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Innovative Sustainable Light-Weight Concrete for Affordable Resilient Housing
Get PDFConcrete is one of the most widely used construction materials worldwide, with its production accounting for approximately 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions. In an effort to address the environmental impact of conventional concrete, this research explores the development and evaluation of a non-aggregated, foam-enhanced cementitious material — informally known as “AirCrete.” Unlike traditional lightweight concrete, this material is produced by incorporating a stable, foaming agent directly into a cement paste, resulting in a highly aerated structure with significantly reduced density. This research focused on the iterative design and refinement of a custom foam generation system. This included tuning foam density, bubble size, and minimizing deflation to achieve mixes that remained cohesive during casting and could be demolded without collapse, as well as efficiently finding the ideal parameters to operate within. These foundational steps were critical in producing consistent and testable specimens. Following successful mix stabilization, mechanical and physical tests were conducted to evaluate compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and density. The results provided preliminary data on the structural viability of this material for use in construction applications. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge around alternative cementitious materials and demonstrates the potential of foam-based systems to reduce both weight and environmental footprint in construction
Dataset on Bulk Geochemistry from Johnston Draw Borehole at Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory
No full textA borehole to 90m was drilled in 2019 at Johnston Draw in the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory. Major and trace elements were analyzed via X-ray fluorescence (Johnson et al., 1999) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS) (Knaack et al. 1994), respectively, at the WSU Peter Hooper GeoAnalytical Lab. Major The depth intervals are included as well as normalized and unnormalized data
Inverted Gradient Attacks: Testing Priacy Attacks and Data Leakage in Federated Learning
Get PDFFederated Learning (FL) is an emerging machine learning approach that proposes to train models collaboratively on user’s data in distributed environments. In FL, a central server holds a global model which are sent out to clients. The clients train their models on their private data, and send back gradients or parameter differences for aggregation. FL introduces its own issues with security and privacy, where attackers can poison the model to degrade performance or attempt to steal user’s private data through inference attacks. Past research on gradient inversion, a form of inference attack, shows these sent gradients in FL can be exploited. Attackers can reconstruct training data, breaking FL’s promised privacy. In this work, we will investigate how privacy leakage of FL models with different hyperparameters are affected using the Gradient Similarity (GS) attack, an inverted gradient attack using cosine similarity to optimize the attack process. We will study how single image recovery, batch image recovery, and multiple gradient descent steps affect the effectiveness of the attack. We will provide a thorough analysis using different metrics to determine the privacy leakage of the reconstructed input, as well as leave our code and exact experiment results in this paper for reproducibility
The Impact of Dimerization and Condensate Formation on Notch Signaling Outcomes
Get PDFCommunication between cells is the cornerstone of multicellular life. This communication is facilitated through signal transduction, wherein an environmental que activates a transducer on the surface of the cell or within it. This signal is recognized and transmitted in a way that integrates every other signal that the cell is receiving at the time, culminating in a dynamic dance of molecular components producing finely tuned responses to the cellular environment. Notch signaling facilitates direct communication between neighboring cells, as well as response to various microenvironmental stimuli, to influence cell differentiation and fate. As insinuated above, these communication pathways do not exist in isolation, but instead are influenced by interacting molecules from other activated pathways. Aside from external pathway regulation, internal pathway regulation occurs between components inherent in the original signaling transduction. The work contained in the dissertation addresses various aspects of these internal regulatory mechanisms, in which I outline previously unknown internal interactions between components of Notch signaling and assess the role of MAML1 condensate formation between Notch and others. Deepening our understanding of the internal mechanisms that regulate cell differentiation adds another stone on the path in developing therapeutics to combat Notch related disorders
Regenerative Recreation: An Examination of Recreational Trail Users\u27 Environmental Attitudes and Willingness to Help Restore Ecological Systems
No full textRecreation on public lands has never been higher. Agency budgets dedicated to the ecological health of recreation areas have not kept pace with recreation growth. Recreation managers have been calling for a paradigm shift in recreation management. Using a social-ecological systems (SES) approach, I ask, can non-consumptive recreationists (i.e., hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians) improve ecological health asynchronously while taking part in their recreation endeavors? I call these asynchronous ecologically beneficial actions regenerative recreation.
This project examines non-consumptive recreation users\u27 environmental attitudes as initially suggested by Dunlap and Heffernan (1975), and their willingness to take part in ecologically regenerative actions (e.g., pulling weeds, planting seeds) in response to hortatory policy nudges (e.g., signage and educational materials). The study was locale focused, and utilized users of the Ridge to Rivers trail system (R2R), a recreation area near Boise, Idaho. Willingness to engage in regenerative recreation was examined with both a survey instrument and a series of field experiments.
Results showed that survey respondents held relatively high pro-environmental attitudes broadly as shown by responses related to the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP; Dunlap et al., 2000), and locally, as shown by responses to series of survey questions related to the R2R system and the Boise Foothills. Pro-environmental attitudes, as quantified by the NEP, significantly predicted user willingness to engage in regenerative recreation. Survey respondents indicated a high willingness to partake in regenerative recreation while recreating, with moderating variables being the perceived cost of doing the action, user type, history of volunteering, and, potentially, gender. In contrast, uptake of regenerative recreation actions was comparatively low when users were observed in the field. A total of 24 out of 721 (3.33%) took part in one of the two regenerative actions (i.e., pulling invasive weeds or checking for invasive weed seeds). User type was a moderating variable of field experiment regenerative action uptake, with hikers partaking more often than mountain bikers or trail runners. Cost of the action was also a moderating factor, with more users taking part in the medium-cost action of checking for goathead (Tribulus terrestris) nutlets/ seeds compared to the higher-cost action of pulling goatheads.
The relatively low uptake of regenerative actions in the real-world should not discourage land managers from applying hortatory policy nudges to guide recreationists to take part in ecologically regenerative actions. Substantial ecologically positive results may be seen with relatively few participants, as was observed in this study. Policy tools suggested here have the potential to be further developed and applied not only by locale based recreation agencies, but also by agencies with increased authority and discretion such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS)
Beyond the Flow: A Critical Examination of Engagement and Learning Outcomes in Game-Based Learning Through Bibliometric and Manual Literature Analysis
No full textThis study examines the role of flow in game‐based learning and compares the effects of continuous flow states with those produced by structured cognitive interruptions. The research combines a bibliometric analysis of 2,466 peer‐reviewed articles (2004–2024) with a manual review of 106 studies using a custom Flow‐Impact Analysis Framework (FIAF). This framework was developed specifically for the review and may assist future investigations into flow in game‐based learning. FIAF categorizes studies based on how they define flow, the instruments used for its measurement, and the links between flow and cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning outcomes.
Findings show that most research builds on Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory (1990), with common dimensions including challenge–skill balance, concentration, and enjoyment. Although continuous-flow states are associated with high engagement, studies incorporating structured cognitive interruptions—such as scaffolding and reflection prompts—report better knowledge retention and increased reflective behavior (Hamari et al., 2016; Lin & Hou, 2024b). Variations in measurement methods across studies point to a need for standardized approaches in future work.
Findings offer guidance for educators and instructional designers in creating game‐based learning environments that balance immersive engagement with opportunities for critical reflection
Infrasound from Genesee Lower Falls, Rochester, NY, USA
No full textThis is one of the datasets referred to in a paper on waterfall infrasound by Anderson, Ortiz, and Barber, that relates a waterfall\u27s infrasound to its physical characteristics (height, discharge, and power), maps infrasound power over the waterfall\u27s surroundings, and models audibility distance for pigeons as an example of a well-studied infrasound-sensitive animal
Students\u27 Perceived Value and Emotions in Turkish Physical Education: Testing Moderation by Gender and Sports Involvement
Get PDFPhysical Education (PE) has been recognized as a key element in developing student enjoyment for physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits. Student emotions may dictate learning and motivation, but less is known regarding the perceptions of value and control that shape these emotions. Specifically, within certain K-12 PE national curriculums and cultures, the goals and objectives of PE, along with its emphasis on physical activity and sport, may influence the emotional response of students and their perceived value of PE. If students feel a lack of value, negative emotions, and marginalized by the content then it is unlikely their experiences in PE will lead to lifetime physical activity. This study aimed to explore one culture and how students’ perceived values for PE affects their emotions and the potential moderating role of gender and sports. Turkish middle school students (N=469) completed a survey regarding their value beliefs, PE emotions, and their involvement in sport outside of PE. The findings revealed that the value placed on PE was significantly associated with positive and negative emotions. Gender and sports involvement had no moderating role in this effect despite the importance of sport in the local PE curriculum. In conclusion, higher perceived value of PE corresponded to increases in positive emotions and decreases negative emotions, thereby emphasizing the importance of raising the value students place on PE. The value and emotional experience of students in PE is likely to be influenced by the content and this study speaks to the importance of not limiting curriculum to sport and other gendered activities
Tunable Corrosion Resistance of Az31b Magnesium Via Ald-Deposited Al\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e Coatings
No full textMagnesium is known for its high strength to weight ratio and is used in industries like aerospace and automotive. These same properties make it a promising material for biodegradable medical implants. When placed in the body, magnesium gradually corrodes, allowing for natural resorption, unlike permanent materials such as titanium or stainless steel. However, its corrosion rate is often too fast, leading to structural failure or gas buildup before healing is complete. This project explores the use of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) coatings applied using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to slow the degradation of AZ31B, a magnesium alloy. ALD enables precise control of coating thickness and uniformity, which can be used to fine tune implant lifetimes. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (QNM), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) were used to assess coating quality, mechanical properties, and surface potential. These tools provided nanoscale insight into surface smoothness, stiffness, and corrosion susceptibility. Results showed that thicker coatings led to more stable surface potentials and better protection. Tuning degradation is critical for matching the body’s natural healing timeline, and magnesium’s breakdown products have also been shown to support osteogenesis, making it especially valuable for bone related applications
Understanding Intermediate- to High-Mass Star Formation with the MIRION Catalog
No full textThe Mid-InfraRed Interstellar Objects and Nebulae (MIRION) catalog consists of 6176 astronomical objects located in the Galactic plane of the Milky Way. The majority of the sources in this catalog are young stellar objects responsible for intermediate- to high-mass star formation. This catalog extends the number of known intermediate-mass star forming objects by nearly two orders of magnitude, and provides photometric data for each source at 8,12,24, and 70um with which these sources can be analyzed. The MIRION catalog is of interest to astronomers as a resource for understanding the properties of intermediate-mass star forming objects and determining the conditions responsible for the transition from low- to high- mass star formation. This poster discusses the various properties of MIRION sources listed in the catalog, as well as the methods used to collect the catalog’s photometric data. It also provides some preliminary analysis of these sources’ properties using the catalog’s data to display their unique characteristics and suggest ways further analysis of these objects can be carried out in future research