57 research outputs found
The building of an external and internal facade
No full textMy thesis paper is an overview of my artistic practices, exhibitions and work while an MFA candidate at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts.M.F.A.Includes bibliographical references (p. 23)by Alan LaZar
St. Lazare, Autun: A Conundrum in Stone
No full textThe Cathedral of St. Lazare (Autun, France), with work by the celebrated sculptor Gislebertus, is one of the most scrutinized and misunderstood Romanesque cathedrals in Europe. Since the last century, art historians have almost unilaterally come to similar conclusions about the church, and their theories have garnered little, if any, debate. Gislebertus is considered to be the artist responsible for the superlative figurative sculpture on the exterior and interior of the Romanesque church. This essay challenges these conclusions, and suggests an unconventional interpretation of the cryptic statement carved on the tympanum, “Gislebertus hoc fecit” or “Gislebertus made this,” and questions the veracity of the iconic signature. The sculpture in the cathedral is renowned for its artistry and for the moral and enigmatic messages imparted. Rational alternatives are given for deciphering the implications of three of the most studied column capitals. New findings with scientific measurements can now link the artist’s knowledge to a precise and intelligent understanding of advanced astronomy.Past scholars have been unable to formulate a precise rationale for the building of a new church constructed only a stone’s throw away from a viable cathedral. The building’s atypical orientation and axis further complicate its purpose and demand further explanation. New information and research suggest alternative explanations for its unusual positioning and the identity of its famed sculptor. By examining the design, the patrons, and the politics of the twelfth-century church, the author challenges accepted hypotheses and applies unorthodox processes to help solve the mysteries of the 900-year-old cathedral
Influence of the Solvent and the Harvesting Site on the Content of Phenolic Compounds and the in Vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Leafy Stems and Roots of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn.
No full textAbdoul Aziz Zanté,1 Daouda Zoungo,1 Yacouba Sanou,1 Pawendé Kabré,1 Relwendé Justin Ouédraogo,2 Lazare Belemnaba,2 Lassina Ouattara,1 Paulin Ouoba,1 Georges Anicet Ouédraogo1 1Ecole Doctorale Sciences Naturelles et Agronomie, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; 2Département de la Médecine Traditionnelle, de la Pharmacopée et de la Pharmacie, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoCorrespondence: Abdoul Aziz Zanté, Ecole Doctorale Sciences Naturelles et Agronomie, Université Nazi BONI, 01 BP 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Tel +22676588716, Email [email protected]: The objective was to verify the impact of the solvent and the harvesting site on the content of phenolic compounds as well as the in vitro antidiabetic activity of leafy stems and roots of Phyllanthus amarus.Methods: The polyphenols and total flavonoids were measured on the crude extracts, obtained after maceration for 48 hours with acetone-water 50:50 (v/v), and ethanol-water 70:30 (v/v) . These extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by DPPH, ABTS, and iron reduction (FRAP) tests. Finally, the α-amylase inhibitory activity of the crude extracts was determined by the method using DNS.Results: The results show that acetone-water favors polyphenol extraction, with a maximum content of 32.62 ± 0.85 mg EAG/100 mg DE in leafy stems from Banfora (LSBaAw). In contrast, ethanol-water extracted more flavonoids, with 4.59 ± 0.02 mg EQ/100 mg DE in roots from Bobo (RBoEw). For antioxidant activity, the ethanol-water extract of Bobo leafy stems (LSBoEw) showed the highest ABTS free radical scavenging activity (81.34 ± 1.07 μg/mL). In comparison, the ethanol-water extract of Banfora roots (RBaEw) showed the best DPPH free radical scavenging activity (55.71 ± 2.48 μg/mL). On the other hand, the acetone-water extract of Banfora leafy stems (LSBaAw) showed the highest iron reduction activity (15,445.81 ± 835.75 μmol EAA/100 mg DE). Finally, the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed with ethanol-water extracts from roots (RBaEw: 98.45 ± 0.38%; RBoEw: 96.56± 0.31%).Conclusion: These results underline the importance of the choice of solvent, organ, and harvesting site in optimizing the use of Phyllanthus amarus. Further studies involving other solvents and environmental conditions will enable us to refine these observations and optimize the pharmacological potential of this plant.Keywords: Phyllanthus amarus, root, leafy stem, solvent, sit
Neuropeptide Y receptors mediate ERK1/2 activation via transactivation of the IGF receptor
No full textInternational audienceNeuropeptide Y binds to G-protein coupled receptors whose action results in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity. Using HEK293 cells stably expressing the native neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors, we found that the NPY agonist elicits a transient phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). We first show that ERK1/2 activation following Y1 receptor stimulation is dependent on heterotrimeric Gi/o since it is completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin. In addition, ERK1/2 activation is internalization-independent since mutant Y1 receptors unable to recruit β-arrestins, can still activate ERK signaling to the same extent as wild-type receptors. We next show that this activation of the MAPK pathway is inhibited by the MEK inhibitor U0126, is not dependent on calcium signaling at the Y1 receptor (no effect upon inhibition of phospholipase C, protein kinase C or protein kinase D) but instead dependent on Gβ/γ and associated signaling pathways that activate PI3-kinase. Although inhibition of the epidermal-growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase did not influence NPY-induced ERK1/2 activation, we show that the inhibition of insulin growth factor receptor IGFR by AG1024 completely blocks activation of ERK1/2 by the Y1 receptor. This Gβ/γ-PI3K-AG1024-sensitive pathway does not involve activation of IGFR through the release of a soluble ligand by metalloproteinases since it is not affected by the metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat. Finally, we found that a similar pathway, sensitive to wortmannin-AG1024 but insensitive to marimastat, is implicated in activation of ERK signaling in HEK293 cells by endogenously expressed GPCRs coupled to Gq-protein (muscarinic M3 receptors) or coupled to Gs-protein (endothelin ETB receptors). Our analysis is the first to show that β-arrestin recruitment to the NPY Y1 receptor is not necessary for MAPK activation by this receptor but that transactivation of the IGFR receptor is required
Computational investigations on the binding of methane and amino acid molecules with graphene, 2020
No full textGraphene is a strong, single atom-thick, lightweight, anti-corrosive, high surface area, low electrical noise, and high conductivity material. One part of this research evaluates graphene-based methane sensor and storage capabilities. Because methane is a greenhouse gas but also a potential source of energy, there is interest for both sensor and storage potential. Methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas. One of the reasons carbon dioxide gas is so abundant is because over time methane gas converts to carbon dioxide. It was determined that both sides of the graphene sheet can be utilized for methane storage. Results also showed simultaneous stabilizing forces between methane molecules while adsorbed on the surface of graphene. The knowledge from this study provides insights in effective designing and realization of graphene applications. Another part of this study assesses the possibility of graphene-based biomolecular sensors through analyzing binding affinity trends and atomic-scale structural features of complexes. Graphene-based biosensors can detect biomarkers for diagnosing diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The focus in this work is on the binding of acyclic α-amino acids adsorbed on graphene. It was found that distinct conformations and orientations determine the physiochemical interactions that take place at the surface of graphene and therefore determine the binding strength measured by energy, which is a key component for determining the sensor potential. It was also found that the size of graphene sheets impacted the thermal contributions to binding energy. Findings indicate that the conformations, orientations, and graphene nano-size are key to enhancing sensor performance by optimizing the binding energy. The distinct geometric features of amino acids and graphene size correlated with electronic properties. The high-quality data will improve force fields (for large molecule prediction models) and guide experiments
Множественная роль инфраструктуры железнодорожных станции – просмотр на трех концепциях (Multiple role of railway stations infrastructure - view on three concepts)
No full textDue to the growth of the urban population in the world, the fact of densification in cities has increased. As a result of this reality, the issue of lack of physical space in cities emerges. In this sense, the author highlight the importance of sustainable and multifunctional use of the city infrastructure, especially of the railway stations. The author mentioned three practical examples in different French cities: The Saint-Lazare railway station in Paris as an example of “Shopping centre and Railway station” concept, the Strasbourg's Railway station “Environment and Railway station”, Lyon's railway station Part Dieu and Geneva's Railway station “Cornavin” as an example of the concept “Intermodal Hub and Railway station”
Médiathèque St. Lazare: Herbestemming voormalig gevangenisziekenhuis uit 1834 naar mediatheek te Parijs
No full textHerbestemming van een voormalig gevangenisziekenhuis binnen een complexe stedenbouwkundige situatie. Kernpunten: herinrichten stedenbouwkundige context, nieuwe functie in gebouw, synergie oud en nieuw.RMITArchitectur
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