Boise State University

About: Boise State University is a education organization based out in Boise, Idaho, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3698 authors who have published 8664 publications receiving 210163 citations. The organization is also known as: BSU & Boise State.

Reducing Heavy Drinking Among First Year Intercollegiate Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Normative Feedback

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a web-based personalized normative feedback program targeting heavy drinking in first-year intercollegiate athletes. The program was offered through the Athletic Department first-year seminar at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I university. Athletes were randomly assigned to either a web-based feedback group or a comparison condition. Results indicated high-risk athletes receiving the intervention reported significantly greater reductions in heavy drinking than those in the comparison group. Additionally, intervention effects were mediated by changes in perceptions of peer drinking. Findings support the use of web-based normative feedback for reducing heavy drinking in first-year intercollegiate athletes.

Raman Spectroscopy of Ferroelectric Thin Films and Superlattices

Abstract: Recent results of Raman spectroscopy studies of lattice dynamics and phase transitions in ferroelectric thin films and superlattices are reviewed. Raman studies of SrTiO3, BaTiO3, and BaxSr1−xTiO3 thin films in comparison with corresponding single crystals are presented; essential differences in the lattice dynamics behavior of thin films and single crystals are discussed. Application of ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy for studies of nanoscale ferroelectric heterostructures, such as BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices, is demonstrated.

Seasonal and diurnal cycles of liquid water in snow—Measurements and modeling

Abstract: Evaluating and improving snow models and outflow predictions for hydrological applications is hindered by the lack of continuous data on bulk volumetric liquid water content (θw) and storage capacity of the melting snowpack. The combination of upward looking ground-penetrating radar and conventional snow height sensors enable continuous, nondestructive determinations of θw in natural snow covers from first surficial wetting until shortly before melt out. We analyze diurnal and seasonal cycles of θw for 4 years in a flat study site and for three melt seasons on slopes and evaluate model simulations for two different water transport schemes in the snow cover model SNOWPACK. Observed maximum increases in θw during a day are below 1.7 vol % (90th percentile) at the flat site. Concerning seasonal characteristics of θw, less than 10% of recorded data exceed 5 vol % at the flat site and 3.5 vol % at slopes. Both water transport schemes in SNOWPACK underestimate maximum θw at the flat site systematically for all observed melt seasons, while simulated θw maxima on slopes are accurate. Implementing observed changes in θw per day in outflow predictions increases model performance toward higher agreement with lysimeter measurements. Hence, continuously monitoring θw improves our understanding of liquid water percolation and retention in snow, which is highly relevant for several aspects of the cryosphere such as avalanche formation, catchment hydrology, and ice sheet mass balances.

Observation of Third-order Nonlinearities in Graphene Oxide Film at Telecommunication Wavelengths

Abstract: All-optical switches have been considered as a promising solution to overcome the fundamental speed limit of the current electronic switches. However, the lack of a suitable third-order nonlinear material greatly hinders the development of this technology. Here we report the observation of ultrahigh third-order nonlinearity about 0.45 cm2/GW in graphene oxide thin films at the telecommunication wavelength region, which is four orders of magnitude higher than that of single crystalline silicon. Besides, graphene oxide is water soluble and thus easy to process due to the existence of oxygen containing groups. These unique properties can potentially significantly advance the performance of all-optical switches.