Journals@UC (University of Cincinnati)
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Play Yards and Their Contribution to Comprehensive Child Development
No full textIn Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlaxcala, Mexico, children face a lack of adequate public spaces for free play. The street is no longer an option, and the existing parks are almost unused, with poor design and minimal maintenance. In response to this scenario, “play yards” were proposed as an initiative aimed primarily at promoting free play and contributing to the recovery of public space for recreational purposes. This report describes this initiative and presents the results of a mixed quantitative and qualitative evaluation based on participant surveys and field observations, with indicators showing the main benefits for the participating children’s holistic development. 
Book Review: The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
No full textBook Review: The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain by Annie Murphy Pau
Oohs, Boos, and Breakthroughs: Teaching Writing with ChatGPT
Get PDFIn response to widespread anxiety about generative AI’s impact on student writing, this personal narrative reflects on integrating AI-assisted invention strategies into two sections of a first-year writing course. We gathered student perceptions on their engagement in traditional and AI-assisted in-class workshops. Findings suggest that while students appreciated the speed and convenience of AI, many found traditional methods more meaningful for deep thinking and personal expression. Most notably, students did not see AI as a substitute for writing but as a complementary tool. This study reveals that thoughtful AI integration can enhance rather than diminish the writing process and invites educators to reconsider how we teach invention in a rapidly changing technological landscap
The Bag of Winds: Navigating AI-Assisted Writing Instruction in French as a Second Language
Get PDFIn this reflection, I explore the integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into second-language writing instruction, drawing on my experiences teaching upper-level French courses. Framing writing as a journey and guided by Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, I developed a scaffolded process in which students draft independently and engage with AI tools during the revision stage. My aim is to preserve student agency while offering the opportunity to seek AI feedback. Over several semesters, this model evolved into Grammélie, a custom AI tutor that supports reflective paper revision through dialogue. While challenges emerged, I advocate for thoughtful, cautious integration of AI as a pedagogical partner, emphasizing the ongoing importance of human guidance in navigating the evolving landscape of GenAI in higher education
Visible Language Online Archive Improvement Study: Envisioning Visible Language’s Next Generation Online Archive.
No full textThe purpose of this study was to identify strategies to improve Visible Language’s online archive design for broader readership. The author used a combination of exploratory methods with current and potential Visible Language readers to identify designers’ current and desired uses of design knowledge. The findings led to three key design strategies: article curation, advanced search filters, and a dynamic reading experience. The strategies extend beyond Visible Language to design archives who wish to improve and broaden engagement with their content
Off-Topic Discussion Boards to Develop Student Connection and Course Success
Get PDFWhile online education\u27s popularity is growing, it has unique challenges. Among them is the increased likelihood of students to drop, fail, or withdraw from the courses due to a perceived lack of connection with their classmates and their instructor. The goal of this study is to offer a specific small way in which instructors can increase that sense of connection and potentially trigger the emotions and qualities of resilience that are associated with academic success. Through the use of off-topic discussion boards with deliberate use of emotionally resonant prompts, instructors can create an online environment in which students feel increased rates of connection to the instructor and their peers
Preparation of Oxidized Tapioca Starch and its Application for Tanning with Titanyl Sulfate
No full textChrome-free tanning agent is of great significance because it can eliminate the notable environmental pollution of chrome tanning. Tapioca is a non-grain crop, and oxidized starch is widely used in leather tanning. Titanium tanning agent is also considered as a potential tanning agent. However, the tanning effect of titanium tanning agent is not ideal. In this study, dialdehyde tapioca (DAS) with different dialdehyde contents have been prepared by sodium periodate oxidation. DAS has been further considered to be degraded by acid to obtain degradation products. The combination tanning effects of DAS and its degradation products with titanyl sulfate have been studied by using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results have shown that the combination tanning would significantly increase the shrinkage temperature of the tanned leather
Liquefaction of Bamboo Powder as the Source of Renewable and Sustainable Polyols for Waterborne Polyurethane Leather Coatings
No full textLeather products usually undergo special finishing treatments to protect them from damage and mask any imperfections in their appearance, guaranteeing a polished and premium-quality outcome. Green coating materials are in urgent need with ever increasing environmental protection consciousness. The resins used to produce leather coatings are required to be derived as much as possible from bio-based materials. Addressing this challenge necessitates the creation of a novel bio-based coating that boasts excellent water resistance, adhesion, and mechanical strength. This research focused on developing polyols from bamboo powder, concurrently synthesizing a range of bamboo powder-based waterborne polyurethanes (BWPU) using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG2000) as the key monomers. The results revealed a remarkable improvement in water resistance, adhesion, and mechanical strength with an increase in the bamboo powder polyols concentration. Notably, the film demonstrated the most optimal overall properties when the bamboo powder polyol content was 4 wt%. Specifically, the BWPU4 film exhibited a water absorption rate of 6.13%, a tensile strength of 16.34 MPa, and a significant increase in adhesion force, reaching 43.6 N/cm. This innovative approach was expected to present new avenues for the leather industry to embrace renewable resources and minimize its environmental impac
Sustainable and Cost-Effective Defluoridation of Rural Tanzanian Groundwater through Pyrolyzed-Eggshells Packed into Parallel Adsorbent Columns
No full textRecord ID: 319
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Podium
Abstract: community of Burere, Tanzania. Current fluoride levels in the community is approximately 5 times above the World Health Organization\u27s recommendations. Excessive exposure to fluoride poses health and quality challenges to the community. Significant design constraints are imposed on this project including cost, material supply, technical labor, and equipment sourcing. The system had to handle substantial water flow rate, low capital costs, and deliver minimal ongoing cost to the community. This study began with the investigation of 10 water treatment methods, each of which were extensively researched for feasibility and viability. Amongst the process choices, pyrolyzed-eggshells utilized as an adsorbent filtrate emerged as the most favorable process. Engineering considerations and calculations were refined to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the process design. The system comprises 12 filter columns arranged in parallel receiving water from an elevated tank to allow flow via gravity. The initial project investment was furnished by Engineering without Borders, with ongoing operational costs supported by the village in Burere. The anticipated capital outlay for the current design shows economic promise, estimated at around $5,000. Annual operating cost was minimized in this design due to the availability of eggshell material which is currently local waste. After confirmation of design upon further scale up and laboratory testing, the aspirational outcome of this study is the construction of the finalized design.