cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditional events, conditioning, and random sets

A central problem in the Dempster/Shafer theory of evidence is conditioning. This paper presents a new approach to a solution of this problem by establishing a link between conditional events and discrete random sets. Conditional events are introduced as sets of equivalent events under conditioning. These sets may become targets of a multivalued mapping. Thus, conditional belief functions can be introduced. Both Bayesian and pure random set conditioning rules are derived and discussed. Random set conditioning allows expressing conditional degrees of belief when marginal beliefs are unknown. Finally, an updating rule is introduced that is equivalent to the law of total probability (Jeffrey's rule) if all beliefs are probabilities. >
Effect of African- and European-American maternal attitudes and limit-setting strategies on children's self-regulation

The effect of maternal attitudes and limit-setting strategies on children's self-regulation (measured as committed compliance) was compared in 151 African-American (AA) and 108 European-American (EA) mothers and their 3-year-old children. There were no ethnic differences in children's compliance, however ethnicity moderated the relationship between maternal authoritarian attitudes and children's compliance. Higher authoritarian attitudes predicted less children's compliance in the EA sample, but greater compliance in the AA sample. Observational limit-setting data revealed that in both ethnic groups, maternal authoritarian attitudes influenced children's self-regulation through maternal use of lower-power (gentle) verbal strategies, fewer physical strategies, and judicious use of higher-power verbal strategies. The findings indicate that the meaning and purpose of authoritarian attitudes varies across these mothers' socio-cultural contexts. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:468–482, 2011
Surgical technique using AdVance™ Sling placement in the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES: To describe and illustrate a new minimally invasive approach to the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence following prostatectomy. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Our initial experience consisted of four patients treated with the Advance sling for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Sling placement involves the following steps: 1. Urethral dissection and mobilization, 2. Identification of surgical landmarks, 3. Placement of needle passers through the obturator foramen, 4. Mesh advancement, 5. Mesh tensioning and fixation, 6. Incision closure. COMMENTS: Based on our initial experience, we believe that the Advance Male Sling System may be a safe technique for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. This technique is easy to perform and may offer a reproducible, transobturator approach. Further patient accrual is ongoing to assess the safety and reproducibility of this technique. Also, additional study will focus on efficacy standards and complication rates.
Porous membrane controlled polymerization of nanofibers of polyaniline and its derivatives

A novel, simple, and scalable technique to control the formation of the nanofibers of polyaniline and its derivatives via porous membrane controlled polymerization (PMCP) is reported. Through appropriate synthesis conditions, there are nearly 100% nanofibers formed with diameters tunable from 20nm to 250nm via the selection of pore diameter, monomer, counterions, and polymerization conditions. The nanofiber lengths vary from sub-micrometre to several micrometres. A single nanofiber can be easily isolated from the agglomeration. X-Ray diffraction patterns show that doped polyaniline nanofibers are substantially crystalline.
The Globalization of Organic Agro-Food Networks

Summary. — This article analyzes the booming world trade in organic agro-foods such as tropical products, counterseasonal fresh produce, and processed foods. Research focuses on expanding South–North networks linking major US and European markets with major production regions, particularly in Latin America. Employing a commodity network approach, I analyze organic production, distribution, and consumption patterns and the roles of social, political, and economic actors in consolidating international trade. Organic certification proves central to network governance, shaping product specifications, production parameters, and enterprise participation. My analysis identifies key contradictions between mainstream agro-industrial and alternative movement conventions in global organic networks. 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Aluminum decal for transferring solder spheres during electronic package assembly

Ball grid array (BGA) and flip chip package designs use solder spheres or bumps for electrically connecting the integrated circuit to another electronic component such as a printed circuit board. This paper introduces a novel method for transferring solder spheres to BGA substrates or flip chip wafers that uses a decal made from aluminum foil. This decal design differs from most other decals in that preformed solder spheres, and not plated or evaporated solder bumps, are utilized. Aluminum decals offer a solder source that can be applied at all stages of assembly including initial sphere attach. For BGA applications, aluminum decals should reduce equipment costs and save valuable floor space by decreasing the complexity and physical size of the sphere loading equipment. For flip chip applications, expensive plating equipment and sometimes difficult to control chemical processes are avoided. For a BGA rework application, the aluminum decal can be viewed as the solder sphere equivalent to the solder grid preforms commonly used for reworking BGA packages. The paper focuses on the design, fabrication, and experimental testing of an aluminum decal for a 256 I/O BGA organic substrate. Benefits and disadvantages of such an approach will be discussed. Reflow of the solder spheres to the BGA substrate and the resultant shear data are reviewed.
RURAL-URBAN DIFFERENCES IN NURSING HOME ACCESS, QUALITY AND COST

Rural-urban differences in the supply of nursing home services are hypothesized to be jointly affected by competitive and regulatory forces, government policies, and the cost structure. Study findings indicate that rural services are slightly less accessible and lower in quality. A translog cost share function reveals no difference in the operating cost structure of rural and urban homes. Cost shares for nursing care are directly related to the degree of skilled nursing provided by homes. Significant scale economies were not detected for any of the major operating costs.
Gleaner: Creating ensembles of first-order clauses to improve recall-precision curves

Many domains in the field of Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) involve highly unbalanced data. A common way to measure performance in these domains is to use precision and recall instead of simply using accuracy. The goal of our research is to find new approaches within ILP particularly suited for large, highly-skewed domains. We propose Gleaner, a randomized search method that collects good clauses from a broad spectrum of points along the recall dimension in recall-precision curves and employs an "at least L of these K clauses" thresholding method to combine sets of selected clauses. Our research focuses on Multi-Slot Information Extraction (IE), a task that typically involves many more negative examples than positive examples. We formulate this problem into a relational domain, using two large testbeds involving the extraction of important relations from the abstracts of biomedical journal articles. We compare Gleaner to ensembles of standard theories learned by Aleph, finding that Gleaner produces comparable testset results in a fraction of the training time.
The Jewish Elite and the Children of the Poor: Jewish Apprenticeship Programs in Nineteenth-Century France

The desire of the Franco-Jewish elite to foster the acculturation of French Jewry during the nineteenth century is a theme that has been explored in considerable detail in recent years. Historians of French Jewry have described the development of an ideology that identified Judaism primarily as a religion, have analyzed the attempts of various communal institutions to mitigate Jewish distinctiveness, and have demonstrated that the leaders of French Jewry adopted a policy of social integration both because they were attracted to the mainstream culture of France and because they felt that acculturation was the implied price of empancipation.
A normal mode expansion for the forced response of a rotating earth

Summary. It is well known that the forced motion of a conservative physical system can be represented as a sum of the normal modes of that system. Although normal mode expansions have been successfully developed and applied to examine the excitation of a non-rotating earth, these techniques have been less successful when the Earth's rotation is included. We develop here an expansion formalism for the rotating Earth which completely decouples all non-trivial normal modes. We consider the response of the Earth both to applied body forces and surface tractions. We consider forces which are purely sinusoidal in time and forces which have power distribution over a continuous frequency interval.
Reticulated Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Devices

An organic semiconductor device is formed by the self-assembly on a transparent electrode surface. The donor (see picture; dibenzotetrathienocoronene, yellow layer) deposits as supramolecular cables, and the acceptor (C60, orange) subsequently infiltrates this network. This network provides a donor–acceptor interface that is interwoven at the nanoscale. When incorporated into a solar cell, the active layer provides large increases in power conversion efficiencies.
Weather Modification Incorporated - Inside Back Cover

Weather Modification Incorporated 3802 20th St N Fargo, ND 58102 USA Tel: 1.701.235.5500 www.weathermodification.com info@weathermodification.com
Animal Models for Varicella-zoster Infections: Simian Varicella

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a simian varicella virus (SVV) model of Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. The monkeys used in this infection model are patas monkeys and the African green monkeys. Upon arrival, the monkeys should be singly housed in an isolated area away from contact with other animals. Even after the completion of the quarantine period, the monkeys should be housed singly to limit the spread of infection, as after the completion of an experiment with SVV, the possibility of a persisting latent varicella infection exists. To minimize stress of the monkeys and to limit the chance of biting or scratching of support personnel, the monkeys are sedated with ketamine prior to handling. Ketamine is administered by intramuscular injection at 10 mg/kg, which sedates the monkey within five minutes and persists for approximately 20–30 minutes. Manipulations such as clinical evaluation, inoculation, specimen collection, bleeding, and treatment should be done with the monkey under anesthesia. Prior to infection of the monkeys with SVV, it is necessary to determine that the monkeys are seronegative, which is accomplished by a serum neutralization assay. After intratracheal inoculation of SVV, a lymphocyte associated viremia occurs about day 3 post-infection (p.i.). The viremia peaks around day 7 and essentially clears by day 11 (p.i.).
The Role of Controlled Exercise in Concussion Management

Concussion affects the autonomic nervous system and its control of cerebral blood flow, which may be why uncontrolled activity can exacerbate symptoms after concussion. Traditionally, patients have been advised to restrict physical and cognitive activity until all symptoms resolve. However, recent research suggests that prolonged rest beyond the first couple of days after a concussion might hinder rather than aid recovery. Humans do not respond well to removal from their social and physical environments, and sustained rest adversely affects the physiology of concussion and can lead to physical deconditioning and reactive depression. Some animal data show that early forced exercise is detrimental to recovery after concussion, but other animal data show that voluntary exercise is not detrimental to recovery. We developed the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test to systematically evaluate exercise tolerance in persons with prolonged symptoms after concussion (ie, more than 4-6 weeks, which is called postconcussion syndrome [PCS]). Using a predetermined stopping criterion (symptom-exacerbation threshold), akin to voluntary exercise in animals, the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test is the only functional test known to safely and reliably reveal exercise intolerance in humans with PCS. The test data are used to develop individualized subthreshold exercise treatment programs to restore the physiology to normal and enhance recovery. Return of normal exercise tolerance can then be used to establish physiological recovery from concussion. New research suggests that absolute rest beyond the first few days after concussion may be detrimental to concussion recovery. However, further research is required to determine the appropriate mode, duration, intensity, and frequency of exercise during the acute recovery phase of a concussion prior to making specific exercise recommendations. For patients with PCS, subsymptom threshold exercise improves activity tolerance and is an appropriate treatment option for this patient population.
Use and effects of cannabinoids in military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

Purpose Published evidence regarding the use of cannabis and cannabis derivatives by military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reviewed. Summary When inhaled or delivered orally or transdermally, cannabinoids (the psychoactive components of unrefined marijuana and various derivative products) activate endogenous cannabinoid receptors, modulating neurotransmitter release and producing a wide range of central nervous system effects, including increased pleasure and alteration of memory processes. Those effects provide a pharmacologic rationale for the use of cannabinoids to manage the three core PTSD symptom clusters: reexperiencing, avoidance and numbing, and hyperarousal. A literature search identified 11 articles pertaining to cannabis use by military veterans who met standard diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Cross-sectional studies have found a direct correlation between more severe PTSD symptomatology and increased motivation to use cannabis for coping purposes, especially among patients with difficulties in emotional regulation or stress tolerance. Data from 4 small studies suggested that cannabinoid use was associated with global improvements in PTSD symptoms or amelioration of specific PTSD symptoms such as insomnia and nightmares. Large well-designed controlled trials are needed in order to better delineate the potential role of cannabinoids as an adjunct or alternative to conventional approaches to PTSD management. Conclusion While further research into cannabinoid treatment effects on PTSD symptoms is required, the evaluated evidence indicates that substantial numbers of military veterans with PTSD use cannabis or derivative products to control PTSD symptoms, with some patients reporting benefits in terms of reduced anxiety and insomnia and improved coping ability.
Values of the Physical Constants of Rubber

Abstract A critical survey has been made of the values of 16 basic physical constants of rubber in the fields of mechanics, heat, optics and electricity. The value for each constant which seems most reliable has been indicated and, when necessary, has been corrected to the standard conditions of normal atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 25° C. The values have been given for rubber in four different forms: purified hydrocarbon, commercial raw rubber, soft vulcanized rubber containing 2% combined sulfur and hard rubber containing 32% sulfur. The survey indicates that there are significant gaps in present knowledge of the fundamental properties of rubber. In some cases data are lacking, while in many others the best values available are not of the accuracy required for present-day scientific and industrial work. This paper may therefore serve not only as a summary of selected values of the different constants, but also as a basis for the planning of future investigations.
Performance of indirectly driven capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility using adiabat-shaping

A series of indirectly driven capsule implosions has been performed on the National Ignition Facility to assess the relative contributions of ablation-front instability growth vs. fuel compression on implosion performance. Laser pulse shapes for both low and high-foot pulses were modified to vary ablation-front growth and fuel adiabat, separately and controllably. Three principal conclusions are drawn from this study: (1) It is shown that reducing ablation-front instability growth in low-foot implosions results in a substantial (3-10X) increase in neutron yield with no loss of fuel compression. (2) It is shown that reducing the fuel adiabat in high-foot implosions results in a significant (36%) increase in fuel compression together with a small (10%) increase in neutron yield. (3) Increased electron preheat at higher laser power in high-foot implosions, however, appears to offset the gain in compression achieved by adiabat-shaping at lower power. These results taken collectively bridge the space between the higher compression low-foot results and the higher yield high-foot results.
Dermacentor hunteri (Acari: Ixodidae): Seasonal Variation in Questing Adults and On-Host Juvenile Stages, and Host Associations and Feeding Behavior of Larvae and Nymphs

Dermacentor hunteri Bishopp is the only completely desert adapted tick in the Nearctic realm, and chiefly parasitizes desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis Shaw) as an adult. The remainder of its life history has been unknown. We conducted field investigations in the Sonoran desert of the temporal and spatial variation of adult host-seeking ticks and of the host associations of juvenile ticks. Additionally, the feeding success of juvenile ticks was assessed in the laboratory. Adult ticks were found in significant numbers only in plateau and rocky slopes habitats, chiefly during the period from January to June. Questing adults were not found in July and August, and they were present in small numbers from September through December. Juvenile stages were found only on desert woodrats, Neotoma lepida Thomas (larvae and nymphs), and cactus mice, Peromyscus eremicus Baird (larvae only), in March, May, and early June. In the laboratory; both larvae and nymphs fed on N. lepida , but only larvae fed on P. maniculatus bairdii (Wagner). We concluded that the life history of D. hunteri may be constrained by the co-distribution of desert bighorn, desert woodrats, and perhaps cactus mice; and that adults oversummer either on desert bighorn or sequestered in favorable microclimates off the host.
Comparison of two kinds of sampling method for chloroacetone in the air of workplace

Objective:To establish a direct sampling method of chloroacetone in the air of workplace.Methods: The chloroacetone in the air of a workplace is collected by glass syringe and aluminum foil gas bag and detected by gas chromatography after directly.Results: Glass syringe collect the chloroacetone which concentration were 1.6 mg/m3,3.2 mg/m3,6.4 mg/m3 in the air of workplace.7 hours later,the rate of decline in peak area were 7.8%,7.6%,7.1%.Aluminum foil gas bag collect the chloroacetone which concentration were 1.6mg/m3 in the air of workplace.1 hours later,the rate of decline in peak area were 18.6%.Conclusion: The syringe can be used to collect of chloroacetone in the air of workplace for emergency.
The Elimination of Wall Effects in Axial-Flow Compressor Stages

Compressor stages are usually designed on the assumption that the gas velocity is nowhere affected by the friction at the walls. The only way in which viscosity is taken into account is in the assumed efficiency, and in a guessed “work-done factor,” which ensures that by aiming high the required work is actually attained. It is known that the radial profile of the axial velocity component becomes more and more peaked through successive stages of a compressor, so that the assumptions just quoted become very inaccurate. It is possible that the efficiency of a stage could be raised considerably if the axial velocity profile were controlled; moreover up to 20 per cent. more work could be done if a “ work-done factor ” did not have to be applied.
Where Should General Motors Go from Here

General Motors was once the pinnacle for industrial accomplishment, leading the automobile industry in market share for over 70 years. Early business strategies paved the way for this success, including; organizational structuring, marketing, and utilizing efficient production through economies of scale and scope. Over time, GM became comfortable and complacent in their market leader position. They did not heed the changes taking place in the automobile market, the overall economy and consumers. As a result, their technology became outdated and their manufacturing practices overly complex and unconcerned with quality, all while costs increased and profits dwindled. General Motors continued to spiral downward until their final collapse in 2008-2009. The company ended up in bankruptcy, but has made plans to reform and revive their business. This case is suitable for undergraduate or graduate business students. The case should require about one hour of outside preparation and one hour of class discussion.
Reflection Magnitude, a Measure of Arterial Stiffness, Predicts Incident Heart Failure in Men But Not Women: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Abstract Background Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for heart failure (HF) and is higher in women. Our objective was to investigate sex differences between arterial stiffness and incident HF in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) population. Methods and Results Applanation tonometry from 5959 participants (52.8% women) was used to calculate augmentation index (AIx), pulse pressure amplification (PPA), and reflection magnitude (RM). Sex-specific risk of HF was assessed with the use of a competing-risk regression model. Women had higher AIx ( P P = .023), and lower PPA ( P P = .033]; Q3: 2.49 [1.30–4.73; P = .006]; Q4: 3.26 [1.75–6.08; P = .0002]) but not in women (Q2: 1.04 [0.54–1.98; P = .91]; Q3: 1.30 [0.71–2.37; P = .4]; Q4: 0.79 [0.4–1.55; P = .49]). Conclusion Women demonstrate greater arterial stiffness than men. Despite this, arterial stiffness, as measured by RM, predicts incident HF in men but not in women. RM represents a novel risk factor for HF in men but not in women. Further investigation of risk factors for HF in women is warranted. Conclusion Arterial stiffness, measured by RM, predicts incident HF in men but not in women in this MESA cohort.
Composition of single-step media used for human embryo culture.

Objective To determine compositions of commercial single-step culture media and test with a murine model whether differences in composition are biologically relevant. Design Experimental laboratory study. Setting University-based laboratory. Animal(s) Inbred female mice were superovulated and mated with outbred male mice. Intervention(s) Amino acid, organic acid, and ions content were determined for single-step culture media: CSC, Global, G-TL, and 1-Step. To determine whether differences in composition of these media are biologically relevant, mouse one-cell embryos were cultured for 96 hours in each culture media at 5% and 20% oxygen in a time-lapse incubator. Main Outcome Measure(s) Compositions of four culture media were analyzed for concentrations of 30 amino acids, organic acids, and ions. Blastocysts at 96 hours of culture and cell cycle timings were calculated, and experiments were repeated in triplicate. Result(s) Of the more than 30 analytes, concentrations of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, amino acids, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium varied in concentrations. Mouse embryos were differentially affected by oxygen in G-TL and 1-Step. Conclusion(s) Four single-step culture media have compositions that vary notably in pyruvate, lactate, and amino acids. Blastocyst development was affected by culture media and its interaction with oxygen concentration.
Defeat Information Leakage from Browser Extensions via Data Obfuscation

Today web browsers have become the de facto platform for Internet users. This makes browsers the target of a lot of attacks. With the security considerations from the very beginning, Chrome offers more protection against exploits via benign-but-buggy extensions. However, more and more attacks have been launched via malicious extensions while there is no effective solution to defeat such malicious extensions. As user's sensitive information is often the target of such attacks, in this paper, we aim to proactively defeat information leakage with our iObfus framework. With iObfus, sensitive information is always classified and labeled automatically. Then sensitive information is obfuscated before any IO operation is conducted. In this way, the users' sensitive information is always protected even information leakage occurs. The obfuscated information is properly restored for legitimate browser transactions. A prototype has been implemented and iObfus works seamlessly with the Chromium 25. Evaluation against malicious extensions shows the effectiveness of iObfus, while it only introduces trivial overhead to benign extensions.
The development and testing of the Nursing Student Perceptions of Dishonesty Scale.

Abstract Background Dishonesty in the classroom suggests dishonesty in practice. There is need to better understand nursing students' perceptions of dishonest behaviors in the classroom and clinical setting. There is currently no instrument to assess perceptions in the classroom and clinical setting. Objective The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to assess nursing students' perceptions of academically dishonest behaviors in the classroom and clinical setting. Design Mixed Methods Instrument Development Study. Participants 971 BSN students. Method Using the results from a content synthesis of the literature and a small qualitative study, we created the Nursing Student Perceptions of Dishonesty Scale (NSPDS) and examined its psychometric properties. Results Factor analysis suggests strong loading of subscales in both settings with two comparable categories allow for correlation of perceptions in the classroom and clinical settings. Cronbach's alpha values begin to establish reliability and PAF with Promax rotation and correlational analysis begin to establish validity. Conclusion This NSPDS can help researchers and educators understand more clearly nursing students' perceptions of dishonesty. This will allow for the creation of individualized, and therefore more effective, interventions to reduce dishonest behaviors of nursing students. Further work is needed to strengthen reliability and validity.
Cardiovascular Responses to Limiting Oxygen Levels

The capacity for metabolic energy (adenosine triphosphate, ATP) production via oxidative phosphorylation is much greater (~ 15 ×) than by anaerobic glycolysis, and vertebrates have, therefore, evolved efficient respiratory and circulatory systems to take oxygen up from the environment and transport it to the tissues. Consequently, reduced oxygen availability (hypoxia) or no oxygen (anoxia) in the environment poses a significant challenge to most vertebrates. For example, the vertebrate heart itself, being an aerobic organ with a high ATP demand, is inherently sensitive to oxygen limitation. The freshwater, estuarine and marine aquatic ecosystems in which fish reside are prone to hypoxia and low dissolved oxygen conditions of varying severity, periodicity and duration. Thus, hypoxia is a common environmental challenge faced by fishes. The focus of this chapter is two-fold. A significant proportion of the chapter summarizes the cardiovascular responses to oxygen limitation and their regulation in water-breathing and air-breathing fishes intolerant of surviving prolonged periods of severe hypoxia or anoxia, as well as those species that can survive prolonged periods of very little to no oxygen. Second, the survival strategies that the severe hypoxia/anoxia-tolerant species employ to endure prolonged periods of oxygen deprivation are described. Here, the differing anoxia survival strategies utilized by severe hypoxia/anoxia-tolerant species to balance cardiac ATP supply and demand, and to cope with metabolic wastes, are highlighted. In this section, there is special emphasis on the anoxic survival strategies used by one of the champions of vertebrate anoxia survival, the crucian carp (Carassius carassius). This species spends up to half of its life deprived of oxygen.
Genetically altered transgenic models of Alzheimer’s disease

Abnormal processing and aggregation of synaptic proteins might play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Among them, amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been clearly associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and various transgenic (tg) animal models have been developed where mutant APP is overexpressed under the regulatory control of neuronal promoters. These studies have shown that AD- like pathology (namely plaques and synapse damage) begins to develop at 6- 8 months of age in mice expressing human APP under Thyl, platelet-derived growth factor (B-chain) or protease-resistant prion protein promoters, provided that levels of APP are higher than 5–7 fold of endogenous levels. None of these models have shown the presence of tangles; however, tau- immunoreactive neurites in plaques and astroglial/microglial activation are observed after 12 months of age. Neuronal loss and alterations of synaptic function and connectivity are found in the CA1 region in the PDAPP tg mice lacking the Swiss Webster background. Co-expression of other genes associated with AD modify this phenotype, for example, mutant presenilin 1 accelerates the onset of plaque formation, transforming growth factor β enhances vascular amyloidosis, and apolipoprotein E decreases amyloid deposition. In conclusion, tg mice which are capable of mimicking some aspects of AD (provided that high enough levels of expression are achieved) can potentially be used to test novel drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Serious adverse events following Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus surgery.

Abstract Objective Recent Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) practice guidelines describe a serious adverse event (SAE) rate following surgery of 11%. Patients & methods We conducted a retrospective review of 162 consecutive patients who have undergone work-up at our center’s multidisciplinary NPH clinic over a 47 month time period (2/2014-12/2017). Of these, 22 ultimately underwent neurosurgical ventricular shunt surgery as treatment for NPH. Clinical records were reviewed for SAEs categorized as possibly/probably/definitely related to NPH surgery. Results In 10/22 (45.5%) operated subjects, there were 11 qualifying SAEs over this 3-year period: 1 central nervous system infections, 4 subdural hematomas, 2 seizures resulting in hospitalization, 1 catheter malfunction, 2 perioperative AEs, and 1 death of uncertain cause. Eight SAEs were coded as probably/definitely related. Six occurred >3 months from the time of surgery. Conclusions SAEs following NPH surgery are common. Additional studies are needed to determine the long-term safety of NPH surgery in older adults.
Human Performance and Plant Safety Performance

New nuclear power plants (NPPs) employ digital instrumentation, control systems and computer-based human–system interfaces (HSIs) that possess tremendous functional capability and an ability to display information that is limited only by the imagination of the designer. Thus the industry is seeing a proliferation of approaches to information system design. A question arises as to how one should decide which approaches to use in control rooms. The purpose of this chapter is to address this question; more specifically to propose an approach to evaluating new and novel HSI in NPP and other complex human–machine systems in the context of human factors and plant safety performance. Our approach provides a decision-making context that considers the design approach as well as its products.
Mesh Enabling Technology

While the mesh network paradigm does not constrain the physical and medium layer realizations, some technologies emerge over time as clearly being better suited. This becomes especially true when considering service continuity issues, and therefore robustness of enabling technologies. In recent times, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology at the lower layer is seen to hold promise to improve the predictability and dependability of mesh networks. At a higher level, various cellular approaches, including various 802.16 and 3GPP standards, as well as the newly emerging cognitive or “white space” networking approaches, are providing extensions to multi-hopping, and becoming more relevant than the 802.11 technology which was earliest put to work on WMNs. In this chapter, we briefly describe the relevant aspects of these, including references to some relevant literature. We start with a few remarks on 802.11 as background.
DNA sequencing technology.

DNA sequencing is a technique that is routinely performed in many molecular biology laboratories. This paper will describe some of the advances in DNA sequencing spanning the past ten years. With current manual sequencing techniques, it is possible for an average researcher to sequence 10100,000 bases per year. With the development of automated fluorescence and radiometric sequencing methods, it will be possible to generate considerably more data per person. In this paper we also will describe the fundamental principles of automated sequencing by fluorescence.
ORAI channels in cellular remodeling of cardiorespiratory disease

Cardiorespiratory disease, which includes systemic arterial hypertension, restenosis, atherosclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are highly prevalent and devastating diseases with limited therapeutic modalities. A common pathophysiological theme to these diseases is cellular remodeling, which is contributed by changes in expression and activation of ion channels critical for either excitability or growth. Calcium (Ca2+) signaling and specifically ORAI Ca2+ channels have emerged as significant regulators of smooth muscle, endothelial, epithelial, platelet, and immune cell remodeling. This review details the dysregulation of ORAI in cardiorespiratory diseases, and how this dysregulation of ORAI contributes to cellular remodeling.
Modeling of direct-drive cylindrical implosion experiments with an Eulerian radiation-hydrodynamics code

Recent improvements to xRAGE, Los Alamos National Laboratory's Eulerian radiation-hydrodynamics code, have enabled the computation of laser-driven experiments relevant to inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics. Here, previous directly driven cylindrical implosion experiments are modeled in order to benchmark xRAGE design simulations for future cylindrical implosion experiments, representing the first attempt to model such systems with an Eulerian code with adaptive mesh refinement. Simulations in 2D of transverse and axial cross-sections of the cylindrical target are performed, and the results are combined to form a 3D representation of the imploding cylinder. Synthetic radiographs are produced and analyzed from the simulation results, allowing for a direct comparison with experimentally measured quantities. The zeroth-order hydrodynamic trajectories of targets with no specified initial perturbation are well matched by the computations. Simulations of targets with a preimposed sinusoidal perturbation in the azimuthal direction show single-mode instability growth that is in agreement with the available data, but higher fidelity experimental measurements are required to enable more detailed comparisons. The mode growth observed in computations compares favorably with predictions of a linear theory for the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability.Recent improvements to xRAGE, Los Alamos National Laboratory's Eulerian radiation-hydrodynamics code, have enabled the computation of laser-driven experiments relevant to inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics. Here, previous directly driven cylindrical implosion experiments are modeled in order to benchmark xRAGE design simulations for future cylindrical implosion experiments, representing the first attempt to model such systems with an Eulerian code with adaptive mesh refinement. Simulations in 2D of transverse and axial cross-sections of the cylindrical target are performed, and the results are combined to form a 3D representation of the imploding cylinder. Synthetic radiographs are produced and analyzed from the simulation results, allowing for a direct comparison with experimentally measured quantities. The zeroth-order hydrodynamic trajectories of targets with no specified initial perturbation are well matched by the computations. Simulations of targets with a preimposed sinusoi...
Analysis of corporate pensions: do type and size of firm make a difference?

Adequate pensions are important to both individuals and the public interest. Pensions are important to all types of business, whether they are retailers, manufacturers, or service firms. Funding pensions has become a challenge for many companies of all types and sizes. Effectively managing employee compensation, including pensions, is a corporate social responsibility. Ethical guidelines for employee pay can be traced back to ancient times, such as precepts found in biblical passages. The current study seeks to expand understanding of pensions, specifically, to determine if differences are connected to firm type and firm size. Increased understanding may contribute to improved pension management by company managers and lead to more well-suited regulations by policy-makers. Results indicate that firm type is associated with differences in pension benefits paid relative to total assets and to total revenues. At the same time, there were no differences relative to firm size.
AKAP79/150 recruits the transcription factor NFAT to regulate signaling to the nucleus by neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels.

In neurons, regulation of activity-dependent transcription by the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) depends upon Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated L-type calcium channels (LTCC) and NFAT translocation to the nucleus following its dephosphorylation by the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). CaN is recruited to the channel by A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) 79/150, which binds to the LTCC C-terminus via a modified leucine-zipper (LZ) interaction. Here we sought to gain new insights into how LTCCs and signaling to NFAT are regulated by this LZ interaction. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of endogenous AKAP150 and replacement with human AKAP79 lacking its C-terminal LZ domain resulted in loss of depolarization-stimulated NFAT signaling in rat hippocampal neurons. However, the LZ mutation had little impact on the AKAP-LTCC interaction or LTCC function, as measured by Forster resonance energy transfer, Ca2+ imaging, and electrophysiological recordings. AKAP79 and NFAT coimmunoprecipitated when coexpressed in heterologous cells, and the LZ mutation disrupted this association. Critically, measurements of NFAT mobility in neurons employing fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy provided further evidence for an AKAP79 LZ interaction with NFAT. These findings suggest that the AKAP79/150 LZ motif functions to recruit NFAT to the LTCC signaling complex to promote its activation by AKAP-anchored calcineurin.
Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis: A Rare Complication From Hormonal Therapy for Infantile Spasms.

Abstract Background Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) represents pathologic overgrowth of extradural adipose tissue in the spinal canal that can result in spinal cord compression. SEL has been associated with excess corticosteroids, whether from exogenous steroid use or from excess endogenous steroids. Spinal epidural lipomatosis is rarely reported in children and has not been reported in association with hormonal therapy for infantile spasms. Methods We performed a detailed retrospective chart and literature review. Results We describe two children with symptomatic SEL associated with the use of high-dose hormone treatment for infantile spasms.
The impact of earnings gaps and networks on migration decisions: an empirical study of undocumented Mexican migrants

This study shows that the effects of earnings differentials, ethnic networks, and herd behavior on migration decisions are more nuanced than the existing literature suggests. Our conclusion stems from the analysis of the geographic and occupational choices of undocumented Mexican migrants to the USA. We apply mixed logit and latent class methods to data from a survey based on interviews with Mexican nationals at border towns inside Mexico. While better-educated migrants favor occupations and places with higher earnings gaps, migrants with little schooling behave the opposite way. We also find that educational attainment is an important driver of network effects. The preferences of less educated migrants with regard to network size show the traditional inverted U-shape pattern, but the behavior of individuals with more education is consistent with a U-shape pattern instead. Another conclusion that stems from our empirical results is that the herd effect can be positive or negative, depending on migrants’ occupational choices.
Real-time detection of early-stage calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate scaling using Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Early-stage scaling detection is a crucial component for optimizing proactive anti-fouling measures that enhance membrane lifetime and decrease operation costs. In this work, we utilize Raman spectroscopy to detect and chemically quantify multiple scalants during bench-scale reverse osmosis desalination. The experiments were conducted with a commercial brackish water thin-film composite membrane at a feed pressure of 1.2 MPa (175 psi) and a feed flow velocity of 4.2 cm/s. Raman measurements were performed in real-time at a laser excitation wavelength of 785 nm. Experimental results from single-feed solutions of CaSO4 and CaCO3 show consistent detection of the corresponding scalants with less than a 15% permeate flow-rate decrease at detection inclusive of the permeate decline due to compaction. Experiments utilizing a mixed-feed solution containing CaSO4 and CaCO3 were also conducted. Results for the mixed-feed experiments showed detection of CaSO4 scaling only. Subsequent analysis indicated that a modified sampling strategy was required for successful real-time detection of both CaSO4 and CaCO3 scaling.
Institutional Strategies for Adaptation to Water Stress in Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems of Nepal

Institutions governing common-pool resources have survived decades of global change with mixed performance. However, we have limited knowledge on how local institutions cope with and adapt to combined environmental and socio-economic changes. Using the case of 12 farmer-managed irrigation systems (FMIS) in Central and Western Nepal, this paper explores the institutional coping and adaptation mechanisms to water stress. We find that local irrigation institutions manage water stress using diverse and integrated approaches broadly categorized as structural and operational measures. Structural measures include water-source expansion and infrastructure rehabilitation works whereas water re-allocation and drought continency rules are examples of operational measures. We find that integration of structural and operational measures is more prevalent in highly water-stressed irrigation systems than in less stressed ones. The choice of adaptation strategies has direct implications for agricultural productivity. FMIS that implemented structural measures harvested more crops per year than those systems that adopted only operational strategies or no adaptation strategies. However, the marginal benefit of adopting adaptation measures is particularly pronounced in water-stressed systems. Climate variability and change act as a threat multiplier because they compound the existing threats the FMIS face from social and economic changes. The key to effective integration of structural and operational measures that help FMIS to maintain their productivity during water stress are collective action and governance to overcome biophysical limitations.
Habitual sleep duration predicts caloric and macronutrient intake during sleep deprivation.

Abstract Objective Our modern society has created two tightly linked epidemics: insufficient sleep and obesity. Although laboratory studies have established that sleep loss is associated with increased caloric intake, the critical question of how habitual at-home sleep duration influences total caloric and macronutrient intake during subsequent total sleep deprivation remains largely unexplored. Methods At-home sleep patterns were monitored via wrist actigraphy for at least one week before a 29-h in-laboratory total sleep deprivation (TSD) session (N = 45). Participants had ad-libitum access to food, which was measured at 6-h intervals throughout the in-laboratory session. Results Short habitual sleep duration was significantly associated with increased caloric and macronutrient intake during the last 6 h of TSD (06:00–12:00). Conclusions Short habitual sleep increases the risk for morning overeating after acute sleep deprivation. Early identification and behavioral intervention of those at risk of overeating may help reduce the likelihood of long-term health consequences.
Reflections from a breast surgeon with breast cancer on how to improve cancer care

Healthcare professionals pride themselves on providing high-quality care for their patients. On the whole, we are very good at offering clinically effective and safe treatments and can benchmark our services against our peers. The one area where many providers fall short, however, is the patient experience. When a consultant breast surgeon was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, she realised how much she did not know about breast cancer, and how much more healthcare professionals can help patients and their carers cope with a cancer diagnosis, both during treatment and beyond. It is not enough to tell patients what will happen to them. We need to help them physically, mentally and emotionally through every stage of cancer treatment. You can only really learn how to improve the patient experience by asking patients themselves. Here are some of the lessons this consultant learned when she found herself on the other side of the table, and how to use them to improve the care of your own cancer patients.