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"NOTHING BUT A SHITSTORM": CYCLES OF VIOLENCE, CARCERAL HARM, AND SURVIVAL IN RURAL LIVES
Get PDFThis article examines how structural, interpersonal, and spatial forms of violence intersect in the lives of rural, system-involved individuals. Drawing on a secondary analysis of 60 life-history interviews collected in six rural counties throughout eastern and central Washington State, this study employs a feminist methodological framework and Constructivist Grounded Theory to explore how participants move across roles of victim, perpetrator, and survivor over time. Findings reveal that the boundaries between interpersonal and structural violence are porous: incarceration, poverty, and stigma continually reproduce the conditions that generate harm, dynamics that are both intensified by and underexamined within rural contexts. First, the criminal legal system operates as a producer of vulnerability, embedding risk within systems meant to ensure safety. Second, victimization and perpetration often coexist within the same lives, reflecting the enduring imprint of trauma and structural neglect. Third, incarceration functions as a site of re-traumatization that replicates earlier experiences of control, exposure, and abandonment. Finally, rurality shapes these processes through heightened social visibility and limited opportunities for reintegration. Taken together, these findings illustrate how carceral systems and rural social dynamics converge to sustain cycles of violence and marginality, calling for approaches that prioritize care, repair, and attention to lived experience over punishment and surveillance
EVALUATION OF THE ADAPTABILITY AND ADOPTION OF QUINOA (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) AS A NEW CROP IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF RWANDA AND THE ANALYSIS OF G x E EFFECT ON NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF VARIOUS QUINOA VARIETIES
Get PDFQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a nutritionally valuable crop with various applications in food production and consumption. Its drought tolerance makes it an essential
supplementary crop to maize, which is the predominant crop in Rwanda. To explore quinoa's
potential and gather information on the agronomic performance of different quinoa genotypes
within Rwandan production systems, thirty quinoa accessions were planted in the mother trial,
and eight quinoa accessions were planted in the baby trial in Rwanda.
In Chapter Two, we analyzed samples to assess key agronomic traits—grain yield,
emergence, days to flowering, maturity, and plant height—over a three-year study from 2021 to
2023 using a mother-baby experimental design. The aim of the study was to (i) identify quinoa
genotypes with high agronomic performance across various environments and (ii) collaborate
with quinoa farmers to identify priority traits for variety selection and development. This
collaboration between quinoa researchers and growers led to the official release of three new
quinoa varieties: Shisha, Gikungu, and Cougar. We recommend further research to continue
assessing regional adaptability and to evaluate a range of quinoa performances across various
environments nationwide.
In Chapter Three, samples were analyzed for protein content, content of the nine essential
amino acids, and mineral concentration, including calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),
manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). The study aimed to establish a baseline for the nutritional
quality of quinoa grown in Rwanda and to test the hypothesis that these samples contain
sufficient essential amino acids and minerals to meet the daily requirements set by the World
Health Organization. The results indicated that the mean values of essential amino acids met the
daily requirements for both infants and adults, except for lysine in infants and leucine in all age
groups. These findings underscore the significant nutritional potential of quinoa and highlight the
urgent need for higher-quality data on its mineral composition. Furthermore, all tested varieties
from both trials meet the recommended average daily iron intake. Several significant correlations
were found between various minerals and other nutritional components. These insights enable us
to leverage quinoa to enhance health and nutrition in Rwanda and beyond
IMPROVING RELIABILITY IN WEARABLE HEALTH MONITORING VIA MACHINE LEARNING
Get PDFWearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices are transforming healthcare by enabling continuous and personalized monitoring of physiological and behavioral signals. These devices can detect anomalies, support early interventions, and empower patients to manage chronic conditions in daily life. However, the widespread adoption of wearable health technologies is limited by three fundamental challenges: (i) constrained energy resources that shorten device lifetime and necessitate frequent recharging, (ii) unreliable sensing conditions leading to missing or disturbed data that degrade application accuracy, and (iii) the need for sensor- and energy-aware algorithms that can operate robustly under dynamic user and environmental conditions. Addressing these challenges is critical to realizing the promise of intelligent and reliable health monitoring systems.This dissertation presents a suite of novel algorithms for energy-efficient, robust, and sensor-aware wearable IoT systems. Contributions span three complementary research pillars that collectively enable reliable and sustainable operation of health monitoring applications.First, we develop generative and statistical models to recover missing or corrupted sensor data, ensuring the reliability of health monitoring even in the face of degraded sensing conditions. These approaches prioritize application-specific trade-offs between computational cost and reconstruction fidelity. Second, we design adaptive energy management strategies that empower wearable devices to operate sustainably despite unpredictable energy availability. By integrating lightweight decision-making and energy harvest forecasting,
these techniques enable continuous system operation without compromising performance. Third, we introduce sensor-aware and energy-efficient techniques that adjust sensing and computation tasks dynamically based on energy levels.These contributions advance the design of intelligent, self-sustaining, and reliable wearable IoT devices for health monitoring. By systematically addressing core challenges in data reliability, energy sustainability, and sensor-aware computation through the proposed approaches, this work lays the foundation for next-generation systems that operate continuously in real-world conditions while enabling equitable access to personalized healthcare monitoring
Microzooplankton Grazing and Phytoplankton Growth Dynamics in Two Contrasting Reservoirs (Run-of-River versus Storage) in the Columbia River Basin, USA
Get PDFMicrozooplankton grazers influence phytoplankton growth in freshwater ecosystems. In rivers, microzooplankton grazing dynamics may be influenced by variations in flow rates, temperature, etc. Columbia River Basin (CRB) rivers are heavily impounded by run-of-river (ROR) dams, managed for hydropower/navigation, with low reservoir residence times and high flows, and by storage dams, managed for irrigation and drinking water, with higher reservoir residence times and lower flows. We conducted monthly dilution experiments from May-October, 2023 in a ROR reservoir (Bonneville, Columbia River) and a storage reservoir (Detroit Lake, North Santiam River) to assess how microzooplankton grazing and phytoplankton growth rates varied between these sites over a growing season. There were significant effects of dilution based on changes in chl-a from May to August in the storage reservoir; however, in the ROR reservoir significant effects based on chl-a were only observed in June. Taxonomic analysis indicated that microzooplankton (mostly ciliates and rotifers) exerted positive grazing pressure on diatoms in both reservoirs, but with higher grazing rates in the ROR reservoir. Microzooplankton also exhibited negative taxon-specific grazing rates on all other phytoplankton groups (including cyanobacteria) in both reservoirs. Results show a clear pattern of microzooplankton grazer preference for diatoms, with likely higher grazing impacts in ROR reservoirs with shorter residence times, and have implications for reservoir management, especially where cyanobacteria blooms are a concern
Spatial Methods in Educational Psychology: Analyzing Academic Proficiency from an Ecological Perspective
Get PDFFrom an ecological perspective, student learning is situated within a complex network of nested environmental systems. Every layer of context that influences students’ educational environments is grounded in a specific geographic place with its own social, economic, cultural, and environmental characteristics. The geographic diversity of these contexts contributes to differences in the opportunities, resources, and challenges that influence students’ educational outcomes. A spatial statistical framework can help in identifying how contextual variables and outcomes are distributed geographically, as well as how their relationships may vary by location. This study advances the application of spatial analysis within educational psychology by examining the geographic distribution of student proficiency rates in mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA), alongside contextual factors including youth risk and protective factors and community opportunity levels across Washington State. It also investigates how these contextual factors relate to proficiency rates and how these relationships vary across space. Spatial autocorrelation measures were used to examine geographic clustering across all study variables. Relationships between academic proficiency rates and predictors were modeled using standard linear regression models (LRMs) and multiscale geographically weighted regressions (MGWR), which capture how associations between variables vary across geographic locations and spatial scales. Results revealed the presence of spatial autocorrelation and heterogeneity in academic proficiency rates and contextual factors. MGWRs provided better model fit than LRMs. Several contextual variables that appeared non-significant in the LRMs were significant in the MGWRs, revealing spatial patterns and associations that would have been missed using global models alone. Mathematics proficiency showed greater spatial clustering and variation in the strength of associations with predictors compared to ELA. Notable regional differences between the western and eastern parts of the state were observed, demonstrating that spatial patterns of opportunity, risk and protective factors, and academic outcomes are not uniformly distributed across communities. The results were discussed within selected cases that illustrate some of the socially and historically meaningful contexts of the regions in which they occurred, drawing attention to the role of social and structural forces in shaping the everyday environments that influence students’ educational contexts and experiences
NATURAL ORGANIC REGISTERED HERBICIDES AND THEIR USE IN THE DRYLAND INLAND PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Get PDFWeed management is often the greatest production challenge for farmers, whether conventional, no-till, or organic, in the inland Pacific Northwest (iPNW). This dissertation investigates the use and effectiveness of two plant-derived herbicides, registered for use in certified organic production under United States Department of Agriculture organic standards, with different active ingredients–capric and caprylic acid (CAP) and d-limonene (LIM)–to combat weeds in the iPNW. After the Introduction (Chapter 1), Chapter 2 examines in field plot studies the use of CAP, LIM, and winter peas (Pisum sativum L.), in controlling weeds. Both CAP and LIM controlled weeds similar to mechanical control (MECH) and did not affect soil pH, nutrient cycles, or pea weevils. The cost to apply CAP and LIM was found to be prohibitive to use as a main form of weed management in the grain rotation systems of the iPNW. However, CAP and LIM may be best used for spot spraying difficult weeds already resistant to commonly used herbicides in the iPNW.In greenhouse studies, Chapter 3 addresses questions and concerns about plant back intervals (the minimum time that must pass between a pesticide application and planting the next crop) for CAP and LIM and their effect on soil pH. CAP could be used up to a day before emergence without inhibiting germination or emergence, whereas LIM reduced emergence of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and pea (Pisum sativum) throughout the study. Neither of the herbicides acidified the soil.Chapter 4 evaluates the sensitivity of major iPNW field crops, such as wheat and pea, and weeds to three different labeled concentrations of CAP and LIM in a greenhouse study. CAP and LIM were compared to MECH. CAP mixed at the highest labeled concentration caused similar plant death to MECH for all large weeds except Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). Nearly all concentrations of CAP and LIM caused less regrowth of large rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros) than MECH.
Natural herbicides, such as CAP and LIM, certainly have their benefits but are currently too costly for large-scale use in the iPNW. If they can become more cost-effective, iPNW farmers would likely use them
FROM SPILLOVER TO SUSTAINED TRANSMISSION: MODELING THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES
Get PDFOver half of known infectious diseases are zoonoses, diseases transmitted between animals and humans that contribute to an estimated 2.7 million human deaths per year. The global burden of zoonoses is driven not just by the spillover of pathogens from wildlife or domestic animals to humans, but by the ability of pathogens to sustain onward transmission after emergence. In this dissertation, I investigate the multidimensional factors (i.e., the interacting host, pathogen, and environmental dimensions of zoonotic ßrisk) that enable sustained zoonotic transmission through an eco-epidemiological framework, drawing on diverse modeling approaches to predict risk and identify key drivers of pathogen persistence. In epidemic contexts, bidirectional transmission of zoonotic pathogens can perpetuate spillover-spillback cycles, leading to larger-scale outbreaks, the establishment of new animal reservoirs, and the spread of disease beyond endemic regions. However, for many emerging zoonoses, the host range that defines the hazard landscape remains poorly characterized. To address this gap, we used orthopoxviruses (OPVs) as a case study, given their broad and variable host range as shaped in part by the evolutionary loss of accessory genes involved in immune evasion. Using boosted regression trees, we developed a link prediction model that integrates host traits with viral genomic features to predict compatibility between mammal genera and OPV species. The link prediction model outperformed a traditional model trained on host traits alone (AUC = 0.98 vs. 0.886), predicting a more taxonomically diverse set of potential OPV hosts and revealing more distinct geographic hotspots of predicted host species overlap. With this model, we demonstrate how combining ecological and molecular data can improve predictions of host-virus compatibility and potentially strengthen targeted wildlife surveillance efforts.
In endemic contexts, the persistent circulation of pathogens within host and vector populations are maintained through complex ecological interactions that shape both vector ecology and when and where contact between humans and vectors occurs. However, the behavioral pathways that shape exposure to infected vectors are frequently overlooked, particularly in vector-borne disease research. To examine how network-structured human behaviors contribute to endemic disease persistence, we reconstructed the social network in a rural region of the Argentine Chaco endemic for Chagas disease, where frequent residential mobility has been shown to interrupt sustained exposure to vector infestation. By integrating social network metrics into spatial models of house infestation and child T. cruzi infection, we found that human social connectivity increased the odds of both outcomes, but only in interaction with mobility. While moving alone was generally protective, mobile households that maintained social connections faced higher odds of infestation and infection even after adjusting for spatial proximity, suggesting that social networks may facilitate passive vector transport or sustained exposure through social visiting.
Together, these studies demonstrate how integrating biological, ecological, and social processes in zoonotic risk assessment, can help identify key drivers of sustained transmission across complex ecological and social landscapes
Designing a Lasting Change
No full text"Design theory interprets the meaning behind spatial decisions and moves beyond just aesthetics to examine how each choice contributes to the overall human experience. According to Buchanan (1992), design theory provides a framework for connecting the physical qualities of a space to the intangible needs of people. The mental shift from “what looks good” to “what creates meaning” allows design to deeper social and emotional systems.Understanding design through a social lens leads to the realization that any detail, no matter how small, can influence behavior, comfort, and belonging. With Kopec’s (2018) human-ecological model, design is understood as an interconnected system linking people, environment, and emotions. This shows just how spatial and material decisions influence comfort, belonging, and well-being for its users.While traditional design education often prioritizes efficiency and convenience, design theory reframes these goals with a more human-centered approach. Applying this system to the foster care system offers a meaningful opportunity to study and improve how intentional design can support belonging and stability. This paper examines how design theory can help create deeper connections between space, care, and belonging. This especially applies to spaces that feel temporary. By applying theory to foster care living environments, design becomes an empathetic tool for understanding how environments influence human experience.
Designing for Humanity: Addressing Homelessness as a Wicked Problem
No full textInterior designers carry the responsibility of creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional, while also meeting the needs of the client. Design theory provides a framework for this process by helping designers consider how and why a person holds certain values, opinions, and emotions when interacting with a space. This perspective ensures that design is done ethically, moving beyond personal preferences and instead design using a client’s unique experiences. This shifts the role of designer from simply decorating a space to thoughtfully designing a space that beautifully intertwines both aesthetics and functionality. Because design can have such a significant impact on society designers need to also look at the wicked problems the world faces today and work together to address these problems. As Buchanan (1992) explains, wicked problems are complex issues without a single solution. It is shaped by multiple systems that interact in separate ways. When looking at homelessness as a wicked problem, in particular it is intertwined with complexity. Beyond homelessness being a housing crisis, it also reflects deep social, economic, and systemic inequities. Approaching this problem through design theory allows interior designers to better understand its complexity and start to think about how thoughtful interior environments can help support belonging, equity, and comfort to some of the world’s most vulnerable and excluded populations
Spray and soot characteristics of liquid spray flames in a high-pressure sector combustor
No full textConventional aviation combustors use liquid fuels where spray atomization is important for efficient combustion process and resultant emissions. In this study, a three sector combustor with commercial pre-filming airblast injectors are utilized to analyze the effect of operating conditions on spray and soot formation. Measurements are performed with both Jet-A and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at different operating pressures, preheat temperatures and global equivalence ratios. Phase Doppler particle anemometry is utilized to measure instantaneous drop-sizes in both non-reacting and reacting conditions. Instantaneous soot particle temperature and soot volume fraction distributions were measured in the primary zone of the combustor using two-color planar auto-compensating laser induced incandescence for both Jet-A and SAF flames. The drop-sizes shifted towards larger diameters for reacting conditions compared to non-reacting flow, possibly indicating the complete evaporation of smaller droplets at a given operating condition. In comparison to Jet-A, SAF fuel spray produced slightly smaller droplets owing to its reduced surface tension and higher vapor pressure values. The maximum averaged SVF were observed to be along the main reaction zone with values around 5 ppm for Jet-A flames at the operated conditions. For the SAF flames at the same conditions, the averaged SVF reduced by almost 2-3 times compared to Jet-A flames