Creation of Kink and Antikink Pairs Forced By Radiation

The interaction between kink and radiation in nonlinear one-dimensional real scalar field is investigated. The process of discrete vibrational mode excitation in $\phi^4$ model is considered. The role of this oscillations in creation of kink and antikink is discussed. Numerical results are presented as well as some attempts of analytical explanations. An intriguing fractal structure in parameter space dividing regions with creation and without is also presented

Norditerpenoids with selective anti-cholinesterase activity from the roots of Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth

Inhibition of cholinesterases remains one of a few available treatment strategies for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. The current study was inspired by previous data on anticholinesterase properties of diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and other Lamiaceae species. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition by the three new natural compounds-(1R,15R)-1-acetoxycryptotanshinone (1), (1R)-1-acetoxytanshinone IIA (2), and (15R)-1-oxoaegyptinone A (3)-as well as, new for this genus, isograndifoliol (4) were assessed. Three of these compounds exhibited profound inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and much weaker inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). All compounds (1-4) selectively inhibited BChE (IC(50) = 2.4, 7.9, 50.8, and 0.9 µM, respectively), whereas only compounds 3 and 4 moderately inhibited AChE (IC(50) 329.8 µM and 342.9 µM). Molecular docking and in silico toxicology prediction studies were also performed on the active compounds. Natural oxygenated norditerpenoids from the traditional Central Asian medicinal plant P. atriplicifolia are selective BChE inhibitors. Their high potential makes them useful candidate molecules for further investigation as lead compounds in the development of a natural drug against dementia caused by neurodegenerative diseases

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of synthesised tanshinone I and isotanshinone I analogues in zebrafish

During inflammation, dysregulated neutrophil behaviour can play a major role in a range of chronic inflammatory diseases, for many of which current treatments are generally ineffective. Recently, specific naturally occurring tanshinones have shown promising anti-inflammatory effects by targeting neutrophils in vivo, yet such tanshinones, and moreover, their isomeric isotanshinone counterparts, are still a largely underexplored class of compounds, both in terms of synthesis and biological effects. To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of isotanshinones, and the tanshinones more generally, a series of substituted tanshinone and isotanshinone analogues was synthesised, alongside other structurally similar molecules. Evaluation of these using a transgenic zebrafish model of neutrophilic inflammation revealed differential anti-inflammatory profiles in vivo, with a number of compounds exhibiting promising effects. Several compounds reduce initial neutrophil recruitment and/or promote resolution of neutrophilic inflammation, of which two also result in increased apoptosis of human neutrophils. In particular, the methoxy-substituted tanshinone 39 specifically accelerates resolution of inflammation without affecting the recruitment of neutrophils to inflammatory sites, making this a particularly attractive candidate for potential pro-resolution therapeutics, as well as a possible lead for future development of functionalised tanshinones as molecular tools and/or chemical probes. The structurally related β-lapachones promote neutrophil recruitment but do not affect resolution. We also observed notable differences in toxicity profiles between compound classes. Overall, we provide new insights into the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of several novel tanshinones, isotanshinones, and structurally related compounds

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Księga poświęcona Profesorowi Hieronimowi Kubiakowi w 75. rocznicę urodzin. Tom ofiarowany przez przyjaciół i uczniów

Logistics costs analysis in sme

Logistyka ma za zadanie optymalizować system przepływów dóbr i informacji nie tylko wewnątrz danego podmiotu, ale także w całym łańcuchu dostaw. Wszystkie procesy związane z przepływami rzeczowo-informacyjnymi, do których należą planowanie, wdrażanie i monitorowanie, są w kręgu zainteresowania logistyki. Zadania realizowane w ramach całego systemu logistycznego oraz poszczególnych jego podsystemów generują koszty. Badanie kosztów funkcjonowania systemu logistycznego pozwala na kompleksowe spojrzenie na ich kształtowanie/formowanie w całym łańcuchu dostaw oraz w pojedynczych jego ogniwach.Logistics costs is a category extremely significant costs in terms of profitability of economic activities, as indicated by their relatively high participation in relation to the income. Identification and analysis of logistics costs in enterprises causes significant problems for small and medium-sized enterprises especially, due to adopted method of economic actions recording. In this paper the authors present the implemented methodology and the results of research on the size and structure of logistics costs in small and medium enterprises in relation to the firm generated revenue. Results of analyzes have been compared to results of research in other countries. Then authors point on the methods of logistics costs accounting in the surveyed companies. Logistics costs not only significantly reduce profits, but because narrow exploration of the problem, it is also an important reservoir of enterprise competitiveness improvement. However, before managers take actions to improve the size and structure of logistics costs, in many cases they should deal with inappropriate, inaccurate, or even the lack of logistics costs accounting. Cognitive and analytical action in the area of logistics costs seems to be a first fundamental step in taking corrective actions in this area