purcc 2012 - University of the Pacific

Poster Session Abstracts
Gender Differences on the Beliefs of
Punishment
Kelly Rush, Michelle Martinez, Joanna Kwan,
Andrea Soto
Faculty Mentor: Gary Howells,
Rocci Jackson (Graduate student)
There are differing views on the criminal justice
system and sentences that are given to criminals.
Previous research has shown that men and
women have shown significant differences in
their beliefs toward punishment. Davila and
colleagues (2011) examined attitudes towards
sentencing and found that women were more
likely to view punishment as too harsh.
Approximately 30 participants will complete the
study, in which approximately half will be males
and the other half will be females. Participants
will be sampled from the University of the
Pacific campus. In the current study, participants
will complete a questionnaire regarding their
beliefs on the current criminal justice system and
then be read either random facts of the current
criminal justice system or facts of overcrowding
in the prison system. Participants will then rate
scenarios as too lenient, appropriate, or too
harsh. The scenarios will describe a criminal, his
or her crime, the reason for committing the
crime, and the sentence that was given to them.
There will be five pairs of scenarios. Within the
pair, one scenario will include details of a family
and the other will not. Independent sample t-tests
will be conducted to see whether gender is a
significant factor. Other demographics will also
be correlated to observe any other significant
differences on beliefs on punishment within the
corrections system. It is hypothesized that
females will score the punishment in each
scenario as too harsh when compared to men
who will score the punishment in the same
scenario as too lenient.
Ankle Healing Aid
Isha Srivastava, Grace Ramos
Faculty Mentors: Sheely Gulati, Simon Tang,
Mark Van Ness
See Bioengineering Abstract section
Drinking Water Security and
Sustainability
Brianna Juhrend
Faculty Mentor: Mary Kay Camarillo
A series of presidential decision directives
(PDD) and legislation have strengthened the U.S.
stance on water security issues. Much of this
effort has been in response to the events of
September 11, 2001. However, even before this
egregious event, security was a significant
concern for U.S. politicians. Legislation that
affected water security directly began with
Executive Order 13010 in 1996 which contained
the President’s Commission on Critical
Infrastructure Protection (PCCIP) that listed
water supply as one of the eight national
infrastructures vital to security. Steps need to be
taken to strengthen water security and protect
American drinking water. Most importantly,
better technology is needed to detect and aid in
responding to security breaches or contamination
events. Much of the existing work in the area of
contaminant warning systems has been
theoretical, based on computer modeling and
simulation. Field-testing of available devices and
systems is needed to verify performance and
provide baseline monitoring information.
Additional physical security systems are needed
throughout the country for large and small water
systems. Detection of intentional or accidental
contaminants is crucial to ensuring the protection
the drinking water quality. Improved methods of
detection will allow for quicker responses and
for a contamination event to have a less severe
impact. Detection technologies are being
developed to improve the water quality
monitoring equipment and tools available in a
water security contamination event.
Design and Production of a Steel Bridge
Utilizing Innovative Connections and
Fabrication Techniques
Brian Phan, Justin Pyun
Faculty Mentor: Luke Lee, Gary Litton,
Scott Merry
The Pacific Steel Bridge Team was tasked to
design, fabricate, and construct a 23 ft model
steel bridge to compete in the 2012 American
Society of Civil Engineers Mid-Pacific
Conference. A team of students ranging from
freshmen to seniors used their skills, ingenuity
and knowledge developed from fundamental
43