Conversion of Thermal Energy Stored in Conductive Concrete to Electricity with Thermoelectric Generators

This paper presents a proof-of-concept experimental study on the use of conductive concrete as thermal energy storage and its conversion into electricity. The conductive concrete is heated to 100°C by supplying electricity, and the stored thermal energy is converted back into electricity using thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Measurement results demonstrate that the conductive concrete effectively stores thermal energy up to 100°C, and this energy can be successfully converted into electricity. The findings highlight the potential of conductive concrete as a reliable medium for thermal energy storage. Advisor: Lim Nguye

Airport Milk Justice

This creative and personal Essay explores the complex and often overlooked experience of a new working mother. Through a series of personal stories featuring airports and security personnel, this author navigates the struggles and lack of support from society for breastfeeding on-the-go. Ultimately, the author was able to use these personal experiences and turn them into a positive advocacy mission for herself and for other working mothers across the United States by finding solutions and reaching out to airport regulators. This piece highlights candidly the intersection between motherhood and the professional world by illustrating the difficulties and evolving expectations for working mothers and then need for more spaces for them

Constructing an Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait for Reducing Mosquito Populations

Mosquito-borne pathogen transmission continues to pose a significant burden to global public health, well-being, and economic productivity. In the absence of universally available vaccines and amidst rising insecticide resistance that leads to product failures, there is an urgent need to develop new tools to mitigate mosquito-borne disease risk. Two general strategies exist to reduce transmission risk: personal protective measures and area-wide chemical interventions. Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait (ATSB) systems leverage the sugar-feeding behavior of mosquitoes—critical for sustaining their flight, metabolism, development, and fecundity—by delivering oral toxicants through attractively formulated sugar baits. This study aimed to develop an optimized ATSB formulation by identifying a key sugar source and volatile phytochemical blends that enhance mosquito attraction, resting, and feeding behaviors. We systematically examined the olfactory, gustatory, and locomotor responses of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under choice and no-choice conditions.Advisor: Troy Anderso

Ber Anena’s Vagina Diaries – A Review: An African Student’s Encounter with the American Health System

This work delves into the disappointment, indifference, and pretense experienced by the narrator when she sorts the American healthcare system. It also addresses the struggles immigrants face, particularly from Africa, as they navigate a healthcare system that often requires them to prove their pain and worthiness of attention. The narrative emphasizes the importance of not generalizing the entire healthcare system based on a single negative experience while acknowledging the profound impact on one\u27s perception of the system. Furthermore, it explores the paradox between the availability of better resources in America compared to the narrator\u27s home country and the mistreatment and challenges still faced by immigrants. The work emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and equitable care from medical practitioners, irrespective of patients\u27 backgrounds or identities. The narrative serves as a call to prioritize compassion and inclusivity in the healthcare system to ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve

Verbal Leases: What Happens If Someone Dies?

At a recent farmland leasing workshop, the question was raised, “I am a landlord with a handshake lease agreement. What happens if I die?” At the time, I gave the simple answer of “the new owners of the land will be subject to the lease.” Although this is technically correct, the situation is more nuanced than it appears. Depending on how the land is owned and passed on, there may be a period of uncertainty regarding who is responsible for the lease after the landowner’s death. Handshake, oral, or verbal lease agreements remain common for leasing agricultural land in Nebraska. When the terms of the lease are not negotiated or written, Nebraska State Statute provides provisions for various scenarios. In the case that the landlord dies during the term of a verbal lease agreement – and no additional verbal provisions related to this scenario were discussed and agreed to – the answer will depend on how the land is owned and passed on

Perception, Awareness, and Readiness by Academic Libraries towards the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract Purpose: This study sought to evaluate academic libraries\u27 perception, awareness, and readiness towards the 2030 global agenda for SDGs Methodology: A qualitative methodology was employed, and structured interviews were utilised to collect data. The interviews served as the primary method of data collection and were designed to accomplish five objectives. The study focused on academic librarians as the target population, with a sample size of thirty librarians representing nine academic libraries. Findings: This study emphasises the mandatory prioritisation of all 17 SDGs by academic libraries, highlighting challenges such as insufficient financing, lack of awareness, and political instability among librarians. Practical Implications: In South-West Nigeria, promoting the 2030 global agenda for SDGs may enhanced librarian visibility, agency alliances, resource sharing, and awareness services. Originality/value of contribution: The study emphasises the significant role libraries play in promoting global cooperation, reducing poverty, and fostering peaceful coexistenc

Three New Species of \u3cem\u3eLepidocyrtus\u3c/em\u3e Bourlet (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Florida, USA, and Descriptive Notes on \u3cem\u3eLepidocyrtus floridensis\u3c/em\u3e Snider

Abstract In North America, the genus Lepidocyrtus Bourlet (Collembola: Entomobryidae) is represented by 18 species, but only three (L. floridensis Snider, L. millsi Snider, and L. pallidus Reuter) have been reported from Florida. We investigated species diversity in leaf litter samples from counties in the north-central and southern part of the state, as the reportedly low species diversity in Florida may be due to under-sampling. As a result, in this contribution we describe three species of Lepidocyrtus new to science: L. bobwoodruffi Soto-Adames, Jenks and Daly, new species, L. brambilae Soto-Adames, Jenks and Daly, new species and L. mikethomasi Soto-Adames, Jenks and Daly, new species. In addition, we provide notes to complement the description of L. floridensis. Resumen En America del Norte, el genero Lepidocyrtus Bourlet esta representado por 18 especies. Aunque el estado de Florida alberga una vasta diversidad de habitats, solo tres especies de Lepidocyrtus (L. floridensis Snider, L. millsi Snider y L. pallidus Reuter) han sido reportadas para la region. Asumiendo que la deficiencia en la diversidad de especies reportadas de Florida es debido a la falta de muestreo adecuado, examinamos colecciones aleatorias de condados en la region norcentral y sur del Estado. Como resultado, en la presente contribucion describimos tres especies nuevas para la ciencia: L. bobwoodruffi Soto-Adames, Jenks y Daly, nueva especie, L. brambilae Soto-Adames, Jenks y Daly, nueva especie, y L. mikethomasi Soto-Adames, Jenks y Daly, nueva especie. En adicion, proveemos notas que complementan la descripcion original de L. floridensis

On the Paratypes and Distribution of \u3cem\u3eHemipeplus quadricollis\u3c/em\u3e Pollock, 1999 (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Hemipeplinae): Does It Occur in Peru?

Hemipeplus quadricollis Pollock, 1999 (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Hemipeplinae), was originally described from Rondonia State, Brazil, as its type locality, with 10 paratypes: eight from Brazil (Rondonia State) and two from Peru (Madre de Dios and Loreto departments). However, one of the paratypes from Peru (Madre de Dios) was later identified as a cryptic species, Hemipeplus pseudoquadricollis KC and Pollock, 2025. This raises questions about the single remaining paratype from Peru—whether the species truly occurs in Peru—and how many of the paratypes of H. quadricollis are actually H. quadricollis. In this study, all seven remaining paratypes of H. quadricollis that were not studied by KC and Pollock (2025) were examined based on morphological characters to address these two questions. It was determined that the remaining paratype of H. quadricollis from Peru, collected in Loreto Department, is H. quadricollis, thus confirming its presence in Peru, while three out of the 10 paratypes of H. quadricollis are H. pseudoquadricollis

First Report of Corn Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the USA Midwest Suction Trap Network

Corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is native to Central and South America, but invasive in the United States. This species is a threat to corn, Zea mays L., one of the main crops of economic importance in the US, because it is also a vector of three pathogens responsible for corn stunt diseases complex: corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP), and maize rayado fino virus (MRFV). Therefore, monitoring the dispersal of this pest is necessary to document its geographic expansion and anticipate the incidence of corn stunt disease. Based on trap catches obtained from the Midwest Suction Trap Network in 2024, corn leafhopper populations increased late in the growing season in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. We will continue to monitor the dispersal of this invasive species through the Midwest Suction Trap Network to provide information to researchers, extension agents, and producers regarding this agronomically important pest

NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Ocean Carbon Observing Science Plan FY25 to FY35

United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration oceanic and atmospheric research ocean carbon observing science plan for fiscal years 2025 through 2035