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We Should Promote GenAI Writing Tools for Linguistic Equity
Get PDFIn this essay, I suggest that we should embrace generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) writing tools, particularly chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude), because they can enable linguistic equity by leveling the academic playing field for English as an additional language students. As writing experts, we can find ways to use this technology to enhance learning, and, since we know both student and faculty positions, we can help develop policies so such tools can be used effectively and ethically. Alternatively, we can ignore them and risk becoming irrelevant
Compost Bin Monitoring System Through IoT and LoRaWAN
Get PDFThis project improves agricultural land management and composting techniques by utilizing sensors and the Internet of Things. The initiative intends to enhance sustainable agriculture practices, maximize resource usage, and minimize waste. LoRaWAN wireless technology and sensors are used to continuously monitor parameters like temperature and composting conditions (CO2, ammonia, and pH), allowing for improved compost quality and accurate decision making. A crucial step in the creation of our system was the deployment of the LoRaWAN network, which enables long-distance sensor monitoring. Additionally, our system has an intuitive web-based interface to visualize the data at any place
Beyond Core Object Recognition: DNNs as Models of Dynamic Scene Perception
Get PDFDeep neural networks (DNNs) have become influential computational models of human vision, particularly in explaining neural responses in the ventral stream. However, they frequently diverge from well-established findings in psychophysics, especially with regard to human perceptual biases, robustness, and generalization behavior. Much of the progress in aligning DNNs with human perception has focused on the task of core object recognition—the rapid identification of objects in static images (DiCarlo et al., 2012). In contrast, other critical dimensions of visual perception, such as motion processing and multi-object scene understanding, remain comparatively underexplored. In this talk, I present our recent work on modeling how motion supports perceptual organization and discuss both the prospects and limitations of using DNNs as scientific models of dynamic scene perception. I argue that geometric aspects of visual experience—particularly motion and depth—offer a promising path forward for bridging human and machine vision
Mixtape Volume #1: Culturally Sustaining Practices Within MTSS Featuring the Everlasting Mission of Student Engagement
Get PDFIn this edited collection, each of the three sections of the Mixtape Volume #1: Culturally Sustaining Practices Within MTSS Featuring the Everlasting Mission of Student Engagement take the reader on a beautiful journey through Hip-Hop, weaving in its intentionality of providing a voice to the often-marginalized experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with and without disabilities. The book presents actionable steps, that can seamlessly and authentically be incorporated into the classroom, through the support of Hip Hop Pedagogy (HHP), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Culturally Relevant Practices (CRP), and High Leverage Practices (HLPs). Whether you are a novice or an OG, the authors make powerful connections to the storytelling and connective power of Hip-Hop and culturally sustaining practices. True to the heart of Hip-Hop, each author paints a relatable and unique picture of the transformative possibilities that exist when valuing the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and stories of CLD students.
Keywords: culturally and linguistically diverse, hip hop pedagogy, multi-tiered systems of support, culturally relevant practices, high leverage practice
Rethinking Sustainability of Modular Integrated Construction for High-rise Buildings: Dialectics in System Boundaries
Get PDFModular integrated construction (MiC) has been adopted in over 100 building projects in Hong Kong. The sustainability of MiC may vary from different socio-technical contexts such as module designs, which however has not been systematically understood. Therefore, this paper aims to systematically examine the sustainability of MiC for high-rise buildings in a dialectical manner. The examination emphasizes systems thinking of MiC from multiple perspectives such as various performance indicators, building types and modular systems, i.e. dialectics in system boundaries. A new concept of total factor sustainability (TFS) is proposed for systematically examining the dialectics of MiC sustainability. TFS is measured in economic, environmental, and social aspects using six key performance indicators. It is comprehensively evaluated using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution. Cross-case studies are conducted using eight representative high-rise building projects to demonstrate and validate the dialectics of MiC TFS. Remarkably, MiC TFS greatly varies from modular system designs, e.g. labor productivity being enhanced by 281% in the case projects adopting double wall systems but only by 138% in the other projects adopting sandwich wall systems. The TFS of MiC building projects could be enhanced by over 60% with more standardized design, easy-to-assemble connections, and enhanced technology maturity. The paper proposes a novel framework of MiC system boundaries for addressing multi-aspect, multi-indicator and cross-boundary TFS analysis, which seeks to understand not only the dialectical sustainability of a single project but also how MiC projects contribute to the whole construction industry. The paper should facilitate more informed decision-making of the government and industry for formulating MiC incentive policies and designing innovative modular systems for enhancing buildings’ sustainability
Provincial Carbon Inequality in China’s Construction Industry
No full textThe construction industry is a significant contributor to global environmental pressures, China, with its vast construction market, has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, provincial disparities in China, including economic structure, urbanization rates, and resource endowments, have led to carbon transfers and carbon leakage, exacerbating provincial carbon inequality and complicate the implementation of effective carbon reduction strategies. Using data from 2011-2020, this study analyses the spatiotemporal characteristics of CO2 emissions and value added in China’s construction industry and identifies driving factors contributing to regional disparities. Theil index is adopted to measure provincial carbon inequality and the LMDI method to decompose the impact of driving factors on CO2 emissions in provinces’ construction industry. Findings indicate that carbon inequality has worsened over the past decade, with the eastern region exhibiting the highest inter-provincial inequality. Intra-province inequality is the main cause of overall carbon inequality nationwide, but the impact of inter-province inequality is constantly increasing. The economic size of a province is the most significant driver of carbon emissions, while population size plays a lesser role. This study contributes new evidence to the understanding of provincial carbon inequality in China’s construction industry and provides insights for sustainable development and climate justice
Developing Sustainability-Focused Competencies in Civil Engineering Technology Students
Get PDFAs the world tackles climate change impacts, studies have shown a growing gap in green skills and green talent, emphasizing the need for higher education curricula to be aligned with sustainability goals to prepare students to address and mitigate these impacts. Consequently, there is a critical need to enhance sustainability education to equip the future engineering workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle these challenges and combat the adverse effects of climate change. By enhancing sustainability education, we can better prepare future engineers to lead the charge in creating a more sustainable and resilient world, especially considering the critical role that civil engineers play in shaping the built environment. This study investigates the impacts of incorporating sustainability-related learning outcomes into an undergraduate civil engineering course - structural steel design offered at a higher education institution in the United States in Fall 2022 and 2023. By assessing student learning outcomes mapped to sustainability-related learning outcomes listed in the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework and curricular modifications, new course materials and activities were developed to enhance student literacy in sustainability and emphasize its importance in civil engineering. Students\u27 feedback suggests that they exhibited an improved understanding of sustainability concepts and feel more confident and empowered to address sustainability challenges following exposure to coursework aligned with sustainability-related learning outcomes. The insights gathered from this research will be beneficial to engineering educators interested in integrating sustainability principles into their curriculum
In Search for Resonance in Architecture: Observations in Kreuzkölln
No full textThis study explores the concept of resonance in architecture by examining public life on Admiralbrücke, a vibrant and multifaceted location in Kreuzkölln, Berlin. The primary objective is to understand how people use, relate to, experience, and interact with their urban environment. It seeks to uncover why certain locations within a city become places that attract, inspire, and encourage activity and vibrancy, creating an atmosphere full of life. This research asserts that the qualities of both place and architecture extend beyond mere functionality and must be carefully analyzed. Through systematic observation of the physical environment and human interactions, the study is grounded in newly collected empirical data. Drawing on Rosa’s (2016), theory of resonance it examines how the human instinct to create, organize, and shape the built environment fosters meaningful relationships with public space. The study highlights activities, traces of activity, and creative engagement within the public space of Admiralbrücke, analyzing their relationship to the bridge’s architectural design and urban context. It suggests that the desire to express life and experience resonance in public space can be translated into actionable knowledge for urban planning and design. Ultimately, the research aims to expand the discourse on resonance in architecture, exploring how it functions and how it can inform alternative approaches to urban planning and design beyond mere functionality
Integrating circularity in the design of future-proof retail spaces
Get PDFUrban areas are major contributors to CO2 emissions and waste, with redevelopment activities further intensifying their environmental impact. The current gradual shift from physical retail to e-commerce is expected to exacerbate this trend, potentially leading to significant conversions of vacant retail spaces and increased urban waste and energy use. Adopting a circular economy approach - emphasizing efficiency, waste reduction, and decarbonization - can support sustainable urban development, particularly in the event of such transformations. This requires designing retail spaces with flexibility and modularity, though such approaches may involve higher costs. This study proposes a method to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of various design options, including adaptable, circular economy-compliant designs, under future demand uncertainty. The proposed method is applied to an example retail space in Milan for demonstrative purpose, with findings, limitations, and recommendations presented for its future integration into the Real-option analysis to improve the long-term design evaluation of retail spaces
Connection of 2022 World Build Congress Proceedings to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Get PDFThe United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The built environment plays a significant role in achieving these goals. Recognizing this and embracing the role the UN played in establishing CIB, the theme of this World Building Congress is “sustainable built environment – the role of the construction community in meeting the UN SDGs”. This research evaluated the 2022 World Building Congress proceedings for their connection to the UN SDGs. A literature review, the UN SDG definations, and knowledge of the goals in relationship to the built environment helped to establish working definition for each SDG in relation to the built environment. Each published paper was evaluated for their implicit or explicit connection to each of the 16 UN SDGs. To ensure reliability and validity of the apporach, two independent raters evaluated five papers jointly and then ten papers independtly with results compared. The most frequently cited SDGs was SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Two-hundred and twenty of the three-hundred and one 2022 WBC proceedings papers reviewed were judged as being linked to a UN SDG. Eleven WBC Proceeding specifically mentioned UN SDGs. Each paper in the 2025 WBC will self-identify their primary and secondary UN SDG goal. Therefore, this research helps set a historical precedent of how CIB WBC papers have been connected to UN SDGs and establishes a methodology by which previous WBCs could also be analyzed