bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Treatment with Lithium Alleviates Memory Deficits and Reduces Amyloid-β Production in an Aged Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mouse Model
Authors: Zhang Xin , Heng Xin , Li Ting , Li Lixi , Yang Dehua , Zhang Xiaojie , Du Yunlan , Doody Rachelle S. , Le Weidong
Published: May 2018

The glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) pathway plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its deregulation accounts for many of the pathological hallmarks of AD. Lithium, which modulates GSK3β activity, has been shown to reduce amyloid production and tau phosphorylation in pre-pathological AD mouse models. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic LiCl treatment in aged double transgenic mice (AβPPSwe/PS1A246E). We found that chronic lithium treatment decreased the γ-cleavage of amyloid-β protein precursor, further reduced amyloid-β production and senile plaque formation, accompanied by the improvement in spatial learning and memory abilities. Because autophagy may play an important role in the pathology of AD, we also assessed the autophagy activity and found that the chronic lithium treatment attenuated the autophagy activation in this AD mouse model. Our results suggest that prolonged lithium treatment, even during the later stages of AD, could be an effective therapeutics.
Gene Expression Biomarkers in the Brain of a Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease: Mining of Microarray Data by Logic Classification and Feature Selection
Authors: Arisi Ivan , D'Onofrio Mara , Brandi Rossella , Felsani Armando , Capsoni Simona , Drovandi Guido , Felici Giovanni , Weitschek Emanuel , Bertolazzi Paola , Cattaneo Antonino
Published: May 2018

The identification of early and stage-specific biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical, as the development of disease-modification therapies may depend on the discovery and validation of such markers. The identification of early reliable biomarkers depends on the development of new diagnostic algorithms to computationally exploit the information in large biological datasets. To identify potential biomarkers from mRNA expression profile data, we used the Logic Mining method for the unbiased analysis of a large microarray expression dataset from the anti-NGF AD11 transgenic mouse model. The gene expression profile of AD11 brain regions was investigated at different neurodegeneration stages by whole genome microarrays. A new implementation of the Logic Mining method was applied both to early (1–3 months) and late stage (6–15 months) expression data, coupled to standard statistical methods. A small number of “fingerprinting” formulas was isolated, encompassing mRNAs whose expression levels were able to discriminate between diseased and control mice. We selected three differential “signature” genes specific for the early stage (Nudt19, Arl16, Aph1b), five common to both groups (Slc15a2, Agpat5, Sox2ot, 2210015, D19Rik, Wdfy1), and seven specific for late stage (D14Ertd449, Tia1, Txnl4, 1810014B01Rik, Snhg3, Actl6a, Rnf25). We suggest these genes as potential biomarkers for the early and late stage of AD-like neurodegeneration in this model and conclude that Logic Mining is a powerful and reliable approach for large scale expression data analysis. Its application to large expression datasets from brain or peripheral human samples may facilitate the discovery of early and stage-specific AD biomarkers.
Effects of Gossypium herbaceam Extract Administration on the Learning and Memory Function in the Naturally Aged Rats: Neuronal Niche Improvement1
Authors: Liu Yanyong , Aisa Haji Akber , Ji Chao , Yang Nan , Zhu Haibo , Zuo Pingping
Published: May 2018

Aging-associated cognitive impairment is an important health care issue since individuals with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study, the protective effect of Gossypium herbaceam extracts (GHE) on learning and memory impairment associated with aging were examined in vivo using Morris water maze and step through task. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect of GHE was investigated with methods of histochemistry and biochemistry. These data showed that oral administration with GHE at the doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg exerted an improved effect on the learning and memory impairment in aged rats. Subsequently, GHE afforded a beneficial action on eradication of free radicals without influence on the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. GHE treatment enhanced the expression levels of nerve growth factor. Meanwhile, proliferation of neural progenitor cells was elevated in hippocampus after treatment with GHE. Taken together, neurogenic niche improvement could be involved in the mechanism underlying neuroprotection of GHE against aging-associated cognitive impairment. These findings suggested that GHE might be a potential agent as cognitive-enhancing drugs that delay or halt mild cognitive impairment progression to Alzheimer’s disease or treatment of aging-associated cognitive impairment.
Inhibitory Effects of Cyanide on the Activity of Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzyme (GSHE) during Hydrolysis of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Starch
Authors: Hargono Hargono , Kumoro Andri Cahyo , Jos Bakti
Published: May 2018

The kinetics and inhibitory effects of cyanide on the granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme (GSHE) activity during hydrolysis of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) starch at low temperature were studied. The substrates included native cassava starch at various concentrations (100-400 g/L) and native cassava starches with added cyanide at various concentrations (50-150 mg/kg), while the concentration of enzyme was 1.5% (w/w). A decrease in reducing sugar concentration during hydrolysis of cassava starch indicated that the cyanide reduced the enzyme activity. Lineweaver-Burk plot of Michaelis-Menten equation was used to study the inhibition kinetics. The maximum velocity (Vmax) value was higher for native cassava starch than that of native cassava starch with added cyanides. The presence of cyanide was found to reduce the Vmax values. No significant different of the saturation constant (Km) value between native cassava starch and native cassava starch with added cyanides was observed. Based on the inhibition type analysis, the effect of cyanide in the cassava starch can be classified as a noncompetitive inhibition, with the Ki value of 0.33 mg/L.
Effects of Injection Molding Screw Tips on Polymer Mixing
Authors: Török Dániel , Kovács József Gábor
Published: May 2018

In all fields of industry it is important to produce parts with good quality. Injection molded parts usually have to meet strict requirements technically and aesthetically. The aim of the measurements presented in our paper is to investigate the aesthetic appearance, such as surface color homogeneity, of injection molded parts. It depends on several factors, the raw material, the colorants, the injection molding machine and the processing parameters. In this project we investigated the effects of the injection molding machine on surface color homogeneity. We focused on injection molding screw tips and investigated five screw tips with different geometries. We produced flat specimens colored with a masterbatch and investigated color homogeneity. To evaluate the color homogeneity of the specimens, we used digital image analysis software developed by us. After that we measured the plastication rate and the melt temperature of the polymer melt because mixing depends on these factors. Our results showed that the screw tips (dynamic mixers) can improve surface color homogeneity but they cause an increase in melt temperature and a decrease in the plastication rate.
FNAC of Lymph Node - A Valuable Clue to Diagnosis of Toxoplasma Lymphadenitis
Authors: Haque Wasim Selimul , Yasmin Shamoli , Islam SK Md Jaynul , Ahmed Ishtyaq , Hossain Sowkat , Saha Debashish
Published: May 2018

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is now a days the initial investigation in most cases of superficial lymphadenopathy. In clinical practice both clinicians and cytopathologists are not commonly suspecting of Toxoplasma lymphadenitis (TL), though it may constitute a significant proportion of unexplained lymphadenitis. Careful cognizance of cytological findings can give valuable clue to the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis which can be confirmed by serological evidence.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Histopathology of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Bangladesh from 01 July 2017 to 31 March 2018. FNAC smears of the patients with lymphadenopathy who reported for FNAC were examined and suspicion of toxoplasmosis was made on coexistence of abundance of ‘tingible body macrophages’ (TBM) and follicular center cells (FCC), small collections of epithelioid histiocytes and absence of necrosis and/or more than occasional giant cells. Serum enzyme linked immunosorbent sorbent assay (ELISA) for Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibody was then performed in all cases that deemed suspicious for toxoplasmosis for confirmation of the diagnosis.Results: Total 925 patients were examined by FNAC of lymph node. Among them 574 were categorized as reactive hyperplasia (RH). Thirty two patients (5.74%) of RH were suspected as TL and included in the study. Serum ELISA confirmed toxoplasmosis in 22 (68.75%, twelve male and ten female) of these 32 cases. One among the positive cases revealed bradyzoites of Toxoplasma in the smear. The age of the patients diagnosed finally as TL spanned between 5 to 47 years (mean 28.59±11.51 years) though most frequent age group was 26 Yr to 35 Yr (7 cases- 31.8%).Conclusion: A high index of suspicion of TL can be made on careful study of smears of FNAC of enlarged lymph node, diagnosis of which can then be confirmed by ELISA.Birdem Med J 2018; 8(2): 103-107
Preservation of Frenular Artery During Circumcision
Authors: Choudhury Kamal M , Pervez MMM , Uddin MR
Published: May 2018

Background: Circumcision is a widely performed surgical procedure. Though it is a simple operation, oftentimes a number of complications are encountered. Among them post-circumcision pain and bleeding are of paramount concern. These may cause apprehension in the parents as well as in patients. Surgical procedure of circumcision should, therefore, be pain-free and devoid of complication as much as possible.Methods: In this prospective randomized doubnle blind observational study, we had compared two commonly practiced technique of circumcision and evaluated the outcomes in regard to post circumcision pain and complications, and overall cosmesis. The study was carried out in 100 boys randomly allocated in two groups from July 2016 through June 2017.Result: The results revealed that the modified sleeve method in which the frenular artery of penis was preserved was associated with significantly less post circumcision pain and fewer complications. In addition, boys who underwent modified sleeve method exhibited better overall cosmesis.Conclusion: It could be reasonably inferred that preservation of frenular artery during circumcision reduces post circumcision pain and complications and provides better cosmesis.Birdem Med J 2018; 8(2): 145-150
Tailoring polarization and magnetization of absorbing terahertz metamaterials using a cut-wire sandwich structure
Authors: Yudistira Hadi Teguh , Liu Shuo , Cui Tie Jun , Zhang Han
Published: May 2018

The permittivity and permeability of a cut-wire sandwich structure can be controlled by laterally shifting the upper and lower layers. The use of this process for designing specific application-oriented devices may lack clear-cut guidelines because the lateral misalignment will significantly change the permittivity and permeability simultaneously. Therefore, in this work, we designed, fabricated and characterized a cut-wire sandwich device capable of tailoring the polarization and magnetization separately, thereby providing a promising recipe for achieving specific application objectives, such as a high-performance absorber. Accumulated charges effectively provided the polarization at the edge of cut-wires, and the surface current density on the cut-wires at top and bottom layers effectively generated the magnetization. By controlling and optimizing the geometrical configurations of the entire sandwich device (without lateral misalignment), the impedance could be matched to that of free space while generating a large imaginary part in the refractive index. This work characterizes the absorption performance of such sandwich structures in the terahertz regime. This mechanism could be further extended to other metamaterial devices in the terahertz and other frequency ranges because polarization and magnetization can now be selectively controlled in a straightforward manner.
Cr(VI) remediation from aqueous environment through modified-TiO2-mediated photocatalytic reduction
Authors: Acharya Rashmi , Naik Brundabana , Parida Kulamani
Published: May 2018

Cr(VI) exhibits cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties; hence, effluents containing Cr(VI) from various industrial processes pose threat to aquatic life and downstream users. Various treatment techniques, such as chemical reduction, ion exchange, bacterial degradation, adsorption and photocatalysis, have been exploited for remediation of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Among these, photocatalysis has recently gained considerable attention. The applications of photocatalysis, such as water splitting, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, organic transformation reactions, N2 fixation, etc., towards solving the energy crisis and environmental issues are briefly discussed in the Introduction of this review. The advantages of TiO2 as a photocatalyst and the importance of its modification for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) has also been addressed. In this review, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 after modification with carbon-based advanced materials, metal oxides, metal sulfides and noble metals towards reduction of Cr(VI) was evaluated and compared with that of bare TiO2. The photoactivity of dye-sensitized TiO2 for reduction of Cr(VI) was also discussed. The mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic activity was highlighted and attributed to the resultant properties, namely, effective separation of photoinduced charge carriers, extension of the light absorption range and intensity, increase of the surface active sites, and higher photostability. Advantages and limitations for photoreduction of Cr(VI) over modified TiO2 are depicted in the Conclusion. The various challenges that restrict the technology from practical applications in remediation of Cr(VI) from wastewater were addressed in the Conclusion section as well. The future perspectives of the field presented in this review are focused on the development of whole-solar-spectrum responsive, TiO2-coupled photocatalysts which provide efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) along with their good recoverability and recyclability.
Selective carboxylation of reactive benzylic C–H bonds by a hypervalent iodine(III)/inorganic bromide oxidation system
Authors: Dohi Toshifumi , Ueda Shohei , Iwasaki Kosuke , Tsunoda Yusuke , Morimoto Koji , Kita Yasuyuki
Published: May 2018

An oxidation system comprising phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) and iodosobenzene with inorganic bromide, i.e., sodium bromide, in an organic solvent led to the direct introduction of carboxylic acids into benzylic C–H bonds under mild conditions. The unique radical species, generated by the homolytic cleavage of the labile I(III)–Br bond of the in situ-formed bromo-λ3-iodane, initiated benzylic carboxylation with a high degree of selectivity for the secondary benzylic position.
A Spectroscopic Survey of Field Red Horizontal-branch Stars
Authors: Afşar Melike , Bozkurt Zeynep , Topcu Gamze Böcek , Casetti-Dinescu Dana I. , Sneden Christopher , Şehitog̅lu Gizem
Published: May 2018

A metallicity, chemical composition, and kinematic survey has been conducted for a sample of 340 candidate field red horizontal-branch (RHB) stars. Spectra with high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio were gathered with the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m Tull and the Hobby–Eberly Telescope echelle spectrographs, and were used to determine effective temperatures, surface gravities, microturbulent velocities, [Fe/H] metallicities, and abundance ratios [X/Fe] for seven α and Fe-group species. The derived temperatures and gravities confirm that at least half of the candidates are true RHB stars, with (average) parameters T
eff ∼ 5000 K and log g ∼ 2.5. From the α abundances alone, the thin and thick Galactic populations are apparent in our sample. Space motions for 90% of the program stars were computed from Hipparcos and Gaia parallaxes and proper motions. Correlations between chemical compositions and Galactic kinematics clearly indicate the existence of both thin-disk and thick-disk RHB stars.
No Evidence of Periodic Variability in the Light Curve of Active Galaxy J0045+41
Authors: Barth Aaron J. , Stern Daniel
Published: May 2018

Dorn-Wallenstein, Levesque, & Ruan recently presented the identification of a z = 0.215 active galaxy located behind M31 and claimed the detection of multiple periodic variations in the object’s light curve with as many as nine different periods. They interpreted these results as evidence of the presence of a binary supermassive black hole with an orbital separation of just a few hundred au, and estimated the gravitational-wave signal implied by such a system. We demonstrate that the claimed periodicities are based on a misinterpretation of the null hypothesis test simulations and an error in the method used to calculate the false alarm probabilities. There is no evidence of periodicity in the data.
Structured Slow Solar Wind Variability: Streamer-blob Flux Ropes and Torsional Alfvén Waves
Authors: Higginson A. K. , Lynch B. J.
Published: May 2018

The slow solar wind exhibits strong variability on timescales from minutes to days, likely related to magnetic reconnection processes in the extended solar corona. Higginson et al. presented a numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulation that showed interchange magnetic reconnection is ubiquitous and most likely responsible for releasing much of the slow solar wind, in particular along topological features known as the Separatrix-Web (S-Web). Here, we continue our analysis, focusing on two specific aspects of structured slow solar wind variability. The first type is present in the slow solar wind found near the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), and the second we predict should be present everywhere S-Web slow solar wind is observed. For the first type, we examine the evolution of three-dimensional magnetic flux ropes formed at the top of the helmet streamer belt by reconnection in the HCS. For the second, we examine the simulated remote and in situ signatures of the large-scale torsional Alfvén wave (TAW), which propagates along an S-Web arc to high latitudes. We describe the similarities and differences between the reconnection-generated flux ropes in the HCS, which resemble the well-known “streamer blob” observations, and the similarly structured TAW. We discuss the implications of our results for the complexity of the HCS and surrounding plasma sheet and the potential for particle acceleration, as well as the interchange reconnection scenarios that may generate TAWs in the solar corona. We discuss predictions from our simulation results for the dynamic slow solar wind in the extended corona and inner heliosphere.
The relevance of using various scoring schemes revealed by an impact assessment of feral mammals
Authors: Hagen Bianca L. , Kumschick Sabrina
Published: May 2018

Impact scoring schemes are useful for identifying to what extent alien species cause damage. Quantifying the similarity and differences between impact scoring schemes can help determine how to optimally use these tools for policy decisions. Using feral mammals (including rats and mice) as a case study, environmental and socio-economic impacts were assessed using three schemes, namely the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS), Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) and Socio-Economic Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (SEICAT). The results show that socio-economic impacts scores differ between the respective schemes (GISS and SEICAT) possibly because they assess different aspects of social life and economy. This suggests that both scoring schemes should ideally be applied in concert to get a complete picture of socio-economic impacts. In contrast, environmental impact scores are correlated between GISS and EICAT assessments and this similarity is consistent over most mechanisms except for predation and ecosystems, suggesting that one scoring scheme is sufficient to capture all the environmental impacts. Furthermore, we present evidence for the island susceptibility hypothesis as impacts of feral mammals were found to be higher on islands compared to mainlands.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Miran Marie
Published: May 2018

Cette étude retrace à grands traits les trajectoires locales des mouvements réformistes ivoiriens, ghanéens et béninois, leurs ouvertures à l’international et leurs éventuelles convergences, dans le contexte des grandes villes côtières que sont Abidjan, Accra, Cotonou et Porto Novo. Il s’agit de poser quelques jalons pour une histoire des mouvements islamiques sur la côte de Guinée en s’attachant de manière privilégiée à la mouvance islamique dite « réformiste », appellation générique faisant ici référence aux individus, associations, écoles, activités ou médias musulmans non identifiés par une allégeance soufie. Ce terme, que les intéressés n’utilisent jamais, permet néanmoins d’identifier une « communauté de savoir » dont l’importance relative et la visibilité surtout urbaine, n’ont cessé de s’accentuer sur la scène islamique depuis les années 1970 et plus encore 1990. Mais les mouvements réformistes sur la côte de Guinée restent foncièrement pluriels et singulièrement autonomes.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Mary André
Published: May 2018

L’Église du Christianisme Céleste est confrontée depuis la mort du prophète Oschoffa en 1985 à une crise structurelle de succession qui se traduit par une lutte entre leaders pour l’appropriation des lieux saints. Les rebondissements récents du scénario de la réconciliation et de la division qui rythme la vie de l’Église révèlent l’interdépendance des scènes politiques et religieuses dans les pays concernés (Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, Nigeria) et le rôle capital des réseaux religieux transnationaux au sein du monde céleste. La crise de succession est liée à la dimension prophétique et charismatique de l’autorité religieuse et le caractère transfrontalier de l’espace régional des conflits de pouvoir va de pair avec le réveil des démons ethno-nationaux. La tension entre une politique supranationale privilégiant des structures bureaucratiques et des formes routinisées de gestion des biens de salut et des réseaux transnationaux reposant sur l’alliance entre des chefs historiques nationaux, atteint son paroxysme.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Mayrargue Cédric
Published: May 2018

Dans un contexte d’expansion pentecôtiste et de visibilité croissante des acteurs évangéliques dans l’espace public, cet article met en relation le caractère transnational de ces expressions religieuses et les mobilisations qu’elles génèrent dans l’espace social et politique béninois. Si les spécificités du contexte local et de la conjoncture politique ainsi que le jeu des acteurs tendent à atténuer les effets de la transnationalisation, celle-ci constitue cependant une ressource pertinente pour nombre d’acteurs. Cette étude s’intéresse successivement à trois niveaux de l’insertion sociale et politique de ces acteurs pentecôtistes : les stratégies de visibilité, les modes de structuration de la communauté chrétienne et les formes de mobilisation dans l’espace public.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Nyemutu Roberts F. O. , Benjamin Salomon A.
Published: May 2018

Les dynamiques chrétiennes au Nigeria sont associées aujourd’hui à la fragmentation confessionnelle. Si les origines de ce processus peuvent être religieuses ou profanes, elles ont toutes un rapport étroit avec l’acquisition et l’usage du pouvoir d’acteurs aux intérêts opposés dans des espaces variés plus ou moins connectés aux réseaux locaux et internationaux. Cette dynamique renvoie à une idéologie libérale de marché de « croissance des Églises » où le conflit fait partie intégrante du système : elle défie par la même les projets œcuméniques et l’organisation sociale au Nigeria.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Loimeier Roman
Published: May 2018

L’expansion des affiliations translocales au Nigeria s’est accompagnée, depuis deux siècles, d’une expansion des réseaux translocaux fonctionnant à l’échelle locale à l’intérieur d’une Afrique musulmane, à l’échelle transnationale au sein d’une œcoumène islamique et à l’échelle « globale » en incluant des communautés islamiques de la diaspora installées dans le monde non musulman. Si ces réseaux translocaux ont plusieurs fonctions, ils ont essentiellement renforcé le pouvoir des groupes musulmans nigérians qui ont su jouer des différents registres et affiliations islamiques. L’importance de ces réseaux translocaux est étroitement dépendante du contexte national et des enjeux religieux et politiques de la scène nigériane. Ces liens translocaux renvoient donc aux conflits internes des différents groupes musulmans nigérians et répondent à des alliances politiques et religieuses très conjoncturelles. Le contexte nigérian local est finalement le facteur décisif du développement des réseaux translocaux.
Entreprises religieuses transnationales en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Hassane Souley
Published: May 2018

Les élites islamiques du Niger et du Nigeria partagent des itinéraires, des discours et des pratiques communs. C’est un fait historique : on retrouve de part et d’autre de la frontière les mêmes nationalités, la même typologie des acteurs islamiques : le Mallam (l’enseignant), le Shéhi (le chef confrérique), le Mai Wa’azi (le prédicateur), Mallamai Yan Boko (les intellectuels musulmans), le Mai taimakon addinni (les mécènes de l’islam). Cette contribution expose les différents leaders de l’islam du Niger et du Nigeria du Nord mais aussi les mutations générationnelles et conceptuelles des élites islamiques dans ces deux pays.
Redistribution classique : le sublime comme réponse à l’ aisthétisation du beau
Authors: Talon-Hugon Carole
Published: May 2018

L’esthétique environnementale plonge-t-elle ses racines dans l’esthétique classique de la nature ? On montrera ici que non. La révolution scientifique moderne, en renonçant au Cosmos au profit d’un paradigme mécaniste corpusculaire de la nature a conduit à une subjectivisation du sensible. L’esthétique, qui naît au xviii e siècle, s’est d’abord donné pour tâche de prendre en charge le rapport sensible au monde que la nouvelle science négligeait au profit de l’étude des qualités premières. Mais l’intérêt de l’art, et notamment de la peinture, pour cette configuration particulière du sensible qu’est le paysage a produit une artialisation du rapport sensible de l’homme au monde, c’est-à-dire a conduit à considérer ce dernier sous les catégories de beauté et de sublime, à privilégier le sens de la vue, et à prôner une attitude désintéressée. Autant de traits avec lesquels l’esthétique environnementale contemporaine rompt.
L’art du paysage
Authors: Milani Raffaele
Published: May 2018

Dans la perspective de cette étude, le problème du paysage provient non pas de la transfiguration artistique, le paysage dans la peinture, mais il se situe sur le plan du travail de l’homme et ainsi de la vision, de l’imagination et de la contemplation. On veut comprendre la signification du paysage comme une catégorie esthétique dans le domaine de la sensibilité humaine, sous le signe de la réalité, de la valeur, du symbole, éclairée par la manifestation multiple des choses qui nous entourent et de sa transfiguration ensuite dans l’art et dans la littérature. Grâce à un réseau d’impressions, de sentiments et de jugements, l’expérience des formes s’offre en un certain dessein de connaissance. La catégorie esthétique vise à révéler la structure même des objets et des phénomènes, en se situant entre l’intention humaine et la nature intime du monde. Dans cet intervalle, la vérité de la beauté du paysage naturel et du paysage construit est appréhendée précisément dans l’optique d’un art qui est le résultat du faire, du sentiment et de l’imaginaire. Nous sommes depuis toujours fascinés par la nature environnante. Il nous est facile de comprendre, d’entendre la signification et la valeur du paysage en tant que catégorie esthétique le long du processus de la civilisation.
Pour une esthétique de la charogne
Authors: Afeissa Hicham-Stéphane
Published: May 2018

L’apport majeur de l’esthétique environnementale au cours de la seconde moitié du XX e siècle a consisté à démontrer qu’il existe un lien entre l’expérience esthétique et la connaissance scientifique, la science naturelle fournissant les schèmes classificatoires permettant de savoir ce qu’il convient d’apprécier et comment il convient de le faire lorsqu’il en va de l’appréciation de la nature. La réhabilitation des paysages des marais depuis le milieu du XIX e siècle offre une belle confirmation de la validité de cette thèse, cette dernière étant en effet largement redevable des leçons de l’écologie, à telle enseigne que l’on peut bien tenir les paysages des marais pour l’objet paradigmatique de toute esthétique environnementale. Mais peut-on espérer effectuer semblable revalorisation du spectacle intrinsèquement répugnant que donne à voir un corps en décomposition, quelles que puissent être nos notions sur l’écologie du recyclage des nutriments ? La charogne n’est-elle pas l’objet-limite de toute esthétique ?
Esthétique, phénoménologie de l’habitation de la Terre et considération
Authors: Pelluchon Corine
Published: May 2018

L’appréciation esthétique de la nature implique un engagement du corps et contribue à élargir notre perception de nous-mêmes en nous faisant ressentir notre appartenance à la communauté biotique. Pourtant, l’esthétique environnementale ne se fonde pas sur la connaissance des phénomènes biologiques complexes ni même sur une éthique environnementale liée à la reconnaissance de la valeur intrinsèque des autres vivants. La capacité à admirer la nature indépendamment de l’usage que l’on en a supposé un décentrement du regard, mais ce dernier ne résulte pas de connaissances ou de normes. Il est plutôt le fruit d’une transformation de soi qui modifie en profondeur la manière dont le sujet se pense et perçoit la nature. Tel est le sens de la considération, qui unit l’éthique et l’esthétique, la capacité à admirer les animaux sans chercher à les dominer et le désir de prendre soin de la nature découlant d’un rapport à soi et au monde commun.
Jalons pour une étude du corpus huguenot sur la tolérance au moment de la Révocation
Authors: Guillemin Thomas
Published: May 2018

Cet article propose quelques éléments de réflexion
sur le « corpus huguenot sur la tolérance au moment de la
révocation », qui réunit un ensemble de textes produits entre 1684 et
1697 par des auteurs, protestants au moment où ils écrivent leurs
traités. L’article propose d’abord d’identifier les auteurs de ce
corpus : Noël Aubert de Versé, Henri Basnage de Beauval, Pierre Bayle,
Gédéon Huet, Charles Le Cène, Isaac Papin, Jacques Philipot, Elie
Saurin. Il met ensuite en évidence l’intellectualisme commun à tous
les auteurs retenus et justifie la présence dans le corpus de deux
théologiens de tendance socinienne.
L’image des « Turcs » dans les débats des temps modernes sur la tolérance
Authors: Sonntag Ines
Published: May 2018

Cette recherche a débuté à partir de sources liées au discours sur la gestion des différents types de christianisme qui apparaissent dans le sillage de la Réformation et de la confessionnalisation. Répondre à cette problématique – que ce soit sous la forme d’un plaidoyer en faveur des interactions non-violentes et de la tolérance mutuelle ou d’un impitoyable appel à la restauration de l’idéal de la christianitas – revient bien souvent, d’une manière ou d’une autre, à faire référence aux « Turcs ». Le discours sur les « Turcs » a joué un rôle important dans l’incitation à la confessionnalisation et dans la lutte pour obtenir des droits politiques et religieux. Avec la systématisation et la catégorisation des images utilisées pour décrire « les Turcs », paraissent quelques récits qui remplissent tous une fonction spéciale dans le discours sur la tolérance de différentes dénominations chrétiennes. Il semble d’ailleurs que certains modèles linguistiques, et par conséquent l’appréciation des « Turcs » (et avec eux de l’« Islam » et de l’« Orient » dont ils étaient les représentants) furent significativement impactés par les débats internes au christianisme et dans un moindre degré par les rencontres entre chrétiens et musulmans.
Une tolérance à géométrie variable : catholiques et protestants, chrétiens et juifs, pouvoir royal et francisation
Authors: Léonard Julien
Published: May 2018

La ville de Metz (20 000 habitants), sous
protection française depuis 1552, puis en voie de francisation
politique jusqu’à l’annexion officielle en 1648, constitue un
laboratoire à part pour observer la coexistence confessionnelle et la
tolérance accordée par la monarchie au xviie siècle. On y voit la
présence d’une forte minorité réformée (entre la moitié et le
cinquième de la population) qui bénéficie de certaines libertés
inconnues sous le régime de l’édit de Nantes, et d’une petite minorité
juive, protégée par la monarchie malgré le renouvellement de l’édit
d’expulsion du royaume en 1615.

La tolérance accordée à ces deux communautés par le
pouvoir politique est à géométrie variable. Tandis que les réformés
connaissent un sort de moins en moins favorable de la part des
autorités et du clergé catholique, jusqu’à devoir connaître les effets
de la révocation de l’édit de Nantes qui supprime leur liberté de
culte (1685), les juifs continuent à être protégés, malgré l’hostilité
des chrétiens locaux. Il faut y voir une volonté très pragmatique de
ne tenir compte que des intérêts (géo)-politiques et économiques les
plus immédiats de la monarchie, aux échelles locale et nationale, dans
une ville de frontière hautement stratégique.
Valuing Sustainability
Authors: Morales Daniela Rojas , Moratis Lars
Published: May 2018

Consumers' low awareness and negative attributions remain critical impediments to companies' attempts to reap the potential benefits of CSR. Addressing the gap of how and under which conditions what type of attributions arise and the role of stakeholder factors in CSR communication strategies, the aim of this chapter is to assess to what extent national culture influences the attributions that arise towards green advertising. Preceded by a pre-test, a survey was conducted in Colombia, The Netherlands and USA. With a total of 248 responses, a multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results show main effects of national culture on the attribution of negative motives. Specifically, the cultural dimensions power distance and uncertainty avoidance have a negative effect on negative attributions. On the other hand, results indicated that positive attributions are not influenced by national culture. The research stresses the relevance of national culture as a stakeholder-factor, influencing the effectiveness of green advertising.
Cellulolytic Microorganisms
Authors: Kulkarni Amritha Govindrao , Vedamurthy Ankala Bassappa
Published: May 2018

Cellulose is the most abundant polymer in plants and the microbial conversion of cellulose is a subject of active research. Currently, cellulase is commonly used in many industrial applications, especially in animal feed, textile, waste water, brewing and wine making. A challenging strategy for the efficient utilization of this renewable resource is to use it as a base material for the production of desired metabolites. This chapter therefore focuses on exploring the cellulase producing bacteria and optimizing the parameters for the enzyme cellulase under varied conditions. Cellulolytic bacteria can be exploited for cellulase production which serves wide applications in industries, pharmaceuticals and further, use of these CDB as bio-inoculants can be incorporated to enhance organic matter decomposition in soil to increase soil fertility and to minimize the fertilizer application. It finds wide applications in reducing the environmental pollution and promote sustainable agriculture.
Sources of Air Pollution
Authors: Khelfi Abderrezak
Published: May 2018

This chapter describes how air is a complex natural gaseous system essential to support life on Earth. Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources, which discharge of harmful substances into the atmosphere, causing adverse effects to humans and the environment. They can be natural or anthropogenic. Natural air pollution sources are multiple and include volcanic eruption, fire, ocean vapors, dust storms and fermentation of organic materials. However, the range and quantities of chemicals discharged into the atmosphere from industry, transport, agriculture, energy production, domestic heating, and many other human activities, have increased dramatically. Some pollutants are emitted directly into the atmosphere and are known as primary pollutants (NOx, SOx, particulate matter, etc.). Others are formed in the air as a result of chemical reactions with other pollutants and atmospheric gases; these are known as secondary pollutants like ozone. This chapter provides an overview on air pollution sources as well as the ways in which pollutants can affect human health and the environment.
Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene Films
Authors: Laha Soumita Dutta , Dutta Kingshuk , Kundu Patit Paban
Published: May 2018

With its ever-increasing demand, the enormous production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) is leading to its huge accumulation in the environment. LDPE remains durable and inert to natural degradation and deterioration. This chapter focuses on various microbial effects and approaches on biodegradation of LDPE. Biodegradation takes place through several different strategies, such as assimilation, biodeterioration, biofragmentation, etc. Few microorganisms have so far been isolated which can grow on LDPE. Degradation by microbial enzyme is considered to be one of the most powerful tools to study the biodegradation of LDPE. Some blends and composites of LDPE with natural polymers have been found to be biodegradable; however, their manufacturing is costly. Thorough analysis of the microbial degradation of LDPE helps us realize the overall mechanism involved. In essence, this chapter aims to objectify the in situ biodegradation of LDPE via development of microbial biofilm on the polymer surface.
Insilico Tools to Study the Bioremediation in Microorganisms
Authors: Bhatt Pankaj
Published: May 2018

Bioinformatics is the new area of science to study various living organisms, plants and animals. Bioremediation is the removal of toxic pollutants from the environment using microorganisms. Many of the databases are available online and can be used for the study of the microorganism genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics. This chapter mainly focuses the uses of recent databases and tools for the exploration of microorganisms.
An Overview of Global Health Initiatives and Practices
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: May 2018

This chapter presents the overview of global health literacy, the advances issues of global health literacy, global health literacy and the internet utilization, global health literacy and disease management, and global health literacy and diabetes. Global health literacy is the important subject that is related to the individual's ability to understand and manage any healthcare issue. Global health literacy should be enhanced through healthcare providers and healthcare organizations. Global health literacy can help people prevent their health problems, protect their health, and manage their healthcare problems in a timely and effective manner. People who understand health instructions usually make fewer mistakes when taking medicine or preparing for the medical procedures toward the reduction of medical errors in global healthcare.
Health Literacy and Ethnic Minority Populations
Authors: Idowu Dela , King Gillian
Published: May 2018

This chapter will show how optimizing health literacy can benefit the delivery of healthcare to the population in a way that materially addresses the inequalities in the National Health Service (NHS). These inequalities adversely impact different population groups in different ways, for various reasons. However, ethnic minority populations are especially vulnerable to inequalities having an adverse effect on the delivery of healthcare to the population, thereby adversely affecting their access, engagement, and healthcare benefits and consequently their general health, wellbeing, and life expectancy. Optimizing health literacy in these populations will enable increased engagement and participation, thereby delivering healthcare more effectively to the population by tailoring it to their needs and addressing current inequalities.
Changing Socio-Cultural Models and Policy Programs in Rehabilitation of Persons With Communication Disorders
Authors: Venkatesan Srinivasan
Published: May 2018

The history of rehabilitation of communication disorder has journeyed from magical-religious conceptualizations through biological-medical approaches to the contemporary rights-based paradigm, wherein the person-in-environment is emphasized. The understanding of its nature and characteristics, classification, etiology, treatment, social perception, and practices, including law-making about the affected persons, have all moved in tandem with the temper of the times. This chapter attempts to outline the salient course of these changes under two sections: (1) changing models and paradigms and (2) impacts on policy programs in areas of health, education, economy, housing, and social security with special reference to the Indian sub-continent. Illustrative domains of social change in areas of education are specifically highlighted with appropriate case vignettes. The endnote raises oncoming challenges, issues, and problems related to communication disorders in the emergent dynamic socio-cultural matrix for generation next parents and children.
Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons With Hearing Impairment
Authors: Zaidi S. Z. H. , Baveja Divya
Published: May 2018

This chapter focuses on the importance of vocational rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment to attain the goal of inclusive development and rights of equal opportunities and participation. It deals with the definition of hearing impairment, in terms of ILO and prevailing legislations, the process of vocational rehabilitation, and importance of follow up. The chapter gives special emphasis to different approaches of evaluations of residual capacities, skill training models, and status of employment market along with the scope of entrepreneurial development. It also deals with various issues and challenges in the process of vocational rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment.
Devices for Rehabilitation
Authors: Moirangthem Jessee , Avutu Sateesh Reddy , Gupta Meena , Bhatia Dinesh
Published: May 2018

Rehabilitation is an area of focus by experts and researchers from different disciplines owing to the increase in number of various types of disabilities. This chapter covers information relating to causes and need for rehabilitation devices for differently abled people with motor, vision, or hearing impairment. The chapter begins with a brief on the disability population worldwide and in India, and progresses towards presenting available devices in global market and possible improvement that can be made to improve the functionality of the device and in turn improve the quality of life (QoL) of the users. Towards the end of the chapter, a reader can acquire the fundamental knowledge about the different types of disability, suitable aids, and working.
Devices for Controlled Release Advancements and Effectiveness
Authors: Chandel Arvind Kumar Singh
Published: May 2018

The term control release means the release of the molecules from any reservoir in very precise and constant amounts and following zero-order or near-to-zero-order release kinetics. This type of formulation and device has a huge market over the medical world. The basic foundation of sustained release drug delivery system enhances the biopharmaceutical and pharmacodynamics pharmacokinetic properties of a drug in such a way that its usefulness is exploited, side-effects are reduced, and cure of the disease is attained easily. The international controlled-release drug delivery technology market has been divided on the basis of technology, application, release mechanism, and geography. This chapter describes these topics: metered dose inhalers, transdermal and ocular patches, drug eluting stents, activation-modulated drug delivery systems, polymer coating systems microelectromechanical technology, implants, micro reservoir partition controlled drug delivery systems, hydrophilic polymer matrix systems, targeted delivery, enzyme activated device.
Low-Cost Body Area Network for Monitoring of Diabetic Patient
Authors: Huzooree Geshwaree , Khedo Kavi Kumar , Joonas Noojehan
Published: May 2018

The confluence of wireless body area network (WBAN) advancement has led to a great shift in the healthcare sector and has enormous potential to reduce long-term costs, social problems, workforce issues, and improve quality of healthcare service. Based on existing literature on WBANs, technologies, and standards, a WBAN is proposed to bridge the gap of information between patients and healthcare professional through sharing of high quality of information (QoI) whereby the latter can have real-time and historical view of patient's condition for effective and timely monitoring. This feature will also address the time and space restriction of healthcare service. Moreover, a best fit glucose prediction model considering various exogenous inputs based on autoregressive (ARX) model is proposed to perform data analytics in a WBAN system. The performance of the model is evaluated through performance metrics. Potential challenges and future research work are pointed out for further development of WBAN.
Wavelet Packet Analysis of ECG Signals to Understand the Effect of Cannabis Abuse on Cardiac Electrophysiology of Indian Women Working in Paddy Fields
Authors: Nayak Suraj Kumar , Pradhan Ashirbad , Khan Salman Siddique , Nayak Shikshya , Das Soumanti , Yadu Gitika , Patel Shankar Jaykishan , Bhattacharyya Champak , Pal Kunal
Published: May 2018

This chapter is aimed at identifying the variation in the cardiac electrophysiology due to the abuse of the cannabis products (bhang) in a non-invasive manner. ECG signals were acquired from 25 Indian women working in the paddy fields. Amongst them, 10 women regularly abused bhang and the rest 15 women never abused bhang. The ECG signals were preprocessed and subjected to wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) up to the level 3 using db04 wavelet. Ninety-six statistical features were extracted from the wavelet packet coefficients and analyzed using linear and non-linear statistical methods. The results suggested a variation in the cardiac electrophysiology due to the abuse of bhang. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), namely, radial basis function (RBF) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) were able to classify the ECG signals with an accuracy of ≥95%. This supported the hypothesis that abuse of bhang may alter the cardiac electrophysiology. The results of the study may be used to increase awareness among people to avoid the abuse of cannabis products.