NASA's Current Evidence and Hypothesis for the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure Risk

While 40 years of human spaceflight exploration has reported visual decrement to a certain extent in a subgroup of astronauts, recent data suggests that there is indeed a subset of crewmembers that experience refraction changes (hyperoptic shift), cotton wool spot formation, choroidal fold development, papilledema, optic nerve sheath distention and/or posterior globe flattening with varying degrees of severity and permanence. Pre and postflight ocular measures have identified a potential risk of permanent visual changes as a result of microgravity exposure, which has been defined as the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure risk (VIIP). The combination of symptoms are referred to as the VIIP syndrome. It is thought that the ocular structural and optic nerve changes are caused by events precipitated by the cephalad fluid shift crewmembers experience during long-duration spaceflight. Three important systems, ocular, cardiovascular, and central nervous, seem to be involved in the development of symptoms, but the etiology is still under speculation. It is believed that some crewmembers are more susceptible to these changes due to genetic/anatomical predisposition or lifestyle (fitness) related factors. Future research will focus on determining the etiology of the VIIP syndrome and development of mechanisms to mitigate the spaceflight risk

Non-malleable encryption: simpler, shorter, stronger

In a seminal paper, Dolev et al. [15] introduced the notion of non-malleable encryption (NM-CPA). This notion is very intriguing since it suffices for many applications of chosen-ciphertext secure encryption (IND-CCA), and, yet, can be generically built from semantically secure (IND-CPA) encryption, as was shown in the seminal works by Pass et al. [29] and by Choi et al. [9], the latter of which provided a black-box construction. In this paper we investigate three questions related to NM-CPA security: 1. Can the rate of the construction by Choi et al. of NM-CPA from IND-CPA be improved? 2. Is it possible to achieve multi-bit NM-CPA security more efficiently from a single-bit NM-CPA scheme than from IND-CPA? 3. Is there a notion stronger than NM-CPA that has natural applications and can be achieved from IND-CPA security? We answer all three questions in the positive. First, we improve the rate in the scheme of Choi et al. by a factor O(λ), where λ is the security parameter. Still, encrypting a message of size O(λ) would require ciphertext and keys of size O(λ2) times that of the IND-CPA scheme, even in our improved scheme. Therefore, we show a more efficient domain extension technique for building a λ-bit NM-CPA scheme from a single-bit NM-CPA scheme with keys and ciphertext of size O(λ) times that of the NM-CPA one-bit scheme. To achieve our goal, we define and construct a novel type of continuous non-malleable code (NMC), called secret-state NMC, as we show that standard continuous NMCs are not enough for the natural “encode-then-encrypt-bit-by-bit” approach to work. Finally, we introduce a new security notion for public-key encryption that we dub non-malleability under (chosen-ciphertext) self-destruct attacks (NM-SDA). After showing that NM-SDA is a strict strengthening of NM-CPA and allows for more applications, we nevertheless show that both of our results—(faster) construction from IND-CPA and domain extension from one-bit scheme—also hold for our stronger NM-SDA security. In particular, the notions of IND-CPA, NM-CPA, and NM-SDA security are all equivalent, lying (plausibly, strictly?) below IND-CCA securit

A coalesced framework for prescribed and actual involvement of line managers in talent management (TM) analysis

Purpose: The mainstream literature presents the involvement of line managers (LMs) in Talent Management (TM) as a multi-dimensional concept that includes, among other things, the prescribed and actual dimensions of involvement, the analysis of which would best be supported by a unified framework. However, the literature shows a lack of unified framework for analysing the varied dimensions of involvement as the existing ones are fragmented. The paper aims to inductively generate a unified framework for analysing the prescribed and actual involvement of LMs in TM in the Case Study Organisation (CSO). Design/Methodology/Approach: We adopted an inductive, qualitative and embedded singe case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty-seven (47) key stakeholders at different levels of the CSO alongside document analysis. Findings: The study generated a coalesced framework that combines Cascon-Pereira and Valverde (2014) Four-dimensional framework (FDF), Teague and Roche (2012) Three-dimensional framework (TDF), and institutional isomorphism concept (DiMaggio and Powell 1983) for analysing the prescribed and actual involvement of LMs in TM in CSO. Limitation: The results are limited to the CSO as this was a single case study. Originality/value: The study extends the boundaries of using FDF, TDF and institutional isomorphism concept (DiMaggio and Powell 1983) by merging them into a coalesced framework to analyse the prescribed and actual involvement of LMs in TM in CSO. Thus, the framework bridges the gap between theory and practice within the TM domain

Line managers' involvement in talent management: the case of a Malawian bank

Purpose: Line Managers (LMs) are a critical stakeholder in the success of talent management (TM ) activities due to the frequent and close interactions that they have with employees (Blanco and Golik 2021; Cooke et al., 2014:226; Blass and Maxwell 2012:256). However, little is known about how LMs are involved in TM. This paper aims to examine the involvement of LMs in TM at a Case Study Organisation. Design/methodology/approach: Our findings draw on an embedded single case study using 47 in-depth semi-structured interviews with multi-stakeholders (e.g., LMs, Human Resources Department (HRD) staff, senior management, and the Staff Representative Council (SRC), Supervisors, officers). The interviews were supported by the analysis of secondary data, for example, documentation. Findings: The study found that the Case Study Organisation managed its talent using a hybrid TM philosophy comprising an exclusive strategic position TM philosophy and an inclusive self-initiated talent development TM philosophy. Consistent with the hybrid TM philosophy, LMs initiated TM processes, proposed TM decisions, implemented TM decisions, and acquired TM expertise. In terms of coverage, LMs were more involved in TM since they performed several operational tasks (e.g., initiating TM processes and implementing TM decisions) in several TM practices such as talent acquisition and identification, talent development, performance management, and merit pay. In terms of depth, the involvement of LMs in TM was moderate because their involvement was limited to proposing decisions across TM practices. This was supported by a moderate acquisition of TM expertise as the LMs’ TM training had mixed reviews. Limitations - The findings are limited to the Case Study Organisation as the study adopted a single case study. Originality/value: Theoretical - We respond to calls by several scholars for an in-depth study on LMs’ involvement in TM within different national and industrial contexts (Gallardo-Gallardo and Thunnissen 2016; Gallardo-Gallardo et al., 2020; Kravariti et al., 2022). We attained this by providing insight on the coverage and depth of LMs' involvement in TM in a Case Study Organisation. Methodology – By drawing our findings on an embedded single case study, we respond to the call by Cooke (2018:11) and Cooke et al., (2022) for in-depth human-centered qualitative research. Finally, we respond to the call by Gallardo-Gallardo et al., (2020:463) for multi-stakeholders perspectives studies on LMs’ involvement in TM

A simple method for generating full length cDNA from low abundance partial genomic clones

BACKGROUND: PCR amplification of target molecules involves sequence specific primers that flank the region to be amplified. While this technique is generally routine, its applicability may not be sufficient to generate a desired target molecule from two separate regions involving intron /exon boundaries. For these situations, the generation of full-length complementary DNAs from two partial genomic clones becomes necessary for the family of low abundance genes. RESULTS: The first approach we used for the isolation of full-length cDNA from two known genomic clones of Hox genes was based on fusion PCR. Here we describe a simple and efficient method of amplification for homeobox D13 (HOXD13) full length cDNA from two partial genomic clones. Specific 5' and 3' untranslated region (UTR) primer pairs and website program (primer3_www.cgv0.2) were key steps involved in this process. CONCLUSIONS: We have devised a simple, rapid and easy method for generating cDNA clone from genomic sequences. The full length HOXD13 clone (1.1 kb) generated with this technique was confirmed by sequence analysis. This simple approach can be utilized to generate full-length cDNA clones from available partial genomic sequences

S1PR2 variants associated with auditory function in humans and endocochlear potential decline in mouse

Progressive hearing loss is very common in the population but we still know little about the underlying pathology. A new spontaneous mouse mutation (stonedeaf, stdf ) leading to recessive, early-onset progressive hearing loss was detected and exome sequencing revealed a Thr289Arg substitution in Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor-2 (S1pr2). Mutants aged 2 weeks had normal hearing sensitivity, but at 4 weeks most showed variable degrees of hearing impairment, which became severe or profound in all mutants by 14 weeks. Endocochlear potential (EP) was normal at 2 weeks old but was reduced by 4 and 8 weeks old in mutants, and the stria vascularis, which generates the EP, showed degenerative changes. Three independent mouse knockout alleles of S1pr2 have been described previously, but this is the first time that a reduced EP has been reported. Genomic markers close to the human S1PR2 gene were significantly associated with auditory thresholds in the 1958 British Birth Cohort (n = 6099), suggesting involvement of S1P signalling in human hearing loss. The finding of early onset loss of EP gives new mechanistic insight into the disease process and suggests that therapies for humans with hearing loss due to S1P signalling defects need to target strial function

Curricula an einer universitätsnahen Institution - ein mögliches Modell für die Universität

Erfahrungen mit drei Bologna-konformen Curricula an einer universitätsnahen Institution werden vorgestellt. Die Masterlehrgänge für helfende Berufe entstanden aus einem von der Europäischen Kommission geförderten Projekt (Leonardo). Als Lernziel ist die Integration der Lehrinhalte in die angestammten Kompetenzen der berufstätigen Studierenden definiert. Die Curricula sind modular, handlungs- und lernfeldorientiert und werden unter Verwendung von Blended Learning (E-Learning + Präsenzworkshops) und tiefenpsychologischen Herangehensweisen vermittelt. Eine empirische Evaluation zeigte eine positive Bewertung der Curricula für die berufliche und persönliche Weiterentwicklung. 21.03.2014 | Roswith Roth, Marion Mitsche, Paul Pass & P. Christian Endler (Graz

Performance of oat varieties: Oklahoma 1977

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311