Carbon products from coal liquefaction fractions

Processes for coal conversion are being evaluated for the development of carbon-product precursors. In the present work, coal hydrogenation is being considered as a procedure for tailoring the properties of the precursors for specific carbon products. The object of this project is to assess and evaluate such coal-derived materials for use as precursors for the production of carbon products. Coal liquefaction samples are made under various processing conditions, e.g. temperature, pressure, solvent. Softening points, ash content and coking values of the samples are determined at WVU by ASTM methods. These samples were also examined for coke microstructure and mesophase formation. The asphaltene fraction is an especially attractive precursor and its properties can be tailored by varying the hydrogenation conditions. In general, there is a difference in behavior between products derived exclusively from coal (coal and coal-derived solvent) and those generated from a combination of coal and petroleum oil when materials are produced and compared at the same conditions

In(di)visible Tensions: Resistance in the Novels of Alejo Carpentier and Ralph Ellison

The history of Cuba and U.S. relations bounds Alejo Carpentier and Ralph Ellison in such a way that when they are put into conversation with each other it reframes the oft discussed themes of their oeuvre in terms of Resistance. The project seeks to posit the concept of in(di)visibility as the struggle that exists between conceptual frameworks that often results in their collapse and conflation. Understanding in(di)visibilities exposes the nuance between synonymous or dependent concepts and exposes their own ideological limitations. Therefore, when looking at their literary production through this particular framework one begins to discern how the acts of resistance the novel’s characters engage in are made possible by virtue of the tension inherent to their own ideological positions. Beginning with a discussion of the ways in which Ellison’s Invisible Man and Carpentier’s "Los pasos perdidos" and "El acoso" present a nuance between Invisibility and Anonymity that uncovers why some characters are successful in their acts of dissent while others fail. Subsequent chapters continue the analysis of Invisible Man and incorporate readings of "El reino de este mundo" and "Écue-Yamba-Ó" to explore how the thematic of Industry and Labor in order to understand further how the works in question present a mechanics of resistance that sets in motion the position of revolt in the novels. The final chapter looks at Carpentier’s final novel "La consagración de la primavera" and Ellison’s posthumous work Three Days Before the Shooting… in order to show how the in(di)visible is also at work in dependent concepts. A critique of the conditions of “exile” and “return” as presented in these two works reinforces the need for discerning the in(di)visibilities of our own ideological positions. This comparative approach not only adds to the ongoing scholarship of Carpentier and Ellison, it seeks to make these writers relevant in a modern day context by addressing how the polemics of human difference these works engage with still remain unresolved

La evasión tributaria de renta de primera categoría y la recaudación fiscal en locales comerciales del distrito de Cochabamba, 2021

La investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación entre evasión tributaria de renta de primera categoría y la recaudación fiscal en locales comerciales del distrito de Cochabamba. La metodología fue de enfoque cuantitativo, diseño no experimental y alcance correlacional, la población estuvo representada por 55 participantes a quienes se les aplicó la encuesta para obtener la información requerida para el desarrollo del proyecto. Entre los resultados más importantes se encontró que el 69% desconoce que por arrendar un local comercial están obligados a pagar renta de primera categoría, también se determinó que la mayoría de los contribuyentes carecen de cultura tributaria, lo cual es un factor primordial que conlleva a generar desconocimiento sobre sus responsabilidades como contribuyentes y como consecuencia incumplen sus obligaciones. Se concluyó que existe una relación negativa alta y significativa (Rho= -0,603; p=0,000) entre evasión tributaria de renta de primera categoría y la recaudación fiscal en locales comerciales del distrito de Cochabamba, lo que indica que, a mayor evasión tributaria, menor es la recaudación fiscal.TesisGestión empresarial y emprendimient

Molecular cloning and characterisation of the RESA gene, a marker of genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum

To identity immunodiagnostic antigen genes, a Plasmodium falciparum (Dd2 clone) expression library was screened using human immune sera. The ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) was isolated: this antigen of the resistant clone presents repeat tandem sequences like the 3D7 clone, albeit in different numbers. RESA has been studied as a marker of genetic diversity, with different sizes being observed in different isolates and clones of Plasmodium falciparum. The native protein was localised in cultures by western-blot and immuno-transmission electron microscopy. The antigenicity of RESA was evaluated by ELISA, using the carboxy-terminal repeat region as antigen. The assay’s sensitivity and specificity were 78.2 and 94% respectively

Disk halo size measured in individuals with monofocal versus diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To compare disk halo size in response to a glare source in eyes with an aspheric apodized diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) or aspheric monofocal IOL. SETTING: Rementeria Ophthalmological Clinic, Madrid, Spain. DESIGN: Prospective randomized masked study. METHOD: Halo radius was measured using a vision monitor (MonCv3) with low-luminance optotypes in eyes that had cataract surgery and bilateral implantion of an Acrysof Restor SN6AD1 multifocal IOL or Acrysof IQ monofocal IOL 6 to 9 months previously. The visual angle subtended by the disk halo radius was calculated in minutes of arc (arcmin). Patient complaints of halo disturbances were recorded. Monocular uncorrected distance visual acutity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were measured using high-contrast (96%) and low-contrast (10%) logMAR letter charts. RESULTS: The study comprised 39 eyes of 39 subjects (aged 70 to 80 years); 21 eyes had a multifocal IOL and 18 eyes a monofocal IOL. The mean halo radius was 35 arcmin larger in the multifocal IOL group than the monofocal group (P<.05). Greater halo effects were reported in the multifocal IOL group (P<.05). The mean monocular high-contrast UDVA and low-contrast UDVA did not vary significantly between groups, whereas the mean monocular high-contrast CDVA and low-contrast CDVA were significantly worse at 0.12 logMAR and 0.13 logMAR in the multifocal than in the monofocal IOL group, respectively (P <.01). A significant positive correlation was detected by multiple linear regression between the halo radius and low-contrast UDVA in the multifocal IOL group (r = 0.72, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The diffractive multifocal IOL gave rise to a larger disk halo size, which was correlated with a worse low-contrast UDVA

Localization of serum resistance-associated protein in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and transgenic Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

African trypanosomes infect a broad range of mammals, but humans and some higher primates are protected by serum trypanosome lytic factors that contain apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL1). In the human-infective subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a gene product derived from the variant surface glycoprotein gene family member, serum resistance-associated protein (SRA protein), protects against ApoL1-mediated lysis. Protection against trypanosome lytic factor requires the direct interaction between SRA protein and ApoL1 within the endocytic apparatus of the trypanosome, but some uncertainty remains as to the precise mechanism and location of this interaction. In order to provide more insight into the mechanism of SRA-mediated resistance to trypanosome lytic factor, we assessed the localization of SRA in T. b. rhodesiense EATRO3 using a novel monoclonal antibody raised against SRA together with a set of well-characterized endosomal markers. By three-dimensional deconvolved immunofluorescence single-cell analysis, combined with double-labelling immunoelectron microscopy, we found that ≈ 50% of SRA protein localized to the lysosome, with the remaining population being distributed through the endocytic pathway, but apparently absent from the flagellar pocket membrane. These data suggest that the SRA/trypanolytic factor interaction is intracellular, with the concentration within the endosomes potentially crucial for ensuring a high efficiency.MN is funded by grants from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, (SAF2012-40029), Junta de Andalucia (CTS-5841) and VI PN de I+D+I 2008–2011, Instituto de Salud Carlos III – Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa (RICET) RD12/0018/0001 and RD12/0018/0015. J-MB is supported by a Miguel Servet Fellowship (CP09/00300) and funded by ‘Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria’ PI10/01128. JR and MC were funded by a Wellcome Trust Project Grant 093008/Z/10/Z. Work in the Dundee laboratory was funded by the Wellcome Trust (program grant 093008/Z/10/Z) and the Medical Research Council.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cmi.1245

Cannabidiol induces antioxidant pathways in keratinocytes by targeting BACH1

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid that attracted a great attention for its therapeutic potential against different pathologies including skin diseases. However, although the efficacy in preclinical models and the clinical benefits of CBD in humans have been extensively demonstrated, the molecular mechanism(s) and targets responsible for these effects are as yet unknown. Herein we characterized at the molecular level the effects of CBD on primary human keratinocytes using a combination of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS). Functional analysis revealed that CBD regulated pathways involved in keratinocyte differentiation, skin development and epidermal cell differentiation among other processes. In addition, CBD induced the expression of several NRF2 target genes, with heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) being the gene and the protein most upregulated by CBD. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, RNA interference and biochemical studies demonstrated that the induction of HMOX1 mediated by CBD, involved nuclear export and proteasomal degradation of the transcriptional repressor BACH1. Notably, we showed that the effect of BACH1 on HMOX1 expression in keratinocytes is independent of NRF2. In vivo studies showed that topical CBD increased the levels of HMOX1 and of the proliferation and wound-repair associated keratins 16 and 17 in the skin of mice. Altogether, our study identifies BACH1 as a molecular target for CBD in keratinocytes and sets the basis for the use of topical CBD for the treatment of different skin diseases including atopic dermatitis and keratin disorders.This work was supported by the Medical Research Institute of the University of Dundee, Cancer Research UK (C52419/A22869) (LV) and Tenovus Scotland (T18/07) (LC) and by grant SAF2017-87701-R (EM) from the Ministry of the Economy and Competition (MINECO) co-financed with the European Union FEDER funds. InnoHealth Group and Emerald Health Biotechnology also supported this work.Ye

Isomeric O-methyl cannabidiolquinones with dual BACH1/NRF2 activity

Oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain are two key hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and multiple sclerosis. The axis NRF2-BACH1 has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that could be exploited pharmacologically to obtain neuroprotective effects. Activation of NRF2 or inhibition of BACH1 are, individually, promising therapeutic approaches for NDs. Compounds with dual activity as NRF2 activators and BACH1 inhibitors, could therefore potentially provide a more robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with an overall better neuroprotective outcome. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits BACH1 but lacks significant NRF2 activating properties. Based on this scaffold, we have developed a novel CBD derivative that is highly effective at both inhibiting BACH1 and activating NRF2. This new CBD derivative provides neuroprotection in cell models of relevance to Huntington's disease, setting the basis for further developments in vivo

Diplomado Linux Unidades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 y 6: Paso 8 - Solucionando necesidades específicas con GNU/Linux

Para acreditar los conocimientos adquiridos durante el desarrollo de este diplomado, todos los conocimientos adquiridos al fusionar los puntos a implementar a nivel de seguridad en esta presentación se combinan con la implementación del sistema operativo y la plataforma de control denominada Zentyal, que permite el descubrimiento. Las funciones que proporciona en los módulos instalados, ya sea en cuestiones de DHCP, DNS, PROXY, firewall y VPN, pueden probar las funciones de estas características.To accredit the knowledge acquired during the development of this course, all the knowledge acquired by merging the points to be implemented at the security level in this presentation are combined with the implementation of the operating system and the control platform called Zentyal, which allows discovery. The functions that it provides in the installed modules, whether it is DHCP, DNS, PROXY, firewall and VPN, can test the functions of these characteristics