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Recognition Through the Algorithm: How Emotional Identification Shapes the Circulation of Classics on BookTok
No full textThis thesis explores how classic literature circulates within the virtual community known as BookTok. Rather than making any definitive claims, this study offers a preliminary look at how and why certain classics surface within a digital space. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes three Zeeschuimer data pulls paired with qualitative analysis of thirty-four unique top-performing videos. This thesis examines the recurring patterns regarding top performing content of classics. Early findings suggest that these posts tend to gain traction on BookTok due to recognition and relatability. The top texts retain their prominence not necessarily because of their canonical status, but because they evoke recognizable emotions, offer quotable moments, or can be reframed within familiar aesthetic narratives. Although these patterns provide insight into how literary value may be shifting within platform cultures, the conclusions of this study remain tentative. As such, this thesis aims not to offer a final judgment but to contribute to an ongoing conversation about how reading, identity, and digital circulation intersect
Money at Work: How the Inflation Reduction Act Reshaped the IRS
No full textThis thesis seeks to analyze and explore the ways in which the funding increase for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) present in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) has impacted the real life operations of the agency. These impacts will be examined across two broad categories: the ways in which the IRS has offered improved taxpayer services, and the ways in which the IRS has been better equipped to collect owed taxes and enforce tax compliance since the passage of the IRA. Existing data and literature indicates that the increased IRS funding has been correlated with some improvements across those two categories. Further analysis suggests that these improvements would get better over time, assuming the IRS is able to use their funding without interruption. The improvements have been fairly modest in some cases, which is somewhat understandable given the short amount of time the IRS has been given to implement reforms. Examining the link between IRS funding and their operations is crucial to achieving a better understanding of the benefits of allocating tax dollars towards certain causes. The ways in which federal funds are used is always a contentious issue; this thesis seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of a way in which funding has been allocated in the hopes it will allow policymakers to make spending decisions more optimally
Monolithic 3D IC Placement Using Reinforcement Learning
No full textThis dissertation explores reinforcement learning (RL)–based approaches to address placement challenges in monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs). Placement in 3D ICs introduces unique constraints—such as inter-tier connectivity and volume limitations—that compound the inherent complexity of the already NP-complete 2D placement problem. To tackle these issues, this work proposes new algorithms that combine RL with simulated annealing (SA) for efficient design-space exploration and high-quality placement solutions. A framework for dynamic hierarchical cluster assignment is introduced to guide the transformation from 2D to 3D while preserving layout structure and reducing search complexity. The proposed methods are evaluated on a range of benchmarks, demonstrating improvements in wirelength and area metrics compared to baseline techniques. The results highlight the feasibility of integrating RL and machine learning techniques in electronic design automation for next-generation 3D systems.
This dissertation is composed of a review book chapter, two peer-reviewed conference papers, and one journal paper under review. The introductory chapter explains the relationship between these contributions and situates them within the broader research context
An Exploration of the Structure of the Linear Algebraic Model of Color
No full textThis thesis surveys the mathematical grounding of linear algebraic models of color. It aims to build from the ground up the framework by which additive color is broadly understood in the digital age. Primarily building on the work of Jozef Cohen, Eric Dubois, David H. Krantz, and Günter Wyszecki, it aims to chart the construction of a model of color that underpins most modern understandings of color. While the construction is certainly established in colorimetric circles, the construction is, in the thesis author\u27s opinion, either obtuse or non-rigorous. Ideally, this thesis serves to make the construction accessible to an audience with a background in linear algebra. Secondary goals of this thesis include dispelling misconceptions around the role of primary colors and highlighting potential extensions to the standard linear algebraic model to encourage further research.
The construction of the linear algebraic model begins by defining spectral power distribution and color spaces as commutative semi-groups [(,+) and (,⊕)] which can be embedded in vector spaces ( and ). Some properties of these vector spaces are then discussed, before moving onto using discrete approximations to implement a linear transformation between the spaces. Finally, Cohen\u27s Matrix technique is used to rigorously define representatives for color sensation equivalency classes (the suite of all color sensations that look like the same color)
Proper Conjugation of Bodies: Chastity, Age, and Care Work in Sri Lankan Migrants’ Families
No full textPhysical and symbolic aspects of bodies limit the migration trajectories of female domestic workers from a Buddhist community in coastal Sri Lanka. Government regulations and family decisions regarding women’s overseas labour draw upon and in turn influence discourses about gender, sexuality, age, health, and class. This ethnographic analysis illustrates that local norms task women with nurturing the brains of babies, preserving the chastity of teenage daughters, caring for frail elders, and preventing their working-class husbands from overindulging in liquor or having sex with other women. Successful social reproduction depends on the proper conjunctions of bodies in the extended family. Corporeal and symbolic dangers imagined to arise from women’s absence fuel a national-level moral panic about female migration
Lacustrine and Terrestrial Paleoseismic Records of the Twin Lakes Fault near Mount Hood, Oregon, USA
No full textOblique convergence along the Cascadia Subduction zone has induced long-lived and ongoing clockwise rotation of the western plate margin of North America, yet few recognized active faults at the latitude of northern Oregon accommodate resulting upper-plate deformation. Directly south of the Cascade volcano Mount Hood (Oregon), an uphill-facing scarp of the Twin Lakes fault impounds drainages of the Frog Lake and Lower Twin Lake basins, suggesting a history of late Pleistocene to Holocene surface ruptures. Investigations of terrestrial and lacustrine sedimentation at the fault strand reveal morphological, geophysical, and stratigraphic evidence of repeated major earthquakes on the Twin Lakes fault since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Sediment cores extracted from these two fault-dammed basins capture rapid sedimentation event (RSE) deposits in shallow lake stratigraphy. I have ranked and quantified event indicators and interpret two RSE deposits in Lower Twin Lake as earthquake-triggered. Using calibrated radiocarbon dates from confining stratigraphic units, I model age constraints for the two events and find that both interpreted earthquakes post-date local age constraints for the LGM. New high-resolution bathymetry and sub-bottom seismic surveys of both lakes reveal graben structures against the eastern lakeshores and stratigraphic on-lapping at the main fault scarp. Improved geologic mapping finds glacial deposits offset across the Twin Lakes fault and paleolacustrine deposits uplifted from modern lake levels on the eastern footwall. At an uphill-facing scarp between the two basins, a hand-dug paleoseismic trench investigation captures offset of LGM and colluvial wedge deposits across a 2.5 m-wide zone of faults and fissures, indicating at least two post-LGM earthquakes. This new terrestrial and lacustrine evidence supports that the Twin Lakes fault has produced multiple late-Quaternary tectonic-related surface-rupturing earthquakes, designating it a local seismic hazard
Investigating Reaction Pathways and Non-Covalent Interactions from Diarylhalonium Salts Using Density Functional Theory
No full textDiaryliodonium salts are very useful for organic synthesis. From diaryliodoniums, one can generate arynes and aryl radicals, as well as transfer aryl groups and form useful intermolecular associations as a Lewis acid. The variety of reactivity and uses for diaryliodonium salts makes improved understanding of their properties and behavior advantageous. Using density functional theory (DFT), this work will present a series of models including diaryliodoniums, bromoniums, and chloraniums, to help expand our understanding of halonium interactions and reactions.
The first study undertaken here uses chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine analogues to investigate halogen bond strength to each halogen center. Using a combination of molecules including hypervalent and monovalent species, as well as charged and neutral compounds, this work probes the variables influencing the association between halogen centers and chloride anions. The final model for this system found the sigma hole potential and orbital contributions to bonds by halogen centers to have the greatest impact on the DFT-calculated halogen-chloride bond strength.
Next we studied phenyl(mesityl)iodonium, bromonium, and chloranium salts and the mesityl vs. phenyl transfer ratios from each to m-methoxyphenoxide. The synthesis and coupling reaction trial results are reported, and DFT-based models of both possible reaction pathways are presented. Transition state energy comparison to product ratios found reasonable agreement with the iodonium, but not for the bromonium or chloranium.
We then present models for chlorophenyl(trimethoxyphenyl)iodonium triflate reactions with methoxide, exploring both ligand coupling and aryne extrusion reaction pathways. The iodonium cation, triflate anion, methoxide anion, and sodium cation combined to produce the lowest energy intermediate identified for each system. Ligand coupling transition states were accessible from this lowest-energy intermediate, but rearrangement of the intermediate was necessary to access aryne forming transition states.
Aryne formation is the focus of the final portion of this work. Phenyl(mesityl)iodonium and phenylthianthrenium salt aryne extrusion reactions were studied using a variety of substitution patterns on the aryne-forming aryl group. We saw concerted deprotonation and carbon-iodine bond cleavage in the iodonium salt reactions. The thianthrenium salts showed deprotonation as a separate reaction step, followed by a zwitterionic intermediate, before sulfur-carbon bond cleavage and aryne formation. Finally, we found correspondence between the DFT-calculated kinetic isotope effect (KIE) for 3-bromo-6-methoxyphenylthianthrenium and experimental deuterium kinetic isotope effect (DKIE), supporting the two-step aryne extrusion mechanism for thianthrenium salts
Medicaid Funding and Health-Related Social Needs: A Policy Analysis
No full textThe U.S. has disproportionately high health care spending compared to other high-income nations and comparatively poor health outcomes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently increased emphasis on addressing Medicaid member social needs. CMS believes addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) may reduce costs and improve health outcomes for Medicaid members. CMS has begun to test theories regarding the impact of member HRSN on health care by designing federal mechanisms to address HRSN, such as in lieu of services and settings-funded services, and by encouraging state Medicaid programs to develop their own approaches, such as Flexible Services. Information about how these mechanisms function in various settings and across different dimensions is valuable to other state Medicaid programs interested in addressing their own patient population\u27s HRSN.
In this policy analysis, we applied framework analysis to a combination of key informant interviews and document review to examine HRSN mechanisms in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington state Medicaid programs. We focused on advantages, disadvantages, scalability, and administrative structures associated with each HRSN mechanism. Across the five states and their 12 mechanisms, we interviewed 25 key informants and analyzed 81 documents.
Our analysis found that, while administrative burdens were largely unacknowledged at the policy level, they did impact patients, practitioners, community partners, evaluators, and administrators involved with HRSN mechanisms. These administrative burdens are a potential leverage point for mechanism improvement. Additionally, states experienced challenges with mechanism scalability and data collection, though in some cases these challenges were mitigated through strategic planning prior to implementation. We also found that many state Medicaid administrators felt their ability to impact patient health was limited, particularly in circumstances where patients needed housing, because of discrepancies between the HRSN Medicaid programs are attempting to address and the HRSN they are able to address.
This study is the first to describe barriers to and facilitators of HRSN mechanism development, implementation, and scalability across multiple states and mechanism types. While other studies have addressed aspects of this topic, they have only focused on specific states or provided limited assessment of mechanism elements. This also represents the first application of the administrative burden framework to the assessment of policy related to CMS-approved HRSN mechanisms
Data From: Bike Buses: An Evaluation of An Emerging Active Transportation to School Intervention
No full textDataset from survey of elementary school families about active transportation to school and use of bike buses. Data is in a CSV format. School name and other potential identifiers have been removed
Building Oregon\u27s Statewide Multimodal Transportation Inventory with AI and Interagency Collaboration
No full textODOT and 48+ local agencies are collaborating on the development of a multimodal data set for transportation planning within metropolitan areas. Revisions to Oregon\u27s Transportation Planning Rules (TPR) set in motion the need for more multimodal data and analysis in local plans. The multimodal data inventory includes vehicle and freight facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit facilities, and other relevant data such as key destinations and crashes. Starting from the local agency GIS systems and supplemented with real world use of AI for developing bicycle and pedestrian facilities, the team is defining and constructing a shared statewide multimodal data set. The final work product is a consistent dataset for Oregon\u27s metropolitan areas, as well as a long-term, adaptable data governance plan for cooperative maintenance and use of the data. tation planning and engineering firm based here in Portland.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/trec_seminar/1264/thumbnail.jp