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• 1. [Article] Behavioral and Community Impacts of the Portland Needle Exchange Program

  Research questions were: 1: Will Drug Injectors Use An Exchange In A StateWhere Syringes Are Legal? 2: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Decrease Risky Behavior? 3: Will Frequent Clients Change Risk ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Behavioral and Community Impacts of the Portland Needle Exchange Program Author: Oliver, Kathleen Joan Year: 1995 Research questions were: 1: Will Drug Injectors Use An Exchange In A StateWhere Syringes Are Legal? 2: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Decrease Risky Behavior? 3: Will Frequent Clients Change Risk Behaviors More Than Infrequent Clients? 4: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Change Risk Behaviors More Than A Comparison Group Not Using An Exchange? 5: Does An Exchange Have An Impact On The Number Of Discarded Syringes On The Streets? 6: Is There A Difference In The Rate Of Spread Of HIV Infection Among Users And Non-Users Of The Exchange. Drug injectors will use needle exchange programs, even in a state where syringes are legal. During the first four years, nearly 2,000 drug injectors made approximately 16,000 visits to the Exchange. Clients of the Exchange reduced risky behavior from intake to six months. Change lasted over time: at twelve months, change in behaviors continued to be significant. Frequent users of the Exchange were better on two variables than infrequent users: they borrowed syringes less, and were less likely to use a syringe and throw it away. Drug injectors using the Exchange were compared to those not using the Exchange, but using a bleach/outreach project. Clients of both projects reduced risky behaviors, with Exchange clients better on two variables: re-using syringes without cleaning, and throwing away used syringes. The two projects attracted different drug injectors, and should be viewed as complementary rather than competing AIDS prevention strategies. The impact of the Exchange on the community was evaluated by the change in the number of discarded syringes found on the streets. The number of syringes found per month decreased from 5.14 before the Exchange opened to 1.9 after it began -- a significant side benefit. The data presented here support the growing evidence that needle exchange programs produce behavioral risk reductions, and that the number of potentially infected syringes in public places can be reduced. Title: Behavioral and Community Impacts of the Portland Needle Exchange Program Author: Oliver, Kathleen Joan Year: 1995 Research questions were: 1: Will Drug Injectors Use An Exchange In A StateWhere Syringes Are Legal? 2: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Decrease Risky Behavior? 3: Will Frequent Clients Change Risk Behaviors More Than Infrequent Clients? 4: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Change Risk Behaviors More Than A Comparison Group Not Using An Exchange? 5: Does An Exchange Have An Impact On The Number Of Discarded Syringes On The Streets? 6: Is There A Difference In The Rate Of Spread Of HIV Infection Among Users And Non-Users Of The Exchange. Drug injectors will use needle exchange programs, even in a state where syringes are legal. During the first four years, nearly 2,000 drug injectors made approximately 16,000 visits to the Exchange. Clients of the Exchange reduced risky behavior from intake to six months. Change lasted over time: at twelve months, change in behaviors continued to be significant. Frequent users of the Exchange were better on two variables than infrequent users: they borrowed syringes less, and were less likely to use a syringe and throw it away. Drug injectors using the Exchange were compared to those not using the Exchange, but using a bleach/outreach project. Clients of both projects reduced risky behaviors, with Exchange clients better on two variables: re-using syringes without cleaning, and throwing away used syringes. The two projects attracted different drug injectors, and should be viewed as complementary rather than competing AIDS prevention strategies. The impact of the Exchange on the community was evaluated by the change in the number of discarded syringes found on the streets. The number of syringes found per month decreased from 5.14 before the Exchange opened to 1.9 after it began -- a significant side benefit. The data presented here support the growing evidence that needle exchange programs produce behavioral risk reductions, and that the number of potentially infected syringes in public places can be reduced. Close

• 2. [Article] Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Change: Portland, Oregon 1990-2010

  Commercial corridors in neighborhoods experiencing change have been relegated to a footnote in research on residential phenomena. It is taken for granted that the process of change experience by businesses ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Change: Portland, Oregon 1990-2010 Author: Howsley-Glover, Kelly Ann Year: 2013 Commercial corridors in neighborhoods experiencing change have been relegated to a footnote in research on residential phenomena. It is taken for granted that the process of change experience by businesses within these neighborhoods mirrors that of the residential change. This assumption is often predicated on the underlying model of invasion succession, suggesting that inmovers displace native populations, whether they are residents or businesses. Analyzing time series data on neighborhood commercial corridor change, research attempted to first test data against the invasion succession model to see if it is an effective framework for analysis. Second, through comparison of case study areas and data along the aggregated corridor, insights are advanced to spur development of a valid model for examining neighborhood commercial corridor change as a unique process with regular spatio-temporal patterns. This framework, it is suggested, is the first step towards understanding the impact of external forces, including social actors, on the neighborhood commercial landscape. Title: Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Change: Portland, Oregon 1990-2010 Author: Howsley-Glover, Kelly Ann Year: 2013 Commercial corridors in neighborhoods experiencing change have been relegated to a footnote in research on residential phenomena. It is taken for granted that the process of change experience by businesses within these neighborhoods mirrors that of the residential change. This assumption is often predicated on the underlying model of invasion succession, suggesting that inmovers displace native populations, whether they are residents or businesses. Analyzing time series data on neighborhood commercial corridor change, research attempted to first test data against the invasion succession model to see if it is an effective framework for analysis. Second, through comparison of case study areas and data along the aggregated corridor, insights are advanced to spur development of a valid model for examining neighborhood commercial corridor change as a unique process with regular spatio-temporal patterns. This framework, it is suggested, is the first step towards understanding the impact of external forces, including social actors, on the neighborhood commercial landscape. Close

• 3. [Article] Understanding Sand Mining on the Maha Oya: The Conflict Between Economic and Environmental Survival

  River sand mining from the Maha Oya is the main source of income and a force that drives economic activity for residents along the river. This study takes place in Sri Lanka, there are three villages included ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Understanding Sand Mining on the Maha Oya: The Conflict Between Economic and Environmental Survival Author: Talbert, Meredith Corea Year: 2012 River sand mining from the Maha Oya is the main source of income and a force that drives economic activity for residents along the river. This study takes place in Sri Lanka, there are three villages included in this project: Jambugaswatte, Janituspuraya and Thoppuwa. In Sri Lanka, sand serves as the main building material. It is used to make bricks, tiles, asphalt and concrete, therefore demanding a high market value. However, the over-extraction of sand comes along with significant environmental problems. These communities depend on the river in many ways and the health of the river directly corresponds to the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Along the Maha Oya two important elements of survival are in conflict with one another: residents simultaneously need a healthy, thriving ecosystem to live in, as well as economic opportunities. With support from the Environmental Foundation Ltd. (EFL)--a Sri Lankan environmental justice NGO--this study focuses on the complex situation with sand mining on the Maha Oya. Data for this study comes from fifteen formal interviews with a Sinhala-English translator. These interviews are used to address the two research questions for this project: how do village residents along the Maha Oya perceive sand mining? And what are the emotional, practical and theoretical responses of village residents to the effects of sand mining on their local ecosystems? In order to envision a sustainable future, it is vital to begin with a clear understanding of community perceptions of these complex issues, which are at the heart of this project. Title: Understanding Sand Mining on the Maha Oya: The Conflict Between Economic and Environmental Survival Author: Talbert, Meredith Corea Year: 2012 River sand mining from the Maha Oya is the main source of income and a force that drives economic activity for residents along the river. This study takes place in Sri Lanka, there are three villages included in this project: Jambugaswatte, Janituspuraya and Thoppuwa. In Sri Lanka, sand serves as the main building material. It is used to make bricks, tiles, asphalt and concrete, therefore demanding a high market value. However, the over-extraction of sand comes along with significant environmental problems. These communities depend on the river in many ways and the health of the river directly corresponds to the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Along the Maha Oya two important elements of survival are in conflict with one another: residents simultaneously need a healthy, thriving ecosystem to live in, as well as economic opportunities. With support from the Environmental Foundation Ltd. (EFL)--a Sri Lankan environmental justice NGO--this study focuses on the complex situation with sand mining on the Maha Oya. Data for this study comes from fifteen formal interviews with a Sinhala-English translator. These interviews are used to address the two research questions for this project: how do village residents along the Maha Oya perceive sand mining? And what are the emotional, practical and theoretical responses of village residents to the effects of sand mining on their local ecosystems? In order to envision a sustainable future, it is vital to begin with a clear understanding of community perceptions of these complex issues, which are at the heart of this project. Close

• 4. [Article] Stream-Associated Amphibian Habitat Assessment in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Region

  This study assessed the influence of landscape development on stream-associated amphibians in forested riparian areas within the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Human alteration of landscapes may ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Stream-Associated Amphibian Habitat Assessment in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Region Author: Dietrich, Andrew Evans Year: 2012 This study assessed the influence of landscape development on stream-associated amphibians in forested riparian areas within the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Human alteration of landscapes may dramatically affect the ecology of neighboring aquatic systems. It was hypothesized that lotic amphibians would be negatively associated with greater amounts of landscape development and positively associated with forested area within the surrounding watershed. Thirty-seven 1st-3rd order streams were sampled between June 21st and September 21st in 2011. Streams potentially providing adequate habitat for stream-obligate amphibians were randomly selected. Amphibians were surveyed along 30-meter stream transects using an active-cover search (ACS). Environmental variables associated with development in surrounding landscapes were measured in situ. GIS delineation was conducted to define landscape-scale variables at stratified distances from riparian networks up-stream of each site via the utilization of the 2006 NLCD dataset and a finer-scale, regional dataset compiled by the Institute for Natural Resources (INR). Amphibians were detected at seventeen of the thirty-seven sampled streams. The most commonly detected species were Dicamptadon tenebrosus, Plethadon vehiculum and Plethadon dunni. Streams where amphibians were observed had lower average water temperature and conductivity, coarser stream substrate and were located on public property more often than streams where no amphibians were detected. Landscape variables were most significant to amphibians within 100 and 200 meters of the upstream stream network. Occupancy of a site by facultative species was best explained by the proportion of mixed forest in the surrounding watershed (R2=0.343, p<0.001). Occupancy of a stream by obligate species was best predicted by measurements of water quality and in-stream cover (Water Temperature: R2=0.275, p<0.001; Water Conductivity: R2=0.248, p<0.001; Cover: R2=0.323, p<0.001). Occupancy of stream refugia by all observed amphibians was positively influenced by higher percentages of forest cover and lower percentages of urban development and herbaceous vegetation in the surrounding watershed. Results of this study indicate that urban refugia must contain adequate riparian forest area, coarse stream substrate and clean, cool water to sustain stream-amphibian communities. Protection of remnant forested headwater stream networks is essential to the conservation of lotic amphibians in this urbanized region. Title: Stream-Associated Amphibian Habitat Assessment in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Region Author: Dietrich, Andrew Evans Year: 2012 This study assessed the influence of landscape development on stream-associated amphibians in forested riparian areas within the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Human alteration of landscapes may dramatically affect the ecology of neighboring aquatic systems. It was hypothesized that lotic amphibians would be negatively associated with greater amounts of landscape development and positively associated with forested area within the surrounding watershed. Thirty-seven 1st-3rd order streams were sampled between June 21st and September 21st in 2011. Streams potentially providing adequate habitat for stream-obligate amphibians were randomly selected. Amphibians were surveyed along 30-meter stream transects using an active-cover search (ACS). Environmental variables associated with development in surrounding landscapes were measured in situ. GIS delineation was conducted to define landscape-scale variables at stratified distances from riparian networks up-stream of each site via the utilization of the 2006 NLCD dataset and a finer-scale, regional dataset compiled by the Institute for Natural Resources (INR). Amphibians were detected at seventeen of the thirty-seven sampled streams. The most commonly detected species were Dicamptadon tenebrosus, Plethadon vehiculum and Plethadon dunni. Streams where amphibians were observed had lower average water temperature and conductivity, coarser stream substrate and were located on public property more often than streams where no amphibians were detected. Landscape variables were most significant to amphibians within 100 and 200 meters of the upstream stream network. Occupancy of a site by facultative species was best explained by the proportion of mixed forest in the surrounding watershed (R2=0.343, p<0.001). Occupancy of a stream by obligate species was best predicted by measurements of water quality and in-stream cover (Water Temperature: R2=0.275, p<0.001; Water Conductivity: R2=0.248, p<0.001; Cover: R2=0.323, p<0.001). Occupancy of stream refugia by all observed amphibians was positively influenced by higher percentages of forest cover and lower percentages of urban development and herbaceous vegetation in the surrounding watershed. Results of this study indicate that urban refugia must contain adequate riparian forest area, coarse stream substrate and clean, cool water to sustain stream-amphibian communities. Protection of remnant forested headwater stream networks is essential to the conservation of lotic amphibians in this urbanized region. Close

• 5. [Article] Beyond Fruit: Examining Community in a Community Orchard

  The Fruits of Diversity Community Orchard, located in Portland, Oregon in an affordable housing neighborhood, is a site of alternative food provisioning in which a group of people, organized by two nonprofits, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Beyond Fruit: Examining Community in a Community Orchard Author: Becker, Emily Jane Year: 2015 The Fruits of Diversity Community Orchard, located in Portland, Oregon in an affordable housing neighborhood, is a site of alternative food provisioning in which a group of people, organized by two nonprofits, work together to manage fruit and nut producing plants. Through conversations with volunteers who participate regularly and participant observation, this study explores the questions: What does community mean in the context of a community orchard? In what ways does partnering with a nonprofit from outside the neighborhood influence community and the way the project is operationalized? This thesis situates community orchards within the literature on alternative food networks (AFN) and highlights three key findings drawing on literature about community development and race in AFNs. First, neighbors and non-neighbors who participate in the project propose different definitions of community. Second, neighbor involvement is limited by a number of factors, including neighborhood divisions and organizational challenges. Notably, orchard participants do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood, putting this project at risk of creating a white space in a majority people of color neighborhood and reproducing inequality rather than fighting against it. Finally, this research complicates the notion of community in alternative food networks and demonstrates how collaborating with an organization from outside the neighborhood impacted the community through increasing non-neighbor participation and through their communications, aesthetics, decision making, and inattention to racial dynamics in the neighborhood and orchard. Title: Beyond Fruit: Examining Community in a Community Orchard Author: Becker, Emily Jane Year: 2015 The Fruits of Diversity Community Orchard, located in Portland, Oregon in an affordable housing neighborhood, is a site of alternative food provisioning in which a group of people, organized by two nonprofits, work together to manage fruit and nut producing plants. Through conversations with volunteers who participate regularly and participant observation, this study explores the questions: What does community mean in the context of a community orchard? In what ways does partnering with a nonprofit from outside the neighborhood influence community and the way the project is operationalized? This thesis situates community orchards within the literature on alternative food networks (AFN) and highlights three key findings drawing on literature about community development and race in AFNs. First, neighbors and non-neighbors who participate in the project propose different definitions of community. Second, neighbor involvement is limited by a number of factors, including neighborhood divisions and organizational challenges. Notably, orchard participants do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood, putting this project at risk of creating a white space in a majority people of color neighborhood and reproducing inequality rather than fighting against it. Finally, this research complicates the notion of community in alternative food networks and demonstrates how collaborating with an organization from outside the neighborhood impacted the community through increasing non-neighbor participation and through their communications, aesthetics, decision making, and inattention to racial dynamics in the neighborhood and orchard. Close

• 6. [Article] The Link Between Image Segmentation and Image Recognition

  A long standing debate in computer vision community concerns the link between segmentation and recognition. The question I am trying to answer here is, Does image segmentation as a preprocessing step help ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Link Between Image Segmentation and Image Recognition Author: Sharma, Karan Year: 2012 A long standing debate in computer vision community concerns the link between segmentation and recognition. The question I am trying to answer here is, Does image segmentation as a preprocessing step help image recognition? In spite of a plethora of the literature to the contrary, some authors have suggested that recognition driven by high quality segmentation is the most promising approach in image recognition because the recognition system will see only the relevant features on the object and not see redundant features outside the object (Malisiewicz and Efros 2007; Rabinovich, Vedaldi, and Belongie 2007). This thesis explores the following question: If segmentation precedes recognition, and segments are directly fed to the recognition engine, will it help the recognition machinery? Another question I am trying to address in this thesis is of scalability of recognition systems. Any computer vision system, concept or an algorithm, without exception, if it is to stand the test of time, will have to address the issue of scalability. Title: The Link Between Image Segmentation and Image Recognition Author: Sharma, Karan Year: 2012 A long standing debate in computer vision community concerns the link between segmentation and recognition. The question I am trying to answer here is, Does image segmentation as a preprocessing step help image recognition? In spite of a plethora of the literature to the contrary, some authors have suggested that recognition driven by high quality segmentation is the most promising approach in image recognition because the recognition system will see only the relevant features on the object and not see redundant features outside the object (Malisiewicz and Efros 2007; Rabinovich, Vedaldi, and Belongie 2007). This thesis explores the following question: If segmentation precedes recognition, and segments are directly fed to the recognition engine, will it help the recognition machinery? Another question I am trying to address in this thesis is of scalability of recognition systems. Any computer vision system, concept or an algorithm, without exception, if it is to stand the test of time, will have to address the issue of scalability. Close

• 7. [Article] Faulty Measurements and Shaky Tools: An Exploration into Hazus and the Seismic Vulnerabilities of Portland, OR

  Events or forces of nature with catastrophic consequences, or "natural disasters," have increased in both frequency and force due to climate change and increased urbanization in climate-sensitive areas. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Faulty Measurements and Shaky Tools: An Exploration into Hazus and the Seismic Vulnerabilities of Portland, OR Author: Brannon, Brittany Ann Year: 2013 Events or forces of nature with catastrophic consequences, or "natural disasters," have increased in both frequency and force due to climate change and increased urbanization in climate-sensitive areas. To create capacity to face these dangers, an entity must first quantify the threat and translate scientific knowledge on nature into comprehensible estimates of cost and loss. These estimates equip those at risk with knowledge to enact policy, formulate mitigation plans, raise awareness, and promote preparedness in light of potential destruction. Hazards-United States, or Hazus, is one such tool created by the federal government to estimate loss from a variety of threats, including earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Private and governmental agencies use Hazus to provide information and support to enact mitigation measures, craft plans, and create insurance assessments; hence the results of Hazus can have lasting and irreversible effects once the hazard in question occurs. This thesis addresses this problem and sheds light on the obvious and deterministic failings of Hazus in the context of the probable earthquake in Portland, OR; stripping away the tool's black box and exposing the grim vulnerabilities it fails to account for. The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, this thesis aims to examine the critical flaws within Hazus and the omitted vulnerabilities particular to the Portland region and likely relevant in other areas of study. Second and more nationally applicable, this thesis intends to examine the influence Hazus outputs can have in the framing of seismic risk by the non-expert public. Combining the problem of inadequate understanding of risk in Portland with the questionable faith in Hazus alludes to a larger, socio-technical situation in need of attention by the academic and hazard mitigation community. This thesis addresses those issues in scope and adds to the growing body of literature on defining risk, hazard mitigation, and the consequences of natural disasters to urban environments. Title: Faulty Measurements and Shaky Tools: An Exploration into Hazus and the Seismic Vulnerabilities of Portland, OR Author: Brannon, Brittany Ann Year: 2013 Events or forces of nature with catastrophic consequences, or "natural disasters," have increased in both frequency and force due to climate change and increased urbanization in climate-sensitive areas. To create capacity to face these dangers, an entity must first quantify the threat and translate scientific knowledge on nature into comprehensible estimates of cost and loss. These estimates equip those at risk with knowledge to enact policy, formulate mitigation plans, raise awareness, and promote preparedness in light of potential destruction. Hazards-United States, or Hazus, is one such tool created by the federal government to estimate loss from a variety of threats, including earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Private and governmental agencies use Hazus to provide information and support to enact mitigation measures, craft plans, and create insurance assessments; hence the results of Hazus can have lasting and irreversible effects once the hazard in question occurs. This thesis addresses this problem and sheds light on the obvious and deterministic failings of Hazus in the context of the probable earthquake in Portland, OR; stripping away the tool's black box and exposing the grim vulnerabilities it fails to account for. The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, this thesis aims to examine the critical flaws within Hazus and the omitted vulnerabilities particular to the Portland region and likely relevant in other areas of study. Second and more nationally applicable, this thesis intends to examine the influence Hazus outputs can have in the framing of seismic risk by the non-expert public. Combining the problem of inadequate understanding of risk in Portland with the questionable faith in Hazus alludes to a larger, socio-technical situation in need of attention by the academic and hazard mitigation community. This thesis addresses those issues in scope and adds to the growing body of literature on defining risk, hazard mitigation, and the consequences of natural disasters to urban environments. Close

• 8. [Article] Women in menopause: a study of gynecologist's perceptions

  The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of women experiencing menopause. Since women at this time experience physical, social and emotional changes, they may have a special need for services. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Women in menopause: a study of gynecologist's perceptions Author: Cogan, Zadell, Kennedy, Sharon Year: 1977 The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of women experiencing menopause. Since women at this time experience physical, social and emotional changes, they may have a special need for services. Doctors were selected as the population for study because they treat so many women at this age and because they are powerful transmitters of our culture. This exploratory study was designed to provide descriptive information about the doctors' perceptions. Results are reported from interviews with seventeen gynecologists from the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. Attempts were made to interview all female gynecologists in the area. Male gynecologists were randomly sampled and the sample was stratified to ensure representation of doctors from a pre-paid medical plan. Doctors were questioned about definitions of menopause, treatment, and use of community resources. Overall, it was found that doctors hesitated to make generalizations about patients. This seemed especially true in regard to questions about the effects of menopause or the problems women experience. When speaking about both their definition of menopause and the types of problems associated with it, female physicians tended to limit responses to the biological aspects of menopause. Generally, it was the male doctors who stressed the social or emotional aspects. The major forms of primary treatment used by doctors were: hormone replacement therapy; talking to the patient (i.e. providing education or reassurance about menopause); or some combination of the two depending upon the individual patient's problem. Degree of hormone use varied among doctors. Yet, at some time, with some patients - all doctors used some form of hormone treatment. Generally, Kaiser doctors appeared to use a lower rate of hormone therapy than doctors in private practice. Most doctors were aware of the existence of community resources. Kaiser doctors tend to most frequently use their own social service department or mental health clinic to handle the other-than-medical problems patients might experience. The community resources which received the highest mention overall were mental health clinics and members of the clergy. The next most frequent category was other mental health professionals. Six of the seventeen doctors interviewed named services, not now in existence, which they would use if available. Those most frequently mentioned were groups and information & referral services. Most doctors believed that the needs of women at the time of menopause were different from the needs of other women. Most frequently mentioned were changes in the women's family structure, changes in her activities, and feelings of being no longer needed. Several doctors who were interviewed echoed researchers such as Bernice Neugarten and Pauline Bart in stressing the negative attitudes which our society has towards women at the age of menopause. In addition, many of the gynecologists expressed awareness of social needs. The results of the study indicate that doctors' services are primarily involved with treatment of medical or biological concerns, and referrals are generally to mental health resources. Several doctors mentioned social needs of the women; and as has been noted, the need for attitudinal change. Social workers can play important roles to bring about these changes. Two possible approaches are suggested: education to increase awareness of medical and social work professionals and the establishment of new resources to advocate for women at the time of menopause. Suggestions for further research are also given. Title: Women in menopause: a study of gynecologist's perceptions Author: Cogan, Zadell, Kennedy, Sharon Year: 1977 The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of women experiencing menopause. Since women at this time experience physical, social and emotional changes, they may have a special need for services. Doctors were selected as the population for study because they treat so many women at this age and because they are powerful transmitters of our culture. This exploratory study was designed to provide descriptive information about the doctors' perceptions. Results are reported from interviews with seventeen gynecologists from the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. Attempts were made to interview all female gynecologists in the area. Male gynecologists were randomly sampled and the sample was stratified to ensure representation of doctors from a pre-paid medical plan. Doctors were questioned about definitions of menopause, treatment, and use of community resources. Overall, it was found that doctors hesitated to make generalizations about patients. This seemed especially true in regard to questions about the effects of menopause or the problems women experience. When speaking about both their definition of menopause and the types of problems associated with it, female physicians tended to limit responses to the biological aspects of menopause. Generally, it was the male doctors who stressed the social or emotional aspects. The major forms of primary treatment used by doctors were: hormone replacement therapy; talking to the patient (i.e. providing education or reassurance about menopause); or some combination of the two depending upon the individual patient's problem. Degree of hormone use varied among doctors. Yet, at some time, with some patients - all doctors used some form of hormone treatment. Generally, Kaiser doctors appeared to use a lower rate of hormone therapy than doctors in private practice. Most doctors were aware of the existence of community resources. Kaiser doctors tend to most frequently use their own social service department or mental health clinic to handle the other-than-medical problems patients might experience. The community resources which received the highest mention overall were mental health clinics and members of the clergy. The next most frequent category was other mental health professionals. Six of the seventeen doctors interviewed named services, not now in existence, which they would use if available. Those most frequently mentioned were groups and information & referral services. Most doctors believed that the needs of women at the time of menopause were different from the needs of other women. Most frequently mentioned were changes in the women's family structure, changes in her activities, and feelings of being no longer needed. Several doctors who were interviewed echoed researchers such as Bernice Neugarten and Pauline Bart in stressing the negative attitudes which our society has towards women at the age of menopause. In addition, many of the gynecologists expressed awareness of social needs. The results of the study indicate that doctors' services are primarily involved with treatment of medical or biological concerns, and referrals are generally to mental health resources. Several doctors mentioned social needs of the women; and as has been noted, the need for attitudinal change. Social workers can play important roles to bring about these changes. Two possible approaches are suggested: education to increase awareness of medical and social work professionals and the establishment of new resources to advocate for women at the time of menopause. Suggestions for further research are also given. Close

• 9. [Article] Coupled Pedagogy: A Study of Sustainability Education and Community-Based Learning in the Senior Capstone Program at Portland State University

  Sustainability has emerged in mainstream higher education over the last few years, and the fields of community-based learning and sustainability education are closely linked through their emphases on active, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Coupled Pedagogy: A Study of Sustainability Education and Community-Based Learning in the Senior Capstone Program at Portland State University Author: Bowling, Emily Erin Year: 2011 Sustainability has emerged in mainstream higher education over the last few years, and the fields of community-based learning and sustainability education are closely linked through their emphases on active, experiential learning in place-based contexts. In order to create ecologically literate citizens to more adequately address environmental problems, there is a logical connection between teaching about sustainability and engaging students in the community, which can serve as a relevant forum to address sustainability issues. However, there is a problem in that educational programs and courses dealing directly with sustainability topics across the higher education landscape often do not emphasize or include experiential, community-based elements. Understanding this relationship is crucial to advance the field of sustainability with meaningful community engagement. This research investigated the pedagogical strategies and frameworks that are foundational in undergraduate capstone courses that include sustainability education and community-based learning. A sample of five community-based, interdisciplinary senior capstone courses at Portland State University was examined through semi-structured interviews with course instructors and syllabi review. Three broad themes emerged as common values among the instructors: connectedness and relationships, community and place, and diversity and inclusiveness. Reflection was a tool utilized universally by instructors to personalize the learning process, cultivate understanding of connectedness and relationships, and incorporate feelings into the learning process. Competencies and skills related to sustainability and those related to civic engagement were very similar; engagement in community is a sustainable practice. This study provides cogent support for the notion that achieving meaningful, transformative sustainability learning requires community-based learning. Title: Coupled Pedagogy: A Study of Sustainability Education and Community-Based Learning in the Senior Capstone Program at Portland State University Author: Bowling, Emily Erin Year: 2011 Sustainability has emerged in mainstream higher education over the last few years, and the fields of community-based learning and sustainability education are closely linked through their emphases on active, experiential learning in place-based contexts. In order to create ecologically literate citizens to more adequately address environmental problems, there is a logical connection between teaching about sustainability and engaging students in the community, which can serve as a relevant forum to address sustainability issues. However, there is a problem in that educational programs and courses dealing directly with sustainability topics across the higher education landscape often do not emphasize or include experiential, community-based elements. Understanding this relationship is crucial to advance the field of sustainability with meaningful community engagement. This research investigated the pedagogical strategies and frameworks that are foundational in undergraduate capstone courses that include sustainability education and community-based learning. A sample of five community-based, interdisciplinary senior capstone courses at Portland State University was examined through semi-structured interviews with course instructors and syllabi review. Three broad themes emerged as common values among the instructors: connectedness and relationships, community and place, and diversity and inclusiveness. Reflection was a tool utilized universally by instructors to personalize the learning process, cultivate understanding of connectedness and relationships, and incorporate feelings into the learning process. Competencies and skills related to sustainability and those related to civic engagement were very similar; engagement in community is a sustainable practice. This study provides cogent support for the notion that achieving meaningful, transformative sustainability learning requires community-based learning. Close

• 10. [Article] Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Infection and Common Mycelial Network Formation on Invasive Plant Competition

  Understanding the biotic factors influencing invasive plant performance is essential for managing invaded land and preventing further exotic establishment and spread. I studied how competition between ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Infection and Common Mycelial Network Formation on Invasive Plant Competition Author: Workman, Rachael Elizabeth Year: 2014 Understanding the biotic factors influencing invasive plant performance is essential for managing invaded land and preventing further exotic establishment and spread. I studied how competition between both conspecifics and native co-habitants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) impacted the success of the invasive bunchgrass Brachypodium sylvaticumin early growth stages. I examined whether invasive plants performed and competed differently when grown in soil containing AMF from adjacent invaded and noninvaded ranges in order to determine the contribution of AMF to both monoculture stability and spread of the invasive to noninvaded territory. I also directly manipulated common mycelial network (CMN) formation by AMF to determine hyphal network contribution to competitive interactions. I found that invasive plants performed most poorly (as indicated by decreased chlorophyll content, size and shoot dry mass) in invaded range soil against conspecifics. This could be two-pronged evidence for existing biotic pressure on the invasives to expand into adjacent noninvaded ranges. I also found a negative effect of AMF colonization and invasive plant performance, potentially indicating deleterious plant-soil feedbacks which could help maintain plant biodiversity at a community level. CMN effects were found to be interactive with root competition and directly affected the performance and nutrient status of B. sylvaticum. Although no direct correlations between AMF colonization levels and competition were found, CMN presence contributed significantly to plant growth and nutrient status. Therefore AMF, through infection and CMN formation, may be able to influence invasive plant growth and spread in the field. Title: Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Infection and Common Mycelial Network Formation on Invasive Plant Competition Author: Workman, Rachael Elizabeth Year: 2014 Understanding the biotic factors influencing invasive plant performance is essential for managing invaded land and preventing further exotic establishment and spread. I studied how competition between both conspecifics and native co-habitants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) impacted the success of the invasive bunchgrass Brachypodium sylvaticumin early growth stages. I examined whether invasive plants performed and competed differently when grown in soil containing AMF from adjacent invaded and noninvaded ranges in order to determine the contribution of AMF to both monoculture stability and spread of the invasive to noninvaded territory. I also directly manipulated common mycelial network (CMN) formation by AMF to determine hyphal network contribution to competitive interactions. I found that invasive plants performed most poorly (as indicated by decreased chlorophyll content, size and shoot dry mass) in invaded range soil against conspecifics. This could be two-pronged evidence for existing biotic pressure on the invasives to expand into adjacent noninvaded ranges. I also found a negative effect of AMF colonization and invasive plant performance, potentially indicating deleterious plant-soil feedbacks which could help maintain plant biodiversity at a community level. CMN effects were found to be interactive with root competition and directly affected the performance and nutrient status of B. sylvaticum. Although no direct correlations between AMF colonization levels and competition were found, CMN presence contributed significantly to plant growth and nutrient status. Therefore AMF, through infection and CMN formation, may be able to influence invasive plant growth and spread in the field. Close