Digital Commons Network^™

Numerical Modeling Of Electromagnetic Scattering In Explosive Granular Media, Garth Sundberg

Dissertations and Theses

Terahertz (THz) reflection and transmission spectroscopy is a promising new field with applications in imaging and illicit material detection. One particularly useful application is for the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which is a favorite weapon of global terrorists. Explosive materials have been shown to have a unique spectral signature in the THz band which can be used to identify the explosives. However, the initial measurements performed on the explosive samples do not account for the modulation of the spectral features by random scattering that will be prevalent with actual samples encountered in applications. The intent of this work …

Radiative Transfer Theory Applied To Ocean Bottom Modeling, Jorge Quijano

Dissertations and Theses

Research on the propagation of acoustic waves in ocean bottom sediment is of interest for active sonar applications such as target detection and remote sensing. Currently, all seabed scattering models available in the literature are based on the full solution of the wave equation, which sometimes leads to mathematically intractable problems. In the electromagnetics community, an alternative formulation that overcomes some of this complexity is radiative transfer theory, which has established itself as an important technique for remote sensing. In this work, radiative transfer (RT) theory is proposed for the first time as a tool for the study of seabed …

Portland Roasting Company: Farm Friendly Direct, Madeleine E. Pullman, Brandon Arends, Mark Langston, Greg Price, Greg Stokes

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

This case describes the issues and dilemmas facing a company in their efforts to differentiate their product through a social sustainability programme. Over the years, the company has built a strong reputation with their sustainability efforts, particularly amongst their peers in the specialty coffee industry. There is some question as to whether this reputation has been visible to consumers and if consumers see the value-proposition. The case covers the history of coffee, the specialty coffee industry, the supply chain and roles of different participants, and the competitive landscape.

Furthermore, most of the competitive eco-labels and certification schemes are discussed. The …

Health-Related Needs Assessment Of Older Residents In Subsidized Housing, Victoria Cotrell, Paula C. Carder

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

When a nonprofit organization with nursing-home and assisted-living experience purchased a 30-year-old highrise apartment building in downtown Portland, Oregon, the new owners were faced with how to manage a building that provided housing to more than 200 older residents whom they knew very little about. As long-term care providers, they knew that older people were at risk for developing chronic illnesses, disabilities, and other factors that could result in moves to nursing homes, hospitalizations, and early death. They also knew that older adults in subsidized housing, such as this Section 8 building, have higher levels of disability than their age …

Nir Dyes For Bioimaging Applications, Jorge O. Escobedo, Oleksandr Rusin, Soojin Lim, Robert M. Strongin

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fluorescent dyes based on small organic molecules that function in the near infra red (NIR) region are of great current interest in chemical biology. They allow for imaging with minimal autofluorescence from biological samples, reduced light scattering and high tissue penetration. Herein, examples of ongoing NIR fluorophore design strategies as well as their properties and anticipated applications relevant to the bioimaging are presented.

Polymeric Paracest Mri Contrast Agents As Potential Reporters For Gene Therapy, Yunkou Wu, Christiane E. Carney, Michael Denton, Elaine Hart, Piyu Zhao, Daniel N. Streblow, A. Dean Sherry, Mark Woods

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Gene therapy is a potentially powerful treatment approach that targets molecular remedies for disease. Among other challenges it remains difficult to monitor gene delivery and its downstream metabolic consequences. Approaches to MRI gene reporters have been reported but few have the potential for translation beyond isolated cell systems. Herein, we report a polycationic polymer MRI contrast agent that binds to DNA in a ratio of one monomer unit per phosphate group of DNA. Significantly, this binding event diminishes the MR contrast signal from the agent itself potentially providing a platform for imaging delivery and release of a gene into cells …

Cest And Paracest Mr Contrast Agents, Ileana Hancu, W. Thomas Dixon, Mark Woods, Elena Vinogradov, A. Dean Sherry, Robert E. Lenkinski

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this review we describe the status of development for a new class of magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents, based on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). The mathematics and physics relevant to the description of the CEST effect in MR are presented in an appendix published in the online version only. We discuss the issues arising when translating in vitro results obtained with CEST agents to using these MR agents in in vivo model studies and in humans. Examples are given on how these agents are imaged in vivo. We summarize the status of development of these CEST agents, and …

Women In Glaciology, An Historical Perspective, Christina L. Hulbe, Weili Wang, Simon Ommanney

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Women's history in glaciology extends as far back in time as the discipline itself, although their contributions to the scientific discourse have for all of that history been constrained by the sociopolitical contexts of the times. The first Journal of Glaciology paper authored by a woman appeared in 1948, within a year of the founding of the Journal, but it was not until the 1980s that women produced more than a few percent of Journal and Annals of Glaciology papers. Here international perspectives on women's participation in the sciences are presented in order to establish an economic and sociopolitical context …

The Isolation Of Viruses Infecting Archaea, Kenneth M. Stedman, Kate Porter, Mike L. Dyall-Smith

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A mere 50 viruses of Archaea have been reported to date; these have been investigated mostly by adapting methods used to isolate bacteriophages to the unique growth conditions of their archaeal hosts. The most numerous are viruses of thermophilic Archaea. These viruses have been discovered by screening enrichment cultures and novel isolates from environmental samples for their ability to form halos of growth inhibition, or by using electron microscopy to screen enrichment cultures for virus-like particles. Direct isolation without enrichment has not yet been successful for viruses of extreme thermophiles. On the other hand, most viruses of extreme halophiles, the …

Thermocrinis Minervae Sp. Nov., A Hydrogen And Sulfur-Oxidizing, Thermophilic Member Of The Aquificales From A Costa Rican Terrestrial Hot Spring, Sara L. Caldwell, Yitai Liu, Isabel Ferrera, Terry Beveridge, Anna-Louise Reysenbach

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A thermophilic bacterium, designated strain CR11T , was isolated from a filamentous sample collected from a terrestrial hot spring on the south-western foothills of the Rincón volcano in Costa Rica. The Gram-negative cells are approximately 2.4–3.9 mm long and 0.5–0.6 mm wide and are motile rods with polar flagella. Strain CR11T grows between 65 and 85 6C (optimum 75 6C, doubling time 4.5 h) and between pH 4.8 and 7.8 (optimum pH 5.9–6.5). The isolate grows chemolithotrophically with S0 , S2O2{ 3 or H2 as the electron donor and with O2 (up to 16 %, v/v) as the sole electron …

Review Of Three Recent Randomized Trials Of School-Based Mentoring: Making Sense Of Mixed Findings, Marc E. Wheeler, Thomas E. Keller, David L. Dubois

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Between 2007 and 2009, reports were released on the results of three separate large-scale random assignment studies of the effectiveness of school-based mentoring programs for youth. The studies evaluated programs implemented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) affiliates (Herrera et al., 2007), Communities in Schools of San Antonio, Texas (Karcher, 2008), and grantees of the U.S. Department of Education's Student Mentoring Program (Bernstein et al., 2009). Differences in the findings and conclusions of the studies have led to varying responses by those in practice and policy roles. The results of the BBBSA trial led the organization to undertake …

Solid State And Solution Dynamics Of Pyridine Based Tetraaza- Macrocyclic Lanthanide Chelates Possessing Phosphonate Ligating Functionality (Ln-Pctmb): Effect On Relaxometry And Optical Properties, Garry Kiefer, Mark Woods

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The macrocyclic ligand 3,6,9-tris(methylenebutyl phosphonic acid)-3,6,9−15-tetraazabicyclo [9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene (PCTMB) was synthesized and complexes of Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Gd³⁺ studied by X-ray crystallography, luminescence, and relaxometry. In the crystal these complexes are dimeric and possess 8-coordinate Ln³⁺ centers that are linked by bridging phosphonates. The rigidity introduced by the pyridyl nucleus forces the EuPCTMB and TbPCTMB to adopt a twisted snub disphenoid (TSD) coordination geometry. Examination of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₀ luminescent transition of EuPCTMB in the solid state confirmed the existence of a single distinct Eu³⁺ coordination environment, whereas two …

Alan Turing Se Fraye Un Chemin Jusqu'À La Place De L'Ordinateur, Christof Teuscher

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A brief statement on the significance, impact and future developments related to the work of computer pioneer Alan Turing, in conjunction with Turing Day, held to commemorate his 90th birthday.

*The article is in French

The Portland Spectator, December 2009, Portland State University. Student Publications Board

Portland Spectator

Editor: Joe Wirtheim

Articles in this issue include: One pill makes you smarter; Proudfoot takes a side step; Sustainability keeps on going; More than a student club; Witnessing the purge; and Fueling free speech with FIRE

Interview With Jim Quinn, Metro's Hazardous Waste Program, 2009 (Audio), Jim Quinn

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Jim Quinn by Sean Quigley at Metro in Portland, Oregon on December 2nd, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Faculty Senate Monthly Packet December 2009, Portland State University Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Monthly Packets

The December 2009 Monthly packet includes the December agenda and appendices and the Faculty Senate minutes and attachments from the meeting held November 2009

Citizens’ Local Political Knowledge And The Role Of Media Access, Lee Shaker

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Locally based media institutions that have been at the core of citizens' media environments for generations are facing an onslaught of new competition from new media. The twin goals of this article are to expand our understanding of the distribution of local political knowledge in general and to specifically examine the relevance of media access. The article suggests that media access does bear upon levels of local political knowledge and confirms that citizens who are knowledgeable about local politics do not mirror the profile of those who are knowledgeable about national politics.

Gain Guiding In Large-Core Bragg Fibers, Xianyu Ao, Tsing-Hua Her, Lee W. Casperson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We theoretically analyze gain guiding in large-core Bragg fibers, to be used for large-mode-area laser amplifiers with single-transverse-mode operation. The signal is gain-guided in a low-index core, whereas the pump is guided by the photonic bandgap of the Bragg cladding to achieve good confinement. The high-index layers in the Bragg cladding are half-wave thick at the signal wavelength in order to eliminate Bragg reflection, reducing the Bragg fiber effectively to a step-index fiber for gain guiding.

Bringing Librarianship Back Home: Information Literacy As A Return To Method, Kimberly A. Jones

Communications in Information Literacy

Information literacy (IL) has arisen as a response to the reification of information. As information has been commodified, it has lost its fluidity as a term and an idea. Librarianship, as a result, has lost its footing, its philosophy. IL seeks to restore method to librarianship and, as a result, return subjectivity to information.

Teaching Matters: U.S. Government Information And Information Literacy: A Time-Sensitive Issue For Our Profession, Patrick P. Ragains

Communications in Information Literacy

No abstract provided.

Conference Report: 5th Annual Georgia Conference On Information Literacy, Rebecca Ziegler, Mark Lewis Richardson

Communications in Information Literacy

The 5th annual Georgia Conference on Information Literacy took place in Savannah, Georgia on October 3-4, 2008. Since its inception, this conference has drawn participants from across the United States and even a few from abroad. Jointly sponsored by the Zach S. Henderson Library, the Department of Writing and Linguistics, the College of Education, and the Center for Continuing Education at Georgia Southern University, the conference offers both theoretical and practical discussions of the complex issues involved in teaching students how to find, interpret and use information in emerging electronic technologies against the backdrop of one of America's loveliest cities.

Information Literacy In Writing Tutor Training At A Liberal Arts College, Kelly Cannon, Jennifer Jarson

Communications in Information Literacy

Academic librarians have long understood the importance of, and argued for, the curricular integration of information literacy. The literature shows strong evidence of librarians collaborating with faculty, peer tutors, and other on-campus constituencies in an effort to facilitate discussion and acquisition of information literacy skills and concepts. The literature points to a likely collaboration, that of libraries and writing centers, in light of their corresponding missions and endeavors. This paper details how two academic librarians partnered with teaching faculty who oversee the campus writing center to infuse information literacy skills and concepts into the training of writing tutors. The authors …

Political Literacy As Information Literacy, Ross Cory Alexander

Communications in Information Literacy

This paper contends that political literacy and information literacy are compatible concepts that are inextricably linked and should therefore be taught and stressed simultaneously to students in the classroom. Improving the information literacy and political literacy skills of students will allow them to not only perform better academically, but also empower them to become better citizens who form opinions and make decisions based on appropriate and quality information.

Interview With Robert Dozono, Blackfish Gallery, 2009 (Audio), Robert Dozono

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Robert Dozono by Greg Plath at Blackfish Gallery in Portland, Oregon on November 21st, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Kimberly Holmes, 4r Sustainability, 2009 (Audio), Kimberly Holmes

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Kimberly Holmes by Patrick Fausel in Portland, Oregon on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Lee Michael Barrett, Eco-Logistics, 2009 (Audio), Lee Michael Barrett

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Lee Michael Barrett by Angie Cirello in Portland, Oregon on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Bruce Walker, Bps, 2009 (Audio), Bruce Walker

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Bruce Walker by Zachary Hathaway in NW Portland on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Towards Robot Theatre, Marek Perkowski

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

The talk will present the idea of futuristic robot theatre and work done towards it at the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PSU. After a short history of robot theatre from antiquity until 2008 we will present recent work on robot theatre in the world and at PSU, including two plays: ancient Korean folk tale "Hahoe Pylyshin" and "What's that? A Schroedinger Cat" or a debate between Einstein and Schroedinger Cat about quantum mechanics - an educational theatre. Several models of robot theatre will be discussed: animatronic theatre, interactive theatre and improvisational theatre. We will …

Interview With David Mcmahon, Cloudburst Recycling, 2009 (Audio), David Mcmahon

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of David McMahan by Allison Dowd at Portland State University on November 19th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Peter Spendelow, Oregon Deq, 2009 (Audio), Peter Spendelow

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Peter Spendelow by Angie Yzaguirre in downtown Portland, Oregon on November 17th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.