Search

Search Results

• 1. [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

• 2. [Article] Assessment of an Optimal Bus Stop Spacing Model Using High Resolution Archived Stop-Level Data

  In practice, the design of bus routes and stop placement involves calculated trade-offs between service frequency, quality, and access. Increased stop density improves access but contributes to slow operating ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Assessment of an Optimal Bus Stop Spacing Model Using High Resolution Archived Stop-Level Data Author: Li, Huan Year: 2011 In practice, the design of bus routes and stop placement involves calculated trade-offs between service frequency, quality, and access. Increased stop density improves access but contributes to slow operating speeds and increased operating costs. In this thesis, a optimized bus stop spacing model is applied using the high resolution archived stop-level bus performance data from the Bus Dispatch System (BDS) provided by TriMet, the regional transit provider for the Portland metropolitan area. Two cost components are considered in the stop spacing model including passenger access cost and in-vehicle passenger stopping cost, and are combined and optimized to minimize total cost. A case-study is presented using one year's stop-level data from one bus route 19 in Portland, Oregon. The analysis considered both inbound and outbound stop spacing and determined the optimal average stop spacing based on an all-day, peak and off-peak time periods. Based on the analysis considering inbound trips over the entire day, the theoretical optimized bus stop spacing was about 1,200 feet, as compared to the current value of 890 feet. This paper also builds on the all day analysis and focuses on inbound and outbound trips during peak periods, resulting in optimized spacing of about 1,300 feet. The peak hour demand has a significant impact on the transit operation. A bus stop consolidation scheme is proposed for the analyzed bus route considering the peak hour transit demand. Finally, the thesis discusses trade-offs and presents an estimate of transit operating cost savings based on the optimized spacing. Given the growing availability of high-resolution archived data, the thesis illustrates that this modeling tool can be applied in a routine way across multiple routes as part of an ongoing service planning and performance measurement process. Title: Assessment of an Optimal Bus Stop Spacing Model Using High Resolution Archived Stop-Level Data Author: Li, Huan Year: 2011 In practice, the design of bus routes and stop placement involves calculated trade-offs between service frequency, quality, and access. Increased stop density improves access but contributes to slow operating speeds and increased operating costs. In this thesis, a optimized bus stop spacing model is applied using the high resolution archived stop-level bus performance data from the Bus Dispatch System (BDS) provided by TriMet, the regional transit provider for the Portland metropolitan area. Two cost components are considered in the stop spacing model including passenger access cost and in-vehicle passenger stopping cost, and are combined and optimized to minimize total cost. A case-study is presented using one year's stop-level data from one bus route 19 in Portland, Oregon. The analysis considered both inbound and outbound stop spacing and determined the optimal average stop spacing based on an all-day, peak and off-peak time periods. Based on the analysis considering inbound trips over the entire day, the theoretical optimized bus stop spacing was about 1,200 feet, as compared to the current value of 890 feet. This paper also builds on the all day analysis and focuses on inbound and outbound trips during peak periods, resulting in optimized spacing of about 1,300 feet. The peak hour demand has a significant impact on the transit operation. A bus stop consolidation scheme is proposed for the analyzed bus route considering the peak hour transit demand. Finally, the thesis discusses trade-offs and presents an estimate of transit operating cost savings based on the optimized spacing. Given the growing availability of high-resolution archived data, the thesis illustrates that this modeling tool can be applied in a routine way across multiple routes as part of an ongoing service planning and performance measurement process. Close

• 3. [Article] The Development of Embedded DRAM Statistical Quality Models at Test and Use Conditions

  Today, the use of embedded Dynamic Random Access Memory (eDRAM) is increasing in our electronics that require large memories, such as gaming consoles and computer network routers. Unlike external DRAMs, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Development of Embedded DRAM Statistical Quality Models at Test and Use Conditions Author: Suzuki, Satoshi Year: 2010 Today, the use of embedded Dynamic Random Access Memory (eDRAM) is increasing in our electronics that require large memories, such as gaming consoles and computer network routers. Unlike external DRAMs, eDRAMs are embedded inside ASICs for faster read and write operations. Until recently, eDRAMs required high manufacturing cost. Present process technology developments enabled the manufacturing of eDRAM at competitive costs. Unlike SRAM, eDRAM exhibits retention time bit fails from defects and capacitor leakage current. This retention time fail causes memory bits to lose stored values before refresh. Also, a small portion of the memory bits are known to fail at a random retention time. At test conditions, more stringent than use conditions, if all possible retention time fail bits are detected and replaced, there will be no additional fail bits during use. However, detecting all the retention time fails requires long time and also rejects bits that do not fail at the use condition. This research seeks to maximize the detection of eDRAM fail bits during test by determining effective test conditions and model the failure rate of eDRAM retention time during use conditions. Title: The Development of Embedded DRAM Statistical Quality Models at Test and Use Conditions Author: Suzuki, Satoshi Year: 2010 Today, the use of embedded Dynamic Random Access Memory (eDRAM) is increasing in our electronics that require large memories, such as gaming consoles and computer network routers. Unlike external DRAMs, eDRAMs are embedded inside ASICs for faster read and write operations. Until recently, eDRAMs required high manufacturing cost. Present process technology developments enabled the manufacturing of eDRAM at competitive costs. Unlike SRAM, eDRAM exhibits retention time bit fails from defects and capacitor leakage current. This retention time fail causes memory bits to lose stored values before refresh. Also, a small portion of the memory bits are known to fail at a random retention time. At test conditions, more stringent than use conditions, if all possible retention time fail bits are detected and replaced, there will be no additional fail bits during use. However, detecting all the retention time fails requires long time and also rejects bits that do not fail at the use condition. This research seeks to maximize the detection of eDRAM fail bits during test by determining effective test conditions and model the failure rate of eDRAM retention time during use conditions. Close

• 4. [Article] The Tensile Strength of Liquid Nitrogen

  The tensile strength or the negative pressure required to induce cavitation in a pure liquid has been a puzzling subject. On one hand, the classical nucleation theory has met great success in predicting ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Tensile Strength of Liquid Nitrogen Author: Huang, Jian Year: 1992 The tensile strength or the negative pressure required to induce cavitation in a pure liquid has been a puzzling subject. On one hand, the classical nucleation theory has met great success in predicting the nucleation rates of superheated liquids. On the other hand, most of reported experimental values of the tensile strength for different liquids are far below the prediction from the classical nucleation theory. In this study, homogeneous nucleation in liquid nitrogen and its tensile strength have been investigated. In order to carry out the measurement of the tensile strength of liquid nitrogen, different approaches for determining the pressure amplitude were studied carefully. It is shown that Raman-Nath theory, as modified by the introduction of an effective interaction length, can be used to determine the pressure amplitude in the focal plane of a focusing ultrasonic transducer. The results obtained from different diffraction orders are consistent and in good agreement with other approaches including Debye's theory and solving the KZK (Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov) equation. The results from experiments in water demonstrated that as long as the nonlinearity is not too large, the experimentally determined pressure follows closely the calculated results using either Debye's theory or the KZK equation. In addition, the light diffraction contains enough information to calculate the second-order harmonic in the sound wave. In principle, it is possible that the contribution to the acoustic wave of the higher than the second-order harmonic can be obtained. The measurement of the tensile strength was carried out in a high pressure stainless steel dewar. A High intensity ultrasonic wave was focused into a small volume of liquid nitrogen in a short time period. A probe laser beam passes through the focal region of a concave spherical transducer with small aperture angle and the transmitted light is detected with a photodiode. When the voltage on the transducer reaches a critical point, nucleation in the focal region occurs and a characteristic signal associated with the nucleation was obtained. At this moment, the pressure amplitude at the focus is calculated based on the acoustic power radiated into the liquid. In the experiment, the electrical signal on the transducer is gated at its resonance frequency with gate widths of 20 ~s to 0.2 ms and temperature range from 77 K to near 100 K. The calculated pressure amplitude is in agreement with the prediction of classical nucleation theory for the nucleation rates from 106 to lOll (bubbles/cm3 sec). This work enhances our understanding of the nucleation process in liquids. It provides the direct experimental support that the validity of the classical nucleation theory can be extended to the region of the negative pressure up to 90 atm. This is only the second cryogenic liquid to reach the tensile strength predicted from the classical nucleation theory. Title: The Tensile Strength of Liquid Nitrogen Author: Huang, Jian Year: 1992 The tensile strength or the negative pressure required to induce cavitation in a pure liquid has been a puzzling subject. On one hand, the classical nucleation theory has met great success in predicting the nucleation rates of superheated liquids. On the other hand, most of reported experimental values of the tensile strength for different liquids are far below the prediction from the classical nucleation theory. In this study, homogeneous nucleation in liquid nitrogen and its tensile strength have been investigated. In order to carry out the measurement of the tensile strength of liquid nitrogen, different approaches for determining the pressure amplitude were studied carefully. It is shown that Raman-Nath theory, as modified by the introduction of an effective interaction length, can be used to determine the pressure amplitude in the focal plane of a focusing ultrasonic transducer. The results obtained from different diffraction orders are consistent and in good agreement with other approaches including Debye's theory and solving the KZK (Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov) equation. The results from experiments in water demonstrated that as long as the nonlinearity is not too large, the experimentally determined pressure follows closely the calculated results using either Debye's theory or the KZK equation. In addition, the light diffraction contains enough information to calculate the second-order harmonic in the sound wave. In principle, it is possible that the contribution to the acoustic wave of the higher than the second-order harmonic can be obtained. The measurement of the tensile strength was carried out in a high pressure stainless steel dewar. A High intensity ultrasonic wave was focused into a small volume of liquid nitrogen in a short time period. A probe laser beam passes through the focal region of a concave spherical transducer with small aperture angle and the transmitted light is detected with a photodiode. When the voltage on the transducer reaches a critical point, nucleation in the focal region occurs and a characteristic signal associated with the nucleation was obtained. At this moment, the pressure amplitude at the focus is calculated based on the acoustic power radiated into the liquid. In the experiment, the electrical signal on the transducer is gated at its resonance frequency with gate widths of 20 ~s to 0.2 ms and temperature range from 77 K to near 100 K. The calculated pressure amplitude is in agreement with the prediction of classical nucleation theory for the nucleation rates from 106 to lOll (bubbles/cm3 sec). This work enhances our understanding of the nucleation process in liquids. It provides the direct experimental support that the validity of the classical nucleation theory can be extended to the region of the negative pressure up to 90 atm. This is only the second cryogenic liquid to reach the tensile strength predicted from the classical nucleation theory. Close

• 5. [Article] Multivalent Rechargeable Batteries

  Li+ ion batteries have been the mainstay of high energy storage devices that have revolutionized the operating life time of consumer electronic devices for the past two decades. However, there is a steady ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Multivalent Rechargeable Batteries Author: Padigi, Sudhaprasanna Kumar Year: 2015 Li+ ion batteries have been the mainstay of high energy storage devices that have revolutionized the operating life time of consumer electronic devices for the past two decades. However, there is a steady increase in demand for energy storage devices with the ability to store more energy and deliver them at high power at low cost, without comprising safety and lifetime. Li-ion batteries have had significant challenges in increasing the amount of stored energy without affecting the overall lifetime and the ability to deliver stored energy. In order to store and deliver more energy, more lithium ions need to be inserted and extracted from a given electrode (cathode or anode). Upon inserting a large number of Li ions, the crystal lattice of the materials undergo severe mechanical distortions, leading to un-desirable structural changes. This results in underutilization of theoretical energy storage capacities of the electrodes and early failure of the batteries owing to instabilities in the electrode materials. Unlike monovalent Li+ ions, multivalent rechargeable batteries offer a potential solution to the above problems. Multivalent cations, such as Ca2+, are doubly-ionized as opposed to Li+ which is a monovalent cation. The advantages of using Ca2+ ions instead of Li+ ions are multifold. Due to the doubly-ionized nature, only half the number of Ca2+ ions need to be inserted and extracted from a given electrode to store and deliver energy from a high capacity cathode as compared to Li+ ions. This reduces the probability of lattice distortion and un-desirable structural changes, further leading to increased utilization of high theoretical energy storage capacities of the electrodes (cathode and anode). The use of Ca2+ ions also helps in delivering twice the amount of current density as compared to Li+ ions due to its doubly ionized nature. In this work, a set of eight metal hexacyanoferrate compounds were synthesized using the following metal ions: Ba2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Sn4+, Mo5+. The resulting metal hexacyanoferrate compounds were subjected to physical characterization using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), to determine physical properties such as size, morphology, unit cell symmetry and unit cell parameters. This was followed by electrochemical characterization utilizing cyclic voltammetry and galvanic cycling, to determine the specific capacity and kinetics involved in the transport of Ca2+ ions to store charge. Optical characterization of the metal hexacyanoferrates using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, allowed for the identification of metal-nitrogen stretching frequency, which was used as a measure of the strength of the metal-nitrogen bond to understand the role of the above mentioned metal ions in electron density distribution across the unit cell of the metal hexacyanoferrates. The specific capacity utilization of the metal hexacyanoferrates, when compared to the electronegativity values (Xi) of the above mentioned metal ions, the σ- parameter, and the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (v), revealed an empirical trend suggesting that the materials (FeHCF, CaCoHCF and CaZnHCF) that possessed intermediates values for the above mentioned parameters demonstrated high capacity utilization (≥50%). Based on these empirical trends, it is hypothesized that a uniform distribution of electron density around a unit cell, as reflected by intermediate values of the electronegativity (Xi) of the above mentioned metal ions, the σ-parameter and the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (v), results in minimal electrostatic interactions between the intercalating cation and the host unit cell lattice. This results in relatively easy diffusion of the cations, leading to high specific capacity utilization for metal hexacyanoferrate cathodes. These parameters may be used to select high efficiency cathode materials for multivalent batteries. Title: Multivalent Rechargeable Batteries Author: Padigi, Sudhaprasanna Kumar Year: 2015 Li+ ion batteries have been the mainstay of high energy storage devices that have revolutionized the operating life time of consumer electronic devices for the past two decades. However, there is a steady increase in demand for energy storage devices with the ability to store more energy and deliver them at high power at low cost, without comprising safety and lifetime. Li-ion batteries have had significant challenges in increasing the amount of stored energy without affecting the overall lifetime and the ability to deliver stored energy. In order to store and deliver more energy, more lithium ions need to be inserted and extracted from a given electrode (cathode or anode). Upon inserting a large number of Li ions, the crystal lattice of the materials undergo severe mechanical distortions, leading to un-desirable structural changes. This results in underutilization of theoretical energy storage capacities of the electrodes and early failure of the batteries owing to instabilities in the electrode materials. Unlike monovalent Li+ ions, multivalent rechargeable batteries offer a potential solution to the above problems. Multivalent cations, such as Ca2+, are doubly-ionized as opposed to Li+ which is a monovalent cation. The advantages of using Ca2+ ions instead of Li+ ions are multifold. Due to the doubly-ionized nature, only half the number of Ca2+ ions need to be inserted and extracted from a given electrode to store and deliver energy from a high capacity cathode as compared to Li+ ions. This reduces the probability of lattice distortion and un-desirable structural changes, further leading to increased utilization of high theoretical energy storage capacities of the electrodes (cathode and anode). The use of Ca2+ ions also helps in delivering twice the amount of current density as compared to Li+ ions due to its doubly ionized nature. In this work, a set of eight metal hexacyanoferrate compounds were synthesized using the following metal ions: Ba2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Sn4+, Mo5+. The resulting metal hexacyanoferrate compounds were subjected to physical characterization using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), to determine physical properties such as size, morphology, unit cell symmetry and unit cell parameters. This was followed by electrochemical characterization utilizing cyclic voltammetry and galvanic cycling, to determine the specific capacity and kinetics involved in the transport of Ca2+ ions to store charge. Optical characterization of the metal hexacyanoferrates using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, allowed for the identification of metal-nitrogen stretching frequency, which was used as a measure of the strength of the metal-nitrogen bond to understand the role of the above mentioned metal ions in electron density distribution across the unit cell of the metal hexacyanoferrates. The specific capacity utilization of the metal hexacyanoferrates, when compared to the electronegativity values (Xi) of the above mentioned metal ions, the σ- parameter, and the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (v), revealed an empirical trend suggesting that the materials (FeHCF, CaCoHCF and CaZnHCF) that possessed intermediates values for the above mentioned parameters demonstrated high capacity utilization (≥50%). Based on these empirical trends, it is hypothesized that a uniform distribution of electron density around a unit cell, as reflected by intermediate values of the electronegativity (Xi) of the above mentioned metal ions, the σ-parameter and the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (v), results in minimal electrostatic interactions between the intercalating cation and the host unit cell lattice. This results in relatively easy diffusion of the cations, leading to high specific capacity utilization for metal hexacyanoferrate cathodes. These parameters may be used to select high efficiency cathode materials for multivalent batteries. Close

• 6. [Article] Job Attribute Preferences of the Workforce in Polish High Technology Enterprises

  A key precept in work place motivation theory is that management knows what job attributes are valued by the employee. Management can benefit by asking employees what they want from their work experience ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Job Attribute Preferences of the Workforce in Polish High Technology Enterprises Author: Sisavic, Florian Michael Year: 1993 A key precept in work place motivation theory is that management knows what job attributes are valued by the employee. Management can benefit by asking employees what they want from their work experience (i.e., job attribute preferences), rather than assume they know. This is particularly important to Polish high technology companies that are in transition to a free-market economy and to Polish workers who must be appropriately motivated to compete globally. This study attempts to better understand the job attribute preferences of Polish managers and workers, the potential gaps between Polish managers' perception of their workers' preferences (system), and how these preferences are affected by the worker’s personal economic situation (sub system) and by business organization type (supra system). Managers and workers from five Polish high technology enterprises were surveyed on-site regarding their job attribute preferences. The results compared to a similar survey done with six American high technology firms(Eder 1988). Consistent with Maslow’s prepotentcy theory, workers who tended to be optimistic about their personal economic situation rated all five extrinsic job attributes higher and four of the five intrinsics lower than those workers who tended to be pessimistic. Polish workers at firms that operated under central planning had only a few differences in their job attribute preferences indicating a strong supra-system or organizational effect on individuals in the firm. Contrary to what was expected, the Polish managers and workers rated a number of intrinsic attributes higher than their American counterparts suggesting a pent up need for intrinsic-type motivational policies. Polish managers appeared to be closer and more in touch with their workers than their American counterparts. American managers clearly underestimated the importance of intrinsic job attributes and overestimated the importance of the extrinsics, while Polish managers accurately predicted most of the workers’ job attribute preferences. The results also raised questions regarding the stability of job attributes and the concept of clusters of extrinsic and intrinsic groups of job attributes. Title: Job Attribute Preferences of the Workforce in Polish High Technology Enterprises Author: Sisavic, Florian Michael Year: 1993 A key precept in work place motivation theory is that management knows what job attributes are valued by the employee. Management can benefit by asking employees what they want from their work experience (i.e., job attribute preferences), rather than assume they know. This is particularly important to Polish high technology companies that are in transition to a free-market economy and to Polish workers who must be appropriately motivated to compete globally. This study attempts to better understand the job attribute preferences of Polish managers and workers, the potential gaps between Polish managers' perception of their workers' preferences (system), and how these preferences are affected by the worker’s personal economic situation (sub system) and by business organization type (supra system). Managers and workers from five Polish high technology enterprises were surveyed on-site regarding their job attribute preferences. The results compared to a similar survey done with six American high technology firms(Eder 1988). Consistent with Maslow’s prepotentcy theory, workers who tended to be optimistic about their personal economic situation rated all five extrinsic job attributes higher and four of the five intrinsics lower than those workers who tended to be pessimistic. Polish workers at firms that operated under central planning had only a few differences in their job attribute preferences indicating a strong supra-system or organizational effect on individuals in the firm. Contrary to what was expected, the Polish managers and workers rated a number of intrinsic attributes higher than their American counterparts suggesting a pent up need for intrinsic-type motivational policies. Polish managers appeared to be closer and more in touch with their workers than their American counterparts. American managers clearly underestimated the importance of intrinsic job attributes and overestimated the importance of the extrinsics, while Polish managers accurately predicted most of the workers’ job attribute preferences. The results also raised questions regarding the stability of job attributes and the concept of clusters of extrinsic and intrinsic groups of job attributes. Close

• 7. [Article] Taiwanese Language Medical School Curriculum: A Case Study of Symbolic Resistance Through The Promotion of Alternative Literacy and Language Domain Norms

  In contemporary Taiwan, Mandarin language proficiency and literacy in Han characters are not only key skills needed for success in academic institutions and employment markets, but they also carry meaning ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Taiwanese Language Medical School Curriculum: A Case Study of Symbolic Resistance Through The Promotion of Alternative Literacy and Language Domain Norms Author: Sweeney, Philip John Year: 2013 In contemporary Taiwan, Mandarin language proficiency and literacy in Han characters are not only key skills needed for success in academic institutions and employment markets, but they also carry meaning as symbolic markers of national and supranational Chinese identity. This study examines how Taiwanese-language medical studies curriculum planners are promoting alternative linguistic practices as a means of resisting the influence of Chinese nationalism in Taiwan and striving to replace it with a rival Taiwanese nationalism. I conducted research for this study during the 2010-2011 school year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I collected data for this study by engaging in participant observation research at Taiwanese-language curriculum-editing meetings; auditing Taiwanese-language courses at Kaohsiung Medical University; and conducting interviews with both curriculum planners and students at KMU. The role of official languages, literacy, and historical narratives are examined as symbolic components of a Chinese nationalist hegemony, which was constructed through the policies of the Kuomintang's Republic of China administration in post-war Taiwan. This study also examines the relationship between occupation, language skills, and national identification in the context of the contemporary Greater China regional economy. The curriculum planners who are the subjects of this study are employed in the field of medical care, where Taiwanese language skills are valued resources for communicating with patients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, medical doctors have historically been vocal opponents of the Kuomintang administration's pro-Chinese nationalist policies. Therefore, this case study illustrates how the curriculum planners' occupations and language practices are utilized as resources in their efforts to foster Taiwanese autonomy in the Greater China region. This study also examines current limits to the effectiveness of language preservation and revitalization policies in Taiwan due to the importance of Mandarin-language literacy in the majority of high-status occupations in Greater China and to changing conceptions of the relationship between language practice and national identity. This study contributes to the fields of linguistic anthropology and Asian studies by examining relationships between nationalism, employment, language practice, and literacy in the context of Taiwan's ambiguous status as a national entity. It also analyzes ways in which language practices and literacy forms are created and modified as strategic acts to both identify people with competing nationalisms and allow them access to employment opportunities in the context of shifting administrative and economic power structures in the Greater China region. Title: Taiwanese Language Medical School Curriculum: A Case Study of Symbolic Resistance Through The Promotion of Alternative Literacy and Language Domain Norms Author: Sweeney, Philip John Year: 2013 In contemporary Taiwan, Mandarin language proficiency and literacy in Han characters are not only key skills needed for success in academic institutions and employment markets, but they also carry meaning as symbolic markers of national and supranational Chinese identity. This study examines how Taiwanese-language medical studies curriculum planners are promoting alternative linguistic practices as a means of resisting the influence of Chinese nationalism in Taiwan and striving to replace it with a rival Taiwanese nationalism. I conducted research for this study during the 2010-2011 school year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I collected data for this study by engaging in participant observation research at Taiwanese-language curriculum-editing meetings; auditing Taiwanese-language courses at Kaohsiung Medical University; and conducting interviews with both curriculum planners and students at KMU. The role of official languages, literacy, and historical narratives are examined as symbolic components of a Chinese nationalist hegemony, which was constructed through the policies of the Kuomintang's Republic of China administration in post-war Taiwan. This study also examines the relationship between occupation, language skills, and national identification in the context of the contemporary Greater China regional economy. The curriculum planners who are the subjects of this study are employed in the field of medical care, where Taiwanese language skills are valued resources for communicating with patients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, medical doctors have historically been vocal opponents of the Kuomintang administration's pro-Chinese nationalist policies. Therefore, this case study illustrates how the curriculum planners' occupations and language practices are utilized as resources in their efforts to foster Taiwanese autonomy in the Greater China region. This study also examines current limits to the effectiveness of language preservation and revitalization policies in Taiwan due to the importance of Mandarin-language literacy in the majority of high-status occupations in Greater China and to changing conceptions of the relationship between language practice and national identity. This study contributes to the fields of linguistic anthropology and Asian studies by examining relationships between nationalism, employment, language practice, and literacy in the context of Taiwan's ambiguous status as a national entity. It also analyzes ways in which language practices and literacy forms are created and modified as strategic acts to both identify people with competing nationalisms and allow them access to employment opportunities in the context of shifting administrative and economic power structures in the Greater China region. Close

• 8. [Article] An impact evaluation of home improvement loans on neighborhood decline: the case of Portland, Oregon

  Recently federal policy aimed at halting decline in urban neighborhoods has included a major focus on housing rehabilitation efforts. In the case of Portland, Oregon, federally funded improvement loans ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An impact evaluation of home improvement loans on neighborhood decline: the case of Portland, Oregon Author: Larkin, Geri Year: 1980 Recently federal policy aimed at halting decline in urban neighborhoods has included a major focus on housing rehabilitation efforts. In the case of Portland, Oregon, federally funded improvement loans for owner-occupied housing units resulted in the rehabilitation of almost four thousand homes from 1975 until 1978, over twice the number of homes rehabilitated in any other city in the nation. The purpose of the present study was to examine and analyze the city's rehabilitation loan program in two ways. First, the loan process itself was examined to ascertain whether there were any deficiencies in the loan program which should be corrected. The second, and primary, focal point was the specific neighborhoods where rehabilitation loans have been funneled. The impact of the loan programs on the neighborhoods as communicated by their residents determined how successful Portland has been in dealing with urban decline through its loan programs. Prior to gathering primary data on the neighborhoods, several secondary sources of information were used. The Portland Development Commission's in-house evaluations of the loan process demonstrated strong recipient support for the program. A survey of loan recipient files showed loans going to low income families with few assets. Although half of the loans went to married couples, a substantial number of loans went to divorced women and widows. The majority of rehabilitated homes were over fifty years old, and their median assessed value was $16,500. Secondary data was also used to look at outside perceptions of changes taking place in loan neighborhoods. Real estate trends and mortgage and home improvement loan activities suggested that the impact of the government loan programs has not yet been substantial enough to trigger changes in private policies related to the neighborhoods. Primary data for the study came from a random sample survey of four hundred persons in four Portland neighborhoods. Two neighborhoods, one in the north section of the city and one in southeast, where loans have been given, were paired with two control neighborhoods where loans were not available. The survey instrument used contained 72 variables chosen as capable of determining what the impact of the loan program has been on loan recipients, their neighbors, and their neighborhoods. Four outcomes could have stemmed from the loan programs. The first possibility was that people living in the neighborhoods where Housing and Community Development loans have been granted should feel more positive about their neighborhood than those not living in HCD neighborhoods. A second consequence could have been that HCD neighborhoods are upgrading socio-economically. Third, HCD neighborhood residents simply may not have perceived improvements in their neighborhoods, or fourth, even if they perceive improvements, they do not show significantly higher levels of satisfaction with their neighborhoods than holds true for respondents living in the control neighborhoods. The data indicated that although residents in HCD neighborhoods do perceive improvements taking place in their neighborhoods, their levels of satisfaction with their neighborhoods are not significantly higher than satisfaction levels in non-loan neighborhoods. Socio-economic changes may be taking place in the Southeast HCD neighborhood. As for the loan process, the program was rated highly by the recipients of the loans, both in in-house evaluations done for the Portland Development Commission and as reported in the neighborhood survey. The study concludes that the city's efforts provided a solid first step in developing a strong commitment to strengthening inner city neighborhoods, but it is only a first step. A stronger commitment, particularly on the part of private industry, is needed to end urban neighborhood decline. Title: An impact evaluation of home improvement loans on neighborhood decline: the case of Portland, Oregon Author: Larkin, Geri Year: 1980 Recently federal policy aimed at halting decline in urban neighborhoods has included a major focus on housing rehabilitation efforts. In the case of Portland, Oregon, federally funded improvement loans for owner-occupied housing units resulted in the rehabilitation of almost four thousand homes from 1975 until 1978, over twice the number of homes rehabilitated in any other city in the nation. The purpose of the present study was to examine and analyze the city's rehabilitation loan program in two ways. First, the loan process itself was examined to ascertain whether there were any deficiencies in the loan program which should be corrected. The second, and primary, focal point was the specific neighborhoods where rehabilitation loans have been funneled. The impact of the loan programs on the neighborhoods as communicated by their residents determined how successful Portland has been in dealing with urban decline through its loan programs. Prior to gathering primary data on the neighborhoods, several secondary sources of information were used. The Portland Development Commission's in-house evaluations of the loan process demonstrated strong recipient support for the program. A survey of loan recipient files showed loans going to low income families with few assets. Although half of the loans went to married couples, a substantial number of loans went to divorced women and widows. The majority of rehabilitated homes were over fifty years old, and their median assessed value was $16,500. Secondary data was also used to look at outside perceptions of changes taking place in loan neighborhoods. Real estate trends and mortgage and home improvement loan activities suggested that the impact of the government loan programs has not yet been substantial enough to trigger changes in private policies related to the neighborhoods. Primary data for the study came from a random sample survey of four hundred persons in four Portland neighborhoods. Two neighborhoods, one in the north section of the city and one in southeast, where loans have been given, were paired with two control neighborhoods where loans were not available. The survey instrument used contained 72 variables chosen as capable of determining what the impact of the loan program has been on loan recipients, their neighbors, and their neighborhoods. Four outcomes could have stemmed from the loan programs. The first possibility was that people living in the neighborhoods where Housing and Community Development loans have been granted should feel more positive about their neighborhood than those not living in HCD neighborhoods. A second consequence could have been that HCD neighborhoods are upgrading socio-economically. Third, HCD neighborhood residents simply may not have perceived improvements in their neighborhoods, or fourth, even if they perceive improvements, they do not show significantly higher levels of satisfaction with their neighborhoods than holds true for respondents living in the control neighborhoods. The data indicated that although residents in HCD neighborhoods do perceive improvements taking place in their neighborhoods, their levels of satisfaction with their neighborhoods are not significantly higher than satisfaction levels in non-loan neighborhoods. Socio-economic changes may be taking place in the Southeast HCD neighborhood. As for the loan process, the program was rated highly by the recipients of the loans, both in in-house evaluations done for the Portland Development Commission and as reported in the neighborhood survey. The study concludes that the city's efforts provided a solid first step in developing a strong commitment to strengthening inner city neighborhoods, but it is only a first step. A stronger commitment, particularly on the part of private industry, is needed to end urban neighborhood decline. Close

• 9. [Article] A Study of the Success of School College Partnerships Created to Improve Minority and Disadvantaged Student Enrollment and Success in Postsecondary Education

  This study focused on "comprehensive" partnerships between K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions created to improve the pre-college academic preparation, college enrollment and postsecondary success ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Study of the Success of School College Partnerships Created to Improve Minority and Disadvantaged Student Enrollment and Success in Postsecondary Education Author: Laguardia, Armando Reinaldo Year: 1995 This study focused on "comprehensive" partnerships between K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions created to improve the pre-college academic preparation, college enrollment and postsecondary success of minority and disadvantaged students. The study identified such partnerships in existence in the United States for more than five years, surveyed the partnerships to describe their characteristics, and selected two of the most successful to analyze their success characteristics. Sixteen such partnerships were identified and surveyed with a 12-item questionnaire designed to inquire about their: (a) structural characteristics, (b) funding, (c) success in achieving their goals and objectives, and (d) collection of data to measure success. Three key informants from each partnership were surveyed. Forty of 48 surveys were returned, for a return rate of 82%. Responses were tabulated to ascertain the degree to which these partnerships had been successful in achieving their goals and identify the areas in which they experienced success. Two of the most successful partnerships were selected for case studies and visited to collect information about the factors that affected their success and to interview five key participants who represented schools and postsecondary institutions in each of the partnerships. An interview protocol was used to probe the degree to which the characteristics of partnerships success identified in the literature (Van de Water, 1989) were present and effected the case study partnerships. Analysis of the surveys, partnership materials, and the interviews provided a comprehensive portrait of each of the study partnerships. Results of the surveys indicate that a majority of these partnerships; consider themselves at least somewhat successful in achieving their goals, and have improved high school preparation and college enrollments. They are, however, less informed about their success in increasing college retention and graduation. The case studies and interviews revealed that the partnerships valued the success characteristics identified in the literature. The most salient characteristics required for success were the existence of leadership capable of negotiating change within several institutions with different organizational cultures, and the need to recognize that partnerships are unique organizations with some of the same peculiarities, structures and needs as other organizations. Title: A Study of the Success of School College Partnerships Created to Improve Minority and Disadvantaged Student Enrollment and Success in Postsecondary Education Author: Laguardia, Armando Reinaldo Year: 1995 This study focused on "comprehensive" partnerships between K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions created to improve the pre-college academic preparation, college enrollment and postsecondary success of minority and disadvantaged students. The study identified such partnerships in existence in the United States for more than five years, surveyed the partnerships to describe their characteristics, and selected two of the most successful to analyze their success characteristics. Sixteen such partnerships were identified and surveyed with a 12-item questionnaire designed to inquire about their: (a) structural characteristics, (b) funding, (c) success in achieving their goals and objectives, and (d) collection of data to measure success. Three key informants from each partnership were surveyed. Forty of 48 surveys were returned, for a return rate of 82%. Responses were tabulated to ascertain the degree to which these partnerships had been successful in achieving their goals and identify the areas in which they experienced success. Two of the most successful partnerships were selected for case studies and visited to collect information about the factors that affected their success and to interview five key participants who represented schools and postsecondary institutions in each of the partnerships. An interview protocol was used to probe the degree to which the characteristics of partnerships success identified in the literature (Van de Water, 1989) were present and effected the case study partnerships. Analysis of the surveys, partnership materials, and the interviews provided a comprehensive portrait of each of the study partnerships. Results of the surveys indicate that a majority of these partnerships; consider themselves at least somewhat successful in achieving their goals, and have improved high school preparation and college enrollments. They are, however, less informed about their success in increasing college retention and graduation. The case studies and interviews revealed that the partnerships valued the success characteristics identified in the literature. The most salient characteristics required for success were the existence of leadership capable of negotiating change within several institutions with different organizational cultures, and the need to recognize that partnerships are unique organizations with some of the same peculiarities, structures and needs as other organizations. Close

• 10. [Article] The Value of Color Systems in Education

  Color is with us everywhere, all the time. It is an integral part of our existence. Sensitivity to color and awareness of color's physical and psychological qualities is undeveloped in the normal, average ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Value of Color Systems in Education Author: Brehm, Shirley Jo Year: 1974 Color is with us everywhere, all the time. It is an integral part of our existence. Sensitivity to color and awareness of color's physical and psychological qualities is undeveloped in the normal, average human being. What can be done about this? Where can it be done? The answers to these two questions form the basis for this thesis. Color awareness as part of visual education and environmental sensitivity can be taught and should be taught in every educational institution. The key to BUCcessful instruction is informed, knowledgeable, color sensitive teachers and the exposure of students to workable color systems. Color instruction can be approached from many directions; an observation and study of nature, a research of man's uses of color, past and present, and the examination of the scientific aspects of color to name a few. All are expressed in some kind of color systems. Whether the systems are identified to the students is of less importance than the instructors having a good understanding of these systems to help guide the students to more complete color awareness. Research for this thesis consisted of an examination of available material on color in the Portland area. In addition a questionnaire was given to all teachers at the elementary level and to teachers of Art, Science and Home Economics at the junior high and senior high level in a test school district to determine the color curriculum, at what grade levels color was introduced and the methods of introducing color. Also a color quiz was given to first year art students in one of the three high schools in the district to determine the amount of color knowledge or information retained from previous schooling. All instructional material in the same district was examined and evaluated. The results from the questionnaire and the quiz indicated a lack of color awareness by the elementary teachers and, consequently, the students in first year art classes. This was felt to be in part due to the minimal Oregon state requirements in Art for elementary teachers, which therefore would result in inadequately trained teachers. The lack of acknowledgement of the importance of color awareness by faculty and administration were also prevailing influences. This thesis is being written in the hope of enlightening teachers on the importance and necessity of color awareness and sensitivity at all grade levels. Title: The Value of Color Systems in Education Author: Brehm, Shirley Jo Year: 1974 Color is with us everywhere, all the time. It is an integral part of our existence. Sensitivity to color and awareness of color's physical and psychological qualities is undeveloped in the normal, average human being. What can be done about this? Where can it be done? The answers to these two questions form the basis for this thesis. Color awareness as part of visual education and environmental sensitivity can be taught and should be taught in every educational institution. The key to BUCcessful instruction is informed, knowledgeable, color sensitive teachers and the exposure of students to workable color systems. Color instruction can be approached from many directions; an observation and study of nature, a research of man's uses of color, past and present, and the examination of the scientific aspects of color to name a few. All are expressed in some kind of color systems. Whether the systems are identified to the students is of less importance than the instructors having a good understanding of these systems to help guide the students to more complete color awareness. Research for this thesis consisted of an examination of available material on color in the Portland area. In addition a questionnaire was given to all teachers at the elementary level and to teachers of Art, Science and Home Economics at the junior high and senior high level in a test school district to determine the color curriculum, at what grade levels color was introduced and the methods of introducing color. Also a color quiz was given to first year art students in one of the three high schools in the district to determine the amount of color knowledge or information retained from previous schooling. All instructional material in the same district was examined and evaluated. The results from the questionnaire and the quiz indicated a lack of color awareness by the elementary teachers and, consequently, the students in first year art classes. This was felt to be in part due to the minimal Oregon state requirements in Art for elementary teachers, which therefore would result in inadequately trained teachers. The lack of acknowledgement of the importance of color awareness by faculty and administration were also prevailing influences. This thesis is being written in the hope of enlightening teachers on the importance and necessity of color awareness and sensitivity at all grade levels. Close