Elemental Figure Symmetry

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Father Bix: Non-violence in Action

The big problems of our world – such as war, climate change, poverty, racism, and sexism – are pervasive, intertwined, and tied to the very structures of society. Can these problems be addressed from within our society? How can we imagine change when our language and ideas are a product of our culture? Is it possible to develop resistance within hegemony? In this presentation, I address these questions and discuss how my search for answers has led to my masters project: a documentary film about Father Bill “Bix” Bichsel, a Jesuit priest and activist who lived in Tacoma. I begin with a discussion of cultural narratives, explaining that it is necessary to imagine a better world before such a world can be enacted. By changing our perspective, we can begin to see many common activities as resistance to oppressive social structures. I critique the idea that “the ends justify the means,” which is commonly accepted in Western culture, and explain how value-driven action has led to social change through campaigns of non-violence. Finally, I tell the story of Father Bix and describe how my film will frame his life and work as a real-world case study of the effects of value-driven action. I conclude by explaining that the use of film will make Bix’s story accessible to a wide audience, in the hope of inspiring people to create their own value-driven communities

Remodeling Factors, Transcription Factors and Angiogenetic Factors in Cholesteatoma in Ontogenetic Aspect

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.Introduction: The main goal of our study was to describe the transcription factor (NF-κβ), angiogenetic factor (VEGF), and remodeling markers (MMP-9 and TIMP-4) of the cholesteatoma tissue compared to control skin tissue. There are still uncertainties how transcription, angiogenetic and remodeling factors affect the cholesteatoma course. Materials and Methods: Eight cholesteatoma tissue specimens were retrieved from children, seven – from adults, seven skin controls – from cadavers. Obtained material immunohistochemically were stained for NF-κβ, MMP-9, TIMP-4, VEGF. Non-parametric statistic methods were used. Results: A statistically significant higher numbers of NF-κβ and TIMP-4 immunoreactive cells in the cholesteatoma compared to control group. A very strong positive correlation between MMP-9 and TIMP-4 was seen in the patient group. A strong positive correlation - between MMP-9 in matrix and MMP-9, VEGF in perimatrix, between TIMP-4 in matrix and TIMP-4 in perimatrix, NF-κβ in the matrix and VEGF; between TIMP-4 in perimatrix and NF-κβ in the matrix. Conclusions: Correlation between MMP-9 and TIMP-4 suggests that TIMP-4 in cholesteatoma tissue intercorrelates to MMP9. TIMP-4 likely regulates the development of cholesteatoma. Disbalance between MMPs and TIMPs affects NFκβ and causes uncontrolled cell proliferation and immune response in this tumor. There is a lack of VEGF strong expression in cholesteatoma perimatrix.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Complex Evaluation of Tissue Factors in Pediatric Cholesteatoma

Funding Information: Funding: Riga Stradin,š University’s funding is gratefully acknowledged. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The aim of this study was to describe the appearance and distribution of tissue remodeling markers (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-4), Sonic hedgehog gene protein (Shh), pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL–1, IL–10), transcription factor (NF-κβ), proliferation marker (Ki–67), angiogenetic factor (VEGF), tissue defensins (HβD–2, HβD–4) of the pediatric cholesteatoma. Sixteen cholesteatoma samples were obtained from children, eleven skin controls from cadavers. Tissues were stained for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-4, Shh, IL–1, IL–10, NF-κβ, Ki–67, VEGF, HβD–2, HβD–4. Non-parametric statistic, Mann–Whitney, and Spearman’s coefficient was used. A statistically significant difference was seen between Shh and HβD–2 in perimatrix and control connective tissue, between NF-κβ in cholesteatoma and control skin, and between HβD–4 in matrix and skin epithelium. Complex intercorrelations between MMPs, NF-κβ and VEGF cause the intensification of angiogenesis in cholesteatoma. The persistent increase in Shh gene protein expression in cholesteatoma perimatrix suggests the stimulation of the cholesteatoma growth in children. Similar expression of IL-1 and IL-10 and their intercorrelation, proves there is a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. NF-κβ, and not Ki-67, seems to be the main inducer of cellular proliferation. The main antimicrobial protection is provided by HβD-2.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Discrimination of juice press fractions for sparkling base wines by a UV-Vis spectral phenolic fingerprint and chemometrics

The feasibility of an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectral phenolic fingerprint (SPF),combined with principal component analysis (PCA), is evaluated as a rapid, simple, and reliable technique for the discrimination of grape juice press fractions destined for the production of sparkling white wines. Juice press fractions of Vitis vinifera L. Chardonnay and Pinot noir grapes comprising free-run (i.e., juice released during the loading of press), cuvée (i.e., first press fraction), and taille (i.e., subsequent press fraction), were analyzed by SPF combined with multivariate data analysis. Two trials were carried out, a laboratory and a commercial scale trial. In both trials, cuvée and taille of Chardonnay and Pinot noir grapes were clearly separated in their corresponding PCA plots based on their SPF. The proposed method enables a rapid and objective discrimination of juice press fractions, which can be obtained using relatively inexpensive UV-Vis spectrophotometric equipment. Insights arising from this research suggest a future possibility of objective, real-time discrimination of juice quality that could liberate the winemaker from tasting juice at the press

Preliminary study of Australian Pinot noir wines by colour and volatile analyses, and the Pivot© Profile method using wine professionals

The aim of this preliminary study was to identify potential colour components, volatile and sensory attributes that could discriminate Pinot noir wines from five Australian winegrowing regions (Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Northern and Southern Tasmania). The sensory analysis consisted of the Pivot© Profile method that was performed by wine professionals. A headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to quantify multiple volatile compounds, while the Modified Somers method was used for colour characterisation. Analysis of data suggested ethyl decanoate, ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, in addition to decanoic acid as important contributors to the discrimination between regions. Similarly, wine hue, chemical age indices, total anthocyanin, and (%) non-bleachable pigment also discriminated wines between regions. The sensory analysis showed that wines from Mornington Peninsula were associated with the ‘red fruits’ aroma, ‘acidic’, and ‘astringency’ palate descriptors, while those from Adelaide Hills were associated with the ‘brown’ colour attribute. This study indicates regionality is a strong driver of aroma typicity of wine

Spur pruning leads to distinctly different phenolic profiles of base sparkling wines than cane pruning

Winter pruning is the principal method for regulating yield in viticulture. The aim of this work was to investigate the effectiveness of cane and spur pruning on yield, and on grape and wine composition. Cane and spur pruning were investigated in Vitis vinifera L. 'Pinot noir' and 'Chardonnay' vertically-shoot-positioned vines over three seasons. Effects on vine carbohydrates, yield components, leaf area, grape and base wine composition were determined. The canopies of spur pruned vines established more rapidly than cane pruned vines in the 2009/10 season, for both 'Pinot noir' and 'Chardonnay'. The canopies were denser under spur pruning than cane pruning. Pruning treatment had no effect on total yield for either cultivar in any of the three seasons. Total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity were unaffected by pruning treatment, except in 2012 where TSS and pH were higher for spur pruned 'Chardonnay' vines. Apart from spur pruned 'Pinot noir' vine wood being higher in starch in the winter of 2011, overwintering starch and soluble sugar concentrations were not different between pruning treatments for 'Pinot noir' and 'Chardonnay'. Although not different in yield or basic fruit composition, fruit from spur pruned vines resulted in distinctly different phenolic profiles of base wines, with cane pruning appearing to negatively impact on the low molecular weight phenolics in the wine. The results presented here provide confidence that quality is not lessened, in fact could be improved, by shifting from the industry norm of cane to spur pruning for sparkling wine production in cool climates

Phenolic content of apple juice for cider making as influenced by common pre-fermentation processes using two analytical methods

Pre-fermentation methods can influence the cider produced from apple juice. This study analyses the influence of pre-fermentation methods; maceration and press fractioning, on the total phenolic content of juice from four apple varieties; ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Pink Lady’, ‘Sturmer’, and ‘Bulmer’s Norman’. The must was macerated for 0 or 2 h and juice was collected at free run or under 200 kpa. Base juice characteristics and total phenolic content was analysed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and spectrophotometric absorbance at 280 nm (A280), a method used for the analysis of white wine. Both methods of analysing the total phenolic content were used, measuring the same samples to determine if the methods are comparable. No interaction was found between pre-fermentation technique and the results varied by variety and analytical method. High pressure improved the phenolic extraction for ‘Bulmer’s Norman’ juice compared to free run juice when analysed by A280. Non-macerated juice had higher total phenolic content than macerated juice for ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Pink Lady’ juice when analysed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. There was a moderate positive correlation between the analytical methods

A comparison of laboratory analysis methods for total phenolic content of cider

Total phenolic content is widely accepted as a key measure of quality for cider. Apple juice and cider, made from six apple varieties including dessert and cider apples, were analysed for total phenolics using three different methods: (a) the Folin-Ciocalteu method, (b) the Somers method (a spectrophotometric method developed specifically for wine), and (c) ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) as a benchmark test. Of these approaches, the Somers method had the strongest correlation with UPLC with an R2 value of 0.99, whilst the Folin-Ciocalteu correlated with UPLC with an R2 value of 0.89. The Folin-Ciocalteu method also had a strong positive correlation with the Somers approach with an R2 value of 0.91. Correlations between methods were strongest for apple varieties that were naturally high in phenolic content. These results highlight the potential of the Somers method to rapidly, inexpensively, and accurately report the total phenolic content of apple juice and ciders made from dessert and cider apple varieties