bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education Game to Blind People
Authors: Sakti Lidya Oktorina Kusuma , Febriani Vania Wahyu
Published: June 2017

Blind people have limitations because of partial or full visual impairment. This can affect their development like cognitive development and academic development. In order to do their social roles, blind people have obstacles. Even in education side, blind people still find it difficult to get their full access to study because their physic limitation makes them difficult to study like normal people.Now there are blind people who have their formal and informal education. Even though they cannot see, they can take benefit from another sense, like sense of hearing, palpability, smell, and taste. Their senses can be a modal to study. Developer games have their build game in audio to blind people too. Their game is variation between audio games and online games, so games can be used for blind people as an education tools. In this paper, there will be an explanation about how to facilitate blind people to study with paper
Mobile Game Effectiveness for Game Enthusiasts Who Have Little Spare Time to Play Games
Authors: Nuryanti Nuryanti , Prasetya FX Hendra
Published: June 2017

The development of technology continues to increase. As well as the development of game that pamper the player. But on the other hand,with the increasing development of technology, gamers demand will also be higher as well. As example, technological devices to play games should be more practical, light, and easy to carry anywhere. This paper will discuss about the effectiveness of mobile game for game enthusiasts
Making Education Game to Choose Healthy Snacks for Children
Authors: Febriani Vania Wahyu , Chandrawati Brenda , Widiantoro Dwiyoga
Published: June 2017

One of the learning media is games. Games that can be used as a learning tool can be called as education games. Because children like games, games can make positive effect for them. Children can study while playing games.Education game that have theme about snacks for children still rarely be found. Unfortunately, children from elementary school have a habit to buy and eat snacks without paying attention to snacks hygiene and health. With this reason, education about choosing hygiene and healthy snack for children made. The aim for this games is to make children more careful about choosing snacks that they will eat later.In this paper, there will be explained about how to make education game about snacks and with proof if this game can be used as an education tool to educate children about snacks.
Motion Detection Implementation on a Game Using Raspberry Pi
Authors: Gozali Gunawan Putra
Published: June 2017

Along with the development of advanced gaming technology, we can play the game with so many tools or platforms such as console games, PC games, mobile games and handheld games. The disadvantage of those games is the difficulty to connect additional sensors to the PC computer. Large power requirements will also be a constraint. Besides, the size of the PC could be a weakness that makes it difficult to carry and play anytime. Raspberry is a small computer that can be added with motion detection sensors. By using the raspberry, the researchers managed to create a game "Crows Adventure" that uses motion detection sensor as the controller. Some of the sensors used in the game is UDS Sensor ( Ultrasonic Sensor disctance ) and touch sensors are applied to smarthphone to control the game. This allows the use of sensors in making more varied games by using raspberry devices.
Một số yếu tố liên quan đến phục hình răng đã mất của người cao tuổi quận Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội
Authors: Dung Đào Thị , Tran Son Ngoc
Published: June 2017

Sức khỏe răng miệng người già ngày càng được chú ý đặc biệt là tình trạng mất răng và phục hình răng đã mất. Việc phục hình răng mất cho người cao tuổi là một việc cực kỳ quan trọng, nó giúp cải thiện trực tiếp đến chất lượng sống của họ. Mục tiêu: Nhận xét đặc điểm một số yếu tố liên quan đến vấn đề phục hình răng đã mất của người cao tuổi ở quận Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội.  Phương pháp nghiên cứu mô tả cắt ngang, khám răng miệng cho 160 người cao tuổi, sau đó chọn 141 người mất răng trong số những người đã khám.   

Kết quả: Trình độ học vấn càng cao thì tỷ lệ có phục hình răng mất càng cao. Những nghề lao động chân tay có thu nhập thấp tỷ lệ phục hình các răng đã mất thấp hơn những nghề lao động trí óc. Những nghề yêu cầu giao tiếp nhiều có tỷ lệ phục hình răng mất cao. Nơi làm phục hình: chủ yếu là phòng khám Răng hàm mặt tư nhân, tiếp theo là bệnh viện. Thời gian sử dụng răng giả càng lâu thì chất lượng phục hình, cảm nhận của bệnh nhân về thẩm mỹ và khả năng ăn nhai đều giảm.
“Susan Hill's Mrs de Winter and Sally Beauman'sRebecca's Tale: “re-visions” of Daphne du Maurier’sRebecca?”
Authors: Parey Armelle
Published: June 2017

Abstract: This paper examines two types of transfictional texts that appear little challenging to the ending and, consequently, to the discourse of their source-texts. After attempting to define the workings and scopes of sequels and companion novels, we shall consider two instances provided by Daphne du Maurier'sRebecca’s rich afterlife since its publication and success in 1938: Susan Hill's Mrs de Winter (1993) and Sally Beauman'sRebecca's Tale (2001) that engage with Rebecca’s ending and discourse in different ways and with diverse results.Resumen: Este artículo examina dos tipos de textostransficcionales que parecendesafiar muy poco el final y, porconsiguiente, el discurso de sus fuentestextuales. Después de intentardefinir los mecanismos y el alcance de las novelas-secuela que continuaronestostextos, asícomootrasnovelascompañeras de los mismos, vamos a considerar dos ejemplosextraídos de la fértil vida posterior de  Rebecca, de Daphne De Maurier, despuésdeléxito de su publicación en 1938: Mrs de Winter, de Susan Hill (1993) y Rebecca's Tale, de Sally Beauman (2001), que interactúan con el final y el discurso de Rebecca  de manerasdiferentes y con resultadosdistintos.
Exploring the Economic and Social Impacts of Laurier Brantford Campus
Authors: Garvey Korry D. , Syed Saad A. , Ravichandran Imaiya A. , Jordan Matthew L. , Akerman Jennifer M.
Published: June 2017

The city of Brantford, ON, once a major manufacturing centre of the province, underwent a period of decline in the 1970s and 1980s but is now thought by many to be in an economic upswing. Many politicians in the city have suggested that the 1999 opening of Laurier Brantford, a satellite campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, was responsible for revitalizing the city. We assess this claim by visualizing levels of median income, unemployment, university degree acquisition, and crime rates in Brantford and comparing them with Ontario levels between 1996 and 2006. This period accounts for census data collected both before and after the campus's foundation. By comparing how these four factors have changed in the downtown core and in the periphery of the city, we observe that the arrival of Laurier Brantford has not resulted in many major improvements for the residents of downtown Brantford. In particular, we find that the city's core has consistently lagged behind provincial levels of economic prosperity, education, and crime, despite the arrival of the Laurier Brantford campus.
Delineating Hummocky Terrain: A Field-Based Approach
Authors: Fitz-Ritson Mallory , Brodeur Jason J. , Maclachlan John C. , Eyles Carolyn H.
Published: June 2017

A geomorphological study was conducted to determine the most accurate and efficient number of primary data points necessary for modelling hummocky terrain with subtle elevation changes. Primary elevation data were collected on hummocky terrain using an S320 GNSS survey receiver, interpolated using ordinary kriging in ArcGIS, and analyzed using a Monte Carlo simulation in MATLAB. This analysis was done to suggest an ideal number of sample points required to produce a highly accurate digital elevation model. From research conducted in Georgetown, ON, it was determined that 20,000 points should be sampled per square kilometer, but the findings can be altered slightly to best suit future geomorphological and hydrological studies. The findings will increase the understanding of the subtle relationship between topography and interpolation error and will guide future data capture and modelling of terrain with subtle elevation variation of less than 10 m. Results can influence the scope of point collection and the clustering of points or boreholes across terrain with variable elevation changes. There is also a potential for application in regions where placing boreholes would be difficult or costly when trying to understand subsurface geometries.
“They don’t even know how to copy”
Authors: Kalo Sofia
Published: June 2017

This article explores the prevalence of concerns over artistic originality in
Albania’s postsocialist art world. Based on anthropological fieldwork, it discusses
how Albanian artists discipline each other’s work, particularly by noting its lack
of originality in relationship to well-known Western artists but also their own.
Emphasizing the social and organizational role of such concerns, I analyze them
in light of various factors that have become salient after Albania’s transition from
postsocialism to a market economy, including the loss of a system of authority
following the liberalization of art production from state support and oversight and
the failure to develop a stable one since 1991. The discourse on originality expresses
Albanian artists’ perceived marginal status in the transnational art world
and market and is deployed to transcend this status.
Emotion in the Qur'an: An Overview
Authors: Bauer Karen
Published: June 2017

In the Western academic study of the Qur'an, very little has been written about emotion. The studies that do acknowledge the power of emotion tend to concentrate on emotion as a response to the text's aesthetics. And yet emotion is a central part of the Qur'an: fostering the correct emotions is a part of pietistic practice, emotion helps to convince believers to act as they should, and emotional words and incidents bring unity to this synoptic text.

This article has four parts. It begins by reviewing approaches that have been taken in History and Biblical studies, in order to clarify the nature of emotions. I argue that emotions are universal but that they have socially constructed elements and a social function. Also, control of emotions can be as revealing as emotional expression. Part Two describes the overall message of emotions in the Qur'an. Humans must cultivate God-fearingness, while God bestows mercy/compassion and love, or anger and displeasure. Believers are distinguished by their emotional sensitivity to God's word, and their ability to form an emotional attachment to God, and thus emotional control is a key pietistic practice. In Part Three, I propose a new method for analysing emotion within Qur'anic suras, which is to trace emotional plots. This method involves identifying the emotional journey undertaken or described in a passage of text. Part Four examines the resonance that is created by the use of specific emotion words in different suras.
Computational Analysis and Artificial Neural Network Optimization of Dry Turning Parameters—AA2024-T351
Authors: Saleem Waqas , Zain-ul-abdein Muhammad , Ijaz Hassan , Salmeen Bin Mahfouz Abdullah , Ahmed Anas , Asad Muhammad , Mabrouki Tarek
Published: June 2017

In dry turning operation, various parameters influence the cutting force and contribute in machining precision. Generally, the numerical cutting models are adopted to establish the optimum cutting parameters and results are substantiated with the experimental findings. In this paper, the optimal turning parameters of AA2024-T351 alloy are determined through Abaqus/Explicit numerical cutting simulations by employing the Johnson-Cook thermo-viscoplastic-damage material model. Turning simulations were verified with published experimental data. Considering the constrained and nonlinear optimization problem, the artificial neural networks (ANN) were executed for training, testing, and performance evaluation of the numerical simulations data. Two feedforward backpropagation neural networks were developed with ten hidden neutrons in each hidden layer. The Log-Sigmoid transfer function and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm were applied in the model. The ANN models were studied with four input parameters: the cutting speed (200, 400, and 800 m/min), tool rake angle (5°, 10°, 14.8°, and 17.5°), cutting feed (0.3 and 0.4 mm), and the contact friction coefficients (0.1 and 0.15).The two target parameters include the tool-chip interface temperature and the cutting reaction force. The performance of the trained data was evaluated using root-mean-square error and correlation coefficients. The ANN predicted values were compared both with the Abaqus simulations and the published experimental findings. All of the results are found in good approximation to each other. The performance of the ANN models demonstrated the fidelity of solving and predicting the optimum process parameters.
Antioxidant Activity of Commercial Soluble Coffees
Authors: Marcucci Carolina , Dias Rafael , Almeida Mariana , Benassi Marta
Published: June 2017

A product of easy preparation and high added value, soluble/instant coffee is obtained by drying the aqueous extract of roasted coffee and presents a high amount of bioactive compounds. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 33 Brazilian commercial soluble coffees considering the radical scavenging activity (via the ABTS method) and the reducing capacity (via the Folin–Ciocalteu method). Soluble coffees of several brands and types (regular, gourmet, and decaffeinated), subjected to different drying processes (agglomeration, atomization, and freeze-drying) (n = 85), were evaluated. In general, regular and decaffeinated soluble coffees presented high antioxidant activity. The reducing capacity ranged from 9.9 to 15.4 g of gallic acid per 100 g, while the radical scavenging activity ranged from 20.4 to 37.0 g of Trolox per 100 g. Good repeatability—with coefficients of variation of 2.4% for Folin–Ciocalteu and of 5.2% for ABTS—and high correlations between the values of antioxidant activity obtained by both methods (r = 0.66) were observed. Gourmet coffees presented less antioxidant activity compared to the regular samples. No correlation was verified between drying processes and antioxidant activity.
Characterization of Chlorhexidine-Loaded Calcium-Hydroxide Microparticles as a Potential Dental Pulp-Capping Material
Authors: Priyadarshini Balasankar , Selvan Subramanian , Narayanan Karthikeyan , Fawzy Amr
Published: June 2017

This study explores the delivery of novel calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] microparticles loaded with chlorhexidine (CHX) for potential dental therapeutic and preventive applications. Herein, we introduce a new approach for drug-delivery to deep dentin-surfaces in the form of drug-loaded microparticles. Unloaded Ca(OH)2 [Ca(OH)2/Blank] and CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles were fabricated by aqueous chemical-precipitation technique. The synthesized-microparticles were characterized in vitro for determination of surface-morphology, crystalline-features and thermal-properties examined by energy-dispersive X-ray scanning and transmission electron-microscopy (EDX-SEM/TEM), Fourier-transform infrared-spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning-calorimetry (DSC). Time-related pH changes, initial antibacterial/biofilm-abilities and cytotoxicity of CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles were evaluated. Microparticles were delivered to dentin-surfaces with subsequent SEM examination of treated dentin-substrates. The in vitro and ex vivo CHX-release profiles were characterized. Ca(OH)2/Blank were hexagonal-shaped with highest z-average diameter whereas CHX-inclusion evidenced micro-metric spheres with distinguishable surface “rounded deposits” and a negative-shift in diameter. CHX:Ca(OH)2/50 mg exhibited maximum encapsulation-efficiency with good antibacterial and cytocompatible properties. SEM examination revealed an intact layer of microparticles on exposed dentin-surfaces with retention of spherical shape and smooth texture. Microparticles loaded on dentin-surfaces showed prolonged release of CHX indicating substantial retention on dentin-substrates. This study validated the inherent-applicability of this novel drug-delivery approach to dentin-surfaces using micro-metric CHX-loaded/Ca(OH)2 microparticles.
Phenotypic Plasticity and Cell Fate Decisions in Cancer: Insights from Dynamical Systems Theory
Authors: Jia Dongya , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Kulkarni Prakash , Levine Herbert
Published: June 2017

Waddington’s epigenetic landscape, a famous metaphor in developmental biology, depicts how a stem cell progresses from an undifferentiated phenotype to a differentiated one. The concept of “landscape” in the context of dynamical systems theory represents a high-dimensional space, in which each cell phenotype is considered as an “attractor” that is determined by interactions between multiple molecular players, and is buffered against environmental fluctuations. In addition, biological noise is thought to play an important role during these cell-fate decisions and in fact controls transitions between different phenotypes. Here, we discuss the phenotypic transitions in cancer from a dynamical systems perspective and invoke the concept of “cancer attractors”—hidden stable states of the underlying regulatory network that are not occupied by normal cells. Phenotypic transitions in cancer occur at varying levels depending on the context. Using epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem-like properties, metabolic reprogramming and the emergence of therapy resistance as examples, we illustrate how phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells enables them to acquire hybrid phenotypes (such as hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal and hybrid metabolic phenotypes) that tend to be more aggressive and notoriously resilient to therapies such as chemotherapy and androgen-deprivation therapy. Furthermore, we highlight multiple factors that may give rise to phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells, such as (a) multi-stability or oscillatory behaviors governed by underlying regulatory networks involved in cell-fate decisions in cancer cells, and (b) network rewiring due to conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that are highly enriched in cancer cells. We conclude by discussing why a therapeutic approach that promotes “recanalization”, i.e., the exit from “cancer attractors” and re-entry into “normal attractors”, is more likely to succeed rather than a conventional approach that targets individual molecules/pathways.
The Role of Respiration in Estimation of Net Carbon Cycle: Coupling Soil Carbon Dynamics and Canopy Turnover in a Novel Version of 3D-CMCC Forest Ecosystem Model
Authors: Marconi Sergio , Chiti Tommaso , Nolè Angelo , Valentini Riccardo , Collalti Alessio
Published: June 2017

Understanding the dynamics of organic carbon mineralization is fundamental in forecasting biosphere to atmosphere net carbon ecosystem exchange (NEE). With this perspective, we developed 3D-CMCC-PSM, a new version of the hybrid process based model 3D‐CMCC FEM where also heterotrophic respiration (Rh) is explicitly simulated. The aim was to quantify NEE as a forward problem, by subtracting ecosystem respiration (Reco) to gross primary productivity (GPP). To do so, we developed a simplification of the soil carbon dynamics routine proposed in the DNDC (DeNitrification-DeComposition) computer simulation model. The method calculates decomposition as a function of soil moisture, temperature, state of the organic compartments, and relative abundance of microbial pools. Given the pulse dynamics of soil respiration, we introduced modifications in some of the principal constitutive relations involved in phenology and littering sub-routines. We quantified the model structure-related uncertainty in NEE, by running our training simulations over 1000 random parameter-sets extracted from parameter distributions expected from literature. 3D-CMCC-PSM predictability was tested on independent time series for 6 Fluxnet sites. The model resulted in daily and monthly estimations highly consistent with the observed time series. It showed lower predictability in Mediterranean ecosystems, suggesting that it may need further improvements in addressing evapotranspiration and water dynamics.
Security Enhancement for Data Migration in the Cloud
Authors: Ngnie Sighom Jean , Zhang Pin , You Lin
Published: June 2017

In today’s society, cloud computing has significantly impacted nearly every section of our lives and business structures. Cloud computing is, without any doubt, one of the strategic directions for many companies and the most dominating infrastructure for enterprises as long as end users. Instead of buying IT equipment (hardware and/or software) and managing it themselves, many organizations today prefer to buy services from IT service providers. The number of service providers increase dramatically and the cloud is becoming the tools of choice for more cloud storage services. However, as more personal information and data are moved to the cloud, into social media sites, DropBox, Baidu WangPan, etc., data security and privacy issues are questioned. Daily, academia and industry seek to find an efficient way to secure data migration in the cloud. Various solution approaches and encryption techniques have been implemented. In this work, we will discuss some of these approaches and evaluate the popular ones in order to find the elements that affect system performance. Finally, we will propose a model that enhances data security and privacy by combining Advanced Encryption Standard-256, Information Dispersal Algorithms and Secure Hash Algorithm-512. Our protocol achieves provable security assessments and fast execution times for medium thresholds.
Toxicity of Naphthalene and Benzene on Tribollium castaneum Herbst
Authors: Pajaro-Castro Nerlis , Caballero-Gallardo Karina , Olivero-Verbel Jesus
Published: June 2017

Naphthalene and benzene are widely-used volatile organic compounds. The aim of this research was to examine the toxicological effects of naphthalene and benzene against Tribolium castaneum as an animal model. Adult insects were exposed to these aromatic compounds to assess mortality after 4–48 h of exposure. The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) for naphthalene, naphthalin, and benzene were 63.6 µL/L, 20.0 µL/L, and 115.9 µL/L in air, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed expression changes in genes related to oxidative stress and metabolism [Glutathione S-Transferase (Gst), and Cytochrome P450 6BQ8 (Cyp6bq8)]; reproduction and metamorphosis [Hormone receptor in 39-like protein (Hr39), Ecdysone receptor: (Ecr), and Chitin synthase 2 (Chs2)]; and neurotransmission [Histamine-gated chloride channel 2 (Hiscl2)] in insects exposed for 4 h to 70.2 µL/L naphthalene. Adults exposed to benzene (80 µL/L; 4 h) overexpressed genes related to neurotransmission [GABA-gated anion channel (Rdl), Hiscl2, and GABA-gated ion channel (Grd)]; reproduction and metamorphosis [Ultraspiracle nuclear receptor (USP), Ecr; and Hr39]; and development (Chs2). The data presented here provides evidence that naphthalene and benzene inhalation are able to induce alterations on reproduction, development, metamorphosis, oxidative stress, metabolism, neurotransmission, and death of the insect.
Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study
Authors: Montagna Maria , De Giglio Osvalda , Cristina Maria , Napoli Christian , Pacifico Claudia , Agodi Antonella , Baldovin Tatjana , Casini Beatrice , Coniglio Maria , D’Errico Marcello , Delia Santi , Deriu Maria , Guida Marco , Laganà Pasqualina , Liguori Giorgio , Moro Matteo , Mura Ida , Pennino Francesca , Privitera Gaetano , Romano Spica Vincenzo , Sembeni Silvia , Spagnolo Anna , Tardivo Stefano , Torre Ida , Valeriani Federica , Albertini Roberto , Pasquarella Cesira
Published: June 2017

Healthcare facilities (HF) represent an at-risk environment for legionellosis transmission occurring after inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In general, the control of water is preferred to that of air because, to date, there are no standardized sampling protocols. Legionella air contamination was investigated in the bathrooms of 11 HF by active sampling (Surface Air System and Coriolis®μ) and passive sampling using settling plates. During the 8-hour sampling, hot tap water was sampled three times. All air samples were evaluated using culture-based methods, whereas liquid samples collected using the Coriolis®μ were also analyzed by real-time PCR. Legionella presence in the air and water was then compared by sequence-based typing (SBT) methods. Air contamination was found in four HF (36.4%) by at least one of the culturable methods. The culturable investigation by Coriolis®μ did not yield Legionella in any enrolled HF. However, molecular investigation using Coriolis®μ resulted in eight HF testing positive for Legionella in the air. Comparison of Legionella air and water contamination indicated that Legionella water concentration could be predictive of its presence in the air. Furthermore, a molecular study of 12 L. pneumophila strains confirmed a match between the Legionella strains from air and water samples by SBT for three out of four HF that tested positive for Legionella by at least one of the culturable methods. Overall, our study shows that Legionella air detection cannot replace water sampling because the absence of microorganisms from the air does not necessarily represent their absence from water; nevertheless, air sampling may provide useful information for risk assessment. The liquid impingement technique appears to have the greatest capacity for collecting airborne Legionella if combined with molecular investigations.
“Turn Left after the WC, and Use the Lift to Go to the 2nd Floor”—Generation of Landmark-Based Route Instructions for Indoor Navigation
Authors: Fellner Irene , Huang Haosheng , Gartner Georg
Published: June 2017

People in unfamiliar environments often need navigation guidance to reach a destination. Research has found that compared to outdoors, people tend to lose orientation much more easily within complex buildings, such as university buildings and hospitals. This paper proposes a category-based method to generate landmark-based route instructions to support people’s wayfinding activities in unfamiliar indoor environments. Compared to other methods relying on detailed instance-level data about the visual, semantic, and structural characteristics of individual spatial objects, the proposed method relies on commonly available data about categories of spatial objects, which exist in most indoor spatial databases. With this, instructions like “Turn right after the second door, and use the elevator to go to the second floor” can be generated for indoor navigation. A case study with a university campus shows that the method is feasible in generating landmark-based route instructions for indoor navigation. More importantly, compared to metric-based instructions (i.e., the benchmark for indoor navigation), the generated landmark-based instructions can help users to unambiguously identify the correct decision point where a change of direction is needed, as well as offer information for the users to confirm that they are on the right way to the destination.
An Urban Heat Island Study of the Colombo Metropolitan Area, Sri Lanka, Based on Landsat Data (1997–2017)
Authors: Ranagalage Manjula , Estoque Ronald C. , Murayama Yuji
Published: June 2017

One of the major impacts associated with unplanned rapid urban growth is the decrease of urban vegetation, which is often replaced with impervious surfaces such as buildings, parking lots, roads, and pavements. Consequently, as the percentage of impervious surfaces continues to increase at the expense of vegetation cover, surface urban heat island (SUHI) forms and becomes more intense. The Colombo Metropolitan Area (CMA), Sri Lanka, is one of the rapidly urbanizing metropolitan regions in South Asia. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal variations of land surface temperature (LST) in the CMA in the context of the SUHI phenomenon using Landsat data. More specifically, we examined the relationship of LST with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) at three time points (1997, 2007 and 2017). In addition, we also identified environmentally critical areas based on LST and NDVI. We found significant correlations of LST with NDVI (negative) and NDBI (positive) (p < 0.001) across all three time points. Most of the environmentally critical areas are located in the central business district (CBD), near the harbor, across the coastal belt, and along the main transportation network. We recommend that those identified environmentally critical areas be considered in the future urban planning and landscape development of the city. Green spaces can help improve the environmental sustainability of the CMA.
Immune Checkpoints as a Target for Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Authors: Passardi Alessandro , Canale Matteo , Valgiusti Martina , Ulivi Paola
Published: June 2017

Anti-tumor immunity is a new line of research for the treatment of patients with solid tumors. In this field, negative regulators of the immune system called immune checkpoints play a key role in limiting antitumor immunologic responses. For this reason, immune checkpoint-inhibiting agents, such as those directed against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 receptor (PD1) and its ligand PD-L1, have been developed as antitumor drugs, producing interesting results in preclinical and clinical studies. We present an updated review of the biological background and clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer (CRC). Early trial results on PD1 and PD-L1 blockade appear promising, especially in CRC patients with microsatellite instability (MSI). Clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these preliminary results, evaluate combination strategies and identify biomarkers to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from, or show resistance to, the effects of checkpoint inhibition.
PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade Therapy for Tumors with Downregulated MHC Class I Expression
Authors: Šmahel Michal
Published: June 2017

The therapy of different advanced-stage malignancies with monoclonal antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling has had an impressive long-lasting effect in a portion of patients, but in most cases, this therapy was not successful, or a secondary resistance developed. To enhance its efficacy in treated patients, predictive biomarkers are searched for and various combination treatments are intensively investigated. As the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules is one of the most frequent mechanisms of tumor escape from the host’s immunity, it should be considered in PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition. The potential for the use of a PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in the treatment of tumors with aberrant MHC class I expression is discussed, and some strategies of combination therapy are suggested.
Pharmacogenomic Variants May Influence the Urinary Excretion of Novel Kidney Injury Biomarkers in Patients Receiving Cisplatin
Authors: Chang Cara , Hu Yichun , Hogan Susan , Mercke Nickie , Gomez Madeleine , O’Bryant Cindy , Bowles Daniel , George Blessy , Wen Xia , Aleksunes Lauren , Joy Melanie
Published: June 2017

Nephrotoxicity is a dose limiting side effect associated with the use of cisplatin in the treatment of solid tumors. The degree of nephrotoxicity is dictated by the selective accumulation of cisplatin in renal tubule cells due to: (1) uptake by organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) and copper transporter 1 (CTR1); (2) metabolism by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and γ-glutamyltransferase 1 (GGT1); and (3) efflux by multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1). The purpose of this study was to determine the significance of single nucleotide polymorphisms that regulate the expression and function of transporters and metabolism genes implicated in development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cisplatin treated patients. Changes in the kidney function were assessed using novel urinary protein biomarkers and traditional markers. Genotyping was conducted by the QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System using a custom open array chip with metabolism, transport, and transcription factor polymorphisms of interest to cisplatin disposition and toxicity. Traditional and novel biomarker assays for kidney toxicity were assessed for differences according to genotype by ANOVA. Allele and genotype frequencies were determined based on Caucasian population frequencies. The polymorphisms rs596881 (SLC22A2/OCT2), and rs12686377 and rs7851395 (SLC31A1/CTR1) were associated with renoprotection and maintenance of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Polymorphisms in SLC22A2/OCT2, SLC31A1/CTRI, SLC47A1/MATE1, ABCC2/MRP2, and GSTP1 were significantly associated with increases in the urinary excretion of novel AKI biomarkers: KIM-1, TFF3, MCP1, NGAL, clusterin, cystatin C, and calbindin. Knowledge concerning which genotypes in drug transporters are associated with cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity may help to identify at-risk patients and initiate strategies, such as using lower or fractionated cisplatin doses or avoiding cisplatin altogether, in order to prevent AKI.
Adjoint-Based Design Optimisation of an Internal Cooling Channel U-Bend for Minimised Pressure Losses
Authors: Verstraete Tom , Müller Lasse , Müller Jens-Dominik
Published: June 2017

The success of shape optimisation depends significantly on the parametrisation of the shape. Ideally, it defines a very rich variation in shape, allows for rapid grid generation of high quality, and expresses the shape in a standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) representation. While most existing parametrisation methods fail at least one of these criteria, this work introduces a novel parametrisation method, which satisfies all three. A tri-variate B-spline volume is used to define the volume to be optimised. The position of the external control points are used as design parameters, while the internal control points are repositioned to ensure regularity of the transformation. The grid generation process transforms a Cartesian grid (defined in parametric space) to the physical space using the tri-variate net of control points. This process guarantees a high grid quality even for large deformations, and has extremely low computational cost as it only involves a transformation from parameter space to physical space. This allows the computation of the grid sensitivities with respect to the design variables at a fraction of the cost of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) iteration, therefore allowing the use of one-shot methods. This novel parametrisation is applied to the shape optimisation of a U-bend passage of a turbine-blade serpentine-cooling channel with the objective to minimise pressure losses. A steady state, Reynolds-Averaged, density-based Navier-Stokes solver is used to predict the pressure losses at a Reynolds number of 40,000. The sensitivities of the objective function with respect to the control points are computed using a hand-derived adjoint solver and geometry generation system. A one-shot approach is used to simultaneously converge flow, gradient and design, resulting in a rapid design approach with a design time equivalent to approximately 10 normal CFD runs, while still maintaining a CAD representation of the geometry. A large reduction in pressure loss is obtained, and the flow in the optimal geometry is analysed in detail.
A Novel Method for Fabricating Wearable, Piezoresistive, and Pressure Sensors Based on Modified-Graphite/Polyurethane Composite Films
Authors: He Yin , Li Wei , Yang Guilin , Liu Hao , Lu Junyu , Zheng Tongtong , Li Xiaojiu
Published: June 2017

A wearable, low-cost, highly repeatable piezoresistive sensor was fabricated by the synthesis of modified-graphite and polyurethane (PU) composites and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Graphite sheets functionalized by using a silane coupling agent (KH550) were distributed in PU/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, which were then molded to modified-graphite/PU (MG/PU) composite films. Experimental results show that with increasing modified-graphite content, the tensile strength of the MG/PU films first increased and then decreased, and the elongation at break of the composite films showed a decreasing trend. The electrical conductivity of the composite films can be influenced by filler modification and concentration, and the percolation threshold of MG/PU was 28.03 wt %. Under liner uniaxial compression, the 30 wt % MG/PU composite films exhibited 0.274 kPa−1 piezoresistive sensitivity within the range of low pressure, and possessed better stability and hysteresis. The flexible MG/PU composite piezoresistive sensors have great potential for body motion, wearable devices for human healthcare, and garment pressure testing.
Polymer and Composite Membranes for Proton-Conducting, High-Temperature Fuel Cells: A Critical Review
Authors: Quartarone Eliana , Angioni Simone , Mustarelli Piercarlo
Published: June 2017

Polymer fuel cells operating above 100 °C (High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells, HT-PEMFCs) have gained large interest for their application to automobiles. The HT-PEMFC devices are typically made of membranes with poly(benzimidazoles), although other polymers, such as sulphonated poly(ether ether ketones) and pyridine-based materials have been reported. In this critical review, we address the state-of-the-art of membrane fabrication and their properties. A large number of papers of uneven quality has appeared in the literature during the last few years, so this review is limited to works that are judged as significant. Emphasis is put on proton transport and the physico‐chemical mechanisms of proton conductivity.
Generating Bulk-Scale Ordered Optical Materials Using Shear-Assembly in Viscoelastic Media
Authors: Finlayson Chris E. , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: June 2017

We review recent advances in the generation of photonics materials over large areas and volumes, using the paradigm of shear-induced ordering of composite polymer nanoparticles. The hard-core/soft-shell design of these particles produces quasi-solid “gum-like” media, with a viscoelastic ensemble response to applied shear, in marked contrast to the behavior seen in colloidal and granular systems. Applying an oscillatory shearing method to sub-micron spherical nanoparticles gives elastomeric photonic crystals (or “polymer opals”) with intense tunable structural color. The further engineering of this shear-ordering using a controllable “roll-to-roll” process known as Bending Induced Oscillatory Shear (BIOS), together with the interchangeable nature of the base composite particles, opens potentially transformative possibilities for mass manufacture of nano-ordered materials, including advances in optical materials, photonics, and metamaterials/plasmonics.
Effects of Tetrodotoxin in Mouse Models of Visceral Pain
Authors: González-Cano Rafael , Tejada Miguel , Artacho-Cordón Antonia , Nieto Francisco , Entrena José , Wood John , Cendán Cruz
Published: June 2017

Visceral pain is very common and represents a major unmet clinical need for which current pharmacological treatments are often insufficient. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that exerts analgesic actions in both humans and rodents under different somatic pain conditions, but its effect has been unexplored in visceral pain. Therefore, we tested the effects of systemic TTX in viscero-specific mouse models of chemical stimulation of the colon (intracolonic instillation of capsaicin and mustard oil) and intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. The subcutaneous administration of TTX dose-dependently inhibited the number of pain-related behaviors in all evaluated pain models and reversed the referred mechanical hyperalgesia (examined by stimulation of the abdomen with von Frey filaments) induced by capsaicin and cyclophosphamide, but not that induced by mustard oil. Morphine inhibited both pain responses and the referred mechanical hyperalgesia in all tests. Conditional nociceptor‑specific Nav1.7 knockout mice treated with TTX showed the same responses as littermate controls after the administration of the algogens. No motor incoordination after the administration of TTX was observed. These results suggest that blockade of TTX-sensitive sodium channels, but not Nav1.7 subtype alone, by systemic administration of TTX might be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of visceral pain.
Influence of Temperature-Dependent Properties of Aluminum Alloy on Evolution of Plastic Strain and Residual Stress during Quenching Process
Authors: Zhang Yuxun , Yi Youping , Huang Shiquan , He Hailin
Published: June 2017

To lessen quenching residual stresses in aluminum alloy components, theory analysis, quenching experiments, and numerical simulation were applied to investigate the influence of temperature-dependent material properties on the evolution of plastic strain and stress in the forged 2A14 aluminum alloy components during quenching process. The results show that the thermal expansion coefficients, yield strengths, and elastic moduli played key roles in determining the magnitude of plastic strains. To produce a certain plastic strain, the temperature difference increased with decreasing temperature. It means that the cooling rates at high temperatures play an important role in determining residual stresses. Only reducing the cooling rate at low temperatures does not reduce residual stresses. An optimized quenching process can minimize the residual stresses and guarantee superior mechanical properties. In the quenching process, the cooling rates were low at temperatures above 450 °C and were high at temperatures below 400 °C.
Study on the Effect of Fe3+ on Zircon Flotation Separation from Cassiterite Using Sodium Oleate as Collector
Authors: Peng Huiqing , Luo Wen , Wu Di , Bie Xuexiang , Shao Hui , Jiao Wenya , Liu Yike
Published: June 2017

The effect of ferric ions (Fe3+) on the flotation of zircon and cassiterite using sodium oleate (NaOL) was investigated by single mineral flotation tests, adsorption density tests, zeta potential measurements, solution chemistry analyses, and FTIR analyses. It is difficult for zircon to be separated from cassiterite by using NaOL alone. Nevertheless, the flotation of zircon was activated while that of cassiterite was depressed in the presence of Fe3+. Adsorption density tests indicated that the addition of Fe3+ enhanced the adsorption of NaOL on zircon surfaces, whereas it receded on cassiterite surfaces. Zeta potential measurements and solution chemistry analyses found that H(OL) 2 − was the predominant species to determine the flotation behaviors of zircon and cassiterite. Furthermore, the addition of Fe3+ at pH < 8 reduced the negative charges on the zircon and cassiterite surfaces. It was confirmed that the positive charges of zircon were caused by the positively charged species of Fe3+, including Fe3+, Fe(OH)2+, and Fe(OH) 2 + . Meanwhile, these results revealed that the hydroxy complex and the precipitate of Fe(OH)3(s) adsorbed onto the cassiterite surfaces caused the flotation of cassiterite to be inhibited. It can be concluded from FTIR analyses that the peaks of zircon at 894.14 cm−1 and 611.65 cm−1 were strengthened and the adsorption on zircon surfaces was found to be chemisorption due to the addition of Fe3+, whereas both chemical and physical adsorptions of NaOL on cassiterite surfaces were weakened, resulting in the different flotation behaviors of zircon and cassiterite in the presence of Fe3+.
Mesoporous Silica Matrix as a Tool for Minimizing Dipolar Interactions in NiFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Virumbrales Maider , Saez-Puche Regino , Torralvo María , Blanco-Gutierrez Veronica
Published: June 2017

NiFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles have been prepared encased in the MCM (Mobile Composition of Matter) type matrix. Their magnetic behavior has been studied and compared with that corresponding to particles of the same composition and of a similar size (prepared and embedded in amorphous silica or as bare particles). This study has allowed elucidation of the role exerted by the matrix and interparticle interactions in the magnetic behavior of each ferrite system. Thus, very different superparamagnetic behavior has been found in ferrite particles of similar size depending on the surrounding media. Also, the obtained results clearly provide evidence of the vastly different magnetic behavior for each ferrite system.
A Branched-Chain Amino Acid-Related Metabolic Signature Characterizes Obese Adolescents with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Goffredo Martina , Santoro Nicola , Tricò Domenico , Giannini Cosimo , D’Adamo Ebe , Zhao Hongyu , Peng Gang , Yu Xiaoqing , Lam Tukiet , Pierpont Bridget , Caprio Sonia , Herzog Raimund
Published: June 2017

Dysregulation of several metabolite pathways, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), are associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance in adults, while studies in youth reported conflicting results. We explored whether, independently of obesity and insulin resistance, obese adolescents with NAFLD display a metabolomic signature consistent with disturbances in amino acid and lipid metabolism. A total of 180 plasma metabolites were measured by a targeted metabolomic approach in 78 obese adolescents with (n = 30) or without (n = 48) NAFLD assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and subsets of patients underwent a two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and/or a second MRI after a 2.2 ± 0.8-year follow-up. Adolescents with NAFLD had higher plasma levels of valine (p = 0.02), isoleucine (p = 0.03), tryptophan (p = 0.02), and lysine (p = 0.02) after adjustment for confounding factors. Circulating BCAAs were negatively correlated with peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, higher baseline valine levels predicted an increase in hepatic fat content (HFF) at follow-up (p = 0.01). These results indicate that a dysregulation of BCAA metabolism characterizes obese adolescents with NAFLD independently of obesity and insulin resistance and predict an increase in hepatic fat content over time.
Catalytic Oxidation of Lignin in Solvent Systems for Production of Renewable Chemicals: A Review
Authors: Cheng Chongbo , Wang Jinzhi , Shen Dekui , Xue Jiangtao , Guan Sipian , Gu Sai , Luo Kai
Published: June 2017

Lignin as the most abundant source of aromatic chemicals in nature has attracted a great deal of attention in both academia and industry. Solvolysis is one of the promising methods to convert lignin to a number of petroleum-based aromatic chemicals. The process involving the depolymerization of the lignin macromolecule and repolymerization of fragments is complicated influenced by heating methods, reaction conditions, presence of a catalyst and solvent systems. Recently, numerous investigations attempted unveiling the inherent mechanism of this process in order to promote the production of valuable aromatics. Oxidative solvolysis of lignin can produce a number of the functionalized monomeric or oligomeric chemicals. A number of research groups should be greatly appreciated with regard to their contributions on the following two concerns: (1) the cracking mechanism of inter-unit linkages during the oxidative solvolysis of lignin; and (2) the development of novel catalysts for oxidative solvolysis of lignin and their performance. Investigations on lignin oxidative solvolysis are extensively overviewed in this work, concerning the above issues and the way-forward for lignin refinery.