28653 research outputs found
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Illumination: a comparative analysis of LED lights vs. older style lighting instruments
No full textOver the past several years LED lights have taken over film sets and productions. It is common
knowledge that LEDs are much more efficient lights, but do they outperform their predecessors?
This study was a look into how modern LED lights compare to older lighting styles like tungsten
and HMI lights. This study had two ways to analyze the differences; light data recorded from a
spectrometer, and two, 4 filmed scenes where the only difference between the scenes is the lights
while everything else was identical. The expectations are that the older lighting styles, with
tungsten in particular looking better visually, as well as having better color fidelity, and that
LEDs would have much better practicality and efficiency. The hypothesis was correct after the
lights were put through a series of tests. LED lights are the future of filmmaking, even though
they do not outperform their predecessors visually. The range, adaptability, and usage make the
use of LEDs justified, though at a cost aesthetically.M. A
The Urban Design of Street Circuit Racing: The Circle City Circuit
No full textThe Urban Design of Street Circuit Racing
The city of Indianapolis, most notable for annually hosting the Indianapolis 500, is the "Racing Capital of the World”; however, the city has never hosted a street circuit race in downtown Indianapolis. As IndyCar and Formula One expand their audience and circuits to new city streets and Formula E introduces new horizons and challenges, it is crucial for Indianapolis to develop an iconic street circuit if the city wants to lead the way and stay relevant in global sports entertainment.
This research seeks to answer: what are the urban design components needed to create a street circuit in downtown Indianapolis? Even though downtown Indianapolis already boasts a monumental streetscape, integrating a street circuit design throughout a portion of the city has vast implications for hosting international races and sporting events in the future. An intricate part of the city’s culture, racing is synonymous with Indianapolis. Each year the city hosts the Indianapolis 500, the largest single day in spectator sports, attracting upwards of 400,000 attendees and generating over $1bn in revenue for the state of Indiana. (Klacik et al., 2023) Despite hosting the largest day in racing, Indianapolis has not yet capitalized on utilizing the downtown streets for a street circuit.
For a street circuit to be successful in downtown Indianapolis, the urban design of Indianapolis needs to evolve only slightly. The current infrastructure of downtown Indianapolis is uniquely positioned to host this kind of event. The proposed route utilizes the infrastructure to reduce costs and minimize the overall carbon footprint of the circuit. Along the proposed 2.8 mile route there are eight permanent pedestrian tunnels, 13 hotels and roughly 5,500 rooms directly connected to the Indiana Convention Center; additionally, once the other hotel developments conclude their construction, it will bring the total hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center to approximately 10,000. (Visit Indy Website, 2024) As the Indiana Convention Center is in the center of the proposed circuit, it is a good metric to use for this proposal. Special event parking around Lucas Oil Stadium provides a large area for staging events and parking, while downtown Indy website boasts 73,000-metered parking locations within downtown. These factors immediately reduce the carbon footprint and offer more sustainable options than a closed circuit outside the downtown city streets. By integrating key permanent adaptable structures, utilizing smart city street upgrades, and the addition of 6.18 acres of public space, Indianapolis will welcome the next century of motorsports and urban design leading the way.
“I always tell people, if you want to go to a race and have never been to an (IndyCar) race, or maybe you’re not a fan of motorsports, go to a street course race, it’s the perfect environment to lure people into the IndyCar action.”
- Josef Newgarden, 2011 and 2019 IndyCar Series ChampionStreet circuits offer various placemaking opportunities for tourists and locals, generating economic possibilities while also creating unique environmental challenges. In order to lead the way as the premier place to see sporting events and motorsports, Indianapolis must integrate an environmentally conscious, iconic street circuit into its future. This research uses design as a vehicle for understanding how environmentally conscious urban design practices can be employed to find carbon offsetting solutions to enable a permanent street circuit in an urban setting, utilizing Indianapolis, Indiana, as a design precedent
Case study analysis on the impact of lighting in medical spas
No full textThe built environment has long been acknowledged as an influential factor on occupant health. This project examines the functional & aesthetic effects of lighting in medical spas to discover how light is perceived differently to bring attention to the built environment’s impact on occupants. A single method of case study analysis is being utilized for this project. Multiple case studies which look at lighting in medical spas or health facilities were analyzed to determine the best strategies for creating a clinical and therapeutic environment. The literature presented in this paper and an analysis of factors will support the blend of medical standards with design aesthetics. Design factors determined from the method will be analyzed with and against literature found to uncover the most elements mentioned, how frequently they are mentioned, and the correlation with the impact of lighting in medical spas. Ultimately, the literature and results from this project will reveal how a blend of natural and artificial light can support sustainability, occupant well-being, and enhance the design of a space.M. A
Dolling up history: American Girl and representations of gender and the past
No full textThis study explores how the American Girl company’s line of historical character dolls and books convey history and conceptualize girlhood. I review the scholarly literature on American Girl, doll design and play, children’s literature, girlhood, and historic memory and preservation. Through a narrative analysis informed by feminist rhetorical criticism, I examine the first books of eight American Girl historical characters and the accompanying toys available for purchase on American Girl’s website. My analysis then determines how American Girl portrays history through its stories and objects, how American Girl defines girlhood, and how the historical girlhood presented in the books relates to contemporary girlhood. I conclude with a discussion of this study’s strengths, limitations, and directions for future research.M. A
Interpretation and performance of three orchestral compositions by Gabriela Lena Frank: Escaramuza, Elegia Andian, and Three Latin American Dances
No full textThis work presents interpretative and performance suggestions for three of Gabriela Lena Frank’s orchestral works: Escaramuza (2010), Elegia Andina (2000), and Three Latin American Dances (2004). Frank’s compositions frequently include programmatic elements that reference other well-known compositions, and she incorporates melodies, rhythms, timbres, instrumentation, and performance techniques characteristic of her Peruvian cultural heritage. Examples of these elements are presented from a lecture recital format to demonstrate how performance practice and conducting decisions—in rehearsal and performance—can be utilized to honor the composer’s expressed intent and overcome various technical ensemble and conducting challenges. An overview of the cultural contextual elements includes Harawi and Kachampa dance structures. The author also suggests methods for presenting elements that affect the timbre and instrumental scoring specific to each work, for example the Andean Zampoña. This research provides performers with a resource to deepen their score study, and seeks to inspire more people to perform the music of Gabriela Lena Frank.D. A
Biocatalysis.
No full textToluene dioxygenase is an enzyme capable of performing the cis-dihydroxylation of
aromatic pollutants, creating synthetic intermediates useful in the production of bioactive
compounds. However, its utility is limited by a finite substrate scope, as it cannot effectively
metabolize substrates with polar or sterically large substituents. The utility of this enzyme is also
hindered by its limited activity for specific substrate classes. The iron-coordinating residues of
toluene dioxygenase were modified to alternate residues capable of binding iron, and to a residue
that would eliminate iron coordination. The variants produced were tested for activity towards a
variety of aromatic substrates. It was determined that all native iron-coordinating residues of
toluene dioxygenase are necessary for activity. Toluene dioxygenase was also engineered through
modifications to its active site to increase its activity towards benzoates, a valuable substrate class.
The activity of this enzyme was increased 6.6-fold towards methyl benzoate and 38.9-fold towards
ethyl benzoate.M. S
My life told as love: a study in people, places, and things
No full textIn the creative nonfiction essay collection My Life Told as Love, I explore questions of the relationships we experience and the ways they inform who we are. The bulk of these are romantic, but the concept of love expands far beyond this to include familial relationships, the love of pets, and even the love felt towards passions or hobbies that we choose to partake in. At the core of this collection also lies the question of self-discovery—for years I questioned whether or not I may be autistic, and so for this project conducted research into typically ‘autistic’ traits as well as the way they may present differently in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) versus assigned female at birth (AFAB). This neurodivergence greatly impacts the way I experience relationships, and so sheds light on the stories I tell about these throughout the collection. These essays also employ techniques gleaned from the study of other creative nonfiction authors such as Sonya Huber, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Abigail Thomas. These techniques include incorporation of research, organization of the collection, and use of voice. In summary, the collection explores the way I love, and the ways I have been impacted by those I have chosen to love and who have loved me.M. A
Predictors of suicidal thoughts & behaviors in American youth during the Covid-19 pandemic: a neural network on the CDC ABES 2021 dataset
No full textCOVID-19 disrupted adolescent life to an enormous degree; adolescent mental health trends
have also shown increases in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We analyzed the ABES 2021
dataset collected by the CDC to look for predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We ran
four neural networks, with and without covariates to account for COVID-19’s influence on
adolescent life and mental health. We found two acceptable models; hopelessness, parental
abuse, and food insecurity were the most important predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Further replication efforts should ensue this finding, and follow these trends over time in the
adolescent population. More research should be done on what causes and underlies youth
hopelessness, and interventions should focus on preventing the development of hopelessness in
teens.M. S
Revitalizing urban abandonment
No full textThis thesis addresses the revitalization of an abandoned and contaminated brownfield situated in the heart of Indianapolis, an urban environment. The primary objective is to transform this neglected site into a vibrant location that focuses on sustainability. Restoring the entire property, including remediating subsurface contamination, will create an opportunity to bring life back to the site. The proposed design for the existing structure is to have five different buildings, each with its own program. The form was designed to revive the old historic site and serve the community. The design incorporates skylights, solar energy, rainwater collection, an urban farm, and a 50% carbon sink and mix of retention and detention wetland ponds. The circulation path surrounding the wetland ponds enhances aesthetics and serves to route, enlightening visitors about the importance of environmental conservation. Furthermore, the design prioritizes accessibility, ensuring inclusivity in welcoming diverse groups to enjoy the transformed facilities. This innovative approach provides a respite from the urban environment, immersing users in a new blend of urban design and nature.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Elemental architecture: biophilic design in existing cities
No full textBiophilic design provides an opportunity to blend man-made elements with the complex organisms in nature. This relationship creates spaces that allow nature and people to interact and engage with each other to create thriving environments. Nature can promote one's physical and mental health. Architecture allows opportunities to build natural elements within the facade's surface to the most inner systems of the architecture. Architecture can bring nature into the user's space allowing the space to adapt for the needs of the user.
Existing cities are ever changing and adapting to meet the current needs of the community. Whether architecture responds to wind conditions, solar conditions within the dense cityscape, sightlines within the city or experience for the user. In nature everything serves a purpose to a greater cause which allows nature to adapt to meet the external conditions it faces. Existing cities function similarly, architecture has the opportunity to bring nature and man-made elements to work as one entity.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin