cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing quality of life in older adults: A comparison of muscular strength and power training

Although progressive resistance strength training (ST) has been found to improve various measures of physical functioning in older adults, the benefit to quality of life is unclear. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that high velocity power training (PT) may be more beneficial for physical functioning than ST, but it is not known whether this type of training impacts quality of life. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in multiple measures of quality of life resulting from ST vs. PT in older adults. A no exercise group was also included as control comparison condition. Forty-five older adults (M age = 74.8 years; SD = 5.7) were randomly assigned to either a) PT, b) ST, or c) control group (no exercise). Measures of self-efficacy (SE), satisfaction with physical function (SPF), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWL) were assessed at baseline and following training. The resistance training conditions met 3 times per week for 12 weeks at an intensity of 70% 1 repetition maximum. A series of ANCOVA's comparing between group differences in change and controlling for baseline values revealed significant group differences in all three measures: SE (F(2,31) = 9.77; p < .001); SPF (F(2,32) = 3.36; p = .047); SWL (F(2,31) = 4.76; p = .016). Follow up analyses indicated that the PT group reported significantly more change in SE, SPF, and SWL than the control group whereas the ST group reported greater change than the control group only in SE. These pilot data indicate that high velocity power training may influence multiple levels of quality of life over and above the benefits gained through traditional strength training.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GENDERED ME Life on the Boundaries of a Dichotomous Gender System

What are the implications of living in a gender system that recognizes “two and only two” genders? For those individuals whose “gender displays” are inappropriate, there can be a variety of consequences, many of them negative. In this article, the author provides an analysis of her experiences as a woman whose appearance often leads to gender misattribution. She discusses the consequences of the gender system for her identity and her interactions. The author also examines Lorber's assertion that “gender bending” actually serves to perpetuate gender categories rather than to break them down, and she suggests how her experiences might contradict Lorber's argument. Using her biography to examine the social construction of gender, she both illustrates and extends theoretical work in this area.
Perspectives on uncertainty in successful strategic choice at the CEO level

Abstract Positing organizational size and prevailing technology as two primary determinants of uncertainty, eight factors of strategic choice were rated by 61 CEOs in terms of their influence on the uncertainty surrounding successfully implemented strategic choices. Technology was found to be a more sensitive determinant of uncertainty than organizational size; and the influence of either one or both of these posited determinants of uncertainty was somewhat mixed with regard to the eight factors of strategic choice rated by the respondent CEOs.
Detection of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in a species with little allozyme polymorphism

Microsatellite loci are regions of DNA containing tandem repeats of a short sequence motif; they occur abundantly in all eukaryotic genomes and have been shown to be a rich source of highly polymorphic genetic markers in humans and other mammals. These loci are particularly suitable for population studies because they can be relatively easily scored using a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of each locus followed by electrophoresis to separate alleles. This paper details a method for finding these loci in any species. This method demonstrates that trinucleotide microsatellite loci are abundant and highly polymorphic in the social wasp Polistes annularis, whereas allozyme electrophoresis reveals very little polymorphism. The first six loci examined were all polymorphic with a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.62; in comparison average heterozygosity of 33 allozymes was 0.035. We suggest that this method can be used to detect variation where other methods have failed, making it an ideal tool for population and conservation geneticists who must deal with populations lacking other types of genetic variability.
Multiple serotypes and strains of Streptococcus suis in naturally infected swine herds

We present a brief description of the epidemiology, clinical signs, and lesions in 21 accessions in which multiple serotypes of S. suis or multiple distinct isolates (strains) of the same capsular serotype of S. suis were identified. Isolates of the same capsular serotype that had different antibiogram profiles were considered to be distinct isolates or “strains” for the purposes of this study. Streptococcus suis isolates of the same capsular serotype and identical antibiogram profiles were considered to be identical organisms. These cases were selected to determine whether or not herds infected with multiple serotypes (or strains) of S. suis had unique features that might serve to distinguish these herds from those infected with a single serotype and strain of S. suis and to provide additional information on the development of this disease in swine. Selected cases were limited to those in which isolates were identified by capsular serotyping. Untypeable isolates of S. suis were not included in this study. Case selection criteria, data collection procedures, etc., were as previously described. 12 Of 277 accessions in which S. suis was identified, 21 accessions (7.6%) involving 37 pigs were cases in which 46 different isolates of S. suis were identified. The distribution of these isolates is shown in Tables 1 and 2. Because of the small sample size, statistical analyses were not performed. Although there was a slight increase in recovery of S. suis in the fall and winter months for all serotypes, S. suis was readily isolated throughout the year. In this study, there was a slight increase (approximately 5%) in the prevalence of serotypes 3, 7, and 8 and a decrease (approximately 10%) in the prevalence of serotype 2 from those reported previously. 12
Student scrums (abstract only)

Over the past ten years Agile software development practices have grown in acceptance and have gained a solid foothold in commercial software development. Our students are entering the workforce with an increasing percentage of companies that are using Agile processes and practices in the development of their products and services. The most widely used Agile project management framework is Scrum. Scrum has a well defined approach for organizing and controlling a software development project. It is almost always implemented in combination with Agile software development practices, but is flexible enough to even be used for managing non-software projects. Selecting Scrum as the framework for student team projects has the advantage of introducing software process at a level of ceremony that both captures foundational software engineering practices and is manageable within the constraints of a class or capstone project. This workshop will introduce participants to the components of the Scrum framework with activities designed to demonstrate the flexibility of Scrum to support a diverse set of course learning outcomes at all levels of the curriculum. Laptop optional
PRODUCTION AND CULTURE OF YELLOWTAIL (Seriola quinqueradiata) IN JAPAN

Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) is the most important species cultured in Japan. The industry uses essentially net culture. The latest technique is using submergible nets. The net profit is the highest of any cultured fish raised in Japan.
Theory of photorefractive phase conjugators with mutually incoherent beams

Plane-wave analysis of the recently demonstrated photorefractive phase conjugators with mutually incoherent beams is presented. Based on four-wave mixing theory, two important configurations, the bird-wing phase conjugator and the mutually incoherent beam coupler are investigated by solving coupled nonlinear equations with beam depletion and absorption. Various intensity performances are theoretically analyzed. Different configurations of this kind of mutually incoherent phase conjugators are compared. Competition of different processes is discussed. Experimental data are well fitted by the theory. >
DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS STUDY

WMHamong Latin American populations.Methods: Seventy-seven participants above the age of 55, enrolled in The Maracaibo Aging Study, were selected for the current analysis. Baseline measures assessed neuropsychological performance, nutritional intake, hypertension, diabetes and presence of APOE e4, whileMRI (T2) was used to measureWMH (cm 3). Nutritional intake and repeat measures of tHcy concentrations (mmol/L) were acquired through laboratory analysis of overnight fasting blood samples. Participants were randomly selectedwithin threeCDRstrata: unaffected (CDR1⁄4 0),mild cognitive impairment [MCI] (CDR1⁄4 0.5) and demented (CDR> 1). Univariate analysis of continuous traits was performed using t-test and ANOVA, while multivariate analysis was conducted using multiple regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The mean tHcy concentration was 15.7 (SD 1⁄4 6.3) ranging from 7.2 to 35.9, while the mean volume of WMHs was 46.1 (SD 1⁄4 36.8), ranging from 1.2 to 151.6. Among the unaffected, the mean tHcy concentration was 14.5, and 66.7% exceeded the clinical threshold for Hyperhomocysteinemia (> 11mmol/L). For those with MCI, the mean tHcy was 15.8 while 79.2% exceeded the threshold. Of those above the age of 75 and diagnosed with dementia, 90.9% exceeded the threshold. When adjusting for age, sex, education, intravenous folate and glucose, increased tHcy concentrations were associated with elevated WMHs (b 1⁄4 1.846; p 1⁄4 0.042). Conclusions: In this population with elevated tHcy,tHcy levels were positively associated with WMH, after adjusting for age, sex, education, intravenous folate and glucose. Further studies are needed to examine whether strong WMHs are associated with vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or both.
Classification of Fungal-Damaged Soybean Seeds Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract Fungal damage has a devastating impact on soybean quality and end-use. The current visual method for identifying damaged soybean seeds is based on discoloration and is subjective. The objective of this research was to classify healthy and fungal-damaged soybean seeds and discriminate among various types of fungal damage using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A diode-array NIR spectrometer, which measured reflectance [log(1/R)] from 400 to 1700 nm, was used to obtain spectra from single soybean seeds. Partial least square (PLS) and neural network models were developed to differentiate healthy and fungal-damaged seeds. The highest classification accuracy was more than 99% when the wavelength region of 490–1690 nm was used under a two-class PLS model. Neural network models yielded higher classification accuracy than the PLS models for five-class classification. The average of correct classifications was 93.5% for the calibration sample set and 94.6% for the validation sample set. Classification acc...
Thoth: towards managing a multi-system cluster

Following the 'no one size fits all' philosophy, active research in big data platforms is focusing on creating an environment for multiple 'one-size' systems to co-exist and cooperate in the same cluster. Consequently, it has now become imperative to provide an integrated management solution that provides a database-centric view of the underlying multi-system environment. We outline the proposal of DBMS+, a database management platform over multiple 'one-size' systems. Our prototype implementation of DBMS+, called Thoth, adaptively chooses a best-fit system based on application requirements. In this demonstration, we propose to showcase Thoth DM, a data management framework for Thoth which consists of a data collection pipeline utility, data consolidation and dispatcher module, and a warehouse for storing this data. We further introduce the notion of apps; an app is a utility that registers with Thoth DM and interfaces with its warehouse to provide core database management functionalities like dynamic provisioning of resources, designing a multi-system-aware optimizer, tuning of configuration parameters on each system, data storage, and layout schemes.We will demonstrate Thoth DM in action over Hive, Hadoop, Shark, Spark, and the Hadoop Distributed File System. This demonstration will focus on the following apps: (i) Dashboard for administration and control that will let the audience monitor and visualize a database-centric view of the multi-system cluster, and (ii) Data Layout Recommender app will allow searching for the optimal data layout in the multi-system setting.
Diaphragm ultrasound as a predictor of successful extubation from mechanical ventilation

Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate if ultrasound derived measures of diaphragm thickening, rather than diaphragm motion, can be used to predict extubation success or failure. Methods Sixty-three mechanically ventilated patients were prospectively recruited. Diaphragm thickness (tdi) was measured in the zone of apposition of the diaphragm to the rib cage using a 7–10 MHz ultrasound transducer. The percent change in tdi between end-expiration and end-inspiration (Δtdi%) was calculated during either spontaneous breathing (SB) or pressure support (PS) weaning trials. A successful extubation was defined as SB for >48 h following endotracheal tube removal. Results Of the 63 subjects studied, 27 patients were weaned with SB and 36 were weaned with PS. The combined sensitivity and specificity of Δtdi%≥30% for extubation success was 88% and 71%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91% and 63%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.79 for Δtdi%. Conclusions Ultrasound measures of diaphragm thickening in the zone of apposition may be useful to predict extubation success or failure during SB or PS trials.
US and EU experiences of tax incentives

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the controversial issue of regional development incentives. Although extensive research has been conducted, a review of the literature gives an inconclusive answer to whether economic incentives are effective. Why do researchers arrive at different conclusions, even after analysing the same programmes? Among the problems that we find, for example, is the fact that for some researchers ‘effective’ means the significant location of new firms in targeted areas, while for others the creation of jobs regardless of whether new firms are arriving in a significant fashion. Furthermore, as we elaborate, the selection of an econometric model will have a significant impact on expected results. Different models, with different limitations, will lead researchers to evaluate the same incentive programme but arrive at different conclusions regarding its effectiveness. The contribution of the paper is to inform policymakers about the potential opportunities and pitfalls when designing incentive strategies. This is particularly relevant, given that both the US and Europe have been promoting incentives as a tool for regional economic development.
Automatic recognition of vector and parallel operations in a higher level language

A compiler for recognizing statements of a FORTRAN program which are suited for fast execution on a parallel or pipeline machine such as ILLIAC-IV, STAR or ASC is described. The technique employs "interval analysis" to provide flow information to the vector/parallel recognizer. Where profitable the compiler changes scalar variables to subscripted variables. The output of the compiler is an extension to FORTRAN which shows parallel and vector operations explicitly.
EST analyses predict the existence of a population of chimeric microRNA precursor-mRNA transcripts expressed in normal human and mouse tissues

A significant population of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) encodes chimeric transcripts containing microRNA (miRNA) precursor sequences as well as pieces of adjacent mRNAs in sense orientation. These chimeric transcripts may potentially be involved in miRNA biosynthesis, and/or affect expression of adjacent mammalian mRNAs.
Band-to-Band Tunneling (BBT) Induced Leakage Current Enhancement in Irradiated Fully Depleted SOI Devices

We propose a model, validated with simulations, describing how band-to-band tunneling (BBT) affects the leakage current degradation in some irradiated fully-depleted SOI devices. It is demonstrated that the drain current dependence on total ionizing dose at negative gate bias can result from the combination of BBT and charge buildup in the BOX, including the transition to the high current state. The role of impact ionization is examined.
Activation of Precursor and Mature T Lymphocytes via the 50KD T11 Molecule

Studies using cloned antigen-specific T lymphocytes and monoclonal antibodies directed at their various surface glycoprotein components have led to identification of the human T cell antigen receptor as a surface complex comprised of a clonotypic 90KD Ti heterodimer and three monomorphic 20/25KD T3 molecules (gamma, delta and epsilon) (1–5). Upon binding to the surface of a clone, monoclonal antibodies to either the T3 component or its associated unique Ti heterodimer induce rapid loss of the T3-Ti complex, a process termed modulation, and they inhibit all antigen specific functions of a given clone. However, at the same time, these antibodies produce a markedly enhanced clonal proliferative response to IL-2 containing media. Moreover, when coupled to the surface of a solid support such as Sepharose, the appropriate surface linked anti-Ti and anti-T3 antibodies are able to induce IL-2 secretion and clonal proliferation, analogous to the physiologic ligand (i.e. antigen) itself (6). These findings suggested that clonal proliferation resulting from triggering of the T3-Ti antigen receptor might be mediated through the growth factor IL-2. The latter is a 15KD sialoglycoprotein that interacts with activated T cells through specific membrane receptors distinct from the T3-Ti complex and is known to induce T cell growth upon surface binding (7–9).
Testing the Impact of Value-Added and Global Income Tax Reforms on Korean Tax Incidence in 1976: An Input-Output and Sensitivity Analysis

En este estudio se estima la incidencia que tuvo cada impuesto en el sistema tributario de Corea en el ano 1976. Se utiliza el analisis de insumo-producto para determinar la incidencia de los impuestos que gravan los insumos intermedios. En general, el sistema tributario de Corea parece progresivo en lo que respecta a las unidades familiares no dedicadas a la explotacion agricola y regresivo en el caso de las unidades familiares dedicadas a la misma y, por consiguiente, reduce la diferencia entre los ingresos, una vez deducidos los impuestos, de dichos sectores. El impuesto general sobre la renta, el impuesto sobre las donaciones y sucesiones y el impuesto sobre la renta agricola son los principales elementos progresivos del sistema tributario; los impuestos indirectos – como, por ejemplo, el impuesto al valor agregado (IVA), el impuesto especial al consumo y los derechos de aduana – constituyen los elementos regresivos. Asimismo mediante el sistema tributario se ha logrado reducir en cierto grado la desigualdad de distribucion de los ingresos antes de deducidos los impuestos. El principal efecto que produjeron las dos reformas tributarias mas importantes – la implantacion de un impuesto general sobre la renta y el impuesto al valor agregado – fue el de aumentar la carga tributaria relativa al sector no agricola. Este aumento afecto principalmente a las familias encuadradas en los deciles de menor ingreso y en el decil mas elevado. El remplazo del impuesto celular por el impuesto general sobre la renta hizo disminuir la carga tributaria salvo para las familias mas ricas del sector no agricola. La simplificacion del sistema tributario indirecto con la reforma del IVA aumento la carga de las familias no dedicadas a la explotacion agricola, en especial las de menor ingreso. Las conclusiones senalan que, para garantizar la exactitud de los resultados sobre la incidencia, debe tenerse en cuenta con detalle la estructura del impuesto en cuestion, en lo que se refiere a sus tasas y exenciones. Cuando el impuesto se ha concebido deliberadamente para lograr objetivos de distribucion, la aplicacion de un criterio de asignacion tributaria de caracter general puede dar resultados de incidencia equivocos con respecto a sus implicaciones para la politica.
Canonical Correlation Analysis

Publisher Summary Canonical correlation analysis is viewed as the most general of the traditional least-squares methods for the analysis of data structures. This chapter describes set and canonical correlation analysis as a widely applicable taxonomy for data analysis, shows how they are related, and explains how all other least-squares procedures can be derived as conceptual special cases. One factor that contributes to poor methodology in canonical analysis is that there are no fully adequate computer programs generally available to researchers. Each major statistics package can perform a canonical analysis, but none of them include all of the desirable features. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the traditional canonical analysis model, shows its relations to principal components analysis, and reviews significance tests and other interpretive aids such as redundancy and the rotation of canonical components. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of methodological issues in the use of canonical analysis, including stepwise procedures and the need for cross-validation.
Thermal and Photochemical Ring-Bromination in Naphthyl-, Naphthdiyl-, and Dicarboximideperyl-Platinum Complexes

Brominated polycyclic aromatic compounds are important synthons, but their synthesis can be difficult. Herein, we report that Pt(IV) centers σ-bonded to naphthalene and a dicarboximideperylene activate the ring systems to selective thermal and photochemical bromination. Thus, trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3(4-bromo-1-naphthyl) and Br2 give trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3(7,4-dibromo-1-naphthyl). Introduction of a second Pt(IV) center is achieved by double oxidative addition of 1,4-dibromonaphthalene to 2Pt(PEt3)4. Bromination of [trans-Pt(PEt3)2Br]2(1,4-naphthdiyl) yields [trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3]2(1,4-naphthdiyl), which further brominates on the ring to give [trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3]2(6,7-dibromo-1,4-naphthdiyl). Photoreduction of the Pt(IV) centers with 1-hexene gives first mixed-valent [trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3][trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)](6,7-dibromo-1,4-naphthdiyl) and then [trans-Pt(PEt3)2Br]2(6,7-dibromo-1,4-naphthdiyl). Photoreduction of trans-Pt(PEt3)2(Br)3(PMI) (PMI = N-(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)perylen-3-yl-9,10-dicarboximide) withou...
On the factors underlying a phenomenon discovered by hering

UsingHering's inequality phenomenon as a point of departure, we compared the effects of an objectively equal (supraliminal) increase or decrease of brightness on 1. two neutral infields of different brightness appearing on a common homogeneous ground, and 2. two infields of objectively equal brightness appearing on different grounds. The intensity of the change produced in the infields by the addition or withdrawal of brightness was judged by the intensity of the flashlike motion perceived at the moment of change. The intensity of change proved to be an inverse function (a) of the objective brightness of the infield and (b) of the brightness difference between the infield and the surrounding fiel. The inequality phenomenon is probably reducible to a joint operation of these two factors. No relationship could be uncovered between the intensity of change on the one hand, and the direction of change, or the phenomenal brightness of the infields, on the other hand.
VISION AND AUDITION IN LANGUAGE LEARNING.

The primary purpose was to present data for the transfer of learning from one sensory modality to another, specifically the relationship between vision and audition. The parameter was a range of natural languages including Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Turkish, and Persian. The secondary purpose was to suggest some theoretical constructs which may account for the data, and the third purpose was to explore certain side issues such as pronunciation shock and the validity of predictors for paired-associate learning. There was positive transfer of large magnitude from vision to audition for Spanish, Japanese, Turkish, or Persian, but a small, negative transfer for Russian. There was positive transfer from audition to vision for Spanish, Japanese, and Russian, but transfer was neutral for Turkish and negative for Persian. The magnitude of the positive transfer was usually higher from vision to audition than audition to vision. Much of the transfer data seemed to be accounted for with a phonetic fit hypothesis an...
Guest Editorial: Special Cluster on Graphene and Two-Dimensional Materials for Antenna Applications

The eleven papers in this special section focus on graphene and two-dimensional materials for antenna applications. The papers highlight current research involving the use of 2-D materials for advanced and novel antenna applications.
Introduction to Societal Issues: The Responsible Development of Nanotechnology for Water

This chapter starts with a quick overview of the subject of nanotechnology and its technical applications in water-related problems such as drinking water, already introduced in previous sections of the book. It then looks at the questions that need to be considered with regard to public acceptance of nanotechnology. Then there is a quick look at the development of nanotechnologies and the way in which experimental technology has been developed previously. Finally, the chapter very briefly introduces some of the relevant forthcoming chapters in the book.
Effectiveness of Wyoming’s Sage-Grouse Core Areas: Influences on Energy Development and Male Lek Attendance

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations have declined across their range due to human-assisted factors driving large-scale habitat change. In response, the state of Wyoming implemented the Sage-grouse Executive Order protection policy in 2008 as a voluntary regulatory mechanism to minimize anthropogenic disturbance within defined sage-grouse core population areas. Our objectives were to evaluate areas designated as Sage-grouse Executive Order Core Areas on: (1) oil and gas well pad development, and (2) peak male lek attendance in core and non-core sage-grouse populations. We conducted our evaluations at statewide and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies management zone (MZ I and MZ II) scales. We used Analysis of Covariance modeling to evaluate change in well pad development from 1986-2014 and peak male lek attendance from 958 leks with consistent lek counts within increasing (1996-2006) and decreasing (2006-2013) timeframes for Core and non-core sage-grouse populations. Oil and gas well pad development was restricted in Core Areas. Trends in peak male sage-grouse lek attendance were greater in Core Areas compared to non-core areas at the statewide scale and in MZ II, but not in MZ I, during population increase. Trends in peak male lek attendance did not differ statistically between Core and non-core population areas statewide, in MZ I, or MZ II during population decrease. Our results provide support for the effectiveness of Core Areas in maintaining sage-grouse populations in Wyoming, but also indicate the need for increased conservation actions to improve sage-grouse population response in MZ I.
Social health insurance for the poor: lessons from a health insurance programme in Karnataka, India

Life-saving technology used to treat catastrophic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer is often out of reach for the poor. As life expectancy increases in poor countries and the burden from chronic illnesses continues to rise, so will the unmet need for expensive tertiary care. Understanding how best to increase access to and reduce the financial burden of expensive tertiary care is a crucial task for the global health community in the coming decades. In 2010, Karnataka, a state in India, rolled out the Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme (VAS), a social health insurance scheme focused on increasing access to tertiary care for households below the poverty line. VAS was rolled out in a way that allowed for robust evaluation of its causal effects and several studies have examined various impacts of the scheme on poor households. In this analysis article, we summarise the key findings and assess how these findings can be used to inform other social health insurance schemes. First, the evidence suggests that VAS led to a substantial reduction in mortality driven by increased tertiary care utilisation as well as use of better quality facilities and earlier diagnosis. Second, VAS significantly reduced the financial burden of receiving tertiary care. Third, these benefits of social health insurance were achieved at a reasonable cost to society and taxpayers. Several unique features of VAS led to its success at improving health and financial well-being including effective outreach via health camps, targeting expensive conditions with high disease burden, easy enrolment process, cashless treatment, bundled payment for hospital services, participation of both public and private hospitals and prior authorisation to improve appropriateness of care.
Estimating Water Quality from Geophysical Logs

Borehole-geophysical logs can be used to obtain information on water quality and water chemistry. Water quality characteristics that normally are measured directly in water-filled holes or wells include chloride, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity. In-situ ground water may exist at some distance adjacent to the borehole, and estimates of water quality or water chemistry can be made by measuring the resistivity or specific electrical conductivity of the water in pore spaces. Most geophysical logs, however, are made in test holes filled with drilling fluid. In this environment, logs enabling estimates of water resistivity (Rw) are useful. Relations among Rw and dissolved solids, sodium chloride solutions, and temperature are well established for saline waters; for freshwater, however, the activities of other dissolved ions also need to be considered. The spontaneous potential (SP) is a function of activity of the mud filtrate and water resistivity and, thus, can be used to estimate Rw. Two methods of estimating Rw are useful: the spontaneous potential (SP) method, which uses data from a spontaneous potential log and a resistivity log, and the cross-plot method, which uses log-derived porosity and resistivity-log data. The application of SP logs depends upon the water quality contrast between the water in the pores (Rw) and the mud filtrate on the borehole wall. Both methods estimate Rw to about a half order of magnitude. However, the accuracy of both methods can be greatly improved if additional data, such as a chemical analysis, can be correlated to a log.
The Role of Optical Stylets

Optical stylets are versatile airway tools now offered in many different designs that are useful for placing endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and confirming location, either used independently, with laryngoscopes, or with supraglottic airways (SGAs). There are wide variations in optical stylet length, malleability, and light sources. Their only common feature is that they provide imaging through an ETT. As they are passed beyond the vocal cords they all permit tracheoscopy.
Localized and targeted delivery of NSAIDs for treatment of inflammation: A review

Inflammatory processes are increasingly being identified at the core of many different disease states (e.g. heart disease, cancer, diabetes). As such, anti-inflammatory strategies available through...
Challenges for a Transition from Peasant Agriculture to a Business Agriculture in Burkina Faso

Since the national farmers' day on May 12, 2017 in Kaya, Burkina Faso, the debate on agriculture has been to establish the agricultural entrepreneurship through the concept of agriculture as a family business (ACEF). And it is from this perspective that this study was conducted to analyse the financing possibilities open to family farming and to deduce the constraints of the transition from family farming to enterprise farming. To do this, we used the exegetical method to characterize the existing agricultural formations, to identify the means of financing and the constraints of the agricultural transition. The agricultural sector is strongly dominated by family farming with low physical and financial capital. The means of financing are self-financing and external financing. However, the transition will not be without problems because there are technical and political constraints to overcome.
Bridging the Gap for Perinatal Veterans: Care by Mental Health Providers at the Veterans Health Administration.

Abstract Background Pregnant women veterans receive maternity care from community obstetricians but continue to receive mental health care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Our objective was to explore the experiences of VHA mental health providers with pregnant and postpartum veterans. Methods Mental health providers (n = 33) were identified at 14 VHA facilities across the United States. Semistructured interviews were conducted over the phone to learn about provider experiences with perinatal women veterans and their perceptions of depression screening and mental health treatment management for pregnant and postpartum veterans receiving mental health care within the VHA system. Findings Providers identified an absence of screening protocols and referral procedures and variability in risk/benefit conversations surrounding psychotropic medication use as important areas of weakness for VHA mental health care during the perinatal period. Care coordination within facilities, primarily through Primary Care-Mental Health Integration teams, was identified as a main facilitator to promoting better mental health care for perinatal veterans. Conclusions Mental health providers caring for veterans during the perinatal period identified several areas where care could be improved, notably in screening and referral processes. A refinement to current guidelines to specify standard screening tools, screening schedules, and referral processes could potentially engage a greater number of pregnant women in VHA mental health care.
Algorithms for Minkowski products and implicitly‐defined complex sets

Minkowski geometric algebra is concerned with the complex sets populated by the sums and products of all pairs of complex numbers selected from given complex‐set operands. Whereas Minkowski sums (under vector addition in Rn have been extensively studied, from both the theoretical and computational perspective, Minkowski products in R2 (induced by the multiplication of complex numbers) have remained relatively unexplored. The complex logarithm reveals a close relation between Minkowski sums and products, thereby allowing algorithms for the latter to be derived through natural adaptations of those for the former. A novel concept, the logarithmic Gauss maps of plane curves, plays a key role in this process, furnishing geometrical insights that parallel those associated with the “ordinary” Gauss map. As a natural generalization of Minkowski sums and products, the computation of “implicitly‐defined” complex sets (populated by general functions of values drawn from given sets) is also considered. By interpreting them as one‐parameter families of curves, whose envelopes contain the set boundaries, algorithms for evaluating such sets are sketched.
Intratumoral lymph vessel invasion as a predictive risk factor for nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer: should L-1 status obligate adjuvant chemotherapy?

The presence of lymph node involvement has long been established as a critical prognostic factor and principal determinant of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the manuscript “Predictive risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer: a case control study”, Moulla and colleagues present an analysis of data collected over nearly a decade with the goal of determining both pre- and postoperative predictors for nodal metastasis (1). The authors propose two approaches for predicting nodal involvement: a preoperative model based on radiology and bronchoscopic evaluation, and a post-operative model based on pathologic analysis of the resected specimen.
Effects of Wetting Agent Timingon Native Soil Athletic Fields

Athletic field playability and safety is a growing national concern, particularly at the high school sports level. Athletic field usage rates increase each year while field maintenance budgets are stagnant, if not reduced. Research is needed on improving cultural practices to maximize playability and safety of natural grass athletic fields, especially in reference to prolonging field surface integrity throughout the extended high school football season. Many athletic fields endure multiple practices and games per week. Despite weather-related conditions detrimental to field integrity, Friday night games cannot be rescheduled and practice field availability is often lacking. The objective of this trial is to investigate the use of wetting agent products and application timings as part of a native soil natural grass athletic field management plan to improve rootzone water content management. Multiple types of wetting agents and two application timings/rates were tested to determine product methodology and efficacy.
Human αB-crystallin discriminates between aggregation-prone and function-preserving variants of a client protein.

Abstract Background The eye lens crystallins are highly soluble proteins that are required to last the lifespan of an organism due to low protein turnover in the lens. Crystallin aggregation leads to formation of light-scattering aggregates known as cataract. The G18V mutation of human γS-crystallin (γS-G18V), which is associated with childhood-onset cataract, causes structural changes throughout the N-terminal domain and increases aggregation propensity. The holdase chaperone protein αB-crystallin does not interact with wild-type γS-crystallin, but does bind its G18V variant. The specific molecular determinants of αB-crystallin binding to client proteins is incompletely charcterized. Here, a new variant of γS, γS-G18A, was created to test the limits of αB-crystallin selectivity. Methods Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the structure and dynamics of γS-G18A. The overall fold of γS-G18A was assessed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. Its thermal unfolding temperature and aggregation propensity were characterized by CD and DLS, respectively. Solution-state NMR was used to characterize interactions between αB-crystallin and γS-G18A. Results γS-G18A exhibits minimal structural changes, but has compromised thermal stability relative to γS-WT. The placement of alanine, rather than valine, at this highly conserved glycine position produces minor changes in hydrophobic surface exposure. However, human αB-crystallin does not bind the G18A variant, in contrast to previous observations for γS-G18V, which aggregates at physiological temperature. Conclusions αB-crystallin is capable of distinguishing between aggregation-prone and function-preserving variants, and recognizing the transient unfolding or minor conformers that lead to aggregation in the disease-related variant. General significance Human αB-crystallin distinguishes between highly similar variants of a structural crystallin, binding the cataract-related γS-G18V variant, but not the function-preserving γS-G18A variant, which is monomeric at physiological temperature.
Effect of Three Types of Activities on Improving Mood and Enjoyment in a Brief Online Depression Study

The goal of this study is to determine whether different types of activities have a differential effect on mood and enjoyment. Methods. A secondary analysis of the data of 754 participants (Mage = 35.8 years, SDage = 12.6; MPHQ-9 = 7.6, SDPHQ-9 = 7.0) who were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) to participate in a brief online study. Participants completed an activity log and reported retrospectively about three types of activities (Pleasant, Meaningful, and Mastery) at baseline and one week follow-up. A mixed effects ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of weekly activities on mood, and a temporal analysis model was used to test for the effect of daily activities on enjoyment. Results. Participants who reported higher number of Mastery activities for the week had higher mood ratings at follow-up (F (1, 39) = 4.89, ), regardless of depression status at baseline. Pleasant and Meaningful activities did not have a significant effect on mood. Daily engagement in any of the three activity types increased enjoyment of that day (Pleasant: , t (1811) = 46.73, ; Meaningful: , t (1814) = 11.65, ; Mastery: , t (1816) = 13.07, ]. Conclusions. These findings contribute to the understanding on how brief behavioral activation interventions delivered online may influence participants’ mood and enjoyment, and can inform clinicians’ recommendations about types of activities.
Truman and the Formation of the Central Intelligence Agency

The National Security Act of 1947 gives insight into the value of intelligence to the proponents of the bill. The formation of the CIA capped two years of change in the existing intelligence agenci...
Osterix-Cre marks distinct subsets of CD45- and CD45+ stromal populations in extra-skeletal tumors with pro-tumorigenic characteristics

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous population of mesenchymal cells supporting tumor progression, whose origin remains to be fully elucidated. Osterix (Osx) is a marker of osteogenic differentiation, expressed in skeletal progenitor stem cells and bone-forming osteoblasts. We report Osx expression in CAFs and by using Osx-cre;TdTomato reporter mice we confirm the presence and pro-tumorigenic function of TdTOSX+ cells in extra-skeletal tumors. Surprisingly, only a minority of TdTOSX+ cells expresses fibroblast and osteogenic markers. The majority of TdTOSX+ cells express the hematopoietic marker CD45, have a genetic and phenotypic profile resembling that of tumor infiltrating myeloid and lymphoid populations, but with higher expression of lymphocytic immune suppressive genes. We find Osx transcript and Osx protein expression early during hematopoiesis, in subsets of hematopoietic stem cells and multipotent progenitor populations. Our results indicate that Osx marks distinct tumor promoting CD45- and CD45+ populations and challenge the dogma that Osx is expressed exclusively in cells of mesenchymal origin.
Alkaline-Encrusted Pyelitis Causing Renal Failure in a Transplant Kidney: Treatment with Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Urinary Acidification

Background: Alkaline-encrusted pyelitis (AEP) is rare and most often stems from a triad of immunodeficiency, urogenital tract trauma, and alkaline urinary infection. Corynebacterium Group D2 is the most common organism. It results in encrusting calcifications that adhere to most of the urothelial lining of the pelvicaliceal system and ureter. Left unchecked, or unrecognized, the disease process can progress to renal compromise. Studies suggest that management is based on elimination of the bacterium, acidification of the urine, and elimination of calcified plaques and encrustations. Herein, we report a case of a 56-year-old woman who developed AEP in her second transplanted kidney, and detail the diagnosis and treatment of the uncommon, yet potentially devastating, disease. Case Presentation: A 56-year-old woman with a history of lupus, end-stage renal disease, who was on her second renal transplant presented with symptoms of urinary tract infection. Urine was consistently alkaline with cultures repeatedly growing urease-splitting Corynebacterium. Subsequent imaging showed large obstructing ureteral and renal stones concerning for AEP. She was treated with transplant kidney percutaneous nephrolithotomy, culture-specific antibiotics, and urinary acidification. Conclusion: Clinical presentation, urinalysis, culture, and renal imaging, often with CT, are the mainstays for diagnosing AEP. If not addressed, AEP can advance to renal failure. Management often includes a multimodal approach involving treatment and prevention of the underlying infection, urinary acidification, and percutaneous or endoscopic removal of obstructing and large burden stones and encrustation.
Digital Voices: Negotiating Global Forms & Local Identity in Performance Poetry from Cape Town

Over the past two decades, an increasing number of African writers have turned to digital media – particularly social media platforms – to publish, circulate, and discuss their work, developing new aesthetic networks and forms. In this essay, I analyze two site-specific performance poems pieces from Cape Town: Antjie Krog and Peter Odendaal’s “Rondeau in Four Parts” and Lwanda Sindaphi’s “State of the Nation’s Undress.” Each of these poems was originally performed in major theaters and each has since been published on YouTube making it a site of global consumption as well as a memorial to the original event. By examining the shift in reception between local and digital sites of performance, I demonstrate the influence of broader digital aesthetics – specifically the digital’s emphasis on popularity and spontaneity – in contemporary poetry styles from Cape Town as poets manage the dispersal of authority that comes with digital publication. Bringing sound studies critique of digital media to South African poetry, I argue that the voice – simultaneously a physical manifestation and symbolic representation of the self – carries heightened influence in digital settlings where the depth of sound is otherwise flattened.
Robotic assisted cryothermic biatrial Cox-Maze.

INTRODUCTION Robotic cryothermic Cox-Maze (CM) IV is a minimally invasive procedure that reliably replicates the biatrial lesion set of the CM III by utilizing cryothermia as a single power source. METHODS Herein we describe a step by step creation of the biatrial CM III lesion sets utilizing the minimally invasive robotic platform. RESULTS Technical details are reviewed for this single incision, single stage, highly effective option for stand-alone or concomitant surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). CONCLUSION Robotic cryothermic CM IV can be safely performed as a stand-alone or concomitant procedure, and offers a comprehensive surgical ablation solution for patients with AF.