1,696 research outputs found
Author-Agent Conversation
No full textAuthor-agent conversation, April 21st, 2023
Langsam 646, Elliston Poetry Room
Host: Chris Bachelder
Author: Allegra Hyde
Agent: Erin Harris
1.) Welcome (Bachelder)
2.) Introduction of Allegra Hyde (Bachelder)
3.) Introduction of Erin Harris (Bachelder)
4.) Writer and agent’s paths and their intersection (Hyde, Harris)
5.) Writer and agent working relationship (Hyde, Harris)
6.) Publishing short stories versus novels (Hyde, Harris)
7.) Query letter and timing to seek representation (Hyde, Harris)
8.) Audience Q&A (Hyde, Harris)
9.) Where the market is now (Hyde, Harris)
10.) Closing (Bachelder
Chain statistics in polyethylene crystallization
No full textThe molecular mechanism of polyethylene crystallization in solution is revisited within the framework of the bundle model [Allegra G, Meille SV. Adv Polym Sci 2005;191:87]. Previous SANS/IANS results [Sadler DM, Keller A. Science 1979;203:263; Spells SJ, Sadler DM. Polymer 1984;25:739; Stamm M, Fischer EW, Dettenmaier M, Convert P. Faraday Disc Chem Soc 1979;68:263] from partially deuterated samples are used. It is proposed that the chain deposits on the growing lamella under the form of compact crystalline domains, their size being sqrt(Mw). The radius of gyration of the crystallized chain agrees with a model consisting of a linear sequence of crystalline domains connected by chain segments with random orientations. It is suggested that the whole chain is in a bundle meta-stable equilibrium and collapses in the vicinity of the growing lamellar edge, then crystallizing around secondary nuclei. Compactness of the crystalline domains is correlated to prior chain collapse in the liquid state. The observed proportionality to sqrt(Mw) of the crystalline domain size is approximately explained
Where Is Utopia in a Time of Disaster and Catastrophe? A Conversation with Allegra Hyde
No full textIn search of new literary voices that might present an answer to Amitav Ghosh’s 2016 lament on the failure of contemporary literary fiction to find forms that adequately express the multiple challenges of the Anthropocene, I came across a review of Allegra Hyde’s debut novel in the Los Angeles Times. The novel’s title, Eleutheria, was suggestive enough to pique my interest: etymologically, it evokes the concepts of liberty and freedom; geographically, it calls to mind the small island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas that was colonized in the late 1640s by a group of English Puritans known as the Eleutheran Adventurers. Add to this that Willa Marks, the novel’s narrator-protagonist, is a twenty-two-year-old member of Generation Z, the same generation as the students we teach these days, and Eleutheria (2022) becomes a worthy candidate for an American Studies syllabus. What kind of narrative tapestry was the author able to weave out of the materials of history, climate change, and a young generation’s growing frustration with the ecological and political state of the world? I was ready to discuss these and similar questions with a group of students in a seminar on Anglophone Literature in the Anthropocene during the summer semester 2023. Serendipitously, the son of an American colleague and long-time friend studied with Allegra Hyde at Oberlin College, where she is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing. He suggested that she might be willing to discuss her novel with a group of German students. When I issued the invitation to join us digitally for one session, she accepted. I interviewed Hyde, who is also the author of two short story collections – Of This New World (2016) and The Last Catastrophe (2023)– a few days later. The following text is the transcript of that conversation. It has been edited for readability
Betanin inhibits myeloperoxidase/nitrite-mediated peroxidation of low density lipoprotein.
No full textBETANIN INHIBITS MYELOPEROXIDASE/NITRITE-MEDIATED PEROXIDATION OF HUMAN LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN
M. Allegra, L. Tesoriere, D. Butera, A.M. Pintaudi, M.A. Livrea
Dipartimento Farmacochimico Tossicologico e Biologico - Facoltà di Farmacia - Università di Palermo - Via C. Forlanini 1 - 90134 Palermo
INTRODUCTION: Betanin, the betalain red pigment occurring in the Cariophillalae order plants, including cactus pear, has recently been reported to posses reducing properties and to behave as lipoperoxyl radical-scavenger in vitro (1). In addition, this phytochemical is bioavailable, accumulates in human LDL after ingestion of cactus pear fruits, and is able to protect LDL against copper-induced oxidation in vitro (2,3). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been implicated in the in vivo LDL modification and atherogenesis (4). The enzyme, in the presence of nitrite, generates two powerful oxidizing agents, the tyrosyl radical and the nitrosyl one, both of which promote LDL lipid oxidation (4). Taking all this into account we have decided to investigate weather betanin could counteract MPO/nitrite-induced oxidation of LDL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human MPO was purchased from Calbiochem and Glucose oxidase from Sigma. All other chemical and solvents were purchased from Sigma Aldrich or Merck. Preparation of LDL. LDL was prepared from blood serum of healthy volunteers according to Kleinveld et al. (5) with minor modification and stored in the presence of 4mM EDTA at -80°C. Lipid peroxidation of LDL. Reactions were carried out according to Kostyuk et al. (6).
RESULTS: Our results, indicate that betanin is able to inhibit the MPO/nitrite-induced LDL lipid peroxidation, in a dose-dependent manner in the range 1 to 10 μM (Fig.1). We have compared the effectiveness of betanin with that of two well-known physiological antioxidants: α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid. As reported (4), α-tocopherol, the most powerful radical-scavenger, is only able to partially protect LDL lipids from oxidation by the MPO/nitrite system and has scarce or no effect on the powerful hydrophilic oxidants generated by nitrite. On the contrary, vitamin C, which is able to scavenge the peroxidase-generated nitrating species, was very efficient in counteracting the MPO/nitrite-sustained lipid peroxidation. Betanin, was even more effective than vitamin C, at inhibiting the oxidative damage to LDL. The IC50 calculated for betanin (1.4 μM) was more than 10-fold lower than that for ascorbic acid (15.6 μM).
Nitrite, an oxidation product of nitric oxide metabolism, and MPO are considered mediators of the LDL oxidation process in vivo. Our study shows that betanin, a phytochemical occurring in the cactus pear fruit, is able to protect LDL, in an experimental set-up of physiological relevance. In addition, the molecule acts at micromolar concentrations, and appears much more effective than ascorbic acid. Our data collectively indicate a favourable modulation of the oxidation process of LDL and may contribute to the supposed beneficial effect of cactus fruit (2).
1. Lievrea M.A. et al. (2003) in Herbal Medicines, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 537-556.
2. Tesoriere L. et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (in press).
3. Tesoriere L. et al. (2003). Free Radical Research 37, 689-696.
4. Carr A.C. et al. (2000). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1716-1723.
5. Kleinveld, H.A. et al. (1992). Clin. Chem. 38, 2066-2072.
6. Kostyuk V.A. et al. (2003) FEBS Letters 537:146-50.
7. Kleinveld H.A. et al. (1992). Clinical Chemistry, 38. 2006-2072.
8. Kostyuk V.A. et al. (2003). FEBS Letters, 146-153
Avoiding disputes regarding electronic evidence: a U.S. perspective
No full textConference paper on Avoiding disputes regarding electronic evidence: a U.S. perspective by Judge Francis M. Allegra, United States Court of Federal Claims, Washington, D.C
Avoiding disputes regarding electronic evidence: a U.S. perspective
No full textConference paper on Avoiding disputes regarding electronic evidence: a U.S. perspective by Judge Francis M. Allegra, United States Court of Federal Claims, Washington, D.C
Redox systems, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defences in health and disease
No full textReactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) play a key role in the regulation of
cell survival.
While adequate levels of RONS are essential to sustain cell proliferation and survival,
disruption of the endocellular redox state induces cell dysfunction and death. Indeed,
under physiological conditions, a balance between the generation and elimination of RONS
ensures the proper function of redox-sensitive signalling proteins. Conversely, alterations
to the redox homeostasis may disrupt the function of key transcription factors, signaltransduction
pathways and cell-death regulators. Along these lines, understanding the
mechanisms underlying cellular redox homeostasis may help to develop nutraceutical
and/or pharmacological tools to counteract the development of a wide number of redoxdependent
pathologies, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, inflammatory-based
diseases and cancer.
The special issue has brought together updated research concerning molecular mechanisms
underlying the control of redox-regulated cell systems in physiological processes
and pathological conditions. In addition, recent evidence on the role of phytochemicals,
nutraceuticals and dietary patterns in the control of redox-dependent pathophysiological
conditions has also been included. New information has been added to this field by means
of 15 articles, with 11 original papers and 4 reviews. [...]
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plants extract
No full textInflammation is an adaptive response triggered by noxious stimuli and conditions such as infection and tissue injury [...]
Redox regulation of metabolic syndrome: From biochemical mechanisms to nutritional interventions
No full textAccording to its "harmonized" definition, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is described as a cluster of metabolic factors that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes (DM) and associated morbidities such as dementia [...]
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