bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sobre os conceitos transcendentes na Summa de Alexandre de Hales: Notas introdutórias
Authors: Corsi Uellinton Valentim
Published: April 2024

Resumo
O presente artigo visa expor a análise do pensamento de Alexandre de Hales acerca dos seus conceitos transcendentes presentes na sua Summa. Para isso, a formulação da sua teoria metafísica, bem como a forma de obtenção de conhecimento, o conhecimento sobre Deus e a teoria da analogia, constituem a matéria central deste estudo. O método utilizado para coleta de dados é a pesquisa bibliográfica através do referencial teórico sobre a Summa Halensis, em que se buscou dar prioridade aos seus escritos. O foco central desta pesquisa reside no prisma transcendente trinitário concebido pelo autor, que engloba os conceitos de unum, verum e bonum. Esses conceitos estão intrinsecamente ligados a cada pessoa da Trindade - Deus Pai, Filho e Espírito Santo.
 
Resumen
Este artículo tiene como objetivo exponer el análisis realizado sobre el pensamiento de Alexandre de Hales acerca de sus conceptos trascendentes presentes en su Summa. Por eso, la formulación de su teoría metafísica, así como la forma de obtener el conocimiento, el conocimiento de Dios y la teoría de la analogía, constituyen el tema central de este estudio. El método utilizado para la recolección de datos es la investigación bibliográfica a través del marco teórico de Summa Halensis, en el que se dio prioridad a sus escritos. El enfoque central de esta investigación reside en el prisma trascendental trinitario concebido por el autor, que abarca los conceptos de unum, verum y bonum. Estos conceptos están intrínsecamente relacionados con cada persona de la Trinidad: Dios Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo.
 
Abstract
The aim of this article is to present the analysis of Alexandre de Hales' thoughts on his transcendental concepts present in his Summa. Thus, the formulation of his metaphysical theory, as well as the way to obtain knowledge, the knowledge of God and the theory of analogy, constitute the central theme of this study. The method used for the data collection is the bibliographical research through the theoretical framework of Summa Halensis, in which priority was given to his writings. The central focus of this research lies in the transcendental Trinitarian prism conceived by the author, which embraces the concepts of unum, verum and bonum. These concepts are intrinsically related to each person of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
O perfil intelectual filosófico de Juan Martínez de Ripalda sobre o conhecimento em De usu et abusu doctrinae divi Thomae
Authors: Da Silva Pinto Arthur
Published: April 2024

Resumo
O presente estudo visa disponibilizar um panorama sobre o perfil intelectual de Juan Martínez de Ripalda S. J. (1641-1704) em De usu et abusu doctrinae Divi Thomae. Para isso, buscar-se-á contextualizar a vida do jesuíta dedicado à doutrina tomasiana, tanto no Novo Reino de Granada quanto na Espanha. Disto, buscar-se-ão os fundamentos intelectuais do pensamento de Ripalda; nesta lógica, não apenas as noções do Aquinate se farão presentes, senão alguns traços filosóficos provenientes do séc. XVII, os quais, ainda que sutis, tendem a abordar a reflexão do ser no horizonte do conhecer. A fim de alcançar o objetivo destacado, ter-se-á como referencial o livro Vida, Obra y Pensamiento del maestro javeriano Juan Martínez de Ripalda2, composição esta realizada por Germán Marquínez e José del Rey. Por fim, visa-se com isso trazer considerações que possam vir a auxiliar as pesquisas em escolástica colonial.
 
Resumen
Este estudio tiene como objetivo proporcionar una visión general del perfil intelectual de Juan Martínez de Ripalda S. J. (1641-1704) en De usu et abusu doctrinae Divi Thomae. Para ello, se buscará contextualizar la vida del jesuita dedicado a la doctrina tomasiana, tanto en el Nuevo Reino de Granada como en España. A partir de esto, se buscarán los fundamentos intelectuales del pensamiento de Ripalda; en esta lógica, no sólo estarán presentes las nociones de Tomás de Aquino, sino también algunas huellas filosóficas del siglo XVII que, aunque sutiles, tienden a abordar la reflexión del ser en el horizonte del conocer. Para alcanzar el objetivo señalado, se tomará como referencia el libro Vida, Obra y Pensamiento del maestro javeriano Juan Martínez de Ripalda, composición de Germán Marquínez y José del Rey. Finalmente, con esto se pretende aportar consideraciones que puedan ayudar a la investigación en la escolástica colonial.
 
Abstract
The present study aims to provide an overview of the intellectual profile of Juan Martínez of Ripalda S. J. (1641-1704) in De usu et abusu doctrinae Divi Thomae. For this, it will seek to contextualize the life of the Jesuit dedicated to the Thomasian doctrine, both in the New Kingdom of Granada and in Spain. From this, the intellectual foundations of Ripalda’s thought will be sought; in this logic, not only the notions of Aquinas will be present, but also some philosophical traces from the century 17, which, although subtle, tend to address the reflection of being in the horizon of knowing. In order to reach the highlighted objective, the book Vida, Obra y Pensamiento del maestro javeriano Juan Martínez de Ripalda will be used as a reference, a composition made by Germán Marquínez and José del Rey. Finally, it is intended with this to bring considerations that may come to assist research in colonial scholasticism.
The Ocean Exploration Trust 2023 Field Season
Authors: Wagner Daniel
Published: April 2024

This annual report marks the fifteenth year anniversary of Ocean Exploration Trust’s (OET) E/V Nautilus exploring poorly known parts of our global ocean in search of new discoveries. Since its first season in 2009, E/V Nautilus has conducted a total of 158 expeditions that explored our ocean throughout the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific for a total of 1,970 days at sea (~5.5 years). These scientific expeditions included a total of 1,017 successful ROV dives, as well as mapped over 1,053,000 km2 of seafloor. The results of these exploratory expeditions have been summarized in over 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications covering a wide range of scientific disciplines, including marine geology, biology, archaeology, chemistry, technology development, and the social sciences. Throughout its 15-year history, E/V Nautilus has been not only a platform for ocean exploration and discovery, but also an inclusive workspace that has provided pathways for more people, especially those early in their careers, to experience and enter ocean exploration professions. It has also catalyzed numerous technological innovations, multi-disciplinary collaborations, and inspired millions through OET’s extensive outreach initiatives. The 2023 field season was no exception, with E/V Nautilus undertaking 12 multi-disciplinary expeditions that explored some of the most remote and poorly surveyed areas in the Pacific, all of which included numerous activities to share expedition stories with diverse audiences across the globe.
Sustainable Finance: Features and Perspectives
Authors: Vasylchuk Iryna , Izmaylova Natalya , Shablii Yaroslava
Published: April 2024

The aim of the article is to explore the level of development and maturity of the concept of sustainable financing, examine its components and defining characteristics, and assess the trends in its development. Several research questions have been formulated: What is the essential content of the definition of «sustainable financing», and what evolutionary changes have occurred in the conceptual approach to financing sustainable development? What can be identified as the peculiarities of the concept of sustainable financing and the content and changes in its main components? What is the current state of development of the global and European sustainable investing market and its prospects for development? It was established that evolution of the concept has led to fundamental shifts in the understanding of investment principles and distinctions between responsible investing and sustainable development investing based on ESG principles: under the former approach, the goal of financial market participants is to mitigate the risks associated with transitioning to sustainable development, while under the second approach - to benefit from the realization of sustainable development opportunities. The opinion is expressed that based on the set of signs and patterns, it is possible to state a break in the existing system of views on capital allocation processes in financial markets, and according to the degree of maturity, this break indicates the transition from the "concept" to the "paradigm" of sustainable financing. It is argued that the peculiarities of sustainable financing are determined by its components, its goal function, the diverse spectrum of financial market participants, and the financial instruments. Sustainable finance has been found to help transform both economies and societies through more responsible development and investment around the world, but its development trends in recent years have been influenced by geopolitical factors such as pandemics and war.
Possibilities of adapting the EU experience in information security to the conditions of Ukraine
Authors: Izmailov Yaroslav , Yegorova Iryna
Published: April 2024

Information war, the promotion and spread of disinformation is a threat to regional, national and international security, especially in the conditions of rapid development of globalization, the fight against COVID-19, digitalization, increased international competition and pose new problems to the countries of the world. The Ukrainian-Russian war brought the information technologies of aggression and influence to a new level, therefore the experience of the developed countries of the European Union in information security is very relevant for Ukraine. Kremlin-controlled media outlets spread biased narratives, spread misinformation, and exploit existing vulnerabilities in Ukraine's media landscape. The purpose of the article is to determine the problems and prospects of ensuring the development of information security in Ukraine by adapting the positive experience of the countries of the European Union.Based on the analysis of the positive experience of the countries of the European Union, in order to ensure the information security of Ukraine, it is necessary to: pay great attention to the issues of cyber security, which is an organic part of information security; to rationally centralize powers in the field of information security; carry out active technological development and development of computer and information systems; to improve regulatory legal support and provisions of information security; to involve universities and employers in the professional training of information security specialists, to train the public in the form of information security courses; clearly define the main concepts and categories, make a list of relevant threats to information security; to provide truthful comprehensive information in combination with the dissemination of broad propaganda of national interests; take actions for the development of information culture and information society; to advertise the rules of information hygiene, prudence and legibility when contacting information; to educate Ukrainian citizens in critical thinking and the ability to recognize negative informational influence, manipulation, disinformation, falsification, etc.
Merger and Acquisition Synergy Study: the Case of Ukraine
Authors: Purii Hanna , Arbidane Iluta , Maksimova Iryna , Padalka Oleh , Kulishov Volodymyr
Published: April 2024

The article examines theories and mechanisms of mergers and acquisitions, analyzes recent publications of international and national scholars and experts, provides various points of view on definition and interpretation of mergers and acquisitions, and offers the author's version of this concept. The article considers synergies that are competitive from an economic point of view, analyzes trends and the latest M&A schemes, suggests possible scenarios in the Ukrainian market, problems and ways to solve them, and draws certain conclusions. Merger and acquisition (M&A) have become a foremost strategic alliance for business, product and logistics in global environment. Using meta-literature review, a general analysis was carried out on M&A to assess motives, methods, financing sources, announcement effects, cross-border competitions, success-failure, valuation issues, and business strategies. It is highlighted in the study the main problems and weaknesses of Ukrainian companies that hinder effective IPOs are the following: a requirement on the part of domestic legislation to issue shares of companies in the national currency; prohibition by Ukrainian legislation to issue more than 25% of shares abroad; the need for the company to comply with all the requirements of a public company; the need to demonstrate stable and long-term dynamics of financial indicators and other components of financial statements; availability of financial resources to go through all stages of preparation and conduct of the IPO (5-20% of the placement amount); inconsistency of the provisions of national legislation with the requirements of foreign stock exchanges; differences in accounting and tax reporting with foreign companies. Despite the fairly widespread global use of M&A transactions in the corporate sector, Ukrainian market is not yet able to effectively use them as a tool for crisis management and preservation of the economic potential of companies due to serious legal gaps, economic problems of corporate and public administration, high political and financial risks of an unstable economy, low business culture and ethics.
Development of briquette modifier composition to increase the stability of grinding media in iron ore fine grinding mills
Authors: Suslo Nataliia , Huk Yelyzaveta , Panchenko Hanna
Published: April 2024

Recently, there has been a trend towards the use of modifiers in the form of briquettes produced by pressing highly dispersed materials with a binder. The choice of a rational composition of the briquette-modifier will improve the properties of cast irons and steels by increasing the assimilation of the modifying components and facilitating their introduction into the melt. Therefore, the possibility of using briquetted materials for modifying and alloying cast iron to improve melt quality, considered in this paper, is relevant. A literature analysis was carried out on the methods of producing briquettes. The influence of the main technological parameters of briquettes production on their quality characteristics is studied. It was found that the main limitation of the use of briquette modifiers is their high dissolution temperature (more than 1450 °C). The paper considers the possibility of reducing the briquette dissolution temperature by introducing the magnesium-aluminium alloy MAGR into its composition, which helps to accelerate the dissolution due to the internal rupture of the briquette from thermal shock.  The rational composition of the modifier, which includes nanodispersed titanium carbonitride powder (35-40%), granular MAGR alloy (5-10%) and dispersed cast iron chips (the rest), was determined by laboratory tests. The proposed composition of the briquettes is appropriate in terms of the optimum dissolution temperature (12500C) and increasing the rate of interaction of the briquette reagents with the melt. The experimental briquette modifiers were tested in industrial conditions at PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. According to the results of the research, it was found that the use of the developed briquette-modifier in the manufacture of cast iron grinding balls increases their operational stability by 18-30%, which made it possible to reduce the cost of ore grinding.
Tools for ensuring the competitiveness of business entities in the context of development to EU conditions
Authors: Vasylchak Svitlana , Petrynyak Uliana , Dubyna Marija , Soloviy Serhiy
Published: April 2024

The subject of the study is the methodological aspects of ensuring the competitiveness of business structures in the conditions of EU integration. The purpose of the study is to determine the tools for ensuring the competitiveness of business structures in the conditions of integration into the EU. The research used a set of scientific methods and approaches, including systematic and logical, which made it possible to ensure the conceptual unity of the research. The article substantiates the necessity of using tools for the formation and competitiveness of business structures in the conditions of integration into the EU and the directions of its improvement. The field of application of the research results is the field of development of business structures in the context of EU integration. The main conclusions of the study and its methodological results can be summarized as follows: on the basis of the conducted analysis, it is proved that among the most important ways of strengthening the economy, ensuring the competitiveness of business structures in the conditions of EU integration. An analysis of the dynamics of the number of active business structures in Ukraine was carried out, the factors that influenced the increase in the volume of produced products and services, their implementation by subjects of large, medium, small and micro-businesses were determined. Conducted studies of capital investments in the activity of business structures by sources. The concepts that form the effect of general management of material resources and intangible assets are outlined. In order to increase the competitiveness of business structures, four competitive strategies are proposed. In the conditions of competitive struggle and in the conditions of European integration, the ways of increasing the competitiveness of business structures are outlined. Taking into account the changing conditions of today, an effective tool for increasing competitiveness is competences, which are the most important component of the competitiveness of business structures, which determines their identity, their difference from other business units
Business perfomance management of domestic insurance companies in military conflict
Authors: Suprun Nataliia , Petrishyna Tetiana , Smyrna Olha , Sadovenko Maryna , Yatsenko Nataliia
Published: April 2024

The article examines the factors contributing to the efficiency of participants in Ukraine's insurance market amidst the backdrop of war. Differences in the functioning of banking and insurance systems during wartime are examined. The paper identifies the key factors that impede the operations of Ukrainian insurers and directly impact their effectiveness. It is noted that issues stemming from the war have led to a reduction in the number of market participants, and this trend continues. The analysis showed that the majority of leading insurance companies in the Ukrainian insurance market managed to overcome the initial adverse effects of the war and reestablish profitable operations by the end of 2022. The experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic aided insurers in maintaining control and preserving their client base in unoccupied territories. Calculations based on reported data from well-known insurance companies indicate that acceptable return on equity indicators were achieved by the end of 2022, primarily due to the use of financial leverage (considering the specific nature of insurance). However, the high level of inflation in the country during 2022 hindered insurers from attaining a satisfactory rate of return on their assets, thus constraining their overall effectiveness. Stabilization and gradual market growth in 2023, coupled with official forecasts of reduced inflation in 2024-2025, provide grounds for optimism regarding the attainment of the necessary operational and financial efficiency in the upcoming years. The research demonstrates the efficacy of anti-crisis measures while also shedding light on their limitations in terms of future success. To achieve strategic transformations and ensure effective long-term operation, enterprises must increase capitalization through external investments, develop and implement new insurance services aligned with contemporary needs, design, deepen, and execute digital transformation programs for the insurance sector, refine investment policies, and collaborate with industry associations to work towards the elimination of discriminatory tax legislation.
Perfilman Nasional dalam Negara Orde Baru
Authors: Aulia Masyitoh , Kurniawati Asti
Published: April 2024

The development of national films during the New Order era experienced ups and downs. This condition is influenced by various factors, including competition with imported films, funding problems, the presence of private television stations, and so on. However, among the various influencing factors, state policy holds the main determining key. This article explains the dynamics of national cinema in the New Order country which experienced development in the 1970s and 1980s and experienced decline in the 1990s. The sources used to prepare this article are archives, contemporary newspaper reports, and oral sources.
Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) di Tengah Perubahan Global: Membangun Bisnis Online Menghadapi Kompetitor
Authors: Utami Carolina Santi Muji , Setiawati Nur Aini , Maryuni Yuni
Published: April 2024

The development of information technology in the 21st century is very rapid, and is experiencing very dynamic changes. Business actors in various business fields are required to be sensitive to any changes that occur. Business competition in various fields is increasing. Mastery, use and technological innovation in the 21st century will greatly affect its ability to face competitors and compete. The research problem is how the strategy of micro, small and medium enterprises utilizes e-commerce as a place for business development. The purpose of this study is to get an explanation of the strategy to face competitors and gain competitive advantage. Qualitative descriptive method is carried out by observation techniques in the form of observations and interviews. Literature study is used as a support for vacancies in the field. The analysis used is interactive descriptive analysis. The findings get an explanation of the role of Marketplace and social media as a place for producers and consumers to meet, Social media as part of the MSME strategic activities to expand networks, and reach consumers.
Kesehatan dan Lingkungan dalam Perspektif Sejarah: Perkembangan Baru Historiografi Indonesia
Authors: Emalia Imas
Published: April 2024

This article will explain the new developments in Indonesian history writing since entering the 2000s. The theme of health and the environment is increasingly in demand among academics, including historians. The 2019 coronavirus disease (covid) phenomenon that has hit most parts of the world brings various lessons to human life, including learning history. Among academics, researchers, historians, and students, writing on the theme of health and the environment continues to stretch as if it is a new trend. This period can be said to be the period of 'performance' of health and environmental research. Both of these themes have become prima donna in various campus events, health institutions, and places of worship. Until now, the two themes are still in demand by history students. Unfortunately, the guidelines or framework of reference (Learning Program Units/SAP) do not yet exist, so it seems there is "a void" in the historical and historiographical methodology space. Even though the findings of historical data have told a lot about past community events related to health and the environment, starting from epidemics, policies, institutions, and environmental damage, to wastewater treatment. Therefore, the purpose of writing this article is to contribute to thinking about the development of the theme of historical writing, so that new themes by the trends of the times can be written from a historical perspective. The research problem raised is how health and the environment are written from a historical perspective. The writing of this article uses the historical method with a social history approach.
Overcoming the nutritional immunity by engineering iron scavenging bacteria for cancer therapy
Authors: Huang Sin-Wei , Lim See-Khai , Yu Yao-An , Pan Yi-Chung , Lien Wan-Ju , Mou Chung-Yuan , Hu Che-Ming Jack , Mou Kurt Yun
Published: April 2024

Certain bacteria demonstrate the ability to target and colonize the tumor microenvironment, a characteristic that positions them as innovative carriers for delivering various therapeutic agents in cancer therapy. Nevertheless, our understanding of how bacteria adapt their physiological condition to the tumor microenvironment remains elusive. In this work, we employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to examine the proteome of
E. coli
colonized in murine tumors. Comparing to
E. coli
cultivated in the rich medium, we found that
E. coli
colonized in tumors notably upregulated the processes related to ferric ions, including the enterobactin biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. This finding indicated that the tumor is an iron-deficient environment to
E. coli
. We also found that the colonization of
E. coli
in the tumor led to an increased expression of lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a host’s protein that can sequester the enterobactin. We therefore engineered
E. coli
in order to evade the nutritional immunity provided by LCN2. By introducing the IroA cluster, the
E. coli
synthesizes the glycosylated enterobactin, which creates steric hindrance to avoid the LCN2 sequestration. The IroA-
E. coli
showed enhanced resistance to LCN2 and significantly improved the anti-tumor activity in mice. Moreover, the mice cured by the IroA-
E. coli
treatment became resistant to the tumor re-challenge, indicating the establishment of immunological memory. Overall, our study underscores the crucial role of bacteria’s ability to acquire ferric ions within the tumor microenvironment for effective cancer therapy.
Students’ Public success and private breakdown?
Authors: Liow Zhengping
Published: April 2024

Design literacy becomes more essential to creating a collaborative and inclusive society. Nonetheless, students were more anxious and exhibited lower performance when design studio tutors employed the conventional master-apprentice pedagogy. The cross-pollinative team learning (CTL) design studio pedagogy was operationalised in a year-long randomised controlled trial with first-year Generation-Z beginning design students to resolve the limitations in the existing pedagogy. The CTL students were significantly less anxious compared to master-apprentice students at the year end, although the impact of both pedagogies on anxiety was relatively modest. The hidden CTL curriculum and social support were also demonstrated to enable CTL students to outperform one-on-one master-apprentice learners academically. This study suggested that the power structures of design studios should be recalibrated to acquire CTL advantages, thereby leading to more effective learning outcomes.
The Impact of Floods on Livelihoods of Farmers in Bagalkot District of Karnataka, India
Authors: Gunadal Narayan Murigeppa , H. C Harshitha, , D. M Madhu, , Honyal Arun Shivayogi , Kanavalli Jayalaxmi
Published: April 2024

Aim: The study investigates the impact of floods on farm income and livelihoods of farmers in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, focusing on the years 2019 and 2020.
Study Design: Multi stage purposive sampling technique was adopted to collect the data.
Place and Duration of Study: Bagalkot district of Northern Karnataka was selected for the study.
Methodology: The study is based on primary data collected from 90 respondents belonging to Ghataprabha and Krishna river basin in Mudhol (45) and Jamakhandi (45) taluks. Descriptive statistics is used to analyses the data.
Results: The results revealed substantial losses in farm infrastructure, including residences, farm buildings, pump houses, and cattle sheds, with significant financial implications. During 2019, the average loss incurred by the sample households from all the sources was Rs. 8,55,540 against which Rs. 99,222 was paid as compensation by the Government which accounts for 11.59 per cent of the total loss. Similarly, during 2020, the average loss incurred by the respondents was Rs. 4,05,373 against which only Rs. 41,277 was paid as compensation from the state Government which accounts for 10.18 per cent of the total loss. Moreover, floods led to on-farm and off-farm income losses, with severe implications for livelihoods. Coping mechanisms employed by farmers included selling farm produce, livestock, and valuable assets, as well as borrowing credit from various sources.
Conclusion: The compensation given by the government is very less as compared to loss incurred. On time release of compensation is required to coping with disaster.  The persistent challenges faced by farmers in mitigating the impacts of floods on their livelihoods. Therefore, there is need for a separate disaster management policy especially for northern districts of Karnataka which faces severe flooding during monsoon period.
Induced Water Deficit Tolerance in Hexaploid Wheat through Exogenous Application of Trehalose and Cytokinins: Water Relations and Physiological Changes
Authors: Kaur Aparjot , Singh Gurwinder , Sharma Achla , Thind S K
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different physiological responses of hexaploid genotypes of wheat (HD2967, PBW660 and WH1105) in drought-affected areas and to study the effect of exogenous application of osmoprotectants like trehalose (Tre) along with cytokinins (Kinetin [Kn] and Benzyl Adenine [BA]) on cell membrane function and retention of water status of wheat as affected by drought. Presently, drought stress has a significant negative effect on membrane stability, cell viability, lipid peroxidation, relative leaf water content, and a significant increase in water saturation deficit, relative saturation deficit, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Exogenous application of trehalose in combination with different concentrations (applications) of Kn and BA helps to retain membrane stability, cell viability, and reduced malondialdehyde content, which in turn helps in the maintenance of the cellular water status of plants.
Stepwise assembly of micropatterned co‐cultures using photoresponsive culture surfaces and its application to hepatic tissue arrays
Authors: Kikuchi Kyoko , Sumaru Kimio , Edahiro Jun‐Ichi , Ooshima Yuki , Sugiura Shinji , Takagi Toshiyuki , Kanamori Toshiyuki
Published: January 2009

Cell micropatterning, a method to place cells at arbitrary regions, is becoming an essential tool to conduct cell biology and tissue engineering. Conventional cell patterning techniques usually allow only single patterning with single cell type on the same culture surface. However, biomedical research today requires even sophisticated fabrication methods that require spatiotemporal control of multiple cell arrangements. Here we introduce in situ cell micropatterning system which enables stepwise cell patterning using a photoresponsive cell culture surface (PRCS) whose cell adhesiveness could be altered by the UV irradiation. To demonstrate an application to tissue engineering, a liver‐mimic tissue array was fabricated and liver‐specific gene expressions were quantified with real time PCR. Patterned co‐culture systems composed of HepG2 spheroids with Balb/3T3 were fabricated, and the optimum spheroid diameter, which yielded the highest cellular functions, was determined to be 150 µm. After 20 days of patterned co‐culture of HepG2 spheroids and Balb/3T3, CYP3A4 expression increased 50‐fold higher than conventionally cultured HepG2; CYP3A4 expression was 20% higher than randomly co‐cultured HepG2 and Balb/3T3. Thus the combination of PRCS and the photomask‐free irradiation apparatus showed the versatility of experimental setups and proved to be a powerful tool for biomedical studies. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 552–561. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective bioparticle retention and characterization in a chip‐integrated confocal ultrasonic cavity
Authors: Svennebring J. , Manneberg O. , Skafte‐Pedersen P. , Bruus H. , Wiklund M.
Published: January 2009

We demonstrate selective retention and positioning of cells or other bioparticles by ultrasonic manipulation in a microfluidic expansion chamber during microfluidic perfusion. The chamber is designed as a confocal ultrasonic resonator for maximum confinement of the ultrasonic force field at the chamber center, where the cells are trapped. We investigate the resonant modes in the expansion chamber and its connecting inlet channel by theoretical modeling and experimental verification during no‐flow conditions. Furthermore, by triple‐frequency ultrasonic actuation during continuous microfluidic sample feeding, a set of several manipulation functions performed in series is demonstrated: sample bypass—injection—aggregation and retention—positioning. Finally, we demonstrate transillumination microscopy imaging of ultrasonically trapped COS‐7 cell aggregates. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 323–328. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and evaluation of laboratory tool applied to electric power radial system
Authors: Qamber I. S. , Qader M. R.
Published: January 2009

The effectiveness of Excel in calculating Number of Voltage Sags as a Function of Critical Voltage for N outgoing feeders (radial system) is demonstrated. Nine examples are presented in the present study, where each example has different number of SAG(s). Each case is plotted on the same curve, which shows the variation of each case. As a compilation of the nine cases are shown in the last sheet of the Excel sheets. The Excel sheets as a total are 10 sheets, the tenth sheet is the compiled sheet for the nine examples. The study shows a high accuracy and time saving for engineering undergraduate students. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 479–483, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20199
Mutual impedance of non‐parallel conductors with earth return
Authors: Budnik K. , Machczyński W.
Published: January 2009

The calculation of currents and potentials along underground conductors (telecommunication and power cables, pipelines) occurs in many practical problems associated with interference from currents in power transmission lines or electrified railways lines. The knowledge of the mutual impedance between both earth‐return circuits is essential in case of inductive influence. The mutual impedances of long conductors may be derived using the Carson method. The formulas, however, apply only to parallel conductors. In case of non‐parallel conductors an approximation method overcomes this problem by segmenting the angled conductor along its length. In the paper the alternative approach is proposed, based on the linearization of the mutual impedance characteristic for 50 Hz. The use of the linear regression method leads to accurate results of calculation of potentials excited by the inductive effects of a transmission line on non‐parallel underground conductor.

In the paper the method of determination of the mutual impedance of angled conductors with earth return is also developed for the case when one of the conductors is finite in the length. The formula for the mutual impedance contains an integral, which does not have an analytical solution. A numerical integration algorithm is developed. The exemplary calculations show that the use of the algorithm developed leads to results with considerably accuracy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the quantitative relationship between the olfactory thresholds of pyrazine derivatives and their molecular structures
Authors: Luan Feng , Wang Xinghu , Liu Huitao , Gao Yuan , Guo Yun , Xie Zhaoyang , Zhang Xiaoyun
Published: January 2009

Quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) investigation was performed for the study of olfactory thresholds of pyrazine derivatives. Descriptors calculated from the molecular structures alone were used to represent the characteristics of the compounds. The six molecular descriptors selected by the best mutilinear regression (BMLR) in CODESSA were used as inputs for support vector machine (SVM) and radial basis function neural networks (RNFNN). The root mean squared errors (RMS) of logarithm of olfactory thresholds (p.p.m.) for the training, predicted and overall datasets were 0.5674, 0.6601 and 0.5860 for BMLR, 0.4720, 0.6861 and 0.5194 for RBFNN, and 0.5242, 0.6466 and 0.5495 for SVM, respectively. The prediction results were in agreement with the experimental values. The QSPR models provide a rapid, simple and valid way to predict the odour threshold of pyrazine derivatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The proteolytic activity of insulin‐degrading enzyme: a mass spectrometry study
Authors: Grasso Giuseppe , Rizzarelli Enrico , Spoto Giuseppe
Published: January 2009

The prominent role that insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE) has on amyloidogenic peptides degradation has recently boosted a lot of attention toward this enzyme. Although many substrates are known to be degraded by IDE, little is known about the changes in the proteolytic activity of the enzyme upon modification of environmental factors.

In a previous work we have already shown the great potentiality of atmospheric pressure/laser desorption ionization‐mass spectrometry (AP/MALDI‐MS) for studying the interaction between IDE and insulin. Here, the activity of IDE was investigated regarding cleavage sites' preferentiality upon modification of environmental factors by AP/MALDI‐MS. The roles that IDE/insulin concentration ratio, reaction time, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) and metal ions (Zn and Cu) have on the insulin cleavage pattern produced by IDE are investigated and a plausible interpretation involving the proteolytic action of the different IDE oligomeric forms is proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation and characterisation of a novel angiotensin I‐converting enzyme‐inhibitory peptide derived fromdouchi, a traditional Chinese fermented soybean food
Authors: Fan Junfeng , Hu Xiaozhong , Tan Szesze , Zhang Yanyan , Tatsumi Eizo , Li Lite
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND:Douchi, a traditional fermented soybean food, has recently attracted a great deal of attention owing to its superior physiological activity. In the present study the angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitory activity of typicaldouchiprocured from various regions of China was analysed. An ACE‐inhibitory peptide derived from the most potentdouchiwas also isolated and characterised. The pattern of ACE inhibition and resistance to hydrolysis by gastrointestinal proteases of this peptide are described.

RESULTS:ACE‐inhibitory activities were detected in alldouchisamples, with IC50values ranging from 0.204 to 2.011 mg mL−1. Among thedouchisamples, aMucor‐typedouchiexhibited the most potent ACE‐inhibitory activity (IC50= 0.204 mg mL−1). A novel ACE‐inhibitory peptide was then isolated from thisMucor‐typedouchiusing ultrafiltration followed by Sephadex G‐25 column chromatography and reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the purified peptide was identified by Edman degradation as His‐Leu‐Pro (IC50= 2.37 µmol L−1). The peptide is a competitive inhibitor and maintained its inhibitory activity even after incubation with some gastrointestinal proteases.

CONCLUSION:The present study shows that peptides derived from soybean fermentation duringdouchiprocessing could be the main contributor to the ACE‐inhibitory activity observed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Suppressing One‐Bond Correlations in HMBC Spectra: Improved Performance for the BIRD–HMBC Pulse Sequence
Authors: Furrer Julien , Thévenet Damien
Published: January 2009

An improved version of the BIRD–HMBC experiment is proposed. In comparison to the original version, the filtering (suppression of 1 JCH signals) is accomplished using a double tuned G‐BIRD filter positioned in the middle of the long‐range correlations evolution period. Compensation of offset dependence by replacing the rectangular 180° pulses with the broadband inversion pulses (BIPs), with superior inversion performance and improved tolerance to B1 field inhomogeneity, significantly improves the sensitivity of the original BIRD–HMBC experiment. For usual one‐bond coupling constants ranges (115–180 Hz), optimal results are easily obtained by adjusting the delays, δ, of the BIRD elements to an average J value. For larger ranges (e.g. 110–260 Hz), the use of a double tuned G‐BIRD filter allows excellent suppression degrees for all types of one‐bond constants present in a molecule, superior to the original scheme and other purging schemes. These attributes make the improved version of the BIRD–HMBC experiment a valuable and robust tool for rapid spectral analysis and rapid checks of molecular skeletons with a minimum spectrometer time. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of Unsupported Small Palladium Nanoparticles
Authors: Qi Weihong , Huang Baiyun , Wang Mingpu
Published: January 2009

A tight binding molecular dynamics calculation has been conducted to study the size and coordination dependence of bond length and bond energy of Pd atomic clusters of 1.2–5.4 nm in diameter. It has been found that the bond contraction associated with bond energy increases in the outermost layer about 0.24 nm in a radial way, yet in the core interior the bond length and the bond energy remain their corresponding bulk values. This surface bond contraction is independent of the particle size.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Isopropanol Over PbSnO3Nanostructures Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Chen Di , Ouyang Shuxin , Ye Jinhua
Published: January 2009

Nanostructured PbSnO3photocatalysts with particulate and tubular morphologies have been synthesized from a simple hydrothermal process. As-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area, transmission electron microscopy, and diffraction spectroscopy. The photoactivities of the PbSnO3nanostructures for isopropanol (IPA) degradation under visible light irradiation were investigated systematically, and the results revealed that these nanostructures show much higher photocatalytic properties than bulk PbSnO3material. The possible growth mechanism of tubular PbSnO3catalyst was also investigated briefly.
Dihydroxylated phenolic acids derived from microbial metabolism reduce lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine secretion by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Monagas María , Khan Nasiruddin , Andrés-Lacueva Cristina , Urpí-Sardá Mireia , Vázquez-Agell Mónica , Lamuela-Raventós Rosa María , Estruch Ramón
Published: January 2009

Oligomers and polymers of flavan-3-ols (proanthocyanidins) are very abundant in the Mediterranean diet, but are poorly absorbed. However, when these polyphenols reach the colon, they are metabolised by the intestinal microbiota into various phenolic acids, including phenylpropionic, phenylacetic and benzoic acid derivatives. Since the biological properties of these metabolites are not completely known, in the present study, we investigated the effect of the following microbial phenolic metabolites: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (3,4-DHPPA), 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4-DHPAA), 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxyhippuric acid (4-HHA), on modulation of the production of the main pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). The production of these cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) pre-treated with the phenolic metabolites was studied in six healthy volunteers. With the exception of 4-HHA for TNF-α secretion, only the dihydroxylated compounds, 3,4-DHPPA and 3,4-DHPAA, significantly inhibited the secretion of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated PBMC. Mean inhibition of the secretion of TNF-α by 3,4-DHPPA and 3,4-DHPAA was 84·9 and 86·4 %, respectively. The concentrations of IL-6 in the culture supernatant were reduced by 88·8 and 92·3 % with 3,4-DHPPA and 3,4-DHPAA pre-treatment, respectively. Finally, inhibition was slightly higher for IL-1β, 93·1 % by 3,4-DHPPA and 97·9 % by 3,4-DHPAA. These results indicate that dihydroxylated phenolic acids derived from microbial metabolism present marked anti-inflammatory properties, providing additional information about the health benefits of dietary polyphenols and their potential value as therapeutic agents.
Native Americans, Conversion, and Christian Practice in Colonial New England, 1640—1730
Authors: Fisher Linford D.
Published: January 2009

Fortunately, the two travelers arrived before sunset. Earlier in the day, on 5 May 1674, John Eliot and Daniel Gookin had set out from Boston for Wamesit, the northernmost of the fourteen Indian “praying towns” within the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the one most subjected to retaliatory attacks from raiding bands of Mohawks in the previous few years. Upon safe arrival, the Englishmen greeted their Pennacook friends and gathered as many as they could at the wigwam of Wannalancet, the head sachem of Wamesit, where Eliot, the aging missionary to the Indians, proceeded to talk about the meaning of the parable of the marriage of the king's son in Matthew 22:1—4. Wannalancet, according to Gookin, was a “sober and grave person, and of years, between fifty and sixty”; he had from the beginning been “loving and friendly to the English,” and in return they had tried to encourage him to embrace Christianity. Although the English missionaries would have desired him to readily accept the gospel message they preached, Wannalancet voluntarily incorporated Christian practices slowly, over time, without necessarily repudiating his native culture and traditional religious practices.1 For four years Wannalancet “had been willing to hear the word of God preached”; when Eliot or other missionaries made their periodic visits to Wamesit, Wannalancet made sure he was there. Over time, Wannalancet adopted the English practices of keeping the Sabbath, learning to go to any available meeting or instruction, fellowshipping, and refraining from various activities proscribed by the town's praying leaders. Despite all that, however, the English missionaries still complained that he “hath stood off” since he had “not yielded up himself personally.”2
The Informational Fabric of Eighteenth-Century India and the Middle East: Couriers, Intermediaries and Postal Communication
Authors: SOOD GAGAN D. S.
Published: January 2009

Mundane knowledge of how information flows is essential for a proper understanding of large organisations and complex activities. It gives us valuable insights into the prevailing constraints of the era and the creative responses that enabled the demands of its cosmopolitan residents to be met. Though the sinews of communication have been a major topic of historical inquiry in recent decades, the focus has been decidedly uneven; much of the attention has been directed towards modern times and, for earlier periods, has been confined almost entirely to Europe, the western European empires and those sectors of the world's political economy in which Europeans had a stake. The rest of the world, in comparison, has been neglected, which may be seen clearly in the case of early modern India and the Middle East. This paper seeks to rectify the imbalance by offering a typology for making sense of how packages of low weight and high value were collected, transported and delivered over long distances within the region in the eighteenth century. While drawing on a wide range of sources, at the core of this analysis lies the correspondence of the headmen of a group—the Aiyangar pattamars—who specialised as couriers in pre-colonial southern India. Among the principal claims set forth are that there existed in this period two basic modes of private communication: in one, personal trust was paramount, in the other, the mode was effectively monopolised by recognised communities providing the necessary informational services within their cultural domain. These claims, if sustained, have major implications for current views on early modern India and the Middle East.