bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Neurodegenerative Illnesses and Epilepsy in Danish Adventists and Baptists: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Thygesen Lau Caspar , Gimsing Louise NØrreslet , Bautz Andrea , Hvidt Niels Christian , Johansen Christoffer
Published: January 2017

Background: Limited knowledge of the influence of lifestyle risk factors and religious living on chronic neurological diseases exists. Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) do not consume tobacco, alcohol, or pork, and many adhere to lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, and Baptists discourage excessive use of alcohol and tobacco.

Objective: We investigated whether the incidence of four common chronic neurological illnesses: dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy in a large cohort of Danish Adventists and Baptists was different compared to the general Danish population. Three of the illnesses are neurodegenerative, whereas epilepsy can occur at any age.

Methods: We compared hospital admission rates for some major neurological diseases among members of the Danish Religious Societies Health Study comprising 6,532 SDA and 3,720 Baptists with the general Danish population. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) stratified by sex, age, and calendar time were calculated.

Results: SIR of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease was significantly decreased for members of both communities (SDA, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–#x2013;0.90 and Baptists, 0.59; 0.47–#x2013;0.73). The SIRs of Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy were not significantly different compared to the general population.

Conclusions: We observe reduced incidence for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in a large cohort of members of two religious communities characterized by lifestyle recommendations. More studies are needed to disentangle the interaction between such lifestyle and other components of the religious belief system.
Atypical Mycobacterial Infection in A Diabetic Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Islam Sabrina , Begum Hosne Ara , Ripa Arifun Nahar , Hoque Shah Zobaid Ul , Ahmed Ashraf Uddin
Published: January 2017

Atypical mycobacteria are opportunistic, acid-fast and ubiquitous organisms. It is not uncommon in our society and is usually acquired from environmental sources like water and soil. Immunocompromised patients are prone to develop this infection. Many cases with similar and additional features have been reported in foreign literature. We describe one case of this infection along with review of literature. This is a 45 year old Bangladeshi diabetic woman, who was referred from department of general surgery for non- healing cutaneous abscess in the left lower abdomen. The patient underwent surgical drainage with empirical antibiotic coverage. But as the lesions were not healing she was referred to Dermatology. After having clinical suspicion, biopsy was taken and histological examination revealed tuberculoid granulomas and in tissue culture M.fortuitum was isolated. Although M.fortuitum was resistant to commonly used antitubercular drugs but it was found sensitive to amikacin, clarithromycin and ethambutol . Combination of these drugs later proved to be successful.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(1): 68-71
SMA-Based System for Environmental Sensors Released from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Pellone Lorenzo , Ameduri Salvatore , Favaloro Nunzia , Concilio Antonio
Published: January 2017

In the work at hand, a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based system is presented. The system, conceived for releasing environmental sensors from ground or small unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV (often named UAS, unmanned aerial system), is made of a door, integrated into the bottom of the fuselage, a device distributor, operated by a couple of antagonistic SMA springs, and a kinematic chain, to synchronize the deployment operation with the system movement. On the basis of the specifications (weight, available space, energy supply, sensors size, etc.), the system design was addressed. After having identified the main system characteristics, a representative mock-up was manufactured, featuring the bottom part of the reference fuselage. Functionality tests were performed to prove the system capability to release the sensors; a detailed characterization was finally carried out, mainly finalized at correlating the kinematic chain displacement with the SMA spring temperature and the supplied electrical power. A comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental outcomes showed good agreement.
An On-Campus Botanical Tour to Promote Student Satisfaction and Learning in a University Level Biodiversity or General Biology Course
Authors: Ratnayaka Harish
Published: January 2017

Outdoor, hands-on and experiential learning, as opposed to instruction-based learning in classroom, increases student satisfaction and motivation leading to a deeper understanding of the subject. However, the use of outdoor exercises in undergraduate biology courses is declining due to a variety of constraints. Thus, the goal of this paper is to describe a convenient, no-cost and flexible exercise using an on-campus botanical tour for strengthening specific knowledge areas of major plant groups. Its assessment on conduct and coverage, and student-perceived and actual knowledge gain is also described. Data presented derived from traditional biology undergraduates in sophomore year over nine fall and three spring semesters. Conduct and coverage was assessed using a summative survey including open-ended questions administered to 198 students. A pre- and post-exercise survey addressing 10 knowledge categories was administered to 139 students to evaluate student-perceived knowledge gain. Quiz grades from the on-campus tour exercise were compared with average quiz grades from two in-class plant-related labs of 234 students to assess actual knowledge gain. Each student reporting on the conduct and coverage indicated either one or a combination of outcomes of the exercise as positive engagement, experiential learning, or of interest. Student-perceived improvement was evident in all ten knowledge categories with a greater improvement in categories learned anew during exercise compared to subjects reviewed. Quiz grades from the exercise were >11% greater than quiz grades from the two in-class plant-related labs. Active learning with interest likely contributed to the increased perceived and actual knowledge gains. Suggestions for adoption of the exercise in different settings are presented based on both student comments and instructor’s experience.
Learning by Undoing, Democracy and Education, and John Dewey, the Colonial Traveler
Authors: Papastephanou Marianna
Published: January 2017

The centennial anniversary of John Dewey’s Democracy and Education has been celebrated this year in a reconstructive and utility-based spirit. The article considers this spirit and the need to complement it with a critical-deconstructive and ‘use-less’ prism that will reveal shortcomings in Dewey’s and our own political pedagogies. Gleanings from Dewey’s book allow us to begin with what most educational theorists today treat as strong points of Dewey’s politics and then to explore how such points appear or disappear when Dewey’s ideas travel and how they relate to colonial and developmentalist elements in Dewey’s pragmatism. The article reveals how such elements operate in one of Dewey’s educational policy writings and in his related travel narratives. The main aim of the article is to indicate that we often require a ‘learning by undoing’ to obtain a heightened view on the stakes and challenges of old and current progressive pedagogies.
Implementation and Assessment of a Decentralized Load Frequency Control: Application to Power Systems with High Wind Energy Penetration
Authors: Muñoz-Benavente Irene , Gómez-Lázaro Emilio , García-Sánchez Tania , Vigueras-Rodríguez Antonio , Molina-García Angel
Published: January 2017

This paper describes and assesses a decentralized solution based on a wireless sensor-actuator network to provide primary frequency control from demand response in power systems with high wind energy penetration and, subsequently, with relevant frequency excursions. The proposed system is able to modify the electrical power demand of a variety of thermostatically-controlled loads, maintaining minimum comfort levels and minimizing both infrastructure requirements and primary reserves from the supply side. This low-cost hardware solution avoids any additional wiring, extending the wireless sensor-actuator network technology towards small customers, which account for over a 30% share of the current power demand. Frequency excursions are collected by each individual load controller, considering not only the magnitude of the frequency deviation, but also their evolution over time. Based on these time-frequency excursion characteristics, controllers are capable of modifying the power consumption of thermostatically-controlled loads by switching them off and on, thus contributing to primary frequency control in power systems with higher generation unit oscillations as a consequence of relevant wind power integration. Field tests have been carried out in a laboratory environment to assess the load controller performance, as well as to evaluate the electrical and thermal response of individual loads under frequency deviations. These frequency deviations are estimated from power systems with a high penetration of wind energy, which are more sensitive to frequency oscillations and where demand response can significantly contribute to mitigate these frequency excursions. The results, also included in the paper, evaluate the suitability of the proposed load controllers and their suitability to decrease frequency excursions from the demand side in a decentralized manner.
Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Their Characteristics and the Mechanisms behind Them
Authors: Chai Qinyuan , Jiao Yang , Yu Xinjun
Published: January 2017

Hydrogels are hydrophilic, three-dimensional networks that are able to absorb large quantities of water or biological fluids, and thus have the potential to be used as prime candidates for biosensors, drug delivery vectors, and carriers or matrices for cells in tissue engineering. In this critical review article, advantages of the hydrogels that overcome the limitations from other types of biomaterials will be discussed. Hydrogels, depending on their chemical composition, are responsive to various stimuli including heating, pH, light, and chemicals. Two swelling mechanisms will be discussed to give a detailed understanding of how the structure parameters affect swelling properties, followed by the gelation mechanism and mesh size calculation. Hydrogels prepared from natural materials such as polysaccharides and polypeptides, along with different types of synthetic hydrogels from the recent reported literature, will be discussed in detail. Finally, attention will be given to biomedical applications of different kinds of hydrogels including cell culture, self-healing, and drug delivery.
Regulation of Replication Fork Advance and Stability by Nucleosome Assembly
Authors: Prado Felix , Maya Douglas
Published: January 2017

The advance of replication forks to duplicate chromosomes in dividing cells requires the disassembly of nucleosomes ahead of the fork and the rapid assembly of parental and de novo histones at the newly synthesized strands behind the fork. Replication-coupled chromatin assembly provides a unique opportunity to regulate fork advance and stability. Through post-translational histone modifications and tightly regulated physical and genetic interactions between chromatin assembly factors and replisome components, chromatin assembly: (1) controls the rate of DNA synthesis and adjusts it to histone availability; (2) provides a mechanism to protect the integrity of the advancing fork; and (3) regulates the mechanisms of DNA damage tolerance in response to replication-blocking lesions. Uncoupling DNA synthesis from nucleosome assembly has deleterious effects on genome integrity and cell cycle progression and is linked to genetic diseases, cancer, and aging.
In Vitro Investigations of Human Bioaccessibility from Reference Materials Using Simulated Lung Fluids
Authors: Pelfrêne Aurélie , Cave Mark , Wragg Joanna , Douay Francis
Published: January 2017

An investigation for assessing pulmonary bioaccessibility of metals from reference materials is presented using simulated lung fluids. The objective of this paper was to contribute to an enhanced understanding of airborne particulate matter and its toxic potential following inhalation. A large set of metallic elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) was investigated using three lung fluids (phosphate-buffered saline, Gamble’s solution and artificial lysosomal fluid) on three standard reference materials representing different types of particle sources. Composition of the leaching solution and four solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratios were tested. The results showed that bioaccessibility was speciation- (i.e., distribution) and element-dependent, with percentages varying from 0.04% for Pb to 86.0% for Cd. The higher extraction of metallic elements was obtained with the artificial lysosomal fluid, in which a relative stability of bioaccessibility was observed in a large range of S/L ratios from 1/1000 to 1/10,000. For further investigations, it is suggested that this method be used to assess lung bioaccessibility of metals from smelter-impacted dusts.
One-Page Multimedia Interactive Map
Authors: Maiellaro Nicola , Varasano Antonietta
Published: January 2017

The relevance of local knowledge in cultural heritage is by now acknowledged. It helps to determine many community-based projects by identifying the material to be digitally maintained in multimedia collections provided by communities of volunteers, rather than for-profit businesses or government entities. Considering that the search and browsing of texts, images, video, and 3D models related to places is more essential than using a simple text-based search, an interactive multimedia map was implemented in this study. The map, which is loaded on a single HyperText Markup Language (HTML) page using AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), with a client-side control mechanism utilising jQuery components that are both freely available and ad-hoc developed, is updated according to user interaction. To simplify the publication of geo-referenced information, the application stores all the data in a Geographic JavaScript Object Notation (GeoJSON) file rather than in a database. The multimedia contents—associated with the selected Points of Interest (PoIs)—can be selected through text search and list browsing as well as by viewing their previews one by one in a sequence all together in a scrolling window (respectively: “Table”, “Folder”, and “Tile” functions). PoIs—visualised on the map with multi-shape markers using a set of unambiguous colours—can be filtered through their categories and types, accessibility status and timeline, thus improving the system usability. The map functions are illustrated using data collected in a Comenius project. Notes on the application software and architecture are also presented in this paper.
Urban Growth Dynamics in Perth, Western Australia: Using Applied Remote Sensing for Sustainable Future Planning
Authors: MacLachlan Andrew , Biggs Eloise , Roberts Gareth , Boruff Bryan
Published: January 2017

Earth observation data can provide valuable assessments for monitoring the spatial extent of (un)sustainable urban growth of the world’s cities to better inform planning policy in reducing associated economic, social and environmental costs. Western Australia has witnessed rapid economic expansion since the turn of the century founded upon extensive natural resource extraction. Thus, Perth, the state capital of Western Australia, has encountered significant population and urban growth in response to the booming state economy. However, the recent economic slowdown resulted in the largest decrease in natural resource values that Western Australia has ever experienced. Here, we present multi-temporal urban expansion statistics from 1990 to 2015 for Perth, derived from Landsat imagery. Current urban estimates used for future development plans and progress monitoring of infill and density targets are based upon aggregated census data and metrics unrepresentative of actual land cover change, underestimating overall urban area. Earth observation provides a temporally consistent methodology, identifying areal urban area at higher spatial and temporal resolution than current estimates. Our results indicate that the spatial extent of the Perth Metropolitan Region has increased 45% between 1990 and 2015, over 320 km2. We highlight the applicability of earth observation data in accurately quantifying urban area for sustainable targeted planning practices.
Relationship between Surface Properties and In Vitro Drug Release from Compressed Matrix Containing Polymeric Materials with Different Hydrophobicity Degrees
Authors: Yarce Cristhian , Echeverri Juan , Palacio Mario , Rivera Carlos , Salamanca Constain
Published: January 2017

This work is the continuation of a study focused on establishing relations between surface thermodynamic properties and in vitro release mechanisms using a model drug (ampicillin trihydrate), besides analyzing the granulometric properties of new polymeric materials and thus establishing the potential to be used in the pharmaceutical field as modified delivery excipients. To do this, we used copolymeric materials derived from maleic anhydride with decreasing polarity corresponding to poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic acid) (hydrophilic), sodium salt of poly(maleic acid-alt-octadecene) (amphiphilic), poly(maleic anhydride-alt-octadecene) (hydrophobic) and the reference polymer hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC). Each material alone and in blends underwent spectroscopic characterization by FTIR, thermal characterization by DSC and granulometric characterization using flow and compaction tests. Each tablet was prepared at different polymer ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, and the surface properties were determined, including the roughness by micro-visualization, contact angle and water absorption rate by the sessile drop method and obtaining Wadh and surface free energy (SFE) using the semi-empirical models of Young–Dupré and Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Käelbe (OWRK), respectively. Dissolution profiles were determined simulating physiological conditions in vitro, where the kinetic models of order-zero, order-one, Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas were evaluated. The results showed a strong relationship between the proportion and nature of the polymer to the surface thermodynamic properties and kinetic release mechanism.
New Interdisciplinary Spaces of Religions and Beliefs in Contemporary Thought and Practice: An Analysis
Authors: Baker Christopher , Dinham Adam
Published: January 2017

This article is rooted in the observation that the 21st century has witnessed a resurgent interest in and a new visibility of religions and beliefs across a range of arts, humanities and social science disciplines, some of which have always focused on religions and beliefs, others are returning to it, while some have no previous tradition of doing so. The article reports on an analysis of these new spaces of interest in religions and beliefs, undertaken through semi-structured interviews with eighteen landmark figures in the study of religion internationally. Points of connection, disconnection and innovation are explored, and the concept of liminality is deployed to explore how understandings of religion, belief and the secular are in a process of being re-imagined within academic disciplines. By considering new thresholds and debates as they are emerging, the article concludes that there are opportunities to research and conceive of the role of religions and beliefs as an interdisciplinary exercise, which are yet to be addressed and which reflect the need to re-imagine how religions and beliefs are broadly conceived and how different disciplines engage with each other.
A Convolutional Neural Network Approach for Assisting Avalanche Search and Rescue Operations with UAV Imagery
Authors: Bejiga Mesay , Zeggada Abdallah , Nouffidj Abdelhamid , Melgani Farid
Published: January 2017

Following an avalanche, one of the factors that affect victims’ chance of survival is the speed with which they are located and dug out. Rescue teams use techniques like trained rescue dogs and electronic transceivers to locate victims. However, the resources and time required to deploy rescue teams are major bottlenecks that decrease a victim’s chance of survival. Advances in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have enabled the use of flying robots equipped with sensors like optical cameras to assess the damage caused by natural or manmade disasters and locate victims in the debris. In this paper, we propose assisting avalanche search and rescue (SAR) operations with UAVs fitted with vision cameras. The sequence of images of the avalanche debris captured by the UAV is processed with a pre-trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract discriminative features. A trained linear Support Vector Machine (SVM) is integrated at the top of the CNN to detect objects of interest. Moreover, we introduce a pre-processing method to increase the detection rate and a post-processing method based on a Hidden Markov Model to improve the prediction performance of the classifier. Experimental results conducted on two different datasets at different levels of resolution show that the detection performance increases with an increase in resolution, while the computation time increases. Additionally, they also suggest that a significant decrease in processing time can be achieved thanks to the pre-processing step.
Analysis of Ocean Tide Loading in Differential InSAR Measurements
Authors: Peng Wei , Wang Qijie , Cao Yunmeng
Published: January 2017

Ocean tide loading (OTL) causes crustal displacements in coastal regions, and the relative variation of these ground displacements may reach several centimeters across differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) interferograms. However, orbit errors seriously affect the analysis of long-wavelength crustal deformation signals such as the OTL effect because of their similar signatures in DInSAR interferograms. To correct the orbit errors, we used a linear surface model to model the relative displacements of the Global Positioning System (GPS) precise point positioning (PPP) in the line of sight (LOS) direction as a priori parameter of the long-wavelength crustal deformation signals. After correcting the orbit errors, an ocean tide model was applied to correct the OTL effect in the DInSAR interferograms. The proposed approach was verified with the DInSAR interferograms from the Los Angeles basin. The experimental results confirm that the real orbit errors can be modeled by the bilinear ramp function under the constraint of the priori parameter. Moreover, after removing the orbit errors, the OTL effect, which is dominant in the long-wavelength crustal deformation signals, can be revealed, and then be effectively eliminated by the FES2004 tide model.
Intelligent RF-Based Gesture Input Devices Implemented Using e-Textiles
Authors: Hughes Dana , Profita Halley , Radzihovsky Sarah , Correll Nikolaus
Published: January 2017

We present an radio-frequency (RF)-based approach to gesture detection and recognition, using e-textile versions of common transmission lines used in microwave circuits. This approach allows for easy fabrication of input swatches that can detect a continuum of finger positions and similarly basic gestures, using a single measurement line. We demonstrate that the swatches can perform gesture detection when under thin layers of cloth or when weatherproofed, providing a high level of versatility not present with other types of approaches. Additionally, using small convolutional neural networks, low-level gestures can be identified with a high level of accuracy using a small, inexpensive microcontroller, allowing for an intelligent fabric that reports only gestures of interest, rather than a simple sensor requiring constant surveillance from an external computing device. The resulting e-textile smart composite has applications in controlling wearable devices by providing a simple, eyes-free mechanism to input simple gestures.
A Modified Azimuth Weighting Method in a Two-Step Process Approach for Sliding Spotlight Data Processing
Authors: Xiao Feng , Ding Ze-gang , Xiong Bin , Long Teng
Published: January 2017

Low sidelobes are important and essential in all SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images, regardless of the imaging mode, for fewer artificial targets. For strip-map mode all targets overlap in frequency, which is convenient to suppress sidelobes. However, weighting requires total overlap in the time or frequency domain, which a sliding spotlight signal could not satisfy. Furthermore, the wavelength cannot be regarded as a constant value under the condition of a wideband chirp signal, which leads to the variation of the Doppler bandwidth along with the range frequency. In this article, an azimuth weighting method is proposed that considers the influence of a wideband based on a two-step algorithm. The computer simulation is given to verify the presented method.
A 11 mW 2.4 GHz 0.18 µm CMOS Transceivers for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Hou Bing , Chen Hua , Wang Zhiyu , Mo Jiongjiong , Chen Junli , Yu Faxin , Wang Wenbo
Published: January 2017

In this paper, a low power transceiver for wireless sensor networks (WSN) is proposed. The system is designed with fully functional blocks including a receiver, a fractional-N frequency synthesizer, and a class-E transmitter, and it is optimized with a good balance among output power, sensitivity, power consumption, and silicon area. A transmitter and receiver (TX-RX) shared input-output matching network is used so that only one off-chip inductor is needed in the system. The power and area efficiency-oriented, fully-integrated frequency synthesizer is able to provide programmable output frequencies in the 2.4 GHz range while occupying a small silicon area. Implemented in a standard 0.18 μm RF Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, the whole transceiver occupies a chip area of 0.5 mm2 (1.2 mm2 including bonding pads for a QFN package). Measurement results suggest that the design is able to work at amplitude shift keying (ASK)/on-off-keying (OOK) and FSK modes with up to 500 kbps data rate. With an input sensitivity of −60 dBm and an output power of 3 dBm, the receiver, transmitter and frequency synthesizer consumes 2.3 mW, 4.8 mW, and 3.9 mW from a 1.8 V supply voltage, respectively.
Single-Step Purification of Monomeric l-Selectin via Aptamer Affinity Chromatography
Authors: Kuehne Christian , Wedepohl Stefanie , Dernedde Jens
Published: January 2017

l-selectin is a transmembrane receptor expressed on the surface of white blood cells and responsible for the tethering of leukocytes to vascular endothelial cells. This initial intercellular contact is the first step of the complex leukocyte adhesion cascade that ultimately permits extravasation of leukocytes into the surrounding tissue in case of inflammation. Here we show the binding of a soluble histidine tagged l-selectin to a recently described shortened variant of an l-selectin specific DNA aptamer with surface plasmon resonance. The high specificity of this aptamer in combination with its high binding affinity of ~12 nM, allows for a single-step protein purification from cell culture supernatants. In comparison to the well-established Ni-NTA based technology, aptamer affinity chromatography (AAC) was easier to establish, resulted in a 3.6-fold higher protein yield, and increased protein purity. Moreover, due to target specificity, the DNA aptamer facilitated binding studies directly from cell culture supernatant, a helpful characteristic to quickly monitor successful expression of biological active l-selectin.
Strategic Planning for Sustainability in Canadian Higher Education
Authors: Bieler Andrew , McKenzie Marcia
Published: January 2017

This paper reviews representations of sustainability in the strategic plans of Canadian higher education institutions (HEIs). A content analysis of the strategic plans of 50 HEIs was undertaken to determine the extent to which sustainability is included as a significant policy priority in the plans, including across the five domains of governance, education, campus operations, research, and community outreach. We found 41 strategic plans with some discussion of sustainability, and identified three characteristic types of response: (i) accommodative responses that include sustainability as one of many policy priorities and address only one or two sustainability domains; (ii) reformative responses that involve some alignment of policy priorities with sustainability values in at least a few domains; and (iii) progressive responses that make connections across four or five domains and offer a more detailed discussion of sustainability and sustainability-specific policies. Accommodative responses were dominant. More progressive responses were typically from institutions participating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The paper concludes with consideration of the political and economic contexts contributing to this relative prevalence of accommodative responses to sustainability.
Knockdown of TACC3 Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Guo Feng , Liu Yaquan
Published: January 2017

Transforming acidic coiled-coil protein 3 (TACC3) is a member of the TACC family and plays an important role in regulating cell mitosis, transcription, and tumorigenesis. However, the expression pattern and roles of TACC3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unclear. The aim of this
study was to investigate the role of TACC3 in RCC. We demonstrated overexpression of TACC3 in human RCC cell lines at both RNA and protein levels. Moreover, knockdown of TACC3 repressed RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. In addition, knockdown of TACC3 inactivated PI3K/Akt
signaling in RCC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of TACC3 significantly reduced tumor growth in xenograft tumor-bearing mice. Taken together, our findings showed that TACC3 was increased in human RCC cell lines, and knockdown of TACC3 inhibited the ability of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenesis in vivo. Therefore, TACC3 may act as a therapeutic target for the treatment of human RCC.
CD103+ Cell Growth Factor Flt3L Enhances the Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockades in Murine Glioblastoma Model
Authors: Miao Xiaolin , Chen Yiqi , Hao Ke , Zheng Meiqin , Chen Bingyu , Li Kaiqiang , Wang Ying , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yu , Mou Xiaozhou , Jiang Shanshan , Wang Zhen
Published: January 2017

Glioblastoma is a lethal disease featuring a high proliferation of tumor cells, excessive angiogenesis, and heavy drug resistance. The overall survival of glioblastoma patients has been dismal, even with an intensive standard of care. Recent advances in immune checkpoint blockades are
changing the treatment of cancers. However, the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades in glioblastoma is still unclear. Here we investigated the roles of CD103+ cells in regulating the effect of immune checkpoint blockades in glioblastoma mouse models. Our findings indicated that
the murine glioblastoma model was not sensitive to immune checkpoint blockades. Flt3L, a growth factor for CD103+ cells, could significantly increase the number of CD103+ dendritic cells in the murine glioblastoma model and, thus, sensitize murine glioblastoma to immune
checkpoint blockades. Downstream analysis indicated that the Flt3L and immune checkpoint blockade combination increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ cells, decreased immune checkpoint expression, and therefore enhanced the antitumor immune response in the murine glioblastoma
model. These findings suggested that Flt3L could enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades in glioblastoma via expanding CD103+ dendritic cells and downstream antitumor immune response.
BIOCHAR STANDARDIZATION AND LEGISLATION HARMONIZATION
Authors: MEYER Sebastian , GENESIO Lorenzo , VOGEL Ines , SCHMIDT Hans-Peter , SOJA Gerhard , SOMEUS Edward , SHACKLEY Simon , VERHEIJEN Frank G. A. , GLASER Bruno
Published: January 2017

It is a relatively new concept to use biochar as soil amendment and for climate change mitigation. For this reason, the national and supranational legislation in the EU is not yet adequately prepared to regulate both the production and the application of biochar. Driven by this “regulatory gap”, voluntary biochar quality standards have been formed in Europe with the European Biochar Certificate, in the UK with the Biochar Quality Mandate and in the USA with the IBI Standard which is intended to be used internationally. In parallel to this, biochar producers and biochar users in a number of EU countries were partly successful in fitting the new biochar product into the existing national legislation for fertilisers, soil improvers and composts. The intended revision of the EC Regulation 2003/2003 on fertilisers offers the opportunity to regulate the use of biochar at the EU level. This publication summarizes the efforts on biochar standardization which have been carried out by voluntary products standards and illustrates existing legislation in EU member states, which apply to the production and use of biochar. It describes existing and planned EU regulations, which impact biochar applications and it develops recommendations on the harmonization of biochar legislation in the EU.
Négocier la réforme des écoles coraniques dans le nord du Sénégal
Authors: Newman Anneke
Published: January 2017

Dans toute l’Afrique de l’Ouest, des pressions croissantes, liées au mouvement de l’Éducation pour tous (EPT), s’exercent sur les maîtres coraniques pour réformer leurs écoles. Elles viennent à la fois du haut (États, ONG et bailleurs de fonds internationaux) et du bas (parents et élèves). Certains maîtres coraniques ont adapté leurs écoles tandis que d’autres opposent une forte résistance. Pourtant, la raison de cette dualité reste obscure. À partir d’une enquête ethnographique, réalisée auprès de deux maîtres coraniques dans le nord du Sénégal, cet article défend une micro-approche des liens entre les réformes au niveau national et international et les points de vue et les actes des maîtres coraniques ancrés dans une dynamique localisée.
Diffuser un « islam du juste milieu » ?
Authors: Baylocq Cédric , Hlaoua Aziz
Published: January 2017

Le vendredi 24 avril 2015, le souverain du Maroc inaugurait l’Institut Mohammed-VI pour la formation des imams, morchidines et morchidates. Ce complexe est destiné à former non seulement les imams du royaume chérifien, mais aussi ceux de nombreux pays d’Afrique subsaharienne et sahélienne, à la recherche d’un encadrement religieux pondéré ; celui d’un islam du « juste milieu » ( al wasatiyya ) dont le Maroc a voulu faire sa ligne directrice. Cet article se propose d’étudier les (re)présentations officielles de cet « islam du juste milieu » et les objectifs auxquels il répond dans le contexte politique et religieux africain actuel, avant de donner la parole à des personnes qui gravitent autour ou à l’intérieur de cet institut.
La paix par la coopération environnementale, un nouveau modèle de conservation ?
Authors: Belaidi Nadia
Published: January 2017

En Afrique australe, de nombreuses aires transfrontalières se développent. Elles ont pour but la paix par la coopération environnementale. Mais, sur les quatre parcs créés, un seul l’a explicitement inscrit dans son traité constitutif, le rapprochant ainsi de la catégorie « parc pour la paix » créée par l’Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature (UICN). Pour les autres, leurs promoteurs ne font que proclamer cet objectif. En interrogeant la notion de « paix par la coopération environnementale », l’auteure replace dans leurs cadres juridiques et politiques la création de ces aires transfrontalières et tente de cerner la conception de la conservation et du développement poursuivis en Afrique australe. Elle interroge le sens et la portée de la démarche des aires de conservation transfrontalières en Afrique australe en termes de (re)construction des liens écologiques, sociaux et culturels dans le contexte politique de « réconciliation » de la région.
Une culture scientifique en mouvement : évolution des missions et enjeux d’un Centre de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industrielle – Terre des Sciences – Angers de 1992 à nos jours
Authors: Buisson Benjamin
Published: January 2017

À partir des années 1980, la diffusion des savoirs scientifiques s’institutionnalise dans des structures spécialisées, les Centres de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industrielle (CCSTI). Celui d’Angers, créé en 1992, s’inscrit dans une pratique originale, à la fois traditionnelle et innovante de la Culture Scientifique et Technique (CST). Il s’adapte aux enjeux dominants, comme le territoire et l’innovation, exerçant un rôle moteur dans le développement territorial par la promotion d’une identité locale. D’autre part, il redéfinit progressivement son rapport à l’innovation en l’intégrant comme une dimension consubstantielle à son activité. Il suit parallèlement une évolution plus générale de la relation scientifique-profane : avec l’élévation du niveau d’éducation de la population française, le dialogue science-société entre dans une dimension critique, parfois polémique.
La mise en réseau des entrepreneurs innovants : un défi pour les dispositifs de soutien à l’innovation à l’échelle de la métropole ?
Authors: Houllier-Guibert Charles-Edouard , Suire Raphaël , Bailleul Hélène
Published: January 2017

Si la mise en réseau est reconnue comme levier de la performance des régions métropolitaines, peu de recherches ont regardé jusqu’où l’accompagnement à l’innovation pouvait faciliter l’intermédiation entre les acteurs économiques, dont les entrepreneurs innovants. Nous proposons une grille de lecture de trois dispositifs de soutien à l’innovation dans la métropole rennaise. S’appuyant sur la figure du tiers-lieu, sur celle de la plateforme, inspirée de la notion de laboratoire vivant, ou encore sur la labellisation, les politiques de soutien menées par la Métropole ont-elles un effet sur la strate de l’underground créatif ? Dans l’optique de la performance liée au nouveau management public, nous montrons que ces dispositifs n’atteignent pas leur objectif et que le rôle d’intermédiation de l’institution est, soit contreproductif, soit inabouti, révélant par-là la complexité des facteurs de succès de la mise en réseau des entrepreneurs innovants et plus largement celle de la gouvernance multiscalaire. Codes JEL : O33, O29, L26, O18
La démocratie délibérative dans le contexte des town meetings de la Nouvelle-Angleterre du xvii e siècle
Authors: Hall David D. , Vannini Laurent
Published: January 2017

Depuis Alexis de Tocqueville, les communes de Nouvelle-Angleterre du xvii e  siècle ont été associées à des pratiques politiques et sociales qui encourageaient la création d’une société « démocratique ». Mythe ou réalité ? Et quelle place prend dans cette histoire la religion de la population anglaise qui fonda les colonies de Nouvelle-Angleterre ? Un examen précis des archives des communes et des églises, que n’avait pu faire Tocqueville, révèle un engagement marqué aux valeurs essentielles de transparence, d’équité (de justesse et de justice), et de participation citoyenne large. Le système « congréganiste » du gouvernement de l’Église transféra l’autorité des formes centralisées de hiérarchie à des laymen (non-initiés) au sein de chaque congrégation locale. De la même manière, les gouvernements centraux des colonies attribuèrent de larges parcelles de terre aux groupes d’immigrants, leur donnant la capacité d’établir des communes autonomes. Décider de la manière de distribuer ces terres était une question fondamentale pour ces communes – tout comme il était essentiel de savoir qui devrait prendre part à cette décision. Il n’existait pas d’idéologie formelle ou explicitement « démocratique » pour accompagner le développement de cette culture citoyenne, mais dans le contexte du xvii e  siècle, ce qui en résulta ressemblait étrangement à ce qu’on pourrait nommer une société démocratique.
Town meeting et race en Amérique
Authors: Gustafson Sandra M. , Salgues Camille
Published: January 2017

Cet article explore la manière dont l’idéal du town meeting s’est développé en Nouvelle-Angleterre par rapport à des questions de race, et se penche sur la place de cet idéal en Amérique après l’abolition de l’esclavage. L’essai se concentre en particulier sur la façon dont les abolitionnistes noirs David Walker et Maria Stewart utilisèrent le genre de la jérémiade pour élargir la rhétorique délibérative associée au town meeting , et retrace les efforts d’Albion Tourgée pour mettre en œuvre le système des town meetings dans le Sud des États-Unis après la guerre de Sécession. La réflexion s’étend au système des lyceums et au phénomène Chautauqua, et aborde la manière dont les efforts de John Dewey pour réinventer le town meeting dans le cadre d’une nation beaucoup plus vaste et plus diversifiée se sont finalement concrétisés sous la forme de forums médiatiques décrits comme des town meetings . Finalement, on montre comment le town meeting a été réinventé encore une fois, sous la forme d’événements politiques organisés à travers la nation, entre autres pour débattre des tensions raciales persistantes. L’essai se termine par une discussion sur la manière dont l’université américaine pourrait aider à combler l’écart entre les forums de discussion dans le style des town meetings et les processus de prise de décision réels, qui constituent l’un des intérêts des town meetings historiques.
Mobilités et rencontres dans les espaces publics urbains à l’âge des médias positionnels
Authors: Licoppe Christian
Published: January 2017

Cet article élabore un cadre analytique qui vise à rendre compte de certaines particularités des mobilités numériques. Il s’agit de saisir l’expérience et de la conduite de sujets en mouvement, et que des applications géolocalisées rendent mutuellement conscients de leurs positions respectives ou de leur proximité. L’argument central est que les applications mobiles qui favorisent ce type de connaissance spatialisée rendent disponibles et pertinentes à leurs utilisateurs deux versions du monde qui les entoure, l’une incarnée, et l’autre médiée par les écrans. L’expérience utilisateur a alors pour enjeu de « déplier » et faire se correspondre ces deux versions du monde au sein d’une expérience intégrée de la situation. Cette perspective sur l’usage situé des applications mobiles géolocalisées est ensuite mise à profit pour réfléchir aux formes de mobilités et de sociabilités urbaines qui pourraient se développer si leurs usages se banalisaient complètement. Je chercherai en particulier à montrer comment les rencontres entre « inconnus pseudonymes » pourraient devenir la norme des côtoiements urbains, en lieu et place de ces rencontres entre inconnus anonymes, qui étaient considérées comme constitutives des espaces publics dans les métropoles post-industrielles du XIX e et du XX e  siècle.
La patiente anorexique a-t-elle encore une place dans la thérapie familiale ? Etat des lieux et recommandations thérapeutiques
Authors: Cook-Darzens Solange
Published: January 2017

Des liens privilégiés se sont tissés dès les années 1970 entre la thérapie familiale et les troubles du comportement alimentaire de l’adolescent. Les formes de thérapie familiale appliquées à ces troubles n’ont cessé d’évoluer, donnant naissance à des modèles très diversifiés, dont certains tendent à rétrécir la place accordée à la patiente (et à sa fratrie), voire à l’exclure du processus thérapeutique. De surcroît, les modalités thérapeutiques perçues comme aidantes par les patients (approches individuelles et thérapie familiale centrée sur les relations familiales) ne concordent pas avec les thérapies reconnues comme étant les plus efficaces (thérapie familiale conjointe et thérapie parentale centrées sur l’amélioration des symptômes), un décalage qui constitue une autre forme d’exclusion pour les patients. De manière synergique, ces deux types d’« exclusion » tendent à affaiblir l’efficacité de modèles de thérapie familiale, certes « probants » mais dont les taux de réussite restent modestes. Dans cet esprit, nous faisons plusieurs recommandations thérapeutiques qui redonnent pleinement sa place à la patiente et mobilisent ses ressources, dans le cadre d’un modèle de thérapie familiale souple, intégratif et modulaire. Des pistes de recherche sont également évoquées.
Evaluation of colonisation resistance in stool of human donors using ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo assays
Authors: Galvão M.F. , Bastos R.W. , Acurcio L.B. , Nascimento B.B. , Sandes S.H.C. , Arantes R.M.E. , Souza M.R. , Martins F.S. , Vieira L.Q. , Nicoli J.R.
Published: January 2017

The indigenous microbiota is the population of microorganisms normally present on the surface and mucosa of an individual, where it performs essential health functions, including the colonisation resistance (CR) against pathogens. To identify the bacteria responsible and the mechanisms involved in the CR, the germ-free (GF) animal model has been used, because in vitro studies cannot always be extrapolated to what occurs in vivo. In this study, ex vivo antagonism assays against seven enteropathogenic bacteria using stools from 15 healthy human donors confirmed that the CR showed individual variation. Using in vitro antagonism assays, 14 strains isolated from dominant faecal microbiota of donors with elevated CR were selected for mono-association in GF mice to test the in vivo antagonism against Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium. Mice mono-associated with Enterococcus hirae strain 8.2, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain 16.2 and Lactobacillus ruminis strain 18.1 had significant reductions in faecal counts of the pathogen during the challenge. After five days of infection, the group associated with E. hirae 8.2 showed a reduction in the translocation of S. Typhimurium to the spleen, while the group associated with L. ruminis 18.1 presented an increased translocation to the liver. The histological data confirmed these results and revealed that the mice associated with E. hirae 8.2 showed fewer lesions on ileum and liver, compared to the damage caused by S. Typhimurium alone, while in mice associated with L. ruminis 18.1 there was significantly worse lesions. Concluding, from the dominant faecal microbiota from healthy human with high CR, through ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo assays, a bacterium was characterised for its high CR potential, being a candidate for probiotic use.
Embedding Microethical Dilemmas in High-Fidelity Simulation Scenarios: Preparing Nursing Students for Ethical Practice
Authors: Krautscheid Lorretta C.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Despite the inclusion of ethics education in the formal curriculum, students felt ill-prepared to manage ethical issues and protect patients' health and well-being. Nursing students reported knowing what should be done to promote optimal patient care; however, they also reported an inability to act on their convictions due to fear of reprisal, powerlessness, and low confidence.

Method:

Bloom's Taxonomy guided the development and implementation of experiential-applied ethics education via microethical dilemmas embedded in existing high-fidelity simulation (HFS) scenarios. Students were unaware that ethical dilemmas would be presented, replicating complex and spontaneous practice environments.

Results:

Students reported that the educational strategy was powerful, increasing ethical decision-making confidence, empowering effective advocacy, and building courage to overcome fears and defend ethical practice.

Conclusion:

Simulation extends ethics education beyond the cognitive domain, ensuring the purposeful integration of affective and psychomotor learning, which promotes congruence between knowing what to do and acting on one's convictions. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(1):55–58.]