Continuous tank reactor synthesis of highly substituted sulphobutylether β-cyclodextrins

Batch synthesis of sulphobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin (also known as SBE-β-CD or SBECD) is a process effectively divided into three main stages, i.e. initial reagent dissolution, a sulphoalkylation reaction and final reaction quenching. This reaction is followed by downstream processing and purification, and ultimate isolation of the solid SBECD material. However, a feature associated with using this synthetic method is that a high proportion of lower substituted SBECD is observed. There is therefore a need to provide an improved synthetic method for producing higher substituted cyclodextrins. The authors here present a Continuous Tank Reactor (CTR) method for preparing sulphobutyl ether-cyclodextrins. The method comprises first contacting cyclodextrin with a base to form activated cyclodextrin. The method then involves separately contacting the activated cyclodextrin with an 1,4-butane sultone to form sulphoalkyl ether-cyclodextrin. The activation reaction is carried out in batch synthesis mode and the sulphoalkylation reaction is carried out under continuous flow conditions resulting in a novel method for the synthesis of highly derivatised cyclodextrins. The work is particularly concerned with producing controlled substitution in sulphobutyl ether β-cyclodextrins and novel compositions of highly substituted sulphoalkyl ether β-cyclodextrins are described

Energy and eventhood: the infrastructural set piece

‘Energy and Eventhood’ considers the relationship between infrastructure and the cinematic set piece. It proposes a working definition of the set piece as a distinctly (and perhaps excessively) effortful passage or sequence, and reflects on the tendency for narrative films to incorporate infrastructural sites and structures—such as bridges, dams and pipelines—into such set pieces. A number of writers on infrastructure, as both a cultural phenomenon and a representational object, have noted the aesthetic challenge of rendering it as visible and locatable; this article examines how that difficulty becomes manifest in the infrastructural set piece. It takes as its case studies Unstoppable (2010) and Night Moves (2013), two films noted for their distinctive rhythmic expressiveness, and each one deploying the convention of the set piece in ways which exemplify and reflect on the resistance of infrastructure to narrative containment

STAT1-deficient mice spontaneously develop estrogen receptor alpha-positive luminal mammary carcinomas

Abstract Introduction Although breast cancers expressing estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptors (PR) are the most common form of mammary malignancy in humans, it has been difficult to develop a suitable mouse model showing similar steroid hormone responsiveness. STAT transcription factors play critical roles in mammary gland tumorigenesis, but the precise role of STAT1 remains unclear. Herein, we show that a subset of human breast cancers display reduced STAT1 expression and that mice lacking STAT1 surprisingly develop ERα+/PR+ mammary tumors. Methods We used a combination of approaches, including histological examination, gene targeted mice, gene expression analysis, tumor transplantaion, and immunophenotyping, to pursue this study. Results Forty-five percent (37/83) of human ERα+ and 22% (17/78) of ERα- breast cancers display undetectable or low levels of STAT1 expression in neoplastic cells. In contrast, STAT1 expression is elevated in epithelial cells of normal breast tissues adjacent to the malignant lesions, suggesting that STAT1 is selectively downregulated in the tumor cells during tumor progression. Interestingly, the expression levels of STAT1 in the tumor-infiltrating stromal cells remain elevated, indicating that single-cell resolution analysis of STAT1 level in primary breast cancer biopsies is necessary for accurate assessment. Female mice lacking functional STAT1 spontaneously develop mammary adenocarcinomas that comprise > 90% ERα+/PR+ tumor cells, and depend on estrogen for tumor engraftment and progression. Phenotypic marker analyses demonstrate that STAT1-/- mammary tumors arise from luminal epithelial cells, but not myoepithelial cells. In addition, the molecular signature of the STAT1-/- mammary tumors overlaps closely to that of human luminal breast cancers. Finally, introduction of wildtype STAT1, but not a STAT1 mutant lacking the critical Tyr701 residue, into STAT1-/- mammary tumor cells results in apoptosis, demonstrating that the tumor suppressor function of STAT1 is cell-autonomous and requires its transcriptional activity. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that STAT1 suppresses mammary tumor formation and its expression is frequently lost during breast cancer progression. Spontaneous mammary tumors that develop in STAT1-/- mice closely recapitulate the progression, ovarian hormone responsiveness, and molecular characteristics of human luminal breast cancer, the most common subtype of human breast neoplasms, and thus represent a valuable platform for testing novel treatments and detection modalities

The anthropology of extraction: critical perspectives on the resource curse

Attempts to address the resource curse remain focussed on revenue management, seeking technical solutions to political problems over examinations of relations of power. In this paper, we provide a review of the contribution anthropological research has made over the past decade to understanding the dynamic interplay of social relations, economic interests and struggles over power at stake in the political economy of extraction. In doing so, we show how the constellation of subaltern and elite agency at work within processes of resource extraction is vital in order to confront the complexities, incompatibilities, and inequities in the exploitation of mineral resources

The Bloomsbury Companion to Marx

There are very few figures in history that have exerted as much and as varied an influence as Karl Marx. His work represents an unrivalled intervention into fields as various as philosophy, journalism, economics, history, politics and cultural criticism. His name is invoked across the political spectrum in connection to revolution and insurrection, social justice and economic transformation. The Bloomsbury Companion to Marx is the definitive reference guide to Marx's life and work. Written by an international team of leading Marx scholars, the book offers comprehensive coverage of Marx's: life and contexts; sources, influences and encounters; key writings; major themes and topics; and reception and influence. The defining feature of this Companion is its attention to the new directions in Marxism that animate the theoretical, scientific, and political sides of Marx's thought. Gender and the growing importance of Marxist-feminism is treated as equally important to clarifying Marx today as traditional and diverse categories of critique such as class, capital, and mode of production. Similarly, this Companion showcases the methodological and political importance of Marxism to environmentalist politics. Finally, the volume examines in detail non-European Marxisms, demonstrating the centrality of Marxist thought to political movements both within and beyond the global north. This book is the ideal research resource for anyone working on Marx and his ideas today, and as an entry point, if you are approaching Marx's thought for the first time. Table of contents Preface, Wolfgang Fritz Haug, Free University Berlin (Germany) Introduction, Andrew Pendakis, Imre Szeman and Jeff Diamanti Part I: Key Writings A. Key Texts 1. 'Introduction to a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right' (1843-44), Jerilyn Sambrooke Losch, University of California, Berkeley (United States) 2. “Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844” (1844), Judith Grant, Ohio University (United States) 3. “Theses on Feuerbach” (1845), Andrew Pendakis, Brock University (Canada) 4. The German Ideology (1846), Anna Kornbluh, University of Illinois, Chicago (United States) 5. The Communist Manifesto (1848) Peter Lamb, Staffordshire University (United Kingdom) 6. The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852), Gavin Walker, McGill University (Canada) 7. The Grundrisse (1858), Nick Nesbitt, Princeton University (United States) 8. A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy (1859), Simon Choat, Kingston University, London (United Kingdom) 9. Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, Vol. I (1867), Harry Cleaver, University of Texas, Austin (United States) 10. The Civil War in France (1871), Franco Berardi, Accademia di Brera, Milan (Italy) 11. 'Critique of the Gotha Program' (1875), Andrew Pendakis, Brock University (Canada) Part II: Context B. Philosophical and Historical Context 12. Materialism and Natural Sciences, Maurizia Boscagli, University of California, Santa Barbara (United States) 13. The Christian State, Roland Boer, University of Newcastle (Australia) 14. Liberalism and its Discontents, Terrell Carver, University of Bristol (United Kingdom) 15. Philosophical Constellations, Christian Thorne, Williams College (United States) 16. Nineteenth-Century Social Sciences, Corbin Hiday, University of Chicago, Illinois (United States) 17. Industry, Technology, Energy, Robert Johnson, National University (United States) 18. Engels, Jordan Kinder, University of Alberta (Canada) C. Sources and Influences 19. Ancient Philosophy, Aaron Jaffe and Cinzia Arruzza, The Julliard School and New School for Social Research (United States) 20. Hegelianism, Andrew Cole, Princeton University (United States) 21. Political Economy, Radhika Desai, University of Manitoba (United States) 22. French Socialism and Communism, Jonathan Beecher, University of California, Santa Cruz (United States) 23. Marx's German and British Political Encounters, Will Clare Roberts, McGill University (Canada) Part III: Key Themes and Topics D. Key Themes and Topics 24. Abstraction, Leigh Claire La Berge, City University of New York (United States) 25. Accumulation, Sean O'Brien, University of Alberta (Canada) 26. Alienation, Tim Bewes, Brown University (United States) 27. Base-Superstructure, Edgar Illas, Indiana University, Bloomington (United States) 28. Capital, Elena Louisa Lange, University of Zurich (Switzerland) 29. Circulation, Atle Mikkola Kjøsen, Western University (Canada) 30. Crisis, Joshua Clover, University of California, Davis (United States) 31. Dialectics, Carolyn Lesjak, Simon Fraser University (Canada) 32. Exploitation, Matthew Cole, University of Leeds (United Kingdom) 33. Fetishism, James Penney, Trent University (Canada) 34. History and Class Struggle, Peter Hitchcock, City University of New York, Baruch College (United States) 35. Ideology, Tanner Mirrlees, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada) 36. Imperialism, Tanner Mirrlees , University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada) 37. Mediation, Ruth Jennison, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (United States) 38. Mode of Production, Jason Read, University of Southern Maine (United States) 39. Nature and Ecology, Philip Campanile and Michael Watts, University of California, Berkeley (United States) 40. Primitive Accumulation, Jordy Rosenberg, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst (United States) 41. Profit, Alan Freeman, University of Manitoba (Canada) 42. Property, Christian Schmidt, University of Leipzig (Germany) 43. Religion, Jan Rehmann, Union Theological Seminary, New York City (United States) 44. Reproduction, Amy De'Ath, King's College, London (United Kingdom) 45. Revolutionary Communism, Peter Hudis, Oakton Community College (United States) 46. Revolutionary Strategy, Peter Hallward, Kingston University London (United Kingdom) 47. Social Relations, Kevin Floyd, Kent State University (United States) 48. Utopia, Gerry Canavan, Marquette University (United States) 49. Value, Mathias Nilges, St. Francis Xavier University (Canada) 50. Work, David Ravensbergen, York University (Canada) Part IV: Reception and Influence E. Marx after Marx 51. Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Joe Grim Feinberg, Philosophy Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Czechoslovakia) 52. Latin America, Emilio Sauri, University of Massachusetts, Boston (United States) 53. China, Rebecca Karl, New York University (United States) 54. Japan, Gavin Walker, McGill University (Canada) 55. Western Europe, Jan Kandiyali, Istanbul Technical University (Turkey) 56. Arab and Middle East, Jaafar Aksikas, Columbia College, Chicago (United States) 57. India, Dhruv Jain, York University (Canada) 58. Africa, Pria Lal, Boston College (United State) 59. North America, Tanner Mirrlees, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada) 60. Indigenous Internationalisms, Deena Rymhs, University of British Columbia (Canada) F. Contemporary Theory and Philosophy 61. Literature and Culture, Sarah Brouillette, Carleton University (Canada) 62. Cultural Studies, Jaafar Aksikas, Columbia College, Chicago (United States) 63. Ecology and Environmentalism, Danijela Dolenac, University of Zagreb (Croatia) 64. Gender and Feminism, Leopoldina Fortunati, University of Udine (Italy) 65. Geography, Matt Huber, Syracuse University (United States) 66. Materialisms, David Chandler, University of Westminster (United Kingdom) 67. Philosophy, Panagiotis Sortiris, Hellenic Open University (Greece) 68. Political Economy, Justin Paulson, Carleton University (Canada) 69. Political Theory, Bruno Bosteels, Columbia University (United States) 70. Psychoanalysis, Kiarina Kordela, Macalester College (United States) 71. Racism, Barbara Foley, Rutgers University (United States) 72. Sociology, Samir Gandesha, Simon Frasers University (Canada) 73. Technology, McKenzie Wark, New School for Social Research (United States) 74. Uneven Development, Harry Harootunian, New York University (United States) Inde