Design of novel iron compounds as potential therapeutic agents against tuberculosis

In the search for new therapeutic tools against tuberculosis two novel iron complexes, [Fe(L–H)3], with 3-\ud aminoquinoxaline-2-carbonitrile N1,N4-dioxide derivatives (L) as ligands, were synthesized, characterized by\ud a combination of techniques, and in vitro evaluated. Results were compared with those previously reported\ud for two analogous iron complexes of other ligands of the same family of quinoxaline derivatives. In addition,\ud the complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammograms of the iron\ud compounds showed several cathodic processes which were attributed to the reduction of the metal center\ud (Fe(III)/Fe(II)) and the coordinated ligand. EPR signals were characteristic of magnetically isolated high-spin\ud Fe(III) in a rhombic environment and arise from transitions between mS=±1/2 (geff~9) or mS=±3/2\ud (geff~4.3) states. Mössbauer experiments showed hyperfine parameters that are typical of high-spin Fe(III)\ud ions in a not too distorted environment. The novel complexes showed in vitro growth inhibitory activity on\ud Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294), together with very low unspecific cytotoxicity on\ud eukaryotic cells (cultured murine cell line J774). Both complexes showed higher inhibitory effects on M.\ud tuberculosis than the “second-line” therapeutic drugs.CYTEDPEDECIBA Químic

The Evolution of Urban Concentration Around the World: A Panel Approach

In this paper, we use a panel approach to study population growth in major cities around the world. We find that major cities grow faster in relatively backward economies and in more volatile, faster-growing economies. We also find that the effects of trade policy on the growth of major cities hinge heavily on geography. While population growth in major cities located at or near ports does not change after an upsurge of trade flows, population growth in landlocked major cities tends to slow down after the same event. On the other hand, we do not find any effect of political regime on the population growth of major cities. Finally, we find some evidence that, other things being equal, larger cities tend to grow at smaller rates

Evaluating the Labor-Market Effects of Compulsory Military Service – A Regression-Discontinuity Approach

We identify the causal effect of compulsory military service on conscripts' subsequent labor-market outcomes by exploiting the regression-discontinuity design of the military draft in Germany during the 1950s. Unbiased estimates of military service on lifetime earnings, wages, and employment are obtained by comparing men born before July 1, 1937 (the White Cohort) who were exempted from compulsory military service to men who were born on or shortly after this threshold date and hence faced a positive probability of being drafted. We find that the putative earnings advantage and wage premium of those who served in the armed forces vanish when selection effects are taken into account

A Process For Developing Accurate Kinesic Cues In Virtual Environments

Computer animations exhibit the illusion of movements or actions of virtual agents and assets within a virtual environment display. Two distinct animation categories exist: two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D). 2D animation is typically stylized and used primarily for entertainment-based efforts such as cartoons and lowfidelity games. 3D animation is applied to a wider variety of domains (e.g., entertainment games, serious games, and training simulations). A well-designed 3D computer animation enables a realistic representation of action portraying the true context of movement, particularly human gestures (Badler, Palmer, & Bindiganavale, 1999). All humans convey intent whether purposefully or not via verbal and non-verbal cues (Bavelas, 1990; Givens, 2002). Kinesic cues convey information to an observer through body language and gestures. Emerging research in training human threat detection requires virtual agents exhibiting kinesic cues to provide visual stimuli within Simulation-Based Training (SBT) applications. Thus, guidelines and specifications for system developers are required. This paper presents a process for defining, designing, and animating kinesic cues using a commercially available software application to mimic realistic human behaviors, movements, and gestures. Through this discussion, culturally agnostic kinesic cues are presented, and relevant limitations are identified. The process described and lessons learned represent a logical progression in the formalization of developing advanced visual models for training Warfighters, law enforcement agents, and first responders to detect and classify human threats

Machine learning techniques applied in activity and action prediction for an emphatic space using context

Activity prediction is an integral part in the field of empathic computing though, in recent years, it has been subject to intense scrutiny due to the immense complexity of the task. An activity is composed of a set of actions however, due to the nonlinear nature of actions, it is difficult to identify the marker as to when the set of action for an activity begins and ends. The segmentation of actions is an integral part of activity recognition, and subsequently activity prediction, due in large part to an activity being defined as a sequence of specific actions. Several studies have seen success in accurate activity recognition, although only few have accomplished accurate activity prediction. This paper presents different supervised and unsupervised learning techniques and their respective results using data that has been gathered in the Empathic Space, TALA