duration of commutes.Commutes are getting lengthier for a number of reasons, such as increasingly comfortable vehicles, technological advancements that help render commuting time either productive or entertaining.However, in a post-pandemic society, many companies are also offering their employees the chance to adopt hybrid work modes with more days spent working from home - which makes workers consider living farther away from their workplaces as they need to commute less (number of times). It is an undeniable fact that the longer the commute, the less free time one worker has, either for resting or doing something productive. It is also true that in an increasingly fast-paced technological world, people have also increasing difficulties in separating their professional and personal lives. Therefore, the approach of this thesis project goes through offering people the chance to make the most out of their commutes, so as to free more of their time when not commuting or working - time to spend with their loved ones or to be used to do whatever they would like. To achieve that, this project contemplates the use of autonomous technologies expected to become more widespread within the automotive industry; as by rendering vehicles autonomous would free people from driving and let them allocate their time to other tasks. This thesis project offers a holistic proposal of a premium commuting service targeted to super-commuters living and working within the Northern California megaregion. This service would connect peripheral communities directly to the Bay Area, where most companies are located, through a door-to-hub service.It focuses on how users of this service might experience their commutes by presenting case studies of three different types of professionals with diverse needs, and exploring how they would use it as a means of making their commutes as convenient and efficient as possible. The process herein exposed goes through the various stages of design development, from research to ideation and leading to a final proposal, consisting of a service, mobile booking app and exterior + interior design of a vehicle.