Kansas State University

Epidemic mean-field thresholds of SIS dynamics on temporal multiplex networks with activity-driven layers

Abstract We investigate the susceptible--infected--susceptible (SIS) process on a temporal multiplex network where a persistent static layer is overlaid with an activity-driven layer of one-step contacts. Simulations on several random network families (Erd\H{o}s--R\'enyi, Watts--...

Ensemble agroecosystem modeling enhances predictions of crop yields and soil carbon across the United States

Abstract. Accurately estimating crop yields and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics is essential for agricultural planning, carbon accounting, and sustainable land management. However, process-based agroecosystem models often produce divergent estimates due to variations in model...

Improved specificity of a probe-based real-time PCR for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis in canine blood

Abstract Background Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne filarioid nematode distributed worldwide and endemic across most of North America. In dogs, it is considered the most important parasite and a known cause of acquired cardiomyopathy. Clinically, canine heartworm disease ca...

Direct avirulence effector-receptor interaction confers wheat immunity against insects

Wheat immunity against the global pest Hessian fly operates on a gene-for-gene basis, yet molecular mechanisms underlying resistance-avirulence interactions have remained elusive for over five decades due to the absence of any cloned insect-resistance gene. Here, we cloned the H1...

The effects of dietary iron supplementation on bacterial infections in Manduca sexta larval hemolymph

Abstract Iron is an essential nutrient for all types of organisms, including insects and the microbes that infect them. We predicted that insects fed an iron-supplemented diet would accumulate more iron in their hemolymph, and, because infectious microbes acquire iron from their...

Microneedle patch-based delivery of mRNA vaccines: opportunities for next-generation immunization

Abstract Recent advances in messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technologies have enabled rapid responses to emerging infectious diseases and accelerated translation from antigen design to clinical deployment; however, their widespread implementation remains constrained by formulation i...

Christian Spirituality, Social Interaction, and U.S. National Parks: Experiencing God in Communal Activities

Semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate the phenomenon of experiencing God by self-identifying Christians through social interactions during leisure or employment at two U.S. National Parks. Collectively, 36 participants were recruited from three sources and include: 1)...

Benchmarking farmers’ irrigation decisions using farm competition data and a crop growth model

Abstract Rising irrigation demand and declining groundwater resources threaten the sustainability of irrigated maize production in Nebraska. Benchmarking farmers’ applied irrigation against optimal amounts offers insight into management performance and highlights opportunities fo...

“What Was College Made For?” Exploring College Students’ Civic Engagement Outcomes by College Major

Abstract In light of political discourse around return-on-investment (ROI) of obtaining postsecondary degrees, one often overlooked outcome of a college education is students’ development of their civic engagement. We were concerned about whether specific degree programs targeted...

Parametric Study of Yields and Properties of Corn Stover-Derived Hydrothermal Liquefaction Products by Using Statistical Approaches

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of lignocellulosic biomass produces multiple product fractions, including solid residue (SR), heavy bio-oil (HBO), aqueous phase (AP), and light bio-oil (LBO). This study mainly applied principal component analysis (PCA) and regression modeling to...

A Hierarchical Framework for Quantifying Seasonal and Daily Wildland Fire Risk in Great Plains Grasslands

Accurate quantification of wildfire risk is essential for balancing wildfire mitigation and prescribed fire management in grassland ecosystems, yet existing fire danger indices do not explicitly distinguish seasonal fuel dynamics from daily weather variability. This study present...