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• 7871. [Article] Detecting Rule of Balance in Photography

  Rule of Balance is one of the most important composition rules in photography, which can be used as a standard for photo quality assessment. The rule of balance states that images with evenly distributed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Detecting Rule of Balance in Photography Author: Mai, Uyen T., Liu, Feng Year: 2014 Rule of Balance is one of the most important composition rules in photography, which can be used as a standard for photo quality assessment. The rule of balance states that images with evenly distributed visual elements are visually pleasing and thus are highly aesthetic. This work presents a method to automatically classify balanced and unbalanced images. Detecting the rule of balance requires a robust technique to locate and analyze important objects and visual elements, which involves understanding of the image content. Since semantic understanding is currently beyond the state of the art in computer vision, we employ the saliency maps as an alternative. We design a range of features according to the definition and effects of the rule of balance. Our experiments with a variety of machine learning techniques ([8-11]) and saliency analysis methods ([2-6]) demonstrate an encouraging performance in detecting vertical and horizontal balanced images. For future works, the balance detecting system can be developed into a subroutine for an automatic evaluation of professional photography. Title: Detecting Rule of Balance in Photography Author: Mai, Uyen T., Liu, Feng Year: 2014 Rule of Balance is one of the most important composition rules in photography, which can be used as a standard for photo quality assessment. The rule of balance states that images with evenly distributed visual elements are visually pleasing and thus are highly aesthetic. This work presents a method to automatically classify balanced and unbalanced images. Detecting the rule of balance requires a robust technique to locate and analyze important objects and visual elements, which involves understanding of the image content. Since semantic understanding is currently beyond the state of the art in computer vision, we employ the saliency maps as an alternative. We design a range of features according to the definition and effects of the rule of balance. Our experiments with a variety of machine learning techniques ([8-11]) and saliency analysis methods ([2-6]) demonstrate an encouraging performance in detecting vertical and horizontal balanced images. For future works, the balance detecting system can be developed into a subroutine for an automatic evaluation of professional photography. Close

• 7872. [Article] OIMB Spring Term 2016

  Back row: Trish Mace, Maya Watts, Craig Young, Barb Butler, Alan Shanks, Kyle Kaneko, Derek Ma, Julie Schram, George von Dassow. Middle row: Svetlana Maslakova, Nicolas Aguiluz, Caitlin Plowman, Kirstin ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: OIMB Spring Term 2016 Author: Hodder, Jan Year: 2016 Back row: Trish Mace, Maya Watts, Craig Young, Barb Butler, Alan Shanks, Kyle Kaneko, Derek Ma, Julie Schram, George von Dassow. Middle row: Svetlana Maslakova, Nicolas Aguiluz, Caitlin Plowman, Kirstin Meyer, Danielle Miller, Morgan Adkisson, Nicole Watase, Kendall Smith, Bridget Begay, Guen Patty, Rachel Prescott. Front row: Richard Emlet (with Mia), Beth Daugintis, Nicole Moss, Ella Lamont, Carly Salant (with Pushkin), Marie Hunt, Mike Thomas, Natalie Carrigan, Jan Hodder, Noah Emerson, Joel Kraski, Po-Yi (Theo) Liu. Title: OIMB Spring Term 2016 Author: Hodder, Jan Year: 2016 Back row: Trish Mace, Maya Watts, Craig Young, Barb Butler, Alan Shanks, Kyle Kaneko, Derek Ma, Julie Schram, George von Dassow. Middle row: Svetlana Maslakova, Nicolas Aguiluz, Caitlin Plowman, Kirstin Meyer, Danielle Miller, Morgan Adkisson, Nicole Watase, Kendall Smith, Bridget Begay, Guen Patty, Rachel Prescott. Front row: Richard Emlet (with Mia), Beth Daugintis, Nicole Moss, Ella Lamont, Carly Salant (with Pushkin), Marie Hunt, Mike Thomas, Natalie Carrigan, Jan Hodder, Noah Emerson, Joel Kraski, Po-Yi (Theo) Liu. Close

• 7873. [Article] Foundations for Evaluating Solar Photovoltaic Energy as a Viable Resource in Hawai'i: Technical, Policy, and Business Investigations

  116 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Physics and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Foundations for Evaluating Solar Photovoltaic Energy as a Viable Resource in Hawai'i: Technical, Policy, and Business Investigations Author: Madey, Andrew John Year: 2014 116 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Physics and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014. Title: Foundations for Evaluating Solar Photovoltaic Energy as a Viable Resource in Hawai'i: Technical, Policy, and Business Investigations Author: Madey, Andrew John Year: 2014 116 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Physics and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014. Close

• 7874. [Article] Landslides and Landscape Evolution over Decades to Millennia—Using Tephrochronology, Air Photos, Lidar, and Geophysical Investigations to Reconstruct Past Landscapes

  Landscapes respond to external perturbations over a variety of timescales, including million-year tectonic forcing, millennial to decadal climate fluctuations, and minutes-long high intensity storms or ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Landslides and Landscape Evolution over Decades to Millennia—Using Tephrochronology, Air Photos, Lidar, and Geophysical Investigations to Reconstruct Past Landscapes Author: Cerovski-Darriau, Corina Year: 2016 Landscapes respond to external perturbations over a variety of timescales, including million-year tectonic forcing, millennial to decadal climate fluctuations, and minutes-long high intensity storms or large magnitude earthquakes. In mountainous regions, understanding the role of landslides in driving the hillslope response to these perturbations is paramount for understanding landscape evolution over geologic timescales and hazards over human timescales. Here I analyze the landslide-driven hillslope response over millennial to decadal timescales using a variety of tools and techniques (e.g. tephrochronology, lidar and air photo analysis, field and subsurface investigations, and seismic refraction) in the Waipaoa Basin (New Zealand) and Oregon Coast Range (USA). For the Waipaoa study catchment, pervasive landslides have been sculpting >99% of the hillslopes in response to >50 m of fluvial incision following the shift to a warmer, wetter climate after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (~18 ka). Then, starting in the late 1800s, European settlement resulted in deforestation and conversion of >90% of the landscape to pastureland—spurring a rapid increase in landslide-driven erosion. To quantify the landscape response, I first reconstruct LGM and younger paleosurfaces using tephrochronology and lidar-derived surface roughness to estimate the volume, timing, and distribution of hillslope destabilization. From these reconstructions, I calculate the post-LGM catchment-averaged erosion rate (1.6 mm/yr) and determine that the timing of the initial hillslope adjustment was rapid and occurred by ~10 ka. Second, I quantify the rate and volume of historic hillslope degradation using a 1956-2010 sequence of aerial photographs, lidar, and field reconnaissance to map the spatial extent of active landslides, create a ‘turf index’ based on the extent and style of pastoral ground disruption, correlate that with downslope velocity, and calculate the average annual sediment flux. From the sediment flux, I calculate an erosion rate over the past ~50 years (~20 mm/yr) that is 10x greater than post-LGM. Lastly, in Western Oregon, I confirm that seismic refraction can determine the size (e.g. depth) and failure style of landslides in western Oregon—data needed to incorporate these poorly studied landslides into future landscape evolution or hazard models. This dissertation includes both previously published and unpublished co-authored material. Title: Landslides and Landscape Evolution over Decades to Millennia—Using Tephrochronology, Air Photos, Lidar, and Geophysical Investigations to Reconstruct Past Landscapes Author: Cerovski-Darriau, Corina Year: 2016 Landscapes respond to external perturbations over a variety of timescales, including million-year tectonic forcing, millennial to decadal climate fluctuations, and minutes-long high intensity storms or large magnitude earthquakes. In mountainous regions, understanding the role of landslides in driving the hillslope response to these perturbations is paramount for understanding landscape evolution over geologic timescales and hazards over human timescales. Here I analyze the landslide-driven hillslope response over millennial to decadal timescales using a variety of tools and techniques (e.g. tephrochronology, lidar and air photo analysis, field and subsurface investigations, and seismic refraction) in the Waipaoa Basin (New Zealand) and Oregon Coast Range (USA). For the Waipaoa study catchment, pervasive landslides have been sculpting >99% of the hillslopes in response to >50 m of fluvial incision following the shift to a warmer, wetter climate after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (~18 ka). Then, starting in the late 1800s, European settlement resulted in deforestation and conversion of >90% of the landscape to pastureland—spurring a rapid increase in landslide-driven erosion. To quantify the landscape response, I first reconstruct LGM and younger paleosurfaces using tephrochronology and lidar-derived surface roughness to estimate the volume, timing, and distribution of hillslope destabilization. From these reconstructions, I calculate the post-LGM catchment-averaged erosion rate (1.6 mm/yr) and determine that the timing of the initial hillslope adjustment was rapid and occurred by ~10 ka. Second, I quantify the rate and volume of historic hillslope degradation using a 1956-2010 sequence of aerial photographs, lidar, and field reconnaissance to map the spatial extent of active landslides, create a ‘turf index’ based on the extent and style of pastoral ground disruption, correlate that with downslope velocity, and calculate the average annual sediment flux. From the sediment flux, I calculate an erosion rate over the past ~50 years (~20 mm/yr) that is 10x greater than post-LGM. Lastly, in Western Oregon, I confirm that seismic refraction can determine the size (e.g. depth) and failure style of landslides in western Oregon—data needed to incorporate these poorly studied landslides into future landscape evolution or hazard models. This dissertation includes both previously published and unpublished co-authored material. Close

• 7875. [Image] Michael Moore, General Manager for Quail Run Vineyards, tastes a new wine for consideration at 2014 World of Wine

  	In this photo, Michael Moore is tasting at South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville, Oregon
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Michael Moore, General Manager for Quail Run Vineyards, tastes a new wine for consideration at 2014 World of Wine Author: Maureen Battistella Year: 2014 In this photo, Michael Moore is tasting at South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville, Oregon Title: Michael Moore, General Manager for Quail Run Vineyards, tastes a new wine for consideration at 2014 World of Wine Author: Maureen Battistella Year: 2014 In this photo, Michael Moore is tasting at South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville, Oregon Close

• 7876. [Image] Red Lily Mountain Top Vineyard

  	One of Red Lily's vineyards, planted on the top of a mountain with a breathtaking elevation and view. This photo taken during the 2014 SOREC vineyard tour led by Dr. Vinay Pagay.
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Red Lily Mountain Top Vineyard Author: Red Lily Vineyards (Or.), Rachel Martin Year: 2014 One of Red Lily's vineyards, planted on the top of a mountain with a breathtaking elevation and view. This photo taken during the 2014 SOREC vineyard tour led by Dr. Vinay Pagay. Title: Red Lily Mountain Top Vineyard Author: Red Lily Vineyards (Or.), Rachel Martin Year: 2014 One of Red Lily's vineyards, planted on the top of a mountain with a breathtaking elevation and view. This photo taken during the 2014 SOREC vineyard tour led by Dr. Vinay Pagay. Close

• 7877. [Article] A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: a Content Analysis of Self-Inflicted Face-ism on Instagram

  The purpose of this study was to explore potential gendered stereotypes by examining the facial prominence of male and female celebrities’ social media images. The face-ism theory evaluates the facial ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: a Content Analysis of Self-Inflicted Face-ism on Instagram Author: Powell, Madeline Year: 2016 The purpose of this study was to explore potential gendered stereotypes by examining the facial prominence of male and female celebrities’ social media images. The face-ism theory evaluates the facial prominence of a depiction; higher facial prominence prompts viewers of media to assume the person they are observing is more intelligent and more likeable in general. In previous research men had higher facial prominence than women, which calls in to question the perpetuation of gendered stereotypes in media. This research is a content analysis of 300 self-selected Instagram photos, posted by the top 30 followed men and women celebrities on Instagram. The images were analyzed to test differences in facial prominence using the face-ism index to measure the head-body ratio of the men and women. The popularity of the images and the occupation of the celebrity were also coded. The results of this study found no difference in facial prominence between men and women, suggesting that celebrities' self-selected images do not replicate the gender-biased facial prominence seen in images that are selected for the celebrity in marketing, advertising, and film. However, facial prominence for both female and male celebrities was very low compared to other studies. This study also found that occupation and popularity have no relationship to the level of facial prominence. The implications for new media in regard to the face-ism theory should be explored further in additional research. Title: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: a Content Analysis of Self-Inflicted Face-ism on Instagram Author: Powell, Madeline Year: 2016 The purpose of this study was to explore potential gendered stereotypes by examining the facial prominence of male and female celebrities’ social media images. The face-ism theory evaluates the facial prominence of a depiction; higher facial prominence prompts viewers of media to assume the person they are observing is more intelligent and more likeable in general. In previous research men had higher facial prominence than women, which calls in to question the perpetuation of gendered stereotypes in media. This research is a content analysis of 300 self-selected Instagram photos, posted by the top 30 followed men and women celebrities on Instagram. The images were analyzed to test differences in facial prominence using the face-ism index to measure the head-body ratio of the men and women. The popularity of the images and the occupation of the celebrity were also coded. The results of this study found no difference in facial prominence between men and women, suggesting that celebrities' self-selected images do not replicate the gender-biased facial prominence seen in images that are selected for the celebrity in marketing, advertising, and film. However, facial prominence for both female and male celebrities was very low compared to other studies. This study also found that occupation and popularity have no relationship to the level of facial prominence. The implications for new media in regard to the face-ism theory should be explored further in additional research. Close

• 7878. [Article] Opportunity Identification: Data Privacy of US Individuals

  In the fuzzy front end it is very important to assess thoroughly whether an opportunity for a new product exists. In order to perform such an analysis a good understanding of the voice of the customer ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Opportunity Identification: Data Privacy of US Individuals Author: Slevin-Vegdahl, Timothy, Zarrin, Soheil, Kain, Lisa, Schmidt, Joshua Year: 2015 In the fuzzy front end it is very important to assess thoroughly whether an opportunity for a new product exists. In order to perform such an analysis a good understanding of the voice of the customer and future trends is required. The Scope of this project is to explore the existence of an opportunity for a product that will provide data privacy for the individuals. In recent years the amount of data generated by an individuals has substantially increased[18], whether it be photos or check-in’s in Facebook, email correspondence, online purchases etc.; all this data could be available for anyone to use. Companies have been data mining in order to better advertise products that an individual is more likely to buy. The government has had the ability to monitor anyone’s data, from email correspondence to bank details. With all this data readily available for anyone, the issue of individual privacy needs to be considered. There have been laws that protect the security of sensitive data (ssn and bank account numbers), but other forms of data of an individual does not seem to have as much protection. In this paper we are going to try to understand the public perception of their data privacy and perceive whether customers are willing to pay for a product that will protect their privacy. The voice of customer technique was used by conducting Interviews and surveys; and analyzing the data obtained through Qualtrics. The Data was then put through the Opportunity Algorithm in order to find a quantifiable opportunity present in this area. Title: Opportunity Identification: Data Privacy of US Individuals Author: Slevin-Vegdahl, Timothy, Zarrin, Soheil, Kain, Lisa, Schmidt, Joshua Year: 2015 In the fuzzy front end it is very important to assess thoroughly whether an opportunity for a new product exists. In order to perform such an analysis a good understanding of the voice of the customer and future trends is required. The Scope of this project is to explore the existence of an opportunity for a product that will provide data privacy for the individuals. In recent years the amount of data generated by an individuals has substantially increased[18], whether it be photos or check-in’s in Facebook, email correspondence, online purchases etc.; all this data could be available for anyone to use. Companies have been data mining in order to better advertise products that an individual is more likely to buy. The government has had the ability to monitor anyone’s data, from email correspondence to bank details. With all this data readily available for anyone, the issue of individual privacy needs to be considered. There have been laws that protect the security of sensitive data (ssn and bank account numbers), but other forms of data of an individual does not seem to have as much protection. In this paper we are going to try to understand the public perception of their data privacy and perceive whether customers are willing to pay for a product that will protect their privacy. The voice of customer technique was used by conducting Interviews and surveys; and analyzing the data obtained through Qualtrics. The Data was then put through the Opportunity Algorithm in order to find a quantifiable opportunity present in this area. Close

• 7879. [Article] Improving Access to Food Systems Among Communities of Color: A Food Justice Issue

  Food insecurity and access among communities of color is a major social and health issue. Limited studies rooted in Oregon exist to assist practitioners, policy makers, and scholars in understanding food ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Improving Access to Food Systems Among Communities of Color: A Food Justice Issue Author: Trinidad, Alma M. O., Camden, Helen, Coleman, Anne Year: 2015 Food insecurity and access among communities of color is a major social and health issue. Limited studies rooted in Oregon exist to assist practitioners, policy makers, and scholars in understanding food insecurity and access among recent immigrants and refugees. Using a multiple qualitative methods approach, this study has three major aims: 1) to understand the food access issues, particularly barriers and opportunities, among refugees and immigrants; 2) to investigate the challenges and opportunities of immigrants and refugees in accessing systems that are culturally responsive to their needs and; and 3) to address the gaps of service delivery targeted for communities of color and explore potential opportunities for partnership and creating culturally responsive approaches. To address the first two aims, data was drawn from a photovoice with recorded dialog among youth-parent pairs and a “talking circle” with five refugee families. Additionally, to address the latter two aims, data was drawn from a service providers’ focus group, of five service providers in the Portland area and one individual interview with a city government worker. Content analyses were done with the photos and transcripts of the family dialogs and “talking circle,” service providers’ focus group, and the individual interview. Findings indicate emerging themes on the utilization of cultural resources in the community, stress and strain among refugee families, structural or organizational barriers or challenges to being culturally responsive, and opportunities for school and community-based partnerships. Implications and recommendations for culturally responsive approaches and ways to better serve communities of color pertaining to food security and access initiatives are provided. Title: Improving Access to Food Systems Among Communities of Color: A Food Justice Issue Author: Trinidad, Alma M. O., Camden, Helen, Coleman, Anne Year: 2015 Food insecurity and access among communities of color is a major social and health issue. Limited studies rooted in Oregon exist to assist practitioners, policy makers, and scholars in understanding food insecurity and access among recent immigrants and refugees. Using a multiple qualitative methods approach, this study has three major aims: 1) to understand the food access issues, particularly barriers and opportunities, among refugees and immigrants; 2) to investigate the challenges and opportunities of immigrants and refugees in accessing systems that are culturally responsive to their needs and; and 3) to address the gaps of service delivery targeted for communities of color and explore potential opportunities for partnership and creating culturally responsive approaches. To address the first two aims, data was drawn from a photovoice with recorded dialog among youth-parent pairs and a “talking circle” with five refugee families. Additionally, to address the latter two aims, data was drawn from a service providers’ focus group, of five service providers in the Portland area and one individual interview with a city government worker. Content analyses were done with the photos and transcripts of the family dialogs and “talking circle,” service providers’ focus group, and the individual interview. Findings indicate emerging themes on the utilization of cultural resources in the community, stress and strain among refugee families, structural or organizational barriers or challenges to being culturally responsive, and opportunities for school and community-based partnerships. Implications and recommendations for culturally responsive approaches and ways to better serve communities of color pertaining to food security and access initiatives are provided. Close

• 7880. [Article] Assessing Sense of Place and Geo-literacy Indicators as Learning Outcomes of an International Teacher Professional Development Program

  This research explores the multifaceted benefits that accrue from learning within an international, experiential context. It uses a qualitative, case study approach employing pre and post surveys, in-situ ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Assessing Sense of Place and Geo-literacy Indicators as Learning Outcomes of an International Teacher Professional Development Program Author: Hunter, Nancee Year: 2016 This research explores the multifaceted benefits that accrue from learning within an international, experiential context. It uses a qualitative, case study approach employing pre and post surveys, in-situ observations, and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews to analyze the Center for Geography Education in Oregon’s (C-GEO) 2013 Overseas Teacher Institute--a professional development program that took 11 teachers to Russia, Mongolia, and China for a total of 17 days (plus two additional travel days) to learn about the cultural and physical geography of each place. The focus of the research is two-fold and examines processes involved in gaining, synthesizing and applying 1) a sense of place (the emotional ties between people and place), and 2) geo-literacy. The results of this study provide evidence that intensive professional development programs can increase teachers personal and professional knowledge, change their instructional practices, and may lead to improved student learning outcomes. Title: Assessing Sense of Place and Geo-literacy Indicators as Learning Outcomes of an International Teacher Professional Development Program Author: Hunter, Nancee Year: 2016 This research explores the multifaceted benefits that accrue from learning within an international, experiential context. It uses a qualitative, case study approach employing pre and post surveys, in-situ observations, and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews to analyze the Center for Geography Education in Oregon’s (C-GEO) 2013 Overseas Teacher Institute--a professional development program that took 11 teachers to Russia, Mongolia, and China for a total of 17 days (plus two additional travel days) to learn about the cultural and physical geography of each place. The focus of the research is two-fold and examines processes involved in gaining, synthesizing and applying 1) a sense of place (the emotional ties between people and place), and 2) geo-literacy. The results of this study provide evidence that intensive professional development programs can increase teachers personal and professional knowledge, change their instructional practices, and may lead to improved student learning outcomes. Close