Browsing by Author "Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member"

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Open Access
A concurrent and prospective examination of the incongruous positive relationship between alcohol use and physical activity
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Harkabus, Lindsey C., author; Harman, Jennifer J., advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member; Merolla, Andrew, committee member; Dik, Bryan, committee member
Research has demonstrated an incongruous positive relationship between alcohol consumption and physical activity concurrently among college students (Lisha & Sussman, 2010; Musselman & Rutledge, 2010). A goal of this research was to determine whether this relationship between alcohol use and physical activity exists, and whether different forms of physical activity share this relationship. Another purpose of this dissertation was to examine the potential moderating effects of several individual difference variables. Results revealed a positive association between alcohol use and moderate physical activity, as well as with two other forms of physical activity (leisure and domestic). In the longitudinal analyses, several factors moderated the relationship between moderate physical activity and alcohol use, with the relationship being stronger for male participants and for individuals who possess high levels of social motives. Opposite of my original hypotheses, several forms of physical activity demonstrated significant negative effects on alcohol use, including overall physical activity, vigorous physical activity, sports, and exercise. Overall, the results suggest the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use in college students is dependent on the type of physical activity being studied (e.g., vigorous versus moderate, sport versus leisure). Age moderated the negative effects of vigorous physical activity on alcohol use, with the effects being stronger for individuals older than 19 years. Implications for the prevention of alcohol use and abuse, improvement of physical activity behaviors, and studies of college physical activity interventions and alcohol use are discussed.
Open Access
Characterizing and improving the adoption rate of model-based systems engineering through an application of the Diffusion of Innovations theory
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Call, Daniel R., author; Herber, Daniel R., advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member; Conrad, Steven, committee member; Shahroudi, Kamran Eftekhari, committee member
As the environment and operational context of new systems continue to evolve and become increasingly complex, the practice of systems engineering (SE) must adapt accordingly. A great deal of research and development has gone and continues to go into formulating and maturing a model-based approach to SE that addresses many of the shortcomings of a conventional, document-based SE approach. In spite of the work that has been done to advance the practice of model-based systems engineering (MBSE), it has not yet been adopted to a level that would be expected based on its demonstrated benefits. While research continues into even more effective MBSE approaches, there is a need to ascertain why extant MBSE innovations are not being adopted more widely, and if possible, determine a way to accelerate its adoption. This outcome is particularly important as MBSE is a key enabler to an agile systems engineering (ASE) approach that satisfies the desire of many stakeholders to apply agile principles to SE processes. The diffusion of innovations (DoI) theory provides a useful framework for understanding the factors that affect the adoption rate of innovations in many fields. This theory has not only been effective at explaining why innovations are adopted but has also been able to explain why objectively superior innovations are not adopted. The DoI theory is likely to provide insight into the factors that are depressing the adoption rate of MBSE. Despite prior efforts in the SE community to promote MBSE, the DoI theory has not been directly and deliberately applied to understand what is preventing widespread MBSE adoption. Some elements of the theory appear in the literature addressing MBSE adoption challenges without any recognition of awareness of the theory and its implications. The expectation is that harnessing the insights offered by this theory will lead to MBSE presentation and implementation strategies that will increase its use. This would allow its benefits to be more widely realized in the SE community and improve the practice of SE generally to address modern, complex environments. The DoI theory has shown that the most significant driver of adoption rate variability is the perceived attributes of the innovation in question. A survey is a useful tool to discover the perceptions of potential adopters of an innovation. The primary contribution of this research is the development of a survey to capture and assess a participant's perceptions of specified attributes of MBSE, their current use of MBSE, and some limited demographic information. This survey was widely distributed to gather data on current perceptions of MBSE in the SE community. Survey results highlighted that respondents recognize the relative advantage of MBSE in improving data quality and traceability, but perceived complexity and compatibility with existing practices still present barriers to adoption. Subpopulation analysis reveals that those who are not already involved in MBSE efforts face the additional adoption obstacles of limited trial opportunities and tool access (chi-squared test of independence between these populations resulted in p = 0.00). The survey underscores the potential for closer alignment between MBSE and existing SE methodologies to improve the perceived compatibility of MBSE. Targeted actions are proposed to address these barriers to adoption. These targeted actions include improving the availability and use of reusable model elements to expedite system model development, improved tailoring of MBSE approaches to better suit organizational needs, an increased emphasis on ASE, refining MBSE approaches to reduce the perceived mental effort required, a lowering of the barrier to entry for MBSE by improving access to the resources (tool, time, and training) required to experiment with MBSE, and increased efforts to identify and execute relevant MBSE pilot projects. The lessons and principles from the DoI theory should be applied to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the release of SysML v2 to reframe perceptions of MBSE. Future studies would benefit from examining additional variables identified by the DoI theory, incorporating control questions to differentiate between perceptions of SE generally and MBSE specifically, identifying better methods to assess current MBSE use by participants, and measures to broaden the participant scope.
Open Access
Disaggregation of net-metered advanced metering infrastructure data to estimate photovoltaic generation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Stainsby, Wendell Jay, author; Young, Peter, advisor; Zimmerle, Daniel, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a system of smart meters and data management systems that enables communication between a utility and a customer's premise, and can provide real time information about a solar array's production. Due to residential solar systems typically being configured behind-the-meter, utilities often have very little information about their energy generation. In these instances, net-metered AMI data does not provide clear insight into PV system performance. This work presents a methodology for modeling individual array and system-wide PV generation using only weather data, premise AMI data, and the approximate date of PV installation. Nearly 850 homes with installed solar in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA were modeled for up to 36 months. By matching comparable periods of time to factor out sources of variability in a building's electrical load, algorithms are used to estimate the building's consumption, allowing the previously invisible solar generation to be calculated. These modeled outputs are then compared to previously developed white-box physical models. Using this new AMI method, individual premises can be modeled to agreement with physical models within ±20%. When modeling portfolio-wide aggregation, the AMI method operates most effectively in summer months when solar generation is highest. Over 75% of all days within three years modeled are estimated to within ±20% with established methods. Advantages of the AMI model with regard to snow coverage, shading, and difficult to model factors are discussed, and next-day PV prediction using forecasted weather data is also explored. This work provides a foundation for disaggregating solar generation from AMI data, without knowing specific physical parameters of the array or using known generation for computational training.
Open Access
Identifying perceived barriers and benefits to reducing energy consumption in an affordable housing complex using the Community-Based Social Marketing model
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Reaves, Daniel, author; Clevenger, Caroline, advisor; Nobe, Mary, advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
Energy consumption in the residential sector can be significantly influenced by human behavior. However, only limited behavior change research exists that is aimed at reducing energy consumption in the affordable housing sector. This study seeks to implement the first two phases of the Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) framework in an affordable housing setting. The goals of the research are to identify optimal behaviors for energy reduction and to identify perceived barriers and benefits associated with those behaviors, using an affordable housing facility in Loveland, Colorado as the case study. Five target behaviors and their leading barriers and benefits are established. By implementing this framework, this study also identifies potential issues and nuances in the CBSM process that researchers should take into consideration during future implementations of CBSM in affordable housing environments.
Open Access
Is a life skills training infusion an effective strategy to reduce substance use among at-risk teens in a mentoring program?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Konkel, Kristen E., author; Henry, Kimberly, advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Haddock, Shelley, committee member; Youngblade, Lise, committee member
Adolescent substance use is a challenge that has myriad detrimental consequences for the individual, school systems, and society. Before graduating from high school, 70% of high school students have consumed alcohol (Johnston, O'Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2009) and 40% have tried marijuana (Johnston et al., 2009). There is a critical need to address this issue using novel evidence-based interventions that are adaptable to a school or community’s needs. Interventions focusing improving adolescent skills and providing a pro-social adult may help adolescents overcome some of the factors that put them at risk for substance use. For the current project, I designed, implemented, and evaluated an infusion-model type intervention, where two evidence-based programs for substance use reduction among at-risk teens were innovatively combined and executed. Specifically, Life Skills Training (LST; Botvin, Eng, & Williams, 1980), a skills-based program that traditionally has been delivered in a school classroom setting, was adapted and infused into Campus Connections (CC), a youth mentorship program at Colorado State University that matches university students with an at-risk youth from the community. Participants included 166 11-18 year olds enrolled in CC (85 in the LST infusion group, 81 in the comparsion group). Facilitators were trained to deliver age-appropriate 20-minute LST lessons each evening during CC, and the college student mentors were trained to practice skills and behaviors as well as have conversations with the participants about each topic during the rest of the CC evening. After a successful implementation, the evaluation unexpectedly did not show significant results. Participants in the LST infusion group did not have increased social skills, personal self-management skills, or drug resistance skills, nor did they have lower levels of substance use, substance use intentions, or self-reported delinquent behavior. A secondary evaluation of the LST-infusion treatment group only did not show that mentor fidelity to the program infusion improved outcomes. Practical implications for prevention and limitations of the current study are discussed.
Open Access
Protective factors for teen mothers: relations among social support, psychological resources, and child rearing practices
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) VanDenBerg, Maggie P., author; MacPhee, David, advisor; Youngblade, Lise, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
Teen mothers face increased challenges when rearing children, largely influenced by development as an adolescent and the support networks they have available to them. Based on two theories of parental and adolescent development, measures of well-being including self-efficacy, depression, and future orientation are mechanisms that can be altered by support networks, and function as protective factors for functional parenting. This study of 344 teen mothers tests the hypotheses that teen mothers who have more supportive primary social networks have greater confidence in parenting abilities, less propensity towards depression, and a more optimistic sense of the future. Results indicate that relations of support functions (intimacy and support satisfaction) and nurturant child rearing practices are partially mediated by self-efficacy and fully mediated by depression. These findings emphasize the importance of supportive characteristics in support networks for teen mothers and parental well-being, both of which may foster the development of non-coercive parenting.
Open Access
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the electricity sector using demand side management
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Almohaimeed, Sulaiman, author; Suryanarayanan, Siddharth, advisor; Collins, George J., committee member; Zimmerle, Daniel, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member; O’Neill, Peter, committee member
Increasing demand for energy consumption leads to concerns of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Most of the supplied energy comes from dirty generating units. Since there are no regulations to limit emissions of CO2 from electricity generation, power plants can emit unlimited amount of CO2. This dissertation, first, aims to explain some government directed plans to reduce GHG emissions. It gives an overview about the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and its benefits and challenges. Further, it explains several options of CPP in reducing emissions and its repeal. Further, this dissertation, discusses the Climate Action Plan (CAP) corresponding to Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. and its timeline targets. Demand side management (DSM) is discussed as a solution from engineering practices to affect GHG. Several options from DSM are investigated to reduce emissions. In fact, reducing energy consumption through DSM leads to a reduction in harmful emissions to the environment. This dissertation aims to identify the best available DSM options that will make the biggest difference for GHG reductions. A framework is created to examine several options of DSM in reducing carbon footprints. The framework states that affecting GHG in electric power system is the main goal. The goal can be achieved by implementing DSM technologies in distribution systems. The framework proposes criteria such as cost, power quality, reliability, environmental collateral, and socioeconomic equity to examine the effectiveness of several alternatives: energy management, communication and intelligence, electrification of heating and transportation, and distributed generation. Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) algorithms have been proposed to prioritize alternatives and select the ones that achieve suitable emissions reduction. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of the most common tools to perform decision-making analysis. The findings from AHP show that the "communication and intelligence" option is the potential optimal alternative in achieving the goal. Analytic Network Process (ANP) is another method for making decisions. It provides feedback and interdependence relationships between all nodes of the problem. It is more realistic and accurate than AHP. The results obtained from ANP suggest that "communication and intelligence" is the optimum technology to reach the target. By using ANP, the overall priority ranking has changed and the difference in priorities has reduced. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 13-node test feeder is used, through Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS), to perform power flow analysis on yearly load profile corresponding to Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. The analysis includes simulation for several scenarios from the MCDM alternatives, either individual alternatives or mixed alternatives. The obtained results for the base case show the emissions decreased by 16.26% from 2005 level which comply with the results from emissions indicator released by the city. Integrating the MCDM alternatives indicates CO2 emissions change as a result of variation in supply and demand curve. The findings for 2017 load profile demonstrated that "electric stationary storage" is the best option, environmentally, since it contributes in more than 18% emissions reduction from 2005 level. The second alternative is "energy conservation" by achieving a 20.39% reduction in emissions, merging both alternatives in one scenario could increase the emissions mitigation up to 22.17%. By simulation the residential sector, "communication and intelligence" shows about 14% reduction in emissions from 2005 level. A scenario that combines "electric stationary storage" with "communication and intelligence" diminishes the emissions by more than 15%. Indeed, combining "communication and intelligence" with "energy conservation" can decrease the environmental footprint by 18.04%. Last scenario examined combining all MCDM alternatives in one option. The result finds that this option can reach 19.72% emissions reduction. Since the simulation part investigates the system from environmental perspective, this work deploys a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to assess economic, technical, and environmental cost and benefits associated with each alternative. The economic evaluation shows that "electric stationary storage" is the potential best option. This is reasonable since ESS charges during lower electricity price and discharge during peaking demand. Thus, the customers can avoid the high electricity charges, and the utility is not required to run more generating units. "communication and intelligence" combined with "electric stationary storage" is the second option due to its flexibility in shifting the loads to off-peak periods is. The scenario that includes all MCDM options came in the third place since it provides almost 20% emissions reduction and its economic evaluation is beneficial. While "energy conservation" project and "electric stationary storage" with "energy conservation" project provide less economic impact than "communication and intelligence", those alternatives hold the fourth and fifth place, respectively, due to their environmental impact. The penultimate alternative is "communication and intelligence" because the Demand Response (DR) is designed to shift the peak load, and it has socioeconomic cost. Last alternative is combining "communication and intelligence" with "energy conservation". Although "energy conservation" performs environmentally better than "communication and intelligence", its socioeconomic cost plays a major role in selecting such alternative. However, the ranking might change according to the participants' choice. One can prefer environmental impact over economic output and vice versa. Therefore, this work presents a trade-off chart, so the decision maker can select the alternative based on their preference. All analysis, simulation, and results in this work are particularly based on Fort Collins distribution system data and is not a general assessment. There are several factors might affect the result such as the location, the data, or the distribution system structure.
Open Access
Self-esteem and future orientation predict risk engagement among adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Jackman, Danielle M., author; MacPhee, David, advisor; Le, Thao, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
Risky behaviors have been defined as the balance between behaviors that have negative consequences with behaviors that have perceived positive consequences (Gullone & Moore, 2000). These risky behaviors include but are not limited to: unsafe sex, delinquency, substance abuse, and impulsive or sensation- seeking (Gullone & Moore, 2000). Research has shown that having a positive outlook on one's future has an inverse relation to adolescents' risk behaviors (Nurmi, 1990; Steinberg, 2004, 2009). Similarly, studies on self-esteem have also shown a complex but mostly inverse relation with adolescent risk taking (Salazar et al., 2005). However, there is a paucity of research studies focused on the possible effects of self-esteem as a mediator between future orientation and adolescents' risk orientation and or the possible effects of future orientation as a mediator between self-esteem and risk orientation. The premise of this study was to assess the relations among future orientation, self-esteem, and adolescents' risk behaviors. To that end the first hypothesis was that there is an inverse relation between future orientation and adolescents' risk orientation. The second hypothesis was that there is an inverse relation between self-esteem and adolescents' risk orientation. The third hypothesis was that a more optimistic sense of future among young adolescents is associated with higher self-esteem. Two mediational models were also compared. Participants (N = 438) were youth who took part in a sex prevention program called Care To Wait. Controlling for social desirability, results showed that future orientation fully mediated the relation between self-esteem and risk orientation, and self-esteem partially mediated the relation between future orientation and risk orientation. Implications and proposed future directions discussed.
Open Access
Sensation seeking and impulsivity in relation to youth decision making about risk behavior: mindfulness training to improve self-regulatory skills
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Johansen, Samantha van Limbeek, author; Youngblade, Lise M., advisor; Rambo-Hernandez, Karen, committee member; MacPhee, David, committee member; Haddock, Shelley, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
The goal of this study is to examine the effects of a mindfulness intervention on at-risk adolescents' decision-making about risk behavior. Significant research shows that during adolescence individuals are at higher risk for morbidities and co-morbidities resulting from risk-taking behavior than at other points in the lifespan. Further, research shows that although adolescents are cognitively similar to adults in appraising risk in hypothetical situations, they are still over-represented in health-compromising risk-taking behavior, suggesting that there are other factors contributing to their decision-making about risk. Sensation seeking and impulsivity have been shown to lead to a proclivity for risk behavior and decisions that involve reward-seeking, susceptibility to peer pressure and increased risk-taking. Furthermore, developmental research demonstrates that youth are still developing self-regulatory skills that can down regulate impulsive or sensation-seeking behavior. Interestingly, there is also beginning evidence that self-regulation can be practiced and fostered during adolescence, suggesting that self-regulation is an important intervention target. Thus, this study tests the hypothesis that a mindfulness intervention will improve self-regulation as a way reducing the link between impulsivity, sensation-seeking and decision-making that leads to risk-taking behavior. The sample for this study includes 178 diverse (63% Male; 50% White, 33% Hispanic, 6% Native American, 4% Black), at-risk, youth between the ages of 10-18 (mean age = 13.6) who are participating in a university-based therapeutic mentorship program, Campus Corps. Youth were referred to the mentoring program by the juvenile court magistrate, the district attorney's office, probation officers, and school counselors. Campus Corps pairs at-risk youth with university students and takes place once per week for four hours over a 12-week period. Youth engage in tutoring and prosocial activities with their mentors. This program is led by marriage and family therapy graduate students. Youth were randomly assigned to a control (Campus Corps as usual) or an intervention (Campus Corps with mindfulness) condition. The mindfulness intervention (Learning to Breathe; Broderick, 2009) is implemented for one hour during the Campus Corps evening over a six week period. The intervention includes specific lessons in mindfulness surrounding decision making, self-awareness, and regulation. Results indicate that mindfulness does not significantly moderate the process of self-regulation as a moderating factor with respect to impulsivity and various decision making bases, as well as with respect to sensation seeking and various decision making bases. However, secondary data analyses reveal that the mindfulness intervention did have a significant moderating effect on self-regulation as a moderating variable between impulsivity and risk behavior count (number of risks taken during the past three weeks) over time, as well as between sensation seeking and risk behavior count over time. Speculations regarding the results of this study include the notion that the interaction between self-regulation and mindfulness more strongly affects the "in the moment," gratification-seeking, and/or emotional drive to engage in a particular behavior than the reflective cognitive process measured by decision making bases.
Open Access
The role of meaning and purpose in the career development of adolescents: a qualitative study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) McLaren, Molly, author; Dik, Bryan, advisor; Steger, Michael, committee member; Banning, James, committee member; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member
The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to explore the role of meaning and purpose in adolescent career development by examining 7th-grade students' responses to a semi-structured interview. Interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methods as described by Willig (2001). The findings supported the vast majority of the literature on the topic, contrasted with a few areas, and expanded others. In general, most participants had heard of the concepts of meaning and purpose in work, as well as the concept of a calling; however, many of them had not thought extensively about these topics. The students offered a variety of descriptions and definitions for each of these concepts. Continued research on the roles of meaning and purpose, and the infusion of meaning and purpose, in childhood career development can contribute to the theoretical knowledge base and practical applications of career curricula and counseling practice.