bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Firms’ Better Attitude towards Nature in the Context of Corporate Compliance
Authors: Ramírez Rafael , Palos-Sánchez Pedro
Published: September 2018

The recent publishing of the Criminal Code Reform, known as the Corporate Governance Code and by which companies are prosecuted for the crimes they have committed, is contributing towards improving the management of companies involved in using natural resources. This study explores the disposition of environmental companies towards respect for nature in the context of the new Spanish Criminal Code 1/2015. Over 916 companies, including 104 environmental companies, have been asked about their knowledge of the code and the consequences it has for them through a survey. The paper explores the influence of regulatory compliance, coercive enforcement and cooperative actions on environmental companies to develop better attitudes towards nature. Partial Least Squares (PLS) Path Modelling was used to build an interaction model among variables. The results of the research reveal how environmental companies are more inclined to developing organizational standards (Cooperative Environmental Protocols) and to improving compliance with environmental law (coercive regulation). The model has a moderate predictive effect, explaining 54.1% of environmental companies’ Better Attitude towards Nature. The findings may have important implications for environmental authorities when deterring environmental crimes.
A New Method to Decision-Making with Fuzzy Competition Hypergraphs
Authors: Sarwar Musavarah , Akram Muhammad , Alshehri Noura Omair
Published: September 2018

Hypergraph theory is the most developed tool for demonstrating various practical problems in different domains of science and technology. Sometimes, information in a network model is uncertain and vague in nature. In this paper, our main focus is to apply the powerful methodology of fuzziness to generalize the notion of competition hypergraphs and fuzzy competition graphs. We introduce various new concepts, including fuzzy column hypergraphs, fuzzy row hypergraphs, fuzzy competition hypergraphs, fuzzy k-competition hypergraphs and fuzzy neighbourhood hypergraphs, strong hyperedges, kth strength of competition and symmetric properties. We design certain algorithms for constructing different types of fuzzy competition hypergraphs. We also present applications of fuzzy competition hypergraphs in decision support systems, including predator–prey relations in ecological niche, social networks and business marketing.
BGPcoin: Blockchain-Based Internet Number Resource Authority and BGP Security Solution
Authors: Xing Qianqian , Wang Baosheng , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: September 2018

Without the design for inherent security, the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is vulnerable to prefix/subprefix hijacks and other attacks. Though many BGP security approaches have been proposed to prevent or detect such attacks, the unsatisfactory cost-effectiveness frustrates their deployment. In fact, the currently deployed BGP security infrastructure leaves the chance for potential centralized authority misconfiguration and abuse. It actually becomes the critical yield point that demands the logging and auditing of misbehaviors and attacks in BGP security deployments. We propose a blockchain-based Internet number resource authority and trustworthy management solution, named BGPcoin, to facilitate the transparency of BGP security. BGPcoin provides a reliable origin advertisement source for origin authentication by dispensing resource allocations and revocations compliantly against IP prefix hijacking. We perform and audit resource assignments on the tamper-resistant Ethereum blockchain by means of a set of smart contracts, which also interact as one to provide the trustworthy origin route examination for BGP. Compared with RPKI, BGPcoin yields significant benefits in securing origin advertisement and building a dependable infrastructure for the object repository. We demonstrate it through an Ethereum prototype implementation, and we deploy it and do experiment on a locally-simulated network and an official Ethereum test network respectively. The extensive experiment and evaluation demonstrate the incentives to deploy BGPcoin, and the enhanced security provided by BGPcoin is technically and economically feasible.
A Framework to Optimize Energy Efficiency in Data Centers Based on Certified KPIs
Authors: Gizli Volkan , Marx Gómez Jorge
Published: September 2018

Both electricity consumption and CO2 emission from Germany’s 50,000 data centers have grown continuously in recent years. However, projects that can be used to evaluate the energy efficiency of data centers are no longer available to companies. Thus, there is a need for solid solutions that are going to help data center operators to assess and improve a data center’s energy efficiency. A particular approach in the form of an evolutionary prototype, which is described in this article, is designed to serve as a basis for the development of the software, which will support companies in addressing their personalized energy efficiency needs.
The NS Segment of H1N1pdm09 Enhances H5N1 Pathogenicity in a Mouse Model of Influenza Virus Infections
Authors: Ferraris Olivier , Casalegno Jean-Sébastien , Frobert Emilie , Bouscambert Duchamp Maude , Valette Martine , Jacquot Frédéric , Raoul Hervé , Lina Bruno , Ottmann Michèle
Published: September 2018

In 2009, the co-circulation of H5N1 and H1N1pdm09 raised concerns that a reassortment event may lead to highly pathogenic influenza strains. H1N1pdm09 and H5N1 are able to infect the same target cells of the lower respiratory tract. To investigate the capacity of the emergence of reassortant viruses, we characterized viruses obtained from the co-infection of cells with H5N1 (A/Turkey/13/2006) and H1N1pdm09 (A/Lyon/969/2009 H1N1). In our analysis, all the screened reassortants possessed the PB2, HA, and NP segments from H5N1 and acquired one or two of the H1N1pdm09 segments. Moreover, the in vivo infections showed that the acquisition of the NS segment from H1N1pdm09 increased the virulence of H5N1 in mice. We conclude, therefore, that reassortment can occur between these two viruses, even if this process has never been detected in nature.
A Novel Methodology for Multiple-Year Regulation of Reservoir Active Storage Capacity
Authors: Yannopoulos Panayotis C. , Demetracopoulos Alexander C.
Published: September 2018

Reservoir design entails the determination of the required storage capacity over multiple years of low flow conditions to ensure the coverage of multiple-purpose water demands. Dam operation depends on many factors that may result in the decrease of required safe yields, leading to inadequate outflow supplies in the design period. This study addresses two issues: (a) the computation of reservoir active storage capacity performed with the aid of the new concept of a zero-height dam, a procedure easy to interpret physically and implement computationally; and (b) the generation of appropriate inflow data, provided that a substantial record of monthly inflows is available. The treatment of the inflow data for the generation of inflow sequences for any desired regulation period is performed by two original methods (First and Second), which are entirely different from other available methods and allow for the selection of a reservoir capacity with the desired level of exceedance probability. The two methods proposed give practically the same results. However, the Second Method, which generates inflow data consisting of hydrologic years with inflow values for each month randomly selected from the observed values for that month, is superior in terms of the ease with which inflow sequences are generated. Also, due to the large size of the random sample that can be generated, the exceedance probability curves are very smooth and allow for the easy selection of reservoir storage capacity with any level of desired exceedance probability. The proposed methodology may be useful for consultants and reservoir managers.
Simulation of Runoff and Glacier Mass Balance and Sensitivity Analysis in a Glacierized Basin, North-Eastern Qinhai-Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Zhang Xiaopeng , Qin Xiang , Xu Chunhai , Liu Yushuo
Published: September 2018

Glaciers have been recognized as the most sensitive indicators of climate change. Mountainous areas, with their characteristic snow and glacier cover, have long been recognized as special hydrological environments, receiving above-average amounts of precipitation. The streams originating in the mountains, nourished with distinct seasonal variations, provide water for the populations of the adjacent lowland. Little is known about the effect of climate change on snow and glacier hydrology and glacier mass balance in the Laohugou Glacier Basin (LHGB) over the past 50 years. A study of the glacier basin was performed to quantify the expected impact of climate change on the hydrology in the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data, daily temperature, daily precipitation, and evaporation data were applied to force the HBV (Hydrologiska Byrans Vattenbalansavdelning)-light conceptual model to simulate runoff depth and glacier mass balance in the historical period (1959–2015). A genetic calibration algorithm approach (GAP method) was used to obtain parameter sets that reproduced observed runoff depth well. The results suggested a drastic increase of the runoff depth from 1995 to 2015 in the Laohugou glacier basin driven by increased temperature. Temperature and precipitation increased by 0.40 °C (10a)−1 and 1.6 mm·a−1 (p < 0.01), respectively, at AWS1 (the automatic weather station at 4192 m a.s.l. near the hydrological station) in the LHGB from 1959 to 2015. The simulated runoff depth increased at 5.7 mm·a−1 (p < 0.01), the glacier mass balance (GMB) of the LHGB was −280.5 mm·a−1, and the overall glacier mass balance was −17.55 m w.e. from 1959 to 2015. The runoff is found to be more sensitive to the variation of temperature than the variation of precipitation. When the glacier area is decreased by 10%, 53%, and 100%, the peak runoff (July) decreased by 20.4%, 54.2%, and 72.3% relative to the baseline, respectively. In the future climate, the function of glaciers in compensating a potential low flow and regulating peak flow will be weakened in the critical months.
Future Predictions of Rainfall and Temperature Using GCM and ANN for Arid Regions: A Case Study for the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Khalid , Ghumman Abdul Razzaq , Haider Husnain , Ghazaw Yousry Mahmoud , Shafiquzzaman Md.
Published: September 2018

Future predictions of rainfall patterns in water-scarce regions are highly important for effective water resource management. Global circulation models (GCMs) are commonly used to make such predictions, but these models are highly complex and expensive. Furthermore, their results are associated with uncertainties and variations for different GCMs for various greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Data-driven models including artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference systems (ANFISs) can be used to predict long-term future changes in rainfall and temperature, which is a challenging task and has limitations including the impact of greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Therefore, in this research, results from various GCMs and data-driven models were investigated to study the changes in temperature and rainfall of the Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Thirty years of monthly climatic data were used for trend analysis using Mann–Kendall test and simulating the changes in temperature and rainfall using three GCMs (namely, HADCM3, INCM3, and MPEH5) for the A1B, A2, and B1 emissions scenarios as well as two data-driven models (ANN: feed-forward-multilayer, perceptron and ANFIS) without the impact of any emissions scenario. The results of the GCM were downscaled for the Qassim region using the Long Ashton Research Station’s Weather Generator 5.5. The coefficient of determination (R2) and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) were used to compare the performance of the models. Results showed that the ANNs could outperform the ANFIS for predicting long-term future temperature and rainfall with acceptable accuracy. All nine GCM predictions (three models with three emissions scenarios) differed significantly from one another. Overall, the future predictions showed that the temperatures of the Qassim region will increase with a specified pattern from 2011 to 2099, whereas the changes in rainfall will differ over various spans of the future.
Experimental Study on the Impact Characteristics of Cavitation Bubble Collapse on a Wall
Authors: Luo Jing , Xu Weilin , Deng Jun , Zhai Yanwei , Zhang Qi
Published: September 2018

As a hydrodynamic phenomenon, cavitation is a main concern in many industries such as water conservancy, the chemical industry and medical care. There are many studies on the generation, development and collapse of cavitation bubbles, but there are few studies on the variation of the cyclic impact strength on walls from the collapse of cavitation bubbles. In this paper, a high-speed dynamic acquisition and analysis system and a pressure measuring system are combined to study the impact of a cavitation bubble generated near a wall for various distances between the cavitation bubble and the wall. The results show that (1) with the discriminating criteria of the impact pressure borne by the wall, the critical conditions for the generation of a micro-jet in the collapse process of the cavitation bubbles are obtained, and therefore collapses of cavitation bubbles near the wall are mainly divided into primary impact area collapses, secondary impact area collapses and slow release area collapses; (2) it can be seen from the impact strength of the cavitation bubble collapse on the wall surface that the impact of cavitation bubbles on the wall surface during the first collapse decreases as γ (the dimensionless distance between the cavitation bubble and the wall) increases, but the impact of the second collapse on the wall surface increases first and then decreases sharply. When γ is less than 1.33, the impact on the wall surface is mainly from the first collapse. When γ is between 1.33 and 2.37, the impact on the wall surface is mainly from the second collapse. These conclusions have potential theoretical value for the utilization or prevention and control technologies for cavitation erosion.
An Improved Grid-Xinanjiang Model and Its Application in the Jinshajiang Basin, China
Authors: Meng Changqing , Zhou Jianzhong , Zhong Deyu , Wang Chao , Guo Jun
Published: September 2018

A modified form of the distributed Grid-Xinanjiang model (GXAJ) characterizing the infiltration excess and saturation excess runoff mechanisms coupled to a two-source potential evapotranspiration model (TSPE) was proposed to simulate the hydrological process and study the spatiotemporal pattern of the precipitation, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture in the Jinshajiang River basin. In the flow routing module, the flow is routed by the physically nonlinear Muskingum–Cunge method. The TSPE model can calculate the spatiotemporal variation of the potential canopy transpiration (CT), interception evaporation (IE), and potential soil evaporation (SE). Subsequently, the calculated potential evapotranspiration (PE) is coupled to the GXAJ model to calculate the water budget in each grid. An a priori parameter estimation was developed to obtain the spatially varied parameters from geographical data, including digital elevation model (DEM) data, soil data, vegetation data, and routing data. Hydrometeorological data were interpolated to 4750 grids with cell sizes of 10 km × 10 km by the Thiessen Polygon method. The DEM data was used to extract the flow direction, river length, hillslope, and channel slopes and to adjust the altitude-related meteorological variables. The reprocessed Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) leaf area index (LAI) from the Beijing Normal University (BNU) dataset, which has a spatial resolution of 1 km × 1 km, was used to obtain the spatiotemporal variation in the LAI. The developed GXAJ model was applied to three sub-basins in the Jinshajiang River basin and was compared to the traditional GXAJ model. The developed GXAJ model satisfactorily reproduced the streamflow at each catchment outlet and matched the peak discharges better than the traditional GXAJ model for both the dry and wet seasons. The uneven distribution of the simulated mean annual evapotranspiration in the whole watershed was closely related to the vegetation types, ranging from 189.81 to 585.45 mm. Forest and woodland, shrubland, grassland, and cropland were shown to have mean annual evapotranspiration values of 485.6, 289.4, 275.9, and 392.3 mm, respectively. The ratios of the annual evapotranspiration to precipitation (E/P) of the forest, woodland, shrubland, grassland, and cropland were 54, 83, 53, and 48%, respectively.
The Cow: Discovery of a Luminous, Hot, and Rapidly Evolving Transient
Authors: Prentice S. J. , Maguire K. , Smartt S. J. , Magee M. R. , Schady P. , Sim S. , Chen T.-W. , Clark P. , Colin C. , Fulton M. , McBrien O. , O’Neill D. , Smith K. W. , Ashall C. , Chambers K. C. , Denneau L. , Flewelling H. A. , Heinze A. , Holoien T. W.-S. , Huber M. E. , Kochanek C. S. , Mazzali P. A. , Prieto J. L. , Rest A. , Shappee B. J. , Stalder B. , Stanek K. Z. , Stritzinger M. D. , Thompson T. A. , Tonry J. L.
Published: September 2018

We present the ATLAS discovery and initial analysis of the first 18 days of the unusual transient event, ATLAS18qqn/AT2018cow. It is characterized by a high peak luminosity (∼1.7 × 1044 erg s−1), rapidly evolving light curves (>5 mag rise to peak in ∼3.5 days), and hot blackbody spectra, peaking at ∼27,000 K that are relatively featureless and unchanging over the first two weeks. The bolometric light curve cannot be powered by radioactive decay under realistic assumptions. The detection of high-energy emission may suggest a central engine as the powering source. Using a magnetar model, we estimated an ejected mass of 0.1–0.4 M

, which lies between that of low-energy core-collapse events and the kilonova, AT2017gfo. The spectra cooled rapidly from 27,000 to 15,000 K in just over two weeks but remained smooth and featureless. Broad and shallow emission lines appear after about 20 days, and we tentatively identify them as He i although they would be redshifted from their rest wavelengths. We rule out that there are any features in the spectra due to intermediate mass elements up to and including the Fe group. The presence of r-process elements cannot be ruled out. If these lines are due to He, then we suggest a low-mass star with residual He as a potential progenitor. Alternatively, models of magnetars formed in neutron star mergers, or accretion onto a central compact object, give plausible matches to the data.
Outcome of 3.5-mm Anatomical Locking Plates for the Treatment of Proximal Tibia Fractures Involving the Meta-Diaphyseal Junction
Authors: Lee Jin Kyu , Choi Won Rak , Lee Jae-Ho , Hwang Kyu-Tae
Published: September 2018

The clinical and radiological outcomes of proximal tibia fractures involving the meta-diaphyseal junction treated with unilateral 3.5-mm locking precontoured anatomical plates are reported. Thirty-nine patients (41 proximal tibia fractures) who had proximal tibia fractures with complete meta-diaphyseal dissociation were enrolled in the study. For all patients, immediate postoperative and final follow-up simple radiographs were evaluated to determine the quality of the reduction by assessing coronal and sagittal alignment. In cases of intra-articular involvement, articular reduction quality and condylar width were additionally assessed. Clinical outcomes were assessed by knee range of motion and Lysholm knee score at final follow-up. Immediate postoperative radiographs showed satisfactory results: medial proximal tibial angle within 87°±5° in 87.8% (36 of 41), posterior tibia slope within 9°±5° in 85.4% (35 of 41), less than 2-mm articular step or gap in 79.3% (23 of 29), and a condylar width difference within 5 mm compared with the femoral condyles in 93.1% (27 of 29). All reductions but 1 were found to have satisfactory maintenance of the initial reduction. At final follow-up, the mean knee range of motion and Lysholm knee score were 122.5° (range, 100°–135°) and 75.8 (range, 50–100), respectively. A single lateral 3.5-mm plate fixation for proximal tibia fractures involving the meta-diaphyseal junction offers mechanically stable fixation with satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e777–e782.]
The Correlation Between PROMIS Pain Interference and VAS Pain in Ambulatory Orthopedic Patients
Authors: Jildeh Toufic R. , Lizzio Vincent A. , Meta Fabien , Fidai Mohsin S. , Kaat Aaron J. , Makhni Eric C.
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI) score with traditionally collected visual analog scale (VAS) scores and to determine the influence of patient demographics on PROMIS PI and VAS scores. Patient demographics were collected, and PROMIS PI, PROMIS Physical Function (PF), and VAS questionnaires were distributed to 215 patients in orthopedic ambulatory clinics. The primary outcome was correlation between PROMIS PI and VAS questionnaires. The statistical method of seemingly unrelated regressions was used to identify significant predictors and strengths of correlation between PROMIS PI and conventional forms. The PROMIS PI score was highly correlated to conventional pain and functional scores, with each standard deviation increase in PROMIS PI score predicting a 16-point increase for pain-related VAS scores (current pain, pain at rest, pain during activity, pain at night), an 18-point decrease in satisfaction of function score, and a 6-point decrease in general health score. Each standard deviation increase in PROMIS PF score for black patients predicted a reduction of 11 points for current pain, 10 points for pain at rest, 10 points for pain during activity, and 12 points for pain at night scores. The PROMIS PI score consistently predicts changes in VAS pain scores and can be considered a useful, standardized tool for measuring pain for clinical and research purposes. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(6):e813–e819.]
The Shoulder Self-Administered Motion Evaluation Has Excellent Patient Reliability and Reproducibility on Both Physician and Repeat Follow-up Testing
Authors: Garcia Grant H. , Liu Joseph N. , Wong Alexandra C. , Gowd Anirudh K. , Romeo Anthony A. , Dines Joshua S. , Gulotta Lawrence V.
Published: September 2018

Long-term clinical evaluation is becoming more important, yet difficulties exist because there are substantial patient costs for extended follow-up. The goal of this study was to validate whether a new shoulder motion evaluation is reproducible and reliable with physician examination. Consecutive patients were administered a shoulder motion assessment during their clinic visit. Patients completed the same evaluation 2 weeks after their visit to determine test–retest reliability. Exact and approximate (within 20° or 4 spinal levels) agreements between patient and physician measurements were calculated. A total of 112 patients (224 shoulders) with an average age of 56.7 years were evaluated. The most common diagnoses were osteoarthritis (33.0%) and rotator cuff tear (32.1%). All motion questions had greater than 50% exact patient–physician agreement and greater than 70% approximate agreement. When agreement was off, patients more often underestimated their motion. There was substantial clinician–patient agreement for all questions and almost perfect agreement for forward elevation (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.78) and internal rotation (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.77). On test–retest reliability testing, patient–patient agreement was substantial for external rotation at the side (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.71). There was near perfect agreement for internal rotation (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.83) and abduction (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.81) testing. This shoulder assessment tool had both good agreement to physician examination and substantial agreement on correlation testing. There was substantial agreement between follow-up visits, suggesting excellent reproducibility. This motion assessment shows effectiveness with most shoulder pathologies. It is recommended as a good screening tool for both clinical and research purposes requiring long-term follow-up in which in-person clinical examinations may be costly and time consuming. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e820–e826.]
Comparative Efficacy of Intravenous With Intra-articular Versus Intravenous Only Administration of Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss in Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kim Young-Hoo , Pandey Ketan , Park Jang-Won , Kim Jun-Shik
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether combined intravenous (IV) and intra-articular (IA) administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is beneficial for reducing blood loss and the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in primary simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty compared with IV only administration of TXA. One hundred fifty-four patients received a combined IV and IA injection of TXA in 1 knee and an IV only injection of TXA in the other. Transfusion rates and volumes and the amount of blood loss were recorded at 8 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. In addition, the authors ascertained whether the prevalence of DVT was higher in the patients with combined IV and IA administration of TXA than in the patients with IV only administration of TXA. Overall total blood loss was not significantly different (299.6 mL vs 280.1 mL,
P
=.22) between the 2 groups. The prevalence of DVT was 11% (17 knees) in the combined IV and IA group and 14% (22 knees) in the IV only group. This difference was not significant (
P
=.25). Combined IV and IA administration of TXA in bilateral total knee arthroplasty has no additional benefit in reducing total blood loss when compared with IV only administration. The prevalence of DVT was low and not significantly different between the 2 groups. Furthermore, no pulmonary embolism was found in either group. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e827–e830.]
Macular and Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness in Patients With Keratoconus
Authors: Akkaya Serkan
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To investigate and compare macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness and profiles of patients with keratoconus and age-matched controls and correlate subfoveal choroidal thickness with keratoconus severity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This was a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study comprising 45 keratoconus patients and 56 healthy controls. Choroidal thicknesses at the fovea and at 750-μm intervals from the fovea to 1.5 mm in the nasal and temporal directions were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Peripapillary choroidal thickness was measured at six segments along the circle scan.

RESULTS:

Mean age did not differ between the patients with keratoconus and controls (24.5 ± 7.2 vs. 22.5 ± 7.4 years,
P
= .170). Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was higher in the keratoconus group (427.48 μm ± 78.51 μm) than in controls (351.03 μm ± 99.08 μm;
P
< .001). Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness did not differ between mild and severe keratoconus (437.82 ± 53.4 vs. 418.87 ± 113.9 μm;
P
= .660). In the macular area, choroidal thickness was lower at 1.5 mm nasal to the fovea (
P
< .0001) in both groups. The choroid was thinner at 0.75 mm temporal to the fovea than under the fovea in the keratoconus group (
P
< .001). The peripapillary choroid was thinner in the inferonasal and inferotemporal segments than in the other segments in both groups (
P
< .001). The peripapillary choroid was thinner in the inferonasal segment than in the inferotemporal segment in the keratoconus group (
P
= .018).

CONCLUSION:

Subfoveal choroidal thickening is observed in keratoconus eyes. The pathophysiological role of choroidal thickness variations should be considered in the natural history of keratoconus.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:664–673.]
Subretinal Cysticercosis Extraction With Bimanual, 3-D, Heads–Up-Assisted Pars Plana Vitrectomy: Clinicopathological Correlation and Surgical Technique
Authors: Venkateswaran Nandini , Cernichiaro-Espinosa Linda A. , Negron Catherin , Fallas Brenda , Zhou Xiao Yi , Lara Wilfredo , Cavuoto Kara M. , Pasol Joshua , Davis Janet L. , Dubovy Sander R. , Berrocal Audina M.
Published: September 2018

A 16-year-old male presented with blurred vision in the right eye after recent travel to Nicaragua. Funduscopic examination revealed subretinal cysticercosis superior to the optic nerve. The cyst was drained and excised using a bimanual, three-dimensional, heads–up-assisted pars plana vitrectomy without complications. Technical maneuvers for cyst extraction along with clinicopathological correlation are described. Postoperatively, the patient exhibits no signs of recurrence and has excellent vision.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:708–711.]
Large Traumatic Retinal Dialysis Associated With Prominent Vitreous Base Avulsion
Authors: Weiner Adam J. , Rao Prethy , Williams George
Published: September 2018

A 13-year-old female with a history of regressed retinopathy of prematurity presented with new-onset floaters after sustaining blunt force trauma to her left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes (OU), with an intraocular pressure of 14 mm Hg and 15 mm Hg in the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS), respectively. Exam under anesthesia revealed an unremarkable anterior segment OU, including no hyphema or subluxated crystalline lens. Scleral depression OS demonstrated a retinal dialysis superotemporally (1-o'clock to 3-o'clock) and nasally (7-o'clock to 10-o'clock) associated with a prominent vitreous base avulsion but no subretinal fluid (
Figure
). Scleral depression OD was unremarkable. Both areas of retinal dialysis OS were treated with three rows of indirect green laser photocoagulation posterior to the edge of the dialysis.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:731.]
Outer Retinal Defects Represent a Normal Recovery Pathway Following Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Macular Hole Surgery
Authors: Powers Matthew A. , Shields Ryan A. , Moshfeghi Andrew A. , Moshfeghi Darius M.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To examine perioperative factors associated with the development of outer retinal defects (ORDs) following surgical repair of macular holes (MHs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

An institutional review board-approved, retrospective, interventional cohort study was conducted. Patients who underwent MH repair during a 5-year period were identified. Statistical analysis was conducted to detect significant perioperative associations to ORD development.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-four eyes were included, and 54% developed an ORD following surgery. These defects correlated with lower preoperative stage (
P
= .0057), preoperative phakia (
P
= .036), and lack of prior macular surgery (
P
= .0016). Patients in the ORD group had significantly better preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (
P
= .031 and
P
= .0004, respectively), but there was no difference in change in acuity from preoperatively to 3 months postoperatively when compared with control patients (
P
= 42). The majority (89%) of ORDs resolved by 24 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION:

The development of ORDs appears to be correlated with several factors indicative of favorable overall eye health and less advanced pathology and may represent a normal state of recovery after MH repair with internal limiting membrane peeling.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:e1–e8.]
Microalbuminuria Is Associated With Early Retinal Neurodegeneration in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Farias Lucas Brandolt , Lavinsky Daniel , Benfica Camila Zanella , Lavisnky Jacó , Canani Luis Henrique
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate retinal layer changes in patients with type 2 diabetes, microalbuminuria, and no diabetic retinopathy, and to investigate its possible relationship with age, gender, diabetes duration, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), glycosylated hemoglobin, and hypertension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed in 60 patients divided into three groups: diabetic patients with normal UAE, diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, and controls. Retinal thickness was evaluated by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS:

The average and sectoral macular thicknesses of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) were significantly thinner in the microalbuminuria group compared to normal UAE group and controls (
P
< .005). UAE was the only factor related to this reduction in a multiple linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The GCL thickness was reduced in eyes in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria before clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy. Inner retinal neurodegeneration was independently associated with albuminuria.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:e36–e43.]
Closure of Macular Hole Associated With Extreme High Myopia After Conventional Vitrectomy With ILM Peeling
Authors: Chantarasorn Yodpong , Wang Jay C. , Roh Miin , Eliott Dean
Published: September 2018

Macular hole associated with high myopia (MH-HM) and macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MH-RD) are two conditions found in eyes with pathologic myopia that often have poor postoperative outcomes. A discrepancy in size between the stretched retina and the posteriorly expanded sclera is a major factor in the pathogenesis. The authors report a case comprising both types of maculopathy, one in each eye. The eye with the MH-HM (right eye) represents the longest axial length ever reported to have successful macular hole closure by any technique. The authors conclude that traditional surgery can be an adequate treatment for such a challenging condition.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:e99–e101.]
Influencia de las infiltraciones en la rehabilitación energética de la envolvente. El caso del plan de actuaciones en el parque público residencial de Andalucía
Authors: Rodríguez-Jiménez C. E. , Carretero-Ayuso M. J. , Claro-Ponce J. C.
Published: September 2018

El presente estudio presenta la investigación sobre la rehabilitación energética de la envolvente en una muestra de 615 viviendas sociales, incluidas dentro de los planes de construcción sostenible para el parque público residencial de Andalucía. Se evalúa de forma novedosa la relación entre las tasas de renovación de aire exterior y la demanda de climatización de viviendas en clima cálido. Ambas magnitudes ofrecen un paralelismo en los resultados, con valores promedio de 21,45% de disminución de tasa de renovación y un 21,82% de disminución en la demanda. Para ello, durante la ejecución de las intervenciones se ha desarrollado un muestreo de infiltraciones en viviendas. Las permeabilidades medidas se utilizan como parámetros de entrada en un proceso de modelizaciones energéticas bajo diferentes hipótesis, diferenciando la entrada de aire controlada o necesaria (ventilación) y la incontrolada o innecesaria (infiltraciones). Los resultados permiten visualizar el comportamiento de los edificios rehabilitados, cuantificando el ahorro energético como consecuencia de las infiltraciones para cada caso.
Public transport service and use in Brussels from 1950 to 2017
Authors: Carton Vincent
Published: September 2018

Based on STIB statistics since 1950, this article analyses the choices made in the area of public transport service. A network based almost exclusively on trams gradually became an underground-tram-bus service, which has once again reached the same coverage as in 1950 in terms of kilometres. Although there was soon a consensus regarding the underground, it did not compensate for the decrease in the service due to network operation economies in the 1980s. It is not enough to invest most of the means in one single mode, in particular if its territorial coverage is limited. Although the relationship between the improvement in service and an increase in clientele is not automatic, a conclusion emerges: in 68 years, STIB attracted more users on three occasions when it improved its service throughout the network, especially the frequencies of trams and buses, as the underground frequencies have always been high. The study sheds light on the debate regarding the possible choices: should there be an investment in an underground line between Albert and Bordet or in the surface network (extension via lines with “high-level service”, protection of trams and buses from traffic and increase in frequencies)?
L’asile politique et l’Union européenne. Propositions pour sortir de l’impasse : Le volontariat avant la contrainte, et l’internationalisation si celle-ci est envisagée.
Authors: Weil Patrick , Auriel Pierre
Published: September 2018

Aujourd’hui la régulation de l’asile politique dans l’Union européenne parait gérée par deux mécanismes qui provoquent la colère des uns puis celle des autres. Le risque aujourd’hui existe que sur l’asile, l’une de ses valeurs les plus fondamentales l’Union européenne se divise, se « démoralise » et éclate. Comment sortir de l’impasse ? Les auteurs esquissent des pistes de sortie de la crise actuelle.
IL-17A Attenuates IFN-λ Expression by Inducing Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Expression in Airway Epithelium
Authors: Niwa Mitsuru , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Mori Kazutaka , Yamanaka Katsumasa , Yasui Hideki , Suzuki Yuzo , Karayama Masato , Hozumi Hironao , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Suzuki Tetsuro , Maekawa Masato , Suda Takafumi
Published: September 2018

IFN-λ is a cytokine expressed in epithelial tissues and plays a central role in antiviral mucosal immune response. The expression of IFN-λ in the airway is impaired in chronic airway diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which renders patients susceptible to viral infection. IL-17A is associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pathogenesis; however, IL-17A regulation of IFN-λ expression remains unclear. The aim of the current study is to clarify IL-17A–mediated regulatory mechanisms of IFN-λ expression in human airway epithelial cells. In this study, we have shown that polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) and influenza A virus (IAV) infection increased IFN-λ expression at mRNA and protein levels in primary cultures of normal human bronchial epithelial cells, whereas IL-17A attenuated polyI:C- or IAV-induced IFN-λ expression. IFN-λ receptor 1 knockdown and a JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib, attenuated polyI:C-induced IFN-λ expression, confirming that a positive autocrine feedback loop, the IFN-λ receptor–JAK–STAT pathway, was involved in IFN-λ expression. In Western blotting analysis, we demonstrated that polyI:C and IAV infection induced STAT1 phosphorylation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells, whereas IL-17A suppressed polyI:C- or IAV-mediated STAT1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we found that cotreatment with IL-17A and polyI:C or IAV infection synergistically increased suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 expression. SOCS1 small interfering RNA and SOCS3 small interfering RNA negated the inhibitory effect of IL-17A in polyI:C-induced IFN-λ expression by restoring attenuated STAT1 phosphorylation. Taken together, these findings indicate that IL-17A attenuates virus-induced IFN-λ expression by enhancing SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression to inhibit autocrine signaling loops in human airway epithelial cells.
La educación de los sordos de la exclusión a la inclusión
Authors: Gómez Gómez Mª Carmen
Published: September 2018

La educación de los alumnos sordos normalmente comienza a estudiarse desde Ponce de León en un monasterio de Burgos;  pero hasta llegar a este momento las personas con pérdida auditiva o sordera han tenido momentos en la historia con más o menos aceptación. En las sociedades primitivas tanto podían estar protegidas como repudiadas, dependiendo si la sordera se consideraba un castigo o un don del dios titular. A lo largo del tiempo, la historia ha seguido generando épocas de más o menos aceptación para estar personas, pero sobre todo después de la edad media y pasado el siglo XVIII ha sido cuando más se ha avanzado hacia la integración y la inclusión.
Evapotranspiration monitoring based on thermal infrared data over agricultural landscapes: comparison of a simple energy budget model and a SVAT model
Authors: Bigeard Guillaume , Coudert Benoit , Chirouze Jonas , Er-Raki Salah , Boulet Gilles , Ceschia Eric , Jarlan Lionel
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The overall purpose of our work is to take advantage of Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) imagery to estimate landscape evapotranspiration fluxes over agricultural areas, relying on two approaches of increasing complexity and input data needs: a Surface Energy Balance (SEB) model, TSEB, used directly at the landscape scale with TIR forcing, and the aggregation of a Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model, SEtHyS, run at high resolution (≃100 m) and constrained by assimilation of TIR data. Within this preliminary study, models skills are compared thanks to large in situ database covering different crops, stress and climate conditions. Domains of validity are assessed and the possible loss of performance resulting from inaccurate but realistic inputs (forcing and model parameters) due to scaling effects are quantified. The in situ data set came from 3 experiments carried out in southern France and in Morocco. On average, models provide half-hourly averaged estimations of latent heat flux (LE) with a RMSE of around 55 W m−2 for TSEB and 47 W m−2 for SEtHyS, and estimations of sensible heat flux (H) with a RMSE of around 29 W m−2 for TSEB and 38 W m−2 for SEtHyS. TSEB has been shown to be more flexible and requires one single set of parameters but lead to low performances on rising vegetation and stressed conditions. An in-depth study on the Priestley-Taylor key parameter highlights its marked diurnal cycle and the need to adjust its value to improve flux partition between sensible and latent heat fluxes (1.5 and 1.25 for south-western France and Morocco, respectively). Optimal values of 1.8 to 2 were hilighted under cloudy conditions, which is of particular interest with the emergence of low altitude drone acquisition. SEtHyS is valid in more cases while it required a finer parameters tuning and a better knowledge of surface and vegetation. This study participates to lay the ground for exploring the complementarities between instantaneous and continuous dynamic evapotranspiration mapping monitored with TIR data.
Embracing the Sharing Economy: The Mutual Benefits of Working Together to Regulate Short-Term Rentals
Authors: Tuttle Kasey C.
Published: September 2018

Embracing the sharing economy: The mutual benefits of working together to regulate short-term rentals
Dor lombar e transtornos mentais comuns na Estratégia Saúde da Família: uma associação pouco reconhecida
Authors: Araujo Janete Alves , Campos Mônica Rodrigues , Santos Marcos Vinícius Ferreira dos , Gonçalves Daniel Almeida , Mari Jair de Jesus , Tófoli Luis Fernando , Ballester Dinarte , Fortes Sandra
Published: September 2018

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil sociodemográfico dos pacientes atendidos na Estratégia Saúde da Família de quatro capitais brasileiras (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre e Fortaleza) com dor lombar e investigar a associação entre dor lombar e depressão, ansiedade e somatização. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal com 1857 pacientes atendidos nos anos de 2009 (setembro a novembro) e 2010 (junho a agosto). Instrumentos: rastreio de somatização (SOMS-2), avaliação de ansiedade e depressão (HAD), Questionário Geral do Paciente, para dados sociodemográficos e o Formulário do Profissional Assistente, com as informações referentes as consultas. A dor lombar foi analisada a partir da frequência de três diferentes formas de apresentação: queixa autorreferida pelo paciente, sintoma registrado pelo médico e diagnóstico de lombalgia confirmado pelo médico. Resultados: 77,3% eram mulheres com mais de quatro anos de estudo e renda per capita inferior a um salário mínimo e meio. Encontramos associação significativa de queixa de dor lombar com ansiedade (OR=1,5, 95% IC 1,02-2,16) e somatização (OR=1,8, 95% IC 1,12-2,88), mas não com depressão. Pacientes que apresentavam queixa de dor lombar, porém sem registro do sintoma pelo médico, apresentaram associações ainda mais fortes com ansiedade (OR=1,6, 95% IC 1,03-2,63) e somatização (OR=2,3, 95% IC 1,33-3,99). A confirmação do diagnóstico de dor lombar pelo médico não se associou significativamente com nenhum transtorno. Conclusão: Considerando a dor lombar como uma das queixas de maior prevalência na Atenção Primária e sua associação significativa com ansiedade e somatização, recomenda-se a abordagem da ansiedade e somatização em pacientes com queixa de dor lombar.
The Microbial State
Authors: Fishel Stefanie R.
Published: September 2018

For three centuries the rational and disembodied state has been animated by one of the most powerful metaphors in politics: the body-politic, a claustrophobic and bounded image of the collective, the state, the nation, of the sovereign alienated among sovereigns. Drawing sources from continental philosophy, science and technology studies and world politics, this pathbreaking book challenges the body-politic on the grounds of its materiality. Just as the human body is not whole and separate from other bodies, but populated by microbes, bacteria, water and radioactive isotopes, Stefanie Fishel argues that the body-politic of the state exists in dense entanglement with other communities and forms of life. Yet rather than follow the nihilistic critiques of biopolitics and sovereignty into their political and metaphysical dead ends, Fishel challenges us to think and live hopefully beyond the body-politic: to think of bodies and states as lively vessels, living harmoniously coevolved with multiplicity and the biosphere. From global trade to people movements and climate change, this radical shift in metaphors promises to open up new forms of global political practice and community and challenge a politics based on fear and survival. Fishel concludes that we should not aim for mere living: we need to set our sights on building a world for thriving. This book will be of interest to a range of scholars in the humanities and the social and natural sciences. Fishel provides connections between the political and practical in clear terms using multiple approaches and disciplines.
Lewd Looks
Authors: Gorfinkel Elena
Published: September 2018

Lewd Looks: American Sexploitation’s Cinema Scenes of Looking examines the efflorescence of American sexploitation films in the United States in the years between 1960 and 1972. Approximately hundreds, if not close to a thousand of such films were made in the 1960s, yet no scholarly book exists on the subject. Employing nudity but soft-core and melodramatic in tone, sexploitation films were preoccupied with the conditions of looking at exposed female flesh, conditions that they also archive and document. Defined by their low-budgets, crude mise-en-scène, and an unswerving focus on a fantastically unfettered female sexuality, sexploitation films resembled lurid pulp novels and erotic tabloids, setting the stage for the emergence of the hard-core porn film in the early 1970s with their illicit, if comparably chaste views. This book examines how the 1960s sexploitation film reconfigured the sexualized body onscreen by presenting a dialectics of indulgence and circumspection, tease and subterfuge. Gorfinkel draws on archival research and close analysis to explore sexploitation films’ regulation, reception, and strategies of sexual representation. The book reveals how sixties sexploitation films possessed a “circumstantial reflexivity,” thematizing their own conditions of reception, impacted by anxieties surrounding American film spectatorship and erotic consumption in this period.