bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Family Affluence Scale as an Indicator for Socioeconomic Status: Validation on Regional Income Differences in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hobza Vladimir , Hamrik Zdenek , Bucksch Jens , De Clercq Bart
Published: December 2017

The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC) uses the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) as a tool to identify the socioeconomic status of children and adolescents. Even though it is now widely applied in research studies, the external criterion validation of FAS has not been verified in terms of objective economic indicators in Central Europe. The aim of this study is to validate FAS in terms of disposable income per capita in 14 Czech administrative regions. Regional differences in the FAS score were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression to measure the dependency of the aggregated mean of the FAS index at the regional level on data from the Czech HSBC survey carried out from April to June 2014 (n = 10,361). The data analysis has shown an overall positive correlation between the FAS index and regional disposable income (R = 0.77, p < 0.01). The regional disposable income per person could explain 59.7% of the variance in the FAS index (p < 0.01). By validating individual items, the authors identified three items with a significant correlation (p < 0.01): number of computers, dishwasher at home, and number of holidays. FAS seems to be a valid instrument to measure adolescents’ socioeconomic status.
The Immunogenetics of Psoriasis and Implications for Drug Repositioning
Authors: Xu Xuan , Zhang Hong-Yu
Published: December 2017

Psoriasis is a genetically-regulated, T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune skin disease that causes systemic damage, seriously affecting patient quality of life and survival. Psoriasis treatments, which aim to control the disease’s development, are greatly limited because its etiology and pathogenesis have not yet been fully elucidated. A large number of studies have demonstrated that immunogenetic elements are the most important factors responsible for psoriasis susceptibility. This paper delineates the immunogenetic mechanisms of psoriasis and provides useful information with regards to performing drug repositioning for the treatment of psoriasis.
Icariin Regulates Cellular Functions and Gene Expression of Osteoarthritis Patient-Derived Human Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes
Authors: Pan Lianhong , Zhang Yonghui , Chen Na , Yang Li
Published: December 2017

Synovial inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of osteoarthritis (OA). There is an urgent need to find safe and effective drugs that can reduce the inflammation and regulate the pathogenesis of cytokines of the OA disease. Here, we investigated the effect of icariin, the major pharmacological active component of herb Epimedium on human osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (OA–FLSs). The OA–FLSs were isolated from patients with osteoarthritis and cultured in vitro with different concentrations of icariin. Then, cell viability, proliferation, and migration were investigated; MMP14, GRP78, and IL-1β gene expression levels were detected via qRT-PCR. Icariin showed low cytotoxicity to OA–FLSs at a concentration of under 10 μM and decreased the proliferation of the cells at concentrations of 1 and 10 μM. Icariin inhibited cell migration with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 μM. Also, the expression of three cytokines for the pathogenesis of OA which include IL-1β, MMP14 and GRP78 was decreased by the various concentrations of icariin. These preliminary results imply that icariin might be an effective compound for the treatment of OA disease.
Tuning the Functional Properties of Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) Protein Films Grafted with Spermidine
Authors: Porta Raffaele , Di Pierro Prospero , Roviello Valentina , Sabbah Mohammed
Published: December 2017

Bitter vetch protein films containing positively charged spermidine, alone or with low amounts of glycerol, showed high tensile strength that progressively decreased by increasing the plasticizer concentration. Accordingly, lower film elongation at break and higher Young’s module values were detected in the presence of the polyamine without or with small amounts of glycerol. These data suggest that spermidine not only acts as a plasticizer itself by ionically interacting with proteins, but that it also facilitates glycerol-dependent reduction of the intermolecular forces along the protein chains, consequently improving the film flexibility and extensibility. Thus, spermidine may be considered not only as a primary, but also as a secondary plasticizer because of its ability to enhance glycerol plasticizing performance. Such double behavior of the polyamine was confirmed by the film permeability tests, since spermidine increased the barrier properties to gases and water vapor, while glycerol emphasized this effect at low concentrations but led to its marked reversal at high concentrations. Film microscopic images also substantiated these findings, showing more compact, cohesive, and homogeneous matrices in all spermidine-containing films.
LncRNA Structural Characteristics in Epigenetic Regulation
Authors: Wang Chenguang , Wang Lianzong , Ding Yu , Lu Xiaoyan , Zhang Guosi , Yang Jiaxin , Zheng Hewei , Wang Hong , Jiang Yongshuai , Xu Liangde
Published: December 2017

The rapid development of new generation sequencing technology has deepened the understanding of genomes and functional products. RNA-sequencing studies in mammals show that approximately 85% of the DNA sequences have RNA products, for which the length greater than 200 nucleotides (nt) is called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA). LncRNAs now have been shown to play important epigenetic regulatory roles in key molecular processes, such as gene expression, genetic imprinting, histone modification, chromatin dynamics, and other activities by forming specific structures and interacting with all kinds of molecules. This paper mainly discusses the correlation between the structure and function of lncRNAs with the recent progress in epigenetic regulation, which is important to the understanding of the mechanism of lncRNAs in physiological and pathological processes.
Elevation of Serum APE1/Ref-1 in Experimental Murine Myocarditis
Authors: Jin Seon-Ah , Lim Byung-Kwan , Seo Hee , Kim Sun , Ahn Kye , Jeon Byeong , Jeong Jin-Ok
Published: December 2017

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that causes cardiogenic shock and death. However, endomyocardial biopsy that is, the gold standard for a diagnosis is limited. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox effector factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein, which is involved in DNA-based excision repair pathway, and in redox signaling, its changes are observed in various cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and coronary artery disease. We analyzed serum APE1/Ref-1 in experimental murine myocarditis. To induce myocarditis, coxsackievirus B3 was injected intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice. The serum APE1/Ref-1, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin I were measured. The histology and virus titers measurements were performed. The troponin I and inflammation were significantly elevated at day 3, peaked to day 7 and decreased at day 10. The NT-proBNP and virus titers were significantly peaked at day 3, and dropped at day 7 and 10. The serum APE1/Ref-1 was gradually raised and its elevation is still maintained until a later time, namely day 10. Also, its level was positively correlated with myocardial inflammation, reflecting severity of myocardial injury. We suggest that serum APE1/Ref-1 can be used to assess for myocardial injury in viral myocarditis without endomyocardial biopsy.
Azithromycin and Chloramphenicol Diminish Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Release
Authors: Bystrzycka Weronika , Manda-Handzlik Aneta , Sieczkowska Sandra , Moskalik Aneta , Demkow Urszula , Ciepiela Olga
Published: December 2017

Neutrophils are one of the first cells to arrive at the site of infection, where they apply several strategies to kill pathogens: degranulation, respiratory burst, phagocytosis, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Antibiotics have an immunomodulating effect, and they can influence the properties of numerous immune cells, including neutrophils. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of azithromycin and chloramphenicol on degranulation, apoptosis, respiratory burst, and the release of NETs by neutrophils. Neutrophils were isolated from healthy donors by density-gradient centrifugation method and incubated for 1 h with the studied antibiotics at different concentrations (0.5, 10 and 50 μg/mL—azithromycin and 10 and 50 μg/mL—chloramphenicol). Next, NET release was induced by a 3 h incubation with 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Amount of extracellular DNA was quantified by fluorometry, and NETs were visualized by immunofluorescent microscopy. Degranulation, apoptosis and respiratory burst were assessed by flow cytometry. We found that pretreatment of neutrophils with azithromycin and chloramphenicol decreases the release of NETs. Moreover, azithromycin showed a concentration-dependent effect on respiratory burst in neutrophils. Chloramphenicol did not affect degranulation, apoptosis nor respiratory burst. It can be concluded that antibiotics modulate the ability of neutrophils to release NETs influencing human innate immunity.
Lysine-Less Variants of Spinal Muscular Atrophy SMN and SMNΔ7 Proteins Are Degraded by the Proteasome Pathway
Authors: Sánchez-Lanzas Raúl , Castaño José G.
Published: December 2017

Spinal muscular atrophy is due to mutations affecting the SMN1 gene coding for the full-length protein (survival motor neuron; SMN) and the SMN2 gene that preferentially generates an exon 7-deleted protein (SMNΔ7) by alternative splicing. To study SMN and SMNΔ7 degradation in the cell, we have used tagged versions at the N- (Flag) or C-terminus (V5) of both proteins. Transfection of those constructs into HeLa cells and treatment with cycloheximide showed that those protein constructs were degraded. Proteasomal degradation usually requires prior lysine ubiquitylation. Surprisingly, lysine-less variants of both proteins tagged either at N- (Flag) or C-terminus (V5) were also degraded. The degradation of the endogenous SMN protein, and the protein constructs mentioned above, was mediated by the proteasome, as it was blocked by lactacystin, a specific and irreversible proteasomal inhibitor. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that SMN and SMNΔ7 proteasomal degradation did not absolutely require internal ubiquitylation nor N-terminal ubiquitylation (prevented by N-terminal tagging). While the above conclusions are firmly supported by the experimental data presented, we discuss and justify the need of deep proteomic techniques for the study of SMN complex components (orphan and bound) turn-over to understand the physiological relevant mechanisms of degradation of SMN and SMNΔ7 in the cell.
Fluconazole Resistance among Oral Candida Isolates from People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Osaigbovo Iriagbonse , Lofor Patrick , Oladele Rita
Published: December 2017

Oropharyngeal candidiasis, a common fungal infection in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), arises from Candida species colonizing the oral cavity. Fluconazole is the preferred treatment and is often used empirically. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of fluconazole resistance in Nigeria. This study aimed at determining the burden of fluconazole resistance among Candida species in the oral cavities of PLWHA. We sampled the oral cavities of 350 HIV-infected adults and an equal number of HIV-negative controls. Candida isolates were identified using germ tube tests, CHROMagar Candida (CHROMagar, Paris, France), and API Candida yeast identification system (BioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France). Fluconazole susceptibility was determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute disc diffusion method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21 (IBM, New York, NY, USA). The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The isolation rates for Candida amongst HIV-infected subjects and controls were 20.6% and 3.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). In PLWHA, Candida albicans was most frequently isolated (81.3%) and fluconazole resistance was present in 18 (24%) of the 75 Candida isolates. Resistance to fluconazole was present in half of the non-albicans Candida isolates. Fluconazole resistance is prevalent among oral Candida isolates in PLWHA in the study area with a significantly higher rate among non-albicans Candida spp.
The Many Faces of Graphene as Protection Barrier. Performance under Microbial Corrosion and Ni Allergy Conditions
Authors: Parra Carolina , Montero-Silva Francisco , Gentil Dana , Del Campo Valeria , Henrique Rodrigues da Cunha Thiago , Henríquez Ricardo , Häberle Patricio , Garín Carolina , Ramírez Cristian , Fuentes Raúl , Flores Marcos , Seeger Michael
Published: December 2017

In this work we present a study on the performance of CVD (chemical vapor deposition) graphene coatings grown and transferred on Ni as protection barriers under two scenarios that lead to unwanted metal ion release, microbial corrosion and allergy test conditions. These phenomena have a strong impact in different fields considering nickel (or its alloys) is one of the most widely used metals in industrial and consumer products. Microbial corrosion costs represent fractions of national gross product in different developed countries, whereas Ni allergy is one of the most prevalent allergic conditions in the western world, affecting around 10% of the population. We found that grown graphene coatings act as a protective membrane in biological environments that decreases microbial corrosion of Ni and reduces release of Ni2+ ions (source of Ni allergic contact hypersensitivity) when in contact with sweat. This performance seems not to be connected to the strong orbital hybridization that Ni and graphene interface present, indicating electron transfer might not be playing a main role in the robust response of this nanostructured system. The observed protection from biological environment can be understood in terms of graphene impermeability to transfer Ni2+ ions, which is enhanced for few layers of graphene grown on Ni. We expect our work will provide a new route for application of graphene as a protection coating for metals in biological environments, where current strategies have shown short-term efficiency and have raised health concerns.
Anti-Lipase Potential of the Organic and Aqueous Extracts of Ten Traditional Edible and Medicinal Plants in Palestine; a Comparison Study with Orlistat
Authors: Jaradat Nidal , Zaid Abdel , Hussein Fatima , Zaqzouq Maram , Aljammal Hadeel , Ayesh Ola
Published: December 2017

Background: Herbs have played a fundamental and essential role in the humans life since ancient times, especially those which are used as food and/or folk medicinedue to both their nutritive and curative properties.This study aimed to investigate new antilipase agents from tentraditional Palestinian edible and medicinal plants through inhibition of the absorption of dietary lipids. Methods: The anti-lipase activity for ten plants was evaluated and compared with the reference compound Orlistat by using the porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory test which was conducted by using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Results: The aqueous extracts of Vitis vinifera and Rhus coriaria had the highest antilipase effects with IC50 values 14.13 and 19.95 mcg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, the organic extract of Origanum dayi had an IC50 value 18.62 mcg/mL. V. vinifera showed the highest porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects when compared with Orlistat, which has an IC50 value 12.38 mcg/mL. Conclusions: According to the obtained results, V. vinifera, R. coriaria, and O. dayi can be considered a natural inhibitors of the pancreatic lipase enzyme as well as new players in obesity treatment. In fact, these plants can be freely and safely consumed in a daily diet or can be prepared as nutraceutical formulations to treat or prevent of obesity.
A Numerical Study on the Excitation of Guided Waves in Rectangular Plates Using Multiple Point Sources
Authors: Duan Wenbo , Niu Xudong , Gan Tat-Hean , Kanfoud Jamil , Chen Hua-Peng
Published: December 2017

Ultrasonic guided waves are widely used to inspect and monitor the structural integrity of plates and plate-like structures, such as ship hulls and large storage-tank floors. Recently, ultrasonic guided waves have also been used to remove ice and fouling from ship hulls, wind-turbine blades and aeroplane wings. In these applications, the strength of the sound source must be high for scanning a large area, or to break the bond between ice, fouling and plate substrate. More than one transducer may be used to achieve maximum sound power output. However, multiple sources can interact with each other, and form a sound field in the structure with local constructive and destructive regions. Destructive regions are weak regions and shall be avoided. When multiple transducers are used it is important that they are arranged in a particular way so that the desired wave modes can be excited to cover the whole structure. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for generating particular wave mode patterns in finite-width rectangular plates whose length is assumed to be infinitely long with respect to its width and thickness. The wave modes have displacements in both width and thickness directions, and are thus different from the classical Lamb-type wave modes. A two-dimensional semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method was used to study dispersion characteristics and mode shapes in the plate up to ultrasonic frequencies. The modal analysis provided information on the generation of modes suitable for a particular application. The number of point sources and direction of loading for the excitation of a few representative modes was investigated. Based on the SAFE analysis, a standard finite element modelling package, Abaqus, was used to excite the designed modes in a three-dimensional plate. The generated wave patterns in Abaqus were then compared with mode shapes predicted in the SAFE model. Good agreement was observed between the intended modes calculated in SAFE and the actual, excited modes in Abaqus.
One-Step Partially Purified Lipases (ScLipA and ScLipB) from Schizophyllum commune UTARA1 Obtained via Solid State Fermentation and Their Applications
Authors: Kam Yew , Woo Kwan , Ong Lisa
Published: December 2017

Lipases with unique characteristics are of value in industrial applications, especially those targeting cost-effectiveness and less downstream processes. The aims of this research were to: (i) optimize the fermentation parameters via solid state fermentation (SSF); and (ii) study the performance in hydrolysis and esterification processes of the one-step partially purified Schizophyllum commune UTARA1 lipases. Lipase was produced by cultivating S. commune UTARA1 on sugarcane bagasse (SB) with used cooking oil (UCO) via SSF and its production was optimized using Design-Expert® 7.0.0. Fractions 30% (ScLipA) and 70% (ScLipB) which contained high lipase activity were obtained by stepwise (NH4)2SO4 precipitation. Crude fish oil, coconut oil and butter were used to investigate the lipase hydrolysis capabilities by a free glycerol assay. Results showed that ScLipA has affinities for long, medium and short chain triglycerides, as all the oils investigated were degraded, whereas ScLipB has affinities for long chain triglycerides as it only degrades crude fish oil. During esterification, ScLipA was able to synthesize trilaurin and triacetin. Conversely, ScLipB was specific towards the formation of 2-mono-olein and triacetin. From the results obtained, it was determined that ScLipA and ScLipB are sn-2 regioselective lipases. Hence, the one-step partial purification strategy proved to be feasible for partial purification of S. commune UTARA1 lipases that has potential use in industrial applications.
Development and Validation of the Food Liking Questionnaire in a French-Canadian Population
Authors: Carbonneau Elise , Bradette-Laplante Maude , Lamarche Benoît , Provencher Véronique , Bégin Catherine , Robitaille Julie , Desroches Sophie , Vohl Marie-Claude , Corneau Louise , Lemieux Simone
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing food liking in a French-Canadian population. A questionnaire was developed, in which participants were asked to rate their degree of liking of 50 food items. An expert panel evaluated the content validity. For the validation study, 150 men and women completed the questionnaire twice. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to assess the number of subscales of the questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the subscales were evaluated. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations between liking scores and self-reported frequencies of consumption. Comments from the experts led to changes in the list of foods included in the questionnaire. The EFA revealed a two-factor structure for the questionnaire (i.e., savory and sweet foods) and led to the removal of nine items, resulting in a 32-item questionnaire. The two subscales revealed good internal consistency (Cronbach alphas: 0.85 and 0.89) and test-retest reliability (p = 0.84 and 0.86). The questionnaire demonstrated adequate concurrent validity, with moderate correlations between food liking and self-reported frequency of consumption (r = 0.19–0.39, ps < 0.05). This new Food Liking Questionnaire assessing liking of a variety of savory and sweet foods demonstrated good psychometric properties in every validation step. This questionnaire will be useful to explore the role of food liking and its interactions with other factors in predicting eating behaviors and energy intake.
Coffee Consumption and the Risk of Obesity in Korean Women
Authors: Lee Jeonghee , Kim Hye , Kim Jeongseon
Published: December 2017

Instant coffee mixes that contain sugar and non-dairy creamer account for 80–90% of the total coffee market in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and obesity in Korean women. We included 5995 women who participated in a health screening examination at the Korean National Cancer Center between 2007 and 2016. Daily coffee consumption and the use of sugar and creamer in coffee was evaluated using a 106-item food frequency questionnaire. Obesity was assessed by body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was assessed by waist circumference (WC). A multiple logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of obesity according to coffee consumption. After multivariate adjustment, high coffee consumption was positively associated with obesity as measured by BMI (≥3 cups vs. no drinks, OR = 2.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91–3.34; p for the trend < 0.001) and abdominal obesity as measured by WC (≥3 cups vs. no drinks, OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.59–2.79; p for the trend < 0.001). The positive association between daily coffee consumption and obesity prevalence was not altered by menopause. The amount of coffee with additives consumed per day by Korean women was positively correlated with the prevalence of obesity, but causation cannot be determined due to the cross-sectional nature of the study design. The mechanism underlying the observed relationship is yet to be elucidated.
Thermal Transport in Soft PAAm Hydrogels
Authors: Tang Ni , Peng Zhan , Guo Rulei , An Meng , Chen Xiandong , Li Xiaobo , Yang Nuo , Zang Jianfeng
Published: December 2017

As the interface between human and machine becomes blurred, hydrogel incorporated electronics and devices have emerged to be a new class of flexible/stretchable electronic and ionic devices due to their extraordinary properties, such as softness, mechanically robustness, and biocompatibility. However, heat dissipation in these devices could be a critical issue and remains unexplored. Here, we report the experimental measurements and equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of thermal conduction in polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. The thermal conductivity of PAAm hydrogels can be modulated by both the effective crosslinking density and water content in hydrogels. The effective crosslinking density dependent thermal conductivity in hydrogels varies from 0.33 to 0.51 Wm−1K−1, giving a 54% enhancement. We attribute the crosslinking effect to the competition between the increased conduction pathways and the enhanced phonon scattering effect. Moreover, water content can act as filler in polymers which leads to nearly 40% enhancement in thermal conductivity in PAAm hydrogels with water content vary from 23 to 88 wt %. Furthermore, we find the thermal conductivity of PAAm hydrogel is insensitive to temperature in the range of 25–40 °C. Our study offers fundamental understanding of thermal transport in soft materials and provides design guidance for hydrogel-based devices.
Preparation, Characterization and Application of Polysaccharide-Based Metallic Nanoparticles: A Review
Authors: Wang Cong , Gao Xudong , Chen Zhongqin , Chen Yue , Chen Haixia
Published: December 2017

Polysaccharides are natural biopolymers that have been recognized to be the most promising hosts for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) because of their outstanding biocompatible and biodegradable properties. Polysaccharides are diverse in size and molecular chains, making them suitable for the reduction and stabilization of MNPs. Considerable research has been directed toward investigating polysaccharide-based metallic nanoparticles (PMNPs) through host–guest strategy. In this review, approaches of preparation, including top-down and bottom-up approaches, are presented and compared. Different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering are discussed in detail. Besides, the applications of PMNPs in the field of wound healing, targeted delivery, biosensing, catalysis and agents with antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer capabilities are specifically highlighted. The controversial toxicological effects of PMNPs are also discussed. This review can provide significant insights into the utilization of polysaccharides as the hosts to synthesize MPNs and facilitate their further development in synthesis approaches, characterization techniques as well as potential applications.
Plateau-Shaped Flexible Polymer Microelectrode Array for Neural Recording
Authors: Kim Jun-Min , Im Changkyun , Lee Woo Ram
Published: December 2017

Conventional polymer multielectrode arrays (MEAs) have limitations resulting from a high Young’s modulus, including low conformability and gaps between the electrodes and neurons. These gaps are not a problem in soft tissues such as the brain, due to the repopulation phenomenon. However, gaps can result in signal degradation when recording from a fiber bundle, such as the spinal cord. Methods: We propose a method for fabricating flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based MEAs featuring plateau-shaped microelectrodes. The proposed fabrication technique enables the electrodes on the surface of MEAs to make a tight connection to the neurons, because the wire of the MEA is fabricated to be plateau-shaped, as the Young’s modulus of PDMS is similar to soft tissues and PDMS follows the curvature of the neural tissue due to its high conformability compared to the other polymers. Injury caused by the movement of the MEAs can therefore be minimized. Each electrode has a diameter of 130 μm and the 8-channel array has a center-to-center electrode spacing of 300 μm. The signal-to-noise ratio of the plateau-shaped electrodes was larger than that of recessed electrodes because there was no space between the electrode and neural cell. Reliable neural recordings were possible by adjusting the position of the electrode during the experiment without trapping air under the electrodes. Simultaneous multi-channel neural recordings were successfully achieved from the spinal cord of rodents. We describe the fabrication technique, electrode 3D profile, electrode impedance, and MEA performance in in vivo experiments in rodents.
Non-Fullerene Acceptor-Based Solar Cells: From Structural Design to Interface Charge Separation and Charge Transport
Authors: Wang Qungui , Li Yuanzuo , Song Peng , Su Runzhou , Ma Fengcai , Yang Yanhui
Published: December 2017

The development of non-fullerene small molecule as electron acceptors is critical for overcoming the shortcomings of fullerene and its derivatives (such as limited absorption of light, poor morphological stability and high cost). We investigated the electronic and optical properties of the two selected promising non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), IDIC and IDTBR, and five conjugated donor polymers using quantum-chemical method (QM). Based on the optimized structures of the studied NFAs and the polymers, the ten donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces were constructed and investigated using QM and Marcus semi-classical model. Firstly, for the two NFAs, IDTBR displays better electron transport capability, better optical absorption ability, and much greater electron mobility than IDIC. Secondly, the configurations of D/A yield the more bathochromic-shifted and broader sunlight absorption spectra than the single moiety. Surprisingly, although IDTBR has better optical properties than IDIC, the IDIC-based interfaces possess better electron injection abilities, optical absorption properties, smaller exciton binding energies and more effective electronic separation than the IDTBR-based interfaces. Finally, all the polymer/IDIC interfaces exhibit large charge separation rate (KCS) (up to 1012–1014 s−1) and low charge recombination rate (KCR) (<106 s−1), which are more likely to result in high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). From above analysis, it was found that the polymer/IDIC interfaces should display better performance in the utility of bulk-heterojunction solar cells (BHJ OSC) than polymer/IDTBR interfaces.
“It’s Not the Way We Use English”—Can We Resist the Native Speaker Stranglehold on Academic Publications?
Authors: Strauss Pat
Published: December 2017

English dominates the academic publishing world, and this dominance can, and often does, lead to the marginalisation of researchers who are not first-language speakers of English. There are different schools of thought regarding this linguistic domination; one approach is pragmatic. Proponents believe that the best way to empower these researchers in their bid to publish is to assist them to gain mastery of the variety of English most acceptable to prestigious journals. Another perspective, however, is that traditional academic English is not necessarily the best medium for the dissemination of research, and that linguistic compromises need to be made. They contend that the stranglehold that English holds in the publishing world should be resisted. This article explores these different perspectives, and suggests ways in which those of us who do not wield a great deal of influence may yet make a small contribution to the levelling of the linguistic playing field, and pave the way for an English lingua franca that better serves the needs of twenty-first century academics.
From Contextual Theology to African Christianity: The Consideration of Adiaphora from a South African Perspective
Authors: Mokhoathi Joel
Published: December 2017

The move towards contextual Christianity in Africa is an essential venture if Christianity is to communicate with the African cultural heritage. As a universal religion, Christianity has to find an expression within the cultural context. However, the contextualization of Christianity in Africa appears to have permitted the practice of syncretism. It has resulted in the emergence of African Christianity, which is the amalgamation of Christianity and African Traditional Religion. The amalgamation of Christianity and African Traditional Religion appears to overlook the essence of both religions as there is currently no clarity on how Christianity can best be expressed within the African cultural and religious heritage. This paper employs the document review method to explore the things that fall in between—“adiaphora”, which the proponents of contextual Christianity may have overlooked with regard to the African cultural and religious heritage. These include the pragmatic nature of the African cultural and religious heritage, and the African traditional methods of healing.
On the Question at the End of Theodicy
Authors: Pinn Anthony
Published: December 2017

This article argues that theodicy provides an insufficient response to suffering - one that often further victimizes those who suffering most. In it’s place, I argue for a moralist response based on Albert Camus and W. E. B. Du Bois.
Temporal Changes in Coupled Vegetation Phenology and Productivity are Biome-Specific in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Wang Lanhui , Fensholt Rasmus
Published: December 2017

Global warming has greatly stimulated vegetation growth through both extending the growing season and promoting photosynthesis in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Analyzing the combined dynamics of such trends can potentially improve our current understanding on changes in vegetation functioning and the complex relationship between anthropogenic and climatic drivers. This study aims to analyze the relationships (long-term trends and correlations) of length of vegetation growing season (LOS) and vegetation productivity assessed by the growing season NDVI integral (GSI) in the NH (>30°N) to study any dependency of major biomes that are characterized by different imprint from anthropogenic influence. Spatial patterns of converging/diverging trends in LOS and GSI and temporal changes in the coupling between LOS and GSI are analyzed for major biomes at hemispheric and continental scales from the third generation Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset for a 32-year period (1982–2013). A quarter area of the NH is covered by converging trends (consistent significant trends in LOS and GSI), whereas diverging trends (opposing significant trends in LOS and GSI) cover about 6% of the region. Diverging trends are observed mainly in high latitudes and arid/semi-arid areas of non-forest biomes (shrublands, savannas, and grasslands), whereas forest biomes and croplands are primarily characterized by converging trends. The study shows spatially-distinct and biome-specific patterns between the continental land masses of Eurasia (EA) and North America (NA). Finally, areas of high positive correlation between LOS and GSI showed to increase during the period of analysis, with areas of significant positive trends in correlation being more widespread in NA as compared to EA. The temporal changes in the coupled vegetation phenology and productivity suggest complex relationships and interactions that are induced by both ongoing climate change and increasingly intensive human disturbances.
Evaluation of Pressure Capacitive Sensors for Application in Grasping and Manipulation Analysis
Authors: Pessia Paola , Cordella Francesca , Schena Emiliano , Davalli Angelo , Sacchetti Rinaldo , Zollo Loredana
Published: December 2017

The analysis of the human grasping and manipulation capabilities is paramount for investigating human sensory-motor control and developing prosthetic and robotic hands resembling the human ones. A viable solution to perform this analysis is to develop instrumented objects measuring the interaction forces with the hand. In this context, the performance of the sensors embedded in the objects is crucial. This paper focuses on the experimental characterization of a class of capacitive pressure sensors suitable for biomechanical analysis. The analysis was performed in three loading conditions (Distributed load, 9 Tips load, and Wave-shaped load, thanks to three different inter-elements) via a traction/compression testing machine. Sensor assessment was also carried out under human- like grasping condition by placing a silicon material with the same properties of prosthetic cosmetic gloves in between the sensor and the inter-element in order to simulate the human skin. Data show that the input–output relationship of the analyzed, sensor is strongly influenced by both the loading condition (i.e., type of inter-element) and the grasping condition (with or without the silicon material). This needs to be taken into account to avoid significant measurement error. To go over this hurdle, the sensors have to be calibrated under each specific condition in order to apply suitable corrections to the sensor output and significantly improve the measurement accuracy.
Smart City and Smart Tourism: A Case of Dubai
Authors: Khan M. , Woo Mina , Nam Kichan , Chathoth Prakash
Published: December 2017

Over the past decade, the advent of new technology has brought about the emergence of smart cities aiming to provide their stakeholders with technology-based solutions that are effective and efficient. Insofar as the objective of smart cities is to improve outcomes that are connected to people, systems and processes of businesses, government and other public- and private-sector entities, its main goal is to improve the quality of life of all residents. Accordingly, smart tourism has emerged over the past few years as a subset of the smart city concept, aiming to provide tourists with solutions that address specific travel related needs. Dubai is an emerging tourism destination that has implemented smart city and smart tourism platforms to engage various stakeholders. The objective of this study is to identify best practices related to Dubai’s smart city and smart tourism. In so doing, Dubai’s mission and vision along with key dimensions and pillars are identified in relation to the advancements in the literature while highlighting key resources and challenges. A Smart Tourism Dynamic Responsive System (STDRS) framework is proposed while suggesting how Dubai may able to enhance users’ involvement and their overall experience.
Special Events and Social Reform: The Case of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and the Australian Marriage Equality Movement
Authors: Ford Amanda , Markwell Kevin
Published: December 2017

This article reports on a study undertaken to critically consider the intersections between special events and social reform through the empirical lens of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and its presentation of same sex marriage (marriage equality), which has become a significant
contemporary political and social issue in Australia. The Parade is the public highlight of a festival that celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex identities and which has become an internationally significant tourism event, attracting large numbers of both domestic
and international tourists. Yet, the holding of such an important event, now in its 39th year, which publicly acknowledges and celebrates alternative sexualities, is contrasted with the systemic discrimination and prejudice based on sexual and gender identity that continues to persist in contemporary
Australian society. The absence of marriage equality is one such form of discrimination. Participant observation of the 2014 parade together with interviews with a number of prominent members of the gay and lesbian community enabled the extent to which the Parade is able to facilitate a broader
understanding of the marriage equality issue to be critically understood.
The GW170817/GRB 170817A/AT 2017gfo Association: Some Implications for Physics and Astrophysics
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Fu-Wen , Wang Yuan-Zhu , Shen Zhao-Qiang , Liang Yun-Feng , Li Xiang , Liao Neng-Hui , Jin Zhi-Ping , Yuan Qiang , Zou Yuan-Chuan , Fan Yi-Zhong , Wei Da-Ming
Published: December 2017

On 2017 August 17, a gravitational-wave event (GW170817) and an associated short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) from a binary neutron star merger had been detected. The follow-up optical/infrared observations also identified the macronova/kilonova emission (AT 2017gfo). In this work, we discuss some implications of the remarkable GW170817/GRB 170817A/AT 2017gfo association. We show that the ∼1.7 s time delay between the gravitational-wave (GW) and GRB signals imposes very tight constraints on the superluminal movement of gravitational waves (i.e., the relative departure of GW velocity from the speed of light is

) or the possible violation of the weak equivalence principle (i.e., the difference of the gamma-ray and GW trajectories in the gravitational field of the galaxy and the local universe should be within a factor of

). The so-called Dark Matter Emulators and a class of contender models for cosmic acceleration (“Covariant Galileon”) are ruled out as well. The successful identification of lanthanide elements in the macronova/kilonova spectrum also excludes the possibility that the progenitors of GRB 170817A are a binary strange star system. The high neutron star merger rate (inferred from both the local sGRB data and the gravitational-wave data) together with the significant ejected mass strongly suggest that such mergers are the prime sites of heavy r-process nucleosynthesis.
Vers la reterritorialisation du réseau d’approvisionnement alimentaire parisien ? Trois approches de la mobilisation des proximités
Authors: Bognon Sabine
Published: December 2017

L’approvisionnement alimentaire urbain est un service régi par des réseaux : il procède de logiques infrastructurelles et de jeux d’acteurs qui gouvernent la subsistance des citadins. Ce réseau est aujourd’hui mondial et dominé par la sphère commerciale privée. La médiatisation du développement durable influence le domaine alimentaire, au même titre que d’autres services urbains. Regrettant l’internationalisation des hinterlands et le cloisonnement, voire l’opacité, des sphères du système alimentaire, des acteurs se mobilisent pour une reterritorialisation du réseau d’approvisionnement : ils convoquent ou recherchent des formes renouvelées de proximités tant spatiale que relationnelle, notamment pour améliorer la performance du métabolisme urbain. Ainsi, la quête d’une gouvernance reterritorialisée du réseau et intégrant systèmes productifs et bassins de consommation fait naître moult initiatives dont nous examinons ici trois cas dans la métropole parisienne. Ces démarches relèvent de l’alternative, par leur opposition au système alimentaire densément réticulé, ou de l’hybridation, par un renouveau des pratiques inhérentes au réseau dominant. Il s’agit de caractériser l’appropriation de la notion de proximité par les acteurs qui les commandent et d’évaluer leur capacité consécutive à transformer, plus ou moins radicalement, le réseau de l’approvisionnement alimentaire parisien.
Cytoplasmic Linker Protein CLIP170 Negatively Regulates TLR4 Signaling by Targeting the TLR Adaptor Protein TIRAP
Authors: Jakka Padmaja , Bhargavi Bindu , Namani Swapna , Murugan Subathra , Splitter Gary , Radhakrishnan Girish
Published: December 2017

Cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP170) is a CAP-Gly domain–containing protein that is associated with the plus end of growing microtubules and implicated in various cellular processes, including the regulation of microtubule dynamics, cell migration, and intracellular transport. Our studies revealed a previously unrecognized property and role of CLIP170. We identified CLIP170 as one of the interacting partners of Brucella effector protein TcpB that negatively regulates TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. In this study, we demonstrate that CLIP170 interacts with the TLR2 and TLR4 adaptor protein TIRAP. Furthermore, our studies revealed that CLIP170 induces ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of TIRAP to negatively regulate TLR4-mediated proinflammatory responses. Overexpression of CLIP170 in mouse macrophages suppressed the LPS-induced expression of IL-6 and TNF-α whereas silencing of endogenous CLIP170 potentiated the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In vivo silencing of CLIP170 in C57BL/6 mice by CLIP170-specific small interfering RNA enhanced LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α expression. Furthermore, we found that LPS modulates the expression of CLIP170 in mouse macrophages. Overall, our experimental data suggest that CLIP170 serves as an intrinsic negative regulator of TLR4 signaling that targets TIRAP.
Use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry analyser in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory in a developing country
Authors: Bulane Atang , Hoosen Anwar
Published: December 2017

Background: Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens is of utmost importance for management of patients. Current identification relies on conventional phenotypic methods which are time consuming. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is based on proteomic profiling and allows for rapid identification of pathogens.Objective: We compared MALDI-TOF MS against two commercial systems, MicroScan Walkaway and VITEK 2 MS.Methods: Over a three-month period from July 2013 to September 2013, a total of 227 bacteria and yeasts were collected from an academic microbiology laboratory (N = 121; 87 Gramnegatives, seven Gram-positives, 27 yeasts) and other laboratories (N = 106; 35 Gram-negatives, 34 Gram-positives, 37 yeasts). Sixty-five positive blood cultures were initially processed with Bruker Sepsityper kit for direct identification.Results: From the 65 blood culture bottles, four grew more than one bacterial pathogen and MALDI-TOF MS identified only one isolate. The blood cultures yielded 21 Gram-negatives, 43 Gram-positives and one Candida. There were 21 Escherirchia coli isolates which were reported by the MALDI-TOF MS as E. coli/Shigella. Of the total 292 isolates, discrepant results were found for one bacterial and three yeast isolates. Discrepant results were resolved by testing with the API system with MALDI-TOF MS showing 100% correlation.Conclusion: The MALDI-TOF MS proved to be very useful for rapid and reliable identification of bacteria and yeasts directly from blood cultures and after culture of other specimens. The difference in time to identification was significant for all isolates. However, for positive blood cultures with minimal sample preparation time there was a massive difference in turn-around time with great appreciation by clinicians.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Transesophageal Biopsy of Parathyroid Adenoma
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash Bhat , Venkatesh Rao P. S. , Subbaraj Satyaprakash Bonthala
Published: December 2017

Parathyroid adenoma (PTA) causing hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia leading to pancreatitis is reported. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can help in the localization of PTA. We report a case of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy-proven PTA which is not reported in literature to our knowledge.
Bilioptysis – Two Case Reports of Broncho Biliary Fistula
Authors: Thangavelu Pugazhendhi , Munirathinam Manoj , Kini Ratnakar
Published: December 2017

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a tract between the biliary system and bronchial tree with the presence of bile in the bronchus and the sputum. They are rare but serious complications. In most cases, they are caused by hepatic or subphrenic abscesses, resulting from different conditions. Pulmonary symptoms dominate the clinical picture, and the main manifestations are chronic irritant cough, production of greenish sputum, bronchopneumonia, and dyspnea. The diagnosis of BBF can be confirmed by imaging procedures such as biliary scintigraphy with hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Bronchoscopy can demonstrate the presence of bile in the bronchial tree and may delineate the site of fistula. The treatment strategy for patients with BBF and biliary tract obstruction is the reestablishment of bile drainage, which allows the fistula to heal by reducing intrabiliary pressure. We present two cases of biliary-bronchial fistula, one related to hepatic abscess and the other due to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for common bile duct obstruction secondary to inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.