bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Intake and Associated Factors in Long-Term Care Homes in Southeast Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Rejón Ana Isabel , Ruiz-López María Dolores , Artacho Reyes
Published: January 2019

Diet is a key modifiable factor in the management of malnutrition and age-related diseases such as sarcopenia, an important issue in long-term care homes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dietary intake of residents, define dietary patterns, and analyze their association with sex, diet texture, nutritional status, and the presence of sarcopenia. Intake was assessed by the precise weighing method, dietary patterns were defined a posteriori by cluster analysis, and nutritional status and sarcopenia were evaluated by applying the MNA-SF test and EWGSOP algorithm, respectively. A regular diet was consumed by 63% of participants; 56% were at risk of malnutrition and 63% were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Intake of potassium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, E, folic acid, and fiber was low in >80% of participants. Protein intake was <1 g/kg/day in 56% of participants and <25 g/meal in 100%. Two dietary patterns were identified, but neither fully met recommendations. The risk of a poorer diet was higher in females and residents with sarcopenia and was lower in those consuming regular diets. In conclusion, action is required to improve the inadequate nutritional intake of long-term care residents.
Global Governance of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Thow Anne Marie , Jones Alexandra , Schneider Carmen Huckel , Labonté Ronald
Published: January 2019

The Codex Alimentarius has approved ongoing work for international guidance on front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition labelling, which is a core intervention for prevention of diet-related noncommunicable disease. This guidance will have implications for national policy decision-making regarding this important public health issue. However, FoP nutrition labelling is also a trade and commerce policy issue. In this study, we analyze the global governance of FoP nutrition labelling and current policy processes, to inform public health policy and advocacy. We present findings from a qualitative governance and institutional analysis, based on key informant interviews with 28 global actors. The study found that Codex guidance was perceived as likely to have a high impact on FoP nutrition labelling globally. However, a small and highly interconnected “regime complex” of international institutions surrounds FoP nutrition labelling at the global level, and influence on Codex discussions is being exerted differentially by actors at the national and global level, particularly by government and industry actors. There are thus risks associated with conflicts of interests in the development of global guidance on FoP nutrition labelling. There are also opportunities for more strategic and coordinated public health engagement.
Effect of Enzymatic Treatment of Chrysanthemum Indicum Linné Extracts on Lipid Accumulation and Adipogenesis in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Male Mice
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyun , Moon Joo-Myung , Kim Yoon-Hee , Lee Bori , Choi Sang-Yong , Song Bong-Joon , Kim Dae-Ki , Lee Young-Mi
Published: January 2019

Enzyme treatment of the foods and herbs has been used to improve the absorption rate the efficiency of plant extracts by converting the glycosides of the plant into aglycones. In this study, we examined the obesity-inhibitory effect of Chrysanthemum indicum Linné (CI) treated with enzymes such as viscozyme and tannase, which are highly efficient in converting glycosides to aglycones and then compared with untreated CI extract. The enzyme-treated CI ethanol extract (CIVT) was administered orally at various doses for 7 weeks in the high fat diet (HFD)-fed male mice. CIVT administration reduced the body weights, the food efficiency and the serum levels of lipid metabolism-related biomarkers, such as triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and leptin in the dose-dependent manner but not those high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and adiponectin. CIVT also reduced considerably the total lipid amount in the liver and the size of adipocytes in the epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). CIVT effectively downregulated the adipogenesis-related transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferation activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α) but up-regulated PPAR-α, in the liver and eWAT. In addition, when compared to the enzyme-untreated CI 50% ethanol extract (CIEE), CIVT enhanced the reduction of body weight and lipid accumulation. Moreover, the viscozyme and tannase treatment of CI increased the flavonoid contents of the aglycone form. Therefore, our results support that the enzymatic treatment induced the production of aglycones for potentially suppressing the adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice. It suggests that CIVT might be an effective candidate for attenuating the over-weight and its related diseases.
Improved Pharmacokinetics of Icariin (ICA) within Formulation of PEG-PLLA/PDLA-PNIPAM Polymeric Micelles
Authors: Han Lu-Ying , Wu Yun-Long , Zhu Chun-Yan , Wu Cai-Sheng , Yang Chun-Rong
Published: January 2019

Icariin (ICA) is a major flavonoid that contains the active compound Epimedii Folium. However, ICA’s pharmacokinetic characteristics remain unsatisfactory due to its low bioavailability, and hence limited drugability. In order to improve its pharmacokinetics and achieve prolonged blood circulation time, a novel polymeric micelle, made of the self-assembled micelle between poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (L-lactic acid) (PEG-PLLA) and poly (D-lactic acid)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PDLA-PNIPAM), was designed to encapsulate ICA. Our experimental results showed that this polymeric micelle formulation of ICA exhibited uniform nano-size distribution and high stability within 48 h. The new formulation also allowed sustained ICA release in an in vitro drug release study. Furthermore, in vivo experiments revealed that ICA bioavailability in the PEG-PLLA/PDLA-PNIPAM polymeric micelle formulation was significantly higher compared to ICA alone, or ICA in the traditional Pluronic F127 micelle formulation. Finally, we show that metabolite analysis confirmed that ICA within the PEG-PLLA/PDLA-PNIPAM polymeric micelle formulation provided better drug protection, reduced drug metabolites production, and decreased undesired first-pass effects. Overall, these data show that ICA within PEG-PLLA/PDLA-PNIPAM polymeric micelle formulation exhibit advantages, in terms of improved physicochemical properties, sustained release of ICA in vitro, and improved bioavailability of ICA in vivo, which represent a feasible approach for improving the drugability of pharmaceutical small molecules with low bioavailability or poor stability.
Dual Resonator MEMS Magnetic Field Gradiometer
Authors: Kahr Matthias , Stifter Michael , Steiner Harald , Hortschitz Wilfried , Kovács Gabor , Kainz Andreas , Schalko Johannes , Keplinger Franz
Published: January 2019

Accurate knowledge of the spatial magnetic field distribution is necessary when measuring field gradients. Therefore, a MEMS magnetic field gradiometer is reported, consisting of two identical, but independent laterally oscillating masses on a single chip. The sensor is actuated by Lorentz force and read out by modulation of the light flux passing through stationary and moving arrays of the chip. This optical readout decouples the transducer from the electronic components. Both phase and intensity are recorded which reveals information about the uniformity of the magnetic field. The magnetic flux density is measured simultaneously at two points in space and the field gradient is evaluated locally. The sensor was characterised at ambient pressure by performing frequency and magnitude response measurements with coil and various different permanent magnet arrangements, resulting in a responsivity of 35.67 V/T and detection limit of 3.07 µT/ Hz (@ 83 Hz ENBW). The sensor is compact, offers a large dynamic measurement range and can be of low-cost by using conventional MEMS batch fabrication technology.
Accuracy Evaluation of Videogrammetry Using A Low-Cost Spherical Camera for Narrow Architectural Heritage: An Observational Study with Variable Baselines and Blur Filters
Authors: Sun Zheng , Zhang Yingying
Published: January 2019

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using video frames extracted from spherical cameras introduces an innovative measurement method in narrow scenes of architectural heritage, but the accuracy of 3D models and their correlations with frame extraction ratios and blur filters are yet to be evaluated. This article addresses these issues for two narrow scenes of architectural heritage that are distinctive in layout, surface material, and lighting conditions. The videos captured with a hand-held spherical camera (30 frames per second) are extracted to frames with various ratios starting from 10 and increasing every 10 frames (10, 20, …, n). Two different blur assessment methods are employed for comparative analyses. Ground truth models obtained from terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry are employed for assessing the accuracy of 3D models from different groups. The results show that the relative accuracy (median absolute errors/object dimensions) of spherical-camera videogrammetry range from 1/500 to 1/2000, catering to the surveying and mapping of architectural heritage with medium accuracy and resolution. Sparser baselines (the length between neighboring image pairs) do not necessarily generate higher accuracy than those from denser baselines, and an optimal frame network should consider the essential completeness of complex components and potential degeneracy cases. Substituting blur frames with adjacent sharp frames could reduce global errors by 5–15%.
A New Insight into Biospeckle Activity in Apple Tissues
Authors: Abou Nader Christelle , Tualle Jean-Michel , Tinet Eric , Ettori Dominique
Published: January 2019

The monitoring and characterization of agricultural products before harvest or during ripening, storage, and shelf life has recently been increasingly explored in the literature. The analysis of biospeckle activity has potential for the determination of the optimal harvest window, the monitoring of the fruit ripening process, and the detection of diseases and bruising. In this technique, the specimen is illuminated with coherent light and speckle intensity fluctuations are analyzed using diverse methodologies. Prior work shows that biospeckle activity is strongly correlated to physiological indexes conventionally used to evaluate fruit texture and composition. Here, we scrupulously investigate the biospeckle activity of Gala apple fruits during postharvest stages. We simulate realistic conditions for shelf-life monitoring, namely an unknown history of the fruit and storage in an uncontrolled atmosphere. Scattering spot images are acquired with multiple exposure times using a simple optical setup. The contrast, reflecting biospeckle activity, is computed after eliminating inhomogeneous zones. The results show, for the first time, speckle activity at short time scales. The retrieved correlations between speckle parameters and the ratio of apples’ firmness to their soluble solids content reveal significant links despite the unknown fruit’s origin, harvest date, and storage history.
A Semi-Automatic Annotation Approach for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Bota Patrícia , Silva Joana , Folgado Duarte , Gamboa Hugo
Published: January 2019

Modern smartphones and wearables often contain multiple embedded sensors which generate significant amounts of data. This information can be used for body monitoring-based areas such as healthcare, indoor location, user-adaptive recommendations and transportation. The development of Human Activity Recognition (HAR) algorithms involves the collection of a large amount of labelled data which should be annotated by an expert. However, the data annotation process on large datasets is expensive, time consuming and difficult to obtain. The development of a HAR approach which requires low annotation effort and still maintains adequate performance is a relevant challenge. We introduce a Semi-Supervised Active Learning (SSAL) based on Self-Training (ST) approach for Human Activity Recognition to partially automate the annotation process, reducing the annotation effort and the required volume of annotated data to obtain a high performance classifier. Our approach uses a criterion to select the most relevant samples for annotation by the expert and propagate their label to the most confident samples. We present a comprehensive study comparing supervised and unsupervised methods with our approach on two datasets composed of daily living activities. The results showed that it is possible to reduce the required annotated data by more than 89% while still maintaining an accurate model performance.
HIV-1 Fusion with CD4+ T cells Is Promoted by Proteins Involved in Endocytosis and Intracellular Membrane Trafficking
Authors: Marin Mariana , Kushnareva Yulia , Mason Caleb S. , Chanda Sumit K. , Melikyan Gregory B.
Published: January 2019

The HIV-1 entry pathway into permissive cells has been a subject of debate. Accumulating evidence, including our previous single virus tracking results, suggests that HIV-1 can enter different cell types via endocytosis and CD4/coreceptor-dependent fusion with endosomes. However, recent studies that employed indirect techniques to infer the sites of HIV-1 entry into CD4+ T cells have concluded that endocytosis does not contribute to infection. To assess whether HIV-1 enters these cells via endocytosis, we probed the role of intracellular trafficking in HIV-1 entry/fusion by a targeted shRNA screen in a CD4+ T cell line. We performed a screen utilizing a direct virus-cell fusion assay as readout and identified several host proteins involved in endosomal trafficking/maturation, including Rab5A and sorting nexins, as factors regulating HIV-1 fusion and infection. Knockdown of these proteins inhibited HIV-1 fusion irrespective of coreceptor tropism, without altering the CD4 or coreceptor expression, or compromising the virus’ ability to mediate fusion of two adjacent cells initiated by virus-plasma membrane fusion. Ectopic expression of Rab5A in non-permissive cells harboring Rab5A shRNAs partially restored the HIV-cell fusion. Together, these results implicate endocytic machinery in productive HIV-1 entry into CD4+ T cells.
Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Versus Immune Response
Authors: Rabinowitz Joseph , Chan Ying Kai , Samulski Richard Jude
Published: January 2019

Decades ago, Friedmann and Roblin postulated several barriers to gene therapy, including tissue targeting, delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and host immune responses. These issues remain pertinent till today. Since then, several advances have been made in elucidating structures of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes, antibody epitopes, and ways to modify antibody-binding sites. AAVs capsid has also been engineered to re-direct tissue tropism, reduce ubiquitination, and promote passage across the BBB. Furthermore, the use of high(er) dose recombinant AAV (rAAV) has been accompanied by a better understanding of immune responses in both experimental animals and early clinical trials, and novel work is being performed to modulate the immune response. While the immune responses to rAAV remains a major challenge in translating experimental drugs to approved medicine, and will likely require more than a single solution, we now better understand the hurdles to formulate and test experimental solutions to surmount them.
Application of Advanced Oxidation Processes for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Agro-Industrial Wastewater: A Review
Authors: Amor Carlos , Marchão Leonilde , Lucas Marco S. , Peres José A.
Published: January 2019

Agro-industrial wastewaters are characterized by the presence of multiple organic and inorganic contaminants of environmental concern. The high pollutant load, the large volumes produced, and the seasonal variability makes the treatment of these wastewaters an environmental challenge. A wide range of wastewater treatment processes are available, however the continuous search for cost-effective treatment methods is necessary to comply with the legal limits of release in sewer systems and/or in natural waters. This review presents a state-of-the-art of the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to some worldwide generated agro-industrial wastewaters, such as olive mill, winery and pulp mill wastewaters. Studies carried out just with AOPs or combined with physico-chemical or biological treatments were included in this review. The main remarks and factors affecting the treatment efficiency such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total organic carbon (TOC), and total polyphenols removal are discussed. From all the studies, the combination of processes led to better treatment efficiencies, regardless the wastewater type or its physico-chemical characteristics.
Synthesis of nonracemic hydroxyglutamic acids
Authors: Piotrowska Dorota G , Głowacka Iwona E , Wróblewski Andrzej E , Lubowiecka Liwia
Published: January 2019

Glutamic acid is involved in several cellular processes though its role as the neurotransmitter is best recognized. For detailed studies of interactions with receptors a number of structural analogues of glutamic acid are required to map their active sides. This review article summarizes syntheses of nonracemic hydroxyglutamic acid analogues equipped with functional groups capable for the formation of additional hydrogen bonds, both as donors and acceptors. The majority of synthetic strategies starts from natural products and relies on application of chirons having the required configuration at the carbon atom bonded to nitrogen (e.g., serine, glutamic and pyroglutamic acids, proline and 4-hydroxyproline). Since various hydroxyglutamic acids were identified as components of complex natural products, syntheses of orthogonally protected derivatives of hydroxyglutamic acids are also covered.
APPLICATION OF FUZZY FAULT TREE ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSTRUCTION LABOR PRODUCTIVITY: A HIGH-RISE BUILDING CASE STUDY
Authors: Shoar Shahab , Banaitis Audrius
Published: January 2019

The aim of this research is to develop a systematic approach to identify and prioritize the most influencing factors on labor productivity in a construction project, with respect to their interrelations, and also investigate different scenarios which can affect it. In the first step, factors influencing construction labor productivity were identified through reviewing previous researches. Applying a group of experts, the most important factors were then determined using their relative importance index in the second step. In the third step, the interrelations among factors were determined through several sessions and interviewing those experts. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed methodology is proved by implementing in a real high rise building construction project. In this step, the selected factors from previous steps were used subsequently for analyzing their impact on labor productivity through fuzzy fault tree analysis. The probability of occurrence of events was determined according to the opinions of four members of the project management team who involved in that project. The most critical causes were also identified using importance analysis. It is believed that using the proposed methodology, appropriate response strategies could be adopted against the identified critical events to enhance the overall productivity of a construction project.
Orbital Motion of the Wide Planetary-mass Companion GSC 6214-210 b: No Evidence for Dynamical Scattering
Authors: Pearce Logan A. , Kraus Adam L. , Dupuy Trent J. , Ireland Michael J. , Rizzuto Aaron C. , Bowler Brendan P. , Birchall Eloise K. , Wallace Alexander L.
Published: January 2019

Direct-imaging exoplanet surveys have discovered a class of 5–20

substellar companions at separations >100 au from their host stars, which present a challenge to planet and star formation models. Detailed analysis of the orbital architecture of these systems can provide constraints on possible formation mechanisms, including the possibility that they were dynamically ejected onto a wide orbit. We present astrometry for the wide planetary-mass companion GSC 6214-210 b (240 au; ≈14

) obtained using NIRC2 with adaptive optics at the Keck telescope over 10 years. Our measurements achieved astrometric uncertainties of ≈1 mas per epoch. We determined a relative motion of 1.12 ± 0.15 mas yr−1 (0.61 ± 0.09 km s−1), the first detection of orbital motion for this companion. We compute the minimum periastron for the companion due to our measured velocity vector and derive constraints on the orbital parameters through our modified implementation of the Orbits for the Impatient rejection sampling algorithm. We find that close periastron orbits, which could indicate that the companion was dynamically scattered, are present in our posterior but have low likelihoods. For all orbits in our posterior, we assess the detectability of close-in companions that could have scattered GSC 6214-210 b from a closer orbit, and find that most potential scatterers would have been detected in previous imaging. We conclude that formation at small orbital separation and subsequent dynamical scattering through interaction with another potential close-in object is an unlikely formation pathway for this companion. We also update stellar and substellar properties for the system using the new parallax from Gaia DR2.
Examining the Class B to A Shift of the 7.7 μm PAH Band with the NASA Ames PAH IR Spectroscopic Database
Authors: Shannon Matthew J. , Boersma Christiaan
Published: January 2019

We present insights into the behavior of the astronomical 7.7 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission complex as gleaned from analyzing synthesized spectra, utilizing the data and tools from the NASA Ames PAH IR Spectroscopic Database. We specifically study the influence of PAH size, charge, aliphatic content, and nitrogen substitution on the profile and peak position of the 7.7 μm feature (λ
7.7). The 7.7 μm band is known to vary significantly from object to object in astronomical observations, but the origin of these variations remains highly speculative. Our results indicate that PAH size can accommodate the largest shift in λ
7.7 (≃0.4 μm), where relatively small PAHs are consistent with class A spectra (

 ≤ 60), while large PAHs are consistent with red/very red class B spectra. Aliphatic PAHs, of which our sample only contains a few, can produce redshifts typically around 0.15 μm; changes in ionization fraction, depending on the species, produce shifts of up to 0.1 μm; and nitrogen substitution has no effect on λ
7.7. Within the limits of our study, the class B → A transition is best explained with a changing PAH size distribution, with a relatively minor role assigned to aliphatic content and varying charge states. The resulting astronomical picture is that the photochemical evolution of PAHs moving from shielded class C/B environments into exposed ISM-like class A environments may be intrinsically different from the reverse class A → B transition of interstellar PAHs being incorporated into newly forming star systems.
A Search for Gravitationally Lensed Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Data of the Interplanetary Network and Konus-Wind
Authors: Hurley K. , Tsvetkova A. E. , Svinkin D. S. , Aptekar R. L. , Frederiks D. D. , Golenetskii S. V. , Kokomov A. A. , Kozlova A. V. , Lysenko A. L. , Ulanov M. V. , Cline T. L. , Mitrofanov I. G. , Golovin D. , Litvak M. L. , Sanin A. B. , Boynton W. , Harshman K. , Fellows C. , Starr R. , Rau A. , Kienlin A. von , Zhang X.
Published: January 2019

We examine a sample of 2301 gamma-ray bursts, detected by Konus-Wind in the triggered mode between 1994 and 2017 and localized by the interplanetary network (IPN), for evidence of gravitational lensing. We utilize all the available gamma-ray burst (GRB) data: time histories, localizations, and energy spectra. We employ common IPN techniques to find and quantify similarities in the light curves of 2,646,150 burst pairs, and for the pairs with significant similarities, we examine their IPN localizations to determine whether they are consistent with a common origin. For pairs that are consistent, we derive and compare energy spectra, and compute a figure of merit that allows us to compare and rank burst pairs. We conduct both a blind search, between all possible burst pairs, and a targeted search, between pairs in which one burst has both a spectroscopic redshift and an identification of an intervening system, as measured by one or more lower spectroscopic redshifts. We identify six pairs in the blind search that could be taken as evidence for lensing, but none are compelling enough to claim a detection with good confidence. No candidates were detected in the targeted search. For our GRB sample, we set an upper limit to the optical depth to lensing of 0.0033, which is comparable to that of optical sources. We conclude that proposed scenarios in which a large fraction of the GRB population is lensed are extremely unlikely.
Chandra Observations of the Massive Star-forming Region Onsala 2
Authors: Skinner Stephen L. , Sokal Kimberly R. , Güdel Manuel
Published: January 2019

Previous radio and infrared observations have revealed an obscured region of high-mass star formation in Cygnus known as Onsala 2 (ON2). Within this region lies the optically revealed young stellar cluster Berkeley 87, which contains several OB stars and the rare oxygen-type Wolf–Rayet star WR 142. Previous radio studies of ON2 have also discovered masers and several H ii regions excited by embedded OB stars. Radio and Gaia parallaxes have now shown that the H ii regions are more distant than Berkeley 87. We summarize two Chandra X-ray observations of ON2, which detected more than 300 X-ray sources. Several optically identified stars in Berkeley 87 were detected, including massive OB stars and WR 142, the latter being a faint hard source whose X-ray emission likely arises in hot thermal plasma. Intense X-ray emission was detected near the compact H ii regions G75.77+0.34 and G75.84+0.40, consisting of numerous point sources and diffuse emission. Heavily absorbed X-ray sources and their near-IR counterparts that may be associated with the exciting OB stars of the H ii regions are identified. Shocked winds from embedded massive stars offer a plausible explanation of the diffuse emission. Young stellar object candidates in the ON2 region are identified using near-IR colors, but surprisingly few counterparts of X-ray sources have near-IR excesses typical of classical T Tauri stars.
Astronomical Data of Atomic Shannon Entropies in Astrophysical Lorentzian Plasmas
Authors: Lee Myoung-Jae , Jung Young-Dae
Published: January 2019

The nonthermal effects on the variation of the Shannon entropy for the atomic states are investigated in astrophysical Lorentzian plasmas. The screened atomic wave functions, energy eigenvalues, and effective screening lengths for the hydrogen atom in Lorentzian plasmas are obtained by the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The Shannon entropies for the ground and excited states in astrophysical Lorentzian plasmas are also obtained as functions of the spectral index, effective screening lengths, and plasma parameters including the radial and angular parts. It is shown that the nonthermal characters of the Lorentzian plasma suppresses the entropy changes in the ground state as well as in the excited states. In addition, it is found that the entropy change in excited states is more effective than that in the ground state in Lorentzian astrophysical plasmas. Moreover, it is shown that the entropy change is independent of the magnetic quantum number of the state because the angular parts of Shannon entropy are unchanged due to the influence of nonthermal character and plasma screening in astrophysical Lorentzian plasmas.
Lactifluus bicapillus (Russulales, Russulaceae), a new species from the Guineo-Congolian rainforest
Authors: De Crop Eske , Lescroart Jonas , Njouonkou André-Ledoux , De Lange Ruben , Van de Putte Kobeke , Verbeken Annemieke
Published: January 2019

The milkcap genusLactifluusis one of the most common ectomycorrhizal genera within Central African rainforests. During a field trip to the Dja Biosphere Reserve in Cameroon, a newLactifluusspecies was found. Molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the species belongs to LactifluussectionXerampelini and we formally describe it here asLactifluusbicapillussp. nov.
Description of Triatoma huehuetenanguensis sp. n., a potential Chagas disease vector (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)
Authors: Lima-Cordón Raquel Asunción , Monroy María Carlota , Stevens Lori , Rodas Antonieta , Rodas Gabriela Anaité , Dorn Patricia L. , Justi Silvia A.
Published: January 2019

A new species of the genusTriatomaLaporte, 1832 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) is described based on specimens collected in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.Triatomahuehuetenanguensissp. n.is closely related toT.dimidiata(Latreille, 1811), with the following main morphological differences: lighter color; smaller overall size, including head length; and width and length of the pronotum. NaturalTrypanosomacruzi(Chagas, 1909) infection, coupled with its presence in domestic habitats, makes this species a potentially important vector ofTrypanosomacruziin Guatemala.
Amblypygids of Timor-Leste: first records of the order from the country with the description of a remarkable new species of Sarax (Arachnida, Amblypygi, Charinidae)
Authors: Miranda Gustavo Silva de , Reboleira Ana Sofia P. S.
Published: January 2019

The whip spider genus Sarax Simon, 1892 is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and part of the Indo-Malayan region. The genus is recorded from several Indonesian islands, but no species are known from inside the area that comprises the biogeographical region of Wallacea, despite being recorded from both sides of the area. An expedition to survey the biology of caves in Timor-Leste (formerly East-Timor) discovered populations of amblypygids living underground and including a remarkable new species of Sarax, S.timorensissp. n., the first Amblypygi known from the island of Timor. The new species is here described bears the unique character state of two pairs of lateral eyes, instead of three or none as in all other living species of Amblypygi, and expands the biogeographic range of the genus. New records of amblypygids are given for two caves in Timor-Leste. A detailed description and a discussion of its distribution and the species characters are also provided.
Descriptions of three new species of the genus Stenodyneriellus Giordani Soika with keys to some related species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae)
Authors: Li Ting-Jing , Carpenter James M.
Published: January 2019

Three new species, namely Stenodyneriellusangustussp. n. from Thailand, S.profundussp. n. from Philippines, and S.longitergussp. n. from Indonesia, are described and illustrated in detail. Stenodyneriellusmaculatus Gusenleitner, 2013 is newly recorded from Vietnam. Two keys to some related species are also provided.
Why Do Nurses Participate in Continuing Education? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Waddell Donna L
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

In order to explain why nurses participate in continuing education, a meta-analysis of 22 studies was conducted. All of the studies examined the relationship between several independent variables from the Urbano and Jahns' model and nurses' participation in continuing nursing education (CNE). This study supported the Urbano and Jahns' proposition that motivational orientation influences participation, while other factors, such as demographics and educational opportunity, may mediate the degree of that influence.
Outcome of Hyperplastic Persistent Pupillary Membrane
Authors: Lee Sang Mok , Yu Young Suk
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term visual outcome of eyes with hyperplastic persistent pupillary membrane.

Patients and Methods: We adopted a retrospective approach involving 39 eyes of 24 Korean patients diagnosed as having hyperplastic persistent pupillary membrane, excluding patients who could not be observed beyond 3 years of age and eyes that had any other ocular anomalies that affect vision. Final best-corrected visual acuity and refractive status were compared according to treatment type and laterality. Mean visual acuity was transformed to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR).

Results: The mean final best-corrected visual acuity was 0.32 (standard deviation, ± 0.41). Five eyes had a best-corrected visual acuity less than 20/70 at the last follow-up. Four eyes were unilateral (deprivation amblyopia) and one eye was bilateral (anisometropic amblyopia). There were no significant differences in final best-corrected visual acuity according to treatment type or laterality. Significant anisometropia was found in 11 of the 24 patients. The mean absolute value of anisometropia was greater in the surgical treatment group than in the medical treatment and observation groups (P = .048).

Conclusions: The visual prognoses for individuals with hyperplastic persistent pupillary membrane can be relatively good if the condition is appropriately managed. Unilaterality and poor initial visual acuity are indicators of a poor visual outcome. Surgery is effective when the opaque membrane retards visual maturation. Close follow-up with evaluation of visual acuity and refractive status is mandatory because this condition can lead to deprivation amblyopia and anisometropic amblyopia.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:163-171.
Incidence and Treatment of Diplopia After Three-Wall Orbital Decompression in Graves' Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Querques Giuseppe , Primavera Vito , Noci Nicola Delle
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe our experience treating diplopia after orbital decompression in patients with thyroid orbitopathy.

Patients and Methods: From May 1997 to July 2001, we performed orbital decompression on 102 patients (34 men and 68 women) with severe proptosis. In 10 (9.8%) of these patients who had no diplopia preoperatively, diplopia in primary gaze occurred after decompression. In 19 (18.6%) of the patients with diplopia in primary gaze before surgery, there was no modification of diplopia after decompression. In 24 (23.5%) of the patients with diplopia in primary gaze before surgery, a more severe imbalance occurred after decompression. Forty-four (83%) of these 53 patients underwent adjustable extraocular muscle surgery with the use of viscoelastic substances to gain single vision in primary position. In 9 (17%) of the patients, diplopia was resolved with the use of prismatic lenses.

Results: In 31 (70.4%) of 44 patients, we obtained a stable resolution of diplopia in primary position (minimum follow-up, 6 months). In 10 (22.7%) of these patients, a second surgery on the oblique muscles was necessary 6 months after the first surgery to resolve torsional diplopia. In 3 (6.8%) of the patients, diplopia has been resolved with prismatic lenses.

Conclusion: Orbital decompression reduces proptosis, but may cause diplopia or worsen it.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:219-225.
Alveolar Soft-Part Sarcoma of the Orbit
Authors: Khan Arif O , Burke Miles J
Published: January 2019

Abstract. A 10-year-old girl with gradual-onset proptosis in her left eye was diagnosed with orbital alveolar soft-part sarcoma. The tumor and the contiguous medial rectus muscle in the left eye were excised and compensatory strabismus procedures were performed. Five years postoperatively, she has central binocular vision with no evidence of tumor recurrence. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004; 41:245-246.
Colobomas of the Iris and Choroid and High Signal Intensity Cerebral Foci on T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images in Klinefelter's Syndrome
Authors: Boettger Melanie Barbara , Kirchhof Klaus , Sergi Consolato , Sakmann Christiane , Meyer Peter
Published: January 2019

Abstract. A 5-year-old boy presented with ocular anomalies including microphthalmos, colobomas of the iris, choroid, and optic nerve head, and strabismus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed multiple bilateral asymmetric high signal intensity foci in the subcortical and periventricular white matter. Genetic counseling disclosed a 47,XXY karyotype. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:247-248.
Natural History of Acquired Retinal Oxalosis in a Child
Authors: Ashmore Emily D. , Kerr Natalie C. , Greenwald Mark A. , Chaum Edward
Published: January 2019

We report the natural history of acquired retinal oxalosis in a child with chronic renal failure. The clinical manifestations were characterized by a transient crystalline retinopathy, but stable, diffuse, flecked retina–like changes and focal hypertropic retinal pigment epithelial lesions. The pathophysiology and previous reports of retinal oxalosis are reviewed.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
2004;41:308–311.
Marges et marches seigneuriales aux confins du Velay : réflexion sur les implantations des abbayes cisterciennes de Clavas et de La Séauve-Bénite
Authors: Bouvard-Mor Emma
Published: January 2019

Les abbayes cisterciennes d’Auvergne et du Velay sont établies sur des frontières inter-seigneuriales. Ces fondations participent d’une politique territoriale offensive, mais pacifiste, au risque de l’oxymore. Elles confèrent aux terres qu’elles investissent une certaine forme de sacralité, ainsi que l’immunité qui leur est due, tout en servant les prétentions d’expansion des seigneuries laïques. Au travers des exemples des établissements féminins de Clavas et de La Séauve-Bénite (ancien diocèse du Puy), nous approcherons le rôle qu’a pu leur donner l’aristocratie locale dans les enjeux territoriaux du xiie siècle. L’enquête prend en compte les données prosopographiques et l’histoire seigneuriale locale (sources éditées, historiographie ancienne et récente), et use de la géographie historique afin d’illustrer l’affirmation dynastique de ces fondations monastiques de montagne. Elle met aussi en lumière les dynamiques frontalières générées par ces parthénons.
Théorie critique et modernité négro-africaine
Authors: Bidima Jean-Godefroy
Published: January 2019

Dans ce climat général d'anesthésie contemporaine, dans la course à l'informatisation et à la recrudescence du religieux cachant mal des modes de pensée autoritaires, dans le cynisme ambiant du nouvel ordre international et du réveil brutal des nationalismes, en ces temps niais où le brouillage des repères incite les nantis à proclamer la venue du "dernier homme" (Fukuyama), en cette période où la philosophie (certaines philosophies occidentales ! ) semble démissionner dans sa lutte contre la misère et la désespérance pour se réfugier dans le confort benoît d'une exégèse qui reste à la marge de "l'Hybris", le message de la Théorie Critique de l'Ecole de Francfort redonne au Sujet la possibilité de dire NON. La critique des "arcana dominationis" élaborée par Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse et Habermas a suggéré une double lecture de la Théorie Critique du point de vue de la catégorie de possibilité. Comment parler du possible dans ce monde devenu impossible ? Et comment faire advenir le non-encore dans une modernité africaine désespérée ?Ce livre fait d'abord une lecture de la Théorie Critique et répond à deux questions : comment s'articule la catégorie de possibilité dans la Théorie Critique ? Et en quel sens cette articulation peut être pertinente dans la mise en perspective de la modernité africaine ? Le but de cette lecture est de déconstruire la "vision tribaliste" de la Théorie Critique en l'arrachant de l'européocentrisme et de l'académisme pour qu'elle soit jouée et déjouée sur l'espace public africain. Cette lecture de la Théorie Critique se double ensuite d'une lecture avec la Théorie Critique. Le livre met en question la dépolitisation et les stratégies d'hibernation en Afrique, afin d'ouvrir le Sujet au possible. Cette deuxième lecture conduit la Théorie Critique vers un ailleurs qui fait éclater ou consolider ses contradictions. L'intéressant se situe au noeud où l'on vérifie la pertinence d'une théorie hors de son lieu d'énonciation.Cet exposé qui propose un pari, articule dans une même constellation "imagesessais" et "images-souhaits" (E. Bloch), afin de redonner à l'espace public négroafricain un "je-ne-sais-quoi" qui se formulerait comme une "Docta Spes africana". La richesse de cette démarche est pour l'auteur d'avoir su faire "dialoguer" une théorie européocentrée et l'Afrique dans un terrain qui les lie et les oppose : la modernité. L'auteur met ainsi en marche une parole prospective et plurielle combinant le texte (la Théorie Critique) et le hors-texte (la modernité africaine) dans un pourparler cherchant sa propre identité, décevant les horizons d'attente tout en attendant sa poétique.J.G. B.
The Impact of Various Factors on the Energy Performance of Selected Types of Family Houses
Authors: Katunský Dušan , Farárik Marek
Published: January 2019

The tightening of requirements for energy performance of buildings (EPB) during the period of 2013 to 2021 gradually results in designing buildings with requirements four times lower than we were accustomed to design and construct for many years (U-values, demand of heat for heating). It is necessary to pay increased attention to this topic due to the aforementioned reasons and gradually preparing the laic public, but mainly the professional public for designing, assessment and construction in accordance with the development of EPB requirements. The objective of this paper is to point out the actual requirements for the construction of single storey family houses. Theoretical assumptions, legislative and normative environment are stated for assessment of their thermal insulation properties. The paper contains comparison and analysis of calculated EPB values of the selected representatives of single-storey family houses representing a large portion of their construction in the practice at the present time.
Evaluation of Prescriptive Indicators for Building Performance - A Ranking Based Approach
Authors: Pont Ulrich , Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: January 2019

In recent discussions on the evaluation methodology of different aspects of building performance, the idea of so-called prescriptive indicators was proposed. These indicators are simple benchmark values of a building, and do not require any complex calculation or simulation. They are regularly based on certain design parameters pertaining to geometric or semantic aspects of the building, such as compactness and mean weighted U-value. Their purpose – amongst others – is to equip building planners with a very quick method to estimate the performance of their building designs in early design stages and to categorize its performance. Moreover, such prescriptive indicators could be considered an alternative concept to the current practice of energy certification in Europe. The energy certificate calculation methodologies in most countries did increase in complexity in the past years. As a result, the issuing of energy certificates has become a time-consuming and cumbersome process. Moreover, the quality of results of energy certificates became questioned in recent years due to uncertainties connected to input data assumptions and widely interpretable guidelines regarding the issuing. Prescriptive indicators, if their derivation is properly documented, can at least mitigate the issue regarding issuing guidelines due to their simple character. A important research question, however, is the relation between key performance indicators, which are the results of energy certification or building performance simulation, and prescriptive indicators. This contribution suggests a methodology based on rank comparison that might help to identify prescriptive indicators that are similar in their sensitivity on design changes as certain key performance indicators are.
On the Evaluation of Behavioural Models of Buildings' Inhabitants
Authors: Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: January 2019

This paper addresses the model validation challenges relevant to representation of inhabitants' presence and behavior in buildings. Motivated by the lack of general guidelines for the evaluation of user-related behavioural models in building performance simulation, the paper underlines the need for rigorous processes toward quality assurance while integrating behavioural representations in building performance simulation applications and processes.
Development of Timber-Wood Lightweight Concrete-Glass Composite for Multi-Story Façades
Authors: Fadai Alireza , Rinnhofer Matthias , Winter Wolfgang
Published: January 2019

Within several research projects and with the aim to optimize structural performance, energy efficiency and ecological characteristics of structural building components the Department of Structural Design and Timber Engineering (ITI) at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) developed several wood-based composite systems, which combine timber products with other conventional building materials and components. As a representative example for these developments, this paper illustrates the results of the joint research project “Wood-based concrete: building construction with composite elements of wood-concrete compounds and timber (WooCon)”. The objective of the research project “WooCon” is to develop a multi-layer wall system composed of wood lightweight concrete (WLC), connected timber sections, textile reinforcement as well as glass layers on the exterior to gain and use advantages of each used material - lightweight, structural, thermal storage and insulation, ecological and economic benefits - to name the most important ones. In order to assess the structural physical properties of wood-based composite wall elements, in a first step measurements of the thermal properties with respect to thermal-insulating properties and thermal storage capacity are carried out. In following step, the results obtained are used further to simulate the thermodynamic and hygrothermal building behavior. The aim of the simulations is to investigate the effect of the wood-based composite wall elements to the annual heating demand as well as to the operative room temperature of a typical south-orientated living space.
Simulation-Supported Early Stage Design Optimisation for a Case Study of Life Cycle Oriented Buildings
Authors: Eikemeier Sören , Mahdavi Ardeshir , Wimmer Robert
Published: January 2019

To reduce the energy and resource consumption in the building sector this study is focusing on a design optimisation of life cycle oriented buildings. In order to optimise the performance of the buildings and in consequence also to achieve improved results for the mandatory Austrian energy certificate a simulation-based rapid design approach is used for the early stage design phase of the buildings, in particular for the architectural design of the buildings.Methods like the Window to Wall Ratio, at the very beginning of the design process, a parametric simulation with EnergyPlus or a more detailed optimisation approach with GenOpt are integrated in this study applied to example buildings. The results are showing that the method can be used in a circular approach for improving the heating demand of the Austrian energy certificate for this case study by more than 25 % compared to the preliminary design