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Aquatic Interrelations in Malika Mokeddem’s Novel N’Zid (2001)
No full textThis article offers an ecological analysis of Malika Mokeddem\u27s novel N\u27Zid (2001), moving beyond postcolonial and anthropocentric interpretations. It centers on the protagonist Nora\u27s individuation, arguing this process is intrinsically linked to her evolving relationship with the aquatic environment from which she emerges. The article aims to situate N\u27Zid within an ecological perspective, particularly relevant in the Anthropocene, an era compelling a reassessment of humanity\u27s place. Echoing Bruno Latour, addressing inter-relationality is essential as the stable physical framework of the Moderns becomes unstable. This view necessitates rethinking environmental issues and encourages a scientific interpretation of the novel, drawing on neurosciences, ecological studies, and French eco-philosophy rooted in Gilbert Simondon\u27s work
StyleScript: A Structured Data Augmentation Framework for Transformer-Based OCR in Engineering Documents
No full textEngineering documents often contain a combination of printed and handwritten text, intricate layouts, and visual degradation, posing significant challenges to Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems. Transformer-based models like TrOCR provide strong baseline performance but require domain-specific data augmentation to generalize effectively. This paper introduces StyleScript, a structured data augmentation framework that generates realistic synthetic word images by extracting stroke-based style features such as slant angle and thickness. We fine-tune both TrOCR (small) and TrOCR (large) models using real and StyleScript-augmented data derived from a Military Sealift Command (MSC) dataset. Additionally, we develop a systematic OCR pipeline combining preprocessing, CRAFT-based text detection, and fine-tuned TrOCR recognition to digitize full-page engineering documents with spatial fidelity. Experimental results show that StyleScript-enhanced training improves OCR performance across diverse document conditions, making it a practical solution for engineering and other technical domains with limited annotated data
P. Djéli Clark
No full textPublicity photo submitted by author/presenter for ODU\u27s Annual Literary Festival 2025.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/litfest_images/1003/thumbnail.jp
L. Marie Wood
No full textImage for Virginia Poets Databasehttps://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vapoets-images/1114/thumbnail.jp
Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Resilience and Environmental Justice in Underserved Coastal Communities: A Case Study on Oakleaf Forest in Norfolk, VA
No full textClimate change and sea-level change (SLC) are intensifying flooding in U.S. coastal communities, with disproportionate impacts on Black and minority neighborhoods that face displacement, economic hardship, and heightened health risks. In Norfolk, Virginia, sea levels are projected to rise by at least 0.91 m (3 ft) by 2100, placing underserved neighborhoods such as Oakleaf Forest at particular risk. This study investigates the compounded impacts of flooding at both the building and urban scales, situating the work within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A mixed-method, community-based approach was employed, integrating literature review, field observations, and community engagement to identify flooding hotspots, document lived experiences, and determine preferences for adaptation strategies. Community participants contributed actively through mapping sessions and meetings, providing feedback on adaptation strategies to ensure that the process was collaborative, place-based, and context-specific. Preliminary findings highlight recurring flood-related vulnerabilities and the need for interventions that address both environmental and social dimensions of resilience. The study proposes multi-scale, nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate flooding, restore ecological functions, and enhance community capacity for adaptation. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of coupling technical strategies with participatory processes to strengthen resilience and advance climate justice in vulnerable coastal neighborhoods
