Pattern Research Project: An Investigation of The Pattern And Printing Process - Koi Wallpaper

2017 Pattern Research Project Thao Khia - Koi The Pattern Research Project involves research and analysis of contemporary patterns found in the textiles and wallcoverings of the built interior environment. Patterns use motif, repetition, color, geometry, craft, technology, and space to communicate place, time, and concept. Through this research and analysis, built environments - their designers, occupants, construction, and context - can be better understood. Thao Kia, VCU Interior Design BFA 2020, selected the Koi pattern for the 2017 Pattern Research Project. The text below is excerpted from the student’s work: “The Koi fish is a well-known motif in Chinese and Japanese culture. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power. According to Chinese legend of a sturgeon of the Hang-Ho1, if the koi fish successfully pass the upstream, cross the rapids of Dragon Gate, the koi fish will transform into a powerful dragon. The story symbolizes that anybody who can persevere through great trials can accomplish their highest goals to become great. Koi Symbolism is also very prevalent in Japanese culture. It is also a symbol of energy, courage, and perseverance. A Koi swims up rivers and climbs waterfalls seem like a bravery, like a Samurai warrior2 who endeavors to surmount all difficulties to attain success. However, if the Koi gets caught, it will lie still beneath the knife, facing its death bravely like a Samurai facing a sword. Koi motif became popular in America during the late 19th century. Westerner began amassing substantial collections of Japanese art after the opening of Japanese trade to the West in 1854. One of associated Artist’s first designs for a mass-produced textile was the swimming carp pattern, which was printed on both cotton denim and silk in a variety of colorways. Koi fish was the inspiration for European American designers. However, they reinterpreted the motif for purely aesthetic purposes without regard to their original symbols.”https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/prp/1000/thumbnail.jp

A convergent relaxation of the Douglas-Rachford algorithm

This paper proposes an algorithm for solving structured optimization problems, which covers both the backward-backward and the Douglas-Rachford algorithms as special cases, and analyzes its convergence. The set of fixed points of the algorithm is characterized in several cases. Convergence criteria of the algorithm in terms of general fixed point operators are established. When applying to nonconvex feasibility including the inconsistent case, we prove local linear convergence results under mild assumptions on regularity of individual sets and of the collection of sets which need not intersect. In this special case, we refine known linear convergence criteria for the Douglas-Rachford algorithm (DR). As a consequence, for feasibility with one of the sets being affine, we establish criteria for linear and sublinear convergence of convex combinations of the alternating projection and the DR methods. These results seem to be new. We also demonstrate the seemingly improved numerical performance of this algorithm compared to the RAAR algorithm for both consistent and inconsistent sparse feasibility problems

Knowledge of Type II Diabetes and its Complications Among Adult Vietnamese Immigrants

This was a non-experimental quantitative study using survey method to assess diabetic knowledge of 102 adult Vietnamese immigrants. The Health Belief Model provided the theoretical framework, and the 24-item diabetes knowledge questionnaire was adopted from the Starr County Texas study to use for this study. Data were categorized and analyzed using descriptive methods such as frequency and percentage. The findings indicated that lack of knowledge about diabetes was a significant issue among the Vietnamese immigrant population. Health care providers should develop an appropriate cultural educational program about diabetes to help the Vietnamese population to detect diabetes early and to control diabetes effectively

An examination of reasons students do or do not use counseling servicesa comparison of minority and white students

Includes bibliographical references