bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of serum parathyroid hormone in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Obradovic Slobodan , Vukotic Snjezana , Banovic Marko , Dzudovic Boris , Marinkovic Jelena , Vujanic Svetlana , Obradovic Dragana
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is an important messenger in the
regeneration process which might influence the outcome of patients with
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was
to investigate the role of PTH in comparison to other traditionally used
markers for the prediction of heart failure in STEMI patients. Methods. In
165 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous
coronary intervention (PCI), blood concentrations of PTH, C-reactive protein
(CRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and
admission glycaemia (AG) were measured during the first three days after
admission and correlated to the primary outcome - episodes of acute heart
failure in the period of six months. Results. The area under the ROC curve of
the maximal serum concentration of PTH was the largest among the measured
biomarkers (0.867 vs 0.835 vs 0.832 vs 0.627 vs 0.619, for PTH, CRP, BNP,
CK-MB and AG, respectively) for the prediction of primary outcome. The
maximal PTH level adjusted to several risk factors had an independent
prediction value for primary outcome (p < 0.001). In addition, PTH improved
the prediction of primary outcome when added to the other markers in the
model [cstatistic with BNP, CRP, CK-MB and AG was 0.908 (95% CI
0.849-0.967)], and when PTH was added, it was 0.931 (0.883-0.980), with p <
0.001 for the discrimination. Conclusion. Serum concentration of PTH early in
the course of STEMI can predict acute heart failure episodes in the first six
months in patients treated with primary PCI.
The value of brush cytology and biopsy for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Tatomirovic Zeljka , Skuletic Vesna , Tufegdzic Ivana , Tomic Ljiljana , Dzambas Jelena , Tarabar Dino
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim. Although it is well-known the high sensitivity of brush
cytology for the diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma, this kind of
diagnostics is not routinely used, and for the past years it has even been
declining. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of brush
cytology for the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, by comparison the results
of brush cytology and biopsy, and then the results of both diagnostic methods
with the final patohistological diagnosis of colorectal resection. Methods.
This retrospective study included 173 patients with brush cytology of
colorectal region during colonoscopy. In 166 patients concomitant biopsy
specimens were obtained, and in 116 of them resection of the intestine as
well. A total of the 106 patients underwent to all three diagnostic
procedures. Results. Out of 166 patients who went through both brush cytology
and biopsy, the congruent diagnosis was made in 129 (77.7%) patients: in 109
(65.7%) adenocarcinoma was diagnosed, which was confirmed after the resection
of the intestine in 75 of the patients, and in 14 (8.4%) benign lesion, so
there was no need for resection of the intestine. In 6 (3.6%) of the
patients, both cytology and biopsy were negative, but the resected specimen
was malignant. In 10 of the patients with malignant cytology in whom biopsy
was not done, resection of the intestine confirmed malignancy. The
sensitivity of detecting malignancy by brush cytology and biopsy were 87.9%
and 78.3%, respectively (but this difference was not statistically
significant, p = 0.083). Both methods had specificity and positive predictive
values 100%. Negative predictive values for cytology and biopsy were 50% and
37.8%, respectively. The accuracy of cytology and biopsy was 89.2% and 80.8%,
respectively. The combination of the results of brush cytology and biopsy
increased the sensitivity of preoperative diagnostics to 94.8% which was
significantly higher than sensitivity of biopsy (p < 0.001), but not than
sensitivity of cytology (p = 0.102). Conclusion. Brush cytology could be a
routine method, along with biopsy, in the diagnosis of colorectal malignancy.
Both methods have comparable both sensitivity and accuracy, and its
combination increases sensitivity of preoperative diagnostics of colorectal
adenocarcinoma, which gives opportunity to better estimation of further
diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Epidemiology of Diabetes—Status of a Pandemic and Issues Around Metabolic Surgery
Authors: Zimmet Paul Z. , Alberti K. George M.M.
Published: May 2016

The number of people with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled during the past 20 years. One of the most worrying features of this rapid increase is the emergence of type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults. Although the role of traditional risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as genetic, lifestyle, and behavioral risk factors, has been given attention, recent research has focused on identifying the contributions of epigenetic mechanisms and the effect of the intrauterine environment. Epidemiological data predict an inexorable and unsustainable increase in global health expenditure attributable to diabetes, so disease prevention should be given high priority. An integrated approach is needed to prevent type 2 diabetes and must recognize its heterogeneity. Future research needs to be directed at improved understanding of the potential role of determinants, such as the maternal environment and other early life factors, as well as changing trends in global demography, to help shape disease prevention programs. Equally important is a better understanding of the role of metabolic surgery in helping to address the management both of persons with type 2 diabetes and of those persons in the community who are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, particularly in emerging nations where the diabetes epidemic is in full flight.
Neovascular AMD: Where do we go from here?
Authors: Barakat Mark R , Dugel Pravin U
Published: May 2016

In the age of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, we are fortunate as clinicians to have three great options in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Yet we still face a dilemma, in that we lack a truly sustainable treatment strategy. For various reasons, as a group we cannot maintain a monthly injection regimen for patients and are giving far less, approximately half of that, be it bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept (Holekamp et al, 2014). Unfortunately, this comes at a cost: changing from monthly to as-needed injections has been associated with a decline in visual acuity almost back down to baseline (Singer et al, 2012; Silva et al, 2013).
Neurocysticercosis – A Window to Intraocular Involvement
Authors: Kalpana BN , Samhitha HR , Chhabria Kailash P , Muralidhar Sonali , Raj Kirti
Published: May 2016

Objective : To analyse the clinical characteristics of intraocular cysticercosis and the association of neurocysticercosis with intraocular involvement in these patientsMaterials and methods: Retrospective case series of records of patients managed at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India. Case records of patients managed at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India over two years (October 2012 – October 2014) were reviewed and cases reported with intraocular cysticercosis were included in the study and results analyzed.Results: Five (5) patients of intraocular cysticercosis were diagnosed in a two year period at our centre, 60% being bilateral. Eight (8) eyes of five (5) patients had intraocular cysts documented by clinical examination and B mode ultrasonography (75% eyes with active cysts, 25% eyes inactive) .Visual acuity at presentation of eyes with active cysts ranged from perception of light to counting finger 4m. The 75% eyes had tractional retinal detachment at presentation. Neurocysticercosis was documented in 80% of the cases oncomputed tomography / magnetic resonance imaging . Six (6) eyes with active cysts underwent parsplanavitrectomy with cyst removal using vitreous cutter with concurrent management of tractional retinal detachment in five (5) eyes. Postoperative visual recovery was poor in eyes with associated tractional retinal detachment while good anatomical outcome was achieved in all six (6) cases.Conclusion: Intraocular cysticercosis can be associated with cysts in other areas. High number of patients with neurocysticercosis (80%) in those with intraocular cysticercosis in our study may indicate positive association between the two which needs further investigation.
Occult intraocular foreign body presenting as squint
Authors: Takkar Brijesh , Rathi Anubha , Azad Shorya
Published: May 2016

Background: We report a case of an occult retained intraocular foreign body detected four years after “forgotten” trauma. Case: A 23-year-old male presented with exodeviation and was referred as a case of epiretinal membrane. The anterior segment and adnexa were normal. Fundus examination revealed macular epiretinal membrane. An occult foreign body was localized in the retinal periphery. Imaging confirmed the diagnosis. Observation: Squint and epiretinal membrane may develop in cases of occult foreign bodies and may be the presenting sign years after trauma. Conclusion : A careful history of ocular trauma and thorough examination, complemented by radio imaging when needed, should be done in atypical cases.
Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging- a sensitive tool in managing consecutive exotropia
Authors: Labh Rajan Kumar , Ghose TD , Ganesh S
Published: May 2016

Background: Proper evaluation and accurate diagnosis are crucial in managing a case of strabismus. Objective: Report a case of prolonged large angle complicated consecutive exotropia where dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging helped us to diagnose and simplify the management plan. Case: A 19-year-old male presented with outward deviation of both eyes for last 16 years with right face turn, without diplopia and trauma. However, he had history of two consecutive squint surgeries, a month apart, at the age of 3 years. Observation: Visual acuity (best corrected) in the right and left eye was 6/36 and 6/6 respectively. Extraocular movements revealed minus (-) 4 adduction deficits in the left eye with right eye suppression. Prism Alternate Cover Test (PACT) showed 65 prism diopter (PD) base in (BI), for primary and near gazes with lateral incommitance and without any pattern. Forced Duction Test (FDT) showed restriction of the left lateral rectus. Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed posterior insertion of the left medial rectus with thinning of the tendinous insertion of the left lateral and medial rectus in neutral position. On adduction of left eye, there was slight increased bulk of the left medial rectus. Medial Rectus (MR) advancement 5.5 mm and Lateral Rectus (LR) recession 9mm was done. Repeat FDT showed improvement in resistance. After 3 month, the patient had excellent outcome with 5 PD primary position exotropia and 2 units of improvement in left eye adduction. Conclusion: Precise workup and appropriate investigation decreases the undue interventions with excellent outcome in a case of large angle consecutive XT.
Historical Overview of the Laboratory Measurements of Moisture Dependent Thermal Conductivity and the Integration of these Measurement Results into the Design of Hungarian Building Structures
Authors: Keresztessy Éva
Published: May 2016

The thermal conductivity of installed building materials can differ from the declared value, which is determined under specific laboratory conditions given in standards (Fülöp, 2007; MSZ EN ISO 10456, 2008). In this article, the author investigates moisture as a thermal conductivity modifying effect and the design of building structures in relation to this effect. In the first chapter, the international and Hungarian results of laboratory measurements of the value of moisture dependent thermal conductivity factors are summarized. In the next section, the application of these results in the design of Hungarian building structures is discussed, especially with regard to the flat roof, due to its increased exposure. With the framework of a historical overview, the most important flat roof layer combinations are described from the perspective of how thermal insulation material was protected against the different routes of moisture penetration. Concluding the article, a terrace restoration (a building constructed in the early 1900s originally without separate thermal insulation material) of Dr Zsuzsanna Fülöp is described to illustrate the points referred above.
Common Visual Language of Architecture and Fine Arts – The Meaning Change of the Square
Authors: Üveges Gábor
Published: May 2016

The modern and late-modern tendencies of architecture, as well as the geometric abstract trends of fine arts, have, since the beginning of the 20th century, engaged with the same areas of the visual language. Since that time, the creators of the two arts have met, become parallel to and interacted with each other. They have followed the same changes in the intellectual climate, in several cases along the common denominator of a similar approach and geometric language. The same architectonic thinking, very similar structures generated by the same visual basic grammatical operations and the same set of forms can be observed.At the same time, the meaning – even the meaning of the same formulas of design language – is always changing, depending on the context of the period, intellectual climate, creative approach, world vision, specific field of arts, oeuvre and a number of other conditions.The meaning of the common ‘fetish’ of modern fine arts and architecture, that is the meaning of square has continuously changed from period to period and from artist to artist since the beginning of the 20th century; however, since the 70s onwards and after the post-modern paradigm shift, it changed dramatically, and in a similar way for several artists of both fields of art.The former meaning of the square turns into almost an opposite concept in the sculpture of Sol LeWitt and the architecture of Arata Isozaki. The visual language invention, functioning similarly for both arts, realized by the American artist and the Japanese architect, is to create a whole beyond rationality, constructed from rational parts by means of overstraining repetition. As a result, this logical system paradoxically leads beyond logic.
Italian-Hungarian Relationships over 100 Years of Monument Preservation (1849-1949)
Authors: Mezős Tamás
Published: May 2016

The beginnings of independent Hungarian monument preservation go back to the first half of the 19th century. The undertaking to form a legal body for the registration and protection of monuments began in the 1840s, with the National Monument Committee finally established in 1881. The paper analyses the most important Hungarian restoration works in the context of Italian monument restoration theories and practices of the investigated timespan; it also highlights the determining role of the Hungarian Academy in Rome through its patronage programmes for architects.
A Clinical Approach for Defining the Threshold between Low and Medium Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody Levels for QUANTA Flash Assays
Authors: Lakos Gabriella , Bentow Chelsea , Mahler Michael
Published: May 2016

The threshold between low and medium antibody levels for anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remains a matter of discussion. Our goal was to create a protocol for determining the low/medium antibody cut-off for aCL antibody methods based on a clinical approach, and utilize it to establish the clinically-relevant low/medium threshold for QUANTA Flash aCL chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) results. The study included 288 samples from patients with primary APS (n = 70), secondary APS (n = 42), suspected APS (n = 36), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without APS (n = 96) and other connective tissue diseases (n = 44). All samples were tested for IgG and IgM aCL antibodies with QUANTA Flash CIA, along with traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (QUANTA Lite). The assay specific low/medium threshold for QUANTA Flash aCL IgG and IgM assays (i.e., the equivalent of 40 GPL and MPL units) was established as 95 and 31 chemiluminescent units (CU), respectively, based on clinical performance and comparison to QUANTA Lite ELISAs. Agreement between CIA and ELISA assay results improved substantially when the platform-specific low/medium antibody threshold was used, as compared to agreement obtained on results generated with the assay cutoff: Cohen’s kappa increased from 0.85 to 0.91 for IgG aCL, and from 0.59 to 0.75 for IgM aCL results. This study describes a clinical approach for establishing the low/medium antibody threshold for aPL antibody assays, and successfully employs it to define 95 and 31 CU, respectively, as the low/medium cut point for QUANTA Flash aCL IgG and IgM results. This study can serve as a model for labs wishing to establish the appropriate low/medium aPL antibody threshold when implementing new aPL antibody assays.
Letter to the Editor Re: Ogawa, Y. Cancers 2016, 8, 28
Authors: Koch Cameron
Published: May 2016

We read with interest the recently published paper by Dr. Ogawa “Paradigm Shift in Radiation Biology/Radiation Oncology—Exploitation of the H2O2 Effect” for Radiotherapy Using Low-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) Radiation such as X-rays and High-Energy Electrons”.[...]
Hydrodynamic Theories for Flows of Active Liquid Crystals and the Generalized Onsager Principle
Authors: Yang Xiaogang , Li Jun , Forest M. , Wang Qi
Published: May 2016

We articulate and apply the generalized Onsager principle to derive transport equations for active liquid crystals in a fixed domain as well as in a free surface domain adjacent to a passive fluid matrix. The Onsager principle ensures fundamental variational structure of the models as well as dissipative properties of the passive component in the models, irrespective of the choice of scale (kinetic to continuum) and of the physical potentials. Many popular models for passive and active liquid crystals in a fixed domain subject to consistent boundary conditions at solid walls, as well as active liquid crystals in a free surface domain with consistent transport equations along the free boundaries, can be systematically derived from the generalized Onsager principle. The dynamical boundary conditions are shown to reduce to the static boundary conditions for passive liquid crystals used previously.
Economic Impacts of Increased U.S. Exports of Natural Gas: An Energy System Perspective
Authors: Sarıca Kemal , Tyner Wallace
Published: May 2016

With the recent shale gas boom, the U.S. is expected to have very large natural gas resources. In this respect, the key question is would it be better to rely completely on free market resource allocations which would lead to large exports of natural gas or to limit natural gas exports so that more could be used in the U.S.. After accounting for the cost of liquefying the natural gas and shipping it to foreign markets, the current price difference leaves room for considerable profit to producers from exports. In addition, there is a large domestic demand for natural gas from various sectors such as electricity generation, industrial applications, and the transportation sector etc. A hybrid modeling approach has been carried out using our version of the well-known MARket ALlocation (MARKAL)-Macro model to keep bottom-up model richness with macro effects to incorporate price and gross domestic product (GDP) feedbacks. One of the conclusion of this study is that permitting higher natural gas export levels leads to a small reduction in GDP (0.04%–0.17%). Higher exports also increases U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and electricity prices (1.1%–7.2%). We also evaluate the impacts of natural gas exports in the presence of a Clean Energy Standard (CES) for electricity. In this case, the GDP impacts are similar, but the electricity and transport sector impacts are different.
Hydrogen Absorption in Metal Thin Films and Heterostructures Investigated in Situ with Neutron and X-ray Scattering
Authors: Callori Sara , Rehm Christine , Causer Grace , Kostylev Mikhail , Klose Frank
Published: May 2016

Due to hydrogen possessing a relatively large neutron scattering length, hydrogen absorption and desorption behaviors in metal thin films can straightforwardly be investigated by neutron reflectometry. However, to further elucidate the chemical structure of the hydrogen absorbing materials, complementary techniques such as high resolution X-ray reflectometry and diffraction remain important too. Examples of work on such systems include Nb- and Pd-based multilayers, where Nb and Pd both have strong affinity to hydrogen. W/Nb and Fe/Nb multilayers were measured in situ with unpolarized and polarized neutron reflectometry under hydrogen gas charging conditions. The gas-pressure/hydrogen-concentration dependence, the hydrogen-induced macroscopic film swelling as well as the increase in crystal lattice plane distances of the films were determined. Ferromagnetic-Co/Pd multilayers were studied with polarized neutron reflectometry and in situ ferromagnetic resonance measurements to understand the effect of hydrogen absorption on the magnetic properties of the system. This electronic effect enables a novel approach for hydrogen sensing using a magnetic readout scheme.
Measuring the Interprovincial CO2 Emissions Considering Electric Power Dispatching in China: From Production and Consumption Perspectives
Authors: Tao Xueping , Wang Ping , Zhu Bangzhu
Published: May 2016

How to accurately measure the interprovincial CO2 emissions is key to achieving the task of energy saving and emission reduction. Electric power is very important for economy development. At the same time, the amount of interprovincial electric power dispatching is very large in China, so it is obligatory to measure the CO2 emissions from both electricity production and consumption perspectives. We have measured China's interprovincial CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion during 2000–2014, in which the revised regional electric power CO2 emissions are used to adjust interprovincial CO2 emissions. The obtained results show that: no matter from which perspective one considers the situation, the overall CO2 emissions of China are almost the same amount. From different perspectives, the interprovincial CO2 emissions are different. In terms of the production perspective, CO2 emissions of Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong are underestimated. However, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Shaanxi are overestimated. If the electric power dispatching is not considered, it is unfairly portrayed as transferring CO2 emissions from the electricity input provinces to the output ones, because the electricity input provinces enjoy clean energy, but the electricity production ones pay for the environmental pollution.
Les nouveaux fragments d’Hypéride
Authors: Demont Paul
Published: May 2016

The recently discovered fragments of Hyperides’ Against Timandros and Against Diondas : French translation with commentary.
Pappus, Aristote et le τόπος ἀναλυόμενος
Authors: Acerbi Fabio
Published: May 2016

The article discusses the possibility that the analytical corpus described by Pappus in Collectio VII had circulated in antiquity as a unitary whole, and suggests that Pappus himself could have been responsible of this transcription. To corroborate this thesis, Pappus’ stylistic and rhetorical strategies are analysed, that include a hiterto unnoticed quotation from Aristotle’s Topica. Quantitative considerations are developed substantiating the view that such a transcription would have needed just two codices.
La notion de mélange dans la pensée médicale de Galien : mixis ou crasis ?
Authors: Boudon-Millot Véronique
Published: May 2016

L’enjeu de cette contribution est d’explorer le sens des différentes notions de crasis et de mixis dans la médecine galénique et de montrer comment Galien, qui était particulièrement au fait des débats philosophiques de son temps, a choisi de recourir à la notion stoïcienne de mélange en un sens très personnel, usant du substantif grec mixis pour désigner la fusion intervenue entre substances devenues désormais indivisibles et du substantif crasis pour désigner la fusion sans confusion de différentes qualités.
La mer juste : Solon, 12 W
Authors: Blaise Fabienne
Published: May 2016

Cette étude du fragment 12 W de Solon se propose de comprendre comment fonctionne la métaphore qui permet au poète de présenter la mer comme juste et d’appliquer ainsi à un élément physique, par nature instable, un attribut qui relève du registre moral et renvoie plutôt à l’idée d’équilibre. La comparaison iliadique du peuple avec la mer est ici implicitement reprise et travaillée dans un distique qui fonctionne comme une énigme. La métaphore, qui naturalise le politique et politise le naturel, permet d’exprimer une conception dynamique du juste, produit d’une activité, et une représentation de l’ordre du monde qui rejoignent une réflexion sur la pratique morale et l’action politique repérable dans d’autres poèmes attribués à Solon.
Highly compact refractive index sensor based on stripe waveguides for lab-on-a-chip sensing applications
Authors: Perera Chamanei , Vernon Kristy , Cheng Elliot , Sathian Juna , Jaatinen Esa , Davis Timothy
Published: May 2016

In this paper we report the design and experimental realisation of a novel refractive index sensor based on coupling between three nanoscale stripe waveguides. The sensor is highly compact and designed to operate at a single wavelength. We demonstrate that the sensor exhibits linear response with a resolution of 6 × 10−4 RIU (refractive index unit) for a change in relative output intensity of 1%. Authors expect that the outcome of this paper will prove beneficial in highly compact, label-free and highly sensitive refractive index analysis.
ROTATIONAL PROPERTIES OF THE HAUMEA FAMILY MEMBERS AND CANDIDATES: SHORT-TERM VARIABILITY
Authors: Thirouin Audrey , Sheppard Scott S. , Noll Keith S. , Moskovitz Nicholas A. , Ortiz Jose Luis , Doressoundiram Alain
Published: May 2016

Haumea is one of the most interesting and intriguing trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). It is a large, bright, fast rotator, and its spectrum indicates nearly pure water ice on the surface. It has at least two satellites and a dynamically related family of more than 10 TNOs with very similar proper orbital parameters and similar surface properties. The Haumean family is the only one currently known in the trans-Neptunian belt. Various models have been proposed, but the formation of the family remains poorly understood. In this work, we have investigated the rotational properties of the family members and unconfirmed family candidates with short-term variability studies, and report the most complete review to date. We present results based on five years of observations and report the short-term variability of five family members and seven candidates. The mean rotational periods, from Maxwellian fits to the frequency distributions, are 6.27 ± 1.19 hr for the confirmed family members, 6.44 ± 1.16 hr for the candidates, and 7.65 ± 0.54 hr for other TNOs (without relation to the family). According to our study, there is a possibility that Haumea family members rotate faster than other TNOs; however, the sample of family members is still too limited for a secure conclusion. We also highlight the fast rotation of 2002 GH32. This object has a 0.36 ± 0.02 mag amplitude lightcurve and a rotational period of about 3.98 hr. Assuming 2002 GH32 is a triaxial object in hydrostatic equilibrium, we derive a lower limit to the density of 2.56 g cm−3. This density is similar to Haumea’s and much more dense than other small TNO densities.
GR 290 (ROMANO’S STAR). II. LIGHT HISTORY AND EVOLUTIONARY STATE
Authors: Polcaro V. F. , Maryeva O. , Nesci R. , Calabresi M. , Chieffi A. , Galleti S. , Gualandi R. , Haver R. , Mills O. F. , Osborn W. H. , Pasquali A. , Rossi C. , Vasilyeva T. , Viotti R. F.
Published: May 2016

We have investigated the past light history of the luminous variable star GR 290 (M33/V532, Romano’s Star) in the M33 galaxy, and collected new spectrophotometric observations in order to analyze links between this object, the LBV category, and the Wolf–Rayet stars of the nitrogen sequence. We have built the historical light curve of GR 290 back to 1901, from old observations of the star found in several archival plates of M33. These old recordings together with published and new data on the star allowed us to infer that for at least half a century the star was in a low luminosity state, with B ≃ 18–19, most likely without brighter luminosity phases. After 1960, five large variability cycles of visual luminosity were recorded. The amplitude of the oscillations was seen increasing toward the 1992–1994 maximum, then decreasing during the last maxima. The recent light curve indicates that the photometric variations have been quite similar in all the bands and that the B – V color index has been constant within ±0.1
m
despite the 1.5
m
change of the visual luminosity. The spectrum of GR 290 at the large maximum of 1992–94 was equivalent to late-B-type, while, during 2002–2014, it varied between WN10h-11h near the visual maxima to WN8h-9h at the luminosity minima. We have detected, during this same period, a clear anti-correlation between the visual luminosity, the strength of the He ii 4686 Å emission line, the strength of the 4600–4700 Å lines’ blend, and the spectral type. From a model analysis of the spectra collected during the whole 2002–2014 period, we find that the Rosseland radius R
2/3, changed between the minimum and maximum luminosity phases by a factor of three while T
eff varied between about 33,000 and 23,000 K. We confirm that the bolometric luminosity of the star has not been constant, but has increased by a factor of ∼1.5 between minimum and maximum luminosity, in phase with the apparent luminosity variations. Presently, GR 290 falls in the H–R diagram close to WN8h stars and is probably younger than them. In the light of current evolutionary models of very massive stars, we find that GR 290 has evolved from an ∼60 M
☉ progenitor star and should have an age of about four million years. From its physical charcteristics, we argue that GR 290 has left the LBV stage and is presently moving from the LBV stage to a Wolf–Rayet stage of a late nitrogen spectral type.
LOW X-RAY LUMINOSITY GALAXY CLUSTERS: MAIN GOALS, SAMPLE SELECTION, PHOTOMETRIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Castellón José Luis Nilo , Alonso M. Victoria , Lambas Diego García , Valotto Carlos , Mill Ana Laura O’ , Cuevas Héctor , Carrasco Eleazar R. , Ramírez Amelia , Astudillo José M. , Ramos Felipe , Jaque Arancibia Marcelo , Ulloa Natalie , Órdenes Yasna
Published: May 2016

We present our study of 19 low X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters (L

X

∼

0.5–45 × 1043 erg s−1), selected from the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counters Pointed Observations and the revised version of Mullis et al. in the redshift range of 0.16–0.7. This is the introductory paper of a series presenting the sample selection, photometric and spectroscopic observations, and data reduction. Photometric data in different passbands were taken for eight galaxy clusters at Las Campanas Observatory; three clusters at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory; and eight clusters at the Gemini Observatory. Spectroscopic data were collected for only four galaxy clusters using Gemini telescopes. Using the photometry, the galaxies were defined based on the star-galaxy separation taking into account photometric parameters. For each galaxy cluster, the catalogs contain the point-spread function and aperture magnitudes of galaxies within the 90% completeness limit. They are used together with structural parameters to study the galaxy morphology and to estimate photometric redshifts. With the spectroscopy, the derived galaxy velocity dispersion of our clusters ranged from 507 km s−1 for [VMF98]022 to 775 km s−1 for [VMF98]097 with signs of substructure. Cluster membership has been extensively discussed taking into account spectroscopic and photometric redshift estimates. In this sense, members are the galaxies within a projected radius of 0.75 Mpc from the X-ray emission peak and with clustercentric velocities smaller than the cluster velocity dispersion or 6000 km s−1, respectively. These results will be used in forthcoming papers to study, among the main topics, the red cluster sequence, blue cloud and green populations, the galaxy luminosity function, and cluster dynamics.
CONSTRAINTS ON PLANETESIMAL COLLISION MODELS IN DEBRIS DISKS
Authors: MacGregor Meredith A. , Wilner David J. , Chandler Claire , Ricci Luca , Maddison Sarah T. , Cranmer Steven R. , Andrews Sean M. , Hughes A. Meredith , Steele Amy
Published: May 2016

Observations of debris disks offer a window into the physical and dynamical properties of planetesimals in extrasolar systems through the size distribution of dust grains. In particular, the millimeter spectral index of thermal dust emission encodes information on the grain size distribution. We have made new VLA observations of a sample of seven nearby debris disks at 9 mm, with

resolution and ∼5 μJy beam−1rms. We combine these with archival ATCA observations of eight additional debris disks observed at 7 mm, together with up-to-date observations of all disks at (sub)millimeter wavelengths from the literature, to place tight constraints on the millimeter spectral indices and thus grain size distributions. The analysis gives a weighted mean for the slope of the power-law grain size distribution,

, of

, with a possible trend of decreasing q for later spectral type stars. We compare our results to a range of theoretical models of collisional cascades, from the standard self-similar, steady-state size distribution (q = 3.5) to solutions that incorporate more realistic physics such as alternative velocity distributions and material strengths, the possibility of a cutoff at small dust sizes from radiation pressure, and results from detailed dynamical calculations of specific disks. Such effects can lead to size distributions consistent with the data, and plausibly the observed scatter in spectral indices. For the AU Mic system, the VLA observations show clear evidence of a highly variable stellar emission component; this stellar activity obviates the need to invoke the presence of an asteroid belt to explain the previously reported compact millimeter source in this system.
Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Perceptions of Their Development of Clinical Reasoning
Authors: Herron Elizabeth K. , Sudia Tanya , Kimble Laura P. , Davis Alison H.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Establishing a strong foundation for the development of clinical reasoning in nursing students is essential to ensure safe and effective patient care. This study explored prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students' perceptions of their development of clinical reasoning, as well as their perceptions of how it is taught.

Method:

In this phenomenological study, individual semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data related to participants' perceptions of their development of clinical reasoning. Data were analyzed using procedural steps delineated by Giorgi.

Results:

Data analysis revealed three main themes: Instructor Characteristics, Importance of Clinical Reasoning, and Best Place to Learn Clinical Reasoning. Students recognized how clinical reasoning enhances safe and effective clinical practice and indicated the clinical arena was the most beneficial environment in which to learn clinical reasoning.

Conclusion:

Understanding students' perceptions of learning benefits nurse educators in planning nursing program curricula to enhance and facilitate the development of clinical reasoning. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(6):329–335.]
Facilitated Versus Self-guided Training of Non-ophthalmologists for Grading Pre-plus and Plus Disease Using Fundus Images for Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening
Authors: Raufi Nikolas N. , Morris Caleb K. , Freedman Sharon F. , Wallace David K. , Prakalapakorn S. Grace
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an important cause of preventable blindness; barriers to screening necessitate novel approaches. Although trained non-ophthalmologists can accurately grade retinal images for ROP, effective training protocols are not established. This study compares the effectiveness of facilitated versus self-guided training of non-ophthalmologists for grading retinal images for pre-plus or plus disease in ROP.

Methods:

Forty-eight undergraduate and graduate students were trained to grade retinal images for the presence of pre-plus or plus disease. Students were randomly assigned to one of two training protocols. Both used identical electronic slideshows: one was guided by an in-person facilitator and the other was self-guided. After completing their respective training, students proficient in grading pre-plus and plus disease graded images in a telemedicine screening scenario. Accuracy of grading was compared to the reference standard of clinical examination.

Results:

Eighty-three percent (40 of 48) of trained students (91% in the facilitated vs 77% in the self-guided group,
P
= .26) were proficient and qualified to grade the ROP telemedicine screening scenario. Median accuracy for grading normal, pre-plus, or plus disease was 69% (70% in the facilitated vs 68% in the self-guided group,
P
= .91). When considering the designation of pre-plus or plus disease by graders as a screening test for detecting plus disease (confirmed on clinical examination), the median sensitivity and specificity of all students were 95% and 64%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Both facilitated and self-guided teaching protocols yielded similar performance in ROP image grading for pre-plus or plus disease. Self-guided training protocols may be adequate to train non-ophthalmologists to grade retinal images for pre-plus and plus disease with high sensitivity.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2016;53(3):179–185.]
Comparison of Anisometropia and Refractive Status in Children With Unilateral and Bilateral Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Authors: Siddiqui Sorath Noorani , Mansoor Hassan , Asif Muhammad , Wakeel Umair , Saleem Adnan Aslam
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate and compare the refractive state in children diagnosed as having unilateral or bilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). This study also compares how the laterality of CNLDO affects the refractive state of the patients.

Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study includes consecutive children with unilateral and bilateral CNLDO over a period of 1 year. Cycloplegic refraction was performed on each child who presented with CNLDO followed by appropriate plans for treatment. The refractive errors of patients with unilateral and bilateral CNLDO were compared.

Results:

One hundred sixty-one patients with unilateral CNLDO (mean age: 29 ± 19.93 months) and 46 with bilateral CNLDO (mean age: 30 ± 16.21 months) were enrolled from August 2013 to July 2014. The rate of the anisometropia (≥ 1 diopters [D] difference between the two eyes) was 13.7% (n = 22) and 8.6% (n = 4) in patients with unilateral and bilateral CNLDO, respectively. Interocular difference was significant in terms of spherical equivalent (
P
< .01) but not cylindrical refractive error in patients with unilateral CNLDO. Patients with bilateral CNLDO had insignificant interocular differences in terms of spherical equivalent and cylindrical refractive errors (
P
> .05).

Conclusions:

Unilateral CNLDO is associated with statistically significant anisometropia compared to bilateral CNLDO, which predisposes children with unilateral CNLDO to amblyopia. It is vital to perform cycloplegic refraction routinely and counsel parents regarding regular follow-ups.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2016;53(3):168–172.]
Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for Optimization in Video Steganography
Authors: Dasgupta Kousik
Published: May 2016

This chapter describes use of Natural Computing for optimization in the domain of Steganography. Steganography is an art of concealing information in any media. Internet has made digital content popular and very widely used media. Digital contents shared over Internet are text, audio, images and video streams. Video steganography is hiding secret information in video. It is gaining increasing significance as video streams are transmitted frequently over social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. The first part of the chapter introduces steganography and highlights video steganography as an optimization problem. Further in the chapter natural computing is discussed and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) a popular natural computing tool is elaborated in details. Experimental results are presented to check the efficacy of the method.
Image Representation, Filtering, and Natural Computing in a Multivalued Quantum System
Authors: Chakraborty Sanjay , Dey Lopamudra
Published: May 2016

Image processing on quantum platform is a hot topic for researchers now a day. Inspired from the idea of quantum physics, researchers are trying to shift their focus from classical image processing towards quantum image processing. Storing and representation of images in a binary and ternary quantum system is always one of the major issues in quantum image processing. This chapter mainly deals with several issues regarding various types of image representation and storage techniques in a binary as well as ternary quantum system. How image pixels can be organized and retrieved based on their positions and intensity values in 2-states and 3-states quantum systems is explained here in detail. Beside that it also deals with the topic that focuses on the clear filteration of images in quantum system to remove unwanted noises. This chapter also deals with those important applications (like Quantum image compression, Quantum edge detection, Quantum Histogram etc.) where quantum image processing associated with some of the natural computing techniques (like AI, ANN, ACO, etc.).
An Optimized In Silico Neuroinformatics Approach
Authors: Banerjee Arundhati , Ray Sujay
Published: May 2016

A computationally optimized molecular analysis into the cell-fate regulations from embryonic development is one of the unexplored zones in human neurogenic field. It is governed by SOX11 (Sex determining regions-Y bOX-11) protein domain's interaction with DNA. In the present study, 3D monomer of the responsible domain of SOX11 was constructed, simulated and analyzed. Residues indulged with DNA interaction were examined. The observed conserved residue, Arg3 and Arg16 in the wild-type SOX11-DNA interaction were mutated with Ala3 and Ala16. Mutated SOX11-HMG protein sequence was re-modeled and optimized. Residue-level alteration on DNA interaction was examined. On mutation, stability of the proteins (on DNA interaction) and protein-DNA complexes were discerned via energy-calculating parameters, solvent-accessibility area, electrostatic surface-potential and conformational switching, with supportive statistical significance. Therefore, this probe provides an outlook to discern SOX11 to interact firmly with DNA via mutations and thereby perform cell-fate determinations more efficiently.
From Cochlear Implants and Neurotology to Brain Computer Interfaces
Authors: Politis Dionysios , Tsaligopoulos Miltiadis , Kyriafinis Georgios
Published: May 2016

This chapter focuses on the framework of non-deterministic Brain Computer Interfaces within the context of Human Computer Interaction. A very special subgroup of these interfaces, emerging from the world of hearing loss, comprises the Cochlear Implants that affirmatively expose direct manipulation techniques. Short and long memory experiments with musical exploitation can prove shortcomings in inner-knowledge handling and provide understanding of how the language mechanism provides steady, un-biased speech. A model and a protocol for parameterizing sustainable aural communication skills are presented.
'Democracy is coming to the RSA': On democracy, theology, and futural historicity
Authors: Vosloo Robert R.
Published: May 2016

This article brings the concept of democracy � as an open-ended tradition � in conversation with notions dealing with historicity and the future, such as �democracy to come�, �promise�, and �a democratic vision�. It is argued that although these notions are rightfully associated with the future, they also imply that democracy should not be disconnected from an emphasis on an inheritance from the past. With this emphasis in mind, the first part of the article attends to the French philosopher Jacques Derrida�s intriguing term, �democracy to come�, whereas the second part of the article takes a closer look at some aspects of the work of the South African theologian John de Gruchy on democracy, with special reference to his distinction between a democratic system and a democratic vision. The third, and final, part of the article brings some of the insights taken from the engagement with Derrida and De Gruchy into conversation with the continuing challenges facing theological discourse on democracy in South Africa today.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: A constructive proposal is made that emphasises the futural openness of democracy in a way that challenges a vague utopianism.Keywords: Democracy; Derrida; De Gruchy; future; historicity
'Darkness is my closest friend' (Ps 88:18b): Reflections on the saddest psalm in the Psalter
Authors: Wendland Ernst R.
Published: May 2016

On the face of it, there are no bright spots in Psalm 88 � no hope at all for the bitterly lamenting psalmist, or seemingly for his readers today either. This intensely individual complaint expresses �the dark night of the soul � a state of intense spiritual anguish in which the struggling, despairing believer feels he is abandoned by God� (Boice 1996:715�716). So why has this disorienting �psalm of disorientation� (Brueggemann & Bellinger 2014:7) been included in the Psalter, the penultimate prayer of Book III, and what are we to make of it? One cannot of course provide definitive answers, but several suggestions may be offered based on the opinions of a number of capable Psalms scholars, coupled with some personal observations. After citing the text in Hebrew, along with my own English translation, the poetic structure of the psalm is overviewed and then selected features of its artistry and rhetoric are discussed. This study concludes with an assortment of reflections that speak to the theological importance of this dark psalm and its relevance for all those in particular who wake up in the morning, consider their current situation in life, and wonder: �Can it get any worse?�Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study illustrates how a close literary�structural analysis can serve to reveal insights of exegetical and theological significance while at the same time critiquing certain received scholarly positions. In particular, it challenges the prevailing opinion of commentators that Psalm 88 is entirely pessimistic in its outlook on God and life.Keywords: Psalms;literary-structural analysis; Hebrew poetry; OT theology
Ampliación de un albergue juvenil en St. Alban, Basilea. Suiza
Authors: Buchner Bründler Architekten Estudio
Published: May 2016

Con sus grandes y luminosas salas de trabajo, esta fábrica clasicista construida en 1850-1851 fue considerada una estructura modelo para la fabricación de cinta de seda en su momento. En la conversión del edificio en un albergue juvenil en 1979-1980, casi todo el interior fue eliminado salvo por el antiguo sótano de tinción. La fachada exterior se mantuvo también prácticamente sin cambios. El concepto guía de la intervención de renovación arquitectónica incluye, además de la ampliación requerida del volumen, una aclaración de las relaciones del espacio interior y la reinterpretación del contexto.
Desaparecer de sí mismo
Authors: Urteaga Eguzki
Published: May 2016

Reseña: LE BRETON, David. 2015. Disparaître de soi. Une tentation contemporaine. París: Métailié.