bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Framework of Growth Management for Identification of Service Innovation Levels and Priorities
Authors: Zhang Jingxiao , Xie Haiyan , Li Hui , Timothy Rose , Pu Si , Deng Quanxue , Jin Weixing
Published: September 2018

Growth management depends on an accurate understanding of an organizations’ current situation within the market in which it operates. Literature indicates that there is still inefficiency in quantitatively diagnosing the driving factors of service innovation and growth management. The purpose of this research is to identify the levels and priorities of sustainable growth management strategies with detailed measurements for industrial service innovation. The research focuses on the construction industry as the case context to scrutinize and compare various indexes and policy platforms for the evaluation of service innovation and the development of a diagnostic framework. The paper further identified the developmental obstacles of service innovation from 585 survey responses from construction enterprise representatives from Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an in China, using average score method and entropy weight method. The data analysis identified the service innovation level and development priorities for the enterprises can assist in determining sustainable service innovation paths. The research then combined the competitive advantage characteristics method using a cluster analysis to develop a growth management framework of service innovation in the construction industry. The research results indicated that the majority of analyzed enterprises were in the second phase of their development, with clear policy opportunities for increasing levels of service innovation. However, the results also indicate the majority of sample enterprises were not encouraging the efforts of employees to strive for innovation and were lacking appropriate investment funding towards service-related innovation. These two weaker aspects offer a starting point for firm-level managers to consider when aiming to improving service innovation. The paper contributes by advancing the quantitative evaluation of growth management policies for service innovation. Furthermore, it provides possible measures for improving service innovation with particular emphasis on service innovation in project-based construction enterprises. Finally, it offers a practical diagnostic tool to improve industry level growth via increased service innovation.
Noise-Robust Sound-Event Classification System with Texture Analysis
Authors: Choi Yongju , Atif Othmane , Lee Jonguk , Park Daihee , Chung Yongwha
Published: September 2018

Sound-event classification has emerged as an important field of research in recent years. In particular, investigations using sound data are being conducted in various industrial fields. However, sound-event classification tasks have become more difficult and challenging with the increase in noise levels. In this study, we propose a noise-robust system for the classification of sound data. In this method, we first convert one-dimensional sound signals into two-dimensional gray-level images using normalization, and then extract the texture images by means of the dominant neighborhood structure (DNS) technique. Finally, we experimentally validate the noise-robust approach by using four classifiers (convolutional neural network (CNN), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbors(k-NN), and C4.5). The experimental results showed superior classification performance in noisy conditions compared with other methods. The F1 score exceeds 98.80% in railway data, and 96.57% in livestock data. Besides, the proposed method can be implemented in a cost-efficient manner (for instance, use of a low-cost microphone) while maintaining high level of accuracy in noisy environments. This approach can be used either as a standalone solution or as a supplement to the known methods to obtain a more accurate solution.
Vertex Labeling and Routing for Farey-Type Symmetrically-Structured Graphs
Authors: Jiang Wenchao , Zhai Yinhu , Zhuang Zhigang , Martin Paul , Zhao Zhiming , Liu Jia-Bao
Published: September 2018

The generalization of Farey graphs and extended Farey graphs all originate from Farey graphs. They are simultaneously scale-free and small-world. A labeling of the vertices for them are proposed here. All of the shortest paths between any two vertices in these two graphs can be determined only on their labels. The number of shortest paths between any two vertices is the product of two Fibonacci numbers; it is increasing almost linearly with the order or size of the graphs. However, the label-based routing algorithm runs in logarithmic time O(logn). Our efficient routing protocol for Farey-type models should help contribute toward the understanding of several physical dynamic processes.
The Development of a Mobile Application to Support Peripheral Health Workers to Diagnose and Treat People with Skin Diseases in Resource-Poor Settings
Authors: Mieras Liesbeth F. , Taal Anna T. , Post Erik B. , Ndeve Alcino G. Z. , Van Hees Colette L. M.
Published: September 2018

The high prevalence of skin diseases in resource-poor settings, where health workers with sufficient knowledge of skin diseases are scarce, calls for innovative measures. Timely diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that manifest with skin lesions, such as leprosy, is crucial to prevent disabilities as well as psychological and socioeconomic problems. Innovative technological methods like telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth) can help to bridge the gap between the burden of skin diseases and the lack of capable staff in resource-poor settings by bringing essential health services from central level closer to peripheral levels. Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) has developed a mobile phone application called the ‘SkinApp’, which aims to support peripheral health workers to recognize the early signs and symptoms of skin diseases, including skin NTDs, and to start treatment promptly or refer for more advanced diagnostic testing or disease management when needed. Further research is needed to determine how greatly mHealth in general and the SkinApp in particular can contribute to improved health outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
The Surveillance of Chikungunya Virus in a Temperate Climate: Challenges and Possible Solutions from the Experience of Lazio Region, Italy
Authors: Vairo Francesco , Di Pietrantonj Carlo , Pasqualini Chiara , Mammone Alessia , Lanini Simone , Nicastri Emanuele , Castilletti Concetta , Ferraro Federica , Di Bari Virginia , Puro Vincenzo , Scognamiglio Paola , Di Caro Antonino , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Ippolito Giuseppe
Published: September 2018

CHIKV has become an emerging public health concern in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere as a consequenceof the expansion of the endemic areas of its vectors (mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). In 2017, a new outbreak of CHIKV was detected in Italy with three clusters of autochthonous transmission in the Lazio Region (central Italy), in the cities of Anzio, Rome, and Latina and a secondary cluster in the Calabria Region (south Italy). Given the climate characteristics of Italy, sporadic outbreaks mostly driven by imported cases followed by autochthonous transmission could occur during the summer season. This highlights the importance of a well-designed surveillance system, which should promptly identify autochthonous transmission. The use of a surveillance system integrating different surveillance tools, including entomological surveillance in a one health approach, together with education of the health care professionals should facilitate the detection, response, and control of arboviruses spreading.
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid RNA-Templated Transcription: Factors and Regulation
Authors: Dissanayaka Mudiyanselage Shachinthaka D. , Qu Jie , Tian Nancy , Jiang Jian , Wang Ying
Published: September 2018

Viroids are circular noncoding RNAs that infect plants. Without encoding any protein, these noncoding RNAs contain the necessary genetic information for propagation in hosts. Nuclear-replicating viroids employ DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (Pol II) for replication, a process that makes a DNA-dependent enzyme recognize RNA templates. Recently, a splicing variant of transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA-7ZF) was identified as essential for Pol II to replicate potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd). The expression of TFIIIA-7ZF, particularly the splicing event, is regulated by a ribosomal protein (RPL5). PSTVd modulates its expression through a direct interaction with RPL5 resulting in optimized expression of TFIIIA-7ZF. This review summarizes the recent discoveries of host factors and regulatory mechanisms underlying PSTVd-templated transcription processes and raises new questions that may help future exploration in this direction. In addition, it briefly compares the machinery and the regulatory mechanism for PSTVd with the replication/transcription system of human hepatitis delta virus.
Effective Mass of Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Tophøj Laust , Grathwol Nikolaj , Hansen Svend Ole
Published: September 2018

Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) are widely used for the control and mitigation of vibrations in engineering structures, including buildings, towers, bridges and wind turbines. The traditional representation of a TMD is a point mass connected to the structure by a spring and a dashpot. However, many TMDs differ from this model by having multiple mass components with motions of different magnitudes and directions. We say that such TMDs have added mass. Added mass is rarely introduced intentionally, but often arises as a by-product of the TMD suspension system or the damping mechanism. Examples include tuned pendulum dampers, tuned liquid dampers and other composite mechanical systems. In this paper, we show how a TMD with added mass can be analyzed using traditional methods for simple TMDs by introducing equivalent simple TMD parameters, including the effective TMD mass, the mass of the equivalent simple TMD. The presence of added mass always reduces the effective TMD mass. This effect is explained as a consequence of smaller internal motions of the TMD due to the increased inertia associated with the added mass. The effective TMD mass must be correctly calculated in order to predict the TMD efficiency and in order to properly tune the TMD. The developed framework is easy to apply to any given general linear TMD system with a known motion. Here, we demonstrate the approach for a number of well-known examples, including tuned liquid dampers, which are shown to use only a small fraction of the total liquid mass effectively.
Assessing Slope Forest Effect on Flood Process Caused by a Short-Duration Storm in a Small Catchment
Authors: Hou Jingming , Guo Kaihua , Liu Feifei , Han Hao , Liang Qiuhua , Tong Yu , Li Peng
Published: September 2018

Land use has significant impact on the hydrologic and hydraulic processes in a catchment. This work applies a hydrodynamic based numerical model to quantitatively investigate the land use effect on the flood patterns under various rainfall and terrain conditions in an ideal V-shaped catchment and a realistic catchment, indicating the land use could considerably affect the rainfall-flood process and such effect varies with the catchment terrain, land use scenario and the rainfall events. The rainfall-flood process is less sensitive for the side slope than the channel slope. For a channel slope lower than the critical value in this work, the forest located in the middle of the catchment slope could most effectively attenuate the flood peak. When the channel slope is higher than the critical one, forest located in the downstream of the catchment could most significantly mitigate the peak discharge. Moreover, the attenuation effect becomes more obvious as the rainfall becomes heavier. The fragmentation of vegetation does not reduce the flood peak in a more obvious way, compared with the integral vegetation patterns with the same area proportion. The research can help more reasonably guide the land use plan related to flood risk.
Formation of Palygorskite Clay from Treated Diatomite and its Application for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Nefzi Houwaida , Abderrabba Manef , Ayadi Sameh , Labidi Jalel
Published: September 2018

Environmental contamination by toxic heavy metals is a serious worldwide phenomenon. Thus, their removal is a crucial issue. In this study, we found an efficient adsorbent to remove Cu2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solution using two materials. Chemical modification was used to obtain palygorskite clay from diatomite. The adsorbents were characterized using X-ray florescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of contact time, initial concentration, temperature and pH on the adsorption process were investigated. Our results showed that the (%) of maximum adsorption capacity of diatomite was 78.44% for Cu2+ at pH 4 and 77.3% for Ni2+ at pH 7, while the (%) of the maximum adsorption on palygorskite reached 91% for Cu2+ and 87.05% for Ni2+, in the same condition. The results indicate that the pseudo-second-order model can describe the adsorption process. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherms could be adopted by the Langmuir and the Freundlich models with good correlation coefficient (R2). Thus, our results showed that palygorskite prepared from Tunisian diatomite is a good adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from water.
Effect of Water Management Technology Used in Trout Culture on Water Quality in Fish Ponds
Authors: Sidoruk Marcin , Cymes Ireneusz
Published: September 2018

Pond management requires that a specific fish culture is conducted while taking into account both production possibilities and profitability, as well as the impact it may have on the natural environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three water management systems used in rainbow trout culture on water quality in fish ponds. It was conducted at six trout farms and differing in water management strategy. After water had flown through the fishing ponds, its quality was significantly less impaired at farms operating in the flow and cascade systems. In turn, waters discharged from farms using the recirculation system were characterized by the poorest quality and lowest values on the Water Quality Index (WQI). It was found that the flow and cascade systems can be used to maintain the water quality and give less fish mortality for trout. It has been shown that the use of a water recirculation system in rainbow trout cultures significantly affects the quality of water in fishponds and can potentially lead to suppression of fish resistance and in extreme cases, to fish death. This study will help fish farmers in choosing the optimal variant of water management, taking into account both the best fish health with the least negative impact of fish farms on the environment.
Irrigation Management Based on Reservoir Operation with an Improved Weed Algorithm
Authors: Ehteram Mohammad , P. Singh Vijay , Karami Hojat , Hosseini Khosrow , Dianatikhah Mojgan , Hossain Md. , Ming Fai Chow , El-Shafie Ahmed
Published: September 2018

Water scarcity is a serious problem throughout the world. One critical part of this problem is supplying sufficient water to meet irrigation demands for agricultural production. The present study introduced an improved weed algorithm for reservoir operation with the aim of decreasing irrigation deficits. The Aswan High Dam, one of the most important dams in Egypt, was selected for this study to supply irrigation demands. The improved weed algorithm (IWA) had developed local search ability so that the exploration ability for the IWA increased and it could escape from local optima. Three inflows (low, medium and high) to the reservoir were considered for the downstream demands. For example, the average solution for the IWA at high inflow was 0.985 while it was 1.037, 1.040, 1.115 and 1.121 for the weed algorithm (WA), bat algorithm (BA), improved particle swarm optimization algorithm (IPSOA) and genetic algorithm (GA). This meant that the IWA decreased the objective function for high inflow by 5.01%, 5.20%, 11.65% and 12% compared to the WA, BA, IPSOA and GA, respectively. The computational time for the IWA at high inflow was 22 s, which was 12%, 18%, 24% and 29% lower than the WA, BA, IPSOA and GA, respectively. Results indicated that the IWA could meet the demands at all three inflows. The reliability index for the IWA for the three inflows was greater than the WA, BA, IPSOA and GA, meaning that the released water based on IWA could well supply the downstream demands. Thus, the improved weed algorithm is suggested for solving complex problems in water resources management.
Apports d’une simulation narrative pour l’acquisition de compétences sociales
Authors: Szilas Nicolas , Dumas Jean , Richle Urs , Habonneau Nicolas
Published: September 2018

Nous nous intéressons au soutien psychologique d’adolescents dont l’un des parents a été victime d’un traumatisme crânien. Nous proposons d’aider ces jeunes à acquérir certaines compétences sociales utiles dans leur quotidien à l’aide d’une simulation narrative, une solution innovante qui met l’apprenant dans une situation crédible et l’implique dans une histoire. Après une description des aspects technologiques et méthodologiques de cette simulation narrative, nous en présentons une évaluation, à base de questionnaires et d’analyse de logs, sur 22 sujets de la population cible utilisant le logiciel sur une seule session. Parmi les résultats, l’utilisabilité, la curiosité envers les événements de l’histoire, et le flow ont été positivement évalués.
Développer des compétences de conceptualisation et d’analyse avec un forum de discussion et un etherpad
Authors: Temperman Gaëtan , Walgraeve Sébastien , Lièvre Bruno de , Boumazguida Karim
Published: September 2018

Dans cette contribution, nous évaluons l’efficacité d’un environnement d’apprentissage collaboratif composé d’un forum de discussion et d’un etherpad dans un contexte de formation universitaire. Le scénario pédagogique a pour objet d’amener les apprenants à développer des compétences de conceptualisation et d’analyse. Nos analyses multiniveaux tendent à montrer que les apprenants peuvent développer des compétences de conceptualisation et d’analyse au travers de tâches élaboratives qui mobilisent ces outils. Notre analyse du lien entre le processus d’apprentissage et les gains des apprenants met en évidence que l’exploitation des traces enregistrées dans ces espaces est en mesure d’expliquer en partie leurs progressions. Nous observons que ces facteurs explicatifs peuvent toutefois varier en fonction de la nature de la tâche proposée aux apprenants.
Analyse de connaissances perceptivo-gestuelles dans un Système Tutoriel Intelligent
Authors: Toussaint Ben-Manson , Luengo Vanda , Jambon Francis
Published: September 2018

Pour couvrir toutes les facettes des connaissances multimodales telles que les connaissances perceptivo-gestuelles, divers périphériques sont exploités. Les traces produites par ces derniers fournissent des informations pertinentes sur l’activité de l’apprenant. Cependant elles sont multi-sources et hétérogènes et, de ce fait, difficiles à traiter automatiquement. Pour faciliter leur traitement, il convient de leur fournir une représentation formelle qui reflète l’activité multimodale à laquelle elles sont liées. Cet article décrit notre proposition de formalisation de ce type de traces enregistrées à partir d’un Système Tutoriel Intelligent dédié à la chirurgie orthopédique percutanée, TELEOS.
Retour d’expérience sur deux années de MOOC Inria
Authors: Mariais Christelle , Bayle Aurélie , Comte Marie-Hélène , Hasenfratz Jean-Marc , Rey Isabelle
Published: September 2018

L’objectif de cette rubrique est de présenter un retour suite à l’analyse de données qualitatives et quantitatives diffusion de six MOOC produits par Inria Learning Lab (Mooc Lab Inria) en 2014-2015. Ce bilan soulève des met en évidence des besoins et perspectives de travail visant la conception de futurs MOOC et à être partagés avec la des concepteurs de MOOC.
Simulation et validation de tests adaptatifs dans les MOOC
Authors: Vie Jill-Jênn , Popineau Fabrice , Bruillard Eric , Bourda Yolaine
Published: September 2018

Les MOOC accueillent des apprenants de compétences très diverses. Afin de connaître leurs multiples besoins, il est possible de leur faire passer un test d'élicitation de connaissances, en profitant du fait que l'évaluation se fasse en ligne pour choisir la question suivante en fonction des réponses précédentes. Le test est alors dit adaptatif, il permet un diagnostic fin des connaissances de l'apprenant tout en réduisant le nombre de questions à poser. Nous montrons comment il est possible de réutiliser des réponses d’apprenants lors d'une session de MOOC pour valider un modèle de test adaptatif empiriquement, et testons notre approche sur un jeu de données réelles provenant d''un MOOC de mathématiques.
Une analyse de l’utilisation des vidéos pédagogiques des MOOC par les non-certifiés
Authors: Cisel Matthieu
Published: September 2018

Nous montrons, sur la base des traces de six MOOC, que les non-certifiés effectuent l’essentiel des actions observables réalisées sur les vidéos du cours. Nous cherchons à quantifier et interpréter divers comportements mis au jour sur la base de ces traces. Certains non-certifiés visionnent l’ensemble des vidéos du cours sur la plateforme ; ils sont minoritaires par rapport aux certifiés. Plus fréquemment, ils en téléchargent la totalité, sans les visionner depuis la plateforme. Selon une approche de méthode mixte, nous cherchons à mettre en lumière les déterminants de tels comportements. Le fait de se concentrer sur les seules vidéos pédagogiques correspond parfois à une décision contrainte, et non nécessairement à une stratégie d’apprentissage. Le téléchargement des ressources relève parfois de logiques d’archivage. Il n’est pas nécessairement suivi d’utilisations effectives des ressources téléchargées.
Effect of electrospinning process variables on the size of polymer fibers and bead-on-string structures established with a 23 factorial design
Authors: Korycka Paulina , Mirek Adam , Kramek-Romanowska Katarzyna , Grzeczkowicz Marcin , Lewińska Dorota
Published: September 2018

This work examines the effect of selected process parameters on the diameter of uniform and heterogeneous fibers (with and without bead-on-string structures) and the size of beads obtained during the electrospinning process. A 23 factorial design was performed to determine the influence of the following factors: electrical voltage, flow rate and dynamic viscosity of the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) ethanolic solution. Factorial design enables the analysis of the mathematical relationship between the chosen factors and the response with a minimum number of experiments. The factor having the most significant impact on the size of beaded fibers and beads was the solution viscosity, while the voltage had the greatest influence on the bead-free fiber diameter. The interactions between the studied factors were also analyzed. It was found that the presented method can be used for the design of an optimal and cost-effective electrospinning process, allowing the desired product to be obtained with expected features.
Microfluidic light-driven synthesis of tetracyclic molecular architectures
Authors: Mateos Javier , Meneghini Nicholas , Bonchio Marcella , Marino Nadia , Carofiglio Tommaso , Companyó Xavier , Dell’Amico Luca
Published: September 2018

Herein we report an effective synthetic method for the direct assembly of highly functionalized tetracyclic pharmacophoric cores. Coumarins and chromones undergo diastereoselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with light-generated photoenol intermediates. The reactions occur by aid of a microfluidic photoreactor (MFP) in high yield (up to >98%) and virtually complete diastereocontrol (>20:1 dr). The method is easily scaled-up to a parallel setup, furnishing 948 mg of product over a 14 h reaction time. Finally, a series of manipulations of the tetracyclic scaffold obtained gave access to valuable precursors of biologically active molecules.
Formal Solutions for Polarized Radiative Transfer. IV. Numerical Performances in Practical Problems
Authors: Janett Gioele , Steiner Oskar , Belluzzi Luca
Published: September 2018

The numerical computation of reliable and accurate Stokes profiles is of great relevance in solar physics. In the synthesis process, many actors play a relevant role: among them the formal solver, the discrete atmospheric model, and the spectral line. This paper tests the performances of different numerical schemes in the synthesis of polarized spectra for different spectral lines and atmospheric models. The hierarchy between formal solvers is enforced, stressing the peculiarities of high-order and low-order formal solvers. The density of grid points necessary for reaching a given accuracy requirement is quantitatively described for specific situations.
The Hidden Depths of Planetary Atmospheres
Authors: Bétrémieux Yan , Swain Mark R.
Published: September 2018

Atmospheric regions below a refractive boundary are hidden in limb observations. Refraction thus creates a gray continuum in the planet’s transmission spectrum, which can hide spectral features associated with sources of atmospheric opacity. We combine refractive theory with recent analytical advances describing the effects of surfaces and clouds on transmission spectra, to express the location of this boundary in atmospheric opacity space, for both atomic and molecular extinction, as well as collision-induced absorption. This allows one to quickly estimate how refraction affects spectral features in well-mixed atmospheres. We show that differences in the geometry of limb observations between solar system planets and exoplanets lead to different locations of this boundary, and that more than four extra scale heights of atmosphere are hidden in exoplanet transits compared to solar system observations of cold gas giants. We explore how the location of this refractive boundary in exoplanet transits changes in a well-mixed isothermal atmosphere with its temperature and composition, the spectral type of the planet’s host star, and the size of the planet. We demonstrate that five extra scale heights of atmosphere are hidden in a terrestrial planet with a CO2 atmosphere compared to a helium atmosphere, resulting in a flatter spectrum than from its smaller scale height alone. We provide results for a few exoplanets, notably those in the TRAPPIST-1 system, to help the scientific community estimate the impact of refraction on the size of spectral features without radiative transfer calculations, and thus help refine planned James Web Space Telescope observations.
Origin of Weak Turbulence in the Outer Regions of Protoplanetary Disks
Authors: Simon Jacob B. , Bai Xue-Ning , Flaherty Kevin M. , Hughes A. Meredith
Published: September 2018

The mechanism behind angular momentum transport in protoplanetary disks, and whether this transport is turbulent in nature, is a fundamental issue in planet formation studies. Recent ALMA observations have suggested that turbulent velocities in the outer regions of these disks are less than ∼0.05–

, contradicting theoretical predictions of turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI). These observations have generally been interpreted to be consistent with a large-scale laminar magnetic wind driving accretion. Here, we carry out local, shearing-box simulations with varying ionization levels and background magnetic field strengths in order to determine which parameters produce results consistent with observations. We find that even when the background magnetic field launches a strong largely laminar wind, significant turbulence persists and is driven by localized regions of vertical magnetic field (the result of zonal flows) that are unstable to the MRI. The only conditions for which we find turbulent velocities below the observational limits are weak background magnetic fields and ionization levels well below that usually assumed in theoretical studies. We interpret these findings within the context of a preliminary model in which a large-scale magnetic field, confined to the inner disk, hinders ionizing sources from reaching large radial distances, e.g., through a sufficiently dense wind. Thus, in addition to such a wind, this model predicts that for disks with weakly turbulent outer regions, the outer disk will have significantly reduced ionization levels compared to standard models and will harbor only a weak vertical magnetic field.
An Updated Line List for NUV Spectral Synthesis in Evolved Stars: Redetermination of the Beryllium Abundance in the Solar Photosphere
Authors: Carlberg Joleen K. , Cunha Katia , Smith Verne V. , Nascimento José-Dias do
Published: September 2018

Motivated by the desire to measure beryllium abundances in red giant stars, we have constructed a new line list for synthesizing spectra in the near-ultraviolet. Using the Sun, Arcturus, and Pollux as benchmark stars, we explore potential sources of missing continuous opacity and line absorption. Despite the inclusion of new sources of continuous opacity, fitting the ultraviolet OH lines in the solar spectrum still requires artificially inflating the continuous opacity. The red giants also require the addition of a line of unknown origin in the blue wing of the Be line at λ3131.065 Å, and we find a good match can be made by adopting a Ti ii line with low excitation potential. The inclusion of this line does not affect the measurement of the solar Be abundance. Because the fits to all of the benchmark stars require tuning the properties of known spectral lines and including both an unknown source of additional continuous opacity and spectral lines of unknown origin, we argue that the absolute abundances of Be in stars should be interpreted with caution. Therefore, the question of whether the solar Be abundance is depleted may not yet be resolved, although our model favors minimal Be depletion in the Sun.
Boötes III is a Disrupting Dwarf Galaxy Associated with the Styx Stellar Stream
Authors: Carlin Jeffrey L. , Sand D. J.
Published: September 2018

We present proper motion (PM) measurements of Boötes III, an enigmatic stellar satellite of the Milky Way (MW), utilizing data from the second data release of the Gaia mission. By selecting 15 radial velocity confirmed members of Boötes III, along with a likely RR Lyrae member in the vicinity, we measure an error-weighted mean PM of (μ

α

, μ

δ
) = (−1.14, −0.98) ± (0.18, 0.20) mas yr−1. We select and present further stars that may be Boötes III members based on their combined PM and position in the color–magnitude diagram. We caution against assigning membership to stars that are not confirmed spectroscopically, as we demonstrate that there are contaminating stars from the disrupting globular cluster NGC 5466 in the vicinity of the main body of Boötes III, but we note that our results are consistent with previous Boötes III PM estimates that did not include spectroscopic members. Based on the measured PM and other known properties of Boötes III, we derive its Galactocentric velocity and compute its orbit given canonical MW potentials with halo masses of both 0.8 × 1012
M
⊙ and 1.6 × 1012
M
⊙. These orbits robustly show that Boötes III passed within ∼12 kpc of the Galactic center on an eccentric orbit roughly ∼140 Myr ago. Additionally, the PM of Boötes III is in excellent agreement with predictions for the retrograde motion of the coincident Styx stellar stream. Given this, along with the small pericenter and metallicity spread of Boötes III itself, we suggest that it is a disrupting dwarf galaxy giving rise to the Styx stellar stream.
Molecular Gas toward Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A
Authors: Zhou Ping , Li Jiang-Tao , Zhang Zhi-Yu , Vink Jacco , Chen Yang , Arias Maria , Patnaude Daniel , Bregman Joel N.
Published: September 2018

We mapped 12CO J = 1–0, 12CO J = 2–1, 13CO J = 1–0, and 13CO J = 2–1 lines toward supernova remnant (SNR) Cassiopeia A with the IRAM 30 m telescope. The molecular clouds (MCs) along the line of sight of Cas A do not show optically thin, shock-broadened 12CO lines (

toward Cas A), or high-temperature features from shock heating (

toward Cas A). Therefore, we suggest that there is no physical evidence to support that the SNR is impacting the molecular gas. All the detected MCs are likely in front of Cas A, as implied by the HCO+ absorption line detected in the same velocity ranges. These MCs contribute H2 column densities of

,

, and

in the west, south, and center of the SNR, respectively. The 20 K warm gas at

is distributed along a large-scale molecular ridge in the south of Cas A. Part of the gas is projected onto Cas A, providing a foreground H2 mass of

, consistent with the mass of cold dust (15–20 K; 2–4

) found in front of the SNR. We suggest that the 20 K warm gas is heated by background cosmic rays with an ionization rate of

. The cosmic rays and X-ray emission from Cas A are excluded as the heating sources of the clouds.
A Census of Ionized Gas Outflows in Type 1 AGNs: Gas Outflows in AGNs. V.
Authors: Rakshit Suvendu , Woo Jong-Hak
Published: September 2018

We present a systematic study of ionized gas outflows based on the velocity shift and dispersion of the [O iii] λ5007 emission line using a sample of ∼5000 Type 1 AGNs at z < 0.3 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This analysis is supplemented by the gas kinematics of Type 2 AGNs from Woo et al. For the majority of Type 1 AGNs (i.e., ∼89%), the [O iii] line profile is best represented by a double Gaussian model, presenting the kinematic signature of the nonvirial motion. Blueshifted [O iii] is more frequently detected than redshifted [O iii] by a factor of 3.6 in Type 1 AGNs, while the ratio between blueshifted and redshifted [O iii] is only 1.08 in Type 2 AGNs due to the projection and orientation effect. The fraction of AGNs with outflow signatures is found to increase steeply with [O iii] luminosity and Eddington ratio, while Type 1 AGNs have larger velocity dispersion and more negative velocity shift than Type 2 AGNs. The [O iii] velocity–velocity dispersion diagram of Type 1 AGNs expands toward higher values with increasing luminosity and Eddington ratio, suggesting that the radiation pressure or wind is the main driver of gas outflows, as similarly found in Type 2 AGNs. In contrast, the kinematics of gas outflows is not directly linked to the radio activity of AGNs.
Prevalence and mitigation of aflatoxins in Kenya (1960-to date)
Authors: Mutegi C.K. , Cotty P.J. , Bandyopadhyay R.
Published: September 2018

Aflatoxins are highly toxic metabolites of severalAspergillus species widely distributed throughout the environment. These toxins have adverse effects on humans and livestock at a few micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) concentrations. Strict regulations on the concentrations of aflatoxins allowed in food and feed exist in many nations in the developing world. Loopholes in implementing regulations result in the consumption of dangerous concentrations of aflatoxins. In Kenya, where ‘farm-to-mouth’ crops become severely contaminated, solutions to the aflatoxins problem are needed. Across the decades, aflatoxins have repeatedly caused loss of human and animal life. A prerequisite to developing viable solutions for managing aflatoxins is understanding the geographical distribution and severity of food and feed contamination, and the impact on lives. This review discusses the scope of the aflatoxins problem and management efforts by various players in Kenya. Economic drivers likely to influence the choice of aflatoxins management options include historical adverse health effects on humans and animals, cost of intervention for mitigation of aflatoxins, knowledge about aflatoxins and their impact, incentives for aflatoxins safe food and intended scope of use of interventions. It also highlights knowledge gaps that can direct future management efforts. These include: sparse documented information on human exposure; few robust tools to accurately measure economic impact in widely unstructured value chains; lack of long-term impact studies on benefits of aflatoxins mitigation; inadequate sampling mechanisms in smallholder farms and grain holding stores/containers; overlooking social learning networks in technology uptake and lack of in-depth studies on an array of aflatoxins control measures followed in households. The review proposes improved linkages between agriculture, nutrition and health sectors to address aflatoxins contamination better. Sustained public awareness at all levels, capacity building and aflatoxins related policies are necessary to support management initiatives.
Biomechanical Properties of the Lateral Patellofemoral Ligament: A Cadaveric Analysis
Authors: DeFroda Steven F. , Shah Kalpit N. , Lemme Nicholas , Koruprolu Sarath , Ware Kristopher J. , Owens Brett D.
Published: September 2018

Medial instability of the patellofemoral joint is a rare but known phenomenon; it may result from an incompetent lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL). However, biomechanical details of the ligament have not been the subject of scrutiny. The purpose of this study was to describe the biomechanical properties of the LPFL. Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were dissected to identify the LPFL. The ligament was harvested with a bone plug from the patella and the femoral surface and underwent axial loading to failure. Load to failure and location of failure were recorded. Regression analysis was performed to determine which anatomic variables (midsubstance width, femoral insertion width, patellar insertion width, or percent patellar articular surface of insertion) significantly influenced load to failure. Nine of the 10 specimens failed at the midsubstance of the ligament. The mean load to failure was 90±67 N. Logistical regression showed that midsubstance width was most correlated with load to failure, which approached but did not reach significance (
P
=.09). Studies are warranted to investigate the clinical consequences of medial patellar instability and the best repair or reconstruction techniques available. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(2):e797–e801.]
Prophylactic Celecoxib Administration Is Associated With Decreased Incidence and Severity of Heterotopic Ossification After Hip Resurfacing by Direct Lateral Approach in Male Patients
Authors: Ng Mitchell , Brigati David , Wagner Timothy C. , Bigart Kevin , Khlopas Anton , Sultan Assem A. , Mont Michael A. , Brooks Peter
Published: September 2018

Heterotopic ossification is a potential complication that may have a particularly higher association with hip resurfacing. The 2 current mainstays for heterotopic ossification treatment and prophylaxis are administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and radiotherapy. Recent studies have determined that celecoxib is effective in heterotopic ossification prophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty. However, considering the reportedly higher incidence and severity of heterotopic ossification in these patients, relatively few studies have evaluated its role in hip resurfacing. Therefore, the authors assessed the incidence, severity, and risk factors of heterotopic ossification in patients who had hip resurfacing and did or did not receive celecoxib. Of the 198 patients, 83 received celecoxib and 115 did not. Radiographs were examined to grade heterotopic ossification using the Brooker classification system. The rate of heterotopic ossification differed between patients who did and patients who did not receive celecoxib prophylaxis (25% vs 65%,
P
<.001). Celecoxib was an independent predictor of decreased heterotopic ossification (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.08–0.35). Celecoxib administration is associated with decreased incidence and severity of heterotopic ossification after hip resurfacing performed using the direct lateral approach in male patients. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e807–e812.]
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients With Macropsia
Authors: Jeon Sohee , Jung Byungju , Lee Won Ki
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the retinal morphologic characteristics of patients with macropsia caused by epiretinal membrane (ERM) based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional, non-interventional study was performed to compare the characteristics of retinal structures in eyes with ERM according to the presence or absence of macropsia. Twenty-six patients with ERM and macropsia were defined as the macropsia group and 26 age-matched patients with ERM without macropsia were the control group. All participants underwent a full ophthalmologic examination and SD-OCT examination. Macropsia was diagnosed and quantified using a double dot chart. The thickness of retinal layers, including the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and inner segment / outer segment / retinal pigment epithelium (IS/OS/RPE) at the central fovea, were measured by electronic calipers of the SD-OCT system. The interocular ratio of each parameter was calculated for each patient and compared between the two groups. The integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM), IS/OS junction, and cone outer segment tips (COST) line were evaluated.

RESULTS:

The thickness of the IS/OS/RPE differed significantly between both eyes in the macropsia group (
P
< .001), whereas the control group was not significantly different (
P
= .161). The ONL in the diseased eye was significantly thicker in the macropsia group than in the control group (
P
= .020), whereas these two groups did not differ significantly in the thickness of ONL in the control eye (
P
= .860). More patients had a disrupted COST line in the macropsia group (
P
< .001 for macropsia group,
P
= .252 for control group). No eye showed disrupted ELM and IS/OS junction, regardless of the presence of macropsia.

CONCLUSIONS:

Eyes with macropsia showed thicker foveal ONL, IS/OS/RPE, and more frequently disrupted COST lines. This may indicate that the contractile strength of ERM can lead to centralization of photoreceptor cells.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:656–663.]
Secondary Ocular Hypertension and the Risk of Glaucoma Surgery After Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Hemarat Kornwipa , Kemmer Jacquelyn D. , Porco Travis C. , Eaton Alexander M. , Khurana Rahul N. , Stewart Jay M.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

To determine the rate of ocular hypertension (OHT) after dexamethasone intravitreal implant in routine clinical practice and identify patient characteristics associated with a risk for glaucoma surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The charts of 260 eyes from 221 patients with diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, uveitis, and macular edema secondary to various causes treated with one or more dexamethasone implants were reviewed. Intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, and glaucoma interventions were collected before and after implantation.

RESULTS:

The mean baseline IOP was 14.3 mm Hg ± 3.6 mm Hg, and after receiving dexamethasone implant(s), 26.2% and 7.7% of patients had IOP greater than 25 mm Hg and 35 mm Hg, respectively. There was evidence (
P
< .001) of an association between preexisting glaucoma or glaucoma suspect status (103 eyes) and need for glaucoma surgery, and 4.62% (12 eyes) required glaucoma surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Secondary OHT induced by the dexamethasone implant can usually be controlled by medications, but the incidence of OHT requiring glaucoma surgery was high (4.62%) in our study relative to rates previously reported in the literature. All patients, especially those with preexisting glaucoma, should be advised of the possible need for glaucoma surgery prior to undergoing treatment with the dexamethasone implant.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:680–685.]
Suprachoroidal Space Alterations Following Delivery of Triamcinolone Acetonide: Post-Hoc Analysis of the Phase 1/2 HULK Study of Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Lampen Shaun I. R. , Khurana Rahul N. , Noronha Glenn , Brown David M. , Wykoff Charles C.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To study anatomic changes in the suprachoroidal space (SCS) following suprachoroidal injection of CLS-TA, triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Eyes with diabetic macular edema receiving CLS-TA were imaged serially using anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to examine the SCS.

RESULTS:

At the final imaging session, the SCS was not significantly different in study eyes (n = 14; 8.4 μm) compared to fellow eyes (n = 10; 8.1 μm;
P
= .698). Two eyes were imaged immediately before and 30 minutes after suprachoroidal injections; in these eyes, mean suprachoroidal width increased significantly following CLS-TA injection, 9.9 μm to 75.1 μm (
P
< .001), and subsequently returned to 14.9 μm 1 month after the final injection (
P
= .221).

CONCLUSION:

Suprachoroidal CLS-TA injection caused a measurable increase in the SCS, which returned to preinjection levels by 1 month following injection with no apparent lasting impact on SCS anatomy.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:692–697.]
27-Gauge Via Pars Plana Vitrectomy With Autologous ILM Transplantation for Optic Pit Disc Maculopathy
Authors: Caporossi Tomaso , Finocchio Lucia , Barca Francesco , Franco Fabrizio , Tartaro Ruggero , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: September 2018

To report a case of a serous macular detachment associated with optic pit that did not improve after a previous vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, peripapillary laser, and gas tamponade. The authors performed a lens-sparing 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with autologous transplantation of ILM inside the optic nerve pit and gas tamponade. The subretinal fluid gradually resolved and visual acuity improved to 20/20 at the tenth month after surgery. The authors did not observe a recurrence of subretinal fluid during the 14 months of follow-up. Autologous transplantation of the ILM may be effective to repair recurring optic disc pit maculopathy.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:712–714.]
Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma Presenting as a Posterior Capsule Plaque
Authors: Hussain Rehan M. , Garoon Robert B. , Duker Jay S. , Dubovy Sander R. , Albini Thomas A.
Published: September 2018

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) can be a diagnostic challenge and commonly presents as a partially steroid-responsive vitritis or as subretinal cream-colored infiltrates. The authors present a patient with PVRL who initially presented with bilateral vitritis; however, after two non-diagnostic vitrectomy specimens and two unremarkable brain MRIs, she was lost to follow-up. She presented 2.5 years later with a white plaque on the posterior capsule of her left intraocular lens, though the vitreous cavity was free of infiltrate. Repeat biopsy revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and brain MRI demonstrated an enhancing lesion of the cerebellum, consistent with primary central nervous system lymphoma.