Unveiling interactions between DNA and cytotoxic 2-arylpiperidinyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives: A combined electrochemical and computational study

Indexación: Scopus.Three 2-arylpiperidinyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro to determine their cytotoxicity on cancer and normal cell lines. In order to establish their possible action mechanism, the electrochemical behaviour of these quinones was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) as technique by using a three-electrode setup: a glassy carbon, Ag/AgCl (in 3 M KCl), and platinum wire as working, reference, and counter electrodes, respectively. Kinetic studies were done to determine the control of the reduction reaction and the number of transferred electrons in the process. Furthermore, the addition of dsDNA to the quinone solutions allowed for the observation of an interaction between each quinone and dsDNA as the current-peaks became lower in presence of dsDNA. Otherwise, motivated to support the aforementioned results, electronic structure calculations at the TPSS-D3/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory were carried out in order to find the most favourable noncovalently bonded complexes between quinones and DNA. Noncovalent complexes formed between DNA and 2-arylpiperidinyl-1,4-naphthoquinones and stabilized by π-stacking interactions along with the well-known hydrogen-bonded complexes were found, with the former being more stable than the latter. These results suggest that the intercalation of these quinone derivatives in DNA is the most likely action mechanism. © 2018 King Saud Universityhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535218300893?via%3Dihu

Enterprise Architecture Approach for Project Management and Project-Based Organizations: A Review

Project-based organizations (PBOs) derive income from conducting projects for their clients. Maintaining the most effective and efficient project governance style is an ongoing process for these organizations as the context continuously changes. Enterprise architecture (EA) is a systemic approach that supports organizations in modeling and describing themselves in different layers, such as strategy, business, application, and technology. This literature review describes the current state of EA usage in improving and quickly revising project management governance in PBOs to benefit practitioners and researchers for an integrated view of EA, PM, and PBO, and identification of future research gaps. This review used an EA model composed of layers as an analytical framework. The extracted bibliometric and content data from selected articles were processed using the VOSviewer tool for identifying and understanding the relationships between main concepts through network mapping. The selected articles are oriented to internal organization projects, mainly in information technology (IT). The need to align projects with business is highlighted, with EA positioned as a governance tool. It was found that application of EA in PBOs is rare. A trend toward using popular PM and EA frameworks, such as PMBOK and ArchiMate, was observed

Estimación de la edad y patrón de crecimiento del abade, Mycteroperca fusca (Serranidae) en una población isleña en la costa noroeste de África

Mycteroperca fusca is one of the main predators of the Canarian archipelago coastal marine ecosystem. Nothing is known on the life history or population dynamics of this predatory serranid fish. In this study, age and growth of M. fusca were investigated by annual growth increment counts from 214 fish collected between January 2004 and December 2005. A year’s growth is represented by one opaque and one translucent ring. The island grouper is a slow-growing and long-lived species, with ages up to twenty years recorded. Length at age was described by the von Bertalanffy growth model (L∞=898 mm; k=0.062 year-1; and t0= −3.83 year), the Schnute growth model (y1=262 mm; y2=707 mm; a=0.008; and b=1.98), and the seasonalised von Bertalanffy growth model (L∞=908 mm; k=0.061 year-1; t0= −3.83 year; C=2.58; and ts=0.542). Males and females show differences in growth.Mycteroperca fusca es uno de los principales depredadores de los ecosistemas marinos del Archipiélago Canario, del que nada se conoce sobre su biología. En este trabajo, se aborda el estudio de la edad y el crecimiento de M. fusca mediante el recuento de los incrementos anuales de crecimiento a partir de 214 ejemplares recolectados entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2005. El crecimiento anual está representado por un anillo opaco y otro translúcido. El abade es una especie perteneciente a la familia Serranidae de crecimiento lento y de vida larga, con edades registradas superiores a los veinte años. La relación entre la talla y la edad se estimó mediante el modelo de von Bertalanffy (L∞=898 mm; k=0.062 años-1; y t0= −3.83 años), el modelo de Schnute (y1=262 mm; y2=707 mm; a=0.008; y b=1.98), y el modelo estacional de von Bertalanffy (L∞=908 mm; k=0.061 años-1;

Biología reproductora del abade (Mycteroperca fusca) en las Islas Canarias, costa noroeste de África

This is the first time that the reproductive characteristics of Mycteroperca fusca have been analyzed over the whole area of its distribution, using the parameter of the histological analysis of the gonads. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite with a marked predominance of females (1:4.9). The males and females displayed marked differences in the distribution of the sizes. The females were distributed over all the size ranges analyzed (229-725 mm total length), whereas the males were observed within the larger sizes, as of 428 mm. One transitional specimen (610 mm total length) was observed. The size at which the females first reached sexual maturity was 335 mm total length whereas the size at which 95% of females reached sexual maturity was 398 mm total length. The average size at which 50% of the females had inverted to the male condition was found to be 678 mm total length. The range of sizes at which the process of sexual inversion took place was broad, between 428 and 725 mm total length. The reproductive period was long, almost covering the annual cycle, although the maximum activity was observed between April and October, with a peak in spawning in June-July.Este es el primer estudio que aborda las características reproductoras de Mycteroperca fusca, en toda su área de distribución, utilizando el estudio histológico de las gónadas. La especie se caracteriza por un hermafroditismo proterogínico. Existe una marcada predominancia de las hembras (1:4.9). Los machos y las hembras muestran marcadas diferencias en la estructura de tallas. Las hembras se distribuyen en todo el rango de tallas analizado (229-725 mm de longitud total) mientras que los machos sólo fueron observados en las tallas superiores, por encima de los 428 mm de longitud total. Se analizó un ejemplar intersexual de 610 mm de longitud total. La talla a la cual las hembras alcanzan la madurez sexual es 335 mm de longitud total, mientras que la talla a la cual el 95% de las hembras se consideran maduras es 398 mm de longitud total. La talla media a la cual el 50% de las hembras han invertido a la condición de macho fue 678 mm de longitud total. El rango de tallas en el que el proceso de inversión sexual tiene lugar es amplio, entre 428 y 725 mm de longitud total. El periodo reproductivo es amplio, cubriendo casi el ciclo anual completo, aunque el máximo de actividad se localiza entre los meses de abril y octubre, con un máximo de puesta en junio-julio

The state of optics research in Colombia: a scientometric analysis

Although there is a perception in the community that the state of optics research in Colombia has reached a mature state with international recognition, to date, there is no study that supports this view quantitatively. We aimed to assess the state of optics research in Colombia based on international journal publications. Therefore, we determined scientometric indicators using the research articles published by authors with Colombian affiliation in journals indexed in the Scopus database belonging to the Atomic and Molecular Physics and Optics subject category. The research output has increased dramatically in the past two decades, with an average of 169 articles per year since 2016. Most of these articles are published in high-impact journals. A little over 10% of that research is in the top 10% most cited in the world. Over 25 higher education institutions contribute significantly to this research with many international and national collaborations. The normalized citation impact for Colombian optics research is 0.95, only five points below the world average, and ranked second in Latin America, only superseded by Chile (1.33). Our results show that optics research is an established research area in Colombia with high impact and many active groups from different institutions spread throughout the country

La escuela como formadora de hábitos alimentarios a través de los comedores escolares : un estado del arte

La falta de seguridad alimentaria, producto de la actual fase del capitalismo, afecta principalmente a las familias que destinan a la comida la mayor parte de sus ingresos. Como resultado, los niños pertenecientes a esas familias, están más expuestos a padecer obesidad, sobrepeso y a no recibir una alimentación que garantice su derecho a la salud, presente y futura. Si bien es principalmente en la familia donde se desarrollan las pautas alimentarias, el placer, el gusto y el rechazo por distintos alimentos, por distintos factores, muchas familias se ven impelidas en la actualidad a completar la alimentación de sus hijos a través de los comedores escolares. En situaciones de pobreza, la escuela pública contribuye a enfrentar situaciones de vulnerabilidad alimenticia. Los sectores medios y altos, en tanto, depositan cada vez más en las escuelas de doble escolaridad la responsabilidad por el almuerzo de los hijos. En momentos en que la obesidad infantil, sin distingo de países, avanza de modo alarmante, se valora que los comedores escolares y la escuela como institución educativa, pueden contribuir a disminuir el sobrepeso en la edad adulta. De allí que muchos estudios han empezado a poner foco en qué comen y cómo comen los niños en escuela, tema hasta ahora, poco problematizado en nuestro medio. El propósito de esta ponencia es presentar un estado del arte sobre el papel de los comedores escolares y sus efectos sobre las prácticas alimentarias de los niños así como las posibles interacciones entre alimentación escolar y promoción de hábitos alimentarios y de comensalidad con potencialidades para prevenir la obesidad infantil.Fil: Bustos, Rosa María . Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y SocialesFil: Illobre, Graciela . Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y SocialesFil: Molina, Cecilia . Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y SocialesFil: Weisstaub, Sergio G. . Universidad de Chil

Astrometric Effects of a Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background

A stochastic gravitational wave background causes the apparent positions of distant sources to fluctuate, with angular deflections of order the characteristic strain amplitude of the gravitational waves. These fluctuations may be detectable with high precision astrometry, as first suggested by Braginsky et al. in 1990. Several researchers have made order of magnitude estimates of the upper limits obtainable on the gravitational wave spectrum \Omega_gw(f), at frequencies of order f ~ 1 yr^-1, both for the future space-based optical interferometry missions GAIA and SIM, and for VLBI interferometry in radio wavelengths with the SKA. For GAIA, tracking N ~ 10^6 quasars over a time of T ~ 1 yr with an angular accuracy of \Delta \theta ~ 10 \mu as would yield a sensitivity level of \Omega_gw ~ (\Delta \theta)^2/(N T^2 H_0^2) ~ 10^-6, which would be comparable with pulsar timing. In this paper we take a first step toward firming up these estimates by computing in detail the statistical properties of the angular deflections caused by a stochastic background. We compute analytically the two point correlation function of the deflections on the sphere, and the spectrum as a function of frequency and angular scale. The fluctuations are concentrated at low frequencies (for a scale invariant stochastic background), and at large angular scales, starting with the quadrupole. The magnetic-type and electric-type pieces of the fluctuations have equal amounts of power.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figures, references added and minor text correction

Interview Douglas D. Perkins: “Social Work has learnings that allows to achieve more power and impact through working effectively with groups of people”

Douglas Perkins is recognized worldwide for his work in Community Psychology, social capital development, citizen participation, empowerment and sense of community. He is currently the founding director of the PhD “Research and Community Action” in the Department of Human Development and Organization and Community Studies Center at the Vander at the Vanderbilt University. He also serves as associate editor of the journal Psychosocial Intervention. He has linked research and teaching with participation in various community organization projects, migration networks, public education and health, among others. His academic work also includes topics on ecological change, evaluation of programs and development of research methods with communities. He has also developed interdisciplinary studies about the relationship between social psychology, law and public policy. The following interview was made during her visit to Chile in October 2018

Constructing the Audit Risk Assessment by the Audit Team Leader When Planning: Using Fuzzy Theory

[EN] The aim of this study is to construct the assessment of the expected audit risk by the audit team leader (ATL) during the planification phase of the audit. The ATL plays an important role within the audit, and even more so regarding small and medium-sized (SME) audit firms. The audit risk assessment is critical as relying more (less) on internal controls implemented by the client leads to performing less (more) substantive audit procedures. This is determined by the ATL based on their professional judgement and previous experience. The use of fuzzy theory has powerful potential into the audit arena, as the audit risk assessment (outcome) is critically related to the auditors' judgement and perception. We argue that ATL characteristics are core conditions in determining the audit risk assessment when planning. Using hand-collected and private data from Spanish SME audit firms, we find that a comprehensive set of conditions must be given for perceived high audit risk. The results indicate that female and inexperienced ATLs planning the audit of indebted firms with high proportions of capital assets, less profitability, and with a larger board sizes, as they are expected to have bad internal control. The same conditions are met when expecting errors, as well as shorter audit tenures. Finally, conditions such as the ATL's experience gains importance in expecting irregularities. This paper extends our understanding of the role of ATL characteristics on the audit risk assessment when planning and raising awareness on studying SME audit firm behavior.Porcuna-Enguix, L.; Bustos-Contell, E.; Serrano-Madrid, J.; Labatut-Serer, G. (2021). Constructing the Audit Risk Assessment by the Audit Team Leader When Planning: Using Fuzzy Theory. Mathematics. 9(23):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/math923306512292

Socially aware robot navigation system in human-populated and interactive environments based on an adaptive spatial density function and space affordances

Traditionally robots are mostly known by society due to the wide use of manipulators, which are generally placed in controlled environments such as factories. However, with the advances in the area of mobile robotics, they are increasingly inserted into social contexts, i.e., in the presence of people. The adoption of socially acceptable behaviours demands a trade-off between social comfort and other metrics of efficiency. For navigation tasks, for example, humans must be differentiated from other ordinary objects in the scene. In this work, we propose a novel human-aware navigation strategy built upon the use of an adaptive spatial density function that efficiently cluster groups of people according to their spatial arrangement. Space affordances are also used for defining potential activity spaces considering the objects in the scene. The proposed function defines regions where navigation is either discouraged or forbidden. To implement a socially acceptable navigation, the navigation architecture combines a probabilistic roadmap and rapidly-exploring random tree path planners, and an adaptation of the elastic band algorithm. Trials in real and simulated environments carried out demonstrate that the use of the clustering algorithm and social rules in the navigation architecture do not hinder the navigation performance