cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Democracy and the depth of intelligence sharing: why regime type hardly matters*

AbstractWhat explains variation in the depth of intelligence sharing? Realism provides the standard answer: shared threat motivates deeper cooperation. In a recent article, Ryan Bock offers a liberal antidote to this conventional view, leveraging insights on domestic regime type to explain why Anglo-Soviet sharing remained shallow despite the German threat during 1941–5. Several shortcomings in Bock’s innovative study undermine his main arguments and findings. A reevaluation of the Anglo-Soviet case and a cursory examination of nine other intelligence-sharing relationships during the Second World War reveal a spread of variation in the depth of cooperation that cannot be explained by a liberal regime-type argument, a realist threat perspective, or other prevailing International Relations paradigms. Marrying insights from interdisciplinary scholarship on gossip and embedded exchange, we propose a novel alternative framework that suggests plausible solutions to puzzles left behind by other accounts, thus op...
Numerical Analysis of Existing Foundations Underpinned by Micropiles

AbstractMicropiles of small diameter have been used in practice to increase load capacities of existing foundations on soft soil, which may resist additional loads from the vertical expansion of structures. Load transfer from the existing foundation to the micropiles is an important mechanism to consider when designing an existing foundation underpinned by micropiles. However, this mechanism has not been well investigated or understood. This paper presents a numerical study on an existing foundation underpinned by micropiles using three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference software. Verification of the numerical model was first achieved by comparing the results of the numerical model to those obtained from the full-scale loading test. In this verification, the numerical model was used to simulate an existing footing initially constructed on a natural soil to support a structure and later subjected to additional loads under two different conditions. Under the first condition, micropiles were installed withou...
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Alphavirus Replication and Assembly in Mammalian and Mosquito Cells

Sindbis virus (SINV [genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae]) is an enveloped, mosquito-borne virus. Alphaviruses cause cytolytic infections in mammalian cells while establishing noncytopathic, persistent infections in mosquito cells. Mosquito vector adaptation of alphaviruses is a major factor in the transmission of epidemic strains of alphaviruses. Though extensive studies have been performed on infected mammalian cells, the morphological and structural elements of alphavirus replication and assembly remain poorly understood in mosquito cells. Here we used high-resolution live-cell imaging coupled with single-particle tracking and electron microscopy analyses to delineate steps in the alphavirus life cycle in both the mammalian host cell and insect vector cells. Use of dually labeled SINV in conjunction with cellular stains enabled us to simultaneously determine the spatial and temporal differences of alphavirus replication complexes (RCs) in mammalian and insect cells. We found that the nonstructural viral proteins and viral RNA in RCs exhibit distinct spatial organization in mosquito cytopathic vacuoles compared to replication organelles from mammalian cells. We show that SINV exploits filopodial extensions for virus dissemination in both cell types. Additionally, we propose a novel mechanism for replication complex formation around glycoprotein-containing vesicles in mosquito cells that produced internally released particles that were seen budding from the vesicles by live imaging. Finally, by characterizing mosquito cell lines that were persistently infected with fluorescent virus, we show that the replication and assembly machinery are highly modified, and this allows continuous production of alphaviruses at reduced levels.IMPORTANCE Reemerging mosquito-borne alphaviruses cause serious human epidemics worldwide. Several structural and imaging studies have helped to define the life cycle of alphaviruses in mammalian cells, but the mode of virus replication and assembly in the invertebrate vector and mechanisms producing two disease outcomes in two types of cells are yet to be identified. Using transmission electron microscopy and live-cell imaging with dual fluorescent protein-tagged SINV, we show that while insect and mammalian cells display similarities in entry and exit, they present distinct spatial and temporal organizations in virus replication and assembly. By characterizing acutely and persistently infected cells, we provide new insights into alphavirus replication and assembly in two distinct hosts, resulting in high-titer virus production in mammalian cells and continuous virus production at reduced levels in mosquito cells-presumably a prerequisite for alphavirus maintenance in nature.
Selection Rules for the Beta-disintegration

§;1. The selection rules for β-transformations are stated on the basis of the neutrino theory outlined by Fermi. If it is assumed that the spins of the heavy particles have a direct effect on the disintegration these rules are modified. §2. It is shown that whereas the original selection rules of Fermi lead to difficulties if one tries to assign spins to the members of the thorium family the modified selection rules are in agreement with the available experimental evidence.
NATIONALITY DIVERSITY AND PERFORMANCE IN GLOBAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS : THE ROLE OF TEMPORAL DISPERSION AND LEADERSHIP

Data from 247 global software development teams were used to examine the impact of temporal dispersion and leadership roles on the relationship between nationality diversity and team performance. Nationality diversity was positively related to team performance when project leaders regularly coordinate and monitor team members’ activities, and acted as mentors and facilitator. However, when nationality diversity was low teams performed better when leaders did not regularly engage on these roles. Teams that experienced low temporal dispersion performed better that team that experienced high temporal dispersion regardless of their degree of nationality diversity. Finally, the effect of nationality diversity on team performance was positive on teams with low temporal dispersion, but negative on teams with high temporal dispersion. These findings suggest that teams under different conditions require different leadership schemas and emphasizes the complex roles that nationality diversity, temporal dispersion and leadership play on global teams.
Oral complications of childhood cancer and its treatment: current best practice.

As the advances in the treatment of children with cancer continue to improve overall survival, we need to focus our attention on the complications of treatment to reduce their frequency and their impact on disease remission, improve the cure rate and quality of life, and lessen the cost of care. Oral complications are recognised as a common adverse effect of childhood cancer therapy, with risks for septicaemia, nutritional compromise, significant pain and long-term morbidity [1,2]. A review of current published research related to the oral complications of cancer and its treatment, while revealing a generous amount of research in adults, shows a paucity of controlled clinical trials in children. Research in this area has increased our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of oral mucositis. Therapeutic approaches to the oral complications of cancer are, however, largely based on clinical experience, and therefore no approach has emerged as the ‘gold standard’. Further research is needed to standardise preventative oral care, and the prophylaxis and treatment of mucositis, bacterial, fungal and viral oral infections, in order to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment for childhood cancer. This article will review recent research applicable to oral mucositis, oral infections, xerostomia and dental abnormalities in paediatric cancer therapy and discuss current best practice in the management of these complications.
Indocyanine Green Angiography Use in Breast Reconstruction: A National Analysis of Outcomes and Cost in 110,320 Patients.

BACKGROUND Indocyanine green angiography has gained popularity in breast reconstruction for its ability to assess mastectomy skin and tissue flap viability. The authors aim to analyze trends and outcomes associated with indocyanine green angiography use in breast reconstruction. METHODS Using 2012 to 2014 data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the authors identified breast reconstructions performed with or without indocyanine green angiography use. Trends over time were assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test. Outcomes were assessed using logistic regression and generalized linear modeling. RESULTS Over the study period, 110,320 patients underwent breast reconstruction: 107,005 (97.0 percent) without and 3315 (3.0 percent) with indocyanine green angiography use. Usage increased over time: 750 patients (1.9 percent) in 2012, increasing to 1275 patients (3.7 percent) in 2013 (p < 0.001). Smokers (p = 0.018), hypertensive patients (p = 0.046), obese patients (p < 0.001), and those with a higher comorbidity index (p < 0.001) were more likely to undergo indocyanine green angiography. Autologous reconstruction was more frequently combined with its use compared with tissue expander reconstruction (4.5 percent versus 2.1 percent; p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the odds of debridement associated with its use (OR, 1.404; p < 0.001; 95 percent CI, 1.201 to 1.640). CONCLUSIONS Indocyanine green angiography use in breast reconstruction has increased in recent years and is associated with higher debridement rates. These rates may indicate changing trends for clinicians when deciding whether to debride tissue during breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
The Response of Earth Materials to Dynamic Loads

This chapter discusses the response of earth materials to dynamic loads. Many problems in geotechnology involve dynamic factors. These include seismic phenomena, such as earthquakes and rockbursts, shock loading on rock materials by mechanical impact and blasting, the study of energy transmission in rock-breaking tools and earth-excavation machinery, and the control of vibrations and noise generated by mining and civil engineering operations. The major concern lies with the response of rocks and earth materials to dynamic loads, either generated by the forces of nature, as in an earthquake or rock burst, or in the course of engineering operations, such as blasting, pile-driving, and rock-cutting. In all these processes, energy is generated and released at the source of impact and thereafter passes into the surrounding material in the form of pulses or vibrations. Vibrations of different modes of origin have fundamental similarities, but differ in their amplitude, wavelength, and frequency. If the energy source at the point of impact is sufficiently high, the impacting pulse may destroy the coherency of the surrounding earth material so that it no longer behaves as a solid. Some of the energy is consumed in this process and the remainder passes into the surrounding material as a compressive shock wave, which travels at a velocity depending upon the pressure in advance of, and behind, the shock front, but greater than sonic velocity in the material.
A GUI for Parallel Code Generation

Developing applications for parallel architectures is a very complicated and arduous task even for expert programmers. There are several issues that must be considered, i.e., the number of CPU’s available, vector processing capabilities, shared memory issues, process communications, and process synchronization, to name a few. Software developers have been trained to view the solution to a selected problem as a sequence of dependent steps or transitions which are applied to some input in an effort to produce the desired results. This approach to problem solving has been enforced by the traditional languages of C, Pascal, and Fortran. In this paper we describe the Interactive Visualization Tool (IVT) developed for the HICOR interactive parallelizing compiler. In particular, the IVT allows users to interactively manipulate a graphical representation of the program to be parallelized. Parameters describing the target architecture may be manipulated interactively to create what-if scenarios for architectural simulation.
A comparative study of personal code management tools

A current trend in software development is reuse of personal software assets (mostly code assets) created by individual developers. As these collections of reusable assets grow, effective management of such assets is essential for promoting better reuse for its obvious cost benefits. Being able to effectively store, manage, access, and reuse code assets is a reasonable approach and sound goal. Tools have been developed to facilitate this goal. However, these tools vary in their capabilities and availability to individual users. This paper takes an in-depth look at commonly used management tools for personal asset, evaluate them, and highlight their distinct and common features. Extended version of this work may be obtained from the authors.
Feasibility of yoga as a complementary therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: the Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C) study

Abstract Objectives This study:Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C), examined the feasibility and acceptability of yoga as a complementary therapy for adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM). Design A 2-arm randomized clinical trial comparing Iyengar yoga with a supervised walking program. Setting Hospital based gym-type facility and conference rooms. Interventions Participants were randomized to a 12-week program of either; (1) a twice weekly Iyengar yoga, or (2) a twice-weekly program of standard exercise (SE). Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes assessed feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, study completion, and participant satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c, physical activity, and measures of diabetes-related emotional distress, self-care and quality of life (QOL). Assessments were conducted at baseline, end of treatment, 6-months and 9-months post-enrollment. Results Of 175 adults screened for eligibility, 48 (30 women, 18 men) were eligible and enrolled. The most common reasons for ineligibility were orthopedic restrictions, HbA1c levels 42. Session attendance was high (82% of sessions attended), as was follow-up completion rates (92%). Program satisfaction rated on a 5-point scale, was high among both Yoga (M = 4.63, SD = 0.57) and SE (M = 4.77, SD = 0.52) participants. Overall 44 adverse events (26 Yoga, 18 SE) were reported. Of these, six were deemed “possibly related” (e.g., neck strain, back pain), and 1 “probably related” (ankle pain after treadmill) to the study. Yoga produced significant reductions in HbA1c. Median HbA1c at 6 months was 1.25 units lower for Yoga compared to SE (95% CI: -2.54 -0.04). Greater improvements in diabetes self-care, quality of life, and emotional distress were seen among Yoga participants than among SE participants. Increases in mindfulness were seen in Yoga but not in SE. Conclusions The yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable, and produced improvements in blood glucose and psychosocial measures of diabetes management.
The fungal mycobiome promotes pancreatic oncogenesis via activation of MBL

Bacterial dysbiosis accompanies carcinogenesis in malignancies such as colon and liver cancer, and has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA)1. However, the mycobiome has not been clearly implicated in tumorigenesis. Here we show that fungi migrate from the gut lumen to the pancreas, and that this is implicated in the pathogenesis of PDA. PDA tumours in humans and mouse models of this cancer displayed an increase in fungi of about 3,000-fold compared to normal pancreatic tissue. The composition of the mycobiome of PDA tumours was distinct from that of the gut or normal pancreas on the basis of alpha- and beta-diversity indices. Specifically, the fungal community that infiltrated PDA tumours was markedly enriched for Malassezia spp. in both mice and humans. Ablation of the mycobiome was protective against tumour growth in slowly progressive and invasive models of PDA, and repopulation with a Malassezia species—but not species in the genera Candida, Saccharomyces or Aspergillus—accelerated oncogenesis. We also discovered that ligation of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which binds to glycans of the fungal wall to activate the complement cascade, was required for oncogenic progression, whereas deletion of MBL or C3 in the extratumoral compartment—or knockdown of C3aR in tumour cells—were both protective against tumour growth. In addition, reprogramming of the mycobiome did not alter the progression of PDA in Mbl- (also known as Mbl2) or C3-deficient mice. Collectively, our work shows that pathogenic fungi promote PDA by driving the complement cascade through the activation of MBL. In humans and mouse models, the mycobiome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumours is markedly enriched in Malassezia species compared to that of normal pancreas, which implicates these pathogenic fungi in oncogenesis.
Factors influencing infusion-related reactions following dosing of reference rituximab (RTX) and PF-05280586, a RTX biosimilar.

e20049Background: Rituximab (RTX) is an effective therapy for some patients with CD20 positive (CD20+), B-cell malignancies. Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) are the most common adverse event (AE)...
DNA computation improves diagnostic workflows.

A molecular reaction network translated from a computer-trained classifier can distinguish lung cancer patients from healthy individuals based on specific microRNAs in the blood.
Remembering COVID From the Frontlines.

This piece is my raw fragmented thoughts and memories of the COVID 19 pandemic as I continue to work in the ED. The challenges of physical, moral, and ethical distress of COVID 19 remain.
Dynamic Modelling for Predicting Temperature Evolution and Modification during fs-Laser Welding of Borofloat Glass

A dynamic heat accumulation modelling for femtosecond laser welding of Borofloat glass is developed and verified experimentally. The temperature evolution and internal modifications are predicted by incorporating the nonlinear electron dynamics along with temperature dependent thermal properties.
Early-onset colorectal cancer in younger patients: A population-based study.

124Background: In the US, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in patients younger than 50 years who may present with advanced stage, high grade, left-sided colon or rectal cancer...
Transverse abdominis activity and ultrasound biofeedback in college golfers with and without low back pain.

Abstract Objectives To compare transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle activity in college golfers with and without a history of low back pain (LBP) and examine the effects of ultrasound biofeedback and a functional golf-setup position on TrA activity. Design Crossover study. Setting Laboratory. Participants Thirty-two (n = 32) collegiate golfers were stratified into either the LBP group (n = 16, 4.6 ± 4.5 LBP episodes) or non-LBP group (n = 16, 0.1 ± 0.3 LBP episodes) based on LBP episodes in the last 6-months. Main outcome measures Ultrasound measures of TrA activity were performed during standard contractions and contractions with ultrasound biofeedback. Contraction-type order was randomized between two visits. Testing was performed in two positions, supine and golf-setup positions. Results We observed no significant differences in TrA activity between the LBP and non-LBP groups. Overall, TrA activity was greater during biofeedback contractions compared to standard contractions, and TrA activity was lower in the golf-setup position compared to the supine position. Conclusions We observed no differences in TrA activity between college golfers with and without LBP. College golfers with and without LBP demonstrated a greater ability to contract their TrA with real-time ultrasound biofeedback and a lower ability to contract their TrA in the functional golf-setup position compared to the traditional supine position.
Apologetics and the Provisionality of the Living Jesus: Hans Frei’s Contribution

Rejecting conservative and liberal apologetics for Christian faith and biblical interpretation as reductionistic, Drew Collins draws on the work of Hans Frei and others who stress the provisional, “fallible” character of Christian theology and the need for a figural reading of Scripture that takes the texts very seriously in their narrative shape and approaches apologetics in an ad-hoc fashion. Collins is pushing for a way of reading Scripture and doing theology that transcends rationalist and experiential epistemologies.
Legitimating a platform: evidence of journalists’ role in transferring authority to Twitter

Studies suggest a growing interdependence between journalists and Twitter. What is behind this interdependence, and how does it manifest in news texts? We argue that social media platforms (and Twi...
Optical and mass-spectral characterization of mixed-gas flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow sources

Abstract Plasma-based ambient desorption/ionization (ADI) sources for mass spectrometry (MS) often use helium as the primary discharge gas due to the large reaction cross section of excited helium species with atmospheric gases, which ultimately leads to efficient reagent-ion formation. However, some studies have shown that mixed-gas plasmas provide unique advantages. For instance, our group showed that a helium‑oxygen flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow (He:O2-FAPA) source yielded enhanced ion signals for small polar analytes, but compounds with aromatic rings underwent chemical modification to produce pyrylium species. Here, it is shown that the addition of H2 to the helium FAPA gas significantly decreased the reagent-ion signals, but analyte-ion signal was not affected to the same degree. In addition, mass spectra obtained with He:H2-FAPA were chemically cleaner with fewer ions stemming from analyte species and produced less oxidation of analytes. Addition of nitrogen increased the abundance of negative reagent ions (e.g., NO2− and NO3−) which led to enhanced ion signal for RDX. To better understand these unique advantages of a mixed-gas FAPA, the impact of molecular-gas (O2, N2, or H2) addition on the optical-emission spectra from the discharge was also measured. Spatially resolved emission was obtained from the anode- and negative-glow regions. In general, addition of small fractions (~0.1%) of molecular gases decreased helium and OH emission intensities. Atomic oxygen and hydrogen emission increased with the addition of O2 and H2, respectively. Furthermore, emission characteristics of N2, N2+, and NO with respect to molecular gas composition on He-FAPA were measured. Fundamental plasma parameters, such as OH rotational temperature (Trot), were also calculated for these mixed-gas systems.
Data quality of a wearable vital signs monitor in the pre-hospital and emergency departments for enhancing prediction of needs for life-saving interventions in trauma patients

This study was designed to investigate the quality of data in the pre-hospital and emergency departments when using a wearable vital signs monitor and examine the efficacy of a combined model of standard vital signs and respective data quality indices (DQIs) for predicting the need for life-saving interventions (LSIs) in trauma patients. It was hypothesised that prediction of needs for LSIs in trauma patients is associated with data quality. Also, a model utilizing vital signs and DQIs to predict the needs for LSIs would be able to outperform models using vital signs alone. Data from 104 pre-hospital trauma patients transported by helicopter were analysed, including means and standard deviations of continuous vital signs, related DQIs and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores for LSI and non-LSI patient groups. DQIs involved percentages of valid measurements and mean deviation ratios. Various multivariate logistic regression models for predicting LSI needs were also obtained and compared through receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Demographics of patients were not statistically different between LSI and non-LSI patient groups. In addition, ROC curves demonstrated better prediction of LSI needs in patients using heart rate and DQIs (area under the curve [AUC] of 0.86) than using heart rate alone (AUC of 0.73). Likewise, ROC curves demonstrated better prediction using heart rate, total GCS score and DQIs (AUC of 0.99) than using heart rate and total GCS score (AUC of 0.92). AUCs were statistically different (p < 0.05). This study showed that data quality could be used in addition to continuous vital signs for predicting the need for LSIs in trauma patients. Importantly, trauma systems should incorporate processes to regulate data quality of physiologic data in the pre-hospital and emergency departments. By doing so, data quality could be improved and lead to better prediction of needs for LSIs in trauma patients.
Experimental Determination of Sludge-Flow Parameters

Use of rotational and capillary viscometer for experimental determination of non-Newtonian flow parameters of sewage sludges is considered; description of equipment and calibrating procedures is given together with certain experimental results; particular attention is drawn to influence of solids concentration and temperature on sludge-flow parameters.
An Extension Theorem for Finite Element Spaces With Three Applications

In this paper, an extension theorem, similar to well-known results for Sobolev spaces, is established for general conforming finite element spaces. Results of this type provide central tools for the theory of iterative substructuring (domain decomposition) and capacitance matrix methods. The main theorem has previously been established, using other techniques, for certain Lagrangian finite elements in the plane. Several applications are discussed in which previous results on iterative substructuring and capacitance matrices are extended to three dimensions, non-Lagrangian finite elements and higher order elliptic problems.
Array Factor Analysis

This chapter contains sections titled: The Array Factor Uniform Arrays Fourier Analysis of Linear Arrays Fourier Analysis of Planar Arrays Array Bandwidth Directivity Amplitude Tapers z Transform of the Array Factor Circular Arrays Direction Finding Arrays Subarrays Errors Fractal Arrays ]]>
Reasoning about Software-Component Behavior

The correctness of a component-based software system depends on the component client’s ability to reason about the behavior of the components that comprise the system, both in isolation and as composed. The soundness of such reasoning is dubious given the current state of the practice. Soundness is especially troublesome for component technologies where source code for some components is inherently unavailable to the client. Fortunately, there is a simple, understandable, teachable, practical, and provably sound and relatively complete reasoning system for component-based software systems that addresses the reasoning problem.
Revenue management by sequential screening

Abstract Using a mechanism design approach, we consider a firm's optimal pricing policy when consumers are heterogeneous and learn their valuations at different times. We show that by offering a menu of advance-purchase contracts that differ in when, and for how much, the product can be returned, a firm can more easily price discriminate between privately-informed consumers. In particular, we show that screening on when the return option can be exercised increases firm profits, relative to screening on the size of the refund alone, only if the expected gains from trade are higher for consumers who learn later. We show that in some settings (mean-preserving spread) the firm can achieve the complete-information profits and analyze the optimal contract in other settings (first-order stochastic dominance) in which the first-best allocation is not always feasible.
A Social History of the Media: From Gutenberg to the Internet by Asa Briggs and Peter Burke 3rd edition. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2009, 346 pp

(2010). A Social History of the Media: From Gutenberg to the Internet by Asa Briggs and Peter Burke 3rd edition. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2009, 346 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 175-176.
A comparison of wavefront-optimized and wavefront-guided ablations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Optimized aspherical as well as custom wavefront-guided treatments attempt to reduce the induction of visually disturbing aberrations than can occur with conventional spherocylindrical corneal ablation. This review highlights a comparison of the advances and limitations of the two treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Optimized aspherical as well as wavefront-guided corneal excimer laser treatments have continued to improve in outcomes compared with conventional treatments. Wavefront-guided as well as wavefront-optimized treatments yield high predictability, efficacy, and safety. Equally good vision has been obtained as measured by snellen acuity, patient questionnaires, and total residual higher-order aberrations. Wavefront-guided treatments did have better results in spherical aberration, coma as well as contrast sensitivity outcomes. Surgeons who have easy access to both technologies suggest using wavefront-optimized treatments in 67-88% of patients and reserve wavefront-guided treatments for those who have above average higher-order aberrations. However, even with individually adjusted aspheric, 'Q' values, optimized ablations still increased higher-order aberrations and wavefront-guided treatments also did not achieve the elimination of residual higher-order aberrations. SUMMARY Optimized aspheric corneal ablations that attempt to avoid reducing the prolate eccentricity of the average cornea as well as wavefront-guided treatments that attempt to reduce the individual whole-eye aberrations have continued to improve visual outcomes compared with conventional treatments.
K-State's Distributed Learning Commons: Achieving Long-Term Sustainability Through Strategic Partnerships

Kansas State University (K-State) has adopted a distributed learning commons model characterized by physically disbursed tools and services, with a growing emphasis on virtual learning spaces. It has been shaped, since the commons opened in 2001, by a combination of factors, including advancing technology, evolving student- and faculty-use requirements, and significant ongoing economic constraints. In lean times for academic budgets, K-State's experience serves to demonstrate how innovative resource leveraging among campus partners and continuous collaboration with users can produce flourishing environments that remain relevant to today's learners even when funds are scarce.
Fundamentals and Applications of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is reviewed by dividing the literature into three categories according to target phase: solid, liquid, or gas. Within each category, the literature is ...
Active vibration control synthesis for the control of flexible structures mast flight system

Pole-zero modeling and active vibration control synthesis for the Control of Flexible Structures Mast Flight System (COFS-I) are discussed. An analytical transfer function from the tip-mounted actuator force to the beam deflection at various sensor locations is derived for control synthesis. A new concept of generalized structural filtering for flexible-mode stabilization is applied to the COFS-I. The simplicity and practicality of the classical transfer-function approach to active structural vibration control are demonstrated for the COFS-I. In particular, nonminimum-phase structural filtering is proposed for the noncolocated control experiment of the COFS-I. The effects of proof-mass actuator dynamics and control-loop time delay on the phase/gain stabilization of the flexible modes are also discussed.
Planning Routes through uncertain territory

Abstract Planning routes and executing them requires both topological and metric information. A natural implementation of a ‘cognitive map’ might therefore consist of an assertional data base for topological information and a ‘fuzzy map’ for the metric information. A fuzzy map captures facts about objects by recording their relative positions, orientations, and scales in convenient frames of reference. It is fuzzy in the sense that coordinates are specified to lie in a range rather than having fixed values. The fuzzy map allows easy retrieval of information. The same information is also represented in a discrimination tree, which allows an object to be retrieved given its location and other attributes. The problem of constructing a fuzzy map is more difficult; we present a partial solution, an algorithm that assimilates a fact first by imposing constraints on the fuzzy coordinates of the objects involved, then by rearranging or growing the tree of frames of reference. Route planning is modelled as a process of finding the overall direction and topology of the path, then filling in the details by deciding how to go around barriers. It uses the retrieval algorithms. Our program SPAM carries out all these processes.
Effects of Public Commitments and Accountability in a Technology-Supported Physical Activity Intervention

Walking and other forms of physical activity have many health benefits, but people often fail to follow through on their own goals of being more active. To address gaps in current understanding of how to design technology-supported physical activity interventions, we conducted a randomized field experiment of a commitment device: making public announcements. In a control condition, weekly commitments were kept private. In two treatment conditions, they were announced on Facebook and by email. In one of the two, the announcements also included results: whether the previous week's commitment was kept. We find that, with or without public results, these posts can elicit supportive replies from the poster's social networks. People in both public announcements conditions were less likely to make commitments. We conclude that the prospect of public accountability may suppress the making of commitments in a way that counteracts the benefits of that accountability. Designers will need to address this limitation in order to make effective use of public accountability as a commitment device.
College Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Organ Donation: An Integrated Review of the Literature†

The current paper provides an integrated review of research literature on college students' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions regarding organ and tissue donation (OTD). Findings across 27 studies indicate that (a) students reported a lack of information and knowledge on OTD; (b) 23% reported signing an organ card or state organ donation registry; (c) positive attitudes were reported toward donation; (d) surveyed students indicated a willingness to become organ donors; and (e) 36% reported having conversations with family about OTD. Self-efficacy and normative influence theory are recommended as promising theoretical approaches to studying OTD in college student samples.
Possible New Clues towards Understanding Pulsar Radio Emission

The origin of pulsar radio emission has been a mystery for more than 35 years. The observed extremely high brightness temperatures strongly suggest that the radio emission must be highly coherent, but the real mechanism in operation has been evading identification. Instead of trying to solve this decades long problem, here I discuss several recent new observations and the ideas to interpret them, which shed new light on understanding pulsar radio emission. The topics include (1) a recent XMM-Newton observation of the famous, old-drifting PSR B0943+10 and its physical implications; (2) models to interpret the radio flaring activity of the pulsar B in the double pulsar system PSR J0737–3099; (3) possible identification of the inward radio emission from some pulsars; and (4) the suggestion that GCRT J1745–3009 is a white dwarf pulsar. Two possible interpretations to the recently identified Rotating RAdio Transients (RRATs) are also proposed.
Intrathecal GM1 ganglioside and local nerve anesthesia reduce nociceptive behaviors in rats with experimental peripheral mononeuropathy.

Our previous experiments demonstrated that systemic treatment with GM1 ganglioside reduces nociceptive behaviors and spinal cord metabolic activity in a rat model of painful peripheral mononeuropathy produced by experimental sciatic nerve ligation (chronic constrictive injury, CCI). In the present study, we examined the effects of intrathecal (i.t.) GM1 treatment on thermal hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain behaviors resulting from nerve ligation in order to determine the locus of GM1 action. In addition, a local anesthetic agent, bupivacaine, given alone or combined with i.t. GM1, was applied to the injured sciatic nerve to determine if peripheral nerve anesthesia would influence post-injury nociceptive behaviors. Thermal hyperalgesia to radiant heat decreased in a dose-dependent manner when GM1 (10-80 nmol, i.t.) was administered once daily onto the lumbar segments of the spinal cord beginning 1 h after experimental nerve injury and continued for the first 9 days after nerve ligation. Moreover, this GM1 (80 nmol) treatment regimen reliably lowered spontaneous pain behavior rating scores in CCI rats suggesting the possible attenuation of spontaneous pain. The central site of i.t. GM1 action is located at the caudal (probably lumbar) spinal cord, since i.t. injection of 20 nmol GM1 onto the cervical spinal cord did not produce any protective effect. A single perinerve injection of a local anesthetic agent, bupivacaine (0.5%, 0.6 ml), on the 3rd day after nerve ligation reduced thermal hyperalgesia for at least 24 h following injection, a duration longer than that of the local anesthetic action of bupivacaine. Neither a single bupivacaine injection nor four daily i.t.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Unusual dental findings in a patient with a rare bone dysplasia (dyschondrosteosis) and a chromosomal anomaly

Abstract An unusual case is presented in which taurodontism and fusion of deciduous teeth were seen in a child with dyschondrosteosis and slight mental retardation. The significance of this constellation of anomalies in a single patient is not known.
Immunization with a consensus epitope from Human Papillomavirus L2 induces antibodies that are broadly neutralizing

Vaccines targeting conserved epitopes in the HPV minor capsid protein, L2, can elicit antibodies that can protect against a broad spectrum of HPV types that are associated with cervical cancer and other HPV malignancies. Thus, L2 vaccines have been explored as alternatives to the current HPV vaccines, which are largely type-specific. In this study we assessed the immunogenicity of peptides spanning the N-terminal domain of L2 linked to the surface of a highly immunogenic bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP) platform. Although all of the HPV16 L2 peptide-displaying VLPs elicited high-titer anti-peptide antibody responses, only a subset of the immunogens elicited antibody responses that were strongly protective from HPV16 pseudovirus (PsV) infection in a mouse genital challenge model. One of these peptides, mapping to HPV16 L2 amino acids 65–85, strongly neutralized HPV16 PsV but showed little ability to cross-neutralize other high-risk HPV types. In an attempt to broaden the protection generated through vaccination with this peptide, we immunized mice with VLPs displaying a peptide that represented a consensus sequence from high-risk and other HPV types. Vaccinated mice produced antibodies with broad, high-titer neutralizing activity against all of the HPV types that we tested. Therefore, immunization with virus-like particles displaying a consensus HPV sequence is an effective method to broaden neutralizing antibody responses against a type-specific epitope.
Heparin nanoparticles for β amyloid binding and mitigation of β amyloid associated cytotoxicity

Abstract Accumulation of β amyloid (Aβ) in the brain is believed to play a key role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Glycosaminoglycans on surface of neuronal cells can serve as nucleation sites to promote plaque formation on cell surface. To mimic this process, magnetic nanoparticles coated with heparin have been synthesized. The heparin nanoparticles were demonstrated to bind with Aβ through a variety of techniques including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gel electrophoresis, and thioflavin T assay. The nanoparticle exhibited little toxicity to neuronal cells and at the same time can effectively protect them from Aβ induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that heparin nanoparticles can be a very useful tool for Aβ studies.
Dual Binding Modes of Congo Red to Amyloid Protofibril Surface Observed in Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Congo red has been used to identify amyloid fibrils in tissues for more than 80 years and is also a weak inhibitor to both amyloid-beta fibril formation and toxicity. However, the specificity of the binding and its inhibition mechanism remain unclear. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with the explicit solvent model, we have identified and characterized two specific binding modes of Congo red molecules to a protofibril formed by an amyloidogenic fragment (GNNQQNY) of the yeast prion protein Sup35. The observation of dual-mode was consistent with the experimentally observed dual-mode binding to Abeta fibrils by a series of compounds similar to Congo red. In the primary mode, Congo red bound to a regular groove formed by the first three residues (GNN) of the beta-strands along the beta-sheet extension direction. Comparative simulations demonstrated that Thioflavin T also bound to the grooves on KLVFFAE protofibril surface. Because of the ubiquitous long grooves on the amyloid fibril surface, we propose that this binding interaction could be a general recognition mode of amyloid fibrils by Congo red, Thioflavin T, and other long flat molecules. In the secondary mode, Congo red bound parallel to the beta-strands on the edge or in the middle of a beta-sheet. The primary binding mode of Congo red and GNNQQNY protofibril was more stable than the secondary mode by -5.7 kcal/mol as estimated by the MM-GBSA method. Detailed analysis suggests that the hydrophobic interactions play important roles for burial of the hydrophobic part of the Congo red molecules. Two potential inhibition mechanisms of disrupting beta-sheet stacking were inferred from the primary mode, which could be exploited for the development of non-peptidic amyloid-specific inhibitors.
Investigation of mechanically Q-switched lasers

Using a resonant scanner mirror Q-switch to provide a time varying change in cavity alignment, 1535nm lasers based on Er/Yb-doped glass and 1064nm lasers based on Nd:YAG were evaluated. Using a side pumping architecture, the Er/Yb glass laser used a compact mechanical Q-switch with a mirror rotation rate of 330 Rad/s, enabling generation of <3 mJ pulses with a pulse width of 16ns. The laser output was a diffraction limited TEM00 mode. A mechanical Q-switch based on a MEMS tilting mirror was also used; its performance in a laser cavity was found to be similar to the resonant mirror. The technique of mechanical Q-switching was also extended to a side pumped Nd:YAG laser (mirror sweep rate of 1300 Rad/s), enabling generation of Q-switched pulses of <30mJ and 25ns duration. The far-field divergence showed this laser to be highly multi-moded within the pump plane, with a measured beam-product-parameter greater than 30 mm-mRad.
Division Algebras with PSL(2, q)-Galois Maximal Subfields

Abstract If G is a finite group and k is a field, then G is k-admissible if there exists a G-Galois extension L/k such that L is a maximal subfield of a k-division algebra. We prove that PSL(2, 7) is k-admissible for any number field which either fails to contain −1 or which has two primes lying over the dyadic prime. In addition, PSL(2, 11) is shown to be admissible over Q or any number field k with at least two extensions of the dyadic prime. Indeed, there exist infinitely many linearly disjoint admissible extensions for these groups.
Efficiency Measurement in: Branch Bank Service with Data Envelopment Analysis

Banking is a competitive market since the industry deregulated. Consumersâ€™ demand for convenience services led to an increase in the number of branches to serve a geographically dispersed customer base. Increasing the number of branches indiscriminately is not advisable since more branches increase the cost structure for the bank. Banking executives can evaluate the relative efficiency of branches, segments, and markets using analytical tools such as DEA. This research assists the branch manager with understanding the efficiency of branches and segments using two alternative intermediation models and a profit model. The results show that large markets are more efficient than small or rural markets, and large segments are generally more efficient than small market segments. The methodology employed in this study allows branch managers to proactively work to improve efficiency and control costs by adjusting inputs within the managerâ€™s control, whether efficiency is measured based on profit models or the intermediation models.
Vibrational spectra and conformational behavior of (cyanomethyl)cyclopropane

The infrared spectra (4000–400 cm−1) of gaseous, liquid and solid (cyanomethyl) cyclopropane have been recorded for the first time. Additionally, the Raman spectra (3500–50 cm−1) of condensed phases of this substance have also been obtained. ‘Extra’ Q branches have been observed in the gas-phase infrared spectrum, and six liquid-phase Raman doublets (two of which are also seen in the infrared spectrum of the liquid) have also been observed, wherein one member of each doublet vanishes once the polycrystalline solid state spectrum is obtained. These data have been interpreted in terms of a two conformer (gauche/cis) fluid-phase equilibrium for (cyanomethyl)cyclopropane, with only the gauche conformer remaining in the solid phase. The temperature behavior of the 774/756 and 835/855 cm−1 liquid-phase Raman doublets yields an enthalpy difference between conformers of 0.72±0.10 kcal mol−1, with the gauche conformer the more stable. This ΔH value implies a room-temperature conformational equilibrium for (cyanomethyl)cyclopropane composed of 87% gauche and 13% cis rotamers in the liquid phase. In addition, a vibrational assignment for the 33 normal modes of (cyanomethyl)cyclopropane has been proposed, and it is in excellent agreement with the previously published vibrational assignments for three (halomethyl)cyclopropanes.