bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limites do suerrealismo na poesia de Murilo Mendes
Authors: Destri Luisa
Published: June 2017

Este texto discute a influência do surrealismo na poesia amorosa de Murilo Mendes (1901-1975), um dos quatro grandes poetas modernistas brasileiros, a partir do modelo de leitura proposto por Roland Barthes em Le plaisir du texte. São considerados principalmente poemas do livro As metamorfoses (1944), com o objetivo de flagrar o movimento entre uma margem sensata e outra subversiva, conforme propõe o ensaísta francês. Observa-se assim como o espelhamento na vanguarda resulta em ambiguidades, pois obedece ao desejo de crítica à realidade, mas serve também à afirmação do sujeito, afastando o risco (politicamente desejado) de sua perda ou dissolução
Catalina todos los jueves
Authors: López Alejandro José
Published: June 2017

Cuento
Moebius
Authors: Toro Hernán
Published: June 2017

Cuento
La interacción entre los textos y la teoría en la aulas de literatura.
Authors: Guardalá Rosana
Published: June 2017

Actis, B. & Barberis, R. (2013). Las aulas de literatura. De los textos a la teoría y de la teoría a los textos. Rosario: Homosapiens. p. 164.
CuLi2Cl4 catalysed cross-coupling strategy for the formal synthesis of the diterpenoid (+)-subersic acid from (–)-sclareol
Authors: Wu Qiangyong , Wang Peiqiang , Zhou Bin , Hua Sikai , Ren Jiangmeng , Zeng Bu-Bing
Published: June 2017

A CuLi2Cl4-catalysed regioselective cross-coupling is used in a key step leading to the concise synthesis of (+)-subersic acid with an overall yield of 25.7% from commercially available (–)-sclareol. The coupled product 15-(2-methoxy-5-carbomethoxy)phenyl-labda-8(9),13 E-diene was obtained in 62% yield under CuLi2Cl4 conditions starting from 2-iodo-4-carbomethoxyanisole and 15-acetoxy-labda-8(9),13 E-diene. These were derived from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and (–)-sclareol respectively. The 15-(2-methoxy-5-carbomethoxy)phenyl-labda-8(9),13 E-diene was easily transformed into (+)-subersic acid by demethylation of the phenol ether and ester. This cross-coupling strategy showed a good functional group tolerance and various (+)-subersic acid derivatives were obtained in moderate yields.
Phytochemical identification of volatile fraction, essential oil and screening of antioxidant, antibacterial, allelopathic and insecticidal potential from Artemisia herba-alba leaves
Authors: Bellili Sana , Jazi Sabrine , Hrira Mohamed Yahya , Lamari Ali , Dhifi Wissal , Diouani Mohamed Fethi , Araújo Maria Eduarda , Cioni Pier Luigi , Flamini Guido , Cherif Ameur , Mnif Wissem
Published: June 2017

In the present paper, the essential oil and the volatiles emitted in vivo by leaves of A. herba alba, which grows wild in center of Tunisia, were analyzed by GC-MS and SPME, respectively. The essential oil was characterized by the predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes (93.3%) with α-thujone as the major compound (45.5%) followed by β-thujone (11.4%), trans-sabinyl acetate (10.1%) and 1,8-cineole (7.4%). The SPME analyses showed that oxygenated monoterpenes were the most representative compounds (64.9%). The major ones were α-thujone (37.9%), germacrene D (16.5%), 1,8-cineole (8.4%) followed by β-thujone (7.8%). Moreover, different activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, allelopathic and insecticidal) of the leaf essential oil were investigated. The antioxidant activity was ascertained by evaluating its inhibitory effect against DPPH and ABTS. The results showed that the essential oil had a strong activity and it was more effective against the DPPH radical (IC50 = 6 μg/mL) than the ABTS radical (IC50 = 40 μg/mL). In antibacterial screening, it inhibited the growth of all bacteria tested except Salmonella anatum and Salmonella salamae which were resistant to this oil type. Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera were found to be extremely sensitive with the lowest MIC value (0.007 mg/mL). In addition, allelopathic activity was evaluated against Lactuca sativa and Raphanus sativus. Data showed that, with essential oil, seed germination was completely inhibited for both of them, suggesting a potent allelopathic potential for the evaluated oil. Insecticidal activity was investigated against Culex pipiens larvae and a weak activity (LC50 241.1 ppm) for this A. herba alba essential oil.
Chelation therapy: The interaction of British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) with some heavy metal cations of p and d blocks
Authors: Ioannou Panayiotis V. , Vachliotis Dimitris G. , Chrissanthopoulos Athanassios
Published: June 2017

The reaction of BAL with Sn(IV), SnCl2·2H2O, Pb(II), Ag(I), Cd(II) and Pd(II) gave water-insoluble solids where BAL coordinated using its two sulfur atoms, BAL(S,S)M, while anhydrous SnCl2 gave BAL(O,S)Sn. Apart from the Sn(IV) and Ag(I) which should be monomeric, the structure of the other solids (monomeric or polymeric) could not be established. Indium(III) chloride did not react with either thiophenol or BAL in the absence of a base. In the presence of sodium hydroxide under 1:1:1, 1:2:2 and 1:3:3 molar ratios of InCl3/PhSH/NaOH, the products incorporated the formed sodium chloride and In(SPh)3 was isolated after aqueous work up in the 1:3:3 case. Thallium(III) aceteate gave Tl-SPh and PhSSPh. Thallium(I) acetate and thallium(I) fluoride also gave Tl-SPh in 100% and 75% yields, respectively. The lower yields with TlF is attributed to the non thiophilic HTlF2 formed during the reaction. Theoretical calculations of TlF, (TlF)2 and TlF2- revealed a novel structure of (TlF)2 and shed light to the non thiophilicity of TlF2-. Thallium(I) acetate and BAL gave the expected bis salt while the reactions of TlF under various stoichiometries of BAL:TlF were complicated. Summarizing these and previous results it seems that BAL cannot detoxify heavy metal cations by forming water soluble complexes.
Exosomal MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer towards Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Sempere Lorenzo , Keto Jessica , Fabbri Muller
Published: June 2017

Soon after the discovery of microRNAs over 15 years ago, a myriad of research groups around the world sought to develop clinical applications in breast cancer for these short, noncoding, regulatory RNAs. While little of this knowledge has translated into the clinic, the recent research explosion on cell-to-cell communication via exosomes and other extracellular vesicles has rekindled interest in microRNA-based clinical applications. microRNAs appear to be a preferential and important cargo of exosomes in mediating biological effects in recipient cells. This review highlights recent studies on the biology of exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) and discusses potential clinical applications. From a diagnostic perspective, circulating exo-miRNAs may represent breast cancer cell content and/or tumor microenvironmental reactions to cancer cell growth. Thus, serum or plasma analysis of exo-miRNAs could be useful for early disease detection or for monitoring treatment response and disease progression. From a therapeutic perspective, exo-miRNAs derived from different cell types have been implicated in supporting or restraining tumor growth, conferring drug resistance, and preparing the metastatic niche. Strategies to interfere with the loading or delivery of tumor-promoting exo-miRNAs or to replenish tumor-suppressive miRNAs via exosomal delivery are under investigation. These recent studies provide new hope and opportunities, but study design limitations and technical challenges will need to be overcome before seriously considering clinical application of exo-miRNAs.
Measurement Uncertainty Relations for Position and Momentum: Relative Entropy Formulation
Authors: Barchielli Alberto , Gregoratti Matteo , Toigo Alessandro
Published: June 2017

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle has recently led to general measurement uncertainty relations for quantum systems: incompatible observables can be measured jointly or in sequence only with some unavoidable approximation, which can be quantified in various ways. The relative entropy is the natural theoretical quantifier of the information loss when a `true’ probability distribution is replaced by an approximating one. In this paper, we provide a lower bound for the amount of information that is lost by replacing the distributions of the sharp position and momentum observables, as they could be obtained with two separate experiments, by the marginals of any smeared joint measurement. The bound is obtained by introducing an entropic error function, and optimizing it over a suitable class of covariant approximate joint measurements. We fully exploit two cases of target observables: (1) n-dimensional position and momentum vectors; (2) two components of position and momentum along different directions. In (1), we connect the quantum bound to the dimension n; in (2), going from parallel to orthogonal directions, we show the transition from highly incompatible observables to compatible ones. For simplicity, we develop the theory only for Gaussian states and measurements.
Quantum Probabilities and Maximum Entropy
Authors: Schlatter Andreas
Published: June 2017

Probabilities in quantum physics can be shown to originate from a maximum entropy principle.
Prediction of Polymer Flooding Performance with an Artificial Neural Network: A Two-Polymer-Slug Case
Authors: Ebaga-Ololo Jestril , Chon Bo
Published: June 2017

Many previous contributions to methods of forecasting the performance of polymer flooding using artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been made by numerous researchers previously. In most of those forecasting cases, only a single polymer slug was employed to meet the objective of the study. The intent of this manuscript is to propose an efficient recovery factor prediction tool at different injection stages of two polymer slugs during polymer flooding using an ANN. In this regard, a back-propagation algorithm was coupled with six input parameters to predict three output parameters via a hidden layer composed of 10 neurons. Evaluation of the ANN model performance was made with multiple linear regression. With an acceptable correlation coefficient, the proposed ANN tool was able to predict the recovery factor with errors of <1%. In addition, to understand the influence of each parameter on the output parameters, a sensitivity analysis was applied to the input parameters. The results showed less impact from the second polymer concentration, owing to changes in permeability after the injection of the first polymer slug.
Cross-Regulation Assessment of DIDO Buck-Boost Converter for Renewable Energy Application
Authors: Elamalayil Soman Deepak , Leijon Mats
Published: June 2017

When medium- or high-voltage power conversion is preferred for renewable energy sources, multilevel power converters have received much of the interest in this area as methods for enhancing the conversion efficiency and cost effectiveness. In such cases, multilevel, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) configurations of DC-DC converters come to the scenario for integrating several sources together, especially considering the stringent regulatory needs and the requirement of multistage power conversion systems. Considering the above facts, a three-level dual input dual output (DIDO) buck-boost converter, as the simplest form of MIMO converter, is proposed in this paper for DC-link voltage regulation. The capability of this converter for cross regulating the DC-link voltage is analyzed in detail to support a three-level neutral point clamped inverter-based grid connection in the future. The cross-regulation capability is examined under a new type of pulse delay control (PDC) strategy and later compared with a three-level boost converter (TLBC). Compared to conventional boost converters, the high-voltage three-level buck boost converter (TLBBC) with PDC exhibits a wide controllability range and cross regulation capability. These enhanced features are extremely important for better regulating variable output renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, marine current, etc. The simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the claim.
The Efficacy of Dog Assisted Therapy in Detained Drug Users: A Pilot Study in an Italian Attenuated Custody Institute
Authors: Contalbrigo Laura , De Santis Marta , Toson Marica , Montanaro Maria , Farina Luca , Costa Aldo , Nava Felice
Published: June 2017

Drug addiction is a major care and safety challenge in prison context. Nowadays, rehabilitation and specific therapeutic programs are suggested to improve health and well-being of inmates during their detention time and to reduce substance abuse relapse after release from prison. Among these programs, several studies reported the benefits for inmates coming from animal assisted interventions. In this pilot controlled study, we investigated the efficacy of a dog assisted therapy program addressed to 22 drug addicted male inmates housed in an attenuated custody institute in Italy. The study lasted six months, the treated group (12 inmates) was involved once a week for one hour in 20 dog assisted therapy sessions, whereas the control group (10 inmates) followed the standard rehabilitation program. One week before the beginning and one week after the end of the sessions, all inmates involved were submitted to symptom checklist-90-revised and Kennedy axis V. Inmates involved in the dog assisted therapy sessions significantly improved their social skills, reducing craving, anxiety and depression symptoms compared to the control group. Despite the limitation due to the small number of inmates enrolled and to the absence of follow up, we found these results encouraging to the use of dog assisted therapy as co-therapy in drug addicted inmates rehabilitation programs, and we claim the need of more extensive study on this subject.
An Intervention to Reduce Bicycle Injuries among Middle School Students in Rural China
Authors: Ji Yanhu , Ye Yanru , Lu Yaogui , Li Liping , Gao Yang
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce bicycle injuries among rural middle school students in China. A one-year cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with seventh grade students from six middle schools in two towns in rural Chaoshan, China. The two towns were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Road safety education materials, two lectures on road safety, and a series of health education activities were delivered to 1312 students in the intervention group over one year, and the content of the intervention included traffic safety knowledge, methods of preventing bicycle injury and management of bicycle injuries. Questionnaires weere administered to the two groups before and after the intervention to measure the incidence, cognitions, and behaviors related to bicycle injuries. The pre-intervention incidence of bicycle injuries exhibited no significant difference between the two groups, while the difference reached significance after the intervention (χ2 = 13.409, p < 0.001). In the intervention group, the incidence decreased significantly after the intervention (χ2 = 8.137, p = 0.004), while no significant change was observed in the control group. Publicity and education intervention measures have certain short-term effects on the prevention of bicycle injuries among rural middle school students; we should approach intervention measures according to the characteristics of traffic injuries in different areas.
Hypotheses on the Potential of Rice Bran Intake to Prevent Gastrointestinal Cancer through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Law Bernard , Waye Mary , So Winnie , Chair Sek
Published: June 2017

Previous studies have suggested the potential involvement of oxidative stress in gastrointestinal cancers. In light of this, research efforts have been focused on the potential of dietary antioxidant intake to prevent gastrointestinal cancer through the modulation of oxidative stress. Rice bran, a by-product of rice milling, has been shown to contain an abundance of phytochemicals, which are dietary antioxidants. To date, a number of studies have shown the antioxidative effect of rice bran intake, and some demonstrated that such an effect may contribute to gastrointestinal cancer prevention, largely through the antioxidative properties of rice bran phytochemicals. In addition, these phytochemicals were shown to provide protection against cancer through mechanisms linked to oxidative stress, including β-catenin-mediated cell proliferation and inflammation. The present article provides an overview of current evidence for the antioxidative properties of rice bran and its phytochemicals, and for the potential of such properties in cancer prevention through the oxidative-stress-linked mechanisms mentioned above. The article also highlights the need for an evaluation of the effectiveness of rice bran dietary interventions among cancer survivors in ameliorating oxidative stress and reducing the level of gastrointestinal cancer biomarkers, thereby establishing the potential of such interventions among these individuals in the prevention of cancer recurrence.
Gallic Acid Inhibited Matrix Invasion and AP-1/ETS-1-Mediated MMP-1 Transcription in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Pang Jong-Hwei S. , Yen Jia-Hau , Wu Hsiao-Ting , Huang Sheng-Teng
Published: June 2017

Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid found in natural herbal plants. Gallic acid has been reported to inhibit the migration and invasive capability of various cancers. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms of invasion responsible for cancer metastasis via gallic acid. The present study was intended to investigate the anti-invasive effect of gallic acid on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (NPC-BM1) and its related mechanism. Gallic acid inhibited the invasion of NPC-BM1 cells dose- and time-dependently without significant cytotoxic effect. Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) as the most down-regulated gene in NPC-BM1 cells by gallic acid. The cytosolic and secreted MMP-1 levels were both found to be inhibited by gallic acid as demonstrated by western blot analysis and ELISA respectively. The mRNA expression and transcription of MMP-1 gene was also down-regulated as determined by RT/real-time PCR and promoter activity assay. The expression of two major transcription binding factors in the MMP-1 promoter, AP-1 and ETS-1, were demonstrated to be reduced by gallic acid in NPC-BM1 cells. The effect of gallic acid was associated with the inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, gallic acid enhanced the gene expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) which further suppressed the MMP-1 activity. These findings may be useful to develop a novel chemotherapeutic agent to inhibit the metastasis of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Synergy of Iron Chelators and Therapeutic Peptide Sequences Delivered via a Magnetic Nanocarrier
Authors: Abayaweera Gayani S. , Wang Hongwang , Shrestha Tej B. , Yu Jing , Angle Kyle , Thapa Prem , Malalasekera Aruni P. , Maurmann Leila , Troyer Deryl L. , Bossmann Stefan H.
Published: June 2017

Here, we report the synthesis, characterization, and efficacy study of Fe/Fe3O4-nanoparticles that were co-labeled with a tumor-homing and membrane-disrupting oligopeptide and the iron-chelator Dp44mT, which belongs to the group of the thiosemicarbazones. Dp44mT and the peptide sequence PLFAERL(D[KLAKLAKKLAKLAK])CGKRK were tethered to the surface of Fe/Fe3O4 core/shell nanoparticles by utilizing dopamine-anchors. The 26-mer contains two important sequences, which are the tumor targeting peptide CGKRK, and D[KLAKLAK]2, known to disrupt the mitochondrial cell walls and to initiate programmed cell death (apoptosis). It is noteworthy that Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles can also be used for MRI imaging purposes in live mammals. In a first step of this endeavor, the efficacy of this nanoplatform has been tested on the highly metastatic 4T1 breast cancer cell line. At the optimal ratio of PLFAERD[KLAKLAK]2CGKRK to Dp44mT of 1 to 3.2 at the surface of the dopamine-coated Fe/Fe3O4-nanocarrier, the IC50 value after 24 h of incubation was found to be 2.2 times lower for murine breast cancer cells (4T1) than for a murine fibroblast cell line used as control. Based on these encouraging results, the reported approach has the potential of leading to a new generation of nanoplatforms for cancer treatment with considerably enhanced selectivity towards tumor cells.
Role of Virulence Determinants in Candida albicans’ Resistance to Novel 2-bromo-2-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1-phenylethanone
Authors: Staniszewska Monika , Bondaryk Małgorzata , Ochal Zbigniew
Published: June 2017

We investigated the role of KEX2, SAP4-6, EFG1, and CPH1 in the virulence of Candida under a novel compound 2-bromo-2-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1-phenylethanone (Compound 4). We examined whether the exposure of C. albicans cells to Compound 4, non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells, reduces their adhesion to the human epithelium. We next assessed whether the exposure of C. albicans cells to Compound 4 modulates the anti-inflammatory response (IL-10) and induces human macrophages to respond to the Candida cells. There was a marked reduction in the growth of the sap4Δsap5Δsap6Δ mutant cells when incubated with Compound 4. Under Compound 4 (minimal fungicidal concentration MFC = 0.5–16 µg/mL): (1) wild type strain SC5314 showed a resistant phenotype with down-regulation of the KEX2 expression; (2) the following mutants of C. albicans: sap4Δ, sap5Δ, sap6Δ, and cph1Δ displayed decreased susceptibility with the paradoxical effect and up-regulation of the KEX2 expression compared to SC5314; (3) the immune recognition of C. albicans by macrophages and (4) the stimulation of IL-10 were not blocked ex vivo. The effect of deleting KEX2 in C. albicans had a minor impact on the direct activation of Compound 4’s antifungal activity. The adhesion of kex2Δ is lower than that of the wild parental strain SC5314, and tends to decrease if grown in the presence of a sub-endpoint concentration of Compound 4. Our results provide evidence that SAP4–6 play a role as regulators of the anti-Candida resistance to Compound 4. Compound 4 constitutes a suitable core to be further exploited for lead optimization to develop potent antimycotics.
Synthesis of Nanoscale CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O and Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O Using the Hydrothermal Method and Their Characterization
Authors: Yang Jingbin , Li Dongxu , Fang Yuan
Published: June 2017

C-A-S-H (CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O) and N-A-S-H (Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O) have a wide range of chemical compositions and structures and are difficult to separate from alkali-activated materials. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze their microscopic properties directly. This paper reports research on the synthesis of C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H particles with an average particle size smaller than 300 nm by applying the hydrothermal method. The composition and microstructure of the products with different CaO(Na2O)/SiO2 ratios and curing conditions were characterized using XRD, the RIR method, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and laser particle size analysis. The results showed that the C-A-S-H system products with a low CaO/SiO2 ratio were mainly amorphous C-A-S-H gels. With an increase in the CaO/SiO2 ratio, an excess of Ca(OH)2 was observed at room temperature, while in a high-temperature reaction system, katoite, C4AcH11, and other crystallized products were observed. The katoite content was related to the curing temperature and the content of Ca(OH)2 and it tended to form at a high-temperature and high-calcium environment, and an increase in the temperature renders the C-A-S-H gels more compact. The main products of the N-A-S-H system at room temperature were amorphous N-A-S-H gels and a small amount of sodalite. An increase in the curing temperature promoted the formation of the crystalline products faujasite and zeolite-P. The crystallization products consisted of only zeolite-P in the high-temperature N-A-S-H system and its content were stable above 70%. An increase in the Na2O/SiO2 ratio resulted in more non-bridging oxygen and the TO4 was more isolated in the N-A-S-H structure. The composition and microstructure of the C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H system products synthesized by the hydrothermal method were closely related to the ratio of the raw materials and the curing conditions. The results of this study increase our understanding of the hydration products of alkali-activated materials.
Phenolic Modified Ceramic Coating on Biodegradable Mg Alloy: The Improved Corrosion Resistance and Osteoblast-Like Cell Activity
Authors: Lee Hung-Pang , Lin Da-Jun , Yeh Ming-Long
Published: June 2017

Magnesium alloys have great potential for developing orthopedic implants due to their biodegradability and mechanical properties, but the rapid corrosion rate of the currently-available alloys limits their clinical applications. To increase the corrosion resistance of the substrate, a protective ceramic coating is constructed by a micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process on ZK60 magnesium alloy. The porous ceramic coating is mainly composed of magnesium oxide and magnesium silicate, and the results from cell cultures show it can stimulate osteoblastic cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, gallic acid, a phenolic compound, was successfully introduced onto the MAO coating by grafting on hydrated oxide and chelating with magnesium ions. The gallic acid and rough surface of MAO altered the cell attachment behavior, making it difficult for fibroblasts to adhere to the MAO coating. The viability tests showed that gallic acid could suppress fibroblast growth and stimulate osteoblastic cell proliferation. Overall, the porous MAO coating combined with gallic acid offered a novel strategy for increasing osteocompatibility.
Electrical and Optical Characterization of Sputtered Silicon Dioxide, Indium Tin Oxide, and Silicon Dioxide/Indium Tin Oxide Antireflection Coating on Single-Junction GaAs Solar Cells
Authors: Ho Wen-Jeng , Lin Jian-Cheng , Liu Jheng-Jie , Bai Wen-Bin , Shiao Hung-Pin
Published: June 2017

This study characterized the electrical and optical properties of single-junction GaAs solar cells coated with antireflective layers of silicon dioxide (SiO2), indium tin oxide (ITO), and a hybrid layer of SiO2/ITO applied using Radio frequency (RF) sputtering. The conductivity and transparency of the ITO film were characterized prior to application on GaAs cells. Reverse saturation-current and ideality factor were used to evaluate the passivation performance of the various coatings on GaAs solar cells. Optical reflectance and external quantum efficiency response were used to evaluate the antireflective performance of the coatings. Photovoltaic current-voltage measurements were used to confirm the efficiency enhancement obtained by the presence of the anti-reflective coatings. The conversion efficiency of the GaAs cells with an ITO antireflective coating (23.52%) exceeded that of cells with a SiO2 antireflective coating (21.92%). Due to lower series resistance and higher short-circuit current-density, the carrier collection of the GaAs cell with ITO coating exceeded that of the cell with a SiO2/ITO coating.
Effects of Cold-Rolling/Aging Treatments on the Shape Memory Properties of Ti49.3Ni50.7 Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Chang Shih-Hang , Lin Keng-Hua , Wu Shyi-Kaan
Published: June 2017

In this study, the combined effects of strengthening, precipitates, and textures on the shape recovery ability and superelasticity of thermomechanically treated Ti49.3Ni50.7 shape memory alloy (SMA) in both the rolling and transverse directions were studied by experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. Experimental results and theoretical calculations showed that the 300 °C × 100 h aged specimen exhibited the best shape memory effect because it possessed the most favorable textures, highest matrix strength, and most beneficially coherent stress induced by Ti3Ni4 precipitates. The 30% cold-rolled and then 300 °C × 100 h aged specimen exhibited the highest strength and superelasticity; however, its shape recovery ability was not as good as expected because the less favorable textures and the high strength inhibited the movements of dislocations and martensite boundaries. Therefore, to achieve the most optimal shape memory characteristics of Ni-rich TiNi SMAs, the effects of textures, matrix strength, and internal defects, such as Ti3Ni4 precipitates and dislocations, should all be carefully considered and controlled during thermomechanical treatments.
Bioethical Considerations of Advancing the Application of Marine Biotechnology and Aquaculture
Authors: Harrell Reginal
Published: June 2017

Normative ethical considerations of growth of the marine biotechnology and aquaculture disciplines in biopharming, food production, and marine products commercialization from a bioethical perspective have been limited. This paucity of information begs the question of what constitutes a bioethical approach (i.e., respect for individuals or autonomy; beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice) to marine biotechnology and aquaculture, and whether it is one that is appropriate for consideration. Currently, thoughtful discussion on the bioethical implications of use, development, and commercialization of marine organisms or their products, as well as potential environmental effects, defaults to human biomedicine as a model. One must question the validity of using human bioethical principlism moral norms for appropriating a responsible marine biotechnology and aquaculture ethic. When considering potential impacts within these disciplines, deference must be given to differing value systems in order to find common ground to advance knowledge and avoid emotive impasses that can hinder the science and its application. The import of bioethical considerations when conducting research and/or production is discussed. This discussion is directed toward applying bioethical principles toward technology used for food, biomedical development (e.g., biopharming), or as model species for advancement of knowledge for human diseases.
Maitotoxin Is a Potential Selective Activator of the Endogenous Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Type 1 Channel in Xenopus laevis Oocytes
Authors: Flores Pedro , Rodríguez Emma , Zapata Estrella , Carbó Roxana , Farías José , Martínez Martín
Published: June 2017

Maitotoxin (MTX) is the most potent marine toxin known to date. It is responsible for a particular human intoxication syndrome called ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Several reports indicate that MTX is an activator of non-selective cation channels (NSCC) in different cell types. The molecular identity of these channels is still an unresolved topic, and it has been proposed that the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are involved in this effect. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, MTX at picomolar (pM) concentrations induces the activation of NSCC with functional and pharmacological properties that resemble the activity of TRP channels. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular identity of the TRP channel involved in the MTX response, using the small interference RNA (siRNA) approach and the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique (TEVC). The injection of a specifically designed siRNA to silence the transient receptor potential canonical type 1 (TRPC1) protein expression abolished the MTX response. MTX had no effect on oocytes, even at doses 20-fold higher compared to cells without injection. Total mRNA and protein levels of TRPC1 were notably diminished. The TRPC4 siRNA did not change the MTX effect, even though it was important to note that the protein level was reduced by the silencing of TRPC4. Our results suggest that MTX could be a selective activator of TRPC1 channels in X. laevis oocytes and a useful pharmacological tool for further studies on these TRP channels.
Novel Sulfamide-Containing Compounds as Selective Carbonic Anhydrase I Inhibitors
Authors: Berrino Emanuela , Bua Silvia , Mori Mattia , Botta Maurizio , Murthy Vallabhaneni S. , Vijayakumar Vijayaparthasarathi , Tamboli Yasinalli , Bartolucci Gianluca , Mugelli Alessandro , Cerbai Elisabetta , Supuran Claudiu T. , Carta Fabrizio
Published: June 2017

The development of isoform selective inhibitors of the carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) enzymes represents the key approach for the successful development of druggable small molecules. Herein we report a series of new benzenesulfamide derivatives (-NH-SO2NH2) bearing the 1-benzhydrylpiperazine tail and connected by means of a β-alanyl or nipecotyl spacer. All compounds 6a–l were investigated in vitro for their ability to inhibit the physiological relevant human (h) CA isoforms such as I, II, IV and IX. Molecular modeling provided further structural support to enzyme inhibition data and structure-activity relationship. In conclusion the hCA I resulted the most inhibited isoform, whereas all the remaining ones showed different inhibition profiles.
Myrtaceae Plant Essential Oils and their β-Triketone Components as Insecticides against Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Park Chung , Jang Miyeon , Shin Eunsik , Kim Junheon
Published: June 2017

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), Diptera: Drosophilidae) is recognized as an economically important pest in North America and Europe as well as in Asia. Assessments were made for fumigant and contact toxicities of six Myrtaceae plant essential oils (EOs) and their components to find new alternative types of insecticides active against SWD. Among the EOs tested, Leptospermum citratum EO, consisting mainly of geranial and neral, exhibited effective fumigant activity. Median lethal dose (LD50; mg/L) values of L. citratum were 2.39 and 3.24 for males and females, respectively. All tested EOs except Kunzea ambigua EO exhibited effective contact toxicity. LD50 (µg/fly) values for contact toxicity of manuka and kanuka were 0.60 and 0.71, respectively, for males and 1.10 and 1.23, respectively, for females. The LD50 values of the other 3 EOs-L. citratum, allspice and clove bud were 2.11–3.31 and 3.53–5.22 for males and females, respectively. The non-polar fraction of manuka and kanuka did not show significant contact toxicity, whereas the polar and triketone fractions, composed of flavesone, isoleptospermone and leptospermone, exhibited efficient activity with the LD50 values of 0.13–0.37 and 0.22–0.57 µg/fly for males and females, respectively. Our results indicate that Myrtaceae plant EOs and their triketone components can be used as alternatives to conventional insecticides.
Structural Characterization of the Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Dalteparin by Combining Different Analytical Strategies
Authors: Bisio Antonella , Urso Elena , Guerrini Marco , De Wit Pauline , Torri Giangiacomo , Naggi Annamaria
Published: June 2017

A number of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) products are available for clinical use and although all share a similar mechanism of action, they are classified as distinct drugs because of the different depolymerisation processes of the native heparin resulting in substantial pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics differences. While enoxaparin has been extensively investigated, little information is available regarding the LMWH dalteparin. The present study is focused on the detailed structural characterization of Fragmin® by LC-MS and NMR applied both to the whole drug and to its enzymatic products. For a more in-depth approach, size homogeneous octasaccharide and decasaccharide components together with their fractions endowed with high or no affinity toward antithrombin were also isolated and their structural profiles characterized. The combination of different analytical strategies here described represents a useful tool for the assessment of batch-to-batch structural variability and for comparative evaluation of structural features of biosimilar products.
Eu@C72: Computed Comparable Populations of Two Non-IPR Isomers
Authors: Slanina Zdeněk , Uhlík Filip , Nagase Shigeru , Akasaka Takeshi , Adamowicz Ludwik , Lu Xing
Published: June 2017

Relative concentrations of six isomeric Eu@C 72 —one based on the IPR C 72 cage (i.e., obeying the isolated-pentagon rule, IPR), two cages with a pentagon–pentagon junction (symmetries C 2 and C 2 v ), a cage with one heptagon, a cage with two heptagons, and a cage with two pentagon–pentagon fusions—are DFT computed using the Gibbs energy in a broad temperature interval. It is shown that the two non-IPR isomers with one pentagon–pentagon junction prevail at any relevant temperature and exhibit comparable populations. The IPR-satisfying structure is disfavored by both energy and entropy.
Improved Method for Reliable HMW-GS Identification by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE in Common Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Jang You-Ran , Beom Hye-Rang , Altenbach Susan , Lee Min-Ki , Lim Sun-Hyung , Lee Jong-Yeol
Published: June 2017

The accurate identification of alleles for high-molecular weight glutenins (HMW-GS) is critical for wheat breeding programs targeting end-use quality. RP-HPLC methods were optimized for separation of HMW-GS, resulting in enhanced resolution of 1By and 1Dx subunits. Statistically significant differences in retention times (RTs) for subunits corresponding to HMW-GS alleles were determined using 16 standard wheat cultivars with known HMW-GS compositions. Subunits that were not identified unambiguously by RP-HPLC were distinguished by SDS-PAGE or inferred from association with linked subunits. The method was used to verify the allelic compositions of 32 Korean wheat cultivars previously determined using SDS-PAGE and to assess the compositions of six new Korean cultivars. Three cultivars contained subunits that were identified incorrectly in the earlier analysis. The improved RP-HPLC method combined with conventional SDS-PAGE provides for accurate, efficient and reliable identification of HMW-GS and will contribute to efforts to improve wheat end-use quality.
Recent Advances in Substrate-Controlled Asymmetric Cyclization for Natural Product Synthesis
Authors: Jo Jeyun , Kim Seok-Ho , Han Young , Kwak Jae-Hwan , Yun Hwayoung
Published: June 2017

Asymmetric synthesis of naturally occurring diverse ring systems is an ongoing and challenging research topic. A large variety of remarkable reactions utilizing chiral substrates, auxiliaries, reagents, and catalysts have been intensively investigated. This review specifically describes recent advances in successful asymmetric cyclization reactions to generate cyclic architectures of various natural products in a substrate-controlled manner.
miR-146 and miR-155: Two Key Modulators of Immune Response and Tumor Development
Authors: Testa Ugo , Pelosi Elvira , Castelli Germana , Labbaye Catherine
Published: June 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of evolutionarily-conserved small, regulatory non-coding RNAs, 19–3 nucleotides in length, that negatively regulate protein coding gene transcripts’ expression. miR-146 (146a and 146b) and miR-155 are among the first and most studied miRs for their multiple roles in the control of the innate and adaptive immune processes and for their deregulation and oncogenic role in some tumors. In the present review, we have focused on the recent acquisitions about the key role played by miR-146a, miR-146b and miR-155 in the control of the immune system and in myeloid tumorigenesis. Growing experimental evidence indicates an opposite role of miR-146a with respect to miR-155 in the fine regulation of many steps of the immune response, acting at the level of the various cell types involved in innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. The demonstration that miR-155 overexpression plays a key pathogenic role in some lymphomas and acute myeloid leukemias has led to the development of an antagomir-based approach as a new promising therapeutic strategy.
Dynamics of a Polymer Network Based on Dual Sierpinski Gasket and Dendrimer: A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Jurjiu Aurel , Biter Teodor-Lucian , Turcu Flaviu
Published: June 2017

In this paper we focus on the relaxation dynamics of a multihierarchical polymer network built through the replication of the dual Sierpinski gasket in the form of a regular dendrimer. The relaxation dynamics of this multihierarchical structure is investigated in the framework of the generalized Gaussian structure model using both Rouse and Zimm approaches. In the Rouse-type approach, we show a method whereby the whole eigenvalue spectrum of the connectivity matrix of the multihierarchical structure can be determined iteratively, thereby rendering possible the analysis of the Rouse-dynamics at very large generations. Remarkably, the general picture that emerges from both approaches, even though we have a mixed growth algorithm and the monomers interactions are taken into account specifically to the adopted approach, is that the multihierarchical structure preserves the individual relaxation behaviors of its constituent components. The theoretical findings with respect to the splitting of the intermediate domain of the relaxation quantities are well supported by experimental results.
Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan/Soy Protein Isolate Nanocomposite Film Reinforced by Cu Nanoclusters
Authors: Li Kuang , Jin Shicun , Liu Xiaorong , Chen Hui , He Jing , Li Jianzhang
Published: June 2017

Soy protein isolate (SPI) based films have received considerable attention for use in packaging materials. However, SPI-based films exhibit relatively poor mechanical properties and water resistance ability. To tackle these challenges, chitosan (CS) and endogenous Cu nanoclusters (NCs) capped with protein were proposed and designed to modify SPI-based films. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns of composite films demonstrated that interactions, such as hydrogen bonds in the film forming process, promoted the cross-linking of composite films. The surface microstructure of CS/SPI films modified with Cu NCs was more uniform and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that uniform and discrete clusters were formed. Compared with untreated SPI films, the tensile strength and elongation at break of composite films were simultaneously improved by 118.78% and 74.93%, respectively. Moreover, these composite films also exhibited higher water contact angle and degradation temperature than that of pure SPI film. The water vapor permeation of the modified film also decreased. These improved properties of functional bio-polymers show great potential as food packaging materials.
Theology as an Ethnographic Object: An Anthropology of Eastern Christian Rupture
Authors: Carroll Timothy
Published: June 2017

This paper draws upon over three years’ research among Eastern Orthodox (principally Antiochian and Greek) communities in London and Mount Athos, Greece. This research came to engage theology quite heavily as part of the ethnographic facts of the fieldsites. This paper reviews some of the existing ways that theology (as both discipline and practice) relate to ethnographic enquiry, particularly as it has arisen in the dialogue with the Anthropology of Christianity and frames this in light of the historical development of Anthropology and its relationship to theology and Christianity. The paper then advances a methodological argument, in favour of further means of relation, specifically in terms of theology as a cultural artefact. Drawing on local practices of liturgical theology and Eastern Orthodox forms of allegorical interpretation, I argue for the inclusion of theological insight and practice within the social scientific study of religion. Working in an Orthodox setting requires the investigation of liturgical theology and brings to light important aspects of the relationship between temporal and sempiternal domains of action. Particularly as it relates to liturgical theology and the practices of interpretation, ethnographic enquiry into Orthodox theology asks for a reconsideration of social scientific methods of analysis and representation.
Semi-Automated Monitoring of a Mega-Scale Beach Nourishment Using High-Resolution TerraSAR-X Satellite Data
Authors: Vandebroek Elena , Lindenbergh Roderik , Van Leijen Freek , De Schipper Matthieu , De Vries Sierd , Hanssen Ramon
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a semi-automated approach to detecting coastal shoreline change with high spatial- and temporal-resolution using X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The method was applied at the Sand Motor, a “mega-scale” beach nourishment project in the Netherlands. Natural processes, like waves, wind, and tides, gradually distribute the highly concentrated sand to adjacent beaches. Currently, various in-situ techniques are used to monitor the Sand Motor on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, the TerraSAR-X satellite collects two high-resolution (3 × 3 m), cloud-penetrating SAR images every 11 days. This study investigates whether shorelines detected in TerraSAR-X imagery are accurate enough to monitor the shoreline dynamics of a project like the Sand Motor. The study proposes and implements a semi-automated workflow to extract shorelines from all 182 available TerraSAR-X images acquired between 2011 and 2014. The shorelines are validated using bi-monthly RTK-GPS topographic surveys and nearby wave and tide measurements. A valid shoreline could be extracted from 54% of the images. The horizontal accuracy of these shorelines is approximately 50 m, which is sufficient to assess the larger scale shoreline dynamics of the Sand Motor. The accuracy is affected strongly by sea state and partly by acquisition geometry. We conclude that using frequent, high-resolution TerraSAR-X imagery is a valid option for assessing coastal dynamics on the order of tens of meters at approximately monthly intervals.
A Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar Partial Fixed-Point Imaging System Using a Field- Programmable Gate Array−Application-Specific Integrated Circuit Hybrid Heterogeneous Parallel Acceleration Technique
Authors: Yang Chen , Li Bingyi , Chen Liang , Wei Chunpeng , Xie Yizhuang , Chen He , Yu Wenyue
Published: June 2017

With the development of satellite load technology and very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit technology, onboard real-time synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging systems have become a solution for allowing rapid response to disasters. A key goal of the onboard SAR imaging system design is to achieve high real-time processing performance with severe size, weight, and power consumption constraints. In this paper, we analyse the computational burden of the commonly used chirp scaling (CS) SAR imaging algorithm. To reduce the system hardware cost, we propose a partial fixed-point processing scheme. The fast Fourier transform (FFT), which is the most computation-sensitive operation in the CS algorithm, is processed with fixed-point, while other operations are processed with single precision floating-point. With the proposed fixed-point processing error propagation model, the fixed-point processing word length is determined. The fidelity and accuracy relative to conventional ground-based software processors is verified by evaluating both the point target imaging quality and the actual scene imaging quality. As a proof of concept, a field- programmable gate array−application-specific integrated circuit (FPGA-ASIC) hybrid heterogeneous parallel accelerating architecture is designed and realized. The customized fixed-point FFT is implemented using the 130 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology as a co-processor of the Xilinx xc6vlx760t FPGA. A single processing board requires 12 s and consumes 21 W to focus a 50-km swath width, 5-m resolution stripmap SAR raw data with a granularity of 16,384 × 16,384.