RESTRAIN: Reinforcement learning-based secure framework for trigger-action IoT environment

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Internet of Things (IoT) platforms with trigger-action capability allow event conditions to trigger actions in IoT devices autonomously by creating a chain of interactions. Adversaries exploit this chain of interactions to maliciously inject fake event conditions into IoT hubs, triggering unauthorized actions on target IoT devices to implement remote injection attacks. Existing defense mechanisms focus mainly on the verification of event transactions using physical event fingerprints to enforce security policies to block unsafe event transactions. These approaches are designed to provide offline defense against injection attacks. The state-of-the-art online defense mechanisms offer real-time defense, but extensive dependency on the inference of attack impacts on the IoT network limits the generalization capability of these approaches. In this paper, we propose a platform-independent multi-agent online defense system, namely RESTRAIN, to counter remote injection attacks at runtime. RESTRAIN allows the defense agent to profile attack actions at runtime and leverages reinforcement learning to optimize a defense policy that complies with the security requirements of the IoT network. The experimental results show that the defense agent effectively takes real-time defense actions against complex and dynamic remote injection attacks and maximizes the security gain with minimal computational overhead. © 2025 IEEE.Army Research Laboratory, ARL; DoD Center of Excellence in AI; Coastal Virginia Center for Cyber Innovation; Machine Learning, (W911NF-20-2-0277); National Science Foundation, NSF, (2219742, 2131001); National Science Foundation, NSFThis work is supported in part by DoD Center of Excellence in AI and Machine Learning (CoE-AIML) under Contract Number W911NF-20-2-0277 with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2219742 and Grant No. 2131001. It is also supported in part by the Coastal Virginia Center for Cyber Innovation (CoVA CCI)

Book chapter title: In pursuit of human dignity: The February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Hatay Antakya and their effects on interfaith relations. Book title: Post-earthquake Antakya: Testimonies, heritage and future.

Post-Earthquake Antakya: Testimonies, Heritage, and Future is a comprehensive compilation aimed at documenting the story of Antakya before, during, and after the devastating earthquakes of February 6 and 20, 2023. Divided into three sections—“Fear: Testimonies,” “Anxiety: Earthquake, Antakya, Society,” and “Hope: Antakyan Identity, History, and Heritage”—the book brings together 32 contributions, including personal testimonies, scholarly articles, interviews, and research from authors across diverse disciplines. This work goes beyond simply mourning and documenting the destruction. It envisions a hopeful path forward for rebuilding the city, facilitating the return of its displaced residents, creating new solidarity networks, and preserving Antakya’s rich cultural heritage, people, and collective memory. Edited by José Rafael Medeiros Coelho and Anna Maria Beylunioğlu, the book was compiled under the Nehna platform, founded in 2021 to explore, preserve, and narrate the history of the Orthodox community in Antakya and its surroundings. The book is published by İstos Publishing, a Greek-Istanbulite publishing house that has previously introduced Antakya to readers through works such as Arab-Speaking Eastern Orthodox Christians – An Ancient Community in the Shadow of Three Nationalisms (2018), compiled by Haris Rigas; Home – İskenderun Sanjak 1934 (2023), written by Talin Azar; and “If Only It Had Stayed” – A History of Antakya Through the Eyes of Local Witnesses (2024), prepared by Levent Duman and Şule Can. On the second anniversary of the earthquake, this book serves as a tribute to the resilience that the people of Antakya have always shown in the face of hardship. Continuing its tradition of recording the city’s memory, testimonies, and hopes for the future, Post-Earthquake Antakya: Testimonies, Heritage, and Future provides a powerful reflection on the past, present, and future of this historic city

Agricultural wastewater treatment and reuse technologies: A comprehensive review

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Agricultural activities generate substantial volumes of wastewater, characterized by diverse chemical, physical, and biological contaminants. Effective treatment and reuse of this wastewater are crucial for environmental sustainability and resource conservation. This comprehensive review explores the spectrum of technologies employed in agricultural wastewater treatment and reuse. It begins with an overview of agricultural wastewater, detailing its sources, composition, and impacts on health and the environment. The review then examines conventional treatment methods, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches, followed by an analysis of advanced technologies such as membrane processes, advanced oxidation, and electrochemical treatments. Integrated treatment systems, which combine multiple methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, are also discussed, with examples and case studies provided. The potential applications of treated wastewater, particularly in irrigation, industrial processes, and groundwater recharge, are highlighted to underscore the value of reuse. The review identifies key challenges in the sector, including technical, economic, regulatory, and social barriers. Future trends and research directions are proposed, emphasizing the importance of emerging technologies, sustainability, and integration with smart farming practices. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying gaps, this review aims to guide policy, practice, and future research in agricultural wastewater treatment and reuse. © 202

Psychological characteristics associated with increased range anxiety in electric vehicle owners

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).A major barrier to the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) usage in the US is the current lack of charging infrastructure. This leads to concerns over running out of charge before a charging station can be reached, a phenomenon termed range anxiety. The purpose of the current study was to determine factors associated with range anxiety in a sample (N = 184) of EV owners. Participants completed an online survey which asked questions about their demographics and driving characteristics. Mental health and personality measures were also included. The outcome variable was self-reported range anxiety. At the univariate level length of daily commute, years of education, age, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and general level of psychological distress were all associated with range anxiety. When these variables were entered into a logistic regression only the general level of psychological distress and younger age were significant. These findings have several implications. The efforts of governments and industry towards reducing range anxiety have focused on infrastructure. This may not be sufficient to reduce range anxiety, as our findings indicate that range anxiety was not related to driving characteristics, but was instead best predicted by an individual’s overall psychological distress. Therefore, techniques to address characterological anxiety and general psychological distress should also be utilized. © NAJP

Mexican media art, ecologies, the posthuman, and politics

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).This volume focuses on the connection between ecological thought and the technological arts in Mexico in order to challenge assumptions that ecological thought is a domain exclusive to the arts of the Global North and reconceive it as an inventive nexus of materialist speculations into a global posthuman world. Tracking the concept of ecology through a series of case studies taken from the histories of new media arts in Mexico over the last 50 years (from the mid-twentieth century to the present), this book differs from ecological art histories that either ignore technological art or associate it exclusively with the Global North. It includes artists and collectives working both in Mexico and transnationally and examines collaborative projects responding to anthropogenic environmental degradation in Mexico and elsewhere. The book will be of interest to scholars working in art history, Latin American studies, media studies, and environmental studies. © 2025 Claudia Costa Pederson. All rights reserved

LAS newsletter, spring 2025

Undergraduates gain work-related skills and knowledge through research mentoring -- Wichita State's UReCA helps undergraduates discover research experiences -- Dean's message / Interim Dean David Eichhorn -- Fairmount College inducts two alumni into 2025 Hall of Fame -- Student accolades -- Science students earn recognition -- Senior Honor Awards -- Faculty and staff accolades -- College and university awards -- In memoriam -- Retirements -- Correction -- Annual repor

On the design and application of offline frameworks for investigating the accessibility of indoor spaces for individuals with disabilities

Thesis (Ph.D.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical and Computer EngineeringPersons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant challenges when navigating unfamiliar indoor spaces due to physical obstacles such as narrow doorways, uneven flooring, and obstructed pathways, as well as limited signage and the absence of satellite-based positioning systems indoors. These barriers hinder independent mobility and are often compounded by the lack of scalable assistive technologies, particularly during early design phases when physical testing is impractical. Recruiting participants for real-world mobility studies can also be logistically challenging and time-consuming. This dissertation addresses these limitations by developing offline, simulation-based and analytical tools that enable early-stage evaluation of spatial accessibility without requiring live user testing. Two key contributions are introduced: MABLESim, a simulation framework that generates interactive 3D environments from 2D architectural plans to model diverse user navigation scenarios; and AccessQuotient, a graph-based metric that quantifies route usability based on layout complexity, decision points, and predicted wayfinding success. MABLESim supports both standardized simulations and customized, user-defined scenarios, helping identify design flaws that may not be apparent through conventional methods. AccessQuotient complements this by producing interpretable accessibility scores that can inform layout optimization. Together, these tools provide a scalable, repeatable, and user-centered approach to accessibility assessment. By reducing reliance on physical testing and providing actionable insights into spatial usability, this dissertation advances inclusive design practices and equips architects, planners, and accessibility professionals with methods to create more navigable and human-centered indoor environments from the earliest stages of planning

Episode 38 – Mezzo-Soprano Joyce DiDonato

Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato has performed on some of the world’s most renowned stages, including La Scala in Italy, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London. But before her 24-carat gold stole the hearts of audiences across the globe, she was a Shocker. Listen as Joyce chats with Wichita State President Rick Muma on the “Forward Together” podcast.The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Rick Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good

The Sunflower, v.129, no.22 (March 13, 2025)

Article(s): Miscalculated: Wichita State's Student Government faces student fees shortfall for 2025 and 2026. Here's what we know. -- Women's basketball season ends with loss in second round of AAC Tournament -- Campus groups, programs react to slashed funding -- Student fees from page 1 -- 'Full circle': Alumni leave a legacy to help the campus that helped them -- Campus group highlights local domestic violence resources during Women's History Month -- ADI will shift to become DEI programming board -- Men's basketball loses first senior day game since 2018 -- Men's basketball news recap: Eligibility, All-Conference selections and a new recruit -- Baseball sweeps Missouri State, loses two to Nebraska in midweek series -- Freshmen step up in Wichita State softball win against Kansas -- The legacy of this year's large men's basketball senior class -- The 'Angel of Death' cast embraces anger in acting -- Professor and choral director ready to find 'adventures' in retirement -- Put down the Guinness and pick up a pack of Tayto: Going beyond drinking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day -- Gingers have souls despite what common prejudices may say -- 'Counterculture': Turning Point USA hosts speaker Olivia Krolczyk from anti-left organizationPhotograph(s): Senators vote on legislation at the March 4 Student Senate meeting. This was an emergency meeting regarding a $929,000 deficit in student fees to fund services and organizations. p. 1 -- Taylor Jameson jumps to grab the ball in the first quarter against Tulane. Wichita State fell to the Green Wave on March 9, 69-63. p. 1 -- Lyndsay Pletcher, executive director of budget, answers questions about of the 2026$900,000 budget shortfall. p. 2 -- Senior Director of Development for Planned Giving Aaron Winter, Lynette Murphy and Executive Director of Planned Giving Byron Rupp stand in front of the Woodlawn Alumni Foundation. All have included Wichita State in their estate plans. p. 3 -- Liz Thornton-McGaha stands behind one of the ADI event's display tables. The event was held in Woolsey Hall. p. 3 -- Guards AJ McGinnis and Xavier Bell hug after the senior day celebration. McGinnis played one year for the Shockers, while Bell, a Wichita native, played for three campaigns after transferring in 2022. p. 4 -- Fifth year guard Justin Hill dribbles past a Tulsa defender. The Golden Hurricane beat the Shockers, 73-63, on March 9 as Hill had four assists. p. 4 -- Senior guard Xavier Bell goes between the legs against a Tulsa defender. Bell finished the March 9 game with 10 points. p. 4 -- Senior guard Bijan Cortes drives against a defender on March 9. Cortes scored eight points in the loss on senior day. p. 4 -- Senior guard Harlond Beverly shoots a floater on March 9. Beverly made five of his 10 attempts in the game. p. 4 -- Sophomore Camden Johnson goes to tag a potential Missouri State base stealer on March 7. The Bears didn't attempt another stolen base in the 7-5 Wichita State win. The Shockers swept Missouri State over the weekend. p. 5 -- Junior Jaden Gustafson fist bumps WSU baseball's Director of Operations Tad Reida after reaching base. The Shockers beat the Bears, 7-5, on March 7. p. 5 -- From left to right, seniors Ronnie DeGray III, Zane Meeks, AJ McGinnis, Harlond Beverly, Quincy Ballard and Xavier Bell are honored on senior day. p. 5 -- Junior Sean Gorman dangles an imaginary journal in front of Stevie Longacre on March 6. The performance was put on by the School of Performing Arts. p. 6 -- Music professor Tom Wine leads the Shocker Choir in rehearsal for their upcoming concert. Wine will retire from WSU and higher ed this spring. p. 6 -- St. Patrick's Day illustration. p. 7 -- Portrait of Sophia Best, reporter. p. 7 -- Portrait of Mya Scott, assistant editor. p. 7 -- Illustration of redhead misconceptions. p. 7 -- Olivia Krolczyk, Riley Gaines Center ambassador, speaks in front of an audience on March 11. The event was hosted by Wichita State's chapter of Turning Point USA. p. 8 -- Members of the TPUSA audience takes a group photo with Olivia Krolczyk. Krolczyk is an advocate for free speech and speaks for the Riley Gaines Center, an organization aimed at combating "radical leftist ideology." p. 8 -- William Crawford attends the event hosted by Turning Point USA on March 11. Crawford is the social media curator for Turning Point USA at WSU. p. 8 -- Masoun Fouquet, treasurer of Turning Point USA at Wichita State, hugs his mother at his grandmother and father check in. The Fouquet family attended the event to support Mason and Turning Point USA. p. 8 -- The U.S. flag and copies of the U.S. Constitution are displayed with stickers at the event hosted by Turning Point USA at the CAC theater. p. 8 -- Savanna Sparrow and William Crawford table and check in for the event with guest Olivia Krolczyk. p. 8 -- Attendees of the Turning Point USA event listen to guest speaker Olivia Krolcyzk, an ambassador for the Riley Gaines Center. p.

Advanced deep learning techniques for biomedical signal and image analysis for healthcare

Thesis (Ph.D.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Biomedical EngineeringThis work presents a comprehensive investigation into advanced machine and deep learning approaches for biomedical signal analysis, spanning multiple modalities and application domains. The research addresses challenges associated with noise, variability, and computational constraints in the processing of physiological data and imaging. In particular, the work encompasses: • EEG/fNIRS under Simulated Space Conditions: Novel methods for analyzing EEG and fNIRS signals are proposed to assess functional connectivity in simulated microgravity environments, providing insights into the impact of altered gravitational forces on central nervous system performance. • ECG-Based Arrhythmia Detection: Deep learning models employing stacked time–frequency scalogram images are developed for accurate classification of cardiac arrhythmias, demonstrating significant potential for early diagnosis and clinical intervention. • Facial Image-Based BMI Prediction: A lightweight ensemble framework (PatchBMI-Net) is introduced for non-intrusive estimation of body mass index from facial images, enabling real-time health monitoring via mobile platforms. • sEMG-Based Hand Gesture Recognition: The work benchmarks both traditional and deep learning classifiers for the classification of hand gestures from sEMG signals, with a focus on enhancing the control of assistive and rehabilitative devices. • Sensor Fusion for Human Activity Recognition: Innovative sensor fusion techniques are proposed to integrate multi-modal wearable sensor data, leading to improved human activity recognition performance in everyday and clinical settings. • Chest X-ray Classification: In addition, a deep learning framework for chest X- ray analysis is developed to assist in the automated detection of pulmonary abnormalities, enhancing diagnostic capabilities in radiology. Collectively, these contributions advance the field of biomedical signal analysis by addressing the challenges of data heterogeneity, computational efficiency, and real-time inference. The proposed methodologies demonstrate robust performance across diverse biomedical applications and hold promise for deployment in resource-constrained environments, thereby offering novel solutions for personalized healthcare, telemedicine, and beyond