7,357 research outputs found
The Ocean Plastic Incubator Chamber (OPIC) system to monitor in situ plastic degradation at sea
No full textMarine plastic pollution is a global and pervasive environmental issue. Knowledge on plastic degradation in natural settings is still very limited due to current technological limitations, hampering our understanding of plastic fate (including its breakdown into micro- and nanoplastics) and of its risk for marine ecosystems. Here we present the proof of concept of the Ocean Plastic Incubator Chamber (OPIC), a novel equipment to follow plastic degradation in situ at sea over time. OPIC consists of a frame containing a motorised rotating stage with transparent tubes sub-assemblies where reference plastic materials are incubated and exposed to natural weathering conditions for defined time multi-years period. OPIC has been designed, tested and adapted for deployment with mooring line platforms in the open ocean with potential future application in remote environments at different depths (from shallow waters to deep sea environments). This incubator will allow us to measure different markers of plastic aging in situ in the ocean for the first time, providing new insights into the multiple and locally driven dynamics regulating plastic transformations and fate at sea
Status prawny młodzieżowych rad powiatów
No full textSocial participation, which has its origin in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland (civil society principle), should also be seen on the self-government level. On the county level, citizens’ activity can be strengthened by a youth county council. The article first discusses the history of these bodies as well as their current popularity and condition. The author also tries to create their definition and outline the establishment procedure. While pointing to the legal basis of the establishment acts, the author gives several reasons why youth county councils are not legal in the current circumstances. Youth county councils and youth municipal councils are compared on the basis of their activity. In the final part of the article, the author points out why those bodies should have a legal basis on the national level.Partycypacja społeczna, wynikająca z konstytucyjnej zasady społeczeństwa obywatelskiego, powinna mieć silne oddziaływanie w ramach samorządu terytorialnego. Na poziomie powiatu jedną z form aktywności obywateli może być młodzieżowa rada powiatu. W artykule zarysowano historię tych podmiotów oraz przedstawiono ich obecne rozpowszechnienie. Podjęto próbę stworzenia definicji tych rad oraz omówiono procedury ich powstania. Wskazując na podstawy prawne aktów powołujących, przestawiono wątpliwości co do możliwości ich istnienia w obecnym stanie prawnym. Porównano także aktywność tych podmiotów i młodzieżowych rad gmin, posiadających umocowanie ustawowe. Na podstawie oceny działalności młodzieżowych rad powiatów zaprezentowano również powody, które przemawiają zdaniem autora za koniecznością nowelizacji ustawy o samorządzie powiatowym
Cocoa and cocoa bean shells role in human health: An updated review
No full textCocoa is derived from the seeds of Theobroma cacao L., an evergreen tree typical of tropical regions. It contains
numerous phytochemicals, with polyphenols representing the largest groups of compounds inside the seed, and
has been implicated in numerous biological properties, such as antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiapoptotic, antiinflammatory,
anti-cancer. Moreover, cocoa has been investigated in different health conditions, including heart
diseases, dyspepsia, nervous system diseases, circulation problems, and many others. Given its high consumption
in many countries all over the world, it is important to know and understand its effects on human health. In
addition, the cocoa bean shell, a by-product of the process of cocoa preparation, has been gaining remarkable
interest due to its high content of phytochemicals. This review summarizes the available literature and works on
the health benefits of cocoa and cocoa bean shells. Moreover, the current review focuses on studies investigating
their possible therapeutic roles in cancer and the underlining potential mechanisms of action
Rad GTPase inhibits cardiac fibrosis through connective tissue growth factor
No full textAims Our previous studies documented that Rad (Ras associated with diabetes), a member of the RGK (Rad, Gem, and Kir) family of Ras-related small G protein, is significantly decreased in human failing hearts and plays an important role in attenuating cardiac hypertrophy. The goal of this study is to identify the effect of Rad on cardiac fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results Rad knockout (KO) mice showed more severe cardiac fibrosis compared with wild-type littermate controls as detected by Sirius Red staining. Western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a key mediator of fibrosis, increased dramatically in Rad KO mice. Overexpression of Rad in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes suppressed both basal and transforming growth factor-beta 1-induced CTGF expression. Elevated CTGF expression was observed in cardiomyocytes when Rad was reduced by RNA interference. Moreover, cardiac fibroblasts produced greater extracellular matrix (ECM) when stimulated with conditioned medium from Rad-knockdown cardiomyocytes. ECM production was completely abolished by adding a CTGF-neutralizing antibody into the medium. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta(C/EBP-delta) was demonstrated to activate CTGF in cardiomyocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and co-immunoprecipitation further demonstrated that Rad inhibited the binding of C/EBP-delta to the CTGF promoter via direct interaction with C/EBP-delta. Conclusion Our data reveal that Rad deficiency can lead to cardiac fibrosis. Rad inhibits CTGF expression through binding with C/EBP-delta, thus regulating ECM production in the heart. This study suggests a potential link between decreased Rad levels and increased cardiac fibrosis in human failing hearts.Cardiac & Cardiovascular SystemsSCI(E)PubMed13ARTICLE190-989
Platelet-derived growth factor induces Rad expression through Egr-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.
No full textBACKGROUND: Ras associated with diabetes (Rad) inhibits vascular lesion formation by reducing the attachment and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the transcriptional regulation of Rad in VSMCs is unclear. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found that Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)induced Rad expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) using quantitative real-time PCR. By serial deletion analysis of the Rad promoter, we identified that two GC-rich early growth response-1 (Egr-1) binding sites are essential for PDGF-induced Rad promoter activation. Overexpression of Egr-1 in RASMCs strongly stimulated Rad expression while the Egr-1 corepressor, NGFI-A binding protein 2 (NAB2), repressed PDGF-induced Rad up-regulation in a dose-dependent manner. Direct binding of Egr-1 to the Rad promoter region was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Rad is regulated by PDGF through the transcriptional factor Egr-1 in RASMCs
Hochbegabte kinder - das unterdrückte genie -- was treibt Hans Giebenrath unter das rad?: eine neuere perspektive zu Herman Hesses Unterm Rad, in bezug auf die idee ,das lernen als strafe'
No full text2013 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Text in German; title and abstract in English and German.The current discussion on Hermann Hesse's 1906 book, Unterm Rad, leaves many open-ended questions. Because the storyline so closely follows Hermann Hesse's personal biography, it obfuscates his authorial intentions and makes it difficult for scholars to differentiate between the two. Many critics also claim that the correlations between Unterm Rad's protagonist, Hans Giebenrath, and Hesse's personal life have actually stagnated later research about the book, as discussions always circle back to Hesse's personal struggles in the Prussian school system. This thesis, although acknowledging the similarities to Hesse's personal timeline, aims to frame the book in historical context in order to discuss its importance in a literary context. This thesis begins by analyzing the norm of educational methods in the early nineteenth century, and establishes that they are strongly based on a long tradition of child rearing by using force. This can be traced back to some accounts from 1752, and are based on a history of bourgeois childrearing. The headmaster and pastor's treatment of Hans in Unterm Rad clearly demonstrate the force and suppression of new ideas, used as modes of teaching to ensure students conformed to societal norms: this is historically reconcilable. Hesse's fictional story is thus the ideal basis for an analysis of childrearing methods used during that time. In order to effectively introduce a new perspective on the discussion, this paper uses the New Historicism approach and begins with Roland Barthes's theory of authorial intention. It analyses the text within the constraints of The Death of the Author, and continues with Michel Foucault's What is an Author? The goal is to evaluate what Unterm Rad says about the child rearing at the turn of the century in southern Germany, particularly for gifted children, and how it can be applied to what is already known from a historical standpoint. This idea is then applied from Hans Giebenrath's point of view to German psychologist Katharina Rutschky's concept of "Schwarze Pädagogik" or "Black Pedagogy" and her theories of suppression. This idea is further supplemented by Alice Millers research on childrearing, in relation to Hans's experience at the school in Maulbronn
Role rad społecznych we współrządzeniu miastem
No full textUrban governance (UG) is a place-based network of cooperation between public and non-public actors where public authorities play a strategic role in deciding on city matters. A number of UG actors include advisory councils (ACs), characterized by a long tradition, universality, stability and objectives related to urban affairs. The article aims to identify AC roles in UG. In addition, the author hypothesizes a correlation between the number of official (statutory) and informal (not legally regulated) roles and differences between ACs in terms of the roles they play. The hypotheses were verified in qualitative research. 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the youth councils, senior citizen councils, sport councils, and councils for residents with disabilities in 16 Polish cities. The interview transcripts were uploaded to QDA Miner for encoding and analysis. It was found that all ACs, regardless of their official roles, play informal roles, and all these roles are related to UG. There is no correlation between the number of official and informal roles, which would make ACs very similar unless the mandatory character of the roles played by the council for residents with disabilities, which differs this AC from the other. The results of the study lead the author to recommend revisions to AC regulations in order to increase their participation in the UG.Współrządzenie miastem (WM) to związana z miejscem sieć współpracy między podmiotami publicznymi i niepublicznymi, w której władze publiczne odgrywają strategiczną rolę w podejmowaniu decyzji o sprawach miasta. Wśród aktorów WM są rady społeczne (RS), które charakteryzują się długą tradycją, powszechnością, stabilnością i celami związanymi z miastem. Artykuł ma na celu identyfikację ról RS w WM. Ponadto autorka stawia hipotezę o związku między liczbą ról oficjalnych (ustawowych) i nieformalnych (nieuregulowanych prawnie) oraz o różnicach między RS pod względem pełnionych ról. Hipotezy zweryfikowano w badaniach jakościowych. Przeprowadzono 57 wywiadów częściowo ustrukturyzowanych z członkami rad młodzieżowych, rad seniorów, rad sportu i rad ds. osób niepełnosprawnych w 16 polskich miastach. Transkrypcje wywiadów zostały wprowadzone do QDA Miner w celu zakodowania i analizy. Stwierdzono, że wszystkie RS, niezależnie od swoich ról oficjalnych, pełnią role nieformalne, a wszystkie te role są związane z WM. Nie ma związku między liczbą ról oficjalnych i nieformalnych, co sprawia, że RS wydałyby się bardzo podobne, gdyby nie role pełnione przez radę ds. osób niepełnosprawnych, które mają charakter obowiązku ustawowego, co istotnie różni tę radę od pozostałych. Wyniki badań skłoniły autorkę do zaproponowania zmian w przepisach dotyczących RS w kierunku zwiększenia ich udziału w UG
Rad na ulozi Sarah u predstavi "Ljubavnik"
No full textDjelo Harolda Pintera Ljubavnik zaživjelo je kao diplomska predstava Gordana Marijanovića i Matee Bublić pod mentorstvom doc. art. Jasmina Novljakovića na Akademiji za umjetnost i kulturu u Osijeku na odsjeku za kazališnu umjetnost, smjer gluma i lutkarstvo. U ovom diplomskom radu Matea opisuje proces rada na diplomskoj predstavi koji uključuje rad na tekstu, rad u prostoru te rad na ulozi. Na početku ukratko iznosi činjenice o autoru i djelu nakon čega kronološki navodi faze rada unutar kojih opisuje proces svojeg glumačkog istraživanja i spoznajne činjenice o utvrđenom znanju. Kroz sva poglavlja čitatelja upoznaje s režijskim konceptom predstave, opisuje mu scenografiju, kostimografiju i rekvizite te mu približava karakter predstave. Svoj diplomski rad Matea zaokružuje spoznajom i iznošenjem činjenica o stečenom znanju kroz petogodišnje studiranje te svojom idejom o karakteristikama koje čine kvalitetnog glumca.Drama „Lover“ by Harold Pinter was set on the scene as a final exam of Gordan Marijanović and Matea Bublić, mentored by assist. prof. art. Jasmin Novljaković and produced by Academy for art and culture in Osijek under the Department of Theatre Arts, study of acting and puppetry. In this written thesis Matea is describing the working process on the final exam which is consisted of chapters which are talking about: working on the text, working on the scene and creating a role. On the beginning she is writing about author and drama, chronologically describes the working phases and analyse process of acting reaserch. Through all chapters Matea introduces the reader to the concept of the play, describes the scenography, costumography and tries to bring the character of the play closer to the reader. She is concluding her written thesis by bringing the facts about acquired knowledge through the study and sharing her opinion about characteristics of a good actor
RADical Surgery: A Case Study in Using RAD to Produce a Thematic Guide
No full textThis article discusses using the Rules for Archival Description to produce an inter-institutional thematic guide on genealogical sources in Alberta's archives and research centres. The author raises issues encountered in using RAD on this project, such as the need to tailor RAD for genealogical researchers, applying RAD to unprocessed archival documents, dealing with differing institutional descriptive practices, and working within the limitations imposed by the guide's presentation format. The author goes on to discuss how the project team responded to the issues and makes comparisons with a similar project involving the use of RAD in the preparation of an inter-institutional union list in British Columbia.
RÉSUMÉ
Cet article examine l'utilisation des Règles de description des documents d'archives (RDDA) pour la production d'un guide thématique inter-institutionnel sur les sources généalogiques des centres d'archives et de recherche albertains. L'auteur soulève les problèmes rencontrés dans l'utilisation des RDDA: l'adaptation des RDDA aux besoins des généalogistes, l'application des RDDA aux documents archivistiques non traités, la négociation avec des pratiques descriptives institutionnelles distinctes et l'ajustement aux limites imposées par la présentation même du guide. L'auteur poursuit en examinant la manière dont l'équipe a solutionné ces différents points et compare les résultats avec un projet similaire d'utilisation des RDDA pour la préparation d'une liste syndicale inter-institutionnelle en Colombie-Britannique
Author Impact Beamplots
No full textUbrzani razvoj informacijskih tehnologija omogućava bazama podataka s citatnim indeksima stalna poboljšanja u samom izgledu i funkcionalnosti sučelja, ali i uvođenje novih indikatora koji održavaju utjecajnost pojedinog autora u nekoj znanstvenoj disciplini. Uz sve više brojčanih pokazatelja utjecajnosti znanstvenika pojavljuju se i novi načini vizualizacije njihove uspješnosti. Tako je tvrtka Clarivate Analytics u sklopu svoje baze Web of Science osmislila “ Author Impact Beamplots”, vizualni prikaz na kojem su prikazani svi izvorni radovi autora u pojedinoj kategoriji ili polju, razvrstani po godinama i prema novom indikatoru – normaliziranom postotku citiranja.
Normalizirani postotak citiranja za pojedini izvorni rad objavljen u nekoj godini pokazuje od kolikog je postotka izvornih radova objavljenih te iste godine, u pripadajućoj kategoriji ili polju, taj rad bio citiraniji. Također, moguće je odrediti medijan novog indikatora za sve izvorne radove autora u svim godinama u određenoj kategoriji ili polju, što u WOS-u nazivaju svojevrsnim “karijernim medijanom”
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