bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hazy Al2O3-FTO Nanocomposites: A Comparative Study with FTO-Based Nanocomposites Integrating ZnO and S:TiO2 Nanostructures
Authors: Zhang Shan-Ting , Vitrant Guy , Pernot Etienne , Jiménez Carmen , Muñoz-Rojas David , Bellet Daniel
Published: June 2018

In this study, we report the use of Al2O3 nanoparticles in combination with fluorine doped tin oxide (F:SnO2, aka FTO) thin films to form hazy Al2O3-FTO nanocomposites. In comparison to previously reported FTO-based nanocomposites integrating ZnO and sulfur doped TiO2 (S:TiO2) nanoparticles (i.e., ZnO-FTO and S:TiO2-FTO nanocomposites), the newly developed Al2O3-FTO nanocomposites show medium haze factor HT of about 30%, while they exhibit the least loss in total transmittance Ttot. In addition, Al2O3-FTO nanocomposites present a low fraction of large-sized nanoparticle agglomerates with equivalent radius req > 1 μm; effectively 90% of the nanoparticle agglomerates show req < 750 nm. The smaller feature size in Al2O3-FTO nanocomposites, as compared to ZnO-FTO and S:TiO2-FTO nanocomposites, makes them more suitable for applications that are sensitive to roughness and large-sized features. With the help of a simple optical model developed in this work, we have simulated the optical scattering by a single nanoparticle agglomerate characterized by bottom radius r0, top radius r1, and height h. It is found that r0 is the main factor affecting the HT(λ), which indicates that the haze factor of Al2O3-FTO and related FTO nanocomposites is mainly determined by the total surface coverage of all the nanoparticle agglomerates present.
Dietary Influence on Body Fluid Acid-Base and Volume Balance: The Deleterious “Norm” Furthers and Cloaks Subclinical Pathophysiology
Authors: Qian Qi
Published: June 2018

The popular modern diet, characterized by an excess of animal protein and salt but insufficient in fruits, vegetables and water, is a poor fit for human physiological and homeostatic regulatory systems. Sustained net acid and sodium retention, coupled with an insufficient intake of cardiovascular protective potassium-rich foods and hydration in the modern diet can give rise to debilitating chronic organ dysfunction and ultimately, mortality. This holds true, especially in our aging population who are already facing inevitable decline in organ functional reserve. Importantly, in most cases, despite the mismatch and adverse effects to multiple organ systems, plasma electrolyte and acid-base parameters can, on the surface, be maintained within a “normal” reference range, primarily by activating (often maximally activating) compensatory homeostatic mechanisms. These diet-induced effects can thus be clinically silent for decades. Embodied in the chronic corrective homeostatic processes, however, are real risks for multiorgan damage. According to the Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee (DGAC), half of American adults have one or more chronic diseases that are preventable with dietary modification. Here, homeostasis of body fluid acid-base, sodium, potassium and water is examined. Our current dietary habits and their required regulatory adaptation, maladaptation and relevant physiology and pathophysiology are discussed. A framework of dietary modifications to avoid a propensity for maladaptation and thus lowers the risks of common modern diseases (primary prevention) and minimizes the risk of chronic and age-related disease progression (secondary prevention) is emphasized. Although there are other variables at play, a key to restoring the all-important dietary potassium to sodium ratio is greater consumption of vegetables/fruits and adopting salt temperance. Dietary and nutritional optimization is an under-emphasized area of health care that has an enormous potential to temper the epidemics of prevalent chronic diseases in modern society and improve population health.
An Exploratory Study Examining Obesity Risk in Non-Obese Mothers of Young Children Using a Socioecological Approach
Authors: Martin-Biggers Jennifer , Quick Virginia , Spaccarotella Kim , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol
Published: June 2018

This cross-sectional, exploratory study aimed to (1) develop an obesity risk score using a comprehensive set of variables assessing mothers’ intrapersonal weight-related characteristics and those of their homes’ interpersonal and physical environments, and (2) determine how weight-related characteristics differ by obesity risk level. U.S. mothers (N = 550) of preschool-aged children completed an online survey that assessed maternal self-report weight status, sociodemographics, health-related characteristics, and maternal intrapersonal and their homes’ interpersonal and physical environment weight-related characteristics. Binomial logistic regression analysis identified variables significantly associated with obesity. Scores for all obesity risk variables were summed to create a weighted obesity risk score for non-obese participants (n = 386). Analysis of variance and Tukey post-hoc tests determined how non-obese mothers’ sociodemographic, health-related, and intrapersonal and their homes’ interpersonal and physical environment characteristics differed among obesity risk score tertiles. Results revealed that eight variables explained 53 percent of maternal obesity risk, including African American race, lower education level, more children in household, poorer maternal health, higher weight teasing history, higher body dissatisfaction, primary relative with obesity, and greater concern about children’s overweight risk. Non-obese mothers in the highest obesity risk tertile had greater food insecurity risk, lower family affluence, worse sleep quality, less fruit/vegetable availability, and reported less frequent modeling of healthy behaviors and more family conflict. In conclusion, eight characteristics that explained more than half of the risk for obesity in non-obese mothers of young children, may help healthcare professionals identify mothers at increased risk of obesity and offer preventive care early.
Investigation of Precipitable Water Vapor Obtained by Raman Lidar and Comprehensive Analyses with Meteorological Parameters in Xi’an
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Tang Liu , Zhang Jing , Gao Tianle , Wang Qing , Song Yuehui , Hua Dengxin
Published: June 2018

To evaluate the potential of Raman lidar observations for measuring precipitable water vapor (PWV), PWV variations and distribution characteristics were investigated in Xi’an (34.233°N, 108.911°E), and its comparisons with meteorological parameters were also analysed. Comparisons of lidar PWV with radiosonde PWV verified the ability and accuracy of using Raman lidars for PWV measurements. The diurnal and monthly variation trends in PWV in different layers are first discussed via the statistical analysis of lidar data from November 2013 to July 2016; different proportions of PWV were found in different layers, and the PWV in each layer presented a slight diurnal change trend and consistent seasonal variation, which was relatively rich in summer, less so in spring and autumn, and relatively deficient in winter. Furthermore, correlation analyses between lidar PWV and meteorological parameters are explored. Water vapor pressure and surface temperature revealed the same inter-seasonal oscillation of PWV, with a correlation coefficient of ~0.90. However, incomplete synchronization was found between PWV and relative humidity and precipitation parameters. Higher humidity appeared in the late summer and the beginning of autumn of each year, which was also the case for precipitation and precipitation efficiency. In addition, atmospheric water vapor density profiles and the obtained PWV by Raman lidar are discussed employing a rainfall case, and a comprehensive analysis with meteorological parameters is undertaken. The intensifying characteristics of vertical change in water vapor and the accumulation of PWV in the lower troposphere can be captured by lidar before the onset of rainfall. In contrast to the obvious diurnal change trend, such meteorological parameters as relative humidity, water vapor pressure, and dew-point temperature difference are accompanied with stable trends with a change rate of close to 0 in the rainfall processes; they also show high correlated variations with lidar PWV. Thus, with the advantage of lidar detection, investigation of water vapor profiles and PWV by Raman lidar, and the comprehensive correlation analyses with synchronic meteorological parameters can prove to be good indications of rainfall.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks with Automated Acoustic Scanning System and Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Sun Hongbin , Pashoutani Sepehr , Zhu Jinying
Published: June 2018

Delamanintions and reinforcement corrosion are two common problems in concrete bridge decks. No single nondestructive testing method (NDT) is able to provide comprehensive characterization of these defects. In this work, two NDT methods, acoustic scanning and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), were used to image a straight concrete bridge deck and a curved intersection ramp bridge. An acoustic scanning system has been developed for rapid delamination mapping. The system consists of metal-ball excitation sources, air-coupled sensors, and a GPS positioning system. The acoustic scanning results are presented as a two-dimensional image that is based on the energy map in the frequency range of 0.5–5 kHz. The GPR scanning results are expressed as the GPR signal attenuation map to characterize concrete deterioration and reinforcement corrosion. Signal processing algorithms for both methods are discussed. Delamination maps from the acoustic scanning are compared with deterioration maps from the GPR scanning on both bridges. The results demonstrate that combining the acoustic and GPR scanning results will provide a complementary and comprehensive evaluation of concrete bridge decks.
Laser Self-Mixing Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor for Acoustic Emission Measurement
Authors: Liu Bin , Ruan Yuxi , Yu Yanguang , Xi Jiangtao , Guo Qinghua , Tong Jun , Rajan Ginu
Published: June 2018

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is considered a good candidate for acoustic emission (AE) measurement. The sensing and measurement in traditional FBG-based AE systems are based on the variation in laser intensity induced by the Bragg wavelength shift. This paper presents a sensing system by combining self-mixing interference (SMI) in a laser diode and FBG for AE measurement, aiming to form a new compact and cost-effective sensing system. The measurement model of the overall system was derived. The performance of the presented system was investigated from both aspects of theory and experiment. The results show that the proposed system is able to measure AE events with high resolution and over a wide dynamic frequency range.
Pre-Disaster Social Capital and Disaster Recovery in Wenchuan Earthquake-Stricken Rural Communities
Authors: Wei Jianwen , Han Yang
Published: June 2018

This study examined the impact of social capital on disaster recovery in the 2008 earthquake-stricken rural communities in Wenchuan, China. The results show that quake-affected households having more social capital recovered more easily and quickly from disasters. A larger network significantly increased the amount of government aid received for housing reconstruction. This indicates that network members assist the quake-affected households to apply for and obtain government aid. These findings imply that social capital, as a kind of non-institutionalized social force, facilitates earthquake-affected households’ recovery from disaster in rural China. Based on these results, this study suggests that policymakers should pay special attention to improving the social capital of existing local households to improve disaster recovery.
Garden Pollinators and the Potential for Ecosystem Service Flow to Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture
Authors: Langellotto Gail Ann , Melathopoulos Andony , Messer Isabella , Anderson Aaron , McClintock Nathan , Costner Lucas
Published: June 2018

Hedgerows, flowering strips, and natural areas that are adjacent to agricultural land have been shown to benefit crop production, via the provision of insect pollinators that pollinate crops. However, we do not yet know the extent to which bee habitat in the form of urban gardens might contribute to pollination services in surrounding crops. We explored whether gardens might provision pollinators to adjacent agricultural areas by sampling bees from gardens in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, and estimating typical foraging distances in the context of commercial- and residential-scale pollination-dependent crops up to 1000 m from garden study sites. We estimate that garden bees could forage outside of the garden in which they were collected, and that when pollination-dependent crops (commercial-scale or residential-scale) are nearby, 30–50% of the garden bee community could potentially provide pollination services to adjacent crops, if urban bees readily cross boundaries and forage among habitat types. Urban gardens might thus be well-positioned to provision neighboring farms and food gardens with pollination services, or could serve as a refuge for pollinators when forage is scarce or crop management practices are inhospitable. The actual capacity of gardens to serve as a refuge for pollinators from agricultural fields depends upon the extent to which bees forage across habitat types. However, relatively little is known about the degree to which bees move among habitat patches in heterogeneous landscapes. We thus propose a research agenda that can document the extent to which gardens contribute to pollinator health and pollination services at the interface of urban, peri-urban, and rural landscapes. In particular, more data is needed on how landscape context impedes or promotes garden bee movement between habitat types.
Heterogeneous Preferences for Public Goods Provided by Agriculture in a Region of Intensive Agricultural Production: The Case of the Marchfeld
Authors: Niedermayr Andreas , Schaller Lena , Mariel Petr , Kieninger Pia , Kantelhardt Jochen
Published: June 2018

The aim of this paper is to elicit the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for the improved provision of public goods (PGs) by agriculture in a region of intensive agricultural production, embodying many of the environmental problems related to agriculture within and outside the European Union (EU). Our analysis was based on a participatory approach, combining the involvement of local stakeholders and a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in the Marchfeld region in Austria. We estimated a random parameters logit model (RPL), including interactions with socio-demographic factors, to disentangle preference heterogeneity and find a positive MWTP of the local population for all three PGs analyzed: (i) groundwater quality; (ii) landscape quality; and (iii) soil functionality in connection with climate stability. Furthermore, MWTP varies considerably with respect to age, farmers/non-farmers and locals/incomers. Further research could combine the results of this demand-side valuation with those of a supply-side valuation, where the opportunity costs of different management options for farmers are estimated. Based on such a cost–benefit analysis and further participation of local stakeholders, new governance mechanisms for the smart and sustainable provision of PGs by agriculture could be developed for the Marchfeld region and for comparable European regions.
Assessing Strategies for Urban Climate Change Adaptation: The Case of Six Metropolitan Cities in South Korea
Authors: Lee Jae-Seung , Kim Jeong
Published: June 2018

As interest in climate change adaptation grows, an increasing number of national and local governments are developing adaptation strategies. This study assesses the strategies for urban climate change adaptation of municipal governments in South Korea. The adaptation plans and budget expenditures of six metropolitan cities in South Korea were compared, based on the Implementation Plan for Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (IPCCAS) 2012–2016 and annual expenditure reports of each city. The results show that the actual implementation of these adaptation programs varied vis-à-vis the original plans, in terms of the level of overall expenditure and sector-specific expenditure. The following findings were drawn from the analysis: First, in most cases, the highest adaptation priorities were disaster/infrastructure, water management, and the health sector. Second, actual expenditure on climate change adaptation programs was smaller than the planned budget in the IPCCAS. Third, the prioritized sectors matched for planning and implementation in Seoul, Daegu, Daejeon, and Incheon, but not in Busan and Ulsan. Fourth, the adaptation programs of South Korean metropolitan cities do not seem to have been well-tailored to each case.
Critical Factors on the Capital Structure of Public–Private Partnership Projects: A Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Du Jing , Wu Hongyue , Zhao Xianbo
Published: June 2018

Scientific capital structure is the key to guarantee sufficient funds and achievement of objectives of Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects, while inappropriate capital structure has caused the failure of many projects. Meanwhile, sustainability is an important concept that should be concerned during the life cycle of PPP projects. Therefore, this study aimed to: (1) identify the critical factors influencing the capital structure of PPP projects from a sustainability perspective; and (2) analyze the relationships between the factors and the capital structure based on qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). This study identified seven critical factors influencing the capital structure of PPP projects. Moreover, the non-economic indicators should be concerned as well as the economic indicators. Thus, proper capital structure not only provides ample funds but also promotes the long-term healthy operation of projects and creates positive effects on the industry, region and society. Furthermore, the findings indicated that benefit, external situation, cost, ability of private sector and government support were the top critical factors. In addition, although risk did not show great importance, it had close relationship with other factors, which means risk should be concerned comprehensively. This study enriches the theoretical research about the capital structure of PPP projects and offers a new idea about the integration of sustainability and PPP projects. In addition, it supports the reasonable selection of capital structure in practice and promotes the practical application of sustainability on PPP projects.
Towards Real-Time Facial Landmark Detection in Depth Data Using Auxiliary Information
Authors: Kendrick Connah , Tan Kevin , Walker Kevin , Yap Moi Hoon
Published: June 2018

Modern facial motion capture systems employ a two-pronged approach for capturing and rendering facial motion. Visual data (2D) is used for tracking the facial features and predicting facial expression, whereas Depth (3D) data is used to build a series of expressions on 3D face models. An issue with modern research approaches is the use of a single data stream that provides little indication of the 3D facial structure. We compare and analyse the performance of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) using visual, Depth and merged data to identify facial features in real-time using a Depth sensor. First, we review the facial landmarking algorithms and its datasets for Depth data. We address the limitation of the current datasets by introducing the Kinect One Expression Dataset (KOED). Then, we propose the use of CNNs for the single data stream and merged data streams for facial landmark detection. We contribute to existing work by performing a full evaluation on which streams are the most effective for the field of facial landmarking. Furthermore, we improve upon the existing work by extending neural networks to predict into 3D landmarks in real-time with additional observations on the impact of using 2D landmarks as auxiliary information. We evaluate the performance by using Mean Square Error (MSE) and Mean Average Error (MAE). We observe that the single data stream predicts accurate facial landmarks on Depth data when auxiliary information is used to train the network. The codes and dataset used in this paper will be made available.
Neutralizing Antibody-Based Prevention of Cell-Associated HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Parsons Matthew , Le Grand Roger , Kent Stephen
Published: June 2018

Improved vaccine-mediated protection against HIV-1 requires a thorough understanding of the mode of HIV-1 transmission and how various immune responses control transmission. Cell-associated HIV-1 is infectious and contributes to HIV-1 transmission in humans. Non-human primate models of cell-associated SIV infection demonstrate that cell-associated SIV is more infectious than cell-free SIV. In a recently described chimeric simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) macaque model, it was demonstrated that an occult infection with cell-associated SHIV can be established that evades passive protection with a broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb). Indeed, considerable in vitro data shows that bnAbs have less efficacy against cell-associated HIV-1 than cell-free HIV-1. Optimizing the protective capacity of immune responses such as bnAbs against cell-associated infections may be needed to maximize their protective efficacy.
The Impact of Climate on Hydrological Extremes
Authors: Manfreda Salvatore , Iacobellis Vito , Gioia Andrea , Fiorentino Mauro , Kochanek Krzysztof
Published: June 2018

High and low flows and associated floods and droughts are extreme hydrological phenomena mainly caused by meteorological anomalies and modified by catchment processes and human activities. They exert increasing on human, economic, and natural environmental systems around the world. In this context, global climate change along with local fluctuations may eventually trigger a disproportionate response in hydrological extremes. This special issue focuses on observed extreme events in the recent past, how these extremes are linked to a changing global/regional climate, and the manner in which they may shift in the coming years.
Presence of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents Utilized as Water Reuse for Irrigation
Authors: Aslan Asli , Cole Zachariah , Bhattacharya Anunay , Oyibo Oghenekpaobor
Published: June 2018

Providing safe water through water reuse is becoming a global necessity. One concern with water reuse is the introduction of unregulated contaminants to the environment that cannot be easily removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The occurrence of ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli through the treatment stages of a WWTP (raw sewage, post-secondary, post-UV and post-chlorination) was investigated from January to May 2016. The highest concentrations of antibiotic resistant E. coli in the effluent were detected in April after rainfall. Ampicillin-resistant E. coli was the most common at the post UV and chlorination stages comprising 63% of the total E. coli population. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis showed that one in five isolates was resistant to three or more antibiotics, and the majority of these E. coli were resistant to ampicillin, followed by sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin. The highest MIC was detected at the finished water after application of multiple disinfection methods. Tetracycline resistance was the least observed among others, indicating that certain drug families may respond to wastewater treatment differently. Currently, there are no policies to enforce the monitoring of antibiotic-resistant pathogen removal in WWTP. Better guidelines are needed to better regulate reuse water and prevent health risk upon exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Water Quality Prediction Model of a Water Diversion Project Based on the Improved Artificial Bee Colony–Backpropagation Neural Network
Authors: Chen Siyu , Fang Guohua , Huang Xianfeng , Zhang Yuhong
Published: June 2018

Prediction of water quality which can ensure the water supply and prevent water pollution is essential for a successful water transfer project. In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence, the backpropagation (BP) neural network has been increasingly applied for the prediction and forecasting field. However, the BP neural network frame cannot satisfy the demand of higher accuracy. In this study, we extracted monitoring data from the water transfer channel of both the water resource and the intake area as training samples and selected some distinct indices as input factors to establish a BP neural network whose connection weight values between network layers and the threshold of each layer had already been optimized by an improved artificial bee colony (IABC) algorithm. Compared with the traditional BP and ABC-BP neural network model, it was shown that the IABC-BP neural network has a greater ability for forecasting and could achieve much better accuracy, nearly 25% more precise than the BP neural network. The new model is particularly practical for the water quality prediction of a water diversion project and could be readily applied in this field.
The Masses and Accretion Rates of White Dwarfs in Classical and Recurrent Novae
Authors: Shara Michael M. , Prialnik Dina , Hillman Yael , Kovetz Attay
Published: June 2018

Models have long predicted that the frequency-averaged masses of white dwarfs (WDs) in Galactic classical novae are twice as large as those of field WDs. Only a handful of dynamically well-determined nova WDs masses have been published, leaving the theoretical predictions poorly tested. The recurrence time distributions and mass accretion rate distributions of novae are even more poorly known. To address these deficiencies, we have combined our extensive simulations of nova eruptions with the Strope et al. and Schaefer databases of outburst characteristics of Galactic classical and recurrent novae (RNe) to determine the masses of 92 WDs in novae. We find that the mean mass (frequency-averaged mean mass) of 82 Galactic classical novae is 1.06 (1.13) M
⊙, while the mean mass of 10 RNe is 1.31 M
⊙. These masses, and the observed nova outburst amplitude and decline time distributions allow us to determine the long-term mass accretion rate distribution of classical novae. Remarkably, that value is just 1.3 × 10−10
M
⊙ yr−1, which is an order of magnitude smaller than that of cataclysmic binaries in the decades before and after classical nova eruptions. This predicts that old novae become low-mass transfer rate systems, and hence dwarf novae, for most of the time between nova eruptions. We determine the mass accretion rates of each of the 10 known Galactic recurrent nova, finding them to be in the range of 10−7–10−8
M
⊙ yr−1. We are able to predict the recurrence time distribution of novae and compare it with the predictions of population synthesis models.
Experimental Investigation of CFRP Impact Toughness and Failure Modes
Authors: Flášar O.
Published: June 2018

The experimental investigation assesses the capability of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) to absorb impact energy. The method is based on measuring impact toughness of unnotched beam specimens made of laminates with woven and unidirectional reinforcement in either cross-ply [0/90]n or angle-ply [±45]n orientation using impact pendulum testing machine. Low-velocity impact produces interlaminar and intralaminar failures of beams which affect their energy absorptions. The resulting energy absorptions are evaluated from force-displacement curves and subsequently discussed using assessment of loading processes and final failure modes.
Evidence of hidden diversity and taxonomic conflicts in five stream fishes from the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands freshwater ecoregion
Authors: Chakona Albert , Kadye Wilbert T. , Bere Taurai , Mazungula Daniel N. , Vreven Emmanuel
Published: June 2018

Stream fishes of the Eastern Afromontane region are among the least studied vertebrates in this region, despite the potential for harbouring cryptic diversity. The present study examined mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence divergence in 153 specimens of stream fishes belonging to four genera and three families, [(AmphiliusandZaireichthys(Amphiliidae);Chiloglanis(Mochokidae); andHippopotamyrus(Mormyridae)], in the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands (EZH) freshwater ecoregion to explore the extent to which the current taxonomy conceals the ichthyofaunal diversity in the region. The General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) species delineation method identified 14 clusters within five currently recognised ‘species’ from the EZH ecoregion. Only one of these clusters represents a named species, while 13 of them represent candidate or undescribed species. Our results revealed that effective conservation of this region’s unique biota is limited by the incomplete knowledge of taxonomic diversity and inaccurate mapping of species distribution ranges.
Immediate Postoperative Alignment Following Bimedial Rectus Recession for Esotropia in Children Compared to Adults
Authors: Hassan Mohamed B. , Diehl Nancy N. , Mohney Brian G.
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To determine whether the immediate postoperative alignment among patients undergoing successful bilateral weakening surgery for esotropia is different in children compared to adults.

Methods:

The medical records of all patients undergoing surgery for esotropia by a single surgeon at a major academic referral center between January 1, 2002, and July 1, 2014 (n = 544), were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included those with prior strabismus surgery, unilateral surgery, strengthening procedures, vertical or superior oblique surgery, and those wearing hyperopic spectacles for accommodative esotropia. Additionally, all patients had to have a 1- and 6-week postoperative examination and 8 prism diopters (PD) or less of deviation at their 6-week examination.

Results:

Ninety-five (17.5%) of the 544 patients met the inclusion criteria. Surgery was performed at a median age of 3.7 years (range: 7 months to 86 years) for a median esodeviation of 35 PD (range: 12 to 70 PD). Among the 73 patients younger than 11 years, the immediate mean postoperative alignment was 9 PD of exotropia (range: 14 PD esotropia to 30 PD exotropia) compared to 2 PD of exotropia (range: 9 PD esotropia to 30 PD exotropia) in the 22 patients 11 years or older (
P
= .001). Seventy-one percent of successfully aligned patients younger than 11 years were exotropic in the immediate postoperative week compared to 23% of those 11 years or older (
P
< .001). Twenty-four (32.8%) of the younger cohort had an immediate overcorrection of 15 PD or more compared to 1 (4.5%) in the older cohort (
P
= .006).

Conclusions:

Successful bilateral strabismus surgery for children with esotropia results in a significantly greater overcorrection, compared to adults, in the immediate postoperative period.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2018;55(5):299-305.]
Repeated Allergen Exposure in A/J Mice Causes Steroid-Insensitive Asthma via a Defect in Glucocorticoid Receptor Bioavailability
Authors: Serra Magda F. , Cotias Amanda C. , Pão Camila R. R. , Daleprane Julio B. , Jurgilas Patricia B. , Couto Gina C. , Anjos-Valotta Edna A. , Cordeiro Renato S. B. , Carvalho Vinicius F. , Silva Patricia M. R. , Martins Marco A.
Published: June 2018

The importance of developing new animal models to assess the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid (GC)-insensitive asthma has been stressed. Because of the asthma-prone background of A/J mice, we hypothesized that asthma changes in these animals would be or become resistant to GCs under repeated exposures to an allergen. A/J mice were challenged with OVA for 2 or 4 consecutive d, starting on day 19 postsensitization. Oral dexamethasone or inhaled budesonide were given 1 h before challenge, and analyses were done 24 h after the last challenge. Airway hyperreactivity, leukocyte infiltration, tissue remodeling, and cytokine levels as well as phosphorylated GC receptor (p-GCR), p-GATA-3, p-p38, MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), and GC-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) levels were assessed. A/J mice subjected to two daily consecutive challenges reacted with airway hyperreactivity, subepithelial fibrosis, and marked accumulation of eosinophils in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peribronchial space, all of which were clearly sensitive to dexamethasone and budesonide. Conversely, under four provocations, most of these changes were steroid resistant. A significant reduction in p-GCR/GCR ratio following 4- but not 2-d treatment was observed, as compared with untreated positive control. Accordingly, steroid efficacy to transactivate MKP-1 and GILZ and to downregulate p-p38, p-GATA-3 as well as proinflammatory cytokine levels was also seen after two but not four provocations. In conclusion, we report that repeated allergen exposure causes GC-insensitive asthma in A/J mice in a mechanism associated with decrease in GCR availability and subsequent loss of steroid capacity to modulate pivotal regulatory proteins, such as GATA-3, p-p38, MKP-1, and GILZ.
Innate Nutritional Immunity
Authors: Núñez Gabriel , Sakamoto Kei , Soares Miguel P.
Published: June 2018

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for both microbes and their hosts. The biologic importance of Fe derives from its inherent ability to act as a universal redox catalyst, co-opted in a variety of biochemical processes critical to maintain life. Animals evolved several mechanisms to retain and limit Fe availability to pathogenic microbes, a resistance mechanism termed “nutritional immunity.” Likewise, pathogenic microbes coevolved to deploy diverse and efficient mechanisms to acquire Fe from their hosts and in doing so overcome nutritional immunity. In this review, we discuss how the innate immune system regulates Fe metabolism to withhold Fe from pathogenic microbes and how strategies used by pathogens to acquire Fe circumvent these resistance mechanisms.
Molar Protraction and Uprighting (2nd Molar Protraction in the 1st Molar Missing Site and Uprighting an Impacted 3rd Molar)
Authors: Baik Un-Bong
Published: June 2018

Recently, with the help of TADs (temporary anchorage devices), substantial 2nd molar protraction has become possible in case of missing posterior teeth. Total 260 cases of U-6 (Upper 1st molar missing), L-6 (Lower 1st molar missing) and L-E (Lower E extraction with the 2nd molar missing, E: deciduous 2nd molar) were finished. After 2nd molar protraction, even a horizontally-impacted 3rd molar can be uprighted. This treatment will become very good treatment modality, replacing implants and bridges in cases of missing posterior teeth.
Whole-body 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) for staging locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Gajjala Sivanath Reddy , Hulikal Narendra , Kadiyala Silpa , Kottu Radhika , Kalawat Tekchand
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is associated with substantial risk of occult metastases. The patients with LABC have high rate of systemic relapse, suggesting inadequacy of the current conventional staging in detecting the occult metastatic spread. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) is a new modality in the staging of breast cancer patients. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in initial staging of LABC and to compare it with conventional methods.

Methods:

This prospective study included biopsy-confirmed female patients diagnosed with LABC meeting the selection criteria and attending surgical, medical and radiation oncology departments of a tertiary care centre in south India, from April 2013 to December 2014. Conventional workup included serum chemistry, mammogram, bone scan, contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) chest and upper abdomen and ultrasound abdomen and pelvis. All patients following conventional workup underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Results:

In this study, 61 women with LABC underwent both conventional workup and 18F-FGD PET/CT. The 18F-FDG PET/CT, in comparison to conventional workup, revealed unsuspected N3 nodal disease in 11 more patients, revealed distant metastasis in seven more patients and also detected extra sites of metastasis in five patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of PET/CT to detect distant metastasis were 95, 98, 95, 98 and 97 per cent, respectively, whereas the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of conventional imaging to detect distant metastasis were 65, 93, 81, 84 and 84 per cent, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The 18F-FDG PET/CT was found to be more accurate than conventional imaging for staging and modified stage and treatment in 30 and 38 per cent of patients, respectively. It was particularly useful in detecting occult distant metastasis and N3 nodal disease with an added advantage of examining whole body in single session. However, CECT chest was superior over 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting pulmonary metastasis.
Field testing & evaluation of the efficacy & duration of effectiveness of a biolarvicide, Bactivec® SC (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis SH-14) in Bengaluru, India
Authors: Uragayala Sreehari , Kamaraju Raghavendra , Tiwari Satyanarayan , Ghosh Susanta Kumar , Valecha Neena
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

Different formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) have been tested against different mosquito vectors and other insects for their residual activity. In the present study, the efficacy and residual activity of a new formulation of Bti (Bactivec Suspension Concentrate) were evaluated against immature stages of Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), in natural habitats in Phase II and Phase III in Bengaluru, India.

Methods:

Preferential breeding habitats of the mosquito species were selected and four dosages (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 ml/50 l) were tested in Phase II trial. Two most effective dosages, 0.5 and 1 ml/50 l were selected for Phase III trial. The evaluation was carried out essentially following the guidelines of the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme. Pre-treatment and post-treatment densities were recorded at regular intervals, and >80 per cent reduction in pupae was taken as the duration of effectiveness.

Results:

Bactivec SC treated at the dosage of 1 ml/50 l could produce 10-17 days efficacy (>80% reduction in pupae) in clean water habitats tested, whereas 0.5 ml/50 l dosage showed residual activity from 7 to 14 days against Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi in Phase III studies. In polluted water habitats, 4-7 days efficacy could be recorded against Cx. quinquefasciatus in Phase III.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The Bactivec SC formulation was operationally feasible and easy to handle. For the control of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes in freshwater habitats, 1 ml/50 l dosage was found effective, whereas in polluted water habitats against Cx. quinquefasciatus 5 ml/m2 was found effective.
Social capital, trust in health information, and acceptance of Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign in Tamil Nadu
Authors: Palanisamy B , Gopichandran V , Kosalram K
Published: June 2018

Background:

Parents' decision about vaccination of children is influenced by social relationships and sources of information. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of social capital and trust in health information on the status of Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in Tamil Nadu.

Materials and Methods:

This was a case–control study carried out in Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu where the MR vaccination campaign offered by Government of Tamil Nadu had poor acceptance. Cases were parents of children who had refused the MR vaccine and controls were parents having children in the same age group who had accepted the vaccine. Data on social capital and trust in health information were collected by using social capital scale developed by the researchers and trust in the source of information was measured by using simple questions on the level of trust in the information source.

Results:

Nonadministration of MR vaccine was high among young parents and parents of younger children. Vaccine acceptance was higher when it was offered at school (P < 0.000) and also among parents who trusted school teachers (P < 0.003) and other school children (P < 0.014) as source of information. MR vaccine acceptance was less among parents who trusted social media and WhatsApp information. Greater levels of health-related physical social capital led to greater vaccine hesitancy. Multivariate analysis revealed that greater the age of the child, better parental attitudes toward vaccination, poorer health-related physical social capital, and greater trust in health information provided by school teachers led to overall greater acceptance of the MR vaccine.

Conclusion:

Strong homogeneous bonding social capital had a negative influence on MR vaccine acceptance. Schools and school teachers played a vital role in influencing parental decision to vaccinate.
The convexification effect of Minkowski summation
Authors: Fradelizi Matthieu , Madiman Mokshay , Marsiglietti Arnaud , Zvavitch Artem
Published: June 2018

Let us define for a compact set

A \subset \mathbb{R}^n

the sequence

A(k) = \left\{\frac{a_1+\cdots +a_k}{k}: a_1, \ldots, a_k\in A\right\}=\frac{1}{k}\Big(\underset{k\ {\rm times}}{\underbrace{A + \cdots + A}}\Big).

It was independently proved by Shapley, Folkman and Starr (1969) and by Emerson and Greenleaf (1969) that

A(k)

approaches the convex hull of

A

in the Hausdorff distance induced by the Euclidean norm as

k

goes to

\infty

. We explore in this survey how exactly

A(k)

approaches the convex hull of

A

, and more generally, how a Minkowski sum of possibly different compact sets approaches convexity, as measured by various indices of non-convexity. The non-convexity indices considered include the Hausdorff distance induced by any norm on

\mathbb R^n

, the volume deficit (the difference of volumes), a non-convexity index introduced by Schneider (1975), and the effective standard deviation or inner radius. After first clarifying the interrelationships between these various indices of non-convexity, which were previously either unknown or scattered in the literature, we show that the volume deficit of

A(k)

does not monotonically decrease to 0 in dimension 12 or above, thus falsifying a conjecture of Bobkov et al. (2011), even though their conjecture is proved to be true in dimension 1 and for certain sets

A

with special structure. On the other hand, Schneider's index possesses a strong monotonicity property along the sequence

A(k)

, and both the Hausdorff distance and effective standard deviation are eventually monotone (once

k

exceeds

n

). Along the way, we obtain new inequalities for the volume of the Minkowski sum of compact sets (showing that this is fractionally superadditive but not supermodular in general, but is indeed supermodular when the sets are convex), demonstrate applications of our results to combinatorial discrepancy theory, and suggest some questions worthy of further investigation.
High summertime aerosol organic functional group concentrations from marine and seabird sources at Ross Island, Antarctica, during AWARE
Authors: Liu Jun , Dedrick Jeramy , Russell Lynn M. , Senum Gunnar I. , Uin Janek , Kuang Chongai , Springston Stephen R. , Leaitch W. Richard , Aiken Allison C. , Lubin Dan
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Observations of the organic components of the natural aerosol are scarce in
Antarctica, which limits our understanding of natural aerosols and their
connection to seasonal and spatial patterns of cloud albedo in the region.
From November 2015 to December 2016, the ARM West Antarctic Radiation
Experiment (AWARE) measured submicron aerosol properties near McMurdo Station
at the southern tip of Ross Island. Submicron organic mass (OM), particle
number, and cloud condensation nuclei concentrations were higher in summer
than other seasons. The measurements included a range of compositions and
concentrations that likely reflected both local anthropogenic emissions and
natural background sources. We isolated the natural organic components by
separating a natural factor and a local combustion factor. The natural OM was
150 times higher in summer than in winter. The local anthropogenic emissions
were not hygroscopic and had little contribution to the CCN concentrations.
Natural sources that included marine sea spray and seabird emissions
contributed 56 % OM in summer but only 3 % in winter. The natural OM
had high hydroxyl group fraction (55 %), 6 % alkane, and 6 %
amine group mass, consistent with marine organic composition. In addition,
the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the natural sources of
organic aerosol were characterized by amide group absorption, which may be
from seabird populations. Carboxylic acid group contributions were high in
summer and associated with natural sources, likely forming by secondary
reactions.
Marine and terrestrial influences on ice nucleating particles during continuous springtime measurements in an Arctic oilfield location
Authors: Creamean Jessie M. , Kirpes Rachel M. , Pratt Kerri A. , Spada Nicholas J. , Maahn Maximilian , de Boer Gijs , Schnell Russell C. , China Swarup
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Aerosols that serve as ice nucleating particles (INPs) have the potential to modulate cloud microphysical properties and can therefore impact cloud radiative forcing and precipitation formation processes. In remote regions such as the Arctic, aerosol-cloud interactions are severely understudied yet may have significant implications for the surface energy budget and its impact on sea ice and snow surfaces. Further, uncertainties in model representations of heterogeneous ice nucleation are a significant hindrance to simulating Arctic mixed-phase cloud processes. We present results from a campaign called INPOP (Ice Nucleating Particles at Oliktok Point), which took place at a U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (DOE ARM) facility in the northern Alaskan Arctic. Three time- and size-resolved aerosol impactors were deployed from 1 Mar to 31 May 2017 for offline ice nucleation and chemical analyses and were co-located with routine measurements of aerosol number, size, chemistry, and radiative properties. The largest particles (i.e., ≥ 3 μm or “coarse mode”) were the most efficient INPs. During periods with snow- and ice-covered surfaces, coarse mode INP concentrations were very low (maximum of 6 × 10−4 L−1 at −15 °C), but higher concentrations of warm temperature INPs were observed during late May (maximum of 2 × 10−2 L−1 at −15 °C). These higher concentrations were attributed to air masses originating from over sea ice leads and tundra surfaces. To our knowledge, these results represent the first INP characterization measurements in an Arctic oilfield location, and demonstrate strong influences from natural sources despite the relatively high pollution levels in this Arctic environment. Ultimately, these results can be used to evaluate the anthropogenic and natural influences on aerosol composition and Arctic cloud properties.