bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Capax in a New Key: Kierkegaard's Development of Classical Lutheran Christology
Authors: Boehmer David
Published: March 2017

This article examines Kierkegaard's relationship with classical Lutheran Christology. It does so in terms of the claim that the finite has the capacity for the infinite ( finitum capax infiniti—henceforth capax), a classical Lutheran claim according to which Christ's finite humanity completely grasps his infinite divinity. Though Kierkegaard's treatment of transcendence has tended to receive more attention, a doctrine of radical immanence also appears to permeate his thought—a doctrine reminiscent of the capax. Yet he writes at some distance from the claim's original framers. The question thus arises: is Kierkegaard's treatment of Christ in keeping with their expression of the capax? With special reference to Luther and the Lutheran scholastic Johann Gerhard, I argue the affirmative: that is—in their treatment of subjectivity—Kierkegaard's idea of Christ's incognito and his understanding of Christ as God's infinite redoubling represent developments concerning the essential logic of the capax. In Christ, God makes himself entirely present, yet hidden in order to preserve the subjectivity of his followers, and God preserves his own subjectivity as well, perfectly reproducing it in his human life. Understanding this creative development of the capax helps situate Kierkegaard with respect to the Lutheran tradition and sheds light on his ideas of redoubling, incognito, and the God–human being.
Kant and Theology
Authors: Hare John
Published: March 2017

This article reports a change in Kant scholarship over the past thirty years. The consensus had been that Kant was an opponent of orthodox Christian theology, but it has now become an open question how this relation should be characterized. This article distinguishes five types of answer to this question, discusses three areas where theologically affirmative interpretations have been inadequate, and three areas where such interpretations have promise of contributing significantly to contemporary ethical theory.
For the Love of (Black) Christ: Embracing James Cone's Affective Critique of White Fragility
Authors: Wickware Marvin E.
Published: March 2017

Throughout his written work, James H. Cone proclaims a message of liberation that takes into account both the sociopolitical structural and emotional dimensions of life together. Cone suggests that we cannot settle for—in fact, we cannot even have—love without justice, or justice without love. In this article, I look at Cone's body of work to uncover and reclaim what he performed, but did not explicitly theorize, in his pursuit of love and justice: the dismantling of white fragility, a white supremacist affective construct that shapes much Christian theology, including what seeks to further the cause of racial reconciliation. I then theorize the distorted love that Cone critiques, drawing on the affect theory of Sara Ahmed and the critical whiteness theory of Robin DiAngelo, finally suggesting an alternative vision of love that is consistent with Cone's theology. This alternative vision presents love as acceptance of one's radical, even fundamental, need for the beloved. In contexts of racial tension, this love does not guarantee happiness or comfort, but instead offers aid toward repentance and salvation. In this view, black love for white people cannot be expected to take the form of endless affirmation and encouragement, but instead should look like belief in the capacity of white people for moral and ethical action.
“Am I Worth It?”: The Forgiveness, Death, and Resurrection of Kendrick Lamar
Authors: Linder Matthew
Published: March 2017

In spite of growing up in desolated Compton, ca, Kendrick Lamar in his music is able to present his listeners with hope through the themes of forgiveness of sins, death, and resurrection, as found in the God of Christian faith. Similarly, Christian theologian Paul Tillich capstones The Courage to Be within the same theological concepts. This article explores three pathways to the intersection of Kendrick's musical output and Tillich's existential theology, to uncover the theological underpinnings of Kendrick's search for meaning within the brutalized inner city. (1) Self-affirmation is found when one participates with something that transcends the self, namely God. (2) One must be accepted by God through forgiveness and one must accept God's acceptance. (3) Eternal security is found in having to face one's own death and Christian resurrection.
Tension and Ambiguity: Paul Tillich and Kendrick Lamar on Courage and Faith
Authors: Wert Adam
Published: March 2017

This article shows how Tillich's ontological structures can be used to illuminate the tensive reflexivity in Lamar's music—in which he both reflects on the tensions in his life and induces listeners to experience those same tensions—and suggests that Lamar's narrated experience demands a shift in Tillich's soteriology. Three lessons are taken from Tillich on the spiritual as the dimension of depth within all aspects of life, which is essentially in a state of healthy tension, and is necessarily marked by unavoidable ambiguities. We can understand the various juxtapositions of Kendrick Lamar's songs as devices that help maintain this tension by refusing easy answers, secure castles shut off from the fullness of reality. Lamar's dogged determination to be is not simply affirmation, but affirmation in tension with doubt. These concepts are applied to several songs from Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, especially “The Blacker the Berry.” While the claim of hypocrisy within the song has, with merit, been understood as advocating respectability politics, this Tillichian lens allows us to understand the song as dealing with the anxiety of guilt and condemnation, which needs to be genuinely felt in order for courage to exist. Doing justice to Lamar's articulation of dehumanization requires that we recognize a fourth anxiety alongside Tillich's three, of recognition and respect, in which non-being threatens one's ability to be seen as a full participant in a social world, thus cutting one off from the spiritual and historical dimensions of life. Lamar also challenges Tillich's presentation of faith and courage as coming from outside of one in spite of the particularity of one's existence. For Lamar, on the other hand, one should not seek the resolution to the tensions and contradictions of one's life by looking for an external solution, but be elevated by experiencing them fully.
If God Got Us: Kendrick Lamar, Paul Tillich, and the Advent of Existentialist Hip Hop
Authors: McLeod James D.
Published: March 2017

The African-American experience within the history of the United States of America has been one in which their existence has been constantly threatened. From the conclusion of the Civil War to the present moment, the hegemonic system of white supremacy has represented a ubiquitous challenge for survival for members of the black community. The difficulties endemic to this system have been foundational to the advent and growth of the hip-hop culture and the art form of rap, which has emerged as being of central importance to the dissemination of hip hop's language and symbolism. The rap artist Kendrick Lamar, in his masterful record To Pimp a Butterfly, seeks to elucidate the black experience in the United States by describing the manner in which the threat of death always affects the way African Americans view their lives. In addition, on the album, Lamar celebrates the ability of members of the African-American community to courageously face this danger while still declaring power and strength within their race. This experience of the omnipresence of death and the determination to live life from within that shadow mirrors the theological system employed by the existentialist theologian Paul Tillich. In this article, Lamar's album will be interpreted employing Tillich's categories of finitude, anxiety, and new being.
The Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) on Peanut when Applied During Vegetative Growth Stages
Authors: Blanchett B.H. , Grey T.L. , Prostko E.P. , Vencill W.K. , Webster T.M.
Published: March 2017

The development of 2,4-D-resistant cotton and soybean cultivars has created great concern about the potential off-target movement of 2,4-D onto sensitive broadleaf crops. Peanut is often grown in close proximity to cotton and soybean. Therefore, field studies were conducted during 2012 and 2013 at Plains, Ty Ty, and Attapulgus, GA to evaluate peanut response to 2,4-D at 67, 133, 266, 533, and 1066 g ae ha−1 applied at preemergence (PRE), 10, 20, or 30 d after planting (DAP), corresponding to PRE, V2, V3, and V5 peanut growth stages. Nontreated controls (NTC) were included for comparison. Treatment timing by rate interactions were significant (P < 0.0001). As 2,4-D rate increased peanut injury increased. There was variation in yield loss response dependent on peanut growth stage at application timing. Peanut that was treated preemergence and at the V2 growth stage did not have yield loss at any of the 2,4-D evaluated rates (67 to 1066 g ha−1) relative to the NTC. When peanut was treated at V3 and V5 growth stages with 2,4-D, injury estimates were 5 to 32% from the 67 to 1066 g ha−1 rates respectively, and peanut canopy diameter was stunted 5 to 35% at the same rates. The resulting peanut yield loss was 23 and 36% from 533 and 1066 g ha−1 of 2,4-D applied at V3 and V5 growth stages; in part due to reproductive growth being initiated during that time-frame and peanut had less time to recuperate before harvest. Linear regression models were used to evaluate peanut injury and peanut yield results. Significant correlations were established for V3 and V5 treatments between injury and yield, injury and canopy diameter, and canopy diameter and yield (P < 0.0001), with correlation coefficients of − 0.48, − 0.76, and 0.51, respectively. Growers and extension agents will be able to use these peanut injury estimates and canopy diameter data to make improved predictions of potential peanut yield loss where off-target movement of 2,4-D or sprayer contamination has occurred.
Framing Violence, Framing Victims: Picasso's Forgotten Painting of the Korean War
Authors: Keene Judith
Published: March 2017

Picasso produced a large canvas, Massacre en Corée in early 1951 in response to reports of massacres taking place in the Korean War. Although, by then, he was probably the most famous painter of the twentieth century and his great work on the Spanish civil war, Guernica, enjoyed considerable renown, Picasso's Korean war painting was largely passed over at the time and has been forgotten, much as used to be the case of the Korean war itself. This article, using Judith Butler's insight into the effects of the frames that define an image, offers an explanation for the contemporary reading and the reception of Picasso's Massacre in Korea.
Spectral Entropy Parameters during Rapid Ventricular Pacing for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Musialowicz Tadeusz , Valtola Antti , Hippeläinen Mikko , Halonen Jari , Lahtinen Pasi
Published: March 2017

The time-frequency balanced spectral entropy of the EEG is a monitoring technique measuring the level of hypnosis during general anesthesia. Two components of spectral entropy are calculated: state entropy (SE) and response entropy (RE). Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive treatment for patients suffering from symptomatic aortic stenosis with contraindications for open heart surgery. The goal of hemodynamic management during the procedure is to achieve hemodynamic stability with exact blood pressure control and use of rapid ventricular pacing (RVP) that result in severe hypotension. The objective of this study was to examine how the spectral entropy values respond to RVP and other critical events during the TAVI procedure. Twenty one patients undergoing general anesthesia for TAVI were evaluated. The RVP was used twice during the procedure at a rate of 185 ± 9/min with durations of 16 ± 4 s (range 8–22 s) and 24 ± 6 s (range 18–39 s). The systolic blood pressure during RVP was under 50 ± 5 mmHg. Spectral entropy values SE were significantly declined during the RVP procedure, from 28 ± 13 to 23 ± 13 (p < 0.003) and from 29 ± 12 to 24 ± 10 (p < 0.001). The corresponding values for RE were 29 ± 13 vs. 24 ± 13 (p < 0.006) and 30 ± 12 vs. 25 ± 10 (p < 0.001). Both SE and RE values returned to the pre-RVP values after 1 min. Ultra-short hypotension during RVP changed the spectral entropy parameters, however these indices reverted rapidly to the same value before application of RVP.
Simultaneous On-State Voltage and Bond-Wire Resistance Monitoring of Silicon Carbide MOSFETs
Authors: Baker Nick , Luo Haoze , Iannuzzo Francesco
Published: March 2017

In fast switching power semiconductors, the use of a fourth terminal to provide the reference potential for the gate signal—known as a kelvin-source terminal—is becoming common. The introduction of this terminal presents opportunities for condition monitoring systems. This article demonstrates how the voltage between the kelvin-source and power-source can be used to specifically monitor bond-wire degradation. Meanwhile, the drain to kelvin-source voltage can be monitored to track defects in the semiconductor die or gate driver. Through an accelerated aging test on 20 A Silicon Carbide Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor-Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), it is shown that there are opposing trends in the evolution of the on-state resistances of both the bond-wires and the MOSFET die. In summary, after 50,000 temperature cycles, the resistance of the bond-wires increased by up to 2 mΩ, while the on-state resistance of the MOSFET dies decreased by approximately 1 mΩ. The conventional failure precursor (monitoring a single forward voltage) cannot distinguish between semiconductor die or bond-wire degradation. Therefore, the ability to monitor both these parameters due to the presence of an auxiliary-source terminal can provide more detailed information regarding the aging process of a device.
Thermal Stability of Modified Insulation Paper Cellulose Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Tang Chao , Zhang Song , Wang Qian , Wang Xiaobo , Hao Jian
Published: March 2017

In this paper, polysiloxane is used to modify insulation paper cellulose, and molecular dynamics methods are used to evaluate the glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the paper before and after the modification. Analysis of the static mechanical performance of the model shows that, with increasing temperature, the elastic modulus of both the modified and unmodified cellulose models decreases gradually. However, the elastic modulus of the modified model is greater than that of the unmodified model. Using the specific volume method and calculation of the mean square displacement of the models, the glass transition temperature of the modified cellulose model is found to be 48 K higher than that of the unmodified model. Finally, the changes in the mechanical properties and glass transition temperature of the model are analyzed by energy and free volume theory. The glass transition temperatures of the unmodified and modified cellulose models are approximately 400 K and 450 K, respectively. These results are consistent with the conclusions obtained from the specific volume method and the calculation of the mean square displacement. It can be concluded that the modification of insulation paper cellulose with polysiloxane will effectively improve its thermal stability.
The Epigenetic Link between Prenatal Adverse Environments and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Kundakovic Marija , Jaric Ivana
Published: March 2017

Prenatal adverse environments, such as maternal stress, toxicological exposures, and viral infections, can disrupt normal brain development and contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and autism. Increasing evidence shows that these short- and long-term effects of prenatal exposures on brain structure and function are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Animal studies demonstrate that prenatal exposure to stress, toxins, viral mimetics, and drugs induces lasting epigenetic changes in the brain, including genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). These epigenetic changes have been linked to changes in brain gene expression, stress reactivity, and behavior, and often times, these effects are shown to be dependent on the gestational window of exposure, sex, and exposure level. Although evidence from human studies is more limited, gestational exposure to environmental risks in humans is associated with epigenetic changes in peripheral tissues, and future studies are required to understand whether we can use peripheral biomarkers to predict neurobehavioral outcomes. An extensive research effort combining well-designed human and animal studies, with comprehensive epigenomic analyses of peripheral and brain tissues over time, will be necessary to improve our understanding of the epigenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Abundance of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Virulence-Associated Genes in Well and Borehole Water Used for Domestic Purposes in a Peri-Urban Community of South Africa
Authors: Abia Akebe , Schaefer Lisa , Ubomba-Jaswa Eunice , Le Roux Wouter
Published: March 2017

In the absence of pipe-borne water, many people in Africa, especially in rural communities, depend on alternative water sources such as wells, boreholes and rivers for household and personal hygiene. Poor maintenance and nearby pit latrines, however, lead to microbial pollution of these sources. We evaluated the abundance of Escherichia coli and the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli virulence genes in water from wells, boreholes and a river in a South African peri-urban community. Monthly samples were collected between August 2015 and November 2016. In all, 144 water samples were analysed for E. coli using the Colilert 18 system. Virulence genes (eagg, eaeA, stx1, stx2, flichH7, ST, ipaH, ibeA) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mean E. coli counts ranged between 0 and 443.1 Most Probable Number (MPN)/100 mL of water sample. Overall, 99.3% of samples were positive for at least one virulence gene studied, with flicH7 being the most detected gene (81/140; 57.6%) and the stx2 gene the least detected gene (8/140; 5.7%). Both intestinal and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli genes were detected. The detection of virulence genes in these water sources suggests the presence of potentially pathogenic E. coli strains and is a public health concern.
Melatonin MT1 and MT2 Receptors in the Ram Reproductive Tract
Authors: González-Arto Marta , Aguilar David , Gaspar-Torrubia Elena , Gallego Margarita , Carvajal-Serna Melissa , Herrera-Marcos Luis , Serrano-Blesa Edith , Hamilton Thais , Pérez-Pé Rosaura , Muiño-Blanco Teresa , Cebrián-Pérez José , Casao Adriana
Published: March 2017

Some melatonin functions in mammals are exerted through MT1 and MT2 receptors. However, there are no reports of their presence in the reproductive tract of the ram, a seasonal species. Thus, we have investigated their existence in the ram testis, epididymis, accessory glands and ductus deferens. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed higher levels of m-RNA for both receptors in the testis, ampulla, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens, than in the other organs of the reproductive tract (p < 0.05). Western blot analyses showed protein bands compatible with the MT1 in the testis and cauda epididymis, and for the MT2 in the cauda epididymis and deferent duct. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed the presence of MT1 receptors in spermatogonias, spermatocytes, and spermatids, and MT2 receptors in the newly-formed spermatozoa in the testis, whereas both receptors were located in the epithelial cells of the ampulla, seminal vesicles, and ductus deferens. Indirect immunofluorescence showed significant differences in the immunolocation of both receptors in spermatozoa during their transit in the epididymis. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that melatonin receptors are present in the ram reproductive tract. These results open the way for new studies on the molecular mechanism of melatonin and the biological significance of its receptors.
Italian Registry of Congenital Bleeding Disorders
Authors: Giampaolo Adele , Abbonizio Francesca , Arcieri Romano , Hassan Hamisa Jane
Published: March 2017

In Italy, the surveillance of people with bleeding disorders is based on the National Registry of Congenital Coagulopathies (NRCC) managed by the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità). The NRCC collects epidemiological and therapeutic data from the 54 Hemophilia Treatment Centers, members of the Italian Association of Hemophilia Centres (AICE). The number of people identified with bleeding disorders has increased over the years, with the number rising from approx. 7000 in 2000 to over 11,000 in 2015. The NRCC includes 4020 patients with hemophilia A and 859 patients with hemophilia B. The prevalence of the rare type 3 vWD is 0.20/100,000 inhabitants. Less common congenital bleeding disorders include the following deficiencies: Factor I (fibrinogen), Factor II (prothrombin), Factor V, Factor VII, Factor X, Factor XI and Factor XIII, which affect 1953 patients. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection affects 1561 patients, more than 200 of whom have two infections (HCV + HIV). Estimated hemophilia-related drug consumption in 2015 was approx. 550 million IU of FVIII for hemophilia A patients and approx. 70 million IU of FIX for hemophilia B patients. The NRCC, with its bleeding disorder data set, is a tool that can provide answers to fundamental questions in public health, monitoring care provision and drug treatment, as well as facilitating clinical and epidemiological research.
Methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-Benzoyl-4-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside
Authors: Bennett Jack , Roux Amélie , Murphy Paul
Published: March 2017

Methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside was synthesized in 47% yield by the silylation of a partially benzoylated galactose derivative, prepared from methyl β-d-galactopyranoside. The product was characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and mass spectrometry.
Experimental Study on the Fire Properties of Nitrocellulose with Different Structures
Authors: Wei Ruichao , He Yaping , Liu Jiahao , He Yu , Mi Wenzhong , Yuen Richard , Wang Jian
Published: March 2017

In order to ensure the safety of inflammable and explosive chemical substance such as nitrocellulose (NC) mixtures in the process of handing, storage, and usage, it is necessary to obtain the fire properties of NC with different exterior structures. In present study, fire properties of two commonly used nitrocelluloses with soft fiber structure and white chip structure were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the ISO 5660 cone calorimeter. Experimental findings revealed that the most important fire properties such as ignition time, mass loss rate and ash content exhibited significant differences between the two structures of NC. Compared with the soft fiber NC, chip NC possesses a lower fire hazard, and its heat release rate intensity (HRRI) is mainly affected by the sample mass. In addition, oxygen consumption (OC) calorimetry method was compared with thermal chemistry (TC) method based on stoichiometry for HRRI calculation. HRRI results of NC with two structures obtained by these two methods showed a good consistency.
Recycling Y and Eu from Waste Fluorescent Powder and High Temperature Solid-State Synthesis of Y2O3:Eu Phosphors
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Liu Nian , Mei Guangjun , Yu Mingming
Published: March 2017

Y2O3:Eu were prepared through precursors synthesized by leaching tests, removing impurities, enrichment of Y and Eu from residual purified liquors, annealing treatment, and high temperature solid-state reaction method, which is the most suitable for large-scale production. The analysis of product shows that the purity is 99.42%. The resultant powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL). Compared with the commercial phosphors, the XRD spectrum of the product samples revealed the synthesized particles to have a pure cubic Y2O3:Eu structure without any impurities in the crystalline phase. On the morphology, the Y2O3:Eu particles synthesized by a combustion and high temperature solid state process with sintering aids, were large and uniform. For luminescence property, the emission intensity of Y2O3:Eu phosphors synthesized by combustion process and high temperature solid state process with sintering aids were higher than those without sintering aids, at 1400 °C.
Design of New Benzo[h]chromene Derivatives: Antitumor Activities and Structure-Activity Relationships of the 2,3-Positions and Fused Rings at the 2,3-Positions
Authors: Okasha Rawda , Alblewi Fawzia , Afifi Tarek , Naqvi Arshi , Fouda Ahmed , Al-Dies Al-Anood , El-Agrody Ahmed
Published: March 2017

A series of novel 4H-benzo[h]chromenes 4, 6–11, 13, 14; 7H-benzo[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidines 15–18, 20, and 14H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivatives 19a–e, 24 was prepared. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral data. Some of the target compounds were examined for their antiproliferative activity against three cell lines; breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2). The cytotoxic behavior has been tested using MTT assay and the inhibitory activity was referenced to three standard anticancer drugs: vinblastine, colchicine and doxorubicin. The bioassays demonstrated that some of the new compounds exerted remarkable inhibitory effects as compared to the standard drugs on the growth of the three tested human tumor cell lines. The structure–activity relationships (SAR) study highlights that the antitumor activity of the target compounds was significantly affected by the lipophilicity of the substituent at 2- or 3- and fused rings at the 2,3-positions.
Energy of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in ortho-Hydroxybenzaldehydes, Phenones and Quinones. Transfer of Aromaticity from ipso-Benzene Ring to the Enol System(s)
Authors: Rusinska-Roszak Danuta
Published: March 2017

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding (HB) is one of the most studied noncovalent interactions of molecules. Many physical, spectral, and topological properties of compounds are under the influence of HB, and there are many parameters used to notice and to describe these changes. Hitherto, no general method of measurement of the energy of intramolecular hydrogen bond (EHB) has been put into effect. We propose the molecular tailoring approach (MTA) for EHB calculation, modified to apply it to Ar-O-H∙∙∙O=C systems. The method, based on quantum calculations, was checked earlier for hydroxycarbonyl-saturated compounds, and for structures with resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding (RAHB). For phenolic compounds, the accuracy, repeatability, and applicability of the method is now confirmed for nearly 140 structures. For each structure its aromaticity HOMA indices were calculated for the central (ipso) ring and for the quasiaromatic rings given by intramolecular HB. The comparison of calculated HB energies and values of estimated aromaticity indices allowed us to observe, in some substituted phenols and quinones, the phenomenon of transfer of aromaticity from the ipso-ring to the H-bonded ring via the effect of electron delocalization.
Catechins and Their Therapeutic Benefits to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Fan Fei-Yan , Sang Li-Xuan , Jiang Min
Published: March 2017

Catechins are natural polyphenolic phytochemicals that exist in food and medicinal plants, such as tea, legume and rubiaceae. An increasing number of studies have associated the intake of catechins-rich foods with the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in humans, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some studies have demonstrated that catechins could significantly inhibit the excessive oxidative stress through direct or indirect antioxidant effects and promote the activation of the antioxidative substances such as glutathione peroxidases (GPO) and glutathione (GSH), reducing the oxidative damages to the colon. In addition, catechins can also regulate the infiltration and proliferation of immune related-cells, such as neutrophils, colonic epithelial cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, helping reduce the inflammatory relations and provide benefits to IBD. Perhaps catechins can further inhibit the deterioration of intestinal lesions through regulating the cell gap junctions. Furthermore, catechins can exert their significant anti-inflammatory properties by regulating the activation or deactivation of inflammation-related oxidative stress-related cell signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), signal transducer and the activator of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3) pathways. Finally, catechins can also stabilize the structure of the gastrointestinal micro-ecological environment via promoting the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria and regulating the balance of intestinal flora, so as to relieve the IBD. Furthermore, catechins may regulate the tight junctions (TJ) in the epithelium. This paper elaborates the currently known possible molecular mechanisms of catechins in favor of IBD.
Synthesis of Randomly Substituted Anionic Cyclodextrins in Ball Milling
Authors: Jicsinszky László , Caporaso Marina , Calcio Gaudino Emanuela , Giovannoli Cristina , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: March 2017

A number of influencing factors mean that the random substitution of cyclodextrins (CD) in solution is difficult to reproduce. Reaction assembly in mechanochemistry reduces the number of these factors. However, lack of water can improve the reaction outcomes by minimizing the reagent’s hydrolysis. High-energy ball milling is an efficient, green and simple method for one-step reactions and usually reduces degradation and byproduct formation. Anionic CD derivatives have successfully been synthesized in the solid state, using a planetary ball mill. Comparison with solution reactions, the solvent-free conditions strongly reduced the reagent hydrolysis and resulted in products of higher degree of substitution (DS) with more homogeneous DS distribution. The synthesis of anionic CD derivatives can be effectively performed under mechanochemical activation without significant changes to the substitution pattern but the DS distributions were considerably different from the products of solution syntheses.
Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass with Ionic Liquids and Ionic Liquid-Based Solvent Systems
Authors: Hou Qidong , Ju Meiting , Li Weizun , Liu Le , Chen Yu , Yang Qian
Published: March 2017

Pretreatment is very important for the efficient production of value-added products from lignocellulosic biomass. However, traditional pretreatment methods have several disadvantages, including low efficiency and high pollution. This article gives an overview on the applications of ionic liquids (ILs) and IL-based solvent systems in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. It is divided into three parts: the first deals with the dissolution of biomass in ILs and IL-based solvent systems; the second focuses on the fractionation of biomass using ILs and IL-based solvent systems as solvents; the third emphasizes the enzymatic saccharification of biomass after pretreatment with ILs and IL-based solvent systems.
Effects of the Mediterranean Diet before and after Weight Loss on Eating Behavioral Traits in Men with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Carbonneau Élise , Royer Marie-Michelle , Richard Caroline , Couture Patrick , Desroches Sophie , Lemieux Simone , Lamarche Benoît
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) consumed before and after weight loss on eating behavioral traits as measured by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) in men with metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this fixed sequence study, 19 men with MetS (National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria), aged between 24 and 62 years, first consumed a five-week standardized North American control diet followed by a five-week MedDiet, both under weight-maintaining controlled-feeding conditions. This was followed by a 20-week caloric restriction weight loss period in free-living conditions, without specific recommendations towards adhering to the principles of the MedDiet. Participants were finally subjected to a final five-week MedDiet phase under isoenergetic controlled-feeding conditions. The MedDiet before weight loss had no impact on eating behavioral traits. Body weight reduction by caloric restriction (−10.2% of initial weight) was associated with increased cognitive restraint (p < 0.0001) and with reduced disinhibition (p = 0.02) and susceptibility to hunger (p = 0.01). Feeding the MedDiet for five weeks under isoenergetic conditions after the weight loss phase had no further impact on eating behavioral traits. Results of this controlled-feeding study suggest that consumption of the MedDiet per se has no effect on eating behavioral traits as measured by TFEQ, unless it is combined with significant weight loss.
Design and Validation of a Low-Cost Portable Device to Quantify Postural Stability
Authors: Zhu Yong
Published: March 2017

Measurement of the displacement of the center-of-pressure (COP) is an important tool used in biomechanics to assess postural stability and human balance. The goal of this research was to design and validate a low-cost portable device that can offer a quick indication of the state of postural stability and human balance related conditions. Approximate entropy (ApEn) values reflecting the amount of irregularity hiding in COP oscillations were used to calculate the index. The prototype adopted a portable design using the measurements of the load cells located at the four corners of a low-cost force platform. The test subject was asked to stand on the device in a quiet, normal, upright stance for 30 s with eyes open and subsequently for 30 s with eyes closed. Based on the COP displacement signals, the ApEn values were calculated. The results indicated that the prototype device was capable of capturing the increase in regularity of postural control in the visual-deprivation conditions. It was also able to decipher the subtle postural control differences along anterior–posterior and medial–lateral directions. The data analysis demonstrated that the prototype would enable the quantification of postural stability and thus provide a low-cost portable device to assess many conditions related to postural stability and human balance such as aging and pathologies.
A Colorimetric Sensor for the Highly Selective Detection of Sulfide and 1,4-Dithiothreitol Based on the In Situ Formation of Silver Nanoparticles Using Dopamine
Authors: Zhao Lingzhi , Zhao Liu , Miao Yanqing , Liu Chunye , Zhang Chenxiao
Published: March 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has attracted attention in biochemical research because it plays an important role in biosystems and has emerged as the third endogenous gaseous signaling compound along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Since H2S is a kind of gaseous molecule, conventional approaches for H2S detection are mostly based on the detection of sulfide (S2−) for indirectly reflecting H2S levels. Hence, there is a need for an accurate and reliable assay capable of determining sulfide in physiological systems. We report here a colorimetric, economic, and green method for sulfide anion detection using in situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using dopamine as a reducing and protecting agent. The changes in the AgNPs absorption response depend linearly on the concentration of Na2S in the range from 2 to 15 μM, with a detection limit of 0.03 μM. Meanwhile, the morphological changes in AgNPs in the presence of S2− and thiol compounds were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-synthetized AgNPs demonstrate high selectivity, free from interference, especially by other thiol compounds such as cysteine and glutathione. Furthermore, the colorimetric sensor developed was applied to the analysis of sulfide in fetal bovine serum and spiked serum samples with good recovery.
On the Prediction of Flickr Image Popularity by Analyzing Heterogeneous Social Sensory Data
Authors: Aloufi Samah , Zhu Shiai , El Saddik Abdulmotaleb
Published: March 2017

The increase in the popularity of social media has shattered the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. The content generated by people or social sensors on social media provides information about users and their living surroundings, which allows us to access a user’s preferences, opinions, and interactions. This provides an opportunity for us to understand human behavior and enhance the services provided for both the real and virtual worlds. In this paper, we will focus on the popularity prediction of social images on Flickr, a popular social photo-sharing site, and promote the research on utilizing social sensory data in the context of assisting people to improve their life on the Web. Social data are different from the data collected from physical sensors; in the fact that they exhibit special characteristics that pose new challenges. In addition to their huge quantity, social data are noisy, unstructured, and heterogeneous. Moreover, they involve human semantics and contextual data that require analysis and interpretation based on human behavior. Accordingly, we address the problem of popularity prediction for an image by exploiting three main factors that are important for making an image popular. In particular, we investigate the impact of the image’s visual content, where the semantic and sentiment information extracted from the image show an impact on its popularity, as well as the textual information associated with the image, which has a fundamental role in boosting the visibility of the image in the keyword search results. Additionally, we explore social context, such as an image owner’s popularity and how it positively influences the image popularity. With a comprehensive study on the effect of the three aspects, we further propose to jointly consider the heterogeneous social sensory data. Experimental results obtained from real-world data demonstrate that the three factors utilized complement each other in obtaining promising results in the prediction of image popularity on social photo-sharing site.
Precise Orbit Solution for Swarm Using Space-Borne GPS Data and Optimized Pseudo-Stochastic Pulses
Authors: Zhang Bingbing , Wang Zhengtao , Zhou Lv , Feng Jiandi , Qiu Yaodong , Li Fupeng
Published: March 2017

Swarm is a European Space Agency (ESA) project that was launched on 22 November 2013, which consists of three Swarm satellites. Swarm precise orbits are essential to the success of the above project. This study investigates how well Swarm zero-differenced (ZD) reduced-dynamic orbit solutions can be determined using space-borne GPS data and optimized pseudo-stochastic pulses under high ionospheric activity. We choose Swarm space-borne GPS data from 1–25 October 2014, and Swarm reduced-dynamic orbits are obtained. Orbit quality is assessed by GPS phase observation residuals and compared with Precise Science Orbits (PSOs) released by ESA. Results show that pseudo-stochastic pulses with a time interval of 6 min and a priori standard deviation (STD) of 10−2 mm/s in radial (R), along-track (T) and cross-track (N) directions are optimized to Swarm ZD reduced-dynamic precise orbit determination (POD). During high ionospheric activity, the mean Root Mean Square (RMS) of Swarm GPS phase residuals is at 9–11 mm, Swarm orbit solutions are also compared with Swarm PSOs released by ESA and the accuracy of Swarm orbits can reach 2–4 cm in R, T and N directions. Independent Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) validation indicates that Swarm reduced-dynamic orbits have an accuracy of 2–4 cm. Swarm-B orbit quality is better than those of Swarm-A and Swarm-C. The Swarm orbits can be applied to the geomagnetic, geoelectric and gravity field recovery.
Combination Effect of Antituberculosis Drugs and Ethanolic Extract of Selected Medicinal Plants against Multi-Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates
Authors: Fauziyah Prabasiwi Nur , Sukandar Elin Yulinah , Ayuningtyas Dhyan Kusuma
Published: March 2017

Adverse drug reaction and resistance to antituberculosis drugs remain the causes of tuberculosis therapeutic failure. This research aimed to find the combination effect of standard antituberculosis drugs with Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Kaempferia galanga L., and Piper crocatum N.E. Br against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Two MDR strains (i.e., isoniazid/ethambutol resistant and rifampicin/streptomycin resistant) of M. tuberculosis were inoculated in Löwenstein–Jensen medium containing a combination of standard antituberculosis drugs and ethanolic extracts of H. sabdariffa calyces, K. galanga rhizomes, and P. crocatum leaves using various concentration combinations of drug and extract. The colony numbers were observed for 8 weeks. The effect of the combination was analyzed using the proportion method which was calculated by the mean percentage of inhibition reduction in a number of colonies on drug–extract containing medium compared to extract-free control medium. The results showed that all three plant extracts achieved good combination effects with rifampicin against the rifampicin/streptomycin resistant strain. Antagonistic effects were, however, observed with streptomycin, ethambutol and isoniazid, therefore calling for caution when using these plants in combination with antituberculosis treatment.
Predictable Surprise: The Spatial and Social Morphology of Aging Suburbs in the U.S. Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Lee Jaekyung , Hong Saheum , Park Yunmi
Published: March 2017

Elderburbs, defined as old suburban neighborhoods in terms of their ‘built environments’ and ‘demographic structures’, have emerged prominently in academic discussion due to the social vulnerability and outdated built environments of senior dominant neighborhoods that barely meet the needs of their aging populations. Even though previous literature has revealed concerns about suburban decline and the growing number of seniors, these two points of interest have largely been examined in isolation from one another. Thus, this paper attempts to unveil the spatial and social morphology of Elderburbs in 20 U.S. metropolitan areas from 1990 to 2010. Elderburbs were identified by two major criteria; built year (first-generation suburbs built between 1950 and 1970) and demographic aging (based on elderly, elderly-child, and elderly dependency ratios). The findings of this study indicate that Elderburbs have increased and expanded out to suburban areas, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. On the contrary, Elderburbs in the South have decreased and moved closer to core cities. Differing from our assumptions, both Elderburbs and Elderurbans were found to be less socially vulnerable than ordinary suburban and urban neighborhoods.
Political Response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease: A Review of Korean News
Authors: Ko Chang-Ryong , Seol Sung-Soo , Kim Geonha
Published: March 2017

The 2010/2011 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Korea produced about 4500 burial sites for 3.5 million animal carcasses, which can be summarized as quick, mass burials, at or near the outbreak farms. An FMD outbreak has occurred nearly every year since the big outbreak, although the sizes of these outbreaks have been small. This article presents the rationale behind government policies for FMD outbreaks and disposal sites, the secrecy of the government administration and the neglect of scientific data. We compared government news announcements with news from the non-governmental sector by analyzing all the news for FMD and disposal sites from 29 October 2010, the first day of the big outbreak to August 2016. We found that the Korean response to the FMD outbreak originated from political purposes. We present four rationales for our arguments including: (1) a military collision between North and South of Korea; (2) the reformation of four big rivers; (3) the incident at the Fukushima Atomic Energy Plant of Japan; and (4) the national elections. We believe that the next response should be based on scientific data and proof, and also from the environmental perspective, not the political or industry perspective.
Trade, Tarsands and Treaties: The Political Economy Context of Community Energy in Canada
Authors: MacArthur Julie L.
Published: March 2017

Governments today are increasingly looking to non-state and bottom up community actors to help achieve climate change mitigation targets. Canada is a resource rich state with one of the highest per capita greenhouse gas footprints in the world. It is also a state where issues of political will, geographic scale and incumbent industries contribute to a challenging context for broad community participation. Despite this, a long history of co-operative and municipal activity exists in the energy sector, exhibited in diverse ways across its provinces and territories. Provincial variation in energy sources and actors illustrates a far more nuanced picture than exists at the national level, providing a case rich with both promising and cautionary tales for the community energy sector. This article examines the emergence of community energy in the context of broader energy sector moves towards increasingly powerful trade agreements, privatization, and conflicts over Indigenous rights in Canada. It argues that significant potential exists to strengthen the role of local actors in Canadian energy governance, but that macro-level political and economic developments have also created significant challenges for widespread community energy transitions.
Urban Heat Island Assessment Using the Landsat 8 Data: A Case Study in Shenzhen and Hong Kong
Authors: Tsou Jinyeu , Zhuang Jing , Li Yu , Zhang Yuanzhi
Published: March 2017

In this study, we assess the urban heat island (UHI) effect using remote sensing data, a phenomenon emerging under the background of global warming and urbanization. With the rapid development of satellite technology, remote sensing images are widely applied to evaluate the UHI effect on rapidly-urbanized areas in recent years. In the study, we applied Landsat 8 data to estimate the land surface temperature (LST) in the case study of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The methods of the mono-window algorithm (MWA), single-channel method (SCM), Qin’s split-window algorithm (SWA-Q) and Sobrino’s split-window algorithm (SWA-S) are used to calculate the LST from Landsat 8 data on 29 November 2013, 16 November 2014, 18 October 2015, and 7 February 2016. The results show that LST retrievals by SWA-Q are better than those of the other algorithms in the case study of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. From 2013 to 2016, the high-LST zones or UHIs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong are substantially identical. Although the LST is not obviously correlated with vegetation distribution, the growth condition of vegetation may impact the distribution of the UHI, and the high LST is slightly correlated to the high atmospheric particulate concentration. Additionally, in general, Shenzhen and Hong Kong are weak UHI regions and the UHI-affected area in Shenzhen is larger than that in Hong Kong from 2013 to 2016.