bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis on the Utilisation of Health Information Technology to Support Clinical Operation of Chinese Medicine
Authors: Han-Lin Catherine , Yang Angela Wei Hong , Pittayachawan Siddhi , Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: August 2018

Chinese Medicine (CM) has become increasingly demanding globally. Recent World Health Organisation traditional and complementary medicine strategy of integrating CM to Western Medicine (WM) indicates that it is crucial that CM developments have strong literature, scientific, and evidence-based medical approval and support. To achieve this, there is a need to form a synthesis foundation or platform for future studies. This chapter serves to discover this synthesis that is suitable for CM by discussing the basics of inquiring and Knowledge Management (KM) systems. It suggests that CM should follow a combination of Hegelian and Kantian inquiring systems with the support of Singerian and Leibnizian inquiring systems and KM features. This proposed synthesis is one of the first, if not the first study to apply Churchman's inquiring systems into the context of CM and differentiate them from WM.
Consistency Is Not Enough in Byzantine Fault Tolerance
Authors: Zhao Wenbing
Published: August 2018

The use of good random numbers is crucial to the security of many mission-critical systems. However, when such systems are replicated for Byzantine fault tolerance, a serious issue arises (i.e., how do we preserve the integrity of the systems while ensuring strong replica consistency?). Despite the fact that there exists a large body of work on how to render replicas deterministic under the benign fault model, the solutions regarding the random number control are often overly simplistic without regard to the security requirement, and hence, they are not suitable for practical Byzantine fault tolerance. In this chapter, the authors present a novel integrity-preserving replica coordination algorithm for Byzantine fault tolerant systems. The central idea behind our CD-BFT algorithm is that all random numbers to be used by the replicas are collectively determined, based on the contributions made by a quorum of replicas, at least f+1 of which are not faulty.
Carbon Capture From Natural Gas via Polymeric Membranes
Authors: Ghasem Nayef Mohamed , Rahim Nihmiya Abdul , Al-Marzouqi Mohamed
Published: August 2018

Polymeric membrane is a promising energy and an active alternative for conventional CO2 absorption column. The type of absorption liquid and operating parameters plays an efficient role in the ultimate absorption/stripping performance using gas-liquid membrane contactor. The gas flow rate has a significant effect on CO2 absorption performance; by contrast, it has no effect on stripping performance. Further, the CO2 absorption performance in membrane contactor could be enhanced by high liquid flow rates. The gas-liquid contact time was a key factor in enhancing the stripping flux at low temperature while liquid phase boundary layer thickness and associated mass transfer resistance is important at elevated temperature. By controlling the liquid phase velocity and the length of module at low temperature, better stripping performance can be achieved. The effect of liquid temperature on absorption performance in gas-liquid is not straightforward, since the liquid temperature cooperatively influences several factors.
Waste Gas End-of-Pipe Treatment Techniques in Italian IPPC Chemical Plants
Authors: Battistella Gaetano , Di Marco Giuseppe , Carlucci Carlo , Manuzzi Raffaella , Bonaiuti Federica , Ndong Celine
Published: August 2018

Due to more stringent emission regulations, very efficient emission control technologies are required adopting national IPPC permits based on BAT conclusions. Some abatement techniques are operating inside IPPC plants based in Italy. This chapter includes the results of a screening of Italian IPPC plants, trying to highlight operating conditions of abatement devices and possible already existing improvements for several compounds removal. The abatement techniques analyzed operate mainly on VOC content reduction or on inorganic compounds abatement. ISPRA experience has allowed to analyze different operative conditions, related with abatement techniques and their application in IPPC permitted plants. The results of this analysis suggest a possible reconsideration and new assessment for some end-of-pipe devices in order to find other, better-defined operational contexts, different from Italian provisions and an evaluation of current operational performances of the devices, in order to improve their environmental conditions consistently with BAT application.
Exploring Tourism Cluster in the Peripheral Mountain Area Based on GIS Mapping
Authors: Hsueh Ya-Hui , Chuang Huey-Wen , Hsieh Wan-Chiang
Published: August 2018

This chapter locates a set of points of tourist spots distributed on a peripheral mountain area by GIS mapping, illustrates that accessibility and neighbor to community are the influencing factors of tourism cluster in a peripheral mountain area, and further analyzes the benefits of tourism cluster of establishing cooperation network by tourism associations. This research investigates the linkages and local impacts between tourism and agriculture of a well-known organic agricultural area of fruits in Taiwan. This research aims to demonstrate the increased tourism development due to the tourist attractions of organic agriculture and religious spots in a peripheral region through a tourism clustering process. By collecting a set of points of tourist spots specified to GIS slope raster and point density surface, tourism-agriculture linkages and their local impacts are demonstrated.
Geospatial Influence in Science Mapping
Authors: Granell-Canut Carlos , Aguilar-Moreno Estefanía
Published: August 2018

The chapter aims at drawing attention to the possibilities that geospatial technologies can bring to science mapping. The chapter briefly distinguishes the notion of mapping between the geospatial information science (GIScience) and librarianship and information science (LIS). Afterwards, an overview of recent initiatives and research work relative to (geospatial) mapping of science is presented. Based on these examples, opportunities and challenges of applying geospatial technology to science mapping are discussed. Finally, based on relevant while evolving geospatial technologies, the next steps for increasing the influence of geospatial technology in science mapping are pointed out.
Generative Model Based Video Shot Boundary Detection for Automated Surveillance
Authors: Chakraborty Biswanath , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Chakraborty Susanta
Published: August 2018

Video shot boundary detection (SBD) or video cut detection is one of the fundamental processes of video-processing with respect to semantic understanding, contextual information accumulation, labeling, content-based information retrieval and many more applications, such as video surveillance and monitoring. In this work, the authors have proposed a generative-model based framework for detecting shot boundaries in between the frames of a video segment. To generate a model of shot-boundaries, the authors have applied the concepts of Support Vector Machine to estimate the distance between any two images, and then, have generated a Gaussian Mixture Model from the estimated distances. Next, a Bayesian Estimation process checks the presence of boundaries in between the images by exploiting the Gaussian Mixture-based boundary model. Further, the authors have used the principles of Compressive Sensing to reduce the overhead of boundary detection process without losing of important information.
From the Professoriat to the Precariat
Authors: Doughty Howard A.
Published: August 2018

Social class lies at the core of much that Marx said about the “laws of history.” Class conflict was to be the means whereby capitalism would be overthrown, superseded by a revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat and, subsequently, by a communist society in which alienation and exploitation would be replaced by emancipation and the full flowering of human potential as both individuals and a species. The capitalist system, however, has proven remarkably resilient and resourceful. The welfare state ameliorated extreme economic distress, popular culture sapped revolutionary energy, and “identity politics” fragmented political radicalism. Meanwhile, the definition of social class itself became problematic. A reorganized labor market produced divisions between the traditional working class and precarious workers and, in colleges and universities, the old “professoriat” was joined by a new “precariat” that now does over two-thirds of the teaching. This trend is part of the “corporatizing” of higher education and the “neoliberal” restructuring of work in late capitalism. Intellectuals, once the theoretical “vanguard of the proletariat,” are now practical leaders too. Educational worker militancy has implications for the academy and class tensions throughout society. It raises the question: Was Marx wrong, or has he just not yet been proven right?
Transformative Learning in Teacher Education
Authors: Munger Mary Heather , Murray Mary , Richardson Meighan , Claussen Alex
Published: August 2018

This article describes a partnership between teacher education candidates in a small, rural, private university and students in a large, public, urban junior/ senior high school. This partnership utilized technology and used a Literature as a Bridge (LAAB) program to foster discussions designed to be vehicles of learning for all participants. The objectives of this program were to 1) have urban youth see higher education as an option for their future by giving them experience with college students, college expectations, and a college campus, 2) increase cultural competence by providing opportunities for teacher candidates to work with culturally and ethnically diverse students with experiences different from their own, and 3) allow literature to be a vehicle to bridge diverse groups. The dynamic relationship between teacher candidate and high school students set the stage for transformational learning for both the teacher candidates and the junior/senior high school students.
Medical Diagnosis Via Distances Measures Between Credibility Distributions
Authors: Dutta Palash
Published: August 2018

The uncertain, vague, imprecise nature of medical documentation and information make the field of medical diagnosis is the most important and interesting area for applications of fuzzy variables. Furthermore, due to lots of factors to analyze for the diagnosis of the disease makes the doctor/physician's work complicated. In literature, most of medical diagnosis problems are fuzzy variables-based methods. However, no attempt has been seen using a credibility theory. This article presents a maiden effort to carry out medical diagnoses using distance measures between credibility distributions of fuzzy variables. Furthermore, some properties of distance measures on credibility distributions are also studied.
Selection of Cloud Delivery and Deployment Models
Authors: Eid Mustafa I.M. , Al-Jabri Ibrahim M. , Sohail M. Sadiq
Published: August 2018

Research interests on cloud computing adoption and its effectiveness in terms of cost and time has been increasing. However, one of the challenging decisions facing management in adopting cloud services is taking on the right combinations of cloud service delivery and deployment models. A comprehensive review of literature revealed a lack of research addressing this selection decision problem. To fill this research gap, this article proposes an expert system approach for managers to decide on the right combination of service delivery and deployment model selection. The article first proposes a rule-based expert system prototype, which provides advice based on a set of factors that represent the organizational conditions and requirements pertaining to cloud computing adoption. Next, the authors evaluate the system prototype. Lastly, the article concludes with a discussion of the results, its practical implications, limitations, and further research directions.
Past as Future in Adaptive Buildings: Climatic Adaptation in Ancient Constructions
Authors: Niglio Mariangela
Published: August 2018

Increasingly today we talk about sustainable architecture or, better yet, about adaptive architecture as something innovative. Looking at the past, however, it is possible to find numerous examples of architecture that adapts to the climatic conditions of the place with special devices or natural materials. Starting from the ancient Romans and the ancient peoples of the Middle East, up to the newer system to create energy by exploiting natural resources, are various the adaptive systems of the past. All have in common the respect for the environment, communicating with it sustainably, and optimizing available resources. This paper focuses on some of these systems highlighting the merits.
The Role of Energy Technologies and Scenarios in the Decarbonisation Process
Authors: Di Caro Silvia
Published: August 2018

Thanks to the industrial and technological development, man has managed to travel fast, to take advantage of artificial light in the absence of natural light, to enjoy the air-conditioned rooms in case of discomfort and much more. The engine of these processes is energy, which needs to be considered the production phases. The world's energization began mainly through fossil sources, but due to the thinning of the atmospheric ozone layer and the overall increase in the concentration of CO2over the years, due to anthropogenic and non-human causes, which led to overheating global, global decarbonisation has become necessary. It is essential to encourage the development of low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. This document shows the current problems, in terms of environmental impact, and the possible solutions applied and applicable in the future to counteract the increase in average temperature of 2 degrees by 2050. The main point is to make buildings less energetic with technological devices, addressing their honors and obligations.
Kinetic Solutions for Responsive and Communicative Building Skin
Authors: Di Salvo Santina
Published: August 2018

Theskinof buildings represents the first level of communication between construction, man and environment. In this relationship, the concept of communication acquires different values, because it can be applied both to the architectural field in relation to the shape, and to the perceptive and communicative sphere, aimed to transmission of messages or even to the interaction of the architectural envelope with the user and the environment. This brings us back to the energy and sustainability aspects, since the primary role as a separation and filter layer of the building façades is that of shielding. The solution with a kinetic façade constitutes not only a possibility of climatic mediation between outside and inside, guaranteeing ventilation and protection from solar radiation, but allows to redesign the aesthetic, communicative and perceptive appearance of a building. The contribution focuses on the communicative and perceptive potential of the façades and the ongoing experimentations of the new smart materials applied to these.
Addition Strategy and Multi-Layered Envelopes in Building Adaptation: A Methodological Framework
Authors: Guerritore Camilla , Viscuso Salvatore
Published: August 2018

This article proposes an approach to rehabilitation processes based on adaptation, focusing on the re-use of existing, obsolete and redundant building stocks in alternative to strategies that rely on demolition followed by construction, which have high energetic and environmental impacts.The proposed approach also defines an intervention strategy that relies mainly on the transformation of the building envelope. In particular, the implications of “addition strategies” - that consist in the introduction along the whole façade or part of it of a new multidimensional envelope (from very low depths till around 250 cm) – will be evaluated from several viewpoints: qualitative, spatial/functional, structural, constructive, energetic, environmental.Within this approach, the adoption of lightweight innovative materials - ensuring hi-performance in terms of structural efforts and thermal behaviour - can play a significant role, maximizing the benefits of the refurbishment project, while at the same time it minimizes, when possible, the modifications to be carried out inside.The final objective of the article is to highlight how the crescent application of advanced materials in refurbishment projects can be a crucial resource for the sector of the transformation and building re-use.
(Re)Inserting charity in education
Authors: Meganck Erik
Published: August 2018

Background: Recently, charity (re)appears in cultural discourse. It is no longer confined to (moral) theology. Objectives: The aim of this article is to defend the acceptance of charity as a major and fundamental category in the formulation of professional learning goals and in the transformation and development of curricula in higher education, using historical and philosophical arguments. Methods: I first offer a philosophical survey of modernity as instrumentalisation and of late modernity as where charity (re)appears. Then I translate this analysis into an educational challenge and its promising effects. The transition from a culture that hinges on strict instrumentalisation into one that opens up to charity has not yet been integrated in official pedagogical and didactical directives. Results: The philosophical exploration of the cultural field shows the possibility as well as a desirability of integrating charity in (not only) higher education. Though the effects of this integration can only be considered forthcoming, a promise without any evidence, this philosophical reflection argues the probability of positive pedagogical results. Conclusion: The reappearance of charity in culture urges education to also look beyond its modern formats. One possible initiative is the ‘insertion’ of charity. Reflection on a care experience is a pedagogically justifiable form of this insertion. What was deemed irrelevant, private and optional before becomes core educational challenges now. The new meaning of the world, without changing the world, is precisely this: let us keep teaching economy, engineering, law, medicine, etc., but always against the backdrop of charity.
First- and second-level digital divides in Cuba: Differences in Internet motivation, access, skills and usage
Authors: Deursen Alexander van , Solis Andrade Lila
Published: August 2018

The digital divide is an important academic concern. Whereas the first generation of studies focused only on physical and material Internet access, more recent research has considered the importance of skills and usage gaps. This study seeks to bring to light meaningful insights into first and second levels of the digital divide in the special case of Cuba, which is characterized by a very restricted media environment. Results reveal that in an admittedly socialist country where inequality is very present, increased access to the Internet might particularly benefit those who are already in privileged positions.
Social exchange is in the game: Communication and resource flow in a Xbox gaming clan
Authors: Howe William T. , Lee Sun Kyong
Published: August 2018

This study examined the international social network of a bounded Battlefield 4 gaming clan considering social exchange theory. We found that more central members of the clan contributed more time and money to the clan than others. In addition, central members of this clan revived other members in-game more often. This study extends social exchange theory from face-to-face interaction to the virtual world, by showing communicative factors that influence online gaming networks, and to game studies by offering results applicable to online gaming clans. This study also shows how gamers engage in various social exchanges and earn central positions within the network in return for their investment of time, money, and communication.
Thumbs up, thumbs down? Likes and dislikes as popularity drivers of political YouTube videos
Authors: Larsson Anders Olof
Published: August 2018

While early ideas surrounding the influence of the Internet on political participation and communication were often overtly optimistic, comparably recent years have seen the rise of online hate speech and similar issues gaining influence in a variety of online spheres. The study presented here seeks to detail the impact of positive (‘thumbs-up’) and negative (‘thumbs-down’) feedback on the popularity of politically themed YouTube videos, uploaded during the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election. Given the apparent dearth of studies on YouTube in this regard, the insights provided here furthers our understanding regarding the drivers of online popularity during election campaigns. Specifically, results indicate that while commenting on uploaded videos appear as related to the ‘thumbs-up’ variety, video view count appear as more clearly related to the dismissive ‘thumbs-down’ feedback option. Discussing these results, the final section of the paper also provides a few suggestions for future research efforts in this vein.
Core Competency Education of Social Work Students: An Empirical Assessment Through Scale Development
Authors: Guo Yu , Lu Shuang , Huang Chien-Chung , Wang Yuqi , Zhang Yiwen
Published: August 2018

This study investigates how competency-based education and assessment prepare social work students to become competent professionals, with a quantitative examination of Chinese students’ (n=332) core competencies. Factor analysis suggests that core competencies can be grouped into conceptual and professional dimensions. The regression results demonstrate that curriculum content satisfaction, preference for the social work major, field experience, and knowledge of career outlook are positively related to students’ conceptual, professional, and comprehensive competencies. Gender and willingness for further study also relate positively to both conceptual and comprehensive competencies, and grade is positively associated with professional competency. These findings carry important implications for the competency-based approach to social work education in China.
Tradeoffs Between Specific Investment and Optimal Resource Allocation: A Comparison of Different Transfer Pricing Policies
Authors: Sahay Savita A
Published: August 2018

This paper uses a principal-agent framework to analyze the tension between incentives for specific investment by the agent, and resource allocation that is optimal from the principal’s perspective.  The analysis considers a decentralized firm in which central management can institute different transfer pricing policies to motivate divisional managers to undertake investment and production decisions.  Some well-known properties of the methods are identified: a transfer price that uses a markup over and above actual costs can provide investment incentives but leads to sub-optimal resource allocation; negotiated transfer pricing suffers from the problem of under-investment even though its ex post performance is optimal; and standard cost-based transfer pricing entails over-reporting of standards, which results in inefficient levels of trade as well as low investment. The paper establishes a clear ranking amongst the three methods studied. It is shown that the overall performance of actual cost-based transfer pricing is superior if the buying division’s investments are important, while negotiated transfer pricing dominates if those of the selling division are important.  The overall performance of standard cost-based method is inferior to that of the actual cost-based method, even though the latter has weaker investment incentives.
Efeitos dos métodos de cura e temperaturas nas propriedades mecânicas de concretos de pós reativos
Authors: Balestra Carlos Eduardo Tino , Savaris Gustavo , Feiber Fulvio Natércio , Belasco Rodolfo , Hirano Éric Lovera
Published: August 2018

Concretos de pós reativos são um dos compósitos cimentícios mais avançados apresentando alta resistência mecânica combinada com uma densa e modificada microestrutura comparada a um concreto ordinário. Este elevado desempenho é obtido através do processo de cura, empregando tratamento térmico, que tem como finalidade potencializar as reações pozolânicas dos constituintes presentes neste concreto, promovendo mudanças vantajosas na microestrutura do material. Esta pesquisa avaliou a influência de diferentes métodos de cura térmica (convencional, submersa, a vapor e ao ar quente) sob diferentes temperaturas (230C, 500C, 700C e 900C) na resistência a compressão de concretos de pós reativos, resultando em uma variação superior a 70% na resistência à compressão entre diferentes métodos de cura, onde foi concluído que a cura pelo método a vapor é a mais eficiente. A temperatura de cura de 900C resultou nos maiores valores de compressão para os corpos de prova testados.
Current Concepts Review: Evaluation and Management of Posterior Hip Pain
Authors: Gómez-Hoyos Juan , Martin Robroy L. , Martin Hal David
Published: August 2018

Understanding the etiology of and evolving research on intra- and extra-articular hip complaints requires comprehensive diagnosis and management of the spectrum of posterior hip diseases. Interest in posterior hip disorders has increased in recent years as new studies and theories have emerged regarding the disease process. Although most of the differential diagnoses around the posterior hip have traditionally been considered uncommon, recent reports suggest that these complaints have instead been commonly overlooked. Failure to identify the cause of posterior hip pain in a timely manner can increase pain perception, deteriorate the patient's hope, and consequently affect quality of life. Posterior hip pain could be differentiated as intrapelvic and extrapelvic, and differential diagnosis is made based on a comprehensive history, physical examination, and imaging studies. Plain radiography, CT, MRI, 3T MRI, and imaging-guided injection tests are usually necessary for accurate diagnosis. Surgical intervention, whether endoscopic or open, is required for patients with long-standing symptoms for whom nonsurgical treatment has been unsuccessful and who have experienced temporary relief of their symptoms after injection. Orthopedic surgeons are uniquely trained in understanding the anatomy, biomechanics, clinical evaluation and treatment of all five layers of the hip.
2018/13 Discrimination based on perceived disability found unlawful (UK)
Authors: Minshall Sam
Published: August 2018

2018/13 Discrimination based on perceived disability found unlawful (UK)

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (‘EAT’) has confirmed that, even if an employee is not actually disabled for the purpose of the relevant statutory test, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against that employee because of a perceived disability.
2018/15 (International) air carriers under Austrian Labour Constitution Law (AT)
Authors: Laimer Hans Georg , Wieser Lukas
Published: August 2018

2018/15 (International) air carriers under Austrian Labour Constitution Law (AT)

The general protection against dismissal under Austrian labour law only applies if at least five employees are employed permanently. The special provisions for air carriers under Austrian law only apply to air carriers that have their principal place of business in Austria. Whether foreign businesses and their employees employed outside Austria should be afforded protection against dismissal remains unresolved.
CHANGE IN THE ITALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: BUDGET BALANCING MAY ALSO JUSTIFY AN ILLEGITIMATE RECALCULATION OF PENSIONS
Authors: Bianco Giovanni
Published: August 2018

With the decision of October 25, 2017, in Italy the Constitutional Court has finally ruled that the needs of public finance can prevail over the rights of pensioners until an unlawful block of pension revaluation has been remedied. With the introduction of the principle of a balanced budget into the Constitution (art. 81), the foundations are laid to begin to tailor labor policies to the needs of economic and financial elite. The principle is rooted in European legislation that both the EU institutions and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) are committed to pursue exclusively the objective of price stability (and therefore, as a matter of priority, of a given political system). Only once, without prejudice to this objective, can you pursue the general policies of the Union (such as employment and wage policies). With a balanced budget - constitutionalised in 2012 - the government wanted to experiment - among other things - to what extent it can block the revaluation of pensions and state seniority benefits. At first, the Constitutional Court, in ruling no. 70/2015, ruled against the government and sentenced it to return the sums to retirees inclusive of the revaluation in 2013. In that case, the consultation has considered the constitutional principles of proportionality and adequacy of the pension (art. 36 and 38 Cost.) as taking precedent over a balanced budget (art. 81). The Government reacted: a) returning to pensioners only 2 of the 17 billion Euro taken unlawfully (by means of the so-called Poletti decree); b) sensitizing the Court on finance issues with a bill to highlight the economic consequences of the decisions of the judges in the drafting of judgements and attributing to the government the same decision regarding the manner and timing of implementation of the judicial decisions that generate financial charges onto the government coffers. Perhaps, partly as a result of this moral suasion, the consultative panel has reformulated its approach and, after a few months, the sentence no. 178/2015 formally "condemned" the Government to return to the system of seniority benefits, not from 2013 (ex tunc), but only for the future (ex nunc). The new jurisprudence of the Court has meant that - as the government desired - the principle of the requirements of a balanced budget (art. 81) outweigh the policies that protect workers (Art. 39), resulting in (huge) savings for the government at a figure that is around 35 billion Euro. Finally, with the decision of 25 October 2017, the Court considered the payment of the Poletti bonus sufficient, allowing the government to save about 80% of the subtracted revaluations.
Structure, morphology and mechanical properties of AlCrN coatings obtained by the method of cathodic arc evaporation
Authors: Gilewicz Adam , Jędrzejewski Roman , Myśliński Piotr , Warcholiński Bogdan
Published: August 2018

CrAlN coatings have been formed on steel substrates (HS6-5-2) using cathodic arc evaporation. The influence of nitrogen pres-sure and substrate bias voltage on the properties of CrAlN coatings formed from Al80Cr20 cathode, such as: chemical and phase composition of the coatings, their surface morphology, deposition rate, hardness and adhesion to the substrate have been investigated. It has been determined that the rate of the deposition of coatings in the nitrogen atmosphere with the pressure of 3 Pa is the highest and that with the increase of the negative bias voltage of the substrate the deposition rate decreases. The roughness parameter Ra of the coating surface decreases as the nitrogen pressure increases during their formation. Presumably, this is related to the reduction of the amount of macroparticles on the surface of the coating. The hardness of the coatings (taking into account the measurement uncertainty) is independent of the nitrogen pressure, but it increases with the increase of the negative bias voltage of the substrate. The adhesion of the coating increases with the increase of the nitrogen pressure to 3–4 Pa, and then it decreases. The increase in the negative bias voltage of the substrate during the formation of the coating deteriorates its adhesion to the substrate.
Toll-like receptors as a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Łacheta Dominika , Olejarz Wioletta , Wrzosek Małgorzata , Nowicka Grażyna
Published: August 2018

Toll-like receptors belong to the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) group, which plays a major role in maintaining a balance between the host immune system and the microbial invasion. They are key factors in the early, innate defense mechanisms of the immune system, which are manifested by the activation of classical and alternative inflammatory pathways. Excessive activity of these receptors has been shown to cause homeostasis disorders, so that the response of cells with these receptors must be strictly regulated to prevent any harmful effects of their abnormal activation. Thus, cellular responses mediated through TLR receptors have to be strictly regulated in order to prevent potentially harmful effects of their abnormal activation. There is an increasing evidence to suggest, that the Toll-like receptors can initiate and accelerate a development of atherosclerosis. Activation of these receptors leads to enhanced proinflammatory cytokine synthesis, promotes accumulation of foam cells in the aorta and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells from tunica to intima media. The major challenge for development of the TLR blocking drugs is to reduce inflammation without affecting the innate immunity of a body. Although preclinical studies confirm that they are promising therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, however it is necessary to fully define their functions.
Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England
Authors: Boyd C , Jarvis S , McGreevy PD , Heath S , Church DB , Brodbelt DC , O’Neill DG
Published: August 2018

Undesirable behaviours (UBs) are common in dogs and can jeopardise animal and human health, leading to dog abandonment and euthanasia. Dogs exhibiting UBs may have compromised welfare from underlying emotional motivations for the behaviour (eg anxiety) or from the methods used by owners to resolve the problem (eg aversive techniques). The objective of this study was to estimate proportional mortality due to UBs and risk factors for death due to UBs, including death from road traffic accidents, in dogs under three years of age attending primary-care veterinary practices in England from 2009-2014. Cases were identified by searching de-identified electronic patient records from primary-care veterinary practices participating in the VetCompass Programme. The findings highlight that dogs under three years of age are at a proportionately high risk of death due to UBs (33.7%) compared with other specific causes of death (eg gastrointestinal issues: 14.5%). Male dogs had 1.40x the odds of death from UB compared with females. The proportional mortality from UB for male dogs where information on the cause of death was available was 0.41. Neutered dogs had 1.94x the odds of death due to a UB compared with entire dogs. Aggression was the most prevalent UB overall. Veterinarians had recommended referral in 10.3% of cases where dogs died due to exhibiting a UB and had dispensed nutraceutical, pheromone or pharmacological treatment to 3.0% of the UB cases that died. This study shows that undesirable behaviours require better preventive measures and treatment, through further research and education of veterinarians, other professionals within the dog industry and owners.
Are you for real? Exploring language use and unexpected process questions within the detection of identity deception
Authors: Jupe Louise Marie , Vrij Aldert , Leal Sharon , Nahari Galit
Published: August 2018

The current study was to test whether reality monitoring and language use could distinguish identity liars from truth tellers when answering outcome questions and unexpected process questions. Truth tellers (n = 30) and liars (n = 30) discussed their identity in a recruitment interview. No differences emerged between truth tellers and liars in the details they provided. In terms of language use, liars used more positive language than truth tellers, whereas truth tellers used more cognitive process words than liars. However, neither were more pronounced when asking process questions. Overall, process questions elicited more cognitive process and cause words than outcome questions. Therefore, process questions may be able to contribute to the cognitive load approach. The findings suggest that reality monitoring may not be diagnostic when applied to identity deception. We discuss the language use differences in relation to impression management theory.
Yeast Metabolic Response as an Indicator of Radiation Damage in Biological Tissue
Authors: Yoon Chang Keun , Ochoa Manuel , Kim Albert , Rahimi Rahim , Zhou Jiawei , Ziaie Babak
Published: August 2018

Wearable radiation sensors for workers of radiation‐intensive industries provide a measure of radiation exposure but not of its effects on biological tissue. A biohybrid radiation sensing platform based on a new transduction mechanism for detecting biological radiation damage using the metabolic activity of a microorganism population is presented here. The sensor is a wearable, disposable, film‐type device fabricated on a paper substrate with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells patterned between two electrodes and used as a smart material. The device is sensitive to radiation when dry and is read by activating it with water. Yeast (S. cerevisiae) cells, that are exposed to ionizing radiation and subsequently allowed to ferment a glucose solution, exhibit an electrical conductivity that is lower than that of nonexposed yeast. The radiation damage to this microorganism is directly proportional to the measured impedance of the fermenting medium. An 18 × 18 mm2 and 0.57 mm thick sensors with ground yeast (3.09 mg cm−2 areal density filtered with a 50 µm mesh) shows a sensitivity of 4.5% Ω/Ω0decade‐rad upon exposure to Cs‐137. The minimum detectable dose (resolution) is 1 mrad. Fluorescence microscopy results suggest that it is primarily due to damaged membranes in the cell wall and mitochondria.
Ultrathin Surface Coating Enables Stabilized Zinc Metal Anode
Authors: Zhao Kangning , Wang Chenxu , Yu Yanhao , Yan Mengyu , Wei Qiulong , He Pan , Dong Yifan , Zhang Ziyi , Wang Xudong , Mai Liqiang
Published: August 2018

With the rapid development of energy storage devices, aqueous battery with noncombustion properties and instinct safe features has received great attentions and Zn anode is investigated intensively due to its high theoretical capacity (820 mAh g−1), and low negative potential (−0.762 V vs SHE). However, the unavoidable gas evolution hinders the cyclability and the application in the commercial field. Herein, the atomic layer deposition of TiO2 coating is first demonstrated as the protection layer of metallic zinc anode. The corrosion of zinc plate is significantly suppressed, leading to less gas evolution and Zn(OH)2 byproduct formation. The reduced gas generation on the outer surface of the zinc plate will maintain the effective contact area between the electrolyte and anode and leads to an improved coulombic efficiency. In this way, the Zn anode with 100 ALD cycles TiO2 protection shows reduced overpotential (72.5 mV) at 1 mA cm−2 for Zn–Zn symmetrical battery and additionally, the protection of TiO2 extended the Zn–MnO2 battery cycling performance up to 1000 cycles with the capacity retention of 85% at current density of 3 mA cm−2. The novel design of atomic layer deposition protected metal zinc anode brings in new opportunities to the realization of the ultrasafe aqueous zinc metal batteries.
Improved Performance of Thick Films Based Binary and Ternary Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Devices Incorporated with Electrospinning Processed Nanofibers
Authors: Huang He Jun‐ning , Nan Hui Rong , Yang Ying Guo , Gao Xing Yu , Chen Fei , Chen Zhi‐Kuan
Published: August 2018

Nanofibers (average diameter of ≈150–160 nm) consisting of both binary and ternary bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic (BHJ‐OPV) donor‐acceptor pairs poly(3‐hexylthiophene):phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PC61BM) and (P3HT/PTB7:PC61BM) are produced in a coaxial electrospinning process. Thick (≈260 nm) BHJ‐OPV devices are fabricated by incorporating the nanofibers. Compared to thin (140 nm) P3HT:PC61BM binary devices, thick devices with P3HT:PC61BM nanofibers achieve an improved performance, i.e., an improvement from 65.15 to 73.24% in filling factor (FF), from 3.32 to 4.71% in power conversion efficiency (PCE), and from 8.51 to 11.09 mA cm−2 in short‐circuit current density (Jsc); while compared to thin P3HT/PTB7:PC61BM ternary devices, thick devices with P3HT/PTB7:PC61BM nanofibers show an improvement from 5.1 to 5.68% in PCE, from 12.51 to 14.74 mA cm−2 in Jsc, and a decrease from 66.83 to 63.55% in FF. The improved performance is attributed to an enhanced optical absorption induced by prolonged light absorption path due to scattering from nanofibers, a favorable nanomorphology with optimum crystallinity of P3HT/PTB7 and their good mixing with PC61BM, as well as an increased in‐plane alignment of P3HT and PTB7 polymer chains for efficient exciton dissociation and carrier extraction, and improved charge transport in the vertical direction.
Doped‐MoSe2 Nanoflakes/3d Metal Oxide–Hydr(Oxy)Oxides Hybrid Catalysts for pH‐Universal Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Najafi Leyla , Bellani Sebastiano , Oropesa‐Nuñez Reinier , Ansaldo Alberto , Prato Mirko , Del Rio Castillo Antonio Esau , Bonaccorso Francesco
Published: August 2018

Clean hydrogen production is highly promising to meet future global energy demands. The design of earth‐abundant materials with both high activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and electrochemical stability in both acidic and alkaline environments is needed, in order to enable practical applications. Here, the authors report a non‐noble 3d metal Cl‐chemical doping of liquid phase exfoliated single‐/few‐layer flakes of MoSe2 for creating MoSe2/3d metal oxide–hydr(oxy)oxide hybrid HER‐catalysts. It is proposed that the electron‐transfer from MoSe2 nanoflakes to metal cations and the chlorine complexation‐induced neutralization, as well as the in situ formation of metal oxide–hydr(oxy)oxides on the MoSe2 nanoflakes' surface, tailor the proton affinity of the catalysts, increasing the number and HER‐kinetics of their active sites in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The electrochemical coupling between doped‐MoSe2/metal oxide–hydr(oxy)oxide hybrids and single‐walled carbon nanotubes heterostructures further accelerates the HER process. Lastly, monolithic stacking of multiple heterostructures is reported as a facile electrode assembly strategy to achieve overpotential for a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm−2 of 0.081 and 0.064 V in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 1 m KOH, respectively. This opens up new opportunities to address the current density versus overpotential requirements targeted in pH‐universal hydrogen production.
A comprehensive clinical and genetic study in 127 patients with ID in Kinshasa, DR Congo
Authors: Lumaka Aimé , Race Valerie , Peeters Hilde , Corveleyn Anniek , Coban‐Akdemir Zeynep , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Song Xiaofei , Mubungu Gerrye , Posey Jennifer , Lupski James R. , Vermeesch Joris R. , Lukusa Prosper , Devriendt Koenraad
Published: August 2018

Pathogenic variants account for 4 to 41% of patients with intellectual disability (ID) or developmental delay (DD). In Sub‐Saharan Africa, the prevalence of ID is thought to be higher, but data in Central Africa are limited to some case reports. In addition, clinical descriptions of some syndromes are not available for this population. This study aimed at providing an estimate for the fraction of ID/DD for which an underlying etiological genetic cause may be elucidated and provide insights into their clinical presentation in special institutions in a Central African country. A total of 127 patients (33 females and 94 males, mean age 10.03 ± 4.68 years), were recruited from six institutions across Kinshasa. A clinical diagnosis was achieved in 44 but molecular confirmation was achieved in 21 of the 22 patients with expected genetic defect (95% clinical sensitivity). Identified diseases included Down syndrome (15%), submicroscopic copy number variants (9%), aminoacylase deficiency (0.8%), Partington syndrome in one patient (0.8%) and his similarly affected brother, X‐linked syndromic Mental Retardation type 33 (0.8%), and two conditions without clear underlying molecular genetic etiologies (Oculo‐Auriculo‐Vertebral and Amniotic Bands Sequence). We have shown that genetic etiologies, similar to those reported in Caucasian subjects, are a common etiologic cause of ID in African patients from Africa. We have confirmed the diagnostic utility of clinical characterization prior to genetic testing. Finally, our clinical descriptions provide insights into the presentation of these genetic diseases in African patients.
Hand preferences and differences in extractive foraging in seven capuchin monkey species
Authors: de Andrade Antonio C. , de Sousa Allana B.
Published: August 2018

Tool use and extractive foraging could be drivers for right hand use preference. The robust capuchins, Sapajus, are more specialized for destructive and extractive foraging than the gracile capuchins, Cebus. Thus, we predicted them to show right‐hand preference and higher rates of extractive foraging when compared to the gracile capuchins. We hypothesized that capuchins that evolved in dry habitats are predisposed to show higher rates of extractive foraging and right‐hand preference. We employed the tube task (152 individuals) and an extractive foraging task (212 individuals) in seven species of capuchins in captive settings. Data on hand preference and extractive foraging were collected using focal and scan sampling, respectively. Contrary to our hypothesis, S. libidinosus showed significant left hand preference, while S. robustus and S. flavius showed a right hand preference. The species S. xanthosternos, S. flavius, and S. robustus engaged in extractive foraging significantly more often than S. apella, S. libidinosus, and Cebus albifrons. As expected, the gracile capuchins showed significant higher left‐hand bias when compared to the robust capuchins. The findings from this study is the first indication of left‐hand population level laterality in S. libidinosus, a species that evolved in an environment selecting for increased tool use. Although tool use has been associated with population level right handedness, or a strong trend to use the right hand, our results suggest the link between tool use and right‐hand preference is simplistic, at least in Sapajus. The ultimate explanation for the differences in hand preference across species might be due to differences in use of key food resources. We suggest that capuchin monkeys from the Atlantic forest evolved under a stronger selective pressure for high reliance on bimanual feeding and extractive foraging, which requires more sequential actions and planning, than those species from the Amazonia forest and Caatinga/Cerrado dry forest.
What can surveillance data and risk factor research contribute to a public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse?
Authors: Broadley Karen
Published: August 2018

The aim of this article was to consider how population‐level surveillance data and risk factor research might be applied to a public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse. The focus is on the collection of data in relation to ethnicity. By drawing from the four principles approach to ethical decision making developed by Beauchamp and Childress, the expected benefits of data collection are weighed against possible harms to individuals and communities. It concludes that the identification of high‐risk groups can inform prioritisation of resources, and the development of context‐specific and culturally sensitive child sexual abuse prevention and intervention programmes. However, it is crucial to explain why child sexual abuse is more prevalent in some ethnic communities than others. Explanations about causes can reduce the potential for stigmatisation and marginalisation of individuals and communities, as well as challenge widely held myths about biological determinism and inability to change.