scholarly journals Droplet-Assisted Microfluidic Fabrication and Characterization of Multifunctional Polysaccharide Microgels Formed by Multicomponent Reactions

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Hauck ◽  
Nalin Seixas ◽  
Silvia Centeno ◽  
Raimund Schlüßler ◽  
Gheorghe Cojoc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Multicomponent Reactions ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Correlation Spectroscopy ◽  
Droplet Microfluidics ◽  
Phase Imaging ◽  
Colloidal Probe ◽  
Young’S Moduli ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Polysaccharide-based microgels have broad applications in multi-parametric cell cultures, cell-free biotechnology, and drug delivery. Multicomponent reactions like the Passerini three-component and the Ugi four-component reaction are shown in here to be versatile platforms for fabricating these polysaccharide microgels by droplet microfluidics with a narrow size distribution. While conventional microgel formation requires pre-modification of hydrogel building blocks to introduce certain functionality, in multicomponent reactions one building block can be simply exchanged by another to introduce and extend functionality in a library-like fashion. Beyond synthesizing a range of polysaccharide-based microgels utilizing hyaluronic acid, alginate and chitosan, exemplary in-depth analysis of hyaluronic acid-based Ugi four-component gels is conducted by colloidal probe atomic force microscopy, confocal Brillouin microscopy, quantitative phase imaging, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to elucidate the capability of microfluidic multicomponent reactions for forming defined polysaccharide microgel networks. Particularly, the impact of crosslinker amount and length is studied. A higher network density leads to higher Young’s moduli accompanied by smaller pore sizes with lower diffusion coefficients of tracer molecules in the highly homogeneous network, and vice versa. Moreover, tailored building blocks allow for crosslinking the microgels and incorporating functional groups at the same time as demonstrated for biotin-functionalized, chitosan-based microgels formed by Ugi four-component reaction. To these microgels, streptavidin-labeled enzymes are easily conjugated as shown for horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which retains its activity inside the microgels.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT AND REFORMING IN PUBLIC REFORMS AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN ALBANIA, SUPPORT AND REFLECTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Ramon ◽  
Alba Dumi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Analytical Description ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care System

The Health Care Systems in Transition (HiT) profiles are country-based reports that provide an analytical description of a health care system and of reform initiatives in progress or under development. The HiTs are a key element of the work of the European Observatory on Health Care Systems. HiTs seek to provide relevant comparative information to support policymakers and analysts in the development of health care systems in Europe. The HiT profiles are building blocks that can be used: to learn in detail about different approaches to the organization, financing and delivery of health services; to describe the process, content and implementation of health care reform programs; to highlight challenges and areas that require more in-depth analysis; and to provide a tool for the dissemination of information on health care systems and the exchange of experiences of reform strategies between policy-makers and analysts in different countries. The HiT profiles are produced by country experts in collaboration with the Observatory’s research directors and staff. In order to facilitate comparisons between countries, the profiles are based on a template, which is revised periodically. The template provides the detailed guidelines and specific questions, definitions and examples needed to compile a HiT. This guidance is intended to be flexible to allow authors to take account of their national context. Compiling the HiT profiles poses a number of methodological problems. In many countries, there is relatively little information available on the health care system and the impact of reforms.

Mechanically-Tunable Quantum Interference in Ferrocene-Based Single-Molecule Junctions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Camarasa-Gómez ◽  
Daniel Hernangómez-Pérez ◽  
Michael S. Inkpen ◽  
Giacomo Lovat ◽  
E-Dean Fung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Quantum Interference ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Ferrocene Derivative ◽  
Single Molecule Junctions ◽  
Molecule Junction ◽  
Single Molecule Junction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Orbitals

Ferrocenes are ubiquitous organometallic building blocks that comprise a Fe atom sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings that rotate freely at room temperature. Of widespread interest in fundamental studies and real-world applications, they have also attracted<br>some interest as functional elements of molecular-scale devices. Here we investigate the impact of<br>the configurational degrees of freedom of a ferrocene derivative on its single-molecule junction<br>conductance. Measurements indicate that the conductance of the ferrocene derivative, which is<br>suppressed by two orders of magnitude as compared to a fully conjugated analog, can be modulated<br>by altering the junction configuration. Ab initio transport calculations show that the low conductance is a consequence of destructive quantum interference effects that arise from the hybridization of metal-based d-orbitals and the ligand-based π-system. By rotating the Cp rings, the hybridization, and thus the quantum interference, can be mechanically controlled, resulting in a conductance modulation that is seen experimentally.<br>

Model Pembelajaran Teams Games Tournaments (TGT) untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Suwarno Suwarno
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
School Effectiveness ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>A</strong><strong>bstract</strong><strong>. </strong>This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Teams Games Tournament (TGT) learning model to improve student learning outcomes. This research is important because the lecture learning model makes learning meaningless so it impacts on low learning outcomes. This research uses quasi experiment using control class and experimental class. Respondents in this study were students of class X SMK 8 Semarang Academic Year 2017/2018. Sample selection using random sampling, class X1 is <em>used</em> as a control class and X2 is an experimental class. The experimental class was given an intervention by learning Teams Games Tournaments (TGT), while the control class used lecture learning. The effectiveness of the model was measured by the student test analysis method. then analyzed by completeness test and average difference test. The findings of this study are the learning outcomes of experimental class students achieving better learning outcomes than classes using the lecture method.</p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>: Learning Model, Teams Games Tournaments (TGT)</em><em>. Students</em></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>Daftar Pustaka</strong></p><p align="center"> </p><p>Bofota, Y. B., &amp; Bofota, Y. B. (2017). <em>The impact of social capital on children educational outcomes : the case of Tanzania The impact of social capital on children educational outcomes : The case of Tanzania</em>.</p><p>Cahuc, P., Shleifer, A., &amp; Algan, Y. (2014). <em>Teaching Practices and Social Capital</em>. (6052).</p><p>Catts, R., &amp; Ozga, J. (2015). <em>What is Social Capital and how might it be used in Scotland ’ s Schools ?</em> (36).</p><p>Flint, N. (2017). <em>Full report Schools , communities and social capital : building blocks in the ’ Big Society ’ Contents</em>.</p><p>Goddard, R. D. (2016). <em>Relational Networks , Social Trust , and Norms : A Social Capital Perspective on Students ’ Chances of Academic Success</em>. <em>25</em>(1), 59–74.</p><p>Eddy Prasongko, 2017. Team Game Tournament. Bandung. Jawa Barat</p><p>Endang Poerwanti, dkk. 2008. <em>Asesmen Pembelajaran SD.</em> Jakarta: Direktorat Jendral Pendidikan Tinggi Departemen Pendidikan Nasional</p><p>Hargreaves, A. (2015). <em>School Social Capital and School Effectiveness</em>. <em>37</em>, 119–136.</p><p>Kurnia, Inggridwati. dkk. 2018. <em>Perkembangan belajar peserta didik</em><em>.</em> Jakarta: Direktorat Jendral Pendidikan Tinggi Departemen Pendidikan Nasional</p><p>Purwanto. M Ngalim. 2015. <em>Psikologi Pendidikan</em>. Bandung: PT Remaja Rosdakarya</p><p>Siddiq, M. Djauhar. 2018. <em>Pengembangan Bahan Pembelajaran SD</em>. Jakarta: Direktorat Jendral Pendidikan Tinggi Departemen Pendidikan Nasional.</p><p>Sugiyono, 2005. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif dan Rn D, Bandung Aftabeta</p><p>Lash, D., &amp; Belfiore, G. (2017). <em>5 Essentials in Building Social Capital Report 4 of the MyWays Student Success Series</em>. (October).</p><p>Mikiewicz, P., Jonasson, J. T., Gudmundsson, G., Blondal, K. S., &amp; Korczewska, D. M. (2011). <em>Comparative research between Poland and Iceland</em>.</p><p>Schlesselman, L., Borrego, M., Bloom, T. J., Mehta, B., Drobitch, R. K., &amp; Smith, T. (2015). An Assessment Of Service-Learning In 34 US Schools Of Pharmacy Follow Up On The 2001 Professional Affairs Committee Report. <em>American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education</em>, <em>79</em>(8). https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe798116</p><p><em><br /></em></p>

Development of Strategies for Glycopeptide Synthesis: An Overview on the Glycosidic Linkage

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (21) ◽  
pp. 2475-2497
Author(s):  
Andrea Verónica Rodríguez-Mayor ◽  
German Jesid Peralta-Camacho ◽  
Karen Johanna Cárdenas-Martínez ◽  
Javier Eduardo García-Castañeda
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Synthesis ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Phase Synthesis ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Biological Sources ◽  
Synthetic Routes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Potential Use

Glycoproteins and glycopeptides are an interesting focus of research, because of their potential use as therapeutic agents, since they are related to carbohydrate-carbohydrate, carbohydrate-protein, and carbohydrate-lipid interactions, which are commonly involved in biological processes. It has been established that natural glycoconjugates could be an important source of templates for the design and development of molecules with therapeutic applications. However, isolating large quantities of glycoconjugates from biological sources with the required purity is extremely complex, because these molecules are found in heterogeneous environments and in very low concentrations. As an alternative to solving this problem, the chemical synthesis of glycoconjugates has been developed. In this context, several methods for the synthesis of glycopeptides in solution and/or solid-phase have been reported. In most of these methods, glycosylated amino acid derivatives are used as building blocks for both solution and solid-phase synthesis. The synthetic viability of glycoconjugates is a critical parameter for allowing their use as drugs to mitigate the impact of microbial resistance and/or cancer. However, the chemical synthesis of glycoconjugates is a challenge, because these molecules possess multiple reaction sites and have a very specific stereochemistry. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement synthetic routes, which may involve various protection schemes but can be stereoselective, environmentally friendly, and high-yielding. This review focuses on glycopeptide synthesis by recapitulating the progress made over the last 15 years.

The Catholic Diaspora—Experiences of Evacuation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brodie
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Catholic Clergy ◽  
Profound Influence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Nazi Era ◽  
Mass Evacuation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pastoral Practice

This chapter analyses the impact exerted on the Catholic Church’s pastoral networks in Germany by the mass evacuation of laypeople from bombed urban areas as of 1941. Drawing on the voluminous correspondence of priests and curates despatched from the Rhineland and Westphalia to Saxony, Thuringia, Silesia, Austria, and elsewhere to minister to Catholic evacuees, this chapter provides in-depth analysis of the social and cultural histories of religious practice in wartime Germany. It demonstrates that the evacuation of laypeople—a topic long neglected within histories of wartime religious practice—exerted a profound influence on pastoral practice by the years 1943–5, placing unprecedented pressures on the Catholic clergy of the dioceses central to this study (Aachen, Cologne and Münster). This chapter therefore also casts new light on regionalism in Germany during the Nazi era.

scholarly journals Decreased Medical Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Comprehensive Analysis of Radiological Examinations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Aigner ◽  
Bernd Hamm ◽  
Florian Nima Fleckenstein ◽  
Tazio Maleitzke ◽  
Georg Böning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Case Volume ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Radiological Examinations

Objectives As a cross-section discipline within the hospital infrastructure, radiological departments might be able to provide important information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare. The goal of this study was to quantify changes in medical care during the first wave of the pandemic using radiological examinations as a comprehensive surrogate marker and to determine potential future workload. Methods A retrospective analysis of all radiological examinations during the first wave of the pandemic was performed. The number of examinations was compared to time-matched control periods. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of radiological examinations attributed to various medical specialties was conducted and postponed examinations were extrapolated to calculate additional workload in the near future. Results A total of 596,760 examinations were analyzed. Overall case volumes decreased by an average of 41 % during the shutdown compared to the control period. The most affected radiological modalities were sonography (–54 %), X-ray (–47 %) followed by MRI (–42 %). The most affected medical specialty was trauma and orthopedics (–60 % case volume) followed by general surgery (–49 %). Examination numbers increased during the post-shutdown period leading to a predicted additional workload of up to 22 %. Conclusion This study shows a marked decrease in radiological examinations in total and among several core medical specialties, indicating a significant reduction in medical care during the first COVID-19 shutdown. Key Points: Citation Format

scholarly journals Ontogenetic shift in the trophic role of the invasive killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus: a stable isotope study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Mancini ◽  
Raffaele De Giorgi ◽  
Alessandro Ludovisi ◽  
Salvatrice Vizzini ◽  
Giorgio Mancinelli
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Dikerogammarus Villosus ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Stable Isotope Study ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe introduction of the amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in European fresh waters is to date recognized as a threat to the integrity of invaded communities. Predation by D. villosus on native benthic invertebrates is assumed as the key determinant of its ecological impact, yet available information describe the species as a primary consumer as well as a carnivore depending on local conditions. Here, we assessed the trophic position (TP) of D. villosus in Lake Trasimeno, a recently invaded lentic system in central Italy, using the CN isotopic signatures of individuals captured in winter spanning two orders of magnitude in body size. TP estimations were compared with those characterizing the native amphipod Echinogammarus veneris and other representative invertebrate predators. On average, D. villosus showed a trophic position higher than E. veneris, and comparable with that of odonate nymphs. An in-depth analysis revealed that large-sized individuals had a trophic position of 3.07, higher than odonates and close to that of the hirudinean predator Erpobdella octoculata, while small-sized specimens had a trophic position of 2.57, similar to that of E. veneris (2.41). These findings indicate that size-related ontogenetic shifts in dietary habits may per se vary the nature of the interaction between Dikerogammarus villosus and native invertebrates from competition to predation. Information collated from published isotopic studies corroborated the generality of our results. We conclude that intra-specific trophic flexibility may potentially amplify and make more multifaceted the impact of the species on other invertebrate species in invaded food webs.

scholarly journals Progress and challenges of implantable neural interfaces based on nature-derived materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Redolfi Riva ◽  
Silvestro Micera
Keyword(s):  
Interface Design ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Matrix Proteins ◽  
Neural Interface ◽  
Neural Interfaces ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Response ◽  
The Impact

AbstractNeural interfaces are bioelectronic devices capable of stimulating a population of neurons or nerve fascicles and recording electrical signals in a specific area. Despite their success in restoring sensory-motor functions in people with disabilities, their long-term exploitation is still limited by poor biocompatibility, mechanical mismatch between the device and neural tissue and the risk of a chronic inflammatory response upon implantation.In this context, the use of nature-derived materials can help address these issues. Examples of these materials, such as extracellular matrix proteins, peptides, lipids and polysaccharides, have been employed for decades in biomedical science. Their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability in the absence of toxic compound release, physiochemical properties that are similar to those of human tissues and reduced immunogenicity make them outstanding candidates to improve neural interface biocompatibility and long-term implantation safety. The objective of this review is to highlight progress and challenges concerning the impact of nature-derived materials on neural interface design. The use of these materials as biocompatible coatings and as building blocks of insulation materials for use in implantable neural interfaces is discussed. Moreover, future perspectives are presented to show the increasingly important uses of these materials for neural interface fabrication and their possible use for other applications in the framework of neural engineering.

scholarly journals Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Responding to Investors’ Criticism on Social Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7396
Author(s):  
Yuming Zhang ◽  
Fan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Media Criticism ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Companies use corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures to communicate their social and environmental policies, practices, and performance to stakeholders. Although the determinants and outcomes of CSR activities are well understood, we know little about how companies use CSR communication to manage a crisis. The few relevant CSR studies have focused on the pressure on corporations exerted by governments, customers, the media, or the public. Although investors have a significant influence on firm value, this stakeholder group has been neglected in research on CSR disclosure. Grounded in legitimacy theory and agency theory, this study uses a sample of Chinese public companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange to investigate CSR disclosure in response to social media criticism posted by investors. The empirical findings show that investors’ social media criticism not only motivates companies to disclose their CSR activities but also increases the substantiveness of their CSR reports, demonstrating that companies’ CSR communication in response to a crisis is substantive rather than merely symbolic. We also find that the impact of social media criticism on CSR disclosure is heterogeneous. Non-state-owned enterprises, companies in regions with high levels of environmental regulations, and companies in regions with local government concern about social issues are most likely to disclose CSR information and report substantive CSR activities. We provide an in-depth analysis of corporate CSR strategies for crisis management and show that crises initiated by investors on social media provide opportunities for corporations to improve their CSR engagement.

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