Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Efficacy Of A Source-Based Writing Tutoring Intervention For Multilingual Students In The Writing Center, Dana Lynn Driscoll, Osman Ozdemir

The Writing Center Journal

Source-based writing skills, which include evaluating, synthesizing, and citing sources, are skills that students are expected to acquire as part of college-level writing. Unfortunately, many multilingual writers (MLWs), especially those in advanced degree programs, lack programmatic support and instruction. Thus, writing centers represent a critical site to offer MLWs tutorial-based support. Our study examined whether or not writing centers can help MLWs develop—and transfer—source-based writing skills in a sequence of three tutorials. We recruited five advanced student MLW participants from different cultural backgrounds who were uncomfortable with source use. Through pre-and postwriting samples, interviews, writing process recording videos, and a …

“I Just Need Another Set Of Eyes”: Understanding Students’ Idea Of The Writing Center, Isabelle M. Lundin, Neal Lerner

The Writing Center Journal

In this article, we describe writing center clients’ “idea” of the writing center based on interviews with 26 writing center users and qualitative coding of interview transcripts. Participants’ constructs of the writing center provide a lens to better understand how they perceive writing as an activity, the “writing culture” of the institution, the role of the writing center in their writing processes, and, ultimately, if they see writing centers in the way we would expect them to. The tensions we derived from our data are (1) between who and what tutors are and offer: discipline-specific expertise (including the disciplines of …

“It Would Literally Take The World To End For Us To Do This”: Writing Center Consultants’ Affective Responses To Consulting Modalities, Anita Long, Destiny R. Brugman

The Writing Center Journal

This article discusses findings from semi-structured interviews with writing consultants about their affective experiences working across three different consulting modalities: in person, asynchronous, and synchronous. This study offers affect as a lens for understanding consultants’ responses to and strategies for consulting in multiple modalities and argues that by attending to affect, emotion, and disposition in consulting we can better support our consultants when they’re consulting in different modalities.

The Rhetorical Function Of Writing Center Employee Handbooks, Talisha Haltiwanger Morrison

The Writing Center Journal

In his award-winning book, Around the Texts of Writing Centers, R. Mark Hall (2017) asserts the importance of everyday writing center texts, claiming that these documents “both enact and forward writing center scholarship” (p. 3). It is Hall’s position that such “everyday” documents are essential to understanding the work of writing centers, but that their very ubiquity leads writing center scholars and administrators to ignore them or take their functions for granted. In this study, I take up Hall’s call for more scholarly attention to everyday writing center texts through a thematic rhetorical analysis of nine writing center employee …

Back Matter, Georganne Nordstrom, Isaac K. Wang, Sherry Wynn Perdue

The Writing Center Journal

Back matter for Writing Center Journal 43.2.

Quantifying Interest In And Sentiment Of Online Media About Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Cattle Production In The United States, Michael L. Smith, Jinho Jung, Nicole Olynk Widmar, Danielle J. Ufer, Maria Berikou, Jayson Lusk

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The public is paying increased attention to the environmental impacts associated with cattle production systems in the US. Thus, cattle producers are increasingly exploring ways to communicate their efforts to reduce those environmental and climate impacts. This study uses online and social media data from 2018 to 2022 to examine public interest in and sentiment about beef and dairy cattle production when discussed within the context of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Variation in mentions and net sentiment over the reporting period is quantified and analyzed. Over the period of data collection, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we find …

Advancing Monitoring And Self-Sensing Capabilities Of Smart Asphalt Concrete Containing Conductive Carbon Nanofillers, Mingjun Xie, Leqing Lin, Yilin Yin, Linglin Xu, Kai Wu, Zhengwu Jiang

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Conventional asphalt pavements can withstand the traffic loading and provide safe, comfortable driving conditions, however, the intelligent functionality on self-monitoring and damage detection is also required for the construction of intelligent transport systems. This study develops a self-sensing conductive asphalt concrete inspired by smart cement-based materials, which is capable of continuous, real-time monitoring of stress, strain, and damage, enabling structural health monitoring (SHM) of asphalt pavements. The self-sensing characteristics relies on the piezoresistive effects that the internal conductive network deforms and causes measurable changes in electrical resistance under mechanical loading. To achieve this, carbon nanomaterials, graphene nanoplates (GNPs) and multi-walled …

Towards The Use Of Quarry Wastes In Cementitious Composites For Sustainable Construction, Adrian Chajec

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

This study explores the use of quarry waste powders as partial replacements for cement in concrete, aiming to improve the sustainability of construction materials. Three types of powders—granite (GP), limestone (LP), and quartz (QP)—were used to replace 20% of cement by mass in concrete mixes. The research evaluates the impact of these substitutions on fresh properties, mechanical performance, durability under sulphate attack, and overall environmental and economic efficiency. Experimental tests included slump flow, setting time, compressive strength at 28 and 90 days, and resistance to sulphate-induced mass and strength loss. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions and material costs were calculated based …

Co-Creation Of Sustainable Concrete For Harsh Environments, Seyedalireza Mohammadirad, Jenny Harmon O'Driscoll, Michael O'Shea, Eoghan Clifford, Páraic Ryan

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The need to decarbonise construction has intensified interest in low-clinker, high-durability concretes for aggressive environments such as marine and water/wastewater infrastructure. This study presents a co-created research framework combining systematic literature review, stakeholder engagement, and performance-based experimental design to evaluate both conventional and emerging Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). SCM selection was guided by oxide composition (CaO/SiO₂, CaO/Al₂O₃), hydration kinetics, durability trends, and industry input. Meta-analyses of acid and sulphate resistance identified key compositional thresholds and performance anomalies, supporting the inclusion of biomass fuel ash (BFA) and limestone calcined clay cement alongside fly ash and GGBS. A standard industry mix (C32/40) …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Semi-Submerged Offshore Wind Turbines’ Foundation Materials: Concrete Versus Steel, Isabel C L Castellanos, Andrew Whyte, Stephen M. Urquhart

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The offshore wind-generation energy sector in Australia has been growing steadily in lieu of non-renewable energy sources, towards addressing national calls for greenhouse gas emission reductions. However, the industry in Australia is still somewhat fledgling, hence localised studies on environmental impact are scarce. In this context, the work here analyses greenhouse gas emissions by comparing like-for-like steel versus concrete materials as the main components in the foundation element of an offshore wind turbine throughout its lifecycle, using an adapted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. This paper details a cradle-to-cradle LCA of the two alternative specifications for semi-submerged foundations supporting a …

Impact Of Systematic Classification And Identification Of Treatment Methods Of Mine Tailings On Concrete Durability, Berika Ceren Cihan Yilmaz, Ceren Ince, Demetrios M. Cotsovos, Richard James Ball

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The rapid increase in mine tailings generation poses significant environmental challenges, with current disposal methods often unsustainable and leading to catastrophic failures such as tailing pond collapses or toxic slurry spills, resulting in fatalities and severe environmental damage. The urgency for sustainable construction materials is clear, particularly as the global focus shifts toward net-zero emissions and circular economies. Concrete, a primary construction material, traditionally depends on natural resources, making it imperative to explore alternatives that reduce environmental impacts. Mine tailings, with their rich elemental and oxide composition, present a promising option for partial replacement in concrete. Despite this potential, the …

Ultra High Performance Concrete (Uhpc) Bridge Deck Overlays As A Corrosion Mitigation Strategy, Naveen Saladi

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the primary contributing factors to bridge deck deterioration. To extend the service life of a bridge deck, different corrosion mitigation strategies can be employed including overlays and corrosion mitigation chemicals. Traditionally, deteriorated bridge decks were repaired using localized patches or thin bonded overlays composed of conventional concrete materials. However, UHPC overlays gained traction from the bridge owners in recent years, in part due to their superior mechanical and durability properties. On the other hand, corrosion mitigation chemicals are added to the concrete surface to reduce ingress of deleterious ions and thereby reducing corrosion …

Performance Optimisation And Field Application Research Of Emergency Repair Mortar In High-Cold And High-Altitude Areas, Tiejun Hou, Hao Jing, Chenchen Zhang, Shuxuan Bai, Yuan Yuan, Leqing Liu, Pengkun Hou

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Qinghai Province is located in a high-cold and high-altitude area, with low average annual temperature, large daily temperature difference, strong ultraviolet irradiation, and arid climate with little rain in some places, which greatly exacerbates the deterioration of the material and structural performance, especially the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, mudslides, landslides, and other geologic hazards have also resulted in structural damage. However, common emergency repair materials have decreased strength at low temperatures and require complex maintenance conditions to harden, which increases the difficulty of repair. Based on the characteristics of high-cold and high-altitude areas, this study systematically investigated the working performance, …

Use Fibre Optic Sensor Systems For Structural Integrity Monitoring In Ageing Sewer Concrete Structures And Pipelines, Matthas Fabian, Joanna Coote, Richard Harry Scott, Heriberto Bustamante, Tong Sun, Kenneth Thomas Victor Grattan

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Fibre Bragg Gratings (FBGs) form the basis of a valuable class of sensors that have a number of applications in industry and are formed as a periodic variation in the refractive index of an optical fibre that reflects light at a specific wavelength depending on the strain applied to the fibre – this effect can be related to and then calibrated against the parameter to be measured. A number of different types of sensors have been developed for monitoring sewer structures, detecting strain and potential leaks in sewer pipelines by embedding fibres along the pipeline route and for monitoring the …

Use Of A Bulk Resistivity Index To Evaluate The Permeability Performance Of Blended Cements And Scms, Robert Douglas Hooton

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Most specifications for supplementary cementitious materials focus on reactivity as related to strength development. However, beyond strength, the other major benefit from use of SCMs, whether added separately or in blended cements, is their impact on changing the pore structure of the cementitious matrix resulting in improved resistance to ingress of aggressive fluids, i.e. lower permeability. ASTM C1876 and similar test methods in other standards for assessing the bulk resistivity of concrete already exist, but in 2025, ASTM subcommittee C09.48 on Performance of Cementitious Mixtures has adopted ASTM C1952, a standard test method for assessing the relative bulk resistivity of …

Interaction Of Cementitious Systems Containing Nontraditional And Natural Pozzolans (Nnps) With Chloride-Based Deicers, Raikhan Tokpatayeva, Alberto Castillo, Jan Olek

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Given the growing scarcity of traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), interest in non-traditional and natural pozzolans (NNPs) is increasing. While much of prior research has focused on fundamental physical properties and mechanical performance, durability - particularly scaling resistance - remains a concern for concrete exposed to deicing salts. This study evaluated the matrix-deicer interactions of paste samples containing 25% of 11 different NNPs - including three calcined clays (CCs), three volcanic ashes (VAs), two fluidized bed combustion ashes (FBCs) and three ground bottom ashes (GBAs). Paste samples were exposed to CaCl2, MgCl2 and NaCl solutions and subjected to 50 freeze-thaw …

Transition To Net Zero And Low Carbon Technologies: Case Studies From The Second Largest Construction Industry – India, Sunanda Manjrekar

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

No abstract provided.

Chloride Transport In Low Clinker Content Concretes And Modeling, Pu Yang, Narayanan Neithalath, Manu Santhanam, Yuvaraj Dhandapani

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Chloride ion transport behaviour has been reported to be significantly influenced by the use of supplementary cementing materials in concrete, both due to physical effects such as pore structure refinement and chemical effects including chloride binding. This paper provides experimental results on diffusion of chloride ions through concretes containing limestone calcined clay as a cement replacement material at ~50% replacement level, demonstrating the beneficial effects of high-volume replacement of cement with calcined clay. A numerical simulation framework that considers the pore structure of concrete, the concentration-dependence of diffusion coefficient, and Freundlich binding is also presented. The diffusion model is augmented …

Challenges And Opportunities In Concrete Precast Sector And Its Transition To A Net-Zero Future, Sreejith Nanukuttan, Rory Doherty, Daniel Mcpolin, Marios Soutsos, Mark Russell

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

This article explores key factors shaping the transition of the precast concrete sector toward net-zero carbon. While not exhaustive, it highlights areas of scientific and technical interest for a specialist audience. The discussion is structured around priority themes: beginning with cement and clinker replacement, followed by production efficiency improvements, rethinking steel usage, carbon sequestration strategies, and, finally, structural optimisation or volume reduction. These areas are often interdependent: for instance, clinker replacement, production efficiency, and structural optimisation are all influenced by the 16 – 18 hour production cycle typical of precast manufacturing. Unlike the readymix sector, precast operates on a fast-paced, …

Enhancing Concrete Circularity In Construction: The Recyclebim Framework In Closing Material Loops, Miguel Azenha, Artur Kuzminykh, José Granja, Manuel Parente, M. Albadri, P. González-Cabaleiro, R. Túñez-Alcalde, Lucía Díaz-Vilariño, C. Cao, N. Ukrainczyk, E. Koenders, A. J. Babafemi, M. Colyn, W. De Villiers, A. Ditlhokwa, H. Els, K. Timm, G. Van Zijl, E. Ameh, J. Immelman, V. Ndjate, L. Petrik, E. Ciampi, G. Nisivoccia, M. G. Orecchio, E. Sandonis, V. Garcia, D. Garcia, A. Delaplace

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Despite significant progress in digitalisation across various sectors, the development of data-driven applications in the built environment remains ongoing, with a focus on improving labour productivity and addressing global sustainability challenges. The circular economy framework for reusing and recycling construction materials is still underexplored. Metrics on the amount and impact of construction and demolition waste (CDW) highlight the need for more effective circularity strategies. Although the circular economy seeks to minimise waste, maximise material reuse, and reduce environmental impacts, practical implementation within the construction sector requires further development—an area where digital technologies can offer substantial support. This study introduces the …

Utilisation Of Semi-Naturally Carbonated Steelmaking Slag As Concrete Aggregate, Sumire Nakamura, Yuichiro Kawabata

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Steelmaking slag has emerged as a promising material for low-carbon concrete, owing to its ability to sequester CO₂ through carbonation. However, CO2 sequestration by steelmaking slag and its utilisation is still far from practical application due to the high energy consumption and cost of the accelerated carbonation process. Anticipating that optimising the pre-natural carbonation during storage would reduce the energy and cost for accelerated carbonation, this study focused on the natural carbonation potential of steelmaking slag. In addition, the applicability of naturally carbonated steelmaking slag as aggregate for concrete was investigated. The long-term exposure experiment simulating outdoor storage demonstrated that …

Deterioration Prediction And Optimal Repair Timing Assessment For Rc Abutments In Tidal River Environments, Yuto Suzuki, Nobuhiro Chijiwa, Kazuhide Nakayama, Mitsuyasu Iwanami, Amadou Sakhir Syll

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Reinforced concrete (RC) abutments constructed in tidal rivers are periodically exposed to saltwater due to tidal fluctuations, which can lead to rebar corrosion and a decline in structural performance. To maintain such infrastructure more efficiently and cost-effectively, high-resolution simulations in both time and space can help predict the timing of performance degradation with greater accuracy, enabling optimal repair and reinforcement scheduling. Achieving higher accuracy in these simulations requires appropriate modelling of continuous environmental variations, such as tidal fluctuations, temperature, and humidity. This study focuses on RC abutments located in tidal zones and examines a modelling approach to represent environmental conditions …

Deploying 3d Concrete Printing For Large-Scale Building Construction In Saudi Arabia: A Case Study, Zakiah Yousif Altehaini, Mohammed Ahmad Dayili, Meshari Ali Alrajab, Adel Nasser Alharbi, Ali Khudhran Alutaibi, Eyad Hamzah Garatly

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

This paper details the successful large-scale implementation of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) for the construction of large building in remote area of Saudi Arabia. As one of the first religious buildings in the region constructed using additive manufacturing, this project showcases 3DCP's technological and environmental potential for contemporary building. In order to ensure sustainability and cost effectiveness, the mosque was constructed using a COBOD BOD2 gantry printer and a customised concrete mix made up of 99% locally sourced materials and 1% CEMEX D-fab admixture. To maximise thermal insulation and accommodate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, the structure included a …

Recent Advances In Geopolymer Feedstocks Activation For Sustainable Cement Production, Oluyemi Kehinde, David J. Hughes, Emeka H. Amalu, Dali Bondar

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The growing environmental and safety issues posed by human activities have underlined the importance of Ordinary Portland Cement production, which is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions that impede Net Zero goals. The urgent need to produce cement substitutes with reduced carbon footprints has prompted research on geopolymers formed from industrial mineral wastes. These materials provide promising sustainable development solutions, but the selection of appropriate activation methods remains a significant constraint to their widespread industrial and economical application. A systematic review using the PRISMA protocol included 302 recent and relevant papers, identifying four principal activation strategies and their combinations …

Incorporating An Innovative Kennel In A Guide Dog Program Based On The Health And Welfare Of Dogs And Humans, Naoko Koda, Miwa Murata, Sakura Mizuta

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

During guide dog training, dogs live in kennels and lack house training. The demand for guide dogs that can live easily with their users who are visually impaired is increasing. The Kansai Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (KGBDA) in Japan built an innovative wooden kennel (Mokka Terrace) that is more similar to homes than general kennels and that efficiently controlled dogs and reviewed their operations. This study conducted a literature survey, participant observations, and semi-structured interviews with staff to clarify the background and consensus-building process involved in creating the Mokka Terrace, corresponding efforts, and its strengths, issues, and prospects. …

Editorial, Joseph P. Hupy, Mary M. Fink

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Editorial for JATE 13.2.

Editorial, Joseph P. Hupy, Mary M. Fink

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Editorial for JATE 13.1.

Individuals’ Experiences Of Care Partner Involvement In Heart Disease Management: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth Richards

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction: Heart disease impacts both those diagnosed and their families, often due to lifestyle modifications that can alter family dynamics. While existing literature focuses on men and married individuals, understanding care partner involvement for both men and women independent of marital status is important, given gender disparities in heart disease experiences, caregiving roles, and widowhood rates. We explored differences in characteristics of men and women with heart disease, with and without a care partner. Additionally, we explored involvement of care partner beyond spousal relationships. We further examined gender differences in these experiences. Method: Cross-sectional Prolific survey pilot data of persons …

Reference At A Remote Field Station: A Case Study Of Ecology, Environmental Science And Geology Fieldwork At An Embedded Library, Thomas Gerrish

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Purpose Field station libraries, particularly those serving biological and marine research stations, represent a unique but understudied class of special libraries. This case study investigates reference services at the remote University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) to provide a baseline assessment of how such services support the information needs related to research in ecology, geology and environmental science.

Design/methodology/approach The study recorded, coded and analyzed 209 reference transactions from the 2022 and 2023 summer sessions, revealing trends in patron inquiries and the role of the reference desk. Further, the case study examined the organizational structure, community interaction and mission of …

Book Review Of Koan Khmer: A Novel, Christine Su

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

On rare occasions, I come across a book that truly resonates with me, with storylines and narrator enquiries that echo my own, and characters whose dispositions harken back to my own family members, friends, and myself. As the U.S.-born daughter of a Khmer (Cambodian) father, this is a rare occurrence. This is not to say that I do not enjoy reading works of fiction that transport me to other worlds or allow me to see things through the eyes of someone whose experiences are vastly different than mine—I do. Yet I long for narratives that offer familiarity, understanding, and a …