Clear Off Research Articles

Pedagogical Skeptics and Challenges towards the Application of Drones in Teaching and Learning Sciences

Drone application and implementation in various domains of work and life have transformed technology in numerous ways. Drone technology has greatly benefited various industries while also making the lives of various professionals easier in completing complex tasks in a short period. Studies proved that by introducing drones into classrooms, teachers would have a new means to make learning more fun, innovative, interactive, and collaborative for students. Drones can be applied in challenging subjects like sciences: Computer science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, and others to clear off difficulties in some abstract concepts by giving real-world applications to the problems. However, some teachers are skeptical of the use of drones in science teaching and learning. The purpose of this paper is to investigate teachers’ actions and reactions to the application and implementation of drone technology in the classroom. It goes on to explain how teachers’ knowledge and professional development, students’ attention being diverted to technology design and models rather than learning outcomes, a lack of adequate technical support, and fear of technological maintenance cost and sustainability all serve as barriers to proper drone implementation in the classroom. Using Google Forms, teachers (both pre-service and in-service) were asked how the aforementioned factors affect drone application. Given the time constraints for this study, a purposive sampling approach was used to recruit 60 respondents. The instrument’s contents were validated with the use of the ‘face validity’ method. The 0.77 reliability index demonstrated that the instrument’s reliability strengths were accurately positive. The collected and compiled results were analyzed using graphical representations for better presentation and visualization. According to the findings, teachers’ knowledge of emerging technologies and professional development needs to be improved to keep up with the trend and applications of various tools that can aid effective science teaching and learning. Similarly, proper guidance is required to prevent students from becoming distracted by the fashion and gleaming designs of drones. Similarly, the government should provide maximum support to schools through subsidies to ensure technology accessibility. The functionality, safety, and care of the drones should also be maintained by the school administration. It is then suggested that frequent training and re-training for both teaching and non-teaching staff be organized to ensure proper and continuous use of drones in classrooms.

84‐3: A Novel 2D Diffractive Liquid Crystal Smart Window using Single‐sided Engineered Electrode Structure

Smart window technology has been studied actively because it can simply control optical property of window by external power. Among various smart window technology, a phase grating liquid crystal (LC) device shows outstanding properties such as clear off state, high haze in on state, and no viewing angle dependence. Although it can have excellent optical performance, an LC phase grating device requires complicated pattern electrode structure on both top and bottom substrate. To make the device in cost effectiveness, it is required that simple and cost saving design of LC cell is essential.In this presentation, we will introduce our recent progress in LC phase grating smart window. Based on the optimal LC cell design, a trade‐off between performance and cost was minimized while maintaining the advantages of previously researched phase grating LC smart window.

Performance critical comparison of offline SPE, online SPE, and direct injection for the determination of CECs in complex liquid environmental matrices

Sample preparation for the analysis of organic micropollutants in wastewater samples is commonly carried out by solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures, which involve different manual laboratory operations. This conventional approach requires several hours of counter labour and entail the use of a lot of disposable material, and the subsequent contaminated non-recyclable plastic-residue production. In contrast, by coupling and automatizing the pre-treatment to the instrumental analysis most of that burden erases, sample size gets miniaturized and, thus, storage becomes freed-up. Even lab counters get cleared off from sample pre-treatment apparatus. However, method performance could get alter as a trade-off. This paper presents the results from a study in which methodology, including SPE online-coupled to UHPLC-MS/MS chromatography, was developed for multi-residue (58) determination of veterinary and pharmaceutical drugs in urban and piggery wastewater (influent and effluent to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)). Similarly, the direct injection (DI) of large volumes (hundreds of µL) of same matrix samples into the chromatographic system was optimized too. The performance of both automated methods was statistically compared with the classical off-line SPE. As dealing with trace analysis, suitable injection volumes for the alternative approaches were selected on the premise of low limits of quantification (MLQs). Under the selected conditions, validation parameters such as linearity range, method quantification limits, peak shape and carry over were determined. Usually more than 50 % of the analytes showed MLQs below 50 ng/L, for all matrices and methodologies, especially for DI. Real wastewater samples from a local urban WWTP and farm were analysed with all three tested methodologies. Determined concentrations and removal rates were statistically compared and turned out being quite similar. However, analysis under offline SPE and DI approaches provided a larger amount of information as they reached lower MLQs. Offline-SPE provided the worst precision among all.

A free boundary problem for a flexible loan based on the borrower asset

In this paper, a restricted free boundary problem model for the remaining loan value under a flexible repayment method is proposed. The model is formulated as a weak coupling problem between parabolic variational inequality and partial differential equation. The existence and uniqueness of the solution are obtained. Some properties of the free boundary, such as boundedness, monotonicity and smoothness, are also studied. Especially, the relationship between the free boundary and its lower bound threshold is discussed. As the expected clear off time of the loan cannot be analytically expressed, numerical calculation is shown. Some numerical results for the free boundary are also presented.

Ultra‐Flexible Biodegradable Pressure Sensitive Field Effect Transistors for Hands‐Free Control of Robot Movements

Sensitive flexible pressure sensors are needed in applications such as health monitoring, robotics, and wearable systems. Herein, crumpled graphene flakes network (c‐GFN) channel based highly sensitive pressure sensing field effect transistors (PRESSFETs) are presented. The solution‐processed PRESSFET devices are developed on ultrathin (≈3 μm thick) biodegradable graphene oxide–chitosan (GO–CS) substrate. The distinctive crumpled morphology of GFN leads to a bandgap of 800 meV, which allows the device to have clear ON and OFF electronic states and low subthreshold swing. The presented device can work over a dynamic pressure range (0.5–2 kPa), while exhibiting good electrical stability and repeatability during rapid switching. The application of the presented device is demonstrated by attaching them to the temple regions of the face and pressing them with flexure and relaxation of respective temporalis muscles for hands‐free control of the movements of a robotic device. The pressure sensing device turns ON when the facial temporalis muscle is flexed and returns to the OFF state when it is relaxed. Finally, the degradability of the devices is presented to demonstrate their easy disposability and potential for zero electronic waste.

P121 Effect of corticosteroids on the host innate immune response and in vitro growth characters during dermatophyte infection.

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PMObjectiveDuring the current epidemic of dermatophytosis, dermatologists in India are noticing atypical clinical presentations of dermatophytosis lesions. Though fixed drug combinations of topical application containing corticosteroid-antifungal-antibacterial drugs are attributed to this phenomenon, it is still not clear about its exact role. Corticosteroids alleviate itching but do not clear off dermatophyte infection from the skin surfaces, which may lead to a relapse of dermatophytosis. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of corticosteroids on host immune response and pathogen in vitro during dermatophyte infection.MethodologyPatients (n = 15) were recruited in three groups; proven cases of dermatophytosis with a history of corticosteroid usage for >30 days (Group A), dermatophytosis with no history of corticosteroid usage for >30 days (Group B), and patients without dermatophytosis and expected to have normal skin (Group C). Skin biopsies were collected and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cytokine expression study. All in vitro experiments were performed with HaCaT Keratinocytes cell line co-cultured with Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex conidia isolated from dermatophytosis (n = 4) and standard strain (n = 1, ATCC 18748). Biopsies were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and dehydrated through (50%-100%) ethanol gradient. RT-PCR expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-1α, IFN-ϒ, TLR-2, and TLR-4) from skin biopsies and HaCaT cells were conducted using beta-actin as reference gene. The viability and Cell-cycle analysis of HaCaT cells in the presence and absence of clobetasol propionate (0.05% w/w) was performed by MTT assay and Propidium Iodide (PI) staining via flow cytometry, respectively. Growth kinetics of dermatophytes was performed for 96 h in presence and absence of corticosteroid. Expression of sulfite efflux pump gene (ssu1) and pH response gene (pacC), involved in virulence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex clinical isolates from classical and atypical lesions (n = 3 each) as well as standard ATCC 18748 was studied by RT-PCR. All results were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 6 software.ResultsSEM results showed skin atrophy in skin biopsies from patients with steroid usage. Relative gene expression (2-Δct) of pro-inflammatory cytokines from skin biopsies was significantly reduced in IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-ϒ, TLR-2 (P-values = .001; .005; .004; .001) in steroid-modified tinea group. Similarly, a difference was observed in keratinocytes in vitro. According to in vitro analysis clobetasol propionate treatment significantly arrests HaCaT cells in the S/G2M phase (P-value = .04). Corticosteroid slows down the growth of dermatophytes in the presence of corticosteroid. A significant upregulation was observed in ssu1 during co-culture of dermatophytes with HaCaT cells as well when co-culture was treated with corticosteroid as compared to the culture alone whereas significant changes were not observed with pacC in similar conditions.ConclusionIncreased atrophy caused by corticosteroids allows dermatophytes to thrive on the intact keratin when steroid pressure is removed. Reduced cytokine response, viability, and S-phase arrest in host correlate with delayed clearance of dermatophyte infection from skin. Delayed growth of dermatophytes in the presence of corticosteroids and upregulation of ssu1 in dermatophytes when co-cultured with keratinocytes and corticosteroid correlates with recurrent infection. In addition, increased production of sulfite ions that degrade keratin may lead to the formation of widespread lesions.

Effects of hypoxia on respiratory diseases: perspective view of epithelial ion transport.

The balance of gas exchange and lung ventilation is essential for the maintenance of body homeostasis. There are many ion channels and transporters in respiratory epithelial cells, including epithelial sodium channel, Na,K-ATPase, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and some transporters. These ion channels/transporters maintain the capacity of liquid layer on the surface of respiratory epithelial cells and provide an immune barrier for the respiratory system to clear off foreign pathogens. However, in some harmful external environments and/or pathological conditions, the respiratory epithelium is prone to hypoxia, which would destroy the ion transport function of the epithelium and unbalance the homeostasis of internal environment, triggering a series of pathological reactions. Many respiratory diseases associated with hypoxia manifest an increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1, which mediates the integrity of the epithelial barrier and affects epithelial ion transport function. It is important to study the relationship between hypoxia and ion transport function, whereas the mechanism of hypoxia-induced ion transport dysfunction in respiratory diseases is not clear. This review focuses on the relationship between hypoxia and respiratory diseases, as well as dysfunction of ion transport and tight junctions in respiratory epithelial cells under hypoxia.

Plaster of Paris

Plaster of Paris Mark Irwin (bio) The chocolate melting in the sun. I untie the bow, take the clear wrapper off,smudging the dark on my fingers. I remember asking her the name of the elephant,before she died. She was the last one who would know. Years later, clearing outthe house, I found the plaster cast of her hand that I'd made in art class. I dusted itoff and thirty years later began to paint it as it was—the pink-flesh tones, a pencilto make the knuckle-lines more-fine, then some white on the crescent fingernails.In Paris later, I discovered that the plaster powder is named from the calcium sulfitemined near Montmartre. The elephant's name was Charley. Six-years old, askedto feed it, I stuffed the entire plastic bag in his trunk. When I returned to the zoowith my father, 14 years later, the elephant remembered, dousing me with water.I keep the plaster hand in a sweater drawer. The resemblance too striking to keepout. It reaches slightly upward while slightly closed, as if it's caught something.The body's clock of blood and bone. I'm eating the chocolate now. My handdark and sweet with it as I keep folding and unfolding the map of Paris. [End Page 182] Mark Irwin Mark Irwin is the author of ten collections of poetry, including Shimmer (2020), A Passion According to Green (2017), American Urn: Selected Poems (1987-2014), and Bright Hunger (2004). Recognition for his work includes The Nation/Discovery Award, two Colorado Book Awards, four Pushcart Prizes, the James Wright Poetry Award, the Philip Levine Prize for Poetry, and fellowships from the Fulbright, Lilly, and NEA. Copyright © 2022 Pleiades and Pleiades Press

Predictive Value of Ambulatory Objective Movement Measurement for Outcomes of Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel Infusion

Patients with Parkinson’s disease that may benefit from device-assisted therapy can be identified with guidelines like Navigate PD. The decision to offer advanced treatment and the choice of treatment modality are, however, not straightforward, and some patients respond less favorably to a chosen therapy. Measurements with the Parkinson Kinetigraph (PKG) can detect motor fluctuations and could therefore predict patients that respond better or worse to intestinal levodopa/carbidopa gel infusion (LCIG). In a retrospective analysis of 45 patients that had been selected to start LCIG between 2014 and 2020, the effects of baseline PKG and clinical characteristic on the outcome were determined with ordinal regression. Although all patients had been found to have handicapping medication-related symptom fluctuations, patients without clear objective off fluctuations in the baseline PKG had low odds ratio for success. Lower odds for success were also found with increasing age, whereas gender, medication intensity and baseline PKG summary scores (median bradykinesia and dyskinesia scores, fluctuation dyskinesia score and percent time with tremor) had no significant effect. Absence of easily identified off-periods in the PKG has a negative prognostic value for the effect of LCIG and could prompt noninvasive infusion evaluation before surgery.

Rattan-based solar evaporator with natural hierarchical and gradient pore structure for synergetic salt resistance and stable freshwater generation

The solar-driven interface evaporation (SIE) is considered as a potential approach for desalinating seawater and obtaining clean water. However, most reported SIE systems can hardly handle with the accumulating salt crystals. Herein, a new type of SIE device based on surface-carbonized rattan (C-rattan) is presented for high-performance and salt-free desalination. Owing to the hierarchical channels in each vascular bundle and the natural gradient structure of the rattan stem, the C-rattan evaporator can spontaneously generate salinity gradients between and within the vascular bundles that form a synergistic effect to prompt salt exchange and high-salinity solution reflow. In addition to a high water evaporation rate of 1.47 kg m−2 h−1 and an efficiency of 90.4% under 1 sun illumination, the C-rattan also presents an outstanding salt resistance ability and an evaporation rate of 1.17 kg m−2 h−1 even for the high-salinity brines (20 wt% NaCl solution). Additionally, the C-rattan possesses the self-cleaning ability that enables it to clear off extra added salt during the solar desalination process. Considering its low-cost and sustainable raw materials, simple preparation procedures, long-term salt resistance ability and self-cleaning capacity, the C-rattan-based SIE device holds a great promise for people living in developing regions to obtain drinkable water from seawater or high-salinity brine.

An Efficient GFET Structure

A graphene field effect transistor, where the active area is made of monolayer large-area graphene, is simulated including a full 2D Poisson equation and a drift-diffusion model with mobilities deduced by a direct numerical solution of the semiclassical Boltzmann equations for charge transport by a suitable discontinuous Galerkin approach. The critical issue in a graphene field effect transistor is the difficulty of fixing the off state which requires an accurate calibration of the gate voltages. In the present paper we propose and simulate a graphene field effect transistor structure which has well-behaved characteristic curves similar to those of conventional (with gap) semiconductor materials. The introduced device has a clear off region and can be the prototype of devices suited for post-silicon nanoscale electron technology. The specific geometry overcomes the problems of triggering the minority charge current and gives a viable way for the design of electron devices based on large area monolayer graphene as substitute of standard semiconductors in the active area. The good field effect transistor behavior of the current versus the gate voltage makes the simulated device very promising and a challenging case for experimentalists.

Improving snow plowing safety and efficiency using computational and experimental approaches: Rear side of snow plow truck

The main objectives of this study were to explore the means of reducing or eliminating snow build-up on rear warning lights and snow cloud in the wake of snowplow trucks during high-speed snowplowing (HSSP). These snow build-up on rear surfaces and snow cloud in the wake zone cause serious safety and efficiency problems due to diminishing visibility for the following motorists and amount of time needed to clear snow off from rear surfaces of snowplows. Furthermore, research and studies were carried out to solve the visibility problems experienced by the State of Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) snowplow trucks. Fluent 6.3.26 and ANSYS Fluent 12.1 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were utilized, and field tests were conducted with the mechanical design methods which were feasible and compatible with the snowplow trucks. Previously designed and installed rear foil (airfoil) helped reducing snow accumulation on most of the rear surface of truck except the right taillight. However, its effect in reducing snow cloud in the wake of the truck was limited. In this study several new designs were developed computationally including modifications on the current airfoil design. Based on computational (CFD) results, two of these designs were constructed and tested on NDOT trucks during routine HSSP. Preliminary test results showed promising results. Design process and test results are discussed in this paper.

Applying a global pulse disturbance to eliminate spiral waves in models of cardiac muscle* *Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11875042 and 11505114), and the Shanghai project for construction of top disciplines (Grant No. USST-SYS01).

Removal of spiral waves in cardiac muscle is necessary because of their threat to life. Common methods for this removal are to apply a local disturbance to the media, such as a periodic forcing. However, most of these methods accelerate the beating of the cardiac muscle, resulting in the aggravation of the ventricular tachycardia, which directly threatens life. In the present study, in order to clear off spiral waves, a global pulse-disturbance is applied to the media based on three models of cardiac muscle. It is found that the spiral waves are eliminated and the frequency of the cardiac muscle is decreased in a short time, and finally, the state of the medium reaches the normal oscillation, which supports a target waves. Our method sheds light on the removal of spiral waves in cardiac muscle and can prevent the ventricular tachycardia as well as the ventricular fibrillation.x

Ideological representation of fear and hope in online newspaper reports on COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

This study examines the ideological representation of fear and hope in online newspaper reports on COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The study adopts critical discourse analysis (CDA) of Van Dijk's tripartite framework of news text structure and production at microstructure level and Fairclough's insights on the interactivity between language and social cognition in the process of producing and interpreting texts. The data for this study is samples of online news on COVID-19 reported in two English Saudi website;Saudi Gazette and Arab News, six from each journal. The samples cover the period between March 4 and August 14, 2020, and are purposefully chosen to understand the language of the news reports on a specific issue over a period of time. A qualitative analysis of the data is carried out so that the perceived effect of the linguistic encoding of the news events is examined. The findings show that most of the reports on COVID-19 heavily rely on foregrounding evidentiality of statistics of new and cumulative infections as well as recoveries and deaths. Evidentiality strategy often overlaps with categorization strategy as proof of the threat of the virus which is broken down into units, each with its features and evidence. Authority strategy is used to support statistics with verifiable sources. Similarly, in representing hope to the populace, two strategies of evidentiality and authority are often used. Evidentiality strategy is employed to clear off doubts through for grounding statistics of growing recoveries, comparisons and underrepresentation of infection cases and mortalities and sometimes choice of verbs plays a role in imparting hope in the residents. Authority strategy is deployed in order to give some weight to the ideology inherent in the report.

Mechanisms for Modulating Anoikis Resistance in Cancer and the Relevance of Metabolic Reprogramming.

The attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the hallmark of structure–function stability and well-being. ECM detachment in localized tumors precedes abnormal dissemination of tumor cells culminating in metastasis. Programmed cell death (PCD) is activated during tumorigenesis to clear off ECM-detached cells through “anoikis.” However, cancer cells develop several mechanisms for abrogating anoikis, thus promoting their invasiveness and metastasis. Specific factors, such as growth proteins, pH, transcriptional signaling pathways, and oxidative stress, have been reported as drivers of anoikis resistance, thus enhancing cancer proliferation and metastasis. Recent studies highlighted the key contributions of metabolic pathways, enabling the cells to bypass anoikis. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms driving anoikis resistance could help to counteract tumor progression and prevent metastasis. This review elucidates the dynamics employed by cancer cells to impede anoikis, thus promoting proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, the authors have discussed other metabolic intermediates (especially amino acids and nucleotides) that are less explored, which could be crucial for anoikis resistance and metastasis.

Anticipatory Care

Anticipatory Care

High temperature operation of a monolithic bidirectional diamond switch

We report the 250 °C operation of a diamond-based monolithic bidirectional switch. A normally-ON double gate deep depletion MOSFET was fabricated with a 400 nm p-type channel with a boron doping of [NA-ND] = 2.3 × 1017 cm−3 and an Al2O3 gate oxide thickness of 50 nm. The Ist and IIIrd quadrants transistor characteristics are successfully measured by controlling the channel conductivity with both gates separately, with a clear ON and OFF state. A threshold voltage around 35 V is obtained with a low minimum gate leakage current of 1.00 × 10−4 mA/mm at a gate-source bias VGS = 50 V. The bidirectional switch is then obtained by operating the MOSFET in the Ist quadrant of each gate setup. This first proof of concept offers a reverse conducting and reverse blocking diamond MOSFET, with only one drift region layer.

Dynamics of Local Government Finance in Cameroon: An Assessment of Local Councils in the Fako Division

Local councils in every part of Cameroon are playing an extremely significant role in the provision of essential public services. However, the local development authorities face tremendous challenges to adequately generate finances to meet community needs. The aim of this paper is to find out whether the councils in the Fako Division have access to all the sources of finance as stipulated by statute and to determine the difficulties they face in exploiting the sources to finance their developmental plans. The exploratory and descriptive designs were adopted for the study. 4 out of the 6 councils in the Fako Division were conveniently selected. The Finance and General Affaires Officers were purposely designated as the respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist. The collected data were descriptively analysed with the use of tables and bar charts. Mean and the Relative Important index were used to rank in terms of importance the challenges faced by the councils in the revenue generation process and the options available to them to exploit. The findings reveal that the councils have access to internal sources such as; local taxes; fees, fines, and penalties; service charges, patents and business licenses; Gifts and donations. The external sources were mostly Intergovernmental transfers and Council Development Funds from FEICOM and PNDP. The study equally found out that the most exploited options of finance by the councils are INTERCOM (M =4.25, RII = 0.85, ranked 1st) and service charge adjustment (M = 4.13, RII = 0.82, ranked 2nd) while the least utilized options were tax adjustment (Mean = 1.00, RII = 0.02, ranked 10th) and the usage of saved up profit from investments and businesses (M = 1.75, RII = 0.35, ranked 9th). The study further uncovered that the challenges with the highest mean scores are infringement by the central government on means of internal revenue generation of the municipality (M = 3.85, SD = 1.214) and lack of power to make finance bi laws (M = 3.85, SD = 1.214), while inadequate sources of revenue (M = 3.42, SD = 1.306) and narrow local tax base (M = 3.42, SD = 1.306) had the least mean scores. The study recommends among others that the framework in place needs clarification to clear off conflicting and confusing goals. It should include legislative clarification of the responsibilities of each level of government and the identification of the appropriate funding resources. These will reduce vertical imbalances and increase fiscal responsibility. Also, a transfer system should be defined that encourages local governments to collect own revenue and manage their roles efficiently, while imposing strict budget constraints to foster fiscal discipline. This will minimize conflicting responsibilities and enable the local governments to discharge their functions.

Experimental investigation of essential feature of polygonal wear of locomotive wheels

Polygonal wear is a common type of wheel surface damage in rail vehicles. Drastic wheel/rail interactions can be induced by wheel polygonization, which directly influences train service performance and maintenance cost, even threatens running safety of rail vehicles. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the fundamental feature of wheel polygonal wear through extensive field measurements. A series of wheel wear measurements and locomotive vibration tests were conducted to reveal the relationship between the wheel polygonization and vibration alarm phenomenon occurred in heavy-haul electric locomotives. A post-processing method to deal with the raw data of wheel polygonization was applied. The characteristics of the wheel polygonization of the locomotives with and without abnormal vibration were compared and analyzed in detail. It is found that the high-order wheel polygonal wear is the root cause of the vibration alarm of locomotive unsprung components. To investigate the elimination effect of locomotive wheel polygonization by different wheel re-profiling methods, tracking measurements of wheel polygonal wear were conducted on three selected locomotives during an interval of the neighboring wheel re-profiling period. The results show that the wheel re-profiling method has a significant effect on the elimination and development of wheel polygonization. The high-order wheel polygonal wear of the re-profiled wheels develops slowly only if it is cleared off.

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Clostridium difficile Infection

Abstract C. difficile colonization and toxin production can lead to a wide range of symptoms from diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis, systemic disease and death. The host immune status plays an important role in protection against C. difficile infection (CDI), especially the dendritic cells (DCs) as a bridge to connect innate and adaptive immunity. However, their role during CDI has not been characterized. In this study, we adopted a murine model of transgenic mice Tg-CD11c-DTR/EGFP (Tg), whose DCs can be conditionally depleted by injection of diphtheria toxin (DT), to investigate the role of DCs in CDI. We found that DT-injected Tg mice were more vulnerable to the CDI, compared with the PBS-injected Tg mice. DT-injection significantly depleted DCs, impaired the host capability to clear off C. difficile in the intestine, and increased the infiltration of other bacteria into organs. DC deletion did not seem to affect intestinal microbiota, nor neutrophil infiltration into lumen, but reduced macrophage infiltration into intestinal lumen. Interestingly, DC depletion impaired the intestinal barrier integrity, which could partially contribute to the increased infiltration of intestinal bacteria to organs, and severity of CDI. Transferring DCs to wild-type mice conferred host resistance to CDI. These data clearly demonstrate a protective role of DCs against CDI.