bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING AND PROJECT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: Olawumi Timothy O. , Chan Daniel W. M.
Published: February 2019

The study aims to develop an effective BIM-project information management framework (BIM-PIMF) and associated assessment model for construction projects with a view to enhancing the functional management of project information. An explanatory case study technique and case study evidence from four BIM construction projects form the study’s research design. The study identified and established the three sub-criteria of the BIM-PIMF model which are the BIM process level factors, BIM product level factors, and the key indicators for a successful BIM deployment on construction project sites. These criterias were semantically linked to the development of the BIM-PIMF framework on a five-point metric scale. The deliverables of this study include the development of the BIM-PIMF framework, together with its analytical scoring system. The findings of the study will improve the information channels of and ease the integration of technological innovations in construction processes while improving the technical competencies of project staff. The study highlighted a basket of effective recommendations and strategies to enhance the deployment of BIM throughout a project lifecycle. Policymakers and government departments can utilize the model in assessing the level of usage of BIM in a construction project as one of the useful measures in gauging which construction firms to be provided subsidies.
The Transit Light Source Effect. II. The Impact of Stellar Heterogeneity on Transmission Spectra of Planets Orbiting Broadly Sun-like Stars
Authors: Rackham Benjamin V. , Apai Dániel , Giampapa Mark S.
Published: February 2019

Transmission spectra probe exoplanetary atmospheres, but they can also be strongly affected by heterogeneities in host star photospheres through the transit light source effect. Here we build upon our recent study of the effects of unocculted spots and faculae on M-dwarf transmission spectra, extending the analysis to FGK dwarfs. Using a suite of rotating model photospheres, we explore spot and facula covering fractions for varying activity levels and the associated stellar contamination spectra. Relative to M dwarfs, we find that the typical variabilities of FGK dwarfs imply lower spot covering fractions, though they generally increase with later spectral types, from ∼0.1% for F dwarfs to 2%–4% for late-K dwarfs. While the stellar contamination spectra are considerably weaker than those for typical M dwarfs, we find that typically active G and K dwarfs produce visual slopes that are detectable in high-precision transmission spectra. We examine line offsets at Hα and the Na and K doublets and find that unocculted faculae in K dwarfs can appreciably alter transit depths around the Na D doublet. We find that band-averaged transit depth offsets at molecular bands for CH4, CO, CO2, H2O, N2O, O2, and O3 are not detectable for typically active FGK dwarfs, though stellar TiO/VO features are potentially detectable for typically active late-K dwarfs. Generally, this analysis shows that inactive FGK dwarfs do not produce detectable stellar contamination features in transmission spectra, though active FGK host stars can produce such features, and care is warranted in interpreting transmission spectra from these systems.
Characterizing Optical Variability of OJ 287 in 2016–2017
Authors: Gupta Alok C. , Gaur Haritma , Wiita Paul J. , Pandey A. , Kushwaha P. , Hu S. M. , Kurtanidze O. M. , Semkov E. , Damljanovic G. , Goyal A. , Uemura M. , Darriba A. , Chen Xu , Vince O. , Gu M. F. , Zhang Z. , Bachev R. , Chanishvili R. , Itoh R. , Kawabata M. , Kurtanidze S. O. , Nakaoka T. , Nikolashvili M. G. , Stawarz Ł. , Strigachev A.
Published: February 2019

We report on a recent multiband optical photometric and polarimetric observational campaign of the blazar OJ 287 that was carried out during 2016 September–2017 December. We employed nine telescopes in Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Japan, Serbia, Spain, and the United States. We collected over 1800 photometric image frames in BVRI bands and over 100 polarimetric measurements over ∼175 nights. In 11 nights with many quasi-simultaneous multiband (V, R, I) observations, we did not detect any genuine intraday variability in flux or color. On longer timescales, multiple flaring events were seen. Large changes in color with respect to time and in a color–magnitude diagram were seen, and while only a weak systematic variability trend was noticed in color with respect to time, the color–magnitude diagram shows a bluer-when-brighter trend. Large changes in the degree of polarization and substantial swings in the polarization angle were detected. The fractional Stokes parameters of the polarization showed a systematic trend with time in the beginning of these observations, followed by chaotic changes and then an apparently systematic variation at the end. These polarization changes coincide with the detection and duration of the source at very high energies as seen by VERITAS. The spectral index shows a systematic variation with time and V-band magnitude. We briefly discuss possible physical mechanisms that could explain the observed flux, color, polarization, and spectral variability.
FR0 Radio Galaxies and Their Place in the Radio Morphology Classification
Authors: Garofalo David , Singh Chandra B.
Published: February 2019

So-called FR0 radio galaxies have recently emerged as a family of active galaxies with all the same properties as FRI radio galaxies except for their ratio of core to total emission, which is about 30 times higher than that of FRI sources. We show how their properties fit within the gap paradigm as low, prograde, spinning black holes whose progenitors are powerful FRII quasars that transitioned rapidly from the cold mode into advection-dominated accretion over a few million years. The prediction is that if sufficient fuel exists, FR0 radio galaxies will evolve into full-fledged FRI radio galaxies and the observational dearth of FRI radio galaxies compared to FR0s at low redshift tells us about the supply of gas in the low-redshift FR0s. Given the model prescription, this 5–1 FR0 to FRI ratio implies that at low redshift, the FRII quasar class of active galaxies struggles to fuel its black hole beyond 1.3 times its original mass. In addition to this, we illustrate model prescriptions for the black hole mass, black hole spin, redshift, and environment distribution for FR0 radio galaxies by fitting them within a paradigm that views them as a continuous class of active galaxies that are sandwiched between FRII quasars and FRI radio galaxies.
Theoretical Characterization of C3H and C5H and Their Anions
Authors: Bennedjai S. C. , Hammoutène D. , Senent M. L.
Published: February 2019

Highly correlated ab initio calculations are employed for the structural and spectroscopic characterization of small odd chains of type C2n+1H, considering neutral forms, cations, and giving special attention to the anions. This work confirms the stability of the linear carbon chains and carbon clusters containing three-body rings. The smallest species, C3H, displays three stable structures, whereas C5H possesses at least 8 neutral isomers and 11 and 10 isomers with a negative or a positive charge. The equilibrium geometries, which can be candidates for laboratory and astrophysical detection, are studied using the RCCSD(T)-F12 and MRCI/CASSCF levels of theory, specifying properties for various electronic states. Four different stable isomers are confirmed for the C5H− anion. They are two rings and two chains, all showing singlet ground electronic states. The viability of the triplet linear form of C5H− (

(X3Σ−)) postulated in previous works, is not confirmed because it appears to be really dependent on the electron correlation energy denoting instability. A quasi-linear singlet (Cs (X1
A′)) represents a secondary minimum. Electronic state crossing occurs close to the linear structure where spin–orbit effects are negligible. The most stable structure of C5H− is a three-carbon cycle in which rotational constants have been determined to be A
0 = 35479.86 MHz, B
0 = 3618.29 MHz, and C
0 = 3280.10 MHz. Its dipole moment is relatively large (6.4086 D).
Non-equilibrium Distributions of Interstellar Neutrals and the Temperature of the Local Interstellar Medium
Authors: Swaczyna P. , McComas D. J. , Schwadron N. A.
Published: February 2019

The temperature of the local interstellar medium (LISM) is inferred from the analysis of interstellar neutral (ISN) atoms that enter and are detected in the inner heliosphere. Recent studies of the primary ISN helium population from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)-Lo sensor found a temperature of ∼7500 K. These studies assumed that the ISN helium atoms follow the Maxwell distribution in the LISM. Here, we check the impact of this assumption on the temperature. For this purpose, we use the kappa distribution as a model of the out-of-equilibrium state in the LISM. We compare the distribution functions for these distributions, accounting for the part of the distribution observed by IBEX. We identify the relationship between the κ index and temperature of the kappa distribution and show that there is a fundamental degeneracy between the two for the limited observations available. We find that a simple consistency with the IBEX data indicates that κ > 3.8, which likely limits the equivalent range of temperatures to 7500–11,000 K. These findings show that the physical state of the LISM ahead of the heliosphere may be substantially different than currently thought. Consequently, the result significantly impacts our understanding and future analyses of the interaction between the heliosphere and the LISM.
The Crab Pulsar: Origin of the Crab Nebula’s Radio Pairs
Authors: Coroniti F. V.
Published: February 2019

Previously, we constructed a model—essentially a plausibility argument—in which the Crab Pulsar produces a spatially separated ion dominated and pair plasma dominated, magnetically striped relativistic wind, with the ion wind’s kinetic energy and electromagnetic Poynting fluxes being comparable. In this paper, the polar cap ion–photon pair production of that model is replaced with pair production by ion curvature synchrotron photons. The first primary ion curvature photons, and, contrary to conventional wisdom, also the first primary electron curvature photons, do not immediately convert into pairs. The primary beam particles continue to accelerate, and the actual photons that convert into pairs, which then short out the parallel electric field and terminate the acceleration, are produced by the further accelerated, higher energy particles. Simple estimates of the ensuing pair production cascade give pair multiplicities—the number of pairs per primary beam particle—of M
± ≈ 6–8 × 104, comparable to standard calculations, but much less than the 3 × 106 value deduced by Rees and Gunn in order to sustain the Crab Nebula’s N
± ≈ 1051 radio-emitting pairs against adiabatic expansion energy losses. Using a simple spin-down evolution model for the pulsar’s rotation frequency, the time-integrated pair cascade production driven by the primary ion beam can produce the N
± ≈ 1051 radio pairs, whereas the primary electron beam produces about an order of magnitude fewer pairs.
The Origin of r-process Enhanced Metal-poor Halo Stars In Now-destroyed Ultra-faint Dwarf Galaxies
Authors: Brauer Kaley , Ji Alexander P. , Frebel Anna , Dooley Gregory A. , Gómez Facundo A. , O’Shea Brian W.
Published: February 2019

The highly r-process-enhanced (r-II) metal-poor halo stars we observe today could play a key role in understanding early ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs), the smallest building blocks of the Milky Way. If a significant fraction of metal-poor r-II halo stars originated in the UFDs that merged to help form the Milky Way, observations of r-II stars could help us study these now-destroyed systems and probe the formation history of our Galaxy. To conduct our initial investigation into this possible connection, we use high-resolution cosmological simulations of Milky Way-mass galaxies from the Caterpillar suite in combination with a simple, empirically motivated treatment of r-process enrichment. We determine the fraction of metal-poor halo stars that could have formed from highly r-process-enhanced gas in now-destroyed low-mass UFDs, the simulated r-II fraction, and compare it to the “as observed” r-II fraction. We find that the simulated fraction, f
r−II,sim ∼ 1%–2%, can account for around half of the “as observed” fraction, f
r−II,obs ∼ 2%–4%. The “as observed” fraction likely overrepresents the fraction of r-II stars due to incomplete sampling, though, meaning f
r−II,sim likely accounts for more than half of the true f
r−II,obs. Further considering some parameter variations and scatter between individual simulations, the simulated fraction can account for around 20%–80% of the “as observed” fraction.
The Atmospheric Circulation and Climate of Terrestrial Planets Orbiting Sun-like and M Dwarf Stars over a Broad Range of Planetary Parameters
Authors: Komacek Thaddeus D. , Abbot Dorian S.
Published: February 2019

The recent detections of temperate terrestrial planets orbiting nearby stars and the promise of characterizing their atmospheres motivate a need to understand how the diversity of possible planetary parameters affects the climate of terrestrial planets. In this work, we investigate the atmospheric circulation and climate of terrestrial exoplanets orbiting both Sun-like and M dwarf stars over a wide swath of possible planetary parameters, including the planetary rotation period, surface pressure, incident stellar flux, surface gravity, planetary radius, and cloud particle size. We do so using a general circulation model (GCM) that includes nongray radiative transfer and the effects of clouds. The results from this suite of simulations generally show qualitatively similar dependencies of circulation and climate on planetary parameters to idealized GCMs, with quantitative differences due to the inclusion of additional model physics. Notably, we find that the effective cloud particle size is a key unknown parameter that can greatly affect the climate of terrestrial exoplanets. We confirm a transition between low and high dayside cloud coverage of synchronously rotating terrestrial planets with increasing rotation period. We determine that this cloud transition is due to eddy-driven convergence near the substellar point and should not be parameterization dependent. Finally, we compute full-phase light curves from our simulations of planets orbiting M dwarf stars, finding that changing incident stellar flux and rotation period affect observable properties of terrestrial exoplanets. Our GCM results can guide expectations for planetary climate over the broad range of possible terrestrial exoplanets that will be observed with future space telescopes.
The Period Change of Cyg X-3
Authors: Antokhin Igor I. , Cherepashchuk Anatol M.
Published: February 2019

By using available archival X-ray data, we significantly extended the list of times of X-ray minima. The new list includes 65 data points obtained by critically reanalyzing RXTE ASM data, 88 data points based on observations by MAXI, and 2 data points based on observations by SUZAKU and AstroSat. Analyzing the data along with times of X-ray minima available from the literature, we provide the most accurate estimate of the rate of period change to date. We do not confirm the existence of a second derivative of the orbital period suggested by some authors earlier. Instead, we find that the changes in the period can be fit by a sum of quadratic and sinusoidal functions. The period of sinusoidal variations is 15.79 yr. They can be related either to apsidal motion in the close binary with eccentricity e ≃ 0.03 or to the presence of a third body with a mass of about 0.7 M
⊙ located at a distance ∼16 au from the close binary.
JCMT POL-2 and ALMA Polarimetric Observations of 6000–100 au Scales in the Protostar B335: Linking Magnetic Field and Gas Kinematics in Observations and MHD Simulations
Authors: Yen Hsi-Wei , Zhao Bo , Hsieh I-Ta , Koch Patrick , Krasnopolsky Ruben , Lee Chin-Fei , Li Zhi-Yun , Liu Sheng-Yuan , Ohashi Nagayoshi , Takakuwa Shigehisa , Tang Ya-Wen
Published: February 2019

We present our analysis of the magnetic field structures from 6000 to 100 au scales in the Class 0 protostar B335 inferred from our James Clerk Maxwell telescope (JCMT) POL-2 observations and ALMA archival polarimetric data. To interpret the observational results, we perform a series of (non)ideal MHD simulations of the collapse of a rotating nonturbulent dense core, whose initial conditions are adopted to be the same as observed in B335, and generate synthetic polarization maps. The comparison of our JCMT and simulation results suggests that the magnetic field on a 6000 au scale in B335 is pinched and well aligned with the bipolar outflow along the east–west direction. Among all our simulations, the ALMA polarimetric results are best explained with weak magnetic field models having an initial mass-to-flux ratio of 9.6. However, we find that with a weak magnetic field, the rotational velocity on a 100 au scale and the disk size in our simulations are larger than the observational estimates by a factor of several. An independent comparison of our simulations and the gas kinematics in B335 observed with the SMA and ALMA favors strong magnetic field models with an initial mass-to-flux ratio smaller than 4.8. We discuss two possibilities resulting in the different magnetic field strengths inferred from the polarimetric and molecular-line observations: (1) overestimated rotational-to-gravitational energy in B335, and (2) additional contributions in the polarized intensity due to scattering on a 100 au scale.
Cosmic Pathways for Compact Groups in the Milli-Millennium Simulation
Authors: Tzanavaris P. , Gallagher S. C. , Ali S. , Miller D. R. , Pentinga S. , Johnson K. E.
Published: February 2019

We detected 10 compact galaxy groups (CGs) at z = 0 in the semianalytic galaxy catalog of Guo et al. for the milli-Millennium Cosmological Simulation (sCGs in mGuo2010a). We aimed to identify potential canonical pathways for compact group evolution and thus illuminate the history of observed nearby CGs. By constructing merger trees for z = 0 sCG galaxies, we studied the cosmological evolution of key properties and compared them with z = 0 Hickson CGs (HCGs). We found that, once sCG galaxies come within 1 (0.5) Mpc of their most massive galaxy, they remain within that distance until z = 0, suggesting sCG “birth redshifts.” At z = 0 stellar masses of sCG most massive galaxies are within 1010 ≲ M
*/M
⊙ ≲ 1011. In several cases, especially in the two four- and five-member systems, the amount of cold gas mass anticorrelates with stellar mass, which in turn correlates with hot gas mass. We define the angular difference between group members’ 3D velocity vectors, Δθ
vel, and note that many of the groups are long-lived because their small values of Δθ
vel indicate a significant parallel component. For triplets in particular, Δθ
vel values range between 20° and 40° so that galaxies are coming together along roughly parallel paths, and pairwise separations do not show large pronounced changes after close encounters. The best agreement between sCG and HCG physical properties is for M
* galaxy values, but HCG values are higher overall, including for star formation rates (SFRs). Unlike HCGs, due to a tail at low SFR and M
* and a lack of M
* ≳ 1011
M
⊙ galaxies, only a few sCG galaxies are on the star-forming main sequence.
The Accretion History of AGNs. I. Supermassive Black Hole Population Synthesis Model
Authors: Tasnim Ananna Tonima , Treister Ezequiel , Megan Urry C. , Ricci C. , Kirkpatrick Allison , LaMassa Stephanie , Buchner Johannes , Civano Francesca , Tremmel Michael , Marchesi Stefano
Published: February 2019

As matter accretes onto the central supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGNs), X-rays are emitted. We present a population synthesis model that accounts for the summed X-ray emission from growing black holes; modulo the efficiency of converting mass to X-rays, this is effectively a record of the accreted mass. We need this population synthesis model to reproduce observed constraints from X-ray surveys: the X-ray number counts, the observed fraction of Compton-thick AGNs [log (N
H/cm−2) > 24], and the spectrum of the cosmic X-ray background (CXB), after accounting for selection biases. Over the past decade, X-ray surveys by XMM-Newton, Chandra, NuSTAR, and Swift-BAT have provided greatly improved observational constraints. We find that no existing X-ray luminosity function (XLF) consistently reproduces all these observations. We take the uncertainty in AGN spectra into account and use a neural network to compute an XLF that fits all observed constraints, including observed Compton-thick number counts and fractions. This new population synthesis model suggests that, intrinsically, 50% ± 9% (56% ± 7%) of all AGNs within z ≃ 0.1 (1.0) are Compton-thick.
A Guide to Guidelines for Nursing Education Researchers
Authors: Spurlock Darrell
Published: February 2019

This installment of the Methodology Corner discusses the important role of research and quality improvement project reporting guidelines in the development of a field's evidence base. Several prominent guidelines, all with relevance to nursing education researchers, are described. Research and quality improvement reporting guidelines can be useful to researchers and quality improvement leaders long before the dissemination stage of a project and should be consulted from the earliest stages of a project. Consulting these guidelines earlier, rather than later, can increase the likelihood that studies and quality improvement reports will contribute meaningfully to the literature to which nurse educators look when making evidence-informed decisions.

[
J Nurs Educ.
2019;58(2):69–71.]
The HLKES-2: Revision and Evaluation of the Health Literacy Knowledge and Experiences Survey
Authors: Walker Danielle , Howe Carol , Dunkerley Marion , Deupree Joy , Cormier Catherine
Published: February 2019

Background:

Low health literacy impacts individual health and the health care system. The Health Literacy Knowledge and Experience Survey (HLKES) was created to evaluate preparedness of nurses to provide health literate care. However, the instrument was developed a decade ago and needs revision. The purpose of this study was to update and shorten the HLKES into a feasible, valid, and reliable instrument.

Method:

The HLKES was refined into a 14-item instrument (10 knowledge questions and four experience questions). Expert review was obtained. Face validity was assessed, and pilot and field testing with students was conducted.

Results:

Scale content validity index was 0.95, and individual questions demonstrated appropriate item difficulty and discrimination. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .565 for the 10 multiple choice questions and .843 for the four Likert-type questions, indicating good reliability.

Conclusion:

A reliable and valid HLKES-2 was developed to evaluate health literacy knowledge and experiences in a contemporary setting.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(2):86–92.]
Developing a Cultural Immersion Service-Learning Experience for Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Alexander-Ruff Julie H. , Kinion Elizabeth S.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Cultural consciousness is a central element of purposeful and appropriate health care delivery. Research suggests that cultural consciousness is strengthened through self-reflection, dialogue about race, and experience within other cultures.

Method:

Two cohorts of senior-level nursing students participated in a 1-week cultural immersion service-learning (CISL) experience in an isolated, rural American Indian community. Student reflections and White Racial Identity Attitude Scale (WRIAS) data were collected and analyzed.

Results:

The CISL experience facilitated culturally conscious care in two thirds of the participating nursing students. Differences in WRIAS scores were statistically significant (
p
< .0001) with an effect size of 1.9.

Conclusion:

Implementing CISL experiences into the undergraduate curriculum may help nursing students recognize societal privilege and improve cultural consciousness. Recommendations are provided to assist nurse educators to develop partnerships with indigenous nations, which make CISL experiences possible.

[
J Nurs Educ.
2019;58(2):117–120.]
Topographic Changes After Hyperopic LASIK With the SCHWIND ESIRIS Laser Platform
Authors: de Ortueta Diego , Arba-Mosquera Samuel , Baatz Holger
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To analyze and compare refractive power changes with topographic changes after hyperopic LASIK using the ESIRIS laser platform.

Methods:

Sixty-six consecutive eyes of 37 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Outcomes were evaluated at 3 months. In all cases, standard examinations including pre- and postoperative topographic and corneal wavefront analysis with a Keratron topographer were performed. Preoperative mean spherical equivalent was +2.74 diopters (D) with a mean cylinder of 0.67 D. The ESIRIS excimer laser system was used to perform ablations. Topographic changes of Maloney index, simulated keratometry (sim-K), and K-reading at 5 and 7 mm were evaluated.

Results:

Ninety-two percent of eyes were within ±0.50 D manifest refraction at 3 months postoperatively. Changes in refraction, Maloney indices, and sim-K indices after surgery were strongly correlated with the intended correction. Induction of negative corneal spherical aberrations and increased prolate asphericity was correlated with the achieved defocus correction. No other Zernike mode was significantly correlated. Topographically, an overcorrection within the central 3 mm and a gradual peripheral undercorrection also was observed.

Conclusions:

Analyzing the topographic maps, the corneal power change of the Maloney indices correlated with the intended correction. After hyperopic LASIK, an overcorrection was observed in the 3-mm central zone, and progressive undercorrections were observed in the 5-and 7-mm zones. [
J Refract Surg.
2008;24:137–144.]
Inadequate Results for Microkeratomeassisted Additive Stromal Keratoplasty for Management of Keratoconus
Authors: Coullet Julien , Fournié Pierre , Malecaze François , Arné Jean-Louis
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate a new automated technique— microkeratome-assisted additive stromal keratoplasty (MASK)—for the management of keratoconus in eyes scheduled for surgery with clear cornea associated with total contact lens intolerance.

Methods:

This non-comparative, interventional case series included four eyes of four patients with stage I and II keratoconus associated with total contact lens intolerance. The first step of the surgical procedure consisted of performing a nasal-hinged flap on the host cornea with a microkeratome. The second step consisted of extracting a stromal plano-powered disk from the donor's cornea using an artificial chamber. The 80-μm thick lamellar graft was punched with a 7.5-mm circular trephine and positioned beneath the flap. Corneal refractive surgery was scheduled for the end of the sixth postoperative month.

Results:

No corneal refractive surgery was performed after 6 months of follow-up. Only one eye gained five lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). Among the other three eyes, two had unchanged BSCVA and one lost one line of BSCVA. At the end of surgery, mean corneal thickness was increased by 148.75 μm.

Conclusions:

Microkeratome-assisted additive stromal keratoplasty appears to be a safe and straightforward surgical technique that preserves the host endothelium and avoids the need of an open-sky procedure. However, in our study, MASK is not considered as an alternative to penetrating or deep lamellar keratoplasty in the management of keratoconus with clear cornea because of imprecise anatomic and refractive outcomes. [
J Refract Surg.
2008;24:166–172.]
Comparison of Silicone and Non-silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses Used as a Bandage After LASEK
Authors: Gil-Cazorla Raquel , Teus Miguel A. , Arranz-Márquez Esther
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate two different soft contact lens materials for continuous-wear bandage contact lenses after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

Methods:

A prospective, observer-masked study was conducted of 32 eyes of 16 consecutive patients. Inclusion criteria were candidates for bilateral LASEK, myopia of ⩽−6.00 diopters (D), astigmatism <−1.50 D, and bilateral best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Patients were randomly selected for a balafilcon A (PureVision; Bausch & Lomb) bandage contact lens in one eye and a poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-methacrylate glycerol (EquiS 60; mark'ennovy) in the fellow eye. Corneal epithelial status, conjunctival and limbal hyperemia, lens movement, contact lens debris, and the responses to a subjective comfort questionnaire were assessed postoperatively. The parameters were evaluated preoperatively and 1 and 5 days postoperatively. Paired Student
t
test and chi-square tests were used when appropriate.

Results:

Thirty-two eyes of 16 consecutive patients who underwent LASEK to correct low to moderate myopia were analyzed. The mean spherical equivalent refraction was −3.25 D. There was no difference in conjunctival or limbal hyperemia, contact lens debris, or subjective comfort between lenses at any postoperative visit. In contrast, the corneal epithelial status was statistically better in the eyes with a silicone bandage contact lens 5 days after LASEK (
P
=.01).

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the bandage contact lens material used after LASEK affects the corneal epithelial healing process. [
J Refract Surg.
2008;24:199–203.]
Distributed Health Literacy in the Maternal Health Context in Vietnam
Authors: McKinn Shannon , Linh Duong Thuy , Foster Kirsty , McCaffery Kirsten
Published: February 2019

Background:

Previous health literacy research has often focused on individual functional health literacy, ignoring the cultural contexts through which many people experience health care.

Objective:

We aimed to explore the nature of maternal health literacy among ethnic minority women in a low-resource setting in Vietnam.

Methods:

Using a qualitative approach, we conducted focus groups with 42 pregnant women, mothers, and grandmothers of children younger than age 5 years from the Thai and Hmong ethnic groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants and thematic analysis was performed.

Key Results:

The findings of our thematic analysis aligned well with the concept of distributed health literacy. We found that ethnic minority women drew upon family and social networks of health literacy mediators to share knowledge and understanding, assess and evaluate information, communicate with health professionals, and support decision-making. Family members were also involved in making health decisions that had the potential to negatively affect women and children's health.

Conclusions:

Family members are an important source of information for ethnic minority women, and they influence decision-making. Relatives and husbands of pregnant women could be included in maternal health education programs to potentially strengthen the health literacy of the whole community. The distributed health literacy concept can be used to strengthen health promotion messages and to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes.

[
HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
. 2019;3(1):e31–e42.]

Plain Language Summary:

Distributed health literacy refers to how health literacy skills and practices are distributed through social networks. This concept applies well to the maternal health context in Vietnam. Older women are trusted sources of information, and family influences decision-making during pregnancy. Women's limited autonomy increases the importance of family involvement. Distributed health literacy could be used to strengthen health promotion messages.
Le monumentalisme funéraire récent d’Éthiopie et la question des démocraties primitives
Authors: Gallay Alain
Published: February 2019

Cet article est la continuation des réflexions présentées dans le cadre de la rencontre du « groupe de Strasbourg » en 2015 à propos du mégalithisme éthiopien et voudrait approfondir la question des relations entre la notion de démocratie primitive et le concept de classe aristocratique développé par A. Jensen (1936). La compréhension de ces questions nécessite que l’on explicite un certain nombre de concepts anthropologiques théoriques relevant du politique, notamment celui de démocratie primitive proposé par Alain Testart. Le monumentalisme funéraire konso ne peut se comprendre que dans le cadre d’une certaine hiérarchisation de la société qui repose sur des prérogatives guerrières ou religieuses, dominantes selon les circonstances historiques. On distingue les pierres dressées sur les places des villages des tombes avec statues de bois, les waaka, qui concernent soit des guerriers renommés faisant figure de héros, soit des poqolla, actuellement chefs religieux écartés du métier des armes. La monographie d’A. Jensen (1936) pose néanmoins un problème d’interprétation difficile car elle présente les poqolla comme formant une aristocratie tirant sa légitimité de ses prouesses guerrières et de ses fonctions religieuses, ce qui paraît en contradiction avec la situation actuelle et le concept de démocratie primitive. Deux populations de langue omotique, les Gamo et les Jem, permettent d’élargir le débat. Sur une base cladistique est proposée une structure dynamique des sociétés considérées reposant sur dix pas de transformation. Cette structure débouche au plan historique sur une corrélation possible entre la hiérarchisation observée par A. Jensen chez les Konso et le développement de l’esclavage de traite. Cette proposition théorique est compatible avec l’anthropologie sociale des populations locales et africaines et du contexte historique récent.
Des pierres phalloïdes par milliers en Éthiopie méridionale
Authors: Goujon Anne-Lise
Published: February 2019

La question des stèles phalliques érigées sur les contreforts orientaux de la vallée du Rift, dans les régions Sidama, Gedeo et Guji, est approfondie dans cet article. Des fouilles archéologiques dirigées par R. Joussaume suggèrent que ces sites seraient faits de l’accumulation de stèles mémorielles autour d’une tombe initiale. Cette hypothèse peut être discutée, et ce phénomène étudié, au regard de la diversité des sites et des stèles phalloïdes plusieurs fois mentionnées. Une base de données documentant 39 sites à stèles phalliques situés en territoire gedeo sert à examiner ces monuments au travers d’une approche typologique et stylistique. L’étude détaillée de la répartition des singularités régionales révèle un phénomène moins homogène qu’il n’y paraît de prime abord. Elle permet de questionner la variabilité socio-culturelle de cette société ancienne et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives de recherches relatives à la logique d’implantation de ce phénomène mégalithique dans le paysage des contreforts de la vallée du Rift.
Aspects de la vie quotidienne à la cour de Versailles à la fin du xviie siècle à travers deux ensembles céramiques exceptionnels issus des fouilles du Grand Commun
Authors: Ravoire Fabienne
Published: February 2019

La fouille de la cour du Grand Commun du château de Versailles en 2006 et 2007 par l’INRAP, sous la direction de Jean-Yves Dufour, a permis de mettre au jour les vestiges de plusieurs bâtiments ayant précédé la construction, en 1682, du Grand Commun. Un mobilier archéologique abondant y a été retrouvé, en particulier deux lots de céramiques provenant de deux caves. Dans chacune, une soixantaine de récipients a été dénombrée ; ils ont été retrouvés cassés et très incomplets. En terre cuite, en faïence et en grès, ils nous renseignent sur la vie quotidienne au château, dans le dernier tiers du xviie siècle.
What’s Bred in the Bone: Calcium Channels in Lymphocytes
Authors: Fenninger Franz , Jefferies Wilfred A.
Published: February 2019

Calcium (Ca2+) is an important second messenger in lymphocytes and is essential in regulating various intracellular pathways that control critical cell functions. Ca2+ channels are located in the plasma membrane and intracellular membranes, facilitating Ca2+ entry into the cytoplasm. Upon Ag receptor stimulation, Ca2+ can enter the lymphocyte via the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel found in the plasma membrane. The increase of cytosolic Ca2+ modulates signaling pathways, resulting in the transcription of target genes implicated in differentiation, activation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis of lymphocytes. Along with Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels, several other channels have been found in the membranes of T and B lymphocytes contributing to key cellular events. Among them are the transient receptor potential channels, the P2X receptors, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor as well as the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. In this article, we review the contributions of these channels to mediating Ca2+ currents that drive specific lymphocyte functions.
The Acute Abdomen Decision Making course for the initial management of non traumatic acute abdomen: A proposition of the World Society of Emergency Surgeons
Authors: De Simone Belinda , Ansaloni Luca , Sartelli Massimo , Coccolini Federico , Paolillo Ciro , Valentino Massimo , Ricci Giorgio , Catena Fausto
Published: February 2019

The Acute Abdomen Decision Making course® (AADM®) was developed by the World Society of Emergency Surgeons (WSES) members with the purpose to teach a systematic and concise method for approaching acute abdomen patient. It was first introduced in 2016. The course explains step by step the clinical reasoning to follow for immediate managing of the acute abdomen in emergency department with a safe and reliable method. We developed this original decision making model AADM following the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) philosophy in evaluating non-traumatic abdominal pain patient. The A-B-C-D-E-F management of non-traumatic acute abdominal pain is conceived by WSES to make easy and systematic the evaluation of patients in Emergency Department. AADM course teaches how to assess an acute abdomen patient’s diagnosis and determine the therapeutic approach to reduce unnecessary exams and hospitalizations.
A dangerous pedagogy of discomfort: Redressing racism in theology education
Authors: Dames Gordon E.
Published: February 2019

This article aims to illustrate how racism could be addressed. Three pedagogies – a dangerous pedagogy as courageous dialogue, a pedagogy of discomfort and a critical pedagogy – are presented as examples to reframe the issue of racism. The contribution of James Cone is applied as a broad descriptive theoretical framework. Cone’s views in this article resonate with the history of contemporary racism in South Africa and will therefore be juxtaposed by the contribution of South African theologians. A fourth pedagogy, namely, a pedagogy of freedom and healing, is introduced to address gaps in the first three pedagogies. The objective is to realise freedom or healing between people of different races.
Role of serum prostate-specific antigen as predictor for bone metastases in newly diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: Singh O. P. , Yogi Veenita , Redhu Pallavi , Ghori H. U. , Pareek Ananya , Lal Nancy
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

Prostate cancer is most frequently diagnosed cancer of men and bone is the most common site of metastasis. There is a lack of consensus for the selection criteria for bone scan in low-risk patients. Western guidelines do not recommend use of bone scan in asymptomatic patients and in low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values. We try to correlate the PSA value with bone metastases through bone scan in the Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 68 histologically newly diagnosed prostate cancer subjected to bone scan were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were stratified into four groups according to their PSA level: The first group of patients had PSA level ranging from 0 to 10 ng/ml (n = 4), the second group had PSA level ranging from 10.1 to 20 ng/ml (n = 13), the third group had PSA levels 20.1–100 ng/ml (n = 23), and the fourth group has PSA >100 (n = 28).

Results:

The incidence of osseous metastases proven by bone scan was found to be zero (0 out of 4) for PSA level 0–10 ng/ml; 38.46% (5 out of 13) for PSA level 10.1–20, 60.87% (14 out of 23) for PSA level 20.1–100 ng/ml, and 100% for PSA >100 (P < 0.005) (95% confidence interval 1.01–1.1). For cut-off value of PSA ≤10 ng/ml, sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 19.05%, respectively, with positive predictive value of 73.44%.

Conclusion:

The correlation between PSA value and presence of metastases confirms the usefulness of bone scan scintigraphy in prostate cancer staging. The screening bone scan at initial diagnosis should be included for all patients with PSA >10 ng/ml in Indian setting.
Unconditional and quasi-greedy bases in $L_p$ with applications to Jacobi polynomials Fourier series
Authors: Albiac Fernando , Ansorena José L. , Ciaurri Óscar , Varona Juan L.
Published: February 2019

We show that the decreasing rearrangement of the Fourier series with respect to the Jacobi polynomials for functions in

L_p

does not converge unless

p = 2

. As a by-product of our work on quasi-greedy bases in

L_p(\mu)

, we show that no normalized unconditional basis in

L_p

,

p \neq 2

, can be semi-normalized in

L_q

for

q \neq p

, thus extending a classical theorem of Kadets and Pełczyński from 1962.
Growth behaviour of periodic tame friezes
Authors: Baur Karin , Fellner Klemens , Parsons Mark J. , Tschabold Manuela
Published: February 2019

We examine the growth behaviour of the entries occurring in

n

-periodic tame friezes of real numbers. Extending work of the last author, we prove that generalised recursive relations exist between all entries of such friezes. These recursions are parametrised by a sequence of so-called growth coefficients, which is itself shown to satisfy a recursive relation. Thus, all growth coefficients are determined by a
principal growth coefficient
, which can be read-off directly from the frieze.

We place special emphasis on periodic tame friezes of positive integers, specifying the values the growth coefficients take for any such frieze. We establish that the growth coefficients of the pair of friezes arising from a triangulation of an annulus coincide. The entries of both are shown to grow asymptotically exponentially, while triangulations of a punctured disc are seen to provide the only friezes of linear growth.
Access and benefit sharing, farmers’ rights and plant breeders’ rights: reflections on the African Model Law
Authors: Adebola Titilayo
Published: February 2019

This article discusses the protection of new plant varieties in Africa and the African Model Law through the lens of its key protagonist, Professor Johnson Ekpere. It urges African countries to consult the African Model Law as a guide when designing plant variety protection systems. It is hoped that by offering Professor Ekpere's biography, personal experiences, and first-hand account of the African Model Law, African countries may better understand the Model Law as a significant response to the small-scale-farmer- and farming-community-centred agricultural systems on the continent and embrace its continued relevance.
Quantification of long non-coding RNAs using qRT-PCR: comparison of different cDNA synthesis methods and RNA stability
Authors: Kolenda Tomasz , Ryś Marcel , Guglas Kacper , Teresiak Anna , Bliźniak Renata , Mackiewicz Jacek , Lamperska Katarzyna
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of regulatory RNA molecules, are over 200 nucleotides long and could be used as a new potential biomarker, but their detection methods such as qRT-PCR are still not validated, and the influence of RNA degradation on lncRNA quantification is not clear. In this study, commercially available cDNA synthesis kits were tested and the influence of RNA degradation was compared.

Material and methods

Total RNA from FaDu cells was isolated and high quality RNA and highly degraded RNA samples were used. Reverse transcription was performed using three different commercially available kits and quantifications were performed using lncRNA Primer Plate and SYBR Green I Master by LightCycler 96. qRT-PCR was performed using three different cDNA samples and results are presented as the mean Ct values. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results

Lower lncRNA Ct values (61/90; 67.78%) after qRT-PCR quantification were observed for cDNA synthesized using random hexamer primers preceded by polyA-tailing and adaptor-anchoring steps. It was observed that 9/90 (10.00%) lncRNAs were not detectable using different cDNA synthesis methods. For 75/90 (83%) lncRNAs, RNA degradation weakly influenced lncRNA Ct values and no differences were observed between high quality RNA and degraded samples. Seventy percent of examined lncRNAs showed significantly different Ct values depending on RNA degradation.

Conclusions

cDNA synthesis kits with random hexamer primers preceded by polyA-tailing and adaptor-anchoring steps allows enhancement of lncRNA quantification specificity and sensitivity. In most cases degradation of RNA samples does not affect lncRNA quantification because these molecules have good stability.
The use of bicycle desks to increase physical activity in two special education classrooms
Authors: Fedewa Alicia , Cornelius Colleen , Whitney Elizabeth , Ahn Soyeon , Comis Mary
Published: February 2019

Background

Although the literature has predominantly focused on elementary youth, preliminary findings indicate that attentional benefits may arise from adolescent physical activity as well. Limited research has examined the impact of classroom-based physical activity for secondary students, and no research to date has explored bicycle workstations as a means to improve physical activity within the special education classroom.

Participants and procedure

Two special education resource classrooms within a high school took part in the research study. Students were given the option of riding on the bike or sitting on chairs in each classroom. Heart rate, calories, miles, time, and on-task behavior data were collected. In addition, student acceptability of bikes was explored.

Results

The results indicated that the overall mean heart rate during bike riding was significantly higher than the overall mean heart rate when seated on a traditional chair. Also a significant main effect was found for time on calories expended while riding. No significant results were found for miles or on-task behavior.

Conclusions

Overall, students enjoyed the use of bicycles during class, found the bicycle workstations to be beneficial to their learning, and appeared to note as many benefits as limitations with the bicycle workstations. Limitations and future directions are discussed.