bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of curcumin with piperine supplementation on pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Mirhafez Seyed Reza , Farimani Azam Rezaei , Gholami Ali , Hooshmand Elham , Tavallaie Shima , Nobakht M. Gh B. Fatemeh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe main causes of the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are enhanced levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation products. Therefore, the usage of antioxidant agents for the prevention and remedy of this disorder was recommended. Curcumin is proposed to treat NAFLD due to its high antioxidative activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of curcumin with piperine supplementation on oxidative stress in subjects with NAFLD.MethodsIn this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 55 subjects were randomly divided into two groups (curcumin with piperine and placebo). The participants received administrations of curcumin (500 mg) in combination with piperine (5 mg) and placebo daily for 8 weeks. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring serum pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance (PAB) assay before and after the intervention.ResultsThe serum PAB values did not significantly change between the treatment group vs. age and gender-matched placebo group after 8 weeks of supplementation. Also, curcumin in combination with piperine did not show a significant decrease (p = 0.06) in PAB levels compared to baseline.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that a dose of curcumin, co-supplied with piperine might be less than a dose in which curcumin can significantly decrease PAB values in these patients.
On obstacle problem for mean curvature flow with driving force
Authors: Giga Yoshikazu , Tran Hung V. , Zhang Longjie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we study an obstacle problem associated with the mean curvature flow with constant driving force. Our first main result concerns interior and boundary regularity of the solution. We then study in details the large time behavior of the solution and obtain the convergence result. In particular, we give full characterization of the limiting profiles in the radially symmetric setting.
On the syntax/pragmatics interface: Expressing surprise and disapproval
Authors: Giorgi Alessandra , Farra Chiara Dal 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this work we consider Italian special questions expressing surprise and question-exclamatives expressing surprise-disapproval. Both sentence types are introduced by the adversative particlema. In order to better understand the role of prosody and gesture in these structures with respect to syntax, we run some experiments of sentence production and sentence elicitation. The results point to an integrated model of the three components: syntax prosody and gestures. We will show in fact that the appropriate prosody and gesture are triggered by a dedicated projection in the syntactic structure, which is read off at the interface with the sensorimotor component.
Implementing Disaster Policy: Exploring Scale and Measurement Schemes for Disaster Resilience
Authors: Cutter Susan L. , Derakhshan Sahar 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Resilience measurement continues to be a meeting ground between policy makers and academics. However, there are inherent limitations in measuring disaster resilience. For example, resilience indicators produced by FEMA and one produced by an independent academic group (BRIC) measure community resilience by defining and quantifying community resilience at a national level, but they each have a different conceptual model of the resilience concept. The FEMA approach focuses on measuring resilience capacity based on preparedness capabilities embodied in the National Preparedness Goals at state and county scales. BRIC examines community (spatially defined as county) components (or capitals) that influence resilience and provides a baseline of pre-existing resilience in places to enable periodic updates to measure resilience improvements. Using these two approaches as examples, this paper examines the differences and similarities in these two approaches in terms of the conceptual framing, data resolution, and representation and the resultant statistical and spatial differences in outcomes. Users of resilience measurement tools need to be keenly aware of the conceptual framing, input data, and geographic scale of any schema before implementation as these parameters can and do make a difference in the outcome even when they claim to be measuring the same concept.
Integrating Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Education
Authors: Pucker Boas , Schilbert Hanna Marie , Schumacher Sina Franziska 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Combined awareness about the power and limitations of bioinformatics and molecular biology enables advanced research based on high-throughput data. Despite an increasing demand of scientists with a combined background in both fields, the education of dry and wet lab subjects are often still separated. This work describes an example of integrated education with a focus on genomics and transcriptomics. Participants learned computational and molecular biology methods in the same practical course. Peer-review was applied as a teaching method to foster cooperative learning of students with heterogeneous backgrounds. The positive evaluation results indicate that this approach was accepted by the participants and would likely be suitable for wider scale application.
Focalization of Heat Waves in an Inhomogeneous System
Authors: Sellitto Antonio , Amendola Ada , Jou David 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Curved interfaces between material media with different characteristic speed for heat waves may be the basis for thermal lenses, concentrating the energy carried by parallel thermal rays on a focal point. This may be of practical use for the amplification of thermal signals and for the development of sensitive thermal sensors. When dissipative attenuation effects are taken into account, it turns out that these lenses could be of special interest in miniaturized probes, or in micro/nanosystems, and the optimization of the thermal lens for signal amplification may be calculated.
Unverdiente Privilegien? Zur Kritik atheistischer Überlegenheitsansprüche und deren Legitimierung durch den Evidentialismus
Authors: Grube Dirk-Martin 
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung
Im ersten Teil dieses Aufsatzes werden einige der Strategien, mit deren Hilfe Atheisten unverdiente Privilegien für ihre Position reklamieren, analysiert. Insbesondere wird dabei auf den Zusammenhang zwischen dem Evidentialismus und der Vorstellung eingegangen, dass der Atheismus die natürliche Ausgangsposition ist („presumption of atheism“, Anthony Flew). Zudem wird untersucht, inwiefern die Ausschaltung des Agnostizismus als dritte Option zwischen Theismus und Atheismus zur diskursiven Privilegierung des Atheismus beiträgt (bei Paul Cliteur). Im zweiten Teil wird der Evidentialismus als kontextabhängige Begründungstheorie rekonstruiert und das (A)theismusproblem im Handlungs- statt im Erkenntniskontext situiert. Dadurch werden einseitige Verteilungen der Begründunglast vermieden, vor allem der atheistische Versuch, der Theistin die volle Begründungslast aufzubürden und gleichzeitig den Atheisten von allen Begründungslasten zu befreien. Dadurch kann der Diskurs um das (A)theismusproblem ohne die Zuschreibung unverdienter Privilegien rekonstruiert werden.
St. Augustine and China: A Reflection on Augustinian Studies in Mainland China
Authors: Yuan Gao 
Published: May 2019

Summary
Augustine of Hippo was one of the most influential church father in Western Christianity. However, little attention has been paid Augustine’s significance for China in the early history of Sino-Western theological and cultural dialogue. This article aims to fill this gap by providing a historical and documentary study of the reception of Augustine in China, with particular focus on the issue of how the story of Augustine was introduced into China and how Augustinian studies was developed as an independent discipline at the present stage of Chinese theological studies. Examining the newly discovered Chinese biographies of Augustine, the first section explores the early introduction of the story of Augustine during the Ming and Qing Empires, identifying the Catholic and the Protestant approaches to the translation of Augustine’s biography. The second section addresses Augustinian studies in the Minguo period (1912–1949) and analyses various approaches to the study of St. Augustine. The third section proceeds to the stage of the establishment of the new China (PRC), with a careful survey of Augustinian studies after the Cultural Revolution (1976–present). In particular, the new exploration by Chinese Augustinian scholars over the last five years will be highlighted. Based on the above observations, the article concludes with the evaluation that the biography of St. Augustine was adopted by the early Jesuits as an additional advantage for propagating the Christian faith in the Chinese context, in which the policy of cultural accommodation (initiated by Michele Ruggieri and Matteo Ricci) had proved a useful approach for theological contextualization and would continue to serve as a resourceful strategy in the Chinese approach to Augustinian theology as well as an effective method for deepening the Sino-Western theological dialogue.
Was will Russland mit den vielen Mittelstreckenwaffen?
Authors: Brauß Heinrich , Krause Joachim 
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung
Der Aufsatz befasst sich mit der Frage, was Russland dazu veranlasst hat, nach langer Pause erneut in nuklearfähige Mittelstreckenwaffen zu investieren, die vornehmlich gegen Ziele in Europa gerichtet sind. Die Autoren gelangen zu dem Ergebnis, dass die russische Rüstung nicht mit dem Aktions-Gegenreaktions-Theorem erklärt werden kann, sondern sich aus dem spezifisch russischen Militäransatz ergibt. Russland verspricht sich offenkundig entscheidende strategische Vorteile im Sinne einer Eskalationsdominanz gegenüber den USA und der NATO für den Fall eines regionalen Krieges in Europa – eines Krieges, der aller Voraussicht nach nur von Russland ausgehen würde. Die westliche Allianz sollte auf die Politik Moskaus vor allem mit einer Verbesserung der Fähigkeit zur konventionellen Verteidigung der baltischen Staaten und Polens reagieren, denn die russische Mittelstreckenrüstung macht nur Sinn im Rahmen eines regionalen Kriegsszenarios. Allerdings wird die NATO nicht umhinkommen, das eigene Nukleardispositiv entsprechend anzupassen.
Die Religionspädagogik und das Grundgesetz. Sondierungen zu einem dynamisch-geistreichen Wechselverhältnis
Authors: Schlag Thomas 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
By taking recourse to the conditions surrounding the origin of the specific content of Germany’s federal Constitution which is relevant for matters of religion, the essential constitutional foundations of the responsibility to offer religious education also come into view. At the same time, such an historical orientation allows to define more closely, in accordance with the “spirit” of the Constitution, what the current challenges for religious education are and to do it in such a way as to inform current and future discussions of it. The stipulations of the Constitution and of fundamental rights which are relevant for the topic of religion are, in the truest sense of the term, not carved in stone. They require, rather, an ongoing transformation which is appropriate to the current situation and which results in concrete processes of education which are oriented towards democracy and human rights.
The uninterrupted life is not worth living: On religious education and the public sphere
Authors: Biesta Gert , Hannam Patricia 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
In this paper we explore the relationship between religious education and the public sphere, suggesting that religious education, if it takes its educational remit seriously, has to be orientated towards the public sphere where human beings exist together in and with the world. Rather than seeing religion as propositional belief, we argue for an existential approach that focuses on the question as to what it means to exist religiously. We offer educational and theological arguments for our position and, along both lines, seek to (re)connect religion and religious education to the idea of democracy.
Concrete Performance of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Compared with Conventional Cements
Authors: Avet François , Sofia Lionel , Scrivener Karen 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
This study aims to demonstrate the robustness of concrete made of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3). Two campaigns were carried out using 375 kg.m−3 and 500 kg.m−3 of binder and targeting plastic and self-placing workability, respectively. The concrete performance of LC3 was compared with plain portland cement (PC), slag cement, and a blend containing silica fume. The density of concrete was found very similar between the different types of binders. The amount of superplasticizer required to reach the workability criteria was higher for the blend with silica fume compared with LC3. Moreover, the increase of workability required the same increment of superplasticizer, independent on the type of binder. In terms of strength, 57.2 MPa and 72.3 MPa were reached at 28 days for LC3 for the first and for the second campaign. Similar strength to PC is obtained for LC3 for all ages for the first campaign, outperforming slag concrete. For the second campaign, similar strength to PC is reached at 7 days. Very low absorption and resistance to freeze–thaw with deicing salt were measured. The air permeability was found lower for LC3 than PC. CO2 emissions per unit strength are significantly reduced for LC3 compared with PC, and with other blends for the first campaign.
New Welding Joint Geometries Manufactured by Powder Bed Fusion from 316L
Authors: Schwarz Alexander , Gebhardt Andreas , Schleser Markus , Popoola Patricia 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
In metal additive manufacturing, an increasing demand for large size parts occurs. However, because of the economics of size, the manufacturing costs for parts do not increase linearly with their volumes. It is often economically unreasonable to directly produce large size components. Instead of directly building parts, technologies like hybrid building are used. To avoid extensive clamping devices for welding, additive manufacturing can be used to design new gap geometries. With these new geometries, the positions of the parts can be defined and the deformations that are due to thermal influences by the welding process can be reduced. Nevertheless, the powder bed fusion process leads to a different microstructure that needs to be taken into account for the welding process. The new microstructure leads to an extensive shrinkage during welding that exceeds the shrinkage of conventionally produced parts. To avoid the shrinkage, the weld gap design not only has to fulfill the requirements of conventional welding but it also needs to avoid the shrinkage of the parts. The resulting shrinkage of the parts is, in one way, a disadvantage, but it can also be used as an advantage for subsequent laser welding processes. If additively manufactured parts should be laser welded to get a smooth weld surface, normally post-processing must be performed to fulfill the necessary gap distance. This can be avoided by combining different welding processes. If the backside of a part is first welded by conventional welding, the resulting shrinkage will close the gap on the structured surface. If laser welding is then applied to a structured surface, it is nearly impossible to see the weld. This article will present new designs for welding joints and show how the different welding behavior can be used to improve the additively manufactured parts for hybrid welding processes.
Reciprocal Inhibitory Glomerular Circuits Contribute to Excitation–Inhibition Balance in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Shao Zuoyi , Liu Shaolin , Zhou Fuwen , Puche Adam C. , Shipley Michael T. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe major inhibitory interneurons in olfactory bulb (OB) glomeruli are periglomerular cells (PGCs) and short axon cells (SACs). PGCs and SACs provide feedforward inhibition to all classes of projection neurons, but inhibition between PGCs and SACs is not well understood. We crossed Cre and GFP transgenic mice and used virally-delivered optogenetic constructs to selectively activate either SACs or GAD65cre-ChR2-positive PGCs while recording from identified GAD65cre-ChR2-positive PGCs or SACs, respectively, to investigate inhibitory interactions between these two interneuron types. We show that GAD65cre-ChR2-positive PGCs robustly inhibit SACs and SACs strongly inhibit PGCs. SACs form the interglomerular circuit, which inhibits PGCs in distant glomeruli. Activation of GAD65cre-ChR2-positive PGCs monosynaptically inhibit mitral cells (MCs), which complements recent findings that SACs directly inhibit MCs. Thus, both classes of glomerular inhibitory neurons inhibit each other, as well as OB output neurons. We further show that olfactory nerve input to one glomerulus engages the interglomerular circuit and inhibits PGCs in distant glomeruli. Sensory activation of the interglomerular circuit directly inhibits output neurons in other glomeruli and by inhibiting intraglomerular PGCs, may potentially disinhibit output neurons in other glomeruli. The nature and context of odorant stimuli may determine whether inhibition or excitation prevails so that odors are represented in part by patterns of active and inactive glomeruli.
Peripheral location and infiltrative margin predict invasive features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma
Authors: Lee Woo Kyung , Lee Jandee , Kim Hyunji , Lee Seul Gi , Choi Sun Hyung , Jeong Seonhyang , Kwon Hyeong Ju , Jung Sang Geun , Jo Young Suk 
Published: May 2019

Objective
Tumor location in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) might determine tumor outgrowth from the thyroid gland. However, the clinical implications of tumor location and minimal extrathyroid extension (mETE) have not been well elucidated. We aimed to investigate the relationship between tumor location and mETE to predict the aggressiveness of PTMC.

Methods
A total of 858 patients with PTMC were grouped according to tumor location on ultrasonography: central (cPTMC) and peripheral PTMC (pPTMC). PTMC without mETE (PTMC-mETE(−)) was divided further according to margin shape: encapsulated (E−) or infiltrative (I−). To understand the molecular biologic characteristics of PTMC presenting with an I-margin and mETE, transcriptome data from TCGA-THCA were analyzed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA).

Results
pPTMC (n = 807, 94.1%) accounted for the majority of cases; mETE was identified only in pPTMC (403/807; 49.9%). pPTMC-mETE(+) showed aggressive clinical characteristics that increased the odds ratio (OR) for lymph node metastasis (LNM). Interestingly, subgroup analysis of PTMC-mETE(−) revealed that the I-margin also increased the OR for LNM, independent of other clinical factors. GSEA of TCGA-THCA data suggested coordinated upregulation of genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PTC with mETE. Immunohistochemical staining for laminin subunit gamma 2 (LAMC2), CD59, E-cadherin and vimentin showed that these markers of EMT were associated with progressive changes in E-margin PTMC-mETE(−), I-margin PTMC-mETE(−) and pPTMC-mETE(+).

Conclusion
mETE related to peripheral location of PTMC is an important predictor of tumor invasiveness, as is the I-margin, which presents with EMT features similar to mETE. I-margin PTMC-mETE(−) and pPTMC-mETE(+) might reflect the pattern of invasive PTMC.
Role of polygenic risk in susceptibility to accelerated pubertal onset following chronic stress exposure
Authors: Sun Ying , Fang Jiao , Wan Yuhui , Su Puyu , Tao Fangbiao 
Published: May 2019

Objective
Previous finding suggests that children growing up under chronic stress tend to experience earlier sexual maturity. The present study aims to examine polygenic risk by experience interaction in predicting pubertal timing, as well as provide insight regarding the relevance of two G × E paradigms.

Design and methods
Data were analyzed from a 3-year prospective puberty cohort in Anhui Province, China. Breast Tanner stage and testicular volume (TV) of 997 children were annually assessed. The polygenic risk score (PRS) was computed based on 17 SNPs for early pubertal timing. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were assessed in the first 3 cm hair segment as a biological marker of chronic stress.

Results
Comparing with participants under moderate levels of stress as measured by HCC, the puberty-accelerating effects of chronic stress were only observed among girls with moderate (1.7 months earlier, P = 0.007) and low genetic susceptibility (2.2 months earlier, P < 0.001) and among boys with high genetic susceptibility (2.0 months earlier, P = 0.005). Polygenic differences (PRSs) in age at thelarche was most prominent in those with low levels of stress by HCC (9.06, 9.36 and 9.53 years for high, moderate and low PRS, respectively; F = 105.06, P < 0.0001), while polygenic differences in age at TV ≥4 mL was strongest in those under chronic stress (10.91, 11.06 and 11.17 years for high, moderate and low PRS, respectively; F = 100.48, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion
Chronic stress predicts earlier age at pubertal onset in a sex-specific and genetic background-dependent manner. The bioecological G × E model for girls and diathesis stress model for boys in pubertal timing warrants further investigation.
Protein Kinase D Is Dispensable for Development and Survival ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Maier Dieter , Nagel Anja C , Kelp Alexandra , Preiss Anette 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMembers of the Protein Kinase D (PKD) family are involved in numerous cellular processes in mammals, including cell survival after oxidative stress, polarized transport of Golgi vesicles, as well as cell migration and invasion. PKD proteins belong to the PKC/CAMK class of serine/threonine kinases, and transmit diacylglycerol-regulated signals. Whereas three PKD isoforms are known in mammals, Drosophila melanogaster contains a single PKD homolog. Previous analyses using overexpression and RNAi studies indicated likewise multi-facetted roles for Drosophila PKD, including the regulation of secretory transport and actin-cytoskeletal dynamics. Recently, involvement in growth regulation has been proposed based on the hypomorphic dPKDH allele. We have generated PKD null alleles that are homozygous viable without apparent phenotype. They largely match control flies regarding fertility, developmental timing and weight. Males, but not females, are slightly shorter lived and starvation sensitive. Furthermore, migration of pole cells in embryos and border cells in oocytes appears normal. PKD mutants tolerate heat, cold and osmotic stress like the control but are sensitive to oxidative stress, conforming to the described role for mammalian PKDs. A candidate screen to identify functionally redundant kinases uncovered genetic interactions of PKD with Pkcδ, sqa and Drak mutants, further supporting the role of PKD in oxidative stress response, and suggesting its involvement in starvation induced autophagy and regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics. Overall, PKD appears dispensable for fly development and survival presumably due to redundancy, but influences environmental responses.