Digital Commons Network^™

“If I Ruled The World”: Deploying Spatial Imaginaries For Examining Anti-Blackness And Space In Precollege Engineering Education, Christopher Wright, Monet V. F. Harbison

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Engineering’s systemic exclusion of Black people has been a decades-long inquiry. While critical race theory and community cultural wealth have been utilized to examine anti-Blackness in precollege engineering education, critical geographies have been underutilized. This essay contends that the deployment of a spatial imaginaries lens could be used to expand understandings of the spatial imaginary of anti-Blackness in the discipline. Using historical and contemporary data from an engineering high school as well as nonpositivist ways of knowing, the essay contends that examining spatial realities and underpinnings are opportune provocations for redefining purposes, assumptions, and values in precollege engineering education.

Public Perceptions Of Universities As Public Entities During The Covid-19 Pandemic Era, Jinho Jung, Laura Barrett, Nicole Olynk Widmar, Mario Ortez

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Higher education institutions are facing challenges in navigating social, cultural, and political issues. The online presence of higher education presents a new set of opportunities and challenges; knowledge, news, and continuing education are increasingly disseminated online. Additionally, the public, student bodies and stakeholders are increasingly looking at reviews or seeking opinions via online and social media to form opinions on institutions. This analysis uses online and social media to analyze and compare perceptions of two public universities in Indiana, namely Purdue University and Indiana University. These two Indiana institutions are located in the same state, allowing for comparisons of public …

Challenging The School Boundaries: Exploring Challenges And Opportunities In Homeschooling Engineering Education, Luis Montero-Moguel, Cynthia Lima, Guadalupe Carmona, Verónica Vargas-Alejo

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Homeschooling sparks controversy regarding the quality of education when compared to the traditional schooling system. However, homeschooling rates have doubled nationwide since the pandemic, especially among minorities. Funding and curricular material resources may be limited for homeschooling families, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, this essay discusses the need to expand the current boundaries of engineering education to include homeschooling communities. Drawing from our homeschooling experience, we present three recommendations that respect the cultures and unique characteristics of homeschooling to promote engineering practices in these communities. Our proposal challenges negative perceptions of homeschooling, enhancing our understanding of its unique characteristics …

Paws And Effect: Canine Companionship And Outcomes In The Chronic Health Condition Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Kimberley C. Schenke, Joanna Foster, Danielle Stephens-Lewis

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Emerging research suggests canine companions may support the management of health conditions, yet evidence within complex, long-term conditions like hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) remains limited. hEDS is a multifaceted condition often associated with social withdrawal. Thus, the current research provided a high-powered investigation into whether the nonjudgmental support of canine companions could improve health and well-being outcomes for individuals with hEDS. An online survey of 401 participants was utilized to compare differences in health and well-being among individuals with hEDS who have a canine companion to those who do not. Results revealed that participants with canine companions experienced fewer difficulties …

Fiber Reinforced Concrete Composites - Seminal Contributions Of Surendra Shah, Vellore S. Gopalaratnam, Wengui Li

C3 Symposium 2025

The authors review the scholarly contributions of Surendra P. Shah during a prolific six-decade academic career in fiber reinforced concrete composites. This compilation includes discussions on often cited seminal publications encompassing experimental mechanics, analytical modeling, the development of test standards, materials characterization and innovations in the science of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) materials. Collectively, these contributions have greatly improved our insights on how the nano- and micro-mechanics of such composites and processing techniques affect the macroscopic performance of creatively engineered reinforced cement composites. Starting with his Ph.D. the first contribution to understanding the inelastic behavior and fracture of concrete, the …

Assessment Of Textured Epoxy-Coated Rebars In Concrete For Chloride Induced Corrosion, Kevin Danner, Shayan Ali Khan, John S. Popovics

C3 Symposium 2025

Textured-Epoxy coated rebar (TEC) differs from conventional Epoxy coated rebar (ECR) due to its rougher exterior surface – which aims to reduce cracking in concrete and development length. However, no studies have investigated the long-term corrosion response behavior of both TEC and ECR when subjected to service-level bridge deck displacement criteria. This study utilizes Non-Destructive Testing techniques such as Half-Cell Potential (HCP), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) to characterize the corrosion response behavior of service-level stressed TEC and ECR reinforced concrete samples subjected to a realistic chloride environment.

Comparative Analysis Of The Corrosion Resistance Epoxy-Coated, Textured Epoxy-Coated, And Uncoated Reinforcement Bars, Shayan Ali Khan, Kevin Danner, John S. Popovics

C3 Symposium 2025

The corrosion of steel reinforcement inside concrete remains a significant challenge for the construction industry. In the United States alone, an estimated annual cost of $240 billion is incurred from corrosion-related damage, with about 20% attributed to the corrosion of reinforced concrete [1]. Among various corrosion prevention techniques for reinforced concrete, epoxy coating of rebars (EC), has been widely adopted. However, due to the smooth surface of epoxy coating, its bond strength with concrete is reduced significantly, which has become a barrier for its large-scale adoption [2]. To tackle this, Sherwin Williams developed textured epoxy coated rebars (TEC) (figure 1a) …

Development Of Ternary Blended Cement Incorporating Limestone And Natural Pozzolan For Enhanced Durability And Sustainability, Azadeh Hosseinpanahi, Luis Baquerizo Ibarra, Hamed Maraghechi

C3 Symposium 2025

This study evaluates the commercial development of ternary blended cement with integration of a zeolite based natural pozzolan as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The experimental program involved a systematic characterization of the natural pozzolan, as well as assessment of fresh, mechanical and durability properties of the ternary blended cement to ascertain short-term and long-term performances.

Mix Designs Of Low Modulus Of Elasticity Of Mass Concrete And Cushion Concrete Used In Yusufeli Dam Body, Aydın Saglik

C3 Symposium 2025

The construction of the Yusufeli Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Coruh River has been completed and the dam, which has a total water storage volume of approximately 2,2 billion cubic meters, has become the highest dam in Turkey and the fifth highest dam in the world with a height of 275 meters in the double-curvature concrete arch dam type. During the design process of the mass concrete body of the Yusufeli Dam, relatively low deformation modulus zones were encountered in some slope rock soils where the thin arch structure would create pressure. It was taken into consideration that …

Practical Implementation Of Internally Cured Concrete Using Superabsorbent Polymers, Chibueze Ajuonuma, Raikhan Tokpatayeva, Jan Olek, Kendra A. Erk

C3 Symposium 2025

This study investigates the practical implementation of internally cured plain and slag cement concrete using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) through a comprehensive field trial. The objective was to develop strategies to successfully deliver and disperse SAP in concrete, evaluate the internal curing performance of SAP in concrete mixtures containing Type IL cement, slag-cement and colloidal nanosilica and evaluate fresh properties, strength development and durability performance of SAP-modified concrete mixes in real-world applications. The incorporation of SAPs aims to enhance internal curing, reduce shrinkage, and improve the long-term performance of concrete structures. Six concrete mixtures were evaluated with Type IL cement, 30% …

Enhanced Performance Of Reclaimed Concrete Slurry Waste In Cement Paste: Effect Of Early-Age Carbonation Curing, Jun Ren, Min Liu

C3 Symposium 2025

Since early-age carbonation curing can effectively sequester CO2 while improving the properties of cementitious materials, it can be applied to solve the pore early age performance issue of cement substituted with recycled concrete slurry waste (RCSW). This paper, is therefore, aimed to investigate the feasibility of early-age carbonation curing in the cement paste replaced with different treated RCSW under different replacement ratios by testing its mechanical properties and calculating its environmental impact. The results indicated that the early compressive strength of the paste significantly improved by early-age carbonation curing. The addition of RCSW promoted the carbonation reaction in the cement …

Performance Of Carbonated Low-Lime Calcium Silicate Composites Upon Exposure To Sea Water, Raikhan Tokpatayeva, Jan Olek

C3 Symposium 2025

This presentation compares the seawater resistance of carbonated mortar specimens made with a nonhydraulic calcium silicate cement and those made with Type I portland cement (OPC). Seawater resistance tests were conducted following procedures adapted from ASTM C1012, with all specimens exposed to artificial seawater prepared according to ASTM D1141-98 under three conditions: (a) room temperature (RT), (b) 60°C, and (c) deionized water (DI) as a reference. The study involved measuring length changes, visually assessing changes in specimen’s appearance, conducting microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), performing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and analyzing the chemical composition of the soak solution using …

Carbonated Industrial Waste By Co2 Mineralization As New Constituent For Cements, Maria Chiara Bignozzi, Alessia Artale, Alessandro Allegri, Stefania Albonetti, Alessandro Dal Pozzo, Valentina Scognamiglio, Alberto Renato De Angelis, Roberto Millini

C3 Symposium 2025

Carbonation of industrial waste by CO2 mineralization is a carbon capture solution that offers a way to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve waste management. In this study, carbonated waste from the ceramic industry is used in cementitious binders, reducing the carbon footprint of cement production. Mortars prepared with these binders have been tested for strength and physical properties. Preliminary results show that all formulations meet EN 197-1:2011 strength requirements, demonstrating that the carbonated product can reduce clinker content in cementitious binders without compromising their performances.

Environmental And Economic Evaluation Of Sustainable Concrete, Ehsan Asheghianamiri, Mahelet Fikru, Hongyan Ma

C3 Symposium 2025

Concrete, as the most used material in construction industry, shows a great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Substituting cement, as the most expensive and environmentally detrimental concrete component, with innovative material would improve concrete environmental and economic performance. This study explores CO2-mineralized solid waste as a cost-effective supplementary cementitious material that matches conventional concrete’s strength in the same class, while lowering its environmental impact. Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis will be employed to quantify the environmental performance and economic feasibility of concrete, respectively.

Numerical Assessment Of Shot Peening Contribution To The Fatigue Strength Of Gear Tooth Root, Gurutz Cortabitarte Laucirica, Xuban Telleria, Iñigo Llavori, Ibai Ulacia, Miren Larrañaga, Jon Ander Esnaola

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Gears are commonly treated with shot peening (SP) and/or case hardening to enhance fatigue resistance. However, their effects are often conservatively assessed using standardized methods, which can limit their optimal application in industrial components. Particularly, the effect of SP over case-hardened gears remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, the present study evaluates the contribution of SP on single tooth bending fatigue (STBF) strength of raw and case-hardened spur gears, commonly used in automotive and heavy machinery industries. In the study four conditions are addressed: (i) untreated, (ii) case-hardened, (iii) shot-peened, and (iv) case-hardened and shot-peened. First, the residual stress field of the …

Hands-On Stem In Ghana: Inspiration For Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Globally, Alhassan Issifu, Mawuena A. Hanson, Heather R. Beem

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Many educators are increasingly seeking culturally relevant pedagogies they can employ to effectively engage their students. In Ghana a substantive set of hands-on STEM content has been created, incorporating locally available materials and cultural approaches while maintaining alignment to the national curricula. Against a backdrop of almost no public primary or junior high schools in the country containing any lab equipment, this approach leverages and celebrates the abundance of what is available within the locality. This challenges narratives of what is considered “good” and recenters power back with those in the classroom. Three sample activities and three firsthand stories are …

Community Survey Report: The Rebuild Survey Conducted In Response To The January 2025 Palisades Fire And Eaton Fire In Los Angeles County, Andrew J. Whelton, Cristiane Ferrarezzi, Lauryn Spearing, Anna Hoover, Mónica Palomo, Caitlin Proctor, Jianxi Su, Joseph Toland

Resilience to Emergencies and Disasters

No abstract provided.

A Time Series Analysis Of Herd Investor Behavior Using Online And Social Media Data, Michael L. Smith, Valerie Kilders, Todd Kuethe, Nicole Olynk Widmar

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

We examine the relationship between market performance of leading cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and Ethereum), meme-stocks (AMC, GameStop), and subjects of corporate boycotts (Bud Light) using weekly market price and volume data along with social media data of weekly mentions (which total 337 million in this dataset) and net sentiment. Using vector autoregression (VAR) time series analysis along with Granger causality testing and structural breaks, we successfully predict trade volume of these various assets using social media data and price data. We also find that closing price data and trade volume are reliable predictors of net sentiment about crypto in online and …

The Potential Benefits Of Co-Design In Dog-Assisted Treatment Programs For Veterans Seeking Mental Health Care, Parvin (Pary) Bahmanyari, Pauleen Bennett, Tiffani Howell

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Veterans are more likely than the general population to experience a range of mental health problems. While many veteran mental health support programs are available, veterans may struggle to access and engage with these services for various reasons (e.g., a stigmatized perception of mental health disorders, mistrust). Animal-assisted services have become more popular in civilian and military health care settings where traditional therapies (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) may not always be effective. Assistance dogs, for example, which live with veterans to provide disability support, have been successfully employed for veteran mental health. Unfortunately, a subgroup of veterans may miss out …

Novel Biomolecule-Infused Gelatin Injectable For Treatment Of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury, Ananya Tadikonda, Sunjay Anekal, Lena W. Chen, Gabriel Sobczak, Troy Wesson, Carmilya Jackson, Marisa A. Egan, Julie C. Liu, Patrick R. Finnegan, Stacey Halum

School of Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications

Objective

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (RLN) is a major cause of voice disorders. We have recently identified three biomolecules (agrin, acetylcholine, and neuregulin) with the potential to promote reinnervation after RLN injury. This study aimed to determine if a gelatin injectable with the reinnervating biomolecules will induce site-specific amplification of neurotrophic factor release and reinnervation after RLN injury in unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice underwent RLN transection with the following treatment allocations: saline control (N = 16), biomolecule cocktail only (N = 16), and biomolecule-infused gelatin (N = …

A Feasibility Study Into The Usability And Application Of An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle For Aircraft Inspection And Quality Assurance Inspections, Reece P. Bhave

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The global aviation industry is often characterized as one of the safest modes of transportation in the modern world. With an abundance of quality assurance inspections and checks to determine operations safety, modern-day commercial aircraft that are utilized for passenger and cargo flights are held to a higher safety standard defined by regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in the European Union. While these quality standards are maintained via a series of inspections, checks, and preventative maintenance procedures, they are limited to only visual or …

Stake-And-Weave Trellising Produces Higher Tomato Yield In High Tunnels Than Does A Double- Or Multiple-Leader Vertical-String Support System, Elizabeth Maynard

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

Yield of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in high tunnels in Wanatah, IN, USA, was evaluated using two plant support systems: stake-and-weave or vertical-string. With stake-and-weave, plants were not pruned; stakes were placed every two plants and string was woven horizontally along either side of the plants along the row. With vertical-string, indeterminate cultivars Big Beef and Cherokee Purple were pruned to two stems and each stem was clipped to a vertical string. For the determinate cultivar Mountain Fresh, all branches below the first main stem flower cluster except one were removed and the main stem and major branches …

Hmongcentric Niche Charter Schools: The Role Of Social Capital On Students’ Perceived Academic Competence, Zha Blong Xiong, Ting Xu, Kyle Nickodem, Malina Her

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

Using Coleman’s (1988) social capital theory, this study investigated the connection between family and school social capital and the perceived academic competence of students enrolled in Hmongcentric niche charter schools. The study analyzed 124 participants consisting of third, fourth, and fifth-grade students residing in Minnesota, with 93% identifying as Hmong. Results of structural equation modeling showed that school social capital, as measured by school attachment and school connection, is significantly linked to students’ perceived academic competence. Further analyses suggested that school attachment, especially in charter schools that focus on culture and language, plays a more crucial role in shaping students’ …

Book Review Of Re-Membering Culture: Erasure And Renewal In Hmong American Education, Mai H. Vang

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

Re-membering Culture: Erasure and Renewal in Hmong American Education is a valuable contribution to the growing field of critical Hmong studies and education studies in general. This ethnographic study critically examines power dynamics between U.S. schools and Hmong Americans by centering narratives that highlight Hmong knowledge systems. The book provides insights from over 50 Hmong American leaders, parents, students, and district staff (Hmong and non-Hmong) that exemplifies re-membering, the recovery of culture and history to reclaim rights, space, and voice in the present. Although education is often seen as the great equalizer, especially for immigrants and refugees, the realities of …

Activity Design Principles To Support Engineering Engagement For Families With Preschool-Age Children From Low-Income English-And Spanish-Speaking Communities, Scott A. Pattison, Smirla Ramos Montañez, Viviana López Burgos, Gina Svarovsky, María Quijano, Amy Corbett, Catherine Wagner, Diana Contreras

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Existing evidence highlights the significance of family STEM learning experiences during early childhood. However, there is a lack of research specific to early childhood family-based learning in the field of engineering, especially with preschool-age children (three to five years old). To address this gap and inform engineering education programs for young children, we conducted a design-based research study in collaboration with 15 Spanish-and English-speaking families with preschool-age children from low-income communities. Our study aimed to develop and test a series of family-based engineering design activities while also identifying underlying design principles. Guided by an asset-based family learning framework, which acknowledges …

Use Of Eagala Model–Based Psychotherapy For Youth Psychological Disorders, Kimberley D. Ryan, Tammy L.B. Mckenzie

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Global youth psychological disorder prevalence has increased exponentially. Therefore, a drastic increase in mental health care utilization is expected. Since traditional approaches to the treatment of adult psychological disorders are ineffective with youth, alternative approaches to treatment of youth psychological disorders must be considered. One such approach is equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a person-centered, experiential approach using horses during the treatment of psychological disorders and the basis of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) model–based programming. This article presents the quantitative research findings of a study investigating the effectiveness of the Eagala model–based EAP programming in the treatment …

Introducing Therapy Dog Programs Within Organizational Settings: A Scoping Review Of Implementation Processes And Practices, Laura Mundy, Carlie Driscoll, Janette Young

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Organizations are introducing therapy dog programs at a growing rate. Standards and guidelines for including therapy dogs in programs with people are also being developed and made available to those implementing such programs. How organizations are implementing programs, how they are aligning with available standards, and the presence of any barriers and facilitators to their implementation has been largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of our review was to summarize the literature available on the implementation of therapy dog programs within organizational settings. Furthermore, we aimed to summarize available descriptions of program practices and their alignment with best practice guidelines, and …

Korea’S Unification: Unifying Visionary Leadership, Paul Hong

KAUPA Letters

This third essay highlights the critical role of unifying visionary leadership in advancing Korea’s unification—a goal that cannot be achieved through policy frameworks or economic integration alone. While shared history, language, and culture provide the foundation for national unity, it is bold and ethical leadership that transforms these foundations into strategic action and reconciles entrenched ideological and institutional divides. A brief analysis of prominent figures in Korean history—Dangun, Kim Choonchu, Wang Geon, Yi Seong-gye, King Sejong, Yi Sun-sin, Kim Gu, Syngman Rhee, and Park Chung-hee—reveals recurring leadership traits such as moral authority, long-term vision, cultural stewardship, and inclusive governance. These …

Korea At The Crossroads: Steering Between Two Paths In The New Global Trade Order, Paul Hong

KAUPA Letters

Korea stands at a pivotal crossroads in global trade, caught between the twin forces of rising protectionism and the emergence of a multipolar economic order. Once a major beneficiary of U.S.-led free trade, its export-driven growth thrived under predictable rules and open markets. That stability is now eroding as the United States shifts toward protectionism—driven by mounting debt, persistent trade deficits, and the burdens of overextended global commitments—through tariffs, reshoring incentives, and strategic restrictions on key sectors like steel, semiconductors, and electric vehicles. These measures have disrupted Korea’s supply chains, complicated market access, and heightened uncertainty, even as China’s economic …

Practicing The Art And Craft Of Screenwriting: Analysis And Opportunity From A Faith-Informed Perspective, Kevin R. Crawford

KAUPA Letters

This paper describes the commitments and standards of practice required by those wishing to write from a faith-informed perspective – particularly, a Christian worldview frame. It highlights elements of Minkyu Lee’s award-winning animation Adam and Dog (2011) by way of illustration and argues a new role for faith-informed storytelling that correctly resists the temptation to preach especially in a world where any project deemed to promote an organized religious agenda, however simple or subtle, is apt to be ridiculed, marginalized, and ignored.