Structure-activity relationship study of the plant-derived decapeptide OSIP108 inhibiting Candida albicans biofilm formation

We performed a structure-activity relationship study of the antibiofilm plant-derived decapeptide OSIP108. Introduction of positively charged amino acids R, H, and K resulted in an up-to-5-fold-increased antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans compared to native OSIP108, whereas replacement of R9 resulted in complete abolishment of its antibiofilm activity. By combining the most promising amino acid substitutions, we found that the double-substituted OSIP108 analogue Q6R/G7K had an 8-fold-increased antibiofilm activity

Nuclear weapons under supranational authority

In this contribution, I discuss the thesis that the storage, research, and testing of nuclear weapons ought to fall under the exclusive competence of a supranational authority. As difficult, unrealistic, and potentially dangerous as this proposal might seem to some, others will find it to be too modest and demand total elimination and abolition instead. Therefore, the argument in favor of supranationalization must also consist of an argument against the total elimination of nuclear weapons and their further development. Supranationalization also brings new risks with it. I evaluate these risks and argue that it is nevertheless the best long-term solution compared to its alternatives. I show that the net risk is reduced under supranationalization and that the risks created by it are arguably smaller than in the case of an enduring status quo, at least when considered long-term. My proposal consists of managing the risk of nuclear war more responsibly over time

Calcolare la magnitudo è semplice!

Si tratta di un laboratorio attraverso il quale il pubblico può calcolare la magnitudo di un ipotetico terremoto

D8.7 Report on options for direct democracy in the EU

One of the solutions proposed both by politicians and scholars to deal with the alleged democratic deficit of the European Union is to favour direct participation of EU citizens in decision-making at the European level. The object of D.8.7 is to assess the viability of EU referenda as a mechanism of direct democracy. It proposes a model for a European referendum that is: 1) held on EU internal issues of primary law; 2) mandatory; 3) simultaneous in all member states; 4) binding; and 5) simple regarding subject matter

The plant decapeptide OSIP108 can alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction induced by cisplatin in human cells

We investigated the effect of the Arabidopsis thaliana-derived decapeptide OSIP108 on human cell tolerance to the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (Cp), which induces apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. We found that OSIP108 increases the tolerance of HepG2 cells to Cp and prevents Cp-induced changes in basic cellular metabolism. More specifically, we demonstrate that OSIP108 reduces Cp-induced inhibition of respiration, decreases glycolysis and prevents Cp-uptake in HepG2 cells. Apart from its protective action against Cp in human cells, OSIP108 also increases the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae tolerance to Cp. A limited yeast-based study of OSIP108 analogs showed that cyclization does not severely affect its activity, which was further confirmed in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the similarity in the activity of the D-stereoisomer (mirror image) form of OSIP108 with the L stereoisomer suggests that its mode of action does not involve binding to a stereospecific receptor. In addition, as OSIP108 decreases Cp uptake in HepG2 cells and the anti-Cp activity of OSIP108 analogs without free cysteine is reduced, OSIP108 seems to protect against Cp-induced toxicity only partly via complexation. Taken together, our data indicate that OSIP108 and its cyclic derivatives can protect against Cp-induced toxicity and, thus, show potential as treatment options for mitochondrial dysfunction- and apoptosis-related conditions

Professional Learning Through Video: Reflection of a Pre-Service Teacher One Year On

The research presented in this paper investigates a pre-service teacher’s reflection on professional learning using the medium of video. To promote a reflective activity, we invited the pre-service teacher—now a titular teacher—to comment on their activity while remarking on a recording of one of theirlessons conducted one year earlier. The lesson was performed in a professional high school, followed by a meeting with the teacher and a university tutor. Quali-quantitative analysis was used to analyse the data--where the teacher’s reflections emerged during their viewing of the lesson—to trace the typology of the comments of the pre-service teacher, and the topics of the reflection. The analysis highlights the dimensions of reflective activity, which can be a reflection of the professional learning of the pre-service teacher in one year. This study provides useful information in describing the process of professional learning and, at the same time, supports the integration of video into pre-service teacher training as a tool of reflection.La recherche présentée dans cet article vise à étudier la réflexion d'un enseignant en formation sur son apprentissage professionnel en utilisant le milieu de la vidéo. Afin de promouvoir une activité de réflexion, nous avons invité un enseignant en formation – maintenant enseignant titulaire - à verbaliser sur son activité pendand une leçon enregistré un anné plus tôt. La leçon a été réalisée dans un lycée professionnel, suivie d'une rencontre avec l'enseignant titulaire et un tuteur universitaire. L'analyse quali-quantitative est utilisée pour analyser les données - toutes les réflexions des enseignants que sont émergé lors de la vision de la leçon - tracer la typologie des commentaires de l'enseignant, et les ses réflexions. Cette étude fournit des informations utiles pour décrire le processus d'apprentissage professionnel et, dans le même temps, soutenir l'intégration de la vidéo dans la formation initiale des enseignants comme outil de réflexion

Anarchie: Gedanken aus der politischen Philosophie

Eine funktionierende Wirtschaft braucht durchsetzbare Eigentumsrechte. Der Staat garantiert diese. Aber soll er sich im anarcho-liberalen Idealmodell auch um Chancengleichheit und die Umverteilung von Einkommen kümmern