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CLEA Labs for Planetary Astronomy Bottled for Silicon Macintosh
No full textProject CLEA -- CONTEMPORARY LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IN ASTRONOMY -- develops laboratory exercises that illustrate modern astronomical techniques using digital data and color images.
These Labs were developed for Windows, but the authors have bottled them for Silicon Macintosh computers
Searching for Change: Exploring Historical Silences and Counterstorytelling Through Youth-Led Social Justice Movements
No full textDuring a first-year engagement program, a librarian and a cohort of students worked towards a shared understanding of dominant narratives, historical silences, and creating counterstories through research to center marginalized stories and complicate existing narratives. As information literacy professionals, we should design interactive lessons that demonstrate critical search and evaluation skills through topics that are relevant to students and encourage them to work with issues that impact their communities. Incorporating critical information literacy, feminist pedagogy, and critical race theory, this two-day micro-seminar introduced first-year students to the legacy of youth community activism in the neighborhoods around their university. They practiced centering marginalized voices and experiences in their scholarly output and used a critical lens to reanalyze dominant interpretations. Seeing individuals of their own age group lead community change and create lasting historical objects encouraged their own ability to advocate through their scholarship and community involvement
Information Literacy in the Artificial Intelligence Era: A Proposed Framework
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) systems and applications have become ubiquitous across daily life. While AI offers numerous positive opportunities, it also presents numerous challenges. Information literacy (IL) advocates are concerned about the risks that accompany AI systems. Given the universal reach of AI with its potential pitfalls and perils, researchers and practitioners from various fields and disciplines should inform the dialogue on AI’s development and application. A critical aspect of this dialogue comes in the form of information literacy. Our paper aims to answer the question “How can information literacy guide users in navigating and shaping artificial intelligence technologies?” by establishing a foundation for AI literacy (AIL). To do so, we contend that IL must serve as a foundation for AIL. We used the Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education as a basis for a new AIL conceptual framework. The paper proceeds on the premise that the proposed framework can support more informed and responsible adaptation to AI and its technologies and applications
The Social Side of Aging in Place: Community, Belonging, and Cultural Fit
No full textAging in place, or the capacity of older adults to remain in their homes and communities as they age has been a central tenet of the field of gerontology and the gerontological social policy area. Although access to physical facilities and service provision has been the main focus of traditional studies, contemporary experience demonstrates that social and cultural issues are equally important as determinants of the quality of life. This thesis discusses the influence of social networks, cultural congruence, and community belonging on the aging in place experience. The content of the study is based on the Ecological Model of Aging introduced by Lawton and the Person-Environment (P-E) Fit framework which uses interdisciplinary findings to demonstrate that community participation, shared identity, and inclusive design result in better psychological well-being and functional independence. Cultural fit is also included in the discussion, to the degree to which the values and traditions of an older adult are harmonized with those of other members of the community. When such alignment is empowered, the older adults develop more confidence and ability in their everyday life, what Lawton refers to as perceived competence, which facilitates a more rewarding aging-in-place experience. Dementia-Friendly America, TimeSlips, and memory cafes are some examples of socially sensitive design. The results emphasize the importance of supportive physical infrastructure, supportive service infrastructure, as well as environments that foster a sense of belonging, appreciation of cultural diversity, intergenerational interaction, to benefit aging in place. The great social networks and cultural programs keep the older adults active and mentally healthy. Elders living long distances away may be connected through technology and digital access to community centers. Small community projects, such as gardens or the local clubs, give time to interact with each other daily. All these strategies provide a safe, meaningful, and socially constructive aging in place
Exploring the Experiences of White Passing and White-Assumed Latine College Students
No full textBetween 2009 and 2019 Latine college enrollment has increased, yet retention and graduation rates lag those of their white peers. While barriers for Latine students are well-documented, the influence of colorism, particularly among lighter-skinned or white passing students, remains understudied. This study utilized a qualitative case-study approach grounded in CRT and LatCrit and based on a Street Race Praxis framework. This study explored the experiences of twelve white passing and/or white-assumed Latine students at an emerging HSI in the Pacific Northwest. Using Testimonio informed approach and Counterstory, I drew from interviews, pláticas, site observations, and document analysis to create four Counterstories.
Four themes emerged: Identity, Belonging, and Exclusion; Colorism, Racial Perception, and (Dis)Advantage; Language and Communication; and Resilience and Growth. The Counterstories serve as the findings and are presented in a narrative form. The findings point to both erasure in Latine spaces due to phenotype or appearance, while also navigating the protections that came with being perceived as white. The findings illustrated the pressure to prove authenticity, particularly by speaking Spanish. However, the narratives also highlighted resilience, drawing on family, mentorship, cultural pride, and institutional support to reclaim space and affirm their identities. These findings speak to the urgent need for HSIs to move beyond enrollment metrics and create identity-conscious practices that validate the diverse and layered realities of Latine students
An Innovative HDM Model for Assessing Renewable Heat Energy Resources in Utility Energy Systems
No full textRenewable Heat Energy projects exhibit numerous unique, complex, and often conflicting characteristics, including varying project sizes, diverse energy resources, stakeholder demands, and significant challenges in energy conversion applications. Traditionally, cash flow analysis and return on investment are the most widely recognized metrics for evaluating remote energy projects. However, numerous quantitative and qualitative factors influence the overall performance and success of Renewable Heat Energy System (RHES) projects. A comprehensive approach using advanced tools is essential for assessing the factors and criteria that significantly impact these projects.
This research investigates the key quantitative and qualitative factors that contribute to the successful implementation of renewable heat energy projects. It also analyzes these factors using a hierarchical decision model (HDM), emphasizing the importance of renewable heat energy resources in RHES projects for utility energy.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify appropriate and effective methodologies for developing a model that identifies, recognizes, and scores complex factors.
Four utilities were selected as the off-take uses for the heat energy resource alternatives. These utilities include electricity generation, heat generation, cooling production, and water purification or desalination. Six perspectives have been identified to evaluate the attributes necessary for successful RHES projects. These perspectives are RESTEP – resource, economic, social/cultural, technical, environmental, and political. Each perspective comprises multiple criteria that are interconnected through complex processes and unique challenges. The alternative heat energy resources assessed at the project location include solar thermal systems, geothermal heat systems, biomass systems, heat pump technologies, and waste heat recovery.
A hierarchical decision model was developed to evaluate Renewable Heat Energy Utility conversion technologies for Hawai’i, rank specific resources, and enhance project implementation decisions. The model was assessed for the significance of pairwise ranking differences and bias evaluation by each category of expert: Academia (universities), Regulated Regional Utilities (Hawaiian Electric), National Laboratories (NREL, PNWL), National Energy Organizations (DOE, BPA, TVA), social media (LinkedIn), Consultants, Regional Government, and Stakeholders. Location experts include project-specific individuals with local knowledge, off-site experts with little or no understanding of site-specific requirements and challenges, and Generative AI experts.
My research shows that model results can vary significantly depending on local knowledge and expertise. Typical experts have insights and biases related to the subject, shaped by their prior work, research, and experience. However, they may lack a complete understanding of local challenges or constraints when making decisions in that context.
A model was created that uses two expert panels to assist with its development, validation, and measurement. It also checks whether experts from each panel evaluate the pairwise comparisons consistently or if the panels produce different results for the decision-making model. The two expert panels include:
1. Expert Panel 1, Experts with extensive knowledge of the subject relevant to the decision, along with a specific understanding of local social norms, cultural customs, location-specific laws and ordinances, and politically driven policies.
2. Expert Panel 2, Experts with extensive knowledge of the decision-making subject who are not situated in the area or lack expertise in the location.
During the research, a lack of qualified experts with local knowledge was identified. A pilot study was initiated that uses Perplexity Pro, a Generative AI, to mimic Expert Panel 1. The prompt for the study Panel 3 utilizes specific data sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, government publications, and scientific databases. It offers pairwise comparisons to support decision-making and model results as a comparison to Experts with local knowledge and expertise.
A second Panel 4 also uses Generative AI, but was instructed to use all sources to mimic Expert Panel 2, and provide pairwise comparisons for decision-making and modeling outcomes.
The HDM model, through pairwise comparisons among the first two expert panels, reveals significant variance in the rankings of perspectives and criteria. This variance is based on the model\u27s quantification, which employs subject matter experts with and without local or location-specific knowledge, alongside those who possess such expertise and understand specific challenges. The model\u27s results are substantial, leading to different rankings of alternatives and utilities.
The third and fourth panels, Generative AI, provide insights derived from digital sources. They were not used in the results.
The decision-making rankings from the third panel yielded results similar to those of Expert Panel 1. They incorporate local knowledge that can significantly enhance models with broader perspectives, criteria, and complexities, thereby providing substantially improved decision-making. Meanwhile, the fourth panel, tasked with evaluating open-source data, produced decision-making rankings akin to those of Expert Panel 2 but without incorporating local knowledge.
New knowledge from this research includes an innovative decision-making model called RESTEP, which is introduced. This model provides a resource perspective, along with related criteria, to enhance decision-making frameworks. In this context, the RESTEP model was employed to assess heat energy resources for primary utilities. Throughout the development of the RESTEP model, it became clear that a comprehensive understanding of location perspectives and their underlying criteria is crucial for effective decision-making.
Furthermore, by conducting further research on developing and utilizing enhanced Generative AI and Digital Technologies as tools for model development, validation, quantification, and interpretation, decision-makers could significantly improve their decision-making models
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Tellurorhodamine Dye
No full textRenewable energy, such as solar fuel, is a focus in chemistry due to a need to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Visible light absorbing organic dyes are key to realizing solar energy goals, because they facilitate the conversion of solar energy to high energy chemical bonds. A challenge to this is capturing the full solar spectrum. To capture as much sunlight as possible a dye must have a smaller excitation energy (red-shifted) to capture more radiation from the sun. This project studied how modifications to tellurium containing rhodamine dyes can better capture the visible light spectrum of the sun. Additionally, modifications to the core structure of the dye allows for better understanding of the effect of electron withdrawing groups on photophysical characteristics of this dye class. We synthesized Tellurorhodamine Thiophene-Carboxy (Te-TC) and characterized it using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis and Mass Spectroscopy. UV-Vis spectroscopy found peak absorption 611 nm, far red-shifted compared to mesityl substituted dye. However, irradiation in MeOH found that the compound adopts a spiro-lactone form, Te-TC-SL, causing a loss of aromaticity and color. This was supported by analysis of both the 1H-NMR and 13C-NMRs through the observation of extra peaks in both spectra. Creation of Te-TC-SL prevents oxidation to a Te(IV) structure that is observed for other dyes of this class and prevents it from working as an oxidation catalyst. Future work aims to alter the carboxylic acid to prevent spiro-lactone formation to allow us to study the oxidation chemistry of electron withdrawing substituents on tellurorhodamine dyes
Change Is All There Is : Exploring Journalistic Coverage of Gentrification in the St. Johns Neighborhood of Portland, OR
No full textGentrification, as an increasingly significant characteristic of contemporary urban spaces, has been the subject of a vast body of literature. This has prompted further research into how gentrification is described and the implications of language used in both academic research and popular media accounts. This study explores discourse used in journalistic coverage of gentrification in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Guided by past work in discourse analysis and critical urban geography, this study attempts to understand how academic discourse on gentrification is both reflected in and divergent from neighborhood-level discourse. This study used data from the St. Johns Review in a qualitative discourse analysis, taking a case-study approach to understand the place-specific dimensions of processes of disinvestment and gentrification and how they are described in local journalistic coverage. Neighborhood discourse both exemplified and diverged from conceptual articulations of gentrification in this case. Writing in the St. Johns Review revealed varying degrees of engagement with academic theories, as writing on the neighborhood\u27s stigma and sense of identity reflected academic concepts of territorial stigmatization and past research on place attachment, resisted false choice urbanism while centering practical rather than narrative constraints, expressed a lack of agency in development that did not align with previous academic research or explanations, and revealed an ongoing debate about physical displacement that is not well represented in academic literature
The Competitive Advantage of Storytelling
No full textAva Roasteria Company, a family-owned coffee business in Washington County, Oregon, faces the challenge of expanding in a saturated market. Despite a compelling origin story rooted in environmental remediation and community revitalization, Ava has not utilized this narrative in its branding. This capstone project applied strategic business and marketing frameworks to identify narrative storytelling as a key competitive advantage. Research shows that authentic, narrative origin stories of small businesses that align with stakeholder\u27s values and beliefs can foster emotional connection, loyalty, and brand differentiation. Ava\u27s history and alignment with the Portland culture of sustainability and social responsibility is an untapped asset that could improve their place in the market. Strategic recommendations include sharing Ava\u27s story through digital media, store design, and eco-conscious branding to enhance authenticity and community engagement. Leveraging narrative communication offers Ava Roasteria a powerful opportunity to reinforce its identity, build trust, and drive sustainable growth
Trees, Schools, & Stakeholders: Building Partnerships for Schoolyard Greening With Portland Urban Forestry Learning Landscapes
No full textPortland Urban Forestry Learning Landscapes is a city program offering free tree planting and establishment services to schools, community groups, and multi-residential zones in the city of Portland, Oregon. This project report, completed on behalf of Learning Landscapes, uses qualitative evidence from interviews with school district administrators, teachers, volunteers, grounds staff, city employees, and outreach experts to gain a deeper understanding of the factors leading to successful collaboration between local school districts and their external community partners. These conversations with school and outreach personnel across the city suggest that district staff are interested in collaborative greening organizations like Learning Landscapes becoming more active participants and project partners in Portland\u27s schools. According to interview participants, successful methods for building mutually beneficial partnerships are based on community connections, establishment of trust, and long-term commitment to student wellbeing. Portland\u27s school districts are interested in working with community partners who: 1) Approach outreach from contexts familiar to the district, like community fairs, 2) Work to relieve schools of as much of the financial and time-based burden of their projects as possible, and 3) Are interested in establishing equitable, long-term, district-wide partnerships rather than one-off single-school events. These preferences align well with Learning Landscapes\u27 goals and operations as a program