Silicon‐carbon hybrid [2]‐ladderanes

The first silicon-carbon hybrid ladderanes consisting of trisila and tricarba ladder rails were obtained by the reactions of lithium disilenide R2Si=SiRLi (R=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) with allylchlorosilanes. The steric strain in the 1,2,6-trisilabicyclo[2.2.0]hexanes imposed by the bulky substituents leads to highly distorted ring systems with extreme puckering and long silicon-carbon bridgehead bonds. All 1,2,6-trisilabicyclo[2.2.0]hexanes show strong absorptions in the UV/vis and the rigidity of the [2]-ladderane framework gives rise to turquoise fluorescence

Design of Hybrid PAH Nanoadsorbents by Surface Functionalization of ZrO2 Nanoparticles with Phosphonic Acids

This study focuses on the preparation of innovative nanocomposite materials based on surface modification of commercial nano-ZrO2 optimized from Bronsted acid-base surface reactions. This surface modification was carried out by direct grafting of suitable phosphonic acids bearing a vinylic or phenylic substituent in aqueous solution. Different loading quantities of the anchoring organophosphorus compounds were applied for each materials synthesis. The resulting nanohybrids were thoroughly characterized by infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), demonstrating the reliability and efficient tunability of the surface functionalization based on the starting Zr/P ratio. Our nanocomposite materials exhibited a high specific surface area as well as complex porosity networks with well-defined meso-pore. The as-prepared materials were investigated for the adsorption of a mixture of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at 200 ng center dot mL(-1) in an aqueous solution. Adsorption kinetics experiments of each individual material were carried out on the prepared PAHs standard solution for a contact time of up to 6 h. Pretreatments of the adsorption test samples were performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE), and the resulting samples were analyzed using an ultrasensitive GC-orbitrap-MS system. The pseudo-first-order and the pseudo-second-order models were used to determine the kinetic data. The adsorption kinetics were best described and fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The correlation between the nature of the substituent (vinylic or phenylic) and the parameters characterizing the adsorption process were found. In addition, an increase of PAHs adsorption rates with phosphonic acid loading was observed

Camostat mesylate inhibits SARS-CoV-2 activation by TMPRSS2-related proteases and its metabolite GBPA exerts antiviral activity

Background: Antivirals are needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2. The clinically-proven protease inhibitor Camostat mesylate inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by blocking the virus-activating host cell protease TMPRSS2. However, antiviral activity of Camostat mesylate metabolites and potential viral resistance have not been analyzed. Moreover, antiviral activity of Camostat mesylate in human lung tissue remains to be demonstrated. Methods: We used recombinant TMPRSS2, reporter particles bearing the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 or authentic SARS-CoV-2 to assess inhibition of TMPRSS2 and viral entry, respectively, by Camostat mesylate and its metabolite GBPA. Findings: We show that several TMPRSS2-related proteases activate SARS-CoV-2 and that two, TMPRSS11D and TMPRSS13, are robustly expressed in the upper respiratory tract. However, entry mediated by these proteases was blocked by Camostat mesylate. The Camostat metabolite GBPA inhibited recombinant TMPRSS2 with reduced efficiency as compared to Camostat mesylate. In contrast, both inhibitors exhibited similar antiviral activity and this correlated with the rapid conversion of Camostat mesylate into GBPA in the presence of serum. Finally, Camostat mesylate and GBPA blocked SARS-CoV-2 spread in human lung tissue ex vivo and the related protease inhibitor Nafamostat mesylate exerted augmented antiviral activity. Interpretation: Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can use TMPRSS2 and closely related proteases for spread in the upper respiratory tract and that spread in the human lung can be blocked by Camostat mesylate and its metabolite GBPA

Guide de Ressources - Organismes offrant des activités sportives aux enfants handicapés dans la grande région de Montréal

Personne contact : Matthieu Rousseau ([email protected])Partenaire principal : Organisme Enfants en Tête (https://www.reginaassumpta.com/accueil/enfants_en_tete.php)Utilisation du matériel : Distribution par divers organismes qui promeuvent l'activité physique chez les jeunes handicapés physiques et par plusieurs CLSC de la région de Montréal et de LavalTravail réalisé dans le cadre du cours PHA2415Le but de notre projet consiste à diminuer la sédentarité chez les jeunes de 5 à 17 ans ayant un handicap physique dans la région de Montréal. Nos objectifs reposent sur la mise au point d’interventions visant à informer ces jeunes et leurs parents de l’existence de ressources tout en favorisant leur accessibilité. Pour parvenir à nos objectifs, nous avons organisé une séance d’activités sportives destinée à ces jeunes. Nous avons également travaillé à la conception d’un guide de ressources regroupant les organismes offrant des activités sportives aux enfants handicapés dans la région de Montréal. Nous voulons informer les parents de ces jeunes sur les ressources disponibles en matière sportive en distribuant ce guide à divers organismes et associations de parents. Finalement, par le biais d’un article de journal, nous avons fait connaître l’existence de ce guide à la population du quartier Ahunstic tout en les sensibilisant à la cause

When One Library Door Closes, Another Virtual One Opens: A Team Response to the Remote Library

The University of Central Florida Health Sciences Library is a digital library with 98% of resources being electronic and available online. Though almost all aspects of the library’s operations were impacted by the closing of the physical space during the coronavirus pandemic, being a digital library helped the library team transition quickly to remote reference, programming and instruction services

AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO TÉRMICO DE EDIFICAÇÃO PÚBLICA EM CUIABÁ, MT: ESTUDO DE CASO

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223613085433Considering the global scenario of scarce natural resources, creating solutions for moreresponsible energy consumption becomes essential. The architectural design appropriate to theclimate minimizes the energy consumption during use of the building. Aiming at reducing theenergy consumption of buildings were developed performance standards and energy efficiency invarious countries. In this context, this study aims at evaluating the thermal performance of apublic building in the city of Cuiabá, MT. To this end, measurements were made on the spotassessment of thermal comfort by the method of Fanger, evaluation of the envelope by RTQ-C.The building had a good thermal performance in their evaluations, staying in the comfort zoneduring all business hours. It is hoped that with this work, Regulation and its application can bebroadcast in the city of Cuiabá, demonstrating its effectiveness and contributing to improvedenergy efficiency of local buildings, especially for public buildings.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223613085433Considerando o cenário mundial de escassez de recursos naturais, a criação de soluções de consumo de energia mais responsáveis se torna imprescindível. O projeto arquitetônico adequado ao clima permite minimizar o consumo de energia elétrica na fase de uso da edificação. Visando redução no consumo energético das edificações foram desenvolvidas normas de desempenho e eficiência energética em vários países. Neste contexto, este trabalho tem como objetivo geral avaliar o desempenho térmico de uma edificação pública localizada na cidade de Cuiabá, MT. Para tanto, fez-se medições in loco, avaliação de conforto térmico pelo método de Fanger, avaliação da envoltória pelo RTQ-C. A edificação apresentou bom desempenho térmico em suas avaliações, mantendo-se na zona de conforto durante todo o horário de expediente. Espera-se que, com este trabalho, o Regulamento e sua aplicação possam ser difundidos na cidade de Cuiabá, demonstrando sua eficácia e contribuindo para uma melhor eficiência energética das edificações locais, especialmente para prédios públicos

Type VI Secretion System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Secretion and Multimerization of VgrG Proteins

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium causing chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Such infections are associated with an active type VI secretion system (T6SS), which consists of about 15 conserved components, including the AAA+ ATPase, ClpV. The T6SS secretes two categories of proteins, VgrG and Hcp. Hcp is structurally similar to a phage tail tube component, whereas VgrG proteins show similarity to the puncturing device at the tip of the phage tube. In P. aeruginosa, three T6SSs are known. The expression of H1-T6SS genes is controlled by the RetS sensor. Here, 10 vgrG genes were identified in the PAO1 genome, among which three are co-regulated with H1-T6SS, namely vgrG1a/b/c. Whereas VgrG1a and VgrG1c were secreted in a ClpV1-dependent manner, secretion of VgrG1b was ClpV1-independent. We show that VgrG1a and VgrG1c form multimers, which confirmed the VgrG model predicting trimers similar to the tail spike. We demonstrate that Hcp1 secretion requires either VgrG1a or VgrG1c, which may act independently to puncture the bacterial envelope and give Hcp1 access to the surface. VgrG1b is not required for Hcp1 secretion. Thus, VgrG1b does not require H1-T6SS for secretion nor does H1-T6SS require VgrG1b for its function. Finally, we show that VgrG proteins are required for secretion of a genuine H1-T6SS substrate, Tse3. Our results demonstrate that VgrG proteins are not only secreted components but are essential for secretion of other T6SS substrates. Overall, we emphasize variability in behavior of three P. aeruginosa VgrGs, suggesting that, although very similar, distinct VgrGs achieve specific functions

Copernicus Cal/Val Solution - D3.2 - Recommendations for R&D on Cal/Val Methods

This document presents a gap analysis of the methods used in the calibration and validation of Earth Observation satellites relevant to the Copernicus programme and suggests recommendations for the research and developments required to fulfil this gap when/where possible. The document identifies the gaps and limitations of the CalVal methods, used for calibration and validation (CalVal) activities for the current Copernicus missions. It will also address the development needs for future Copernicus missions. Four types of missions are covered based on the division used in the rest of the CCVS project: optical, altimetry, radar and microwave and atmospheric composition. Finally, it will give a prioritized list of recommendations for R&D activities on the CalVal methods. The information included is mainly collected from the deliverables of work packages 1 and 2 in the CCVS project and from the consortium experts in CalVal activities

LSST: from Science Drivers to Reference Design and Anticipated Data Products

(Abridged) We describe here the most ambitious survey currently planned in the optical, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). A vast array of science will be enabled by a single wide-deep-fast sky survey, and LSST will have unique survey capability in the faint time domain. The LSST design is driven by four main science themes: probing dark energy and dark matter, taking an inventory of the Solar System, exploring the transient optical sky, and mapping the Milky Way. LSST will be a wide-field ground-based system sited at Cerro Pach\'{o}n in northern Chile. The telescope will have an 8.4 m (6.5 m effective) primary mirror, a 9.6 deg$^2$ field of view, and a 3.2 Gigapixel camera. The standard observing sequence will consist of pairs of 15-second exposures in a given field, with two such visits in each pointing in a given night. With these repeats, the LSST system is capable of imaging about 10,000 square degrees of sky in a single filter in three nights. The typical 5$\sigma$ point-source depth in a single visit in $r$ will be $\sim 24.5$ (AB). The project is in the construction phase and will begin regular survey operations by 2022. The survey area will be contained within 30,000 deg$^2$ with $\delta<+34.5^\circ$, and will be imaged multiple times in six bands, $ugrizy$, covering the wavelength range 320--1050 nm. About 90\% of the observing time will be devoted to a deep-wide-fast survey mode which will uniformly observe a 18,000 deg$^2$ region about 800 times (summed over all six bands) during the anticipated 10 years of operations, and yield a coadded map to $r\sim27.5$. The remaining 10\% of the observing time will be allocated to projects such as a Very Deep and Fast time domain survey. The goal is to make LSST data products, including a relational database of about 32 trillion observations of 40 billion objects, available to the public and scientists around the world.Comment: 57 pages, 32 color figures, version with high-resolution figures available from https://www.lsst.org/overvie

Collision, Collusion and Coincidence: Pop Art’s Fairground Parallel

This article looks at parallel methods, motivations and modes of consumption between formative British pop art and British fairground art. I focus on two strands, the emergent critical work of the Independent Group and the school of artists based at the Royal College of Art under the nominal leadership of Peter Blake. I use iconographical and iconological methods to compare the content of the art, and then examine how pop art tried to create both a critical and playful distancing from established rules and practices of the artistic canon. I focus on non-institutional cultural groupings and diffuse production and consumption models