bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced Synthesis of Block Copolymers by Combination of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Photoinduced Radical Oxidation/Addition/Deactivation
Authors: Ciftci Mustafa
Published: March 2018

A new polymerization mechanistic transformation
strategy, combining two different controlled polymerization techniques of
different modes, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and photoinduced
radical oxidation/addition/deactivation (PROAD), is successfully applied for
the synthesis of block copolymers. Thus, mono- or bi- bromide functional
polystyrenes (PS-Br or Br-PS-Br) synthesized by light induced ATRP were used as
macroinitiator for the living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether
via PROAD process to give the corresponding block copolymers. In this way,
depending on the structure of the macroinitiator, AB or ABA type block
copolymers (PS-b-PIBVE or PIBVE-b-PS-b-PIBVE)
were formed. The final polymers and precursor polymers were characterized by
spectral and chromatographic analyses.
La denominada “herencia digital”: ¿necesidad de regulación? Estudio de Derecho español y comparado = The so-called “digital inheritance”: need of regulation? Study of Spanish and Comparative Law
Authors: Santos Morón María José
Published: March 2018

Resumen: El uso de internet se ha expandido de tal modo que el mundo digital constituye un elemento cotidiano de nuestras vidas. En la actualidad se adquieren constantemente bienes y servicios de carácter digital a través de la red; se almacenan documentos en la nube; se publican fotos, contenidos íntimos, opiniones, en redes sociales y blogs y se llevan a cabo juegos y actividades de ocio por medio de internet. Pero ¿qué sucede con las comunicaciones electrónicas de un sujeto, la información almacenada por él en la red o la música o libros digitales adquiridos por éste cuando muere? Este artículo analiza los problemas que presenta la transmisión “mortis causa” de los bienes digitales y pone de manifiesto la insuficiencia de las reglas generales del Derecho sucesorio para solucionarlos así como la conveniencia de contar con una regulación específica. A continuación se examinan las soluciones legales propuestas o ya adoptadas en distintos ordenamientos, con el fin de extraer conclusiones acerca del mejor modo de regular esta cuestión. Estas conclusiones se contrastan, por último, con las reglas que pretende instaurar el Proyecto de ley de Protección de Datos que se encuentra en tramitación.Palabras clave: Bienes digitales. Cuentas. Contenidos. Transmisibilidad “mortis causa”. Naturaleza patrimonial. Naturaleza personal. Derechos de la personalidad. Privacidad. Secreto de las comunicaciones. Protección de datos. Voluntad del difunto.Abstract: The use of the internet has been expanded in such a way that the digital world represents a daily element in our life. Nowadays, products and services –analog or digital- are constantly purchased through the internet; digital documents are stored in the cloud; pictures, private information or opinions are uploaded on social networks or blogs and games and leisure activities are carried out through the internet. But ¿what’s the fate of a person’s electronic communications when he dies, of the information stored by him on the network or of the digital music or books acquired through the internet? This paper analyzes the problems involved in the transfer of digital assets upon death and highlights that the probate system is not sufficient to solve them and specific regulation should be enacted. It continues by examining the legal solutions proposed or enacted in different legal systems with the purpose to obtain conclusions about the best way to regulate this issue. These conclusions are compared, finally, with the rules contained in the Spanish Bill of Protection of personal data currently in process.Keywords: Digital assets. Accounts. Contents. Transfer of property upon death. Patrimonial nature. Personal nature. Personality Rights. Privacy. Secrecy of communications. Data protection. Deceased’s will.
La sucesión de ciudadanos británicos en España tras la aplicación del Reglamento 650/2012 = Succession of British citizenzs in Spain after the entry into force of Regulation 650/2012
Authors: Ybarra Bores Alfonso
Published: March 2018

Resumen: Desde la aplicación del nuevo Reglamento sucesorio europeo el 17 de agosto de 2015 han surgido interesantes cuestiones prácticas: así, la posible validez de la elección de ley aplicable a la sucesión realizada en disposición testamentaria anterior a dicha fecha; el intento de eliminación de la tradicional práctica de otorgamiento de testamentos parciales en España para ordenar la sucesión de bienes aquí situados; o la nueva doctrina en torno a la exigencia de aportación de certificados de actos de última voluntad de registros extranjeros. Se aborda en el presente trabajo el estado actual de estas cuestiones que afectan de un modo muy particular, por las propias peculiaridades de su sistema, a las sucesiones abiertas en España que afectan a causantes británicos.Palabras clave: sucesiones internacionales, Reglamento 650/2012, testamentos parciales, professio iuris, Derecho inglésAbstract: Since the new European successions Regulation entered into force on 17 August 2015, interesting practical issues have arisen: thus, the potential validity of the choice of applicable law to the succession made in testamentary disposition prior to the said date; the attempt to eradicate the traditional practice of making partial wills in Spain in order to dispose the succession of assets located here; or the new doctrine about the requirement to provide certificates of foreign registries of last wills. In this work we will address the current situation of those issues which affect to a greater measure, due to the specificities of their system, the successions opened in Spain which concern to deceased British citizens.Keywords: international successions, Regulation 650/2012, simpliciter testaments, professio iuris, English Law
Crónica de jurisprudencial laboral internacional. Enero / junio 2017 = Chronicle of international labor jurisprudence. January / june 2017
Authors: Arias Domínguez Ángel
Published: March 2018

Resumen: En el período de referencia no hay nuevas quejas “abiertas” o “en seguimiento” ante el Comité de Libertad Sindical. Tampoco los informes: núm. 381 (329ª reunión, Ginebra, 9-24 de marzo de 2017); y núm. 382 (330ª reunión, Ginebra, 17 de junio de 2017) del Comité de Libertad sindical, referenciaron problemática singular sobre el Reino de España.El Tribunal de Justicia de la Unión ha dictado dos resoluciones que afectan a España directamente: Rodrigo Sanz sobre condiciones de trabajo en Universidades Públicas, y Pérez Retamero sobre tiempo de trabajo en actividades móviles o itinerantes. También se referencia, aunque no afecta a España directamente, el asunto Asma Bougnaoui por la trascendencia para nuestro ordenamiento jurídico laboral de su doctrina sobre utilización del pañuelo islámico en centros de trabajo.En el ámbito del TEDH no se han dictados, en el período de referencia, resoluciones de índole laboral que afecten a ciudadanos españoles.Palabras clave: Profesor en Universidad Pública funcionario interino. Reducción de jornada por motivos presupuestarios. Discriminación en relación con los funcionarios públicos de carrera.Trabajadores móviles o itinerantes. Inadmisibilidad de la cuestión prejudicial comunitaria. Utilización del pañuelo islámico en lugares de trabajo. Discriminación por razón religiosa.Abstract: In the reference period, there are no new “open” or “pending” complaints before the Committee on Freedom of Association. Neither the reports: no. 381 (329th meeting, Geneva, 9-24 March 2017); and No. 382 (330th meeting, Geneva, June 17, 2017) of the Freedom of Association Committee, referenced singular problems about the Kingdom of Spain.The Court of Justice of the Union has issued two resolutions that directly affect to Spain: Rodrigo Sanz on working conditions in Public Universities, and Pérez Retamero on working time in mobile or itinerant activities. Reference is also made, although it does not affect Spain directly, the Asma Bougnaoui case because of the importance for our labor legal system of its doctrine on the use of Islamic headscarves in work centers. In the area of the ECHR, labor-related resolutions affecting Spanish citizens have not been issued during the reference period.Keywords: Professor in Public University interim civil servant. Reduction of working day due to budgetary reasons. Discrimination in relation to career public officials.Mobile or itinerant workers. Inadmissibility of the Community reference for a preliminary ruling.Use of the Islamic handkerchief in work places. Discrimination for religious reason.
Litispendencia y diligencias de prueba: algunas reflexiones sobre la sentencia del TJUE de 4 de mayo de 2017 = Lis pendens and measures of inquiry: some reflections on the ECJ judgment of 4 may 2017
Authors: Rodríguez Vázquez María Ángeles
Published: March 2018

Resumen: En la Sentencia de 4 de mayo de 2017, asunto C-29/16, Hanse Yachts AG c. Port D’Hiver Yachting SARL, Société Maritime Côte D’Azur y Compagnie Generali IARD SA, el Tribunal de Justicia establece que un documento por el que se inicia un procedimiento de prueba no puede considerarse un “escrito de demanda o documento equivalente”, a efectos de apreciar una situación de litispendencia y determinar cuál es el órgano jurisdiccional que conoce del asunto en primer lugar, en el sentido de los artículos 27 y 30 del Reglamento (CE) nº 44/2001.Palabras clave: litispendencia, concepto de escrito de demanda o documento equivalente, demanda de peritaje judicial.Abstract: In its Judgment of 4 may 2017, in case C-29/16, Hanse Yachts AG c. Port D’Hiver Yachting SARL, Société Maritime Côte D’Azur y Compagnie Generali IARD SA, the ECJ establishes that a document instituting proceedings for the taking of evidence cannot be regarded, for the purposes of assessing a situation of lis pendens and of determining which court is the court first seised within the meaning of articles 27 and 30 of Regulation (EC) nº 44/2001, as also being the document instituting the substantive proceedings.Keywords: lis pendens, concept of document instituting the proceedings or equivalent document, proceedings for the taking of evidence.
Competencia judicial internacional en supuestos de responsabilidad extracontractual en internet: nuevos criterios interpretativos en la determinación del lugar de producción del daño. A propósito de la STJUE Concurrence vs. Samsung y Amazon, de 21 de diciembre de 2016 = International jurisdiction in matter of noncontractual liabillity on the internet: new criteria in determining the place where the harmful event ocurred. Analyzing the STJUE Concurrence vs. Samsung y Amazon, of 21 de december 2016
Authors: Villamarín López María Luisa
Published: March 2018

Resumen: En el presente artículo se analiza el nuevo criterio jurisprudencial sentado en diciembre de 2016 por el TJUE en materia de responsabilidad extracontractual en Internet a propósito de una infracción de un contrato de distribución en exclusiva. La especial naturaleza de las relaciones jurídicas en juego sirvió en este caso para descartar los criterios de conexión empleados hasta entonces como el de accesibilidad o el de las actividades dirigidas y para fijar como foro especial el del sitio donde se sufrió efectivamente la reducción de las ventas, garantizándose el cumplimiento de los fines que persiguen estas normas así como la reducción del riesgo de forum shopping.Palabras clave: Reglamento 44/2001 (y 1215/2012), responsabilidad civil extracontractual, lugar de producción del daño, contrato de distribución exclusiva. Abstract: This article analyzes the new jurisprudential criterion established in December 2016 by the CJEU in the field of torts on the Internet in connection with an infringement of an exclusive distribution contract. The special nature of the legal relationships at stake served in this case to reject the connection criteria used until then as the accessibility and to set as a special forum the place where the reduction in sales was effectively suffered, thus guaranteeing the fulfillment of the purposes pursued by these european rules as well as reducing the risk of forum shopping.Keywords: Regulation 44/2001 (and 1215/2012), non-contractual liability, place where the harmful event occurred, exclusive distribution contract.
Challenges in Teaching Japanese EFL Students to Express Themselves Logically
Authors: Okada Reiko
Published: March 2018

This paper describes a study conducted with twenty-five Japanese lower-level EFL students to develop their ability to write logically in English. In school, Japanese students rarely express their opinions in writing supported by facts or reasons, a result of an important characteristic of Japanese culture: people focus more on emotion than on critical reasoning. Teachers of English often instruct students to add reasons, examples, or conclusions to their written expressions of opinion, but students often fail to do so because they do not grasp their purpose. In this study, students were explicitly instructed in 1) the different values in Western and Japanese culture, 2) alternate ways of thinking and expression, 3) the importance of logic in English rhetoric, and 4) paragraph structure in written English. Students practice writing using English paragraph structure, first in Japanese and then in English. The results indicated that initially only about one third of the students acquired an understanding of how to organize a paragraph logically when writing in Japanese, indicating the difficulty Japanese students have in adopting the principles of English rhetoric even in their native language. After explicit instructions were given repeatedly, another one third of the students were able to structure their paragraphs logically when writing in English. Throughout the six sessions of the study, however, the rest of the students (32%) continued to write their paragraphs in both Japanese and English according to the conventions of Japanese rhetoric, or without logical reasoning.
A GESTÃO LOGÍSTICA DE ARMAZENAGEM E SUAS RELAÇÕES COM A VERTICALIZAÇÃO E TERCEIRIZAÇÃO NA EMPRESA
Authors: Dalongaro Roberto Carlos , Feijó Moura Révis Cetiano , Lopes Alceu de Oliveira , Lucca Luiz Lorimar , Wesz Luis Fernando Peixoto
Published: March 2018

Este trabalho pretende abordar alguns aspectos relacionados aos conceitos e às operações observados na verticalização e na terceirização da armazenagem e distribuição de produtos. Apresenta-se os centros de distribuição (CDs), como elemento de estudo. Ao longo do trabalho, são caracterizados diversos pontos relevantes: a importância da armazenagem na logística, conceitos e funções básicas dos CDs, vantagens em sua adoção. Por último, é apresentado um panorama do comparativo entre investir na verticalização da logística ou terceirizar a armazenagem e a distribuição dos produtos. Os objetivos principais do presente trabalho é analisar os aspectos relevantes da terceirização e verticalização dos serviços logísticos, como também estimar uma receita gerada pelo investimento em um CD dentro do processo de verticalização da logística. Com isso se explora também a seguinte problemática. Com base na temática de estudo proposta. É possível que uma empresa de eletrodomésticos recupere o valor investido em um centro de distribuição com 05 anos de operação? A armazenagem possui um aspecto de elevada consideração no processo de negócios junto ao mercado, pois assimila uma parcela significativa dos custos logísticos na cadeia de suprimentos.

 

 

Palavras-chaves: Logística, Armazenagem, Verticalização, Terceirização.     
ESTRATÉGIAS PARA GESTÃO DE PESSOAS, CAPACIDADES DINÂMICAS E AS REDES DE COOPERAÇÃO INTERORGANIZACIONAIS
Authors: Da Fonseca Capssa Lima Sausen Juliana , Viana Cardoso Vanilson , Marlene Seide Froemming Lurdes , Luís Allebrandt Sérgio , Adelar Mueller Airton
Published: March 2018

Gestão estratégica de pessoas, capacidades dinâmicas e redes interorganizacionais de cooperação são temáticas contemporâneas e emergentes nas áreas de gestão estratégica e de estudos organizacionais. Desta forma, o artigo utilizou como metodologia pesquisa bibliográfica em livros, artigos em revista e em endereço eletrônico, com o objetivo de discutir as relações epistemológicas e metodológicas destas três temáticas. Conclui-se que gestão estratégica de pessoas, capacidades dinâmicas e redes interorganizacionais de cooperação estão bastante relacionadas entre si e que, se bem planejadas e integradas, contribuem para o desenvolvimento e a sustentabilidade das organizações e das pessoas envolvidas nas relações de cooperação no cenário competitivo dos ambientes corporativos. Para fins de aprofundamento dos estudos e de aplicação empírica, sugere-se estudos de caso envolvendo a sistematização das três temáticas.

 
“SOBRE SAÚDE, A GENTE NÃO PODE SÓ PENSAR EM DOENÇA, TRABALHAR SÓ EM CIMA DAS DOENÇAS. A SAÚDE ENVOLVE MUITO MAIS”: ANÁLISE DA CONCEPÇÃO DE SAÚDE DE PROFESSORAS DA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Marinho Julio Cesar Bresolin , Silva João Alberto da
Published: March 2018

A questão que problematizamos nesse artigo reside em compreender os entendimentos de ‘saúde’ de professoras dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. A abordagem metodológica consiste em uma pesquisa qualitativa, dividida em dois momentos: estudo exploratório e Planejamento Cooperativo. Os dados obtidos mostram três formas de conceber ‘saúde’: relacionada ao estar bem (ausência de doença); a que condiciona o estado de saúde ao bom funcionamento do corpo biológico; e a que considera vários condicionantes. Percebemos que as duas primeiras relacionam-se a uma visão reducionista da questão, pois detém-se em apenas um condicionante, alicerçando-se em um modelo biomédico. Já a terceira forma de entender a saúde parece caminhar para uma visão mais contemporânea, a qual não define um único condicionante para compreender saúde, e acaba apostando em uma gama de fatores.
ABORDAGENS TEMÁTICAS FREIREANA E DE REPERCUSSÕES EDUCACIONAIS DO MOVIMENTO CIÊNCIA-TECNOLOGIA-SOCIEDADE (CTS): PRÁTICAS DE INTERVENÇÃO CURRICULARES POTENCIALMENTE PROMISSORAS
Authors: Giacomini Alexandre , Muenchen Cristiane
Published: March 2018

O presente artigo, de caráter qualitativo e descritivo, tem como tema o currículo balizado pela abordagem temática no âmbito do ensino de ciências. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma reflexão sobre duas propostas/práticas de intervenção curricular, chamadas de abordagens temáticas, balizadas na utilização de temas/problemas de relevância social, potencialmente promissoras para o ensino de ciências, surgidas nas últimas décadas, que são: a abordagem temática de inspiração freireana e a abordagem temática com repercussões educacionais do movimento Ciência-Tecnologia-Sociedade (CTS). A metodologia utilizada fundamentou-se na pesquisa bibliográfica. Este artigo sinaliza a necessidade de novas configurações curriculares, baseadas na perspectiva crítica e no contexto social, que pode deflagrar um processo de transformações profundas, abalando o paradigma curricular linear vigente, calcado na divisão do saber e do tempo e dependente de uma prática prescritiva, na qual os programas são resolvidos por instâncias que estão fora da escola e de seu trabalho singular.
Improving Decisions to Mitigate the Risks of Organizational Accidents
Authors: Jackson Scott , Harel Avi
Published: March 2018

This paper examines cognitive biases which affect the ability of decision makers to make rational decisions in an organizational context. The motivation for this analysis begins with the observation of catastrophic accidents caused by human error but in an organizational context. This paper expands on the concept of cognitive bias to define organizational biases which are the factors that affect decisions in an organizational context. The paper distinguishes between organizational biases, which are the focus of this paper, and individual biases, which are biases experienced by individuals but may have organizational consequences. The purpose of this paper is to identify methods to mitigate the risks of organizational accidents, accidents which involve many people operating at different levels of an organization. The methodology is to identify those decisions that would address the specific organizational biases. The focus of this paper is the decisions for mitigating the risks associated with decisions in an organizational context. Results are shown for seven organizational biases, six specific case studies, and four decision options. This paper concludes that organizational biases are intrinsically different from individual biases and that these differences lead to different decision options from those that mitigate individual biases; however, they may exist concurrently.
Equilibrium Analysis of Desiccated Zone Growth during Radio-Frequency Heating
Authors: Irani Mazda , Saeedfar Amin
Published: March 2018

SAGD is an energy-intensive process with large amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and required water treatment. One option to reduce emissions and water is to use electromagnetic (EM) heating in either the induction (medium frequency) or radio frequency (RF) ranges. Since the early 1970s, research into the use of RF energy to effectively heat heavy oil reservoirs has led to incremental technology advancements. Since 2009, the Effective Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating (ESEIEH™, pronounced "easy") consortium suggested a process named similarly that dielectric heating of oil sand is combined with the injection of a solvent such as propane or butane to reduce bitumen viscosity. In January 2012, the mine face test was declared a success and confirmed the ability to generate, propagate, and distribute electromagnetic heat in an oil sand formation. Phase II of ESEIEH™ exploring scaled pilot tests with horizontal antenna in Suncor’s Dover facility is under developing. To distribute electromagnetic heating into the reservoir creation of desiccated zone and its controlled growth is a key. Since the reservoir is an electrically lossy environment, the growth of desiccated zone as a lossless medium helps the electromagnetic fields to propagate deeper into the formation and associated heating is also further developed within the reservoir. The water will continue to vaporize and move away from the "flashed or desiccated zone" at a rate which diminishes with time. Eventually it reaches the equilibrium condition that it cannot grow with given delivered RF power from the radiating antenna. In this study, the desiccated zone extension at its equilibrium is calculated on the basis of this concept to prevent the zone from collapsing. In this process, water should vaporize and leaks into reservoir to create the flow rate normal to the desiccated zone surface that pushes the water back and grow the zone. Another highlight on this study is to provide the solution for RF-heating avoiding the Lambert’s law or plane-wave assumption. Lambert’s law is (only) accurate and valid in guided-microwave structures or when the EM radiating source is far from the receiving load (relative to the wavelength), such as in optical regime or in telecommunication applications. Although, for heating applications, the maximum energy dissipation of RF waves takes place in the near-field region and not in the far-field region, hence, Lambert’s law does not give a correct solution in these cases. As a result of this study minimum required power is a function of reservoir mobility or in-situ water relative permeability. If efficiency of antenna is not high enough and reservoir mobility is greater than 10-3 then the RF power transmission system could not deliver enough energy to grow the desiccated zone.
Impact of climate change on the blue water footprint of agriculture on a regional scale
Authors: Huang Huiping , Han Yuping , Jia Dongdong
Published: March 2018

In the case study of Tangshan city, Hebei Province, China, this paper analyzes the temporal change of the blue agricultural water footprint (WF) during 1991–2016 and discusses the applicability of different climate change models during 2017–2050. Results show effective rainfall, wind speed and maximum temperature are leading factors influencing the blue agricultural WF. Relative error analysis indicates that the HadGEM2-ES model is the most applicable for climate change projections in the period of 2017–2050. Agricultural blue WF is about 1.8 billion m3 in RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios, which is almost equal to the average value during 1991–2016.
Bioassays and In Silico Methods in the Identification of Human DNA Topoisomerase IIα Inhibitors
Authors: Bergant Kaja , Janezic Matej , Perdih Andrej
Published: March 2018

Background:

The family of DNA topoisomerases comprises a group of enzymes
that catalyse the induction of topological changes to DNA. These enzymes play a role in the
cell replication machinery and are, therefore, important targets for anticancer drugs - with human
DNA topoisomerase IIα being one of the most prominent. Active compounds targeting
this enzyme are classified into two groups with diverse mechanisms of action: DNA poisons
act by stabilizing a covalent cleavage complex between DNA and the topoisomerase enzyme,
transforming it into a cellular toxin, while the second diverse group of catalytic inhibitors,
provides novel inhibition avenues for tackling this enzyme due to frequent occurrence of side
effects observed during the DNA poison therapy.

Methods:

Based on a comprehensive literature search we present an overview of available
bioassays and in silico methods in the identification of human DNA topoisomerase IIα inhibitors.

Results and Conclusion:

A comprehensive outline of the available methods and approaches
that explore in detail the in vitro mechanistic and functional aspects of the topoisomerase IIα
inhibition of both topo IIα inhibitor groups is presented. The utilized in vitro cell-based assays
and in vivo studies to further explore the validated topo IIα inhibitors in subsequent preclinical
stages of the drug discovery are discussed. The potential of in silico methods in topoisomerase
IIα inhibitor discovery is outlined. A list of practical guidelines was compiled to aid new as
well experienced researchers in how to optimally approach the design of targeted inhibitors
and validation in the preclinical drug development stages.
The Significance of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Body Fluids as a Marker Related to Diseased Conditions
Authors: Itabe Hiroyuki , Kato Rina , Sawada Naoko , Obama Takashi , Yamamoto Matsuo
Published: March 2018

Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is known to be involved in various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The presence of oxLDL in the human circulatory system and in atherosclerotic lesions has been demonstrated using monoclonal antibodies. Studies have shown the significance of circulating oxLDL in various systemic diseases, including acute myocardial infarction and diabetic mellitus. Several different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures to measure oxLDL were utilized. Evidence has been accumulating that reveals changes in oxLDL levels under certain pathological conditions. Since oxLDL concentration tends to correlate with low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, the ratio of ox-LDL and LDL rather than oxLDL concentration alone has also been focused. In addition to circulating plasma, LDL and oxLDL are found in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), where the ratio of oxLDL to LDL in GCF is much higher than in plasma. LDL and oxLDL levels in GCF show an increase in diabetic patients and periodontal patients, suggesting that GCF might be useful in examining systemic conditions. GCF oxLDL increased when the teeth were affected by periodontitis. It is likely that oxLDL levels in plasma and GCF could reflect oxidative stress and transfer efficacy in the circulatory system.
Acyclovir in the Treatment of Herpes Viruses – A Review
Authors: Kłysik Katarzyna , Pietraszek Aneta , Karewicz Anna , Nowakowska Maria
Published: March 2018

Background:

Herpes Simplex (HSV) viruses are widely spread, highly contagious
human pathogens. The statistics indicate that 50-90% of adults worldwide are seropositive for
these viruses, mainly HSV-1 and HSV-2. The primary infection results in the appearance of
watery blisters (cold sores) on the skin, lips, tongue, buccal mucosa or genitals. The ocular
infection is the major cause of corneal blindness in the Western World. Once the HSV virus
enters human body, it cannot be completely eradicated because HSV viruses are able to
change into their latent form which can survive the treatment. The viron resides in trigeminal
ganglia of the host, who becomes vulnerable to the reoccurrence of the disease during the
whole lifespan. The neurotropic and neuro-invasive properties of HSV are responsible for
neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease. Acyclovir and its analogues, being
the inhibitors of the viral DNA replication, are the only approved medicines for HSV infection
therapies.

Objective:

The current paper presents the up-to-date overview of the important pharmacological
features of acyclovir, its analogues and their delivery systems including the mechanism of
action, routes of administration, absorption and metabolism, as well as side effects of the therapy.

Conclusion:

Acyclovir remains the gold standard in the treatment of herpes virus infections,
mainly due to the emerging of the new delivery systems improving considerably its bioavailability.
The analogues of acyclovir, especially their esters, characterized by significantly
higher bioavailability and safety, may gradually replace acyclovir in selected applications.
Apoptin, A Versatile Protein with Selective Antitumor Activity
Authors: Castro Jessica , Ribo Marc , Benito Antoni , Vilanova Maria
Published: March 2018

Background:

Research in the field of antitumor chemotherapeutics pursues a key issue, drug
selectivity for cancer cells. In the last 20 years, a group of proteins has attracted scientific interest as
cancer chemotherapeutics due to their ability to specifically kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells
undamaged. One of these proteins is apoptin.

Methods:

In this study, the recent available literature regarding cell death mechanisms induced by
apoptin has been reviewed. Delivering this drug to tumor cells is a challenge because it spontaneously
forms soluble non-covalent aggregates. This led us to include in this review the different approaches for
obtaining the maximum efficiency of apoptin entry to cancer cells.

Results:

This review provides an up-to-date summary of the mechanisms by which apoptin induces selective
apoptosis in tumor cells while leaving normal cells undamaged. It highlights the relationship between
the apoptosis mechanism induced by this protein and its functional motifs. Apoptin has been described
as an intrinsically disordered protein, which explains its ability to interact with multiple partners
and affect multiple pathways inside the cell. Characterization of the different partners and pathways induced
by apoptin has begun to shed light on the molecular basis of apoptin’s tumor-selective cytotoxicity.

Conclusion:

The findings confirm the interest in apoptin as a potentially safe antitumor drug. Research
still needed to be conducted to find an effective way to deliver apoptin for use in clinics.
Bile Acid Derivatives: From Old Molecules to a New Potent Therapeutic Use: An Overview
Authors: Blanchet Marine , Brunel Jean Michel
Published: March 2018

Bile acids or bile salts, belong to a large family of biological steroid derivatives found predominantly
in the bile of mammals and other vertebrates. These amphipathic molecules possess numerous functions,
including eliminating cholesterol from the body, driving the flow of bile to eliminate catabolites,
emulsifying fat-soluble vitamins to enable their absorption, aiding in motility and in reducing the bacteria
flora found in the small intestine and biliary tract. In this review, we investigate progress towards synthetic
bile acid derivatives, with special emphasis on how they might be used for various biological applications
and the challenges that remain in developing these compounds as potent drugs of the future especially in
the field of microbiology (antimicrobial activities) and cancer (anticancer agents). We will emphasize the
fact that even few researches are devoted around these peculiar structures. All the researches pointed out
the important potential of such derivatives for the design of new classes of drugs.
In Silico Chemogenomics Drug Repositioning Strategies for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Authors: Andrade Carolina Horta , Neves Bruno Junior , Melo-Filho Cleber Camilo , Rodrigues Juliana , Silva Diego Cabral , Braga Rodolpho Campos , Cravo Pedro Vitor Lemos
Published: March 2018

Only ~1% of all drug candidates against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
have reached clinical trials in the last decades, underscoring the need for new, safe and effective
treatments. In such context, drug repositioning, which allows finding novel indications
for approved drugs whose pharmacokinetic and safety profiles are already known,
emerging as a promising strategy for tackling NTDs. Chemogenomics is a direct descendent
of the typical drug discovery process that involves the systematic screening of chemical
compounds against drug targets in high-throughput screening (HTS) efforts, for the identification
of lead compounds. However, different to the one-drug-one-target paradigm, chemogenomics
attempts to identify all potential ligands for all possible targets and diseases. In
this review, we summarize current methodological development efforts in drug repositioning
that use state-of-the-art computational ligand- and structure-based chemogenomics approaches.
Furthermore, we highlighted the recent progress in computational drug repositioning
for some NTDs, based on curation and modeling of genomic, biological, and chemical data.
Additionally, we also present in-house and other successful examples and suggest possible solutions
to existing pitfalls.
Biotechnological Production of Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceuticals in Plant Cell and Organ Cultures
Authors: Hidalgo Diego , Sanchez Raul , Lalaleo Liliana , Bonfill Mercedes , Corchete Purificacion , Palazon Javier
Published: March 2018

Background:

Plant biofactories are biotechnological platforms based on plant cell and organ
cultures used for the production of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, although to date only a few of
these systems have successfully been implemented at an industrial level. Metabolic engineering is possibly
the most straightforward strategy to boost pharmaceutical production in plant biofactories, but social opposition
to the use of GMOs means empirical approaches are still being used.

Plant secondary metabolism involves thousands of different enzymes, some of which catalyze specific
reactions, giving one product from a particular substrate, whereas others can yield multiple products from
the same substrate. This trait opens plant cell biofactories to new applications, in which the natural metabolic
machinery of plants can be harnessed for the bioconversion of phytochemicals or even the production
of new bioactive compounds. Synthetic biological pipelines involving the bioconversion of natural
substrates into products with a high market value may be established by the heterologous expression of
target metabolic genes in model plants.

Objective: To summarize the state of the art of plant biofactories and their applications for the pipeline
production of cosme-, pharma- and biopharmaceuticals.

Results: In order to demonstrate the great potential of plant biofactories for multiple applications in the
biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, this review broadly covers the
following: plant biofactories based on cell and hairy root cultures; secondary metabolite production;
biotransformation reactions; metabolic engineering tools applied in plant biofactories; and biopharmaceutical
production.
Plant-produced Recombinant Influenza A Vaccines Based on the M2e Peptide
Authors: Mardanova Eugenia S. , Ravin Nikolai V.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Influenza is a widely distributed infection that almost annually causes seasonal epidemics.
The current egg-based platforms for influenza vaccine production are facing a number of challenges and are
failing to satisfy the global demand in the case of pandemics due to the long production time. Recombinant vaccines
are an alternative that can be quickly produced in high quantities in standard expression systems.

Methods:

: Plants may become a promising biofactory for the large-scale production of recombinant proteins due
to low cost, scalability, and safety. Plant-based expression systems have been used to produce recombinant vaccines
against influenza based on two targets; the major surface antigen hemagglutinin and the transmembrane
protein M2.

Results: Different forms of recombinant hemagglutinin were successfully expressed in plants, and some plantproduced
vaccines based on hemagglutinin were successfully tested in clinical trials. However, these vaccines
remain strain specific, while the highly conserved extracellular domain of the M2 protein (M2e) could be used for
the development of a universal influenza vaccine. In this review, the state of the art in developing plant-produced
influenza vaccines based on M2e is presented and placed in perspective. A number of strategies to produce M2e
in an immunogenic form in plants have been reported, including its presentation on the surface of plant viruses or
virus-like particles formed by capsid proteins, linkage to bacterial flagellin, and targeting to protein bodies.

Conclusion:

Some M2e-based vaccine candidates were produced at high levels (up to 1 mg/g of fresh plant tissue)
and were shown to be capable of stimulating broad-range protective immunity.
Closed-loop Neuropharmacology for Epilepsy: Distant Dream or Future Reality?
Authors: Aicua-Rapun Irene , André Pascal , Novy Jan
Published: March 2018

Epilepsy is considered the most frequent severe neurological condition but most patients
treated with medication become seizure free. The management of treatment, however, is highly
empirical, mainly relying on observation. A closed-loop therapy for epilepsy would be very valuable
for more efficient treatment regimens. Here we discuss monitoring treatment (therapeutic drug
monitoring) and the potential developments in this field, as well as providing a review of potential
biomarkers that could be used to monitor the disease activity. Finally, we consider the pharmacogenetic
input in epilepsy treatment.
Hypnotic Effect of Portulaca oleracea on Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep in Mice
Authors: Hamedi Shokouhsadat , Forouzanfar Fatemeh , Rakhshandeh Hassan , Arian Amirali
Published: March 2018

Objective:

In Iranian Traditional Medicine, the herbs with cold and wet temperament can help
to improve insomnia. Portulaca oleracea has a cold and wet temperament, so the present study was carried
out to investigate the sleep-prolonging effect of Portulaca oleracea.

Methods:

This work was an experimental study on mice which were randomly divided into these
groups: saline (control); Diazepam: positive control); hydro-alcoholic extract of Portulaca oleracea
(12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) by Soxhlet apparatus and maceration; in the effective (dose25 mg/kg),
different fractions of extract were tested. Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF:); N hexane fraction (n-HF); water
fraction (WF). All the test compounds were injected intraperitoneally (IP) 30 minutes before pentobarbital
administration (30 mg/kg). Duration and latency of pentobarbital-induced sleep were recorded. Also,
LD50 of Portulaca oleracea extract was determined and the possible neurotoxicity of the extract was
tested on neural PC12 cells. Besides, 30 min after administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) motor
coordination (rota-rod test) was assessed.

Results:

HAE increased the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep at doses of 25, 50, 75 and 100
mg/kg. The hypnotic effect of HAE was comparable to that induced by diazepam. Similarly, WF, EAF,
and NHF at 25 mg/kg could increase sleep duration. The sleep latency was decreased by HAE and NHF
but not by WF and EAF. The LD50 value for HAE was found to be 4.8 g/Kg. HAE and its fractions did
not show neurotoxic effect in cultured PC12-cell line, also HAE did not affect the animals performance
on the rotarod test.

Conclusion:

The present data demonstrated that Portulaca oleracea potentiates sleeping behaviors. The
main components responsible for the hypnotic effects of this plant is most likely a non-polar agents
which is found in NHF. Isolation of the active constituents may yield a novel sedative drug.
Brassica Nigra: Ethopharmacological Review of a Routinely Used Condiment
Authors: Agrawal Surendra , Yallatikar Tapasya , Gurjar Pravina
Published: March 2018

Background:

Brassica nigra belonging to the family Brassicaceae (syn – black mustard)
comprises of dried seeds and is widely cultivated in Mediterranean region and various other countries
like India and Europe. The Plant is neither reported in any official book nor reported systematically
for pharmacological effects.

Methods:

We undertook a structured search of all the official books including pharmacopoeias and
ayurvedic textbooks. The data was collected, sorted and compiled to bring the chemical constituents
and uses of B. nigra.

Results:

B. nigra contains glycosinolates which undergoes hydrolysis in the presence of myrosinase
enzyme yields allyl isothiocyante. The bitter taste and pungent odor is due to the isothiocyanates.
B. Nigra shows various activities that are medically important such as anticancer, anti-bacterial, antifungal,
anti-helminthic, protection against renal and hepatic toxicity and can also be used in diabetes
treatment. Black mustards are also used in cardiovascular and neurological disorders.

Conclusion:

The present review explores the historical background including the macroscopic and
microscopic characteristics, chemical constituents, pharmacological action, various evaluation
parameters, formulations and uses of black mustard.
Skin Spotting Variation Associated with Biometric and Reproductive Parameters in Naturalized Populations of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, from Southern Chile
Authors: Colihueque Nelson , Estay Francisco Javier , Yáñez Miguel
Published: March 2018

Background:

Skin pigmentation in fish is involved in various biological processes. In salmonids, the interactions of skin spottiness with biometric and reproductive parameters are mostly unknown, especially in naturalized populations influenced by different ecological factors.

Objective:

To associate skin spottiness variation with biometric and reproductive parameters in broodstocks of naturalized rainbow trout populations from southern Chile.

Method:

The number of dark spots below the lateral line was assessed in male and female broodstocks of rainbow trout from two reproductive seasons, years 2007 and 2012, and then this dataset was associated with biometric and reproductive parameters of the same individuals, using multivariate data analysis in the form of stepwise forward multiple regression.

Results:

Male body weight from year 2007 had a significant negative influence on the number of dark spots below the lateral line (P< 0.01), while the reproductive variables egg diameter and spawning time of females from years 2007 and 2012, respectively, had a significant positive influence on this parameter (P< 0.01).

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that there are male biometric parameters with a significant negative influence on skin spottiness. Our data also reveal that some reproductive parameters have a positive influence on skin spottiness. The identification of these reproductive parameters related to spottiness variation would reflect the reproductive quality of female broodstocks living in natural environments.
Application of the Risk‐Based Early Warning Method in a Fracture‐Karst Water Source, North China
Authors: Guo Yongli , Wu Qing , Li Changsuo , Zhao Zhenhua , Sun Bin , He Shiyi , Jiang Guanghui , Zhai Yuanzheng , Guo Fang
Published: March 2018

The paper proposes a risk‐based early warning considering characteristics of fracture‐karst aquifer in North China and applied it in a super‐large fracture‐karst water source. Groundwater vulnerability, types of land use, water abundance, transmissivity and spatial temporal variation of groundwater quality were chosen as indexes of the method. Weights of factors were obtained by using AHP method based on relative importance of factors, maps of factors were zoned by GIS, early warning map was conducted based on extension theory with the help of GIS, ENVI+IDL. The early warning map fused five factors very well, serious and tremendous warning areas are mainly located in northwest and east with high or relatively high transmissivity and groundwater pollutant loading, and obviously deteriorated or deteriorated trend of petroleum. The early warning map warns people where more attention should be paid, and the paper guides decision making to take appropriate protection actions in different warning levels areas.
Liquid‐Gas Mass Transfer of Volatile Substances in an Energy Dissipating Structure
Authors: Matias Natércia , Ferreira Filipa , Matos José Saldanha , Nielsen Asbjørn Haaning , Vollertsen Jes
Published: March 2018

Mass transfer of a range of volatile substances was studied under highly turbulent conditions. The applied setup mimicked drop structures, where the release of volatile organic carbons likely occurs at a high rate. The experiments covered several substances in a range of resistances from residing entirely in the liquid film to being fully in the gas film. The two‐film theory yielded a good prediction of the whole measured range. This allowed the experimental validation of a method where two reference substances are applied, to determine the transfer of any other substance ‐ independently of where its resistance to mass transfer resides. One finding was that the range of dimensionless Henry's constants, where both films contributed by more than 5%, was 0.0027 to 1.05, which is over five times higher than the accepted rule of thumb (0.0005–0.18). Another finding was that the ratio between the liquid and the gas film mass transfer coefficients of the reference substances was similar for the two drop configurations studied. If this holds true over a wider range of configurations, such a ratio constitutes a valuable shortcut to the current practice of ignoring gas film resistance in the estimation of mass transfer rates.
Reduction of Turbidity and Chromium Content of Tannery Wastewater by Electrocoagulation Process
Authors: Ziati Mounir , Khemmari Fariza , Aitbara Adel , Hazourli Sabir
Published: March 2018

The present study is carried out to remove chromium and turbidity from tannery wastewater using the electrocoagulation process with aluminum electrodes. This experimental study is carried out using a batch system. The applied pilot comprises a reactor containing two parallel metal electrodes (Al). The latter are connected as monopolar, and a different potential is applied between them. Several working parameters, such as applied potential difference, electrolysis time, active electrode surface, interelectrode distance, and the pH of the medium have been studied to achieve higher removal efficiency. The treatment reached a maximum reduction of 99% for turbidity and 93% for chromium under the following conditions: 15 V applied potential difference, 45 cm2 electrode surface, 1 cm interelectrode distance, pH 6.1 raw water, and a contact time of 90 min. Given the treatment efficiency obtained in this study, electrocoagulation process has the potential to be used for the cost‐effective removal of wastewater pollutants.