Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparative Study On The Use Of Waste Brick And Glass In Cement Mortars And Their Effects On Strength Properties, Hasan Dilek, Pınar Akpınar

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Sustainable development of the construction industry should use recycled materials to the great- est extent to reduce natural hazards due to the increased accumulation of waste and the deple- tion of natural resources. However, engineering applications using waste materials are always expected to perform satisfactorily. In this aspect, detailed and systematically carried out experi- mental studies are critical in selecting the type and the quantities of waste materials that will be recycled through their use within engineering applications. This study provides systematically produced experimental data on compressive and flexural strength performance to quantitatively compare the effects of using different percentages …

An Architectural Query Of Anthropocene Era: Planned Obsolescence, H.Gül Aydın, Emel Birer

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

After Modernity, the human has become the subject, and the world redefined by the human has turned into a painting. However, the efforts of human subjectivity to reveal the world in the Anthropocene Era, with negative practices such as the “planned obsolescence theory,” which is the research subject, even prepares for the end of its existence. According to the research hypothesis evaluated through the theory’s effect on architectural problems, “secular- ization should take place against planned obsolete architecture.” The research aims to show that positive feedback can be provided in society and ecology by reversing architectural consump- tion. It is …

Thermal Conductivity, Abrasion Resistance And Compressive Strength Of End-Of-Life Tire Aggregate Incorporated Concrete, Kasım Mermerdaş, Süleyman İpek, Yusuf Işıker, Alparslan Ulusoy

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Recycling end-of-life tires is a global problem that requires an urgent solution. Storing and preserving these tires is a challenge that delays facing potential problems instead of solving the problem. In this context, recycling waste tires without harming the environment and at low costs has been the focus of many researchers. For several decades, the possibility of grinding these tires to aggregate size for concrete and substituting them with natural aggregate has been the subject of research by scientists working in this field. In this regard, this study aims to experimentally investigate the influence of waste rubber aggregate on some …

A Review On Selected Durability Parameters On Performance Of Geopolymers Containing Industrial By-Products, Agro- Wastes And Natural Pozzolan, Festus Ngui, Najya Muhammed, Fredrick Mulei Mutunga, Joseph Marangu, Ismael Kithinji Kınotı

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The applications of geopolymers as cementitious systems are becoming an alternative source of cement daily. The use of potentially suitable aluminosilicate inorganic waste materials incorporated with agro-industrial waste in the production of suitable geopolymer binders has been reported. Calcined clay and some agro-waste ash, such as coconut shells, are examples of aluminosilicate materials that exhibit strong pozzolanic activity because of their high silica-alumina composition. The pozzolanic reaction is primarily caused by the amorphous silica present in properly burned agricultural waste and clay. Based on a variety of available literature on concrete and mortar including geopolymers synthesized from agro-industrial waste, a …

A Review On Engineering Biocomposites And Natural Fiber-Reinforced Materials, Ataberk Baysal, Paşa Yayla, Halit Süleyman Türkmen

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are well-studied and established products and today they are being used in different industrial and non-industrial areas. However, the increased interest in recyclability and the concerns about climate change caused materials scientists to look for a non-petroleum-based alternative to synthetic fibers and polymers. Since the beginning of this century, natural fibers and biopolymers have seen an increased interest each year for composite applications. Thanks to this interest, the studies on natural fibers and biopolymers have increased significantly. Despite the high number of studies on natural fibers and natural fiber-reinforced polymers (NFRP), there are gaps in the literature. …

Engineering Properties And Sem Analysis Of Eco-Friendly Geopolymer Mortar Produced With Crumb Rubber, Süleyman İpek, Kasım Mermerdaş

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

In the present study, the influence of the crumb rubber utilization as fine aggregate on the engineering properties of fly ash-based geopolymer mortar was experimentally investigated. In this context, the natural sand used in the production of geopolymer mortars was substituted with the crumb rubber, which comes out in the course of applying the retreading process to the end-of-life tires, at the substitution levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by volume of aggregate content. In this way, 6 different geopolymer mixtures, one of which was the control mixture, were designed and produced. Then, the effect of crumb rubber …

Sustainability In The Civil Engineering And Construction Industry: A Review, Michael Toryila Tiza

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The negative consequences of construction may be minimized by using environmentally friendly construction techniques. The procurement and use of building materials and the chopping down of trees are only some of the various processes involved in construction. There are many ways construction works impact the environment. However, the bulk of traditional building methods has the most significant harmful impact on the ecosystem. For future generations, sustainable building techniques and practices must take priority over conventional ones. This study examines; the idea and substance of sustainable development, sustainable development's triple bottom line, the significance of triple bottom line to the construction …

Evaluation Of Concrete Pavers Affected By Manavgat Wildfires, Mustafa Altuğ Peker

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

In recent years, wildfires have devastated many regions in many countries, especially in Turkey. In addition to the loss of human lives, villages and business facilities have been destroyed, livestock and domestic animals have perished, and forests and natural assets have burned. The wildfires have affected tourism and agriculture, which account for a large part of economic activity and employment in many of the affected areas. There was also significant destruction of local infrastructure, including roads, power, telecommunications, and community facilities. Some of the paving stones on the roads affected by the Manavgat wildfires were also burnt. The replacement of …

Preparations And Applications Of Bio – Based Additives For Building Chemicals Production, Fulya Memioğlu, Murat Elibol

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The objective of this report is to assess the effects of using olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) and cheese whey on the production of concrete chemical admixture. Wastewater samples were taken locally from two factories in Izmir. Concrete chemical admixture combinations (waste water, polycarboxylate, molasses, defoamer, biocide and water) at different ratios were generated with statistical experimental design methods and the effects of some parameters, such as level of chloride (%), solid content (%), pH, density (gr/cm3), were investigated. Furthermore, concrete tests were performed to identify slump (cm) and strength (kgf/cm2) changes. The results showed that the addition of OMW …

Rethinking Sustainability: A Research On Starch Based Bioplastic, Esen Gökçe Özdamar, Murat Ateş

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Based on the need to rely on sustainable feedstock, depend less on fossil resources and decrease carbon emissions, biomaterials and bioplastics as substitutes of conventional petroleum based plastics have been the focus of many material scientists, architects and industrial product designers. Therefore, this article is an experimentation on the possibilities of starch based bioplastic production. The focus of the article is to understand the limits of this new material and figure out whether starch based bioplastic material can be used in architecture, both as a facade material and an interior space furnishing. Based on Steven’s bioplastic formula, starch based bioplastic …

Efficiency And Cost Analysis Of Natural Masonry Construction Manufacturing, Mehmet Fatih Altan, Fahrettin Akyazıcı

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

In this study, a sample project prepared for the construction of straw bale brick masonry; work time, cost, material and heat efficiency evaluations were made to compare straw home and brick masonry house construction. As a result of the literature search carried out towards this aim, the information obtained and the research findings were evaluated together. As a result, hay bales and land consolidation house construction, the calculations and evaluations made on the sample project show that the straw house construction is completed in a shorter time, the cost is lower and the heat efficiency is higher. Calculations made on …

Influence Of Biting Flies On The Growth And Condition Of Nestling Eastern Bluebirds, Ella Grace Bollinger

ATU Scholars Symposium

Habitat alteration and climate change are expected to increase the range, abundance, and season length of ectoparasites and the pathogens they carry. This is particularly concerning for nestling birds that are relatively naked and immobile, making them vulnerable to attacks by biting flies such as blackflies and mosquitoes. Despite the ubiquity of biting flies and the challenges they pose to nestlings, studies investigating their association with breeding birds remain rare. To address this, we propose a series of observational and experimental field studies with Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) to investigate the attraction of biting flies to active nests …

Using Guano To Determine Ozark Big-Eared Bat Cave Occupancy In Arkansas​, Lark E. Sybrant

ATU Scholars Symposium

The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is endangered in Arkansas and is known to have small populations, range restrictions, and specific habitat requirements in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Beyond their known range, there are other potentially suitable areas that have not been confirmed. We aim to test whether the non-invasive genetic analysis of guano samples can identify Ozark big-eared bat cave use and expand their known range. Additional locations need to be surveyed to ensure site protection, as unknown caves are susceptible to human disturbance and damage. Twenty-five sites were surveyed at the southeastern extent of their known …

40. Northern Iowan. Uni 150th Celebration [Article], E. Pantini

LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

Citation: Pantini, E. (2025, April 9). UNI 150th celebration: Highlighting the past and looking to the future. Northern Iowan, 6.

Della Protein And Cbl-Cipk Signaling Pathway As Candidates For Genetic Engineering, Nathan F. Surles

ATU Scholars Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Bivalent Self-Amplifying Rna Vaccine Against Yellow Fever And Zika Viruses, Peter Battisti, Matthew R. Ykema, Darshan N. Kasal, Madeleine F. Jennewein, Samuel Beaver, Abbie E. Weight, Derek Hanson, Jasneet Singh, Julie Bakken, Noah Cross, Pauline Fusco, Jacob Archer, Sierra Reed, Alana Gerhardt, Justin G. Julander, Corey Casper, Emily A. Voigt

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Introduction: Yellow fever (YFV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality, despite the existence of an approved YFV vaccine and the development of multiple ZIKV vaccine candidates to date. New technologies may improve access to vaccines against these pathogens. We previously described a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-delivered self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine platform with excellent thermostability and immunogenicity, appropriate for prevention of tropical infectious diseases.

Methods: YFV and ZIKV prM-E antigen-expressing saRNA constructs were created using a TC-83 strain Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-based replicon and complexed with NLC by simple mixing. Monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations were injected intramuscularly …

Comparing Parasitism And Resistance To Flow In Two Populations Of Elimia Virginica, Morgan G. Hicok, Abbie Tomba, Kate Green

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Snails are important in freshwater ecosystems as primary consumers and are good indicators of the stability of a habitat. Trematodes are parasitic flatworms that infect freshwater snails and can cause changes in metabolic function and growth. Flow rates and water levels are now more variable due to climate change, increasing stress and dislodgment in the snail population. This study investigates how parasites, shell morphology, and native flow environment influence resistance to disturbance. Elimia populations were sampled for differences in parasitism, shell morphology, and ability to withstand high flow environments in two different rivers. Sample sites at the Potomac River were …

Assessment Of Biotransformation Rates, Biomagnification, And Bioconcentration Factors Of Difficult-To-Test Substances Using In Vitro Rainbow Trout Liver Subcellular Fractions, Mark A Cantu, Beatrice Chee, Talia R Cole, Yung-Shan Lee, Frank A P C Gobas

Faculty and Staff Publications

In vitro hepatic biotransformation assays have been proposed as methods for expediting and improving bioaccumulation assessment for substances that are difficult to test in conventional in vivo bioaccumulation assays and to reduce animal testing. However, to date, there has been no convincing evidence to demonstrate the ability and limitations of in vitro assays to estimate in vivo biotransformation rates and corresponding bioconcentration and biomagnification factors of difficult-to-test substances in fish. The present study presents the first measurements of in vitro biotransformation rates of superhydrophobic and highly volatile linear and cyclic siloxanes in rainbow trout liver S9 subcellular fractions and the …

Insights Into Cortical Organization And Executive Dysfunction In Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Madeleine Reading

Theses and Dissertations

Cortical gyrification is essential for cognitive development, yet its relationship with executive functioning (EF) in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear. This study examined whether children with TBI exhibit atypical cortical folding in EF-related regions and whether these differences relate to EF performance. Using FreeSurfer 7.1.1, we analyzed local gyrification index (LGI) in 206 participants (ages 5-18) from 14 sites within the ENIGMA Pediatric msTBI Working Group. Vertex-wise regression revealed that longer time since injury (TSI) was associated with increased gyrification in the right fusiform gyrus and multiple left-hemisphere regions, suggesting region-specific neuroplasticity. Contrary to expectations, higher GCS scores …

Self-Supervised Learning And Its Applications In Medical Image Analysis, Siladittya Manna

Doctoral Theses

Self-supervised learning (SSL) enables learning robust representations from unlabeled data and it consists of two stages: pretext and downstream. The representations learnt in the pretext task are transferred to the downstream task. Self-supervised learning has appli- cations in various domains, such as computer vision tasks, natural language processing, speech and audio processing, etc. In transfer learning scenarios, due to differences in the data distribution of the source and the target data, the hierarchical co-adaptation of the representations is destroyed, and hence proper fine-tuning is required to achieve satisfactory performance. With self-supervised pre-training, it is possible to learn repre- sentations aligned …

If You Can’T Beat Hemp, Join Hemp: A Policy Argument For A Federal Regulatory Framework Encompassing Intoxicating Hemp Derivatives And Marijuana And Why Re-Scheduling Marijuana Isn’T The Answer, Frances Alaina Rodriguez

University of Miami Business Law Review

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) legalized industrial hemp and its downstream uses by removing hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Its enactment led to the explosion of a multi-billion dollar intoxicating hemp derivatives (IHD) market. This boom, combined with growing state–level marijuana legalization, presents a unique opportunity for comprehensive federal cannabis reform.

This Note argues that the traditional pathways for marijuana legalization—rescheduling through the Controlled Substances Act or state-by-state legislation—are inadequate given the emergence of a federally legal but largely unregulated IHD industry. Instead, this Note proposes a unified federal …

Lovejoy: Imagination And Community, Julia D'Amico

Theses

Lovejoy is a photographic portrait of memory, imagination and the future of a neighborhood in Buffalo, New York. For nearly a century, my great-grandparents, grandfather, uncles and cousins lived in the house on Goethe Street in Lovejoy. It was once a vibrant working-class community of immigrants from a few towns in Central and Southern Italy. In 2020, I moved back to Buffalo, regularly visiting my elderly relative who still lived there. She died later that same year. Photography, which has long been a form of self-expression for me, was the medium I had at hand when we started to clean …

The Cutting Edge: A Virtual Reality Simulation For Surgeons To Learn And Understand Carpal Tunnel Surgery, Chenhao Angel Yang

Theses

As virtual reality (VR) technology becomes increasingly popular, its applications in healthcare have gained significant traction. Many current VR training tools for surgeons lack aesthetic and functional depth; they lack an understanding of the tools needed in the operating room and have limited user experience design and interactivity. In addition, there is an opportunity for specialization with immersive training models tailored to specific procedures like carpal tunnel surgery, making it difficult for surgeons to visualize complex techniques before practicing on real patients in a realistic and guided environment. This project investigates the intersection of VR experiences and their potential to …

Non-Finite Clause Use In Disciplinary Research Writing: A Formulaic Sequence-Based Functional Comparison Between Expert And Student Writers, Xixin Qiu

Faculty Scholarship

Non-finite clauses (NFCs), despite their increasingly recognized role in second language (L2) acquisition and academic writing as part of a multidimensional conceptualization of syntactic complexity, have not been analyzed in functional and discipline-specific perspectives. This study addresses this gap by providing a linguistic-descriptive account of NFC use in expert and advanced student English research writing. Using a 2.26-million-word corpus of published research articles and student manuscripts in Agricultural Science, this study profiles the distribution of NFC subtypes and identifies frequent discoursal functions realized by non-finite verb-centered formulaic sequences. The findings reveal significant differences in NFC use across writer groups, with …

One Size Doesn’T Fit All: Towards Design And Evaluation Of Developmentally Appropriate Parental Control Tool, Prakriti Dumaru, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

As children progress through developmental stages, they undergo substantial biological, cognitive, and social changes, creating unique needs for online safety across different age groups (e.g., young children, tweens, teens). The existing parental control tools fail to account for these differences, leaving a notable gap in the literature on parental mediation. To this end, we conducted 10 focus group sessions with a total of 20 parents to understand their preferences for age-appropriate design components that promote self-regulation and open communication, followed by an ideation workshop with four UX design experts to translate these preferences into customized features. We then evaluated these …

Exploring The Impacts Of An Adaptive Haptic Heartbeat Within A Socially Assistive Robot, Jade Thompson

Honors Theses

This research investigates the therapeutic effects of an adaptive haptic heartbeat within Therabot, a stuffed robotic dog. A simulated haptic heartbeat that adjusts its own speed based on user heart rate was developed for integration within Therabot. A user study evaluated the effects of various heartbeat behaviors on user experiences with Therabot, with respect to improvements in self-reported state anxiety, physiological improvements, and perceptions of the robot. A relationship was found between improvements in self-reported state anxiety and positive opinions of Therabot, regardless of condition. Additionally, differences were found between conditions with respect to improved aspects of state anxiety, with …

Exploring Bis-Dinitrocarboxyphenyl-Kryptofix-22 Derivatives As Precursors For Heterogeneous Catalysts In Biodiesel Production, Priscilla Agrinsoni

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The growing demand for sustainable fuel alternatives has increased interest in biodiesel production. Current methods are costly due to the need for high-purity feedstocks. Alkaline homogeneous catalysts are commonly used due to their low cost and easy accessibility; however, they are non-reusable, produce low-quality glycerol, and have extensive purification requirements. This research investigates the catalytic performance of a bis-dinitrocarboxyphenylkryptofix- 22 derivative. This derivative is referred to as a “linker”. Its catalytic activity was tested through transesterification reactions. It appears to exhibit limited catalytic activity. This research seeks to lay the groundwork for the future development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as …

Metamorphosis, Gavin Craft

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

I discuss my painting Metamorphosis, its artistic components, and the factors in its creation. Painting is a laborious process, requiring sharp attention to detail and hand-eye coordination; hence, I highlight the variety of techniques I use to produce the piece. I also contextualize the artwork in the fields of astronomical art, autobiographical art, and Japanese hanakotoba, or flower language. In doing so, I intend to impart my audience with an expanded understanding of my concept—the process of change, particularly through pain—and an appreciation for my art.

The Extracellular Matrix As A Barrier To C1q Synapse Tagging, Kayla Difede

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This project examined C1q’s distribution in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its specialized structures, perineuronal nets (PNNs), to explore the potential protective role the ECM plays against synaptic pruning. Traditionally, C1q deposits at weak synapses, initiating the complement cascade and signaling microglia to remove them. Preliminary data from the lab show that C1q accumulates in the ECM, suggesting a sequestering mechanism to protect synapses from C1q “tagging” and further elimination. In fact, initial observations indicate that most C1q clusters were not directly associated at the synapse. Using microscopy with fluorescent synaptic markers (Gephyrin-GFP, Homer-GFP), we assessed C1q’s spatial distribution relative …

Fuel Of The Future: Toward Biodiesel Synthesis With Metal-Organic Frameworks, Loïc La-Branche

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

In the face of mounting climate and energy crises, the employment of eco-friendly resources is critical. The green initiative for fuels demands a renewable, economic resource with minimal carbon footprint and toxicity. Biodiesel, sourced from the transesterification of natural oils and alcohols, has gained attention as a sustainable alternative to petroleum with appreciably lower carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial biodiesel production, however, is limited by the need for using homogenous catalysts which require, anhydrous and pure feedstocks, constituting more than 70% of manufacturing expenses. Nonetheless, the use of metal-organic frameworks, porous crystalline materials composed of a three-dimensional network of …