Louisiana Tech University Research Articles

The Oxford handbook of meaningful work By RuthYeoman, CatherineBailey, AdrianMadden, and MarcThompson (Eds.) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press2019

Personnel PsychologyEarly View BOOK REVIEW The Oxford handbook of meaningful work By Ruth Yeoman, Catherine Bailey, Adrian Madden, and Marc Thompson (Eds.) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press 2019 Steven Toaddy, Corresponding Author Steven Toaddy [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5984-4193 Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Correspondence Steven Toaddy, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Steven Toaddy, Corresponding Author Steven Toaddy [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5984-4193 Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Correspondence Steven Toaddy, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 24 June 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12610Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Work without jobs: How to reboot your organization's work operating system, by RavinJesuthansan and John W.Boudreau, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2022, 232 pages, $29.95 hardcover

Personnel PsychologyVolume 75, Issue 4 p. 961-963 BOOK REVIEWS Work without jobs: How to reboot your organization's work operating system, by Ravin Jesuthansan and John W. Boudreau, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2022, 232 pages, $29.95 hardcover Steven Toaddy, Corresponding Author Steven Toaddy steven.toaddy@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0001-5984-4193 Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, USA Correspondence Steven Toaddy, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, USA. Email: steven.toaddy@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this author Steven Toaddy, Corresponding Author Steven Toaddy steven.toaddy@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0001-5984-4193 Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, USA Correspondence Steven Toaddy, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, USA. Email: steven.toaddy@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this author First published: 02 August 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12539Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume75, Issue4Winter 2022Pages 961-963 RelatedInformation

Styrene Emissions in Steam-Cured CIPP: A Review and Comparison of Multiple Studies

AbstractRecent research by Matthews et al. at the Louisiana Tech University Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) regarding styrene emissions produced during steam-cured, styrene-based cured-in-place ...

In-situ assessment of soil-root bonding strength to aid in preventing soil erosion

Research shows that construction of seawalls controls soil erosion along the coastal lines but scouring at the bottom deteriorates water clarity and causes algae growth. An environmentally friendly, sustainable solution such as controlled cultivation of plants has potential to perform better in such cases. Studies already show that plant roots’ tensile strength has direct influence on soil shear strength. However, the tensile strength tests performed in the lab cannot represent the exact ambient condition. This paper describes the development of a novel, effortless approach to carry and assemble an In-situ Smart Testing Apparatus (ISTA) that evaluates Soil Root Bonding Strength (SRBS) by pulling vegetation with roots out of the soil and measures and records the pulling strength along with the vertical displacement that takes place during the uprooting process. Another aspect of the equipment includes in-situ tensile testing capability of plant roots. In addition to those, the controlling program of the equipment stores other parameters like test date and time along with the latitude, longitude, humidity, and temperature of test location in the same file. This paper includes the initial study conducted on four different naturally grown species (Ranunculus acris, Stenotaphrum secundatum, Paspalum urvillei, and Rhynchospora mixta) using the developed ISTA near a pond at the Agricultural Department at Louisiana Tech University. Different forces required to uproot the investigated plants indicate that SRBS could be stimulated by the types and arrangements of roots inside subsoil. The obtained results reveals a strong effect of plant types and soil phase properties (soil bulk density, moisture content, air content, and pore space) on SRBS in the form of pulling force and displacement. The ISTA, thus, has significant potential to measure, store and distribute the real time data that can aid relevant professionals in preventing soil erosion and ensuring sustainable coastal ecosystems.

Human factors and ergonomics and the response to COVID‐19

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service IndustriesVolume 31, Issue 4 p. 329-332 EDITORIAL Human factors and ergonomics and the response to COVID-19 Katherine L. Plant, Katherine L. Plant Transportation Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMary E. Fendley, Corresponding Author Mary E. Fendley [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-1845 Industrial Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Correspondence Mary E. Fendley, Industrial Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, 226 Bogard Hall, Dan Reneau Dr, Ruston, LA 71212, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Katherine L. Plant, Katherine L. Plant Transportation Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMary E. Fendley, Corresponding Author Mary E. Fendley [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-1845 Industrial Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Correspondence Mary E. Fendley, Industrial Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, 226 Bogard Hall, Dan Reneau Dr, Ruston, LA 71212, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 11 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20923Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume31, Issue4Special Issue: Human factors and ergonomics and the response to COVID‐19July 2021Pages 329-332 RelatedInformation

P93 A Multi-State Evaluation of the Knowledge of the Background and Dangers of Popular Fad Diets Among Cooperative Extension Agents in Family and Consumer Sciences

<h3>Background</h3> Cooperative Extension Services (CES) provides research-based information to communities. Rapidly changing trends leave communities seeking reliable information. There is a need to assess CES agents' knowledge about fad diets to develop effective professional trainings. <h3>Objective</h3> To assess general and potential adverse effects knowledge of fad diets of CES agents and factors influencing that knowledge. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> An online survey assessed CES agents employed in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas working in family and consumer science, nutrition, or related fields. The survey included demographic items, certifications held, years of experience, professional association memberships, education level and knowledge items to assess general and adverse effects knowledge of low-carbohydrate diets, intermittent fasting, detoxes, and cleanses. IRB approval was obtained from Louisiana Tech University. State office designates distributed the survey link to eligible agents. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Descriptive statistics characterized respondents. Knowledge items addressing diet premises and adverse effects were scored and categorized by diet type. ANOVA testing determined factors that influenced knowledge. <h3>Results</h3> Eligibility was met by 138 respondents. The most reported length of employment was 1-10 years (42%), and master's degrees for education level (63%). The mean score for total knowledge of fad diets was 70%. Respondents scored higher for general knowledge (75%) than adverse effects questions (65%). Members of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) scored highest for total knowledge (72%), as didRDN, DTR, and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certifications (74%). An ANOVA yielded a significant effect for CHES certification, F (1, 2) = 5.16, <i>P</i> = .03 and for RDN/DTR certifications, F (1, 0) = 4.83, <i>P</i> = .03 for adverse effects knowledge. Respondents (80%) chose webinars as the preferred delivery method of professional education. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Findings can be used to create needed meaningful professional development for Family and Consumer Sciences agents.

The Value of Integrating Nutrition in Mental Health Counseling and Treatment

Integrative Journal of Conference Proceedings The Value of Integrating Nutrition in Mental Health Counseling and Treatment Ida Chauvin*, Ewing HD and Jerry T Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA *Corresponding author: Ida Chauvin, Department of Psychology, Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana, USA Submission: January 24, 2020;Published: February 5, 2020 Volume2 Issue2February, 2020

Confidence in Cooking Skills Based on Weight Status of Millennial Generation Louisiana Tech University Students

Confidence in Cooking Skills Based on Weight Status of Millennial Generation Louisiana Tech University Students

College Campus Food Insecurity and Body Mass Index, Financial Assistance, and Ethnicity (P04-042-19)

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify and describe the prevalence of hunger among college students attending Louisiana Tech University located in Louisiana.Hypothesis 1: There will be no significant difference in BMI between those that are considered food insecure versus those that consider themselves food secure.Hypothesis 2: There will be no significant difference in ethnicity between those that are food insecure versus those that are food secure.Hypothesis 3: There will be no significant difference between degree of food security and whether or not financial assistance is received. Degree of food insecurity includes either being food secure or being food insecure. MethodsOutcomes compared included BMI, ethnicity, and financial assistance in relation to food secure and food insecure participants.Students participated in an online survey distributed through the school email system. Survey questions were adapted from the USDA food security survey. ResultsFood insecure participants had an average BMI of 27.6 + 7.4, suggesting a link between food insecurity and having a greater body mass index. No association between food insecurity and financial assistance but 89% of those who identified as food insecure receiving financial aid. Further, the number of those who were food insecure and white was greater than those who were food insure and black, indicating that food insecurity does not discriminate. ConclusionsResearch is needed to explore circumstances contributing to food insecurity among college students. Funding SourcesN/A.

University-Community Partnership to Enhance Public Health Communication

ObjectiveThe Context of Communicating Care Communicating health information across diverse populations is critical to improving public health and sustaining health-related practices within a community. In this context, successful collaborations can provide models for effectively sharing essential information in other communities. This panel examines a case where two entities partnered to create visual and written materials for conveying health information to different underserved populations in a rural and economically disadvantaged region (Lincoln Parish, located in north central Louisiana).IntroductionA Case of Effective Community-Based Collaborations For this case, the Visual Integration of Science through Art (VISTA) at Louisiana Tech University (Tech) partnered with the non-profit Lincoln Health Foundation to produce image-intensive communication materials for certain local populations. The specific audience was undereducated, indigent, non-native English speaking communities in the Parish – a population that often cannot readily rely on text-based resources for information.For the project, students enrolled in Advanced Digital Painting, Studio Art Internships, or Usability and User Experience Design classes at Tech collaborated with representatives from the Lincoln Health Foundation toConduct research on the communication expectations and preferences of the target audienceIdentify the best methods for sharing information on sensitive health issues with the members of this communityDevelop image-based brochures, website content, and illustrations to convey health information to these populationsThese final products students produced included illustrations depicting the health complications associated with diabetes and informational brochures on preventative practices associated with sexually transmitted diseases. In creating this content for the Lincoln Health Foundation, the participants created a model for how community health organizations, educators, and students can collaborate to develop informational products for specific local communities. This proposed panel presentation examines the dynamics of forming such partnerships and collaborating to address the needs of the community population.DescriptionThe Dynamics of the Case In this initial pilot, there are two separate but complementary projects where the community partner identified an area of need and Tech students, under supervision of faculty, created either visual images or website and brochure content to improve communication.Specifically, students identified and tested material for dissemination in the community by:Identifying prospective solutions/materials that can address this issueResearching the intended audience to determine the solution(s) that would work bestCreating materials for addressing this need (and based on research of audience expectations)Testing these materials with members of the related audiencePresenting suggested materials/solutions to community partnersDiscussing mechanisms the community partner could use to disseminate this information to the intended audienceThe objective of the model was to provide students with hands-on, real-life experiences inProject planningProject managementUser researchProduct developmentProduct planningIllustration as a form of communicationUnderstanding audienceCrossing language and cultural barriersThe community partner, in turn, received a needed resource developed specifically to meet the needs of a given population within that community.How the Moderator Intends to Engage Audience DiscussionsThe Focus of the Proposed Panel The proposed panel will be comprised of members of each of the groups involved in this project. The members of the panel will discuss how the partnership has worked by explaining project planning and related interactions involved inThe projects that students have participated inThe usability of the products createdThe impact of these products on the communityThe planning of future projects that will continue to impact communities beyond Lincoln ParishIn so doing, panel members will overview the ways in which the participating individuals and agencies approached the processes of identifying problems and solutions and fostering and maintaining collaborative relationships during the course of a project in which the dynamics regularly changed.Panel Participants The panel who will lead a discussion on this type of University-Community health partnership includes:Faculty Representative of Studio ArtFaculty Representative of Biological SciencesFaculty Representative of Technical Communication/Usability TestingRepresentative of community partner organizationStudent participant in the projectEach participant will comment on how the related organization approached this overall project, interacted with other collaborators, and engaged in collaborative decision making and problem solving throughout the overall process.Benefits for Attendees Through examining this case of collaboration in this way, the overall presentation will discuss strategies attendees can use toEstablish the heath-communication needs to certain local communitiesDevise solutions for creating effective materials to meet this needAssess the efficacy of such materials with divers communitiesIdentify and collaborate with local partners to address such needs effectivelyIn this way, the presentation will provide attendees with strategies they can apply to address the communication dynamics and community needs of their own local context(s).

Multiplicity of coprime pairs for extension of coprime sensor arrays

This research finds the optimum period of a basic coprime sensor array (CSA) needed to reduce the PSL height to -13 dB for both minimum and product processing methods. Our design does not have the constraint that the subarray lengths be one integer apart unlike in [Adhikari et al., 2014]. We apply MUSIC algorithm to the optimized CSA and compare the PSD estimate obtained by Vaidyanathan and Pal’s covariance matrix estimation using a single sensor pair versus our covariance matrix estimated using all available sensor pairs. We show that minimum processing requires fewer periods than product processing to reach the PSL height of -13 dB. Larger coprime pairs require fewer periods and cause an increase in variance and a decrease in the number of lags available between the two subarrays. This decrease lowers the accuracy of the covariance matrix estimation. However, using all available sensor pairs to generate the covariance matrix greatly increases the accuracy compared to using a single sensor pair. When only one signal is present, both covariance estimates produce a similar, accurate DOA, but as the number of signals increases, our covariance estimate performs better. [Work supported by Louisiana Tech University.]

Nested sensor array extension factors required to match the peak sidelobe height of a uniform linear array

Nested sensor arrays (NSAs) are a type of non-uniform linear array (NULA) that reduce the total number of sensors used for a given aperture and retain the same resolution of a uniform linear array (ULA) [Pal and Vaidyanathan, 2010]. The peak sidelobe (PSL) height fails to fall below the acceptable standard of -13 dB associated with ULAs for basic NSA configurations. The basic NSA can be extended by a factor to improve the PSL height. Coprime sensor arrays, a related NULA design, have established sensor extension factors that have been found to reduce the PSL height to this -13 dB standard [Adhikari et al., 2014]. For NSAs, such an extension factor has not been established. This research finds the parameters required to extend an NSA to adequately reduce the PSLs. NSAs can significantly reduce the number of sensors required to yield a satisfactory beampattern, as low as twenty-five percent of the total aperture for some cases. Considering various array apertures, certain configurations successfully use a distinctly small aperture but require a higher percentage of those to be active. To verify our results, we construct a sixty-four sensor microphone array with which we test the optimal configurations. [Work supported by Louisiana Tech University.]

Interview with Drew McKevitt

Drew McKevitt of Louisiana Tech University discusses his research and his recently published book, Consuming Japan: Popular Culture and the Globalizing of 1980s America.

Effect of Ultrasound Probe Homogenization to Improve Sucrose Recovery from Sugar Factory Products

Event Abstract Back to Event Effect of Ultrasound Probe Homogenization to Improve Sucrose Recovery from Sugar Factory Products Marsha R. Cole1* and William B. Morris1 1 Louisiana Tech University, United States Abstract: Maximizing sugar recovery from bagasse and final molasses is economically important to sugar mills. On average, approximately 20-40 lb sucrose per ton of crushed cane is lost to the molasses and bagasse each year. Evaluating that sucrose loss in terms of the amount of cane crushed in Louisiana in 2016, approximately 128,000–250,000 tons of sucrose was left unrecovered and $76-152 millions of profitable dollars were untapped. This is largely due to increases in massecuite viscosity (molasses + sucrose crystals) that limits molasses exhaustion and sucrose recovery. This presents a critical need for technologies to improve sucrose recoveries from final molasses for the sugar industry to be more profitable. This research investigated whether the use of probe ultrasonication technology can improve the viscosity of final C molasses obtained from two Louisiana sugar mills (LSM 1 and LSM 2). As expected, sonication (3 – 10 min, 60% amplitude) improved the viscosity of both LSM 1 and LSM 2 samples as temperature increased from 40°C to 60°C. Upon comparing the effects of sonication to the nontreated control, the viscosity for LSM 1 improved by 6.3, 21.2, 14.9, and 11.0% at 25, 40 (factory storage temperature), 50, and 60°C (factory flowing temperature), respectively. For LSM 2, mean improvements in viscosity between the nontreated control and sonicated samples were 32.6, 23.1, 29.0, and 39.7% at 25, 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively. Results indicate that sonication shows potential to improve molasses handling at temperatures at or below 40°C by improving flowability and viscosity. Complementary ATR-IR confirmed that viscosity improvements were attributable to reductions in hydrogen bonding between polar impurities. More studies are on-going to determine whether sonication affected the hydrogen bonding between the processing or natural impurities in the molasses and if their molecular weight distributions were reduced. Acknowledgements American Sugar Cane League Alma Sugar Plantation Enterprise Plantation Keywords: Sucrose recovery, Molasses, Sonication, Sugar manufacture, Viscosity, Sugar boiling, Sugar yield Conference: National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 45th Annual Conference , Orlando, Florida, United States, 17 Sep - 20 Sep, 2018. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Analytical Chemsitry Citation: Cole MR and Morris WB (2019). Effect of Ultrasound Probe Homogenization to Improve Sucrose Recovery from Sugar Factory Products. Front. Chem. Conference Abstract: National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 45th Annual Conference . doi: 10.3389/conf.fchem.2018.01.00032 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 10 Oct 2018; Published Online: 17 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Marsha R Cole, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, United States, cole@latech.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Marsha R Cole William B Morris Google Marsha R Cole William B Morris Google Scholar Marsha R Cole William B Morris PubMed Marsha R Cole William B Morris Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

2nd International Conference on Measurement Instrumentation and Electronics

CommitteesConference ChairsProf. Axel Sikora, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, GermanyProf. Ben Choi, Computer Science Louisiana Tech University, USALocal ChairsProf. Vit Vozenilek, Palacky University, Czech RepublicDr. Pavel Kucera, Eaton European Innovation Center (EEIC) in Prague, Czech RepublicTechnical Program Committee ChairProf. Wang Shuhui, Tongji University, ChinaProf. Ing. Jiří Tůma, Technical University of Ostrava, Czech RepublicProf. Mohamed Sbihi, Mohammed V University in Rabat Morocco, MoroccoProf. Natcha Mahapoonyanont, Thaksin University, ThailandPublication ChairAsst. Prof. Jakub Svatoš, Czech Technical University, Czech RepublicTechnical Program CommitteeDr. Mattia Butta, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech RepublicDr. Ilona Janáková, Brno University of Technology, Czech RepublicDr. Martin STAVA, Brno University of Technology, Czech RepublicAsst. Prof. Jakub Svatoš, Czech Technical University, Czech RepublicAssoc. Prof. Lamia Youb, University of Batna, AlgeriaAsst. Prof. Paulo Gil, University of Coimbra, PortugalAssoc. Prof. Vladimir Shurenkov, National Research Nuclear University, RussiaIng. Petr Doležel, University of Pardubice, Czech RepublicDr. Masood Ur Rehman, University of London, UKProf. Koichi Takiguchi, Ritsumeikan University, JapanProf. Haldun M. Ozaktas, Bilkent University, TurkeyAsst. Prof. Prof. Veysel Gokhan Bocekci, marmara university, TurkeyAsst. Prof. Prof. Kazim Yildiz, Marmara University, TurkeyProf. Khaled Nagaty, British University in EgyptProf. Mounia Zaim, Mohammed V University in Rabat Morocco, MoroccoDr. Hsien-Shun Liao, National Taiwan University, TaiwanProf. Eduard Siemens, The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, GermanyAsst. Prof. Dr. Parveen Beg, Aligarh Muslim University, IndiaMr. Denis Kotarski, Karlovac University of Applies Sciences, Croatia

ChemChamps finalists to compete in Philadelphia

Four finalists have been selected to compete in the American Chemical Society’s Chemistry Champions competition, which will take place on Aug. 20 and 22 at the ACS national meeting in Philadelphia. The competition, now in its third year, aims to give younger chemists an opportunity to develop and enhance their communication skills. The finalists are John Gleeson, a graduate student at University College Dublin, in Ireland; Mallory Hinks, a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine; Nathan Turner, an undergraduate at Louisiana Tech University, in Baton Rouge; and Olga Zamudio, who recently earned a Ph.D. from the Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City and now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. They were selected from eight semifinalists who all received science communications training this summer in Washington, D.C. Those eight were narrowed down from contestants who submitted a two- to three-minute video

Purs, Aldis Baltic Facades: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since 1945 (review)

SEER, 94, 3, july 2016 568 Amar’s compelling narrative arc situates the story of L’viv at the seemingly perpetual crossroads of major political currents. The book traces the unmixing of the city as a process that was not actually planned by any state but rather systematically executed by each successive regime. Amar collected research for the book across Central Europe’s state archives with the intent of producing ‘a local and transnational study’ (p. 1). The text also incorporates the experiences of individuals who lived in this urban borderland, perhaps to the greatest extent in the chapter dealing with the Nazi occupation. As a whole, The Paradox of Ukrainian Lviv is clearly written and coherently structured. It presents readers with an accessible entry point to a bewilderingly complicated moment in history. What the title suggests, but the book does not address, is the particularity of L’viv as an urban centre within the Central European borderlands. Amar discusses the administrative changes each consecutive state implemented that, for instance, yielded campaigns of naming or mandated a ‘local’ identity in the post-war years, but he does not explore how they applied to the city differently than to its surroundings. Yet the erasure of urban multiculturalism in Thessaloniki, Wroclaw, Sarajevo and, indeed, L’viv, even when not explicitly identified as a state agenda, manifested as a deep incursion into everyday practices, for instance, of space, class and gender. An urban lens would have added another insightful dimension to this study. This critique notwithstanding, The Paradox of Ukrainian Lviv is an impressive undertaking with an even more impressive result. Amar skilfully weaves together a lineage of state policies that vied for power over the Central European borderlands during the twentieth century. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and Nazi Germany, as well as those interested in authoritarian regimes, nation building and nationalism. Department of History Jovana Babović Louisiana Tech University Purs, Aldis. Baltic Facades: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since 1945. Contemporary Worlds. Reaktion Books, London, 2012. 203 pp. Maps. Notes. Further reading. Index. £15.95 (paperback). The aims of this book are modest. In the first instance it’s not written for academic audiences, but for general, educated readers in order to give them a sense of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. To be fair to the author, he achieves this aim well and, in fact, he has produced a text which more than likely will be useful for educational audiences too. REVIEWS 569 The book’s structure blends chronology and themes to good effect. The first substantial chapter provides an historical overview from ancient times to the interwar period. It’s an ambitious undertaking, but Purs accomplishes the task well. The text is made all the more enjoyable by the inclusion of occasional pithy comments designed to provoke some readers at least. So, for instance, when discussing the arrival of German merchants, knights and priests in the twelfth century the author dismisses those who would interpret this as the start of ‘700 years of German oppression’ (p. 25). Such writing he dismisses as typical of Latvian and Estonian ‘nationalist historiography’ (p. 25). The second chapter, nicely entitled ‘Potemkin Republics’, addresses periods of Soviet, Nazi and, once again, Soviet occupation. It contains some good material that will encourage readers to find out more, for example the all too brief characterization of post-1945 partisan warfare. But once again this chapter contains views that will force some readers to argue against what they find. So, for instance, Purs maintains that the Soviet Union appears not to have had a policy of genocide towards the Baltic peoples. Rather, in his words, ‘Soviet rule in the Baltic followed the pattern of Soviet rule throughout the Soviet Union’ (p. 66). The title of the third chapter, ‘Soviet Union to European Union’, highlights the tremendous changes experienced in the Baltic States following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the process, it provides an interesting view of the Communist empire as it fell apart, including the way one-time Party men made an easy transition to the nationalist camp. It shows how the Popular Fronts constructed in...

Hybrid Indexing for Parallel Analysis of Spatiotemporal Point Patterns

GIScience 2016 Short Paper Proceedings Hybrid Indexing for Parallel Analysis of Spatiotemporal Point Patterns Alexander Hohl 1 , Irene Casas 2 , Eric M. Delmelle 1 , Wenwu Tang 1 University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and Center for Applied GIScience, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA. Email: {ahohl; Eric.Delmelle; WenwuTang}@uncc.edu Louisiana Tech University, Department of Social Sciences, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA. Email: icasas@latech.edu Abstract High-performance parallel computing outperforms desktop workstations for computationally demanding problem solving. Domain decomposition and spatial indexing are widely used to accelerate spatial search. A single index method for spatiotemporal data processing lacks retrieval efficiency for massive computation. Combining multiple indexing methods to a hybrid spatiotemporal index holds potential for addressing this data retrieval challenge. We perform adaptive octree decomposition of the spatiotemporal domain and build local k-d trees to accelerate nearest neighbour search for space-time kernel density estimation (STKDE). Our parallel implementation reaches substantial speedup compared to sequential processing. The hybrid index outperforms octree decomposition alone, especially at lower-levels of parallelization. This approach facilitates finer-scale computation, enabling us to discover patterns that would be hidden otherwise. 1. Introduction Many algorithms for analyzing spatiotemporal data are computationally intensive because they often rely on extensive nearest-neighbor (NN) search. Spatial indexing methods, including R-trees and quadtrees, have long been used to accelerate spatial queries (Lu and Ooi 1993). Further, parallel computing offers the capacity for efficient processing of intensive analyses. Efficient algorithms for range queries and k nearest neighbor (kNN) queries have been developed within parallel communication models, like Hadoop (Agarwal et al. 2016). Hering (2013) showed that performance of in-memory k-d trees is best for intermediate number of dimensions (6-13). In addition, kNN search was implemented using graphics processing units (GPU) (see Liang et al. 2010; Sismanis et al. 2012), where distance calculation and sorting are parallelized. Alternatively, the strategy of spatial domain decomposition is used for distributing the resulting subdomains to multiple computing resources for concurrent processing (Wilkinson and Allen 1999). However, including time in geographic models complicates requirements for spatial indexing, resulting in low retrieval efficiency (Gu 2011). Merging multiple indexing methods to form hybrid spatiotemporal indices was recently proposed by Azri et al. (2013). In this study, we perform octree-based recursive decomposition of the space-time domain for parallel computation of STKDE. Using k-d tree indexing within octree leaf nodes (Liu et al. 2008) we accelerate kNN search for STKDE. 2. Methods 2.1 Data We used a dataset of dengue fever cases in Cali, Colombia for years 2011 and 2012. Each of the 11,168 records holds x- and y-coordinates and a timestamp (Delmelle et al. 2013). The rectangular envelope of the dataset spans 15,000m * 20,000m * 727days. 2.2 Space-Time Kernel Density Estimation STKDE results in a 3D volume where each voxel (volumetric pixel) is assigned a density estimate based on the surrounding datapoints. Specifically:

Drug infused clay nanotubes for combinatorial drug delivery

Event Abstract Back to Event Drug infused clay nanotubes for combinatorial drug delivery Reid Grimes1 and David K. Mills1 1 Louisiana Tech University, Biomedical Engineering, United States Halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) are capable of being vacuum-loaded with a variety of different compounds. In addition, it has also been shown that layers deposited through layer-by-layer self-assembly can effectively coat these tubes. In this project, polyelectrolyte (PE) layers were deposited onto the surface of the HNTs, with the addition of a layer of the drug, Rifampicin sequestered within the layers. SEM images were taken to confirm HNT coating. The tubes were further coated to contain and retard the Rifampicin release. The PE coating structure was composed of two distinct bilayers of poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate, PSS) with poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride, PDM) and poly acrylic acid (PAA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPON). The foundation of the system was comprised of a series of PSS/PDM multi-layers followed layers of PAA/PVPON. Once the foundation was created, the drug Rifampicin was loaded onto the layers. Then a series of PAA/PVPON layers were deposited followed by a final series of PSS/PDM layers. Samples were tested at pH 7 to ensure that the drug was effectively contained and the PE layers were then broken down and the amount of drug retained determined. The system was shown to be stable at neutral pH, a comparison study examined release/retention between pH 7 and pH 5.6. Samples were allowed to stir for five minutes after which an initial reading was taken using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The samples were then allowed to stir for 48 hours undisturbed, after which another reading was taken. Finally, the sample was allowed to stir for an additional 24hrs, and another reading taken. In addition to testing the capped samples, samples were created that were identical, but lacked PAA/PVPON and PDM/PSS multilayers on top of the drug layer and served as the control. SEM microscopy confirmed that individual HNTs have a coating completely covering their surface. At pH 5.6, samples released Rifampicin throughout the trial. However, the amount of drug released was substantially less than that of the control. In the pH 7 trials, the control continuously released large amounts of Rifampicin. However, the capped samples did not release any of the drugs until much later in the release profile. These results show that layers, composed of PSS/PDM and PAA/PVPON, infused with the drug Rifampicin can be created on the surface of HNTs. Additionally, this study shows that the layers are also pH responsive. Rifampicin was used as a model drug in these trials, however due to the nature of the system, various other drugs can be placed within the structure. Current studies investigate the release profile of the system at five-minute intervals for extended amounts of time. Furthermore, a number of other drugs are being loaded and studied in this system. In conclusion, a method for effectively entrapping a drug in the layers created on the surface of HNTs has been created that is also pH responsive. The author's wish to acknowledge the Louisiana Governor's Initiative for their funding support of this project. Keywords: Drug delivery, nanotube, biofunctionalization, Nano/micro particle Conference: 10th World Biomaterials Congress, Montréal, Canada, 17 May - 22 May, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Drug-eluting devices Citation: Grimes R and Mills DK (2016). Drug infused clay nanotubes for combinatorial drug delivery. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. Conference Abstract: 10th World Biomaterials Congress. doi: 10.3389/conf.FBIOE.2016.01.02383 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Mar 2016; Published Online: 30 Mar 2016. Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Reid Grimes David K Mills Google Reid Grimes David K Mills Google Scholar Reid Grimes David K Mills PubMed Reid Grimes David K Mills Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

The Lamentations of Zeno

comparisons between the two women are drawn out beautifully. The second half of the book returns to the tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Asha’s granddaughter wants to marry a Pakistani yet her daughter, Priya, refuses to accept the match. The last half, like the first, returns to the binaries in its characters and to similar stories of national tension. Though not a new story, for someone looking to explore Partition literature, Where the River Parts may be worth reading to get a sense of the event that still captures authors’ imaginations. Melissa Weiss University of Oklahoma Graham Swift. Mothering Sunday: A Romance. New York. Alfred A. Knopf. 2016. 177 pages. On March 30, 1924, on what was known in England as Mothering Sunday—the day servants were given off to visit their mothers —Jane Fairchild, an orphan and housemaid at Beechwood, walks alone and naked through a library and discovers her future calling as a writer. In a sense, the scene becomes a metaphor for the birth of the creative imagination, the search for identity, and the power of stories, which are at the heart of all Graham Swift’s fictions. Within this one day, Swift is able to cover the vanishing Georgian society and culture of England through the memory of Jane, now a famous novelist in her nineties. As a maidservant at Beechwood, Jane has been having a surreptitious affair with Paul Sheringham of Upleigh, the neighboring home. But Paul, whose two older brothers were killed in the war and who himself is halfheartedly mugging up for the law, must marry for money—for the time of great estates and landed wealth is coming to an end. And so their ways must part, but under circumstances neither expects. Graham Swift has written nine novels, including the Booker Prize–winning Last Orders (1996) and two volumes of short stories , his most recent being England and Other Stories (2014), but this is his first attempt at a novella. Swift’s stories generally concern themselves with characters who are either London professionals or from the working classes, but all of whose lives were profoundly changed by World War II. In this case, the setting and characters suggest a shift in focus and may have their inspiration from the wildly popular PBS series Downtown Abbey, with shared themes of upstairs/downstairs, illicit affairs, the women’s movement, and the devastating effect on English culture and society brought by World War I. In terms of Swift’s canon, Mothering Sunday is probably closest to his underappreciated Tomorrow (2007), which centers on a female narrator, Paula Hook, who meditates at night on a secret in her life and marriage. Swift has often been criticized for his portrayal of “traditional” female characters , and Mothering Sunday will be no exception. While Jane Fairchild is a strong, independent, and sympathetic woman who rises to the top of her profession, she finds her voice as a writer by reading boys’ adventure stories and the tales of Joseph Conrad. Nonetheless, the compression of Mothering Sunday shows Swift’s mastery of the shorter form and surely will elicit comparisons to Ian McEwan’s On Chesil Beach (2007). Tautly written and carefully structured , Mothering Sunday is a riveting piece of fiction that may just show Graham Swift at his best. Donald P. Kaczvinsky Louisiana Tech University Ilija Trojanow. The Lamentations of Zeno. Trans. Philip Boehm. New York. Verso Books. 2016. 164 pages. Zeno Hintermeier is named for the founder of Stoicism, a central tenet of which is that we should live in accord with nature and that we should promote moral progress. Rosa Liksom Compartment No. 6 Trans. Lola Rogers Graywolf Press Winner of the prestigious Finlandia Prize, Rosa Likson’s Compartment No. 6 pairs a Finnish woman and a Russian war veteran in a train car for a long trip to Mongolia. Likson’s rich physical descriptions and engaging storytelling make the reader wish that the ride would never end, but the surprising end makes it a journey worth taking. Sergei Lebedev Oblivion Trans. Antonina W. Bouis New Vessel Press This daring novel examines the Soviet-era gulag system through the plight of its narrator who returns to Siberia...