Insights on the adsorption behavior of aromatics in MIL-47 and MIL-53 from a theoretical perspective

Recently, the spectrum of nanoporous materials like zeolites and zeotype structures has been further expanded through the discovery of a new class of hybrid porous solids [1, 2]. Those materials, nowadays also known as metal organic frameworks or MOFs, consist of both inorganic and organic moieties. Certain MOFs exhibit a very interesting adsorption and even catalytic behavior. Within this contribution, we will mainly focus on adsorption and separation of aromatic species in MIL-47 and MIL-53 [3, 4, 5]. Some of the presenting authors reported for first time on the successful use of MOFs as selective adsorbents for the extremely difficult and industrially relevant separations of para-xylene versus meta-xylene and para-xylene versus ethylbenzene [3]. Their study focuses on the MIL-47, which was first synthesized by Barthelet [4]. This separation behavior of MIL-47 could be better understood with adsorption studies [3, 5]. The packing of each C8-pair will be discussed on the basis of the interactions between those two aromatic compounds and MIL-47 [3]. In order to unravel the interaction between the guest molecules and the lattice, periodic Density Functional Theory calculations have been conducted. The DFT calculations were corrected for dispersion interaction [6] to include the long-range attractive forces. It seems that pi-pi stacking energies between pairs of aromatics but also with the walls of the MOF are crucial for the packing behavior in the pores

Association d’une encéphalomyélite aiguë disséminée et syndrome de Guillain-Barré chez l’enfant

L'encéphalomyélite aiguë disséminée (ADEM) et le syndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) sont des troubles neuro-inflammatoires qui surviennent après une infection ou vaccination, affectant le système nerveux central (SNC) et le système nerveux périphérique (SNP), respectivement. L'association d'une atteinte immunologique simultanée du SNC et du SNP est rare. Nous présentons le cas d'une fille de 5 ans sans antécédents pathologiques particuliers, qui a présenté suite à un épisode de diarrhées liquidiennes, un déficit des membres inférieurs ascendant, bilatéral et symétrique. L'examen clinique avait montré une tétraplégie, une anesthésie thermo-algique des deux membres inférieurs et une abolition des reflexes ostéotendineux. Le diagnostic de syndrome de Guillain Barrée était suspecté. La ponction lombaire était non concluante. L'électroneuromyogramme était en faveur d'une polyneuropathie axonale sensitivomotrice. L'évolution était marquée par l'apparition d'une détresse respiratoire et de troubles de déglutition, ayant nécessité l'hospitalisation en réanimation pendant cinq jours. Par la suite, la patiente avait développé, des céphalées intenses avec des troubles visuels et une incontinence urinaire. L'examen des paires crâniennes avait montré une cécité bilatérale avec une paralysie faciale centrale droite. Le réflexe cutanéo-plantaire était en extension (Babinski bilatérale). L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) a mis en évidence la présence de foyers de démyélinisation au niveau de la substance blanche et des noyaux gris centraux en faveur de l'ADEM. La patiente a été mise sous méthylprédnisolone 30 mg/kg/j en boulus pendant 3 jours puis corticothérapie 2mg/kg/J pendant 4 semaines avec une bonne évolution

Haemoglobin J-Baltimore can be detected by HbA1c electropherogram but with underestimated HbA1c value.

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is considered the gold standard for assessing diabetes compensation and treatment. In addition, fortuitous detection of haemoglobin variants during HbA1c measurement is not rare. Recently, two publications reported different conclusions on accuracy of HbA1c value using capillary electrophoresis method in presence of haemoglobin J-Baltimore (HbJ). Here we describe the fortuitous detection of unknown HbJ using capillary electrophoresis for measurement of HbA1c. A patient followed for gestational diabetes in our laboratory presented unknown haemoglobin on Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing analyser which was identified as HbJ. HbJ is not associated with haematological abnormalities. High Performance Liquid Chromatography methods are known to possibly underestimate HbA1c value in the presence of this variant. This variant and its glycated form are clearly distinguished on electropherogram but HbJ was responsible for underestimating the true area of HbA1c. Capillary electrophoresis is a good method for detecting HbJ but does not seem suitable for evaluation of HbA1C value in patients in presence of HbJ variant

DISTRIBUTIONS ISOTOPIQUES DES PRODUITS DE TRANSFERTS TRÈS INÉLASTIQUES ENTRE IONS LOURDS

On compare les distributions isotopiques expérimentales des produits de transfert très inélastiques obtenus par les réactions 40Ca (284 MeV) + 40Ca et 40Ar (295 MeV) + 232Th

Regulation of the JNK pathway by TGF-beta activated kinase 1 in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) contributes to metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression and joint destruction in inflammatory arthritis. It is phosphorylated by at least two upstream kinases, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) MKK4 and MKK7, which are, in turn, phosphorylated by MEK kinases (MEKKs). However, the MEKKs that are most relevant to JNK activation in synoviocytes have not been determined. These studies were designed to assess the hierarchy of upstream MEKKs, MEKK1, MEKK2, MEKK3, and transforming growth factor-beta activated kinase (TAK)1, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using either small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown or knockout fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), MEKK1, MEKK2, or MEKK3 deficiency (either alone or in combination) had no effect on IL-1beta-stimulated phospho-JNK (P-JNK) induction or MMP expression. However, TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased P-JNK, P-MKK4 and P-MKK7 induction compared with scrambled control. TAK1 knockdown did not affect p38 activation. Kinase assays showed that TAK1 siRNA significantly suppressed JNK kinase function. In addition, MKK4 and MKK7 kinase activity were significantly decreased in TAK1 deficient FLSs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-1beta induced AP-1 activation due to TAK1 knockdown. Quantitative PCR showed that TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased IL-1beta-induced MMP3 gene expression and IL-6 protein expression. These results show that TAK1 is a critical pathway for IL-1beta-induced activation of JNK and JNK-regulated gene expression in FLSs. In contrast to other cell lineages, MEKK1, MEKK2, and MEKK3 did not contribute to JNK phosphorylation in FLSs. The data identify TAK1 as a pivotal upstream kinase and potential therapeutic target to modulate synoviocyte activation in RA

Historiographical path of the sculptures from the cloister of Saint-Étienne Cathedral at Toulouse attributed to Gilabertus

Per raó de la seva factura excepcional, les escultures procedents del claustre de la catedral de Saint-Étienne de Toulouse es compten entre les obres romàniques més famoses i més admirades. Tanmateix, les nostres certeses en relació a elles són limitades, i els debats als quals han donat lloc encara són ben vius. Aquest text no té pas la pretensió de renovar aquestes investigacions, sinó d'oferir-ne una síntesi ràpida. L'expedient és complex, en relació tant a l'emplaçament original de les escultures com a la seva datació, o encara als elements amb què han estat posades en relació: del Midgia, de Catalunya o de l'Emília. Com succeeix molt sovint en el cas d'escultures medievals, tot va començar amb una història amb molt moviment i poca documentació.Due to its exceptionally crafted quality, the sculptures from the cloister of Saint-Étienne Cathedral at Toulouse are counted among the most famous and admired romanesque works of art. However, our certain knowledges about them are limited, and the discussions originated by them are still alive. This text has not the pretention of renewing these researches, but of offering a quick synthesis of them. The dossier is complex, concerning either their original location, or their datation, or even the elemens whith which they have been put into relation: from the Midi, from Catalonia or from Emilia. As it happens very often in the case of medieval sculptures, in the beginning there is a rather hectic and badly documented story

More than Sport: A Case Study on Sport Diplomacy Within the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

Throughout society’s history and into today, sport continues to be at the forefront of leisure activities and the media. Those in the sports industry understand this constant attraction and therefore try to promote unity in terms of diplomatic, social and political relations. The purpose of this study was to examine the strategies implemented by Russia during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics to promote sport diplomacy among athletes and fans. The researcher designed a case study examining the programs, marketing, and soft power strategies used by Russia during the Sochi Winter Olympics. The results indicate that Russia failed to capitalize on promoting sport diplomacy during the Sochi Winter Olympics. When hosting an Olympics, it is recommended to accept all cultural differences by providing programs to all participating countries and promoting positive change through sport

The Role of Knowledge Externalities in the Spatial Distribution of Economic Growth: A Spatial Econometric Analysis for US Counties, 19692003

The traditional view of cities as monocentric conglomerates of people clustered around an employment center, driving economic growth in cities that subsequently trickles down to the hinterland, is increasingly being challenged. In particular, the role of space, technological leadership, human capital, increasing returns to scale and industrial clustering as well as hierarchical organization principles have been emphasized in the more recent literature. This paper utilizes exploratory and spatial econometric data analysis techniques to investigate these issues for US counties using data from 1969 through 2003. Ultimately, contiguous and hierarchical organization and interaction patterns are captured using an endogenous growth model allowing for spatial effects, inspired by earlier work on human capital and technology gaps. We investigate a neoclassical growth model and compare it to a spatial version of an endogenous growth model allowing for "domestic" investment in human capital and catch-up to the technology leader, and find that human capital strongly contributes to growth in a neoclassical setting, but much less so in an endogenous setting. In the endogenous model the catch-up term dominates in comparison to "domestic" human capital effects.Labor and Human Capital,

Technological Leadership, Human Capital and Economic Growth: A Spatial Econometric Analysis for U.S. Counties, 1969-2003

The traditional view of cities as monocentric conglomerates of people clustered around an employment center, driving economic growth in cities that subsequently trickles down to the hinterland, is increasingly being challenged. In particular, the role of space, technological leadership, human capital, increasing returns to scale and industrial clustering as well as hierarchical organization principles have been emphasized in the more recent literature. This paper utilizes exploratory and spatial econometric data analysis techniques to investigate these issues for U.S. counties using data from 1969 through 2003. Ultimately, contiguous and hierarchical organization and interaction patterns are captured using an endogenous growth model allowing for spatial effects, inspired by earlier work on human capital and technology gaps. We investigate a neoclassical growth model and compare it to a spatial version of an endogenous growth model allowing for “domestic” investment in human capital and catch-up to the technology leader, and find that human capital strongly contributes to growth in a neoclassical setting, but much less so in an endogenous setting. In the endogenous model the catch-up term dominates in comparison to “domestic” human capital effects.economic growth, human capital, technological leadership