bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapeamentos participativos: pressupostos, valores, instrumentos e perspectivas
Authors: Sydenstricker-Neto John
Published: January 2017

A complexidade crescente das configurações urbanas e regionais tem colocado diversos desafios que exigem novos instrumentos para coleta e tratamento de dados. Os mapeamentos participativos constituem um instrumento poderoso para informar modelos teóricos e subsidiar os processos de tomada de decisão, tal como o planejamento participativo. Este artigo discute os pressupostos e valores que embasam essa abordagem e apresenta um inventário de métodos e técnicas específicas reportados na literatura. O artigo se concentra na literatura norte-americana que tem tido pouca influência no debate brasileiro. A referência a estudos com mapeamentos participativos evidencia sua abrangência e potencial para a geração de conhecimento coproduzido envolvendo atores com formação e inserção social distintas. As novas tecnologias de informação e tratamento de dados espaciais oferecem boas perspectivas para o uso dessa abordagem, assim como colocam novos desafios para acadêmicos e gestores públicos envolvidos com o planejamento participativo.Palavras-chave: metodologia de pesquisa; aprendizado social; mapeamento participativo; planejamento participativo. Abstract: There is a need for novel data collection and analysis tools to confront the increasing complexity reported in the area of urban and regional planning. Participatory mapping offers novel tools to support theoretical analysis and inform the decision making process, such as participatory planning with a long tradition in Brazil. This article discusses the founding assumptions and values of this approach and provides an inventory of specific methods and techniques reported in the literature. The article examines the North American literature, with little influence in the Brazilian debate. Studies in which participatory mapping has been implemented highlight the wide scope of these mappings and their potential to generate co-produced knowledge, involving individuals with diverse educational and social background. New information and data analysis technology offers a promising path for using this approach as well as represent new challenges for scholars and public officials involved with participatory planning.Keywords: research methods; social learning; participatory mapping; participatory planning.
Da metrópole à cidade-região: na direção de um novo arranjo espacial metropolitano?
Authors: Magalhães Felipe Nunes Coelho
Published: January 2017

Este artigo tem como objetivo abordar a configuração da cidade-região – enquanto um ente geográfico em processo de fortalecimento – e os processos socioespaciais diversos que a compõem. A cidade-região é entendida como a área metropolitana mais concisa somada de seu entorno imediato, incluindo uma série de centralidades de pequeno e médio porte no alcance dos processos de metropolização. A urbanização extensiva é um processo socioespacial chave por trás da formação da cidade-região, que também se relaciona à compressão espaço-temporal presente de forma heterogênea nestas regiões urbanizadas. Privilegia-se uma perspectiva teórica acerca do tema, propondo uma morfologia da cidade-região, visando esclarecer sua relação com os processos econômico-espaciais contemporâneos (sobretudo no que diz respeito à restruturação produtiva). Dois elementos territoriais principais compõem esta extensão do tecido urbano para além das áreas metropolitanas: a exopolis e a cidade industrial pós-fordista. O regionalismo competitivo se manifesta neste contexto como uma prática hegemônica de planejamento, tanto na escala regional quanto na escala das diversas localidades inseridas neste processo.Palavras-chave: cidade-região; pós-fordismo; expansão metropolitana; urbanização extensiva; condições gerais de produção Abstract: This article summarizes a theoretical discussion on the formation of the city-region (as a privileged spatial scale) and the social spatial processes behind it. The city-region is here understood as the more concise metropolitan area added to its immediate hinterland, included as an outer ring in the reach of contemporary metropolization processes. The concept of extended urbanization is a key social spatial process behind the formation of city-regions, which also relates to the space-time compression which manifests itself heterogeneously across these urbanized regions. Two major territorial elements are at the forefront of the production of space in these areas: the exopolis and the post-fordist industrial city – and both these elements need a certain level of physical proximity to the metropolitan core. This new spatial fix inserts itself in the contemporary race towards territorial entrepreneurialism, in two major trends: a competitive regionalism, which involves city-regions competing with one another in the global scale; and with places inside these areas also inserting themselves in the strategic planning framework. Keywords: city-region; post-fordism; metropolitan expansion; extended urbanization; general conditions of production.
A favela depois do Estatuto da Cidade: novos e velhos dilemas à luz do caso do Poço da Draga (Fortaleza-CE)
Authors: Gondim Linda M. P.
Published: January 2017

O trabalho discute intervenções do Poder Público em favelas, a partir do caso do Poço da Draga, comunidade existente na Praia de Iracema, em Fortaleza (CE). O projeto de construção de um centro de feiras e eventos no local incluía a realocação dos favelados no bairro, em apartamentos construídos pelo governo estadual. Analisa-se o projeto de realocação do ponto de vista dos moradores, com destaque para a participação popular e o papel das ONGs. Consideram-se os moradores como sujeitos sociais concretos, e não como parte de uma idealizada “comunidade”. Assim, evidencia-se sua grande heterogeneidade em termos de situação familiar, renda, gênero, etc., bem como sua capacidade de formular alternativas que atendam a seus interesses.Palavras-chave: urbanização de favelas; Poço da Draga; Praia de Iracema; habitação popular; participação. Abstract: This paper discusses state intervention in favelas, focusing on the case of Poço da Draga, a squatter settlement located on Iracema beach, in Fortaleza. A project for building a convention center in this locality included the moving of squatters to apartments to be built in the neighborhood by the state government. The moving is analyzed from the squatters viewpoint, emphasizing popular participation and the role of NGOs. Squatters are considered as concrete social subjects, rather then a part of an idealized “community”. Thus, it becomes evident that they are heterogeneous in terms of family situation, income, gender, etc. They also can formulate alternatives that meet their interests. Keywords: urbanization; Poço da Draga; Iracema Beach; low income housing; participation.
MackDroid - An Android based Application to monitor devices
Authors: Sirkhot Maaz , Sirwani Ekta , Kourani Aishwarya , Batheja Akshit , Jewani Kajal Jethanand
Published: January 2017

In this technological world, smartphones can be considered as one of the most far-reaching inventions. It plays a vital role in connecting people socially. The number of mobile users using an Android based smartphone has increased rapidly since last few years resulting in organizations, cyber cell departments, government authorities feeling the need to monitor the activities on certain targeted devices in order to maintain proper functionality of their respective jobs. Also with the advent of smartphones, Android became one of the most popular and widely used Operating System. Its highlighting features are that it is user friendly, smartly designed, flexible, highly customizable and supports latest technologies like IoT. One of the features that makes it exclusive is that it is based on Linux and is Open Source for all the developers. This is the reason why our project Mackdroid is an Android based application that collects data from the remote device, stores it and displays on a PHP based web page. It is primarily a monitoring service that analyzes the contents and distributes it in various categories like Call Logs, Chats, Key logs, etc. Our project aims at developing an Android application that can be used to track, monitor, store and grab data from the device and store it on a server which can be accessed by the handler of the application.
Incentives vs. entrenchment: a comparison of competing governance mechanisms
Authors: Bolton Brian
Published: January 2017

This study explores the relationships between firm performance and the incentive and entrenchment effects of corporate governance structures. It analyzes whether the benefits of providing stock ownership to directors are greater than the potential costs of entrenching officers and directors. Using the dollar amount of stock owned by various classes of directors, the results suggest that the incentive effect dominates any costs related to entrenchment: firms with greater stock ownership outperform other firms, regardless of the degree of managerial entrenchment that may be present. This result is robust to firm size, growth opportunities, time period, and other controls. The implication for policy-makers is that providing directors with incentives through stock ownership remains a very effective corporate governance mechanism.
Controlling shareholders, performance and risk taking of Tunisian listed firms
Authors: Hamza Taher
Published: January 2017

We investigate the effects of ownership structure, as an internal control mechanism of agency problem, on corporate governance. We focused specially on the impact of the size, number and type of blockholders on the performance and the risk-taking of the Tunisian listed companies during the period 2001-2004. The descriptive analysis highlights, absence of ownership-control discrepancy, high ownership concentration, low management stock-ownership and the presence of two or three large blockholders with significant difference of the block share size between the first and the other controlling shareholders. The main result of our study indicates that the presence of controlling shareholders affect performance and risk-taking and play an important role in corporate governance. However, we assume that the control contest of the leading shareholder is not conclusive but indicate a form of coalition and agreement effect to share private benefits.
Corporate social responsibility and innovation in European companies. An empirical research.
Authors: Lopez-Perez Maria Victoria , Perez-Lopez María del Carmen , Rodriguez-Ariza Lázaro
Published: January 2017

A growing number of European corporations now realize that their corporate goals are compatible with sustainability. Each corporation must strengthen corporate governance on condition that they focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). These may constitute a strategic instrument, focused on improving the corporate reputation and image, or be aimed at the better management of available resources, among other possibilities. The latter aspect is examined in the present study. Adopting CSR principles involves taking into account environmental, economic and social factors, from an ethical viewpoint. In this paper, we suggest that such questions should be addressed with innovation in mind. CSR practices can require investments in innovation, and we examine whether the adoption of responsibility-oriented policies constitutes a strategic decision that may explain investment in research and development. The sample obtained is made up of data from 95 European corporations examined for the period 1998-2006. We identify a relation between R&D expenditure and practices of CSR.
The association between institutional ownership and the likelihood of the firm reporting non-recurring charges
Authors: Velury Uma , Kane Gregory
Published: January 2017

This paper examines the association between the level of institutional ownership and the likelihood of the firm reporting non-recurring or unusual charges. The increase in the magnitude and frequency of one-time charges has caused confusion and debate in the media (WSJ 2001). This paper posits that increased monitoring on the part of influential stakeholders (e.g., institutional investors) causes management to take corrective actions which leads to the reporting of these charges. If this is the case, non-recurring charges may be informative and value-relevant in the sense that they signal restructuring activity that will likely improve the degree of efficiency in which corporate assets are invested. The results support the hypothesis and indicate that the likelihood of management reporting non-recurring charges is positively and significantly associated with the level of institutional ownership.
Is there power behind the dead hand? An empirical investigation of dead hand poison pills
Authors: Gleason Katherine I. , Klock Mark S.
Published: January 2017

Dead hand poison pills prevent potential hostile acquirers from circumventing a poison pill with a proxy contest whereby newly elected directors could redeem the pill. Dead hand provisions only permit continuing directors to redeem. Shareholder rights advocates and legal scholars have criticized dead hand poison pills as an assault on shareholder governance, but economic theory suggests potential shareholder benefits. We provide the first empirical study of dead hand poison pills. We find that adoption of dead hand poison pills leads to gains for shareholders and losses for bondholders. This supports Schwert’s (2000) conjecture that poison pills provide shareholders with better premiums rather than entrench ineffective managers.
Risk financing for capital investments to enhance shareholders’ value
Authors: Stander Cornel , Mostert Jan Hendrik , Mostert Frederik J.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of any company should be the maximization of shareholders’ wealth, which implies a higher return on equity and less risk associated with the capital invested. Capital investment opportunities however impact on both the return on equity and the associated company-specific risks. These two factors need to be played of against each other, because higher return on equity usually requires higher associated risks. Given the risks associated with capital investments, equity capital or risk financing instruments can be used to provide the protection needed. Until recently the main focus was on the traditional approach, making use of equity capital instead of risk financing instruments. This research puts the emphasis on the improvement of financial decision-making by companies, through the use of risk financing instruments instead of equity capital, freeing the equity for other strategic investments.
Toleransi Remaja Islam Kepada Pemeluk Agama yang Berbeda: Studi Ekstrakurikuler Rohani Islam (Rohis) SMA di Bekasi, Jawa Barat
Authors: Apriliani Ismi , Ghazali Hatim
Published: January 2017

Diversity is a blessed but also can be a cause of destructive conflict like already happened at some places in Indonesia. Based on that fact, tolerance is a value that needs to be inculcated to every student, through co curricular and extra-curricular activity like Moslem Youth Community at school. This research aims to describe about tolerance categories Moslem Youth Community member of a school in Bekasi. Method of this research is qualitative and data collected by interview and document analysis. Participants were chosen based on purposive sampling that include its coordinators, teacher who in charge for that extra-curricular, and mentor. This research got result that Moslem Youth Community of that school accept and respect to diversity based on their awareness, and they give others chances to do their worship, although they did not do an action to support it. In conclusion, that Moslem Youth Community is in passive tolerance category.Keywords: Tolerance, Youth, ROHIS, Multicultural Education, Diversity.
Model Pengelolaan Pesantren Mahasiswa Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan IAIN Surakarta
Authors: Khuriyah Khuriyah , Alwiyah Noor
Published: January 2017

To set up a boarding school student (PESMA) required a management model that can be used as guidelines in managing Pesma in FITK IAIN Surakarta. The purpose of this study is to produce a management model pesantren students with appropriate characteristics and can be implemented in FITK IAIN Surakarta.This study employed Research and Development, carried out in an environment FITK IAIN Surakarta of the month from May to July 2015. Data obtained came from dean, vice of dean, student representative, expert evaluation and boarding. The data were collected through questionnaires, documentation, and interviews. Data were taken from the questionnaires were analyzed with SPSS 17. The results showed that the model of management of boarding students in FITK IAIN Surakarta consisted of the following characteristics: 1) the model of management of Pesantren Mahasiswa generated through four stages of development steps are: a) planning, b) develope preliminary form of product, c) preliminary field testing, d) the final product revision; 2) the instruments of boarding school management of students have high validity and reliability.Keywords: management model, student boarding school
Penguatan Sikap Percaya Diri melalui Dreams Book bagi Siswa Kelas I SDN Tegalombo I Kalijambe Sragen
Authors: Vita Yan
Published: January 2017

This article aims to explore the reinforcement of confidence through dreams book. In the early condition, the students have low self-confidence. To increase theself-confidence of the students, the teacher begins to explore the dreams of the students and make the students realize their dreams through dreams book. Through qualitative descriptive, this research described how to implement dreams book in the learning process. The teacher asked the students to make simple book consisted of four pages. As the evaluation, the teacher used some assessments, such as observation, self-assessment, and friend assessment. The teacher asked the student to fill out the sheet of self-assessment rubric and friend assessment rubric. For the observation, the teacher made observation rubric. From the result of this evaluation, the teacher concluded that self-confidence of the students showed improvement. As much as 34% and 36% of students obtain score 3 and 4, respectively. Therefore, the students who get a score above the KKM (Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimal) is 80%. It means that the score in every indicator of self-confidence showed improvement.Keywords: Self-confidence, dreams book
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LITERACY SKILLS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Mulia Vilya Lakstian Catra
Published: January 2017

Literacy refers to a set of skills for being literate of texts existing in society. There are many kinds of information penetrated among us. Being literate is now not only just represented by reading and writing as we simply do every day orthographically. It remains on basic literacy. This one itself has been improved for considering economic development by adding arithmetic skill. Literacy, with those language competences, considers its contribution for society in this modern age. It is considered as resource to reflect quality of each person. This functional literacy takes us for being functionally beneficial for surrounding environment.Â  For dealing with the information around us which is massively spread, critical literacy should be optimized to make sense and take stance. In higher education context like university, scientific literacy is highly required to apply the subject for phenomena in the society. Along with types of literacy, how are their contributions on society? Being capable on multiple literacy levels is believed as the right way for familiarizing social phenomenon so that literate people have more chances to get possibilities for themselves up to strengthen citizen involvement for their nation as well. Literacy is finally constructed from optimizing each citizen on nationâ€™s development.
ENGLISH LEARNING MOTIVATION OF NON-ENGLISH STUDENTS OF STMIK HANDAYANI MAKASSAR
Authors: Rahmat Agus , Sainu Muhammad Nasiruddin , Weda Sukardi
Published: January 2017

This study describes (1) motivation in learning English, (2) influential factors in learning English, (3) influential motivation, and (4) ways to maintain and improve motivation to learn English.Â  This study used descriptive qualitative design. The subjects of the study were 20 EFL students sitting in semester I of STMIK Handayani Makassar in 2016.Â  Self report was used to collect data on motivation and interview was to explore in-depth features of motivation. The results show: (1) all 20 subjects were motivated in learning English; (2) factors affectingÂ  motivation include internal factors, i.e. goal setting, expectancy, self confidence andÂ  external factors, i.e. lecturer, classroom environment, activities, materials, the relevance, and feedback; (3) dominan influential motivation is instrumental motivation, and (4) to maintain and improve studentsâ€™ motivation, English lecturers should use English in studentsâ€™ proficiency, adaptable materials, comfortable classroom, communicative, creative,Â  patient, enthusiastic,Â  relax and friendly-smiling.
Application of solution focused brief counseling model to increase of counselee resilience as a part of multicultural society
Authors: Sari Dita Kurnia
Published: January 2017

Modern multicultural society and is a dynamic life marked by interaction between the components of a diverse society based on the rule of science and technology. A society that is increasingly complex due to the rapid changes in various aspects of life often creates problems for the individual's life. For example, inner tension, internal and external conflicts, and emotional disturbance. Facing these challenges, the individual is expected to have resilience was good. The role of the counselor is to help the counselee improve resilience with counseling approach effectively. Counseling models that meet the criteria of an effective and efficient is the Solution Focused Brief Counseling. Counseling model emphasizes the collaborative process between counselor and counselee to find solutions to achieve the expected goals. In the process of this counseling model uses questioning techniques to uncover the story, advantages, strengths and exceptions problems experienced by counselee in a short time.
A joint cross-border investigation of a cluster of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Austria, Romania and Germany in 2014 using classic, genotyping and whole genome sequencing methods: lessons learnt
Authors: Fiebig Lena , Kohl Thomas A , Popovici Odette , Mühlenfeld Margarita , Indra Alexander , Homorodean Daniela , Chiotan Domnica , Richter Elvira , Rüsch-Gerdes Sabine , Schmidgruber Beatrix , Beckert Patrick , Hauer Barbara , Niemann Stefan , Allerberger Franz , Haas Walter
Published: January 2017

Molecular surveillance of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) using 24-loci MIRU-VNTR in the European Union suggests the occurrence of international transmission. In early 2014, Austria detected a molecular MDR-TB cluster of five isolates. Links to Romania and Germany prompted the three countries to investigate possible cross-border MDR-TB transmission jointly. We searched genotyping databases, genotyped additional isolates from Romania, used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to infer putative transmission links, and investigated pairwise epidemiological links and patient mobility. Ten isolates from 10 patients shared the same 24-loci MIRU-VNTR pattern. Within this cluster, WGS defined two subgroups of four patients each. The first comprised an MDR-TB patient from Romania who had sought medical care in Austria and two patients from Austria. The second comprised patients, two of them epidemiologically linked, who lived in three different countries but had the same city of provenance in Romania. Our findings strongly suggested that the two cases in Austrian citizens resulted from a newly introduced MDR-TB strain, followed by domestic transmission. For the other cases, transmission probably occurred in the same city of provenance. To prevent further MDR-TB transmission, we need to ensure universal access to early and adequate therapy and collaborate closely in tuberculosis care beyond administrative borders.
Synthesis of Novel Benzimidazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives Bearing a 1,2,3-triazole Ring System and their Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Faraji Laleh , Shahkarami Shiva , Nadri Hamid , Moradi Alireza , Saeedi Mina , Foroumadi Alireza , Ramazani Ali , Haririan Ismaeil , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Shafiee Abbas , Khoobi Mehdi
Published: January 2017

A series of 20 novel benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives linked to a 1,2,3-triazole ring system was synthesised, characterised and evaluated for in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. Several copper catalysts and solvents were screened to establish the optimal conditions for the preparation of the target compounds. Three different linkers were used to optimise the enzyme inhibitory effect. Out of the 20 compounds, 13 showed some AChE inhibition. The most potent compound, which showed 84% inhibition at 100 μM, contained a 1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3-triazole linked to a benzimidazole group. A docking simulation study showed that the most active compound bound preferentially to the catalytic anionic subsite of the AChE enzyme.
Developing a Correlation for Estimation of Aquifer Layer Using Resistivity Survey with Lithological Logs in Critical Terrain Condition
Authors: Roy Pankaj Kumar , Chaudhuri Subhayan , Halder Subrata , Hossain Sarwar , Banerjee Gourab , Debbarman Jayanta
Published: January 2017

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) study was conducted for 20 points (four sites having five points each) in Damodar River Basin in West Bengal State in India employing Schlumberger Array electrode configuration along with Borehole Litholog. Depth of interpretation was found to be around 25 m at each VES point for the input survey distance of 50 m. From the interpreted resistivity values it can be commented that the points where the soundings were carried out normally had dry sand having variation in moisture content up to a depth of approximately 5 m. But in the case of Site 2 the sand content of the top layer was found to be drier and had bigger gravel and rock particle mixed with sand. From the interpreted results it can be inferred that all the sounding points except three have the existence of a layer saturated with fresh water. Depth to bedrock from VES study was correlated with depth to bedrock from Borehole Lithologs. Therefore this study is significant for both reading public and future workers as the equation developed using the constants and variables can be used to predict depth to Basement Rock in the Terrain prevailing in that region.
Chromium (Cr) Contamination of Poultry from Use of Tannery-based Cr-contaminated Feed Ingredients and Public Health and Environmental Risks
Authors: Hossain A.M.M. Maruf , Mamun M. Mustafa , Rahman M. Moklesur , Islam M. Shahidul , Kabir M. Alamgir , Rahman M. Hasibur , Kazi M. Azizul Islam , Elahi Syed Fazle
Published: January 2017

In Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, protein-concentrates produced from tannery skin-cut solid wastes are used for poultry and fish feeds. These protein-concentrates are highly chromium (Cr)-polluted ingredients into the feeds. Wide use of such protein-concentrates in Bangladesh poses a potential public health threat due to the potential migration of high levels of Cr into food chain. In order to reveal public health risk and the environmental hazards associated with this practice, experiments were conducted simulating the real-world poultry rearing in farms with formulating poultry feeds incorporating such Cr-polluted protein-concentrate. One-day aged commercial broiler chicken line Cobb-500 and duck variety ‘Khaki Campbell’ were obtained from the commercial market for the experiments. The simulated feeds produced as per field-practice have a pollution level of (0.3–0.4) % dry weight basis Cr concentration. One week aged fowls through the experimentation exhibited low Cr accumulation in their body mass, while most of the Cr intake being discarded with excreta. As the age of the fowl increased, with sampling at three weeks and six weeks of age, the proportional Cr concentration inside the body increased, with simultaneous proportional decrease in excreta and gut mass. Compared to daily dietary adequate intakes (AIs) of Cr for humans, the dietary public health exposure from consuming 100 g standard fresh-weight breast meat per day from the contaminated fowls is found to be at least 100 to over 300 times higher than the AIs for any people type and any age group beyond three years, whereas for children under three years such becomes even higher. The environmental hazards are no less severe. Application of one metric ton dry weight excreta produced from the contaminated fowls could pose 2.94 kg environmental Cr load.
Distribution of Trace Elements in Groundwater around Beris Lalang Landfill Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Khan Mohammad Muqtada Ali , Eva Mansor Hafzan , Aflatoon Nur Hanis , Kishan Raj Pillai Mathialagan
Published: January 2017

The present study was conducted in the vicinity of Beris Lalang landfill, part of state Kelantan, Malaysia to determine the distribution of trace elements concentration in groundwater. A total of eleven groundwater samples and two surface water samples were analyzed for lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and aluminium (Al) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). These probe elements were further categorized as toxic metals (i.e. Pb), transition metals (i.e. Mn), metallic elements (i.e. Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr), and non-metallic elements (i.e. Al). This study shows that few groundwater samples have marginally high concentration of Mn, Pb, Fe and Cr as per W.H.O. standard for potable water. The high concentration of metal ions in groundwater is likely due to untreated effluents from landfill site, municipal wastewater, fertilizers and other activities. To help identifying the contamination sources, the study recommends that regular monitoring of the groundwater quality should be undertaken both temporally and spatially that can contribute in public health and as well agricultural uses.
Replacing Dopamine Neurons in Parkinson’s Disease: How did it happen?
Authors: Björklund Anders , Lindvall Olle
Published: January 2017

The efforts to develop a dopamine cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease have spanned over more than three decades. Based on almost 10 years of transplantation studies in animal models, the first patients receiving grafts of fetal-derived dopamine neuroblasts were operated in Lund in 1987. Over the following two decades, a total of 18 patients were transplanted and followed closely by our team with mixed but also very encouraging results. In this article we tell the story of how the preclinical and clinical transplantation program in Lund evolved. We recall the excitement when we obtained the first evidence for survival and function of transplanted neurons in the diseased human brain. We also remember the setbacks that we have experienced during these 30 years and discuss the very interesting developments that are now taking place in this exciting field.
The Identification of Alpha-Synuclein as the First Parkinson Disease Gene
Authors: Nussbaum Robert L.
Published: January 2017

In this Commentary, I describe the events that led from an NINDS-sponsored Workshop on Parkinson Disease Research in 1995, where I was asked to speak about the genetics of Parkinson disease, to the identification a mere two years later of a mutation in alpha-synuclein as the cause of autosomal dominant Parkinson disease in the Contursi kindred. I review the steps we took to first map and then find the mutation in the alpha-synuclein locus and describe the obstacles and the role of serendipity in facilitating the work. Although alpha-synuclein mutations are a rare cause of hereditary PD, the importance of this finding goes far beyond the rare families with hereditary disease because it pinpointed alpha-synuclein as a key contributor to the far more common sporadic form of Parkinson disease. This work confirms William Harvey’s observation from 350 years ago that studying rarer forms of a disease is an excellent way to understand the more common forms of that disease. The identification of synuclein’s role in hereditary Parkinson disease has opened new avenues of research into the pathogenesis and potential treatments of the common form of Parkinson disease that affects many millions of Americans and tens of millions of human beings worldwide.
Colloidal Nanocrystalline Semiconductor Materials as Photocatalysts for Environmental Protection of Architectural Stone
Authors: Petronella Francesca , Pagliarulo Antonella , Striccoli Marinella , Calia Angela , Lettieri Mariateresa , Colangiuli Donato , Curri Maria , Comparelli Roberto
Published: January 2017

Rod-shaped TiO2 nanocrystals (TiO2 NRs), capped by oleic acid molecules (OLEA), were synthesized with controlled size, shape and surface chemistry by using colloidal routes. They were investigated for application as coating materials for preserving architectural stone of monumental and archaeological interest, in consideration of their self-cleaning and protection properties. For this purpose, two different deposition techniques, namely casting and dipping, were tested for the application of a nanocrystal dispersion on a defined stone type, as a relevant example of porous calcarenites, namely the Pietra Leccese, a building stone widely used in monuments and buildings of cultural and historic interest of the Apulia region (Italy). The physical properties of the stone surface were investigated before and after the treatment with the prepared nanostructured materials. In particular, colour, wettability, water transfer properties and stability of the coating were monitored as a function of time and of the application method. The self-cleaning properties of the TiO2 NRs coated surfaces were tested under simulated and real solar irradiation. The obtained results were discussed in the light of the specific surface chemistry and morphology of TiO2 NRs, demonstrating the effectiveness of TiO2 NRs as an active component in formulations for stone protection.
Salivary Diagnostics—Point-of-Care diagnostics of MMP-8 in dentistry and medicine
Authors: Rathnayake Nilminie , Gieselmann Dirk-Rolf , Heikkinen Anna , Tervahartiala Taina , Sorsa Timo
Published: January 2017

Human saliva is an easily accessible biological fluid and contains a variety of disease-related biomarkers, which makes it a potential diagnostic medium. The clinical use of salivary/oral fluid biomarkers to identify oral and systemic conditions requires the development of non-invasive screening and diagnostic technologies, and is among the main goals of oral fluid researchers. The analysis of the disease-specific oral and systemic biomarkers in saliva and oral fluids (i.e., mouth-rinse, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and peri-implantitis sulcular fluid (PISF)) is demanding. Several factors influence their expression and release; these factors include the intracellular location, the molecular size and the flow characteristics of the biological fluid. The type of saliva/oral fluid utilized for the diagnostics affects the analysis. High sensitivity together with sophisticated methods and techniques are essential to get a useful outcome. We describe here a recently developed mouth-rinse that is practical, convenient and inexpensive, as well as PISF chair-side/point of care (PoC) lateral-flow active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP-8) immunoassays to detect, predict and monitor the course and treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis.
Wind Profiles and Wave Spectra for Potential Wind Farms in South China Sea. Part I: Wind Speed Profile Model
Authors: Liu Yichao , Chen Daoyi , Yi Qian , Li Sunwei
Published: January 2017

With the setting of wind energy harvesting moving from coastal waters to deep waters, the South China Sea has been deemed to offer great potential for the construction of floating wind farms thanks to the abundance of wind energy resources. An engineering model describing the wind profiles and wave spectra specific to the South China Sea conditions, which is the precondition for offshore wind farm construction, has, however, not yet been proposed. In the present study, a series of numerical simulations have been conducted using the Weather Forecast and Research model. Through analyzing the wind and wave information extracted from the numerical simulation results, engineering models to calculate vertical profiles of wind speeds and wave spectra have been postulated. While the present paper focuses on the wind profile model, a companion paper articulates the wave spectrum model. For wind profiles under typhoon conditions, the power-law and log-law models have been found applicable under the condition that the Hellmann exponent α or the friction velocity u * are modified to vary with the wind strength. For wind profiles under non-typhoon conditions, the log-law model is revised to take into consideration the influence of the atmospheric stability.
A Soft Sensor-Based Fault-Tolerant Control on the Air Fuel Ratio of Spark-Ignition Engines
Authors: Zhai Yu-Jia , Yu Ding-Li , Qian Ke-Jun , Lee Sanghyuk , Theera-Umpon Nipon
Published: January 2017

The air/fuel ratio (AFR) regulation for spark-ignition (SI) engines has been an essential and challenging control problem for engineers in the automotive industry. The feed-forward and feedback scheme has been investigated in both academic research and industrial application. The aging effect can often cause an AFR sensor fault in the feedback loop, and the AFR control performance will degrade consequently. In this research, a new control scheme on AFR with fault-tolerance is proposed by using an artificial neural network model based on fault detection and compensation, which can provide the satisfactory AFR regulation performance at the stoichiometric value for the combustion process, given a certain level of misreading of the AFR sensor.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Adipose Tissue in Clinical Applications for Dermatological Indications and Skin Aging
Authors: Gaur Meenakshi , Dobke Marek , Lunyak Victoria
Published: January 2017

Operating at multiple levels of control, mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (ADSCs) communicate with organ systems to adjust immune response, provide signals for differentiation, migration, enzymatic reactions, and to equilibrate the regenerative demands of balanced tissue homeostasis. The identification of the mechanisms by which ADSCs accomplish these functions for dermatological rejuvenation and wound healing has great potential to identify novel targets for the treatment of disorders and combat aging. Herein, we review new insights into the role of adipose-derived stem cells in the maintenance of dermal and epidermal homeostasis, and recent advances in clinical applications of ADSCs related to dermatology.
F-Box Protein FBXO22 Mediates Polyubiquitination and Degradation of CD147 to Reverse Cisplatin Resistance of Tumor Cells
Authors: Wu Bo , Liu Zhen-Yu , Cui Jian , Yang Xiang-Min , Jing Lin , Zhou Yang , Chen Zhi-Nan , Jiang Jian-Li
Published: January 2017

Drug resistance remains a major clinical obstacle to successful treatment of cancer. As posttranslational modification is becoming widely recognized to affect the function of oncoproteins, targeting specific posttranslational protein modification provides an attractive strategy for anticancer drug development. CD147 is a transmembrane glycoprotein contributing to chemo-resistance of cancer cells in a variety of human malignancies. Ubiquitination is an important posttranslational modification mediating protein degradation. Degradation of oncoproteins, CD147 included, emerges as an attractive alternative for tumor inhibition. However, the ubiquitination of CD147 remains elusive. Here in this study, we found that deletion of the CD147 intracellular domain (CD147-ICD) prolonged the half-life of CD147 in HEK293T cells, and we identified that CD147-ICD interacts with FBXO22 using mass spectrometry and Western blot. Then, we demonstrated that FBXO22 mediates the polyubiquitination and degradation of CD147 by recognizing CD147-ICD. While knocking down of FBXO22 prolonged the half-life of CD147 in HEK293T cells, we found that FBXO22 regulates CD147 protein turnover in SMMC-7721, Huh-7 and A549 cells. Moreover, we found that the low level of FBXO22 contributes to the accumulation of CD147 and thereafter the cisplatin resistance of A549/DDP cells. To conclude, our study demonstrated that FBXO22 mediated the polyubiquitination and degradation of CD147 by interacting with CD147-ICD, and CD147 polyubiquitination by FBXO22 reversed cisplatin resistance of tumor cells.
Exploring the CK2 Paradox: Restless, Dangerous, Dispensable
Authors: Franchin Cinzia , Borgo Christian , Zaramella Silvia , Cesaro Luca , Arrigoni Giorgio , Salvi Mauro , Pinna Lorenzo
Published: January 2017

The history of protein kinase CK2 is crowded with paradoxes and unanticipated findings. Named after a protein (casein) that is not among its physiological substrates, CK2 remained in search of its targets for more than two decades after its discovery in 1954, but it later came to be one of the most pleiotropic protein kinases. Being active in the absence of phosphorylation and/or specific stimuli, it looks unsuitable to participate in signaling cascades, but its “lateral” implication in a variety of signaling pathways is now soundly documented. At variance with many “onco-kinases”, CK2 is constitutively active, and no oncogenic CK2 mutant is known; still high CK2 activity correlates to neoplasia. Its pleiotropy and essential role may cast doubts on the actual “druggability” of CK2; however, a CK2 inhibitor is now in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, and cell clones viable in the absence of CK2 are providing information about the mechanism by which cancer becomes addicted to high CK2 levels. A phosphoproteomics analysis of these CK2 null cells suggests that CK2 pleiotropy may be less pronounced than expected and supports the idea that the phosphoproteome generated by this kinase is flexible and not rigidly pre-determined.
Aptamers in Bordeaux, 24–25 June 2016
Authors: Toulmé Jean-Jacques , Giangrande Paloma , Mayer Günter , Suess Beatrix , Ducongé Frédéric , Sullenger Bruce , De Franciscis Vittorio , Darfeuille Fabien , Peyrin Eric
Published: January 2017

The symposium covered the many different aspects of the selection and the characterization of aptamers as well as their application in analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic areas. Natural and artificial riboswitches were discussed. Recent advances for the design of mutated polymerases and of chemically modified nucleic acid bases that provide aptamers with new properties were presented. The power of aptamer platforms for multiplex analysis of biomarkers of major human diseases was described. The potential of aptamers for the treatment of cancer or cardiovascular diseases was also presented. Brief summaries of the lectures presented during the symposium are given in this report. A second edition of “Aptamers in Bordeaux” will take place on September 2017 (http://www.aptamers-in-bordeaux.com/).
A Graph-Based Approach for 3D Building Model Reconstruction from Airborne LiDAR Point Clouds
Authors: Wu Bin , Yu Bailang , Wu Qiusheng , Yao Shenjun , Zhao Feng , Mao Weiqing , Wu Jianping
Published: January 2017

3D building model reconstruction is of great importance for environmental and urban applications. Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a very useful data source for acquiring detailed geometric and topological information of building objects. In this study, we employed a graph-based method based on hierarchical structure analysis of building contours derived from LiDAR data to reconstruct urban building models. The proposed approach first uses a graph theory-based localized contour tree method to represent the topological structure of buildings, then separates the buildings into different parts by analyzing their topological relationships, and finally reconstructs the building model by integrating all the individual models established through the bipartite graph matching process. Our approach provides a more complete topological and geometrical description of building contours than existing approaches. We evaluated the proposed method by applying it to the Lujiazui region in Shanghai, China, a complex and large urban scene with various types of buildings. The results revealed that complex buildings could be reconstructed successfully with a mean modeling error of 0.32 m. Our proposed method offers a promising solution for 3D building model reconstruction from airborne LiDAR point clouds.
Correction: Liu, B., et al. Quantitative Evaluation of Pulsed Thermography, Lock-In Thermography and Vibrothermography on Foreign Object Defect (FOD) in CFRP. Sensors 2016, 16, doi:10.3390/s16050743
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhang Hai , Fernandes Henrique , Maldague Xavier
Published: January 2017

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The Brookside Farm Wetland Ecosystem Treatment (WET) System: A Low-Energy Methodology for Sewage Purification, Biomass Production (Yield), Flood Resilience and Biodiversity Enhancement
Authors: Abrahams Julian , Coupe Stephen , Sañudo-Fontaneda Luis , Schmutz Ulrich
Published: January 2017

Wastewater from domestic developments, farms and agro-industrial processing can be sources of pollution in the environment; current wastewater management methods are usually machine-based, and thus energy consuming. When Permaculture Principles are used in the creation of water purification and harvesting systems, there can be multiple environmental and economic benefits. In the context of energy descent, it may be considered desirable to treat wastewater using minimal energy. The constructed wetland design presented here is a low-entropy system in which wastewater is harvested and transformed into lush and productive wetland, eliminating the requirement for non-renewable energy in water purification, and also maximising benefits: biodiversity, flood resilience and yield. In permaculture design, the high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous compounds in sewage are viewed as valuable nutrients, resources to be harvested by a constructed wetland ecosystem and converted into useful yield. Similarly, rainwater runoff is not viewed as a problem which can cause flooding, but as a potential resource to be harvested to provide a yield. This paper presents a case study, with both water quality and productivity data, from Brookside Farm UK, where the use of Permaculture Design Principles has created a combined wastewater management and purification system, accepting all site water.
Flexible photonic crystal membranes with nanoparticle high refractive index layers
Authors: Karrock Torben , Paulsen Moritz , Gerken Martina
Published: January 2017

Flexible photonic crystal slabs with an area of 2 cm2 are fabricated by nanoimprint replication of a 400 nm period linear grating nanostructure into a ≈60 µm thick polydimethylsiloxane membrane and subsequent spin coating of a high refractive index titanium dioxide nanoparticle layer. Samples are prepared with different nanoparticle concentrations. Guided-mode resonances with a quality factor of Q ≈ 40 are observed. The highly flexible nature of the membranes allows for stretching of up to 20% elongation. Resonance peak positions for unstretched samples vary from 555 to 630 nm depending on the particle concentration. Stretching results in a resonance shift for these peaks of up to ≈80 nm, i.e., 3.9 nm per % strain. The color impression of the samples observed with crossed-polarization filters changes from the green to the red regime. The high tunability renders these membranes promising for both tunable optical devices as well as visualization devices.