Morning Bell: A Visual Identity Guide and Brand Development Project

In lieu of a traditional thesis, I have completed a creative component for my graduation requirement from the Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Communication program. I have a strong interest in graphic design, and I believe my studies in rhetorical design lends itself well to the type of project I have completed. Since I am interested in going into a career that is oriented towards design and communication (instead of applying for teaching positions or Ph.D. programs), this creative component better suits my portfolio I will use when applying for jobs. For my creative component, I have created a visual identity program for Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, a local coffee shop in downtown Ames. In addition, I have created both print and electronic material for the Morning Bell, including a menu redesign, a redesign of their New Employee Handbook, a business card, a “thank you” card for shipped orders, and two website prototypes. This report documents my design experience, process, and assessment

If It’s Not Broke, Break It, and then Break It Again: Understanding [Cp*Rh] Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution by Investigation of Remarkably Inert Analogues

This undergraduate thesis was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honors in ChemistryMonomeric half-sandwich rhodium hydride complexes are often proposed as intermediates in catalytic cycles, but relatively few such compounds have been isolated and studied, limiting understanding of their properties. In this thesis, the preparation of a monomeric rhodium(III) hydride complex bearing the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) and bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppb) ligands is reported. The hydride complex is formed rapidly upon addition of weak acid to a reduced precursor complex, Cp*Rh(dppb). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the [Cp*Rh] hydride, which were previously unavailable for this class of compounds, provide evidence of the direct Rh–H interaction. Complementary infrared spectra show the Rh–H stretching frequency at 1986 cm–1. In contrast to results with other [Cp*Rh] complexes bearing diimine ligands, treatment of the isolated hydride with strong acid does not result in hydrogen evolution. Electrochemical studies reveal that the hydride complex can be reduced only at very negative potentials (ca. –2.5 V vs. ferrocenium/ferrocene), resulting in Rh–H bond cleavage and hydrogen generation. Experimentally determined thermochemical parameters for reactions of the [Cp*Rh] hydride and its reduced form provide a rationale for the observed reactivity differences between the dppb and analogous diimine frameworks that can generate H2 with moderately strong acids. These results are discussed in the context of development of design rules for improved catalysts bearing the [Cp*] ligand. To gain further insight into the electronic properties of the phosphine-based ligands that favor metal hydrides and limit catalysis, a second series of [Cp*Rh] complexes supported by the redox-active bidentate diphosphine ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) is described, with particular attention paid to the outcomes of proton and electron transfer on this framework. Notably, Cp*Rh(dppf) exhibits a quasireversible RhII/I reduction at –0.96 V vs. Fc+/0 rather than undergoing a net 2e– RhIII/I process as is often observed on the [Cp*Rh] platform. This behavior provides access to a species in the relatively uncommon rhodium(II) oxidation state which has been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Protonation of Cp*Rh(dppf) results in formation of an isolable [Cp*Rh] monohydride that is inert to protonolysis, providing a second example of the stabilizing effect bidentate diphosphine ligands have on Rh–H bonds. The quasireversibility of the dppf-centered FeIII/II couple of the rhodium monohydride [Cp*Rh(dppf)H]+ at +0.41 V vs. the ferrocenium/ferrocene redox couple facilitates a rigorous thermochemical analysis of the system, from which we have determined that oxidation centered at the dppf ligand results in dramatically increased acidity of the Rh–H bond by 23 pKa units

Anticipating future risk in social-ecological systems using fuzzy cognitive mapping: the case of wildfire in the Chiquitania, Bolivia

Understanding complex social-ecological systems, and anticipating how they may respond to rapid change, requires an approach that incorporates environmental, social, economic, and policy factors, usually in a context of fragmented data availability. We employed fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to integrate these factors in the assessment of future wildfire risk in the Chiquitania region, Bolivia. In this region, dealing with wildfires is becoming increasingly challenging due to reinforcing feedbacks between multiple drivers. We conducted semi-structured interviews and constructed different FCMs in focus groups to understand the regional dynamics of wildfire from diverse perspectives. We used FCM modelling to evaluate possible adaptation scenarios in the context of future drier climatic conditions. Scenarios also considered possible failure to respond in time to the emergent risk. This approach proved of great potential to support decision-making for risk management. It helped identify key forcing variables and generate insights into potential risks and trade-offs of different strategies. All scenarios showed increased wildfire risk in the event of more droughts. The ‘Hands-off’ scenario resulted in amplified impacts driven by intensifying trends, affecting particularly the agricultural production. The ‘Fire management’ scenario, which adopted a bottom-up approach to improve controlled burning, showed less trade-offs between wildfire risk reduction and production compared to the ‘Fire suppression’ scenario. Findings highlighted the importance of considering strategies that involve all actors who use fire, and the need to nest these strategies for a more systemic approach to manage wildfire risk. The FCM model could be used as a decision-support tool and serve as a ‘boundary object’ to facilitate collaboration and integration of different forms of knowledge and perceptions of fire in the region. This approach has also the potential to support decisions in other dynamic frontier landscapes around the world that are facing increased risk of large wildfires

Are REDD+ community forest projects following the principles for collective action, as proposed by Ostrom?

Forested countries in the global south that have agreed to engage in REDD+, a policy mechanism for addressing climate change, are receiving support to improve laws, policies, systems and structures. As a mechanism initiated at the global level and seeking to use forests to address a global commons crisis (atmospheric carbon concentration), understanding how REDD+ translates into implementation at the local level is essential. Therefore, using a systematic review approach, we examined 15 studies of REDD+ in the context of public and/or community managed forests, drawn from a comprehensive application of inclusion criteria to identify relevant published peer-reviewed empirical research. The common property resources literature was used to highlight the role of local institutions in REDD+ and to distil how REDD+ community forest projects conform to Ostrom’s collective action principles. The review revealed limited sharing of information and decision-making authority with communities; a general absence of FPIC; and a lack of defined benefit sharing and conflict resolution arrangements in many of the REDD+ projects

Turbocharger Jet Engine Build and Engineering Analysis

A turbocharger jet engine combines knowledge of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, machine elements and jet propulsion. This paper describes how we built a jet engine using a truck turbocharger. We review the history of jet engines, types of jet engines, how we built our jet engine and the engineering analysis behind it. We calculated specific thrust, specific fuel consumption, and the adiabatic flame temperature using concepts we learned from jet propulsion and thermodynamics classes. We machined an air handling system out of stainless steel and built a fuel system, cooling oil system and ignition system to run the engine

Exploring the experiences of providing care at home in rural areas for a partner with moderate to severe dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background: The main body of literature investigating experiences of caring for a spouse with dementia has focussed on the experiences of receiving a diagnosis and on caring in the early stages of the disorder. The current study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of caring for a spouse at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia. Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with five participants who were caring for their partner at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The analysis produced four superordinate themes; changes in the spousal relationship, the demands of caring, managing the demands and unmet needs. Conclusion: Participants’ accounts illustrated the complexity of caring for someone with moderate to severe dementia and the psychological and practical resources that are required in order to be able to continue to do so. Participants reflected on specific details of their romantic relationships, aspects of their situation and sources of support which facilitated them with the challenging task of caring