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1 – 10 of 723Marianne Snow and Margaret Robbins
This article examines, elementary leveled graphic history, a genre of literature relatively untouched by research. Due to graphic nonfiction’s growing popularity in the realm of…
Abstract
This article examines, elementary leveled graphic history, a genre of literature relatively untouched by research. Due to graphic nonfiction’s growing popularity in the realm of children’s literature and its potential benefits for young readers, teachers may want to incorporate this genre of literature into their social studies curriculum. Despite the genre’s appeal, educators should be careful when introducing graphic histories to their students, as nonfiction texts of any kind can possibly contain inaccuracies and biases that might foster misconceptions. In this study, we used a critical content analysis approach to investigate both images and text in four graphic histories on the Battle of the Alamo. We found these books contain several instances of factual errors and biased perspectives. After our analyses, we discussed implications for using these types of books in the classroom to help students enhance critical literacy skills. We connected recommended critical literacy activities to Common Core State Standards for informational texts and writing.
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The results of a study of the reliability of the Los Alamos National Laboratory electrical system are discussed and an assessment of the risk arising from power interruptions is…
Abstract
The results of a study of the reliability of the Los Alamos National Laboratory electrical system are discussed and an assessment of the risk arising from power interruptions is made. The study was intended to provide a current status of the system and to rank modifications to improve the system. Fault‐tree analysis, cause‐consequence analysis, and directed graphs were used. The study resulted in a ranking of the relative importance of the consequences of power loss to various Los Alamos technical sites and facilities, sets of equipment whose failure will lead to loss of power to the sites, and statistical estimates of the frequency of power loss to sites and facilities.
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We need a locally relevant curriculum because it is engaging and leverages community knowledge strengths. However, new teachers are not always aware of the resources available to…
Abstract
We need a locally relevant curriculum because it is engaging and leverages community knowledge strengths. However, new teachers are not always aware of the resources available to make a locally relevant curriculum. Here in New Mexico, Los Alamos is a location with many resources detailing its purpose and existence. These resources coupled with so much notoriety inside and outside the state make Los Alamos a place that lends itself to culturally relevant instruction. Specifically, graphic novels provide a unique medium for students and teachers alike to start learning about the city that started the Atomic Age: Los Alamos and begin applying that knowledge more broadly. I, being a student and a teacher from New Mexico, offer my own understanding of a locally relevant curriculum utilizing three graphic novels about Los Alamos, its people, and its stories.
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With the Cold War faded to a memory, the renowned national lab has joined the business revolution.
James Powell, Linn Collins, Ariane Eberhardt, David Izraelevitz, Jorge Roman, Thomas Dufresne, Mark Scott, Miriam Blake and Gary Grider
The purpose of this paper is to describe a process for extracting and matching author names from large collections of bibliographic metadata using the Hadoop implementation of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a process for extracting and matching author names from large collections of bibliographic metadata using the Hadoop implementation of MapReduce. It considers the challenges and risks associated with name matching on such a large‐scale and proposes simple matching heuristics for the reduce process. The resulting semantic graphs of authors link names to publications, and include additional features such as phonetic representations of author last names. The authors believe that this achieves an appropriate level of matching at scale, and enables further matching to be performed with graph analysis tools.
Design/methodology/approach
A topically‐focused collection of metadata records describing peer‐reviewed papers was generated based upon a search. The matching records were harvested and stored in the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for processing by hadoop. A MapReduce job was written to perform coarse‐grain author name matching, and multiple papers were matched with authors when the names were very similar or identical. Semantic graphs were generated so that the graphs could be analyzed to perform finer grained matching, for example by using other metadata such as subject headings.
Findings
When performing author name matching at scale using MapReduce, the heuristics that determine whether names match should be limited to the rules that yield the most reliable results for matching. Bad rules will result in lots of errors, at scale. MapReduce can also be used to generate or extract other data that might help resolve similar names when stricter rules fail to do so. The authors also found that matching is more reliable within a well‐defined topic domain.
Originality/value
Libraries have some of the same big data challenges as are found in data‐driven science. Big data tools such as hadoop can be used to explore large metadata collections, and these collections can be used as surrogates for other real world, big data problems. MapReduce activities need to be appropriately scoped so as to yield good results, while keeping an eye out for problems in code which can be magnified in the output from a MapReduce job.
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Linn Marks Collins, Jeremy A.T. Hussell, Robert K. Hettinga, James E. Powell, Ketan K. Mane and Mark L.B. Martinez
To describe how information visualization can be used in the design of interface tools for large‐scale repositories.
Abstract
Purpose
To describe how information visualization can be used in the design of interface tools for large‐scale repositories.
Design/methodology/approach
One challenge for designers in the context of large‐scale repositories is to create interface tools that help users find specific information of interest. In order to be most effective, these tools need to leverage the cognitive characteristics of the target users. At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the authors' target users are scientists and engineers who can be characterized as higher‐order, analytical thinkers. In this paper, the authors describe a visualization tool they have created for making the authors' large‐scale digital object repositories more usable for them: SearchGraph, which facilitates data set analysis by displaying search results in the form of a two‐ or three‐dimensional interactive scatter plot.
Findings
Using SearchGraph, users can view a condensed, abstract visualization of search results. They can view the same dataset from multiple perspectives by manipulating several display, sort, and filter options. Doing so allows them to see different patterns in the dataset. For example, they can apply a logarithmic transformation in order to create more scatter in a dense cluster of data points or they can apply filters in order to focus on a specific subset of data points.
Originality/value
SearchGraph is a creative solution to the problem of how to design interface tools for large‐scale repositories. It is particularly appropriate for the authors' target users, who are scientists and engineers. It extends the work of the first two authors on ActiveGraph, a read‐write digital library visualization tool.
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B. Christine Green, Carla Costa and Maureen Fitzgerald
Sport events have become an important component of many city marketing plans. Media coverage is believed to increase awareness of the host city. This study reports the results of…
Abstract
Sport events have become an important component of many city marketing plans. Media coverage is believed to increase awareness of the host city. This study reports the results of a content analysis of 2002 NCAA Women's Final Four telecasts. Event logos provide the most exposure for the host city, with little obtained via city images. Icons were found to effectively differentiate the city from competitors. Practical implications and future research extensions are suggested.
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Richard C. Ringer and Kelly C. Strong
As a result of fundamental change in the environment, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is in the process of major organizational change. This paper reports the perspectives…
Abstract
As a result of fundamental change in the environment, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is in the process of major organizational change. This paper reports the perspectives of four senior managers at the laboratory regarding the change effort and a major restructuring that took place at LANL. Describing the challenges the organization faces and the lessons they have learned, these managers provide a unique viewpoint of change at the laboratory, and organizational change in general. Several key lessons can be learned from the experience of LANL: (1) a well‐understood vision/mission is essential to organizations undergoing major change; (2) major organizational change may take longer than expected; (3) top manager commitment and open communication are critical to the change effort; and (4) changes in structure must be supported by changes in other areas (e.g. compensation and training).
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Vulnerability analysis provides an assessment of the likelihood of system failure in a man‐made hostile environment, involving sabotage, security compromise and combat damage. The…
Abstract
Vulnerability analysis provides an assessment of the likelihood of system failure in a man‐made hostile environment, involving sabotage, security compromise and combat damage. The fault‐tree approach proved most useful as many obscure but significant failure modes surfaced as a result of the step‐by‐step logic involved. Analysis tools were applied to the problems of nuclear reactor sabotage, space shuttle and combat system vulnerability. An increased qualitative understanding of system vulnerabilities, the effectiveness of counter‐measures and the ranking of scenarios by their attractiveness to saboteurs or other adversaries were the chief results of the work.
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Several management writers have identified common threads to successful change, including focus on the organization’s mission and core competencies while re‐designing structures…
Abstract
Several management writers have identified common threads to successful change, including focus on the organization’s mission and core competencies while re‐designing structures around processes. But what happens when an organization’s mission becomes obsolete, and its core competencies have sharply diminished in value? This situation reflected a reality at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico, USA.
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