How Hostile was the Space Race? An Examination of Soviet-American Antagonism and Cooperation in Space

It is commonly accepted that the United States and the Soviet Union competed, and did not cooperate, with one and other between World War II and the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s. This is problematic, due to several joint projects undertaken by the two nations during this period, and especially the Apollo-Soyuz Experimental Test Project. Analysis of contemporary and secondary sources shows that though there was a large degree of competition between these superpowers, the idea of working together was proposed several times before it became a reality. Once the nations decided to move forward with Apollo-Soyuz, they successfully accomplished their goals. Examples such as Apollo-Soyuz call into question the conventional thinking that the USA and the USSR were mortal enemies who were devoted to the collapse of their counterpart, and provide a more nuanced look at the relationship between the two most powerful nations to exist in the twentieth century

Effects of speech signal type and attention on acceptable noise level in elderly, hearing-impaired listeners

The primary objective of this study was to determine if acceptable noise levels (ANLs) in elderly, hearing-impaired listeners were dependent on speech intelligibility and listener attention levels. Acceptable noise levels (ANLs), expressed in decibels, is defined as the maximum background noise level that is acceptable while listening to and following a story. Connected speech test (CST) sentences were recorded with clear speech, conversational speech and temporally altered, fast-rate speech. Thirty-five, elderly, hearing-impaired individuals (61-97 years, M=75) with symmetrical, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss participated. Most comfortable listening levels (MCL) and background noise level (BNL) measurements were completed for each speech stimulus under conditions of attention and non-attention. ANLs were calculated and results were compared to a previous, similar study with younger, normal-hearing individuals. A significant main effect of stimulus type was found suggesting that ANL is dependent on the intelligibility of the target speech signal. Although a significant main effect of attention was not reached, a significant interaction between attention and stimulus type was found showing the condition of attention to produce lower mean ANLs for clear speech and higher ANLs for fast-rate speech. In comparison to the younger, normal-hearing group, the participants in this study had higher ANLs, overall. These findings are contradictory to previous findings. Knowledge of these results may guide clinical audiologists in counseling patients and family members on communication strategies

Complications of laser prostatectomy: a review of recent data

Introduction: Laser techniques for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostate enlargement (BPE) have emerged as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy (OP). Materials and methods: A Medline search over the past 4years was performed to assess the safety, intra- and postoperative morbidity of various laser techniques. Results: Data on holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) show the highest grade of evidence with two meta-analyses available and prove the low intra- and postoperative morbidity with reproducible long-term results. Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the Greenlightlaser (potassium titanyl phosphate, KTP or lithium borate, LBO) is characterized by excellent haemostatic properties in patients with or without oral anticoagulation. Long-term results show a reoperation rate comparable with TURP; however, there is a lack of randomized trials. Various types of diode lasers with different wavelengths are available for laser vaporization; despite their favourable haemostatic properties, a higher invasion depth seems to result in necrosis of the tissue leading to a higher rate of reoperation. Thulium-laser resection of the prostate shows promising intra- and postoperative morbidity, but data are limited and initial results need to be confirmed in large-scale trials. Conclusion: In summary, HoLEP- and KTP-, or LBO-laser vaporization of the prostate are the most mature techniques of laser prostatectomy and treatment alternatives to TURP and OP, whereas the clinical value and durability of procedures with diode laser systems and the thulium laser need to be confirmed in high-quality prospective RCT

Refractory Abdominal Pain in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Be Wary of Acquired Angioedema due to C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency.

Acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1INH-AAE) is a rare and potentially fatal syndrome of bradykinin-mediated angioedema characterized by episodes of angioedema without urticaria. It typically manifests with nonpitting edema of the skin and edema in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa or upper airway. Edema of the upper airway and tongue may lead to life-threatening asphyxiation. C1INH-AAE is typically under-diagnosed because of its rarity and its propensity to mimic more common abdominal conditions and allergic reactions. In this article, we present the case of a 62-year-old male with a history of recently diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who presented to our hospital with recurrent abdominal pain, initially suspected to hav

The foot in forensic human identification - a review

The identification of human remains is a process which can be attempted irrespective of the stage of decomposition in which the remains are found or the anatomical regions recovered. In recent years, the discovery of fragmented human remains has garnered significant attention from the national and international media, particularly the recovery of multiple lower limbs and feet from coastlines in North America. While cases such as these stimulate public curiosity, they present unique challenges to forensic practitioners in relation to the identification of the individual from whom the body part originated. There is a paucity of literature pertaining to the foot in forensic human identification and in particular, in relation to the assessment of the parameters represented by the biological profile. This article presents a review of the literature relating to the role of the foot in forensic human identification and highlights the areas in which greater research is required. © 2013

Disaster victim identification operations with fragmented burnt or commingled remains: experienced based recommendations

Human-made and natural disasters can result in severely fragmented, compromised, and commingled human remains. The related disaster victim identification (DVI) operations are invariably challenging, with the state of the remains potentially precluding some identifications. Practitioners involved in these DVI operations will routinely face logistical, practical, and ethical challenges. This review provides information and guidance derived from first-hand experiences to individuals tasked with managing DVI operations with fragmented human remains. We outline several key issues that should be addressed during disaster preparedness planning and at the outset of an operation, when incident-specific strategies are developed. Specific challenges during recovery and examination of fragmented remains are addressed, highlighting the importance of experienced specialists at the scene and in the mortuary. DNA sample selection and sampling techniques are reviewed, as well as downstream effects of commingling and contamination, which can complicate reconciliation and emphasise the need for rigorous quality control. We also touch on issues that may arise during communication with families. While recommendations are provided, they are not intended as proscriptive policy but rather as an addition to the general recommendations given in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) DVI Guide, to inform preparative discussions between government officials, judiciary, police, and forensic specialists

A Call For Promoting Faculty Innovation & Entrepreneurship

We call for the promotion of faculty innovation & entrepreneurship (I&E), across disciplines, and its recognition in promotion and tenure processes– thereby enabling universities to better serve as a talent and idea engine for the Nation’s innovation economy, and evolve and respond in a time of enhanced societal needs and uncertainty

NSFs I-Corps : aligning incentives & entrepreneurship in academia

Abstract only.This panel discussion will be led by Rebecca Shearman, Program Manager, NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnership Directorate, Regional Innovation Engines program. The panel discussed how aligning P&T incentives could affect our universities and participation in the NSF I-Corps program, unleashing sustained innovation addressing significant societal challenges

Patients' perception of surgical outcomes and quality of life after retroperitoneoscopic and open pyeloplasty

PURPOSE To report postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patients' subjective evaluations of open pyeloplasty (OP) and retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty (RP) and influences on preoperative counselling. METHODS 107 patients (age 16-80 years, mean 31.5) with symptomatic primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction who underwent OP (32) or RP (75) were evaluated prospectively. HRQoL was evaluated using Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires with 1 year follow-up. Operative outcomes were evaluated using a self-designed questionnaire regarding cosmetic outcomes, objective postoperative/current pain, convalescence and return to work. RESULTS The mean operative time was 174.4 vs. 161.4 min for RP versus OP, respectively, without intraoperative complications/conversions. There was an advantage for RP--except for two domains--without significance in any of the eight SF-36 domain scores. An advantage favouring RP in all aspects of the second questionnaire with significance in four aspects (cosmetic results, scar length, pain and convalescence) was found. Five weeks postoperatively, 58.7% (RP) vs. 25.8% (OP) were fully convalescent compared to 87.0% (RP) vs. 71.0% (OP) at 8 weeks. Similarly, 58.7 vs. 45.1% returned work 5 weeks postoperatively while 93.5 vs. 74.2% did so after 8 weeks, respectively. The small sample size, more questions on satisfaction/regret and mixed design are the main study limitations. CONCLUSION RP provides the same functional results beside earlier convalescence, better HRQoL and patients' convenience with surgery, which favours its inclusion in preoperative counselling providing patients with realistic postoperative expectations

Inclusively Recognizing Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship Impact Within Promotion and Tenure Considerations

Faculty research has led to a plethora of innovations and entrepreneurial resources (I&E), allowing for enhancements to the greater social good including, but not limited to, technological and economic advancements. Faculty I&E also enhances faculty competitiveness for funding, institutional image and fundraising, and supports students’ workforce preparation. Over time institutions of higher education have recognized the value of faculty I&E in their mission statements and strategic plans. Yet commensurate promotion and tenure processes and policies are not a given, within and across institutions, and many faculties may be in the position of weighing their own interests in I&E activity against a lack of its explicit value in academia. Admittedly, though, an empirical basis regarding these suspicions is limited. Herein, we describe our work: 1) mapping the otherwise unknown terrain of factors relevant to the evaluation of tenure-line faculty members’ I&E in promotion considerations in the US, via a survey of 99 unique institutions across the academic spectrum and, from this, 2) advancing recommendations to inform a non-binding alliance of over 67 US institutions that share a common commitment to pursuing best practices for inclusively recognizing faculty I&E impact through university reward structures.Keywords: Faculty Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Promotion, Tenure, Higher Educatio