Research-creation in the context of the contemporaneous esthetic-artistic practices. Disciplinary displacements and institutional challenges

En este texto nos ocuparemos de visibilizar algunos de los desplazamientos más significativos que han sufrido las prácticas estético-artísticas, enfatizando en el modo como estas aperturas han aportado a la configuración de una cierta noción de investigación-creación, en un momento las creaciones artísticas aparecen imbricadas en un campo complejo de relaciones conformado por saberes, tradiciones, instituciones y efectos pragmáticos, que hacen de tales prácticas una auténtica sedimentación de lo que podemos reconocer como procesos culturales.In this text we will deal with the visibilization of some of the most significant displacements that the esthetic-artistic practices have gone through, emphasizing in the way in which these apertures have contributed to the configuration of certain notion of research-creation, at a time when the artisitic creations appear imbricated in a complex field of relationships made up of perceptions, traditions, institutions and pragmatic effects, which make of such practices an authentic sedementation of what we can recognize as cultural processes

Aplidin (plitidepsin) is a novel anti-myeloma agent with potent anti-resorptive activity mediated by direct effects on osteoclasts

Despite recent progress in its treatment, Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains incurable and its associated bone disease persists even after complete remission. Thus, identification of new therapeutic agents that simultaneously suppress MM growth and protect bone is an unmet need. Herein, we examined the effects of Aplidin, a novel anti-cancer marine-derived compound, on MM and bone cells. In vitro, Aplidin potently inhibited MM cell growth and induced apoptosis, effects that were enhanced by dexamethasone (Dex) and bortezomib (Btz). Aplidin modestly reduced osteocyte/osteoblast viability and decreased osteoblast mineralization, effects that were enhanced by Dex and partially prevented by Btz. Further, Aplidin markedly decreased osteoclast precursor numbers and differentiation, and reduced mature osteoclast number and resorption activity. Moreover, Aplidin reduced Dex-induced osteoclast differentiation and further decreased osteoclast number when combined with Btz. Lastly, Aplidin alone, or suboptimal doses of Aplidin combined with Dex or Btz, decreased tumor growth and bone resorption in ex vivo bone organ cultures that reproduce the 3D-organization and the cellular diversity of the MM/bone marrow niche. These results demonstrate that Aplidin has potent anti-myeloma and anti-resorptive properties, and enhances proteasome inhibitors blockade of MM growth and bone destruction

The Emerging Role of Osteocytes in Cancer in Bone

Advances in the last decade have established the osteocyte, the most abundant cell in bone, as a dynamic and multifunctional cell capable of controlling bone homeostasis by regulating the function of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In addition, accumulating evidence demonstrates that osteocyte function is altered in several skeletal disorders, and targeting osteocytes and their derived factors improves skeletal health. Despite the remarkable progress in our understanding of osteocyte biology, there has been a paucity of information regarding the role of osteocytes in the progression of cancer in bone. Exciting, recent discoveries suggest that tumor cells communicate with osteocytes to generate a microenvironment that supports the growth and survival of cancer cells and stimulates bone destruction. This review features these novel findings and discussions regarding the impact of chemotherapy on osteocyte function and the potential of targeting osteocytes for the treatment of cancer in bone. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Paper Session I-A - Dielectric Properties of Martian Soil Simulant

NASA’s Viking and Mars Pathfinder missions each used onboard instruments to determine the composition of the Martian soil at their respective landing sites. Those findings led to the development of a Martian soil simulant (JSC Mars-1) at NASA Johnson Space Center. However, in spite of the compositional studies conducted during those previous missions, no direct measurements were ever made of the dielectric properties of the Martian soil. Recently, instrumentation was developed at NASA Kennedy Space Center that enables investigations of the dielectric properties of granular materials to be conducted, including studies of Martian soil simulant. In the present study, a three-electrode system was used to measure the frequency response to an applied sinusoidal voltage of finely ground Martian soil simulant that was placed in a dry, low-vacuum environment. The data is shown to support a simple model of the granular system in which the resistances and capacitances of individual particles are connected in series by the resistance and capacitance of interparticle contacts

Paper Session III-C - Corrosion Protection of Launch Infrastructure and Flight Hardware at the Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is a major source of worldwide corrosion expertise. Corrosion studies began at KSC in 1966 during the Gemini/Apollo Programs with the evaluation of long-term protective coatings for the atmospheric protection of carbon steel. NASA’s KSC Beach Corrosion Test Site was established at that time. The site has provided over 30 years of technical information on the long-term performance of many materials and continues to be upgraded with state-of-the-art capabilities to meet the current and future needs of NASA, other government agencies, and industry for corrosion protection. With the introduction of the Space Shuttle in 1981, the already highly corrosive conditions at the launch pad were rendered even more severe by the acidic exhaust from the solid rocket boosters. In the years that followed, numerous studies have identified materials, coatings, and maintenance procedures for launch hardware and equipment exposed to the highly corrosive environment at the launch pad. KSC’s Materials Science Laboratories have conducted testing and research in the field of corrosion since 1968. The Corrosion Laboratory was established in 1985 and was outfitted with stateof- the-art equipment to conduct research and materials evaluation in many different corrosive environments. In 2000, the Corrosion Technology Testbed was created in order to achieve KSC’s goal of increased participation in research and development. The Corrosion Technology Testbed is staffed with scientists, corrosion engineers and technicians with extensive experience in the field of corrosion and is outfitted with state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment to develop new corrosion control technologies and to investigate, evaluate, and determine materials behavior in many different corrosive environments. Its facilities include an Atmospheric Exposure Test Site, documented by the American Society of Materials (ASM) as one of the most corrosive naturally occurring environments in the world, an Electrochemistry Laboratory, a Seawater Immersion System, a Coatings Application Laboratory, and an Accelerated Corrosion Laboratory. The site has recently been outfitted with network connectivity for data acquisition through the Internet. A historical perspective highlighting the lessons learned in over thirty years of corrosion research, materials evaluation, and development work aimed at protecting and enhancing the safety and reliability of the nation’s launch infrastructure and hardware will be presented

Transparent Conveyor of Dielectric Liquids or Particles

The concept of a transparent conveyor of small loose dielectric parti cles or small amounts of dielectric liquids has emerged as an outgro wth of an effort to develop efficient, reliable means of automated re moval of dust from solar cells and from windows of optical instrumen ts. This concept is based on the previously reported concept of an e lectrodynamic screen, according to which a grid-like electric field is established on and near a surface and is moved along the surface p erpendicularly to the grid lines. The resulting electrodynamic force s on loose dielectric particles or dielectric liquid drops in the vic inity would move the particles or drops along the surface. In the or iginal dust-removal application, dust particles would thus be swept out of the affected window area. Other potential applications may occ ur in nanotechnology -- for example, involving mixing of two or more fluids and/or nanoscale particles under optical illumination and/or optical observation

Molybdate Coatings for Protecting Aluminum Against Corrosion

Conversion coatings that comprise mixtures of molybdates and several additives have been subjected to a variety of tests to evaluate their effectiveness in protecting aluminum and alloys of aluminum against corrosion. Molybdate conversion coatings are under consideration as replacements for chromate conversion coatings, which have been used for more than 70 years. The chromate coatings are highly effective in protecting aluminum and its alloys against corrosion but are also toxic and carcinogenic. Hexavalent molybdenum and, hence, molybdates containing hexavalent molybdenum, have received attention recently as replacements for chromates because molybdates mimic chromates in a variety of applications but exhibit significantly lower toxicity. The tests were performed on six proprietary formulations of molybdate conversion coatings, denoted formulations A through F, on panels of aluminum alloy 2024-T3. A bare alloy panel was also included in the tests. The tests included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), measurements of corrosion potentials, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Role of osteocytes in multiple myeloma bone disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the increased knowledge of osteocyte biology, the contribution of this most abundant bone cell to the development and progression of multiple myeloma in bone is practically unexplored. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple myeloma bone disease is characterized by exacerbated bone resorption and the presence of osteolytic lesions that do not heal because of a concomitant reduction in bone formation. Osteocytes produce molecules that regulate both bone formation and resorption. Recent findings suggest that the life span of osteocytes is compromised in multiple myeloma patients with bone lesions. In addition, multiple myeloma cells affect the transcriptional profile of osteocytes by upregulating the production of pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines, stimulating osteoclast formation and activity. Further, patients with active multiple myeloma have elevated circulating levels of sclerostin, a potent inhibitor of bone formation which is specifically expressed by osteocytes in bone. SUMMARY: Understanding the contribution of osteocytes to the mechanisms underlying the skeletal consequences of multiple myeloma bone disease has the potential to provide important new therapeutic strategies that specifically target multiple myeloma-osteocyte interactions

Nearly Direct Measurement of Relative Permittivity

A recently conceived technique for determining the relative permittivity of a material sample at a given frequency is more nearly direct than are prior techniques that involve measurement of such related non-electrical quantities as the size, shape, and/or weight of the specimen. The present technique involves only measurement of two voltages at the frequency in question, followed by calculation of the ratio between the voltages. The technique requires two circuits a test circuit and a reference circuit that are identical except as described below. Each circuit includes a capacitor C1 connected in series with a much larger capacitor C2 to form a voltage divider (see figure). C1 is a parallel-plate capacitor. The top electrode of C1 is connected to an AC signal source of voltage Va at the frequency of interest. The top electrode of C1 is surrounded by a guard electrode that, in turn, is surrounded by a grounded electrode. The bottom electrode of C1 is connected to the top electrode of C2. The bottom electrode of C2 is grounded. The volume enclosed by the top, bottom, and guard electrodes of C1 constitutes a sample cell. A material sample, having relative permittivity k at the frequency of interest, is placed in the sample cell. The exact shape and size of the sample volume is not critical and can be chosen to fit the material sample. What is critical is that (a) C2 in both circuits be identical and (b) the sample cell in the test circuit have the same size and shape as that in the reference circuit, so that the capacitances of the two sample cells are proportional to the permittivities of their contents