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Redox interference-free bimodal paraoxon sensing enabled by an aggregation-induced emission nanozyme catalytically hydrolyzing phosphoesters specifically
Get PDFIn view of the current serious situation of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) residue contamination, developing rapid and accurate OPs sensors is a matter of urgency. Redox-nanozyme based colorimetric sensors have been widely researched and utilized in OPs residue determination, but overcoming the interference of external redox substances and the effect of single-signal modes on detection performance is still a challenge. Here we fabricated a Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) featuring specific phosphatase-like activity and strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescence for redox interference-free bimodal pesticide sensing. In the MOF, the activity-tunable Zr4+ node offered high hydrolytic activity and affinity toward P-O containing substrates, and the rigid framework structure effectively enhanced the fluorescence emission of the ligand 1,1,2,2-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)ethylene. The developed AIEzyme could efficiently catalyze the hydrolysis of paraoxon to yellow p-nitrophenol, which further reduced the intrinsic AIE fluorescence of AIEzyme through internal filtration effect. Thereby, a natural enzyme-free dual-mode colorimetric/fluorescence approach was established for paraoxon detection with no interference from redox substances, and a smartphone-assisted portable platform was further developed to enable the facile, rapid, and high-performance sensing of the pesticide in complex practical matrices
Compositional Language of Leo Brouwer's Solo Guitar Music
Get PDFModern classical guitar music owes a lot to the work of contemporary Cuban composer, guitarist, and conductor, Leo Brouwer. His work, spanning nearly seven decades, has shaped much of the aesthetics for this genre of music and has inspired multiple generations of guitarists and composers. He has helped to develop the musical language of classical guitar and shift contemporary guitar music out of older Romantic tendencies that have predominantly defined the sound of the classical guitar
Bite Me Food as Symbolic Exchange in Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind
Get PDFThis thesis explores the symbolic role of food in literature and video games, focusing on The Last of Us Part I (TLOUP1 or L1) by Naughty Dog and The Name of the Wind (TNOTW) by Patrick Rothfuss. Through the lens of food studies and literary analysis, this project examines two distinct modes of consumption: "honor eating," as theorized by Robert Appelbaum, and a newly proposed concept, "gratitude eating." Honor eating involves the consumption of another being, often cannibalistically, as a means of reverence and communal bonding. In contrast, gratitude eating, which is rooted in Homeric traditions of hospitality and social obligation, refers to the act of consuming food under societal expectations, reinforcing power structures, survival hierarchies, and narrative tension. This study argues that both forms of symbolic eating function as speech acts that shape narrative structure, character development, and cultural critique. By analyzing the ways food structures relationships and power in these texts, this thesis contributes to the broader discourse on food symbolism, sociological hierarchies, and alternative eating practices in contemporary storytelling
Energy Code Technical Support Program 2023-2025 biennial report to the Washington State Legislature
Get PDFThe Energy Codes team at the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program provides technical support to builders, architects, and others who use the residential sections of the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC-R). Our work ensures new residential construction is energy efficient, reducing utility costs for Washington residents and helping the state meet its climate goals. This report details the program’s achievements during the 2023–2025 biennium, a period marked by regulatory challenges
Anticipated climate change impacts on agriculture in Washington State
No full textThe investigation into climate change impacts on agriculture--including impacts on cropland, livestock, and aquaculture systems--is relatively new, with most studies produced in the last fifteen years. This article summarizes what is known about the anticipated climate impacts to the agricultural sector in Washington State. The literature is far from comprehensive, with some geographic areas and types of production systems better covered than others. Given the diversity of conditions, agricultural products, and production systems across the state, it is unsurprising--yet noteworthy--that there is significant complexity in the anticipated impacts. Climatic differences east and west of the Cascade Range, in combination with other factors, have led to distinct production systems. The biggest or most studied climate change impacts are therefore sometimes different east and west of the mountains. While some overall patterns can be discerned, there is an ongoing need for research that provides a more complete understanding, and better supports adaptation to a changing climate
Urban Planning: Values, Beliefs, and Conflicting Interests in the Built Environment
No full textDesign theory is recognized for its contributions to various aspects intended for the world of design and construction. Design theory is merely the foundation that helps designers go beyond what is already put in place to make spaces not necessarily “look good” but move towards more ethical, human-centered designs. This allows designers to adopt an innovative approach to critical thinking, utilizing logic, decision-making, creativity, and, most importantly, research. But why does design theory matter? Theory in design sets a foundation that requires designers to understand the world of design itself, building on existing knowledge. It will help designers gain knowledge of the neurological thinking a designer must undertake to understand a client’s needs and wants. While also utilizing theoretical understanding to shape perspectives and roles as a designer. Design theory will help us understand beliefs, values, creativity, and perception, all of which are integral to the principles of design theory. Theory can help future designers guide their design choices or guide them on the correct path to making safe and wise decisions regarding their application of designs. By organizing work in theory, designers can approach wicked problems with purpose, such as urban planning, allowing designers not just to design aesthetically pleasing spaces, but more meaningful environments that include and support the well-being of the communities involved
Impact of Takeoff Trajectory Design on Performance and Noise for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft
No full textA broad range of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft are currently in development, each with varying community noise footprints and energy consumption depending on the specifics of their departure and arrival flight trajectories, which must be understood for effective airspace integration. This work presents a framework for analyzing AAM trajectory design, focusing on key performance characteristics, including community noise impact, energy consumption, and flight duration. The framework can be applied to diverse AAM vehicle types, as demonstrated in this work on a blown-flap short takeoff and landing vehicle, a tilt-rotor vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, and a lift-plus-cruise vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. Results of comparing various takeoff procedures for each vehicle show tradeoffs between community noise, energy consumption, and flight duration, highlighting the importance of strategic trajectory design
Beyond Shelter: A Design Theory Approach to Post-Disaster Housing Inequities
No full text"According to UNHCR (2024), climate-related disasters have caused 220 million displacements over the past decade, or 60,000 people displaced every day. This statistic highlights how urgent this wicked problem is, and how quickly design must respond. Post-disaster housing recovery is not only about rebuilding homes; it’s about designing environments that prevent displacement, ensure future resilience, and provide safety for the most vulnerable. Buchanon (1992) explains that design theory provides a framework for tackling intertwined, “wicked” problems by helping us understand how choices in materials and layout shape human experience and social outcomes.When applied to disaster recovery, design theory encourages designers to ask deeper questions: Why are some houses built to withstand natural disasters while others collapse? Why do marginalized communities face greater housing risks than more privileged groups? These questions show that design goes beyond aesthetics and rather reveals that design is tied to culture, power, and systemic inequalities.As a future designer, understanding design theory is not just about creating beautiful interiors, but also about shaping the built environment in ways that improve human well-being. Every choice we make as designers, from materials to space planning, directly impacts how safe, supported, and empowered people feel. When applied to post-disaster housing, design pushes us to look beyond quick fixes and instead create spaces that protect dignity, promote equity, and support long-term recovery.
An analysis of the risk narrative disclosed by publicly traded biofuel firms
No full textGiven the high level of uncertainty prevalent in the immature biofuels industry, the primary objective of this study was to identify and assess the risk factors that biofuel firms face. The study evaluated the risk factors, or specific risks, reported by biofuel firms to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over five years. The analysis was conducted for all firms in the sample, as well as for subsets of focused and diversified biofuel firms. Based on a biofuels industry risk structure derived from previous research, we coded and analyzed 4310 risk narrative disclosures, extracts from firms' annual reports filed with the SEC. The study evaluated two risk metrics-prevalence and relevance-across 25 specific risks. Risk relevance, the most comprehensive metric, was validated by comparing it with two widely used risk metrics-which measure overall firm risk rather than specific risks-, the Z-score and the debt-to-equity ratio. Identification of risk metrics by quadrants, combined with quantile regression analysis, allowed us to identify the critical risks in the biofuels industry. The critical risks, particularly for focused biofuel firms, were biofuel regulation, biofuel markets, feedstock markets, conversion technologies, profitable operations, financing, and risk management. To a lesser extent, environmental and contracting risks were critical. The results of this study can guide policymakers and firm managers in developing a compelling policy mix and strategies to address the challenges faced by the biofuels industry
Design of Educational Environments and Relevance to Neurodiverse Occupants
No full textThe ability to learn is a key element of what makes humanity so remarkable. Access to knowledge gives people agency, power, opportunity, and experiences that enrich one's life and bring meaning to one's existence. The spaces in which people learn are a part of this access to knowledge, and the design of these spaces can either uplift or inhibit people's ability to succeed in them. Educational spaces are complex environments that are incredibly impactful to the well-being of countless young minds who are the future of society. Too often, though, the designs of these spaces do not create an inclusive environment that allows all to be able to learn equitably. Around 20 percent of the U.S. population is neurodivergent, and many of the elements of design that are often found in schools and similar spaces hinder the non-neurotypical occupants' ability to learn. Designing for neurodivergent inclusive learning spaces is a complex situation and with the addition of factors like cultural values, stakeholder expectations, systemic boundaries, sustainability responsibilities, and implementation of biophilic design, creates a problem that is sincerely troublesome to unravel. It is up to designers to utilize the framework and lessons observed by others to best approach this situation