bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Konseling Farmasis Terhadap Pengetahuan dan Kepatuhan Pasien HIV/AIDS di Poliklinik VCT RSUP Dr. M. Djamil Padang
Authors: Permatasari Jelly , Almasdy Dedy , Raveinal Raveinal
Published: December 2017

Permasalahan dalam pengobatan HIV/AIDS sangat kompleks, hal ini dikarenakan perjalanan penyakit yang cukup panjang dengan sistem imunitas yang menurun secara progresif dan munculnya beberapa penyakit infeksi oportunitis secara bersamaan. Terapi ARV adalah salah satu cara untuk meningkatkan sistem kekebalan tubuh. Terapi ARV membutuhkan kepatuhan yang tinggi agar tujuan dari terapi tercapai dan mampu meningkatkan kualitas hidup  Farmasis berada pada posisi yang sangat baik untuk membantu pasien mengatasi masalah terkait kepatuhan melalui konseling dengan meningkatkan pengetahuan pasien terkait pengobatan dan penyakitnya. Telah dilakukan penelitian quasi-eksperimental dengan konsep single pretest-postets design untuk menilai pengaruh konseling farmasis terhadap pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pasien HIV/AIDS di Poliklinik VCT RSUP Dr. M. Djamil Padang. Pengetahuan dan kepatuhan dinilai dengan menggunakan kuesioner pada pertemuan pertama dan kedua. Sebanyak 124 pasien menjadi responden pada penelitian ini. Analisa data menggunakan Wilcoxon test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya perbedaan pengetahuan yang signifikan (p=0,00) dan kepatuhan (p=0,00) responden sebelum dan setelah konseling farmasis. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adanya pengaruh positif konseling farmasis terhadap pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pasien HIV/AIDS.
An Internationalism of Beauty: The Rockefeller Restorations in France after the Great War
Authors: Smith James Allen
Published: December 2017

I have taken my title, “The Internationalism of Beauty,” from a phrase coined by Gabriel Hanotaux who celebrated the libéralité of the Rockefellers in a 1925 article in the Revue des Deux Mondes. He extolled the work of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who had begun to provide funds for post-war restoration work at Versailles, Reims Cathedral, and Fontainebleau.
The “Great Humanitarian”: Herbert Hoover, the Relief of Belgium, and the Reconstruction of Europe after War I
Authors: Nash George H.
Published: December 2017

On August 10, 1914, Herbert Hoover turned forty years old. A prosperous American mining engineer living in London, he was at the pinnacle of his profession, with business interests on every continent except Antarctica. He was also restless, confiding to a friend that “just making money isn't enough.” He wanted, he said, to “get in the big game somewhere”—the “big game” of public life.
The American Hospital of Paris during the First World War
Authors: Hampton Ellen
Published: December 2017

When the war broke out in August 1914, Americans in France and at home joined efforts to restructure, equip and staff a 600-bed military hospital in the Lycée Pasteur building in Neuilly-sur-Seine, under management of the nearby American Hospital of Paris. Volunteers from the expatriate community and from the United States stepped forward to serve as doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers, funded through an unprecedented wave of giving.
Cervical sagittal alignment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: is it corrected by surgery?
Authors: Cho Jae Hwan , Hwang Chang Ju , Choi Young Hyun , Lee Dong-Ho , Lee Choon Sung
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) is related to function and quality of life, but it has not been frequently studied in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This study aimed to reveal the change in CSA following corrective surgery, compare the cervical sagittal parameters according to curve types, and assess related factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA.

METHODS

The authors studied 318 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent corrective surgery at a single center. Occiput–C2 and C2–7 lordosis, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T-1 slope, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar sagittal profiles were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22) scores were used as clinical outcomes. Each radiological parameter was compared preoperatively and postoperatively according to curve types (double major, single thoracic, and double thoracic curves). Patients were grouped based on preoperative CSA: the lordotic group (group L) and the kyphotic group (group K). Each radiological parameter was compared between the groups. Related factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA were assessed using multivariate logistic analysis.

RESULTS

Of the total number of patients studied, 67.0% (213 of 318) and 54.4% (173 of 318) showed cervical kyphotic alignment preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. C2–7 lordosis increased (from −5.8° to −1.1°; p < 0.001) and C2–7 SVA decreased (from 24.2 to 20.0 mm; p < 0.001) postoperatively regardless of curve types. Although group K showed improvement in C2–7 lordosis (from −12.7° to −4.8°; p < 0.001), group L showed no difference (from 9.0° to 6.9°; p = 0.115) postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were not related to the degree of cervical kyphosis in this cohort. C2–7 lordosis (p < 0.001) and pelvic tilt (p = 0.019) were related to postoperative aggravation of CSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the trend of improvement in CSA, many patients (54.4%) still showed cervical kyphotic alignment postoperatively. C2–7 lordosis and C2–7 SVA improved postoperatively in all curve types. However, postoperative changes in C2–7 lordosis showed different results based on preoperative CSA, which could be related to T-1 slope and thoracic kyphosis. However, clinical outcomes showed no difference based on CSA in this study cohort. Greater C2–7 lordosis and proximal thoracic curve preoperatively were risk factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively).
Pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis or compression in the setting of skull fractures from blunt head trauma
Authors: Hersh David S. , Shimony Nir , Groves Mari L. , Tuite Gerald F. , Jallo George I. , Liu Ann , Garzon-Muvdi Tomas , Huisman Thierry A. G. M. , Felling Ryan J. , Kufera Joseph A. , Ahn Edward S.
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis has been previously described in the setting of blunt head trauma; however, the population demographics, risk factors for thrombosis, and the risks and benefits of detection and treatment in this patient population are poorly defined. Furthermore, few reports differentiate between different forms of sinus pathology. A series of pediatric patients with skull fractures who underwent venous imaging and were diagnosed with intrinsic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis or extrinsic sinus compression is presented.

METHODS

The medical records of patients at 2 pediatric trauma centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were evaluated for blunt head trauma from January 2003 to December 2013, diagnosed with a skull fracture, and underwent venous imaging were included.

RESULTS

Of 2224 pediatric patients with skull fractures following blunt trauma, 41 patients (2%) underwent venous imaging. Of these, 8 patients (20%) had intrinsic sinus thrombosis and 14 patients (34%) displayed extrinsic compression of a venous sinus. Three patients with intrinsic sinus thrombosis developed venous infarcts, and 2 of these patients were treated with anticoagulation. One patient with extrinsic sinus compression by a depressed skull fracture underwent surgical elevation of the fracture. All patients with sinus pathology were discharged to home or inpatient rehabilitation. Among patients who underwent follow-up imaging, the sinus pathology had resolved by 6 months postinjury in 80% of patients with intrinsic thrombosis as well as 80% of patients with extrinsic compression. All patients with intrinsic thrombosis or extrinsic compression had a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4 or 5 at their last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series of pediatric trauma patients who underwent venous imaging for suspected thrombosis, the yield of detecting intrinsic thrombosis and/or extrinsic compression of a venous sinus was high. However, few patients developed venous hypertension or infarction and were subsequently treated with anticoagulation or surgical decompression of the sinus. Most had spontaneous resolution and good neurological outcomes without treatment. Therefore, in the setting of pediatric skull fractures after blunt injury, venous imaging is recommended when venous hypertension or infarction is suspected and anticoagulation is being considered. However, there is little indication for pervasive venous imaging after pediatric skull fractures, especially in light of the potential risks of CT venography or MR venography in the pediatric population and the unclear benefits of anticoagulation.
Towards designing robust CAPTCHAs
Authors: Lorenzi David , Uzun Emre , Vaidya Jaideep , Sural Shamik , Atluri Vijayalakshmi
Published: December 2017

CAPTCHAs are reverse Turing tests that aim to distinguish between human and non-human online participants. CAPTCHAs enable site administrators to determine if a particular user is a legitimate human or a bot, and grant or deny them access to resources accordingly, thus preventing abuse of resources. However, given the incentive to break or circumvent CAPTCHAs, they must also evolve alongside advances in machine learning tools and techniques to continue providing security for online services. In this paper, we present the essential design criteria for building robust CAPTCHAs and thus provide a general framework for evaluating a specific CAPTCHA design. We then develop several new CAPTCHA exemplars, and analyze them from this perspective to show how design decisions impact different evaluation parameters. We also provide an overview of a new security method that can be applied to any image CAPTCHA and present the results of the evaluation of one of the most promising image based CAPTCHAs with a comprehensive user study.
Efficacy of Blunt Force Trauma, a Novel Mechanical Cervical Dislocation Device, and a Non-Penetrating Captive Bolt Device for On-Farm Euthanasia of Pre-Weaned Kits, Growers, and Adult Commercial Meat Rabbits
Authors: Walsh Jessica , Percival Aaron , Turner Patricia
Published: December 2017

The commercial meat rabbit industry is without validated on-farm euthanasia methods, potentially resulting in inadequate euthanasia protocols. We evaluated blunt force trauma (BFT), a mechanical cervical dislocation device (MCD), and a non-penetrating captive bolt device (NPCB) for euthanasia of pre-weaned kits, growers, and adult rabbits. Trials were conducted on three commercial meat rabbit farms using 170 cull rabbits. Insensibility was assessed by evaluating absence of brainstem and spinal reflexes, rhythmic breathing, and vocalizations. Survey radiographs on a subsample of rabbits (n = 12) confirmed tissue damage prior to gross dissection and microscopic evaluation. All 63 rabbits euthanized by the NPCB device were rendered immediately and irreversibly insensible. The MCD device was effective in 46 of 49 (94%) rabbits. Method failure was highest for BFT with euthanasia failures in 13 of 58 (22%) rabbits. Microscopically, brain sections from rabbits killed with the NPCB device had significantly more damage than those from rabbits killed with BFT (p = 0.001). We conclude that BFT is neither consistently humane nor effective as a euthanasia method. MCD is an accurate and reliable euthanasia method generally causing clean dislocation and immediate and irreversible insensibility, and the NPCB device was 100% effective and reliable in rabbits >150 g.
Preparation of Manganese Lignosulfonate and Its Application as the Precursor of Nanostructured MnOx for Oxidative Electrocatalysis
Authors: Gawluk Klaudia , Modrzejwska-Sikorska Anna , Rębiś Tomasz , Milczarek Grzegorz
Published: December 2017

The synthesis of manganese lignosulfonates by a two-step method has been reported. It was based on the conversion of technical sodium derivative of lignosulfonate to its hydrogen form i.e., lignosulfonic acid and its further reaction with manganese hydroxide. The obtained product was electroactive, and could be applied as the precursor of electroactive manganese oxide. The product showed a reversible redox activity in the potential range of 0 to 1 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The electroactivity of the obtained product can be tentatively assigned to the redox activity of both the electrodeposited MnOx and the presence of lignosulfonate-derived quinones since the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of organic matter in the deposit. It also showed substantial electrocatalytic activity towards the anodic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. This suggests that manganese lignosulfonates could be a valuable compound for the electrochemical preparation of electroactive layers that are suitable in the development of electrochemical sensors.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Composites Containing Zirconium Oxide Impregnated Halloysite Nanotubes
Authors: Kim Moon , Kim Suhyun , Kim Taehee , Lee Dong , Seo Bongkuk , Lim Choong-Sun
Published: December 2017

Liquid epoxy resins have received much attention from both academia and the chemical industry as eco-friendly volatile organic compound (VOC)-free alternatives for applications in coatings and adhesives, especially in those used in households. Epoxy resins show high chemical resistance and high creep resistance. However, due to their brittleness and lack of thermal stability, additional fillers are needed for improving the mechanical and thermal properties. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are naturally abundant, inexpensive, and eco-friendly clay minerals that are known to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites after suitable surface modification. Zirconium is well known for its high resistance to heat and wear. In this work, zirconium oxide-impregnated HNTs (Zr/HNTs) were added to epoxy resins to obtain epoxy composites with improved mechanical and thermal properties. Zr/HNTs were characterized by field-emission transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Changes in the thermal properties of the epoxy composites were characterized by thermo mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, flexural properties of the composites were analyzed using a universal testing machine.
Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer with Added TiO2 Particles: Physicomechanical Characteristics
Authors: Guzmán-Aponte Luis , Mejía de Gutiérrez Ruby , Maury-Ramírez Anibal
Published: December 2017

The effect of the TiO2 addition on the physicomechanical properties of a geopolymer system based on metakaolin (MK) and hydroxide and potassium silicate as activators is presented in this article. Three different liquid-solid systems (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45) and two titanium additions were investigated (5% and 10% of the cement content). The flowability, setting time, and mechanical strength of the geopolymer mixtures and their microstructural characteristics were evaluated using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was concluded that a percentage of up to 10% TiO2 does not affect the mechanical properties of the geopolymer, although it does reduce the fluidity and setting times of the mixture.
PEEK with Reinforced Materials and Modifications for Dental Implant Applications
Authors: Rahmitasari Fitria , Ishida Yuichi , Kurahashi Kosuke , Matsuda Takashi , Watanabe Megumi , Ichikawa Tetsuo
Published: December 2017

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semi-crystalline linear polycyclic thermoplastic that has been proposed as a substitute for metals in biomaterials. PEEK can also be applied to dental implant materials as a superstructure, implant abutment, or implant body. This article summarizes the current research on PEEK applications in dental implants, especially for the improvement of PEEK surface and body modifications. Although various benchmark reports on the reinforcement and surface modifications of PEEK are available, few clinical trials using PEEK for dental implant bodies have been published. Controlled clinical trials, especially for the use of PEEK in implant abutment and implant bodies, are necessary.
Ageing and Water-Based Processing of LiFeMnPO4 Secondary Agglomerates and Its Effects on Electrochemical Characteristics
Authors: Starke Benjamin , Seidlmayer Stefan , Dolotko Oleksandr , Gilles Ralph , Pettinger Karl-Heinz
Published: December 2017

LiFeMnPO4 secondary agglomerates have been aged under different temperature and moisture conditions. The aged and pristine powder samples were then processed to water- and solvent-based cathodes. Structural studies by means of neutron and X-ray diffraction revealed that neither ageing nor water-based processing significantly modified the crystal structure of LiFeMnPO4 secondary agglomerates. Electrochemical characterization was carried out with full-cells. It was found that long-term cycling is similar independent of the solvent used for slurry preparation. Full-cells assembled with water-based cathodes show a better C-rate capability due to a more homogeneous distribution of cathode constituents compared to solvent-based ones. In no case was any negative effect of initial active material ageing on the electrochemical performance found. During ageing and processing, LiFeMnPO4 is effectively protected by carbon coating and water can be completely removed by drying since it is only reversibly bound. This contribution shows that LiFeMnPO4 secondary agglomerates allow simplified active material handling and have a high potential for sustainable water-based electrode manufacturing.
Evaluating Energy Policies through the Use of a Hybrid Quantitative Indicator-Based Approach: The Case of Mercosur
Authors: Santos Thauan , Pereira Júnior Amaro , La Rovere Emilio
Published: December 2017

This paper evaluates the performance of energy policies in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), a regional initiative consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, but also considering Venezuela (full member since mid-2012) and Bolivia (full participation under negotiation since 2015). The methodology is based on a qualitative-quantitative approach. First, we provide a critical review of the literature on energy security. Then, we carry out a comparative analysis of energy policies in Mercosur countries, concluding that there is no harmonization between them. Next, we offer the new concept of socio-environmental-energy security (SEES) as a more suitable approach to deal with current challenges, providing a hybrid quantitative indicator-based approach to the SEES index. Ergo, after defining the indicators, selecting the data, carrying out a normalization process, assigning weights and aggregating data points, the SEES composite index is generated. We suggest that energy integration can contribute to better regional performance in terms of energy policies and that the SEES index can guide policy makers and investments, replacing the old-fashioned concept of energy security.
Management Goals and Performance: Clustering State Forest Management Organizations in Europe with Multivariate Statistics
Authors: Liubachyna Anna , Bubbico Antonio , Secco Laura , Pettenella Davide
Published: December 2017

State Forest Management Organizations (SFMOs) play a crucial role in the European forest sector, managing almost half of the forests in the region. SFMOs are often only managed for timber production, whereas, being publicly owned, they should play an important role in providing a vast range of public goods (e.g., soil protection, biodiversity conservation). Their management goals depend on the history and current conditions of the forest sector at a national level, as well as different challenges and the potential for development. Although there is a lack of knowledge about the current performance of SFMOs, there have been recent changes to their management goals and practices in response to the new demands expressed by society (e.g., transparency, social inclusion). The main purpose of this study was to analyze the current situation of SFMOs by grouping them with the help of a Cluster Analysis according to indicators that reflect the three pillars of the common understanding of the sustainable forest management (SFM) concept. Additionally, in light of the differences in the forest practices and management priorities in each country, we used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to group countries according to common characteristics of the forest sector at the national level. The results showed three main clusters of SFMOs in Europe. The first cluster had a rather small but commercially-oriented forestry unit together with other business activities and a strong focus on public services. The second focused on public interest, rather than commercially-oriented organizations. The third is mainly profit-seeking. The existence of diverse SFMO clusters shows the possibility of different approaches for SFM with a focus on different goals (e.g., profit gaining, public service delivery).
Assessing Ecosystem Services in Rubber Dominated Landscapes in South-East Asia—A Challenge for Biophysical Modeling and Transdisciplinary Valuation
Authors: Thellmann Kevin , Blagodatsky Sergey , Häuser Inga , Liu Hongxi , Wang Jue , Asch Folkard , Cadisch Georg , Cotter Marc
Published: December 2017

The concept of ecosystem services (ESS) has been increasingly recognized for its potential in decision making processes concerning environmental policy. Multidisciplinary projects on rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation, integrating research on a variety of ESS, have been few and far between. More than three years of iterative workshops with regional stakeholders resulted in the development of future land use scenarios for our study area in Xishuangbanna, PR China. We used the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) modeling framework to analyze their impact on sediment retention, water yield, habitat quality, and carbon sequestration and developed a model for assessing rubber yields. We investigated the percentage deviations of integrated ESS indices in each scenario, as compared to the initial state of 2015 and as a novelty used different statistical weighting methods to include rankings for the preference of ESS from three contrasting stakeholder groups. The business-as-usual scenario (BAU, continuous rubber expansions) revealed an increase in rubber yields trading off against all other ESS analyzed. Compared to BAU, the measures introduced in the balanced-trade-offs scenario (reforestation, reduced herbicide application, riverine buffer zones, etc.) reduced the total amount of rubber yield but enhanced habitat quality and regulating ESS. The results show that the integrated indices for the provisioning of ESS would be overestimated without the inclusion of the stakeholder groups. We conclude that policy regulations, if properly assessed with spatial models and integrated stakeholder feedback, have the potential to buffer the typical trade-off between agricultural intensification and environmental protection.
Regulatory Elements Located in the Upstream Region of the Rhizobium leguminosarum rosR Global Regulator Are Essential for Its Transcription and mRNA Stability
Authors: Rachwał Kamila , Lipa Paulina , Wojda Iwona , Vinardell José-María , Janczarek Monika
Published: December 2017

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii is a soil bacterium capable of establishing a symbiotic relationship with clover (Trifolium spp.). Previously, the rosR gene, encoding a global regulatory protein involved in motility, synthesis of cell-surface components, and other cellular processes was identified and characterized in this bacterium. This gene possesses a long upstream region that contains several regulatory motifs, including inverted repeats (IRs) of different lengths. So far, the role of these motifs in the regulation of rosR transcription has not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we performed a functional analysis of these motifs using a set of transcriptional rosR-lacZ fusions that contain mutations in these regions. The levels of rosR transcription for different mutant variants were evaluated in R. leguminosarum using both quantitative real-time PCR and β-galactosidase activity assays. Moreover, the stability of wild type rosR transcripts and those with mutations in the regulatory motifs was determined using an RNA decay assay and plasmids with mutations in different IRs located in the 5′-untranslated region of the gene. The results show that transcription of rosR undergoes complex regulation, in which several regulatory elements located in the upstream region and some regulatory proteins are engaged. These include an upstream regulatory element, an extension of the -10 element containing three nucleotides TGn (TGn-extended -10 element), several IRs, and PraR repressor related to quorum sensing.
Transcriptome Analysis of Paraburkholderia phymatum under Nitrogen Starvation and during Symbiosis with Phaseolus Vulgaris
Authors: Lardi Martina , Liu Yilei , Purtschert Gabriela , Bolzan de Campos Samanta , Pessi Gabriella
Published: December 2017

Paraburkholderia phymatum belongs to the β-subclass of proteobacteria. It has recently been shown to be able to nodulate and fix nitrogen in symbiosis with several mimosoid and papilionoid legumes. In contrast to the symbiosis of legumes with α-proteobacteria, very little is known about the molecular determinants underlying the successful establishment of this mutualistic relationship with β-proteobacteria. In this study, we performed an RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of free-living P. phymatum growing under nitrogen-replete and -limited conditions, the latter partially mimicking the situation in nitrogen-deprived soils. Among the genes upregulated under nitrogen limitation, we found genes involved in exopolysaccharides production and in motility, two traits relevant for plant root infection. Next, RNA-seq data of P. phymatum grown under free-living conditions and from symbiotic root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) were generated and compared. Among the genes highly upregulated during symbiosis, we identified—besides the nif gene cluster—an operon encoding a potential cytochrome o ubiquinol oxidase (Bphy_3646-49). Bean root nodules induced by a cyoB mutant strain showed reduced nitrogenase and nitrogen fixation abilities, suggesting an important role of the cytochrome for respiration inside the nodule. The analysis of mutant strains for the RNA polymerase transcription factor RpoN (σ54) and its activator NifA indicated that—similar to the situation in α-rhizobia—P. phymatum RpoN and NifA are key regulators during symbiosis with P. vulgaris.
Spatial, Temporal, and Dietary Variables Associated with Elevated Mercury Exposure in Peruvian Riverine Communities Upstream and Downstream of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining
Authors: Wyatt Lauren , Ortiz Ernesto , Feingold Beth , Berky Axel , Diringer Sarah , Morales Ana , Jurado Elvis , Hsu-Kim Heileen , Pan William
Published: December 2017

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a primary contributor to global mercury and its rapid expansion raises concern for human exposure. Non-occupational exposure risks are presumed to be strongly tied to environmental contamination; however, the relationship between environmental and human mercury exposure, how exposure has changed over time, and risk factors beyond fish consumption are not well understood in ASGM settings. In Peruvian riverine communities (n = 12), where ASGM has increased 4–6 fold over the past decade, we provide a large-scale assessment of the connection between environmental and human mercury exposure by comparing total mercury contents in human hair (2-cm segment, n = 231) to locally caught fish tissue, analyzing temporal exposure in women of child bearing age (WCBA, 15–49 years, n = 46) over one year, and evaluating general mercury exposure risks including fish and non-fish dietary items through household surveys and linear mixed models. Calculations of an individual’s oral reference dose using the total mercury content in locally-sourced fish underestimated the observed mercury exposure for individuals in many communities. This discrepancy was particularly evident in communities upstream of ASGM, where mercury levels in river fish, water, and sediment measurements from a previous study were low, yet hair mercury was chronically elevated. Hair from 86% of individuals and 77% of children exceeded a USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) provisional level (1.2 µg/g) that could result in child developmental impairment. Chronically elevated mercury exposure was observed in the temporal analysis in WCBA. If the most recent exposure exceeded the USEPA level, there was a 97% probability that the individual exceeded that level 8–10 months of the previous year. Frequent household consumption of some fruits (tomato, banana) and grains (quinoa) was significantly associated with 29–75% reductions in hair mercury. Collectively, these data demonstrate that communities located hundreds of kilometers from ASGM are vulnerable to chronically elevated mercury exposure. Furthermore, unexpected associations with fish mercury contents and non-fish dietary intake highlight the need for more in-depth analyses of exposure regimes to identify the most vulnerable populations and to establish potential interventions.
Femtograms of Interferon-γ Suffice to Modulate the Behavior of Jurkat Cells: A New Light in Immunomodulation
Authors: Castiglioni Sara , Miranda Vincenzo , Cazzaniga Alessandra , Campanella Marilena , Nichelatti Michele , Andena Marco , Maier Jeanette
Published: December 2017

Since interferon-γ (IFN-γ) tunes both innate and adaptive immune systems, it was expected to enter clinical practice as an immunomodulatory drug. However, the use of IFN-γ has been limited by its dose-dependent side effects. Low-dose medicine, which is emerging as a novel strategy to treat diseases, might circumvent this restriction. Several clinical studies have proved the efficacy of therapies with a low dose of cytokines subjected to kinetic activation, while no in vitro data are available. To fill this gap, we investigated whether low concentrations, in the femtogram range, of kinetically activated IFN-γ modulate the behavior of Jurkat cells, a widely used experimental model that has importantly contributed to the present knowledge about T cell signaling. In parallel, IFN-γ in the nanogram range was used and shown to activate Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 and then to induce suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), which inhibits downstream signaling. When added together, femtograms of IFN-γ interfere with the transduction cascade activated by nanograms of IFN-γ by prolonging the activation of STAT-1 through the downregulation of SOCS-1. We conclude that femtograms of IFN-γ exert an immunomodulatory action in Jurkat cells.
Protein Subcellular Localization with Gaussian Kernel Discriminant Analysis and Its Kernel Parameter Selection
Authors: Wang Shunfang , Nie Bing , Yue Kun , Fei Yu , Li Wenjia , Xu Dongshu
Published: December 2017

Kernel discriminant analysis (KDA) is a dimension reduction and classification algorithm based on nonlinear kernel trick, which can be novelly used to treat high-dimensional and complex biological data before undergoing classification processes such as protein subcellular localization. Kernel parameters make a great impact on the performance of the KDA model. Specifically, for KDA with the popular Gaussian kernel, to select the scale parameter is still a challenging problem. Thus, this paper introduces the KDA method and proposes a new method for Gaussian kernel parameter selection depending on the fact that the differences between reconstruction errors of edge normal samples and those of interior normal samples should be maximized for certain suitable kernel parameters. Experiments with various standard data sets of protein subcellular localization show that the overall accuracy of protein classification prediction with KDA is much higher than that without KDA. Meanwhile, the kernel parameter of KDA has a great impact on the efficiency, and the proposed method can produce an optimum parameter, which makes the new algorithm not only perform as effectively as the traditional ones, but also reduce the computational time and thus improve efficiency.
Bisphenol A Causes Liver Damage and Selectively Alters the Neurochemical Coding of Intrahepatic Parasympathetic Nerves in Juvenile Porcine Models under Physiological Conditions
Authors: Thoene Michael , Rytel Liliana , Dzika Ewa , Włodarczyk Andrzej , Kruminis-Kaszkiel Ewa , Konrad Ptaszyński , Wojtkiewicz Joanna
Published: December 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an extremely common polymer that is used in typical everyday products throughout the world, especially in food and beverage containers. Within the last ten years, it has been found that the BPA monomer tends to leach into foodstuffs, and nanogram concentrations of it may cause a variety of deleterious health effects. These health problems are very evident in developing children and in young adults. The aim of this study was to expose developing pigs to dietary BPA at both legally acceptable and ten-fold higher levels. Livers that had been exposed to BPA showed vacuolar degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, vascular congestion and glycogen depletion that increased with exposure levels. Furthermore, the livers of these models were then examined for irregularities and double-labeled immunofluorescence was used to check the innervated hepatic samples for varying neuronal expression of selected neuronal markers in the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). It was found that both the PSNS and all of the neuronal markers showed increased expression, with some of them being significant even at recommended safe exposure levels. The implications are quite serious since these effects have been observed at recommended safe levels with expression increasing in-line with exposure levels. The increased neuronal markers studied here have been previously correlated with behavioral/psychological disorders of children and young adults, as well as with childhood obesity and diabetes. However, further research must be performed in order to develop a mechanism for the above-mentioned correlations.
An Experimental Evaluation of Electron Beam Welded Thixoformed 7075 Aluminum Alloy Plate Material
Authors: Chegeni Ava , Kapranos Platon
Published: December 2017

Two plates of thixoformed 7075 aluminum alloy were joined using Electron Beam Welding (EBW). A post-welding-heat treatment (PWHT) was performed within the semi-solid temperature range of this alloy at three temperatures, 610, 617 and 628 °C, for 3 min. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of EB welded plates, as well as the heat-treated specimens, were investigated in the Base Metal (BM), Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), and Fusion Zone (FZ), using optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis), and Vickers hardness test. Results indicated that after EBW, the grain size substantially decreased from 67 µm in both BM and HAZ to 7 µm in the FZ, and a hardness increment was observed in the FZ as compared to the BM and HAZ. Furthermore, the PWHT led to grain coarsening throughout the material, along with a further increase in hardness in the FZ.
Laser-Assisted Mist Capillary Self-Alignment
Authors: Chang Bo , Zhu Zhaofei , Koverola Mikko , Zhou Quan
Published: December 2017

This paper reports a method combining laser die transfer and mist capillary self-alignment. The laser die transfer technique is employed to feed selected microchips from a thermal release tape onto a receiving substrate and mist capillary self-alignment is applied to align the microchips to the predefined receptor sites on the substrate in high-accuracy. The parameters for a low-power laser die transfer process have been investigated and experimentally optimized. The acting forces during the mist-induced capillary self-alignment process have been analyzed and the critical volume enabling capillary self-alignment has been estimated theoretically and experimentally. We have demonstrated that microchips can be transferred onto receptor sites in 300–400 ms using a low-power laser (100 mW), and chips can self-align to the corresponding receptor sites in parallel with alignment accuracy of 1.4 ± 0.8 μm. The proposed technique has great potential in high-throughput and high-accuracy assembly of micro devices. This paper is extended from an early conference paper (MARSS 2017).
Antifungal Activity of Ramulus cinnamomi Explored by 1H-NMR Based Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Wan Chunpeng , Li Pei , Chen Chuying , Peng Xuan , Li Mingxi , Chen Ming , Wang Junsong , Chen Jinyin
Published: December 2017

A 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based approach to metabolomics combined bioassay was used to elucidate the antifungal activity of cinnamaldehyde (the main active compound of Ramulus cinnamomi) isolated from Ramulus cinnamomi (RC). Orthogonal signal correction partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OSC-PLS-DA) of NMR data was constructed to analyze all the P. italicum data acquired from the control and treatment groups at 4, 8, and 12 h. Metabolic profiles disclosed metabolic changes that were related to the antifungal effects of cinnamaldehyde against P. italicum including oxidative stress, disorder of energy metabolism, amino acids, and nucleic acids metabolism in treatment group. This integrated metabolomics approach provided an effective way to detect the antifungal effects of cinnamaldehyde against P. italicum dynamically.
Metabolic Characterization of the Anthocyanidin Reductase Pathway Involved in the Biosynthesis of Flavan-3-ols in Elite Shuchazao Tea (Camellia sinensis) Cultivar in the Field
Authors: Zhao Lei , Jiang Xiao-Lan , Qian Yu-Mei , Wang Pei-Qiang , Xie De-Yu , Gao Li-Ping , Xia Tao
Published: December 2017

Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) is a key enzyme in the ANR biosynthetic pathway of flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins (PAs) in plants. Herein, we report characterization of the ANR pathway of flavan-3-ols in Shuchazao tea (Camellia sinesis), which is an elite and widely grown cultivar in China and is rich in flavan-3-ols providing with high nutritional value to human health. In our study, metabolic profiling was preformed to identify two conjugates and four aglycones of flavan-3-ols: (−)-epigallocatechin-gallate [(−)-EGCG], (−)-epicatechin-gallate [(−)-ECG], (−)-epigallocatechin [(−)-EGC], (−)-epicatechin [(−)-EC], (+)-catechin [(+)-Ca], and (+)-gallocatechin [(+)-GC], of which (−)-EGCG, (−)-ECG, (−)-EGC, and (−)-EC accounted for 70–85% of total flavan-3-ols in different tissues. Crude ANR enzyme was extracted from young leaves. Enzymatic assays showed that crude ANR extracts catalyzed cyanidin and delphinidin to (−)-EC and (−)-Ca and (−)-EGC and (−)-GC, respectively, in which (−)-EC and (−)-EGC were major products. Moreover, two ANR cDNAs were cloned from leaves, namely CssANRa and CssANRb. His-Tag fused recombinant CssANRa and CssANRb converted cyanidin and delphinidin to (−)-EC and (−)-Ca and (−)-EGC and (−)-GC, respectively. In addition, (+)-EC was observed from the catalysis of recombinant CssANRa and CssANRb. Further overexpression of the two genes in tobacco led to the formation of PAs in flowers and the reduction of anthocyanins. Taken together, these data indicate that the majority of leaf flavan-3-ols in Shuchazao’s leaves were produced from the ANR pathway.
Preparation of Copolymer-Based Nanoparticles with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Li Yang , Cai Pingxiong , Tong Zhang-fa , Xiao Huining , Pan Yuanfeng
Published: December 2017

Polyacrylate and guanidine-based nanoparticles which involve acrylate monomers and glycidyl methacrylate modified oligo-guanidine were prepared by a seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. The results from transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the nanoparticles were spherical in shape and the particle size was in the range of 80–130 nm. Antimicrobial experiments were performed with two types of bacteria, Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, ATCC 8739) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6538). The as-synthesized cationic nanoparticles exhibited effective antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with the minimal inhibitory concentrations at 8 μg/mL and 4 μg/mL, respectively. The mechanism of action of the resulted nanoparticles against these bacteria was revealed by the scanning electron microscopic observation. In addition, the films consisting of latex nanoparticles are non-leaching antimicrobial materials with excellent antimicrobial activity, which indicates the polymers could preserve their antimicrobial activity for long-term effectiveness.
Collective Identity, Organization, and Public Reaction in Protests: A Qualitative Case Study of Hong Kong and Taiwan
Authors: Au Anson
Published: December 2017

Mainstream structuralist and new social movement theoretical approaches to studying social movements in Western sociological traditions fail to explain why the Sunflower movement fostered solidarity among the Taiwanese while Occupy Central caused public division in Hong Kong. In response, I argue that the successes and failures of both were a function of the consolidation and division of collective identity. Using a qualitative case study, this article analyzes the discursive constructions of collective identity as they intersect with protest spaces, drawing out the events in their protest cycles and identifying the mechanisms within them that constructed and deconstructed collective identity. In doing so, I illustrate three phases of collective identity construction: the creation of collective claims, recruitment strategies, and expressive decision-making. Ultimately, this explicates the movements’ differing outcomes, and how their decline both narrowed and broadened identity in ways that provide a repertoire of ideological narratives usable as recruitment strategies in future mobilizations.
Smart Tirana
Authors: Lerario Antonella , Varasano Antonietta , Di Turi Silvia , Maiellaro Nicola
Published: December 2017

Albania represents an interesting case of a newly emerging destination in the international tourist market, with intensive pressures coming from seasonal visit flows and the related impacts on the environment. The Albanian Culture Marketing Strategy, while correctly focusing on heritage for the de-seasoning of visits in congested areas and for awareness-raising about the country’s cultural identity among tourists and residents, presents some limitations in the definition of application patterns and concrete solutions. In particular, the active contribution of potential users, of ICTs and, in particular, the potentialities of widespread tools such as mobile apps seem to be overlooked. In this article, the current scenario of the Albanian tourism sector, with particular emphasis on the cultural segment, is presented through a detailed analysis of relevant program documents in order to outline strengths and weaknesses of the underlying approach. Then, the potential contribution of mobile apps to the sustainable development of destinations are analyzed and the market of available technologies is presented through a taxonomy of a consistent number of representative cases. Finally, the SOS-Tirana app is presented and its adequateness to the context is discussed.
China’s Water-Saving Irrigation Management System: Policy, Implementation, and Challenge
Authors: Yao Liuyang , Zhao Minjuan , Xu Tao
Published: December 2017

In response to the increased competition for water, the Chinese government has determined to promote water-saving irrigation (WSI) followed by a range of institutional arrangements and policy goals. Three management mechanisms are analyzed in this study in terms of effectiveness, including the top-down regulation mechanism using direct control or economic instruments, the design-bid funding mechanism mobilizing local governments by competitive grants program, and the bottom-up participation mechanism transferring more irrigation management responsibilities to end-users. Although the WSI management has achieved notable improvements by the combination of different mechanisms, conflicts among different policy goals, uneven distribution of financial resources, and insufficient participation from water users caused the difficulty in aligning stakeholders’ incentives. Approaches are needed to enable sustainable management by coordinating incentives from different stakeholders in the management, as well as incorporating end water users to assist decision-making.
Analysis Framework of China’s Grain Production System: A Spatial Resilience Perspective
Authors: Ge Dazhuan , Long Hualou , Ma Li , Zhang Yingnan , Tu Shuangshuang
Published: December 2017

China’s grain production has transformed from absolute shortage to a current structural oversupply. High-intensity production introduced further challenges for the eco-environment, smallholder livelihood, and the man-land interrelationship. Driven by urban-rural transformation, research on food security patterns and grain production has expanded into a new field. To analyze the challenges and required countermeasures for China’s grain production system (GPS), this study constructed a theoretical GPS framework based on space resilience. Firstly, a new GPS concept was proposed and a functional system was established for protecting the regional food security, thus guaranteeing smallholder livelihood, stabilizing urban-rural transformation, and sustaining the eco-environment in terms of economic, social, and ecological attributes of the GPS. Secondly, based on a cross-scale interaction analysis that varied from a smallholder scale to a global scale, the systematic crisis of the GPS was analyzed. Thirdly, a cross-scale analytic framework of the GPS was formed from the perspective of spatial resilience, integrating both inner and external disturbance factors of the GPS. Both spatial heterogeneity and connectivity of internal and external disturbance factors are important contents of system space resilience. Finally, the hierarchy of spatial resilience of GPS became clear. The transformation of labor force and the land use transition form key thresholds of the GPS. In summary: based on protecting the basic functions of the GPS, the cross-scale effect of systematic disturbance factors and relevant countermeasures for spatial resilience are effectively influenced by the coordination of the interests of multiple stakeholders; spatial resilience is an effective analytical tool for GPS regulation, providing a reference for revealing the inherent mechanism and functional evolution of the GPS in the process of urban-rural transformation.
The Role of Renewable Energy in the Promotion of Circular Urban Metabolism
Authors: Barragán-Escandón Antonio , Terrados-Cepeda Julio , Zalamea-León Esteban
Published: December 2017

Cities are human creations requiring large amounts of materials and energy. Constant consumption of resources exerts pressure on the environment not only due to its exploitation, but also because once processed, the resources produce waste, emissions or effluents. Cities are responsible for more than three quarters of the emissions of greenhouse gases. It is anticipated that the urban population will increase by up to 80% by the mid-21st century, which will make the current energy model unsustainable, as it is based on the intensive use of fossil resources. A change in urban planning is required to meet the energy requirements of cities. Several studies mention that renewable energy must be used in cities, but they do not identify the resources and technologies that can be used to promote circular urban metabolism. A review of the literature establishes that there are eleven renewable technologies with different degrees of maturity that could reduce the import of energy resources, which would contribute to changing the metabolic linear model into a circular model. However, the applicability of the different possibilities is conditional upon the availability of resources, costs, policies and community acceptance.