tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10119908376102180972012-02-03T14:19:39.340-06:00"Construa seu mundo" (Dr. Patterson's Blog) is Portuguese for "make your world". It is the theme that inspires her career, professionally and personally. "I teach to empower people. I want my students to understand their technological world so they can shape it."Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-82405481916116097892012-01-22T07:59:00.001-06:002012-01-22T08:01:04.643-06:00

Because I was up before sunrise and missing the sun, I got to wondering when it would rise.  One thing led to another and I graphed the sunrise and sunset times for 2012. Two questions: Why isn't it symmetric about the date or time axes? What are all the discontinuities?  Inquiring minds want to know.  In any event, it seems I'll be up before sunrise for another month and a half, sadly.

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-36031798190953936092011-09-08T09:15:00.000-05:002012-01-17T16:21:06.153-06:00

I was shocked, I say, shocked when I computed the Points Plus value (pp) for one of my favorite Stout foods: the delightfully sinful raspberry scone.  Only, I didn't know it was sinful before.  It is so little and innocent looking. 14 pp!!!  That's right, the little scone that fits in the palm of your hand is nearly half a day's worth of points. I decided to look up some of my other foods*, and

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-35166399582566069692011-08-16T09:42:00.002-05:002012-01-17T16:21:43.310-06:00

Though not the only way, this is a working method for creating a document written in html-compatible code. For equations:  Download "Math Cast" and create your equation.  Your saved file can be opened in a text editor to grab the html code.  (It is actually MathML, but will work in html editors.) For images (of diagrams, apparatus, etc.):  Upload your image to flickr.com.  Once uploaded, the

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-62067237889582110682011-08-15T08:30:00.001-05:002011-08-15T08:30:51.956-05:00

Awhile back, I posted about how to insert equations into google documents.  The link I blogged about is no longer functioning so I needed to find another way, and a better way.  A way to insert equations that aren't images only, but editable pieces of information that flow seamlessly into a document.  I haven't. There is some interesting information out there regarding the paucity of

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0Menomonie, WI 54751, USA44.8718404 -91.9130382999999844.8343569 -91.96759929999999 44.909323900000004 -91.85847729999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-21352231170436577582010-06-07T19:27:00.004-05:002010-06-07T19:32:11.179-05:00

My dad writes these great letters to the editor in the Rapid City Journal. I repost here so those with a similar sense of humor can enjoy them too.One thing newspapers thrive on is the reporting of errors. The spill of oil in the gulf is perhaps the latest most egregious example. But why do we make so many errors? Perhaps a better question is why do we get things right once in a while?There

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-85412527509740389282010-05-31T16:23:00.001-05:002010-06-01T12:51:41.584-05:00

I enjoy yoga. At right is a closeup of a section of my very first yoga mat. It came as part of one of those kits, with the DVD and everything, that you find in your local discount store.As a materials person, I am intrigued by this structure. I thought I'd share it here.This mat is probably PVC, wholly or in part. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. It is a thermoplastic polymer, a type of

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-48952693033656420592010-05-31T16:16:00.002-05:002010-05-31T16:20:13.003-05:00

Yes, this is original art, drawn by my dear ole dad. I find him hilarious. This work was actually semi-approved by my brother-in-law, a Lakota Sioux. I say "semi" because I believe he laughed at it and said no words.

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-41618880933002556282010-02-21T16:15:00.005-06:002010-05-31T16:16:13.719-05:00

(or was it sleep deprivation), I wondered if maybe everything was just as it should be.Mean people suck but they do really good things too. (Though I'm sure they don't intend it. ;) ) If necessity is the mother of invention, then leaps for the limelight are its grandfather. Better stated, narcissism is the grandfather of invention. I still reserve the right to complain about good ideas

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-49926410069037329762010-02-13T17:24:00.006-06:002010-02-13T18:03:25.842-06:00

I read a thoughtful article by Jeff Rybak, in which he states, "...when you put people under enough stress... someone, eventually, is going to snap. The stress and isolation associated with students and their education is well-recognized. The stress and isolation associated with professional academia, and especially the large numbers of underemployed and marginalized academics operating at the

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-60550541963418689042009-10-22T09:45:00.005-05:002009-10-28T18:26:01.002-05:00

Dear Citizen, and a special shout-out to WI Citizens,There seems to be a considerable amount of confusion regarding what professors actually do with their time and salary. I thought I would lay out some facts so that you may be better informed citizens.First, let me give the usual minimum credentials for being a tenure-track college professor: you must have a PhD in the field in which you teach

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-54384784999165574032009-09-13T12:13:00.002-05:002009-09-13T12:18:16.851-05:00

You might think it would be easy. Not with Professors A, B and C...Prof A works from 10 AM to 5:30 PM MW and from 10 AM to noon TuTh.Prof B works from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM MWF and from 10 AM to 2:30 PM TuThF.Prof C works from 10 AM to noon MWF.So, Profs A, B and C carpool MW, collectively staying at work from 8:30 to 5:30. Profs A and B carpool TuTh from 9 AM to 2:30 PM. Profs B and C carpool

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-20940333347173351262009-09-05T10:36:00.000-05:002009-09-05T10:36:00.355-05:00

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-15542041318989868572009-08-31T14:58:00.004-05:002009-08-31T15:36:25.429-05:00

Compared to faculty in other states, I must say I'm happy to have a tenure-track job, and not to have been sacked. I'm happy for the great benefits that WI provides.But... We've been furloughed. This would not bother me if it weren't for some very glaring inconsistencies in the university system. Here's an example. One of many, many examples.Student evaluations. It could be argued that they

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-4655791138324217842009-08-30T10:02:00.003-05:002009-08-30T10:04:49.140-05:00

I believe our Dean is the defacto building manager, since we don't have one. Not sure how a Dean would deal with all this stuff...

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-61788065224297018642009-08-28T11:39:00.007-05:002009-08-31T21:11:50.706-05:00

I feel a need to explain this series. Yes, we're all very happy to have a gorgeous new science wing. Yes, the square footage is amazing. Yes, we thank our Chancellor for holding out and being patient and requesting this from the state system.However (you knew that was coming), there are some serious flaws in implementation. I have the fortune of having arrived at the university at

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-87802647547164239172009-06-12T14:25:00.002-05:002011-08-15T08:06:28.627-05:00

Doing Math and Physics Collaboratively using Google docs You can use this equation maker (a LaTeX style editor) to create gif files and paste them into Google docs, like the one above. Steps:  Go to thornahawk.unitedti.org/equationeditor/equationeditor.php. Click the boxes to create your equation.  Click "Render Expression". Right-click on your equation that appears, and select "View

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-28523728742929860822008-03-08T20:10:00.006-06:002009-06-28T07:53:15.477-05:00

The recipe for these rolls is famous in my family. It was created by my aunt Amy. This picture was my attempt at making a plain version of them. They are much better when she makes them! It is said that once in front of you, there is no resisting them, no matter how many you've already had! Here's her recipe:1 cake fresh or package granular yeast1 cup lukewarm milk1/4 cup sugar1 teaspoon

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-85817619463947545752008-03-08T20:07:00.003-06:002009-06-28T08:04:17.126-05:00

For those of us who learned to drive in sub-tropical climates, here's a physics professor's take on how to avoid spinning off of an iced road:If you turn in the direction you want to go while sliding, you may notice that you continue to slide. Very disconcerting. The trick to getting out of the slide is to turn your wheels in the opposite direction you want to go. This can give you control

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-63819846301674805752008-03-08T18:21:00.004-06:002009-06-02T09:05:34.695-05:00

This is my idea: all this stuff is related in a never ending circle of, well, not life exactly, but, society? I've decided to call it my loop of reciprocity. I got to thinking about the differences between science and engineering, as I'm a little of both scientist and engineer. One day I realized that people think of technology as its own field. I'd always thought of it as the stuff I use.

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-4089836095753374012008-03-02T21:19:00.005-06:002009-06-02T09:14:06.545-05:00

Here's one way to make the spicy tea, from scratch... This is from the "yogi tea" recipe by Yogi Bhajan, the guy on all the Yogi Tea company boxes? The guy with the white turban? Surely you've seen his picture...21 cinnamon sticks13 slices fresh ginger root54 cardamom pods54 peppercorns40 clovesAdd to 1 gallon of water. Boil for awhile till you like the smell and the color is nice and

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-90473636682201444962008-01-14T16:40:00.000-06:002008-01-14T16:46:48.035-06:00

I subscribe to "Vegetarian Times" and their recent issue was all about how us vegetarians are always on about what we don't eat rather than what we do eat.Wow... No kidding.Viva la vegetables! I made it a personal thing to discuss everything about how wonderful the foods I eat are, which is why I eat them...Ever really smelled celery? It is pretty heavenly.Anyway, look forward to more odes to

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-44191827272275091152007-12-18T09:56:00.001-06:002009-06-28T08:10:20.980-05:00

A research student of mine sent me this YouTube video. It's a good introduction to nanotechnology.It touches on ethical issues of nanotechnology. New scientific ideas carry risks. In the case of nanotechnology, whole devices can enter the human body. The effects of small materials entering the body have not been studied in depth yet.But bioengineering and medicine are developing in tandem

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-21133330833169875292007-12-04T08:33:00.000-06:002007-12-04T08:39:53.180-06:00

The area had an enormous snow storm over the weekend. As it snowed, the temperature hovered near freezing, making heavy wet blankets across several states in the midwest. Yesterday, the temperature invariably dropped, making all that snow turn to solid ice. I managed to shovel the sidewalk by my house, since that is legally required. However, I just didn't have enough energy to do the drive

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-37518379884449330892007-11-30T11:35:00.001-06:002007-11-30T12:07:50.682-06:00

I thought I'd pay a little tribute the the celebrities of our time who I personally admire. Currently, there are 4:Ani DiFranco. Ani says things that I had always felt but never voiced. Her latest music is far more peaceful and, imo, deep. She's a rich artist with a mission to make people think.Sherman Alexie. This guy is not only revolutionary but hilarious. I heard him speak once in

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-67059831324935730872007-10-19T19:11:00.001-05:002009-06-02T09:17:00.132-05:00

This is a recipe from my mother. It is for a banana cake. The recipe comes from Brasil.Whisk 3 eggs with 3/4 cup canola oil. Add 1 TBSP vanilla, diluted with 1/2 TBSP water. Pre-mix 1 1/2 cup four, 1 1/8 cup brown sugar and 1 TBSP baking powder. Add the dry mixture to the wet slowly. Put into a pan sprayed with oil. Cut 3 or 4 very ripe bananas lengthwise and place them, round side down,

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-50466828205462107422007-10-15T15:44:00.000-05:002007-10-15T16:36:24.573-05:00

I read a book this weekend, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. I was traveling (see previous post) and had a lot of time to read. (I also picked up Madison Magazine's green issue and Dwell's green issue. Somewhat of a guilt theme given all the flying I was doing.) I recommend this book. I got to thinking about what makes really good food, taking into account all its costs and

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-30158696669515789822007-10-09T09:23:00.000-05:002007-10-09T10:05:24.214-05:00

At the beginning of October, I went to UWEC's MSC to use their TEM. I went with 3 students, our lab manager, and my boyfriend. It turns out their TEM is really nice, possibly comparable to the one at UNL's MRSEC. I used a sample from my summer work there, to train us all in the basics of using the TEM. It was a great time. Here is a diffraction pattern.The next weekend, I went to the

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-73911615881684023922007-10-07T23:20:00.001-05:002009-06-02T09:25:47.307-05:00

I met Daffy while walking Nectar last weekend. She was a sitting duck, hence the name. I brought her home because I hoped to give her some time to recover from whatever had shocked her into sitting still by the road. No movement from her till I fell asleep: then I kept waking to hear hopping in the box. Good sign. I let Daffy go the next day, but not without sincere consideration of

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-45693568613657390112007-09-19T12:24:00.000-05:002007-09-19T12:49:18.533-05:00

Yesterday at our college meeting, we learned that some of the courses we teach will be digitally streamed to other parts of our state. We have a few courses that are already doing so. (See the UWP Distance Education Blog.)I'm really excited about this. It seems to me that the future of education, teaching in particular, will honor the art form and scholarship of teaching while reaching more

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011990837610218097.post-5469508616563190432007-09-18T12:47:00.000-05:002007-09-18T12:51:25.620-05:00

I've lately been thinking about worldlines and spacetime diagrams while teaching my modern physics course. Much fun. I hope my students agree. It is still mind-blowing to realize that if, say a firecracker goes off in a frame moving really fast, followed by another one, that people in the earth's frame may observe them happening simultaneously! Here's a cool site showing simulation for such a

Marlann Pattersonhttps://profiles.google.com/107101531540751478883noreply@blogger.com0