An updated and expanded edition of Curtis Rhodes’ work maintains its volume as a seminal textbook.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Core textbook on computer music distills ‘vast information space’ in a definitive tutorial’ and more news, events
Category: Technology
One805 Donated Seek Thermal FirePRO 300 Devices and SmartWool Socks to Santa Barbara County Firefighters Today
SANTA BARBARA — On Monday, November 6, 2023, One805 presented donations to Chris Mailes, President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Santa Barbara County. The event took place at 6300 Hollister Avenue at 12 p.m.
Thirty-seven Seek Thermal FirePRO 300 devices, which help firefighters navigate through low visibility conditions by helping them see hazards invisible to the naked eye, were donated to Santa Barbara County Firefighters. One805 ran a “fundraiser within a fundraiser” at its One805Live! Fall Music Festival in September, earning enough to purchase fourteen Seek Thermal FirePRO 300 devices, with a promise from Seek Thermal to match, who exceeded its match promise with an additional nine extra devices to cover each fire station in the county.
Launchpoint in Goleta Granted Patent For Hybrid Power System in Electric Flight
GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. (“LaunchPoint”), a pioneer in advanced aerospace electric power generation and propulsion technologies, announced today the grant of US Patent 11,738,875 B2 “Lightweight, High-Efficiency, Energy-Dense, Hybrid Power System for Reliable Electric Flight”. This patent is a significant milestone in LaunchPoint’s greater mission to revolutionize electric flight and propel the aerospace industry into a new era of efficiency and reliability.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Love and care outside normativity’ — a new art show immerses viewers in queer placemaking’ and more news, events
Curated by art history graduate students Graham Feyl and Sylvia Faichney, the exhibition — now on view at UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum — reimagines spaces such as discos, dive bars, living rooms and bathrooms through the lens of queer placemaking.
Bilingual commentary — Are STEM Degrees Falling Off Their Pedestal?
When I was starting my higher technical education, I was studying “vacuum tubes.” These might as well be classified now as archaeological artifacts that young people can view in museums. Vacuum tubes were ubiquitous in the primitive computers of that time. They were also visible in everyday, household life—in radios, televisions, and guitar amplifiers.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
October 21 @ 10:00 am
The symposium will provide an introduction to AI and discuss tools and technologies with an overview of cutting-edge AI tools and platforms tailored for small businesses. Real-Life Case Studies will examine successful AI implementations in small businesses across diverse industries. They will also discuss AI-driven marketing and Sales Strategies, where you will discover how AI can supercharge your marketing campaigns, customer engagement and sales conversion rates. The key to prosperity is to reframe your thinking and leverage AI as a strategic tool to increase productivity. Join the NO-COST symposium to learn how! Location: Santa Barbara City College – West Campus, BC-Forum.
Find Ways to Save on Heat Pump Water Heaters with 3C-REN’s New Personalized Incentive Finder
SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES — October is National Energy Awareness Month, which is a national effort to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of energy conservation, sustainability, and efficiency. Locally, 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs, is introducing an “Incentives Finder,” a new online tool that helps residents find personalized programs and incentives for saving money and reducing energy usage. This tool is especially helpful in navigating the incentives that can be stacked for residents who upgrade their natural gas furnace or water heaters to high-efficiency, all-electric heat pumps.
“October serves as the perfect time to remind everyone about the opportunities and easy switches we can all make to be more energy wise,” said Marisa Hanson-Lopez, 3C-REN Program Manager. “Our new online tool allows residents to find the programs and incentives that are tailored specifically to them. We’re here to make it easy for the Central Coast to get onboard with electrification and energy savings. While this awareness month comes once a year, we encourage everyone to be energy efficient all year-round.”
UCSB — The Current — A Chumash cultural burn reignites ancient practice for wilderness conservation
A Chumash cultural burn reignites ancient practice for wilderness conservation
Reviving a practice that had been lost for generations, the Chumash community and the university partner on a cultural burn at North Campus Open Space.
UCSB — The Current — From HIV-AIDS to COVID-19, scholar Bishnupriya Ghosh illuminates the complexities of living with viruses and more events, news
In “The Virus Touch,” the global studies professor explores relationships between viruses, humans, animals and the environment to show how various forms of media — from news content to lab test results — create our understanding of epidemics.
UCSB — The Current — Cherríe Moraga’s seminal lesbian and Chicana text is expanded and re-released
A powerful memoir of poetry and prose, “Loving in the War Years: Lo que nunca pasó por sus labios” explores the author’s interconnected identities as a lesbian and a Chicana, coming of age in a turbulent era of American politics and social change.
Anchored in Preparedness: Port of Hueneme Hosts Multi-Agency Emergency Trainings
PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme is working with local fire departments on various training exercises to better prepare for a variety of emergency situations.
This week, crews from Ventura County, Oxnard and the Naval Base fire departments boarded the Wallenius Wilhelmsen (WW) car carrier vessel Oberon. This exercise is part of the ongoing effort to enhance awareness of Port and maritime operations to the local fire departments. The Oberon training focused on how to respond to emergencies involving electric and lithium powered vehicles and infrastructure. More than 370,000 cars come in through the Port of Hueneme on approximately 300 car carrier vessels annually, which accounts for a major part of the Port’s core business as the top 6 auto port in the US.
Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Beginning Term as Central Coast Community Energy Chair
I am honored to have been elected the Chair of the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) Policy Board of Directors. For those who don’t know, 3CE formed beginning in 2021 as our new, locally-owned electricity provider. Our reach spans 30 cities and 5 counties, from Carpinteria to the Santa Cruz Mountains. With no investors or shareholders, the revenue generated by 3CE stays local, helps keep rates lower than SCE and PG&E, and provides millions for rebates and incentives that lower greenhouse gas emissions. For example, during last week’s 3CE Policy Board of Directors meeting, we adopted the FY 2022-23 Operating Budget that includes approximately $16M for Energy Programs. During my time as Chair, I am looking forward to increasing the awareness of the important work 3CE is doing.
UCSB — The Current — ‘From rickshaw to railroad, a scholar navigates Japan’s history of transportation’ and more news, events
In her forthcoming book, and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Kate McDonald illuminates the key role of people in the evolution of transport.
Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute First in Central Coast to Offer Minimally Invasive Surgical Option for Treatment of Brain Tumors, Lesions and Epilepsy
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health’s Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute (SBNI) is the first healthcare provider on the Central Coast to use the latest image-guided laser technology to treat brain tumors, lesions and epilepsy.
The NeuroBlate® System delivers Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive surgical technique using MRI-guided laser light to ablate unhealthy brain tissue. It can be an effective treatment option for recurrent and hard to reach brain tumors and lesions. It is also used to treat certain types of epilepsy.
“LITT provides patients with difficult-to-access lesions, recurrent brain tumors and epilepsy with an alternative treatment method,” said Nicole Moayeri, MD, Neurosurgeon affiliated with the Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute. “Being the first in the region to offer LITT is a testament to Cottage’s commitment to staying at the forefront of neurosurgery.”
Battery Streak and US Navy NSWC Crane Sign CRADA for Safe and Fast Charging Battery Development
CAMARILLO — Battery Streak, a leading battery technology company, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division. The CRADA will enable Battery Streak and NSWC Crane to collaborate on research for safe and fast charging battery development through August 2026.
The agreement will allow both entities to leverage each other’s subject matter experts, laboratory space, state of the art test equipment, and test result data. The collaboration will focus on developing Battery Streak’s advanced battery technology that can be used in dual use applications (military and commercial.)
UCSB — The Current — ‘When the brain leaves the body, does identity move with it? Depends on who you ask,’ and more news, events
For answers, John Protzko and his team looked to philosophers, professionals and laypersons. Their conclusions could help answer moral and legal questions if scenarios in today’s science fiction ever become reality.
Bilingual report — Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen Appoints Rob Ruben as Chief Information Officer
OXNARD —The City of Oxnard announced the appointment of Rob Ruben as Oxnard’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective Sept. 5, 2023.
With more than 20 years of industry experience leading large-scale project implementation and overseeing diverse operational teams, Ruben brings a wealth of expertise to his role in shaping Oxnard’s technological future.
“We’re excited to promote from within an experienced professional like Rob to lead our IT Department,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “I look forward to him providing secure, efficient, forward-looking IT solutions for our organization.”
LaunchPoint Announces Expansion to New Corporate Headquarters in Goleta and Exciting Job Opportunities
GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. (“LaunchPoint”), a leading innovator in cutting-edge aerospace electric power generation and propulsion technologies, is thrilled to unveil its expansion to a new, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in Goleta, Calif. The move to a larger, custom-built facility marks an exciting milestone for the company and underscores its commitment to better serving its aerospace industry customers as well as its growing workforce.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Groundbreaking work of four prominent Black psychologists featured for the first time in American Psychologist’ and more news, events
Using an Afrocentric and critical race theoretical framework, lead author Sharon Tettegah and co-authors Alison Cerezo, Terrance Wooten and DeLeon Gray review the works of four prominent Black psychologists.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Paranormal experiences, among other extraordinary feelings, provide tools for cross-cultural study’ and more news, events
“The culture in which a person grows up can impact the interpretation of the event,” said UC Santa Barbara professor emeritus Ann Taves. “And certain cultures can encourage people to watch out for and expect to experience these things.”
UCSB — The Current — Multiple ecosystems in hot water after marine heatwave surges across the Pacific and more news, events
While they confer many ecological benefits, marine protected areas do not shield against the effects of prolonged elevated water temperatures.
3C-REN Investing $155 Million in Tri-County Over Next Eight Years
CENTRAL COAST?— 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs, had its $155 million, 8-year business plan approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. The plan permits 3C-REN to continue operating four successful existing programs and launch three new programs to fill gaps in energy efficiency services for commercial and public sector buildings, and the agricultural sector.
UCSB — The Current — Taming Fire: Controlled burns can be a boon to our landscape
Resource managers are increasingly turning toward prescribed burns as a tool for land maintenance and restoration — and for reducing the risk of wildfires.
UCSB — The Current — ‘First-generation graduate Anabel Rocha Ambrosio builds a better life with education as the foundation’ and more news, events
The Promise Scholar is graduating as a double major and is next set to join the university’s intensive Teacher Education Program on a full ride.
NASA awards $80,000 grant to CSUCI for student-led research project on structure corrosion
Faculty and students from four CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) academic programs are working together on a research project that has been awarded $80,000 by NASA.
Faculty and 10 students from CSUCI’s Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Chemistry/Biochemistry programs are involved in the research project, which is aimed at developing a way to predict how quickly various metal structures corrode in different environments.
“This is one giant project broken down into smaller projects,” explained Associate Professor of Mathematics Cynthia Flores, who is leading the project. “Essentially, we’d be able to render simulations with different metals and different designs to predict how they well they would withstand various atmospheric pressures and conditions before they start to degrade and corrode.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘Physicists discover an exotic material made of bosons’ and more news, events
Between the overlapping arrangement of two lattices, physicists find some interesting material behaviors that have never been seen before
Bilingual commentary — Google Maps: AI for Our Daily Lives
Artificial intelligence (AI) may have burst upon the scene just last November, but it has been a part of our lives for at least several years. We may not have called it “artificial intelligence,” but many of us have been using it for years for our mundane tasks.
Google Maps is one clear long-running example of AI in some of our lives. It became available to us in 2005, not quite 20 years ago. The younger generations may feel particularly adept at using many of the more esoteric features of this app. But those of us of the boomer persuasion might have used Google Maps long ago simply as a digital version of the old Thomas Bros. paper map books that were sold in grocery stores and bookstores before the era of Google Maps.
UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB to lead NSF-funded research institute for next-level AI-powered cybersecurity’ and more news, events
Giovanni Vigna, with colleagues Ambuj Singh, Christopher Kruegel and João Hespanha, will head the $20-million Institute for Agent-based Cyber Threat Intelligence and OperatioN (ACTION).
UCSB — The Current — ‘Joining one of the world’s premier honorary societies, three professors are named to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ and more news, events
Professors Tanya Atwater, Leda Cosmides and Nelson Lichtenstein have been elected to the prestigious, 243 year-old institution.
Port of Hueneme Signs Memorandum of Understanding on California Ports Data Systems Development
The MOU outlines an agreement between the five container ports to jointly advance computerized and cloud-based data interoperability with a common goal of resilience.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim’ and more news, events
View this email online. April 20, 2023 Top News Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim “All of us at UC Santa Barbara are fortunate to have a colleague of such talent and expertise in our Music Department,” said…
LaunchPoint® Announces Shipments of 12 kW Dual Stacked Motor and Controller Solution for Hybrid Aerospace Applications
GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., an aerospace power generation and hybrid-electric propulsion company, announced today the commercialization and first customer shipments of its 12 kW stacked electric alternator solution for aerospace applications. The system is designed for drones and aircraft requiring a minimum axial form factor and lowest weight for maximum achievable power. The lightweight, high-power motors and controllers offered by LaunchPoint are coveted by companies seeking to reduce motor weight for maximum duration and payload.
Bilingual commentary — Can I Just Talk with a Human?
One day some months back, I needed to talk with my bank about a suspicious charge on my credit card. I wasn’t as naïve to think that somebody would pick up the phone when I called. But I innocently believed that I would be talking with a person after listening to a brief “menu” and punching a couple of buttons.
Then I entered “chatbot hell.”
“Thank you for calling the Local Bank. What are you calling about?” the robot cheerily asked me.
“Credit card,” I answered.
A pause.
“Did you say, ‘debit card’?”
“No, I responded,” incredulous that it didn’t understand me the first time. “Credit card.”
“I’m sorry,” my chatbot said with no detectable remorse. “I’m not understanding your reply. What are you calling about?”
I started to become wary of this supposedly artificial “intelligence.” But I thought I would give it a chance and comply with its requests as best I could.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Mind Reader’ and more news, events
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Way of the JEDI’ and more news, events
The Gevirtz Graduate School of Education is awarded a record grant for K-12 mental health services.
UCSB — The Current — Rethinking the Term ‘Self-Taught’ and more news, events
Doctoral candidate Elizabeth Driscoll Smith receives a dissertation fellowship to research the impact of transportation on midcentury American folk art.
CSUCI Assistant Professor of Computer Science receives $146,605 grant for computer games project
If you need to locate a book – even if it was a written a decade or a century ago – there are library archives and organized shelves to help you. But similar systems for continually evolving computer games and interactive software have been slow to develop.
It’s a problem CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Computer Science and video game enthusiast Eric Kaltman came across while attending graduate school at UC Santa Cruz, where he was doing computer game research.
“I was working at Stanford University archiving their video game collections—they had all of these games donated to them—and I thought, even Stanford is still figuring out what to do with all of this,” Kaltman said. “There was clearly a lot of work to do in figuring out how can we restore and recover historical video games for libraries and archives.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘New Plans for a Longer, More Vibrant Life’ and more news, events
UCSB — The Current — ‘Deconstructing Lignin’ and more news, events
Researchers prove that tough, woody lignin can be broken down in an anaerobic environment.
CLU School of Management announces upcoming events on March 1, 24, 28
MPPA Policy Talk Series Presents…
Revisiting Integration Policies in the United States: From Patchwork Policies to a Systematic Approach
Wednesday, March 1 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm (PT) | In Person
Join Dr. Wa’ed Alshoubaki as she discusses integration policies in the United States while distinguishing between immigrants and refugees in terms of the logistics of their integration.
Assistant Professor at the University of Jordan. Expertise in public policy with ongoing research on immigration and refugee resettlements in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.