bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Coding RNAs and Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Vallone Cristina , Rigon Giuliano , Gulia Caterina , Baffa Alberto , Votino Raffaella , Morosetti Giulia , Zaami Simona , Briganti Vito , Catania Francesco , Gaffi Marco , Nucciotti Roberto , Costantini Fabio , Piergentili Roberto , Putignani Lorenza , Signore Fabrizio
Published: March 2018

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of cell metabolism and neoplastic transformation. Recent studies have tried to clarify the significance of these information carriers in the genesis and progression of various cancers and their use as biomarkers for the disease; possible targets for the inhibition of growth and invasion by the neoplastic cells have been suggested. The significance of ncRNAs in lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma has been amply investigated with important results. Recently, the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has also been included in cancer studies. Studies on the relation between endometrial cancer (EC) and ncRNAs, such as small ncRNAs or micro RNAs (miRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), antisense RNAs (asRNAs), small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), lncRNAs, and long intergenic ncRNAs (lincRNAs) have been published. The recent literature produced in the last three years was extracted from PubMed by two independent readers, which was then selected for the possible relation between ncRNAs, oncogenesis in general, and EC in particular.
Cigarette Waste in Popular Beaches in Thailand: High Densities that Demand Environmental Action
Authors: Kungskulniti Nipapun , Charoenca Naowarut , Hamann Stephen , Pitayarangsarit Siriwan , Mock Jeremiah
Published: March 2018

Thailand, like all nations, has a responsibility to initiate environmental actions to preserve marine environments. Low- and middle-income countries face difficulties implementing feasible strategies to fulfill this ambitious goal. To contribute to the revitalization of Thailand’s marine ecosystems, we investigated the level of tobacco product waste (TPW) on Thailand’s public beaches. We conducted a cross-sectional observational survey at two popular public beaches. Research staff collected cigarette butts over two eight-hour days walking over a one-kilometer stretch of beach. We also compiled and analyzed data on butts collected from sieved sand at 11 popular beaches throughout Thailand’s coast, with 10 samples of sieved sand collected per beach. Our survey at two beaches yielded 3067 butts in lounge areas, resulting in a mean butt density of 0.44/m2. At the 11 beaches, sieved sand samples yielded butt densities ranging from 0.25 to 13.3/m2, with a mean butt density of 2.26/m2 (SD = 3.78). These densities show that TPW has become a serious problem along Thailand’s coastline. Our findings are comparable with those in other countries. We report on government and civil society initiatives in Thailand that are beginning to address marine TPW. The solution will only happen when responsible parties, especially and primarily tobacco companies, undertake actions to eliminate TPW.
PCLPred: A Bioinformatics Method for Predicting Protein–Protein Interactions by Combining Relevance Vector Machine Model with Low-Rank Matrix Approximation
Authors: Li Li-Ping , Wang Yan-Bin , You Zhu-Hong , Li Yang , An Ji-Yong
Published: March 2018

Protein–protein interactions (PPI) are key to protein functions and regulations within the cell cycle, DNA replication, and cellular signaling. Therefore, detecting whether a pair of proteins interact is of great importance for the study of molecular biology. As researchers have become aware of the importance of computational methods in predicting PPIs, many techniques have been developed for performing this task computationally. However, there are few technologies that really meet the needs of their users. In this paper, we develop a novel and efficient sequence-based method for predicting PPIs. The evolutionary features are extracted from the position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) of protein. The features are then fed into a robust relevance vector machine (RVM) classifier to distinguish between the interacting and non-interacting protein pairs. In order to verify the performance of our method, five-fold cross-validation tests are performed on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae dataset. A high accuracy of 94.56%, with 94.79% sensitivity at 94.36% precision, was obtained. The experimental results illustrated that the proposed approach can extract the most significant features from each protein sequence and can be a bright and meaningful tool for the research of proteomics.
The Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in Cameroon
Authors: Mandengue Christine , Denning David
Published: March 2018

Fungal infections are frequent in Cameroon, and invasive fungal infections are sometimes detected, usually in HIV-infected patients. For these reasons, we have estimated the burden of fungal infections. Using published literature and population estimates for the at-risk group, we used deterministic modelling to derive national incidence and prevalence estimates for the most serious fungal diseases. HIV infection is common and an estimated 120,000 have CD4 counts <200 × 106/mL and commonly present with opportunistic infection. Oesophageal candidiasis in HIV is common, and in poorly controlled diabetics. We estimate 6720 cases of cryptococcal meningitis, 9000 of Pneumocystis pneumonia, 1800 of disseminated histoplasmosis annually complicating AIDS, and 1200 deaths from invasive aspergillosis in AIDS, but there are no data. We found that 2.4% of adults have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 2.65% have asthma, with “fungal asthma” affecting 20,000. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis probably affects about 5000 people, predominantly after tuberculosis but also with COPD and other lung diseases. Also, tinea capitis in schoolchildren is frequent. Overall, an estimated 1,236,332 people are affected by a serious fungal infection. There is an urgent need for government and clinician attention, improved laboratory facilities, fungal diagnostic tests, and competent laboratory technicians, as well as all World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed essential antifungal drugs to be made available, as only fluconazole is registered and available in the country.
Ratcheting Strain and Microstructure Evolution of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy under a Tensile-Tensile Cyclic Loading
Authors: Yan Zhifeng , Wang Denghui , Wang Wenxian , Zhou Jun , He Xiuli , Dong Peng , Zhang Hongxia , Sun Liyong
Published: March 2018

In this paper, studies were conducted to investigate the deformation behavior and microstructure change in a hot-rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy during a tensile-tensile cyclic loading. The relationship between ratcheting effect and microstructure change was discussed. The ratcheting effect in the material during current tensile-tensile fatigue loading exceeds the material’s fatigue limit and the development of ratcheting strain in the material experienced three stages: initial sharp increase stage (Stage I); steady stage (Stage II); and final abrupt increase stage (Stage III). Microstructure changes in Stage I and Stage II are mainly caused by activation of basal slip system. The Extra Geometrically Necessary Dislocations (GNDs) were also calculated to discuss the relationship between the dislocation caused by the basal slip system and the ratcheting strain during the cyclic loading. In Stage III, both the basal slip and the {11−20} twins are found active during the crack propagation. The fatigue crack initiation in the AZ31B magnesium alloy is found due to the basal slip and the {11−20} tensile twins.
A Reversible Bis(Salamo)-Based Fluorescence Sensor for Selective Detection of Cd2+ in Water-Containing Systems and Food Samples
Authors: Hao Jing , Li Xiao-Yan , Zhang Yang , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: March 2018

A novel, simple, highly selective, and sensitive fluorescence chemosensor for detecting Cd2+ that was constructed from a bis(salamo)-type compound (H4L) with two N2O2 chelating moieties as ionophore was successfully developed. Sensor H4L could show fluorescence turn-on response rapidly and significant selectivity to Cd2+ over many other metallic ions (Cu2+, Ba2+, Ca2+, K+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Sr2+, Co2+, Na+, Li+, Ni2+, Ag+, and Zn2+), and a clear change in color from colorless to yellow that can be very easily observed via the naked eyes in the existence of Cd2+, while other metallic ions do not induce such a change. Interestingly, its fluorescent intensity was increased sharply with the increased concentration of Cd2+. The detection limit of sensor H4L towards Cd2+ was down to 8.61 × 10−7 M.
Ridge Minimization of Ablated Morphologies on ITO Thin Films Using Squared Quasi-Flat Top Beam
Authors: Kim Hoon-Young , Jeon Jin-Woo , Choi Wonsuk , Shin Young-Gwan , Ji Suk-Young , Cho Sung-Hak
Published: March 2018

In this study, we explore the improvements in pattern quality that was obtained with a femtosecond laser with quasi-flat top beam profiles at the ablated edge of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films for the patterning of optoelectronic devices. To ablate the ITO thin films, a femtosecond laser is used that has a wavelength and pulse duration of 1030 nm and 190 fs, respectively. The squared quasi-flat top beam is obtained from a circular Gaussian beam using slits with varying x-y axes. Then, the patterned ITO thin films are measured using both scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. In the case of the Gaussian beam, the ridge height and width are approximately 39 nm and 1.1 μm, respectively, whereas, when the quasi-flat top beam is used, the ridge height and width are approximately 7 nm and 0.25 μm, respectively.
Acupuncture as Add-On Treatment of the Positive, Negative, and Cognitive Symptoms of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Van den Noort Maurits , Yeo Sujung , Lim Sabina , Lee Sook-Hyun , Staudte Heike , Bosch Peggy
Published: March 2018

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that has a large impact on patients’ lives. In addition to Western medicine, the use of additional treatments, such as acupuncture, in treating the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms is increasing. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on the use of acupuncture as an add-on treatment for patients with schizophrenia that are in regular care, with a special focus on the treatment of the often accompanying sleep disorders. In this study, we searched the Medline, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ERIC databases with a cut-off date of 31 December 2017, thereby following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Results: Our search resulted in 26 eligible studies with 1181 patients with schizophrenia who received acupuncture treatment. Most studies showed limited evidence for the use of acupuncture as add-on therapy in the treatment of the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, but beneficial effects have been reported in the treatment of the accompanying sleep disorders. Conclusions: Limited evidence was found for the use of acupuncture as add-on therapy in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia; however, positive results were found in the treatment of sleep disorders, but this result needs to be confirmed in large, randomized, controlled trials.
Prediction of Soluble Al2O3 in Calcined Kaolin Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Calibration
Authors: Guatame-Garcia Adriana , Buxton Mike
Published: March 2018

In the production of calcined kaolin, the soluble Al2O3 content is used as a quality control criterion for some speciality applications. The increasing need for automated quality control systems in the industry has brought the necessity of developing techniques that provide (near) real-time data. Based on the understanding that the presence of water in the calcined kaolin detected using infrared spectroscopy can be used as a proxy for the soluble Al2O3 measurement, in this study, a hand-held infrared spectrometer was used to analyse a set of calcined kaolin samples obtained from a production plant. The spectra were used to predict the amount of soluble Al2O3 in the samples by implementing partial least squares regression (PLS-R) and support vector regression (SVR) as multivariate calibration methods. The presence of non-linearities in the dataset and the different types of association between water and the calcined kaolin represented the main challenges for developing a good calibration. In general, SVR showed a better performance than PLS-R, with root mean squared error of the cross-validation (RMSECV) = 0.046 wt % and R 2 = 0.87 for the best-achieved prediction. This accuracy level is adequate for detecting variation trends in the production of calcined kaolin which could be used not only as a quality control strategy, but also for the optimisation of the calcination process.
Hybrid Alkaline Cements: Bentonite-Opc Binders
Authors: Garcia-Lodeiro Ines , Fernandez-Jimenez Ana , Palomo Angel
Published: March 2018

Moderately alkaline activators can be used to formulate cementitious binders with a high Supplemetary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) and a low portland cement content (hybrid alkaline cements). This study aimed to prepare hybrid alkaline cements containing large percentages of dehydroxylated bentonite (BT) and small Portland cement (OPC) fractions, with 5% Na2SO4 as a solid alkaline activator. The hydration kinetics of the pastes hydrated in water in the presence and absence of the solid activator were assessed by isothermal conduction calorimetry, whilst the reaction products were characterised with X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The presence of the alkaline activator hastened OPC and BT/OPC hydration: more heat of hydration was released, favouring greater initial bentonite reactivity. The portlandite forming during cement hydration reacted readily with the Na2SO4, raising medium alkalinity and enhancing bentonite dissolution and with it reaction product precipitation (primarily (N,C)-A-S-H-like gels that co-exist with C-S-H- or C-A-S-H-like gels). The presence of sulfate ions favoured the formation of AFm-like phases. Preceding aspects accelerated the hydration reactions, with the formation of more reaction product and matrix densification. As a result, the 28 days Na2SO4 activated systems developed greater mechanical strength than the water-hydrated systems, with the 60% BT/40% OPC blends exhibiting higher compressive strength than the 100% OPC pastes.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Minor Hops Prenylflavonoids and New Insights on Prenyl Group Cyclization
Authors: Popłoński Jarosław , Turlej Eliza , Sordon Sandra , Tronina Tomasz , Bartmańska Agnieszka , Wietrzyk Joanna , Huszcza Ewa
Published: March 2018

Synthesis of minor prenylflavonoids found in hops and their non-natural derivatives were performed. The antiproliferative activity of the obtained compounds against some human cancer cell lines was investigated. Using xanthohumol isolated from spent hops as a lead compound, a series of minor hop prenylflavonoids and synthetic derivatives were obtained by isomerization, cyclisation, oxidative-cyclisation, oxidation, reduction and demethylation reactions. Three human cancer cell lines—breast (MCF-7), prostate (PC-3) and colon (HT-29)—were used in antiproliferative assays, with cisplatin as a control compound. Five minor hop prenyl flavonoids and nine non-natural derivatives of xanthohumol have been synthetized. Syntheses of xanthohumol K, its dihydro- and tetrahydro-derivatives and 1″,2″,α,β-tetrahydroxanthohumol C were described for the first time. All of the minor hops prenyl flavonoids exhibited strong to moderate antiproliferative activity in vitro. The minor hops flavonoids xanthohumol C and 1″,2″-dihydroxanthohumol K and non-natural 2,3-dehydroisoxanthohumol exhibited the activity comparable to cisplatin. Results described in the article suggest that flavonoids containing chromane- and chromene-like moieties, especially chalcones, are potent antiproliferative agents. The developed new efficient, regioselective cyclisation reaction of the xanthohumol prenyl group to 1″,2″-dihydroxantohumol K may be used in the synthesis of other compounds with the chromane moiety.
Sensory Characteristics of Various Concentrations of Phenolic Compounds Potentially Associated with Smoked Aroma in Foods
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Chambers IV Edgar
Published: March 2018

This research describes the sensory odor characteristics of 19 phenolic compounds (11 phenol derivatives, six guaiacol derivatives, and two syringol derivatives) that have been associated with smoked aroma in previous literature. Seven concentrations varying from 1 to 100,000 ppm of each chemical were examined. A highly trained descriptive panel used a recently published lexicon for smoky aroma and flavor and found that smoked aroma compounds have many different attributes that make up smokiness. Musty/dusty, musty/earthy, pungent, acid, smoky, woody, burnt, ashy, cedar, creosote or petroleum-like collectively imparted smoked aroma. Most of the phenolic compounds were described as having smoky characteristics at low concentrations, generally at 1 and 10 ppm, except 3,4-dimethylphenol at 5000 ppm. 2,6-Dimethylphenol was not associated with smoky characteristics. This research is the first to evaluate a set of phenolic compounds for their sensory characteristics using a professionally developed set of sensory attributes.
Development of Polyclonal Antibody against Clenbuterol for Immunoassay Application
Authors: Talib Nurul , Salam Faridah , Sulaiman Yusran
Published: March 2018

Development of an immunoassay for clenbuterol (CLB) detection required an anti-CLB antibody as an important bioreceptor. In this study, we report our work on production and purification of a rabbit-derived polyclonal anti-CLB antibody. The antibody was then purified by nProtein A Sepharose affinity column and the antibody purity was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. The activities of purified antibody were evaluated based on high antibody titer determined from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sensitivity and selectivity of this antibody was evaluated and exhibits negligible cross-reactivity to antibiotics other than β-agonist families. Evaluation of the antibody as bioreceptor in immunoassay was performed using direct competitive ELISA and exhibited linear calibration plot (R2 = 0.9484). The antibody was used to detect the content of CLB in spiked milk samples and the recovery of more than 92% indicating significant performance as bioreceptor for the development of a rapid and simple immunoassay.
Maternal Choline Supplementation during Normal Murine Pregnancy Alters the Placental Epigenome: Results of an Exploratory Study
Authors: Kwan Sze , King Julia , Grenier Jennifer , Yan Jian , Jiang Xinyin , Roberson Mark , Caudill Marie
Published: March 2018

The placental epigenome regulates processes that affect placental and fetal development, and could be mediating some of the reported effects of maternal choline supplementation (MCS) on placental vascular development and nutrient delivery. As an extension of work previously conducted in pregnant mice, the current study sought to explore the effects of MCS on various epigenetic markers in the placenta. RNA and DNA were extracted from placentas collected on embryonic day 15.5 from pregnant mice fed a 1X or 4X choline diet, and were subjected to genome-wide sequencing procedures or mass-spectrometry-based assays to examine placental imprinted gene expression, DNA methylation patterns, and microRNA (miRNA) abundance. MCS yielded a higher (fold change = 1.63–2.25) expression of four imprinted genes (Ampd3, Tfpi2, Gatm and Aqp1) in the female placentas and a lower (fold change = 0.46–0.62) expression of three imprinted genes (Dcn, Qpct and Tnfrsf23) in the male placentas (false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.05 for both sexes). Methylation in the promoter regions of these genes and global placental DNA methylation were also affected (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, a lower (fold change = 0.3; Punadjusted = 2.05 × 10−4; FDR = 0.13) abundance of miR-2137 and a higher (fold change = 1.25–3.92; p < 0.05) expression of its target genes were detected in the 4X choline placentas. These data demonstrate that the placental epigenome is responsive to maternal choline intake during murine pregnancy and likely mediates some of the previously described choline-induced effects on placental and fetal outcomes.
The In Ovo Feeding Administration (Gallus Gallus)—An Emerging In Vivo Approach to Assess Bioactive Compounds with Potential Nutritional Benefits
Authors: Hou Tao , Tako Elad
Published: March 2018

In recent years, the in ovo feeding in fertilized broiler (Gallus gallus) eggs approach was further developed and currently is widely applied in the evaluation process of the effects of functional foods (primarily plant origin compounds) on the functionality of the intestinal brush border membrane, as well as potential prebiotic properties and interactions with the intestinal microbial populations. This review collates the information of potential nutrients and their effects on the mineral absorption, gut development, brush border membrane functionality, and immune system. In addition, the advantages and limitations of the in ovo feeding method in the assessment of potential prebiotic effects of plant origin compounds is discussed.
The Effects of Isoflavone Supplementation Plus Combined Exercise on Lipid Levels, and Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Giolo Jéssica S. , Costa Juliene G. , Da Cunha-Junior Jair P. , Pajuaba Ana Cláudia A. M. , Taketomi Ernesto A. , De Souza Adriele V. , Caixeta Douglas C. , Peixoto Leonardo G. , De Oliveira Erick P. , Everman Sarah , Espindola Foued S. , Puga Guilherme M.
Published: March 2018

This study tested the effect of isoflavone supplementation in addition to combined exercise training on plasma lipid levels, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. Thirty-two healthy and non-obese postmenopausal women without hormone therapy were randomly assigned to exercise + placebo (PLA; n = 15) or exercise + isoflavone supplementation (ISO; n = 17) groups. They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic plus resistance) over ten weeks and consumed 100 mg of isoflavone supplementation or placebo. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast to analyze the lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), before and after ten weeks of the intervention. There were no differences in the changes (pre vs. post) between groups for any of the inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers or lipid profile variables. However, interleukin-8 was different between pre- and post-tests (p < 0.001) in both groups (Δ = 7.61 and 5.61 pg/mL) as were cholesterol levels (p < 0.05), with no interaction between groups. The combination of isoflavone supplementation and exercise training did not alter oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women, but exercise training alone may increase IL-8 and decrease total cholesterol levels.
In Situ-Based Gels for Nose to Brain Delivery for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Authors: Aderibigbe Blessing
Published: March 2018

In situ-based gel drug delivery systems that can bypass the blood-brain barrier, deliver the therapeutics to the desired site, reduce peripheral toxicity and control drug release kinetics have been developed. Some of the therapeutics used to treat neurological diseases suffer from poor bioavailability. Preclinical reports from several researchers have proven that the delivery of drugs to the brain via the nose-to-brain route using in situ gels holds great promise. However, safety issues on the toxicity of the nasal mucosa, transportation of the drugs to specific brain regions and determination of the required dose are factors that must be considered when designing these gels. This review will be focused on in situ-based gels that are used for the delivery of therapeutics via the nose-to-brain route, preclinical reports and challenges.
Experiencing and Teaching Pilgrimage in a Sacred Spaces Course
Authors: Sienkewicz Thomas
Published: March 2018

As part of an integrated studies curriculum at the author’s college, all juniors must take a Reflections course in which students consider personal values and analyze familiar and unfamiliar systems of thought and belief, in order to explore their own and others’ ideas about the ultimate meaning and purposes of life. “Sacred Places Past and Present”, is a course designed to fulfil this requirement. This course focuses on a number of important religious sites in the ancient Mediterranean and in the modern world, including the Parthenon, Olympia, Delphi, Stonehenge, and Muir Woods. These places are compared and contrasted in terms of what makes them sacred. Two pilgrimage experiences are part of this course: the hajj to Mecca and the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. In the past, the unit on the Camino focused on Emilio Estevez’s 2010 film “The Way”; however, during the summer of 2016, the author walked the Camino de Santiago. As a result, the course was substantially revised to reflect the author’s own personal experiences as a pilgrim. In particular, Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage was incorporated into the course and students were given an opportunity to participate in a one-day pilgrimage walk in western Illinois.
An Individual Claims History Simulation Machine
Authors: Gabrielli Andrea , V. Wüthrich Mario
Published: March 2018

The aim of this project is to develop a stochastic simulation machine that generates individual claims histories of non-life insurance claims. This simulation machine is based on neural networks to incorporate individual claims feature information. We provide a fully calibrated stochastic scenario generator that is based on real non-life insurance data. This stochastic simulation machine allows everyone to simulate their own synthetic insurance portfolio of individual claims histories and back-test thier preferred claims reserving method.
An Approach for Unsupervised Change Detection in Multitemporal VHR Images Acquired by Different Multispectral Sensors
Authors: Solano-Correa Yady Tatiana , Bovolo Francesca , Bruzzone Lorenzo
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes an approach for the detection of changes in multitemporal Very High Resolution (VHR) optical images acquired by different multispectral sensors. The proposed approach, which is inspired by a recent framework developed to support the design of change-detection systems for single-sensor VHR remote sensing images, addresses and integrates in the general approach a strategy to effectively deal with multisensor information, i.e., to perform change detection between VHR images acquired by different multispectral sensors on two dates. This is achieved by the definition of procedures for the homogenization of radiometric, spectral and geometric image properties. These procedures map images into a common feature space where the information acquired by different multispectral sensors becomes comparable across time. Although the approach is general, here we optimize it for the detection of changes in vegetation and urban areas by employing features based on linear transformations (Tasseled Caps and Orthogonal Equations), which are shown to be effective for representing the multisensor information in a homogeneous physical way irrespectively of the considered sensor. Experiments on multitemporal images acquired by different VHR satellite systems (i.e., QuickBird, WorldView-2 and GeoEye-1) confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Transforming Data Centers in Active Thermal Energy Players in Nearby Neighborhoods
Authors: Antal Marcel , Cioara Tudor , Anghel Ionut , Pop Claudia , Salomie Ioan
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we see the Data Centers (DCs) as producers of waste heat integrated with smart energy infrastructures, heat which can be re-used for nearby neighborhoods. We provide a model of the thermo-electric processes within DCs equipped with heat reuse technology, allowing them to adapt their thermal response profile to meet various levels of hot water demand. On top of the model, we have implemented computational fluid dynamics-based simulations to determine the cooling system operational parameters settings, which allow the heat to build up without endangering the servers’ safety operation as well as the distribution of the workload on the servers to avoid hot spots. This will allow for setting higher temperature set points for short periods of time and using pre-cooling and post-cooling as flexibility mechanisms for DC thermal profile adaptation. To reduce the computational time complexity, we have used neural networks, which are trained using the simulation results. Experiments have been conducted considering a small operational DC featuring a server room of 24 square meters and 60 servers organized in four racks. The results show the DCs’ potential to meet different levels of thermal energy demand by re-using their waste heat in nearby neighborhoods.
A Critique of the Application of Neighborhood Sustainability Assessment Tools in Urban Regeneration
Authors: Boyle Luke , Michell Kathy , Viruly François
Published: March 2018

Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools (NSA tools) are fast becoming the principal framework for urban planners and developers for promoting urban sustainability. The majority of NSA tools promote a specific type of urban development that effectively excludes regeneration projects from the urban sustainability conversation. Given that the world’s megacities are mostly built, it is argued that it is essential that strategies for global sustainability consider that urban development is focussed internally to address existing, under-serviced communities in particular need of meaningful intervention and sustainable redevelopment frameworks. The paper uses existing knowledge on NSA tools to highlight the shortcomings of outcomes-based approaches to urban governance and builds the case that the technocratic “one-size-fits-all” approach adopted by many tools inadequately accounts for underlying institutional, social and economic arrangements that influence urban development, making them inappropriate for application in both planned and existing communities. The paper proposes that urban redevelopment strategies need to be derived from the urban realities of a particular place or context. Such strategies must be grounded in principles of urban governance, participatory action and an understanding of market dynamics. Without these collaborative procedural frameworks, urban regeneration projects will continue to inadequately transition towards more comprehensive sustainability.
Trust and Distrust in E-Commerce
Authors: Lee Suk-Joo , Ahn Cheolhwi , Song Kelly Minjung , Ahn Hyunchul
Published: March 2018

Trust is the key ingredient for sustainable transactions. In the concept of trust, the trustor trusts the trustees. In e-commerce, the trustor is the buyer and the trustees are the intermediaries and the seller. Intermediaries provide the web-based infrastructure that enables buyers and sellers to make transactions. Trust is the buyer’s judgment and comprises two distinct concepts; both trust and distrust reside in the trustor. The purpose of this study was to examine the complicated effects of trust and distrust on a buyer’s purchase intentions. Previous studies have provided theoretical frameworks illustrating co-existent trust and distrust, trust transfers from one to another, and trust in buyer-intermediary-seller relationships. Based on these frameworks, this study (i) presented a holistic model that contained the judgment of buyers resulting in trust or distrust in the intermediary and the seller; (ii) investigated trust and distrust transfer from the intermediary to the seller, and (iii) explored the effects of various antecedents that affect trust and distrust. To validate the proposed model, we employed Partial Least Squares (PLS). A summary of key findings are as follows. First, buyer’s trust in an intermediary positively affected his or her trust in the seller, positively influencing purchase intention. In other words, we found the trust transfer from an intermediary to its seller. Second, distrust in an intermediary directly impacted on the buyer’s perceived risk, negatively influencing his or her purchase intentions. Third, structural assurance and perceived website quality of an intermediary gave a positive impact on buyer’s trust in the intermediary. The results of this study shed light on the necessity of managing both trust and distrust to facilitate sales in e-commerce.
Tackling HIV Persistence: Pharmacological versus CRISPR-Based Shock Strategies
Authors: Darcis Gilles , Das Atze , Berkhout Ben
Published: March 2018

Jan Svoboda studied aspects of viral latency, in particular with respect to disease induction by avian RNA tumor viruses, which were later renamed as part of the extended retrovirus family. The course of retroviral pathogenesis is intrinsically linked to their unique property of integrating the DNA copy of the retroviral genome into that of the host cell, thus forming the provirus. Retroviral latency has recently become of major clinical interest to allow a better understanding of why we can effectively block the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in infected individuals with antiviral drugs, yet never reach a cure. We will discuss HIV-1 latency and its direct consequence—the formation of long-lasting HIV-1 reservoirs. We next focus on one of the most explored strategies in tackling HIV-1 reservoirs—the “shock and kill” strategy—which describes the broadly explored pharmacological way of kicking the latent provirus, with subsequent killing of the virus-producing cell by the immune system. We furthermore present how the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated protein (Cas) system can be harnessed to reach the same objective by reactivating HIV-1 gene expression from latency. We will review the benefits and drawbacks of these different cure strategies.
Facilitating Adolescent Identity Development Through Sister Cities International
Authors: Stone Garrett A. , Duffy Lauren N. , Holland Hunter , Bowers Edmond P.
Published: March 2018

In this article, the authors qualitatively investigate the travel experiences of adolescents from the southeast US who engaged in an 11-day Sister City International exchange program in Northern Ireland that is characterized by a mix of service-, civic-, and tourism-based activities.
Situated within the theoretical frameworks of identity development theory and rites of passage, the authors explore identity development among adolescents as a result of participation in the exchange program. Findings indicate that participants engaged in processes of identity
exploration and commitment, marked by identity-related motivations, an acknowledgment of normative behaviors, greater appreciation for their national and cross-cultural identities, and a desire to integrate travel into their lives. Significant life events, such as travel experiences, may create
liminoid spaces, which can initiate positive identity development when reinforced by peer support, positive and immersive engagement with host communities, and meaningful service.
On the Early In Situ Formation of Pluto’s Small Satellites
Authors: Woo Jason Man Yin , Lee Man Hoi
Published: March 2018

The formation of Pluto’s small satellites—Styx, Nix, Keberos, and Hydra—remains a mystery. Their orbits are nearly circular and are near mean-motion resonances and nearly coplanar with Charon’s orbit. One scenario suggests that they all formed close to their current locations from a disk of debris that was ejected from the Charon-forming impact before the tidal evolution of Charon. The validity of this scenario is tested by performing N-body simulations with the small satellites treated as test particles and Pluto–Charon evolving tidally from an initial orbit at a few Pluto radii with initial eccentricity e
C = 0 or 0.2. After tidal evolution, the free eccentricities e
free of the test particles are extracted by applying fast Fourier transformation to the distance between the test particles and the center of mass of the system and compared with the current eccentricities of the four small satellites. The only surviving test particles with e
free matching the eccentricities of the current satellites are those not affected by mean-motion resonances during the tidal evolution in a model with Pluto’s effective tidal dissipation function Q = 100 and an initial e
C = 0.2 that is damped down rapidly. However, these test particles do not have any preference to be in or near 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1 resonances with Charon. An alternative scenario may be needed to explain the formation of Pluto’s small satellites.
Spectrophotometric Redshifts in the Faint Infrared Grism Survey: Finding Overdensities of Faint Galaxies
Authors: Pharo John , Malhotra Sangeeta , Rhoads James , Ryan Russell , Tilvi Vithal , Pirzkal Norbert , Finkelstein Steven , Windhorst Rogier , Grogin Norman , Koekemoer Anton , Zheng Zhenya , Hathi Nimish , Kim Keunho , Joshi Bhavin , Yang Huan , Christensen Lise , Cimatti Andrea , Gardner Jonathan P. , Zakamska Nadia , Ferreras Ignacio , Hibon Pascale , Pasquali Anna
Published: March 2018

We improve the accuracy of photometric redshifts by including low-resolution spectral data from the G102 grism on the Hubble Space Telescope
(HST), which assists in redshift determination by further constraining the shape of the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) and identifying spectral features. The photometry used in the redshift fits includes near-infrared photometry from FIGS+CANDELS, as well as optical data from ground-based surveys and HST ACS, and mid-IR data from Spitzer. We calculated the redshifts through the comparison of measured photometry with template galaxy models, using the EAZY photometric redshift code. For objects with F105W < 26.5 AB mag with a redshift range of 0 < z < 6, we find a typical error of Δz = 0.03 ∗ (1 + z) for the purely photometric redshifts; with the addition of FIGS spectra, these become Δz = 0.02 ∗ (1 + z), an improvement of 50%. Addition of grism data also reduces the outlier rate from 8% to 7% across all fields. With the more accurate spectrophotometric redshifts (SPZs), we searched the FIGS fields for galaxy overdensities. We identified 24 overdensities across the four fields. The strongest overdensity, matching a spectroscopically identified cluster at z = 0.85, has 28 potential member galaxies, of which eight have previous spectroscopic confirmation, and features a corresponding X-ray signal. Another corresponding to a cluster at z = 1.84 has 22 members, 18 of which are spectroscopically confirmed. Additionally, we find four overdensities that are detected at an equal or higher significance in at least one metric to the two confirmed clusters.
Exoplanet Classification and Yield Estimates for Direct Imaging Missions
Authors: Kopparapu Ravi Kumar , Hébrard Eric , Belikov Rus , Batalha Natalie M. , Mulders Gijs D. , Stark Chris , Teal Dillon , Domagal-Goldman Shawn , Mandell Avi
Published: March 2018

Future NASA concept missions that are currently under study, like the Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx) and the Large Ultra-violet Optical Infra Red Surveyor, could discover a large diversity of exoplanets. We propose here a classification scheme that distinguishes exoplanets into different categories based on their size and incident stellar flux, for the purpose of providing the expected number of exoplanets observed (yield) with direct imaging missions. The boundaries of this classification can be computed using the known chemical behavior of gases and condensates at different pressures and temperatures in a planetary atmosphere. In this study, we initially focus on condensation curves for sphalerite ZnS,

H

2

O

,

CO

2

, and

CH

4

. The order in which these species condense in a planetary atmosphere define the boundaries between different classes of planets. Broadly, the planets are divided into rocky planets (0.5–1.0 R
⊕), super-Earths (1.0–1.75 R
⊕), sub-Neptunes (1.75–3.5 R
⊕), sub-Jovians (3.5–6.0 R
⊕), and Jovians (6–14.3 R
⊕) based on their planet sizes, and “hot,” “warm,” and “cold” based on the incident stellar flux. We then calculate planet occurrence rates within these boundaries for different kinds of exoplanets, η
planet, using the community coordinated results of NASA’s Exoplanet Program Analysis Group’s Science Analysis Group-13 (SAG-13). These occurrence rate estimates are in turn used to estimate the expected exoplanet yields for direct imaging missions of different telescope diameters.
Le voyage de Maurice Halbwachs à Berlin et Vienne en 1910-1911
Authors: Durand Antonin
Published: March 2018

En octobre 1910, Maurice Halbwachs bénéficiait d’une bourse de voyage nouvellement créée à l’Université de Paris par le mécène David David-Weill pour se rendre à Berlin puis à Vienne. Ce voyage, connu jusqu’ici par le seul biais de son expulsion de Berlin en décembre, est ici réexaminé à la lumière du rapport inédit rendu par Halbwachs au rectorat et au mécène. Ce document, intégralement reproduit, permet d’éclairer les conditions de son voyage, la genèse de sa thèse sur la classe ouvrière et les niveaux de vie, ainsi que la place de l’Allemagne et de ses savants dans son parcours intellectuel.
Classer la sociologue, déclasser les pairs
Authors: Coton Christel
Published: March 2018

Cet article revient sur une enquête réalisée dans une école militaire. L’enquêtrice, alors doctorante et fille d’un officier, avait particulièrement bien répondu aux attentes associées au statut de « fille de… » que les enquêtés lui avait reconnu. Cet article revient sur les conditions de l’enquête, sur les usages qui ont été faits de la filiation militaire et du genre de l’enquêtrice et, plus particulièrement, sur la façon dont les dominants du corps des officiers ont mobilisé les ressources tout à la fois familiales, scolaires et « militaires » de l’apprentie sociologue pour alimenter les stratégies de distinction et les hiérarchies implicites qui le caractérisent.
La dynamique sociale européenne au prisme d’une approche quantitative
Authors: Degryse Christophe , Pochet Philippe
Published: March 2018

Dans cet article, Christophe Degryse et Philippe Pochet proposent un examen de l’Europe sociale fondé sur l’analyse du nombre de textes législatifs « sociaux » adoptés par les institutions européennes. Cette approche quantitative innovante permet d’explorer les périodes de dynamiques politiques les plus productives en termes de législation sociale et l’évolution des domaines abordés au fil du temps. Si cette méthodologie permet de mettre en évidence des points communs avec les analyses générales de l’Europe sociale, elle fait aussi apparaître des spécificités dont la moindre n’est pas que les domaines les plus importants en termes quantitatifs figurent parmi ceux qui ont été le moins étudiés.
Les affaires économiques et financières en temps de crise
Authors: Dehousse Renaud
Published: March 2018

L’article examine l’évolution de l’activité législative dans le secteur des Affaires économiques et financières et s’interroge sur l’impact de la crise dans ce domaine. Si l’on observe de façon attendue une opposition entre États membres, la même tendance ne se manifeste par pour autant au niveau institutionnel : l’augmentation du nombre des textes et de leur volume ne saurait être interprétée comme le signe d’une conflictualité croissante entre les acteurs institutionnels. Dans le détail, la conflictualité semble moins prononcée en matière de réglementation économique et financière que dans d’autres domaines. En outre, la construction de compromis intra et inter-institutionnels reste une grille de lecture pertinente des rapports entre les acteurs législatifs, témoignant d’une résilience du système institutionnel communautaire face à des États membres divisés sur la conduite à adopter. Les changements conjoncturels et structurels ayant affecté l’Union européenne depuis une dizaine d’années ont des effets très limités sur la dynamique consensuelle caractéristique du système institutionnel communautaire.
L’agriculture
Authors: Repplinger Matthieu
Published: March 2018

La Politique agricole commune (PAC) a longtemps été guidée par un consensus normatif qualifié d’« exceptionnalisme agricole » : l’agriculture était considérée comme une activité sociale et économique particulière qui ne devait pas être soumise aux mêmes règles que les autres secteurs politiques. Depuis trente ans, cet exceptionnalisme agricole a été remis en cause. Le tournant néolibéral, l’avènement de nouveaux enjeux qui traversent trans-sectoriels, comme la protection des consommateurs ou de l’environnement, ont bouleversé l’idée selon laquelle les pouvoirs publics devaient réserver un traitement particulier à l’agriculture. Cet article tente d’éclaircir une question largement débattue : ces nouveaux enjeux ont-ils fait émerger un nouveau paradigme normatif, ou se heurtent-ils au contraire aux résistances d’acteurs et d’institutions qui tentent, avec plus ou moins de succès, de préserver l’idée d’exception agricole ? En utilisant des données quantitatives sur la production législative de l’Union européenne, nous concluons en faveur de la seconde hypothèse. Nous montrons ainsi en quoi la politique agricole européenne peut être qualifiée de « post-exceptionnelle ».
Les différences interculturelles dans les chaînes moyens-fins des consommateurs : effets du construit de soi et du style de raisonnement
Authors: Choi Byung-Joon
Published: March 2018

La théorie des chaînes moyens-fins a été développée au travers des validations empiriques principalement issues des cultures occidentales. Cette recherche s’interroge sur la généralisation interculturelle de ce modèle cognitif en approfondissant la relation de l’orientation culturelle qui distingue les Occidentaux des Orientaux à la formation d’enchaînement des concepts. Nos résultats apportent l’explication théorique de l’influence de la culture sur les éléments constituants et les structures des chaînes et montrent la possibilité d’opérationnaliser nos concepts de variations interculturelles dans les futures recherches en culture et comportement du consommateur.
Le croisement des savoirs dans les recherches participatives. Questions épistémologiques
Authors: Brun Patrick
Published: March 2018

Le mouvement atd Quart Monde et le Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (Cnam) ont organisé en 2015-2016 un séminaire épistémologique autour des recherches participatives en croisement des savoirs avec des représentants de milieux de pauvreté et des professionnels. Le but était d’établir les plus-values de recherches académiques menées en croisement des savoirs avec ces acteurs et de préparer un appel aux chercheurs en faveur de cette démarche. Trois problématiques ont structuré nos réflexions : la nature des savoirs expérientiels et les questions posées par la mise en dialogue de ces savoirs avec les savoirs académiques ; les conditions du processus relationnel mis en œuvre dans le croisement ; enfin, les critères de validation compte tenu des finalités différentes des participants et les modalités d’une co-validation. Des consensus ont été actés, les bénéfices attendus pour chacun des co-chercheurs identifiés et un certain nombre de débats menés ouvrant sur un travail d’approfondissement de cette forme de recherche.